cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of transcriptional modulation of the presenilin 1 gene promoter by ZNF237, a candidate binding partner of the Ets transcription factor ERM.

Abstract DNA sequences required for the expression of the human presenilin 1 (PS1) gene have been identified between − 118 and + 178 flanking the major initiation site (+ 1) mapped in SK-N-SH cells. Several Ets sites are located both upstream as well as downstream from the + 1 site, including an Ets motif present at − 10 that controls 90% of transcription in SK-N-SH cells. However, in SH-SY5Y cells, transcription initiates further downstream and requires an alternative set of promoter elements including a + 90 Ets motif. Ets2, ER81, ERM and Elk1 were identified by yeast one-hybrid selection in a human brain cDNA library using the − 10 Ets motif as a bait. We have shown that ERM recognizes specifically Ets motifs on the PS1 promoter located at − 10 as well as downstream at + 90, + 129 and + 165 and activates PS1 transcription with promoter fragments whether or not they contain the − 10 Ets site. We have now searched for ERM interacting proteins by yeast two−hybrid selection in a human brain cDNA library using the C-terminal 415 amino acid of ERM as a bait. One of the interacting proteins was ZNF237, a member of the MYM gene family. It is widely expressed in different tissues in eukaryotes under several forms derived by alternative splicing, including a large 382 amino acid form containing a single MYM domain, and 2 shorter forms of 208 and 213 amino acids respectively that do not. We show that both the 382 as well as the 208 amino acid forms are expressed in SK-N-SH cells but not in SH-SY5Y cells. Both forms interact with ERM and repress the transcription of PS1 in SH-SY5Y cells. The effect of both C-terminal and N-terminal deletions indicates that the N-terminal 120 amino acid region is required for interaction with ERM in yeast, and furthermore single amino acid mutations show that residues 112 and 114 play an important role. The repression of transcription in SH-SY5Y cells also appears to require the N-terminal potion of ZNF237 and was affected by mutation of the amino acid 112. Data from electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicate that ERM and possibly ZNF237 interact with a fragment of the PS1 promoter.
Response Surfaces, Mixtures, and Ridge Analyses

(2008). Response Surfaces, Mixtures, and Ridge Analyses. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 103, No. 482, pp. 888-888.
Small is Beautiful: Embedded Systems Projects in an Undergraduate Software Engineering Program

This paper addresses the issue of educating software engineers in embedded systems development. With the rapidly growing markets of embedded devices and their interconnections due to the ubiquitous presence of the Internet, leading to the emergence of cyberphysical systems, educating software engineers and computer scientists on these subjects at the college level is becoming essential. The paper presents an approach to teaching software development for small embedded devices with lab projects at the undergraduate level, to match the fast pace of technological progress and challenges of real-world applications.
Accounting research: 1985*

. This paper offers some impressions of current research in accounting. Three themes are identified: Movement toward imbedding accounting thought in (1) a setting that accommodates substitutes for the accounting product, (2) a dynamic view of the environment in which the accounting product is used, and (3) a model of human cognition that generates explicit demand for decision support activities. It is also suggested that closer correlation between theoretical and empirical research would be productive. Resume. Cet article presente quelques impressions sur la recherche actuelle en comptabilite. Trois themes sont identifies. Un mouvement visant a enchâsser la pensee comptable dans (1) un cadre qui inclut les complements au produit comptable (2) une vision dynamique de l'environnement dans lequel le produit comptable est utilise et (3) un modele de connaissance humaine qui genere une demande explicite pour des activites de support a la prise de decision. Il est egalement suggere qu'une correlation plus etroite entre la recherche theorique et empirique serait productive.
Absolute and Relative Abundances of K, Rb, Sr and Ba in Circum-Pacific Island-Arc Magmas, with Special Reference to the Marianas

Abstract Absolute and relative abundances of K, Rb, Sr and Ba in 22 specimens representing lavas from six of the ten active and dormant subaerial volcanoes from the northern Mariana island arc are presented. Average concentration of K, Rb, Sr and Ba is about 7000, 15, 300 and 219 ppm, respectively. K, Rb and Ba covary strongly with silica while Sr is relatively constant. Ratios of K/Rb and K/Ba average about 500 and 31, respectively. The Mariana lavas are enriched in K, Rb, Sr and Ba, and their elemental ratios are markedly different from those of the “island-arc tholeiites” and are similar to values typical of the calc-alkaline rock series. Ranges of elemental ratios among different island arcs, and among islands of the Mariana arc, are often distinctive. In many arc lavas, K/Ba is more distinctive than K/Rb in distinguishing these rocks from those of mid-ocean ridge basalts. Consideration of incompatible element ratios shows that magmas of the Mariana arc occupy a range intermediate between the two contrasting oceanic magma-types of mid-ocean ridge basalt and alkali basalt. These data, together with isotopic constraints, support the conclusion that the lavas of the Mariana arc are derived by fractional fusion of a mantle source intermediate in incompatible element and isotopic characteristics between that responsible for the generation of mid-ocean ridge basalts and oceanic alkalic rocks.
A controlled study of outpatient gastric freezing.

In a study of gastric freezing in 188 outpatients, placebo response was as good as response to the the treatment itself, nor were results improved by addition of a modified and simplified postfreeze medical program. Although gastric freezing does seem to have a desirable physiologic effect on ulcer patients with respect to pain relief and transient depression of gastric acidity, in our expeirence these effects are too brief to be therapeutically useful. Attempts to prolong such desirable secretory alterations by the use of anticholinergic drugs and antacids were unsuccessful.
Mn-superoxide dismutase overexpression enhances G2 accumulation and radioresistance in human oral squamous carcinoma cells.

This study investigates the hypothesis that Mn-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) influences cancer cell radiosensitivity by regulating the G2-checkpoint pathway. Human oral squamous carcinoma cells (SCC25) stably overexpressing MnSOD were irradiated (6 Gy) and assayed for cell survival, cell-cycle phase distributions, and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse-chase flow-cytometric measurements of cell-cycle phase transits. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to measure steady-state levels of oxygencentered free radicals. Glutathione and glutathione disulfide levels were used as indicators of changes in the intracellular redox state. MnSOD overexpression increased radioresistance threefold to fourfold; this increase was associated with twofold to threefold increases in radiation-induced G2 accumulation. BrdU pulsechase and flow-cytometric measurements of the percentage of G1 and relative movement showed no significant changes in G1 and S transits; however, the percentage of G2 cells and BrdU-po...
Design strategies for the construction of independently folded polypeptide motifs

In this paper we present a redesign strategy for the development of uniquely folded polypeptide motifs of less than 40 residues. These mini proteins are based on natural target domains, including the zinc finger domains (BBA motif)* and the disulfide-rich snake and scorpion toxins (BBB motif). These motifs are designed to act as the molecular framework for the construction of novel functional polypeptides. We will explore the structural determinants of the folded BBA motif, inspired by the zinc finger peptides, in relation to the redesign process.
Planning-interval Duration in Labor-shift Scheduling

This article proposes guidelines for managers and researchers regarding appropriate planning intervals in labor scheduling. This study distinguishes between planning intervals used for data collection and intervals used for scheduling employees. This distinction is relevant because it is not necessary for the two interval types to be of the same duration. The results of a simulation experiment show that both increased variability in the customer-arrival rate and high mean customer-arrival rates work to reduce the ideal length of both data-collection and schedule-development intervals. In fact, with a mean arrival rate of five customers per minute, the most profitable labor schedules originated with a five-minute data-collection interval combined with a five-minute schedule-development interval. At present, because of the paucity of procedures that can accommodate such brief intervals, managers will find fifteen-minute data-collection and schedule development intervals generally to be the most effective.
The N + 1 difference: a new measure for entrainment mapping.

Abstract OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to develop and test a new entrainment mapping measurement, the N + 1 difference. BACKGROUND Entrainment mapping is useful for identifying re-entry circuit sites but is often limited by difficulty in assessing: 1) changes in QRS complexes or P-waves that indicate fusion, and 2) the postpacing interval (PPI) recorded directly from the stimulation site. METHODS In computer simulations of re-entry circuits, the interval from a stimulus that reset tachycardia to a timing reference during the second beat after the stimulus was compared with the timing of local activation at the site during tachycardia to define an interval designated the N + 1 difference. The N + 1 difference was compared with the PPI-tachycardia cycle length (TCL) difference in simulations and at 65 sites in 10 consecutive patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) after myocardial infarction and at 45 sites in 10 consecutive patients with atrial flutter. RESULTS In simulations, the N + 1 difference was equal to the PPI-TCL difference. During mapping of VT and atrial flutter, the N + 1 difference correlated well with the PPI-TCL difference (r ≥ 0.91, p CONCLUSIONS The N + 1 difference allows entrainment mapping to be used to identify re-entry circuit sites when it is difficult to evaluate Egs at the mapping site or fusion in the surface electrocardiogram.
Ultrafast Intersystem Crossing: Excited State Dynamics of Platinum Acetylide Complexes

Femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence and transient absorption measurements have been carried out on a series of platinum acetylide complexes to unravel the dynamics of intersystem crossing and the formation of triplet states in real time as a function of chain length. Ultrafast inter system crossing with a time constant less than 100 fs has been observed for the case of short chain length platinum acetylide complex and this time constant increases with increasing the chain length. Apart from the singlet to triplet intersystem crossing, additional triplet state relaxation has also been observed which happens in picosecond time scale.
B identification by topology with the SLD Detector

At both the SLC and LEP large samples of Z/sup 0/ /yields/ b/bar b/ will soon be available. The challenge is to find experimental techniques to inclusively tag and identify the various particles b quarks may fragment into. The work described here makes use of the new generation of close-in tracking devices which will achieve unparalleled precision in particle trajectory resolution. Some of these devices provide three-dimensional information which is crucial in solving the pattern recognition problem discussed below. In the case where only two-dimensional information is available other than tracking information may be required. The tracking system is used to extrapolate tracks into some preselected point. The result is a picture of many crossing tracks and the problem is to find the real vertices among all the possible combinations. 1 ref., 3 figs., 1 tab.
Atmospheric science: Drought and fire change sink to source

Aircraft have captured the 'breath' of the Amazon forest — carbon emissions over the Amazon basin. The findings raise concerns about the effects of future drought and call for a reassessment of how fire is used in the region. See Letter p.76 Amazonia stores large amounts of carbon, but our understanding of the sensitivity of the tropical terrestrial carbon budget to climate anomalies remains uncertain. An analysis of seasonal and annual carbon balances based on basin-wide atmospheric measurements of carbon dioxide and monoxide for anomalously dry and wet years together with forest plot data suggest that water availability has an important role in determining the carbon balance in the Amazon basin. Drought reduced plant production and limited the amount of carbon that could be stored in vegetation; at the same time large amounts of carbon were released by fire during the dry year. The region was carbon neutral during the wet year, because of reduced carbon loss through fires and increased carbon uptake by vegetation.
Combinatorial decomposition of an outbreak signature.

We use mathematically rigorous definitions of epidemiological concepts in order to derive a sequential combinatorial model of disease outbreak decomposition. We define the idea of a population specific ‘disease signature’ and use this in order to decompose and further understand outbreaks as incidents of spatial and temporal spread of disease exposure both in, and across, populations. This allows us to differentiate between different disease spread scenarios with a level of sensitivity that previous models were unable to provide. This perspective leads us to propose a new practical definition for ‘outbreak’. In addition, we are able to use this model to understand, estimate, and, in some cases, correct for, the likely instances of reporting error inherent in disease surveillance. We demonstrate our model first with a hypothetical outbreak scenario and then in an analysis of suspected outbreaks of waterborne diseases in Massachusetts (MA) in 1995.
Control of composition and crystallinity in the molecular beam epitaxy of strain-compensated Si1 − x − yGexCy alloys on Si

In this paper, we present a mass-spectrometry-based approach to the control of C concentration during molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) of Si 1-x-y Ge x C y /Si superlattices. High-resolution X-ray diffraction, ion beam analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize composition and crystallinity in a series of superlattices for which the average strain condition was designed to range from biaxial compression to biaxial tension. For each sample, secondary ion mass spectrometry and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry confirmed that the average composition of each Si 1-x-y Ge x C y layer was constant during growth. However, TEM revealed strain contrast variations within the Si 1-x-y Ge x C y layers, leading to the conclusion that the presence of C on the wafer surface leads to laterally inhomogenous incorporation of C (and possibly Ge). TEM also showed that all samples were essentially free of extended defects except for short microtwins observed in the tensile-strained sample, that originated in the Si 1-x-y Ge x C y . layers and terminated in the Si layers directly above.
Family involvement and empowerment in mental health service provision for children with emotional and behavioral disorders

Involvement of families is a critical component in effective systems of care for children with disabilities and their families. We investigated the sociodemographic correlates of family involvement in mental health services for children who have emotional and behavioral disorders. Further, we investigated the relationship between family involvement and family empowerment. The Family Involvement Scale-Family Version was used to measure involvement of families in the provision of mental services for their children and the Family Empowerment Scale was used to measure pempowerment in families with children who have emotional and behavioral disorders. In additions, demographic data concerming family composition, race, education, incone, membership in a parent support group, and the mental health status of the children were also collected. The results showed that mothers, as well as respondents with less formal education, reported greater involvement in services for their children than fathers and those who were more educated. Further, the knowledge subscale of empowerment was significantly correlated with all, subscales of family involvement and personal empowerment was significantly correlated with the treatment subscale of family involvement.
Does the endothelium of the contact lens wearing cornea require UV protection

Abstract UV absorbing soft contact lenses and standard soft contact lenses (58% water content) were fitted on rabbit eyes that were exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) at 300 nm, 5 nm waveband, with a radiant exposure of 0.2 J cm −2 . The corneas wearing the UV absorbing contact lens were normal while the eyes wearing the standard hydrogel lens suffered damage to the epithelium, stroma and endothelium that was typical of UV induced photokeratitis. It is suggested that the corneas of the eyes wearing contact lenses may be under greater stress and, as such, would be more vulnerable to UVR damage. Recommendations are made for appropriate UVR protection of the patient's eyes.
Intestinal lymphangiectasia associated with fatal gastrointestinal bleeding.

A case report of a patient with an unusual type of intestinal lymphangiectasia associated with gastrointestinal bleeding and multiple vascular hamartomas of the mesentery and small bowel is presented. Lymphangiography demonstrated passage of contrast medium from abnormal intra-abdominal lymphatics into the gastrointestinal tract. The mechanism of blood loss in this case is thought to be due to an abnormal arterial-lymphatic communication.
Diffuse smoking-related lung disease: emphysema and interstitial lung disease.

Themaincauses of smoking-related deaths are lung cancer, chronicobstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and ischemic heartdisease.Smokinghasalsobeenstronglyassociatedwithseveralinterstitiallungdiseases(ILDs),namelypulmonaryLangerhanscell histiocytosis (PLCH), respiratory bronchiolitis (RB), RB-associated ILD (RB-ILD), and desquamative interstitialpneumonia (DIP).This article reviews the major diffuse pulmonary diseasesaffectingsmokers,includingemphysemaandsmoking-relatedILDs. We describe the histologic and radiologic features of thedifferent forms of emphysema (centrilobular, panlobular, andparaseptal). Finally, we then discuss the clinical, histopatho-logic, and radiologic characteristics of smoking-related ILDs,including PLCH, RB, RB-ILD, and DIP. Bronchogenic carci-noma is not covered in this article.
Adult Attachment Toward a Rapprochement of Methodological Cultures

Attachment security in adulthood is not profitably conceptualized as a single, monolithic construct. It is reflected both in adults' confidence in themselves and others in close relationships (as noted by social-personality psychologists) and in their ability to successfully construct a coherent life narrative about childhood experiences with primary attachment figures (as emphasized by developmental psychologists). Evidence suggests that measures tapping these forms of attachment-related variation represent the underlying structure of adult attachment similarly, in that both may be best captured by two continuously distributed, albeit correlated dimensions tapping anxiety and avoidance. Nonetheless, differing approaches to measuring adult security demonstrate weak empirical overlap, and emerging evidence suggests that each is associated with personal and interpersonal outcomes central to attachment theory in empirically distinct ways. Discussion focuses on how recent insights—in combination with needed e...
AMINO ACID RESIDUES IN THE THIRD ALPHA -HELIX OF GROWTH HORMONE INVOLVED IN GROWTH PROMOTING ACTIVITY

The third amphiphilic alpha-helix of GH has been found to be an important motif in the biological activities of the molecule. To further characterize this growth-promoting domain, three bovine (b) GH analogs were designed: one contained a scrambled third amphiphilic alpha-helix (SAH); a second contained a scrambled hydrophilic region of the helix (SAP); and a third contained a scrambled hydrophobic region of the helix (SAB). Transgenic mice that expressed these mutated bGH genes were produced. SAH transgenic mice displayed a phenotype identical to nontransgenic littermates. SAB transgenic mice grew slightly larger than nontransgenic littermates but remained smaller than bGH transgenic mice. On the other hand, SAP transgenic mice exhibited a dwarf phenotype. We subsequently generated individual amino acid substitutions in the hydrophilic region of the helix. The results from the growth rates of corresponding transgenic mice demonstrated that most bGH analogs with individual amino acid substitution within t...
Self selection and sample selection in a treatment study of social phobia

The external validity or generalizability of a treatment outcome study may be influenced by the choices patients make (self-selection) and by study requirements intended to increase internal validity or protect subject welfare (e.g. sample selection). Although these effects are well-known, they have rarely been studied, and little is known about the impact they may have on generalizability of findings. In this study, subjects accepting random assignment to a larger study examining pharmacologic and cognitive-behavioral treatments for social phobia were compared with subjects refusing random assignment (i.e. self-selected) and excluded subjects (i.e. "sample-selected"). "Acceptors" differed from "refusers" on some measures suggesting that they have a lower annual income and may have fewer social supports. Therefore, they may have fewer available resources and might be more willing to accept help wherever it is offered. Despite these differences, acceptors differed from refusers on just one pretreatment measure of clinical functioning. Excluded subjects did not differ from refusers or acceptors on demographic or pretreatment clinical measures. Refusers and excluded subjects were treated with the same cognitive-behavioral treatment used in the comparative outcome study, and their posttreatment data were compared with the subgroup of acceptors who were randomly assigned to that treatment. Again, there were few significant differences. These results suggest that while self-selection and sample selection may have influenced some characteristics of the sample in this comparative outcome study, the three groups of subjects were clinically similar and responded similarly to cognitive-behavioral treatment of social phobia.
Double-strand polyaniline

We report the synthesis and the characterization of molecular complexes between polyaniline and a polymeric anion dopant. The molecular complex is advantageous in several respects: (1) It offers good stability of the conductive state. (2) The second strand allows for functionalization to improve material processability and for adjustment of properties to satisfy demands in applications. Evidence for supporting the structures of a molecular complex is outlined.
Tissue- and age-specific changes in gene expression during disease induction and progression in NOD mice.

Abstract Whole genome oligo-microarrays were used to characterize age-dependent and tissue-specific changes in gene expression in pancreatic lymph nodes, spleen, and peripheral blood cells, obtained from up to 8 individual NOD mice at 6 different time points (1.5 to 20 weeks of age), compared to NOD.B10 tissue controls. “Milestone Genes” are genes whose expression was significantly changed (∼ 3 fold) as the result of splicing or changes in transcript level. Milestone Genes were identified among genes within type one diabetes (T1D) susceptibility regions ( Idd ). Milestone Genes showing uniform patterns of changes in expression at various time points were identified, but the patterns of distribution and kinetics of expression were unique to each tissue. Potential T1D candidate genes were identified among Milestone Genes within Idd regions and/or hierarchical clusters. These studies identified tissue- and age-specific changes in gene expression that may play an important role in the inductive or destructive events of T1D.
Modeling densification during sinter-forging of yttria-partially-stabilized zirconia

Abstract A model to predict the densification and microstructural development of a nanocrystalline ceramic powder compact during sinter-forging has been developed. In the model, densification is predicted by superimposing stress-assisted densification mechanisms with a plastic-strain-controlled pore closure mechanism. During densification, grain growth is modeled with pore-controlled grain growth during intermediate stage sintering and combination of normal (static) grain growth and dynamic grain growth during final stage sintering. Applied stress and strain are allowed to vary as a function of time, so that widely varying experimental conditions can be modeled. The model predictions are compared with experimental data for the sinter-forging of 3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (3Y-TZP) at 1050 and 1100 °C. These predictions are made assuming a bimodal pore size distribution where pores smaller than the grain size are not allowed to be closed by strain. The model predicts that large pores are efficiently closed only by plastic strain but that small pores are easily eliminated by diffusional mechanisms. It is shown that grain size is minimized as a function of density under conditions that promote high strain rates, so that large pores are quickly eliminated while small pores are still available to control grain growth.
Secular trends and climate drift in coupled ocean‐atmosphere general circulation models

Coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation models (coupled GCMs) with interactive sea ice are the primary tool for investigating possible future global warming and numerous other issues in climate science. A long-standing problem with such models is that when different components of the physical climate system are linked together, the simulated climate can drift away from observations unless constrained by ad hoc adjustments to interface fluxes. However, eleven modern coupled GCMs--including three that do not employ flux adjustments--behave much better in this respect than the older generation of models. Surface temperature trends in control run simulations (with external climate forcing such as solar brightness and atmospheric carbon dioxide held constant) are small compared with observed trends, which include 20th century climate change due to both anthropogenic and natural factors. Sea ice changes in the models are dominated by interannual variations. Deep ocean temperature and salinity trends are small enough for model control runs to extend over 1000 simulated years or more, but trends in some regions, most notably the Arctic, are inconsistent among the models and may be problematic.
Physical and biological controls on the latitudinal asymmetry of surface nutrients and pCO2 in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific

[1] Surface nutrients and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the central (CEP) and eastern equatorial Pacific (EEP) show much higher concentrations to the south than to the north of the equator. In this study, the physical and biological controls on this asymmetry are investigated using a coupled physical-biogeochemical model. Two numerical experiments are conducted to examine the effects of asymmetrical photosynthetic efficiency (a) due to asymmetrical iron supply about the equator. The experiment with asymmetrical photosynthesis produces improved results as compared with historical observations. A nitrate budget analysis suggests that in the EEP the divergence of upwelling waters controls the surface nitrate asymmetry with additional contribution from the South Equatorial Current (SEC) carrying nutrient-rich Peru upwelling water. The changes of a affect the surface nitrate distribution but not the overall asymmetry. The SEC further carries excess nitrate to the west and thus extends the asymmetry in the east to the CEP. In the CEP, however, stronger northward than southward transport tends to reduce the nitrate asymmetry, while the asymmetrical photosynthesis would help to maintain it. Similar processes also control the distributions of surface silicate and DIC in the equatorial Pacific, which is also affected by the air-sea CO2 exchange. The asymmetrical photosynthesis influences the distribution of surface DIC, pCO2, and the air-sea CO2 flux, by redistributing about 20% CO2 flux from the north to the south of the equator. Owing to the adjustment of air-sea CO2 flux, however, the net surface DIC change is smaller than the direct change associated with primary production.
Modeling the oxygen microheterogeneity of tumors for photodynamic therapy dosimetry

Photodynamic theory of tumors uses optical excitation of a sensitizing drug within tissue to produce large deposits of singlet oxygen, which are thought to ultimately cause the tumor destruction. Predicting dose deposition of singlet oxygen in vivo is challenging because measurement of this species in vivo is not easily achieved. But it is possible to follow the concentration of oxygen in vivo, and so measuring the oxygen concentration transients during PDT may provide a viable method of estimating the delivered dose of singlet oxygen. However modeling the microscopic heterogeneity of the oxygen distribution within a tumor is non-trivial, and predicting the microscopic dose deposition requires further study, but this study present the framework and initial calibration needed or modeling oxygen transport in complex geometries. Computational modeling with finite elements provides a versatile structure within which oxygen diffusion and consumption can be modeled within realistic tissue geometries. This study develops the basic tools required to simulate a tumor region, and examines the role of (i) oxygen supply and consumption rates, (ii) inter- capillary spacing, (iii) photosensitizer distribution, and (iv) differences between simulated tumors and those derived directly from histology. The result of these calculations indicate that realistic tumor tissue capillary networks can be simulated using the finite element method, without excessive computational burden for 2D regions near 1 mm2, and 3D regions near 0.1mm3. These simulations can provide fundamental information about tissue and ways to implement appropriate oxygen measurements. These calculations suggest that photodynamic therapy produces the majority of singlet oxygen in and near the blood vessels, because these are the sites of highest oxygen tension. These calculations support the concept that tumor vascular regions are the major targets for PDT dose deposition.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of a moderate glycemic meal on exercise duration and substrate utilization.

PURPOSE To determine whether eating a breakfast cereal with a moderate glycemic index could alter substrate utilization and improve exercise duration. METHODS Six active women (age, 24 +/- 2 yr; weight, 62.2 +/- 2.6 kg; VO(2peak), 46.6 +/- 3.8 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) ate 75 g of available carbohydrate in the form of regular whole grain rolled oats (RO) mixed with 300 mL of water or water alone (CON). The trials were performed in random order and the meal or water was ingested 45 min before performing cycling exercise to exhaustion (60% of VO(2peak)). Blood samples were drawn for glucose, glucose kinetics, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, insulin, epinephrine (EPI), and norepinephrine (NE) determination. A muscle biopsy was obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle before the trial and immediately after exercise for glycogen determination. Glucose kinetics (Ra) were determined using a [6,6-(2)H] glucose tracer. RESULTS Compared with CON, plasma FFA and glycerol levels were suppressed (P < 0.05) during the first 120 min of exercise for the RO trial. Respiratory exchange ratios (RER) were also higher (P < 0.05) for the first 120 min of exercise for the RO trial. At exhaustion, glucose, insulin, FFA, glycerol, EPI, NE, RER, and muscle glycogen were not different between trials. Glucose Ra was greater (P < 0.05) during the RO trial compared with CON (2.36 +/- 0.22 and 1.92 +/- 0.27 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1), respectively). Exercise duration was 5% longer during RO, but the mean times were not significantly different (253.6 +/- 6 and 242.0 +/- 15 min, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Increased hepatic glucose output before fatigue provides some evidence of glucose sparing after the breakfast cereal trial. However, exercise duration was not significantly altered, possibly because of the sustained suppression of lipid metabolism and increased carbohydrate utilization throughout much of the exercise period.
BDE 49 and developmental toxicity in zebrafish

The polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of brominated flame retardants. Human health concerns of these agents have largely centered upon their potential to elicit reproductive and developmental effects. Of the various congeners, BDE 49 (2,2',4,5'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether) has been poorly studied, despite the fact that it is often detected in the tissues of fish and wildlife species. Furthermore, we have previously shown that BDE 49 is a metabolic debromination product of BDE 99 hepatic metabolism in salmon, carp and trout, underscoring the need for a better understanding of biological effects. In the current study, we investigated the developmental toxicity of BDE 49 using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo larval model. Embryo and larval zebrafish were exposed to BDE 49 at either 5 hours post fertilization (hpf) or 24 hpf and monitored for developmental and neurotoxicity. Exposure to BDE 49 at concentrations of 4iμ-32 μM caused a dose-dependent loss in survivorship at 6 days post fertilization (dpf). Morphological impairments were observed prior to the onset of mortality, the most striking of which included severe dorsal curvatures of the tail. The incidence of dorsal tail curvatures was dose and time dependent. Exposure to BDE 49 caused cardiac toxicity as evidenced by a significant reduction in zebrafish heart rates at 6 dpf but not earlier, suggesting that cardiac toxicity was non-specific and associated with physiological stress. Neurobehavioral injury from BDE 49 was evidenced by an impairment of touch-escape responses observed at 5 dpf. Our results indicate that BDE 49 is a developmental toxicant in larval zebrafish that can cause morphological abnormalities and adversely affect neurobehavior. The observed toxicities from BDE 49 were similar in scope to those previously reported for the more common tetrabrominated congener, BDE 47, and also for other lower brominated PBDEs, suggest that these compounds may share similarities in risk to aquatic species.
A robust two degree-of-freedom controller for systems with delay

This paper presents a method to design a robust two DOF (Degree of Freedom) controller for LTI systems with delay. The delay places bandwidth limitations on the feedback control loop which limits the system's response to rapidly changing exogenous signals i.e. reference and/or disturbances. A non-causal feedforward controller augments feedback to extend the achievable bandwidth, thereby obtaining fast and accurate control performance. System model uncertainty and signal measurement uncertainty compromise the feedforward control performance. Therefore, the two DOF controller is designed to optimize the performance for given levels of uncertainty. Due to the delay in the system, the optimization procedure is irrational. By transforming the irrational optimal control problem into an equivalent rational form, the problem is solved using standard robust controller synthesis approaches. A case study on header height control for a combine harvester is shown as an example of the analysis applied to a particular real-world system.
Uncertainty and information flows in humanitarian agencies.

Humanitarian agencies struggle with high uncertainty. The focus here is on uncertainty that grows out of the internal complexity of the agencies themselves, rather than simply emanating from their war-ridden environments. This is illustrated with a study of uncertainty management and information processing in two UN agencies working for the victims of the conflict in southern Sudan. Data from 1995 relief distributions are used to simulate aspects of uncertainty; paradoxically, uncertainty increased with growing success of the relief operation. The finding is in tune with observations from the same region that Jok (1996) reported in this journal. While uncertainty may remain difficult to reduce, co-operation among agencies and public confidence in their work provide functional equivalents for certainty.
Aligning strategic human resource management and person–environment fit

Abstract Strategic human resource management addresses the need to create vertical linkages of human resource management (HRM) attributes with corporate strategy as well as horizontal linkages that integrate practices among HRM functions. Most models commonly focus on either vertical or horizontal linkages. This paper utilizes three categories of person–environment fit to create both vertical and horizontal linkages. Based on a strategic contingency framework, it demonstrates how person–environment fit relates to organizational competencies that supports corporate strategy. Furthermore, it demonstrates how person–environment fit can be used to promote internal alignment of HRM practices. Implications of this approach to strategic human resource management are then discussed.
An Education and Enforcement Approach to Dealing with Unscrupulous Tax Preparers

In both her 2002 and 2003 Annual Reports to Congress, the National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) proposed national registration, examination, certification, and enforcement requirements for all Federal Tax Return Preparers (FTRPs). An FTRP is defined as someone, other than an attorney, CPA, or enrolled agent, who prepares more than five federal tax returns in a calendar year. This proposal was primarily motivated by the NTA's experience in dealing with taxpayers who were exploited by unscrupulous tax preparers, especially with respect to the earned income credit (EIC). Although the IRS believes that all taxpayers should have access to quality tax return preparation, it contends that it is premature to consider a legislative remedy to tax preparer problems since the full extent of the problem is unknown and the related financial impact on limited IRS resources has not been quantified. The purpose of this paper is to examine the proposed regulation of FTRPs by reviewing the development of similar regulatory propo...
Noninvasive radiological imaging of pulmonary gene transfer and expression using the human sodium iodide symporter.

In this study we investigated the application of the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) as a reporter gene to noninvasively image in vivo gene transfer and expression in lung tissue in real time. Human NIS-expressing adenoviruses (Ad-hNIS) or empty adenoviruses (Ad-Bgl II) were instilled into the lungs of Cotton rats via the nostrils. After 3, 10, and 17 days post infection, gamma camera scintigraphy with 99mTcO 4 − was performed to observe the distribution and duration of gene transfer. At 20 days after infection, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect hNIS gene expression. Dual expressing vector Ad-hNIS-eGFP was used to detect transgene expression by fluorescence photomicroscopy in infected lung tissue. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of gene transfer to the lungs was performed using 124I− as tracer. Finally, hNIS transfer to a polarized human airway epithelial cell layer was evaluated by phosphorimaging. Lungs in animals infected with Ad-hNIS were clearly visible on scintigraphy and PET scans, while those infected with Ad-Bgl II were undetectable. Lungs in Ad-hNIS infected animals could still be visualized at 17 days but were no longer detectable at 20 days. Fluorescence microscopy showed that lung tissue infected with Ad-hNIS-eGFP had significantly higher GFP signal intensity than that infected with Ad-Bgl II. It is feasible to use the hNIS gene as a reporter gene to monitor the location, magnitude, and timing of expression of genes delivered during pulmonary gene therapy. The ability to noninvasively visualize gene expression tomographically in real time has significant translational implications in human gene therapy.
Unraveling the Anomalous Solvatochromic Response of the Formate Ion Vibrational Spectrum: An Infrared, Ar-Tagging Study of the HCO2¯, DCO2¯, and HCO2¯·H2O Ions

Reductive activation offers an attractive synthetic route for conversion of CO2 to transportable fuels, a process that often involves creation of the formate ion as an intermediate. We carry out an Ar-tagging infrared spectroscopic study of isolated HCO2¯ and its first hydrate, HCO2¯·H2O, and analyze the resulting band patterns with electronic structure and vibrationally anharmonic calculations. Strong vibronic interactions and intramolecular mode couplings are identified that are responsible for the deceptively complex solvation behavior of this familiar ion. In particular, the CH stretch fundamental is found to be anomalously low in energy in the isolated ion and to dramatically blue shift (by hundreds of cm–1) upon solvation. These two effects are traced to the large dependence of the electronic wave function on the CH bond length, reminiscent of the classic curve-crossings that dominate the dissociation behavior of neutral salt molecules.
Normal Forms and Unfoldings of Singular Strategy Functions

We study adaptive dynamics strategy functions by defining a form of equivalence that preserves key properties of these functions near singular points (such as whether or not a singularity is an evolutionary or a convergent stable strategy). Specifically, we compute and classify normal forms and low codimension universal unfoldings of these functions. These calculations lead to a classification of local pairwise invasibility plots that can be expected in systems with two parameters. This problem is complicated because the allowable coordinate changes at such points are restricted by the specific nature of strategy functions; hence the needed singularity theory is not the standard one. We also show how to use the singularity theory results to help study a specific adaptive game: a generalized hawk—dove game studied previously by Dieckmann and Metz.
Performance characteristics of a large aperture, segmented lead-scintillator sandwich electromagnetic shower detector

Abstract A large aperture, segmented lead scintillation sandwich electromagnetic shower detector is constructed and tested in an electron beam. The detector is composed of eight layers of a 1 8 in scintillator and 1.5 in of lead. The test data using a 500 MeV electron beam agrees well with the prediction of a Monte Carlo program developed by the authors. The pulse height dispersion at 500 MeV is measured to be ±42%.
Role for Endogenous BDNF in Endocannabinoid-mediated Long-Term Depression at Neocortical Inhibitory Synapses

The endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) system is an important regulator of synaptic function. Endocannabinoids acutely modulate inhibitory and excitatory transmission, and also mediate long-term depression at GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses. Typically, endocannabinoid synthesis and release is stimulated by depolarization-induced calcium influx and/or activation of phospholipase-C (PLC) signaling triggered by mGluR activation. Recently it has been shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can also induce endocannabinoid release. Although there is growing evidence for cross-talk between BDNF and endocannabinoid signaling, little is known about the functional relevance of these interactions. In the present studies, we examined BDNF - endocannabinoid interactions in regulating activity-dependent long-term depression at inhibitory synapses (iLTD). We found that theta burst stimulation (TBS) in layer 2/3 of mouse somatosensory cortical slices can induce a form of endocannabinoid-mediated iLTD that is independent of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation. This endocannabinoid-dependent iLTD, however, requires endogenous BDNF-trkB signaling, as it is blocked by a trk tyrosine kinase inhibitor and by a trkB receptor antagonist, and also requires activation of diacylglycerol lipase (DAG-lipase, DGL). In addition, endocannabinoid-mediated iLTD can be induced by combining a subthreshold concentration of exogenous BDNF with weak TBS stimulation that by itself is insufficient to induce iLTD. Taken together, our results suggest that TBS can induce the release of endogenous BDNF, which triggers DGL-dependent endocannabinoid mobilization and cannabinoid receptor-dependent iLTD at layer 2/3 cortical synapses.
Partitioning of Charged Local Anesthetics into Model Membranes Formed by Cationic Surfactant: Effect of Hydrophobicity of Local Anesthetic Molecules

The partitioning of five hydrochloride salts of local anesthetics, dibucaine (DC·HCl), tetracaine (TC·HCl), bupivacaine (BC·HCl), lidocaine (LC·HCl), and procaine (PC·HCl), into surface-adsorbed films and micelles formed by decylammonium chloride (DeAC) was studied by the surface tension of aqueous solutions of DeAC−local anesthetic mixtures. Thermodynamic quantities of the partitioning of the anesthetics, total surface density, and compositions of the anesthetics in the surface-adsorbed film and micelle were evaluated by applying thermodynamic equations to the surface tension data. The quantities of the anesthetics partitioned into the molecular aggregates of DeAC were determined from the phase diagrams of surface adsorption and micelle formation. The phase diagrams of surface adsorption and micelle formation showed that the local anesthetic partitioned into the surface-adsorbed film and micelle of DeAC decreases in the order of DC·HCl, TC·HCl, BC·HCl, LC·HCl, and PC·HCl. A good correlation was seen betw...
Injectable and strong nano-apatite scaffolds for cell/growth factor delivery and bone regeneration.

Objectives Seven million people suffer bone fractures each year in the U.S., and musculoskeletal conditions cost $215 billion/year. The objectives of this study were to develop moldable/injectable, mechanically strong and in situ-hardening calcium phosphate cement (CPC) composite scaffolds for bone regeneration and delivery of osteogenic cells and growth factors.
Cosmic String Formation from Correlated Fields

We simulate the formation of cosmic strings at the zeros of a complex Gaussian field with a power spectrum P(k){proportional_to}k{sup n}, specifically addressing the issue of the fraction of length in infinite strings. We make two improvements over previous simulations: we include a nonzero random background field in our box to simulate the effect of long-wavelength modes, and we examine the effects of smoothing the field on small scales. The inclusion of the background field significantly reduces the fraction of length in infinite strings for n{lt}{minus}2. Our results are consistent with the possibility that infinite strings disappear at some n=n{sub c} in the range {minus}3{le}n{sub c}{lt}{minus}2.2, although we cannot rule out n{sub c}={minus}3, in which case infinite strings would disappear only at the point where the mean string density goes to zero. We present an analytic argument which suggests the latter case. Smoothing on small scales eliminates closed loops on the order of the lattice cell size and leads to a {open_quotes}lattice-free{close_quotes} estimate of the infinite string fraction. As expected, this fraction depends on the type of window function used for smoothing. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}