cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 5189: N-cadherin promotes metastasis by enhancing motility through Akt3 suppression

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Here we show that in vivo mammary expression of N-cadherin in the PyMT model which enhances breast tumor metastasis results in selective inhibition of Akt3 expression and phosphorylation. Similarly, exogenous expression of N-cadherin in PyMT tumor cells which enhances motility caused a dramatic reduction in Akt3 expression and activation. Moreover, knockdown of Akt3 in PyMT cells enhanced cell motility, disrupted mammary morphogenesis but had no effect on cell proliferation. Conversely, overexpression of constitutively active Akt3 inhibited cell motility, suggesting signaling through Akt3 relays motility suppression by N-cadherin. Taken altogether, these findings demonstrate that N-cadherin suppresses Akt3 to promote cell motility and highlight the intricate regulation of the AKT pathway by N-cadherin during metastasis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5189. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5189
Progressive change in lymphocyte distribution and degree of hypergammaglobulinemia with age in children with hemophilia

Fifty asymptomatic, pediatric hemophiliacs were examined for distribution of T-cell subsets, responsiveness to mitogen stimulation, interleukin-2 production, hypergammaglobulinemia, and the presence of antibody to virus including the human T-lymphotrophic virus type III (HTLV-III). Hemophilia A patients receiving factor VIII concentrate as replacement therapy had the most pronounced changes including decreased T4/T8 ratios and lowerin vitro responsiveness to both phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen. Hemophilia A patients treated with cryoprecipitate and hemophilia B patients did not demonstrate these changes. Regardless of replacement therapy, hemophiliacs demonstrated a progressive decrease in the T4/T8 ratio and a progressive increase in the degree of IgG hypergammaglobulinemia as they aged. The amount of factor or cryoprecipitate or exposure to virus did not influence the T4/T8 ratio. These changes appear to be a result of chronic product exposure, which becomes more pronounced with increasing age.
Paramagnetic resonance of EuB6

Abstract Paramagnetic resonance measurements were performed on the Eu 2+ ion in the semiconducting compound EuB 6 . Well-defined single-line spectra were obtained at 9.076 4 GHz on pressed, powdered samples at 77, 195, and 295°K. A description is given of an analysis technique, utilizing a programmable calculator, in which the spectra were accurately reproduced by a linear combination of Lorentzian absorption and dispersion susceptibility components. Demagnetizing effects were clearly apparent in the data and required that corrections be applied to obtain the g factor of 2.004±0.001. The observed half-power linewidths were 1724, 1516, and 1494 Oe at 77, 195, and 295°K, respectively. This temperature dependence of Δ H was also attributed to demagnetizing effects so that an extrapolated half-power linewidth of 1477 Oe was obtained.
Consumer liking of fruit juices with different açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) concentrations.

Overall liking, flavor, and perceived healthiness of one newly developed fruit juice with high acai content (40% acai) and 5 commercially available fruit juices with lower (4% to 20%) acai concentrations were evaluated by consumers in Belgium. General trends for the overall sample were examined by means of analysis of variance, whereas individual consumer preferences were evaluated using internal preference mapping and hierarchical cluster analysis. The relative contribution of flavor and perceived health benefits as predictors of consumers' overall liking of the 6 acai-based fruit juices was estimated through linear regression analysis. The results showed a negative relationship between the juices' overall liking and their acai concentrations. Although the vast majority of consumers preferred the juices having a low acai content (4% to 5% acai), a small consumer segment liked the juice with 40% acai. Flavor or taste experience superseded consumers' perceived health benefits as the primary determinant of the fruit juices' overall liking. The impact of perceived health benefits on the overall liking of the acai juices decreased with higher taste dissatisfaction.
Polypyrazolinones from aromatic di(propynoic ester)s and aromatic dihydrazines

Novel polypyrazolinones with inherent viscosities ranging from 0.12 to 0.44 dL/g were prepared by the Michael-type nucleophilic addition-cyclization of various dihydrazines with 3,3′-(1,3- or 1,4-phenylene)bis(ethyl propynoate) (1,3- or 1,4-PEP) and 3,3′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(phenyl propynoate) (1,4-PPhP) in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) solution at 25–110°C. The polymers exhibited moderate thermal stability with initial weight loss in air about 200°C and in nitrogen about 300°C (TGA). No apparent Tg′s were observed by DSC analysis. The synthesis and characterization of the polypyrazolinones is discussed.
A new direction for polarized carbon-13 MRI

The implementation of hyper-polarized contrast agents in MRI provides the opportunity to combine the flexibility and safety of MR-based imaging with the large signal-to-noise achievable through external nuclear polarization. Nuclei aligned in a magnetic field are termed “hyperpolarized” when they are forced into an artificially-created nonequilibrium distribution among Zeeman levels with respect to thermal equilibrium. Once removed from the magnetic field, this distribution becomes transient, exhibiting a lifetime dependent on the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation time, T1. Hyperpolarization can be performed by using a variety of techniques such as optical pumping [spin exchange (1) and metastablity (2)], parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) (3, 4), and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) (5) in the solid state followed by rapid dissolution (6). Although the optically-pumped noble gases 3He and 129Xe have exhibited potential for clinical utility in imaging lungs and sinuses (7, 8), the investigation of DNP-hyperpolarized 13C liquid-phase agents for medical and diagnostic use has only recently begun. Most of the published work in this field has focused on acquiring real-time metabolic information. However, the recent work in this issue of PNAS (9) takes a completely new direction for the application of polarized 13C.
An eye tracking study on the effects of layout in understanding the role of design patterns

The effect of layout in the comprehension of design pattern roles in UML class diagrams is assessed. This work replicates and extends a previous study using questionnaires but uses an eye tracker to gather additional data. The purpose of the replication is to gather more insight into the eye gaze behavior not evident from questionnaire-based methods. Similarities and differences between the studies are presented. Four design patterns are examined in two layout schemes in the context of three open source systems. Fifteen participants answered a series of eight design pattern role detection questions. Results show a significant improvement in role detection accuracy and visual effort with a certain layout for the Strategy and Observer patterns and a significant improvement in role detection time for all four patterns. Eye gaze data indicates classes participating in a design pattern act like visual beacons when they are in close physical proximity and follow the canonical layout, even though they violate some general graph aesthetics.
Polyelectrolyte multilayers of weak polyacid and cationic copolymer: Competition of hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions

We report on the competitive role of hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions in growth and stability of polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) in a wide range of pH. The system was a cationic copolymer of acrylamide and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (PAAm-DMDAAC) containing 50% cationic units and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) as a polyacid. The amounts of polymers adsorbed and ionization of carboxylic groups within a film were quantified using in situ FTIR-ATR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection). The results were contrasted with the stability of films formed from polyacrylamide (PAAm) and PMAA. In the PAAm/PMAA system, interlayer adhesion occurred through hydrogen-bonding interactions, and the multilayer decomposed at pH > 5.5. However, the PAAm-DMDAAC/PMAA multilayers produced at low pH could be stabilized at a pH as high as 8 with transition to electrostatic interactions. With films deposited at pH = 2 from low ionic strength solutions, asymmetric release of P...
Effect of total lymphoid irradiation and pretransplant blood transfusion on pancreatic islet allograft survival.

Total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) has been shown to have a strong immunosuppressive effect both experimentally and clinically. Pretransplant blood transfusions have also been shown to have a strong beneficial effect in the outcome of organ transplantation. A study was made of the effect of TLI and pretransplant blood transfusions, alone and in combination, as an immunosuppressive modality in the isolated pancreatic islet transplant in the rat model. Donor rats (Fischer RT1v1) were kept on a 50% dl-ethionine supplemented diet for 4–6 weeks prior to pancreas removal. Recipient rats (Lewis RT1) were made diabetics prior to transplantation by iv injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg). Transfusion protocol consisted of a biweekly transfusion of 2 ml of either donor specific or third party transfusions. Total lymphoid irradiation was carried out by daily administration of 200 rads during one week prior to transplantation. Transplantation of the isolated islets was performed by intraportal injection. Syngeneic transplant of one and a half donor pancreata in each recipient reverted the diabetic condition indefinitely (> 100 days). Untreated allogenic grafts had a mean survival time (MST) of 5.2 days. Total lymphoid irradiation in dosages of 800, 1000, and 1200 rads, as the only immunosuppressive regimen, prolonged the MST of allografts to 15.3, 16.5, and 21.8 days, respectively (P < .05). Pretransplant third party blood transfusion had no effect on allograft survival (MST 6.0). When donor specific blood transfusions were given, the MST was prolonged to 25.3 days (P < .05). When TLI was administered to recipients of donor specific transfusions, the MST of the allografts did not show any statistical significant difference when compared with untreated animals. This abrogation of the beneficial effect of specific blood transfusion was observed in all dosages of TLI employed: 800 rad (MST 3.0), 1000 rad (MST 8.0), 1200 rad (MST 5.18). Total lymphoid irradiation and pretransplant blood transfusions have a similar immunosuppressive effect on islets allograft survival, but their mechanisms of action are antagonistic when both modalities of pretreatment are used in the sequence described in this study.
International Law as Part of Our Law

What did the United States Supreme Court mean when it famously said, “International law is part of our law, and must be ascertained and administered by the courts of justice of appropriate jurisdiction, as often as questions of right depending upon it are duly presented for their determination”? Perhaps the Court was suggesting that, in an interdependent world, United States courts should not decide cases without paying “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind,” in the memorable words of the Declaration of Independence. The framers and early Justices understood that the global legitimacy of a fledgling nation crucially depended upon the compatibility of its domestic law with the rules of the international system within which it sought acceptance. Their recognition seems both prudent and sensible. Even today, for any nation consciously to ignore global standards not only would ensure constant frictions with the rest of the world, but also would diminish that nation's ability to invoke those international rules that served its own national purposes.
Can digital breast tomosynthesis offer an alternative to MRI in preoperative imaging of lobular carcinoma

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an emerging breast imaging technique which we have shown in our institution to more accurately size tumours when compared with 2D mammography. In this study we have looked at the accuracy of DBT in the sizing of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) when compared with MRI, the current imaging technique of choice.
Optical fluorescence tomography with the equation of radiative transfer for molecular imaging

Optical fluorescence tomography recovers the spatial distribution of light emitting fluorophores inside a highly scattering medium. The quantification of a non-uniform quantum yield and fluorophore absorption distribution is of major interest in molecular imaging of biological tissue. We have developed a fluorescence image reconstruction code that is based on the particle transport equation. Since the algorithm does not rely on the diffusion approximation it promises to yield more accurate results in highly absorbing media or media with small geometries. We show that the code can be employed in a two-stage reconstruction process to obtain images of the fluorophore absorption and of the quantum yield.
How do Patients Learn About Disease

care, for the ability of the patient to cooperate effectively with the physician is often highly dependent upon the patient's understanding of his condition. Hence, the medical information that lay people learn from various sources, and the conditions under which they can and cannot learn such information, constitute vital problem areas both for those attempting to improve medical care and for those interested in medical
Inhibitors of Src and Focal Adhesion Kinase Promote Endocrine Specification: IMPACT ON THE DERIVATION OF β-CELLS FROM HUMAN PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS*

Stepwise approaches for the derivation of β-cells from human embryonic stem cells have been described. However, low levels of endocrine specification limit the final yield of insulin-producing β-cells. In this study, we show that the pyrrolo-pyrimidine Src family kinase (SFK) inhibitor PP2 effectively promotes the endocrine specification of human embryonic stem cell derivatives based on its capacity to induce the expression of proendocrine transcription factors (NGN3, NEUROD1, NKX2.2, and PAX4) and to significantly increase the final yield of insulin-positive cells. We further demonstrate that PP2 inhibits the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and selective inhibition of this kinase is also sufficient to induce early endocrine commitment based on increased expression of NGN3, NEUROD1, and NKX2.2. Additional studies using dominant negative constructs and isolated human fetal pancreata suggest that c-Src is at least partially responsible for inhibiting early endocrine specification. Mechanistically, we propose that inhibition of SFK/FAK signaling can promote endocrine specification by limiting activation of the TGFβR/Smad2/3 pathway. Moreover, we show that inhibition of SFK/FAK signaling suppresses cell growth, increases the expression of the β-cell-associated cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p57kip2, and simultaneously suppresses the expression of Id1 and Id2. This study has important implications for the derivation of β-cells for the cell-based therapy of diabetes and sheds new light on the signaling events that regulate early endocrine specification.
Febrile Illness Caused by Parasites

Febrile patients in whom a parasitic etiology is suspected can be classified broadly into two categories for the purpose of diagnostic evaluation based on the presence or absence of accompanying eosinophilia. Generally, the absence of eosinophilia indicates a protozoan etiology while the presence of eosinophilia is associated with tissue-invasive helminthic infections. The history and physical examination often points to a specific diagnosis that can be confirmed by appropriate laboratory tests.
How well are daily intense rainfall events captured by current climate models over Africa

The ability of state-of-the-art climate models to capture the mean spatial and temporal characteristics of daily intense rainfall events over Africa is evaluated by analyzing regional climate model (RCM) simulations at 90- and 30-km along with output from four atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs) and coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs) of the Climate Model Intercomparison Project 5. Daily intense rainfall events are extracted at grid point scale using a 95th percentile threshold approach applied to all rainy days (i.e., daily rainfall ≥1 mm day−1) over the 1998–2008 period for which two satellite-derived precipitation products are available. Both RCM simulations provide similar results. They accurately capture the spatial and temporal characteristics of intense events, while they tend to overestimate their number and underestimate their intensity. The skill of AGCMs and AOGCMs is generally similar over the African continent and similar to previous global climate model generations. The majority of the AGCMs and AOGCMs greatly overestimate the frequency of intense events, particularly in the tropics, generally fail at simulating the observed intensity, and systematically overestimate their spatial coverage. The RCM performs at least as well as the most accurate global climate model, demonstrating a clear added value to general circulation model simulations and the usefulness of regional modeling for investigating the physics leading to intense events and their change under global warming.
Dealing with non-normal data.

Although some continuous variables follow a normal, or bell-shaped, distribution, many do not. Non-normal distributions may lack symmetry, may have extreme values, or may have a flatter or steeper “dome” than a typical bell. There is nothing inherently wrong with non-normal data; some traits simply do not follow a bell curve. For example, data about coffee and alcohol consumption are rarely bell shaped. Instead, these follow a right-skewed distribution: they have a cluster of values at zero (nonconsumers), another bunch in the low-to-moderate range, and a few extreme values to the right (heavy consumers). Researchers need to be aware of whether their variables follow normal or non-normal distributions, because this influences how data are described and analyzed. Non-normal variables, particularly those with extreme right or left tails, may be better summarized (described) with medians and percentiles rather than means and standard deviations. Standard statistical tests for analyzing continuous data (t-test, analysis of variance [ANOVA], linear regression) may also perform poorly on non-normal data but only if the sample size is small. In these cases, alternative statistical approaches may be warranted. This article reviews how to spot, describe, and analyze non-normal data, and clarifies when the “normality assumption” matters and when it is unimportant.
HEAO 2 X-ray observations of clusters of galaxies

A summary of results of Einstein satellite observations of clusters of galaxies is provided, and X-ray luminosities or upper limits for 27 clusters are reported. Newly reported clusters with interesting morphologies are presented, and a brief discussion of the data in relation to theories of cluster formation and evolution is given.
Organization technology and the media and purpose dimensions of organization communications

Abstract Data collected from field research using structured observations indicate for task communications significant relationships between organization technology certainty (using Perrow's typology) and use of verbal and sign media and no significant relationship with use of object and written media. These data also indicate relationships between technology certainty and stimulus and problem solving communications purposes. Directionality of communications moderates these technology-purpose relationships, even exposing some additional relationships. The last section of this article proposes a reconceptualized model of organization communications, considering technology certainty, member mobility, and leadership style as independent variables and directionality as a moderating variable.
A Secure Software Architecture for Mobile Computing

Mobile computing is considered as low-end computing systems. It currently dominates almost all aspects of our lives from mobile banking to mobile purchasing to mobile skypeing, etc. With the increasing demand of smart phones in today's world, making the system secure is very important. Software architecture plays an important role to achieve both functionalities and quality (e.g., security) of a system. This paper surveys the software architecture of five of the leading mobile operating systems such as Android (Linux), Blackberry, iPhone (Mac OS X), Symbian, and Windows Mobile. Our survey study indicates that Android is the most promising of al and identifies security issues with Android. The paper then proposes improved software architecture to resolve these issues. More specifically, our proposed software architecture attempts to enhance the security of Android without comprising it performance.
Recovery Guidance Satisfying Input and State Constraints: Rate Saturating Actuator Example

When a  xed regulator is used to stabilize a desired state trajectory (guidance law), large initial tracking errors can lead to input saturation,which can result in performance deterioration. A method to modify the guidance law for recovering state-trajectory tracking (without violating input and state constraints) is presented. Although it may be feasible to  nd such a satisfactory recovery guidance maneuver for a given initial tracking error, online development of recovery guidance maneuvers may not be computationally tractable. A technique is developed to use precomputed recovery guidancemaneuvers (precomputed for a  nite set of initial tracking errors) to generate recovery guidance maneuvers for other initial errors. The technique is applied to an illustrative example with a rate-limited servoactuator, and simulation results are presented.
College choice in the church-affiliated sector of higher education: The influence of congregational cultural orientation

The relationship between a Midwest church-affiliated institution and its supporting congregations provides an opportunity to investigate part of the sociological environment within which a college-choice decision is made for students of a strong denominational orientation. Applying the “local-cosmopolitan” dichotomy used by previous researchers, this study hypothesized that the cultural orientation of local congregational leaders reflects norms that are aligned to congregational enrollment support or nonsupport for the denominational university. The findings demonstrate that the concepts of cultural, social, and ecclesiological localism-cosmopolitanism are helpful in explaining an individual's support for the denominational university. Also, differing cultural orientations among congregational leaders are related to the degree to which the congregation supports the university with the enrollment of youth.
Late positive potential to appetitive stimuli and local attentional bias.

Abstract Predicated on the idea that positive affects high in approach motivation are crucial in goal-directed behaviors, research has found that these positive affects cause narrowed attention. The present research was designed to investigate a possible neurophysiological underpinning of this effect. Previous research has suggested that the late positive potential (LPP) of the event-related brain potential is increased by emotionally arousing stimuli because of the attention-grabbing nature of such stimuli. Other research has suggested that left prefrontal cortical regions are associated with narrowed attention and approach-motivated affect. Integrating these two lines of evidence, the present research examined LPPs to appetitive versus neutral pictures and assessed the relationship of these LPPs to local versus global attentional bias following the picture primes. Results revealed that appetitive in comparison with neutral pictures evoked larger LPP amplitudes bilaterally over central and parietal regions and asymmetrically over frontal regions. Moreover, these LPP amplitudes to appetitive pictures predicted greater locally biased attention caused by the appetitive pictures. These results provide the first evidence that LPPs are associated with the local attentional bias induced by appetitive motivation.
An essential role for CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β in bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by inflammation, genesis of myofibroblasts, and abnormal tissue repair. Despite extensive research, its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Previously, the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) was found to be a key regulator of myofibroblast differentiation in vitro, and to be involved in the acute phase and inflammatory responses. In an attempt to test the role of C/EBPbeta in the development of pulmonary fibrosis, experiments using C/EBPbeta null mice and their wild-type littermates were conducted. Our findings indicated that, compared to wild-type mice, animals deficient in C/EBPbeta showed significantly reduced fibrotic lesions and collagen deposition in the lung upon endotracheal injection of bleomycin. Further studies on the mechanisms by which C/EBPbeta regulates fibrosis indicated that knockout of C/EBPbeta attenuates inflammatory cytokine expression in bleomycin-treated mice. The reduced alpha-smooth muscle actin gene expression in either isolated lung fibroblasts or lung tissue from bleomycin or saline-treated C/EBPbeta deficient mice suggests that C/EBPbeta regulates myofibroblast differentiation during fibrosis. Consistent with this finding, cells from C/EBPbeta deficient mice exhibited higher proliferative rates than those from wild-type mice. These data suggest that C/EBPbeta plays an essential role in pulmonary fibrosis and that this role appears to be multifactorial with respect to cytokine expression, cell differentiation, and proliferation.
A stereoselective total synthesis of alliacane lactones

Abstract Sesquiterpene lactones of the alliancane type have been synthesized for the first time with complete stereocontrol during enolate addition to hydrindenones and intramolecular S N ' cyclizations onto allylic chloroacetates.
Automatic segmentation of abdominal wall in ventral hernia CT: a pilot study

The treatment of ventral hernias (VH) has been a challenging problem for medical care. Repair of these hernias is fraught with failure; recurrence rates ranging from 24-43% have been reported, even with the use of biocompatible mesh. Currently, computed tomography (CT) is used to guide intervention through expert, but qualitative, clinical judgments; notably, quantitative metrics based on image-processing are not used. We propose that image segmentation methods to capture the three-dimensional structure of the abdominal wall and its abnormalities will provide a foundation on which to measure geometric properties of hernias and surrounding tissues and, therefore, to optimize intervention. To date, automated segmentation algorithms have not been presented to quantify the abdominal wall and potential hernias. In this pilot study with four clinically acquired CT scans on post-operative patients, we demonstrate a novel approach to geometric classification of the abdominal wall and essential abdominal features (including bony landmarks and skin surfaces). Our approach uses a hierarchical design in which the abdominal wall is isolated in the context of the skin and bony structures using level set methods. All segmentation results were quantitatively validated with surface errors based on manually labeled ground truth. Mean surface errors for the outer surface of the abdominal wall was less than 2mm. This approach establishes a baseline for characterizing the abdominal wall for improving VH care.
Playing with Fire: The Civil Liberties Implications of September 11th

The aftermath of September 1 1th has seen a worrisome rise in invasive surveillance measures. Both adopted by statute and initiated by agencies, these provisions provide unprecedented powers for government agents to investigate suspects and search individuals, whether they are directly involved in terrorism or not. The prevailing wisdom has been that the American people will accept these restrictions as the natural cost of heightened security, and initial evidence suggests the public has been willing to tolerate greater limits on civil liberties. However, over time such support will erode, leaving in place permanent restrictions on civil liberties that not only will concern Americans, but also may turn them against government officials and civic participation. Thus, contrary to many interpretations of September 1 1th, this article argues that the policy response has only sown the seeds for greater detachment from and dissatisfaction with government as the public becomes increasingly separated from the workings and operations of public policy
Regulation of Islet β-Cell Pyruvate Metabolism: Interactions of Prolactin, Glucose, and Dexamethasone

Prolactin (PRL) induces beta-cell proliferation and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and counteracts the effects of glucocorticoids on insulin production. The mechanisms by which PRL up-regulates GSIS are unknown. We used rat islets and insulinoma (INS-1) cells to explore the interactions of PRL, glucose, and dexamethasone (DEX) in the regulation of beta-cell pyruvate carboxylase (PC), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), and the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDKs), which catalyze the phosphorylation and inactivation of PDH. PRL increased GSIS by 37% (P < 0.001) in rat islets. Glucose at supraphysiological concentrations (11 mm) increased PC mRNA in islets; in contrast, PRL suppressed PC mRNA levels in islets and INS-1 cells, whereas DEX was without effect. Neither PRL nor DEX altered PC protein or activity levels. In INS-1 cells, PRL increased PDH activity 1.4- to 2-fold (P < 0.05-0.001) at glucose concentrations ranging from 2.5-11 mm. DEX reduced PDH activity; this effect was reversed by PRL. PDK1, -2, -3, and -4 mRNAs were detected in both islets and insulinoma cells, but the latter expressed trivial amounts of PDK4. PRL reduced PDK2 mRNA and protein levels in rat islets and INS-1 cells and PDK4 mRNA in islets; DEX increased PDK2 mRNA in islets and INS-1 cells; this effect was reversed by PRL. Our findings suggest that PRL induction of GSIS is mediated by increases in beta-cell PDH activity; this is facilitated by suppression of PDKs. PRL counteracts the effects of DEX on PDH and PDK expression, suggesting novel roles for the lactogens in the defense against diabetes.
Dietary Antioxidants and Carotid Artery Wall Thickness The ARIC Study

Background Evidence that dietary antioxidants may prevent atherosclerotic disease is growing. The relationship between the intake of dietary and supplemental vitamin C, α-tocopherol, and provitamin A carotenoids and average carotid artery wall thickness was studied in 6318 female and 4989 male participants 45 to 64 years old in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Methods and Results Intake was assessed by use of a 66-item semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Carotid artery intima-media wall thickness was measured as an indicator of atherosclerosis at multiple sites with B-mode ultrasound. Among men and women >55 years old who had not recently begun a special diet, there was a significant inverse relationship between vitamin C intake and average artery wall thickness adjusted for age, body mass index, fasting serum glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, HDL and LDL cholesterol, total caloric intake, cigarette use, race, and education (test for linear trend across quintiles of...
Short-term exercise training improves aerobic capacity with no change in arterial function in obesity.

The aim of the study is to determine the effects of short-term high-intensity exercise on arterial function and glucose tolerance in obese individuals with and without the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). Obese men and women (BMI > 30 kg/m2; 39–60 years) with and without MetSyn (MetSyn, n = 13; Non-MetSyn, n = 13) participated in exercise training consisting of ten consecutive days of treadmill walking for 1 h/day at 70–75% of peak aerobic capacity. Changes in aerobic capacity, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and arterial stiffness using central and peripheral pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements were assessed pre- and post-training. These measurements were obtained fasting and 1-h post-test meal while the subjects were hyperglycemic. Aerobic capacity improved for both groups [Non-MetSyn 24.0 ± 1.6 vs. 25.1 ± 1.5 mL/(kg min); MetSyn 25.2 ± 1.8 vs. 26.2 ± 1.7 mL/(kg min), P < 0.05]. There was no change in body weight. FMD decreased by ~20% (P < 0.05) for both groups during acute hyperglycemia (MetSyn, n = 11; Non-MetSyn, n = 10), while hyperglycemia increased central PWV and not peripheral PWV. Exercise training did not change FMD in the fasted or challenged state. Central and peripheral PWV were not altered with training for either group (MetSyn, n = 13; Non-MetSyn, n = 13). A 10-day high-intensity exercise program in obese individuals improved aerobic capacity and glucose tolerance but no change in arterial function was observed. Acute hyperglycemia had a deleterious effect on arterial function, suggesting that persons with impaired glucose homeostasis may experience more opportunities for attenuated arterial function on a daily basis which could contribute to increased cardiovascular risk.
Conjugated bile acids promote ERK1/2 and AKT activation via a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism in murine and human hepatocytes

Several studies have argued that G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) have the capacity to promote activation of receptor tyrosine kinases. The current studies were performed to examine the regulation of the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and AKT pathways by conjugated and unconjugated bile acids in primary hepatocytes. Deoxycholic acid (DCA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA), glycodeoxycholic acid (GDCA), taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA), glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA), taurocholic acid (TCA), glycocholic acid (GCA), and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) all activated ERK1/2 in primary rat hepatocytes that was abolished by inhibition of ERBB1, and significantly reduced by ROS quenching agents. Bile acid-induced AKT activation was blunted by preventing ERBB1 activation and ROS generation. Treatment of rat hepatocytes with pertussis toxin (PTX) did not alter ERK1/2 and AKT activation induced by DCA or CDCA but abolished pathway activations by conjugated bile acids. Similar data to those with PTX were obtained when a dominant negative form of G(i1alpha) was overexpressed. Treatment of rat hepatocytes with TDCA and TCA promoted guanosine triphosphate (GTP) loading of G(i1alpha), G(i2alpha), and G(i3alpha) in vitro. Treatment of rat hepatocytes with PTX abolished TDCA-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of ERBB1. Similar findings to those in rat hepatocytes were also obtained in primary mouse and human hepatocytes, but not in established rodent or human hepatoma cell lines. In conclusion, collectively our findings demonstrate that unconjugated bile acids activate hepatocyte receptor tyrosine kinases and intracellular signaling pathways in a ROS-dependent manner. In contrast, conjugated bile acids primarily activate receptor tyrosine kinases and intracellular signaling pathways in a GPCR (G(ialpha))-dependent and ROS-dependent manner.
Effects of acoustic rise time on heart rate response

Effects of acoustic rise time on heart-rate (HR) response were tested in two experiments. With 50- and 75-dB tones, effects were not clear-cut, but, at 90 dB, fast onsets produced an initial acceleration and slow onsets an initial deceleration. Results were discussed in terms of orienting and startle responses.
The biomechanics of fixation techniques for hand fractures

Multiple options are available for the fixation of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures; treatment options depend largely on the fracture characteristics, concomitant injuries, and surgeon preference. With an understanding of the options available and the biomechanics involved, appropriate treatment options may be chosen. Although plate and screw constructs provide the strongest fixation for these fractures, many other techniques provide adequate fixation and may be favored for reasons other than biomechanics.
Revisiting a proposed kinetic model for the reaction of cysteine and hydrogen peroxide via cysteine sulfenic acid

A mechanism for the oxidation of cysteine by hydrogen peroxide has been proposed by Luo et al. (J Pharm Sci, 2005, 94, 304–316): rapid equilibrium to form cysteinate (CS−), followed by irreversible oxidation of CS− by H2O2 to give cysteine sulfenic acid (CSOH), and nucleophilic attack on CSOH by CS− to yield cystine (CSSC). We have argued that the data that were published by Luo et al. afford no insight into the mechanism that follows the rate-limiting step, oxidation of CS− by H2O2 (J Pharm Sci, 2006, 95, 15–18), but Anderson and Luo contend that their model is sound (J Pharm Sci, 2006, 95, 19–24). Evidence is presented herein that discredits the model proposed by Luo et al.: (1) time-resolved 1H NMR spectra show that no intermediate is produced, (2) time-resolved electronic spectra exhibit multiple isosbestic points, and (3) kinetic measurements and models employ the initial rate method (which focus on that part of the kinetic traces for which the differences between the two models are most pronounced). All three experiments verify that a pseudo-first-order model with a single kinetic parameter completely describes the observed kinetics of the oxidation of CS− by H2O2. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 32–38, 2007
Sensemaking of change in the managed care era: a case of hospital‐based nurses

This study explores how nurses working in a large, metropolitan hospital make sense of the managed care change. Findings from 24 nurse interviews suggest that nurse sensemaking has generated interpretations of managed care change that are grounded in the caregiving role. Study results show that nurses view managed care with ambiguity. Nurses understand managed care change as instrumental in encouraging collaboration and affecting patient care quality. Implications are drawn regarding the importance of identity construction to the sensemaking process and illustrate the paradox of change in the managed care era. Although nurses view collaboration and professional empowerment as positive outcomes of managed care, further analysis reveals that these values function ideologically, promoting managed care concerns over worker interests. Concertive control – a team‐based process which shifts organizational control from management to employees – is explored as a way that workers act in accordance with management decisions and uphold traditional power structures.
Seasonal and Scale Size Relationships between Citricola Scale (Homoptera: Coccidae) and Its Parasitoid Complex (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) on San Joaquin Valley Citrus

Abstract The phenology of citricola scale, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana), and its associated parasitoid complex were studied on citrus in the San Joaquin Valley of central California over the period April 1995–March 1997. A total of 10,237 parasitoid specimens of 10 species were collected. Two of these species, Marietta mexicana (Howard) and Encyrtus lecaniorum (Mayr), each recovered from individually isolated scales, represent new parasitoid records for citricola scale. A third species, Encarsia citrinus citrinus (Craw), may represent a new parasitoid record, but this requires further confirmation because a single (male) specimen was recovered from individually isolated scales. The three most dominant parasitoid species, Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker), Metaphycus helvolus (Compere), and Metaphycus luteolus (Timberlake), accounted for the majority (>97%) of the specimens recovered. In contrast to the situation on citrus in southern California, where citricola scale is under effective biological control and is very rarely seen, citricola scale on citrus in the San Joaquin Valley is reemerging as a major pest, especially in groves employing integrated pest management with minimal use of broad-spectrum insecticides. Possible reasons uncovered in this study for the lack of effective biological control of citricola scale in the San Joaquin Valley include: (i) reduced presence of Metaphycus spp. because of hyperparasitism by the heteronomous hyperparasitoid C. lycimnia; (ii) absence of alternate hosts for those species of Metaphycus present; and (iii) absence of hosts of suitable size for Metaphycus at critical times of the year. Recommendations for improving the level of biological control in the San Joaquin Valley are discussed.
Discrete events and solar wind energization

Based on a multiple-magnetic-reconnection picture, an estimation of the energy flux suggests that small-scale EUV exploding events may contribute a significant amount of energy (of order of 100,000 erg/sq cm sec) to solar atmospheric heating and solar-wind acceleration. Most of the dissipated magnetic energy is converted into thermal energy and plasma turbulence. On a related aspect, a numerical study based on the nonlinear one-fluid hydrodynamic equations shows a self-smoothing effect, whereby a multistream structure of the solar wind formed near the sun can be gradually smoothed during its propagation through interplanetary space. This calculation gives support for the possible contribution of discrete energetic events to high-speed solar wind streams.
Aromatic Plant Oils as Fungicide for Organic Corn Production

The planting date for organic corn (Zea mays L.) is delayed in the spring to avoid cold and wet soils. Conventional farmers can use fungicide seed treatments to protect the emerging seedlings, but few organic fungicides are available. The objective of this research was to determine whether essential oils can be used as a contact fungicide seed treatment for organic corn. The essential oils of 18 plants were screened for their fungicidal properties against three common corn pathogens: Penicillium, Fusarium, and Pythium. Five oils—cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume), clove (Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb.), oregano (Origanum minutifl orum O. Schwarz and P.H. Davis), savory (Satureja montana L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.)—completely controlled all three pathogens in vitro. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for all pathogens was 800 μL L −1 and seedlings presented no phytotoxicity symptoms in the germination test at rates up to 64 μL kg −1 active ingredient (MIC × 20). Field emergence of inbred and hybrid seeds treated with the essential oils were signifi cantly lower than seeds treated with the commercial fungicides Maxim XL {fl udioxonil [4-(2,2-difl uoro-1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile] 21.4%; mefenoxam [(R)-2-[(2,6-dimethylphenyl) methoxyacetylamino] propionic acid methyl ester] 8.4%}, which is a conventional fungicide; and Natural 2 (proprietary ingredients), which is an organic fungicide, but were not different from the organic fungicide Yield Shield (Bacillus pumilus GB34 0.28%) or an untreated control.
Interaction of Infection with Renibacterium salmoninarum and Physical Stress in Juvenile Chinook Salmon: Physiological Responses, Disease Progression, and Mortality

Abstract We experimentally infected juvenile spring chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha with Renibacterium salmoninarum (Rs), the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD), in order to compare the physiological responses of Rs-infected and Rs–noninfected fish to a series of multiple, acute stressors and to determine whether exposure to these stressors worsens the infection and leads to increased mortality. After subjecting groups of fish to a waterborne challenge of Rs, we sampled them biweekly to monitor infection levels, mortality, and some stress-related physiological changes. As infections worsened, fish developed decreased hematocrits and blood glucose levels and increased levels of cortisol and lactate, indicating that BKD is stressful, particularly during the later stages. Eight weeks after the challenge, when fish had moderate to high infection levels, we subjected them, along with unchallenged control fish, to three 60-s bouts of hypoxia, struggling, and mild agitation that were separ...
Experimental Observations of High Fracture Resistance in Silicon Carbide/Alumina Laminated Composites

Model laminated composites were fabricated with porous-Al2O3 interfaces between SiC bars. The porous Al2O3 was deposited using an aerosol spray deposition technique, and the sandwich specimen was fabricated by hot pressing. Residual thermal stresses were present in the interface because of the difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion of SiC and Al2O3. Crack deflection was observed with measured interfacial fracture resistances that were considerably higher than the deflection threshold predicted by the He–Hutchinson criterion. Examination of the fracture surface revealed a tortuous crack path and significant crack–flaw interaction.
A Kalman filtering approach to stochastic global and region-of-interest tomography

We define two forms of stochastic tomography. In global tomography, the goal is to reconstruct an object from noisy observations of all of its projections. In region-of-interest (ROI) tomography, the goal is to reconstruct a small portion of an object (an ROI) from noisy observations of its projections densely sampled in and near the ROI and sparsely sampled away from the ROI. We solve both problems by expanding the object and its projections in a circular harmonic (Fourier) series in the angular variable so that the Radon transform becomes Abel transforms of integer orders applied to the harmonics. The algorithm has three major components. First, we fit state-space models to each order of Abel transform and thus represent the Radon transform operation as a parallel bank of systems, each of which computes the appropriate Abel transform of a circular harmonic. A variable transformation here allows either the global or ROI problem to be solved. Second, the object harmonics are modeled as a Brownian branch. This is a two-point boundary value system, which is Markovianized into a form suitable for the Kalman filter. Finally, a parallel bank of Kalman smoothing filters independently estimates each circular harmonic from the noisy projection data. Numerical examples illustrate the proposed procedure.
Work and the Division of Labor

The paper is an attempt to conceptualize the division of labor in terms of work. This perspective leads to a necessary distinction between work and workers, and its implications. Among the main considerations discussed are actor, accountability, division of rights versus division of labor, work patterns and interactional styles, rapidly changing organizations and industries in relation to their divisions of labor, and reciprocal macro and micro impacts. Some research implications are also discussed.