cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic landscape during osteoblastogenesis defines a differentiation-dependent Runx2 promoter region

Runx2 is a developmentally regulated gene in vertebrates and is essential for bone formation and skeletal homeostasis. The induction of runx2-P1 isoform transcripts is a hallmark of early osteoblastogenesis. Although previous in vitro studies have defined a minimal Runx2-P1 promoter sequence with well-characterized functional elements, several lines of evidence suggest that transcription of the Runx2-P1 isoform relies on elements that extend beyond the previously defined P1 promoter boundaries. In this study, we examined Runx2-P1 transcriptional regulation in a cellular in vivo context during early osteoblastogenesis of MC3T3-E1 cultures and BMSCs induced towards the bone lineage by multi-layered analysis of the Runx2-P1 gene promoter using the following methodologies: 1) sequence homology among several mammalian species, 2) DNaseI hypersensitivity coupled with massively parallel sequencing (DNase-seq), and 3) chromatin immunoprecipitation of activating histone modifications coupled with massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq). These epigenetic features have allowed the demarcation of boundaries that redefine the minimal Runx2-P1 promoter to include a 336-bp sequence that mediates responsiveness to osteoblast differentiation. We also find that an additional level of control is contributed by a regulatory region in the 5′-UTR of Runx2-P1.
Serum Creatinine Detection by a Conducting-Polymer-Based Electrochemical Sensor To Identify Allograft Dysfunction

Kidney transplant recipients who have abnormally high creatinine levels in their blood often have allograft dysfunction secondary to rejection. Creatinine has become the preferred marker for renal dysfunction and is readily available in hospital clinical settings. We developed a rapid and accurate polymer-based electrochemical point-of-care (POC) assay for creatinine detection from whole blood to identify allograft dysfunction. The creatinine concentrations of 19 blood samples from transplant recipients were measured directly from clinical serum samples by the conducting polymer-based electrochemical (EC) sensor arrays. These measurements were compared to the traditional clinical laboratory assay. The time required for detection was <5 min from sample loading. Sensitivity of the detection was found to be 0.46 mg/dL of creatinine with only 40 μL sample in the creatinine concentration range of 0 mg/dL to 11.33 mg/dL. Signal levels that were detected electrochemically correlated closely with the creatinine b...
Determination and metabolism of dithiol chelating agents: The zinc chelate of the dimethyl ester of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid increases biliary excretion of cadmium and platinum

meso-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid is an orally active chelating agent useful for the treatment of lead intoxication. Since it is believed to be extracellular in its distribution, analogs have been synthesized in a search for one that will enter the cell and successfully complete for firmly bound intracellular toxic heavy metals such as cadmium and platinum. The biological properties of the zinc chelate of DiMeDMSA, ([Zn(DiMeDMSA)2]2- with tetramethylammonium or sodium as the counterion, have been investigated in the rat. In short-term (hourly) experiments, [Zn(DiMeDMSA)2]2- increased the biliary excretion of cadmium and platinum. In experiments of longer duration (days), severe renal toxicity was noted even in the absence of any exogenously administered cadmium chloride or cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II). The zinc content of the kidneys of rats receiving Na2[Zn(DiMeDMSA)2]2- was found to be about 10-fold greater than rats receiving saline or meso-dimethyldimercaptosuccinic acid. Although it appears that the source of the zinc is the injected [Zn(DiMeDMSA)2]2-, at this time it is unknown as to whether the toxicity is due to the Zn chelate molecule, per se, or Zn derived from the molecule after its degradative biotransformation.
Prolonged exposure to high potassium concentration results in irreversible loss of synaptic transmission in hippocampal tissue slices.

Since elevation of the concentration of free calcium in the cytoplasm ([Ca2+]i) during hypoxia is believed to cause injury to cells and since during Leao's spreading depression (LD) excess calcium accumulates in neurons, we asked whether LD of prolonged duration in well oxygenated tissue causes irreversible loss of function. LD-like depolarization of controlled duration was induced by irrigating hippocampal tissue slices with a high-K+ solution for varying time periods. Interstitial potassium concentration ([K+]o) and extracellular potentials were recorded. Following brief LD there was a period of transient hyperexcitability with increased orthodromic population spike amplitude and burst firing, followed by recovery to control levels after 60 min. When depolarization was prolonged beyond 4 or 5 min, the hyperexcitable period was followed by severely depressed transmission. The data are compatible with the hypothesis that prolonged elevation of [Ca2+]i causes neuron injury. Exposure of in vitro preparations to high [K+]o cannot be regarded as the equivalent of a physiological stimulus.
Inferior Alveolar Nerve Paresthesia Secondary to Orthodontic Tooth Movement: Report of a Case

Temporary or permanent paresthesia of the areas innervated by the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) can be caused by multiple conditions. These include neoplastic disease, infection, orthognathic surgery, endodontic treatment, and secondary to the removal of mandibular third molars. 1-4 Significant signs on plain films that indicate a tooth root may be in close proximity to the IAN include darkening of the tooth root, narrowing of the tooth root, interruption of the white lines, and diversion of the canal. 5 Temporary mental nerve paresthesia during fixed orthodontic treatment is rare and is usually caused by premolars being lingually inclined and then uprighted or excessive root lengths on second molars. 6-9 We present a case report of sensory disturbance occurring during the distalization of a third molar with an unknown buccal root extending into the IAN canal.
Autoxidation of Milk Lipids. II. The Relationship of Sensory to Chemical Methods for Measuring the Oxidized Flavor of Milk Fats

Summary Sixteen milk fat samples were collected from mixed herd milk over a 6-mo. period. Each sample was oxidized to a different stage yielding peroxide values ranging from 0 to 64 for the 16 samples. The TBA number, peroxide value, total saturated and unsaturated carbonyls, volatile saturated and unsaturated carbonyls, individual volatile monocarbonyls, and the absolute flavor threshold of each sample were determined. Statistical analyses of the data revealed that all chemical tests were highly correlated with each other. From 97 to 99% of the carbonyl-reactive material in oxidizing milk fats was nonvolatile. Relatively large amounts of nonvolatile carbonyls also were observed in fresh milk fat. The mean percentage of saturated carbonyls in the volatile monocarbonyls of 16 oxidized fats was 88.72. The correlation coefficients between all of the chemical tests for oxidized flavor intensity and the reciprocal of the absolute flavor threshold (1/FTV) were significant at the 1% level, the volatile unsaturated carbonyls giving the highest, 0.996. Of the individual carbonyls, the correlation coefficient between non-2-enal and 1/FTV was the highest, 0.942. Concentrations of individual volatile monocarbonyls, at the absolute flavor threshold of the fats, were in parts per billion. Based on reported data, the compounds occurred at marginal or subthreshold levels at the FTV of the fat. Multiple correlation coefficients support the view that the oxidized flavor, near the flavor threshold, is due to an additive effect of carbonyl compounds.
Analytic Models of SSD Write Performance

Solid-state drives (SSDs) update data by writing a new copy, rather than overwriting old data, causing prior copies of the same data to be invalidated. These writes are performed in units of pages, while space is reclaimed in units of multipage erase blocks, necessitating copying of any remaining valid pages in the block before reclamation. The efficiency of this cleaning process greatly affects performance under random workloads; in particular, in SSDs, the write bottleneck is typically internal media throughput, and write amplificationdue to additional internal copying directly reduces application throughput.We present the first nearly-exact closed-form solution for write amplification under greedy cleaning for uniformly-distributed random traffic, validate its accuracy via simulation, and show that its inaccuracies are negligible for reasonable block sizes and overprovisioning ratios. In addition, we also present the first models which predict performance degradation for both LRW (least-recently-written) cleaning and greedy cleaning under simple nonuniform traffic conditions; simulation results show the first model to be exact and the second to be accurate within 2p. We extend the LRW model to arbitrary combinations of random traffic and demonstrate its use in predicting cleaning performance for real-world workloads.Using these analytic models, we examine the strategy of separating “hot” and “cold” data, showing that for our traffic model, such separation eliminates any loss in performance due to nonuniform traffic. We then show how a system which segregates hot and cold data into different block pools may shift free space between these pools in order to achieve improved performance, and how numeric methods may be used with our model to find the optimum operating point, which approaches a write amplification of 1.0 for increasingly skewed traffic. We examine online methods for achieving this optimal operating point and show a control strategy based on our model which achieves high performance for a number of real-world block traces.
RuH3(SiCl2Me)(PPh3)3: A Trihydridosilylruthenium Complex with Three Nonclassical Ru−H···Si Interactions

The reaction of RuCl2(PPh3)3 with HSiMeCl2 in hexanes at 65 °C produced the trihydridosilylruthenium complex RuH3(SiMeCl2)(PPh3)3 (1). In the 1H{31P} NMR spectrum of 1, the ruthenium hydrides were observed at −9.76 ppm as a singlet with 29Si satellites (JSiH = 39.7 Hz), indicating the presence of nonclassical Ru···H···Si interactions. These nonclassical interactions were confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of 1. The silyl and phosphine groups occupy a tetrahedral arrangement around ruthenium, with the hydrides capping the faces defined by the silyl and two phosphines groups. Complex 1 exhibited a short Ru−Si bond (2.2760(4) A) with three normal Ru−H distances (ca. 1.6 A) and three long Si···H interactions (ca. 1.9 A). The Ru−H and Si···H distances are consistent with interligand hypervalent interaction (IHI) theory in which Ru−H electron density is donated to Si−halogen σ* orbitals, giving rise to Ru−H···Si interactions. Differences between the three Si···H separations in the solid state...
Analysis of a dephased complex-coupled distributed-feedback laser by the power-series method

A novel power-series method to solve the coupled-wave equations is introduced. The method is used to calculate the threshold gain margins of a complex-coupled distributed-feedback laser as functions of the ratio of gain coupling to index coupling (|kappa(g)|/|kappa(n)|) and of the phase difference between the index and the gain gratings. For coupling coefficient |kappa|l < ., the laser shows a mode degeneracy at specific values of the ratio |kappa(g)|/|kappa(n)| for cleaved facets. At phase differences pi/2 and 3pi/2 between the gain and the index gratings, an antireflection-coated complex-coupled laser becomes multimode, and a different mode starts to lase. The effect of facet reflectivity (both magnitude and phase) on the gain margin of a complex-coupled DFB laser is also investigated. Although the gain margin varies slowly with the magnitude of the facet's reflectivity, it shows large variations as a function of the phase. Spatial hole burning was found to be minimum at phase difference npi, n =, ..., and maximum at phase differences pi/2 and 3pi/2.
Caring for visually impaired patients

Abstract Objective To raise pharmacist awareness about the needs and concerns of our patients with visual impairment and to review useful strategies to foster medication adherence. Summary As patient-centered pharmacists, we need to understand the challenges faced by our patients with low vision and tailor pharmaceutical care to best fit their needs. Evidence-based best practices in labeling and written communication have been developed by the American Foundation for the Blind in partnership with the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. These recommendations include the use of specific font styles, minimum font size, and other standards known to enhance usability for those with limited vision. Recent advances in assistive technologies such as audio output and object recognition software can be used to ease the medication-taking process and effectively communicate important drug and safety information in a manner that can be understood by those with low vision. In July 2012, the Prescription Accessible Drug Labeling Promotion Act of 2012 (HR 4087) was signed into law. This new legislation is an addition to the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, which required the development and ultimate implementation by pharmacies of national best practices intended to improve the accessibility of prescription drug labeling for the visually impaired. Conclusion As a patient-centered profession, we need to advocate for our patients with special needs by partnering with government and patient groups to support and enact legislation intended to enhance people's ability to adhere to drug therapy.
4-Iodotomoxetine: A novel ligand for serotonin uptake sites

Abstract The tomoxetine analog, R-4-iodotomoxetine, binds in vitro to a single site of rat cortical membranes with high affinity (Kd=0.03±0.01 nM, n=4) and can be blocked by a selective serotonin reuptake site inhibitor, paroxetine. The [ 125 l]R-4-iodotomoxetine binding at equilibrium is saturable and is temperature- and Na + -dependent. The number of specific [ 125 l]R-4- iodotomoxetine binding sites (Bmax=356±20 fmol/mg protein) is similar to that of [ 3 H]citalopram (329±30 fmol/mg protein), a known serotonin uptake inhibitor. The binding of [ 125 l]R-4-iodotomoxetine is selectively inhibited by several serotonin uptake blockers, and a good correlation is demonstrated between the potency of various drugs to inhibit in vitro binding of [ 125 l]R-4- iodotomoxetine and [ 3 H]citalopram. In addition, lesions performed with the neurotoxin p-chloroamphetamine, which destroys monoamine neurons, including serotonergic neuronal system, result in a 90% reduction of [ 125 l]R-4- iodotomoxetine binding when compared to sham controls. These results indicate that the binding sites labeled by [ 125 l]R-4-iodotomoxetine are associated with the neuronal serotonin uptake sites. However, the in vivo and ex vivo results do not show regional localization corresponding to the distribution of serotonin uptake sites. The nonspecific uptake may be related to this compound's high lipophilicity (octanol-buffer partition coeffient = 1100−1400 at pH 7). Although the in vivo properties of [ 125 l]R-4- iodotomoxetine make it an unlikely candidate for mapping serotonin uptake sites with SPECT, the high affinity and selectivity should make it a useful tool for in vitro studies of the serotonin uptake sites.
On the Income Distribution as a Public Good

Lester Thurow's provocative paper,' which considers the circumstances in which attainment of a Pareto optimum requires income redistribution, unfortunately does as much to obscure and confuse as to clarify the logic of distributional adjustments. As Thurow sees it, there are three reasons why redistribution may be necessary to achieve a Pareto optimum: (1) one man's income may be an argument in the utility function of another; 2 (2) utility may derive from the act of giving per se, rather than its effect on the recipient; and (3) the distribution of income -i.e., a measure of inequality may itself be an argument in the utility function. This third situation, Thurow argues, can arise because of externalities (different crime rates, degrees of political stability, etc.) associated with alternative income distributions, or (even if there are no externalities) because of individual tastes for equality or inequality. Though Thurow recognizes that (1) and (3) "shade into one another," and that all three cases "can lead to substantial income transfers," he concentrates on (3), since it implies that "income transfers take on a different characteristic than when they are generated by either of the other two motives." In this case, he argues, "The income distribution is a pure public good" (his emphasis,3 whereas it is not if transfers are a matter of "deriving utility from the incomes of others and from giving gifts." 4 But the implication that a market failure problem exists only if the income distribution itself enters individual functions is erroneous. This very same type of public good problem arises if utility derives from the incomes of others. If A's income level YA affects
Identification of contaminant coatings over rough surfaces using polarized infrared scattering.

An optical technique to identify the presence of chemical coatings over rough surfaces is described. It is based on the selective use of elements of the 4 × 4 Mueller matrix. The full-wave theory of electromagnetic scattering is used to predict six independent Mueller elements from randomly rough uncoated (dry) and coated (wet) surface materials as functions of the media complex dielectric coefficients, backscattering angle, and midinfrared wavelengths of laser-beam excitations that are polarization modulated. The set of independent elements at beam wavelengths and backscattering angles [Mmn(λi, θi)] most sensitive to i optically thick contaminant coatings are statistically obtained from the full-wave database, and detection-parameter sets [θi, λi] are inputs to another algorithm designed to identify the contaminant coating (when present and interacted by the irradiating beams). These algorithms facilitate the operation of a multi-CO2 laser-ellipsometer facility now under development at the U.S. Army Chemical Research, Development, and Engineering Center for the remote detection of chemical or biological surface contaminants.
Ultrasonically-Induced Movements in Cells and Cell Models

Normal- and high-speed cinemicrographs of events resulting from highly localized 25-kc vibration of small regions of an individual cell wall in Elodea leaf cells and in plastic cell models are discussed. In plant cells, complex patterns of ordered agitation are set up, similar to parts of the patterns observed in model cells. In models containing Newtonian fluids, steady circulation results with streamline positions and directions being functions of viscosity and the vibration pattern of the wall, the general features being accounted for by the theory of acoustic streaming. In models containing weak agar gels, a combination of plastic and fluid behavior is observed as setting ensues; immediately after vibration begins, suspended particles ``flow'' for a short distance following the streamlines of a viscous fluid, with displacement vectors distributed like the velocity vectors in acoustic streaming, but, as the sound ceases, return slowly almost to their original positions.
Contribution of Quantitative Assay Technics to the Understanding of the Clinical Pharmacology of Digitalis

Despite recent advances in understanding of the pharmacokinetics and electrophysiologic effects of cardiac glycosides, digitalis toxicity remains distressingly common in clinical practice. Another substantial group of patients is markedly underdigitalized, failing to gain the full therapeutic benefits of optimal use of these drugs. Since cardiac digitalis toxicity is a dose-related phenomenon, and serum or plasma digoxin and digitoxin concentrations rise with increasing doses, at least a statistical correlation between circulating levels and clinical state might be expected. Increasing availability of serum or plasma digitalis concentration measurements thus offers the clinician a potential means of improving the patient's chances of benefiting from treatment with cardiac glycosides. Assay methods in current use include a double-isotope dilution derivative method (digitoxin), red cell 86Rb-uptake inhibition (digitoxin and digoxin), Na+-K+ ATPase inhibition (digitoxin), ATPase enzymatic displacement (digit...
Regulation of Proliferative Response of Cardiac Fibroblasts by Transforming Growth Factor-β1

Abstract Cardiac fibroblasts constitute greater than 90% of the non-myocyte cells in the heart. Previously, it was established that cardiac fibroblasts are predisposed to transformation into a phenotype with muscle-specific features and that transforming growth factor- β 1 (TGF- β 1 ) is a specific inducer of this event. In this study the hypothesis that TGF- β 1 -induced phenotypic modulation of cardiac fibroblasts is associated with their altered proliferative capacity is tested. Therefore the effects of TGF- β 1 on DNA synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts under normal conditions of cell culture and in response to a potent mitogen, basic fibroblasts growth factor (bFGF) were determined. The results showed that TGF- β 1 at 15 ng/ml (a concentration that induces fibroblast “transformation”) had a regulatory effect on proliferative capacity of cardiac fibroblasts which varied as the function of cell density in culture. In subconfluent and confluent cultures, pre-treatment of cardiac fibroblasts with TGF- β 1 for 24 h resulted in a dramatic shift in the bFGF-induced stimulation of DNA synthesis. TGF- β 1 -induced inhibition of DNA synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts coincided with their phenotypic modulation as evidenced by the expression of sarcomeric actin mRNA and morphological changes. Cross-linking studies with [ 125 I]-labeled TGF- β 1 showed the presence of conventional types I, II and III TGF- β 1 receptor complexes on cardiac fibroblasts and their binding to TGF- β 1 under the experimental conditions. In summary, these data indicate that the proliferative capacity of cardiac fibroblasts is controlled by TGF- β 1 . They further suggest that the TGF- β 1 -induced phenotypic modulation of cardiac fibroblasts may be extended to include their altered proliferative capacity.
Designs of broadband quantum-well infrared photodetectors and 8–12 μm test device results

Abstract Several designs of broadband quantum-well infrared photodetectors are considered. The performance characteristics are analyzed by modeling. Test devices designed to cover the 8–12 μm wavelength region are fabricated and characterized. The results show that a broad device can be realized and their performance is in accordance with expectation.
A silicon diode dosimeter with a memory - an alternative to mailed TLD

Abstract An integrating dosimeter using a silicon diode has been developed which can be used to check the calibration of radiation therapy treatment units at remote facilities by mail. The dose reading is retained indefinitely in a battery-operated CMOS digital counter. The accuracy of the device is at least ±0.6% standard deviation, as determined by 60 Co irradiations over a two month period.
Comment on “The role of non-equilibrium segregation in impurity segregation in steels”

Abstract The kinetics of impurity segregation in alloy steels can be a strong function of the alloy content. The case discussed here is the effect of molybdenum on the segregation of phosphorus, and a point to be made is that in a steel quenched to form martensite the vacancy content of the parent austenite is of little relevance.
Effect of thermal processing on free and total phenolics in nine varieties of common beans.

Though much attention has been devoted to phenolics in beans, to our knowledge no studies have been done to determine the effect commercial canning has on these compounds. Free and total phenolic c...
Ionic conductivity in Na+, K+, and Ag+ β″-alumina

Abstract This paper presents measurements of the ionic conductivity in single crystals of β″-alumina (0.84 M2O · 0.67 MgO · 5.2 Al2O3, M = Na, K, Ag). Single crystals of sodium β″-alumina were grown from a melt of Na2O, MgO, and Al2O3 at 1660 to 1730°C. Selected crystals were converted to the other isomorphs by ion exchange. The conductivity of sodium β″-alumina varies from 0.18 to 0.01 (ohm · cm)−1 at 25°C depending upon crystal growth conditions. Potassium β″-alumina has the unusually high room temperature conductivity of 0.13 (ohm · cm)−1. Silver β″-alumina has a slightly lower conductivity, 4 × 10−3 (ohm · cm)−1 at 25°C. The activation energies of sodium and potassium β″-alumina decrease with increasing temperature, while that of silver β″-alumina is constant from −80 to 450°C.
Precision Electroweak Data and the Mixed Radion-Higgs Sector of Warped Extra Dimensions

Abstract We derive the Lagrangian and Feynman rules up to bilinear scalar fields for the mixed Higgs–radion eigenstates interacting with Standard Model particles confined to a 3-brane in Randall–Sundrum warped geometry. We use the results to compute precision electroweak observables and compare theory predictions with experiment. We characterize the interesting regions of parameter space that simultaneously enable a very heavy Higgs mass and a very heavy radion mass, both masses being well above the putative Higgs boson mass limit in the Standard Model derived from the constraints of precision electroweak observables. For parameters consistent with the precision constraints the Higgs boson physical eigenstate is typically detectable, but its properties may be difficult to study at the large hadron collider. In contrast, masses and couplings are allowed for the physical radion eigenstate that make it unobservable at the LHC. A linear collider will significantly improve our ability to study the Higgs eigenstate, and will typically allow detection of the radion eigenstate if it is within the machine's kinematical reach.
Impact of heterogeneous sulfate formation at mineral dust surfaces on aerosol loads and radiative forcing in the Goddard Institute for Space Studies general circulation model

[1] Heterogeneous chemical reactions between sulfate precursors on the surface of mineral dust aerosols affect the atmospheric aerosol cycle and the Earth radiation budget. Heterogeneous reactions of sulfur dioxide with mineral dust particles enhance sulfate formation by producing internally mixed sulfate dust aerosols. The anthropogenic sulfate forcing is estimated to be reduced to −0.18 W/m2 because of the reduced load of externally mixed sulfate aerosols, compared to −0.25 W/m2 when heterogeneous surface reactions are excluded. Sulfate coating on mineral dust particles increases wet deposition of dust, causing a positive anthropogenic forcing due to less sulfate coating at preindustrial times. However, heterogeneous reaction pathways are highly uncertain, which is reflected in the wide spread of reaction pathways and uptake probability coefficients in the literature. We undertake a series of sensitivity experiments with the Goddard Institute for Space Studies climate model to investigate the impact of the uncertainty in uptake mechanisms and dust aerosol size distributions on the simulated sulfate cycle. The results of this study are very sensitive to both tested variables. For example, doubling the clay emissions (particles whose radii are less than 1 μm) leads to a sevenfold increase in heterogeneous sulfate production.
Global positioning system carrier phase: Description and use

After removing the modulation from the Global Positioning System (GPS) signal (L 1 orL 2) a pure carrier signal remains. Suppose this carrier is continuously and precisely tracked by aGPS receiver. Furthermore, suppose the phase of the carrier is periodically measured and recorded (nearly simultaneously at two or more locations) with respect to receiver oscillators having the same nominal frequency as theGPS carrier. This paper first considers alternative modeling and processing approaches to these observational data for static operations. Then an approach to dynamic relative positioning using triple differences is presented. This approach should lend itself to performing centimeter accuracy relative surveys in seconds rather than hours. An approach to fixing cycle slips, automatically, is included.
Pharmacological characterization of α-adrenoceptors in the bovine median caudal artery

Abstract This study was initiated to characterize α -adrenoceptors in the isolated bovine median caudal (tail) artery preparation for use as a model of blood vessels in the extremities of cattle. Prazosin shifted the concentration–response relationship for noradrenaline and phenylephrine to the right with pA 2 values of 8.74 and 9.04, respectively. Against noradrenaline, phentolamine yielded a pA 2 of 7.36. The concentration–response relationship for medetomidine was not inhibited by rauwolscine or idazoxan. The noradrenaline K A was 3.11 μ M. These results suggest that catecholamines elicit α -adrenoceptor-mediated contractions primarily through α 1 -adrenoceptors and not α 2 -adrenoceptors.
Intercellular junctional proteins as receptors and barriers to virus infection and spread.

Most viruses infect their hosts by crossing the mucosal surfaces of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, or genital tracts, then spread—often through the bloodstream—to other organs; they are shed in bodily secretions to reach new hosts. At each stage in the cycle of infection viruses surmount significant anatomic barriers. This Minireview focuses on the role of intercellular junctions as barriers to virus dissemination, and the somewhat paradoxical observation that several viruses, rather than evading these barriers, target them directly by using junctional proteins as receptors.
Christian Virtue and Ministry to Persons with Disabilities

This article describes, analyzes, and illustrates four virtues that Christian individuals and/or congregations, who intend to minister faithfully and effectively to and with persons with disabilities, ought to cultivate: 1) attentiveness, 2) patience, 3) generosity of spirit, and 4) reverence for human life. It contends that these virtues are both required for and fostered by the actual practice of ministering to and with persons with disabilities, and shows how they are often displayed by persons with disabilities themselves.
An unusual cause of persistent headache: chloroma (2008: 2b).

A chloroma (granulocytic sarcoma) is a rare tumour that is usually associated with leukaemia. The osseous skeleton is most commonly involved, and it confers a poorer prognosis for the underlying leukaemic disease. We present a case of a chloroma of the nasal sinuses that was the primary presentation of the patient’s underlying leukaemia.
Subduction controls of Hf and Nd isotopes in lavas of the Aleutian island arc

Abstract The Hf and Nd isotopic compositions of 71 Quaternary lavas collected from locations along the full length of the Aleutian island arc are used to constrain the sources of Aleutian magmas and to provide insight into the geochemical behavior of Nd and Hf and related elements in the Aleutian subduction–magmatic system. Isotopic compositions of Aleutian lavas fall approximately at the center of, and form a trend parallel to, the terrestrial Hf–Nd isotopic array with eHf of + 12.0 to + 15.5 and eNd of + 6.5 to + 10.5. Basalts, andesites, and dacites within volcanic centers or in nearby volcanoes generally all have similar isotopic compositions, indicating that there is little measurable effect of crustal or other lithospheric assimilation within the volcanic plumbing systems of Aleutian volcanoes. Hafnium isotopic compositions have a clear pattern of along-arc increase that is continuous from the eastern-most locations near Cold Bay to Piip Seamount in the western-most part of the arc. This pattern is interpreted to reflect a westward decrease in the subducted sediment component present in Aleutian lavas, reflecting progressively lower rates of subduction westward as well as decreasing availability of trench sediment. Binary bulk mixing models (sediment + peridotite) demonstrate that 1–2% of the Hf in Aleutian lavas is derived from subducted sediment, indicating that Hf is mobilized out of the subducted sediment with an efficiency that is similar to that of Sr, Pb and Nd. Low published solubility for Hf and Nd in aqueous subduction fluids lead us to conclude that these elements are mobilized out of the subducted component and transferred to the mantle wedge as bulk sediment or as a silicate melt. Neodymium isotopes also generally increase from east to west, but the pattern is absent in the eastern third of the arc, where the sediment flux is high and increases from east to west, due to the presence of abundant terrigenous sediment in the trench east of the Amlia Fracture Zone, which is being subducting beneath the arc at Seguam Island. Mixing trends between mantle wedge and sediment end members become flatter in Hf–Nd isotope space at locations further west along the arc, indicating that the sediment end member in the west has either higher Nd/Hf or is more radiogenic in Hf compared to Nd. This pattern is interpreted to reflect an increase in pelagic clay relative to the terrigenous subducted sedimentary component westward along the arc. Results of this study imply that Hf does not behave as a conservative element in the Aleutian subduction system, as has been proposed for some other arcs.
Male street hustling: Introduction processes and stigma containment

Individuals engaged in discrediting behavior (i.e., male street prostitution), but who are not yet discredited, employ strategies to prevent others from learning about their involvement. Since thei...
Indeterminate and Determinate Sentencing Models: A State-Specific Analysis of Their Effects on Recidivism

This article compares the effects of indeterminate and determinate sentencing models on recidivism using a measure of parole board discretionary release and mandatory parole release under each sentencing model. Data collected from Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 1994: United States are used to conduct a state-specific comparison of the two release programs in six mixed-sentencing states. The results indicate that the effects of different sentencing models significantly vary across the six states. Whereas mandatory parole release was more likely to have a deterrent effect on recidivism in Maryland and Virginia, parole board discretionary release was more effective in New York and North Carolina. Release programs in Oregon and Texas showed no significant differences in their effects on recidivism.
Dense Crithidia Growth and Heme Sparing: Relation to Fe, Cu, Mo Chelation*

SYNOPSIS. Heme, intrinsically required by Trypanosomatidae, is unstable, especially in conventional alkaline (pH 7.2–8.0) media. Low solubility of heme in a pH 6.5 basal medium (developed to assay biopterin with Crithidia fasciculata) posed a problem: in media acidified during growth because of glycolysis, heme precipitated, perhaps contributed to acid-limited growth and interfered with densitometric estimation of growth. The remedy was to: replace glucose with less rapidly metabolized mannitol; distribute media in thin layers to promote oxidation of acetate, fumarate, and malate (presumably leaving an alkaline residue); and buffer heavily with histidine + Good zwitterionic buffers, and superimpcse physiological buffering by arginine + asparagine whose catabolism appeared to yield an excess of NH+4 over acid. Thereupon, Fe and Cu deficiencies sharply limited growth in the medium whose main chelators were: (a) 2,3–dihydroxybenzoic + 5-sulfosalicylic acids (which preferentially bind transitional elements at their higher valences; (b) malic and gluconic acids; and (c) histidine. With unconventionally heightened concentrations of Fe, Cu, and Mo (the latter serving as Cu buffer as well as nutrient per se), the hemin concentration could be lowered, widening the margin of safety for heme solubility. Growth then reached 1.4 × 108 cell/ml. This medium may serve to screen for ligands promoting uptake or release of Fe and Cu. The increased growth is a step towards improving the assay medium for biopterin and practical use of Crithidia to assay several B vitamins and essential amino acids for metazoa.
Window-based energy-aware model for real-time detection and reporting of progressive development of cardiac atrial fibrillation in wearable computing

Current portable healthcare monitoring systems are small, battery-operated electrocardiograph devices that are used to record the heart's rhythm and activity. However they are not energy-aware and fall short on delivering real-time early detection and reporting of progressive development of cardiac atrial fibrillation (A-Fib). Previous work by the same authors proposes adopting an incidence-based energy-aware model that incorporates a real-time detection algorithm for the onset of A-Fib using an A-Fib incidence rate in a wearable computing device during a 24 hour period. The results of the adopted incidence-based energy-aware model show an improvement of 38.2% when compared to the energy consumed by current telemetry energy model. This paper extends the previous design to the paroxysmal phase of A-Fib within a personalized A-Fib prevalence window lasting up to 7 days in order to monitor and detect the progressive development of A-Fib in wearable computing devices. The results from the new window-based energy-aware model show that the proposed energy model may potentially consume 89.7% less energy than the telemetry energy model. The design shows promising results in further meeting the energy needs for real-time detection and reporting of progressive development of cardiac A-Fib in wearable computing devices.
Paradigms and problems: The practice of social science in natural resource management

Increasingly, natural resource management is seeing calls for new paradigms. These calls pose challenges that have implications not only for planning and management, but also for the practice of science. As a consequence, the profession needs to deepen its understanding of the nature of science by exploring recent advances in the philosophy of science. We believe that one of the problems inhibiting a better understanding of science is a strongly ingrained belief that science is about methodology. This perspective is reflected in Hetherington, Daniel, and Brown's (1994) recent criticism of Bengston's (1994) methodological pluralism. To initiate discussions that may help bring about a reconsideration of the nature of science, we offer a two‐part definition of science. The first portrays science as a systematic endeavor that shares a common process without mandating a common methodology. The second part is an attempt to highlight and promote an exploration of the normative structure that underlies science.
The morphogenetic sequence followed by migrating slugs of Dictyostelium discoideum during reentry into the fruiting mode

Abstract Given the appropriate environmental cues, a migrating slug of Dictyostelium discoideum can, at any time, stop migrating, reenter the fruiting mode, and complete fruiting body construction over approximately an 8 h period. The reentry sequence exhibited by single slugs of known size and developmental condition has been documented in still photomicrographs and time-lapse videotape recordings. Reentry, culminating in the construction of a single fruiting body, has been found to involve a complex series of concerted morphogenetic movements by the slug tip and posterior regions which are remarkably invariant both in pattern and timing. At a frequency positively correlated with slug length, a variant scenario is impressed upon this basic sequence that leads to the formation of multiple fruits. The latter involves one or more transverse splits within the posterior region that can be preceded, attended, or succeeded by the appearance of additional apical tips in (relatively) anterior, medial, or posterior locations. The paradigmal sequences described here can serve as topographic groundwork upon which to construct or with which to test formal models of morphogenetic regulation. Repeated examinations of the videotapes have given us the impression that slug reentry resembles a reprise of aggregation involving the movement of the posterior region as a single outlying stream toward and under the tip, accompanied over the 2–2.5 h period by the accelerated progression of the tip and underlying region to the Mexican Hat stage. An earlier study [3,7] had shown that slug reentry triggers the quantal resynthesis of aggregation-associated proteins such as UDPG-pyrophosphorylase and UDP galactosyl transferase plus a delayed first round of UDP Gal-4-epimerase, a post-aggregation protein uniquely associated with the fruiting mode. It is noteworthy that the same pattern of protein synthesis is exhibited by cells mechanically dispersed from aggregates after 16–18 h development while they (rapidly) reaggregate and recapitulate previously accomplished morphogenesis [10].
Representation of the fovea in the superior temporal sulcus of the macaque monkey.

The response properties of 633 neurons from striate and prestriate cortex were recorded in 3 hemispheres of two awake cynomolgus monkeys while they fixated or tracked a small spot of light. Of 254 penetrations located at 1 mm intervals, 39% were identifiable from visible electrolytic lesions or electrode tracks and were used to reconstruct the positions of all recording sites. A total of 226 cells were located in the superior temporal sulcus and 81 cells in area V1. The location and visuotopic organization of the foveal portion of the middle temporal (MT) visual area were determined in three hemispheres. MT was defined physiologically on the basis of direction-selectivity, receptive field size, and retinotopic organization. Of 170 MT neurons, most were motion sensitive, and 65% had a directionality index, (best — opposite)/best, of 0.6 or higher. MT was defined anatomically on the basis of myelin staining within the superior temporal sulcus (STS). On the posterior bank of the STS the physiologically defined border corresponded closely to a myelin border visible on our sections. Distinct myelin borders were not consistently identifiable on the anterior bank. The representation of the central fovea (eccentricities of 0–1 deg) was located partly on the floor, but mostly on the posterior bank of the STS at the extreme postero-lateral edge of MT. In all three hemispheres foveal MT extended onto the roof of a cleft formed between the posterior bank and a wide flattened area on the floor of the STS. This region lies 10–12 mm below the brain surface, measuring along a line normal to the surface at a point 2–3 mm antero-lateral to foveal V1. The area of MT was 6–9 mm2 for the central fovea (0–1 deg), 15–24 mm2 for the entire fovea (0–3 deg), and 28–40 mm2 including the fovea and parafovea (0–10 deg). A visuotopic map of central foveal V1 (0–1 deg) was obtained in one animal. The measured area of this representation was 116 mm2. Using published estimates of the total areas of cynomolgus MT and V1 (73 and 1200 mm2 respectively) the ratio of central foveal to total area was calculated to be 0.10 for both MT (7.5/73) and V1 (116/1200), indicating that the relative magnification of the foveal versus the peripheral visual field is preserved in the mapping of V1 onto MT. A separate representation of the central visual field was found immediately adjacent to foveal MT. This region, the FST area (Ungerleider et al. 1982; Ungerleider and Desimone 1986a, b), was distinguishable from MT in three ways: 1) by the presence of occasional visually unresponsive cells, 2) by the presence of cells with very large receptive fields intermingled with cells whose receptive fields are comparable in size to those found in foveal MT, and 3) by an increased incidence of cells responding during tracking. Of 34 FST neurons, 53% had a directionality index of 0.6 or higher. An additional 22 cells recorded in the superior temporal sulcus were judged to be outside both MT and FST.
New steganalysis technique for the digital media forensics examiner

Steganographic fingerprints are convened with the individuality of the steganographic methods. The basic goals of this article are: 1. To evaluate sequential and randomly embedded steganographic evidence within digital images. 2. To identify the “steganographic fingerprint” of spatial domain based steganographic methods. Steganographic fingerprinting is the next step towards forensic analysis, reachable only if one may localize steganographic content within an image. The presented detection method works equally well for sequential and random embedding. We will show that the new method may improve the message length estimation, detection accuracy and give an indication of the embedding method. In addition we will show the false alarm rate of 0.9 for the proposed method, while the false alarm rate for the commonly used technique RS Steganalysis is 2.4.
Silicon carbide (SiC) top-down nanowire electromechanical resonators

We report experimental realization of very thin suspended SiC nanowires (NWs), with widths as small as 20nm, via top-down lithography-nanomachining processes. This enables very high frequency (VHF) nanoscale electromechanical resonators with remarkable performance (e.g., resonance frequency f 0 ∼100MHz, and quality factor Q≫1000) at room temperature. Radio-frequency (RF) characterization of these resonators is achieved by engineering efficient magnetomotive signal transduction into a new compact apparatus, and by enhancing capacitive detection with impedance-matching circuits. Novel designs of top-down SiC NWs with multiple coupling gates lead to demonstrations of devices with versatile and advanced functions in both resonant and static operations.
ESCAPE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO PURSUIT-DETERRENT SIGNALLING IN THE CUBAN CURLY-TAILED LIZARD LEIOCEPHALUS CARINATUS

Several aspects of escape behavior are predictable by escape theory based on expected costs due to predation risk and escaping. Although the function of pursuit-deterrent signaling is to dissuade predators from attack, relatively little is known about relationships between specific components of escape and the signaling behavior. I studied effects of the risk factor distance from refuge on flight initiation distance, distance fled, probability of entering refuge, and the distance between predator (an approaching human) and prey when pursuit-deterrent display begins (display distance) in the Cuban curly-tailed lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus). I also investigated whether starting distance (distance between predator and prey when approach begins) affects escape behaviors. As predicted by escape theory, flight initiation distance and distance fled were greater and refuge entry was less probable at greater distance from refuge, indicating that qualitative predictions of escape theory apply to pursuit deterrent...