cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Targeted Cox2 gene deletion in intestinal epithelial cells decreases tumorigenesis in female, but not male, ApcMin/+ mice.

Mice heterozygous for mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli gene (Apc+/− mice) develop intestinal neoplasia. Apc+/− tumor formation is thought to be dependent on cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) expression; both pharmacologic COX2 inhibition and global Cox2 gene deletion reduce the number of intestinal tumors in Apc+/− mice. COX2 expression is reported in epithelial cells, fibroblasts, macrophages and endothelial cells of Apc+/− mouse polyps. However, the cell type(s) in which COX2 expression is required for Apc+/− tumor induction is not known. To address this question, we developed ApcMin/+ mice in which the Cox2 gene is specifically deleted either in intestinal epithelial cells or in myeloid cells. There is no significant difference in intestinal polyp number between ApcMin/+ mice with a targeted Cox2 gene deletion in myeloid cells and their control littermate ApcMin/+ mice. In contrast, ApcMin/+ mice with a targeted Cox2 deletion in intestinal epithelial cells have reduced intestinal tumorigenesis when compared to their littermate control ApcMin/+ mice. However, two gender-specific effects are notable. First, female ApcMin/+ mice developed more intestinal tumors than male ApcMin/+ mice. Second, targeted intestinal epithelial cell Cox2 deletion decreased tumorigenesis in female, but not in male, ApcMin/+ mice. Considered in the light of pharmacologic studies and studies with global Cox2 gene knockout mice, our data suggest that (i) intrinsic COX2 expression in intestinal epithelial cells plays a gender-specific role in tumor development in ApcMin/+ mice, and (ii) COX2 expression in cell type(s) other than intestinal epithelial cells also modulates intestinal tumorigenesis in ApcMin/+ mice, by a paracrine process.
Early developments in children's use of counting to solve quantitative problems.

Two studies evaluated preschool children's use of counting to solve different kinds of quantitative problems. Three uses of counting were considered: (a) counting to quantify a single set, (b) counting to compare two sets, and (c) counting to generate a set of a specified numerosity. In Experiment 1, 3- and 3 1/2 year-olds tended not to count spontaneously when asked to compare two sets, even when they were able to count fairly well. In Experiment 2, 3 1/2 year-olds again tended not to count spontaneously on compare-sets and generate-set problems, although they did count readily on quantify-set problems; and the use of counting on the compare-sets and generate-set problems increased markedly between 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 years. These early developments may be important educationally because counting plays a major role in arithmetic learning.
U.S. Climate Reference Network after One Decade of Operations: Status and Assessment

The year 2012 marks a decade of observations undertaken by the U.S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN) under the auspices of NOAA's National Climatic Data Center and Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division. The network consists of 114 sites across the conterminous 48 states, with additional sites in Alaska and Hawaii. Stations are installed in open (where possible), rural sites very likely to have stable land-cover/use conditions for several decades to come. At each site a suite of meteorological parameters are monitored, including triple redundancy for the primary air temperature and precipitation variables and for soil moisture/temperature. Instrumentation is regularly calibrated to National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) standards and maintained by a staff of expert engineers. This attention to detail in USCRN is intended to ensure the creation of an unimpeachable record of changes in surface climate over the United States for decades to come. Data are made available without restric...
Herbalism helps headache

Migraine is a common, complex and certainly fascinating disorder of the brain (Lipton et al ., 2001; Goadsby et al ., 2002), which most active clinicians would agree needs more treatments (Goadsby and Sprenger, 2010). Over the last two decades we have seen substantial advances in migraine therapeutics with the development of triptans, serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonists (Ferrari et al ., 2001), gepants, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists (Ho et al ., 2010), and most recently ditans, serotonin 5-HT1F receptor agonists (Ferrari et al ., 2010). Each targets, among other sites the trigeminovascular system, the trigeminal afferent innervation of the pain-producing meninges (Feindel et al ., 1960; McNaughton and Feindel, 1977) that projects to second order afferents in the trigeminocervical complex (Akerman et al ., 2011). This issue of Brain illustrates yet another target, weaving a very engaging tale of biology, herbalism and therapeutics (Nassini et al ., 2012). Nassini and colleagues (2012) studied a candidate compound, the monoterpene ketone umbellulone, a volatile component of the leaves of …
Arbitraging American Gold Spot and Futures Options

This study empirically tests rational pricing conditions applicable to American gold spot and futures options. A number of ancillary pricing relations also are tested. Transactions data supplied by the Montreal Stock Exchange and the New York Commodity Exchange are used in these tests. Arbitrage trading strategies designed to exploit violations of these conditions also are provided. The results indicate potential intermarket inefficiency: a substantial number of violations of a condition applicable to call options are found, and most of these violations are sufficient in magnitude to cover the relevant transaction costs of arbitrage.
Structural state of detrital alkali feldspars

The structural state of an alkali feldspar is determined by the nature of the distribution of Al and Si in the tetrahedral sites of the feldspar structure. This state is a function of a number of genetic controls including temperature, cooling rate, deformation, crystal size, and several chemical factors. Together these controls constitute a genetic regime. Identification of the structures of detrital feldspars may enable recognition of genetic regimes and be useful in provenance interpretation and mineral province definition. A 2-peak method of X-ray diffraction (XRD) determination as a variant of an earlier proposed 3-peak method of structural state determination is used in this study. Total analytical time for each determination is about 50–55 min per grain. Results of structural state identification of 126 detrital feldspars from Holocene stream sands derived from volcanic, plutonic and metamorphic rocks are presented in order to illustrate the application and potential of the technique. Detrital feldspars from the metamorphic rocks are all maximum microcline; those from the plutons range from orthoclase to microcline depending on the age of the pluton, whereas those from the volcanic rocks are sanidines.
Comparative Efficiencies of Conventional and Super-Swimfin Designs

One female and six male subjects were used to evaluate the effectiveness of four modern “super-swimfin” designs when compared to a set of conventional fins. Oxygen consumption and heart rates were measured at a predetermined submaximal workload using a swimming ergometer. Times for kicking 22.9 m were also compared. The results demonstrated that significantly less oxygen was consumed during the trials in which the vented super-fins of large surface area were used than when the conventional fins were used. Significant VO2differences were also noted between super-fins, with large surface area, inflexible, or venturi designs resulting in the consumption of more oxygen than the others. A statistically significant linear correlation (r = −.90) was computed when comparing oxygen consumption to fin surface area. Flexibility of the fins was noted to be directly related to the speed that could be attained (r = .90). It was concluded that only the super-fin designs that were vented and had a large surface area are...
Electroosmotically driven solution mixing in borosilicate theta glass nESI emitters.

The use of borosilicate theta glass capillaries as nanoelectrospray ionization emitters has recently been demonstrated as a method for mixing two solutions as they are sprayed into the mass spectrometer for analysis. All previous experiments resulted in a solution mixing timescale limited to the time the analytes spend in the Taylor cone and subsequent droplets (i.e. sub-millisecond timescale). In an effort to extend the solution mixing timescale to the milliseconds regime, we demonstrate that solution can be moved from one channel of the theta tip to the opposite channel via electroosmosis by applying a potential difference between the two wire electrodes inserted into each channel of the theta tip. First, we establish that electroosmosis is responsible for solution movement using fluorescence microscopy to track fluorescent tracer dyes. We then demonstrate the utility of this technique in varying the extent of denaturation of holomyoglobin to apomyoglobin on the millisecond timescale just prior to analysis by mass spectrometry. Finally, we induce additional turbulence for better mixing by applying a square wave potential to one of the wire electrodes while holding the opposite wire at a constant voltage between the low and high potentials of the square wave. This experiment was found to provide nearly complete mixing after a single cycle of the square wave. The use of electroosmosis significantly expands the flexibility of theta tips for altering solutions prior to nESI without the need for off-line sample manipulation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends in the incidence of venous stasis syndrome and venous ulcer: A 25-year population-based study

Abstract Background: The incidence rates of venous stasis syndrome and venous ulcer are uncertain, and trends in incidence are unknown. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the complete (inpatient and outpatient) medical records of a community population (Olmsted County, Minnesota) to estimate the incidence of venous stasis syndrome and venous ulcer during the 25-year period, 1966 to 1990, and to describe trends in incidence. Results: A total of 1131 patients received a first lifetime diagnosis of venous stasis syndrome. A total of 263 patients received a first lifetime diagnosis of venous ulcer. The overall incidence of venous stasis syndrome and venous ulcer were 76.1 and 18.0 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. The incidence of both was higher in women than in men (83.7 vs 67.4 per 100,000 person-years for venous stasis syndrome; 20.4 vs 14.6 per 100,000 for venous ulcer) and increased with age for both sexes. There was no clear trend in the incidence of venous stasis syndrome over the 25-year period. Compared with 1966 to 1970, the incidence of venous ulcer decreased in 1971 to 1980, but was unchanged after 1981. Among 945 patients with venous stasis only, 60 subsequently had a venous ulcer. The average (± SD) time from venous stasis diagnosis to development of a venous ulcer was 5.0 (± 5.0) years. Conclusion: Venous stasis syndrome and venous ulcer are common, especially in the elderly population. The incidence of venous stasis syndrome has not changed since 1966, and venous ulcer incidence is unchanged since 1981. More accurate identification of patients at risk for venous stasis syndrome and venous ulcer and more effective prevention are needed. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:1022-7.)
Comparison of refractive assessment by wavefront aberrometry, autorefraction, and subjective refraction

Abstract Purpose To compare refractive assessment results obtained with an aberrometer, an autorefractor, and manual subjective refraction (SR) in a healthy population with optimal visual potential. Methods Sixty adults aged 18–59 years with visual acuity of 20/25 or better, no media opacity, and no known corneal or retinal abnormalities were recruited during the course of routine eye examination. Refractive error in both eyes of each patient was assessed by 3 methods: manual SR, a Nidek 530-A autorefractor (AR), and a Nidek OPD-II Scan wavefront aberrometer (OPD). The order of testing was randomized. One technician collected all OPD and AR measurements, and 1 optometrist performed manual SR. Refractive measurements were converted from spherocylindrical prescriptions to power vectors and compared between methods by 2-factor repeated measures and Bland–Altman analysis. Results Analysis of the power vectors followed by a log transformation showed no significant difference in refractive results between AR, OPD, and SR ( P = .63). Bland–Altman analysis identified mean differences (95% CI of limits of agreement) of −0.06 (−0.67 to 0.55) for OPD vs SR, 0.001 (−0.522 to 0.524) for AR vs SR, and 0.06 (−0.541 to 0.662) for AR vs OPD. Conclusion Agreement between all refractive assessments was comparable to previously reported agreement between repeated measures of SR. Agreement between AR and SR was slightly stronger than between OPD and SR. Although both the OPD and AR results, in general, showed a high level of agreement with SR, results beyond ±0.50D (5.8% for AR, 10% for OPD) would discourage prescribing spectacles directly from either instrument.
Optimal design of restorable ATM mesh networks

This paper presents a general integer programming formulation for the capacity and flow assignment problem in self-healing ATM VP networks with path restoration. It is observed that using group VP concept can substantially reduce the restoration time with only a small increase in spare capacity cost. The economy of scale in transmission facility cost is illustrated via numerical examples.
An Endogenous Foamy Virus in the Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)

We report the discovery and analysis of an endogenous foamy virus (PSFVaye) within the genome of the aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis), a strepsirrhine primate from Madagascar. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that PSFVaye is divergent from all known simian foamy viruses, suggesting an association between foamy viruses and primates since the haplorrhine-strepsirrhine split. The discovery of PSFVaye indicates that primate foamy virus might be more broadly distributed than previously thought.
Diffraction by a symmetric material junction. II. Resolution of the muon-uniqueness

For pt.I see ibid., p.538 (1991). A Weiner-Hopf solution for the diffraction by a multilayer material-to-material junction using a GSTC (generalized sheet transition condition) simulation of the multilayer slab was previously presented. This solution was in terms of unknown constants, and it was shown that these are dependent on the physical properties of the junction. Consequently, an approach for determining the solution constants is to enforce tangential field continuity across the junction, which implies a knowledge of the fields internal to the discontinuous slab, not yielded from the Wiener-Hopf solution. To overcome this, the authors use a model expansion, making it possible to recast the previously obtained Weiner-Hopf solution in a form permitting the identification of the fields internal to the slab. By enforcing field continuity across the junction, a set of linear equations for the unknown constants can be generated. >
Rapamycin conditionally inhibits Hsp90 but not Hsp70 mRNA translation in Drosophila : implications for the mechanisms of Hsp mRNA translation

Rapamycin inhibits the activity of the target of rapamycin (TOR)-dependent signaling pathway, which has been characterized as one dedicated to translational regulation through modulating cap-dependent translation, involving eIF4E binding protein (eIF4E-BP) or 4E-BP. Results show that rapamycin strongly inhibits global translation in Drosophila cells. However, Hsp70 mRNA translation is virtually unaffected by rapamycin treatment, whereas Hsp90 mRNA translation is strongly inhibited, at normal growth temperature. Intriguingly, during heat shock Hsp90 mRNA becomes significantly less sensitive to rapamycin-mediated inhibition, suggesting the pathway for Hsp90 mRNA translation is altered during heat shock. Reporter mRNAs containing the Hsp90 or Hsp70 mRNAs’ 5′ untranslated region recapitulate these rapamycin-dependent translational characteristics, indicating this region regulates rapamycin-dependent translational sensitivity as well as heat shock preferential translation. Surprisingly, rapamycin-mediated inhibition of Hsp90 mRNA translation at normal growth temperature is not caused by 4E-BP-mediated inhibition of cap-dependent translation. Indeed, no evidence for rapamycin-mediated impaired eIF4E function is observed. These results support the proposal that preferential translation of different Hsp mRNA utilizes distinct translation mechanisms, even within a single species.
PDMS-based opto-fluidic micro flow cytometer with two-color, multi-angle fluorescence detection capability using PIN photodiodes

This research describes the design and performance of a microfluidic observation channel capable of performing flow cytometry measurements using solid-state lasers and PIN-based photodetectors. The observation cell, fabricated using poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based soft lithography, is designed with integrated microgrooves that permit the physical registration of optical fibers that serve as optical waveguides for laser excitation and fluorescence detection. The optical fiber arrangement is designed to permit simultaneous multi-color excitation of sample particles, at a single interrogation point in the observation channel, using multiple angles of excitation and detection. The multiple angles can be used to increase signal-to-noise ratio ( S/N) by performing two independent fluorescence measurements simultaneously, and to permit multiple simultaneous cytometric measurements to occur at a single interrogation point. Moreover, the multi-angle micro flow cytometer is proven to provide consistent color differentiation that allows the design to achieve spectrometer capabilities not possible on a conventional flow cytometer. The micro flow cytometer performance was evaluated by considering the detection of fluorescent microspheres (15m) and nucleic acid labeled fungus (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Multiple angles (45 ◦ , 135 ◦ , and 180 ◦ ) between fluorescence excitation and detection were investigated with respect to S/N, S/N coefficient of variation, and particle recovery. The experiments demonstrate the feasibility of developing a high S/N single-cell fluorescence detection system based exclusively on silicon-based PIN photodiodes coupled with the lock-in amplification technique. The technique is applicable to the detection of scatter and fluorescent signals emanating from inorganic particles and biological cells, and is highly amenable to economical manufacturing, miniaturization, and low-power operation. Consequently, the design approach and performance results described in this investigation have applicability to the development of practical and low-cost cytometric micro total analysis systems (TAS). © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Chapter 7: Laboratory techniques for determining seismic velocities and attenuations, with applications to the continental lithosphere

The interpretation of seismic data is dependent on laboratory investigations of the elastic and anelastic properties of rocks. Important constraints on the composition of the continental lithosphere have been provided by comparing laboratory and field determined seismic velocities. Much less is known about the nature of attenuation in the crust and upper mantle. Furthermore, laboratory attenuations have not been studied as extensively as velocities. Nevertheless, the utilization of laboratory attenuation measurements to tie seismic data to the anelastic properties of rocks is promising. Laboratory velocity measurements are usually obtained with a pulse transmission technique, whereas measurements of seismic attenuation in the laboratory are determined by resonance techniques, ultrasonic pulse propagation, stress-strain hysteresis loop analysis, and torsion-pendulum oscillations. Velocities in rocks increase with increasing pressure, whereas attenuations decrease. The greatest changes, which occur over the farst 100 MPa, are attributed to the closure of microcracks. Velocities decrease with increasing temperature. At temperatures below the boiling point of a rock's volatiles, attenuation appears to be temperature-independent, and above this, attenuation decreases. Increasing pore pressure, which lowers compressional and shear-wave velocities in sedimentary and crystalline rocks, produces a marked increase in Poisson's ratio. The influence of pore pressure on attenuation in crystalline rocks is at present poorly understood. At high pressures, velocities are primarily a function of mineralogy, whereas mineralogy may only be of secondary importance for attenuation. Anisotropy, which is common in velocities of many crustal and upper-mantle rocks, may also be an important property of rock attenuation. Attenuation may vary significantly with frequency for saturated rocks, but appears to be frequency-independent for dry rocks. The effect of frequency on velocity is minimal.
Clinical proteomics for cancer biomarker discovery and therapeutic targeting.

As we emerge into the post-genome era, proteomics finds itself as the driving force field as we translate the nucleic acid information archive into understanding how the cell actually works and how disease processes operate. Even so, the traditionally held view of proteomics as simply cataloging and developing lists of the cellular protein repertoire of a cell are now changing, especially in the sub-discipline of clinical proteomics. The most relevant information archive to clinical applications and drug development involves the elucidation of the information flow of the cell; the “software” of protein pathway networks and circuitry. The deranged circuitry of the cell as the drug target itself as well as the effect of the drug on not just the target, but also the entire network, is what we now are striving towards. Clinical proteomics, as a new and most exciting sub-discipline of proteomics, involves the bench-to-bedside clinical application of proteomic tools. Unlike the genome, there are potentially tho...
A situative response to the conundrum of formative assessment

While formative assessment is popular, it is difficult to evaluate and improve. In some settings, it may actually reduce disciplinary learning by competing with other more productive activities, ma...
Utilization of the L- and DL-Isomers of α-Keto-β-methylvaleric Acid by Rats and Comparative Efficacy of the Keto Analogs of Branched-Chain Amino Acids Provided as Ornithine, Lysine and Histidine Salts

Three experiments were conducted to quantitatively evaluate the growth-promoting capacity of alpha-keto analogs of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). Basal chemically defined diets were formulated to be singly deficient in the BCAA under study; analogs therefore were evaluated as sources of supplemental amino acid activity. Analogs of isoleucine tested included alpha-keto-beta-L-methylvalerate (L-KMV) as the Na salt (L-KMV-Na) and alpha-keto-beta-DL-methylvalerate (DL-KMV) as the Na (DL-KMV-Na), ornithine (DL-KMV-Orn) and lysine (DL-KMV-Lys) salts. Slope-ratio efficacy values were L-KMV-Na, 65%; DL-KMV-Na, 44%; DL-KMV-Orn, 41%; DL-KMV-Lys, 43%. Alloisoleucine accumulated in the plasma of rats fed all sources of KMV, but its concentration was three times greater when DL-KMV was fed than when L-KMV was fed. The analog of valine tested was alpha-ketoisovalerate as the ornithine (KIV-Orn) or lysine (KIV-Lys) salts. There was no significant difference in efficacy between salts (47 versus 44%, respectively). The analog of leucine, alpha-ketoisocaproate, was given as the ornithine (KIC-Orn), lysine (KIC-Lys) and histidine (KIC-His) salts with resulting efficacies of 50, 38 and 49%, respectively. Slope-ratio efficacies of KIC-Orn and KIC-His were statistically similar and efficacy of KIC-Lys was inferior to both KIC-Orn and KIC-His.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa internalization by corneal epithelial cells involves MEK and ERK signal transduction proteins.

Invasion of epithelial cells represents a potential pathogenic mechanism for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We explored the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MEK 1/2) and the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK 1/2) in P. aeruginosa invasion. Treatment of corneal epithelial cells with MEK inhibitors, PD98059 (20 μM) or UO126 (100 μM), reduced P. aeruginosa invasion by ∼60% without affecting bacterial association with the cells (P=0.0001). UO124, a negative control for UO126, had no effect on bacterial internalization. Infection of cells with an internalization-defective flhA mutant of P. aeruginosa was associated with less ERK 1/2 tyrosine phosphorylation than infection with wild-type invasive P. aeruginosa. An ERK-2 inhibitor, 5-iodotubercidin (20 μM), reduced P. aeruginosa invasion by ∼40% (P=0.035). Together, these data suggest that P. aeruginosa internalization by epithelial cells involves a pathway(s) that includes MEK and ERK signaling proteins.
Endovascular recanalization of iliocaval and inferior vena cava filter chronic total occlusions.

Inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) placement is associated with increased risk of deep venous thrombosis. This may result from filter obstruction by trapped emboli or in situ thrombosis of the IVCF, followed by caval thrombus propagation, and may be associated with significant morbidity. Here, we describe a technique and early results of endovascular recanalization of IVCF chronic total occlusions in five patients with complete chronic total occlusions of a previously implanted IVCF, the inferior vena cava, and the bilateral iliofemoral venous systems. We describe our technique of filter displacement and recanalization with balloon-mounted and self-expanding stents. All patients noted sustained clinical improvement and duplex ultrasound-confirmed patency throughout follow-up.
Developmental outcomes in young children born to mothers with west nile illness during pregnancy

Background West Nile virus (WNV) infection is associated with acute morbidity and mortality in adults and children. Information on the effects of maternal WNV illness during pregnancy on early childhood development is limited. This study was designed to examine the relationship between maternal WNV illness during pregnancy and birth and developmental outcomes at age 3 years. Methods Mother-child participants were identified using a national surveillance registry for women with WNV illness during pregnancy. Maternal and infant health data and relevant family characteristics were obtained through medical record reviews and maternal questionnaires. All infants received ophthalmologic examinations. Child development was evaluated at age 3 years using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development–Third Edition (Bayley-III). Results As a group, the children's (N = 11) birth weight, head circumference, and infant ophthalmologic examination results were within age expectations; one child was born preterm (gestational age 36 weeks). Mean (SD) age at the time of Bayley-III testing was 36.7 (3.8) months. The group's mean performance on the Bayley-III was at or above age level in all domains, but one child showed a mild delay in the Adaptive domain. The variability observed in this sample (1/53 [1.9%] Domain scores < −2.0 SDs) was consistent with expectations based upon the distribution of Bayley-III Domain scores in the general population. Conclusion Maternal WNV infection does not appear to be associated with global developmental delays in young children. These results are preliminary, however, and require confirmation in future research. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:792–796, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
S1P2 receptor-dependent Rho-kinase activation mediates vasoconstriction in the murine pulmonary circulation induced by sphingosine 1-phosphate

Vasoactive properties of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) have been demonstrated by many investigators to vary in systemic vascular beds. These variations appear to reflect differential S1P receptor expression in the vasculature of these tissues. Although S1P has been demonstrated to enhance endothelial barrier function, induce airway hyperresponsiveness, and modulate immune responses in the lung, the pulmonary vasomotor effects of S1P remain poorly defined. In the present study, we sought to define the vasoregulatory effects of S1P in the pulmonary vasculature and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms operative in effecting the response in the intact lung. S1P (10 microM) increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) by 36% in the isolated perfused mouse lung. S1P-induced vasoconstriction was reduced by 64% by concomitant administration of the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y27632 (10 microM). Similarly, the S1P response was attenuated by >50% after S1P(2) receptor antagonism (JTE-013; 10 microM) and in S1P(2) receptor null mice. In contrast, S1P(3) receptor antagonism (VPC23019; 10 microM) had no effect on the contractile response to S1P. Furthermore, we confirmed the role of Rho-kinase as an important regulator of basal vasomotor tone in the isolated perfused mouse lung. These results suggest that S1P is capable of altering pulmonary vascular tone in vivo and may play an important role in the modulation of pulmonary vascular tone both in the normal lung and under pathological conditions.
Restoring prairie pothole wetlands: does the species pool concept offer decision-making guidance for re-vegetation?

ABSTRACT Question: Do regional species pools, landscape isolation or on-site constraints cause plants from different guilds to vary in their ability to colonize restored wetlands? Location: Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota, USA. Methods: Floristic surveys of 41 restored wetlands were made three and 12 years after reflooding to determine changes in local species pools for eight plant guilds. The effect of landscape isolation on colonization efficiency was evaluated for each guild by plotting local species pools against distance to nearby natural wetlands, and the relative importance of dispersal vs. on-site constraints in limiting colonization was explored by comparing the local species pools of restored and natural wetlands within the region. Results: Of the 517 wetland plant taxa occurring in the region, 50% have established within 12 years. The proportion of the regional species pool represented in local species pools differed among guilds, with sedge-meadow perennials, emergent perennials and floating...
Quantitative gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of ethanolamine, monomethyl ethanolamine, and dimethyl ethanolamine from lipids

A method for the separation and quantitative estimation of ethanolamine, dimethyl ethanolamine, and monomethyl ethanolamine derived from lipids is described. After acid hydrolysis of the lipids, the bases are extracted from the neutralized hydrolysate with t-butanol and separated by gas-liquid chromatography.
Phonon-activated electron-stimulated desorption of halogens from Si ( 100 ) − ( 2 × 1 )

Spontaneous desorption of Cl, Br, and I from $n$- and $p$-type $\mathrm{Si}(100)\text{\ensuremath{-}}(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)$ was studied with scanning tunneling microscopy at temperatures of $620--800\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ where conventional thermal bond breaking should be negligible. The activation energies and prefactors determined from Arrhenius plots indicate a novel reaction pathway that is initiated by the capture of electrons which have been excited by phonon processes into Si-halogen antibonding states. This configuration is on a repulsive potential energy surface, and it is sufficiently long lived that desorption can occur, constituting phonon-activated electron-stimulated desorption. Surprisingly, the Arrhenius plots for differently doped samples crossed and, above a critical temperature, the reaction with the largest activation energy had the highest rate. This is explained by large entropy changes associated with the multiphonon nature of the electronic excitation. For Cl desorption from $p$-type Si, these entropy changes amounted to $34{k}_{B}$. They were $19{k}_{B}$, $13{k}_{B}$, and $8{k}_{B}$ for Br desorption from $p$-type, lightly doped $n$-type, and heavily doped $n$-type Si, respectively. The desorption rates for I were nearly three orders of magnitude larger than the rates observed for Cl and Br. Here, the Si-I antibonding states overlap the conduction-band minimum, so that conduction-band electrons with this energy can be captured by the Si-I antibonding states. Together, these results reveal that a complex relationship exists between phonons and electronic excitations during chemical reactions at surfaces.
Derivation of orthogonal leads from the 12-lead ECG. accuracy of a single transform for the derivation of atrial and ventricular waves

Vectorcardiograms are not usually recorded in clinical practice and must be derived from the conventional 12- lead ECG, for example by making use of Dower's transform. However, its accuracy for the derivation of the P wave is questionable. We tested the accuracy of Dower's transform on the P-wave and compared with a P-wave optimized transform in a database of 123 simultaneous recordings of ECGs and VCGs. This new transform achieved a lower error when we compared derived vs. true measured P-waves (12.2 plusmn 7.96 muVRMS) than Dower's transform (14.4 plusmn 9.5 muVRMS) and higher correlation values (Rx = 0.93 plusmn 0.12, Ry = 0.90 plusmn 0.27, Rz = 0.91 plusmn0.18 vs. Dower's: Rx = 0.88 plusmn 0.15, Ry = 0.91 plusmn 0.26 , Rz = 0.85 plusmn 0.23). We concluded that derivation of P-waves and QRS complexes VCGs were optimized by the use of different transform matrices for each wave in this database.
XSEDE Support: Revolutionizing the Next-Generation Therapeutic Drug Discovery

Drug discovery is a critical but complex and costly endeavor. The rate of approval of new therapeutics by the FDA has been in decline while costs are rising. Increasingly, pharmaceutical companies desire to translate pharmaceutical discovery from academic research in order to decrease risk. Although many researchers have identified very compelling targets, most researchers do not have access to drug discovery resources due to the high cost and complex infrastructure needed to launch a discovery campaign. Long-term objective of this research is to integrate drug interaction simulation software to identify new bioactive molecules and speed drug development with minimum cost and time. This technology is a highly feasible way to rapidly close the therapeutic gap and potentially dramatically improve public health. Initially research was conducted using typical clusters and it took 3 months to perform one run with one conformation of the protein using 1.5 million small molecules. But researchers are interested in working with many proteins with multiple conformations per protein related to entire disease related pathways. At this rate this computational research by itself would take 6 to 7 years of computation on institutional clusters. This resulted in PI applying for the XSEDE allocation with Extended Collaborative Support Services (ECSS) support, which resulted in generation of optimized and scaled the drug interaction workflow on XSEDE supercomputers that reduced computation time for single run from months to 40 minutes using 8000 cores. The results were generated for 5 proteins with 5 conformations with 1.5 million compounds in an afternoon (wall clock time)on Kraken supercomputer which would have taken 5 years of computation on typical cluster. This presentation will discuss about the process from project inception to generating results for publications and proposals for various funding agencies.PI quotes "I thought the computation might not be finished in my life span, this collaboration takes my research to new heights".
The use of melatonin as an alternative to sedation in uncooperative children undergoing an MRI examination.

Abstract AIM: Children who are uncooperative, due either to their age or medical condition, usually require sedation or a general anaesthetic (GA) to ensure immobility during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. These procedures have a risk of respiratory compromise and loss of vital reflexes. Melatonin induces a natural sleep with no known complication or risk of respiratory compromise. We aimed to evaluate the use of melatonin in these uncooperative children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An unselected group of 40 children, who had been referred for an MRI examination of the brain under sedation or GA, were chosen to receive melatonin instead. They all received 10 mg of melatonin and 17 children additionally underwent some form of sleep deprivation. The number of children who went to sleep and had a successful MRI examination was recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-six children (65%) went to sleep and of these 22 (55%) had a successful MRI examination. In the 17 children who underwent sleep deprivation, 13 (76%) went to sleep and had a successful MRI examination. There was no complication. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin may provide an alternative to conventional sedation regimes and GA for uncooperative children undergoing an MRI examination. The use of sleep deprivation improves the success rate and there is no risk of respiratory compromise. Johnson, K. et al . (2002). Clinical Radiology 57 , 502–506.
Obstetric history in women with surgically corrected adult urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.

Abstract Study Objective. To compare obstetric histories of women who had surgical correction of urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse with a similar group who did not. Design. Case control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting. Urban, community-based, private practice teaching hospital. Patients. Four hundred, eighty women (age 51.4±13.0 yrs) who underwent corrective surgery for urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, or both, and whose obstetric history was obtainable through chart review. The control group was composed of 150 women (age 50.7±9.6 yrs) having routine screening mammography who completed a questionnaire regarding obstetric, gynecologic, and urologic history. Measurements and Main Results. Patients and controls did not differ significantly in terms of age, race, height, weight, body mass index, or smoking history. Women who underwent surgery were of greater parity (2.5±1.2 vs 2.0±1.2, p Conclusion. Increased parity, vaginal childbirth, maternal age at time of delivery, and use of epidural analgesia are associated with need for operative correction of pelvic organ prolapse or adult urinary incontinence. Conversely, cesarean delivery is associated with less need for surgical correction of incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.
Later‐life satisfaction: Does leisure contribute?

Abstract “Activity theories”; of aging as well as the common wisdom in recreation presume that greater activity leads to greater satisfaction with life in later years. Research, however, has produced conflicting results. Review and meta‐analysis of previous research on the contribution of leisure and social activity to subjective well‐being has produced a sequence of questions: (1) Do frequency and breadth of participation in leisure activity contribute to later‐life satisfaction? (2) Do some types of activity contribute more than others? (3) Do the types of activity that contribute most to subjective well‐being differ with age? Results of a telephone survey of 400 adults age 40 and above demonstrate the independent contribution of leisure to life satisfaction. Social activity and travel are associated with higher levels of life satisfaction for those age 65–74 and family and home‐based activity for those age 75 and over. Both the “core”; model of leisure and the tendency toward constriction of activity c...
Theorie und Methoden multipler statistischer Vergleiche

Wird anhand eines Datensatzes simultan uber mehrere Nullhy pothesen entschieden, so kann es zu einer Inflation des Fehlers 1. Art kommen. Daher wurden, beginnend mit Fisher (1935), fur solche multiplen Hypothesenprobleme spe zielle Tests entwickelt. Trotz ihrer Relevanz fur verschiedenste Forschungsbereiche, insbesondere auch fur dieWirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften, werden solche Ver fahren vergleichsweise selten eingesetzt. Deshalb rekapituliert und systematisiert der vorliegende Aufsatz die Entwicklung der Theorie und Methoden multipler Vergleiche in den 80 Jahren seit Fisher – und verfolgt damit insbesondere das Ziel, Anwender der Statistik hinsichtlich der Problematik des multiplen Testens zu sensibilisieren.
Intra-islet regulation of hormone secretion by glucagon-like peptide-1-(7−36) amide

Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1-(7--36) amide, a peptide product of the posttranslational processing of pancreatic and intestinal proglucagon, has been shown to regulate insulin secretion. Monoclonal antibodies to glucagon and GLP-1-(7--36) amide were generated to localize GLP-1-(7--36) amide in the pancreatic islets by immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. GLP-1-(7--36) amide immunoreactivity was found in some, but not all, glucagon-containing alpha-cells. Displaceable receptor binding for GLP-1-(7--36) amide and nonamidated GLP-1-(7--37) on hormone secretion were investigated using isolated pancreatic islet preparations. GLP-1-(7--37) and -(7--36) amide significantly increased insulin and somatostatin release in the concentration range of 0.01-100 nM in 11.0 mM glucose. GLP-1-(7--37) and -(7--36) amide had no effect on glucagon secretion in the presence of 11.0 mM glucose. GLP-1-(7--36) amide was released from isolated islets in response to 2.25, 5.5, and 11.0 mM glucose. These results suggest that pancreatic GLP-1 may be important in the regulation of intra-islet hormone secretion.
The Construction of Reality and the De-Construction of Barriers to Action in Belo Monte: An Announcement of War

This work examines the formation of discourse in the eco-documentary (eco-doc) Belo Monte: An Announcement of War released in 2012 by Brazilian filmmaker and activist Andre D’Elia. In order to combat the Belo Monte dam in the Amazon, Brazil’s premiere flagship program for national development, D’Elia turns to film to spread the cause globally to gain international support. This work uses D’Elia’s film to explore modern Amazonian discourse and activism. D’Elia strategically frames the film’s images and narratives to forge a discourse that inspires international action against Belo Monte. The introduction provides an overview of Belo Monte’s history and Belo Monte: An Announcement of War as well as discusses the multiple contestations of the dam’s discourse to highlight the tensions arising from modernization and preservation. The next section explores the benefits of film, especially the modern eco-doc, as a medium to effect change. In addition, it examines how the framing of images and narratives is manipulated by D’Elia to generate a discourse that attracts multiple peoples, activists, and other interest groups. Continuously keeping in mind D’Elia’s position as an activist filmmaker, I seek to analysis how the discourse he forges through cinematic representation of Belo Monte encourages global viewers to take action.
Two visual aids for genetic counselling

Two visual aids that have been adapted for use in genetic counselling are illustrated. They both translate abstract concepts into visual ones. The probability wheel is a commercially available aid that was developed for evaluative research. It consists of an orange dial with numbering from 0-100. Superimposed on this dial is a blue section and the amount of blue versus orange can be varied. Thus the concept of magnitude of risk can be illustrated and the effect of increasing this risk shown visually. If necessary the wheel can be spun and an attached pointer is used to illustrate principles of chance. The mechanism of Mendelian inheritance is illustrated by a series of sets of cards, each labelled with a letter symbolizing a specific gene. The cards can be set up as paired groups in front of each of the consultands. The laws of segregation and independent assortment are shown by moving around the cards in ail possible combinations. The visual impact of moving the cards from the consultands’ ‘pile’ to the pile representing their offspring appears to allow ready understanding of the principles of Mendel’s Laws, and the meaning of segregation ratios.
Ruddy duck nesting success : Do nest characteristics deter nest predation ?

It has been hypothesized that proximity to edges, timing of nesting, nest concealment or inaccessibility, working singly or in concert, may explain variable nesting success of birds, but results have been mixed. I tested these hypotheses by determining fates and measuring nest-site features of 233 Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) nests near Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada, during summers of 1994-1996. Mayfield nesting success averaged 41%. Discriminant function analysis was unable to segregate successful and destroyed nests. Results suggest that nesting success for this population of Ruddy Ducks is unpredictable, probably because a diversity of predators precluded choice of safe nest sites.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Endoscopic thoracoplasty technique.

Study Design. The study of two patients whose rib deformity was treated using a new endoscopic thoracoplasty technique is reported. Objectives. To report a new endoscopic thoracoplasty technique for the treatment of rib deformities associated with idiopathic scoliosis. Summary of Background Data. Thoracoplasty has traditionally been performed as an open procedure, often necessitating additional incisions and/or tissue dissection. Methods. Two children with significant rib humps associated with idiopathic scoliosis were treated with a new endoscopic thoracoplasty technique. Results. Both children showed dramatic cosmetic improvement of their rib deformity. Conclusions. The indications for the use of videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of pediatric spinal deformity are expanding.1,6 We have extended our video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery repertoire to include endoscopic thoracoplasty for treatment of rib deformities associated with idiopathic scoliosis. The technique for endoscopic thoracoplasty is discussed, and illustrative cases are presented.
The challenges of ulcerative colitis.

Much remains to be learned about ulcerative colitis, including the cause. The high morbidity, significant mortality, and variable and unpredictable course make a rather grim picture. Still the potential for reversibility is substantial. Most of these patients can be maintained in satisfactory health under the combined care of their personal physicians and gastroenterologists.
Performance evaluation of EA-Q associating polymer fracturing fluid

Fracturing has become the main stimulation treatment of Ji yuan oil field. Fracturing fluid plays an key role in fracturing stimulation,conventional guanidine gum fracturing fluid has water insolubles and phenomenon with incomplete gelout,VES viscoelastic surfactant performance can't satisfy the formation temperature temperature resistance is poorer. In this paper,the EA-Q associating polymer mixture clean fracturing fluid,indoor performance evaluation results show that,The best use of fracturing fluid concentration is 0. 35% ~ 0. 35%; Clean fracturing fluid shear viscosity after 1 h remained above 50 mpa? s; 80 ℃,static filtration coefficient is 6. 58* 10-4m /min-1; Static suspended sand sedimentation rate is 0.0069 cm/min. breaking liquid viscosity is 4.8 mPa s at viscosity break time 2. 5 h; Core damage rate is 13. 0% ~ 13. 0%.
Research progress of resistance of housefly

The housefly is one of the advantage species widespread in human communities,it is nuisance insect and becomes impact of public health,becomes to be the main question of the city.With the widespread use of chemical pesticides,more and more housefly populations have resistance to them.This article is intended to make a review for the housefly resistance situation,resistance mechanism,and usual methods for resistant-detect.So that it can provide some help for the future prevention and control work for the housefly.