cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Platelet Plasma Membrane Ca2+-ATPase by cAMP-dependent and Tyrosine Phosphorylation

As a consequence of its central role in the regulation of calcium metabolism in the platelet, the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) was assessed for cAMP-dependent and tyrosine phosphorylation. Addition of forskolin or prostaglandin E1, agents known to elevate platelet cAMP and calcium efflux, to platelets pre-labeled with [32P]PO4 resulted in the direct phosphorylation of platelet PMCA. Similarly, addition of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A to platelet plasma membranes resulted in a 1.4-fold stimulation of activity. Thus, the previously reported inhibition of platelet activation by elevated intracellular cAMP may be accomplished in part by stimulation of PMCA, likely resulting in a decrease in intracellular calcium. Treatment with thrombin evoked tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet PMCA, while PMCA from resting platelets exhibited little tyrosine phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of platelet plasma membranes by pp60 src resulted in 75% inhibition of PMCA activity within 15 min. Similarly, membranes isolated from thrombin-treated platelets exhibited 40% lower PMCA activity than those from resting platelets. Phosphorylation of erythrocyte ghosts and purified PMCA by pp60 src also resulted in up to 75% inhibition of Ca2+-ATPase activity, and inhibition was correlated with tyrosine phosphorylation. Sequencing of a peptide obtained after32P labeling of purified erythrocyte PMCA in vitro showed that tyrosine 1176 of PMCA4b is phosphorylated by pp60 src. These results indicate that tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet PMCA may serve as positive feedback to inhibit PMCA and increase intracellular calcium during platelet activation.
Where all the children are above average.

In this issue of Pediatrics , Ben-Joseph et al1 report that parents often misunderstand growth-chart information about their child. On the basis of a nationally representative Web-based survey with 1000 parent-respondents, the authors confirm that the ability to comprehend and interpret complex graphical information such as the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts requires sophisticated mathematical skills that are not universal among US parents, especially those with limited education. In the face of the current epidemic of childhood obesity, it is increasingly important to accurately convey to parents a child's growth parameters and risk of obesity and its consequences. Together with several studies2–4 that have described that parents often do not believe that overweight children are overweight or at risk of poor health and the widespread notion that children outgrow their “baby fat,” the present study underscores how poorly we as clinicians are getting through to parents. By looking closely at the current study results, one can discern a small clue about why it is difficult to communicate concern about childhood … Address correspondence to Anjali Jain, MD, Children's National Medical Center and George Washington University, Center for Health Services and Community Research, Children's Research Institute, Room 5536, 111 Michigan Ave, Washington, DC 20010. E-mail: ajain{at}cnmc.org
A comprehensive picture of non‐site specific oxidation of methionine residues by peroxides in protein pharmaceuticals

In this article, a comprehensive picture of the oxidation of protein pharmaceuticals by peroxides is developed based on our earlier computational and experimental studies. We propose a new mechanism, the water-mediated mechanism, for the oxidation of methionine residues, and it has been shown to satisfy all available experimental data including new data reported here. Based on the water-mediated mechanism, we found a structural property, average 2-shell water coordination number, that correlates well to the relative rates of oxidation of methionine groups. We used this to study the oxidation of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and 1-34 human parathyroid hormone hPTH(1-34). We believe that this comprehensive picture should aid researchers in the pharmaceutical sciences to develop solvent formulations for therapeutic proteins in a more rational way.
Rapid effects of insulin on cyclic GMP location in an intact protozoan

We studied rapid changes in location of cyclic GMP inTetrahymena pyriformis. Insulin caused cGMP localization in cilia and near the plasma membrane (0.5–1 min). Later (1–5 min) cGMP localization was diffuse in cytoplasm with perinuclear accentuation. Inactive insulin analogs did not elicit these changes.
Neutron Detection with Centrifugally-Tensioned Metastable Fluid Detectors (CTMFD)

Tensioned metastable liquid states at room temperature were utilized to display sensitivity to impinging nuclear radiation, that manifests itself via audio-visual signals that one can see and hear. A centrifugally-tensioned metastable fluid detector (CTMFD), a diamond shaped spinning device rotating about its axis, was used to induce tension states, i.e. negative (sub-vacuum) pressures in liquids. In this device, radiation induced cavitation is audible due to liquid fracture and is visible from formed bubbles, so called hearing and seeing radiation. This type of detectors is selectively insensitive to Gamma rays and associated indication devices could be extremely simple, reliable and inexpensive. Furthermore, any liquids with large neutron interaction cross sections could be good candidates. Two liquids, isopentane and methanol, were tested with three neutron sources of Cf-252, PuBe and Pulsed Neutron Generator (PNG) under various configurations of neutron spectra and fluxes. The neutron count rates were measured using a liquid scintillation detector. The CTMFD was operated at preset values of rotating frequency and a response time was recorded when a cavitation occurred. Other parameters, including ambient temperature, ramp rate, delay time between two consecutive cavitations, were kept constant. The distance between the menisci of the liquid in the CTMFD was measured before and after each experiment. In general, the response of liquid molecules in a CTMFD varies with the neutron spectrum and flux. The response time follows an exponential trend with negative pressures for a given neutron count rate and spectra conditions. Isopentane was found to exhibit lower tension thresholds than methanol. On the other hand, methanol offered a larger tension metastability state variation for the various types of neutron sources, indicating the potential for offering significantly better energy resolution abilities for spectroscopic applications.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Delivery of self training and education for stressful situations (DESTRESS-PC): a randomized trial of nurse assisted online self-management for PTSD in primary care.

Abstract Objective This randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of a nurse assisted online cognitive-behavioral self-management intervention for war-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compared to optimized usual primary care PTSD Treatment (OUC) to reduce PTSD symptoms. Method Participants were 80 veterans of recent military conflicts with PTSD as assessed by the PTSD Checklist (PCL) seeking primary care treatment at one of three Veterans Affairs (VA) and four Army clinics. DESTRESS-PC consisted of logins to a secure website three times per week for 6 weeks with monitoring by a study nurse. All participants received nurse care management in the form of phone check-ins every two weeks and feedback to their primary care providers. Blinded raters assessed outcomes 6, 12, and 18 weeks post-randomization. Results DESTRESS-PC was associated with a significantly greater decrease in PTSD symptoms compared to OUC (F (3, 186)=3.72, p =.012). The effect was largest at the 12-week assessment (∆PCL=12.6±16.6 versus 5.7±12.5, p F (3, 186)=2.17, p =.093). Conclusions DESTRESS-PC shows promise as a means of delivering effective, early PTSD treatment in primary care. Larger trials are needed.
Asymmetrical Smiles Corrected by Botulinum Toxin Serotype A

OBJECTIVE The objective was to identify the cause of an asymmetrical smile and to ascertain whether or not it would be correctable by injections of Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A). METHODS Five patients with asymmetrical smiles were identified and found to lower one side of their lower lip in an exaggerated fashion when smiling or laughing. After close observation, it was determined that the ipsilateral depressor labii inferioris of the lower lip was hyperkinetic and retracted that side of the lips lower than its contralateral side when smiling or laughing. Injections of low-volume and low-dose BTX-A (BOTOX, Allergan, Inc.) were placed into the depressor labii inferioris on the side where the lower lip retracted the lowest. RESULTS All of the five patients with asymmetrical smiles presented with unilateral hyperkinetic depressor labii inferioris and responded to injections of BOTOX. Their lower lips became level and their smiles were symmetrical within 1 week of the BOTOX treatments. Their lip symmetry lasted for at least 6 months after their initial treatment. With each additional treatment, the duration of BOTOX lasted even longer, averaging approximately 7 months. CONCLUSION BOTOX is an effective, safe, and long-lasting treatment for lower lip asymmetries caused by a hyperkinetic depressor labii inferioris.
Diisopropylammonium dichloroacetate (DIPA) and sodium dichloracetate (DCA): effect on glucose and fat metabolism in normal and diabetic tissue.

Abstract Diisopropylammonium dichloroacetate (DIPA) was found to exert a significant and prolonged hypoglycemic effect in alloxan diabetic rats, but did not alter blood sugar levels of normal rats. It did not affect blood glycerol levels in either the diabetic or nondiabetic group. In order to establish the site of action of DIPA, we carried out a series of in vitro studies. Both DIPA and sodium dichloroacetate (DCA) significantly stimulated glucose-U- 14 C oxidation to 14 CO 2 in isolated hemidiaphragms from diabetic but not from nondiabetic rats. Diisopropylammonium hydrochloride (DIA) was not effective in promoting glucose oxidation in tissues from diabetic or nondiabetic rats. Thus, the effect of the compound in vivo may be due entirely to its acid moiety. DCA (and presumably DIPA) produced no significant changes in glycerol output or on glucose-U- 14 C conversion to 14 C-triglyceride in hemidiaphragms or epididymal fat pads from normal or diabetic rats. In addition, DCA did not alter oleate-1- 14 C conversion to 14 C-triglyceride in muscle or adipose tissue from diabetic animals. However, DCA markedly inhibited oleate-1- 14 C oxidation to 14 CO 2 in muscle from diabetic rats. It is possible that the hypoglycemic activity of DIPA, and presumably DCA, may be due, at least partly, to a suppression of fatty acid oxidation in muscles of diabetic rats. The high levels of circulating free fatty acids and ketone bodies which commonly occur in diabetes increase intracellular concentrations of citrate, a known inhibitor of phosphofructokinase (PFK). By suppressing fatty acid oxidation in muscle, DIPA and DCA may thus reduce citrate levels and reactivate PFK. Such an effect may explain the selective action of both DIPA and DCA on diabetic but not on normal tissue.
Estradiol stimulates prolactin gene transcription in primary cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells

Abstract Dispersed cells were prepared from the anterior pituitary glands of 6-week old male and retired breeder female rats and were cultured for 3 days in a serum-containing medium which lacked estrogen. Following short-term treatments (1–24h) with estradiol at a concentration of 10 −9 M, the levels of prolactin gene transcription were assayed by quantitating the amount of radiolabeled uridine monophosphate incorporated into prolactin mRNA sequences by pituitary cell nuclei prepared from these cultures. Estradiol significantly stimulated the transcription of the prolactin gene in these primary cultures within 6 h. Similar levels of stimulation were observed in cells from both male and female rats. Estradiol treatment had no effect on the transcription of the growth hormone gene, suggesting its stimulatory effects on prolactin gene transcription are specific. Estradiol also significantly stimulated the transcription of the prolactin gene in cultures in which protein synthesis was grossly inhibited by cycloheximide. These data illustrate that estrogen regulates the expression of the prolactin gene at the transcriptional level, through a direct action on the cells of the anterior pituitary gland, and by a mechanism which does not require the synthesis of any intermediary proteins.
Identity Process and Transformative Pedagogy: Teachers as Agents of Identity Formation

Missing from the discussion of adolescent identity development is the role of teachers as identity agents. Teachers can be purposeful co-constructors of adolescents' identities when they use a transformative pedagogical approach that involves fostering collaborative learning and empowering students to think creatively and critically. In an effort to link identity processes with transformative pedagogy, this article begins with a review of theory that approaches identity from a microprocess perspective, emphasizing the role of daily interactions in identity development. It then provides a detailed account of how transformative pedagogy fosters empowerment of adolescents as they move forward in their identity work. Adding to previous literature that has examined a transformative approach in identity work with at-risk youth, this article suggests ways to examine the influence of transformative teaching on identity processes. It concludes with suggestions for how the transformative approach would benefit more...
Sensory system properties predict signal modulation in a tropical lizard

Two common challenges faced by signallers, which can affect signal efficacy and are intrinsic to the communication process, are (1) that intended receivers are often inattentive and (2) that the spacing of animals in a habitat is relatively fluid. Signal modulation has been proposed to be an effective strategy to cope with these challenges by providing a mechanism to maintain signal efficacy. We evaluated this hypothesis by testing the use of modulation in the tropical lizard Anolis gundlachi. We characterized the motion properties of the sensory system and measured the physical properties of movement-based headbob displays given during staged social encounters under natural conditions. We found a significant positive association between the maximum amplitude of headbob displays and the distance to intended receivers. Modulation occurred in response to small-scale changes in signaller–receiver distance, and signallers gave displays that fell within a range of amplitudes predicted to optimally stimulate the visual system of A. gundlachi. Our findings strongly suggest that modulation of the physical properties of motion-based signals can be an effective mechanism to tune signals to the combined effects of characteristics of receiver sensory systems and receiver distance, and can serve as a behavioural strategy to cope with relatively frequent changes in the spacing of individuals.
Synchronization performance using Scale Time Offset Robust Modulation

Scale Time Offset Robust Modulation (STORM) is a waveform design technique involving the simultaneous transmission of a base waveform as well as a time-scaled and time-delayed copy of that waveform. For some applications this technique is attractive as a possible candidate to enhance synchronization performance, due to the different tradeoffs of its performance properties. This paper first presents background for the STORM technique. From there, a theoretical analysis of the performance of STORM as a possible timing synchronization mechanism is presented.
CONDITIONED SUPPRESSION TO ODOROUS STIMULI IN PIGEONS1,2

The conditioned suppression technique was employed to establish criterion discrimination of an amyl acetate concentration of 3% of vapor saturation, and to generate differential response rates in the presence of equal concentrations of amyl acetate and butyl acetate. The magnitude of suppression was also recorded as a function of amyl acetate concentration, with the concentrations presented in descending, ascending, and irregular series. The three stimulus presentation procedures generated approximately equivalent suppression versus concentration functions. Amyl acetate suppression thresholds were 0.16%, 0.50%, and 0.73% of vapor saturation for three subjects. Amyl acetate, butyl acetate, and butyric acid thresholds for two additional subjects were approximately 0.10% of vapor saturation. No suppression was recorded during control trials.
Fracture of Al2O3 in Combined Tension/Torsion: II, Weibull Theory

The Weibull statistical fracture theory for multiaxial stresses has been extended to conditions of combined tension/torsion loading. At fracture, a tensile principal stress ratio σ1 (tension/torsion) σ1 (uniaxial tension) greater than one is predicted which is dependent on stress state, Weibull modulus, and fracture location. Comparison to experimental tension/torsion data for Al2O3 shows that the Weibull theory, although predicting correct trends, generally underestimates strengthening effects of the compressive principal stress, thus providing a conservative failure prediction. This discrepancy may be related to influences of stress state on crack-tip “process zone” behavior.
Numerical Modal Analysis of Composite Structures Coupled With Water

Abstract Dynamic characteristics of polymer composite beam and plate structures were studied when the structures were coupled with water. The effect of Fluid–Structure Interaction (FSI) on natural frequencies, mode shapes, and dynamic responses was examined for polymer composite structures using multiphysics-based computational techniques. Composite structures were modeled using the Finite Element Method. The fluid was modeled as an acoustic medium using the Cellular Automata and finite element techniques. Those techniques were coupled so that both fluid and structure could interact bi-directionally. In order to make the coupling easier, the beam and plate finite elements have only displacement degrees of freedom but no rotational degrees of freedom. Then, the numerical modal analysis technique was applied to the composite structures with and without FSI, respectively, so that the effect of FSI can be examined by comparing the two results. The study showed that the effect of FSI is significant on dynamic properties of polymer composite structures. Some previous experimental observations were confirmed using the numerical modal analysis.
Book Review: Handbook for Scientific English Writing by Chikashi Sato

Handbook for Scientific English Writing, by Chikashi Sato. Gihodoshuppan, 2006. 856pp. ISBN 4-7655-3011-6
Is laparoscopic adrenalectomy indicated for pheochromocytomas

Background. Since the introduction of laparoscopic adrenalectomy there has been major concern about proper indications for its use, including in pheochromocytoma. In this study we reviewed pheochromocytomas resected by means of laparoscopy to establish that procedure's usefulness. Methods. Between January 1992 and June 1995, 90 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed in 82 patients. Three to five trocars were used intraperitoneally in each patient to remove the gland, and extraction was performed with a sterile plastic bag. Results. Twenty-three pheochromocytomas were operated on. Six patients had a bilateral adrenalectomy. Pheochromocytomas were significantly larger than other tumors, required more operating time, and necessitated longer hospital stays in patients. Of all the intraoperative complications 87% occurred in the pheochromocytoma group; 67% of all postoperative complications occurred in this group. In four patients metastasis from pheochromocytoma to the liver was unexpectedly found, and in one case metastasis from a medullary thyroid carcinoma was found. There has been no local recurrence after laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Conclusions. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytomas is difficult because tumors are larger and more complications are seen related to their hormonal secretions, in spite of adequate pharmacologic blockade. However, metastatic extensions can be diagnosed and laparoscopic ablation can be performed in most instances without recurrence. It is not, therefore, a contraindication for this approach.
The Cutoff protein regulates piRNA cluster expression and piRNA production in the Drosophila germline

In a broad range of organisms, Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have emerged as core components of a surveillance system that protects the genome by silencing transposable and repetitive elements. A vast proportion of piRNAs is produced from discrete genomic loci, termed piRNA clusters, which are generally embedded in heterochromatic regions. The molecular mechanisms and the factors that govern their expression are largely unknown. Here, we show that Cutoff (Cuff), a Drosophila protein related to the yeast transcription termination factor Rai1, is essential for piRNA production in germline tissues. Cuff accumulates at centromeric/pericentromeric positions in germ-cell nuclei and strongly colocalizes with the major heterochromatic domains. Remarkably, we show that Cuff is enriched at the dual-strand piRNA cluster 1/42AB and is likely to be involved in regulation of transcript levels of similar loci dispersed in the genome. Consistent with this observation, Cuff physically interacts with the Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) variant Rhino (Rhi). Our results unveil a link between Cuff activity, heterochromatin assembly and piRNA cluster expression, which is critical for stem-cell and germ-cell development in Drosophila.
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in Children—An Update

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a relatively rare disease, characterized by generalized erythema, bulla formation, and exfoliation of the epidermis that resembles scalding. It is usually drug-induced and mediated by immune reactions of several types. TEN has to be differentiated from erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. TEN bears a life-threatening potential and a risk for significant complications such as dehydration; secondary infections; pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and renal involvement; and late scarring with cosmetic and functional implications. Therapeutic interventions include admission in a burn center unit, systemic antibiotics and corticosteroids, topical therapy with antibacterial agents and biological dressings, and supportive measures.
On Incremental Component Implementation Selection in System Synthesis

Incremental design methods can substantially improve products' time-to-market through efficient handling of engineering change orders (ECO). In this paper, we present a methodology for incrementally solving component implementation selection problem (CISP) in face of local or non-local perturbations. CISP, which refers to judicious selection of components implementation under system timing constraint, is a generic problem that implicitly or explicitly appears in many stages of CAD flow. For a commonly-used formulation of CISP, we discuss necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality of the solution. Based on the optimality conditions, we develop an algorithm that maintains both validity and optimality of a solution under incremental changes. We evaluated our approach by incrementally updating the threshold voltage assignment solution for a netlist going through engineering changes. On average, our method ran 283 times faster than the full solver, while delivering the same results.
Affirmative Action in Undergraduate Education

The use of race in college admissions is one of the most contentious issues in US higher education. We survey the literature on the impact of racial preferences in college admissions on both minority and majority students. With regard to minority students, particular attention is paid to the scope of preferences as well as how preferences affect graduation, choice of major, and labor market earnings. We also examine how schools respond to bans on racial preferences and the effects these responses have on racial diversity at elite schools. With regard to majority students, we examine the evidence on the returns to attending a more racially diverse school, as well as how racial preferences affect friendship formation. Finally, we supplement studies of affirmative action in the United States with evidence from India, which provides a much more straightforward environment in which to study affirmative action owing to the use of quotas and admissions rules based solely on exam scores.
Shift Estimation Algorithm for Dynamic Sensors With Frame-to-Frame Variation in Their Spectral Response

This study is motivated by the emergence of a new class of tunable infrared spectral-imaging sensors that offer the ability to dynamically vary the sensor's intrinsic spectral response from frame to frame in an electronically controlled fashion. A manifestation of this is when a sequence of dissimilar spectral responses is periodically realized, whereby in every period of acquired imagery, each frame is associated with a distinct spectral band. Traditional scene-based global shift estimation algorithms are not applicable to such spectrally heterogeneous video sequences, as a pixel value may change from frame to frame as a result of both global motion and varying spectral response. In this paper, a novel algorithm is proposed and examined to fuse a series of coarse global shift estimates between periodically sampled pairs of nonadjacent frames to estimate motion between consecutive frames; each pair corresponds to two nonadjacent frames of the same spectral band. The proposed algorithm outperforms three alternative methods, with the average error being one half of that obtained by using an equal weights version of the proposed algorithm, one-fourth of that obtained by using a simple linear interpolation method, and one-twentieth of that obtained by using a nai?ve correlation-based direct method.
End-quenching of tert-chloride-terminated polyisobutylene with alkoxybenzenes: comparison of AlCl3 and TiCl4 catalysts

Alkoxybenzenes, including (3-bromopropoxy)benzene, anisole, and isopropoxybenzene, were used to end-quench polyisobutylene, activated with either AlCl3 or TiCl4 at different temperatures (−50, −25 and 0 °C) in 70/30 and 55/45 (v/v) hexane–methylene chloride (Hex–CH2Cl2). Quenching reactions were performed on pre-formed difunctional tert-chloride PIB, which was produced from 5-tert-butyl-1,3-di(1-chloro-1-methylethyl)benzene–TiCl4 at −70 °C in 40/60 (v/v) hexane–methyl chloride. For (3-bromopropoxy)benzene and anisole, quantitatively end-capped products were achieved if the alkoxybenzene/AlCl3 molar ratio was greater than unity. Under these conditions, alkylations were generally quantitative and occurred exclusively in the para position; neither multiple alkylations on the same alkoxybenzene nor polymer chain degradation were observed. Carbocation rearrangement was observed if the alkoxybenzene/AlCl3 molar ratio was less than unity. No such specific alkoxybenzene/Lewis acid molar ratio was required to obtain quantitatively alkylated products using TiCl4 catalyst. The alkylation rate of (3-bromopropoxy)benzene with AlCl3 was 2.6 times faster than with TiCl4 under the same reaction conditions. The alkylation rate of (3-bromopropoxy)benzene was faster than that of anisole using AlCl3. For isopropoxybenzene quencher only, using AlCl3 catalyst, a small fraction of exo-olefin was formed during the initial stage of reaction, and the quenching reaction failed to reach completion. Chain end functionality, a mixture of para and meta isomers (3 : 1), reached only 1.72 (86.4% conversion) after 45 h. Increasing temperature to −25 and 0 °C did not greatly affect the rate of alkylation, but it did increase carbocation rearrangement and decreased regioselectivity; at 0 °C, 25% alkylation occurred at the meta or ortho positions of (3-bromopropoxy)benzene. Increasing solvent polarity to 55/45 (v/v) Hex–CH2Cl2 also did not greatly affect alkylation rate but increased carbocation rearrangement.
Whole-grain consumption and risk of coronary heart disease: results from the Nurses' Health Study

Background: Although current dietary guidelines for Americans recommend increased intake of grain products to prevent coronary heart disease (CHD), epidemiologic data relating wholegrain intake to the risk of CHD are sparse. Objective: Our objective was to evaluate whether high wholegrain intake reduces risk of CHD in women. Design: In 1984, 75 521 women aged 38‐63 y with no previous history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes completed a detailed, semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) and were followed for 10 y, completing SFFQs in 1986 and 1990. We used pooled logistic regression with 2-y intervals to model the incidence of CHD in relation to the cumulative average diet from all 3 cycles of SFFQs. Results: During 729 472 person-years of follow-up, we documented 761 cases of CHD (208 of fatal CHD and 553 of nonfatal myocardial infarction). After adjustment for age and smoking, increased whole-grain intake was associated with decreased risk of CHD. For increasing quintiles of intake, the corresponding relative risks (RRs) were 1.0 (reference), 0.86, 0.82, 0.72, and 0.67 (95% CI comparing 2 extreme quintiles: 0.54, 0.84; P for trend < 0.001). After additional adjustment for body mass index, postmenopausal hormone use, alcohol intake, multivitamin use, vitamin E supplement use, aspirin use, physical activity, and types of fat intake, these RRs were 1.0, 0.92, 0.93, 0.83, and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.59, 0.95; P for trend = 0.01). The inverse relation between whole-grain intake and CHD risk was even stronger in the subgroup of never smokers (RR = 0.49 for extreme quintiles; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.79; P for trend = 0.003). The lower risk associated with higher whole-grain intake was not fully explained by its contribution to intakes of dietary fiber, folate, vitamin B-6, and vitamin E. Conclusions: Increased intake of whole grains may protect against CHD. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:412‐9.
Gender Difference in Smoking Effect on Chromosome Sensitivity to Gamma Radiation in a Healthy Population

Abstract Wang, L.-E., Bondy, M. L., de Andrade, M., Strom, S. S., Wang, X., Sigurdson, A., Spitz, M. R. and Wei, Q. Gender Difference and Smoking Effect in Chromosome Sensitivity to Gamma Radiation in a Healthy Population. In the general population, there is variation in radiosensitivity associated with cancer risk. However, data on the role of epigenetic factors in the variation of radiosensitivity are scarce. Thus we investigated the effects of smoking and age on the radiosensitivity of human lymphocytes by measuring the frequency of chromosome aberrations after in vitro exposure to γ rays in peripheral lymphocytes from 441 healthy subjects (18–95 years old). We analyzed the frequency of both spontaneous (baseline) and in vitro γ-ray-induced (1.5 Gy) chromatid breaks in 50 well-spread metaphases per subject. The overall mean frequencies of spontaneous and induced breaks were 0.02 and 0.45 per cell, respectively. The mean frequency of induced breaks was significantly higher in men than in women (P = 0.03...
Two-Dimensional Fin Performance: Bi (top surface) ≥ Bi (bottom surface)

This note presents the results of an investigation of unequal convection coefficient effects on the heat lost from a fin. Heat balance integral approaches have been applied to this two-dimensional problem with useful results for the heat transfer but only approximate results for the temperature distribution. Thus the purpose of this note is to provide additional insight into the effects of unequal top, bottom, and tip surface convection coefficients. This difference will be denoted by the Biot numbers Bi rather than the convection coefficients.
Mechanical design of the NSTX Liquid Lithium Divertor

The Liquid Lithium Divertor (LLD) on NSTX will be the first test of a fully-toroidal liquid lithium divertor in a high-power magnetic confinement device. It will replace part of the lower outboard divertor between a specified inside and outside radius, and ultimately provide a lithium surface exposed to the plasma with enough depth to absorb a significant particle flux.
Accurate delay computation for noisy waveform shapes

In this paper we present a new gate delay model for accurate modeling of difficult waveform shapes, such as those resulting from coupling capacitance noise, inductive ringing and resistive shielding. Our modeling approach uses a process of time shifting and time stretching of a set of so-called base-waveforms. These base-waveforms are selected from a large set of noisy waveform shapes that occur in interconnect structures with coupling and other types of noise, such that the delay error across all considered waveforms is minimized. Depending on the desired accuracy one or more base-waveforms can be used. This method is also used to model the gate output waveforms allowing for closure, in terms of the used base-waveforms across a circuit library. We show that the determination of the optimal set of base-waveforms under such input-to-output closure is exponential in complexity. We, therefore, propose an heuristic approach that maps the problem to the unate covering problem for which efficient solution methods are available. The new delay model can be applied in a timing analysis program with minor changes. We present results that demonstrate the accuracy of the new delay model for waveforms perturbed with noise for a large set of waveform shapes.
ADH2 and CYP2E1 genetic polymorphisms: risk factors for alcohol-related birth defects.

Considerable variation in offspring outcome occurs following intrauterine ethanol exposure. The mechanism underlying this varying susceptibility may involve genetic differences in ethanol metabolism catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). A recent population study demonstrated a protective role for the ADH-β3 isoform, which is encoded byADH2*3, an allele unique to African Americans. Drinking during pregnancy was associated with lower scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant Developmental Mental Index (MDI), but only in the offspring of mothers without an ADH2*3 allele. Lower MDI scores were associated with the three-way interaction among increasing ethanol intake and maternal and offspring absence of the ADH2*3allele (p
Environmental "Nasty Surprise" AS A WINDOW ON PRECAUTIONARY THINKING

All environmental problems are nasty surprises. Each runs counter to Western society's expectation of endless progress through mastery of nature. But the term seems especially appropriate for problems that: catch most scientists, technologists, regulatory officials, the mass media, and the general public off-guard; are already quite extensive by the time they are recognized; stem from deeply entrenched technological processes or practices; present a potentially large-scale, long-term threat to human or ecological health. Such problems are surprises because they seem to drop out of the blue - even if it is soon clear that warning signs were long missed, ignored, or misinterpreted - and reveal major errors in scientific thinking and public policy. They are nasty because they represent potentially enormous hazards and addressing them entails substantial technological, economic, and political challenges. This combination of characteristics makes these problems a useful window into the ongoing controversy over the precautionary principle and its place in the environmental policy landscape.
The role of cGMP and PKG in cardioprotection

Interrupting blood flow to a heart (ischemia) for several minutes followed by several minutes of restored flow renders it very resistant to cell death from a subsequent much more prolonged ischemic episode. This phenomena, termed ischemic preconditioning, is the result of a complex signal transduction pathway which ultimately prevents formation of lethal mitochondrial permeability transition pores when blood flow is restored. In mapping this pathway we found that NOS was in the pathway [1] and proposed that it was involved in opening ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) in the mitochondrial inner membrane. Those channels play a key role in preconditioning's mechanism. Incubating isolated heart mitochondria in cGMP + PKG + ATP opened the channel as indicated by mitochondrial swelling [2]. To test this hypothesis further the cGMP analog 8-CPT-cGMP (10 μM) was infused for 30 min starting 5 min prior to the end of 30 min of regional ischemia in an isolated rabbit heart [3]. It greatly attenuated the resulting infarction by an amount similar to that seen with preconditioning (infarct size approximately 50% of that in untreated hearts). 8-CPT's protection could be blocked by the KATP blocker 5 hydroxydecanoate confirming its position in the pathway. Because there is a medical need for an intervention that prevents myocardial infarction when given at reperfusion we looked for a method of raising cGMP that would be clinically feasible. We gave the direct guanylyl cyclase activator BAY 58-2667 (cinaciguat) to open-chest rabbits at 53 μg/kg bolus just prior to reperfusion followed by a 60 min 1.25 μg/min infusion. It reduced infarct size from 40.6% of the ischemic zone to only 16.0%. In another experiment we tested Vardenafil infusion of 140 μg/kg/h starting 5 min before coronary occlusion in the open-chest rabbit. It also greatly protected the hearts against infarction. Because it is controversial as to whether heart muscle expresses PDE 5, we transfected isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes with CNG channels selective for cGMP. In the resting cells cGMP as monitored with patch clamping was near zero and did not increase when they were exposed to 1 μM vardenafil. However, when cGMP was first increased with 1 μM BAY 58-2667 addition of vardenafil greatly increased the cGMP-dependent membrane current indicating that a vardenafil-sensitive PDE was present which is presumed to be PDE5. We conclude that raising cGMP in the reperfused heart is an effective anti-infarct strategy.
Pain Management in Epidermolysis Bullosa

Pain is an unfortunate constant in the lives of most patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), especially for those with the more severe types of EB. Patients with EB have a broad spectrum of need for pain treatment, varying with the type of EB, the severity within that type, and the particular physical, emotional, and psychological milieu of each individual. Prevention of situations that precipitate trauma to the skin or exacerbate other pain-inducing complications of this multifaceted disorder is the primary goal of the treating physician. The approach to pain management is different in daily life, during intermittent exacerbations or injuries, or when hospitalizations or operative procedures occur.
Tension and fatigue behavior of silver-cored composite multi-strand cables used as implantable cables and electrodes

Abstract The mechanical behavior of a variety of cable architectures comprised of silver-cored wires was evaluated in uniaxial tension, and in cyclic strain-controlled fatigue with the use of a flex tester operated to provide fully reversed bending fatigue. The magnitude of cyclic strains imparted to each cable tested was controlled via the use of different diameter mandrels. Smaller diameter mandrels produced higher values of cyclic strain and lower fatigue life. Multiple samples were tested and analyzed via scanning electron microscopy. The fatigue results were analyzed via a Coffin–Manson–Basquin approach and compared to fatigue data obtained on 316LVM cables where testing was conducted in an identical manner. The effects of changes in wire diameter, cable architecture, and wire composition (i.e. silver-cored vs. 316LVM) are discussed.
Cardiorespiratory fitness and the flexible modulation of cognitive control in preadolescent children

The influence of cardiorespiratory fitness on the modulation of cognitive control was assessed in preadolescent children separated into higher-and lower-fit groups. Participants completed compatible and incompatible stimulus-response conditions of a modified flanker task, consisting of congruent and incongruent arrays, while ERPs and task performance were concurrently measured. Findings revealed decreased response accuracy for lower-relative to higher-fit participants with a selectively larger deficit in response to the incompatible stimulus-response condition, requiring the greatest amount of cognitive control. In contrast, higher-fit participants maintained response accuracy across stimulus-response compatibility conditions. Neuroelectric measures indicated that higher-fit, relative to lower-fit, participants exhibited global increases in P3 amplitude and shorter P3 latency, as well as greater modulation of P3 amplitude between the compatible and incompatible stimulus-response conditions. Similarly, higher-fit participants exhibited smaller error-related negativity (ERN) amplitudes in the compatible condition, and greater modulation of the ERN between the compatible and incompatible conditions, relative to lower-fit participants who exhibited large ERN amplitudes across both conditions. These findings suggest that lower-fit children may have more difficulty than higher-fit children in the flexible modulation of cognitive control processes to meet task demands.
Inimical Inceptions of Imminence: A New Approach to Anticipatory Self-Defense Under the Law of Armed Conflict

The Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) has historically incorporated the term “imminence” across the bodies of law governing resort to armed force (jus ad bellum) and those which govern during an armed conflict (jus in bello), as an integral part of evaluating the legality of responding to a threat. Since these areas of the LOAC have traditionally been considered separate and distinct, the meaning of imminence within them has likewise been treated as distinguishable. But the modern threat environment, especially following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, has proven that this division of imminence ad bellum and in bello is no longer tenable. Application of the concept of an imminent threat has been incoherent and inconsistent.This Article argues that imminence should be a singular concept that applies logically in any situation and given any threat of armed attack. In making this argument, the Article presents a simple and flexible framework that can be applied by any person or entity even in light of crisis and imperfect information. Finally, it proposes three principles of imminence that can be applied in evaluating the legality of actions in self-defense across the spectrum of armed conflict.
Heritable thoracic aortic aneurysm disease: recognizing phenotypes, exploring genotypes.

The discovery of a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) or aortic dissection requires evaluation of relatives for similar disease because 20% will have an affected relative. Heritable TAA diseases are due to mutations in a number of genes that affect the aorta and its branches with differing severity.
Behavior Change without Behavior Change Communication: Nudging Handwashing among Primary School Students in Bangladesh

Behavior change communication for improving handwashing with soap can be labor and resource intensive, yet quality results are difficult to achieve. Nudges are environmental cues engaging unconscious decision-making processes to prompt behavior change. In this proof-of-concept study, we developed an inexpensive set of nudges to encourage handwashing with soap after toilet use in two primary schools in rural Bangladesh. We completed direct observation of behaviors at baseline, after providing traditional handwashing infrastructure, and at multiple time periods following targeted handwashing nudges (1 day, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks). No additional handwashing education or motivational messages were completed. Handwashing with soap among school children was low at baseline (4%), increasing to 68% the day after nudges were completed and 74% at both 2 weeks and 6 weeks post intervention. Results indicate that nudge-based interventions have the potential to improve handwashing with soap among school-aged children in Bangladesh and specific areas of further inquiry are discussed.
Evaluating Agricultural Economics Extension Teaching

Current interest in the profession indicates a strong desire to improve teacher evaluation—both resident and extension. L. S. Hardin's comment on this point in his 1963 presidential address and the recent proposal for a distinguished agricultural economics undergraduate teacher award are indications of this desire. This paper develops a concept of evaluation which recognizes the use of the scientific process in teaching—an important dimension of scholarly contributions to the profession in teaching and research. Criteria proposed to support this concept are focused upon the extension teacher. Methodology is identified as the most significant area of difference between criteria for quality teaching and quality research. Suggestions are made for implementing evaluation activities.
Antifungal Activity of Defensive Secretions of Certain Millipedes

The defensive secretions of certain polydesmid millipedes exhibited antifungal activity by suppressing mycelial growth and spore germination of ten different fungi isolated from millipedes and adja...
Particle Image Velocimetry in Confined Vortex Flows

In this paper, the challenges of using Particle Image Velocimetry as a diagnostic tool for confined swirling flows are discussed. To highlight these challenges, results from a PIV experiment are compared to a pair of analytical models. While there is generally good qualitative agreement, the velocity measurements degrade in the core of the vortex. Techniques to mitigate the reduced fidelity in this region will be explored and alternative visualization methods will be presented.
Evaluation of several turbulence models in a multiple-element airfoil computation

In order to critically evaluate the current state of Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes computations in aerodynamic applications, the flow about a multi-element high-lift airfoil configuration was computed using a state-of-the-art CFD code and several state-of-the-art turbulence models. A three-element airfoil (comprised of a slat, main element and flap) for which experimental data is available was chosen for this investigation, permitting the accuracy of the computational results to be assessed. The models employed were a k — e model, a k — v model and an algebraic-stress model. The sensitivity of the results to such factors as transition location and outflow boundary conditions was also examined.
The photically evoked afterdischarge: Current concepts and potential applications

The visually evoked potential of the rat is typically comprised of initial primary and secondary components followed by rhythmic “alpha-like” afterdischarge that may persist for several seconds. This photically evoked afterdischarge (PhAD) is sensitive to neurobiological, behavioral, and pharmacological modulation often not reflected in the primary and secondary components. The reliable acquisition of the PhAD is dependent on an optimal level of arousal and on parameters of several categories of differences that vary among albino and pigmented strains of animals, including behavior. The neurogenesis of the PhAD appears dependent on a recurrent excitatory-inhibitory cycle involving the lateral geniculate nucleus. The PhAD is highly sensitive to convulsant and anti-convulsant agents. These latter effects support the potential application of the PhAD as a model for thalamically active drugs useful in the treatment of epilepsy.