cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential activation of cytokine genes in normal CD4-bearing T cells is stimulus dependent.

Studies of cloned CD4 T cell lines have shown that they can be separated into two distinct subsets with distinctions in their functional capabilities and by the differential release of either interleukin 2 (IL 2) (TH1/inflammatory type) or IL 4 (TH2/helper type) upon activation. To establish if in vivo-derived CD4 T cells can exhibit distinct subsets we have investigated whether normal CD4 T cells demonstrate differential expression of IL 2 and IL 4 mRNA, and secretion of IL 2 and IL 4 after primary stimulation in vitro. Utilizing the technique of in situ hybridization IL 2 and IL 4 gene expression in individual CD4 T cells was readily detectable after concanavalin A (Con A) phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-mediated activation. The frequencies of activated T cells producing IL 2 and IL 4 mRNA after Con A or PHA activation were approximately equivalent (30–40% of cells); however, after PWM activation the number of CD4 T cells expressing IL 4 mRNA (78%) was more than twofold greater than the number of cells producing IL 2 mRNA (30%). Maximal levels of IL 2 gene expression occurred 24 h after mitogen activation whereas the highest levels of IL 4 mRNA were not detected until 48 h after mitogen activation. Similar distinctions in the kinetics of IL 2 and IL 4 secretion after mitogen activation were also found demonstrating good concordance in the observed expression of IL 2 and IL 4 mRNA and the levels of secreted lymphokines detected by bioassay. Most importantly, we have shown by in situ hybridization analysis that the majority of individual CD4 T cells produce only IL 2 or IL 4 mRNA, and not both, after primary activation in vitro. By contrast, most CD4 T cells activated in the presence of PMA and ionophore express both IL 2 and IL 4 mRNA. Our studies demonstrate that in normal, non-clonal populations of CD4 T cells, the production of IL 2 and IL 4 is independently regulated in the majority of cells and appears to be stimulus dependent.
Asymmetric Distribution of Functional Sodium-Calcium Exchanger in Primary Osteoblasts†

To understand calcium translocation in osteoblasts, we have determined the location of sodium-calcium (Na-Ca) exchanger (NCX) in relation to actin and α-tubulin in primary cultures of avian osteoblasts. Osteoblasts derived from the periosteal surface of tibias from growing chickens were cultured for 8 days in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Lysates immunoblotted with antibodies raised against the canine cardiac Na-Ca antibodies revealed a 70 kDa exchanger protein. Cross-reactivity of the anti-NCX antibody was confirmed by enriching for NCX in protein samples derived from plasma membrane vesicles by affinity chromatography using the exchanger inhibitory peptide. Fractions enriched for the exchanger were eluted from the column and subjected to immunoblotting with the anti-NCX antibody, revealing an intense single band at 70 kDa. Examination of live cells loaded with Calcium Green-1 AM ester by confocal microscopy demonstrated sodium-dependent calcium uptake, confirming the presence of functional NCX in intact cells. Immunolocalization studies of osteoblasts stained with anti-NCX antibodies revealed asymmetric localization of the exchanger in cultured osteoblasts, residing almost entirely within two 0.5-μm optical sections along the substrate adherent side of the cells. Since NCX is known to be a low-affinity, high-capacity calcium translocating molecule and also appears to be asymmetrically positioned, it is likely to play a key role in bone formation.
Microfluidic platform with mass spectrometry detection for the analysis of phosphoproteins

The development of novel and reliable technologies for the analysis of proteins and their post-translational modifications, in particular, has recently received much attention and interest. The implementation of a fully integrated microfluidic device interfaced with MS detection for the analysis of phosphoproteins is presented in this paper. The microfluidic platform (3''x1.5'') comprises two individual sample processing systems: one for performing direct sample infusion and one for performing microfluidic LC separations. Various MS detection strategies, specific for the study of post-translational modifications, were conducted using alpha-casein as a model protein. Neutral loss ion mapping, data-dependent triple-play and neutral loss analysis, and in situ dephosphorylation followed by LC separation and MS detection were performed. Consistent results in identifying phosphopeptides with conventional and microfluidic instrumentation have been obtained. Unlike with conventional instrumentation, however, the microfluidic device enabled the completion of each analysis from only a few microliters of sample, in approximately 10-15 min, and on a bioanalytical platform that facilitates multiplexing and disposability, and thus high-throughput, contamination-free analysis.
The energetics of migration by selective tidal stream transport: an analysis for plaice tracked in the southern North Sea

Adult plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) in the southern North Sea use selective tidal stream transport to migrate between their summer feeding grounds and winter spawning grounds. The fish come up into midwater when the tidal stream is flowing in one direction, but remain on the bottom when it is flowing in the opposite direction. This behaviour can theoretically save energy, which can be used for growth or reproduction. Alternatively, it may provide a transport system by means of which fish that have no ability to navigate over long distances can be conveyed reliably between their feeding grounds and spawning grounds.
Food deprivation reveals strain differences in opiate intake of Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats.

Abstract Two groups of naive, male, albino rats derived from different genetic strains (Sprague-Dawley and Wistar) were given a 5 μg/ml etonitazene solutions as their only available liquid. Liquid intake and body weights were recorded every 24 hr. Etonitazene intake was compared to baseline water intake, and drug intake was then compared when the rats were food deprived (25 sessions) and food satiated (24 sessions). Both groups drank similar amounts of water and etonitazene during the initial food satiation phase, although drug intake was slightly below water intake. When they were food deprived, the Wistar group's mean etonitazene intake almost doubled, while the Sprague-Dawley group's drug intake decreased by nearly 50%. The etonitazene intake in the Sprague-Dawley group never exceeded that of the vehicle, water; thus, it appeared that the drug was not functioning as a reinforcer. Food deprivation increased etonitazene intake above water levels in the Wistar group, indicating that the drug was serving as a reinforcer. Both groups showed similar drug effects during food deprivation, such as erratic drinking patterns, self-mutilation and other forms of stereotypy. Thus, both strains were sensitive to etonitazene's effects; they appeared to differ only with respect to the reinforcing effects. These results suggest that genetically-based differences in the reinforcing effects of drugs may be revealed by food deprivation.
Federal Courts and the State Budgetary Process

Judicial activism already is an important influence on the state budgetary process. Today, almost 50% of the largest agencies in eight survey states operate judicially mandated programs. Given the force of this development, it is somewhat surprising that so little thinking about public budgeting reflects the new role of the courts. It seems likely that the rise of an activist judiciary: (1) transfers power from elected execu tives and legislators; (2) frustrates retrenchment; (3) opens up new opportunities for budgetary games; and (4) both demands creative public management and narrows the range of administrative discretion.
Glial response to polyglutamine-mediated stress.

Abstract Neurodegenerative trinucleotide (CAG) repeat disorders are caused by the expansion of polyglutamine tracts within the disease proteins. Some of these proteins have an unknown function. How expanded polyglutamine causes target neurons to degenerate is not clear. Recent evidence suggests that intercellular miscommunication may contribute to polyglutamine pathogenesis in CAG repeat disorders. Polyglutamine induced degeneration of the target neuron can be mediated via glia–neuron interactions. Here we hypothesize that during the neurodegenerative process the failure of cell–cell interactions have more severe consequences than alterations in intracellular neuron biology. We further believe that bidirectional communication between neurons and glia is a prerequisite for the normal development and function of either cell type. Understanding intercellular signaling mechanisms such as glial trophic factors and their receptors, cell adhesion or other well-defined signaling molecules provides opportunities for developing potential therapies.
State Politics and Education: An Examination of Selected Multiple-State Case Studies.

This article examines major studies of state politics in education that use the comparative, multiple-state case study methodology. These studies are reviewed, and the use of this methodology is examined. The findings of these studies are presented, and several lines of future research activity are explored. The article suggests that major methodo logical problems in this type of study hinder the usefulness for assessing changes in state politics and education.
Biosynthesis of Limonoids in Citrus

Limonoids represent a group of chemically related triterpenes found in the Rutaceae and Meliaceae. Bitterness due to limonoids in a variety of citrus juices is a major problem in the citrus industry. Among 38 limonoids isolated from Citrus and its hybrids, limonin, a bitter member of the group, occurs widely in citrus juices and is the major cause of the bitterness. Recently, limonoids have been shown to be present as glucoside derivatives in the Rutaceae1–6. These glucosides are one of the major secondary metabolites present in Citrus 7–9. Limonoids have also been found to possess biological activities, such as anticarcinogenic activity in laboratory animals10–12 and antifeedant activity against insects13–19. Recently, the biochemistry of limonoids in Citrus 20–21 and the removal of bitter limonoids from citrus juices by adsorption22–24 and biological means24–25 have been reviewed. This review summarizes the biosynthetic pathways of the major limonoids in Citrus and the alternative pathways occurring in Ichang Chie (C. ichangensis), sour orange (C. aurantium) and calamondin (C. reticulata x Fortunella sp). Also included is a review of the sites of biosynthesis in citrus tissues and information on when limonoids are biosynthesized during fruit growth and maturation.
A sum-of-product neural network (SOPNN)

Abstract This paper presents a sum-of-product neural network (SOPNN) structure. The SOPNN can learn to implement static mapping that multilayer neural networks and radial basis function networks normally perform. The output of the neural network has the sum-of-product form ∑ Np i=1 ∏ N v j=1 f ij (x j ) , where xj's are inputs, Nv is the number of inputs, f ij ( ) is a function generated through network training, and Np is the number of product terms. The function fij(xj) can be expressed as ∑kwijkBjk(xj), where B jk ( ) is a single-variable basis function and Wijk's are weight values. Linear memory arrays can be used to store the weights. If B jk ( ) is a Gaussian function, the new neural network degenerates to a Gaussian function network. This paper focuses on the use of overlapped rectangular pulses as the basis functions. With such basis functions, WijkBjk(xj) will equal either zero or Wijk, and the computation of fij(xj) becomes a simple addition of some retrieved Wijk's. The structure can be viewed as a basis function network with a flexible form for the basis functions. Learning can start with a small set of submodules and have new submodules added when it becomes necessary. The new neural network structure demonstrates excellent learning convergence characteristics and requires small memory space. It has merits over multilayer neural networks, radial basis function networks and CMAC in function approximation and mapping in high-dimensional input space. The technique has been tested for function approximation, prediction of a time series, learning control, and classification.
Tracking the influence of mental health treatment: the development of the Youth Outcome Questionnaire

The demand that providers of mental health services be accountable for the services they provide has highlighted the importance of identifying and tracking the relationship between service, cost, and outcome in the current context of managed behavioural health care. In order to meet this demand, it is imperative that clinicians, researchers, and administrators have reliable and valid measures with which to document and track treatment outcomes. In the arena of child and adolescent care, there is a gap between traditional diagnostic measures and measures specifically designed to track outcomes. This study reports the comprehensive development and testing of a new outcome measure, the Youth Outcome Questionnaire, designed cooperatively by clinicians, researchers, and managed care administrators in order to meet the needs of all three. Multiple clinical samples and normative groups were assessed and results suggest that the instrument meets recommended standards of reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change. The process of development and testing serve as an illustration of the types of issues which must be addressed by those charged with the responsibility for documenting treatment outcomes. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hidden Struggles: Spaces of Power and Resistance in Informal Work in Urban Argentina

Drawing on ninety-three in-depth interviews conducted with informal workers in Buenos Aires in 2002, this paper examines how the everyday activity of informal work can be understood as a ‘hidden’ space of power and resistance in contemporary urban Argentina. Moving away from an economistic view of informal work, I argue that, while there is no single power relationship experienced by all informal workers, informal work more generally can be understood as a space in which multiple actors struggle over meaning and control through the deployment of diverse forms of power. The results presented here suggest that, while Argentines view informal work as a place of exploitation by employers and subjugation by the state, in some circumstances it can also be understood as a space of resistance, as workers attempt, through informal work, to create spaces hidden from control, to redefine the norms and rules which govern this space, and to transform the conditions of existence established by other actors. In focusing...
Recently characterized soft tissue tumors that bring biologic insight

Previously unrecognized but clinicopathologically (and often molecularly) distinct types of soft tissue tumor continue to be characterized, allowing wider recognition, more consistent application of diagnostic criteria, more reliable prediction of tumor behavior and enhancement of existing classification schemes. Examples of such 'entities' that have become much better understood over the past decade or so include deep 'benign' fibrous histiocytoma, hemosiderotic fibrolipomatous tumor, PEComa, spindle cell liposarcoma, myoepithelial tumors of soft tissue and spindle cell/sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma. These tumor types, as well as the insights which they have engendered, are briefly reviewed here.
Suitability of Using a Limited Number of Sampling Stations to Represent Benthic Habitats in Lavaca-Colorado Estuary, Texas

A common problem in environmental assessment is a lack of data at appropriate spatial and temporal scales. For example, imagine having long-term data from an adjacent area, but none in the assessment area. One approach to solving this dilemma is to identify the representativeness of the long-term study site. The purpose of the current study is to sample a salinity gradient over broad spatial scales in the Lavaca-Colorado Estuary to determine how well six long-term monitoring stations represent the spatial variability of benthic communities in order to assess the influence of the Colorado River. Samples were collected from 18 stations to measure benthic community structure as bioindicators, and hydrographic and sediment characteristics as environmental stressor indicators. In multivariate analysis, the macrobenthic communities separated into five groups, of which four were represented by long-term stations. These findings demonstrate that the long-term stations are representative of environmental change in...
General Constrained Energy Minimization Interpolation Mappings for AMG

This report proposes a new class of interpolation procedures for use in algebraic multigrid (AMG). The procedure is general in that it applies to s.p.d. finite element discretization problems that include scalar and vector elliptic PDEs, and it can be adapted to the time-domain Maxwell (definite $H(\mathrm{curl})$) problems. It can also be viewed as an extension of previously proposed vector-fitting interpolation procedures and can be used in adaptive AMG cycles. We illustrate the performance of the new interpolation matrices on a number of test problems.
Ulnar Lengthening Using a Half-Ring Sulcated External Fixator for Ulnar Longitudinal Deficiency: A Case Report

Ulnar longitudinal deficiency (ULD) is a rare condition of the upper limbs. Although radius lengthening for radial longitudinal deficiencies (RLD) was found to be successful, no ulnar lengthening for ULD without RLD and hand deformities has been reported. Herein, we present a Bayne type II ULD case report of the ulnar lengthening and gradual reduction of the dislocated radial head in an 11-year-old boy using a half-ring sulcated external fixator. For ulnar lengthening/radial longitudinal traction for radial head reduction, transverse osteotomy in mid ulna was performed and half-ring sulcated external fixator was used for ulnar distraction lengthening. Radial longitudinal traction and stabilization of external fixator were achieved by transverse pins through ulna and radius. Distraction (1 mm/day) began at 5th day and was completed at 95th postoperative day. External fixator was applied for 7 months. Successful ulnar lengthening (81 mm; 62% gain) was achieved 1-year after the surgery and the range of elbow motion at 2 years was >40°. Forearm rotation and wrist extension/flexion were also preserved with no complaints of pain. We concluded that ulnar distraction lengthening and gradual reduction of radial head could improve appearance of the arm and were of significant benefit to the patient.
Interedge phase coherence in quantum Hall line junctions

Kang et al. have recently observed a remarkable zero-bias anomaly in the spectrum for electron tunneling between two 2D electron gases separated laterally by a narrow but high barrier in the presence of a perpendicular quantising magnetic field. We argue that this is a result of interedge phase coherence analogous to the interlayer phase coherence in quantum Hall (QHE) bilayer systems. The disruption of the QHE by the barrier is 'healed' by strong coulomb exchange enhancement of the weak tunneling through the barrier.
Variational principles for eigenvalues of compact nonselfadjoint operators

Abstract Variational principles for eigenvalues of compact nonselfadjoint operators are given.
Stem cells acquire class i recognizing nk cell receptors in vitro

Abstract To learn more about human NK cell receptor acquisition during development, cord blood (CB) CD34+Lin−CD38− cells where cultured in direct contact with AFT024 (murine fetal liver), separated from AFT024 by a membrane and in the absence of AFT024 (n = 8). All cultures contained c-kit ligand, flt3 ligand and IL-3 ± IL-7, IL-15 or IL-2. In the absence of one of the lymphoid cytokines, NK cells were KIR and lectin receptor negative. Addition of IL-7, IL-15 or IL-2 resulted in inefficient differentiation of NK cells in the absence of a feeder or when contact with AFT024 was prohibited. In contrast, 300 CB progenitors cultured in direct contact with AFT024 resulted in 22692 ± 10591 NK cells with IL-7, 523110 ± 120220 NK cells with IL-15 and 930310 ± 234250 NK cells with IL-2. The number of NK cells expressing at least one KIR was low under all conditions except for when progenitors were cultured in direct contact with AFT024 and IL-15 (15380 ± 5096) or IL-2 (47108 ± 13852) (n = 9). Ten-fold more cells expressed a lectin receptor as detected by the anti-CD94 mab. However, these studies do not show whether receptor acquisition was determined at the stem cell level or later in development. To address this question, single CD34+Lin−CD38− cells were cultured in direct contact with AFT024. Over 400 single cell progeny were analyzed from cultures containing IL-15 or IL-2. No single cell progeny contained a clonal population of NK cells expressing a single KIR. When single cell NK cell progeny were analyzed for single KIR's, KIR2DL2 (5846 ± 1017, n = 198) was always present at higher numbers than KIR2DL1 (2488 ± 539, n = 197) or KIR3DL1 (1011 ± 152, n = 252) expressing NK cells suggesting a nonrandom sequence of KIR acquisition. Higher numbers of NK cell progeny expressing KIR developed from single fetal liver and CB cells compared to adult BM. Lasting, LIR-1 receptors were acquired during NK cell development (CD94 > LIR-1 > KIR). These results show that NK cell receptor fate occurs at a stage beyond the hematopoietic stem cell.
Long‐Term Episodic Memory in Children with Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Research on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has indicated that diagnosed children show considerable memory deficits. The majority of tasks that have supported such deficits have focused on working memory and school/semantic-related abilities. Although there is a small body of literature related to long-term memory in children with ADHD, no studies appear to focus on long-term episodic memory, including personal-event memory. This is the case despite clinical and anecdotal evidence suggesting that children with ADHD might show enhanced long-term episodic memory abilities in comparison to those without. Twenty-one children with ADHD (5 females and 16 males) and 31 children without ADHD (14 females and 17 males) in the 4th – 8 th grades (mean age 12.1 years) were administered five memory tasks assessing short-term, working memory and long-term episodic memory. Additionally, one parent for each child completed a 22-item questionnaire assessing their child's memory abilities. The following main questions were addressed: (1) do children with ADHD exhibit superior long-term episodic memory performance when compared with controls, (2) among ADHD children, is performance on long-term episodic memory tasks superior to performance on short-term working memory tasks, and (3) how do parents perceive their child's memory abilities? Although parents rated children with ADHD as having poor memory abilities for a number of factors, parents believed their children with ADHD had the best memories in the family for past experiences. Consistent with this profile, children with ADHD showed deficits in working memory compared to controls but showed equal or enhanced performance on long-term episodic tasks. When discussing a special-event in their life, children with ADHD provided lengthier and more descriptive narratives. These results provide the first empirical support for anecdotal evidence suggesting children with ADHD have more elaborate episodic memory ability compared to controls. This is the first study to document strengths in children with ADHD, where weaknesses have always been the focus. Although replication is needed, these results may shed some light on the memory processes of children with ADHD and may be used to help these children succeed both in and out of the classroom. Future directions and limitations are discussed.
The validity of Taylor's hypothesis in the atmospheric surface layer

Taylor's hypothesis is tested over Lake Ontario and Nebraska. In both places large eddies travel more rapidly than the local wind. A simple model is proposed for this effect. A condition is suggested for Taylor's hypothesis to be satisfied based on consideration of coherence.
Phylogeny and biogeography of Morinaceae (Dipsacales) based on nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences

Abstract The Morinaceae (Dipsacales) contains 13 species placed in Acanthocalyx, Cryptothladia or Morina, and is distributed from the mountains of southeastern Europe through the Himalayas to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, mainly in alpine habitats. Sequence data from two chloroplast regions (the trnK intron and the trnL-F region) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA were used to infer phylogenetic relationships of Morinaceae and related Dipsacales. Both the nuclear and chloroplast datasets, as well as the combined data, provide strong support for relationships within the Valerina clade, placing Morinaceae as the sister group of a clade containing Valerianaceae and Dipsacaceae plus Triplostegia. The Morinaceae, Acanthocalyx, Cryptothladia, and a clade containing Morina and Cryptothladia, are all supported as monophyletic. However, Morina was found to be paraphyletic in several of our analyses, with Morina longifolia more closely related to Cryptothladia than to other Morina species. There is some evidence that Morina longifolia produces cleistogamous flowers, as do Cryptothladia species. Dispersal-vicariance analyses support the view that Valerina radiated initially within Asia, with subsequent movement into Europe in Morinaceae, Dipsacaceae, and Valerianaceae, and into the New World in Valerianaceae. For Morinaceae, as for a number of plant groups, the Brahmaputra river drainage marks a significant biogeographic divide, although this has been spanned within Acanthocalyx and the Morina-Cryptothladia lineage.
Evidence for Electron Transfer-dependent Formation of a Nitrogenase Iron Protein-Molybdenum-Iron Protein Tight Complex: THE ROLE OF ASPARTATE 39 *

Nitrogenase-catalyzed substrate reduction reactions require the association of the iron (Fe) protein and the molybdenum-iron (MoFe) protein, electron transfer from the Fe protein to the MoFe protein coupled to the hydrolysis of MgATP, followed by protein-protein complex dissociation. This work examines the role of MgATP hydrolysis and electron transfer in the dissociation of the Fe protein-MoFe protein complex. Alteration of aspartate 39 to asparagine (D39N) in the nucleotide binding site of Azotobacter vinelandii Fe protein by site-directed mutagenesis resulted in an Fe protein-MoFe protein complex that did not dissociate after electron transfer. While the D39N Fe protein-MoFe protein complex was inactive in all substrate reduction reactions, the complex catalyzed both reductant-dependent and reductant-independent MgATP hydrolysis. Once docked to the MoFe protein, the D39N Fe protein was found to transfer one electron to the MoFe protein requiring MgATP hydrolysis, with an apparent first order rate constant of 0.02 s−1 compared with 140 s−1 for the wild-type Fe protein. Only following electron transfer to the MoFe protein did the D39N Fe protein form a tight complex with the MoFe protein, with no detectable dissociation rate. This was in contrast with the dissociation rate constant of the wild-type Fe protein from the MoFe protein following electron transfer of 5 s−1. Chemically oxidized D39N Fe protein with MgADP-bound did not form a tight complex with the MoFe protein, showing a dissociation rate similar to chemically oxidized wild-type Fe protein (3 s−1 for D39N Fe protein and 6 s−1 for wild-type Fe protein). These results suggest that electron transfer from the Fe protein to the MoFe protein within the protein-protein complex normally induces conformational changes which increase the affinity of the Fe protein for the MoFe protein. A model is presented in which Asp-39 participates in a nucleotide signal transduction pathway involved in component protein-protein dissociation.
Co-expression of ferrochelatase allows for complete heme incorporation into recombinant proteins produced in E. coli

Over-expression of heme binding proteins in Escherichia coli often results in sub-optimal heme incorporation and the amount of heme-bound protein produced usually varies with the protein of interest. Complete heme incorporation is important for biochemical characterization, spectroscopy, structural studies, and for the production of homogeneous commercial proteins with high activity. We have determined that recombinant proteins expressed in E. coli often contain less than a full complement of heme because they rather are partially incorporated with free-base porphyrin. Porphyrin-incorporated proteins have similar spectral characteristics as the desired heme-loaded targets, and thus are difficult to detect, even in purified samples. We present a straightforward and inexpensive solution to this problem that involves the co-expression of native ferrochelatase with the protein of interest. The method is shown to be effective for proteins that contain either Cys- or His-ligated hemes.
Thoracohumeral muscle activity alters glenohumeral joint biomechanics during active abduction

Normal function of the glenohumeral joint depends on coordinated muscle forces that stabilize the joint while moving the shoulder. These forces can either provide compressive forces to press the humeral head into the glenoid or translational forces that may destabilize the glenohumeral joint. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscle activity on glenohumeral kinematics and joint reaction forces during simulated active abduction. Nine fresh-frozen whole upper extremities were tested using a dynamic shoulder testing apparatus. Seven muscle force combinations were examined: a standard combination and 10%, 20%, or 30% of the deltoid force applied to the latissimus dorsi or pectoralis major tendon, respectively. Pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscle activity decreased the maximum angle of glenohumeral abduction and external rotation, and increased the maximum horizontal adduction angle compared to the standard muscle combination. Thoracohumeral muscle activity also created a more anteriorly directed joint reaction force that resulted in anterior translation compared to the standard muscle combination. Therefore, the ratio between anteriorly directed translational forces and compressive forces increased during abduction due to this muscle activity, suggesting that thoracohumeral muscle activity may decrease glenohumeral stability based on the joint position and applied loads. A better understanding of the contribution of muscle forces to stability may improve rehabilitation protocols for the shoulder aimed at maximizing compression and minimizing translation at the glenohumeral joint.
Ultra-sensitive pH control of supramolecular polymers and hydrogels: pKa matching of biomimetic monomers

Achieving self-assembly in water with small molecules that disassemble in response to minimal changes in environmental conditions is important for the development of many promising materials. We report the most sensitive possible pH control of a supramolecular polymer assembly – demonstrated with hydrogel-forming monomers that mimic nucleic acid base pairing. Bidirectional pH-responsive supramolecular polymers are formed upon the self-assembly of three monomers with two pKa-matched recognition units (one acidic and one basic). These supramolecular assemblies are most stable when the pH equals the pKa of the monomers, but disassemble in response to small pH changes near neutrality (exhibiting the theoretical limit for pH-dependent stability). At pH 7 a hydrogel forms in solutions that are 0.7% by weight in monomer, however, the hydrogel dissolves at pH 6 and pH 8. Additionally, we show that hydrogel stability is finely tuned by employing monomer mixtures that frustrate formation of insoluble aggregates. These results illustrate the advantages of using pKa-matched recognition elements and polymer heterogeneity in the development of responsive materials. Finally, these same recognition elements have recently been proposed as possible ancestors of the current bases of RNA. In this context, the assemblies described here might also provide clues to how the first genetic polymers were driven between states of base pairing and non-base pairing by periodic changes in environmental pH.
An integrative framework capturing experiential and utilitarian shopping experience

Purpose – In line with changes in consumer demand, models used in empirical study of the shopping experience have expanded. Reflecting the integrative (experiential and utilitarian) nature of shopping experience, the paper aims to propose an overarching stimulus‐organism‐response based shopping experience framework.Design/methodology/approach – This conceptual paper offers a framework that integrates components of both the hedonic experience related consciousness‐emotion‐value model and the utilitarian experience‐related cognition‐affect‐behavior model. In this paper, articles crossing hedonic and utilitarian boundaries are briefly presented, and the array of variables used in empirical studies of shopping experience, with an emphasis on brick‐and‐mortar shopping experiences, are synthesized for each component of the framework.Findings – The resulting framework is an inclusive overarching structure that explains the consumer shopping experience. This framework is useful for both academia and industry. It ...
Delivery of Adipose-Derived Precursor Cells for Peripheral Nerve Repair

To test the hypothesis that the transplantation of adipose precursor cells (APCs) improves nerve regeneration and functional recovery, human APCs were transplanted into the lumen of a nerve guide in a 6-mm unilateral sciatic nerve defect in athymic rats. The three control groups for the study were biodegradable, polycaprolactone-based nerve conduit without APCs, autograft, and empty defect. Behavioral tests were performed every 3 weeks, and the sciatic functional index (SFI) was calculated based on measurements from the hindlimb prints. After 12 weeks, the nerve as well as right and left gastrocnemius muscles were removed and preserved for histological evaluation. Full regeneration of the sciatic nerve occurred on the rats that received the autograft, the guide, and the guide with APCs; no regeneration was observed on any of the rats in which the defect was left untreated (empty defect). APCs survived transplantation for up to 12 weeks in the injured peripheral nerve. No significant colocalization was observed between the immunostaining for glial fibrillary protein and anti-human lamin A/C, implying that the APCs did not differentiate into Schwann cells at the site of injury. In comparison with the rats with untreated defects, a decrease in muscle atrophy was observed on those rats that received the autograft and the guide with cells as indicated by the gastrocnemius muscle weight ratio and the muscle fiber ratio. Significant differences in SFI were observed 3 weeks postinjury between the rats in which the guide was left empty and those that received the guide with APCs; however, these differences were not observed at 12 weeks. The transplantation of APCs promoted the formation of a more robust nerve as evidenced by the results from the cross-sectional area of regenerated nerve, and the transplantation of APCs produced a decrease in muscle atrophy.
Sexual medicine and the female cancer patient

Sexual problems after cancer therapy can be distressing to the survivor. Sexual concerns are common issues that can be attributed to many different etiologies. Cancer therapies, whether surgical intervention, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormonal manipulation, can contribute to poor sexual functioning in the survivorship phase of cancer care. Many cancer institutions include specialized clinics that focus primarily on sexual dysfunctions. These health care clinics center on improving quality-of-life concerns by enhancing sexual performance. Comprehensive assessment of medical illnesses, underlying pharmacologic factors, and a complete psychosexual evaluation combined with a multimodal therapeutic approach can help these patients obtain a renewed sense of sexuality. Sexual rehabilitation medicine is an emerging subspecialty in oncology.
PITUITARY-DIABETES IN THE CAT: RECOVERY FOLLOWING PHLORHIZIN TREATMENT1

THE PRODUCTION of pituitary-diabetes in the cat, the course of the lesions II in the islands and the recovery of animals given early treatment with -W- insulin have been previously reported (Lukens and Dohan, 1942). In discussing these results it was noted that, in experimental diabetes, damage to the islands of Langerhans was always associated with hyperglycemia. In like manner the restoration of the early lesion of hydropic degeneration (Copp and Barclay, 1923; Lukens and Dohan, 1942) followed the reduction of hyperglycemia to normal levels. In the case of insulin treatment, this recovery of the islands might have been due to some effect of insulin other than the lowering of blood sugar. Preliminary studies on the treatment of such diabetic animals with phlorhizjn were cited to emphasize the possible importance of the level of blood glucose per se.
Bayesian decision theoretic approach to hypothesis problems with skewed alternatives

Abstract Many hypothesis problems in practice require the selection of the left side or the right side alternative when the null is rejected. For parametric models, this problem can be stated as H 0 : θ = θ 0 vs. H − : θ θ 0 or H + : θ > θ 0 . Frequentists use Type-III error (directional error) to develop statistical methodologies. This approach and other approaches considered in the literature do not take into account the situations where the selection of one side may be more important or when one side may be more probable than the other. This problem can be tackled by specifying a loss function and/or by specifying a hierarchical prior structure with allowing the skewness in the alternatives. Based on this, we develop a Bayesian decision theoretic methodology and show that the resulted Bayes rule perform better in the side of the alternatives which is more probable. The methodology can be also used in a frequentist's framework when it is desired to discover an alternative that is more important. We also consider the multiple hypotheses problem and develop new false discovery rates for the selection of the left and the right sides of alternatives. These discovery rates would be useful in the situations when one side of the alternatives are more important or more probable than the other.
Developmental- and tissue-specificity of RNA editing in mitochondria of suspension-cultured maize cells and seedlings.

C to U editing ofapt9, nad3, andcox2 mRNAs was investigated in maize seedlings at various developmental stages as well as in suspension-cultured cells. Heterogeneity of mRNAs that result from incomplete editing was analyzed for each gene and from five tissues or developmental conditions. The editing status of approximately 30 cDNA clones was determined by digestion with a restriction enzyme that discriminates between unedited and edited DNA sequences. Theatp9 and splicedcox2 cDNAs were essentially completely edited in all samples examined. Analysis of three editing sites ofnad3 cDNAs indicated that incompletely edited cDNAs were detected in all tissues and treatments with a temporal increase in the overall editing status, from 50% at 3 days to about 75% at 7 days. These results indicate that incompletely edited mRNAs are prevalent for some plant mitochondrial genes, and can change with developmental or growth conditions.
An opal phytolith and palynomorph study of extant and fossil soils in Kansas (U.S.A.)

Abstract Soils from three plant communities in Kansas (shortgrass prairie, tallgrass prairie, and deciduous forest) were analyzed for opal phytoliths, pollen grains and fungal spores. These data were used to correlate vegetation type with phytolith and palynomorph deposition. The results were applied to the study of a paleosol to determine the vegetation and ecological conditions prior to burial. Statistical analyses of the data show that the phytolith composition differs significantly among the three extant soils. Pollen analysis failed to differentiate between tallgrass and shortgrass prairie, because the pollen can not be accurately attributed to the different grass taxa that are characteristic of these vegetation types. Pollen analysis, however, distinguished woodland sites from the prairies because of the abundance of easily recognizable pollen of woody plants. The comparison of the extant soils to the paleosol show that the plant community prior to burial may have been a cool-season grassland. The results demonstrate the importance of combined phytolith and pollen analysis in the characterization of grasslands.
ALD growth of Al2O3 on GaAs: Oxide reduction, interface structure and CV performance

We have studied the effect of the trimethylaluminum (TMA) precursor on the reduction of surface “native” oxides from GaAs substrates using medium energy ion scattering spectroscopy (MEIS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrical measurements. Our data show that after one single TMA pulse a substantial part of the native oxide is reduced and an oxygen-rich aluminum oxide layer is formed. Al2O3 films grown with the normal atomic layer deposition cycles of TMA and water show that the growth rate of the Al oxide during this initial reduction of the native oxides is faster than the rate once this reduction is completed. Furthermore, the results of C-V measurements of Al2O3/GaAs grown under the same conditions along with post deposition annealing indicate a good quality interface. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Infolding and collapse of thoracic endoprostheses: Manifestations and treatment options

Objectives We sought to review the clinical sequelae and imaging manifestations of thoracic aortic endograft collapses and infoldings and to evaluate minimally invasive methods of repairing such collapses. Methods Two hundred twenty-one Gore endografts (Excluder, TAG; W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc, Flagstaff, Ariz) were deployed in 145 patients for treatment of pathologies including aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms, dissections, penetrating ulcers, transections, fistulae, mycotic aneurysms, and neoplastic invasions in 6 different prospective trials at a single institution from 1997 to 2007. Device collapses and infoldings were analyzed retrospectively, including review of anatomic parameters, pathologies treated, device sizing and selection, clinical sequelae, methods of repair, and outcome. Results Six device collapses and infoldings were identified. Oversized devices placed into small-diameter aortas and imperfect proximal apposition to the lesser curvature were seen in all proximal collapses, affecting patients with transections and pseudoaneurysms. Infoldings in patients undergoing dissection represented incomplete initial expansion rather than delayed collapse. Delayed collapse occurred as many as 6 years after initial successful deployment, apparently as a result of changes in the aortic configuration from aneurysmal shrinkage. Clinical manifestations ranged from life-threatening ischemia to complete lack of symptoms. Collapses requiring therapy were remedied percutaneously by bare stenting or in one case by branch vessel embolization. Conclusions Use of oversized devices in small aortas carries a risk of device failure by collapse, which can occur immediately or after years of delay. When clinically indicated, percutaneous repair can be effectively performed.
The impact of computer-aided manufacturing on total productivity

Abstract Labor productivity and the rate of return on investment techniques have been used to justify the application of computer-aided manufacturing. These techniques are partial measures and do not consider the total cost of doing business. This paper presents a step-by-step procedure for assessing the impact of computer-aided manufacturing on total productivity. Two case studies are presented. The first case study deals with the comparison of the total and partial productivities of the manual and computer-aided method of manufacturing printed circuit boards. The second case shows a comparison of the productivities of two types of computer-aided method of assembling printed circuit boards. Both case studies were conducted for a period of ten weeks. Computer system design problems encountered during implementation are discussed as well as ways to correct these problems.
Emergency Room Follow-up Trends in Urolithiasis: Single-center Report

OBJECTIVES Over 1 million emergency room visits are made annually for renal colic and urinary stone disease in the United States. This study seeks to determine patterns of follow-up for patients diagnosed with ureterolithiasis in a single emergency department. METHODS A retrospective review identified 556 patients diagnosed with ureterolithiasis in the emergency department at the University of Wisconsin Hospital over a 2-year period. RESULTS Of these patients, 130 met inclusion criteria including first-time stone formers and no prior urological visit within the past 5 years. Fourteen patients seen in the emergency room at their initial visit received immediate urological consultation. Of the remaining 116 patients discharged by the emergency room, 71 (61%) patients followed up with a urologist, 27 (23%) patients followed up with a primary care physician, 10 (9%) patients returned to the emergency department for their initial follow-up, and 8 (7%) patients had no further follow-up. Of the 44 patients with ureteral calculi 5 mm or greater, 38 (86%) patients either received urological consultation in the emergency department or followed up with a urologist as an outpatient (P 4 mm ureteral stones follow up with a urologist on an outpatient basis. Alternatively, based on the overall subset of patients identified, it is conceivable that a significant percentage of patients never see a urologist.
In Vivo Modulation of Sensory Input to the Olfactory Bulb by Tonic and Activity-Dependent Presynaptic Inhibition of Receptor Neurons

The first reorganization of odor representations in the nervous system occurs at the synapse between olfactory receptor neurons and second-order neurons in olfactory bulb glomeruli. Signal transmission at this synapse is modulated presynaptically by several mechanisms, a major one being mediated by GABA(B) receptors, which suppress presynaptic calcium influx and subsequent transmitter release from the receptor neuron terminal. Here, we imaged stimulus-evoked calcium influx into the receptor neuron terminal in anesthetized mice and used odorant and electrical stimulation combined with in vivo pharmacology to characterize the functional determinants of GABA(B)-mediated presynaptic inhibition and to test hypotheses on the role of this inhibition in olfactory processing. As expected from previous studies, blocking presynaptic GABA(B) receptors in vivo increased odorant-evoked presynaptic calcium signals, confirming that GABA(B)-mediated inhibition modulates the strength of receptor inputs. Surprisingly, we found that the strength of this inhibition was affected little by the nature of the input, being independent of the spatial distribution of activated glomeruli, independent of the sniff frequency used to sample the odorant, and similar for weak and strong odorant-evoked inputs. Instead, we found that tonic inhibition was a major determinant of receptor input strength; this tonic inhibition in turn was dependent on glutamatergic transmission from second-order neurons in the glomerular layer. Thus, rather than adaptively shaping odor representations in an activity-dependent manner, a primary role of presynaptic inhibition in vivo may be to modulate the magnitude of sensory input to the brain as a function of behavioral state.