cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Satisfaction with pregnancy loss aftercare: are women getting what they want?

While there is increasing recognition that early miscarriage represents a significant loss experience that often provokes depression and anxiety, women’s dissatisfaction with some aspects of care received from healthcare professionals following a pregnancy loss and the potentially negative consequences of this are often less recognized. This review examines available literature to identify what comprises “treatment as usual,” how satisfied women are with the typical services they receive from healthcare personnel, and whether these services are consistent with women’s self-identified needs. Results are reviewed according to four major themes—patient satisfaction with: attitudes of healthcare providers, provision of information, interventions provided, and follow-up care. In general, women and families who have experienced a miscarriage report low levels of satisfaction in the presence of perceived negative attitudes from healthcare providers, insufficient provision of information, and inadequate follow-up care that did not focus on emotional well-being. Higher levels of satisfaction are reported among women whose providers were emotionally attuned to the magnitude of the loss, provided information, and involved women in treatment decisions when possible. Limitations of current research are reviewed and directions for future research, training, and practice are briefly discussed.
Southeast Asia—Which Path Ahead?

Despite the special problems and opportunities confronting it, Southeast Asia shares with other regions one basic challenge. The central issue that will confront every nation in the coming decades is whether those manmade institutions essential to governance and social order can keep pace with the extraordinary new phases of the scientific-technological revolution into which an ever greater portion of the world is being thrust. Hence, before turning to Southeast Asia specifically, I would like to suggest very briefly the context in which this region will find itself in the decades ahead.
Moon, Sun, and Witches: Gender Ideologies and Class In Inca and Colonial Peru

Moon, Sun, and Witches: Gender Ideologies and Class In Inca and Colonial Peru. IRENE SILVERBLATT. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1987. 305 pp., bibliography, Index, $39.50 (cloth) ISBN 0-691-07726-6; $14.50 (paper) ISBN 0-691-02258-5
SOME GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM EFFECTS OF MINING GROWTH ON THE ECONOMY

The effects of mining sector growth are analysed with a five-sector general equilibrium model. The effect of the mineral discoveries is to cause the agricultural sector to contract, but to cause the import-competing sector to expand by a small amount–a result which differs from Gregory's (1976) analysis. However, a mining boom caused by increases in external demand, rather than by new discoveries, leads to a different set of results. Some likely effects of the boom on the growth rates of the different sectors in the economy are reported. Finally, the effects of an export tax on minerals are considered.
What's important in making far-stack well-to-seismic ties in West Africa?

Seismic-to-well ties are a fundamental part of seismic data analysis. In both processing and interpretation, well ties provide an important link between the data we record and the physics we believe to be occurring. Understanding the relationship between the reservoir and fluid properties measured in the wells and their expression in the seismic data is crucial to making predictions of reservoir and fluid properties away from the well based on the seismic response.
Unitary geometry numerical modeling for wireless communication diversity schemes

Antenna diversity promises to provide high data rates with low error probabilities in wireless communication. An important step for realizing these promises centers around the design of efficient space-time codes for multiple-antenna links. The case of mobile communication is particularly challenging. The use of complex representations of finite algebraic groups has recently been shown by some researchers to be a promising avenue for the design of space-time codes. This paper provides some background on the interplay between group representation theory and wireless communication. Then, it examines the potential contributions of finite groups of Lie type and finite unitary geometry to space-time coding. Java technologies are used for the implementation of our numerical experimentation platform.
How should we measure and report elasticity in aortic tissue

Background Different stress–strain definitions are used in the literature to measure the elastic modulus in aortic tissue. There is no agreement as to which stress–strain definition should be implemented. The purpose of this study is to show how different results are given by the various definitions of stress–strain used and to recommend a specific definition when testing aortic tissues. Methods Circumferential specimens from three patients with ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) were obtained from the greater curvature and their tensile properties were tested uniaxially. Three stress definitions (second Piola–Kirchhoff stress, engineering stress and true stress) and four strain definitions (Almansi–Hamel strain, Green–St. Venant strain, engineering strain and true strain) were used to determine the elastic modulus. Results We found that the Almansi–Hamel strain definition exhibited the highest non-linear stress–strain relation and consequently may overestimate the elastic modulus when using different stress definitions (second Piola–Kirchhoff stress, engineering stress and true stress). The Green–St. Venant strain definition yielded the lowest non-linear stress–strain relation using different definitions of stress, which may underestimate the values of elastic modulus. Engineering stress and strain definitions are only valid for small strains and displacements, which make them impractical when analysing soft tissues. We show that the effect of varying the stress definition on the elastic modulus measurements is significant for maximum elastic modulus but not when calculating the hypertensive elastic modulus. Conclusions It is important to consider which stress–strain definition is employed when analysing soft tissues. Although the true stress–true strain definition exhibits a non-linear relation, we favour it in tissue mechanics because it gives more accurate measurements of the material's response using the instantaneous values.
The boundary relevance of the project manager's job: findings and implications for R & D management

Much of the stress and conflict in the project manager's job can be attributed to the boundary nature of that position. This study explores the relevance of recent developments in organizational role theory for clarification and understanding of the project manager's job. Findings are reported from a study which show that traditional management thought is inadequate for understanding the factors which regulate the project manager's behavior. One must recognize the boundary relevance of the project manager's role in order to avoid organizational or administrative arrangements that would be undesirable for project management. Several implications, which logically follow from the theory and findings on boundary role behavior, are noted for their relevance for R & D management.
Cultural issues in an outpatient program for stimulant abusers

Abstract Cocaine abuse has created widespread problems, especially in poor urban ethnic minority communities. This article discusses the cultural issues in delivering a cocaine treatment program to a predominantly minority patient population. The Stimulant Treatment Outpatient Program (STOP) of San Francisco General Hospital's Substance Abuse Services was established in 1990 as a public service clinic. Many program elements apply equally well to various cultural groups, including individual and group counseling, limited time in treatment, and crisis intervention. Culturally linked clinical issues include provision of a supportive infrastructure, role models in leadership positions, understanding the cultural influences in patients' lives, and establishing communication links with clients. Cultural themes are discussed as they apply to treating African-Americans, Latinos, AsianAmericans, Native Americans, and clients of different genders. Programmatic outcome indicators, including program attrition, sugges...
Identification of dihydrofolate reductase in rabbit brain

Abstract After partial purification, rabbit brain extracts were assayed for dihydrofolate reductase by spectrophometric, radiochemical and methotrexate binding assays. By these assays, the specific activity of rabbit brain dihydrofolate reductase was about 15 per cent that of liver. Both rabbit liver and brain dihydrofolate reductase activities were abolished by methotrexate and had comparable K m (3 μM), pH maxima (4.8), and cofactor requirements (NADPH). In vivo , a small percentage of [ 3 H]folic acid was reduced to [ 3 H]methyltetrahydrofolate when injected into the left lateral ventricle. Thus, both in vitro and in vivo , the central nervous system has the ability to reduce oxidized folates.
A robust adaptive matched field processor based upon a minmax criterion

An algorithm has been developed for determining the array weights for a linear weight-and-sum beamformer which yield the best worst-case performance over an expected range of characteristics of the propagation medium. An estimate of the average power of a desired signal contained within the received signal is generated using the output of the beamformer. Using minmax approximation techniques, the algorithm jointly calculates the optimal array weights and estimates the average signal power. Minmax techniques are used to achieve the effective sidelobe suppression and the good spatial resolution of adaptive matched field processors without the sensitivity to environmental mismatch which plagues many existing adaptive matched field processors. >
Error estimation in POD-based dynamic reduced-order thermal modeling of data centers

Abstract A proper orthogonal decomposition (POD)-based reduced-order modeling framework that predicts transient air temperatures in an air-cooled data center is developed. The framework is applied on an initial temperature data set acquired by measurements at discrete time instants. The subsequent data analysis predicts air temperatures for times both inside and outside of the discrete time domain. The predicted temperature data are compared with corresponding experimental observations, and the prediction error is analyzed. An alternative analytical approach is developed for determining the error, and an iteration-based optimization procedure is developed to calibrate the analytical error against the POD-based modeling error. The calibrated analytical error is added to the corresponding POD-predicted temperature data to obtain reliable new temperature data.
The effect of spreading depression on a simple discrimination task

The effect of spreading cortical depression on a simple discrimination situation in which the behavior was maintained by secondary cues previously paired with intracranial electrical stimulation was studied. It was concluded that bilateral spreading cortical depression blocked the ability of Ss to learn due to interference with association rather than with motor performance.
Ultimate Lateral Resistance to Piles in Cohesionless Soils

Several methods are available for predicting the ultimate lateral resistance to piles in cohesionless soils. However, these methods often produce significantly different ultimate resistance values. This makes it difficult for practicing engineers to effectively select the appropriate method when designing laterally loaded piles in cohesionless soils. By analyzing the lateral soil resistance distribution along the width of the pile and based on the test results of model rigid piles in cohesionless soils collected from the published literature, a simple method is proposed for calculating the ultimate lateral resistance (including frontal soil resistance and side shear resistance) to piles in cohesionless soils. The calculated ultimate lateral resistance from the proposed method agrees well with that obtained from centrifugal tests of flexible model piles. Predicting the lateral load capacity of laboratory and field rigid test piles in cohesionless soils using the proposed method also yields satisfactory results.
Paradoxical inhibition of vasoconstrictor and vasodilator responses by hypertonic mannitol in isolated arterial smooth muscle

Abstract The effect of hypertonic mannitol on contractil responses of the isolated central artery of the rabbit ear to vasoconstrictor and vasodialtor agents was studied in an attmept to obtain further insight into the vasodilator ability of this agent. Vasoconstrictor effects of both exogenous norepinephrine (NE) an the endogenous NE released by transmural stimulation of the ear artery were reduced durign perfusion of Krebs-bicarbonate media made hypertonic with mannitol (50 mM increase). Phentolamine (2.65 × 10 −8 M) also decreased NE responses; however, the inhibitory effect of phentolamine on vasoconstriction produced by electrical stimulation was reduced during perfusion with hyerptonic mannitol (50 mM increase). When perfusion pressure was maintained at and increased level of approximately 175 mm Hg by constant perfusionm of a depolarizing concentration of KCl (K + , 60 mM), hypertonic mannitol consistently caused a 50–60 mm Hg decrease in perfusion pressure that lasted for approximately 45 min. Hypertonic mannitol (25, 50 and 100 mM increase)-induced vasodilation was evident during the period of vasodilation produced by isoproterenol (ISO; 4 × 10 −6 M). Similarly, isoproterenol (4.0 × 10 −6 mole)-induced vasodilation was also evident in the presence of nitroglycerin (3.4 × 10 −7 M). However, vasodilation responses to bolus injections of ISO, nitroglycerin (NTG 3.4 × 10 −6 mole), prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 3.5 × 10 −6 mole), theophylline (5 × 10 −5 mole) and papaverine (1.1 × 10 −4 mole) were consistently inhibited by hypertonic mannitol. Intra- or extra-luminal administration of NE to the ear artery produced vasoconstriction; whereas, K + caused a pressor response only when applied intraluminally. Marked inhibition of the pressor responses to NE and K + by hypertonic mannitol was noted only when mannitol was present on the same side of the arterial wall as the agonist. These findings confirm the vasodilator activity of hypertonic mannitol in isolated arterial smooth muscle but indicate that although mannitol inhibits contractile responses to vasoconstrictor agents, it also paradoxically decreases vasodilator effects of several arterial smooth muscle relaxants.
Construction of a novel expression cassette for increasing transgene expression in vivo in endothelial cells of large blood vessels.

The success of gene therapy hinges on achievement of adequate transgene expression. To ensure high transgene expression, many gene-therapy vectors include highly active virus-derived transcriptional elements. Other vectors include tissue-specific eukaryotic transcriptional elements, intended to limit transgene expression to specific cell types, avoid toxicity and prevent immune responses. Unfortunately, tissue specificity is often accompanied by lower transgene expression. Here, we use eukaryotic (murine) transcriptional elements and a virus-derived posttranscriptional element to build cassettes designed to express a potentially therapeutic gene (interleukin (IL)-10) in large-vessel endothelial cells (ECs) at levels as high as obtained with the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early promoter, while retaining EC specificity. The cassettes were tested by incorporation into helper-dependent adenoviral vectors, and transduction into bovine aortic EC in vitro and rabbit carotid EC in vivo. The murine endothelin-1 promoter showed EC specificity, but expressed only 3% as much IL-10 mRNA as CMV. Inclusion of precisely four copies of an EC-specific enhancer and a posttranscriptional regulatory element increased IL-10 expression to a level at or above the CMV promoter in vivo, while retaining—and possibly enhancing—EC specificity, as measured in vitro. The cassette reported here will likely be useful for maximizing transgene expression in large-vessel EC, while minimizing systemic effects.
The MBT Repeats of L3MBTL1 Link SET8-mediated p53 Methylation at Lysine 382 to Target Gene Repression.

The p53 tumor suppressor protein is regulated by multiple post-translational modifications, including lysine methylation. We previously found that monomethylation of p53 at lysine 382 (p53K382me1) by the protein lysine methyltransferase (PKMT) SET8/PR-Set7 represses p53 transactivation of target genes. However, the molecular mechanism linking p53K382 monomethylation to repression is not known. Here we show in biochemical and crystallographic studies the preferential recognition of p53K382me1 by the triple malignant brain tumor (MBT) repeats of the chromatin compaction factor L3MBTL1. We demonstrate that SET8-mediated methylation of p53 at Lys-382 promotes the interaction between L3MBTL1 and p53 in cells, and the chromatin occupancy of L3MBTL1 at p53 target promoters. In the absence of DNA damage, L3MBTL1 interacts with p53K382me1 and p53-target genes are repressed, whereas depletion of L3MBTL1 results in a p53-dependent increase in p21 and PUMA transcript levels. Activation of p53 by DNA damage is coupled to a decrease in p53K382me1 levels, abrogation of the L3MBTL1-p53 interaction, and disassociation of L3MBTL1 from p53-target promoters. Together, we identify L3MBTL1 as the second known methyl-p53 effector protein, and provide a molecular explanation for the mechanism by which p53K382me1 is transduced to regulate p53 activity.
Intraretinal Leakage of Indocyanine Green Dye

Conclusions: Indocyanine green (ICG) dye is known to remain selectively in and around choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration, and is thought to be cleared from the overlying retinal circulation without leakage. This is the basis of ICG dye-enhanced laser photocoagulation. The authors have observed, however, leakage of ICG dye into cystoid spaces within the retina and have determined the incidence, clinical features, and angiographic characteristics of this newly described phenomenon. Methods: The digital ICG videoangiograms of 149 consecutive patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration and occult CNV were reviewed independently to determine the characteristics of intraretinal ICG dye leakage. Results: Of the 149 patients with occult CNV, 16 (11%) demonstrated intraretinal leakage of ICG dye between 14 and 34 minutes (median = 20 minutes). The clinical features most commonly associated with this phenomenom are: subretinal fluid (88%), subretinal hemorrhage (88%), subretinal lipid (63%), and retinal pigment epithelial detachment (56%). Conclusions: Indocyanine green dye may not be as concentrated in and around CNV as previously reported. The delayed onset of its appearance within intraretinal cystoid spaces may suggest a diffusible choroidal source of leakage. Intraretinal ICG dye may be a relative contraindication for ICG dye-enhanced laser photocoagulation.
Neo-Christ: Jesus, The Matrix, and Secondary Allegory as a Rhetorical Form

When The Matrix was released in 1999 it provoked a firestorm of response from pop culture critics, philosophers, technophiles, and communication scholars. However, one of the strongest reactions came from the evangelical Christian audience. Within days of the film's release, Matrix terminology and images began to appear in sermons and other pedagogical rhetoric. This essay argues that for the Christian audience The Matrix functions as a secondary allegory. Weaving together theories of allegory, I propose a two part analysis based on the form of rhetorical allegory (narrative format, pretext, knowledgeable audience, and assumed allegorist) and its functions (epistemological and pedagogical) to better understand the evangelical Christian reaction.
Increasing speckle noise immunity in LDV-based acoustic mine detection

Probability as logic is used to estimate the surface velocity of a patch of soil driven by an incident acoustic wave. The data used by the estimation procedure is obtained from a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV). The output of the LDV is an intermediate-frequency carrier that is frequency- modulated by the soil surface velocity. Additionally, the LDV output is amplitude modulated by an undesirable variation in the returned laser signal due to dynamic optical speckle. The effect of the amplitude modulated by an undesirable variation in the returned laser signal due to dynamical optical speckle. The effect of the amplitude modulation on the estimate of the soil surface velocity is illustrated with results obtained using the Markov chain Monte Carlo method.
Using discrete event simulation to examine marine training at the Marine Corps Communication-Electronics school

This paper presents a discrete-event simulation model used to explore various possibilities for improving the training continuum at the Marine Corps Communication- Electronics School. The goal of the analysis is to reduce the average waiting time experienced by Marines as they wait for their formal training to commence. Results show that the implementation of even the least beneficial of these improvements yields a 37 percent reduction in waiting time. The best single change yields an 82 percent reduction. This translates into a 30 day reduction in average waiting time per Marine. If all improvements were implemented, a reduction of 88 percent could be achieved, bringing the average waiting time per Marine down to less than 5 days.
Reflection coefficient and the surface amplitude of SH waves from a multilayered laterally and vertically inhomogeneous anisotropic crust

Abstract The problem of reflection coefficient and the surface amplitude have been studied for a model consisting of (n − 1) layers overlying a semi-infinite half space. The layers and the half space are both assumed to be transversely isotropic and laterally and vertically heterogeneous. Reflection coefficient and the surface amplitude for a two and three layered crustal model have been computed. For a two layered model, graphs have been presented showing the effect of anisotropy, frequency and vertical inhomogeneities on the surface amplitude. For a three layered model, graphs show the effect of frequency and vertical inhomogeneities on the surface amplitude.
Molecular targets for flavivirus drug discovery

Flaviviruses are a major cause of infectious disease in humans. Dengue virus causes an estimated 50 million cases of febrile illness each year, including an increasing number of cases of hemorrhagic fever. West Nile virus, which recently spread from the Mediterranean basin to the Western Hemisphere, now causes thousands of sporadic cases of encephalitis annually. Despite the existence of licensed vaccines, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis also claim many thousands of victims each year across their vast endemic areas. Antiviral therapy could potentially reduce morbidity and mortality from flavivirus infections, but no effective drugs are currently available. This article introduces a collection of papers in Antiviral Research on molecular targets for flavivirus antiviral drug design and murine models of dengue virus disease that aims to encourage drug development efforts. After reviewing the flavivirus replication cycle, we discuss the envelope glycoprotein, NS3 protease, NS3 helicase, NS5 methyltransferase and NS5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase as potential drug targets, with special attention being given to the viral protease. The other viral proteins are the subject of individual articles in the journal. Together, these papers highlight current status of drug discovery efforts for flavivirus diseases and suggest promising areas for further research.
Control of cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

With increasingly effective cancer chemotherapy, the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting has become more important. These unpleasant side effects can be so severe that patients delay or stop potentially curative therapy. Phenothiazines and butyrophenones have been the mainstays of most antiemetic therapy but unfortunately have only partially controlled nausea and vomiting. Recently, renewed interest in the control of nausea and vomiting has led to the introduction of additional classes of agents. Cannabinoids appear to be superior to phenothiazines as antiemetics, but must be given in doses that also cause central nervous system side effects. Metoclopramide, given in high doses (1.0-3.0 mg/kg) has proven to be a major advance in the control of nausea and vomiting induced by cisplatin. Glucocorticoids may be useful, particularly when combined with other agents. There has been recent recognition of the importance of anticipatory nausea and vomiting, and attempts to control this through behavioral modification techniques have met with some success.
Differences in percutaneous injury patterns in a multi-hospital system.

Objective:Determine differences in patterns of percutaneous injuries (PIs) in different types of hospitals.Design:Case series of injuries occurring from 1997 to 2001.Setting:Large midwestern healthcare system with a consolidated occupational health database from 9 hospitals, including rural and urban, community and teaching (1 pediatric, 1 adult) facilities, ranging from 113 to 1,400 beds.Participants:Healthcare workers injured between 1997 and 2001.Results:Annual injury rates for all hospitals decreased during the study period from 21 to 16.5/100 beds (chi-square for trend = 22.7; P = .0001). Average annual injury rates were higher at larger hospitals (22.5 vs 9.5 Pis/100 beds; P = .0001). Among small hospitals, rural hospitals had higher rates than did urban hospitals (14.87 vs 8.02 PIs/100 beds; P = .0143). At small hospitals, an increased proportion of injuries occurred in the emergency department (13.7% vs 8.6%; P = .0004), operating room (32.3% vs 25.4%; P = .0002), and ICU (12.3% vs 9.4%; P = .0225), compared with large hospitals. Rural hospitals had higher injury rates in the radiology department (7.7% vs 2%; P = .0015) versus urban hospitals. Injuries at the teaching hospitals occurred more commonly on the wards (28.8% vs 24%; P = .0021) and in ICUs (11.4% vs 7.8%; P = .0006) than at community hospitals. Injuries involving butterfly needles were more common at pediatric versus adult hospitals (15.8% vs 6.5%; P = .0001). The prevalence of source patients infected with HIV and hepatitis C was higher at large hospitals.Conclusions:Significant differences exist in injury rates and patterns among different types of hospitals. These data can be used to target intervention strategies.
Molecular mechanisms of cardioprotection by a novel grape seed proanthocyanidin extract.

Free radicals and oxidative stress play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases including congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, hypertrophy, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. We have demonstrated that IH636 grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) provides superior antioxidant efficacy as compared to Vitamins C, E and beta-carotene. A series of studies were conducted using GSPE to demonstrate its cardioprotective ability in animals and humans. GSPE supplementation improved cardiac functional assessment including post-ischemic left ventricular function, reduced myocardial infarct size, reduced ventricular fibrillation (VF) and tachycardia, decreased the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as detected by ESR spectroscopy and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) formation in the heart perfusate. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. In concert, the proapoptotic signals mediated by JNK-l and c-fos proteins were also reduced suggesting that the novel cardioprotective properties of GSPE may be at least partially attributed to its ability to block anti-death signaling mediated through the proapoptotic transcription factors and genes such as JNK-1 and c-JUN. In a separate study, GSPE pretreatment significantly inhibited doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity as demonstrated by reduced serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, DNA damage and histopathological changes in the cardiac tissue of mice. Concentration-dependent efficacy of GSPE was also assessed in a hamster atherosclerosis model. Approximately 49 and 63% reduction in foam cells, a biomarker of early stage atherosclerosis, were observed following supplementation of 50 and 100 mg GSPE/kg body weight, respectively. A human clinical trial was conducted on hypercholesterolemic subjects. GSPE supplementation significantly reduced oxidized LDL, a biomarker of cardiovascular diseases. Finally, a cDNA microarray study demonstrated significant inhibition of inducible endothelial CD36 expression, a novel cardioregulatory gene, by GSPE. These results demonstrate that GSPE may serve as a potential therapeutic tool in promoting cardiovascular health via a number of novel mechanisms.
The Kuna and Columbus: Encounters and Confrontations of Discourse

The centerpiece of this paper is the performance of a traditional Kuna chant by Chief Olopinikwa of the village of Sasartii on the San Blas island of Sasartii-Mulatuppu on April 2, 1970. It is represented through various transcriptions and translations by the author and his Kuna consultant at that time, Alberto Campos, in consultation with a number of Kuna individuals, over the years since the original performance. Alberto Campos's transcription and especially his translation of the performance transform a traditional oral performance into 20th-century “educated” Spanish. The audior's transcriptions and translations are ethnopoetic, in that they aim at reflecting and retaining, as much as possible, the distinctive features of the oral performance. The performance and the various written representations of it reveal the history of the Kuna and especially their relations with outsiders, changes that have occurred in Kuna life within the past 20 years, and the ways in which orality and literacy intersect in the Kuna world.
Cadherin AdCad1 in Alphitobius diaperinus larvae is a receptor of Cry3Bb toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry proteins are used as components of biopesticides or expressed in transgenic crops to control diverse insect pests worldwide. These Cry toxins bind to receptors on the midgut brush border membrane and kill enterocytes culminating in larval mortality. Cadherin proteins have been identified as Cry toxin receptors in diverse lepidopteran, coleopteran, and dipteran species. In the present work we report a 185 kDa cadherin (AdCad1) from larvae of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) larvae as the first identified receptor for Cry3Bb toxin. The AdCad1 protein contains typical structural components for Cry toxin receptor cadherins, including nine cadherin repeats (CR9), a membrane-proximal extracellular domain (MPED) and a cytosolic region. Peptides corresponding to the CR9 and MPED regions bound Cry3Bb toxin with high affinities (23 nM and 40 nM) and significantly synergized Cry3Bb toxicity against A. diperinus larvae. Silencing of AdCad1 expression through RNA interference resulted in highly reduced susceptibility to Cry3Bb in A. diperinus larvae. The CR9 peptide fed with toxin to RNAi-treated larvae restored Cry3Bb toxicity. These results are evidences that AdCad1 is a functional receptor of Cry3Bb toxin and that exogenously fed CR9 peptide can overcome the effect of reduced AdCad1expression on Cry3Bb toxicity to larvae.
Surface-sediment dynamics in a dust source from spaceborne multispectral thermal infrared data

Abstract This study utilized spaceborne multispectral thermal infrared (TIR) data to document spatial relationships of surface sediments over time in a modern depositional environment associated with dust emissions, Soda Lake playa, Mojave Desert, United States. The approach employed here involved time-series TIR data acquired from Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and a linear spectral mixture analysis. An automated algorithm was applied to derive emissivity image endmembers. Evaluation of the chosen endmembers revealed that they can be categorized into five major spectra classes based on diagnostic absorption features. Each spectrum has been identified in relation to mineral abundance and soil arrangement that are common in playa settings: A, “clayey silt-rich crust”; B, “intermediate-salt crust”; C, “quartz-rich deposit”; D, “salt-rich rough crust”; E, “sulfate-rich crust”. Spectral classes A–B–C–D yielded the lowest RMS errors (0–0.025) over time in the iterative deconvolution algorithm between the measured and modeled spectra. The produced fractional abundance images show high areal concentrations for clayey silt-rich crust, salt-rich rough crust, and quartz-rich deposit, as the first surficial mapping of Soda Lake. Significant changes in the spatial relationships of the major surface sediments in Soda Lake were observed after a flooding event (2005) and a relatively dry period (2006). The approach utilized in this study can be advantageous for continuous monitoring of environments characterized by a small area and a complex surface, which may enable a better understanding of their responses to climate changes and potential for dust emissions.
Price Changes Alone Are Not Adequate to Produce Long-Term Dietary Change

Taxation has been proposed as a means to reduce consumption of unhealthy food items. However, it is unknown if taxation without regulations or other activities known to shift eating behaviors lead to long-term dietary change. This unexplored issue is examined using data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey. Data were from adults aged 25-55 y who participated in the nationally representative Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey. Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls, detailed food expenditure data, and community-level food prices collected over 1994-2005 were used for these analyses. Longitudinal random effects models were used to test the relation of time on the structure of diet while controlling for total household expenditures. The proportion of total energy consumed from fat was higher in all other years combined compared with 1998 (P < 0.001). The proportion of dietary fat from high-fat meat and high-fat dairy items were lowest in 1998 and increased over subsequent years despite increasing costs. Percent fat from fats and oils continued to decline with rising costs. Price changes led to substantial shifts in the structure of food consumption. However, except for the most expensive items, consumption of items returned to levels consumed in the former Soviet Union following price stabilization.
JETTA: junction and exon toolkits for transcriptome analysis.

Summary: High-throughput genome-wide studies of alternatively spliced mRNA transcripts have become increasingly important in clinical research. Consequently, easy-to-use software tools are required to process data from these studies, for example, using exon and junction arrays. Here, we introduce JETTA, an integrated software package for the calculation of gene expression indices as well as the identification and visualization of alternative splicing events. We demonstrate the software using data of human liver and muscle samples hybridized on an exon–junction array. Availability: JETTA and its demonstrations are freely available at http://igenomed.stanford.edu/~junhee/JETTA/index.html Contacts: gro.srentrap@1oaixw
Maternal Reaction to the Loss of Multiple Births

Throughout history the experience of multiple births has been associated with emotional and social stress for most mothers.1 This is particularly true because of the element of surprise, the concern over prematurity, and the anxiety over the potential loss of babies shortly after delivery.2 In this communication I report the emotional adjustment by parents who experienced a rare event: the birth and loss of a set of septuplets.
The molecular circuitry underlying pluripotency in embryonic stem cells

Cells in the pluripotent state have the ability to self-renew indefinitely and to differentiate to all the cells of the embryo. These cells provide an in vitro window into development, including human development, as well as holding extraordinary promise for cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine. The recent demonstration that somatic cells can be reprogrammed to the pluripotent state has raised the possibility of patient and disease-specific induced pluripotent cells. In this article, we review the molecular underpinning of pluripotency. We focus on the transcriptional and signaling networks that underlie the state of pluripotency and control differentiation. In general, the action of each of the molecular components and pathways is dose and context dependent highlighting the need for a systems approach to understanding pluripotency.
The relationship of body size to breadth of diet in some Lepidoptera

Abstract. 1. We have explored the question of whether breadth of diet in moths is associated with adaptations other than host selection behaviour, with particular reference to body size. 2. Generalist species in Britain and New York are larger than specialist species. 3. This relationship is probably not due to latitudinal clines, nor to higher fecundity in generalist species. 4. We suggest that the large bodies of generalists buffer them against environmentally-induced physiological stress.
Theory of light-induced drift of electrons in coupled quantum wells.

A theory of the new effect of light-induced drift (LID) in coupled potential wells is developed on the basis of the density-matrix method. The effect appears when light excites intersubband electronic transitions. LID manifests itself as the photocurrent of the two-dimensional electron gas in the well plane, which depends on coherent electron tunneling between the coupled wells. The theory shows the effect to possess distinctive features such as a characteristic antisymmetric spectral contour consisting of four alternating positive and negative peaks and the change of sign of the LID current with the sign change of the bias normal to the quantum-well plane. The quantitative estimates for GaAs wells show the LID current to be readily detectable.
ARIES systems code development, visualization and application

The ARIES research program has utilized its comprehensive ARIES systems code (ASC) and a new graphical user interface for visualizing the parameter space as important tools in its analysis of fusion power plant designs. Recently, the ASC has undergone modifications to accommodate different divertor designs, each having unique pumping powers, helium and liquid-metal pumps thermal heat recovery, and the latest material, fabrication, and costing algorithms. The modifications and changes made to the code have been documented and verified by members of the ARIES team to ensure accuracy of implementation and self-consistency of design. The code has also been modified to display a wider range of inputs/outputs, formulas, and algorithms for a greater degree of transparency and verification.
Back-trajectory analysis and source-receptor relationships: particulate matter and nitrogen isotopic composition in rainwater

The southeastern portion of North Carolina features a dense crop and animal agricultural region; previous research suggests that this agricultural presence emits a significant portion of the state’s nitrogen (i.e., oxides of nitrogen and ammonia) emissions. These findings indicate that transporting air over this region can affect nitrogen concentrations in precipitation at sites as far as 50 mi away. The study combined nitrate nitrogen isotope data with back-trajectory analysis to examine the relationship between regional nitrogen emission estimates independent of pollutant concentration information. In 2004, the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model was used to determine potential sources of nitrogen in rainwater collected at an urban receptor site in Raleigh, NC. The 15 N isotope ratio signatures of each sample were used to further differentiate between sources of the rainwater nitrate. This study examined the importance of pollution sources, including animal agricultural activity, and meteorology on rainfall chemistry as well as the implications in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) formation. Samples that transited the dense crop and animal (swine) agricultural region of eastsoutheastern North Carolina (i.e., the source region) had lower 15 N isotope ratios in the nitrate ion (average 2.1 1.7‰) than those from a counterpart nonagricultural region (average 0.1 3‰.) An increase in PM2.5 concentrations in the urban receptor site (yearly average 15.1 5.8 g/m 3 ) was also found to correspond to air transport over the dense agricultural region relative to air that was not subjected to such transport (yearly average 11.7 5.8 g/m 3 ).
A Simple In Vivo Model to Evaluate the Effects of Antiarrhythmic Agents

Antiarrhythmic agents alter cardiac conduction, refractoriness, and action potential duration in a rate dependent fashion. A simple in vivo model was developed to measure these variables over a wide range of cycle lengths. Complete heart block was produced in dogs using an 8 French hexapolar ablation catheter, anterior skin electrode, and radiofrequency current (30 W, 13.6 +/- 2.6 seconds). Ventricular pacing and monophasic action potential recordings were performed using a single combination catheter. QRS and action potential durations were measured at multiple cycle lengths and after an abrupt change in paced cycle length. Ventricular effective refractory periods were also measured at multiple cycle lengths. Data obtained during flecainide and d-Sotalol infusions are presented. This simple model allows detailed in vivo evaluation of the electrophysiological effects of antiarrhythmic agents and combinations.
Dynamic analysis of a high-bandwidth, large-strain, PZT cellular muscle actuator with layered strain amplification

This paper presents the dynamic analysis of an artificial muscle actuator designed for high-bandwidth, power- law strain amplification. The actuator is based on a nested cellular architecture of PZT stack actuators. Most smart material actuators have seen limited use in mobile robotic applications because of their small strain, low stress capacity, low bandwidth, and stringent input requirements. The proposed actuator design overcomes these limitations and can serve as a high-bandwidth multifunctional artificial muscle. The dynamic characteristics of the actuator design are derived analytically and validated experimentally. A test system mimicking flapping flight is then used to illustrate the actuator dynamics.
Modeling wildlife and other trade‐offs with biofuel crop production

Biofuels from agricultural sources are an important part of California's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on foreign oil. Land conversion for agricultural and urban uses has already imperiled many animal species in the state. This study investigated the potential impacts on wildlife of shifts in agricultural activity to increase biomass production for transportation fuels. We applied knowledge of the suitability of California's agricultural landscapes for wildlife species to evaluate wildlife effects associated with plausible scenarios of expanded production of three potential biofuel crops (sugar beets, bermudagrass, and canola). We also generated alternative, spatially explicit scenarios that minimized loss of habitat for the same level of biofuel production. We explored trade-offs to compare the marginal changes per unit of energy for transportation costs, wildlife, land and water-use, and total energy produced, and found that all five factors were influenced by crop choice. Sugar beet scenarios require the least land area: 3.5 times less land per liter of gasoline equivalent than bermudagrass and five times less than canola. Canola scenarios had the largest impacts on wildlife but the greatest reduction in water use. Bermudagrass scenarios resulted in a slight overall improvement for wildlife over the current situation. Relatively minor redistribution of lands converted to biofuel crops could produce the same energy yield with much less impact on wildlife and very small increases in transportation costs. This framework provides a means to systematically evaluate potential wildlife impacts of alternative production scenarios and could be a useful complement to other frameworks that assess impacts on ecosystem services and greenhouse gas emissions. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Gene – Environment Contributions to the Development of Infant Vagal Reactivity: The Interaction of Dopamine and Maternal Sensitivity

This study investigated dopamine receptor genes (DRD2 and DRD4) and maternal sensitivity as predictors of infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and RSA reactivity, purported indices of vagal tone and vagal regulation, in a challenge task at 3, 6, and 12 months in 173 infant–mother dyads. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) revealed that at 3 and 6 months, RSA withdrawal in response to maternal separation was greater (suggesting expected physiological regulation) in infants without the DRD2 risk allele than those with the risk allele. At 12 months, infants with the risk allele who were also exposed to maternal sensitivity showed levels of RSA withdrawal comparable to infants who were not at genetic risk. Findings demonstrate the importance of developmental analysis of gene–environment interaction.
Multi-spectral and multi-perspective video arrays for driver body tracking and activity analysis

This paper presents a novel approach to recognizing driver activities using a multi-perspective (i.e., four camera views) multi-modal (i.e., thermal infrared and color) video-based system for robust and real-time tracking of important body parts. The multi-perspective characteristics of the system provides redundant trajectories of the body parts, while the multi-modal characteristics of the system provides robustness and reliability of feature detection and tracking. The combination of a deterministic activity grammar (called 'operation-triplet') and a Hidden Markov model-based classifier provides semantic-level analysis of human activity. The application context for this research is that of intelligent vehicles and driver assistance systems. Experimental results in real-world street driving demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed system.
Analytical and experimental evaluation of TCP with an Additive Increase Smooth Decrease (AISD) strategy

This paper presents an analytical model to study the throughput performance of TCP with an Additive Increase Smooth Decrease (AISD) strategy. The new AISD-based TCP protocol produces smooth transfer rates and performs the flow and congestion control functions of TCP. As a result, it is suitable for streaming applications and solves the unfairness problem that occurs when TCP and UDP share the same bottleneck link. The AISD strategy is very simple to implement, only modifies the multiplicative part of the Additive Increase Multiplicative Decrease strategy of TCP, and can be implemented in any TCP version. The smooth part of the strategy is implemented using a low pass filter that considers history in the calculation of the congestion window. The modeling of this new strategy raises new challenges compared to the classical TCP modeling in two ways: first, it needs to be adapted to a more complex dynamism of the congestion window, and second, the model needs to incorporate a scheduler that periodically updates the value of the congestion window. The model is progressively built to finally characterize the steady-state send rate and throughput of a flow as a function of the loss probability, the round-trip time (RTT), the time-out interval, and the scheduler interval. The performance of this AISD-based TCP is compared analytically and experimentally with TCP Reno, and its superior performance is demonstrated.