cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paying for tissue: the case of WI-38.

In their Policy Forum “Paying patients for their tissue: the legacy of Henrietta Lacks” (6 July, p. [37][1]), R. D. Truog et al. overlook the L929 cell line, which, contrary to their statement about HeLa, was the first immortal cell line ([ 1 ][2]). Also overlooked are the commercial uses and
Clarence King's Geology

Clarence King (1842-1901) studied geology at Yale, served as a volunteer on Josiah Dwight Whitney's (1819-1896) Geological Survey of California, and directed the Fortieth Parallel Survey (1867-1872) from the Sierra Nevada across the Rocky Mountains, topo-graphically and geologically mapping some 100,000 square miles. He established a framework for orogenic history of the American Cordillera that has remained unchanged. Within this framework he recognized what we know today as the Sonoma, Sevier, and Laramide orogenies. He noted that folding of Paleozoic strata in the Great Basin recorded east-west crustal shortening, he delineated trends of Laramide folds, he determined that extensional Tertiary faulting that accompanied rhyolitic volcanism resulted in dislocation of old folds, and that ranges were broken into irregular blocks with considerable vertical displacement. King rejected strict Lyellian uniformitarianism and related Darwinian evolution to episodes of enhanced selection pressure engendered by nat...
Normalized center-to-center strain analysis of packed aggregates

Abstract The resolution of conventional techniques of center-to-center strain analysis is limited by the degree of original anticlustering of centers on the analyzed plane. However, the three-dimensional anticlustering of packed objects does not result in equivalent anticlustering on two-dimensional planes through these aggregates. Size variations due to imperfect sorting further decrease the anticlustering of natural aggregates. For the Fry all-object-object separations method, these problems are manifested in vague point-density distributions and ambiguously defined strain ellipses. Normalization of center-to-center distances allows more precise determination of small initial and tectonic anisotropies in packed aggregates. On planes through packed aggregates, object spacing is a function of object size, shape and the distance between object margins. Dividing the center-to-center distance between two objects by the sum of their average radii eliminates variations due to object size and sorting. Analyses of synthetic aggregates of packed spheres and statically recrystallized iron show that normalized Fry diagrams form better-defined vacancy fields and sharper rims of maximum point density regardless of the original sorting and anticlustering in the aggregate. Normalized strain analyses of deformed aggregates also show greatly increased resolution, with variable initial and tectonic ellipticity resulting in a wider ring of high point-density.
Can the channel capacity of a light-wave communication system be increased by the use of photon-number-squeezed light?

The channel capacity C of a light-wave communication system based on photoevent point process observations cannot be increased by use of photon-number--squeezed light. Under a constraint of maximum photon rate ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathrm{max}}$, the channel capacity C=${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathrm{max}/\mathrm{e}}$ is achieved with a Poisson process. On the other hand, the channel capacity of a communication system based on photon counting can be increased by use of photon-number--squeezed light. The improvement vanishes in the limit of very small mean counts.
The effects of carbon dioxide and hydrogen ion on sodium transport in isolated frog skin.

Abstract A detailed study has been made of the effect of CO 2 and hydrogen ion on the sodium ion transport system of isolated frog skin. The short-circuit technique has been used as a measure of the net sodium flux, and open circuit potential measurements were made as well. The sodium ion flux was investigated as a function of sodium ion concentration in the solution bathing the external surface at a variety of pH's in the range 6–8. 4 . These data were subject to analysis in terms of a model previously proposed and the inhibition of the sodium transport system by H + was found to be interpretable as non-competititve. The sodium ion flux was also investigated following step changes in pH of the bathing solutions as well as changes in buffer system at the same pH. The resulting transient changes in sodium ion flux are interpreted with the aid of a simple model mechanism which accounts for the observed differences in effect between a CO 2 HCO 3  buffer and phosphate buffer in terms of the relative rapid diffusion of CO 2 leading to local changes in H + concentration at the site of the transport system.
Reactive astrocytes and α1-antichymotrypsin in Alzheimer's disease

There is ample genetic, biochemical, cellular and molecular evidence to show that the amyloid beta peptide (Abeta), a proteolytic fragment of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), plays an important, if not causative role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). An additional hallmark of AD is the neuroinflammatory response that is associated with the amyloid deposition. We discovered that the acute phase protein alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) is overexpressed by reactive astrocytes, and is tightly associated with virtually all amyloid plaques in the AD brain. It has also been shown that Abeta and ACT bind in vitro. Recently, we have reported that astrocytic expression of ACT in APP transgenic mice leads to an increased plaque deposition in ACT/APP doubly transgenic mice compared to the APP mice alone, suggesting that ACT interferes with Abeta clearance. The main objective of this review is to summarize the role of astrocytosis and ACT in the pathogenesis of AD.
MD-2-mediated Ionic Interactions between Lipid A and TLR4 Are Essential for Receptor Activation

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates innate immune responses through TLR4·MD-2. LPS binds to the MD-2 hydrophobic pocket and bridges the dimerization of two TLR4·MD-2 complexes to activate intracellular signaling. However, exactly how lipid A, the endotoxic moiety of LPS, activates myeloid lineage cells remains unknown. Lipid IVA, a tetra-acylated lipid A precursor, has been used widely as a model for lipid A activation. For unknown reasons, lipid IVA activates proinflammatory responses in rodent cells but inhibits the activity of LPS in human cells. Using stable TLR4-expressing cell lines and purified monomeric MD-2, as well as MD-2-deficient bone marrow-derived macrophages, we found that both mouse TLR4 and mouse MD-2 are required for lipid IVA activation. Computational studies suggested that unique ionic interactions exist between lipid IVA and TLR4 at the dimerization interface in the mouse complex only. The negatively charged 4′-phosphate on lipid IVA interacts with two positively charged residues on the opposing mouse, but not human, TLR4 (Lys367 and Arg434) at the dimerization interface. When replaced with their negatively charged human counterparts Glu369 and Gln436, mouse TLR4 was no longer responsive to lipid IVA. In contrast, human TLR4 gained lipid IVA responsiveness when ionic interactions were enabled by charge reversal at the dimerization interface, defining the basis of lipid IVA species specificity. Thus, using lipid IVA as a selective lipid A agonist, we successfully decoupled and coupled two sequential events required for intracellular signaling: receptor engagement and dimerization, underscoring the functional role of ionic interactions in receptor activation.
Predictability, uncertainty, and hyperbolicity in the ocean

Lagrangian predictability of an ocean flow is studied using ideas from dynamical systems theory. Finite-time analogues of invariant manifolds and attractors are utilized to parse the flow field into regions with distinct advective fates or destinations. These analogues take the form of inflowing and outflowing material curves emanating from hyperbolic trajectories. Applications are made to the Gulf of Mexico using a high resolution, data assimilating, primitive equation hydrodynamic model.
Index inhomogeneity effects on imaging systems (Summary)

Large field of view, high power, lithography, and laser fusion systems are all limited by refractive index variations of their constituent glass elements. To estimate how the image degrades, a model ofthe bulk index inhomogeneity must be fonned.
MaizeDB - a functional genomics perspective.

MaizeDB (http://www.agron.missouri.edu/) has existed since the early 90’s as a genomespecific database that is grounded in genetic maps, their documentation and annotation. The database management system is robust and has continuously been Sybase. In this brief review we provide an introduction to the database as a functional genomics tool and new accesses to the data: 1) probe tables by bin location 2) BLAST access to map data 3) cMap, a comparative map graphical tool.
Real-time analysis of multi-laser-beam fluorescence for timed control of laser tweezers in a microfluidic cell-sorting device

We have developed a microfluidic cell sorter for mammalian cells expressing intrinsic fluorescent proteins that enables selection of cells with proteins that have enhanced photophysical properties, such as reduced fluorescence photobleaching and/or reversible dark state conversion. Previous ensemble imaging studies have used an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) to provide millisecond pulsed laser illumination for in vivo assays that distinguish reversible darkstate conversion from irreversible photobleaching. However, in the sorter, cells are hydrodynamically focused into a stream, which flows through a series of 4 or 8 line-focused, continuous, 532 nm laser beams, such that each cell experiences a similar millisecond modulated excitation. The amplitude and timing of the fluorescence response from each of the beams are measured by a red-sensitive photomultiplier and analyzed in real time to separately determine initial fluorescence brightness and photobleaching characteristics. In addition, each cell’s flow speed is found from its time of passage through the beams, and if the analysis results are within adjustable limits, a 1064 nm optical trap beam is switched on and moved along an intersecting trajectory at a matching speed, so that the cell becomes deflected by the optical gradient forces towards another exit channel of the microfluidic device. The optical sorting of cells is similar to that demonstrated by others, except that the motion of the trap beam is achieved using a piezo mirror under computer control, rather than an AOM; also, rather than a single-beam brightness measure using a hardwired circuit, a more complex multi-beam analysis is performed in software using the Real-Time module of LabView (National Instruments) on a separate computer to achieve deterministic timing and low latency. The software displays updated statistics of the sort, obtained by counting cells that pass through an extra laser beam in the exit channel. A mixture of cells expressing different proteins was resolved to select those with slowest photobleaching. Cells collected from the instrument were viable and could reproduce.
Respiratory protection against bioaerosols: literature review and research needs.

Research on respiratory protection against biologic agents is important to address major concerns such as occupational safety and terrorist attack. This review describes the literature on respiratory protection against bioaerosols and identifies research gaps. Respiratory protection is a complex field involving a number of factors, such as the efficiency of respirator filter material; face-piece fitting; and maintenance, storage, and reuse of respirators. Several studies used nonpathogenic microorganisms having physical characteristics similar to that of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to analyze microbial penetration through respirators. Some studies showed that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and N95 filters provided a higher level of protection than dust/mist (DM) and dust/mist/fume (DMF) filters. Flow rate and relative humidity appear to alter the level of penetration of microorganisms through respirator filters. The relationship between microbial penetration through respirator filters and the aerodynamic diameter, length, or other physical characteristics of microorganisms remains controversial. Whether reaerosolization of bioaerosol particles should be a concern is unclear, given the fact that one study has demonstrated significant reaerosolization of 1- to 5-μm particles loaded onto respirator filters. Respirator maintenance, storage, and decontamination are important factors to be considered when reusing respirators. The respiratory protection against biologic warfare agents such as anthrax in military and civilian situations is described.
GIT1 paxillin-binding domain is a four-helix bundle, and it binds to both paxillin LD2 and LD4 motifs.

The G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein 1 (GIT1) is a multidomain protein that plays an important role in cell adhesion, motility, cytoskeletal remodeling, and membrane trafficking. GIT1 mediates the localization of the p21-activated kinase (PAK) and PAK-interactive exchange factor to focal adhesions, and its activation is regulated by the interaction between its C-terminal paxillin-binding domain (PBD) and the LD motifs of paxillin. In this study, we determined the solution structure of rat GIT1 PBD by NMR spectroscopy. The PBD folds into a four-helix bundle, which is structurally similar to the focal adhesion targeting and vinculin tail domains. Previous studies showed that GIT1 interacts with paxillin through the LD4 motif. Here, we demonstrated that in addition to the LD4 motif, the GIT1 PBD can also bind to the paxillin LD2 motif, and both LD2 and LD4 motifs competitively target the same site on the PBD surface. We also revealed that paxillin Ser272 phosphorylation does not influence GIT1 PBD binding in vitro. These results are in agreement with the notion that phosphorylation of paxillin Ser272 plays an essential role in regulating focal adhesion turnover.
Abstract 3076: p53 homologue p63 trans-activates epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and 14-3-3α and thus promotes tumorigenesis and chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Despite these statistics, progress in therapy of pancreatic cancer has been slow. p53 tumor suppressor pathway is altered in 50-75% of pancreatic cancer tumors. However, the role of p53 homologs p63 and p73 has not been well studied. We previously reported that p63 is expressed in pancreatic cancer cell lines and contributes to their motility and invasion. Here we tested expression of p63 in resected tumors and investigated its role as a transcription factor in pancreatic cancer. Expression of p63 was determined by immunohistochemistry in 20 resected tumor samples (15 - adenocarcinoma, 5 - squamous) using pan-p63 (clone 4A4) and ΔNp63-specific antibodies; and by immunoblotting, real-time quantitative and semi-quantitative PCR in 5 pancreatic cancer cell lines. p63 levels were manipulated employing transient overexpression and lentiviral approaches. We studied cell doubling times, motility in a wound assay and invasiveness in Matrigel chambers in the presence or absence of epidermal growth factor (EGF). Functional reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to study the effects of p63 on selected promoters. We found that the p53 homolog p63 was expressed in resected pancreatic cancer samples. Pancreatic tumors with squamous differentiation showed strong diffuse expression of p63, whereas adenocarcinomas without squamous component had a focal expression of p63 (ΔNp63). In pancreatic cancer cell lines, p63 protein levels were high in 3/5 tested cell lines and ΔNp63α was the predominantly expressed variant. By contrast, TAp63 was not detected while p73 was barely detectable in 2/5 cell lines. Ectopic expression of ΔNp63α in PANC-1 cells (which had low endogenous p63) and shRNA-mediated knockdown in T3M4 cells (with high endogenous p63) indicated that ΔNp63α promoted anchorage-dependent and independent growth, motility and invasion, and enhanced resistance to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Motogenic effects of ΔNp63α were augmented in presence of EGF. ΔNp63α augmented the EGF receptor expression in pancreatic cancer cells via transcriptional regulation and potentiated EGF-mediated activation of ERK, Akt and JNK signaling. 14-3-3α transcription was also positively regulated by ΔNp63α and we have previously shown that 14-3-3α contributes to chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer. Thus, p53 homolog ΔNp63α is expressed in pancreatic cancer, where it enhances tumor progression and chemoresistance via trans-activation of EGF receptor and 14-3-3α. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3076. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3076
“I, Me, Mine” or “Us, We, Ours?”: The Influence of Cultural Psychology on Web-Based Customization

A profusion of recent research on consumer responses to individualized messages points to an enduring interest in the psychology of web-based customization. Across disciplines, the consensus is that highly individualized messages will generate more favorable outcomes than less individualized ones because they match message recipients' need for unique self-identity. We challenge this popular notion by arguing that highly individualized messages will not be as effective in collectivistic cultures that discourage unique self-identity. We test this proposition in a 2 × 3 experiment by randomly assigning participants (N = 120) representing either an individualistic or collectivistic culture (American, Chinese, respectively) to one of two levels of a customized message (highly individualized vs. less highly individualized) or a noncustomized, generic message (control condition). The experimental findings suggest a significant mediated moderation effect: Culture moderates the relationship between message type an...
Critical analysis of local constitutive models for slip and decohesion

Abstract Many problems in the modelling of materials call for a synthesis of approaches used at both the atomistic and the continuum levels. One notable implementation of this type of strategy is in the construction of local constitutive relations which serve to provide a microscopic underpinning for the energetics of phenomena ranging from interfacial debonding to dislocation nucleation. The need for atomistics in the formulation of such local constitutive approaches is twofold; first, atomistics can serve as the basis of the constitutive phenomenology itself; secondly, atomistics can be used to make quantitative tests of the assumptions which underlie the continuum framework. The present work demonstrates this strategy through the examples of two types of continuum models: the Peierls framework used in the analysis of dislocation nucleation in solids and the type of model used to describe interfacial debonding. Using atomistics within the framework of the embedded-atom method, we test each of the centra...
Increased bile acid pool inhibits cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cholesterol feeding unexpectedly inhibits cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase in rabbits. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism. METHODS: Twenty male New Zealand white rabbits were fed regular chow with and without 2% cholesterol for 10 days followed by 7 days of bile drainage. The activities of hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase and sterol 27-hydroxylase that control bile acid synthesis in classic and alternative pathways were related to the size and composition of bile acid pool. RESULTS: After feeding cholesterol, plasma and hepatic cholesterol concentrations increased, the bile acid pool doubled (from 254 +/- 44 to 533 +/- 51 mg; P CONCLUSIONS: Feeding cholesterol increased hepatic cholesterol and stimulated sterol 27- hydroxylase and alternative bile acid synthesis, which expanded the bile acid pool and inhibited cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase in rabbits. In distinction, hepatic sterol 27-hydroxylase was insensitive to changes in the bile acid pool. (Gastroenterology 1997 Dec;113(6):1958-65)
EXTERNAL SPORE MORPHOLOGY AND TAXONOMIC AFFINITIES OF PHYLLOGLOSSUM DRUMMONDII KUNZE (LYCOPODIACEAE)

A B S T R A C T The external spore morphology of Phylloglossum drummondii was studied with the scanning electron microscope and shown to share a number of features with spores in the subgenus Urostachys in Lycopodium. Within Urostachys the affinities of P. drummondii were less evident: the foramino-fossulate distal face, pyramidal proximal surface, and subcircular outline of its spores are similar to spores in the section Phlegmaria while the weakly foveolate proximal surface and raised laesurae are characteristic of spores in the section Selago. IT HAS been generally accepted by a majority of workers that the affinities of Phylloglossum drummondii Kunze are with the genus Lycopodium L. (for example see Bierhorst, 1971; Bower, 1885, 1935; Eames, 1936; Foster and Gifford, 1959; Hackney, 1950; Pritzel, 1900; Rothmaler, 1944; Smith, 1938; Sporne, 1966; Walton and Alston, 1938). The two genera form the extant element of the Lycopodiaceae Rchb. which is typified by eligulate microphylls and homospory, with a single sporangium adaxially attached to or associated with each sporophyll (Foster and Gifford, 1959; Pritzel, 1900; Walton and Alston, 1938). Two differing points of view are those of Worsdell (1910) and Wernham (1910). Worsdell considered the rhizophore of Selaginella Beauv. homologous with the perennating tuber of Phylloglossum, while Wernham saw similarities between the vascularization of Phylloglossum and Tmesipteris. Neither view has gained general acceptance. Although its validity has been questioned (Pritzel, 1900; Rothmaler, 1944), Phylloglossum has been maintained as a distinct, monotypic genus by them and others subsequent to Kunze. However, as Eames pointed out, the criteria of the unbranched habit and leaf arrangement used by Kunze in 1843 to characterize the genus are at best dubious. Rather, the siphonostelic vascular system with mesarch xylem combined with the "extreme geophytic specialization in habit" serve best to distinguish Phylloglossum from Lycopodium (Eames, 1936). A major difficulty has been that of discerning the affinities of Phylloglossum within the heterogeneous taxon Lycopodium. Much of the problem appears to be due to difficulties in interpreting the extremely reduced structure and anomolous growth habit of P. drummondii. Bower (1885, 1935) incorrectly interpreted
Instructions, strategies, and pattern uncertainty in a visual discrimination task

A card-sorting task involved discrimination of patterns from the same equivalence set, patterns from different sets of the same size, and patterns from different sets of different sizes. Instructions, experimental conditions, and the number of different patterns to be sorted into two trays were varied in an attempt to change Ss’ strategies from whole-pattern processing to single-element processing. Instructions alone were ineffectual in preventing whole-pattern processing, and physical masks over most of the criterion stimuli (patterns used as guides in sorting) were only somewhat effective. Differences among tasks that were attributable to size of equivalence set were eliminated only by arranging the stimuli so that a whole-pattern strategy required a great deal more information processing, or so that such a strategy could not lead to the required discrimination. The results were interpreted as confirming the influence of the properties of sets of stimuli, as well as the strength of the tendency of human Ss to process and categorize patterns in their entirety. nt]mis|This research was supported in part by a University Research Council grant.
A comparative evaluation of water uptake on several mineral dust sources

Environmental context. Dust particles produced from wind blown soils are of global significance as these dust particles not only impact visibility, as evident in the recent 2009 Australian dust storm, but also atmospheric chemistry, climate and biogeochemical cycles. The amount of water vapour in the atmosphere (relative humidity) can play a role in these global processes yet there are few studies and little quantitative data on water-dust particle interactions. The focus of this research is on quantifying water-dust particle interactions for several dust sources including Asia and Africa where dust storms are most prevalent. Abstract. Mineral dust aerosol provides a reactive surface in the troposphere. The reactivity of mineral dust depends on the source region as chemical composition and mineralogy of the aerosol affects its interaction with atmospheric gases. Furthermore, the impact of mineral dust aerosol in atmospheric processes and climate is a function of relative humidity. In this study, we have investigated water uptake of complex dust samples. In particular, water uptake as a function of relative humidity has been measured on three different dust sources that have been characterised using a variety of bulk and surface techniques. For these well-characterised dust samples, it is shown that although there are variations in chemical composition and mineralogy, on a per mass basis, water uptake capacities for the three dusts are very similar and are comparable to single component clay samples. These results suggest that the measured uptake of water of these bulk samples is dominated by the clay component.
Delivery of a Hammerhead Ribozyme Specifically Down-Regulates the Production of Fibrillin-1 by Cultured Dermal Fibroblasts

The hammerhead ribozyme is a small catalytic RNA molecule. Potential hammerhead ribozymes that possess a catalytic domain and flanking sequence complementary to a target mRNA can cleave in trans at a putative cleavage site within the target molecule. We have investigated the potential of hammerhead ribozymes to down-regulate the product of the fibrillin-1 gene (FBN1). Fibrillin is a 347 kDa glycoprotein that is a major constituent of the elastin-associated microfibrils. Mutations in the FBN1 gene are responsible for Marfan syndrome (MFS), a common systemic disorder of the connective tissue. Many FBN1 mutations responsible for MFS appear to act in a dominant-negative fashion, raising the possibility that reduction of the amount of product from the mutant FBN1 allele might be a valid therapeutic approach for MFS. A trans-acting hammerhead ribozyme (FBN1-RZ1) targeted to the 54 end of the human FBN1 mRNA has been designed and synthesized, and shown to cleave its target efficiently in vitro. FBN1-RZ1 cleavage is magnesium dependent and efficient at both 37 and 50C. Delivery of the FBN1-RZ1 ribozyme into cultured dermal fibroblasts, by receptor-mediated endocytosis of a ribozyme‐ transferrin‐polylysine complex, specifically reduces both cellular FBN1 mRNA and the deposition of fibrillin in the extracellular matrix. These results suggest that the use of hammerhead ribozymes is a valid approach to the study of fibrillin gene expression and possibly to the development of a therapeutic approach to MFS.
Effects of nimodipine on the production of thromboxane A2 following total global cerebral ischemia

✓ To clarify the contribution of vasoconstrictor prostaglandins to the hypoperfusion state typically following total global cerebral ischemia, 14 mongrel dogs were subjected to 11 minutes of global cerebral ischemia. They were then randomly assigned to receive either no treatment or an intravenous bolus of the calcium channel blocker nimodipine, 10 µg/kg, 15 minutes after ischemia followed by a continuous infusion of nimodipine, 1.0 µg/kg/min. Thromboxane (Tx) A2 production, as measured by cerebral venous levels of TxB2 (the stable metabolite of TxA2) increased similarly in the two groups. In contrast to previous studies, mean postischemic cerebral blood flow did not increase sufficiently in the nimodipine-treated group to achieve statistical significance. These data suggest that the improved neurological outcome associated with nimodipine treatment following global cerebral ischemia does not relate to reduced levels of the prostaglandin precursor arachidonate.
Newborn Screening by Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Medium-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Objective. To determine whether newborn screening by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) is cost-effective versus not screening and to define the contributions of disease, test, and population parameters on the decision. Methods. A decision-analytic Markov model was designed to perform cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses measuring the discounted, incremental cost per life-year saved and per quality-adjusted life-year saved of newborn screening for MCADD compared with not screening. A hypothetical cohort of neonates made transitions among a set of health states that reflected clinical status, morbidity, and cost. Outcomes were estimated for time horizons of 20 and 70 years. Probabilities and costs were derived from a retrospective chart review of a 32-patient cohort treated over the past 30 years at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, clinical experience with MCADD patient management, patient-family interviews, cost surveys, state sources, and published studies. In addition to older patients who came to medical attention by symptomatic presentation, our patient group included 6 individuals whose MCADD had been diagnosed by supplemental newborn screening. Estimates of the expected net changes in costs and life expectancy for MCADD screening were used to compute the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Sensitivity analyses were performed on key input variables, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed through second-order Monte Carlo simulations. Results. In our base-case analysis over the first 20 years of life, the cost of newborn screening for MCADD was approximately $11 000 (2001 US dollars; 95% CI: Conclusions. Simulation modeling indicates that newborn screening for MCADD reduces morbidity and mortality at an incremental cost below the range for accepted health care interventions. At the 70-year horizon, the model predicts that almost all of the additional costs of screening would be offset by avoided sequelae.
Revised Knox Preschool Play Scale: interrater agreement and construct validity.

OBJECTIVE. Interrater agreement and construct validity of the Revised Knox Preschool Play Scale (RKPPS) were examined. METHOD. Two separately trained raters evaluated 38 typically developing children, ages 36 to 72 months. For each child, the raters observed two 15-min free-play sessions. RESULTS. For the overall play age, the scores of the two raters were within 8 months of each other 86.8% of the time; for the 4 dimension scores, they were within 12 months of each other 91.7% to 100% of the time; and for the 12 category scores, they were within one age level of each other 81.8% to 100% of the time. Construct validity results showed a general match between the children�s chronological ages and their overall play age scores. CONCLUSIONS. Findings suggest that two raters can score the RKPPS with some consistency and that scores on this measure progress developmentally, thus supporting its construct validity.
Implicit attitudes and digital piracy

Purpose – An argument for the importance of unconscious processes is emerging across social science literatures (Petty et al.; Uleman). The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of implicit attitudes on the formation of digital piracy desires and behavioral intentions. If implicit attitudes are found to contribute to consumer digital piracy intentions, then marketers face an additional challenge in developing effective strategies and appeals designed to attenuate the practice.Design/methodology/approach – The study captures both indirect and direct measures of implicit attitudes to test the research model. A total of 285 respondents provided data in a controlled lab setting for purposes of structural equation analyses.Findings – The results first contribute to growing evidence generally supporting the importance of attitudinal influences in the formation of digital piracy intentions. The reported study further suggests the necessity of including implicit attitudinal considerations in explanator...
Green fluorescent protein regulation in the coral Acropora yongei during photoacclimation

Reef-building corals inhabit high light environments and are dependent on photosynthetic endosymbiotic dinoflagellates for nutrition. While photoacclimation responses of the dinoflagellates to changes in illumination are well understood, host photoacclimation strategies are poorly known. This study investigated fluorescent protein expression in the shallow-water coral Acropora yongei during a 30 day laboratory photoacclimation experiment in the context of its dinoflagellate symbionts. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) concentration measured by Western blotting changed reversibly with light intensity. The first 15 days of the photoacclimation experiment led to a ∼1.6 times increase in GFP concentration for high light corals (900 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹) and a ∼4 times decrease in GFP concentration for low light corals (30 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹) compared with medium light corals (300 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹). Green fluorescence increased ∼1.9 times in high light corals and decreased ∼1.9 times in low light corals compared with medium light corals. GFP concentration and green fluorescence intensity were significantly correlated. Typical photoacclimation responses in the dinoflagellates were observed including changes in density, photosynthetic pigment concentration and photosynthetic efficiency. Although fluorescent proteins are ubiquitous and abundant in scleractinian corals, their functions remain ambiguous. These results suggest that scleractinian corals regulate GFP to modulate the internal light environment and support the hypothesis that GFP has a photoprotective function. The success of photoprotection and photoacclimation strategies, in addition to stress responses, will be critical to the fate of scleractinian corals exposed to climate change and other stressors.
Lifetime Physical and Sexual Abuse, Substance Abuse, Depression, and Suicide Attempts Among Native American Women

Although there is preliminary evidence that violence against women and children may be particularly prevalent in some Native American communities, associations between abuse and substance abuse, mental health problems, and suicide attempts have rarely been studied in this population. This study examined lifetime and current physical and sexual abuse among 30 Native American women. Nearly half had experienced physical and/or sexual abuse as children, over half were sexually abused at some time in their lives, and over three-fourths were abused by a partner. All but four women (87%) had experience physical or sexual abuse in their lifetime. Significant relationships were found among childhood abuse, substance abuse, and adult revictimization, and among cumulative lifetime abuse events, substance abuse, and depression. Further research is needed to examine abuse and relationships between abuse and health sequelae in Native American populations. An accelerated public health and community response is needed to address abuse issues in this community.
Pyrethroid pesticide effects on behavioral responses of aquatic isopods to danger cues

The present study sought to evaluate the behavioral responses of non-target organisms in order to determine whether phototactic responses of isopods to danger cues are altered as a function of exposure to the pyrethroid pesticides λ-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin. Experiments conducted on Gnorimosphaeroma oregonensis identified sublethal behavioral responses to pyrethroids, λ-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin at concentrations 0.15 ng/mL, 0.025 ng/mL, and 0.005 ng/mL. Experimental setup tested isopod phototactic responses across six treatments: control, pyrethroid, hemolymph, predator, hemolymph + pyrethroid, and predator + pyrethroid. Isopods exhibited no preference for phototactic responses in the control and pyrethroid treatments. When exposed to danger cues (hemolymph or predator), isopods exhibited significant negative phototaxis, as expected. When exposure to danger cues was combined with pyrethroids, isopods again exhibited no preference for phototactic response. Experiments indicate that pyrethroids diminish isopod’s negatively phototactic response to danger cues.
Microwave Performance Monitor Application at the Bonneville Power Administration

This paper describes BPA's experience with a BPA-developed automatic performance monitoring system which monitors pertinent operational parameters of seven major BPA microwave systems. This Microwave Monitor (MWM) system provides Operations and Maintenance personnel with continuous measurement of each system's performance. With the MWM, gradual system degradation and impending failures are detected before an outage occurs. This allows maintenance visits to be scheduled in advance. Also, the MWM isolates problems to specific sections of each microwave system, allowing rapid location and repair. The MWM system performs automatic diagnosis, and only requires remote terminals at the ends of each microwave system. Having gained operational experience over several years, BPA can now confidently use the MW Monitor to evaluate BPA maintenance approaches and procedures.
Can anticoagulation care be improved with technology

In this issue of CMAJ , Oake and colleagues [1][1] report the results of an observational study of an interactive voice response system to assist in managing the care of low-risk patients receiving warfarin. The system communicated results of international normalized ratio testing, dosage schedules
CrN–Ag nanocomposite coatings: Effect of growth temperature on the microstructure

ARTICLE I NFO CrN-Ag composite layers, 5-µm-thick and containing 22 at.% Ag, were co-deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering on Si(001) substrates in a 0.4 Pa pure nitrogen atmosphere at growth temperatures Ts=500, 600, and 700 °C. A combination of X-ray diffraction and cross-sectional microscopy analyses show that Ag segregates to form precipitates with an average size that increases from b25 nm to ~300×300×100 nm 3 to ~600×600×200 nm 3 for Ts=500, 600, and 700 °C, respectively. At high Ts, the precipitates extend along the surface plane to form horizontal lamellae that cause grain re-nucleation and, in turn, a disruption of the columnar microstructure and a transition from a strong 002 texture for pure CrN to a mixed preferred orientation for the composite coatings. In addition, Ag segregates to form mounds on the growing layer surface that result in the nucleation of nodules which exhibit an increased growth rate and extend up to 1 and 5 µm above the surface for Ts=600 and 700 °C, respectively, but are absent for Ts=500 °C. The cross- sectional microhardness increases with Ts from 17 to 20 to 24 GPa for Ts=500, 600, and 700 °C, respectively, which is attributed to a decrease in the effective Ag concentration associated with temperature-activated segregation. The measured hardness for pure CrN is 28 GPa.
In Vitro Metabolism of 4-14C-Labeled Progesterone by Adrenal Glands from Rats with a Transplantable Mammotropic Pituitary Tumor

The in vitro conversion of 4-14Clabeled progesterone to various products by adrenal glands from normal rats was compared with that by glands which were 10 times normal size and were from rats bearing transplantable mammotropic tumors. The amount of conversion per gram of tissue was 30 times greater by normal adrenal tissue. The metabolites of labeled progesterone were compared with 10 authentic adrenal steroids by column and thin-layer chromatography. Corticosterone and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone were identified as products of conversion by normal tissue, whereas only 18- hydroxycorticosterone was identified following incubation of the large adrenal glands from rats having the pituitary tumors. (Endocrinology 81: 246,1967)
Structural MR imaging

Phased-array imaging at 1.5 and 3 T significantly improves image quality compared with that in routine 1.5-T head coil studies. These improvements significantly increase lesion detection in patients with focal epilepsy. Semiautomated image-analysis techniques have the potential to improve lesion detection, assess lesion burden more accurately, characterize cortical abnormalities, and determine the location and extent of associated cortical and deep gray nuclei involvement. With increasing interest in understanding the role white matter plays in epileptogenesis and seizure propagation, diffusion tensor imaging may yield useful information about changes in white matter organization. Our current multimodality imaging combines these structural imaging advances with coregistered neurophysiological information obtained with magnetoencephalography and with simultaneous EEG recordings. Our initial experience suggests that multimodality imaging will improve our ability to detect and define the extent of epileptogenic lesions.
Efficiency of lignin biosynthesis: a quantitative analysis.

Lignin is derived mainly from three alcohol monomers: p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol. Biochemical reactions probably responsible for synthesizing these three monomers from sucrose, and then polymerizing the monomers into lignin, were analysed to estimate the amount of sucrose required to produce a unit of lignin. Included in the calculations were amounts of respiration required to provide NADPH (from NADP(+)) and ATP (from ADP) for lignin biosynthesis. Two pathways in the middle stage of monomer biosynthesis were considered: one via tyrosine (found in monocots) and the other via phenylalanine (found in all plants). If lignin biosynthesis proceeds with high efficiency via tyrosine, 76.9, 70.4 and 64.3 % of the carbon in sucrose can be retained in the fraction of lignin derived from p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol, respectively. The corresponding carbon retention values for lignin biosynthesis via phenylalanine are less, at 73.2, 65.7 and 60.7 %, respectively. Energy (i.e. heat of combustion) retention during lignin biosynthesis via tyrosine could be as high as 81.6, 74.5 and 67.8 % for lignin derived from p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol, respectively, with the corresponding potential energy retention values for lignin biosynthesis via phenylalanine being less, at 77.7, 69.5 and 63.9 %, respectively. Whether maximum efficiency occurs in situ is unclear, but these values are targets that can be considered in: (1) plant breeding programmes aimed at maximizing carbon or energy retention from photosynthate; (2) analyses of (minimum) metabolic costs of responding to environmental change or pest attack involving increased lignin biosynthesis; (3) understanding costs of lignification in older tissues; and (4) interpreting carbon balance measurements of organs and plants with large lignin concentrations.
Three cases of "spice" exposure.

Introduction. We describe three cases with confirmed exposure to “spice” by detection of the metabolites JWH-018 and/or JWH-073 in urine. All cases had a negative urine drug screen. Case 1. A 25-year-old male with possible seizure, tachycardia, acidosis, and unresponsiveness, presented to a local emergency department (ED) after smoking a “spice” product. His symptoms resolved with benzodiazepines, fluid, and observation. His urine tested positive for JWH-018 and negative for JWH-073 metabolites. Case 2. A 21-year-old male was found unresponsive after smoking “spice.” He had hypertension, was agitated, and had a Glasgow Coma Score of 7; the patient was intubated. The skin was warm and dry. His symptoms resolved with IV fluids and he was discharged home after 24 h. His urine tested positive for metabolites of JWH-018 and JWH-073. Case 3. A 19-year-old male was brought to the ED 1 h after smoking a “spice” product and having paranoia and delusions. His urine tested positive for JWH-018 and JWH-073 metabolite...
Phytochrome A Regulates Red-Light Induction of Phototropic Enhancement in Arabidopsis'

Phytochrome A (phyA) and phytochrome B photoreceptors have distinct roles in the regulation of plant growth and development. Studies using specific photomorphogenic mutants and transgenic plants overexpressing phytochrome have supported an evolving picture in which phyA and phytochrome B are responsive to continuous far-red and red light, respectively. Photomorphogenic mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana that had been selected for their inability to respond to continuous irradiance conditions were tested for their ability to carry out red-light-induced enhancement of phototropism, which is an inductive phytochrome response. We conclude that phyA is the primary photoreceptor regulating this response and provide evidence suggesting that a common regulatory domain in the phyA polypeptide functions for both high-irradiance and inductive phytochrome responses.
The Portability of Electoral Procedural Fairness: Evidence from Experimental Studies in China and the United States

Elections are now a common feature of countries across regime types, yet we know little about what leads people to perceive an election as fair, or how the democratic context shapes the ingredients of fairness judgments. While the conduct of a process is most important for perceptions of fairness in established democracies, “procedural fairness” may not travel to non-democracies, where economic outcomes occasionally take precedence over procedure. Additionally, individual level characteristics, such as political engagement, may also shape how people view the fairness of elections. Using original experiments conducted in the United States and China, I find procedural considerations are most important for fairness judgments, across democratic contexts and largely independent of political engagement.
Editorial 5: I and Self (Welby, Lacan)

This 5th editorial text introduces a never observed but most striking parallel between the ways of thinking and thought formation of Lady Vistoria Welby and her significs project, and the French psychoanalyst and philosopher Jacques Lacan. The major focus in those parallels is on their ideas about the human Self and the Occidental culture, which cherishes these Self-thoughts as evident, natural and essential in human existence. Lady Welby connected the idea of sign with the concept of identity, in particular the Self as a predominant social issue. Lacan underlined the Self as an emerging moment in early life, and focused on what he called the ‘mirror-stage’ in each life.