cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium Signaling and Amyloid Toxicity in Alzheimer Disease

Intracellular Ca2+ signaling is fundamental to neuronal physiology and viability. Because of its ubiquitous roles, disruptions in Ca2+ homeostasis are implicated in diverse disease processes and have become a major focus of study in multifactorial neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease (AD). A hallmark of AD is the excessive production of β-amyloid (Aβ) and its massive accumulation in amyloid plaques. In this minireview, we highlight the pathogenic interactions between altered cellular Ca2+ signaling and Aβ in its different aggregation states and how these elements coalesce to alter the course of the neurodegenerative disease. Ca2+ and Aβ intersect at several functional levels and temporal stages of AD, thereby altering neurotransmitter receptor properties, disrupting membrane integrity, and initiating apoptotic signaling cascades. Notably, there are reciprocal interactions between Ca2+ pathways and amyloid pathology; altered Ca2+ signaling accelerates Aβ formation, whereas Aβ peptides, particularly in soluble oligomeric forms, induce Ca2+ disruptions. A degenerative feed-forward cycle of toxic Aβ generation and Ca2+ perturbations results, which in turn can spin off to accelerate more global neuropathological cascades, ultimately leading to synaptic breakdown, cell death, and devastating memory loss. Although no cause or cure is currently known, targeting Ca2+ dyshomeostasis as an underlying and integral component of AD pathology may result in novel and effective treatments for AD.
Calorimetrically Measurable Enthalpic Isotope Effect

Calorimetric techniques have revealed that the enthalpy of reaction with water is more exothermic by about 2.2 kcal/mol, for the perdeuteriated naphthalene anion radical (K + C 10 D 8 •- (s) + H 2 O(liq) → 1/2C 10 D 8 H 2 (s) + 1/2C 10 D 8 (s) + KOH(aq)) than it is for the perprotiated system. These results, when coupled with the known enthalpy of electron transfer between naphthalene and its perdeuteriated analogue imply that the heat of hydrogenation of naphthalene decreases by about 1.8 kcal/mol upon perdeuteriation of the naphthalene.
Financial Analysis of Large Versus Small Nuclear Power Plants

There have been no new orders for nuclear plants and many nuclear plants under construction have been cancelled in recent years in the United States. Financing problems have been a major factor in this slow down of new nuclear plant activity. Meanwhile, the nuclear plants that have been completed have been operating cost effectively and vielding fossil fuel conservation and air quality bene fits. Smaller plants have been designed in the past for the purpose of penetrating markets in developing countries and countries with relatively small utility systems. This paper examines the question of whether these smaller plants would be a viable option to large nuclear plants in the United States. Although the smaller plants are estimated to have a somewhat higher capital cost on a $/kW basis, they have the potential advantage of a lower total financial commitment. The computational tools required for this evaluation are optimal generation planning and financial simulation programs and the corresponding generation and financial data bases for a variety of systems. The results of this evaluation show that on large electric systems with large growth rates the financing benefit from small nuclear plants is minimal while on small systems with small growth rates, the potential financing benefits from small nuclear plants can be substantial.
Estrogen Acutely Abolishes Abnormal Cold-Induced Coronary Constriction in Men

Background and study objective Ambient cold exposure may induce myocardial ischemia by precipitating coronary artery constriction and a decrease in coronary blood flow. Estrogen has vasoactive properties that may prevent abnormal coronary constriction in a sex-independent manner. The purpose of this study is to determine whether estrogen acutely abolishes abnormal coronary responses to cold exposure in men. Design Randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting Cardiac catheterization laboratory. Patients Men referred for routine diagnostic coronary angiography who exhibit abnormal coronary artery constriction in response to a 90-s cold pressor test (CPT). Intervention Intravenous conjugated estrogens (1.25 mg) vs. placebo. Measurements and results Rate-pressure product, coronary cross-sectional area (CSA), and coronary blood flow responses to the CPT were measured before and 15 min after intervention. In 12 men with CPT-induced coronary constriction who were assigned to estrogen, CPT induced a mean 21.8% decrease in coronary CSA (p Conclusions In men, conjugated estrogens acutely abolish abnormal coronary constriction and improve coronary blood flow responses to an exogenous cold stimulus. These results suggest that estrogen favorably alters coronary vasoreactivity in men.
Endothelium-derived relaxing factor modulates noradrenergic constriction of cerebral arterioles in rabbits.

Cerebral arterioles are relatively unresponsive to norepinephrine. We tested the hypothesis that release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor is stimulated by norepinephrine and attenuates adrenergic constriction of pial arterioles.In seven anesthetized New Zealand White rabbits, diameter of pial arterioles was measured through a cranial window. Responses to topical application of norepinephrine and arginine vasopressin were examined before and during application of NG-nitro-L-arginine, which inhibits synthesis of endothelium-derived relaxing factor.Norepinephrine (10(-6) M) had no effect (0 +/- 3%, mean +/- SE) on arteriolar diameter under basal conditions. Norepinephrine decreased arteriolar diameter by 15 +/- 4% during application of nitro-L-arginine (10(-4) M) (p less than 0.05 versus basal response). L-arginine inhibited the effect of nitro-L-arginine on responses of pial arterioles to norepinephrine. In contrast to norepinephrine, constrictor responses of pial arterioles to vasopressin were not po...
Predictors of depressive symptoms in female medical-surgical hospital nurses.

Predictors of depressive symptoms were identified in a sample of 150 female medical-surgical hospital nurses. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and instruments to measure occupational stress (Nursing Stress Scale), major life events (Social Readjustment Rating Scale), somatic symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-15), and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale; CES-D) during a one time survey. Thirty-five percent of the nurses scored ≥ 16 on the CES-D, the cutoff for mild to moderate depressive symptoms. Fatigue or low energy (43%), pain in their extremities or joints (30%), trouble sleeping (29%), back pain (28%), and headaches (18%) were the primary somatic complaints. Depressive symptoms were positively correlated with somatic symptoms (r =. 55, p <. 01), major life events (r =. 41, p <. 01), and occupational stress (r =. 29, p <. 01). Years employed in the hospital setting (r = –.22, p <. 01) and household income (r = –.18, p <. 05) were inversely rela...
Type C viruses of baboons: Isolation from normal cell cultures

Abstract Four new type C viruses were isolated from putatively virus-negative baboon lung, kidney, and testicular cells by cocultivation with several permissive host cell lines. The baboon type C viruses are infectious for cells from various mammalian species, but do not replicate in any baboon cell lines so far tested. These viruses can be distinguished from other major classes of mammalian type C viruses, including previous isolates from primates, but are most closely related to endogenous feline viruses of the RD-114/CCC group. By immunologic criteria, viral host range, and nucleic acid hybridization studies, the baboon type C viruses are highly related to one another and represent a distinct new class of endogenous primate type C viruses.
Cell–cell junction remodeling in the heart: Possible role in cardiac conduction system function and arrhythmias?

Anchoring cell-cell junctions (desmosomes, fascia adherens) play crucial roles in maintaining mechanical integrity of cardiac muscle cells and tissue. Genetic mutations and/or loss of critical components in these macromolecular structures are increasingly being associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies; however, their specific roles have been primarily attributed to effects within the working (ventricular) cardiac muscle. Growing evidence also points to a key role for anchoring cell-cell junction components in cardiac muscle cells of the cardiac conduction system. This is not only evidenced by the molecular and ultra-structural presence of anchoring cell junctions in specific compartments/structures of the cardiac conduction system (sinoatrial node, atrioventricular node, His-Purkinje system), but also because conduction system-related arrhythmias can be found in humans and mouse models of cardiomyopathies harboring defects and/or mutations in key anchoring cell-cell junction proteins. These studies emphasize the clinical need to understand the molecular and cellular role(s) for anchoring cell-cell junctions in cardiac conduction system function and arrhythmias. This review will focus on (i) experimental findings that underline an important role for anchoring cell-cell junctions in the cardiac conduction system, (ii) insights regarding involvement of these structures in age-related cardiac remodeling of the conduction system, (iii) summarizing available genetic mouse models that can target cardiac conduction system structures and (iv) implications of these findings on future therapies for arrhythmogenic heart diseases.
Characterizing HfXZr1−XO2 by EXAFS: Relationship Between Bulk and Surface Composition, and Impact on Catalytic Selectivity for Alcohol Conversion

A series of mixed Hf X Zr1−X O2 oxide catalysts was prepared according to a recipe that yields the monoclinic structure. The samples were examined by EXAFS spectroscopy at the Zr K and Hf LIII edges. A fitting model was used that simultaneously fits data from both edges, and makes use of an interdependent mixing parameter X mix to take into account substitution of the complementary atom in the nearest metal-metal shell. For XPS analysis, Scofield factors were applied to estimate the relative atomic surface concentrations of Zr and Hf. EXAFS results suggested that a solid bulk solution was formed over a wide range of X for Hf X Zr1−X O2 binary oxides, and that the relative ratio was retained in the surface shell (i.e., including some subsurface layers by XPS) and the surface (e.g., by ISS). The increase in selectivity for the 1-alkene from dehydration of alcohols at high Zr content does not correlate smoothly with the tuned relative atomic concentration of Hf to Zr. The step change at high Zr content appears to be due to other indirect factors (e.g., surface defects, oxygen vacancies).
An explicit and unconditionally stable time-domain finite-element method of linear complexity for electromagnetics-based simulation of 3-D global interconnect network

An explicit and unconditionally stable time-domain finite-element method of linear complexity is developed for the simulation of 3-D global interconnect network. Numerical experiments have demonstrated that the proposed unconditionally stable explicit method outperforms both the conditionally stable explicit method and the unconditionally stable implicit method in computational efficiency.
Magnetic Reconnection in the Solar Wind

It is only within the last 5 years that we have learned how to recognize the unambiguous signature of magnetic reconnection in the solar wind in the form of roughly Alfvenic accelerated plasma flows embedded within bifurcated magnetic field reversal regions (current sheets). This paper provides a brief overview of what has since been learned about reconnection in the solar wind from both single and multi-spacecraft observations of these so-called reconnection exhausts.
Rheumatoid arthritis genetics: 2009 update.

Recent human genetic discoveries have increased our understanding of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility. Genome-wide association studies have expanded the number of validated RA risk loci beyond HLA-DRB1 “shared epitope” alleles to include additional major histocompatibility complex (MHC) risk alleles and more than 10 regions outside the MHC. The newly discovered risk alleles are common in the general population, have a modest effect on RA risk, and together explain less than 5% of the variance in disease risk. Whereas the actual causal mutation and causal gene for most loci remain to be determined, these studies are beginning to reveal general themes: many risk loci are associated with other autoimmune diseases; many genes fall within discrete biological pathways (eg, the nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells signaling pathway); and human genetics can group diseases into clinically meaningful subset categories (eg, presence or absence of autoantibodies). This review discusses recent RA genetic discoveries in terms of their potential to improve patient care.
Effects of musically evoked affect on women's interpersonal attraction toward and perceptual judgments of physical attractiveness of men

In a between-subjects design, female subjects evaluated photographs of attractive and unattractive stimulus males while listening to positive affect-evoking rock music, negative affect-evoking avant-garde music, or no music at all. Consistent with previous research, subjects evaluated attractive stimulus males more positively than unattractive males on a variety of interpersonal judgment dimensions. Furthermore, subjects responded with more positive evaluations of personal character of, and attraction toward, stimulus persons in the rock music as compared to the avant-garde music condition. Finally, assessments of physical attractiveness were influenced by the music conditions, with stimulus persons judged of greater physical attractiveness in the rock as compared with the avant-garde music condition. The results are discussed in terms of extending the Byrne-Clore reinforcement-affect model of interpersonal attraction.
A 1-year follow-up study of children's divorce adjustment, custodial mothers' divorce adjustment, and postdivorce parenting☆

Abstract This study examined stability of and change in divorce adjustment in a sample of 20 white custodial mothers and their children (8 boys, 12 girls; mean age = 10.45 years) who were examined an average of 12.85 months after separation and again one year later. Pearson correlations generally revealed moderate stability in children's adjustment, mothers' adjustment, and parenting dimensions. Significant changes over the one-year period were found only with respect to children's beliefs about the divorce: problematic beliefs regarding peer ridicule and avoidance, fear of abandonment, and self-blame decreased over the 1-year period. Children's adjustment at Time 2 was related to the following variables assessed at Time 1: low rhythmic and low reactive child temperaments; children's mature understanding of conflict resolution; high social support for children and for mothers; low maternal stress; high maternal adjustment; cooperative parenting; high paternal involvement; and frequent visitation by and phone contact from the fathers. Children with few problematic beliefs at Time 2 regarding fear of abandonment and hope of reconciliation had mothers who functioned poorly at Time 1. Although the small sample size necessitates that the findings be viewed with caution, they support the view that children's divorce adjustment is related to children's own competencies, intrafamilial processes, and extrafamilial conditions.
Abstract 203: The histone deacetylase inhibitor LBH589 sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through induction of c-FLIP degradation

Great efforts have been made to develop novel and efficacious therapeutics against pancreatic cancer to improve the treatment outcomes. Tumor-necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is such a therapeutic cytokine with selective killing effect toward malignant cells. However, some human pancreatic cancers are intrinsically resistant to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis or therapy. We are interested in overcoming TRAIL-resistance. In this study, we have shown that the histone deacetylase inhibitor LBH589 can cooperate with TRAIL to augment apoptosis even in TRAIL-resistant cells. LBH589 decreased c-FLIP levels in every tested cell line and survivin levels in some of the tested cell lines with minimal modulatory effects on the expression of death receptor 5 and XIAP. Enforced expression of ectopic c-FLIP, but not survivin, abolished the cooperative induction of apoptosis by the combination of LBH589 and TRAIL, indicating that c-FLIP downregulation plays a critical role in LBH sensitization of pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL. Moreover, we found that LBH589 decreased c-FLIP stability and the presence of the proteasome inhibitor MG132 prevented c-FLIP from reduction by LBH589. Correspondingly, we detected increased levels of ubiqutinated c-FLIP in LBH589-treated cells. These data thus indicate that LBH589 promotes ubiqutin/proteasome-mediated degradation of c-FLIP, leading to downregulation of c-FLIP. Collectively, LBH589 induces c-FLIP degradation and accordingly sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, highlighting a novel therapeutic regimen against pancreatic cancer. (This study was supported by the Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Cancer Scholar award. F. R. K. and S-Y. S. are Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Cancer Scholars) Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 203.
Ordered phases of atoms adsorbed in nanotube arrays

The low temperature properties of matter confined in an array of narrow one-dimensional channels are discussed. Weak interchannel interactions can stabilize a crystalline phase. The melting transition is expected to be continuous for both two- and three-dimensional arrays. Possible experimental realizations are suggested. Crystals of noble gas series elements confined inside 1 nm wide nanotube arrays are expected to be stable at temperatures up to 1 K.
Towards Interpretive Models for 2-D Processing of Speech

This paper considers 2-D Fourier analysis of local time-frequency regions of wideband spectrograms, a representation we refer to as the wideband Grating Compression Transform (WGCT). We develop frequency-dependent, speech-production-based models of speech signals for the WGCT, building on previous work in modeling narrowband-based GCT representations (NGCT). Comparisons show important distinctions, including dual behavior, between the wideband and narrowband models, and distinct ways in which vocal tract/formant content is distributed redundantly throughout the NGCT and WGCT spaces. Our results motivate a novel taxonomy of speech-signal behavior as an interpretative framework (i.e., in relation to speech-production characteristics) for 2-D processing of speech using the GCT, as well as for other 2-D approaches and time-frequency distributions such as the auditory spectrogram. We demonstrate and evaluate the ability of the model to represent real speech content through demodulation techniques for analysis/synthesis of wideband spectrograms. Finally, we develop a co-channel speaker separation method, using prior and estimated pitch information, based on the WGCT, as well as through fusion with the NGCT. These GCT-based separation systems are compared against and further fused with a reference sinusoidal separation system.
The human rights of children with disabilities.

SUMMARY This paper presents thirteen human rights of children with disabilities, and relates these to the (a) accompanying issues facing the family, and (b) resultant therapeutic tasks. Parents of children with disabilities confront many challenges in raising their children, but do so in the absence of any role models for how best to parent a child with a disability. The therapist can greatly enhance the family's capacities in such parenting, but bears a responsibility to obtain knowledge and skills in working with children with disabilities and their families. The attitude and therapeutic stance of the therapist is fundamental to this work, as is helping families to incorporate the disability into the total gestalt of the child's identity. A nonpathologizing, coping model approach to increasing resiliency is emphasized.
Biological activities and binding properties of 23,23-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and its 1α-hydroxy derivative

23,23-Difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is 5-10 times less active than 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in stimulating intestinal calcium transport, bone calcium mobilization, increasing serum phosphorus, mineralization of rachitic bone, and binding to the plasma transport protein in rats. It is converted to 23,23-difluoro-1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by chick renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1-hydroxylase. This compound is one-seventh as active as 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in binding to the chick intestinal receptor for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Thus, fluoro substitution on carbon-23 of vitamin D has an unexpected and unexplained suppressive action on plasma binding and biological activity. However, since this substitution does not block the biological response of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, these results provide additional evidence that 23-hydroxylation of vitamin D is not involved in biological function.
Workload and energy expenditure during wheelchair propelling.

In this investigation it was tried to evaluate the workload of wheelchair driving in physical units, i.e. watts or meter kg./sec. For this reason an ergometer was adapted so that subjects sitting in wheelchairs with fixed brakes, could hand frank it. They were asked to perform at a standard workload of ½ watt/kg. body weight and at 1 watt/kg. body weight for 5 minutes each. During this time heart rate, CO2 elimination, O2 uptake, minute volume of respiration and the RQ were continuously recorded or calculated. In a second procedure these subjects were asked to drive a conventional wheelchair 5 to 6 minutes at a convenient speed. During the last 2 minutes the V was measured with the Korfryani-Muller spirometer and samples of expired air were taken for O2 and CO2 analysis. The heart rate was recorded by telemetry. In a third procedure the subjects drove their wheelchairs for 5 minutes on platforms equipped with rollers so that the above mentioned parameters could be measured continuously. The data collected in the second and third parts of the experiment were projected on the graph of performance of ergometric experiments, and plotted along the X-axis to estimate the workload in watts. By this method it was possible to calculate the physical workload of wheelchair driving within a range of approximately ±5 watts.
A new cross-talk between the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor and RelB, a member of the NF-κB family

The discovery of the new crosstalk between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and the NF-κB subunit RelB may extend our understanding of the biological functions of the AhR and at the same time raises a number of questions, which will be addressed in this review. The characteristics of this interaction differ from that of AhR with RelA in that the latter appears to be mostly negative unlike the collaborative interactions of AhR/RelB. The AhR/RelB dimer is capable of binding to DNA response elements including the dioxin response element (DRE) as well as NF-κB binding sites supporting the activation of target genes of the AhR as well as NF-κB pathway. Further studies show that AhR/RelB complexes can be found not only in lymphoid cells but also in a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) or breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). RelB has been implicated in carcinogenesis of breast cancer for instance and RelB is known to be a critical factor for the function and differentiation of dendritic cells; interestingly the participation of AhR in both processes has been suggested recently, which offers the great potential to expand the scope of the physiological roles of the AhR. There is evidence indicating that RelB may serve as a pro-survival factor, including its ability to promote “inflammation resolution” besides the association of RelB with inflammatory disorders. Based on such information, a hypothesis has been proposed in this review that AhR together with RelB functions as a coordinator of inflammatory responses.
Establishing the need for trauma center care: anatomic injury or resource use?

Objective. It remains unclear whether the “need” for care at a trauma center should be based on anatomic injury (the current standard) or specialized resource use. We investigated whether anatomic injury severity scores adequately explain hospital resource use. Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study including children andadults meeting statewide trauma criteria andtransported to 48 hospitals from 1998 to 2003. The injury severity score (ISS) was considered as both continuous (range 0–75) andcategorical (0–8, 9–15, and≥ 16) terms. Specialized resource use was defined as: major surgery (with andwithout orthopedic intervention), mechanical ventilation > 96 hours, blood transfusion, intensive care unit (ICU) stay ≥ 2 days, or in-hospital mortality. Resource use was assessed as both a binary variable anda continuous term. Descriptive statistics andsimple andmultivariable linear regressions were used to compare ISS andresource use. Results. 33,699 injured persons were included in the analysis. Within mi...
Role of maternal disturbance and temperature change in early experience studies

Abstract This study was designed to compare temperature and maternal variables as possible mediating factors in infantile treatment effects. Groups of infant rats were handled with and without temperature reduction on Days 2–7 after birth. Additional groups were handled with temperature reduction, but one group was returned to the mother cool and the other group was returned to the mother warm. Still another group of pups was untreated, but the mothers were molested in the same way as were mothers of handled animals. As adults, all animals were tested for 4 days in the open field. Following the final testing session, blood samples were obtained for an assay of adrenal corticosterone activity. The measures used in the open field did not discriminate the groups. On the plasma corticosterone measure, regardless of whether or not treatment in infancy had involved a reduction in temperature and regardless of whether they had been returned to the mother cool or warm, all handled groups were significantly lower than the like-sex control group. Furthermore, offspring of the molested mothers, although they had received no direct infantile treatment, also showed a lower corticosterone level than the like-sex control animals. This finding definitely implicates the mother in the early handling effects.
An automotive perspective on mass customization - can we virtually build to order?

The benefits of build to order are well documented and have been demonstrated to operate successfully in many industries. However, implementing a true build to order strategy in the automotive industry represents a major challenge. Operational processes and the end-to-end supply chain require significant change to create the full flexibility required for build to order. In addition, the role of the distribution channel is dramatically changed to successfully operate in a pull environment. (3 pages)
Williams Domains and Dielectric Alignment in a Nematic Liquid Crystal

Abstract We investigate here the threshold behaviour of Williams domains and of the dielectric alignment in homeotropic and parallel oriented nematic films for different signs and magnitudes of the dielectric anisotropy. The theoretical predictions of the Helfrich theory are in agreement with the experiment.
Controversy Detection and Stance Analysis

Alerting users about controversial search results can encourage critical literacy, promote healthy civic discourse and counteract the "filter bubble" effect. Additionally, presenting information to the user about the different stances or sides of the debate can help her navigate the landscape of search results. Our existing work made strides in the emerging niche of controversy detection and analysis; we propose further work on automatic stance detection.
Neuromodulation, free will and determinism: lessons from the psychosurgery debate

Abstract In this article I will explore societal reluctance towards neuromodulation by considering the earlier debate over psychosurgery. To that end, I will review the history of electrical stimulation of the brain and how early efforts coalesced into current day neurmodulation in both the clinical and research contexts. With this background, I will argue that the psychosurgery debate, though reflective of the societal turmoil of the 1960's and 70's, was also implicitly a discussion about the explanatory power of biological models to explain human consciousness and emotion and ultimately philosophical questions about free will and determinism. Deconstructing these lessons from the psychosurgery debate can help us better acknowledge advances in the neurosciences while avoiding both sweeping biological reductionism and over-reaching determinism.
A Qualitative Study of Middle Eastern/Arab American Sexual Minority Identity Development

The development of one's sexual minority identity is often stunted by a heterosexist society. For individuals with multiple minority oppressions, this process becomes even more complicated. As such, there has been a call among researchers for more empirical research on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) individuals from racial/ethnic minority groups. This study uses qualitative methods to fill gaps in the literature related to identity development among same-gender attracted Middle Eastern/Arab individuals living in the United States. From 12 interviews, 13 themes associated with intersectionality, race/ethnicity, sexual identity development, discrimination, stigma, oppression, and invisibility. Themes, subthemes, and their implications are discussed.
The energy balance for a high current argon arc

Abstract An experimental investigation of the energy transfers to the anode, to the cathode and to the surroundings by radiation has been made for a direct current free arc in argon, for arc lengths from 0.63 to 2.54 cm and currents from 250 to 1100 A. A split anode arrangement enabled the deduction of the radial distribution of the energy flux and the current density and the maxima of these fluxes are considered in terms of their relation to arc length and to current. The convection heat transfer at the arc centerline is appraised more approximately in terms of a postulated voltage fall at the anode.
Dissociation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation induced by bombesin and lysophosphatidic acid from epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation in Swiss 3T3 cells

Tyrosine phosphorylation of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase p125 focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the adapter protein paxillin is rapidly increased by multiple agonists, including bombesin (BOM) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), through heptahelical G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The pathways involved remain incompletely understood. The experiments presented here were designed to test the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation in the rapid increase of tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin induced by GPCR agonists. Our results show that treatment with the selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG 1478, at concentrations that completely blocked the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins induced by EGF, did not affect the stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of either FAK or paxillin induced by multiple GPCR agonists including LPA, BOM, vasopressin, bradykinin, and endothelin. Similar results were obtained when Swiss 3T3 cells were treated with another highly specific inhibitor of the EGF receptor kinase activity, PD-158780. Collectively, our results clearly dissociate EGFR transactivation from the tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin induced by multiple GPCR agonists.
Hyperthermia decreases cytokine-mediated adhesion molecule expression on human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Although hyperthermia has been used as an effective cancer treatment modality, its effects on metastasis of tumour cells are not clear. Since adhesion molecules play a key role in metastasis, we evaluated how the expression of adhesion molecules is influenced by hyperthermia. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated in vitro for 1 h. at 39, 42, 43 and 44 degrees C with and without addition of tumour-necrosis factor (TNF) or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and the expression of endothelial cell leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-II molecule was measured. Expression of MHC class-II molecules and expression of unstimulated constituent ICAM-1's was not reduced by heat treatment. In contrast, expression of cytokine-induced ELAM-1's and ICAM-1's was significantly lower after heat treatment. The adhesion to HUVEC in vitro of HL-60 leukemia cells, which express sialyl-Lewis-x antigen as a ligand to ELAM-1, was diminished after incubation at 42 degrees C and totally lost after treatment at 44 degrees C. This suggests that any decrease in metastasis formation after heat treatment, which is occasionally observed, could be due to a reduced action of TNF or related cytokines on adhesion molecule induction and subsequent membrane expression by the endothelial cell. A possible underlying mechanism involved is a heat-induced alteration or blockage of the biosynthetic pathways required for synthesis of ELAM-1 and ICAM-1 proteins.
Environmental context-dependent memory: a review and meta-analysis.

To address questions about human memory’s dependence on the coincidental environmental contexts in which events occur, we review studies of incidental environmental context-dependent memory in humans and report a meta-analysis. Our theoretical approach to the issue stems from Glenberg’s (1997) contention that introspective thought (e.g., remembering, conceptualizing) requires cognitive resources normally used to represent the immediate environment. We propose that if tasks encourage processing of noncontextual information (i.e., introspective thought) at input and/or at test, then both learning and memory will be less dependent on the ambient environmental contexts in which those activities occur. The meta-analysis showed that across all studies, environmental context effects were reliable, and furthermore, that the use of noncontextual cues during learning (overshadowing) and at test (outshining), as well as mental reinstatement of appropriate context cues at test, all reduce the effect of environmental manipulations. We conclude that environmental context-dependent memory effects are less likely to occur under conditions in which the immediate environment is likely to be suppressed.
Chemistry of lignocellulose: Methods of analysis and consequences of structure

Historically, the chemistry of lignocellulose has been the chemistry of the extraction, solvolysis, hydrolysis and analysis of cellulose and lignin from plant material. The analyses used to determine their relative content are empirical, i.e., the value of the cell wall preparation is defined by the conditions used rather than a molecular entity. As a result, there is great difficulty in comparing the results of analyses of one type of plant to another. This review looks at the ways in which cellulose, lignin and lignocellulose have been chemically isolated and determined and at some of the instrumental methods which can more completely characterize the plant cell wall.
Optimal Design Problems for Two-Phase Conducting Composites with Weakly Discontinuous Objective Functionals

We consider the relatively simple but non-trivial example of an optimal design problem with a weakly discontinuous objective functional. The objective functional is quadratic and was suggested by Tartar in his ''Remarks on Optimal Design'' paper. We analyze a problem of finding a layout of a conducting composite such that the fields in both phases provide least squares fit to a given field. The main result of the paper is an explicit formula for the relaxed optimal design problem, suitable for numerical solution. Further analysis of our explicit formula shows that the optimal layout is a rank one laminate locally, lending some support for Tartar's conjecture that the minimizing sequences always converge strongly.
A factor VIII-derived peptide enables von Willebrand factor (VWF)-binding of artificial platelet nanoconstructs without interfering with VWF-adhesion of natural platelets

There is substantial clinical interest in synthetic platelet analogs for potential application in transfusion medicine. To this end, our research is focused on self-assembled peptide–lipid nanoconstructs that can undergo injury site-selective adhesion and subsequently promote site-directed active platelet aggregation, thus mimicking platelet's primary hemostatic actions. For injury site-selective adhesion, we have utilized a coagulation factor FVIII-derived VWF-binding peptide (VBP). FVIII binds to VWF's D′–D3 domain while natural platelet GPIbα binds to VWF's A1 domain. Therefore, we hypothesized that the VBP-decorated nanoconstructs will adhere to VWF without mutual competition with natural platelets. We further hypothesized that the adherent VBP-decorated constructs can enhance platelet aggregation when co-decorated with a fibrinogen-mimetic peptide (FMP). To test these hypotheses, we used glycocalicin to selectively block VWF's A1 domain and, using fluorescence microscopy, studied the binding of fluorescently labeled VBP-decorated nanoconstructs versus platelets to ristocetin-treated VWF. Subsequently, we co-decorated the nanoconstructs with VBP and FMP and incubated them with human platelets to study construct-mediated enhancement of platelet aggregation. Decoration with VBP resulted in substantial construct adhesion to ristocetin-treated VWF even if the A1-domain was blocked by glycocalicin. In comparison, such A1-blocking resulted in significant reduction of platelet adhesion. Without A1-blocking, the VBP-decorated constructs and natural platelets could adhere to VWF concomitantly. Furthermore, the constructs co-decorated with VBP and FMP enhanced active platelet aggregation. The results indicate significant promise in utilizing the FVIII-derived VBP in developing synthetic platelet analogs that do not interfere with VWF-binding of natural platelets but allow site-directed enhancement of platelet aggregation when combined with FMP.
Effects of stress on pain threshold and tolerance in children with recurrent abdominal pain

Models of stress-induced hyperalgesia state that exposure to stress can exaggerate subsequent pain experiences. Studies using both animal and human subjects have shown evidence for hyperalgesia as a function of stress [e.g., Jorum E. Analgesia or hyperalgesia following stress correlates with emotional behavior in rats. Pain 1988;32:341-48; Peckerman A, Hurwitz BE, Saab PG, Llabre MM, McCabe PM, Schneiderman N. Stimulus dimensions of the cold pressor test and the associated patterns of cardiovascular response. Psychophysiology 1994;31:282-90; Gameiro et al. Nociception and anxiety-like behavior in rats submitted to different periods of restraint stress. Physiol. Behav. 2006;87:643-49; Lucas et al. Visceral pain and public speaking stress: neuroendocrine and immune cell responses in healthy subjects. Brain Behav. Immun. 2006;20:49-56]. However, the role of stress in pediatric pain is not well understood. This study examined stress reactivity and pain tolerance and sensitivity in a population of children with Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP). Forty-nine children meeting criteria for RAP (28 female; mean age 13years; range 9-17years) were randomly assigned to either a condition in which they completed an experimental stressor paradigm (stress interview, serial subtraction task) followed by a pain task (cold pressor) or a condition in which they received the pain task prior to the stress tasks. Children who underwent the stress tasks before the pain task exhibited lower levels of pain tolerance than those who received the pain task first (p<.01); no differences were found between the two groups in pain threshold or pain intensity ratings. Further, pain tolerance was not related to individual differences in physiological reactivity (heart rate change) to the stressor. The present research demonstrates the first evidence of the occurrence of stress-induced hyperalgesia in a pediatric pain population.
What causes failure and success? Students’ perceptions of their academic outcomes

How do students’ conceptualize the causes of their own academic successes and failures? Taking a phenomenological approach, students identified the causes of their performance immediately following return of a graded examination. We then used factor and item analyses to organize causes that were identified by a substantial number of students into meaningful conceptual clusters, and confirmed those empirically derived clusters in a different sample of students using confirmatory factor analysis. That analysis indicated that students’ descriptions of the causes of their outcomes were consistent with a hierarchical model in which specific causes such as effort and ability are subsumed in one of two more general clusters—facilitating causes and inhibiting causes—but many students explained their outcome by identifying causes from both categories. At a practical level, measuring unitary causes proved to be a reliable and valid way of assessing spontaneous thoughts about what causes academic outcomes.
Query processing in sensor networks

Smart sensors are small wireless computing devices that sense information such as light and humidity at extremely high resolutions. A smart sensor query-processing architecture using database technology can facilitate deployment of sensor networks. Smart-sensor technology enables a broad range of ubiquitous computing applications. Their low cost, small size, and untethered nature lets them sense information at previously unobtainable resolutions. We discuss about query processing in sensor networks.
Cysteine String Protein Monitors Late Steps in Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Biogenesis

We examined the role of the cysteine string protein (Csp) in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) biogenesis in relation to another J-domain protein, Hdj-2, a recognized CFTR cochaperone. Increased expression of Csp produced a dose-dependent reduction in mature (band C) CFTR and an increase in immature (band B) CFTR. Exogenous expression of Hdj-2 also increased CFTR band B, but unlike Csp, Hdj-2 increased band C as well. The Csp-induced block of CFTR maturation required Hsp70, because a J-domain mutant (H43Q) that interferes with the ability of Csp to stimulate Hsp70 ATPase activity relieved the Csp-induced block of CFTR maturation. Nevertheless, Csp H43Q still increased immature CFTR. Csp-induced band B CFTR was found adjacent to the nucleus, co-localizing with calnexin, and it remained detergent-soluble. These data indicate that Csp did not block CFTR maturation by promoting the aggregation or degradation of immature CFTR. Csp knockdown by RNA interference produced a 5-fold increase in mature CFTR and augmented cAMP-stimulated CFTR currents. Thus, the production of mature CFTR is inversely related to the expression level of Csp. Both Csp and Hdj-2 associated with the CFTR R-domain in vitro, and Hdj-2 binding was displaced by Csp, suggesting common interaction sites. Combined expression of Csp and Hdj-2 mimicked the effect of Csp alone, a block of CFTR maturation. But together, Csp and Hdj-2 produced additive increases in CFTR band B, and this did not depend on their interactions with Hsp70, consistent with direct chaperone actions of these proteins. Like Hdj-2, Csp reduced the aggregation of NBD1 in vitro in the absence of Hsp70. Our data suggest that both Csp and Hdj-2 facilitate the biosynthesis of immature CFTR, acting as direct CFTR chaperones, but in addition, Csp is positioned later in the CFTR biogenesis cascade where it regulates the production of mature CFTR by limiting its exit from the endoplasmic reticulum.
The southern Illinois twins and siblings study (SITSS): Description and update

This update on the Southern Illinois Twins and Siblings Study (SITSS) documents some of the follow-up studies that have been conducted and results that have been obtained from this sample. At the current time, 283 twin pairs, 8 triplet families, 98 non-twin sibling pairs, and 287 singletons have been enrolled in SITSS. Twins and triplets are tested as young as 1 year of age and then every year on their birthday through age 5 years. A variety of follow-up studies have been conducted for SITSS children through age 20. Results thus far have demonstrated significant genetic influences on social behaviors such as aggression, victimization, and attention toward facial expressions. Interesting interactions have been documented between the dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) and the social environment (parental sensitivity or peer aggression) as they predict children's aggressive behaviors. In addition, increased difficulty with social interactions has been noted for twins versus singletons. Thus, this multi-trait, multi-method behavior genetic data set contributes to our understanding of the etiology of social behaviors in preschoolers and to predictors of similar behaviors through adolescence.
In vivo cardiovascular catheterization under real-time MRI guidance.

Purpose To test the hypothesis that cardiac and coronary catheterization can be successfully performed under real-time MR guidance using a conventional x-ray angiographic catheter. Materials and Methods Cardiac and coronary catheterization was conducted on eight farm pigs using a real-time True FISP sequence. A pigtail catheter was used for both left- and right-heart catheterizations performed on all eight animals, while an Amplatz or Judkins catheter was used for the right coronary catheterization that was attempted on five animals. The intravascular devices were visualized by means of their native susceptibility artifacts. For right coronary artery catheterizations, 25% diluted gadolinium (Gd) contrast material was injected to confirm engagement of the right coronary artery. Results Cardiac catheterization of both the right- and left-heart chambers was successfully performed in all eight pigs. In addition, right coronary catheterization was successfully completed in four of the five pigs in which it was attempted. The procedure time for cardiac catheterization was one minute, while the time range required for coronary catheterization was 32–91 minutes. Conclusion This work demonstrates that MRI-guided cardiac catheterization using conventional X-ray angiographic catheters is feasible; however, coronary catheterization with this passive-tracking technique is limited. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.