cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Arsenite activation of PI3K/AKT cell survival pathway is mediated by p38 in cultured human keratinocytes

Arsenic has been considered as a carcinogen. Recently the issue of arsenic in drinking water raised an unprecedented social concern on human health, and yet the molecular mechanisms through which arsenic induces cancer remain unknown. Activation of cell survival pathway leading to the activation of eNOS has been associated with various types of cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the pathway leading to the activation of eNOS in response to arsenite using human keratinocytes. Cultured keratinocytes (HaCat cells) were exposed to arsenite with or without pretreatment of various inhibitors. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the activation of p38, AKT, eNOS. EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation was detected by immuno-precipitation and Western blot analysis. pNPP assay was used to measure phosphatase activity in cell lysate. FACS analysis was performed for the determination of generation of reactive oxygen species. Arsenite induced the activation of AKT at both Ser473 and Thr308, and its downstream effector eNOS in cultured human keratinocytes. Arsenite also induced phosphorylation of p38. PI-3-kinase inhibitors, Wortmannin and LY294002 inhibited arsenite-induced phosphorylation of AKT and eNOS but had no effect on phosphorylation of p38. Interestingly, however, SB203580, a known p38 inhibitor, completely inhibited arsenite-induced phosphorylation of AKT and eNOS. Arsenite induced generation of reactive oxygen species and inactivated phosphatase activity, but did not activate EGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. Collectively, our data indicate that arsenite induces activation of AKT and eNOS, via PI-3-kinase and p38 pathway, likely bypassing the activation of EGF receptor in cultured human keratinocytes.
Image segmentation by local entropy methods

This paper will briefly describe local entropy and local relative entropy thresholding methods and compare them to two studied methods from the literature, those of Kittler and Illingworth (1986) and of Otsu (1979).
Indentation fracture toughness of amorphous steel

Indentation fracture toughness experiments were performed on amorphous steel. Measured toughness values were 3.2 ± 0.3 MPa √m for 3-mm-thick specimens and 3.8 ± 0.3 MPa √m for 10-mm-thick specimens. Crack geometry was determined to be of the “Palmqvist” or radial configuration. High indentation loads >40 N were necessary for crack formation, and indentation cracks did not form adjacent to every indent, or in a uniform pattern. Possible reasons for crack formation thresholds and geometry are discussed.
A Clinical Study of the Brachial Arterial Pulse Form With Special Reference to the Diagnosis of Aortic Valvular Disease

A survey was made of the clinical usefulness of pulse forms from direct brachial arterial puncture of 250 patients. A prolonged duration of systolic upstroke and an anacrotic notch were found in most instances of severe aortic stenosis, but also frequently in patients with insignificant degrees of aortic stenosis, and occasionally in normal subjects. Characteristic, but nondiagnostic changes in the pulse form were noted in aortic insufficiency, mitral insufficiency, anemia, hyperthyroidism and exercise. The diagnostic significance of these findings is discussed.
Cisteine Residues Involved in Transport Activity and Nitric Oxide Sensitivity of the Cationic Amino Acid Transporter CAT-2A

The cationic amino acid transporter CAT-2A is a low-affinity, high-capacity carrier expressed in cardiomyocytes, liver and other tissues. CAT-2A is sensitive to N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and nitric oxide (NO) inhibition. Both reactions involve cysteine (Cys) modification. Our previous studies showed that mutating Cys347 to alanine (C347A) in mouse CAT2A (mCAT2A) results in a ∼60% decrease in transport activity, and insensitivity to NO inhibition without affecting membrane expression levels of this transporter. The decreased activity might be due to a disruption of the Cys local environment. Alternatively, this Cys could be directly implicated in transport activity. We decided to test these possibilities by replacing Cys347 with a “more conservative” serine (C347S). Serine has similar size/polarity as Cys, but lacks the -SH group. The C347S mutant shows transport activity comparable to that of wild type; however, it retains NO insensitivity. To learn more about the involvement of Cys347 in transport, we measured the L-Lys concentration dependence of uptake in the presence of radiotracer amounts of [14C]L-Lys in both wild-type and C347A mCAT-2A variant. Hyperbolic fitting yielded not significantly different Km values (6.3 ± 2.8 vs. 8.2 ± 0.4 mM) and a substantial decrease in Vmax (2.6 ± 0.6 vs. 4.7 ± 0.1 nmol/mg prot./min) for C347A compared to wild-type control. These data suggest an impaired transporter turnover rate when Cys347 is replaced with Ala. In conclusion, Cys347 -SH side chain is required for NO modulation of mCAT-2A and the size/polarity of residue 347 is critical for the normal functioning of this transporter.
Context-based Ethical Reasoning in Interpreting: A Demand Control Schema Perspective

AbstractEthical interpreting practice must be predicated on an ongoing analysis of relevant contextual factors that arise in the interpreting situation. Although endorsed to some degree in interpre...
Low temperature as a limiting factor for introduction and distribution of Indo-Pacific damselfishes in the eastern United States

Abstract 1. Distribution and reproduction of marine tropical fishes accidentally introduced along the United States’ east coast and Gulf of Mexico are likely limited by low winter temperatures. 2. Mean minimum acclimation temperature, minimum feeding cessation temperature and critical thermal minima for eight Indo-Pacific damselfishes (family: Pomacentridae) were less than or equal to 19.3, 18.6 and 15.2 °C, respectively. 3. These data suggest that Indo-Pacific damselfishes could survive winter temperatures and establish permanent populations if introduced south of Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA.
SU‐E‐I‐13: A Model for CT Contrast Agent Evaluation

Purpose: A model is presented that has been designed to evaluate and optimize the use of CT based contrast agents. Initial validation of the model was undertaken and presented here. Methods: The model employs computed spectra from the x‐ray tube at a specified kilovoltage, attenuation correct ion applied to the spectra for filtration and projection of the spectra through a cylindrically symmetric phantom which may also contain a virtual contrast agent filled target at its center. Noise was applied to computed projection data based on photon counting and standard filtered back projection applied to provide a simulated image from which signal‐to‐noise (SNR) can be computed. In the case of a virtual contrast agent filled target, the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) can be determined as well. Dose at the center of the phantom is computed from the calculated photon fluence. In this model, the CNR per unit radiation dose and/or per unit of contrast agent may be computed. The impact of kilovoltage and filtration on this parameter may be assessed allowing for optimized imaging conditions. In this initial validation of the model a uniform water equivalent plastic phantom was assumed and the CT number and radiation dose were computed for a CT system operating at 120 kVp and 100 mAs. The results were compared to direct measurement for a GECT system under these conditions.Results: The CT number and dose provided by the model was ‐ 0.04 and 0.440 cGy respectively. This agreed within 3.5 H.U. and 11% of measured value when scatter is added to the model Conclusions: Computed tomography dose, and with further refinement, SNR and CNR may be accurately computed using this model. Placing a virtual contrast agent containing target at the phantom center will allow for prototype contrast agent evaluation and allow for the optimization of technical parameters.
Research on school leadership preparation in the United States: an analysis

This article addresses to the work on rethinking the preparatory function in school administration in the US in a number of ways (e.g., unpacking the larger environmental forces that are fueling the turmoil in school administration). More recently, we have turned our attention to the question of how research on the preparation of school leaders can inform efforts to strengthen the preparatory function. We summarize that work herein.
Global Outsourcing of IT and IT Enabled Services: A Framework for Choosing an (Outsourcee) Country

AbstractGlobal market for outsourcing of IT functions took off in late 1980s and for the last five years, global market for IT as well as IT Enabled Services has been growing steadily. IT functions include IS analysis, IS design, IS development, IS implementation and management of entire data centers. IT enabled service, also called Business Process Outsourcing, include functions like call centers, accounting, payroll, employee benefits, tax preparation, radiology analysis, films and cartoons production, and even research and development. Outsourcing location can be onshore, near shore, offshore or far shore. Outsourcing industry has been inventing itself in a myriad ways. This is a conceptual paper providing an outsourcing scope framework and also a model for selecting an outsourcing destination country.
Extracardiac anomalies in the heterotaxy syndromes with focus on anomalies of midline-associated structures.

The extracardiac defects in patients with heterotaxy have not been examined as extensively as cardiac defects. We found a high incidence of midline-associated defects in 160 autopsied cases of heterotaxy (asplenia, polysplenia, or single right-sided spleen). Fifty-two percent of patients with left-sided polysplenia had a midline-associated defect, as did 45% of those with asplenia. Most common were musculoskeletal or genitourinary anomalies, as well as cleft palate. Fused adrenal glands and anal stenosis or atresia occurred exclusively among patients with asplenia. A midline anomaly was twice as likely to be detected on complete autopsy than from clinical findings alone. Linkage studies should take into account that affected subjects may have isolated subclinical midline defects. The high incidence of midline-associated defects supports the theory that the midline plays a critical role in establishing left-right asymmetry in the body. Comparison of these defects with mouse models of laterality defects suggests that mutations that disrupt the transforming growth factor β pathway may result in heterotaxy.
Risk Taking and the Set-Size Effect in Interpersonal Attraction

Summary It was hypothesized that risk-taking (RT) tendencies would interact with (a) evaluations of stimulus persons agreeing with the subjects on two, four, or eight attitudes, and (b) confidence in these evaluations. Analyses of variance revealed support for the set-size effect, but the interactions between set-size and RT level did not reach significance. Post hoc comparisons by means of a conservative test revealed that low RT subjects did increase their attraction and were more confident of their evaluations, given more information; while set-size did not significantly affect the responses of high RT subjects.
Characteristics of laryngeal cold receptors

This study was designed to further characterize the properties of previously described laryngeal cold receptors (Respir. Physiol. 59:35, 1985). Single unit action potentials were recorded from the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing dogs. The nervous conduction of fibers originating from 12 laryngeal cold receptors was blocked at a mean (+/- SE) temperature of 18.8 +/- 0.7 degrees C. Twelve receptors were localized on the edge of the vocal folds in correspondence of the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage. Topical anesthesia (2% lidocaine) blocked their activity within 4-18 sec, suggesting a superficial location. Paralysis of the vocal folds during spontaneous breathing through the upper airway did not alter the activity of 9 of 13 cold receptors. On the other hand, 7 of 12 cold receptors tested with constant flow showed respiratory modulation and laryngeal paralysis abolished the modulation of 3 of these tested with a constant flow of air. During progressive cooling in a stepwise fashion, as in frigid air breathing, laryngeal cold receptors maintained a phasic discharge. Our results indicate that these endings are particularly suited for detecting changes in temperature.
Magnetic resonance imaging changes in putamen nuclei iron content and distribution in normal subjects

Abstract To study patterns of iron deposition in the putamen in aging, we reviewed brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 56 normal subjects. We developed the Signal Hypointensity in the Putamen (SHIP) Scale, a semiquantitative measure, to evaluate putamen nuclei for extent of iron deposition relative to the globus pallidus. The SHIP score was highly reliable (κ = 0.76) and significantly correlated with age (P
Cross‐shore sediment transport under breaking solitary waves

[1] Laboratory experiments were performed to examine the cross-shore sediment transport processes under breaking solitary waves on a fine sand beach. The initial beach slope of 1/12 was exposed to a positive solitary wave eight times. The beach was rebuilt and exposed to a negative solitary wave eight times. The wave motion and sediment transport were not affected much by the beach profile change from the initial profile. The positive solitary wave plunged violently near the shoreline and suspended a considerable volume of sand. The plunging wave with no seaward flow impeding its run-up caused large run-up on the foreshore. The strong downrush following the large run-up resulted in erosion on the foreshore and deposition seaward of wave run-down. On the other hand, the negative solitary wave collapsed against the seaward flow induced by the free surface slope of the negative wave and caused less sediment suspension. The wave run-up against the seaward flow was much smaller. The weak downrush following the small run-up resulted in deposition on the foreshore and erosion near the wave collapsing point. These limited laboratory experiments indicate the importance of the initial wave profile for swash sediment dynamics and the capacity of a single wave in causing noticeable beach profile changes.
“Actual” and Perceptual Effects of Category Spanning

Literature to date has demonstrated that producers and products spanning multiple categories have inferior market performance. However, two related but distinct explanations exist as to the source of such a discount. One explanation suggests that “actual” skills are degraded when producers attempt to engage across diverse categories. Another explanation involves perceptual fit to category representations held by an audience as the cause. These two explanations tend to be confounded in archival studies because external observers, responsible for the evaluation of market performance, are often aware of both the identity of producers and the underlying characteristics of their products. This leaves researchers unable to empirically separate effects. We present an analysis conducted in a setting in which it was possible to distinguish the two mechanisms: critics’ ratings of the same wines through “blind” and “nonblind” tastings. The findings indicate that after controlling for the value of ratings assigned blindly, the wines made by wineries spanning styles continue to receive lower ratings in the nonblind situation.
The role of wireless service provider (WSP) trust on consumer acceptance of SMS advertising

This paper aims to provide a better understanding of the factors that influence consumer intention to accept short message service (SMS) advertisements. Specifically, the authors investigate the role of consumer trust in wireless service providers (WSP) on the acceptance of SMS advertisements. The authors suggest that consumer attitude toward SMS advertising is the main determinant of their intention to accept SMS advertising. Then, they investigate the moderating role of consumers' trust in their WSP on attitude-intention relationship. The results of their first study support that higher trust in WSP strengthens that relationship. In their second study, the authors look at the individual effects of consumers' trusting beliefs, i.e., ability, integrity and benevolence beliefs, about a WSP on the same relationship. The results support that while high levels of benevolence and integrity beliefs results in a stronger attitude-intention relationship, ability beliefs do not have such an effect.
Sucrose gradient sedimentation of dissociated HeLa cell ribosomes.

Abstract HeLa cell ribosomes were dissociated into subunits by NaEDTA titration in the presence of 60 mM NaCl. The two subunits which are produced are easily resolved in sucrose gradients, and each subunit has only one type of RNA. 0.5 M NH 4 Cl has been used to produce subunits of Escherichia coli ribosomes but under the conditions used here no suitable dissociation was achieved. Several sucrose gradient centrifugation patterns resulting from the exposure of HeLa cell particles to NH 4 + are presented. The removal of particles from 0.5 M NH 4 Cl solution into NaEDTA-NaCl produces sedimentation profiles similar to those achieved by NaEDTA-NaCl alone. The stability of ribosomes exposed to several environments was determined by analysis of patterns obtained by sucrose gradient centrifugation. This technique shows that in dissociation buffer Bentonite treated particles are stable to 5 min heating at 50° or less. Ribosomes are also stable to 20 or more h exposure at 4° to pH values below 9.6 while pH 11.0 rapidly destroys any large structure. The partial reduction in size achieved between 9.5 and 11.0 indicates a method for further fractionation of the subunits. Bentonite treated ribosomes in dissociation buffer are very sensitive to attack by externally added ribonuclease. The degree of protection from enzyme attack afforded the RNA in the intact particle was studied by use of sodium dodecyl sarcosinate — an anionic detergent which remains soluble in the cold at high ionic strength. Ribosomal subunits at an RNA concentration of 65 μg/0.1 ml, show altered sedimentation patterns after brief exposure to 2 ng of pancreatic ribonuclease. This result makes the removal of endogenous nuclease a necessary step before further controlled resolution of the components of the subunits can be attempted.
Transgenic Corn for Control of the European Corn Borer and Corn Rootworms: a Survey of Midwestern Farmers’ Practices and Perceptions

In 2001, a self-administered questionnaire was sent to 1000 corn, Zea mays L., farmers in each of five states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska) to evaluate their perceptions of transgenic corn designed to control the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), and corn rootworms, Diabrotica spp. Respondents returned 1,313 surveys (26.2%). Farmers with small acreages planted a greater portion of their corn (54.5%) with transgenic corn for control of European corn borer than farmers with large farms (39.2%). The majority (75.2%) of farmers use crop rotation to control the corn rootworm. Nine insecticides comprised 92.2% of the commercial soil insecticides used for control of corn rootworm larvae. More than one-third of the farmers in Illinois (33.5%) and Indiana (39.4%) treated first-year corn for corn rootworm, primarily due to western corn rootworm egg laying in soybean, Glycine max (L.). When asked whether they would plant transgenic corn protected against the corn rootworm, 35.0% of farmers responded they would, whereas 40.5% said they were unsure. The two greatest farmer concerns about transgenic corn were the ability to sell harvested grain (59.3%) and additional technology fees (54.8%). Respondents indicated that less farmer exposure to insecticide (69.9%) and less insecticide in the environment (68.5%) were the primary benefits of transgenic corn. Farmers who had no concerns about transgenic corn for rootworm control were more likely to purchase the product (46.8%). The most common refuge-planting options farmers favored were adjacent fields (30.9%) and split fields (29.9%). Farmers (21.1%) observed a yield increase (23.7 bu/ha [9.6 bu/acre]) when using transgenic corn for European corn borer control compared with nontransgenic corn. These data can help in understanding farmers’ knowledge and concerns regarding transgenic corn. This information may be of value to guide researchers, extension specialists, and policy makers in designing insect resistance management and integrated pest management programs.
Modulation of gelsolin function by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate.

The actin-binding protein gelsolin requires micromolar concentrations of calcium ions to sever actin filaments, to potentiate its binding to the end of the filament and to promote the polymerization of monomeric actin into filaments1–5. Because transient increases in both intracellular [Ca2+]6–8 and actin polymerization8,9 accompany the cellular response to certain stimuli, it has been suggested that gelsolin regulates the reversible assembly of actin filaments that accompanies such cellular activations. But other evidence10–12 suggests that these activities do not need increased cytoplasmic [Ca2+] and that once actin–gelsolin complexes form in the presence of Ca2+ in vitro, removal of free Ca2+ causes dissociation of only one of two bound actin monomers from gelsolin and the resultant binary complexes cannot sever actin filaments4,13–15. The finding that cellular gelsolin–actin complexes can be dissociated16 suggests that a Ca2+-independent regulation of gelsolin also occurs. Here we show that, like the dissociation of profilin–actin complexes17, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, which undergoes rapid turnover during cell stimulation18,19, strongly inhibits the actin filament-severing properties of gelsolin, inhibits less strongly the nucleating ability of this protein and restores the potential for filament-severing activity to gelsolin–actin complexes.
Diagnosis of relevant prostate cancer using supplementary cores from magnetic resonance imaging-prompted areas following multiple failed biopsies

Abstract Objectives To establish the value of MRI in targeting re-biopsy for undiagnosed prostate cancer despite multiple negative biopsies and determine clinical relevance of detected tumors. Materials and Methods Thirty-eight patients who underwent MRI after 2 or more negative biopsies due to continued clinical suspicion and later underwent TRUS-guided biopsy supplemented by biopsy of suspicious areas depicted by MRI were identified. Diagnostic performance of endorectal 3T MRI in diagnosing missed cancer foci was assessed using biopsy results as the standard of reference. Ratio of positive biopsies using systematic versus MRI-prompted approaches was compared. Gleason scores of detected cancers were used as surrogate for clinical relevance. Results Thirty-four percent of patients who underwent MRI before re-biopsy had prostate cancer on subsequent biopsy. The positive biopsy yield with systematic sampling was 23% versus 92% with MRI-prompted biopsies(p Conclusions Clinically relevant tumors missed by multiple TRUS-guided biopsies can be detected by a MRI-prompted approach.
The Effectiveness of Hypnosis in Reducing Pain and Suffering Among Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer and Among Women With Temporomandibular Disorder

The authors describe two studies of special interest to clinicians and clinical researchers. Both are randomized controlled studies, exclusively focused on female patients. The first study tests whether a year-long weekly group intervention including hypnosis can reduce cancer pain among women with metastatic breast cancer. Findings suggest the intervention slowed the increase in reported pain over a 12-month period relative to controls. The second study examines the effect of hypnosis in women suffering from temporomandibular disorder (TMD), with a special focus on function as well as pain. Hypnosis reduced TMD pain as measured by a numerical-rating scale.
Multiplex and homologous recombination–mediated genome editing in Arabidopsis and Nicotiana benthamiana using guide RNA and Cas9

Multiplex and homologous recombination–mediated genome editing in Arabidopsis and Nicotiana benthamiana using guide RNA and Cas9
Postmortem Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Experimental Spinal Cord Injury: Magnetic Resonance Findings versus In Vivo Functional Deficit

The relationship between the severity of the posttraumatic functional deficit and findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was investigated in a rat model of experimental spinal cord trauma. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to an identical, moderate, contusion injury of the spinal cord. Control animals underwent laminectomy without cord injury. The severity of the functional deficit was assessed with the Combined Behavioral Score (CBS). Animals were killed at 3, 7, 14, 21, or 28 days after injury, and the fixed, excised spinal cords were studied with MRI at 1.9 T. The lesion length was measured on sagittal spin-echo MRI. The lesion length measured on MRI was highly correlated with the CBS functional score (r = 0.56, P = 0.002). There were significant correlations between lesion length as determined by MRI and by histological morphometry (r = 0.44, P = 0.02), between histological morphometric lesion length and CBS functional deficit (r = 0.76, P < 0.001), and between the area of residual white matter at the lesion epicenter, determined by histological techniques, and the severity of functional deficit (r = -0.59, P = 0.001). A qualitative estimate of the area of preserved white matter, derived from MRI, was significantly correlated with the severity of functional deficit (r = -0.56, P = 0.006). A multiple regression of MRI-determined lesion length and MRI estimate of residual white matter versus CBS explained more than 42% of the variability of the functional deficit among these animals subjected to the same weight drop injury. We conclude that MRI parameters are reliable predictors of the severity of neurological deficit in experimental spinal cord trauma.
Secondhand smoke at work.

Purpose of reviewSecondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in the workplace remains common and has important acute and chronic health effects. The present study reviews the recent evidence linking workplace SHS exposure with poor health and the benefits of smoke-free workplace legislation.Recent findingsWorkp
Helping Groups Determine Their Most Accurate Member: The Role of Outcome Feedback1

One of the difficulties groups have when making quantitative judgments is determining the relative quality of members’ inputs. Outcome feedback was investigated as a method for improving the ability of groups to identify their most accurate member. Results indicate that groups given outcome feedback were better at identifying their best member than were groups that practiced without feedback. This occurred even though the same individual was seldom the most accurate across items. However, groups given feedback were not as accurate as their best member any more often. This suggests that groups given feedback are learning how to discriminate valid from invalid cues, but are not using this information consistently when making their group estimates.
The crystal structure of exfoliative toxin B: a superantigen with enzymatic activity.

The exfoliative toxins (ETs) cause staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, a disease characterized by specific separation of layers of the skin. Evidence suggests that the toxins act as serine proteases, though the specific substrate and mode of action are not known for certain. The crystal structure of exfoliative toxin A (ETA) was reported earlier and shown to be similar to that of the chymotrypsin-like serine proteases. Here, we report the 2.4 A resolution crystal structure of the other exfoliative toxin, ETB, which is 40% identical to ETA. The overall structures of ETA and ETB are similar including the positions of key residues within the active site. The structure of ETB supports the previous findings that the ETs are serine proteases that cleave substrates after glutamic acid residues. In this study we also discuss a number of structural differences including a large 14 residue loop insertion which may be a key feature involved in the differing biological properties of the ETs, particularly the pyroge...
The identification and localization of fibronectin in cultured corneal endothelial cells: cell surface polarity and physiological implications.

Abstract Bovine corneal endothelial cells can be maintained for over 200 generations in tissue culture provided that fibroblast growth factor is present in the medium. The cultured cells exhibited at confluence the morphology of a highly contact inhibited cell monolayer composed of flattened and closely apposed cells. Transmission electron microscopy of the confluent endothelial cell monolayer demonstrated that the cellular organelles and cytoskeletal elements had a morphological appearance and distribution indistinguishable from those seen in the corneal endothelium in vivo. The confluent cells were also capable of synthesizing a basement membrane. In both sparse and subconfluent cultures fibronectin detected by indirect immunofluorescence was distributed on the apical cell surface and in the regions of cell-cell contacts. In contrast, when the cultures reached confluence, fibronectin could no longer be detected on the apical cell surface, but rather accumulated in the extracellular meshwork underlying the cell monolayer. Metabolic labeling with [ 35 S]-methionine demonstrated that at confluence fibronectin is deposited toward the extracellular matrix and secreted in large quantities into the tissue culture medium. Lactoperoxidase catalyzed iodination of confluent cultures showed that the fibronectin meshwork associated with the cell surface and the extracellular matrix is disulfide-bonded to form dimers and higher complexes. In contrast, actively growing cells that are not yet in contact showed little or no fibronectin on their cell surfaces and no production of an extracellular matrix. The apical surface of the confluent monolayer, which is not covered by fibronectin, is a non-thrombogenic surface, as indicated by the lack of platelet binding and release reaction. In contrast, the extracellular matrix, which is extensively coated with fibronectin, is thrombogenic. Our results therefore demonstrate that at confluence fibronectin becomes closely associated with the basel cell surface and can no longer be detected on top of the cells, thus maintaining the polarity of cell surfaces observed in vivo. It is suggested that the underlying meshwork of fibronectin may play a physiological role in maintaining the flattened and closely apposed morphology characteristic of differentiated corneal endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo and that the absence of fibronectin from the apical cell surface is related to the non-thrombogenic properties of these cells.
Disparities in endometrial cancer outcomes between non-Hispanic White and Hispanic women.

Abstract Objective To compare demographics, tumor characteristics, the first course of treatment, and cancer-specific survival of non-Hispanic White and Hispanic women with endometrial cancer. Methods We used public-use data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. The study included 69,764 non-Hispanic White and Hispanic women diagnosed with endometrial cancer between 2000 and 2010. Using Cox proportional hazards models, demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment were assessed as potential explanatory variables for the survival disparity between non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics. Results Kaplan–Meier estimation with Bonferroni correction showed statistically different cancer-specific survival for U.S.-born and foreign-born Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic Whites, but no difference between birthplace-unknown Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites. In 2000–2005, U.S.-born and foreign-born Hispanics had a higher risk of endometrial cancer death compared to non-Hispanic Whites after full adjustment (hazard rate (HR)=1.61, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):1.44–1.79 and 1.27, 95% CI:1.13–1.43). In 2006–2010, the risk of endometrial death was not statistically significant for U.S.-born Hispanics (HR=1.16, 95% CI:0.99–1.36), but increased for foreign-born Hispanics (HR=1.31, 95% CI:1.12–1.52). Most of the survival disparity between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women was mediated by cancer characteristics, specifically, stage and node involvement. Conclusions Hispanic women have higher cancer-specific mortality compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Compared to 2000–2005, more Hispanics were diagnosed at later stages and fewer received combination therapy in 2006–2010. Early detection is vital to improving endometrial cancer survival as most of the disparity was mediated by stage. Increased efforts are needed to improve education and access to care for Hispanic women.
Predictive Modeling of Surface Microstructure of Hardened Steel Subject to Drilling

Hole surface microstructures are very critical to the mechanical performance and fatigue life of metallic products from drilling processes. When steel material is drilled at a fully hardened condition, hole surface microstructures are often subject to transition because of the intense thermo-mechanical loading in the drilling process. A white layer can be formed on the surface of a drilled hole of carbon steels with high matrix hardness. The formation of the white layer mainly results from two reasons: thermally driven phase transformation and mechanical grain refinement due to severe plastic deformation on the machined surface. In this study, a multi-step numerical analysis is conducted to investigate the potential mechanism of surface microstructure alterations in the drilling process of hardened steels. First, three-dimensional (3D) Finite Element (FE) simulations are performed using a relative coarse mesh with AdvantEdge for hard drilling of AISI 1060 steel to achieve the steady-state solution for thermal and deformation fields. Defining the initial condition of the cutting zone using the previous 3D simulation results, a multi-physics model is then implemented in twodimensional (2D) coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) finite element analysis in ABAQUS to model both phase transformation and grain refinement at a fine mesh to comprehend the surface microstructure alteration. The interaction among surface microstructures, drilling parameters and the hardness of the workpiece material are studied simultaneously. With the comparison to related experimental results, the capabilities of the multi-physics model to accurately predict critical surface microstructural attributes such as phase compositions, grain size, and microhardness during the drilling of carbon steel are demonstrated.
The Hypoxic Microenvironment Maintains Glioblastoma Stem Cells and Promotes Reprogramming towards a Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype

Glioblastomas are highly lethal cancers that contain cellular hierarchies with self-renewing cancer stem cells that can propagate tumors in secondary transplant assays. The potential significance of cancer stem cells in cancer biology has been demonstrated by studies showing contributions to therapeutic resistance, angiogenesis and tumor dispersal. We recently reported that physiologic oxygen levels differentially induce hypoxia inducible factor-2alpha (HIF2alpha) levels in cancer stem cells. HIF1alpha functioned in proliferation and survival of all cancer cells but also was activated in normal neural progenitors suggesting a potentially restricted therapeutic index while HIF2alpha was essential in only in cancer stem cells and was not expressed by normal neural progenitors demonstrating HIF2alpha is a cancer stem cell specific target. We now extend these studies to examine the role of hypoxia in regulating tumor cell plasticity. We find that hypoxia promotes the self-renewal capability of the stem and non-stem population as well as promoting a more stem-like phenotype in the non-stem population with increased neurosphere formation as well as upregulation of important stem cell factors, such as OCT4, NANOG and c-MYC. The importance of HIF2alpha was further supported as forced expression of non-degradable HIF2alpha induced a cancer stem cell marker and augmented the tumorigenic potential of the non-stem population. This novel finding may indicate a specific role of HIF2alpha in promoting glioma tumorigenesis. The unexpected plasticity of the non-stem glioma population and the stem-like phenotype emphasizes the importance of developing therapeutic strategies targeting the microenvironmental influence on the tumor in addition to cancer stem cells.
Residential density and urban child maltreatment: An aggregate analysis

This study assessed the relationship between residential density and two types of child maltreatment, abuse and neglect, by using aggregate data to test two models of density effects: (a) density as an intervening variable, and (b) density as a spurious relation. To test the models, child abuse and child neglect reporting rates for 202 Baltimore, Maryland census tracts were regressed on census tract population characteristics measuring class, ethnicity, and residential density. Results are inconclusive for density measured as percent of households with 1.01 or more persons/room because of a high degree of collinearity between density and structural variables. Results for density measured as 1.51 or more persons/room support the density as an intervening variable model. Considering that Baltimore, Maryland's household crowding rate is very close to that of the rather low U.S. average, findings suggest that despite improvements in residential density over the last 30 years, crowding still negatively impacts on some families.
Analysis of single and tandem cylinder data using an orthogonal Volterra model approach

Abstract The development of a definitive predictive model that accurately accounts for the nonlinear hydrodynamics and structural response behavior observed in arrays of closely spaced risers on deep water structures will require a more detailed understanding of this fluid–structure interaction. Through the analysis and interpretation of data from model basin tests on single and paired tandem cylinder configurations this study is directed at uncovering the nature of some aspects of this nonlinear response behavior using an orthogonal third-order Volterra technique that can delineate between linear, quadratic and cubic nonlinear frequency dependent behavior. As part of the analysis procedure the data was organized in input–output pairs that would provide logical groupings of the measured quantities. The data pairs presented in this study include wave excitation and inline cylinder displacement, wave excitation and transverse cylinder displacement, wave excitation and inline reaction force, and, upstream cylinder and downstream cylinder response. This information is presented in terms of spectral and coherence plots. The single cylinder data is presented as a means to contrast the behavior of the tandem cylinders. Both configurations were analyzed at two different pretensions adding another dimension to this investigation. It is shown that although a primary variable such as displacement may be more easily measured, pretension and force measurements provide an important key to our understanding of this difficult problem.
Control, volition, and the “experimental method”

Abstract Our textbooks claim that the “experimental method,” in contrast to quasi-experimentation or mere observation, provides a special key for understanding causal relationships. I argue that this claim is based on several flawed assumptions. First, the postulated “experimental method” presumes that the effects of uncontrolled relevant variables can be stastically eliminated by random assignment of subjects to treatments. In most or all psychological settings, however, I argue that this presumption is false. Either because interactions between uncontrolled variables and independent variables are significant or because “control” treatments are “impure,” the effects of the uncontrolled variables cannot be statistically eliminated by random assignment, and conclusions about independent variables will be invalid. Thus, I argue that psychological research is, at best, quasi-experimental. Second, I argue that the postulated “experimental method” is logically incoherent; it presumes not only that natural laws determine the outcomes of experiments, but also, with equal importance, the contradictory premise that human freedom is necessary to design and conduct experiments. Because this postulate of human freedom for experiments is so central, it is puzzling why the power of the hypothesized “experimental method” would not be limited by comparable freedom available to subjects. Third, I argue that the textbook claim distorts historically important views. Presumptions that subjects do have such freedom have always been implicit, though their implications for causal analysis have not always been attended to, in many experimental procedures used to study perceptual, cognitive, and human motivational processes. These presumptions have played a central, and continuing, role in “actionist” theories of cognitive function and development, which reject more recent positivistic positions. Because they were so common, they also played a central role in the a priori rejection of the usefulness of cognitive psychology by behavioristic critics, like Skinner. Although our textbooks often slight the historical importance of Cartesian dualism, elements of it seem rooted in all of the methods for causal inference that psychologists have traditionally used. Finally, I argue that the problems faced by psychologists are more like those faced in long-range weather forecasting than in kinematics. Controlled experimentation may never be a particularly useful method for studying these problems, because of the very large number of causally effective independent variables. Access to information may always be more important for causal analysis than opportunities to manipulate putative controlling variables.
Recent insights into host-pathogen interactions from Dictyostelium.

Summary To protect themselves from predation by amoebae and protozoa in the natural environment, some bacteria evolved means of escaping killing. The same mechanisms allow survival in mammalian phagocytes, producing opportunistic human pathogens. The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum is a powerful system for analysis of conserved host–pathogen interactions. This report reviews recent insights gained for several bacterial pathogens using Dictyostelium as host.
CHAPTER 12: A Report on the Introduction and Resulting Effects of Novel Teaching Strategies in Increasing Creativity and Independent Thought

ABSTRACT This chapter discusses a report on the results of the introduction of novel teaching strategies to an otherwise rigid and nonconstructivist approach to teaching. The novel teaching strategies are aimed to foster creativity as well as independent thought in both teaching and learning among elementary school students and their teachers. As part of a larger team, the authors taught English at a summer camp in China using methods based initially on the reader's and writer's workshop approach in the United States, which, in itself, is assumed to spur the development of creative minds. Obstacles and difficulties discussed include initial resistance, tremendous need for structure on the part of the students, and lack of exposure to using independent thought. Attention is also paid to successes. Data arose from the authors' periodic reflections throughout the camp as well as on samples of student work. Student work was analyzed for skill of English use, as well as for independent and creative content. As...
Parallel Simulation of the Ising Model

(The following contains mathematical formula and symbols that may become distorted in ASCII text.) New methods for parallelizing Ising model simulations are presented. A parallel single-spin Metropolis algorithm has been implemented with a speedup of 27 on 50 processors of the KSR-1 parallel computer. Our parallel Swendsen-Wang algorithm obtains a speedup of 3.2 on 9 processors of the same computer. Both of these simulations were carried out on 200x200 lattices. The parallel Local Cluster algorithm has been implemented with an almost linear speedup. We also discuss ongoing research using the parallel Local Cluster algorithm.
Building life from the bottom up

Engineering biological systems and organisms is a costly team effort and may be incompatible with an open-source regulatory environment, finds Michael A. Goldman.
Thermoelastic bowing of composite cylindrical fuel rods

Abstract The thermoelastic bowing of axially unrestrained nuclear fuel rods due to a transversely linear internal heat generation rate is investigated. The problem consists of first determining the steady-state, two dimensional temperature distribution in the circular cross section of the rod and then solving for the corresponding stresses and displacements. The thermoelastic problem is solved with the aid of the Airy stress function. For constant material properties the problem is solved exactly. For temperature-dependent material properties, an approximate method is used, with the fuel rod replaced by a number of concentric layers, each assumed to have constant material properties. Solution given by the approximate method is in the form of the infinite series. The axial stress produces a resultant moment when integrated over the cross section of the rod. Two numerical examples are solved. In the first a rod with constant properties is analyzed by both the exact and the approximate methods. The excellent agreement between the results serves to determine the validity of the approximate method. The second numerical example deals with a rod with typical variable material properties, which can be analyzed only by the approximate method.
Eyeblink Conditioning Using Cochlear Nucleus Stimulation as a Conditioned Stimulus in Developing Rats

Previous studies demonstrated that the development of auditory conditioned stimulus (CS) input to the cerebellum may be a neural mechanism underlying the ontogenetic emergence of eyeblink conditioning in rats. The current study investigated the role of developmental changes in the projections of the cochlear nucleus (CN) in the ontogeny of eyeblink conditioning using electrical stimulation of the CN as a CS. Rat pups were implanted with a bipolar stimulating electrode in the CN and given six 100-trial training sessions with a 300 ms stimulation train in the CN paired with a 10 ms periorbital shock unconditioned stimulus (US) on postnatal days (P) 17–18 or 24–25. Control groups were given unpaired presentations of the CS and US. Rats in both age groups that received paired training showed significant increases in eyeblink conditioned responses across training relative to the unpaired groups. The rats trained on P24–25, however, showed stronger conditioning relative to the group trained on P17–18. Rats with missed electrodes in the inferior cerebellar peduncle or in the cerebellar cortex did not show conditioning. The findings suggest that developmental changes in the CN projections to the pons, inferior colliculus, or medial auditory thalamus may be a neural mechanism underlying the ontogeny of auditory eyeblink conditioning.