cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 136: hsa-miR-20a promotes tumorigenesis in ccRCC cancer cell lines

Objective & Background: We have previously reported specific microRNA profiles in renal cell cancer (RCC) cell lines in vitro (Kurisetty et al. AACR Annual Meeting 2010. A # 3045;). Among the miR signatures identified, miR-20a, a member of 17-92 Oncomir cluster, stood out as a highly upregulated miR in most RCC cell lines, regardless of their VHL status. The objectives of this study are to characterize the biological significance of miR 20A upregulation in RCC. Methods: ccRCC cell lines 786.O, ACHN and KV6 and HREC, were used for cell based biological/phenotypic assays. miRNA-gene target prediction analysis was performed using miRGEN and DIANA lab programs. miR-20a-Mimic (Mi) and miR-20a-Inhibitor (In) were transiently transfected into normal HREC cell line and RCC cell lines, respectively. Cell adhesion, proliferation, softagar colony formation and transwell invasion/migration assays were performed to investigate the influences of miR-20a-Mi/In transfected into normal and ccRCC cell lines. Conditioned medium from transfected cell lines was tested for its ability to induce in vitro angiogenesis in HUVECs. Western blotting was performed to identify the changes in E2F5 protein expression in the miR-20a-Mi/In transfected normal and ccRCC cell lines. Results: In normal HREC cells, upregulation of miR 20a (by miR-20a-Mi), significantly induced cell proliferation, adhesion, migration & invasion and soft agar colony formation. miR-20a knock down in RCC cells (by miR-20a-In) significantly reduced cell proliferation, adhesion, migration & invasion and colony formation to levels similar to non-malignant HREC cells. Prediction analyses through bioinformatics approaches identified E2F5, a transcription factor and a tumor suppressor of the E2F family of transcription factors, as a target of miR-20a. Compared to non-tumor HREC cells, E2F5 was significantly downregulated in RCC cell lines, and miR-20a inhibition enhanced E2F5 expression in cancer cells. miR-20a-Mi enhanced the ability of HREC conditioned medium to induce capillary formation in HUVECs. Conclusion: Our results suggest that miR-20a may promote the tumorigenic properties of RCC in vitro. Moreover, miR 20a may promote angiogenesis. We demonstrated that E2F5 is a target of miR 20a, is reduced in RCC cell lines, and its expression is enhanced by mir-20a inhibition, suggesting that E2F5 may mediate the tumor promoting effects of miR 20a. Molecular mechanisms of miR-20a function are currently being investigated further to understand its tumorigenic potential. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 136. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-136
Cost Advantages of Large Underground Nuclear Parks

Underground nuclear power plant parks have been projected to be economically feasible compared to above ground installations. This paper is a conceptual analysis of the cost savings, compared to surface facilities, which result from reduced costs in the aspects of construction, transportation of materials, security, and decommissioning. The paper also explores the cost burdens associated with underground nuclear power plant parks. Overall, the cost savings are projected to far outweigh the cost burdens if design and regulatory issues are reasonably managed. The cost savings for electricity generated over a 60 year life of a typical 1000 MWe nuclear power plant are projected to be 0.23 to 0.66 cents (2008 U.S. currency) per kWh.© 2009 ASME
Spin-dependent transport in a magnetic two-dimensional electron gas

Abstract Magneto-transport and magneto-optical probes are used to interrogate spin-dependent transport in magnetic heterostructures wherein a two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is exchange-coupled to local moments. At low temperatures, the significant s–d exchange-enhanced spin splitting in these “magnetic” 2DEGs is responsible for the observation of unusual transport properties such as a complete spin polarization of the gas at large Landau level filling factors and a pronounced, non-monotonic background magneto-resistance. Magneto-transport measurements of gated samples performed in a parallel field geometry are used to systematically study the variation of the magneto-resistance with sheet concentration, yielding new insights into the dependence of spin transport on the Fermi energy of the majority spin carriers.
Student use of energy concepts from physics in chemistry courses

This paper describes an interdisciplinary investigation of students' usage of ideas about energy from physics in the context of introductory chemistry. We focus on student understanding of the idea that potential energy is a function of distance between interacting objects, a concept relevant to understanding potential energy in both physical and chemical contexts. Data from student responses to written surveys and focus-group interviews reveal that students do not spontaneously make connections between ideas they have about energy from physics classes and the understanding of energy that they develop in chemistry. We describe the development of a sequence of questions that appears to aid students in drawing these connections appropriately. We also document students' as they are confronted with and struggle to resolve the mismatch between their energy ideas from physics and chemistry.
The July Climate and a Comparison of the January and July Climates Simulated by the GISS General Circulation Model

Results are presented for a study directed to evaluate the ability of the global general circulation model of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in simulating seasonal differences as related to an experiment simulating the July climatology which parallels the January simulation presented by Somerville et al. (1974). The July and January simulations are compared with each other and with climatological data on seasonal changes, mainly for the Northern Hemisphere troposphere. The comparison shows that the model-generated energy cycle, distribution of winds, temperature, humidity and pressure, dynamical transports, diabatic heating, evaporation, precipitation and cloud cover are all realistic for the Northern Hemisphere troposphere in July. The model's simulation of seasonal differences is generally quite realistic since the systematic quantitative errors do not affect the simulation of relative changes, to first order. Defects that could seriously bias the model's performance in particular climate experiments are identified and discussed.
The human LINE-1 retrotransposon creates DNA double-strand breaks.

Long interspersed element-1 (L1) is an autonomous retroelement that is active in the human genome. The proposed mechanism of insertion for L1 suggests that cleavage of both strands of genomic DNA is required. We demonstrate that L1 expression leads to a high level of double-strand break (DSB) formation in DNA using immunolocalization of γ-H2AX foci and the COMET assay. Similar to its role in mediating DSB repair in response to radiation, ATM is required for L1-induced γ-H2AX foci and for L1 retrotransposition. This is the first characterization of a DNA repair response from expression of a non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposon in mammalian cells as well as the first demonstration that a host DNA repair gene is required for successful integration. Notably, the number of L1-induced DSBs is greater than the predicted numbers of successful insertions, suggesting a significant degree of inefficiency during the integration process. This result suggests that the endonuclease activity of endogenously expressed L1 elements could contribute to DSB formation in germ-line and somatic tissues.
Scientific misconduct as a dilemma for nursing.

Scientific misconduct—fabrication, falsification, plagiarism or other deviations from ethical standards—is not new or unique to any discipline. Although nurses have not been included in publicized cases of misconduct, nursing is not immune. Circumstances that may be related to misconduct such as pressures to publish and to earn tenure, inadequate supervision of young scientists, limitations of the peer review system, and excessive numbers of publications by an individual are present or could develop within the profession. Careful socialization of young scientists, modifications in tenure and promotion guidelines, and replication studies are suggested as ways to prevent misconduct within nursing.
Gene structure of the OmpA protein, a major surface protein of Escherichia coli required for cell-cell interaction

Abstract The DNA sequence of the gene for the ompA protein, a major outer membrane protein of Escherichia coli , has been determined. The messenger RNA for the protein was deduced to consist of 140, 1038 and 46 bases for the 5′ end untranslated, the coding and the 3′ end untranslated regions, respectively. In the mRNA, 25 stable stem-and-loop structures (total ΔG = −215 kcal) can be formed, which cover the entire mRNA except for a sequence of 99 bases around the ribosome-binding site and the initiation codon. The secondary structure at the 3′ end of the mRNA shows a remarkable similarity in respect of the termination codon and the transcription termination signal with the mRNA for the lipoprotein, another major outer membrane protein. From the DNA sequence, the ompA protein was found to consist of 325 amino acid residues and is produced from a secretory precursor, pro-ompA protein, having a signal peptide of 21 extra amino acid residues at the amino terminal end. The codon usage is unusual and as much as 76% of the total amino acid residues are coded only by 17 codons. The DNA sequence of a fused gene between the ompA gene and an unknown gene from a cloning vector, pMF21, was also determined. In the hybrid protein produced by the fused gene 96 residues from the carboxyl terminus of the ompA protein were replaced with five residues from the gene from pMF21. However, the hybrid protein can still confer the sensitivity against ompA protein-specific phage, suggesting that the ompA protein can be incorporated without 30% of the protein from its carboxyl terminus into the outer membrane.
Contradicting the Contrarians: The Rhetoric of the Neoconservative Right in Social Studies Education

(2005). Contradicting the Contrarians: The Rhetoric of the Neoconservative Right in Social Studies Education. The Social Studies: Vol. 96, No. 4, pp. 149-155.
Effects of Time-dependent Moisture Content of Surface Sediments on Aeolian Transport Rates Across a Beach, Wildwood, New Jersey, U.S.A.

A one-day field investigation on an unvegetated backbeach documents the importance of surface sediment drying to aeolian transport. Surface sediments were well sorted fine sand. Moisture content of samples taken in the moist areas on the backbeach varied from 2·9 to 9·2 per cent. Lack of dry sediment inhibited transport prior to 08:50. By 09:10 conspicuous streamers of dry sand moved across the moist surface. Barchan-shaped bedforms, 30 to 40 mm high and composed of dry sand (moisture content <0·10 per cent), formed where sand streamers converged. The surface composed of dry sand increased from 5 per cent of the area of the backbeach at 09:50 to 90 per cent by 12:50 Mean wind speeds were beetween 5·6 and 8·6 m s−1 at 6 m above the backbeach. Corresponding shear velocities were always above the entrainment threshold for dry sand and below the threshold for the moist sand on the backbeach. Measured rates of sand trapped (by vertical cylindrical traps) increased during the day relative to calculated rates. The measured rate of sand trapped on the moist foreshore was higher than the rate trapped on the backbeach during the same interval, indicating that the moist foreshore (moisture content 18 per cent) was an efficient transport surface for sediment delivered from the dry portion of the beach upwind. Measured rates of sand trapped show no clear relationship to shear velocities unless time-dependent surface moisture content is considered. Results document conditions that describe transport across moist surfaces in terms of four stages including: (1) entrainment of moist sediment from a moist surface; (2) in situ drying of surface grains from a moist surface followed by transport across the surface; (3) entrainment and transport of dry sediment from bedforms that have accumulated on the moist surface; and (4) entrainment of sand from a dry upwind source and transport across a moist downwind surface. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atrial natriuretic factor regulation of cyclic GMP levels and steroidogenesis in isolated fasciculata cells of rat adrenal cortex

Isolated fasciculata cells of rat adrenal cortex, when incubated with atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), stimulated the levels of cyclic GMP and corticosterone production in a concentration-dependent manner without a rise in the levels of cyclic AMP. The ANF-dependent elevation of cyclic GMP was rapid, with a detectable increment in 30 s. ANF also stimulated the particulate guanylate cyclase. These results not only indicate the coupling of cyclic GMP and corticosterone production with ANF signal, but also demonstrate that, like the ACTH signal, cyclic AMP is not the mediator of ANF-induced adrenocortical steroidogenesis.
A Note on the Names of Selected Magicians

AbstractThis note defines the concept of “magic” and comments on the meaning of its various synonyms. Second, it suggests a typology of names based on 150 selected stage names or pseudonyms employed by magicians. Finally, it contains an appendix with a selected list of magicians’ stage names and real names including birth and death dates (where available) and place of birth (where available).
Ring Closing Metathesis Reactions on Phosphonamide and Phosphonate Templates

Abstract Phosphonrs containing organic compounds have shown enormous potential in the development of novel pharmaceutical and agricultural agents [1,2]. One attractive route into the formation of complex phosphonamides and phosphonates is via the RCM reaction of acyclic substrates such as 1,4. and 6. Recently we published the first example of a RCM reaction on a phosphonate template [4]. Although the RCM reaction has emerged as a powerful tool in the synthesis of complex ring systems [3]. only one other example exists in the literature of a RCM reaction on phosphines using a tungsten carbene catalyst [5]. As part of our program aimed at developing organometallic approaches to diverse phosphorus containing compounds, we herein report the first examples of RCM reactions on phosphonamide templates such as 1 and 4 using the ruthenium catalyst 2. In addition. we report new examples of RCM reactions on phosphonate templates such as 6.
Behavioral Control of Smoking with Combined Procedures

54 smokers were treated under one of three conditions. The longer the subject had been smoking prior to treatment and higher daily smoking rates at the time of therapy were the best predictors of whether the subject was able to quit smoking. Subjects were treated with several self-control procedures over varying number of daily sessions. It was concluded that an immediate punishment technique was not effective and that 5, 7, or 9 days of therapy were not of sufficient duration for a high rate of success to be attained.
Adolescent Girls’ Use of Avoidant and Approach Coping as Moderators Between Trauma Exposure and Trauma Symptoms

High rates of child maltreatment demand attention, as exposure to child maltreatment substantially increases the risk of developing PTSD. Some evidence exists that the presence of coping skills may reduce the likelihood that victims of childhood maltreatment will develop PTSD (Agaibi & Wilson, Trauma Violence Abuse 6:195–216, 2005). This study examined whether avoidant and/or approach coping skills moderated the relationship between childhood trauma exposure and trauma symptoms among adolescent females with a history of complex trauma. Results suggest that the use of avoidant coping moderates the relationship between trauma exposure and trauma symptoms. More specifically, girls with higher levels of trauma exposure demonstrated lower levels of trauma symptoms if they reported using higher levels of avoidant coping. Clinical implications for these results are discussed.
Effect of High Levels of Fat, Lactose, and Type of Bulk in Guinea Pig Diets.∗

SummaryGum acacia, Spangles, and Solka-floc have been compared as bulk agents for the guinea pig by employing normal, high-fat, and lactose diets. The average growth rate of the groups receiving Solka-floc was slightly better in all cases. Guinea pigs grew very well on diets containing 12% corn oil (7.7 g day) and at a rate of 4.9 g/day with 24% corn oil diets using Solka-floc as the bulk. Guinea pigs fed diets with lactose as the sole carbohydrate grew at a rate of about 2.0 g/day. Substitution of sucrose for half of the lactose incresed growth to over twice the rate obtained with lactose alone.
Laser Effects on Vision and Ocular Exposure Limits

Abstract Laser radiation poses significant risks to vision when the eye is located within the beam (intrabeam viewing), and occupational exposure limits (ELs) have been developed for these conditions. Under special circumstances, viewing even a diffuse reflection can be hazardous. The potential hazards of laser exposure vary significantly with wavelength and exposure duration. Recommended ELs have been published by a number of organizations, including the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, the American National Standards Institute accredited committee Z-136 of the Laser Institute of America, the International Non-Ionizing Radiation Committee of the International Radiation Protection Association, and the International Electrotechnical Commission. Most of the ELs are equivalent in these standards or guidelines. Recent efforts have amended these standards or guidelines to take into account new information relating to viewing extended sources, ultraviolet lasers, and infrared lasers. O...
Classroom treatment of autistic children: II. Individualized instruction in a group.

This study was designed to assess the feasibility of providing individualized instruction in a classroom of autistic children. In particular, we investigated whether students' unsupervised responding was a variable which would influence the effectiveness of individualized instruction procedures. Initially, one teacher attempted to teach different academic behavior to four autistic children simultaneously. During these sessions the teacher rotated from child to child, providing individualized instructions and reinforcers to each. We found, however, that each child stopped responding whenever the teacher rotated to a different child and, further, no academic progress occurred for any of the children during these sessions. In a multiple baseline design, treatment procedures were then introduced (prompt fading, chaining, and programmed instructional materials) to teach each student to continue working for an extended period of time after each instruction from the teacher. After treatment, sessions of individualized instruction in a group were reintroduced for each child. The results showed that unsupervised responding was an important variable influencing the effectiveness of individualized instruction. Specifically, the data show that (1) unsupervised responding, acquired during treatment, generalized to the group setting; (2) after treatment, each child began to make progress on his assigned tasks; and (3) programming instructional materials in small steps appeared to be necessary in order to ensure the maintenance of unsupervised responding across changes in instructional materials. By the end of this study it was possible for one teacher to simultaneously teach four autistic children — with each child learning at his own rate, on his own task, with minimal supervision from the teacher. It is suggested that the generalizability of these results, to other settings where continuous supervision is difficult, may be an important concern of future research.
Promises Made, Promises Broken: An Exploration of Employee Attraction and Retention Practices in Small Business

Entrepreneurial organizations have undergone substantial workforce changes and transformations during the last two decades in order to compete successfully on a global scale. The ability to attract and retain reliable and competent employees has become a key component in developing an effective and sustainable competitive advantage. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of the psychological contract and the types of promises made and communicated by small business organizations to attract and retain their employees. From a sample of 151 employees within small businesses, the results demonstrate that perceived unfulfilled promises can have a considerable impact on workplace attitudes, commitment, and intentions to leave the organization. Implications and recommendations for small businesses as well as directions for future research are discussed.
Evidence for an association between non-hodgkin lymphoma and melanoma

Purpose Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the fifth most common cancer in the United States, but the etiology of most cases remains obscure. We investigated the relation between family history of skin cancer and risk of NHL using data from the Selected Cancers Study. Methods Cases ( n = 1008) were men ages 32 to 60 years diagnosed with NHL from 1984 to 1988 and identified from eight U.S. population-based cancer registries. Case diagnoses were confirmed on consensus after independent and blinded re-review of tissue specimens by a panel of three hematopathologists. Controls ( n = 1782) were men identified by random-digit dialing and frequency-matched to cases by age and cancer registry. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) adjusted for the design variables. Results Among men with a family history of melanoma, the odds ratio for overall risk of NHL was 3.3 (95% CI = 1.4, 7.5). The corresponding odds ratio among men with a family history of other skin cancer types was 0.8 (95% CI = 0.5, 1.1). Stratified analyses for NHL of the diffuse and follicular subtypes, which comprised more than 80% of cases, revealed odds ratios of 4.0 (95% CI = 1.5, 10.8) and 2.1 (95% CI = 0.6, 8.0) for risk of diffuse NHL and follicular NHL, respectively. Conclusion These data suggest that a family history of melanoma is associated with an increased risk of NHL, particularly diffuse NHL. In contrast, a family history of other skin cancer types did not appear to be associated with NHL risk.
Distribution and Abundance of Caddisflies (Trichoptera) in the St. Clair-Detroit River System

Abundance and distribution patterns of the caddisflies of the St. Clair-Detroit River system were investigated in 1983–84. Collections of both adults and larvae yielded 70 species representing 34 genera and 12 families. Leptoceridae and Hydroptilidae were the most common families and Ceraclea the most common genus in number of species. This study adds 21 species to the Michigan record. The hydropsychids Cheumatopsyche (81, 63, 105 m−2; log-transformed values for mean and lower and upper 95% C.L.) and Hydropsyche (70, 57, 87 m−2) were the most abundant genera collected as larvae in the St. Clair and Detroit rivers, while Oecetis (41, 35, 47 m−2) was the most abundant in Lake St. Clair. Larval densities of caddisflies in the Detroit River were about twice those in the St. Clair River, but the number of genera collected in each river was about equal (22 vs. 23). Larval abundances were higher in October than May because most genera had substantial overwinter population declines. Low densities and species richness in some areas of the St. Clair-Detroit River system may reflect in part continued water quality problems, but community structure has markedly improved and representation of pollution-sensitive organisms has increased over a 12–15 year period.
Contour ripping is more beneficial than composted manure for restoring degraded rangelands in Central Texas.

Abstract Rangelands in the United States that have been the site of military training exercises have suffered extensive ecological damage, largely because of soil compaction, creation of ruts, and damage to or destruction of vegetation—all of which lead to higher runoff and accelerated erosion. In this paper we report on a study carried out within the Fort Hood Military Reservation in Central Texas, where we evaluated the extent to which application of composted dairy manure and contour ripping affect soil infiltrability, amount of runoff, and nutrient concentrations in runoff. We conducted experiments at two locations, using rainfall simulation at one and monitoring discharge from small (0.3-ha) watersheds at the other. At the rainfall simulation site, we used six levels of compost application: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 Mg/ha. We found that compost application had little effect on runoff, soil infiltration, sediment production, or nutrient concentrations in the runoff—except at the micro-watershed scale (12 and 24 Mg/ha); in this case, nutrient concentrations in runoff were initially high (for the rainfall simulations done immediately after compost application). In contrast, contour ripping—carried out 22 months after compost application on two of the micro-watersheds—was highly effective: runoff on the treated micro-watershed was reduced by half compared with the untreated micro-watershed. Our results suggest that (1) one-time applications of composted dairy manure do little to enhance infiltration of degraded rangelands over the short term (at the same time, these experiments demonstrated that compost application poses very little risk to water quality); and (2) for degraded rangelands with limited infiltration capacity, contour ripping is an effective strategy for increasing infiltration rates.
Prolonged suppression of brain nitric oxide synthase activity by 7-nitroindazole protects against cerebral hypoxic-ischemic injury in neonatal rat

Abstract Nitric oxide mediates glutamate-induced excitotoxicity associated with cerebral hypoxia–ischemia through production in the brain by several isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). We examined the influence of the selective neuronal NOS inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), on brain NOS activity and its neuroprotective effects against cerebral hypoxic–ischemic injury in the postnatal day (PND) 7 rat. In the first set of experiments, 7-NI (50 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) transiently inhibited NOS activity to 40% below the vehicle control level at 1 h after injection ( P P P P
Quantum conduction through double‐bend electron waveguide structures

Quantum transport properties through a variety of electron waveguide structures that have a double‐bend geometry are investigated using the recursive Greens function technique. The conductance is calculated as a function of the chemical potential using the two‐probe, multichannel Landauer–Buttiker formula. The results for the right‐angle double‐bend structure are in agreement with previous calculations based on mode‐matching techniques. For multiple double‐bend structures in series, the existence of an energy gap between the first and second subband threshold energies where the conductance is suppressed is shown. The effects of disorder and thermal broadening on the conductance are also investigated.
Voltammetric current oscillations due to general and pitting corrosion of tantalum: Implications for electrochemical–mechanical planarization

Abstract Anodic corrosion of Ta is examined for potential applications in electrochemical–mechanical planarization (ECMP) of diffusion barriers. This strategy involves electro-oxidation of Ta in the presence of NO 3 - (or Br−) to form mechanically weak surface-oxide films, followed by mechanical removal of the latter. The voltammetric currents exhibit oscillatory behaviour with frequencies that are signature attributes of localised pitting by Br− or general surface corrosion by NO 3 - . SEM, voltammetry, and impedance spectroscopy are used to probe these corrosion mechanisms. Apart from their relevance for ECMP, the results also address certain fundamental aspects of pitting and general corrosion of valve metals.
Bartonella henselae antibody prevalence in free-ranging and captive wild felids from California.

In order to determine the importance of wild felids in the epidemiology of Bartonella spp. infection, 136 Nobuto strips or serum samples from free-ranging mountain lions (Felis concolor) and bobcats (Felis rufus) captured in California (USA) between 1985 and 1996 were tested for B. henselae antibodies (titer ≥ 1:64) using an immunofluorescence test. Similarly, 124 serum samples from 114 captive wild cats representing 26 species or subspecies collected between 1991 and 1995 were retrieved from the serum banks of four California zoological parks. Fifty-three percent (33/62) of the bobcats, 35% (26/74) of the mountain lions, and 30% (34/114) of the captive wild felids (genera Acinonyx, Panthera and Felis) had B. henselae antibodies. In captive wild felids, prevalence varied widely among the species, but seropositivity was more likely to occur in the genus Felis than in the genus Acinonyx or Panthera. Prevalence was evenly distributed between sexes, except for free-ranging mountain lions. Antibody prevalence ...
A review of the implementation of “true and fair” financial reporting in France from a sociohistorical perspective

Abstract A review of the implementation of the European Community's Fourth Directive in France indicates that the French “true and fair” view is largely different from the original (British) “true and fair” concept. The British place special emphasis upon the “fair” component. The French, on the other hand, stress the “true” component. This practice is consistent with a sociohistorical understanding of French financial reporting. Sociohistorical (in the context of this study) refers to a synthesis of Smith's (1973, 1976) modified (enlarged) exogenism and Tinker's (1980) political economy of accounting. A sociohistorical understanding of French financial reporting indicates a traditional emphasis upon accuracy of content (form) rather than relevancy (substance)—a tradition that apparently is being upheld in France due to pluralist social relations.
Temperature changes, temperature extremes, and their relationship to emergency department visits and hospitalizations for sickle cell crisis

Weather changes are among the proposed precursors of painful sickle cell crises. However, epidemiologic data are mixed regarding the relationship between ambient temperature and crisis frequency. To study this relationship among a local sickle cell disease population, emergency department (ED) visits and admissions were evaluated in adults with sickle cell crisis as the primary diagnosis at a major teaching hospital in a temperate climate. Official daily ambient temperatures (average for that day) were obtained from the National Climate Data Center for the days patients visited the ED or were hospitalized, and for 24 or 48 hours prior. Daily ED visit counts and admission counts were correlated with the visit/admission day's ambient temperature, with the ambient temperature 24 hours before admission, and with the magnitude of change in daily ambient temperature over the prior 24 or 48 hours. For all correlations, statistical significance was defined as a p value of /= 0.30. ED visits or admissions correlated statistically, but not clinically, with daily temperatures. On days when temperatures were 80 degrees F, these correlations were statistically significant, but clinical significance was variable. ED visits or admissions correlated only statistically with temperatures 24 hours prior, even on days when temperatures were 80 degrees F, the correlations were statistically significant, but there was a reverse, clinically significant correlation between admissions and temperatures. Finally, only statistically significant correlations were found between ED visits or admissions and change in temperature over the prior 24 or 48 hours. Weak or inconsistent confirmation of a relationship was found between daily ambient temperatures and ED visits or hospital admissions for sickle cell crises.
Identification of sources of atmospheric PM at the Pittsburgh Supersite—Part II: Quantitative comparisons of single particle, particle number, and particle mass measurements

Abstract A single particle mass spectrometer, RSMS-3, and a MOUDI were deployed during the Pittsburgh Air Quality Study (PAQS), July 2001–September 2002, to obtain size resolved measurements of elemental composition for particulate matter (PM) within the Pittsburgh area. Elemental mass distributions from analysis of the MOUDI stages were directly compared to those constructed using the single particle data, in conjunction with coincident SMPS measurements, for specific days within the PAQS. Results from one episode on 27 October 2001 showed that approximately 80% of the metal containing particles detected on this day belonged to the Na/Si/K/Ca/Fe/Ga/Pb particle class. The density and shape factor of these particles were estimated to be 3.9±0.8 g/cc and 1.5±0.2, respectively, and the relative sensitivity factors for individual metals showed little variation with respect to particle diameter over the size range of 70–800 nm. Compared to the 27 October 2001 episode, there was a larger degree of variability in the metal containing particles detected during another episode on 14 March 2002. The Ca and Pb mass distributions from this day represent an ensemble of externally mixed particles. Estimates of particle density were provided for the dominant particle types, including EC/OC/Ca, Al/Si/Ca/Fe, EC/OC/Pb and Na/K/Zn/Pb, and estimates of particle shape factor were provided for the EC/OC/Ca and Na/K/Zn/Pb classes. Comparison with the 27 October 2001 Ca and Pb mass distributions revealed that the RSMS data reconstructed the MOUDI mass much better from the Ca/Pb containing particles detected on 14 March 2002 than those observed on 27 October 2001, suggesting that the single particle instrument sensitivity to both Ca and Pb depends on the particle matrix.
Pharmacokinetic evaluation of visnagin and Ammi visnaga aqueous extract after oral administration in rats.

The furanochromone visnagin is one of the main compounds of Ammi visnaga L. (syn. Khella) with potential effects on kidney stone prevention. After determination of the pharmacokinetic properties of visnagin after intravenous bolus administration in rats, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of visnagin and an aqueous Ammi visnaga extract after oral administration in rats. In two separate experiments, three doses of visnagin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) solubilized in 25 % Captisol® and three doses of Ammi visnaga extract (standardized on visnagin and containing equivalent amounts of visnagin) were administered by oral gavage to male Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively. Plasma samples were extracted and subsequently analyzed using a validated LC-MS/MS method. Plasma concentration-time profiles were explored by non-compartmental analysis. Visnagin plasma exposure (median AUClast and AUCinf) was significantly increased for all three doses (more than 10-fold for the low dose) when administered as an extract compared to the pure agent. For both the Ammi visnaga extract and the pure compound, AUClast and AUCinf increased disproportionately with an increase in dose. Visnagin resided significantly longer in the body when given in the form of AVE with up to a three times longer median MRTlast and MRTinf for the low dose. Cmax values after AVE administration were elevated and occurred at later time points in comparison to equivalent doses of pure visnagin. The terminal half-life increased with the dose for both AVE and pure visnagin, reaching a maximum value of 1.94 h for the 10 mg/kg pure compound group. In conclusion, the exposure of visnagin is enhanced after extract administration and could result in a superior efficacy of AVE compared to an equivalent dose of visnagin.
Improvement of synthetic diet for the aphid Myzus persicae using plant juices, nucleic acids, or trace metals

Growth on synthetic diet was markedly, though very variably, improved by the incorporation of various boiled and filtered juices pressed from mustard or lettuce. Optimal effects were obtained when mustard and lettuce juices constituted 2 and 10 per cent, respectively, of the complete diet. At higher concentrations growth was adversely affected, and radish juice at 5 per cent of the diet completely inhibited growth and caused high mortality. Greater and more consistent enhancement of growth was brought about by incorporating crude yeast or sperm nucleic acids at optimal levels of 400 to 600 mg per 100 ml of diet. Since a mixture of nucleotides (adenylic, guanylic, uridylic, and cytidylic acids) failed to substitute for crude nucleic acids, whereas a mixture of iron, zinc, manganese, and copper sequestrenes was a completely adequate replacement, it was concluded that the improvements in growth brought about by both plant juices and nucleic acids resulted from the presence in them of traces of these metals. Requirements for iron, zinc, and manganese were demonstrated individually. Deficiencies of iron or zinc become apparent in the first generation of larval growth, and of manganese, in the second generation. An apparent requirement for copper was demonstrated in one experiment carried through three generations. With the addition of these four metals, synthetic diet is apparently able to support Myzus persicae indefinitely. A culture is now, after 10 months, in its twentieth successive generation, with a stable generation period of about 2 weeks and with adults averaging about 350 μg in weight for the second and subsequent generations.
Parts of visual objects: an experimental test of the minima rule.

Three experiments were conducted to test Hoffman and Richards's (1984) hypothesis that, for purposes of visual recognition, the human visual system divides three-dimensional shapes into parts at negative minima of curvature. In the first two experiments, subjects observed a simulated object (surface of revolution) rotating about a vertical axis, followed by a display of four alternative parts. They were asked to select a part that was from the object. Two of the four parts were divided at negative minima of curvature and two at positive maxima. When both a minima part and a maxima part from the object were presented on each trial (experiment 1), most of the correct responses were minima parts (101 versus 55). When only one part from the object—either a minima part or a maxima part—was shown on each trial (experiment 2), accuracy on trials with correct minima parts and correct maxima parts did not differ significantly. However, some subjects indicated that they reversed figure and ground, thereby changing ...
Malignant (fibrous) histiocytoma arising in association with a bone infarct in sickle‐cell disease: Coincidence or cause‐and‐effect?

A patient with homozygous-S sickle-cell disease complicated by malignant (fibrous) histiocytoma arising within a tibial medullary infarct is reported. This is the ninth reported case of human sarcoma associated with bone infarct and the first associated with sickle-cell disease. Evidence for a causal relationship is presented.
A high speed Geiger-counter circuit

An improved Geiger-counter circuit is described which has the following characteristics: (1) It will respond to at least 2×10(5) particles per minute. (2) Easily obtainable resistances of not more than a few million ohms are used. (3) Consistency of operation is obtained since surface leakages and surface charges are unimportant. (4) The circuit will operate equally well with very small or very large counting tubes, and at either low or high counting rates. (5) The counts are independent of the voltage on the counter over a wide range. (6) A large pulse is obtained which makes possible the use of low values of resistance and capacity to the mixing tube in case several counters are used to count coincidents. (7) The circuit is simple, inexpensive to make and has given satisfactory performance on several different research problems at this Institute.
Real-space renormalization group approach to diffusion on percolation lattices

Abstract On the basis of a real-space renormalization group method, a formalism to calculate the time-dependent diffusion coefficient on percolation lattices is constructed. The formalism is used, to derive scaling relations near a percolation threshold. Recursion relations are obtained for a 2-dimensional triangular lattice. Critical exponents, the diffusion coefficient and its scaling function are calculated explicitly.
The Level of Lactic Dehydrogenase Activity As An Indicator of the Growth of Influenza Virus in the Embryonate Egg

The relation, between time and the levels of lactic dehydrogenase activity of chorioallantoic fluids from embryonate eggs infected with the PR8 strain of influenza virus were determined quantitatively. The mean values, based on 10 determinations for each time interval, followed a sigmoid curve, with the greatest rates of change occurring between 48 and 72 hours after the inoculation of virus. The activities of the fluids from infected eggs at the 72nd hour or later were approximately 18 times higher than those from non-infected eggs. Based on the data above, a qualitative test for the presence of infection with influenza virus was developed.
What Is the Best Maintenance Dose of Neuroleptics in Schizophrenia

Abstract Short-term use of neuroleptics is well established for many psychotic disorders; details about long-term use remain less clear. Most long-term studies involved patients diagnosed as chronic schizophrenics and used phenothiazines; responses, dose requirements, and probably diagnosis were highly heterogeneous. Data from controlled studies permitting estimates of the equivalent dose of chlorpromazine to be plotted vs. reduction of relapse rates revealed no significant dose effect between 100 and over 2,000 (median = 310) mg/day, no mean difference in outcome at doses above vs. below 310 mg, and a mean relapse on placebo of only 54%. Since maintenance requirements for some patients may be low, the use of minimum effective doses is encouraged and may limit risks of late toxicity, as further long-term studies of the effect of dose are undertaken.
Dynamics of a noncontacting, white light Fabry–Perot interferometric displacement sensor

A white light extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometer is implemented as a noncontacting displacement sensor, providing robust, absolute displacement measurements with micrometer accuracy at a sampling rate of 10 Hz. This paper presents a dynamic model of the sensing cavity between the sensor probe and the nearby target surface using a Fabry–Perot etalon approach obtained from straightforward electromagnetic field formulations. Such a model is important for system characterization, as the dynamically changing cavity length imparts a Doppler shift on any signals circulating within the sensing cavity. Contrary to previously published results, Doppler-induced shifting within the low-finesse sensing cavity is shown to significantly distort the measurement signal as recorded by the sensor. Experimental and simulation results are compared, and the direct effects of cavity dynamics on the measurement signal are analyzed along with their indirect impact on sensor performance. This document has been approved by Los Alamos National Laboratory for unlimited public release (LA-UR 12-00301).
Vitamin D and chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disease (CKD-MBD)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a modern day epidemic and has significant morbidity and mortality implications. Mineral and bone disorders are common in CKD and are now collectively referred to as CKD- mineral and bone disorder (MBD). These abnormalities begin to appear even in early stages of CKD and contribute to the pathogenesis of renal osteodystrophy. Alteration in vitamin D metabolism is one of the key features of CKD-MBD that has major clinical and research implications. This review focuses on biology, epidemiology and management aspects of these alterations in vitamin D metabolism as they relate to skeletal aspects of CKD-MBD in adult humans.
Living with disability: Patterns of health problems and symptom mediation of health consequences

Abstract Background People with disability experience a range of symptoms that may serve as an important linkage between disability and other health consequences. The aims of this study were to describe and compare symptom experiences of people with and without disability using a population-based sample and to test direct relationships between disability and health status and indirect effects of disability mediated through symptom experience. Methods A Midwestern sample of 12,249 adults aged 40 and older responded to a cross-sectional survey. Data collected included symptom prevalence and frequencies for 21 commonly reported symptoms, self-perceived health status and physical functioning, number of medications, and demographic variables. Two mediation analyses were conducted using cumulative symptom frequency as the mediator between disability status and both self-rated health and physical functioning. Results Adults with disability reported significantly greater prevalence and frequencies for all 21 symptoms, with pain and fatigue being the most common. The indirect effect through cumulative symptom frequency explained roughly half of the total effect of disability on general health status, and about one third of the total effect of disability on physical functioning. Conclusions This study found evidence supporting the diverse and significant symptom experience of people living with disability, especially for symptoms of pain and fatigue. Moreover, symptom experience was found to partially mediate the effects of disability on self-reported general health status and physical functioning. This provides support for symptoms serving as an important link to health outcomes in patients with disability.
Chemotaxis of Allomyces gametes.

Abstract The use of a new bioassay for chemotaxis in Allomyces macrogynus has demonstrated that the male gamete attractant, sirenin, is produced not only during the final stages of female gametogenesis but also during the motile stage of the female gametes. It has further been shown that this production of sirenin can continue for at least 6 h after release of the gametes from the gametangia. In the analysis of male gamete chemotactic responses to sirenin, the observation has been made that the male cells produce a female attractant (FA). This is the first demonstration of a substance having chemotactic activity for the female gametes of Allomyces . It is concluded that the female gametes may have some biosynthetic abilities based on the prolonged period that sirenin is produced. It is suggested that a lipid-microbody association, common to the female gametes of Allomyces , could be instrumental in this production by forming precursor molecules that are essential for sirenin biosynthesis.
Numerical algorithms for the hypercube concurrent processor

With the development of concurrent computing architectures which promise cost-effective means of obtaining supercomputing performance, there is much interest in applying and in evaluating the actual performance on large, computationally-intensive problems. Of particular interest is the concurrent performance of large scale electromagnetic scattering problems. Two electromagnetic codes with differing underlying algorithms have been converted to run on the Mark III Hypercube. One is a time domain finite difference solution of Maxwell's equations to solve for scattered fields and the other is a frequency domain moment method solution. Important measures for demonstrating the utility of the parallel architecture are the size of the problem that can be solved and the efficiency by which the paralleling can increase the speed of execution.