cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controls on isotopic chemistry of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica: implications for growth patterns

Abstract The American or eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica , can potentially serve as a recorder of environmental change in estuarine habitats. However, before oysters can confidently be used to reconstruct past variation in salinity and temperature in coastal environments, relations between modern shell chemistry and ambient salinity and temperature must be understood. Samples from the resilifer on the surface of the hinge (foliated calcite) and in cross-section (foliated and chalky layers) have very similar isotopic composition, implying that all three areas respond identically to ambient water conditions. More detailed sampling focused on the chalky layer because this region exhibits maximum shell extension which allows for high-resolution sampling. Water temperature, salinity, δ 18 O WATER , and the δ 13 C DIC (dissolved inorganic carbon) were measured in Blackwater River, near Naples, Florida, from June 1997 to November 1999 to construct a predicted model shell against which the observed isotopic data from live-collected oysters were compared. From these data, it was determined that C. virginica precipitated its shell near isotopic equilibrium. Values of δ 13 C SHELL follow the general trend of the predicted equilibrium model with a positive offset of ∼1‰ during cold winter months. Variation in growth rate or incorporation of a higher percentage of metabolically derived carbon may explain the degree of offset. C. virginica from southwest Florida does not appear to deposit shell when water temperature is above ∼28(±2)°C, though the influence of temperature versus gametogenesis attributing to the slowing down of shell accretion cannot be deconvoluted. Importantly, there is no consistent pattern between the location of dark, translucent growth bands and peaks or valleys on the profile of isotopic composition of the shell. Therefore, these growth structures cannot be used as independent proxies of growth season, tides, lunar phase, or shell age.
Combined effect of pelleting and pretreatment on enzymatic hydrolysis of switchgrass.

Abstract Switchgrass was pelleted to evaluate the effect of densification on acidic and alkaline pretreatment efficacy. Bulk density and durability of pellets were 724 kg/m 3 and 95%, respectively. Ground switchgrass ( D 90 = 21.7 mm) was further ground to a fine power ( D 90 = 0.5 mm) in the pellet mill prior to densification. This grinding increased enzymatic hydrolyzate glucose yields of non-pretreated materials by 210%. Pelleting had no adverse impact on dilute acid pretreatment efficacy. Grinding and pelleting increased hydrolyzate glucose yields of switchgrass pretreated by soaking in aqueous ammonia (SAA) by 37%. Xylose yields from SAA-pretreated switchgrass pellets were 42% higher than those from the original biomass. Increases in sugar yields from SAA-pretreated pelleted biomass are attributed to grinding and heating of biomass during the pelleting process. Potential transportation, storage, and handling benefits of biomass pelleting may be achieved without negatively affecting the downstream processing steps of pretreatment or enzymatic hydrolysis.
Analytic structure of the Henon–Heiles Hamiltonian in integrable and nonintegrable regimes

The solutions of the Henon–Heiles Hamiltonian are investigated in the complex time plane. The use of the ’’Painleve property,’’ i.e., the property that the only movable singularities exhibited by the solution are poles, enables successful prediction of the values of the nonlinear coupling parameter for which the system is integrable. Special attention is paid to the structure of the natural boundaries that are found in some of the nonintegrable regimes. These boundaries have a remarkable self‐similar structure whose form changes as a function of the nonlinear coupling.
Global profiling of prolactin-modulated transcripts in breast cancer in vivo

Prolactin (PRL) is essential for normal mammary gland development. PRL promotes mammary tumor formation in rodents and elevated serum prolactin is associated with increased risk of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer in women. On the other hand, PRL may also exert pro-differentiation effects and act to suppress invasive features of established breast cancer. Previously published limited global transcript profiling analyses of prolactin-regulated gene expression in human breast cancer cells have exclusively been performed in vitro. The present study aimed to shed new light on how PRL modulates estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer through global transcript profiling of a human breast cancer xenograft model in vivo. The prolactin-responsive human T47D breast cancer cell line was xenotransplanted into nude mice and global transcript profiling was carried out following treatment with or without human PRL for 48 h. A subset of PRL-modulated transcripts was further validated using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The in vivo analyses identified 130 PRL-modulated transcripts, 75 upregulated and 55 downregulated, based on fold change >1.6 and P-value <0.05. From this initial panel of transcripts, a subset of 18 transcripts with established breast cancer-relevance were selected and validated by qRT-PCR. Some but not all of the transcripts were also PRL-modulated in vitro. The selected PRL-modulated transcripts were tested for dependence on Stat5, Jak1 or Jak2 activation, and for co-regulation by 17β-estradiol (E2). The protein encoded by one of the PRL-regulated transcripts, PTHrP, was examined in a panel of 92 human breast cancers and found by in situ quantitative immunofluorescence analysis to be highly positively correlated with nuclear localized and tyrosine phosphorylated Stat5. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that PRL-upregulated genes were enriched in pathways involved in differentiation. Finally, a gene signature based on PRL-upregulated genes was associated with prolonged relapse-free and metastasis-free survival in breast cancer patients. This global analysis identified and validated a panel of PRL-modulated transcripts in an ER-positive human breast cancer xenotransplant model, which may have value as markers of relapse-free and metastasis-free survival. Gene products identified in the present study may facilitate ongoing deciphering of the pleiotropic effects of PRL on human breast cancer.
Controlling protein translocation through nanopores with bio-inspired fluid walls

Synthetic nanopores have been used to study individual biomolecules in high throughput, but their performance as sensors does not match that of biological ion channels. Challenges include control of nanopore diameters and surface chemistry, modification of the translocation times of single-molecule analytes through nanopores, and prevention of non-specific interactions with pore walls. Here, inspired by the olfactory sensilla of insect antennae, we show that coating nanopores with a fluid lipid bilayer tailors their surface chemistry and allows fine-tuning and dynamic variation of pore diameters in subnanometre increments. Incorporation of mobile ligands in the lipid bilayer conferred specificity and slowed the translocation of targeted proteins sufficiently to time-resolve translocation events of individual proteins. Lipid coatings also prevented pores from clogging, eliminated non-specific binding and enabled the translocation of amyloid-beta (Ab) oligomers and fibrils. Through combined analysis of their translocation time, volume, charge, shape and ligand affinity, different proteins were identified.
Civic Engagement and Community Heterogeneity: An Economist's Perspective

This paper provides an overview of the mushrooming economics literature on how community attributes influence the level of civic engagement. Since 1997, at least fifteeen empirical papers have investigated the consequences of heterogeneity for social capital. Social capital has been measured using indicators of group participation such as volunteer activity, organizational membership and activity, entertaining and visiting friends and relatives, and voting and indicators of the strength of network ties such as trust. These papers cover different nations, different social capital measures, and even different centuries. But a common theme emerges across these fifteen studies. More homogeneous communities foster greater levels of social capital production. We provide an overview of this literature and then focus on synthesizing our past work on volunteering and membership with new findings on trust and voting.
Spatially Penalized Methods for Linear Parametric Imaging in Dynamic PET

Dynamic emission tomography can provide the estimation of physiological and biochemical parameters through the use of tracer kinetic modeling techniques. Compared to the conventional region-of-interest method for kinetic data analysis, parametric imaging is becoming preferable since it can provide the spatial distribution of physiologically important parameters. However, parametric images obtained by the conventional methods are usually noisy because the time activity curve of each pixel has high noise. Here we use Markov random field as an image prior to improve the quality of parametric images. Compared to the ridge regression method where spatial regularization was introduced through a mean image, Markov random field prior explicitly models the spatial correlation between neighboring pixels. We have derived monotonically convergent iterative algorithms for estimating parametric images. The method is evaluated using computer simulation and also applied to real dynamic PET data.
The Revolutionary Origins of Modern Japan

Challenging the popular view of the Meiji Restoration as a "revolution from above," this book argues that its main cause was neither the growing threat of the West nor traditional loyalty to Emperor and nation, but rather lay in class conflict and long-term institutional change. The author sees the Restoration as a revolution against feudal privilege carried out from below by a service intelligentsia of minor administrators, priests, scholars, and village officials. The book focuses on the politically most effective body of activists, those in the domain of Choshu, and on their most important leaders of the 1850s and 1860s: Yoshida Shoin, Kusaka Genzui, and Takasugi Shinsaku. It examines their social and educational background, explores their motives for acting, and follows them through their intellectual and political struggles. The final chapter explains various heretofore puzzling aspects of the Meiji period (1868-1912) in terms of its revolutionary origins, and concludes by showing that the Restoration, far from being uniquely Japanese, had many of the characteristics we associate with the great revolutions of England, France, and Russia.
Dynamic Decision Theory and Probabilistic Information Processings

The development of a dynamic decision theory will be central to the impending rapid expansion of research on human decision processes. Of a taxonomy of six decision problems, five require a dynamic theory in which the decision maker is assumed to make a sequence of decisions, basing decision n + 1 on what he learned from decision n and its consequences. Kesearch in progress on information seeking, intuitive statistics, sequential prediction, and Bayesian information processing is reviewed to illustrate the kind of work needed. The relevance of mathematical developments in dynamic programming and Bayesian statistics to dynamic decision theory is examined. A man-computer system for probabilistic processing of fallible military information is discussed in some detail as an application of these ideas and as a setting and motivator for future research on human information processing and decision making.
The effect of intron location on intron‐mediated enhancement of gene expression in Arabidopsis

Introns are often required for full expression of genes in organisms as diverse as plants, insects, nematodes, yeast, and mammals. To explore the potential mechanisms of intron-mediated enhancement in Arabidopsis thaliana, the effect of varying the position of an intron was determined using a series of reporter gene fusions between TRYPTOPHAN BIOSYNTHESIS1 (TRP1) and GUS. Two introns that differ in the degree to which they stimulate expression were individually tested at six locations within coding sequences and two positions in the 3'-UTR. The ability of the first introns from both the TRP1 and POLYUBIQUITIN10 (UBQ10) genes to elevate mRNA accumulation in transgenic plants was found to decline with distance from the promoter, despite their being efficiently spliced from all coding sequence locations. Neither intron significantly enhanced mRNA accumulation when positioned 1.1 kb or more from the start of transcription. In addition, measurements of GUS enzyme activity revealed that both introns at all locations elevated GUS activity more than they enhanced mRNA accumulation. The stimulation mediated by two of four other introns tested at the position nearest the promoter was also greater at the level of GUS activity than mRNA accumulation. These findings support a model in which introns increase transcription and promote translation by two distinct mechanisms.
A Technique for Placement of a Totally Implantable Central Venous Port

The use of totally implantable central venous catheters with reservoirs has grown steadily over the past few years. These systems mitigate many of the inherent problems associated with catheter systems that protrude from the skin. Totally implantable systems are easily cared for and permit activities such as swimming. These features have led many surgeons and patients to favor their use. However, some surgeons have resisted their use because of the added technical difficulty in placing the reservoir. The technical problem in seating a subcutaneous reservoir can be solved by utilizing the technique described below. It is especially useful in the pediatric patient, where the operative field is confined.
Hla Antigens and Congenital Hypothyroidism

HLA antigens A and B were determined in a group of 41 patients with congenital hypothyroidism and 36 of their mothers. Twenty-nine patients had thyroid dysgenesis of whom 23 were functionally athyreotic, four had ectopic and two had hypoplastic thyroid glands. Twelve patients had thyroid dyshormonogenesis, seven of whom had iodide organification defect. A total of 48 antigens were typed in the A and B loci. The results were analyzed in comparison to 388 normal adult subjects from the general population. The only statistically significant difference was an increase in the frequency of HLA-Bw44(12) (48.8% vs 19.3%, P less than 0.02). The incidence of HLA-Bw44(12) was 44.2% in the mothers. There was a decreased frequency of HLA-B7 in the patients which was not significant.
Assessing Bond Market Developments Pot-Euro

As a result of global trends in the financial industry, European financial markets are in the midst of a major transformation, and Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is acting as a primary catalyst for such change. Over time financial integration will provide European markets with sufficient liquidity and scale to turn them into effective rivals of the U.S. markets. This paper provides a framework for assessing the likely consequences of EMU for the evolution of European bond markets. First, it discusses broad fundamental shifts in international capital flows and how EMU is expected to affect them. Second, it analyzes in some detail the two most important portfolio shifts expected to accompany Monetary Union: potential changes in currency reserves held by central banks and diversification of international investors' portfolios. Third, it considers the possibility that the asset management industry and households' increased appetite for risk will lead to a major shift on the demand side. On the supply side, it explores the likely effect of Monetary Union on government bond yield spreads and expected changes in the key pricing factors. The paper concludes with an overview of the considerable growth prospects for the European corporate bond market. In the Euromarket, which has traditionally been the preserve of borrowers of high credit standing, there have already been signs of increased interest in corporate issues, particularly lower-rated ones. The search for higher yields by investors, greater expertise in analyzing credit risks by institutional investors, and reduced issuance in European government bond markets will combine to spur growth in the European corporate bond market. As a consequence, the traditional bank-oriented relations will clearly weaken, and more companies will find opportunities to raise capital and obtain financing at lower cost.
Prospective Evaluation of the Alcohol Dehydrogenase γ1/γ2 Gene Polymorphism and Risk of Stroke

Background and Purpose— Genetic polymorphism of the alcohol dehydrogenase type 3 gene (ADH1C) has recently been associated with reduced risk of myocardial infarction. However, data on risk of stroke are not available. Methods— We examined the possible association between the ADH1C γ1/γ2 polymorphism and risk of stroke in a prospective, nested case-control sample from the Physicians’ Health Study of 14 916 apparently healthy men who were followed over a 12-year period. A total of 320 incident stroke cases and 550 age- and smoking-matched controls were genotyped. Results— All observed genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The allele and genotype distributions of the polymorphism tested were similar between cases and controls, such that the relative risk of stroke was 1.04 for ADH1C γ1/γ2 (95% CI=0.85 to 1.28; P=0.65) assuming an additive mode of inheritance. Contrary to prior findings for myocardial infarction, no evidence of association was observed to suggest an effect modification of A...
Experiences from teaching an interdisciplinary multimedia course

At Wellesley College very rarely do the Fine Art and Computer Science faculty cross paths. That was the case until two years ago when we taught an experimental course that brought together work the authors were doing in their respective fields. In this course, art and computer science students worked in assigned pairs to produce an interactive multimedia project on a topic of their choice. The project had to be taken from conception to publication on CD-ROM. Theoretical material from both disciplines was presented in addition to the hands-on production skills. The projects covered a diverse range of topics, including: an interactive museum, a children's game, the nature of fractals, a jazz tutorial. The results far exceeded the instructors' expectations for the excellence of the projects. In the process, the students learned a great deal about multimedia and an important lesson about the nature of collaboration. The course has become since a showcase of the school's interdisciplinary offerings and has created an increasing stream of "Media Arts and Sciences" majors.
Noninvasive Distraction for Ankle Arthroscopy

This article reviews a simple technique used for noninvasive traction in ankle arthroscopy. The author describes a modification of a previously described noninvasive ankle distraction technique using an inexpensive gauze roll.
Functional Fixedness in a Technologically Sparse Culture

Problem solving can be inefficient when the solution requires subjects to generate an atypical function for an object and the object's typical function has been primed. Subjects become ''fixed'' on the design function of the object, and problem solving suffers relative to control conditions in which the object's function is not demon- strated. In the current study, such functional fixedness was demonstrated in a sample of adolescents (mean age of 16 years) among the Shuar of Ecuadorian Amazonia, whose technologically sparse culture provides limited ac- cess to large numbers of artifacts with highly specialized functions. This result suggests that design function may universally be the core property of artifact concepts in human semantic memory.
Heterologous Expression Studies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Reveal Two Distinct Trypanosomatid CaaX Protease Activities and Identify Their Potential Targets

The CaaX tetrapeptide motif typically directs three sequential posttranslational modifications, namely, isoprenylation, proteolysis, and carboxyl methylation. In all eukaryotic systems evaluated to date, two CaaX proteases (Rce1 and Ste24/Afc1) have been identified. Although the Trypanosoma brucei genome also encodes two putative CaaX proteases, the lack of detectable T. brucei Ste24 activity in trypanosome cell extracts has suggested that CaaX proteolytic activity within this organism is solely attributed to T. brucei Rce1 (J. R. Gillespie et al., Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 153:115-124. 2007). In this study, we demonstrate that both T. brucei Rce1 and T. brucei Ste24 are enzymatically active when heterologously expressed in yeast. Using a-factor and GTPase reporters, we demonstrate that T. brucei Rce1 and T. brucei Ste24 possess partially overlapping specificities much like, but not identical to, their fungal and human counterparts. Of interest, a CaaX motif found on a trypanosomal Hsp40 protein was not cleaved by either T. brucei CaaX protease when examined in the context of the yeast a-factor reporter but was cleaved by both in the context of the Hsp40 protein itself when evaluated using an in vitro radiolabeling assay. We further demonstrate that T. brucei Rce1 is sensitive to small molecules previously identified as inhibitors of the yeast and human CaaX proteases and that a subset of these compounds disrupt T. brucei Rce1-dependent localization of our GTPase reporter in yeast. Together, our results suggest the conserved presence of two CaaX proteases in trypanosomatids, identify an Hsp40 protein as a substrate of both T. brucei CaaX proteases, support the potential use of small molecule CaaX protease inhibitors as tools for cell biological studies on the trafficking of CaaX proteins, and provide evidence that protein context influences T. brucei CaaX protease specificity.
Synthesis and Polymerization of Renewable 1,3-Cyclohexadiene Using Metathesis, Isomerization, and Cascade Reactions with Late-metal Catalysts

Synthesis and subsequent polymerization of renewable 1,3-cyclohexadiene (1,3-CHD) from plant oils is reported via metathesis and isomerization reactions. The metathesis reaction required no plant oil purification, minimal catalyst loading, no organic solvents, and simple product recovery by distillation. After treating soybean oil with a ruthenium metathesis catalyst, the resulting 1,4-cyclohexadiene (1,4-CHD) was isomerized with RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3. The isomerization reaction was conducted for 1 h in neat 1,4-CHD with [1,4–CHD]/[RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3] ratios as high as 5 000. The isomerization and subsequent polymerization of the renewable 1,3-CHD was examined as a two-step sequence and as a one-step cascade reaction. The polymerization was catalyzed with nickel(II)acetylacetonate/methaluminoxane in neat monomer, hydrogenated d-limonene, and toluene. The resulting polymers were characterized by FTIR, DSC, and TGA.
Fe-phyllosilicate redox cycling organisms from a redox transition zone in Hanford 300 Area sediments.

Microorganisms capable of reducing or oxidizing structural iron (Fe) in Fe-bearing phyllosilicate minerals were enriched and isolated from a subsurface redox transition zone at the Hanford 300 Area site in eastern Washington, USA. Both conventional and in situ “i-chip” enrichment strategies were employed. One Fe(III)-reducing Geobacter (G. bremensis strain R1, Deltaproteobacteria) and six Fe(II) phyllosilicate-oxidizing isolates from the Alphaproteobacteria (Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains 22, is5, and in8p8), Betaproteobacteria (Cupriavidus necator strain A5-1, Dechloromonas agitata strain is5), and Actinobacteria (Nocardioides sp. strain in31) were recovered. The G. bremensis isolate grew by oxidizing acetate with the oxidized form of NAu-2 smectite as the electron acceptor. The Fe(II)-oxidizers grew by oxidation of chemically reduced smectite as the energy source with nitrate as the electron acceptor. The Bradyrhizobium isolates could also carry out aerobic oxidation of biotite. This is the first report of the recovery of a Fe(II)-oxidizing Nocardioides, and to date only one other Fe(II)-oxidizing Bradyrhizobium is known. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the isolates were similar to ones found in clone libraries from Hanford 300 sediments and groundwater, suggesting that such organisms may be present and active in situ. Whole genome sequencing of the isolates is underway, the results of which will enable comparative genomic analysis of mechanisms of extracellular phyllosilicate Fe redox metabolism, and facilitate development of techniques to detect the presence and expression of genes associated with microbial phyllosilicate Fe redox cycling in sediments.
Fusion Deficiency Induced by Mutations at the Dimer Interface in the Newcastle Disease Virus Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase Is due to a Temperature-Dependent Defect in Receptor Binding

The tetrameric paramyxovirus hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein mediates attachment to sialic acid-containing receptors as well as cleavage of the same moiety via its neuraminidase (NA) activity. The X-ray crystallographic structure of an HN dimer from Newcastle disease virus (NDV) suggests that a single site in two different conformations mediates both of these activities. This conformational change is predicted to involve an alteration in the association between monomers in each HN dimer and to be part of a series of changes in the structure of HN that link its recognition of receptors to the activation of the other viral surface glycoprotein, the fusion protein. To explore the importance of the dimer interface to HN function, we performed a site-directed mutational analysis of residues in a domain defined by residues 218 to 226 at the most membrane-proximal part of the dimer interface in the globular head. Proteins carrying substitutions for residues F220, S222, and L224 in this domain were fusion deficient. However, this fusion deficiency was not due to a direct effect of the mutations on fusion. Rather, the fusion defect was due to a severely impaired ability to mediate receptor recognition at 37°C, a phenotype that is not attributable to a change in NA activity. Since each of these mutated proteins efficiently mediated attachment in the cold, it was also not due to an inherent inability of the mutated proteins to recognize receptors. Instead, the interface mutations acted by weakening the interaction between HN and its receptor(s). The phenotype of these mutants correlates with the disruption of intermonomer subunit interactions.
Impact of Traditional and Novel Risk Factors on the Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Incident Cardiovascular Events

Background— Persons of lower socioeconomic status have greater cardiovascular risk than those of higher socioeconomic status. However, the mechanism through which socioeconomic status affects cardiovascular disease (CVD) is uncertain. Virtually no data are available that examine the prospective association between novel inflammatory and hemostatic CVD risk indicators, socioeconomic status, and incident CVD events. Methods and Results— We assessed the relationship between 2 indicators of socioeconomic status (education and income), traditional and novel CVD risk factors (high sensitivity C-reactive protein, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, fibrinogen, and homocysteine), and incident CVD events among 22 688 apparently healthy female health professionals participating in the Women’s Health Study. These women were followed up for 10 years for the development of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, coronary revascularization, and cardiovascular death. More educated women were less likely to be smo...
Management of acoustic schwannoma

Abstract Purpose To discuss the optimal management for patients with acoustic schwannoma. Materials and methods Review of the pertinent literature. Results Microsurgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and fractionated radiotherapy result in cure rates that approximate 90% at 5 years. Depending on tumor extent and surgical approach, the morbidity of microsurgery may exceed that of stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated radiotherapy. Patients with useful hearing before treatment may have a higher likelihood of hearing preservation after radiotherapy compared with radiosurgery. Conclusion Both microsurgery and radiosurgery are good options for patients with tumors less than 3 cm. Depending on tumor extent and the surgical approach, the morbidity of microsurgery may exceed that of radiosurgery. Patients with useful hearing may have a higher likelihood of hearing preservation after radiotherapy. Microsurgery is preferred for patients in whom the disease progresses after initial irradiation and in patients with tumors larger than 3 cm.
Inequalities for cd-indices of joins and products of polytopes

The cd-index is a polynomial which encodes the flag f-vector of a convex polytope. For polytopes U and V, we determine explicit recurrences for computing the cd-index of the free join $$U\textcircled{v}V$$ and the cd-index of the Cartesian product U x V. As an application of these recurrences, we prove the inequality $$ \psi {\left( {U{\kern 1pt} \textcircled{v}{\left( {V \times W} \right)}} \right)} \leqslant \psi {\left( {{\left( {U\textcircled{v}V} \right)} \times W} \right)} $$ involving the cd-indices of three polytopes.
Swimming of a waving plate

The purpose of' this paper is to study the basic principle of fish propulsion. As a simplified model, the two-dimensional potential flow over a waving plate of finite chord is treated. The solid plate, assumed to be flexible and thin, is capable of performing the motion which consists of a progressing wave of given wavelength and phase velocity along the chord, the envelope of the wave train being an arbitrary function of the distance from the leading edge. The problem is solved by applying the general theory for oscillating deformable airfoils. The thrust, power required, and the energy imparted to the wake are calculated, and the propulsive efficiency is also evaluated. As a numerical example, the waving motion with linearly varying amplitude is carried out in detail. Finally, the basic mechanism of swimming is elucidated by applying the principle of action and reaction.
Effects of topical administration of an aldose reductase inhibitor on cataract formation in dogs fed a diet high in galactose.

Objective—To determine effects of a topical formulation of an aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) on the development of sugar cataracts in dogs fed a diet high in galactose. Animals—Ten 6-month old Beagles. Procedures—Dogs were fed a diet containing 30% galactose, and after 16 weeks, 6 dogs were treated topically with a proprietary ARI formulation and 4 dogs were treated with a placebo. Cataract formation was monitored by means of slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fundus photography. Dogs were euthanized after 10 weeks of treatment, and lenses were evaluated for degree of opacity, myo-inositol and galactitol concentrations, and concentration of the ARI. Results—All dogs developed bilateral cortical opacities dense enough to result in a decrease in the tapetal reflex after being fed the galactose-containing diet for 16 weeks. Administration of the ARI arrested further development of cataract formation. In contrast, cataracts in the vehicle-treated dogs progressed over the 10-week period to the mature stage. Evaluat...
Effects of varying scoring rules of the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) for the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder in motor vehicle accident victims

We examined the effects of varying the scoring rules for the CAPS (Clinician Administered PTSD Scale) on the diagnosis of PTSD in a sample of 100 victims of recent motor vehicle accidents. This was done by assessing, for each scoring rule, the rate of categorical diagnosis and the effect on group mean scores on measures of subjective distress and role impairment. Changing from the most liberal to the most conservative scoring rule results in a change in diagnosis of PTSD from 44% to 29% of the sample. Comparisons of those included as PTSD under the most conservative scoring criteria vs those excluded (who had previously been included) reveal significantly greater subjective distress and role impairment among those who continue to be included in the PTSD category. Thus, changes in scoring rules have clinically significant effects on the incidence and severity of diagnosed PTSD. This indicates that the selection of scoring rules has important implications for epidemiological estimates of the prevalence of PTSD, and that PTSD studies using different scoring rules as inclusion criteria may be using somewhat different samples.
Comparing perioperative processes of care in high and low mortality centers performing pancreatic surgery

Background Pancreatic surgery outcomes vary widely. We hypothesize that by comparing high and low mortality hospitals, we may identify differences in patient care impacting safety. Methods We sampled hospitals with very-low and very-high mortality (LMH; HMH) and conducted on-site chart reviews evaluating perioperative care practices for pancreatic operations. Results HMHs had an 11.6% mortality rate; LMHs 1.5%. Patients in HMHs had worse ASA classification (20.9% ASA Class 4/5 vs. 2.0%, P < 0.001) and comorbidity burden (55.3% with ≥1 comorbidity vs. 39.6%, P = 0.037). At HMHs, operations took longer (353.9 min vs. 313.7 min, P = 0.05), had higher blood loss (1,203.7 ml vs. 881.6 ml, P = 0.04), and patients underwent more transfusions (70.2% vs. 41.1%, P < 0.001). There were differences in anesthetic care: less invasive monitoring (76.1% vs. 93.1%, P < 0.001) and epidural pain management (22.5% vs. 62.9%, P < 0.001). Both cohorts had similar rates of VTE prophylaxis and SSI prevention compliance. Conclusion High and low mortality hospitals both have high compliance with common quality measures; however, HMHs performed worse in other areas of perioperative care, indicating possible targets for quality improvement efforts. J. Surg. Oncol. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Fourier Transform

We have seen that if f(x) is a function supported on an interval [−L, L] for some L > 0, then f(x) can be represented by a Fourier series as $$f\left( x \right) = \sum\limits_n {c\left( n \right){e^{2\pi in\left( {x/2L} \right)}}\quad where\quad c\left( n \right) = \frac{1}{{2L}}\int_{ - L}^L {f\left( t \right){e^{ - 2\pi it\left( {n/2L} \right)}}dt.} } $$ (3.1)
Respiration in Chronic Hypoxia and Hyperoxia: Role of Peripheral Chemoreceptors

The peripheral chemoreceptors (carotid and aortic bodies) are environmental monitors - they monitor internal milieu, and external as well, to the extent that it influences the internal milieu. These are the only oxygen sensing organs which generate protective reflex respiratory and autonomic responses against the ambient hypoxia. In the absence of their neural linkage with the central nervous system or during their malfunction in disease, the organism cannot detect oxygen deprivation in the milieu and hence cannot respond appropriately. This “gateway” function of the peripheral chemoreceptors makes it indispensable for protection, particularly for the altitude sojourners and for the patients with hypoxemic disease. These organs work harder at higher altitudes. This paper will focus on the adaptive responses of the carotid body to hypoxia of high altitudes. For contrast, the observations on carotid body of animals which were exposed to high oxygen pressure will also be included. The theme, relating structure to function of the carotid body, will be the running thread in the paper.
Depletion of tissue glutathione with diethyl maleate enhances hyperbaric oxygen toxicity

Rats exposed to hyperbaric hyperoxia experience severe central nervous system and lung toxicity. Exogenous glutathione administration has been shown to protect rats from the effects of hyperbaric hyperoxia. To explore the hypothesis that decreases in tissue glutathione (GSH) could increase the susceptibility of rats to hyperbaric hyperoxia, we administered diethyl maleate (DEM) (a compound that conjugates with GSH and rapidly lowers tissue levels) and measured tissue GSH levels. DEM administration decreased plasma GSH by 86%, liver GSH by 82%, and brain GSH by 45% between 2 and 4 h after injection with values returning to normal by 24 h. We then treated rats with DEM or saline and began exposure at 2 h after treatment to 100% oxygen at 4 ATA. Time-to-convulsion and time-to-death were recorded. Rats that received DEM 2 h before exposure seized earlier and died earlier than controls. Intraperitoneal administration of GSH to DEM-treated rats abolished the enhanced toxicity occurring during a hyperbaric hyperoxic exposure. DEM appears to increase the toxicity of rats exposed to hyperbaric hyperoxia by lowering tissue GSH levels, and replenishment of lung and brain GSH by exogenous administration reverses these effects.
Re-establishing Community Boundaries in Downeast Maine: Understanding the Roles of Ethnicity, Tenure of Residence, Economic & Environmental Conditions

Boundary-marking determines not only a community's geographic bounds but also determines who is a member of a community and who is not. This delineation has important implications for access to resources and social stratification. This paper seeks to describe how community boundaries in Washington County, Maine may be contested along lines of ethnicity and immigrant status (both domestic and international) and explores the role of environmental issues and the current economic climate in provoking changes in community boundaries. This paper argues that community membership is correlated not only with tenure of residence but is also a function of ethnicity and class. Data from the 2009 Community and Environment in Rural America (CERA) telephone survey are used to supplement findings from state and federal statistics and contemporary news reports. Keywords: community boundaries, ethnicity, immigrant status, economic climate, environmental conditions
Effect of reserpine (Serpasil) on oxygen consumption of euthyroid, hypothyroid, and hyperthyroid guinea pigs.

SummaryOxygen consumption was reduced to hypothyroid levels in reserpine-treated euthyroid and hyperthyroid guinea pigs, but no significant changes were noted in the reserpine-treated hypothyroid a...
Inactivity of bound plasma progesterone.

SummaryPellets of crystalline progesterone implanted into the spleens of ovariectomized mice had no effect upon the endometrium despite the presence of relatively high levels of bound progesterone in the plasma; the highest level of free progesterone in these animals was 0.7 μg per ml. Subcutaneous pellets of progesterone produced characteristic progestational changes in the endometrium when the level of free plasma progesterone exceeded 1.0 μg per ml. Binding appears to be a mechanism of hepatic inactivation of progesterone in the mouse.
The performance implications of demand-side diversification: evidence from the US telecommunications sector, 1990–1996

This article contributes to the emerging demand-side perspective in strategy by explaining the demand-side sources of the systematic performance differences (a) between firms that diversify to offer complementary products and those who choose not to diversify, and (b) across and within diversifying firms over time. The US Telecommunications Services sector during 1990–1996 provides a dynamic research setting to test our hypotheses concerning the value-generating effect of shared demand-side strategic assets across the diversifying firms' home- and target-market. We find that the overall quality of demand-side strategic assets of local telephone companies who chose to diversify to offer complementary long-distance services (to their local telephony customers) is higher than those who chose not to diversify. We also find that the variation in market-shares of the diversified local telephone companies in their respective target market(s) for complementary long-distance services is positively influenced by th...
The Mercersburg Christology and Reformed Ressourcement

This article examines distinctive features of the christology associated with the Mercersburg Theology of John W. Nevin—its Irenaean framework, affirmation of the “fallen” and “generic” humanity of...
Acidity of the Poly(acrylamidoxime) Adsorbent in Aqueous Solution: Determination of the Proton Affinity Distribution via Potentiometric Titrations

Poly(acrylamidoxime) fibers are the current state of the art adsorbent for mining uranium from seawater. While the acid dissociation constants, pKa, of characteristic amidoxime and carboxylate ligands have been reported in the literature, the proton affinity distribution of the poly(acrylamidoxime) fiber is yet to be established. Herein, we report the poly(acrylamidoxime) proton affinity distribution between pH 2 and pH 10 via the stable numerical solution of the adsorption integral equation using splines (SAIUS) algorithm. Two peaks in the proton affinity distribution of poly(acrylamidoxime) were observed: the neutral to anionic dissociation of the carboxylate monomer between pH 3.2 and pH 4.4 (pKa ≈ 4.0) and the protonated to neutral dissociation of the acyclic amidoxime monomer between pH 5.6 and pH 6.8 (pKa ≈ 6.1). The acidity constants obtained for the carboxylate and amidoximate monomers vary from the acidity constants of acetic acid and acetamidoxime, respectively. These variations in acidity can b...
HCI Goes Mainstream in the Comics

HCI issues now appear in the content of comics and comic books, signalling a greater awareness of HCI/UX concerns, terminology, and accomplishments, and shortcomings.
Patriotism Education in Japanese teaching

Recently, Japan is aspiring to be a new standing member of Security Council, and always distorts the history textbook, and Junichiro Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine. These events set off spontaneous anti-Japan activities of Chinese people. Demonstrations aiming at the Japanese right-wingers were held in some cities. Even extreme behavior occurred in some places. Japanese right-wingers made use of some of the extreme words and deeds to handle the media and whip up public opinion maliciously. This article gives an introduction of Japanese culture from an angle of its variety, to make the youth understand the Japanese nation more clearly, and promote the communication and co-operation of cultures between China and Japan.
‘It’s OK to feel totally confused’: reflection without practice by preservice teachers in an introductory education course

AbstractIn the following article, we describe our research with preservice teachers (PSTs) engaged in an introductory course in curriculum, instruction, and technology. Typically, efforts to engage PSTs in reflection focus on the student-teaching experience. We assert there is potential for PSTs to think deeply about their identities prior to actual classroom experience. Our research concerns the development of reflective pedagogical thinking by PSTs, stimulated by a variety of curricular, instructional, and technological learning experiences. We will highlight the pedagogical innovations we employed to stimulate PSTs to engage in meaningful reflection prior to their student-teaching experiences. We will describe our learning experiences and nontraditional grading scheme in the course, and examine the impact of those practices on PST reflective writing.
c-CBL regulates melanoma proliferation, migration, invasion and the FAK-SRC-GRB2 nexus.

// Minakshi Nihal 1, 2 , Gary S. Wood 1, 2, 3 1 Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 2 Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 3 Wm. S. Middleton VA Medical Centre, Madison, Wisconsin, USA Correspondence to: Minakshi Nihal, email: mnihal@dermatology.wisc.edu Keywords: c-CBL, melanoma, proliferation, migration, invasion Received: April 05, 2016 Accepted: July 10, 2016 Published: July 27, 2016 ABSTRACT Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and lethal forms of skin cancer. Despite recent improvements in targeted therapies, many patients with advanced disease fail to achieve lasting tumor regression. Therefore, it is important to develop novel druggable targets that can be exploited to improve clinical outcome. Here, we studied the role of Casitas B-lineage lymphoma (c-CBL), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, in human melanoma. Employing quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis in a panel of human melanoma cell lines (A375, G361, Hs-294T, SK-Mel-2, SK-Mel-28 and 451Lu), we found that c-CBL is strongly expressed in human melanoma cells at the mRNA and protein levels. Further, we determined c-CBL levels in clinical samples of melanomas and benign melanocytic nevi, using quantitative Nuance multispectral imaging. Compared to benign nevi, melanomas showed an overlapping range of c-CBL immunoreactivity. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of c-CBL resulted in decreased proliferation, clonogenic survival and migration of melanoma cells. Furthermore, it also resulted in decreased cellular invasion in a 3D spheroid assay system. C-CBL and FAK are regulated by SRC, and FAK binds SRC and GRB2. C-CBL E3 ligase domain regulates receptor tyrosine kinase internalization through ubiquitination and its ring finger domain stabilizes the FAK-SRC-actin cytoskeleton thereby promoting cellular motility. C-CBL knockdown was associated with decreased protein and/or mRNA levels of SRC, FAK and GRB2. Taken together, we have provided evidence that c-CBL plays a role in melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion as well as inhibition of the FAK-GRB2-SRC nexus. Our findings indicate that additional studies are warranted to further dissect the role of c-CBL in melanoma and determine the therapeutic potential of its inhibition.
Vigabatrin-Induced Seizures in Angelman Syndrome

Four children with Angelman syndrome (AS) showed worsening of seizures after introduction of vigabatrin (VGB), at the University Children’s Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
The Effect of Prior Investment Outcomes on Future Investment Decisions: Is There a Gender Difference?

We use our survey of finance professors from universities across the USA to investigate whether men and women react differently to prior gains and losses. We find that after incurring a loss, a large fraction of men continue to invest in stocks, but a majority of women tend to avoid investing in stocks. Even though prior losses increase the expectation of unfavorable market conditions, we find that women are more likely than men to expect unfavorable market conditions irrespective of whether they have made a gain or a loss in their prior stock market investments.