cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein and Lysophosphatidylcholine Stimulate Cell Cycle Entry in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells EVIDENCE FOR RELEASE OF FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR-2

We have previously shown that oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) but not native LDL stimulated DNA synthesis in cultured smooth muscle cells (SMC) and that α-tocopherol (vitamin E) inhibited this proliferative response (Lafont, A., Chai, Y. C., Cornhill, J. F., Whitlow, P. L., Howe, P. H., and Chisolm, G. M. (1995) J. Clin. Invest. 95, 1018-1025). The moiety of oxidized LDL that stimulates DNA synthesis and the cellular mechanism for this potentially mitogenic effect are not known. We now report that lipid fractions containing lysophospholipids from oxidized LDL or phospholipase A2-treated native LDL stimulated SMC DNA synthesis as did palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC). Protein kinase C inhibitors and down-regulation of protein kinase C activity by phorbol ester inhibited oxidized LDL- and lysoPC-induced DNA synthesis. A neutralizing monoclonal antibody against fibroblast growth factor-2 significantly inhibited oxidized LDL and lysoPC-induced DNA synthesis in SMC; irrelevant antibodies were ineffective. Vitamin E inhibited the DNA synthesis stimulated by lysoPC, an observation that distinguished this effect from DNA synthesis induced by another detergent, digitonin. These results suggest that oxidized LDL and its lysoPC moiety stimulate SMC to enter the cell cycle via an oxidative mechanism that causes the release of fibroblast growth factor-2 and a subsequent autocrine or paracrine response.
Applications of gas chromatography with an atomic emission detector

An atomic emission detector for gas chromatography has been developed which is, in principle, capable of detecting selectively any element (except helium) which can elute from a gas chromatographic column. Software methods have been developed so far for 23 elements and on isotope, including all of the organic elements along with mercury, lead, tin, silicon, and deuterium. Element-specific analyses are shown for several petroleum, environmental, and aroma samples. A table for the detector's element-specific detection limits, selectivities, and linear dynamic ranges is given for 12 elements and deuterium.
Cueing Confidence in Eyewitness Identifications: Influence of Biased Lineup Instructions and Pre-Identification Memory Feedback Under Varying Lineup Conditions

Students watched a theft video, attempted an identification from a thief-present or thief-absent lineup under unbiased or biased instructions, and rated identification confidence. In Experiment 1, the participants received (bogus) positive, negative, or no pre-identification feedback about a recall test. Biased instructions and positive feedback increased confidence and ratings of eyewitnessing conditions. In Experiment 2, biased instructions increased confidence unless the thief was absent and lineup members were similar, where they decreased confidence. According to the cue-belief model, biased instructions send a positive accuracy cue regarding the most familiar-looking lineup member. If none stands out, instructions conflict with an inclination to reject the lineup. Feedback may create a belief about memory quality that is a cue regarding likely recognition accuracy.
Development of a Paper-Based Analytical Device for Colorimetric Detection of Select Foodborne Pathogens

Foodborne pathogens are a major public health threat and financial burden for the food industry, individuals, and society, with an estimated 76 million cases of food-related illness occurring in the United States alone each year. Three of the most important causative bacterial agents of foodborne diseases are pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes, due to the severity and frequency of illness and disproportionally high number of fatalities. Their continued persistence in food has dictated the ongoing need for faster, simpler, and less expensive analytical systems capable of live pathogen detection in complex samples. Culture techniques for detection and identification of foodborne pathogens require 5–7 days to complete. Major improvements to molecular detection techniques have been introduced recently, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These methods can be tedious; require complex, expensive instrumentation; necessitate highly trained personnel; and ar...
Spectral Characterization Of Optical Waveguides

The spectral properties of single-mode optical fibers and optical waveguides are reviewed including loss, dispersion, coupling, and reflection. Measurement techniques for characterizing these waveguides are described and experimental results are presented. These include measurements of the intrinsic and bending losses for single-mode optical fiber, field mode size, transmission, and reflection losses for waveguide structures when single-mode fibers are used to couple power into the waveguides.
Results after restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and coexisting colorectal cancer

Although the operation of choice for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), its place in the management of patients with FAP and cancer has not been defined. The authors have reviewed their experience with these patients to determine the safety of IPAA and its efficacy as a cancer operation. The records of 55 patients with FAP who had undergone IPAA were examined. Follow-up studies included an annual questionnaire and physical examination. Eight patients had FAP with coexisting colorectal cancer. Median age at diagnosis was 25 (range 13-46) years, and at operation 33 (range 22-36) years. Of the eight patients (four men), four had colonic cancer and four had rectal cancer. Synchronous colorectal carcinoma was found in two patients. Staging according to the tumour node metastasis classification showed that five patients had stage 1 tumour, two had stage 2 and one had stage 3. Tumours were well, moderately or poorly differentiated in one, five and two patients respectively. During a median follow-up of 56 (range 14-98) months, metastasis developed in the liver of one patient 66 months after surgery. Two patients suffered complications : one had small bowel obstruction and the other mucosal prolapse. Tubular adenomas were found in the pouch of two patients and in the anal transitional zone of one. Pouch function is good to excellent in all surviving patients. Restorative proctocolectomy for patients with FAP and coexisting colorectal cancer can be undertaken with a favourable prognosis and function. It is compatible with curative intent.
Finding succinct ordered minimal perfect hash functions

Abstract An ordered minimal perfect hash table is one in which no collisions occur among a predefined set of keys, no space is unused and the data are placed in the table in order. A new method for creating ordered minimal perfect hash functions is presented. It creates hash functions with representation space requirements closer to the theoretical lower bound than previous methods. The method presented requires approximately 17% less space to represent generated hash functions and is easy to implement. However, a high time complexity makes it practical for small sets only (size
THE pKa OF DIPROTONATED SEMIMETHYLENE BLUE, IN 5% ETHANOL AND 50% ACETONITRILE AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

— Semimethylene blue was generated by reductive quenching of triplet methylene blue, 3MBH2+, with diphenylamine at pH 0.62–3.4. A Q-switched ruby laser flash-photolysis-kinetic spectro-photometric apparatus was used to characterize the absorption spectrum of semimethylene blue from 350 to 900 nm and a number of physical constants at 25°C with μ= 0.4 M and Cl− as the anion. The specific rate of quenching of 3MBH2+ by DPA is 2.8 × 109M−1 s−1 in 5% EtOH-95% water and 1.2×109M−1 s−1 in 50 v/v% aq. CH3CN. Corresponding efficiencies of net electron transfer are, respectively, 0.15 and 0.62. Spectral characteristics in 5% EtOH are, for MBH22±, λmax= 375 nm, e375= 9000 M−1 cm−1; λmax= 880 nm, e880= 12700 M−1 cm−1; for MBH±, λmax= 410 nm, e410= 9800 M−1 cm−1, λmax= 880 nm, e880= 33000 M−1 cm−1; for MBH± in 50 v/v% AN, λmax= 400 nm, e400= 11000 M−1 cm−1 and λmax= 880 nm,e880= 39000 M−1 cm−1. The pKa of MBH22e calculated from the pH dependence of the absorption spectrum is 1.86 × 0.04 in 5% EtOH and 1.15 in 50 v/v% AN. Rate constants, kdecay, for reaction DPAH±+ with MBH22e and MBH± in 5% EtOH are, respectively, 3.9 × 109 and 9.5 × 109M−1 s−1. The value of pKa of MBH22e calculated from the dependence of kdecay on pH is 1.75 in 5% EtOH.
Pueblo Nations: Eight Centuries of Pueblo Indian History

Pueblo Nations is the story of a vital and creative culture, of a people sustained by ages-old traditions and beliefs, who have adapted to the radical challenges of the modern world. Written by a respected writer, educator, and elder of the Jemez Pueblo, this rare, insider's view of the history of the 19 Indian Pueblos of New Mexico illuminates Pueblo historical traditions dating from millennia before the arrival of Columbus and chronicles the events and changes of the European era from the perspective of those who experienced them. Drawing on both traditional oral history and written records, Sando describes the origin and development of Pueblo civilization, the Spanish conquest and occupation, the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, and the response of the pueblos to Mexican independence and conquest by the United States. Sando offers several portraits of notable Pueblo leaders whose contributions have helped shape the history of their people. He looks at internal developments in Pueblo government and presents a detailed account of the unremitting struggle to retain sovereignty, land, and water rights in the face of powerful outside pressures.
Toxicity of microcystin‐LR, a cyanobacterial toxin, to multiple life stages of the burrowing mayfly, Hexagenia, and possible implications for recruitment

Burrowing mayflies, genus Hexagenia, were extirpated from the major water bodies of North America in the early 1950s, paralleling an increase in eutrophication and organic pollution, and a decrease in dissolved oxygen concentrations. Burrowing mayflies recolonized the western basin of Lake Erie, but remain absent in other former habitats such as Oneida Lake, New York. Eutrophication is commonly associated with a shift in the phytoplankton community toward dominance by cyanobacteria, and therefore, one class of cyanobacterial toxins, microcystins, were investigated as a contributing factor to Hexagenia's eradication or as an impediment to recolonization. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine if microcystin-LR (MC-LR) produced negative effects on Hexagenia at three points within its life cycle: egg, hatchling nymph ( 17 mm). Treatment concentrations ranged from the guideline set by the World Health Organization for drinking water (0.001 microg mL(-1)) to 0.1 microg mL(-1) for the egg experiment and 10 microg mL(-1) for the nymph trials. Eggs showed a delay in hatching and an altered distribution of hatching over the study period when submerged in 0.1 microg mL(-1) MC-LR (an elevated concentration representative of bloom scum). The 72-h (1.1 microg mL(-1)) and 96-h (0.049 microg mL(-1)) LC(50) values for hatchling nymphs exceeded typical bloom concentrations of North American lakes, (0.01 microg mL(-1)). Large nymphs were more tolerant of the toxin, as indicated by 100% survival over seven days exposure to 10 microg mL(-1), suggesting older larvae can withstand brief encounters with high microcystin levels for at least short periods of time. The sensitivity of young nymphs and eggs to MC-LR may have implications for the recruitment of the genus in water bodies with persistent summer cyanobacterial blooms.
Quantum imaging of an obscured object by measurement of reflected photons

Quantum imaging of an obscured object is achieved by the gated coincidence measurement of first the thermal source transverse intensity and second the measured count of scattered and reflected photons that have traversed the obscurant. Interestingly, the CCD camera is looking at the pseudo thermal source of photons not the object. The image does not exist in the mean, but only in the coincidence and has a higher image quality metric than that achieved by a camera viewing the object through the obscurant.
Effects of calcium binding and of EDTA and CaEDTA on the clotting of bovine fibrinogen by thrombin

Abstract Studies were carried out at pH 7.0 and Γ/2 0.15 before addition of CaCl2 or EDTA. Clotting time, τ, at 3.03 μ m fibrinogen and 0.91 u/ml thrombin was determined for equilibrium systems. With added Ca2+, τ decreases, from τ0 at 0 added Ca2+ (mean, 29.7 ± 3 s), by ~3 s at 5 m m added Ca2+. With added EDTA, τ increases sigmoidally from τ0 at 0 EDTA to a maximum (mean τm = 142 ± 23 s) at ~200 μ m EDTA. τ then decreases slightly to a minimum at ~1.3 m m and finally increases to infinity at ~10 m m EDTA. Between 0 and 1.3 m m EDTA, effects on clotting time are completely reversed by adding Ca2+ and, after equilibration at 400 μ m EDTA, τ is independent of EDTA concentration. Thus, up to 400 μ m EDTA, effects on clotting time are attributed to decreasing fibrinogen bound Ca2+. Between 5 m m Ca2+ and 200 μ m EDTA it is assumed that an equilibrium distribution of fibrinogen species having 3, 2, 1, or 0 bound calcium ions is established and that a clotting time is determined by the sum of products of species fractional abundance and pure species clotting time. Analysis indicates that pure species clotting times increase proportionately with decreasing Ca2+ binding, binding sites are nearly independent, and the microscopic association constant for the first bound Ca2+ is ~4.9 × 10 m −1. Effects of adding Ca2+ at times t1 after thrombin addition to systems initially equilibrated at 200 μ m EDTA were determined. Analysis of the relation between τ and t1 indicates that as Ca2+ binding decreases, rate constants for release of B peptides decrease less than those for release of A peptides. As EDTA concentration is increased above 1.3 m m , inhibitory effects of EDTA and CaEDTA progressively increase.
Effect of phenolic compounds on growth and ligninolytic enzyme production in Botryosphaeria isolates

Abstract Botryosphaeria spp. are ligninolytic ascomyceteous fungi that incite many diseases in economically important woody plant species. Four Botryosphaeria isolates, Botryosphaeria rhodina (Lasiodiplodia theobromae), Botryosphaeria obtusa, Botryosphaeria dothidea and Botryosphaeria ribis (Neofusicoccum ribis) were used in this study. Ten naturally occurring phenolic compounds from plants were tested to evaluate their effect on mycelium growth and the production of ligninolytic and pectinolytic enzymes. The effect of phenolic compounds in vitro varied with the Botryosphaeria isolates. Inhibition of mycelium growth was dose-dependent, and varied from 2 to 100% inhibition in the ten phenolic compounds tested except syringic acid, which has no toxic effect on mycelium of Botryosphaeria isolates. A significant decrease in laccase production occurred when Botryosphaeria isolates were grown on phenolic compounds. Benzoic acid significantly inhibited pectinase activity in all isolates. The percent inhibition of pectinase activity in B. dothidea and B. obtusa was significantly increased in the presence of salicylic acid and syringic acid, respectively.
The role of transferrins in gallium uptake

Abstract In certain animal tumor systems, transferrin appears to play a key role in the cellular uptake of radiogallium. This process is mediated by a transferrin receptor which is present on tumor cells. In vitro studies using tumor cells growing in tissue culture demonstrate that the uptake is saturable so that the rate of 67 gallium uptake is dependent on the degree to which 67 Ga-transferrin competes with non-labelled transferrin for binding to tumor cell associated transferrin receptors. Although the actual mechanism of this is not known, the evidence suggests that the 67 Ga-transferrin complex is internalized into the cell, and that 67 Ga is subsequently transferred to other subcellular macromolecules. Also, iron and gallium share a kinetically equivalent transport pathway.
Negotiating for Grades: Theory into Reality in the Classroom

This article describes a course that was offered in (rather than about) negotiation and conflict management, in which students negotiated with the instructor for grades. The purpose of the methodology was to bring a level of reality to the course that would go beyond simulation. Issues associated with this course, including student-teacher power differential, responsibility for negotiating, equity, negotiating on promises, and evaluating versus negotiating for grades, are discussed.
A Method for the Preparation of Platelets for Transmission Electron Microscopy

A modified method for the preparation of platelets for transmission electron microscopy has been developed. A suspension of platelets in plasma is fixed in glutaraldehyde, immobilized in agarose, and further fixed in osmium tetroxide. The specimen is then dehydrated with alcohol and embedded in Spurr. The key point of this method is the immobilization of the platelet pellet in agarose gel, thus dispensing with the difficulties associated with excessive centrifugation and resuspension of the platelets. Platelets prepared for transmission electron microscopy by this method show excellent preservation of ultrastructure. In addition, this method is relatively rapid, requiring only one day for processing the specimen.
Gastroesophageal reflux in children: pathogenesis, prevalence, diagnosis, and role of proton pump inhibitors in treatment.

A substantial percentage of infants, children and adolescents experience gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its accompanying symptoms, as well as disease complications. The diagnosis of GERD in children is made based upon the child’s history, and data derived primarily from pH monitoring tests and endoscopy. In those children with confirmed reflux disease, the options for management parallel those recommended in adult patients, with the first step consisting of lifestyle changes. Surgical procedures may also be performed; however, these are rarely recommended prior to an adequate course of pharmacologic therapy, and appropriate case selection is important.
Sorption and transport in glassy polymers–a review

After defining Fickian diffusion in rubbery polymers an overview of transport behavior in polymers is presented. Diffusion and sorption below the glass transition are discussed, followed by a review and classification of the various theoretical models which have been proposed to account for these phenomena. A short list of recommendations for future work is included.
Liquid phase mass transfer resistance in a small scale packed distillation column

Binary distillation experiments using the toluene-trichloroethylene system were conducted in a 3-in. diameter column packed with 0.25 in. Raschig rings. In order to determine the liquid phase mass transfer characteristics, gas absorption studies with CO2-water system were also performed on the same column. It was shown in both cases that end-effects can be ettectively removed by using a “differential height” technique. It was observed in the distillation experiments that the liquid phase was saturated, indicating a negligible resistance to mass transfer in the liquid. Results from the absorption experiments indicate that this resistance is small but not negligible.
Distinctive interactions in the holoenzyme formation for two isoforms of glutamate decarboxylase

The interactions between glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and its cofactor pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) play a key role in the regulation of GAD activity. The enzyme has two isoforms, GAD65 and GAD67. A comparison of binding constants, rate constants, and kinetic profiles for the formation of holoenzyme (holoGAD65 and holoGAD67) revealed that the two isoforms interact distinctively with the cofactor. GAD67 exhibits a higher binding constant for PLP binding, making it more difficult to dissociate PLP from holoGAD67 than holoGAD65. Meanwhile, PLP binding occurs at a much slower rate for GAD67 than GAD65, as evidenced by lower rate constants and a slower initial rate of the holoenzyme formation. Job's plots revealed a stoichiometry of 1:1 for PLP binding to GAD65 before and after the saturation level of PLP, while 1:2 for PLP binding to GAD67 prior to the saturation of PLP and 1:1 at the saturation level of PLP. These results suggested that the two binding sites of GAD65 exhibit similar affinities for PLP. In contrast, one binding site of GAD67 exhibits a significantly higher affinity for PLP than the other binding site. Based on these findings, it was proposed that a slower PLP binding to GAD67 than GAD65 and a less ease to dissociate PLP from holoGAD67 than holoGAD65 are important underlying factors. This attributes to GAD67 being more highly saturated by PLP and GAD65 being less saturated by PLP. A larger conformation change constant for GAD67 than GAD65 supported a significant conformational change induced by the initial PLP binding to GAD67, which affects the other binding site affinity of GAD67. The present studies provided valuable insights into distinctive properties between the two isoforms of GAD.
Glucose-6-phosphate reduces calcium accumulation in rat brain endoplasmic reticulum.

Brain cells expend large amounts of energy sequestering calcium (Ca2+), while loss of Ca2+ compartmentalization leads to cell damage or death. Upon cell entry, glucose is converted to glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), a parent substrate to several metabolic major pathways, including glycolysis. In several tissues, G6P alters the ability of the endoplasmic reticulum to sequester Ca2+. This led to the hypothesis that G6P regulates Ca2+ accumulation by acting as an endogenous ligand for sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA). Whole brain ER microsomes were pooled from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Using radio-isotopic assays, 45Ca2+ accumulation was quantified following incubation with increasing amounts of G6P, in the presence or absence of thapsigargin, a potent SERCA inhibitor. To qualitatively assess SERCA activity, the simultaneous release of inorganic phosphate (Pi) coupled with Ca2+ accumulation was quantified. Addition of G6P significantly and decreased Ca2+ accumulation in a dose-dependent fashion (1-10 mM). The reduction in Ca2+ accumulation was not significantly different that seen with addition of thapsigargin. Addition of glucose-1-phosphate or fructose-6-phosphate, or other glucose metabolic pathway intermediates, had no effect on Ca2+ accumulation. Further, the release of Pi was markedly decreased, indicating G6P-mediated SERCA inhibition as the responsible mechanism for reduced Ca2+ uptake. Simultaneous addition of thapsigargin and G6P did decrease inorganic phosphate in comparison to either treatment alone, which suggests that the two treatments have different mechanisms of action. Therefore, G6P may be a novel, endogenous regulator of SERCA activity. Additionally, pathological conditions observed during disease states that disrupt glucose homeostasis, may be attributable to Ca2+ dystasis caused by altered G6P regulation of SERCA activity
Marginal additive hazards model for case-cohort studies with multiple disease outcomes: an application to the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

In the case-cohort studies conducted within the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, it is of interest to assess and compare the effect of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) on the increased risks of incident coronary heart disease and incident ischemic stroke. Empirical cumulative hazards functions for different levels of hs-CRP reveal an additive structure for the risks for each disease outcome. Additionally, we are interested in estimating the difference in the risk for the different hs-CRP groups. Motivated by this, we consider fitting marginal additive hazards regression models for case-cohort studies with multiple disease outcomes. We consider a weighted estimating equations approach for the estimation of model parameters. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are derived and their finite-sample properties are assessed via simulation studies. The proposed method is applied to analyze the ARIC Study.
Malignant Melanoma of the Vulva

Despite its relatively low incidence, vulvar melanoma carries a poor prognosis, with a high recurrence rate and metastatic potential since it is usually diagnosed at later stage. Vulvar melanoma affects usually older women, occurs mostly in the mucosal aspect of vulva, especially on labia minora and may be multifocal. According to current AJCC staging and classification, the most significant histological prognostic factors are tumor thickness, presence of mitotic figures within the invasive component and presence or absence of ulceration. The differential diagnosis of melanoma has to be made not only with other types of vulvar melanocytic lesions but also with other pigmented non-melanocytic vulvar lesions that clinically may mimic melanoma. The most challenging differential diagnosis is with melanocytic nevi with dysplastic features and nevi occurring in association with lichen sclerosus.
The Changing Context of State Political Economy

Increasingly, attention has turned to state governments and their economies. This new field of inquiry has been plagued by a paradox. Specifically, while many observers describe heightened economic activism among the states, there is a paucity of evidence indicating that such activity makes any difference. This study presents a simple model of state political economy and examines it in three periods: 1968-1973, 1974-1979, and 1980-1985. Using pooled cross sectional time-series analysis it is found that states have become more autonomous economic domains over the course of these periods and, as they have, state level political attributes have come to play an increasing role in shaping growth in per capita personal income.
Transferrin in foetal and adult mouse tissues: synthesis, storage and secretion.

Transferrin is an important growth-promoting serum glycoprotein synthesized chiefly in the liver in adults. The transferrin found in the mouse foetus is thought to be wholly a product of the foetus itself and its synthesis starts at least as early as the 7th day of gestation. The major sites of synthesis in mouse foetuses are the visceral yolk sac (VYS) and liver (Adamson, 1982). We now report that other murine foetal tissues synthesize readily detectable amounts, namely lung, spleen, spinal cord and rib cage. Very low levels are also synthesized by the brain, muscle and pancreas. We can detect no synthesis of transferrin in late foetal thymus, heart or skin although mid-gestation foetal skin may make a very small amount. No synthesis of transferrin can be detected in adult brain, lung and spleen, but approximately equal rates of synthesis are detected in adult liver and adult ear pinna. Transferrin is accumulated by foetal and adult tissues in widely varying amounts and these have been measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of extracts. In addition to VYS and liver, high levels of transferrin are found in foetal skin, lung and rib cage with lower amounts in spinal cord, spleen and muscle tissues. Tissues of the 15th day foetus accumulate the highest concentrations of transferrin. A role for the mediation of transferrin in the stimulation of growth and differentiation by interacting tissues is discussed.
No Innate Number Line in the Human Brain

Many authors in the field of numerical cognition have adopted a rather nativist view that all humans share the intuition that numbers map onto space and, more specifically, that an oriented left-to-right mental number line (MNL) is localized bilaterally in the intraparietal sulcus of the human brain. We review results from archaeological and historical (diachronic) studies as well as cross-cultural (synchronic) ones and contends that these claims are not well founded. The data actually suggest that the MNL is not innate. We argue that the MNL—and number-to-space mappings in general—emerges outside of natural selection proper requiring top-down dynamics that are culturally and historically mediated through high-order cognitive mechanisms such as fictive motion, conceptual mappings, and external representational media. These mechanisms, which are not intrinsically numerical and usually are acquired through education, are not genetically determined and are biologically realized through the systematic consoli...
Phase I evaluation of prolonged-infusion gemcitabine with mitoxantrone for relapsed or refractory acute leukemia.

PURPOSE: To ascertain the maximum tolerated duration of infusion of gemcitabine at 10 mg/m2/min in combination with mitoxantrone at 12 mg/m2 daily for 3 days in the treatment of acute leukemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients were enrolled. Stratum I consisted of 26 patients, median age 50 years (range, 25 to 71 years), with relapsed or refractory leukemia. Stratum II contained eight patients, median age 62.5 years (range, 38 to 83 years), who had received fewer than three cycles of myelotoxic therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia or myelodysplasia that had evolved into leukemia. Patients received mitoxantrone at 12 mg/m2 daily for 3 days. After the first mitoxantrone dose, gemcitabine was provided intravenously at 10 mg/m2/min with the duration adjusted by following a continuous reassessment model. RESULTS: Severe myelosuppression, and stomatitis or esophagitis were the most common hematologic and nonhematologic dose-limiting toxicities. Several patients developed febrile neutropenia, nausea, o...
Adult fragile X syndrome: Neuropsychology, brain anatomy, and metabolism

To understand the implications of suboptimal gene expression in fragile X syndrome [fra(X)], we sought to define the central nervous abnormalities in fra(X) syndrome to determine if abnormalities in specific brain regions or networks might explain the cognitive and behavioral abnormalities in this syndrome. Cranial and ventricular volumes were measured with quantitative computed tomography (CT), regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose (rCMRglc) were measured with [18-F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18FDG), and patterns of cognition were determined with neuropsychological testing in ten healthy, male patients with karyotypically proven fra(X) syndrome (age range 20–30 yr). Controls for the CT studies were 20 healthy males (age range 21–37 yr), controls for the PET studies were 9 healthy males (age range 22–31 yr), and controls for the neuropsychological tests were 10 young adult, male Down syndrome (DS) subjects (age range 22–31 yr). The mean mental age of the fra(X) syndrome group was 5.3 yr (range 3.5–7.5 yr; Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale). Despite comparable levels of mental retardation, the fra(X) subjects showed poorer attention/short term memory in comparison to the DS group. Further, the fra(X) subjects showed a relative strength in verbal compared to visuospatial attention/short term memory. As measured with quantitative CT, 8 fra(X) subjects had a significant (P < 0.05) 12% greater intracranial volume (1,410 ± 86 cm3) as compared to controls (1,254 ± 122 cm3). Volumes of the right and left lateral ventricles and the third ventricle did not differ between groups. Seven of eight patients had greater right lateral ventricle volumes than left, as opposed to 9 out of 20 controls (P < 0.05). Global gray matter CMR-glc in nine fra(X) patients was 9.79 ± 1.28 mg/100 g/minute and did not differ from 8.84 ± 1.31 mg/100 g/minute in the controls. R/L asymmetry in metabolism of the superior parietal lobe was significantly higher in the patients than controls. A preliminary principal component analysis of metabolic data showed that the fra(X) subjects tended to form a separate subgroup that is characterized by relative elevation of normalized metabolism in the lenticular nucleus, thalamus, and premotor regions. Further, a discriminant function, that reflected rCMRglc interactions of the right lenticular and left premotor regions, distinguished the fra(X) subjects from controls. These regions are part of a major group of functionally and anatomically related brain regions and appear disturbed as well in autism with which fra(X) has distinct behavioral similarities. These results show a cognitive profile in fra(X) syndrome that is distinct from that of Down syndrome, that the larger brains in fragile X syndrome are not accompanied by generalized cerebral cortical atrophy or hypoplasia, and that distinctive alterations in resting regional glucose metabolism, measured with 18 FDG and PET, occur in fra(X) syndrome. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.1
Population structure of California coyotes corresponds to habitat‐specific breaks and illuminates species history

Little is known about the relationship between animal movements and the emergent structure of populations, especially for species occupying large continuous distributions. Some such mammals disperse disproportionately into habitat similar to their natal habitat, a behavioural bias that might be expected to lead to habitat-conforming genetic structure. We hypothesized that coyotes ( Canis latrans ) would exhibit such natal-biased dispersal, and used 13 microsatellite loci to test, correspondingly, whether genetic structure conformed to major habitat breaks. First, we used a model-based approach to assign coyote genotypes to distinct genetic clusters irrespective of geographical location. Visualization on a geographical information system revealed a strong concordance between the locations of cluster assignments and habitat bioregions, not explainable in terms of physical dispersal barriers or intervening low-quality habitat. Next, we used a multiple Mantel test, which controlled for effects of geographical distance (itself, marginally significant; P = 0.06), to statistically determine that genetic distance was indeed higher between than within bioregions ( P < 0.001). Whereas previously published examples of landscape effects on gene flow have typically been explainable in terms of species-wide habitat affinities or dispersal barriers, our finding that genetic subdivisions were associated with unobstructed boundaries between contiguous habitats suggests a role for intraspecific variability in habitat affinities as a factor underlying genetic structure. In addition, our data combined with previously published data suggest a pattern of genetic isolation-by-distance throughout western North America, consistent with independent evidence that the western half of the coyote range predates European settlement.
A generalization of the Iorio-O'Carroll theorem to the case of lattice Hamiltonians

It is shown that a wide class of lattice Hamiltonians in solid-state physics describing the system of N three-dimensional weakly interacting quasiparticles is unitarily equivalent to the one of corresponding Hamiltonians of the system of non-interacting quasiparticles.
Thick Electroplated Co-Rich Co-Pt Micromagnet Arrays for Magnetic MEMS

Photolithographically-defined patterned arrays of Co-rich Co-Pt permanent magnets with thicknesses up to 10 mu m were fabricated by aqueous electrodeposition. These micromagnets exhibited strong perpendicular magnetic performance while being deposited at low temperatures (65deg C) and without the need for post-deposition annealing. Co-Pt magnet arrays grown 10-mu m thick on textured Cu (111) seed layers on Si (110) substrates exhibited coercivities of 330 kA/m (4.1 kOe) and energy products 69 kJ/m3. Additionally, magnets deposited 8-mu m thick on untextured Cu seed layers on standard Si (100) substrates exhibited coercivities up to 260 kA/m (3.3 kOe) and energy products up to 27 kJ/m3. The high magnetic performance and process integrability of these permanent magnet arrays make them well suited for the development of magnetic microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).
Two rare confounding polymorphisms proximal to the factor V Leiden mutation.

Background: Comprehensive assessment of thrombophilia risk includes characterization of the R506Q (Leiden) mutation in factor V in many patients. Although activated protein C resistance is often assessed by means of a coagulation test, molecular interrogation of the G1691A mutation provides confirmation and interpretive utility in patients undergoing anticoagulation. Many molecular methods are available to provide genotyping at this locus. Among these, PCR—restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) is widely used. Unfortunately, because this common mutation is 11 bp from the 3′ end of exon 10, one PCR primer often anneals within intron 10. As a consequence, polymorphism can confound test results.
Recursive Algorithms Using Local Constraint Embedding for Multibody System Dynamics

This paper describes a constraint embedding approach for handling of local closure constraints in multibody system dynamics. The approach uses spatial operator techniques to eliminate local-loop constraints from a system to effectively convert it into a tree-topology system. This conversion to a tree-topology allows the direct application of the host of available techniques including mass matrix factorization and inversion to be applied to the system dynamics. One application is the extension of the well-known recursive O(N) forward dynamics for solving the system dynamics of these systems. The algorithms are especially applicable to systems where the constraints are confined to small-subgraphs within the system topology. The paper provides background on the spatial operator approach, the extensions for handling embedded constraints, and concludes with examples of such constraints.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Restoration of Prairie Community Structure and Ecosystem Function in an Abandoned Hayfield: A Sowing Experiment

Using a multispecies seed sowing experiment, we investigated the roles of seed and microsite limitation in constraining the restoration of native prairie diversity and ecosystem function in an abandoned upland hayfield in northeastern Kansas. Seeds of 32 native and naturalized plant species from the regional pool were sown into undisturbed and experimentally disturbed field plots. After six growing seasons, experimental sowing led to major shifts in species and functional group composition, increases in native species abundance and floristic quality, declines in abundance of non-native species, and increases in plant diversity. These changes in community structure led to significant changes at the ecosystem level including increases in light capture, peak biomass, primary production, litter biomass, root biomass, and C storage in roots. Our findings reveal the importance of seed limitations in constraining the natural recovery of prairie vegetation, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning in this grassland and confirm broadcast sowing as a useful tool for the restoration of upland hayfield sites.
Sustained energy dissipation in winter evergreens

Summary Evergreens are faced with the challenge, during winter, of low temperatures in combination with light exposure, resulting in an imbalance between light absorption and its utilization via photosynthetic carbon reduction. To cope with excess light, evergreens increase their use of thermal energy dissipation, which occurs in a sustained form during winter. There are two forms of sustained thermal dissipation that occur in winter-stressed evergreens, characterized by their rate of reversal upon warming. A rapid form reverses within minutes to hours upon warming, while a slower form reverses over the course of days. The light environment and the severity of winter conditions both play a role in determining the relative amount of each type of sustained energy dissipation throughout the winter. It is suggested that the two forms of sustained dissipation observed in winter-stressed evergreens correspond to sustained forms of the two mechanisms of thermal energy dissipation proposed by Holzwarth and colleagues, with the rapidly reversible component corresponding to a sustained form of the energy-dependent form of thermal energy dissipation (qE) and the slowly reversible component corresponding to a sustained form of the zeaxanthin-dependent mechanism (qZ). Additional outstanding questions and future directions are discussed.
Vaccination against hepatitis C virus infection: miles to go before we sleep.

A high incidence of community-acquired hepatitis C virus infection that can lead to the progressive development of chronic active hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and primary hepatocellular carcinoma occurs throughout the world. A vaccine to control the spread of this agent that represents a major cause of chronic liver disease is therefore needed. Seven chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) have been immunized with both putative envelope glycoproteins [E1 (gp33) and E2 (gp72)] that were copurified from HeLa cells infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus expression vector. Despite the induction of a weak humoral immune response to these viral glycoproteins in experimentally infected chimpanzees, a strong humoral immune response was obtained in all vaccines. The five highest responders showed complete protection against an i.v. challenge with homologous hepatitis C virus 1. The remaining two vaccinees became infected, but both infection and disease may have been ameliorated in comparison with four similarly challenged control chimpanzees, all of which developed acute hepatitis and chronic infections. These results provide considerable encouragement for the eventual control of hepatitis C virus infection by vaccination.
Free space quasi-optical instrumentation for dielectric measurements of highly scattering materials in millimeter waves

Complex dielectric permittivity of dyed corn meal has been studied over a wide range of frequency, from 70 to 120 GHz. Transmittance and reflectance spectra have been recorded by using a free space quasi-optical millimeter-wave spectrometer, equipped with a high-power backward-wave oscillator as the source of tunable coherent radiation. The complex permittivity of dyed corn meal has been calculated by using analysis of recorded high-precision reflectance and transmittance spectra. The density dependence of complex dielectric permittivity of dyed corn meal has been studied.
Five Faculty Labor Market Dilemmas Facing Community Colleges in the New Economy.

Community colleges employ more than one-third of the nation's higher education faculty. Nevertheless, the labor market through which faculty are recruited, selected, hired, evaluated and retained or replaced is one of the least understood aspects of these institutions. Functional management and effective policy both require a clear understanding of the workplace dynamics and employment dilemmas associated with this labor market. This article begins by recognizing that the 21st century economy is being transformed by large scale social, political, and technological developments—developments often referred to as the emergence of a new economy. This new economy is transforming the nature of work and the character of worker-employer relations. Four core ideas in the new economy literature are developed to show how they are creating fundamental labor market dilemmas for community colleges. The concepts are (a) information age technology, (b) globalization, (c) neo-institutional theories of organization, and (d...
Lg Group Velocity: A Depth Discriminant Revisited

Lg group velocities are slower for very shallow events than for deeper crustal events in both southern California and Israel. An Lg group velocity depth discriminant applied to data below 1 Hz was proposed and then abandoned two decades ago, but a more precise measure of the energy distribution within Lg leads to the conclusion that higher frequency Lg group velocity may identify event depth. Because of its practical importance to nuclear monitoring and its implications for the generation and propagation of Lg , we quantify and model the delay of shallow-event Lg . We consider two mechanisms. First, shallower, slower modes are more strongly excited by shallow events, while deeper events excite faster modes. Second, Rg -to- Lg scattering for shallow events could introduce a time delay into Lg relative to Lg generated directly by the source. Further, since Rg propagates close to the surface, Rg scattering would also preferentially scatter into the shallower, slower modes. The depth dependence of modal excitation is therefore important for either mechanism, but Rg scattering could increase the time delays. Mode and finite-difference simulations demonstrate the feasibility of both hypotheses. We consider the implications of related observations for the source of the Lg delay, including predictions and observations of the frequency dependence of Lg delays. We conclude that Lg group velocity variation with event depth can be explained by preferential modal excitation and may have the potential to identify very shallow events and events too deep to be man-made. Practical application of the procedure will require regionalization to account for variations in Earth structure.
Analyzing experimental data and model parameters: implications for predictions of SOA using chemical transport models

Abstract. Despite critical importance for air quality and climate predictions, accurate representation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation remains elusive. An essential addition to the ongoing discussion of improving model predictions is an acknowledgement of the linkages between experimental conditions, parameter optimization and model output, as well as the linkage between empirically-derived partitioning parameters and the physicochemical properties of SOA they represent in models. In this work, a "best available" set of SOA modeling parameters is selected by comparing predicted SOA yields and mass concentrations with observed yields and mass concentrations from a comprehensive list of published smog chamber studies. Evaluated SOA model parameters include existing parameters for two product (2p) and volatility basis set (VBS) modeling frameworks, and new 2p-VBS parameters; 2p-VBS parameters are developed to exploit advantages of the VBS approach within the computationally-economical and widely-used 2p framework. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and SOA mass concentrations are simulated for the continental United States using CMAQv.4.7.1; results are compared for a base case (with default CMAQ parameters) and two best available parameter cases to illustrate the high- and low-NO x limits of biogenic SOA formation from monoterpenes. Results are discussed in terms of implications for current chemical transport model simulations and recommendations are provided for future modeling and measurement efforts. The comparisons of SOA yield predictions with data from 22 published chamber studies illustrate that: (1) SOA yields for naphthalene, and cyclic and > C5 straight-chain/branched alkanes are not well represented using either the newly developed or existing parameters for low-yield aromatics and lumped alkanes, respectively; and (2) for four of seven volatile organic compound+oxidant systems, the 2p-VBS parameters better represent chamber data than do the default CMAQ v.4.7.1 parameters. Using the "best available" parameters (combination of published 2p and newly derived 2p-VBS), predicted SOA mass and PM 2.5 concentrations increase by up to 15% and 7%, respectively, for the high-NO x case and up to 215% (~3 μg m −3 ) and 55%, respectively, for the low-NO x case. Percent bias between model-based and observationally-based secondary organic carbon (SOC) improved from −63% for the base case to −15% for the low-NO x case. The ability to robustly assign "best available" parameters in all volatile organic compound+oxidant systems, however, is critically limited due to insufficient data; particularly for photo-oxidation of diverse monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and alkanes under a range of atmospherically relevant conditions.