cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional diversification between two related Plasmodium falciparum merozoite invasion ligands is determined by changes in the cytoplasmic domain

The pathogenesis of Plasmodium falciparum depends on efficient invasion into host erythrocytes. Parasite ligands encoded by multi-gene families interact with erythrocyte receptors. P. falciparum reticulocyte binding protein homologues (PfRhs) are expressed at the apical surface of invasive merozoites and have divergent ectodomains that are postulated to bind different erythrocyte receptors. Variant expression of these paralogues results in the use of alternative invasion pathways. Two PfRh proteins, PfRh2a and PfRh2b, are identical for 2700 N-terminal amino acids and differ only in a C-terminal 500 amino acid region, which includes a unique ectodomain, transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic domain. Despite their similarity, PfRh2b is required for a well-defined invasion pathway while PfRh2a is not required or sufficient for this pathway. Mapping the genomic region encoding these proteins revealed a recombinogenic locus with PfRh2a and PfRh2b in a head-to-head orientation. We have generated viable PfRh2a/2b chimeric parasites to identify the regions required for alternative invasion pathway utilization. We find that the differential ability to use these pathways is conferred by the cytoplasmic domains of PfRh2a and PfRh2b, not the ectodomain or transmembrane regions. Our results highlight the importance of the cytoplasmic domain for functional diversification of a major adhesive ligand family in malaria parasites.
The Effect of Nicotine on Reproduction and Attachment of Human Gingival Fibroblasts In Vitro

The ability of fibroblasts to reproduce and attach to teeth is of paramount importance in re-establishing the lost connective tissue attachment after periodontal therapy. This study examined the effect of nicotine, a major component of the particulate phase of tobacco smoke, on human gingival fibroblast (HGF) reproduction and attachment to tissue culture surfaces. Pooled HGF cultures made from explants of gingival biopsies were utilized between passages 5 and 10 and plated in 96-well plates at 1.0 x 10(4) cells per well. Cell numbers were determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), which is a reflection of mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity. The concentrations of nicotine used were 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 microM, the average serum concentration for a smoker being approximately 0.1 microM. The effect of continuous nicotine exposure on HGF reproduction was determined by incubating cell cultures and media containing nicotine for up to 48 hours. Residual toxicity was determined by preincubating cells with nicotine for 1 or 6 hours. HGF suspensions and increasing concentrations of nicotine were added together to determine the effect on attachment. Results showed an enhanced effect of nicotine on HGF attachment, with increasing numbers of cells attaching with increasing nicotine concentrations, compared to the control. Low concentrations of nicotine had a stimulatory effect on cell replication, while higher concentrations of nicotine appear to have no significant effect on HGF reproduction. The responses of cells to some concentrations of nicotine may persist after its removal.
Rosa's roses: Reduced vowels in American English

Beginning phonetics students are taught that American English has two contrasting reduced vowels, transcribed as [ə] and [ī], illustrated by the unstressed vowels in the minimal pair Rosa’s versus roses. However, little seems to be known about the precise nature or distribution of these vowels. This study explores these questions through acoustic analysis of reduced vowels in the speech of 12 American English speakers. The results show that there is a fundamental distinction between the mid central [ə] vowel that can occur in unstressed word‐final position (e.g., in Rosa), and high reduced vowels that occur in most other unstressed positions, and might be transcribed as [ī]. The contrast between pairs like Rosa’s and roses derives from this difference because the word‐final [ə] is preserved when an inflectional suffix is added, so the schwa of Rosa’s is similar to the final vowel of Rosa, whereas the unstressed vowel of roses is the high [ī] reduced vowel quality found elsewhere. So the standard transcription of the reduced vowel contrast is justified, but the widespread use of [ə] to transcribe word‐internal reduced vowels is misleading—mid reduced vowels are generally only found in stem‐final position.
Defending local business roots: The case of the Norwegian Book Clubs

This exploratory case study examines the challenges faced by the Norwegian Book Clubs, a well-established company in a small country's book distribution sector, and the company's strategic responses to the challenge of industry deregulation and related threat of foreign competition. The theoretical argument of the study is shaped by the “liability of foreignness” hypothesis (Hymer, 1976) but takes the perspective of the indigenous market player. This theoretical lens is supplemented with insights on entry deterrent strategies from industrial organization (Bain, 1956). Case findings suggest industry incumbents can reinforce their “local player advantage” through simultaneously strengthening their organizational capabilities, increasing their positional advantages in the domestic market, and enhancing their local embeddedness. The authors further find that market characteristics and government regulations significantly affect the relationship between company strategic responses and the local player's advantage. Implications for theory, managerial practice, and public policy are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermal analysis study of the effect of molecular weight on constrained amorphous phase in poly(phenylene sulfide)

We report a thermal analysis study of the effect of molecular weight on the amorphous phase structure of poly(phenylene sulfide), PPS, crystallized at temperatures just above the glass transition temperature. Thermal properties of Fortron PPS, having viscosity average molecular weights of 30000 to 91000, were characterized using temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). We find that while crystallinity varies little with molecular weight, the heat capacity increment at the glass transition decreases as molecular weight decreases. This leads to a smaller liquid-like amorphous phase, and a larger rigid amorphous fraction, in the lower molecular weight PPS. For all molecular weights, constrained fraction decreases as the scan rate decreases.
An analysis and synthesis of the classical Fujiwara methods for the root-separation problems

The problems of counting the numbers of zeros of a polynomialf(x) in a given half plane and inside the unit circle are two classical problems of mathematics and are known, respectively, as the Routh-Hurwitz and the Schur-Cohn problems. These problems are associated with the study of stability of a single nth-order differential and the associated difference equation [6]. A classical method of Fujiwara [7] for solutions of these problems goes as follows: First construct the Bezoutian matrix associated with f(x) and a suitably chosen polynomial g(x), and then. from this Bezoutian matrix construct a symmetric matrix, known as the Fujiwara matrix such that whenever this matrix is nonsingular, its numbers of positive and negative eigenvalues give information on the location of zeros of f(x) in the region under consideration. For the Routh-Hurwitz problem, g(x) is chosen to be g(x) = J-(-x), and for the Schur-Cohn problem g(x) = @(x) = x”f( l/x). If B,, and B,, are the Bezoutian matrices for the Routh-Hurwitz and the Schur-Cohn problems, respectively, then the corresponding Fujiwara matrices are given
Of Darwin, Jesus, and the Tragedy of the Commons: Is there Justice in Evolution?

Now I a fourfold vision see,And a fourfold vision is given to me;‘Tis fourfold in my supreme delightAnd threefold in soft Beulah’s nightAnd twofold Always, May God us keepFrom Single vision & Newto...
WHOLE LANGUAGE: IT'S A MATTER OF A WRONG ASSUMPTION

The merits of whole‐language instruction practices cannot be discussed properly unless the assumption about instruction on which they are based is examined in a critical way. Whether certain principles of literacy instruction that are said to verify whole‐language practices actually do so can be validated satisfactorily only if whole language's fundamental assumption about instruction is correct. In his defense of whole‐language practices, Dudley‐Marling (1995) noted that the leaders of the whole‐language approach have adopted certain principles of instruction that they claim confirm their fundamental assumption about children's acquisition of literacy. When this assumption is analyzed, however, it is shown to be faulty. It is irrelevant to point out principles of instruction that underlie the fundamental assumption of whole language when the assumption itself is incorrect.
Measurement of growth hormone synthesis by rat pituitary cells in culture.

A direct immunoprecipitation assay for newly synthesized, radioactive rat growth hormone (GH) has been developed. Anti—GH plasma prepared in a baboon was employed to precipitate GH from the cytoplasm or growth medium of rat pituitary tumor cells (GH3) exposed to 14C–amino acids in suspension culture. The identity of the precipitated radioactive material as GH was confirmed by acrylamide gel electrophoresis of the precipitate in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, by interference with the immune precipitation of radioactivity by authentic GH, and by double immunodiffusion. The specificity of the assay for GH was demonstrated by gel electrophoresis of the precipitated material, and by the observation that normal baboon plasma precipitated only 5–15% as much radioactivity from labeled cytoplasm as did immune plasma. A 2% cross reaction of the anti–GH plasma with rat prolactin was observed. The precipitation of radioactive GH by the immune plasma was estimated to be 97% complete. Over a 10–fold range of c...
Test Anxiety, Computer-Adaptive Testing and the Common Core.

This paper highlights the current findings and issues regarding the role of computer-adaptive testing in test anxiety. The computer-adaptive test (CAT) proposed by one of the Common Core consortia brings these issues to the forefront. Research has long indicated that test anxiety impairs student performance. More recent research indicates that taking a test in a CAT format can affect the ability estimates of students with test anxiety. Inaccurate measures of ability are disconcerting because of the threat they pose to the validity of test score interpretation. This paper raises concerns regarding how the implementation of a computer-adaptive test for a large-scale common core assessment system could differentially affect students with test anxiety. Issues of fairness and score comparability are raised, and the implications of these issues are discussed.
MicroRNAs in esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. More than 90% of ECs are either esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) or adenocarcinomas (EAC). These two histological subtypes share certain risk factors and pathogenic pathways, but mostly have distinct etiology and pathogenesis. The development of EAC generally follows the metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence and Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a precursor of EAC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that bind to the 3′ untranslated region of target mRNA and post-transcriptionally regulates gene expression. Several miRNA profiling and candidate miRNA studies have identified changes in miRNA expression that take place during the pathogenesis and progression of EC. MiR-21 is up-regulated in both ESCC and EAC, whereas a number of other miRNAs are distinctly dysregulated in ESCC or EAC. MiRNA expression profiles can distinguish between BE and EAC. The miR-106b-25 polycistron is up-regulated progressively at successive stages of BE and EAC. MiR-196a is up-regulated in high-grade dysplasia and EAC, and is a potential biomarker of progression from BE to EAC. A few mRNA targets of select miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-196a, miR-10b, miR-145, miR-133a, miR-133b, and miR-106b-25, have been identified and validated in EC. Several studies have shown the prognostic values of selected miRNAs. Finally, germline genetic variations affecting the binding of miRNA and mRNA have been found to be associated with the risk of EC. A better understanding of the miRNA expression in EC may provide new avenues for the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of this deadly disease.
Retrograde Ethanol Infusion in the Vein of Marshall Regional Left Atrial Ablation, Vagal Denervation, and Feasibility in Humans

Background— The vein of Marshall (VOM) is an attractive target during ablation of atrial fibrillation because of its autonomic innervation, its location anterior to the left pulmonary veins, and its drainage in the coronary sinus. Methods and Results— We studied 17 dogs. A coronary sinus venogram showed a VOM in 13, which was successfully cannulated with an angioplasty wire and balloon. In 5 dogs, electroanatomical maps of the left atrium were performed at baseline and after ethanol infusion in the VOM, which demonstrated a new crescent-shaped scar, extending from the annular left atrium toward the posterior wall and left pulmonary veins. In 4 other dogs, effective refractory periods (ERP) were measured at 3 sites in the left atrium, before and after high-frequency bilateral vagal stimulation. The ERP decreased from 113.6±35.0 to 82.2±25.4 ms ( P <0.05) after vagal stimulation. After VOM ethanol infusion, vagally-mediated ERP decrease was eliminated (from 108.6±24.1 to 96.4±16.9 ms, P =NS). The abolition of vagal effects was limited to sites near the VOM (ERP, 104±14 versus 98.6±12.2 ms postvagal stimulation; P =NS), as opposed to sites remote to VOM (ERP, 107.2±14.9 versus 78.6±14.7 ms postvagal stimulation; P <0.05). To test feasibility in humans, 6 patients undergoing pulmonary vein antral isolation had successful VOM cannulation and ethanol infusion; left atrial voltage maps demonstrated new scar involving the inferoposterior left atrial wall extending toward the left pulmonary veins. Conclusions— Ethanol infusion in the VOM achieves significant left atrial tissue ablation, abolishes local vagal responses, and is feasible in humans. Received August 29, 2008; accepted November 24, 2008.
Responses of small- and large-field bipolar cells to GABA and glycine.

Morphologically distinct subtypes of retinal bipolar cells transmit information along parallel pathways to convey different aspects of the visual scene, but the synaptic mechanisms that regulate signal transmission are largely unknown. The all-rod retina of skate provides a comparatively simple system in which to correlate bipolar cell morphology with responses to the inhibitory neurotransmitters GABA and glycine. Two subtypes of bipolar cells can be identified when isolated in culture: large-field bipolar cells with extensive dendritic arbors, and small-field bipolar cells with one or two dendritic branches. Under voltage-clamp, glycine elicited significant current responses from small-field cells, but not from large-field bipolar cells. Although all bipolar cells displayed GABA-activated chloride currents mediated by both GABAA and GABAC receptors, the small-field bipolar cells showed a significantly greater contribution from GABAA receptors. The results of the present study reveal for the first time that the relative expression of the two classes of GABA receptor on each bipolar cell type correlates with cell morphology and the presence of the glycine receptor.
Human Biotinidase Isn’t Just for Recycling Biotin

For years, the major role of biotin has been as the coenzyme for four carboxylases in humans. Although there has been evidence that biotin might have other functions, none has been firmly established. The discovery that human serum biotinidase has biotinyl-transferase activity, in addition to biotinidase hydrolase activity, presents new possibilities for the role of biotinidase in biotin metabolism. Specific transfer of biotin to histones by biotinidase provides a possible explanation for why biotin is found in the nucleus and the nature of its role in the regulation of protein transcription. Future studies will help to determine the functions of biotinidase in biotin metabolism and in disease states.
The Poggendorff Illusion: An Illusion of Linear Extent?:

In the standard version of the Poggendorff figure a transversal intersects two parallel verticals and the segment of the transversal between the two intersection points, A and B, is not shown. The two portions of the transversal outside the parallels then seem to be misaligned. Besides this illusion of direction, there is also an illusion of size, the distance AB being underestimated in the standard figure. The influence of configural components in determining this spatial distortion of the Poggendorff figure was examined by having subjects reproduce the inner oblique (at 45°) extent AB in variations of the figure. This distance was found to be underestimated in Poggendorff variations which contained parallel (vertical) components that formed an acute angle with AB; and the underestimation increased as the number of these components present in the figure increased. The distance AB was found not to be significantly distorted in figures which contained only those parallel (vertical) components that formed a...
Biotechnology and the Political Ecology of Information in India

The move of crop biotechnology into the south raises issues about effects on cultural agricultural practices. The case of recently introduced genetically modified cotton in India is used to explore how crop biotechnology can affect change in processes underlying local practice. The particular focus is agricultural skilling—acquiring information and adopting management practices derived from that information—based on both environmental learning and cultural transmission. Impediments to skilling include inconsistency, unrecognizability, and overly rapid technological change; these processes may lead to agricultural deskilling, which has similarities to and differences from industrial deskilling. India’s first genetically engineered crop, Bt cotton, has recently been released into an unsustainable situation plagued by deskilling, yet biotechnology has brought new disruptions of information flows and thus of the skilling process. The India case shows how susceptible to political manipulation the cultural agricultural practices become when skilling is disrupted.
Numerical Modeling of Fluid-Induced Rotordynamic Forces in Seals With Large Aspect Ratios

Traditional annular seal models are based on bulk flow theory. While these methods are computationally efficient and can predict dynamic properties fairly well for short seals, they lack accuracy in cases of seals with complex geometry or with large aspect ratios (above 1.0). In this paper, the linearized rotordynamic coefficients for a seal with a large aspect ratio are calculated by means of a three-dimensional CFD analysis performed to predict the fluid-induced forces acting on the rotor. For comparison, the dynamic coefficients were also calculated using two other codes: one developed on the bulk flow method and one based on finite difference method. These two sets of dynamic coefficients were compared with those obtained from CFD. Results show a reasonable correlation for the direct stiffness estimates, with largest value predicted by CFD. In terms of cross-coupled stiffness, which is known to be directly related to cross-coupled forces that contribute to rotor instability, the CFD also predicts the highest value; however, a much larger discrepancy can be observed for this term (73% higher than the value predicted by the finite difference method and 79% higher than the bulk flow code prediction). One can see similar large differences in predictions in the estimates for damping and direct mass coefficients, where the highest values are predicted by the bulk flow method. These large variations in damping and mass coefficients, and most importantly the large difference in the cross-coupled stiffness predictions, may be attributed to the large difference in seal geometry (i.e., the large aspect ratio AR >1.0 of this seal model versus the short seal configuration the bulk flow code is usually calibrated for using an empirical friction factor). [DOI: 10.1115/1.4007341]
Isoflurane Posttreatment Reduces Neonatal Hypoxic–Ischemic Brain Injury in Rats by the Sphingosine-1-Phosphate/Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase/Akt Pathway

Background and Purpose— Isoflurane, administered before or during cerebral ischemia, has been shown to exhibit neuroprotection in animal models of ischemic stroke. However, the underlying mechanism...
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Soil Nitrate and Corn Yield: Multifractal Analysis

High levels of residual soil NO 3 -N can contaminate ground water by leaching through the soil. Our objective was to reduce the level and spatial variability of residual soil NO 3 -N while maintaining optimum corn (Zea mays L.) production by variable rate N fertilizer application. The experiment was located on a 60-ha sprinkler-irrigated corn field in central Nebraska and included four N management practices: uniform rate, variable rate (VRAT), variable rate at 75% of recommended amount (VRAT @ 75%), and variable rate plus 10% (VRAT + 10%). VRAT @ 75% decreased the amount of residual NO 3 -N in the soil while maintaining similar grain yield to the other treatments, indicating over-application of N with treatments receiving the recommended rate. Increasing the recommended rate by 10% (VRAT + 10%) did not increase corn yield or residual soil NO 3 -N. Based on multifractal spectrum, no consistent pattern of spatial variability of soil NO 3 -N was observed for each treatment across years. Spatial variability in corn grain yield was much lower than that for soil NO 3 -N, indicating noneffectiveness of using soil NO 3 -N spatial distribution for variable rate N application unless some areas in the field are severely N deficient. Variable rate N application did not reduce variability of residual soil NO 3 -N or corn grain yield as compared with uniform N. Multifractal analysis quantitatively characterized the extent and pattern of spatial and temporal variability in corn grain yield and residual soil nitrate.
(Z)-2-(1-Benzyl-5-nitro-1H-indol-3-ylmethylene)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3-one.

In the title compound, C23H21N3O3, the indole ring is planar and the phenyl ring of the benzyl group makes a dihedral angle with the best plane of the indole ring of 73.77 (4)°. The double bond connecting the aza­bicyclic and indole moieties has Z geometry.
Reserve-Constrained Multiarea Environmental/Economic Dispatch Using Enhanced Particle Swarm Optimization

Multiarea economic dispatch (MAED) is developed from the basic economic dispatch (ED) problem, which considers the optimal power dispatch of multiple areas in terms of operational costs. In this study, the concept of MAED is further extended into multiarea environmental/economic dispatch (MAEED) by taking into account the environmental issue. The objective of MAEED is to dispatch the power among different areas by simultaneously minimizing the operational costs and pollutant emissions. In this paper, the MAEED problem is first formulated and then an enhanced multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is developed to derive its Pareto-optimal solutions. The tie-line transfer limits are considered as a set of constraints during the optimization process to ensure the system security. Furthermore, the area spinning reserve requirements are incorporated in order to increase the system reliability. The reserve sharing scheme is applied to ensure that each area is capable of satisfying the reserve demand. Simulations based on a four-area test power system are carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed optimization procedure as well as the impacts caused by the different problem formulations.
Spallation Neutron Source ring status, challenges, issues, and perspectives

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) ring is designed to accumulate beam pulses of 1.5 /spl times/ 10/sup 14/ protons of 1 GeV kinetic energy at a repetition rate of 60 Hz. At such beam intensity and power, key design challenges include control of beam loss and radio-activation, construction of high-quality large-aperture magnets and power supplies, design of robust injection and extraction systems, minimization of beam-coupling impedances, and mitigation of electron-cloud effects. This paper discusses the status of the ring systems with emphasis on technical challenges and issues, and presents future perspectives towards a next-generation high-intensity facility.
Optimization of inductor circuits via geometric programming

We present an efficient method for optimal design and synthesis of CMOS inductors for use in RF circuits. This method uses the the physical dimensions of the inductor as the design parameters and handles a variety of specifications including fixed value of inductance, minimum self-resonant frequency, minimum quality factor, etc. Geometric constraints that can be handled include maximum and minimum values for every design parameter and a limit on total area. Our method is based on formulating the design problem as a special type of optimization problem called geometric programming, for which powerful efficient interior-point methods have recently been developed. This allows us to solve the inductor synthesis problem globally and extremely efficiently. Also, we can rapidly compute globally optimal trade-off curves between competing objectives such as quality factor and total inductor area. We have fabricated a number of inductors designed by the method, and found good agreement between the experimental data and the specifications predicted by our method.
A CCD Camera‐based Hyperspectral Imaging System for Stationary and Airborne Applications

Abstract This paper describes a CCD (charge coupled device) camera‐based hyperspectral imaging system designed for both stationary and airborne remote sensing applications. The system consists of a high performance digital CCD camera, an imaging spectrograph, an optional focal plane scanner, and a PC computer equipped with a frame grabbing board and camera utility software. The CCD camera provides 1280(h) × 1024(v) pixel resolution and true 12‐bit dynamic range. The imaging spectrograph is attached to the camera via an adapter to disperse radiation into a range of spectral bands. The effective spectral range resulting from this integration is from 457.2 nm to 921.7 nm. The optional focal plane scanner can be attached to the front of the spectrograph via another adapter for stationary image acquisition. The camera and the frame grabbing board are connected via a double coaxial cable, and the utility software allows for complete camera control and image acquisition. The imaging system captures one line imag...
Role of materials evolution in VLSI plastic packages in improving reflow soldering performance

Cracking of surface mounted plastic packages worsens with increasing die sizes and thinner packages, both are recent trends in packaging. The precursor to failure, delamination at a leadframe to polymer interface, suggests that improvements in mold compounds, die attach adhesives and leadframe surface finishes are key elements in a solution. Identifying which specific materials properties must be improved and to what degree is a major task, followed by working with vendors to supply improved materials. In this study, the strategy is to improve all weak interfaces in parallel, rather than simply strengthen the weakest link. An excellent measurement method capable of detecting small improvements in the measured reflow soldering performance of a test package (148 PQFP) quantified both its delamination and cracking performance. These studies identified a general weakness in polymer to Ag die pad interfaces, implying that improving the adherend is mandatory. >
Laboratory Studies of the Formation of Methanol and Other Organic Molecules by Water+Carbon Monoxide Radiolysis: Relevance to Comets, Icy Satellites, and Interstellar Ices

Radiation processing of cometary, planetary, and interstellar ices has been investigated by irradiating mixtures of H2O and CO near 16 K with 0.8-MeV protons. IR spectroscopy and isotopic substitution showed that H and OH, from H2O, added to CO to form HCO, H2CO, HCOOH, and CH3OH. A values (integrated spectral absorbances) for HCOOH and HCO trapped in H2O ice were measured for the first time. These new values, along with published A's for H2CO and CH3OH, were used to calculate radiation yields (G values) and conventional percentage yields. Significantly higher percentage yields of HCOOH and CH3OH were observed, compared to previous solid-state H2O+CO experiments. This suggests that radiation processing may help explain the discrepancy between the observed gas-phase abundances of small organic molecules and the abundances predicted by current theoretical models and previous laboratory experiments. In contrast to previous experiments on one-component ices, no spectral evidence for long-chain molecules was found in the present work. This demonstrates that ice composition is a critical factor in applying laboratory results to cometary, icy satellite, and interstellar ices.
Role of Lone-Pair Electrons in Producing Minimum Thermal Conductivity in Nitrogen-Group Chalcogenide Compounds

Fully dense crystalline solids with extremely low lattice thermal conductivity (κ(L)) are of practical importance for applications including thermoelectric energy conversion and thermal barrier coatings. Here we show that lone-pair electrons can give rise to minimum κ(L) in chalcogenide compounds that contain a nominally trivalent group VA element. Electrostatic repulsion between the lone-pair electrons and neighboring chalcogen ions creates anharmonicity in the lattice, the strength of which is determined by the morphology of the lone-pair orbital and the coordination number of the group VA atom.
Abstract B133: Choline intake and the risk of colorectal cancer in men: The Health Professionals Follow-up Study

B133 Background Choline has been hypothesized to decrease the risk of cancer because of its role as a methyl-donor in one-carbon pathway. However, it is unknown whether dietary choline intake is associated with colorectal cancer risk. Methods We prospectively examined the associations between dietary choline intake and risk of colorectal cancer in men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. We followed 47,281 men and identified a total of 987 incident colorectal cancer cases from 1986 to 2004. We assessed dietary intake every four years using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate multivariate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). All statistical tests were two-sided. Results We found no statistically significant associations between total dietary choline intake and risk of colorectal cancer. Compared the highest with the lowest quintiles, multivariate RRs (95% CI) were 0.98 (0.79-1.22; P for trend = 0.92) for total dietary choline intake. Similarly, we observed no associations for choline intake from individual choline-containing sources, including free choline, glycerophosphocholine, phosphocholine, phosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelin. Also, no association for total dietary choline was observed among either participants who consumed alcohol (≥15 g/d) or low folate ( Conclusions Our data do not support the hypothesis that choline intake is inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B133.
Production of L-Glutamic Acid from DL-Hydantoin-5-propionic Acid by Microoganisms Part I

Screening tests for obtaining microorganisms which can produce l-glutamic acid from hydantoin-5-propionic acid were carried out. Many strains of microorganism were found to possess this ability. It was newly found that the glutamic acid produced by these strains was exclusively l-form regardless of the stereochemical configuration of the substrate used.Among the selected strains Bacillus brevis ATCC 8185 showed the highest ability to produce l-glutamic acid.Some investigations for obtaining optimal conditions for producing l-glutamic acid using washed cells of Bacillus brevis ATCC 8185 were carried out. Under the adequate conditions using the reaction mixture containing 1.0% of dl-hydantoin-5-propionic acid, washed cells of this strain converted 90% of the dl-acid to l-glutamic acid.An assumptive pathway of producing L-glutamic acid from D-hydantoin-5-propionic acid was also discussed.
Impact of exercise training on ventricular properties in a canine model of congestive heart failure.

Exercise training improves functional class in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) via effects on the periphery with no previously documented effect on intrinsic left ventricular (LV) propert...
Organophosphates and the Gulf War Syndrome

Publisher Summary The chapter examines the organophosphate (OP) and carbamates (CMs) exposures, and health effect associations found in epidemiological studies and the methodological issues inherent in these study designs. Animal studies contributing to the conception model of how OPs and CMs mechanistically resulted in neurological damage are reviewed. The Khamisiyah detonations of nerve gas stores, the military incident in which there was an overwhelming evidence of exposure to chemical warfare agents, is discussed. The chapter also discusses current research to uncover the link between OP and/or CM exposure, and unexplained neurological disease. The etiology behind a large number of veterans who have unexplained illnesses remains a mystery. Perhaps the role of OPs and CMs in unexplained illness will never be delineated. The lack of objective data on exposure, and the inability of routine physical examinations and tests to detect subtle neurological dysfunction compound the inability to find answers to this problem. A large number of scientists and clinicians believe that the unexplained illness is not chemical in origin but results from a psychological reaction to the war trauma, although there is little objective evidence to support this assumption. What is clear is that the symptoms are disabling. Most important, the GW syndrome has resulted in many improvements in the surveillance of environmental exposures that occur during military deployments, and has increased the number of research studies aimed at finding effective treatments for the many veterans who still suffer from unexplained illness.
Hoarding and depression: The mediating role of perceived burdensomeness.

Despite clear indications that hoarding behaviors contribute to social isolation and strained family relationships, no research to date has examined the associations between hoarding and several important interpersonal constructs (i.e., perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness). Moreover, no research has examined how these various interpersonal needs may account for the associations between symptoms of hoarding and depression. Community participants (N = 125) with elevated hoarding symptoms were assessed on the interpersonal constructs of interest. Hoarding severity was significantly associated with perceived burdensomeness even after controlling for overall levels of negative affect. Moreover, perceived burdensomeness significantly mediated the relationship between hoarding severity and depressive symptoms. To our knowledge this is the first study to examine potential mechanisms that may account for the robust associations between hoarding and depression. Future investigations should attempt to replicate these findings using clinical samples.
On the representability problem and the physical meaning of coarse-grained models.

In coarse-grained (CG) models where certain fine-grained (FG, i.e., atomistic resolution) observables are not directly represented, one can nonetheless identify indirect the CG observables that capture the FG observable’s dependence on CG coordinates. Often, in these cases it appears that a CG observable can be defined by analogy to an all-atom or FG observable, but the similarity is misleading and significantly undermines the interpretation of both bottom-up and top-down CG models. Such problems emerge especially clearly in the framework of the systematic bottom-up CG modeling, where a direct and transparent correspondence between FG and CG variables establishes precise conditions for consistency between CG observables and underlying FG models. Here we present and investigate these representability challenges and illustrate them via the bottom-up conceptual framework for several simple analytically tractable polymer models. The examples provide special focus on the observables of configurational internal energy, entropy, and pressure, which have been at the root of controversy in the CG literature, as well as discuss observables that would seem to be entirely missing in the CG representation but can nonetheless be correlated with CG behavior. Though we investigate these problems in the framework of systematic coarse-graining, the lessons apply to top-down CG modeling also, with crucial implications for simulation at constant pressure and surface tension and for the interpretations of structural and thermodynamic correlations for comparison to experiment.
Superstorm Sandy: A Game Changer?

Superstorm Sandy was a late season hurricane that transformed into a monster post tropical storm, making a New Jersey landfall on October 29, 2012. Sandy was a transformative event with respect to its impacts on the natural environment, to changes in forecast and emergency management procedures, and, even more so, to the psyche of those living in coastal states. Seen through a New Jersey focused lens, this chapter will delve into physical and social science aspects of Sandy. Lessons learned and important continuing dialogs will be addressed. For example, the National Hurricane Center has revised watch and warning criteria. Zoning changes that would move homes and businesses away from the shoreline are being discussed and in some cases implemented. Improved means of communication between the forecast community and decision makers, and subsequently in getting the message out to the greater population, are being studied and implemented. Sandy has led to a greater appreciation of the power of Mother Nature and the ever-growing vulnerability of individuals and their communities to storms. However questions remain as to whether New Jersey and other coastal states are better prepared for the next major storm. Was Sandy truly a game changer?
Statistical modeling of biochemical detection systems

We study the problem of counting the number of particles in a closed volume where the particles motion are modeled by a Brownian motion process. This problem arises in many biological and chemical sensing experiments, e.g., counting the number of analytes in blood sample, air pollutant measurement, etc. Finding the exact count of particles is challenging in these systems and one generally relies on an estimate based on the sample readouts. We study the statistical properties of the counting process in equilibrium and present the fundamental detection and estimation limitations. In particular, we demonstrate that the count process is inherently noisy and has a quantum-limit signal to noise ratio.
Heat stress affects carbohydrate metabolism during cold-induced sweetening of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.)

Tolerance to heat stress for retention of low-temperature sweetening-resistant phenotype in potato is conferred by insensitivity of acid invertase activity to cold induction. Heat stress exacerbated cold sweetening (buildup of reducing sugars) of the LTS (low-temperature sweetening)-susceptible potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars, Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank, and completely abolished the resistance to cold sweetening in the LTS-resistant cultivars/clones, Sage Russet, GemStar Russet, POR06V12-3 and A02138-2. Payette Russet and EGA09702-2, however, demonstrated considerable tolerance to heat stress for retention of their LTS-resistant phenotype. Heat-primed Payette Russet and EGA09702-2 tubers accumulated fourfold more sucrose when subsequently stored at 4 °C, while reducing sugar concentrations also increased marginally but remained low relative to the non-heat-tolerant LTS-resistant clones, resulting in light-colored fries. By contrast, sucrose concentrations in heat-primed tubers of the non-heat-tolerant clones remained unchanged during LTS, but reducing sugars increased fivefold, resulting in darkening of processed fries. Acid invertase activity increased in the LTS-susceptible and non-heat-tolerant LTS-resistant cultivars/clones during cold storage. However, Payette Russet tubers maintained very low invertase activity regardless of heat stress and cold storage treatments, as was the case for Innate® Russet Burbank (W8) tubers, where silenced invertase conferred robust tolerance to heat stress for retention of LTS-resistant phenotype. Importantly, heat-stressed tubers of Payette Russet, EGA09702-2 and Innate® Russet Burbank (W8) demonstrated similar low reducing sugar and high sucrose-accumulating phenotypes when stored at 4 °C. Tolerance to heat stress for retention of LTS-resistant phenotype in Payette Russet and likely its maternal parent, EGA09702-2, is, therefore, conferred by the ability to maintain low invertase activity during cold storage of heat-stressed tubers.
Modelling Fracture in Laminated Architectural Glass Subject to Low Velocity Impact

Standard finite element wave propagation codes are useful for determining stresses caused by colliding bodies; however, their applicability to brittle materials is limited because an accurate treatment of the fracture process is difficult to model. This paper presents a method that allows traditional wave propagation codes to model low velocity, small missile impact in laminated architectural glass such as that which occurs in severe windstorms. Specifically, a method is developed to model typical fractures that occur when laminated glass is impacted by windborne debris. Computational results of concern to architectural glazing designers are presented.
Phosphodiesterases 3 and 4 Differentially Regulate the Funny Current, If, in Mouse Sinoatrial Node Myocytes

Cardiac pacemaking, at rest and during the sympathetic fight-or-flight response, depends on cAMP (3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate) signaling in sinoatrial node myocytes (SAMs). The cardiac "funny current" (If) is among the cAMP-sensitive effectors that drive pacemaking in SAMs. If is produced by hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-sensitive (HCN) channels. Voltage-dependent gating of HCN channels is potentiated by cAMP, which acts either by binding directly to the channels or by activating the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), which phosphorylates them. PKA activity is required for signaling between β adrenergic receptors (βARs) and HCN channels in SAMs but the mechanism that constrains cAMP signaling to a PKA-dependent pathway is unknown. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) hydrolyze cAMP and form cAMP signaling domains in other types of cardiomyocytes. Here we examine the role of PDEs in regulation of If in SAMs. If was recorded in whole-cell voltage-clamp experiments from acutely-isolated mouse SAMs in the absence or presence of PDE and PKA inhibitors, and before and after βAR stimulation. General PDE inhibition caused a PKA-independent depolarizing shift in the midpoint activation voltage (V1/2) of If at rest and removed the requirement for PKA in βAR-to-HCN signaling. PDE4 inhibition produced a similar PKA-independent depolarizing shift in the V1/2 of If at rest, but did not remove the requirement for PKA in βAR-to-HCN signaling. PDE3 inhibition produced PKA-dependent changes in If both at rest and in response to βAR stimulation. Our results suggest that PDE3 and PDE4 isoforms create distinct cAMP signaling domains that differentially constrain access of cAMP to HCN channels and establish the requirement for PKA in signaling between βARs and HCN channels in SAMs.
Influence of Transgenic Corn Expressing Insecticidal Protein of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner on Natural Populations of Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Southwestern Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

A 2-yr study was conducted to measure the influence of transgenic corn, Zea mays L., expressing the CrylAb endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt) by means of Event MON810 on natural populations of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and Diatraea grandiosella (Dyar). The studies were conducted at Leland and Morgan City, MS, in 1999 and at Morgan City in 2000. Although total numbers of H. zea larvae were not significantly different on transgenic corn hybrids compared with their near-isogenic parent lines, fewer large larvae were found on the transgenic hybrids. Differences in H. zea larval growth were noticeable when larvae fed on Bt corn vs non-Bt corn. The delay in larval growth for insects within a single generation, which could possibly result in asynchronous mating between insecticide resistant and susceptible insects, was observed for larvae feeding on plants expressing the Bt toxin. Diatraea grandiosella caused limited damage to the transgenic corn hybrids compared with their near-isogenic parent l...
RECURRENT PULMONARY EMBOLISM: DUPLICATE INFERIOR VENA CAVA (IVC) THE CULPRIT

Duplication of Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) is a relatively rare vascular anomaly with incidence of 0.2-3% and it results from a persistent embryonic left supracardinal vein. It's usually detected incidentally on computerized tomographic (CT) scans. Mr. C is a 60 year old male with history of Pulmonary
Connectivity: A Primer in Phase Transitions and Critical Phenomena for Students of Particle Physics

When the organizers of this Advanced Study Institute on “Structural Elements in Particle Physics and Statistical Mechanics” asked me to present 3 hours of introductory material on critical phenomena, I accepted happily because of the opportunity clearly afforded to broaden my understanding of the important cross-disciplinary overlaps between particle physics and critical phenomena. Now that I find myself standing in front of such an esteemed group of scholars, I am having misgivings. There is hardly anything that I can say here that some of you could not say better!
Nature, Abundance, and Needs

This chapter ties human needs and scarcity together. In a practical world driven by economics and competition, Marshall’s Laws provide the most satisfactory level at which the expenditure of resource(s) to satisfy any residual need(s) are terminated. At this level, the accumulation of knowledge to seek any further gratification also stops. The knowledge-level programs address a large number of complex queries in any conceivable domain of enquiry by fragmenting the “objects” into tinier and slighter objects (knowledge operands) and the queries into tinier and slighter queries (knowledge opcodes or kopcs) until the solution/answer is reached. New objects may thus be synthesized, and new processes (from related objects) may be integrated to enter into a new domain of artificial creativity. The principles of optimization in the deployment of minimum resources to maximize the utility(s) are strictly mathematical and the computers are adept in establishing such stable or unstable balance for individuals, societies, and nations.