cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Poor survival for veterans with pathologic stage I non–small-cell lung cancer

Abstract Background Pathologic stage (pStage) IA and IB non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a median survival time of 119 and 81 months, respectively. We describe the outcomes of veterans with pStage I NSCLC. Methods A retrospective review of 78 patients with pStage I NSCLC who underwent cancer resection was performed at the Tennessee Valley Veterans Affairs Hospital between 2005 and 2010. All-cause 30-day, 90-day, and overall mortality were determined. Survival was assessed with the Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards methods. Results There were 55 (71%) pStage IA and 23 (29%) IB patients. Thirty- and 90-day mortality was 3.8% (3 of 78) and 6.4% (5 of 78), respectively. Median survival was 59 and 28 months for pStage 1A and 1B, respectively. Postoperative events were associated with impaired survival on multivariable analysis (hazard ratio, 1.26, P = .03). Conclusions Veterans with pStage I NSCLC at our institution have poorer survival than the general population. More research is needed to determine the etiology of this disparity.
Sublimation study of triphenyl aluminum

Abstract The sublimation pressures of triphenyl aluminum Al(C6H5)3 in the temperature range 432 to 477 K have been determined from simultaneous measurements of the rate of mass effusion and the torsional recoil. The measured vapor pressures expressed by the equations: log 10 ( P K p o ) = (14.66±0.48)−(9.015±0.217) × 10 3 ( K T ) log 10 ( P τ p o ) = (14.58±0.68)−(8.950±0.311) × 10 3 ( K T ), where pK and pτ are the pressures measured by the Knudsen-effusion and torsional-recoil techniques, respectively, and po = 101.325 kPa, confirm that triphenyl aluminum is a monomer in the vapor phase in the temperature range of the measurements. The standard molar enthalpy and entropy changes for the sublimation process: 1 2 { Al(C 6 H 5 ) 3 } 2 (cr, 455 K) = Al(C 6 H 5 ) 3 (g, 455 K) , are ΔsubHmo = (172 ± 5) KJ·mol−1 and ΔsubSmo = (280 ± 7) J·K−1·mol−1. The standard molar enthalpies and entropies, of sublimation of triphenyl aluminum monomer: Al(C6H5)3(cr) = Al(C6H5)3(g), and of dissociation of the solid dimer: {Al(C6H5)3}2(cr) = 2Al(C6H5)3(cr), are estimated.
Testicular-sparing surgery: a reasonable option in selected patients with testicular lesions.

OBJECTIVE To describe our experience of inguinal exploration in patients who had a reasonable chance of having a benign testicular lesion. PATIENTS AND METHODS From 1995 to 2002, 11 patients (mean age 43 years, range 27-63) with testicular masses that were suspected to be benign underwent inguinal exploration. RESULTS In nine of the 11 patients, frozen-section analysis and the final pathological results were similar, and two underwent inguinal orchidectomy. In seven patients the testicle was spared. Finally, because of an uncertain pathological diagnosis and patient age, two patients underwent orchidectomy. CONCLUSIONS Inguinal exploration and testicular-sparing surgery are reasonable options in patients with peripheral intratesticular lesions, on the basis of preoperative ultrasonographic characteristics, and if there is a possibility of the mass being benign because of age, race, physical examination and tumour markers.
Self, Emotions, and Extreme Violence: Extending Symbolic Interactionist Theorizing

Extreme violence revolves around actions of individuals who are emotionally aroused and willing to kill themselves, if need be, to inflict harm on enemies. Terrorism, gangbanging, and genocide are conspicuous examples of extreme violence. This violence is ultimately driven by repressed negative emotions about self that are transmuted into variants of anger and combinations of anger with satisfaction-happiness to produce emotions such as hatred, righteous anger, and vengeance. This theory combines symbolic interactionism’s emphasis on identity and self with key ideas from gestalt theories, psychoanalytic theories, and interaction ritual theory as well as data from primatology, evolutionary biology, and neurology. I explain extreme violence as the outcome of several converging forces: the neurological capacity for humans as evolved apes to experience and express a large palate of high-intensity emotions, the experience of shame in key institutional spheres, the repression of shame (and, at times, guilt and alienation as well as other highly charged negative emotions), the intensification and transmutation of these repressed emotions into variants and elaborations of anger, the making of external attributions blaming external targets for negative experiences, the portrayal of these targets in highly negative terms, and the charging up of positive emotions in interaction rituals directed at inflicting harm on external enemies.
Expression and regulation of antiviral protein APOBEC3G in human neuronal cells.

Abstract Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G) has recently been identified as a potent antiviral protein. Here, we examined the expression and regulation of APOBEC3G in human brain tissues and the cells of central nervous system (CNS). Similar to the immune cells, human brain tissue and the CNS cells expressed APOBEC3G at both mRNA and protein levels. The expression of APOBEC3G could be up-regulated in human neuronal cells (NT2-N) and astrocytes (U87-MG) by interferons (IFN-α, β and γ), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and tumor necrosis factor. Other cytokines (IL-4, IL-6 and transforming growth factor beta1) and CC-chemokines (CCL3, 4 and 5), however, had little impact on the expression of APOBEC3G. In addition, pseudotyped HIV-1 infection and cytokine/chemokine-enriched supernatants from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage cultures induced APOBEC3G expression in NT2-N cells. APOBEC3G expressed in the neuronal cells and astrocytes was biologically functional, as the suppression of APOBEC3G expression by the specific siRNA led to increase of pseudotyped HIV-1 replication in these cells. These findings provide direct and compelling evidence that there is intracellular expression and regulation of functional APOBEC3G in the neuronal cells, which may be one of innate defense mechanisms involved in the neuronal protection in the CNS.
Residual Stresses in Meta/Ceramic Bonded Strips

Residual stresses that develop during cooling of a metal/ ceramic strip are calculated analytically. It is shown that the metal may behave elastically or plastically (with full or partial plasticity) depending on the mechanical properties, the thickness of the two constituents, and the mismatch in thermal expansion. Residual stresses are also calculated for a sequence consisting of constrained undercooling, removal of the constraint, and reheating. It is demonstrated that reheating, which results in elastic stress relaxation, may be used to eliminate the residual stress. The optimum undercooling and reheating conditions needed to produce a stress-free strip, at the operational temperature, are calculated, and specific results are presented for the system Cu/A2, O2.
Facilitating Change in Group Work with Abusive Men: Examining Stages of Change

A major challenge for facilitators of domestic abuse programs is engaging men who abuse their partners in the change process. This article reports on a qualitative study that explores how group workers engage men who abuse. Interviews were conducted with 15 facilitators from three different programs during a 1-year period. A stage of change model was used to examine the change process. The study addresses the process of change for individuals in group and on interventions used, from the facilitator's perspective. Three questions guided this exploratory study: How do group workers engage men in changing their abusive behaviors? What group interventions are most helpful in supporting client change? and To what extent do interventions reflect an awareness of individuals' stages of change?
MMPI Performances in Major Motor, Psychomotor and Mixed Seizure Classifications of Known and Unknown Etiology

SUMMARY MMPI performances were investigated in the following 8 groups of patients. Three groups with seizures of known etiology (major motor, psychomotor and mixed major motor and psychomotor) were matched on age, education and diagnostic classification, and were compared with three similar groups of seizure patients in whom etiology was unknown, and with a control group and a group of brain damaged patients without epilepsy. Intergroup comparisons of mean T scores on 3 validity scales and 8 clinical scales of the MMPI yielded no significant differences. An analysis of the percentage of Ss in each group obtaining their highest score on a given clinical scale showed elevations to occur more frequently on D (Depression) than on any other scale. Intergroup comparisons on percent of Ss with MMPI T scores > 70 on each scale and on a combined- index of MMPI disturbance yielded a number of significant differences. The highest percent of T scores > 70 across the 8 clinical scales occurred in the non-neurological control group, and the lowest percentage was found in subjects with major motor epilepsy of unknown etiology. The two groups of subjects with mixed seizures were second only to the non-neurological control group with respect to percent of subjects with significantly elevated MMPI scores. RESUME On a etudie les resultats obtenus au MMPI par les 8 groupes suivants de malades. On a apparie selon l'âge, l'education et le diagnostic 3 groupes dont les crises avaient une etiologie connue (crises motrices majeures, psycho-motrices, et motrices majeures et psycho-motrices associees) et on les a compares avec 3 groupes similaires de malades epileptiques dont les crises n'avaient pas d'etiologie connue, avec un groupe controle et un groupe de malades ayant une lesion au cerveau mais ne presentant pas d'epilep-sie. Les comparaisons intergroupes des notes T moyennes obtenues aux 3 echelles de validite et aux 8 echelles cliniques du MMPI ne presentaient aucune difference significative. Si on analysait les pourcentages de S dans les groupes qui obtenaient leur note la plus elevee a une echelle donnee, on observait une augmentation plus frequente a l'echelle D (depression) qu'aux autres echelles. Les comparaisons intergroupes portant sur le pourcentage de S qui avaient les notes T du MMPI > 70 a chaque echelle et a l'index combine de perturbation du MMPI montraient de nombreuses differences significatives. Le pourcentage le plus eleve des notes T >70 parmi les 8 echelles cliniques se trouvait dans le groupe controle non neurologique et le pourcentage le plus faible concernait les S ayant une epilepsie motrice majeure d'etiologie inconnue. Les 2 groupes de S ayant des crises mixtes se rangeaient immediatement apres le groupe controle non neurologique quant au pourcentage de S ayant des notes au MMPI significativement elevees.
Two-phase buck converter as a dynamic power supply for RF power amplifier applications

In radio-frequency (RF) switched-mode tuned power amplifiers (PA), the RF amplitude at the output of PA is a direct and linear function of the supply voltage provided by voltage regulator module (VRM). This phenomenon has been utilized effectively in order to obtain high efficiency amplitude modulated power amplifiers. The presence of capacitor voltage ripple at the output of VRM adversely affects the modulation signal. Consequently, the signal at the output of PA may also suffer from distortion resulting in reduction in efficiency. In this paper, a two-phase buck converter is considered and the effect of ripple suppression is analyzed. The main advantage of the two-phase converter is that by changing the number of phases and hence, the duty cycle, amplitude modulation can be achieved with significant reduction in ripple and improvement in peak-to-average-power ratio. Further, the functionality of class-E power amplifier is presented in brief and used as a load to the VRM. Simulation results obtained using SABER circuit simulator are also presented and few concluding remarks are provided.
Salicylate protein binding in serum from young and elderly subjects as measured by diafiltration.

The protein binding of salicylate was measured by continuous ultrafiltration (diafiltration) at 22°C in serum obtained from 5 healthy young (mean age: 27 years) and 5 healthy elderly (mean age: 73 years) male volunteers. Unbound salicylate increased disproportionately with increasing total salicylate concentration, up to 7000 µmol, in all sera. The fraction bound of salicylate was significantly lower in sera from elderly but this was not due to decreased albumin or total protein concentrations. The binding of salicylate to serum proteins was characterized by two classes of binding sites. The high affinity site had an association constant of either 94901/mol (young) or 75601/mol (elderly) and the number of binding sites was either 4.7 (young) or 3.7 (elderly). The total binding capacity of the low affinity site, 1121/mol, in sera from elderly was significantly less than the binding capacity, 631l/mol, in sera from young. Differences in binding capacity of the low affinity site partially accounted for a two to three-fold increase in the salicylate free fraction in elderly sera. These data suggest that age-related differences in serum protein binding may influence salicylate pharmacokinetics.
Decision Making in an Automated Environment: The Effects of Anonymity and Proximity with a Group Decision Support System*

Recent advances in information systems technology have made it possible to support the work of interacting groups using networked personal computers. A laboratory experiment was conducted using a group decision support system to evaluate effects of anonymity and proximity on group process in automated group problem solving. Twenty groups of four persons each performed an idea-generating task using an interactive electronic brainstorming program. This experiment's main findings were: (1) Group members working anonymously and apart generated more comments. (2) Working in the same room increased satisfaction. (3) Highest levels of perceived system effectiveness were reported under anonymity.
Candida albicans estrogen-binding protein gene encodes an oxidoreductase that is inhibited by estradiol.

Abstract Candida albicans, the most common fungal pathogen of humans, possesses an estrogen-binding protein (EBP) that binds mammalian estrogens with high affinity. We report here the cloning and complete nucleotide sequence of a gene encoding a C. albicans EBP. Amino acid sequences obtained from cyanogen bromide fragments of purified EBP were used to design oligonucleotide primers for PCR. An 800-bp product was amplified and used to screen a C. albicans genomic library. A clone was isolated containing an insert with an open reading frame of 1221 nt capable of encoding a protein with 407 amino acids and having a calculated molecular mass of 46,073 Da, the estimated size of EBP. The cloned gene, expressed in Escherichia coli as a lacZ fusion protein, demonstrated high-affinity binding for estradiol and a competition profile comparable to C. albicans wild-type EBP. Northern blots of C. albicans RNA revealed a single transcript of approximately 1600 nt, whereas Southern blots identified three hybridizing fragments. Computer searches of data bases showed that EBP shares a 46% amino acid identity with the old yellow enzyme, an oxidoreductase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but was unrelated to the human estrogen receptor as previously speculated. In addition, a 51-amino acid region of EBP is highly conserved among a group of flavoproteins including old yellow enzyme. Expressed EBP was shown to exhibit oxidoreductase activity that could be inhibited by 17 beta-estradiol in vitro. In conclusion, the EBP from C. albicans has no evident homology to the mammalian steroid receptor superfamily but appears to be a member of a recently identified family of flavoproteins.
The Cold War of the Social Amoebae

When confronted with starvation, the amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum initiate a developmental process that begins with cell aggregation and ends with a ball of spores supported on a stalk. Spores live and stalk cells die. Because the multicellular organism is produced by cell aggregation and not by growth and division of a single cell, genetically diverse amoebae may enter an aggregate and, if one lineage has a capacity to avoid the stalk cell fate, it may have a selective advantage. Such cheater mutants have been found among wild isolates and created in laboratory strains. The mutants raise a number of questions — how did such a cooperative system evolve in the face of cheating? What is the basis of self recognition? What genes are involved? How is cheating constrained? This review summarizes the results of studies on the social behavior of Dictyostelium and its relatives, including the familiar asexual developmental cycle and the lesser known, but puzzling, sexual cycle.
Rational Design, Structural and Thermodynamic Characterization of a Hyperstable Variant of the Villin Headpiece Helical Subdomain†

A hyperstable variant of the small independently folded helical subdomain (HP36) derived from the F-actin binding villin headpiece was designed by targeting surface electrostatic interactions and helical propensity. A double mutant N68A, K70M was significantly more stable than wild type. The Tm of wild type in aqueous buffer is 73.0 °C, whereas the double mutant did not display a complete unfolding transition. The double mutant could not be completely unfolded even by 10 M urea. In 3 M urea, the Tm of wild type is 54.8 °C while that of the N68AK70M double mutant is 73.9 °C. Amide H/2H exchange studies show that the pattern of exchange is very similar for wild type and the double mutant. The structures of a K70M single mutant and the double mutant were determined by X-ray crystallography and are identical to that of the wild type. Analytical ultracentrifugation demonstrates that the proteins are monomeric. The hyperstable mutant described here is expected to be useful for folding studies of HP36 because st...
The AEC and the Loss of Coolant Accident

Professor Wilson gives the background to the concern being expressed about the risks associated with the possible loss of coolant from a nuclear reactor.
A Search for Pulse-to-Pulse Variability of the Crab Pulsar

We report the analysis of 1 hour's worth of RXTE data in which it was possible to detect individual pulses from the Crab pulsar. These data demonstrate that the Crab pulsar X-ray pulses are steady at the level of 7%, and we suggest that the emitting region is likely to come from a region where the magnetic field is "stiff."
Upper-body progressive resistance training improves strength and household physical activity performance in women attending cardiac rehabilitation

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of moderate-intensity, progressive, upper-body resistance training (RT) on muscle strength and perceived performance of household physical activities (HPA) among women in cardiac rehabilitation. Methods The 10-week, pretest-posttest, experiment randomized women to either usual care (UC) aerobic exercise or RT. Muscle strength for 5 upper-body RT exercises (chest press, shoulder press, biceps curl, lateral row, and triceps extension) was measured using the 1-Repetition Maximum Assessment. The RT group progressively increased weight lifted using 40%, 50%, and 60% of obtained 1-Repetition Maximum Assessment at 3-week intervals. Perceived performance of HPA was measured with the Kimble Household Activities Scale. Results The RT group (n = 16, mean age 64 +/- 11) significantly increased muscle strength in all 5 exercises in comparison with the UC group (n = 14, mean age 65 +/- 10) (chest press, 18% vs 11%; shoulder press, 24% vs 14%; biceps curl, 21% vs 12%; lateral row, 32% vs 9%; and triceps extension, 28% vs 20%, respectively). By study end, Household Activities Scale scores significantly increased (F = 13.878, P = .001) in the RT group (8.75 +/- 3.19 vs 11.25 +/- 2.14), whereas scores in the UC group decreased (8.60 +/- 3.11 vs 6.86 +/- 4.13). Conclusion Progressive upper-body RT in women shows promise as an effective tool to increase muscle strength and improve the ability to perform HPA after a cardiac event. Beginning RT early after a cardiac event in a monitored cardiac rehabilitation environment can maximize the strengthening benefit.
Do clerkship directors think medical students are prepared for the clerkship years

PURPOSE Educators have begun to question whether medical students are adequately prepared for the core clerkships. Inadequate preclerkship preparation may hinder learning and may be predictive of future achievement. This study assessed and compared the views of clerkship directors regarding student preparation for the core clinical clerkships in six key competencies. METHOD In 2002, a national survey was conducted of 190 clerkship directors in internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and psychiatry from 32 U.S. medical schools. Clerkship directors were asked to report their views on the appropriate level of student preparation needed to begin the core clinical clerkships (none, minimal, intermediate, advanced), and the adequacy of that preparation (ranging from "much less" to "much more than necessary") in six key clinical competencies. RESULTS A total of 140 clerkship directors responded (74%). The majority reported that students need at least intermediate ability in five of six competencies: communication (96%), professionalism (96%), interviewing/physical examination (78%), life-cycle stages (57%), epidemiology/probabilistic thinking (56%), and systems of care (27%). Thirty to fifty percent of clerkship directors felt students are less prepared than necessary in the six competencies. Views were similar across all specialties and generally did not differ by other clerkship director characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Almost half of clerkship directors were concerned that students do not receive adequate preparation in key competencies before starting the core clinical clerkships. Many medical schools may need to give more attention to the preclerkship preparation of students in these high-priority areas.
On recurring theorems on diagonal dominance

Abstract The elementary, but very useful, concept of a strictly diagonally dominant n x n complex matrix has seen various generalizations over the course of years. The primary purpose of this note is to give a number of equivalent conditions which reproduce, and in some cases strengthen, many consequences of recent generalizations of the property of diagonal dominance.
SKIN PROBLEMS IN THE TRAVELER

Skin lesions are among the most common problems that lead travelers to seek medical attention. The potentially wide range of pathogens and exposures that the traveler may have encountered requires an awareness of unusual infections found in geographically remote regions as well as familiarity with common problems. Skin lesions can be an easily observable important clue to systemic infections that require urgent intervention. Key elements of the history and examination that can help the clinician make a diagnosis include the morphology and distribution of the lesion(s), nature and geography of exposures, and time of exposures relative to the onset of the skin lesions. 98 Because reaching the right diagnosis is often the greatest hurdle, this article focuses primarily on identifying the causes of skin findings. Key information is presented in tabular format to allow easy reference. Emphasis is on skin problems in persons who have visited other regions of the world rather than on skin findings in lifetime residents of tropical regions. Good references about skin problems exist to assist health practitioners who work in developing countries. 14,27,28 Other references also review skin problems in travelers. 56,61,62,63,72
Characterization of broccoli necrotic yellows virus

Abstract Broccoli necrotic yellows virus (BNYV) had a limited host range by sap inoculation—3 of 17 plant species were infected including Datura stramonium from which it was characterized. The virus was not seed-borne, its longevity in vitro was between 1 and 3 days at 4 ° and less than 1 day at 23 °, its dilution end point was between 10−3 and 10−4, its thermal inactivation point between 45 ° and 50 °. BNYV was sensitive to ether indicating it contains lipid. The virus was purified by a combination of Celite filtration, differential centrifugation, chromatography on a hydroxyapatite column and density-gradient centrifugation in either sucrose or potassium tartrate. Partially purified BNYV (before density-gradient centrifugation) had S20, ω = 874 S ± 41S and a buoyant density of 1.183 g/ml whereas purified BNYV (after density-gradient centrifugation) had S20,ω = 751 ± 75 and a buoyant density of 1.195 g/ml. BNYV contains RNA. A specific antiserum to BNYV reacted to form one to three precipitation lines with concentrated or purified BNYV. Purified preparations stained in 2% potassium phosphotungstate contained bullet-shaped particles with a mean size of 266 × 66 nm and occasional bacilliform particles. In later trials with uranyl acetate, BNYV was bacilliform (275 ×75 nm). The bullet shape of particles stained in KPT is an artifact produced by the stain.
Vaccine stabilization: Research, commercialization, and potential impact

All vaccines are susceptible to damage by elevated temperatures and many are also damaged by freezing. The distribution, storage, and use of vaccines therefore present challenges that could be reduced by enhanced thermostability, with resulting improvements in vaccine effectiveness. Formulation and processing technologies exist that can improve the stability of vaccines at temperature extremes, however, customization is required for individual vaccines and results are variable. Considerations affecting decisions about stabilization approaches include development cost, manufacturing cost, and the ease of use of the final product. Public sector agencies can incentivize vaccine developers to prioritize stabilization efforts through advocacy and by implementing policies that increase demand for thermostable vaccines.
The Origin, Formation and Early History of the Chikunda of South Central Africa

Although historians have examined the process of pre-colonial political integration, little attention has been paid to the complementary patterns of ethnic and cultural assimilation. The Chikunda, who were initially slaves on the Zambezi prazos, provide an excellent example of this phenomenon. Over the course of several generations, captives from more than twenty ethnic groups submerged their historical, linguistic, and cultural differences to develop a new set of institutions and a common identity. The decline of the prazo system during the first half of the nineteenth century generated large scale migrations of Chikunda outside of the lower Zambezi valley. They settled in Zumbo, the Luangwa valley and scattered regions of Malawi where they played an important role in the nineteenth-century political and military history of south central Africa.
PRMT5 Is Upregulated in Malignant and Metastatic Melanoma and Regulates Expression of MITF and p27Kip1

Protein arginine methyltransferase-5 (PRMT5) is a Type II arginine methyltransferase that regulates various cellular functions. We hypothesized that PRMT5 plays a role in regulating the growth of human melanoma cells. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated significant upregulation of PRMT5 in human melanocytic nevi, malignant melanomas and metastatic melanomas as compared to normal epidermis. Furthermore, nuclear PRMT5 was significantly decreased in metastatic melanomas as compared to primary cutaneous melanomas. In human metastatic melanoma cell lines, PRMT5 was predominantly cytoplasmic, and associated with its enzymatic cofactor Mep50, but not STAT3 or cyclin D1. However, histologic examination of tumor xenografts from athymic mice revealed heterogeneous nuclear and cytoplasmic PRMT5 expression. Depletion of PRMT5 via siRNA inhibited proliferation in a subset of melanoma cell lines, while it accelerated growth of others. Loss of PRMT5 also led to reduced expression of MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor), a melanocyte-lineage specific oncogene, and increased expression of the cell cycle regulator p27(Kip1). These results are the first to report elevated PRMT5 expression in human melanoma specimens and indicate this protein may regulate MITF and p27(Kip1) expression in human melanoma cells.
Cyclooxygenase-2 in Endothelial and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Restrains Atherogenesis in Hyperlipidemic Mice

Background—Placebo-controlled trials of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs selective for inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) reveal an emergent cardiovascular hazard in patients selected for low risk of heart disease. Postnatal global deletion of COX-2 accelerates atherogenesis in hyperlipidemic mice, a process delayed by selective enzyme deletion in macrophages. Methods and Results—In the present study, selective depletion of COX-2 in vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells depressed biosynthesis of prostaglandin I2 and prostaglandin E2, elevated blood pressure, and accelerated atherogenesis in Ldlr knockout mice. Deletion of COX-2 in vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells coincided with an increase in COX-2 expression in lesional macrophages and increased biosynthesis of thromboxane. Increased accumulation of less organized intimal collagen, laminin, α-smooth muscle actin, and matrix-rich fibrosis was also apparent in lesions of the mutants. Conclusions—Although atherogenesis...
Microsoft server technology for mobile and wireless applications

Summary form only given. Microsoft is building a number of server technologies that are targeted at mobile and wireless applications. These technologies cover a wide range of customer scenarios and application requirements. The article discusses some of these technologies in detail.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone and brain mast cells regulate blood-brain-barrier permeability induced by acute stress.

Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis through release of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), lead- ing to production of glucocorticoids that down-regulate im- mune responses. Acute stress, however, also has proinflam- matory effects that seem to be mediated through the activation of mast cells. Stress and mast cells have been implicated in the pathophysiology of various inflammatory conditions, including some in the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis in which disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) precedes clinical symptoms. We previously showed that acute restraint stress increases rat BBB permeability to intravenous 99 Tc glu- ceptate and that administration of the "mast cell stabilizer" disodium cromoglycate (cromolyn) inhibits this effect. In this study, we show that the CRH-receptor antagonist Antalarmin blocks stress-induced 99 Tc extravasation, whereas site-spe- cific injection of CRH in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus mimics acute stress. This latter effect is blocked by pretreatment of the PVN with cromolyn; moreover, restraint stress cannot disrupt the BBB in the diencephalon and cere- bellum of W/W v mast cell-deficient mice. These results dem-
Geographical load shift and its effect on interchange evaluation

An attempt is made to evaluate the amount of load shift that actually occurs on a large utility and to assess the error in the economic dispatch due to using B-constants developed neglecting the geographical load shift. This is done by a load shift simulation model to introduce load shifts in the development of B-constants. The B-constants are then used in a production costing/interchange evaluation program to investigate the effect of using B-constants developed with and without the load shift on evaluations of the worth, percent power delivered, overall system power losses, and production costs. A geographical load shift in excess of 10% over 24 h period has been shown to exist on a large electric utility. The production cost was found to be relatively insensitive to the use of the nominal B-constants. The errors in percent power delivered resulting for the use of nominal B-constants are similar to the errors in the worth. >
Couples’ communication problems: The counselor's perspective

Abstract Marital and relational counselors bring their normative ideas about couples’ communication to the therapeutic setting and these ideas become a part of the ongoing dialogue between counselors and their clients. Although many therapists emphasize couples’ communication problems as a source of relational difficulty, it is not clear how therapists conceive of, and explain, those problems. The current study addresses this issue by examining counselors’ perceptions of, and attributions for, couples’ communication problems. Interviews with 50 couples’ counselors suggest that communication problems are common among clients. The most frequently noted communication problems involved failing to take the other's perspective when listening, blaming the other for negative occurrences, and criticizing the other. Most of counselors’ attributions for couples’ communication problems referred to stable, unchanging causes and focused on external factors. A content analysis of the attributions further indicated that ...
Persistence of information on the web: analyzing citations contained in research articles

We analyze the persistence of information on the web, looking at the percentage of invalid URLs contained in academic articles within the CiteSeer (ResearchIndex) database. The number of URLs contained in the papers has increased from an average of 0.06 in 1993 to 1.6 in 1999. We found that a significant percentage of URLs are now invalid, ranging from 23% for 1999 articles, to 53% for 1994. We also found that for almost all of the invalid URLs, it was possible to locate the information (or highly related information) in an alternate location, primarily with the use of search engines. However, the ability to relocate missing information varied according to search experience and effort expended. Citation practices suggest that more information may be lost in the future unless these practices are improved. We discuss persistent URL standards and their usage, and give recommendations for citing URLs in research articles as well as for finding the new location of invalid URLs.
Structural and Sequence Motifs of Protein (Histone) Methylation Enzymes

With genome sequencing nearing completion for the model organisms used in biomedical research, there is a rapidly growing appreciation that proteomics, the study of covalent modification to proteins, and transcriptional regulation will likely dominate the research headlines in the next decade. Protein methylation plays a central role in both of these fields, as several different residues (Arg, Lys, Gln) are methylated in cells and methylation plays a central role in the "histone code" that regulates chromatin structure and impacts transcription. In some cases, a single lysine can be mono-, di-, or trimethylated, with different functional consequences for each of the three forms. This review describes structural aspects of methylation of histone lysine residues by two enzyme families with entirely different structural scaffolding (the SET proteins and Dot1p) and methylation of protein arginine residues by PRMTs.
Cloning and Analysis of a Cryptosporidium parvum Gene Encoding a Protein with Homology to Cytoplasmic Form Hsp70

An intronless gene encoding a protein of 674 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 73,403 Da showing homology to the cytoplasmic form of the 70 kDa heat shock proteins has been cloned and sequenced from the intestinal pathogen Cryptosporidium parvum. Monospecific polyclonal antibodies obtained to recombinant protein recognized a single band with an approximate molecular mass of 70 kDa on a Western blot of C. parvum proteins, as well as the 70 kDa heat shock protein from bovine brain. Southern blot analysis suggested the gene was single copy in the C. parvum genome. Eleven perfect repeats of the sequence GGMP were found in the predicted protein near the carboxyl terminus.
Kainate Glutamate Receptors (GluR5–7) in the Rat Arcuate Nucleus: Relationship to Tanycytes, Astrocytes, Neurons and Gonadal Steroid Receptors

Glutamate action, through its ionotropic, kainate receptors, has been implicated in gonadal steroid-dependent mechanisms of the arcuate nucleus. The objective of the present study was to determine the expression of kainate glutamate receptors in neural and glial elements of this area and their potential relationship to gonadal steroid receptors. Single and double label, light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry for kainate glutamate receptors and estrogen or androgen receptors revealed the existence of glutamate (GluR) 5-7 kainate receptors in tanycytes, astrocytes and neurons of the arcuate nucleus. In the arcuate nucleus, subsets of GluR5-7-containing neurons were also immunopositive for estrogen (20%) and/or androgen receptors (23%). Glial elements, however, lacked labeling for gonadal steroid receptors. The coexistence of gonadal and kainate receptors in the same perikarya of arcuate nucleus cell populations suggests hormone regulation of excitatory neurotransmission through ionotropic glutamate receptors in these regions. It is also indicated that a kainate receptor-mediated glutamate action may participate in neuro-glial interaction in the arcuate nucleus that, in turn, may underlie the morphological synaptic plasticity induced by gonadal steroids.
Testing the New Animal Phylogeny: First Use of Combined Large-Subunit and Small-Subunit rRNA Gene Sequences to Classify the Protostomes

Although the small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene is widely used in the molecular systematics, few large-subunit (LSU) rRNA gene sequences are known from protostome animals, and the value of the LSU gene for invertebrate systematics has not been explored. The goal of this study is to test whether combined LSU and SSU rRNA gene sequences support the division of protostomes into Ecdysozoa (molting forms) and Lophotrochozoa, as was proposed by Aguinaldo et al. (1997) (Nature 387:489) based on SSU rRNA sequences alone. Nearly complete LSU gene sequences were obtained, and combined LSU + SSU sequences were assembled, for 15 distantly related protostome taxa plus five deuterostome outgroups. When the aligned LSU + SSU sequences were analyzed by tree-building methods (minimum evolution analysis of LogDet-transformed distances, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony) and by spectral analysis of LogDet distances, both Ecdysozoa and Lophotrochozoa were indeed strongly supported (e.g., bootstrap values >90%), with higher support than from the SSU sequences alone. Furthermore, with the LogDet-based methods, the LSU + SSU sequences resolved some accepted subgroups within Ecdysozoa and Lophotrochozoa (e.g., the polychaete sequence grouped with the echiuran, and the annelid sequences grouped with the mollusc and lophophorates)-subgroups that SSU-based studies do not reveal. Also, the mollusc sequence grouped with the sequences from lophophorates (brachiopod and phoronid). Like SSU sequences, our LSU + SSU sequences contradict older hypotheses that grouped annelids with arthropods as Articulata, that said flatworms and nematodes were basal bilateralians, and considered lophophorates, nemerteans, and chaetognaths to be deuterostomes. The position of chaetognaths within protostomes remains uncertain: our chaetognath sequence associated with that of an onychophoran, but this was unstable and probably artifactual. Finally, the benefits of combining LSU with SSU sequences for phylogenetic analyses are discussed: LSU adds signal, it can be used at lower taxonomic levels, and its core region is easy to align across distant taxa-but its base frequencies tend to be nonstationary across such taxa. We conclude that molecular systematists should use combined LSU + SSU rRNA genes rather than SSU alone.
T-type calcium channels are regulated by hypoxia/reoxygenation in ventricular myocytes.

Low-voltage-activated calcium channels are reexpressed in ventricular myocytes in pathological conditions associated with hypoxic episodes, but a direct relation between oxidative stress and T-type...
Genistein Inhibits Both Estrogen and Growth Factor-stimulated Proliferation of Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Genistein is a naturally occurring dietary protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor that is hypothesized to be responsible for the lower rate of breast cancer observed in Asian women consuming soy. Although genistein is a potent in vitro PTK inhibitor, its mechanism of action in vivo is not known. In vivo, breast cancer growth is regulated by estrogens and peptide growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), the receptor of which has intrinsic PTK activity. Therefore, genistein may block mammary epithelial cell growth by interfering with signal transduction events stimulated by estradiol or growth factors. The effect of genistein, related isoflavones, and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors on fetal bovine serum-, estradiol-, and EGF-stimulated cell growth and signal transduction pathways was examined in five human breast cancer cell lines. Genistein inhibited the growth of these cells by each of the growth stimuli with IC50 values ranging from 2.6 to over 20 micrograms/ml. Growth inhibition by genistein was cytostatic and reversible at IC50 concentrations. Related isoflavones were less potent growth inhibitors than genistein, whereas the synthetic PTK inhibitor tyrphostin A25 was an equally potent growth inhibitor. The mechanism of genistein growth inhibition in human breast cancer cells did not depend on the presence of functional estrogen receptor signaling pathways or on inhibition of EGF-receptor PTK activity. Furthermore, genistein (< or = 20 micrograms/ml) did not decrease constitutive or EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation as determined by Western blotting with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. These data suggest that although genistein inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells in culture, it does so without gross inhibition of PTK activity.
Expression of normal monocyte-macrophage differentiation antigens on HL60 promyelocytes undergoing differentiation induced by leukocyte-conditioned medium or phorbol diester.

Abstract HL60 human promyelocytic cells can be induced to differentiate into cells manifesting the characteristic morphological, histochemical and functional features of macrophages. We have demonstrated that macrophage differentiation stimulated by leukocyte-conditioned medium or phorbol diester is accompanied by the acquired expression of normal, non-polymorphic surface membrane antigens, Mo1 and Mo2, which are strongly expressed by late stages in myeloidmonocyte development.
SAGA: a system to automate the management of software production

SAGA is a software development system designed to integrate software production tools and techniques into a flexible management system through the use of special attributed grammars to represent management schemes. Both the software life cycle and project components are described by formal grammars. This formalization will aid understanding of management techniques for complex projects and encourage the automation of repetitive and tedious managerial tasks. Project direction and management is monitored in SAGA from inception through completion and allows identification and scheduling of critical events along with integration of project specification, design, implementation, certification, and maintenance. The SAGA project is expected to have a particular impact on quality software production for reliable computer applications.
A correlation factor based islanding detection method for distributed synchronous generators

This paper proposes a new correlation factor based islanding detection method for use of grid-connected distributed synchronous generator. The proposed correlation factor method is based on voltage fluctuation injection, which can be obtained through regulating the field current of the distributed synchronous generator periodically. The correlation factor between the periodic regulating signal and the perturbed voltage is then used as an islanding detection index. When distributed synchronous generator is grid-interconnected, the correlation factor is lower than a threshold value. In contrast, as an islanding occurs, the correlation factor would become much higher than the threshold value. In this paper, experiments are conducted to illustrate the principles of the proposed technique. The test results show that the new proposed method is reliable, economical, and easy for implementation for islanding detection of distributed synchronous generator.
A Comparison of Urban Population Density Functions in Developed and Developing Countries

The authors attempt to summarize what can be learned from the efforts that have been made to estimate urban population density functions. In particular they attempt to ascertain whether there are regularities pertaining to density functions either through time or in comparing developing and developed countries at a given time (ANNOTATION)
The Fontan Operation: Is Timing Everything?

Since the introduction of the Fontan operation over 4 decades ago, surgical and medical management strategies have evolved to improve outcomes and give hope to the patients with complex single ventricle anomalies. Unfortunately, along with these new treatment successes, another group of problems has become more evident stimulating us to rethink our current management with a new focus on long-term outcomes and quality of life. The primary detrimental physiologic conditions that Fontan operation imposes on the patient are central venous hypertension and reduced cardiac output. 1 Hepatic dysfunction and protein losing enteropathy are felt to be related to the Fontan circulation with evidence that they may be a timedependent phenomena related to the time of Fontan operation. 2 In addition, the ventricle is abnormal with evidence of diastolic dysfunction becoming apparent in most. 3 With these sequelae in mind, there exists a controversy as to the best timing for completion Fontan. Some have adopted the belief that patients with total cavopulmonary connection have a limited amount of time before these issues become evident. Followers of the “ticking clock” theory would argue for delaying the Fontan operation until later in life in the hopes of postponing the long-term complications. Others argue that it may not only be time-dependent, and that performing an early Fontan operation may result in a better long-term single ventricle patient. Forsdick et al 4 present the outcomes of 45 patients who underwent a Fontan operation from 1976-2006. The average age of the patient at time of Fontan was 18-year old. Importantly, this cohort of patients represents all the adolescent and adult patients who underwent total cavopulmonary configuration in Australia or New Zealand. Data were available for 87% of the patients with a mean follow-up time of 15.5 years. They reported an early mortality of 6% and late mortality of 18%. Although these numbers are not significantly different than other reported series of adult Fontan patients, 5 they appear to be strikingly different than what has been reported by the same group for Fontan completion in a younger population. 6 They conclude that the results of performing a Fontan
Measurements and macro models of ionomeric polymer-metal composites (IPMC)

The Ionomeric Polymer-Metal Composites (IPMC) as a type of electroactive polymers are attractive actuation materials because of their features of large electrically induced bending, mechanical flexibility, low excitation voltage, low density, and ease of fabrication.
A new bidirectional WDM-PON using DWDM channels generated by optical carrier suppression and separation technique

We propose a new bidirectional DWDM-based passive optical network using optical carrier suppression and separation (OCSS) technique to generate both upstream and downstream wavelength channels from a single laser. Symmetric 10 Gb/s × 16 transmission has been demonstrated. (2 pages)