cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Algorithm quasi-optimal AQ learning

The algorithm quasi-optimal AQ is a powerful machine learning methodology aimed at learning symbolic decision rules from a set of examples and counterexamples. It was first proposed in the late 1960s to solve the Boolean function satisfiability problem and further refined over the following decade to solve the general covering problem. In its newest implementations, it is a powerful but yet little explored methodology for symbolic machine learning classification. It has been applied to solve several problems from different domains, including the generation of individuals within an evolutionary computation framework. The current article introduces the main concepts of the AQ methodology and describes AQ for source detectionAQ4SD, a tailored implementation of the AQ methodology to solve the problem of finding the sources of atmospheric releases using distributed sensor measurements. The AQ4SD program is tested to find the sources of all the releases of the prairie grass field experiment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) inhibitor from snake venom: interaction with subtypes of human mAChR.

Snake venoms can contain a variety of well-studied neurotoxins, especially nicotinic acetylcholine receptor inhibitor, normally called postsynaptic neurotoxin. Karlsson first reported muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) inhibitor from snake venom. In a previous study in our laboratory, we found a mAChR inhibitor from Naja naja sputatrix venom that bound to rat brain synaptosomes. Brain synaptosomes contain all subtypes of mAChRs, and thus the exact selectivity of the inhibitor could not be determined. mAChR inhibitor from N. naja sputatrix venom was purified and the binding to all human mAChR subtypes (M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5) was investigated and is reported in this communication. The inhibitor bound to all subtypes of the human mAChR, but showed considerably high selectivity for the M5 subtype. It was also found that the reduction of disulfide bonds in the inhibitor eliminated the binding to the mAChR. This suggests that a specific tertiary conformation maintained by disulfide bonds is essential for binding to the mAChR. An oligo peptide, QIHDNCYNE, comparable to a part of the inhibitor molecule, was synthesized and studied for its binding to the mAChR. The synthetic peptide did not show any binding activity, suggesting this portion of the inhibitor molecule is not involved in mAChR binding. The selective binding of the M5 mAChR subtype to antagonists has not yet been reported. Therefore, the purified inhibitor reported in this communication may be a useful tool to clarify the mechanism of muscarinic cholinergic transmission.
Vertical loop nodes in iron-based superconductors

We consider Fe-based superconductors with ${s}^{+\ensuremath{-}}$ gap with accidental nodes on electron pockets. We analyze how the gap structure changes if we include into the consideration the hybridization between the two electron pockets [the interpocket hopping term with momentum $(\ensuremath{\pi},\ensuremath{\pi},\ensuremath{\pi})$]. We derive the hybridization term and relate it to the absence of inversion symmetry in the Fe plane because of two nonequivalent locations of pnictogen (chalcogen) above and below the plane. We find that the hybridization tends to eliminate the nodes---as it increases, the pairs of neighboring nodes approach each other, merge, and disappear once the hybridization exceeds a certain threshold. The nodes disappear first around ${k}_{z}=\ensuremath{\pi}/2$, and vertical line nodes split into two vertical loops centered at ${k}_{z}=0$ and ${k}_{z}=\ensuremath{\pi}$. We also show that the hybridization moves the nodes along the loops away from the normal-state Fermi surfaces. This creates a subset of $k$ points at which the peak in the spectral function does not shift as the system enters into a superconducting state (``no-shift'' lines). These no-shift lines evolve with increasing hybridization in a highly nontrivial manner and eventually form horizontal loops in the $({k}_{x},{k}_{y})$ plane, surrounding the nodes. Both vertical line nodes and horizontal no-shift loops surrounding them should be detectable in photoemission experiments.
Atomic oxygen fluorescence excitation using a Raman-shifted, tunable ArF-excimer laser

A novel method for exciting the two-photon, 2p3 3p 3P left arrow 2p4 3P atomic oxygen transition is reported. The transition to the upper state is achieved through the combined absorption of photons from the second and third Stokes order pulses of an ArF-excimer laser that is wavelength-shifted by the use of deuterium Raman cell. All three transitions from the ground electronic state of the oxygen atom lie within the tuning range of the Raman-shifted ArF laser. The available pulse energy from this laser configuration is comparable to that of commercially available Nd:YAG-pumped dye laser systems operated at 226 nm.
A guide for interpreting substrate nonlinear steady-state enzyme kinetic data using random models.

Abstract A simple (first-level) random model of a two-substrate two-product reaction was studied in order to determine the kinds of steady-state kinetic properties for which it can account. Forty-five simple terms are presented which were derived from this model and which can account for linearity, substrate inhibition, substrate activation, and sigmoidness with Hill coefficients of up to 3. Thirty-three equations are presented having various combinations of these terms and accounting for 23 combinations of the kinetic properties mentioned above and involving both substrates. The limitations of this model are outlined and include the identification of 13 combinations of kinetic properties for which it cannot account. Substrate concentration terms to powers greater than one and less than negative three are not allowed in simple independent terms.
The clinical impact of fluoroquinolone resistance in patients with E coli bacteremia

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on fluoroquinolone resistance and its impact on mortality in cases of Escherichia coli bloodstream infection (BSI). OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for in-hospital mortality among patients with E coli BSIs. DESIGN: A retrospective case-control study. SETTING: A 1250-bed tertiary academic medical center. PATIENTS: Patients with fluoroquinolone-resistant E coli BSI from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2005 with 1:1 matched control patients with fluoroquinolone-sensitive E coli BSI. INDEPENDENT OUTCOME: In-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 93 cases and 93 control patients were included. Compared with control patients, cases were more likely to be admitted from a long-term care facility (35% vs. 9%; P 10, Charlson comorbidity score >4, cardiac dysfunction, cirrhosis, renal dysfunction, treatment with corticosteroids, and a fluoroquinolone-resistant E coli bacteremia. On multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality were cirrhosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 7.2; confidence interval [CI], 1.7–29.8; P = .007), cardiac dysfunction (aOR, 3.9; CI, 1.6–9.4; P = .003), and infection with a fluoroquinolone-resistant E coli isolate (aOR, 3.9; CI, 1.5–10.2; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for severity of illness and multiple comorbidities only fluoroquinolone resistance, cirrhosis, and cardiac dysfunction independently predicted mortality in patients with E coli bacteremia. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;6:344–349. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human Attributes In The Age Of The Machine

* A Human-Centered Technology * Experiencing the World * The Power of Representation * Fitting the Artifact to the Person * The Human Mind * Distributed Cognition * A Place for Everything, and Everything in Its Place * Predicting the Future * Soft and Hard Technology * Technology Is Not Neutral
Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways induces antioxidant response element-mediated gene expression via a Nrf2-dependent mechanism.

Antioxidant response element (ARE) regulates the induction of a number of cellular antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes. However, the signaling pathways that lead to ARE activation remain unknown. Here, we report that the expression of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1), transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase (TAK1), and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK1) in HepG2 cells activated the ARE reporter gene, whereas the expression of their dominant-negative mutants impaired ARE activation by the chemicals sodium arsenite and mercury chloride. Coexpression of downstream kinases, MAP kinase kinase 4, MAP kinase kinase 6, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-1, but not MAP kinase kinase 3 and p38, augmented ARE activation by MEKK1, TAK1, and ASK1. The coexpression of a basic leucine zipper transcription factor Nrf2 but not c-Jun also greatly enhanced the activation of reporter gene by MEKK1, TAK1, and ASK1; however, a dominant-negative mutant of Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) blocked this event. Furthermore, when overexpressed, MEKK1, TAK1, and ASK1 induced the expression of heme oxygenase-1, a gene regulated by ARE, and the cotransfection with the dominant-negative mutant of Nrf2 abolished the induction. Taken together, these results suggest that MAP kinase pathways that are activated by MEKK1, TAK1, and ASK1 may link chemical signals to Nrf2, leading to the activation of ARE-dependent genes.
Alternatives to commonly used pelvic reconstruction procedures in gynecologic oncology.

Abstract Objectives The objective of this review is to discuss alternatives to commonly used methods of soft tissue reconstruction in patients with gynecologic malignancies, and in particular alternatives to skin grafts, local skin flaps, and rectus abdominis/gracilis flaps. Methods A review of the literature was performed on soft tissue reconstruction in patients with gynecologic malignancies. Results Soft tissue reconstruction is often necessary to achieve successful wound healing, minimize complications, and to restore anatomic form and function. Commonly used methods such as skin grafts, local skin flaps, and rectus abdominis/gracilis flaps are effective, but many scenarios exist where they may be suboptimal or unavailable for use. Situations faced by the gynecologic oncologist where this may be the case include patients in whom prior treatments and/or tumor involvement have affected the vascular supply and tissues of commonly used options, those with disease recurrence who have previously undergone tumor extirpation and reconstruction, and patients undergoing radical surgery where commonly used options alone are inadequate. Under these circumstances, there are several alternative options, and an understanding of the full spectrum of reconstructive techniques is essential. Conclusions Many clinical scenarios exist where commonly used options for soft tissue reconstruction are suboptimal or unavailable. Current evidence supports use of alternative methods of reconstruction in these situations. However, further larger scale and comparative studies are needed to refine surgical decision-making.
Saturated enforcement: The efficacy of deterrence and drunk driving

Deterrence theory generally finds support among studies focusing on changes in apprehension certainty, in punishment celerity, or in punishment severity. However, scientific evidence establishing a clear deterrent effect of criminal justice institutions on criminal behavior remains problematic partly because of measurement, design and/or experimental control difficulties. This study attempts to overcome some of these methodological difficulties by measuring deterrence in a drunk driving enforcement program in a small Wisconsin city. It demonstrates a statistically significant relationship between a carefully designed enforcement program and driver response measured by accident rates. This finding is contrary to some recent studies challenging the efficacy of enforcement efforts aimed at traffic accident reductions. A general discussion of deterrence and enforcement amplifies the findings and conclusions. A word of caution is added regarding the findings.
Study on underfill/solder adhesion in flip-chip encapsulation

Underfill materials are employed in flip-chip assemblies to enhance solder joint reliability performance. We have studied the adhesion strength of two underfill samples with tin/lead (Sn/Pb) eutectic solder and tin/copper (Sn/Cu) lead-free solder, benchmarked with a copper surface. It was found that the adhesion of underfills and both solder materials was about 1/3 of the adhesion between underfills and copper. The effect of temperature and humidity aging as well as flux residue on adhesion strength was also investigated. A loss of adhesion was observed after the pressure cooker test, but 85/spl deg/C/85% RH aging and flux residue revealed only a slight influence on adhesion strength. Surface analysis was performed on solid surfaces including copper, Sn/Pb eutectic solder, Sn/Cu lead-free solder and cured underfills by using the three-liquid-probe three-component surface tension method with a goniometer. The surface tension of liquid underfills was measured by the pendent drop method, and their contact angles on copper, Sn/Pb eutectic solder and Sn/Cu lead-free solder were also measured with a goniometer. The thermodynamic work of adhesion for underfills with copper and solder surfaces of different conditions was then calculated following these two surface analysis approaches. It was found that the thermodynamic work of adhesion was not correlated with the lap shear strength of underfills with copper and solder materials. Thus, the wetting property of an underfill on a substrate is not the determining factor for its practical adhesion strength. Various possible techniques for improving the adhesion of underfills and solder materials were then considered, and the use of additives in underfill formulations was experimented. However, we have not observed any significant effect of adhesion strength enhancement from any of these additives. Further tests of these additives with the base underfill formulation seemed to reveal a slight possibility to enhance adhesion of underfills and solders by proper manipulation of the underfill and/or flux formulation.
Pressure-Based Long-Range Correction for Lennard-Jones Interactions in Molecular Dynamics Simulations: Application to Alkanes and Interfaces

A straightforward method that accounts for the long-range Lennard-Jones (LJ) terms in constant pressure molecular dynamics simulations is presented. This long-range correction (LRC) consists of an additional applied pressure tensor which is periodically calculated from the difference of instantaneous pressures at the selected cutoff and a very long cutoff. It provides results that are nearly independent of the LJ cutoff distance at negligible additional calculation costs, and is particularly suited for anisotropic systems such as liquid/ liquid interfaces or heterogeneous macromolecules where approximations based on spherically symmetric radial distribution functions are expected to fail. The utility of the method is demonstrated for a series of alkanes and water, and for interfaces including a lipid bilayer. The LRC increases densities and decreases isothermal compressibilities, with the changes larger for alkanes than for water (where the long-range interactions are dominated by electrostatic interactions). While implementation of the LRC will not necessarily improve agreement with a particular experiment, it will provide a baseline for improvements in a parameter set that are consistent with the long-range Lennard-Jones interactions.
Vascular artifact mimicking thrombosis on MR imaging using ferumoxytol as a contrast agent in abdominal vascular assessment.

Abstract Purpose To describe an artifact that mimics thrombosis when assessing abdominal vasculature on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using ferumoxytol in patients with contraindications to gadolinium-based contrast agents and to evaluate factors that may contribute to this artifact. Materials and Methods Three radiologists in consensus retrospectively evaluated 61 abdominal MR imaging examinations using ferumoxytol as an intravenous contrast agent for the presence of an observed artifact that can mimic thrombosis. Patient demographics and contrast agent bolus concentrations were compared with an unpaired Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results An artifact mimicking thrombosis was observed in 30 of 61 examinations, all on the arterial phase sequences. In examinations with this artifact, the average concentration of administered ferumoxytol was greater than in examinations where the artifact was not observed ( P Conclusions Although MR imaging using ferumoxytol as an intravenous contrast agent can be useful in detecting abdominal vascular abnormalities, an artifact mimicking vascular thrombosis was observed in nearly half of the examinations.
Analysis of fixed-fixed beam test structures

This paper presents recent NIST MicroElectroMechanical Systems fixed-fixed beam test structure data and analysis. These test structures show the most promise in measuring the compressive strain due to simplicity of the test structure design, simplicity of test and analysis, ability to better isolate compressive strain values as a function of geometry, and, most importantly, capability to record process variability data.
The doctor will see you shortly. The ethical significance of time for the patient-physician relationship.

Many physicians and health care leaders express concern about the amount of time available for clinical practice. While debates rage on about how much time is truly available, the perception that time is inadequate is now pervasive. This perception has ethical significance, because it may cause clinicians to forego activities and behaviors that promote important aspects of the patient-physician relationship, to shortcut shared decision making, and to fall short of obligations to act as patient advocates. Furthermore, perceived time constraints can hinder the just distribution of physician time. Although creating more time in the clinical encounter would certainly address these ethical concerns, specific strategies—many of which do not take significantly more time—can effectively change the perception that time is inadequate. These approaches are critical for clinicians and health systems to maintain their ethical commitments and simultaneously deal with the realities of time.
Pre-pregnancy alcohol experience attenuates typical decrease in gestational alcohol consumption in mice

Abstract The influence of pre-pregnancy alcohol consumption on alcohol self-selection during pregnancy and lactation was examined in C57BL mice. One group of animals was given a two-bottle choice between water and a 10% w/v ethanol solution for three weeks prior to breeding, throughout pregnancy, and during lactation, while a second group was given the alcohol-water choice beginning on the first day of pregnancy. Relative alcohol intake (g ethanol/kg body weight) as well as alcohol “preference” decreased below pre-pregnancy levels during both pregnancy and lactation. That is, voluntary alcohol consumption was attenuated in pregnant and lactating mice, regardless of strain-typical pre-pregnancy high consumption. However, mice given a choice between alcohol and water prior to pregnancy did not decrease their alcohol consumption during pregnancy as much as mice not given the pre-pregnancy alcohol choice. There was no correlation between pre-pregnancy alcohol consumption and subsequent intake. The mechanism underlying decreased voluntary alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains to be elucidated, but it is clear that prior experience with alcohol influences the phenomenon.
Binding of substituted aryl hydrocarbons to the Ah receptor — a QAAR analysis

The competitive receptor binding affinities of 13 2-substituted 3,7,8-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TrCDD) for the rat hepatic cytosolic 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) receptor protein was determined using [3H]-2,3,7,8-TCDD as the radioligand. The 2-CF3 substituted analog was the most active compound in this series (pEC50=8.50) and exhibited a higher binding affinity for the receptor than 2,3,7,8-TCDD. Multiple parameters linear regression analysis of the data gave Equation 1 which correlates binding affinities with the physiochemical characteristics of the substituents. In this equation π, ΔES and HB represent pEC50 (rat) = 7.196 + 0.600π − 0.255δEs + 1.683 HB (1) (0.140) (0.231) (0.181) (0.267) n = 11 s = 0.099 r = 0.998 substituent lipophilicity, van der Waals volume and hydrogen bonding capacity respectively, n is the number of substituents, s is the standard deviation and r is the correlation coefficient. The effects of substituents on the biologic (aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction) and toxic (thymic atrophy and body weight loss) effects of these compounds was also determined in the immature male Wistar rat. The 2-halo substituted analogs (F, Cl, Br and I) were all highly toxic however the most active compound, 2-trifluoromethyl-3,7,8-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, also exhibited the highest binding affinity for the receptor protein.
Investigation of relaxations of the rabbit anococcygeus muscle by nerve stimulation and ATP using the ATP antagonist ANAPP3.

Abstract When tone was raised by histamine (10-6 M), field stimulation (0.2–8 Hz) induced relaxation of the rabbit anococcygeus muscle in the continuous presence of guanethidine (10-5 M) and atropine (10-6 M). Similar relaxations could be induced by ATP and adenosine, which were approximately equipotent, but the non-hydrolyzable ananalogue β-γ-methylene ATP was less potent and produced relaxations which were slower. Although PGE2, was a potent rellaxant in this muscle, release of endogenous prostaglandins does not appear to mediate the response to ATP since indomethacin (2 × 10-5 M) pretreatment did not reduce responses to ATP. The specific ATP receptor antagonist, ANAPP3 (10-4 or 10-3 M) did not reduce responses to nerve stimulation and olny slightly reduced those to exogenous ATP. The results indicate that responses to ATP could be mediated partly by the products of its hydrolysis and do not support the proposal that ATP is the inhibitory transmitter in this muscle.
Stemming in the language modeling framework

Stemming is the process of collapsing words into their morphological root. For example, the terms addicted, addicting, addictions, addictive, and addicts might be conflated to their stem, addict. Over the years, numerous studies [2, 3, 4] have considered stemming as an external process — either to be ignored or used as a pre-processing step. In this study, we try and provide a fresh perspective to stemming. We are motivated by the observation that stemming can be viewed as a form of smoothing, as a way of improving statistical estimates. This suggests that stemming could be directly incorporated into a language model, which is what we achieve in this paper. Detailed discussions are available in[1].
The fine-tuning problem in renormalized perturbation theory: Spontaneously-broken gauge models

Abstract We study the stability of tree-level gauge hierarchies at higher orders in renormalized perturbation theory, in a model with spontaneously-broken gauge symmetries. We confirm previous results indicating that if the model is renormalized using BPHZ, then the tree-level hierarchy is not upset by the radiative corrections. Consequently, no fine-tuning of the initial parameters is required to maintain it, in contrast to the result obtained using Dimensional Renormalization. This verifies the conclusion that the need for fine-tuning, when it arises, is an artifact of the application of a certain class of renormalization schemes.
Evaluation of multicomponent non-viral vectors for liver directed gene delivery.

Multicomponent, non-viral gene delivery vehicles are designed to have as a minimum, a DNA binding component, and a cell recognition component for specific delivery to target cells. The DNA binding component cannot only bind, but also protect DNA from serum degradation, and tends to condense DNA to sizes that can be taken up by receptor-mediated processes of target cells. Generally, cationic peptides, single chained, e.g. poly-L-lysine or branched polymers or synthetic peptides with DNA binding properties are used for DNA binding components. Ligands for binding to receptors on cell surfaces can be covalently linked to the DNA binding component. Multicomponent, non-viral vectors have been successfully used to deliver genes into cells in vitro and in vivo. Improvements have been made to the non-viral carriers resulting in increased solubility of DNA/carrier complexes and longer survival in serum. Improvements have also been made by incorporating fusogenic/lysosomolytic components that enable DNA/carrier complexes to escape intracellular degradation and enhance the levels and duration of expression of genes in vitro and in vivo.
Why Doesn't Everyone Work to Prevent Nuclear War? A Decision Theory Analysis

The general lack of action to prevent nuclear war, despite widespread belief that such a war is likely to occur and knowledge of its catastrophic consequences, can be traced to a sense that individual action does not matter. The absence of perceived differential outcomes for action can also prevent the discrimination of real threats. Therefore, education about the nuclear threat is not likely to be effective unless accompanied by efforts to establish a sense of personal efficacy.
Environmental regulation of phytoplankton productivity in the lower Hudson Estuary

Phytoplankton productivity and mean photic zone chlorophyll a concentrations ranged from 0.01 g C m−2 d−1 (December) to 2.22 g C m−2 d−1 (July) and from 0.8 μg Chl l−1 (December) to 6.4 μg Chl l−1 (July), respectively. Dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations were high throughout the year, and (with the possible exception of silicate during the summer) temporal variations were not correlated with concurrent variations in phytoplankton productivity. Chlorophyll a specific phytoplankton productivity was regulated by light and temperature. Nanoplankton growth accounted for increases in phytoplankton productivity above 0.25 g C m−2 d−1 within the lower Estuary. Except during the summer when phytoplankton growth rates were high, increases in phytoplankton biomass were related to the advection of phytoplankton into the lower Hudson Estuary from Raritan Bay or the Apex of the New York Bight. Although major nutrient concentrations were consistently high, netplankton growth rates were apparently less than flushing rates and, therefore, too low to generate blooms in the lower Estuary.
The CD8 memory T cell subsystem: Integration of homeostatic signaling during migration

The ability of memory CD8 T cells to patrol non-lymphoid tissues represents an effective method whereby proficient immunosurveillance is achieved. From the analysis of memory CD8 T cell migration in vivo, it is clear that tissue-specific factors control trafficking and residence time within tissues. We propose that at least three pools of memory CD8 T cells exist based on migratory capabilities as dictated by their location in the body. Moreover, we hypothesize that the process of acquisition of homeostatic signals in specific tissues, such as the cytokines IL-7 and IL-15, regulates the mobility of memory T cells.
Ligand-linked structural transitions in crystals of a cooperative dimeric hemoglobin.

Cooperative ligand binding in the dimeric hemoglobin (HbI) from the blood clam Scapharca inaequivalvis is mediated primarily by tertiary structural changes, but with a small quaternary rearrangement (∼3°), based on analysis of distinct crystal forms for ligated and unligated molecules. We report here ligand transition structures in both crystal forms. Binding CO to unligated HbI crystals results in a structure that approaches, but does not attain, the full allosteric transition. In contrast, removing CO from the HbI−CO crystals results in a structure that possesses all the key low affinity attributes previously identified from analysis of HbI crystals grown in the unligated state. Subsequent binding of CO shows the reversibility of this process. The observed structural changes include the quaternary rearrangement even under the constraints of lattice interactions, demonstrating that subunit rotation is an integral component of the ligand-linked structural transition in HbI. Analysis of both crystal forms,...
Metabolic activation of aromatic and heterocyclic N -hydroxyarylamines by wild-type and mutant recombinant human NAT1 and NAT2 acetyltransferases

Recombinant human NAT1 and polymorphic NAT2 wild-type and mutantN-acetyltransferases (encoded byNAT2 alleles with mutations at 282/857, 191, 282/590, 341/803, 341/481/803, and 341/481) were expressed inEscherichia coli strains XA90 and/or JM105, and tested for their capacity to catalyze the metabolic activation (viaO-acetylation) of theN-hydroxy (N-OH) derivatives of 2-aminofluorene (AF), and the heterocyclic arylamine mutagens 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP). Both NAT1 and NAT2 (including all mutant human NAT2s tested) catalyzed the metabolic activation of each of theN-hydroxyarylamines to products that bound to DNA. Metabolic activation of N-OH-AF was greater than that of the heterocyclicN-hydroxyarylamines. The relative capacity of NAT1 versus NAT2 to catalyze activation varied withN-hydroxyarylamine substrate. N-OH-MeIQx and N-OH-PhIP exhibited a relative specificity for NAT2. These results provide mechanistic support for a role of the genetic acetylation polymorphism in the metabolic activation of heterocyclic amine mutagens and carcinogens.
An annotated genetic map of loblolly pine based on microsatellite and cDNA markers

Previous loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) genetic linkage maps have been based on a variety of DNA polymorphisms, such as AFLPs, RAPDs, RFLPs, and ESTPs, but only a few SSRs (simple sequence repeats), also known as simple tandem repeats or microsatellites, have been mapped in P. taeda. The objective of this study was to integrate a large set of SSR markers from a variety of sources and published cDNA markers into a composite P. taeda genetic map constructed from two reference mapping pedigrees. A dense genetic map that incorporates SSR loci will benefit complete pine genome sequencing, pine population genetics studies, and pine breeding programs. Careful marker annotation using a variety of references further enhances the utility of the integrated SSR map. The updated P. taeda genetic map, with an estimated genome coverage of 1,515 cM(Kosambi) across 12 linkage groups, incorporated 170 new SSR markers and 290 previously reported SSR, RFLP, and ESTP markers. The average marker interval was 3.1 cM. Of 233 mapped SSR loci, 84 were from cDNA-derived sequences (EST-SSRs) and 149 were from non-transcribed genomic sequences (genomic-SSRs). Of all 311 mapped cDNA-derived markers, 77% were associated with NCBI Pta UniGene clusters, 67% with RefSeq proteins, and 62% with functional Gene Ontology (GO) terms. Duplicate (i.e., redundant accessory) and paralogous markers were tentatively identified by evaluating marker sequences by their UniGene cluster IDs, clone IDs, and relative map positions. The average gene diversity, H e , among polymorphic SSR loci, including those that were not mapped, was 0.43 for 94 EST-SSRs and 0.72 for 83 genomic-SSRs. The genetic map can be viewed and queried at http://www.conifergdb.org/pinemap . Many polymorphic and genetically mapped SSR markers are now available for use in P. taeda population genetics, studies of adaptive traits, and various germplasm management applications. Annotating mapped genes with UniGene clusters and GO terms allowed assessment of redundant and paralogous EST markers and further improved the quality and utility of the genetic map for P. taeda.
Educating Citizens in Diverse Societies.

Immigration is increasing racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistics, and religious diversity in nations around the world, which is challenging existing concepts of citizenship and citizenship education. In this article, I challenge assimilationist conceptions of citizenship education and argue that citizenship education should be transformed so that it will enable students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and commitments needed to become effective civic participants in their communities, nation-state, and the world.
Accessible collaborative writing for persons who are blind: a usability study

Collaborative writing applications are widely utilized in organizations to co-author documents and jointly exchange ideas. Unfortunately, for persons who are blind, collaborative writing applications are often difficult to access and use. Therefore, this paper presents the results from several usability studies that examined how visually able persons and persons who are blind interact with collaborative writing applications, and the accessibility and usability issues they encounter.
Sensitivity of Steady State Intermittent Cutting Motion to Work-Piece Characteristics

The tool and work-piece interactions will be modeled via discontinuous systems to study the effects of work-piece characteristics the on sensitivity of steady state motions. The general model will be presented through the domains of continuous dynamical systems for this machine-tool. The periodic motions of intermittent cutting will be developed and implemented to describe the solution structure. The switching components at the chip/tool friction boundary will be discussed in regard to work-piece characteristics.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Synthesis of stable isotope enriched metabolites of theophylline

Four isotopically labelled metabolites of theophylline were synthesized. The syntheses of 1-(methyl-d3 luric-2,8-13C2-acid; 1,3-di( methyl-d3)uric-2,8-13C2 ad d; 3-(methyl-d3lxanthi ne-2-13C. 7-15N and 1- (methyl-d3)xanthine-2-13C are described. Modifications in published procedures for the synthesis of the corresponding unlabelled compounds were required to achieve the micro scale necessary to accommodate the small starting quantities of expensive stable isotope labelled precursors.
Commentary: Effects of long-pulsed 1,064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser therapy on dermal collagen remodeling.

There is an ever-expanding body of clinically oriented literature that demonstrates the efficacy of photorejuvenation as a means of enhancing the appearance of skin. From traditional fully ablative laser resurfacing to nonablative laser therapy to fractionated photothermolysis, there is substantial evidence of efficacy, including a number of randomized, controlled trials. There have also been several attempts to objectively measure the effects of laser therapy using tools such as ultrasoundbased imaging, profilometry, histology, and threedimensional imaging.
Unsteady pressure field and vorticity production over a pitching airfoil

The unsteady pressure field and the accompanying variations in the flux of spanwise vorticity from the surface were measured over a range of dimensionless pitch rates for a two-dimensional NACA 0012 airfoil model undergoing a single pitch-up motion. The results were examined to identify the mechanisms that play key roles in the initiation, development, growth, and movement of the dynamic-stall vortex. The unsteady pressure distribution over the airfoil was dominated by three features, whose emergence and evolution were used to distinguish between two classes of behavior, corresponding to low and high pitch rates. Further, it was found that the flux of vorticity from the surface originated primarily from five concentrated regions or sources, the majority of which were located over the forward portion of the airfoil surface. The behavior of vorticity flux from these sources was related to the interacting mechanisms responsible for the development of the flowfield. The change of these features in the pressure and surface vorticity flux variations with the pitch rate is described.
Aerodynamic aspects of shock containing jet plumes

Aerodynamic and acoustic measurements of shock-free and shock-containing plumes were acquired for several supersonic free-jet model nozzles. The purpose was to investigate important features of the broadband shock noise generation process. The aerodynamic measurements include the variation of shock cell spacing and strength as a function of nozzle pressure ratio, and longitudinal turbulent-mass-flux axial development as determined by a hot-film probe. In addition, correlations of the hot-film probe with a near-field microphone were obtained. These measurements provide useful information concerning the relation of peak shock noise frequency and level with variations in shock cell spacing and strength. In general, it is shown that a distinction must be made between plumes containing weak and strong imbedded shocks. Strong shocks diminish the level of emitted shock noise and influence the behavior of the jet mixing noise process. The probable location and spectral content for the shock-shear layer interaction mechanism is indicated by the correlations. Numerical inviscid plume comparisons with experimental data are also included.
Familias Sanas: an intervention designed to increase rates of postpartum visits among Latinas.

Familias Sanas (Healthy Families) is an educational intervention implemented and tested with low-income, immigrant Latina mothers. The program was designed to reduce existing health disadvantages of Latinas by empowering them to take active part in the management of their health and by encouraging them to advocate for themselves . Familias Sanas was implemented at a prenatal clinic located at a major urban hospital in the southwestern U.S. The efficacy of the intervention was evaluated through a randomized control trial measuring the participants’ rate of postpartum visits and other relevant well-being measures. Initial findings show a significant effect of the intervention, with participants in the experimental group returning for their postpartum clinic visit at a higher rate in comparison with the control group. The results are discussed from a culturally specific perspective. Practice, policy, and research implications and recommendations are provided.
Effect of diabetes, insulin, and glucose load on lipid peroxidation in the rat.

Abstract Lipid peroxidative activity in rats made diabetic with streptozocin and rats made acutely hyperglycemic by intraperitoneal dextrose administration was determined by measurement of exhaled ethane during exposure in vivo to ethane-free air (EFA). Diabetic rats demonstrated increased ethane in the expired breath while breathing EFA (5.82 ± 0.56 pmol / min /100 g) compared with control rats (4.02 ± 0.23 pmol/ min/ 100 g). Insulin treatment of diabetic rats attenuated the ethane produced (4.88 ± 0.23 pmol/ min /100 g). Acute hyperglycemia increased exhaled ethane to levels higher than those seen in diabetic rats (9.87 ± 0.98 pmol/ min/ 100 g). Saline injected intraperitoneally to control rats produced ethane levels similar to those of untreated nondiabetic controls (4.11 ± 0.52 pmol/ min / 100 g). Chronic uncontrolled hyperglycemia and acute hyperglycemia are associated with increased in vivo ethane production.
Nitric Oxide Mediates Cerebral Ischemic Tolerance in a Neonatal Rat Model of Hypoxic Preconditioning

Neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia can be realized if the brain is preconditioned by previous exposure to a brief period of sublethal ischemia. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) produced from the neuronal isoform of NO synthase (NOS) serves as a necessary signal for establishing an ischemia-tolerant state in brain. A newborn rat model of hypoxic preconditioning was used, wherein exposure to sublethal hypoxia (8% oxygen) for 3 hours renders postnatal day (PND) 6 animals completely resistant to a cerebral hypoxic-ischemic insult imposed 24 hours later. Postnatal day 6 animals were treated 0.5 hour before preconditioning hypoxia with the nonselective NOS inhibitor L-nitroarginine (2 mg/kg intraperitoneally). This treatment, which resulted in a 67 to 81% inhibition of calcium-dependent constitutive NOS activity 0.5 to 3.5 hours after its administration, completely blocked preconditioning-induced protection. However, administration of the neuronal NOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (40 mg/kg intraperitoneally) before preconditioning hypoxia, which decreased constitutive brain NOS activity by 58 to 81%, was without effect on preconditioning-induced cerebroprotection, as was pretreatment with the inducible NOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (400 mg/kg intraperitoneally). The protective effects of preconditioning were also not blocked by treating animals with competitive [3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonate; 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally] or noncompetitive (MK-801; 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally) N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists prior to preconditioning hypoxia. These findings indicate that NO production and activity are critical to the induction of ischemic tolerance in this model. However, the results argue against the involvement of the neuronal NOS isoform, activated secondary to a hypoxia-induced stimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and against the involvement of the inducible NOS isoform, but rather suggest that NO produced by the endothelial NOS isoform is required to mediate this profound protective effect.
A pilot study for retrospective evaluation of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) rehabilitation of municipal gravity sewers

Abstract Pipe rehabilitation and trenchless pipe replacement technologies have seen a steadily increasing use over the past 30–40 years. Despite the massive public investment in the rehabilitation of the US water and wastewater infrastructure, there has been little formal and quantitative evaluation of whether rehabilitation technologies are performing as expected and whether rehabilitation is indeed cost-effective compared to replacement. This paper describes the results of a pilot project for the retrospective evaluation of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liners. The pilot testing used CIPP samples from both large and small diameter sewers in two cities: Denver, CO and Columbus, OH. Testing on the liners included: thickness, annular gap, ovality, density, specific gravity, porosity, flexural strength, flexural modulus, tensile strength, tensile modulus, surface hardness, glass transition temperature, and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, environmental data was gathered as appropriate to each retrieval process including: external soil conditions and pH, and internal waste stream pH. Summaries of the test results and a discussion of their implications for CIPP performance are provided in this paper. All of the samples retrieved from the four locations involved in the pilot study testing were in excellent condition after being in use for 25 years, 23 years, 21 years and 5 years, respectively. Overall, it is concluded that there is no reason to anticipate that the liners evaluated in this pilot study will not last for their intended lifetime of 50 years and perhaps well beyond.
Inland empire: economics imperialism as an imperative of Chicago neoliberalism

Recent work such as Steven Levitt's Freakonomics has prompted economic methodologists to reevaluate the state of relations between economics and its neighboring disciplines. Although this emerging literature on ‘economics imperialism’ has its merits, the positions advanced within it have been remarkably divergent: some have argued that economics imperialism is a fiction; others that it is a fact attributable to the triumph of neoclassical economics; and yet others that the era of economics imperialism is over. We believe the confusion results in part from a lack of historical understanding about the nature and aims of economics imperialists. We seek to improve historical understanding by focusing on the activities of a cadre of economists at the epicenter of economics imperialism, the University of Chicago. These activities – led, in the first instance, by Aaron Director and, in the second, by George Stigler – stemmed from the effort to forge a new liberalism or a ‘neoliberalism.’ We then consider Steven ...
Reaction dynamics following keV cluster bombardment

The nature of the regions that are favorable for chemical reactions has been investigated for a pure amorphous water ice substrate following energetic bombardment by C60 and Au3 cluster projectiles using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The simulations show that both projectiles, especially C60, produce regions where a plethora of reactions occur at elevated densities indicating that multiple atoms or molecules are involved simultaneously in the reactions initiated by cluster bombardment. The total number of reacted water molecules is significantly less than the total sputtering yield, which confirms that both cluster projectiles are useful for molecular depth profiling experiments.
Efect of adrenergic stimilation on ion transport across skin of living frogs

Abstract 1. 1. The influence of the intravenous administration of catecholamines and a β adrenergic blocking agent on short-circuit current (Is) skin resitance and sodium flux was studied with living anesthetized frog. 2. 2. Epinephrine (α plus β adrenergic stimulation) adn isoproterenol (β stimulation) produced an increase of Is, which was not explained by sodium transport changes, and mucous release. 3. 3. In contrast to epinephrine, isoproterenol decreased skin resistance and increased sodium outflux. 4. 4. Pronethalol (a β adrenergic blocking agent) decreased I3, net sodium flux, and increased skin resistance. 5. 5. The results indicate that ion transport across the skin, in vivo, is influenced by α and β adrenergic stimulation. They support the concept that the two stimuli produce opposing effects on sodium transport, i.e. α stimulation decreases and β stimulation increases sodium permeability of the skin.
Correlation of Cognitive Function with Ultrasound Strain Indices in Carotid Plaque

Abstract Instability in carotid vulnerable plaque can generate cerebral micro-emboli, which may be related to both stroke and eventual cognitive abnormality. Strain imaging to detect plaque vulnerability based on regions with large strain fluctuations, with arterial pulsation, may be able to determine the risk of cognitive impairment. Plaque instability may be characterized by increased strain variations over a cardiac cycle. Radiofrequency signals for ultrasound strain imaging were acquired from the carotid arteries of 24 human patients using a Siemens Antares with a VFX 13-5 linear array transducer. These patients underwent standardized cognitive assessment (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status [RBANS]). Plaque regions were segmented by a radiologist at end-diastole using the Medical Imaging Interaction Toolkit. A hierarchical block-matching motion tracking algorithm was used to estimate the cumulated axial, lateral and shear strains within the imaging plane. The maximum, minimum and peak-to-peak strain indices in the plaque computed from the mean cumulated strain over a small region of interest in the plaque with large deformations were obtained. The maximum and peak-to-peak mean cumulated strain indices over the entire plaque region were also computed. All strain indices were then correlated with RBANS Total performance. Overall cognitive performance (RBANS Total) was negatively associated with values of the maximum strain and the peak-to-peak for axial and lateral strains, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the RBANS Total score and shear strain and strain indices averaged over the entire identified plaque for this group of patients. However, correlation of maximum lateral strain was higher for symptomatic patients ( r = −0.650, p = 0.006) than for asymptomatic patients ( r = −0.115, p = 0.803). On the other hand, correlation of maximum axial strain averaged over the entire plaque region was significantly higher for asymptomatic patients ( r = −0.817, p = 0.016) than for symptomatic patients ( r = −0.224, p = 0.402). The results reveal a direct relationship between the maximum axial and lateral strain indices in carotid plaque and cognitive impairment.