cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of calcium channel blockers on calcium uptake in rat aortic valve allografts.

BACKGROUNDThe life span of human aortic valve allografts is finite, and many fail because of cusp rupture or calcification. Subcellular changes occurring in aortic valves in response to transplantation include the uptake of calcium. This study uses a heterotropic rat aortic valve transplant model to determine whether the calcium channel blockers diltiazem and verapamil might attenuate leaflet calcification.METHODS AND RESULTSThe 60 rats studied were divided into the following groups: 1) control: valves from normal, unoperated F1 generation of Lewis and Brown Norway cross (LBNF1) rats; 2) control: valves from syngeneic transplant combinations (Lewis/Lewis); 3) control: valves from allogeneic transplant combinations (LBNF1/Lewis, donor/recipient); 4) experimental: valves from allogeneic strain combinations treated with 30 mg/kg per day diltiazem; 5) experimental: valves from allogeneic strain combinations treated with 30 mg/kg per day verapamil. Drugs or saline (controls) were administered with osmotic pump...
Contraception counseling, pregnancy intention and contraception use in women with medical problems: an analysis of data from the Maryland Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).

Abstract Background Data from the Maryland Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) were used to evaluate whether women with selected medical comorbidities are less likely than healthier women to report receiving contraceptive counseling during pregnancy and to report using contraception postpartum. Methods We analyzed de-identified data from the 2004–2007 Maryland PRAMS using logistic regression to evaluate these outcomes: undesired pregnancy, self-reported antepartum contraceptive counseling and postpartum contraceptive use for women with and without hypertension, diabetes or heart disease. Survey data were used to estimate response frequency within the Maryland birth population. Results Patient self-report of contraceptive use increased overall during the postpartum period as compared to the antepartum period, from 44.3%–90.1% (p Conclusions Overall, there was no difference in the report of receiving contraceptive counseling in women with selected medical comorbidities as compared to than those without. In addition, they were not more likely to report receiving contraceptive counseling either despite higher risk of pregnancy complications. These results indicate lost opportunities for effective counseling that could improve health outcomes.
Color screening by a Yang-Mills instability

Abstract The Coloumb field set up by a classical Yang-Mills particle is shown to be unstable above a critical coupling strength. The instability is related to color screening and represents a classical phase transition. Possible connections with the confinement problem are discussed.
The interactional construction of identity: An adolescent with autism in interaction with peers

Abstract Using discourse analytic methodology, this study examines video data collected during a social group intervention designed to promote engagement between teens with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their peers. The analysis focuses on the interactive means by which the participants construct the identity of the group member with an ASD, referred to as Randal. The concepts of emergence and contextual configurations are used as frameworks for understanding the interactional processes that contribute to the formation of Randal's identity. In this analysis, we describe Randal's interactional style, with a particular focus on his orientation to aspects of the social space. Second, we show how the group members use this interactional style as an interactional resource, and illustrate a positive identity that emerges through social encounters. This analysis suggests that positive identification of an adolescent with an ASD is a possible trajectory in inclusive settings.
Purification and properties of hydroxycinnamoyl CoA quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase from potatoes

Abstract A rapid method for the purification of hydroxycinnamoyl CoA quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (CQT) from potato tubers which had been stored at low temperatures is described. The method involves affinity chromatography on Blue Sepharose with biospecific desorption of CQT with its substrate, CoA. Elution of the Blue Sepharose column with a gradient of CoA leads to the resolution of CQT, a protein with MW of ca 41500, into 3 peaks of activity; the largest peak elutes first. This fraction is purified × 1440 and gives a single band of protein after PAGE which suggests a high degree of purity. The properties of the 3 fractions of CQT, with respect to substrates and to a number of inhibitors, are described. The first and last eluting CQT fractions are specific for quinate and show no activity towards shikimate. The second peak, however, shows a small activity towards shikimate but this is thought to be due to an underlying peak of a shikimate specific enzyme. The major peak of CQT activity found in potatoes stored at 0° is absent from those stored at 10° throughout the period after harvest.
The apparent critical isotherm for cryoinsult-induced osteonecrotic lesions in emu femoral heads

Cryoinsult-induced osteonecrosis (ON) in the emu femoral head provides a unique opportunity to systematically explore the pathogenesis of ON in an animal model that progresses to human-like femoral head collapse. Among the various characteristics of cryoinsult, the maximally cold temperature attained is one plausible determinant of tissue necrosis. To identify the critical isotherm required to induce development of ON in the cancellous bone of the emu femoral head, a thermal finite element (FE) model of intraoperative cryoinsults was developed. Thermal material property values of emu cancellous bone were estimated from FE simulations of cryoinsult to emu cadaver femora, by varying model properties until the FE-generated temperatures matched corresponding thermocouple measurements. The resulting FE model, with emu bone-specific thermal properties augmented to include blood flow effects, was then used to study intraoperatively performed in vivo cryoinsults. Comparisons of minimum temperatures attained at FE nodes corresponding to the three-dimensional histologically apparent boundary of the region of ON were made for six experimental cryoinsults. Series-wide, a critical isotherm of 3.5 °C best corresponded to the boundary of the osteonecrotic lesions.
Therapists in Oncology Settings

This article describes the author's experiences of working with cancer patients/survivors both individually and in support groups for many years, across several settings. It also documents current best-practice guidelines for the psychosocial treatment of cancer patients/survivors and their families. The author's view of the important qualities that characterize therapists working in oncology settings is then discussed. Finally, the article describes an oncology practicum experience for psychology doctoral students that has been ongoing for several years. The themes of loss and triumph in the face of loss are implicit throughout.
Magnesium isotopic fractionation of silicates produced in condensation experiments

Isotopic mass fractionations of magnesium have been studied for silicates produced in condensation experiments for the purpose of studying the evaporation-condensation process in the early solar nebula in connection with the isotopic data observed in various primitive materials. The silicate gas, which is evaporated from forsterite, was fractionated to produce condensates at various temperatures below 1350°C down to room temperature, and the amount of isotopic mass fractionation varied considerably with the condensation temperature,Tc. The variation in the 26Mg/24Mg ratio with respect to the initial evaporation source, Δ26, varies from +8‰ to −30‰ asTc changes from 1350°C to room temperature. The obtained(Δ26) - Tc relationship is explained in terms of the Rayleigh fractionation model, and the relationship indicates that the condensates fractionate isotopically toward the heavy mass with respect to the gas phase at temperatures from 700°C to 1350°C. The obtained data show that the condensates can be fractionated both toward the heavy and light isotopes with respect to the initial source according to the fraction of the residual gas phase,ƒ(Tc). The evaluation of mass fractionation between the condensed phase and the residual gas phase is essential for the analysis of various isotopic data on primitive materials.
Interindexer consistency, term usage, and indexer experience levels in the application of image descriptors

This study concerns image indexing and the affect of indexer experience levels on interindexer consistency and the choice of indexing terms. Owing to the importance of concept-based indexing for images, this investigation will provide information for the development of basic criteria for image indexing practices. Four groups of participants with varying degrees of image indexing and subject expertise will be studied through an interactive Web site. A questionnaire will gather information on indexer experience levels and basic demographic data, and an image component of the study will gather indexing terms applied by the participants. Quantitative analysis will be conducted on the data resulting from the questionnaire, while qualitative methods will be employed for analyzing the indexing terms assigned by the participants. The study will examine the multiplicity of term types applied to images (generic description, identification, and interpretation) and the degree of indexing difficulty due to the accessibility of representation and subject content of the image. It is hoped that this study will lead to a deeper understanding of the role of indexer experience in image indexing, which in turn can inform the processes utilized to enhance access to digital collections of visual materials.
Genes of the thymidine salvage pathway: Thymine-7-hydroxylase from a Rhodotorula glutinis cDNA library and iso-orotate decarboxylase from Neurospora crassa

Abstract Genes for two enzymes in the thymidine salvage pathway, thymine-7-hydroxylase (THase; official name thymine dioxygenase) and iso-orotate decarboxylase (IDCase) have been isolated from fungal sources. THase was isolated from a Rhodotorula glutinis cDNA library using a degenerate oligonucleotide based on the published amino acid sequence. The coding sequence was transferred to an Escherichia coli expression system, from which recombinant THase activity was measured using 14C-labeled thymine. The THase sequence shows an almost complete avoidance of codons ending in A or T: 95.8% GC content is present in the third position of codons. A connection between this codon bias and the role of the thymidine salvage pathway in pyrimidine metabolism is proposed. The THase sequence is similar to Group I Fe+2-dependent, αKG-dependent dioxygenases. The R. glutinis THase gene was used to locate the probable THase genes in the sequenced genomes of Neurospora crassa and Aspergillus nidulans. The genes neighboring THase in these two genomes are similar to each other, and are similar to the mammalian 2-amino-3-carboxymuconate-6-semialdhyde decarboxylase (ACMSD), leading to their identification as IDCase genes. The N. crassa version was isolated by PCR of genomic DNA, and IDCase activity was measured in recombinant E. coli carrying this gene. A new family of decarboxylases, using similar substrates, is identified by virtue of the protein sequence similarity.
A high count rate position decoding and energy measuring method for nuclear cameras using Anger logic detectors

A new method for processing signals from Anger position-sensitive detectors used in gamma cameras and PET is proposed for very high count-rate imaging where multiple-event pileups are the norm. This method is designed to sort out and recover every impinging event from multiple-event pileups while maximizing the collection of scintillation signal for every event to achieve optimal accuracy in the measurement of energy and position. For every detected event, this method cancels the remnant signals from previous events, and excludes the pileup of signals from following events. The remnant subtraction is exact even for multiple pileup events. A prototype circuit for energy recovery demonstrated that the maximum count rates can be increased by more than 10 times comparing to the pulse-shaping method, and the energy resolution is as good as pulse shaping (or fixed integration) at low count rates. At 2/spl times/10/sup 6/ events/sec on NaI(Tl), the true counts acquired with this method is 3.3 times more than the delay-line clipping method (256 ns clipping) due to events recovered from pileups. Pulse-height spectra up to 3.5/spl times/10/sup 6/ events/sec have been studied. Monte Carlo simulation studies have been performed for image-quality comparisons between different processing methods.
The Myc transactivation domain promotes global phosphorylation of the RNA polymerase II carboxy-terminal domain independently of direct DNA binding.

Myc is a transcription factor which is dependent on its DNA binding domain for transcriptional regulation of target genes. Here, we report the surprising finding that Myc mutants devoid of direct DNA binding activity and Myc target gene regulation can rescue a substantial fraction of the growth defect in myc−/− fibroblasts. Expression of the Myc transactivation domain alone induces a transcription-independent elevation of the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) C-terminal domain (CTD) kinases cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) and CDK9 and a global increase in CTD phosphorylation. The Myc transactivation domain binds to the transcription initiation sites of these promoters and stimulates TFIIH binding in an MBII-dependent manner. Expression of the Myc transactivation domain increases CDK mRNA cap methylation, polysome loading, and the rate of translation. We find that some traditional Myc transcriptional target genes are also regulated by this Myc-driven translation mechanism. We propose that Myc transactivation domain-driven RNA Pol II CTD phosphorylation has broad effects on both transcription and mRNA metabolism.
An environment that fosters shared leadership and the effects on engineering education: An analysis and proposed structure

Engineers must not only have design and technical skills, they must also possess the ability to work in and lead teams, adopt and adapt to change, and act as leaders who can think in terms of the bigger picture. To develop these skills, engineering students must be actively involved in their education and trained to continually learn. Many engineering students have become accustomed to traditional forms of education, which can lead to passivity and dependence on faculty to tell them what to know and why they need to know it. Research in organizational behavior suggests a solution can lie in modifying the traditional learning environment by moving to an organizational structure based on shared leadership. This paper explores the concept of shared leadership in engineering education and describes specific structures that have been used in courses to develop shared leadership among engineering students, as well as outcomes of these structures.
The effects of linkage disequilibrium in large scale SNP datasets for MDR

In the analysis of large-scale genomic datasets, an important consideration is the power of analytical methods to identify accurate predictive models of disease. When trying to assess sensitivity from such analytical methods, a confounding factor up to this point has been the presence of linkage disequilibrium (LD). In this study, we examined the effect of LD on the sensitivity of the Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction (MDR) software package. Four relative amounts of LD were simulated in multiple one- and two-locus scenarios for which the position of the functional SNP(s) within LD blocks varied. Simulated data was analyzed with MDR to determine the sensitivity of the method in different contexts, where the sensitivity of the method was gauged as the number of times out of 100 that the method identifies the correct one- or two-locus model as the best overall model. As the amount of LD increases, the sensitivity of MDR to detect the correct functional SNP drops but the sensitivity to detect the disease signal and find an indirect association increases. Higher levels of LD begin to confound the MDR algorithm and lead to a drop in sensitivity with respect to the identification of a direct association; it does not, however, affect the ability to detect indirect association. Careful examination of the solution models generated by MDR reveals that MDR can identify loci in the correct LD block; though it is not always the functional SNP. As such, the results of MDR analysis in datasets with LD should be carefully examined to consider the underlying LD structure of the dataset.
On the serotonergic nervous system of two planktonic rotifers, Conochilus coenobasis and C. dossuarius (Monogononta, Flosculariacea, Conochilidae)

The serotonergic nervous systems of two non-colonial species of Conochilus were examined to obtain the first immunohistochemical insights into the neuroanatomy of species of Flosculariacea (Rotifera, Monogononta). Species of Conochilus, subgenus Conochiloides, were examined using serotonin (5-HT) immunohistochemistry, epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy, and 3D computer imaging software. In specimens of C. coenobasis and C. dossuarius, the serotonergic nervous system is defined by a dorsal cerebral ganglion, apically directed cerebral neurites, and paired nerve cords. The cerebral ganglion contains approximately four pairs of small 5-HTimmunoreactive perikarya; one pair innervates the posterior nerve cords and three pairs innervate the apical field. The most dorsal pair innervates a coronal nerve ring that encircles the apical field. Within the apical field is a second nerve ring that outlines the inner border of the coronal cilia. Together, both the inner and outer nerve rings may function to modulate ciliary activity of the corona. The other two pairs of perikarya innervate a region around the mouth. Specific differences in the distribution of serotonergic neurons between species of Conochilus and previously examined ploimate rotifers include the following: (a) a lack of immunoreactivity in the mastax; (b) a greater number of apically directed serotonergic neurites; and (c) a complete innervation of the corona in both species of Conochilus. These differences in nervous system immunohistochemistry are discussed in reference to the phylogeny of the Monogononta. r 2006 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Creating an After-School Program for Your PETE Majors’ Middle School Field Experience

(2007). Creating an After-School Program for Your PETE Majors’ Middle School Field Experience. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 78, No. 1, pp. 25-53.
The Wavelength Dependence of the Gross Moist Stability and the Scale Selection in the Instability of Column-Integrated Moist Static Energy

Abstract Gross moist stability (GMS), a measure of how efficiently divergent flow exports column-integrated moist static energy (MSE), is a widely used quantity in current simplified models of the tropical mean circulation and intraseasonal variabilities such as the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO), where it is often assumed to be constant. In this paper, it is shown, with cloud-system-resolving model experiments that incorporate feedback from the large-scale flow, that the GMS is smaller at longer wavelengths. The reason for this wavelength dependence is that temperature anomalies required to maintain a given divergent flow increase with wavelength. At long wavelengths, the required temperature anomalies become sufficiently strong to affect the shape of convective heating. As a consequence, the divergent flow is forced to be less top heavy in order to maintain the balance of momentum, heat, and moisture, as well as consistency with the behavior of cumulus convection. A simple model is constructed to illus...
Structure and mechanism of non-histone protein acetyltransferase enzymes

Post-translational modification of proteins is ubiquitous and mediates many cellular processes, including intracellular localization, protein-protein interactions, enzyme activity, transcriptional regulation and protein stability. While the role of phosphorylation as a key post-translational modification has been well studied, the more evolutionarily conserved post-translational modification acetylation has only recently attracted attention as a key regulator of cellular events. Protein acetylation has been largely studied in the context of its role in histone modification and gene regulation, where histones are modified by histone acetyltransferases to promote transcription. However, more recent acetylomic and biochemical studies have revealed that acetylation is mediated by a broader family of protein acetyltransferases. The recent structure determination of several protein acetyltransferases has provided a wealth of molecular information regarding structural features of protein acetyltransferases, their enzymatic mechanisms, their mode of substrate-specific recognition and their regulatory elements. In this review, we briefly describe what is known about non-histone protein substrates, but mainly focus on a few recent structures of protein acetyltransferases to compare and contrast them with histone acetyltransferases to better understand the molecular basis for protein recognition and modification by this family of protein modification enzymes.
Health Care Policy Update 2001: Much Sound and Fury Signifying Nothing?

As the United States enters the new millennium, Americans are dealing with a health care system that has seen more change in the last 10 years than occurred in the previous 90. The advent of managed care, the genetic revolution, rapidly evolving information technology, and a bewildering array of new governmental regulations are a few of the major currents of change that are buffeting the medical profession. If anything, the next 10 years promises to bring even more dramatic change than the previous decade. At this stage one would need more than a crystal ball to predict what the future of medical practice will be like 20 years from now. There are perhaps only two things that can be stated with any sense of certainty; first, continuing change will be the watchword for the practice of medicine, and second, the burden of governmental regulation will continue to increase. This article focuses on the second reality, assessing the state of health care policy and regulation in this country as we begin the new millennium. The issue of health care policy and governmental regulation is of significant importance to all physicians, as it has a direct impact on the way medicine is practiced and reimbursed in this country. In the presidential campaign just concluded, there was considerable rhetoric about the state of the health care system in the United States, but little concrete action occurred in the last Congress. There appear to be an unprecedented number of health care issues at play in the political arena but the winds of political change are fickle indeed, and hot issues of today are relegated to the back burner tomorrow. That being said, many of the legislative proposals or regulations currently under discussion or in varying stages of the legislative process could profoundly impact the …
Identification of interspecies difference in hepatobiliary transporters to improve extrapolation of human biliary secretion

Increasing challenges include the application of in vitro/in vivo models for prediction of safety and pharmacokinetic profiles for the compounds entering drug development that are mainly secreted from bile. Species differences in biliary excretion have long been recognized and complicate the extrapolation of human pharmacokinetics from preclinical species or in vitro models. The currently available literature has been reviewed with a focus on drug-drug interactions mediated by hepatic drug transporters and the available tools for transporter assessments. Therefore, our incomplete understanding of interspecies differences and in vitro liver models poses a serious challenge in predicting human pharmacokinetics and/or safety profiles when the compounds are predominantly secreted from bile. This review outlines species differences in hepatobiliary secretion and the recent effort in understanding the absolute difference in hepatobiliary transporter expressions across species. In addition, understanding the expression of hepatobiliary transporters between in vitro hepatocyte models and in vivo to improve the prediction of biliary secretion is also discussed.
Yield optimization using a GaAs process simulator coupled to a physical device model

The enhancement of TEFLON, a physics-based large-signal GaAs MESFET model and circuit simulator that predicts and optimizes the yield of GaAs MESFET designs before fabrication, is discussed. Device acceptance criteria include both small- and large-signal RF operating characteristics such as small-signal gain, maximum power added efficiency, and output power at 1 dB gain compression. SUPREM 3.5, a process simulator, has been incorporated into TEFLON so that the MESFET channel donor distribution can be described directly from processing specifications for material deposition, ion implantation, and implant annealing. Monte Carlo techniques are used to estimate yield when disturbances in the MESFET parameters are modeled as multivariate Gaussian distributions. Finally, the yield estimator has been integrated with an optimizer so that a design can be centered for maximum yield in the presence of process disturbances. >
The Gendered Face of Terrorism

What does sociology have to contribute to our understanding of terrorism? As scholars of gender and the Far Right, we believe that we have much to offer the current debates. In this article, we focus both on contemporary cases of terrorism, the attacks of September 11 and the Oklahoma City bombing, and terrorist movements as gendered: as enactments of masculinity. In particular, we focus on the contemporary white supremacist movement, the most dangerous domestic terrorist threat faced by the USA. We suggest that the ideology and organization of many terrorist groups are saturated with gendered meanings, both as the analytic prism through which they view their situation, and also as a means of political mobilization.
Shut up and pet me! Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) prefer petting to vocal praise in concurrent and single-alternative choice procedures

Abstract The nature of the interactions that maintain the social behavior of dogs toward humans and which interactions dogs prefer have not been thoroughly investigated. We focused here on dogs’ preference for petting and vocal praise, and the influence that familiarity (owner vs. stranger) has on that preference. We first used concurrent choice to evaluate dogs’ preference for petting or vocal praise and measured the initial choice, the time spent with each alternative, and the number of within-session alternations. We assessed dogs’ preference for petting or vocal praise in (1) shelter dogs, (2) owned dogs with strangers providing both interactions, and (3) owned dogs with the dog's owner providing the interactions. Across all experimental groups, dogs preferred petting to vocal praise. We next assessed time spent with each alternative when only one alternative was available at a time in shelter dogs and owned dogs (Experiment 2). Shelter dogs were tested with a stranger and owned dogs were tested with their owners providing the interaction. Dogs alternated between petting and vocal praise, vocal praise and no interaction, or received only petting for eight 3-min sessions of each comparison. Both shelter and owned dogs spent significantly longer in proximity to the experimenter when the interaction was petting compared to vocal praise. Vocal praise produced as little proximity-seeking behavior as did no interaction. Additionally, dogs did not show any sign of satiation with petting across all eight sessions. Overall, petting seems to be an important interaction between dogs and humans that might maintain inter-specific social behavior but vocal praise likely has to be specifically conditioned. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Canine Behavior.
An algorithm for automated closure during assembly.

Finishing is the process of improving the quality and utility of draft genome sequences generated by shotgun sequencing and computational assembly. Finishing can involve targeted sequencing. Finishing reads may be incorporated by manual or automated means. One automated method uses targeted addition by local re-assembly of gap regions. An obvious alternative uses de novo assembly of all the reads. A procedure called the bounding read algorithm was developed for assembly of shotgun reads plus finishing reads and their constraints, targeting repeat regions. The algorithm was implemented within the Celera Assembler software and its pyrosequencing-specific variant, CABOG. The implementation was tested on Sanger and pyrosequencing data from six genomes. The bounding read assemblies were compared to assemblies from two other methods on the same data. The algorithm generates improved assemblies of repeat regions, closing and tiling some gaps while degrading none. The algorithm is useful for small-genome automated finishing projects. Our implementation is available as open-source from http://wgs-assembler.sourceforge.net under the GNU Public License.
Paying at the pump: diet-induced accumulation of cardiac lipid and systolic dysfunction.

Cardiac steatosis, or the abnormal accumulation of myocardial lipid, has recently emerged as an identifiable feature of insulin-resistant states including obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.1 Although the presence of increased myocardial lipid has been associated with both systolic and diastolic dysfunction in human and animal studies, it remains unclear whether accumulated lipid species are intrinsically pathological (the “lipotoxicity” hypothesis) or simply a marker of a fundamental derangement in cellular metabolism.2 It has been hypothesized that in insulin-resistant states, cellular fatty acid uptake exceeds mitochondrial oxidative capacity, leading to the generation of cytotoxic lipid metabolites that affect cardiac function through a variety of potential mechanisms.2 Indeed, many of the mouse models that recapitulate the diabetic phenotype and elicit myocardial steatosis also alter cellular systems that regulate lipid metabolism and energy substrate utilization.3–5 Article see p 710 It is relatively simple to measure myocardial lipid in animal models because cardiac tissue is readily available ex vivo for histological processing. In vivo measurements from a beating heart and breathing animal, although much more challenging, are possible with the application of image-guided proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).6 Proton MRS is similar to MRI in that protons, principally contained in water and fat in biological tissue, generate a measureable nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal when placed in a strong external magnetic field and exposed to tuned radiofrequency energy. In MRI, the NMR signals from all protons irrespective of their chemical environment are summed to generate an intensity that is localized in space by the application of multiple magnetic field gradients. In MRS, the various populations of protons can be separated into a signal intensity spectrum by differences in their intrinsic resonance signatures. In this way, chemical species' concentrations can be determined noninvasively from a volume of tissue …
The Interaction of Early Maternal Responsiveness and Children's Cognitive Abilities on Later Decoding and Reading Comprehension Skills

This longitudinal study evaluated the extent to which maternal responsiveness across early childhood and children's cognitive skills predicted children's 8-year decoding and reading comprehension skills for children who varied in biological risk (term, n = 83; preterm, n = 155). Patterns of maternal responsiveness during infancy (6, 12, and 24 months) and preschool (3 and 4 years) revealed 4 maternal clusters that varied in consistency and level of maternal responsiveness. Although not predictive of decoding skills, the interaction between children's 4-year cognitive ability and maternal responsiveness cluster predicted children's reading comprehension skills at 8 years of age, regardless of risk. Although consistently high levels of maternal responsive parenting across early childhood related to literacy outcomes for all children in the study, responsive parenting had a stronger relation to later reading comprehension skills for children with lower cognitive abilities, particularly when mothers demonstra...
A Model of Arterial Roadway Corridor with Multiple Intersections Near Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

In this paper, a VISSIM model is set up for a highway-railway corridor with three highway-rail grade crossings (HRGCs) located near signalized intersections on a major arterial roadway. The signal controller with preemption functions was coded using Vehicle Actuated Programming (VAP) language(PTV, 2010), which is an addon module of VISSIM.The VAP controller can emulate the preemption functions for multiple trains in both the signal controller and the train signal controller from the field. The traffic conditions and the train traffic characteristics in the model were calibrated to local field conditions, using empirical train and traffic data. Finally, the characteristics of the non-steady state traffic conditions, due to westbound and eastbound trains passing through the corridor,were evaluated using the model.
Allele-specific imbalance mapping at human orthologs of mouse susceptibility to colon cancer (Scc) loci.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) can be classified into different types. Chromosomal instable (CIN) colon cancers are thought to be the most common type of colon cancer. The risk of developing a CIN-related CRC is due in part to inherited risk factors. Genome-wide association studies have yielded over 40 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with CRC risk, but these only account for a subset of risk alleles. Some of this missing heritability may be due to gene-gene interactions. We developed a strategy to identify interacting candidate genes/loci for CRC risk that utilizes both linkage and RNA-seq data from mouse models in combination with allele-specific imbalance (ASI) studies in human tumors. We applied our strategy to three previously identified CRC susceptibility loci in the mouse that show evidence of genetic interaction: Scc4, Scc5 and Scc13. 525 SNPs from genes showing differential expression in the mouse and/or a previous role in cancer from the literature were evaluated for allele-specific imbalance in 194 paired human normal/tumor DNAs from CIN-related CRCs. One hundred three SNPs showing suggestive evidence of ASI (31 variants with uncorrected p values < 0.05) were genotyped in a validation set of 296 paired DNAs. Two variants in SNX10 (SCC13) showed significant evidence of allelic selection after multiple comparisons testing. Future studies will evaluate the role of these variants in combination with interacting genetic partners in colon cancer risk in mouse and humans.
Passive damping of carbon nanotube thread

Passive damping of as-spun carbon nanotube thread was studied here as a multifunctional attribute to continuous fiber composite materials or nanocomposites. Many researchers have doped polymeric materials like epoxy with carbon nanotubes to achieve enhanced damping for composite materials; yet thread or yarn has to be rigorously explored. As a result, this study quantifies carbon nanotube thread material damping within its linear range (~1% strain) at a single frequency and analyzes this damping as a function of temperature from room temperature to roughly 100°C. From these tests, it was found that three distinct carbon nanotube threads exhibited loss factors near 0.05 at room temperature, and a single carbon nanotube thread maintained a loss factor near 0.035 from room temperature to 100°C after the first thermal cycle.
Common SCN10A variants modulate PR interval and heart rate response during atrial fibrillation

Aims SCN10A encodes the sodium channel Nav1.8 implicated by genome-wide association studies as a modulator of atrioventricular conduction (PR interval). In a cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), we examined whether there was an association between common variants in SCN10A and both the PR interval during normal sinus rhythm and the heart rate response during AF. Methods and results Patients prospectively enrolled in the Vanderbilt AF registry with electrocardiograms in normal sinus rhythm and/or AF within 1 year of enrollment were genotyped for two common SCN10A variants rs6795970 and rs12632942. Both variants were associated with the PR interval duration in a gene-dose effect on unadjusted analysis; after adjustment for the covariates age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and medication usage, the association remained for rs6795970 only ( P = 0.012, partial R 2 = 0.0139). On unadjusted analysis, heart rate response during AF was associated with rs6795970 ( P = 0.035, partial R 2 = 0.015), but not with rs12632942 ( P = 0.89), and neither association was significant after adjustment for covariates. Conclusion The common variant rs6795970 in SCN10A is associated with the PR interval duration among healthy patients and those with AF. In addition, this single nucleotide polymorphism trended towards an association with heart rate response during AF indicating the importance of this common SCN10A polymorphism as a marker of atrioventricular conduction.
Soy protein with or without isoflavones failed to preserve bone density in gonadal hormone–deficient male rat model of osteoporosis

Soy with its isoflavones has been shown to positively influence bone mineral density in female ovariectomized rats; hence, we hypothesized a similar effect in orchidectomized (ORX) male rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 95 days, were divided into 4 groups and were either sham operated (Sham) or ORX. The ORX groups were fed a soy protein-based diet (SOY), an isoflavone-depleted soy protein diet (SOY-), or a casein based diet for 65 days after surgery. Orchidectomy increased the rate of bone turnover, resulting in reduced bone mineral density and bone mineral content by 3.5% and 14%, respectively, and compromised biomechanical properties. The mean femoral length of ORX animals was also significantly shorter than Sham animals, but ORX rats that were fed SOY diet did not experience this reduction in bone length, implicating a role for soy protein in bone growth (4.02 ± 0.02, 3.93 ± 0.01, 3.99 ± 0.02, 3.91 ± 0.01 for Sham, ORX, SOY, SOY-, respectively). The SOY and SOY- positively influenced the biomechanical properties of bone such as yield and ultimate force, the measures of bone elasticity, and plasticity. In terms of bone histomorphometry, the data indicate that SOY- tends to reduce ORX-induced increase in bone turnover as evidenced by suppressed bone formation rate/mineralized surface by about 9%. Overall, our results indicated that soy protein, regardless of its isoflavone content, was unable to prevent the ORX-induced femoral decrease in bone density and mineral content. However, soy may enhance the quality of bone as indicated by increased yield force.
Trabecular bone morphology from micro-magnetic resonance imaging

Micro-magnetic resonance imaging (micro-MRI) is potentially a widely available tool to image and quantify the three-dimensional structure of trabecular bone. However, it has not been demonstrated that the same quantitative measurements can be obtained using micro-MRI as would be obtained from conventional light microscope images. Bovine trabecular bone from several anatomic sites was imaged with both optical and micro-MRI methods. The six faces of approximately cubic trabecular bone specimens were examined with the light microscope, and the volume of bone internal to these faces was then imaged using an 8.6 T 25 mm bore magnet. Three-dimensional measures of bone morphology were calculated from both the optical and micro-MR images using the method of directed secants. Quantitative measures from the two imaging methods were compared by paired t-tests. Volume fractions (BV/TV) measured by micro-MRI were linearly related to (r2 = 0.81) and did not differ statistically from (p = 0.96) similar measurements from optical images. The trabecular plate number (Tb.N) measured by micro-MRI also was linearly related to (r2 = 0.53) and did not differ statistically from (p = 0.17) similar measurements from optical images. The orientation of trabeculae predicted from micro-MRI was within 6 degrees of that calculated from optical images in 10 out of 16 specimens. The micro-MRI morphology measurements are relatively easy to perform, and since several hundred small-bore high-field strength MRI systems are available, this technique could be used widely to quantify the morphology of trabecular bone.
Rebuttal From Dr Rivers et al

Financial/nonfinancial disclosures: The authors have reported to CHEST the following conflicts of interest: In the past 3 years, Dr Rivers has received funding from the National Institutes of Health, Aggennix AG, and Alere Corporation. He has been a one-time consultant for Aggennix AG; Eisai Co, Ltd; Idaho Technologies Inc; AstraZeneca; Massimo; and Sangard. He is a consultant to the Institute of Medicine, National Academies. The Early Goal-Directed Therapy (EGDT) study was performed without external industry support or funding of any kind. Any intellectual properties associated with Dr Rivers’ research are exclusively owned by Henry Ford Hospital. Dr Rivers holds no past or present intellectual properties and has never received royalties or stock interest related to technologies in EGDT research and practice. Dr Elkin has received funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, has been a one-time consultant for Eisai Co, Ltd, and participated on the speaker’s bureau for Edwards Lifesciences LLC on three occasions. Dr Cannon has been a one-time consultant for Aggennix AG and Eisai Co, Ltd. Reproduction of this article is prohibited without written permission from the American College of Chest Physicians (http://www.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml).
On the Responsiveness-Diversity-Multiplexing Tradeoff

The work analyzes the error performance of high-SNR, high-rate, point-to-point, outage-limited, wireless communications, with bursty and delay-limited information. In this setting, the bit-arrival process is stochastic and bursty, and the bits are limited by a strict delay condition. In the presence of fixed transmission rate, errors are due to both decoding and delay violations, and are attributed to sequences of atypical bursts of information and a typical fading realizations. For the case of fast Rayleigh channel fading, and compound Poisson bit-arrival process, the work presents bounds on a tradeoff between diversity and the ratio of average bit-arrival rate to ergodic-capacity. This tradeoff describes a uniform scalar effect of burstiness on the maximum amount of diversity that can be accumulated given a delay limitation. For large burstiness, the bounds are tight. As a practical consequence, the tradeoff addresses the question of how much of the maximum allowable time should be spent on coding and how much for timely and responsive accommodation of the queue.
Assessing the Outcomes of State Science and Technology Organizations

Since the 1990s, we have witnessed tremendous growth in performance-measurement activities in government. Legislative mandates have pushed most states to require state-funded entities to identify performance measures and report performance data in the budget process. Furthermore, measuring performance has become an important trend in public management practice. How have state science and technology (S&T) programs responded to these requirements and trends? This article extends prior work on performance measurement in state S&T programs. It presents data from a recent national survey of the directors of key S&T agencies in each of the 50 states. Findings reveal the struggles that these agencies face in the development of appropriate performance measures and their integration in the budget process. Details on appropriate measures, best measures, the measurement development process, and reporting techniques are provided. Strengths and weaknesses of existing measurement systems are presented.
Dynamic effects of oviposition site on offspring sexually-selected traits and scaling relationships

The expression of sexually-selected traits such as bright plumage, exaggerated antlers, and elongated eyestalks can be highly influenced by environmental factors, including the behaviors of mothers. Many recent studies have described the ways that maternal behavior can influence the expression of sexually-selected traits in offspring, however, few studies have investigated if and how such maternal effects might change, over time, in natural populations. Here, we examine the influence of maternal oviposition site on the expression of offspring sexually-selected traits in four successive cohorts of the heliconia bug, Leptoscelis tricolor (Hemiptera: Coreidae). Female heliconia bugs lay eggs on multiple host plant species, and offspring remain on these plants for the entirety of growth and development. We found that natal plant species had significant effects on the expression of male sexually-selected traits and the degree of sexual dimorphism. Moreover, these effects changed over time for later cohorts, concurrent with changes in host plant resources. Our results suggest that maternal effects can be a significant and dynamic influence on the sexually-selected traits of offspring. Such environmental effects on sexually-selected traits could have broad implications for the processes and outcomes of sexual selection.
Membrane Topological Structure of Neutral System N/A Amino Acid Transporter 4 (SNAT4) Protein

Members of system N/A amino acid transporter (SNAT) family mediate transport of neutral amino acids, including l-alanine, l-glutamine, and l-histidine, across the plasma membrane and are involved in a variety of cellular functions. By using chemical labeling, glycosylation, immunofluorescence combined with molecular modeling approaches, we resolved the membrane topological structure of SNAT4, a transporter expressed predominantly in liver. To analyze the orientation using the chemical labeling and biotinylation approach, the "Cys-null" mutant of SNAT4 was first generated by mutating all five endogenous cysteine residues. Based on predicted topological structures, a single cysteine residue was introduced individually into all possible nontransmembrane domains of the Cys-null mutant. The cells expressing these mutants were labeled with N-biotinylaminoethyl methanethiosulfonate, a membrane-impermeable cysteine-directed reagent. We mapped the orientations of N- and C-terminal domains. There are three extracellular loop domains, and among them, the second loop domain is the largest that spans from amino acid residue ∼242 to ∼335. The orientation of this domain was further confirmed by the identification of two N-glycosylated residues, Asn-260 and Asn-264. Together, we showed that SNAT4 contains 10 transmembrane domains with extracellular N and C termini and a large N-glycosylated, extracellular loop domain. This is the first report concerning membrane topological structure of mammalian SNAT transporters, which will provide important implications for our understanding of structure-function of the members in this amino acid transporter family.