cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute social isolation causes midbrain craving responses similar to hunger.

When people are forced to be isolated from one another, do they crave social interactions? To address this question, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure neural responses evoked by food and social cues after participants (n=40) experienced ten hours of mandated fasting or total social isolation. After isolation, people felt lonely and craved social interaction. Midbrain regions showed selective activation to food cues after fasting and to social cues after isolation; these responses were correlated with self-reported craving. By contrast, striatal and cortical regions differentiated between craving food versus social interaction. Across deprivation sessions, we find that deprivation narrows and focuses the brain9s motivational responses to the deprived target. Our results support the intuitive idea that acute isolation causes social craving, similar to the way fasting causes hunger.
Predicted Metabolic Function of the Gut Microbiota of Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT An important goal for many nutrition-based microbiome studies is to identify the metabolic function of microbes in complex microbial communities and their impact on host physiology. This research can be confounded by poorly understood effects of community composition and host diet on the metabolic traits of individual taxa. Here, we investigated these multiway interactions by constructing and analyzing metabolic models comprising every combination of five bacterial members of the Drosophila gut microbiome (from single taxa to the five-member community of Acetobacter and Lactobacillus species) under three nutrient regimes. We show that the metabolic function of Drosophila gut bacteria is dynamic, influenced by community composition, and responsive to dietary modulation. Furthermore, we show that ecological interactions such as competition and mutualism identified from the growth patterns of gut bacteria are underlain by a diversity of metabolic interactions, and show that the bacteria tend to compete for amino acids and B vitamins more frequently than for carbon sources. Our results reveal that, in addition to fermentation products such as acetate, intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, including 2-oxoglutarate and succinate, are produced at high flux and cross-fed between bacterial taxa, suggesting important roles for TCA cycle intermediates in modulating Drosophila gut microbe interactions and the potential to influence host traits. These metabolic models provide specific predictions of the patterns of ecological and metabolic interactions among gut bacteria under different nutrient regimes, with potentially important consequences for overall community metabolic function and nutritional interactions with the host. IMPORTANCEDrosophila is an important model for microbiome research partly because of the low complexity of its mostly culturable gut microbiota. Our current understanding of how Drosophila interacts with its gut microbes and how these interactions influence host traits derives almost entirely from empirical studies that focus on individual microbial taxa or classes of metabolites. These studies have failed to capture fully the complexity of metabolic interactions that occur between host and microbe. To overcome this limitation, we reconstructed and analyzed 31 metabolic models for every combination of the five principal bacterial taxa in the gut microbiome of Drosophila. This revealed that metabolic interactions between Drosophila gut bacterial taxa are highly dynamic and influenced by cooccurring bacteria and nutrient availability. Our results generate testable hypotheses about among-microbe ecological interactions in the Drosophila gut and the diversity of metabolites available to influence host traits.
A semantics preserving actor translation

In this paper we present two actor languages and a semantics preserving translation between them. The source of the translation is a high-level language that provides object-based programming abstractions. The target is a simple functional language extended with basic primitives for actor computation. The semantics preserved is the interaction semantics of actor systems—sets of possible interactions of a system with its environment. The proof itself is of interest since it demonstrates a methodology based on the actor theory framework for reasoning about correctness of transformations and translations of actor programs and languages and more generally of concurrent object languages.
Community-based Health Promotion

This chapter describes theories and methods underlying successful comprehensive community-based health promotion, and provides four examples. These studies represent well the field of experimental epidemiology, involving defined populations and often done following insights derived from observational epidemiology. Three of these were designed to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and relied heavily on locally available channels of mass communication in addition to community organizing and other education methods, relatively low-cost approaches with the potential to reach and change lifestyle behaviors of entire populations, in contrast to traditional individual or group counseling. One example, studying alcohol-involved trauma, used only community organizing to promote adherence to existing laws, rather than public education for behavior change. By community organizing we mean the process of enlisting community leaders in support of project goals, and also in insuring their continued support. The Stanford Prevention Research Center (SPRC), beginning in 1972, pioneered development of the intervention methods of comprehensive community-based CVD prevention and other methods of health promotion and chronic disease prevention. SPRC was connected to all four examples, either as initiator (for two studies) or collaborator (for two studies). This review also describes the theoretical background, methods of intervention, the past history of such studies, the cultural basis for barriers to change and lessons learned for the future.
Mercury, arsenic, antimony, and selenium contents of sediment from the Kuskokwim river, Bethel, Alaska, USA

The Kuskokwim River at Bethel, Alaska, drains a major mercury-antimony metallogenic province in its upper reaches and tributaries. Bethel (population 4000) is situated on the Kuskokwim floodplain and also draws its water supply from wells located in river-deposited sediment. A boring through overbank and floodplain sediment has provided material to establish a baseline datum for sediment-hosted heavy metals. Mercury (total), arsenic, antimony, and selenium contents were determined; aluminum was also determined and used as normalizing factor. The contents of the heavy metals were relatively constant with depth and do not reflect any potential enrichment from upstream contaminant sources.
African Solutions for African Problems: The Changing Face of African-Mandated Peace Operations

At independence, African states found themselves with poor prospects for sustained economic growth. Most exported primary commodities whose values were determined by world markets. The new states inherited colonial boundaries that grouped many diverse ethnicities into single artificial countries. These internal differences among the population often resulted in civil wars leading to even greater economic and social misery for the people. Conflict and misery in one state tended to spill over into its neighbors’ due to refugees, trans-border movement of guerrilla groups, the disruption of transportation routes, or the involvement of external governments in the “internal affairs” of another country. African leaders realize that conflict in one state affects many more states on its borders. What solutions are available to manage conflict within Africa? Peace negotiations supported by peace operations are important tools in the conflict management process. Peace operations are an umbrella for the more familiar peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions. Peace operations are normally mandated by an international organization, tend to be multinational in composition, and deploy with the intention of restoring (peace enforcement) or preserving (peacekeeping) the status quo while separate peace negotiations seek a solution among the belligerents.
Adaptive error correcting codes based on cooperative play of the game of "twenty questions with a liar"

Summary form only given. The existence of a noiseless, delayless feedback channel permits the transmitter to detect transmission errors at the time they occur. Such a feedback channel does not increase channel capacity, but it does permit the use of adaptive codes with significantly enhanced error correction capabilities. It is well known that codes of this type can be based on cooperative play of the game of "twenty questions with a liar". However, it is perhaps not so well appreciated that it is practicable to implement codes of this type on general purpose computers. We describe a simple and fast implementation in which the transmitter makes reference to a fully worked out game tree. In the worst case, storage requirements grow exponentially with block length. For many cases of interest, storage requirements are not excessive. For example, a 4-error correcting code with 8 information bits and 13 check bits requires only 103.2 kilobytes of storage. By contrast, an 8-error correcting code with 6 information bits and 25 check bits requires 21.2 megabytes of storage. However, no nonadaptive code is capable of correcting as many as 8 errors when 6 information bits are encoded in a block of length 31.
Transition Metal Coordination Chemistry ofN,N-Bis(2-{pyrid-2-ylethyl})hydroxylamine

Although directly relevant to metal mediated biological nitrification as well as the coordination chemistry of peroxide, the metal complexes of hydroxylamines and their functionalized variants remain largely unexplored. The chelating hydroxylamine ligand N,N-bis(2-{pyrid-2-ylethyl})hydroxylamine can be readily generated via a solvent free reaction in high purity; however, the ligand is prone to decomposition which can hamper metal reaction. N,N-bis(2-{pyrid-2-ylethyl})hydroxylamine forms stable complexes with chromium(III), manganese(II), nickel(II), and cadmium(II) ions, coordinating in a side-on mode in the case of chromium and via the nitrogen in the case of the latter three metal ions. The hydroxylamine ligand can also be reduced to form N,N-bis(2-{pyrid-2-ylethyl})amine upon exposure to a stoichiometric amount of the metal salts cobalt(II) nitrate, vanadium(III) chloride, and iron(II) chloride. In the reaction with cobalt nitrate, the reduced ligand then chelates to the metal to form [N,N-bis(2-{pyrid-2-ylethyl})amine]dinitrocobalt(II). Upon reaction with vanadium(III) chloride and iron(III) chloride, the reduced ligand is isolated as the protonated free base, resulting from a metal-mediated decomposition reaction.
Familial congenital diaphragmatic defect: transmission from father to daughter.

Abstract The first well-documented incidences of famillial congenital diaphragmatic defects in two generations are reported. The transmission was from father to daughter; both cases showed an almost identical history. These findings are supporting the proposed multifactorial inheritance theory.
FROM THE “WALK FOR ADEQUATE WELFARE” TO THE “MARCH FOR OUR LIVES”: WELFARE RIGHTS ORGANIZING IN THE 1960S AND 1990S

Implementing progressive policies to eliminate poverty requires political action by poor people that is grounded in their lived experiences and analyses. Consequently, it is crucial that we analyze the goals and strategies of poor people's organizations. In this paper, I compare welfare rights organizing in the 1960s to the antipoverty movement that began growing in the 1990s. Both periods have seen significant changes in welfare policy, but the different political and economic contexts have significantly shaped the way that poor people articulate the problems that they are facing and the manner in which they develop a collective response. Additionally, the contemporary movement is shaped by analyses of the strategies employed in the 1960s. A comparison of the National Welfare Rights Organization (1960s) and the Kensington Welfare Rights Union (1990s) reveals important differences including: (1) a shift to multiracial organizing; (2) an insistence today that poor people assume leadership and control of th...
Yielding and work hardening effects in notched bend bars

Abstract The problem of the definition of general yielding in notched bend bars has been addressed using both finite element method (FEM) calculations and also experiments on a variety of steels. Yielding and plastic zone development were found, in agreement with the literature, to be quite different for materials which yield continuously and those which yield discontinuously (i.e. with yield drop, Luders strain, or both). For the former case, the plastic zone is diffuse, broad, and develops slowly, quite unlike the shape of the slipline field at general yield, and without any indications in the load-displacement curve. Values of the constraint factor from the present experiments were compared to those from earlier work and from FEM calculations.
When is faster better? Operative timing in acute care surgery.

Purpose of review Evaluation and treatment of the acute abdomen is the expertise of the general surgeon. Still, early and accurate diagnosis of this condition remains a dilemma and is particularly challenging in critically ill patients. This review examines recent literature regarding optimal timing of operation for common acute gastrointestinal conditions. Recent findings No conclusive evidence exists to guide surgeons in the decision of when to operate on common gastrointestinal problems. Recent data support changes in traditional views of treating these conditions: the debate surrounding emergent appendectomy for acute appendicitis is more active than ever, but interval appendectomy appears to be unnecessary in asymptomatic patients, laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is safe, regardless of the duration of symptoms; sigmoid colectomy for acute diverticulitis is no longer required after two episodes; and surgeon experience with developing diagnostic and therapeutic technologies continues to evolve. Summary A combination of physical findings, laboratory data, and directed imaging studies help establish a diagnosis and predict the benefit of surgical intervention in common acute abdominal problems. Advanced imaging technology and critical care support have facilitated changes in operative timing in acute care surgery.
PATTERN AND TIMING OF MOULT IN PENDULINE TITS (ANTHOSCOPUS)

Summary Austin, G. T. 1979. Pattern and timing of moult in penduline tits (Anthoscopus). Ostrich 49:168-173. Moult was examined in species of Anthoscopus. Second and subsequent prebasic moults were complete. Primary and rectrix moult was typical of passerines, but secondary moult was some what irregular. Moult was largely non-overlapping with breeding, although some body moult was noted during the breeding season. In southern Africa there was some regional variation in timing of moult. First year birds moulted after adults had largely completed feather replacement. This first prebasic moult was incomplete.
Pentachlorophenol enhances 9-hydroxybenzo [a] pyrene-induced hepatic DNA adduct formation in vivo and inhibits microsomal epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferase activities in vitro: likely inhibition of epoxide detoxication by pentachlorophenol

We recently reported that co-administration to female mice of tamoxifen or 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OH-tamoxifen) with pentachlorophenol (PCP), but not with 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol (DNCP) results in strong intensification of a specific subgroup, termed group I, of tamoxifen-DNA adducts in female mouse liver. As both PCP and DCNP are sulfotransferase inhibitors, we concluded that the intensification of tamoxifen group I adducts is probably not due to inhibition of sulfation by these phenols of a tamoxifen metabolite. Since epoxide derivatives of 4-OH-tamoxifen are potential candidates involved in tamoxifen-induced DNA damage, the hypothesis was developed and tested that PCP inhibits epoxide detoxication. As 4-OH-tamoxifen metabolites were unavailable to us, we employed indirect approaches to test this hypothesis. In the first set of experiments we determined whether PCP would augment DNA adduct formation from the benzo[a]pyrene metabolite, 9-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (9-OH-BP), as 9-OH-BP-4,5-epoxide is known to be involved in the metabolic activation of this compound. Female mice were given a single i.p. dose of 9-OH-BP (50 mumol/kg) either alone or in combination with PCP (75 mumol/kg), and hepatic DNA adducts were measured 24 h later by nuclease P1-enhanced bisphosphate 32P-postlabeling. Co-administration of PCP with 9-OH-BP resulted in a statistically significant 1.5- to 1.7-fold increase in 9-OH-BP adduct levels versus 9-OH-BP controls. In order to determine whether PCP inhibits the enzymatic detoxication of epoxides in vitro, in a second set of experiments, the effects of PCP on liver microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) and purified equine liver glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were studied using, respectively, styrene-7,8-oxide and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrates. Incubation of mouse liver microsomes with PCP (10-100 microM) strongly inhibited (by 21-97%) mEH activity in a dose-dependent manner, the IC50 being 35 microM. DCNP was ineffective as a mEH inactivator. PCP also inhibited purified equine liver GST activity, with an IC50 of 23.5 microM. Taken together, the results of this study strongly support the hypothesis that PCP inhibited enzymatic detoxication of epoxides in vivo and in vitro. By this mechanism PCP would lead to enhancement of DNA damage caused by 9-OH-BP, and possibly other drugs and their metabolites, which undergo epoxidation prior to DNA binding.
Cutaneous and colonic rat DRG neurons differ with respect to both baseline and PGE2-induced changes in passive and active electrophysiological properties.

This study was designed to test the hypotheses that pain syndromes associated with specific body regions reflect unique properties of sensory neurons innervating these regions and/or unique respons...
Detailed mechanistic modeling of high-density polyethylene pyrolysis: Low molecular weight product evolution

A detailed, mechanistic model for high-density polyethylene pyrolysis was created based on the modeling framework developed in our previous work and was used to study the time evolution of low molecular weight products formed. Specifically, the role that unzipping, backbiting, and random scission reaction pathways play in the evolution of low molecular weight species was probed. The model tracked 151 species and included over 11,000 reactions. Rate parameters were adapted from our previous work, literature values, and regression against experimental data. The model results were found to be in excellent agreement with experimental data for the evolution of condensable low molecular weight products. The time evolution curves of specific low molecular weight products indicated that the random scission pathway was important for all species, while the backbiting pathway played a complementary role. Net rate analysis was used to further elucidate the competition between the pathways. Net rate analysis of end-chain radicals showed that the unzipping pathway was not competitive with the other pathways, as expected based on experimental yields of ethylene. The random scission pathway was found to be controlling, with the backbiting pathway playing a more minor role for product formation. By comparing the net rates for formation of specific mid-chain radicals via intramolecular hydrogen shift reactions, the contribution of the backbiting pathway was shown to vary, with radicals formed via the most facile x,x + 4-intramolecular hydrogen transfer reactions being favored.
Plate tectonics of the Red Sea and East Africa.

MCKENZIE et al.1 have produced a strong case for considering the East African rifts and the Afar triple junction in terms of oceanic plate tectonics. I should like to present some arguments suggesting that modification to plate analysis of continental regions is required, for tensional as well as for compressional zones2.
Signal transduction and growth control in yeast

An understanding of how an extracellular stimulus causes changes in cell growth is emerging from the study of four signal transduction pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: the pheromone-response, pseudohyphal differentiation, osmolarity-response, and protein kinase C activated pathways. Each of these pathways contains at its core a distinct mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. Biochemical and molecular studies have determined the functional order of the kinases in the pheromone-response pathway and have suggested that they are organized into a complex by a protein scaffold. The cell surface sensor system for the osmolarity-response pathway has been identified. It shows striking similarity to bacterial two-component sensor-responder systems. Finally, components that integrate information from these pathways and communicate it to cell growth regulators have been revealed.
Merkel cell carcinoma: high recurrence rate despite aggressive treatment

Abstract Background Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare aggressive neuroendocrine cancer of the skin whose incidence has been increasing. The objective of the study was to evaluate current treatment modalities, including sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy and outcomes and identify prognostic factors in patients with MCC. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients with MCC. Clinical, pathologic, treatment characteristics, disease status, and survival were collected. All slides were reviewed by a single pathologist, and additional pathologic elements were evaluated for prognosis. Results Twenty-six patients were identified in the study period. All patients were Caucasian with an average age of 71.3 y. Twenty-one patients had tumors in sun-exposed locations, and 13 had a prior history of skin cancer. All nonmetastatic patients underwent wide excision. SLN biopsy was successful in 19 patients. The SLN was positive in 21% of patients. Radiation therapy was used in 13 patients. Average follow-up was 26 mo, and median survival was 29 mo. Recurrence occurred in eight patients: four locoregional, two distant, one combined, and one unknown. Recurrence occurred in five patients with stage I disease. Five patients with negative SLN later developed recurrence. The presence of metastasis to the nodes was significant for recurrence. No other pathologic factor was found to have prognostic significance. Conclusions Despite aggressive surgical and radiation treatment, MCC has a high rate of locoregional recurrence, even in early stage disease. SNLB is useful for the staging and management of patients. Further research is needed to identify better prognostic markers.
Behavioral responses of the robber fly Stenopogon inquinatus (Diptera: Asilidae) to variation in the thermal environment.

Stenopogon inquinatus Loew forages across a wide range of diurnal temperatures. Changes in perch height and body posture allowed the flies to maximize air temperatures experienced when environmental temperatures were low and to encounter a relatively narrow range of air temperatures in the middle of the day. In addition, early in the day they basked by orienting their longitudinal and dorsoventral body axes perpendicular to the sun. Their behavior varied with environmental temperatures in ways that indicate that perching flies thermoregulate by influencing radiative heat gain and the air temperatures and wind speeds that they experience.
IDENTIFICATION OF PROTEINS EXTRACTED FROM CALCIUM OXALATE AND CALCIUM PHOSPHATE CRYSTALS INDUCED IN THE URINE OF HEALTHY AND STONE FORMING SUBJECTS

The purpose of our study was to identify the proteins and investigate the differences, if any, between protein components of the matrices of calcium oxalate (CaOx) and calcium phosphate (CaP) crystals induced in␣vitro in whole human urine of healthy individuals and kidney stone patients. In addition, preliminary studies were performed to understand the effect of centrifugation and filtration of urine on its protein contents. Crystallization in urine was induced by addition of an oxalate or phosphate load. Crystals were collected, washed, and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Matrix proteins were obtained by demineralization with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and identified by western blotting technique. No significant differences were detected between protein components of the matrices of CaOx and CaP crystals and between the crystal matrices obtained from the urine of normal and stone forming subjects. Albumin (AB), inter-α-inhibitor (IαI) related proteins, α-1 microglobulin (α-1 m), osteopontin (OPN), prothrombin (PT)-related proteins and Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) were identified in matrices of both CaOx and CaP crystals induced in urine from both the normal subjects and stone formers. AB, PT-related proteins and OPN were the main constituents. The other proteins were present in smaller but detectable amounts. However, CaP crystal matrix, contained a large amount of THP. In addition CaP crystals contained significantly more proteins than CaOx crystals. Centrifugation and/or filtration of the urine resulted in reduction of many high molecular weight proteins including THP, AB and OPN in the urine.
Development and fabrication of two-color mid- and short-wavelength infrared simultaneous unipolar multispectral integrated technology focal-plane arrays

We report the development and fabrication of two-color mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) HgCdTe-based focal-plane arrays (FPAs). The HgCdTe multilayers were deposited on bulk CdZnTe (ZnTe mole fraction ∼3%) using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Accurate control of layer composition and growth rate was achieved using in-situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). Epilayers were evaluated using a variety of techniques to determine suitability for subsequent device processing. These techniques included Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Hall measurement, secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), defect-decoration etching, and Nomarski microscopy. The FTIR transmission measurements confirmed SE's capability to provide excellent compositional control with run-to-run x-value variations of ∼0.002. Nomarski micrographs of the as-grown surfaces featured cross-hatch patterns resulting from the substrate/epilayer lattice mismatch as well as various surface defects (voids and "microvoids"), whose densities ranged from 800-8,000 cm-2. A major source of these surface defects was substrate particulate contamination. Epilayers grown following efforts to reduce these particulates exhibited significantly lower densities of surface defects from 800-1,700 cm-2. Dislocation densities, as revealed by a standard defect-decoration etch, were 2-20 × 105cm-2, depending on substrate temperature during epitaxy. The FPAs (128 × 128) were fabricated from these epilayers. Preliminary performance results will be presented.
Microarray analysis reveals potential target genes of NF-κB2/p52 in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

PURPOSE Our previous studies showed that NF-κB2/p52 is involved in the castration-resistant growth of the androgen-sensitive LNCaP prostate cancer cells. The role of NF-κB2/p52 in lymphomagenesis has been studied extensively, but its target genes in other cancers remain unknown. In order to identify genes potentially regulated by p52 in prostate cancer cells, we performed a genome-wide microarray analysis of genes differentially up- or down-regulated by the overexpression of p52 by adenoviral-mediated gene delivery in LNCaP cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Total RNAs from vector control-infected and Adeno-p52-infected LNCaP cells were used to prepare cDNAs, which were hybridized to the Whole Genome Human 44k Microarray chips (Agilent Technologies). Data analysis was performed using GeneSpring and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. Validation of microarray results was performed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. RESULTS Expression of ∼130 genes was differentially upregulated by >5-fold, whereas ∼60 genes were differentially downregulated by >2-fold in p52-expressing LNCaP cells. Pathway analysis revealed that the upregulated genes belong to functional categories like cell growth and proliferation, cellular movement, cell-to-cell signaling and interaction, cancer, cell cycle, etc., whereas the downregulated genes were represented by functional categories like cell movement, antigen presentation, and cell death. Six of the top upregulated genes including annexin A2, PLAU, RND3, Twist2, VEGFC, and CXCL1 were validated by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a comprehensive analysis of genes potentially regulated by NF-κB2/p52 in the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line and provides a rationale for the induction of castration-resistant growth by p52 in LNCaP cells. Prostate 70: 276–287, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Role of somatostatin receptor subtypes in antiepileptic actions of somatostatin

Preand post-treatments with AM22-52 and wortmannin also blocked or reversed intraplantar capsaicininduced thermal hyperalgesia and pAkt and pGSK3b. Taken together, our results demonstrate that AM acts as a pain-inducing peptide in the dorsal horn. By activating specific receptors and the PI3K/Akt/GSK3b signalling pathway, AM likely plays a significant role in heat hypersensitivity and inflammatory thermal hyperalgesia. (Supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research).
Fatty acid metabolism and insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells

Increases in glucose or fatty acids affect metabolism via changes in long-chain acyl-CoA formation and chronically elevated fatty acids increase total cellular CoA. Understanding the response of pancreatic beta cells to increased amounts of fuel and the role that altered insulin secretion plays in the development and maintenance of obesity and Type 2 diabetes is important. Data indicate that the activated form of fatty acids acts as an effector molecule in stimulus-secretion coupling. Glucose increases cytosolic long-chain acyl-CoA because it increases the "switch" compound malonyl-CoA that blocks mitochondrial β-oxidation, thus implementing a shift from fatty acid to glucose oxidation. We present arguments in support of the following: (i) A source of fatty acid either exogenous or endogenous (derived by lipolysis of triglyceride) is necessary to support normal insulin secretion; (ii) a rapid increase of fatty acids potentiates glucose-stimulated secretion by increasing fatty acyl-CoA or complex lipid concentrations that act distally by modulating key enzymes such as protein kinase C or the exocytotic machinery; (iii) a chronic increase of fatty acids enhances basal secretion by the same mechanism, but promotes obesity and a diminished response to stimulatory glucose; (iv) agents which raise cAMP act as incretins, at least in part, by stimulating lipolysis via beta-cell hormone-sensitive lipase activation. Furthermore, increased triglyceride stores can give higher rates of lipolysis and thus influence both basal and stimulated insulin secretion. These points highlight the important roles of NEFA, LC-CoA, and their esterified derivatives in affecting insulin secretion in both normal and pathological states.
The Effects of Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss on Knee Pain in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Studies have shown that osteoarthritis (OA) is highly associated with obesity, and individuals clinically defined as obese (BMI > 30.0 kg/m(2)) are four times more likely to have knee OA over the general population. The purpose of this research was to examine if isolated weight loss improved knee symptoms in patients with osteoarthritis. Adult patients (n = 24; age 18-70; BMI > 35 kg/m(2)) with clinical and radiographic evidence of knee OA participated in a one-year trial in which WOMAC and KOOS surveys were administered at a presurgery baseline and six and twelve months postsurgery. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests. Weight loss six and twelve months following bariatric surgery was statistically significant (P < 0.05) compared to presurgery measurements. All variables from both KOOS and WOMAC assessments were significantly improved (P < 0.05) when compared to baseline. Isolated weight loss occurring via bariatric surgery resulted in statistically significant improvement in patient's knee arthritis symptoms at both six and twelve months. Further research will need to be done to determine if symptom relief continues over time, and if the benefits are also applicable to individuals with symptomatic knee arthritis that are overweight but not obese.
Response of Josephson junctions to far-infrared radiation near their plasma resonance frequencies.

We have studied the response of several Nb\char21{}a-Si\char21{}Nb junctions to far-infrared laser radiation at a frequency within 10% of their plasma frequencies ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$, and have depressed ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$ by similar amounts with a magnetic field. Because of the complexity of the response, the dc I-V characteristics of the irradiated junctions show striking qualitative differences even for these small differences in ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$. We can accurately reproduce these characteristics with analog simulations including appropriate noise levels, allowing us to determine the plasma frequency within a few-percent accuracy.
TGF-β modulates the synthesis of proteoglycans by myocardial fibroblasts in culture

In this study we examined the production of proteoglycans by fibroblasts cultured from the left ventricular myocardium of normal adult rats. Varicus molecular species of proteoglycan were detected, either by labeling glycosaminoglycan chains with 35SO4 or by labeling the proteoglycan core protein with [35S]methionine. The medium of the cell cultures, which contained quantitatively most of the proteoglycans, appeared to consist mainly of biglycan, lesser amounts of decorin and proteoglycans of higher molecular weight. Biglycan and decorin were identified not only by the characteristic mobility of the intact protein and the core protein but also by immunolocation on Western blots. TGF-β upregulated the synthesis of all these proteoglycans, coincident with elongation of glycosaminoglycan side chains observed for biglycan and decorin. The apparent molecular weight of the core protein of the two proteoglycans remained unaffected by TGF-β. The results of these experiments suggest that with regard to proteoglycan synthesis and its regulation by TGF-β, cultured fibroblasts originating from the myocardium share to a large extent the properties of cultured fibroblasts of other organs.
Structural Basis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ADP-Ribose-1″-Phosphate Dephosphorylation by a Conserved Domain of nsP3

The crystal structure of a conserved domain of nonstructural protein 3 (nsP3) from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has been solved by single-wavelength anomalous dispersion to 1.4 A resolution. The structure of this "X" domain, seen in many single-stranded RNA viruses, reveals a three-layered alpha/beta/alpha core with a macro-H2A-like fold. The putative active site is a solvent-exposed cleft that is conserved in its three structural homologs, yeast Ymx7, Archeoglobus fulgidus AF1521, and Er58 from E. coli. Its sequence is similar to yeast YBR022W (also known as Poa1P), a known phosphatase that acts on ADP-ribose-1''-phosphate (Appr-1''-p). The SARS nsP3 domain readily removes the 1'' phosphate group from Appr-1''-p in in vitro assays, confirming its phosphatase activity. Sequence and structure comparison of all known macro-H2A domains combined with available functional data suggests that proteins of this superfamily form an emerging group of nucleotide phosphatases that dephosphorylate Appr-1''-p.
Abstract 280: Genetics and functions of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) glycoproteins in virion egress, infectivity and tumorigenesis

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV), or human herpes virus 8, is a lymphotropic oncogenic virus that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma; body cavity-based B-cell lymphoma (BCBL), or primary lymphoma; and some forms of Multicentric Castleman's disease. We have developed a conditional silencing system for partial inhibition of KSHV viral glycoprotein synthesized genes that are not susceptible to siRNA inhibition. We have successfully used this system to demonstrate that KHSV glycoprotein B (gB) is necessary for virion egress from BCBL-1 cells and virus infectivity (Subramanian, D'Auvergne, et al. J. Virol. 2008, 82:7144-54). To investigate the potential role of gB in tumorigenesis, BCBL-1 cells were transiently transfected with anti-gB siRNAs and codon optimized gB were mixed with matrigel and injected subcutaneously in nude mice. Direct measurement of tumors revealed that BCBL-1 cells transfected with anti-gB siRNAs produced tumors significantly smaller than mock-transfected BCBL-1 cells. Co-transfection of codon optimized gB appeared to abrogate the inhibition of tumor formation by siRNAs. These results show that gB is important for infectivity, virion egress and pleural effusion lymphoma (PEL) formation in mice. 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 280. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-280
Combined general and thoracic epidural anaesthesia: When is it indicated?

Abstract There has been a large volume of recent literature which supports the use of combined general/thoracic epidural anaesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia in high risk patients. Much of this literature has focused on patients undergoing surgery to treat cancer, patients undergoing vascular surgery, and patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease. In these groups of patients, combined thoracic epidural and general anaesthesia, with continuation of epidural analgesia into the postoperative period, has been shown to have certain advantages over general endotracheal anaesthesia followed by postoperative intravenous opioid analgesia. However, how the anaesthetic is conducted may be more important than merely placing an epidural catheter prior to induction of general anaesthesia. In this review, the authors will examine the physiological and clinical data underlying the advantages of combined thoracic epidural/general anaesthesia, examine how the conduct of the anaesthetic may be an important influence on clinical outcome, and discuss the indications for this technique of anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia.
Parameters Governing Separation Control with Sweeping Jet Actuators

Parameters governing separation control by sweeping jet actuators are investigated experimentally on a generic “Multiple Flap Airfoil” (MFA). Neither the flow rate nor the momentum input is found to be a sole parameter governing the lift for varying distance between adjacent actuators. However, the product of the mass flow coefficient and a square root of the momentum coefficient collapses the lift onto a single curve regardless of the actuator spacing. Surface flow visualization on the flap suggests the formation of counterrotating pairs of streamwise vortices caused by the interaction of neighboring jets. The actuation intensity required to attach the flow increases with increasing distance from the flap shoulder and increasing flap deflection. No obvious dependence of the ideal actuation location on flap deflection, angle of attack, or actuation intensity is found within the tested range. Comparisons between experimental and numerical results reveal a strong dependence on the thickness of the last flap segment at its hinge. In absence of this geometrical effect potential flow solution appears to be a suitable predictor for the obtainable lift. The flap size affects the achievable lift, the accompanying drag, the required flap deflection, and actuation intensity. By controlling separation the range of achievable lift coefficients is doubled without significant penalty in drag even when considering a safety margin for the maximum applicable incidence.
Machinability Study of SiC Nano-Particles Reinforced Magnesium Nanocomposites During Micro-Milling Processes

This paper experimentally investigates the machinability of Magnesium Metal Matrix Composites (Mg-MMCs) with high volume fractions of SiC nano-particles. Samples of Mg-MMCs with 5 Vol.%, 10 Vol.% and 15 Vol.% reinforcements of SiC nano-particles were studied and compared with pure Magnesium. Different feedrates and spindle speeds were chosen as varied cutting parameters. Cutting forces, surface morphology and roughness were measured to understand the machinability of the four different materials during the micro-milling process. Based on the experimental results, it is observed that the cutting force increases with the increase of the spindle speed, the feedrate and/or the volume fraction. A drastic increasing rate is observed when the nano-particles’ volume fraction is increased from 5 to 10 Vol.%. The effect of the volume fraction is also studied in frequency domain, combined with the effect of the spindle speed and feedrate. More detailed theoretical analysis will be further studied to better understand the effect of the volume fraction on the machined surface quality and machining productivity.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Engaging Faculty and Students in Classroom Assessment of Learning.

Outcomes. Alternative assessment. Multiple measures. Analysis. Data. How does an institution move from academic discourse to authentic assessment of student learning? The answer is to engage the faculty and students in the process.
Renewable Energy: Senior design project experience

In recent years, there has been a considerable interest in Renewable Energy. This paper discusses an educational effort that incorporates Renewable Energy in a Senior Design course offered at a university in northeastern United States. The senior design project provides an environment that engage students in their studies. Multidisciplinary design teams were used whereby the students interact with their peers and with the faculty inside and outside of the class room/laboratory. Some design examples are offered to show our experiences of incorporating Renewable Energy projects in the senior design course. A concluding section discusses our experiences from offering such a course.
Assessing the Moderating Effects of Anxiety Sensitivity on Antisocial Behavior among Urban African American Youth

African American adolescents are a vulnerable population, overrepresented in the juvenile justice system and underserved by mental health providers. Consequently, a disproportionate number of African American youth in the juvenile justice system have diagnosable mental health problems. This study investigates whether, among African American adolescents, the effects of attitude towards deviance, self-efficacy, and exposure to delinquent peers on antisocial behavior are moderated by anxiety sensitivity. A sample of 238 African American adolescents ages 13–19 from 3 public housing developments participated in this study. Results indicated that 40% of the adolescents reported no involvement in antisocial behaviors. Gender, anxiety sensitivity, and attitudes towards deviance were significant correlates of antisocial behavior. Interaction effects indicate that the relative impact of attitudes towards deviance and exposure to delinquent peers on antisocial behaviors is contingent upon adolescents’ level of anxiety sensitivity. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Hemolymph chemistry of lycosid spiders

Abstract 1. 1. The composition of the hemolymph of six species of lycosid spiders comprising three genera was studied and compared with hemolymph chemistry of other arthropods. 2. 2. Total osmotic pressure ranged from 320 to 512 mOsm/1. 3. 3. Sodium and chloride concentrations constituted between 35 and 41% of the hemolymph osmolytes. Potassium, calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphate were found in relatively low concentrations. 4. 4. Amino acids accounted for 2.1 to 4.0% of the osmotically active substances. Free amino acid concentrations ranged from 66.1 to 202.3 mg/100 ml. The most abundant amino acids were proline and alanine. 5. 5. Proteins, carbohydrates, free fatty acids and total lipids were found at concentrations comparable to those reported for many insects. 6. 6. These findings are then discussed with respect to proposed schemes of arthropod evolution as reflected by patterns of hemolymph chemistry.
Modeling Boolean Decision Rules Applied to Multiple-observer Decision Strategies

A model that derives multiple-observer decision strategy ROC curves for boolean decision rules applied to binary decisions of two or three observers is presented. It is assumed that covert decision variables consistent with ROC models of observer performance underlie decisions and that readers' decision criteria are in a fixed relationship. The specific parameters of individual ROC curves and the correlational structure that describes interobserver agreement have dramatic effects upon the relative benefits to be derived from different boolean strategies. A common strategy employed in clinical practice, in which the overall decision is positive if any observer makes a positive decision, is most effective when the readers are of similar ability, when they adopt similar decision criteria, when interreader agreement is greater for negative than for positive cases, and when the individual ROC slope is <<1.0. Different multiple-observer decision strategies can be evaluated using the model equations. A bootstrap method for testing model-associated hypotheses is described.
An ablative postposition in the Xining dialect

This article describes a morphosyntactic feature of the Xining dialect that is unique among all Chinese dialects: that is, the use of a postposition to express ablative nominal relationships. The postposition [t[curly-tail lowercase c]ia] is invariably pronounced in the neutral tone and has no cognates in either earlier varieties of Chinese or among present Chinese dialects. The morpheme's origin is shown to have come from a neighboring non-Sinitic language. Moreover, the variations within the syntactic expression of the ablative are correlated with various sociolinguistic groups. These correlations suggest an ongoing change in the dialect's morphosyntactic system of a kind rarely observed among Chinese dialects. Finally, the process of linguistic change is correlated with demographic changes within the Xining region that show Xining is a place where language contact and rapid linguistic change are likely to be found.