cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevention of noise-induced hearing loss with Src-PTK inhibitors

Abstract Studies from our lab show that noise exposure initiates cell death by multiple pathways [Nicotera, T.M., Hu, B.H., Henderson, D., 2003. The caspase pathway in noise-induced apoptosis of the chinchilla cochlea. J. Assoc. Res. Otolaryngol. 4, 466–477] therefore, protection against noise may be most effective with a multifaceted approach. The Src protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) signaling cascade may be involved in both metabolic and mechanically induced initiation of apoptosis in sensory cells of the cochlea. The current study compares three Src-PTK inhibitors, KX1-004, KX1-005 and KX1-174 as potential protective drugs for NIHL. Chinchillas were used as subjects. A 30 μl drop of one of the Src inhibitors was placed on the round window membrane of the anesthetized chinchilla; the vehicle (DMSO and buffered saline) alone was placed on the other ear. After the drug application, the middle ear was sutured and the subjects were exposed to noise. Hearing was measured before and several times after the noise exposure and treatment using evoked responses. At 20 days post-exposure, the animals were anesthetized their cochleae extracted and cochleograms were constructed. All three Src inhibitors provided protection from a 4 h, 4 kHz octave band noise at 106 dB. The most effective drug, KX1-004 was further evaluated by repeating the exposure with different doses, as well as, substituting an impulse noise exposure. For all conditions, the results suggest a role for Src-PTK activation in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and that therapeutic intervention with a Src-PTK inhibitor may offer a novel approach in the treatment of NIHL.
Ethical purchasing perceptions and practices of Oklahoma restaurant managers

This study examined ethical business perceptions and practices in purchasing dealings between junior and senior managers in the U.S. restaurants. This study investigated the managerial style in the context of business ethics relative to employees’ loyalty, ethical working behavior, attitude, and decision‐making process of restaurant's food purchasing personnel. Additionally, organizational business ethics training for employees is a crucial component to enhance adherence to an ethical code of conduct. The findings revealed that the managers’ ethical purchasing perceptions and practices of their employees’ behaviors were not different in terms of gender, age, and years of experiences as a manager. Corporate ethical standards and managerial ethical practices can guide managers and employees as to how to behave when confronted with a dilemma with regard to ethics and personal interest. Consequently, the prime principle of management or purchasing personnel in terms of ethical dealings has tremendous impact o...
Identification of functional U1 snRNA-pre-mRNA complexes committed to spliceosome assembly and splicing

Abstract Although both U1 and U2 snRNPs have been implicated in the splicing process, their respective roles in the earliest stages of intron recognition and spliceosome assembly are uncertain. To address this issue, we developed a new strategy to prepare snRNP-depleted splicing extracts using Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells conditionally expressing U1 or U2 snRNP. Complementation analyses and chase experiments show that a stable complex, committed to the splicing pathway, forms in the absence of U2 snRNP. U1 snRNP and a substrate containing both a 5′ splice site and a branchpoint sequence are required for optimal formation of this commitment complex. We developed new gel electrophoresis conditions to identify these committed complexes and to show that they contain U1 snRNA. Chase experiments demonstrated that these complexes are functional intermediates in spliceosome assembly and splicing. Our results have implications for the process of splice site selection.
Problems in framing the nature/nurture question in child language acquisition: A review

Abstract The central argument of this review is that the question of nature vs. nurture in child language development cannot be answered by current findings in the field because researchers have depended too heavily on naturally occurring experiments and quasi-ideal experiments, both of which generate inferentially compromised evidence for the questions involved. The paper is concerned with three specific problems: (1) the adequacy of current experimental paradigms; (2) the power of theoretical models; and (3) the adequacy of evaluation methods for weighing the value of research findings. It is argued that the possible covariation of mother and child language skills has not been addressed in the “motherese” research programs. It is also argued that, paradoxically, the putative bioprogram for language acquisition must be both more refined and more global than is currently theorized: more refined to account for genetic control of subskills, and more global to account for the integration of language skills in the general flow of cognitive processing. The conclusion of the review posits that “rich interpretation” and argument by analogy should be eschewed in favor of complex behavior genetic study design models (adoption, twin, and family studies) which can do more to resolve controversies about the basis of child language acquisition.
Changes in body temperature markedly affect striatal dopamine release and metabolism: an in vivo study.

Dopamine release and metabolism in the corpus striatum increased markedly when the core body temperature of anesthetized rats was increased from 35 ° to 41 °C while temperatures below 34 ° were associated with a marked attenuation of dopamine release. These observations may have clinical relevance in cases where alterations in body temperature are associated with extrapyramidal dysfunction.
A cell-adhesion pathway regulates intercellular communication during Dictyostelium development

Cell adhesion molecules play an important physical role in shaping the structure of multicellular organisms. Recent studies show that they also play a role in intracellular and intercellular signaling. We describe a cell adhesion pathway that is mediated by the intercellular communication genes comC, lagC, and lagD during Dictyostelium development. Disruptions of these genes result in strains that are unable to generate spores when developed in a pure population but are capable of sporulation when developed in chimerae with wild-type cells. In contrast, any pair-wise chimera of the three mutants fails to form spores. We postulate that the wild-type cells supply the mutant cells with a signal that partially rescues their sporulation. We also propose that the three mutants are deficient in the production of that signal, suggesting that the three genes function in one signaling pathway. In support of that notion, the mutant cells share common non-cell-autonomous prespore and prestalk-specific defects and a common pattern of developmental progression and regression. We provide transcriptional and functional evidence for a network in which comC inhibits lagC and activates lagD expression, lagC and lagD are mutually inductive, and the cell adhesion gene lagC is the terminal node in this signaling network.
A model-independent approach to multiquark bound states

Abstract Difficulties in extending quark models successful for hadron structure to multiquark systems are analyzed. A variational approached is developed which successfully predicts meson masses with baryon masses as input and gives nearly model-independent estimates of four-quark masses by using trial wave functions whose interaction energies are approximately given by known hadron masses; e.g. a (ccud) wave function whose dependence on the cc relative coordinate is given by the exact wave function of the J/ψ and whose dependence on the relative coordinates of the u and d relative to the center-of-mass of the cc system is given by the exact wave function of the Λ c . Four-quark states containing two identical heavy quarks are shown to have a good probability of being stable against strong decays.
Compulsory Regime and Control of Environment in Animal Behaviour Iv. Light Level Preferences of Cactus Mice, Peromyscus Eremicus

The volitional illuminance preferences of 9 closely related, captive-born cactus mice were determined by allowing them a choice between 10 illuminance levels ranging from darkness to 1.1 lux. The levels could be altered bidirectionally to brighter or dimmer values, one step at a time in predetermined sequence, by instrumental means. The mice were confined in exercise-wheel enclosures and tested and retested at ages of 4 to 35 months. For all 9 animals, the time spent running in the wheel had marked, minor, incipient, or presumptive peaks at level 5 (0.0014 lux) or level 6 (0.0025 lux) ; these peaks probably reveal the optimum illuminance range for the animals' vision. But the major peak in the active time of most individuals was in darkness (or extremely dim light). There was generally a marked tendency for the animals to spend a greater percentage of inactive time than active time in darkness. Five animals retested after a lapse of at least 5 months showed changes in illuminance preferences, there being a tendency for the minor preference for dim light either to increase with age or to appear first long after maturity. In addition, one 5-month-old mouse showed a remarkable series of changes in illuminance preferences over a period of several weeks. The illuminance regimes to which small nocturnal mammals are exposed are analysed in terms of a paradigm involving two sets of factors-illuminance preferences and factors unrelated to these preferences. It is proposed that, although both sets of factors determine illuminance exposures in the wild, only factors in the illuminance preference category determine illuminance exposures (selectivity) in captivity. The major preference of cactus mice for darkness and the lahility of their preferences are analysed in terms of this paradigm.
Spectroscopic studies of methanol decomposition on Pd[lcub]111[rcub]

Abstract The thermal decomposition of methanol on a clean Pd[lcub]111[rcub] surface has been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and thermal desorption spectrometry (TDS). In this work, we observe that the methanolic C–O bond activation on Pd[lcub]111[rcub] is a strongly coverage dependent process. At lower and higher coverages, XPS data suggest that CH3Oads is the principle product. At near monolayer coverage the methanolic C–O bond dissociates at 175 K to produce CH3,ads, which is characterized by a C 1s binding energy of 283.8 eV, and is stable up to 400 K. A stepwise dehydrogenation of CH3,ads to form CH2,ads (methylene) and CHads (methylidyne) is observed above 400 K. Surface methyl and its dehydrogenated forms are characterized both by the chemical shift of the XPS C 1s peak from 283.8 to 284.8 eV and by positive ion SIMS peaks with m e = 15, 14 and 13 . The gaseous products detected by TDS are methanol, CO, hydrogen, methane and water. This observation implies that the methanolic C–O bond cleavage is contingent upon a special molecular arrangement of precursors before reaction and that the CH3,ads product is stabilized by ancillary reaction products, such as CO.
Asthma and the immune response to MMR vaccine viruses in Somali immigrant children: a cross-sectional retrospective cohort study

According to the ‘hygiene hypothesis’, an increase in microbial exposure in childhood leads to a T-helper cell 1 (Th1) predominant immune response and protection against asthma and atopic conditions. To assess the prevalence of asthma and other atopic conditions in Somali immigrants and to determine the humoral immune response to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine viruses in Somali immigrants with asthma. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Study subjects were Somali immigrants who were born and lived in Africa during childhood and immigrated to the USA. The subjects had participated in a previous MMR vaccine study. Asthma was ascertained using predetermined asthma criteria after a thorough medical record review. An atopic condition was determined from physician-diagnosed ICD codes. Virus-specific IgG levels in response to the MMR vaccine viruses were determined using an enzyme immunoassay. Of the 62 eligible subjects, 33 (53%) were female and 29 (47%) were male; 10 (16%) had asthma and 22 (35%) had other atopic conditions. There was no difference in the rubella (p=0.150) and measles (p=0.715) virus-specific IgG levels between the subjects with and without asthma. Mumps virus-specific IgG antibody levels were lower in those with asthma than in those without asthma (mean±SE 2.08±0.28 vs. 3.06±0.14, p=0.005). Our study results may not support the hygiene hypothesis. In addition, the previously reported abnormal T-cell development in Caucasian children with atopy can be considered even in Somali immigrants.
DOWN-REGULATION OF MONOCYTE TISSUE FACTOR MEDIATED BY TISSUE FACTOR PATHWAY INHIBITOR AND THE LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN RECEPTOR-RELATED PROTEIN

Inflammatory mediators like bacterial lipopolysaccharide induce monocytes to express tissue factor (TF), the cell-surface protein that triggers the blood clotting cascade in hemostasis and thrombotic disease. The physiologic ligand for TF is the serine protease, factor VIIa (FVIIa), and the resulting bimolecular enzyme, TF/FVIIa, can be reversibly inhibited by tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI). Culturing monocytic cells in the presence of both FVIIa and TFPI caused down-regulation of TF expression via reducing its half-life. To exert this effect, FVIIa had to be competent to bind both TF and TFPI, and TFPI had to contain the C-terminal domain required for binding to other cell-surface receptors, including the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP). TF down-regulation by FVIIa plus TFPI was abrogated by the 39-kDa receptor-associated protein, which blocks binding of all known ligands to LRP. Furthermore, treatment with FVIIa plus TFPI caused monocyte TF to colocalize with alpha-adaptin, a component of clathrin-coated pits. Thus, in addition to reversibly inhibiting TF/FVIIa catalytic activity, TFPI also mediates the permanent down-regulation of cell-surface TF in monocytic cells via LRP-dependent internalization and degradation. This represents an unusual mechanism for receptor internalization, requiring ligand-dependent bridging of one cell-surface receptor (TF) to a second cell-surface receptor (LRP), the latter being capable of clathrin-mediated internalization.
Life Prediction of High Pressure Steam Turbine Rotor

The operation mode of thermal power plants has been changed from the base load to duty cycle. From the changeover, fossil power plants cannot avoid frequent thermal transient state, for example, start up and stop, which results in thermal fatigue damage at the heavy section components. The rotor is the highest capital cost component in steam turbine and requires long outage for replacing the new one. For optimized power plant operation life and inspection management of rotor is necessary. It is known as general that start-up and shutdown operation greatly affect on steam turbine life. The start-up operation condition is especially severe because of the rapid temperature and rotational speed increase, which causes damage and reduction of main components life of steam turbine. The start-up stress of rotor which is directly related life is composed of thermal and rotational stresses. The thermal stress is due to the variation of steam flow temperature and rotational stress is due to the rotation speed of itself. In this paper, the analysis method of start-up stress of rotor which considers simultaneously temperature and rotation speed transition is proposed, which includes a case study regarding 500MW fossil power plant steam turbine rotor. Also, the method of damage quantitative estimation of fatigue damage to operation condition is described. The method can be applied to find weak points to the fatigue damage. Using the method, total life consumption can be obtained, and can be also used for determining future operation mode and the life extension of old fossil power units.
Characterizing tropical forest spatio-temporal heterogeneity using the Wide Dynamic Range Vegetation Index (WDRVI)

Sustainable management of tropical forests has been identified as one of the main objectives for conservation and management of carbon stocks. Thus, managers need tools to assess whether current management practices are sustainable. Although sets of criteria and indicators have been developed to help managers, there is a need to assess these indicators from an operational perspective. We present an approach using geospatial analysis to assess a key ecoindicator: 'The change in diversity of habitats as a result of human interventions is maintained within critical limits as defined by natural variation and/or regional conservation objectives'. Applying variography to the Wide Dynamic Range Vegetation Index (WDRVI) data from Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery and comparing the changes in spatial structure before and after selective logging, we identified which managed forest areas exhibited significant differences with respect to natural reference areas.
Reliable phase stability analysis for cubic equation of state models

The reliable prediction of phase stability is a challenging computational problem in chemical process simulation, optimization and design. The phase stability problem can be formulated either as a minimization problem or as an equivalent nonlinear equation solving problem. Conventional solution methods are initialization dependent, and may fail by converging to trivial or nonphysical solutions or to a point that is a local but not global minimum. Thus there has been considerable recent interest in developing more reliable techniques for stability analysis. In this paper we demonstrate, using cubic equation of state models, a technique that can solve the phase stability problem with complete reliability. The technique, which is based on interval analysis, is initialization independent, and if properly implemented provides a mathematical guarantee that the correct solution to the phase stability problem has been found.
Selective phenylation of olefins with triphenylaluminum

Abstract The arylation of selected olefinic types of aluminum aryls was surveyed, as to feasibility and stereoselectivity, by an examination of the behavior of triphenyl-aluminum toward 1,1-diphenylethylene, 1-octene, exo -5-phenylbicyclo[2.2.1] hept-2-ene, bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene and indene, respectively, The first four substrates underwent phenyl  bond addition with a reactivity increasing in the order given; but indene suffered only metallation. The variation in olefin reactivity, the stereo- and regio-specificity, and the metallation of indene and cis -stilbene seem to best explained by means of electrphilic attack by aluminum on carbon, proceeding through a π or σ-complex.
Perceived attention allocation of listeners who transcribe the speech of speakers with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the self-perceived attention allocation of listeners as they transcribed the speech samples of speakers with mild to severe dysarthria as a result of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Listeners reported that their perceived attention allocation increased consistently as speech intelligibility for sentences decreased from 100% to 75%. In this study, self-perceptions of attention allocation peaked between 75% and 80% intelligibility. These results support the conclusion that listeners experience a considerable perceptual load as they attempt to comprehend the messages of persons whose speech has relatively high intelligibility but distorted due to dysarthria.
Go digital, go fuzzy

In many application areas of imaging sciences, object information captured in multi-dimensional images needs to be extracted, visualized, manipulated, and analyzed. These four groups of operations have been (and are being) intensively investigated, developed, and applied in a variety of applications. In this paper, after giving a brief overview of the four groups of operations, we put forth two main arguments: (1) Computers are digital, and most image acquisition and communication efforts at present are toward digital approaches. In the same vein, there are considerable advantages to taking an inherently digital approach to the above four groups of operations rather than using concepts based on continuous approximations. (2) Considering the fact that images are inherently fuzzy, to handle uncertainties and heterogeneity of object properties realistically, approaches based on fuzzy sets should be taken to the above four groups of operations. We give two examples in support of these arguments.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Die Schutzwirkung eines Leberhydrolysates (Prohepar) auf den Arsenobenzolschaden von Leber und Niere

Die vorliegende histologische Untersuchung der Organe von arsenobenzolvergifteten, unbehandelten und proheparbehandelten Tieren ergab folgendes: 1. Das verwendete Leberhydrolysat (Prohepar) wirkt bei der experimentellen Arsenobenzolvergiftung von Ratten nicht nur durch eine weitgehende Verhinderung der Leberschadigung, vielmehr verhutet es ebenso, wenn nicht noch auffalliger, die sonst sehr schweren Schadigungen an den Tubulusepithelien der Nieren. 2. Die Dosierung spielt bei dem Organschutz eine hervorragende Rolle; eine zu hohe Dosierung fuhrt ihrerseits zu Schadigungen. 3. Prohepar greift vermutlich an Zellkernen und Mitochondrien, den nucleoproteidhaltigen Zellelementen, an und entfaltet hier seine Schutzfunktionen. Andererseits ausert sich die Uberdosierung auch in Kern- und Mitochondrienschadigung.
Role of CT in the Assessment of Muscular Venous Branch Invasion in Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to determine whether the relationship between a renal cell carcinoma and the renal sinus fat on contrast-enhanced CT could predict muscular venous branch invasion and the type of surgery needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 115 consecutive patients underwent pre-operative contrast-enhanced CT between August 2011 and December 2011. Without access to histopathologic information, on nephrographic phase contrast-enhanced CT images, two radiologists independently determined whether the renal tumor was in contact with the renal sinus fat or separated from the renal sinus fat. Interreader agreements and performance characteristics of imaging tests were calculated, and histopathologic analysis served as the standard of reference. RESULTS. Histopathologic analysis identified 115 renal tumors, 90% (103/115) of which were renal cell carcinomas. Thirty-nine percent (31/80) of renal cell carcinomas that abutted the renal sinus fat on CT displayed muscular venous branch in...
A comparison of continuous flow hydride generation laser-induced fluorescence and laser-enhanced ionization spectrometry approaches for parts per trillion level measurements of arsenic, selenium and antimony

Hydride generation (HG) is a sample introduction technique that provides enhanced sensitivity for metalloids and allows chemical speciation between selected arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) anion species. The present studies have demonstrated high sensitivity for As, Se, and antimony (Sb) using continuous flow HG-laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and HG-laser enhanced ionization (LEI) spectrometric techniques. The limits of detection (LODs) are 200, 90 and 300 fg ml−1 for As, Se and Sb, respectively, using HG-LIF and 50 and 2 pg ml−1 for As and Se, respectively, using HG-LEI approaches. Measurements performed using HG combined with LIF detection in an electrothermal atomizer resulted in LODs of 3 pg ml−1 (6 pg absolute mass) and 20 pg ml−1 (40 pg) for As and Se, respectively. All of the techniques are linear in their responses to at least 10 ng ml−1 for the corresponding elements. Reliable chemical speciation of As(III/V) and Se(IV/VI) species has been obtained using the flame HG-LIF approaches. Selective determinations of Se(IV) and Se(VI) have been carried out using an on-line pre-reduction procedure, where selective HG of Se(IV) is performed in 31% HBr at room temperature, while HG of [Se(IV) + Se(VI)] is performed following pre-reduction in 31% HBr at 100°C. Selective HG of As species is accomplished by control of the solution pH, where selective HG of As(III) is performed at pH 6 and HG of [As(III) + As(V)] is performed at pH 0. The results obtained demonstrate that the HG approaches are selective and provide quantitative recoveries of the individual Se and As species at sub-ppb levels.
Preliminary crystallography confirms that the archaeal DNA-binding and tryptophan-sensing regulator TrpY is a dimer

TrpY regulates the transcription of the metabolically expensive tryptophan-biosynthetic operon in the thermophilic archaeon Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus. TrpY was crystallized using the hanging-drop method with ammonium sulfate as the precipitant. The crystals belonged to the tetragonal space group P43212 or P41212, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 87, c = 147 A, and diffracted to 2.9 A resolution. The possible packing of molecules within the cell based on the values of the Matthews coefficient (V M) and analysis of the self-rotation function are consistent with the asymmetric unit being a dimer. Determining the structure of TrpY in detail will provide insight into the mechanisms of DNA binding, tryptophan sensing and transcription regulation at high temperature by this novel archaeal protein.
Analysis of the Convectively Modified GATE Boundary Layer Using in situand Acoustic Sounder Data

Abstract A boundary-layer categorization scheme based on GATE acoustic sounder data stratifies surface data and tethered balloon data from the NOAA research ship Oceanographer. The results indicate a clear increase in the sensible heat flux across the sea surface during disturbed conditions (the gravity current and storm wake of the disturbance) but no conclusive differences of latent heat and momentum fluxes. The tethered balloon profiles show a near disappearance of the mixed layer within the gravity current and, in the storm wake, a very shallow and cool mixed layer capped by a strong stable layer relative to the undisturbed category. We calculate the vertical motion due to buoyancy-driven entrainment for a range on entrainment parameters after exploiting the categorized tethered balloon profiles to obtain mean gradients at the top of the mixed layer. Because we and others have observed that the shallow mixed-layer depth remains nearly constant with time in the storm wake, this calculated entrainment-i...
Goal-directed hemodynamic optimization in the post-cardiac arrest syndrome: A systematic review

Summary Aims The treatment recommendations from the 2005 International Consensus Conference on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science (hosted by the American Heart Association) advocate a goal-directed treatment strategy for hemodynamic optimization after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in post-cardiac arrest care. We performed a systematic review to (1) examine the available evidence for goal-directed hemodynamic support in the post-cardiac arrest syndrome, (2) determine the effect of such a treatment strategy on survival, and (3) define the specific hemodynamic goals, if any, that have been tested in clinical trials of post-cardiac arrest patients. Methods We conducted a systematic review of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, CINAHL, conference proceedings, clinical practice guidelines, and other sources using a comprehensive strategy to identify randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies of goal-directed hemodynamic optimization in patients with ROSC after cardiac arrest. Results The comprehensive search yielded a total of 1184 potential publications and after a relevance screen, five studies were eligible for full article review. None of the studies were eligible for inclusion in the final analysis. Conclusions To date, no clinical trials have examined hemodynamic optimization in post-cardiac arrest patients. Although clinical acumen may support the concept that hemodynamic derangements after ROSC should be normalized, there is currently no evidence available to indicate the best strategy for goal-directed hemodynamic support. The current study indicates the need for future clinical investigations designed to determine both the efficacy of hemodynamic optimization in post-cardiac arrest patients and the best endpoints to target as part of a goal-directed strategy.
Ultrafast energy transfer from rigid, branched side-chains into a conjugated, alternating copolymer

We present the synthesis and characterization of a benzodithiophene/thiophene alternating copolymer decorated with rigid, singly branched pendant side chains. We characterize exciton migration and recombination dynamics in these molecules in tetrahydrofuran solution, using a combination of static and time-resolved spectroscopies. As control experiments, we also measure electronic relaxation dynamics in isolated molecular analogues of both the side chain and polymer moieties. We employ semi-empirical and time-dependent density functional theory calculations to show that photoexcitation of the decorated copolymer using 395 nm laser pulses results in excited states primarily localized on the pendant side chains. We use ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy to show that excitations are transferred to the polymer backbone faster than the instrumental response function, ∼250 fs.
A Warp in the Large Magellanic Cloud Disk

We present a study of the shape of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) disk. We use the brightnesses of core helium burning red clump stars identified in V-I, I color-magnitude diagrams of 50 randomly selected LMC fields observed with the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory 0.9 m telescope to measure relative distances to the fields. Random photometric errors and errors in the calibration are controlled to 1%. Following correction for reddening measured through the color of the red clump, we solve for the inclination and position angle of the line of nodes of the tilted plane of the LMC, finding i = 358 ± 24 and θ = 145° ± 4°. Our solution requires that we exclude 15 fields in the southwest of the LMC that have red clump magnitudes ~0.1 mag brighter than the fitted plane. On the basis of these fields, we argue that the LMC disk is warped and twisted, containing features that extend up to 2.5 kpc out of the plane. We argue that alternative ways of producing red clump stars brighter than expected, such as variations in age and metallicity of the stars, are unlikely to explain our observations.
Descending-stair detection, approach, and traversal with an autonomous tracked vehicle

This paper presents a strategy for descending-stair detection, approach, and traversal using inertial sensing and a monocular camera mounted on an autonomous tracked vehicle. At the core of our algorithm are vision modules that exploit texture energy, optical flow, and scene geometry (lines) in order to robustly detect descending stairwells during both far- and near-approaches. As the robot navigates down the stairs, it estimates its three-degrees-of-freedom (d.o.f.) attitude by fusing rotational velocity measurements from an on-board tri-axial gyroscope with line observations of the stair edges detected by its camera. We employ a centering controller, derived based on a linearized dynamical model of our system, in order to steer the robot along safe trajectories. A real-time implementation of the described algorithm was developed for an iRobot Packbot, and results from real-world experiments are presented.
Combination of vascular targeting PDT with combretastatin A4 phosphate

Tumor vasculature is an attractive target for cancer therapy due to its accessibility to blood-borne therapeutic agents and the dependence of tumor cells on a functional blood supply for survival and growth. Vascular targeting photodynamic therapy (vPDT) is a novel modality based on the selective laser light activation of photosensitizers localized inside tumor vasculature to shutdown tumor vascular function. Although this vascular targeting therapy is showing great promise for cancer treatment, tumor recurrence has been observed in both preclinical and clinical studies. In this study, we intend to enhance the therapeutic outcome of vascular targeting PDT by combining it with combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P), a blood flow inhibitor. We found that the combination of CA4P and vPDT significantly increased endothelial cell apoptosis than each single therapy. Western blot analysis suggests that myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is a common target of CA4P and vPDT. In a PC-3 prostate tumor model, we found that CA4P was able to greatly enhance tumor response to vPDT. These results demonstrate that CA4P and vPDT can be combined to enhance the therapeutic effect.
Disorders of Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism in Horses

Calcium and phosphate have structural and nonstructural functions, and their concentrations in the extracellular compartment are affected by the physiologic status of the animal as well as diseases. Important progress in understanding calcium and phosphorus metabolism in healthy and diseased horses and foals has been made in recent years. For example, several studies have confirmed that hypocalcemia is frequent in horses with gastrointestinal disease and that calcium endocrine dysregulation is associated with survival in foals. One critical point in the homeostasis of these minerals is their interaction and interdependence with other ions, including potassium and magnesium. In this review, the author provides a clinical overview on disorders of calcium and phosphate in the horse.
Engineering and Tuning of Oxygen Reactivity in Heme Protein Maquettes

There is a dearth of quantitative data related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, particularly superoxide, from protein systems. Understanding of ROS chemistry in proteins is necessary for avoiding damaging oxidative reactions involved in biological processes including aging and ischemic injury. These reactions are also necessary to control in order to develop robust artificial enzymes and photosystems for alternative energy production.Here we show multi-faceted control over the oxygen reactivity of ferrous heme containing designed protein maquettes. We demonstrate control over superoxide production through both inner and outer sphere electron transfer (ET) mechanisms. Inner sphere ET occurs through oxygen binding and both oxygen on and off rates effect detectible superoxide production rates and total yields. On rates are controlled via helical strain and core packing while off rates are controlled via water accessibility to the heme. The faster the on rate, the less superoxide produced due to more complete formation of the oxyferrous state. Stable oxyferrous states with half times on the order of seconds produce superoxide below the level of detection and biological relevancy. When the oxyferrous state cannot be formed due to lack of helical strain, outer sphere ET occurs at rapid rates on the order of NADPH oxidases. Faster rates of ET are observed for more solvent-exposed hemes. In all cases when the superoxide production rate is faster, we observe lower total yields. This effect is due to increased dismutation or peroxide when there are higher local concentrations of superoxide. The engineering principles we learned for superoxide control could be used to understand natural ROS processes as well as develop durable artificial ET protein systems.
Meconium Periorchitis A—Cause of Scrotal Mass in the Newborn

causes meconium peritonitis (MP).' Some bowel perforations heal without obvious sequelae and the baby appears well at birth.2 Migration of intraperitoneal meconium through a patent processus vaginalis results in a scrotal mass. Calcifications may occur either prenatally or postnatally within the mass, heightening suspicions of a testicular neoplasm. Radiologic evaluation including plain films of the abdomen and scrotum and ultrasound of the scrotum may be helpful in making the diagnosis of MPO. The natural history ofMPO is one of spontaneous resolution including reabsorption of the calcifications.3-5 MPO has never been described in a pediatric journal. Recognition of this benign entity could prevent unnec-
Oxidant stress in primary nephrotic syndrome: does it modulate the response to corticosteroids?

In order to assess the oxidative stress in newly diagnosed children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS), we serially measured serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in 33 children with PNS and ten healthy matched controls. Patients were classified into two groups: those who had steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS; n = 26) and those who had steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS; n = 7). Of the patients with SSNS, 15 were non-relapsers and 11 were relapsers. At the proteinuric phase, all patients had significantly higher MDA levels and lower TAC than the controls. These changes were more marked in patients with SRNS than in those with SSNS. During remission and still on corticosteroids, patients had higher TAC and similar MDA levels as in the proteinuric phase, but the TAC and MDA levels still significantly differed from those of the controls. More improvement in TAC and MDA levels occurred in patients following the weaning of corticosteroids, but TAC was still lower in the patients than in the controls. Moreover, TAC was higher in non-relapsers than in relapsers. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, the initial response to corticosteroids could be predicted at serum TAC level ≥0.73 mM/L (sensitivity 89%, specificity 86%), while serum TAC levels ≤ 1.14 mM/L after the weaning of corticosteroids could predict that the patient would not relapse (sensitivity 91%, specificity 80%). In conclusion, based on our results, PNS can be considered to be associated with oxidative stress even during remission. This stress may modulate the response to corticosteroids. Further prospective studies using larger numbers of patients are needed to validate these results.
Solvation dynamics and electric field relaxation in an imidazolium-PF6 ionic liquid: from room temperature to the glass transition.

Time-resolved phosphorescence spectra and anisotropy of quinoxaline were measured in an ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM-HFP), in its supercooled state near the glass-transition temperature. The solvation dynamics results are compared with the rotational motion of the probe and with the dielectric behavior of the neat ionic liquid. The dynamics in the viscous state are highly dispersive and show a super-Arrhenius temperature dependence, as typical for glass-forming materials. Combined with room-temperature results, solvation dynamics is observed to follow the structural relaxation times in terms of η/T for more than 10 decades, from subnanoseconds at room temperature to seconds near the glass-transition temperature Tg. The dielectric modulus relaxation follows this trend only for temperatures T > 1.2Tg and departs significantly from η/T in the 1.1Tg > T > Tg range. This deviation is reminiscent of the enhanced translational diffusion or fractional Stokes−Einstein behavio...
Direct measurement of the Mn(II) hydration state in metal complexes and metalloproteins through 17O NMR line widths.

Here we describe a simple method to estimate the inner-sphere hydration state of the Mn(II) ion in coordination complexes and metalloproteins. The line width of bulk H217O is measured in the presence and absence of Mn(II) as a function of temperature, and transverse 17O relaxivities are calculated. It is demonstrated that the maximum 17O relaxivity is directly proportional to the number of inner-sphere water ligands (q). Using a combination of literature data and experimental data for 12 Mn(II) complexes, we show that this method provides accurate estimates of q with an uncertainty of ±0.2 water molecules. The method can be implemented on commercial NMR spectrometers working at fields of 7 T and higher. The hydration number can be obtained for micromolar Mn(II) concentrations. We show that the technique can be extended to metalloproteins or complex:protein interactions. For example, Mn(II) binds to the multimetal binding site A on human serum albumin with two inner-sphere water ligands that undergo rapid ...
Prediction of short-term natural gas prices using econometric and neural network models

During the last decade, the natural gas industry underwent a thorough deregulation process after being subjected to federal oversight for more than 40 years. Federal deregulation provided the basis for a new market, which is now more than ever before being driven by competition in the production, transportation and distribution sectors. Now, lack of price transparency causes high fluctuations in the spot market, which exposes market participants to a considerable price risk. Two strategies are necessary for successful price risk management: fundamental analysis, which attempts to understand the market principles and interactions; and quantitative analysis, which develops models to predict price developments using the fundamental analysis as a basis. A need for short-term solutions is now obvious. Therefore, this work, on the one hand, gives a comprehensive description of the current state and market operations of the natural gas industry. On the other hand, the understanding of the natural gas industry obtained in the fundamental analysis provided the background for the development of two models for day-to-day price prediction. An econometric and a neural network model were chosen as the best solutions. For practical application purposes, the prediction performance of the models was tested in a simulated trading scenario and compared to a best and worst case scenario. We found that both models created profits during the time of the test. The neural network model showed better results than the econometric model. Also, in comparison to a scenario with perfect prediction quality and a "guessing" scenario, the results were very pleasing. These models can provide a valuable, supportive tool for trading in a speculative environment.
Root genetic research, an opportunity and challenge to rice improvement

Abstract Rice is one of the most important cereal crops, feeding more than 50% population of the world. To meet the demand of increasing population, rice production has to be improved continually. As a very important part of rice plant, root system plays multiple roles in rice growth: anchorage of the plant, acquisition of water and nutrient elements, and biosynthesis of amino acids and hormones, etc. Almost all of the hot spots about rice research are associated with rice root: drought tolerance, lodging resistance, and efficient use of nutrition, the goal is to increase the grain yield with desirable seed quality. Although the understanding about rice root has been expanded in the last decades, there remain much to be done about root morphology and physiology, especially in root genetics. Rice root research is an exciting and focusing field in recent years. More and more researches on rice root genetics have been made. There is a close relation between above ground traits and underground roots, providing an alternative approach for rice genetic improvement. A number of genes associated with root architecture and physiological functions have been identified, or cloned. It provides an opportunity to further improve rice based on molecular assisted selection. Root traits improvement should be taken into account in future breeding programs in rice. However, root research is still a consuming and difficult work, because it was largely influenced by the complex underground environment. This paper reviewed the progress in rice root genetic research, and discussed its prospects.
A Practical Model for Preventing Type 2 Diabetes in Minority Youth

PURPOSEThis article proposes a model grounded in behavioral theory and empirical evidence for use when developing a program to prevent type 2 diabetes in highrisk minority youth.METHODSThe model is based on key concepts of 4 behavioral theories: the Health Belief Model, Social Learning Theory, the Theory of Planned Behavior, and the Ecological Model. Determinants of behavior to target for change are selected based on their theoretical link to behavior change, their success in changing behavior in past programs, and through thorough formative research in the target community.RESULTSDiabetes prevention in children requires modifying a complex set of behavior patterns. Social norms and the environment are especially important in children in whom cognitive processes have not fully developed. Family and community involvement is essential for developing a health program and providing a supportive environment in which to change behavior and ongoing reinforcement to maintain behavior changes.CONCLUSIONSBehavioral...
Why Use Internet Banking? An Irrational Imitation Model

Technology adoptions are not always rational. Adoption herding, the adoption that occurs because many others have made the adoption, often occurs due to various reasons (Li, 2004). Traditional rational choice theories cannot accommodate herding and other irrational behaviours associated with technology adoption. Based on imitation theory, this study proposes a model to examine irrational imitation factors underlying the adoption of internet banking (IB). Three imitation factors (frequency-based, outcome-based and trait-based) are incorporated into the model which is tested using survey data from 173 IB users. The results reveal that outcome-based and frequency-based imitations are significant determinants of IB adoption. This study pioneers an analysis of irrational imitations for technology acceptance, in particular the IB adoption, and provides valuable insights for bank managers. The findings suggest that IB adoption is subject to frequency-based and outcome-based imitation.
Sonography in evaluation of carcinoma of bladder

Transabdominal ultrasonography of the bladder was performed in 25 examinations on 20 patients being treated for bladder carcinoma. The presence or absence of tumor was accurately gauged in all 20 patients. As compared to cystoscopy, tumor staging was less accurate. Eleven of 15 patients with tumor present were accurately staged. Edema, intravesicular clot, and tumor calcification caused overstaging of tumors. Poor bladder distensibility limited examinations. Three patients were followed up with serial examinations, and sonography accurately determined the response to therapy.
Are You Satisfied? PhD Education and Faculty Taste for Prestige: Limits of the Prestige Value System.

This paper empirically evaluates Caplow and McGee’s (The academic marketplace, 1958) model of academia as a prestige value system (PVS) by testing several hypotheses about the relationship between prestige of faculty appointment and job satisfaction. Using logistic regression models to predict satisfaction with several job domains in a sample of more than 1,000 recent social science PhD graduates who hold tenure-track or tenured faculty positions, we find that the relationship between prestige of faculty appointment and job satisfaction is modified by PhD program prestige. Graduates of high prestige PhD programs value prestige more highly and graduates of low prestige programs value salary more highly. We explain our findings by incorporating reference group theory and a theory of taste formation into our model of the academic PVS, which identifies PhD programs as sites of socialization to different tastes for prestige (a process of cultural transmission) in addition to their well recognized role in transmission of human and social capital. We discuss practical and theoretical implications of our findings in relation to efforts to measure PhD program quality and to understand the structure of academic labor markets.