cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Angiotensin II stimulates Pax-2 in rat kidney proximal tubular cells: Impact on proliferation and apoptosis

Angiotensin II stimulates Pax-2 in rat kidney proximal tubular cells: Impact on proliferation and apoptosis. Background The intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is intimately involved in the tubular cell proliferation, apoptosis and regeneration that occur following renal injury. Though tubular angiotensin II (Ang II) type 2 receptors (AT 2 R) decrease greatly after birth, their number increases after injury. Notably, during recovery from injury, renal tubular cells display a relatively immature phenotype expressing genes that are involved in nephron development, for example, the paired homeobox-2 gene (Pax-2). The present investigation hypothesized that AT 2 R activation would stimulate Pax-2 gene expression in immortalized rat renal proximal tubular cells (IRPTC), as we have found in fetal cells. Methods Pax-2 gene expression in IRPTC was evaluated by immunofluorescence, Western blot, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with or without Ang II treatment; apoptosis and proliferation were analyzed by terminal transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation in stable IRPTC transformants with Pax-2 sense and antisense orientation, respectively. Results Ang II up-regulated Pax-2 gene expression via AT 2 R in IRPTC. The stimulatory effect of both Ang II on Pax-2 gene expression was blocked by PD123319 (AT 2 R inhibitor), AG 490 (specific Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitor) and genistein (tyrosine kinase inhibitor), but not by losartan (AT 1 R inhibitor). Stable transfection of sense Pax-2 cDNA increased, whereas antisense Pax-2 cDNA down-regulated Pax-2 expression. Conclusion Our studies suggest that Ang II stimulates Pax-2 gene expression in IRPTC via AT 2 R and the JAK2/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling transduction pathway, which may be important in renal repair following injury. Cells lacking Pax-2 gene expression appear to be prone toward apoptosis rather than proliferation.
Privacy as a Social Good

Privacy is typically conceived, in both scholarly and popular circles, as an individual good. This weakens the potential for understanding the social implications of changes in privacy and may contribute to the topic s marginal position within sociology. While not explicitly known for their conclusions about privacy, some of the discipline classic figures have addressed, in a variety of ways, the relevance of privacy for social life. I highlight their work, neglected in privacy discourse and not well known within sociology, to demonstrate the sociological relevance of privacy for individual development, group solidarity, stratification, and social control.
ac-conductivity measurements on La2NiO4+ delta.

We have carried out ac-conductivity \ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega}) measurements on ${\mathrm{La}}_{2}$${\mathrm{NiO}}_{4+\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$,0\ensuremath{\leqslant}0.08, in the frequency (\ensuremath{\omega}) and temperature ranges 5 Hz--13 MHz and 75--300 K. The ac conductivity follows a set of basic characteristics: (i) \ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega}) obeys the ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}^{\mathit{s}}$ power law (s\ensuremath{\sim}0.38--0.85). (ii) At higher frequencies, \ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega}) saturates. To our knowledge, saturation of \ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega}) with \ensuremath{\omega} in the radio frequency range has not been previously reported for an electronic system. (iii) \ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega}) is weakly temperature dependent in the dispersive region. (iv) Below the saturation region, for a fixed \ensuremath{\delta}, the reduced conductivity \ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega})/\ensuremath{\sigma}(0), at various values of T can be scaled to a generalized reduced frequency ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{n}}$=\ensuremath{\omega}/\ensuremath{\sigma}(0)${\mathit{T}}^{\mathit{n}}$. For \ensuremath{\delta}=0.01--0.08, n is =-1/3 or -1/4. (v) Furthermore, at a fixed T, the reduced conductivities for various \ensuremath{\delta} lie on a universal curve; n in this case varies from -1/4 to -1/2. (vi) Good agreement of data with the Summerfield extended pair approximation theory, \ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega})/\ensuremath{\sigma}(0)=1+(A\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\alpha}${\mathit{e}}^{2}$/ \ensuremath{\sigma}(0)${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{BT}}^{\mathit{n}}$${)}^{\mathit{b}}$, is found; b\ensuremath{\sim}0.64--1. (vii) Our data analysis reveals two loss peaks; the first is located near the critical frequency ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{c}}$ below which the imaginary part of conductivity ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{2}$(\ensuremath{\omega}) is proportional to \ensuremath{\omega}. (viii) The relation \ensuremath{\sigma}(0)\ensuremath{\propto}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{c}}$ is obeyed, with ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{c}}$\ensuremath{\propto}exp[-(${\mathit{T}}_{2}$/T${)}^{1/3}$]. The second loss peak lies near the onset of saturation. These characteristic signatures in the ac conductivity point to a transport mechanism involving localized states near the Fermi level. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Exponential /spl epsi/-tracking and /spl epsi/-stabilization of second-order nonholonomic SE(2) vehicles using dynamic state feedback

In this paper, we address the problem of /spl epsi/-tracking and /spl epsi/-stabilization for a class of SE(2) vehicles with second-order nonholonomic constraints. We introduce a class of transformations called near-identity diffeomorphism that allow dynamic partial feedback linearization of the translational dynamics of this class of SE(2) vehicles. This allows us to achieve global exponential /spl epsi/-stabilization and /spl epsi/-tracking (in position) for the aforementioned classes of autonomous vehicles using a coordinate-independent dynamic state feedback. This feedback is only discontinuous w.r.t. the augmented state. We apply our results to /spl epsi/-stabilization and /spl epsi/-tracking for an underactuated surface vessel.
Network characterization of acoustic boundary-value problems

By utilizing an analogy with electromagnetic theory, a transmission-line representation is derived for acoustic waves in a lossless, isotropic medium. The results are used to construct a general network for a planar welded interface that tightly binds two different media. Equivalent networks for a large class of boundary conditions at a planar interface are then obtained by means of straightforward simplifications of the general equivalent network.
A two-temperature model of the regenerative solid-vapor heat pump

A thermally driven heat pump using a solid/vapor adsorption/desorption compression process is thermodynamically analyzed. Heat regeneration between the two adsorbent beds is accomplished through the use of a circulating heat transfer (HX) fluid. Effective heat regeneration and system performance requires that steep thermal profiles or waves be established in the beds along the path of the HX-fluid flow direction. Previous studies by Shelton, Wepfer, and Miles have used square and ramp profiles to approximate the temperature profiles in the adsorbent beds, which, in turn, enable the thermodynamic performance of the heat pump to be computed. In this study, an integrated heat transfer and thermodynamic model is described. The beds are modeled using a two-temperature approach. A partial differential equation for the lumped adsorbent bed and tube is developed to represent the bed temperature as a function of time and space (along the flow direction), while a second partial differential equation is developed for the heat transfer fluid to represent the fluid temperature as a function of time and space (along the flow direction). The resulting differential equations are nonlinear due to pressure and temperature-dependent coefficients. Energy and mass balances are made at each time step to compute the bed pressure,more » mass, adsorption level, and energy changes that occur during the adsorption and desorption process. Using these results, the thermodynamic performance of the heat pump is calculated. Results showing the heat pump's performance and capacity as a function of the four major dimensionless groups, DR, Pe, Bi, and KA[sub r], are presented.« less
Arches and Culture

Technological innovation is the driving force of our civilization. Therefore, we assume all other civilizations would exploit a technological advantage to the same degree that we would. We forget, however, that technology is an aspect of culture, and as with any other aspect of culture, it may be more or less important to any given civilization. The history of the arch is an interesting case in point. The arch is a structural device in architecture that has distinct advantages over post-and-beam construction. People have known how to build the arch and how to use it since the third millennium B.C., but did not use it because its form and meaning did not fit with other dimensions of their respective cultures.
Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Geriatric Syndromes: Applying Lessons Learned from Infection Control

Geriatric syndromes are multifactorial health conditions occurring in persons rendered vulnerable by age and multiple organ systems impairments.1 Many geriatric syndromes, including pressure ulcers, falls, delirium, and functional decline occur with high frequency in hospitalized patients, causing significant morbidity, mortality, and resource utilization.2 Hospital-acquired geriatric syndromes received heightened attention from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) following an August 2007 rulemaking that included stage 3 or 4 pressure ulcers and injurious falls as two of the eight “reasonably” preventable adverse events—referred to as hospital-acquired conditions (HACs)—targeted for reduction through the use of financial penalties levied on hospitals.3 Review of the initial HACs list revealed three categories: serious preventable events, hospital-acquired infections, and geriatric syndromes. 3 In subsequent rulemakings, additional events were added. 4 (Table 1)
Conversion of conjugatedcis‐trans octadecadienoates to thetrans‐trans isomers1,2,3

The conversion of methyl conjugatedcis-trans octadecadienoate to thetrans-trans isomer takes place easily in the presence of iodine and light. The reaction is more rapid in carbon disulfide than in Skellysolve C, and it is quite slow and accompanied by loss of conjugation in methanol. The rate of conversion increases with iodine concentration and light intensity and decreases with increasing fat concentration. It is affected by temperature also, but to a lesser degree. the influence of light may result from its catalytic effect on the decomposition of a reversible fat-iodine complex.
Dynamics of fish populations with different compensatory processes when subjected to random survival of eggs and larvae

Abstract It is widely believed that abundance of fish populations is determined during the larval stage, for larval abundance is high, there is high variability in larval survival, and small changes in larval abundance could have large effects on population abundance. In this study, hypothesized population regulation processes were quantified in a mathematical model that was applied to study the importance of compensatory process during the larval stage by replacing them with random survival. The hypothesized population regulation processes were food-limited growth, size-dependent mortality, and age at maturity dependent on size. Variation in population abundance resulting from variation in egg and larval survival depends on the population regulation process. In population where mortality depends on size of individuals, variation in survival of young has little effect on abundance of adults. If age at maturity is flexible, variation in survival of young causes large fluctuations in abundance and the fluctuations follow a pattern of occasional large year classes that are slowly attrited over their lifespans. If age at maturity is not flexible, and if mortality is not size dependent, variation in survival of young causes population abundance to fluctuate widely without a clear pattern. Compensation during the larval life stage was not necessary for regulation of fish population size.
A two-year follow-up of enuretic children treated with dry bed training☆

Abstract In a two year follow-up of 12 children who had been treated with dry bed training it was found that five of the eight who had achieved continence averaged less than one bed wetting per month during the follow-up period. Of the other three, two were wetting four times per month and one six times. In those who had terminated treatment prematurely a mean of 14.5 wet nights per month was reported.
Magnetic field elimination of convective interference with segregation during vertical-Bridgman growth of doped semiconductors

Elimination of convective interference with segregation through application of magnetic fields during growth of doped semiconductors in a constant axial thermal gradient environment is studied. Results of numerical simulation of governing equations are used to generate the scaling laws controlling the process. A general relationship for the field strenghts required to achieve diffusion controlled growth of doped semiconductors is developed. Modelling predictions compare very well with experimental results on magnetic growth of Ge. The present model in conjunction with the maximum field strenghts currently available is used to establish the effectiveness limit of applied magnetic fields for growth of compositionally uniform Ge, GaAs, and CdTe crystals. The effectiveness limits of magnetic and micro-gravity growth are compared. It is shown that at gravity levels of 10-4 of the earth gravity, the limitations of the two approaches in terms of materials and charge sizes are similar. At gravity levels of 10-6 of the earth, the diameter of charges that can be grown at diffusion controlled limit is larger than those that can be currently grown on earth through application of magnetic fields.
Electrophoretic studies of proteins in normal lenses and cataracts of inbred and mutant mice

Zone electrophoresis in a polyacrylamide gel matrix (disk electrophoresis) was used to study the soluble lens proteins of mice of the inbred strains A/J, DBA/1J and C3H/HeJ, and the mutant stock fidget (ji). Similar studies were made of hereditary cataracts of the mutant stocks brain hernia (bh) and cataract (cac), and of α-, β- and γ-crystallin fractions prepared by isoelectric precipitation of pooled A/J lenses. Eleven to thirteen fractions were found in the different strains (2 α-crystallin, 4–5 β-crystallin and 5–6 γ-crystallin). Differences were found within inbred strains as well as among strains. Loss or diminution of some fractions and a marked increase in some of the γ-crystallin fractions were found in extracts of cataracts.
Impact of robot-mediated interaction system on joint attention skills for children with autism

With Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prevalence estimates for children with autism spectrum disorder 1 in 88, identification and effective treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often characterized as a public health emergency. There is an urgent need for more efficacious treatments whose realistic application will yield more substantial impact on the neurodevelopmental trajectories of young children with ASD. Robotic technology appears particularly promising for potential application to ASD intervention. Initial results applying robotic technology to ASD intervention have consistently demonstrated a unique potential to elicit interest and attention in young children with ASD. As such, technologies capable of intelligently harnessing this potential, along with capabilities for detecting and meaningfully responding to young children's attention and behavior, may represent intervention platforms with substantial promise for impacting early symptoms of ASD. Our current work describes development and application of a novel adaptive robot-mediated interaction technology for facilitating early joint attention skills for children with ASD. The system is composed of a humanoid robot endowed with a prompt decision hierarchy to alter behavior in concert with reinforcing stimuli within an intervention environment to promote joint attention skills. Results of implementation of this system over time, including specific analyses of attentional bias and performance enhancement, with 6 young children with ASD are presented.
Large signal stability criteria for distributed systems with constant power loads

Design oriented criteria are developed for distributed power systems with constant power loads to guarantee stability during large disturbances. The criteria place design constraints on the input filter parameters, such as the Q factor, and constraints on the amount of "ideal" constant power load that a system can support. The criteria are based on Lyapunov stability theory, mixed potential functions, and the existence of equilibrium points. The analytical criteria are validated by means of computer simulations. >
Mass Media for Smoking Cessation in Adolescents

Theory-driven, mass media interventions prevent smoking among youth. This study examined effects of a media campaign on adolescent smoking cessation. Four matched pairs of media markets in four states were randomized to receive or not receive a 3-year television/radio campaign aimed at adolescent smoking cessation based on social cognitive theory. The authors enrolled 2,030 adolescent smokers into the cohort (n = 987 experimental; n = 1,043 comparison) and assessed them via annual telephone surveys for 3 years. Although the condition by time interaction was not significant, the proportion of adolescents smoking in the past month was significantly lower in the experimental than comparison condition at 3-year follow-up when adjusted for baseline smoking status. The media campaign did not impact targeted mediating variables. A media campaign based on social cognitive constructs produced a modest overall effect on smoking prevalence among adolescents, but the role of theory-based constructs is unclear.
A sex-limited serum protein variant in the mouse: inheritance and association with the H-2 region.

An alloantiserum produced in the mouse has been used to detect an antigen which is present only in male serum from certain inbred strains of mice, e.g., DBA/2J, A/J, and BALB/c. Genetic tests reveal that the presence of this antigen is controlled by a dominant autosomal gene which is expressed only in males of the proper genotype. Test crosses and analysis of congenic resistant strains indicate close linkage between the sex-limited protein (Slp) and the histocompatibility-2 (H-2) region of linkage group IX. Analysis of seven intra-H-2 recombinant strains is consistent with the placement of the genetic determinant for Slp within the H-2 region in the same position as the Ss (serum substance) determinant. Immunological evidence suggests that the Slp antigenic sites reflect structural variation in the Ss component of mouse serum.
Determining the Delamination Propensity of Pharmaceutical Glass Vials Using a Direct Stress Method

An accelerated lamellae formation (ALF) methodology has been developed to determine the delamination propensity and susceptibility of pharmaceutical glass vials. The ALF process consists of a vial wash and depyrogenation mimic procedure followed by stressing glass vials with 20 mM glycine pH 10.0 solution at 50 °C for 24 h and analyzing the resulting solutions by visual inspection for glass lamellae. ALF results demonstrate that while vial delamination propensity generally correlates with glass hydrolytic resistance, ALF is a more direct test of glass delamination propensity and is not affected by post-production vial washing that can affect results obtained using hydrolytic resistance tests. ALF can potentially be used by pharmaceutical companies to evaluate and screen incoming vial lots to minimize the risk of delamination during the shelf life of parenteral therapeutics, and by glass vial manufacturers to monitor and improve their vial manufacturing processes. LAY ABSTRACT: Glass flakes can sometimes appear in liquid pharmaceutical drugs contained in glass vials. These glass flakes are a result of several factors related to the glass vial production process, glass vial sterilization procedures, and the formulation of the liquid pharmaceutical drug. Vial testing is routinely done in order to select glass vials that are less likely to form glass flakes. The factors leading to the formation of glass flakes were studied and applied to a method designed to directly screen vials for their propensity to form glass flakes. The washing of vials followed immediately by sterilization at high temperatures was determined to be a critical factor in the formation of glass flakes. As a result, a laboratory mimic of this procedure was incorporated into the newly developed method for screening vials. This mimic procedure as well as robust accelerated incubation conditions and a sensitive visual inspection procedure are key aspects of this vial screening method.
“They Just Say Organic Food Is Healthier”: Perceptions of Healthy Food among Supermarket Shoppers in Southwest Baltimore

To discover how organic food factors into low-income consumers’ overall understanding of healthy eating, we analyzed 36 in-depth interviews with adults in Baltimore, Maryland. We asked participants to discuss their understanding of healthy eating. Unprompted, many participants discussed organic food or attributes commonly understood to define organic food. Some participants believed health issues including cancer, weight gain, and allergies can arise from consuming nonorganic foods. Participants expressed that organic competes with other food attributes such as nutrient content in informing their perception of whether a food is healthy. Several voiced concern that nonorganic foods are responsible for weight gain and abnormal development. Our results show that despite limited access, organic is an important factor in some consumers’ understanding of healthy food. Consumers’ perceptions of organic can swamp or compete with other messages about healthy eating. Therefore, consumers’ understanding of organic should be considered in developing diet-related messages and programs.
The emergence of surface-based Arctic amplification

Abstract. Rises in surface and lower troposphere air temperatures through the 21st century are projected to be especially pronounced over the Arctic Ocean during the cold season. This Arctic amplification is largely driven by loss of the sea ice cover, allowing for strong heat transfers from the ocean to the atmosphere. Consistent with observed reductions in sea ice extent, fields from both the NCEP/NCAR and JRA-25 reanalyses point to emergence of surface-based Arctic amplification in the last decade.
Polariton-enhanced near field lithography and imaging with infrared light

A novel approach to making a material with negative index of refraction in the infrared frequency band is described. Materials with negative dielectric permittivity ! are utilized in this approach. Those could be either plasmonic (metals) or polaritonic (semiconductors) in nature. A sub-wavelength plasmonic crystal (SPC), with the period much smaller than the wavelength of light, consisting of nearly-touching metallic cylinders is shown to support waves with negative group velocity. The usage of such waves for sub-wavelength resolution imaging is demonstrated in a numerical double-slit experiment. Another application of the negative-epsilon materials is laser-driven near field nanolithography. Any plasmonic or polaritonic material with negative ! = ! ! d sandwiched between dielectric layers with ! d > 0 can be used to significantly decrease the feature size. It is shown that a thin slab of SiC is capable of focusing the midIR radiation of a CO2 laser to several hundred nanometers, thus paving the way for a new nano-lithographic technique: Phonon Enhanced Near Field Lithography in Infrared (PENFIL). Although an essentially near-field e!ect, this resolution enhancement can be quantified using far-field measurements. Numerical simulations supporting such experiments are presented.
Strategies in developing quick and dirty user's guides

The author describes the quick and dirty computer user's guide. He examines how guides differ from manuals and quick reference cards, the problems they solve, their preparation, and their future. A quick and dirty guide focuses on one specific task, succinctly describing what to do. An illustration of a guide being developed for a college report assignment is presented. >
A method for the colorimetric determination of potassium in biologic products.

Abstract A simple and accurate colorimetric method for the estimation of potassium in biologic materials has been described. Application of the method to urine of seven normal adult males on normal diets showed that the daily potassium output varies from 2.92 to 4.76 Gm. The analyses of human blood serum and red blood cells gave values which are in accord with those found in the literature.
Risk and control of waterborne cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidium remains at the forefront of studies on waterborne disease transmission and abatement. The impact of environmental land use patterns which contribute animal and human waste, climatic precipitation leading to a strong association with outbreaks, and community infrastructure and water treatment are now recognized as contributing factors in the potential for waterborne spread of the protozoan. Advances in detection methodologies, including the ability to genotype various strains of this organism, have shown that human wastes are often the source of the contamination and cell culture techniques have allowed insight into the viability of the oocyst populations. Currently water treatment has focused on UV and ozone disinfection as most promising for the inactivation of this protozoan pathogen.
Continuous stirred tank reactors: A new graphical method for complex reaction and reflux designs

The usual graphical CSTR design methods are not adequate for the case of complex reactions involving competing or consecutive steps; therefore graphical design method based on the representation of batch data on a triangular diagram is given and illustrated by several examples. This method does not require a complete analysis of the kinetics of the reaction. Since material balances are easily represented on concentration spaces, the method is especially useful when the design includes recycling, or feed additions along reactor chain.
PONTINE AND EXTRAPONTINE MYELINOLYSIS

No coherent theory has been advanced to explain either the particular localization of the myelinolytic lesions of central pontine myelinolysis or their pathogenesis. However, several lines of evidence support the generalization that the centre of the basis pontis has a special susceptibility to a metabolic fault. The constancy of localization of the lesion and its bilateral symmetry are the very attributes that characterize other metabolic (nutritional) disorders, such as the assymmetrical degeneragion of the papillomacular bundles within the optic nerves and tracts in deficiency amblyopia and the specific affection of the paraventricular regions in the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. And clinically, the frequent occurrence of central pontine myelinolysis in a setting of severe metabolic derangement, particularly of the serum sodium, points in the same direction.
Safety of aromatase inhibitors in the adjuvant setting

The third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs) letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane are replacing tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy in most postmenopausal women with early breast cancer. Although AIs have demonstrated superior efficacy and better overall safety compared with tamoxifen in randomized controlled trials, they may not provide the cardioprotective effects of tamoxifen, and bone loss may be a concern with their long-term adjuvant use. Patients require regular bone mineral density monitoring, and prophylactic bisphosphonates are being evaluated to determine whether they may protect long-term bone health. AIs decrease the risks of thromboembolic and cerebrovascular events compared with tamoxifen, and the overall rate of cardiovascular events in patients treated with AIs is within the range seen in age-matched, non-breast-cancer populations. AIs are also associated with a lower incidence of endometrial cancer and fewer vaginal bleeding/discharge events than tamoxifen. Compared with tamoxifen, the incidence of hot flashes is lower with anastrozole and letrozole but may be higher with exemestane. Generally, adverse events with AIs are predictable and manageable, whereas tamoxifen may be associated with life-threatening events in a minority of patients. Overall, the benefits of AIs over tamoxifen are achieved without compromising overall quality of life.
Regulation of glucokinase in pancreatic islets by prolactin: a mechanism for increasing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion during pregnancy

Glucokinase activity is increased in pancreatic islets during pregnancy and in vitro by prolactin (PRL). The underlying mechanisms that lead to increased glucokinase have not been resolved. Since glucose itself regulates glucokinase activity in beta-cells, it was unclear whether the lactogen effects are direct or occur through changes in glucose metabolism. To clarify the roles of glucose metabolism in this process, we examined the interactions between glucose and PRL on glucose metabolism, insulin secretion, and glucokinase expression in insulin 1 (INS-1) cells and rat islets. Although the PRL-induced changes were more pronounced after culture at higher glucose concentrations, an increase in glucose metabolism, insulin secretion, and glucokinase expression occurred even in the absence of glucose. The presence of comparable levels of insulin secretion at similar rates of glucose metabolism from both control and PRL-treated INS-1 cells suggests the PRL-induced increase in glucose metabolism is responsible for the increase in insulin secretion. Similarly, increases in other known PRL responsive genes (e.g. the PRL receptor, glucose transporter-2, and insulin) were also detected after culture without glucose. We show that the upstream glucokinase promoter contains multiple STAT5 binding sequences with increased binding in response to PRL. Corresponding increases in glucokinase mRNA and protein synthesis were also detected. This suggests the PRL-induced increase in glucokinase mRNA and its translation are sufficient to account for the elevated glucokinase activity in beta-cells with lactogens. Importantly, the increase in islet glucokinase observed with PRL is in line with that observed in islets during pregnancy.
Parent-of-origin effects of the serotonin transporter gene associated with autism.

A promoter-linked insertion/deletion polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) has been implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in numerous family based association studies. However, the results of these investigations have been inconsistent in that both the long and short alleles have been shown to be over-transmitted to affected offspring. In order to further elucidate the relationship between the 5-HTTLPR variant and autism risk, we undertook a thorough study of parent-of-origin effects, maternal genotype effects, and offspring genotype effects in a sample of affected offspring from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE). Both the overall autism phenotype and measures of autism behaviors from the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised [Lord et al. (1994); J Autism Dev Disord 24(5): 659–685] were considered. We found evidence of over-transmission (risk allele short, P = 0.012), maternal effects (risk allele long, P = 0.035), and parent-of-origin effects (risk allele short from mother, P = 0.018) of the 5-HTTLPR variant in the AGRE sample. Population- and gender-specific effects were also explored as associations may be heterogeneous across populations and sexes. Parent-of-origin effects of the variant were associated with maternally inherited copies of the short allele that resulted in more impaired overall level of language (P = 0.04). Our study was conducted to further investigate the 5-HTTLPR risk variants by identifying allelic associations that may be population-specific, phenotype-specific, or conferred by maternal or parent-of-origin effects. In light of conflicting observations from previous studies, these are just a few of the possible explanations that deserve attention. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Development of quantum cascade lasers for high peak output power and low threshold current density

In order to model various structures, we developed band structure and waveguide simulation tools to help tailor the initial design to demonstrate lower threshold current density and higher device efficiency. The quantum cascade laser emitting layers consist of a series of stacked emitters, or active regions, which are capable of demonstrating multiple photon emission per input electron above threshold. Shown is a typical waveguide schematic and band structure for a QCL based on interminiband transitions.
Selective β2-adrenoceptor antagonists: derivatives of ICI 118,551 and a binary aryloxypropanolamine

Recent studies indicate that selective beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonists may be of use in the treatment of glaucoma. ICI 118,551, its desmethyl-, didesmethyl-, and ethyl- analogues, and a putative highly beta 2-selective binary aryloxypropanolamine (4d) have been evaluated for their ability to inhibit beta-adrenergic-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in rabbit ciliary process and heart. Potency ratios (Ki heart/Ki ciliary process) were 440 for ICI 118,551; 9.3 for the desmethyl analogue; 8.2 for the didesmethyl analogue; 720 for the ethyl analogue; and 11 for the binary aryloxypropanolamine. The values for the ethyl derivative of ICI 118,551 indicate that it is the most oculoselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist yet reported.
Efficient Data Race Detection for C/C++ Programs Using Dynamic Granularity

To detect races precisely without false alarms, vector clock based race detectors can be applied if the overhead in time and space can be contained. This is indeed the case for the applications developed in object-oriented programming language where objects can be used as detection units. On the other hand, embedded applications, often written in C/C++, necessitate the use of fine-grained detection approaches that lead to significant execution overhead. In this paper, we present a dynamic granularity algorithm for vector clock based data race detectors. The algorithm exploits the fact that neigh boring memory locations tend to be accessed together and can share the same vector clock archiving dynamic granularity of detection. The algorithm is implemented on top of Fast Track and uses Intel PIN tool for dynamic binary instrumentation. Experimental results on benchmarks show that, on average, the race detection tool using the dynamic granularity algorithm is 43% faster than the Fast Track with byte granularity and is with 60% less memory usage. Comparison with existing industrial tools, Val grind DRD and Intel Inspector XE, also suggests that the proposed dynamic granularity approach is very viable.
Variants of Principal Components Analysis

Principal components analysis (PCA) is probably the most commonly used transform to perform various tasks in many applications. It produces a set of uncorrelated components according to decreasing magnitude of eigenvalues of a second order-statistics covariance matrix. This paper presents four variants of PCA from an algorithmic implementation aspect, SiMultaneous PCA (SMPCA), ProGressive PCA (PGPCA), Successive PCA (SCPCA) and PRioritized PCA (PRPCA). Except the SMPCA which is the commonly used PCA, all the other three are new developments of the PCA, each of which has its own merits and has not been explored in the literature.
Marriage, Child Abuse, and Sexual Revictimization

The purpose of this study was to identify childhood history and personality variables that may serve as vulnerability factors for sexual revictimization. Three hundred forty-one undergraduate females completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Family of Origin Scale, Silencing the Self Scale, Sexual Experiences Survey, and a dating behaviors inventory. Different rates of revictimization were found for women who were currently or had ever been married, even when controlling for age differences. Multiple regression was used to examine the relationship between revictimization, demographics, child maltreatment, personality, and behavioral variables. For the whole sample, child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, dating behaviors, marital status (ever married) and age (younger) were related to revictimization. When separate models were developed for single versus ever-married participants, different variables emerged as predictors for ever-married versus single women. The results have implications for resear...
Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction for chemotherapeutic drug delivery to solid tumors

Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) is a promising technique for non-invasive, targeted drug delivery, and its applications in chemotherapeutic drug delivery to solid tumors have attracted growing interest. Ultrasound, which has been conventionally used for diagnostic imaging, has evolved as a promising tool for therapeutic applications mainly because of its ability to be focused deep inside the human body, providing a modality for targeted delivery. Although originally being introduced into clinics as ultrasound contrast agents, microbubbles (MBs) have been developed as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent that can both be tracked through non-invasive imaging and deliver therapeutic agents selectively at ultrasound-targeted locations. Whereas free drugs often possess harmful side effects, their encapsulation in MBs and subsequent local release at the targeted tissue by ultrasound triggering may help improve the margin of safety. In the past 10 years, the feasibility and safety of UTMD have been extensively tested using normal animal models. Most recently, a growing number of preclinical studies have been reported on the therapeutic benefits of UTMD in the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to various malignant tumors, such as brain, liver, eyelid, pancreas, and breast tumors. Increased drug concentration in tumors and reduced tumor sizes were achieved in those tumors treated with UTMD in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs, when compared to tumors treated with chemotherapy drugs alone. This review presents an overview of current preclinical applications of UTMD in chemotherapeutic drug delivery for the treatment of cancers along with a discussion of its future developments.
Patterns in spontaneous mutation revealed by human-baboon sequence comparison.

Abstract We have analyzed the alignment of a long homologous region of the human and baboon genomes (∼1.5 Mb). We show that the frequency of gaps between aligned segments decreases slowly with gap length, indicating that several successive nucleotides are often deleted or inserted in one event. By contrast, runs of consecutive mismatches decrease rapidly in frequency with increasing length, following an exponential distribution, indicating that nucleotides are mostly substituted one at a time. Nucleotide substitutions are clumped at the scales of
Endothelial Progenitor Cells Restore Renal Function in Chronic Experimental Renovascular Disease

Background—Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) promote neovascularization and endothelial repair. Renal artery stenosis (RAS) may impair renal function by inducing intrarenal microvascular injury and remodeling. We investigated whether replenishment with EPCs would protect the renal microcirculation in chronic experimental renovascular disease. Methods and Results—Single-kidney hemodynamics and function were assessed with the use of multidetector computed tomography in vivo in pigs with RAS, pigs with RAS 4 weeks after intrarenal infusion of autologous EPCs, and controls. Renal microvascular remodeling and angiogenic pathways were investigated ex vivo with the use of micro–computed tomography, histology, and Western blotting. EPCs increased renal expression of angiogenic factors, stimulated proliferation and maturation of new vessels, and attenuated renal microvascular remodeling and fibrosis in RAS. Furthermore, EPCs normalized the blunted renal microvascular and filtration function. Conclusions—The present study shows that a single intrarenal infusion of autologous EPCs preserved microvascular architecture and function and decreased microvascular remodeling in experimental chronic RAS. It is likely that restoration of the angiogenic cascade by autologous EPCs involved not only generation of new vessels but also acceleration of their maturation and stabilization. This contributed to preserving the blood supply, hemodynamics, and function of the RAS kidney, supporting EPCs as a promising therapeutic intervention for preserving the kidney in renovascular disease. (Circulation. 2009;119:547-557.)
Personal identity and political ideology.

All political theories make assumptions about man and society, and therefore all political scientists must be to some extent both psychologists and sociologists. Modern political science has had considerable difficulty in encompassing the insights and discoveries of modern psychology and in relating private motivations to public actions. A survey of current research suggests that most studies have failed to integrate these two dimensions of behavior. Here an analysis of Erik Erikson's theories of ego identity suggests that the dynamics of personality development tend to emphasize precisely those theories which are basic to any effectively communicated political ideology.
The continuing HIV vaccine saga: naked emperors alongside fairy godmothers

The latest developments in the HIV vaccine field were aired at a Keystone Symposium recently. This Commentary summarizes some of the highlights from this meeting, and focuses on some of the developments that appeared particularly promising, as well as those that do not. Unfortunately, the "saga" continues.
Cascading dynamics and mitigation assessment in power system disturbances via a hidden failure model

A hidden failure embedded DC model of power transmission systems has been developed to study the power law distributions observed in North American blackout data. We investigate the impacts of several model parameters on the global dynamics and evaluate possible mitigation measures. The main parameters include system loading level, hidden failure probability, spinning reserve capacity and control strategy. The sensitivity of power-law behavior with respect to each of these four parameters and the corresponding blackout mitigation are discussed and illustrated via simulation results from the WSCC 179-bus equivalent system and the IEEE 118-bus test system. It is our intention that this study can provide guidance on when and how the suggested mitigation methods might be effective.
Identity Management for Virtual Organizations: An Experience-Based Model

In this paper we present our Virtual Organization (VO) Identity Management (IdM) Model, an overview of 14 interviews that informed it, and preliminary analysis of the factors that guide VOs and Resource Providers (RPs) to choose a particular IdM implementation. This model will serve both existing and future VOs and RPs to more effectively understand and implement their IdM relationships. The Virtual Organization has emerged as a fundamental way of structuring modern scientific collaborations and has shaped the computing infrastructure that supports those collaborations. One key aspect of this infrastructure is identity management, and the emergence of VOs introduces challenges regarding how much of the IdM process should be delegated from the RP to the VO. Many different implementation choices have been made, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 different VOs or RPs regarding their IdM choices and the bases behind those decisions. We analyzed the interview results to extract common parameters and values, which we used to inform our VO IdM Model.
Albigenses in the Antipodes: An Australian and the Cathars

This article is a wide-ranging discussion of the “conventional picture of Catharism” and why everything traditionally understood by most scholars about these heretics is wrong. It arises out of Peter Biller's criticism that, “as an Australian historian who works in the United States,” I am leading the “troops” in a sweeping campaign “to dismantle our picture of Catharism.” The stakes are high in this debate. If heresy is fundamentally misunderstood, then Latin Christianity is fundamentally misunderstood, and so what it means to study the medieval world is fundamentally misunderstood.
Home Is Where They Have to Let You In Beliefs Regarding Physical Custody Changes of Children Following Divorce

Normative expectations regarding changes in the physical custody of children following divorce were examined in this study. Two hundred twenty-two women and 88 men whose names were drawn randomly responded to a vignette about a divorced couple and their 16-year-old son. In response to a variety of scenarious, participants indicated whether the child should be allowed to change residence. Forced-choice responses, analyzed using multinomial logistic regression, yielded no significant main or interaction effects. Several general themes, however, were evident in the open-ended responses: (a) The wishes of the child should prevail in postdivorce physical custody changes; (b) mothers have a more unconditional obligation to their children than fathers; (c) men's parenting skills and abilities are somewhat suspect; and (d) court-appointed custody arrangements have little influence on postdivorce physical custody changes. Considering that informal modifications in physical custody are common, it is suggested that ...
Discussion on "Can water cause brittle fracture failures of non-ceramic insulators in the absence of electric field" [and reply]

It was postulated by J. Montesinos et al. (see ibid., vol.9, p.236-43, 2002), based on experimental evidence, that brittle fracture failures of composite (non-ceramic) HV insulators could be caused by water and mechanical stresses. It was also claimed therein that the brittle fracture process was more likely to happen with water than acids. This postulation could be of major importance as its ramifications might affect the entire composite insulator technology and, in particular, the usage of glass fiber polymer matrix composites in HV applications. Such an important statement should not be left without an independent verification. Therefore, attempts have been made in this research to initiate this process in unidirectional E-glass/modified polyester and E-glass/vinyl ester composites, used in non-ceramic insulators, by subjecting them to water under four-point bending conditions. This was done to independently verify the main conclusion of J. Montesinos et al. that water may be more damaging to unidirectional E-glass/polymer composites than acids. It has been clearly shown in this work that water, in the absence of electrical field, cannot cause stress corrosion cracking of unidirectional E-glass/polymer composites and thus brittle fracture of composite non-ceramic insulators. Thus the main results of J. Montesinos et al. could not be independently reproduced.
Perspectives: Leadership Styles for Academic Administrators: What Works When?

Styles of leadership are extremely important in the success or failure of academic administrators. Those leadership styles can be divided roughly into four categories, which are summarized in the t...
Genome Sequence of “Candidatus Thioglobus singularis” Strain PS1, a Mixotroph from the SUP05 Clade of Marine Gammaproteobacteria

ABSTRACT Mixotrophic marine bacteria from the SUP05 clade are ubiquitous in the ocean. Here, we announce the complete genome sequence of “Candidatus Thioglobus singularis” strain PS1, the first cultured mixotrophic representative from the SUP05 clade.