cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium Clearance Mechanisms of Mouse Sperm

The spermatozoon is specialized for a single vital role in fertilization. Past studies show that Ca2+ signals produced by the opening of plasma membrane entry channels initiate several events required for the sperm to reach and enter the egg but reveal little about how resting [Ca2+]i is maintained or restored after elevation. We examined these homeostatic mechanisms by monitoring the kinetics of recovery from depolarizing stimuli under conditions intended to inhibit candidate mechanisms for sequestration or extrusion of Ca2+ from the cytosol. We found that the Ca2+-ATPase pump of the plasma membrane performs the major task of Ca2+ clearance. It is essential in the final stages of recovery to achieve a low resting [Ca2+]i. With immunomethods we found a ∼130-kD plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase protein on Western blots of whole sperm extracts and showed immunolocalization to the proximal principal piece of the flagellum. The plasma membrane Na+-Ca2+ exchanger also exports Ca2+ when [Ca2+]i is elevated. Simultaneous inhibition of both mechanisms of extrusion revealed an additional contribution to clearance from a CCCP-sensitive component, presumably sequestration by the mitochondria. Involvement of SERCA pumps was not clearly detected. Many aspects of the kinetics of Ca2+ clearance observed in the presence and absence of inhibitors were reproduced in a mathematical model based on known and assumed kinetic parameters. The model predicts that when cytosolic [Ca2+] is at 1 μM, the rates of removal by the Ca2+-ATPase, Na+-Ca2+-exchanger, mitochondrial uniporter, and SERCA pump are ∼1.0, 0.35, 0.33, and 0 μmole l−1 s−1, rates substantially slower than those reported for other cells studied by similar methods. According to the model, the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger is poised so that it may run in reverse at resting [Ca2+]i levels. We conclude that the essential functions of sperm do not require the ability to recover rapidly from globally elevated cytosolic [Ca2+].
Effects of conditioned avoidance training on polyribosomes of mouse brain

Abstract Mice trained for 15 min on a conditioned avoidance task were compared to yoke- and quiet-control mice immediately, 15 min, and 30 min after training. Immediately after training, conditioned animals had incorporated more uridine into polyribosomes and had higher polyribosome to monosome ratios. These differences between trained and untrained animals decreased 15 min after training and disappeared by 30 min.
Broadening participation: a community college strategy

The Commonwealth Alliance for Information Technology Education (CAITE) is an alliance of 15 Massachusetts public campuses that focuses on community colleges because of their role as a gateway to careers and further higher education for underserved populations. CAITE outreach extends into four regions that have high percentages of students who are under-represented in the knowledge and innovation economy. Building on two years' experience and extensive data, we are strengthening our efforts to develop nurturing educational pathways and to ensure that students are adequately prepared to enter them. CAITE can serve as a transferable model for statewide collaborations.
PALLIATIVE CARE: CORE SKILLS AND CLINICAL COMPETENCIES

This book by two American pioneers in palliative care offers anyone interested in palliative care the United States perspective, is an excellent reference for clinicians new to the field, and makes...
Acyclic triplets and social structure in complete signed digraphs

Abstract This report is a study of the relationship between certain systems of signed acyclic triplets representing relationships among three actors and the properties of the graphs which they generate. It is a method of investigating macro-structure based on micro-structural properties. The motivation stems from the work of Cartwright and Harary, Davis, Leinhardt and Holland on affective ties, which we generalize. After showing the connections between our approach and theirs, we develop some new models that go beyond affect and positive sentiment.
Effects of cornual catheterization on uterotubal histology and function

Objective To assess histologic damage and functional impairment following coaxial tubal catheterization. Design Prospective randomized controlled study. Setting Research laboratory. Patient(s) Ninety-two female New Zealand rabbits. Intervention(s) Tubal cannulation and mating. Main Outcome Measure(s) Rabbits randomized for placement of unilateral catheter and guide wire (group 1), unilateral catheter and guide wire plus falloposcope (group 2), and catheterization as in group 1 or 2 but using a cage catheter (groups 3 and 4, respectively). A fifth group consisted of rabbits with tubal perforations. Rabbits were killed at 2 or 4 weeks after catheterization or after mating. The sixth group consisted of only control rabbits. Result(s) Only one catheterized tube in groups 1 and 3 showed inflammation, fibrosis, or edema. None of the tubes manifested ciliary loss. Serosal tubal adhesions were identified in two tubes in group 1, in one in group 3, in three tubes in group 5, and one in the control group. The nidation index in control and nonperforated catheterized tubes ranged from 72%–95% (not significant). Nidation index in tubes unintentionally perforated was 81%. Conclusion(s) Catheterization of the uterotubal junction and fallopian tube in rabbits does not cause long-term tubal damage or impair tubal function.
Localization of the central vocalization mechanism in the brain stem of the cat.

Abstract Electrical stimulation of certain structures of the hypothalamus and the rostral portion of the midbrain in the cat evoked vocalization and other physiologic expressions of rage. The vocalization pathways could be traced in the pons to a broad but thin area dorsal to the corticospinal tract and ventral to the medial lemniscus, and in the medulla, to a small discrete area in the corresponding region. After localized destruction of this latter area, no vocalization could be evoked by stimulating the hypothalamus or the pons on the ipsilateral side. Under such conditions, physiologic manifestations of rage could still be elicited. It was therefore concluded that the hypothalamus and perhaps the rostral portion of the midbrain comprise an integrative center for rage, and that the descending pathways for vocalization and for rage are located in different areas in the lower brain stem.
Determinants of suicidal ideation: the role of substance use disorders.

BACKGROUND: This study tested the hypothesis that the amount of psychoactive substance consumed (frequency and/or quantity), life problems resulting from this use, and a DSM-IV diagnosis of substance abuse/dependence are independent risk factors associated with increased suicidal ideation in a population of psychiatric inpatients with major depressive disorder. METHOD: 891 hospitalized patients with a primary diagnosis of nonpsychotic major depressive disorder (MDD) received a standardized, psychiatrist-administered assessment battery. To examine the relationship between admission suicidality and demographic, psychiatric history, and admission variables, chi-square analyses were used for categorical data and one-way ANOVAs were used for continuous indices. Stepwise hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the set of variables that was independently related to admission suicidality level. RESULTS: There was general agreement between our findings and previous literature in regard to the association between severity of Axis I diagnosis, depressed mood, hopelessness, male gender, unemployment, involuntary treatment, and alcohol/drug problems and higher suicidal ideation. In our sample of hospitalized patients with unipolar major depressive disorder, higher current drug and/or alcohol dependency and high current use of alcohol or other substances of abuse were independently associated with higher levels of suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: This association with higher suicidal ideation lends support to the importance of treating patients for both alcohol/drug problems and depression in an effort to decrease their risk for future suicide. We hope that our findings will improve the care that patients with dual diagnoses receive. Language: en
Time course of Na,K transport and other metabolic responses to thyroid hormone in clone 9 cells.

To elucidate the relationship between the stimulation of Na+ and K+ fluxes by thyroid hormone and the induction of the Na,K-ATPase, we performed a detailed comparison of the time courses of these hormonal effects in a rat liver cell line, clone 9. Stimulations of passive K+ efflux, passive Na+ influx, and ouabain-inhibitable K+ uptake were all evident within 6–12 h of exposure of cells to T3 (10-7 M). The time course of the induction of Na,K-ATPase activity closely paralleled that of the increase in the rate of Na+ and K+ fluxes. The maximal stimulatory effects of T3 on ouabain-inhibitable K+ uptake and Na,K-ATPase activity at 72 h were +49% and +36%, respectively. Intracellular Na+ and K+ contents were virtually unchanged during these increases in ion fluxes and Na,K-ATPase activity, suggesting an efficient homeostatic adaptation to the augmented passive “leak” of Na+ and K+ down their transmembrane concentration gradients. T3 treatment for 72 h was also shown to stimulate both lactate production (+62%) ...
The US Endangered Species Act: Conservation and research for aquatic insects

1. For the first time in 1973, the Endangered Species Act allowed for the listing and conservation of insects that might be in danger of extinction. The Act, as it pertains to insects, is administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2. Only one aquatic insect, Ambrysus amargosus (Naucoridae), is listed under the Act's provisions, but 142 species are candidates for future listing rules. 3. Entomologists who study aquatic insects have an opportunity to cooperate with state and federal biologists in providing data, carrying out contracted surveys, and promoting conservation action to protect aquatic species in need of conservation.
In Situ Ion Implantation for Quantitative SIMS Analysis

The primary ion column of a secondary ion mass spectrometer (Cameca IMS 3f) has been used as an ion implanter to prepare calibrated standards, In situ for quantitative SIMS analysis, with an accuracy better than 10%. The technique has been used to determine oxygen concentrations in contaminated TiSi 2 films by implanting a reference level of 18 O into a portion of the film.
Confocal Microscopy of Corneal Dystrophies

In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) of the cornea is becoming an indispensable tool in the cellular study of corneal physiology and disease. This technique offers non-invasive imaging of the living cornea with images comparable to that of ex vivo histology. The ability to provide high-resolution images of all layers in the living cornea has resulted in new discoveries of corneal pathology at the cellular level. The IVCM analysis of corneal dystrophies is of importance to clinicians, as current methods of diagnosis involve slit-lamp characteristics, genetic analysis, and invasive biopsy. IVCM is helpful in evaluating the morphological characteristics of corneal dystrophies at the histological level and may be helpful in diagnosis, determination of progression, and understanding the pathophysiology of disease. The purpose of this review is to describe the principles, applications, and clinical correlation of IVCM in the study of corneal dystrophies.
Extended Koopmans' theorem: approximate ionization energies from MCSCF wave functions

The extended Koopmans' theorem has been implemented using multiconfigurational self-consistent field wave functions calculated with the GAMESS, HONDO, and SIRIUS programs. The results of illustrative calculations are presented for the molecules HF, H2O, NH3, CH4, N2, CO, HNC, HCN, C2H2, H2CO, and B2H6. The lowest extended Koopmans' theorem ionization potentials agree well within the experimental values and the ionization potentials representing excited states of the ions show some improvements over the Koopmans' theorem values in most cases. The extended Koopmans' theorem is easily implemented and the time required to calculate the ionization energies is insignificant compared to the time required to calculate the wave function of the un-ionized molecule. © 1992 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Genetic mapping of a mutation causing an alteration in Bacillus subtilis ribosomal protein S4

A mutation causing an alteration in Bacillus subtilis ribosomal protein S4 was mapped by transformation and PBS-1 transduction to a site between aroG and argA, a region of the B. subtilis chromosome not previously demonstrated to contain ribosomal protein genes. The S4 mutation conferred a spore-plus phenotype in a streptomycin-resistant, spore-minus genetic background. The altered protein was detectable by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of ribosomal proteins of recombinants scored for the spore-plus phenotype in genetic crosses.
Magnetic excitations and critical dynamics in RbMnF3: simulation versus theory and experiment

Abstract Spin-dynamics simulations have been used to investigate the dynamic behavior of RbMnF 3 , treating it as a classical Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a simple cubic lattice. The dynamic critical exponent was estimated to be z =(1.43±0.03) from dynamic scaling in good agreement with a recent experimental value. Comparisons are made of the line shapes obtained from our simulations with recent experimental results for RbMnF 3 .
Helix macrodipole control of β3-peptide 14-helix stability in water

β-Peptides have attracted considerable attention by virtue of their ability to populate helical secondary structures in methanol, even in the absence of stabilizing tertiary interactions. Recent efforts in β-peptide design have produced few β3-peptides that form stable 14-helices in water; those that do require stabilizing intramolecular salt bridges on two of three helical faces and therefore possess limited utility as tools in biological research. Here we show that favorable interactions with the 14-helix macrodipole significantly stabilize the 14-helix in water, alleviating the need for multiple salt bridges on two of three helical faces. We also report the previously unrecognized stabilization of 14-helix structure by γ-branched β3-amino acids. The most structured molecules we describe are highly heterogeneous at the primary sequence level, containing seven different β3-amino acids within an 11-residue sequence. These results represent the essential first step toward the design of well-folded 14-helic...
Identification and Quantification of Aerosol Polar Oxygenated Compounds Bearing Carboxylic or Hydroxyl Groups. 2. Organic Tracer Compounds from Monoterpenes

In this study, a comparison is made of polar organic compounds found in the field with those produced in secondary organic aerosol from laboratory irradiations of natural hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The field samples comprised atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) collected at Research Triangle Park (RTP), NC, during the summer of 2003, and the laboratory samples originated from the photooxidation of the following monoterpenes: α-pinene, β-pinene, and d-limonene. To determine the structural characteristics of the polar compounds, the filter samples were solvent extracted and derivatized using a technique based on single and multistep derivatizations. The resulting compound derivatives were analyzed by GC-MS in the methane-CI and EI modes. In addition to previously reported biogenic oxidation products (pinic acid, pinonic acid, norpinic acid, nopinone, and pinonaldehyde), seven multifunctional organic compounds were found in both field and laboratory samples. These compounds, which are pro...
Symmetry breaking in SO(10): Higgs-boson structure

The breakdown of SO(10) symmetry to ordinary SU(3${)}_{\mathrm{C}}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1${)}_{\mathrm{Q}}$ is studied in detail. An adjoint 45, a spinorial 16+${16}^{\mathrm{*}}$, and a traceless second-rank symmetric tensor 54 of Higgs fields break SO(10) down to SU(3${)}_{\mathrm{C}}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2${)}_{\mathrm{L}}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1${)}_{\mathrm{Y}}$. By introducing the 54, it is shown that the flavor group SU(2${)}_{\mathrm{L}}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2${)}_{\mathrm{R}}$ can show up as an intermediate symmetry. All the Higgs-boson masses are evaluated and the parameters entering into the Higgs potential are constrained for the stability of the SU(2${)}_{\mathrm{L}}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2${)}_{\mathrm{R}}$-symmetric vacuum. A vectorial 10 is employed to break the electroweak symmetry to U(1${)}_{\mathrm{Q}}$ and its interaction with the superheavy fields is analyzed.
Space Charge Fields in BaTi O 3

Experiments have been performed in which observations have been made in the presence of dc electric field bias of: (1) hysteresis loops, (2) double loops above the Curie point, (3) Kerr electro-optic effect above the Curie point and (4) capacitance above the Curie point in BaTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. The purpose of these experiments was to determine field distributions in the crystal under an externally applied difference of potential and to examine the extent to which space-charge surface layers cancel the bulk field. The first three types of observations were qualitative in nature. The biased hysteresis loops show normal behavior with no evidence of field cancellation. Double loop measurements show some evidence of field cancellation, while Kerr electro-optic measurements show strongly nonuniform fields indicating anomalous space-charge fields. The measurements of capacitance above the Curie point indicate that surface layers build up in the presence of a dc field, and these surface layers have a capacitance that varies with applied voltage. The results can be understood qualitatively if simple Schottky exhaustion barriers are assumed at the two metal electrode-crystal contacts. Observed asymmetries with respect to the applied fields are discussed.
Linear Prediction of Marital Happinessl

Previous research (Dawes & Corrigan, 1974) has indicated that simple linear models may be highly predictive--of such cri teria as academic success and psychiatric diagnosis. This note sum marizes two studies concerning the prediction of another (socially important) criterion: self-ratings of marital happiness. Two samples of married subjects monitored sexual intercourse and argu ments on a daily basis. Rate of sexual intercourse minus rate of arguments was highly predictive of self-ratings of marital happiness.
Assignment of human erythroid δ-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS2) to a distal subregion of band Xp11.21 by PCR analysis of somatic cell hybrids containing X;Autosome translocations

The erythroid-specific (ALAS2) and housekeeping (ALAS1) genes encoding delta-aminolevulinate synthase have recently been mapped to chromosomes Xp21.1----q21 and 3p21, respectively. The erythroid-specific gene is a candidate for mutations resulting in X-linked sideroblastic anemia. Analysis of DNA from hybrid clones containing translocations in the region Xp11.21----Xq21.3 permitted the finer localization of the ALAS2 gene with respect to other loci and breakpoints within this region. These studies localized the ALAS2 gene to the distal subregion of Xp11.21 in Interval 5 indicating the following gene order: Xpter-OATL2-[L62-3A, Xp11.21; A62-1A-4b, Xp11.21]-(ALAS2, DXS323)-[B13-3, Xp11.21; C9-5, Xp11.21]-(DXS14, DXS429)-DXS422-(DXZ1, Xcen). Thus, the reported linkage of acquired sideroblastic anemia and sideroblastic anemia with ataxia to Xq13 presumably results from genes other than ALAS2.
Use of a fluorescent dye to measure drug-induced changes in the membrane potential of boar spermatozoa

Abstract The fluorescence emission intensity of the dye 3,3′ dipentyloxo-carbocyanine iodide equilibrated with washed boar spermatozoa and valinomycin or gramicidin varies with external potassium or sodium concentration in a manner indicating that dye fluorescence is related to the plasma membrane potential. The membrane potential in turn is shown to be dependent on energy metabolism. The drugs propranolol, lidocaine and diphendydramine, which possess local anesthetic-like properties, induce a rapid depolarization which can be reversed by valinomycin at low drug concentrations and a slower apparently energy dependent depolarization at higher drug concentrations that is not reversible. Low concentrations of these drugs decrease forward progression of sperm but have little effect on the percentage motile cells. Theophylline increases the frequency of contraction of drug-treated cells but not their forward progression, these findings are discussed in terms of the role of the sperm membrane in the control of motility.
Measurement of perceived school climate for active travel in children.

OBJECTIVES To describe the development of an original scale that measures perceived school climate for active travel in fourth- and fifth-grade girls and boys. METHODS The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to provide evidence of factorial validity, factorial invariance, and construct validity. RESULTS The CFA supported the fit of a 3-factor (encouragement, praise, and importance) correlated model for the school climate for active travel measure. This hierarchical model was invariant between sex and across a 7-month time period, and initial evidence for construct validity was provided. CONCLUSIONS School climate for active travel is a measurable construct, and preliminary evidence suggests relationships with more support for active travel from friends and family.
On the Adiabatic Couette Flow of a Compressible Fluid

Eine Untersuchung wurde durchgefuhrt uber die adiabatische Stromung der Luft zwischen zwei parallelen Platten, bei einem Druckunterschied quer uber die sich bewegende Platte. Die Losung lasst eine thermale Keilwirkung der hydrodynamischen Schmierung erwarten und gibt eine quantitative Analyse des allgemeineren Problems, wo ein Druckunterschied quer uber die Gleitplatte vorhanden ist. Die Ergebnisse deuten an, dass der Beitrag des hydrodynamischen Druckes oft ausserst klein sein kann (fur massige Geschwindigkeiten) im Vergleich zum hydrodynamischen Druck in den dem Druck ausgesetzten Lagern. Im Falle von stillstehenden Platten ist die adiabatische Losung gleich der isothermen Losung; weswegen keine Temperaturerhohung stattfindet.
Acute effects of saralasin on plasma aldosterone in different pathophysiological conditions.

The effect of the angiotensin II analog, saralasin (l-sar-8-ala-angiotensinII), on plasma aldosterone (PA) and plasma cortisol was studied in human subjects with varying levels of stimulation of the renin system. In nine recumbent normal subjects on an ad libitum diet, saralasin (5.0 jti/kg-min for 25 min) significantly (P < 0.01) increased PA. This increase was abolished by furosemide and restored by the infusion of 2 liters 0.9% saline. For normal subjects there was a significant correlation between the saralasin-induced change in PA and the presaralasin' PRA (P < 0.001). Saralasin reduced PA in most normal subjects in whom the PRA was greater than 3.7 ng/mlh and the PA was significantly correlated to the increasingPRA (r = 0.66; P < 0.01). In normal subjects in whom the PRA was less than3.7 ng/ml-h, there was no correlation between PRA and PA, but in a small group (n= 6) whose PA was greater than 20 ng/dl, saralasin induced a fall in PA infour of them. In studies of patients with cirrhosis, most showed...
Maternal leptin across pregnancy in women with small-for-gestational-age infants.

Objective We hypothesized that women with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates would have lower concentrations of leptin compared to women with appropriately grown infants (AGA). Study Design This is a nested case-control study of normotensive nulliparous women. Cases (n = 28) delivered SGA Results Maternal leptin concentrations at 18 weeks were correlated with prepregnancy BMI (r = 0.69, P P P = .04). Conclusion Maternal leptin was correlated with maternal adiposity; however, after adjustment for body composition, leptin was lower across pregnancy in women with SGA.
Terminal 22q Deletion Syndrome: A Newly Recognized Cause of Speech and Language Disability in the Autism Spectrum

Objective. Cryptic subtelomeric chromosome rearrangements account for 6% to 10% of idiopathic mental retardation. As cytogenetic and molecular techniques have become more sophisticated, the number of genetic syndromes attributed to these microdeletions has increased. To date, 64 patients have been described in the literature with a more recently recognized microdeletion syndrome, del 22q13.3. The purpose of this study is to present 11 new cases of this recently described syndrome to delineate further the phenotype and to alert the clinician to another genetic condition that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of early hypotonia, delayed speech acquisition, and autistic behavior. Methods. Eleven patients were evaluated in 3 academic institutions. Clinical features and results of cytogenetic testing were recorded and tabulated. Reasons for referral for genetic evaluation included developmental delay, severe expressive speech and language delay, and dysmorphic features. Results. Age of presentation ranged from 5 months to 46 years. There were 10 female patients and 1 male patient. All of the patients exhibited delayed motor development, some degree of hypotonia, and severe expressive speech and language delay. Dysmorphic facial features included epicanthal folds, large cupped ears, underdeveloped philtrum, loss of cupid9s bow, and full supraorbital ridges. Six patients exhibited autistic-like behaviors. Microscopically visible chromosome deletions were observed in 6 patients. In the remainder, the deletion was detected with the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization. Conclusions. Hypotonia and developmental delay are nonspecific findings observed in many malformation and genetic syndromes. However, in association with severe speech and language delay and autistic-like behavior, this phenotype may be a significant indication to consider the 22q13 deletion syndrome as a potential cause.
Proposed prognostic score for breast carcinoma on fine needle aspiration based on nuclear grade, cellular dyscohesion and bare atypical nuclei.

Fine needle aspiration is an established diagnostic tool in breast carcinoma. Although the potential of using the same diagnostic aspirate material to provide additional cytomorphologic prognostic or predictive information has been investigated, no well-recognized, practical grading system has been established. Such system is necessary in guiding treatment, monitoring neoadjuvant chemotherapy effect and predicting outcome. We herein propose a new grading system, combining nuclear grade, cellular dyscohesion, and bare atypical nuclei to arrive at one cytoprognostic score. Cytoprognostic scores were compared with other known prognostic factors. Fine needle aspirations of breast diagnosed as adenocarcinoma from 55 patients were reviewed. The cytoprognostic score combined three features including nuclear grade (score 1–3), cellular dyscohesion (score 1–3), and bare atypical nuclei (score 0, 1). A cytoprognostic score of 3 and below was considered a low score, and a score of 4–7 was considered a high score. The cytoprognostic score was then compared to histologic grade, lymph node status, and expressions of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Her2-Neu, Ki-67, and p53 in the subsequently excised tumor. A low cytoprognostic score predicted a low to intermediate grade carcinoma and a high score predicted an intermediate to high-grade carcinoma. A high cytoprognostic score also correlated with more positive lymph node metastasis, and poor expression of prognostic markers. In conclusion, cytoprognostic score is performed with ease and shows a great promise as a cost-effective way to predict biological behavior of breast carcinoma and guide clinical management. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:542–546. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Thioredoxin-interacting protein: a critical link between glucose toxicity and beta-cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE— In diabetes, glucose toxicity affects different organ systems, including pancreatic islets where it leads to β-cell apoptosis, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. Recently, we identified thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) as a proapoptotic β-cell factor that is induced by glucose, raising the possibility that TXNIP may play a role in β-cell glucose toxicity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— To assess the effects of glucose on TXNIP expression and apoptosis and define the role of TXNIP, we used INS-1 β-cells; primary mouse islets; obese, diabetic BTBR.ob mice; and a unique mouse model of TXNIP deficiency (HcB-19) that harbors a natural nonsense mutation in the TXNIP gene. RESULTS— Incubation of INS-1 cells at 25 mmol/l glucose for 24 h led to an 18-fold increase in TXNIP protein, as assessed by immunoblotting. This was accompanied by increased apoptosis, as demonstrated by a 12-fold induction of cleaved caspase-3. Overexpression of TXNIP revealed that TXNIP induces the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Islets of diabetic BTBR.ob mice also demonstrated increased TXNIP and apoptosis as did isolated wild-type islets incubated at high glucose. In contrast, TXNIP-deficient HcB-19 islets were protected against glucose-induced apoptosis as measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling and caspase-3, indicating that TXNIP is a required causal link between glucose toxicity and β-cell death. CONCLUSIONS— These findings shed new light onto the molecular mechanisms of β-cell glucose toxicity and apoptosis, demonstrate that TXNIP induction plays a critical role in this vicious cycle, and suggest that inhibition of TXNIP may represent a novel approach to reduce glucotoxic β-cell loss.
Influence of Exercise on Visual Search: Implications for Mediating Cognitive Mechanisms

The present study investigated the influence of exercise on a feature and conjunction search performed by 10 women and 8 men. We compared the effect of 10 min. of low- (65% work load) and high-exertion cycling (8 min. at 65% work load plus 2 min. at 85% work load) on response time, accuracy and response time as a function of the number of items in the display (slopes). Analysis showed faster search and increased slopes following exercise, suggesting that exercise improved performance especially under conditions of focused attention. The lowest response times followed high-exertion exercise, and most focused search, i.e., largest slopes, followed exercise of low-exertion.
LOST: Longterm Observation of Scenes (with Tracks)

We introduce the Longterm Observation of Scenes (with Tracks) dataset. This dataset comprises videos taken from streaming outdoor webcams, capturing the same half hour, each day, for over a year. LOST contains rich metadata, including geolocation, day-by-day weather annotation, object detections, and tracking results. We believe that sharing this dataset opens opportunities for computer vision research involving very long-term outdoor surveillance, robust anomaly detection, and scene analysis methods based on trajectories. Efficient analysis of changes in behavior in a scene at very long time scale requires features that summarize large amounts of trajectory data in an economical way. We describe a trajectory clustering algorithm and aggregate statistics about these exemplars through time and show that these statistics exhibit strong correlations with external meta-data, such as weather signals and day of the week.
A Modeling Study of the Potential Water Quality Impacts from In-Stream Tidal Energy Extraction

To assess the effects of tidal energy extraction on water quality in a simplified estuarine system, which consists of a tidal bay connected to the coastal ocean through a narrow channel where energy is extracted using in-stream tidal turbines, a three-dimensional coastal ocean model with built-in tidal turbine and water quality modules was applied. The effects of tidal energy extraction on water quality were examined for two energy extraction scenarios as compared with the baseline condition. It was found, in general, that the environmental impacts associated with energy extraction depend highly on the amount of power extracted from the system. Model results indicate that, as a result of energy extraction from the channel, the competition between decreased flushing rates in the bay and increased vertical mixing in the channel directly affects water quality responses in the bay. The decreased flushing rates tend to cause a stronger but negative impact on water quality. On the other hand, the increased vertical mixing could lead to higher bottom dissolved oxygen at times. As the first modeling effort directly aimed at examining the impacts of tidal energy extraction on estuarine water quality, this study demonstrates that numerical models can serve as a very useful tool for this purpose. However, more careful efforts are warranted to address system-specific environmental issues in real-world, complex estuarine systems.
Elite Women in the Kingdom of Kongo: Historical Perspectives on Women's Political Power

Discussions of women’s power in Africa often focus on how much the role of senior women is symbolic and how much is real. Studying the Kingdom of Kongo reveals that in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries women initially exercised power indirectly through influence on male relatives. However, following the beginning of the civil war after 1665 women began to exercise more open and overt power, taking effective control of some sections of the country and working less through male relatives. However, elite Kongo women never took formal control of the state as they did in Ndongo and Matamba.
Controlling Nonpoint Sediment Sources with Cropland Management: A National Economic Assessment

Utilization of cropland resources is one of the primary determinants of stream sediment water quality. The management of cropland is one way to improve sediment water quality. Models of the economics and physics of sediment provide insights into the agricultural production system and potential requirements for improved water quality. The application of such a model provides an assessment of the fundamental changes that might be required to accomplish reduced sediment loads through cropland management. The hypothetical water quality policies analyzed give insights into several possible sediment water quality policies.
Helpful Hints: Caregiver-Generated Asthma Management Strategies and Their Relation to Pediatric Asthma Symptoms and Quality of Life

Objective This mixed-methods study examined the relation between caregiver-generated asthma management strategies and asthma severity in a sample of 200 children with persistent asthma (ages 5–12 years). Methods Caregivers were interviewed about asthma management strategies they found helpful in controlling their child's symptoms. A qualitative content analysis was used to identify household strategies. Indicators of asthma severity included lung functioning (FEV1) and functional severity (FSS). Child quality of life was also assessed (PQLQ). Results Six primary household strategies were identified: Reactive, Planning Ahead, Social, Emotional, Avoiding Triggers, and Cleaning. In general, strategies offered by caregivers did not differ by socioeconomic status. Caregivers who endorsed Avoiding Triggers as effective strategies had children with better lung functioning. Caregivers who endorsed Planning Ahead or Emotional strategies had children with better asthma-related quality of life. Conclusion These household strategies hold promise for reducing pediatric asthma symptoms and improving child quality of life.
Intravenous Proton-Pump Inhibitors versus H2-Antagonists for Treatment of GI Bleeding

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the evidence supporting the use of intravenous proton-pump inhibitors in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage in comparison with histamine2 (H2)-receptor antagonists.DATA SOURCES:Clinical literature was accessed through a MEDLINE search (1966–October 2002). Data from abstracts and fully published articles were retrieved for analysis. Key search terms included pantoprazole, omeprazole, proton-pump inhibitors, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, histamine2-receptor antagonists, ranitidine, and cimetidine.DATA SYNTHESIS:There are limited published clinical outcome data evaluating the use of intravenous pantoprazole in patients with upper GI hemorrhage. However, there are several gastric pH studies suggesting that intravenous pantoprazole is effective in quickly obtaining and maintaining a pH >6. When considering the results from studies of high-dose intravenous omeprazole, in addition to the pantoprazole data, the relative efficacy of intravenous proton-pump inhibitors appears to ...
The lithium toxic patient in the medical hospital: diagnostic and management dilemmas.

Objective Patients with lithium toxicity can pose difficulties in diagnosis and management in the general hospital setting. The authors examined patients who were referred to the Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison Service with suspicion of lithium overdose to delineate and characterize medical and psychiatric risk factors for toxicity and to follow the course and resolution of their toxicity. Method The authors reviewed the charts of patients with lithium levels > 1.5 mEq/L who were admitted consecutively to a general hospital over an 18-month period. Results Of twelve patients, eight were found to have developed lithium toxicity due to incidental and iatrogenic factors. These patients presented with a variety of confusing signs and symptoms. Hypothyroidism and coexisting organic illness contributed to the lack of clarity in their clinical picture. Conclusion The widening scope of indication for lithium therapy leads to increased risk of toxic reactions which challenge the diagnostic skills of the consulting psychiatrist in a general hospital setting.
Liberating TCP: The Free and the Stunts

The performance of a TCP connection is typically dictated by what the network can provide rather than what the application would like to achieve. In particular, the additive-increase multiplicative-decrease (AIMD) mechanism employed by TCP hinges on its ability to meet specific throughput requirements since it has to respond to congestion signals promptly by decreasing its sending rate. The level and the timing of congestion signals impose strict limitations on the achievable throughput over short time-scales. To that end, this paper presents a new architecture, whereby a set of TCP connections (we refer to them as the Stunts) sacrifice their performance on behalf of another TCP connection (we refer to it as the Free) by picking up a delegated subset of the congestion signals and reacting to them in lieu of the free connection. This gives the Free connection just enough freedom to meet specific throughput requirements as requested by the application, without affecting the level of congestion in the network. We evaluate our architecture via extensive simulation experiments.
Lifetime analysis of a sensor network with hybrid automata modelling

In this paper, we focus on TinyOS, an event-based operating system for networked sensor motes. We show how to model TinyOS as a hybrid automata with HyTech and verify the correct operation of the system by using safety verification feature of HyTech. Since lifetime is an important metric for sensor nodes that are planned to be deployed once and unattended for long periods of time without maintenance, we perform power analysis of a sensor node by using trace generation feature of HyTech. Furthermore, we simulate a tree sensor network of TinyOS motes by using the programming language SHIFT to determine the lifetime of the network as a function of the distance from the central data collector.
EFFECT OF γ‐IRRADIATION ON BOVINE AND HUMAN MILK LYSOZYMES

SUMMARY –Lysozymes (mucopeptide N-acetylmuramylhydrolase, EC 3.2.1.17) isolated from human milk (HML) and bovine milk (BML) were subjected to γ-irradiation and their radiosensitivity was compared to that of egg white lysozyme (EWL). When irradiated in phosphate buffer, pH 6.2, the enzymes were fairly sensitive to γ-irradiation. Inactivation followed first order kinetics and depended upon protein concentration. BML was more radiosensitive than HML and EWL. Comparisons of the ultraviolet scans of the native and irradiated enzymes indicated that tryptophan was being destroyed in HML as it is known to occur in EWL. Hydroxy radical scavengers, cysteine and t-butanol, afforded radioprotective action for the milk lysozymes. In a dry state, both the milk lysozymes were less sensitive to γ-irradiation than in aqueous solution, requiring Mrad dosages for partial inactivation compared to Krad dosages for the same extent of inactivation in aqueous solution. However, as was observed in aqueous solution and also in the dry state, BML was more radiosensitive than HML and EWL.
NON‐SKELETAL DISTRIBUTION OF BONE‐SEEKING RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS

A variety of factors may change the normal distribution of bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals. This paper presents a classification of non-skeletal bone tracer distribution according to physiologic, pathologic, and artifactual causes. The mechanisms thought to account for non-skeletal distribution are reviewed. Examples of non-skeletal bone tracer distribution include calcinosis cutis and pulmonary mineralization in hyperadrenocorticism, renal infarct, acute rhabdomyolysis, urine contamination, lymph node uptake following extravasation of the radiopharmaceutical, thyroid uptake due to free pertechnetate in the injectate, and intramuscular uptake following injection of butorphanol.
Hypermotility in Clostridium perfringens Strain SM101 Is Due to Spontaneous Mutations in Genes Linked to Cell Division

Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive anaerobic pathogen of humans and animals. Although they lack flagella, C. perfringens bacteria can still migrate across surfaces using a type of gliding motility that involves the formation of filaments of bacteria lined up in an end-to-end conformation. In strain SM101, hypermotile variants are often found arising from the edges of colonies on agar plates. Hypermotile cells are longer than wild-type cells, and video microscopy of their gliding motility suggests that they form long, thin filaments that move rapidly away from a colony, analogously to swarmer cells in bacteria with flagella. To identify the cause(s) of the hypermotility phenotype, the genome sequences of normal strains and their direct hypermotile derivatives were determined and compared. Strains SM124 and SM127, hypermotile derivatives of strains SM101 and SM102, respectively, contained 10 and 6 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) relative to their parent strains. While SNPs were located in different genes in the two sets of strains, one feature in common was mutations in cell division genes, an ftsI homolog in strain SM124 (CPR_1831) and a minE homolog in strain SM127 (CPR_2104). Complementation of these mutations with wild-type copies of each gene restored the normal motility phenotype. A model explaining the principles underlying the hypermotility phenotype is presented.
Binocular Rivalry Requires Visual Attention

An interocular conflict arises when different images are presented to each eye at the same spatial location. The visual system resolves this conflict through binocular rivalry: observers consciously perceive spontaneous alternations between the two images. Visual attention is generally important for resolving competition between neural representations. However, given the seemingly spontaneous and automatic nature of binocular rivalry, the role of attention in resolving interocular competition remains unclear. Here we test whether visual attention is necessary to produce rivalry. Using an EEG frequency-tagging method to track cortical representations of the conflicting images, we show that when attention was diverted away, rivalry stopped. The EEG data further suggested that the neural representations of the dichoptic images combined without attention. Thus, attention is necessary for dichoptic images to be engaged in sustained rivalry and may be generally required for resolving conflicting, potentially ambiguous input and giving a single interpretation access to consciousness.
Flexible and efficient routing based on progressive deadlock recovery

The development of fully adaptive, cut-through (wormhole) networks is important for achieving high performance in communication-critical parallel processor systems. Increased flexibility in routing allows network bandwidth to be used efficiently, but also creates more opportunity for cyclic resource dependencies to form which can cause deadlock. If not guarded against, deadlocks in routing make packets block in the network indefinitely and, eventually, could result in the entire network coming to a complete standstill. The paper presents a simple, flexible, and efficient routing approach for multicomputer interconnection networks which is based on progressive deadlock recovery as proposed to deadlock avoidance or regressive deadlock recovery. Performance is optimized by allowing the maximum routing freedom provided by network resources to be exploited. True fully adaptive routing is supported in which all physical and virtual channels at each node in the network are available to packets without regard for deadlocks. Deadlock cycles, upon forming, are efficiently broken in finite time by progressively routing one of the blocked packets through a connected, deadlock-free recovery path. This routing approach enables the design of high-throughput networks that provide excellent performance. Simulations indicate that progressive deadlock recovery routing can improve throughput by as much as 45 percent and 25 percent over leading deadlock avoidance-based and regressive recovery-based routing schemes, respectively.
Shedding Light on Creativity: The History of Photography

One argument for copyright extension is that people are more willing to invest in activities that can gain intellectual property protection. Yet, every day, copyright protection keeps libraries from preserving or distributing works. This article looks at some historical examples to explore whether protection makes it more or less likely that someone will undertake the effort and expense to preserve intellectual property.
Dielectric properties of tomatoes assisting in the development of microwave pasteurization and sterilization processes

Dielectric properties of tomatoes crucially affect their heating behaviors in an electromagnetic field and are essential for developing microwave pasteurization and sterilization processes for different tomato products. The open-ended coaxial probe technique was used to determine the dielectric properties of tomatoes over a frequency range of 300e3000 MHz for temperatures between 22 and 120 � C. Three tomato tissues, the pericarp tissue (including the skin), the locular tissue (including the seeds) and the placental tissue were studied separately. The effects of NaCl (0.2 g/100 g) and CaCl2 (0.055 g/100 g) on the dielectric properties of tomatoes were also investigated. The dielectric loss factors were significantly different among the three tomato tissues. However, no significant differences were found in their cor- responding dielectric constants. The loss factors of the three tomato tissues decreased with increasing frequency and increased with salts added. Increasing temperature increased the loss factors of the three tomato tissues at 915 MHz, but initially decreased then increased their corresponding values at 2450 MHz. The differences in the loss factors of the three tomato tissues were mainly caused by the difference in ionic conductivity.