cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Soil heterogeneity in lumped mineralization–immobilization models

Abstract The heterogeneous distribution of nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor patches in soils strongly affects the intensity of nitrogen cycling between organic and inorganic soil compartments. In highly heterogeneous soils, observation at the core scale of large gross mineralization and immobilization fluxes has led to the development of the mineralization–immobilization turnover (MIT) modeling scheme, which maintains that all nitrogen decomposed from organic compounds is mineralized before assimilation by the microbial biomass. This hypothesis, however, neglects the endogenous nature of the ammonification reactions at the microscopic scale, where organic N is directly assimilated by the decomposers and only the surplus is released as ammonium, as better described by the direct (DIR) pathway. Here we hypothesize that, at the micro-scale, mineralization behaves according to the DIR pathway and analyze a simple two-compartment model to simulate a heterogeneous soil with two fractions of different chemical composition (i.e., C-to-N ratio) and quality (i.e., decomposition rate). We derive the effective parameters of the aggregated model as a function of micro-scale features, and show that it represents a generalization of the parallel (PAR) scheme, which in its original form was introduced to combine DIR and MIT pathways. This physically based new parameterization improves current lumped N mineralization models.
Regression of naturally occurring atherosclerotic lesions in pigeon aorta by intestinal bypass surgery. Early changes in arterial cholesteryl ester metabolism.

Abstract Early changes in cholesteryl ester metabolism of the aorta during the regression of naturally occurring atherosclerotic lesions in pigeon aorta by ileal bypass surgery were examined. Three months after surgery, there was a decrease (50%) in the content of cholesteryl esters in the aorta. Increases in the activity of cholesteryl ester hydrolase in the lysosomal ( P P
Colonic Hemorrhage Produced in Mice by a Unique Vero Cell Cytotoxin from an Escherichia coli Strain That Causes Hemorrhagic Colitis

A Vero cell cytotoxin that produces colonic lesions and subsequent colonic hemorrhage in mice has been purified from a strain of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 that causes hemorrhagic colitis in humans. This toxin is different in physicochemical properties from the Shiga-like toxin previously associated with this organism and may be responsible for the unique diffuse mucosal hemorrhage in the colon of individuals with E. coli 0157:H7 infections.
Inactivation of E. coli RNA polymerase by polyriboinosinic acid: Heterogeneity of RS complexes

Polyriboinosinic acid (poly I) inhibits initiation of transcription by binary complexes formed between Adenovirus 2 DNA and E. coli RNA polymerase holozyme. In the presence of poly I, just as in the presence of rifampicin, initiation of transcription exhibits a sigmoidal dependence on the temperature at which the binary complexes are formed. This indicates that I (closed) complexes between Ad 2 DNA and RNA polymerase are rapidly inactivated by poly I, but that RS (open) complexes are relatively resistant. However, even among the RS complexes, at least two classes can be distinguished on the basis of the degree to which they are resistant to poly I: RS-1 complexes are somewhat sensitive to poly I (half-time of inactivation approximately 10 min) while RS-2 complexes are almost completely resistant to the inhibitor (half-time of inactivation approximately 10 h). For both types of RS complex, the degree of sensitivity to poly I is ionic strength-dependent.
Dependence of the superconducting transition temperature of the filled skutterudite compound PrPt4Ge12 on hydrostatic pressure

Abstract The temperature-dependent ac susceptibility of the filled skutterudite superconductor PrPt 4 Ge 12 has been measured under hydrostatic He-gas pressure to 0.58 GPa. The superconducting transition temperature T c decreases linearly with pressure P from 7.91 K at ambient pressure to 7.83 K at 0.58 GPa, giving the rate dT c / dP = − 0.19 ± 0.03 K/GPa. Evidence is presented that suggests that the value of T c in this compound is slightly reduced due to magnetic pair-breaking effects from the Pr 3+ cations.
Guiding and confining light in void nanostructure.

We present a novel waveguide geometry for enhancing and confining light in a nanometer-wide low-index material. Light enhancement and confinement is caused by large discontinuity of the electric field at highindex-contrast interfaces. We show that by use of such a structure the field can be confined in a 50-nm-wide low-index region with a normalized intensity of 20 mm 22 . This intensity is approximately 20 times higher than what can be achieved in SiO2 with conventional rectangular waveguides. © 2004 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 030.4070, 130.0130, 130.2790, 230.7370, 230.7380, 230.7390, 230.7400. Recent results in integrated optics have shown the ability to guide, bend, split, and f ilter light on chips by use of optical devices based on high-index-contrast waveguides. 1–5 In all these devices the guiding mechanism is based on total internal ref lection (TIR) in a highindex material (core) surrounded by a low-indexmaterial (cladding); the TIR mechanism can strongly confine light in the high-index material. In recent years a number of structures have been proposed to guide or enhance light in low-index materials, 6–1 1 relying on external ref lections provided by interference effects. Unlike TIR, the external ref lection cannot be perfectly unity; therefore the modes in these structures are inherently leaky modes. In addition, since interference is involved, these structures are strongly wavelength dependent. Here we show that the optical field can be enhanced and conf ined in the low-index material even when light is guided by TIR. For a high-index-contrast interface, Maxwell’s equations state that, to satisfy the continuity of the normal component of electric f lux density D, the corresponding electric field (E-field) must undergo a large discontinuity with much higher amplitude in the low-index side. We show that this discontinuity can be used to strongly enhance and confine light in a nanometer-wide region of low-index material. The proposed structure presents an eigenmode, and it is compatible with highly integrated photonics technology. The principle of operation of the novel structure can be illustrated by analysis of the slab-based structure shown in Fig. 1(a), where a low-index slot is embedded between two high-index slabs (shaded regions). The novel structure is hereafter referred to as a slot waveguide. The slot waveguide eigenmode can be seen as being formed by the interaction between the fundamental eigenmodes of the individual slab waveguides. Rigorously, the analytical solution for the transverse E-field profile Ex of the fundamental TM eigenmode of the slab-based slot waveguide is
Reinventing Advisory Committee Management at the Food and Drug Administration

In 1991, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) began a study of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) advisory committee system. The IOM's report, issued in 1992, concluded that the system was fundamentally sound, but recommended a variety of administrative and procedural changes to improve the performance and usefulness of the system. FDA, which had also conducted an internal review of its committee operations, responded to the IOM's recommendations and those of its internal review by developing the recently published “Policy and Guidance Handbook for FDA Advisory Committees.” The handbook contains over 100 new and revised policies governing advisory committee administration. The new policies, which cover every facet of advisory committee operations from recruitment of new members to conducting meetings, will help improve communications among FDA, its advisory committees, and the public; will strengthen committee independence and integrity; and will both streamline and improve agency accountability for oper...
Serial ChIP as a tool to investigate the co-localization or exclusion of proteins on plant genes.

Background Establishing transcriptional regulatory networks that include protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions has become a key component to better understanding many fundamental biological processes. Although a variety of techniques are available to expose protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions, unequivocally establishing whether two proteins are targeted together to the same promoter or DNA molecule poses a very challenging endeavour. Yet, the recruitment of multiple regulatory proteins simultaneously to the same promoter provides the basis for combinatorial transcriptional regulation, central to the transcriptional regulatory network of eukaryotes. The serial ChIP (sChIP) technology was developed to fill this gap in our knowledge, and we illustrate here its application in plants.
Illusory Correlation of Brightness Enhancement and Transients in the Nervous System

Short light flashes can appear brighter than longer flashes. This brightness enhancement has often been attributed to neural transients occurring shortly after stimulus onset. This attribution assumes an equivalence between the totality of the response to a stimulus of a given duration and the instantaneous response at a given time after stimulus onset. Recordings from Limulus photoreceptors indicate that this attribution is an example of illusory correlation.
Catheter introducers for rapid fluid resuscitation.

Catheter introducer sets developed for placement of Swan-Ganz catheters are useful as temporary large-diameter lines in hypovolemic patients. The internal diameters of 8 F introducers exceed the diameter of standard intravenous tubing. We compared an 8 F introducer to other catheters and found the introducer had a significantly faster flow rate than did a 14-gauge cannula ( P
A mixed eulerian-lagrangian displacement model for large-deformation analysis in solid mechanics

Abstract A new mixed kinematic description for large-deformation solid mechanics is presented. The novel aspect of the new model is that both the initial and current configurations are treated as unknown. Large-deformation statements of the principles of virtual work and stationary potential energy are formulated with the new description and presented in incremental form suitable for iterative finite element solutions. The well-known total Lagrangian and updated Lagrangian descriptions are shown to be special cases of the mixed formulation. The new description is advantageous in situations where it is difficult to select an appropriate material discretization prior to analysis. Applications to large-deformation frictional contact and fracture mechanics are presented to demonstrate the utility of the new kinematic description.
Demonstration of incompatible mother-child pairs in PGM1 and Duffy systems in a three-generation family from the upper Silesia (Poland).

Abstract A silent allele PGM 1 0 in three generations of a Polish family was indicated by an abnormal segregation pattern and by reduced enzyme activity on electrophoresis and densitometric assay. There was also found in this family the silent allele Fy 0 in the Duffy system (the incompatibility in the mother-child pair).
Phospholamban overexpression in transgenic rabbits

There has been considerable interest in pursuing phospholamban as a putative therapeutic target for overcoming depressed calcium handling in human heart failure. Studies predominantly done in mice have shown that phospholamban is a key regulator of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium cycling and cardiac function. However, mice differ significantly from humans in how they regulate calcium, whereas rabbits better recapitulate human cardiac function and calcium handling. To investigate phospholamban’s role in the rabbit heart, transgenic rabbits that overexpressed wild-type phospholamban in the ventricular cardiomyocytes and slow-twitch skeletal muscles were generated. Rabbits expressing high levels of phospholamban were not viable due to severe skeletal muscle wasting, the onset of cardiac pathology and early death. A viable transgenic line exhibited a 30% increase in PLN protein levels in the heart. These animals showed isolated foci of cardiac pathology, but cardiac function as well as the response to β-adrenergic stimulation were normal. SR-calcium uptake measurements showed that the transgenic hearts had the expected reduced affinity for calcium. The data show that phospholamban-overexpressing transgenic rabbits differ markedly in phenotype from analogous transgenic mice in that rabbits are quite sensitive to alterations in phospholamban levels. Exceeding a relatively narrow window of phospholamban expression results in significant morbidity and early death.
Control of the synthesis of dextran and acceptor-products by Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-512FM dextransucrase☆

In the maltose-acceptor reaction of Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-512FM dextransucrase, some of the d-glucose moieties of sucrose are diverted from the synthesis of dextran and are transferred to the nonreducing end of maltose to form panose. Glucose is also transferred to panose and to subsequent acceptor products to give a homologous series of isomaltosyl dextrins attached α-(1 → 6) to maltose. Three experimental parameters were studied to obtain quantitative information about the yield and distribution of acceptor products and the yield of dextran: (a) the ratio of maltose to sucrose, (b) the concentration of maltose and sucrose, and (c) the amount of enzyme. The reactions were run with [14C]sucrose and the amount of each acceptor product and the amount of dextran synthesized were determined for (a), (b), and (c) by TLC separation and measurement of the radioactivity with a PhosphorImager. It was found that an increase in the ratio of maltose to sucrose increased the amount of acceptor products with a concomitant decrease in the synthesis of dextran. Further, as the ratio was increased, the number of acceptor-products decreased. When the concentrations of maltose and sucrose were increased and the ratio was maintained at 1:1, there also was a decrease in the amount of dextran and an increase in the amount of acceptor-products. In addition, there was a decrease in the amount of dextran and an increase inthe amount and number of acceptor-products when the amount of enzyme was increased. The first acceptor-product can be exclusively obtained without the formation of any dextran, by using a specific ration and concentration of maltose and sucrose and a specified amount of enzyme.
LGBTQ People on Community College Campuses: A 20-Year Review

In March 2000, an ERIC Digest was published on the status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students on community college campuses. It was immediately apparent that there was a dearth of literature on the subject, nor was research being conducted about these student populations. The Digest examined some possible reasons why. This essay examines the advancements that have been made in basic research about LGBTQ students attending community colleges since 1991.
Abnormalities of the left ventricular outflow tract associated with discrete subaortic stenosis in children : An echocardiographic study

AbstractObjectives. The purpose of this study was to examine the echocardiographic abnormalities of the left ventricular outflow tract associated with subaortic stenosis in children.Background. Con...
GravNav: using a gravity model for multi-scale navigation

We present gravity navigation (GravNav), a family of multi-scale navigation techniques that use a gravity-inspired model for assisting navigation in large visual 2D spaces based on the interest and salience of visual objects in the space. GravNav is an instance of topology-aware navigation, which makes use of the structure of the visual space to aid navigation. We have performed a controlled study comparing GravNav to standard zoom and pan navigation, with and without variable-rate zoom control. Our results show a significant improvement for GravNav over standard navigation, particularly when coupled with variable-rate zoom. We also report findings on user behavior in multi-scale navigation.
Cardioversion in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Left Atrial Thrombi on Initial Transesophageal Echocardiography: Should Transesophageal Echocardiography Be Repeated Before Elective Cardioversion? A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Abstract Background: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is used to expedite early cardioversion for patients with atrial fibrillation in whom TEE excludes the presence of atrial thrombi. However, the management of patients with atrial thrombi on initial TEE is controversial. Some advocate cardioversion after 3 to 4 weeks of anticoagulant therapy, whereas others perform a follow-up TEE to document thrombus resolution. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis to compare the two strategies. Methods and Results: A computer-based decision analysis model was used to compared 2 strategies: No Follow-up TEE —patients with thrombi on initial TEE complete 4 weeks of anticoagulation and undergo elective cardioversion. Follow-up TEE —patients undergo a follow-up TEE after 4 weeks of anticoagulant therapy. If a thrombus is detected, cardioversion is not performed and patients remain in atrial fibrillation; patients without a thrombus undergo cardioversion. Under our baseline estimates, the Follow-up TEE strategy is less costly and slightly more effective than the No Follow-up TEE strategy. The results are most sensitive to changes in the risk of postcardioversion stroke for patients with atrial thrombi on initial TEE who have completed 4 weeks of anticoagulation and to the probability of residual thrombi on follow-up TEE. Conclusions: In this cost-effectiveness analysis for patients with atrial fibrillation and left atrial thrombi detected on initial TEE, a Follow-up TEE strategy may be more cost-effective than the No Follow-up TEE strategy. However, the decision is particularly dependent on the risk of postcardioversion stroke in patients with undetected residual left atrial thrombi. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 1999;12:508-16.)
An ethical critique of boutique fetal imaging:a case for the medicalization of fetal imaging.

There has been a resurgence of boutique fetal imaging (non–diagnostic use of ultrasound scanning to make images of the fetus) after earlier efforts of this type were stopped by the Food and Drug Administration. Boutique fetal imaging is a logical extension of critiques of the medicalization of pregnancy and other aspects of our lives. We address the ethical issues that are involved in boutique fetal imaging, which include blanket prescriptions, psychosocial risks to pregnant women, the misleading label of “baby pictures,” impact on decisions to terminate a pregnancy that was discovered later to be complicated by an anomaly, lack of adequate informed consent, medical cosmesis, and economic conflicts of interest. We argue for the medicalization of fetal imaging and that boutique fetal imaging is unjustified ethically.
A Finite Element Model for Elastic and Slip Responses of Fusion Magnets

A finite element model to simulate the elastic and slip responses of fusion magnets under operating loads is proposed. To represent the elastic actions, a material homogenization procedure based on the existing composite technology was applied to obtain the effective stress strain relations for the heterogeneous, laminated magnets. In addition, a friction-type model was utilized to simulate the interlayer slip of the magnets when the shear stresses reach the bonding strength of the adhesives. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model.
Imidacloprid, Thiacloprid, and Their Imine Derivatives Up-Regulate the α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor in M10 Cells

Neonicotinoids are the most important new class of insecticides of the last decade. They act as nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) agonists. This investigation tests the hypothesis for the first time that neonicotinoid insecticides and their imine derivatives up-regulate the alpha 4 beta 2 nicotinic AChR subtype, which represents >90% of the high-affinity [(3)H]nicotine binding sites in mammalian brain. The alpha 4 beta 2 receptor stably expressed in mouse fibroblast M10 cells was assayed after 3 days' exposure to the test compound, as [(3)H]nicotine binding following immunoisolation by monoclonal antibody (mAb 299) or as [(125)I]mAb 299 labeling for cell surface receptors. We found that imidacloprid (IMI) (one of the most important insecticides) and thiacloprid (THIA) increased [(3)H]nicotine binding levels (up-regulation of the alpha 4 beta 2 AChRs) by five- to eightfold with EC50s of approximately 70,000 and 19,000 nM, respectively, compared with 760 nM for (-)-nicotine. In contrast, two imine analogs [the desnitro metabolite of IMI (DNIMI) and the descyano derivative of THIA] gave up-regulation by eightfold and EC50s of 870 and 500 nM, respectively. The potency order for up-regulation by the five aforementioned compounds was correlated with their in vitro IC50s for inhibiting [(3)H]nicotine binding (r(2) = 0.99, n = 5), indicating that binding to the alpha 4 beta 2 receptor initiates the up-regulation. A potent olefin derivative of the THIA imine up-regulated with an EC50 of 22 nM. DNIMI-induced up-regulation mainly occurred intracellularly rather than at the cell surface. These findings in alpha 4 beta 2-expressing M10 cells indicate the possibility that some neonicotinoid insecticides or their metabolites, on accidental human exposure or when used for flea control on dogs, may also up-regulate the receptor in mammals.
Comparative economic assessments and the endogeneity of left/right self placement: A research note

Abstract. Previous survey level research on attitudes towards the economy among European voters has tended to focus on the short-term implications of these attitudes, relating them to vote choice or executive popularity. In this paper we seek to examine the relationships between economic assessments and more fundamental aspects of voter attitudes. More concretely, we examine the links between ideology and economic information, arguing that they are interdependent to the exctent that they can be seen to exist within a reciprocal relationship. In the wake of Kramer, we approach this problem from a comparative perspective, and find that the hypothesised reciprocal relationship is well supported by the statistical evidence.
Application of Liquid State Models for the Time Efficient Phase Equilibrium Calculation of Supercritical CO2 and H2O at High Temperatures and Pressures

There are numerous models available to compute phase equilibrium composition of supercritical CO2 and H2O at high temperatures and pressures. In this paper a different approach is proposed where liquid state models (LSM) are used following liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) flash calculation in order to obtain phase compositions (solubility of CO2 in the H2O rich phase and that of H2O in the CO2 rich phase). Four LSM (two two-parameter models UNIQUAC and LSG, and two three-parameter models NRTL and GEM-RS) are investigated. The original forms of these models are inappropriate to represent the literature values; the binary interaction parameters are related with both pressure and temperature. These modified versions are suitable to generate phase composition values within 2–7 % deviation. Further investigations show that the LLE calculation is more time efficient than vapor–liquid equilibrium computation, meaning our approach can save computational expense for the numerical simulation of CO2 flows in a reservoir. Comparison of the time efficiency of these LSM models with respect to other equations of state is given.
Kinetics of butyric acid fermentation of glucose and xylose by Clostridium tyrobutyricum wild type and mutant

Abstract The kinetics of butyric acid fermentation by Clostridium tyrobutyricum at pH 6.0 and 37 °C were studied with the wild type ATCC 25755 and its mutant PPTA-Em, which was obtained from integrational mutagenesis to inactivate the chromosomal pta gene, encoding phosphotransacetylase (PTA). The potential of using this mutant to improve butyric acid production from glucose and xylose was evaluated in both free and immobilized cell fermentations. Compared to the wild type, in free cell fermentations PPTA-Em produced 15% more butyrate (0.38 g/g versus 0.33 g/g) from both glucose and xylose, at much higher concentrations (37.2 g/L versus 22.9 g/L from glucose and 33.5 g/L versus 19.4 g/L from xylose). The increased butyrate production in the mutant can be attributed to the reduced acetate production as well as reduced specific growth rate. The acetate yield in the mutant was reduced by 13.5% (0.058 g/g versus 0.067 g/g) and 32% (0.045 g/g versus 0.066 g/g) from glucose and xylose, respectively. The mutant's specific growth rate was reduced by 36% (0.137 h−1 versus 0.214 h−1) on glucose and 26% (0.086 h−1 versus 0.116 h−1) on xylose. A fibrous-bed bioreactor (FBB) was used to immobilize PPTA-Em mutant cells and further improve butyric acid production. The final butyric acid concentrations in fed-batch fermentations reached 49.9 g/L from glucose and 51.6 g/L from xylose, with the butyrate yield increased to 0.44 g/g glucose and 0.45 g/g xylose. As evidenced by the greatly increased butyrate/acetate ratio in the final product profile, it is concluded that the mutant's metabolic pathway has been shifted to favor butyrate production due to the knockout of pta gene even though acetate production remains at a significant level. The observed metabolic shift is corroborated by the changed protein expression patterns as seen in two-dimensional protein electrophoresis and SDS-PAGE.
Changes in nasal leukocytes and epithelial cells associated with topical beclomethasone treatment.

Background We had previously observed that changes in nasal cytology were associated with specific clinical patterns in cross-sectional studies of allergy clinic patients. In the present study, we sought to determine whether specific cytologic changes occurred with antiinflammatory therapy in a controlled setting in a prospective manner. Objective To examine changes in nasal leukocytes and epithelial cells associated with topical beclomethasone treatment in allergic rhinitis patients. Specifically we tested the hypothesis that number of nasal leukocytes relative to epithelial cell numbers are altered by topical beclomethasone treatment. Methods Adult volunteers (n=26) with symptoms consistent with allergic rhinitis and positive aeroallergen skin tests were enrolled for treatment with either beclomethasone or placebo nasal spray. Sprays were allocated in a double-blind manner and were prescribed to be administered over a 2-week period. Baseline quality of life, nasal cytograms, and mucosal physical appearance scores were obtained at baseline and at the end of the treatment period. Changes in various nasal leukocytes and epithelial cell types were analyzed for association with active treatment using bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results Total leukocytes showed greater decreases with beclomethasone treatment than with placebo. Total epithelial cells on the other hand showed an increase with active treatment compared with placebo treatment. In multivariate analysis, the changes in both total leukocytes and total epithelial cells showed independent associations with beclomethasone treatment. Combining these two variables into a single leukocyte per epithelial ratio resulted in variable with values showing a significant decreases associated with beclomethasone treatment compared with placebo treatment ( P = .03). Conclusions The administration of topical corticosteroids results in decreases in total leukocytes and this decrease is of enhanced significance when adjusted for the quantities of associated epithelial cells. Further investigation relating to the quantities of total nasal leukocytes in inflammatory nasal diseases may be helpful in gauging disease activity and monitoring treatment modalities.
Changing Gender Prevalence of Stone Disease

Purpose: Recent studies suggest that the incidence of renal stone formation has been increasing and the male predominance of nephrolithiasis is decreasing, which may be due to changes in diet and lifestyle. We examined changes in the prevalence by gender of inpatient hospital discharges for urinary stone disease.Materials and Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used for analysis. Discharges with an International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification principal diagnosis of 592.0 (calculus of kidney) or 592.1 (calculus of ureter) from 1997 to 2002 were included in the investigation.Results: An estimated mean ± SE 1,013,621 ± 19,310 discharges for stone disease occurred from 1997 to 2002. Discharges for renal calculus increased by 18.9% during the study period (p <0.001), while discharges for ureteral calculus remained relatively constant. After adjusting for population changes discharges for renal calculi increased by 14.2% (p = 0.002). In females discharges for renal calc...
Apigenin Suppresses Cancer Cell Growth through ERβ

Two flavonoids, genistein and apigenin, have been implicated as chemopreventive agents against prostate and breast cancers. However, the mechanisms behind their respective cancer-protective effects may vary significantly. The goal of this study was to determine whether the antiproliferative action of these flavonoids on prostate (DU-145) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cells expressing only estrogen receptor (ER) beta is mediated by this ER subtype. It was found that both genistein and apigenin, although not 17beta-estradiol, exhibited antiproliferative effects and proapoptotic activities through caspase-3 activation in these two cell lines. In yeast transcription assays, both flavonoids displayed high specificity toward ERbeta transactivation, particularly at lower concentrations. However, in mammalian assay, apigenin was found to be more ERbeta-selective than genistein, which has equal potency in inducing transactivation through ERalpha and ERbeta. Small interfering RNA-mediated downregulation of ERbeta abrogated the antiproliferative effect of apigenin in both cancer cells but did not reverse that of genistein. Our data unveil, for the first time, that the anticancer action of apigenin is mediated, in part, by ERbeta. The differential use of ERalpha and ERbeta signaling for transaction between genistein and apigenin demonstrates the complexity of phytoestrogen action in the context of their anticancer properties.
Recognition memory for Braille or spoken words: An fMRI study in early blind

We examined cortical activity in early blind during word recognition memory. Nine participants were blind at birth and one by 1.5years. In an event-related design, we studied blood oxygen level-dependent responses to studied ("old") compared to novel ("new") words. Presentation mode was in Braille or spoken. Responses were larger for identified "new" words read with Braille in bilateral lower and higher tier visual areas and primary somatosensory cortex. Responses to spoken "new" words were larger in bilateral primary and accessory auditory cortex. Auditory cortex was unresponsive to Braille words and occipital cortex responded to spoken words but not differentially with "old"/"new" recognition. Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex had larger responses to "old" words only with Braille. Larger occipital cortex responses to "new" Braille words suggested verbal memory based on the mechanism of recollection. A previous report in sighted noted larger responses for "new" words studied in association with pictures that created a distinctiveness heuristic source factor which enhanced recollection during remembering. Prior behavioral studies in early blind noted an exceptional ability to recall words. Utilization of this skill by participants in the current study possibly engendered recollection that augmented remembering "old" words. A larger response when identifying "new" words possibly resulted from exhaustive recollecting the sensory properties of "old" words in modality appropriate sensory cortices. The uniqueness of a memory role for occipital cortex is in its cross-modal responses to coding tactile properties of Braille. The latter possibly reflects a "sensory echo" that aids recollection.
Oncostatin M receptor β and cysteine/histidine-rich 1 are biomarkers of the response to erythropoietin in hemodialysis patients

Biomarkers that evaluate the response to erythropoietic-stimulating agents largely measure inflammation and iron availability. While these are important factors in modifying an individual's response to these agents, they do not address all aspects of a poor response. To clarify this, we isolated peptides in the serum of good and poor responders to erythropoietin in order to identify biomarkers of stimulating agent response. Ninety-one candidate biomarker targets were identified and characterized using mass spectrometry, of which tandem mass spectroscopy provided partial amino-acid sequence information of 17 different peptides for 16 peptide masses whose abundance significantly differed between poor and good responders. The analysis concluded that three peptides associated with a poor response were derived from oncostatin M receptor β (OSMRβ). The 13 serum peptides associated with a good response were derived from fibrinogen α and β, coagulation factor XIII, complement C3, and cysteine/histidine rich 1(CYHR1). Poor response was most strongly associated with the OSMRβ fragment with the largest molecular weight, while a good response was most strongly associated with CYHR1. Immunoblots found the abundance of intact OSMRβ and CYHR1 significantly differed between good and poor responders. Thus, two measurable biomarkers of the response to erythropoietic-stimulating agents are present in the serum of treated patients.
Orthophosphate Therapy Decreases Urinary Calcium Excretion and Serum 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in Idiopathic Hypercalciuria

The term “idiopathic hypercalciuria” is used to describe the single metabolic abnormality detected by routine laboratory investigation in approximately one-half of the patients who present with idiopathic calcium urolithiasis1. At least two advances have helped our understanding of this disorder; first, is the realization that idiopathic hypercalciuria is not one single entity and more likely, encompasses multiple disorders with separate etiologies. Currently, at least two processes have been identified and idiopathic hypercalciuria is classified as either absorptive or renal hypercalciuria depending on whether increased urinary excretion of calcium is the direct result of intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium, i.e. absorptive hypercalciuria, or impaired renal tubular reabsorption of calcium, i.e. renal hypercalciuria2. A second advance is the finding of increased plasma 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D levels in some patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria3. The metabolite, 1,25-hydroxy vitamin D, stimulates the intestinal absorption of calcium. Indeed, intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium is present in patients with both absorptive and renal hypercalciuria. Presumably, this increase in plasma 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D reflects increased synthesis of this hormone by the renal enzyme 25-hydroxy vitamin D-l-α hydroxylase. Experimentally, the activity of this enzyme is increased as a consequence of both increased parathyroid hormone activity4 and with dietary phosphate deprivation5.
Can secondary extremity compartment syndrome be diagnosed earlier

Abstract Background In 2002, our institution published a 5-year retrospective review of 10 patients who developed secondary extremity compartment syndrome (SECS) with a mortality rate of 70%. Since then, we have aggressively screened for the development of SECS in high-risk patients. We postulate that awareness of SECS and vigilant monitoring for its development would result in earlier diagnosis and treatment and improved outcome. Methods Retrospective review of all patients at a level I trauma center developing SECS from 2002 to 2006. Data collected included demographics, mechanism of injury, injury complex, blood transfused prior to development of SECS, affected extremities, creatinine, creatine phosphokinase, management, and outcome. Results Seventeen of 11,468 trauma patients (.148%) developed SECS. Mean admission hematocrit was 31.7 ± 8.9, mean admission base deficit was −13.3, mean worst base deficit was −17.8, and average Injury Severity Score was 36.3 ± 16.6. Patients received 20.9 ± 11.0 units of blood and 24.6 ± 14 L of crystalloid prior to the development of SECS. Average time from admission to diagnosis of the SECS was 32.6 hours. Acute renal failure developed in 6 (35%) patients; 4 required dialysis, and 3 died. The number of affected extremities ranged from 1 to 4. Of the 46 affected extremities, 39 were salvaged and 7 required amputation. Mortality was 35.3%. Conclusions SECS is an uncommon, but devastating complication in severely injured patients with hypotension undergoing massive transfusion, and developing systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Vigilance increases detection. While the overall mortality was reduced by half, patients requiring dialysis have a 75% mortality.
Palpatory diagnosis of plagiocephaly

Summary Introduction The term plagiocephaly , from the Greek plagios (oblique) and kephale (head), means distortion of the head, and refers clinically to cranial asymmetry. Cranial Osteopathy, since it was first proposed, has focussed upon the diagnosis and treatment of birth trauma and cranial asymmetries, and consequently specific therapy for plagiocephalic deformities has been described. Osteopathic manipulation also has been proposed as a treatment for torticollis, a condition associated with plagiocephaly. For these reasons, we decided to look at the mechanics of the occipital bone and the adjacent atlas and bones of the cranial base, in relation to functional plagiocephaly. Methods The records of 649 children seen in an osteopathic practice in Lyon, France, were reviewed retrospectively, in compliance with the legal requirements of the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertes (CRIL) and the Helsinki accord, for gender, age at presentation, birth history, obstetrical data (breech presentation, vacuum extraction, forceps delivery or Caesarean section), presenting complaint, side of posterior plagiocephaly, side of frontal plagiocephaly, torticollis, motion pattern of the occipital bone upon the atlas, and motion pattern of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis. Results We found significant correlations between plagiocephaly (right/left) and primipara ( P = 0.024 ), use of forceps ( P = 0.055 ) and extractor suction ( P = 0.055 ). Correlations were also found between flattening of the occiput (right/left) and lateral strain of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis ( P = 0.002 ) and between plagiocephaly (right/left) and occipito-atlantal motion ( P = 0.000 ). Conclusion We found a significant correlation between the lateral strain pattern of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis and plagiocephaly and between rotational dysfunction of the occiput upon the atlas and the side of posterior plagiocephaly. We suggest that thorough neonatal osteopathic examination can identify individuals predisposed to develop posterior plagiocephaly.
Co-Channel Television Interference and its Reduction

The undesired effects of co-channel television interference vary both with the intensity and the frequency of the interfering signal. It is found that there are three types of frequency-variation of objectionability, namely: (1) A progressive decrease of objectionability as the frequency of the undesired signal is shifted away from the carrier frequency of the desired signal, which we have called the Beat Size Effect; (2) superimposed on the Beat Size Effect there is a cyclic variation in objectionability which repeats at intervals corresponding to the horizontal scanning frequency; and (3) superimposed on each of these variations there is a ``finegrain'' cyclic variation which repeats at intervals corresponding to the vertical scanning frequency. We have called the cyclic variation (2) and (3) Beat Pattern Effects. Advantage may be taken of the Beat Size Effect and the Beat Pattern Effects to reduce co-channel television interference by appropriate specification of the operating frequencies and frequency tolerances of the desired and undesired stations. It is shown that it is also possible to reduce the objectionable effects of co-channel television interference by the use of certain post-detection devices in the television receiver. Narrow-band video filters, high-pass video filters, and diode clamp video correction circuits have given promising results.
Visual discrimination between a curved and straight path of self motion: Effects of forward speed

Abstract We measured path-deviation thresholds for discrimination between forward movement along a straight and a curved path as forward speed was varied. Stimuli were computer-generated images simulating an observer moving relative to a volume of randomly-positioned dots. Predictions generated from a computer simulation of Rieger's [(1983) Journal of the Optical Society of America A, 73 , 339–344] model indicate that the required deviation for the discrimination of a curved from straight path should decrease with increasing forward speed up to a point and then level off. Psychophysical results were opposite to the model predictions; the deviation required to detect a departure from a straight path increased with forward speed. Path curvature remained nearly constant across forward speeds for a constant level of discrimination performance.
IDENTIFICATION OF LIPOCALIN FAMILY PROTEINS IN NASAL SECRETIONS

(2003). IDENTIFICATION OF LIPOCALIN FAMILY PROTEINS IN NASAL SECRETIONS. Experimental Lung Research: Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 93-121.
Rewards and Impacts of Participation in a Gerontology Extension Program

Because involvement in specific organizations typically is part of a general pattern of social participation, understanding the effects of activity in a particular realm is difficult. A 1985 progra...
Microbial stable isotope fractionation of mercury: A synthesis of present understanding and future directions

Abstract Mercury (Hg) is a trace metal with potentially serious public health consequences, especially when its neurotoxic form, monomethylmercury (MMHg), accumulates in aquatic and terrestrial food chains. Given the variation in Hg stable isotope abundances (up to 6‰ in δ 202/198 Hg and 11‰ in Δ 201/198 Hg) in natural environmental samples and evidence for Hg isotopic fractionation during microbial (e.g., reduction of Hg(II), degradation and formation of MMHg) and abiotic processes (e.g., photo-degradation of MMHg and volatilization, evaporation and diffusion of Hg(0)), Hg isotope biogeochemistry is currently being developed as a tool to study sources, sinks, and transformations of Hg in the environment. The use of Hg stable isotopes to identify sources of MMHg in aquatic and terrestrial food chains depends on the knowledge of reasonably precise fractionation factors for individual Hg transformations that influence speciation and accumulation of Hg. Microbial transformations are critical to the formation of MMHg and Hg(0) and to the degradation of MMHg. This article a) highlights the importance of experimental determination of microbial fractionation factors for the development of Hg stable isotope systematics because of the limitations of theoretical calculations; b) provides a summary of the current understanding of microbial stable isotope fractionation of Hg, especially during kinetically controlled processes; and c) demonstrates the various factors likely to affect cell-level fractionation during microbial transformations through use of an iterative finite-step model. We also identify future directions, conditions and controls that could help rigorously advance the development of mass-dependent Hg isotope systematics at the enzymatic, cellular and ecosystem level.
Ubiquitin ligase parkin promotes Mdm2-arrestin interaction but inhibits arrestin ubiquitination

Numerous mutations in E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin were shown to associate with familial Parkinson's disease. Here we show that parkin binds arrestins, versatile regulators of cell signaling. Arrestin-parkin interaction was demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation of endogenous proteins from brain tissue and shown to be direct using purified proteins. Parkin binding enhances arrestin interactions with another E3 ubiquitin ligase, Mdm2, apparently by shifting arrestin conformational equilibrium to the basal state preferred by Mdm2. Although Mdm2 was reported to ubiquitinate arrestins, parkin-dependent increase in Mdm2 binding dramatically reduces the ubiquitination of both nonvisual arrestins, basal and stimulated by receptor activation, without affecting receptor internalization. Several disease-associated parkin mutations differentially affect the stimulation of Mdm2 binding. All parkin mutants tested effectively suppress arrestin ubiquitination, suggesting that bound parkin shields arrestin lysines targeted by Mdm2. Parkin binding to arrestins along with its effects on arrestin interaction with Mdm2 and ubiquitination is a novel function of this protein with implications for Parkinson's disease pathology.
Disciplining the Poor: Neoliberal Paternalism and the Persistent Power of Race

Joe Soss, Richard Fording, and Sanford Schram Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2011, 368 pp. This text both expands the current boundaries of theory and makes valuable empirical contributions ...
Spacecraft Charging - Present Situation and Some Problems

Abstract : The geosynchronous environment is the most important region in the magnetosphere for spacecraft charging because the plasma temperature can be very high; the plasma density is sometimes very low, and most communications satellites are there. It is now well understood that, for a given surface material, there exists a critical plasma temperature above which spacecraft charging to negative potentials occurs. High energy (MeVs) electrons and ions penetrate into material to different depth. At energies below 100 MeV, electrons penetrate deeper than ions, and may remain in a deep layer, causing a high electric field. High energy "killer electrons" can cause deep dielectric charging and spacecraft anomalies. Studies of correlations of coronal mass Ejections, and exo-events, when a satellite gets outside of the magnetosphere are needed. Spacecraft used for planetary studies can also be affected. More study is also needed to determine whether surface charging or deep dielectric charging is more damaging to satellites.
In and out of prison: Do importation factors predict all forms of misconduct or just the more serious ones?

Abstract Purpose This study was designed to investigate whether importation factors predict all forms of prison misconduct and recidivism or just the more serious forms. Methods Six importation factors were examined: age, marital status, street gang affiliation, criminal thinking, prior drug abuse, and criminal history. Count data for two high severity infractions (assault, escape), two high-moderate severity infractions (fighting, possession of intoxicants), two moderate severity infractions (refusing programs, stealing), two high severity crimes (assault, robbery), and two moderate severity crimes (DUI, failure to appear) were regressed onto these six importation variables in samples of 2488 (prison infractions) and 1101 (recidivism) male inmates. Results The importation variables successfully predicted the four infractions that were rated high and high-moderate in severity and the two crimes that were rated high severity but not the two infractions or two crimes that were rated as moderate in severity. Conclusions These findings suggest that importation factors are differentially predictive of more serious forms of infraction and recidivism and that the importation model may have as much to offer the study of community adjustment and recidivism as it does the study of institutional adjustment and disciplinary infractions as part of the more general theoretical construct of criminal propensity.