cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Canine myasthenia gravis

Decreased acetylcholine receptor content of the neuromuscular junction underlies the muscular weakness seen in both acquired and congenital myasthenia gravis. Immune mediated mechanisms account for the acquired defect while decreased membrane insertion of receptor leads to the congenital disorder. The congenital form typically presents in the first few weeks of life with generalised episodic weakness as the predominant sign. Although treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors may help temporarily, the prognosis is poor. Acquired myasthenia gravis can occur between eight months and 13 years of age and may present as megaoesophagus alone or as exercise-related weakness in conjunction with megaoesophagus. Although treatment of the immune mediated form is often successful and spontaneous remissions also occur, aspiration pneumonia secondary to megaoesophagus remains a major cause of mortality in affected dogs. Resolution of megaoesophagus must therefore be a major goal for future treatment regimes. The remarkable similarity between canine and human acquired myasthenia gravis suggests that the canine thymus gland warrants greater attention pathologically and perhaps therapeutically considering the value of thymectomy in human patients.
Catecholamines and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase in selected brain nuclei and in the pineal gland of neurogenically hypertensive rats.

Abstract Catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine) and the epinephrine-forming enzyme, phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT, E.C. 2.1.1.28) were measured in selective brainstem and hypothalamic nuclei and in the pineal gland of acutely (3 days after operation) and chronically (2 weeks after operation) neurogenically hypertensive (sinoaortically denervated, SAD) rats. Alterations in catecholamine levels and in PNMT activity were restricted to a few brain nuclei and the pineal gland, and were dependent on the time elapsed since SAD. Our results suggest a participation of discrete hypothalamic norepinephrine and brainstem epinephrine neurons in the development and maintenance of neurogenic hypertension.
Research design options for testing mediation models and their implications for facets of validity

Purpose – Tests of assumed mediation models are common in research in many disciplines, including managerial psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, organizational behavior, and organizational theory. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to detail experimental design options for conducting such tests in a manner that has the potential to yield results that have high levels of internal and construct validity.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a logical analysis of strategies for testing mediation models so as to insure valid inferences about causal relations between variables.Findings – The most appropriate strategy for testing assumed mediation models is research that uses randomized experimental designs.Practical implications – Managers should base their actions on valid evidence about phenomena. More specifically, managerial actions should be predicated on research results that have high levels of internal, construct, and statistical conclusion validity. Thus, this paper encour...
Monolithically integrated asymmetric graded and step-index couplers for microphotonic waveguides

A monolithically integrated asymmetric graded index (GRIN) or step-index (GRIN) mode converters for microphotonic waveguides are proposed and described. The design parameters and tolerances are calculated for amorphous silicon (a-Si) couplers integrated with silicon-on-insulator waveguides. The GRIN and step-index couplers operate over a wide wavelength range with low polarization dependence, and the lithographic resolution needed is only ±1 μm. Finally, experimental results are presented for a single layer 3 μm thick step-index a-Si coupler integrated on a 0.8 μm thick SOI waveguide. The measured variation of coupling efficiency with coupler length is in agreement with theory, with an optimal coupling length of 15 μm for this device.
Differences in Forecasting Behavior between Industrial Product Firms and Consumer Product Firms

If there is any one function managers most despise, it is the art of forecasting. By its very nature it concerns guessing the outcome of future events. Do all firms forecast the same? Compares forecasting behavior between industrial product firms and consumer product firms. Examines issues such as who does the forecasting, the frequency of forecasts, and the areas in which forecasts are made. Assesses the results gained from the forecasting effort and examines significant differences in forecasting behavior.
Low-wage Workers in a High-technology Manufacturing Complex: The Southern Californian Electronics Assembly Industry

The paper opens with a brief description of the electronics assembly industry in Southern California. A statistical profile of workers in the industry is presented. It is shown that the employment relation in this industry is characterised by much instability and mobility, though the industry also comprises a cadre of more steadily employed workers. A division of labour along gender and ethnic lines can be demonstrated to exist in the industry, with Asian males occupying more technical and responsible positions than Asian females and Hispanic males and females. Workers are shown to be strongly tied in their residential locations and job mobility patterns to fairly narrowly circumscribed local labour market areas. In sum, the paper sketches out a portrait of a secondary labour market in which job precariousness and social marginality exist side-by-side with a certain degree of internal differentiation and permanence.
How chaotic is chaos? Chaotic and other “noisy” dynamics in the frequency domain

Abstract Spectral power densities and autocorrelation functions have been computed for several types of discrete dynamical systems: both chaotic and noisy. In some cases, chaotic dynamical systems can be distinguished from other types of dynamical systems by their appearance in the frequency domain.
The Continuum Model: Statistical implications

The Continuum Model postulates that preparations for the initiation of DNA synthesis takes place continuously, and in all phases of the cell cycle. There are no Gl-specific events involved in the initiation of DNA synthesis. The statistical predictions of the Continuum Model are now presented with four basic variables: (1) the rate of initiator synthesis, (2) the time for passage through the replication-segregation sequence, (3) the amount of initiator required for initiation of DNA synthesis in a particular cell, and (4) the variation in equipartition of cells at division. Computer simulations reveal that the Continuum Model is consistent with both (Yand p-curves, as well as the quartile test for p-curves. It also explains sister-sister correlations, and the correlations between cell mass at various times in the division cycle and cell interdivision times. With one additional parameter, the Continuum Model can also explain mother-daughter correlations. The Continuum Model accounts for the statistical data which has previously been used to support the Transition-Probability Model. It has a simple biochemical basis, and can explain the observed biochemical and biological observations of cell growth and division.
The rain on the plain: Are there vegetation-climate feedbacks?

Abstract The Interior Lowland of North America, comprising the Central Lowland and the Great Plains, is a region of approximately 3.2 × 106 km2. The nature of the (climatic) climax vegetation in this area has been a matter of controversy. Empirical evidence regarding the vegetation of the region from the Late Tertiary to recent is consistent with the idea that the area can support two types of vegetation, grassland or forest, under broadly the same climatic regime and raises questions regarding vegetation-atmosphere interactions. Positive feedbacks relating to surface hydrology may tend to favor forests; positive feedbacks involving fire regime may tend to favor grasslands. It should be possible to use coupled vegetation-climate models to test the idea that vegetation shifts in this region affect hydrologic processes and climates at scales ranging from local to global. Grassland/forest shifts, and associated differences in fire regimes, may also be useful as representations of the range of natural variability in biogeochemical cycling, particularly during the Holocene.
Flow about a fluid sphere at low to moderate Reynolds numbers

The steady-state equations of motion are solved for a fluid sphere translating in a quiescent medium. A semi-analytical series truncation method is employed in conjunction with a cubic finite-element scheme. The range of Reynolds numbers investigated is from 0.5 to 50. The range of viscosity ratios is from 0 (gas bubble) to 107 (solid sphere). The flow structure and the drag coefficients agree closely with the limited available experimental measurements and also compare favourably with published finite-difference solutions. The strength of the internal circulation was found to increase with increasing Reynolds number. The flow patterns and the drag coefficient show little variation with the interior Reynolds number. Based on the numerical results, predictive equations for drag coefficients are recommended for both moderate- and low-Reynolds-number flows.
Iron(II) complexes with amide-containing macrocycles as non-heme porphyrin analogues.

Iron(II) complexes of macrocyclic pentadendate ligands 3,6,9,12,18-pentaazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-1(18),14,16-triene-2,13-dione (H2pydioneN5) and 16-chloro-3,6,9,12,18-pentaazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-1(18),14,16-triene-2,13-dione (H2pyCldioneN5) were synthesized and fully characterized. Complexes with one or two deprotonated amide groups of H2pydione were both isolated. In the former case the metal ion has a distorted octahedral coordination sphere; in the latter case the complex adopts a pentagonal−bipyramidal geometry. NMR experiments show that the protonation state of the ligand is preserved in a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution. The complexes maintain a high-spin state even at low temperatures. Detailed kinetic studies of oxygenation of the iron(II) complexes showed that the deprotonation state of the complex has a profound effect on the reactivity with dioxygen. Oxygenation of the dideprotonated complex of iron(II), Fe(pydioneN5), in aprotic solvents proceeds via a path that is analogous to that o...
Nonequilibrium vibrational population measurements in an expanding flow using spontaneous Raman scattering

Vibrational relaxation of nitrogen in a 2D nozzle flow is studied using spontaneous Raman scattering. An electric arc driven shock tube operating as a reflected shock tunnel produces stagnation conditions of 5600 K and 100 atm. A 248 nm KrF laser pulse is focused into the nozzle to produce spatially resolved spontaneous Raman spectra. Vibrational population distributions are derived from the spectra for the states v = 0 to v = 8. The experimental results are compared with two theoretical models: the Landau-Teller relaxation model and a numerical solution of the master equations using transition rates derived from SSH theory. The Landau-Teller correction factor has been measured at 1.0 - 1.5.
Can routine neonatal circumcision help prevent human immunodeficiency virus transmission in the United States

Primary prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to pose an important challenge in the United States. Recent clinical trials conducted in Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda have demonstrated considerable benefit of male circumcision in reducing HIV seroincidence in males. These results have ignited debate over the appropriateness of implementing routine provision of neonatal circumcision in the United States for HIV prevention. This article discusses major contextual differences between the United States and the three African countries where the clinical trials were conducted, and cautions that the applicability of the scientific data from Africa to this country must be carefully considered before rational policy recommendations regarding routine neonatal circumcision can be made as a strategy to prevent the spread of HIV in the United States.
Freshman flashbulbs: Memories of unique and first-time events in starting college

Students from the Lafayette Class of 2011 (N=100) described events that occurred during their transition to college. Three were unique events (receiving their acceptance letter, being left alone on campus, and taking the class photograph) and three were first-time experiences (first seeing their dorm room, meeting their roommate, and attending their first college class). The definitional criteria for flashbulb memories (FBM) was met for all six events; memory reports included what participants were doing, where they were, who they were with, the emotions they experienced, and other idiosyncratic details. Therefore, transitional events are a productive analogue for traditional FBM research. Unique events were rated as more emotional and significant than first-time events, yet both were recalled with similarly enhanced vividness and confidence and both included similar content. Extensions of this method to investigations of other open questions in FBM research are discussed.
Histological and histochemical changes in bovine endometrium following treatment with a progestin.

Abstract Melengesterol acetate (MGA), a synthetic progestin, was fed to 15 beef heifers at 1.0 rag per animal per day for 14 days. Eight animals were started on the MGA feeding at day 4 (4-day animals) and 7 animals were started at day 15 (15-day animals) of the estrous cycle. Five control animals were not treated with MGA. The heifers were mated at the synchronized estrus and slaughtered 3 days later. Fertilization and the number of ova undergoing normal cleavage were reduced in heifers treated with MGA as compared to control heifers. The surface and glandular epithelial cells of the endometrium from control animals contained moderate to heavy concentrations of glycogen; however, there was little evidence of glycogen accumulation in the surface epithelial cells of 15-day animals. Although different, glycogen accumulation in the endometrial surface epithelial cells from 4-day animals was more like the controls than like the 15-day animals. These results suggest a diminished estrogen secretion or a failure of the endometrium of MGA treated heifers to respond to estrogen.
Glottal Patency during Experimental Seizures in Piglets

ABSTRACT: Tracheostomized cats and piglets demonstrate respiratory stimulation during experimental seizures, whereas airway intact piglets demonstrate hypoventilation and increased subglottic resistances. The purpose of this study was to characterize the role of the vocal folds in contributing to these increased subglottic resistances during experimental seizures. A controlled animal study was performed in six anesthetized, spontaneously breathing, hyperoxic piglets who had subglottic pressure and airflow measured. A fiberoptic video scope directed into the cephalad trachea recorded subglottic images of the vocal folds. Glottal area patency (GAP) was evaluated at inspiratory onset (Io), peak inspiratory pressure (Ip), and expiratory onset (Eo) for four to five consecutive breaths under baseline control, ictal, interictal, and anticonvulsant conditions. Seizures were induced with i.v. pentylenetetrazol or bicuculline. Normalized GAP was greatest at Ip under all conditions, except anticonvulsant. During ictal periods, piglets demonstrated significant reductions in mean GAP throughout the respiratory cycle (Io, 98%; Ip, 78%; Eo, 98%), compared with baseline (p < 0.001, repeat measures analysis of variance). During ictel discharges, hypoventilation and glottal obstruction resulted in significant reductions in mean arterial pH (–0.35) and Pao2 (–39 kPa) and elevations in Paco2 (+8.1 kPa), compared with baseline conditions. During interictal conditions mean GAP at Ip was increased, whereas at Eo (–66%) GAP was reduced, compared with control. These data demonstrate that the vocal folds are tonically adducted throughout the respiratory cycle during ictal phases and have increased expiratory adduction during interictal phases of seizures induced with standard i.v. convulsants in hyperoxic piglets.
Synergism between chemical attractants and visual cues influencing oviposition of the mosquito,Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Physical factors, such as the color of the oviposition substrate, have seldom been compared with chemical cues in their ability to elicit oviposition behavior in mosquitoes. The role of dyed oviposition waters in attracting ovipositingCulex quinquefasciatus was examined in laboratory experiments. Oviposition waters dyed with ink were found to be significantly attractive to ovipositingCx. quinquefasciatus when compared to distilled water controls. Experiments demonstrated that the mosquitoes were responding to the increased optical density of the dyed oviposition water rather than volatile components of the dye. Ink was also considered in combination with chemical oviposition cues. No comparative data exist on the effect of physical and chemical factors presented together on the oviposition behavior ofCx. quinquefasciatus. Waters dyed with ink acted synergistically with a five-component chemical attractant mixture (3-methylindole, indole, 4-methylphenol, 4-ethylphenol, and phenol) in inducing oviposition in a 2×2 factorial experiment.
Isolation and characterization of mutants of Propionibacterium strains.

Abstract Procedures were developed to isolate and characterize mutants of strains of dairy propionibacteria. These procedures included the construction of minimal defined media to support growth of the strains, optimization of conditions of exposure of the strains to nitrosoguanidine, and identification of the phenotypes of the mutants that were generated. The minimal defined medium contained inorganic salts, adenosine, three vitamins, and sodium lactate as the carbon source, with cysteine, methionine, or cysteine plus methionine added as required by some strains. For mutagenesis, cells were exposed to either 100, 200, or 1000 μ g/ml nitrosoguanidine, depending on the sensitivity of the strain, for 60min at 35°C. At least nine stable mutants were isolated and characterized for each of the five strains under study. The most frequent mutations generated were requirements for arginine, histidine, methionine, and uracil and alteration in pigment production.
On the bayesian approach to calculating time correlation functions in quantum systems; reaction dynamics and spectroscopy

Abstract We assess the current status, advantages and limitations of the numerical analytic continuation approach to computing time correlation functions in large many-body quantum systems characteristic of condensed phase chemical processes. We determine the quantum correlation function as a function of complex time, and use its analytic properties to select a suitable contour in the complex time plane along which the function can be evaluated efficiently by stochastic simulation methods. The simulation data are then used to obtain the values of the correlation function along the real-time axis through a maximum entropy numerical analytic continuation procedure. This approach is used to compute the dynamical properties of several condensed phase processes including vibrational relaxation lineshapes and canonical reaction rates. We discuss how to improve the accuracy of the numerical analytic continuation methods.
Cultural variation in seasonal depression: Cross-national differences in winter versus summer patterns of seasonal affective disorder

Abstract Background Research suggests that two dimensions of national culture, individualism–collectivism and power distance, predict affective responses to the seasonally varying levels of ambient sunlight that may underlie regular cycles of mood and behavior in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Specifically, negative affect is predicted by the diminished sunlight of fall–winter in countries higher in individualism and lower in power distance, and by the increased sunlight of spring–summer in countries lower in individualism and higher in power distance. This study tests whether individualism correlates positively, and power distance negatively, with the frequency of winter-SAD relative to that of summer-SAD. Method A search for studies reporting frequencies of both winter-SAD and summer-SAD identified 55 samples encompassing 18 countries and 38,408 participants, including 1931 with SAD. Results The frequency of winter-SAD, relative to that of summer-SAD, correlated positively with individualism ( r = .67, p = .001) and negatively with power distance ( r = − .72, p = .0001). Countries in which winter-SAD was more common than summer-SAD were significantly more individualistic and less power-distant than countries in which summer-SAD was more common than winter-SAD. Results survived various tests of threats to validity. Limitations The study is limited by the quantity, quality, diversity, and representativeness of the research under review and by its correlational design. Conclusions Individualism and power distance are strongly related to the relative prevalence of winter-SAD and summer-SAD. Culture may play an important but previously overlooked role in the etiology of SAD.
The View from All Fours: A Look at an Animal-Assisted Activity Program from the Animals' Perspective

In recent decades, animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and animal-assisted activity (AAA) programs have gained in popularity. A growing literature documents the benefits of AAT/AAA for humans. The prevalent perspective for AAT/AAA research is “what can non-human animals do for us?” with no apparent consideration to what such programs may do for, or to, the animals involved. Ample research reveals that animals are minded actors with the capacity to feel complex emotions. Consequently, AAT/AAA programs should benefit the animals as well as the humans involved. Based on interviews with human volunteers in an animal shelter's AAA program and participant observation in the same program, this paper investigates the animals' experience in AAA. Specifically, this study discusses the use of shelter animals as “volunteer therapists” and concludes that AAT/AAA programs raise numerous concerns for the animals involved. These findings indicate the need for more attention to the experience of animals in AAT/AAA programs.
A systems framework for distance learning in engineering graduate programs

Distance learning (DL) is undergoing a rapid growth in academia, business, industry, and the military. Recent technological developments in computer-based training, along with shrinking internal resources, and rising industry interest in sustainable workforce development, provide a strong impetus for DL investments. Due to the multiplicity of efforts involved in planning and executing a DL program, it is imperative that organizations view this nontraditional mode of knowledge transfer from a systems perspective. This paper presents a coordination-centric systems framework for implementing a DL program using the SIMILAR systems engineering process. The paper also suggests linking SIMILAR to two complementary models, Triple C and D-E-J-I, to enhance the overall systems approach. Implementing DL from a systems view aids in identifying the interrelating components, resource interfaces, and improvements needed in techniques used to deliver educational material at a distance. The proposed framework is effective in assisting DL instructors, students, administrators, and other stakeholders to improve the learning environment and manage the complex interaction of people, technology, and instructional processes. Because of its large and diverse operational base, the military is embracing DL programs aggressively. An example is presented of the DL program for graduate systems engineering program at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Localism and the Limits of Political Brokerage: Evidence from Revolutionary Vermont1

Previous research argues that political brokers between rival factions play a critical role in state centralization because they help national state builders to undermine local autonomy. In contrast, this article demonstrates how coordinator elites who forge relationships within communal networks act as a counterweight to more cosmopolitan brokers, representing local interests. Evidence from new archival data on credit networks and political mobilization in Revolutionary Vermont shows that such local powerholders used their strategic position in economic networks to gain influential political offices. Moreover, coordinators strengthened local political factions that linked to national politics without eroding the interests of local communities.
The order of groups satisfying a converse to Lagrange's theorem

One of the converse statements to Lagrange's theorem is that, for each subgroup H of G and any prime factor p of |G: H|, there exists a subgroup K such that H ≤ K ≤ G with |K: H| = p. This paper treats integers n such that all groups of order n have this property.
Understanding and Managing Periodontal Diseases: A Notable Past, a Promising Future

Throughout the 20th century, an understanding of the role of causative bacteria and the susceptible host in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease(s) has emerged from the research efforts of scientists and clinicians worldwide. Over time, specific bacterial types, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, were discovered and shown to be important in the cause of periodontal disease. At the same time, inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandins and interleukins, and enzymes, such as matrix metalloproteinases, were discovered and found to be important participants in the destruction of periodontal tissues. Acquired and inherited environmental risk factors began to emerge that could explain, in part, the susceptibility of individuals to periodontal disease. The discovery of antibiotics, beginning with sulfanilamide, penicillin, and streptomycin, led to additional strategies for managing periodontal disease. With the discovery of the mechanism of action of aspirin, scientists began to develop new strategies for treating diseases that focused on controlling inflammation. Thus, host-modulating therapies emerged for the management of periodontal disease through the control of inflammation. At the end of the 20th century, an old concept in medicine and dentistry reappeared: that the infection and inflammation of periodontal disease in the mouth could reach distant sites via the bloodstream. Apparently oral disease could, in fact, contribute to systemic diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and adverse outcomes in pregnancy. This concept of the oral health-general health connection is now supported by sound and rational evidence-based observations. Clearly, the 21st century has arrived with a new understanding of the nature of periodontal diseases based on a notable era of discovery. There is a promising future for preventing and treating this common and troubling condition that affects not just the mouth but also the whole body.
Computing for the social good: a service learning project

Computing for the Social Good [2] is an umbrella term for any activity which strives to focus students to consider the following fundamental question; Instead of using computers to make money or do basic scientific research, how can one use computing to do good in the world? Since computing students rarely study abroad, let alone undertake a service learning semester, the development of an overseas service learning experience in computing would serve a double purpose.
The untapped potential of urine shed bladder cancer exosomes: biomarkers, signaling, and therapeutics

Exosomes are small, extracellular vesicles ranging in size from 30-100 nm. Their contents originate from the cytoplasm of their host cell, including nucleic acids, intracellular and membrane-bound protein. Cancer cells have been found to produce exosomes at a significantly higher rate than normal cells, and function in cell-to-cell signaling, with surface protein interaction with recipient cells, as well as deposition of host cell RNA into the recipient cell. Bladder cancer exosomes have demonstrated the propensity to augment the aggressiveness of tumors by increasing tumor cell migration and angiogenesis, while systemically circulating exosomes in other malignancies have also been shown to establish a favorable niche for metastatic disease. With respect to bladder cancer, these exosomes are additionally shed into the urine and represent a potential source of urinary biomarkers to be utilized for a non-invasive diagnosis. Further, while exosomes promote aggressiveness of bladder tumors, there is also potential for therapeutic endeavors on the horizon, with loading of silencing RNA and chemotherapeutics being avenues under investigation. Here we review the current literature on exosomes in bladder cancer as biomarkers, their role in cell-to-cell signaling, and as potential delivery agents for modulatory agents and chemotherapeutics.
Computing with Differential-difference Operators

Computer algebra can be used to prove identities in the algebra of operators on polynomials which is generated by multiplication by coordinate functions, and the group translations and Dunkl operators associated with a reflection group. This technique is illustrated by a conceptual proof of a complete orthogonal decomposition of the harmonic polynomials associated with the abelian reflection groups.
Crown size-arch space relationships during human prenatal dental development.

As shown in composite reconstructions made from optically-projected measurements of 10μ frontal maxillofacial sections of 20 histologically normal fetuses and embryos in the 70-255 mm CRL range, individual differences in relative tooth size and interdental spacing are evident by 10.5-11 weeks of gestation, and age-corrected crown-size correlations (r=0.40) approximate those in postnatal life. Despite an eight-fold increase in crown dimensions, interdental spacing remains approximately constant after 150 mm CRL, suggesting that the tooth organs or the periodontal membranes are able to maintain spacing, into the third trimester.
A possible practical application of heavy quark physics

A POSSIBLE method for storing very large amounts of useable energy within small volumes is described here. Our proposal is based on the existence of two new, virtually stable, forms of matter that annihilate each other with enormous energy release, but neither of which annihilates ordinary matter (and can thus be stored easily). The existence of these new forms of matter is suggested1,2 by the phenomenology of heavy quarks and also by a large class of widely discussed unified field theories.
Nitrate and periplasmic nitrate reductases

The nitrate anion is a simple, abundant and relatively stable species, yet plays a significant role in global cycling of nitrogen, global climate change, and human health. Although it has been known for quite some time that nitrate is an important species environmentally, recent studies have identified potential medical applications. In this respect the nitrate anion remains an enigmatic species that promises to offer exciting science in years to come. Many bacteria readily reduce nitrate to nitrite via nitrate reductases. Classified into three distinct types – periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap), respiratory nitrate reductase (Nar) and assimilatory nitrate reductase (Nas), they are defined by their cellular location, operon organization and active site structure. Of these, Nap proteins are the focus of this review. Despite similarities in the catalytic and spectroscopic properties Nap from different Proteobacteria are phylogenetically distinct. This review has two major sections: in the first section, nitrate in the nitrogen cycle and human health, taxonomy of nitrate reductases, assimilatory and dissimilatory nitrate reduction, cellular locations of nitrate reductases, structural and redox chemistry are discussed. The second section focuses on the features of periplasmic nitrate reductase where the catalytic subunit of the Nap and its kinetic properties, auxiliary Nap proteins, operon structure and phylogenetic relationships are discussed.
Probing high energy QCD via 2-particle correlations

Abstract Recent measurements of the forward rapidity di-hadron azimuthal angular correlations in proton (deuteron)-nucleus (pA) collisions at RHIC [E. Braidot [STAR Collaboration], Nucl. Phys. A854 , 168-174 (2011); A. Adare et al. [PHENIX Collaboration], Phys. Rev. Lett. 107 , 172301 (2011).] and the saturation-based fits to the data [C. Marquet, Nucl. Phys. A 796 , 41 (2007).; K. Tuchin, Nucl. Phys. A 846 , 83 (2010); J. L. Albacete and C. Marquet, Phys. Rev. Lett. 105 , 162301 (2010); D. Kharzeev, E. Levin and L. McLerran, Nucl. Phys. A 748 , 627 (2005); A. Kovner, M. Lublinsky, Phys. Rev. D83 , 034017 (2011); Phys. Rev. D 84 , 094011 (2011); A. Stasto, B.-W. Xiao, F. Yuan, Phys. Lett. B 716 , 430 (2012).] have generated much work on understanding the properties of multi-gluon correlators in the high energy limit. Whereas forward rapidity single inclusive particle production in pA collisions probes dipoles (two-point function of Wilson lines, path ordered exponentials of gluon fields, which satisfies the BK-JIMWLK equations), di-hadron production probes quadrupoles, four-point functions of Wilson lines, which are not well-understood. We show that the evolution equation for the quadrupole derived in the Color Glass Condensate (CGC) formalism reduces, in the dilute regime, to the previously known BJKP equation for the energy dependence of four Reggeized gluons. We outline how one may establish a direct connection between the CGC formalism and Reggeized-gluon exchange to high energy processes.
Cardioprotection by adiponectin

Obesity-related disorders are closely associated with the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Adiponectin is a circulating adipose tissue-derived hormone that is down-regulated in obese individuals. Hypoadiponectinemia has been identified as an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension, and experimental studies show that adiponectin plays a protective role in the development of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and inflammation. More recent findings have shown that adiponectin directly affects signaling in myocardial cells and exerts beneficial actions on the heart after pressure overload and ischemia–reperfusion injury. This review focuses on the role of adiponectin in the regulation of myocardial remodeling and acute cardiac injury.
New Theoretical Approach to Nuclear Heavy-Ion Scattering

A new theoretical approach to the study of the nuclear interaction between heavy ions is presented. The potential governing the collision between complex nuclei is derived from a statistical theory of finite nuclei based on nuclear-matter calculations and is presented as an application to the ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$-${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ elastic scattering process. A phase-shift analysis of the experimental data on ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$-${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ scattering is performed which shows, first, that an excellent fit can be obtained with a real potential up to 14 MeV, and second, that there exists a short-range repulsion. The best-fit potential is in close agreement with the calculated potential in the attractive region, but has a weaker and shorter-range repulsion.
The Reflective Cultural Portfolio: Identifying Public Cultural Scripts in the Private Voices of White Student Teachers

The main objective of this article is to describe and evaluate one of the activities, the‘cultural portfolio,’ that I use in my teacher education classroom to help my disproportionately White student teachers reflect on the public cultural scripts—ways of thinking, feeling, believing, and acting—that shape their practices. First, I frame the issue in terms of the powerful set of cultural scripts that may be called cultural ‘whiteness.’ Next, I look at the current political and economic climate that affects current teacher education and reflective practice. Following this, I look at my own cultural whiteness. Then, before I illustrate the cultural portfolio process with two case studies, I describe some of the work in reflective teacher education that has helped me develop ways of enabling student teachers to recognize and, if necessary, transform the public cultural scripts in their private voices. I suggest that some student teachers may benefit from the cultural portfolio process well after the class is...
The American council on education rankings of quality in graduate education and membership in the national academy of science

Rankings in physics, chemistry, and mathematics are determined for Universities of the United States according to the number of members of each department who have been elected to the National Academy of Science. A strong correlation was found to exist between these rankings and the rankings published by the American Council on Education. In fact, the top ten departments in each of these fields could probably be selected by simply counting the number of Academy members in each of the respective departments.
Men and women have specific needs that facilitate enrollment in HIV-prevention counseling

Abstract Although reducing HIV risk is a primary motive for the design of HIV prevention interventions, the goals of the clients may be very different. Social theories of gender suggest that women, who often seek to resolve social and relational problems, may see HIV-prevention counseling as a mean of resolving partner violence. In contrast, men, who often worry about their physical strength, may seek to enroll in HIV-prevention programs when they experience physical symptoms unrelated to HIV. An unobtrusive study was conducted to observe enrollment in HIV risk-reduction counseling after measuring partner-violence complaints (e.g., feeling threatened or being hit), emotional complaints (e.g., fatigue or anxiety), and physical complaints (e.g., cardiovascular or digestive symptoms). The sample was a group of 350 participants, 70% clients from a state-health department in North Central Florida and 30% community members. Consistent with predictions, complaints of partner violence had a positive association w...
The Effect of Feeding Wheat Germ Oil: I. Egg Production and Hatchability

Abstract RECENTLY wheat germ oil has been advertised as a desirable addition to the ration for the poultry breeding flock. Consequently many poultrymen are asking if it is necessary or desirable to add this material to their rations. Card (1929) reported no improvement in fertility or hatchability when 2 percent wheat germ oil was added to a mixed grain ration. Card, Mitchell, and Hamilton (1930) working with pullets that had been fed rations treated with an etheral solution of ferric chloride to destroy vitamin E showed that there was an immediate and marked improvement in hatchability when one-half cubic centimeter of wheat germ oil per hen per day was fed. The authors state “Although these results are of considerable scientific interest it should be pointed out that from a practical feeding standpoint there is little cause for concern with regard to possible vitamin E deficient rations because all whole grains and . . .
Pulse modulation effect on velocity fringes.

The degradation of a hologram caused by object motion can be utilized to measure the rate of change of the length of an object beam. A rectangular shaped laser pulse is ordinarily used to illuminate the object in such an investigation. The velocity fringes obtained are considered in the calculation. There are no velocity fringes for Gaussian shaped pulses or for the pulses produced by a Q-switched ruby laser. It is shown with the aid of a mathematical analysis that a pulse of oscillating intensity or a pulse train will yield velocity fringes regardless of the shape of an individual pulse.
Ion trap mass spectrometry for kinetic studies of stable isotope labeled vitamin A at low enrichments.

The role of β-carotene in chemoprevention of cancers and other chronic diseases generated controversy when subpopulations taking β-carotene supplements showed increased mortality in clinical trails. Determination of the dynamics of β-carotene in individual human subjects has emerged as a high priority. Stable isotope labeled β-carotene tracers can be employed to determine rates of conversion to retinol (vitamin A), but tracer doses must be small to minimize perturbation of endogenous retinoid and carotenoid pools. In such cases, ratios of labeled tracer/endogenous retinol are often low, and quantitative analysis at enrichments of <1 mol % are unreliable owing to ion−molecule reactions that generate ions at the same mass as the labeled tracer even when no tracer is present. The current study demonstrates improved gas chromatography/mass spectrometry quantification of retinol-d4 and unlabeled retinol, as their tert-butyldimethylsilyl ethers, at low enrichments using an ion trap mass spectrometer operated in...
The Armadillo Repeat-containing Protein, ARMCX3, Physically and Functionally Interacts with the Developmental Regulatory Factor Sox10

Sox10 is a member of the group E Sox transcription factor family and plays key roles in neural crest development and subsequent cellular differentiation. Sox10 binds to regulatory sequences in target genes via its conserved high mobility group domain. In most cases, Sox10 exerts its transcriptional effects in concert with other DNA-binding factors, adaptor proteins, and nuclear import proteins. These interactions can lead to synergistic gene activation and can be cell type-specific. In earlier work, we demonstrated that Sox10 transactivates the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α3 and β4 subunit genes and does so only in neuronal-like cell lines, raising the possibility that Sox10 mediates its effects via interactions with co-regulatory factors. Here we describe the identification of the armadillo repeat-containing protein, ARMCX3, as a Sox10-interacting protein. Biochemical analyses indicate that ARMCX3 is an integral membrane protein of the mitochondrial outer membrane. Others have shown that Sox10 is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein. We extend this observation and demonstrate that, in the cytoplasm, Sox10 is peripherally associated with the mitochondrial outer membrane. Both Sox10 and ARMCX3 are expressed in mouse brain and spinal cord as well as several cell lines. Overexpression of ARMCX3 increased the amount of mitochondrially associated Sox10. In addition, although ARMCX3 does not possess intrinsic transcriptional activity, it does enhance transactivation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α3 and β4 subunit gene promoters by Sox10. These results suggest that Sox10 is a membrane-associated factor whose transcriptional function is increased by direct interactions with ARMCX3 and raise the possibility of a signal transduction cascade between the nucleus and mitochondria through Sox10/ARMCX3 interactions.
Anger, adiposity, and glucose control in nondiabetic adults: findings from MIDUS II.

Anger has been linked to cardiovascular dis- ease, but few studies have examined the relationship between anger and type 2 diabetes. The aim was to investigate associations among different indicators of anger expression, adiposity, and nondiabetic glucose metabolism in a national survey of adults. Participants were 939 adults without diabetes in the Midlife in the US study (MIDUS II). Glucose metabolism was characterized by fasting glu- cose, insulin, insulin resistance, and glycosylated hemo- globin (HbA1c). Spielberger's Anger Expression inventory was used to measure suppressed anger (anger-in), expres- sed anger (anger-out), and controlled anger (anger-control). We investigated the relationship between anger and glu- cose metabolism, and whether anger amplified the adverse relationship between body weight distribution (body mass index = BMI and waist-to-hip ratio = WHR) and glucose metabolism. Multivariate-adjusted analyses revealed an association between anger-out and both insulin and insulin resistance. As predicted, anger-in amplified the relation- ships between BMI and insulin and insulin resistance, while anger-out amplified the association between WHR and insulin and insulin resistance. Low anger-control was associated with higher glucose. None of the three anger measures was significantly associated with HbA1c. Our findings extend previous research on anger as a potential risk factor for type 2 diabetes by demonstrating that anger expression is associated with clinical indicators of glyce- mic control, especially among those with pre-existing risk due to obesity and high central adiposity.
Gait curves for human recognition, backpack detection, and silhouette correction in a nighttime environment

The need for an automated surveillance system is pronounced at night when the capability of the human eye to detect anomalies is reduced. While there have been significant efforts in the classification of individuals using human metrology and gait, the majority of research assumes a day-time environment. The aim of this study is to move beyond traditional image acquisition modalities and explore the issues of object detection and human identification at night. To address these issues, a spatiotemporal gait curve that captures the shape dynamics of a moving human silhouette is employed. Initially proposed by Wang et al., this representation of the gait is expanded to incorporate modules for individual classification, backpack detection, and silhouette restoration. Evaluation of these algorithms is conducted on the CASIA Night Gait Database, which includes 10 video sequences for each of 153 unique subjects. The video sequences were captured using a low resolution thermal camera. Matching performance of the proposed algorithms is evaluated using a nearest neighbor classifier. The outcome of this work is an efficient algorithm for backpack detection and human identification, and a basis for further study in silhouette enhancement.
Predictors of plasma concentrations of DDE and PCBs in a group of U.S. women.

We evaluated predictors of plasma concentrations of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), a metabolite of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a group of 240 women, controls from a breast cancer case-control study nested in the Nurses' Health Study. We considered personal attributes such as age, serum cholesterol, region of residence, adiposity, lactation, and dietary intake. DDE levels increased 0.17 ppb/year of age (p = 0.0003), and PCBs increased 0.08 ppb (p = 0.0001). DDE and PCBs increased 0.20 (p = 0.02) and 0.13 ppb (p = 0.001), respectively, per 10 mg/dl serum cholesterol. Women living in the western United States had higher levels of DDE (mean = 11.0 ppb; p = 0.003), and women in the Northeast and Midwest had higher levels of PCBs (mean = 5.6 ppb; p = 0.0002) as compared to women from other parts of the country (mean DDE = 6.3; mean PCBs = 4. 5 ppb). Levels of DDE could not be predicted from consumption of meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and grains. There was a positive association between fish consumption and PCB concentrations among women in the Northeast and Midwest. Using data from the cases in the nested case-control study to assess the predictive ability of the models, we confirmed that the most reliable predictors of DDE were age and serum cholesterol, and the most important predictors of PCBs were age, serum cholesterol, and residence in the Midwest or Northeast. The null results for the majority of the food variables suggest that specific dietary factors, other than fish, are not currently a substantial contributor to human exposure to DDE and PCBs.