cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ant-repellent sesquiterpene lactones from Eupatorium quadrangularae

Abstract The chloroform extract from the leaves of Eupatorium quadrangularae has been systematically fractionated by following biological activity in a bioassay which measures repellency to the leafcutter ant Atta cephalotes (Formicidae, Attini). Several sesquiterpene lactones were isolated, two of which showed significant ant-repellency.
Incomplete Democracies in the Asia Pacific: Evidence from Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines and Thailand

Incomplete Democracies in the Asia Pacific is a welcome addition to a growing literature on political behaviour and public attitudes in Asian states. The backbone of this edited volume is a 2011 su...
Forecasting U.S. Investment

The driving force of U.S. economic growth is expected to rotate from the fiscal stimulus and inventory rebuilding in 2009 to private demand in 2010, with consumption and particularly investment expected to be important contributors to growth. The strength of U.S. investment will hence be a crucial issue for the U.S. and global recovery. On the basis of several traditional models of investment, we forecast that the U.S. investment in equipment and software will grow by about 10 percent on average over the 2010-12 period. The contribution of investment to real GDP growth will be 0.8 percentage points on average over the same period.
Extraction of arsenate and arsenite species from soils and sediments

Abstract The primary objective of this study was to develop a simple method that can be used to extract the more readily mobilizable and bioavailable arsenic species from soil and sediment while at the same time minimizing the transformation between (As III ) and (As V ), the two most commonly found arsenic species in the environment. Several extraction strategies were evaluated using phosphate as extractant in combination with either ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (NH 2 OH·HCl), or sodium diethyldithiocarbamate trihydrate (NaDDC). The addition of EDTA in the phosphate solution did not prevent As III from oxidation. While promising results were shown when 1% NH 2 OH·HCl was added, conversion of As III began to occur with extended extraction time (>12 h). Good results were achieved using 10 mM phosphate and 0.5% NaDDC where As III oxidation was clearly minimized. The combined phosphate and NaDDC solution was applied to several soil and sediment samples. As III spiked was quantitatively recovered in all soil types tested.
The Structure of Integer Programs under the Hermitian Normal Form

This paper discusses the structure of integer programming under the Hermitian normal form. It shows that this formulation is akin to the simplex technique for linear programming in that there is a basis and a basic solution associated with each Hermitian normal matrix, and that this Hermitian basis forms a set of natural cutting planes; these cutting planes are strong in that they provide facets for at least one of the corner polyhedra associated with a linear programming basis B. In addition, the cofactors of the Hermitian basis are group elements under a homomorphism of the original group structure. The Hermitian basis also allows one to characterize the values of the right-hand side for which the present solution is feasible. Finally, for an optimal Hermitian basis, one can perform sensitivity analysis on the cost coefficients.
Enhanced G‐protein‐induced relaxation in portal hypertensive rats: Role of nitric oxide

Abstract Portal hypertension (PHT) is characterized by splanchnic hyperemia due to a reduction in mesenteric vascular resistance. The reasons for the decreased resistance include an increased responsiveness to a vasodilator substance. Because the activation of an inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory (Gi) protein can result in endothelium-dependent relaxation, we tested the hypothesis that exaggerated Gi-protein induced relaxation via a nitric oxide (NO)-dependent pathway partly reflects the enhanced Gi-protein expression in PHT vessels. PHT was created in Sprague-Dawley rats by a partial portal-vein ligation. Control animals were sham operated. Using isolated vascular rings in the absence or presence of an intact endothelium, NG-nitro- l -arginine methyl ester ( l -NAME), and pertussis toxin, dose response relationships for sodium fluoride (NaF; range, 0.1-4 mmol/L), a Gi protein activator, were determined in a cumulative manner. Gi-protein expression was determined by Western blotting. NaF caused a dose-dependent relaxation in both sham and portal hypertensive pre-contracted vessels, an effect that was significantly inhibited by pertussis toxin, endothelial denudation, and l -NAME. Concentrations of NaF greater than 4 mmol/L caused contractions, an effect that was unaffected by l -NAME. The NaF-induced relaxation response was significantly greater in PHT vessels as compared with sham concomitant with increased Gi-protein expression in PHT vessels. These data suggest that the enhanced endothelial Gi-protein-induced relaxation in PHT vessels may partly reflect enhanced expression of Gi-proteins in PHT vessels and may, thus, represent an important mechanism for exaggerated NO-dependent relaxation in the PHT vasculature. (Hepatology 1997 Jul;26(1):27-33)
Identification of 10 nm non-chromatin filaments in the macronucleus ofEuplotes eurystomus

Distinct in situ 10 nm non-chromatin fibers exist within the macronucleus of the ciliated protozoanEuplotes eurystomus. Their presence is detected after permeabilizing cells in a cytoskeleton-stabilizing buffer and then fixation with glutaraldehyde-tannic acid, followed by OsO4. The 10 nm fibers are primarily localized within condensed chromatin and within the forward zone of the replication band. Although their functional role is unclear, it is suggested that they may constitute a structural framework for organization of the very large number (ca. 108) of macronuclear minichromosomes.
Pulmonary recruitment maneuver to reduce pain after laparoscopy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

We investigated the impact of pulmonary recruitment maneuver in reducing shoulder pain after laparoscopic procedure. We conducted a systematic review of the literature using Medline (1966–2014), Scopus (2004–2014), Popline (1974–2014), www.ClinicalTrials.gov (2008–2014), and Google Scholar (2004–2014) along with reference lists of electronically retrieved studies. Statistical meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.1 software. Six studies were included in the present systematic review, involving 571 patients. Among them, 291 (51 %) were offered a pulmonary recruitment maneuver, and 280 patients (49 %) were treated with conventional evacuation of pneumoperitoneum that included either passive evacuation or gentle pressing of the abdominal walls with the trocar ports open. The introduction of a pulmonary recruitment maneuver significantly decreased postoperative shoulder pain 12 h (435 patients, REM, MD −1.55, 95 % CI −2.01, −1.10), 24 h (435 patients, REM, MD −1.59, 95 % CI −2.00, −1.18), and 48 h post-operatively (335 patients, REM, MD −0.93, 95 % CI −1.37, −0.50). We also identified evidence of a potential beneficial effect in the reduction of postoperative upper abdominal pain. However, discrepancies in the interpretation of abdominal pain among the included studies precluded meta-analysis of this index. According to the results of our meta-analysis, pulmonary recruitment maneuver seems to be an easily performed, potentially preventive measure of post-laparoscopic shoulder pain. Further research is mandated, however, in the field, because firm results are precluded by the small number of included studies.
Automated lip-sync: Background and techniques

SUMMARY The problem of creating mouth animation synchronized to recorded speech is discussed. Review of a model of speech sound generation indicates that the automatic derivation of mouth movement from a speech soundtrack is a tractable problem. Several automatic lip-sync techniques are compared, and one method is described in detail. In this method a common speech synthesis method, linear prediction, is adapted to provide simple and accurate phoneme recognition. The recognized phonemes are associated with mouth positions to provide keyframes for computer animation of speech. Experience with this technique indicates that automatic lipsync can produce useful results.
Response of a circular foundation on a uniform half-space to elastic waves

An alternative technique to obtain the dynamic response of a massless rigid circular foundation resting on a uniform elastic half-space when subjected to harmonic plane waves is presented. The technique relies on the use of an integral representation involving the free-field ground motion and the contact tractions obtained in the course of calculating the dynamic force–displacement relationship of the foundation for external forces. Tables listing the translational and rotational components of the response of the foundation for non-vertically incident SH, P, SV and Rayleigh waves are presented.
Association Mapping and Significance Estimation via the Coalescent

The central questions asked in whole-genome association studies are how to locate associated regions in the genome and how to estimate the significance of these findings. Researchers usually do this by testing each SNP separately for association and then applying a suitable correction for multiple-hypothesis testing. However, SNPs are correlated by the unobserved genealogy of the population, and a more powerful statistical methodology would attempt to take this genealogy into account. Leveraging the genealogy in association studies is challenging, however, because the inference of the genealogy from the genotypes is a computationally intensive task, in particular when recombination is modeled, as in ancestral recombination graphs. Furthermore, if large numbers of genealogies are imputed from the genotypes, the power of the study might decrease if these imputed genealogies create an additional multiple-hypothesis testing burden. Indeed, we show in this paper that several existing methods that aim to address this problem suffer either from low power or from a very high false-positive rate; their performance is generally not better than the standard approach of separate testing of SNPs. We suggest a new genealogy-based approach, CAMP (coalescent-based association mapping), that takes into account the trade-off between the complexity of the genealogy and the power lost due to the additional multiple hypotheses. Our experiments show that CAMP yields a significant increase in power relative to that of previous methods and that it can more accurately locate the associated region.
Asian martial arts and resiliency

This article reviews characteristics of resilience and various types of Asian martial arts and illustrates how Asian martial arts help to cultivate resiliency. Cultivation of internal energy (eg. chi kung), training the breath, meditative techniques and spiritual development, metaphors and models in Asian martial arts, and training ‘heart’ designed to enhance resiliency are mechanisms for how Asian marital arts cultivate resilience. Finally, a brief review of the health and mental health benefits of Asian martial arts is presented.
A REVIEW OF THE KANBAN PRODUCTION CONTROL RESEARCH LITERATURE

Station interdependence, blocking caused by finite buffer capacities, and periodic material handling make modeling and analysis of kanban-controlled lines challenging. Also, one must consider flows of material as well as flows of kanbans. The many models given in the literature contribute to the confusion and debate that often characterize kanban research. The only element common to all kanban systems appears to be finite buffer capacities. I describe blocking by total queue size, blocking by part type, and the single-card and twocard systems. I review the kanban literature and organize it by type of system and decision area. First, I discuss elements of system design, including setting kanban numbers, performance measures, material-handling frequencies, and container sizes. Then I cover the production control topics of sequencing and batch-sizing. I conclude with a comparison of kanban and conventional methods of production control and with suggestions for future research.
Regulation of Probiotic Substances as Ingredients in Foods: Premarket Approval or “Generally Recognized as Safe” Notification

This article discusses options and examples of regulations or "generally recognized as safe" determinations that are related to microorganisms in food. A balanced picture of information about the microorganism and its characteristics is needed to make conclusions about its safety.
Low Oxygen: A Constraint on the Evolution of Viviparity in Reptiles

Abstract The evolution of reptilian viviparity (live bearing) from oviparity (egg laying) is thought to require transitional stages of increasingly longer periods of embryonic development in utero, that is, longer periods of egg retention by the gravid female. Studies on sceloporine lizards demonstrate that embryonic responses to egg retention that is extended beyond the time of normal oviposition range from developmental arrest to normal development. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that O2 availability is the proximate factor that determines the rate and degree of development that reptilian embryos undergo in utero. Eggs of Sceloporus undulatus were incubated under conditions of low (LOX), normal (NOX), and high (HOX) oxygen both early and late in development. The LOX treatment consistently had a negative effect on development in terms of embryonic differentiation and growth, length of incubation, egg mortality, and hatchling size. Moreover, the LOX treatment had a stronger negative...
Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in the fungus Cunninghamella bainieri: Evidence for the presence of cytochrome P-450

Abstract The aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) enzyme from the fungus Cunninghamella bainieri has been characterized. It is NADPH dependent and exhibits a pH optimum near 7.8. It is inhibited by CO, SKF 525-A, and metyrapone, but cyanide shows no inhibitory effect. These data, together with the pattern of inhibition and stimulation shown by metal ions, suggest that the fungal AHH activity is due to a cytochrome P -450. About 25% of the hydroxylase activity remains in the supernatant while the remainder precipitates after centrifugation at 100,00 g for 2.5 h. The 100,000 g supernatant was further fractionated by (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 precipitation. A NADPH-dependent cytochrome c reductase is concentrated mainly in the 100,000 g supernatant, and a cytochrome c oxidase is present mainly in the 100,000 g pellet. The cytochrome c reductase is essential for AHH activity as shown by the inhibition of AHH activity with cytochrome c and dichloroindophenol. Solubilization of a portion of the 100,000 g pellet in aqueous digitonin followed by dithionite reduction and addition of CO resulted in the observation of a maximum absorbance at 450 nm characteristic of cytochrome P -450.
Aspartate aminotransferase isotope exchange reactions: implications for glutamate/glutamine shuttle hypothesis.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) catalyzes amino group transfer from glutamate (Glu) or aspartate (Asp) to a keto acid acceptor—oxaloacetate (OA) or α-ketoglutarate (KG), respectively. Data present...
fMRI activation of the fusiform gyrus and amygdala to cartoon characters but not to faces in a boy with autism.

Abstract Abnormal hypoactivation in the amygdala and fusiform gyrus, brain areas that participate in face processing and social cognition, has consistently been demonstrated in persons with autism. We investigated activity in these areas in a boy with autism, DD, who had a special interest in “Digimon” cartoon characters. DD individuates Digimon faster than familiar faces and objects, but he individuates familiar faces no faster than objects. In contrast, a typically developing boy with an interest in “Pokemon” cartoon characters is equally fast at individuating faces and Pokemon and faster at individuating faces and Pokemon than objects and Digimon. In addition, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we show that DD activates his amygdala and fusiform gyrus for perceptual discriminations involving Digimon but not for those involving familiar or unfamiliar faces. This pattern of activation is not seen in the typically developing control with an interest in Pokemon or in a second comparison case who has autism but no interest in Digimon. These results have important implications for our understanding of autism, cortical face specialization, and the possible role of the amygdala in the development of perceptual expertise.
Direct reactions of tellurium tetrahalides with chelating nitrogen ligands. Trapping of TeI2 by a 1,2-bis(arylimino)acenaphthene (aryl-BIAN) ligand and C–H activation of an α,α′-diiminopyridine (DIMPY) ligand

The reaction of TeI4 with the 2,6-diisopropylphenyl-substituted 1,2-bis(arylimino)acenaphthene ligand dpp-BIAN results in two-electron reduction of tellurium and formation of the complex (dpp-BIAN)TeI2, while treatment of TeCl4 with the α,α′-diiminopyridine ligand dpp-DIMPY causes C–H activation of an imino methyl group.
System identification of a concrete arch dam and calibration of its finite element model

A magnitude 4.3 earthquake occurred near Pacoima Dam on 13 January 2001. An accelerometer array that had been upgraded after the Northridge earthquake recorded the motion with 17 channels on the dam and the dam–foundation interface. Using this data, properties of the first two modes are found from a system identification study. Modal properties are also determined from a forced vibration experiment performed in 2002 and indicate a significantly stiffer system than is estimated from the 2001 earthquake records. The 2001 earthquake, although small, must have induced temporary nonlinearity. This has implications for structural health monitoring. The source of the nonlinear behaviour is believed to be loss of stiffness in the foundation rock. A finite element model of Pacoima Dam is constructed and calibrated to match modal properties determined from the system identification study. A dynamic simulation of the 2001 earthquake response produces computed motions that agree fairly well with the recorded ones. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Technique for identifying Schlemm's canal in paediatric glaucoma surgery.

Traditionally, trabeculotomy is the preferred initial surgical intervention for congenital glaucoma when corneal haze precludes the performance of a goniotomy.1 It was first described by Burian in 1960.2 In the classical trabeculotomy ab externo, an external approach is used to cannulate the Schlemm's canal (SC) and connect it to the anterior chamber through incision of the trabecular meshwork using the trabeculotome. Recent modifications of trabeculotomy include circumferential suture techniques with or without the use of flexible illuminated microcatheter and viscotrabeculotomy.3–5 The most critical step in all these procedures is to identify the SC to prevent the complications such as collapse of the anterior chamber, iridodialysis and misdirection into the suprachoroidal space. The reported incidence of non-localisation of SC during trabeculotomy is 4–15%. Non-localisation may be due to congenital absence or dysgenesis of SC.6 ,7 It is challenging in children due to less pigmented trabecular meshwork, malposition or absence of the canal in children with anterior segment developmental anomalies …
ATTRIBUTIONS AND AFFECTS RELATED TO ACTUAL VS. PERCEIVED SUCCESS IN AN ACTUAL ACHIEVEMENT CONTEXT

The present study sought to explore Weiner's model of attribution-affect linkage using nondichotomized measures of both objective and subjective success, in a real achievement context. Contrary to expectation, attributional internality related more strongly to objective than to perceived success on three course examinations. Affectivity, as expected, related significantly more strongly to subjective success. Attribution-affect linkage accounted for relatively small amounts of variance in both types of outcome. However, Weiner's concept of "outcome-dependent, attribution-independent" affects was supported covarying with more specific self-worth affects. The concept of "hedonic bias" and concomitant positive affect was supported here, but the lack of a uniform group trend towards self-enhancing attributions highlights the necessity of considering individual differences in achievement behavior.
Addressing and Advancing the Problem of Missing Data

Missing data can pose substantial risk of reaching incorrect conclusions from clinical studies. Imputation for the missing values is common, but can supply only an approximate result desired to be “close enough” to the intended true result. Prevention optimally addresses the issue. Knowledge of the effective techniques to minimize the problem, likely to vary with clinical setting, is presently inadequate. Formal evaluation of preventative methods should be encouraged and lead to publication of the assessments. Designers of clinical trials should also plan for study analysis where missing values occur. Simple imputation methods have been used and may be sufficient in some settings, but have potential to introduce bias and inaccuracy into the statistical analysis. More complex methods such as multiple imputation potentially offer reduced risk of bias. Multiple imputation also offers the potential for study designers to include some auxiliary outcome assessments that may substantially improve the quality of ...
Glypican-1, Phosphacan/Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Phosphatase-ζ/β and its Ligand, Tenascin-C, are Expressed by Neural Stem Cells and Neural Cells Derived from Embryonic Stem Cells

The heparan sulfate proteoglycan glypican-1, the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan phosphacan/RPTP (receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase)-ζ/β and the extracellular matrix protein tenascin-C were all found to be expressed by neural stem cells and by neural cells derived from them. Expression of proteoglycans and tenascin-C increased after retinoic acid induction of SSEA1-positive ES (embryonic stem) cells to nestin-positive neural stem cells, and after neural differentiation, proteoglycans and tenascin-C are expressed by both neurons and astrocytes, where they surround cell bodies and processes and in certain cases show distinctive expression patterns. With the exception of tenascin-C (whose expression may decrease somewhat), expression levels do not change noticeably during the following 2 weeks in culture. The significant expression, by neural stem cells and neurons and astrocytes derived from them, of two major heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans of nervous tissue and of tenascin-C, a high-affinity ligand of phosphacan/RPTP-ζ/β, indicates that an understanding of their specific functional roles in stem cell neurobiology will be important for the therapeutic application of this new technology in facilitating nervous tissue repair and regeneration.
Daptomycin in Combination With Other Antibiotics for the Treatment of Complicated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia

Abstract Purpose Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as one of the most important nosocomial pathogens. Resistance to antibiotic therapy has been known to emerge especially in clinically complex scenarios, resulting in challenges in determining optimal treatment of serious MRSA. Daptomycin, in combination with other antibiotics, has been successfully used in the treatment of these infections, with the aims of resulting in reducing the prevention of antimicrobial resistance and increased killing compared with daptomycin monotherapy. Methods This article reviews all the published studies that used daptomycin combination therapy for the treatment of bacteremia and associated complicated infections caused by gram-positive organisms, including MRSA. We discuss the rationale of combination antibiotics and the mechanisms that enhance the activity of daptomycin, with special focus on the role of β-lactam antibiotics. Findings There are limited clinical data on the use of daptomycin in combination with other antibiotics. Most of this use was as successful salvage therapy in the setting of failing primary, secondary, or tertiary therapy and/or relapsing infection. Synergy between β-lactams and daptomycin is associated with several characteristics, including increased daptomycin binding and β-lactam–mediated potentiation of innate immunity, but the precise molecular mechanism is unknown. Implications Use of daptomycin in combination with other antibiotics, especially β-lactams, offers a promising treatment option for complicated MRSA bacteremia in which emergence of resistance during treatment may be anticipated. Because it is currently not possible to differentiate complicated from uncomplicated bacteremia at the time of presentation, combination therapy may be considered as first-line therapy, with de-escalation to monotherapy in uncomplicated cases and cases with stable pharmacologic and surgical source control.
Fast and Sensitive Pretargeted Labeling of Cancer Cells through a Tetrazine/trans-Cyclooctene Cycloaddition†

There is considerable interest in the use of bioorthogonal covalent chemistry such as “click” chemistries to label small molecules located on live or fixed cells.[1] Such labeling has been used for the visualization of glycans, activity based protein profiling, site-specific tagging of proteins, detection of DNA and RNA synthesis, revealing the fate of small molecules in plants, and detection of post-translational modification in proteins.[2-4] Most reported applications rely on either the copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, which is limited to in vitro application due to the cytotoxicity of copper, or the elegant strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition, which permits live cell and in vivo application use but is hindered by relatively slow kinetics and often difficult synthesis of cyclooctyne derivatives.[4-5] New bioorthogonal reactions that do not require catalyst and show rapid kinetics are therefore of interest for different molecular imaging applications at the cellular level. In this report we demonstrate the use of inverse electron demand Diels-Alder cycloaddition between a serum stable 1,2,4,5 tetrazine and a highly strained trans-cyclooctene to covalently label live cells. This chemistry has been applied to the pretargeted labeling of Cetuximab (Erbitux) tagged epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on A549 cancer cells. We find that the tetrazine cycloaddition to trans-cyclooctene labeled cells is fast and can be amplified by increasing the loading of dienophile on the antibody. This results in a highly sensitive targeting strategy that can be used to label proteins using nanomolar concentrations of a secondary agent for short durations of time.
Estrogen actions in the central nervous system.

I. Introduction II. Mechanisms of Estrogen Action A. “Genomic” and “nongenomic” mechanisms B. Steroid hormone actions on gene expression C. Subtypes of estrogen receptors D. Steroid hormone actions on putative receptors on membranes E. Rapid actions of steroids on neuronal excitability F. Steroid hormone actions via second messengers G. Neuroprotective effects of estrogens H. Summary III. Areas of the Brain Affected Outside of the Hypothalamus A. Studies of hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic actions of estrogens B. Estrogens and the cholinergic system C. Estrogens and the serotonergic system D. Catecholaminergic neurons E. Spinal cord F. Hippocampus G. Glial cells, endothelial cells, and the blood-brain barrier H. Summary IV. Effects of Estrogens on Learning and Memory V. Estrogens, Neuroprotection, and Alzheimer’s Disease VI. Conclusions
Undergraduate urban metagenomics research module.

The undergraduate urban metagenomics research module is an adaptable and tractable project that can be incorporated into exisiting microbiology, ecology, bioinformatics, introductory biology or other courses. The module takes advantage of recent advances in metagenomics and next generation sequencing, giving students an opportunity to apply these current technologies to novel questions regarding microbial community diversity and dynamics.
Robust and efficient domain decomposition preconditioners for adaptive hp finite element approximations of linear elasticity with and without discontinuous coefficients

Adaptive finite element methods (FEM) generate linear equation systems that require dynamic and irregular patterns of storage, access, and computation, making their parallelization difficult. Additional difficulties are generated for problems in which the coefficients of the governing partial differential equations have large discontinuities. We describe in this paper the development of a set of iterative substructuring based solvers and domain decomposition preconditioners with an algebraic coarse-grid component that address these difficulties for adaptive lip approximations of linear elasticity with both homogeneous and inhomogeneous material properties. Our solvers are robust and efficient and place no restrictions on the mesh or partitioning.
Reciprocal regulation of metabolic and signaling pathways

By studying genome-wide expression patterns in healthy and diseased tissues across a wide range of pathophysiological conditions, DNA microarrays have revealed unique insights into complex diseases. However, the high-dimensionality of microarray data makes interpretation of heterogeneous gene expression studies inherently difficult. Using a large-scale analysis of more than 40 microarray studies encompassing ~2400 mammalian tissue samples, we identified a common theme across heterogeneous microarray studies evident by a robust genome-wide inverse regulation of metabolic and cell signaling pathways: We found that upregulation of cell signaling pathways was invariably accompanied by downregulation of cell metabolic transcriptional activity (and vice versa). Several findings suggest that this characteristic gene expression pattern represents a new principle of mammalian transcriptional regulation. First, this coordinated transcriptional pattern occurred in a wide variety of physiological and pathophysiological conditions and was identified across all 20 human and animal tissue types examined. Second, the differences in metabolic gene expression predicted the magnitude of differences for signaling and all other pathways, i.e. tissue samples with similar expression levels of metabolic transcripts did not show any differences in gene expression for all other pathways. Third, this transcriptional pattern predicted a profound effect on the proteome, evident by differences in structure, stability and post-translational modifications of proteins belonging to signaling and metabolic pathways, respectively. Our data suggest that in a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological conditions, gene expression changes exhibit a recurring pattern along a transcriptional axis, characterized by an inverse regulation of major metabolic and cell signaling pathways. Given its widespread occurrence and its predicted effects on protein structure, protein stability and post-translational modifications, we propose a new principle for transcriptional regulation in mammalian biology.
Stabilization of Bitolterol by the Use of Mixed Solvent Systems

AbstractAnalytical methods using thin-layer and high pressure liquid chromatographic techniques were developed and utilized for measuring decreases in bitolterol concentrations as a function of time. Pseudo first-order hydrolysis rate constants were determined and shown to be strongly dependent upon pH and solvent polarity for this catecholamine diester. The activation energy was calculated as 18 kilocalories per mole for bitolterol in aqueous buffer solution both with or without 25% alcohol. Large reductions in rate constants as a function of dielectric constant were demonstrated and illustrate that solvent polarity effects may be important for drug stabilization.
Novel disease burden assessment predicts allogeneic transplantation outcomes in myelodysplastic syndrome

Among patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), the impact of residual pretransplant cytogenetically abnormal cells on outcomes remains uncertain. We analyzed HCT outcomes by time of transplant disease variables, including (1) blast percentage, (2) percentage of cytogenetically abnormal cells and (3) Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (R-IPSS) cytogenetic classification. We included 82 MDS patients (median age 51 years (range 18-71)) transplanted between 1995 and 2013 with abnormal diagnostic cytogenetics. Patients with higher percentages of cytogenetically abnormal cells experienced inferior 5-year survival (37-76% abnormal cells: relative risk (RR) 2.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-7.2; P=0.02; and 77-100% abnormal cells: RR 5.6; 95% CI 1.9-19.6; P 10% blasts also had inferior 5-year survival (RR 2.9; 95% CI 1.1-7.2; P=0.02) versus patients with ⩽2% blasts. Even among patients with ⩽2% blasts, patients with 77-100% cytogenetically abnormal cells had poor survival (RR 4.4; 95% CI 1.1-18.3; P=0.04). Increased non-relapse mortality (NRM) was observed with both increasing blast percentages (P<0.01) and cytogenetically abnormal cells at transplant (P=0.01) in multivariate analysis. We observed no impact of disease burden characteristics on relapse outcomes due to high 1-year NRM. In conclusion, both blast percentage and percentage of cytogenetically abnormal cells reflect MDS disease burden and predict post-HCT outcomes.
Tobacco Prevention Interventions in Adolescents

Tobacco use is a major public health problem in our society. Tobacco addiction begins in adolescence and majority of smokers start using tobacco in the age group between 11-13 years. There are a number of tobacco prevention strategies targeted towards the youth such as school-based educational interventions, community-based interventions, advertising restrictions on tobacco use, youth access restrictions and public health education. The purpose of this article is to review smoking prevention educational interventions in adolescents conducted either in the school or community setting. In order to collect the materials for the study, a search of CINAHL, MEDLINE and ERIC databases was conducted for the time period 1985-2006. A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Eight out of the 15 interventions were targeted towards students in grades 6-7 which makes sense as majority of the adolescents start using tobacco in the age group 11-13 years. Nine out of 15 interventions reviewed did not use any behavioral theory. The six articles that used theory used social learning theory, community organizing theory, transactional and systems theory of environmental change and some constructs from transtheoretical model. There is need to explicitly reify behavioral theories by tobacco prevention interventions. Characteristics of the length of the intervention, personnel conducting the intervention, types of activities included in the interventions, and process evaluation results are discussed in the article. Recommendations for developing future educational interventions for preventing tobacco use in adolescents are discussed.
A Cross-National Examination of Trust in the Public Service

How do levels of trust in the civil service differ across countries? Are these attitudes about the civil service determined by similar individual-level attributes across nations? Do national-level correlates explain variation between nations in citizen attitudes toward the civil service? Data from the 2009 World Values Survey for 20 North American and European nations, in addition to aggregate-level measures of national context, are analyzed using multilevel binary logistic regression. At the individual-level, it is reported that interpersonal trust, political ideology, confidence towards other public institutions, and participation in voluntary organizations are positively correlated with trust in the civil service. At the aggregate-level, variation in trust across nations is correlated with the extent of corruption and the quality of governmental institutions.
Thermal stability of ZnO nanoparticle bound organic chromophores

Abstract Thermally stabilized metal-organic chromophores have been generated through an electrochemical oxidation of zinc metal to form a ZnO-chromophore nanomaterial. The chromophores are surface bound to ZnO by a polar covalent metal-to-chromophore bridge which minimizes thermal degradation pathways of the organic molecule. The binding occurs between the Zn and carboxylic acid functional groups on the organic chromophore as confirmed using IR spectroscopy monitoring the loss of the COO− peak at 1720 cm−1. The new composite material demonstrates a thermal stability up to 300 °C based on the results of TGA/MS and DSC. The photostability of these materials in either the solution or solid state was monitored using UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy. When incorporated into a polymer composite there is a dramatic increase in photo-stability compared to the pure chromophore or the metal-chromophore nanomaterial.
Responses of female Aphelinus asychis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and Aphidius matricariae (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) to host and plant-host odors

Field surveys showed previously that mummies of Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) parasitized by Aphelinus asychis Walker were 3-fold more abundant than those parasitized by Aphidius matricariae Haliday in a region where these species are endemic. We carried out a series of olfactometer experiments to test whether this difference in parasitoid abundance might arise from differences in attraction to host or host-plant odors. We used a 4-way olfactometer to measure choices among 4 odor sources—filtered air, barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), D. noxia , and D. noxia plus barley—and the time spent in these 4 odor fields. Field-collected and laboratory reared A. asychis females did not move preferentially toward D. noxia or D. noxia –barley odors compared with filtered air or barley odors. This lack of preference was not affected by experience in which parasitoid females were allowed to oviposit in D. noxia on barley before being tested. However, after such experience, A. asychis females spent more time in the D. noxia –barley odor field than in the other odor fields. In contrast, naive A. matricariae females chose D. noxia –barley odors over other odors, and experienced A. matricariae females chose odors from D. noxia alone, as well as odors from barley plus D. noxia , over filtered air and barley odors. A. matricariae females spent more time in the D. noxia odor field than in the other odor fields, whether or not they were experienced with the plant–host complex. These results suggest that greater attraction to D. noxia cannot explain the greater abundance of A. asychis found on this host in the field.
Tobacco Alkaloids and Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines in Dust from Homes of Smokeless Tobacco Users, Active Smokers, and Nontobacco Users

Smokeless tobacco products, such as moist snuff or chewing tobacco, contain many of the same carcinogens as tobacco smoke; however, the impact on children of indirect exposure to tobacco constituents via parental smokeless tobacco use is unknown. As part of the California Childhood Leukemia Study, dust samples were collected from 6 homes occupied by smokeless tobacco users, 6 homes occupied by active smokers, and 20 tobacco-free homes. To assess children's potential for exposure to tobacco constituents, vacuum-dust concentrations of five tobacco-specific nitrosamines, including N'-nitrosonornicotine [NNN] and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone [NNK], as well as six tobacco alkaloids, including nicotine and myosmine, were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We used generalized estimating equations derived from a multivariable marginal model to compare levels of tobacco constituents between groups, after adjusting for a history of parental smoking, income, home construction date, and mother's age and race/ethnicity. The ratio of myosmine/nicotine was used as a novel indicator of the source of tobacco contamination, distinguishing between smokeless tobacco products and tobacco smoke. Median dust concentrations of NNN and NNK were significantly greater in homes with smokeless tobacco users compared to tobacco-free homes. In multivariable models, concentrations of NNN and NNK were 4.8- and 6.9-fold higher, respectively, in homes with smokeless tobacco users compared to tobacco-free homes. Median myosmine/nicotine ratios were lower in homes with smokeless tobacco users (1.8%) compared to homes of active smokers (7.7%), confirming that cigarette smoke was not the predominant source of tobacco constituents in homes with smokeless tobacco users. Children living with smokeless tobacco users may be exposed to carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines via contact with contaminated dust and household surfaces.
Interaction of monensin with dietary vanadium, potassium, and protein, and its effect on hepatic rubidium and potassium in chicks.

A series of experiments was undertaken to further investigate the influence of diet composition on chick response to monensin supplementation. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of monensin on growth rate and hepatic Rb and K content as affected by dietary content of V, K, or protein. A factorial experiment involving V levels of 0, 5, 10, or 20 ppm and monensin levels of 0, 120, or 160 ppm was conducted with broiler chicks to 4 weeks of age. Growth rate was significantly depressed by 10 or 20 ppm V but not by monensin. Hepatic K content was not affected by dietary treatments. In another factorial experiment, effects of levels of 0 and 120 ppm monensin and 0 and 5 ppm V were compared. Growth rate was significantly depressed by both V and monensin but with no significant interaction. Neither hepatic Rb or K content was significantly altered by the supplements. A third factorial experiment involved monensin levels of 0, 120, or 160 ppm, added K levels of 0 or .3%, and dietary protein levels of 16 or 24%. Body weight at 3 weeks of age was significantly depressed by 160 ppm monensin in the high protein diet and by 120 or 160 ppm in the low protein diet. Added K did not counteract the growth depression. Hepatic Rb content was increased by monensin and significantly reduced by K supplementation. Hepatic K content was not increased by K supplementation. Chicks fed the low protein diet had significantly lower concentrations of hepatic Rb and K than those fed the high protein diet.
A NEW METHOD OF HIP FUSION USING AN INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL: A Preliminary Report

1. A method of hip fusion with the aid of a straight intramedullary nail through the ilium and the femur is presented. 2. If properly done, no external fixation is necessary and the patient can be allowed up with crutches ten days after the operation. 3. The method has been used on eighteen hips between 1958 and 1960. There was one case of delayed union due to faulty technique and one case of exacerbation of an old tuberculous infection. Otherwise the follow-up study of the patients revealed good bony fusion in all cases, with no pain in the back or knee.
Effect of Injection Site on Cutaneous Basophil Hypersensitivity Response to Phytohemagglutinin

Abstract Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) is frequently used as a measure of cell-mediated immune response in chickens. Several anatomical sites have been used to measure this response. No correlation between response level at different sites, however, has been reported. This study compares responses to PHA by using two different injection sites (wing web and interdigital skin of the foot) in White Leghorn chickens. Response at each individual site was comparable whether the bird received a PHA injection at that site alone or at both sites. Correlations between responses at the two sites were not different from zero [–.1733 (P = .44)]. These data indicate that caution must be exercised in comparing cell-mediated immune responses when different PHA injection sites have been used to assess response.
Savouring and Self‐compassion as Protective Factors for Depression

Within positive psychology, researchers and clinicians vocalize the need to expand upon how the treatment for major depressive disorder is conceptualized and implemented. The impetus of the current study was to examine preliminary criteria for identifying savouring and self-compassion as protective factors for depression. Undergraduate students (N = 133) completed a series of surveys at two points in time, 5 weeks apart. Results revealed that savouring and self-compassion were inversely related to depression scores cross-sectionally and prospectively. However, savouring was the only positive psychological variable to predict changes in depression scores across time. Cross-sectionally, savouring was also found to moderate the relation between negative life events and depression, such that the strength of the relation between negative life events and depression decreased when higher savouring was present. However, this same effect was not significant prospectively. There was no evidence, cross-sectionally or prospectively, that self-compassion moderated the relation between negative life events and depression. Taken together, results provide preliminary support for savouring as a protective factor for depressive symptoms. Mental health professionals should consider teaching savouring strategies to help at-risk clients stimulate and sustain positive affect as a means of preventing and reducing depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Introduction to Mount Baker and the Nooksack River Watershed

The headwaters of the North Fork and Middle Fork Nooksack River are the glaciers of Mount Baker, the South Fork Nooksack River lacks glacier cover. The glaciers are a critical source of runoff for the North Fork contributing 30–40 % of the total runoff during late summer. In the last 30 years glacier retreat and climate change is altering the timing and magnitude of glacier runoff. For 31 years the North Cascade Glacier Climate Project has been examining glaciers at the headwaters of this system.
Alien Plant Invasions: The Story of Cogongrass in Southeastern Forests

Cogongrass (imperata cylindrica), an alien grass listed as a federal noxious weed, has become a force to reckon with in the forestlands of the southeastern United States. Accidentally introduced in 1912 in packing material from Japan, the weed has negatively affected both natural and planted forests. Knowledge about the biology and management of cogongrass among foresters and land managers in the region is the greatest help in the fight against this alien species. An integrated management approach using all available methods is necessary to control cogongrass.
How Twitter is Changing the Nature of Financial News Discovery

Access to the most relevant and current information is critical to financial analysis and decision making. Historically, financial news has been discovered through company press releases, required disclosures and news articles. More recently, social media has reshaped the financial news landscape, radically changing the dynamics of news dissemination. In this paper we discuss the ways in which Twitter, a leading social media platform, has contributed to changes in this landscape. We explain why today Twitter is a valuable source of material financial information and describe opportunities and challenges in using this novel news source for financial information discovery.