cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium-dependent DNA damage and adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate- independent glycogen phosphorylase activation in an in vitro model of acetaminophen-induced liver injury

Acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol [APAP]) hepatotoxicity is a process characterized by Ca2+ deregulation. Cellular functions utilizing Ca2+ as a second messenger molecule affect both cytosolic and nuclear signal transduction. Many studies have independently shown Ca2+-related effects on target molecules in response to toxic doses of APAP; however, the primary Ca2+ target resulting in liver necrosis has not been determined. We hypothesize that Ca2+-dependent DNA damage is a critical event in liver necrosis caused by alkylating hepatotoxins. In this study, Ca2+-dependent endonuclease activity was determined from DNA single-strand lesions measured by fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding. The status of cytosolic Ca2+ was determined by measuring Ca2+-dependent activation of glycogen phosphorylase a. Primary cultures of mouse hepatocytes exposed to a toxic concentration of APAP showed twofold and greater increases in glycogen phosphorylase a stimulation at 6 hours, which was reversible with Ca2+-chelating agents. Cell death was preceded by a large decline in intact, double-stranded DNA. Following toxic administration of APAP, the percentage of total double-stranded DNA was significantly reduced by 2 hours. At 6 and 24 hours, genomic integrity was compromised by 26% and 37%, respectively, compared with untreated controls. Hepatotoxic effects of APAP-mediated Ca2+ deregulation were confirmed in both primary mouse hepatocytes and the human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cell line by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and tetrazolium reduction using the 3-4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide thiazol blue(MTT) assay. The Ca2+ chelator, ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether) N',N',N', N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), blocked APAP-induced phosphorylase a activation and necrotic cell death, but failed to inhibit phosphorylase a activation by the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) analogue, dibutyryl cAMP, indicating little or no contribution of the cAMP pathway to phosphorylase a stimulation during APAP-induced necrotic death. Results with these in vitro models of liver injury are interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that increased Ca2+ availability plays a major role in the progression of APAP-dependent cellular necrosis, and that the nucleus is a critical target for APAP hepatotoxicity.
Structurally fixed modes

A notion of structurally fixed modes is introduced in the framework of decentralized control systems to identify the modes that cannot be shifted by decentralized feedback regardless of the numerical values of system parameters. In this way, a qualitative characterization of decentralized fixed modes is provided, which is suitable for delineating decentrally stabilizable systems. The characterization leads naturally to the notion of fixed modes with respect to arbitrary feedback structure constraints.
Monitoring practices following epidural analgesics for pain management: a follow-up survey

Indwelling epidural catheters are commonly used in pain management. There is much literature on the risks and benefits of this therapy, but there is no consensus on a standard, cost-effective method of monitoring these patients, nor on the types of analgesics or methods of drug delivery. The purpose of this paper is to examine clinical practices of pain management nurses belonging to the American Society of Pain Management Nurses (ASPMN). A total of 202 members responded to a follow-up survey on their institutions' use of epidural catheters. Although there were numerous variations in practice, certain similarities and themes regarding drug choice, patient monitoring, and health care providers involved with the care of this patient population are evident.
Carbohydrate-binding protein from Polysphondylium pallidum implicated in intercellular adhesion

INTERCELLULAR adhesion is generally believed to be mediated by specific macromolecular components on the surface of the interacting cells. Soluble factors which may play a part in this process have been identified in a number of systems1–8. We have already described a developmentally-regulated9 carbohydrate binding protein10,11 from the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum that appears in differentiating amoebae in close correlation with the development of cohesiveness10. This protein is assayed by its erythrocyte agglutination activity that can be inhibited by specific sugars. We now report the isolation of a similar protein from another cellular slime mould, Polysphondylium pallidum that seems to mediate specific cellular adhesion as judged from the following findings: (1) it is present on the cell surface; (2) it is present when the cells are differentiated to a cohesive state but absent when the cells are not cohesive; (3) addition of the purified protein promotes cell cohesion; (4) sugars which react with the active site of the molecule block cell cohesion produced either by the added purified substance or by the endogenous substance present on cohesive cells; (5) the precise reactivities of the protein from P. pallidum differ from the protein from D. discoideum, which correlates with the segregation of these cells in mixed culture.
Resonance Raman Scattering In Amorphous Carbon Films And Graphite

ABSTRACT We report resonance Raman results from amorphous carbon films and graphite. Our experiments confirmthe presence of 1t- states in the amorphous samples, as suggested by theoretical models. The different resonancebehavior of the high- energy and low -energy sides of the broad amorphous Raman peak is shown to be related tosimilar differences we observe in cristalline graphite for zone -edge and zone -center phonons.1. INTRODUCTION Amorphous hydrogenated carbon films have attracted much attention in the last few years due to their technological applications and intriguing physical properties.' They are hard, chemically inert and transparent inthe infrared.2 These properties suggest the presence of diamond -like bonding. On the other hand, the relativelysmall optical band gaps of 1.5 -2.0 eV found in these films are hard to understand in terms of the sp3- bondingcharacteristic of diamond. Moreover, the Raman spectra of amorphous carbon films3 ,4 are clearly correlated with the Raman spectra of microcrystalline graphite, indicating the presence of sp2 bonding. A graphite -like
Time to try carbon labelling

A global private carbon-labelling scheme for consumer products could fill the climate-policy gap by influencing the behaviour of consumers and corporate supply chains.
Men, Me, and Abortion: On Doing the Right Thing

The author recounts his long personal involvement in the abortion drama of over 400,000 males annually found in the waiting rooms of over 400 clinics. He shares research findings from four waves of survey data from 1984 through 2004 involving 3,000 males. Highlights include the desire of almost all to stay with the clinic patient throughout the procedure and afterwards in the recovery room, though very few clinics allow this. A majority would like family planning education sessions, and some would appreciate personal counseling, though very few clinics offer these services. Clinics that pioneer in helping men could be honored, others pressured to do so, and laws considered to force reforms across the board. To date the Men's Movement has ignored the entire matter, and thereby missed a major opportunity to help many males claim a new and better manhood in what for many remains a secret and exceedingly trying matter.
SUBSTITUTION BIAS, WEIGHTING OF DNA SEQUENCE EVOLUTION, AND THE PHYLOGENETIC POSITION OF FEA'S VIPER

The evolution of mitochondrial ribosomal DNA sequences was investigated to infer the phylogenetic position of the Asian viper Azemiops feae and to refine weighting methodology for phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences. To compare characteristics of sequence evolution and weighting methodology in a different group of vertebrates, the published mitochondrial ribosomal DNA data included in the study of chiropteran monophyly by Mindell et al. (1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:10322-10326) were also analyzed. Sequence evolution in all taxa was marked by extreme substitution bias. For the L-strand, both mono- and ditypic substitutions involving G were rare in comparison with expected occurrences based on sequence composition. Character state weights were assigned prior to phylogenetic analysis in proportion to the ratio of expected to observed nucleotide differences in pairwise comparisons of sequences. Application of expected to observed ratio (EOR) weights strengthened support for an Azemiops /pitviper dade and for the monophyly of Chiroptera. This method may help in resolving rapid radiations and other relationships obscured by homoplasy. (Phylogenetic analysis; mitochondrial DNA; sub? stitution bias; rRNA genes; molecular evolution; Azemiops; Viperidae.) "If you'd only just let the material tell you." (Bar? bara Mcclintock in Keller, 1983:179) For phylogenetic analysis of DNA se? quences, base substitution is often sepa? rated into two categories, transitions (Tis) and transversions (TVs). Recognition of the implications of TI bias by Brown et aL (1982) led to the widespread practice of increas? ing the relative weight of TVs over Tis for phylogenetic analysis, an essential step in extraction of the phylogenetic signal from a background of random noise in DNA se? quence change. Less attention has been fo? cused on evaluating different classes of Tis (those involving C T changes and those involving A ?-> G changes) and of TVs (A ** C, G ? T, G C, and A ~ T). An un? derstanding of the relative occurrences of these various classes of change among Tis and among TVs is fundamental to refining methods of character state weighting and to understanding the process of base sub? stitution.
A comparison of two U.S. surveys of infant feeding.

This study compares the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey (NMIHS) and the 1989 Ross Laboratories Mothers Survey with respect to sample characteristics and proportions of women who breastfed. Weighted proportions of women included in the two surveys were compared according to various characteristics to see how well they represented U.S. childbearing women. A z-statistic was produced to test for significant differences in the proportions who breastfed. In 1988-89, 52.2% of American women breastfed according to the Ross survey and 53.4% according to the NMIHS. Despite differences in sample size, sampling technique and the application of sample weights, the difference between the surveys was only 1 percentage point, and most levels of most variables examined were comparable. The Ross survey is a valuable source of data because it is ongoing, and it is generally corroborated by the NMIHS. The NMIHS is probably more representative of the U.S. population of childbearing women, and is a reliable source of data for setting U.S. objectives concerning infant feeding, and for the study of other issues vis-a-vis breastfeeding.
The Thermodynamics of Irreversible Processes. II. Fluid Mixtures

The possibility of constructing a systematic theory of irreversible processes is surveyed in general terms, by utilizing some of the results established in later parts of the paper. Three assumptions underlying Gibbs' application of the second law to equilibrium problems are formulated in explicit but general mathematical form. It is shown that they restrict the equations governing irreversible changes. The theory of a general fluid mixture is developed in some detail, and is then applied to mixtures of ideal gases. It is shown that the usual equations for the velocity of chemical reactions are consistent with the second law provided that the departure from equilibrium is not too great. Mathematical complexities make it difficult to decide whether this is the case for larger deviations also. A somewhat general theory of diffusion and heat flow is considered and the requirements of the second law are formulated as the positive definiteness of a certain matrix whose elements depend on the diffusion coefficients, thermal conductivity, etc.
Some electrophysiological characteristics of insular cortex efferents to the amygdaloid central nucleus in awake rabbits.

Abstract Extracellular single unit recordings were obtained from insular cortex neurons that were activated antidromically from the amygdaloid central nucleus in conscious rabbits. Consistent with previous anatomical data, the majority of these neurons were located within the dorsal agranular insula. Ongoing activity in these neurons was infrequent, and was not altered during the presentation of sensory stimuli or during the expression of Pavlovian conditioned bradycardia. These results provide data relevant to the functional organization of forebrain areas thought to be involved in autonomic control.
I hate chicken breast: a tale of resisting stories and disembodied knowledge construction

In this performance autoethnography, the author explores the simultaneity of telling and resisting stories of lived experience. In the process, the author constructs the notion of “resisting stories” as autoethnographic narratives that both resist and demand telling in the process of making themselves public. In the process the author engages in a dialog with Della Pollock’s article “The Performative I.” He tries to re-present accounts of growing up poor through his experiences of class, race, and gender. From an eating/not eating moment he tries to create resisting stories; resisting alcoholism, resisting patriarchal structures with love and anger, resisting disembodied knowledge construction that still tends to reproduce the very oppression it intends to challenge, and resisting narrative that defies the “existence” of a broken family living in a vacuum.
An A-train and model perspective on the vertical distribution of aerosols and CO in the Northern Hemisphere

[1] We use A-train satellite observations of aerosols and carbon monoxide (CO) (CALIOP, MODIS, and TES) with GEOS-Chem model simulations to analyze long range transport in the Northern Hemisphere over 3 years (December 2006–November 2009), with a focus on the vertical distribution of pollutants. GEOS-Chem underestimates TES observations of CO in all seasons (<25%) except winter. MODIS and GEOS-Chem aerosol optical depths (AOD) are both generally biased high in comparison with CALIOP (0.042 over land/0.036 over ocean and 0.016 over land/−0.0071 over ocean, respectively; for spring seasons, but similar results for all seasons). Comparisons between GEOS-Chem and CALIOP improve when the CALIOP detection limits are accounted for, and the bias over land in particular is reduced (0.010). However, we find that GEOS-Chem with applied detection limits still overestimates the CALIOP observations of aerosol extinction over sources in Asia and Europe, but underestimates in marine environments and over North America in spring and summer. Vertical cross-sections indicate that GEOS-Chem may be removing aerosol too efficiently in the boundary layer in addition to underestimating marine aerosol sources. We show that mimicking the single aerosol type per layer retrieval of CALIOP with GEOS-Chem could lower simulated AOD by 10–30% at midlatitudes. TES and CALIOP observations confirm that while CO is efficiently transported aloft (only 12% of the CO column is within the planetary boundary layer (PBL) on average), the efficient removal of aerosol limits export and subsequent transport with over 50% of observed aerosol extinction occurring within the PBL.
Multiple but dissectible functions of FEN-1 nucleases in nucleic acid processing, genome stability and diseases

Flap EndoNuclease-1 (FEN-1) is a multifunctional and structure-specific nuclease involved in nucleic acid processing pathways. It plays a critical role in maintaining human genome stability through RNA primer removal, long-patch base excision repair and resolution of dinucleotide and trinucleotide repeat secondary structures. In addition to its flap endonuclease (FEN) and nick exonuclease (EXO) activities, a new gap endonuclease (GEN) activity has been characterized. This activity may be important in apoptotic DNA fragmentation and in resolving stalled DNA replication forks. The multiple functions of FEN-1 are regulated via several means, including formation of complexes with different protein partners, nuclear localization in response to cell cycle or DNA damage and post-translational modifications. Its functional deficiency is predicted to cause genetic diseases, including Huntington's disease, myotonic dystrophy and cancers. This review summarizes the knowledge gained through efforts in the past decade to define its structural elements for specific activities and possible pathological consequences of altered functions of this multirole player.
Purposeful patterns of spontaneous calcium transients in embryonic spinal neurons.

Abstract Embryonic cultured Xenopus spinal neurons generate two types of spontaneous elevation of intracellular calcium that encode developmental information in the frequency with which they are produced. Calcium spikes regulate the appearance of GABA and maturation of potassium current. Calcium waves in growth cones regulate neurite extension. Spikes and waves are also observed in neurons differentiating in situ . Because differentiation is dependent on the frequency of calcium transients, neurons that are coactive and fire spikes in concert would be expected to differentiate together. Consistent with this prediction, segmentally arrayed clusters of putative motoneurons on the ventral aspect of the neural tube fire together during development.
Research in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Network.

Abstract A 19-question online survey was administered to all 115 directors of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLIs) across the United States to explore the extent to which research is being conducted and for what purposes. A response rate of 87% was attained. Findings revealed that most research focused on issues such as course and instructor evaluation and ascertaining the sociodemographic profiles of members. Regarding the much less common research that is being conducted to investigate topics of emerging importance, online learning, racial/ethnic diversity, and ways programs are working to mitigate physical barriers for older learners were the most frequently reported themes. In addition, respondents noted that older learners in their programs take part in research conducted by investigators external to OLLI programs as participants in icitizen sciencei and other projects. One important implication of this study is to encourage continuing education and other university leaders to take advantage of...
Molecular modelling and drug design.

Abstract Drug design is a creative act of the same magnitude as composing, sculpting, or writing. The results can touch the lives of millions, but the creator is rarely one scientist and the rewards are distributed differently in the arts than in the sciences. The mechanisms of creativity are the same, i.e., incremental (plodding from darkness to dawn) or sudden (the “Eureka” effect) realization, but both are poorly understood. Creativity remains a human characteristic, but it is directly related to the tools available, especially computer software and hardware. While modelling software continues to mature, very little new has evolved in terms of hardware. Here, we discuss the history of molecular modelling and describe two novel modelling tools, a haptic device and a program, SCULPT, to generate solid molecular models at atomic resolution.
Intraocular-central nervous system lymphoma: Clinical features, diagnosis, and outcomes

Abstract Objective To analyze the clinical features, laboratory investigations, and diagnosis of intraocular-central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma in a cohort of patients who underwent diagnostic vitrectomy. Design Retrospective case series. Method and study materials Thirty-four vitreous biopsy specimens obtained from 26 patients with treatment-resistant or unusual uveitis were re-evaluated in a masked fashion. The specimens were classified into three groups: "negative," "suspicious of malignancy," and "positive" based on the cytologic features, immunomarkers, and flow cytometry. The medical records of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. Main outcome measures The reliability of vitreous cytology in diagnosing intraocular-CNS lymphoma and the differences in clinical features of patients with intraocular-CNS lymphoma and uveitis. Results The two ocular pathologists concurred in their criteria for interpretation of all specimens. There was 100% concordance between the cytologic reports read independently by the two ocular pathologists over the 5-year period and the read-out done in a masked fashion at the time of the study. Ten patients were diagnosed with intraocular-CNS lymphoma based on the vitreous cytology and clinical features. The time interval between the initial presentation and vitreous biopsy was 1 week to 2 years, with 80% of the patients diagnosed within the first year. Retinal involvement in the form of lymphomatous subretinal pigment epithelial infiltrates, vasculitis, and apparent retinochoroiditis was present in six cases. Initial neuroimaging studies revealed concomitant CNS involvement in three patients, and an additional three developed CNS lymphoma following diagnosis by vitreous biopsy. Patients were treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or both. Two of the four patients with a follow-up of greater than 12 months died due to CNS involvement. Conclusions Vitreous cytology is a sensitive, reliable, and reproducible method of diagnosing intraocular-CNS lymphoma. A high index of suspicion based on the clinical findings and course of the uveitis is critically important in decision-making for diagnostic vitrectomy. Central nervous system involvement is frequent and associated with a high mortality rate.
Collections of immature Amblyomma maculatum Koch (Acari: Ixodidae) from Mississippi, U.S.A.

Immatures of Amblyomma maculatum have historically been difficult to collect when not on an animal host, thus a definite seasonality of the immatures has never been determined. In this study, we made tick collections at two sites during 2012–2014. Site A (Oktibbeha County) in northern Mississippi, and Site B (Jackson County) in southern Mississippi, were sampled from September-May and October-May, respectively. Sampling was made from vegetation with a 1 m2 weighted white corduroy drag cloth, dry ice traps, and also a novel method known as “swabbing.” A total of 157 ticks was collected, with 42% (n=65) being A. maculatum. Of these 65, only 20% (n=13) were immatures, with 18.5% (n=12) being nymphs, and a larva (1.5%) (collected by swabbing). To our knowledge, this is only the third time that a larva of this species have been collected from vegetation in the United States. The larva is the first collected from Mississippi in November, and expands the known seasonality of this stage. Of the twelve nymphs collected, one was found during May, becoming the first collected south of U.S. Route 84 in Mississippi during this month.
Zero-cost range splitting

This paper presents a new optimization technique that uses empty delay slots to improve code scheduling. We are able to split live ranges for free, by inserting spill code into empty delay slots. Splitting a live range can reduce interferences with other live ranges and can sometimes free registers. Live ranges no longer interfering with the split live range can sometimes make use of the extra register.Our algorithm, as a final pass over the code, exploits empty delay slots that would remain unused if spill code was not inserted. This paper proposes a variety of optimizations that use the extra registers generated from live range splitting, including coalescing live ranges and improving code scheduling. We present an algorithm for improving code scheduling and present implementation results.
Low angle X-ray diffraction patterns of squid retina

THE structure of photoreceptor membranes in the rod outer segments of vertebrates has been studied using X-ray diffraction1–3, and electron density profiles of the disk membrane at a resolution of 14 A have been obtained4. The ultra-structure of invertebrate rhabdomeric visual cells have been studied using electron microscopy5 and birefringence6, but not X-ray methods. We report here low angle X-ray diffraction patterns recorded from squid retina after fixation in glutaraldehyde.
Theory of Infrared Absorption by Crystals in the High-Frequency Wing of Their Fundamental Lattice Absorption

We have calculated the frequency dependence of infrared absorption in the classical limit for an exactly soluble model of a lattice of noninteracting diatomic molecules, each bound internally by a potential for which the classical equation of motion can be solved in closed form. Four potentials have been used: a Morse potential, a potential of the form $V(x)=\frac{a}{{x}^{2}}+b{x}^{2}$, an infinite-square-well potential, and a triangular-well potential. The analytic results we obtain show that the absorption coefficient for large frequencies associated with potentials which admit an harmonic approximation decreases nearly exponentially over the frequency region covered by recent experiments, with significant deviations from exponential behavior at higher frequencies. For the square- and triangular-well potentials, the absorption decreases as ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ for frequencies large compared to a characteristic frequency.
Fault-tolerant VLSI sorters

Parallel sorting algorithms have been proposed for VLSI implementation. Random defects in the silicon wafer and fabrication errors render processors in the wafer faulty, and may cause these algorithms to fail despite a significant number of nonfaulty processors. This paper presents twofault-tolerant pipelined sorting algorithms that would work on a wafer comprised of faulty and nonfaulty processors. Both the algorithms useO(n) processors and requireO(n) time to sortn elements.
Magneto-optical properties of Li 0.9 Mo 6 O 17 : Color change in applied magnetic field

The polarized magneto-optical response of ${\mathrm{Li}}_{0.9}{\mathrm{Mo}}_{6}{\mathrm{O}}_{17}$ was measured in order to investigate the effect of a high magnetic field on the optical properties of a quasi-one-dimensional conductor. The observed magnetochromic effect is attributed to field-induced changes in the density of states near the Fermi level and is manifest in both $\mathrm{Mo}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}d$ on-site and $\mathrm{O}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Mo}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}d$ charge transfer excitations. The observed polarization dependence of the field-induced color change is consistent with the low energy scale of this effect.
Theory of unstable growth. II. Conserved order parameter

The theory of domain growth developed previously to treat a nonconserved-order-parameter (NCOP) system is extended to treat the conserved-order-parameter (COP) case (spinodal decomposition). The theory here, as for the NCOP case, leads to universal scaling behavior for the order-parameter structure factor, which depends only on the spatial dimensionality of the system. The short-distance ordering in the system is found to be identical to that found for the NCOP case indicating that the structure near the interface is independent of the driving dynamics. Porod's law, signifying sharp interfaces, is of exactly the same form as for the NCOP case. There are significant differences between the two cases, however. In the COP case the growth mechanism works through a coupling between the ordering component and a diffusing component. This coupling increases the growth law, L(t), from the rather slow surface-diffusion form, ${\mathit{t}}^{1/4}$, to the classical Lifshitz-Slyzov-Wagner form, ${\mathit{t}}^{1/3}$. In the NCOP case, the ordering component is strongly decoupled from any fluctuating component. While the structure factors for the two cases are the same for small values of the scaled lengths (x=R/L\ensuremath{\ll}1) they differ significantly over the rest of the range of x. In the COP case the theoretical expression for the scaled structure factor F(x) agrees well with the best available simulational results. A striking feature of the theory in the NCOP case was the existence of a nonlinear eigenvalue problem associated with the determination of the scaling function F(x). In the COP case one has two such eigenvalues. The additional eigenvalue can be associated with the coefficient ${\mathit{x}}^{2}$ in the expansion of F(x) in powers of x. The nonzero value of this coefficient renders invalid the symmetry [1-F(x)]=-[1-F(-x)] found in the NCOP case.
Quantum beats from nuclei excited by synchrotron pulses

Synchrotron pulses will excite low-lying nuclear levels whose subsequent decay will exhibit beats with frequencies equal to the nuclear hyperfine splittings. The highly collimated pulses incident on very small enriched single crystals at a Bragg angle will result in an appreciable fraction of the incident radiation in the spectral width of the nuclear resonance being coherently scattered into a highly collimated beam which will exhibit beats corresponding to the difference frequencies emitted by different nuclei, and a decay parameter $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$, with marked time dependence.
Reduction of human prostate tumor vascularity by the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist terazosin.

BACKGROUND We previously demonstrated that the quinazoline-derived a1-adrenoceptor antagonists doxazosin and terazosin suppress prostate cancer growth via apoptosis induction. The aim of this study was to determine the potential effect of a1-adrenoceptor antagonists on tumor vascularity of the human prostate. METHODS A total of 34 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who have been on terazosin treatment (for the obstructive symptoms) were pathologically diagnosed with prostate cancer following surgery. These patients were stratified according to the length of treatment periods with terazosin into two groups, 1 week–6 months, and 6–17 months. The control group consisted of prostatectomy specimens from 25 untreated prostate cancer patients undergoing surgery for localized disease. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded prostate specimens were analyzed for apoptosis (TUNEL assay), cell proliferation (Ki-67), microvessel density (MVD) (von Willebrand factor/Factor VIII), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) immunoreactivity. RESULTS A significant induction of apoptosis was observed among cancerous prostatic epithelial cells in the terazosin-treated, as compared to the untreated prostate cancer specimens, while there was no significant change in the proliferative index of the same tumor cell populations after treatment. Furthermore, terazosin resulted in a significant decrease in prostate tissue MVD compared with the untreated group (P < 0.01), that correlated with the increased apoptotic index of the cancerous areas. Tissue PSA expression in the prostatic tumor foci was also markedly reduced after terazosin treatment, while no significant changes in VEGF expression were detected. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide the first evidence that terazosin, a quinazoline-based a1-blocker decreases prostate tumor vascularity. Our study has significant clinical implications in identifying selected α1-adrenoceptor antagonists as potential anti-tumor agents with apoptotic and anti-angiogenic effects in the human prostate that can be exploited for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Prostate 48:71–78, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Physically Based Model of Soil Freezing in Humid Climates Using Air Temperature and Snow Cover Data.

Abstract A one-dimensional heat flow model is developed to estimate depths of soil freezing and thawing using a daily time step. This physically based model assumes near-saturated soil moisture conditions and simulates freezing under bare soil and sod using only those meteorological variables observed at cooperative network stations (i.e., daily temperature, precipitation, and snow depth). Therefore, using this relatively dense observation network, climatological model-derived frost depth statistics can be developed for stations in regions where soil conditions are typically near saturation during the winter. Soil-freezing estimates should be useful in a variety of applications, especially those concerned with agricultural and engineering design specifications. Based on comparisons with measured soil temperature data, the model successfully captures the seasonal progression, rate, and maximum depth of soil freezing and thawing at several climatically diverse locations. Verification results indicate that m...
Primary Arthroplasty for Management of Osteoporotic Fractures about the Knee

Primary cemented arthroplasty of the knee is a viable alternative to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for treatment of osteoporotic fractures about the knee. This permits early return of knee function and weight bearing activity. Stemmed revision total knee arthroplasty implants and techniques are needed, which can be associated with complications of late loosening and periprosthetic fracture. However, for elderly sedentary patients who would not be expected to outlive the durability of the arthroplasty and with fracture patterns in which ORIF may be associated with poor outcomes, primary arthroplasty can be a favorable treatment option.
POPULATION-LEVEL EFFECTS OF AUGMENTED HERBIVORY ON LESPEDEZA CUNEATA: IMPLICATIONS FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Invasive species pose significant ecological costs, and therefore successful management techniques are important. One commonly employed method is biological control. The success of biological control depends largely on whether additional inflicted damage can successfully reduce the fitness and population growth rate of a target species. Here, we simulate herbivory on the invasive Lespedeza cuneata and create stage-structured projection models to determine if augmented herbivory by a leaf-chewing biological control agent would regulate the population growth rate of this species. We found that augmented herbivory influenced stage transitions of plants in the smallest stage class, causing higher mortality and reduced growth. No other effect was found on stage transitions or fecundities, despite manipulation of herbivory at exceptionally high levels (up to 80% leaf loss). None of the clipping treatments significantly reduced the population growth rate of L. cuneata. We conclude that biological control by a leaf chewing herbivore would not likely be successful, even if an exceptionally large amount of each plant were consumed. We suggest that this approach, a combination of simulated herbivory and demographic modeling, will provide essential information for understanding the utility of biological control to curb the population growth of invasive plant species.
Analyzing and Visualizing Jump Performance Using Wireless Body Sensors

Advancement in technology has led to the deployment of body sensor networks (BSN) to monitor and sense human activity in pervasive environments. Using multiple wireless on-body systems, such as physiological data monitoring and motion capture systems, body sensor network data consists of heterogeneous physiologic and motoric streams that form a multidimensional framework. In this article, we analyze such high-dimensional body sensor network data by proposing an efficient, multidimensional factor analysis technique for quantifying human performance and, at the same time, providing visualization for performances of participants in a low-dimensional space for easier interpretation.
Culture, Segregation, and Tolerance in Urban America*

Objective. The objective of this article is to examine whether racial tolerance attitudes are influenced by the character of the urban subculture in which individuals live. Specifically, is there a significant association between Florida's (2002) concept of creative class and racial tolerance among white survey respondents? Methods. The Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey that comprises respondents across some 27 cities provides the data for this analysis. Ordered logit regression was utilized. Results. Independent of key explanations of racial tolerance such as racial threat and contact theories, creative class or new political culture cities are associated with more progressive racial attitudes among white respondents. In addition, important evidence is uncovered that shows creative class operates as an interactive variable, conditioning the effects of traditional determinants of tolerance. Conclusions. Evidence suggests that creative class or new political culture cities should be viewed as constituting distinctive cultural milieus that have important direct and interactive effects on tolerance attitudes.
The Large Binocular Telescope mount control system architecture

The Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) features dual 8.4 m diameter mirrors in a common elevation-over-azimuth mount. The LBT moves in elevation on two large crescent-shaped C-rings that are supported by radial hydrostatic bearing pads located near the four corners of the rectangular azimuth frame. The azimuth frame, in turn, is supported by four hydrostatic bearing pads and uses hydrodynamic roller bearings for centering. Each axis is gear driven by four large electric motors. In addition to precision optical motor encoders, each axis is equipped with Farrand Inductosyn strip encoders which yield 0.005 arcsecond resolution. The telescope weighs 580 metric tons and is designed to track with 0.03 arcsecond or better servo precision under wind speeds as high as 24 km/hr. Though the telescope is still under construction, the Mount Control System (MCS) has been routinely exercised to achieve First Light. The authors present a description of the unique, DSP-based synchronous architecture of the MCS and its capabilities.
Animation as Feedback in a Computer-Based Simulation: Representation Matters

The purpose of this study was to explore how users interact and learn during a computer-based simulation given graphical and textual forms of feedback. In two experiments, university students interacted with a simple simulation that modeled the relationship between acceleration and velocity. Subjects interacted with the computer simulation using a discovery-based approach: no formal instruction on the science concepts was presented. Subjects had control over the acceleration of a simple screen object—a ball—in a game-like context. Three simulation conditions were studied, each differing on how feedback of the ball's speed, direction, and position was represented: graphical feedback, textual feedback, and graphical plus textual feedback. Results showed that subjects learned more tacit knowledge when provided with animated graphical feedback than with textual feedback, although gains in explicit understanding of these science principles did not depend on the way the feedback was represented. Patterns of interactivity and frustration are also discussed.
Pheromone response, mating and cell biology.

Abstract Saccharomyces cerevisiae responds to mating pheromones by activating a receptor–G-protein-coupled mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade that is also used by other signaling pathways. The activation of the MAPK cascade may involve conformational changes through prebound receptor and heterotrimeric G-protein. Gβ may then recruit Cdc42-bound MAPKKKK Ste20 to MAPKKK Ste11 through direct interactions with Ste20 and the Ste5 scaffold. Ste20 activates Ste11 by derepressing an autoinhibitory domain. An underlying nuclear shuttling machinery may be required for proper recruitment of Ste5 to Gβ. Subsequent polarized growth is mediated by a similar mechanism involving Far1, which binds Gβ in addition to Cdc24 and Bem1. Far1 and Cdc24 also undergo nuclear shuttling and the nuclear pool of Far1 may temporally regulate access of Cdc24 to the cell cortex.
Uniqueness of the infinite cluster and continuity of connectivity functions for short and long range percolation

For independent translation-invariant irreducible percolation models, it is proved that the infinite cluster, when it exists, must be unique. The proof is based on the convexity (or almost convexity) and differentiability of the mean number of clusters per site, which is the percolation analogue of the free energy. The analysis applies to both site and bond models in arbitrary dimension, including long range bond percolation. In particular, uniqueness is valid at the critical point of one-dimensional 1/∣x−y∣2 models in spite of the discontinuity of the percolation density there. Corollaries of uniqueness and its proof are continuity of the connectivity functions and (except possibly at the critical point) of the percolation density. Related to differentiability of the free energy are inequalities which bound the “specific heat” critical exponent α in terms of the mean cluster size exponent γ and the critical cluster size distribution exponent δ; e.g., 1+α≦γ (δ/2−1)/(δ−1).
Laboratory and Field Tests on Titanium for Oil Field Pump and Valve Parts

Abstract Laboratory and field tests are reported for titanium parts for gas lift valves and down-hole oil well pumps. While titanium performed well in the laboratory tests using aerated fluids, and did well in field tests of gas lift wells, similar trials in wells pumping sour crude oil well showed titanium to be inferior to normally used materials. Authors conclude titanium is suitable for use in gas lift valves and could be competitive to presently used materials at a lower price. They conclude titanium is not suitable for use in oil well pumps, but might perform better if hardened. It also is at a competitive disadvantage to commonly used materials costwise. While titanium is cathodic to materials commonly used in oil wells, no marked corrosion was attributed to this property after exposure of coupon sets in a producing well. Titanium was found resistant to abrasion by sand-laden aerated oil well fluids in laboratory tests. 6.3.15, 8.4.3
Preliminary results of nuclear fluorescence imaging of alpha and beta emitting sources

The preliminary results from a series of nuclear fluorescence imaging experiments using a variety of radioactive sources and shielding are given. These experiments were done as part of a proof of concept to determine if nuclear fluorescence imaging could be used as a safeguards measurements tool or for nuclear warhead verification for nuclear arms control treaties such as the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty. An off-the-shelf Princeton Instruments charged coupled device camera system was used to image the emission of fluorescence photons from the de-excitation of nitrogen molecules in air that have been excited by ionizing radiation. The fluorescence emissions are primarily in the near ultraviolet range; between the wavelengths of 300 and 400 nm. Fluorescent imaging techniques are currently being investigated in a number of applications. A French research team has successfully demonstrated this concept for remote imaging of alpha contamination. It has also been shown that the phenomenon can be seen through translucent materials and that alpha radiation can be seen in the presence of large gamma backgrounds. Additionally, fluorescence telescopes and satellites utilize the de-excitation of nitrogen molecules to observe cosmic ray showers in the atmosphere. In cosmic ray shower detection, electrons are the main contributor to the excitation of the of nitrogen molecules in air. The experiments presented in this paper were designed to determine if the imaging system could observe beta emitting sources, differentiate between beta emitters and alpha emitting materials such as uranium oxide and uranium metal, and to further investigate the phenomenon through translucent and non-translucent materials. The initial results show that differentiation can be made between beta and alpha emitting sources and that the device can observe the phenomenon through very thin non-transparent material. Additionally, information is given on the detection of the fluorescent photons through translucent materials. Camera images, analysis, and results of the initial laboratory experiments are presented.
Promoting mammography adherence in underserved women: the telephone coaching adherence study.

Background Despite interventions to promote regular mammography, underserved women face barriers to mammography. This is evident in high no-show appointment rates in community-based clinics. Understanding why women fail to follow-through with appointments may help improve adherence.
The generation rate and distribution of products of combustion in two-layer fire environments: a model and applications

Abstract A model is developed for predicting the generation rates of oxygen, fuel, and other products of combustion in rooms containing fires and time-dependent fire environments. The model is called the Generalized Global Equivalence Ratio Model (GGERM). It extends the steady state global equivalence ratio model established previously from data of several steady state experimental studies. After describing the GGERM, a concise algorithm is outlined for implementing it in two-layer zone-type compartment fire models. With the algorithm in place, such models could be used to simulate the distribution of combustion products in single or multi-room fire environments under conditions of arbitrary ventilation. In example applications, the GGERM is used to simulate the time-dependent environment, including that of steady state, in some of the above-mentioned experimental studies. For arbitrary experimental conditions and for both complete stoichiometric combustion and ‘real’ combustion of methane (CH4), solutions for concentrations of products of combustion are obtained and presented. For the case of complete stoichiometric combustion, the solutions are used to predict the time-to-extinguishment of a burning CH4 fuel source embedded in an initially ambient-atmosphere upper layer. In another application, the GGERM is used to simulate the combustion of hexane (C8H14) in an enclosure fire scenario where data has been reported in the literature. Predicted and measured concentrations of fuel and products are found to compare favorably.
Voice Treatment Techniques

Clinicians are confronted with several treatment options for which there are limited data about efficacy. Some voice treatment practices have broad acceptance, whereas others, such as breathing exercises and optimum pitch, are controversial. This paper reviews what is currently known about the efficacy of voice treatment and makes recommendations for future studies of voice treatment outcomes and efficacy.
A chemotaxonomic study of sesquiterpene lactones from subtribe centaureinae of the compositae

Abstract A survey of the pattern of 34 sesquiterpene lactones in 24 species belonging to the genera Centaurea , Chartolepis , Leuzea , Psephellus , Stizolophus and Zoegea provides further information on the relationships within the mentioned taxa. The species of genera Chartolepis , Psephellus and Centaurea subg. Hyalinella have been shown to be chemically distinct.
Sugar Content Measurement in Fruit Tissue Using Water Peak Suppression in High Resolution 1H Magnetic Resonance

Sugar content of muskmelon tissue was measured using 200 MHz 1H magnetic resonance (MR). Single pulse resolved water and sugar resonances, but both were broadened. The sugar peak from low sugar (≦8.0%) samples was not detectable with the single pulse. Selective saturation to suppress the water peak was inefficient. The T1 of water was almost twice that of sugar. Therefore, inversion-recovery (IR) pulse sequences could be applied for water suppression. Separation of the sugar peak was remarkably improved allowing its detection in low sugar (1.8%) samples. Measured sugar correlated linearly with peak intensity (r≧0.94). Results suggest that 1H MR could be used to measure sugar in intact fruits and vegetables.