cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clofibric acid, phenylpyruvate, and dichloroacetate inhibition of branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase in vitro and in perfused rat heart

Branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase, purified from rabbit liver, was inhibited by clofibric acid, phenylpyruvate, and dichloroacetate in a mixed manner relative to ATP. I40 values relative to 75 μm ATP were 0.33, 1.7, and 3.0 mm, respectively. Inhibition of the kinase by acetate, pyruvate, and lactate was minimal; whereas a p-hydroxyphenyl substitution of these compounds increased their potency as kinase inhibitors, a phenyl substitution gave the most potent inhibitors. Clofibric acid, phenylpyruvate, and dichloroacetate activated branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase in perfused rat hearts. Perfusate concentrations that gave 50% activation (A50) were 0.1, 0.32, and 0.63 mm, respectively. A50 concentrations of clofibric acid and phenylpyruvate also increased flux (decarboxylation of α-keto[1-14C]isovalerate) through branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase in perfused rat heart. These findings suggest that, although clofibric acid and phenylpyruvate can inhibit substrate utilization by the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex, the major effect of these compounds on branched-chain amino acid metabolism is due to inhibition of branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase with subsequent activation of and increased flux through the complex.
Crisis revisited: An analysis of strategies used by Tylenol in the second tampering episode

Analysis of communication strategies used by Johnson & Johnson following the second Tylenol tampering in Feb. 1986 indicates use of a pro‐active communication stance by the firm during the crisis. ...
Characterisation of high pressure quadrupole collision cells possessing direct current axial fields

An investigation into the performance characteristics of various designs of novel quadrupolar collision cells possessing axial fields has been undertaken. Among the advantages of such devices possessing conical, tilted or segmented rod geometries is their ability to enable the cell to be operated at high pressure without the deleterious effects of long ion transit times. The collisional focusing benefits of operating at such pressures can therefore be maximised, with increased transmission and resolution of fragment ion spectra. The present work compares the relative merits of the three main designs of axial field cells. The ion optics software package SIMION 6.0 has been utilised to simulate the various designs of cell with user-written programs to model each quadrupolar device, including ion-neutral collisional phenomena. The effect on ion transmission of applying a direct current (DC) offset voltage to the conical and tilted rod cells to generate the axial field is shown. Where possible the simulations and theory are compared to experimental data. Crown Copyright © 1999 National Research Council of Canada.
Sensorimotor integration for multisegmental frontal plane balance control in humans

To quantify the contribution of sensory information to multisegmental frontal plane balance control in humans, we developed a feedback control model to account for experimental data. Subjects stood with feet close together on a surface that rotated according to a pseudorandom waveform at three different amplitudes. Experimental frequency-response functions and impulse-response functions were measured to characterize lower body (LB) and upper body (UB) motion evoked during surface rotations while subjects stood with eyes open or closed. The model assumed that corrective torques in LB and UB segments were generated with no time delay from intrinsic musculoskeletal mechanisms and with time delay from sensory feedback mechanisms. It was found that subjects' LB control was primarily based on sensory feedback. Changes in the LB control mechanisms across stimulus amplitude were consistent with the hypothesis that sensory reweighting contributed to amplitude-dependent changes in balance responses whereby subjects decreased reliance on proprioceptive cues that oriented the LB toward the surface and increased reliance on vestibular/visual cues that oriented the LB upright toward earth vertical as stimulus amplitude increased in both eyes open and closed conditions. Sensory reweighting in the LB control system also accounted for most of the amplitude-dependent changes observed in UB responses. In contrast to the LB system, sensory reweighting was not a dominant mechanism of UB control, and UB control was more influenced by intrinsic musculoskeletal mechanisms. The proposed model refines our understanding of sensorimotor integration during balance control by including multisegmental motion and explaining how intersegmental interactions influence frontal plane balance responses.
Two-dimensional crystallization: express nanoparticle ordering.

Real-time video-microscopy reveals a surprising growth mechanism for efficient generation of highly ordered nanoparticle monolayers, implicating a rapidly evaporating — and slightly sticky — liquid–vapour interface.
Early and specific expression of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in the thalamus induced by cortical injury

Abstract For many years it has been known that retrograde degeneration of thalamic neurons occurs following damage to the cerebral cortex, however, the molecular mechanisms which control this process are unknown. Recent studies have demonstrated microglial activation in thalamic nuclei well before the onset of retrograde neuronal cell death. Activated monocytes and microglia synthesize factors detrimental to neuronal survival as well as phagocytose damaged and dying neurons. Our previous studies demonstrated that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a β chemokine which attracts cells of monocytic origin to sites of injury, is rapidly expressed in the brain following visual cortical lesions. The present study examined the expression of MCP-1 messenger RNA and protein in the thalamus following a visual cortical lesion. Aspiration lesions of visual cortex were made in adult mice. At specific times after lesion, brains were harvested and dissected into specific regions. MCP-1 message as detected using northern analysis was absent in uninjured brain, but was elevated in the ipsilateral thalamus as rapidly as 1 h following the lesion. In situ hybridization localized MCP-1 message to subpial glial cells of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the ipsilateral thalamus after injury. ELISA showed that MCP-1 protein levels were significantly elevated in the ipsilateral thalamus at 6 h, peaked at 12 h, and remained above baseline levels for at least 1 week post lesion. In addition, anti-GFAP staining demonstrated activated astrocytes localized to the ipsilateral LGN at 24 and 72 h after injury. The early expression and regional localization of MCP-1 mRNA and protein strongly suggest that MCP-1 is a critical molecule in the regulation of thalamic retrograde neuronal degeneration.
Bayesian biostatistics and diagnostic medicine

By Lyle D. Broemeling, Boca Raton, Chapman & Hall/CRC, 2007, xiii + 198 pp., £42.99 or US$79.95 (hardback), ISBN 978-1-58488-767-6 This book provides a gentle introduction to the important area of ...
Using program theory to describe and measure program quality

Measures of program quality can be derived using component program theory and consensus building with panels of experts.
The Long-Term Effects of World War II Combat Exposure on Later Life Well-Being Moderated by Generativity

According to theories of stress-related growth, coping with traumatic events can lead to greater psychosocial maturity in resilient individuals or psychosocial maladjustment in less resilient individuals. Using a sample of 160 World War II veterans of the 60-year longitudinal Study of Adult Development, this research examined the long-term effects of high and no combat exposure among Harvard-educated white men who either achieved or failed to achieve Erikson's psychosocial developmental stage of generativity in midlife. Although combat exposure by itself was unrelated to the outcome variables, only among veterans with high combat exposure was generativity consistently positively related to physical and psychological health, wisdom characteristics, and well-being. The results indicate a resilience effect for men with high combat exposure who experienced subsequent psychosocial growth.
Approximating minimum coloring and maximum independent set in dotted interval graphs

Dotted interval graphs are introduced by Aumann et al. as a generalization of interval graphs. We study two optimization problems in dotted interval graphs that find application in high-throughput genotyping. We present improved approximations for minimum coloring and the first approximation for maximum independent set in dotted interval graphs.
Perfect Storms? Political Instability in Imposed Polities and the Futures of Iraq and Afghanistan

What explains variation in domestic political instability in polities imposed by foreign powers? We formulate a framework grounded in four sources of political instability in imposed polities: (1) ...
Temperatures, pressures and stresses during laser shock processing

Abstract Mathematical models are developed to calculate the temperatures, pressures and stresses during laser shock processing for time-modulated (ramp-up, ramp-down and rectangular) laser pulses. Three different shock processing configurations are also considered: non-ablative exposure, ablative exposure and confined ablation with coating. The results for iron show that the plasma pressure reaches an average value of 9 GPa in direct ablation configuration and plays a dominant role for all three types of laser pulses. In the case of confined geometry, the plasma pressure reaches an average value of 20 GPa. All calculated pressures and stresses exceed the yield strength of the workpiece, indicating plastic deformation. It is also shown that pulses with short rise times yield higher plasma pressures.
On the implementation of modified fuzzy vault for biometric encryption

Biometrics, such as irises and fingerprints, enable secure and non-repudiable authentication. Fuzzy vault is a scheme that can monolithically bind secret to biometric templates. Moreover, the modified fuzzy vault (MFV) leads to less entropy loss and requires less memory for storing the sketches. This paper proposes a novel low-complexity scheme to compute the monic polynomial for the sketch during the enrollment process of the MFV. An innovative interpolation method is also developed to reduce the computation complexity and latency of the verification process. Efficient hardware implementation architectures are developed in this paper for the proposed schemes and their complexities are analyzed in detail.
Shock–induced martensitic phase transitions: critical stresses, Riemann problems and applications

In this paper we develop a theory for phase transitions in solids under shock loading. This theory applies, in particular, to a class of experiments which, as a result of solid–to–solid phase transitions, give rise to certain characteristic patterns consisting of two shock–like waves. We show that the single assumption that stresses in a phase cannot lie beyond its transition boundaries leads to a complete model for the physical systems at hand. This model is different from others proposed in the literature: it does not make use of kinetic relations and it accounts for the observed wave histories without parameter fitting. The first part of this paper focuses on the basic mathematical description of our model and it presents solutions to the complete set of Riemann problems which could arise as a result of dynamic interactions, including the basic two–wave structures mentioned above. In the second part of the paper we use our Riemann solver to construct general solutions for the piecewise constant initial–value problems usually arising in experiment, and we specialize our solutions to two widely studied polymorphic phase changes: the graphite–diamond transition and the α–∈ transition in iron. We show that, in the presence of well–accepted quations of state for the pure phases , our model leads to close quantitative agreement with a wide range of experimental results; possible sources of disagreement in certain fine features are also discussed. Interestingly, in some cases our theory predicts sequences of events which differ from those generally accepted. In particular, our model predicts a variety of regimes for the iron experiments which previous theoretical investigations had not surmised, and it indicates the existence of certain unexpected transformation domains in the graphite systems.
DSP4, a noradrenergic neurotoxin, impairs male rats attraction to conspecific odors

Olfactory investigation was examined in male Sprague—Dawley rats injected with 50 mg/kg of the noradrenergic neurotoxin, DSP4, 10 days before testing. In a two-choice preference test, the odor of pine shavings from the nest of a female and her litter attracted sexually experienced control males, but not drug treated males. Further, odors from anesthetized females increased the mean number of entries made by control males, but not drug-treated males, into a cage containing pups' nest shavings. Combining a novel odor with nest shavings significantly reduced the number of entries made by both groups of males. Drug treatment decreased norepinephrine (NE) levels by 66, 62, and 68% in the olfactory cortex, olfactory bulb, and frontal cortex, respectively. Dopamine concentrations were not significantly affected. NE concentrations in the heart, and serotonin levels in the olfactory bulb, were moderately depleted (by 37 and 40%, respectively). The results support the view that central NE modulates systems regulating attraction to conspecific odors in male rats.
Recurrence of Ewing sarcomas of the chest wall

BACKGROUND: Ewing sarcomas (ES) of the chest wall are rare. Local recurrences occur in approximately 20% of these patients; however literature on this topic is scarce. Our aim was to analyze the influence of the extent of surgical resection on outcome, and to find positive prognostic factors for survival. PROCEDURE: A retrospective analysis of all patients who were under 18 and treated between 1977 and 2006 for Ewing sarcoma of the chest wall was performed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with ES were diagnosed at our institution; 14 males and 13 females. Twenty-three patients underwent local resection, which was complete in 13. Nine patients had a wide resection, including more ribs than just the affected one. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 14/27 patients. Recurrence was observed in 13 patients: local recurrence (LR) and distant metastasis (DM) both in 7. One of the patients had both LR and DM. All patients with LR and two patients with DM only died of disease. Overall survival after 10 and 20 years was 73% and 47%, respectively. Complete resection, wide resection, gender, or age were no significant factors affecting outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Relapse carries a high mortality risk and none of the patients with LR eventually survived. Wide resection of at least a complete normal adjacent rib above and below the thoracic wall tumor as a fixed rule seems unnecessary.
The discourse of thought-disordered schizophrenic children

The conversations of two thought-disordered schizophrenic children and two age- and sex-matched normal children were studied in three different contexts. Cohesive relations and retrieval categories were analyzed. The thought-disordered schizophrenic and normal children demonstrated divergent patterns of discourse. These patterns closely paralleled those previously reported for adults by S. Rochester and J. R. Martin (1979, Crazy talk: A study of the discourse of schizophrenic speakers, New York: Plenum) for schizophrenic and normal adults, although some discrepancies were also observed. Recommendations for future research are offered.
Dusty plasmas in the solar system

The processes that lead to charging of dust grains in a plasma are briefly reviewed. Whereas for single grains the results have been long known, the reduction of the average charge on a grain by 'Debye screening' has only recently been discovered. This reduction can be important in the Jovian ring and in the rings of Uranus. The emerging field of gravitoelectrodynamics which deals with the motion of charged grains in a planetary magnetosphere is then reviewed. Important mechanisms for distributing grains in radial distance are due to stochastic fluctuations of the grain charge and a systematic variation due to motion through plasma gradients. The electrostatic levitation model for the formation of spokes is discussed, and it is shown that the radial transport of dust contained in the spokes may be responsible for the rich radial structure in Saturn's rings. Finally, collective effects in dusty plasmas are discussed which affect various waves, such as density waves in planetary rings and low-frequency plasma waves. The possibility of charged grains forming a Coulomb lattice is briefly described.
Constrictor and dilator responses to intracoronary acetylcholine in adjacent segments of the same coronary artery in patients with coronary artery disease. Endothelial function revisited.

BACKGROUNDIn patients with angiographically detectable atherosclerosis or in those with risk factors for coronary artery disease, intracoronary acetylcholine causes coronary constriction instead of endothelium-derived relaxing factor-mediated dilation. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that diffuse endothelial dysfunction precedes development of coronary atherosclerosis. We tested this hypothesis in a systematic investigation of the effects of ascending doses of acetylcholine on the diameters of nonstenotic segments of the left coronary artery in patients with advanced atherosclerosis and coronary risk factors.METHODS AND RESULTSEffects of intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine (10(-6) to 10(-4) mol/L) on diameters of proximal, middle, and distal nonstenotic segments of the left coronary artery were studied in 28 consecutive patients with chronic stable angina, positive exercise tests, and angiographic evidence of obstructive atherosclerosis (> or = 50% reduction in lumen diameter in at least one vesse...
Supporting Inclusion Through Technology-Enhanced Knowledge Networks

Abstract This article shares social media strategies for using a particular approach–knowledge networks–to integrate the best available research with family and practitioner wisdom and values in order to develop socially valid, evidence-based products to support the inclusion of young children with disabilities. Three examples are provided to illustrate the application of specific social media tools for developing and supporting knowledge networks. Lessons learned from the examples and implications for how others may use social media to support knowledge networks are discussed.
Abstract 3536: Roles of miR-215 and regulatory mechanisms for its biogenesis in response to hypoxia in glioblastoma stem cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults, which is highly resistant to conventional therapies. In GBM, glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) are critical for the tumor progression and resistance. The hypoxic tumor microenvironment has been reported to help maintain GSCs. However, the mechanism regulating responses of GSCs to hypoxia remains elusive. Abnormal microRNA processing is a contributing factor in various types of cancer including GBM. Using small RNA deep sequencing and Real-time PCR array, we found a group of miRNAs altered in the expression levels under hypoxia in the CD133+ GSCs. Further through a functional screen, we identified miR-215 as an important mediator for GSC growth and tumor progression in response to hypoxia. In addition, we also investigated the regulatory mechanisms for the biogenesis of the altered miRNAs under hypoxia. Interestingly, we found that hypoxia could regulate miRNA processing both transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally. These findings suggest that de-regulated miRNA biogenesis may have significant impacts on the activities of GSCs under hypoxia. Citation Format: Jing Hu, Tao Sun, Hui Wang, Pingping Wang, Xiang-Dong Fu, Qi-Jing Li, Xiao-Fan Wang. Roles of miR-215 and regulatory mechanisms for its biogenesis in response to hypoxia in glioblastoma stem cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3536. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3536
Immunological Studies CF Ixodid Tick-Host Interaction: Analysis of Immunogefis

AbstractIxodid ticks are extremely important ectoparasitic vectors of pathogens. In addition, a number of tick species can produce salivary secretions that cause toxicoses of varying clinical forms, the most important being tick paralyses. Significant Economic losses result from tick infestations and tick-borne diseases. Effective tick control is difficult to achieve in many regions of the world, due to acaricide resistance. It is clear that alternative methods of tick control must be studied and implemented in control strategies.Cattle and laboratory animal species acquire resistance to tick infestation. Acquired resistance has an immunological basis consisting, in part, of antibody, cell mediated imunity and complement dependent effector mechanisms. Artificial induction of immune resistance to tick feeding is an area of active investigation. Immunizations with crude tick extracts have induced varying degrees of resistance; however, it is clear that this control approach has significant practical potenti...
Selective Adsorption of Organosulfur Compounds from Transportation Fuels by π‐Complexation

Abstract Ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculations were performed on the adsorption bond energies between the main sulfur compounds and the Cu+ on CuCl and CuY zeolite, for desulfurization of transportation fuels by π‐complexation sorbents. The relative adsorption bond energies of these compounds were measured by the elution order, based on the breakthrough curves of these compounds, from a column of CuY zeolite using commercial diesel and gasoline as the influents. The order from the elution followed: 4,6‐dimethyldibenzothiophene ≥ dibenzothiophene > benzothiophene ≥ 2‐methylthiophene > thiophene. The order is in agreement with that predicted from the calculations. The calculated values for benzene and thiophene were also in excellent agreement with the measured values that we reported earlier. The methyl and benzo groups have an electron‐donating effect on the aromatic rings that undergo π‐complexation. For the sulfur compounds, the thiophene ring was bonded to Cu+. For π‐complexation on both CuY an...
RIBOSOMAL PROTEIN RL44 IS ENCODED BY TWO SUBFAMILIES IN UPLAND COTTON (GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM L.)

We have isolated 4 cDNA clones encoding the full-length sequence of the eukaryotic ribosomal protein RL44 from upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Sequencing of these clones resulted in the classification of 2 subfamilies of RL44; these subfamilies had coding regions (315 bp) which were 92% identical. RL44-1 (454 bp) and RL44-2 (485 bp) constitute subfamily 1, whereas RL44-3 (913 bp) and RL44-5 (541 bp) constitute subfamily 2. The differences in nucleotide sequences, however, occurred only at third codon positions and the resulting amino acid sequences of the two RL44 subfamilies were identical. The ORF encoded a protein of 105 residues with a Mr = 12029. A bipartite nuclear targeting sequence was identified from residues 29 to 43.
EFFECT OF LOW HUMIDITY ON SPORE PRODUCTION AND BASIDIOCARP LONGEVITY AMONG SELECTED ISOLATES OF FLAMMULINA VELUTIPES

Measurements were made of basidiocarp longevity and spore production of 10 isolates of Flammulina velutipes matured at 80% and 100% relative humidity. Basidiocarp longevity was positively correlate...
A Decision Task in a Social Context: Human Experiments, Models, and Analyses of Behavioral Data

To investigate the influence of information about fellow group members in a constrained decision-making context, we develop four two-armed bandit tasks in which subjects freely select one of two options (A or B) and are informed of the resulting reward following each choice. Rewards are determined by the fraction x of past A choices by two functions fA(x),fB(x) (unknown to the subject) which intersect at a matching point x that does not generally represent globally optimal behavior. Playing individually, subjects typically remain close to the matching point, although some discover the optimum. Each task is designed to probe a different type of behavior, and subjects work in parallel in groups of five with feedback of other group members' choices, of their rewards, of both, or with no knowledge of others' behavior. We employ a soft-max choice model that emerges from a drift-diffusion process, commonly used to model perceptual decision making with noisy stimuli. Here the stimuli are replaced by estimates of expected rewards produced by a temporal-difference reinforcement-learning algorithm, augmented to include appropriate feedback terms. Models are fitted for each task and feedback condition, and we compare choice allocations averaged across subjects and individual choice sequences to highlight differences between tasks and intersubject differences. The most complex model, involving both choice and reward feedback, contains only four parameters, but nonetheless reveals significant differences in individual strategies. Strikingly, we find that rewards feedback can be either detrimental or advantageous to performance, depending upon the task.
The marketing myths and consumers' fear of marketing

Purpose – This paper aims to assert how common yet unfounded claims to persuasion power are not in the best interest of marketing professionals. News reports of any pervasive marketing activity include a direct assertion, or at least an implicit presumption, that business managers do it because they know it “works.” And since consumers know that marketing wishes to influence their decisions, they fear that they are being manipulated.Design/methodology/approach – With marketing professionals claiming great power to move the masses despite their uncertainty of just how effective their tools might be in causing sales, consumers tend to believe the claims of sales influence and, in turn, blame marketing for many consumer or social problems.Findings – Marketing is not as all‐powerful as some consumers believe or fear, but marketing professionals tend to claim their work has all sorts of expansive powers.Originality/value – Many public debates put marketing people in the strange position of noting the limits of...
The radiology class of 2005: the fellowship application process and perceptions of the NRMP fellowship match.

Purpose To assess experiences and perceptions of the fellowship application process of the radiology residency class of 2005, including the 2005 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Radiology Fellowship Match. Methods An electronic survey composed by the ACR Resident and Fellow Section was completed by 416 senior residents (a 46.9% response rate) enrolled in allopathic radiology residency programs from across the United States. Results Residents generally agree with the timing of the current fellowship application calendar in the spring of the third year of residency. Respondents were divided over the issue of permitting internal candidates to fill positions outside of the match, although the majority felt that the process influences both applicants and programs to favor their own institutions to avoid the match process. Residents support requiring fellowship programs to declare the number of positions being filled through the match before applications are due (72.6%) or before rank lists are due (79.8%). Residents noted match rule violations, which threaten to undermine residents' confidence in the process. Residents were split over the future of the match: 23.1% favored continuing the match in its current form, 28.8% favored continuing the match with modifications, and 34.4% favored discontinuing the match entirely. Conclusion Although the NRMP Fellowship Match was created to improve and standardize the fellowship application process, and although a majority of residents support continuing the match in some form, there are areas of concern, including adherence to the letter and spirit of the match rules, which must be addressed to galvanize support among residents in the future and ensure a fair process for fellowship applicants.
The Influence of the MPAA's Film Rating System on Motion Picture Attendance: A Pilot Study.

Summary The study reported here sought to design and implement a valid experimental instrument to test the potential influence of the Motion Picture Association of America's film-rating system (G, PG, R, X) on movie attendance. The theoretical basis for proposing that the MPAA's rating scheme might be influential in affecting movie attendance is found in Brehm's theory of psychological reactance. The experimental design was a four by four simple Latin square. Ss (n = 65) in the experiment were high school students. Statistical analysis of the data (ANOVA) showed the experimental instrument to be valid. Results of the experimental manipulation were nonsignficant (p > .05), thereby indicating that for this sample the MPAA ratings did not affect likelihood of film attendance and that psychological reactance apparently was not aroused. Self-report data indicated that the participants in this study most frequently attended films rated either PG or R.
Cholinesterase inhibition and toxicologic evaluation of two organophosphate pesticides in Japanese quail.

Abstract A 5-week toxicologic study of two organophosphate insecticides, Azodrin® and Bidrin®, was undertaken with Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ). Birds fed Azodrin [3-(dimethoxyphosphinyloxy)- N -methyl- cis -crotonamide] at a dietary level of 5 ppm lost weight during the first week, but showed no decrease in egg production or reproduction. At 50 ppm, all females were dead in 2 weeks, and the males in 3 weeks. Whole blood cholinesterase was markedly inhibited at 0.5 ppm, but brain cholinesterase inhibition was marginal. Inhibited cholinesterase demonstrated a marked recovery during a 2-week posttreatment period. Bidrin [3-(dimethoxyphosphinyloxy)- N,N -dimethyl- cis -crotonamide] did not adversely affect body weight maintenance, feed consumption, egg production, or reproduction at 5 ppm in the diet. At 50 ppm, there was marked loss in body weight. Seven males and 9 females died during the 3-week feeding period. Whole blood cholinesterase was almost completely inhibited in both sexes at 0.5 ppm; brain enzyme inhibition was marginal at 5.0 ppm. Normal or near-normal activities of inhibited enzymes were attained during a 2-week recovery period. When fed to adult females, diets containing 0.5 or 5 ppm of either compound caused no adverse effect on the heartbeat of developing embryos throughout the incubation period.
Steric effect in dissociative chemisorption of hydrogen on Cu

Abstract Previous quantum dynamics studies showed that the sticking coefficient of hydrogen on metals is strongly influenced by the initial rotational state of the hydrogen molecule. In order to further elucidate this steric effect, we report an analysis of the sticking coefficient of the ground vibration of hydrogen on Cu in its relation to the spatial distribution of the initial wavefunction using a 3D quantum mechanical model. Snap-shots of the wavefunction are plotted at various times of the propagation and they show that the initial orientation of the angular momentum eigenfunction is maintained during a molecule-surface collision. Thus the initial orientation of the molecule plays an important role in adsorption. Significant enhancement of the dissociation probability at threshold energies is predicted for highly oriented hydrogen molecules on metals whose molecular axis is parallel to the metal surface. This orientational enhancement of the dissociation probability for molecules on a surface may have a significant impact in heterogeneous catalysis, in particular, when activated chemisorption of the reagent molecule on a metal is a rate limiting step.
Role of gastro-intestinal factors in reactive hypoglycemia

Abstract Studies in a patient with symptomatic reactive hypoglycemia revealed hypersecretion of insulin secondary to carbohydrate stimulation and rapid gastric emptying. Pharmacological modification of both insulin secretion and gastrointestinal motility resulted in alleviation of symptoms and pointed to the interrelationship between these two factors.
On the control of flexible structures by applied thermal gradients

Thermal, elastic, and feedback analyses are applied to the case of a beam with a distributed thermal actuator. The actuator is capable of producing a thermal gradient across the section of the beam. One candidate for such an actuator uses the Peltier effect, which appears in certain semiconductors. These devices act as heat pumps when a voltage is applied, causing a temperature gradient. It is shown that the thermal gradients can induce deflection in the beam. If the thermal gradients are applied in the proper sense to a vibrating beam, it is possible to increase the vibration damping exhibited by the structure. Experimental results are given for a cantilever beam, whose first vibrational mode damping ratio was increased from 0.81 to 7.4 percent with a simple lead compensation.
Abstract 1131: Snail- and ERK2-dependent signaling enhances breast cancer cell resistance to hydroxytamoxifen

Snail transcription factor and MAPK/ERK signaling regulate EMT and chemotherapy resistance in various tumor models by binding to target promoters (i.e., E-cadherin, maspin, ER-α). ERK1 is expressed during embryogenesis and in non-metastatic cells; ERK2 is implicated during vasculogenesis and promotes stem cell phenotype in triple negative breast cancer. Nuclear-localized ERK is associated with more active and potentially metastatic breast and ovarian carcinoma cells; cytoplasmic-localized ERK is a good prognostic factor. The role that Snail plays during the transition from cytoplasmic ERK1 to nuclear ERK2 has not been investigated. We hypothesized that both nuclear Snail and ERK2 are required for breast cancer cells to become resistant to 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT). We utilized MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells, MCF-7 transfected stably with empty Neo vector control (MCF-7 Neo) or constitutively active Snail cDNA (MCF-7 Snail). MCF-7 Neo and MCF-7 Snail have previously represented a breast cancer EMT model; we used this model to analyze ERK signaling and therapy response. Preliminary data suggest that MCF-7 Neo express higher levels of p-ERK, ER-α, and E-cadherin and no Snail. MCF-7 Snail expressed higher levels of Snail and vimentin, low levels of p-ERK, and low ER-α and no E-cadherin. MCF-7 Neo expressed higher ERK1 and MCF-7 Snail expressed higher ERK2. Immunocytochemistry indicated that p-ERK was nuclear and cytoplasmic in MCF-7 Neo, but mostly nuclear in MCF-7 Snail. We treated MCF-7 Neo and MCF-7 Snail with control siRNA, ERK1 siRNA, or ERK2 siRNA, then determined the expression of Snail, p-ERK1/2, ERK1/2, E-cadherin, and ER-α. We found that ERK1 siRNA decreased E-cadherin, while ERK2 siRNA increased E-cadherin in MCF-7 Neo. ERK2 siRNA decreased Snail, but ERK1 siRNA had no effect on Snail. ERK1 siRNA increased active ERK2 and ERK2 siRNA increased ERK1 in MCF-7 Neo and MCF-7 Snail. To determine the role that Snail plays in resistance, we treated MCF-7 Neo and MCF-7 Snail with 4-OHT and/or UO126 then mitochondrial permeability and caspase-3/7 activity assays. MCF-7 Neo had higher mitochondrial permeability than MCF-7 Snail, indicative of the dimmer staining using TMRM stain, and MCF-7 Neo had higher caspase-3/7 activity after treatments. Overall, cell death in MCF-7 Snail was caspase-independent. These data imply that Snail and ERK2 collaborate through an unknown mechanism to promote EMT and therapy resistance in breast cancer cells. Targeting Snail and/or ERK2 in advanced breast cancer may be a potential therapeutic or preventive strategy. Citation Format: Bethany N. Smith, Peri Nagappan, Latonia Taliaferro-Smith, Roman Mezencev, Clayton Yates, Cimona Hinton, Valerie Odero-Marah. Snail- and ERK2-dependent signaling enhances breast cancer cell resistance to hydroxytamoxifen. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1131. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1131
Two-dimensional non-abelian bosonization in the presence of external gauge fields and gravity

Abstract Two-dimensional non-abelian Bose-Fermi equivalence in the presence of two-dimensional background gauge and gravitational fields is discussed for the k>1 WZW model and fermions constrained through coupling to gauge fields which act as Lagrange parameters. The equivalence is shown to be valid only when the gravitational field can be decoupled, which occurs when the central charge coincides with that obtained from current algebra.
Ultrastructure of the electrotonic and chemical components of the lateral-to-motor and medial-to-motor synapses in crayfish nerve cord.

Lateral-to-motor and medial-to-motor synapses in crayfish nerve cords are composed of an electrical and a chemical component. The presynaptic terminals showed localized clusters of synaptic vesicles, electron-dense areas, coated pits, and coated vesicles. In thin sections, active zones were defined by electron-dense regions where synaptic vesicles attached and, in freeze-fracture replicas, by clusters of intramembrane particles localized in bands with vesicle openings on the sides of these bands. The cytoplasmic surface of the postsynaptic membrane opposite the active zones was coated with electron-dense material that in freeze-fracture replicas was seen as an increase in intramembrane particles located in the external leaflet (EF-face). This specialization of the postsynaptic membrane may correspond to the neurochemical receptor. Also, pre- and postsynaptic membranes were separated by a wider extracellular gap than those of adjacent nonsynaptic regions and electrical synapses or gap junctions. Synaptic vesicles were located exclusively at the synaptic regions by means of a cytoskeleton that was different for the electrical and the chemical components. The vesicles associated with the electrical component were anchored to a cytoskeleton composed of a beaded layer of densities located parallel to the membrane. This cytoskeleton maintained the synaptic vesicles separated from the presynaptic membrane by a distance of 13 ± 2 nm. The synaptic vesicles associated with the chemical component were anchored to electron-dense regions formed by filaments arranged in bundles, anchored to the presynaptic membrane. Vesicles lined both sides of the bundle of filaments in very close proximity to the presynaptic membrane, probably positioned to discharge their contents into the extracellular space and to replace the discharged vesicles.
?Chip-olate? and dry-film resists for efficient fabrication, singulation and sealing of microfluidic chips

This paper describes a technique for high-throughput fabrication and efficient singulation of chips having closed microfluidic structures and takes advantage of dry-film resists (DFRs) for efficient sealing of capillary systems. The technique is illustrated using 4-inch Si/SiO2 wafers. Wafers carrying open microfluidic structures are partially diced to about half of their thickness. Treatments such as surface cleaning are done at wafer-level, then the structures are sealed using low-temperature (45 °C) lamination of a DFR that is pre-patterned using a craft cutter, and ready-to-use chips are finally separated manually like a chocolate bar by applying a small force (≤ 4 N). We further show that some DFRs have low auto-fluorescence at wavelengths typically used for common fluorescent dyes and that mechanical properties of some DFRs allow for the lamination of 200 μm wide microfluidic structures with negligible sagging (~1 μm). The hydrophilicity (advancing contact angle of ~60°) of the DFR supports autonomous capillary-driven flow without the need for additional surface treatment of the microfluidic chips. Flow rates from 1 to 5 µL min-1 are generated using different geometries of channels and capillary pumps. In addition, the ‘chip-olate’ technique is compatible with the patterning of capture antibodies on DFR for use in immunoassays. We believe this technique to be applicable to the fabrication of a wide range of microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices and to offer a viable alternative to many labor-intensive processes that are currently based on wafer bonding techniques or on the molding of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) layers.
The Casein Kinase I Family: Roles in Morphogenesis

Abstract Wnt signals play important roles in development and oncogenesis and are transduced through at least two pathways: a canonical β-catenin-dependent and a β-catenin-independent cascade. Casein kinase I (CKI) is required in both invertebrates and vertebrates to transduce canonical Wnt signals. However, its role in the β-catenin-independent pathway was unknown. During vertebrate embryogenesis, the β-catenin-independent cascade is thought to control cell movements and has been postulated to be analogous to the Drosophila planar cell polarity pathway, which signals through the JNK cascade. Here, we report that blocking CKI function inhibits embryonic morphogenesis and activates JNK in cell lines. These studies suggest that CKI might also act in the β-catenin-independent pathway and indicate a role for CKI during convergence extension in early vertebrate development.
Fully decentralized AC optimal power flow algorithms

Motivated by the increasing complexity in the control of distribution level electric power systems especially in a smart grid environment, we propose fully decentralized algorithms to solve alternating current (AC) optimal power flow (OPF) problems. The key feature of the proposed algorithms is a complete decentralization of computation down to nodal level. In this way, no central or sub-area controller is needed, and the OPF problem is solved by individual nodes, which only have local knowledge of the system. Preliminary results show promising performance of the fully decentralized algorithms.
The Context of Pain in Arthritis: Self-efficacy for Managing Pain and Other Symptoms

Arthritis pain may be best understood in the context of a biospychosocial model of pain. The biopsychosocial model of pain suggests that adjustment to arthritis pain is multifaceted and is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. One psychological construct that appears to be particularly helpful in understanding arthritis pain is patients’ self-efficacy for managing pain and other symptoms. In recent work, investigators have included self-efficacy for managing pain and other symptoms as key outcome measures in behavioral and psychosocial intervention studies. The goal of this article was to review recent intervention studies that have examined the effect of behavioral and psychosocial interventions on self-efficacy for managing pain and other symptoms. Throughout the article, we make several suggestions for future clinical and research considerations regarding the role of self-efficacy for managing pain and other symptoms in the context of arthritis pain.
Neighborhood context and ethnicity differences in body mass index: a multilevel analysis using the NHANES III survey (1988-1994).

A growing body of literature has documented a link between neighborhood context and health outcomes. However, little is known about the relationship between neighborhood context and body mass index (BMI) or whether the association between neighborhood context and BMI differs by ethnicity. This paper investigates several neighborhood characteristics as potential explanatory factors for the variation of BMI across the United States; further, this paper explores to what extent segregation and the concentration of disadvantage across neighborhoods help explain ethnic disparities in BMI. Using data geo-coded at the census tract-level and linked with individual-level data from the Third National Health and Examination Survey in the United States (U.S.), we find significant variation in BMI across U.S. neighborhoods. In addition, neighborhood characteristics have a significant association with body mass and partially explain ethnic disparities in BMI, net of individual-level adjustments. These data also reveal evidence that ethnic enclaves are not in fact advantageous for the body mass index of Hispanics—a relationship counter to what has been documented for other health outcomes.
Clinical anatomy for surgical residents: A 10-week course

The limited exposure of medical students to gross anatomy has significant bearing on those students who elect a surgical career. In an effort to address this deficiency, a 10-week, 50 hour clinically oriented anatomy course was developed for third year surgical residents. The aim of the course was to provide clinical interpretation of anatomy in the regions of head/neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis/inguinal and extremities as it pertains to the challenges facing a surgeon. Each of 20, 2-hour laboratory experiences was preceded by a brief presentation from a clinician who identified the surgical complexities of the area, to include: unique blood supply, intraorganal lobular anatomy or problems of exposure as it relates to operations. The constant interface with the Anatomist facilitated the learning experience which occurred in the laboratory. The relationship between operative challenges and structural knowledge provided the optimal learning experience for course participants. Problems encountered were primarily logistical in nature and will be addressed in future courses.
Dissipation in the effective field theory for hydrodynamics: First order effects

We introduce dissipative effects in the effective field theory of hydrodynamics. We do this in a model-independent fashion by coupling the long-distance degrees of freedom explicitly kept in the effective field theory to a generic sector that ``lives in the fluid,'' which corresponds physically to the microscopic constituents of the fluid. At linear order in perturbations, the symmetries, the derivative expansion, and the assumption that this microscopic sector is thermalized allow us to characterize the leading dissipative effects at low frequencies via three parameters only, which correspond to bulk viscosity, shear viscosity, and---in the presence of a conserved charge---heat conduction. Using our methods we rederive the Kubo relations for these transport coefficients.
Sensitivity analysis for certain permutation inferences in matched observational studies

SUMMARY In observational studies, treatments are not randomly assigned to experimental units, so that randomization tests and their associated interval estimates are not generally applicable. In an effort to compensate for the lack of randomization, treated and control units are often matched on the basis of observed covariates; however, the possibility remains of bias due to residual imbalances in unobserved covariates. A general though simple method is proposed for displaying the sensitivity of permutation inferences to a range of assumptions about unobserved covariates in matched observational studies. The sensitivity analysis is applicable to Wilcoxon's signed rank test, to the McNemar-Cox test for paired binary responses, and to some matching problems with a variable number of controls.