cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circulating bound and free estradiol and estrone during normal growth and development and in premature thelarche and isosexual precocity

Serum concentrations of unconjugated estrone, estradiol, and free estradiol, were determined in normal neonates, prepubertal children, adolescents, and adults. The values were compared with those obtained in children with premature thelarche and female sexual precocity. Unconjugated E1 and E2 fell rapidly, and the percentage of FE2 more gradually during the neonatal period and remained low prepubertally. During adolescence girls had greater increases in E1 and E2 while the percentage of FE2 was higher in boys. In premature thelarche only the FE2 was significantly increased. In sexual precocity E1, E2, and FE2 were elevated. Reference standards are provided in Tables I and II for use in the diagnosis of conditions with under- or overproduction of estrogens during growth and development.
Assessment of the Dynamic Behavior of a Single Person ATV in Presence of a Passenger: Outcome on the Rider and Passenger Crash Impact Kinematics Using Computational Model

An ATV (All-terrain vehicle) is a gasoline powered, fast moving off road vehicle often used for farming and industrial activities as well as recreational activities. The popularity of this type of vehicle has increased over the last decade with more than 10 million in use today. Most ATVs are designed for only single rider even though the seat of the ATV may appear big enough to carry a passenger. The presence of an additional person on a single person ATV greatly affects its dynamic handling characteristics. This change increases the risk of a crash and subsequent injuries to both riders. ATV crashes involving climbing and descending on steep hills are common. Lateral rollover crashes are often the result of riding an ATV at a high speed on uneven terrain. The presence of passenger on a single person ATV during these conditions changes the rider impact kinematics and resulting injury outcome, as the ATV behaves differently in the presence of an additional person. The computational model of a single person, adult-sized ATV, as developed previously for the study of child injury prevention, was used for this study. The multi-body computational model of this ATV was developed using biodynamic code MADYMO. This computational model was validated against the laboratory test for its dynamic and suspension characteristics. The tilt table test and the drop test were employed to compare the computational model result. This computer model was used to simulate the crash mechanism involving climbing and descending steep hills with two people on the ATV. This model was also used to simulate the lateral rollover of ATV with two people. The rider and the additional passenger on this single rider ATV were modeled using a 50th percentile male and a 5th percentile female. The two rider simulation was compared with single rider simulation for similar terrain and ATV speed to gain insight about the influence of this additional passenger weight on the crash kinematics of the ATV and the rider. These simulations will also be used in the future to generate more visually dramatic videos for educational intervention for ATV safety programs and other injury prevention activities.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Towards Automatic Scoring of a Test of Spoken Language with Heterogeneous Task Types

This paper describes a system aimed at automatically scoring two task types of high and medium-high linguistic entropy from a spoken English test with a total of six widely differing task types. We describe the speech recognizer used for this system and its acoustic model and language model adaptation; the speech features computed based on the recognition output; and finally the scoring models based on multiple regression and classification trees. For both tasks, agreement measures between machine and human scores (correlation, kappa) are close to or reach inter-human agreements.
Kindergarten Scientists: The Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow

ABSTRACT In this science unit, kindergarten students participate in engaging and developmentally appropriate activities as they learn about the science behind rainbows. The authors include descriptions of the standards and skills addressed by the unit, a synopsis of scientifically accurate content knowledge concerning rainbows, relevant children's literature, developmentally appropriate assessment ideas, and integrated unit activities they completed with their kindergarten students.
Suppression of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis in Mice by Irradiation of the Target Organ

THE pathogenesis of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is not definitely known and yet it is frequently used as an experimental model for the study of autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Waksman contends that the principal event giving rise to EAE after injection of the antigen is the passage of immunologically competent cells or histiocytes through small venules into the nervous system1. These cells originate in the blood stream and are held responsible for the destruction of elements containing antigen in the central nervous system by an undefined mechanism. It has been found that EAE can be suppressed, either by generalized physical or chemical cytotoxic agents, or by destruction of the regional lymph nodes draining the inoculation site2–9. This communication reports the suppressive effect of localized irradiation of the brain in mice during the induction of EAE, and compares the effect with that of total body irradiation.
GLA: gate-level abstraction revisited

Verification benefits from removing logic that is not relevant for a proof. Techniques for doing this are known as localization abstraction. Abstraction is often performed by selecting a subset of gates to be included in the abstracted model; the signals feeding into this subset become unconstrained cut-points. In this paper, we propose several improvements to substantially increase the scalability of automated abstraction. In particular, we show how a better integration between the BMC engine and the SAT solver is achieved, resulting in a new hybrid abstraction engine, that is faster and uses less memory. This engine speeds up computation by constant propagation and circuit-based structural hashing while collecting UNSAT cores for the intermediate proofs in terms of a subset of the original variables. Experimental results show improvements in the abstraction depth and size.
A gel electrophoresis assay for phytochelatins

Phytochelatins are metal-binding peptides produced by higher plants and some fungi in response to heavy metal exposure. Established methods for analyzing cell-free extracts for the presence of phytochelatins include gel-filtration chromatography and HPLC. We have developed a nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis assay for phytochelatins that combines a small sample size with detection via metal binding. This assay can be used for the measurement of the relative affinity of phytochelatins for a variety of metal and semimetal ions.
Implications for the role of pre- versus post-depositional transformation of chlorophyll-a in the Lower Mississippi River and Louisiana shelf

Water column particulates and sediments were collected in September 1998 and July 1999 from the Lower Mississippi River and two shelf sites, an oxic shelf site within the existing plume region and a hypoxic shelf site west of the existing plume. Sediment core samples were collected in April 2000 along a cross-shelf transect that included hypoxic waters. Photosynthetic pigments (chloropigments and carotenoids) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) transformation products in water column particulates and sediments were examined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on-line photodiode array (PDA) detector and HPLC on-line mass spectrometry (MS). Based on class-specific plant pigment concentrations, diatoms and cyanobacteria were found to be the major sources of organic matter buried in Louisiana (LA) shelf sediments. Pheophytin-a (17.3±6.3%), pyropheophytin-a (24.6±8.5%), chlorophyllone-a (9.6±4.9%), carotenoid chlorin esters (CCEs, 13.7±5.4%) and sterol chlorin esters (SCEs, 25.5±8.5%) were the dominant chlorophyll-a transformation products in shelf sediments. The absence of the two grazing biomarkers, CCEs and SCEs, in river sediments suggests that inputs from water column macrozooplankton grazing were not as important in river waters as compared to shelf waters. High concentrations of chlorophyllone-a in river sediments suggest that it was not likely produced through macrozooplankton grazing processes—like CCEs and SCEs. Our results indicate that chlorophyllone-a was likely to be associated with phytoplankton senescence and microbial breakdown of chlorophyll-a. Correlation analyses revealed significant correlations between SCEs, CCEs and pyropheophytin-a in shelf sediments, which indicate that their production in shelf waters was closely coupled to grazing activities on the shelf. Although many of the specific mechanisms of chlorophyll-a decay proposed in this study remain speculative, this work does provide a general foundation, using state-of-the-art analyses of plants pigments, for comparing and contrasting pre- and post-depositional carbon decay pathways in river and shelf environments.
Modulus effects in metals after low temperature electron irradiation—III. Aluminum

Abstract A study of electron irradiated Cu has been made by means of modulus measurements. Damage production data obtained at 20°K have been analyzed in terms of a two dislocation model and compared with damage data taken at 77°K. Analysis of the data yields information on the types of dislocations which are being pinned by irradiation-produced point defects and the relative effectiveness of these dislocations as sinks for defects which arrive both dynamically during irradiation (20°K) as well as thermally (77°K). Information is also obtained concerning the range over which defects can travel dynamically. Detailed isochronal annealing studies have been made following 20°K irradiations at various electron energies. After irradiation at sufficiently high electron energies, isochronal measurements show three dislocation pinning stages; these are centered at approximately 55°K (Stage I), 225°K (Stage III), and 300°K (Stage IV). The magnitude of Stage I relative to that of Stage III decreases sharply with decreasing electron energy. This result suggests that the defect responsible for Stage I is a separate entity from that responsible for Stage III. A two interstitial model is used in explaining Stages I and III; Stage IV is attributed to vacancies. Results of quenching studies substantiate the latter assignment. Migration of defects to dislocations in Stages I and III is found to occur with a 2 3 -dependence on annealing time. The activation energy for migration in Stage III is about 0.6 eV while that in Stage IV is approximately 1.0 eV. A model for crowdion motion to dislocations in Stage I is outlined.
Effects of pregnenolone-16 α - carbonitrile on drug metabolizing enzymes in hypophysectomized female rats

Treatment of intact and hypophysectomized female rats with pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) resulted in a significant increase in hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity. However, the total cytochrome P-450 concentration, as measured by CO difference spectra, was increased to a greater extent in hypophysectomized rats than in intact rats. Total cytochrome P-450 was found to be 0.82 +/- 0.16 vs 2.43 +/- 0.31 nmoles/mg protein for control and PCN-treated hypophysectomized rats, respectively, and 0.68 +/- 0.23 vs 1.28 +/- 0.05 nmoles/mg protein for control and PCN-treated intact rats respectively. The concentration of metyrapone complex in microsomes from intact control and PCN-treated rats was found to be 0.4 +/- 0.11 vs 1.88 +/- 0.23 M respectively. Treatment of hypophysectomized rats with PCN resulted in an approximate 10-fold increase in the concentration of the metyrapone complex (0.42 +/- 0.15 M for control and 4.46 +/- 0.44 M for PCN-treated). Microsomal NADPH and NADPH cytochrome c reductase activities were also altered by PCN-treatment. Aminopyrine demethylase activity was stimulated approximately three-fold by PCN treatment in both intact and hypophysectomized rats. Benzphetamine demethylase activity was not significantly affected by PCN treatment. The results of these studies suggest that the absence of the pituitary gland can markedly influence PCN induction of cytochrome P-450 in the liver in female rats. PCN also differentially affects microsomal mixed-function oxidase activities associated with drug and xenobiotic metabolism.
Conformational dynamics of Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase I during catalysis.

Despite the fact that DNA polymerases have been investigated for many years and are commonly used as tools in a number of molecular biology assays, many details of the kinetic mechanism they use to catalyze DNA synthesis remain unclear. Structural and kinetic studies have characterized a rapid, pre-catalytic open-to-close conformational change of the Finger domain during nucleotide binding for many DNA polymerases including Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase I (Taq Pol), a thermostable enzyme commonly used for DNA amplification in PCR. However, little has been performed to characterize the motions of other structural domains of Taq Pol or any other DNA polymerase during catalysis. Here, we used stopped-flow Forster resonance energy transfer to investigate the conformational dynamics of all five structural domains of the full-length Taq Pol relative to the DNA substrate during nucleotide binding and incorporation. Our study provides evidence for a rapid conformational change step induced by dNTP binding and a subsequent global conformational transition involving all domains of Taq Pol during catalysis. Additionally, our study shows that the rate of the global transition was greatly increased with the truncated form of Taq Pol lacking the N-terminal domain. Finally, we utilized a mutant of Taq Pol containing a de novo disulfide bond to demonstrate that limiting protein conformational flexibility greatly reduced the polymerization activity of Taq Pol.
Relation between Structural Changes in the Small Pulmonary Arteries and the Immediate Reversibility of Pulmonary Hypertension Following Closure of Ventricular and Atrial Septal Defects

The relative importance of organic changes and vasoconstrictive influences in the production of increased pulmonary vascular resistance in congenital heart disease is problematic. With use of a grading system previously described, a study was made of the relation between each of the grades of hypertensive pulmonary vascular disease associated with ventricular or atrial septal defects and the change of pulmonary artery blood pressure immediately following closure of the abnormal communications. The immediate reversibility of the pulmonary hypertension varies inversely with the severity of the structural changes.
Electric field perturbation of the 1A1g1B2u transition of benzene

Abstract The change in the in-plane polarizability of benzene upon excitation from the 1 A 1g state to the 1 B 2u state is deduced from electric field perturbation experiments. These are carried out on the first vibronically allowed band of benzene in a rigid solution of 3-menthylpentane (3-MP) at 77°K. The observed change in polarizability, 2.2 A 3 , is compared with values found from solvent shift work and π-electron calculations.
Simulation and experimental studies of phosphor concentration and thickness for phosphor-based white light-emitting-diodes

The dependence of luminous efficacy on phosphor concentration and thickness for high-power white light- emitting-diode (WLED) lamps is investigated by employing three-dimensional ray-tracing simulations. The simulations show that the brightness or luminous efficacy of WLED lamps highly depends on the combination of phosphor concentration and phosphor thickness (or phosphor-matrix composite volume). The package with lower concentration and higher phosphor thickness has higher luminous efficacy because the light trapping efficiency is lower with the low phosphor concentration. Our simulations demonstrating a 20% and 27% improvement in lumen output with 1.8 mm-phosphor package over 0.8 mm-phosphor package and 0.6 mm-phosphor package respectively are found to be fully supported by experimental observations.
Rational Design of Human Metapneumovirus Live Attenuated Vaccine Candidates by Inhibiting Viral mRNA Cap Methyltransferase

The paramyxoviruses human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV3) are responsible for the majority of pediatric respiratory diseases and inflict significant economic loss, health care costs, and emotional burdens. Despite major efforts, there are no vaccines available for these viruses. The conserved region VI (CR VI) of the large (L) polymerase proteins of paramyxoviruses catalyzes methyltransferase (MTase) activities that typically methylate viral mRNAs at positions guanine N-7 (G-N-7) and ribose 2′-O. In this study, we generated a panel of recombinant hMPVs carrying mutations in the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) binding site in CR VI of L protein. These recombinant viruses were specifically defective in ribose 2′-O methylation but not G-N-7 methylation and were genetically stable and highly attenuated in cell culture and viral replication in the upper and lower respiratory tracts of cotton rats. Importantly, vaccination of cotton rats with these recombinant hMPVs (rhMPVs) with defective MTases triggered a high level of neutralizing antibody, and the rats were completely protected from challenge with wild-type rhMPV. Collectively, our results indicate that (i) amino acid residues in the SAM binding site in the hMPV L protein are essential for 2′-O methylation and (ii) inhibition of mRNA cap MTase can serve as a novel target to rationally design live attenuated vaccines for hMPV and perhaps other paramyxoviruses, such as hRSV and hPIV3. IMPORTANCE Human paramyxoviruses, including hRSV, hMPV, and hPIV3, cause the majority of acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections in humans, particularly in infants, children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine available. A formalin-inactivated vaccine is not suitable for these viruses because it causes enhanced lung damage upon reinfection with the same virus. A live attenuated vaccine is the most promising vaccine strategy for human paramyxoviruses. However, it remains a challenge to identify an attenuated virus strain that has an optimal balance between attenuation and immunogenicity. Using reverse genetics, we generated a panel of recombinant hMPVs that were specifically defective in ribose 2′-O methyltransferase (MTase) but not G-N-7 MTase. These MTase-defective hMPVs were genetically stable and sufficiently attenuated but retained high immunogenicity. This work highlights a critical role of 2′-O MTase in paramyxovirus replication and pathogenesis and a new avenue for the development of safe and efficacious live attenuated vaccines for hMPV and other human paramyxoviruses.
Orientation of the Dipole Moments of Hydroxyl Groups in Oxidized and Unoxidized Biotite

Observations of the infrared absorption bands attributed to the stretching vibrations of hydroxyl groups in biotite containing predominantly ferrous iron show that the dipole moments of the hydroxyls associated with ferrous iron are oriented perpendicular to the cleavage plane of the lattice. Oxidation in the biotite from ferrous iron to ferric iron results in the disappearance of the infrared absorption bands due to the hydroxyls associated with ferrous iron. The dipole moments of the hydroxyls associated with ferric iron in the oxidized biotite have been shown to be in an inclined position with respect to the cleavage plae. Our experiments confirm the hypothesis of Barshad and Kishk regarding the effect of oxidation on the replaceability of interlayer potassium ions in biotite by ammonium ions.
A scalable substrate noise coupling model for mixed-signal ICs

A scalable macromodel for substrate noise coupling in heavily doped substrates has been developed. This model is simple since it requires only four parameters which can readily be extracted from a small number of device simulations or measurements. Once these parameters have been determined the model can be used for any spacing between the injection and sensing contacts and for different contact geometries. The scalability of the model with separation and width provides insight into substrate coupling and optimization issues prior to and during the layout phase. The model is validated for a 2 /spl mu/m and a 0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS process where it is shown that the simple model predicts the noise coupling accurately. Measurements from a chip fabricated in a 0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS process show good agreement with the model.
Thinking styles and the gifted

This article considers the interaction between styles of thinking and giftedness. In particular, it is argued that decisions regarding identification, instruction and programming need to take into account not only the abilities of the gifted, but their styles of thinking. The article opens with an introduction to some of the main issues of gifted education, and then is divided into four major parts. First, the article presents the theory of mental self‐government, a theory of thinking styles and their relations to giftedness. Secondly, some data are presented testing the theory on various groups of students. Third, the article shows how thinking styles are relevant to decisions regarding identification, instruction and programming. Fourth and finally, the article closes with some conclusions about thinking styles and the gifted.
Study and Models of Total Lead Exposures of Battery Workers

In an attempt to establish a more realistic and reliable model for relating environmental exposure measurements to the biological indices of exposure, a study was undertaken to quantify the total sources of lead exposure among lead storage battery workers. In addition to the usual personal and area lead air sampling, quantitative and repeatable measurements of removable lead from work surfaces and the workers' hands and faces were obtained daily for ten consecutive work days in the pasting and battery assembly departments. Mathematical correlations of blood lead and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels as the dependent variable with the lead exposure sources were derived and demonstrated most strongly as log-log relationships. Statistical analyses by computer programming indicated that the airborne, hand, facial and work surface levels have a high degree of inter-correlation with a very significant positive individual correlation with blood lead levels and a somewhat lower correlation with ZPP. The results su...
Nursing considerations in the use of cidofovir for CMV retinitis in patients with AIDS: report of a roundtable meeting.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, a late complication of infection with HIV, generally leads to blindness if untreated. Although the retinal damage from CMV cannot be reversed, disease progression can be arrested with any one of three antiviral agents, which must be continued indefinitely. Intravenous ganciclovir and foscarnet, the earliest therapies, must be administered every day and require placement of an indwelling catheter. Cidofovir, a newly introduced intravenous antiviral, requires the least frequent administration; after two once-a-week induction doses maintenance therapy is given only once every other week. However, cidofovir is potentially nephrotoxic and must be coadministered with nephroprotective probenecid and saline hydration. Careful adherence to treatment administration guidelines for cidofovir and probenecid is essential for safe administration of both drugs. Averting and managing adverse reactions to cidofovir and probenecid may present a true nursing challenge; however, with proper patient selection and appropriate use, cidofovir has the potential to greatly enhance the quality of life of a patient with CMV retinitis.
Unusual organic osmolytes in deep-sea animals: adaptations to hydrostatic pressure and other perturbants

Shallow-living marine invertebrates use free amino acids as cellular osmolytes, while most teleosts use almost no organic osmolytes. Recently we found unusual osmolyte compositions in deep-sea animals. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) increases with depth in muscles of some teleosts, skates, and crustaceans (up to 300 mmol/kg at 2900 m). Other deep-sea animals had high levels of (1). scyllo-inositol in echinoderms, gastropods, and polychaetes, (2). that polyol plus beta-alanine and betaine in octopods, (3). hypotaurine, N-methyltaurine, and unidentified methylamines in vestimentiferans from hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, and (4). a depth-correlated serine-phosphate osmolyte in vesicomyid clams from trench seeps. We hypothesize that some of these solutes counteract effects of hydrostatic pressure. With lactate dehydrogenase, actin, and pyruvate kinase, 250 mM TMAO (but not glycine) protected both ligand binding and protein stability against pressure. To test TMAO in living cells, we grew yeast under pressure. After 1 h at 71 MPa, 3.5 h at 71 MPa, and 17 h at 30 MPa, 150 mM TMAO generally doubled the number of cells that formed colonies. Sulfur-based osmolytes which are not correlated with depth, such as hypotaurine and thiotaurine, are probably involved in sulfide metabolism and detoxification. Thus deep-sea osmolytes may have at least two other roles beyond acting as simple compatible osmotica.
Heliangolides, kauranes and other constituents of Helianthus heterophyllus

Abstract The chloroform extract of the aerial parts of Helianthus heterophyllus afforded the heliangolides 2′,3′-dihydroleptocarpin and 2′,3′-dihydroniveusin C and the new coumarin (−)-8-methoxyobliquin. Other constituents were various ent -kaurenoic acids, (+)-vomilifoliol, dehydrovomilifoliol, 9-hydroxy-4-megastigmen-3-one, 9,12,13-trihydroxy-octadeca-10( E ),15(2Z)-dienoic and 9,12,13-trihydroxyoctadec-10( E )-enoic acid, 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone and vanillin.
Signal modeling of charge sharing effect in simple pixelated CdZnTe detector

In order to study the energy resolution degradation in 3D position-sensitive pixelated CdZnTe (CZT) detectors, a detailed detector system modeling package has been developed and used to analyze the detector performance. A 20 × 20 × 15 mm3 CZT crystal with an 11 × 11 simple-pixel anode array and a 1.72 mm pixel pitch was modeled. The VAS UM/TAT4 Application Specific Integrated Circuitry (ASIC) was used for signal read-out. Components of the simulation package include gamma-ray interactions with the CZT crystal, charge induction, electronic noise, pulse shaping, and ASIC triggering procedures. The charge induction model considers charge drift, trapping, diffusion, and sharing between pixels. This system model is used to determine the effects of electron cloud sharing, weighting potential non-uniformity, and weighting potential cross-talk which produce non-uniform signal responses for different gamma-ray interaction positions and ultimately degrade energy resolution. The effect of the decreased weighting potential underneath the gap between pixels on the total pulse amplitude of events has been studied. The transient signals induced by electron clouds collected near the gap between pixels may generate false signals, and the measured amplitude can be even greater than the photopeak. As the number of pixels that collect charge increases, the probability of side-neighbor events due to charge sharing significantly increases. If side-neighbor events are not corrected appropriately, the energy resolution of pixelated CZT detectors in multiple-pixel events degrades rapidly.
Is there a path forward for mGlu2 positive allosteric modulators for the treatment of schizophrenia

Two recent Phase II results show opposing outcomes for the potential of activators of mGlu2 in the treatment of schizophrenia. The first outcome revealed that Eli Lilly’s mGlu2/3 agonist, pomaglumetad methionil (LY2140023), failed to meet the primary efficacy end point. The second report showed the mGlu2 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) from Addex (ADX71149) in conjunction with Janssen Research & Development met the primary objectives of safety, tolerability and demonstrated an effect on negative symptoms in patients.
Effect of heparin on the vascular distribution of ∗I-antithrombin III isoforms in rabbits

Studies of radioiodinated antithrombin III kinetic behavior in vivo have shown that a pool of this protein partitions into a vascular compartment that could be the result of antithrombin III interaction with heparin-related glycosaminoglycans present on the vessel wall (J. Clin. Invest. 74, 191-191, 1984). As this partitioning was demonstrated by the rapid initial clearance of the labeled antithrombin III, new studies were performed to determine the effect on this clearance of large doses of intravenously administered heparin. In addition, as previous studies had shown unequal clearance rates for tracer-labeled antithrombin III isoforms differing in affinity for heparin, the effect of heparin treatment was assessed for each isoform. Comparison of data from heparin-treated and control animals demonstrated that heparin markedly decreased the clearance rates for each of the *I-labeled antithrombin III isoforms. Heparin also abolished the difference in *I-antithrombin III isoform plasma-clearance rates, and this effect rapidly disappeared after treatment was discontinued. Inhibition by heparin of the initial clearance of *I-labeled ATIII isoforms is the first direct evidence from in vivo studies for the notion that the pool of antithrombin III which is in rapid equilibrium with the plasma pool is, at least in part, the result of the interaction of antithrombin III with vessel wall heparin-related glycosaminoglycans.
Prostate carcinoma cells selected by long-term exposure to reduced oxygen tension show remarkable biochemical plasticity via modulation of superoxide, HIF-1α levels, and energy metabolism

Cancer cells are able to tolerate levels of O2 that are damaging or lethal to normal cells; we hypothesize that this tolerance is the result of biochemical plasticity which maintains cellular homeostasis of both energy levels and oxidation state. In order to examine this hypothesis, we used different O2 levels as a selective agent during long-term culture of DU145 prostate cancer cells to develop three isogenic cell lines that grow in normoxic (4%), hyperoxic (21%), or hypoxic (1%) O2 conditions. Growth characteristics and O2 consumption differed significantly between these cell lines without changes in ATP levels or altered sensitivity to 2-deoxy-D-glucose, an inhibitor of glycolysis. O2 consumption was significantly higher in the hyperoxic line as was the level of endogenous superoxide. The hypoxic cell line regulated the chemical gradient of the proton motive force (PMF) independent of the electrical component without O2-dependent changes in Hif-1α levels. In contrast, the normoxic line regulated Hif-1α without tight regulation of the chemical component of the PMF noted in the hypoxic cell line. From these studies, we conclude that selection of prostate cancer cells by long-term exposure to low ambient levels of O2 resulted in cells with unique biochemical properties in which energy metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and HIF-1α levels are modulated to allow cell survival and growth. Thus, cancer cells exhibit remarkable biochemical plasticity in response to various O2 levels. J. Cell. Physiol. 212:744–752, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Rule Governing Crystallization of Configurationally Directional Polymers: The Crystal Structure of the α and β Forms of Polypivalolactone

A “Rule” is proposed for incorporation of polymer chains having directional configuration, e.g. A‐B‐C‐A‐B‐C, into a crystal. Crystallization into a lamella morphology, as in slow crystallization from the melt, will incorporate antiparallel sequences (↑↓↑↓↑↓). Formation of a fiber by drawing the lamellar morphology must produce a different crystal structure containing parallel directional sequences. The drawn fiber must be polymorphic with a disordered aggregation of antiparallel and parallel crystal polymorphs. An example of this rule is found in the crystal structure of polypivalolactone. The melt crystallized α form is monoclinic, P21/c with a=9.05A, b (fiber axis)=5.97A, c=11.69A, β=121.4° and consists of planar antiparallel sequences. The molecular conformation is a folded zig‐zag arrangement. On drawing a fiber, a disordered second phase of parallel plus antiparallel sequences is created. The chain conformation is a slightly distorted extended zigzag. The crystal structure of the directionally disord...
Assessment of Nutrition Knowledge and Eating Behavior as Health Indicators of Elder Mississippians

Abstract As an indicator of health status of the elderly (60+) in Mississippi, their awareness about nutrition knowledge anc! eating pattern was surveyed. Data indicated that 75% of participants were Black and 80% were female. About nutrition knowledge 80% believed that use of salt and sugar in moderation, and maintaining a healthy weight are important. Their knowledge about fiber as a nutrient whs very limited (20%) and so was knowledge about serving sizes from different food groups. Most of them (80%) did not get much information about nutrition from other sources but from heir physicians. About half of the population studied made a conscious effort to choose low fat milk. They choose poultry mostly (80%) compared to other sources of meat (20%). Use of fruits was limited (20%) and so was a variety in vegetables (40%). Use of nutrition information on food packages or from labels was limited (20%). Most of them had problem reducing salt intake (80%) and believed ihat good ole Southern Cooking is too good to change. Even though the practice was limited (20%) almost ail of them believed that eating a variety of food with increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is good for health. There is a need to increase Programs/Services to disseminate information on nutrition, use of food labels and use of food groups in a healthy way by the elders in the South.
A milliwattmeter for the 70-80 Gc/s frequency band

The considerations leading to the design of a milliwattmeter for use at 75Gc/s are outlined and the design is described. The incident power is dissipated in a load and the temperature rise measured by a thermopile giving a sensitivity of 36 μV/mW. The device is calibrated by passing a measured current through the load. The input v.s.w.r. over the band 70–80 Gc/s is greater than 0.7.
Foundations from the Past: Clues to Understanding Late Quaternary Stratigraphy Beneath Cleveland, Ohio

Abstract Laboratory data from a rare set of samples collected during the 1920s from foundation borings for the Cleveland Union Terminal and Eagle Avenue Bridge provide new information about Late Quaternary stratigraphy beneath Cleveland, Ohio, on the south shore of Lake Erie. Samples represent ten unconsolidated units ranging in age from the Illinoian glaciation through modern anthropogenic fill. The oldest deposits may include the Illinoian Keefus, Mogadore, and Northampton tills and their associated lacustrine and outwash deposits. There is no evidence of Sangamonian deposits or the Late Wisconsinan Kent advance. Hiram Till deposited in close association with proglacial lakes is the only Late Wisconsinan diamict found in the area. Radiocarbon dates on twigs in lacustrine deposits suggest the landscape was deglaciated and vegetated by 14,500 yr BP. Lakes Maumee, Arkona, and Whittlesey immersed the area, and as the water level dropped to the Warren levels, deltaic deposits may have been reworked into beach ridges. The post-glacial Cuyahoga River downcut possibly 40 m into Illinoian deposits in response to the drop in water level to that of Early Lake Erie. Subsequently, this post-glacial valley filled with Holocene alluvium as Lake Erie rose to modern levels.
In-situ monitoring of vanadium dioxide formation using high-temperature XRD

The monoclinic-to-tetragonal phase transition (~70 °C) in vanadium dioxide (VO2) strongly impacts the infrared properties, which enables its use in applications such as smart window devices. Synthesis of VO2 can be challenging due to the variability of vanadium oxide phases that may be formed. We have employed high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD) to monitor the reaction process of vanadium oxide precursor powders to form the desired tetragonal VO2 phase. Single-phase tetragonal VO2 was formed within 30 min at 420 °C in flowing N2 gas (~50 ppm O2). The monoclinic-to-tetragonal phase transformation was observed via HTXRD at ~70 °C with the typical ~10 °C hysteresis (i.e. approached from above or below the transition).
Cross coupling and aliasing in modal wave-front estimation

A systematic treatment of modal estimation of a wave-front phase from its gradients is given. We introduce a gradient matrix and use it to describe cross coupling of aberrations (lack of orthogonality of its column vectors) and aliasing of aberrations (lack of linear independence of its column vectors).
The Significance of Color Declines: A Re-Analysis of Skin Tone Differentials in Post-Civil Rights America

Skin tone variation within the United States' black population has long been associated with intraracial stratification. Skin tone differentials in socioeconomic status reflect both the inherited privileges of a mulatto elite and contemporary preferences for lighter skin. Three influential studies have claimed that such differentials in educational, occupational and spousal attainment have remained strong in the post-Civil Rights era, based on results from large nationally representative surveys. However, these studies used a period conception of change which ignored the potential for changes across cohorts within the same period. I re-analyze the available data and find significant declines in skin tone differentials for younger cohorts, in terms of educational and labor market outcomes, but not in terms of spousal attainment. These declines begin with cohorts born in the mid-1940s. In addition, there is evidence of period declines of skin tone differentials in occupational attainment in the 1980s. I discuss possible explanations for the declines.
Interval and composite interval mapping of somatic cell score, yield, and components of milk in dairy cattle.

Single-marker, interval-mapping (IM) and composite interval mapping (CIM) were used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling milk, fat and protein yields, and somatic cell score (SCS). A granddaughter design was used to combine molecular genetic information with predicted transmitting abilities (PTA) and estimated daughter yield deviations (DYD) from eight Dairy Bull DNA Repository Holstein families. Models that included and excluded weights accounting for the uncertainty of the response variable were evaluated in each trait, family and phenotype (DYD and PTA) combination. The genotypic information consisted of 174 microsatellite markers along 29 Bos taurus autosomes. The average number of informative markers per autosome was three and the number of informative sons per family and marker varied between 21 and 173. Within-family results from the least squares single-marker analyses were used in expectation-maximization likelihood IM and CIM implemented with QTL Cartographer. Different CIM model specifications, offering complementary control on the background QTL outside the interval under study, were evaluated. Permutation techniques were used to calculate the genome-wide threshold test statistic values based on 1000 samples. Results from the DYD and PTA analyses were highly consistent across traits and families. The minor differences in the estimates from the models that accounted for or ignored the uncertainty of the DYD (variance) and PTA (inverse of reliability) may be associated to the elevated and consistent precision of the DYD and PTA among sons. The CIM model best supported by the data had 10 markers controlling for background effects. On autosome (BTA) three, a QTL at 32 cM influencing protein yield was located in family five and a QTL at 74 cM for fat yield was located in family eight. Two map positions associated with SCS were detected on BTA 21, one at 33 cM in family one and the other at 84 cM in family three. A QTL for protein yield was detected between 26 and 36 cM on BTA six, family six, and a QTL for milk yield was detected at 116 cM on BTA seven in family three. The IM and CIM approaches detected a QTL at 3 cM on BTA 14 influencing fat yield in family four. Two map positions on BTA 29 were associated with significant variation of milk (0 cM) and fat yield (14 cM) in family seven. These results suggest the presence of one QTL with pleiotropic effects on multiple traits or multiple QTL within the marker interval. Findings from this study could be used in subsequent fine-mapping work and applied to marker-assisted selection of dairy production and health traits.
Personalized dendritic cell-based tumor immunotherapy

Advances in the understanding of the immunoregulatory functions of dendritic cells (DCs) in animal models and humans have led to their exploitation as anticancer vaccines. Although DC-based immunotherapy has proven clinically safe and efficient to induce tumor-specific immune responses, only a limited number of objective clinical responses have been reported in cancer patients. These relatively disappointing results have prompted the evaluation of multiple approaches to improve the efficacy of DC vaccines. The topic of this review focuses on personalized DC-based anticancer vaccines, which in theory have the potential to present to the host immune system the entire repertoire of antigens harbored by autologous tumor cells. We also discuss the implementation of these vaccines in cancer therapeutic strategies, their limitations and the future challenges for effective immunotherapy against cancer.
Near-IR Identification of Woods for Restoration of Historic Buildings and Furniture:

Frank Lloyd Wright is perhaps the most widely known of American architects. Wright's Prairie period, devoted mostly to residential architecture, is characterized in part by the use of indigenous woods that were neither planed nor painted (though they were sometimes stained). Residences are more likely to be altered over time than are other buildings, often without good documentation of the changes that were made. This research seeks to aid restoration efforts by providing a means of identifying the original woods used in construction.
Extension of Margin Sum and Cell Variances to Repeated Measures/Randomized Blocks Analysis of Variance and Criterion-Scaled Regression Analysis:

Gibbons and Sherwood demonstrated the use of three types of criterion-scaled code vectors in regression analyses to test the hypothesis of mean treatment differences from repeated measures, an equi...
Predictive Value of Bedside Effective Renal Plasma Flow for Renal Recovery in Severe Acute Renal Failure

Single injection, single blood sample, effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) estimated by 131I-orthoiodohippurate can be performed accurately and conveniently without urine collection at the bedside. The purpose of this study was to determine if ERPF early in the course of severe acute renal failure (ARF) predicts recovery of renal function in hemodynamically stable patients. Over 18 months, ERPF was determined in 33 such patients with ARF in whom an etiologic diagnosis could be established. Eight patients died within 2 months of onset and while on dialysis, did not have an autopsy, and were not considered further. Six patients (Group A) either remained on dialysis after at least 6 months follow-up or had irreversible renal disease at autopsy. In Group B (19 patients, 13 of whom were dialyzed), serum creatinine returned to less than 2.0 mg/dL (n = 16) or was decreasing without dialysis. Peak serum creatinine (Group A 11.2 +/- 1.4; Group B 10.1 +/- 1.3 mg/dL) did not differ between groups. Oliguria was present in 75% of Group A patients and in 25% of Group B patients. Initial ERPFs differed (p less than 0.001) between Group A (90 +/- 11) and Group B (204 +/- 20 mL/min). Initial ERPF was greater than 125 mL/min in 15 Group B patients but in no Group A patients; the false-positive rate was 21% and the false-negative rate was 0%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Wound pathophysiology, infection and therapeutic options

Wound healing is a complex and highly regulated process that can be compromised by both endogenous factors (pathophysiological) and exogenous factors (micro-organisms). Microbial colonisation of both acute and chronic wounds is inevitable, and in most situations endogenous bacteria predominate, many of which are potentially pathogenic in the wound environment. The risk of wound infection increases as local conditions favour bacterial growth rather than host defence. Consequently a primary objective in wound management is to redress the host-bacterial balance, and this is most effectively achieved by ensuring that the wound is cleared of devitalised tissue and foreign bodies, the bacterial load and inflammation are controlled, and that adequate tissue perfusion is maintained. Although surgical debridement is the most rapid and effective technique for removing devitalised tissue, topical enzymes, moisture-retentive dressings, biosurgical therapy and vacuum therapy have been used as alternative approaches to wound cleansing and preparation. Topical antimicrobial agents continue to be used widely for preventing wound infection and current interest is focused on alternatives to antibiotics, such as antimicrobial moisture-retentive dressings, honey, essential oils and cationic peptides. In addition to the need to control wound microflora, unregulated inflammation caused by both micro-organisms and underlying abnormal pathophysiological conditions is a major factor associated with poor healing in chronic wounds. Consequently, therapeutic strategies that target chronic inflammatory processes are critical to wound progression. The success of future therapies will be dependent on a growing understanding of the pathophysiological processes and the host-bacterial interactions that significantly influence wound healing.
The Effects of Financial Pressures on Adherence and Glucose Control Among Racial/Ethnically Diverse Patients with Diabetes

Background The Affordable Care Act is designed to decrease the numbers of uninsured patients in U.S. However, even with insurance, patients who have financial hardships may have difficulty obtaining their medications because of cost issues.
On the origins of trapped helium, neon and argon isotopic variations in meteorites—II. Carbonaceous meteorites

Abstract Data are presented from stepwise heating experiments on five carbonaceous chondrites: Alais, Ivuna, Orgueil, Cold Bokkeveld and Nogoya. The data indicate the presence of two isotopically distinct major trapped components, components A and B. Two additional components, ‘C’ and ‘E,’ were isolated on the basis of neon isotopic structure. Components B and C, found in. gas-rich meteorites, are attributed to ion implantation by the present day solar wind and solar flares respectively. Component A is interpreted as a mixture of component E and component D (Paper I), where component D is identified with the primitive solar wind and component E is assigned an extra solar system origin.
Disturbance propagation in large interconnected systems

Focuses on control of vehicle strings and the theoretical issues arising from this problem. The key result is that a control structure where each vehicle uses only information about its predecessor is fundamentally sensitive to disturbances. Specifically, small disturbances acting on one vehicle can propagate and have a large effect on another vehicle. A similar, though less general, result is derived for a control structure where each vehicle looks at both neighbors.