cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incorporating nonlinearity into mediation analyses.

Mediation is an important issue considered in the behavioral, medical, and social sciences. It addresses situations where the effect of a predictor variable X on an outcome variable Y is explained to some extent by an intervening, mediator variable M. Methods for addressing mediation have been available for some time. While these methods continue to undergo refinement, the relationships underlying mediation are commonly treated as linear in the outcome Y, the predictor X, and the mediator M. These relationships, however, can be nonlinear. Methods are needed for assessing when mediation relationships can be treated as linear and for estimating them when they are nonlinear. Existing adaptive regression methods based on fractional polynomials are extended here to address nonlinearity in mediation relationships, but assuming those relationships are monotonic as would be consistent with theories about directionality of such relationships. Example monotonic mediation analyses are provided assessing linear and monotonic mediation of the effect of family functioning (X) on a child’s adaptation (Y) to a chronic condition by the difficulty (M) for the family in managing the child's condition. Example moderated monotonic mediation and simulation analyses are also presented. Adaptive methods provide an effective way to incorporate possibly nonlinear monotonicity into mediation relationships.
Primate Positional Behavior Development and Evolution

Positional behavior (posture and locomotion) studies are a category of primatological and anthropological field research that attempts to describe movement capabilities and expressed behavior within an evolutionary, ecological, and/or morphological context. This area of research is appealing because it allows the integration of morphological data (capabilities) with expressed behaviors and provides a basis for understanding fossil reconstruction. Because positional behavior acts as a mediator between the biology and the environment, it offers information about virtually all aspects of a primate's life. We are currently undergoing an increase in the number of field projects focusing on the development of positional behaviors in immature primates, and results suggest that in many species positional competence develops relatively early. In this review, I present information on recent positional behavior studies with a focus on how positional behavior develops in young primates. Research on immature primates ...
Abstract 130: Epicardial-to-Myocyte Hypertrophic Signaling is Mediated by Epicardial/Mesenchymal Status and Protein Arginine Methyltransferase-1

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important cellular mechanism in a diverse range of biological processes such as development, wound healing, cancer metastasis, and organ fibrosis. Epicardial cells are mesothelial cells lining the outer surface of the heart that are an important progenitor population and a source of growth factors during development. Epicardial cells undergo EMT and invade the myocardium, differentiating into cardiac fibroblasts and coronary smooth muscle cells. Of note, resident fibroblasts of epicardial origin are a major cellular mediator of cardiac fibrosis. Our recent work has established an important function for the protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT1 in EMT. We hypothesized that PRMT1 is required for EMT in a mouse epicardial cell line (MEC-1). We found that PRMT1 is required for a subset of the EMT marker changes in epicardial EMT, such as upregulation of vimentin, fibronectin, and slug, as well as loss of E-cadherin. Furthermore, PRMT1 knockdown reduced MEC-1 migration and invasion, suggesting that PRMT1 is critical for epicardial progenitor function. Epicardial cells secrete a variety of signaling factors that affect cardiomyocyte proliferation and structure. This is a critical component of heart development, and may also affect heart diseases such as hypertophic heart failure. Therefore we assessed whether EMT and PRMT1 affect the paracrine functions of epicardial cells. Co-culture of MEC-1 cells with rat neonatal cardiomyocytes caused cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and this was enhanced when MEC-1 cells were pre-treated with TGF-β to induce EMT. Interestingly, MEC-1 cells treated with PRMT1 siRNA also induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, but TGF-β pre-treatment of these cells did not enhance this effect. In conclusion, epicardial EMT is largely dependent on PRMT1. Epicardial cells also promote cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, which is enhanced in epicardial cells that have undergone PRMT1-mediated EMT towards a mesenchymal fate. These studies establish a role for protein methylation in the EMT process, and could lead to novel treatments for heart failure and other diseases affected by EMT.
Relationship Between Consumer Acceptability and Pungency‐Related Flavor Compounds of Vidalia Onions

A consumer study was conducted to evaluate preferences in Vidalia onions, and define consumer acceptability thresholds for commonly analyzed flavor compounds associated with pungency. Two varieties of Vidalia onions (Plethora and Sapelo Sweet) were grown at 3 fertilizer application rates (37.5 and 0; 134.5 and 59.4; and 190 and 118.8 kg/ha of nitrogen and sulfur, respectively), creating 6 treatments with various flavor attributes to use in the study. Bulb soluble solids, sugars, pyruvic acid, lachrymatory factor (LF; propanethial S‐oxide), and methyl thiosulfinate (MT) content were determined and compared to sensory responses for overall liking, intensity of the sharp/pungent/burning sensation (SPB), and intent to buy provided by 142 consumers. Onion pyruvate, LF, MT, and sugar content increased as fertilization rate increased, regardless of onion variety. Consumer responses showed participants preferred onions with low SPB, which correlated positively to lower pyruvate, LF and MT concentrations, but showed no relationship to total sugars in the onion bulb. Regression analyses revealed that the majority of consumers (≥55%) found the flavor of Vidalia onions acceptable when the concentrations of LF, pyruvic acid, and MT within the bulbs were below 2.21, 4.83, and 0.43 nmol/mL, respectively. These values will support future studies aimed at identifying the optimal cultivation practices for production of sweet Vidalia onions, and can serve as an industry benchmark for quality control, thus ensuring the flavor of Vidalia onions will be acceptable to the majority of consumers. This study identified the relationship between consumer preferences and commonly analyzed flavor compounds in Vidalia onions, and established thresholds for these compounds at concentrations which the majority of consumers will find desirable. These relationships and thresholds will support future research investigating how cultural practices impact onion quality, and can be used to assist growers in variety selection decisions. In addition, this information will provide a benchmark to Vidalia onion producers for quality control of the sweet onions produced, ensuring that the onions are consistently of a desired quality, thereby increasing consumer's reliability in the Vidalia onion brand.
Surveillance Imaging in HPV-related Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Background/aim Current guidelines derived from a pre-human papilloma virus (HPV) era in oropharyngeal cancer do not recommend routine surveillance imaging. We aimed to analyze the method of recurrence detection in HPV+ disease to determine a role for follow-up imaging. Patients and methods All HPV+ and HPV- oropharyngeal cancer patients treated at our institution from 2005-2016 with biopsy-proven recurrence were identified and their method of recurrence detection was analyzed. Results A total of 16 HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer patients were identified to have recurrence, 12 (75%) of which experienced distant recurrence and 13 (81.3%) were detected asymptomatically with imaging at a median time of 19.7 months after initial treatment and verifying no residual disease. Twelve (75%) detections were with PET-CT. While HPV- patients (17 patients) also have a high rate of asymptomatic detection (16 patients, 94.1%), their 3-year post-recurrence survival was significantly lower at 6.5% compared to 83.6% for the HPV+ group (p Conclusion In HPV+ patients, a large proportion of failures are asymptomatic distant metastases, which occur beyond 6 months following treatment completion, and are detected with whole body imaging alone. In light of long term post-recurrence survival observed, this preliminary data suggests that routine surveillance imaging should be further studied for HPV+ disease.
Effects of weaning weight, co-mingling, group size and room temperature on pig performance.

Four experiments involving 3- to 4-wk-old, ad libitum-fed weanling pigs (n = 809) were conducted to determine the effects of initial pig weight, co-mingling of litters, numbers of pigs/pen and room temperature on pig performance in a conventionally equipped nursery. Pigs that were largest at birth were largest (P less than .01) at weaning (r = .66) and also at 28 d postweaning (r = .62). Light-weight pigs (3.8 kg) at weaning gained more slowly (P less than .05) for 4 wk postweaning than heavy weight pigs (6.5 kg). Growth curves for the light and heavy groups of pigs remained parallel throughout the 4-wk nursery period, indicating that small pigs were not making compensatory gains. Growth rates of average-weight pigs (5.2 kg) were intermediate to and not different (P greater than .05) from light- and heavy-weight pigs. Penning 8, 16 or 24 pigs together while maintaining constant flooring area and feeder and waterer space/pig did not reduce (P greater than .05) intakes, gains or feed:gain ratios. Co-mingled litters grew comparably (P greater than .05) to pigs reared as littermates. In temperature studies, pigs were reared either in a room maintained at 29 +/- 2.8 C throughout the 28-d trials or at 29 +/- 2.8 C the first week postweaning and 24 +/- 2.8 C thereafter. Reducing the nursery temperature to 24 +/- 2.8 C after 1 wk depressed (P less than .05) intakes, gains and feed efficiencies as compared with the warmer temperature regimen.
Immediate Immunologic Reactions: Noncytolytic Mediator Release and Cytolytic Cell Destruction

Two of the principal mechanisms by which immunologic reactions generate chemical mediators of the inflammatory response differ both in their mode of interaction with target cell membranes and in their ultimate effect on these membranes. In the cytolytic reaction [Fig. 1(A)] antibodies of certain immunoglobulin classes (IgM or IgG) bind to the target cell via combining sites specific for antigens which are either intrinsic to the cell membrane or have become passively bound to it. A resultant configurational change in the Fc portion of the antibody (Ashman and Metzger, 1971) is associated with the initiation of a sequence of reactions among certain serum proteins, the components of complement,* contained in the surrounding milieu. The physicochemical characteristics and mechanism of interaction of the nine components have recently been reviewed (Muller-Eberhard, 1968; Ruddy, et al., 1972). Chemical mediators of inflammation are generated during the complement reaction sequence per se, by the limited proteolysis of the components. These mediators represent both major (e.g., C3b, an enhancer of opsonization) and minor (e.g., C3a, an anaphylatoxin) fragments of component cleavage as well as complexes (e.g., C567, a chemotactic principle) formed by the interaction of products from different components. If completion of the reaction sequence occurs on a cell membrane, cytolytic destruction of the cell results which in some instances, may eventuate in mediator release.
Lifestyle segmentation and political ideology: Toward understanding beliefs and behavior about local food.

Abstract This research sought to better understand local food consumers and take steps to begin to identify how targeted messages could engage different groups. In order to accomplish these aims, data was collected through a survey mailed to a random sample of Wisconsin households with a final sample size of 577. These consumers were then segmented based on variables related to the food related lifestyle (FRL) and political ideology. Political ideology was included as it influences the media to which individuals pay attention, and how they interpret messages. Identified groups were further profiled with variables related to local food purchasing, frequency of shopping at farmers’ markets and natural food stores, willingness to pay a premium for local food, perceptions related to local food, communication habits, and demographics. Five segments were identified, with three standing out as likely consumers of local produce. The liberal, “Adventurous” consumers showed a strong interest in local food, perceiving local food to be superior for its environmental benefits, among other reasons. The “Traditional” and “Rational” groups were not interested in local food for environmental reasons, and may find such messages unappealing. In order to engage these other groups, messages should address the high quality of local food, how it can be incorporated into traditional recipes (for the “Traditional” group), and ways to make local food affordable and convenient to buy (for the “Rational” group).
Quantum-dot coherent comb lasers for terabit optical networking systems

We presented design, growth and fabrication of the InAs/InP quantum dot (QD) gain materials and the basic performance of the Fabry-Perot QD lasers as compared with the quantum-well (QW) lasers with the same doped materials and structures. By using those QDs we have developed several ultra-low intensity and phase noise coherent comb lasers (CCLs). We have used a 25-GHz QD C-band CCL to successfully demonstrate 10.3 Tbit/s (16QAM 56×23 GBd PDM) back-to-back coherent data transmission for coherent networks and 56×50 Gb/s PAM-4 back-to-back transmission with capacity of 2.8 Tbit/s at a symbol rate of 25 GBaud for data center applications.
Analysis of Articles in The American Biology Teacher for Essential Features of Inquiry Representation

Most studies on inquiry have focused on student outcomes, teachers’ conceptions of inquiry, implementation of inquiry in science classrooms, and inquiry coverage in science textbooks. Little is known about the nature of inquiry representation in science practitioner journals that serve as sources of inquiry science activities for many science teachers, science teacher educators, college instructors, and informal science practitioners. Therefore, this study examined the nature of inquiry representation in the articles that were published in The American Biology Teacher from 1998 to 2015. The study also sought to find out if there was a difference in inquiry representation between the articles that were written by teachers and college instructors. The nature of inquiry representation in the articles was determined by establishing the extent to which six essential features of inquiry—question, evidence, analysis, explain, connect, and communicate—were addressed in the articles. Results showed that most essential features of inquiry were adequately represented in the articles analyzed. However, most science activities did not have investigative questions to guide the inquiry process. We also found a significant difference in inquiry representation between the articles written by biology teachers and college instructors. Teachers addressed more essential features of inquiry in the articles than college instructors. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the degree of student-directedness inquiry in the articles written by the teachers and college instructors. Overall, there was more partial inquiry than full inquiry representation in the articles analyzed. Implications of the findings and recommendations are discussed.
Through Indian Sign Language: The Fort Sill Ledgers of Hugh Lenox Scott and Iseeo, 1889–1897

This large and complex volume contains much of interest to anthropologists and others who want to learn about Plains Indian Sign Language (PISL); or about Hugh. L. Scott, the US Army officer who us...
Sedentism and Settlement in Native California: Research Progress and Prospects

The ethnographic literature of California has long attributed some measure of reduced mobility to nearly all of its Native societies, but methods for determining this measure for any given group ha...
O poder das molduras: a temporalidade da fotografia e a retratística na obra de Eça de Queirós

This article discusses the inclusion of paintings and photographs in three novels by Eca de Queiros, namely O primo Basilio, Os Maias and A tragedia da Rua das Flores, as narrative snapshots that immortalize key moments in the literary texts. Inspired by the cinematic “framing” of Abbas Kiarostami’s last film 24 Frames, my discussion focuses on how the image contained in the painted portraits or photographs have meaning beyond what they portray, and how the respective narratives enable a reconstruction of what led up to and follows the creation of the framed image.
Local injury and systemic infection in infants alter later nociception and pain affect during early life and adulthood.

Abstract Newborns in intensive care are regularly exposed to minor painful procedures at developmental time points when noxious stimulation would be normally absent. Pain from these interventions is inconsistently treated and often exists concurrently with systemic infection, a common comorbidity of prematurity. Our understanding of the independent and combined effects of early painful experiences and infection on pain response is incomplete. The main goals of this research therefore were to understand how pain and infection experienced early in life influence future nociceptive and affective responses to painful stimuli. Rat pups were infected with E-coli on postnatal day 2 (PN2) and had left hind paw injury with carrageenan on PN3. Standard thermal tests for acute pain, formalin tests for inflammatory pain, and conditioned place aversion testing were performed at different ages to assess the nociceptive and affective components of the pain response. Early E-coli infection and early inflammatory injury with carrageenan both independently increased pain scores following hind paw reinjury with formalin on PN8, with effects persisting into adulthood in the carrageenan exposed group. When experienced concurrently, early E-coli infection and carrageenan exposure also increased conditioned aversion to pain in adults. Effect of sex was significant only in formalin testing, with males showing higher pain scores in infancy and females showing higher pain scores as adults. These findings demonstrate that infection experienced early in life can alter both the nociceptive and affective components of the pain response and that there is a cumulative effect of local and systemic pro-inflammatory processes on the aversive component of pain.
Associations between Obesity and Adverse Childhood Experiences in the United States

Background: Obesity leads to serious health consequences in children and is potentially associated with increased adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Nationally representative studies examining a...
The MAP4K4-STRIPAK complex promotes growth and tissue invasion in medulloblastoma

Proliferation and motility are mutually exclusive biological processes associated with cancer that depend on precise control of upstream signaling pathways with overlapping functionalities. We find that STRN3 and STRN4 scaffold subunits of the STRIPAK complex interact with MAP4K4 for pathway regulation in medulloblastoma. Disruption of the MAP4K4-STRIPAK complex impairs growth factor-induced migration and tissue invasion and stalls YAP/TAZ target gene expression and oncogenic growth. The migration promoting functions of the MAP4K4-STRIPAK complex involve the activation of novel PKCs and the phosphorylation of the membrane targeting S157 residue of VASP through MAP4K4. The anti-proliferative effect of complex disruption is associated with reduced YAP/TAZ target gene expression and results in repressed tumor growth in the brain tissue. This dichotomous functionality of the STRIPAK complex in migration and proliferation control acts through MAP4K4 regulation in tumor cells and provides relevant mechanistic insights into novel tumorigenic functions of the STRIPAK complex in medulloblastoma.
Cholesterol dynamics are essential for the growth and development of Plasmodium falciparum within the erythrocyte

Plasmodium spp. lack de novo cholesterol synthetic pathways and can only scavenge it from their host erythrocyte. Here we report that depletion of cholesterol from the erythrocyte plasma membrane by methyl-{beta}-cyclodextrin (MBCD) has dramatic consequences. The removal of cholesterol results in invasion defects as well as inhibition of parasite development through the intra-erythrocytic cycle. These defects could be rescued by reconstitution with cholesterol and desmosterol but not with epicholesterol. By using live microscopy of fluorescently tagged trophozoite stage parasites, we detected rapid expulsion of the parasites from erythrocyte when exposed to MBCD for just 30 mins. Strikingly, the parasites transition from being intra-erythrocytic to extracellular within 10 seconds and do so without rupturing the erythrocyte membrane. These extruded parasites were still surrounded by the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) and remained tethered to the erythrocyte. Electron microscopy revealed that although extracellular parasites retained their PVM, it was heavily compromised. Treatment with antimalarials that disrupt cholesterol homeostasis prior to MBCD exposure prevented the extrusion of trophozoites. These results reveal importance of cholesterol during the intra-erythrocytic development of P. falciparum and the dramatic consequences resulting from tampering with cholesterol content in the infected erythrocyte. These findings suggest dynamic nature of cholesterol within the infected erythrocyte that is critical for parasite survival.
Isolation and characterization of multiple-methionine mutants of T4 lysozyme with simplified cores

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the degree to which precise spatial complementarity among core residues is required to maintain native-like protein properties. Sites within the carboxy-terminal domain core of phage T4 lysozyme has been substituted singly and as a group with methionine to produce a simplified core sequence. The properties of such mutant lysozymes are briefly described. In addition, the chapter describes a method to isolate mutant protein from inclusion bodies and a sensitive enzymatic assay to detect small differences in mutant protein activities. The carboxy-terminal domain of T4 lysozyme is composed of seven helices and includes the largest contiguous set of buried residues in the protein. Side-chains are considered a part of the core if they have less than 10% solvent accessible surface. The carboxy-terminal domain also contains a single, completely buried methionine (Met 102), and two others (Met 106 and Met 120), the side-chains of which are about 80% buried. The fact that at least seven core residues can be replaced as a group with methionine in phage T4 lysozyme without introducing molten globule-like characteristics shows that strict side-chain complementarity is not required to maintain native-like protein properties. The crystallographic thermal factors of the side-chains of some of the seven methionines in the mutant structure are slightly higher than the wild-type amino acids they replace. The thermal factors of the three methionines that are present within the carboxy-terminal domains of both structures are, if anything, better ordered in the mutant molecule. In all cases, the electron density for the introduced methionines is well defined. There is no suggestion that substitution of seven methionines leads to disorder within the protein core or in other regions of the structure.
Spin noise of conduction electrons in n -type bulk GaAs

We report a comprehensive study of stochastic electron spin fluctuations---spin noise---in lightly doped ($n$-type) bulk GaAs, which are measured using sensitive optical magnetometry based on off-resonant Faraday rotation. Frequency spectra of electron spin noise are studied as a function of electron density, magnetic field, temperature, probe-laser wavelength and intensity, and interaction volume. Electron spin lifetimes ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{s}$ are inferred from the width of the spin noise spectra and are compared to direct measurements of ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{s}$ using conventional Hanle-effect methods. Both methods reveal a strong and similar dependence of ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{s}$ on the wavelength and intensity of the probe laser, highlighting the undesired influence of sub-bandgap absorption effects on the nominally ``nonperturbative'' spin noise measurements. As a function of temperature, the spin noise power increases approximately linearly from 1.5 to 30 K, as expected for degenerate electrons obeying Fermi-Dirac statistics, but with an additional zero-temperature offset. Finally, as the cross-sectional area of the probe laser shrinks and fewer electrons are probed, the measured Faraday rotation fluctuations due to electron spin noise are shown to increase, as expected.
Molecular Clusters and Catalytic Activity

In the broadest perspective, the science of catalysis is as diverse as chemistry itself. For example, it includes reactions catalyzed heterogeneously by metallic and nonmetallic surfaces, reactions catalyzed homogeneously by transition-metal complexes in solution, acid or base catalyzed polymerization of organic molecules, certain reactions catalyzed in the upper atmosphere, photocatalytic reactions, and biochemical reactions catalyzed by enzymes.
Early Environmental Regulation of Glucocorticoid Feedback Sensitivity in Young Adult Monkeys

Variations in maternal care induce in neonatal rodents life-long changes in glucocorticoid feedback regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This aspect of plasticity in neuroendocrine development has not been established in primates. We assessed, in young adult squirrel monkeys, postnatal rearing effects on cortisol-induced suppression of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) stimulated secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Offspring of randomly bred monkeys were periodically removed from natal groups between 13 and 21 weeks of age. In two other postnatal rearing conditions, systematic differences in maternal availability were produced by manipulating the effort required of lactating mothers to successfully find food. All offspring were subsequently administered, 3-5 years later on two occasions, an intravenous ovine CRF injection preceded 60 min earlier by placebo or cortisol pretreatment. The difference between CRF-stimulated time-integrated secretion of ACTH following placebo vs cortisol pretreatment served as an index of glucocorticoid negative feedback. Difference scores were greatest in monkeys previously separated from natal groups. This finding was not attributable to significant rearing condition differences in plasma cortisol levels achieved following pretreatment with exogenous cortisol, nor plasma ACTH levels produced when the CRF injection was preceded by pretreatment with placebo. The results suggest that postnatal experiences altered glucocorticoid feedback in monkeys at least through early adulthood. This conclusion supports retrospective reports indicating that, for humans with major mood and anxiety disorders, systematic differences in glucocorticoid feedback may reflect neural mechanisms in development linking early life stress with psychopathology in adulthood.
Exceptional activity of murine glutathione transferase A1-1 against (7R,8S)-dihydroxy-(9S,10R)-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene-induced DNA damage in stably transfected cells.

We have shown previously that the alpha class murine glutathione transferase (GST) isoenzyme mGSTA1-1, unlike other mammalian class alpha GSTs, is highly efficient in catalyzing the glutathione (GSH) conjugation of (7R,8S)-dihydroxy-(9S,10R)-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(+)-anti-BPDE], which is the ultimate carcinogenic metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene. The present studies were undertaken to determine the efficacy of mGSTA1-1 in cellular protection against (+)-anti-BPDE-induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells stably transfected with mGSTA1 cDNA. Untransfected HepG2 cells, vector-transfected HepG2 cells (HepG2-vector), and cells transfected with mGSTA4 cDNA (HepG2-mGSTA4), an alpha class murine GST isoenzyme with low (+)-anti-BPDE-GSH conjugating activity, were used as controls for comparison. Intracellular GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDE was significantly higher in mGSTA1-1–overexpressing HepG2 cells (HepG2-mGSTA1) than in HepG2-vector or HepG2-mGSTA4 cells. The formation of DNA-adducts of (+)-anti-BPDE, following a 10-, 20-, or 30-min exposure to 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 μM [3H](+)-anti-BPDE, was reduced significantly in cells transfected with mGSTA1-1 compared with HepG2-vector or untransfected HepG2 cells. Consistent with the results with purified protein, overexpression of mGSTA4-4 had no effect on (+)-anti-BPDE–induced DNA damage. The results of the present study indicated that mGSTA1-1 was exceptionally effective in affording protection against (+)-anti-BPDE–induced DNA damage in a cellular system. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Approximation from shift-invariant spaces

We give sufficient conditions on a single function ϕ so that the principal shift-invariant space generated by ϕ provides a prescribed order of approximation inL p (R d ), 1<p<∞, and inH p (R d ), 0<p≤1. In particular, our conditions are given in terms of $$\hat \varphi$$ and are satisfied even when ϕ does not decay quickly at infinity.
Can one accurately date a bruise? State of the science

Forensic nursing experts and other health professionals often testify regarding the injuries women and men receive from violence. Bruise discoloration can provide an opportunity for health professionals to grossly estimate the age of impact and determine if it is consistent with a given reported history. However, there is much confusion in the literature and clinical practice as to the accuracy of dating bruises. This article will demonstrate that using the color of the bruise as the primary criteria to determine its age is not the best practice. The limited available research and related literature on the topic are flawed and inconsistent. Finally, recommendations will be made for future research and clinical practice.
Viscous resuspension in a bidensity suspension

Abstract Experiments were performed in a narrow gap Couette device to study the viscous resuspension process in a bidensity suspension consisting of two types of spherical particles, both having the same size, one of which was heavy, while the other had the same density as that of the suspending fluid. The resuspension height of an initially settled bed of heavy particles was measured over a ten-fold range of applied shear rates, using an imaging technique which was developed to study the particle migration process in concentrate bidisperse suspensions. It was found that, at a given shear rate, the resuspension height of the heavy particles increased with an increase in the concentration of the neutrally buoyant spheres. The experimental results were then compared with the predictions of a bidensity model based on the particle migration theory of previous work, and good agreement was found between the two.
Bronchoscopy in suspected pulmonary TB with negative induced-sputum smear and MTD(®) Gen-probe testing

Summary Introduction In our institution, patients with suspected pulmonary TB undergo multiple induced-sputum sampling for microscopy, culture and nucleic acid amplification (NAA) with the MTD ® Gen-probe assay. Those with negative induced-sputum results still suspected with TB are then referred for bronchoscopy. We sought to determine the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy in these patients with negative initial induced-sputum results both via smear and NAA testing. Methods We identified 30 consecutive cases of suspected pulmonary TB between 2001 and 2007, who had undergone a diagnostic bronchoscopy after negative results on induced-sputum smears and the MTD ® Gen-probe on at least 2 samples. Results The cohort (M = 20 & F = 10) had a median age of 37 (range 16–85 yrs); were predominantly foreign born (27/30); HIV-negative (29/30) individuals with strongly positive TST's (mean 18 + 5 mm). Induced-sputum cultures were negative for M-TB in all patients after a full 60-day incubation period. BAL was culture positive for M-TB in 3/30 cases (10%) with 2 strains being pan-sensitive and the third being INH resistant. BAL microscopy with acid-fast smear ( n = 30) and BAL Gen-probe ( n = 23) were negative in all cases. A third of the patients (9/27, 33%) with negative bronchoscopy results were treated for culture negative TB. Treatment for latent TB was initiated in 5/27 (18%) individuals whereas 13/27 (48%) received no further treatment. Conclusion Bronchoscopy provided diagnostic confirmation of pulmonary TB in 10% of subjects at least 2 negative induced-sputum samples by smear microscopy and NAA testing.
Mathematical analysis of a proposed mechanism for oscillatory insulin secretion in perifused hit-15 cells

Oscillatory secretion of insulin has been observed in many different experimental preparations ranging from pancreatic islets to the whole pancreas. Here we examine the mathematical features underlying a possible model for oscillatory secretion from the perifused, insulin-secreting cell line, HIT-15. The model includes the kinetics of uptake of glucose by GLUT transporters, the rate of glucose metabolism within the cell, and the effect of glucose on the rate of insulin secretion. Putative feedback by insulin on the rate of glucose transport into the cells is treated phenomenologically and leads to insulin oscillations similar to those observed experimentally in HIT cells. The resulting set of ordinary differential equations is simplified by time-scale analysis to a two-variable set of ordinary differential equations. Because of this simplification we can explore, in great detail, the characteristics of the oscillations and their sensitivity to parameter variation using phase plane analysis.
Müllerian-inhibiting substance type II receptor expression and function in purified rat Leydig cells.

Mullerian-inhibiting substance (MIS), a gonadal hormone in the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, induces Mullerian duct involution during male sexual differentiation. Mice with null mutations of the MIS ligand or receptor develop Leydig cell hyperplasia and neoplasia in addition to retained Mullerian ducts, whereas MIS-overexpressing transgenic mice have decreased testosterone concentrations and Leydig cell numbers. We hypothesized that MIS directly modulates Leydig cell proliferation and differentiated function in the maturing testis. Therefore, highly purified rat Leydig and Sertoli cells were isolated to examine cell-specific expression, binding, and function of the MIS type II receptor. These studies revealed that this receptor is expressed abundantly in progenitor (21-day) and immature (35-day) Leydig cells as well as in Sertoli cells. Prepubertal progenitor Leydig cells exhibit high affinity (Kd = 15 nM), saturable binding of MIS. No binding, however, is detected with either peripubertal immature Leydig cells or Sertoli cells at either age. Moreover, progenitor, but not immature Leydig cells, respond to MIS by decreasing DNA synthesis. These data demonstrate that functional MIS type II receptors are expressed in progenitor Leydig cells and support the hypothesis that MIS has a direct role in the regulation of postnatal testicular development.
Gas chromatograph-combustion system for 14C-accelerator mass spectrometry.

A gas chromatograph-combustion (GC-C) system is described for the introduction of samples as CO2 gas into a 14C accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) system with a microwave-plasma gas ion source. Samples are injected into a gas chromatograph fitted with a megabore capillary column that uses H2 as the carrier gas. The gas stream from the outlet of the column is mixed with O2 and Ar gas and passed through a combustion furnace where the H2 carrier gas and separated components are quantitatively oxidized to CO2 and H2O. Water vapor is removed using a heated nafion dryer. The Ar carries the CO2 to the ion source. The system is able to separate and oxidize up to 10 μg of compound and transfer the products from 7.6 mL/min of H2 carrier gas into 0.2−1.0 mL/min of Ar carrier gas. Chromatographic performance and isotopic fidelity satisfy the requirements of the 14C-AMS system for natural abundance measurements. The system is a significant technical advance for GC-AMS and may be capable of providing an increase in se...
Projected Second Tumor Risk and Dose to Neurocognitive Structures After Proton Versus Photon Radiotherapy for Benign Meningioma

Purpose To calculated projected second tumor rates and dose to organs at risk (OAR) in patients with benign intracranial meningioma (BM), according to dosimetric comparisons between proton radiotherapy (PRT) and photon radiotherapy (XRT) treatment plans. Methods and Materials Ten patients with BM treated at Massachusetts General Hospital during 2006–2010 with PRT were replanned with XRT (intensity-modulated or three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy), optimizing dose to the tumor while sparing OAR. Total dose was 54 Gy in 1.8 Gy per fraction for all plans. We calculated equivalent uniform doses, normal tissue complication probabilities, and whole brain–based estimates of excess risk of radiation-associated intracranial second tumors. Results Excess risk of second tumors was significantly lower among PRT compared with XRT plans (1.3 vs. 2.8 per 10,000 patients per year, p p p = 0.004), hippocampi (left, 13.5 vs. 25.6 Gy, p p = 0.001), temporal lobes (left, 25.8 vs. 34.6 Gy, p = 0.007; right, 25.8 vs. 32.9 Gy, p = 0.008), pituitary gland (29.2 vs. 37.0 Gy, p = 0.047), optic nerves (left, 28.5 vs. 33.8 Gy, p = 0.04; right, 25.1 vs. 31.1 Gy, p = 0.07), and cochleas (left, 12.2 vs. 15.8 Gy, p = 0.39; right,1.5 vs. 8.8 Gy, p = 0.01). Mean normal tissue complication probability was Conclusions Compared with XRT, PRT for BM decreases the risk of RT-associated second tumors by half and delivers significantly lower doses to neurocognitive and critical structures of vision and hearing.
Mannose receptor is expressed in normal and dystrophic retinal pigment epithelium.

In normal retinas, the phagocytosis of shed photoreceptor outer segments is mediated in part through a mannose receptor protein located in the apical retinal pigment epithelium membrane. As dystrophic rats of the Royal College of Surgeons have a defect in which the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is unable to phagocytize the shed outer segments, it is hypothesized that mannose receptor expression will be lost with the progression of photoreceptor degeneration. Immunohistochemical and molecular techniques have been used to study the developmental expression of the mannose receptor in normal and dystrophic retinal pigment epithelium. By immunofluorescence, the mannose receptor is localized to the retinal pigment epithelium, apical membrane region, beginning around 5 days postnatally in both normal and dystrophic retinas. In immunoblots, bands at 175 kDa are labelled by an anti-mannose receptor antibody in apical membrane samples from both normal and dystrophic RPE at all developmental times sampled. RT-PCR analysis reveals that mannose receptor message is present in normal and dystrophic RPE samples at all developmental time points examined. The present study demonstrates that the expression of the mannose receptor begins prior to outer segment differentiation and the initiation of phagocytosis in both normal and dystrophic RPE. Expression of the mannose receptor continues to be unchanged during the progression of photoreceptor degeneration in the dystrophic retina.
Targeting mitochondria as a therapeutic target in cancer.

Knowledge of re-programming in cancer cells with metabolic differences from their normal counterparts has resulted in new examination of therapeutic approaches. Several studies of the role of tumor mitochondria in cancer have led to the development of non-genotoxic therapies which target mitochondrial proteins, function. The now well-established functions of mitochondria in apoptosis provide novel targets for tumor cell suicide. Mitochondria serve as a central hub for responses to cellular stress as well as injury. The alterations in cancer cells which result in protection from apoptosis can be targeted to inhibit proliferation. Because of the reprogramming of cancer cell metabolism involving increased glycolysis, it appears that blocking InsP3R Ca2+ release or adaptive pathways in response to hypoxia by targeting HIF-1 or metabolic enzymes encoded by the HIF-1 gene represents a feasible therapeutic approach to cancer. A very early in vitro event found in tumor cells following resveratrol addition is an increase in intracellular Ca2+, measurable within seconds. Ca2+ release is also observed with non-toxic flavonoids and a goal to identify the sentinel targets of resveratrol as a model compound involved in calcium activation seems worthwhile. New findings of the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis are discussed. The contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by mitochondria is also considered. New data as to how cyclophilins and VDAC are involved in mitochondrial hexokinase protection of factors that induce apoptosis are reviewed. In addition, chemotherapeutic approaches based on Akt-activated mTORC1 are described, and their relationship to the role of aerobic glycolysis in this protection. J. Cell. Physiol. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MBNL1-RNA Recognition: Contributions of MBNL1 Sequence and RNA Conformation

Muscleblind-like proteins (MBNL) are RNA-binding proteins that bind to the poly(CUG) and poly(CCUG) sequences that are the causative agents of myotonic dystrophy. It has been suggested that as a result of binding to the repeating RNA sequences, MBNL1 is abnormally expressed and translocated, which leads to many of the misregulated events in myotonic dystrophy. In this work, steady-state fluorescence quenching experiments suggest that MBNL1 alters the structure of helical RNA targets upon binding, which may explain the selectivity of MBNL1 for less structured RNA sites. The removal of one pair of zinc fingers greatly impairs the binding affinity of MBNL1, which indicates that the two pairs of zinc fingers might possibly interact with RNA targets cooperatively. Alanine scanning mutagenesis results suggest that the binding energy may be distributed across the protein. Overall, the results presented here suggest that small molecules that stabilize the helical structure of poly(CUG) and poly(CCUG) RNAs will inhibit the formation of complexes with MBNL1.
Twinning in metastable FeNiC austenite during elevated temperature deformation

Abstract Twinning observed in an Fe15Ni0.8C metastable austenite (where the composition is in approximate weight per cent) deformed at temperatures greater than M d (the highest temperature at which martensite forms from strained austenite) provides an alternative mode of deformation, once slip becomes difficult because of dynamic strain aging caused by carbon-dislocation interaction. The twinning process is related to the presence of carbon in the high carbon FeNi alloy since similar alloys without carbon do not undergo twinning at elevated temperatures. A trend towards increased ductility is observed with increasing temperature beyond M d . This is explained as a result of dynamic softening provided by the twinning process which serves to counteract the negative effects of dynamic strain aging on ductility.
Designing Testsuites for Grammar-based Systems in Applications

In complex grammar-based systems, even small changes may have an unforeseeable impact on overall system performance. Regression testing of the system and its components becomes crucial for the grammar engineers developing the system. As part of this regression testing, the testsuites themselves must be designed to accurately assess coverage and progress and to help rapidly identify problems. We describe a system of passage-query pairs divided into three types of phenomenon-based test-suites (sanity, query, basic correct). These allow for rapid development and for specific coverage assessment. In addition, real-world testsuites allow for overall performance and coverage assessment. These testsuites are used in conjunction with the more traditional representation-based regression testsuites used by grammar engineers.
A Two-Dimensional Modeling Study of a Planar SOFC Using Actual Cell Testing Geometry and Operating Conditions

This paper reports a new electrochemical performance study performed on a planar SOFC cell. This study consists of a 2D model developed using a commercial software, namely Comsol Multiphysics. The model includes fluid dynamics, electrochemistry, electrical conduction, and diffusion physics. This model was built using the actual button cell testing geometry and using experimental data for validation purposes. The objective of this study is to understand the effects of the testing setup used on the cell performance and to recommend an improved design or geometry where the cell performance is independent of any flow maldistribution in both the air and fuel side of the SOFC cell. The air and fuel flow rates are studied to determine the effects on the cell performance. The effects of electrode porosities are studied together with the fuel and air flow rates. The distance from the SOFC cell to the discharge fuel feed tube and air chamber geometry are studied as well. The modeling results indicate that the SOFC electrochemical performance becomes independent of any flow maldistribution at relatively high flow rates for both fuel and air. Reduced electrode porosities play a role in the cell performance, and larger flow rates are required in order to achieve a cell performance independent of flow rates. The cell performance is also affected by the distance from the SOFC cell to the fuel discharge tube and the air chamber geometry. The behavior seen in the cell performance can be explained by a non-uniform mole fraction of reactants near the electrode surface.
Academic Calendar Change Impact on Enrollment Patterns and Instructional Outcomes.

A study of 10 universities in two states was completed to determine the impact of a change from the quarter to the semester calendar on enrollment patterns and instructional outcomes. A decrease in average student credit hour load and an increase in the percentage of students withdrawing from courses were observed after institutions changed to the semester calendar system.
Pulsed laser performance at 1.06 μm from Nd:SGGM

A single Xe gas filled flash lamp has been used to pump a Nd-doped SGGM rod 5 mm in diameter and 80 mm in length. Laser emission has been observed at 1.06 μm in the free running mode of operation in the input energy range of 1–25 J. The laser performance has been evaluated using two different diffuse/filter combinations to block the ultraviolet radiation from the Xe lamp and the results have been compared. The intrinsic slope efficiency was determined to be approximately 1.5% with an 80% output coupler and a spectralon diffuser.
Anomalous bias dependence in magnetic tunnel junctions based on half-metallic CrO2 with heteroepitaxial SnO2 tunnel barrier

We report on the anomalous bias dependence of tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) in (CrO2/SnO2/Co)-based magnetic tunnel junctions as a function of barrier thickness. For a relatively thin SnO2 barrier, the TMR is asymmetric and exhibits sign reversal at a specific bias voltage with varying thickness due to defect mediated resonant tunneling. On the other hand, diffusive transport dominates for sufficiently thick SnO2 barriers, and a diverging TMR is observed close to zero bias.