cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Samba: Resistance in Motion

INTRODUCTION 1. SAMBA: THE BODY ARTICULATE 2. DIVINE CHOREOGRAPHY AND THE EMBODIMENT OF METAPHOR 3. HEADSPIN: CAPOEIRAOS IRONIC INVERSIONS 4. OF THE DAUGHTERS OF GANDHI AND THE DANCE OF THE CHICKEN CONCLUSION NOTES INDEX
Coded aperture Raman spectroscopy for quantitative measurements of ethanol in a tissue phantom.

Coded aperture spectroscopy allows for sources of large etendue to be efficiently coupled into dispersive spectrometers by replacing the traditional input slit with a patterned mask. We describe a coded aperture spectrometer optimized for Raman spectroscopy of diffuse sources, (e.g., tissue). We provide design details of the Raman system, along with quantitative estimation results for ethanol at non-toxic levels in a lipid tissue phantom. With 60 mW of excitation power at 808 nm, leave-one-out and blind cross-validation of partial least squares (PLS) regression models achieve r 2 . 0.98. Leave-one-out cross-validation demonstrates prediction errors of ,15% at the common legal limit for intoxication (17.4 mmol/L ¼ 0.08% by vol) and the best blind cross-validation achieves ,12% error at this concentration. Index Headings: Raman spectroscopy; Multiplexing; Chemometrics.
Genotyping of simple and compound short tandem repeat loci using electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

The utility of electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (ESI-FIICR) mass spectrometry as a new approach for genotyping short tandem repeats (STRs) is demonstrated. STRs are currently valued as a powerful source of genetic information with repeats that range in structure from simple to hypervariable. Two tetranucleotide STR loci were chosen to evaluate ESI-FTICR mass spectrometry as a tool for genotyping: HUM-TH01, a simple STR with nonconsensus alleles, and vWA, a compound STR with nonconsensus alleles. For HUM-TH01, the genotype (i.e., repeat number of each allele) was determined for each of 30 individuals using mass measurements of double-stranded amplicons. Low-intensity peaks observed in the spectra of amplicons derived from heterozygous individuals were identified by mass as heteroduplexes that had formed between nonhomologous strands. Mass measurement of the double-stranded vWA amplicon was not sufficient for determining whether the individual was homozygous for allele subtype 18 or 18' since the amplicons differ by only 0.99 Da. Therefore, single-stranded amplicons were generated by incorporating a phosphorylated primer, prepared using T4 polynucleotide kinase, into the PCR phase and subsequently digesting the bottom strand using lambda-exonuclease. Accurate mass measurements were obtained for the single-stranded amplicons using internal calibration and the addition of a correction factor to adjust for the natural variation of isotopic abundances, confirming that the individual is homozygous for allele 18. Our results clearly demonstrate that ESI-FTICR mass spectrometry is a powerful approach to characterize both simple and compound STRs beyond the capabilities of electrophoretic technologies.
Theory of inelastic collisions between low-lying excited- and ground-state Ne atoms

A quantum-mechanical study of low-energy inelastic collisions of excited- and ground-state Ne atoms has been undertaken. Close-coupling calculations of cross sections for the transitions $^{1}P_{1}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{3}P_{1}$, $^{1}P_{1}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{3}P_{2}$, $^{3}P_{1}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{3}P_{2}$, and $^{3}P_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{3}P_{2}$ have been performed at collision energies below 3 eV. All cross sections exhibit a rapid falloff at low energies, reflecting barriers and repulsive walls present in the potential curves. Spin-orbit coupling is assumed to be the transition mechanism. Comparison with experimental data suggests that neglected rotational coupling might be important for some of the quite weak transitions at energies below about 0.1 eV.
School Psychology: Its Educational and Societal Connections.

Abstract School psychology can be viewed either as a pragmatic response to the pressing and immediate needs of the schools ore as an outgrowth of ideological and technological forces in society. This paper argues that beliefs more than needs shaped the history of the profession. School psychology emereged because professional educators held psychological beliefs (and because a psychological testing technology was available to turn those beliefs into practice). Thus, adherence to psychological and developmental principles made age-grading and appropriate response to the sudden influx of large numbers of new students into the schools, and the acceptance of child-centered educational theories led logically to the study of individual children's needs, especially of those who were atypical. Both educators and psychologists subscribed, at least in principle, to the mainstream social ideology of individualism. School psychology became a means for translating such national values (e.g., individualism) and educational principles (e.g., individualized instruction) into school practice.
p62/SQSTM1 at the interface of aging, autophagy, and disease

Advanced age is characterized by increased incidence of many chronic, noninfectious diseases that impair the quality of living of the elderly and pose a major burden on the healthcare systems of developed countries. These diseases are characterized by impaired or altered function at the tissue and cellular level, which is a hallmark of the aging process. Age-related impairments are likely due to loss of homeostasis at the cellular level, which leads to the accumulation of dysfunctional organelles and damaged macromolecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Intriguingly, aging and age-related diseases can be delayed by modulating nutrient signaling pathways converging on the target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase, either by genetic or dietary intervention. TOR signaling influences aging through several potential mechanisms, such as autophagy, a degradation pathway that clears the dysfunctional organelles and damaged macromolecules that accumulate with aging. Autophagy substrates are targeted for degradation by associating with p62/SQSTM1, a multidomain protein that interacts with the autophagy machinery. p62/SQSTM1 is involved in several cellular processes, and its loss has been linked to accelerated aging and to age-related pathologies. In this review, we describe p62/SQSTM1, its role in autophagy and in signaling pathways, and its emerging role in aging and age-associated pathologies. Finally, we propose p62/SQSTM1 as a novel target for aging studies and age-extending interventions.
Modeling of the near-electrode regions of arcjets. I - Coupling of the flowfield to the non-equilibrium boundary layers

A model for arc attachment at an anode in contact with a flowing thermal plasma is described. Current limitations are identified which arise when the convective transport of ions into the electrical, thermal and hydrodynamic boundary layers is incapable of supplying the loss of ions through three-body recombination in the volume, and catalytic recombination on the electrode surface. It is shown that the anode current where this condition is achieved can be exceeded provided there is a significant Joule heating in the boundary layer. The saturation current (current density above which the anode must emit ions) is found to substantially increase with increasing free stream velocity and anode temperature.
Preparation, Characterization, and X-ray Structure of the 1:1 Complex of o-Acetylstyrene and Carbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium. A New Catalyst for the Copolymerization of Acetophenone and 1,3-Divinyltetramethyldisiloxane†

Treatment of dihydridocarbonyltris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium with a stoichiometric amount of styrene, followed by addition of o-acetylstyrene leads to a 1:1 complex of o-acetylstyrene and carbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium. This species has been fully characterized and its structure determined by X-ray crystallography. This 1:1 complex is able to catalyze the copolymerization of acetophenone and 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane.
Strength of an Interloop Hydrogen Bond Determines the Kinetic Pathway in Catalysis by Escherichia coli Dihydrofolate Reductase

On the basis of X-ray crystallographic data, Sawaya and Kraut proposed that Met20 loop conformational changes modulate ligand specificity observed in the catalytic cycle for Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) [Sawaya, M. R., and Kraut, J. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 586−603]. Interloop hydrogen bonds stabilize either a closed Met20 loop conformation observed in substrate complexes or an occluded Met20 loop conformation observed in product complexes, respectively. To test this model, we targeted a single hydrogen bond occurring exclusively in the closed Met20 loop conformation. Specifically, Asp122 in the βF−βG loop was independently substituted with asparagine, serine, and alanineamino acids with decreasing abilities to hydrogen-bond. The kinetic analyses of the Asp122 mutants enabled the construction of kinetic schemes at pH 7.0 that demonstrate two striking features. First, a significant correlation exists between decreased binding of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced (NADPH)...
The reduction of nitric oxide by hydrogen over Ptγ-Al2O3 as a function of metal loading

Abstract The reduction of nitric oxide by hydrogen on platinum, supported on γ-alumina, is evaluated as a function of Pt concentration in the range from 273 to 373 K. Product distribution and apparent activation energy in this temperature range remain rather constant as the Pt atoms change from a dispersed phase to a pariculate phase of distinct clusters. Measured per chemisorption site, atoms in the particulate phase are much more reactive than atoms in the dispersed phase. Optimum catalyst efficiency is reached at a Pt loading of about 5 wt%. Theoretical considerations, based on transition state theory, suggest that the dissociation of NO is rate determining.
Leukocyte DNA methylation signature differentiates pancreatic cancer patients from healthy controls.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PaC) is one of most difficult tumors to treat. Much of this is attributed to the late diagnosis. To identify biomarkers for early detection, we examined DNA methylation differences in leukocyte DNA between PaC cases and controls in a two-phase study. In phase I, we measured methylation levels at 1,505 CpG sites in treatment-naive leukocyte DNA from 132 never-smoker PaC patients and 60 never-smoker healthy controls. We found significant differences in 110 CpG sites (false discovery rate <0.05). In phase II, we tested and validated 88 of 96 phase I selected CpG sites in 240 PaC cases and 240 matched controls (p≤0.05). Using penalized logistic regression, we built a prediction model consisting of five CpG sites (IL10_P348, LCN2_P86, ZAP70_P220, AIM2_P624, TAL1_P817) that discriminated PaC patients from controls (C-statistic = 0.85 in phase I; 0.76 in phase II). Interestingly, one CpG site (LCN2_P86) alone could discriminate resectable patients from controls (C-statistic = 0.78 in phase I; 0.74 in phase II). We also performed methylation quantitative trait loci (methQTL) analysis and identified three CpG sites (AGXT_P180_F, ALOX12_E85_R, JAK3_P1075_R) where the methylation levels were significantly associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (false discovery rate <0.05). Our results demonstrate that epigenetic variation in easily obtainable leukocyte DNA, manifested by reproducible methylation differences, may be used to detect PaC patients. The methylation differences at certain CpG sites are partially attributable to genetic variation. This study strongly supports future epigenome-wide association study using leukocyte DNA for biomarker discovery in human diseases.
Effects of intravenous ketamine, alfentanil, or placebo on pain, pinprick hyperalgesia, and allodynia produced by intradermal capsaicin in human subjects

The importance of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated sensitization of central nervous system (CNS) neurons is well established in animal models of acute and chronic pain. A human model of central sensitization would be useful in screening new NMDA antagonists and establishing dose regimens for clinical trials in patients with pain related to sensitization of CNS neurons. We used this model to examine the effects of intravenous infusions of two centrally acting analgesics, the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine and the morphine-like opioid agonist alfentanil. Twelve normal subjects completed a 3-session, randomized, double-blind, crossover study. From 25 to 60 min after capsaicin injection, subjects were given intravenous infusions of ketamine (mean dose: 32 mg), alfentanil (mean dose: 3075 micrograms), or saline placebo. Both drugs significantly reduced ongoing pain and pinprick-evoked hyperalgesia during the infusion. The reduction in allodynia evoked by light stroking was statistically significant only for alfentanil. Mean reduction +/- SEM relative to placebo were for ongoing pain: ketamine, 36 +/- 9%; alfentanil, 51 +/- 5%; area of pinprick hyperalgesia: ketamine, 34 +/- 7%; alfentanil, 35 +/- 7%; and area of mechanical allodynia: ketamine, 52 +/- 20%; alfentanil, 70 +/- 12%. Because the drugs were given systemically and produced side effects in all subjects, we cannot specify the site or sites of action nor conclusively rule out a non-specific 'active placebo' response as the cause for reduction of symptoms. Arguing against an 'active placebo' response, however, was the lack of analgesic effect of intravenous midazolam (mean dose; 3.4 mg, titrated to produce side effects of similar magnitude to ketamine and alfentanil) given at 145 min after capsaicin in 9 subjects who had received saline from 25 to 60 min. The results of this study suggest that neural systems sensitive to NMDA receptor antagonists and opioids participate in capsaicin-evoked pain phenomena, and support the feasibility of pharmacological studies using the intradermal capsaicin model.
Luther's Word on Man's Will: A Case Study in Comparative Intellectual History

It is commonplace to observe that the history of thought reveals certain recurring patterns whose mode of expression changes according to context. It is equally apparent that to chart the salient characteristics of an influential way of thinking to give concrete, clearly defined shape to the usually tangled fundamental impulses informing a cast of mind is a complex, difficult task which calls for attention from (at least) the historian, the psychologist, the philosopher and, in the case of religious figures and movements, the theologian alike. With regard to the manner of thinking embodied in the theological doctrines of Martin Luther such a task is fraught with more than the usual number of pitfalls. In the first place, following recent Luther scholarship, we must be wary of assuming that the great Reformer held fast to a single set of theological opinions throughout his long career. We shall not, therefore, attempt to reach conclusions applicable to Luther's thought as a whole, but rather shall focus exclusively on a number of key early expositions of the Theologia Crucis.1 Here, between about I5I4 and 1520, we find, according to our argument, enough thematic unity to warrant the search for underlying principles. A second, less easily disposed of difficulty is the lack of a working consensus as to how and with what aims in mind one should even begin an historical analysis of Luther's texts. For example, to the believer who regards Luther's basic tenets as in a straightforward sense divinely inspired, the attempt to extract from his writings the ingredients of a certain thoroughly human way of thinking will seem doomed to inadequacy from the start. Likewise, for different reasons, many of today's Reformation historians may find our topic beside the point. Research into the Reformation at the moment is, for the most part quite profitably, directed more towards trying to explain how and why Protestant doctrines affected large groups of people than it is towards understanding the inner significance of Luther's
Temporal correlation between bisphosphonate termination and symptom resolution in osteonecrosis of the jaw: a pooled case report analysis.

Purpose To investigate whether termination of bisphosphonates (BPs) affects resolution of bone exposure and symptomatic disease in patients with established medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Patients and Methods The studied population included 84 patients with established MRONJ who discontinued BP therapy before treatment (n = 21), at treatment initiation (n = 38), or later (or never) in the treatment course (n = 25). These 3 groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests for differences in the respective times to resolution of 1) bone exposure for any treatment modality, 2) bone exposure not requiring radical surgery, and 3) disease symptoms. Results Patients who continued BPs after the start of treatment exhibited significantly delayed resolution of symptoms (median 12 months; 95% confidence interval 8 to 15) compared with those who discontinued BPs before (3 months; 2 to 5) and at (6 months; 3 to 7) presentation (P Conclusions Independent of treatment modality and MRONJ stage at presentation, discontinuing BP before or at treatment initiation is associated with faster resolution of MRONJ symptoms compared with continuing the drug throughout jaw treatment. Patients should be counseled that continuing their BP medication after an established MRONJ diagnosis (compared to stopping the BP at diagnosis) may delay resolution of maxillofacial symptoms by approximately 6 months.
Hadron spectrum, spontaneous breaking of Z(3) and fake loops in lattice SU(3)☆

Abstract We calculate the hadron mass-spectrum using the Wilson action and in the quenched approximation on a 63 × 10 lattice at β = 6.0. We show the existence of long-lived metastable states of the gauge field, characterized by the eigenvalue of Z(3). The hadron masses are very different in these states and do not agree with the experimental value.
Normalizing passive cruelty: The excuses and justifications of animal hoarders

Press reports frequently characterize animal hoarders as bad, mad, or sad people. This descriptive study identifies the accounts hoarders use to neutralize these negative portrayals. A total of 163 articles representing 118 hoarding cases between 2000 to 20003 were content-analyzed. Findings indicate that hoarders employ a variety of justifications and excuses to explain and normalize their treatment of animals. Justifications include denying wrongdoing, being a Good Samaritan, and professing to be victims of the system, while excuses include attributing their poor performance to external events, appealing to defeasibility, scapegoating, and self-handicapping. The results point to the value of these accounts to hoarders as well as to authorities and experts who deal with and manage this behavior.
Identification of Beam Boundary Conditions Using Displacement Derivatives Estimations

Abstract The purpose of the study is to illustrate the possibility of boundary conditions identification in case of beams. The problem is understood as a determination of various spatial derivatives of transverse displacements. Using the assumption that displacements can be approximated by Taylor expansions on a domain near its boundaries, the spatial derivatives are estimated using particular pointwise derivatives estimators. This approach enables the extraction of these quantities using a weighted spatial integration of the displacement field. Numerical simulation using exact and noisy data are shown in order to clarify the link between the size of the integration domain and the wavelengths of the vibrations.
Affinity of reverse transcriptase for some polynucleotide inhibitors.

The relative affinity of avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase for (U)n and a series of (U)n analogs has been measured directly in solution under conditions previously used to demonstrate the inhibitory properties of these polynucleotides. The affinities were measured by electron spin resonance through a quantitative competition approach where the concentration of each polynucleotide required to compete with the macromolecular spin probe (ls4U,U)n for reverse transcriptase was observed. Using this approach the following relative affinities were determined: K(dUfl)n = 1.6K(dUz)n = 13K(dT)n = 20K(U)320-640 = 57K(dU)n = 167K(U)80 greater than 167K(Um)n These results show that the affinity of (U)n for reverse transcriptase is affected by modifying the (U)n matrix and by the molecular weight of (U)n. In addition, the effect of some factors such as Mg+2 and salt on the polynucleotide affinity for the enzyme was measured. The results show that the same binding, i.e., the fraction of saturation F as a function of the nanomoles of reverse transcriptase added, was observed in the presence or absence of Mg+2, whereas increasing the KCl concentration from 0.04 to 0.5M completely dissociates the polynucleotide X enzyme complex.
The role of glial cells in synapse elimination

Excessive synapses generated during early development are eliminated extensively to form functionally mature neural circuits. Synapses in juvenile and mature brains are highly dynamic, and undergo remodeling processes through constant formation and elimination of dendritic spines. Although neural activity has been implicated in initiating the synapse elimination process cell-autonomously, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that transduce changes in correlated neural activity into structural changes in synapses are largely unknown. Recently, however, new findings provide evidence that in different species, glial cells, non-neuronal cell types in the nervous system are crucial in eliminating neural debris and unwanted synapses through phagocytosis. Glial cells not only clear fragmented axons and synaptic debris produced during synapse elimination, but also engulf unwanted synapses thereby actively promoting synapse elimination non-cell autonomously. These new findings support the important role of glial cells in the formation and maintenance of functional neural circuits in development as well as in adult stages and neurodegenerative diseases.
Cerium-Doped Orthophosphate Scintillators

Cerium-doped lutetium orthophosphate (LuPO 4 :Ce) is one of the most promising new scintillator materials. In this paper we report on the effects of total or partial replacement of Lu by Yb. When not doped with Ce, crystals of Yb x Lu 1-x PO 4 scintillate rather poorly, the emission being due to the Yb charge transfer transition. Activation with Ce reduces the light output from Yb even further, while correspondingly the addition of Yb to LuPO 4 :Ce also degrades that material's scintillation performance. We suggest that the nonradiative decay of the (Yb 2+ -Ce 4+ ) charge transfer state is responsible for the mutual quenching of these ions. The differences in performance of LuPO 4 :Yb and LuPO 4 :Ce indicate that energy transfer mechanisms ordinarily associated with materials containing molecular anionic groups may not be quite sufficient to explain the results. Suggestions are presented that under γ-excitation the lattice-to-ion energy transfer in orthophosphates is accomplished by sequential capture of charge carriers rather than the more conventional mechanism of exciton hopping between molecular groups.
Evaluation of atomic oxygen resistant coatings for space structures

The present generation of satellites has a life expectancy limited to 3–5 years, often as a result of environmentally induced degradation of the structural materials. Far from being just inert vacuum, low Earth orbit contains reactive atomic oxygen, an increasing quantity of man made debris, natural micrometeorides, ultraviolet radiation and large temperature extremes. As a result of the synergistic effect of these factors, most polymers and polymer matrix composites degrade rapidly. Atomic oxygen resistant coatings are required to protect them. Flexible protective coatings for solar arrays, fiberglass structural elements and silver interconnects have been designated as a critical technology deficient area. In response to this need, a number of protective siloxane and carborane (siloxane) coating systems were developed and evaluated. The results of the Limited Duration Candidate Exposure flight experiment for these coatings are described. The addition of the carborane is essential in preventing cracking of the coating upon oxidation. Due to its unique structure, each carborane unit can incorporate up to 15 oxygen atoms. This gain offsets the shrinkage caused by carbon loss and densification as the upper layer of the coating turns into a silicate or borosilicate glass. No cracking of the carborane (siloxane) coating was detected, in contrast to the siloxane that cracks upon oxidation. Surface analysis of coatings exposed to the low earth orbit environment demonstrates the formation of a glassy borosilicate layer that provides excellent protection to the substrate.
Role of micro-convection due to non-affine motion of particles in a mono-disperse suspension

Non-affine translation of suspended particles in a flowing suspension causes micro-convection of the fluid in the vicinity of the particle which affects the local transport mechanisms in the suspension. To investigate the importance of micro-convection on heat transport, a unit cell approach is adopted. A parametric study investigates the influence of particle fall velocity in a quiescent fluid and particle volume fraction on micro-convection in a sedimenting suspension. The thermal flux across the unit cell is shown to be a function of modified Peclet number that includes the influence of volume fraction for the range of volume fractions (0 < e < 0.3) and for Pe ≈ O(1). This is used to investigate the influence of hindered settling on transport processes such as heat transfer occurring in a sedimenting suspension.
c-Jun N-terminal kinase regulates apoptosis in endometrial cancer cells

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are important regulators of cell proliferation and apoptosis that have been implicated in tumorigenesis. We investigated the role of JNKs in apoptotic responses in Ishikawa and HEC-50 cells, models of type I and type II endometrial cancer, respectively. Etoposide treatment or UV irradiation resulted in sustained activation of JNK, correlating with the induction of apoptosis. Inhibition of JNK, or MAP kinase kinase 4 (MKK4), selectively suppressed apoptotic responses in both Ishikawa and HEC-50 cells. Knockdown of protein kinase C δ (PKCδ) also attenuated apoptosis in endometrial cancer cells and inhibited the sustained, UV-mediated JNK activation in HEC-50, but not Ishikawa cells. Etoposide-induced JNK phosphorylation was unaffected by PKCδ knockdown, implying that JNK can regulate apoptosis by PKCδ-dependent and independent pathways, according to stimulus and cell type. Thus, expression and activity of JNK and PKCδ in endometrial cancer cells modulate apoptosis and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents and may function as tumor suppressors in the endometrium.
Calcium binding by subcellular fractions of bovine adrenal medulla.

Significantly more calcium per gram protein was found in a relatively pure granule fraction isolated from fresh bovine adrenal medulla than in predominantly mitochondrial fractions isolated from the same tissue. Sixty-four and 55% of the calcium associated with chromaffin granule and mitochondrial fractions, respectively, was released into the supernatant upon lowering the tonicity of the medium. The per cent calcium released by this procedure was significantly greater for granules than for mitochondria (p < 0.05). The amount of calcium per gram protein released into the supernatant also was greater in granule fractions than in mitochondrial fractions (p < 0.05). These data, coupled with a previous report that 10−3 M EDTA does not markedly decrease the calcium content of whole granules, indicate that the excess calcium of the granule fractions relative to the mitochondrial fractions is maintained within the particles of that fraction. The functional significance of the relatively large amount of calcium in chromaffin granules is not clear. The presence of 150 mM sodium chloride or potassium chloride decreases calcium binding by granule or mitochondrial fragments incubated in 2.2 mM calcium chloride in 0.2 M Tris, pH 7, by about 50%. EDTA, 10−3 M, removes all but a small residual of the calcium associated with the granule or mitochondrial fragments whereas lowering the concentration of Tris increases calcium binding to about the same extent in both these subcellular fractions. The calcium-binding properties of granule and mitochondrial fragments therefore appear to be quantitatively and qualitatively similar. Inhibition of catecholamine release by relatively high concentrations of sodium may be explained by competitive inhibition of calcium binding. Calcium binding by granule fragments decreases with an increase in hydrogen ion concentration.
The effect of immobilization and dietary phosphorus on bone density of mature female rats

Abstract The right femurs of adult female rats were bound to their chests over a 14 week period. During this time rats were fed diets providing adequate calcium (Ca) and adequate (0.4%) or high (1.2%) phosphorus (P). Rats fed the high P diet tended to lose more weight during the experimental period than rats fed the adequate P diet. Both immobilization and a high P diet significantly reduced bone density. Thin cortical widths of rats fed the high P diet were apparently due to an increased medullary width rather than to a decreased subperiosteal width, while the reverse was true for the immobilized femur as compared to that of the mobile limb. A high P diet greatly increased the concentration of Ca and P in the kidney.
Single-stage, Bilateral, Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Lung Volume Reduction Surgery for End-stage Emphysema

The reintroduction of lung volume reduction surgery has provided functional improvement for selected patients afflicted with end-stage emphysema. Evolution of the operation from a median sternotomy approach to the two-stage video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical technique in our experience has resulted in a faster return to full activity. Nineteen patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lung volume reduction surgery between July 1995 and August 1997. The 12 men and 7 women in the study had an average age of 63.7 years. All patients were evaluated preoperatively with computed tomography of the chest, radionuclide lung perfusion scan, left ventricular stress test, right heart catheterization, and a monitored rehabilitation program. In 15 patients the operation was performed as a bilateral single-stage procedure. The operation involved resection of wedges from the upper lobes and in 10 of these patients from the lower lobes as well. In all patients the estimated operative blood loss was less than 150 ml. The mean operative time was 177 minutes (range 115-235 minutes). The mean length of hospital stay was 10.8 days (median 11 days, range 5-24 days). At 2 to 3 months' follow-up increases were noted in the FEV1 (51%), PaO2 (27%), and 6-minute walk distance (18%); and there was a decrease in total lung capacity and respiratory volume. No significant change was observed in carbon monoxide diffusion in the lung. Morbidity included persistent air leaks in three patients and refractory supraventricular tachyarrhythmia in one. There were no perioperative deaths. We therefore recommend this technical modification to reduce operating time and blood loss without compromising surgical exposure or outcome.
Tracing the dentate gyrus mossy fiber system with horseradish peroxidase histochemistry

Abstract We have traced the mossy fiber projections of the dentate gyrus of the rat and mouse using a new anatomical procedure involving horseradish peroxidase histochemistry. Granule cells take up injected horseradish peroxidase and transport it to their dendrites and axon terminals. As shown by this method, the mossy fibers project in a very narrow septo-temporal plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the hippocampus. In addition, discrete loci of the dentate gyrus project to nearly the entire length of the regio inferior. We also consider the detailed organization of the mossy fiber system and the value of horseradish peroxidase histochemistry as a neuroanatomical tool.
A Linear-Time Heuristic for Improving Network Partitions

An iterative mincut heuristic for partitioning networks is presented whose worst case computation time, per pass, grows linearly with the size of the network. In practice, only a very small number of passes are typically needed, leading to a fast approximation algorithm for mincut partitioning. To deal with cells of various sizes, the algorithm progresses by moving one cell at a time between the blocks of the partition while maintaining a desired balance based on the size of the blocks rather than the number of cells per block. Efficient data structures are used to avoid unnecessary searching for the best cell to move and to minimize unnecessary updating of cells affected by each move.
Legal education and early career mentoring: mid-career attorneys' pro bono commitment

Abstract Much extant research suggests that students who enter law school highly enthusiastic about public interest law and pro bono work often take mainstream jobs with minimal participation in pro bono activities. Frequently, these studies place some of the blame on law schools. This study, however, suggests that law schools, as well as mentors in first post-graduation jobs, might positively affect attorneys' level of commitment to pro bono work. This longitudinal study is unique in that it includes measures of students' attitudes during law school and in mid-career. It raises the possibility that attorneys whose level of commitment to pro bono work did not decrease since law school were substantially influenced by their law school training and early career mentors. Although some students will leave law school with less dedication to public interest law and pro bono work, this study offers hope that, through legal education and mentorship, other students will maintain their strong commitment to helping ...
Effects of detergent β-octylglucoside and phosphate salt solutions on phase behavior of monoolein mesophases.

Using small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), we investigated the phase behavior of mesophases of monoolein (MO) mixed with additives commonly used for the crystallization of membrane proteins from lipidic mesophases. In particular, we examined the effect of sodium and potassium phosphate salts and the detergent b-octylglucoside (bOG) over a wide range of compositions relevant for the crystallization of membrane proteins in lipidic mesophases. We studied two types of systems: 1), ternary mixtures of MO with salt solutions above the hydration boundary; and 2), quaternary mixtures of MO with bOG and salt solutions over a wide range of hydration conditions. All quaternary mixtures showed highly regular lyotropic phase behavior with the same sequence of phases (La, Ia3d, and Pn3m) as MO/water mixtures at similar temperatures. The effects of additives in quaternary systems agreed qualitatively with those found in ternary mixtures in which only one additive is present. However, quantitative differences in the effects of additives on the lattice parameters of fully hydrated mesophases were found between ternary and quaternary mixtures. We discuss the implications of these findings for mechanistic investiga- tions of membrane protein crystallization in lipidic mesophases and for studies of the suitability of precipitants for mesophase- based crystallization methods.
Open source in security: visiting the bizarre

Although open-source software development has virtues, there is reason to believe that the approach would not have a significant effect on the security of today's systems. The lion's share of vulnerabilities caused by software bugs is easily dealt with by means other than source code inspections. The tenets of open-source development are inhospitable to business models whose success depends on promoting secure systems.
ErbB Receptor Signaling and Therapeutic Resistance to Aromatase Inhibitors

We have investigated the effect of HER-2 overexpression on resistance to the aromatase inhibitor letrozole in MCF-7 breast cancer cells stably expressing cellular aromatase (MCF-7/CA). MCF-7/CA cells overexpressing HER-2 showed a >2-fold increase in estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated transcriptional reporter activity upon treatment with androstenedione compared with vector-only control MCF-7/CA cells. Co-treatment with letrozole did not abrogate androstenedione-induced transcription and cell proliferation in HER-2-overexpressing cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays using cross-linked protein-DNA from MCF-7/CA/HER-2 cells indicated ligand-independent association of the ERalpha coactivators AIB-1 and CBP to the promoter region of the estrogen-responsive pS2 gene. Upon treatment with androstenedione, there were increased associations of AIB1 and CBP with the pS2 promoter in the HER-2-overexpressing compared with control MCF-7/CA cells. These results suggest that ligand-independent recruitment of coactivator complexes to estrogen-responsive promoters as a result of HER-2 overexpression may play a role in the development of letrozole resistance.
Perioperative morbidity associated with bariatric surgery: an academic center experience

Hypothesis As the demand for bariatric surgery increases, it becomes increasingly important to define predictors of morbidity and mortality. We hypothesize that specific clinical variables predict postoperative morbidity after bariatric surgery. Design, Setting, and Patients This is a retrospective review of 452 patients undergoing inpatient bariatric surgery at an academic tertiary care institution. Interventions Patients underwent open or laparoscopic gastric bypass or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, from 2000 to 2003. Patient data were prospectively entered into a database. Main Outcome Measures Postoperative morbidity and mortality were analyzed among all patients, and logistic regression was used to identify clinical predictors of morbidity. Results Major and minor morbidity rates were 10% and 13%, respectively; mortality was 0.9%. Age was associated with postoperative complications (odds ratio = 1.056 for each additional year). Duodenal switch was also associated with higher morbidity than gastric bypass (odds ratio = 2.149). Body mass index, sex, diabetes, surgical approach, and surgeon experience did not predict complications. Conclusions Increased age is a predictor of complications after bariatric surgery. Duodenal switch is also associated with a higher morbidity rate than gastric bypass. Surgeons should caution older patients (≥60 years) of a higher risk of postoperative complications, and a higher risk associated with duodenal switch. Large multicenter studies will be necessary to accurately define other clinical predictors of morbidity and mortality after bariatric surgery.
Spectral Dictionaries Integrating de novo Peptide Sequencing with Database Search of Tandem Mass Spectra

Database search tools identify peptides by matching tandem mass spectra against a protein database. We study an alternative approach when all plausible de novo interpretations of a spectrum (spectral dictionary) are generated and then quickly matched against the database. We present a new MS-Dictionary algorithm for efficiently generating spectral dictionaries and demonstrate that MS-Dictionary can identify spectra that are missed in the database search. We argue that MS-Dictionary enables proteogenomics searches in six-frame translation of genomic sequences that may be prohibitively time-consuming for existing database search approaches. We show that such searches allow one to correct sequencing errors and find programmed frameshifts.
Faster approximation algorithms for the minimum latency problem

In this paper, we give a 9.28-approximation algorithm for the minimum latency problem that uses only O(n log n) calls to the prize-collecting Steiner tree (PCST) subroutine of Goemans and Williamson. A previous algorithm of Goemans and Kleinberg for the minimum latency problem requires an approximation algorithm for the k-MST problem which is called as a black box. Their algorithm can achieve a performance guarantee of 10.77 while making O(n2 log n) PCST calls (via a k-MST algorithm of Garg), or a performance guarantee of 7.18 + e while using nO(1/e) PCST calls (via a k-MST algorithm of Arora and Karakostas). In order to match our approximation ratio (i.e. setting e = 2.10), the latter version requires O(n5 log2n) PCST calls, so our running time bound is faster by a factor of Θ(n4 log n). Since PCST can be implemented to run in O(n2) time, the overall running time of our algorithm is O(n3 log n).The basic idea for our improvement is that we do not treat the k-MST algorithm as a black box. Thus we are able to take advantage of some situations in which the PCST subroutine delivers a k-MST with an improved performance guarantee.
Sexual Negotiations in Relation to Political Mobilization: The Prevention of HIV in a Comparative Context

Based on ethnographic research in different sites of the global economy, in New York City, Puerto Rico, and South Africa, this paper examines the ways in which women, confronted with the spread of HIV/AIDS, describe their sexual negotiations with men. In each situation, women are found to adopt different strategies for prevention in relation to their level and forms of political mobilization. The research documents the dual role of the U.S. media both in providing information for populations around the world and in perpetuating misconceptions and cultural stereotypes about the spread of HIV/AIDS and women's sexuality. Overall, the comparative data overturns stereotypes of cultural invariability with respect to women's sexuality and demonstrates women's willingness to modify their sexual behavior to reduce the threat of infection from HIV.
Groups in groups: conversational similarity in online multicultural multiparty brainstorming

Online collaboration, in comparison to face-to-face collaboration, is advantageous in making multiparty teamwork possible at a very low cost. As multicultural multiparty collaboration becomes ubiquitous, it is crucial to understand how communication processes are shaped in the social and media environments that computer-mediated communication affords. We conducted a laboratory study investigating how different types of cultural asymmetry in group composition (Chinese of the majority versus American of the majority) and communication media (text-only versus video-enabled chatroom) influence conversational similarity between Chinese and Americans. The paper presents an analysis identifying that the selection of media and the cultural composition of the group jointly shape intercultural conversational closeness.
A community cohort study about childhood social and economic circumstances: racial/ethnic differences and associations with educational attainment and health of older adults.

Objectives Typical measures of childhood socioeconomic status (SES), such as father9s occupation, have limited the ability to elucidate mechanisms by which childhood SES affects adult health. Mechanisms could include schooling experiences or work opportunities. Having previously used qualitative methods for concept development, we developed new retrospective measures of multiple domains of childhood social and economic circumstances in ethnically diverse older adults. We administered the new measures in a large sample and explored their association with adult SES. Design We used a cross-sectional survey design with a community sample. Setting The San Francisco Bay Area in California. Participants 400 community-dwelling adults from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds (Whites, African Americans, Latinos and Asians/Pacific Islanders) aged 55 and older (mean=67 years); 61% were women. Primary and secondary outcome measures We measured attitudes towards schooling, extracurricular activities and adult encouragement and discouragement during the childhood/teen years. Bivariate analysis tested racial/ethnic differences on the various measures. Multivariate regression models estimated the extent to which retrospective circumstances were independently associated with adult educational attainment and adult health. Results Most of the childhood circumstances measures differed across racial/ethnic groups. In general, Whites reported more positive circumstances than non-Whites. Family financial circumstances, respondent9s perception of schooling as a means to get ahead, high school extracurricular activities, summer travel and summer reading were each statistically significantly associated with adult SES. Family composition, age began work, high school extracurricular activities, attitudes towards schooling and adult discouragement were associated with adult health.
Epicardial/Mesothelial Cell Line Retains Vasculogenic Potential of Embryonic Epicardium

Recent work has demonstrated the importance of the epicardium in the development of the heart. During embryogenesis, these epithelial cells provide the progenitors for the epicardium, coronary smooth muscle, endothelium, and cardiac fibroblasts. The epicardium sends important signals to the developing myocardium. Still, analysis of these epithelial cells has lagged behind that of other cardiac cell types largely because of the lack of a defined experimental cell system in which epicardial cell differentiation can be studied. The present report examines the developmental potential of a cell line derived from rat epicardial mesothelial cells. These analyses demonstrate that the cell line retains many characteristics of the intact epithelium, including the ability to form a polarized epithelium and express many epicardial genes. Our data show for the first time that these cells retain the ability to produce mesenchyme in response to specific growth factors and, importantly, to generate smooth muscle cells. Thus, this study provides evidence that these cells can serve as an important model system for the analysis of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern epicardial development and function.
A versatile laboratory test bench for developing powertrains of electric vehicles

This paper describes the implementation of a flexible laboratory test bench for developing electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrains in a university environment. The test bench, which is implemented using relatively low-cost off-the-shelf products, is capable of serving a broad variety of purposes ranging from the design and test of propulsion motor drives to the implementation of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) powertrain control strategies. This paper illustrates the test bench capabilities by (a) simulating the Jeep Commander II, a fuel cell sport utility vehicle (SUV) from Daimler-Chrysler, performing the urban dynamometer driving schedule (UDDS), (b) simulating the Prius, a commercially available gasoline-electric hybrid compact car from Toyota, performing the Japanese "10-15 mode" driving schedule, and (c) determining the efficiency map of a three-phase induction motor (IM). Additionally, the test bench could be also used as a dynamic simulator for renewable energy sources such as wind turbine generators.