cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure of the human M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor gene and its promoter

The M(2) muscarinic receptor inhibits the release of acetylcholine from cholinergic fibers in the lungs and elsewhere. In airway parasympathetic neurons, M(2) receptor expression is decreased by viral infections and by interferon-gamma, increasing actylcholine release. Dexamethasone increases M(2) receptor expression, decreasing acetylcholine release. We carried out 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends beginning with mRNA from human heart and IMR32 human neuroblastoma cells. This demonstrated a 5' UTR of 100 BP, corresponding to two sequences on chromosome 7, separated by a 22.6 kB intron. The splice acceptor site is at -45 relative to the initiating atg. The 3000 BP upstream of 5' RACE product were subcloned into a pGL3 luciferase reporter vector. Deletional constructs were expressed in IMR32 cells. These demonstrated that 412 BP provided full expression of the reporter gene, and suggested a repressor element between -1848 and -1510.
Pathogenesis of vertebral metastasis and epidural spinal cord compression

The authors have studied the sequential events in the process of vertebral metastasis that result in spinal cord compression. Different tumor cell lines were injected into the systemic arterial circulation of syngeneic or nude mice, and they were killed at timed intervals after injection or when they became paraplegic. The following observations were made. The tumor cells lodged and grew in the hematopoietic bone marrow of the vertebrae. Cancer cells in the vertebral marrow cavity invaded into the spinal canal through the foramina of the vertebral veins rather than destroying the cortical bone. Tumor cell lines that grew in an infiltrative fashion migrated toward a posterior location in the spinal canal, and compressed the spinal cord from a posterior direction. Tumor cell lines that grew as compact tumors formed a tumor mass at the same location from which the cells emerged from the vertebra, and compressed the cord predominantly from an anterior direction. Radiographic evidence of vertebral metastasis was a late event, and commonly associated with significant compression of the cord and extraosseous tumor. These experimental findings may help to establish better diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with metastatic disease of the spine.
Estimating the Power of the Gehan Test

A bootstrap method suggested by COLLINGS and HAMILTON (1988) to estimate the power of the two-sample Wilcoxon test is adapted to use for estimating the power of the Gehan test. A Monte Carlo simulation study is done to determine how well the method works in this case.
Incompatibility and Mental Fatigue

A straightforward prediction from attention restoration theory is that the level of incompatibility in a person's life should be positively correlated with that person's level of mental (or directed attention) fatigue. The authors tested this prediction by developing a new self-report measure of incompatibility in which they attempted to isolate all the six categories of incompatibility described by S. Kaplan: distraction, deficit of information, duty, deception, difficulty, and danger. Factor analysis revealed six factors that corresponded reasonably well to those six categories. This article found that a composite incompatibility score was positively correlated with a separate self-report measure of mental fatigue and so were all six of the subscale scores. With the exception of the score for duty, these positive correlations remained after partialing out a separate measure of the level of stress in the person's life. The authors concluded that the proposed categories of incompatibility can be validly measured; that the constructs of incompatibility, mental fatigue, and stress are discriminable from each other; and that incompatibility is generally positively correlated with mental fatigue.
Global increase in UV irradiance during the past 30 years (1979―2008) estimated from satellite data

Zonal average ultraviolet irradiance (flux ultraviolet, F(sub uv)) reaching the Earth's surface has significantly increased since 1979 at all latitudes except the equatorial zone. Changes are estimated in zonal average F(sub uv) caused by ozone and cloud plus aerosol reflectivity using an approach based on Beer's law for monochromatic and action spectrum weighted irradiances. For four different cases, it is shown that Beer's Law leads to a power law form similar to that applied to erythemal action spectrum weighted irradiances. Zonal and annual average increases in F(sub uv) were caused by decreases in ozone amount from 1979 to 1998. After 1998, midlatitude annual average ozone amounts and UV irradiance levels have been approximately constant. In the Southern Hemisphere, zonal and annual average UV increase is partially offset by tropospheric cloud and aerosol transmission decreases (hemispherical dimming), and to a lesser extent in the Northern Hemisphere. Ozone and 340 nm reflectivity changes have been obtained from multiple joined satellite time series from 1978 to 2008. The largest zonal average increases in F(sub uv) have occurred in the Southern Hemisphere. For clear-sky conditions at 50 S, zonal average F(sub uv) changes are estimated (305 nm, 23%; erythemal, 8.5%; 310 nm, 10%; vitamin D production, 12%). These are larger than at 50 N (305 nm, 9%; erythemal, 4%; 310 nm, 4%; vitamin D production, 6%). At the latitude of Buenos Aires, Argentina (34.6 S), the clear-sky Fuv increases are comparable to the increases near Washington, D. C. (38.9 N): 305 nm, 9% and 7%; erythemal, 6% and 4%; and vitamin D production, 7% and 5%, respectively.
Hypothesis testing detection of mines buried under rough ground surfaces using 2D FDTD modeling

In ground penetrating radar (GPR) antipersonnel mine sensing, in which the target is small, shallow and often of low dielectric contrast, detection is challenging. One of the difficulties is that it is hard to distinguish the target signal from the omnipresent random rough ground reflection clutter. In this work, a Monte Carlo computational simulation using 2-dimensional (2-D) transverse magnetic (TM) finite difference time domain (FDTD) with multiple rough surfaces is implemented to investigate single TNT target buries in dispersive soil. Based on the effects of the random rough surface on an impulse GPR signal and the knowledge of wave propagation differences in different media - air, soil, and TNT - a special background average process using physics based signal processing (PBSP) is performed to remove the ground clutter signal. This procedure first involves shifting and scaling multiple time signals from target-free random rough ground to establish the nominal (average) ground reflection pulse shape. Next, this nominal pulse shape is correlated in time with each trial signal, then shifted and scaled to match the ground surface clutter of that trial signal. Subtracting this shifted scaled clutter signal from the trial signal ideally leaves the target signal (with some additional multiple scattering between the target and ground surface). The PBSP algorithm reapplied in cases for which surface scattering occurs at multiple points. The statistical results of PBSP surface clutter removal indicate that the detection performance degrades with increasing surface roughness and decreasing burial depth. Hypothesis testing on the processed results proved to be successful in a detection and estimation point of view. This paper presents the detection performances in terms of Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) for various ground surface roughness and target burial depth cases. Also demonstrated is the performance improvements expected from multiple views: indicating that a multi-bistatic configuration appears to be superior to multistatic transmitter/receiver geometry with minimum combinations.
Fluctuations in the Rate of Industrial Invention

I. Socio-economic problems of rates of invention and shifts of inventive interest, 454; limitations of the use of patent statistics as indexes of the rate of invention, 455. — II. The data used, 457; analysis of the data, 458; pattern of technical change within an industry, 460. — III. Factors which account for this pattern, 464.
Programmed Cell Death: A New Way Worms Get Rid of Unwanted Cells

The genetics and predictable cell death lineages in Caenorhabditis elegans have been critical for identifying a conserved apoptosis pathway. Yet, cells still die in mutants that disrupt this pathway. A recent study shows that this death occurs by cell shedding.
Employee Turnover: An Empirical and Methodological Assessment.

Abstract Research on the prediction of employee turnover conducted in the past 50 years is critically reviewed. Previous studies were grouped on the basis of common predictor variables, which resulted in five general categories: attitudinal (job satisfaction), biodata, work-related, personal, and test-score predictors. Consistent relationships between common predictor variables and turnover were found for every category except test-score predictors. Eight methodological problems/ issues inherent in turnover research are identified and explicated. Some misconceptions regarding the implications of employee turnover are discussed.
Celecoxib combined with atorvastatin prevents progression of atherosclerosis.

Background Increased expression of cyclooxygenase (COX-2) contributes to atherosclerosis. Recent studies suggest that COX-2 inhibitors prevent early plaque development but their effects on established lesions are less clear, while the statins promote plaque stability. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether administering a combination of a COX-2 inhibitor with a statin drug alters plaque progression in apo E–/– mice. Materials and Methods Apo E–/– mice were fed a Western diet from 6 to 26 wk of age. At 26 wk, the Western diets supplemented with atorvastatin, celecoxib, or atorvastatin plus celecoxib were given for an additional 12 wk. Results When the mice were 38 wk of age, the total area occupied by the atherosclerotic lesion was 53% less in the mice fed the combination of atorvastatin + celecoxib P ≤ 0.05) than that of the apo E–/– mice fed the Western diet alone, atorvastatin alone, or celecoxib alone. The decreased extent of atherosclerosis observed in the apo E–/– mice fed the combination of drugs was associated with reduced levels of prostaglandin (PG) E 2, decreased protein expression of metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, macrophage chemotactic protein (MCP-1), and COX 2, and decreased staining for MMP-9, F4-80 (a marker for macrophages), and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM). Conclusion This study indicates that using statins with a COX-2 inhibitor reduced the extent of atherosclerosis and inflammatory/cell adhesion molecule levels in the apo E–/– mouse model.
A synopsis of the South American mutillid genus Reedomutilla, nom. nov. for Reedia André(nee Ashmead) (Hymenoptera)*

Synopsis The new name Reedomutilla is proposed for the genus Reedia, and keys to the species are given. The data that accompany all the described specimens are detailed and the present location of the specimens is indicated.
JFET Transient Radiation Response

A comprehensive study of transient radiation response mechanisms in Junction Field Effect Transistors at dose rates less than 1 × 1010 Rad (si)/sec has been performed. Theoretical models of device response have been developed and represented in terms of a large signal equivalent circuit model. Experimental verification has been achieved through radiation testing at the AFCRL Linac Facility on specially built JFETs supplied by Siliconix, Inc. The complete results of the work are documented in Reference 1, and the conclusions are presented in this paper.
Unwinding of theEscherichia coliOrigin of Replication (oriC) Can Occur in the Absence of Initiation Proteins but Is Stabilized by DnaA and Histone-like Proteins IHF or HU

Abstract The unwinding of the origin of replication ( oriC ) is a critical step in initiation of DNA replication in Escherichia coli. Previous observations indicate that efficient unwinding of supercoiled plasmid templates containing oriC sequences requires the DnaA initiation protein and one or more accessory factors. The precise contribution of each protein to this process is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that unwinding can occur under physiological conditions at the same bases in oriC, in either the presence or the absence of initiation proteins, as detected by a single-strand specific nuclease, P1. This suggests that oriC unwinding is a spontaneous event determined solely by DNA sequence. DnaA and IHF, as part of a large nucleoprotein complex, may function to stabilize the DNA strand opening prior to initiation of DNA replication.
A dye mixture (Neurobiotin and Alexa 488) reveals extensive dye-coupling among neurons in leeches; physiology confirms the connections

Although the neuronal circuits that generate leech movements have been studied for over 30 years, the list of interneurons (INs) in these circuits remains incomplete. Previous studies showed that some motor neurons (MNs) are electrically coupled to swim-related INs, e.g., rectifying junctions connect IN 28 to MN DI-1 (dorsal inhibitor), so we searched for additional neurons in these behavioral circuits by co-injecting Neurobiotin and Alexa Fluor 488 into segmental MNs DI–1, VI–2, DE–3 and VE–4. The high molecular weight Alexa dye is confined to the injected cell, whereas the smaller Neurobiotin molecules diffuse through gap junctions to reveal electrical coupling. We found that MNs were each dye-coupled to approximately 25 neurons, about half of which are likely to be INs. We also found that (1) dye-coupling was reliably correlated with physiologically confirmed electrical connections, (2) dye-coupling is unidirectional between MNs that are linked by rectifying connections, and (3) there are novel electrical connections between excitatory and inhibitory MNs, e.g. between excitatory MN VE-4 and inhibitory MN DI-1. The INs found in this study provide a pool of novel candidate neurons for future studies of behavioral circuits, including those underlying swimming, crawling, shortening, and bending movements.
Addressing the Challenges of Adaptation to Climate Change Policy: Integrating Public Administration and Public Policy Studies

With growing attention on formulating the “right” policies and programs to address climate change, the contribution that policy work will make in fostering adaptive capacity needs to be examined. Policy capacity is crucial to policy formulation and should be at the heart of climate mainstreaming. There are six hypotheses about the nature of climate-based policy work based on a survey conducted of Canadian federal and provincial government employees in the forestry, finance, infrastructure, and transportation sectors. To measure the simultaneous effects on perceived policy capacity, an Ordinary Least Squares regression was conducted. Among the key findings was that the increased demand for climate change science within an organization resulted in a decreased perception of policy capacity. Policy work was largely focused on procedure activities rather than on evaluation. The model found that networking was critically important for perceived policy capacity. Effective policy formulation will involve the part...
Evidence for Karyogamy and Exchange of Genetic Material in the Binucleate Intestinal Parasite Giardia intestinalis

The diplomonad parasite Giardia intestinalis contains two functionally equivalent nuclei that are inherited independently during mitosis. Although presumed to be asexual, Giardia has low levels of allelic heterozygosity, indicating that the two nuclear genomes may exchange genetic material. Fluorescence in situ hybridization performed with probes to an episomal plasmid suggests that plasmids are transferred between nuclei in the cyst, and transmission electron micrographs demonstrate fusion between cyst nuclei. Green fluorescent protein fusions of giardial homologs of meiosis-specific genes localized to the nuclei of cysts, but not the vegetative trophozoite. These data suggest that the fusion of nuclei, or karyogamy, and subsequently somatic homologous recombination facilitated by the meiosis gene homologs, occur in the giardial cyst.
Properties of Modified Asphalt Binders Blended with Electronic Waste Powders

AbstractThis study was intended to successfully implement asphalt binders modified with electronic waste (e-waste) from recycled computer plastics to improve asphalt binder performance versus conventional asphalt binders. The e-waste powder percentages blended with asphalt binders were 2.5, 5, and 15%, respectively. Rotational viscosity, dynamic shear rheometer testing, and bending beam rheometer testing was conducted upon modified and virgin asphalt binder samples. The addition of e-waste powders increased binder viscosity and blending and mixing temperatures and decreased rutting susceptibility versus virgin asphalt binders, and lower percentages of e-waste powders modified asphalt binders resulted in similar m-values at the specified low temperature grade of the control asphalt binder.
Dithiobiuret Analogs of Tibione

A method for preparing mono‐substituted dithiobiuret derivatives of aldehydes has been developed. Compounds analogous to the aldehyde thiosemicarbazones have been prepared in fair yield and have been shown to exhibit antitubercular activity in vitro.
Catecholamine exocytosis is diminished in R6/2 Huntington's disease model mice

In this work, the mechanisms responsible for dopamine (DA) release impairments observed previously in Huntington’s disease model R6/2 mice were evaluated. Voltammetrically measured DA release evoked in striatal brain slices from 12-week old R6/2 mice by a single electrical stimulus pulse was only 19% of wild-type (WT) control mice. Iontophoresis experiments suggest that the concentration of released DA is not diluted by a larger striatal extracellular volume arising from brain atrophy, but, rather, that striatal dopaminergic terminals have a decreased capacity for DA release. This decreased capacity was not due to an altered requirement for extracellular Ca2+, and, as in WT mice, the release in R6/2 mice required functioning vesicular transporters. Catecholamine secretion from individual vesicles was measured during exocytosis from adrenal chromaffin cells harvested from R6/2 and WT mice. While the number of exocytotic events was unchanged, the amounts released per vesicle were significantly diminished in R6/2 mice, indicating that vesicular catecholamines are present in decreased amounts. Treatment of chromaffin cells with 3-nitropropionic acid decreased the vesicular release amount from WT cells by 50%, mimicking the release observed from untreated R6/2 cells. Thus, catecholamine release from tissues isolated from R6/2 mice is diminished because of impaired vesicle loading.
The surface impacts of Arctic stratospheric ozone anomalies

In the Arctic stratosphere, total column ozone in the spring can vary, from year to year, by as much as 30%. This large interannual variability, however, is absent from many presentgeneration climate models, in which the prescribed seasonal cycle of stratospheric ozone includes, at best, smooth multi-decadal trends. We here investigate the extent to which interannual variability in Arctic stratospheric ozone is able to affect the surface climate of the Northern Hemisphere extratropics. We do this by contrasting pairs of model integrations with positive and negative springtime ozone anomalies, using a simple yet widely used climate model. For ozone anomaly amplitudes somewhat larger than the recent observed variability, we find a significant influence on the tropospheric circulation, and the surface temperatures and precipitation patterns. More interestingly, these impacts have very clear regional patterns—they are largest over the North Atlantic sector—even though the prescribed ozone anomalies are zonally symmetric. However, confirming other studies, for ozone anomaly amplitudes within the observed range of the last three decades, our model experiments do not show statistically significant impacts at the surface. S Online supplementary data available from stacks.iop.org/erl/9/074015/mmedia
Climate-change impacts in a regional karst aquifer, Texas, USA

Climate-change scenarios were created from scaling factors derived from several general circulation models to assess the likely impacts of aquifer pumping on the water resources of the Edwards Balcones Fault Zone (BFZ) aquifer, Texas, one of the largest aquifer systems in the United States. Historical climatic time series in periods of extreme water shortage (1947–1959), near-average recharge (1978–1989), and above-average recharge (1975–1990) were scaled to 2 × CO2 conditions to create aquifer recharge scenarios in a warmer climate. Several pumping scenarios were combined with 2 × CO2 climate scenarios to assess the sensitivity of water resources impacts to human-induced stresses on the Edwards BFZ aquifer. The 2 × CO2 climatechange scenarios were linked to surface hydrology and used to drive aquifer dynamics with alternative numerical simulation models calibrated to the Edwards BFZ aquifer. Aquifer simulations indicate that, given the predicted growth and water demand in the Edwards BFZ aquifer region, the aquifer’s ground water resources appear threatened under 2 × CO2 climate scenarios. Our simulations indicate that 2 × CO2 climatic conditions could exacerbate negative impacts and water shortages in the Edwards BFZ aquifer even if pumping does not increase above its present average level. The historical evidence and the results of this article indicate that without proper consideration to variations in aquifer recharge and sound pumping strategies, the water resources of the Edwards BFZ aquifer could be severely impacted under a warmer climate. 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The influence of horn and body size on the reproductive behavior of the horned rainbow scarab beetle Phanaeus difformis (Coleoptera: scarabaeidae)

The reproductive behavior of horned rainbow scarab beetles,Phanaeus difformis, was studied to determine the influence of morphological traits on intersexual and intrasexual interactions.Phanaeus difformis is a sexually dimorphic dung beetle in which males possess much larger horns than females, and males can be grouped into “major” and “minor” male morph categories based on horn size. Male-female pairs cooperated in nest construction and provisioning. In the laboratory, males of both morphs assisted females and were equally successful at copulating. However, in the field larger individuals had a pairing advantage due to greater success in intrasexual competition. Some males used an alternative mating tactic which involved sneaking copulations with paired females. In most cases the sneak male was smaller than the paired male.
Lack of efficacy of maintenance interferon: Results of the HALT-C trial

Introduction: The fi rst antiviral therapy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C was interferon monotherapy, which was introduced in 1991. Therapy improved in 1998 with the addition of ribavirin, and sustained response rates rose to about 35% to 40%. Further improvements came about with the addition of pegylated interferon and ribavirin; sustained response rates in adherent patients improved to about 50% to 60%. Unfortunately, that leaves 40% to 50% of patients who still fail to respond. When those individuals who are nonresponders have advanced fi brosis, their progression to serious complications of chronic liver disease is problematic and leads to morbidity and premature mortality. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the health care burden from these patients has increased and will continue to increase. This concern about worsening disease in nonresponders has led to attempts to fi nd ways to prevent or retard disease progression in this group of patients.
An Introduction to Language

Suponiendo que no hay conocimientos previos de linguistica, este libro es apropiado para una variedad de campos, incluida la educacion, los idiomas, la psicologia, las ciencias cognitivas, la antropologia, el ingles y la ensenanza del ingles como segundo idioma (TESL). tanto a nivel de pregrado como de posgrado. Esta edicion completamente actualizada conserva las descripciones claras, el humor y la pedagogia perfecta que han hecho del libro un exito de ventas perenne, al tiempo que agrega nueva informacion y ejercicios que hacen que cada tema sea fresco, atractivo y actual.
Global stability analysis of automatic gain control circuits

Behavior of Automatic Gain Control Circuits (AGC's) is studied in a general nonlinear setting. Both noncoherent and coherent AGC's are addressed, and it is shown that AGC's are globally stable. When x(t) is the AGC input and y(t) is the AGC output, there is an a priori desired gain \bar{g}(t) such that one solution of the AGC equations is y(t) = \bar{g}(t)x(t) . Further, all other solutions g(t) of the AGC equation satisfy g(t) \rightarrow \bar{g}(t) as t \rightarrow \infty . The conclusions are reached after placing very general conditions upon the two nonlinear circuit elements: the gain controlled amplifier and the detector. The conditions are very weak and are the minimum expected for these circuit elements. The tools used to reach the conclusion are basic theorems governing the qualitative behavior of nonlinear ordinary differential equations.
The Concept of Recovery as an Organizing Principle for Integrating Mental Health and Addiction Services

Despite a range of long-standing historical, political, ideological, professional, structural, and practical barriers, there has been, and continues to be, a clear consensus that integration between mental health and addiction services is sorely needed and long overdue. This paper focuses on one dimension of the challenge of integration from among the several – the conceptual – and proposes the construct of recovery as an organizing principle for bridging the divide between the two domains. After reviewing briefly the parallel history of the two traditions and their shared need for transformation to a recovery orientation, the authors offer an integrated model of recovery for persons with co-occurring disorders. They then derive from this model the underlying values, guiding principles, key strategies, and essential ingredients of recovery-oriented systems of care that comprise a common approach across both addictions and mental illness, offering a strengths-based solution to achieving integration where pathology-focused approaches have failed.
Response to Comment on "How Cats Lap: Water Uptake by Felis catus"

We return to the physics of cat lapping to show that our proposed scaling analysis predicts the functional dependencies revealed by the experimental data more accurately than a recently proposed alternative description by Nauenberg. Experimental verification of functional dependencies, rather than single numerical values, represents the appropriate test for any scaling argument.
Therapeutic Options for Establised or Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation: Focus on Antithrombotic Therapy

A stroke at any time may be devastating, This is just as true after heart surgery. Recognized perioperative cerebrovascular accidents, with a permanent deficit, occur in approximately three percent of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Another three percent develop seizures or deterioration of neurologic function [1-3] (Table 1). Following valve surgery, the rates of embolic events are slightly higher (with over 90% of the emboli involving the brain) [4-7] (Table 1). Emboli from manipulation of atherosclerotic aortas probably explain a majority of these neurologic events; [3] some may be due to thromboemboli.
Adaptive terminal synchronization in packet data networks

A method for network independent synchronization of CBO (continuous bit stream) terminals connected by a packet network is developed. The technique develops maximum-likelihood estimates of the transmitter bit rate and continuously adapts the receiver clock to maintain frequency lock with the transmitter. The method is no more difficult to implement than existing techniques but offers substantial advantages, including faster convergence, absence of nonlinearities, no explicit timing information carried in the packets, and compatibility with variable-length packets. Design equations are provided for selection of the parameters of the method to achieve a desired level of receiver clock jitter. The method is shown to be robust to lost packets. Simulation studies are used to confirm the analysis. >
An Empirical Exploration of the “Pains of Imprisonment” and the Level of Prison Misconduct and Violence:

Sykes coined the phrase “pains of imprisonment” to describe those deprivations in prison that most prisoners experience as particularly difficult to handle. This study is an empirical exploration o...
Synthesizing evocative imagery through design patterns

Automatically creating images that give a sense of content can be useful in a number of settings. Such images can summarize a larger collection of media in novel ways, giving an evocation of the whole, rather than a precise linguistic summary. Paradoxically, such visual summaries are often found to be more useful as indicators of the gestalt of a media than more traditional language summaries. We demonstrate a design pattern based method that creates visual compositions by selecting imagery from the source document(s) and instantiating several design patterns. Each pattern has a set of slots and roles that are filled with source imagery and then constrained to fit within the pattern visual specifications. Examples are given of the process and its end result. A pilot study has shown that these visual summaries lead to faster retrieval of relevant documents than textual summaries.
Teachers and Learners: Roles Adopted in Interracial Discussions:

Whites are stereotyped as ignorant of race issues, and African Americans as race experts. Therefore they may respond differently when discussing race. We examined whether Whites and African Americans adopt ‘teacher’ versus ‘learner’ roles when discussing race-relevant versus race-irrelevant topics in mixed-race versus same-race groups. Furthermore, we tested whether concern about appearing prejudiced and prior knowledge of the topic predicted role adopted. Results confirmed that African Americans adopted a ‘teacher’ role whereas Whites adopted a ‘learner’ role during interracial discussions about race. Assuming a teacher role predicted greater willingness to engage in future interracial discussions about race; but Whites, who were concerned about appearing prejudiced when talking about race, were less likely to adopt a teacher role than African Americans.
Helex device closure of multiple atrial septal defects

Objectives : To describe the effectiveness of the Helex Septal Occluder (HSO) to close multiple atrial septal defects (mASDs). Background : Limited information is available describing closure of mASDs with the HSO. Methods : A total of 28 patients who underwent closure of mASDs with the HSO were identified by retrospective review of our catheterization database between 2001 and 2012. Procedural details and follow up information were collected. Results : Median age was 19.2 years, median weight 48 kg, with 10 (36%) patients weighing <25 kg. Indication for closure was RV enlargement (RVE) in all patients and additionally neurologic events occurred in 3/28 (11%). Median stop-flow diameter for the largest ASD was 14 (4–23) mm. One HSO was implanted in 21/28 (75%), 2 in 6/28 (21%), and 3 in 1/28 (4%). One embolization and one transient arrhythmia occurred with no sequelae. Immediate residual shunt was absent in 5/28 (18%), trivial in 15/28 (54%), small in 6/28 (21%), and moderate in 2/28 (7%). Of the 25 patients with ≥6 months follow-up (median 53 months), residual shunt was absent in 13/25 (52%), trivial in 5/25 (20%), and small in 7/25 (28%). RVE resolved in all but one patient with no other associated lesions and ≥6 months of follow-up. No patient with prior neurological event had recurrence at last follow-up. Conclusions : We conclude that closure of mASDs with ≥1 HSO is effective with a low complication rate. The ability of HSO devices to overlap or sandwich each other may facilitate safe implantation of multiple devices in smaller patients. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Top-down, bottom-up, and side-to-side proteomics with virtual 2-D gels

Abstract Intact protein masses can be measured directly from immobilized pH gradient (IPG) isoelectric focusing (IEF) gels loaded with mammalian and prokaryotic samples, as demonstrated here with murine macrophage and Methanosarcina acetivorans cell lysates. Mass accuracy and resolution is improved by employing instruments which decouple the desorption event from mass measurement; e.g., quadrupole time-of-flight instruments. MALDI in-source dissociation (ISD) is discussed as a means to pursue top-down sequencing for protein identification. Methods have been developed to enzymatically digest all proteins in an IEF gel simultaneously, leaving the polyacrylamide gel attached to its polyester support. By retaining all gel pieces and their placement relative to one another, sample handling and tracking are minimized, and comparison to 2-D gel images is facilitated. MALDI-MS and MS/MS can then be performed directly from dried, matrix-treated IPG strips following whole-gel trypsin digestion, bottom-up methodology. Side-to-side proteomics, highlighting the link between virtual and classical 2-D gel electrophoresis, is introduced to describe a method whereby intact masses are measured from one side (the IEF gel), while proteins are identified based on analyses performed from the other side (the SDS-PAGE gel).
Formal loop merging for signal transforms

A critical optimization in the domain of linear signal transforms, such as the discrete Fourier transform (DFT), is loop merging, which increases data locality and reuse and thus performance. In particular, this includes the conversion of shuffle operations into array reindexings. To date, loop merging is well understood only for the DFT, and only for Cooley-Tukey FFT based algorithms, which excludes DFT sizes divisible by large primes. In this paper, we present a formal loop merging framework for general signal transforms and its implementation within the SPIRAL code generator. The framework consists of E-SPL, a mathematical language to express loops and index mappings; a rewriting system to merge loops in E-SPL and a compiler that translates E-SPL into code. We apply the framework to DFT sizes that cannot be handled using only the Cooley-Tukey FFT and compare our method to FFTW 3.0.1 and the vendor library Intel MKL 7.2.1. Compared to FFTW our generated code is a factor of 2--4 faster under equal implementation conditions (same algorithms, same unrolling threshold). For some sizes we show a speed-up of a factor of 9 using Bluestein's algorithm. Further, we give a detailed comparison against the Intel vendor library MKL; our generated code is between 2 times faster and 4.5 times slower.
Modular Simulator: A Draft of New Simulator for RoboCup

Soccer Server has been used as the official simulator for RoboCup Simulation League last three years. Based on this experience, I investigate the feature of Soccer Server and figure out the issue to building such kind of open simulator. Then, I propose a new design of simulator that will provide more flexible version up, easiness of maintenance, and wide application.
Altered LKB1/AMPK/TSC1/TSC2/mTOR signaling causes disruption of Sertoli cell polarity and spermatogenesis

Male patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) have defective spermatogenesis and are at increased risk of developing Sertoli cell tumors. Mutations in the Liver Kinase B1 (LKB1/STK11) gene are associated with the pathogenesis of PJS and have been identified in non-PJS patients with sporadic testicular cancers. The mechanisms controlled by LKB1 signaling in Sertoli cell functions and testicular biology have not been described. We have conditionally deleted the Lkb1 gene (Lkb1(cko)) in somatic testicular cells to define the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the testicular phenotype observed in PJS patients. Focal vacuolization in some of the seminiferous tubules was observed in 4-week-old mutant testes but germ cell development appeared to be normal. However, similar to PJS patients, we observed progressive germ cell loss and Sertoli cell only tubules in Lkb1(cko) testes from mice older than 10 weeks, accompanied by defects in Sertoli cell polarity and testicular junctional complexes and decreased activation of the MAP/microtubule affinity regulating and focal adhesion kinases. Suppression of AMP kinase and activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling were also observed in Lkb1(cko) testes. Loss of Tsc1 or Tsc2 copies the progressive Lkb1(cko) phenotype, suggesting that dysregulated activation of mTOR contributes to the pathogenesis of the Lkb1(cko) testicular phenotype. Pten(cko) mice had a normal testicular phenotype, which could be explained by the comparative lack of mTOR activation detected. These studies describe the importance of LKB1 signaling in testicular biology and the possible molecular mechanisms driving the pathogenesis of the testicular defects observed in PJS patients.
Abstract P126: Influence of CIMT as a Motivator for Health Behavior Change in a Heart Health Program

Introduction: Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) ultrasound is a known surrogate marker of atherosclerosis but few studies examine its influence on patient behavior. Motivation and self-efficacy (SE) are known predictors of health behavior change. This randomized, double-blind trial examined 1) use of CIMT images plus associated CVD risk to motivate adherence, and 2) the predictive ability of motivation and SE on adherence change. Methods: Patients with ≥ 2 cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis were assigned to either the intervention group [receive results weekly (R-CIMT)] or control group [withhold results (W-CIMT)]. All patients received a 12-week lifestyle program (Mediterranean diet, aerobic exercise, group support). Overall change in adherence from baseline to week 12 was determined using an ANCOVA model where % adherence was a composite measure of diet and exercise adherence. Initial motivation plus exercise and nutrition SE were assessed to determine their predictive ability of adherence in a standard regression model. Results: 166 patients randomized; 161 (R-CIMT n=81; W-CIMT n=80) eligible for intention-to-treat analysis. Patients were middle age (mean age = 54 ± 11 yrs), 62% (100 or 161) women, 48% (77 of 161) black. Baseline group differences: W-CIMT group was younger (52 vs 55 yrs; p=0.05), had a lower systolic blood pressure (120 vs 125; p=0.01), lower % family history of CVD (49 vs 65; p=0.03). In comparing R-CIMT vs W-CIMT groups, no difference was detected in overall % adherence change (16.4 ± 25.6 vs 19.8 ± 25.4; p=0.39). Initial motivation and SE measures were not predictive of change in adherence when added to group assignment (see Table). ![][1] Conclusions: CIMT evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis increased participant CVD risk awareness but did not translate into actionable healthy behavior changes beyond those in the control group. Neither exercise nor dietary adherence was affected by initial motivation or self-efficacy when added to CIMT risk awareness. [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Galaxy cluster mass estimation from stacked spectroscopic analysis

We use simulated galaxy surveys to study: i) how galaxy membership in redMaPPer clusters maps to the underlying halo population, and ii) the accuracy of a mean dynamical cluster mass, $M_\sigma(\lambda)$, derived from stacked pairwise spectroscopy of clusters with richness $\lambda$. Using $\sim\! 130,000$ galaxy pairs patterned after the SDSS redMaPPer cluster sample study of Rozo et al. (2015 RMIV), we show that the pairwise velocity PDF of central--satellite pairs with $m_i < 19$ in the simulation matches the form seen in RMIV. Through joint membership matching, we deconstruct the main Gaussian velocity component into its halo contributions, finding that the top-ranked halo contributes $\sim 60\%$ of the stacked signal. The halo mass scale inferred by applying the virial scaling of Evrard et al. (2008) to the velocity normalization matches, to within a few percent, the log-mean halo mass derived through galaxy membership matching. We apply this approach, along with mis-centering and galaxy velocity bias corrections, to estimate the log-mean matched halo mass at $z=0.2$ of SDSS redMaPPer clusters. Employing the velocity bias constraints of Guo et al. (2015), we find $\langle \ln(M_{200c})|\lambda \rangle = \ln(M_{30}) + \alpha_m \ln(\lambda/30)$ with $M_{30} = 1.56 \pm 0.35 \times 10^{14} M_\odot$ and $\alpha_m = 1.31 \pm 0.06_{stat} \pm 0.13_{sys}$. Systematic uncertainty in the velocity bias of satellite galaxies overwhelmingly dominates the error budget.
A Generating Function for a Class of Arithmetic Functions

(1963). A Generating Function for a Class of Arithmetic Functions. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 70, No. 8, pp. 841-842.
Relationships between Upper Extremity Strength and the Purdue Pegboard Test and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test in Patients with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (P05.187)

Objective: To document the relationship between measures of upper extremity strength and hand function in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1(DM1). Background Distal weakness is a common feature in patients with (DM1). The assessment of hand function in this patient population is just beginning to be explored. Measurements of upper extremity strength and hand function have demonstrated good reliability; however, the relationship between strength and function is unknown. Design/Methods: Patients with DM1 participating in a longitudinal study performed strength tests of the upper extremity including manual muscle testing (MMT) and quantitative muscles testing (QMT). MMT included shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and extension, wrist flexion and extension, and short and long finger flexors of the thumb and first two digits. QMT included shoulder abduction, elbow flexion, elbow extension and grip. Patients also performed the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT). Results: Data from 71 genetically confirmed patients with DM1 were analyzed using Spearman9s rho. Statistically significant (p Conclusions: Moderate relationships exist between upper extremity strength tests and hand function tests. The PPT correlates better with MMT which included several distal hand muscles and hence captures fine motor function deficits. The JTHFT correlated better with QMT and the most significant correlation was with lifting heavy objects and this may reflect more the proximal strength deficits. Patients need to be followed longitudinally to document which of these tests is able to reflect changes over time. Supported by: Award number U54NS048843 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Disclosure: Dr. Eichinger has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dilek has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dekdebrun has nothing to disclose. Dr. Martens has nothing to disclose. Dr. Heatwole has nothing to disclose. Dr. Thornton has received personal compensation for activities with Genzyme Corporation as a consultant. Dr. Thornton has received research support from Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Moxley has nothing to disclose. Ms. Pandya has received personal compensation for activities with Shire Pharmaceuticals Group.
Abstract 849: Autophagic cell death response to benzyl isothiocyanate exposure in human breast cancer cells is mediated by FoxO1

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), a constituent of edible cruciferous vegetables (e.g., gardencress), is empowered to prevent chemically-induced cancers as well as oncogene-driven spontaneous mammary cancer development in rodent models. Furthermore, BITC treatment effectively inhibits growth of cultured as well as xenografted human breast cancer cells. However, the mechanisms underlying cancer chemopreventive responses to BITC are not fully understood. We now demonstrate, for the first time, that BITC causes FoxO1-mediated autophagic cell death in human breast cancer cells. Exposure of MDA-MB-231 (an estrogen-independent cell line with mutant p53) and MCF-7 (an estrogen-receptor positive cell line with wild-type p53) human breast cancer cells to BITC resulted in autophagy characterized by appearance of double-membrane structures judged by transmission electron microscopy, formation of acidic vesicular organelles evidenced by microscopy following staining with lysosomotropic agent acridine orange, cleavage of LC3 evidenced by immunoblotting, and punctuate localization of LC3. Interestingly, a spontaneously immortalized and non-tumorigenic human mammary epithelial cell line (MCF-10A) was resistant to autophagy induction by BITC. BITC-mediated growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death resulting from 6 hour treatment was significantly attenuated in the presence of autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenineand (3-MA; a phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate kinase inhibitor) and bafilomycin A1 (an inhibitor of vacuolar type H+-ATPase). On the other hand, growth inhibition and apoptotic DNA fragmentation resulting from 24 hour exposure to BITC was not prevented by either 3-MA or bafilomycin A. Furthermore, inhibition of MDA-MB-231 xenograft growth in female athymic mice by BITC administration (2.5 and 7.5 µmol BITC/mouse by i.p. injection) correlated with cleavage of LC3. BITC-induced autophagy was accompanied by induction of FoxO1. Moreover, RNA interference of FoxO1 conferred significant protection against BITC-mediated growth inhibition and autophagy. In conclusion, these results indicate that autophagy is an early event in growth inhibition by BITC against human breast cancer cells, which culminates into apoptotic cell death following longer exposures (e.g., 24 hours). This investigation was supported by the USPHS grant RO1 CA129347-04, awarded by the National Cancer Institute. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 849. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-849
Control of Aphids Attacking Barley and Analysis of Yield Increases in the Imperial Valley, California

A study was conducted from 1958 to 1963 in the Imperial Valley, California. to determine whether the incidence of barley yellow-dwarf virus can be controlled with pesticides and whether direct feeding by the oat bird-cherry aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), and the corn leaf aphid, R. maidis (Fitch), caused sufficient barley injury to warrant the expense of insecticide treatment. Only an occasional barley plant that had virus disease symptoms was found, thus it was not possible to determine whether aphid control with pesticides could control the spread of the virus. Analysis of yield data indicates that in areas where barley yellow-dwarf virus is not a problem, or in years when the incidence of the disease is very low, yield increases above the cost of treatment may be expected when aphids are controlled at a level that is expected to average about 25-30 aphids per tiller. When aphids markedly rise above this level very substantial yields may be expected when aphids are controlled. Phorate (44D) seed-coat treatments were found to be unsatisfactory because of reduced seed germination and short-term control. Ten percent phorate granules at 7.5-10 lb/acre applied by airplane, followed by irrigation, gave excellent to very good aphid control.