cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kainate Receptors Exhibit Differential Sensitivities to (S)-5-Iodowillardiine

Characterization of the role of kainate receptors in excitatory synaptic transmission has been hampered by a lack of subtype-selective pharmacological agents. (S)-5-Iodowillardiine (IW), an analog of willardiine [(S)-1-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)pyrimidine-2,4-dione], a heterocyclic amino acid found in Acacia and Mimosa seeds, was previously shown to be highly potent on native kainate receptors in dorsal root ganglion neurons. We examined the responses evoked by IW from recombinant homomeric and heteromeric kainate receptors expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. IW potently elicited currents from glutamate receptor 5 (GluR5)-expressing cells, but showed no activity on homomeric GluR6 or GluR7 receptors. Co-expression of these receptor subunits with KA-2 subunits produced receptors that were weakly sensitive to IW. GluR5/KA-2 receptors had a higher EC50 value than homomeric GluR5 and exhibited a much faster recovery from desensitization. Finally, we found that the IW selectivity for GluR5 compared with GluR6 was determined by amino acid 721, which was previously shown to control alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate sensitivity of these kainate receptor subunits. The pharmacological selectivity and commercial availability of IW suggests that this compound may be of use in characterizing the molecular constituents of native kainate receptor responses.
Research Review: What we have learned about the causes of eating disorders – a synthesis of sociocultural, psychological, and biological research

Background Eating disorders are severe psychiatric disorders with a complex etiology involving transactions among sociocultural, psychological, and biological influences. Most research and reviews, however, focus on only one level of analysis. To address this gap, we provide a qualitative review and summary using an integrative biopsychosocial approach. Methods We selected variables for which there were available data using integrative methodologies (e.g., twin studies, gene-environment interactions) and/or data at the biological and behavioral level (e.g., neuroimaging). Factors that met these inclusion criteria were idealization of thinness, negative emotionality, perfectionism, negative urgency, inhibitory control, cognitive inflexibility, serotonin, dopamine, ovarian hormones. Literature searches were conducted using PubMed. Variables were classified as risk factors or correlates of eating disorder diagnoses and disordered eating symptoms using Kraemer et al.'s (1997) criteria. Findings Sociocultural idealization of thinness variables (media exposure, pressures for thinness, thin-ideal internalization, thinness expectancies) and personality traits (negative emotionality, perfectionism, negative urgency) attained ‘risk status’ for eating disorders and/or disordered eating symptoms. Other factors were identified as correlates of eating pathology or were not classified given limited data. Effect sizes for risk factors and correlates were generally small-to-moderate in magnitude. Conclusions Multiple biopsychosocial influences are implicated in eating disorders and/or disordered eating symptoms and several can now be considered established risk factors. Data suggest that psychological and environmental factors interact with and influence the expression of genetic risk to cause eating pathology. Additional studies that examine risk variables across multiple levels of analysis and that consider specific transactional processes amongst variables are needed to further elucidate the intersection of sociocultural, psychological, and biological influences on eating disorders.
A Clinically Useful Method for Determining Erythrocyte Sodium and Potassium

A method is presented for determining erythrocyte sodium and potassium concentration. Heparinized whole blood is separated into cellular and plasma fractions in large-bore capillary tubes. An aliquot of the erythrocyte fraction is then pipetted directly into lithium chloride diluent and the electrolytes determined flame photometrically. Plasma trapping is measured with 14C-inulin and corrections calculated for trapped sodium and potassium. This technique is rapid, simple, and can be performed as a routine procedure by most clinical laboratories.
A meteor wind radar measurement campaign using the Colorado Software Defined Radar with meteor trial echoes interpreted under a modern diffusion theory

This talk presents various interesting characteristics within data collected during a recent campaign using the Colorado Software Define Radar (CoSRad) system. First, a brief system description illustrates how CoSRad is configured for interferometric meteor wind radar mode, where nearly all echoes originate from specular meteor trails. A schematic showing the primary CoSRad hardware setup provides context in interpreting the continuously-recorded data in RTI format. A visualization depicting CoSRad's all-sky specular echo detection strategy prepares us to examine a number of echoes observed during a recent campaign at Platteville, CO (Aug 20 - Sep 1). After a brief look at the canonical meteor trail echo, a number of ostensibly geophysical non-meteoric echoes are presented. In addition to their scientific interest, these echoes convey CoSRad's system capabilities. We first investigate non-specular echo occurrence rates as a function of k-vector geometry with respect to the earth's magnetic field (Oppenheim et. al. 2000, Close et. all. 2000). Next, specular trail echoes are interpreted with respect to Dimant and Oppenheim's (2006) theory predicting depletions in the background plasma surrounding meteor trails. Unlike earlier theories of meteor trail evolution, Dimant and Oppenheim consider the trail's interaction with the existing background ionosphere plasma. Their theory predicts that background plasma is drawn into the trail edges resulting in an electron depletion region around the trail. A number of echoes are presented containing a clear electron depletion region around the trail echo's perimeter. Instrumental effects are discussed and shown to be independent of the observed depletion regions. Finally, we show the depletion phenomenon's correlation with height and time of day. The talk concludes with how the CoSRad architecture has enable these measurements, and touches on how rapid and reconfigurable deployment enables CoSRad to perform similar measurement campaigns using many existing systems around the world.
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colon carcinoma involves expression of IL-8 and CXCR-1-mediated chemotaxis

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential component of embryonic development, tissue remodeling, and wound repair. In addition, many epithelial tumors, including colorectal carcinomas, appear to undergo this transition that may facilitate their invasion. Using a novel model of EMT in colon carcinoma in which the inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha accelerates this TGF-beta directed process, we report that TNF-alpha stimulation upregulates expression of the chemokine IL-8, and that this upregulation is dependent on the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Significantly, this effect is not merely an inflammatory response by these colon carcinoma cells because IL-8 expression is induced in cells undergoing a TGF-beta-driven EMT in the absence of exogenous TNF-alpha. During the EMT, a concomitant increase in the chemokine receptor CXCR-1, but not CXCR-2, also occurs. Moreover, both IL-8 and CXCR-1 function in the chemokinetic and chemotactic migration of colon carcinoma cells as assessed by antibody inhibition studies. These studies establish that the regulated expression of a specific chemokine and its receptor are linked to the EMT and they provide a biochemical framework for understanding the mechanisms by which the EMT promotes migration.
Targeted Disruption of Stat3 Reveals a Major Role for Follicular Stem Cells in Skin Tumor Initiation

The initiation stage of mouse skin carcinogenesis involves the induction of mutations in keratinocyte stem cells (KSC), which confers a selective growth advantage allowing clonal expansion during tumor promotion. Targeted disruption of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) in bulge region KSCs was achieved by treating K15.CrePR1 x Stat3(fl/fl) mice with RU486. Deletion of Stat3 prior to skin tumor initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene significantly increased the number of apoptotic KSCs and decreased the frequency of Ha-ras codon 61 A(182)-->T transversion mutations in this cell population compared with wild-type littermates. Targeted disruption of Stat3 in bulge region KSCs at the time of initiation also dramatically reduced the number of skin tumors (by approximately 80%) produced following promotion with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. These results show that Stat3 is required for the survival of bulge region KSCs during tumor initiation. Furthermore, these data provide direct evidence that bulge region KSCs are the primary targets for the initiation of skin tumors in this model system.
Process versus outcome: challenges of the chiropractic wellness paradigm

Abstract Objective The purpose of this article is to discuss the term wellness in the context of the philosophy of chiropractic. Discussion PubMed and Index to Chiropractic Literature show an upward trend in use of the term wellness . Wellness may be used differently depending upon the profession and may be considered a process by some and an outcome by others. Conclusion There appears to be no consensus on the definition of wellness or how it is being used. Wellness is not exclusive to chiropractic, and wellness is not synonymous with health, although is often used that way. Wellness is a societal trend, and chiropractic as a health care profession may be a good fit for this concept.
Improved theory for microstrip antennas

An improvement to a recently reported theory for the analysis of the pattern and impedance loci of microstrip antennas is developed. It yields a theory that is simple and inexpensive to apply. This is achieved by lumping all antenna losses into an effective dielectric loss tangent and then analysing the microstrip antenna as a lossy cavity. It is found that the resulting expression for impedance of the microstrip antenna is in good agreement with measured results for all modes and feed locations.
Sequence of the gene, amoB, for the 43-kDa polypeptide of ammonia monoxygenase of Nitrosomonas europaea.

Abstract The sequence for the 3′ portion of amo B, a gene encoding a 43-kDa polypeptide component ammonia monooxygenase of Nitrosomonas europaea , is presented. The derived polypeptide has no homology with other known proteins. Amo A and amo B are the only open reading frames in the putative amo operon.
Electrical, thermal, and species transport properties of liquid eutectic Ga-In and Ga-In-Sn from first principles

Using ab initio molecular dynamics, the atomic structure and transport properties of eutectic Ga-In and Ga-In-Sn are investigated. The Kubo-Greenwood (K-G) and the Ziman-Faber (Z-F) formulations and the Wiedemann-Franz (W-F) law are used for the electrical and electronic thermal conductivity. The species diffusivity and the viscosity are also predicted using the mean square displacement and the Stokes-Einstein (S-E) relation. Alloying Ga causes more disordered structure, i.e., broadening the atomic distance near the In and Sn atoms, which reduces the transport properties and the melting temperature. The K-G treatment shows excellent agreement with the experimental results while Z-F treatment formula slightly overestimates the electrical conductivity. The predicted thermal conductivity also shows good agreement with the experiments. The species diffusivity and the viscosity are slightly reduced by the alloying of Ga with In and Sn atoms. Good agreements are found with available experimental results and new predicted transport-property results are provided.
How much do governance and managerial behavior matter in investment decisions? Evidence from failed thrift auctions

Abstract Corporate governance and managerial behavior, both in terms of entrenchment and financial leverage, have been individually shown to directly affect firm performance and to indirectly affect it through influence on other determinants of performance. Employing an empirical model that captures documented interactions among the explanatory variables, we examine the importance of these integrated factors in an investment decision by focusing on the determinants of bank bidding activity for failed thrift institutions. While the endogenous relationships based on previous research appear tractable, their overall addition to the explanatory power of the bidding model based on traditional auction variables is very limited. These results suggest questions that should be further examined regarding how much managerial variables as defined by previous studies actually affect firm investment decisions once their endogeneity and unique linkages are formally recognized.
Bounds on Differences of Order Statistics

Abstract A sharp upper bound is obtained for the difference of a pair of order statistics in terms of the sample standard deviation.
Trade Policy and Productivity Growth in OECD Manufacturing

Trade liberalization may promote economic growth in a number of ways, including by accelerating the rate of technological change. Firms that face more intense import competition may be spurred to greater rates of innovation; firms which export may absorb new technologies through their contact with international markets. This paper examines evidence on trade policy and productivity growth for a sample of thirteen OECD countries and including eighteen manufacturing sectors, using data primarily from the 1980s. Within individual sectors, there are strong productivity convergence effects within the OECD. After controlling for convergence, we find a positive association between high rates of productivity growth and low tariffs, and between high productivity growth and strong export performance. We found no particular association between high productivity growth and import penetration. The results are consistent with the possibility of positive linkages between trade liberalization and accelerated productivity ...
Influence of Vertical Vibration on Surface Velocity of a Liquid Bridge

In this paper, the vertical vibration influence on the surface velocity of a 5cSt silicone oil liquid bridge has been investigated numerically. The Navier-Stokes equations coupled with the energy conservation equation are solved on a staggered grid, and the two-phase surface is captured by using the mass conserving level set method. The present results indicate that the axial and radial surface velocities of the liquid bridge are suppressed by the external vertical vibration.
Recognition of mother from aaultisensory interactions in early infancy

Mothers and a small group of stranger mothers were each videotaped with young infants to determine whether infants within the first 3 months of life, under varying, randomly sequenced interaction conditions each involving face, voice, and physical handling, recognize their mothers. Three-month-olds, but not infants aged 2/3 days or 3 weeks, indicated recognition by increased visual responses to the stranger mothers. These results suggest that, by the third month, infants recognize a familiar caregiver under a wide variety of conditions.
Remodeling in Cell-Seeded Fibrin Gels: Changes in Composition, Organization, and Planar Biaxial Mechanical Behavior

Engineered tissues are necessary to replace diseased and damaged tissues incapable of healing on their own. One method employed to produce them involves cell entrapment in a fibrin gel constrained by specially designed molds [1]. As the cells compact and remodel the gel, the combination of mold constraints and cell tractions produces fiber alignment similar to native tissues [2]. One potentially important factor in the remodeling outcome is the local mechanical environment that develops during the compaction and remodeling process. It is well established that the global stress environment leads to changes in remodeling in an isotropic sample [3], but we do not know the effect of local variations in stress field in a heterogeneous sample. To begin to assess the local mechanical environment’s role, we examined the remodeling process in cross-shaped Teflon molds (cruciforms). In this experiment, two mold geometries with differing channel widths were examined: a 1:1 aspect ratio in which the both axes possessed 8 mm wide channels, and a 1:0.5 aspect ratio in which one axis had 8 mm wide channels and the other 4 mm wide channels (fig. 1).© 2009 ASME
Childbearing and women's choice of nurse-midwives in Washington, D.C. hospitals.

This research focuses on the extent to which choosing a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) for the management of birth in the hospital is an option. Licensing laws affect this option by determining access to hospitals for CNMs in the form of hospital practice privileges. Data for this descriptive case study of Washington, D.C. hospitals were collected from interviews with CNMs and hospital personnel, including physicians, and from secondary sources, including legislative acts and hospital bylaws. Our findings suggest that although the option for a CNM managed birth has increased in the District with the granting of hospital privileges to CNMs in 3 of 9 hospitals providing obstetrical services, restrictions on CNM practice still exist. These are the capacity to admit atients in the CNMs' name and the issue of supervision of CNMs y a physician in the hospital.
Research Directions in Web Site Evolution

Since its inception in 1999, a primary objective of the Web Site Evolution (WSE) series of events has been to foster the development, validation, and dissemination of best practice related to the disciplined evolution of largescale Web sites. Over time, the interpretation of "Web site" has expanded to encompass numerous aspects of Web site design, development, and deployment, including the mastery of the many rapidly changing underlying technologies that make modern Web sites so complex to engineer and so rich to experience.
Acute kidney injury criteria predict outcomes of critically ill patients.

Objective: The Acute Kidney Injury Network's proposed definition for acute kidney injury (increment of serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL or 50% from baseline within 48 hrs or urine output 6 hrs despite fluid resuscitation when applicable) predicts meaningful clinical outcomes. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: A 350-bed community teaching hospital. Patients: The study population consisted of 471 patients with no recent history of renal replacement therapy who were admitted to the medical intensive care unit during 1 yr. Interventions: Medical records of all patients were reviewed using a data abstraction tool. Demographic information, diagnoses, risk factors for acute kidney disease, physiologic and laboratory data, and outcomes were recorded. Measurements and Main Results: Of 496 patients, 471 were not receiving renal replacement therapy in the weeks before medical intensive care unit admission; 213 had changes ≥.3 mg/dL in serum creatinine within 48 hrs and/or urine output of ≥.5 mL/kg/hr for >6 hrs. Detailed fluid challenge information was available for only 123 patients, who met acute kidney injury criteria, and three patients reversed after administration of ≥500 mL of intravenous fluid and/or blood products. All patients whose creatinine increased ≥50% also had increments ≥0.3 mg/dL. The 120 patients with acute kidney injury were older (mean ± SE: 69.3 ± 1.7 vs. 62.9 ± 1.3, p <.01), were more ill (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score 18.7 ±.6 vs. 13.3 ±.4, p < .01), and had multiple comorbidities (two or more organs, 65% vs. 51.3%, p <.01) compared with those without acute kidney injury. The mortality rate of patients who met criteria for acute kidney injury was significantly higher than that of patients who did not have acute kidney injury (45.8 vs. 16.4%, p <.01). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, acute kidney injury was an independent predictor of mortality (adjusted odds ratio 3.7, 95% confidence interval 2.2-6.1). Acute kidney injury was a better predictor of in-hospital mortality than was Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, advanced age, or presence of nonrenal organ failures. Median hospital stay was twice as long in patients with acute kidney injury (14 vs. 7 days, p <.01), and only patients with acute kidney injury required hemodialysis during hospitalization. The oliguria criterion of acute kidney injury did not affect the odds of in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: The Acute Kidney Injury Network definition of acute kidney injury predicts hospital mortality, need for renal replacement therapy, and prolonged hospital stay in critically ill patients. An increment of serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL in 48 hrs alone predicts clinical outcomes as well as the full Acute Kidney Injury Network definition.
TOM1L1 is a Lyn substrate involved in FcepsilonRI signaling in mast cells.

Abstract Protein-tyrosine kinase Lyn and Syk are critical for antigen-receptor-induced signal transduction in mast cells. To identify novel Lyn/Syk substrates, we screened an RBL-2H3 bacterial expression library for proteins that were tyrosine phosphorylated with baculoviral expressed Lyn or Syk. Five clones as potential Lyn substrates and eight clones as Syk substrates were identified including known substrates such as SLP-76, LAT, and α-tubulin. A potential substrate of Lyn identified was the molecule TOM1L1, which has several domains thought to be important for membrane trafficking and protein-protein interactions. Because the function of TOM1L1 is unclear, the rat TOM1L1 full-length cDNA was isolated and used to express the protein in COS-1 and RBL-2H3 mast cells. In COS-1 cells, the co-transfection of TOM1L1 and Lyn, but not Syk, resulted in the tyrosine phosphorylation of TOM1L1. In RBL-2H3 mast cells, the overexpressed TOM1L1 was strongly tyrosine phosphorylated in non-stimulated cells, and this phosphorylation was enhanced by FcϵRI aggregation. By subcellular fractionation, wild-type TOM1L1 was mainly in the cytoplasm with a small fraction constitutively associated with the membrane; this association was markedly reduced in deletion mutants lacking several of the protein interaction domains. The overexpression of TOM1L1 enhanced antigen-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α generation and release. Both protein interaction domains (VHS and the coiled-coil domains) were required for the increased TNFα release, but not the increased TNFα generation. These results suggest that TOM1L1 is a novel protein involved in the FcϵRI signal transduction for the generation of cytokines.
OUTDOOR PROPAGATION OF FINITE-AMPLITUDE NOISE

Experiments on the propagation of finite-amplitude noise outdoors have been made. The source was an array of horns pointed upward to avoid ground effects. Spectra were recorded along the vertical propagation path at distances out to 80 m. In most of the experiments the source emitted noise approximately one octave in bandwidth. The frequency range was 2 to 10 kHz and the source level range was 121 to 145 dB (overall) re 20 µ Pa at 1 m. Measurements were compared with predictions based on linear theory. Major conclusions are as follows : 1. At the higher source levels nonlinear propagation distorsion caused a strong generation of high frequency noise over the entire propagation path. There was little generation of low frequency noise. 2. The generation occurred in both the nearfield and the farfield of the source. Nearfield generation exceeded the high-frequency boost caused by diffraction. 3. At no measurement point was small-signal behaviour established for the high-frequency noise. 4. Appropriately scaled, the measured spectra were found to be well with in the jet noise range. Therefore, nonlinear distortion of the sort we observed probably affects actual jet noise as well.
The Neurology of Anaemia

Anaemia is defined by the haemoglobin concentration in peripheral blood being below the normal 14 gm/dL (SD ± 2) for women, 16 gm/dL (SD ± 2) for men and 12 gm/dL (SD ± 2) for children. The number of red blood cells is also usually reduced, below the normal 4.8 × 106/mm3 (SD ± 0.6) for women and 5.4 × 106/mm3 (SD ± 0.9) for men. The haematocrit is the proportion of red blood cells in the blood – normally more than 40% for men and 37% for women. The other major red blood cell indices that may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of anaemia are: the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), which is the average red blood cell size and is normally 87 u3 (SD ± 5); the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), which is the amount of haemoglobin per cell, normally 29 pg of haemoglobin/cell (SD ± 2);
On the utility of the molecular oxygen dayglow emissions as proxies for middle atmospheric ozone

Molecular oxygen dayglow emissions arise in part from processes related to the Hartley band photolysis of ozone. It is therefore possible to derive daytime ozone concentrations from measurements of the volume emission rate of either dayglow. The accuracy to which the ozone concentration can be inferred depends on the accuracy to which numerous kinetic and spectroscopic rate constants are known, including rates which describe the excitation of molecular oxygen by processes that are not related to the ozone concentration. We find that several key rate constants must be known to better than 7 percent accuracy in order to achieve an inferred ozone concentration accurate to 15 percent from measurements of either dayglow. Currently, accuracies for various parameters typically range from 5 to 100 percent.
A note on numerical evaluation of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for continuous systems

Abstract The general definition of the eigenvalue problems of continuous systems is briefly discussed. The conventional method of solution is outlined up to the degree necessary for the understanding of the proposed numerical method. The numerical method is developed for the evaluation of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. This method is based on the possibility of producing linearly independent numerical complementary integrals of the R th order ordinary differential equations by integrating the same R times with starting values having non-zero Wronskian. The eigenvalues are obtained by “hunting” for the zeros of the matrix of coefficients of the integration constants obtained from the homogeneous boundary conditions of the eigenvalue problem. Any degree of accuracy can be achieved and the accuracy of higher eigenvalues does not depend on the accuracy of lower eigenvalues. Numerical method is applied to two sample problems. The second of these samples treats a problem that has been solved previously in an approximate manner.
A genetic switch for long-term memory.

Current models of brain function hold that learning corresponds to changes in the efficacy of single synapses. The study of learning and of a variety of forms of synaptic plasticity has revealed that both have at least two phases: an early phase that is not dependent on protein synthesis and a late phase that depends on new transcription and translation. Our laboratory has examined synaptic plasticity in Aplysia and in mice to better understand the regulatory events that lead to the induction of the late, protein synthesis-dependent phase of synaptic plasticity. Our recent studies of Aplysia have revealed that the genes that control the late phase of synaptic facilitation are controlled by both an activator, ApCREB1, and a repressor, ApCREB2. This leads to a model in which the late phase of synaptic facilitation is initiated by a perturbation of the balance between activators and repressors of transcription; this perturbation can be accomplished by regulating the activator, the repressor, or both. We, and others, have shown that this transcriptional switch is conserved, at least in part, in the regulation of synaptic plasticity in mice: CREB is inplicated in activation of genes required for LTP, a model for synaptic plasticity in the mammalian hippocampus. We speculate that a similar balance between activators and repressors may regulate the genes required for long-term memory in mammals.
Multidrug-resistance modulators from Stephania japonica

An alkaloidal extract of the vines of Stephania japonica showed multidrug-resistance-reversing activity as demonstrated by the bicinchoninic acid assay. Two known bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, isotrilobine (1) and trilobine (2), were isolated by bioassay-directed fractionation and separation. Isotrilobine (1) was shown to be as active as verapamil (3) in reversing doxorubicin resistance in human breast cancer cells.
A 2.5Gb/s 0.38mm 2 optical receiver with integrated photodiodes in 0.18µm CMOS SOI

In this work, we report an optical receiver with integrated photodiodes operating at 850nm wavelength. The receiver achieves a data-rate of 2.5Gb/s without using any equalizer. To minimize the area, no inductors are used in the design. The entire receiver occupies an area of 0.38mm 2 . This represents the smallest optical receiver operating at the Gb/s regime. The chip is fabricated in 0.18μm CMOS SOI process technology.
The effects of couple-stresses on the propagation and reflection of plane waves in an elastic half-space

Abstract The linear theory of elasticity with couple-stresses is reviewed and applied to the study of propagation and reflection of plane waves in a semi-infinite elastic solid. Mode conversion at the free surface is found to be more complicated because of the existence of three types of waves, instead of two as predicted by classical theory. In the presence of couple-stresses, surface waves are found to propagate dispersively with velocities that may be larger than the usual Rayleigh velocity.
Synthesis and X-Ray Crystal Structure of 2-β-D-Ribofuranosylthiazole-4-Carboxamide-N3-Oxide

Abstract 2-β-D-Ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide-N3-oxide (3) has been prepared by oxidation of tiazofurin (2) with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid. The absolute structure of 3 has been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques employing Mo Kα radiation. The thiazole ring in 3 is planar and the glycon moiety is in the 3E configuration. The N3-C4 bond in 3 is significantly larger (1.412 A) than that found in tiazofurin (1.376 A). Similar to tiazofurin, the S…04’ intramolecular contact distance is considerably shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii, which favors the anti conformation of 3.
Wisconsin’s “Happy Cows”? Articulating heritage and territory as new dimensions of locality

In this article, we suggest that attending to the roles of heritage and territory could help reshape local food systems in the US: first, by incorporating more producer voices and visions into the conversation; and second, by considering more deeply the characteristics of the places where food is produced. Using the Wisconsin artisanal cheese network as a case study, we have traced how artisanal producers frame their collective heritage and links to their territory. They describe a heritage that includes a cultivation of embedded, “situated” agricultural knowledge(s) and a commitment to specific quality practices as well as a connection to terroir—the specific ecologies and social contexts of their farm or region. We argue that their articulation of this heritage and terroir is both an emergent, ongoing process of adapting to changing market, cultural, and geographic conditions and an effort to recover valued traditions and practices and (re)connect to specific places.
Cox Regression with Covariate Measurement Error

This article deals with parameter estimation in the Cox proportional hazards model when covariates are measured with error. We consider both the classical additive measurement error model and a more general model which represents the mis-measured version of the covariate as an arbitrary linear function of the true covariate plus random noise. Only moment conditions are imposed on the distributions of the covariates and measurement error. Under the assumption that the covariates are measured precisely for a validation set, we develop a class of estimating equations for the vector-valued regression parameter by correcting the partial likelihood score function. The resultant estimators are proven to be consistent and asymptotically normal with easily estimated variances. Furthermore, a corrected version of the Breslow estimator for the cumulative hazard function is developed, which is shown to be uniformly consistent and, upon proper normalization, converges weakly to a zero-mean Gaussian process. Simulation studies indicate that the asymptotic approximations work well for practical sample sizes. The situation in which replicate measurements (instead of a validation set) are available is also studied.
Glycated haemoglobin predicts progression to diabetes mellitus in Pima Indians with impaired glucose tolerance

Glycated haemoglobin could offer several practical advantages over the OGTT for assessing glucose metabolism. Initial cross-sectional studies (1983–1985) on 381 subjects (mostly Pima Indians) described the relationship between HbA1c (a specific glycated Hb) and the OGTT. We performed follow-up OGTTs and HbA1c measurements on 257 of these same subjects 1.6–6.1 years later. Subjects were again grouped according to both the result of the OGTT (normal, IGT or diabetes, by WHO criteria) and HbA1c result (normal or elevated based on mean ± 1.96 SD of normal). Of 66 subjects with IGT at baseline, 47 (71%) had normal HbA1c and 19 (29%) had elevated HbA1c. Twentysix (39%) of these subjects had diabetes at follow-up. Of these subjects with IGT, a significantly greater percentage of subjects with elevated HbA1c at baseline (68%) showed worsening to diabetes than those with a normal HbA1c (28%); (chi-square=7.8, df=1, p<0.01). Thus, in subjects with IGT, glycated Hb may be a useful predictor of progression to diabetes.
Two apolipoprotein E mimetic peptides with similar cholesterol reducing properties exhibit differential atheroprotective effects in LDL-R null mice

Abstract Objective We investigated two apoE mimetic peptides with similar long-term plasma cholesterol reducing abilities for their effects on atherosclerotic lesions in Western diet-fed female LDL-receptor (LDL-R) null mice. Methods and results Single doses of peptides Ac-hE18A-NH 2 and mR18L were administered retro-orbitally to LDL-R null mice on Western diet and plasma cholesterol was measured at 10 min, 4 h, and 24 h post administration. Peptide mR18L and not Ac-hE18A-NH 2 reduced plasma cholesterol levels significantly at 4 h post administration. However, multiple administrations (100 μg/mouse twice weekly for 8 weeks) resulted in a similar reduction in plasma cholesterol. Only the plasma from the Ac-hE18A-NH 2 group had significantly reduced reactive oxygen species levels at the end of the treatment protocol. Both mR18L and Ac-hE18A-NH 2 showed reduced atherosclerotic lesion areas. However, peptide Ac-hE18A-NH 2 was significantly more effective in inhibiting atherosclerosis. Both peptides reduced total plaque macrophage load compared to the saline treated animals, with peptide Ac-hE18A-NH 2 having a greater reduction. Incubation of HepG2 cells and THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages with both peptides in the presence of oxidized phospholipid showed that Ac-hE18A-NH 2 promotes the secretion of apoE from the cells whereas mR18L does not. Conclusions Despite similar reductions in plasma cholesterol levels, Ac-hE18A-NH 2 was more effective in inhibiting lesions than mR18L, possibly due to its ability to promote the secretion of apoE from hepatocytes and macrophages.
Solution of the riccati equation by continued fractions

Abstract This note follows the work of Lagrange and Euler and gives the essential steps for reaching a solution of the Boole and the Riccati equations with the help of continued fractions. The results are compared with the series solutions (which may be recognized in closed form for simple cases) obtained by the Taylor-Cauchy transform method for a class of nonlinear varying-parameter systems.
Metabolic changes associated with bud break induced by thidiazuron

Bud break in apple (Golden Delicious,Malus domestica Borkh) was induced by thidiazuron (N-phenyl-N′-1,2,3-thidiazol-5-ylurea). In control and thidiazuron-treated shoots, higher amounts of soluble carbohydrates (sorbitol, fructose, glucose, sucrose) and galacturonic acid were found in the phloem, but higher amounts of starch and cell wall polysaccharides, including cellulose and xylose, were found in the xylem. A decrease in soluble carbohydrates and starch in both phloem and xylem was associated with induction of bud break by thidiazuron. However, little change in cell wall polysaccharides was found. Total carbohydrates were higher in the upper than in the lower portion of shoots. The breaking of dormancy by thidiazuron was also associated with an increase in organic acid content and respiration in buds. KCN inhibited bud respiration during all stages of development. Organic acid content was inversely related to carbohydrate content in developing buds. Axes contained more carbohydrates and organic acids than did scales.
Nutrient content of precipitation over Iowa

Nutrient content and pH of precipitation samples collected at six sites during 1971–1973 were studied to determine the fraction of rainfall and snowmelt and the amounts of N, S, and P added by precipitation over Iowa The amount of NH4-N ha−1 added by precipitation annually at each site was about equal to that added as N03-N. The amounts of inorganic N ha−1 yr−1 added ranged from 10 kg in north-central to 14 kg in west-central Iowa, and the annual amounts of S04-S ha−1 added ranged from 13 kg in northeastern to 17 kg in north-central Iowa. It is estimated that, on average, precipitation adds about 0.6 kg of NH4-N, 0.6 kg of N03-N, and 1.5 kg of S04 -S ha−1 monthly in Iowa. However, the data indicated that, on an annual basis, the contribution of precipitation to P in soil is very small; at the most, about 0.1 kg of water-soluble P04-P ha−1 was added annually in Iowa. No N02-N could be detected in any of the precipitation samples analyzed.
Primary care providers’ perspectives on discontinuing prostate cancer screening

BACKGROUND: Clinical guidelines recommend against routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for older men and for those with lower life expectancies. The authors of this report examined providers' decision-making regarding discontinuing PSA screening. METHODS: A survey of primary providers from a large, university-affiliated primary care practice was administered. Providers were asked about their current screening practices, factors that influenced their decision to discontinue screening, and barriers to discontinuing screening. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine whether taking age and/or life expectancy into account and barriers to discontinuing were associated with clinician characteristics and practice styles. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five of 141 providers (88.7%) participated in the survey. Over half (59.3%) took both age and life expectancy into account, whereas 12.2% did not consider either in their decisions to discontinue PSA screening. Providers varied in the age at which they typically stopped screening patients, and the majority (66.4%) reported difficulty in assessing life expectancy. Taking patient age and life expectancy into account was not associated with provider characteristics or practice styles. The most frequently cited barriers to discontinuing PSA screening were patient expectation (74.4%) and time constraints (66.4%). Black providers were significantly less likely than nonblack providers to endorse barriers related to time constraints and clinical uncertainty, although these results were limited by the small sample size of black providers. CONCLUSIONS: Although age and life expectancy often figured prominently in decisions to use screening, providers faced multiple barriers to discontinuing routine PSA screening. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Understanding the Impact of Special Preparation for Admissions Tests

Special preparation for tests has been a relatively contentious issue. The controversy has entailed (a) disagreement over the effectiveness of such preparation, (b) concern over unequal access to it, and (c) worries about its impact on the validity of test scores. This chapter provides a brief history of ETS involvement with and contribution to sorting out the issues associated with special test preparation.
Critical Diversity and Departmental Rankings in Sociology

This paper examines whether racial and gender diversity are related to the rankings of sociology programs at research universities. It uses data from the 2011 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Rankings of U.S. Research Universities to examine the competing expectations of the “critical diversity perspective” and the “diversity as process-loss” perspective. The results are counter to the expectations of the diversity as process-loss perspective, which predicts that diversity (and efforts to achieve it) are harmful to organizations. The results are fully consistent with the critical diversity as value-in-diversity perspective, which predicts that as organizations become more diverse, they benefit relative to their competitors. The results show that, net of research rankings, 1995 rankings, faculty publication rates, visibility of faculty publications, percentage of faculty with grants, scholarly awards, program size, region, and whether the institution is public or private, diversity is positively associated with departmental rankings of sociology programs in research universities. The implications of these findings for diversity in sociology are discussed.
Effect of Isoxsuprine on Fetal Lung Surfactant in Rabbits

Summary: To examine the effect of beta adrenergic drugs on fetal lung development, we administered isoxsuprine to pregnant rabbits for 24 hr and measured indices of pulmonary surfactant synthesis, storage, and release in rabbit fetuses at 26 days gestation. Incorporation of radiolabeled choline into total and disaturated phosphatidylcholine was measured in vitro in fetal lung slices. There was a significant increase in the rate of choline incorporation into disaturated phosphatidylcholine in the isoxsuprine-treated group and a tendency toward an increased incorporation into total phosphatidylcholine as well. We also observed an increase in the pulmonary phospholipid reservoir as evidenced by a significant increase in total lung disaturated phosphatidylcholine and a trend toward higher total lung phosphatidylcholine in the isoxsuprine group. In addition, there was a significant increase in lung lavage L/S ratio in the treated fetuses and in lung deflation stability determined by pressure volume curve. We conclude that isoxsuprine increases synthesis, storage, and release of surfactant in rabbit fetuses at 26 days gestation. Speculation: The effect of isoxsuprine to increase lung disaturated phosphatidylcholine synthesis which leads to an increase in total lung disaturated phosphatidylcholine is probably mediated through an increase in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate. It is possible that cyclic adenosine monophosphate can activate inactive forms of the enzymes of the choline incorporation and/or remodelling pathways within the fetal lung cells and enhance disaturated phosphatidylcholine synthesis.
A cultural hospitality framework for heritage accommodations

This study suggests a sustainable cultural hospitality framework to measure the degree to which heritage accommodations across the world adhere to a cultural code. Using a case study approach, the framework is applied to a palace resort in the state of Rajasthan (India) and found to be robust.
Navigational Map Reading: Predicting Performance and Identifying Relative Influence of Map-Related Abilities

Abstract Most of us know people who “cannot read a map” and others who seem to navigate intuitively. Such discrepancy in ability is puzzling, given that most people navigate to and between locations many times every day. In many cases the locations are those that are destinations we visit regularly (school, work, home, store), but people are also frequently faced with the task of navigating to a new location, whether it is a store not previously visited or a vacation destination. Why do such differences exist and can we identify some of the human traits or abilities that lead to such differences? This article presents results from empirical research designed to investigate these differences. Three research questions were asked: (1) Can a reliable and valid navigational map reading test instrument be designed? (2) To what extent does the instrument predict navigational map reading? and (3) What is the relative influence of individual map-related abilities on overall navigational map reading? A Navigational...
Observations Regarding On-Column, Flow-Induced Degradation During SEC Analysis

Abstract The flow-induced degradation of ultra-high molar mass (M) polymers during their passage through a size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) column has been a subject of interest for several decades. Studies in this regard have been relatively few, however. Of interest is knowing whether degradation occurs in the interstitial medium, at the pore boundary, or both; whether the mechanism of degradation in the interstitial medium is the same as that at the pore boundary; and the types of flow fields involved in degradation, whether shear or extensional and, if the latter, what types of extensional flows are involved, transient or steady-state. Here, we attempt to shed some light on these topics by examining the SEC elution profiles of ultra-high M polystyrene standards. The standards have been analyzed at various flow rates, under conditions where the analyte either had access to both the interstitial volume and the pore volume or to only the interstitial volume. Results from these experiments were compare...
Inners and biocontrol models.

Techniques of modelling and simulation are discussed as they relate to bioengineering systems. The advantages and disadvantages of different analytical engineering methods utilized to gather information concerning the behavior of complex physiological and neuromuscular control mechanisms are explained. An Inners Criterion is developed to determine if the roots of a model lie within a certain “biologically realistic region” ΓB, in the complex plane which contains the roots of linearized models for a large variety of neuromuscular systems. Several algorithmic methods based on the Jury Inners Test are described which specify whether the model roots lie within the desired region, thereby providing an indication as to the validity of the proposed model. This technique can help to eliminate tedious simulation on an unrealistic model with roots lying far outside this region. An exemplary model for control of vergence eye movements is presented and shown to satisfy the ΓB criterion; several counter-examples are also discussed. The Inners approach can be adapted to other classes of bioengineering systems by specifying the region based on models that are contained in the class of interest.
Contradictions in the study of contempt: What's it all about? Reply to Russell

A number of methodological problems make it difficult to draw any conclusions from Russell's studies of contempt, including a task which may maximize the influence of unfamiliarity with the task, and instructions which may encourage observers to rate many rather than few emotions. We raise questions also about ecological validity, and the appropriateness of using still photographs to study the influence of context on the jugments of emotion.