cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Murine Embryonic Stem (ES) cells inhibit human pancreatic carcinoma cell growth in vitro

Abstract Introduction. Embryonic stem cells demonstrate self-renewal and pluripotent properties. There is evidence that ES cells may inhibit somatic cell growth as well. Pancreatic carcinoma cells demonstrate relative resistance to various chemotherapeutic agents in vitro . We examine the potential inhibitory effect of ES cells on pancreatic carcinoma cells in vitro . Methods. Murine A129 enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) positive ES cells were co-cultured ±0.4μm filter with human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (BxPC3 and PANC-1). The cells were counted when the control dish reached 90% confluence by day 3 of coculture. Ligand for murine IL-8 receptor (mKC), INF-γ and TNF-α were measured on day 0, 1, and 3. Results. There was a 2.6- and 7.3-fold growth reduction for BxPC3 (1.3 × 10 6 versus 3.5 × 10 6 cells/ml) and PANC-1 (2.39 × 10 5 versus 2 × 10 6 cells/ml), respectively, P (Fig. 1) . There was no significant difference in mKC and INF-γ and TNF-α were not detected. Conclusion. Murine ES cells induce growth suppression in human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. Growth inhibition does not appear to be mediated by murine cytokines mKC, INF-γ, and TNF-α. The unique properties of ES cells may provide a novel approach for therapeutic options for the management of pancreatic cancer. Download full-size image Figure 1 . Growth inhibition in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines.
Desensitization kinetics of a K+ acetylcholine response in Aplysia.

Abstract We have studied the process of acetylcholine receptor desensitization on Aplysia medial pleural neurons under voltage clamp conditions. Acetylcholine, applied by microperfusion, elicits a biphasic response on these neurons, a rapid component which reverses polarity at about −60 mV and is Cl-dependent, and a slower component which reverses at about −85 mV and is K-dependent. Both components show desensitization, and the present study focuses on the K-dependent component, which could be isolated by maintaining membrane potential at the Cl equilibrium potential or by blocking the Cl component pharmacologically. K-dependent acetylcholine responses on these neurons varied in regard to time to peak of response and rate of desensitization. While the rising phase of the response was always fitted by a single exponential process, times to peak were divided somewhat arbitrarily into three broad groups of fast ( 6 s.) Desensitization of fast responses was best described by two exponential processes plus a constant, medium responses by a double exponential, and slow responses by single exponential plus a constant. The apparent dissociation constant of acetylcholine was 17.3 ± 1.6 μM. The best fit of responses for a given cell remained constant over a range of acetylcholine doses, but the kinetics of both fast and slow components accelerated with dose and depolarization. The fast component of desensitization was very temperature dependent. In neurons where it was present it was abolished by cooling, while in neurons with no fast component at room temperature it would appear with warming. The time constant of the fast component varied inversely with temperature. The time constant of the slow component was maximal at 22–24 °C, and fell on either side of this temperature. These results suggest that receptor desensitization for acetylcholine K responses is, like Na-dependent responses, composed of two independent processes. When responses to the acetylcholine agonists, carbachol and arecoline, were compared to those of acetylcholine on fast-type neurons, the times to peak varied in the order acetylcholine
Medial Column Procedures in the Correction of Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity

AAFD is a complex problem with a wide variety of treatment options. No single procedure or group of procedures can be applied to all patients with AAFD because of the variety of underlying etiology and grades of deformity. As the posture of the foot progresses into hindfoot valgus and forefoot abduction through attenuation of the medial structures of the foot, the medial column begins to change shape. The first ray elevates and the joints of the medial column may begin to collapse. Careful physical examination and review of weight-bearing radiographs determines which patients have an associated forefoot varus deformity that may require correction at the time of flatfoot reconstruction. Correction of an AAFD requires a combination of soft-tissue procedures to restore dynamic inversion power and bony procedures to correct the hindfoot and midfoot malalignments. If after these corrections forefoot varus deformity remains, the surgeon should consider use of a medial column procedure to recreate the “triangle of support” of the foot that Cotton described.5 If the elevation of the medial column is identified to be at the first NC or the first TMT joint, then the joint should be carefully examined for evidence of instability, hypermobility, or arthritic change. If none of these problems exist, then the surgeon can consider use of the joint-sparing Cotton medial cuneiform osteotomy to correct residual forefoot varus. However, if instability, hypermobility, or arthritic change is present, then the surgeon should consider use of an arthrodesis of the involved joint to correct residual forefoot varus. Either procedure provides a safe and predictable correction to the medial column as part of a comprehensive surgical correction of AAFD.
Fluorescence quenching competitive fluoroimmunoassay in microdroplets

The use of micro droplets as a medium for sensitive detection in fluorescence-based immunoassays has been explored in two contexts. The competitive immuno-reaction of a pesticide hapten, esfenvalerate, with its antibody was performed in micro droplets generated by a vibrating orifice aerosol generator system with a 10-micrometers diameter orifice. Fluorescence from Rhodamine 6G was excited by the second harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser and detected by a 1/8 m imaging spectrograph with a 512 X 512 thermoelectrically cooled, charged-coupled device (CCD) camera. The conjugate of esfenvalerate with rhodamine exhibited similar fluorescence to that of pure rhodamine 6G. When anti-esfenvalerate antibodies were added to the droplets, the fluorescence decreased due to quenching. When a sample of esfenvalerate was added to the droplets, esfenvalerate and esfenvalerate- rhodamine conjugate competed for binding with the anti- esfenvalerate antibody. The release of the conjugated rhodamine from the antigen-antibody complex allowed the fluorescence signal to recover. The assay in a picoliter droplet sample was shown to enable detection down to approximately 0.1 nM. Micro droplets also exhibit strong cavity-dependent optical behavior that gives rise to lasing action. Lasing from Rhodamine fluorescence was quenched by the addition of a second dye, oxonol, that absorbs in the spectral region where the Rh 6G fluorescence peaked. A very strong impact on the droplet resonances was observed, leading to the possible use of quenching as an assay for oxonol-labeled haptens.
Thermoelectric cooling for power electronics circuits: Small signal modeling and controller design

This paper discusses the modeling and application of Thermoelectric Cooling (TEC) in power electronics circuits, with the focus on the small signal modeling and controller design. In this paper, the small signal analysis based on a comprehensive thermoelectric model is carried out and the results show that, the whole system is a non-minimum-phase system and lack of damping to the disturbance in the control variable. A closed loop controller is designed to solve the stability issues and realize dynamic temperature control. To verify the effectiveness of derived small signal model and designed controller, an 8 kW prototype has been built and experimental results are presented in this paper.
Correlation of Marine Middle Tertiary Stages of California with Tropical Planktonic Zones: ABSTRACT

The Oligocene-Miocene boundary is equated with End_Page 467------------------------------ the Globigerinoides trilobus datum of the tropics; this is approximately equivalent to the base of the Saucesian Stage of California. In ascending order, the lower Miocene Catapsydrax dissimilis, C. stainforthi, and Globigerinatella insueta zones correlate with the Saucesian and basal Relizian Stages. Assemblages characterizing the Catapsydrax stainforthi zone have been identified in the upper part of the lower Saucesian Stage of Reliz Canyon, California. Further, Sphenolithus belemnos is a good index of the lower Miocene of tropical areas and of the Saucesian Stage of California. The orbuline datum of the tropics, which is in the uppermost part of the Globigerinatella insueta zone, is the base of the middle Miocene. This level appears to correspond to the base or the lower part of the Relizian Stage of California. In ascending order, the middle Miocene Turborotalia peripheroronda and Globorotalia peripheroacuta zones correlate with the Relizian Stage, and the Globorotalia praefohsi and Globorotalia fohsi zones correlate with the Luisian Stage. Sphenolithus heteromorphus occurs in the Relizian Stage and also in the Globigerinatella insueta and Turborotalia peripheroronda zones of the tropics. Discoaster kugleri is an index of the uppermost zone of the G. fohsi sequence and it is identified in the upper Luisian Stage of Newport Bay, California. Orbulines first a pear in the Luisian Stage in California. The Globorotalia menardii datum is the base of the upper Miocene in tropical areas, and it corresponds approximately to the Globigerina pachyderma datum of California or the base of the lower Mohnian. The dextral Globigerina pachyderma zone of the lower Mohnian contains Catinaster coalitus and Discoaster bollii, which are indices of the Turborotalia mayeri and Globorotalia menardii zones of the tropics. The sinistral Globigerina pachyderma zone of the upper Mohnian and basal Delmontian Stages represents the first major cool event in the middle Neogene; it correlates with the Turborotalia acostaensis (Globigerina bulloides) zone of tropical areas and with the sinistral G. pachyderma zone of the Messinian of Italy. The base of the Pliocene is marked by the appearance of Sphaeroidinella dehiscens" and by the change from sinistral to dextral populations of Neogloboquadrina dutertrei. End_of_Article - Last_Page 468------------
Understanding Diversity: The Importance of Social Acceptance

Two studies investigated how people define and perceive diversity in the historically majority-group dominated contexts of business and academia. We hypothesized that individuals construe diversity as both the numeric representation of racial minorities and the social acceptance of racial minorities within a group. In Study 1, undergraduates' (especially minorities') perceptions of campus diversity were predicted by perceived social acceptance on a college campus, above and beyond perceived minority representation. Study 2 showed that increases in a company's representation and social acceptance independently led to increases in perceived diversity of the company among Whites. Among non-Whites, representation and social acceptance only increased perceived diversity of the company when both qualities were high. Together these findings demonstrate the importance of both representation and social acceptance to the achievement of diversity in groups and that perceiver race influences the relative importance of these two components of diversity.
THE AMOCO CADIZ OIL SPILL. A SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS MADE BY U.S. SCIENTISTS 23 MARCH-10 MAY, 1978

Abstract This paper summarizes briefly the observations made by a team of United States scientists during the two months immediately after the grounding of the Amoco Cadiz. Most of the information has been abstracted from the NOAA/EPA preliminary scientific report (Hess, 1978) which provides a more complete account of objectives and results to date. It is hoped that maximum use may be derived from a study of the effects of the spill.
Neural networks for prediction of acoustical properties of polyurethane foams

Abstract This paper presents a study of neural networks for prediction of acoustical properties of polyurethane foams. The proposed neural network model of the foam uses easily measured parameters such as frequency, airflow resistivity and density to predict multiple acoustical properties including the sound absorption coefficient and the surface impedance. Such a model is quite robust in the sense that it can be used to develop models for many different classes of materials with different sets of input and output parameters. The current neural network model of the foam is empirical and provides a useful complement to the existing analytical and numerical approaches.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty treatment of steroid-induced osteoporotic compression fractures

This report describes the case of a woman in whom multiple compression fractures of the lower thoracic and lumbar spine occurred in association with long-term corticosteroid therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus. Pain markedly limited the patient's mobility and daily activities, and conservative therapy with bracing and narcotic analgesics gave little improvement. Affected vertebrae were treated with polymethylmethacrylate, introduced percutaneously under fluoroscopic guidance. The resulting reinforcement of the fractured vertebral bodies eliminated the pain and the need for narcotic analgesics. The utilization of percutaneous verterbroplasty as a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of pain resulting from osteoporotic compression fractures is described.
Truths, Half-Truths, and Deception: Perceived Social Responsibility and Intent to Donate for a Nonprofit Using Implicature, Truth, and Duplicity in Print Advertising

The differences in emotional response to the ad, overall attitude toward the ad, perceived social responsibility of the sponsor, and intent to donate are tested across four types of public service announcement (PSA) print advertisements sponsored by a nonprofit (MADD; Mothers Against Drunk Driving). The four treatments for anti-drunk driving advertisements include employing truth in advertising, implicature, actor portrayal disclosure, and deceptive (withholding information) advertising. We find that the use of real victims in print ad PSAs garners the strongest emotional response, the most positive attitude toward the advertisement, the strongest perceived social responsibility, and the highest proclivity to donate to the nonprofit. Conversely, the use of deceptive advertising is not significantly different from using an actor portrayal disclosure as regards perceived social responsibility and emotional response to the ad. Our findings suggest that the use of real victims in PSAs demonstrates socially re...
Investigation of nonlinear modeling for active antenna design

Summary form only given. Active antennas, such as active metamaterial antennas, reconfigurable antennas and non-foster antennas, have received increasing attention over the last several years. One of the most important factors influencing the performance of active antennas is the nonlinear behaviors generated from the incorporated active devices including diodes, transistors and switches. Therefore, it would be invaluable to develop an effective and practical method to accurately model and analyze the nonlinear behaviors of these active radiators. In this work, a hybrid EM-circuit simulation method with Ansoft designer and HFSS are used in the nonlinear analysis. The discussion will be focused on the power capacity, harmonic radiations, and efficiency of active antennas. Two types of active antennas are taken as examples to discuss the method of nonlinearity analysis. One example is an active metamaterial antenna design. The idea of the design is indicated in the previous work in (K. Chang, Q. Tang, H. Xin, “Balanced and symmetric design of active composite right/ left-handed transmission line with gain,” in 2012 IEEE/MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest, p.1-3). The active metamaterial antenna consists of a passive metamaterial antenna and a built-in tunneling diode for improving the efficiency. A large-signal circuit model of tunnel diode is used in the analysis. A harmonic balance simulation is conducted to analyze the harmonic radiations. The second example is the non-foster monopole design. A typical Linvill's NIC circuit is applied for matching a 0.5 meter monopole working from 30MHz to 80MHz. The power efficiency and capacity of the non-foster antenna is analyzed. The results demonstrate a better understanding of nonlinear behavior of active antennas. The radiation efficiency, power capacity and harmonics radiation can be analyzed by using such method.
Analysis of endoscopic appearance and a re-staging endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) after neo-adjuvant therapy in the management of esophageal cancer (EC)

Analysis of endoscopic appearance and a re-staging endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) after neo-adjuvant therapy in the management of esophageal cancer (EC)
mTOR Inhibition and Diet Induced Obesity in a Mouse Model of Postmenopausal Breast Cancer.

Background:Breast cancer is the most common type of noncutaneous cancer among white women. It is more frequently diagnosed after menopause, and the majority of cases are estrogen receptor positive (ER+). Obesity is associated with poor prognosis, increasing risk by 50% in post-menopausal women, and correlates with shorter disease-free and overall survival. Unfortunately, the mechanism underlying the poorer outcomes in obese breast cancer patients is not known. The majority of ER+ tumors present with genomic ER activity; however, nongenomic ER activity can also occur, resulting in interaction with growth factor (GF) receptors.In the obese state nongenomic activity may be especially enhanced, promoting ER and GF signaling crosstalk, breast tumor cell growth and survival. Since Akt/mTOR signaling has been implicated in breast cancer, and obesity (through activation of GF signaling pathways) can activate this pathway, we hypothesized that the enhancement of tumor growth in response to obesity can be offset by mTOR inhibition. To test this we used a mouse model of postmenopausal breast cancer and investigated the effects of obesity (relative to lean and overweight phenotypes) with and without pharmacologic mTOR inhibition by RAD001.Methods:Ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice were randomized to diet regimens that induce either a lean, control (overweight), or a diet-induced obesity (DIO) phenotype. After 17 weeks on the diets, DIO mice were switched to the control diet and acclimated for 3 weeks. To determine diet-induced changes in adiposity, quantitative magnetic resonance (qMR) was performed at wk 18. At wk 21 mice were injected with syngeneic MMTV-Wnt-1 mammary tumor cells in the 4th mammary fat pad. Two weeks after tumor injection, the mice received RAD001 (10 mg/kg) or vehicle by oral gavage twice a week for 6 weeks.Tumor growth was measured weekly.Results:At week 17, mice in the DIO group were significantly heavier (42.8 g) than control (34.5 g) and lean mice (24.6 g) (p Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 5077.
What strategies are used to build practitioners’ capacity to implement community-based interventions and are they effective?: a systematic review

Numerous agencies are providing training, technical assistance, and other support to build community-based practitioners’ capacity to adopt and implement evidence-based prevention interventions. Yet, little is known about how best to design capacity-building interventions to optimize their effectiveness. Wandersman et al. (Am J Community Psychol.50:445–59, 2102) proposed the Evidence-Based System of Innovation Support (EBSIS) as a framework to guide research and thereby strengthen the evidence base for building practitioners’ capacity. The purpose of this review was to contribute to further development of the EBSIS by systematically reviewing empirical studies of capacity-building interventions to identify (1) the range of strategies used, (2) variations in the way they were structured, and (3) evidence for their effectiveness at increasing practitioners’ capacity to use evidence-based prevention interventions. PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched for English-language articles reporting findings of empirical studies of capacity-building interventions that were published between January 2000 and January 2014 and were intended to increase use of evidence-based prevention interventions in non-clinical settings. To maximize review data, studies were not excluded a priori based on design or methodological quality. Using the EBSIS as a guide, two researchers independently extracted data from included studies. Vote counting and meta-summary methods were used to summarize findings. The review included 42 publications reporting findings from 29 studies. In addition to confirming the strategies and structures described in the EBSIS, the review identified two new strategies and two variations in structure. Capacity-building interventions were found to be effective at increasing practitioners’ adoption (n = 10 of 12 studies) and implementation (n = 9 of 10 studies) of evidence-based interventions. Findings were mixed for interventions’ effects on practitioners’ capacity or intervention planning behaviors. Both the type and structure of capacity-building strategies may have influenced effectiveness. The review also identified contextual factors that may require variations in the ways capacity-building interventions are designed. Based on review findings, refinements are suggested to the EBSIS. The refined framework moves the field towards a more comprehensive and standardized approach to conceptualizing the types and structures of capacity-building strategies. This standardization will assist with synthesizing findings across studies and guide capacity-building practice and research.
Acute Respiratory Failure Associated with Cryptococcosis in Patients with AIDS: Analysis of Predictive Factors

The incidence of acute respiratory failure (ARF) associated with cryptococcal disease in patients with AIDS is underestimated in the literature. We performed a retrospective, case-control (referent) study to determine the prevalence of ARF associated with cryptococcal disease and analyzed associated factors. Potential cases of ARF were identified at four university-affiliated teaching hospitals from a cohort of 210 patients with AIDS who had positive cryptococcal antigen tests and/or Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from any body site. Twenty-nine of the 210 (13.8%) had ARF associated with cryptococcal disease. Nineteen were thought to have respiratory failure due solely to C. neoformans. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment, and outcome data of 19 cases of respiratory failure were compared with data for 20 patients without respiratory failure. In-hospital mortality was 100% and median survival was 2 days for cases, vs. 25% and > 365 days, respectively, for referents. The clinical presentation was identical to that of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. In multivariate analysis, variables independently predictive of ARF in patients with cryptococcal disease were black race, a lactate dehydrogenase level of > or = 500 IU/L, the presence of interstitial infiltrates, and the presence of cutaneous lesions. ARF with cryptococcosis in patients with AIDS is associated with disseminated disease and high mortality. The diagnosis frequently is not considered before death. Serum cryptococcal antigen testing is a sensitive and rapid screening method.
The beam dynamics study in a compact synchrotron

A computer code has been developed for compact synchrotron design. Based on a numerical integration of the exact equations of motion, a systematic beam dynamics study is carried out, with either computed or measured magnet field including magnet edges. Significant discrepancies of machine parameters reveal some unique features of the beam dynamics in small synchrotrons. Interactive procedures between the beam dynamics predictions on the one hand and the magnet design on the other are then explored so that a cost-effective design can be achieved with minimum effort. >
Naturalistic observations of newborns: effects of maternal alcohol intake.

This article deals with the question of whether offspring of social drinkers would show, to a lesser degree, some of the behavioral characteristics of infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. Another question concerned individual differences in "temperament."
Predictors of pain intensity and pain functioning in patients with the hepatitis C virus

Abstract Objective To examine the relationships among biological and psychological variables with pain intensity and pain functioning in patients with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods Participants were 49 patients with HCV who completed well-validated assessments of pain intensity and pain functioning. Participants also completed measures of psychological functioning, and medical records were reviewed. Results Thirty-three (67.3%) of 49 participants had a current diagnosis for a pain-related condition. Regression analyses were conducted to examine variables associated with pain intensity and pain functioning. The psychosocial variables, particularly depression severity, accounted for an additional 21% of the variance in average pain intensity ( P =.002) and 33% of the variance in pain functioning ( P Conclusion These results provide preliminary support for the role of biological and psychological factors in the development and exacerbation of pain in HCV patients. Future studies should include a more comprehensive assessment of pain-related factors and examine their associations with additional disease-related and biological variables. Developing a better understanding of the factors associated with pain in HCV patients will help to inform future interventions for chronic pain in this patient population.
A Boy Unable to Move His Arm

An 11-year-old boy presented with inability to move his right arm, back and neck pain, and fever. He has a history of recurrent vesicular rash on his face three times over the past two years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed diffuse expansile cervical cord, leading to a diagnosis of transverse myelitis. After 3 days of intravenous solumedrol, the patient was discharged, but returned the following day with a vesicular rash to the right arm, as well as vomiting, malaise and diffuse pruritus.Wright-Giemsa stain of the vesicles revealed herpes group virus and culture was positive for herpes simplex type 1.
Shock Wave Therapy for Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis of the Elbow A One- to Two-Year Follow-up Study

BackgroundThe results of both nonoperative and surgical treatments for lateral epicondylitis of the elbow have been inconsistent. Shock wave therapy has been shown to have a favorable short-term effect in treating this condition.HypothesisShock wave therapy is an effective treatment for patients with lateral epicondylitis of the elbow and long-term results will be as favorable as short-term ones.Study DesignCase series.MethodsThe effect of shock wave therapy was investigated in 57 patients with lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. Forty-three patients (24 men and 19 women with an average age of 46 years) with 1 to 2 years of follow-up were included in this study. In addition, six patients were treated with a sham procedure as a control group. Each patient was treated with 1000 impulses of shock wave therapy at 14 kV to the affected elbow. A 100-point scoring system was used for evaluating pain, function, strength, and elbow range of motion.ResultsTwenty-seven elbows (61.4%) were free of complaints, 13 (29....
A Study On High Coercivity And Lio Ordered Phase In Copt And Fept Thin Films

This study relates the microstructure of equiatomic binary alloys of CoPt and FePt with their room-temperature hysteretic magnetic properties, particularly their high coercivity. A transformation from an atomically disordered, face-centered-cubic structure to the Li0 ordered structure occurred during post-deposition annealing and was characterized using digital analysis of dark-field transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. The transformation was observed to follow first-order nucleation and growth kinetics, and the ordered volume fraction transformed was quantified at numerous points during the transformation. The ordered volume fraction was then compared to the magnetic coercivity data obtained from a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Although the relationship most commonly described in the literature is that the highest coercivity corresponds to a two phase ordered/disordered mixture, the maximum value for coercivity in this study was found to correspond to the fully ordered state. Furthermore, in samples that were less than fully ordered, a direct relationship between ordered volume fraction and coercivity was observed. The proposed mechanism for the high coercivity in these films is an increasing density of magnetic domain wall pinning sites concurrent with an increasing fraction of ordered phase.
Pearls & oy-sters: the use of CT venography in Hirayama disease.

An 18-year-old, left-handed North Indian man presented with a 2-year history of wasting and weakness …
Bichromatic local oscillator for detection of two-mode squeezed states of light

We present a new technique for the detection of two-mode squeezed states of light that allows for a simple characterization of these quantum states even for arbitrary frequency separation between the modes. The proposed technique is based on the use of a bichromatic field as the local oscillator in a balanced heterodyne measurement scheme. By the proper selection of the frequencies of the bichromatic field, it is possible to arbitrarily select the frequency around which the squeezing information is located, thus making it possible to use a low-bandwidth detection system and to move away from any excess noise present in the system.
Greater intake of Western fast food among Singaporean adults is associated with increased risk of diabetes and heart-disease-related death

Commentary on: Odegaard AO, Koh WP, Yuan JM, et al . Western-style fast food intake and cardiometabolic risk in an eastern country. Circulation 2012;126:182–8.[OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] Consumption of fast food has increased over recent decades, accounting for as much as 40% of daily energy among certain subgroups of the US population,1 which is typically higher in total energy, saturated fats, sodium, carbohydrates and added sugars,2 ,3 and have been adversely associated with numerous health outcomes including obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.4 , … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DCirculation%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1161%252FCIRCULATIONAHA.111.084004%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F22753304%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=circulationaha&resid=126/2/182&atom=%2Febnurs%2F16%2F1%2F25.atom
RNA–Aminoglycoside Interactions: Design, Synthesis, and Binding of “Amino‐aminoglycosides” to RNA

The critical role of electrostatic interactions in the binding of aminoglycoside antibiotics to RNA is demonstrated by replacing the OH group, for example in kanamycin A (1), by NH2. Derivative 2 inhibits a hammerhead ribosyme much more strongly than 1. It is proposed that the three-dimensional arrangement of the protonated NH2 groups determines the binding strength of the aminoglycosides.
Radiation-induced hypoxia may perpetuate late normal tissue injury

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not hypoxia develops in rat lung tissue after radiation. Methods and Materials: Fisher-344 rats were irradiated to the right hemithorax using a single dose of 28 Gy. Pulmonary function was assessed by measuring the changes in respiratory rate every 2 weeks, for 6 months after irradiation. The hypoxia marker was administered 3 h before euthanasia. The tissues were harvested at 6 weeks and 6 months after irradiation and processed for immunohistochemistry. Results: A moderate hypoxia was detected in the rat lungs at 6 weeks after irradiation, before the onset of functional or histopathologic changes. The more severe hypoxia, that developed at the later time points (6 months) after irradiation, was associated with a significant increase in macrophage activity, collagen deposition, lung fibrosis, and elevation in the respiratory rate. Immunohistochemistry studies revealed an increase in TGF-β, VEGF, and CD-31 endothelial cell marker, suggesting a hypoxia-mediated activation of the profibrinogenic and proangiogenic pathways. Conclusion: A new paradigm of radiation-induced lung injury should consider postradiation hypoxia to be an important contributing factor mediating a continuous production of a number of inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines.
Contact wrench space stability estimation for humanoid robots

To execute ladder climbing motions effectively, a humanoid robot requires a reliable estimate of stability. Traditional methods such as Zero Moment Point are not applicable to vertical climbing, and do not account for force limits imposed on end effectors. This paper implements a simple contact wrench space method using a linear combination of contact wrenches. Experiments in simulation showed ZMP equivalence on flat ground. Furthermore, the estimator was able to predict stability with four point contact on a vertical ladder. Finally, an extension of the presented method is proposed based on these findings to address the limitations of the linear combination.
Market research to recruit graduate students in dietetics

Abstract In this study we conducted market research to develop a recruitment plan for the master's degree program in nutrition and dietetics at Louisiana Tech University. When individualized experience routes to dietetics registration were eliminated by The American Dietetic Association's Standards of Education in 1988, graduate student enrollment could not be predicted. The steps of the Baron graduate recruitment model were followed to develop and implement a recruitment plan for the master's degree program in nutrition and dietetics. The steps included (a) assessment, (b) developing recruitment and enrollment objectives, (c) developing a recruitment plan and recruitment strategies to meet the objectives, (d) implementing a recruitment program, and (e) monitoring and evaluating the recruitment program. The assessment step involved institutional, student, competitive, and job market analyses. Written questionnaires, telephone surveys, and focus group interviews completed the student analysis. Of the 92 respondents surveyed, 42 were interested in taking graduate classes. Career advancement, specialization, and personal growth were cited as reasons to pursue graduate study. The Baron model provided a useful guide for developing and implementing the graduate recruitment plan.
Phosphatases reverse p53-mediated cell cycle checkpoints

The Cancer Genome Atlas and other large-scale cancer genome sequencing projects have identified an impressive number of significantly mutated genes that are likely drivers of cancer progression (1). These studies have definitively confirmed that the gene encoding the p53 tumor suppressor is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancers. A major component of the p53 anticancer response is its ability to arrest cell division at different stages of the cell cycle. In PNAS, a study by Shaltiel et al. provides additional insights into the mechanisms of reversal of the p53-mediated cell cycle arrest (2). Such insights may provide new cancer therapeutic opportunities.
Chemical probes for molecular imaging and detection of hydrogen sulfide and reactive sulfur species in biological systems

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gaseous species produced by both bacteria and higher eukaryotic organisms, including mammalian vertebrates, has attracted attention in recent years for its contributions to human health and disease. H2S has been proposed as a cytoprotectant and gasotransmitter in many tissue types, including mediating vascular tone in blood vessels as well as neuromodulation in the brain. The molecular mechanisms dictating how H2S affects cellular signaling and other physiological events remain insufficiently understood. Furthermore, the involvement of H2S in metal-binding interactions and formation of related RSS such as sulfane sulfur may contribute to other distinct signaling pathways. Owing to its widespread biological roles and unique chemical properties, H2S is an appealing target for chemical biology approaches to elucidate its production, trafficking, and downstream function. In this context, reaction-based fluorescent probes offer a versatile set of screening tools to visualize H2S pools in living systems. Three main strategies used in molecular probe development for H2S detection include azide and nitro group reduction, nucleophilic attack, and CuS precipitation. Each of these approaches exploits the strong nucleophilicity and reducing potency of H2S to achieve selectivity over other biothiols. In addition, a variety of methods have been developed for the detection of other reactive sulfur species (RSS), including sulfite and bisulfite, as well as sulfane sulfur species and related modifications such as S-nitrosothiols. Access to this growing chemical toolbox of new molecular probes for H2S and related RSS sets the stage for applying these developing technologies to probe reactive sulfur biology in living systems.
A test of the stress-buffering model of social support in smoking cessation: is the relationship between social support and time to relapse mediated by reduced withdrawal symptoms?

Introduction Social support has been linked to quitting smoking, but the mechanisms by which social support affects cessation are poorly understood. The current study tested a stress-buffering model of social support, which posits that social support protects or "buffers" individuals from stress related to quitting smoking. We hypothesized that social support would be negatively associated with risk of relapse, and that this effect would be mediated by reduced withdrawal and depressive symptoms (i.e., cessation-related stress) over time. Further, we predicted that trait neuroticism would moderate this mediational effect, such that individuals high in negative affectivity would show the greatest stress-buffering effects of social support. Methods Participants were weight-concerned women (n = 349) ages 18-65 enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled smoking cessation trial of bupropion and cognitive behavioral therapy. Social support was assessed at baseline, and biochemically-verified abstinence, withdrawal-related symptoms, and depressive symptoms were assessed at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up. Results Social support was negatively related to risk of relapse in survival models and negatively related to withdrawal symptoms and depression in mixed effects models. These relationships held after controlling for the effects of pre-quit day negative affect and depression symptoms, assignment to treatment condition, and number of cigarettes smoked per day. A temporal mediation model showed that the effect of social support on risk of relapse was mediated by reductions in withdrawal symptoms over time but not by depression over time. Contrary to hypotheses, we did not find that neuroticism moderated this mediation effect. Conclusions Increased social support may buffer women from the harmful effects of cessation-related withdrawal symptoms, which in turn improve cessation outcomes.
A flexible new technique for camera calibration

We propose a flexible technique to easily calibrate a camera. It only requires the camera to observe a planar pattern shown at a few (at least two) different orientations. Either the camera or the planar pattern can be freely moved. The motion need not be known. Radial lens distortion is modeled. The proposed procedure consists of a closed-form solution, followed by a nonlinear refinement based on the maximum likelihood criterion. Both computer simulation and real data have been used to test the proposed technique and very good results have been obtained. Compared with classical techniques which use expensive equipment such as two or three orthogonal planes, the proposed technique is easy to use and flexible. It advances 3D computer vision one more step from laboratory environments to real world use.
Task-Oriented Queueing: An Analysis Tool for Software Design of Communication Processing Systems

Jobs associated with messages arriving to a communication processing system (CPS) can be described as ordered sets of prioritized tasks, where each task represents the execution of some part of the system's software. The service system of the CPS consists of a collection of queues, one for each distinct priority, serviced by a single server under a preemptive resume discipline. The routing of the job through this collection of queues is defined by a job's priority vector which specifies the priority at which each task in the job is to execute. For example, if a two-task job's priority vector is (3, 2), then the job first joins the priority 3 queue, obtains service for the first task, then joins the priority 2 queue. In a previous paper, the author and a colleague described a method through which average delays in such task-oriented processing systems could be computed for the special case in which all jobs have identical structure. This paper presents a substantially simplified version of the analysis methodology presented previously and extends that work to the case of a finite number of job classes, each job class having a finite number of tasks.
Flapjax: a programming language for Ajax applications

This paper presents Flapjax, a language designed for contemporary Web applications. These applications communicate with servers and have rich, interactive interfaces. Flapjax provides two key features that simplify writing these applications. First, it provides event streams, a uniform abstraction for communication within a program as well as with external Web services. Second, the language itself is reactive: it automatically tracks data dependencies and propagates updates along those dataflows. This allows developers to write reactive interfaces in a declarative and compositional style.Flapjax is built on top of JavaScript. It runs on unmodified browsers and readily interoperates with existing JavaScript code. It is usable as either a programming language (that is compiled to JavaScript) or as a JavaScript library, and is designed for both uses. This paper presents the language, its design decisions, and illustrative examples drawn from several working Flapjax applications.
Role of the EGF receptor pathway in growth and patterning of the Drosophila wing through the regulation of vestigial

Growth and patterning of the Drosophila wing disc depends on the coordinated expression of the key regulatory gene vestigial both in the Dorsal-Ventral (D/V) boundary cells and in the wing pouch. We propose that a short-range signal originating from the core of the D/V boundary cells is responsible for activating EGFR in a zone of organizing cells on the edges of the D/V boundary. Using loss-of-function mutations and ectopic expression studies, we show that EGFR signaling is essential for vestigial transcription in these cells and for making them competent to undergo subsequent vestigial-mediated proliferation within the wing pouch.
America's International Human Rights Policy: The Corporate Lobby

Only a few decades ago, companies rarely sought to influence America‘s human rights policies — and by extension, international human rights institutions — around the globe. Today, publicly traded companies are responsible for 65 percent of all lobbying dollars on America‘s human rights legislation, and proportionate to other interest groups they spend more on this issue than on most other foreign policies. This article explains variation in corporate lobbying on human rights. Drawing upon a unique dataset that details congressional lobbying activity from 2007-2010, we develop a theory to explain why there is now a clear hierarchy to spending on human rights, including on bills that affect the functioning of international institutions to protect human rights. We argue that it is firms predominantly in manufacturing sectors with strong economic ties to human rights abusing countries that are most active. Many of these firms have economic interests that are at odds with what might be considered humanitarian aspirations. They represent a narrow, conservative-leaning range of ideological perspectives that do not mirror the preferences of the American public or of most other interest groups.
MODELING CARBON ACCUMULATION IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FENS

Abstract Despite the importance of peatlands in the global carbon cycle, no widely applicable ecosystem model exists for peatlands. Simulations of three montane fens in Colorado, USA were conducted to test the capabilities of the CENTURY ecosystem model to simulate 1) long-term carbon accumulation and 2) short-term changes in carbon accumulation due to hydrologic changes. The CENTURY model was calibrated to simulate long-term carbon accumulation in two fens for up to 10,000 years by adjusting three variables that represent anaerobic soil conditions. CENTURY was unable to simulate long-term carbon accumulation in a third fen using settings for the two calibrated fens. However, CENTURY correctly simulated total carbon storage by adjusting two of the three anaerobic variables. A sensitivity analysis revealed that carbon accumulation in CENTURY is highly sensitive to anaerobic soil conditions. CENTURY predicted that half of the fen peat is composed of structural root material. The majority of the remaining pe...
The Effects of Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue Consumption on Diet Utilization and Thermal Regulation in Cattle'

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of endophyte fungus (Acremo- nium coenophialum) ingestion in tall fescue diets and environmental temperature on heat dissipation and diet utilization by cattle. In Exp. 1, 12 Angus heifers (average weight 244 kg) were allotted by weight to either an endophyte-free (E -1 or endophyte-infected (E+; 381 ppb of ergovaline) diet. Environmental temperature varied between 22 and 32°C. Voluntary DM and water intakes were similar (P > .lo) among treatments. Rectal temperatures and concentrations of prolactin in plasma were lower (P < .05) after ingestion of the E+ diet. Plasma triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and cortisol concentrations were not af- fected by diet. In Exp. 2, 24 Holstein steers (average weight 114 kg) were allotted by weight to either E- or E+ (285 ppb of ergovaline) and one of two environ- mental temperatures (22 or 32°C). At 32"C, feed intake was reduced by 22%, and water consumption was increased by 62% compared with steers housed at 22°C. Consumption of E+ reduced feed intake by 10% but did not influence water consumption. Plasma concentration of prolactin was decreased (P < .05) within 48 h after consumption of E+. Rectal tempera- tures increased in response to both environmental temperature (P < .05) and E+ consumption (P = .06). Digestibilities of DM and OM for E+ were 9% lower (P < .05) than for E-. An interaction between diet and temperature (P < .05) revealed that steers fed E- at 32°C had greater skin vaporization, but steers that consumed E+ did not increase vaporization; values were similar to steers housed at 22°C. These results suggest that consumption of E+ at elevated tempera- tures decreased the ability of cattle to remove excess body heat through surface vaporization.