cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of the flavonoid luteolin on Cox-2 and PGE2 expression in RAW 264.7 cells

4737 Flavonoids are ubiquitous plant compounds that have recently been scrutinized for anti-cancer effects. Luteolin, a flavonoid found in rosemary, celery, and other edible plants, has been shown to inhibit multiple cancer-related signal transduction pathways, including MAPK, NFκB, and Akt. Conversely, the effects of luteolin on Cox-2 signalling have not been reported. RAW 264.7 cells were pre-treated for 2 hours with 100, 50, 25, 10, or 5 μM luteolin, then treated with LPS (1 μg/ml) for an additional 12 hours. Pre-treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with luteolin inhibited Cox-2 protein expression, measured by Western blot, in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, PGE2 expression, measured by ELISA, was reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Intracellular hydrogen peroxide production, measured microscopically with a DCFDA fluorescent probe, was also reduced in luteolin pre-treated cells. Cell viability (MTT assay) was unaffected by dose. However, cell morphology, as viewed by confocal microscopy, was dramatically affected. This study indicates that luteolin pretreatment reduces Cox-2 expression and PGE2 formation. Furthermore, the effects of luteolin are not due to toxicity, and may be related to an inhibition of reactive oxygen species or effects on genes controlling cell morphology.
A mathematical model to predict the porosity of nickel pillars manufactured by localized electrochemical deposition under pulsed voltage conditions

Abstract Metal parts manufactured with engineered porosity offer advantages over traditional parts as they have excellent specific mechanical properties at a lower weight. This is especially of interest in the aerospace and automobile industries. Additive manufacturing allows for creating parts with computer aided design (CAD) modeled lattice structures that offer lightweight parts. However, there is a need for porous structures at the micron scale (
Determining Optimum Transit Signal Priority Implementation Locations on a Network

Transit signal priority (TSP) can be used to improve bus operations at intersections. However, implementing TSP can often increase the delay of non-transit modes. Therefore, it is necessary to eval...
Simulations and experimental demonstration of three different regimes of optofluidic manipulation

It has been demonstrated that optically controlled microcurrents can be used to capture and move around a variety of microscopic objects ranging from cells and nanowires to whole live worms. Here, we present our findings on several new regimes of optofluidic manipulation that can be engineered using careful design of microcurrents. We theoretically optimize these regimes using COMSOL Multiphysics and present three sets of simulations and corresponding optofluidic experiments. In the first regime, we use local fluid heating to create a microcurrent with a symmetric toroid shape capturing particles in the center. In the second regime, the microcurrent shifts and tilts because external fluid flow is introduced into the microfluidic channel. In the third regime, the whole microfluidic channel is tilted, and the resulting microcurrent projects particles in a fan-like fashion. All three configurations provide interesting opportunities to manipulate small particles in fluid droplets and microfluidic channels.
Is Bony Knee Alignment Representative of the True Joint Surface in Skeletally Immature Patients? A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Abstract Aim and objective In deformity correction around the knee, the mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) are used in surgical planning routinely. While plain radiographs are generally adequate, some surgeons utilise intraoperative arthrograms to visualise the articular contours and assess a younger child's true joint alignment, often with findings that these are discrepant from that measured just using bone alignment. The age cutoff for a discrepancy between the two is not defined. Materials and methods We queried our picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) database for MRIs with a radiological read of “normal” for patients between the ages of 4 and 16 years at the time of the study. Anatomic axes were used to determine the anatomic LDFA (aLDFA) and MPTA angles using end-cartilage and end-bone landmarks independently. Results We reviewed 116 MRIs, 56% male, with approximately 9 studies per year of age. There were no significant overall differences between aLDFA and MPTA when measured at the bone vs cartilage surfaces (p = 0.42 and p = 0.53, respectively). In the 4- to 6-year age range, there was a significant difference between bony and cartilaginous aLDFA (p = 0.02) but not MPTA (p = 0.88). Conclusion In children 6 years of age and younger, intraoperative arthrogram should be considered while treating knee deformity, as plain films may not fully represent the true deformity of the distal femur in particular. Clinical significance Supports the need for advanced imaging or intraoperative arthrogram for joint corrective surgery in young patients. Level of evidence Level 3 diagnostic. How to cite this article Bigach SD, Carender CN, Liu RW. Is Bony Knee Alignment Representative of the True Joint Surface in Skeletally Immature Patients? A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2020;15(2):79–83.
Anxiety and Opioid Use Disorder: Potential Targets for Treatment and Prevention

Anxiety is among the most common symptoms and disorders in people with opioid use disorder. Although anxiety disorders have been understudied in opioid use disorder, research supports an important role of anxious responding to distress (e.g., distress intolerance) in problem opioid use. In this review, we provide an overview of the literature on the role of anxious responding to distress in opioid misuse. Anxious responding to distress is elevated in people with problem opioid use, is associated with severity of misuse, and appears to amplify risk via an increase in motivation for seeking relief. Preliminary studies have suggested that these vulnerabilities can be reduced with treatment in people with opioid use disorder. Anxious responding to distress is associated with opioid misuse across the spectrum of severity. Anxiety-focused treatment may be a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of opioid use disorder.
22. The Challenge Of ‘Firsts’ In International Criminal Justice: First Courts, First Judges, And Issues Of First Impression

In the 1990s, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) were the first international criminal courts (ICCs) since the post-World War II Nuremberg and Tokyo tribunals. The decision-making approaches were applied to many issues of first impression in international criminal law. This chapter discusses four cases. The first case is the ICTR's decision on the definition of rape and whether rape is an act of genocide in Prosecutor v . Akayesu . The second case is the ICTY's decision on whether duress is a defense to the killing of innocent people in Prosecutor v. Erdemovic . The third is the SCSL's decision on the status of amnesty in an international criminal proceeding in Prosecutor v. Kallon and Kamara . The fourth is the ICC's interpretation of its statute and rules on the parameters of victim participation in the proceedings of Prosecutor v. Lubanga Dyilo . Keywords: decision-making approaches; international criminal court; International Criminal Justice; International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR); International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
Topological estimation using witness complexes

This paper tackles the problem of computing topological invariants of geometric objects in a robust manner, using only point cloud data sampled from the object. It is now widely recognised that this kind of topological analysis can give qualitative information about data sets which is not readily available by other means. In particular, it can be an aid to visualisation of high dimensional data. Standard simplicial complexes for approximating the topological type of the underlying space (such as Cech, Rips, or a-shape) produce simplicial complexes whose vertex set has the same size as the underlying set of point cloud data. Such constructions are sometimes still tractable, but are wasteful (of computing resources) since the homotopy types of the underlying objects are generally realisable on much smaller vertex sets. We obtain smaller complexes by choosing a set of 'landmark' points from our data set, and then constructing a "witness complex" on this set using ideas motivated by the usual Delaunay complex in Euclidean space. The key idea is that the remaining (non-landmark) data points are used as witnesses to the existence of edges or simplices spanned by combinations of landmark points. Our construction generalises the topology-preserving graphs of Martinetz and Schulten [MS94] in two directions. First, it produces a simplicial complex rather than a graph. Secondly it actually produces a nested family of simplicial complexes, which represent the data at different feature scales, suitable for calculating persistent homology [ELZ00, ZC04]. We find that in addition to the complexes being smaller, they also provide (in a precise sense) a better picture of the homology, with less noise, than the full scale constructions using all the data points. We illustrate the use of these complexes in qualitatively analyzing a data set of 3 × 3 pixel patches studied by David Mumford et al [LPM03].
Subcellular fractions of smooth muscle. Isolation, substrate utilization and Ca++ transport by main pulmonary artery and mesenteric vein mitochondria.

Abstract Mitochondria were prepared from bovine mesenteric vein and main pulmonary artery in the presence of bovine serum albumin. Standard preparations contained between 30 and 60% of mitochondrial protein. Rates of substrate oxidation were measured polarographically. Succinate was oxidized at rates of 117.1 ± 16 and 92.3 ± 13 nmol of (O 2 /min/mg of main pulmonary artery and mesenteric vein mitochondrial protein, respectively. Other substrates were oxidized less rapidly. The calcium content of vascular smooth muscle mitochondria prepared in the presence and absence of EDTA was found to be much higher than in mitochondria from all other sources. Initial velocities of respiration-supported calcium uptake were measured by dual-wavelength techniques. Rates were slow at 1 μ m Ca 2+ but increased almost linearly up to 25 μ m Ca 2+ . The maximal velocities (12 and 4 nmol of Ca 2+ /s/mg of main pulmonary artery and mesenteric vein mitochondrial protein, respectively) were observed at 75 μ m Ca 2+ , and the half-maximal transports occurred at 17 μ m . At all [Ca 2+ ]tested, the rate of Ca 2+ transport was lower by mesenteric vein than by main pulmonary artery mitochondria. Vascular smooth muscle mitochondria can tolerate as much as 210 nmol of Ca 2+ mg of mitochondrial protein without uncoupling. These findings are discussed in terms of physiological regulation of cytosolic calcium levels in smooth muscle.
Selenophosphate synthetase: Enzyme properties and catalytic reaction

Selenophosphate synthetase, the product of the selD gene, produces the biologically active selenium donor compound, monoselenophosphate, from ATP and selenide. Isolation of the enzyme and characterization of some of its physical and catalytic properties are described. Magnesium ion and a monovalent cation, K+, NH4+, or Rb+, are required for catalytic activity. Polyphosphates and other common nucleotide triphosphates do not replace ATP as substrate. The stoichiometry of the catalytic reaction (Reaction 1) was established using 31P NMR, anaerobic molecular sieve chromatography, and radiochemical labeling procedures. ATP+selenide+H2O-->selenophosphate+Pi+AMP. In the absence of selenide, ATP is converted completely to AMP and orthophosphate upon prolonged incubation with elevated levels of enzyme. AMP is a competitive inhibitor of ATP, Ki = 170 microM, whereas selenophosphate and orthophosphate are weak inhibitors indicating a multistep reaction. Attempts to obtain direct evidence for a postulated enzyme-pyrophosphate intermediate using several experimental approaches are described. No exchange of [14C]AMP with ATP could be detected after the enzyme was freed of traces of contaminating adenylate kinase by chromatography on phenyl-Sepharose.
Comparison of Serum Calcium Measurements Obtained with the SMA 12/60 and by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Comparable results are obtained when serum calcium is measured by a colorimetric cresolpthalein method on the Technicon SMA 12/60 and by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Instrumentation Laboratory Model 153 instrument), with strontium as an internal standard. Sera from 250 patients with abnormal calcium concentrations, ranging from 4.9 mg/100 ml to 9.0 mg/100 ml, were measured by each method; the difference between the means for each method was only 0.04 mg/100 ml. The standard deviation of the difference between paired results was ±0.16 mg/100 ml. We were unable to discover any effect of drug or disease on the colorimetric assay, which therefore is suitable for use in large-scale surveys. On the other hand, the more precise atomic absorption spectrophotometry is suitable for use as a reference method. In addition, with an internal standard it is fast and simple, making it suitable for emergency assays of calcium 24 h a day.
The nuclear envelope, muscular dystrophy and gene expression.

Abstract Lamins and other nuclear envelope proteins organize nuclear architecture through structural attachments that vary dynamically during the cell cycle and cell differentiation. Genetic studies have now shown that people with mutations in either lamins A/C or emerin, a nuclear membrane protein, develop Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. A mouse model for this rare disease has been created by knocking out the gene that encodes lamin A/C. This article discusses these and other recent results in the wider context of nuclear envelope function, as a framework for thinking about the possible ways in which defects in nuclear envelope proteins can lead to disease.
Regulation of renal Na-HCO3 cotransporter: III. Presence and modulation by glucocorticoids in primary cultures of the proximal tubule.

Regulation of renal Na-HCO 3 cotransporter: III. Presence and modulation by glucocorticoids in primary cultures of the proximal tubule. We looked for the presence of the Na-HCO 3 cotransporter in primary cultures of the proximal tubule and examined the modulation of this cotransporter by glucocorticoid hormones. Primary cultures of the proximal tubule of the rabbit have Cl-independent, HCO 3 -dependent 22 Na uptake which is DIDS-sensitive. In addition, in cells loaded with BCECF and perfused with Cl-free solution, removal of Na was associated with a decrease in intracellular pH which returned to normal with re-addition of Na. The pH recovery was not inhibited by EIPA but was sensitive to DIDS. These findings are compatible with existence of Na-HCO 3 cotransporter in these cells. We examined the role of glucocorticoids on the activity of the Na-HCO 3 cotransporter by culturing proximal tubule cells in the presence of hydrocortisone and when confluence was reached, hydrocortisone was deleted from the medium. In the absence of hydrocortisone, the activity of the cotransporter, measured either isotopically or fluorometrically, was significantly decreased, whereas re-addition of hydrocortisone 10 -8 M, restored the activity of the cotransporter to normal levels. The effect of hydrocortisone could not be duplicated by aldosterone, suggesting a glucocorticoid-dependent effect. Dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid without mineralocorticoid activity, stimulated the activity of the cotransporter within physiologic concentrations and this effect was blocked by progesterone. The effect of dexamethasone was time-dependent and was prevented by cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor. These results demonstrate that primary cultures of the proximal tubule have Na-HCO 3 cotransporter activity which is modulated by physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids through a protein synthesis-dependent mechanism.
On-line isotope separation at the hilac☆

Abstract An one-line isotope separator was developed at the HILAC. The heavy ion beams impinges on a thin target, and the recoiling product nuclei are stopped in a solid or liquid catcher. They diffuse out of this catcher at high temperatures and are ionized by a rotating electron cloud. The ions are focused with a rf quadrupole lens into a Paul mass filter. Thereafter they are subjected to analysis by conventional nuclear radiation spectroscopy. The principle of the instrument and the results of the first on-line runs are reported.
High density lipoprotein: it's not just about lipid transport anymore

Plasma levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) have long been associated with protection against cardiovascular disease (CVD) in large populations. However, HDL-C has been significantly less useful for predicting CVD risk in individual patients. This has ignited a new debate on the merits of measuring HDL quantity versus quality in terms of protective potential. In addition, numerous recent studies have begun to uncover HDL functions that vary surprisingly from traditional lipid transport roles. In this paper, we review recent findings that point to important functions for HDL that go well beyond lipid transport. These discoveries suggest that HDL might be a platform that mediates protection from a host of disease states ranging from CVD to diabetes to infectious disease.
Large-area thin aluminum filter design, handling, and testing

The process of observing the Sun in the x-ray and extreme UV (XUV), as we are now doing with the TRACE telescope, requires blocking the tremendous amount of visible and RI light that dominates the flux from the sun. If it is not blocked, the energy will swamp the desired spectrum and cause thermal problems inside the telescope. The most effective approach removing the energy is by filtering the incoming light. One of the best materials for eliminating the undesirable wavelengths is aluminum, which is semi- transparent to x-ray and XUV, but blocks most light with wavelength redward of 850 angstrom. Unfortunately the aluminum must be extremely must be extremely thin, < 1600 angstrom thick, to provide the necessary XUV transparency. To overcome the structural problem of supporting large areas of extremely thin aluminum, the aluminum film is bonded on a nickel mesh.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Regimes of miscible fluid thread formation in microfluidic focusing sections

We experimentally study the formation and stability of miscible fluid threads made of high-viscosity liquids using hydrodynamic focusing sections. Miscible core annular flows are useful for transporting viscous materials and can be destabilized for enhancing mass transfer. We delineate phase-diagrams of the generation of lubricated threads from low to large viscosity contrasts with various diffusion coefficients. Depending on fluid properties and flow rates of injection, stable microflows are classified into engulfment, thread, and tubing regimes. For low Peclet numbers, we examine thread dynamics when diffusive effects strongly alter basic flow structures and induce new flow configurations, including ultra-diffusive and diffusive instability regimes. Another unstable flow arrangement is investigated for moderate Reynolds numbers where small threads are rapidly destabilized in the inertial flow field of the sheath fluid near the fluid junction. This study provides an overview of stable and unstable flow regimes and their transitions during the formation of miscible viscous fluid filaments in square microchannels.
1462 GROWTH RATES FOR INFANTS >1000 GRAMS

For 30 years the Dancis grid has been the standard for growth in the premature infant. To determine if growth patterns have changed for the very small infant, new curves were constructed from the daily weights of 53 consecutive newborns weighing less than 1000g and surviving until discharge. Three measurements of growth were examined: 1. number of days to regain birth weight (days to B.WT.), 2. minimum weight as a percentage of birth weight (min. WT/B.WT.), and 3. weight on day 50 as a percentage of birth weight (WT. on D.50/B.WT.). These measures were compared to the Dancis curves for 750 and 1000g birth weights.
Transpulmonary thermodilution curve and the cross-talk phenomenon

Introduction • Transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) and the Pulse Contour Cardiac Output (PiCCOTM) technique is a hemodynamic monitoring system gaining recognition and wide usage in the intensive care setting [1]. • TPTD operates via a single thermal indicator technique to determine cardiac index (CI), and derivatives volumetric variables [2]. • TPTD signal artifacts other than shunt have been evoked [3,4], but their real impact on CI values was never established [5]. • The present case describes the impact of a cross-talk phenomenon on the TPTD curve and CI measurement when the technique was assessed using a femoral central venous access in a critically ill patient.
EXCITON BINDING ENERGY IN T-SHAPED SEMICONDUCTOR QUANTUM WIRES

Exciton binding energies in semiconductor T-shaped quantum wires formed at the intersection of two quantum wells are given as functions of well width and potential offset. The calculations are made within the effective mass approximation using a variational approach for the exciton binding energy and numerical calculations for the nonseparable single particle electron and hole subband wave functions. Recent experimental results for these structures are discussed.
Growth of epithelium from a preneoplastic mammary outgrowth in response to mammary adipose tissue.

We investigated the effects of conditioned media derived from mouse mammary fat pads on the proliferation of CL-S1 cells, an epithelial cell line originally isolated from a preneoplastic mammary outgrowth line. Cell proliferation in vitro in serum-free defined medium was compared to that in this medium conditioned using intact mammary fat pad pieces or isolated fat pad adipocytes. Culture medium was conditioned by incubating the conditioning material in defined culture medium for 24 h at 37°C. Conditioned medium induced CL-S1 proliferation as much as 10- to 20-fold above the minimal levels of growth in control cultures after 13 d of culture. The growth-stimulatory factor(s) had an apparent molecular weight of greater than 10 kDa. This growth-stimulatory activity was both heat and trypsin stable. Because the role of adipose tissue is to store and release lipids, we next tested whether lipids are released during medium conditioning. The lipid composition of the fat pad conditioned medium was characterized using both thin layer and gas liquid chromatography. These lipid analyses indicated that the fat pad pieces released significant amounts of fatty acids and phospholipids into the medium during the conditioning period. The free fatty acid composition included both saturated and unsaturated molecules, and about 80% of the total fatty acids consisted of palmitate, stearate, oleate, and linoleate. These same fatty acids were a structural component of the majority of phospholipid found in the medium. The addition of palmitate or stearate to defined medium had no effect or was inhibitory for CL-S1 proliferation, depending on the concentration used. Defined medium supplemented with oleate, arachidonate, or linoleate induced CL-S1 proliferation, and the inhibitory effects of palmitate and stearate were overcome by addition of oleate and linoleate. These data indicate that both unsaturated and saturated fatty acids are released from intact adipose cells of the mouse mammary fat pad and that fatty acids can influence the growth of prenoplastic mouse mammary epithelium. Thus, unsaturated fatty acids, perhaps in conjunction with other substances released simultaneously, are candidate molecules for the substances that mediate the effect of adipose tissue on growth of epithelium.
U.S. Agriculture in a General Equilibrium Framework: Analysis with a Social Accounting Matrix

Traditionally, the analysis of U.S. agricultural policy has been carried out in a partial equilibrium framework. It has thus ignored the linkages of the agricultural sector with the rest of the economy. It is only recently that the importance of various economic linkages has started being recognized in work on U.S. agriculture. The importance to the agricultural sector of exchange rates and other instruments of monetary and fiscal policies was first emphasized by Schuh. His seminal work sparked other studies of the interaction between agricultural production and incomes and traditional instruments of macroeconomic policy. See also Shei; Chambers and Just; Freebairn, Rausser, and de Gorter. The partial equilibrium analysis of U.S. agriculture stands in sharp contrast to traditional approaches to the formulation of agricultural policy in developing countries. Development economists have long been sensitive to the importance of leakages from policies aimed at the agricultural sector to the rest of the economy and vice versa. In this paper, we discuss how multisectoral models of the sort often used in developing countries can be used to analyze such issues in the United States. We construct a U.S. social accounting matrix (SAM) for 1982 and use a variety of multiplier models to analyze the impact of different exogenous shocks on agriculture, focusing on the links between the agricultural and nonagricultural sectors. A longer version of this article is provided by Adelman and Robinson. Soci Accounting Matrices
Modality independent elastography (MIE): potential applications in dermoscopy.

The use of palpation information for skin disease characterization is not as commonly used as in other soft tissues, although mechanical differences within lesions have been noted. For example, regions of hyperkeratosis have the potential to transform into cancerous lesions and likely feature different material properties from those of surrounding normal tissue due to varying cytoarchitecture. As a result, the spatial distribution of lesion mechanical properties may serve to assist a diagnosis or enhance visualization of the complete extent of a cancerous region, i.e., accurate information regarding the margins of disease for surgical therapy. In this work, a multiresolution extension to a novel elastographic imaging method called Modality Independent Elastography (MIE) is used to characterize the mechanical properties of a skin-like phantom embedded with a mock stiff lesion. Simulation studies were also performed to investigate the potential for characterizing realistic melanoma lesions. Elasticityimage reconstructions from the phantom experiments localized the stiff inclusion and had good correlation between the Young’s moduluscontrast ratio and experimental measurements from material testing. In addition, multiresolution MIE was shown to be a more robust framework than its single-resolution version. Results from the melanoma simulation demonstrate the potential for using multiresolution MIE with dermoscopic images.
Meliosma longepedicellata (Sabiaceae): A New Species from Southeastern Ecuador

Abstract. A new species of Meliosma (Sabiaceae), M. longepedicellata, from southeastern Ecuador, in the Amotape-Huancabamba zone, is described and illustrated. The new species mainly differs from the Venezuelan M. tachirensis in having inflorescences with longer pedicels (3.0–6.0 vs. 0.5–3.0 mm), flower buds globose before anthesis (vs. flower buds oblong), shorter outer petals (2.0–2.5 vs. 3.0–3.5 mm), and staminodes of subsquare shape (vs. staminodes lanceolate). Relationships with other morphologically related species are also discussed.
Internalization of carbon black and maghemite iron oxide nanoparticle mixtures leads to oxidant production

The risk of potential human exposure to mixed nanomaterials in consumer, occupational, and medicinal settings is increasing as nanomaterials enter both the workplace and the marketplace. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of mixed engineered carbon black (ECB) and maghemite iron oxide (Fe(2)O(3)) nanoparticles in a cellular system to understand the mechanism of toxicity and potential methods of toxicity mitigation. Lung epithelial cells (A549) were exposed to mixed Fe(2)O(3) and ECB nanoparticles, mixed Fe(2)O(3) and ECB nanoparticles with the addition of L-ascorbic acid, and mixed Fe(2)O(3) and surface-oxidized engineered carbon black (ox-ECB) nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption surface area measurement (BET), X-ray diffraction, and surface charge measurement. The carbon black nanoparticles were also characterized with a reductive capacity assay and by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The cellular uptake of nanoparticles was analyzed via transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy; the cellular uptake of iron was quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Both the MTT assay and the ethidium homodimer and calcein AM live/dead assay were used to measure cellular proliferation and cytotoxicity, respectively. The dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay was used to measure the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species. Results show that both Fe(2)O(3) and ECB (or Fe(2)O(3) and ox-ECB) were co-internalized in intracellular vesicles. Additionally, after exposure to the mixture of nanoparticles, the amount of acidified lysosomes increased over time. The cellular uptake of Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles was unaffected by mixing with ECB. Significant oxidant production occurred in cells exposed to mixed Fe(2)O(3) and ECB, but not in cells exposed to mixed Fe(2)O(3) and ox-ECB or in cells exposed to Fe(2)O(3) and ECB with the addition of ascorbic acid. Furthermore, exposure to mixed Fe2O3 and ECB nanoparticles yielded a dose-dependent decrease in the level of cellular proliferation (MTT assay) and a decrease in cellular viability (ethidium homodimer and calcein AM live/dead assay) that were not seen in the Fe(2)O(3) and ox-ECB scenario. The results support the hypothesis that exposure to mixed Fe(2)O(3) and ECB nanoparticles produces oxidants that are mediated by the surface reductive capability of ECB when both particle types are colocalized in acidic cellular compartments. This oxidant production mechanism may lead to oxidative stress, but it can be mitigated by an antioxidant such as ascorbic acid or by surface treatment of the ECB to decrease its surface reductive capacity.
From Household Decisions to Global Networks: Biogas and the Allure of Carbon Trading in Nepal

Nepal has more than 250,000 household biogas digesters that replace firewood with methane for most cooking needs, thus conserving forest resources while reducing indoor air pollution, reducing workloads for energy procurement, and providing a fertilizer slurry by-product. Biogas is also an approved clean development mechanism that reduces carbon emissions, creating a potential revenue stream for the government from global carbon trading markets through aggregating household biogas plants into larger projects for carbon trading. This article traces the shift to biogas as a neoliberal development strategy in Nepal by exploring the connection between biogas as a household energy decision and global carbon trading.
The effect of doxazosin, finasteride and combination therapy on nocturia in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Purpose: We evaluated the effectiveness of single or combination drug therapy on nocturia in men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.Materials and Methods: A total of 3,047 men with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia enrolled in the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms trial were randomly assigned to receive doxazosin alone, finasteride alone, combination therapy or placebo. Treatment effectiveness was assessed according to intent to treat by mean reduction in self-reported nightly nocturia at 1 and 4 years. A subgroup analysis by age (younger than 70 vs 70 years old or older) was also performed.Results: Of the men 2,583 reported 1 or more episodes of nocturia and finished 12 or more months of the trial. Mean nocturia was similar in all groups at baseline. Mean nocturia was reduced at 1 year by 0.35, 0.40, 0.54 and 0.58 in the placebo, finasteride, doxazosin and combination groups, respectively. Reductions with doxazosin and combination ther...
Defining interfaces at a high level of abstraction

One of the newest user-interface management systems, the User-Interface Development Environment, is described by its creators. UIDE is built around a knowledge-based representation of the conceptual design of a user interface. UIDE supports design at a high-level specification of the interface from information provided by the designer. By using the same knowledge base, the interface developer can generate a new interface design with the same functionality as the original design. This lets users try many functionally equivalent interfaces for the same application. >
Preparative and Analytical Separation of Amygdalin and Related Compounds in Injectables and Tablets by Reversed-Phase HPLC and the Effect of Temperature on the Separation

Previous HPLC procedures for amygdalin and related compounds in injectables and tablets were either time consuming or produced inadequate separations of D-amygdalin and its epimer. A study of the effects of temperature on the separation resulted in development of an HPLC method for amygdalin and some related compounds, using water as the mobile phase at 15 degrees C. Multimilligram quantities of amygdalin and related compounds were separated by this preparative procedure. The aqueous mobile phase allows the compounds to be recovered by simple lyophilization of the sample after elution. This permitted the carbon-13 NMR spectrum of the isolated aglyconic epimer of amygdalin to be reported for the first time. D-amygdalin, its L-mandelonitrile epimer (D-epiamygdalin), their hydrolysis products (the epimeric amides and epimeric acids), and the sugar gentiobiose were separated by the method.
Imaging Cell Shape Change in Living Drosophila Embryos

The developing Drosophila melanogaster embryo undergoes a number of cell shape changes that are highly amenable to live confocal imaging. Cell shape changes in the fly are analogous to those in higher organisms, and they drive tissue morphogenesis. So, in many cases, their study has direct implications for understanding human disease (Table 1)(1-5). On the sub-cellular scale, these cell shape changes are the product of activities ranging from gene expression to signal transduction, cell polarity, cytoskeletal remodeling and membrane trafficking. Thus, the Drosophila embryo provides not only the context to evaluate cell shape changes as they relate to tissue morphogenesis, but also offers a completely physiological environment to study the sub-cellular activities that shape cells. The protocol described here is designed to image a specific cell shape change called cellularization. Cellularization is a process of dramatic plasma membrane growth, and it ultimately converts the syncytial embryo into the cellular blastoderm. That is, at interphase of mitotic cycle 14, the plasma membrane simultaneously invaginates around each of ~6000 cortically anchored nuclei to generate a sheet of primary epithelial cells. Counter to previous suggestions, cellularization is not driven by Myosin-2 contractility(6), but is instead fueled largely by exocytosis of membrane from internal stores(7). Thus, cellularization is an excellent system for studying membrane trafficking during cell shape changes that require plasma membrane invagination or expansion, such as cytokinesis or transverse-tubule (T-tubule) morphogenesis in muscle. Note that this protocol is easily applied to the imaging of other cell shape changes in the fly embryo, and only requires slight adaptations such as changing the stage of embryo collection, or using "embryo glue" to mount the embryo in a specific orientation (Table 1)(8-19). In all cases, the workflow is basically the same (Figure 1). Standard methods for cloning and Drosophila transgenesis are used to prepare stable fly stocks that express a protein of interest, fused to Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) or its variants, and these flies provide a renewable source of embryos. Alternatively, fluorescent proteins/probes are directly introduced into fly embryos via straightforward micro-injection techniques(9-10). Then, depending on the developmental event and cell shape change to be imaged, embryos are collected and staged by morphology on a dissecting microscope, and finally positioned and mounted for time-lapse imaging on a confocal microscope.
Combined error estimates in the case of dimension reduction

We consider the stationary reaction-diffusion problem in a domain Ω⊂ℝ 3 $\Omega \subset \mathbb {R}^3$ having the size along one coordinate direction essentially smaller than along the others. By an energy type argumentation, different simplified models of lower dimension can be deduced and solved numerically. For these models, we derive a guaranteed upper bound of the difference between the exact solution of the original problem and a three-dimensional reconstruction generated by the solution of a dimensionally reduced problem. This estimate of the total error is determined as the sum of discretization and modeling errors, which are both explicit and computable. The corresponding discretization errors are estimated by a posteriori estimates of the functional type. Modeling error majorants are also explicitly evaluated. Hence, a numerical strategy based on the balancing modeling and discretization errors can be derived in order to provide an economical way of getting an approximate solution with an a priori given accuracy. Numerical tests are presented and discussed
Remarks on the history and philosophy of mathematics

The history and philosophy of mathematics bear only on the periphery of the work of most mathematicians whether they are teachers or researchers. As a consequence there builds up a ' received view' of these subjects, a body of dogma which remains for the most part unarticulated. This dogma influences our work even if the influence seems small and comes from afar. The primary purpose of this essay is to bring the received dogma into view and examine it. In the process we will see that it is more influential than we supposed. Implicit in the entire undertaking is my conviction that an understanding of the history and philosophy of mathematics is interesting in itself and can contribute to our effectiveness as teachers.
Prognostic significance of pretreatment proliferative activity in adult acute leukemia

A statistical analysis of the prognostic significance of eight pretreatment variables was undertaken for 71 previously untreated adult patients with acute leukemia seen at M.D. Anderson Hospital over a 5 1/2-year period. None of the patients had received any prior therapy. Nearly all of the patients (68 of the 71) were treated with 4- or 5-day courses of arabinosyl-cytosine alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide, vincristine (oncovin) and prednisone (COAP). The pretreatment variables studied were age at diagnosis, the percent labeling index of the bone marrow leukemic cells, diagnosis, the highest temperature prior to start of treatment, the marrow clot section cellularity and smear differential percent of blasts, percent absolute marrow leukemic cell infiltrate and absolute number of blasts X 10(3)/mm3 in the peripheral blood. Fifty-one patients had acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) and 20 patients had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Using a statistical regression model approach, the only variables found to be of significant prognostic importance with respect to the probability of complete remission for AML patients were the pretreatment percent labeling index, the age of the patient and the highest temperature prior to start of treatment. Unlike AML, the initial percent labeling index did not appear to be of prognostic significance for ALL patients. AML patients with high labeling indices (larger than or equal to 9%) and young patients in general (especially those less than 40 years old) had the best remission rates. With respect to the length of complete remission and survival for all patients, the only important variables were the pretreatment percent labeling index and the age of the patient, respectively. Once in complete remission, an initially high labeling index was an unfavorable sign with respect to length of remission, regardless of the patient's diagnosis. The results of this study are supportive of studies in experimental systems demonstrating the importance of cytokinetic factors in the administration of chemotherapy and suggest that such factors may be of clinical importance in selecting approaches to therapy.
Creating usable simplicity in a text-based "quick help" website

In autumn 1999, the Indiana University School of Education Technology Services spawned a plan to change its Web site from a promotional site to a help site. The intent was to offer technology assistance and information as well as provide ETS with a centralized knowledge base. Since ETS is responsible for network services, distance education, computer workstations, and telephone services, the task was onerous.We began the endeavor hoping to decrease users' reliance on our help desk call-in center. Believing the computing support adage that 90% of questions are repetitions of the same ten, we designed the project around that concept.A study of user needs was the first step. We recruited a group of graduate students in Instructional Systems Technology program to test our original Web site's usability. Although we knew we would not retain the same format, we wanted to use the study to assess our users' needs. The students analyzed two years of ETS trouble tracking records, and produced the "top ten" questions. Then they devised questions for users regarding how well they could find answers on the existing site. While the researchers led users through a set of specified tasks, they recorded valuable user comments. Then, from the data and comments, we set out to create the revised site.We discovered the "top ten" questions spawned many subset issues. In addition, as a convenience to users, we wanted to include information they hadn't asked for. Hence, the task became one of developing hundreds of pages. Thus, design strategy became an issue. To remedy this, a colleague provided us with a simple Perl script that could be inserted as a "boiler plate" in each document. Each change always creates more issues; we then had to find a local search engine that worked well with our documents. The site is always evolving, but the current version is at: http://education.indiana.edu/~ets.
Breast MRI lesion classification: Improved performance of human readers with a backpropagation neural network computer‐aided diagnosis (CAD) system

Purpose To develop and test a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system to improve the performance of radiologists in classifying lesions on breast MRI (BMRI). Materials and Methods A CAD system was developed that uses a semiautomated segmentation method. After segmentation, 42 features based on lesion shape, texture, and enhancement kinetics were computed, and the 13 best features were selected and used as inputs to a backpropagation neural network (BNN). The BNN was trained and tested using the leave-one-out method on 80 BMRI lesions (37 benign, 43 malignant). Lesion histopathology was used as the reference standard. Five human readers classified the 80 lesions first without and then with CAD assistance. The performance of the computer classifier and the human readers was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves; the performance of the human readers was also evaluated using multireader multicase (MRMC) analysis. Results The performance of the human readers significantly improved when aided by the CAD system (P < 0.05). MRMC analysis showed that human reader performance with and without CAD system assistance can be generalized to the population of cases (P < 0.001). Conclusion A CAD system based on lesion morphology and enhancement kinetics can improve the performance of human readers in classifying lesions on breast MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Temperature dependence of the electronic deexcitation of the 5D3 and 5D4-states of Tb3+ in POC13 : SnC14 by Sm3+

The lifetime and quantum yield of the fluorescence emission arising from the 5D3 and 5D4-states of Tb3+ in POC13 : SnCl4 depend strongly upon the presence of Sm3+ due to electronic energy transfer from Tb3+ to Sm3+. The appropriate fluorescence quenching rate constants, (kq)Sm3+ and k′q, are equal to 5.3 × 104 M−1 s−1 and 2.4 × 103 M−1 s−1, respectively, at 20°C. The pertinent activation energy barriers are equal to 5.4 kcal/mole and 3.2 kcal/mole. Trivalent samarium enhances the 5D3 ↝ 5D4-transition of Tb3+ and facilitates the processes 5D3 ↝ 7FJ and 5D4 ↝ 7FJ. These latter transitions of Tb3+ are coupled with appropriate electronic transitions of Sm3+ giving rise to sensitized fluorescence.
GC‐SIM‐MS DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION OF FREE INDOLE‐3‐ACETIC ACID IN BACTERIAL GALLS ON THE MARINE ALGA PRIONITIS LANCEOLATA (RHODOPHYTA)

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a plant hormone necessary for terrestrial plant growth and development, was detected and quantified in the marine red alga Prionitis lanceolata Harvey (Halymeniaceae, Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) using gas chromatography–selective ion-monitoring mass spectrometry (GC-SIM-MS). This allowed comparison of free IAA levels between the algal thallus and eubacterially induced galls on this alga characterized by abnormal algal growth and cell division and extensive, intercellular microbial proliferation. The levels of free IAA in the P. lanceolata thallus averaged 2.5 (±1.1) ng·g−1 fresh wt. Free IAA levels in galls were more variable, ranging from ca. 4 to 39 (8.3 ± 10.9) ng·g−1 fresh wt, but were significantly higher overall (P= 0.0022). The identity of the IAA in this marine florideophycean alga was confirmed by full scan GC-MS analysis of both galls and thalli. The levels of free IAA in P. lanceolata were two to three orders of magnitude higher than those observed previously in the Rhodophyta. The origin of elevated IAA levels in P. lanceolata galls is unknown because it is possible that this compound is produced by either the gall-inducing bacterial symbiont or the host alga.
Pulsatile secretion of prolactin in laying and incubating turkey hens

Incubation behavior in the turkey hen is associated with a large increase in prolactin secretion. Previous research using hourly sampling of incubating hens has shown that prolactin levels fluctuate widely throughout a 24-hr period, suggestive of pulsatile secretion. This study compared the prolactin secretory patterns of laying and incubating turkeys to determine if prolactin is secreted episodically and if the high prolactin levels characteristic of the incubating hen may result, at least in part, from a change in the amplitude or frequency of secretory pulses. Blood samples were collected from cannulated, unrestrained laying and incubating hens at 10-min intervals for up to 24 hr. Data were analyzed with the PULSAR program to determine baseline prolactin levels and to establish the magnitude, frequency, and duration of episodic secretory peaks. The results revealed that prolactin is secreted in a pulsatile pattern in both laying and incubating turkey hens. Incubating hens had ninefold higher mean and baseline plasma prolactin levels than laying hens. The prolactin pulses were of approximately 12-fold greater amplitude in incubating hens than in laying hens, but the duration and frequency of pulses were the same in both groups. Therefore, the high prolactin levels required for incubation do not appear to result from an increase in the frequency of lactotroph stimulation, but rather from an increase in the prolactin secretion rate.