cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
775-6 Vascular Remodling and Endothelial Dysfunction in Coronary Disease

Early coronary atherosclerosis (CA) is characterized by endothelial dysfunction which is manifested by coronary vasoconstriction in response to the endothelial-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine. The endothelium may be involved in the adaptive process of vascular remodeling (VR). While vascular remodeling has been demonstrated in advanced CA, it is not known if this process occurs early in the course of CA. Thus, this study was designed to test the hypothesis that VR characterized by proximal coronary artery enlargement occurs in patients with angiographically normal or mild CA and abnormal coronary endothelial function. To test this hypothesis, 20 patients found to have normal coronary angiograms or mild CA were studied. Acetylcholine was infused in incremental doses into the left anterior descending (LAD) with angiographic measurement of lumen diameter. Patients were divided into two groups based on their coronary endothelial function. Group 1 demonstrated coronary vasoconstriction in response to acetylcholine and Group 2 had a normal vasodilatory response. Intravascular ultrasound measurements of the proximal LAD diameter and area were made following nitroglycerin. Vessel diameter and area were measured at the internal elastic membrane and indexed to body surface area (BSA). Comparison between the two groups is outlined below: Group 1 (n = 14) Group 2 (n = 6) Vessel Diameter (mm) 5.1 ± 0.2 * 39 ± 0.2 Vessel Area (mm 2 ) 19.1 ± 1.5 * 12.4 ± 1.3 Vessel Diameter Index (mm/m 2 ) 2.6 ± 0.1 * 2.1 ± 0.1 Vessel Area Index (mm 2 /m 2 ) 10.0 ± 0.7 * 6.6 ± 0.6 Data are mean ± SEM * p l 0.02 vs. Group 2 Five patients in Group 1 and one in Group 2 had ultrasound evidence of mild atherosclerosis. This study demonstrates in vivo that vascular remodeling characterized by enlargement of the proximal coronary arteries occurs early in the course of coronary disease in the presence of endothelial dysfunction.
Planned Missing Data Designs for Research in Cognitive Development

Data collection can be the most time- and cost-intensive part of developmental research. This article describes some long-proposed but little-used research designs that have the potential to maximize data quality (reliability and validity) while minimizing research cost. In planned missing data designs, missing data are used strategically to improve the validity of data collection in one of two ways. Multiform designs allow one to increase the number of measures assessed on each participant without increasing each participant's burden. Two-method measurement designs allow one to reap the benefits of a cost-intensive gold-standard measure, using a larger sample size made possible by a rougher, cheaper measure. We explain each method using examples relevant to cognitive development research. With the use of analysis methods that produce unbiased results, planned missing data designs are an efficient way to manage cost, improve data quality, and reduce participant fatigue and practice effects.
From order to justice

We can observe in the progression of the work of Thomas Hobbes through David Hume to John Rawls a development from a focus on severe disorder to order under law and then to concern with distribution. This striking development is not due simply to changes of normative views, but is in large part about the technical or virtually technological capacities of government. There are also non-normative theoretical and significant developments in their theories. Hence, much of the difference between these philosophers, who superficially appear to disagree deeply, is essentially social scientific. If so, they should all be willing to revise conclusions to fit better social science. This is not the whole story, perhaps, or if it is, then we have to conclude that all of them make big scientific mistakes that vitiate their theories. On this view, Hume comes closest to having the theory right in his time and his account is more compelling as a social scientific account of our issues than are the accounts of Hobbes or R...
Effects of nitroimidazoles on neuronal cells in vitro

Peripheral neuropathy is a significant dose-limiting side effect of the nitroimidazole drugs in vivo. We have thus undertaken a study on the mechanisms of nitroimidazole neurotoxicity in the cultured neuronal cell lines, PC-12 (rat pheochromocytoma) and NB4183 (mouse neuroblastoma). Cells were differentiated with either nerve growth factor or dibutyryl cAMP and then were exposed to misonidazole and SR 2508. Cells underwent extensive morphological changes following exposure to nitroimidazole drugs, including loss of differentiated neurite projections. Loss of neurites appeared to correlate with changes in neurofilament proteins. Immunoblot analysis of the neurofilament proteins revealed a loss of the major parent proteins and the appearance of lower molecular weight (degradation) fragments. Our preliminary data in cultured neuronal cell lines suggest that nitroimidazoles cause disruption and degradation of the neurofilament lattice with subsequent degeneration of dendritic projections, and provide an in vitro model for studying the cellular and biochemical mechanisms of drug-induced neurotoxicity.
Channel sensing strategy for channel load estimation

The emergence of multi-channel wireless networks and cognitive radio networks has rendered dynamic channel selection an important task, and many existing channel selection schemes factor in the amount of wireless activities that take place in each channel, or channel load, to achieve load balance and maximize the utilization of wireless resources. In such environments, a monitoring node must sense the channel to estimate the channel load, yet when the node is equipped with a single radio interface, in which case the lone interface must be used for both channel sensing and data communication, there can be only a fixed amount of time allotted to channel sensing. In this paper, we show that a careful scheduling of channel sensing is needed to improve the accuracy of channel load estimation, and based on our findings, we devise a sensing strategy that minimizes the estimation error. Evaluation shows that our scheme can reduce the relative estimation error by as much as 40% in a heavily loaded channel environment.
Application of illumination pupilgram control method with freeform illumination

Source Mask Optimization1 (SMO) is one of the most important techniques available for extending ArF immersion lithography. The combination of freeform source shape and complex mask pattern, determined by SMO, can extend the practical resolution of a lithography system. However, imaging with a small k1 factor (~0.3 or smaller) is very sensitive to many imaging parameters, such as illumination source shape error, lens aberration, process property, etc. As a result, the real source shape must be re-adjusted to realize the expected imaging performance as may be seen, for example, in an Optical Proximity Effect (OPE) curve. In this paper we present an illumination pupilgram re-adjustment method that can effectively control the various illumination parameters to get optimum imaging performance, which is required for the lithography process design. The modulation functions are called Zernike intensity/distortion modulations2. Since the pupilgram modulation is expressed by Zernike polynomials3, a high degree of pupilgram adjustment freedom is provided to the intelligent illuminator4 (freeform illumination) which can be effectively modeled in the optimization. Furthermore, the magnitude of each adjusting Zernike component can be restricted to prevent over modulation, which may affect imaging performance for various patterns on a mask. Furthermore, the linear impact of each term of Zernike modulation can allow us to use Zernike linear combination analysis to calculate imaging performance. Therefore, optimization using a large variety of illumination modulation terms may be possible with reasonable computation loads. The method is combined with an imaging simulator that includes resist models and optimization algorithms in pupilgram refinement software called "OPE Master". The software can take into account the scanner signature and various constraints so that the result of the optimization can be accurately realized on the scanner. The optimization can be performed based on rigorous imaging simulation and Zernike linear combination analysis, which is based on a precalculated Zernike linear sensitivity table.
Reactivity of formic acid (HCOOD and DCOOH) at uranium and UO2.0 surfaces

Abstract Interactions of DCOOH and HCOOD with uranium and UO 2.0 surfaces have been examined using surface-specific techniques of thermal desorption mass spectroscopy (TDMS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and static secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SSIMS). On the clean uranium surface, formate is the predominant product following formic acid adsorption at 100 K. A wide range of products is observed after annealing to 200 K, including formate, hydroxyl, O ads , and H ads (D ads ) groups. Adsorbed formate decomposes by 300 K increasing the concentration of the remaining surface products. Surface-adsorbed carbon following TDMS measurements remains as the carbide, as indicated from XPS and SSIMS measurements. The only gaseous species created in high yields from the clean surface upon annealing are H 2 , HD, and D 2 . On the oxide surface (UO 2.0 ), adsorbed formate groups are more stable toward dissociation in comparison with the clean uranium surface. Between 100 and 300 K the predominant species on the UO 2.0 surface are surface formate and hydroxyl groups. Hydroxyl groups react between 300 and 350 K to release water from the surface. Adsorbed formate groups decompose between 400 and 500 K to release CO and H 2 CO (D 2 CO) groups from the oxide surface. Carbon was not detected on the oxide surface by XPS or SSIMS after annealing to 500 K, indicating that all carbon-containing species either desorb in the form of CO-containing products or migrate into the surface.
Contemporary Outcome Measures in Acute Stroke Research Choice of Primary Outcome Measure and Statistical Analysis of the Primary Outcome in Acute Stroke Trials

See related articles, p 1163 and 1171. The 2 articles in this issue1,2 are based on the recent European Stroke Organization Outcomes Workshop and provide an excellent basis for discussion of outcomes used in stroke trials. Bath, Lees, and colleagues raise important points to consider when choosing an outcome measure or an analysis plan. The authors speculate that trials to identify therapeutic benefits of effective drugs may fail to find benefits because of problems inherent in choice of outcome measures or methods of analysis. Early in their article, Bath and colleagues give examples of multiple ways to define an outcome and show that trial results vary based on the definitions used. The emphasis throughout the article is on increasing power to detect differences so effective treatments will not be missed. There are many ways to increase power, but not all lead to the identification of clinically meaningful differences. The authors give little mention to the possibility of a Type 1 error, that is, declaring an ineffective therapy effective. Type I errors can result from searches for outcomes and analytic approaches to increase the power to detect treatment differences after a trial is completed. It is as important to patients that ineffective treatments are kept out of clinical practice as it is to assure that effective treatments are not missed. The authors recognize that 1 outcome and 1 analytic approach may not fit all trials. In choosing an outcome or approach, the most important consideration is the research question of interest. It is the trial hypothesis that should drive the choices. As an example, at a workshop to identify outcomes and an analytic approach for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Tissue Plasminogen Activator (NINDS tPA) Stroke Trial,3 Thomas Brott stated that he would …
The Ethics of Doping and Anti-Doping: Redeeming the Soul of Sport?

Verner Moller, The Ethics of Doping and Anti-Doping: Redeeming the Soul of Sport? New York: Routledge, 2010. Pp. 165. US$39.95 (pb), $130 (hb). ISBN 978-0-415-48466-4 Verner Moller's The Ethics of ...
Chronic diarrhoea from mycophenolate mofetil-induced colitis.

A 25-year-old female with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) complicated by scleroderma renal crisis presented with a 2-week history of profuse, watery diarrhoea that persisted through the night and with fasting. She has been maintained on mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) at 1000 mg/day for 1 year for her MCTD. The patient reported no recent travel or similar illness in her household. There was no associated fever, abdominal …
Does electrode polarity alter the energy requirements for transthoracic biphasic waveform defibrillation? Experimental studies

Abstract Background: Electrode polarity may alter the success of biphasic shocks from implantable systems. Whether the electrode polarity influences the success of transthoracic biphasic defibrillation is unknown. We determined the effect of electrode polarity on biphasic transthoracic defibrillation in a porcine model. Method: In ten anesthetized adult pigs, 16–28 kg, electrode pads were placed in two different orientations on the chest wall; apex-right parasternal and sternal-vertebral column. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) was electrically induced and allowed to persist for 30 s. Truncated exponential biphasic shocks (5/3 ms) were delivered at 20, 30, 50, 70 and 100 J. Four shocks at each energy level were delivered to construct energy vs. % success curves for VF termination. Electrode polarity for the first pulse was varied so that the first pulse cathode was either the apex (for apex-parasternal) or sternum (for sternum-vertebral column), or the reverse. The second pulse polarity was always the opposite of the first. Results: VF termination success rose from 0 to 86% as energy increased from 20 to 100 J. Varying the electrode polarity did not alter success rates at any energy level with either electrode pad placement. Conclusion: In this porcine model of transthoracic defibrillation, varying the biphasic shock electrode polarity did not alter transthoracic defibrillation success. Positional labeling of transthoracic biphasic defibrillation electrode pads may be unnecessary.
THE DISCRETE NONLINEAR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION: A SURVEY OF RECENT RESULTS

In this paper we review a number of recent developments in the study of the Discrete Nonlinear Schrodinger (DNLS) equation. Results concerning ground and excited states, their construction, stability and bifurcations are presented in one and two spatial dimensions. Combinations of such steady states lead to the study of coherent structure bound states. A special case of such structures are the so-called twisted modes and their two-dimensional discrete vortex generalization. The ideas on such multi-coherent structures and their interactions are also useful in treating finite system effects through the image method. The statistical mechanics of the system is also analyzed and the partition function calculated in one spatial dimension using the transfer integral method. Finally, a number of open problems and future directions in the field are proposed.
Sertraline in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder.

ABSTRACT Objective To explore time to first response and time to first persistent response of sertraline versus placebo and compare these parameters between children (6-11 years old, n = 177) and adolescents (12-17 years old, n = 199) with major depressive disorder. Method A 10-week placebo-controlled treatment was followed by a 24-week open-label sertraline treatment. The double-blind studies were not powered to detect efficacy differences between age groups. A post hoc analysis explored time to first response and first persistent response using the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement predefined criteria. Results There were no statistically significant differences in time to first response or first persistent response between sertraline and placebo in children, except for time to first response on Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement. Sertraline had a significantly faster time to first persistent response in adolescents compared to placebo. Within treatment groups, children had a significantly faster time to first response than adolescents, whether treated with placebo or sertraline, but not on time to first persistent response. Both age groups showed similar improvement over 34 weeks of treatment. Conclusion In the double-blind studies, children and adolescents had different patterns of response with sertraline vs. placebo. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry , 2006;45(10):1162-1170.
CT localization of axillary lymph nodes in relation to the humeral head: Significance of arm position for radiation therapy planning

Irradiation of the axillary nodes is often indicated in the clinical radiotherapy of patients with lymphoma and breast cancer. The relative location of the axillary nodes and the humeral head has historically been estimated based on lymphangiographic data. Since CT offers more precise definition, the axillary nodal region in relation to the humeral head was systematically studied in 61 patients undergoing CT simulation for breast conservation therapy. Differences in arm position (degree of abduction) significantly affected the location of the axillary nodal region in relation to the humeral head. With the arm abducted beyond 55 degrees, humeral head blocking would result in blocking of some of the axillary nodes.
An overview of the tourpedia linked dataset with a focus on relations discovery among places

Tourpedia (http://tour-pedia.org) is an open initiative which contains a linked dataset of tourism places, i.e. accommodations, attractions, points of interest (POIs) and restaurants. Tourpedia extracts and integrates information about places from four different social social media: Facebook, Foursquare, Google Places and Booking.com. The resulting knowledge base currently consists of more than 6M RDF triples and describes almost 500.000 places, each of which is identified by a globally unique identifier, which can be dereferenced over the Web into a RDF description. This paper gives an overview of the Tourpedia knowledge base and illustrates how new relations are discovered among places through Named Entity Recognition (NER) tools.
A high-throughput screening assay for assessing the viability of Cryptococcus neoformans under nutrient starvation conditions

Cryptococcus neoformans causes an estimated 600,000 AIDS-related deaths annually that occur primarily in resource-limited countries. Fluconazole and amphotericin B are currently available for the treatment of cryptococcal-related infections. However, fluconazole has limited clinical efficacy and amphotericin B requires intravenous infusion and is associated with high renal toxicity. Therefore, there is an unmet need for a new orally administrable anti-cryptococcal drug. We have developed a high-throughput screening assay for the measurement of C. neoformans viability in 1,536-well plate format. The signal-to-basal ratio of the ATP content assay was 21.9 fold with a coefficient of variation and Z' factor of 7.1 % and 0.76, respectively. A pilot screen of 1,280 known compounds against the wild-type C. neoformans (strain H99) led to the identification of four active compounds including niclosamide, malonoben, 6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime, and 5-[(4-ethylphenyl)methylene]-2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone. These compounds were further tested against nine clinical isolates of C. neoformans, and their fungicidal activities were confirmed. The results demonstrate that this miniaturized C. neoformans assay is advantageous for the high-throughput screening of large compound collections to identify lead compounds for new anti-cryptococcal drug development.
Photorefractive two-wave mixing in the presence of high-speed optical phase modulation

Equations that describe the steady-state dependence of the coherent-coupling properties of photorefractively induced refractive-index gratings on high-speed periodic biphase, sinusoidal, and triangular phase modulation impressed on one of the input optical beams are found and solved for both depleted and undepleted pump conditions. The period of the phase modulation wave form was kept short compared with the grating-formation time but did not cause significant spectral broadening. The results obtained were verified with data obtained from measurements of two-wave mixing in the photorefractive material, InP:Fe.
Dietary quercetin supplementation in mice increases skeletal muscle PGC1α expression, improves mitochondrial function and attenuates insulin resistance in a time-specific manner.

Aims/Hypothesis High fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance (IR) is partially characterized by reduced skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC1α) expression. Our previous study showed that a high dose of the bioflavonoid quercetin exacerbated HFD-induced IR; yet, others have demonstrated that quercetin improves insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether differing doses of quercetin act in a time-dependent manner to attenuate HFD-induced IR in association with improved skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and PGC1α expression. Methods C57BL/6J mice were fed HFD for 3 or 8 wks, with or without a low (50 ug/day; HF+50Q) or high (600 ug/day, HF+600Q) dose of quercetin. Whole body and metabolic phenotypes and insulin sensitivity were assessed. Skeletal muscle metabolomic analysis of acylcarnitines and PGC1α mRNA expression via qRT-PCR were measured. Results Quercetin at 50 ug/day for 8 wk attenuated HFD-induced increases in fat mass, body weight and IR and increased PGC1α expression, whereas 600 ug/day of quercetin exacerbated fat mass accumulation without altering body weight, IR or PGC1α. PGC1α expression correlated with acylcarnitine levels similarly in HF and HF+600Q; these correlations were not present in HF+50Q. At both time points, energy expenditure increased in HF+50Q and decreased in HF+600Q, independent of PGC1α and IR. Conclusions/Interpretation Chronic dietary quercetin supplementation at low but not higher dose ameliorates the development of diet-induced IR while increasing PGC1α expression in muscle, suggesting that skeletal muscle may be an important target for the insulin-sensitizing effects of a low dose of quercetin.
The accuracy of thoracic ultrasound for detection of pneumothorax is not sustained over time: a preliminary study.

Background:Ultrasound has proven to be very accurate in the diagnosis of pneumothorax in the trauma suite. It is unknown whether this accuracy is maintained over time in patients with a thoracostomy (TT) in place.Methods:Hospitalized patients with a TT placed to treat a traumatic pneumothorax underw
Reoperative pulmonary metastasectomy for sarcomatous pediatric histologies

Abstract Background . The role for reoperative pulmonary metastasectomy in patients with "pediatric sarcomas" (osteosarcoma, nonrhabdomyosarcoma–soft tissue sarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma) is undefined. Methods . We reviewed our results for patients with these histologic presentations (median age, 17.5 years; range, 6 to 32 years) having two (70), three (27), or four (10) metastasectomies between January 1965 and March 1995 to define postresection survival and potential prognostic factors. Simple wedges (88 thoracotomies, 84%) were performed more frequently than anatomic (17 thoracotomies, 16%) resections. Results . With a median potential follow-up of 12.7 years, median survival was 2.25, 3.60, and 0.96 years from the second, third, and fourth explorations, respectively. Primary tumor site, sex, histology, age, maximal metastasis size, and systemic chemotherapy did not influence survival. Resectability was the most important prognostic factor (5.6 versus 0.7 years, 5.2 versus 2.5 years, 2.2 versus 0.2 years, resectable versus unresectable, median survival from second, third, and fourth thoracotomy, respectively). Unresectability, disease-free interval less than 6 months between initial (ie, first) pulmonary resection and the second thoracotomy, and two or more preoperative nodules noted on the right were simultaneously negatively associated with survival from the second thoracotomy. Unresectability or finding two or more metastases negatively affected survival from the third thoracotomy. Conclusions . These data imply that repeat metastasectomy can salvage a subset of patients with sarcomatous pediatric histologic presentations who retain favorable prognostic determinants.
Absence of multiple forms of ribulose 15-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in mung bean

Abstract Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase has been reported to occur in multiple forms in mung bean ( Phaseolus aureus ) using Sephadex G-200 chromatography. We have isolated this enzyme by identical methodology. The profile from Sephadex G-200 chromatography shows only one peak in contrast to the previous report and we find no evidence to corroborate the conclusions. Where V c , V o and K c , K o represent V max and Michaelis constants, respectively, the constant V c K o / V o K c for the single form is 70 at 40 μM CO 2 and 1200 μM O 2 .
Cloning and functional characterization of two calmodulin genes during larval development in the parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni.

Abstract Schistosomiasis is endemic in over 70 countries, in which more than 200 million people are infected with the various schistosome species. Understanding the physiological processes underlying key developmental events could be useful in developing novel chemotherapeutic reagents or infection intervention strategies. Calmodulin is a small, calcium-sensing protein found in all eukaryotes and, although the protein has been previously identified in various Schistosoma mansoni stages and implicated in egg hatching and miracidia transformation, few molecular and functional data are available for this essential protein. Herein, we report the molecular cloning, expression, and functional characterization of calmodulin in the miracidia and primary sporocyst stages of S. mansoni. Two transcripts, SmCaM1 and SmCaM2, were cloned and sequenced, and a recombinant SmCaM1 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and used to generate anti-CaM antibodies. The 2 protein sequences were highly conserved when compared ...
Application of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition to lasers for integrated optoelectronics

The fiber optics technology based on discrete components is rapidly maturing. Sources are commercially available at the 0.82 - 0.85 μm and 1.3 μm wavelength windows in fiber loss characteristics. The detector technology at present is dominated by Si and Ge detectors owing to their advanced state of technological development. While systems being installed are almost exclusively based on GaAlAs/GaAs sources and Si detectors, there is an inevitable trend to longer wavelengths for long distance systems owing to superior fiber loss and dispersion characteristics. These applications dominate the research interests of companies involved in telecommunications.
Employee theft in the restaurant trade: Forms of ripping off by waiters at work.

The variety of part‐time theft techniques used by waiters in the restaurant trade is examined using a self‐report methodology. Using twelve hypothetical cases of ripping off in restaurants, three potential theft targets are assessed: the restaurant, customers of the restaurant, and co‐workers. Predictions about the frequency of involvement of these theft activities are tested using a sample of waiters in four “prime rib” restaurants. Hypotheses dealing with working conditions and the ability to neutralize moral controls against theft are presented to explain which waiters will be involved in employee theft. The theoretical implications of “amateur trading” and pecuniary‐based theft are developed in order to show the critical role that theft activities play in the work setting of the restaurant. The findings have implications for the “controlled larceny” solution to the problem of employee theft suggested by some observers.
The Role of Momentum Transport in the Motion of a Quasi-Idealized Mesoscale Convective System

Abstract Momentum transport is examined in a simulated midlatitude mesoscale convective system (MCS) to investigate its contribution to MCS motion. Momentum budgets are computed using model output to quantify the role of specific processes in determining the low-level wind field in the system’s surface-based cold pool. Results show that toward the leading convective line of the MCS and near the leading edge of the cold pool, the momentum field is most strongly determined by the vertical advection of the storm-induced perturbation wind. Across the middle rear of the system, the wind field is largely a product of the pressure gradient acceleration and, to a lesser extent, the vertical advection of the background environmental (i.e., base state) wind. The relative magnitudes of the vertical advection terms in an Eulerian momentum budget suggest that, for gust-front-driven systems, downward momentum transport by the MCS is a significant driver of MCS motion and potentially severe surface winds. Results furthe...
A Selenosporella synanamorph associated with Chaetendophragmia triangularia

The hyphomycete Chaetendophragmia triangularia was isolated from Vaccinium macrocarpon leaf litter in Wisconsin. A Selenosporella state that developed in culture is the first reported synanamorph in the genus. Chaetendophragmia triangularia and synanamorph are described and illustrated from culture and the host and geographical ranges of the species are discussed.
Dynamic Protein Kinase A Activities Induced by β-Adrenoceptors Dictate Signaling Propagation for Substrate Phosphorylation and Myocyte Contraction

cAMP/protein kinase (PK)A activation represents a key signaling mechanism for neurohormonal stimulation of diversified physiological processes. Using real-time, fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based imaging of PKA activity in neonatal cardiac myocytes, we report that sustained activation of PKA induced by β-adrenoceptor (βAR) dictates signaling propagation for substrate phosphorylation and myocyte contraction. Activation of βARs in wild-type myocytes induces strong and sustained PKA activities, which are rapidly attenuated on washing away agonist or adding antagonist to the cells. The sustained PKA activities promote signaling propagation to the sarcoplasmic reticulum for phosphorylation of phospholamban and increases in myocyte contraction. Addition of antagonist after βAR stimulation significantly attenuates PKA phosphorylation of phospholamban and rapidly reduces contraction rate increases. Moreover, stimulation of β 1 AR subtype induces PKA activities similar to those in wild-type cells. In contrast, stimulation of β 2 AR subtype induces strong initial activation of PKA similar to those induced by β 1 AR; however, the activities are rapidly decreased to baseline levels. The transient PKA activities are sufficient for phosphorylation of the overexpressed β 2 ARs under agonist stimulation, but not phospholamban. Further analysis reveals that phosphodiesterase 4 is the major family that shapes PKA activities under βAR stimulation. Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 extends β 2 AR-induced PKA activities, promotes PKA phosphorylation of phospholamban, and ultimately enhances myocyte contraction responses. Together, our data have revealed insights into kinetics of PKA activities in signaling propagation under neurohormonal stimulation.
Official offense status and self-esteem among Chinese youths

Abstract The present study assessed an important hypothesis derived from the labeling perspective that official labeling of delinquency reduces self-esteem of the labeled individual. Although evidence for the hypothesis is rare in the U.S. research, it has been proposed that the relationship between official labeling and self-esteem may vary across different social and cultural contexts. China has a distinctive social and cultural setting and offers a unique opportunity to assess the hypothesis. It is argued that official labeling is likely to negatively affect self-esteem of the labeled youths in the social and cultural context of China. Using data collected from China, the study provided a preliminary test of the hypothesis. The findings support the hypothesis.
Biomass and Burning Characteristics of Sugar Pine Cones

We investigated the physical and burning characteristics of sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana Douglas) cones and their contribution to woody surface fuel loadings. Field sampling was conducted at the Yosemite Forest Dynamics Plot (YFDP), a 25.6 ha mapped study plot in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. We developed a classification system to describe sugar pine cones of different sizes and decay conditions, and examined differences among cone classes in biomass, bulk density, flame length, burning time, consumption, and relative contribution to surface fuel loads. Sugar pine cones comprised 601 kg ha−1 of surface fuels. Mature cones comprised 54 % of cone biomass, and aborted juvenile cones accounted for 44 %. Cone biomass, diameter, and bulk density differed among cone condition classes, as did burning characteristics (one-way ANOVA, P < 0.001 in all cases). Flame lengths ranged from 5 cm to 94 cm for juvenile cones, and 71 cm to 150 cm for mature cones. Our results showed that the developmental stage at which sugar pine cones become surface fuels determines their potential contribution to surface fire behavior in Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forests. Sugar pine cones burn with greater flame lengths and flame times than the cones of other North American fire-tolerant pine species studied to date, indicating that cones augment the surface fire regime of sugar pine forests, and likely do so to a greater degree than do cones of other pine species.
Heart Failure in Blacks: Etiologic and Epidemiologic Differences

Heart failure in black Americans has become a cardiovascular conundrum of increasing clinical significance. Over 60% of black patients with heart failure have an antecedent history of hypertension as a putative cause of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, whereas only 30% have coronary artery disease as the suspected cause of LV dysfunction. Once affected with heart failure, the natural history of the disease becomes worrisome: LV dysfunction is more advanced, the severity of the disease is worse, the hospitalization rate is higher, and the mortality rate is at least 30% higher than that of white Americans. When treated in a conventional manner, available data have been inconsistent, and reliable drug efficacy has not been demonstrated. These differences do not appear to be due to socioeconomic factors. It is quite possible that unique pertubations in the neurohormonal environment may explain differences in the natural history of heart failure in blacks and yield new targets of therapy.
TYROSINE PHOSPHORYLATION TRANSLOCATES β-CATENIN FROM CELL–CELL INTERFACE TO THE CYTOPLASM, BUT DOES NOT SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE THE LEF-1-DEPENDENT TRANSACTIVATING FUNCTION

beta-catenin plays an essential role in cells, not only as a cadherin-associated complex, but also as a signaling molecule in the nucleus. Tyrosine phosphorylation of beta-catenin has been shown to correlate with tumorigenesis, cell migration, and developmental processes. However, its exact effects on downstream targets in the nucleus are not yet clear. In this study, we used HCT-15 colon carcinoma and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts as models to investigate the effects of a phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) inhibitor on the localization of beta-catenin, the binding affinity to LEF-1 (Lymphoid Enhancer Factor), and on LEF-1-dependent transactivation function. Treatment with a PTPase inhibitor, pervanadate, increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of beta-catenin in a time-dependent manner and led to its relocation from cell-cell interfaces to the cytoplasm. This phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of beta-catenin does not require its presence at cell-cell interfaces. However, tyrosine phosphorylation of beta-catenin does not change its binding affinity to LEF-1 nor enhance cyclin D1 transactivation, a nuclear target of beta-catenin/LEF-1. This result suggests that tyrosine phosphorylation of beta-catenin has effects on the binding to cadherins in the cytoplasm but not on its LEF-1-dependent transactivating function in the nucleus.
Spectral absorption features as indicators of water status in coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) leaves

A total of 139 reflectance spectra (between 350 and 2500 nm) from coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) leaves were measured in the laboratory with a spectrometer FieldSpecAPro FR. Correlation analysis was conducted between absorption features, three-band ratio indices derived from the spectra and corres- ponding relative water content (RWC, %) of oak leaves. The experimental results indicate that there exist linear relationships between the RWC of oak leaves and absorption feature parameters: wavelength position (WAVE), absorption feature depth (DEP), width (WID) and the multiplication of DEP and WID (AREA) at the 975 nm, 1200 nm and 1750 nm positions and two three-band ratio indices: RATIO 975 and RATIO 1200 , derived at 975 nm and 1200 nm. AREA has a higher and more stable correlation with RWC compared to other features. It is worthy of noting that the two three-band ratio indices, RATIO 975 and RATIO 1200 ,m ay have potential application in assessing water status in vegetation.
The effect of particle size and porosity on spectral contrast in the mid-infrared

Abstract Contrary to previous work, we find that the decreasing intensity of fundamental molecular vibration bands with decreasing particle size is due primarily to increasing porosity of the finer particle size ranges, rather than to particle size per se. This implies that laser reflectance measurements from orbiting spacecraft should avoid loss of spectral contrast for fine particulate surfaces, because such measurements near zero phase angle will benefit from the opposition effect.
Empirical comparisons of bilinear and nonbilinear utility theories.

Abstract Several bilinear and nonbilinear utility theories are evaluated using individual data from 144 informants. The nonbilinear models are best for 67% of the informants. The nonrational property of duplex decomposition linking joint receipts and mixed gambles of gains and losses is more adequate than the rational link of general segregation for 73% of the informants. The correlations are very high and linear, even in the worst fitting case. The weighting functions are mostly inverse-S-shaped and for 84% of the informants are fit best by the class of functions proposed by D. Prelec. These fits were generally excellent, with a minimum correlation of .81, a maximum of .99, and an average of .97.
Importance-Performance Analysis of Guest Technologies in the Lodging Industry:

An assessment of how hotel guests view in-room technology compared the importance of those technologies to how they perform. Based on 265 responses, this importance-performance analysis indicates t...
Enzymatic synthesis of malonaldehyde

Abstract Malonaldehyde was prepared from 1,3-propanediol by alcohol dehydrogenase. The K m for 1,3-propanediol was about 1.7 mM. The reaction proceeded best at low ionic strength and at pH 9. The reaction was unaffected by pyrophosphate, phosphate, bicarbonate, or N-ethylmorpholine buffers, or by Mg +2 , Ca +2 , EDTA, or citrate. However, the reaction was inhibited 50% by 1.5 mM borate, 1 mM cyanide, and 5 mM azide. Thiols, such as dithioerythritol, inhibited the reaction 50% at 50–100 μM, while others, such as mercaptoacetate, inhibited 50% at concentrations over 1 mM. Malonaldehyde was removed from the reaction mixture by evaporation at pH 3 and condensation at −78°C. No other products associated with lipid peroxidation were produced. The method was useful for preparation of radiolabeled malonaldehyde.
A case study in genome-level fragment assembly.

Motivation: We use the fact of two teams independently sequencing the one megabase genome of Borrelia burgdorferi as an opportunity to study the accuracy of genomelevel assembly. Results: We compare the results of three different assembly programs (PHRAP, TIGR Assembler, and STROLL) on the DNA fragments used in both the Brookhaven and TIGR sequencing projects. We also describe the algorithms and data structures used in our assembly program STROLL, which was used in the Brookhaven Borrelia project. Availability: http:// genetics.med.harvard.edu/ ∼tchen/ STROLL.
Print Knowledge of Preschool Children with Hearing Loss.

Measures of print knowledge were compared across preschoolers with hearing loss and normal hearing. Alphabet knowledge did not differ between groups, but preschoolers with hearing loss performed lo...
Pathology of Fractionated Whole-Brain Irradiation in Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Fractionated whole-brain irradiation (fWBI), used to treat brain metastases, often leads to neurologic injury and cognitive impairment. The cognitive effects of irradiation in nonhuman primates (NHP) have been previously published; this report focuses on corresponding neuropathologic changes that could have served as the basis for those effects in the same study. Four rhesus monkeys were exposed to 40 Gy of fWBI [5 Gy × 8 fraction (fx), 2 fx/week for four weeks] and received anatomical MRI prior to, and 14 months after fWBI. Neurologic and histologic sequelae were studied posthumously. Three of the NHPs underwent cognitive assessments, and each exhibited radiation-induced impairment associated with various degrees of vascular and inflammatory neuropathology. Two NHPs had severe multifocal necrosis of the forebrain, midbrain and brainstem. Histologic and MRI findings were in agreement, and the severity of cognitive decrement previously reported corresponded to the degree of observed pathology in two of the...
MODULATED STANDING WAVES IN A SHORT REACTION : DIFFUSION SYSTEM

We present a study of pattern formation beyond the onset of the wave instability in a short model reaction−diffusion system whose length is between 0.5 and 1.5 times the characteristic wavelength of the wave instability. As the system length is varied, modulated standing waves, characterized by short-lived alternating nodes, are found between the domains of the half-wavelength and the one-wavelength standing waves. The space−time two-dimensional Fourier spectra of these modulated standing waves show large side peaks. The position of these peaks differs from that of the fundamental peak by its wavenumber and by the frequency of appearance of the alternating nodes. Another region of modulated standing waves is found within the domain of standing−traveling waves.
Low‐Temperature Synthesis of Diamond‐like Carbon Films on Steel Substrates by Electron‐Cyclotron‐Resonance Plasma‐Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition

Using microwave electron-cyclotron-resonance plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, diamond-like carbon films were directly grown at low temperatures (lessthan equal to400°C) on Fe-based alloy substrates without diamond seeding or use of a template layer. A single, broad line in the Raman spectra was observed in the region of 1328-1335 cm-1 for films grown in gas mixtures with a ratio of CH4:H2 greaterthan equal to 2%. In contrast, disordered carbon and graphite phases appeared in the spectra for film grown with a concentration of 20% CH4 in hydrogen. Diamond nucleation with an amorphous carbon layer was observed in the initial growth stage, while many diamond particles with irregular morphological features were observed on the surface of thicker films. These growth features are a consequence of the catalytic nature of the Fe-based substrate.
Use of an application-specific dictionary for matching pursuits discrimination of landmines and clutter

The HSTAMIDS handheld landmine detection system has been used in a number of humanitarian demining activities. Existing algorithms used with this system to assist human in discrimination process do a better job than the operator alone. However, they are unable to model mine and clutter signatures completely, leading to inaccurate mine confidence assignment. This paper presents a matching pursuits (MP) based landmine detection system using an application-specific dictionary. Prototypes for mine and clutter classes are built using MP decomposition of class members. A fuzzy K-nearest neighbor rule is used to assign confidence values for mine and clutter discrimination. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated on data acquired from three different landmines test sites.
FOLLOWING A TRAJECTORY: ON “TRACING A TRAJECTORY” AND “EXPLAINING AND VALUING,” BY JAMES M. GUSTAFSON

. The roots of religious faith–and the provenance of ethical thought–may be sought in the human sciences, the physical sciences, literature, religious traditions, and deep human intuitions. Gustafson's religious stance and the author's, while different on their face, in common reflect a mingling–and tangling–of skepticism, understanding, and transcendence. Let all of us hope and believe what we can.
Processing to Improve Quality of Dehydrated Precooked Pinto Beans

The firmness of precooked and rehydrated beans after soaking in water at 30°C/2 hr and 82°C/1 hr was lower than that after soaking at 82°C/1 hr or 22°C/12 hr. The 22°C/12 hr soaking yielded the lowest butterflying (8.0%). Steam precooking at 100°C/1 hr produced less splitting, lighter color, and firmer texture than pressure precooking. High initial humidity dehydration reduced splitting. Beans after soaking at 30°C/2 hr and 82°C/ 1 hr, precooking at 100°C/1 hr, and dehydrating at 65°C/6 hr with initial 95% relative humidity were better regarding firmness, butterflying (11.6%), and moisture content (10.4%).
Intensity anomalies in the extreme VUV spectrum of Al+3 obtained in a laser‐produced plasma

The results of experiments performed to check the possibility of stimulated emission in the extreme vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) by an Al+3 laser‐generated plasma are reported. It is concluded that the spectral line intensity anomalies previously observed are not due to population inversion.
Polymorphism in the number of genes encoding long-wavelength-sensitive cone pigments among males with normal color vision.

Examination by direct DNA sequence analysis of the X-linked visual pigment genes in 27 males with normal color vision reveals that almost half have two or more different genes encoding a long-wavelength-sensitive cone pigment. This is counter to the conventional theory proposed from results of Southern hybridization studies that there is a single long-wave pigment gene per X-chromosome. Further, the sequences and consideration of the structure of the X-linked pigment gene array suggest that the majority of the observers (as many as 2/3) have hybrid (or fusion) genes like those that have been proposed to underlie color anomaly. In some observers the long-wave hybrid genes contain a substantial amount of middle-wave sequence, e.g. five observers have hybrid long-wave genes that contain middle-wave sequences that include exon 4. Three of those five have the hybrid as their only long-wave gene, and thus have no other gene that could potentially encode a long-wave pigment. In these subjects, it is the hybrid gene that produces their normal long-wavelength-sensitive cone pigment. The high frequency of hybrid genes indicates that they are normal variant forms of the long-wave gene. Contrary to what is commonly believed, the introduction and the expression of hybrid genes is not sufficient to cause color vision defects.