cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
R&D Decision Advisor: An interactive approach to normative decision system model construction.

Abstract This paper describes the architecture of R&D Decision Advisor ™ , a commercial intelligent decision system for evaluating corporate research and development projects and portfolios. In analyzing projects, R & D Decision Advisor interactively guides a user in constructing an influence diagram model for an individual research project. The system's interactive approach can be clearly explained from a blackboard perspective. The system guides the user to choose among general project features but offers flexibility to capture unique project details. Related research generalizes the underlying architecture and addresses resource-constrained decision situations.
Tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids in the adrenal medulla after perfusion with “blood concentrations” of [14C]acetaldehyde

Abstract [ 14 C]Tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids were formed in situ from epinephrine and norepinephrine in the medullae of isolated cow adrenal glands during perfusions with solutions of [ 14 C]acetaldehyde. The radioactive alkaloids were isolated by adsorption onto aluminium hydroxide; they were separated and identified by thin-layer chromatography. The concentration of acetaldehyde used for perfusion (1 μg/ml) corresponds to a blood level seen in man during ingestion of alcoholic beverages.
The hemolytic activity of some trialkyltin and triphenyltin compounds.

Abstract Triphenyltin chloride caused the rapid hemolysis of dog, hog, rabbit, or rat blood; however, human blood was resistant to hemolysis by triphenyltin chloride. Trialkytin compounds with alkyl groups having 3–6 carbon atoms were hemolytic to both human and rat blood. Tri-n-butyltin derivatives in which the fourth group or atom bonded to tin was acetate, methoxide, hydroxide, oxygen, bromide or chloride were all hemolytic; however, bis(triphenyltin) sulfide was not hemolytic. Butyltins having 1, 2 or 4 carbon-tin bonds, trimethyltin chloride and triethyltin bromide all exhibited low hemolytic activity. It was demonstrated that the rate of hemolysis of human blood by tri-n-butyltin chloride was reduced when the solutes of the medium were predominantly nonelectrolytes and that potassium leaked from the cells faster than hemoglobin during tri-n-butyltin induced hemolysis. A nitrogen atmosphere or the addition of low concentrations of dl -α-tocopherol also reduced the rate of hemolysis of human blood in the presence of tri-n-butyltin chloride. Human plasma, but not human serum albumin, was partially effective in protecting washed, human red cells from tri-n-butyltin induced hemolysis. Sodium sulfide and several sulfhydryl compounds, in concentrations about equal to that of the organotin, protected human and rat blood from the hemolytic activity of tri-n-butyltin chloride, tricyclohexyltin hydroxide, or triphenyltin chloride. It was concluded that the most hemolytic organotins were the trialkyltins with alkyl groups having 3–6 carbon atoms and that some sulfhydryl compounds can react chemically with the organotins to reduce hemolytic activity.
Cumulative Correlations of Lysozyme, Lactoferrin, Peroxidase, S-IgA, Amylase, and Total Protein Concentrations with Adherence of Oral Viridans Streptococci to Microplates Coated with Human Saliva

Redundancy refers to the observation that many salivary proteins exhibit similar properties in vitro. It is possible that bacterial adherence to salivary pellicle occurs as a cumulative effect of multiple proteins. This study determined the joint and individual contributions of salivary amylase, S-IgA, lysozyme, salivary peroxidase, lactoferrin, and total protein concentrations to adherence by oral viridans streptococci in microplates coated with whole saliva from 123 persons. Strains used were: Streptococcus gordonii Blackburn, 10558, Streptococcus mitis 10712, 903, Streptococcus oralis 10557, 9811, and Streptococcus sanguis 10556, 13379. Rabbit antibody against 13379 was used for the detection of adherence. This antibody cross-reacted with all strains. Absorbance was standardized against saliva pooled from five donors. All saliva samples had been previously assayed for amylase, lactoferrin, lysozyme, secretory IgA, peroxidase, and total protein. Adherence scores for all strains except 13379 were significantly and positively correlated. Salivas binding high or low levels of one strain tended to bind others correspondingly. Multiple regression indicated significant contributions to 10558 adherence from total protein and lactoferrin (positive), and peroxidase and lysozyme (negative). Similar results were obtained for Blackburn and 903. Significant individual correlations were seen for 9811 and total protein (positive), 10557 and peroxidase (negative), and 13379 and lactoferrin (negative). Salivas with high adherence scores contained significantly more protein and lactoferrin, and significantly less peroxidase, than salivas with low adherence scores. These findings support the hypothesis that multiple proteins contribute to the adherence of streptococcal strains in vivo.
β2 Integrins and ICAM-1 Are Involved in Establishment of the Intestinal Mucosal T Cell Compartment

Development of the mucosal immune system was examined in mice with partial loss of expression of ICAM-1 or CD18. Profound effects on Peyer's patch (PP), lamina propria (LP), and intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) T cell populations were observed in mutant mice. Normal expression of CD18 integrins and ICAM-1 was essential for development of the CD8(alpha beta) TCR(alpha beta)LP and IEL compartment and for the generation of normal PP lymphocyte populations. The partial loss of CD8(alpha beta) IEL correlated with the loss of TCR(alpha beta) IEL-mediated lytic activity. The presence of a subset of Thy1+TCR(gamma delta)IEL was also dependent on CD18 integrins and ICAM-1. Both the lytic activity and the expression of CD11c by TCR(gamma delta)IEL were up-regulated in the presence of TCR(alpha beta) T cells. Analysis of bone marrow chimeras demonstrated that a bone marrow-derived ICAM-1+ accessory cell was involved in the generation of some TCR(alpha beta) IEL. These results demonstrated that ICAM-1 and beta2 integrins were required for establishment of a normal intestinal immune system.
A Concept of Autonomy for Critical Communication Studies

The concept of autonomy has had an integral and enduring role in political economic reflection on the relationship between culture and the economy. A prevailing version of the concept, developed in postmodernist scholarship, has suggested the erosion, if not complete demise, of autonomy. The article contends that autonomy, as an aesthetic concept in these debates, has mainly overlooked its function in critical thinking about capitalism's expansion to the sphere of culture. By building on recent research on the Frankfurt School, in particular, the work of Theodor Adorno, it is possible to reassert the importance of a version of the concept of autonomy in the critical analysis of culture today.
UNC-16/JIP3/sunday driver: a new cop on the organelle highway.

> In this commentary, Qun Zheng and Michael L. Nonet examine Edwards et al .’s article in which they provide evidence for a domain in invertebrate neurons similar to the vertebrate axonal initial segment that serves to restrict certain organelles from entering the axonal compartment. In their
Deficits in behavioral sensitization and dopaminergic responses to methamphetamine in adenylyl cyclase 1/8‐deficient mice

The cAMP/protein kinase A pathway regulates methamphetamine (METH)-induced neuroplasticity underlying behavioral sensitization. We hypothesize that adenylyl cyclases (AC) 1/8 mediate these neuroplastic events and associated striatal dopamine regulation. Locomotor responses to METH (1 and 5 mg/kg) and striatal dopamine function were evaluated in mice lacking AC 1/8 (DKO) and wild-type (WT) mice. Only 5 mg/kg METH induced an acute locomotor response in DKO mice, which was significantly attenuated versus WT controls. DKO mice showed a marked attenuation in the development and expression of METH-induced behavioral sensitization across doses relative to WT controls. While basal and acute METH (5 mg/kg)-evoked accumbal dialysate dopamine levels were similar between genotypes, saline-treated DKO mice showed elevated tissue content of dopamine and homovanillic acid in the dorsal striatum (DS), reflecting dysregulated dopamine homeostasis and/or metabolism. Significant reductions in DS dopamine levels were observed in METH-sensitized DKO mice compared to saline-treated controls, an effect not observed in WT mice. Notably, saline-treated DKO mice had significantly increased phosphorylated Dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein levels, which were not further augmented following METH sensitization, as observed in WT mice. These data indicate that AC 1/8 are critical to mechanisms subserving drug-induced behavioral sensitization and mediate nigrostriatal pathway METH sensitivity. Calcium/calmodulin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (AC) isoforms 1 and 8 were studied for their involvement in the adaptive neurobehavioral responses to methamphetamine. AC 1/8 double knockout (DKO) mice showed heightened basal locomotor activity and dorsal striatal dopamine responsivity. Conversely, methamphetamine-induced locomotor activity was attenuated in DKO mice, accompanied by reductions in dopamine and HVA content and impaired DARPP-32 activation. These findings indicate AC 1/8 signaling regulates the sensitivity of the nigrostriatal pathway subserving stimulant and neuroadaptive sensitizing effects of methamphetamine. 3-MT, 3-methoxytyramine; Ca(2+), calcium; CaM, calmodulin; cdk5; cyclin-dependent kinase 5; DA, dopamine; DARPP-32, dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein; D1R, dopamine D1 receptor; HVA, homovanillic acid; PKA, protein kinase A.
Induction of Biplanar Growth in Fern Gametophytes

The inhibition of biplanar growth in the protonemata of different ages of Asplenium nidus by the pyrimidine analog, 5-fluorouracil has been investigated. Under favorable light conditions, older protonemata become biplanar in concentrations of 5-fluorouracil which inhibit biplanar growth in younger ones. Treatment of 4- or 5-celled protonemata with a high concentration of 5-fluorouracil or transfer of germinated spores to progressively higher concentrations of the inhibitor lead to their continued filamentous growth. It is suggested that the age of the protonemata and the counteracting effects of light should be taken into account in evaluating the effect of metabolic inhibitors on the inhibition of biplanar growth in fern gametophytes.
Saccadic and perceptual performance in visual search tasks. II. Letter discrimination

2. Relative efficiency was low but consistently greater than zero in discrimination tasks (15% 6 6%) and high in detection tasks (60% 6 10%). We conclude that the saccadic targeting system can use shape cues, but less efficiently than the perceptual system can. © 2003 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 330.2210, 330.4060, 330.5000, 330.5510, 330.6100, 330.7310.
The influence of carotid siphon stenosis on short- and long-term outcome after carotid endarterectomy

Abstract Purpose: This study was designed to determine whether the presence of ipsilateral carotid siphon stenosis influenced the risk of early and late stroke and death after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods: The outcomes of patients with moderate (20% to 49%), severe (> 50%), and no siphon stenosis were compared over a 16-year period from April 1976 to February 1992. Complete angiographic data were available in 393 carotid arteries. Results: Siphon stenosis was found ipsilateral to the CEA in 84 (21.4%) of the arteries. Most lesions were in the 20% to 49% diameter-reducing range (77.4%), with the remainder in the greater than 50% range (22.6%). There were no occlusions. The perioperative mortality rate was nearly identical for the groups with and without siphon stenosis, 0.0% versus 0.6%, respectively ( p = 0.99). Perioperative stroke morbidity rates (no stenosis, 2.3%; moderate stenosis, 3.1%; > 50% stenosis, 5.3%) were acceptable and were not statistically different ( p > 0.38). Late ipsilateral stroke-free rates were similar in the groups with and without siphon stenosis. The 5- and 7-year stroke-free incidences were 88.5% and 83.4% versus 94.9% and 94.9%, respectively ( p > 0.20) for the two groups. Long-term ipsilateral stroke-free rates were not significantly different in the subgroups with moderate (20% to 49%) and hemodynamically significant (> 50%) siphon stenosis. The 3- and 5-year ipsilateral stroke-free rates were 96.7% and 87.9% versus 94.6% and 94.6%, respectively ( p = 0.69). Late death was more common in the group with siphon stenosis than it was in the group without siphon stenosis, 23.8% versus 12.5% ( p = 0.02). Heart disease was responsible for most late deaths, 47% in both groups. Late stroke-related deaths were infrequent: 1.3% in patients with and 0.0% in patients without siphon stenosis. Conclusions: Although carotid siphon stenosis seemed to be associated with a higher risk of late death, it did not alter the short- and long-term stroke morbidity rates after carotid endarterectomy significantly. We conclude that the presence of carotid siphon stenosis should not influence the decision to perform carotid endarterectomy in patients with the appropriate indications. (J VASC SURG 1993;17:902-11.)
Photophysical studies of uranyl complexes 5. Luminescence spectrum of K4UO2(CO3)3

The photoluminescence of K4UO2(CO3)3 has been studied under conditions of high resolution at cryogenic temperatures. The origin corresponding to the pure electronic transition was located at 4774 A (20945 cm−1), and it was found that the totally symmetric uranyl stretching mode was coupled to this transition. A progression of four band systems thus resulted, and from an examination of the energies of corresponding peaks in each system, a value of 813 cm−1 for the U-O stretching mode was determined. Two lattice modes (34 and 80 cm−1) and two molecular vibrational modes (205 and 276 cm−1) were also found to couple with the pure electronic transition, thus yielding approximately 15 major peaks in each band system. The 205 cm−1 vibration corresponded to a CO32− vibration, while the 276 cm−1 vibration was a UO22+ deformation. The low values obtained for the force constant and totally symmetric stretching frequency of the U-O bond suggested that in UO2(CO)34−, the uranium atom is bound in a complex species that may be considered as an intermediate between that of a uranyl (UO22+) and a uranate (UO810−) ion.
A novel design methodology for reconfigurable frequency selective surfaces using genetic algorithms

In this paper, a new reconfigurable frequency selective surface (RFSS) design concept is introduced. A grid of simple metallic patches interconnected by a matrix of switches is proposed as the unit cell of an RFSS. The switches are independently addressable and provide significant transmission and reflection flexibility over a large range of frequencies. This flexibility is exploited by optimizing the switch settings using a genetic algorithm to produce a desired frequency response. The versatility of the design technique is demonstrated by presenting several examples of genetically optimized RFSS. The first example to be considered is a linearly polarized FSS that can be reconfigured for either single-, dual-, or tri-band operation. An RFSS design is also introduced that can be optimized to have a frequency response that is polarization independent in one state (i.e., for one combination of switch settings) and polarization dependent in another state.
A new unconstrained iris image analysis and segmentation method in biometrics

Iris recognition remains the most viable and reliable biometric method for security purposes. With the increasing demands in public safety and security, iris identification is becoming a requisite that seeks high accuracy with a fast and reliable outcome. Thus an effective iris recognition method is one that should overcome the rigid constraints imposed during image acquisition, and offer near real time processing. This research introduces a robust and fast (near real time) iris segmentation approach towards less constrained iris recognition. The accuracy is estimated to be slightly over 98% when using 500 randomly selected images from the UBIRIS.v2 partial database.
Mechanisms of Oxidoreductases Important in Food Component Modification

Six types of chemical reactions are catalyzed by enzymes; these are oxidoreduction, transfer, hydrolysis, making or adding to double bonds (lyases), isomerization, and bond formation requiring high-energy phosphates (ligases). While all of these reactions are important in food production, the food scientist is especially concerned with oxidoreduction and hydrolysis reactions. In general, much more emphasis is placed on the hydrolytic reactions than on the oxidoreductions, perhaps because hydrolytic reactions are so important in malting and brewing, in cheese production, in conversion of starch to glucose and fructose, and in human metabolism.
The binding of botulinum toxin to membrane lipids: sphingolipids, steroids and fatty acids.

A number of lipids known to be constituents of nerve-ending membranes were tested for their ability to inactivate botulinum toxin. Inactivation of the toxin by a lipid was taken as presumptive evidence that the lipid might be the in vivo receptor for the toxin. Several sphingolipids (sphingosine, galactosylceramide, glucosylceramide, lactosylceramide, cytolipin K and cytolipin R), steroids (cholesterol and deoxycholic acid) and fatty acids (palmitic acid, stearic acid, prostaglandin E1) did not affect the potency of botulinum toxin, and thus were discounted as potential toxin receptors. However, the gangliosides did inactivate botulinum toxin rapidly (in less than 5 min), within a temperature range of 2°-40°C, and at ionic strengths of 0.05-0.40. Inactivation diminished as pH fell below 6. The activity of gangliosides in suppressing the potency of botulinum toxin was a function of the number of sialic acid residues in the lipid. Thus, the data suggest that a molecule containing sialic acid may be the receptor for the toxin.
Stimulus Generalization as a Function of Drive and Strength of Competing Responses to Generalized Stimuli

Sunzmury.-Based on a SR analysis of the summation of overlapping gradients of generalized habit strength, it was predicted that an increase in drive may both lower and raise an empirical generalization gradient depending on che relative response strength of competing tendencies elicited by generalized stimuli. A neutral and a motivated group were presented with a generalized cask involving voluntary responses. Each group was subdivided into three groups which differed with respect to percentage of reinforcement of competing responses to generalized stimuli. When the suength of competing responses was negligible, increased motivation raised the gradient, while in ocher cases the gradient was lowered.
Testing of LUT delay aliasing faults in SRAM based FPGAs using half-frequencies

In this paper, we present a technique for testing the delay aliasing faults associated with LUTs in SRAM based FPGAs. We compare the outputs of two identical LUTs when one is operated at half the frequency of the other. A Built in Self Test (BIST) circuitry consisting of a Test Pattern Generator, a Comparator, and the Circuit Under Test (CUT) is mapped on the FPGA. Application of input sequence vectors at half frequencies to the LUTs enable the detection of delay and aliasing faults which may go undetected by other techniques. The technique is verified using VHDL based simulations. The results are also experimentally verified using a Virtex II FPGA board.
Medication Therapy Management and Complex Patients With Disability: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Drug therapy problems, adverse drug events (ADEs), and symptom burden are high among adults with disabilities. Objective: To compare the effects of a modified medication therapy management (MTM) program within a self-efficacy workshop versus the workshop alone or usual care on symptom burden among adults with activity limitations. Methods: Three-group randomized controlled trial among adults (age 40 and older) with self-reported activity limitations in community practice. Interventions: 8 weekly Living Well With a Disability (LWD) 2-hour workshop sessions with and without a collaborative medication management (CMM) module. Primary outcome: mean number of moderate to very severe symptoms from a list of 11 physical and mental symptoms. Process measures: changes in medication regimens and self-reported ADEs. Analysis: general linear mixed models (continuous outcomes) and generalized estimating equations (categorical outcomes). Results: Participants had high symptom burden, low physical health, an...
Modeling kinetics of gate oxide reliability using stretched exponents

In this work, we propose a novel approach to modeling the kinetics of gate oxide reliability, using the stretched-exponential form. We show how the dispersive nature of characteristic times pertaining to kinetic transitions during oxide degradation, are very well captured by stretched-exponential functions. We demonstrate their use in common oxide reliability concerns such as hot-carrier injection and negative bias temperature instability. The use of the stretched exponents to model oxide reliability is demonstrated with two real examples.
Mechanism and Regulation of Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II Targeting to the NR2B Subunit of the N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor

Calcium influx through the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor and activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) are critical events in certain forms of synaptic plasticity. We have previously shown that autophosphorylation of CaMKII induces high-affinity binding to the NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptor (Strack, S., and Colbran, R. J. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 20689-20692). Here, we show that residues 1290-1309 in the cytosolic tail of NR2B are critical for CaMKII binding and identify by site-directed mutagenesis several key residues (Lys(1292), Leu(1298), Arg(1299), Arg(1300), Gln(1301), and Ser(1303)). Phosphorylation of NR2B at Ser(1303) by CaMKII inhibits binding and promotes slow dissociation of preformed CaMKII.NR2B complexes. Peptide competition studies imply a role for the CaMKII catalytic domain, but not the substrate-binding pocket, in the association with NR2B. However, analysis of monomeric CaMKII mutants indicates that the holoenzyme structure may also be important for stable association with NR2B. Residues 1260-1316 of NR2B are sufficient to direct the subcellular localization of CaMKII in intact cells and to confer dynamic regulation by calcium influx. Furthermore, mutation of residues in the CaMKII-binding domain in full-length NR2B bidirectionally modulates colocalization with CaMKII after NMDA receptor activation, suggesting a dynamic model for the translocation of CaMKII to postsynaptic targets.
Mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1: timing and implications for prevention

This article provides a synthesis of clinical trial data with an aim to deduce the timing of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1. Because transmission of the infection to the infant through breastfeeding is one of the main challenges in fighting paediatric HIV/AIDS in the developing world, we present separate estimates for the timing of HIV transmission for non-breastfeeding and breastfeeding populations. Our estimates predict that, for non-breastfeeding populations, 50% of HIV infections are transmitted to the infant at the very end of pregnancy, near to the time of labour. For breastfeeding populations, the postnatal period accounts for most of the HIV infections transmitted to the infant. We discuss the potential benefit of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life as a policy to decrease the magnitude of HIV transmission. Furthermore, we present the hypothesis, based on recent research findings of viral latency, that the time when a fetus initially encounters the virus might not be when infection is established. We discuss the implications of this hypothesis and how it could lead to new interventions for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission.
Use of Acoustic Doppler Instruments for Measuring Discharge in Streams with Appreciable Sediment Transport

Acoustic Doppler instruments measure the velocity of water relative to the instrument (relative water velocity). To obtain the true water velocity in a stream when the instrument is mounted onto a boat, the instrument must accurately measure the speed and direction of the boat and correct the relative water velocity for the boat motion. Boat speed and direction usually are measured by means of bottom tracking. Bottom tracking uses acoustic pulses to measure the boat velocity relative to the streambed, similar to those used to measure the water velocity. This technique can be accurate and is resistant to errors in the internal compass of the instrument; however, streams often transport fine sediments and sand as suspended load near the streambed or as bed load. During flood flows streams may transport appreciable volumes of larger sediments. The acoustic Doppler instrument measures a “moving bed” when the transported sediment causes a Doppler shift in the bottom-tracking pulses. This moving-bed condition will cause the instrument to measure an upstream boat velocity greater than the true boat velocity. When this boat velocity is used to correct the relative water velocity, it results in water-velocity measurements that are biased low. This moving-bed condition is commonly encountered in the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers when using acoustic instruments with frequencies greater than 600 kilohertz and can occur in most streams during higher flows. The best method of compensating for boat velocity on streams where a moving-bed condition occurs is to use a differentially corrected global positioning system (DGPS). When using DGPS to measure the boat velocity any errors in the acoustic instrument’s internal compass become important sources of error in the resulting velocity and discharge measurements. Data collected by use of instruments and software manufactured by RD Instruments, Inc. 2 indicate that with proper calibration and data-collection techniques, accurate discharges can be measured with DGPS as the boatvelocity reference. Conversely, these data indicate that appreciable errors will result if the compass is not properly calibrated and (or) proper data-collection techniques are not followed. Although proper data-collection technique is always important, measurements
Tax increment financing, economic development professionals and the financialization of urban politics

*Scholars argue that the state has facilitated the expansion of the financial sector, but focus largely on how politics transforms financial markets. I explore a new political mechanism of financialization, by drawing upon an ethnographic study of economic development in two Rust Belt cities and analyzing usage of tax increment financing (TIF), a practice that allows cities to securitize projected increases in property tax receipts and create bonds similar to structured asset-backed securities (e.g. mortgage-backed securities). Cities initially used TIF as a last-resort financing strategy, but the practice has transformed urban politics by creating opportunities for economic development professionals to exercise jurisdiction over municipal budgets. Further, TIF structures other roles that development professionals play by giving them incentives to use TIF in ways that are not aligned with the city’s fiscal outlook and lock them into ever-higher rates of TIF spending. This analysis illustrates a recursive relationship between financialization and the state: public policies have transformed financial markets, but reliance on financial markets can also transform political institutions in ways that promote further financialization.
Vanadium induces dopaminergic neurotoxicity via protein kinase Cdelta dependent oxidative signaling mechanisms: relevance to etiopathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Environmental exposure to neurotoxic metals through various sources including exposure to welding fumes has been linked to an increased incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD). Welding fumes contain many different metals including vanadium typically present as particulates containing vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 ). However, possible neurotoxic effects of this metal oxide on dopaminergic neuronal cells are not well studied. In the present study, we characterized vanadium-induced oxidative stress-dependent cellular events in cell culture models of PD. V 2 O 5 was neurotoxic to dopaminergic neuronal cells including primary nigral dopaminergic neurons and the EC 50 was determined to be 37 μM in N27 dopaminergic neuronal cell model. The neurotoxic effect was accompanied by a time-dependent uptake of vanadium and upregulation of metal transporter proteins Tf and DMT1 in N27 cells. Additionally, vanadium resulted in a threefold increase in reactive oxygen species generation, followed by release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into cytoplasm and subsequent activation of caspase-9 (> fourfold) and caspase-3 (> ninefold). Interestingly, vanadium exposure induced proteolytic cleavage of native protein kinase Cdelta (PKCδ, 72–74 kDa) to yield a 41 kDa catalytically active fragment resulting in a persistent increase in PKCδ kinase activity. Co-treatment with pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK significantly blocked vanadium-induced PKCδ proteolytic activation, indicating that caspases mediate PKCδ cleavage. Also, co-treatment with Z-VAD-FMK almost completely inhibited V 2 O 5 -induced DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, PKCδ knockdown using siRNA protected N27 cells from V 2 O 5 -induced apoptotic cell death. Collectively, these results demonstrate that vanadium can exert neurotoxic effects in dopaminergic neuronal cells via caspase-3-dependent PKCδ cleavage, suggesting that metal exposure may promote nigral dopaminergic degeneration.
Uplift of the Central Andean Plateau and bending of the Bolivian orocline

Topographic data are combined with data on structure magmatism, seismicity, and paleomagnetism to support a simple kinematical model for the late Cenozoic evolution of the central Andes. The model interrelates Andean uplift, a changing geometry of the subducted Nazca plate, and a changing outline of the leading edge of the South American plate. It is argued that the late Cenozoic uplift of the Andes is a result of thermal thinning of the lithosphere and crustal thickening produced by crustal shortening.
Semantic versus phonological false recognition in aging and Alzheimer’s disease

Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been found to exhibit lower levels of false recognition of semantic associates compared with healthy older adults. Because these patients may show impaired performance of episodic and semantic memory tasks, this finding could be explained by deficits in episodic memory, semantic memory, or both. The authors adapted a paradigm for comparison of semantic versus phonological false recognition. They found that: (a) patients with AD exhibited lower levels of corrected false recognition of semantic, phonological, and hybrid (mixed semantic and phonological) lists than older adults, and (b) patients with AD showed very similar levels of false recognition for all list types. These results suggest that only episodic memory deficits are necessary to explain the lower level of false recognition of semantic associates observed in patients with AD when compared to older adults. Additionally, (c) older adults showed greater levels of semantic, phonological, and hybrid false recognition than younger adults, extending previous false recognition research of semantically related words and categorized colored photographs to phonologically related words.
Spermatophoresand Spermatophore Producing Internal Organs of Cleridae (Coleoptera: Clerinae): their Biological and Phylogenetic Implications

Abstract Apomorphies of the internal reproductive organs relevant to production and utilization of spermatophores, biologic traits associated with anthophily, and presence of afferent peg sensilla on the antennae suggests that a presumed monophyletic assemblage of genera of subfamily Clerinae are descendants of an ancient monophyletic stock linked to early angiosperm evolution. The species examined include all suprageneric categories of Cleridae proposed to date. The ground plan of the internal reproductive organs of Cleridae for the male involved a pair of multifollicular testes, tubular vas deferens, unichambered seminal vesicle, one pair of accessory glands, highly muscular ejaculatory duct, and for the ancestral female, a pair of multifollicular ovaries, non capsular spermatheca, well-developed spermathecal gland and spermathecal gland duct, and a spacious vagina. Based on presumed homologies of the male accessory glands across generic lines, and to a lesser extent on extraction of contents of the vag...
Effects of L-propionylcarnitine on mechanical recovery during reflow in intact hearts

We tested the influence of L-propionylcarnitine (LPC) in modifying mechanical stunning during reflow. Nineteen adolescent anesthetized swine were extracorporeally perfused at control coronary flows for 20 min, supplemented with excess fatty acids (average values 1.1 +/- 0.1 mumol/ml), and subjected to 45 min regional ischemia (-60 delta % decrease in anterior descending flow) followed by 35 min reperfusion. Responses in 10 placebo hearts were compared with those obtained from 9 animals treated with 50 mg/kg LPC at 0 min perfusion and 40 mg/kg at 40 min perfusion. Ischemia in placebo hearts caused a 62.6 delta % decrease in active shortening in anterior descending bed, which failed to recover (-41.4 delta % from control values) during reflow. Conversely, in LPC-treated hearts, decreases in active shortening (-38.6 and -11.6 delta %) during ischemia and reflow, respectively, were significantly smaller (P less than or equal to 0.05). This improved motion was associated with greater rates of myocardial oxygen consumption but similar levels of fatty acid oxidation and fatty acid intermediates. Thus LPC significantly reversed mechanical stunning in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion protocols, presumably because of its positive inotropic properties. This derivative, otherwise innocuous in nature, could represent an attractive new treatment choice for future clinical use.
The quest for meaning and wholeness: Spiritual and religious connections in the lives of college faculty, By Jennifer A. Lindholm

I have been a reader of religion and spirituality for many years, but this book is different than my usual fare for one major reason, i.e., it is based on empirical research. In fact, The quest for...
Abuse or Protection

Bankruptcy policy balances conflicting objectives of providing consumption insurance to debtors and protecting creditors. The adoption of the 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act shifted the balance toward creditors by raising debtors' cost of filing for bankruptcy and reducing the amount of debt that is discharged in bankruptcy. The changes will have little effect on "opportunistic" debtors, who can still use pre-bankruptcy planning shelter substantial assets in bankruptcy. But the changes are likely to harm many non-opportunistic debtors - the people whom bankruptcy law is intended to help - simply because they cannot afford the high cost of filing. A better policy approach would be to require debtors to use of portion of both their wealth and future income to make payments on their debt, which would protect non-opportunistic debtors while deterring opportunism.
Implant Surface Design Regulates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation and Maturation

Changes in dental implant materials, structural design, and surface properties can all affect biological response. While bulk properties are important for mechanical stability of the implant, surface design ultimately contributes to osseointegration. This article reviews the surface parameters of dental implant materials that contribute to improved cell response and osseointegration. In particular, we focus on how surface design affects mesenchymal cell response and differentiation into the osteoblast lineage. Surface roughness has been largely studied at the microscale, but recent studies have highlighted the importance of hierarchical micron/submicron/nanosurface roughness, as well as surface roughness in combination with surface wettability. Integrins are transmembrane receptors that recognize changes in the surface and mediate downstream signaling pathways. Specifically, the noncanonical Wnt5a pathway has been implicated in osteoblastic differentiation of cells on titanium implant surfaces. However, much remains to be elucidated. Only recently have studies been conducted on the differences in biological response to implants based on sex, age, and clinical factors; these all point toward differences that advocate for patient-specific implant design. Finally, challenges in implant surface characterization must be addressed to optimize and compare data across studies. An understanding of both the science and the biology of the materials is crucial for developing novel dental implant materials and surface modifications for improved osseointegration.
The Dominant Mechanical Interaction Between the Brain and Skull In Vivo: Is Sliding Arrested at Key Points of Brain-Skull Tethering?

The relationship between skull acceleration and brain injury is not well understood, in large part because of the challenge of visualizing the brain’s mechanical response in vivo. This difficulty also complicates the validation of computational mechanics predictions.Our dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging suggests an important role for the attachments between brain and skull. Here, we present an MRI-based method for identifying the dominant modes of brain displacement relative to the skull during angular acceleration of the head, and apply it to study brain/skull interactions in live volunteers. The approach was to estimate dynamic intracranial displacement fields from a sequence of tagged MR images of the brain and skull, then identify dominant displacement modes using principal component (PC) analysis. After verifying the method through analysis of a simulated 2-D vibrating plate and MR images of a cylindrical gel phantom, the method was applied to show that the dominant mode of brain/skull interaction is one of sliding arrested by brain/skull meninges in a few specific regions.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Development of a Diagnostic Technique for Monitoring Permethrin Resistance in Soybean Looper (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae

A glass-vial technique was developed to detect permethrin resistance in soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), larvae. Third-, fourth-, fifth-, and sixthinstar soybean loopers from two susceptible (laboratory) and eight field strains were exposed to permethrin using a glass-vial technique to estimate concentration-mortality lines. Probit analysis of results from each field strain indicated that LC5s for third, fourth, and fifth ins tars were not significantly different. Therefore, concentration-mortality lines for each soybean looper strain were estimated by pooling data from these three instars. A discriminating concentration of 0.5μg permethrin per vial was identified for detection of permethrin resistance in field populations of soybean looper larvae. Field strains from cotton-soybean agroecosystems responded similarly and had higher levels of resistance than strains from soybean-com agroecosystems. The reliability of the vial bioassay was confirmed by topical bioassays done on the same populations that had been tested in the vials and a comparison of resistance ratios. Correlation analysis indicated that the vial technique was as reliable as topical bioassays in estimating resistance, although resistance ratios with vials were slightly higher at most locations.
Effects of Nutritional Factors on the Formation of Ubiquinone by Tobacco Plant Cells in Suspension Culture

The ubiquinone (UQ) content of BY-2 cells on surface culture was examined to compare with that in suspension culture. The UQ content on surface culture was a little lower than that in suspension culture, but the pattern of the time-course of the UQ formation on surface culture was similar. The changes of UQ content in BY-2 cells during autolysis were also examined. UQ in the cells subjected to autolysis was not rapidly metabolized nor excreted into the medium. In order to obtain basic information for UQ formation by BY-2 cells in suspension culture, the cultural conditions, especially nutritional ones were investigated. Addition of 2, 4-D was remarkably effective on UQ formation and a higher UQ content was observed with a higher 2, 4-D concentration. Sucrose and glucose concentrations in the original medium were also influential factors. The UQ content tends to increase with the decrease of the sugar content. Precursors of UQ, amino acids, vitamins and organic acids were not effective on the UQ formation.
MULTIPHASE FLOW PHENOMENA IN A SLAB CONTINUOUS CASTING MOLD WITH ELECTROMAGNETIC BRAKE AND ARGON GAS INJECTION

A numerical simulation study for the multiphase phenomena of magnetic field,liquid steel flow field and inclusion behavior was described,in which the coupled effects of electromagnetic brake (EMBr) and argon gas injection in the slab continuous casting mold with high casting speed were considered.The effects of the EMBr and argon gas flow rate on the liquid steel flow and inclusion removal rate have been investigated.The results show that EMBr could slow down the flow velocity of liquid steel effectively,especially near the meniscus surface,but it had no helpful for the removal of small inclusions and the removal rate for the inclusion particles in diameter range of 5-50μm reduced from 6.7% without EMBr and argon gas injection to 3.3% with EMBr in the mold.The argon gas injection could increase the liquid steel flow up tendency of the upper circulating area and the floating up rate of inclusion particles with the size 5-50 #m increased to 8.9%.The increase of argon gas flow rate resulted in a stronger eddy zone near the free surface especially near the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) and formed the secondary vortex flow easily,which impacted the fluctuation of free surface and the slag entrapment.The double action of EMBr and argon gas injection could increase the floating up rate of inclusions and the removal rate of small inclusions with the size 5-50μm increased to 12.2% and the rate for inclusions to be trapped into solidified shell was reduced to 64.4%.
Computational growth model of breast microcalcification clusters in simulated mammographic environments

BackgroundWhen screening for breast cancer, the radiological interpretation of mammograms is a difficult task, particularly when classifying precancerous growth such as microcalcifications (MCs). Biophysical modeling of benign vs. malignant growth of MCs in simulated mammographic backgrounds may improve characterization of these structures MethodsA mathematical model based on crystal growth rules for calcium oxide (benign) and hydroxyapatite (malignant) was used in conjunction with simulated mammographic backgrounds, which were generated by fractional Brownian motion of varying roughness and quantified by the Hurst exponent to mimic tissue of varying density. Simulated MC clusters were compared by fractal dimension, average circularity of individual MCs, average number of MCs per cluster, and average cluster area. ResultsBenign and malignant clusters were distinguishable by average circularity, average number of MCs per cluster, and average cluster area with p<0.01 across all Hurst exponent values considered. Clusters were distinguishable by fractal dimension with p<0.05 in low Hurst exponent environments. As the Hurst exponent increased (tissue density increased) benign and malignant MCs became indistinguishable by fractal dimension. ConclusionsThe fractal dimension of MCs changes with breast tissue density, which suggests tissue environment plays a role in regulating MC growth. Benign and malignant MCs are distinguishable in all types of tissue by shape, size, and area, which is consistent with findings in the literature. These results may help to better understand the effects of the tissue environment on tumor progression, and improve classification of MCs in mammograms via computer-aided diagnosis.
Mechanisms of the Racial Tax State

The relationship between taxation and structural racism is both understudied and undertheorized. Our article introducing the following symposium is a starting point to address this gap, proposing t...
By the Spear: Philip II, Alexander the Great, and the Rise and Fall of the Macedonian Empire. By Ian Worthington. (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2014. Pp. xxi, 388. $34.95.)

Known for his scholarship in ancient Greek and Macedonian history, the author of this stimulating book covers the careers of Philip II—who raised the Kingdom of Macedonia from obscurity to leadersh...
Responding to writing through instructor screencasts: Cognitive walkthrough, reader response, and student-centered access

In Technical Communication courses, screencasts as instructional "how-to" guides and as recorded cognitive walkthroughs for usability assessments offer a visual and verbal way to learn how to do something and to learn how others do something, blending both instructional and methodological functions. What if screencasts—as the method and the message—became an instructional tool for providing feedback to students? Drawing from the usability method cognitive walkthrough and reader response theory, this paper posits rationale for creating screencasts of an instructor's response to student's writing for distance courses. As a method, the screencast shows the student what strengths and weaknesses exist in the technical piece. As a message, the screencast shows the student what the instructor sees, reads, experiences, and responds to when reading and interacting with the technical piece. Based on preliminary pedagogical experimentation, this paper suggests that screencasts for responding to student writing enhance a distant student's access to knowledge and the instructor—enriching the overall learning experience.
Probing Cell Wall Structure in the Soybean Root Nodule

The infection of soybean (Glycine max) by Bradyrhizobium japonicum has been observed to occur through root hairs. The region of the root just below the smallest emergent root hairs and just above the zone of rapid root elongation is most susceptible to nodulation by rhizobia (1). An early response of the host plant is the marked curling of the root hairs, accompanied by the induction of meristematic activity in the cortex of the root adjacent to the point of infection. The infection thread is initiated at, or near, the growing tip of a root hair following the entrapment of rhizobia in the crook of the curled root hair. The stimulation of plant cell division induces active cell wall synthesis, which in turn facilitates the growth of the infection thread. Thus, the interaction of rhizobia with the apparatus of plant cell wall synthesis may be very important in nodule initiation and development.
Sulfur-Supported Iron Complexes for Understanding N2 Reduction

This chapter focuses on the use of synthetic complexes for modeling iron sites in the iron-molybdenum nitrogenase enzyme, particularly on those with sulfur donors in the coordination sphere. This is an under-explored area that has promise to elucidate the way that Fe–S bonds contribute to N2 binding and activation. We review iron complexes with sulfide, thiolate, and thioether-containing supporting ligands and discuss the binding of N2 as well as reduced species such as hydrazine and diazene. The structures, spectroscopy, reactions, and other properties of key complexes are described, including recent results.