cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dietary supplementation of β-guanidinopropionic acid (βGPA) reduces whole-body and skeletal muscle growth in young CD-1 mice

Increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity leads to enhanced fatty acid utilization, while also promoting increased ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis (UDP) in mammalian skeletal muscle. β-guanidinopropionic acid (βGPA) is a commercially available dietary supplement that has been shown to promote an AMPK-dependent increase in fatty acid utilization and aerobic capacity in mammals by compromising creatine kinase function. However, it remains unknown if continuous βGPA supplementation can negatively impact skeletal muscle growth in a rapidly growing juvenile. The current study was conducted to examine the effect of βGPA supplementation on whole-body and skeletal muscle growth in juvenile and young adult mice. Three-week old, post weanling CD-1 mice were fed a standard rodent chow that was supplemented with either 2% (w/w) α-cellulose (control) or βGPA. Control and βGPA-fed mice (n = 6) were sampled after 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Whole-body and hindlimb muscle masses were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in βGPA-fed mice by 2 weeks. The level of AMPK (T172) phosphorylation increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the gastrocnemius of βGPA-fed versus control mice at 2 weeks, but was not significantly different at the 4- and 8-week time points. Further analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the skeletal muscle-specific ubiquitin ligase MAFbx/Atrogin-1 protein and total protein ubiquitination in the gastrocnemius of βGPA versus control mice at the 8-week time point. Our data indicate that feeding juvenile mice a βGPA-supplemented diet significantly reduced whole-body and skeletal muscle growth that was due, at least in part, to an AMPK-independent increase in UDP.
The Dynamics of Transit Innovation in Los Angeles

The recent reemergence of the private sector in urban transit, as well as private-sector-like behavior in the public sector, are manifestations of profound political and fiscal crises that are reshaping the service and institutional structure of the US transit industry, These crises developed as coalitions of competing place-based activists sought to deploy transit investments as strategic weapons to gain location advantages, The history and politics of transit in the intensely competitive Los Angeles metropolitan area illuminate these dynamics, especially the continuing conflict between downtown Los Angeles and outlying business centers on the issues of rail rapid transit and the role of the regional bus transit agency. Privatization and institutional fragmentation, facilitated in Los Angeles by passage of a transit sales tax in 1980, are the strategies of choice for outlying business centers, just as region-wide agencies and radial rail rapid transit systems have been downtown initiatives.
Ecological consequences of habitat fragmentation: implications for landscape architecture and planning

Abstract Habitat loss and isolation associated with land conversion for human activities constitute the most serious threat to the Earth's biological diversity. The study of habitat fragmentation provides an important link between the concepts and principles of landscape ecology and the practice of landscape architecture and planning. Here I review ecological literature to examine current understanding of the ecological consequences of habitat fragmentation, and briefly suggest ways in which the results of these studies may guide decision-making by landscape architects and planners. Two theoretical developments in ecology have informed studies of habitat fragmentation and have provided testable hypotheses for empirical studies: island biogeography theory and metapopulation dynamics. Ecologists have examined the influences of habitat fragment size, shape, degree of isolation, context, and habitat quality or heterogeneity on plant and animal population persistence, community composition, and ecosystem processes. Disruption of continuous habitat usually results in an increase in the length of the boundary between fragments and their surrounding habitats. Newly created edges experience shifts in microclimatic characteristics, which may significantly alter the native plant and animal communities present. The size of a habitat fragment markedly influences the ecological processes occurring therein, largely due to the changes induced by these habitat edges. In general, species richness declines as fragment area decreases. Vegetated corridors may facilitate the movement of plants and animals among habitat fragments, however, more information is needed regarding the efficacy of corridors in reducing species loss from fragmented habitats. Fragments with highly irregular, convoluted boundaries will likely have greater exchange of nutrients, materials, and organisms with adjacent habitats than will those with less convoluted boundaries. Adjacent habitat types, land management regimes, and intensity of human activities influence boundary permeability and thus flow among habitat fragments. Large fragments are likely to be more heterogeneous than small fragments; they contain a greater variety of soil types, greater topographic variation, and a greater number of habitat types. An integrated view of the spatial characteristics of habitat fragments and their ecological consequences improves our ability to predict the outcomes of, and to design, particular patterns of land conversion.
Complicated surgical techniques. II. Liposuction

Abstract Excess body fat is disturbing to many men and women. The recent emphasis on physical conditioning that has swept the United States has made people even more aware of their pots and bulges. Millions of Americans are dieting, jogging, swimming, and attending exercise classes. Videotape sales of home workouts are booming. Many people, however, who work hard at conditioning become frustrated with excess fat that resists all their attempts to remove it.
Sitting Time, But Not Level Of Physical Activity, Is Associated With Depression In Methadone-Maintained Smokers

Problem Sedentary behavior has been linked to many physical and mental health disorders including heightened risk for depression. Methadone-maintained individuals are at increased risk for depression and have been shown to be physically active at lower rates than the general population.
Does Evidence-Based Medicine Help the Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines?

Formal methods for the development of clinical practice guidelines have emerged to address societal needs to decrease physician practice variation, slow the rise of health-care costs, monitor inappropriate care, assist clinicians to stay abreast of new clinical information, set research priorities, and promote better health-care outcomes. Evidence-based methods ensure that guidelines provide valid recommendations based on a critical appraisal of the best available evidence rather than informal, opinion-based processes.
ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE STREPTOTHRICES, PARTICULARLY IN THEIR RELATION TO BACTERIA.

It is impossible from any point of view, morphological, biological or serological, to draw a sharp dividing line in this series. The forms change gradually from the mycelial organism to the bacillary, acid-fast organism. It is biologically a group complex and should be so considered. No doubt experiments with a larger series of species would yield results giving a possibility of closer classification and the introduction of some of the forms now in a debatable position, as Bacillus diphtheriae and Bacillus mallei, and other organisms, sometimes called, on account of their morphological irregularities, corynebacterium and mycobacterium, would help to show their real relation to both the Streptothrices and the true bacteria. The latter in many ways are acknowledged to be far from primitive; their endospores, flagella, and food habits all indicate a relatively high degree of specialization. Hence it would seem biologically more reasonable to look upon this group of Streptothrices with their variable morphology and close relationships as representing the ancestral type that gave rise to both the higher fungi and true bacteria, and not as being themselves higher bacteria. The various bacteria, other than the acid-fast forms, can readily have arisen from the non-acid-fast bacillary types, or even as non-acid-fast specializations of the mixed types. All the various forms shown at present by the bacteria,—cocci, spirilla, bacilli, etc.,—either separate or in chains and masses, are to be recognized in this group, and specializations in one or another line in the past would readily have given rise to the types we consider true bacteria. The processes of evolution have carried them far away from the parent stock and made them into this group. The recognition of this group complex and of the intermediate forms indicates clearly the past history and present relations of these interesting organisms. These relations may be represented by the following scheme. See PDF for Structure It is probable that the relation between the acid-fast organisms and the Streptothrices is a closer one than that between the Streptothrices and the bacteria, perhaps close enough to warrant a common genus for both.
Basic-level nouns: first learned but misunderstood.

It is commonly believed that first-learned words correspond with first-learned categories (both described as 'basic level') leading to the belief that language acquisition is a reasonably good indicator of early cognition. However, toddlers often overextend their first words. Do these errors reflect their comprehension? Two experiments were conducted in order to examine two-year-olds' production and comprehension of basic-level terms. The results showed overextensions both in production (e.g. children labelled a rocket 'airplane') and comprehension (e.g. they pointed to a rocket when airplane was requested). One reason toddlers extend labels to a wider conceptual domain is because they have not clearly differentiated basic-level concepts from related conceptual categories.
Problem frames for intelligent building services: a suitability study

In this paper, we explore suitability of the Problem Frames framework for intelligent building software requirements gathering. The research was conducted through a pilot application presented to intelligent building specialists, with a follow-up survey investigating views of the fitness of purpose of the framework to the task, and willingness to use it in the future.
Comparison of Rennet Curd Tension with Undenatured Whey Protein as a Measure of Heat Treatment

Abstract Natural variations in rennet curd tension limit its usefulness as a measure of heat treatment to a greater extent than do the natural variatiions found for undenatured whey protein nitrogen. Both are correlated with the effective heat applied as calculated from time and temperature measurements. Similar heat treatments of skimmilk fortified with 3% added low-heat nonfat solids showed no significant changes in regression lines for curd tension and whey protein nitrogen after correction for the added solids. Eighteen samples of nonfat dry milk with known preheat treatments were reconstituted to 11% solids for curd tension and whey protein nitrogen measurements. The regression lines were similar to those of the fresh milks were similar to those of the fresh milks. Curd tension increases more rapidly with total solids than does whey protein nitrogen.
Venturi Scrubbers: Pressure Loss and Regain

Pressure loss in the throat of a venturi scrubber is offset by regain in the diverging section. Available models for venturi scrubber pressure drop that consider regain are difficult to use because they require numerical integration or reference to published figures. This note presents an expression for pressure regain in the diverging section that, with an expression for pressure loss in the throat, gives a single, simple equation for overall pressure drop in a venturi scrubber. Predictions made with this equation, and with models from the literature, are compared with data for three venturi scrubbers operated at throat velocities from 20 to 160 m/s at liquid-to-gas ratios from 0.2 to 2.3 × 10 −3. Predictions from the new equation are at least as good as predictions of the complex models that also consider regain, and about as easy to obtain as analytical models that ignore regain.
Female reproductive cycle of the African snail-eating snake, Duberria lutrix

The female reproductive cycle of Duberria lutrix was studied in Zimbabwe. Reproduction was seasonal and annual. In general, vitellogenesis occurred from February through June, with ovulation from late May through August. Most births occurred during November and December, but some as early as October and late as mid-January. Vitellogenesis began during the latter third of the wet season, followed by ovulation during the dry season, and parturition during the next wet season. Gravid females appeared to reduce feeding. Sizes of litters ranged from 4-16 in number, and there was a high positive correlation between snout-vent length and litter size. Most females did not reproduce until the end of their second year of life.
Carbon-Acylation with Carboxylic-Diphenylphosphinic Anhydrides

Abstract The reaction of carboxylic acids with chlorodiphenylphosphinite1 in the presence of tertiary amines has been shown to yield moderately stable mixed anhydrides (I) (Equation 1) which are effective N-acylating agents in peptide synthesis. We now report the utility of such anhydrides for carbon acylation leading to ketones and acylmalonic esters.
Hall effect studies of the mixed and normal states of Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ(0 ≤ x ≤ 1) and YBa2Cu3Oy (6.35 ≤ y ≤ 7) single crystals

Abstract Hall effect measurements on single crystal specimens of Y 1−x Pr x Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) and YBa 2 Cu 3 O y (6.35 ≤ y ≤ 7) revealed a “negative Hall anomaly” below T c , in the mixed state. For both systems, the depth Δ of the negative Hall signal scales with T/T c , while the maximum value of Δ decreases monotonically with decreasing T c and vanishes at T c ≈ 68 K. These results show that the sign anomaly is not consistent with models that invoke pinning to explain this effect, and suggest that the negative anomaly could have an intrinsic origin. Hall effect measurements in the normal state of both systems show that the cotangent of the Hall angle can be described by cotθ H = AT 2 + B, where A increases linearly with decreasing T c for both systems, while B increases linearly with decreasing T c for Y 1−x Pr x Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ and is constant within experimental error for YBa 2 Cu 3 O y .
Targeting MEK for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.

Inhibition of the RAS/RAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway has been the focus of drug development for many years. The pathway is dysregulated in a significant percentage of solid tumors, including approximately 20% to 35% of non–small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC).1 Nevertheless, successful targeting of this pathway has been difficult to achieve.2 Inhibitors of RAS, the most commonly mutated gene in this pathway, have not generated successful results in clinical trials. Therefore, inhibition at other points along the pathway has been evaluated. MEK1 and MEK2 are threonine/tyrosine protein kinases that are phosphorylated by activated RAF and in turn, phosphorylate ERK1 and ERK2, leading to proliferation and migration. Mutations in RAS or RAF lead to a sustained oncogenic signal and predict response to MEK inhibition in laboratory models.3,4 Three MEK inhibitors and an Akt inhibitor were presented in this session at the 12th Annual Targeted Therapies of the Treatment of Lung Cancer and will be reviewed here.
What makes a salary seem reasonable? Frequency context effects on starting‐salary expectations

Although considerable research attention has been directed at understanding perceptions of salary fairness, very little attention has been given to how salary expectations are formed or how trivial elements of the job search context may influence these expectations. Two experiments demonstrated how the simple manipulation of response options for a multiple-choice item may influence subsequent salary expectations and salary satisfaction. Results are discussed in light of Parducci's (1995) contextual theory.
Looking good on the web: evaluating the visual impact of political websites

We present a study designed to measure the perceptions of the visual design for political websites. We use as our sample population approximately 400 different websites for United States Congressional office-holders. In the analysis and presentation of our results we use the United States map divided into congressional districts, and then encode the study participants' perceptions of the visual design of the websites according to a color scale that maps to the perceived favorability of the site. Our motivation for the visualization is, of course, the well known red-blue map that depicts election results according to support for a particular political party. Further, we intend to look at the competitiveness of the districts where congressional elected officials reside, the noticeable features on their websites (for example, if a blog or visible contact information exists), as well as the results in relation to demographic information about the individual (political party, gender, age, etc). Beyond developing an understanding of the political landscape, our study aims to suggest a set of heuristics that tend to lead to more favorably perceived website designs.
The PHENIX forward spectrometer upgrade

The forward spectrometer upgrade of the PHENIX detector aims to add capabilities at forward rapidities to: probe nucleon structure through W production and promptphotons in polarized p + p, study nucleon structure in nuclei at high parton densities in p + A collisions through the measurement of γ and π0 in the forward region, greatly extend the acceptance for high p T γ-jet measurements (jet tomography) in A + A, and increase our capabilities to measure the production quarkonium states by giving sensitivity to the χ c through the J/ψ + γ channel.
Correlates of repeat and recent mammography for women ages 45 to 75 in the 2002 to 2003 health information national trends survey (HINTS 2003)

Background: Most national-level mammography data are for ever-had and most-recent screening. There are few national-level data on rates of repeat, on-schedule mammography, and on the prevalence and correlates of repeat mammography. It is also important to investigate the similarity of correlates for repeat and recent mammography. Methods: Analyses were from data for women ages 45 to 75 in the 2002 to 2003 Health Information and National Trends Survey (HINTS 2003; N = 1,581). The two dependent variables were self-report of repeat mammography (two exams on schedule, based on an every-other-year interval) and recent mammography only (one mammogram within the past 2 years). Results: The prevalence of recent mammography was 81.6% (95% confidence interval, 79.1-84.1) and for repeat mammography was 72.2% (95% confidence interval, 69.0-75.4). An access to care variable combining insurance coverage and regular source of care was the strongest sociodemographic correlate of both mammography indicators. Most other sociodemographic variables were not associated with mammography status. Five psychosocial/behavioral variables were associated with both mammography indicators (smoking status, attention to health information, knowledge of screening interval, worry about breast cancer, and recent mood status). Correlates were very similar for repeat and recent mammography. Conclusions: Although access to care had the strongest association with mammography, psychosocial and behavioral variables did better as a group than the sociodemographic variables. A standard set of such variables should be considered for all national surveys. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(11):2093–101)
Glycan-dependent and -independent Association of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus G Protein with Calnexin

Calnexin (CNX) is a membrane-bound molecular chaperone that associates with newly synthesized proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. Although several studies have indicated that it interacts exclusively with glycoproteins that carry monoglucosylated N-linked oligosaccharides, others have reported that it can bind to proteins that have no glycans. To address this discrepancy, we translated wild-type vesicular stomatitis virus G protein and nonglycosylated mutant forms in the presence of microsomes and examined their association with CNX. Individual G protein molecules were found to efficiently associate with CNX when both glycans were present and less efficiently if there was only a single glycan. Nonglycosylated G protein also interacted with CNX, but only when misfolded and present in high molecular weight aggregates. The results indicated that CNX can interact with G protein in two ways: through an oligosaccharide-dependent mechanism that involves individual substrate proteins; and in an oligosaccharide-independent association with large aggregates.
A genetic basis for human susceptibility to West Nile virus

West Nile virus (WNV) infects thousands of humans annually and causes a spectrum of disease ranging from an acute febrile illness to lethal encephalitis. A new study suggests a link between CCR5Δ32 (a common mutant allele of the chemokine and HIV receptor CCR5) and fatal WNV infection. The study highlights a possible risk in targeting this receptor for the prevention and/or treatment of infectious diseases.
Identifying physicians and patterns generating unnecessary in-hospital days. An exploratory stage of developing an institution-specific physician-focused utilization effort.

A focused, concurrent utilization review effort identified the existence of a large number of unnec essary hospital days remaining even after a highly successful utilization review effort. Within a group of physicians identified as having the highest acuteness adjusted average lengths of stay, 38.3% of their pa tient's hospital days were unnecessary, with 83% of those days being within physician control. Observa tion, diagnostic undertakings or therapeutic efforts that were unnecessary or appropriate for the out patient setting represented 81.3% of the unnecessary days. A future utilization study will compare the practice patterns among physicians in the same de partment in order to define future goals and develop necessary corrective actions that will be acceptable to the medical staff.
Hispanic Mortality Paradox: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Longitudinal Literature

To investigate the possibility of a Hispanic mortality advantage, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published longitudinal literature reporting Hispanic individuals’ mortality from any cause compared with any other race/ethnicity. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, HealthSTAR, and PsycINFO for published literature from January 1990 to July 2010.Across 58 studies (4 615 747 participants), Hispanic populations had a 17.5% lower risk of mortality compared with other racial groups (odds ratio = 0.825; P < .001; 95% confidence interval = 0.75, 0.91). The difference in mortality risk was greater among older populations and varied by preexisting health conditions, with effects apparent for initially healthy samples and those with cardiovascular diseases. The results also differed by racial group: Hispanics had lower overall risk of mortality than did non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Blacks, but overall higher risk of mortality than did Asian Americans.These findings provided strong ...
Integrated design of an end effector for a visual servoing algorithm

An algorithm is presented for using a robot system with a single camera to position in threedimensional space a slender object for insertion into a hole; for example, an electrical pin-type termination into a connector hole. The algorithm relies on a control-configured end effector to achieve the required horizontal translations and rotational motion, and it does not require camera calibration. A force sensor in each fingertip is integrated with the vision system to allow the robot to teach itself new reference points when different connectors and pins are used. Variability in the grasped orientation and position of the pin can be accommodated with the sensor system. Performance tests show that the system is feasible. More work is needed to determine more precisely the effects of lighting levels and lighting direction.
Multiaxis Contouring Systems for Laser Cutting and Welding

Laser processing has become increasingly competitive with conventional methods for cutting and welding three-dimensional metal and non-metal parts. Major productivity increases have been reported by the growing numher of users of industrial multiaxis carbon dioxide (CO2) laser systems. For example, in replacing conventional machining, laser cutting has increased throughput in trimming a deep drawn gas turbine engine component from 18 pieces per day to 18 pieces in 30 minutes. For another, laser cutting has replaced hand methods for cutting intersecting tubing used in aerospace applications. With the hand method, one assembly was produced every 1 1/2 hours. With laser cutting, the rate has been increased to one assembly every minute.
Acute and Chronic Angiotensin-1 Receptor Antagonism Reverses Endothelial Dysfunction in Atherosclerosis

Background—The renin-angiotensin system may contribute to atherogenesis through the promotion of endothelial dysfunction. The present study was performed to determine whether angiotensin-1 (AT1) receptor inhibition improves endothelial dysfunction. Methods and Results—In the femoral circulation of 19 patients with atherosclerosis and of 9 control subjects, we studied microvascular responses to reactive hyperemia, angiotensin II, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside before and after the administration of intra-arterial losartan (10 mg). Femoral artery flow velocity was measured with a Doppler flow wire, and the femoral vascular resistance index (FVRI) was calculated as mean arterial pressure divided by flow velocity. Losartan induced a minor (5.9±2%, P=0.02) reduction in FVRI and inhibited angiotensin II–mediated vasoconstriction in both patient groups (P<0.01). After the administration of losartan, acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation was augmented in patients (44±5% to 58±4% reduction in FVRI with infu...
Therapeutics in duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal disorder affecting approximately 1 in 3500 live born males, characterized by progressive muscle weakness. Several different strategies are being investigated in developing a cure for this disorder. Until a cure is found, therapeutic and supportive care is essential in preventing complications and improving the afflicted child’s quality of life. Currently, corticosteroids are the only class of drug that has been extensively studied in this condition, with controversy existing over the use of these drugs, especially in light of the multiple side effects that may occur. The use of nutritional supplements has expanded in recent years as researchers improve our abilities to use gene and stem cell therapies, which will hopefully lead to a cure soon. This article discusses the importance of therapeutic interventions in children with DMD, the current debate over the use of corticosteroids to treat this disease, the growing use of natural supplements as a new means of treating these boys and provides an update on the current state of gene and stem cell therapies.
Therapeutic Hypothermia for Cardiac Arrest: Yes, We Can

The neuroprotective potential of induced hypothermia had been suspected for decades based on experiments in animals and humans. The precise mechanism by which hypothermia confers protection is unknown, although many mechanisms have been proposed including slowing destructive enzymatic processes, protection of lipid membrane fluidity, and reduction in oxygen requirements. In addition, investigators have shown that hypothermia reduces lipid peroxidation, brain edema, intracellular acidosis, oxidative stress, and apoptosis of neuronal cells. Induced hypothermia was used in humans in the 1950’ to protect the brain initially during cardiac surgery and subsequently after cardiac arrest. Because of hemodynamic and respiratory problems with moderate hypothermia (28
N-sulfinylcarbamate -pentacene adduct : A novel pentacene precursor soluble in alcohols

A novel pentacene precursor was synthesized by Diels-Alder reaction of pentacene and N-sulfinylbutylcarbamate. The adduct is highly soluble in isopropyl and higher alcohols and moderately soluble in ethanol and methanol. This precursor undergoes retro-Diels-Alder reaction in solid phase at low temperatures to give pentacene. Organic thin film transistors with pentacene channels obtained by solution deposition of this novel precursor from alcohols and subsequent thermal conversion, results in OTFTs with moderately high field effect mobilities.
Service Functionality Indexing and Matching for Service-Based Systems

In service-based systems, one of the most basic requirements for service matching is to find services with functionalities similar to the expected functionality of a given service discovery request. In this paper, a functionality-compatibility-based service indexing and matching approach is presented. This approach indexes a set of services using functionality-compatibility defined on their parameters and conditions, and filters the indexed services to identify those with compatible functionalities to the service discovery request efficiently. This approach is evaluated to show the effectiveness and efficiency.
Improvement of optical and electronic properties in broken gap mid-wave infrared laser materials

Summary form only given. Midwave Infrared (MWIR) laser materials based on InAs/Ga(In)Sb broken-gap superlattices (SLs) and quantum wells have been attractive due to their potential superior performance. Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth of these materials, however, has been challenging because intermixing mechanisms can occur at the interfaces due to the non-common atom nature of InAs/Ga(In)Sb structures. These mechanisms include cross incorporation, segregation, and exchange. The induced interface roughness and the presence of the resultant non-radiative impurities deteriorate the optical and transport properties of these materials. Hence, control of the interface composition and uniformity has been critical to the reduction of these impurities in the broken-gap structures.
Initial heme uptake from albumin by short‐term cultured rat hepatocytes is mediated by a transport mechanism differing from that of other organic anions

Although it is known that circulating heme accumulates in liver cells, the process by which heme enters hepatocytes is only partly understood. Hemopexin and a putative hemopexin receptor on hepatocyte membranes may mediate the uptake process. However, whether there are sufficient hemopexin receptors on rat hepatocytes to account for the bulk of heme entering cells is unknown. It is likely that heme may be transferred directly from albumin with the help of a plasma membrane heme transporter. To clarify the transport mechanism of heme into liver cells, we studied the uptake by short-term cultured rat hepatocytes of 55Fe-heme incubated with rat serum albumin. In these cells, the initial uptake of 55Fe-heme at 37 degrees C was five- to eightfold higher than that at 4 degrees C, linear for at least 5 minutes, and saturable. The Km of heme uptake was 0.95 +/- 0.27 micromol/L, and the Vmax was 0.12 +/- 0.01 pmol/min/mg protein (n = 3). Neither isosmotic substitution of sucrose for NaCl in the medium nor adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion, perturbations that are known to reduce uptake of bilirubin, sulfobromophthalein (BSP), and taurocholate, had any influence on 55Fe-heme uptake. In addition, heme uptake was not reduced in the presence of a greater than 500-fold molar excess of BSP. These results indicate that hepatocytes take up heme by a process that is distinct from that of these other organic anions.
A first principle pseudopotential calculation of the elastic shear constants of magnesium

Abstract A formalism is developed for the calculation of the elastic shear constants of hexagonal close-packed metals from Harrison's first principle non-local pseudopotential theory. The modification of the dielectric function to include conduction-electron exchange is discussed and compared with other recent approximation for this interaction. The three independent elastic shear constants of magnesium are calculated and good agreement is obtained with experimental results.
Comments on "Solutions of Maxwell's equations for general nonperiodic waves in lossy media" by M.E. El-Shandwily

The commenter claims that the solutions obtained by M.E. El-Shandwily (see ibid., vol.30, no.4, p.577-82, Nov. 1988) are incorrect. The commenter argues that the steps followed by El-Shandwily in deriving them only prove that Maxwell's equations in their usual forms cannot provide the desired solutions for signal propagation in lossy media. >
The Transcription Factor Homolog CTF1 Regulates β-Oxidation in Candida albicans

Carbon starvation is one of the many stresses to which microbial pathogens are subjected while in the host. Pathways necessary for the utilization of alternative carbon sources, such as gluconeogenesis, the glyoxylate cycle, and β-oxidation of fatty acids, have been shown to be required for full virulence in several systems, including the fungal pathogen Candida albicans. We have investigated the regulatory network governing alternative carbon metabolism in this organism through characterization of transcriptional regulators identified based on the model fungi, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus nidulans. C. albicans has homologs of the ScCAT8/AnFacB and ScADR1/AnAmdX transcription factors that regulate induction of genes encoding the proteins of gluconeogenesis, the glyoxylate cycle, and ethanol utilization. Surprisingly, C. albicans mutants lacking CAT8 or ADR1 have no apparent phenotypes and do not regulate genes for key enzymes of these pathways. Fatty acid degradation and peroxisomal biogenesis are controlled by nonhomologous regulators, OAF1/PIP2 in S. cerevisiae and FarA/FarB in A. nidulans; C. albicans is missing OAF1 and PIP2 and, instead, has a single homolog of the Far proteins, CTF1. We have shown that CTF1 is required for growth on lipids and for expression of genes necessary for β-oxidation, such as FOX2. ctf1Δ/ctf1Δ (ctf1Δ/Δ) strains do not, however, show the pleiotropic phenotypes observed for fox2Δ/Δ mutants. The ctf1Δ/Δ mutant confers a mild attenuation in virulence, like the fox2Δ/Δ mutant. Thus, phenotypic and genotypic observations highlight important differences in the regulatory network for alternative carbon metabolism in C. albicans compared to the paradigms developed in other model fungi.
Results from a forward-looking GPR mine detection system

In this paper, we report on the high-resolution ground- penetrating radar system designed, built, and deployed by SRI under contrast to the US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate at Fort Belvoir. This fully polarimetric, 300 to 3000 MHz stepped frequency radar is configured to act as a forward-looking synthetic aperture system with resolution approaching 5 cm. This test bed is being sued in a program to define the optimal radar parameters and supporting image processing needed for the efficient standoff detection of buried and surface-laid antitank mines. This radar has been used to collect surface and buried antitank mine data at the government test sties at Fort AP Hill, Virginia, and very recently at the Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. Images formed from these dat sets, using different frequency bands and polarizations, will be presented. Preliminary result, including signal-to-clutter ratios for the miens, clutter statistics, and mine probability density functions will be presented.
Differences in Familial Influence Among Women-Owned Businesses

This study identifies groups of women entrepreneurs who were subject to varying degrees of family influence. The term family intensity was derived to characterize those firms that had family investors and family members employed in the business. Eight hundred thirty-two women business owners were sampled, representing a wide variety of industrial sectors. The findings suggest that family intensity plays a significant role in strategic planning and degree of involvement in the business. Family-intense firms were more likely to engage in growth and expansion planning and to report greater sales performance. Furthermore, the results suggest that family intensity affects careerism and ownership issues confronting the woman entrepreneur.
Dynamic control of redundant manipulators

Redundant manipulators provide increased flexibility for the execution of complex tasks. Redundancy is often required to maintain manipulability and avoid obstacles while completing the required task. Self-motion is the internal (joint) motion of the manipulator that does not contribute to the end effector motion. In this article we provide a dynamic feedback control law that guarantees the tracking of a desired end effector trajectory and provides redundancy resolution by making the self-motion of the manipulator flow along the projection of a given arbitrary vector field. By choosing this vector field to be the gradient of a cost function, for example, the manipulator can be made to seek an optimum configuration. The effectiveness of the control law is illustrated with simulation results.
Electrosynthesis of Natural Products, Fine Chemicals, and Pharmaceuticals

The sections in this article are Introduction Reduction Electrohydrocyclization Electroreductive Cyclization Reductive Cyclization of Ketonitriles Reductive Cyclization of Pyridinium Salts Vitamin B12-mediated Cyclizations Organonickel and Organopalladium Reagents Oxidation Kolbe Oxidation Arene Oxidations [5 + 2] Cycloadditions to Oxidized Aromatics Oxidation at and Adjacent to Nitrogen Concluding Remarks Acknowledgment
Ovarian cycle activity varies with respect to age and social status in free-ranging elephants in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa.

Free-ranging African elephants live in a fission–fusion society, at the centre of which is the matriarch. Matriarchs are generally older females that guide their families to resources and co-ordinate group defense. While much is known about elephant society, knowledge is generally lacking about how age affects the physiology of wild elephants. Investigation of the ovarian activity of free-ranging elephants could provide insight into the reproductive ageing process, with implications for population management. Faecal samples were collected from 46 individuals ranging in age from 14 to 60 years for a 2-year period, and progestagen metabolite analyses were used to examine relationships between social status, age, season, and ovarian activity in female elephants in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa. Social status was the strongest predictor of faecal progestagen metabolite concentrations in non-pregnant elephants, with grand matriarchs (n = 6) having the lowest values compared with matriarchs (n = 21) and non-matriarch females (n = 19). Likewise, social status and age were the strongest predictors of faecal progestagen metabolite concentrations in pregnant elephants (n = 27). The number of years since a nonpregnant female gave birth to her last calf (post-partum duration) was longer for older females with a higher social status, as well as during the dry season. Our results indicate that social standing and age of elephants are related to reproductive function, and that older females exhibit reductions in ovarian capacity. These results expand our understanding of reproduction and fertility throughout an elephant’s lifespan, and the factors that impact gonadal function in free-ranging females. Given that possible over-abundance of elephants in areas such as Addo Elephant National Park is fuelling the debate over how best to manage these populations, knowledge about the reproductive potential of high-ranking females can provide managers with biological data to identify the best candidates for controlling growth through translocation or contraception.
Neurolinguistic Computational Models

It is tempting to think of the brain as functioning very much like a computer. Like the digital computer, the brain takes in data and outputs decisions and conclusions. However, unlike the computer, the brain does not store precise memories at specifi c locations. Instead, the brain reaches decisions through the dynamic interaction of diverse areas operating in functional neural circuits. The role of specifi c local areas in these functional neural circuits appears to be highly fl exible and dynamic. Recent work has begun to provide detailed accounts of both the overall circuits supporting language and the detailed computations provided in smaller neural areas. These accounts take the shape of both structured and emergent models.
Feeding the pipeline: Gender, occupational plans, and college major selection.

In this article, we analyze gender differences in college major selection for respondents to the Education Longitudinal Study (2002–2006), focusing on educational pathways through college that lead to science, engineering, or doctoral-track medicine occupations and to non-doctoral track clinical and health sciences occupations. We show that gender differences in college major selection remain substantial, even for a cohort in which rates of enrollment in postsecondary education are more than ten percent higher for young women than for young men. Consistent with other recent research, we demonstrate that neither gender differences in work–family goals nor in academic preparation explain a substantial portion of these differences. However, the occupational plans of high school seniors are strong predictors of initial college major selection, a finding that is revealed only when occupational plans are measured with sufficient detail, here by using the verbatim responses of students. We also find that the association between occupational plans and college major selection is not attributable to work–family orientation or academic preparation. Finally, we find gender differences in the associations between occupational plans and college major selection that are consistent with prior research on STEM attrition, as well as with the claim that attrition also affects the selection of majors that are gateways into doctoral-track medicine. We discuss the implications of the predictive power of occupational plans formed in adolescence for understanding sex segregation and for policies intended to create a gender-balanced STEM and doctoral-level medical workforce.
Daily diaries and minority adolescents: Random coefficient regression modeling of attributional style, coping, and affect

Many researchers underscore the importance of coping in the daily lives of adolescents, yet very few studies measure this and related constructs at this level. Using a daily diary approach to stress and coping, the current study evaluated a series of mediational coping models in a sample of low‐income minority adolescents (N = 89). Specifically, coping was hypothesized to mediate the relationship between attributional style (and dimensions) and daily affect. Using random coefficient regression modeling, the relationship between (a) the locus of causality dimension and positive affect was completely mediated by the use of acceptance and humor as coping strategies; (b) the stability dimension and positive affect was completely mediated by the use of both problem‐solving and positive thinking; and (c) the stability dimension and negative affect was partially mediated by the use of religious coping. In addition, the locus of causality and stability (but not globality) dimensions were also directly related to ...
Mucinous cystadenoma arising in a completely isolated infected ileal duplication cyst

Gastrointestinal duplications are uncommon congenital lesions that can occur anywhere along the alimentary tract, and the symptoms of which generally develop during infancy or childhood. Completely isolated duplication cysts are an extremely rare variant of duplication, where no communication between the cyst and the adjacent bowel segment is present. We report the unique case of an adult who presented with right lower abdominal pain and systemic signs of inflammation caused by infection of a completely isolated ileal duplication cyst. Histological examination of the cyst additionally revealed a low-grade mucinous cystadenoma. We discuss the clinical presentations, diagnosis and treatment of this rare entity.
Somatostatin and somatostatin receptor gene expression in dominant and subordinate males of an African cichlid fish

Somatostatin is a neuropeptide best known for its inhibitory effects on growth hormone secretion and has recently been implicated in the control of social behavior. Several somatostatin receptor subtypes have been identified in vertebrates, but the functional basis for this diversity is still unclear. Here we investigate the expression levels of the somatostatin prepropeptide and two of its receptors, sstR2, and sstR3, in the brains of socially dominant and subordinate Astatotilapia burtoni males using real-time PCR. Dominant males had higher somatostatin prepropeptide and sstR3 expression in hypothalamus compared to subordinate males. Hypothalamic sstR2 expression did not differ. There were no differences in gene expression in the telencephalon. We also observed an interesting difference between dominants and subordinates in the relationship between hypothalamic sstR2 expression and body size. As would be predicted based on the inhibitory effects of somatostatin on somatic growth, sstR2 expression was negatively correlated with body size in dominant males. In contrast sstR2 expression was positively correlated with body size in subordinate males. These results suggest that in A. burtoni social status affects the relationships between somatostatin prepropeptide and receptor gene expression in the hypothalamus and the control of somatic growth.
Self-Inference and the Foot-in-the-Door Technique Quantity of Behavior and Attitudinal Mediation

The purpose of this investigation was to test two aspects of the self-perception theory account of the foot-in-the-door (FITD) phenomenon. The first aspect tested was the claim that the greater the quantity of behavior associated with the initial request, the greater the likelihood of compliance with the later request. Quantity of behavior was operation-alized as (a) request size and (b) active versus passive execution, that is, whether the target person actually carried out the request or simply agreed to do so. The second aspect tested was the claim that changes in self-perception mediate the FITD effect. A field experiment was conducted to address these concerns. The results showed that a self-inference explanation is viable; however, a strict self-perception account fails because neither request size nor execution showed any correspondence to attitudinal measures or to compliance with the second request. Implications for a self-inference explanation are discussed.
Improving the Quality of Writing in the Workplace: A Case Study

Despite the increased emphasis on teaching writing skills in both preprofessional courses and in-house seminars, practicing professionals still have difficulty conveying their ideas clearly and concisely to others in writing. To identify ways in which managers can develop and reinforce sound writing practices in the workplace, the practices used by a school district's central office were analyzed. The findings suggest that managers can improve the quality of writing in the workplace by creating an open communication environment and by developing a corporate culture that establishes sound writing practices as the norm. Establishing such a norm requires skill development, leadership commitment, modeling behavior, feedback, and recognition and reward. Managers can also improve quality by reducing the quantity of the writing both they and their subordinates do. The findings suggest that a top-down process of training may be more effective than the bottom-up system currently used for training in writing.