cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compensatory muscle activation during walking in adolescents with excessive external and internal tibial torsion

Introduction and aim: In previous studies it has been postulated that excessive tibial torsion (TT) leads to a reduced ability of muscles to extend the knee due to lever arm dysfunction. This may contribute to crouch gait [1,2]. Although the soleus crosses the ankle joint it has also the potential to extend both the knee and the hipwhileworking against gravity [1,3]. To date the effects of excessive external and internal TT on muscles which extend the stance limb during walking has not been investigated by SEMG. Patients/materials and methods: Gait analysis data of 8 patients (mean 13.2 yrs) and 11 legs resp. 16 patients (mean 12.3 yrs) and 23 legs with CT-diagnosed external (mean 49◦) and internal (mean 17◦) TT were studied retrospectively. Exclusion criteria were age 18 years, leg length discrepancy >1 cm, foot deformities, neurological diseases, scoliosis >10◦ and obesity (>PCTL 90). Bilateral SEMG signals (12-channel-wireless, 1000Hz, Noraxon) were examined from vastus medialis (VM), medial hamstrings (MH), and gastrocnemius medialis (GM). For each patient three gait cycles were analysed by means of on/off analysis. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to compare transversal hip kinematic (8 cameras, VICON) between each patient group and 17 healthy, age-matched subjects in order to analyse possible influence on the electromyographic activity. Linear mixed models applied to PC-scores were used to determine the main effects within retained principal components (PCs). Results: An additional activity has been measured during the last 20% of the stance phase in 5 (VM) resp. 2 (MH) of 8 patients with increased TT and in 6 (VM) resp. 7 (MH) of 16 patients with decreased TT. The GM also showed an abnormal SEMG in terms of premature activity at the beginning and at the end of the gait cycle in a total of 13 patients. Hip transversal kinematic was not different between patients with decreased TT and healthy controls (hip PC1: 74.4%, p= .272) in this small sample. However, patients with increased TT rotated the hip significantly more internally during the overall gait cycle compared to the healthy control group (PC1: 72.5%, p< .001) (Fig. 1). Discussion and conclusion: In patientswith excessive external or internal TTwe could show that VMandMHwork actively against the lever armdysfunctionofplantarflexors to support theextension of the knee and hip. In order to compensate for the external foot progression angle, patients with increased TTmay also activate the MH to rotate the hip internally. Activity of gastrocnemius medialis has also been seen as a compensation of lever arm dysfunction. We conclude that patients with abnormal external or internal TT need to strengthen their quadriceps and hamstrings beside the plantar flexors in case of weakness of these muscles.
Basic data related to amputations.

The ability of well performed vascular surgery to achieve a five-year limb salvage in excess of 90% in patients presenting with limb-threatening ischemia has been documented in several recent series [24,64]. Presently, primary amputation is necessary in only 2% of patients in whom we perform arteriography in anticipation of limb bypass. Despite this, a large number of patients continue to require limb amputations for ischemia, currently estimated at greater than 115,000 per year in the United States alone [106,122]. A large number of patients requiring limb amputation because of arterial ischemia have associated diabetes, end-stage renal disease, or severe neurological impairment.
Multivariate Analysis of Variance Study of Neochonetes granulifer (Owen): Its Implication with Respect to Geographic Variation and Evolution: ABSTRACT

Twelve characters on the dorsal valve of Neochonetes granulifer (Owen) were measured and subjected to multivariate analysis of variance. The specimens were collected from 26 localities which represent seven different geologic units ranging in age from late Desmoinesian to late Wolfcampian. The statistical procedures successfully resolved geographic variation and evolutionary change. They also showed the relations between many measured characters as they evolved. Three-space graphs were constructed, using as axes three discriminant functions which explained 95-98% of the variation. Means projected onto discriminant functions and discriminant functions alone were plotted on these graphs for ease in visualizing relative similarities between sampled populations and influence f the measured characters on the sampled populations. Geographic variation within any one sampled stratigraphic unit was small. The statistical method tended to separate limestone assemblages from shale assemblages. This finding raised the question of whether a population as a continuum or two ecologically controlled populations of the same species were represented by the samples. If, on further investigation the latter is found to be correct, the statistical method employed will have been shown to be a very useful tool for discerning morphologically similar but ecologically different populations of the same species. End_of_Article - Last_Page 742------------
Metallurgical and Mechanical Evaluation of 4340 Steel Produced by Direct Metal Laser Sintering

Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) was used to produce high-strength low-alloy 4340 steel specimens. Mechanical and metallurgical analyses were performed on the specimens to determine the samples with the highest strengths and the least porosity. The optimal process parameters were thus defined based on the corresponding experimental conditions. Additionally, the effects of fabricating specimens with both virgin and recycled powders were studied. Scanning electron microscopy and electron-dispersive spectroscopy were performed on both types of powders to determine the starting morphology and composition. The initial tensile results are promising, suggesting that DMLS can produce specimens equal in strength to wrought materials. However, there is evidence of cracking on several of the heat-treated tensile specimens that is unexplained. Several theories point to disturbances in the build chamber environment that went undetected while the specimens were being fabricated.
The science behind the effectiveness of in vivo screening

Abstract Meta-analyses of studies examining the sensitivity of the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear have revealed that up to 50% evade detection by a single Pap test. Liquid-based preparation techniques have improved the false-negative rate; however, an apparent irreducible 20% false-negative rate still exists. Emerging data now show that aberrant expression of adhesion molecules is seen in a subset of dysplastic lesions of the cervix that fail to be detected by the Pap test, whereas normal patterns were observed in lesions that were Pap positive. These data have led to the hypothesis that there is a subset of lesions where dysplastic cells fail to exfoliate. In this model, the Pap test is extremely unlikely to detect such ″nonshedding” lesions as the cells resist being harvested by the collection devices. However, despite their nonshedding behavior, these lesions remain readily identifiable by visual inspection of the cervix after application of acetic acid. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:S8-12.)
Caveolin-1 Ablation Reduces the Adverse Cardiovascular Effects of N-ω-Nitro-l-Arginine Methyl Ester and Angiotensin II

Caveolae are the major cellular membrane structure through which extracellular mediators transmit information to intracellular signaling pathways. In vascular tissue (but not ventricular myocardium), caveolin-1 (cav-1) is the main component of caveolae; cav-1 modulates enzymes and receptors, such as the endothelial nitric oxide synthase and the angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor. Evidence suggests that AngII and aldosterone (ALDO) are important mediators of ventricular injury. We have described a model of biventricular damage in rodents that relies on treatment with N-ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor)) and AngII. This damage initiated at the vascular level and was observed only in the presence of ALDO and an activated mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). We hypothesize that cav-1 modulates the adverse cardiac effects mediated by ALDO in this animal model. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the ventricular damage and measures of inflammation, in wild-type (WT) and cav-1 knockout (KO) mice randomized to either placebo or L-NAME/AngII treatment. Despite displaying cardiac hypertrophy at baseline and higher blood pressure responses to L-NAME/AngII, cav-1 KO mice displayed, as compared with WT, decreased treatment-induced biventricular damage as well as decreased transcript levels of the proinflammatory marker plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Additionally, L-NAME/AngII induced an increase in cardiac MR levels in WT but not cav-1-ablated mice. Moreover and despite similar circulating ALDO levels in both genotypes, the myocardial damage (as determined histologically and by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mRNA levels) was less sensitive to ALDO levels in cav-1 KO vs. WT mice, consistent with decreased MR signaling in the cav-1 KO. Thus, we conclude that the L-NAME/AngII-induced biventricular damage is mediated by a mechanism partially dependent on cav-1 and signaling via MR/ALDO.
Cellular and molecular basis of tooth eruption.

Structured Abstract Author – Wise GE Objectives – Tooth eruption requires the presence of a dental follicle (DF), alveolar bone resorption for an eruption pathway, and alveolar bone formation at the base of the bony crypt. The objectives of our investigations have been to determine how the DF regulates both the osteoclastogenesis and osteogenesis needed for eruption. Material and Methods – Multiple experimental methods have been employed. Results – The DF regulates osteoclastogenesis and osteogenesis by regulating the expression of critical genes in both a chronological and spatial fashion. In the rat 1st mandibular molar there is a major burst of osteoclastogenesis at day 3 postnatally and a minor burst at day 10. At day 3, the DF maximally expresses colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) to down-regulate the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) such that osteoclastogenesis can occur. At day 10, the minor burst of osteoclastogenesis is promoted by upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and RANKL in the DF. Spatially, the bone resorption is in the coronal portion of the bony crypt and genes such as RANKL are expressed more in the coronal region of the DF than in its basal one-half. For osteogenesis, bone formation begins at day 3 at the base of the bony crypt and maximal growth is at days 9–14. Osteo-inductive genes such as bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) appear to promote this and are expressed more in the basal half of the DF than in the coronal. Conclusion – The osteoclastogenesis and osteogenesis needed for eruption are regulated by differential gene expression in the DF both chronologically and spatially.
Country image, informational influence, collectivism/individualism, and brand loyalty: exploring the automobile purchase patterns of Chinese Americans

Purpose – The intent of this article is to explore the automobile purchase patterns of Chinese Americans by examining factors driving an intriguing phenomenon – most Chinese Americans prefer Japanese or European brands of automobiles over US brands.Design/methodology/approach – This article uses data from a sample of 150 respondents using a mall‐intercept survey method. Regression, analysis of variance and Chi‐square analysis were employed. The factors examined include country image, informational influence, collectivism/individualism, and brand loyalty.Findings – This study has four findings. In their automobile purchase decision making, Chinese Americans perceive the country image of Japan most favorably, that of US least favorably, and that of Europe in‐between. Country image is important, but it is less so than other extrinsic cues such as price, brand name and service, with reliability and safety being the most important intrinsic cues. Opinions of family and friends are important, second to prior kn...
Are the effects of Bloom’s uncertainty shocks robust?

Abstract This paper shows that “wait-and-see” dynamics of uncertainty shocks in Bloom (2009) are not necessarily robust over time. Bloom (2009) shows that uncertainty shocks, identified by spikes in stock market volatility from 1962 to 2008, trigger immediate falls in output and employment followed by rapid rebounds after the resolution of uncertainty. This paper finds that if one splits the sample into two sub-samples these findings hold only for the period between 1962 and 1982. Stock market volatility shocks failed to produce “wait-and-see” dynamics after 1983.
From Scenarios to Networks: Performing the Intercultural in Colonial Mexico

In the summer of 1566, Martin Cortes, the son of Hernan Cortes, was arrested in Mexico City. He and some of his friends were accused of conspiring against Philip II. During the interrogations that followed, a masquerade organized by a young man named Alonso de Avila was used as evidence to incriminate him in the insurrection. Avila’s masquerade included 24 horsemen masked as Indians and was a reenactment of the first encounter between Hernan Cortes and Motezuma. The masquerade was an intercultural scenario that revealed a complex grid of relational patterns and intersections. By carefully reframing certain objects like feathers and mugs within the elements of a traditional indigenous mitote or dance, Avila managed to reassemble some of the human and economic vectors that supported the viceroyalty of New Spain. Taking its cue from the work of Diana Taylor and Bruno Latour, this chapter argues that we need to read scenarios as dynamic nodes in which social networks can be retraced, and that such an approach gives us access to a better philosophical understanding of the ways in which performance actualizes the emergence of new cultural identities.
Effect of femtosecond laser pulse energy and repetition rate on laser induced second and third harmonic generation in corneal tissue

We present a quantitative study on the effect of femtosecond laser pulse energy and repetition rate on the intensity and duration of the laser induced second and third harmonic generation in fresh corneal tissue.
Household characteristics and delayed school enrollment in Malawi

Abstract Malawi was the first country after the Jomtien conference to offer free primary education. Despite this policy, universal education has remained elusive. Many children do enroll in school, but not at the official/recommended age and drop out before completing school. Understanding these transition points – entry and completion – is critical to the achievement of universal education. This paper focuses on one of these transition points – entry. Since households determine the timing and duration of schooling, this study examines 3290 households to explore the characteristics associated with delayed school enrollment. The study finds that the survival of the mother, female headship, and the head's level of education, are associated with a lower probability of delayed enrollment.
Modeling studies of amorphous carbon

Three structural models of amorphous carbon with differing percentages of threefold- and fourfold-coordinated atoms were constructed and analyzed, along with a purely four-coordinated amorphous Ge model which was scaled to diamond bond lengths. The radial distribution function and interference function, $F(k)$, of the model containing 14% four-coordinated atoms were in best agreement with the experimental results of Boiko et al., although the functions containing 48% four-coordinated atoms were in best agreement with the results of Kakinoki et al. The unavoidable planar nature of the entirely three-coordinated model caused its $F(k)$ to be in poor agreement with experiment. Raman and vibrational density-of-states (DOS) spectra were also calculated for the models. The presence of disorder in the three-coordinated model produced a downward shift in frequency of the principal Raman peak and DOS band edge from the position seen in graphite. With the addition of four-coordinated atoms, there was a gradual transition from graphitelike spectra to diamondlike spectra, rather than spectra with a mixture of distinct features typical of graphite and diamond. In addition, there was a further downward shift in frequency of the main Raman peak and in that of the "disorder peak" seen in microcrystalline and amorphous carbon. The spectra of the model containing 14% four-coordinated carbon was in best agreement with recent Raman scattering experiments. These results suggest a structure for amorphous carbon consisting of three-coordinated planar regions with occasional four-coordinated atoms allowing changes in orientation of the planes. The positions of the peaks in the spectra suggest that the proportion of four-coordinated atoms is not likely to exceed 10%.
A 65 nm CMOS Digital Phase Imager for Time-Resolved Fluorescence Imaging

This paper presents a CMOS image sensor with direct digital phase output for time-resolved fluorescence imaging applications. A row-level zero-crossing detection is implemented to extract the phase-shift between the intensity modulated excitation signal and the emitted fluorescence, generating a time delay signal proportional to the fluorescence lifetime of the target analyte. A time-interpolated Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) is subsequently used to quantize the time delay into a digital representation of the phase-shift for post-signal processing and image reconstruction. For proof-of-concept, a prototype chip consisting of a 32×32 P+/N-Well/P-Substrate photodiode array, row-level phase readout circuits, and a global TDC is implemented in a low-power 65 nm CMOS technology. The TDC features a temporal resolution of 110 ps over a 414 μs range, which corresponds to a dynamic range of 132 dB. Extensive characterization results demonstrate a phase readout sensitivity of better than 0.01 degrees at a 1.2 kHz modulation frequency and 0.1 degrees at up to 1 MHz. The complete imager chip is evaluated through a sequence of phase image reconstruction experiments, and the results are presented.
Counter-current distributions of renin substrate and serum proteins in polyethylene glycol-salt systems

Aqueous two-phase partitioning systems for proteins were prepared from polyethylene glycols and inorganic salt solutions. The effects of the molecular-weight range of the glycol, relative proportion of water, pH, temperature and nature of the inorganic cations and anions on the total solubilities and relative phase distributions of albumin, γ-globulin, total serum proteins and renin substrate were determined. These results led to the formulation of Na2SO4, (NH4)SO4 and Li4SO4 systems that were practical for counter-current distributions of renin substrate and unfractionated serum. Preliminary to the distribution of renin substrate, purification by batchwise partitioning was used. Substrate purities as high as 24300 Goldblatt units/g of protein were obtained. Serum was resolved into several groups of proteins, including γ-globulins with widely differing K values.
Role of Taylor Instability on Sublimation of a Horizontal Slab of Dry Ice

Sublimation of a horizontal slab of dry ice (approximately equal to 190 K) placed beneath a pool of warm water or benzene (278 to 340/sup 0/K) was observed experimentally. Data for the heat transfer coefficient were obtained in both steady and quasi-static states. The heat transfer coefficient for this pseudo film boiling process is found to be strongly dependent on the pool temperature. In the temperature range of stable film boiling, the heat transfer coefficient depends on the laminar or turbulent nature of the gas film. However, when the pool temperatures such that a stable film can no longer be maintained, and the overlying liquid starts to freeze at the interface, the heat transfer coefficient data are correlated with the parameter c/sub p/..delta..T/sub f//h/sub sf/ for the liquid. Post-experiment visual observations of the dry ice surface show the presence of valleys and ridges arranged in a nearly square array spaced about one Taylor wavelength apart. An application of the present study to the fast reactor hypothetical accident situations in which a pool of molten fuel may be formed on horizontal steel surfaces is discussed.
Studies on the demethylation of puromycin and related compounds by liver microsomal enzymes

Abstract The demethylation of puromycin and related compounds by rat liver microsomal enzymes has been demonstrated. The reaction is localized in the liver and requires microsomes, oxygen and NADPH. Magnesium is not necessary. Rat, mouse and guinea-pig demethylated puromycin and related compounds to different degrees. Demethylation of puromycin and related compounds was inhibited by diethylaminoethyldiphenylpropyl acetate (SKF-525-A), the aminonucleoside of puromycin being the most sensitive. There were marked differences in the extent of demethylation of a series of puromycin analogs and related compounds. However, no correlation could be found between the lipid solubility of these compounds and their extent of metabolism. Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital markedly stimulated the demethylation of puromycin and related compounds.
Gold Nanoparticle-Based Sensing of “Spectroscopically Silent” Heavy Metal Ions

A simple colorimetric technique for the detection of small concentrations of aqueous heavy metal ions, including toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, is described. Functionalized gold n...
Half-life measurements with unequal time bins☆

Abstract For in-beam measurements of half-lives with pulsed accelerator beams it is often most effective to use ≈8 time bands of increasing width to cover a wide range of possible lifetimes. The method of analysis is given.
A Randomized Comparison of Exercise Training in Patients With Normal vs Reduced Ventricular Function

Background Exercise training is recommended after myocardial infarction (MI) or bypass surgery in order to improve exercise tolerance. In some patients, the decrement in exercise capacity secondary to deconditioning and the left ventricular stunning associated with MI or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) spontaneously improves after the event. However, the impact of the status of the left ventricle on these improvements is unknown. Methods Sixty-seven patients 1 month after MI or CABG were randomized to a training (n=34; age, 59±7 years) or a control group (n=33; age, 55±6 years). Forty-two patients had an ejection fraction >50% (22 in the training group and 20 in the control group), and 25 patients had an ejection fraction Results Exercise training increased peak oxygen consumption ( V ˙ o 2 ) only in the reduced ejection fraction group (19.4±3.0 to 23.9±4.8 mL/kg/min; p<0.05); the exercise group with normal ventricular function did not change significantly. Changes in V ˙ o 2 at the lactate threshold paralleled those of peak V ˙ o 2 for both groups. Conversely, control patients with normal ventricular function increased peak V ˙ o 2 spontaneously (20.8±3.9 to 24.8±3.5 mL/kg/min; p<0.01), whereas control patients with reduced ventricular function did not improve peak V ˙ o 2 . Conclusion : These data suggest that patients with depressed left ventricular function strongly benefit from rehabilitation, whereas most patients with preserved left ventricular function following MI or CABG tend to improve spontaneously 1 to 3 months after the event.
The effects of cue salience and prior training on the behavior of juvenile- and adult-onset obese individuals

Abstract Two critical factors relevant to Schachter's external hypersensitivity explanation of obesity are: (a) the existence of a contradictory theory (Singh, 1973). and (b) problems in the generalizability of the findings. Both factors were addressed in the present study by pitting the hypotheses of Schachter and Singh against each other in a single study using a sample of the adult obese population more representative than those of the previous research. A reaction time task was employed in which cue salience (high vs low) and prior training (compatible vs incompatible) were manipulated. Significant main effects for the salience and training manipulations were demonstrated, providing the necessary conditions for tests of both Schachter's and Singh's hypotheses. Analyses revealed no significant interactions between body weight and cue salience, as predicted by Schachter's theory, nor between body weight and prior training, as predicted by Singh's theory. The lack of support for the hypotheses questions their generalizability to a representative sample of the adult obese population such as used in the present study. The role of age of onset of obesity was evaluated but was not found to interact with either experimental manipulation. An unexpected finding was that the normals responded significantly faster than the juvenile-onset obese across all experimental conditions.
Praise Counts: Using Self-Monitoring to Increase Effective Teaching Practices

The authors examined the effectiveness of self-monitoring for increasing the rates of teacher praise statements and the acceptability of using this technique for teachers. The participant was a first-year teacher of high school students with emotional and behavioral disturbances. The authors completed this study in an ABA maintenance design. They gathered data by direct-observation frequency count sampling in 10-minute continuous intervals. Results indicate self-monitoring to have an effect size of 0.8365 as derived from a simple mean test on the rates of nonbehavior specific praise statements, an effect size of 0.9023 on the frequency of behavior-specific praise statements and an overall effect of 0.9230. In all, this study's results support the use of self-monitoring to increase effective teaching practices, namely praise, and further demonstrates high social validity for the participant and the students.
The impact of abnormal mammograms on psychosocial outcomes and subsequent screening.

Few studies have examined the impact of abnormal mammograms on subsequent mammography screening and psychosocial outcomes specifically as a function of the length of time that has passed since the abnormal test result. This cross-sectional report compared breast cancer screening practices and psychosocial outcomes among three groups of women. These groups were women who (1) never had an abnormal mammogram, (2) had an abnormal mammogram 2 or more years prior to the study's baseline interview, and (3) had an abnormal mammogram within 2 years prior to the study's baseline interview. Women who had an abnormal mammogram at least 2 years prior to the baseline interview expressed greater 10-year and lifetime risks of getting breast cancer than women who never had an abnormal mammogram. Women who had abnormal mammograms, independent of when they occurred, were substantially more worried about getting breast cancer than were women who never had abnormal mammograms. Women who had an abnormal mammogram within 2 years prior to the baseline interview were more likely to be on schedule for mammography, compared with women who never had an abnormal mammogram.
Carrageenan Inhibits Insulin Signaling through GRB10-mediated Decrease in Tyr(P)-IRS1 and through Inflammation-induced Increase in Ser(P)307-IRS1

Inflammation induced by exposure to the common food additive carrageenan leads to insulin resistance by increase in Ser(P)307-insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and subsequent decline in the insulin-stimulated increase in Ser(P)473-AKT. Inhibition of carrageenan-induced inflammation reversed the increase in Ser(P)307-IRS1 but did not completely reverse the carrageenan-induced decline in Ser(P)473-AKT. To identify the additional mechanism responsible for the decrease in Ser(P)473-AKT, studies were performed in human HepG2 cells and in C57BL/6J mice. Following carrageenan, expression of GRB10 (growth factor receptor-bound 10 protein), an adaptor protein that binds to the insulin receptor and inhibits insulin signaling, increased significantly. GRB10 silencing blocked the carrageenan-induced reduction of the insulin-stimulated increase in Tyr(P)-IRS1 and partially reversed the decline in Ser(P)473-AKT. The combination of GRB10 silencing with BCL10 silencing and the reactive oxygen species inhibitor Tempol completely reversed the decline in Ser(P)473-AKT. After carrageenan, GRB10 promoter activity was enhanced because of activation by GATA2. A direct correlation between Ser(P)473-AKT and Ser(P)401-GATA2 was evident, and inhibition of AKT phosphorylation by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 blocked Ser401-GATA2 phosphorylation and the increase in GRB10 expression. Studies indicated that carrageenan inhibited insulin signaling by two mechanisms: through the inflammation-mediated increase in Ser(P)307-IRS1, a negative regulator of insulin signaling, and through a transcriptional mechanism leading to increase in GRB10 expression and GRB10-inhibition of Tyr(P)-IRS1, a positive regulator of insulin signaling. These mechanisms converge to inhibit the insulin-induced increase in Ser(P)473-AKT. They provide internal feedback, mediated by Ser(P)473-AKT, Ser(P)401-GATA2, and nuclear GATA2, which links the opposing effects of serine and tyrosine phosphorylations of IRS1 and can modulate insulin responsiveness.
The γ-Secretase Cleavage Product of Polycystin-1 Regulates TCF and CHOP-Mediated Transcriptional Activation through a p300-Dependent Mechanism

Mutations in Pkd1, encoding polycystin-1 (PC1), cause autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). We show that the carboxy-terminal tail (CTT) of PC1 is released by γ-secretase-mediated cleavage and regulates the Wnt and CHOP pathways by binding the transcription factors TCF and CHOP, disrupting their interaction with the common transcriptional coactivator p300. Loss of PC1 causes increased proliferation and apoptosis, while reintroducing PC1-CTT into cultured Pkd1 null cells reestablishes normal growth rate, suppresses apoptosis, and prevents cyst formation. Inhibition of γ-secretase activity impairs the ability of PC1 to suppress growth and apoptosis and leads to cyst formation in cultured renal epithelial cells. Expression of the PC1-CTT is sufficient to rescue the dorsal body curvature phenotype in zebrafish embryos resulting from either γ-secretase inhibition or suppression of Pkd1 expression. Thus, γ-secretase-dependent release of the PC1-CTT creates a protein fragment whose expression is sufficient to suppress ADPKD-related phenotypes in vitro and in vivo.
Clinical implications of cord lesions in neurospinal dysraphism.

SUMMARY Histological study of all the neurological segments throughout the cord from 100 children with meningomyelocele showed: (1) hydromyelia and/or syringomyelia cranial to the plaque in 43 per cent; (2) total diplomyelia at some level of the cord in 31 per cent (hence absence of crossed reflexes); and (3) considerable damage to the dorsal horns and internuncial areas of many of the spinal cords in the plaque region, particularly where there was an open plate type of lesion. RESUME Consequences cliniques des lesions medullaires dans les dysraphies neurospinales L'etude histologique de tous les segments neurologiques de la moelle chez cent enfants atteints de myelomeningocele a montre: (1) une hydromyelie et/ou une syringomyelie depuis le crâe jusqu'a la plaque dans 43 pour cent des cas; (2) un total deboublement de la moelle i un niveau quelconque de la moelle (avec absence de reflexe croise dans 31 pour cent des cas); et (3) une lesion considerable des cornes posterieures et des zones marginales de Lissauer dans la region de la plaque de la plupart des moelles, particulierement dans les cas de lesions avec aire medullaire exposee. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Das klinische Bild von Ruckenmarksverletzungen bei neurospinaler Dysraphie Die histologische Untersuchung aller neurologischer Segmente des Ruckenmarks bei 100 Kindern mit Meningomyelocele zeigte: (1) Hydromyelie und/oder Syringomyelie cranial vom Defekt in 43 Prozent der Falle; (2) totale Diplomyelie an bestimmter Hohe des Ruckenmarks (von da an Fehlen der gekreuzten Reflexe) in 31 Prozent; und (3) erhebliche Schadigung des Hinterhorns und im Bereich der Zwischenneurone in Hohe des Defektes, insbesondere wenn es sich urn einen offenen Defekt handelte. RESUMEN Implicaciories clinicas de las lesiones medulares en el disrafismo neuro-espinal El estudio histologico de todos los segmentos neurologicos de toda la medula en 100 ninos con mielomeningocele mostro: (1) Hidromielia y/o siringomielia craneal a nivel de la placa en el 43 por ciento; (2) Diplomielia a algu nivel de la medula (y por ello ausencia de reflejos cruzados) en 31 por ciento; y 3) Lesion considerable de las astas dorsales y areas internunciales en muchas medulas a nivel de la region de la placa, sobre todo cuando existia una lesion con placa abierta.
Small molecule agonists and antagonists for the LH and FSH receptors

Luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) play a critical role in human reproduction. LH and FSH are secreted from the pituitary and act on their respective G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), LHR and FSHR, in the gonads to either promote follicular growth and differentiation in women or to stimulate the proper progression of spermatogenesis in men. LH and FSH are currently used in the clinic for the treatment of infertility. Small molecule agonists of LHR and FSHR have the potential to become oral therapeutics for infertility treatment, whereas small molecule antagonists of LHR and FSHR may find utility in oral contraception. Advances in molecular biology, high-throughput screening (HTS) and combinatorial chemistry have made significant contributions to the recent discovery of a variety of small molecule LHR and FSHR agonists and antagonists, some of which have shown highly promising efficacy in animal models of fertility control.
A digital technique for neutron-gamma pulse shape discrimination

Abstract A technique employing integrating analog-to-digital converters to do pulse shape discrimination between neutron and gamma initiated scintillations in liquid scintillators is described. The technique involves a direct comparison of the fast and slow components of the light output from the scintillator.
Clinical, radiographic, and pathologic correlation of atypical hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ, and ductal carcinoma in situ with micro-invasion

Abstract Atypical hyperplasia (AH) is a lesion known to be associated with a marked elevation of risk for subsequent development of breast cancer. Like ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), it is more commonly found by mammography. We studied all cases designated as AH, DCIS and ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (DCISM) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham USA from 1984–1988. Clinical records, mammograms, and pathologic material were reviewed on 22 cases of AH (21 patients), 41 cases of DCIS (40 patients) and 14 cases of DCISM. Women with AH had a lower average age than those with either DCIS or DCISM. A family history of breast cancer in a first degree relative was present in 38% of women with AH, 25% of women with DCISM. These pathologic lesions were found in association with mammographically dense tissue in 50% or more of cases. Distinctive calcifications were present in 24% of DCIS lesions and 70% of patients with DCISM. While mammographic microcalcification was the indication for biopsy in 59% of cases of AH, the calcifications were most often in benign proliferative disease elsewhere in the specimen rather than in the atypical focus itself. In 82% of AH, the lesion extent was less than 5 mm in size, while 83% of DCIS lesions and 93% of DCISM lesions were larger than 5 mm. Atypical hyperplasia, unlike many cases of DCIS and DCISM, has no direct mammographic correlate in contrast to DCIS and DCISM, which often have distinctive features on mammography. Careful correlation of the relative size, extent, and morphology of these lesions is essential to appropriate management and counselling of these patients.
A functional screen for copper homeostasis genes identifies a pharmacologically tractable cellular system

Copper is essential for the survival of aerobic organisms. If copper is not properly regulated in the body however, it can be extremely cytotoxic and genetic mutations that compromise copper homeostasis result in severe clinical phenotypes. Understanding how cells maintain optimal copper levels is therefore highly relevant to human health. We found that addition of copper (Cu) to culture medium leads to increased respiratory growth of yeast, a phenotype which we then systematically and quantitatively measured in 5050 homozygous diploid deletion strains. Cu’s positive effect on respiratory growth was quantitatively reduced in deletion strains representing 73 different genes, the function of which identify increased iron uptake as a cause of the increase in growth rate. Conversely, these effects were enhanced in strains representing 93 genes. Many of these strains exhibited respiratory defects that were specifically rescued by supplementing the growth medium with Cu. Among the genes identified are known and direct regulators of copper homeostasis, genes required to maintain low vacuolar pH, and genes where evidence supporting a functional link with Cu has been heretofore lacking. Roughly half of the genes are conserved in man, and several of these are associated with Mendelian disorders, including the Cu-imbalance syndromes Menkes and Wilson’s disease. We additionally demonstrate that pharmacological agents, including the approved drug disulfiram, can rescue Cu-deficiencies of both environmental and genetic origin. A functional screen in yeast has expanded the list of genes required for Cu-dependent fitness, revealing a complex cellular system with implications for human health. Respiratory fitness defects arising from perturbations in this system can be corrected with pharmacological agents that increase intracellular copper concentrations.
Special issue: Physics of Organic Semiconductors

This special issue of physica status solidi (a) gives an overview of our present-day knowledge of the physics behind organic semiconductor devices, ranging from the growth of organic layers and crystals, their electronic properties at interfaces, their photophysics and electrical transport properties to the application in organic field-effect transistors, photovoltaic cells and organic light-emit-ting diodes. Guest Editor of the present issue is Wolfgang Brutting, professor at the University of Augsburg, where he leads a research group working on organic semiconductors, their physical and materials properties, and the understanding of the basic processes in these materials and devices. The cover picture is an angular plot of the anisotropy of the charge carrier mobility μ in the a–b plane of a rubrene single crystal, probed on an elastomeric rubber stamp field-effect transistor device. The black and red squares correspond to the values of μ extracted from the linear and saturation regimes of the transistor operation, respectively. More information can be found in the Review Article by R. W. I. de Boer et al. [1].
Zn2+ selectively stabilizes FdU-substituted DNA through a unique major groove binding motif

We report, based on semi-empirical calculations, that Zn2+ binds duplex DNA containing consecutive FdU–dA base pairs in the major groove with distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. In this previously uncharacterized binding motif, O4 and F5 on consecutive FdU are axial ligands while three water molecules complete the coordination sphere. NMR spectroscopy confirmed Zn2+ complexation occurred with maintenance of base pairing while a slight hypsochromic shift in circular dichroism (CD) spectra indicated moderate structural distortion relative to B-form DNA. Zn2+ complexation inhibited ethidium bromide (EtBr) intercalation and stabilized FdU-substituted duplex DNA (ΔTm > 15°C). Mg2+ neither inhibited EtBr complexation nor had as strong of a stabilizing effect. DNA sequences that did not contain consecutive FdU were not stabilized by Zn2+. A lipofectamine preparation of the Zn2+–DNA complex displayed enhanced cytotoxicity toward prostate cancer cells relative to the individual components prepared as lipofectamine complexes indicating the potential utility of Zn2+–DNA complexes for cancer treatment.
An Information-Theoretic Approach to Determine Important Attributes for Engineering Change Evaluation

A proposed Engineering Change (EC) can affect several lifecycle-wide components. Enterprises plan detailed evaluation of only those changes or effects that may have a significant impact. Using past knowledge of engineering changes can prove effective in determining whether an effect is significant. However, comparing ECs for every single attribute is a combinatorial problem, because an EC is composed of a large number of disparate and interdependent attributes. In this paper, we propose an information-theoretic approach to determine important attributes that should be compared to retrieve past ECs similar to the proposed change. Our approach accounts for unknown interdependencies between attributes of disparate datatypes. We believe that the method discussed in this paper will improve overall efficacy of the Engineering Change Management (ECM) process by facilitating fast and reliable evaluation of a proposed EC.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Algorithm 762: LLDRLF, log-likelihood and some derivatives for log-F models

The flexible statistical models incorporating the log-F distribution are little used because of numeric difficulties. We describe a method for calculating the log-likelihood and two derivatives with respect to the data argument. Fortran subroutines incorporating these calculations are provided.
Plasma renin activity and metabolic clearance rate of angiotensin II in the unstressed aging rat

We conducted studies in conscious chronically catheterized, trained young (3-5 months) and old (18-20 months) rats to assess the impact of aging on baseline renin activity (PRA) and metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of angiotensin II (ANG II). We observed that under unstressed conditions the baseline values of PRA and plasma ANG II were no different in young versus old rats (1.8 +/- 0.2 versus 1.5 +/- 0.2 ng Al/ml/h and 18 +/- 3 versus 15 +/- 2 fmol/ml, respectively). Values of PRA in the present study were similar to those reported by others for old rats, but our young rat values were lower than usually reported. This probably reflects our use of an unstressed preparation. We also observed a blunted increase in PRA in old rats in response to acute converting enzyme inhibition. Overall, our observations suggest that old rats may lose their ability to increase PRA in response to acute stimuli, including perhaps, the stress of blood drawing in emotionally or surgically stressed preparations. We also observed that the MCR of ANG II increased with age, despite similar baseline plasma ANG II concentrations in young and old. This suggests that with aging, an increase occurs in the rate of synthesis of ANG II. These results emphasize the importance of establishing true baseline values for indices of the renin-ANG II system in aging.
An Integrated Film Reading and Display System

The intent of "An Integrated Film Reading and Display System" is to provide an overview of system characteristics of the Waveform Display/Analyzer and a survey of current application activity. It is the author's considered opinion that, if properly developed, this basic technology offers the opportunity for man to communicate with host machinery in a natural fashion. To wit, in terms of the patterns which evolution has equipped him to observe, evaluate, and respond to his environment.© (1966) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Black and white females' perceptions of ideal body size and social norms.

Different cultural norms and standards for appropriate female body size might contribute to the disparity in obesity rates between black and white adult females (46.0% and 24.6% respectively). The purpose of this study was to measure adolescents' perceptions of ideal size and social norms regarding female body size as well as adolescents' perceptions of significant others' evaluation and expectations of the adolescents' body size. Subjects included 437 adolescent girls (247 white and 190 black) aged 13 to 19 (x = 14.9, SD = .979) from six randomly selected public schools. The subjects, heights and weights were measured. Responses to a body image questionnaire and a series of nine female body drawings (arranged ordinally, 1 to 9, from thinnest to heaviest) were analyzed using the General Linear Model and Logistic Regression. The female body size considered ideal by black females was significantly larger than the size selected as ideal by white females (x = 3.47 and x = 3.13 respectively, p < 0.001). Black females were two times more likely than white females to describe themselves as thinner than other girls their age (O.R. = 2.01, 95% C.I. 1.34, 3.01) and seven times as likely to say that they were not overweight (O.R. = 7.08, 95% C.I. 3.72, 13.45). White females wanted to be a smaller size than they currently were and felt encouraged by significant others to lose weight or reduce their size. Black females did not indicate as great a desire as whites to be smaller and they tended to feel that their size was considered satisfactory by significant others. Only subjects from the low SES group perceived that significant others wanted them to gain weight. The differences between black and white subjects' beliefs and perceptions about body size norms may explain, in part, why heavier body weights persist in some cultural groups.
Abstract SY19-02: Novel models and treatments targeting the HER-AKT pathway in cancers that overexpress HER2

Dynamic treatments targeting the HER-AKT pathway in cancers that overexpress HER2 Soulaiman Itani*, James Korkola**, Joe Gray**, Claire Tomlin* The mixed performance of TKI treatment for HER2-amplified breast cancers has inspired further research of the HER-PI3K signaling pathway. This in turn has produced new insight into the feedback that allows this pathway to survive the inhibition of HER2, and the role of additional mutations in the pathway. Based on this insight, we created an Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) model for the pathway. The model was based on mass action kinetics, catalytic, and Michaelis-Menten models of chemical reactions, and was able to give several correct predictions about the response of different cell lines to overstimulation, their sensitivity to treatment, and their basal activity levels. The modeling also emphasized the importance of dynamic treatments, where the dosing and mixture of the drugs changes over time to drive the cancer first to susceptible states and then to death. Dynamic treatments are inspired by the steering of dynamic systems: To make a wide left turn, you go right first. Our novel dynamic treatment scheme was designed, tested, and was shown in experiment to increase the apoptosis of HER2 amplified cancers from 11% to 50%. The experiments tested the treatment on five cell lines, SKBR3, BT747, HCC1954, JIMT1, and MDAMB361. The cell lines were serum starved, then pretreated for two days with a drug that activates AKT, and then treated with Lapatinib. The pretreatment increased the efficacy of Lapatinib, which is nonintuitive since these drugs have opposite effects on AKT. Dynamic treatments focus on the idea of using the cancer9s strongest asset, its adaptability, against it. *UC Berkeley **Oregon Health and Science University Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr SY19-02. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-SY19-02