cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Labor Market Participation and Earnings by Female Members of the Baby Boom Generation

A two-step model was employed using data from the 1986 Survey of Consumer Finances to determine the socioeconomic factors predicting female baby boomer labor force participation and for those who are employed, how the socioeconomic factors influence earned income. Logistic regression indicated that children and other income within the household both negatively affect market participation by female members of the baby boom generation. Divorce and education were positively correlated with female baby boomer employment. For female baby boomers who were employed, additional income and children reduced earnings in a multiple regression analysis. A prior divorce and education were positively correlated with female baby boomer earnings. Findings indicated that the influential factors on labor force participation and consequent earnings are not only identical but are also consistent with those for prior generations of women.
Electron transfer at the interface between water and self-assembled monolayers

Free energy surfaces for electron transfer reactions between redox centers located at the interface between water and self-assembled monolayers are studied by molecular dynamics computer simulations. The free energy curves are correlated with recent studies on the structure and polarity of the interface. We find that the reorganization free energy is dependent on the degree of roughness and the polarity of the organic monolayer as well as on the depth at which the redox center is imbedded in the monolayer region.
The political construction of scale

Geographic scale, referring to the nested hierarchy of bounded spaces of differing size, such as the local, regional, national and global, is a familiar and taken-for-granted concept for political geographers and political analysts. In much contemporary analysis of political organization and action, geographic scale is treated simply as different levels of analysis (from local to global) in which the investigation of political processes is set. Recently this notion of geographic scale as an unproblematic, pre-given and fixed hierarchy of bounded spaces has been challenged. Geographers have shown that the geographic scale at which, for example, economic activities and political authority are constituted, is not fixed but periodically transformed (Smith and Dennis, 1987; Herod, 1991). Attention has been drawn to the relations between, and influences of, processes operating at different geographic scales (such as the local and global), and how they interact to produce incentives and motives for political action (Miller, 1994). Alternatively, geographers have sought to illustrate aspects of the construction of scale by drawing attention to what are essentially rhetorical stances of political actors. For example, Jonas (1994) discusses the attempt by a multinational corporation headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts, to portray itself as a local operation attached to the local community in order to create support for its resistance of a takeover bid by a conglomerate with British headquarters. The common ground of this body of research is that geographic scale is conceptualized as socially constructed rather than ontologically pre-given, and that the geographic scales constructed are themselves implicated in the constitution of social, economic and political
A Survey of Social Policy Placements in BSW Education

Abstract CSWE-accredited U.S. BSW programs were surveyed regarding policy placements. The response rate was 39 percent. Thirty-three percent of the programs had policy placements and, of a total of 4,872 students, only 124 were in policy placements. Associated factors were: (1) the respondent believed that policy practice was compatible with generalist BSW practice; and (2) the respondent believed that BSW practitioners should spend a higher proportion of their time on policy practice. Distance from the state capital was significant for programs within 90 miles. The discussion includes identifying the need to increase the number of policy placements and suggestions for accomplishing this.
Pneumonia in the surgical intensive care unit: is every one preventable?

Background Pneumonia is a major complication for hospitalized patients and has come under the scrutiny of health care regulating bodies, which propose that hospital-acquired pneumonia should not be reimbursed and potentially be a “never event.” We hypothesized that many of our acutely injured patients develop pneumonia at the time of their initial traumatic event despite aggressive measures to prevent pneumonia during hospitalization. Methods This retrospective review included all mechanically ventilated patients admitted to a mixed surgical intensive care units (ICU; trauma, general surgery, and burns) who developed pneumonia from 2006 to 2008. All pneumonia diagnosed by culture were obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens with ≥104 colony forming united (CFU)/mL considered a positive result. Criteria for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) applied only to those patients ventilated mechanically for >48 hours at the time of a positive BAL culture. Aspiration organisms included Streptococcus species, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, and oral flora. This was an institutional review board–approved study. Results There were 208 mechanically ventilated who patients underwent BAL, half of which were performed in the first 48 hours after admission for fever, infiltrate on chest radiograph, or increasing white blood cell count (early BAL group). Of these patients, 58% had positive BAL cultures (pneumonia) but did not have VAP. Only 10% of patients studied with early BAL had no growth on culture. Although the predominant organisms in the early BAL group were aspiration-type organisms, 17% had resistant pathogens, and 16% had other Gram-negative rods (GNR). This percentage was compared with the VAP group in whom 33% of patients had resistant organisms (P = .04) and 8% other GNR (P = NS). Twenty-five patients with ≤104 CFU/mL on early BAL underwent repeat BAL, and 16 (64%) were later diagnosed with VAP. Conclusion Many intubated patients in the surgical ICU had evidence of early pneumonia or bacterial growth within 48 hours after arrival, suggesting early infection or colonization occurred before ICU admission. In addition, 33% with early bacterial growth on early BAL had resistant organisms or GNR on BAL culture, which suggests a patient-derived rather than environmentally acquired source.
Molecular characterization of a novel glycoprotein hormone G-protein-coupled receptor.

We report the molecular characterization of a novel G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR48, that resembles proteins in the glycoprotein hormone receptor family. The full-length human GPR48 cDNA is comprised of 951 amino acids. The large extracellular amino terminus of 538 residues is composed of seventeen leucine-rich repeats (LRR). The genomic structure of GPR48 has several features in common with genes in the glycoprotein hormone receptor family. Analogous to these receptors, most of the LRR are encoded on single small exons, and the last exon encodes the seven transmembrane segments. The complete gene spans more than 60 kb with 18 exons and 17 introns. Northern blot analysis demonstrated high expression of GPR48 in the adult human pancreas, with moderate levels of expression in placenta, kidney, brain, and heart. Additionally, this receptor is expressed as early as 7 days post coitus in the mouse, indicating its potential involvement in development.
Recent studies of uranium and plutonium chemistry in alkaline radioactive waste solutions

Solubility studies of uranium and plutonium in a caustic, radioactive Savannah River Site tank waste solution revealed the existence of uranium supersaturation in the as-received sample. Comparison of the results to predictions generated from previously published models for solubility in these waste types revealed that the U model poorly predicts solubility while Pu model predictions are quite consistent with experimental observations. Separate studies using simulated Savannah River Site evaporator feed solution revealed that the known formation of sodium aluminosilicate solids in waste evaporators can promote rapid precipitation of uranium from supersaturated solutions.
A genotype calling algorithm for affymetrix SNP arrays

Motivation: A classification algorithm, based on a multi-chip, multi-SNP approach is proposed for Affymetrix SNP arrays. Current procedures for calling genotypes on SNP arrays process all the features associated with one chip and one SNP at a time. Using a large training sample where the genotype labels are known, we develop a supervised learning algorithm to obtain more accurate classification results on new data. The method we propose, RLMM, is based on a robustly fitted, linear model and uses the Mahalanobis distance for classification. The chip-to-chip non-biological variance is reduced through normalization. This model-based algorithm captures the similarities across genotype groups and probes, as well as across thousands of SNPs for accurate classification. In this paper, we apply RLMM to Affymetrix 100 K SNP array data, present classification results and compare them with genotype calls obtained from the Affymetrix procedure DM, as well as to the publicly available genotype calls from the HapMap project. Availability: The RLMM software is implemented in R and is available from Bioconductor or from the first author at nrabbee@post.harvard.edu. Contact: nrabbee@stat.berkeley.edu Supplementary information: http://www.stat.berkeley.edu/users/nrabbee/693.pdf
Coherent control of microresonator comb generation via parametric-gain seeding

We discuss coherent control of parametric frequency-comb generation in microresonators. Pumping a microresonator with multiple optical frequencies enables not only robust control over the resulting comb's line spacing, but also access to low-noise comb spectra.
GM in the media.

The middle months of 2011 were marked by many significant news items involving GM crops in the media across the globe. It ranged from attacks on GM crop trials, announcements on new discoveries and developments, opening up to GM food imports (Kenya) and banning of such food entry (Peru).
Lateral waves in ground penetrating radar applications

This paper discusses about the lateral wave phenomenon encountered when an antenna or scatter is close to dielectric interface. Although such wave mechanism has been known for its existence in theory and observed in measured data. Most GPR operators are not familiar with the behavior and effects of lateral waves related to ground GPR surveys. The oneway propagation loss (in power) of lateral waves is independent of soils and follows behavior of 1/ ρ4 (ρ: lateral distance to the source). This is greater loss compared to air and ground waves which are spherical waves. However, over a large lateral distance, the amplitude of lateral waves near ground surface eventually exceeds that of ground wave. The latter suffers from exponential decay in lossy soils. This phenomenon makes lateral waves interesting for forward-looking GPR but also potentially introduce surface clutter in GPR survey data. This paper will discuss properties of lateral waves via 3D simulations. Possible applications of lateral waves in forward-looking GPR configuration in homogeneous and layered ground will also be discussed.
Regulation of Kruppel-like factor 6 tumor suppressor activity by acetylation.

Kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) is a zinc finger transcription factor and tumor suppressor that is inactivated in a number of human cancers by mutation, allelic loss, and/or promoter methylation. A key mechanism of growth inhibition by wild-type KLF6 is through p53-independent up-regulation of p21WAF1/cip1 (CDKN1A), which is abrogated in several tumor-derived mutants. Here we show by chromatin immunoprecipitation that transactivation of p21WAF1/cip1 by KLF6 occurs through its direct recruitment to the p21WAF1/cip1 promoter and requires acetylation by histone acetyltransferase activity of either cyclic AMP–responsive element binding protein–binding protein or p300/CBP-associated factor. Direct lysine acetylation of KLF6 peptides can be shown by mass spectrometry. A single lysine-to-arginine point mutation (K209R) derived from prostate cancer reduces acetylation of KLF6 and abrogates its capacity to up-regulate endogenous p21WAF1/cip1 and reduce cell proliferation. These data indicate that acetylation may regulate KLF6 function, and its loss in some tumor-derived mutants could contribute to its failure to suppress growth in prostate cancer.
Phragmén-Lindelöf theorems for nonlinear elliptic equations

We obtain theorems of Phragmen-Lindelof type for the following classes of elliptic partial differential inequalities in an arbitrary unbounded domain \(\Omega \subseteq \mathbb{R}^n ,{\text{ }}n \geqq 2\) $$\sum\limits_{i,j = 1}^n {\frac{\partial }{{\partial x_i }}\left( {a_{ij} 9(x)\frac{{\partial u}}{{\partial xj}}} \right)} + \sum\limits_{i = 1}^n {b_i (x,{\text{ }}u,{\text{ }}\nabla u)\frac{\partial }{{\partial x_i }}} \geqq f(x,{\text{ }}u)$$ (A.1) where aij are elliptic in Ω and bi e L∞(Ω) and where also aij are uniformly elliptic and Holder continuous at infinity and bi = O(|x|+1) as x → ∞; $${\text{(A}}{\text{.2) }}\sum\limits_{i,j = 1}^n {a_{ij} (x,{\text{ }}u,{\text{ }}\nabla u)\frac{{\partial ^2 u}}{{\partial x_i \partial x_j }}} + \sum\limits_{i = 1}^n {b_i (x,{\text{ }}u,{\text{ }}\nabla u)\frac{\partial }{{\partial x_i }}} \geqq f(x,{\text{ }}u)$$ (A.2) where aijare uniformly elliptic in Ω and bie L∞(Ω); and finally $${\text{div(}}\nabla u^p \nabla u {\text{)}} \geqq f{\text{(}}u{\text{), }}p > - 1,$$ (A.3) where the operator on the left is the so-called P-Laplacian.
Quantifying pediatric neuro-oncology risk factors: development of the neurological predictor scale.

Pediatric neuro-oncology researchers face methodological challenges associated with quantifying the influence of tumor and treatment-related risk factors on child outcomes. The Neurological Predict...
Unsupervised Chemical Pattern Recognition In Complex Mass Spectra

Developing a reliable method for obtaining chemical information on components of complex materials is a major goal of modern pyrolysis mass spectrometry. Unsupervised methods are necessary since pure reference spectra of components are often unavailable. Recent developments in unsupervised mixture analysis using examples from bacteria, jet fuels, and wood are given. Factor and discriminant analysis on 18 strains of Escherichia coli showed a clear differentiation between K1 and non-K1 antigen strains. Graphical rotation confirmed that the differentiation was based on the K1 antigen colominic acid. Binary and ternary mixtures of jet fuel components were used to numerically extract spectra of pure compound classes present in fuel formulations. Mathematically extracted spectra compared favorably to component spectra, which were not included in the data set. The variance diagram technique gave the same directions of the component axes as target rotation, a supervised technique. Variance diagram methods were applied to single samples of wood by recording mass spectra as a function of temperature, since the three major components of wood pyrolyze at slightly different temperatures. A variance diagram with factor 2 expanded showed clearly the three major wood components: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.
An examination of the relationship between anger and suicide risk through the lens of the interpersonal theory of suicide.

Research has implicated a relationship between anger and suicidality, though underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The current study examined this relationship through the lens of the interpersonal theory of suicide (ITS). According to the ITS, individuals who experience thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and elevated acquired capability for suicide are at increased risk for death by suicide. The relationships between anger and these variables were examined and these variables were examined as potential mediators between anger and suicidal ideation and behavior. Additionally, exposure to painful and provocative events was examined as a potential mediator between anger and acquired capability. As part of intake at a community mental health clinic, 215 outpatients completed questionnaires assessing depression, suicidal ideation, anger, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and acquired capability. Regression analyses revealed unique relationships between anger and both thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, covarying for depression. The association between anger and acquired capability trended toward significance. The links between anger and suicidal ideation and behavior were fully mediated by thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, but this effect was driven by perceived burdensomeness. Additionally, the link between anger and acquired capability was fully mediated by experience with painful and provocative events. In conclusion, results suggest that anger is uniquely associated with perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Anger is associated with suicidal ideation and behavior via perceived burdensomeness and with greater acquired capability for suicide via experiences with painful and provocative events. Treatment for problematic anger may be beneficial to decrease risk for suicide.
Left ventricular aneurysm: a review.

Abstract The vast majority of left ventricular aneurysms (LVA) are secondary to coronary artery disease. The natural history of LVA is now better understood. The increasing use of noninvasive techniques has allowed earlier recognition and better appreciation of LVA genesis and pathophysiology. Improvements in surgical anesthesia and techniques have resulted in more successful LVA surgery. This article reviews the pathogenesis, natural history, and complications of LVA. Surgical indications and available treatment options in the management of patients with LVA and severe symptoms are presented. Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (false aneurysm) will also be discussed.
Three decades of avian research on the Bartlett Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, U.S.A

Ornithological research from the Bartlett Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, U.S.A. has provided information useful for developing management practices for northern hardwoods forests and understanding factors affecting avian populations. This work also serves to illustrate numerous features and characteristics of experimental forests that facilitate research. One example is opportunities for long-term and interdisciplinary research, illustrated by the application of a 25-year data set on snag longevity collected as part of a silvicultural experiment to evaluate habitat conditions for cavity nesting birds. Experimental forests also provide a conduit for information to managers by virtue of their collocation with U.S National Forests (Stoleson and King, this issue). At the time bird research was initiated on the Bartlett Experimental Forest the potential for forest management to fragment habitat in forested landscapes in the northeast U.S.A. was unknown, because the only studies on this topic were from the Midwest or Mid-Atlantic States where forest patches are isolated by agricultural or suburban development. Research on the Bartlett Experimental Forest has provided managers with region-specific information on the potential for silviculture and associated development to fragment forests, indicating that unlike less forested landscapes, cowbirds (Molothrus ater) are rare, and that edges created by forest roads in extensively forested landscapes have little effect on mature forest birds. Research from the Bartlett Experimental Forest has also provided guidance to managers for providing habitat for shrubland birds, both in terms of silvicultural prescriptions (Yamasaki et al., in preparation) and patch area (Costello et al., 2000). Experimental Forests also provide access to facilities and infrastructure, such as road networks, laboratory space and housing, to facilitate research requiring frequent access to sites, such as radio telemetry investigations (King et al., 2006; Chandler, 2006).
Optical Measurement of Plasma Densities in a Large Theta-Pinch

A technique is described to measure the electron density distribution of a high temperature plasma, produced in a theta-pinch, by observing the bremsstrahlung continuum radiation emitted. Streak cameras record simultaneously the visible light emitted at three axial positions. The photographic film is calibrated using a short duration flash and a step filter, and densitometer scans give the relative intensities. The data are placed on an absolute basis with a calibrated monochromator. An Abel inversion of the data gives the radial intensity distribution, from which the electron density distribution may be calculated. Estimated accuracy of the density measurement is ±25%.
Variation in properties of SV40-transformed simian cell lines detected by superinfection with SV40 and human adenoviruses.

Abstract Four different simian cell lines transformed by complete or defective SV40 were found to exhibit a variation in susceptibility to superinfection by SV40; two lines were susceptible to complete SV40 virions, one was resistant to complete virus but susceptible to SV40 DNA, and the fourth was markedly resistant to superinfection by viral DNA as well as complete virions. All four cell lines supported the replication of PARA-adenoviruses. When the transformed cell lines were superinfected by a cytoplasmic variant of PARA, the cells continued to exhibit SV40 T antigen in an intranuclear location. One of the four cell lines failed to support the growth of human adenoviruses, while the other three did so efficiently. It can be concluded that neither immunity to superinfection by the homologous virus nor the expression of the SV40 function which complements the growth of human adenoviruses is essential for maintenance of the transformed state in simian cells.
The changing age of HIV: sexual risk among older African American women living in rural communities.

Abstract Background . African American women aged 50 and older are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Despite African Americans making up 11% of all older women in the United States, in 2001, they accounted for more than 50% of AIDS cases among older women and more than 65% of HIV cases among older women. Using the AIDS Risk Reduction Model as a conceptual framework, this study investigated HIV risk behavior among older rural African American women (mean age = 58 years). Methods . A cross-sectional survey was conducted ( n = 181) in three rural counties in South Carolina. Results . Most (67%) of the women had at least one sex partner in the past five years, and of these, more than half (59.5%) reported at least one sexual risk behavior. High-risk behavior was associated with less education, lower condom use self-efficacy, more peers who discussed HIV-related risk behavior, and less comfort communicating with partners about sex. Conclusions . A significant proportion of older African American women living in rural counties are at increased risk for HIV infection, suggesting an urgent need for HIV prevention efforts to target this population.
Reduction of Nonpolar Amino Acids to Amino Alcohols To Enhance Volatility for High-Precision Isotopic Analysis

Amino acids are routinely derivatized using carbon-containing groups prior to gas chromatography continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GCC−IRMS). Derivative C contaminates analyte C because the entire derivatized compound is combusted to CO2. Correction procedures are required to extract the analyte isotope ratio. We present a method for reduction of six nonpolar amino acids to their corresponding amino alcohols, demonstrate a GC strategy to produce acceptable peak shapes from the resulting strongly H-bonding analytes, and present isotopic analysis for amino acids and their corresponding amino alcohols to evaluate any possible isotopic fractionation. Alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, or phenylalanine was reduced using NaBH4 in THF with I2 as an electrophile. Reactions were performed with 2 g of analyte to permit isotopic analysis by conventional elemental analysis-IRMS. All reactions were quantitative as assessed by IR spectra, melting points, and GC. Recovery from the reaction ...
The state of the art in the predictive analysis of freight transport systems

Abstract This paper presents a review of the major methodologies which have been used to make predictions concerning the intercity freight transportation system. Three general categories of methods are defined: econometric models, spatial price equilibrium models, and freight network equilibrium models. After stating a conceptual definition of the freight transportation system, the major theoretical and empirical works in each category are discussed in terms of this conceptual framework. A recently developed model which is a synthesis of the spatial price and freight network equilibrium models, is also included in this discussion. The purpose of this review is to clarify the similarities and differences between the various techniques which have been used to model the freight transport industry and to illustrate how these models can be used in the development of better predictive models of intercity freight transportation systems.
A cDNA Cassette system for the synthesis of recombinant procollagens. Variants of Procollagen II lacking a D-period are secreted as triple-helical monomers

Currently there is a lack of experimental systems for defining the functional domains of the fibrillar collagens. Here we describe an experimental strategy that employs the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to create a series of cDNA cassettes coding for seven separate domains of procollagen II. The system was used to prepare novel recombinant procollagens II from which one of the four repetitive D-periods of the triple helix was deleted. Four constructs, each lacking a different D-period, were expressed in stably transfected mammalian cells (HT-1080). Truncated procollagens of the predicted size were recovered from the medium. All were triple-helical as assayed by circular dichroism. Therefore, deletion of a complete D-period containing 234 amino acids does not destabilize the triple helix of homotrimeric collagen II as much as some naturally occurring mutations in the heterotrimeric monomer of collagen I that delete shorter sequences or that convert obligate glycine residues to residues with bulkier side chains. Moreover, the results suggest that the strategy developed here can be used to map in detail the binding sites on fibrillar collagens for other components of the extracellular matrix and for the binding, spreading and signaling of cells.
Modification of the velocity of sound in water by solute ions

Abstract The effect on the velocity of sound in water of a uniform distribution of compensating positive and negative solute ions is investigated in the hydrodynamic approximation. Coulomb interactions between ions are represented by a self-consistent electric field in the water, which is determined by Poisson's equation and the distribution of ions. Three coupled equations of motion for the water molecules, and positive and negative ions, are respectively linearized and combined with Poisson's equation to study the normal modes of the system. A secular equation for the frequencies of traveling waves is solved in the long-wavelength limit to study ionic hydration effects.
Simple organ cornea culture model for re-epithelialization after in vitro excimer laser ablation.

Background and Objective Most of the in vitro work to characterize the effects of clinical laser surgery on corneal tissues has concentrated on the effects on stromal keratocytes and endothelium with little attention being paid to corneal epithelium. Our purpose is to describe the epithelial healing rates observed in freshly cultured rabbit corneas treated with phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). Study Design/Materials and Methods Corneas were placed in a simple organ culture system, with media change every 2 days. A clinical excimer laser was used to perform a 6 mm diameter, 100 μm depth transepithelial PTK on 24 cultured rabbit corneas, 1 day after culture initiation. For each post-treatment day, one experimental and one control cornea were removed from culture and stained with fluorescein, photographed, and fixed for histology. Epithelial defect area was measured with digital imaging software and analyzed statistically to assess the re-epithelialization rate. Results Control corneas, maintained in culture for 1–4 days, had no epithelial defects. Those corneas treated with PTK exhibited an immediate epithelial defect that slowly healed over 3 days. This was confirmed on histopathological analysis. A significant linear trend in re-epithelialization across the time points studied was found (F = 80.48, P = 0.0029). The slope of the linear regression model showed an estimate rate of re-epithelialization of −6.70 over the 3 days. Conclusions We have described the development of a simple, whole organ, rabbit cornea culture model for re-epithelialization after PTK. Our rates of epithelial healing resemble those found in the literature in live rabbit models. Therefore, this model may possibly be used to monitor epithelial wound healing in different corneal diseases or injuries. Lasers Surg. Med. 29:288–292, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Preparing E18 Cortical Rat Neurons for Compartmentalization in a Microfluidic Device

In this video, we demonstrate the preparation of E18 cortical rat neurons. E18 cortical rat neurons are obtained from E18 fetal rat cortex previously dissected and prepared. The E18 cortex is, upon dissection, immediately dissociated into individual neurons. It is possible to store E18 cortex in Hibernate E buffer containing B27 at 4°C for up to a week before the dissociation is performed. However, there will be a drop in cell viability. Typically we obtain our E18 Cortex fresh. It is transported to the lab in ice cold Calcium free Magnesium free dissection buffer (CMFM). Upon arrival, trypsin is added to the cortex to a final concentration of 0.125%. The cortex is then incubated at 37°C for 8 minutes. DMEM containing 10% FBS is added to the cortex to stop the reaction. The cortex is then centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 2 minutes. The supernatant is removed and 2 ml of Neural Basal Media (NBM) containing 2% B27 (vol/vol) and 0.25% Glutamax (vol/vol) is added to the cortex which is then re-suspended by pipetting up and down. Next, the cortex is triturated with previously fire polished glass pipettes, each with a successive smaller opening. After triturating, the cortex is once again centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 2 minutes. The supernatant is then removed and the cortex pellet re-suspended with 2 ml of NBM containing B27 and Glutamax. The cell suspension is then passed through a 40 um nylon cell strainer. Next the cells are counted. The neurons are now ready for loading into the neuron microfluidic device.
Mating disruption of Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) in stored product habitats using the synthetic pheromone serricornin

Cigarette beetles, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae), cause significant damage to the multibillion dollar food and tobacco industries worldwide each year. A non-insecticidal alternative to manage L. serricorne is the application of mating disruption, in which high levels of synthetic sex pheromone are released to create an atmosphere that results in males failing to mate females, thereby causing population suppression or extinction. The reported work used synthetic serricornin, the predominant sex pheromone of L. serricorne, in mating disruption trials conducted in selected food- and feed-processing facilities in South Carolina during 2010 and 2011. Mills subjected to mating disruption trials were monitored using oviposition cups filled with larval food and pheromone traps for males that contained monitoring lures. Immediately after deployment of mating disruption dispensers, trap captures declined significantly and indicated a reduction in population levels, that is, there was ‘trap shutdown’. A significant reduction was observed in numbers of adult beetles caught in the traps 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after treatment in both years. Beetle numbers from pheromone traps in untreated buildings remained at similar levels or increased after the time of mating disruption deployment in treated buildings. The numbers of adults that emerged from oviposition food cups were generally low and varied irregularly in treated and untreated buildings and were determined to be of little value for assessing treatment effects on reproduction. These initial field studies in the USA suggest that release of the synthetic sex pheromone of L. serricorne for mating disruption can significantly inhibit proper orientation behaviour of male L. serricorne to females and may lead to pest population decline from mating disruption.
p130Cas Is Required for Mammary Tumor Growth and Transforming Growth Factor-β-mediated Metastasis through Regulation of Smad2/3 Activity

During breast cancer progression, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) switches from a tumor suppressor to a pro-metastatic molecule. Several recent studies suggest that this conversion in TGF-β function depends upon fundamental changes in the TGF-β signaling system. We show here that these changes in TGF-β signaling are concomitant with aberrant expression of the focal adhesion protein, p130Cas. Indeed, elevating expression of either the full-length (FL) or just the carboxyl terminus (CT) of p130Cas in mammary epithelial cells (MECs) diminished the ability of TGF-β1 to activate Smad2/3, but increased its coupling to p38 MAPK. This shift in TGF-β signaling evoked (i) resistance to TGF-β-induced growth arrest, and (ii) acinar filling upon three-dimensional organotypic cultures of p130Cas-FL or -CT expressing MECs. Furthermore, rendering metastatic MECs deficient in p130Cas enhanced TGF-β-stimulated Smad2/3 activity, which restored TGF-β-induced growth inhibition both in vitro and in mammary tumors produced in mice. Additionally, whereas elevating TβR-II expression in metastatic MECs had no affect on their phosphorylation of Smad2/3, this event markedly enhanced their activation of p38 MAPK, leading to increased MEC invasion and metastasis. Importantly, depleting p130Cas expression in TβR-II-expressing metastatic MECs significantly increased their activation of Smad2/3, which (i) reestablished the physiologic balance between canonical and noncanonical TGF-β signaling, and (ii) reversed cellular invasion and early mammary tumor cell dissemination stimulated by TGF-β. Collectively, our findings identify p130Cas as a molecular rheostat that regulates the delicate balance between canonical and noncanonical TGF-β signaling, a balance that is critical to maintaining the tumor suppressor function of TGF-β during breast cancer progression.
Riboflavin and mouse hepatic cell structure and function. II. Division of mitochondria during recovery from simple deficiency.

Mice which had been on a riboflavin-free diet for 6–8 wk were given daily intraperitoneal injections of riboflavin. The hepatic mitochondria, which in the deficient animals were greatly enlarged, were restored to normal dimensions within 3 days. Normalization of the mitochondrial population was brought about by division of the giant organelles. Dividing mitochondria were characterized by a membranous partition separating the inner compartment into two distinct chambers. Such organelles showed varying degrees of pinching at the level of the partition. The most common site of partition formation was at the base of a small mitochondrial bud. During the 1st day of recovery, dividing mitochondria were so common that they could be easily found in mitochondrial pellets. Injection of riboflavin into normally nourished mice also produced an apparent increase in the frequency of dividing mitochondria in the liver cells.
Melt-filled hybrid fractures in the oceanic mantle: Melt enhanced deformation during along-axis flow beneath a propagating spreading ridge axis

Abstract Mid-ocean ridges represent important locations for understanding the interactions between deformation and melt production, transport, and emplacement. Melt transport through the mantle beneath mid-ocean ridges is closely associated with deformation. Currently recognized transport and emplacement processes at ridges include: 1) dikes and sills filling stress-controlled fractures, 2) porous flow in a divergent flow field, 3) self-organizing porous dunite channels, and 4) shear zones. Our recent observations from the sub-oceanic mantle beneath a propagating ridge axis in the Oman ophiolite show that gabbronorite and olivine gabbro dikes fill hybrid fractures that show both shear and extensional components of strain. The magnitudes of shear strain recorded by the dikes are significant and comparable to the longitudinal extensions across the dikes. We suggest that the hybrid dikes form from the interactions between shear deformation and pressurized melt in regions of along-axis flow at mid-ocean ridges. The displacement across the dikes is kinematically compatible with high temperature flow recorded by plastic fabrics in host peridotites. Field observations and mechanical considerations indicate that the dikes record conditions of higher stress and lower temperature than those recorded by the plastic flow fabrics. The features of hybrid dikes suggest formation during progressive deformation as conditions changed from penetrative plastic flow to strain localization along melt-filled fractures. The combined dataset indicates that the dikes are formed during along-axis flow away from regions of diapiric upwelling at propagating ridge segments. Hybrid dikes provide a potentially powerful kinematic indicator and strain recorder and define a previously unrecognized mechanism of melt migration. Our calculations show that hybrid dikes require less melt pressure to form than purely tensile dikes and thus may provide a mechanism to tap melt reservoirs that are under-pressurized with respect to lithostatic pressure.
Age-Related Decline in Controlled Retrieval: The Role of the PFC and Sleep

Age-related cognitive impairments often include difficulty retrieving memories, particularly those that rely on executive control. In this paper we discuss the influence of the prefrontal cortex on memory retrieval, and the specific memory processes associated with the prefrontal cortex that decline in late adulthood. We conclude that preretrieval processes associated with preparation to make a memory judgment are impaired, leading to greater reliance on postretrieval processes. This is consistent with the view that impairments in executive control significantly contribute to deficits in controlled retrieval. Finally, we discuss age-related changes in sleep as a potential mechanism that contributes to deficiencies in executive control that are important for efficient retrieval. The sleep literature points to the importance of slow-wave sleep in restoration of prefrontal cortex function. Given that slow-wave sleep significantly declines with age, we hypothesize that age-related changes in slow-wave sleep could mediate age-related decline in executive control, manifesting a robust deficit in controlled memory retrieval processes. Interventions, like physical activity, that improve sleep could be effective methods to enhance controlled memory processes in late life.
Limited Utility of Surveillance Imaging for Detecting Disease Relapse in Patients With Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in First Complete Remission

Abstract Introduction Surveillance imaging with computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography with CT (PET/CT) is commonly used in practice in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) who are in remission after front-line therapies. We aimed to determine the utility of routine imaging for detecting first relapse in patients with NHL in complete remission (CR) after first-line therapies. Patients and Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients with NHL who achieved CR after first-line therapies and then subsequently had disease relapse. We evaluated whether the relapse was detected solely by surveillance CT or PET/CT or by patient-reported symptoms or physical examination findings, or both. Subgroup analysis was performed on baseline histologic type (indolent vs. aggressive NHL). Data were also collected to determine the cost of surveillance PET/CT and the number of additional diagnostic imaging procedures, invasive procedures, and iatrogenic complications directly resulting from an abnormality detected on a surveillance scan. Results One hundred sixty-three patients with first relapse of NHL between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2010 were included. The majority of the relapses were detected by patient-reported symptoms or physical examination, or both, as opposed to surveillance imaging (77.9% [n = 127] vs. 22.1% [n = 36]; P P = .66). Patient-reported symptoms led to the detection of the majority of relapses in aggressive (85.7% [n = 72] vs. 14.3% [n = 12]; P P = .0007). Surveillance PET/CT contributed to more than 75% of follow-up health care costs in the first 2 years of monitoring for relapse. The surveillance imaging group had 1 reported case of iatrogenic pneumothorax. Conclusion Our retrospective analysis suggests that there is a limited role for surveillance imaging by CT or PET/CT in detecting first relapse in NHL. There was no difference in survival outcomes between the 2 groups in our study.
Use of polyethylene glycol and high-performance liquid chromatography for preparative separation of Aspergillus ficuum acid phosphatases

Abstract Proteins of Aspergillus ficuum culture filtrate were sequentially fractionated with 4, 9, 15, 19, 24, 30 and 36% polyethylene glycol (PEG) into seven acid phosphatases (APases) with 93% and 52% overall recoveries of activity and protein, respectively. Crude extract was also separated into seven APase peaks on a 30 cm × 2.5 cm I.D. anion-exchange column using 0.1 M Tris-HCl (pH 8.0) and a 0–0.4 M KCl gradient as the eluent, but their resolution was incomplete. However, when individual PEG precipitates were injected on to the column, each APase was eluted in a single, large peak resulting in 85% recovery and fifteen-fold purification of APase activity over the PEG precipitates. Use of PEG prior to HPLC separations also reduced the separation time to half and allowed a tenfold increase in sample load with complete resolution. The APases in PEG fractions and their corresponding HPLC peaks varied significantly in their kinetic parameters, including substrate specificity and pH optimum. The method developed is most beneficial for the isolation of these closely related APases from microbial or other sources for further molecular biology studies.
Variation in EGF-induced EGF receptor downregulation in human hepatoma-derived cell lines expressing different amounts of EGF receptor

The effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor overexpression on ligand-induced EGF receptor downregulation was examined using a hepatoma-derived cell line, PLC/PRF/5, which expresses normal amounts of the EGF receptor, and a subline, NPLC/PRF/5, which expresses 10-fold more receptors at its cell surface. PLC/PRF/5 cells efficiently downregulated surface receptor levels upon exposure to saturating and subsaturating concentrations of EGF; the rate of receptor downregulation corresponded to that of ligand-receptor internalization. Upon internalization, EGF receptors were degraded and receptor biosynthesis remained at basal levels. EGF surface receptor remained downregulated for as long as cells were exposed to EGF. By contrast, surface EGF receptor abundance in NPLC/PRF/5 cells decreased by only 5-15% after 1-4 h incubation with subsaturating doses of EGF and actually increased by 67% within 20 h. Exposure of these cells to saturating concentrations of EGF induced modest decreases in surface receptor abundance during the initial 12 h incubation, followed by a progressive decline to 30% of initial values by 24 h. Relative ligand-receptor internalization rates in NPLC/PRF/5 cells were lower than those in PLC/PRF/5, although their surface receptor population was even higher than that predicted by the decreased internalization rates. EGF receptor degradation in NPLC/PRF/5 cells was also inhibited; exposure to saturating levels of EGF for more than 16 h was necessary before significant degradation occurred. Receptor protein and mRNA biosynthesis in NPLC/PRF/5 were stimulated by 8 h exposure to EGF but when saturating concentrations of EGF were present for 16 h, receptor biosynthesis was inhibited. EGF receptor overexpression circumvents the downregulatory effect of EGF by decreasing the rate of receptor internalization, inhibiting degradation of the internalized receptor pool, and stimulating EGF receptor biosynthesis. Conversely, receptor downregulation becomes pronounced at late times when receptor degradation is high and biosynthesis is inhibited.
Effect of Fluoroquinolone Treatment on Growth of and Toxin Production by Epidemic and Nonepidemic Clostridium difficile Strains in the Cecal Contents of Mice

Several recent outbreaks of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) have been attributed to the emergence of an epidemic strain with increased resistance to fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Some clinical studies have suggested that fluoroquinolones with enhanced antianaerobic activity (i.e., gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin) may have a greater propensity to induce CDAD than ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin do. We examined the effects of subcutaneous fluoroquinolone treatment on in vitro growth of and toxin production by epidemic and nonepidemic C. difficile isolates in cecal contents of mice and evaluated the potential for these agents to inhibit fluoroquinolone-susceptible isolates during treatment. When C. difficile isolates were inoculated into cecal contents collected 2 days after the final antibiotic dose, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin promoted significantly more growth and toxin production than ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin did. During treatment, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin inhibited growth of fluoroquinolone-susceptible but not fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates. Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin promoted growth of C. difficile when administered at higher doses (i.e., 20 times the human dose in mg/kg of body weight), and levofloxacin inhibited growth of fluoroquinolone-susceptible, but not fluoroquinolone-resistant, C. difficile isolates when administered in combination with ceftriaxone. Thus, fluoroquinolones with enhanced antianaerobic activity (i.e., gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin) promoted C. difficile growth to a greater extent than did ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin in this model. However, our findings suggest that fluoroquinolones may exert selective pressure favoring the emergence of epidemic fluoroquinolone-resistant C. difficile strains by inhibiting fluoroquinolone-susceptible but not fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates during treatment and that agents such as levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin can exert such selective pressure when administered in combination with antibiotics that disrupt the anaerobic microflora.
Bringing Government Back into Civic Engagement: Considering the Role of Public Policy

Abstract Analyses of the determinants of civic engagement give little heed to the role of government in citizens' lives. The nascent research in this area suggests that citizens' experiences of public programs can influence their rate of civic involvement and their attitudes about government. Features of policy design—the extent of resources bestowed on citizens, the messages conveyed through program rules and procedures, and the degree of visibility of government's role—may each influence the extent and form of program effects. Changes in public provision over time may help explain the rise and decline of civic engagement.