cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intergenerational transmission of gastrointestinal illness behavior.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Previous research, based on retrospective reporting, suggests that parental reinforcement and modeling may be important mechanisms in the development of gastrointestinal illness behavior in children and adults. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the illness behavior of parents, in the form of health care use for irritable bowel symptoms, and the illness behavior of their children, without relying on retrospective recall. METHODS: A comparison of two matched groups was made. Groups included 631 children of parents who were diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome during 1 calendar yr and 646 children of parents matched by parental age, gender, and number of children in the family who did not receive an IBS diagnosis during the same 1 yr. Health care use and costs over a 3-yr calendar period for all children and their parents collected from the health care database of a large health maintenance organization were evaluated. RESULTS: Case children had significantly more ambulatory care visits for all causes (mean 12.26 vs 9.81, p = 0.0001) and more ambulatory visits for gastrointestinal symptoms (0.35 vs 0.18, p = 0.0001). Outpatient health care costs over the 3-yr period were also significantly higher for case than control children ($1979 vs $1546, p = 0.0001). Controlling for the total number of ambulatory visits of the parents, excluding gastrointestinal visits, did not alter the findings. Gender of the IBS parent was not related to children’s gastrointestinal visits. CONCLUSION: This study extends previous research by showing that specific types of illness behavior may be learned through modeling.
Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Association between Virus Burden in Infancy and Hearing Loss

Objective To determine the relationship between the virus burden in infancy and hearing loss in congenital CMV infection. Study design A cohort of 76 infants with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection identified by means of newborn virologic screening was monitored for outcome. The amount of infectious CMV was analyzed in urine specimens obtained during early infancy. Peripheral blood (PB) samples obtained during early infancy were available from 75 children and CMV DNA was quantitated with a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results Infants with clinical abnormalities at birth (symptomatic congenital CMV infection) had higher amounts of CMV in urine ( P =.005) and CMV DNA in PB ( P =.001) than infants with no symptoms. Eight children with and 4 children without symptoms had hearing loss. Among children without symptoms, those with hearing loss had a significantly greater amount of CMV in urine ( P =.03) and PB virus burden ( P =.02) during infancy than those with normal hearing. Infants with 3 pfu/mL of urine CMV and infants with 4 copies/mL of viral DNA in PB were at a lower risk for hearing loss. Conclusion In children with asymptomatic congenital CMV infection, hearing loss was associated with increased amounts of urine CMV and PB CMV DNA during early infancy.
Magnetic nanoparticles: recent advances in synthesis, self-assembly and applications

Nanostructured magnetic materials have a variety of promising applications spreading from nano-scale electronic devices, sensors and high-density data storage media to controlled drug delivery and cancer diagnostics/treatment systems. Magnetic nanoparticles offer the most natural and elegant way for fabrication of such (multi-) functional materials. In this review, we briefly summarize the recent progress in the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles (which now can be done with precise control over the size and surface chemistry), and nanoscale interactions leading to their self-assembly into 1D, 2D or 3D aggregates. Various approaches to self-organization, directed-, or template-assisted assembly of these nanostructures are discussed with the special emphasis on magnetic-field enabled interactions. We also discuss new physical phenomena associated with magnetic coupling between nanoparticles and their interaction with a substrate and the characterization of the physical properties at the nanoscale using various experimental techniques (including scanning quantum interferometry (SQUID) and magnetic force microscopy). Applications of magnetic nanoparticle assemblies in data storage, spintronics, drug delivery, cancer therapy, and prospective applications such as adaptive materials and multifunctional reconfigurable materials are also highlighted.
Acidic C−H Activation of Methyltrioxorhenium(VII): Isolation and Characterization of Two Compounds Having the Novel Group C5H5N−CH2−ReO2 Coordinated to Tin(IV)

Pyridine acts as a nucleophile toward the methylene group of the tautomer of CH3ReO3, CH2 Re(O)2OH. The structures of two complexes, [{C5H5NCH2−Re(NC5H5)3(O)2}2](SnMe2Cl2)(ReO4)2 and [{3-CH3C5H4NCH...
Enzyme Activity of Phosphatase of Regenerating Liver Is Controlled by the Redox Environment and Its C-Terminal Residues

Phosphatase of regenerating liver-1 (PRL-1) belongs to a unique subfamily of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) associated with oncogenic and metastatic phenotypes. While considerable evidence exists to supports a role for PRL-1 in promoting proliferation, the biological regulators and effectors of PRL-1 activity remain unknown. PRL-1 activity is inhibited by disulfide bond formation at the active site in vitro, suggesting PRL-1 may be susceptible to redox regulation in vivo. Because PRL-1 has been observed to localize to several different subcellular locations and cellular redox conditions vary with tissue type, age, stage of cell cycle and subcellular location, we determined the reduction potential of the active site disulfide bond that controls phosphatase activity to better understand the function of PRL-1 in various cellular environments. We used high-resolution solution NMR spectroscopy to measure the potential and found it to be −364.3 ± 1.5 mV. Because normal cellular environments range from −170 to −320 mV, we concluded that nascent PRL-1 would be primarily oxidized inside cells. Our studies show that a significant conformational change accompanies activation, suggesting a post-translational modification may alter the reduction potential, conferring activity. We further demonstrate that alteration of the C-terminus renders the protein reduced and active in vitro, implying the C-terminus is an important regulator of PRL-1 function. These data provide a basis for understanding how subcellular localization regulates the activity of PRL-1 and, with further investigation, may help reveal how PRL-1 promotes unique outcomes in different cellular systems, including proliferation in both normal and diseased states.
SU‐E‐J‐162: Tomotherapy Real‐Time Tumor Tracking: An Innovative Method for Magnetic Tracking in Enclosed Bores

Purpose: Real‐time tumor tracking for Tomotherapy systems is a problem in need of a solution. Currently, magnetic tracking systems, such as Calypso, are unable to localize a magnetic source due to the conducting bore. Eddy currents generated in response to the source create additional magnetic fields, at the source frequency, that are difficult to model and filter from the signal. Therefore, we are presenting an innovative method to solve this problem. Method: We have developed a localization algorithm based on a transponder source within a conducting cylinder, and a cost effective sensor configuration. The algorithm uses magnetic field gradients, as well as the magnetic fields, to effectively filter magnetic fields generated from surrounding eddy currents induced along the gantry. Solution accuracy depends on the sensor geometry and configuration; and therefore, the method is a combination of algorithm and sensor parameters to maximize accuracy, while minimizing cost to create a practical system. We modeled the gantry and transponder system to simulate the magnetic fields throughout the environment. The sensor fields were used as algorithm input to calculate the transponder location. The location of the transponder was compared with the calculation. Results: We investigated different algorithms, sensor geometry, and sensor configuration. We compared our method to traditional localization methods of Wilson, Nara, Chao, Hashi, and McGary. Those methods were unable to attain suitable clinical treatment accuracy due to the conducting bore. The method presented here was able to locate the transponder within 1–2 mm over a large extent of possible transponder positions and orientations. In certain regions, the localization error increased to about 3–4 mm due to the nearby eddy currents. Conclusions: The method, algorithm and sensor design, is capable of locating a transponder, for real‐time tumor tracking, in a modeled Tomotherapy gantry bore within 2–4 mm. Financial support from Tomotherapy, Inc. was provided, in part, to fund some of the research presented here. Other support came from the Golfers Against Cancer.
Investigations of the state of the manganese in Lactobacillus plantarum.

Abstract The Mn(II) in Lactobacillus plantarum, which constitutes a functional replacement for superoxide dismutase, is primarily associated with a complex large enough to be retained by a 0.45-μm cutoff ultrafilter. This ligand retards, but does not entirely prevent, dialysis of the Mn(II) from cell extracts. EDTA, but not pyrophosphate, rapidly displaces this endogenous ligand. Streptococcus faecalis, which unlike L. plantarum does not accumulate large amounts of Mn(II), does not contain a large Mn(II)-restraining ligand. L. plantarum accumulates approximately 60 m m phosphate as high-molecular-weight polyphosphate. There are thus approximately two residues of phosphate, as nondialyzable polyphosphate per Mn(II) in these cells. Growth in phosphate-deficient medium decreases the cell content of polyphosphate and prevents accumulation of Mn(II). Polyphosphate does bind Mn(II) and Mn(II)-polyphosphate exhibited an O2−-dismuting activity which was similar to that of the Mn(II) in cell extracts. The electron spin resonance of Mn(II)-polyphosphate, in the presence of orthophosphate and NaCl, approximated that of cell extracts. Proteolytic digestion of cell extracts decreased the apparent size of the Mn(II)-ligand, allowing it to pass a 0.2-μm filter. It thus appears likely that the Mn(II) in L. plantarum is associated with polyphosphate-protein aggregates.
Apple II/FIRST system control of electrical brain stimulation in the rabbit

An Apple II/FIRST system has been developed to control classical conditioning experiments, collect analog data, and extract dependent variable measures of conditioning from uniphasic (Scandrett & Gormezano, 1980) and multiphasic (Johnson, 1981) response signals. The present paper details the development of an electrical brain stimulation system as a peripheral device to the Apple II/FIRST system. In addition, data are presented that document the capabilities of the EBS system to concurrently stimulate up to eight animals while values along the dimension of each of four stimulation parameters are manipulated by a program written in FIRST. In our judgment, the EBS system has a number of advantages over currently available commercial stimulators, including cost, number of sites that can be independently stimulated, and availability of complete software control.
Cardiac MRI evaluation of nonischemic cardiomyopathies

The purpose of this manuscript is to review the major MRI findings in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathies. Cardiac MRI has become an integral part in the diagnosis and management of patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathies. Findings on cardiac MRI studies can help distinguish between different types of cardiomyopathies and can provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic information.
Cell-specific targeting of a thymidine kinase/ganciclovir gene therapy system using a recombinant sindbis virus vector

Transfer of the herpes simplex virus type I thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene into tumor cells using virus-based vectors in conjunction with ganciclovir (GCV) exposure provides a potential gene therapy strategy for the treatment of cancer. The possibility of using a novel targetable Sindbis virus expression vector containing the HSV-TK gene was examined. Baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells and several human tumor cells infected with a Sindbis virus containing the HSV-TK gene showed strong expression of HSV-TK protein. Cells transduced with the HSV-TK gene exhibited increased TK activity, ranging from 3- to 20-fold over an average baseline level. The human HeLa-CD4+ cells infected with recombinant Sindbis virus containing the HSV-TK gene were sensitive to low concentrations of GCV (0.1-1 microg/ml) and the 50% growth inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 0.6 microg/ml. We also demonstrated applications of cell type-specific Sindbis virus-mediated antigen-antibody targeting of the HSV-TK/GCV system in vitro. Sindbis virus containing the HSV-TK gene packaged in a helper virus displaying the IgG-binding domain of protein A on its envelope could infect various tumor cell lines in the presence of specific antibodies that recognize antigens on their surfaces. HSV-TK-transduced tumor cell lines exhibited sensitivity to GCV. Our data suggest the potential for targeted gene therapy of the HSV-TK/GCV system using a cell type-specific recombinant Sindbis virus vector-antibody system.
Hydrolysis and H2O2-assisted UV photolysis of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol

Abstract 3-Chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) is a chlorinated alcohol that is often formed as a by-product in the manufacturing of food products. In addition, 3-MCPD may be a disinfection by-product from wastewater treatment by chlorine and may be present in drinking waters from purification plants using epichlorohydrin-linked cationic polymer resins as flocculants. Due to concerns about the toxicity of 3-MCPD and its potential presence in water samples, the removal of 3-MCPD from water should be addressed and examined. For the first time a systematic examination of the removal of 3-MCPD via hydrolysis and photolysis processes is presented. 3-MCPD is shown to undergo hydrolysis at near neutral pH values, but at much slower rates than can be obtained by UV/H 2 O 2 processes. 3-MCPD does not undergo rapid direct photolysis. Re-evaluation of temperature and pH dependent hydrolysis rate data indicates that hydrolysis is first order with respect to [OH − ].
Political power and tax revenues in Central America

Abstract Thus taxes should be laid directly on the net product of landed property…the form of assessment which is the most simple, the most regular, the most profitable to the state, and the least burdensome to tax-payers, is that which is made proportionate to the net product and laid directly on the source of continually regenerated wealth. But the needs of the state and particular circumstances do not always harmonize with the views put forward concerning the reforms which good administration in political economy may require, even though these reforms are very necessary and very urgent from the point of view of the common benefit of the sovereign and the nation.
Variational Methods in Scattering Problems

Modifications of the Hulth\'en-Kohn variational principle are introduced with the hope of increasing the usefulness of variational methods. Although no simple formulation of general utility is found, it is shown that there exists a great variety of stationary expressions which make possible a greater freedom in the choice of variational principles than has hitherto been demonstrated. Some criteria for the selection of special forms are discussed.
Application of an off-road mobility model to autonomous cross-country routing of unmanned ground vehicles

This paper describes the application of an Army-standard legacy off-road mobility model to cross-country route planning and negotiation by unmanned ground vehicles. A planned route is created from a movement map generated from existing terrain data. An unmanned ground vehicle negotiates the planned route and makes local routing adjustments based on a trafficability assessment of terrain features which are observed from the platform. This research leverages results from other work investigating the scalability of the existing legacy off-road mobility model to small vehicles (<500 kg). The legacy mobility model is the NATO Reference Mobility Model II (NRMM II), a standard for combat mobility modeling and procurement since the mid-90's.
Dopamine D1 sensitivity in the prefrontal cortex predicts general cognitive abilities and is modulated by working memory training

A common source of variance (i.e., "general intelligence") underlies an individual's performance across diverse tests of cognitive ability, and evidence indicates that the processing efficacy of working memory may serve as one such source of common variance. One component of working memory, selective attention, has been reported to co-vary with general intelligence, and dopamine D1 signaling in prefrontal cortex can modulate attentional abilities. Based on their aggregate performance across five diverse tests of learning, here we characterized the general cognitive ability (GCA) of CD-1 outbred mice. In response to a D1 agonist (SKF82958, 1 mg/kg), we then assessed the relationship between GCA and activation of D1 receptor (D1R)-containing neurons in the prelimbic region of the medial prefrontal cortex, the agranular insular cortex, and the dorsomedial striatum. Increased activation of D1R-containing neurons in the prelimbic cortex (but not the agranular insular cortex or dorsomedial striatum) was observed in animals of high GCA relative to those of low GCA (quantified by c-Fos activation in response to the D1 agonist). However, a Western blot analysis revealed no differences in the density of D1Rs in the prelimbic cortex between animals of high and low GCA. Last, it was observed that working memory training promoted an increase in animals' GCA and enhanced D1R-mediated neuronal activation in the prelimbic cortex. These results suggest that the sensitivity (but not density) of D1Rs in the prelimbic cortex may both regulate GCA and be a target for working memory training.
SIDEROBLASTIC ANAEMIA: IS THIS A MALIGNANCY?

In participating in this discussion on ‘Sideroblastic Anaemia’, more particularly regarding its possible consideration as a malignancy, I must first point out that this term is but one amongst many. Thus, it is probable that the ‘primary refractory anaemia’ of Bomford and Rhoads (1941), the ‘refractory anaemia with hyperplastic marrow’ of Vilter, Jarrold, Will, Mueller, Friedman and Hawkins (1960), the ‘refractory sex-linked hypochromic anaemia with high serum iron’ of Rundles and Falls (1946), the ‘chronic refractory anaemia with sideroblastic bone marrow’ of Bjorkman (1956) and the various disorders described by Heilmeyer, Keiderling, Bilger and Bernauer (1958) including ‘anaemia refractoria sidero-blastica’, ‘anaemia refractoria sideroblastica hereditaria’ and ‘anaemia sideroachrestica’ are probably identical with what is being called sideroblastic anaemia here. What is more, there is relatively little to distinguish sideroblastic anaemia from what Dacie, Smith, White and Mollin (1959) have called ‘refractory normoblastic anaemia’. In America, the tendency has often been to dismiss all these terms and simply to use the quite vague one of ‘iron-loading anaemia’, meaning a form of chronic hypochromic anaemia with high serum iron and large amounts of iron in the bone marrow. In our own nomenclature—and it appears that every worker in this field has his own term—we are inclined to group the ‘idiopathic’ non-hereditary entities under the rubric of the Di Guglielmo syndrome. It should be noted that the term ‘sideroblastic anaemia’sensu stricto, indicates only the presence of sideroblasts in the bone marrow. However, nucleated red cells containing iron granules, at least in small number, are normal for the marrow and are increased under many circumstances, including most forms of haemolytic anaemia. To be sure, sideroblastic anaemia is used with the implication that the concentration of sideroblasts in the bone marrow is increased; thus ‘hypersideroblastic anaemia’ might be a better term. Some workers restrict the use of the term ‘sideroblastic anaemia’ to those cases of anaemia with high serum iron, a hyperplastic bone marrow with erythroblastic preponderance, and increased numbers of ‘ring form’ sideroblasts. In these cells, the iron granules are more or less concentrically situated about the nucleus. Whether the attempt to identify this disorder on the basis of a single morphological feature is a wise one is to be questioned.
Routing and admission control algorithms for multimedia traffic

Interactive voice and video applications (e.g. teleconferencing) over multi-hop packet-switched networks require bounds on delay, loss and jitter. This paper compares routing algorithms and admission control methods which are intended to provide the quality of service required by such applications. The method of comparison is detailed simulation. As part of this work, we propose several novel real-time routing algorithms. The best-performing routing algorithm is a new method which takes into account the constraints imposed by the admission control algorithm. A routing algorithm similar to those used in the phone system is the worst of the dynamic algorithms; static routing is far worse than any of these. The differences between the routing algorithms are greatest when the network is highly connected, and when admission control constraints are difficult to meet. The issue of fairness is also considered in the evaluation of the routing algorithms. Three admission control algorithms were compared under varying traffic conditions and QoS requirements. The impact of traffic shaping on link utilizations was investigated. Overall, the choice of admission control method was more important than the choice of routing algorithm. This work is the first detailed evaluation of routing algorithms for voice and video traffic in multi-hop networks that provide strong end-to-end guarantees.
Calmodulin antagonists inhibit adenosine uptake by rat brain cortical synaptosomes.

Abstract The purpose of these experiments was to determine if the adenosine uptake process in brain synaptosomes is regulated by calmodulin. Several calmodulin antagonists including trifluoperazine, W-7 and R24571 were tested for their ability to inhibit adenosine uptake by rat brain cortical synapsosomes. The results indicate that these agents inhibit adenosine uptake in a competitive manner. Their potencies as inhibitors of uptake were in good agreement with those reported for their inhibition of identified calmodulin regulated reactions. It is therefore concluded that the adenosine uptake process in rat brain synaptosomes is regulated by calmodulin or a calmodulin-like protein.
Mast cell cholangiopathy: Another cause of sclerosing cholangitis

A 75-year-old woman with known systemic mastocytosis presented with abdominal pain, ascites, and bile duct thickening on computed tomography and ultrasonography. A liver biopsy specimen showed infiltration with mast cells. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed ductal changes compatible with those found in primary sclerosing cholangitis. Brush cytology of the intrahepatic bile ducts confirmed mast cell infiltration. Systemic mastocytosis can infiltrate the biliary system, producing a cholangiopathy radiographically similar to primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and haplotypes, interactions with plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and prostate cancer risk.

BACKGROUND The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is required for actions of vitamin D. The binding of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D to the VDR on prostatic epithelial cells prompts the regulation of cancer-related genes. METHODS We conducted a nested case-control study in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study to investigate the role of the VDR Cdx2, Fok1, and Bsm1 gene polymorphisms and associated haplotypes and their interaction with plasma vitamin D metabolites in relation to prostate cancer (PC) risk. RESULTS No association was found between these SNPs or their associated haplotypes and all PC subtypes except that haplotype 2 (A-f-b) with Cdx2 A, Fok1 f, and Bsm1 b alleles and haplotype 3 (A-F-B) with Cdx2 A, Fok1 F and Bsm1 B alleles compared to the most common haplotype (A-F-b), were associated with reduced risk of aggressive PC (high stage or Gleason sum ≥7; P = 0.02), both with two alleles suspected of being low risk. Carriers of the variant Cdx2 A allele who were deficient in plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (≤15 ng/ml) compared to non-carriers with normal 25-hydroxyvitamin D, had a lower risk of total and poorly differentiated PCs (Gleason sum ≥7) (P for interaction = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D deficiency (≤26 pg/ml) was associated with a threefold risk of poorly differentiated PC (P for interaction = 0.01) when comparing carriers of the Cdx2 A allele to non-carriers with normal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. CONCLUSION In this population of men, none of the VDR polymorphisms studied was associated with susceptibility to PC. Prostate 67: 911–923, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Production and Developing Trends of Gold Alloys Magnetron Sputtering Target

For the reason of outstanding performance and unique character, gold alloys coating materials produced by Magnetron sputtering were used widely and widely. As source material for coating, the quality of gold alloys target has great effects on sputtering technological parameters and performances of coatings. This paper mainly describes the production,application of gold alloys sputtering target as well as the present status and developing trends in the future
Retinal ganglion cell axotomy induces an increase in intracellular superoxide anion.

PURPOSE. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) undergo apoptosis after axonal injury. The time course of cell death is variable and depends in part on the degree of injury sustained. Decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels or shifting the redox state to reduction promotes the survival of RGCs in tissue culture after axotomy. It was hypothesized that a specific ROS, superoxide anion, acts as an intracellular signaling molecule for RGC death after axotomy. METHODS. Intracellular superoxide levels were measured after dissociation in retrograde-labeled rat RGCs with use of the superoxide-sensitive fluorophores hydroethidium and MitoSOX Red. Having found a significant increase, the effect of axotomy was determined on superoxide levels independent of dissociation with an optic nerve crush model. RESULTS. Optic nerve crush caused RGCs to undergo a superoxide burst. The burst was asynchronous and was manifested in only a fraction of cells at any given time. Neurotrophin deprivation was not responsible for the superoxide burst because it was not prevented by incubation with the neurotrophic factors brain-derived neurotrophic factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, forskolin, or insulin. Several inhibitors of intracellular superoxide generation were studied, but only antimycin A, which inhibits complex III of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, blocked the increase in superoxide. CONCLUSIONS. These findings suggest that superoxide generated in the mitochondrial electron transport chain could be a parallel system to neurotrophic deprivation for signaling cell death after axonal injury.
Optimization of computer controlled polishing.

The computer controlled polisher uses a small, rotating tool which travels over the workpiece surface. By accurately controlling the velocity of the tool, a prescribed amount of material may be removed at each point on the surface. The use of a small tool permits rapid figuring of aspheric surfaces for lightweighted workpieces. The computer controlled polisher was optimized with regard to tool configurations, dwell times, scanning paths, and operating parameters. The unit has successfully fabricated several different workpieces including a mirror with a 1/80-wave rms departure, where a wave is 0.6328 μm.
Sulfur biogeochemistry and isotopic fractionation in shallow groundwater and sediments of Owens Dry Lake, California

Groundwater and sediment samples (~1 m depth) at sites representative of different groundwater pathways were collected to determine the aqueous speciation of sulfur and the fractionation of sulfur isotopes in aqueous and solid phases. In addition, selected sediment samples at 5 depths (from oxic to anoxic layers) were collected to investigate the processes controlling sulfur biogeochemistry in sedimentary layers. Pyrite was the dominant sulfur-bearing phase in the capillary fringe and groundwater zones where anoxic conditions are found. Low concentrations of pyrite (b5.9 g kg � 1 ) coupled with high concentrations of dissolved sulfide (4.81 to 134.7 mg L � 1 ) and low concentrations of dissolved Fe (generally b 1m g L � 1 ) and reducible solid-phase Fe indicate that availability of reactive Fe limits pyrite formation. The relative uniformity of down-core isotopic trends for sulfurbearing mineral phases in the sedimentary layers suggests that sulfate reduction does not result in significant sulfate depletion in the sediment. Sulfate availability in the deeper sediments may be enhanced by convective vertical mixing between upper and lower sedimentary layers due to evaporative concentration. The large isotope fractionation between dissolved sulfate and sedimentary sulfides at Owens Lake provides evidence for initial fractionation from bacterial sulfate reduction and additional fractionation generated by sulfide oxidation followed by disproportionation of intermediate oxidation state sulfur compounds. The high salinity in the Owens Lake brines may be a factor controlling sulfate reduction and disproportionation in hypersaline conditions and results in relatively constant values for isotope fractionation between dissolved sulfate and total reduced sulfur. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, oral contraceptives and bone mineral density in a cohort of adolescent girls

Purpose To conduct a longitudinal comparison of bone mineral density (BMD) in 370 adolescent girls, aged 12–18, who self-selected depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) or an oral contraceptive (OC) containing 20μg ethinyl estradiol/100μg levonorgestrel with that in girls who received no hormonal treatment (control group). Methods Lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD measurements were obtained by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry at baseline and 12 months. Data were analyzed with repeated measures analysis of covariance methods. Results Over 12 months, lumbar spine BMD decreased in the DMPA group (n = 29), with a mean percent change of −1.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] −2.73, −0.10), and increased by a mean of 3.8% (95% CI 3.11, 4.57) in the control group [n = 107 ( p p = .03). Over 12 months, the mean percent change in femoral neck BMD was −2.2% (95% CI −3.95, −0.39) in the DMPA group, but increased 2.3% (95% CI 1.29, 3.27) in the control group ( p p = .03). Conclusions Our study contributes to an increasing body of knowledge indicating a negative impact of DMPA on bone health in young women. Additional findings suggest a potential adverse effect of an OC containing 20 μg ethinyl estradiol/100 μg levonorgestrel on bone health in adolescents.
Hyperpolarizability of the neon atom.

The multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree-Fock method is applied to compute the hyperpolarizabiltiy of the neon atom and its frequency dependence. For the static limit \ensuremath{\gamma}=\ensuremath{\gamma}(0;0,0,0) we obtain \ensuremath{\gamma}=86.5 a.u. This value agrees very well with a recent experimental value of 75 a.u. l\ensuremath{\gamma}l93 a.u. obtained by Shelton and Lu [Phys. Rev. A 37, 3813 (1988)]. The results for the Kerr hyperpolarizability \ensuremath{\gamma}(\ensuremath{\omega};0,0,\ensuremath{\omega})=${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{\mathrm{Kerr}}$ provide an estimate of the dispersion effects. Approximating our results with the formula ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{\mathrm{Kerr}=\ensuremath{\gamma}(1+\mathrm{A}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{L}^{2}}$), where for the Kerr effect ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{L}^{2}$=2${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}$, we find A\ensuremath{\approxeq}0.50\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}10}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$.
Severe neonatal group A streptococcal disease.

Since the mid-1980s, an increase in incidence of invasive disease caused by group A streptoccoci has been noted amongst adults and children; however, neonatal disease is still rare. Between 1979 and 1998, seven neonates with severe group A streptoccocal disease were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. The clinical presentation, treatment and outcome are described. In three cases of early-onset disease vertical transmission was documented.
A Critical Analysis of Expected and Actual Finances Among Retired Women and Men

Abstract A critical gerontology perspective is used to compare and contrast expected retirement resources just prior to retirement with actual resources received six months after retirement. A sample of 242 retirees (125 men and 117 women) from a variety of occupational backgrounds was used. Retirement resources were measured by analyzing six financial indicators of retirement resources used in previous research. Independent variables were organized into three categories; (1) retirement as a social institution; (2) retirement as a distributional issue; and (3) retirement as a life stage. Multiple regression analyses of six expected retirement resources and six actual retirement resources revealed more variance explained in the actual models. Distributional inequities by gender, race, and income were the most salient predictors of limited resources. The findings suggest substantial discrimination in current retirement policies and explain why so many older women as well as elderly from diverse ethnic backg...
Lin28 regulates HER2 and promotes malignancy through multiple mechanisms

The RNA binding protein Lin28 and its paralog Lin28B are associated with advanced human malignancies. Blocking the biogenesis of let-7 miRNA, a tumor suppressor, by Lin28/Lin28B has been thought to underlie their roles in cancer. Here we report that the mRNA for the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a HER-family receptor tyrosine kinase known to play a critical role in cell proliferation and survival and also a major therapeutic target in breast cancer, is among several targets of Lin28 regulation. We show that Lin28 stimulates HER2 expression at the posttranscriptional level, and that enforced Lin28 expression promotes cancer cell growth via multiple mechanisms. Consistent with its pleiotropic role in regulating gene expression, Lin28 overexpression in primary breast tumors is a powerful predictor of poor prognosis, representing the first report on the impact of Lin28 expression on clinical outcome in human cancer. While revealing another layer of regulation of HER2 expression in addition to gene amplification, our studies also suggest novel mechanistic insights linking Lin28 expression to disease outcome and imply that targeting multiple pathways is a common mechanistic theme of Lin28-mediated regulation in cancer.
Characterization of multixenobiotic/multidrug transport in the gills of the mussel Mytilus californianus and identification of environmental substrates

Most studies on resistance of organisms to xenobiotics have focused on mechanisms which metabolize the compound to some other hopefully nontoxic derivative. Another defense mechanism has recently been described in which a multixenobiotic transport protein exports moderately hydrophobic compounds from the cells, thus reducing their accumulation in the cells. In this study we describe a simple fluorescent dye assay to measure multixenobiotic transport activity in the gills of the mussel Mytilus californianus. The assay is also used to identify potential substrates or inhibitors of the transport mechanism by their ability to inhibit dye transport from the cells (resulting in their increased fluorescence). Several moderately hydrophobic pesticides including DCPA or dacthal, chlorbenside, pentachlorophenol, and CDEC or sulfallate do inhibit dye efflux from gill cells indicating that they are substrates or inhibitors, but the more hydrophobic xenobiotics DDT, DDD, DDE, and Aroclor 1254 do not, indicating that they are not substrates. We also confirm by direct chemical analysis that DCPA is exported from the cell by the multixenobiotic defense mechanism; DCPA levels in mussel gills are enhanced when an inhibitor of the transporter is present. M. californianus gills also have a protein of 170 kDa that is immunologically related to the mammalian multidrug transport protein (responsible for multidrug resistance, a phenomenon similar to the multixenobiotic defense mechanism). M. californianus and other marine organisms may use multixenobiotic transport to reduce the accumulation of potentially harmful environmental xenobiotics in their cells. The implications of these results for biomonitoring studies, such as the Mussel Watch Program, are discussed.
Hiffr kinetics studies. Temperature dependence of Al/O2 and AlO/O2 kinetics from 300 to 1700/1400 K

A high-temperature fast-flow reactor (HTFFR) has been adapted for the near room temperature study of the kinetics of atoms and free radicals of refractory species. The rate coefficients of the reactions A l + O 2 → ( 1 ) A l O + O and A l + O 2 → ( 2 ) A l O 2 + O have been found to be (3.4±2.3)×10 −11 and (7.2±3.6)×10 −13 ml molecule −1 sec −1 , respectively at 310 K. Combining these results with high temperature HTFFR measurements leads to the recommended values k 1 (300–1700 K)=(3.4±2.2)×10 −11 and k 2 (300–1400 K)=(4.8±3.1)×10 −13 ml molecule −1 sec −1 . The remarkable absence of a positive temperature dependence for these rate coefficients over such large temperature ranges is discussed. In the case of Reaction (2) this absence indicates D (O−AlO)>- D (O−O)=118 kcal mole −1 , consistent with the re-interpreted previous determination of this bond energy of 121.5±2 kcal mole −1 (508±8 kJ mole −1 ).
Mössbauer spectroscopy applied to the study of a homogeneous Ziegler-type hydrogenation catalyst

Abstract Mossbauer spectra obtained using solid glassy toluene matrices have shown that high-spin Fe(II) is formed upon reaction of ferric acetylacetonate with triethylaluminum at −83 °C. Upon warming to room temperature, a further reaction occurs to yield an active homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst discovered earlier by others. No metallic iron particles, even as small as 17 A, could be detected by Mossbauer spectroscopy in solutions of the active catalyst.
Sequential Orbit Determination with the Cubed-Sphere Gravity Model

The cubed-sphere model provides rapid evaluation of the gravity field for more efficient orbit propagation. This paper characterizes the improved computational efficiency of sequential orbit determination, specifically the extended and unscented Kalman filters, when using this new model instead of the common spherical harmonic model. To use the new gravity model with the extended Kalman filter, capabilities to represent the Jacobian of the gravity acceleration are added to numerically integrate the state transition matrix. Filter tests consider improvements for several simulated satellite scenarios with several combinations of measurements provided for estimation. Since cubed-sphere models of higher degree require only a slight change in computation time, orbit propagation and determination systems may now use this model to improve fidelity without any significant change in cost. Using the cubed-sphere model reduces the computational burden of the orbit determination process, with larger benefits found for high-degree filter models. Differences in the estimated trajectories when using the disparate gravity models remain several orders of magnitude less than the absolute filter error for the cases examined.
On thep-adic height of Heegner cycles

(0.1) In [Gr Za], Gross and Zagier proved a remarkable formula, which relates the first derivative of the L-function of a modular form f of weight 2 on Γ0(N) (over a suitable imaginary quadratic field) and the Neron-Tate height of a “Heegner point” (over the same quadratic field) on the f -part of the Jacobian of the modular curve X0(N). Later, Perrin-Riou [PR 2] proved a p-adic version of this formula. Kolyvagin’s method of Euler systems [Ko], combined with the formula of Gross-Zagier, proves the conjecture of Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer (up to a controlled rational factor) for all modular elliptic curves over Q with analytic rank ≤ 1.
Bacterial Acyl Hydrolases (Phospholipases A, B, and Lysophospholipases)

Chapter 1 described how phospholipases are assayed. In this chapter, the description of individual phospholipases begins with those found in the simplest organisms, the bacterial phospholipases. In this and subsequent chapters, emphasis is placed on the isolation and structures of these enzymes and how they interact with substrate and metal ion cofactors. When known, the function(s) of the phospholipase is covered.
Fish Assemblage Changes in an Ozark River after Impoundment: A Long-Term Perspective

Abstract We conducted an intensive fish survey in the tailwater reach of a large Ozark river 30 years after its impoundment and compared the recent fish assemblage with those prior to impoundment and shortly (4 years) after impoundment. Our primary objective was to assess whether relatively short-term monitoring following dam construction can adequately quantify the long-term effects of impoundment on downstream riverine fishes. The preimpoundment survey (1962–1963) described a fish assemblage composed of warmwater fish species, predominantly Cyprinidae, Ictaluridae, Centrarchidae, and Percidae. Yoke darter Etheostoma juliae (34%), central stoneroller Campostoma anomalum (24%), and Ozark madtom Noturus albater (7%) were the most abundant species. The postimpoundment surveys of 1965–1966 and 1968 documented immediate changes in the fish assemblage. No Ozark madtoms and only four yoke darters were collected shortly after impoundment. Central stonerollers accounted for 45–50% of the fish collected, and both ...
Improved viability of chronic neural implants using thin microelectrodes

The recording interface between neurons and an implanted microelectrode recording site is often compromised due to gliosis, rendering the implant nonfunctional under chronic conditions. The objective of this project is to design novel microelectrodes that will minimize gliosis under chronic implantation. We test the hypothesis that gliosis can be minimized or eliminated by reducing the cross-sectional area of the chronic implant. Current microelectrodes for recording chronic action potentials range from 25 /spl mu/m to 100 /spl mu/m or more in diameter. We fabricated neural implants by coating 12 /spl mu/m stainless steel microwires with polyglycolic acid (PGA), a biodegradable polymer, resulting in a final diameter of 25 /spl mu/m. Twelve rats were implanted with the PGA coated electrode on the left hemisphere in the somatosensory cortex and with the regular 25 /spl mu/m stainless microelectrode in the right hemisphere. The rat brains were perfused at 4 weeks after implantation and stained for glial fibrilliary acidic protein (GFAP) and microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP-2). The microelectrodes coated with PGA produced minimal gliosis compared to the conventional 25 /spl mu/m wire and other silicon based microelectrodes. We conclude that ultra-thin neural implants with minimum cross-sectional area coated with PGA will greatly improve the functionality of microelectrodes under chronic conditions.
Some implications of occupational therapy's history for its epistemology, values, and relation to medicine.

Occupational therapy's history is explored to identify some implications for its directions in the 21st cen­ tury. The profession was founded upon visionary ideas about the nature ofhuman beings and their vi­ tal needfor activity. Occupational therapy will make a significant contribution to society zf it (a) seeks and applies an epistemology consistent with studying hu­ man purposes, (b) fosters its optimistic view of human nature, and (c) clarifies its relationship to medicine and other disciplines.
Dopamine Modulation of Prefrontal Cortex Interneurons Occurs Independently of DARPP-32

Dopamine (DA) exerts a strong influence on inhibition in prefrontal cortex. The main cortical interneuron subtype targeted by DA are fast-spiking gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) cells that express the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin. D1 stimulation depolarizes these interneurons and increases excitability evoked by current injection. The present study examined whether this direct DA-dependent modulation of fast-spiking interneurons involves DARPP-32. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from fast-spiking interneurons in brain slices from DARPP-32 knockout (KO) mice, wild-type mice, and rats. Low concentrations of DA (100 nM) increased interneuron excitability via D1 receptors, protein kinase A, and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in slices from both normal and DARPP-32 KO mice. Immunohistochemical staining of slices from normal animals revealed a lack of colocalization of DARPP-32 with calcium-binding proteins selective for fast-spiking interneurons, indicating that these interneurons do not express DARPP-32. Therefore, although DARPP-32 impacts cortical inhibition through a previously demonstrated D2-dependent regulation of GABAergic currents in pyramidal cells, it is not involved in the direct D1-mediated regulation of fast-spiking interneurons.
Genetic Variants Synthesize to Produce Paneth Cell Phenotypes that Define Subtypes of Crohn’s Disease

Background & Aims Genetic susceptibility loci for Crohn's disease (CD) are numerous, complex, and likely interact with undefined components of the environment. It has been a challenge to link the effects of particular loci to phenotypes of cells associated with pathogenesis of CD, such as Paneth cells. We investigated whether specific phenotypes of Paneth cells associated with particular genetic susceptibility loci can be used to define specific subtypes of CD. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 119 resection specimens collected from patients with CD at 2 separate medical centers. Paneth cell phenotypes were classified as normal or abnormal (with disordered, diminished, diffuse, or excluded granule phenotypes) based on lysozyme-positive secretory granule morphology. To uncover the molecular basis of the Paneth cell phenotypes, we developed methods to determine transcriptional profiles from whole-thickness and laser-capture microdissected, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Results The proportion of abnormal Paneth cells was associated with the number of CD-associated NOD2 risk alleles. The cumulative number of NOD2 and ATG16L1 risk alleles had an additive effect on the proportion of abnormal Paneth cells. Unsupervised clustering analysis of demographic and Paneth cell data divided patients into 2 principal subgroups, defined by high and low proportions of abnormal Paneth cells. The disordered and diffuse abnormal Paneth cell phenotypes were associated with an altered transcriptional signature of immune system activation. We observed an inverse correlation between abnormal Paneth cells and presence of granuloma. In addition, high proportions of abnormal Paneth cells were associated with shorter time to disease recurrence after surgery. Conclusions Histologic analysis of Paneth cell phenotypes can be used to divide patients with CD into subgroups with distinct pathognomonic and clinical features.