cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipid peroxidation in newborn rabbits: effects of oxygen, lipid emulsion, and vitamin E.

ABSTRACT. The extent of in vivo lipid peroxidation and the in vivo antioxidant effects of α-tocopherol and α-tocopheryl acetate were studied in newborn rabbits exposed to one of two oxidant stresses: hyperoxia (Fio2 0.9) or parenteral lipid emulsion infusion. Lipid peroxidation was monitored by measurement of expired ethane and pentane, tissue thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reactants, and tissue lipid peroxides. Seventy-two h of hyperoxia did not increase any of the parameters of lipid peroxidation although mortality was higher in oxygen exposed animals. α-Tocopherol (100 mg/kg, intravenous) lowered expired hydrocarbons and tissue TBA reactants, but raised liver lipid peroxides in both air and hyperoxia exposed pups. Infusion of soybean oil emulsion increased production of ethane and pentane, liver TBA reactants, and lung lipid peroxides. Both α-tocopherol and α-tocopheryl acetate prevented the soybean oil emulsion induced increase in volatile hydrocarbons, α-Tocopherol (100 mg/kg, intravenous) administration also prevented the increase in liver TBA reactants and lung lipid peroxides. In identically treated animals, α-tocopheryl acetate administration decreased liver TBA reactants but had no effect on lung lipid peroxides. We conclude that α-tocopherol reduces lipid peroxidation in newborn rabbits including animals exposed to hyperoxia or infused with lipid emulsions. α-Tocopheryl acetate results in lower tissue α-tocopherol concentrations and is less effective as an antioxidant in lipid emulsion infused rabbits.
Natural language I

Except for the final presentation by Hovy, this session focussed on the use of superficial features of Natural Language in text processing (messages, in the case of the first two presentations, unrestricted text in the case of the second two). This is a very brief summary of a moderator's view of the action.
Improved Big-M reformulation for generalized disjunctive programs

Abstract In this work, we present a new Big-M reformulation for Generalized Disjunctive Programs. Unlike the traditional Big-M reformulation that uses one M-parameter for each constraint, the new approach uses multiple M-parameters for each constraint. Each of these M-parameters is associated with each alternative in the disjunction to which the constraint belongs. In this way, the proposed MINLP reformulation is at least as tight as the traditional Big-M, and it does not require additional variables or constraints. We present the new Big-M, and analyze the strength in its continuous relaxation compared to that of the traditional Big-M. The new formulation is tested by solving several instances with an NLP-based branch and bound method. The results show that, in most cases, the new reformulation requires fewer nodes and less time to find the optimal solution.
Measures of short-term test-retest reliability of computerized neurobehavioral tests.

Neurobehavioral test batteries are often administered repeatedly to evaluate changes over time or effects of clinical interventions or neurotoxic exposures. Time intervals between test sessions range from very short (hours) to very long (decades). The aim of this study was to compare the impact of two brief time intervals on the test-retest reliability of frequently used neurobehavioral tests. Fifty healthy adults were recruited through newspaper advertisements in Portland, Oregon. Participants were divided into either a 6h (same-day) or 1-week retest group. All participants completed a battery of tests from the computerized Behavioral Assessment and Research System (BARS). Reliability was assessed by Pearson product-moment correlation and by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The test battery generally showed adequate reliability in the short-term (week) and very short-term (day) and stability in performance over repeated administration when examined by multiple measures. Intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.35 to 0.85. The magnitude of variation of performance in the administered tests was equally distributed around zero (i.e. no difference). The findings suggest that neurobehavioral tests such as BARS may be a useful tool for the assessment of acute exposures and clinical status where short-term evaluation is required (e.g. in the same-day or within 1 week).
The 5′ ends of Drosophila heat shock genes in chromatin are hypersensitive to DNase I

Many specific sites in Drosophila chromatin are hypersensitive to DNase I. The positions of such sites were mapped along the regions of the genome coding for two heat shock proteins. Such sites lie at the 5' ends of heat shock genes and may function as elements for recognition by molecules which regulate gene activity.
Acute change in mental status.

Dr. Clayton Lawrence: Today’s case concerns a 69year-old diabetic woman who was brought to our Emergency Department (ED) by her daughter with recent onset of confusion. Apparently, the patient complained of a headache and generally “feeling sick.” When the daughter arrived at the patient’s home to check on her, she found her mother to be confused. The patient subsequently vomited twice. The daughter brought her to the hospital by car for further evaluation. Upon presentation to the ED, the patient was irritable and disoriented. She had no complaints, and denied chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, dysuria, or neck pain. There were no obvious signs of trauma. The patient lived alone and was compliant with her medications. There were no recent hospitalizations and no prior episodes of altered mentation. The past medical history was significant for hypertension and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. There was no history of cardiac disease or prior surgery. Her medications included atenolol and glyburide/metformin. The patient did not have a history of cigarette smoking or alcohol abuse. Dr. Eric Nadel: Are there any questions about the history? Dr. Laura Bontempo: What was the time course of the patient’s mental status changes, and what was the baseline mental status? Dr. Lawrence: According to the daughter, the patient was at baseline one day prior to the initial presentation. The patient usually acted appropriately, completed all of her activities of daily living independently, was an active participant in the family, and often cared for her grandchildren. A few days prior, the patient made a large banquet for a family gathering. There was no history of dementia. Dr. David Peak: Has the patient had any fever or other recent illness? Dr. Lawrence: The daughter was unaware of any fevers, shakes, chills, or any recent illness. The patient had not been exposed to anyone sick, and had no recent travel history. Dr. Andrew Reisner: Was the patient followed by a primary care physician (PCP), and if so, was there any additional information regarding the patient’s medical condition? Dr. Lawrence: The patient was regularly followed by a PCP, and had a normal physical examination within the last 12 months. The patient’s hypertension and diabetes were well controlled, and her medications and dosages had been constant for several years. The patient had taken no new medications, including over the counter preparations or herbal supplements. Dr. Nadel: If there are no further questions, we will proceed with the physical examination. Dr. Lawrence: Physical examination revealed an agitated elderly woman, moaning, and attempting to get out of bed. She was alert, but did not respond appropriately to questions or commands. Vitals signs were as follows: temperature 36.6°C (97.9°F), blood pressure 170/70 mm
The influence of head tilt on ocular torsion in patients with superior oblique muscle palsy

Introduction Patients with superior oblique muscle palsy often assume a compensatory head tilt to the contralateral side of the affected eye. This tilt serves to decrease the hypertropia and, in theory, might decrease the excyclotropia. Methods A prospective investigation was undertaken of the effect of forced head tilt to the right and left on torsion and the hypertropia in patients with unilateral superior oblique muscle palsy. Results Twenty patients with unilateral superior oblique muscle palsy had a mean decrease in their hypertropia of 6.4 Δ ± 3.9 Δ on forced head tilt from the head-erect position toward the contralateral side (95% CI, 4.7-8.1). This finding represented a decrease of 62% of the hypertropia found in the head-erect position. The difference was significant ( p t -test). The mean decrease of the excyclotropia was only 0.25° ± 0.6° on contralateral head tilt, which represented 3% of the excyclotropia in the head-erect position. This difference was not significant ( p p Conclusions With contralateral head tilt, patients with superior oblique muscle palsy demonstrate a significant decrease in their hypertropia but essentially no change in their excyclotropia. The compensatory head tilt they manifest appears to serve the purpose of decreasing the vertical but not the torsional misalignment.
Aneurysms of the intracavernous carotid artery: clinical presentation, radiographic features, and pathogenesis

Thirty-seven patients with 44 intracavernous carotid artery aneurysms (ICCAAns) were seen at one institution from 1976 through 1988. Fifteen patients had multiple intracranial aneurysms and 7 had bilateral ICCAAns. Age at diagnosis ranged from 15 to 80 (median 61). Thirty patients were women. Sixteen had a history of hypertension. In 34% of patients the ICCAAns were asymptomatic at diagnosis, 36% were associated with headache, and 57% had associated signs or symptoms of mass effect including sixth nerve paresis (43%), trigeminal pain or sensory loss (32%), third nerve paresis (20%), decreased vision or visual field cut (18%), fourth nerve paresis (16%), and Horner's syndrome (7%). In 4 patients the ICCAAns ruptured, leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage in 3 and epistaxis in 1. Two patients with ICCAAns were seen with spontaneous thrombosis of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery leading to distal ischemic symptoms in 1. More than 90% of the ICCAAns were saccular. Thirty-four percent were small (less than 1 cm), 48% were large (1 to 2.5 cm), and 16% were giant (greater than 2.5 cm). The majority arose from the anterior genu of the intracavernous internal carotid artery, followed in frequency by the horizontal segment, and then the posterior genu. Magnetic resonance imaging is superior to computed tomography for diagnosing ICCAAns and is the screening procedure of choice. Angiography remains the "gold standard" for diagnosis and determining specific anatomic details necessary to plan therapy. Analyzing the radiographic anatomy of 44 ICCAAns. we conclude that theories attributing the origin of aneurysms to arterial bifurcations may be inadequate to explain the point of origin and direction of take off of up to one-fourth of ICCAAns.
Bubble formation in high‐pressure liquid–solid suspensions with plenum pressure fluctuation

The behavior of bubble formation from a single orifice in a nonaqueous liquid and a liquid–solid suspension with pressure fluctuations in the gas chamber (plenum region) is studied at high pressures (up to 8.3 MPa). An analytical model is developed to account for the initial bubble size in liquid–solid suspensions at high pressures. The model takes into consideration various forces induced by particles, such as suspension inertial force. Both experiments and model predictions indicate that the initial bubble size in the suspension is generally larger than that in the liquid, and that it increases with an increase in the solids concentration. The system pressure has a significant effect on the initial bubble size in liquids or liquid–solid suspensions when bubbles are formed under variable gas flow-rate conditions, and a negligible effect under constant gas flow-rate conditions. This model can reasonably describe the initial bubble sizes under high-pressure conditions measured experimentally in this study and those reported in the literature.
Ensemble phase averaged equations for multiphase flows in porous media. Part 2: A general theory

Abstract Most models for multiphase flows in a porous medium are based on a straightforward extension of Darcy’s law, in which each fluid phase is driven by its own pressure gradient. The pressure difference between the phases is thought to be an effect of surface tension and is called capillary pressure. Independent of Darcy’s law, for liquid imbibition processes in a porous material, diffusion models are sometime used. In this paper, an ensemble phase averaging technique for continuous multiphase flows is applied to derive averaged equations and to examine the validity of the commonly used models. Closure for the averaged equations is quite complicated for general multiphase flows in a porous material. For flows with a small ratio of the characteristic length of the phase interfaces to the macroscopic length, the closure relations can be simplified significantly by an approximation with a second order error in this length ratio. This approximation reveals the information of the length scale separation obscured during an averaging process and leads to an equation system similar to Darcy’s law, but with additional terms. Based on interactions on phase interfaces, relations among closure quantities are studied.
Changes in Intestinal Transit and Absorption during Endotoxemia Are Dose Dependent

Abstract Background. Septic patients are often intolerant of enteral feedings due to a combination of motility disturbances and impaired absorptive function. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that endotoxemia results in rapid intestinal transit and decreased jejunal absorption of water, electrolytes, and glucose. We hypothesized that the changes in jejunal transit and absorption during endotoxemia may be dependent on the dose of endotoxin. Materials and Methods. Under general anesthesia, rats underwent placement of an internal jugular line, a femoral arterial line, and a 20-cm jejunal Thiry–Vella loop. The jejunal segment was perfused with an isotonic solution containing polyethylene glycol. For 90 min, baseline measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, jejunal absorption of water, electrolytes, and glucose, and jejunal transit were made. Following this baseline period I, rats were given 0.9% NaCl (1 ml/kg) or one of three doses of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (0.5, 1.0, or 5.0 mg/kg). Studies were then repeated for an additional 90 min. Results. Changes in blood pressure and heart rate were similar among the four groups of animals. Endotoxin decreased water and glucose flux, increased potassium flux, and quickened intestinal transit in a dose-dependent fashion. Conclusions. We conclude that endotoxemia causes dose-dependent changes in jejunal transit and absorption. The effects of increasing doses of endotoxin on jejunal absorptive and motor function do not appear to be mediated by changes in blood pressure or heart rate.
Joint ventures and competitive strategy

A framework for using joint ventures (and other forms of cooperative strategy) within varying competitive environments is constructed, and hypotheses are developed concerning the impact of particular industry traits upon firms' options in pursuing them. Industry examples illustrate the framework's hypotheses. In this framework, demand traits suggest what types of cooperative strategies are needed. Competitor traits suggest how firms will respond to these needs for cooperation. Since joint ventures can be inherently unstable organizational forms, it is important for managers to (1) select the right cooperative strategy option and (2) modify the autonomy from (and coordination with) sponsoring firms that ventures enjoy as their industry structures evolve. Familiarity with cooperative strategy options is important because (1) as growth slows, (2) as markets shrink or become crowded, (3) as industries become global, or (4) as technological change accelerates to speeds where individual firms cannot recover their initial investments, managers will have less margin for error. If managers do not learn how to use cooperative strategies advantageously their firms may encounter difficulties in delivering adequate value to their customers, replenishing their base of skills, andlor safeguarding their abilities to increase long-term shareholder value.
The early days of home hemodialysis

The author began his medical career at the University of Mississippi Medical School in Jackson where, in 1966, he established the state's first dialysis unit. Here, he recounts the early days of hemodialysis and home hemodialysis at his facility.
Continuing Education Services: A Survey of State Associations of AACD

This article describes a national survey regarding services for continuing education units (CEUs) in state branches of AACD.
Mirk/dyrk1B Decreases the Nuclear Accumulation of Class II Histone Deacetylases during Skeletal Muscle Differentiation

Mirk/dyrk1B is a member of the dyrk/minibrain family of serine/threonine kinases that mediate the transition from growth to differentiation in lower eukaryotes and mammals. Depletion of endogenous Mirk from C2C12 myoblasts by RNA interference blocks skeletal muscle differentiation (Deng, X., Ewton, D., Pawlikowski, B., Maimone, M., and Friedman, E. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 41347-41354). We now demonstrate that knockdown of Mirk blocks transcription of the muscle regulatory factor myogenin. Co-expression of Mirk with MEF2C, but not MyoD or Myf5, enhanced activation of the myogenin promoter in a Mirk kinase-dependent manner. Mirk activated MEF2 not through direct phosphorylation of MEF2 but by phosphorylation of its inhibitors, the class II histone deacetylases (HDACs). MEF2 is sequestered by class II HDACs such as HDAC5 and MEF2-interacting transcriptional repressor (MITR). Mirk antagonized the inhibition of MEF2C by MITR, whereas kinase-inactive Mirk was ineffective. Mirk phosphorylates class II HDACs at a conserved site within the nuclear localization region, reducing their nuclear accumulation in a dose-dependent and kinase-dependent manner. Moreover, less mutant MITR phosphomimetic at the Mirk phosphorylation site localized in the nucleus than wild-type MITR. Regulation of class II HDACs occurs by multiple mechanisms. Others have shown that calcium signaling leads to phosphorylation of HDACs at 14-3-3-binding sites, blocking their association with MEF2 within the nucleus. Mirk provides another level of regulation. Mirk is induced within the initial 24 h of myogenic differentiation and enables MEF2 to transcribe the myogenin gene by decreasing the nuclear accumulation of class II HDACs.
Using LiDAR to reconstruct the history of a coastal environment influenced by legacy mining

Abstract LiDAR (light detection and ranging) data can be used to create fine digital elevation and bathymetric models (DEMs). Here we examine natural coastal erosion in Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan, a part of Keweenaw Bay in Lake Superior, and discuss how a variety of geological features (submersed river bed and channels associated with the Houghton Low; Nipissing dunes) interact with long-term sediment accumulation patterns. The geological features also modify migrating tailings from a legacy mining site. The combination of LiDAR derived images and aerial photographs allowed us to reconstruct the historical movement of tailings along the coastline. A total of 22.8 million metric tonnes (Mt) of stamp sand were discharged into the coastal environment off Gay, MI. Over a span of 80 years, beaches to the southwest of Gay have progressively received 7.0 Mt (30.7%) of the mass eroded from the original pile, whereas 11.1 Mt (48.7%) have moved into the bay. The total amount accumulated along the beaches now greatly exceeds the mass remaining on the original tailings pile (3.7 Mt; 16.2%). Bathymetric differences between two LiDAR surveys (2008 and 2010) were also used to estimate the mass, and to track the movement of migrating underwater stamp sand bars. These bars are moving southwesterly towards Buffalo Reef, creating a threat to the lake trout and lake whitefish breeding ground.
Registration of N6202 Soybean Germplasm with High Protein, Favorable Yield Potential, Large Seed, and Diverse Pedigree

N6202' soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) (Reg. No. GP-366, PI 658498) was cooperatively developed and released by the USDA-ARS and the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service in October 2009 as a mid-Maturity Group VI germplasm with high-protein seed, favorable yield potential, large seed size, and diverse pedigree. The unusual combination of high protein and favorable yield in this germplasm, plus its diverse genetic background, makes it a potentially desirable breeding stock for both specialty and commodity breeding programs. N6202 was developed through conventional breeding and is adapted to the southern United States. Average seed protein level was 457 g kg -1 (zero moisture basis), which was 33 g kg -1 greater (p < 0.05) than that of the control cultivar NC-Roy. Average yield of N6202 was more than 90% of NC-Roy over 65 environments. The 100-seed weight of N6202 (21.4 g) was signifi cantly greater (p < 0.05) than that of the largest- seeded control cultivar Dillon (15.2 g).Twenty-fi ve percent of N6202's pedigree is derived from Japanese cultivar Fukuyataka. Fukuyataka is not known to be related to the genetic base of U.S. soybean. An additional 25% of N6202's pedigree traces to the Japanese cultivar Nakasennari, which appears in the pedigree of only one cultivar (its parent 'N6201'). Thus, the release of N6202 broadens the genetic range of materials adapted for soybean breeding in the United States. N6202 exhibits a moderate level of the bleeding hilum trait in some environments.
First spectroscopic identification of pyrocarbonate for high CO2 flux membranes containing highly interconnected three dimensional ionic channels

Identification of the existence of pyrocarbonate ion C2O52− in molten carbonates exposed to a CO2 atmosphere provides key support for a newly established bi-ionic transport model that explains the mechanisms of high CO2 permeation flux observed in mixed oxide-ion and carbonate-ion conducting (MOCC) membranes containing highly interconnected three dimensional ionic channels. Here we report the first Raman spectroscopic evidence of C2O52− as an active species involved in the CO2-transport process of MOCC membranes exposed to a CO2 atmosphere. The two new broad peaks centered at 1317 cm−1 and 1582 cm−1 are identified as the characteristic frequencies of the C2O52− species. The measured characteristic Raman frequencies of C2O52− are in excellent agreement with the DFT-model consisting of six overlapping individual theoretical bands calculated from Li2C2O5 and Na2C2O5.
A phase I trial of vandetanib combined with capecitabine, oxaliplatin and bevacizumab for the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background Vandetanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of both the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFR) and epidermal growth factor (EGFR) receptors. The primary objectives of this study were to determine the maximum tolerated dose of vandetanib with capecitabine and oxaliplatin, without and with bevacizumab, for the first line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), and to define the dose limiting toxicities. Materials and methods Three cohorts of patients were studied, with capecitabine at 1,000 mg/m2 twice daily p.o. on days 1–14 of a 3 week cycle, with oxaliplatin i.v. at 130 mg/m2 on day 1. Vandetanib dosing was 100 mg/day in cohort 1 and 300 mg/day in cohorts 2 and 3. Bevacizumab was added in cohort 3 at 7.5 mg/kg IV on day 1 every 3 weeks. Results Thirteen patients were enrolled and received from one to eight cycles per patient. Grade 4 dermatitis developed in one patient in the first cohort, and the cohort was expanded to six patients with no further dose limiting toxicities (DLT). The second cohort of 3 patients was well tolerated. The third cohort resulted in grade 3 diarrhea, requiring several days of hospitalization and IV hydration, in 3 of the 4 patients. Given the severity and duration of diarrhea, each of these was considered a DLT, and therefore cohort 3 was considered to be above the maximum tolerated dose. Six of the 13 patients achieved a partial or complete remission (46%). The time to progression ranged from 2 to 14 months. Conclusions Vandetanib at doses of 100 mg and 300 mg daily in combination with capecitabine and oxaliplatin was well tolerated. However, the addition of bevacizumab resulted in severe diarrhea in three out of four patients. Bevacizumab was not well tolerated with vandetanib and XELOX in combination.
Exploring Differential Subgroup Functioning on SAT Writing Items: What Happens When English Is Not a Test Taker's Best Language?

The purpose of this study is to explore patterns in model-data fit related to subgroups of test takers from a large-scale writing assessment. Using data from the SAT, a calibration group was randomly selected to represent test takers who reported that English was their best language from the total population of test takers (N = 322,011). A reference scale for the items was constructed based on EBL responses. Response behaviors of test takers who reported that English was not their best language (ENBL) were examined in relationship to this reference scale. This study illustrates the use of differential subgroup analyses to identify patterns related to person misfit within subgroups, as well as subsets of items, that may affect the validity of writing scores for ENBL test takers. The methodology described here offers an approach that can be used to explore, understand, and improve the validity of scores obtained from ENBL test takers in large-scale writing assessments.
CYTOMEGALOVIREMIA IN HEALTHY ASYMPTOMATIC PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS

Based upon clinical observations it has been deduced that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) may be transmitted with blood. It has been estimated that approximately 5% of healthy individuals are asymptomatic carriers of HCMV in blood. Although isolation of this virus from blood is relatively easily accomplished in immunosuppressed individuals or from those with symptomatic HCMV-associated clinical conditions, efforts to recover virus from the blood of asymptomatic healthy carriers have been largely and repeatedly unsuccessful. Only one report has documented viremia in healthy individuals (in 1969 Diosi and associates reported recovery of HCMV from blood in 2 of 35 blood bank donors).¶In the course of studies of healthy pregnant adolescents in North Carolina and in Maryland, HCMV was recovered from the blood in 5 of 96 and 2 of 41 subjects respectively, or 5% in each population. There was no demonstrable association with prenatal transmission of HCMV, with subject well-being or outcome of pregnancy.¶The risk of HCMV reactivation in young pregnant women may relate to gestational and endocrine factors. It is also possible that reactivation of HCMV occurs most frequently soon after primary infection and that the risk of reactivation is inversely related to the elapsed time since virus acquisition. These observations may assist in defining risk factors for transfusion-related transmission as well as for reactivation and prenatal acquistion of HCMV.
Regulation Ain’t So Bad: Tregs in Acute Lung Injury

“When you can’t breathe, nothing else matters” (American Lung Association). Acute lung injury (ALI) and its severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), have many causes; however, there are likely some fundamental and shared molecular and physiological mechanisms that underlie ALI/ARDS pathology. Patients with ALI/ARDS have a mortality rate of 40 to 44%, making research into ALI disease mechanisms a high priority. ARDS develops in stages, beginning with the collection of excess fluid and inflammatory cells in the lung. This exudative stage is followed by a fibroproliferative phase, which is characterized by alveolar fibroblast accumulation and extensive collagen deposition/remodeling. The fibroproliferative phase is associated with higher mortality, but the mechanisms that mediate resolution of fibroproliferation remain largely unknown. Because regulatory T cells (Tregs) contribute to resolving lung inflammation, the authors wanted to know whether Tregs mitigated fibroproliferation in susceptible lungs. Using an ALI model of intratracheal lipopolysaccharide instillation in mice, Garibaldi et al. show that lymphocyte-deficient mice have persistent fibroproliferative responses, with sustained fibrocyte recruitment to their lungs, and reduced survival. However, adoptive transfer of Tregs (CD4+CD25+ T cells) into these lymphocyte-deficient mice reduced lung inflammation and fibrocyte influx and resolved lung fibroproliferation. The authors further showed that Tregs reduced fibrocyte influx by decreasing lung CXCL12, a chemokine that promotes fibrocyte trafficking into lungs. Additional experiments that blocked CXCR4, the receptor for CXCL12, also decreased lung inflammation, injury, fibroproliferation, and fibrocyte recruitment. This work is particularly important because once patients head into the latter fibroproliferative stage of ALI/ARDS, irreversible lung fibrosis becomes established, with severe clinical consequences. Translating these findings to human disease would be novel, focusing on (i) enhancing Treg cell function and (ii) the resolution of inflammation and fibroproliferation and ultimately the prevention of post-ALI/ARDS lung fibrosis. Evaluating the role and mechanisms of Tregs in human ALI will be a crucial next chapter in this important line of inquiry. As for those unfortunate few who have to live with the fibrotic sequelae of ALI/ARDS, we are humbly reminded that “When you can’t breathe, nothing else [truly] matters.” B. T. Garibaldi et al., Regulatory T cells reduce acute lung injury fibroproliferation by decreasing fibrocyte recruitment. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol., 20 September 2012 (10.1165/rcmb.2012-0198OC) [[PubMed]][1] [1]: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23002097
Alterations in the Xenopus retinotectal projection by antibodies to Xenopus N-CAM.

The patterned neural projection from the eye to the optic tectum of lower vertebrates (the retinotectal projection) has been proposed to be ordered by interactions between the optic nerve fibers and their surrounding tissues. To investigate the role of one such defined cell interaction, agarose implants containing antibodies to the neural cell adhesion molecule, N-CAM, were inserted into the tectum of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. Both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against N-CAM reversibly and specifically distorted the pattern of the retinotectal projection, decreasing the precision of the projection as determined by electrophysiological techniques as well decreasing the density of retinal innervation of the tectum and the branching of single axons as determined by horseradish peroxidase tracing. The anatomical effects became maximal at 4 to 6 days after implantation and returned to undetectable levels by 2 weeks, whereas the physiological effects became maximal by 8 to 10 days and a normal physiological map was reestablished within 4 weeks. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that anti-N-CAM antibodies perturb the ongoing growth and retraction of the terminal arbors of the optic nerve fibers, such that a region of the tectum becomes largely denuded of fibers. The physiological defects may then be a consequence both of the initial retraction of optic nerve terminals and of the rapid ingrowth of the perturbed and neighboring optic nerve fibers into the denuded region after the antibodies were cleared from the tectum. These results support the concept of a major role for N-CAM-mediated adhesion during map regeneration and maintenance.
Evaluating initial reach and robustness of a practical randomized trial of smoking reduction.

Objective: This study evaluated the reach, initial effectiveness, and potential moderators and mediators of results of a smoking reduction program. Design: A generally representative sample of 320 adult smokers from an HMO, scheduled for outpatient surgery or a diagnostic procedure, were randomized to enhanced usual care or a theory-based smoking reduction intervention that combined telephone counseling and tailored newsletters. Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported number of cigarettes smoked and carbon monoxide levels. Results: The intervention enrolled 30% of known eligible smokers and produced reductions of 3 cigarettes per day greater than enhanced usual care. Intervention participants were significantly more likely than control participants to achieve at least a 50% reduction in self-reported number of cigarettes using complete cases, imputation analyses, and intent-to-treat procedures. Similar patterns were seen for carbon monoxide results but were significant only in complete case analyses. The intervention was generally robust across patient characteristics (e.g., education, ethnicity, health literacy, and dependence) and phone counselors. Conclusion: Initial results suggest that this program has potential to reach and assist smokers who may not participate in cessation programs. Additional research is indicated to enhance intervention effects, assess maintenance, and evaluate public health impact.
Materials science: The same, but better.

Moving beyond mimicry, biologically inspired artificial materials can be simpler in design yet more powerful in function than their natural analogues. A tropical fruit seed serves as a guide to making new photonic elements.
Adolescent females who have sexually offended: comparisons with delinquent adolescent female offenders and adolescent males who sexually offend.

Very little is known about adolescent females who commit sexual offenses. In this two-part exploratory study, a sample of 11 adolescent females with sexual offense histories is described. In Study I, the sample is compared to an age-matched sample of 11 adolescent females with non-sexual victim-involved offense histories. The sexually offending group had significantly fewer antisocial behavior problems, such as alcohol or drug use problems, problems with fighting, or problems at school. They began their offense behaviors at younger ages than their non-sex offending delinquent peers. Few differences emerged with respect to attitudes about offense behaviors, such as level of denial. In Study II, the same sample of females with sex offense histories was compared with a group of age-matched adolescent males with sex offense histories. The two sex-offending groups were found to be remarkably similar. There were few differences with respect to psychosocial and criminal histories, antisocial behavior, and variables related to clinical presentation and treatment (e.g., level of denial about offense). Likewise, the two groups are remarkably similar with respect to specific sex offense behaviors. The females, however, appear to have experienced more severe and pervasive abuse compared to the males.
Bub2 regulation of cytokinesis and septation in budding yeast

The mitotic exit network (MEN) is required for events at the end of mitosis such as degradation of mitotic cyclins and cytokinesis. Bub2 and its binding partner Bfa1 act as a GTPase activating protein (GAP) to negatively regulate the MEN GTPase Tem1. The Bub2/Bfa1 checkpoint pathway is required to delay the cell cycle in response to mispositioned spindles. In addition to its role in mitotic exit, Tem1 is required for actomyosin ring contraction. To test the hypothesis that the Bub2 pathway prevents premature actin ring assembly, we compared the timing of actin ring formation in wild type, bub2Δ, mad2Δ, and bub2Δmad2Δ cells both with and without microtubules. There was no difference in the timing of actin ring formation between wild type and mutant cells in a synchronized cell cycle. In the presence of nocodazole, both bub2Δ and mad2Δ cells formed rings after a delay of the same duration. Double mutant bub2Δmad2Δ and bfa1Δmad2Δ cells formed rings at the same time with and without nocodazole. To determine if Bub2 has an effect on actomyosin ring contraction through its regulation of Tem1, we used live cell imaging of Myo1-GFP in a bub2Δ strain. We found a significant decrease in the total time of contraction and an increase in rate of contraction compared to wild type cells. We also examined myosin contraction using Myo1-GFP in cells overexpressing an epitope tagged Bub2. Surprisingly, overexpression of Bub2 also led to a significant increase in the rate of contraction, as well as morphological defects. The chained cell phenotype caused by Bub2 overexpression could be rescued by co-overexpression of Tem1, and was not rescued by deletion of BFA1. Our data indicate that the Bub2 checkpoint pathway does not have a specific role in delaying actin ring formation. The observed increase in the rate of myosin contraction in the bub2Δ strain provides evidence that the MEN regulates actomyosin ring contraction. Our data suggest that the overexpression of the Bub2 fusion protein acts as a dominant negative, leading to septation defects by a mechanism that is Tem1-dependent.
In situ IR and temperature programmed desorption-mass spectrometry study of NO absorption and decomposition by silica supported 12-tungstophosphoric acid

Abstract Silica supported 12-tungstophosphoric acid (H 3 PW 12 O 40 or HPW), as well as unsupported HPW, were examined for NO absorption and temperature programmed desorption by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy and TPD-MS. The SiO 2 supported samples contained HPW at 2, 4, and 8 wt% W loading levels. X-ray powder diffraction for determination of HPW lattice parameter and crystal size, solid state proton NMR, and ex situ IR were also employed to characterize these catalysts. The results indicate a strong interaction between HPW and the surface hydroxyl groups of the silica support, leading to the formation of an entirely different secondary structure than observed in bulk HPW. In this secondary structure, water is proposed to be present at H 3 O + rather than H 5 O + 2 as in unsupported HPW. This structure is more compact than that of bulk HPW leading to a shrinkage of the lattice parameter by approximately 0.5 A but still accommodating a substantial fraction of the original water. Proton NMR supports the proposal that H 3 O + is present and indicates that silica supported HPW is a much weaker Bronsted acid than unsupported HPW. NO is absorbed via the same mechanism by both unsupported and supported HPW to produce NOH + species, although ν (N–O) bands in the IR are shifted to slightly different wave number in the supported samples. The rate of NO uptake is much lower for the supported catalysts, which may be explained by the much lower acid strength of these materials. Upon temperature programming to 723 K (50 K/min) more than 50% of the absorbed NO decomposes yielding nitrogen and nitrous oxide as the only reaction products.
Social Networks and the Dynamics of Labour Market Outcomes: Evidence from Refugees Resettled in the U.S.

Recent theoretical work suggests that social networks may play an important role in the dynamics of employment and wages across groups of individuals. This paper provides empirical evidence of job information flows within social networks and the non-linear relationship between social network size and labor market outcomes. An extended version of the model developed by Calvo-Armengol and Jackson (2004) shows that competition can exist between network members for job referrals and investigates the dynamics between the size of a social network, the tenure of network members and labor market outcomes. The predictions of the model are tested empirically using a unique data-set of refugees resettled in the U.S. from 2001-2005. The empirical strategy exploits the special institutional environment of refugee resettlement. I find that a one standard deviation increase in the number of network members who have arrived in the U.S. one year ago lowers the probability of employment by 4.9% and the average hourly wage by $.70. Conversely, as predicted by the model, more tenured network members improve labor market outcomes for recently arrived refugees.
The stein effect and bayesian analysis: a reexamination

The Stein, that one could improve frequentist risk by combining “independent” problems, has long been an intriguing paradox to statistics. We briefly review the Bayesian view of the paradox, and indicate that previous justifications of the Stein effect, through concerns of “Bayesian robustness,” were misleading. In the course of doing so, several existing robust Bayesian and Stein-effect estimators are compared for a variety of situations.
Automated, controlled deposition of nanoparticles on polyelectrolyte-coated silicon from chemomechanically patterned droplet arrays

This paper describes three advances in lab on a chip technology. First, it is shown that chemomechanical surface patterning can be performed using a commercially available liquid handler that has undergone only minor modifications. These capabilities are demonstrated by making and then characterizing smaller hydrophobic corrals, made with a diamond tip, than have previously been reported. Hydrophobic corrals are small enclosures on a surface that are ringed by hydrophobic lines. They hold droplets of high surface tension solutions. They allow a surface to be subdivided into individually addressable elements, thus providing a platform for conducting many simultaneous surface experiments with small (down to ca. 1 µL) liquid volumes. An important consequence of this work is that it makes chemomechanical surface patterning, which is a valuable and straightforward method for surface modification, much more accessible to the technical community. Second, it is shown that an entire array of hydrophobic corrals can be simultaneously coated with polyelectrolyte multilayers, but that the hydrophobic corrals still retain the ability to hold liquids after this deposition. The robotic arm of the liquid handler is again employed to manufacture this ultrathin film. Finally, as a demonstration of the capability of this technology to create complex patterned arrays on surfaces from solution for biological or nanostructured materials applications, and again employing the liquid handler, polyelectrolyte-coated hydrophobic corrals are individually addressed and loaded with a solution containing gold nanoparticles for independently specified times. The density and morphology of deposited nanoparticle monolayers were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The deposition of gold nanoparticles onto a chip occurred at a constant rate (0.5% min−1) over the range of times studied.
Serotonin immunocytochemistry in the adult and developing rat brain: methodological and pharmacological considerations.

Abstract An antiserum has been raised in rabbits against serotonin (5-HT) conjugated to the invertebrate protein hemocyanin (HC). This antiserum was characterized with respect to its cross-reactivity with related compounds and its immunocytochemical staining properties in brains of adult and developing rats and in animals pretreated with various pharmacological regimens. When compared to an antiserum raised against 5-HT/bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugates [59], the 5-HT/HC conjugate elicited a more profound immune response which resulted in the production of a specific, high titer antiserum that could be used directly for immunocytochemistry without removal of antibodies to the invertebrate carrier molecule, HC. Immunoabsorption experiments to assess the specificity of this antiserum demonstrated a small degree of cross-reactivity with dopamine (which was greater than that with norepinephrine or epinephrine). However, no staining of catecholaminergic neurons was found in untreated adult or developing animals, nor in animals pretreated with L-DOPA or L-DOPA + the MAO inhibitor nialamide, indicating that this cross-reactivity is not manifested under normal staining conditions. No cross-reactivity of the 5-HT/HC antiserum was observed for any 5-HT precursors or metabolites tested, although both this antiserum and the 5-HT/BSA antiserum did exhibit a high degree of cross-reactivity to the related indoleamines 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MT) and tryptamine. However, based on the immunocytochemical staining patterns observed, and the fact that both 5-MT and tryptamine are found in very low quantities in the normal rat brain, it appears that 5-HT is the predominent indoleamine stained by both of these antisera in the untreated rat brain. In animals pretreated with L-tryptophan + nialamide, some light staining was found in the dopaminergic A9 and A10 cell groups using either antiserum. However, since this staining was not observed in L-DOPA + nialamide treated animals it is not thought to be due to cross-reactivity with dopamine. Rather, since the staining could be inhibited by pretreatment with the catecholaminergic uptake blocker desmethylimipramine, it is postulated that this effect may be due to either 1. (1) the non-specific uptake of 5-HT or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) into the dopaminergic cells of A9 and A10 due to elevated levels of these substances in the dense serotonergic axonal plexus passing through this region. 2. (2) to an increased uptake of circulating L-tryptophan by these A9 and A10 cells followed by conversion of this amino acid to tryptamine by aromatic amine decarboxylase, an enzyme common to both 5-HT and dopaminergic neurons. This latter possibility suggests that caution should be exercised when interpreting immunocytochemical staining patterns obtained in animals pretreated with L-tryptophan + nialamide using 5-HT antisera, since other cross-reactive indoleamines could be elevated by this pharmacological manipulation.
Parental Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress following a Child's Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study.

Abstract Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are well documented in parents of children diagnosed with chronic disabilities and life-threatening illnesses. The occurrence of PTSS in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (autism) has not been directly linked but instead only mentioned without data supporting the claim. This research was a retrospective study examining the occurrence of PTSS in parents of children with autism. The instruments used included in the survey were the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the LA Symptom Checklist (LASC). The IES-R was used for group membership (PTSS or not) and the LASC was used to determine if further psychosocial ailments were common to one group over the other. The findings validate the existence of PTSS in a subpopulation (20%) of parents. These findings document a need to recognize the degree of psychological impact/distress in parents resulting from their child being diagnosed with autism. Awareness of parental PTSS, will help ensure the necessary steps are taken to see that the parents/child's caretakers are healthy and that the child's access to treatment is not compromised due to parental stress.
Rate of elongation by RNA polymerase II is associated with specific gene features and epigenetic modifications

The rate of transcription elongation plays an important role in the timing of expression of full-length transcripts as well as in the regulation of alternative splicing. In this study, we coupled Bru-seq technology with 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole 1-β-D-ribofuranoside (DRB) to estimate the elongation rates of over 2000 individual genes in human cells. This technique, BruDRB-seq, revealed gene-specific differences in elongation rates with a median rate of around 1.5 kb/min. We found that genes with rapid elongation rates showed higher densities of H3K79me2 and H4K20me1 histone marks compared to slower elongating genes. Furthermore, high elongation rates had a positive correlation with gene length, low complexity DNA sequence, and distance from the nearest active transcription unit. Features that negatively correlated with elongation rate included the density of exons, long terminal repeats, GC content of the gene, and DNA methylation density in the bodies of genes. Our results suggest that some static gene features influence transcription elongation rates and that cells may alter elongation rates by epigenetic regulation. The BruDRB-seq technique offers new opportunities to interrogate mechanisms of regulation of transcription elongation.