cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intraspecific genetic variation in anesthesia success in a New Zealand freshwater snail

Intraspecific genetic variation can drive phenotypic variation even across very closely related individuals. Here, we demonstrate that genetic differences between snails are a major contributor to wide variation in menthol anesthesia success in an important freshwater snail model system, Potamopyrgus antipodarum. Anesthesia is used to immobilize organisms for experiments and surgical procedures and to humanely mitigate pain. This is the first example of which we are aware of a role for genetic variation in anesthesia success in a mollusk. These findings highlight the fact that using only one strain or lineage for many experiments will not provide a full picture of phenotypic variation, demonstrate the importance of optimizing biomedically relevant techniques and protocols across a variety of genetic backgrounds, illuminate a potential mechanism underlying previously documented challenges in molluscan anesthesia, and set the stage for powerful and humane manipulative experiments in P. antipodarum.
Heterotopic Ossification in Polytrauma

Background: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the pathologic development of ectopic bone in muscle and soft tissue. HO is a known complication that can arise in cases of fracture, surgery, burn injury, and nervous system injury. The co-occurrence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and fracture increases the risk of HO development by 37-50%. This review aims to examine and synthesize the mechanisms involved in HO development after polytrauma, available animal models to study these mechanisms, and possible treatment options for patients. Project Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed and EMBASE with search terms: heterotopic ossification, fracture, and traumatic brain injury. This search produced 33 unique articles. Results: TBI and fracture contribute to HO development by triggering the release of inflammatory cytokines, neuropeptides, and hormones in response to nervous system and bone damage. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Substance P (SP) are among the known contributors to HO formation. Damage to the blood brain barrier and release of nervous system factors may also contribute to the osteogenic environment that promotes ectopic bone development. Rodent modeling of the biologic mechanisms underlying HO can be exploited to better understand the molecular causes of the condition. There are also options for both prophylaxis and treatment of HO. Prophylaxis options include radiation treatment, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and bisphosphonates. Treatment options include physical therapy and surgical resection. Potential Impact: HO has a high occurrence rate in military personnel exposed to combat trauma and can lead to restriction of joint movement, pain, and infections in soft tissue. There are limited options for treatment, pointing to a need for further study.
Family perspectives of healthcare for relatives living with a mental illness

Purpose This study explored how parents, partners or spouses, siblings, and adult children, who had a relative living with a mental illness, experienced interactions with mental healthcare providers and staff. Design and methods A descriptive qualitative research process guided interviews with 20 family members about their experiences with the mental healthcare system. Findings Analysis yielded similar and different themes of experience for each family role. Although navigating the mental system presented challenges, positive experiences affirmed family members' contributions to caregiving. Practice implications Involvement of family members contributes to inclusive care and promotes family satisfaction with care provided to their relative.
Calcium antagonists and renal disease.

To the Editor: Epstein and his fellow discussants should be commended for a thorough review of calcium antagonists and renal failure1. However, I disagree with some of his views on the "ideal" renoprotection study. In reply to Dr. John Harrington's question, Epstein asserts that the ideal study of the renoprotective effects of drugs like calcium channel blockers should have a follow-up period of 4 to 5 years. While this sounds theoretically sound, it is impractical. Clinically most patients with diabetes mellitus, especially type II diabetes, who are prone to nephropathy would have reached end stage by the time such a study would have been concluded2. We have shown that Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (isradipine) worsened proteinuria among proteinuric African American patients with type II diabetes mellitus compared to an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril3.
When Negative Is Not "Less than Zero": Electric Charge as a Signed Quantity

Electromagnetism (E&M) is often challenging for students enrolled in introductory college-level physics courses. Compared to mechanics, the mathematics of E&M is more sophisticated and the representations are more abstract. Furthermore, students may lack productive intuitions they had with force and motion. In this article, we explore the mathematization of electric charge. Specifically, we explore how difficulties with positive and negative signs can arise for learners who approach integers primarily as positions on a number line. We discuss the nuances of electric charge as a physical quantity and situate it in a body of work by mathematics and physics education researchers to characterize the uses and meanings of signs. We then describe preliminary research that illustrates the effect of wording differences on student reasoning about electric charge as a signed quantity. Finally, we discuss implications for instruction.
Exploring organizational risk factors for health & wellness problems in correctional officers

Previous research has documented high rates of stress, PTSD, and other health and wellness problems in U.S. correctional officers (COs). In some studies, rates of mental health issues among COs sur...
Osteoporosis in Men and Women

Publisher Summary This chapter explores gender differences in skeletal physiology, epidemiology of osteoporosis, causes of osteoporosis, evaluation of osteoporosis, and treatment of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is more common amongst women than men. Women have lower peak bone mass, smaller bone size, go through menopause (a period of accelerated bone loss), and have greater longevity when compared to men. The lifetime risk of osteoporotic fracture at any site in women is as high as 40–50%. The morbidity and mortality sustained from fractures and osteoporosis in men does not completely parallel that of women. Men, too, report a distinct decline in quality of life following a vertebral or hip fracture, with 50% failing to regain their independence and mobility. Men also suffer a 25% mortality rate within the year following hip fracture. Current osteoporosis therapies have been well tested in women but variably tested in men, forcing the generalization that most therapies appear to be effective in both genders. Without question, understanding the distinct, gender-specific physiology of bone formation in men and women will lead to therapies that are tailored to address these skeletal differences and improve outcomes.
Challenges and Oppurtunities Visual Programming Languages Bring to Programming Language Research

Observation 2: Researchers in visual programming languages would like to take advantage of the new choices afforded by Observation 1 to design "better" languages than were possible before. Although there are many possible views as to what it means for one programming language to be better than another, most agree that programming language A is better than another programming language B if humans are more likely to correctly create, understand, and/or change a program using A than using B.
Feature selection in data mining

Feature subset selection is an important problem in knowledge discovery, not only for the insight gained from determining relevant modeling variables, but also for the improved understandability, scalability, and, possibly, accuracy of the resulting models. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive analysis of feature selection via evolutionary search in supervised and unsupervised learning. To achieve this purpose, we first discuss a general framework for feature selection based on a new search algorithm, Evolutionary Local Selection Algorithm (ELSA). The search is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem to examine the trade-off between the complexity of the generated solutions against their quality. ELSA considers multiple objectives efficiently while avoiding computationally expensive global comparison. We combine ELSA with Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithms for feature selection in supervised and unsupervised learning respectively. Further, we provide a new two-level evolutionary algorithm, Meta-Evolutionary Ensembles (MEE), where feature selection is used to promote the diversity among classifiers in the same ensemble.
Synthesis and degradation of mitochondrial components in hypertrophied rat heart

The accumulation of inner mitochondrial components of rat heart was studied 1 and 3 days after constriction of the ascending aorta of rats. By 1 day after aortic constriction, the activities of three mitochondrial respiratory enzymes/mg of cardiac homogenate protein were increased; after 3 days, specific activities had levelled off or decreased. Selective accumulation of inner mitochondrial membrane components 24h after aortic constriction was further indicated by increased left ventricular cytochrome c concentration (nmol/mg of protein). By 3 days after surgery, cytochrome c concentration was significantly diminished. Low-temperature spectroscopy of isolated mitochondria showed that the ratios of cytochromes c, b and a+a 3 remained unchanged after aortic constriction, suggesting that cytochrome c was a good indicator of the response of the other mitochondrial inner-membrane cytochromes as well. The effect of cardiac hypertrophy on the turnover of cytochrome c was also examined. Cytochrome c was labelled in its haem group with δ-amino[2,3- 3 H 2 ]laevulinate 3 days before aortic constriction. By 1 day after surgery the total ventricular radioactivity in cytochrome c of aortic banded animals was significantly higher than in sham-operated controls, indicating a decreased degradation rate in the former during the first postoperative day. δ-Aminolaevulinate was shown to be a particularly suitable precursor for such turnover studies, since it results in rapid pulse-labelling of cytochrome c (peak activity in 90min), is rapidly removed from the precursor pool ( t ½ =30min) and is not reutilized.
Strawberry Polyphenols and Insulin Resistance: a dose-response study in Obese Individuals with Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Epidemiological data suggest that dietary anthocyanins (ACN) are associated with lower insulin resistance (...
A diagnostic approach to metabolic acidosis in children

Accurate evaluation of extracellular fluid acid-base status used to be a rather formidable task. However, with the availability of automated clinical testing, this evaluation is now readily performed on any hospitalized child. The following discussion will be limited to various aspects of metabolic acidosis with a brief review of normal and abnormal physiology. A practical approach to the diagnostic work-up of an acidotic child will also be discussed. Several more detailed discussions of acid-base homeostatic mechanisms are available for the reader who is interested in pursuing this subject.1-5 Acidosis, as used in this article, will refer to an abnormal increase in circulating acid with an accompanying decrease in the buffering capacity of the blood as manifest by a low serum bicarbonate level. Acidosis that ultimately exceeds the body9s compensatory buffering mechanisms leads to an increase in extracellular fluid (ECF) H+ concentration such that pH is reduced below 7.35. This state is referred to as acidemia. NORMAL ACID-BASE PHYSIOLOGY The normal arterial blood pH is maintained at 7.40 (H+ = 39.8 mEq/liter) and ranges between 7.35 and 7.45. When this pH value drops below the normal range, acidemia is present.6 Acidosis (excess circulating acid) may or may not be accompanied by a fall in pH (acidemia) because the body can compensate for a drop in blood pH by combining some of the excess H+ with bicarbonate to form carbonic acid and then CO2, which is eliminated through the lungs by increased ventilation. Since this compensatory process is limited by the amount of bicarbonate available for the reaction with H+, only prolonged or severe acidosis may lead to acidemia.
A Generic Ontology for Collaborative Ontology-Development Workflows

As knowledge engineering moves to the Semantic Web, ontologies become dynamic products of collaborative development rather than artifacts produced in a closed environment of a single research group. However, the projects differ--sometimes significantly--in the way the community members can contribute, the different roles they play, the mechanisms they use to carry out discussions and to achieve consensus. We are currently developing a flexible mechanism to support a wide range of collaborative workflows in the Protege environment. In this paper, we analyze workflows for several active projects, and describe the properties of these workflows. We discuss an ontology that we developed to represent different aspects of workflows for collaborative ontology development. This ontology is a key component of the customizable workflow support in Protege. We evaluate the coverage and flexibility of this ontology by using it to represent formally two different collaborative workflows described in the literature, Diligent and BiomedGT. This evaluation demonstrates that our workflow ontology is sufficiently flexible to represent these very different workflows.
MASS LOSS IN A FORESTED BOG: RELATION TO HUMMOCK AND HOLLOW MICRORELIEF

The importance of microrelief in relation to mass loss was studied in a Minnesota ombrotrophic forested peatland. Litter and paper strips placed in hummocks for 1 yr lost significantly more mass (two and three times, respectively) than similar material placed in hollows. Less favorable environmental conditions for decomposition, especially lower temperature, reduced decomposition in the hollows. Key words: Peatlands, ombrotrophic, decomposition, Histosols
The influence of the optical pulse shape on excited state dynamics in provitamin D3

Broadband visible transient absorption spectroscopy was used to characterize the excited state population of 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3, DHC) following excitation by UV pulses with systematically varied linear chirp. These experiments demonstrate that the phase of the excitation pulse can modify the observed excited state decay. The results suggest that coherent mechanisms involving multiple interfering pathways may be exploited to control branching between excited state pathways and manipulate product formation.
Active sonar for obstacle localization using envelope shape information

A sonar system that simulates the sensor configuration of echolocating bats is described. Two estimators for range and azimuth of an obstacle are developed, based on the received signal envelope. The standard threshold detector produces a biased time-of-flight (TOF) estimate. An unbiased TOF estimate is derived by using the echo waveform shape to estimate the object location. The estimates are most accurate if the obstacle is located along the line-of-sight, and improve with decreasing range. >
The box VII motif of Escherichia coli DnaA protein is required for DnaA oligomerization at the E. coli replication origin.

Escherichia coli DnaA protein initiates DNA replication from the chromosomal origin, oriC, and regulates the frequency of this process. Structure-function studies indicate that the replication initiator comprises four domains. Based on the structural similarity of Aquifex aeolicus DnaA to other AAA+ proteins that are oligomeric, it was proposed that Domain III functions in oligomerization at oriC (Erzberger, J. P., Pirruccello, M. M., and Berger, J. M. (2002) EMBO J. 21, 4763–4773). Because the Box VII motif within Domain III is conserved among DnaA homologues and may function in oligomerization, we substituted conserved Box VII amino acids of E. coli DnaA with alanine by site-directed mutagenesis to examine the role of this motif. All mutant proteins are inactive in initiation from oriC in vivo and in vitro, but they support RK2 plasmid DNA replication in vivo. Thus, RK2 requires only a subset of DnaA functions for plasmid DNA replication. Biochemical studies on a mutant DnaA carrying an alanine substitution at arginine 281 (R281A) in Box VII show that it is inactive in in vitro replication of an oriC plasmid, but this defect is not from the failure to bind to ATP, DnaB in the DnaB-DnaC complex, or oriC. Because the mutant DnaA is also active in the strand opening of oriC, whereas DnaB fails to bind to this unwound region, the open structure is insufficient by itself to load DnaB helicase. Our results show that the mutant fails to form a stable oligomeric DnaA-oriC complex, which is required for the loading of DnaB.
Video self-modeling to teach classroom rules to two students with Asperger's

Abstract Classroom rules are an integral part of classroom management. Children with Asperger's may require systematic instruction to learn classroom rules, but may be placed in classrooms in which the rules are not explicitly taught. A multiple baseline design across students with probes for maintenance after the intervention ceased was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a video self-modeling (VSM) intervention to teach classroom rules to two children with Asperger's. Results indicated that each of the children improved in their ability to recite classroom rules following the VSM intervention. These results were maintained for both students at 12 weeks post-intervention. The findings of this study suggest that VSM is an effective tool for teaching children with Asperger's classroom rules.
A 5.8GHz digital arbitrary phase-setting Type II PLL in 65nm CMOS with 2.25° Resolution

A fully-integrated 5.8 GHz PLL modulator implemented in 65 nm CMOS achieves digitally-controlled arbitrary phase generation. The PLL consists of a Type II fractional-N PLL with a 1-bit TDC as its PFD. Digital phase setting, which operates by adding a proportional signal to the PFD output, is incorporated in the PLL. The prototype achieves an average phase resolution of 2.25o and a phase range of more than 720o. The entire PLL and output buffer consumes 11 mW.
Crop Rotation and Nitrogen Input Effects on Soil Fertility, Maize Mineral Nutrition, Yield, and Seed Composition

Knowledge of complex relationships between soils, crops, and management practices is necessary to develop sustainable agricultural production systems. Objectives were to determine how maize (Zea mays L.) would respond to monoculture (C-C), 2-yr rotation (C-S) with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], or 4-yr rotation (C-S-W/A-A) with soybean, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under different N input levels. We evaluated N fertilizer input (8.5 or 5.3 Mg/ha yield goal, or no N) and crop rotation (C-C, C-S, or C-S-W/A-A) treatment effects on soil minerals (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn) and their subsequent effect on shoot dry weight and mineral concentrations, grain yield, and grain composition (oil, starch, and mineral concentrations) using univariate and multivariate statistical tests. Soil under C-S-W/A-A rotation had greater NO 3 ―N and less extractable P than other rotations. Significant input x rotation interactions revealed that shoot concentrations ofN, Ca, and Mg were less while P, K, and Zn were greater at no N input for the C-C rotation compared with other N input/rotation treatments. Increased soil NO 3 ―N, increased plant Ca concentration, and increased grain N and grain S concentrations were most important in differentiating C-S-W/A-A rotation from C-C and C-S rotation treatments. No N input resulted in less yield and kernel N concentration within the C-C and C-S rotations but not C-S-W/A-A. Thus, growing maize in extended rotations that include forage legumes may be a more sustainable practice than growing maize in either monoculture or 2-yr rotation with soybean.
Detection of Staphylococcus enterotoxin B at picogram levels using piezoelectric-excited millimeter-sized cantilever sensors

Abstract We report a highly sensitive and rapid method for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB) at picogram levels using a piezoelectric-excited millimeter-sized cantilever (PEMC) sensor. Affinity purified polyclonal antibody to Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (anti-SEB) was immobilized on the aminated cantilever glass surface, followed by exposure of SEB containing samples flowing at a rate of 1 mL/min. The binding of SEB was measured by monitoring the sensor's fundamental resonance frequency. The fundamental frequencies in air and under liquid immersion were 17.50 ± 0.01 kHz and 10.37 ± 0.01 kHz, respectively. Binding of SEB to the sensor surface resulted in an exponential decrease of the resonance frequency and reached a steady state frequency change of 31 ± 1 Hz ( n = 2) and 208 ± 1 Hz ( n = 2) corresponding to SEB concentrations of 50 pg/mL and 12.5 ng/mL, respectively. In each experiment, the bound SEB was released by a pH 2.0 HCl/PBS solution and the sensor response was nearly identical to the frequency change caused by attachment. Full antibody surface regeneration was obtained after the release by rinsing the sensor with PBS pH 7.4. We report the detection limit of PEMC sensors to SEB is between 12.5 pg/mL and 50 pg/mL.
9 A Communication Tool for Emergency Medicine Residents to Improve Patient Care and Professional Development

For every patient in the ED, a web of communication is created. A resident is at the center of this web – connecting team members in and outside the ED. Careful communication, a required ACGME competency, helps the team provide safe, high-quality care and master their respective specialties. We designed a three module curriculum that supports ACGME core competencies by providing training in professional communication and a framework with which to organize patient data. In the first module, residents are introduced to the concept that there is more to communication than content alone. Other elements include context, audience and forum. Together, these components comprise relevant communication. The second module introduces the Disposition, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation, Safety (D-SBARS) Framework, an ED modification of The Joint Commission's communication tool. This framework will enable the resident to focus on communicating the relevant data for a particular audience in an appropriate manner. In the last module, residents participate in a case-based role-play. After presentation of a complicated patient, residents are each assigned a communication task. They communicate with attendings, ED staff and consultants. Each role is played by senior residents. Finally, participants deliver presentations to the on-coming team on “rounds” under time constraints, declining from two minutes to 30 seconds. Residents experience how the D-SBARS tool helps them communicate critical clinical and safety.
Metal concentrations in monkfish, Lophius americanus , from the northeastern USA

Concentrations of arsenic (As), selenium (Se), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and total mercury (Hg) were analyzed in the muscle, liver, and gonads of the American monkfish, Lophius americanus, collected from Franklin Swell, Massachusetts; Mud Hole, New Jersey; and the Fingers, Maryland, in the northeastern US, by commercial gillnetters from February to May 2007. Results indicated that As and Hg concentrations were significantly higher in liver samples collected from the Fingers than from Mud Hole and Franklin Swell. The highest concentrations of Pb were found in muscle, liver, and gonads collected from Franklin Swell. L. americanus collected from the Fingers and Mud Hole had higher concentrations of Zn in the gonads and total Hg in the muscle than those collected from Franklin Swell. Significant differences were found in gonadal Cd concentrations among the three sites. A significant correlation was observed between hepatic Se and Hg molar concentrations in fish collected from Franklin Swell. The molar Se to Hg ratios were lowest in muscle and highest in gonads of L. americanus. With the exception of Hg, all metal concentrations were within the maximum permissible limit for human consumption.
A sensitive method to quantify the terminal differentiation of cultured epidermal cells.

Terminal differentiation of normal and malignant keratinocytes is routinely determined by the ability of these cells to form cornified envelopes after incubation with a calcium ionophore. The authors have used the human squamous cell carcinoma, SqCC/YI, to quantify cellular differentiation by the formation of detergent-insoluble protein. The methodology developed employs the metabolic labeling of detergent-insoluble cellular protein with (/sup 35/S)methionine in the presence of a calcium ionophore. The ratio of filter-retainable radioactivity to that of total cellular protein was shown to be closely correlated to the results obtained by measuring the number of envelope-competent cells when cells were induced to enter a pathway of terminal differentiation in culture by serum deprivation or by treatment with hydrocortisone, and during the inhibition of maturation by either retinoic acid (RA) or epidermal growth factor (EGF). This way of measuring the degree of terminal differentiation of epidermal cells is a relatively simple one that readily allows the simultaneous measurement of multiple samples.
Colocalization of luteinizing hormone and serotonin in secretory granules of mammalian gonadotrophs

Previous studies have demonstrated the uptake of exogenous and storage of endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in parenchymal cells of the anterior pituitary. The present experiments were undertaken to test the hypothesis that the endogenous 5-HT of the anterior lobe of the pituitary is costored with β-luteinizing hormone (β-LH) within the same secretory granules of gonadotrophs. Electron microscope immunocytochemistry was used to detect 5-HT and β-LH immunoreactivities in the anterior pituitary glands of mice and bats. Primary antisera generated in different species of animals to these two antigens were localized with appropriate species-specific secondary antisera coupled to colloidal gold particles of different sizes. This enabled 5-HT and β-LH immunoreactivities to be demonstrated simultaneously on ultrathin sections of fixed anterior lobe tissue mounted on electron microscope (EM) grids. In both bats and mice 5-HT immunoreactivity, identified by immunostaining of β-LH, was found in gonadotrophs, and in no other cell type. Within gonadotrophs about 25% of the secretory granules were labeled by antisera to both 5-HT and β-LH, although 100% of granules reacted with the antiserum to B-LH. No secretory granules were found that were immunostained only by the antiserum to 5-HT. It is concluded that endogenous 5-HT may be a normal constituent of mammalian gonadotrophs and that it is colocalized with β-LH in at least a subset of the secretory granules of these cells. It cannot yet be concluded that gonadotrophs synthesize 5-HT as well as taking it up from the ambient medium. The function of 5-HT in the pituitary remains unknown; however, the costorage of 5-HT and β-LH in the same secretory granules would seem to be a mechanism to ensure the simultaneous release of the two substances by exocytosis.
Persistent ERK Phosphorylation Negatively Regulates cAMP Response Element-binding Protein (CREB) Activity via Recruitment of CREB-binding Protein to pp90RSK

Compound 5 (Cpd 5) or 2-(2-mercaptoethanol)-3-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, is an inhibitor of protein phosphatase Cdc25A and causes persistent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cell growth inhibition. To study the mechanism(s) by which persistent ERK phosphorylation might induce cell growth inhibition, we used Cpd 5 as a tool to examine its effects on the activity of CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) transcription factor in Hep3B human hepatoma cells. We found that CREB activity, including its DNA binding ability and phosphorylation on residue Ser-133, was strongly inhibited by Cpd 5, followed by suppression of CRE-mediated transcription of cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 genes. Cpd 5-mediated suppression of CREB phosphorylation and transcriptional activity was antagonized by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitors PD 98059 and U-0126, implying that this inhibition of CREB activity was regulated at least in part by the ERK pathway. The phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 kinase (pp90RSK), a CREB kinase in response to mitogen stimulation, was also found to be inhibited by Cpd 5 action. This inhibition of pp90RSKphosphorylation is likely the result of its increased association with CREB-binding protein (CBP), which subsequently caused inhibition of CREB phosphorylation and activity. To support the hypothesis that Cpd 5 effects on Cdc25A inhibition with subsequent ERK activation could cause CREB inhibition, we examined the effects of Cdc25A inhibition without the use of Cpd 5. Hep3B cells were transfected with C430S Cdc25A mutant, and ERK was found to be phosphorylated in a constitutively activated manner, which was accompanied by decreased CREB phosphorylation and increased recruitment of CBP to pp90RSK. These data provide evidence that CBP·RSK complex formation in response to persistent ERK phosphorylation by Cpd 5 down-regulates CREB activity, leading to inhibition of both cAMP response element-mediated gene expression and cell growth.
Minor switching and RF oscillations in amorphous semiconductors

Abstract Inherent radio frequency oscillations at 13.7 MHz have been observed in the amorphous semiconductor. As38Te55Ge4Si3 and at 11.4 MHz in 2As2Se3:As2Te3. These oscillations occur at a minor switching event which precedes the major resistive switch. A study of contact effects, ramp excitation and polarity revealed nothing which indicates that the phenomenon is not a property of the material itself. The frequency is independent of loading, pulse repetition rate, and temperature. The threshold for the minor switch is a strong function of temperature. The oscillation may represent the transition from upper localized states to lower extended states. The conductance change would be due to a resulting extension of the recombination free path. If this is the case, a study of the oscillations will yield definitive information concerning the conduction processes in amorphous materials.
Computationally efficient conflict detection methods for air traffic management

Air traffic management (ATM) combines the roles of air traffic control (ATC) and traffic flow management (TFM). Generally, TFM is concerned with the smooth and efficient flow of traffic in the airspace while ATC has the responsibility for maintaining the separation between aircraft. The challenge for the ATM system is to accommodate growth in air traffic while maintaining the same level of safety and increased operator flexibility. This can only be achieved by introducing the technological innovations in communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) and by the development of decision support tools for controllers, pilots and airline operations. Basic components of these decision support tools are algorithms and software for conflict detection and resolution. This paper takes a detailed look at the standard approach to conflict detection in order to reduce the number of computations. The number of computations are reduced by posing the conflict detection problem in two steps: (a) spatial separation and (b) temporal separation. Three algorithms for conflict detection are described.
Cholesterol and the biology of Alzheimer's disease.

Recent results implicating cholesterol metabolism in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) bring cholesterol to the forefront of AD research. Research from genetics, epidemiology, and cell biology all converge, suggesting that cholesterol plays a central role in the biology of amyloid precursor protein and the toxic peptide generated by its cleavage, β-amyloid (Aβ). The ability of cholesterol to modulate Aβ production suggests opportunities for therapeutic intervention, although the functional significance underlying the connection between cholesterol and Aβ remains to be investigated.
Spatial uncertainty management for a mobile robot

Abstract An uncertainty management subsystem for a mobile robot is described within the context of the autonomous robot architecture (AuRA). This system incorporates a spatial uncertainty map that represents both the positional and orientational uncertainty in a mobile vehicle relative to a global map. The spatial uncertainty map consists of a convex polygonal region and a compass wedge which are used to relate the robot's current position relative to the world model. Techniques for uncertainty growth during motion and uncertainty reduction by landmark recognition are presented. The spatial uncertainty increases as the robot moves through the world in a manner dependent on the underlying terrain. Three different landmark classes are described, each having a different impact upon the reduction of uncertainty. Expectations generated by the spatial uncertainty map are used to constrain the perceptual processing required for landmark recognition. Experimental results using our mobile robot demonstrate the viability of this method.
Residence in Coal-Mining Areas and Low-Birth-Weight Outcomes

The objective of this study was to estimate the association between residence in coal mining environments and low birth weight. We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of the association between low birth weight and mother’s residence in coal mining areas in West Virginia. Birth data were obtained from the West Virginia Birthscore Dataset, 2005–2007 (n = 42,770). Data on coal mining were from the US Department of Energy. Covariates regarding mothers’ demographics, behaviors, and insurance coverage were included. We used nested logistic regression (SUDAAN Proc Multilog) to conduct the study. Mothers who were older, unmarried, less educated, smoked, did not receive prenatal care, were on Medicaid, and had recorded medical risks had a greater risk of low birth weight. After controlling for covariates, residence in coal mining areas of West Virginia posed an independent risk of low birth weight. Odds ratios for both unadjusted and adjusted findings suggest a dose-response effect. Adjusted findings show that living in areas with high levels of coal mining elevates the odds of a low-birth-weight infant by 16%, and by 14% in areas with lower mining levels, relative to counties with no coal mining. After covariate adjustment, the persistence of a mining effect on low-birth-weight outcomes suggests an environmental effect resulting from pollution from mining activities. Air and water quality assessments have been largely missing from mining communities, but the need for them is indicated by these findings.
Mesocosm studies on the influence of phosphate enrichment on ammonium and nitrate flux in an oligotrophic lake.

The fate of 15NH inf4 sup+ and 15NOinf3− was followed in control and PO inf4 sup3− enriched 1570 l mesocosms filled with epilimnetic water from an oligotrophic Rocky Mountain lake. Volumetric incorporation of 15NH inf4 sup+ and 15NO inf3 sup− into phytoplankton and bacterioplankton (particulates between 280 and 0.7 µm), and crustacean zooplankton > 80 µm was enhanced by PO inf4 sup3− , but no increase in biomass specific rates of uptake by phytoplankton and bacteria occurred for either form of 15N. Dilution of both 15NH inf4 sup+ and 15NO inf3 sup− by 14NH inf4 sup+ and 14NO inf3 sup− , respectively, was evident indicating regeneration of these nutrients, but regeneration rates were not effected by PO inf4 sup3− enrichment. The results illustrate the strong trophic coupling between N dynamics and PO inf4 sup3− enrichment in this system.
A Heteromorphic Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase, PTPϕ, Is Regulated by CSF-1 in Macrophages

A novel protein-tyrosine phosphatase, PTPϕ, was cloned from a murine macrophage cDNA library. As a result of alternative splicing, macrophage PTPϕ mRNAs are predicted to encode two membrane-spanning molecules and a cytosolic enzyme with identical catalytic domains. The membrane-spanning forms differ in the juxtamembrane region, while a start codon downstream of this region is utilized in the translation of the putative cytosolic form. Expression of PTPϕ mRNA is low and restricted to macrophage cell lines, macrophage-rich tissues, and brain, kidney, and heart. The mRNA in macrophages and heart is ∼2.8 kilobases (kb). However, a ∼5.5-kb transcript in brain and kidney indicates a fourth isoform encoding a large extracellular domain. The ∼5.5-kb PTPϕ brain mRNA encodes the mouse homolog of GLEPP1, a recently reported glomerular epithelial protein. The level of expression of the mRNA encoding the cytosolic form was very low, and only the membrane-spanning proteins (43 and 47 kDa) could be detected in macrophages. Following addition of colony stimulating factor-1 to quiescent BAC1.2F5 macrophages, PTPϕ mRNA and protein were down-regulated. The restricted expression of the shorter isoforms of PTPϕ and their regulation by colony stimulating factor-1 in macrophages suggest that PTPϕ may play a role in mononuclear phagocyte survival, proliferation, and/or differentiation.
The Impact of Cerebral Source Area and Synchrony on Recording Scalp Electroencephalography Ictal Patterns

Summary Purpose: To determine the cerebral electroencephalography (EEG) substrates of scalp EEG seizure patterns, such as source area and synchrony, and in so doing assess the limitations of scalp seizure recording in the localization of seizure onset zones in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods: We recorded simultaneously 26 channels of scalp EEG with subtemporal supplementary electrodes and 46–98 channels of intracranial EEG in presurgical candidates with temporal lobe epilepsy. We correlated intracranial EEG source area and synchrony at seizure onset with the corresponding scalp EEG. Eighty-six simultaneous intracranial- and scalp-recorded seizures from 23 patients were evaluated. Results: Thirty-four intracranial ictal discharges (40%) from 9 patients (39%) had sufficient cortical source area (namely > 10 cm2) and synchrony at seizure onset to produce a simultaneous or nearly simultaneous focal scalp EEG ictal pattern. Forty-one intracranial ictal discharges (48%) from 10 patients (43%) gradually achieved the necessary source area and synchrony over several seconds to generate a scalp EEG ictal pattern. These scalp rhythms were lateralized, but not localizable as to seizure origin. Eleven intracranial ictal discharges (13%) from 4 patients (17%) recruited the necessary source area, but lacked sufficient synchrony to result in a clearly localized or lateralized scalp ictal pattern. Conclusions: Sufficient source area and synchrony are mandatory cerebral EEG requirements for generating scalp-recordable ictal EEG patterns. The dynamic interaction of cortical source area and synchrony at the onset and during a seizure is a primary reason for heterogeneous scalp ictal EEG patterns.
African American Muslim Women: An Invisible Group

Little is written about Islam and African American women or men from a psychosocial perspective. Most of the literature is on the historical and political development of the Nation of Islam, and the differences among the male leaders. This focus obscures the fact that the majority of African Americans Muslims belong to traditional Islamic groups. Drawing upon a variety of literatures, this paper seeks to explore some background information about Islam and the African American community, and to understand the appeal of Islam to African American women.
Genetic engineering of wheat gluten

Wheat is the number one food crop in the world based on area under cultivation and total production. The popularity of wheat is based on diverse uses, resistance to many pathogens and pests, low cost of production, rapid growth, genetic flexibility and adaptability to different climates. The unique breadmaking quality is related to the type and quantity of gluten proteins, especially the high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits that are synthesized and stored in the seed endosperm. Recent advances in genetic transformation of wheat, including the integration and expression of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit genes, now make it possible to engineer the gluten proteins in order to improve breadmaking qualities.
An APL poisson solver

A derivation is presented, based on APL thinking, of a numerical method for solving discrete Poisson equations in a rectangle. The method is equivalent to Separation of Variables, as it must be. It was recovered by this author during the recoding, in APL, of the world's first numerical weather forecast code. von Neumann had presented a formula in 1950, without derivation, for the solution of this type of Elliptic Partial Differential Equation. After using APL to derive the formula, this author then shows the formula equivalent to a Tensor Product method suggested by Lynch, Rice, and Thomas, [2], 14 years after von Neumann's paper. The APL derivation is new and helpful in understanding the structure of the Separation of Variables solution. The derivation depends on APL thinking and manipulations that are not standard in Applied Mathematics.
Drug use and limited prenatal care: an examination of responsible barriers

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine sociodemographic, psychosocial, and health belief factors that explain the association between maternal drug use and little or no prenatal care. Study Design A cohort of 812 low-income women who delivered at Johns Hopkins Hospital were administered a postpartum survey. Drug use was determined by self-report, medical record, and toxicologic screens. Medical records were abstracted to determine little or no prenatal care, as defined by ≤ 1 visit. Results Adjustments for sociodemographic characteristics and cocaine and opiate use were predictive of little or no prenatal care. The effect of cocaine was explained by psychosocial and health belief factors: external locus of control, fear of being reported to police, and disbelief in the efficacy of care. Opiate use remained strongly related to little or no care in fully adjusted models (odds ratio, 3.16; P Conclusion Different outreach and education strategies may be necessary to enroll cocaine- vs opiate-using women into prenatal care.
The role of self-peptides in the development of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells.

The thymus produces a unique lineage of cells known as CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells, and the exact processes leading to their development continue to be defined. Highly specific interactions between developing thymocytes and cognate self-antigens expressed by radioresistant elements in the thymus have been shown to drive CD4+ CD25+ regulatory-T-cell development. The self-peptide(s) that mediate thymic selection of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells can also promote their expansion in the periphery, and self-peptides might also play a role in the conversion of CD4+ CD25− T cells into CD25+ regulatory T cells.
Increased Excitability and Decreased Sensitivity to GABA in an Animal Model of Dysplastic Cortex

Summary: Purpose: Cortical dysplasia (CD) is associated with epilepsy in both the pediatric and adult populations. The mechanism underlying seizures with cortical malformations is still poorly understood. To study the physiology of dysplastic cortex, we developed an experimental model of CD. Methods: Pregnant rats were given intraperitoneal injections of carmustine (1-3-bis-chloroethyl-nitrosourea; BCNU) on embryonic day 15 (E15). Cortical histology was examined in the resulting pups at P0, P28, and P60. In addition, evoked and spontaneous field potential recordings were obtained in cortical slices from adult control and BCNU-exposed rats. Finally, we used whole-cell recordings to compare physiologic properties of pyramidal neurons and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) responses in control and BCNU-treated animals. Results: Features characteristic of CD were found in the offspring, including laminar disorganization, cytomegalic neurons, and neuronal heterotopias. Dysplastic cortex also contained abnormal clusters of Cajal–Retzius (CR) cells and disruption of radial glial fibers, as demonstrated with immunohistochemistry. Under conditions of partial GABAA-receptor blockade with 10 μM bicuculline methiodide (BMI), slices of dysplastic cortex demonstrated a significant increase in the number of spontaneous and evoked epileptiform discharges. Individual pyramidal neurons in dysplastic cortex were less sensitive to application of GABA compared with controls. Conclusions: BCNU exposure in utero produces histologic alterations suggestive of CD in rat offspring. Dysplastic cortex from this model demonstrates features of hyperexcitability and decreased neuronal sensitivity to GABA. Such physiologic alterations may underlie the increased epileptogenicity of dysplastic cortex.
Guinea pig transfer factor: Restriction of macrophage migration inhibitory activity to extraordinary dilution confirmed with demonstration of diminished potency of stored preparations☆

Abstract As reported by Dunnick and Bach, we found transfer factor activity in guinea pig lymph node, spleen, and peritoneal exudate cells to inhibit macrophage migration, in the presence of specific antigen, only after extraordinarily high dilution of sensitized cell lysates. Transfer factor activity of each of five preparations resided in a Sephadex G-25-included fraction (peak 4) and was restricted almost always to a single dilution within the range of 10 −17 to 10 −20 . Activity of Sephadex eluates declined or was no longer demonstrable when diluted only 10 −3 following storage at −80°C for a few weeks. Demonstration of transfer factor activity only at extremely high dilutions of Sephadex eluates, as well as of diminished activity of diluted preparations when stored in the frozen state, may account for past difficulties in uncovering transfer factor in extracts of sensitized cells of nonhuman donors.
An Integrative Approach to Genomic Introgression Mapping

Near-isogenic lines (NILs) are valuable genetic resources for many crop species, including soybean (Glycine max). The development of new molecular platforms promises to accelerate the mapping of genetic introgressions in these materials. Here, we compare some existing and emerging methodologies for genetic introgression mapping: single-feature polymorphism analysis, Illumina GoldenGate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, and de novo SNP discovery via RNA-Seq analysis of next-generation sequence data. We used these methods to map the introgressed regions in an iron-inefficient soybean NIL and found that the three mapping approaches are complementary when utilized in combination. The comparative RNA-Seq approach offers several additional advantages, including the greatest mapping resolution, marker depth, and de novo marker utility for downstream fine-mapping analysis. We applied the comparative RNA-Seq method to map genetic introgressions in an additional pair of NILs exhibiting differential seed protein content. Furthermore, we attempted to optimize the comparative RNA-Seq approach by assessing the impact of sequence depth, SNP identification methodology, and post hoc analyses on SNP discovery rates. We conclude that the comparative RNA-Seq approach can be optimized with sufficient sampling and by utilizing a post hoc correction accounting for gene density variation that controls for false discoveries.