cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vegetation and Organic-Walled Phytoplankton at the End of the Antarctic Greenhouse World: Latest Eocene Cooling Events

Tecton Specia Copyr 10.102 The NBP0602A-3C SHALDRIL section collected in the Weddell Sea recovered a key stratigraphic interval that captured the response of plants and organic-walled phytoplankton during the first marked increase in δO followed by the large reduction in atmospheric CO2 in the late Eocene around 36 Ma. Well-preserved palynomorphs recovered from in situ shelf sediments provide evidence of a cooling event followed by a marked sea level drop around 36 Ma. Terrestrial palynomorphs indicate that at the time of deposition, southern beech-dominated and conifer forest vegetation was abundant but with lower diversity and signifying colder climates than for most of the La Meseta Formation on Seymour Island. The marine palynomorph assemblage is dominated by Vozzhennikovia apertura. This low-diversity, high-dominance dinoflagellate cyst assemblage is also a sign of deteriorating conditions. Particularly notable is the marked increase in the uppermost Eocene samples of reworked dinoflagellates and acritarchs of Cretaceous age. This suggests significant erosion and redeposition of nearby Campanian-Maastrichtian sections during a marked drop in sea level. Based on the biostratigraphy and a single isotopic date, it is likely that the cooling and subsequent lowering of sea level can be correlated to the brief spike in δO-enriched values shown by the Zachos et al. (2001) curve in the Priabonian. According to Zachos et al. (2008), this event occurs at a time when lowest carbon dioxide atmospheric concentrations were between 600 and 980 ppmv, giving us some perspectives as to what could be expected when the current CO2 atmospheric concentration is at least doubled.
When the "stakes" are communicative: The lamb's and the lion's share during nonprofit planned change

Stakeholders seek to have their "stakes" met by organizations. Organizations assess those requests and sometimes grant stakes to stakeholders. This study examines this critical function of organizations by investigating the stakeholder communication of 66 nonprofit organizations undergoing change. Implementers' self-reports of frequency, timing, approaches, and topics of communication with 10 stakeholder groups were examined. Results indicate that implementers generally follow a quid pro quo "matching rule" wherein stakeholders' resource importance serves as the basis on which they are awarded communicative attention. However, observance of this rule was not predictive of implementers' assessments of successful change outcomes. Further, results also show that "internal" stakeholders receive the most and earliest communication, compared to stakeholders external to the organization or near the organization's boundary, and that "information dissemination" is the most prevalent communicative approach taken.
Going My Way? Wending a Way Through the Stumbling Blocks between Georgism and Catholicism

This essay surveys the issues between Georgists and Roman Catholics in three classes: issues that are not peculiarly Roman Catholic (RC) but play out across faiths and denominations, issues that are peculiarly RC, and points of similarity and agreement. Addressed in this fashion are the tensions that arise between the social gospel and individual salvation, between specifics and glittering generalities, between noblesse oblige and governmental reform, between the doctrine of original sin and tabula rasa, between the rich and the poor, between the dignity of labor and the honor of predation, between democracy and authority, between the regulatory emphasis rooted in the philosophy of Aquinas and free markets, and between plain talk and gobbledegook.
The Mouse Model for Influenza

A major challenge in influenza research is the selection of an appropriate animal model that accurately reflects the disease and protective immune response to influenza infection in humans. Ferrets are exquisitely susceptible to infection with human influenza viruses and are widely believed to be the ideal small animal model for influenza research. Mice have also been used for influenza vaccine research for decades. Although human influenza viruses generally cause disease in mice only if they are first adapted to the species, the ready availability of mice, their relatively low cost, and the variety of genetic backgrounds and targeted defects, and the immunologic reagents available make the mouse an attractive and heavily utilized animal model for studies of influenza. Although they are not discussed in detail in this unit, hamsters, guinea pigs, cotton rats (Sigmodon), and rats (Rattus) have also been used for influenza research.
Psychology of Women Courses Changing Sexist and Sex-Typed Attitudes

Changes in the sexist attitudes of college students participating in psychology of women courses were examined. Male students maintained mildly antiliberationist attitudes toward women and traditional, masculine-typed self-descriptions over the course semester. Female students expressed significantly more liberal attitudes toward women and shifted from feminine-typed to androgynous self-descriptions over the course semester. In a developmental psychology class with the same feminist, female professor, male students' attitudes toward women remained mildly antiliberationist whereas female students' attitudes toward women became significantly more liberal over the course semester.
Unraveling ALK signaling through phosphoproteomics.

In this issue of Blood , Boccalatte and colleagues report on innovative mass spectrometry–driven proteomic studies designed to determine the effect of the NPM-ALK oncogenic tyrosine kinase on the phosphoproteomic-signaling pathway of ALCL.[1][1] The t(2;5)(p23;q35) chromosomal aberration
Effects of climatic change on the edaphic features of arid and semiarid lands of western North America

A group of specialists was asked by the Environmental Protection Agency to use their judgment as to which soil variables would be most impacted by five scenarios of climatic change in deserts of North America that could occur over the next 40 years. The following soil characteristics were evaluated in terms of their potential for change: physical, chemical, and biological crusts; the vesicular layer; soil organic matter; organic C and N content; the C/N ratio; carbonate pool; inorganic N, P, and S; salinity levels; micro‐element content; microbial community composition; free‐living microbial N fixation; denitrification; ammonia volatilization; salinization rates; water infiltration; evaporation; lateral flow and leaching; wind and water erosion; and litter decomposition. The Delphi approach was used to reach consensus on expected trends. Computer modeling was used to integrate and project interactive changes. We expect physical and chemical crusting, vesicularity, ammonium volatilization, soil erosion, an...
Airway inflammation and etiology of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

Study objectives: The etiologic role of bacterial pathogens isolated from sputum culture in 40 to 50% of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) is controversial. If bacterial pathogens cause these AECB, they should be associated with greater neutrophilic airway inflammation than pathogen-negative exacerbations. Design: This hypothesis was tested by comparing levels of interleukin (IL)-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, and neutrophil elastase (NE) in 81 sputum samples obtained from 45 patients with AECB. Four groups were compared. In the first three groups, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (n 5 20), Haemophilus parainfluenzae (n 5 27), and Moraxella catarrhalis (n 5 14) were isolated as sole pathogens, respectively. In the fourth group, only normal flora was isolated (n 5 20). Paired samples, obtained from individual patients at different times, that differed in their culture results were also compared. Setting: An outpatient research clinic at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients: These patients were participating in a prospective, longitudinal study of the dynamics of bacterial infection in chronic bronchitis, for which they were seen in the study clinic on a monthly basis as well as when they were experiencing symptoms suggestive of AECB. Interventions: None. Measurements and results: H influenzae exacerbations were associated with significantly higher sputum IL-8, TNF-a, and NE. M catarrhalis exacerbations demonstrated significantly higher sputum TNF-a and NE when compared to pathogen-negative exacerbations. H parainfluenzaeassociated exacerbations had an inflammatory profile similar to pathogen-negative exacerbations. Sputum elastase level distinguished bacterial from nonbacterial AECB and correlated with clinical severity of the AECB. Conclusions: Increased airway inflammation associated with isolation of H influenzae and M catarrhalis supports an etiologic role of these pathogens in AECB. (CHEST 2000; 118:1557‐1565)
Race and color: Jamaican migrants in London and New York City.

This article compares the significance of race among Jamaicans in London and NewYork. Drawing on research among 1st generation migrants in both cities it is contended that being a black Jamaican must be understood in terms of the racial context of the receiving area. In New York where segregation of blacks is more pronounced being part of the large and residentially concentrated local black population cushions Jamaican migrants from some of the sting of racial prejudice and provides them with easier access to certain occupations and social institutions. In the US women not men dominate the Jamaican immigration movement and it is common for women to migrate 1st later followed by their children and in many cases their husbands as well. Whether Jamaicans settle in London or New York they experience a painful change: being black is more of a stigma than it is in Jamaica. One reason why the Jamaicans interviewed in New York complained less about racial prejudice than the London migrants is that they had more realistic expectations of the racial situation and thus were less disillusioned when they arrived abroad. The presence and residential segregation of the large black community in New York means that Jamaicans there are less apt than in London to meet whites and thus to have painful contacts with whites in various neighborhood arenas. A key aspect of New York Jamaicans own identity--and a source of pride and a sense of self-worth--is their feeling of superiority to black Americans.
Ultra-High-Frequency Triode Oscillator Using a Series-Tuned Circuit

As the conventional triode oscillator is applied to higher and higher frequencies, one or both of two phenomena finally prevent oscillation. These phenomena are transit-time effects and self-resonance of the tube elements. The analysis described in this paper refers these effects to the resistance and reactance requirements of the tube upon the external circuit. In those instances where a given triode is limited primarily by the reactance effects, due to large lead inductance, it is shown that the self-resonant frequency of the tube is not the upper limit of oscillation if one departs from the conventional parallel-tuned circuit and uses a series-tuned circuit instead.
“No Problem, Mon”: Strategies Used to Promote Reggae Music as Jamaica's Cultural Heritage

ABSTRACT This paper examines efforts by the Jamaican government and its surrogates to control the Rastafarian movement and reggae music. Since the 1970s, the Jamaican establishment has employed an adjustment tactic, co-optation, to transform reggae music and Rastafari into a cultural attraction. In recent years, however, Rastafarian images and reggae have become increasingly important in the promotion of Jamaica's tourist industry. The Jamaican government and its supporters have marketed the Rastafarian movement and reggae music as part of Jamaica's “cultural heritage.” As a result, the Rastafarian movement has declined as a political and social force in Jamaica. In sum, reggae and Rastafari have evolved from the category of internal identity marketing to place/tourism marketing.
Alternaria aerosol during a bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection alters the severity of subsequent re-infection and enhances IgE production

Abstract Background Previous studies with cattle and rodent models have shown that bovine and human RSV infections influence the immune response to inhaled allergen. In the present study, we extended these observations to examine the effect of fungal allergen Alternaria alternata aerosol exposure (prior to and during BRSV infection) on the immune response and clinical outcome of a secondary BRSV infection. Methods Calves were either Alternaria (Alt)/mock Alt (mAlt) and BRSV/mBRSV exposed. Exposures began on day −6 and continued every other day until day 6 post infection. A second set of aerosols/infection began on day 103 and continued as before. Clinical outcome during infections was measured in each group. IgG1, IgA, and IgE responses to Alternaria were measured in serum or bronchiolar alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Cytokine responses, including IL-4, were also measured. Results Alternaria did not influence primary infection; however, the Alt/BRSV group had less disease than mAlt/BRSV group (median clinical score 8 vs 476.5; p ≤0.01) after secondary infection. Exposure to Alternaria facilitated IgE antibody production in BRSV infected calves. IgE responses to Alternaria were higher in Alt/BRSV than Alt/mBRSV animals on day 10 (mean baseline fold increase 1.97 vs 1.06; p =0.013) and 109 (1.40 vs 0.810; p =0.008). Comparatively, Alt/BRSV calves had less Alternaria specific IgG1 than Alt/mBRSV calves on days 0, 107, 109, 113, 115, and 120 ( p ≤0.05) with more lung eosinophils and IL-4 secreting PBMCs. Conclusion Alternaria aerosols during primary and secondary BRSV infections decreased disease in secondary infections; however, BRSV infection enhanced Th2 responses against inhaled Alternaria.
Digestibility of wheat straw or ammoniated wheat straw in equine diets

Summary Six mature mares of Quarter Horse and Paint breeding (average body weight 560 kg) were used in a replicated, completely randomized experiment to evaluate the acceptance and digestibility of diets containing untreated or ammoniated wheat straw. Horses were fed one of three dietary treatments: (1) 50% chopped, ammoniated wheat straw/50% chopped alfalfa hay (AMWS), (2) 100% chopped alfalfa hay (ALF), or (3) 50% chopped wheat straw/50% chopped alfalfa hay (WS). Horses were maintained in dry lots during the two experimental periods with ad libitum access to water, and were fed diets in two equal feedings daily totaling 1.6% of body weight. Dietary adjustment periods were 14 days, followed by fecal collection periods of 4 days. Total fecal output was determined using chromic oxide as an external indicator. Feed and fecal samples were analyzed for dry matter, nitrogen, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and energy content. Dietary intake (dry-matter basis) was similar between treatments with means of 8.7, 9.1 and 8.8 kg/d for AMWS, ALF, and WS, respectively. Energy and protein digestibilities were greater for ALF than WS. Dry matter digestibility was greater for both ALF and AMWS than WS. Digestibility of acid detergent fiber was not different among treatments, however a trend (P
‘We Wondered what Human Rights He Was Talking About’: Human rights, homosexuality and the Zimbabwe International Book Fair

This article addresses the recent debates on homosexuality and human rights in Zimbabwe, particularly as they relate to the controversy surrounding the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) particip...
Nonsynaptic Communication Through ATP Release from Volume-Activated Anion Channels in Axons

The release of neuronal messengers outside synapses has broad biological implications, particularly with regard to communication between axons and glia. We identify a mechanism for nonsynaptic, nonvesicular release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from axons through volume-activated anion channels (VAACs) activated by microscopic axon swelling during action potential firing. We used a combination of single-photon imaging of ATP release, together with imaging for intrinsic optical signals, intracellular calcium ions (Ca2+), time-lapse video, and confocal microscopy, to investigate action potential–induced nonsynaptic release of this neurotransmitter. ATP release from cultured embryonic dorsal root ganglion axons persisted when bafilomycin or botulinum toxin was used to block vesicular release, whereas pharmacological inhibition of VAACs or prevention of action potential–induced axon swelling inhibited ATP release and disrupted activity-dependent signaling between axons and astrocytes. This nonvesicular, nonsynaptic communication could mediate various activity-dependent interactions between axons and nervous system cells in normal conditions, development, and disease.
One- and zero-dimensional systems: Fabrication and characterization

Abstract We describe how the unique capabilities of molecular beam epitaxy together with the electron-beam lithography and reactive-ion etching can be utilized to realize novel quasi-one- and zero-dimensional electron systems. We also present the results of capacitive and tunneling studies on these quantum systems.
An interactive online course: A collaborative design model

The purpose of this paper is to describe the evaluation results of using an interactive design model for the development of an online course. Specifically, it examines: (a) how an interactive design model was used to develop collaborative and cooperative learning activities; (b) how activities were structured to promote the level and quality of communications among students, as peers, and between students and the instructors; and (c) how students responded to such interactive design model. The paper also provides information about the delivery process and describes what happened when this interactive model was fully implemented and used.
The impact of killing in war on mental health symptoms and related functioning

This study examined the mental health and functional consequences associated with killing combatants and noncombatants. Using the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS) survey data, the authors reported the percentage of male Vietnam theater veterans (N = 1200) who killed an enemy combatant, civilian, and/or prisoner of war. They next examined the relationship between killing in war and a number of mental health and functional outcomes using the clinical interview subsample of the NVVRS (n = 259). Controlling for demographic variables and exposure to general combat experiences, the authors found that killing was associated with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, dissociation, functional impairment, and violent behaviors. Experiences of killing in war are important to address in the evaluation and treatment of veterans.
Bacterial Vaginosis and Anaerobes in Obstetric-Gynecologic Infection

Anaerobic infections of the upper genital tract are common. Antibiotic regimens designed to inhibit anaerobes markedly reduce morbidity. A vaginal infection associated with an increased concentration of anaerobic bacteria (bacterial vaginosis) has been recently linked to a wide variety of upper genital tract infections. Bacterial vaginosis has an important role in the development of clinical chorioamnionitis, postpartum endometritis, posthysterectomy vaginal-cuff cellulitis, postabortion pelvic inflammatory disease, and upper genital tract infections such as amniotic fluid infection and chorioamnion infection associated with premature delivery.
Environmental factors of cancer of the colon and rectum II. Japanese epidemiological data

This is an epidemiological study of 107 patients with large bowel cancer and 307 control patients interviewed in Japan. Colon cancer is significantly less common in Japan, but rectal cancer is as common in Japan as it is in the United States. Japanese patients with cancer of the colon have a higher socioeconomic status than rectal cancer patients. Associated with the higher status is a more Western style diet. It is suggested that perhaps dietary fat influences the make-up of the bacterial flora and thus affects the pathogenesis of cancer of the colon. No significant relationship was found to medical and surgical diseases nor to the cholesterol and weight levels.
Response to dynamical modulation of the optical lattice for fermions in the Hubbard model

Fermionic atoms in a periodic optical lattice provide a realization of the single-band Hubbard model. Using quantum Monte Carlo simulations along with the maximum-entropy method, we evaluate the effect of a time-dependent perturbative modulation of the optical lattice amplitude on atomic correlations, revealed in the fraction of doubly occupied sites. We find that the effect of modulation depends strongly on the filling--the response of the double occupation is significantly different in the half-filled Mott insulator from that in the doped Fermi liquid region.
Comparative analysis of mutagenic potency of 1-nitro-acridine derivatives.

Abstract The anticancer effect of 1-nitro-9-hydroxyethylamino acridine (C-857), a compound belonging to the 1-nitroacridine class, has been well documented. Despite its therapeutic efficacy, the clinical development of C-857 has been impeded partly due to its high systemic toxicity. In an effort to enhance antitumor efficacy and lower toxicity, derivatives of C-857 have been synthesized with substitutions made at position C-4 and/or an esterified hydroxyl group in side chain at the C-9 position. The introduction of a methyl group at C-4 resulted in C-1748, which has a significantly higher therapeutic efficacy and is being clinically developed as an anticancer agent for solid tumors. The present study was undertaken to correlate the mutagenicity of C-857, C-1748, C-1790, C-1872 and C-1873 with their cytotoxicity and their anti-tumor efficacy. The mutagenicity of these drugs was determined using three Ames Salmonella typhimurium strains TA1537, TA98 and TA102. The bacteria were treated with different molar concentrations, ranging from 10− 3 to 10− 12 M, of the drugs and drug-induced histidine revertants were then counted after a 48 h incubation. C-1748 did not induce any revertants in both TA1537 and TA98 at a dose of 10− 6 M, whereas, C-857 at the same dose induced ∼842 and ∼1034 revertants respectively. In TA102, mutagenicity was lower than observed with TA98 and TA1537 with highest revertants observed at 10− 5 M with C-857 (∼606) and C-1748 (∼108). Higher mutagenicity was observed in the derivatives C-1790, C-1872 and C-1873 compared to C-1748, but lower than C-857. These studies demonstrate that C-1748 has the least mutagenic potential, with a much higher antitumor effect in prostate cancer and is a promising chemotherapeutic agent for clinical development.
High-intensity focused ultrasound in prostate cancer: Today's outcomes and tomorrow's perspectives

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a minimally invasive therapy applied for prostate cancer that capitalizes on the coagulation necrosis that occurs at temperatures greater than 60°C. Owing to a lack of long-term follow-up data the procedure is still considered experimental treatment. As primary therapy, HIFU is indicated in patients aged ≥70 years with clinical organ-confined disease, although it has also been used, with encouraging results, as first line salvage therapy after definitive treatment, and in locally advanced (T3-4) and non-metastatic hormone-resistant prostate cancer. Morbidity associated with this treatment method appears to be low and includes urinary retention (1-9%), urethral stricture (4-14%), incontinence (1-15%), erectile dysfunction (13-53%) and rectourethral fistulae (0-3%). The risk of complications increases with repeated treatments. A few studies have recently been published on HIFU as focal therapy. HIFU technology can be enhanced using means such as ultrasound microbubble contrast agents for assessment of therapy efficacy, magnetic resonance imaging to guide the enhancement of heat rate, and localized drug and gene delivery.
Exposure to chronic stress and ethnic differences in rates of bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of chronic social stressors to race/ethnic differences in the rate of bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women in the inner-city area. Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional clinical prevalence study in a sample of 2304 women at the first prenatal visit (14.8 ± 0.2 weeks of gestation). Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed by Nugent's method. Stress was measured at the individual and community levels with the use of interviews and administrative records. Logistic regression was used to assess the effects of stress on the odds of bacterial vaginosis occurrence, after adjustment for demographic and behavioral risk. Results: Black women had significantly higher rates of bacterial vaginosis (64%) compared with white women (35%). Exposure to chronic stressors at the individual level differed by race (eg, 32% of the black women reported threats to personal safety compared with 13% of white women). There were significant racial differences in exposure to stress at the community level (eg, 63% of the black women lived in neighborhoods with aggravated assault rates that were above the citywide mean compared with 25% of the white women). After the adjustment for sociodemographic, behavioral risk, and perceived stress, the odds of the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis that was associated with the community level stressor of "homelessness" was significant (odds ratio, 6.7; 95% CI, 1.6-27.8). Inclusion of both individual and community level stressors reduced the black/white bacterial vaginosis odds ratio by 27%. Conclusion: Stressful exposures are associated positively with bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy in a sample of women of low income in the inner city. The measurement of stressors at multiple levels explained a significant proportion of the racial disparity in the rates of occurrence of bacterial vaginosis. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1272-6.)
Pure germanium epitaxial growth on thin strained silicon-germanium graded layers on bulk silicon substrate for high-mobility channel metal-oxide- semiconductor field-effect transistors

We demonstrate epitaxially grown high-quality pure germanium (Ge) on bulk silicon (Si) substrates by ultra-high-vacuum chemical vapor deposition (UHVCVD) without involving growth of thick relaxed SiGe buffer layers. The Ge layer is grown on thin compressively strained SiGe layers with rapidly varying Ge mole fraction on Si substrates resulting in several SiGe interfaces between the Si substrate and the pure Ge layer at the surface. The presence of such interfaces between the Si substrate and the Ge layer results in blocking threading dislocation defects, leading to a defect-free pure Ge epitaxial layer on the top. Results from various material characterization techniques on these grown films are shown. In addition, capacitance-voltage (CV) measurements of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors fabricated on this structure are also presented, showing that the grown structure is ideal for high-mobility metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor applications.
The Relevance of High-frequency Analysis Artifacts to Remote Triggering

The high-frequency content observed in teleseisms recorded by seismometers can be produced either by the nonlinear behavior of seismometers and digitizers (Delorey et al. 2008; Hellweg et al. 2008) or by the real Earth response. The latter include scattering from small-scale heterogeneities during seismic wave propagation ( e.g. , Chen and Long 2000) and high-frequency radiations from the earthquake source ( e.g. , Peng et al. 2006) or near-surface regions near the recording site (Fischer et al. 2008). Recent studies have shown that large-amplitude surface waves generated by earthquakes at regional and teleseismic distances could also trigger high-frequency seismic sources, either in the form of regular earthquakes at seismogenic depth near the recording site (Hill and Prejean 2007 and references therein) or “non-volcanic” tremor in the lower crust (Rubinstein et al. 2010; Peng and Gomberg 2010 and references therein). In teleseisms the presence of high-frequency content ( e.g. , >5 Hz) in the seismogram is inconsistent with the expected attenuation of waves from a distant source ( i.e. , >1,000 km). The lack of frequencies above 5 Hz in a teleseism makes it easy to separate the seismic signals of locally triggered events from those of the teleseism by applying a high-pass or band-pass filter to broadband continuous recordings ( e.g. , Hill and Prejean 2007; Velasco et al. 2008). Another effective way to demonstrate triggered seismicity is the spectrogram display ( i.e. , frequency-time plot) of the seismic data ( e.g. , West et al. 2005; Hill and Prejean 2007; Peng and Chao 2008; Peng et al. 2008). In such a plot, the locally triggered seismic signals typically show as narrow vertical bands rich in high-frequency energy within the low-frequency body and/or surface waves of teleseismic events. When examining high-frequency signals for evidence of remote triggering, it is important to …
The subunit structure of mouse satellite chromatin.

Abstract Brief digestion of mouse liver nuclei with micrococcal nuclease cuts both the satellite DNA and the bulk DNA into a series of fragments which are multiples of approximately 170 base pairs. Similar results are obtained whether the nuclei are fixed with formaldehyde prior to digestion or not. When deproteinized, radioactive satellite DNA is mixed with a large excess of unlabeled nuclei, micrococcal nuclease rapidly degrades the labeled DNA with no formation of discrete fragment sizes. These results suggest that mouse satellite, a heterochromatic simple sequence DNA, is complexed with histones in the same subunit structure as is the bulk of the DNA.
CDNA CLONING AND GENOMIC ORGANIZATION OF ENHANCER OF SPLIT GROUCHO GENE FROM NEMATODE CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS

This first genomic Enhancer of split groucho (ESG) gene and its full length complementary DNA (cDNA) from nematode C. elegans were cloned and sequenced via homology with the corresponding Drosophila groucho cDNA. The cDNA of 2.1-Kb encodes a protein of 612 amino acids, and the nematode ESG protein is the smallest and most different in structure compared to all ESG related proteins. The gene isolated is 4,246-bp in size, including 1,219-bp promoter region. A putative TATA-box at position -1166, two consensus sequence of ACTGG, characteristic of leader binding protein-1 (LBP-1) binding motifs at position -563 and -211 and nine CAAT boxes were found in the promoter region of ESG gene. The protein-coding sequence is interrupted by five introns. The length of introns 1 to 5 is 52, 252, 87, 53 and 518 bp, respectively. The overall structural relationships of the ESG-related proteins among human, mouse, rat, Xenopus, Drosophila and nematode were also analyzed.
Effects of Ethyl Pyruvate and Other α-Keto Carboxylic Acid Derivatives in a Rat Model of Multivisceral Ischemia and Reperfusion

Background Ethyl pyruvate (EP) has been shown to ameliorate hepatic, renal, and intestinal mucosal injury and down-regulate expression of several pro-inflammatory mediators in a wide variety of preclinical models of critical illnesses, such as sepsis, burn injury, acute pancreatitis, stroke, and hemorrhagic shock. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects of EP remain poorly understood, but might be related to the compound's structure as the ester of an α-keto carboxylic acid. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that EP and other α-keto carboxylic acid derivatives can modulate organ injury after lower torso ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Methods Rats were subjected to 50min of supraceliac aortic occlusion. Over a 20-min period, starting 2min before the release of the aortic clamp, the animals received 2μL/g of Ringer's lactate solution (RL, n = 5) or an equivalent volume of a solution containing EP ( n = 5), benzoyl formate (BF, n = 5), parahydroxyphenyl pyruvate (PHPP, n = 5) or sodium pyruvate (NaPyr, n = 5). The total dose of each compound was 0.86 mMol/kg. After 1h of reperfusion, we measured ileal mucosal permeability to fluorescein-labeled dextran (mw 4000 Da), liver malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and TNF. Rats in the control group (CT, n = 4) were subjected to laparotomy and surgical isolation of the supraceliac aorta, but not visceral I/R. Results Ileal mucosal permeability, plasma levels of ALT and TNF, and hepatic MDA content increased significantly in the RL group relative to the CT group. Both EP and BF significantly ameliorated the development of systemic arterial hypotension, mucosal hyperpermeability, and significantly decreased plasma levels of TNF. MDA content was significantly decreased by EP, PHPP, BF, and NaPyr. Conclusions In general, EP is more efficacious in this model than is NaPyr. Although more remains to be learned about the pharmacologic differences between EP and pyruvate, one important factor may the greater lipophilicity of the former compound. This insight may permit the development of even more effective cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory agents based on the pyruvoyl moiety.
Comparison of immunoblot and immunoprecipitation methods for analyzing cross-reactive antibodies to filarial antigens

Qualitative analysis of antibody responses in helminth infections is essential not only for developing better immunodiagnostic antigens but also for understanding immune recognition and its relevance to immunopathogenesis and protective immunity. In this study 2 qualitative analytic methods (immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting) were compared for the ability to define the extent of cross-reactivity in the serum antibodies from patients with various forms of filariasis (caused by Brugia malayi, Wuchereria bancrofti, Loa loa and Tetrapetalonema perstans) or other non filarial helminth infections (ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, trichinosis, echinococcosis and schistosomiasis). Our results demonstrated that the spectrum of cross-reactive antibodies identified by immunoprecipitation was limited because of the selective radiolabeling of particular filarial antigens, while immunoblotting was able to detect a much wider range of cross-reactive antibodies in both filarial and non-filarial serum pools. In addition, this latter procedure was easily adapted for simultaneous analysis of different antibody isotopes (e.g., IgE and IgG) to the same antigens in individual sera. Immunoblotting thus provides an excellent tool for studying the spectrum of antibodies of different isotypes evoked during helminth infections and for discriminating between those responses that are species-specific and those that are cross-reactive.
A time-dependent clustering model for non-uniform dielectric breakdown

We report a time-dependent clustering model for non-uniform dielectric breakdown. While at high percentiles non-Possion area scaling dominates, the model restores the weakest-link characteristics at low percentiles relevant for reliability projection. Its validity is demonstrated by area scaling and excellent agreement with multiple experimental data sets. We show the clustering model can replace Weibull model with largely improved reliability margins.
Resolving Syntactic Category Ambiguities in Discourse Context: Probabilistic and Discourse Constraints☆

Three experiments investigated the resolution of syntactic category ambiguities in a self-paced reading paradigm, using moving window presentation. Sentences containing noun/verb homographs likeduck(e.g.,She saw her duck and chickens/stumble near the barn.) were embedded in short stories. The first experiment reports the collection of several types of norms to measure the degree to which each homograph was biased toward use as a noun or use as a verb, and the strength of the discourse bias for each item. The goal was to determine how probabilistic lexical bias and discourse bias influence the generation and selection of syntactic structure in the ambiguous region, and this was investigated by varying the length of the ambiguous region in Experiments 2–4. The data suggest that only probabilistic lexical bias influenced the generation of structure, while both lexical bias and discourse bias guided selection of the appropriate structure.
Purification and demonstration of the enzymatic character of the nicking-closing protein from mouse L cells.

Abstract A rapid procedure for the purification of the nicking-closing enzyme from mouse L cells is described. The procedure reproducibly provides high yields of enzyme. A purity of greater than 90% is obtained in five steps. The enzymatic character of the nicking-closing activity has been demonstrated. On the average 20 PM2 DNA I molecules are completely relaxed by one enzyme molecule. The enzyme releases superhelical turns from closed circular DNA by providing a swivel through a sequence of successive nicking and closing events. It is not known yet whether the release of superhelical turns proceeds via a one hit or a multiple hit mechanism.
Neurotrophin receptor TrkB promotes lung adenocarcinoma metastasis

Lung cancer is notorious for its ability to metastasize, but the pathways regulating lung cancer metastasis are largely unknown. An in vitro system designed to discover factors critical for lung cancer cell migration identified brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which stimulates cell migration through activation of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB; also called NTRK2). Knockdown of TrkB in human lung cancer cell lines significantly decreased their migratory and metastatic ability in vitro and in vivo. In an autochthonous lung adenocarcinoma model driven by activated oncogenic Kras and p53 loss, TrkB deficiency significantly reduced metastasis. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 directly regulated TrkB expression, and, in turn, TrkB activated Akt signaling in metastatic lung cancer cells. Finally, TrkB expression was correlated with metastasis in patient samples, and TrkB was detected more often in tumors that did not have Kras or epidermal growth factor receptor mutations. These studies demonstrate that TrkB is an important therapeutic target in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma.
In Search of Meaningful Online Learning Experiences.

Effective online education is a blend of pedagogy, technology, and organizational support. For meaningful online learning experiences, prospective online learners should evaluate the strengths of these three elements and play an active role in exploring the increased interaction opportunity that online learning provides.
Epidemiology and natural history of pelvic floor dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction, including urinary incontinence, anal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse, is extremely common, affecting at least one-third of adult women. A minority of patients sustaining these conditions volunteer their symptoms. Risk factor identification and the development of tactics for prevention are significant priorities for future research. Understanding both the specific predisposing factors that place an individual woman at risk and the precise events of the labor and delivery process that initiate injury and dysfunction is important for primary prevention. Defining the relative importance of various promoting and decompensating factors is essential for secondary prevention.
SPRITE: a modern approach to scanning probe contact resonance imaging

We describe a system for contact resonance tracking called scanning probe resonance image tracking electronics (SPRITE). SPRITE can image two contact resonance frequencies simultaneously and thus can be used to acquire quantitative mechanical properties without requiring tedious image registration or other forms of post-processing. SPRITE is up to ten times faster than its predecessor, and its use of digital frequency synthesis makes the frequency 100 times more precise. In addition, SPRITE can acquire quality factor images, which can be used to determine viscoelastic material properties. The resonant frequency of two eigenmodes and two corresponding quality factor images can be acquired simultaneously. These new features can enable accurate nanomechanical imaging of surfaces and devices.
Greater blood pressure-lowering effect of the renin inhibitor EMD 58265 than an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in two-kidney one-clip Goldblatt rabbit.

SUMMARY 1. Renin inhibitors may be more advantageous than either angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin (Ang) antagonists in blocking the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) because they do not allow accumulation of either AngI or AngII in plasma. 2. Effects of i.v. administration of two human renin inhibitors (EMD 58265 and U 71038) were compared with the ACE inhibitor enalaprilat on mean blood pressure (BP), renal blood flow (RBF) and plasma AngI and AngII in the anaesthetized two-kidney one-clip Goldblatt rabbit. 3. At doses of 2–2.5 mg/kg, i.v., EMD 58265 and 5–10 mg/kg, i.v., U 71038, both drugs decreased BP approximately 10 mmHg more than enalaprilat (2–4 mg/kg, i.v.) when given either before or after the ACE inhibitor. None of the three agents had any significant effect on RBF in the face of the lowered BP; however, renal vascular resistance was decreased. A higher dose of enalaprilat (10 mg/kg, i.v.) had no further effect on BP than the lower doses but did cause a marked increase in RBF. 4. Both renin inhibitors markedly decreased plasma AngI, but the high basal level of AngII was less consistently and only modestly affected. Enalaprilat, in either the low dose range or at the high dose, was also not effective in significantly decreasing AngII. 5. The results indicate that renin inhibition in the rabbit with a high circulating AngII level is more effective in lowering BP than ACE inhibition. A high dose of the ACE inhibitor may be required to block the intrarenal RAS, which may account for the increase in RBF.
Neonatal monosodium glutamate differentially alters two models of behavioral activity in conjunction with reduced hypothalamic endorphins

Abstract Neurotoxic doses of monosodium glutamate were administered to neonatal male and female Sprague-Dawley rats for five days postpartum. The rats were tested at 6 months for alterations in two forms of activity—initial activity in an open field and overnight activity in a familiar cage. In comparison with age-, sex- and handling-matched littermate controls, experimental subjects exhibited increased open field behaviors and reduced overnight activity. Subsequent histology indicated marked reductions in arcuate and periarcuate cells which included but probably were not limited to β-endorphin containing neurons. These findings indicate that neonatal MSG has long-term behavioral and neurological consequences, that some changes occur within behaviorally discrete systems, and that they may be associated with functional alterations within endogenous opioid systems, inter alia.
Modest hypothermia provides partial neuroprotection for ischemic neonatal brain.

ABSTRACT: Hypothermia is a frequent occurrence in newborns, and thermoregulatory management is a fundamental part of medical stabilization. Although modest reduction in brain temperature (2–3°C) before ischemia provides neuroprotection in adults, the effect of modest hypothermia on immature brain has not been examined. Nine-day-old swine were exposed to 15 min of incomplete global brain ischemia, with intraischemic rectal temperatures of either 38.3 ± 0.4°C (n = 10, normothermic) or 35.4 ± 0.5°C (n = 10, hypothermic). The relationship between rectal and brain temperature was delineated in preliminary experiments on four swine. Animals with intraischemic rectal temperatures maintained at either 39.5°C or 35.5°C were associated with a similar magnitude of difference in brain temperature. Therefore, rectal temperature was used to monitor brain temperature for 20 animals studied subsequently. Ischemia was induced by combining neck compression with hemorrhagic hypotension and resulted in similar group values for mean arterial pressure and changes in pH and blood gases at the completion of ischemia. A clinical overall performance score and brain tissue structure were evaluated after 72 h (or earlier if animals died prematurely). Hypothermic animals had less severe stages of impairment compared with the normothermic group (p = 0.023). Hypothermie piglets had less histologic damage in the neocortex at 0.5 cm beneath the brain surface (p = 0.048), the caudate nucleus (p = 0.038), and the pons/midbrain (p = 0.04) and the same direction of effect in neocortex at 1 cm beneath the surface (p = 0.07) and the cerebellum (p = 0.07) as compared with normothermic animals. The results demonstrate that a 2–3°C reduction in brain temperature during 15 min of incomplete ischemia provides partial neuroprotection in neonatal swine.
The conditioning of negative attitudes to unfamiliar items of information

The present studies attempted to condition negative attitudes toward novel information by pairing unfamiliar questions with the answer “false” in a training questionnaire. Results were as follows: (a) significant conditioning was obtained in 4 out of 5 experiments; (b) conditioning was independent of an atmosphere effect in the training series; (c) conditioning varied inversely with amount of reinforcement; (d) under conditions that permitted the response “uncertain,” as well as “true” or “false,” significant conditioning was obtained; (e) awareness was related to significantly enhanced performance, but did not always accompany significant conditioning; and, (f) no significant conditioning occurred when equal numbers of “true” and “false” items appeared in the conditioning series.
"The God of Death Takes Half of Our Children": Health of Women and Children in the Sundarbans Islands

Grassroots level health care workers provided insights into rural women's health concerns at a program development workshop held at Sundarban Islands in West Bengal, India. This report describes these narratives and identifi es strategies for potential interven- tion plans. The narratives suggest layers of disenfranchisement compounded by gender inequality and geographic instability.
Integration of quality and safety competencies in undergraduate nursing education: A faculty development approach

Abstract Graduate nursing competencies in quality and patient safety should be integrated into theoretical and experiential learning using active, student-centered methodologies, and threaded through multiple nursing courses. A series of workshops designed to provide quality and safety content and innovative teaching techniques to faculty based on goals of the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) Faculty Development Institute were developed. Post-workshop survey results found a significant self-reported change in course design with a focus on the integration of QSEN competencies.
Simian varicella virus DNA shares homology with human varicella-zoster virus DNA

Delta herpesvirus (DHV) and Medical Lake Macaque (MLM) virus are cell-associated simian herpesviruses that cause varicella-like disease in nonhuman primates, and are antigenically related to human varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The results of studies designed to determine if homology exists between the DNA of DHV and MLM and the DNA of VZV are reported here. Southern blot hybridizations conducted at Tm-20 degrees did not detect DNA homology between the VZV and simian varicella virus genomes. However, under conditions of lower stringency (Tm-36 degrees and Tm-43 degrees), VZV DNA probes hybridized to specific HindIII fragments within DNA isolated from simian varicella virus-infected cells. Under similar hybridization conditions, DNA homology was not detected between VZV DNA and herpes simplex virus DNA. Further studies using cloned VZV DNA HindIII fragments as probes suggested that the homology between VZV DNA and DHV DNA is distributed across the viral genomes. These results demonstrate that the genomes of VZV and simian varicella virus share regions of conserved nucleotide sequences, and indicate a close evolutionary relationship between VZV and simian varicella viruses. In addition, the studies show that the DHV and MLM strains of simian varicella virus are more closely related to each other than to human VZV.