cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intraspecific Aflatoxin Inhibition in Aspergillus flavus Is Thigmoregulated, Independent of Vegetative Compatibility Group and Is Strain Dependent

Biological control of preharvest aflatoxin contamination by atoxigenic stains of Aspergillus flavus has been demonstrated in several crops. The assumption is that some form of competition suppresses the fungus's ability to infect or produce aflatoxin when challenged. Intraspecific aflatoxin inhibition was demonstrated by others. This work investigates the mechanistic basis of that phenomenon. A toxigenic and atoxigenic isolate of A. flavus which exhibited intraspecific aflatoxin inhibition when grown together in suspended disc culture were not inhibited when grown in a filter insert-plate well system separated by a .4 or 3 µm membrane. Toxigenic and atoxigenic conidial mixtures (50∶50) placed on both sides of these filters restored inhibition. There was ∼50% inhibition when a 12 µm pore size filter was used. Conidial and mycelial diameters were in the 3.5-7.0 µm range and could pass through the 12 µm filter. Larger pore sizes in the initially separated system restored aflatoxin inhibition. This suggests isolates must come into physical contact with one another. This negates a role for nutrient competition or for soluble diffusible signals or antibiotics in aflatoxin inhibition. The toxigenic isolate was maximally sensitive to inhibition during the first 24 hrs of growth while the atoxigenic isolate was always inhibition competent. The atoxigenic isolate when grown with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) toxigenic isolate failed to inhibit aflatoxin indicating that there is specificity in the touch inhibiton. Several atoxigenic isolates were found which inhibited the GFP isolate. These results suggest that an unknown signaling pathway is initiated in the toxigenic isolate by physical interaction with an appropriate atoxigenic isolate in the first 24 hrs which prevents or down-regulates normal expression of aflatoxin after 3-5 days growth. We suspect thigmo-downregulation of aflatoxin synthesis is the mechanistic basis of intraspecific aflatoxin inhibition and the major contributor to biological control of aflatoxin contamination.
Improved flux-split algorithm applied to hypersonic flows in chemical equilibrium

An explicit, finite-difference, shock-capturing numerical algorithm is presented and applied to hypersonic flows assumed to be in thermochemical equilibrium. Real-gas chemistry is either loosely coupled to the gasdynamics by way of a Gibbs free energy minimization package or fully coupled using species mass conservation equations with finite-rate chemical reactions. A scheme is developed that maintains stability in the explicit, finite-rate formulation while allowing relatively high time steps. The codes use flux vector splitting to difference the inviscid fluxes and employ real-gas corrections to viscosity and thermal conductivity. Numerical results are compared against existing ballistic range and flight data. Flows about complex geometries are also computed.
TU-C-214-07: Real-Time Monitoring of Head and Neck Patient Position Using Pressure Sensing Technique

Purpose: To explore the feasibility of using a pressure sensing technique to monitor head and neck patient position in real time during radiation treatment and to correct for positioning errors. Methods: A pressure sensing technique was applied to assess patient head movement by measuringpressures underneath the head. An anthropomorphic Rando phantom was used to simulate the patient head. A poly foam pad composed of uniformly‐ distributed pressure sensors (1.1‐cm resolution) was placed on top of a neckrest head holder under the phantom. Pressures were recorded as a two‐ dimensional pattern with magnitudes and spatial information. To test if the pressure patterns are sensitive to phantom position, the phantom was manipulated randomly to simulate various patient head movement (translational shift, rotation, and pitching) and the pressure patterns were evaluated. The phantom was scanned in CT at each manipulated position and the images were co‐registered to verify each phantom movement. To test if the pressure information can be used for patient position correction, blind experiment was conducted: the phantom was re‐positioned to its original position using only the guidance of the original pressure pattern by adjusting the phantom position to generate a pressure pattern to match the original one. Results: The pressures and pressure patterns were very sensitive to phantom position, showing significant changes in real time with phantom movement. The blind test showed that the re‐positioned phantom position (re‐positioned with the pressure guidance only) agreed very well with the original phantom position: the differences were 0.1, 0, and 0 degree in three rotation directions, and 0.3, 0.7, and 0.2 mm in three translation directions, respectively. Conclusions: Pressure‐sensing is a feasible non‐ radiation technique for real‐time monitoring of patient position during radiation delivery and for correcting positional errors.
Development of a Small Diameter Vascular Graft Using the Human Amniotic Membrane

Although there have been significant advances in the development of fully functional vascular grafts suitable for coronary artery bypass graft surgery, so far no technology has been developed that meets all of the requirements suitable for clinical use. Here we present an approach using a decellularized biological membrane, seeded with smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and rolled into a tubular construct. We show that the human amniotic membrane provides a thin and strong biological extracellular matrix that supports the attachment and proliferation of both rat aortic SMCs and of human myofibroblasts. The results show that after 1 week in static culture, the rolled construct develops an elastic modulus higher than that of native tissue. The elastic modulus decreases with time in culture, suggesting that cells actively remodel the matrix. Cells continue to proliferate in the rolled state and histology images show that some cells attach to the neighboring membrane in the construct. The burst pressure of the construct remains below physiological levels. A bioreactor system was used to deliver flow to both the lumen and the ablumenal spaces through two separate flow circuits but resulting burst pressures of this treatment still remain below physiological values. Our study demonstrates that the human amniotic membrane is a cell biocompatible biological membrane that has the potential to be useful in a vascular application.
Synthesis of boron nanorods by smelting non-toxic boron oxide in liquid lithium

In contrast to the conventional bottom-up syntheses of boron nanostructures, a unique top-down and greener synthetic strategy is presented for boron nanorods involving nontoxic boron oxide powders ultrasonically smelted in liquid lithium under milder conditions. The product was thoroughly characterized by energy dispersive X-ray analysis, atomic emission spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and, UV-Vis spectroscopy, including structural characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Adhesion Due to Micro Menisci During Separation of Contact Surfaces

High friction/stiction caused by adhesive force is among the main issues in devices (ranging from macro scale down to mirco/nano scale) having contacting interfaces with relative motion. Relevant parameters, i.e., surface roughness, meniscus and viscous forces due to the presence of liquid films, need to be studied to provide a fundamental understanding of the physics of the experienced problems. The simulations of separation of two surfaces from micro menisci are performed. The roles of the involved forces which contribute to the adhesive force are examined.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Effects of Transparency and At-Stakeness on Students' Perceptions of Their Ability to Work Collaboratively in Effective Classroom Teams: A Partial Test of the Jassawalla and Sashittal Model.

While teams are common in business school classrooms, scholars note that few instructors provide teamwork-related instruction. The consequent negative experiences may explain the reported cynicism about teamwork among students. This article reports findings from a study that examined the link between a teaching strategy designed to help students function more effectively in teams and its impact on student perceptions of their ability to work collaboratively with others and on their perceptions of their team's effectiveness. The study found evidence to suggest that a teaching strategy designed to help students reach the multiple stages of team development such as high levels of at-stakeness and transparency positively impacts their perceptions and that these stages effectively mediate the link between the strategy and key outcomes.
Optimal regularity for a class of singular abstract parabolic equations

A general class of singular abstract Cauchy problems is considered which naturally arises in applications to certain free boundary problems. Existence of an associated evolution operator characterizing its solutions is established and is subsequently used to derive optimal regularity results. The latter are well known to be important basic tools needed to deal with corresponding nonlinear Cauchy problems such as those associated to free boundary problems.
Educating the Engineer of 2020

How will engineering practice change in the next twenty years? What are the implications to engineering education? Will we have achieved gender equity? These questions will be discussed in the context of three recent reports of the US. National Academy of Engineering – The Engineer of 2020: Global Visions of Engineering in the New Century; Educating the Engineer of 2020: Adapting Engineering Education to the New Century; and Beyond Bias and Barriers: Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Competition, the division of labor, and Darwin's principle of divergence

En elucidant les aspects de la selection naturelle, l'A. demontre la theorie de C. Darwin sur le principe de la divergence des especes, qu'il compare au pouvoir de l'homme a creer des especes differentes par des pratiques d'elevage selectif
Despite The Spread Of Health Information Exchange, There Is Little Evidence Of Its Impact On Cost, Use, And Quality Of Care

Health information exchange (HIE), which is the transfer of electronic information such as laboratory results, clinical summaries, and medication lists, is believed to boost efficiency, reduce health care costs, and improve outcomes for patients. Stimulated by federal financial incentives, about two-thirds of hospitals and almost half of physician practices are now engaged in some type of HIE with outside organizations. To determine how HIE has affected such health care measures as cost, service use, and quality, we identified twenty-seven scientific studies, extracted selected characteristics from each, and meta-analyzed these characteristics for trends. Overall, 57 percent of published analyses reported some benefit from HIE. However, articles employing study designs having strong internal validity, such as randomized controlled trials or quasi-experiments, were significantly less likely than others to associate HIE with benefits. Among six articles with strong internal validity, one study reported para...
Visiting Congress: Can AGU members make a difference?

Having recently discovered tne value ot a Congressional Visit experience, I would like to invite other AGU members to participate in the 2006 Science Engineering and Technology Congressional Visits Day (CVD), 28–29 March 2006. My experience at an AGU CVD last fall taught me that participating in the policy process and visiting your Congressional delegation can make a difference. On 14 September 2005, I was part of a group of more than 70 scientists that fanned out to meet members of Congress and their staffs as part of a CVD organized by the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF).CNSF is an alliance of more than 100 organizations, including AGU, that supports the goal of increasing national investment in the U.S. National Science Foundation's (NSF) research and education programs.
Enhanced sensitivity of a two-site acridinium ester based immunochemiluminometric assay for rat growth hormone-releasing hormone using simple modifications in assay procedure.

Using six simple modifications in assay procedure, the sensitivity of a two-site immunochemiluminometric assay for rat growth hormone-releasing hormone was enhanced 9.5-fold from 35 fg/tube to 3.7 fg/tube, improving performance for physiologic experiments.
Intraoperative Performance Evaluation in Colorectal Surgery

Colorectal resections account for a disproportionate burden of morbidity within general surgery, and most major complications probably originate in the operating room. A number of intraoperative factors are known to contribute to outcomes in colorectal surgery and yet no generally accepted metrics exist to evaluate the safety and quality of intraoperative care. Some composite performance scores have been described but are not commonly in use. Experiences from other surgical specialties can inform future efforts to develop, validate, and implement intraoperative quality indicators for colorectal surgery.
Identification of Functionally Important Amino Acid Residues within the C2-Domain of Human Factor V Using Alanine-Scanning Mutagenesis†

We have previously determined that the C2-domain of human factor V (residues 2037−2196) is required for expression of cofactor activity and binding to phosphatidylserine (PS)-containing membranes. ...
Regulation of luteinizing hormone receptor messenger ribonucleic acid levels by gonadotropins, growth factors, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone in cultured rat granulosa cells.

The induction of LH receptors in granulosa cells is prerequisite for ovarian follicles to ovulate and form corpora lutea. Earlier studies have demonstrated the modulatory role of gonadotropins, growth factors, and GnRH on ovarian LH receptor content. We have now analyzed the influences of gonadotropins (FSH, LH, and PRL), several growth factors, and GnRH on LH receptor mRNA levels in cultured granulosa cells. Cells were obtained from immature estrogen-treated rats and cultured in medium containing FSH with or without growth factors or GnRH for 48 h. Some cells were also treated with FSH for 48 h, followed by treatment with FSH, LH, or PRL for another 2 days. Cellular total RNA was extracted, and blot hybridization with 32P-labeled LH receptor cRNA or 28S ribosomal RNA cDNA probes was performed. Treatment of granulosa cells with FSH increased the levels of five species of LH receptor mRNAs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In FSH-primed cells, LH receptor mRNA levels were maintained by FSH, LH, and PRL...
Majorizations for the dominant eigenvector of a nonnegative matrix

Motivated by network controller design applications, we develop several majorization results for the dominant eigenvector of an irreducible nonnegative matrix.
Negative Instances and Mathematical Concept Formation: A Preliminary Study.

Interest in the role of negative instances in mathematical concept formation was generated by an attempt to reconcile the view of many mathematicians as to the value of negative instances in learning concepts (e.g., Gelbaum & Olmsted, 1964) with the experimental results of Hovland and Weiss (1953), Bruner, Goodnow, and Austin (1956), and others suggesting a detrimental effect for negative instances in learning concepts. It was the purpose of this study to examine the effect of negative instances on the acquisition of mathematical concepts. First, it was necessary to consider a definition for concept. As Kendler (1964) has pointed out, none of the many definitions of concept given in the literature can be considered totally adequate since they do not adequately characterize such concepts as color, time, space, etc. For the purposes of an experimental study the most useful definitions are those given by Hovland (1952), Kendler (1961), Hunt (1962), Bourne (1966), or others in the field of experimental psychology. The investigator chose to utilize components of the definitions of Kendler and Hunt.
Synthesis of biodegradable multiblock copolymers by click coupling of RAFT-generated heterotelechelic polyHPMA conjugates

Abstract A new strategy for the synthesis of biodegradable high molecular weight N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA)-based polymeric carriers has been designed. An enzyme-sensitive, alkyne-functionalized, chain transfer agent (CTA-GFLG-alkyne; Nα-(4-pentynoyl)-Nδ-(4-cyano-4-(phenylcarbonothioylthio)pentanoyl–glycylphenylalanylleucylglycyl)-lysine) was synthesized and used to mediate the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and copolymerization of HPMA. Post-polymerization modification with 4,4′-azobis(azidopropyl 4-cyanopentanoate) resulted in the formation of heterotelechelic HPMA copolymers containing terminal alkyne and azide groups. Chain extension via click reaction resulted in high molecular weight multiblock copolymers. Upon exposure to papain, these copolymers degraded into the initial blocks. Similar results were obtained for copolymers of HPMA with N-methacryloylglycylphenylalanylleucylglycyl thiazolidine-2-thione and N-methacryloylglycylphenylalanylleucylglycyl-gemcitabine. The new synthetic method presented permits the synthesis of biocompatible, biodegradable high molecular weight HPMA copolymer–anticancer drug conjugates that possess long-circulation times and augmented accumulation in solid tumor tissue due to the enhanced permeability and retention effect.
Primary Systemic Therapy of Breast Cancer

Primary systemic therapy (PST) or neoadjuvant therapy is used in nonmetastatic breast cancer to treat systemic disease earlier, decrease tumor bulk ideally to a complete pathological response (pCR), and reduce the extent of surgery. The multitude of clinical trials using PST in breast cancer patients has not proven the fundamental hypotheses of improved overall survival and disease-free survival that drove the investigation of PST. The other potential advantages of PST, which include increasing the rate of breast-conserving surgery and predicting outcome to a particular chemotherapy regimen, are also not conclusively established. We examined the published literature on PST for breast cancer and predominantly focused our review on data from large, randomized clinical trials comparing primary systemic chemotherapy with adjuvant chemotherapy, different primary systemic chemotherapy regimens, primary systemic chemotherapy with hormonal therapy, and different preoperative hormonal therapies. Although the optimal neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen has not been established, a combination of four cycles of an ancycl fold by fouyclsf a taxn apar to produce the highest pCR rate (22%–31%). In patients with HER-2-positive breast cancer, concurrent use of neoadjuvant trastuzumab with an anthracycline–taxane combination has produced provocative results that require further confirmatory studies. Preoperative hormonal therapy is associated with low pCR rates and should be reserved for patients who are poor candidates for systemic chemotherapy. The optimal management of patients with residual disease after the administration of maximum neoadjuvant therapy remains to be defined. The surgical approach, including the role of sentinel node biopsy and delivery of radiation therapy after PST in breast cancer patients, is evolving. Ongoing clinical trials will help identify the subset of patients who would most benefit from the use of PST, establish the most effective PST regimen, and determine the optimal multidisciplinary approach in the management of breast cancer. The Oncologist 2006;11:574–589 Learning Objectives
Analytical model of shot noise in double-barrier resonant-tunneling diodes

The shot noise in double-barrier diodes is analyzed using the stationary-state approach to resonant tunneling through the first quasi-bound level. Significant deviations from full shot noise are predicted. Significant shot noise suppression occurs in the entire positive differential resistance region below the current peak, and shot noise enhancement occurs in the negative differential resistance region above the peak. The physical basis for these effects is assumed to be the modulation of the double-barrier transmission probability by charge stored in the first quasi-bound level in the quantum well. The analysis confirms microwave noise measurements of high-speed double-barrier diodes. >
An Examination of Counseling Professionals/Paraprofessionals Attitudes Toward Adolescent Sexual Offenders

One hundred thirty-three counseling professionals/paraprofessionals were recruited from adolescent residential treatment programs located in Michigan. Participants were assessed using the Community Attitudes Toward Sex Offender Scale (CATSO). Of the participants, 32.3% (n = 43) of the participants were female and 67.7% (n = 90) were male. Years of experience working directly with adolescent sexual offenders of participants ranged from 0 to 18 years (M = 2.48 years, SD = 3.48). The number of months participants received sexual offender training ranged from 0 to 60 (M = 3.44, SD = 9.48). No statistical differences in attitudes were found between females and males toward adolescent sexual offenders. No statistically significant relationship was found between years of experience and the four factors on the CATSO survey (Social Isolation, Capacity to Change, Severity/Dangerousness, and Deviancy). A significant relationship was found between experience and the Deviancy factor. No statistically significant relationship was found between months of training and attitudes. Overall, attitudes toward adolescent sexual offenders were positive.
Atomic Oxygen Kinetics of Fuel/Air Mixtures in Repetitively Pulsed Low Temperature Nanosecond Discharges

This paper presents new experimental data and modeling predictions for the temporal evolution of atomic oxygen number density, measured by Two Photon Absorption Laser Induced Fluorescence (TALIF), in nanosecond pulsed Ar/O2 plasmas with H2 and C2H4 fuels over a range of equivalence ratios between quite lean (φ = 0.08) and stoichiometric. Experimental data is obtained both as a function of time after a small (21) burst of pulses at 40 kHz repetition rate, and as a function of number of pulses within a burst, also at 40 kHz repetition rate. In both H2 and C2H4 fuels experimental atomic oxygen number density is found to increase rapidly with number of pulsed in a burst, and then level off to a steady-state plateau after ~50 – 100 pulses, the value of which depend strongly on equivalence ratio. Plasma chemical modeling captured the general trends in all of the data, with overall agreement for H2 mixtures found to be within a factor of ~50 percent. For C2H4 the overall agreement was found to be somewhat poorer than for H2, with the discrepancy largest at the leanest case studied.
Democratization and Foreign Direct Investment Liberalization, 1970–2000

Despite the central role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in global economic integration, we lack explanations for why countries restrict FDI inflows. This article analyzes the sources of FDI liberalization using a comprehensive new data set of national foreign ownership restrictions spanning over 90 countries for the period 1970–2000. Analyses of this data show that democratization contributes to greater FDI openness. Democratization elevates the political influence of labor, the primary beneficiary of unrestricted FDI inflows. Democracies restrict six percent fewer of their manufacturing and service industries as compared to nondemocracies. This finding is robust to several controls for alternate explanations including economic crises, coercion, and diffusion; alternate measures of both democracy and foreign ownership restrictions; and a variety of model specifications. This article elucidates the political economy foundations of the contemporary world economy.
Comparison of 16S rRNA, nifD, recA, gyrB, rpoB and fusA genes within the family Geobacteraceae fam. nov.

The sequences of five conserved genes, in addition to the 16S rRNA gene, were investigated in 30 members of the Geobacteraceae fam. nov. All members of the Geobacteraceae examined contained nifD, suggesting that they are capable of nitrogen fixation, which may explain their ability to compete effectively in nitrogen-poor subsurface environments undergoing remediation for petroleum or metal contamination. The phylogenies predicted from rpoB, gyrB, fusA, recA and nifD were generally in agreement with the phylogeny predicted from 16S rRNA gene sequences. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of concatemers constructed from all five protein-coding genes corresponded closely with the 16S rRNA gene-based phylogeny. This study demonstrated that the Geobacteraceae is a phylogenetically coherent family within the δ-subclass of the Proteobacteria that is composed of three distinct phylogenetic clusters: Geobacter, Desulfuromonas and Desulfuromusa. The sequence data provided here will make it possible to discriminate better between physiologically distinct members of the Geobacteraceae, such as Pelobacter propionicus and Geobacter species, in geobacteraceae-dominated microbial communities and greatly expands the potential to identify geobacteraceae sequences in libraries of environmental genomic DNA.
On Ischemic Brain Injury in Genetically Altered Mice

On Ischemic Brain Injury in Genetically Altered Mice Print ISSN: 1079-5642. Online ISSN: 1524-4636 Copyright © 1999 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231 is published by the American Heart Association, 7272 Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology doi: 10.1161/01.ATV.19.11.2581 1999;19:2581-2583 Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. http://atvb.ahajournals.org/content/19/11/2581 World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is located on the
Evaluating our ability to predict the structural disruption of RNA by SNPs

The structure of RiboNucleic Acid (RNA) has the potential to be altered by a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP). Disease-associated SNPs mapping to non-coding regions of the genome that are transcribed into RiboNucleic Acid (RNA) can potentially affect cellular regulation (and cause disease) by altering the structure of the transcript. We performed a large-scale meta-analysis of Selective 2'-Hydroxyl Acylation analyzed by Primer Extension (SHAPE) data, which probes the structure of RNA. We found that several single point mutations exist that significantly disrupt RNA secondary structure in the five transcripts we analyzed. Thus, every RNA that is transcribed has the potential to be a “RiboSNitch;” where a SNP causes a large conformational change that alters regulatory function. Predicting the SNPs that will have the largest effect on RNA structure remains a contemporary computational challenge. We therefore benchmarked the most popular RNA structure prediction algorithms for their ability to identify mutations that maximally affect structure. We also evaluated metrics for rank ordering the extent of the structural change. Although no single algorithm/metric combination dramatically outperformed the others, small differences in AUC (Area Under the Curve) values reveal that certain approaches do provide better agreement with experiment. The experimental data we analyzed nonetheless show that multiple single point mutations exist in all RNA transcripts that significantly disrupt structure in agreement with the predictions.
An IS Simulation Technique for Very Low BER Performance Evaluation of LDPC Codes

We introduce an Importance Sampling (IS) method that successfully simulates the performance of Low density Parity Check (LDPC) Codes in an AWGN channel at very low bit error rates (BERs). By effectively finding and biasing bit node combinations that are the dominant sources of error events, called trapping sets, the developed technique provokes more frequent decoder failures. Consequently, fewer simulation runs and higher simulation gains are achieved. Regardless of the block size of an LDPC code, only a few dominant trapping set classes cause decoder failures at low BER regions. Therefore, the proposed technique allows the performance evaluation for any size LDPC code at very low BER regions with remarkable simulation gains. For BERs of 10?20, we observed simulation gains on the order of 1014.
Mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen on ischemic tissue healing

METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent creation of a previously validated ischemic flap. Four groups underwent daily treatment: HBO (90 minutes, 2.4 atm); HBO/NAC (HBO plus 150mg/kg NAC intraperitoneal); NAC (150mg/kg NAC); Control (neither HBO nor NAC). Wound area, protein expression by immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and western blotting, and cell proliferation by DNA dot-blotting were analyzed at days 3, 7, and 14 (n 6 per group).
Expression of endothelin in equine laminitis

Summary Biosynthesis of endothelin-1 (ET-1), the most potent endogenous vasoconstrictor yet identified, is increased following myocardial infarction (MI) in man. Pathological events which occur in the connective tissues of the equine hoof during laminitis are similar in some respects, to changes occurring in the myocardial connective tissues following MI in man. The objective of this study was to determine whether ET-1 expression in connective tissues obtained from the hoof of laminitic horses is increased compared with tissues obtained from healthy horses. Expression of ET-1 in connective tissues of the equine hoof was measured following tissue extraction from 3 groups of horses: horses in which acute laminitis had been induced by the administration of starch; chronically foundered horses; nonlaminitic horses. The concentration of ET-1 in laminar connective tissues obtained from all laminitic horses (1573.0 ± 392.8 pg/g of tissue; n = 10) was increased when compared with tissues obtained from nonlaminitic horses (392.5 ± 117.4 pg/g of tissue; n = 5) (P<0.05). The concentration of ET-1 in laminar connective tissues obtained from the experimentally induced, acute laminitic horses (1043.6 ± 254.4 pg/g of tissue; n = 7) and from the spontaneously affected, chronic laminitic horses (2808.3 ± 878.6 pg/g of tissue; n = 3) was increased compared with the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). The concentration of ET-1 in laminar connective tissues obtained from the chronic laminitic horses was greater than that of the experimentally induced, acute laminitic group (P<0.05). It is suggested that the data provide a strong argument that increased ET-1 expression in the connective tissues of the equine hoof represent a potentially important and hitherto unrecognised component of the pathophysiology of equine laminitis. Further studies are needed to determine whether inhibitors of ET-1 converting enzyme or antagonists of ET-1 receptors might be useful in the treatment and prevention of laminitis in horses.
Revamped Braneworld Gravity

Gravity in five-dimensional braneworld backgrounds often exhibits problematic features, including kinetic ghosts, strong coupling, and the vDVZ discontinuity. These problems are an obstacle to producing and analyzing braneworld models with interesting and potentially observable modifications of 4d gravity. We examine these problems in a general AdS{sub 5}/AdS{sub 4} setup with two branes and localized curvature from arbitrary brane kinetic terms. We use the interval approach and an explicit ''straight'' gauge-fixing. We compute the complete quadratic gauge-fixed effective 4d action, as well as the leading cubic order corrections. We compute the exact Green's function for gravity as seen on the brane. In the full parameter space, we exhibit the regions which avoid kinetic ghosts and tachyons. We give a general formula for the strong coupling scale, i.e. the energy scale at which the linearized treatment of gravity breaks down, for relevant regions of the parameter space. We show how the vDVZ discontinuity can be naturally but nontrivially avoided by ultralight graviton modes. We present a direct comparison of warping versus localized curvature in terms of their effects on graviton mode couplings. We exhibit the first example of DGP-like crossover behavior in a general warped setup.
Termination and continuity of greedy growing for tree-structured vector quantizers

Tree-structured vector quantizers (TSVQ) provide a computationally efficient, variable-rate method of compressing vector-valued data. In applications, the problem of designing a TSVQ from empirical training data is critical. Greedy growing algorithms are a common and effective approach to the design problem. They are recursive procedures that produce a TSVQ one node at a time by optimizing a simple splitting criterion at each step. While unsupervised greedy growing algorithms are well-understood from an experimental point of view, there has been little theory to support their use, or to examine their behavior on large training sets. The authors present a rigorous analysis of a greedy growing algorithm proposed by Riskin (1990), Riskin and Gray (1991), and Balakrishnan (1991). The first part of the paper is a description of the algorithm and an examination of its asymptotic behavior as it applies to a fixed, absolutely continuous distribution. The second part of the paper establishes the structural consistency of the algorithm with respect to a convergent sequence of distributions. As an application, the authors obtain results concerning the large-sample empirical behavior of the algorithm when it is applied to stationary ergodic training vectors.
Children with Special Health Care Need's Association of Passive Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Dental Caries: 2007 National Survey of Children's Health.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine a relationship between passive tobacco smoke exposure (secondhand and third hand tobacco smoke exposure) and dental caries in Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) ages 0-17 years. Method: This study used data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health involving 17,901 CSHCN. Telephone survey data were used to determine recent caries experience and passive tobacco smoke exposure (secondhand and third hand tobacco smoke exposure). Recent caries was defined as a positive response to if CSHCN had “decayed teeth or cavities within the past 6 months.” Passive smoke was defined as a positive response to if someone in the household used cigarettes, cigars, or pipe tobacco. Results: A statistically significant relationship was determined between passive tobacco smoke exposure and recent caries in CSHCN (adjusted odds ratio: 1.23 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.50; p-value= 0.0352). Conclusion: A positive independent association of passive tobacco smoke exposure and dental caries was determined in Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN).
Management of hyperhidrosis.

Primary hyperhidrosis (HH), a condition of sweating in excess of thermoregulatory requirements, affects nearly 3% of the US population and carries significant emotional and psy - chosocial implications. Unlike secondary HH, primary HH is not associated with an identifiable underlying pathology. Our limited understanding of the precise pathophysiologic mechanism for HH makes its treatment particularly frustrating. However, a wide array of interventions for the treatment of HH have been implemented throughout the world. Herein, we discuss the most extensively studied therapeutic options for primary HH, including systemic oxybutynin, botuli- num toxin injections, skin excision, liposuction-curettage, and sympathotomy/sympathectomy. We conclude with a discussion of possible future therapies for HH, including the applications of laser, microwave, and ultrasound technologies.
Solution structure of a pyrimidine·purine·pyrimidine DNA triplex containing T·AT, C+ ·GC and G·TA triples

Abstract Background Under certain conditions, homopyrimidine oligonucleotides can bind to complementary homopurine sequences in homopurine-homopyrimidine segments of duplex DNA to form triple helical structures. Besides having biological implications in vivo , this property has been exploited in molecular biology applications. This approach is limited by a lack of knowledge about the recognition by the third strand of pyrimidine residues in Watson–Crick base pairs. Results We have therefore determined the solution structure of a pyrimidine·purine·pyrimidine (Y·RY) DNA triple helix containing a guanine residue in the third strand which was postulated to specifically recognize a thymine residue in a Watson–Crick TA base pair. The structure was solved by combining NMR-derived restraints with molecular dynamics simulations conducted in the presence of explicit solvent and counter ions. The guanine of the G·TA triple is tilted out of the plane of its target TA base pair towards the 3′-direction, to avoid a steric clash with the thymine methyl group. This allows the guanine amino protons to participate in hydrogen bonds with separate carbonyls, forming one strong bond within the G·TA triple and a weak bond to an adjacent T·AT triple. Dramatic variations in helical twist around the guanine residue lead to a novel stacking interaction. At the global level, the Y·RY DNA triplex shares several structural features with the recently solved solution structure of the R·RY DNA triplex. Conclusions The formation of a G·TA triple within an otherwise pyrimidine·purine·pyrimidine DNA triplex causes conformational realignments in and around the G·TA triple. These highlight new aspects of molecular recognition that could be useful in triplex-based approaches to inhibition of gene expression and site-specific cleavage of genomic DNA.
A novel nanoparticle albumin bound thiocolchicine dimer (nab-5404) with dual mechanisms of action on tubulin and topoisomerase-1: evaluation of in vitro and in vivo activity

2390 Background: The novel thiocolchicine dimer IDN5404 was selected for its activity in human ovarian subline resistant to cisplatin and topotecan, A2780-CIS and A2780-TOP. This effect was related to dual mechanisms of action, i.e., microtubule activity as in Vinca alkaloids and a topoisomerase I inhibitory effect different from camptothecin (Raspaglio, 2004, Biochemical Pharmacology, in press). Herein, we further studied in vitro and in vivo activity of IDN5404 in a nanoparticle albumin-bound state (nab-5404). Methods: IDN5404 was tested for cytotoxic activity using the MCF7-S breast carcinoma and its multidrug resistant variant, MCF7-R (pgp+). Its cytotoxicity was also assessed against the NCI-60 human tumor cell line panel. The nanoparticle albumin bound nab-5404 was administered IV using various schedules, to SCID mice implanted sc with a human A121 ovarian tumor xenograft. Results: Against MCF7 cell lines, the parent compound, colchicine, demonstrated tumor growth inhibition with the IC50 value (50% growth inhibitory concentration) for MCF7-S cells at 3.9 ± 0.2 nM. The resistant variant MCF7-R demonstrated an IC50 of 66 ± 8.6 nM, approximately a 17-fold increase due to drug resistance. IDN-5404, demonstrated increased activity against both cell lines, displaying IC50 values of 1.7 ±0.1 and 40 ± 3.8 nM, respectively. These results were confirmed within the NCI 60 human tumor cell line panel with IDN-5404 having a mean IC50 of 10 fold resistance between the MCF7-S and the MCF7-R cell lines. The COMPARE algorithm identified IDN5404 as a tubulin binder similar to Vinca alkaloids, confirming the previous results. In vivo against the A121 ovarian tumor xenograft, efficacy and toxicity of nab-5404 was dose and schedule dependent. Nanoparticle nab-5404 was well tolerated and capable of inducing complete regressions and cures: at 24 mg/kg administered IV qd x 5, 5 of 5 mice were long-term survivors (LTS) with no evidence of tumor. However, increasing the dosage to 30 mg/kg resulted in 5 of 5 toxic deaths. On a q3d x 4 schedule, 30 mg/kg resulted in 4 of 5 mice LTS and at 50 mg/kg, 5 of 5 toxic deaths. Using a q7d x 3 schedule, 40 mg/kg resulted in 3 of 5 mice LTS and at 50 mg/kg, 4 of 4 LTS were noted. Conclusions: IDN5404, a new thiocolchicine dimer with dual mechanism of action showed activity in pgp-expressing, cisplatin and topotecan resistant cell lines. In vivo, nanoparticle albumin bound nab-5404 was active against A121 ovarian xenograft. Anti-tumor activity of nab-5404 in other xenograft tumors is presently being assessed.
Mitochondrial ROS initiate phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase during hypoxia in cardiomyocytes

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is phosphorylated in response to oxidative stress. Mitochondria in cardiomyocytes increase their generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during h...
Measurement of quenching rates of CO(a3Π,v=0) using laser pump-and-probe technique

Abstract Measurements are presented of rates of electronic quenching of CO(a, v=0) by several gases. A pump-and-probe technique is used; CO(a) is created by pumping the spin-forbidden (a–X) transition at 206 nm. Measured rate coefficients at room temperature are kQ(CO)=5.7±1.2, kQ(NO)=17±6, kQ(N2)=1.4±0.6, kQ(O2)=6±2, kQ(H2)=2.6±1.0, kQ(H2O)=33±12 in units of 10 −11 cm 3 s −1 .
Informing design of systems for intelligence analysis: understanding users, user tasks, and tool usage

Although intelligence analysts are one of the main target users of visual analytics systems, we still do not understand their work practices and methodologies well. The lack of understanding about how intelligence analysts work and how they can benefit from visual analytics systems has created a gap between tools being developed and real world practices. I argue that we need a better understanding of these analysts and their tool usage to build systems that better support their tasks and add utility to their current work practices. By characterizing the analysis process and identifying leverage points for systems through empirical studies, I ultimately seek to develop a set of design guidelines and implications that can be used for building visual analytics systems for intelligence analysis.
Upside-Down Swimming Behavior in a Whipnose Anglerfish (Teleostei: Ceratioidei: Gigantactinidae)

Three individuals of a whipnose anglerfish, Gigantactis sp., were observed near the bottom in the North Central Pacific Ocean. An image from one of three videotape sequences discussed herein represents the first photograph of live behavior in members of the fish family Gigantactinidae. Foraging and escape behaviors included drifting and swimming upside-down. Close association with the bottom while drifting suggests foraging on benthic organisms. Escape behaviors also indicate a lack of stamina consistent with a sit-and-wait bathypelagic predator.
A taxonomic review of the ant genus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Central America

The ant genus Megalomyrmex is known only from the Neotropics, where some of the species are specialized parasites or predators of Attini. A taxonomic review and a key to species is provided for the fauna of Central America and southern Mexico. The following new species are described: M. adamsae, M. mondaboroides, M. nocarina, M. reina.
Isospectral Domains in Euclidean 3-Space

The question as to whether the shape of a drum can be heard has existed for around fifty years. The simple answer is ‘no’ as shown through the construction of isospectral domains. Isospectral domains are non-isometric domains that display the same spectra of frequencies of sound. These frequencies, deduced from the eigenvalues of the Laplacian, are determined by solving the wave equation in a domain , where is subject to Dirichlet boundary conditions. This paper presents methods to expand the already existing two dimensional transplantation proof into Euclidean 3space and, through these means, provides a number of three dimensional isospectral domains.
Terra Populus: Integrated Data on Population and Environment

Terra Populus, part of National Science Foundation's DataNet initiative, is developing organizational and technical infrastructure to integrate, preserve, and disseminate data describing changes in the human population and environment over time. A large number of high-quality environmental and population datasets are available, but they are widely dispersed, have incompatible or inadequate metadata, and have incompatible geographic identifiers. The new Terra Populus infrastructure enables researchers to identify and merge data from heterogeneous sources to study the relationships between human behavior and the natural world.
Predictable routing

Predictable routing is the concept of using prespecified patterns to route a net. By doing this, we allow an more accurate prediction mechanism for metrics such as congestion and wirelength earlier in the design flow. Additionally, we can better plan the routes, insert buffers and perform wire sizing earlier. With comparable routing quality, we show that we can predictably route up to 80% of a selected subset of nets. Also, we introduce methods for finding a group of nets which can be predictably routed.
The transport of urate in the small intestine of the rat.

AbstractThe transport of urate in the small intestine of the rat was examined, in vivo, to determine if specific (mediated) transport systems are present. The secretory flux of urate was determined...
Barriers in hospice use among African Americans with cancer

Forty percent of the deaths that occur in the United States used hospice services, but that number is much smaller for African Americans. African Americans’ underutilization of hospice services may not offer them the benefits of this holistic model of end-of-life care. Several factors have been hypothesized for underutilization and include cultural, environmental, religious, and historical perspectives. The purpose of this literature review was to explore the barriers preventing African Americans with cancer from using hospice services. Documentation of underutilization, desire for aggressive care, knowledge of hospice, lack of diversity among hospice staff, religious/hope beliefs, mistrust of the healthcare system, and access to hospice were identified in this review as barriers to use. Interventions should target these barriers to increase utilization. We also need to better understand how African Americans die when not in hospice.
Web-Based Collection of Critical Incidents during Remote Usability Evaluation

A web-based reporting tool was developed to support the collection of critical incidents during remote usability evaluations. The tool facilitated structured critical incident data entry by the user and the ability to transfer this data directly to the experimenter in the form of an email. The reporting tool was evaluated by assessing a voice email system comprised of a voice interface for emailing and a web interface for system configuration. The evaluation compared the frequency and severity of critical incidents obtained from remote participants with users located in a controlled laboratory setting. Changes in critical incident reporting resulting from repeated exposure to the system were evaluated. The results of the evaluation demonstrated that the web-based reporting tool was an effective critical incident data collection technique for remote usability evaluation.
Determination of the elements from leach liquor of casseroles by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Objective:Through the determination to understand the exsolution condition of elements from leach liquor of casserrole.Methods: 13 elements from leach liquor of casserole were directly analyzed by ICP-MS simultaneously.Results: Pb Cd Ag Se Ni had a low level in leach liquor,Zn Cu Cr had a middle level in leach liquor,and Mg Al Mn Fe were found out having a high content in leach liquor;some elements can keep leaching from casserole in acidic condition and the content in leach liquor can hardly reduce sharply with the repeated extraction.relative to acidic condition,the elements can be hardly found out in neutral condition.Conclusion: In acidic condition,the elements had a high content in leach liquor and can keep leaching from the casserole,some of which can hurt the human body.But the elements can be hardly found out in neutral condition and won′t harm the health.