cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Establishing an islet transplantation program in a developing country

Diabetes is an emerging epidemic throughout the world. In our city alone, there are approximately 25,000 known diabetics (5% to 10% type 1) among a total population of 1.7 million inhabitants, and the incidence is increasing among all age groups. Islet transplantation is a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus. For this reason, we intended to establish an islet transplantation program. This required competent and well-trained professionals, a specially planned facility adhering to rigid regulations regarding safety and sterility, and a detailed study of the ethical laws and rules involving transplantation. In this article, we describe the process including any difficulties or barriers encountered due to limited resources in a developing country. We also describe all stages of personnel training and the necessary equipment and work area of a similar specialized center following the guidelines of the Brazilian National Agency for Health Care. Finally, we discuss our expectations for the initial phase of our islet transplantation program.
Determining Sources of Water to Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands: A Classification Approach

Water and associated nutrients can enter freshwater and marine coastal wetlands from both watershed and offshore sources. Identifying the relative contribution of these potential sources, and the spatial scale at which sources are influenced by anthropogenic activities, are critical steps in wetland protection and restoration. We developed a hydrology-based classification scheme for Great Lakes coastal wetlands for the purpose of identifying dominant hydrologic influences and water sources. Classes were determined through analysis of data quantifying hydrologic linkages to lake (seiche) and watershed (watershed area, tributary discharge) in 57 wetlands distributed along the U.S. shoreline of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Wetlands were partitioned into four classes of hydrology that were predicted to differ in sources of water. Source water predictions were tested by comparing Chloride (Cl-) concentrations in wetland, lake, and tributary waters of the wetlands in each class. Results confirmed that classification based on quantitative hydrology data was successful in identifying groups of wetlands with similar water sources. Correlations between wetland Cl-, an indicator of anthropogenic disturbance, and agricultural and urban land uses suggest that differences among classes in water sources resulted in differences in the scale at which wetlands were connected to and influenced by landscapes.
Sample-separation-margin based minimum classification error training of pattern classifiers with quadratic discriminant functions

In this paper, we present a new approach to minimum classification error (MCE) training of pattern classifiers with quadratic discriminant functions. First, a so-called sample separation margin (SSM) is defined for each training sample and then used to define the misclassification measure in MCE formulation. The computation of SSM can be cast as a nonlinear constrained optimization problem and solved efficiently. Experimental results on a large-scale isolated online handwritten Chinese character recognition task demonstrate that SSM-based MCE training not only decreases the empirical classification error, but also pushes the training samples away from the decision boundaries, therefore a good generalization is achieved. Compared with conventional MCE training, an additional 7% to 18% relative error rate reduction is observed in our experiments.
Underuse of Surveillance Colonoscopy in Patients at Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer

Objectives Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality have declined over the past two decades, and much of this improvement is attributed to increased use of screening. Approximately 25% of patients who undergo screening colonoscopy have premalignant adenomas that require removal and follow-up colonoscopy. However, there are few studies of the use of surveillance colonoscopy in increased risk patients with previous adenomas. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine factors associated with underuse of surveillance colonoscopy among patients who are at increased risk for colorectal cancer. The study population consisted of patients with previously identified adenomatous polyps and who were due for follow-up colonoscopy. Patients were categorized as attenders (n=100) or non-attenders (n=104) on the basis of completion of follow-up colonoscopy. Telephone surveys assessed the use of surveillance colonoscopy across domains of predisposing patient characteristics, enabling factors, and patient need. Mutlivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with screening completion. Results Perceived barriers, perceived benefits, social deprivation, and cancer worry were associated with attendance at colonoscopy. Higher benefits (odds ratio (OR) 2.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-5.41) and cancer worry (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.07-2.79) increased the odds of attendance at follow-up colonoscopy, whereas greater barriers (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.28-0.88) and high social deprivation (≥2; OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.76) were associated with lower odds. Conclusions Our results suggest that multilevel factors contribute to the use of surveillance colonoscopy in higher risk populations, many of which are amenable to intervention. Interventions, such as patient navigation, may help facilitate appropriate use of surveillance colonoscopy.
Regions of Association between the α and the β Subunit of the Gastric H,K-ATPase

A binding and a yeast two-hybrid analysis were carried out on the gastric H,K-ATPase to determine interactive regions of the extracytoplasmic domains of the alpha and beta subunits of this P type ATPase. Wheat germ agglutinin fractionation of fluorescein 5-maleimide-labeled tryptic fragments of detergent-solubilized H, K-ATPase showed that a fragment Leu855 to Arg922 of the alpha subunit was bound to the beta subunit. The yeast two-hybrid system showed that the region containing only a part of the seventh transmembrane segment, the loop, and part of the eighth transmembrane segment was capable of giving positive interaction signals with the ectodomain of the beta subunit. The sequence in the extracytoplasmic loop close to the eighth transmembrane segment, namely Arg898 to Thr928, was identified as being the site of interaction using this method. We deduced that the sequence Arg898 to Arg922 in the alpha subunit has strong interaction with the extracytoplasmic domain of the beta subunit. Again, using yeast two-hybrid analysis, two different sequences in the beta subunit Gln64 to Asn130 and Ala156 to Arg188 were identified as association domains in the extracytoplasmic sequence of the beta subunit. These data enable identification of major associative regions of the alpha-beta subunits of the H,K-ATPase.
Producing Commodities or Educating Children? Nurturing the Personal Growth of Students in the Face of Standardized Testing.

Standardized testing is a reality with which all educators must contend. Although the laws enforcing such assessments do so under the premise that students will thereby be assured an equal opportunity for academic success, they overlook a critical point—students are human beings with needs that reach beyond what is measured on a test. In this article, the author examines the impact of standardized testing on the educator's ability to adequately address these needs and questions whether the focus of education has turned to treating children as commodities rather than helping them to develop not only their intellect but also their emotional and social selves.
Integrating mental health and special education needs into comprehensive service planning for juvenile offenders in long-term custody settings

Abstract Previous research has established that justice-involved youth have higher rates of both learning disabilities and mental health disorders compared to youth in the community. Both need areas raise substantial intervention and rehabilitation concerns that must be addressed via educational and mental health service plans. The current study investigated rates of special education and mental health needs identified at admission in a large sample of youth admitted into a long-term secure custody facility. The proportion of overlap and specific patterns of educational and mental health problems were explored. Special education results were consistent with prior studies in finding an overall learning disability rate of 39.8%. The special education designation of Emotional Disturbance was common among youth with elevated admission mental health screening results. Demographic differences and implications for assessment and long-term service planning are addressed.
Investigation of biological effects associated with Terahertz radiation

Terahertz (THz) radiation sources are increasingly being used in military, defense, and medical applications. The study of the potential effects of THz radiation on biological systems is therefore an important issue in the safe development of a large number of applications. Despite the fact that the general population has not been exposed to this band of the electromagnetic spectrum, a timely assessment of the potential hazards and health effects from occupational and general population exposure is required. Unfortunately, very little research has been done in this area. In this study, we describe the findings of some research groups that illustrate the effects of THz exposure to different biological specimens with a focus on thermal effect, genotoxic effect, and effect on cell membrane and cell proliferation. While most of the results discussed showed no significant alteration of activity in the biological specimen because of exposure, in some studies evidence of genotoxic effects and effects on cell membrane was discovered. However, further research has to be done for better understanding of the bioeffects of THz radiation.
A general synthetic route to A-ring hydroxylated vitamin D analogs from pentoses

Abstract The enyne needed for coupling to a CD-ring fragment, namely, 3 S , 5 R -oct-1-en-7-yne-3,5-diol, in the Trost-Dumas carbopalladation route to 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 was synthesized from D -xylose in 13 steps and 21% yield.
Beyond averaging. II. Single-trial classification of exogenous event-related potentials using stepwise discriminant analysis

Abstract Using stepwise discriminant analysis (SWDA), single-trial event-related potentials (ERPs) were classified as to whether they were elicited by a checkerboard presented to the upper or lower visual half-field. Discriminant functions were computed on the basis of ‘training sets’ constructed of upper and lower half-field ERPs, and applied to ‘test sets’ of other ERPs elicited by the same stimuli. Individual-subject discriminant functions for data recorded at Pz classified the single ERPs in the test sets with a mean accuracy of 83.7% correct. The mean accuracy attained by individual-subject functions from the most discriminable scalp site for each subject was 87.8% correct, and that attained by an across-subjects function was 78.1% correct. Averaged ERPs showed the previously reported polarity reversal of corresponding exogenous components in the upper and lower half-field wave forms. Moreover, the SWDA procedure chose ERP time points at the latencies of these exogenous components for discriminating the half-field ERPs. The results demonstrate that SWDA can accurately classify single ERPs in which the systematic variance is localized in exogenous components, having periods within the range of frequencies which typically compose the background EEG.
On water mist fire suppression mechanisms in a gaseous diffusion flame

Abstract This is work is motivated by the urgent need to find an alternative to the banned halogen-based fire suppressing agents. Fine water mist is a contending alternative especially in total flooding applications. To obtain an optimum design of a water mist fire suppression system, one needs to understand the mechanisms of fire suspension by water mist. This paper presents a study of the relative contributions of the suppression mechanisms in a gaseous diffusion flame. A modified Wolfhard–Parker burner was used to measure temperature drops in a 2D methane diffusion flame, when various quantities of nitrogen, steam and water mist were added independently in a co-flow arrangement. A simple model of the flame was used to estimate the heat generation and loss processes taking place in the flame when small amounts of various suppressants were added. The results of both experiments and the analysis show that in a co-flow arrangement the addition of small quantities of fine water mist has more gas phase cooling effect on the flame than oxygen dilution effect.
Generalized Farey organization and generalized winding number in a 2-D DDDS

Abstract A typical two-dimensional driven damped dynamical system is studied by computer simulation. Mode locking and complicated multipeaked periodic oscillations are observed extensively in the system and are described by the generalized Farey tree and generalized winding number.
Thermal Developing Flow in a Curved Duct with an Elliptic Cross Section

In this paper, laminar flow and heat transfer are investigated in the thermal entrance region of a curved elliptic duct. The elliptic duct is subjected to constant wall temperature. The solutions are numerically obtained by employing the control volume based, finite difference method via generation of a boundary-fitted coordinate system. The curvature ratio effect is also included in the formulation of the governing equations. Temperature distribution and local Nusselt numbers are obtained and presented graphically for various Prandtl numbers. Dean numbers, and minor- to major-axis ratios. It is observed that one-eyed isotherms appear in the process of temperature development. Effects of the Dean number and the Prandtl number on heat transfer are discussed in detail. Finally, the asymptotic Nusselt numbers art obtained. Furthermore, accuracy of the present calculations is validated by comparison with some published data available in the open literature. Excellent agreement has been obtained for all cases.
Nucleation on dislocations

Abstract The activation energy of nucleation of a second phase on a dislocation is calculated, assuming an elastic model of a dislocation and an incoherent precipitate. It is found that the nucleation energy decreases even more rapidly with increasing thermodynamic driving force, than does the nucleation energy for homogeneous nucleation, becoming zero at a finite value of the supersaturation.
Facilitation of Conservation of Number in Young Children.

Preschool and kindergarten children received seven tests of conservation of number which varied in the type and number of perceptual supports for conservation. Most of the tests with these supports facilitated performance in comparison to the standard conservation test. Coaservation appeared earlier than usual. There were significant effects of supports which emphasized correspondence and deemphasized length cues, unclear effects of the number of objects, and no effect of interest value of the stimuli. There was a set effect, i.e., beginning with the easiest test produced more conservation overall than did beginning with the most difficult test. It was proposed that the development of conservation involves several levels, varying from an early rudimentary understanding of invariance to. the final, mature conception of number. FACILITATION OF CONSERVATION OF NUMBER IN YOUNG CHILDREN Patricia H. Miller, Karen H. Heldmeyer, and Scott A. Miller University of Michigan The current controversy over whether preschool children believe in conservation of number is far from settled. Attempts to make the conservation task appropriate for young children have necessarily altered aspects of Piaget's original assessment procedure (Paget_, 1952). It is clear from such attempts (e.g., Mettler & Bever, 1967; Rotenberg & Courtney, 1968; Siegel, 1971) that. the ability to "conserve" is dependent on the procedures and criteria used in its assessment. It is not clear exactly when "genuine" conservation emerges. One way to interpret these studies is in terms not of conservation vs. nonconservation but of levels of understanding. That is, preschool children may have a rudimentary understanding of the invariance of number which they can demonstrate under facilitating conditions. This understanding would be genuine but limited, and it may to several years before the concert becomes fully generalized, easily explained verbally, and demonstrated under all conditions. The purpose of the present stu:::y was to delineate levels of conservation by identifying conditions which facilitate or hinder conservation judgments. The approach was sim!..lar to that of Whiteman ani Peisach (1970), who gradually added perceptual and sensorimotor supports to standard tests of conservation of number and mass. They found that these supports facilitated judgments by kindergarten and third-grade children on the number but not cn the mass task. The present study examined the effects of several variables: degree of emphasis on one -to -one correspondence bett:een objects in the two arrays; the presence of length cues which may distract.the child's attention from number; the number of objects in each array; and the interest value of the stimuli.
Radiation dose to the bladder wall and the gonads from direct radionuclide cystography in children

A dynamic spherical bladder model, previously developed in our laboratory, was implemented to evaluate the absorbed dose to the bladder wall from 99mTc-pertechnetate and direct radionuclide cystography (DRC). This model takes into account the flow rate of normal saline into the bladder and the bladder volume as a function of the filling time. The DRC examinations of 36 children were analysed and calculations were carried out in order to estimate (a) the absorbed dose to the bladder during and following the DRC examination and (b) the gonadal dose. It is shown that the estimated dose to the bladder wall is much greater than that estimated by static models. It is also shown that the absorbed dose to the bladder due to the activity in the residual urine following the examination is even greater than the dose received during the DRC procedure. Our results indicate that in order to reduce the radiation burden, besides the so far proposed precautions, concerning the shortening of the DRC procedure, the patient should also be well hydrated and encouraged to void frequently after the examination.
Exchange rate market efficiency: across and within countries

Abstract This paper utilizes cointegration testing and common-feature testing to investigate market efficiency among daily spot and forward exchange rates of the G-7 countries. Efficiency of the exchange rates was tested across countries and within countries. Across country efficiency was tested for co-movement between spot exchange rates and between forward exchange rates of different countries. The across-country evidence supports efficiency, as no co-movement was detected. Within-country efficiency was investigated using three different tests, and the results are mixed. Market efficiency within countries is supported by the finding of co-movement between the forward rate and the corresponding spot rate, and by the finding of stationarity of the forecast errors. However, the rate of depreciation and the forward premium were not found to exhibit the co-movement that efficiency would imply.
A sieve method for classifying composite numbers

A high-speed computer sieve used to count composite numbers in their various linear forms is described. A detailed description of the algorithm as well as a brief mention of the mechanics of the computer program is included. Actual number counts of classes of composite numbers in the integers to 2,000,000 are included together with an indication of the number theoretical significance of the counts.
Aortic Valvular Fibroma as a Source of Systemic Emboli in POEMS Syndrome

In a young woman with POEMS syndrome and two systemic embolic events, transesophageal echocardiography revealed a small mobile aortic valve mass. At surgery, an aortic valvular papillary fibroma, with areas of attached thrombus, was removed. This case underlines the importance of transesophageal echocardiography in identifying cardiac sources of emboli.
Interfacial transition regions at germanium/Hf oxide based dielectric interfaces: Qualitative differences between non-crystalline Hf Si oxynitride and nanocrystalline HfO2 gate stacks

The contribution from a relatively low-K SiON (K~6) interfacial transition region (ITR) between Si and transition metal high-K gate dielectrics such as nanocrystalline HfO"2 (K~20), and non-crystalline Hf Si oxynitride (K~10-12) places a significant limitation on equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) scaling. This limitation is equally significant for metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors and field effect transistors, MOSCAPs and MOSFETs, respectively, fabricated on Ge substrates. This article uses a novel remote plasma processing approach to remove native Ge ITRs and bond transition metal gate dielectrics directly onto crystalline Ge substrates. Proceeding in this way we identify (i) the source of significant electron trapping at interfaces between Ge and Ge native oxide, nitride and oxynitride ITRs, and (ii) a methodology for eliminating native oxide, or nitride IRTs on Ge, and achieving direct contact between nanocrystalline HfO"2 and non-crystalline high Si"3N"4 content Hf Si oxynitride alloys, and crystalline Ge substrates. We then combine spectroscopic studies, theory and modeling with electrical measurements to demonstrate the relative performance of qualitatively different nanocrystalline and non-crystalline gate dielectrics for MOS Ge test devices.
Los conos piroclásticos de Sabana Redonda: componente magmático enriquecido del Volcán Poás, Costa Rica

En el flanco sur del volcan Poas se encontraron los relictos de 5 conos piroclasticos alineados en una direccion norte-sur. El basamento local esta representado por coladas de lava, en el sector noroeste por las andesitas basalticas Achiote y en la resto del area de estudio por las andesitas Poasito. Estas ultimas son cogeneticas con los conos piroclasticos. Todas las unidades anteriores se encuentran cubiertas por la seccion superior de la Toba de Lapilli Poas. Las evidencias de campo sugieren que la actividad ignea relacionada con los conos piroclasticos no es contemporanea, sino mas bien representa diferentes pulsos de actividad. Los magmas que originaron los conos piroclasticos representan el extremo enriquecido de los componentes del volcan Poas. Con base en los datos geoquimicos disponibles se defi nieron dos componentes para los magmas del Poas: 1) Componente Sabana Redonda (TiO2 > 1%, enriquecido en HFSE y otros elementos incompatibles), presente ademas en las lavas Paleo-Poas, la Toba de Lapilli Poas y algunas lavas del crater Botos. 2) Componente von Frantzius (TiO2 < 0,8%), presente en las lavas de la zona del crater Principal, el cono von Frantzius, la laguna de Hule y algunas lavas del crater Botos. Las lavas con composiciones intermedias (TiO2 0,8-1%) son hibridos entre estos dos componentes. Ambos componentes comparten una misma fuente tipo OIB, sin embargo, el componente Sabana Redonda requiere un menor grado de fusion parcial por medio de decomprension, posiblemente relacionado con la extension dentro de la fractura volcanotectonica del Poas, mientras que el componente von Frantzius representa los magmas originados por medio de fusion por fl uidos de subduccion.
Neural and hormonal regulation of calling behavior in Blattella germanica females

Abstract Virgin females of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, exhibit cycles of calling behavior in relation to the cycles of corpora allata activity and ootheca production. The roles of juvenile hormone, mating, and the ootheca in the regulation of calling behavior were investigated. The onset of calling in relation to increasing rates of juvenile hormone synthesis suggested involvement of the corpora allata. Allatectomy prevented the expression of calling behavior and treatment with the juvenile hormone analog fenoxycarb restored calling. Corpus allatum denervation through nervi corporis allati transection, which accelerates the synthesis of juvenile hormone by the corpora allata, also accelerated the onset of calling. Using castrated males, timed interruption of mating and ventral nerve cord transection, we demonstrated that, while insertion of the male genitalia and/or spermatophore in the bursa copulatrix caused an immediate suppression of calling behavior, presence of sperm and/or associated seminal fluid in the spermatheca was required for the complete inhibition of calling in the first as well as in the second ovarian cycle. Although inhibitory signals from the presence of an ootheca in the genital atrium would suppress calling behavior indirectly by inhibiting corpus allatum activity, treatment of gravid females with fenoxycarb suggested that signals from the ootheca also inhibit calling directly. The ventral nerve cord plays a critical role in the transmission of inhibitory signals from mating and from the presence of the ootheca.
Gender classification from infants to seniors

Many believe that gender classification is a solved problem, however, gender classification for children is a very difficult problem that has not been adequately addressed by the research community. In this work we demonstrate this fact and present a system that performs gender classification on children that outperforms humans. Motivated by the significant improvement in model selection for age estimation [5], we investigate a robust gender classification system via model selection and evaluate the systems using leave-one-person-out cross-validation and 5-fold cross-validation schemes on FG-NET database. Furthermore, this work develops a novel operator, graph gender preserving, to build a neighborhood graph for locality preserving projection for gender classification.
Intraplate deformation and microplate tectonics of the Yellowstone hot spot and surrounding western U.S. interior

[1] Contemporary deformation of the Yellowstone hot spot and surrounding western United States is analyzed using tectonic microplate modeling, employing constraints from GPS observations corrected for postseismic deformation of M7+ earthquakes, fault slip rates, and earthquake focal mechanisms. We focus primarily on the kinematics of the Yellowstone hot spot and the eastern Snake River Plain volcanic field (ESRP), and secondarily on Basin-Range and Columbia Plateau provinces. Our results reveal southwest motion of the Yellowstone Plateau, excluding localized volcanic deformation, at 0.9 ± 0.1 mm/a that decreases to 0.8 ± 0.1 mm/a in the ESRP block. The southwest to west motion of the Yellowstone-ESRP introduces shear in the northern Rocky Mountain block, which is translating east at 0.78 ± 0.08 mm/a. There is <0.5 mm/a differential motion between the ESRP and the block at its northern boundary and none at the southern boundary. The eastern Basin-Range block moves west at 3.0 ± 0.1 to 4.6 ± 0.1 mm/a, while velocities of the western Basin-Range microplates rotate to a northwest direction, accompanied by a transition from normal to oblique shear deformation. Columbia Plateau block velocities are notably eastward, an effect enhanced by postseismic relaxation following the M9 1700 Cascadia subduction zone paleoearthquake. This study reveals that the overall motion of the western United States is characterized by clockwise rotation, with westward extension and northwest shear in the Basin-Range province, northeast to east contraction in the Columbia Plateau, and southwest extension of the Yellowstone–Snake River Plain block that is driven by the high gravitational potential of the Yellowstone swell.
Succinylation of gamma globulin.

THE chemical modification of proteins with succinic anhydride was shown by Habeeb et al.1 to result in an unfolding of the compact conformations of several proteins in neutral aqueous buffer. This was attributed to the large increase in net negative charge produced by the replacement of the positively charged e-NH3+ groups of lysine residues by negatively charged-NHCOCH2CH2COO-groups. An intensive study of the specificity of this reaction and of its conformational effects was made by Cherry2 with the protein bovine serum albumin; the results have been briefly reported3. Utilizing these findings, Klotz and Keresztes-Nagy4 made the interesting observation that the electrostatic repulsions introduced by succinylation could result in the complete dissociation of non-covalently linked sub-units of proteins, in particular, those of haemerythrin, at neutral pH without the addition of any other dissociating agents such as urea or detergent. We have now shown that rabbit γ-globulin, succinylated either before or after partial reduction of interchain disulphide bonds5, can be separated into its constituent heavy and light peptide chains5,6 by gel-filtration in aqueous buffers at pH near neutrality without the use of detergents7. Furthermore, the isolated succinylated heavy and light chains are quite soluble in such buffers, whereas isolated but unmodified heavy chains are insoluble6.
The significance of race in urban politics: The limitations of regime theory

Abstract Regime theory, the dominant paradigm in the study of urban politics, maintains that cities are governed by informal arrangements consisting of public and private sector elites. Because economic growth is the main policy objective of regimes, research has tended to focus on mayoral coalition building and development policy. Thus much less attention has been paid to policies that more directly impact residential neighborhoods and more fully illustrate the role of race, such as housing and education. This paper suggests that regime theory sharply limits the subjects for inquiry, and in the process, substantially understates the role of race and racism in urban political outcomes. Further, the lack of explicit discussion of race has prevented scholars of urban politics from participating in debates which have become central to the larger field of urban studies involving residential segregation and concentrated poverty. Thus, other explanations of concentrated poverty, emphasizing either economic or demographic trends, or the alleged failure of national social welfare policies, have become increasingly accepted. In this paper, I examine the politics of housing, education, urban renewal, and highway construction in Buffalo, New York, over the past several decades. This analysis is intended to illustrate the powerful influence of race in urban politics as well as the role that local policy making has played in the formation of residential segregation and concentrated poverty.
Ancient Origin of Human Complement Factor H

We studied the evolutionary history of two homologous proteins of the human complement system, factor H (FH) and the α chain of the C4b binding protein (C4bpα), and included in this study the related proteins from the barred sand bass (P. nebulifer) and the nematode C. elegans. Phylogenetic trees inferred from individual short consensus repeats (SCRs) and divergence among repeats from different genes suggest that human FH has a much closer evolutionary relationship to putative complement components from P. nebulifer and C. elegans than does the C4bpα. This indicates that a member of the alternative pathway of the complement system (FH) has an ancient origin, while a homologous member of the classical pathway (C4bpα) appeared later in evolutionary history as a result of gene duplication. The ancient evolutionary position of FH is in agreement with the suggestion that the alternative pathway of the complement system is older than the classical pathway. Phylogenetic analysis also shows that the sand bass cofactor protein SBP1 and cofactor related protein SBCRP-1 have diverged very recently.
A specific method for serum lipase determination

Abstract It was concluded that for serum lipase determinations a substrate with an oil-water interface, such as an olive oil emulsion, must be used. A procedure for serum lipase determinations is presented. It is specific, reproducible, and reasonably sensitive. The incubation period is 3 h (or 1 h in emergencies). Increase of the amount of substrate to 10 ml ensures saturation of the enzyme and increases the sensitivity of the method. Purification of the oil contributes also to an increase in sensitivity and improves the accuracy. Serum lipase was found to have a pH optimum curve with several peaks of activity which, however, differ slightly in various individuals. The serum of the majority of individuals had an optimum hydrolysis when using a buffer with a pH of 8.0 (at 27°). The normal values were found to be 0.05–1.0 (conventional) units or 20 to 278 international units. Serum lipase was elevated not only in patients with pancreatitis but also in patients with retention of nitrogenous compounds due to renal or pre-renal causes.
Older adults' and case managers' perceptions of smoking and smoking cessation.

Objectives: This study explores older smokers’ and case managers’ perceptions of smoking and smoking cessation. Methods: Data were collected from 48 case managers via focus group sessions and quest...
S Phase–Coupled E2f1 Destruction Ensures Homeostasis in Proliferating Tissues

Precise control of cell cycle regulators is critical for normal development and tissue homeostasis. E2F transcription factors are activated during G1 to drive the G1-S transition and are then inhibited during S phase by a variety of mechanisms. Here, we genetically manipulate the single Drosophila activator E2F (E2f1) to explore the developmental requirement for S phase–coupled E2F down-regulation. Expression of an E2f1 mutant that is not destroyed during S phase drives cell cycle progression and causes apoptosis. Interestingly, this apoptosis is not exclusively the result of inappropriate cell cycle progression, because a stable E2f1 mutant that cannot function as a transcription factor or drive cell cycle progression also triggers apoptosis. This observation suggests that the inappropriate presence of E2f1 protein during S phase can trigger apoptosis by mechanisms that are independent of E2F acting directly at target genes. The ability of S phase-stabilized E2f1 to trigger apoptosis requires an interaction between E2f1 and the Drosophila pRb homolog, Rbf1, and involves induction of the pro-apoptotic gene, hid. Simultaneously blocking E2f1 destruction during S phase and inhibiting the induction of apoptosis results in tissue overgrowth and lethality. We propose that inappropriate accumulation of E2f1 protein during S phase triggers the elimination of potentially hyperplastic cells via apoptosis in order to ensure normal development of rapidly proliferating tissues.
Examination of Barriers and Barrier Alteration in Transscleral Iontophoresis

The flux enhancing mechanisms of transscleral iontophoresis are not well understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the ocular barrier and barrier alterations in transscleral iontophoretic delivery with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Experiments involving constant current transscleral iontophoresis of 2 mA (current density 10 mA/cm2) and subconjunctival injection were conducted with rabbits in vivo and postmortem and with excised sclera in side-by-side diffusion cells in vitro. The postmortem and in vitro experiments were expected to be helpful in clarifying the importance of vascular clearance and other transport barriers in transscleral iontophoresis. Manganese ion (Mn2+) and manganese ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid complex (MnEDTA2−) were the model permeants. The results show that pretreatment of the eye with an electric field by iontophoresis enhanced subconjunctival delivery of the permeants to the anterior segment of the eye in vivo. This suggests that electric field-induced barrier alterations can be an important absorption enhancing mechanism of ocular iontophoresis. Penetration enhancement was magnified in the postmortem experiments with larger amounts of the permeants delivered into the eye and to the back of the eye. The different results observed in the in vivo and postmortem studies can be attributed to ocular clearance in ocular delivery. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97:831–844, 2008
The relation between social rank and plasma corticosterone levels in mice.

Male CFW mice that had been isolated since weaning were placed in groups of four for six hours and 24 hours and observed for the development of aggressive behavior patterns and dominance hierarchies. Control animals were maintained in individual cages. At the end of the grouping period the animals were sacrificed by decapitation and plasma corticosterone levels and adrenal weight recorded. There was a distinct relation between position in a dominance hierarchy and plasma corticosterone levels with dominant animals having significantly lower levels than subordinate ones. Thus these data corroborate the findings of earlier workers who used indirect criteria for adrenocortical activity. The results further support the hypothesis that the psychological factor of defeat after fighting is important in eliciting adrenocortical activity. Thus subordinate mice were frequently defeated and chased resulting in a high frequency of wounding on the tail and rump. Dominant animals, on the other hand, were not frequently defeated and showed very few injuries to the tail and rump.
Proton magnetic resonance studies of the conformational changes of dideoxynucleoside ethyl phosphotriesters

PMR investigations on the diastereomeric phosphate methyl protons of the dinucleoside ethyl phosphotriesters Tp(C2H5)T, dA, and dIp(C2H5)dI have been used to study the conformational changes of these dimersin solution. In D2O (273°K), the diastereomeric phosphate-methly groups of Tp(C2H5)T appear as a triplet. The methyl resonances of dIp(C2H5)dI and dAp(C2H5)dA appear as two sets of triplets and their chemical shift differences (δ1 − δ2), decrease with increasing temperature, finally becoming zero at 292°K and 333°K, respectively. The same phenomenon is observed for dAp(C2H5)dA in CD3OD; in this detacking solvent, the difference (δ1 − δ2) diminishes to zero at a lower temperature (261°K). At room temperature in D2O, the chemical shift of the phosphate methyl of Tp(C2H5)T appears at lower field than those of dIp(C2H5)dI or dAp(C2H5)dA. The differences between the chemical shifts of these groups (δI − δT or δA − δT) increase with increasing temperature, and reach maximal values at 301°K and 333°K, respectively. The results suggest that at low temperature the largest fraction of the dimer population exists in a stacked state, with the phosphate-ethyl groups outside the stack. Increasing temperature causes an oscillation of the bases and a shift in the dimer population away from the stacked state. Finally at high temperature, the planar bases rorate with respect to one another and in the case of dIp(C2H5)dI and dAp(C2H5)dA, the ethyl groups experience shielding by the anisotropic ring current of the five-membered ring of the bases. Thus, the current pmr studies and those reported earlier from our laboratory support an “oscillation-rotation model” for the unstacking process of the dimers. The relationship of this model and the “two-state model” is discussed.
Why we do what we do

Simple explanations that explain vast amounts of variation in human behavior across time and space, cogent theories that unlock nagging questions about sex differences and cleverly designed studies that test competing hypotheses; these are the things that make evolutionary approaches to the study of human behavior so interesting and rewarding, and they abound in this pithy ‘beginner's guide’ to evolutionary psychology. The authors cover a huge range of topics without, thankfully, becoming mired in debates among social scientists about the proper way to mix evolutionary theory and the study of human behavior.
Response of dissolved oxygen to changes in influent organic loading to activated sludge systems

Abstract The major objective of this investigation was to examine the response of the activated sludge process to transient organic loadings and to evaluate the applicability of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration and oxygen uptake rate as process control variables. A modified laboratory-scale activated sludge unit was used to continuously measure the ambient dissolved oxygen level. The change of the dissolved oxygen concentration responded to variations in the influent composition of the wastewater. First, the system was maintained at steady-state and system variables were measured for soluble TOC, MLVSS and oxygen uptake rate. The organic shock loading was induced by increasing or decreasing the baseline feeding of TOC concentration. As soon as a transient loading occurred the DO levels in the system were continuously monitored with the DO analyzer. A simplified material balance equation for dissolved oxygen in the system was developed and the dynamic behavior of oxygen uptake rate was examined. It was demonstrated that under transient conditions the changes in the dissolved oxygen concentration reflected the variations in the exogenous respiration rate of the biomass in the system due to fluctuations in the influent waste characteristics. Based upon the rapid response to the shock loading and the correlation of the change in the DO level to the magnitude of the shock loading, the two variables (DO concentration and oxygen uptake rate) generated from this biological monitor showed potential as a control variable for the activated sludge process.
Genetic manipulation of spirochetes - light at the end of the tunnel

Abstract Spirochetes cause many important diseases in humans and animals, including syphilis, relapsing fever, leptospirosis and Lyme disease. Recent advances in molecular genetics have allowed Koch's molecular postulates to be applied to the study of the virulence factors in these bacteria. Such advances include the use of electroporation, the identification of several antibiotic resistance phenotypes as useful genetic markers, the development of extrachromosomal cloning vectors and the isolation of knockout mutants and their complementation.
Cellular expression of retinal dehydrogenase types 1 and 2: effects of vitamin A status on testis mRNA.

We examined expression of retinal dehydrogenase (RALDH) types 1 and 2 in liver and lung, and the effect of vitamin A status on testis expression by in situ hybridization. Liver expressed RALDH1 and RALDH2 only in stellate cells and hepatocytes, respectively. Lung expressed RALDH1 and RALDH2 throughout the epithelia of the airways, from the principal bronchi to the respiratory bronchiole. Vitamin A-sufficient rats expressed RALDH1 in spermatocytes, with less intense expression in spermatogonia and spermatids, and expressed RALDH2 in interstitial cells, spermatogonia, and spermatocytes. Neither Sertoli nor peritubular cells showed detectable RALDH1 or RALDH2 mRNA. Vitamin A deficiency produced a sevenfold increase in RALDH1 and a 70-fold decrease in RALDH2 mRNA in testis. In each case, the net change reflected extensive loss of germ cells, increased intensity of expression in residual germ cells, and expression in Sertoli and peritubular cells. Low-dose RA relatively early during vitamin A depletion supported spermatogenesis and affected expression of both RALDHs, but did not reinstate “vitamin A normal” expression patterns. These results show that: RALDH1 and RALDH2 have distinct mRNA expression patterns in multiple cell types in three vitamin A target tissues; RALDH expression occurs in cell types that express cellular retinol-binding protein and retinol dehydrogenase isozymes (except stellate cells, for which retinol dehydrogenase expression remains unknown); vitamin A deficiency and RA supplementation affects the loci and intensity of RALDH mRNAs in testis; and low-dose RA does not substitute completely for retinol. Overall, these data provide insight into the unique functions of RALDH1 and RALDH2 in retinoid metabolism. J. Cell. Physiol. 186:220–232, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Conceptions and Misconceptions about “Western Buddhism”: Issues and Approaches for the Classroom

. This article responds to the exponential growth in academic textbooks on Western or American Buddhism by arguing that popular trade books written by Buddhist teachers in the West make more effective tools for teaching and learning about the growth of Buddhism in western societies. The use of such texts in the classroom provides students with opportunities to exercise critical thinking and permits instructors to avoid conveying misleading interpretations about the practice, thought, and identities of Buddhists in North America and Europe. The pedagogical advantages of using what could be described as primary sources on Western Buddhism include promoting active learning techniques, muting the differences drawn between convert and ethnic Buddhist communities, and encouraging students to become aware of and refrain from Orientalist approaches towards describing and knowing the religious and/or cultural Other. A list of practical suggestions for classroom exercises using trade books written by Buddhist teachers is provided at the end.
The Hospital Volunteer Lay Person in a Bureaucratic Setting

Specialization of medical practice in bureaucratic settings has created a situation where the individual is often treated according to universalistic and impersonal criteria. The hospital volunteer enters this health care system with a radically different expertise and organizational relationship compared to the salaried workers. The mandate of "helping" the patient and vague organizational ties create a problematic but necessary role for this lay person in a bureaucratic setting.
Technical Note: Wood Solution for Studies of Corrosive Wear of Woodcutting Tools

Abstract Stable aqueous wood solutions were prepared from wood chips of cedar and fir. Solutions were prepared by extraction conducted until the extract reached a constant pH. Extracts were used as...
Autophagy and amino acid metabolism in the brain: implications for epilepsy

Autophagy is a catabolic pathway responsible for the maintenance of the tissue and organism homeostasis. Several amino acids regulate autophagic activity in different tissues, such as liver and muscle, but much less is known about this regulation in the brain. The lack of autophagy in neurons leads to a strong neurodegenerative phenotype and epileptic disorders. We summarize the current knowledge about the regulation of autophagy mediated by amino acids and how macroautophagy could serve as source of amino acids. We review the contribution of macroautophagy in the brain physiology and pathology emphasizing the relevancy of the proper control of amino acid levels such as glutamate and GABA in the brain due to its role as neurotransmitters and energy source. Furthermore, we discuss how malfunction in autophagy may result in pathological consequences, because many genetic epileptic disorders are related to signaling or metabolic pathways controlling both macroautophagy and amino acid metabolism in the brain.
Oligonucleotide therapeutics--novel cardiovascular targets.

Antisense approaches and decoy strategies are at the heart of new pre-clinical studies (pages 894–903).