cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aneurysmal bone cysts in young children

We reviewed seven young children (< or = 10 years) with aneurysmal bone cysts. There were four girls and three boys. Six had involvement of the long bones and one had involvement of the clavicle. The average age was 5.5 years (range 2.9-10.6 years). Initial treatment was curettage and bone grafting. There were recurrences in five of the seven children (71%). This represented 100% of children with radiographically aggressive or active lesions. The recurrences appeared rapidly, at an average of 8 months from the first procedure. The mitotic index of the initial lesion did not correlate with that of the recurrent lesion. Surgical management of the recurrences must be handled individually, but repeat curettage and grafting is only recommended when surgical resection is not possible. This high rate of recurrence in radiographically aggressive or active aneurysmal bone cysts in young children should be considered when planning treatment, and in the preoperative counseling of parents.
Comparative analyses of the CSSS magnetic field calculation in the Univ. of California/San Diego tomographic solar wind model with in situ spacecraft observations

Our tomographic techniques developed over the last few years are based on kinematic models of the solar wind. This allows us to determine the large-scale three-dimensional extents of solar wind structures using interplanetary scintillation (IPS) observations and Thomson scattering brightness data in order to forecast their arrival at Earth in real time. We are specifically interested in a technique that can be combined with observations presently available from IPS velocity data and with observations which will become available from the Solar Mass Ejection Imager. In this paper, we introduce magnetic field projections from solar surface magnetogram data using the Stanford Current-Sheet Source Surface model at the source surface of our model and extrapolate the magnetic field out to and beyond Earth. The results are compared with in situ data. Real time projections of these data are available on our web site at: http://cassfos02.ucsd.edu/solar/forecast/index_v_n.html and http://cassfos02.ucsd.edu/solar/forecast/index_br_bt.html
A summary of volcanic and seismic activity in Katmai National Monument, Alaska

A compilation of observations of volcanic eruptions since 1870 and ash stratigraphy shows that Katmai National Monument on the Alaska Peninsula has had a long history of volcanic activity. Six of the recently active vents lie in a gently curved arc, but two lie to the north of this arc and show no obvious structural relationship to it. Recent volcanic events have consisted of fumarolic activity, steaming from main vents, ash eruptions, extrusion of viscous lava flows, and pyroclastic eruptions. The observed activity shows no obvious correlation with a compilation of seismic events recorded teleseismically since 1912 and relocated by the authors using a digital computer. The eruption attributed to Mt. Katmai in 1912 has left many unanswered questions including the thickness of the ash flow tuff in the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Seismic refraction results show that this tuff has a compressional velocity of about 0.6 km/sec and that considerable morainal debris may underlie it at the northern end of the Valley.
Persistence of rat parvovirus in athymic rats.

Euthymic (SD or outbred rnu/+) and athymic (rnu/rnu) rats were inoculated oronasally or intraperitoneally with the RV-Y strain of rat virus when they were 2 days or 4 weeks old. Clinical signs of infection in athymic infants were similar to those in euthymic infants, but significantly more athymic infants died. Some infants developed anemia and thrombocytopenia. After inoculation of infants, RV-Y was detected in surviving euthymic rats for 7 weeks and in surviving athymic rats for at least 10 weeks. After oronasal inoculation of 4 week-old rats no clinical illness was observed. RV-Y persisted less than 6 weeks in juvenile euthymic rats but at least 12 weeks in athymic juvenile rats. Intraperitoneal inoculation of juveniles resulted in infection for at least 6 weeks. The antibody response of athymic rats to RV-Y was significantly reduced compared to that of euthymic rats. These studies indicate that T cell deficiency increases the severity and duration of RV infection and imply that T cells are required for the full expression of resistance to RV infection. They also suggest that RV-Y induced anemia could serve as a model for human parvovirus-induced anemia.
The redox state of cytochrome b559 in spinach chloroplasts

Abstract Spinach chloroplasts suspended in a mixture of redox buffers were titrated under anaerobic conditions by adding small amounts of oxidant (potassium ferricyanide) or reductant (reduced methyl viologen). At specific redox potentials, measured with a platinum electrode, samples of chloroplasts were removed, frozen to −196 °;C, and single-beam absorption spectra were measured before and after actinic irradiation at −196 °C. The extent of the low temperature light-induced reduction of C-550 and oxidation of cytochrome b 559 was determined as a function of redox potential. Difference spectra between samples at different redox potentials were used to determine titration curves for the chemically induced changes. With intact chloroplasts at 0 °C the midpoint potential of cytochrome b 559 was found to be + 450 mV. Titration of Tris-washed chloroplasts at 20 °C showed that cytochrome b 559 is oxidized at lower potentials and over a wider range of potentials than in intact chloroplasts. A cytochrome b 559 with a still lower midpoint potential (dithionite reducible but not ascorbate reducible) was also demonstrated in intact chloroplasts which had not been subjected to treatments which modify the normal high potential cytochrome b 559 .
Exchange Rate Passthrough Effects and Inflation Targeting in Emerging Economies: What is the Relationship?

Several studies have shown that over the past ten years the pass-through effect from currency depreciation into domestic inflation has been decreasing in emerging economies that adopted Inflation Targeting (IT) during the mid and late nineties. Therefore the nominal exchange rate effect on domestic inflation is becoming less of an issue for these countries. The literature has offered different explanations for these declines but so far they have not been directly related to the adoption of IT. This paper shows that lower pass-through effects can also be the result of the implementation of an IT regime and argues, contrary to previous studies, that the effects of the nominal exchange rate on inflation are still a relevant issue for emerging IT countries. The reason for this is that the empirical evidence offered for the lower pass-through misses the nature of the relationship between inflation and the nominal exchange rate under IT.
Oral manifestations of psoriasis: Case reports

Abstract Two cases of mucous membrane psoriasis are presented. Both patients were aware of the oral lesion but only one was cognizant of the concomitant skin psoriasis. Neither of the respective locations of the manifestations, the lip and the floor of the mouth, is the commonly affected areas as reported in the literature. The histologic findings are comparable to those seen in cutaneous psoriasis.
Reflections on the nature and sources of individual differences in learning

Abstract This article serves as an introduction to this—the first—issue of the journal, which is focused upon the nature and sources of individual differences in learning. Each of the featured articles is briefly discussed and some specific points of convergence are noted. The author concludes with a selective review of research on an often overlooked source of individual differences in learning—namely, susceptibility to proactive interference. Recent evidence from a variety of disciplines suggests that continued research in this area will yield important new discoveries about the nature of cognition.
Performance modeling of earth resources remote sensors

A technique is presented for constructing a mathematical model of an Earth resources remote sensor. The technique combines established models of electronic and optical components with formulated models of scan and vibration effects, and it includes a model of the radiation effects of the Earth's atmosphere. The resulting composite model is useful for predicting in-flight sensor performance, and a descriptive set of performance parameters is derived in terms of the model. A method is outlined for validating the model for each sensor of interest. The validation for one airborne infrared scanning system is accomplished in part by a satisfactory comparison of predicted response with laboratory data for that sensor.
Bicarbonate reabsorption in chronic renal failure studies in man and the rat

Bicarbonate reabsorption during bicarbonate loading was measured in rats and in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and in normal human subjects. Bicarbonate reabsorption expressed as Tm/GFR was not significantly different between normal and CRF rats despite the fact that fractional chloride excretion was significantly greater (an indication of volume expansion) in CRF rats than in normals. The ratio of absolute bicarbonate reabsorption/absolute sodium reabsorption, a parameter which corrects for the influence of volume on bicarbonate reabsorption, was significantly higher in CRF rats than in normals. In patients with CRF, bicarbonate reabsorption expressed either as Tm/GFR or as the ratio of absolute bicarbonate reabsorption/absolute sodium reabsorption was not different from that of the normal subjects. In patients with CRF, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) varied between 3 and 47 ml/min. The ratio of absolute bicarbonate reabsorption/absolute sodium reabsorption was inversely and significantly related to GFR, i.e. as nephron mass decreases sodium bicarbonate is preferentially reabsorbed over sodium chloride. These data demonstrate that in CRF bicarbonate reabsorption is enhanced relative to that of sodium and chloride in man.
Evaluating Maize for Allelochemicals That Affect European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Larval Development

European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), larvae develop resistance to management protocols in laboratory and field environments. Laboratory bioassays, tissue elemental analyses, and field resistance evaluations were conducted on ear tissues of maize, Zea mays L., to (i) identify genotypes and tissues which affect ECB development, (ii) isolate tissue extracts detrimentally affecting larvae, (iii) determine if high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) absorption peaks are associated with biological activity, (iv) determine if ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid affect ECB larvae, and (v) determine if laboratory and field resistance are related. Tissue and genotype did not affect larval survival. Silk tissue from W182E, Apache', MN 3153, and MN 276 reduced 10-d larval weight, increased time to pupation, reduced pupal weight, and increased time to moth emergence compared with kernel tissue, which did not differ from the cellulose control. Methanol fractions of silks reduced 10-d larval weight, but not larval survival, compared with the cellulose control. No methanol fraction of silks, except from MG 15, reduced 10-d larval weight as much as nonextracted Apache silk, suggesting that some allelochemicals were not captured or were lost during extraction. HPLC analysis detected three to four large peaks only found in active methanol fractions. Ear tissue element levels, except for manganese (r = -0.70), were not associated with decreased 10-d larval weight. Larvae reared on diet containing ferulic acid (2.61 and 1.67 mg/g) or p-coumaric acid (<0.20 mg/g) had 10-d weights similar to the control. Laboratory and field resistance were not correlated, suggesting that multiple resistance mechanisms exist in maize. The identification of allelochemicals affecting ECB larvae will allow breeding programs to select resistant maize genotypes.
Language comprehension: considerations for augmentative and alternative communication

This forum paper, based on an invited background paper on language comprehension and augmentative communication for the NIDRR Consensus Validation Conference on Augmentative Communication, considers the role of language comprehension in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) acquisition and use. General directions for research and practice are suggested.
Relation of T-wave alternans to regional left ventricular dysfunction and eccentric hypertrophy secondary to coronary heart disease

Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and structural disease are associated with exaggerated repolarization dispersion and risk for cardiac arrest. We hypothesized that T-wave alternans (TWA) from the electrocardiogram, reflecting proarrhythmic repolarization dispersion, would increase with extent of eccentric LV hypertrophy and vary spatially with the distribution of myocardial scar. We studied 28 patients with coronary disease, systolic dysfunction, and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. On echocardiography, 21 patients had wall motion abnormalities and 20 had LV hypertrophy (mass index ≥100 g/m 2 ). TWA magnitude (voltage of alternation), which was computed spectrally during ventricular stimulation, varied linearly with LV mass index (p = 0.003). Spatially, positive TWA (magnitude ≥1.9 μV) in orthogonal electrocardiographic axes overlaid scar or wall motion abnormalities in corresponding echocardiographic segments (p
Theory of nuclear magnetic resonance of higher-spin nuclei. II. Calculated spectra for A2B and for A2X systems with nuclear spin-1

This is the second in a series of papers on the theoretical calculation and analysis of NMR spectra for nuclei with spin greater than 12. Transition selection rules and intensity sum rules are discussed. Calculated spectra for A2B and A2X systems with spin 1 are described.
Aggregation of heterogeneous goods in models of the von Neumann variety

Abstract : The paper presents the aggregation of heterogeneous production into a homogenous one in an economy described by a General Equilibrium model of the von Neumann type (a KMT model and final demand). The resulting aggregated model will be of the von Neumann-Leontief type. Two cases will be considered, one in which the final demand is given by a vector of parameters, and another case which will have a final demand function.
Marcel Faber Roundtable: Is our antibiotic pipeline unproductive because of starvation, constipation or lack of inspiration?

There are few new antibiotics in the pipeline today. The reasons may include starvation at the front of the pipeline due to inadequate sources of suitable compounds to screen coupled with poorly validated discovery methodologies. A successful antibiotic discovery approach in the past, based upon whole cell antibiotic screening of natural products from actinomycetes and fungi, eventually suffered from constipation in the middle of the pipeline due to rediscovery of known compounds, even though low throughput methodology was employed at the front end. The current lack of productivity may be attributed to the poor choice of strategies to address the discovery of new antibiotics. Recent applications of high throughput in vitro screening of individual antibacterial targets to identify lead compounds from combinatorial chemical libraries, traditional chemical libraries, and partially purified natural product extracts has not produced any significant clinical candidates. The solution to the current dilemma may be to return to natural product whole cell screening. For this approach to work in the current millennium, the process needs to be miniaturized to increase the throughput by orders of magnitude over traditional screening, and the rediscovery of known antibiotics needs to be minimized by methods that can be readily monitored and improved over time.
Endovascular treatment of subclavian artery stenosis associated with vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm

The frequency of radiologically demonstrable subclavian or innominate artery stenosis is approximately up to 17%. Of these, 2.5% have angiographic flow reversal in vertebral artery. Only 5.3% of those with angiographic steal have neurologic symptoms [3]. Treatment is indicated only in this small percentage of symptomatic patients. The symptoms are induced by exercise or exertion using the arm ipsilateral to stenosis. We describe a case with concurrent right vertebral artery (VA) pseudoaneurysm and left subclavian artery (SCA) stenosis, where the pattern of symptoms was suggestive of embolic etiology rather than exercise induced. An unusual presentation of SCA stenosis is highlighted, that resolved with endovascular intervention. The management in the presence of concurrent VA pseudoaneurysm is briefly discussed.
Isolation of an mRNA encoding a soluble form of the human interleukin-6 receptor

Soluble forms of the interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and IL-7 receptors which lack the transmembrane domain have been described. IL-6 is a growth factor important in the final differentiation of B-cells into plasma cells and in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma. To determine whether the receptor for IL-6 may exist as a soluble molecule, RNA was analysed from the transformed B-cell lines U266, CESS and Daudi, from bone marrow from two myeloma patients, and from normal leukocytes. Using polymerase chain reaction, oligonucleotide primers which flank the transmembrane domain were selected to generate a 339 bp fragment. All samples produced equivalent amounts of the expected 339 bp fragment plus a smaller 245 bp fragment except Daudi which exhibited virtual absence of both. Sequence analysis of the smaller fragments from each of the five samples demonstrated the deletion of the entire transmembrane region from codons 356 (G-TG) to 387 (AG-G). The boundaries of this deletion were identical in all cases. Partial sequence analysis of the ligand-binding domain for U266 demonstrated identical sequences for the membrane-bound and soluble forms of the IL-6 receptor cDNAs. In summary, an mRNA which encodes a soluble form of the IL-6 receptor is expressed in both normal and myeloma cells.
Fine‐needle aspiration of superficial and deeply seated lymph nodes on patients with and without a history of malignancy: Review of 439 cases

This study addresses the utility of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in assessing lymphadenopathy in patients with and without a previous history of malignancy. We reviewed the FNAs of superficial and deeply seated lymph nodes performed at our institution over a period of 18 yr (1983–2001). Where applicable, we also reviewed and report here the results of subsequent surgical excisional biopsies. We analyzed data from 439 patients, who ranged in age from 1 to 90 yr. The neck and retroperitoneum were the most frequently sampled sites (47% and 25%, respectively). Among the 439 FNAs, adequate material was obtained in 421 cases (96%); the remaining 18 were unsatisfactory (4.1%). Malignant diagnoses were rendered in 330 cases (75% of 439), four were suspicious for lymphoma (0.9%), and 87 were read as reactive lymph nodes or granulomas (20%). The most common malignant cytologic diagnoses from these lymph node FNAs were adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and lymphoma. We compared results between two major groups: patients with a history of malignancy and those without. FNA showed malignancy in 87% of patients with a history of cancer and 41% without such a history. Thirty-three or 10% of patients with a history of malignancy were given a benign diagnosis and follow-up surgical excisional biopsies were performed in nine of these cases. Four of the nine showed low-grade lymphoma. Of the 18 nondiagnostic FNAs, nine came from patients with a history of malignancy and in six of these nine who had a follow-up surgical excisional biopsy the lymph nodes were positive for malignancy. Of the other nine, who had no history of malignancy, only two had follow-up biopsies and both of these were negative. Patients with a history of malignancy are more than twice as likely to show malignancy on lymph node FNA compared to those without such a history (87% vs. 41%). Knowing whether a patient has a history of malignancy provides the appropriate level of suspicion for ordering ancillary investigations or even recommending excisional biopsy for further evaluation. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2003;29:315–319. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Neuropeptide-mediated excitability : a key triggering mechanism for seizure generation in the developing brain

Most human seizures occur early in life,consistent with established excitability-promoting features of the developing brain. Surprisingly, the majority of developmental seizures are not spontaneous but are provoked by injurious or stressful stimuli. What mechanisms mediate'triggering' of seizures and limit such reactive seizures to early postnatal life? Recent evidence implicates the excitatory neuropeptide, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Stress activates expression of the CRH gene in several limbic regions, and CRH-expressing neurons are strategically localized in the immature rat hippocampus, in which this neuropeptide increases the excitability of pyramidal cells in vitro. Indeed, in vivo, activation of CRH receptors--maximally expressed in hippocampus and amygdala during the developmental period which is characterized by peak susceptibility to 'provoked' convulsions--induces severe, age-dependent seizures. Thus, converging data indicate that activation of expression of CRH constitutes an important mechanism for generating developmentally regulated, triggered seizures, with considerable clinical relevance.
A Second Validation Study of the Competence Assessment for Standing Trial for Defendants with Mental Retardation (CAST-MR)

This study investigated the reliability and validity of the Competence Assessment for Standing Trial for Defendants with Mental Retardation (CAST-MR) with defendants with mental retardation referred for evaluation of competence to stand trial in the state of Ohio. The CAST-MR demonstrated strong internal consistency and interrater reliability. With respect to the instrument's validity, the group referred as competent had significantly higher total scores, significantly higher scores on each subsection, and significantly higher scores on seven individual test items. The results of discriminant function analyses further supported the CAST-MR's validity. These findings are discussed in relation to a previous CAST-MR validation study with a similar population.
Log linear representation for paired and multiple comparisons models

SUMAIARY This paper develops log linear model representations for the Bradley-Terry paired comparisons and Luce multiple comparisons models. Various multivariate extensions of the Bradley-Terry model are then considered. A model is presented, similar to one of Davidson & Bradley (1969), but which is based on the log odds ratio as a measure of association rather than the 0 coefficient of correlation. It is shown that, by the adaptive use of log linear model theory, complex data sets involving paired and multiple comparisons as well as rankings may be easily analyzed. In all cases estimates of cell expectations may be computed using an iterative proportional scaling algorithm that is computationally easy to carry out.
Words from the HEArt: Poetry therapy and group work with the homeless

The focus of this article is on the use of poetry therapy in group work with the homeless and their service providers. Particular attention is directed to task and treatment groups. Practice observations and a review of poetic material indicate the expressive/creative component of poetry therapy can help advance the self-development and empowerment of the homeless, as well as serve to promote community awareness.
Circulating peripheral blood plasma cells as a prognostic indicator in patients with primary systemic amyloidosis

This study examined the prognostic value of circulating peripheral blood plasma cells (PBPCs) in patients with primary systemic amyloidosis (AL). A sensitive slide-based immunofluorescence technique was used to assess 147 patients for circulating PBPCs. Circulating monoclonal plasma cells were quantified as a percentage of circulating cytoplasmic immunoglobulin-positive cells (PBPC%). The absolute circulating plasma cell count was also determined. When analyzed retrospectively, 24 (16%) of 147 patients were found to have detectable circulating PBPCs. Overall survival for patients with high PBPC%'s (> 1%) was poorer (median survival, 10 vs 29 months; P =.002). Similarly, overall survival for patients with high PBPC counts (> 0.5 x 10(6)/L) was significantly poorer (median, 13 vs 31 months; P =.003). Increased percentages of bone marrow plasma cells (BMPC%; P =.0004), increased levels of serum beta(2)-microglobulin (P =.04), and dominant cardiac amyloid involvement (P =.03) also predicted poorer survival. The combined consideration of circulating PBPCs and BMPC% identified low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups with median survivals of 37.5, 15.5, and 10 months, respectively (P =.0003). Multivariate analysis revealed circulating PBPCs and BMPC% to be independent prognostic factors for survival. Patients with PBPC%'s of 2% or higher were significantly more likely to have a coexisting clinical diagnosis of multiple myeloma (50% vs 12%, P =.008). The prognostic value of circulating PBPCs may help select treatment for patients with AL.
Dissecting the cellular functions of annexin XI using recombinant human annexin XI-specific autoantibodies cloned by phage display.

Functional studies of cellular proteins are often complicated by the lack of well-defined monoclonal antibodies, the production of which is hampered by the highly conserved nature of these cellular proteins across species. Annexin XI, a member of the Ca2+-dependent, phospholipid-binding protein family, is an example of such a protein and was used in studies to devise a strategy using human autoimmune phage display libraries to generate reagents for biological studies of conserved cellular proteins. An IgG phage display library was generated from bone marrow of an autoimmune patient with high serum antibody titer against annexin XI, which was identified recently as an autoantigen targeted by autoantibodies in several systemic autoimmune diseases. From this phage library, a panel of human monoclonal annexin XI-specific Fabs were isolated and applied to studies of the cellular functions of annexin XI. Confocal microscopy showed a cell cycle-specific redistribution of annexin XI from the cytoplasm to the mitotic spindle. In metaphase, annexin XI was up-regulated and costained with α-tubulin. The subcellular distribution of annexin XI in COS-7 cells was shown to be Ca2+-dependent, and exhibited a predominantly nuclear pattern at low concentrations and a cytoplasmic pattern at high Ca2+ concentrations. Calcyclin, found previously to bind annexin XI in vitro, in vivo coated the nuclear membrane of cultured cell lines and did not colocalize with annexin XI. Ultrastructural analysis by immunoelectron microscopy revealed that annexin XI associated with specific granules in both neutrophils and eosinophils, suggesting a role in the exocytotic pathway. Our results illuminate the multifunctional nature of human annexin XI, provide the first evidence that annexin XI associates with the mitotic spindles and might play a role in cell division, and clearly illustrate the potential of phage display-derived human autoantibodies in broader analyses of the function of highly conserved cellular proteins.
GUPT: privacy preserving data analysis made easy

It is often highly valuable for organizations to have their data analyzed by external agents. However, any program that computes on potentially sensitive data risks leaking information through its output. Differential privacy provides a theoretical framework for processing data while protecting the privacy of individual records in a dataset. Unfortunately, it has seen limited adoption because of the loss in output accuracy, the difficulty in making programs differentially private, lack of mechanisms to describe the privacy budget in a programmer's utilitarian terms, and the challenging requirement that data owners and data analysts manually distribute the limited privacy budget between queries.This paper presents the design and evaluation of a new system, GUPT, that overcomes these challenges. Unlike existing differentially private systems such as PINQ and Airavat, it guarantees differential privacy to programs not developed with privacy in mind, makes no trust assumptions about the analysis program, and is secure to all known classes of side-channel attacks.GUPT uses a new model of data sensitivity that degrades privacy of data over time. This enables efficient allocation of different levels of privacy for different user applications while guaranteeing an overall constant level of privacy and maximizing the utility of each application. GUPT also introduces techniques that improve the accuracy of output while achieving the same level of privacy. These approaches enable GUPT to easily execute a wide variety of data analysis programs while providing both utility and privacy.
Caveolin-1 in Cardiovascular Disease: A Double-Edged Sword

Endothelial dysfunction, as manifested by an attenuation of nitric oxide (NO)–mediated vasodilation, is recognized to be a fundamental abnormality in the genesis of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease (1). Metabolic risk factors, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes (T2D), can initiate and accelerate endothelial dysfunction leading to cardiovascular disease (CVD) (1). Endothelial dysfunction in association with metabolic abnormalities is typically caused by a combination of reduced production and increased destruction of NO leading to a decrease in NO bioavailability (1,2). NO production in response to various factors, such as increased shear stress, is mediated by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), which is constitutively expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) and is tightly controlled by various membrane-bound receptors and regulatory proteins under physiological conditions (3). Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), an anchoring protein in the plasma membrane caveolae in ECs and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), attenuates endothelial NO production by occupying the calcium/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM) binding site of eNOS (4) (Fig. 1). Increases in caveolin and eNOS interaction, as may occur with hyperlipidemia, reduce NO production and promote endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerotic lesion formation. This process is mediated by increased lipoprotein trafficking across the vascular endothelium (5,6). Therefore, treating hyperlipidemia as an early intervention to help …
A mechanism for vertebrate Hedgehog signaling: recruitment to cilia and dissociation of SuFu–Gli protein complexes

In vertebrates, Hedgehog (Hh) signaling initiated in primary cilia activates the membrane protein Smoothened (Smo) and leads to activation of Gli proteins, the transcriptional effectors of the pathway. In the absence of signaling, Gli proteins are inhibited by the cytoplasmic protein Suppressor of Fused (SuFu). It is unclear how Hh activates Gli and whether it directly regulates SuFu. We find that Hh stimulation quickly recruits endogenous SuFu–Gli complexes to cilia, suggesting a model in which Smo activates Gli by relieving inhibition by SuFu. In support of this model, we find that Hh causes rapid dissociation of the SuFu–Gli complex, thus allowing Gli to enter the nucleus and activate transcription. Activation of protein kinase A (PKA), an inhibitor of Hh signaling, blocks ciliary localization of SuFu–Gli complexes, which in turn prevents their dissociation by signaling. Our results support a simple mechanism in which Hh signals at vertebrate cilia cause dissociation of inactive SuFu–Gli complexes, a process inhibited by PKA.
Macroscopic analysis of adaptive task allocation in robots

We describe a general mechanism for adaptation in multi-agent systems in which agents modify their behavior in response to changes in the environment or actions of other agents. The agent use memory to estimate the global state of the system from individual observations and adjust their actions accordingly. We present a mathematical model of the dynamics of collective behavior in such systems and apply it to study adaptive task allocation in mobile robots. In this application, the robots task is to forage for red or green pucks. As it travels around the arena, a robot records observations of puck and other robots, and uses these observations to compute the estimated density of each. If it finds there are not enough robots of a specific type, it may switch its foraging state to fill a gap. After a transient, we expect the number of robots in each foraging state to reflect the prevalence of each puck type in the environment. We modelled adaptive task allocation and studied the dynamics of the system for different transition rates between states. We find that for some rates lead to fast convergence times and a steady state solution.
There is no convincing evidence for a relationship between cigarette advertising and consumption.

Summary A recent New Zealand study can be challenged on the grounds of inadequate theorization, questionable modelling and operationalization, and the ignoring of contradictory data. Therefore, its public-policy implications in terms of curbing or banning tobacco promotion are highly dubious.
The acoustic sweep method for monitoring osteoporosis

A non-invasive method to measure bone integrity has been developed which has potential for monitoring osteoporosis. It is based on a patented process of obtaining the dynamic characteristics of the bone using dynamic excitation in the range of acoustic frequencies (a sound source). The Modal Damping Factor has been used as an indicator of the tendency of the bone to fracture. Results of numerous animal studies have supported this hypothesis.
Chloride currents in acutely isolated Xenopus retinal pigment epithelial cells.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) regulates the ionic composition of the fluid surrounding the photoreceptors by transport mechanisms that utilize Cl− channels. Cl− currents in RPE cells, however, remain incompletely characterized. The purpose of this study was to identify the Cl− currents in acutely isolated Xenopus RPE cells using whole-cell patch clamp. We describe three different Cl− currents. (1) An inwardly rectifying Cl− current, ICl,ir, activates slowly with hyperpolarization (τact=μ1 s at −80 mV, V1/2=−94 ± 3 mV), is blocked by Zn2+ (IC50=185 μm), is stimulated by acid (ICl,ir is 5 times larger at pH 6 than pH 8), and is blocked by DIDS in a voltage-dependent manner. ICl,ir closely resembles cloned ClC-2currents. (2) An outwardly rectifying Cl− current, ICl,Ca, is stimulated by elevated cytosolic free [Ca2+]. With 1 μm free [Ca2+]i in the patch pipette, ICl,Ca activates slowly with depolarization (τact=325 ms at 100 mV) and deactivates upon hyperpolarization. ICl,Ca is not blocked by 1 mm Zn2+ or 10 μm Gd3+ but is blocked by DIDS. High extracellular [Ca2+] (10 mm) also activates ICl,Ca. (3) A non-rectifying current is activated by elevation of cytoplasmic cAMP with forskolin and IBMX. In addition to these three Cl− currents, Xenopus RPE cells exhibit a non-selective background current (Ibkg) which has a linear I-V relationship and is voltage insensitive. This current is blocked by Zn2+ (IC50 of 5.3 μm) or 10 μm Gd3+. This description provides new insights into the physiology of Cl− channels involved in salt and fluid transport by the retinal pigment epithelium.
New genetic insights to consider coffee waste as feedstock for fuel, feed, and chemicals

Caffeine is a natural plant product found in many drinks, including coffee, tea, soft and energy drinks. Due to caffeine’s presence in the environment, microorganisms have evolved two different mechanisms to live on caffeine. The genetic maps of the caffeine N-demethylation pathway and C-8 oxidation pathway have been discovered in Pseudomonas putida CBB5 and Pseudomonas sp. CBB1, respectively. These genes are the only characterized bacterial caffeine-degrading genes, and may be of great value in producing fine chemicals, biofuels, and animal feed from coffee and tea waste. Here, we present preliminary results for production of theobromine and 7-methylxanthine from caffeine and theobromine, respectively, by two strains of metabolically engineered E. coli. We also demonstrate complete decaffeination of tea extract by an immobilized mixed culture of Klebsiella and Rhodococcus cells. These processes provide a first level demonstration of biotechnological utilization of coffee and tea waste.
Feeling of absolute dependence or absolute feeling of dependence? (What Schleiermacher really said and why it matters)

Friedrich Schleiermacher is known as the theologian who said that the essence of Christian faith is a state of mind called ‘the feeling of absolute dependence’. In this respect, Schleiermacher's reputation owes much to the influential translation of his dogmatics prepared by Mackintosh, Stewart and others. I argue that the translation is misleading precisely as to the terms which Schleiermacher uses in order to refer to the religious state of mind. I also show that the translation obscures a problem of some substantive depth regarding what Schleiermacher thought to be the nature of pious feeling.
Perspectives on the Potential Involvement of the Ah Receptor-Dioxin Axis in Cardiovascular Disease

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the induction of the CYP1 family of cytochrome P450s and of several phase II detoxification enzymes. Although induction of these genes is the best characterized AHR function, it does not adequately explain the diversity of AHR-mediated effects. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is the prototypical AHR ligand and dioxin congener and a model for many environmentally relevant organochlorinated compounds. Research over the course of the last 30 years has made it evident that AHR activation in response to TCDD and other xenobiotic agonists directly affects multiple metabolic pathways, leading to the identification of many AHR-directed effects of dioxin involved in regulation of growth factor signaling, cell cycle proliferation, differentiation, arrest, and apoptosis. There is ample evidence that TCDD causes persistent cardiac defects in zebrafish, chickens, mice, and likely humans and is associated with human cardiovascular disease. The question that I address here is whether exposure to TCDD during early development perturbs the concerted differentiation patterns of cardiovascular cell lineages and tissues and leads to cardiac malformations and long-term cardiovascular disease. Research to define the mechanisms responsible for the lifelong cardiovascular malformations resulting from TCDD exposure during embryonic development will be highly significant to the prevention of environmental cardiovascular injury.
Increased cardiovascular reactivity caused by depletion of endogenous renin in dogs.

Increase in cardiovascular reactivity following bilateral nephrectomy has previously been found to be independent of the presence of the central nervous system, mechanical exclusion of the renal vascular bed, or loss of renal excretory function. It was considered possible that increased responsiveness results from removal of endogenous stores of renin. In nephrectomized dogs treated with crude kidney extracts, or infused continuously with synthetic angiotensin for 48 hours, enhancement of response to angiotensin and renin was inhibited while that to norepinephrine was not; response to tyramine was augmented as after infusion of angiotensin into intact dogs. Treatment with liver extracts alone did not inhibit response to renin or angiotensin; neither did continuous infusion of norepinephrine. When hog renin was added to liver extracts, the combination had the same inhibitory effect as kidney extracts. The data are in accord with the concept that depletion of endogenous renin contributes to the enhanced pressor responsiveness that occurs following bilateral nephrectomy.
Stripping reactions below the Coulomb barrier

Abstract A computational method for the analysis of stripping and pick-up reactions in the energy range below the Coulomb barrier is described. The method takes account of finite range effects and of the Coulomb polarization of the incoming or outgoing composite particle.
Symposium: Foot in the Door - The Unwitting Move towards a New Student Welfare Standard in Student Speech after Morse v. Frederick

This article discusses an emerging legal trend that may expand schools’ abilities to protect their students. It focuses on Morse v. Frederick, a 2007 decision popularly known as the “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” case in which the court held that a school principal may restrict student speech that can be reasonably viewed as promoting illegal drug use. Negron argues that when read together, the majority opinion and Justice Alito and Justice Kennedy’s concurring opinion, permit schools to regulate student expression that may threaten student welfare. Justices Alito and Kennedy sought to limit the majority’s holding to speech involving illegal drug use, but in doing accepted the premise that schools may limit speech that encourages dangerous conduct, Negron points out. Ironically, some lower courts have interpreted this opinion to carve out an exception to students’ First Amendment rights, thereby expanding Morse rather than containing it. The article concludes, “Morse appears to have unwittingly created a new standard-not yet fully expressed as such, but found amongst its fractured opinionsthat is premised on the underlying notion that schools may generally regulate student speech where student welfare is at stake.”
Statistical methods for assays with limits of detection: Serum bile acid as a differentiator between patients with normal colons, adenomas, and colorectal cancer

In analytic chemistry a detection limit (DL) is the lowest measurable amount of an analyte that can be distinguished from a blank; many biomedical measurement technologies exhibit this property. From a statistical perspective, these data present inferential challenges because instead of precise measures, one only has information that the value is somewhere between 0 and the DL (below detection limit, BDL). Substitution of BDL values, with 0 or the DL can lead to biased parameter estimates and a loss of statistical power. Statistical methods that make adjustments when dealing with these types of data, often called left-censored data, are available in many commercial statistical packages. Despite this availability, the use of these methods is still not widespread in biomedical literature. We have reviewed the statistical approaches of dealing with BDL values, and used simulations to examine the performance of the commonly used substitution methods and the most widely available statistical methods. We have illustrated these methods using a study undertaken at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, to examine the serum bile acid levels in patients with colorectal cancer and adenoma. We have found that the modern methods for BDL values identify disease-related differences that are often missed, with statistically naive approaches.
β-Adrenergic Receptor Blockade Reduces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Normalizes Calcium Handling in a Coronary Embolization Model of Heart Failure in Canines

Aims Alterations in calcium homeostasis in the endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER) cause ER stress that ultimately may affect ventricular function. However, the role of ER stress in β-blocker therapy for congestive heart failure (CHF) has not been studied. This study examined ER stress in CHF and evaluated its role in β-blocker therapy in a canine model of ischaemic CHF. Methods and results CHF was created by daily coronary embolization in chronically instrumented dogs. After oral administration of β-blocker metoprolol or vehicle for 12 weeks, Ca2+ transport proteins including sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), ryanodine receptor (RyR2), Na+–Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1), Ca2+ storage protein calreticulin (CRT), and phospholamban were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Cellular levels of ER stress marker, phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α-P), were also examined. Compared with the vehicle-treated group, metoprolol caused significantly improved cardiac function, restored the proteins of SERCA2a, NCX1, and CRT, increased phosphorylated phospholamban, reversed protein kinase A hyperphosphorylation of RyR2, and resulted in normalized ER stress marker eIF2α-P and reduced DNA damage. Conclusions Our results suggest that ER stress could be induced by abnormal Ca2+ homeostasis in CHF. The restoration of calcium-handling protein function and resultant decrease in ER stress might, in part, explain the beneficial effects of β-blockade observed in CHF. Whether this mechanism occurs in other animal CHF models or human CHF warrants further study.
A coordinated motion planner among moving machines and objects

In this paper a coordinated motion planner is proposed for coordinating collision-free motion among dynamic moving objects or machines in a shared space. Based on the concept of path-velocity decomposition proposed by Kant and Zucker (1988), an algorithm is developed for evaluating performance of different motion strategies. The developed motion planner will coordinate collision-free motion for multiple uncontrollable/controllable objects moving in a shared environment. A dynamic object can be a vehicle or multibody object such as a robot. The applicability of the proposed approach is demonstrated through examples. The author's result shows that multiple controllable machines can be controlled and scheduled efficiently in avoiding collision with uncontrollable machines and objects in an environment.
Microtubules modulate cardiomyocyte β-adrenergic response in cardiac hypertrophy

The role of microtubules in modulating cardiomyocyte β-adrenergic response was investigated in rats with cardiac hypertrophy. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent stenosis of the abdominal aorta (hyp...
Life and death in Denmark: lessons about diabetes and coronary heart disease

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, primarily type 2 diabetes mellitus, is increasing at epidemic rates in the United States and worldwide, driven largely by increasing rates of obesity and advancing age for populations living in westernized countries. Diabetes mellitus is associated with a 2- to 4-fold increase in the risk of coronary heart disease, and among people with diabetes, about two thirds of deaths are due to cardiovascular disease, including ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, and stroke.1 The increase in mortality for patients with diabetes mellitus after myocardial infarction is seen both acutely and in a sustained manner and holds true for both men and women. Indeed, many have suggested diabetes mellitus to be a coronary heart disease risk equivalent, because multiple studies have demonstrated that patients with diabetes but without prior cardiovascular disease have the same event rates as individuals without diabetes but with prior cardiovascular disease.2,3 However, this suggestion has remained somewhat controversial, especially for patients at younger ages.2,4,5 Article p 1945 Thus, to address whether diabetes mellitus accelerates the atherosclerotic process to such an extent that the presence of diabetes confers the same excess risk as that associated with prior myocardial infarction for the patient without diabetes, Schramm and colleagues,6 in the current issue of Circulation , report on the aggregate experience from the country of Denmark. All inhabitants of Denmark could be assessed with patient-level information through the Danish Civil Registration system, prescription drug use could be determined using The Danish Registry of Medicinal Product Statistics, and deaths could be identified via the Central Population Register. Integration of information from these administrative healthcare registries, together with uniform access of the population to health care, provides a definitive assessment of clinically significant risk. Furthermore, in a very large and complete population-based sample, …