cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Signaling inputs to progesterone receptor gene regulation and promoter selectivity

Progesterone receptors (PR) select and control genetic programs in the breast during normal mammary gland development, and progestin-driven processes contribute to the initiation and/or progression of breast cancer [Beral, V., 2003. Breast cancer and hormone-replacement therapy in the Million Women Study. Lancet 362, 419-427; Chlebowski, R.T., Hendrix, S.L., Langer, R.D., Stefanick, M.L., Gass, M., Lane, D., Rodabough, R.J., Gilligan, M.A., Cyr, M.G., Thomson, C.A., et al., 2003. Influence of estrogen plus progestin on breast cancer and mammography in healthy postmenopausal women: the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Trial. JAMA 289, 3243-3253]. Throughout the mammalian life span, progesterone exerts varying biological consequences on the mammary epithelial compartment, from brief proliferative spurts that occur with each luteal phase of the menstrual cycle to the massive expansion of the pregnant gland in preparation for lactation [Brisken, C., Park, S., Vass, T., Lydon, J.P., O'Malley, B.W., Weinberg, R.A., 1998. A paracrine role for the epithelial progesterone receptor in mammary gland development. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95, 5076-5081; Ismail, P.M., Amato, P., Soyal, S.M., DeMayo, F.J., Conneely, O.M., O'Malley, B.W., Lydon, J.P., 2003. Progesterone involvement in breast development and tumorigenesis-as revealed by progesterone receptor "knockout" and "knockin" mouse models. Steroids 68, 779-787]. These processes, while important developmentally, can become deregulated in breast cancer, thereby contributing to unchecked proliferation, increased survival, and invasive behaviors. Recently, our lab has focused on the molecular mechanisms, including phosphorylation events, by which PRs select specific target genes in response to progestins and other mitogenic hormonal signals (i.e. EGF, heregulin). Herein, we discuss the actions of cytoplasmic signaling molecules such as c-Src and mitogen-activated protein kinases as key mediators of PR promoter selectivity.
Optical suppression of seizure-like activity with an LED.

The therapy of focal epilepsy remains unsatisfactory for as many as 25% of patients. We tested the hypothesis that an efficient, ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED), coupled with a newly developed “caged” γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), might be capable of terminating “ictal-like” events in cultured murine neurons. GABA was released from BC204, a recently described caged GABA, using a small, ultraviolet (UV) LED. Ictal-like events were provoked by removal of extracellular magnesium. In preliminary control experiments, the concentration of GABA released from our caged compound was dependent upon the strength and duration of the illumination, and readily achieved micromolar (μM) levels that are known to activate tonic, extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. Ultraviolet illumination had no effect when BC204 was not present in the perfusate and the currents produced by BC204 were eliminated by picrotoxin. Within a few seconds of UV illumination, BC204 rapidly terminated ictal-like events at low μM concentration. Uncaging of BC204 also blocked the elevation of intracellular calcium induced by seizure like discharges in our cultures. While much more technical development is clearly required to extend our observations to a more intact preparation, these results suggest the intriguing possibility of constructing an implantable device to “optically suppress” focal human seizures under closed loop control.
Dissociation of hemoglobin accumulation and commitment during murine erythroleukemia cell differentiation by treatment with imidazole

The effect of imidazole on DMSO-induced murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cell differentiation has been examined. While imidazole does inhibit heme, globin mRNA, and hemoglobin accumulation in DMSO-induced MEL cells, it does not affect the commitment of MEL cells to the specific limitation of proliferative capacity associated with the in vitro differentiation program. Furthermore, imidazole treatment does not affect DMSO-induced changes in cell volume, in the relative proportion of nuclear protein IP25, and in the specific activity of the enzyme cytidine deaminase. A clonal analysis in the presence of imidazole indicated that the drug prevents heme accumulation even in MEL cells already committed to terminal differentiation. These observations suggest that imidazole effectively dissociates two aspects of the erythroid differentiation program of MEL cells: globin gene expression and commitment to loss of proliferative capacity.
The method of testing of the attitude reference systems with optoelectronic sensors

What the paper deals with is the method of testing of the attitude reference systems with the coning excitation/motion applied. A theoretical description of the excitation at issue has been given and followed with a comparative analysis of the excitation generated in the UPG-48 station with a tilting platform. Experimental data of testing of the attitude and heading reference system AHRS LCR-92 system for the non-holonomical excitation/motion have been compared with results effected by some simulation-based tests of numerical models of the attitude and heading reference systems with the optoelectronic sensors. On the grounds of some numerical-simulation-effected findings gained with the AutoCAD packet, a concept of a coning-excitation-generating measuring station has been developed at the Air Force Institute of Technology and presented in this paper.
Back-Side Readout Silicon Photomultiplier

We present a novel structure for the back-side readout silicon photomultiplier (SiPM). Current SiPMs are front-illuminated structures with front-side readout, which have relatively small geometric fill factor leading to degradation in their photon detection efficiency (PDE). Back-side readout devices will provide an advantageous solution to achieve high PDE. We designed and investigated a novel structure that would allow back-side readout while creating a region of high electric field optimized for avalanche breakdown. In addition, this structure has relatively high fill factor and also allows the direct coupling of the individual microcell of the SiPM to application-specific integrated circuits. We will discuss the performance that can be attained with this structure through device simulation and the process flow that can be used to fabricate this structure through process simulation.
Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of alveolar soft part sarcoma in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Abstract Purpose Alveolar soft part sarcoma is a rare soft tissue neoplasm that can affect children and adolescents. There are few reported series of these patients in the literature. To define the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of young people with this rare sarcoma, we reviewed our clinical experience. Methods After institutional review board approval, we examined the records of all patients younger than 25 years old who received treatment at our institution for alveolar soft part sarcoma in the past 30 years. Demographics, tumor sizes, sites and extent of disease, treatments used, progression-free survival, and overall follow-up were evaluated. Results Each of the 20 patients presented with a mass. Primary disease sites were thigh (n = 8), trunk (n = 6), retroperitoneum (n = 2), and scalp, neck, forearm, and calf (n = 1 each). Metastatic sites included lymph nodes, lung, and brain. Four patients presented to us with incomplete excision of the primary, and 1 had undergone embolization of what was thought to be a vascular malformation. Although wide local excision provided the best chance for a patient to remain free of disease, 14 (70%) of 20 patients exhibited metastases either at presentation or later. Thirty-one metastasectomies were performed. Chemotherapy was used in 11 patients; radiation was used in 8. Median overall follow-up was 36 months; median progression-free follow-up was 12.5 months. Younger patients tended to have Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study group I disease. Tumors smaller than 5 cm were associated with longer progression-free survival. Conclusions Achievement of complete microscopic resection is critical in localized alveolar soft part sarcoma, but incomplete excision and misdiagnosis are often encountered. Despite the occurrence of metastases in 70% of patients, 5-year overall survival was 83%. We found an association between smaller tumor size and longer time to progression. We were not able to demonstrate any benefit from chemotherapy or radiation. Metastasectomies have been performed in multiple long-term survivors.
HIV Integration: Ini1 for integration?

The newly discovered Ini1 cellular protein binds HIV-1 integrase and is part of a protein complex thought to alter nucleosomal structure; such alterations may influence the selection of sites for HIV-1 DNA integration.
A SELF-STABILIZING DISTRIBUTED ALGORITHM FOR ALL-PAIRS SHORTEST PATH PROBLEM

In this paper we propose a simple and elegant distributed self-stabilizing algorithm to solve the all-pairs shortest path problem in graph theory. We have proved the correctness of our algorithm without using a bounded function (which is customary for proving correctness of self-stabilizing algorithms); the new approach is simple and seems to have potential in developing self-stabilizing algorithms for other graph-theoretical problems.
Aeolian Modification of Moraine Soils, Whiskey Basin, Wyoming, USA

Soils along catenas of Pinedale (15–20 ka) and Bull Lake (100–130 ka) age moraines at Whiskey Basin in the Wind River Range, Wyoming, USA, were sampled to assess the effects of aeolian processes on soil development here. Aeolian processes appear to have inﬂuenced soils by both depositing sediments and eroding topsoils. Pedogenic silt (often used as an indicator of wind deposition) accumulated in the Bull Lake soils moderately correlate with pedogenic clay accumulated, suggesting that ﬁne sediments may have been deposited and incorporated into soil formation here. Following removal of previous topsoil by wind during Pinedale glaciation, Bull Lake B horizons have developed into contemporary A horizons. These data further link aeolian processes to soil development on piedmont moraines throughout the Wind River Range. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined cytogenetic testing and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis in the study of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma

Abstract We investigated the usefulness of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panels when testing for chromosomal aberrations of known prognostic significance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma (MM). Our CLL panel included probes for 11q, 12 centromere, 13q, 14, and 17p. Karyotype and FISH were abnormal in 13 of 60 (21.6%) cases, two (3.3%) abnormal by karyotype alone, and 25 (41.6%) by FISH alone. Karyotype and FISH were normal in 16 (27%) patients, and 4 samples were unsuitable for karyotype analysis. One patient had an abnormality not included in the panel (20q deletion). FISH was abnormal in 19 cases (31.6%) with a normal karyotype and in 6 cases with no analyzable metaphases. Thirteen CLL cases with abnormal karyotypes were either confirmed or clarified by FISH. The MM panel probes were 11q, 13q, 17p, and t(11;14). Karyotype and FISH were abnormal in 18 of 139 (13%) MM cases. Twenty patients (14.4%) had a normal karyotype and abnormal FISH. Two samples not suitable for metaphase analysis were abnormal by interphase FISH. Karyotype and FISH were normal in 94 (68%) patients. Five patients (3.6%) had chromosomal abnormalities not included in the panel. Compared to karyotyping alone, the FISH panels improved the detection rate of recurrent chromosomal aberrations in CLL from 22–63% and in MM from 15–29%.
The Application Of Shape Analysis To Diagnosis In Radiology

THE APPLICATION OF SHAPE ANALYSIS TO DIAGNOSIS IN RADIOLOGYGeoffrey F. Walker University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MichiganFor the evaluation and diagnosis of many craniofacial abnormalities, a stan­ dardized profile x-ray film of the head (sometimes called a cephalogram) is often a convenient radiological aid available to the clinician. From these radiographs one may observe, in a qualitative sense, such syndromes as Pierre-Robin, Downes1 synd­ rome, Aperts, Thallassemia, as well as less severe abnormalities such as disharmonious development of the jaws resulting in mal- occlusion.Up to the present time the usual method of evaluating these syndromes has been by "eye-balling" the x-ray film. This observation plus the clinical exper­ ience of the radiologist has been the traditional method of approach for many years. However, the variation of the individual within each of these syndrome groups may be very wide, and so it may be difficult to diagnose the atypical or border-line condition as shown by the x- ray film.To overcome this qualitative and to a certain extent "snap judgment" approach to the problem, the Biometrics Laboratory has developed a technique of digitizing or mapping various structures of the skull. Essentially this is a quantitative approach which records the outlines of the indivi­ dual bones of the skull as represented by the lateral projection of the sphenoid, parietal, frontal, mandibular bones etc. of the skull on to the x-ray film. When a constant target-to-film distance is used, and the head held in a standardized posi­ tion, then it becomes possible to take measurements from the patients skull radio­ graph which are repeatable within clinic­ ally acceptable limits. In addition it is possible to form a mathematical model of the skull, examples of which have been previously described (Ref. 1, 2, 3 and 4). In this method, the outlines of the indivi­ dual skull bones are reduced to parametersor contours and these are further reduced to a digitized or X-Y coordinate map of the patients skull as in Fig. 1.
The Mediating Role of Discoursing in Activity

Discoursing, the use of language in interaction with others, plays a part in almost every human activity. Indeed, some have argued that it is discoursing that has made possible the cumulative development of culture over the course of our species' history. Whether or not that is correct, there can be no question that the ability, with the aid of linguistic discourse, to coordinate action, and to reflect together on the relationship between actions and their intended and achieved results, has been an essential contributor. The question is, How should we theorize the relationship between discoursing and the forms of joint activity in which it occurs? At the present time, not only do we not have an answer to this question but the question has hardly been addressed within activity theory. My aim in this article is to offer some suggestions that may help to advance this project. To this end, I put forward and attempt to justify the argument that discourse always functions to mediate the action in which it serve...
Biomedical engineering education and practice challenges and opportunities in improving health in developing countries

While developed countries constantly pioneer new medical technologies, developing countries have been plighted with a lack of medical devices, resulting in poor health, poverty, and social inequality. Much of the medical equipment that these countries do have is broken, unusable due to a lack of electricity and infrastructure, or inappropriate for local needs. In 2000, the Global Forum for Health Research coined the term “10/90 Gap” to describe the fact that only 10% of health research funds are spent on the problems of 90% of the world's population. If the developing world is to acquire useful medical technologies, it must come from within, as the developed world has shown minimal interest in pursuing technologies for markets where the financial return is only nominal. If engineers in developed countries put their energy and resources into building the capacity of their counterparts in developing countries, they will be able to maximize their impact on the most relevant issues in global health. In order to succeed in their work abroad, biomedical engineers from developed countries must transition from being providers of solutions, to enablers of local innovation, thus contributing directly to both education and implementation. This paper addresses current challenges and appropriate solutions to tackle the lack of biomedical engineering education and innovation in developing countries.
Nonresponse in Sociological Surveys: A Review of Some Methods for Handling the Problem

One of the more serious problems connected with sociological surveys is that of nonresponse. Over the years several methods for handling the problem have been proposed. This paper is a review of eight of these methods.
Design and Experimental Studies of a Type A V/STOL Inlet

Design and experimental studies have been conducted to evolve a high performance, high incidence capability inlet for subsonic V/STOL applications. Design criteria, including effects of the flight control system on the inlet requirements, were selected to satisfy both low and high speeds. Based on these studies, several inlets were designed, fabricated and tested in the Grumman Low Speed Tunnel. Inlet performance and separation bounds were determined. The baseline inlets with a long centerbody met their respective design goals, and exceeded the performance and incidence capability of inlets of equal area contraction ratio. At the design power/nacelle tilt requirements, matched pressure recovery is better than 0.995 with less than 4% distortion.
A note on the seafloor coupling characteristics of the new ONR ocean-bottom seismometer

A series of transient tests were conducted to determine the seafloor coupling characteristics of a new ocean-bottom seismometer (OBS) developed for the United States Office of Naval Research (ONR). The OBS comprises a large recording package and a separate sensor package that is deployed from the recording package. In addition to the coupling characteristics of both the sensor and the recording packages, the seismic energy radiated from the main recording package as a result of motion of the recording package was measured. The observed vertical coupling resonances of both the recording package and the sensor package are in good agreement with those predicted by a simple model of soil-structure interaction. The most important result of this study is that significant energy is radiated from the recording package in response to horizontal motions of the recording package. When the sensor package is 1 m from the recording package, the amplitude of the recorded signal is similar to that recorded in the recording package. In the field, this effect will result in distortion of seismic signals and increased background noise recorded by the sensor package if the recording package is disturbed by seafloor currents or biological activity. The amplitude of this signal attenuates by approximately a factor of two as sensor/recorder separation is increased from 1 to 6 m, suggesting that an improved response can be achieved by increasing the separation between the recording package and the sensors. This effect is much less severe for vertical disturbances of the recording package.
2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose-positron emission tomography sensitivity to serum glucose: a survey and diagnostic applications.

Objective The positron emission tomography (PET) clinical utility of the sensitivity (γ) of uptake (Q) to a change in plasma glucose concentration (C) is investigated.
An Object-Based Approach for Quantification of GCM Biases of the Simulation of Orographic Precipitation. Part II: Quantitative Analysis

AbstractAn object-based evaluation method is applied to the simulated orographic precipitation for the idealized experimental setups using the National Center of Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) with the finite volume (FV) and Eulerian spectral transform dynamical cores with varying resolutions. The method consists of the application of k-means cluster analysis to the precipitation features to determine their spatial boundaries and the calculation of the semivariograms (SVs) for the isolated features for evaluation.The quantitative analysis revealed differences between the simulated precipitation by the FV and Eulerian spectral transform models that are not visually apparent. The simulated large-scale precipitation features of the idealized test cases provide analogs to orographic precipitation features observed in simulations of Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) models. The spatial boundaries of these features (determined by k-means clustering) for Eulerian spec...
Enhanced Korringa-like relaxation in strongly paramagnetic rare earth-hydrogen alloys

Abstract The proton nuclear spin lattice relaxation time in several strongly paramagnetic rare earth-hydrogen alloys are found to obey a relation of the form T1T ∞ (T-Θ)2. Such a relation is shown to be consequence of assuming a generalized Korringa relation when taking into account the temperature dependence of the Knight shift.
The role of the EGF family of ligands and receptors in renal development, physiology and pathophysiology

Mammalian kidney expresses all of the members of the ErbB family of receptors and their respective ligands. Studies support a role for ErbB family receptor activation in kidney development and differentiation. Under physiologic conditions, EGFR activation appears to play an important role in the regulation of renal hemodynamics and electrolyte handling by the kidney, while in different pathophysiologic states, EGFR activation may mediate either beneficial or detrimental effects to the kidney. This article provides an overview of the expression profile of the ErbB family of ligands and receptors in the mammalian kidney and summarizes known physiological and pathophysiological roles of EGFR activation in the organ.
An exploration of criminal thinking styles among civil psychiatric patients.

Background Several studies have found a relationship between psychiatric illness and criminal behaviour. Despite this, few studies have examined the presence of criminal thinking among civil psychiatric patients. Aims The aim of this study is to explore the patterns and correlates of criminal thinking, using the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS), in a sample of civil psychiatric patients. Method The PICTS (Layperson Edition) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (Anchored Version; BPRS) were administered to 76 civil psychiatric patients. PICTS scores were compared with those of offenders from a previously published study. Bivariate tests were conducted between selected PICTS scales, BPRS factors, demographic and criminal history variables. Stepwise multiple regressions were performed to assess those variables that predicted the general criminal thinking, proactive and reactive composite scales of the PICTS. Results Independent samples t-tests revealed that five PICTS thinking styles were significantly higher in the psychiatric sample compared with the comparison sample of criminal offenders. Bivariate correlations revealed that the PICTS proactive composite scale was significantly related to and predicted by substance abuse and arrest history. Conclusions/clinical implications: Thinking styles which are typically associated with criminality were found in this sample of civil psychiatric patients. Cognitive remediation strategies targeting these may help to prevent criminal activity in psychiatric patients. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oligomerization State of Photosynthetic Core Complexes is Correlated with the Dimerization Affinity of a Transmembrane Helix

In the Rhodobacter (Rba.) species of photosynthetic purple bacteria, a single transmembrane α-helix, PufX, is found within the core complex, an essential photosynthetic macromolecular assembly that performs the absorption and the initial processing of light energy. Despite its structural simplicity, many unresolved questions surround PufX, the most important of which is its location within the photosynthetic core complex. One proposed placement of PufX is at the center of a core complex dimer, where two PufX helices associate in the membrane and form a homodimer. Inability for PufX of certain Rba. species to form a homodimer is thought to lead to monomeric core complexes. In the present study, we employ a combination of computational and experimental techniques to test the hypothesized homodimerization of PufX. We carry out a systematic investigation to measure the dimerization affinity of PufX from four Rba. species, Rba. blasticus, Rba. capsulatus, Rba. sphaeroides, and Rba. veldkampii, using a molecula...
21. Crop water use and water conservation benefits from windbreaks

Abstract Benefits from windbreaks and other water conservation practices can be measured by yield comparisons of protected and unprotected sites. This change in yield, reflects an integrated response of the parameters involved such as increased water application efficiency, increased infiltration and storage from snow or rainfall, reduced evaporation from the soil surface and the ability of plants to use the stored moisture more efficiently. A standard method is proposed for evaluating the benefits of windbreaks based on converting the change in crop yield to an equivalent change in water use. The equivalent water can be used to estimate changes in yields for other crops in the rotation system. The method is also applicable for evaluating the benefit of other conservation practices where yield differences are known. A distance of 10 windbreak heights (10h) is proposed as a standard for evaluating the effects of windbreaks on crop yield.
Kinetic simulation of vapor deposition and growth

We present a stochastic Monte Carlo model of vapor deposition and growth of a crystalline, binary, ${\mathit{A}}_{3}$B metallic alloy with a negative energy of mixing. Our model incorporates deposition and surface diffusion in a physically correct manner and allows us to simulate deposition rates that are experimentally realizable. We examine the effects of deposition rate and temperature on the development of short-range order (SRO) in the as-deposited film. We see SRO increase with temperature, but we see no corresponding development of anisotropic SRO (preferential ordering of A-B pairs along the growth direction).
Thymic microenvironment reconstitution after postnatal human thymus transplantation

A functional thymus develops after cultured thymus tissue is transplanted into subjects with complete DiGeorge anomaly. To gain insight into how the process occurs, 7 post-transplantation thymus biopsy tissues were evaluated. In 5 of 7 biopsies, the thymus appeared to be predominantly cortex with thymocytes expressing cortical markers. Unexpectedly, the epithelium expressed both cortical [cortical dendritic reticulum antigen 2 (CDR2)] and medullary [cytokeratin (CK) 14] markers. Early medullary development was suggested by epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) reactivity in small areas of biopsies. Two other biopsies had distinct mature cortex and medulla with normal restriction of CK14 to the medulla and subcapsular cortex, and of CDR2 to cortex. These data are consistent with a model in which thymic epithelium contains CK14+ “progenitor epithelial cells”. After transplantation these cells proliferate as CK14+CDR2+ thymic epithelial cells that are associated with cortical thymocytes. Later these cells differentiate into distinct cortical and medullary epithelia.
T-matrix modeling of linear depolarization by morphologically complex soot and soot-containing aerosols

We use state-of-the-art public-domain Fortran codes based on the T-matrix method to calculate orientation and ensemble averaged scattering matrix elements for a variety of morphologically complex black carbon (BC) and BC-containing aerosol particles, with a special emphasis on the linear depolarization ratio (LDR). We explain theoretically the quasi-Rayleigh LDR peak at side-scattering angles typical of low-density soot fractals and conclude that the measurement of this feature enables one to evaluate the compactness state of BC clusters and trace the evolution of low-density fluffy fractals into densely packed aggregates. We show that small backscattering LDRs measured with groundbased, airborne, and spaceborne lidars for fresh smoke generally agree with the values predicted theoretically for fluffy BC fractals and densely packed near-spheroidal BC aggregates. To reproduce higher lidar LDRs observed for aged smoke, one needs alternative particle models such as shape mixtures of BC spheroids or cylinders.
The equivalence of cues in the perception of speech by infants

The perceptual equivalence of the temporal and spectral cues that differentiate the words say and stay was investigated in 2-, 3-, and 4-month-old infants. The specific values of the temporal and spectral cues were arranged within each member of the stimulus pairs to be discriminated so that they either “cooperated” or “conflicted” in the manner in which they signaled this stop-consonant manner contrast. The stimuli in pairs with cooperating cues were discriminated whereas stimuli differentiated by conflicting cues were not discriminated; both findings are in accord with the equivalence of cues hypothesis. The results also affirm the contention that the cues for speech derive their effectiveness, at least in part, from the manner in which they specify a categorical representation.
Demonstration of a narrow-divergence x-ray laser in neonlike titanium

We report an observation of soft-x-ray lasing in Ti, at 326.5 \AA{}, based on recent experiments conducted on the Glass Development Laser (1.054 \ensuremath{\mu}m) at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics and the Nova laser (0.53 \ensuremath{\mu}m) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This Ti laser, which has been identified as a 3p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3s transition in Ne-like Ti, is unusual in several ways; the J=0\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1, 3p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3s transition is observed to be the dominant laser line in a Ne-like spectrum, the laser output has a very narrow divergence, and lasing is observed only in experiments where the main optical pulse is preceded by a low-intensity prepulse. We describe the experimental results and present evidence that suggests the gain is enhanced by resonant photopumping of the Ne-like Ti 2p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}4d transitions by 3s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2p C-like and 3d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2p N-like Ti lines, which results in lasing on the 3p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3s transitions in Ne-like Ti.
Calcium deficiency enhances cadmium accumulation in the central nervous system.

Abstract Weanling male rats were administered 1 of 4 diets for 40 days: control (CONT), low Ca (LOCA), control plus Cd (CONT+Cd) or low Ca plus Cd (LOCA+Cd). After 40 days, Cd was analyzed in 7 brain regions, spinal cord, serum, liver, kidney; muscle and femur by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with Zeeman background correction. No significant difference in Cd between CONT and LOCA was found except in femur, where it was increased. In CONT+Cd rats, peripheral tissues showed an increase in Cd of 30–71 fold above CONT rats. Brain regions exhibited a more modest 7–10 fold change, and serum Cd was 8.5 times above control. LOCA+Cd rats showed a 25-fold increase of Cd above LOCA in serum, 25–100 fold in peripheral tissues, and a 14–20 times increase in brain. These findings show that brain Cd is increased during Ca deficiency, but that central nervous system Cd changes less than peripheral tissue Cd. This increase in brain Cd could after brain function.
Imatinib methanesulfonate reduces hippocampal amyloid-beta and restores cognitive function following repeated endotoxin exposure

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized, in part, by atrophy of the adult brain and increased presence of extracellular amyloid-beta plaques. Previous studies in our lab have shown that peripheral inflammation can lead to increased central amyloid-beta and deficits in learning and memory. In order to determine whether amyloid-beta accumulation in the brain is responsible for the learning deficits, we attempted to decrease peripheral production of amyloid-beta, in order to reduce central amyloid-beta accumulation. It has previously been shown that amyloid-beta is produced in large quantities in the liver, and is transferred across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Recent evidence also suggests that peripheral treatment with Imatinib methanesulfonate salt (IM), known to interfere with the interaction between gamma-secretase and the gamma-secretase activating protein (GSAP), decreases the cleavage of peripheral amyloid precursor protein into amyloid-beta. Because IM poorly penetrates the BBB, we hypothesized that co-administration with LPS would decrease peripheral production of amyloid-beta, leading to a decrease in amyloid-beta accumulation in the hippocampus. We show here that peripheral IM treatment eliminates the elevation in hippocampal amyloid-beta that follows LPS-induced peripheral inflammation. Importantly, IM also eliminates the cognitive impairment seen following 7 consecutive days of LPS administration, implicating amyloid-beta peptides as a likely cause of these cognitive deficits.
Financial Strain and Symptoms of Depression in a Community Sample of Elderly Men and Women: A Longitudinal Study

For many older Americans, managing economic resources is a considerable challenge, often resulting in chronic financial strain. This study examines the impact of financial strain on one domain of d...
Wellness in community living adults: The Weigh to Life Program

Abstract Objective To examine physiological and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in community living adults attending a 12-week combined lifestyle wellness program. Methods A sample of overweight and obese adults ( n = 319) and a subgroup who also had diabetes ( n = 46 of 319) were studied. The program focuses on dietary, physical activity, and behavioral strategies to promote cardiovascular health. Baseline and 12-week measures were obtained. Results In the total sample, all physiological and HRQOL outcomes improved ( p Conclusion Physiological and HRQOL benefits can be gained from a 12-week combined lifestyle program; greater benefits were obtained with higher attendance. Although the diabetic subgroup was not large, positive outcomes were realized. Practice implications The 12-week combined lifestyle program shows promise for improving outcomes in community living overweight and obese adults who may also be diabetic. By attending class, participants are reminded about strategies they are to apply during the 12-week program and, by program end, they are equipped with a tool kit of strategies for use in everyday life.
Longing for the New Jerusalem

Eschatology both shapes our political expectations and limits them. Those who know what to expect from politics have a political theology, whether or not they call it by that name. For Reinhold Niebuhr, such an understanding of expectations and limits is central to Augustinian Christianity and to the tradition of the Hebrew prophets. In this eschatology, the judgment of God is the final standard of justice, but it always lies beyond our highest human achievements. It is the “impossible ideal” that is always relevant, but never realized.2 For Richard John Neuhaus, faith discloses the ends of creation, but it does not set the terms for political discussion. As Jean Elshtain reminds us at the beginning of her contribution to this symposium, Neuhaus’ alternative to the naked public square was not a sacred public square, but a civil one.3 Elshtain, who died on August 11, 2013, was a thinker whose comprehensive vision of modern politics encompassed both Niebuhr and Neuhaus and bridged the distance that sometimes divides their respective disciples. Her anti-utopian realism was well suited to our circumstances.
The deflective power of reproductive technologies: the impact on women.

Advances in reproductive technologies are altering women's experience of maternity and childbirth. They increase medical intervention while decreasing women's options and control over maternity. Although presented as increasing individual choices for women, their potential is to restrict choices for women as a group. The Baby M case illustrates that women's experience of maternity is belittled even in the least technologically dependent arrangement of surrogacy. These technologies deflect pressures for social reforms by promising technological fixes for reproductive difficulties. Often these problems have social causes. Women delay motherhood and increase reproductive risks, for example. to conform to male career timetables. Reforming employment policies is blunted, though, by the technological turn. These technologies should not be allowed to deflect the women's movement from pressuring for social change.
Non-rigid Registration of the Liver in Consecutive CT Studies for Assessment of Tumor Response to Radiofrequency Ablation

This paper introduces a non-rigid registration approach for tracking tumor response to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) across consecutive imaging studies. The method described here exploits the combined power of global and local alignment of pre- and post-treatment CT liver images for a given patient. The distinguishing characteristics of the system is that it can infer volumetric deformation based upon surface displacements using a linearly elastic finite element model (FEM). This technique may provide valuable information that could be beneficial in a range of surgical interventions as well as for the purposes of monitoring tissue response and therapy planning.
A Theory for Three-Element Broadside Arrays

The vector relationship between the voltages that must be applied across the terminals of a three-element array, to maintain input currents of the same amplitude and phase, is determined. Each antenna is of half-length h, and of radius a. The spacing between antennas is b. Two broadside arrays having the following dimensions are analyzed numerically: (a). h=λ/2, b=λ/2, and Ω=2ln (2h/a)=20; (b). h=λ/4, b=λ/2, and Ω=20. The results of these calculations are supplied in the form of vector diagrams.
Acute lung injury and the acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Although acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome mortality rates have improved over the last several decades, they remain high, particularly in the geriatric patient population. Although considerable progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of the disease, a large number of promising treatments have proved unsuccessful. One exception has been in the area of ventilator management, where a strategy of protective ventilation with low tidal volumes has demonstrated a significant mortality benefit. Basic research continues to help advance our understanding of this complex syndrome and identify interesting new directions of investigation. The results of several large, randomized trials of new ventilatory and pharmacologic strategies currently underway may help identify successful methods of treating this important disease.
The incidence of posterior capsule disruption during phacoemulsification and associated postoperative complication rates in dogs: 244 eyes (1995-2002).

Objective The objective of this retrospective study was to report the incidence of posterior capsule disruption during routine phacoemulsification and to document the postoperative outcomes and complications in eyes with posterior capsule disruption compared with eyes with intact posterior capsules. Procedures Records of 143 dogs (244 eyes) were reviewed. Data collected included whether the posterior capsule was disrupted, whether the disruption was planned or accidental, whether an intraocular lens was implanted, and visual outcome. Records were reviewed for postoperative complications. Intraocular lens implantation rates, complication rates, and visual outcomes were compared between intact and disrupted posterior capsule groups using Chi-square analyses. Results The posterior capsule was disrupted in 33/244 eyes (14%). Planned capsulotomies accounted for 36% of the disruptions. Intraocular lenses were implanted in 76% of eyes without a disruption of the posterior capsule and in 31% of eyes with a posterior capsule disruption. Intraocular lenses were more likely to be implanted in eyes with a planned disruption of the posterior capsule (7/12; 58%) than in eyes with an accidental disruption (3/20; 15%). There were no significant differences in postoperative complications or visual outcome between eyes with posterior capsule disruption and those without. Conclusions The most significant complication of posterior capsule disruption during phacoemulsification is the inability to implant an intraocular lens. Intraocular lenses are more likely to be placed in eyes with intentional disruptions of the posterior capsule than those with accidental ruptures.
The development of species-specific immunodiagnostics for Stachybotrys chartarum: the role of cross-reactivity.

Abstract Mold contamination and exposure to fungi in indoor environments has been associated with various adverse health effects but little is known about the significance of individual fungal species in the initiation or exacerbation of such effects. Using Stachybotrys chartarum as a model fungus we sought to demonstrate that monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can provide species-specific diagnostic reagents and also be used to investigate immunological cross-reactivity patterns among fungi. Mice were immunized with S. chartarum spore walls and monoclonal antibodies were screened against 60 fungal species and 24 different isolates of S. chartarum using an indirect ELISA. One species-specific mAb (IgG 1 ) reacted only with spore preparations but not mycelium of S. chartarum or propagules of any other fungus. Five cross-reactive mAbs (IgM) documented extensive cross-reactivity among nine related Stachybotrys species and several non-related genera including several species of Cladosporium , Memnoniella , Myrothecium and Trichoderma . We also found that the ELISA reactivity for cross-reactive antigens and different isolates of S. chartarum differed considerably for normalized total amounts of mycelial antigen. We demonstrate that mAbs and immunoassays have the potential to detect S. chartarum species-specifically. The observed reactivity patterns with cross-reactive mAbs suggest that several fungi may share common antigens and that the majority of antigens are expressed by spores and mycelia. The observed cross-reactivity patterns need to be considered for accurate interpretations of environmental and serological analyses.
Toward a New Standard of Attorney Disqualification

In litigation, judges often disqualify attorneys who violate American Bar Association (aba) disciplinary standards. Many practitioners, judges, and scholars are growing increasingly hostile to these disqualifications. In this article the author criticizes the view that the standard for court-ordered disqualification should be roughly equivalent to aba standards for withdrawal or ineligibility to accept a case. He argues that the remedy of disqualification should only rarely be used, even when it is clear that an aba disciplinary standard has been violated. He criticizes the view that the standard for court-ordered disqualification should be roughly equivalent to aba standards for withdrawal or ineligibility to accept a case. And he canvasses the Second Circuit's development of a new standard of disqualification—the trial taint test—as well as some recent developments that undercut that standard.
Aggressive landing maneuvers for 3DOF helicopter UAV

VTOL vehicle landing is considered to be a critically difficult task for both Land, Marine, and Urban operations. This paper describes one possible control approach to enable landing of unmanned systems at all attitudes, including against walls and ceilings, as a way to considerably enhance the operational capability of these vehicles. The features of the research include a novel approach to trajectory tracking, whereby the primary system outputs to be tracked are smoothly scheduled according to the state of the vehicle relative to its landing area. Several simulations and experiments, using a low-cost three-degree-offreedom helicopter, illustrate the proposed approach.
The net climate impact of coal-fired power plant emissions

Abstract. Coal-fired power plants influence climate via both the emission of long-lived carbon dioxide (CO2) and short-lived ozone and aerosol precursors. Using a climate model, we perform the first study of the spatial and temporal pattern of radiative forcing specifically for coal plant emissions. Without substantial pollution controls, we find that near-term net global mean climate forcing is negative due to the well-known aerosol masking of the effects of CO2. Imposition of pollution controls on sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides leads to a rapid realization of the full positive forcing from CO2, however. Long-term global mean forcing from stable (constant) emissions is positive regardless of pollution controls. Emissions from coal-fired power plants until ~1970, including roughly 1/3 of total anthropogenic CO2 emissions, likely contributed little net global mean climate forcing during that period though they may have induce weak Northern Hemisphere mid-latitude (NHml) cooling. After that time many areas imposed pollution controls or switched to low-sulfur coal. Hence forcing due to emissions from 1970 to 2000 and CO2 emitted previously was strongly positive and contributed to rapid global and especially NHml warming. Most recently, new construction in China and India has increased rapidly with minimal application of pollution controls. Continuation of this trend would add negative near-term global mean climate forcing but severely degrade air quality. Conversely, following the Western and Japanese pattern of imposing air quality pollution controls at a later time could accelerate future warming rates, especially at NHmls. More broadly, our results indicate that due to spatial and temporal inhomogenaities in forcing, climate impacts of multi-pollutant emissions can vary strongly from region to region and can include substantial effects on maximum rate-of-change, neither of which are captured by commonly used global metrics. The method we introduce here to estimate regional temperature responses may provide additional insight.
Protein–ligand binding site recognition using complementary binding-specific substructure comparison and sequence profile alignment

Motivation: Identification of protein–ligand binding sites is critical to protein function annotation and drug discovery. However, there is no method that could generate optimal binding site prediction for different protein types. Combination of complementary predictions is probably the most reliable solution to the problem. Results: We develop two new methods, one based on binding-specific substructure comparison (TM-SITE) and another on sequence profile alignment (S-SITE), for complementary binding site predictions. The methods are tested on a set of 500 non-redundant proteins harboring 814 natural, drug-like and metal ion molecules. Starting from low-resolution protein structure predictions, the methods successfully recognize 451% of binding residues with average Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) significantly higher (with P-value 510 –9 in student t-test) than other state-of-the-art methods, including COFACTOR, FINDSITE and ConCavity. When combining TM-SITE and S-SITE with other structure-based programs, a consensus approach (COACH) can increase MCC by 15% over the best individual predictions. COACH was examined in the recent community-wide COMEO experiment and consistently ranked as the best method in last 22 individual datasets with the Area Under the Curve score 22.5% higher than the second best method. These data demonstrate a new robust approach to protein–ligand binding site recognition, which is ready for genome-wide structure-based function annotations.