cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phospholipid base exchange activity in rat liver plasma membranes. Evidence for regulation by G-protein and P2y-purinergic receptor.

Phospholipid base exchange activity using choline as substrate was detected in plasma membranes (PM) and other subcellular fractions of rat liver, with microsomes (MS) showing the highest specific activity. In contrast, phospholipase D activity was only detected in PM. In PM, choline exchanged for phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylserine (PS), whereas ethanolamine exchanged for PE and PS, and serine exchanged for PS. Ca2+ (10 microM or higher) stimulated choline incorporation into PC in MS and PM, whereas Mg2+ (10 microM or higher) stimulated it only in PM. Ethanolamine and serine incorporation into PM phospholipids was also stimulated by Ca2+, and inositol incorporation by Mn2+. Phospholipase D activity was substantial in the presence of EGTA and was slightly stimulated by Ca2+ concentrations less than 500 microM. It was undetectable without Mg2+. Low concentrations of oleate (1 mM or less) stimulated phospholipase D activity. These concentrations inhibited choline base exchange activity, whereas higher concentrations (3-8 mM) were stimulatory. Comparison of the subcellular distribution and Ca2+, Mg2+, and oleate effects on choline base exchange and phospholipase D activities supports the view that they are catalyzed by different enzymes. The incorporation of choline, but not ethanolamine or serine, into the phospholipids of PM, but not MS, was stimulated by micromolar concentrations of guanosine 5‘-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) and other slowly hydrolyzable analogues of GTP. GDP, GMP, and other nucleoside triphosphates and their analogues were ineffective. GTP gamma S stimulation of base exchange activity was dependent upon Mg2+ and was inhibited by high concentrations of guanosine 5‘-O-2-(thio)diphosphate. In the presence of low concentrations of GTP gamma S, ATP and its slowly hydrolyzable analogues stimulated base exchange activity. Dose-response curves for these nucleotides revealed a potency order consistent with mediation by purinergic receptors of the P2Y type. Base exchange activity stimulated by ATP plus GTP gamma S or GTP gamma S alone was not altered by treatment with pertussis or cholera toxins. These results suggest that the choline base exchange activity of liver PM is regulated by a pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein linked to P2Y purinergic receptors.
POLÍTICAS Y SUJETOS DEL SIDA en Brasil y Colombia

B ASED ON HISTORIC, ETHNOGRAPHIC, AND IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW RESEARCH DATA, this article analyzes the Brazilian and Colombian responses to the AIDS epidemic and proposes associations among these responses, the subjects who have designed and implemented them, and the countries' health care reforms. Data suggest that the health care policies, the AIDS responses, and the thoughts of the people involved in these processes are linked and that such linkage has a relationship with a historical moment of leftist ideolo- gies in Brazil and rightist ideologies in Colombia.
Evolutionary and comparative analysis of MYB and bHLH plant transcription factors

The expansion of gene families encoding regulatory proteins is typically associated with the increase in complexity characteristic of multi-cellular organisms. The MYB and basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) families provide excellent examples of how gene duplication and divergence within particular groups of transcription factors are associated with, if not driven by, the morphological and metabolic diversity that characterize the higher plants. These gene families expanded dramatically in higher plants; for example, there are approximately 339 and 162 MYB and bHLH genes, respectively, in Arabidopsis, and approximately 230 and 111, respectively, in rice. In contrast, the Chlamydomonas genome has only 38 MYB genes and eight bHLH genes. In this review, we compare the MYB and bHLH gene families from structural, evolutionary and functional perspectives. The knowledge acquired on the role of many of these factors in Arabidopsis provides an excellent reference to explore sequence-function relationships in crops and other plants. The physical interaction and regulatory synergy between particular sub-classes of MYB and bHLH factors is perhaps one of the best examples of combinatorial plant gene regulation. However, members of the MYB and bHLH families also interact with a number of other regulatory proteins, forming complexes that either activate or repress the expression of sets of target genes that are increasingly being identified through a diversity of high-throughput genomic approaches. The next few years are likely to witness an increasing understanding of the extent to which conserved transcription factors participate at similar positions in gene regulatory networks across plant species.
Alkoxyalkyl)boronic Ester Intermediates for Asymmetric Synthesis

The use of boronic ester chemistry in the construction of synthetic intermediates containing two or three chiral centers corresponding to steric relationships in the macrolide leuconolide has been explored. A four-carbon chain with a substituent at each carbon has been built from each end, and the effects of different chiral directors and masking groups have been compared. Exceptionally facile debenzylation of a benzyloxy group separated by four carbon atoms from a boronic ester function has been observed and may account for the failure of earlier attempts to synthesize sugars via analogous chemistry. A novel method of reducing α-chloro boronic esters to alkylboronic esters with sodium hydride in DMSO has been found.
Psychologists’ beliefs about the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse: the influence of sexual abuse history, gender, and theoretical orientation ☆

Abstract Objective: This study examined the influence of sexual abuse history, gender, theoretical orientation, and age on beliefs about the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among clinical and counseling psychologists. Method: A mail survey design was used in this study. Participants were randomly selected from the American Psychological Association membership database. There were 615 psychologists who completed self-report measures on beliefs about the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse and demographic characteristics. Results: Overall, clinicians’ scores on the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse were moderate. There were significant gender differences on beliefs, suggesting that women were more likely believe that childhood sexual abuse is a common occurrence compared to men. Multiple regression analysis indicated that clinician characteristics (history of sexual abuse, gender, and theoretical orientation) were significantly related to beliefs about the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse. However, these characteristics only accounted for a small amount of the overall variance predicting beliefs. Conclusions: These results suggest that clinicians do not hold extreme beliefs regarding the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse. Moreover, certain clinician characteristics are associated with their beliefs, which in turn, may impact their clinical judgment and treatment decisions. Furthermore, much of the variance was unaccounted for in the model indicating that psychologists’ beliefs are complex and are not unduly influenced by their personal characteristics. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
Glenodinium halli * n. sp. and Gyrodinium instriatum n. sp., Dinoflagellates from New York Waters**

SYNOPSIS. Two new dinoflagellates, isolated from Long Island Sound and maintained axenically, are described. Gyrodinium instriatum n. sp. changes shape and size as cultures age. Glenodinium halli n. sp. is a delicately-armored form whose plate structure differs slightly from the present diagnosis of the genus, but not sufficiently like any other genus in morphology or life history for inclusion elsewhere. In G. halli the size of the motile form and predominance of motile or vegetative stages are nutrient dependent. Both dinoflagellates illustrate the need for morphological descriptions based upon continuous culture methods in defined media.
Enkephalin neurons that project to the A7 catecholamine cell group are located in nuclei that modulate nociception: Ventromedial medulla

Abstract The location of methionine enkephalin neurons in the medulla oblongata that project to the dorsolateral pontine tegmentum was investigated using anterograde and retrograde tract tracing combined with immunocytochemical neurotransmitter identification. The results of these experiments demonstrate that enkephalinergic neurons from areas known to modulate nociception project to the region of the A7 catecholamine cell group in the dorsolateral pontine tegmentum. The medullary nuclei that contain these enkephalinergic neurons include the nucleus raphe magnus and the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis pars α in the ventromedial medulla. While some of these enkephalinergic axons appose the somata and dendrites of A7 neurons, the majority of these axons appear to contact non-catecholamine neurons in the dorsolateral pontine tegmentum. Unidentified neurons located in the nucleus raphe magnus, the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis pars α, and the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis also project to the A7 area. Many of the neurons in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis pars α appear to contact both noradrenergic A7 neurons and non-catecholamine neurons in the dorsolateral pontine tegmentum, whereas most of those in the nucleus raphe magnus appear to contact non-catecholamine neurons. The anatomical findings described in this report and the results of preliminary behavioral studies provide evidence to support a model in which activation of the enkephalin-containing neurons in the ventromedial medulla facilitates nociception, while the non-enkephalin neurons mediate part of the antinociception produced by stimulating sites in the ventromedial medulla.
The role of marketing in the valuation of a firm: exploring the underlying mechanism

Marketing plays a significant role in the value of a company, and thus has an impact on the value of the common stock. Yet, the significance of marketing in determining the value of a company and its common stock is not clearly recognized in finance. While financial theory relies heavily on estimates of future revenue streams to predict the firm's ability to cover operational costs and generate profits for shareholders, financial theory usually takes marketing as a ‘given’ in financial analysis. The ability of marketing to generate various revenue streams for the firm (depending on strategic objectives) is often over‐simplified. This paper examines the role and significance of marketing in determining the value of the firm, and the price of its common stock.
Dispersion of barium gallogermanate glass.

Gallogermanate glasses are the subject of intense study as a result of their unique combination of physical and optical properties, including transmission from 0.4 to beyond 5.0 µm. These glasses can be easily made into large optics with high-index homogeneity for numerous U.S. Department of Defense and commercial visible-IR window applications such as reconnaissance, missile domes, IR countermeasures, avionics, and collision avoidance on automobiles. These applications require a knowledge of the refractive index of glass throughout the region of transmission. Consequently, we have measured the refractive index of BaO-Ga2O3-GeO2 glass from 0.4 to 5.0 µm and calculated the Sellmeier coefficients required for optical device design.
Abnormal responses of granulocytes in chronic granulomatous disease.

Abstract Stimulation of normal granulocytes with chemotactic factor, phorbol myristate acetate, concanavalin A, and calcium ionophore results in rapid depolarization which precedes the ‘respiratory burst’. Treatment of granulocytes in chronic granulomatous disease with these stimulants fails to generate chemiluminescence. This defect is associated with an absence of transmembrane potential shifts in response to treatment with chemotactic factor, phorbol myristate acetate, and concanavalin A while depolarization in response to A23187 is unaffected by this disease state.
The value of two-dimensional echocardiography and Doppler examination in the assessment of hypertensive patients: A pilot study

There has been hesitation in accepting the routine use of echocardiography in patients with hypertension. The concept of "limited" or "focused" echocardiography has been introduced but incompletely evaluated. In this prospective observational cohort study, 100 consecutive hypertensive adults underwent comprehensive two-dimensional echocardiography and Doppler assessment regardless of referral question. Patients were categorized on the basis of echocardiographic referral questions into two groups: (1) determination of left ventricular mass only (limited echocardiography) and (2) determination of left ventricular mass and associated cardiac problems. In group 1, missed diagnoses were rare (5%). Additional, clinically relevant information was provided by comprehensive echocardiography in 9% of patients. Doppler echocardiography did not provide any additional useful information in group 1 but was useful in group 2. In both groups, echocardiography affected clinical management. In patients referred for determination of left ventricular mass only, the equivalent of limited echocardiography, missed diagnoses are rare. Additional, clinically relevant information is provided in only a small number of patients by comprehensive two-dimensional echocardiography. Comprehensive two-dimensional echocardiography, including Doppler echocardiography, was useful in selected patients referred with hypertension and other cardiac problems and should be part of the echocardiographic assessment of such patients. With careful selection of hypertensive patients, limited echocardiography can be a cost-effective strategy.
What's new in the new CDC HIV and STD guidelines.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV are a major health problem among adolescents. Within the past year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised their guidelines for HIV and STD care and prevention. The Revised Guidelines for HIV Counseling Testing and Referral (CTR) and Revised Recommendations for HIV Screening of Pregnant Women and the STD Treatment Guidelines 2002 can assist providers in delivering state-of-the-art evidence-based adolescent STD and HIV care. (excerpt)
RHINOCEREBRAL PHYCOMYCOSIS IN DIABETICS WITHOUT ACIDOSIS

Excerpt To the Editor:In the April (1967) issue of the ANNALS, two cases of rhinocerebral phycomycosis in association with diabetic ketoacidosis are reported. The article embodies a table of previo...
Dynamical Self-Assembly of Nanocrystal Superlattices during Colloidal Droplet Evaporation by in situ Small Angle X-Ray Scattering

The nucleation and growth kinetics of highly ordered gold nanocrystal superlattices during the evaporation of nanocrystal colloidal droplets was elucidated by in situ time-resolved small-angle x-ray scattering. We demonstrated for the first time that the evaporation rate can affect the dimensionality of the superlattices. The formation of two-dimensional nanocrystal superlattices at the liquid-air interface of the droplet has exponential growth kinetics that originates from interface crushing.
Toward a Rationale for Recycling in Schools

(1995). Toward a Rationale for Recycling in Schools. The Journal of Environmental Education: Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 5-10.
Safety of department of energy accelerators

Abstract In keeping with the enhancement of environmental, safety, and health programs which has occurred in DOE over the past six years, a Safety Order, DOE Order 5480.25, “Safety of Accelerator Facilities”, was issued on November 3, 1992. This order applies to all DOE-owned accelerators capable of creating a radiation area (5 mrem/h, as defined by DOE Rule 10CFR 835 (12/14/93)) except for commercial radiation-generating equipment. It is the intent of the order to provide a level of safety comparable to that required of reactors and nuclear processing facilities, without imposing the prescriptiveness of the DOE Nuclear Facility Safety Orders. Key requirements for each facility are: 1) a hazard classification approved by DOE; 2) a design-stage safety review of new large facilities; 3) readiness reviews before commissioning and before routine operation; 4) a safety envelope specifying limits for operation; 5) a safety assessment document; and 6) a documented training program. This order does not supersede other DOE safety requirements.
Effect of cation stoichiometry on the transport properties of calcium ruthenium oxide ceramics

Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity have been determined on a series of compounds having the general composition CanRu1−nOy. From property and structural considerations, these compounds have been divided into two categories: one group resembling Ca2RuO4 and the second category exhibiting properties similar to CaRuO3. While the former is an antiferromagnetic insulator, the latter is a paramagnetic metal. The Seebeck coefficient remains relatively unchanged within the members of the two groups, irrespective of the molar ratios of the cations. Even between the two groups of compounds, the Seebeck coefficient exhibits minimal difference even as the cation ratio (Ru/Ca) of the compounds is varied from 0.35 (n = 0.74) to 1.94 (n = 0.34). The resistivity, however, varies by nine orders of magnitude as the cation ratio is varied in the same range. Consequently, the resulting power factor (s2σ, where s is the Seebeck coefficient and σ is the electrical conductivity), which is a measure of the usefulness or thermopower conversion efficiency of a thermoelectric material, is found to vary by nine orders of magnitude.
EPA-1438 – USA Health System Performance

Innovative health research and highly performing, academic health centers of excellence abound in the United States. They coexist in marked contrast with the contemporary US health system that is fragmented, with a secondary and tertiary prevention, specialty focus, with little or no primary prevention, and an insufficient populations’ health focus. The consequence of such a model are unsustainable health care and health systems’ costs, rising burdens of diseases by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), multiple comorbidities, chronicity, disability, insufficient access to care. Furthermore, a sizable cluster of Americans, now in the tens of millions, who lack health insurance coverage, resort to hospitals’ emergency rooms care to meet their health care needs. It is an ineffective, discontinuous and expensive pathway exacerbating the health system's sustainability. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) enacted by the US Congress in 2009/2010, reconfirmed by the US Supreme Court in June 2012 is to be launched in January 2014. It represents a bold attempt by President Obama and his Administration to rectify the status quo. The author reviews America's health system's performance through a SWOT analysis and the solutions that are beginning to emerge in response to contemporary and urgent American and global health challenges. He presents highlights of the ACA and new American models of health promotion, illness prevention and care that are integrated, team based, responsive, continuous, of quality, accessible and affordable. Among them are the medical home, the medical neighborhood, and accountable care organizations. They are predicated on primary care, mental health and public health integration, the catalytic role that psychiatry should play in such models, and the positive consequences of such models for training, services, research and policy.
In-flight medical emergencies: creation of a novel simulation based medical student curriculum.

Medical Teacher r P Fo In-flight Medical Emergencies: Creation of a Novel Simulation Based Medical Student Curriculum Manuscript Categories: Date Submitted by the Author: Draft Letters n/a ev Complete List of Authors: Medical Teacher r-R Manuscript ID: ee Journal: w ie Katzer, Robert; University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Emergency Medicine Frumin, Erica; University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Emergency Medicine Silverman, Danielle; Cambridge Health Alliance, Emergency Medicine Koenig, Kristi; University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Emergency Medicine Schultz, Carl; University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Emergency Medicine Education environment < Curriculum, General < Curriculum, Medical education research < Management, Undergraduate < Phase of education, Medicine < Profession ly On Keywords: E-Mail: medicalteacher@dundee.ac.uk URL: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/CMTE
Asymptotic normalization coefficients from ab initio calculations

We present calculations of asymptotic normalization coefficients (ANCs) for one-nucleon removals from nuclear states of mass numbers $3\ensuremath{\leqslant}A\ensuremath{\leqslant}9$. Our ANCs were computed from variational Monte Carlo solutions to the many-body Schr\"odinger equation with the combined Argonne ${v}_{18}$ two-nucleon and Urbana IX three-nucleon potentials. Instead of computing explicit overlap integrals, we applied a Green function method that is insensitive to the difficulties of constructing and Monte Carlo sampling the long-range tails of the variational wave functions. This method also allows computation of the ANC at the physical separation energy, even when it differs from the separation energy for the Hamiltonian. We compare our results, which for most nuclei are the first ab initio calculations of ANCs, with existing experimental and theoretical results and discuss further possible applications of the technique.
Ionic reagent for controlling the gas-phase fragmentation reactions of cross-linked peptides.

Chemical cross-linking combined with proteolytic digestion and mass spectrometry (MS) is a promising approach to provide inter- and intramolecular distance constraints for the structural characterization of protein topologies and functional multiprotein complexes. Despite the relative straightforwardness of these methodologies, the identification and characterization of cross-linked proteins presents a significant analytical challenge, due to the complexity of the resultant peptide mixtures, as well as the array of inter-, intra-, or “dead-end”-cross-linked peptides that may be generated from a single cross-linking experiment. To address these issues, we describe here the synthesis, characterization, and initial evaluation of a novel “fixed charge” sulfonium ion-containing cross-linking reagent, S-methyl 5,5′-thiodipentanoylhydroxysuccinimide. The peptide products obtained by reaction with this reagent are all shown to fragment exclusively via facile cleavage of the C−S bond directly adjacent to the fixed...
A quality improvement course review of advanced pharmacy practice experiences.

Objectives. To determine strengths of and quality improvements needed in advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE) through a systematic course review process. Design. Following the “developing a curriculum” (DACUM) format, course materials and assessments were reviewed by the curricular subcommittee responsible for experiential education and by key stakeholders. Course sequence overview and data were presented and discussed. A course review worksheet was completed, outlining strengths and areas for improvement. Assessment. Student feedback was positive. Strengths and areas for improvement were identified. The committee found reviewing the sequence of 8 APPE courses to be challenging. Conclusions. Course reviews are a necessary process in curricular quality improvement but can be difficult to accomplish. We found overall feedback about APPEs was positive and student performance was high. Areas identified as needing improvement will be the focus of continuous quality improvement of the APPE sequence.
A model of nomination preferences

In this article, the authors develop a model that details how individuals come to prefer one candidate over others during the presidential nomination campaign. The model places the forces that influence nomination preferences into a simultaneous and dynamic framework. Empirical tests using the 1980 NES panel data indicate that the model performs well.
Efficient Raman generation in a waveguide: A route to ultrafast quantum random number generation

The inherent uncertainty in quantum mechanics offers a source of true randomness which can be used to produce unbreakable cryptographic keys. We discuss the development of a high-speed random number generator based on the quantum phase fluctuations in spontaneously initiated stimulated Raman scattering (SISRS). We utilize the tight confinement and long interaction length available in a Potassium Titanyl Phosphate waveguide to generate highly efficient SISRS using nanojoule pulse energies, reducing the high pump power requirements of the previous approaches. We measure the random phase of the Stokes output using a simple interferometric setup to yield quantum random numbers at 145 Mbps.
Variable-complexity genetic algorithm for topological design

Genetic algorithms are known to be appropriate for optimization in nonsmooth domains. A variable-complexity algorithm has been developed for use in topological design problems. The system starts with simple descriptions and adds degrees of freedom to allow development of more complex designs as optimization proceeds. The algorithm is applied in two different domains : design of low-speed nonplanar wings to minimize induced drag or total drag and design of structural trusses to minimize weight. In each domain, special constraint-handling schemes are introduced to improve performance. Calculus-based optimization in smooth subspaces is also employed to improve efficiency. These successful applications demonstrate that the variable-complexity algorithm is an important new tool for topological design.
About the propagation velocity in superconducting composites

Abstract Various propagation velocities of a normal zone have already been given by several authors. It is shown here how different initial assumptions can lead to discrepancies between the velocity expressions. A new expression is proposed which, in particular, gives the right values of the full recovery and of the cold end recovery currents, together with an exact and finite propagation velocity when the transport current tends towards the critical current.
Social motives and susceptibility to disease: stalking individual differences in health risks

This article reviews studies on the relation between social motives and susceptibility to physical illness. The motives examined in the studies include power motivation and affiliation motivation and their related syndromes such as inhibited power and relaxed affiliation. The subject populations include college students as well as adults. Blood pressure, self-reports of illnesses, catecholamines, and parameters of immunologic functioning are among the indices of health outcomes investigated. Taken together, these studies suggest that social motives may be importantly related to susceptibility to illness, that the power motive may be related to heightened susceptibility to illness, particularly when the person is under stress, whereas the affiliation motive may be related to diminished susceptibility to illness.
Extremism and the Constitution How America's Legal Evolution Affects the Response to Extremism

The current protections that American law provides for extremist speech and associations are relatively new developments. These legal protections, along with technological innovations, enable modern American hatemongers to promote their agenda efficiently and with minimal governmental interference—up to a point. The courts have balanced the right of free expression and association on one hand with the right of society to protect its citizens from violence and disruption on the other.
The Raid distributed database system

Raid, a robust and adaptable distributed database system for transaction processing, is described. Raid is a message-passing system, with server processes on each site. The servers manage concurrent processing, consistent replicated copies during site failures and atomic distributed commitment. A high-level, layered communications package provides a clean, location-independent interface between servers. The latest design of the communications package delivers messages via shared memory in a high-performance configuration in which several servers are linked into a single process. Raid provides the infrastructure to experimentally investigate various methods for supporting reliable distributed transaction processing. Measurements on transaction processing time and server CPU time are presented. Data and conclusions of experiments in three categories are also presented: communications software, consistent replicated copy control during site failures, and concurrent distributed checkpointing. A software tool for the evaluation of transaction processing algorithms in an operating system kernel is proposed. >
Soluble proteins produced by probiotic bacteria regulate intestinal epithelial cell survival and growth.

Background & Aims: Increased inflammatory cytokine levels and intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis leading to disruption of epithelial integrity are major pathologic factors in inflammatory bowel diseases. The probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and factors recovered from LGG broth culture supernatant (LGG-s) prevent cytokine-induced apoptosis in human and mouse intestinal epithelial cells by regulating signaling pathways. Here, we purify and characterize 2 secreted LGG proteins that regulate intestinal epithelial cell antiapoptotic and proliferation responses. Methods: LGG proteins were purified from LGG-s, analyzed, and used to generate polyclonal antibodies for immunodepletion of respective proteins from LGG-conditioned cell culture media (CM). Mouse colon epithelial cells and cultured colon explants were treated with purified proteins in the absence or presence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Akt activation, proliferation, tissue injury, apoptosis, and caspase-3 activation were determined. Results: We purified 2 novel proteins, p75 (75 kilodaltons) and p40 (40 kilodaltons), from LGG-s. Each of these purified protein preparations activated Akt, inhibited cytokine-induced epithelial cell apoptosis, and promoted cell growth in human and mouse colon epithelial cells and cultured mouse colon explants. TNF-induced colon epithelial damage was significantly reduced by p75 and p40. Immunodepletion of p75 and p40 from LGG-CM reversed LGG-CM activation of Akt and its inhibitory effects on cytokine-induced apoptosis and loss of intestinal epithelial cells. Conclusions: p75 and p40 are the first probiotic bacterial proteins demonstrated to promote intestinal epithelial homeostasis through specific signaling pathways. These findings suggest that probiotic bacterial components may be useful for preventing cytokine-mediated gastrointestinal diseases.
Finite element analysis of the end notched flexure specimen for measuring mode II fracture toughness

The paper presents a finite element analysis of the end-notched flexure (ENF) test specimen for Mode II interlaminar fracture testing of composite materials. Virtual crack closure and compliance techniques employed to calculate strain energy release rates from linear elastic two-dimensional analysis indicate that the ENF specimen is a pure Mode II fracture test within the constraints of small deflection theory. Furthermore, the ENF fracture specimen is shown to be relatively insensitive to process-induced cracks, offset from the laminate midplane. Frictional effects are investigated by including the contact problem in the finite element model. A parametric study investigating the influence of delamination length, span, thickness, and material properties assessed the accuracy of beam theory expressions for compliance and strain energy release rate, GII. Finite element results indicate that data reduction schemes based upon beam theory underestimate GII by approximately 20-40 percent for typical unidirectional graphite fiber composite test specimen geometries. Consequently, an improved data reduction scheme is proposed.
Self-interest Rightly Understood:

L'A. etudie la notion d'interet personnel dans les theories politiques des 17 e et 18 e siecles. Il montre comment l'interet renvoie a une certaine idee de la nature humaine et de ses passions, et montre comment ces postulats ont pu donner naissance au liberalisme moderne
On-chip silicon-based waveguide with light guiding in low-index core materials

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The stability relations of magnesioriebeckite

Abstract Magnesioriebeckite, o Na 2 Mg 3 Fe 2 3+ Si 8 O 22 (OH) 2 , has been synthesized hydrothermally and its stability field determined. The physical parameters which determine experimental phase equilibria include the partial pressure of oxygen as well as the temperature and vapour (= total, largely H 2 O) pressure. The stability field of magnesioriebeckite is bounded by surfaces within a P o 2 - P vapour - T volume. P vapour - T diagrams represent projections along the P o 2 axis. Three P vapour - T diagrams are presented for magnesioriebeckite, each determined using a different buffer. At low vapour pressure, magnesioriebeckite breaks down to a high-temperature assemblage consisting of one or two iron (+ Mg) oxides, an olivine, Na 2 O·5(Mg,Fe)O·12SiO 2 , acmite or Na 2 O·2(Mg,Fe)O·6SiO 2 , and vapour. At vapour pressures greater than about 200 bars, magnesioriebeckite melts incongruently to one or two iron (+ Mg) oxides, an olivine, Na 2 O·5(Mg,Fe)O·12SiO 2 , liquid and vapour. Above 300 to 500 bars vapour pressure, magnesioriebeckite melts incongruently to one or two iron (+ Mg) oxides, an olivine, an orthopyroxene, liquid and vapour. Values of ΔH for reactions involving magnesioriebeckite have been calculated; heats of reaction are similar to those for the breakdown of other hydrous minerals. Optical properties of synthetic magnesioriebeckite vary in response to P o 2 and T . The effect of the partial oxygen pressure on the composition and stability relations of minerals synthesized in this study again illustrates the petrologic importance of this variable. Results of the investigation indicate that magnesioriebeckite is stable at magmatic temperatures; the existence of an intermediate member of the magnesioriebeckite-riebeckite series as an authigenic mineral suggests that magnesioriebeckite is also stable at very low temperatures. Since it has a wide P vapour - T range, the restricted natural occurrence of magnesioriebeckite results chiefly from the rare fulfillment of hypersodic chemical conditions.
Nanosecond pulsed electric field induced cytoskeleton, nuclear membrane and telomere damage adversely impact cell survival

We investigated the effects of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) on three human cell lines and demonstrated cell shrinkage, breakdown of the cytoskeleton, nuclear membrane and chromosomal telomere damage. There was a differential response between cell types coinciding with cell survival. Jurkat cells showed cytoskeleton, nuclear membrane and telomere damage that severely impacted cell survival compared to two adherent cell lines. Interestingly, disruption of the actin cytoskeleton in adherent cells prior to nsPEF exposure significantly reduced cell survival. We conclude that nsPEF applications are able to induce damage to the cytoskeleton and nuclear membrane. Telomere sequences, regions that tether and stabilize DNA to the nuclear membrane, are severely compromised as measured by a pan-telomere probe. Internal pore formation following nsPEF applications has been described as a factor in induced cell death. Here we suggest that nsPEF induced physical changes to the cell in addition to pore formation need to be considered as an alternative method of cell death. We suggest nsPEF electrochemical induced depolymerization of actin filaments may account for cytoskeleton and nuclear membrane anomalies leading to sensitization.
Expression and Function of Androgen Receptor Coactivator p44/Mep50/WDR77 in Ovarian Cancer

Hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, and their receptors play an important role in the development and progression of ovarian carcinoma. Androgen, its receptor and coactivators have also been implicated in these processes. p44/Mep50/WDR77 was identified as a subunit of the methylosome complex and lately characterized as a steroid receptor coactivator that enhances androgen receptor as well as estrogen receptor-mediated transcriptional activity in a ligand-dependent manner. We previously described distinct expression and function of p44 in prostate, testis, and breast cancers. In this report, we examined the expression and function of p44 in ovarian cancer. In contrast to findings in prostate and testicular cancer and similar to breast cancer, p44 shows strong cytoplasmic localization in morphologically normal ovarian surface and fallopian tube epithelia, while nuclear p44 is observed in invasive ovarian carcinoma. We observed that p44 can serve as a coactivator of both androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER) in ovarian cells. Further, overexpression of nuclear-localized p44 stimulates proliferation and invasion in ovarian cancer cells in the presence of estrogen or androgen. These findings strongly suggest that p44 plays a role in mediating the effects of hormones during ovarian tumorigenesis.
Calculating the rest tension for a polymer of string bits.

We explore the application of approximation schemes from many body physics, including the Hartree-Fock method and random phase approximation (RPA), to the problem of analyzing the low energy excitations of a polymer chain made up of bosonic string bits. We accordingly obtain an expression for the rest tension [ital T][sub 0] of the bosonic relativistic string in terms of the parameters characterizing the microscopic string bit dynamics. We first derive an exact connection between the string tension and a certain correlation function of the many-body string bit system. This connection is made for an arbitrary interaction potential between string bits and relies on an exact dipole sum rule. We then review an earlier calculation by Goldstone of the low energy excitations of a polymer chain using the RPA. We assess the accuracy of the RPA by calculating the first-order corrections. For this purpose we specialize to the unique scale-invariant potential, namely, an attractive [delta]-function potential in two (transverse) dimensions. We find that the corrections are large, and discuss a method for summing the large terms. The corrections to this improved RPA are roughly 15%.
Experimental reconstruction of the spatial density distribution of a nonreacting flow with a small number of absorption measurements

The finite-domain direct inversion method, which was developed for use with sparse data sets, assumes smooth distributions, uses a priori information, and is well suited to the study of fluid mechanical and combustion phenomena. We successfully applied the inversion method, together with shifting functions that improve the reconstruction of distributions with nonzero values at the boundaries of their domain, to a real experimental situation and reconstructed the density distribution of methane in a nonuniform, nonreacting flow of methane and argon from projections measured optically. A point-by-point probe measurement of the methane concentration through the use of a hydrocarbon analyzer was performed to confirm the quality of the reconstruction of the optical measurement data with the inversion method.
Synthesis of state feedback regulators for nonlinear processes

Abstract The present work proposes a new approach to the state feedback regulator synthesis problem for multiple-input nonlinear processes. The problem under consideration is not treated within the context of exact feedback linearization, where restrictive conditions arise, but is conveniently formulated in the context of singular partial differential equations (PDE) theory. In particular, the mathematical formulation of the problem is realized via a system of first-order quasi-linear singular PDEs and a rather general set of necessary and sufficient conditions for solvability is derived. The solution to the above system of singular PDEs can be proven to be locally analytic and this enables the development of a series solution method, that is easily programmable with the aid of a symbolic software package such as MAPLE. Under a simultaneous implementation of a nonlinear coordinate transformation and a nonlinear state feedback control law that is computed through the solution of the above system of singular PDEs, both feedback linearization and pole-placement design objectives can be accomplished in a single step. Finally, the proposed nonlinear state feedback regulator synthesis method is applied to a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) in non-isothermal operation that exhibits steady-state multiplicity. The control objective is to regulate the reactor at the middle unstable steady state by manipulating the dilution rate. Simulation studies have been conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed nonlinear state feedback regulator, as well as to illustrate the main design aspects of the proposed approach. It is shown that the nonlinear state feedback regulator clearly outperforms the standard linear one, especially in the presence of adverse conditions under which linear regulation at the unstable steady state is not always feasible.
A Versatile Route to the Tulearin Class of Macrolactones: Synthesis of a Stereoisomer of Tulearin A

A versatile synthetic approach to the tulearin class of macrolactones has been developed and deployed to make a stereoisomer of tulearin A. The knowledge gained about structure and synthesis will expedite the assignment of the stereostructure of this new anticancer agent.
Do effects of global atmospheric electricity on clouds cause climate changes

In recent years increasing numbers of papers have been published and presented at meetings (at least 20 at the 1996 Fall AGU meeting) reporting correlations between climate and solar variations. The statistical confidence for the correlations is so high that there is now little reason to question that there is a physical link; the main puzzle now is the nature of the mechanisms involved. The mechanisms have been sought for the past two centuries, and during this time some pieces of the puzzle have been uncovered. They can now be fitted together to suggest a fascinating picture.
An evaluation of the resident learning curve in performing laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomies as compared with patient outcome: Five-year experience

Abstract Study objective To compare surgical and postoperative results after laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy between the first 2 cases and last 2 cases performed by each senior resident. Design Retrospective, case-control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-B). Setting University hospital. Patients Two hundred six women underwent laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. Interventions Charts were reviewed to determine length of surgery, operative and postoperative complications, and other surgical values. A comparison was made between the first 2 and last 2 cases of 25 chief residents. Measurements and main results There was no statistically significant difference between the first 2 and last 2 patients of each resident in terms of age, indication for surgery, uterine mass, ethnicity, body mass index, or parity. There was a significant decrease in the mean time of the first 2 cases versus the last 2 cases: 201.4 minutes versus 137.2 minutes (p Conclusions Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is a technically challenging procedure that nevertheless can be learned quickly with rapid improvement in operative time and without undue risk to the patient. Since initially presenting these data in 2003, the senior residents are now getting twice the amount of exposure to this surgery. In addition, these data now include residents who were exposed to this type of surgery as junior residents. Although residents are beginning to have increased experience in performing laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy before their chief year, there is still a significant difference in operative time from the initial 2 procedures to the last 2 procedures completed by a chief resident.
The politics of China studies in South Korea: A critical examination of South Korean historiography of modern China since 1945

This paper argues that the South Korean scholarship on modern Chinese history since 1945 can be characterized as apolitical with its objectivism, positivism, liberalism, and anti-communist nationalism. This characteristic is a product of not only the Cold War and the military regimes of South Korea but also the political orientation and stance of the senior historians who played an initial and decisive role in determining the goal, direction, and research methods of South Korean studies concerning modern China. The South Korean perspective they promoted usually meant the study of liberal, apolitical topics in Chinese history from a nationalist perspective without any political/ideological influences. The utility of modern Chinese history has mainly lain in helping to construct an anti-socialist, modern Korean nation–state through modernization. South Korean historians of modern China, the paper argues, have not been able to induce a meaningful, broad discussion of critical historical issues in modern Chin...
Schottky-to-Ohmic crossover in carbon nanotube transistor contacts.

For carbon nanotube transistors, as for graphene, the electrical contacts are a key factor limiting device performance. We calculate the device characteristics as a function of nanotube diameter and metal work function. Although the on-state current varies continuously, the transfer characteristics reveal a relatively abrupt crossover from Schottky to Ohmic contacts. We find that typical high-performance devices fall surprisingly close to the crossover. Therefore, tunneling plays an important role even in this regime, so that current fails to saturate with gate voltage as was expected due to ``source exhaustion.''
INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDIZATIONS OF SILENE

DEGREE OF fertility and extent of chromosome pairing in interspecific hybrids are two widely-accepted criteria of species relationships. Research leading to interpretations of species affinities in Silene (Caryophyllaceae) based on these two criteria has been undertaken. As the first report on this work, the present paper documents observations made on the morphology, fertility, and cytology of twelve artificial interspecific hybrid combinations, using as parents eight of the 54 North American species of Silene.