cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of mutations in the Best macular dystrophy (VMD2) gene in patients with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy, age-related maculopathy, and bull's-eye maculopathy.

Abstract Purpose To study the presence of Best macular dystrophy ( VMD2 ) gene mutations in patients diagnosed with maculopathies other than classic Best disease and to describe the clinical characteristics of these subjects. Design Case-comparison study of phenotype-genotype correlations. Methods Patients with either age-related maculopathy (ARM; n=259) or maculopathies other than classic Best disease (n = 28) were screened for mutations in the Best gene ( VMD2 ; OMIM 153700). These cases were compared with ethnically similar subjects in the same age range without maculopathy (n = 196). All patients underwent a complete dilated ocular examination, and all affected individuals underwent fundus photography. Phenotype-genotype comparisons were made. Main outcome measures Presence of mutations in the Best gene ( VMD2 ; OMIM 153700) and the clinical phenotype. Results Three of 259 patients (1%) with ARM and 2 of 28 patients (7%) with other maculopathies including 1 of 3 patients with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy and 1 of 5 patients with a bull's eye maculopathy, but none of the controls, were found to possess amino acid-changing variants in the VMD2 gene. These included a man with confluent drusen and retinal pigment epithelial detachments (variant in exon 6; T216I), a man with geographic atrophy and numerous soft drusen (variant in exon 10; L567F), a woman with drusen and retinal pigment epithelial alterations (variant in exon 10; L567F), a woman with drusen and retinal pigment epithelial alterations resembling bull's-eye maculopathy (variant in exon 4; E119Q), and a woman diagnosed with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy (variant in exon 4; A146K). Conclusions Novel mutations in the VMD2 gene were found in patients diagnosed with maculopathies other than classic Best disease. Some cases diagnosed as adult-onset vitelliform foveomacular dystrophy may represent a variant of Best disease with delayed onset. The VMD2 gene does not play a major role in the development of ARM.
Long-Term Outcome of Flexible Ureterorenoscopy in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lateralizing Essential Hematuria

ABSTRACTPurpose: We identified the long-term outcome of ureterorenoscopic diagnosis and treatment of patients with lateralizing essential hematuria.Materials and Methods: We reviewed retrospectively 17 patients with lateralizing essential hematuria treated with flexible ureterorenoscopy (15) or flexible percutaneous nephroscopy (2) with or without biopsy and electrocoagulation. Followup was longer than 24 months (average 60, range 24 to 116) in all patients.Results: At followup 9 of the 17 patients (59%) were cured and 7 (41%) had recurrent bleeding. Discrete lesions occurred in 11 patients (64%), who were treated with electrocoagulation with 9 (82%) cured. All 3 patients (18%) with diffuse lesions had recurrent bleeding as did 2 of 3 (66%, 18% overall) with negative examinations.Conclusions: Ureterorenoscopy is an effective means of diagnosis and treatment of lateralizing essential hematuria. The majority of patients with lateralizing hematuria will have a discrete lesion that will respond to ureteroreno...
Cultural and Situational Influences on Foreign Language Learners' Beliefs About Language Learning: A Review of BALLI Studies.

Abstract Understanding learner beliefs about language learning is essential to understanding learner strategies and planning appropriate language instruction; however, to date there has been no examination of how these beliefs may differ across learner groups. This paper reviews representative studies (including American learners of French, Spanish, German, and Japanese, US university instructors of French, and Korean, Taiwanese, and Turkish heritage English as a Foreign Language English [EFL] students) using the “Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory (BALLI)” to identify similarities and differences across cultural groups. Although instances of differing beliefs between and among the American, Korean, and Turkish heritage groups were identified, an examination of the responses to individual BALLI items did not yield clear-cut cultural differences in beliefs. The differences between the instructors of French and American learners suggest that beliefs may vary based on age, stage of learning, and professional status. Several of the differences identified in the various American groups and the two groups of Korean and Turkish heritage learners may be more clearly attributable to differences in learning circumstances than culture.
From cell growth to leaf growth. II. Simulation of a file of cells.

Certain plant parts have cells arranged end to end in more or less distinct files (e.g., monocot leaves, roots, filamentous algae). Modeling the growtha nd development of such files of cells can give us insights into processes governing cell division and cell expansion. The objectives of this research were to construct a cell-based model of a growing file of cells and to examine the effects of the daughter ratio vs. time function on the growth of the file. The file is considered to be a group of cells along the length of a monocot leaf. Cell expansion is described by water flux equations. Cell division is determined by a daughter ratio vs. time function. The daughter ratio is defined as the proportion of cells that remain proliferative (capable of further division) after each cell division event. Outputs from the model include the elongation rate of the entire file, the growth rate distribution along the file, and the proliferative fractions for groups of cells along the file. Outputs are compared with field measurements of leaf elongation in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] plants. The model overestimates the length of the expanding zone compared with the field measurements. There is close agreement between model outputs and field measurements of relative growth rates along expanding portions of leaves and estimated proliferative fractions of expanding leaves. The effects of using different daughter ratio vs. time functions on model outputs are also examined. Paper no. 10187 in the journal series of the Nebraska Agric. Exp. Stn.
Winter legume and tillage effects on cotton growth and soil ecology

Field studies were conducted at 2 locations in Alabama during 1984 and 1985 to identify cultural practices which would improve cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) stands when plantned no-till into winter legumes. The soils were a Decatur silt loam (Rhodic Paleudult) and a Norfolk sandy loam (Typic Paleudult). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with 4 replications. Whole plots consisted of winter annual legumes (Vicia villosa Roth or Trifolium incarnatum L.) and fallow areas. Split-plot treatments established at cotton planting included conventional and conservation tillage, and fungicide. Soil samples were collected at cotton planting for population determination of Collembola and Acari species, and for estimation of cotton-disease fungus (Rhizoctonia solani) infestation. Collembola populations were greater in the Decatur than Norfolk soils, and higher in legume-mulched than fallow soils by 39 and 72% for the Decatur and Norfolk soil, respectively. Disease infestation in the Decatur soil was 10% higher in legume than fallow plots, and 18% higher in legume than fallow plots in the Norfolk soil. Cotton populations were 19% less in legume than fallow areas, and 25% less with conservation (no-till) than with standard tillage. Bedding improved cotton stands by 21% compared to conservation tillage. Seed-cotton yields from the Decatur soil were consistently high (3798 kg ha−1, and there was no yield response to treatments. Maximum seed-cotton yields at the Norfolk site were achieved with conservation tillage in the fallow area, and conventional tillage in the legume area (both receiving fungicide).
Index of resolution quality for large eddy simulations

In the light of rapidly increasing applications of large-eddy simulations (LES), it is deemed necessary to impose some quality assessment measures for such studies. The verification of LES calculations is difficult because of the fact that both the subgrid scale (SGS) model contribution and numerical discretization errors are functions of the grid resolution. In this study, various indexes of quality measures, hereafter referred to as LES_IQ, are proposed. The recommended LES_IQ is based on the Richardson extrapolation concept. This method has been applied to various cases and the calculated LES_IQ results are compared with the relative total experimental and direct numerical simulation (DNS) error, defined as IQ_EX and IQ_DNS, respectively. It is postulated that in practical applications of LES, numerical dissipation will always be a significant part of the overall dissipation, and it must be accounted for in any assessment of the quality of LES
Enhancement of Ca2+-induced catecholamine release by the phorbol ester TPA in digitonin-permeabilized cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

Abstract The phorbol ester, 4β-phorbol 12-myristate acetate (TPA), increased the extent of catecholamine release induced by Ca2+, without affecting the basal release response in digitonin-permeabilized chromaffin cells. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that protein kinase C has a role to play in stimulus-secretion coupling in the bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cell. Phorbol esterCathecholamineProtein kinase CChromaffinSecretionCa2+-induced release
sComment on ``Surface silicon-deuterium bond energy from gas-phase equilibration''

In a recent paper [Phys. Rev. B 48, 4492 (1993)] Wampler, Myers, and Follstaedt (WMF) have reported measurements of equilibrium adsorption of deuterium on cavity walls in crystalline silicon. Their procedure provides in principle a more reliable source of information regarding the Si-H bond energy than any previous work. Here we propose an analysis of the data that has some advantages over the analysis given by WMF and that yields a significantly higher binding energy. We first argue that the measure of binding most directly following from the observations is the free energy at ${800}^{\mathrm{o}}$ of a deuterium atom attached to an average surface silicon tetrahedrally bonded to three other silicons, relative to an ${800}^{\mathrm{o}}$ surface with a ``dangling bond'' at this site and a deuterium at rest far outside; this free energy is 3.29\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 eV. We then discuss ways of extracting from this a value for the binding energy ${\mathrm{E}}_{\mathrm{B}}$ at absolute zero, to compare with recent predictions from first-principles quantum-mechanical calculations. This step requires some assumptions about the effect of chemisorption on crystal vibrations; reasonable assumptions give about 3.15 eV, with a probable error modestly larger than that of the 800${\mathrm{}}^{\mathrm{o}}$C free energy; the theoretical predictions range above and below this value by one or two tenths of an eV, depending on assumptions about reconstructions.
Local force model for cardiac dynamics analysis based on CT volumetric image sequences

In this paper we present a local force model and its integration in a hierarchical analysis of the estimation of the left ventricle motion over a cardiac cycle. The local force model is derived from the dynamics of independent point masses driven by local constant forces over a short time. A force field is assumed to be constant over short periods of time. This force drives independent point masses within a regional patch of the left ventricle surface from one time instant to another. The trajectory that minimizes the energy required to move the point mass from one surface to another is considered as the local displacement vector. This estimated trajectory takes into account surface constraints and previous estimations derived from the volumetric image sequences so that the point masses travel along smooth trajectories resembling the realistic left ventricle surface dynamics. This proposed model is able to recover the point correspondence of the nonrigid motions between consecutive frames when the surfaces and the initial conditions of left ventricle at consecutive time frames are given. The local force model is incorporated in a hierarchical analysis scheme providing us with the complete dynamics of the left ventricle as compared to the local kinematic analysis of previous approaches. Experimental results based on synthetic and real left ventricle CT volumetric images show that the proposed scheme is very promising for cardiac analysis.
Effects of poly I: poly C on rat pulmonary and hepatic cytochromes P-450 and b5.

Interferon inducing agents such as poly I:poly C have been shown to reduce the hepatic hemoproteins cytochromes P-450 and b5 along with the associated monooxygenase activities [el Azhary and Mannering, Molec. Pharmac. 15, 698 (1979)]. In a previous study [Kikkawa et al., Lab. Invest. 50, 62 (1984)], we demonstrated that the interferon inducing agent poly I:poly C reduces pulmonary microsomal hemoprotein by 50% when administered to rats. The current investigation was conducted to characterize these changes in more detail and compare them to analogous changes in the liver. Compared to controls, cytochrome P-450 in both the lungs and livers of poly I:poly C treated rats declined by 40% at 24 hr and 55% at 48 hr (P < 0.01). By 72 hr the decline was only 25%. In contrast, cytochrome b5 levels declined by less than 30% of control values during the first 48 hr following poly I:poly C injection (P < 0.01) and returned to control levels by 72 hr. These changes in both cytochrome P-450 and b5 were reflected in decreases in pulmonary microsomal hemoprotein. Benzphetamine-N-demethylase activity declined by 45% in lung microsomes at 48 hr (P < 0.01) after injection of poly I:poly C, while 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (P < 0.05) and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activities declined by approximately 41%. In the liver from these same poly I:poly C treated groups, benzphetamine-N-demethylase declined by 66% (P < 0.05), while 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activities declined by 60% (P < 0.02 and P < 0.05 respectively).
Ionizing Radiations and the Mammalian Embryo

It was found that the mammalian embryo shows varying reactions to ionizing radiations such that it is always more radiosensitive than is the adult into which it develops, at some stages 100 times as sensitive. After neurogenesis is completed, congenital anomalies of that system are rarely producod, but exencephaly (hrain hernia) has been caused by ionizing radiations impinging upon the 2-cell stage of the mouse with an exposure of as little as 10 r.
Patient centred care: essential but probably not sufficient

One of the many lessons to emerge from the analysis of the care of children in the cardiac unit at the Bristol Royal Infirmary is the importance of engaging patients in decisions about their health and health care. This is a message that has relevance to all healthcare professionals in all clinical settings. Patient centredness is crucial for good quality care, but achieving genuine patient centred care throughout health services will require transformation of systems as well as attitudes. In this issue (pp 186–8) we have reproduced Angela Coulter's paper “After Bristol: putting patients at the centre”, first published in the BMJ in March 2002. The determinants of health and illness are not just biological, nor is a person's response to injury or illness. Patients live in families and communities of various types. They often work in less than healthy or even in hazardous occupations, and they relax in activities that may be health promoting or not. Patients live within a larger political, cultural, and environmental context that further affects both them and their families or communities. All of these “less biological” aspects of a patient's life influence his or her state of health or condition of illness. Indeed, health and illness are integrated phenomena—that is, they integrate biological, social and cultural, economic, political, occupational and environmental, recreational and other aspects of an individual's life. The specific health effect of these disparate influences is complex and often is much more important than traditional health care has factored into …
The Williams syndrome chromosome 7q11.23 hemideletion confers hypersocial, anxious personality coupled with altered insula structure and function

Although it is widely accepted that genes can influence complex behavioral traits such as human temperament, the underlying neurogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. Williams syndrome (WS), a rare disorder caused by a hemizygous deletion on chromosome 7q11.23, including genes important for neuronal migration and maturation (LIMK1 and CLIP2), is typified by a remarkable hypersocial but anxious personality and offers a unique opportunity to investigate this open issue. Based on the documented role of the insula in mediating emotional response tendencies and personality, we used multimodal imaging to characterize this region in WS and found convergent anomalies: an overall decrease in dorsal anterior insula (AI) gray-matter volume along with locally increased volume in the right ventral AI; compromised white-matter integrity of the uncinate fasciculus connecting the insula with the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex; altered regional cerebral blood flow in a pattern reminiscent of the observed gray-matter alterations (i.e., widespread reductions in dorsal AI accompanied by locally increased regional cerebral blood flow in the right ventral AI); and disturbed neurofunctional interactions between the AI and limbic regions. Moreover, these genetically determined alterations of AI structure and function predicted the degree to which the atypical WS personality profile was expressed in participants with the syndrome. The AI's rich anatomical connectivity, its transmodal properties, and its involvement in the behaviors affected in WS make the observed genetically determined insular circuitry perturbations and their association with WS personality a striking demonstration of the means by which neural systems can serve as the interface between genetic variability and alterations in complex behavioral traits.
Impulse noise suppression of OFDM using linear programming

Impulsive noise interference is a significant problem for the Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting for Terrestrial (ISDB-T) receivers due to its effect on the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal. In this paper, an adaptive scheme to suppress the effect of impulsive noise is proposed. The impact of impulsive noise can be detected by using the guard band in the frequency domain; furthermore the position information of the impulsive noise, including burst duration, instantaneous power and arrived time, can be estimated as well. Then a time-domain window function with adaptive parameters, which are decided in terms of the estimated information of the impulsive noise and the carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR), is employed to suppress the impulsive interference. In order to solve the inter-channel interference (ICI) due to suppression of OFDM signal, linear programming based equalization is further estimated. Simulation results confirm the validity of the proposed scheme, which improved the bit error rate (BER) performance for the ISDB-T receivers in both AWGN channel and Rayleigh fading channel.
Anatomical and Physiological Effects of Chronic Section of the Eighth nerve in Cat: Paper read before the Acoustical Society of America, May, 1962.

Section of the eighth nerve caused a degeneration of the unmyelinated fibers in the tunnel of Corti followed by loss of the ganglion cells in the modiolus and degeneration of the eighth nerve. Two days after section of the eighth nerve the N2 was found to disappear. Three days after section of the eighth nerve the N1 was found to disappear. After the N1 and N2 disa-appeared a new neural like potential called the W phenomenon was observed. The degeneration of the unmyelinated fibers was associated with the disappearance of the N1 and N2.
Dominant-Negative Constructs of IRE-1alpha as an Effective way to Suppression of Tumor Growth through the Inhibition of Cell Proliferation

Activation of cell proliferation and angiogenesis as well as the down-regulation of apoptosis are important for tumor growth through pathways of the unfolding protein response/endoplasmic reticulum stress, a fundamental phenomenon for secure protection of cells by maintaining the functional integrity of the endoplasmic reticulum. It is mediated by three sensor and signaling pathways: IRE-1a/ERN1 (inositol-requiring enzyme-1a/endoplasmic reticulum to nuclei 1), ATF6 (activating transcription factor 6), and PERK (double stranded RNA activated protein kinase (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK). All three arms of the unfolded protein response are important for tumor cell survival and growth especially under hypoxic conditions, but the unfolded protein response signaling is mainly mediated through the ERN1 pathway.The inhibition of ERN1 by its dominant-negative constructs leads to a decrease of tumor growth through suppression of angiogenesis and cell proliferation as well as activation of apoptosis and tumor suppressors. Data concerning the molecular mechanisms of the effect a blockade of ERN1 signaling enzyme has on glioma growth is analyzed, including the expression of genes controlling angiogenesis, cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Moreover, the inhibition of ERN1 endoribonuclease only has more profound effect on the expression of most key regulatory genes as well as on cell proliferation than the blockade of both kinase and endonuclease activity of ERN1 in glioma cells. In conclusion, the inhibition ofERN1/IRE-1alpha coordinately regulated factors involved in tumor growth, lowering expression levels of pro-proliferative, pro-angiogenic and anti-apoptotic factors and enzymes and up-regulated the expression of anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic factors in a trend towards the level of these transcription factors in normal human astrocytes. These review attempts to summarize recent advances in the role of inhibition of ERN1 signalingby dominant/negative strategies in regulation of proliferation and apoptosis related genes and suppression of tumor growth, which will help to define the best therapeutic targets for the design of potent antitumor drug.
Differential effects of stimulus size on "on" and "off" responses of superior collicular neurons.

Abstract Variations in the size of a stationary spot stimulus differentially affected the “on” and “off” discharges of the majority of the visual cells in the hamster's superior colliculus which responded reliably to stimuli flashed within the activating region of the receptive field. Such differential effects were evident in the pattern of discharge magnitudes and/or latencies which were exhibited by those neurons in response to different size spots. The results were interpreted as suggesting that the “on” and “off” discharges of the majority of the collicular neurons in the hamster may code the spatial aspects of visual stimuli in a relatively independent manner.
Mucosal healing of Crohn's disease demonstrated by capsule endoscopy in a woman with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Mucosal Healing of Crohn's Disease Demonstrated by Capsule Endoscopy in a Woman With Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Bayesian Analysis of Energy and Count Rate Data for Detection of Low Count Rate Radioactive Sources

We propose a radiation detection system which generates its own discrete sampling distribution based on past measurements of background. The advantage to this approach is that it can take into account variations in background with respect to time, location, energy spectra, detector-specific characteristics (i.e. different efficiencies at different count rates and energies), etc. This would therefore be a “machine learning” approach, in which the algorithm updates and improves its characterization of background over time. The system would have a “learning mode,” in which it measures and analyzes background count rates, and a “detection mode,” in which it compares measurements from an unknown source against its unique background distribution.By characterizing and accounting for variations in the background, general purpose radiation detectors can be improved with little or no increase in cost. The statistical and computational techniques to perform this kind of analysis have already been developed. The necessary signal analysis can be accomplished using existing Bayesian algorithms which account for multiple channels, multiple detectors, and multiple time intervals. Furthermore, Bayesian machine-learning techniques have already been developed which, with trivial modifications, can generate appropriate decision thresholds based on the comparison of new measurements against a non-parametric sampling distribution.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Estimation of Maximum Liquid Head over Landfill Barriers

To properly design a drainage layer for either landfill leachate collection systems or final covers, the designer must be able to estimate the maximum liquid head over the barrier for any proposed configuration. This paper presents four explicit formulas for estimating the maximum liquid head over an impervious sloping barrier. By means of numeric comparisons, McEnroe's 1993 method is recommended for design of drainage layers for both bottom liners and final covers. Pipe slope is an important parameter that influences the maximum leachate head on the liner. Different combinations of base grade and pipe slope can directly affect the actual drainage behavior. If the pipe slope is steeper than the base grade, it will make a longer drainage distance and cause a high leachate head on the liner. A method for calculating the maximum liquid head in multilayered drainage media ~e.g., geosynthetic and soil! is presented in the paper. The key consideration for this case is to determine the equivalent hydraulic conductivity of the combined drainage media under the phreatic surface under unconfined seepage conditions.
Analyzing the power and error of Listeria monocytogenes growth challenge studies.

Abstract Domestic and international food safety policy developments have spurred interest in the design and interpretation of experimental growth challenge studies to determine whether ready-to-eat (RTE) foods are able to support growth of Listeria monocytogenes. Existing challenge study protocols and those under development differ markedly in terms of experimental design and the acceptance criteria under which a RTE food is determined not to support L. monocytogenes growth. Consequently, the protocols differ substantially with respect to the probability of incorrectly determining that growth occurs and the statistical power to detect growth if it does occur. Applying a fixed acceptance criteria exceedance value (e.g., less than a 0.5 log10 or 1 log10 increase) to distinguish real growth from quantitative measurement uncertainty over different experimental designs and/or measurement uncertainty values implies highly inconsistent type I error (α) probabilities. None of the L. monocytogenes growth challenge study designs currently being considered are likely to provide an F-test with α = 0.05 and power ≥ 0.8 to detect a 1 log10 increase in mean concentration over the entire range of measurement uncertainty values for enumeration of L. monocytogenes reported in food samples in a validation study of ISO Method 11290-2.
Unattended interferometric sensors

We describe tomographic integration of visible and IR projections to form 3D models of object spaces. 3D modeling is a computationally efficient means of multiple sensor data reduction and a robust means of scene analysis. We consider how imaging system design might be revised to obtain 3D data and present experimental data from a compact interferometric coherence imaging system. We experimentally and theoretically analyze 3D reconstructions of macroscopic objects, focusing in particular on the reconstruction of an automobile using a conventional camera.
The Community Land Model and Its Climate Statistics as a Component of the Community Climate System Model

Abstract Several multidecadal simulations have been carried out with the new version of the Community Climate System Model (CCSM). This paper reports an analysis of the land component of these simulations. Global annual averages over land appear to be within the uncertainty of observational datasets, but the seasonal cycle over land of temperature and precipitation appears to be too weak. These departures from observations appear to be primarily a consequence of deficiencies in the simulation of the atmospheric model rather than of the land processes. High latitudes of northern winter are biased sufficiently warm to have a significant impact on the simulated value of global land temperature. The precipitation is approximately doubled from what it should be at some locations, and the snowpack and spring runoff are also excessive. The winter precipitation over Tibet is larger than observed. About two-thirds of this precipitation is sublimated during the winter, but what remains still produces a snowpack tha...
The challenge of research in infant nutrition and gastroenterology in the next decade

The priorities in research for the next decade are different for underdeveloped countries than for the affluent developed societies. The main concern in the underdeveloped countries is the devastating toll from chronic diarrhea and malnutrition in infancy and early childhood. It is est imated that there are 500 million episodes of acute diarrhea each year and that 5 million children below 5 yr o f age will develop chronic diarrhea which will result in their demise. To alleviate this problem, it is mandatory to define the gastrointestinal determinants leading to intractable diarrhea and infant death. This is by far the most urgent issue that should be research extensively on a worldwide basis. However , in defining the different variables leading to severe small intestinal and colonic mucosal injury and the associated intractable diarrhea we encounter an ethical problem of research in infant nutr i t ion and gastrointestinal disease; namely, the invasive nature of the approaches
Weathering the storm: Coastal subsistence and ecological resilience on Late Holocene Santa Rosa Island, California

Archaeological research on California’s Channel Islands has significantly enhanced understanding of the diversity and variability of coastal hunter-gatherers and the shell middens these people left behind. On the Channel Islands, the Late Holocene was a time of substantial population growth, territoriality, and the emergence of social hierarchies. The role of marine and terrestrial climate change, population growth, human environmental impacts, and other variables in driving Late Holocene cultural and ecological developments is a subject of considerable debate. Analysis of faunal remains (especially finfish and shellfish), complemented by human skeletal and stable isotope analyses, from a massive shell midden and village complex (CA-SRI-2) on Santa Rosa Island provides insight into Late Holocene human responses to coastal resource stress and environmental change. Despite significant population growth, the emergence of social stratification, and increased pressure on local resources and ecosystems, these data demonstrate that there is significant continuity in the coastal resources Channel Island peoples exploited through time. These results document the long-term resilience and adaptability of coastal hunter-gatherers, the marine resources they harvested, and Channel Island ecosystems.
Control of Bovine Adrenal Cortical Cell Proliferation by Fibroblast Growth Factor. Lack of Effect of Epidermal Growth Factor

Primary functional bovine adrenal cortical cell cultures have been developed to study the factors controlling adrenal cell growth. Cells were prepared by the collagenase technique and maintained in F-12 medium containing fetal calf serum and horse serum. Cells contained abundant lipid as demonstrated by staining with Oil Red O and showed strongly positive staining for Δ5,3β- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. ACTH inhibited DNA synthesis and stimulated steroidogenesis in these cells. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) was shown to be a potent stimulator of the growth of normal bovine adrenal cortical cells maintained in tissue culture. The minimal effective dose of FGF was 1 ng/ml with maximal effects being observed at 100 ng/ml. The effect of FGF was dependent on the serum concentration. Inclusion of FGF in F-12 medium containing serum permitted cloning of functional bovine adrenal cortical cells from cultures seeded at low density (4 cells/cm2). ACTH inhibited the mitogenic effects of FGF. In addition to its mit...
Disentangling effects of collision geometry and symmetry energy in U + U collisions

Effects of the collision geometry on experimental observables that are known to be sensitive to the high-density behavior of nuclear symmetry energy are examined in U $+$ U collisions at 0.52 GeV/nucleon using an isospin- and momentum-dependent interaction within the framework of the isospin-dependent Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck (IBUU) transport model. It is found that the neutron-proton differential flow in tip-tip collisions and the difference of neutron and proton elliptic flow in body-body collisions are more sensitive to the symmetry energy at suprasaturation densities compared with collisions of spherical nuclei of the same masses. In addition, the $n/p$ ratio of preequilibrium nucleons is found to be slightly more sensitive to the symmetry energy in tip-tip collisions, and the collision geometry affects the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}/{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ ratio significantly.
Emerging consumer technology applications developed at PVAMU

Faculty and graduate students in the Computer Science (CS) and Computer Information Systems (CIS) at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) are working on several emerging technology applications. In this paper, we present several such applications. Graduate students in both these programs are taught to use innovation in their approach, to designing a new system or modifying an existing system. This approach is emphasized in a series of courses, which then culminates in their Masters Thesis or projects. One important component of this approach is that their concept should be implementable with the current available technologies or emerging technologies. This will enable them to think in more practical ways of implementing and marketing their product or process in the immediate future. Two of the systems presented here are based on RFID, and two systems are based on intelligent web services. The benefit of this approach is to create a new breed of workforce consisting of effective thinkers and innovators. It also teaches students that innovation is a never ending process - and that innovation can happen by looking at everyday systems in a different light, including application of new technologies to existing products, creating efficient processes, or creating new products.
Block copolymer/ferroelectric nanoparticle nanocomposites

Nanocomposites composed of diblock copolymer/ferroelectric nanoparticles were formed by selectively constraining ferroelectric nanoparticles (NPs) within diblock copolymer nanodomains via judicious surface modification of ferroelectric NPs. Ferroelectric barium titanate (BaTiO3) NPs with different sizes that are permanently capped with polystyrene chains (i.e., PS-functionalized BaTiO3NPs) were first synthesized by exploiting amphiphilic unimolecular star-like poly(acrylic acid)-block-polystyrene (PAA-b-PS) diblock copolymers as nanoreactors. Subsequently, PS-functionalized BaTiO3 NPs were preferentially sequestered within PS nanocylinders in the linear cylinder-forming polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) diblock copolymer upon mixing the BaTiO3 NPs with PS-b-PMMA. The use of PS-b-PMMA diblock copolymers, rather than traditional homopolymers, offers the opportunity for controlling the spatial organization of PS-functionalized BaTiO3 NPs in the PS-b-PMMA/BaTiO3 NP nanocomposites. Selective solvent vapor annealing was utilized to control the nanodomain orientation in the nanocomposites. Vertically oriented PS nanocylinders containing PS-functionalized BaTiO3 NPs were yielded after exposing the PS-b-PMMA/BaTiO3 NP nanocomposite thin film to acetone vapor, which is a selective solvent for PMMA block. The dielectric properties of nanocomposites in the microwave frequency range were investigated. The molecular weight of PS-b-PMMA and the size of BaTiO3 NPs were found to exert an apparent influence on the dielectric properties of the resulting nanocomposites.
Abstract 78: Role of 12-lipoxygenase in regulation of ovarian cancer cell proliferation and survival

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Enzymes involved in eicosanoid synthesis have previously been implicated in the progression of various types of cancer, including ovarian carcinomas. Most of the current data in ovarian cancer have focused on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). It is not known whether the main human 12-hydroxyeicosatetrenoate (12-HETE) generating enzyme, 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX), contributes to the regulation of growth of ovarian cancer cells. In the present study, we examined the function of the 12-lipoxygenase pathway in the regulation of proliferation and survival of three epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cell lines. We found that all three EOC cells express high level of the mRNA encoding for 12-LOX, using RT-PCR. These cells also contain significant amount of immuno-reactive 12-LOX protein as revealed by western blot. Liquid chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis confirmed that all three EOC produce 12-HETE when challenged with arachidonic acid (AA). N-benzyl-n-hydroxy-5-phenyl-pentanamide (BMD-122) is a specific 12-LOX inhibitor. Exposure of the three EOC cell lines to an increasing dose of the 12-LOX inhibitor, BMD-122 (1 μM, 10 μM and 50 μM), resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition in cell proliferation (75±9%, 51±6% and 26±4% of untreated control, respectively), measured by MTT assay in vitro. Furthermore, treatment with 10 μM BMD-122 was associated with up to ∼30% increases in the apoptosis of these EOC cells within 24 hr, measured by Annexin-V flow cytometry. This apoptosis seems to be mediated through a mechanism independent of PI-3 kinase since the expression of phosphorylated Akt was not affected by BMD-122 treatment. Furthermore, we found that BMD-122 treatment had no effect on the three EOC cell lines ability to invasion using Matrigel assay. Taken together, these data suggest that 12-LOX is involved in regulation of ovarian cancer progression and survival, an important and novel finding. Inhibition of 12-LOX may have potential as an adjuvant therapy in ovarian cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 78.
APOBEC2, a selective inhibitor of TGFβ signaling, regulates left-right axis specification during early embryogenesis

The specification of left-right asymmetry is an evolutionarily conserved developmental process in vertebrates. The interplay between two TGFβ ligands, Derriere/GDF1 and Xnr1/Nodal, together with inhibitors such as Lefty and Coco/Cerl2, have been shown to provide the signals that lead to the establishment of laterality. However, molecular events leading to and following these signals remain mostly unknown. We find that APOBEC2, a member of the cytidine deaminase family of DNA/RNA editing enzymes, is induced by TGFβ signaling, and that its activity is necessary to specify the left-right axis in Xenopus and zebrafish embryos. Surprisingly, we find that APOBEC2 selectively inhibits Derriere, but not Xnr1, signaling. The inhibitory effect is conserved, as APOBEC2 blocks TGFβ signaling, and promotes muscle differentiation, in a mammalian myoblastic cell line. This demonstrates for the first time that a putative RNA/DNA editing enzyme regulates TGFβ signaling and plays a major role in development.
Cyclotron Production of 99mTc using 100Mo2C targets

Abstract An investigative study of the 100 Mo (p,2n) 99m Tc reaction on a medical cyclotron using 100 Mo 2 C is reported. This is the first report of this compound being used as a target for this reaction. 100 Mo 2 C, a refractory carbide with high thermal conductivity, properties which underscore its use on a cyclotron, was synthesized using 100 MoO 3 . Its ease of oxidation back to 100 MoO 3 under air at elevated temperatures facilitates the use of thermo-chromatography, a high temperature gas phase separation technique for the separation and isolation of 99m Tc. Activity yields for 99m Tc averaged 84% of the calculated theoretical yields. Additionally, the percent recovery of MoO 3 , the precursor for Mo 2 C, was consistently high at 85% ensuring a good life cycle for this target material. The produced 99m Tc was radio-chemically pure and easily labeled MDP for imaging purposes.
Constitutional structures and regime performance in 18 industrialized democracies: A test of Olson's hypothesis

According to Olson's concept of encompassing organizations, strong two-party, plurality oriented political systems should create more ‘responsible’ public policies than ‘weak’ multi-party governments based on proportional representation. An empirical measure of ‘encompassment’, termed popular cabinet support, is developed and tested in a multivariate controlled statistical analysis of 18 industrialized democracies. While Olson's theoretical concept of encompassing organizations appears to hold, his empirical operationalization, namely, strong two-party systems based on plurality electoral rules, does not. The findings reveal that the alternative measures of ‘encompassment’, popular cabinet support, significantly reduces the rate of unemployment and inflation, indicating that the wider the popular support base of government, the more responsibly these governments behave.
In vitro evidence indicating a role for the Fc region of IgG in the mechanism for the long-term maintenance and regulation of antibody levels in vivo.

Abstract The synthesis of anti-human serum albumin (HSA) antibody was induced spontaneously in cell cultures prepared from the draining lymph nodes of rabbits immunized months earlier with polymerized HSA. Serum from HSA-immunized rabbits suppressed this response. Removal of specific antibody from immune serum eliminated suppression and the addition of specific IgG restored suppression, indicating that the feedback phenomenon may be explained by an effect of specific IgG antibody. Fab and F(ab′) 2 fragments masked antigen as effectively as IgG; however, they were markedly inferior to IgG in mediating suppression. Furthermore, Fab competed with IgG and interfered with IgG mediated suppression. The addition of small amounts of antigen to antibody-suppressed cultures induced an antibody response. The level of induction was proportional to the antigen-antibody ratio. However, 80 to 100 times the antibody concentration needed to mask all antigenic determinants was needed in order to eliminate induction of antibody synthesis. High concentrations of antigen-antibody complexes at equivalence also suppressed the spontaneous response. This suppression was similar to antibody mediated suppression at the spontaneous response in that the Fc region of IgG was required.
Comparison of eight microcomputer dietary analysis programs with the USDA Nutrient Data Base for Standard Reference.

Abstract Objective To compare the general operating features and nutrient databases of eight microcomputer dietary analysis programs. Design A 3-day food record with 73 food items was entered into each program by the authors. The general operating features of the program were summarized and evaluated. The nutrient database was evaluated by comparing the nutrient analysis output with the 1993 US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient Data Base for Standard Reference (NDB), full version, release 10, for microcomputers. Results The programs varied in cost, number of foods and nutrients in the database, use of non-USDA data, and inputting of data for missing values. We also found differences in the quality of user manuals and help screens, ease of food entry and averaging of 3-day nutrient intake, speed of analyzing and printing results, quality and number of print/export options, and overall ease of learning and using the program. All but one of the programs were within 15% of the USDA NDB for energy, protein, total fat, and total carbohydrates. However, there was some difference in the number of other nutrients and food components varying more than 15% from the USDA NDB. These differences occurred because of variations in the number of food items included in each programs' database and the number of missing nutrient values in the database. Applications Our results demonstrate the importance of carefully choosing a microcomputer dietary analysis program that is suitable to the user's specific and predetermined needs. J Am Diet Assoc. 1995; 95:858–867 .
Resonance raman spectra of some ferric and cupric thiolate complexes

Abstract Resonance Raman (RR) spectra of intensely absorbing (at ∼600 nm) transient ferric thiolate species obtained by mixing iron(III) salts with l -cysteine, d -penicillamine, N -acetyl- d -penicillamine, and α-mercaptopropionic acid were measured between 250 and 500 cm −1 . RR spectra of a red ferric d -penicillamine complex showing band maxima at 500 and 550 nm and of oxidized spinach ferredoxin are also reported. Vibrational bands in the low-frequency region are associated with ν(FeS) and ν(FeO) modes, resonance-enhanced with excitation into an iron-sulfur charge transfer electronic transition. Iron-ligand bond strength and possible structure-stability correlations are suggested. In addition, the RR spectrum of the violet Cu II N 2 S 2 core-containing copper d -penicillamine cluster complex was obtained. Comparisons with RR spectra of “blue” copper proteins and reinterpretation of the latter spectra are made. Use of Franck-Condon factors in interpreting resonance-enhancement of particular modes of vibration is discussed with regard to metal-ligand vibrations and charge transfer electronic transitions.