cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is Microalbuminuria a Disease

Debate has arisen as to the proper timing of starting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) therapy to mitigate nephropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. In April 2012, an article published in both the Pharmacist’s Letter and the Prescriber’s Letter advocated the withholding of these therapies in patients with diabetes who have microalbuminuria in the absence of hypertension. This practice is contrary to the 2012 American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines, which were acknowledged by both the Pharmacist’s Letter and the Prescriber’s Letter. As a past member of the ADA’s Professional Practice Oversight Committee (the committee that updates the ADA guidelines annually) and a current member of the advisory board for both publications (the Pharmacist’s Letter and the Prescriber’s Letter), I thought it would be worthwhile to revisit the data used by these publications to create their recommendation. The debate involves two primary questions: What is the general role of ACE inhibitor or ARB therapy in vascular disease, and when is it appropriate to begin these therapies to slow the progression of nephropathy?
Assessment of Borderline Symptomatology in Hospitalized Adolescents

This study was designed to determine if 1) the diagnostic interview for borderlines (DIB) could be reliably administered to hospitalized adolescents and 2) to examine convergence of independently derived diagnoses of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Adolescents evaluated using the DIB were independently evaluated using the SADS and DSM-III criteria. It was found that the DIB could be reliably administered to hospitalized adolescents and that convergence between DIB defined BPD and DSM-III defined BPD was 75%. Major affective disorder frequently coexisted with BPD and the implications of this finding are discussed.
DunceCap: Query Plans Using Generalized Hypertree Decompositions

Joins are central to data processing. However, traditional query plans for joins, which are based on choosing the order of pairwise joins, are provably suboptimal. They often perform poorly on cyclic graph queries, which have become increasingly important to modern data analytics. Other join algorithms exist: Yannakakis', for example, operates on acyclic queries in runtime proportional to the input size plus the output size \cite{yannakakis}. More recently, Ngo et al. published a join algorithm that is optimal on worst-case inputs \cite{worst}. My contribution is to explore query planning using these join algorithms. In our approach, every query plan can be viewed as a generalized hypertree decomposition (GHD). We score each GHD using the minimal fractional hypertree width, which Ngo et al. show allows us to bound its worst-case runtime. We benchmark our plans using datasets from the Stanford Large Network Dataset Collection \cite{dataset} and find that our performance compares favorably against that of LogicBlox, a commercial system that implements a worst-case optimal join algorithm.
A Monte Carlo study of the XY model

Abstract Spin systems which have a phase transition without an order parameter, like the XY model, have great importance in physics. Here we show how it is possible to study the behaviour of such a system by computer simulation without studying the spin-spin correlation functions.
Left-right coding in children: Implications for adult performance

Recent work with adults suggests that inferior performance on left-right (relative to up-down) tasks is not a perceptual difficulty but is tied to the use of spatial words. This interpretation rests on the assumption that preschool children have difficulty distinguishing between objects turned left or right and that spatial words are acquired at the time that children experience left-right confusion. However, this assumption is unwarranted in the light of recent work showing that 3-year-old children make left-right discriminations when stimuli are presented individually. This study pursues the problem further by asking whether left-right discriminations can be made in the dark, without any perceptual supports. Preschool children solved left-right (and up-down) problems in a few trials, demonstrating their ability to make left-right discriminations based solely on an egocentric frame of reference.
Effect of postmortem changes and freezing on the viscoelastic properties of vocal fold tissues.

It is common practice in laryngeal research laboratories to store excised larynges and vocal fold tissue specimens frozen, presumably to preserve viability and structural integrity of the specimens for physiologic and biomechanical experiments. However, little is known about the biomechanical effects of postmortem changes and frozen storage in vocal fold tissues. This study attempted to quantify the effects of postmortem changes and freezing on the viscoelastic shear properties of the canine vocal fold mucosa. Sixteen larynges were excised from adult dogs immediately postmortem in a viable state. Using a torsional rheometer, the complex shear modulus (G*) of the mucosal tissue from one vocal fold of each larynx was measured as a function of frequency (0.01–15 Hz) by linear small-amplitude oscillation experiments. Measurement was repeated for ten mucosal specimens after 24 h of postmortem storage in saline solution at room temperature. Eleven of the 16 larynges were frozen and stored at −20°C, six of them at a slow rate of cooling (storage in a regular freezer) and five others by quick freezing (chilling by liquid nitrogen prior to frozen storage). The larynges were thawed slowly overnight after one month and the viscoelastic shear properties of the contralateral vocal fold mucosa were measured. Results showed that the elastic shear modulus (G′) and dynamic viscosity (η ′) of the vocal fold mucosa did not seem to change significantly after 24 h of storage in saline at room temperature, nor after one month of frozen storage following quick freezing, whereas both G′ and η′ decreased significantly for tissues that were slowly frozen. These findings supported the feasibility of using quick freezing to preserve laryngeal tissues for in vitro biomechanical testing, for excised larynx experiments, and for tissue engineering applications. © 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society.
Interface composition between Fe3O4 nanoparticles and GaAs for spintronic applications

Recent interest in spintronic applications has necessitated the study of magnetic materials in contact with semiconductor substrates; importantly, the structure and composition of these interfaces can influence both device functionality and the magnetic properties. Nanoscale ferromagnet/semiconductor structures are of particular interest. In this study, the interface structure between a monolayer of ferromagnetic magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and a GaAs substrate was studied using cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy techniques. It was found that a continuous amorphous oxide interface layer separates the nanoparticles from the GaAs substrate, and that iron diffused into the interface layer forming a compositional gradient. Electron energy-loss near-edge fine structures of the O K absorption edge revealed that the amorphous oxide is composed of γ-Fe2O3 directly underneath the Fe3O4 nanoparticles, followed by a solid solution of Ga2O3 and FeO and mostly Ga2O3 when approaching the buckled oxide/substrate interface. Real-space density functional theory calculations of the dynamical form factor confirmed the experimental observations. The implication of the findings on the optimization of these structures for spin injection is discussed.
Lead-Indium for Controlled-Collapse Chip Joining

Lead-indium for flip-chip solder ("controlled-collapse") connections has been investigated as a possible alternative to the commonly used 5-95 tin-lead. In thermal cycle tests, lead-indium was substantially mote resistant than tin-lead to fatigue resulting from chipsubstrate mismatch. The lead-indium that has been studied most extensively, 50-50 by weight, gives a 3:1 improvement in lifetime over 595 and is compatible with standard chip and substrate processing. Evaporated above a Cr-Cu-Au pad on the chip surface, the solder is eventually joined to tinned Cr--Cu lands on the ceramic substate. Because of its lower melting point, lead-indium can be joined at a lower temperature than 5-95 tin-lead. In its reactions with copper and gold, which are present in chip and/or substrate metallizations, indium resembles tin. Gold, present only as the protective top film of the chip metallization, dissolves completely during chip joining, whereas copper is present in sufficient quantity to exceed its solubility limit, and thus forms copper-indium intermetallic layers at both interfaces. To ensure terminal strength and reliability, these layers should be stable and adherent both to the solder and to the underlying metnllizations. Lead-indium has been found to be more susceptible than lead-tin to corrosion in high-humidity and hostile environments. This susceptibility must be borne in mind when lead-indium is considered for nonhermetic applications.
Unraveling Infectious Structures, Strain Variants and Species Barriers for the Yeast Prion [PSI+]

Prions are proteins that can access multiple conformations, at least one of which is β-sheet rich, infectious and self-perpetuating in nature. These infectious proteins show several remarkable biological activities, including the ability to form multiple infectious prion conformations, also known as strains or variants, encoding unique biological phenotypes, and to establish and overcome prion species (transmission) barriers. In this Perspective, we highlight recent studies of the yeast prion [PSI+], using various biochemical and structural methods, that have begun to illuminate the molecular mechanisms by which self-perpetuating prions encipher such biological activities. We also discuss several aspects of prion conformational change and structure that remain either unknown or controversial, and we propose approaches to accelerate the understanding of these enigmatic, infectious conformers.
ON FRONTIER SPECIFICATIONS FOR DISCRETE BINARY CHOICE ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT. In estimating a discrete choice model one is actually estimating the parameters of a conditional indirect utility function. I explore the consequences of recognizing that this function is a maximum-value (frontier) function. I formulate several frontier choice models and, using a pilot empirical study of transportation mode choice, compare the resulting estimates with those of the conventional logit specification. Most strikingly, it appears that the values of time implied by the frontier models are substantially below those of the logit model. This implies that policies designed to improve travel times may be of less value to consumers than is conventionally believed.
Multilanguage interoperability in distributed systems

The Q system provides interoperability support for multilingual, heterogeneous component-based software systems. Initial development of Q began in 1988, and was driven by the very pragmatic need for a communication mechanism between a client program written in Ada and a server written in C. The initial design was driven by language features present in C, but not in Ada, or vice-versa. In time our needs and aspirations grew and Q evolved to support other languages, such as C++, Lisp, Prolog, Java, and Tcl. As a result of pervasive usage by the Arcadia SDE research project, usage levels and modes of the Q system grew and so more emphasis was placed upon portability, reliability, and performance. In that context we identified specific ways in which programming language support systems can directly impede effective interoperability. This necessitated extensive changes to both our conceptual model and our implementation of the Q system. We also discovered the need to support modes of interoperability far more complex than the usual client-server. The continued evolution of Q has allowed the architecture of Arcadia software to become highly distributed and component-based, exploiting components written in a variety of languages. In addition to becoming an Arcadia project mainstay, and has also been made available to over 100 other sites, and it is currently in use in a variety of other projects. This paper summarizes key points that have been learned from this considerable base of experience.
Lack of leu‐3a epitope on t‐helper (cd4) lymphocytes

Human T-helper cells express membrane-bound CD4 antigen whose many epitopes are recognized by different monoclonal antibodies. The epitope recognized by Leu-3a and similar clones has been shown to be the location for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) receptor. We have found a unique blood donor whose CD4+ T-helper lymphocytes were lacking Leu-3a epitope. CD4+ T-helper cells lacking Leu-3a epitope might be resistant to HIV infection.
Activity/nonactivity and the group therapist: “Don't just do something, sit there”

The abstinent stance of psychoanalytically-oriented clinicians is often confused with passivity or coldness toward the patient or the group. Given the current move toward more active, shorter-term treatment, this paper offers a reaffirmation of the value of the abstinent analytic stance. The theoretical rationale for the technique is reviewed, and some specific arguments are made to illustrate the continuing importance of the method in the treatment of patients in psychodynamic group psychotherapy.
Cyclooxygenase-independent induction of apoptosis by sulindac sulfone is mediated by polyamines in colon cancer.

Abstract Sulindac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory prodrug, is metabolized into pharmacologically active sulfide and sulfone derivatives. Sulindac sulfide, but not sulindac sulfone, inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme activities, yet both derivatives have growth inhibitory effects on colon cancer cells. Microarray analysis was used to detect COX-independent effects of sulindac on gene expression in human colorectal cells. Spermidine/sperm-ine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) gene, which encodes a polyamine catabolic enzyme, was induced by clinically relevant sulindac sulfone concentrations. Northern blots confirmed increased SSAT RNA levels in these colon cancer cells. Deletion analysis and mutational studies were done to map the sulindac sulfone-dependent response sequences in the SSAT 5′-flanking sequences. This led us to the identification of two peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) response elements (PPREs) in the SSAT gene. PPRE-2, at +48 bases relative to the transcription start site, is required for the induction of SSAT by sulindac sulfone and is specifically bound by PPARγ in the Caco-2 cells as shown by transfection and gel shift experiments. PPRE-1, at–323 bases relative to the start site, is not required for the induction of SSAT by sulindac sulfone but can be bound by both PPARδ and PPARγ. Sulindac sulfone reduced cellular polyamine contents in the absence but not in the presence of verapamil, an inhibitor of the export of monoacetyl diamines, inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. The induced apoptosis could be partially rescued by exogenous putrescine. These data suggest that apoptosis induced by sulindac sulfone is mediated, in part, by the COX-independent, PPAR-dependent transcriptional activation of SSAT, leading to reduced tissue polyamine contents in human colon cancer cells.
Purification and characterization of rat brain glycerol phosphatase dehydrogenase

Abstract Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase ( sn -glycerol-3-phosphate: NAD + 2-oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.8) was isolated from rat brain tissue and its physical and kinetic properties investigated. The purification method resulted in the separation of fractions enriched for six other brain proteins and this procedure is presented. The apparent Michaelis constant ( K m ) for dihydroxyacetone phosphate is 0.17 mM whereas the K m for l -glycerol-3-phosphate is 0.30 mM. Under the conditions of the assay, the pH optimum occurs at pH 7.15. The molecular weight determined by Sephadex G-100 chromatography is 72 000 whereas ultracentrifugation in a sucrose gradient yields a molecular weight of 75 000. Furthermore using an antiserum prepared against purified rat brain glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, it was shown that rat brain glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is lighter than rabbit muscle glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase ( M r 78 000). The purified enzyme is extremely sensitive to p -mercuribenzoate, being demonstrably inhibited by 10 nM, although it is much less sensitive to N -ethylmaleimide and iodoacetate. The specific activity of the purified enzyme is 152 units/mg of protein, representing a 2800-fold increase in specific activity. Analytical acrylamide gel electrophoresis separates the purified enzyme into two bands of protein, each of which exhibits glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. The isozymes differ from each in charge and neither one represents an oligomeric form of the other.
Aggressive gastric cancer in a patient with an APC mutation and a monoallelic MYH mutation

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Syndrome (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome that is characterized by hundreds to thousands of adenomatous colonic polyps and, without treatment and close surveillance, confers a high lifetime risk of colon cancer. Polyps usually develop in adolescence and virtually all will develop polyps by age 30. It is caused by a mutation in the Adenomatous Polyposis coli (APC) gene which is responsible for tumor suppression and controls apoptosis. While benign fundic gland polyps are common, gastric cancer is rare in the Western population. MYH Associated Polyposis Syndrome (MAP) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by biallelic mutations in the MYH gene which is part of the base excision repair system. Patients with MAP exhibit an attenuated form of polyposis with 10's to 100's of adenomatous polyps and have a later age of onset, typically 10 years later than FAP. Currently to be diagnosed with MAP patients must carry biallelic mutations though recent studies have described similar colon cancer risks for monoallelic carriers. We report on a case of a 65 year old woman with an APC mutation positive FAP (de novo) who also carries a monoallelic mutation in the MYH gene G382D that developed metastatic gastric cancer within a year of a clear CT scan. She had undergone a colectomy with IRA in her 20's and had been followed by yearly endoscopic surveillance that demonstrated polyps in the remaining rectum as well as adenomatous duodenal polyps and gastric polyps with no evidence of malignancy. At 61 she was converted to a I-Pouch and continued with appropriate surveillance. At age 64 Spieglman Stage III duodenal adenomatosis was detected and EGDs were done every 3 months. In March 2008 she presented to the ER with epigastric pain, hematochezia and hemetemesis following an EGD and polypectomy earlier that day. A CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis did not reveal any abnormalities. She continued to be monitored every 3 months and in March 2009 she had progressed to Spieglman Stage IV. Biopsies were obtained from the duodenal adenomas and were negative for high grade dysplasia. Two months later a CT scan revealed abnormal nodules in the liver. A diagnosis of metastatic gastric cancer was made following further studies.
Utilization of a microprocessor in a pulsed NMR spectrometer

Abstract We have built a low-cost pulsed NMR system designed around the Intel 8080 microprocessor. The general block diagrams, some hardware details, and the software concepts of the system are presented together with its basic operation. This system was designed to provide the major sequences used in pulsed NMR experiments to measure T 1 , T 2 , T 1 ϱ relaxation times. In addition to instrument control, the microprocessor supervises the process of data acquisition. The data acquired are stored in RAM memory and can be transferred over telephone lines to a remote time-shared computer for further processing. The use of a programmable device such as a microprocessor allows future extensions to more sophisticated pulse sequences to be achieved easily via software modifications.
Computational Investigation of the Influence of Surfactants on the Air-Water Interfacial Behavior of Polycylic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

A combination of Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations was carried out to investigate the effect of 1-octanol surface coverage on the interfacial partitioning and behavior of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Also, how the surface coverage of 1-octanol is related to its gas-phase density was examined. It was found that 1-octanol partitioned sparsely, preferring to lie flat at the water surface at low gas-phase concentrations. As the gas-phase concentration increased, the 1-octanol surface coverage increased rapidly, and it oriented more perpendicular to the water surface. The interfacial partitioning of polyaromatic hydrocarbons was enhanced significantly for larger ones, such as naphthalene and anthracene, when 1-octanol was present at the air−water interface, but benzene had a similar portioning for both cases. Naphthalene preferred to lie flat on the bare water surface, but with 1-octanol present, it oriented fairly perpendicular to the surface when close to the water surface and parallel to the surf...
Gender Differences in the ABC's of the Birds and the Bees: What Mothers Teach Young Children About Sexuality and Reproduction

Sexuality education is heavily gendered at adolescence. This study uses data from a national web survey of 631 U.S. mothers of 3 to 6 year old children to test whether similar gender differences exist in what mothers teach their young children about sexuality and reproduction. We test (a) whether mothers will report talking more with daughters or sons about sexuality related issues, and (b) whether mothers will report greater comfort talking about such issues with daughters or sons. We find (a) that mothers talk more to daughters than sons about romantic relationships, reproductive bodies, and morality, but not about sexual abuse or intercourse/pleasure. We find (b) mixed results regarding mothers’ comfort in talking with daughters or sons about sexuality.
fMRI of auditory stimulation with intermolecular double-quantum coherences (iDQCs) at 1.5T

An intermolecular double-quantum coherence (iDQC) imaging technique was used to study auditory activation in the human brain at 1.5T with a dual temporal lobe surface phased array coil and a quadrature head coil. Preliminary results demonstrate that it is feasible to obtain auditory activation maps using iDQC imaging at 1.5T, both in individual subjects using the surface coil array and with multisubject averaging of data using the head coil. The most robust activation map was obtained when a spin-echo (SE) acquisition was combined with an iDQC excitation. Since SE with conventional single quantum coherence (SQC) and similar parameters showed much reduced activation in spite of its higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), it was determined that activation resulting from the SE-iDQC acquisition almost entirely originates from iDQCs. In addition, the fact that the robust activation was obtained using signals at an evolution time more sensitive to changes in magnetic susceptibilities also suggests the sensitivity of iDQCs to the BOLD effect upon activation. iDQCs provide a novel MRI method which is potentially more sensitive to the BOLD effect traditionally measured with SQC. Magn Reson Med 45:356–364, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Isolation and Characterization of an in vivo Thrombin-Induced Anticoagulant Activity

An anticlotting activity present in rabbit blood following the administration of small amounts of thrombin is described. The substrate for this activity was found to be related to the vitamin-K dependent clotting factors. The activity was labile in blood but relatively stable after it was isolated from plasma of thrombin treated animals. Oxy-genation of blood was found to accelerate its inactivation. A method for the rapid chromatographic isolation of the activity from small amounts of plasma is described. The method is considered sufficiently practical to be utilized clinically. The anti-clotting activity is considered similar to that which can be elaborated in vitro from thrombin activation of isolated prothrombin complex as previously described by others. A physiologic role for the activity is proposed.
Improved treatment of cosmic microwave background fluctuations induced by a late decaying massive neutrino

A massive neutrino which decays after recombination (t{>=}10{sup 13} sec) into relativistic decay products produces an enhanced integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect, allowing constraints to be placed on such neutrinos from present cosmic microwave background anisotropy data. Previous treatments of this problem have approximated the decay products as an additional component of the neutrino background. This approach violates energy-momentum conservation, and we show that it leads to serious errors for some neutrino masses and lifetimes. We redo this calculation more accurately, by correctly incorporating the spatial distribution of the decay products. For low neutrino masses and long lifetimes, we obtain a much smaller distortion in the CMB fluctuation spectrum than have previous treatments. We combine these new results with a recent set of CMB data to exclude the mass and lifetime range m{sub h}>100 eV, {tau}>10{sup 12} sec. Masses as low as 30 eV are excluded for a narrower range in lifetime. (c) 1999 The American Physical Society.
The North Carolina State Government Website Archives: A case study of an American government Web archiving project

The North Carolina State Archives and State Library of North Carolina collaborated to develop the North Carolina State Government Website Archives, a collection of captured government websites dating back to the fall of 2005 and available to the public for research. This paper explores the process by which the Web archives were developed-from the methodology of how to collect information on the Web through the selection process for determining material to be included in the Web archives and the choice of Archive-It, a service available through the Internet Archive, as the technology for running the Web archives. Challenges in the development and deployment of the Web archives are discussed, including controlling the growth of material captured, the capture of unwanted content, managing robots.txt exclusions, and educating state agencies about the importance of websites as government records. The Web archives are available at http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/archives/webarchives/index.html
Beam charge and current neutralization of high-charge-state heavy ions

High-charge-state heavy-ions may reduce the accelerator voltage and cost of heavy-ion inertial fusion drivers, if ways can be found to neutralize the space charge of the highly charged beam ions as they are focused to a target in a fusion chamber. Using 2-D Particle-In- Cell simulations, we have evaluated the effectiveness of two different methods of beam neutralization: (1) by redistribution of beam charge in a larger diameter, preformed plasma in the chamber, and (2), by introducing a cold-electron-emitting source within the beam channel at the beam entrance into the chamber. We find the latter method to be much more effective for high-charge-state ions.
Creative strategies in artists' and engineers' approaches to technology development: first results of a case study

In this paper we present early findings from our comparative case study of the work practices of artists and engineers independently developing similar technologies. We describe two patterns of creative strategies: teleological and stochastic. We also draw a connection between these creative strategies and our subjects' negotiation of the uncertainty inherent in the creative process.
SURVIVAL OF A NEONATE WITH A SOLITARY PSEUDOMONAS LIVER ABSCESS FOLLOWING PSEUDOMONAS SEPSIS 847

SURVIVAL OF A NEONATE WITH A SOLITARY PSEUDOMONAS LIVER ABSCESS FOLLOWING PSEUDOMONAS SEPSIS 847
Activation of phospholipase D in porcine tracheal smooth muscle: role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and RhoA activation

Muscarinic receptor agonists transiently activate phospholipase D in tracheal smooth muscle. Muscarinic activation of phospholipase D in this tissue is dependent on activation of protein kinase C and an unidentified pathway that is not protein kinase C dependent. Cholinergic agents have also been shown to activate phospholipase D by pathways linked to the small G protein, RhoA. This study explores the relationship between muscarinic activation of phophatidylinositol 3-kinase and activation of RhoA, and examines whether phospholipase D activation is dependent on either pathway in tracheal smooth muscle. Wortmannin or 2-(4-morphonyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY-294002), putative specific inhibitors of phophatidylinositol 3-kinase, significantly inhibit acetylcholine-induced formation of phosphatidylethanol and also block acetylcholine-induced translocation of RhoA to the membrane. In previous experiments calphostin C, a protein kinase C inhibitor, partially inhibited both acetylcholine-induced and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced phosphatidylethanol formation. In the present study calphostin C did not block acetylcholine-induced RhoA translocation to the membrane. However, the Rho kinase inhibitor, N-(4-pyridyl)-4-(1-aminoethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxamide (Y-27632), significantly inhibited acetylcholine-induced phosphatidylethanol formation, but had no effect on activation of phospholipase D by PMA. Acetylcholine treatment also stimulated the phosphorylation of the 110-kDa subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase 110-kDa subunit could be blocked by wortmannin in a concentration-dependent manner, and acetylcholine-induced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity was significantly inhibited by wortmannin. LY-294002 also inhibited acetylcholine-induced phosphorylation of 110-kDa subunit and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. These results suggest that acetylcholine stimulation translocates RhoA to the membrane by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent mechanism and acetylcholine-induced phospholipase D stimulation is at least partly mediated via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, however, protein kinase C appears to activate phospholipase D independent of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or RhoA activation in porcine tracheal smooth muscle.
Association of serum sex steroid hormone hemodilution and body mass index among healthy postmenopausal women.

Purpose Hemodilution refers to reduced concentrations of analytes in the blood secondary to increased fluid volume. Given that obesity is associated with expanded vascular volume, hemodilution may result in a lower ratio of blood concentrations of analytes among heavier subjects. Assessing the relationship of hormone concentration to total mass varies by body mass index (BMI) is etiologically important because obesity is related to hormone metabolism and cancer risk. Methods We evaluated data for 194 postmenopausal controls in an endometrial cancer case-control study. Height, weight, and serum hormone concentrations were measured previously. We estimated serum hormone mass from concentration based on estimates of calculated plasma volume. We assessed the effect of BMI on relationships of sex steroid hormone concentration and mass using multivariate linear regression. Results Higher BMI was associated with increased estrone, estrone sulfate, estradiol, and albumin-bound estradiol concentrations and masses ( p -trend ≤ 0.001). With increasing BMI, androstenedione concentration did not change significantly ( p -trend = 0.548), but its mass increased ( p -trend = 0.024). Conclusions Relationships of sex steroid hormone concentration and mass were generally similar, except for androstenedione in which the relationship was only significant for mass. Future studies to assess both sex steroid hormone concentration and mass may have value in etiological research.
Focused-Ion-Beam Micromachining Of Diode Laser Mirrors

The development of a novel technique of forming optical quality surfaces in semiconductor materials is described. The technique exploits the precise sputter-etching afforded by a beam of 20 keV Ga+ ions focused to a 250 nm spot to micromachine features in the surfaces of semiconductor laser dice and wafers. Diode laser output mirrors of quality comparable to that of cleaved facets and two section coupled-cavity lasers which exhibit discrete and continuous tunability have been fabricated. Turning mirrors, angled at 45° to the epitaxial layers of the die to produce surface-emitting diode lasers, have also been micromachined with the focused ion beam (FIB). We have observed 330 mW of optical power from a surface-emitting 10 element phase-locked array. Development of FIB micromachining techniques needed to form the structures required for constructing a two-dimensionally coherent array of diode lasers are also described.
Viewing Phobos and Deimos for Navigating Mariner 9

A new on-board optical navigation data technique has been successfully demonstrated on Mariner 9. Science TV pictures of Phobos and Deimos against star fields were used in the real time navigation process to insert Mariner 9 into orbit about Mars. Real time and post flight evaluation results have shown that the satellite/star data taken by Mariner 9 was more accurate than preflight analysis indicated. In fact the orbital insertion phase of the mission could have been achieved using only optical data to determine encounter parameters. The use of a science TV camera to obtain this data was successfully demonstrated. Stars as dim as 9th magnitude were detected and measurement accuracies of 3 arc sec (1 sigma) were achieved. The success of the optical navigation techniques developed for Mariner 9 has placed a new class of demanding missions (e.g., multiple outer planet, satellite tour, etc) within realized navigation capability.
Storage of Hydrogen Spin Polarization in Long-Lived 13C2 Singlet Order and Implications for Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Hyperpolarized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful technique enabling real-time monitoring of metabolites at concentration levels not accessible by standard MRI techniques. A considerable challenge this technique faces is the T1 decay of the hyperpolarization upon injection into the system under study. Here we show that AnA′nXX′ spin systems such as 13C2-1,2-diphenylacetylene (13C2-DPA) sustain long-lived polarization for both 13C and 1H spins with decay constants of almost 4.5 min at high magnetic fields of up to 16.44 T without spin-locking; the T1 of proton polarization is only 3.8 s. Therefore, storage of the proton polarization in a 13C2-singlet state causes a 69-fold extension of the spin lifetime. Notably, this extension is demonstrated with proton-only pulse sequences, which can be readily implemented on standard clinical scanners.
Gas chromatographic separation of PF3 substituted group 6 metal carbonyl complexes using serially-coupled capillary columns

The retention of group 6 metal trifluorophosphine carbonyl compounds in serially-coupled gas capillary columns has been studied as a function of different column configurations. For the trifluorophosphine-substituted Mo, W, and Cr carbonyls, as well as the analogous Fe compounds, it was observed that the maximum resolution achievable by the coupled column technique was dependent on the order in which the nonpolar (DB-1) and moderately polar (DB-1701) columns were connected. The optimum configuration was different, however, for each series M(PF3)x(CO)6−x(M = Cr, Mo, or W) or Fe(PF3)x(CO)5−x. It was also observed that the use of coupled columns of dissimilar polarity can, in some cases, actually decrease resolution relative to that obtained by coupled identical columns (i. e. DB-1 + DB-1, or DB-1701 + DB-1701).
Sedentary screen time and left ventricular structure and function: the CARDIA study.

ABSTRACTIntroductionSedentary screen time (watching TV or using a computer) predicts cardiovascular outcomes independently from moderate and vigorous physical activity and could affect left ventricular structure and function through the adverse consequences of sedentary behavior.PurposeThis study ai
Concordance in Hormone Receptor Status between First and Second Breast Cancers.

Background : Women with breast cancer are more likely to have second breast cancer. It is uncertain on the biologic relationship between the two tumor lesions. Whether the second cancer represents an independent second primary versus recurrent or metastatic disease has implications in both cancer treatment and understanding of carcinogenesis. This study was conducted to evaluate the concordance of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status, and examine factors that influence the concordance. This study also examined whether there is a difference in the proportion of hormone receptor positivity between two breast cancers. Methods : 37,362 patients with diagnoses of two breast cancers between 1990 and 2006 were identified through 17 cancer registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. Logistic regressions were used to assess the association in hormone receptor status between two cancers. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to indicate the strength of association. Conditional logistic regressions were used to examine the change in proportion of hormone receptor positivity. Results : The two breast cancers were contralateral in 79% of patients and ipsilateral in 21% of patients. There was a strong association in ER status between two tumors, with OR of 17.8 (CI: 14.2-22.3) for ipsilateral pairs and 8.85 (CI: 8.08-9.69) for bilateral pairs. The strength of association in ER status depended on lag interval between first and second tumor. In patients with ipsilateral cancers, the OR was 170 for synchronous tumors ( Conclusions : Hormone receptor status of the primary breast cancer is strongly predictive of that of the second breast cancer, occurred either in the same or in contralateral breast, and the predictive value was very good even after 5 years. These findings suggest that two breast cancers of the same patient arise in a common predisposing milieu, which is probably predetermined by genetic makeup and/or environmental exposures in early life. The second cancer occurred after 1-5 years was more likely to be hormone receptor negative compared with the first cancer, suggesting that treatment for the first cancer, possibly tamoxifen, can modify the expression of subsequent breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 4144.
Cyclic regulation of apoptotic gene expression in the mouse oviduct

The oviduct is a dynamic structure whose function relies upon cyclic changes in the morphology of both ciliated and secretory luminal epithelial cells. Unfortunately, infection of these epithelial cells by sexually transmitted pathogens can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancies and infertility. The disruption of normal, cyclic apoptosis in the oviducal epithelium appears to be a causal factor of oviducal pathology and therefore, these pathways represent a potential target for diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of expression for apoptotic genes in the oviduct of the naturally cycling mouse, generating fundamental information that can be applied to the development of animal models for research and the identification of targets for disease intervention. Whole oviducts were collected from regular cycling mice killed at 1p.m. on each day of the oestrous cycle and the expression of 84 apoptotic genes determined by targeted PCR super-array. Intact and cleaved caspases were then evaluated by western blotting. The expression of mRNA for genes classified as pro-apoptotic (Bad, Bak1 and Bok) and anti-apoptotic (Bag3, Bnip2 and Xiap) was regulated by day (P < 0.05). Differences in the temporal expression of several p53-related genes (Trp53bp2, Trp53inp1 and Trp73), those specific to the TNF superfamily (Tnfrsf10 and Tnfsf10b) and one caspase (Casp14) were also observed (P < 0.05). The cleaved forms of Caspases-3, -6 and -12 were all detected throughout the oestrous cycle. These results represent the first pathway-wide analysis of apoptotic gene expression in the murine oviduct.
Pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding proteins characterized in synaptosomal fractions of embryonic avian cerebral cortex.

Pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) are essential intermediaries subserving neuronal signal transduction pathways that regulate excitation-secretion coupling. Despite this established role, relatively little is known regarding the identity, subcellular distribution, and relative abundance of this class of G proteins in synaptic nerve endings. Here, sucrose density gradient centrifugation was combined with 1- and 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis to characterize PTX-sensitive G protein α subunits in synaptosomal fractions of embryonic (day 12) chick cerebral cortical homogenates. These findings demonstrate multiple isoforms of Mr 40–41 kDa Giα and Goα subunits that can be identified on the basis of PTX-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation and immunoblot analysis.
Knee MRI showing thickened peripheral nerves in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

A 16-year-old boy with 3-year history of knee pain was initially seen in the orthopedic clinic. He was then referred to the pediatric neurology clinic after an abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee (Figs. 1, 2). Axial and sagittal T2 weighted with fat suppressed MRI images obtained at the level of midline patella demonstrated diffuse enlargement of the sciatic (solid arrow) and tibial (dotted arrow) nerves with increased signal intensity. The knee joint was normal on MRI. On examination, the significant clinical findings were thoracic scoliosis, pes cavus, weakness of ankle and toe dorsiflexors, generalized areflexia, distal sensory loss in the legs and thickened peripheral nerves. The family history was negative for any neuromuscular disease or foot deformities. Electrodiagnostic studies were consistent with hereditary demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy. DNA analysis identified the duplication of peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene on chromosome 17. This confirmed the diagnosis of Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) type 1A disease. CMT is a genetically heterogeneous group of inherited neuropathies with variable age of presentation [1]. The typical clinical presentation is that of slowly progressive distal lower extremity weakness and peroneal muscles atrophy with characteristic foot abnormalities (pes cavus, hammer toes), followed by weakness and atrophy of upper extremity muscles and sensory loss [2]. Genetically CMT type 1A is the most common form and is associated with 1.4 Mb duplication at chromosome 17p11.2 [1]. The family history may be negative in autosomal recessive or potentially new dominant mutations as noted in our case. In our patient the clinical features, electrodiagnostic studies and genetic studies confirmed CMT type 1A. However, the patient’s presentation with knee pain was atypical. We think that the knee pain was secondary to the foot deformities and muscle weakness due to CMT.
A subhorizon framework for probing the relationship between the cosmological matter distribution and metric perturbations

The relationship between the metric and non-relativistic matter distribution depends on the theory of gravity and additional fields, hence providing a possible way of distinguishing competing theories. With the assumption that the geometry and kinematics of the homogeneous Universe have been measured to sufficient accuracy, we present a procedure for understanding and testing the relationship between the cosmological matter distribution and metric perturbations (along with their respective evolution) using the ratio of the physical size of the perturbation to the size of the horizon as our small expansion parameter. We expand around Newtonian gravity on linear, subhorizon scales with coefficient functions in front of the expansion parameter. Our framework relies on an ansatz which ensures that (i) the Poisson equation is recovered on small scales and (ii) the metric variables (and any additional fields) are generated and supported by the non-relativistic matter overdensity. The scales for which our framework is intended are small enough so that cosmic variance does not significantly limit the accuracy of the measurements and large enough to avoid complications due to non-linear effects and baryon cooling. From a theoretical perspective, the coefficient functions provide a general framework for contrasting the consequences of ACDM (cosmological constant + cold dark matter) and its alternatives. We calculate the coefficient functions for general relativity (GR) with a cosmological constant and dark matter, GR with dark matter and quintessence, scalar-tensor theories (STT), f(R) gravity and braneworld models. We identify a possibly unique signature of braneworld models. For observers, constraining the coefficient functions provides a streamlined approach for testing gravity in a scale-dependent manner. We briefly discuss the observations best suited for an application of our framework.
Genetic variation in red clover for rumen protein degradability

Abstract Protein in red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.), a forage that does not contain condensed tannins, has been found to be degraded less extensively in the rumen than the protein in other non-tannin legumes. The objective of this study was to determine if there are genetic differences in rumen degradability of the protein in red clover forage. Field grown forage was harvested from 133 red clover entries (117 plant introductions and 16 cultivars or experimental lines) plus one cultivar of lucerne ( Medicago sativa L.). Forages were analyzed for total N and for crude protein (CP; N×6.25) that was undegraded at 0 h, as well as for rate of protein degradation and rumen protein escape estimated using a rumen in vitro system. There were small but significant ( P =0.007) differences in total N among the 133 red clover entries but no differences in proportion of CP that was undegraded at 0 h. Protein degradation rate was more rapid for the lucerne cultivar than for any of the red clover entries; this difference was significant ( P P
Effect of substrate annealing and V: III flux ratio on the molecular beam epitaxial growth of AlGaAs-GaAs single quantum wells

Photoluminescence spectra are presented on single quantum well (SQW) structures on thick (1.0 µm) A10.20Ga0.80As buffers grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Through substrate preparation and careful control of growth conditions, full width half maximum (FWHM) luminescence line-widths of 0.7 meV have been achieved for the n= l confined electron-heavy hole transition. This is the narrowest luminescent linewidth ever reported for any epitaxially grown material. Annealing of substrates with the subsequent removal of the converted surface prior to MBE growth is shown to improve SQW luminescence. Luminescence quality is shown to vary strongly with V: 111 flux ratio during well growth. Improved SQW luminescence is observed for SQW grown using lower V: 111 flux ratios. Growth of a GaAs SQW at 680°Cusing a V:III flux ratio one-half of that required for thick GaAs epilayers while maintaining the same surface reconstruction is demonstrated. The techniques reported are important for the growth of heterojunction interfaces and devices in AlGaAs-GaAs.