cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hepatic Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans and Endocytic Clearance of Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins

Hypertriglyceridemia, characterized by the accumulation of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the blood, affects 10-20% of the population in western countries and increases the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and pancreatitis. The etiology of hypertriglyceridemia is complex, and much interest exists in identifying and characterizing the biological and environmental factors that affect the synthesis and turnover of plasma triglycerides. Genetic studies in mice have recently identified that heparan sulfate proteoglycans are a class of receptors that mediate the clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the liver. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are expressed by endothelial cells that line the hepatic sinusoids and the underlying hepatocytes, and are present in the perisinusoidal space (space of Disse). This chapter discusses the dependence of lipoprotein binding on heparan sulfate structure and the identification of hepatocyte syndecan-1 as the primary proteoglycan that mediates triglyceride-rich lipoprotein clearance.
Collaborative sensing using sensors of uncoordinated mobility

Wireless sensor networks are useful for monitoring physical parameters and detecting objects or substances in an area. Most ongoing research consider the use of stationary sensors or controlled mobile sensors, which incur substantial equipment costs and coordination efforts. Alternatively, this paper considers using uncoordinated mobile nodes, who is not directed for any specific sensing activity. Each node independently observes a cross section of the field along its own path. The limited observation can be extended via information exchange among nodes coming across each other. For this model, the inherently noisy mobile measurements, incomplete individual observations, different sensing objectives, and collaboration policies must be addressed. The paper proposes a design framework for uncoordinated mobile sensing and one sensing approach based on profile estimation for target detection, field estimation, and edge detection. With simulations, we study its strengths and tradeoffs with stationary and controlled mobile approaches.
Pressure dependence of the superconducting transition temperature in nominal Rb0.5Cs2.5C60.

We report measurements of the superconducting transition temperature in a compound with a nominal composition Cs[sub 2.5]Rb[sub 0.5]C[sub 60] under hydrostatic pressure of up to 15.5 kbars. We observe two transitions, at temperatures [ital T][sup *] and [ital T][sub [ital c]] in this pelletized sample. We identify the lower temperature transition [ital T][sup *] with the onset of intergranular shielding currents. The upper transition temperature [ital T][sub [ital c]]([ital P]) falls on a universal [ital T][sub [ital c]]([ital P]) curve, defined from similar data obtained previously on K[sub 3]C[sub 60] and Rb[sub 3]C[sub 60], after we shift the pressure axis for our data by [minus]2.6 kbars. We identify [ital T][sub [ital c]] as a superconducting transition in Rb[sub 2]CsC[sub 60] on the basis of the compressibility analysis and published values of the lattice parameters for alkali-doped C[sub 60], as well as [ital T][sub [ital c]]([ital P]=0) and ([ital dT][sub [ital c]]/[ital dP])[sub [ital P]=0].
An alternative structural isoform in amyloid-like aggregates formed from thermally denatured human γD-crystallin.

The eye lens protein γD-crystallin contributes to cataract formation in the lens. In vitro experiments show that γD-crystallin has a high propensity to form amyloid fibers when denatured, and that denaturation by acid or UV-B photodamage results in its C-terminal domain forming the β-sheet core of amyloid fibers. Here, we show that thermal denaturation results in sheet-like aggregates that contain cross-linked oligomers of the protein, according to transmission electron microscopy and SDS-PAGE. We use two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy to show that these aggregates have an amyloid-like secondary structure with extended β-sheets, and use isotope dilution experiments to show that each protein contributes approximately one β-strand to each β-sheet in the aggregates. Using segmental 13C labeling, we show that the organization of the protein's two domains in thermally induced aggregates results in a previously unobserved structure in which both the N-terminal and C-terminal domains contribute to β-sheets. We propose a model for the structural organization of the aggregates and attribute the recruitment of the N-terminal domain into the fiber structure to intermolecular cross linking.
The BOS loci of Arabidopsis are required for resistance to Botrytis cinerea infection

Three Botrytis-susceptible mutants bos2, bos3, and bos4 which define independent and novel genetic loci required for Arabidopsis resistance to Botrytis cinerea were isolated. The bos2 mutant is susceptible to B. cinerea but retains wild-type levels of resistance to other pathogens tested, indicative of a defect in a response pathway more specific to B. cinerea. The bos3 and bos4 mutants also show increased susceptibility to Alternaria brassicicola, another necrotrophic pathogen, suggesting a broader role for these loci in resistance. bos4 shows the broadest range of effects on resistance, being more susceptible to avirulent strain of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. Interestingly, bos3 is more resistant than wild-type plants to virulent strains of the biotrophic pathogen Peronospora parasitica and the bacterial pathogen P. syringae pv. tomato. The Pathogenesis Related gene 1 (PR-1), a molecular marker of the salicylic acid (SA)-dependent resistance pathway, shows a wild-type pattern of expression in bos2, while in bos3 this gene was expressed at elevated levels, both constitutively and in response to pathogen challenge. In bos4 plants, PR-1 expression was reduced compared with wild type in response to B. cinerea and SA. In bos3, the mutant most susceptible to B. cinerea and with the highest expression of PR-1, removal of SA resulted in reduced PR-1 expression but no change to the B. cinerea response. Expression of the plant defensin gene PDF1-2 was generally lower in bos mutants compared with wild-type plants, with a particularly strong reduction in bos3. Production of the phytoalexin camalexin is another well-characterized plant defense response. The bos2 and bos4 mutants accumulate reduced levels of camalexin whereas bos3 accumulates significantly higher levels of camalexin than wild-type plants in response to B. cinerea. The BOS2, BOS3, and BOS4 loci may affect camalexin levels and responsiveness to ethylene and jasmonate. The three new mutants appear to mediate disease responses through mechanisms independent of the previously described BOS1 gene. Based on the differences in the phenotypes of the bos mutants, it appears that they affect different points in defense response pathways.
Resolving 3D magnetism in nanoparticles using polarization analyzed SANS

Abstract Utilizing a polarized 3 He cell as an analyzer we were able to perform a full polarization analysis on small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data from an ensemble of 7 nm magnetite nanoparticles. The results led to clear separation of magnetic and nuclear scattering plus a 3D vectorial decomposition of the magnetism observed. At remanence variation in long-range magnetic correlation length was found to be highly dependent on temperature from 50 to 300 K. Additionally, we were able to compare the magnetic scattering from moments along and perpendicular to an applied field at saturation and in remanence.
Line intensities and collisional-broadening parameters for the v4 and v6 bands of carbonyl fluoride

Line intensities, air- and self-broadening parameters have been measured for selected lines in the nu4 (1243/cm) and nu6 (774/cm) bands of carbonyl fluoride at 296 and 215 K using a tunable diode-laser spectrometer. Measured line intensities are in good agreement +/- 6 percent with recently reported values derived from rotational analyses of the nu4 and nu6 bands. The measured average air-broadening coefficient at 296 K also agrees well (+/- 5 percent) with N2-broadening coefficients determined from microwave studies, while the average self-broadening coefficient reported here is smaller than a previously reported value by 45 percent.
NQO1, MPO, CYP2E1, GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms and biological effects of benzene exposure--a literature review.

Abstract Background Benzene is a ubiquitous toxic environmental pollutant. Biological effects have been detected as a result of low-level environmental exposures, suggesting that a large proportion of the population may potentially suffer ill health effects. Polymorphisms in genes involved in benzene metabolism are thought to influence individual susceptibility to various levels of benzene exposure. Methods Medline literature database search for articles relating to benzene exposure and polymorphisms in genes known to be involved in benzene metabolism (NQO1, CYP2E1, GSTT1, GSTM1 and MPO). Twenty-two reports were included in this review. Results A modest effect of the studied gene polymorphisms on the analyzed biomarkers was observed. GSTM1 and GSTT1 showed some consistent associations with both biomarkers of exposure and effect. Conclusion Genetic polymorphisms on the benzene metabolism pathway should be taken into account when studying the biological effects of benzene exposure. Unique combinations of genetic polymorphisms may increase susceptibility of individuals and/or population subgroups. However, gene–gene interactions, and the biological effects of long-term and low-level exposure to benzene are not yet analyzed with well-designed studies that incorporate multiple biological end-points and multiple genes.
Organ donation and suicide

For the period 1994-2005 in the USA, suicides were less likely to be organ donors than were victims of homicide and motor vehicle accidents.
Human very-long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase: cloning, topography, and relevance to branched-chain fatty acid metabolism.

Abstract Very-long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases (VLCS) activate very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) containing 22 or more carbons to their CoA derivatives. We cloned the human ortholog (hVLCS) of the gene encoding the rat liver enzyme (rVLCS). Both hVLCS and rVLCS contain 620 amino acids, are expressed primarily in liver and kidney, and have a potential peroxisome targeting signal 1 (-LKL) at their carboxy termini. When expressed in COS-1 cells, hVLCS activated the VLCFA lignoceric acid (C24:0), a long-chain fatty acid (C16:0), and two branched-chain fatty acids, phytanic acid and pristanic acid. Immunofluorescence and immunoblot studies localized hVLCS to both peroxisomes and endoplasmic reticulum. In peroxisomes of HepG2 cells, hVLCS was topographically oriented facing the matrix and not the cytoplasm. This orientation, coupled with the observation that hVLCS activates branched-chain fatty acids, suggests that hVLCS could play a role in the intraperoxisomal reactivation of pristanic acid produced via α-oxidation of phytanic acid.
Was Reagan Federalism Good For Business? Privatization And State Administrative Capacity In The Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program

This research addresses the impact of New Federalism, as defined by the Reagan administration, on the ability of states to implement and administer a major national environmental program. Based on data collected from two national studies of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, the research seeks to link the sufficiency of initial state resources with the inclusion of private sector actors in CWSRF administrative structures. Both survey data and case study data support the hypothesis that states which lack resources to implement the CWSRF program rely more heavily on private sector actors in the decision making processes of the program. The paper explores the implications of this relationship, and suggests that the net result of New Federalism may not be a devolution of authority to state governments, but to private sector agents of the states.
FAK expression in neuroblastoma

Abstract Purpose: Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is an anti-apoptotic protein tyrosine kinase that is over expressed in many human tumors, but it has not been well characterized in neuroblastoma. Previous studies have shown that neuroblastoma cells cultured with VEGF or in coculture with hepatocytes are resistant to apoptotic stimuli. We hypothesize that anti-apoptotic FAK is present in neuroblastoma cells and its expression will be upregulated when the cells are exposed to VEGF or when cocultured with hepatocytes. Methods: Human neuroblastoma cells (IMR-32) are cultured under three conditions. 1) Standard media (control). 2) Media + VEGF (5, 20, 50, 100 ng/mL). 3) Cocultured with hepatocytes (6, 12, 24 hours). FAK expression is measured by Western blot. Experiments are repeated in triplicate to assure consistency in results. Results: Representative Western blots are presented below. FAK protein expression is increased with increasing amounts of VEGF in the culture media. This finding becomes apparent after the addition of 20ng/mL VEGF and continues up to 100 ng/mL. FAK expression is also increased in IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells that are grown with hepatocytes in coculture when compared to control cells. The increase in FAK in cocultured cells is seen as early as 6 hours. Conclusion: Neuroblastoma cells cultured with the addition of VEGF or in coculture have been shown to have decreased apoptosis. In this study, these culture conditions also lead to an increase in the expression of FAK. FAK may play a role in the regulation of apoptosis in neuroblastoma. Download : Download high-res image (80KB) Download : Download full-size image
Biopsy or Biomarkers: Is There a Gold Standard for Diagnosis of Liver Fibrosis?

Liver biopsy has long been the gold standard for the grading of hepatic inflammation and the staging of hepatic fibrosis, and has been used as the reference standard method in evaluations of plasma markers of liver disease. In the modern era with the use of ultrasound guidance, biopsy is an essentially safe procedure with a 0.3% rate of serious complications, such as postprocedure pain or bleeding. However, a liver biopsy samples only 1/50 000th of the liver parenchyma and is prone to sampling error, especially when there is a focal component to the liver disease. In addition, the quality of the liver biopsy and the experience of the pathologist are essential for correct grading and staging of liver disease. More recently, clinical investigators have been searching for noninvasive serum markers of fibrosis (1). These can be individual markers or a series of markers from which a fibrosis index can be derived. In either case, these marker tests must have the following characteristics: They must be reliable, accurate, reproducible, and easy to perform. In addition, they must reflect total mass of liver collagen and extracellular matrix (ECM) and be able to reflect both fibrogenesis and fibrosis regression. The ideal marker test would be able to accurately stage disease and also be sensitive to changes in fibrosis induced by therapy or the natural history of disease progression. In this issue of Clinical Chemistry , Poynard et al. (2) address one of the most important issues in this area: Is there a true gold standard for liver fibrosis? …
The evolution of nursing homes into comprehensive geriatrics centers: a perspective

Nursing homes typically have been a relatively isolated component of health care in the United States. Now, however, nursing homes are experiencing a change in the patients they serve. In recent years, nursing home patients have been admitted sicker and after a shorter hospital stay than in the past. Such changes are likely to continue to occur as the size of the population of frail elderly continues to increase and as insurers look for alternatives to high cost hospital care. An additional stimulus to change is that the public is asking for innovation in noninstitutionalized long-term care. This essay advocates that nursing homes are the ideal component of the health care system to lead innovative program development focused on the creation of a highly organized continuum of care for the frail elderly. Physicians must be a fundamental part of this process, providing the guidance and leadership necessary for nursing homes to evolve into comprehensive geriatrics centers. Strategies are provided for developing physician office practices in nursing homes, a fundamental first step in the process of change. Additionally, ideas are provided for developing day care centers and physician house call programs based in nursing homes. Also, tight and highly functional relationships among nursing homes and acute hospitals must be developed. The example of the Johns Hopkins Geriatrics Center is described briefly as one such program now in place.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The coordinate representation of a graph and n- universal graph of radius 1

Abstract Every graph can be represented as the intersection graph on a family of closed unit cubes in Euclidean space En. Cube vertices have integer coordinates. The coordinate matrix, A(G)={vnk} of a graph G is defined by the set of cube coordinates. The imbedded dimension of a graph, Bp(G), is a number of columns in matrix A(G) such that each of them has at least two distinct elements vnk≠vpk. We show that Bp(G)=cub(G) for some graphs, and Bp(G)⩽n−2 for any graph G on n vertices. The coordinate matrix uses to obtain the graph U of radius 1 with 3n−2 vertices that contains as an induced subgraph a copy of any graph on n vertices.
Effect of age on performance of task with spatial conflict

We investigated the effect of aging during a dual task paradigm involving a postural and cognitive task. We measured postural sway and performance in a virtual environment. Older adults had increased response times and decreased accuracy compared to younger adults. Compared to young adults, older adults displayed a tighter control of the center of pressure, decreased sway in standing, while performing the spatial conflict task. This suggests that older adults either prioritize postural control over the cognitive task or they adopt a strategy of intentionally decreasing sway to facilitate performance. Results support balance-retraining protocols that start with single tasks and progress to more difficult multiple tasks.
Indoor Air Quality Affected by Abandoned Gasoline Tanks

Abstract Exposures to petroleum hydrocarbons from leaking gasoline tanks were identified as a source of indoor air quality (IAQ) problems in a public office building. The total (gasoline) hydrocarbon concentrations measured in the building air ranged from 12 milligram per cubic meter (mg/m3) to 96 mg/m3. These area gasoline vapor concentrations, including most predominant vapor constituents, were measured in room air at concentrations below the personal exposure criteria/standards of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. However, these gasoline vapors were a source of IAQ complaints and periodic worker exposures to the carcinogen benzene. The source of these petroleum hydrocarbon vapors was traced to three abandoned gasoline tanks buried beneath an adjacent building. These tanks were removed, averting potential for more serious health/safety hazards from continued gasol...
Comparison of longitudinal variance components and regression-based approaches for linkage detection on chromosome 17 for systolic blood pressure

We compare two methods to detect genetic linkage by using serial observations of systolic blood pressure in pedigree data from the Framingham Heart Study focusing on chromosome 17. The first method is a variance components (VC) approach that incorporates longitudinal pedigree data, and the second method is a regression-based approach that summarizes all longitudinal measures in one single measure. No evidence of linkage was found either using the VC longitudinal approach or the regression-based approach, except when all time points were used from Cohorts 1 and 2 and only subjects aged 25 and 75 years were included.
Plasma cell granuloma of the lung, response to radiation therapy, report of a single case

A benign, inflammatory lung mass was discovered in a healthy 15-year-old boy who had no chest symptoms. A biopsy was performed, but total removal was not attempted. The histologic diagnosis was plasma cell granuloma of the lung. Because of progressive enlargement of the lung mass, radiation therapy was given and the mass has slowly regressed. Although surgery of these lung lesions is the preferred treatment, radiation therapy should be considered if there is no regression or if the mass continues to enlarge.
Visualization of axoplasmic flow in vitro by Nomarski microscopy. Comparison to rapid flow of radioactive proteins.

Summary One aspect of axoplasmic flow, the saltatory movement of spherical particles and mitochondria within severed peripheral nerves, can be observed directly by Nomarski differential interference microscopy. The movements occur at both ‘rapid’ and ‘slow’ rates. They are predominantly proximodistal but retrograde motion also occurs. The phenomenon requires oxygen and warmth. Metabolic inhibitors affect the visible movements and the migration of radioactively labeled protein similarly.
Incontinent ileovesicostomy: Long-term outcomes and complications.

Aims Incontinent ileovesicostomy was popularized in the mid-1990s as a surgical option for patients with neurogenic voiding dysfunction who lack the dexterity to perform clean catheterization. There are several case series in the literature, but few studies look at the long-term outcomes and complications associated with this procedure. Methods We review the outcomes of 12 patients who underwent incontinent ileovesicostomy for management of neurogenic voiding dysfunction since its introduction at our institution in 1998. We discuss, specifically, the preoperative and postoperative problems encountered as well as complications pertaining to ileovesicostomy itself. Results At an average of years follow-up, all 12 patients who underwent incontinent ileovesicostomy have experienced some form of urinary tract problem either associated with the ileovesicostomy or with their underlying neurogenic voiding dysfunction. After ileovesicostomy, seven of 12 patients (58%) have been able to reduce antibiotic usage and/or hospital admission related to chronic upper tract infection. Two patients (17%) have subsequently been converted to ileal conduit. Conclusions Incontinent ileovesicostomy is a useful option for patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction who are unable to perform clean intermittent catheterization. It should be reserved for those patients who have exhausted less invasive therapy and in whom quality of life benefits cannot be achieved without diversion. Experience shows that there are no absolute indications for this procedure. The clinician and the patient must be aware of the importance of continued surveillance after this procedure for problems related to neurogenic voiding dysfunction and/or the ileovesicostomy itself. Neurourol. Urodyn. 28:483–486, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ketamine Attenuates Delirium After Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Objective To determine if ketamine attenuates postoperative delirium concomitant with an anti-inflammatory effect in patients undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. Design A prospective randomized study. Setting A Veterans Affairs medical center. Participants Cardiac surgical patients. Interventions Patients at least 55 years of age randomly received placebo (0.9% saline, n = 29) or an intravenous bolus of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg intravenously, n = 29) during anesthetic induction in the presence of fentanyl and etomidate. Measurements and Main Results Delirium was assessed by using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist before and after surgery. Serum C-reactive protein concentrations were determined before and 1 day after surgery. The incidence of postoperative delirium was lower (p = 0.01, Fisher exact test) in patients receiving ketamine (3%) compared with placebo (31%). Postoperative C-reactive protein concentration was also lower (p < 0.05) in the ketamine-treated patients compared with the placebo-treated patients. The odds of developing postoperative delirium were greater for patients receiving placebo compared with ketamine treatment (odds ratio = 12.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-107.5; logistic regression). Conclusions After cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass, ketamine attenuates postoperative delirium concomitant with an anti-inflammatory effect.
A Transparent and Transferable Framework for Tracking Quality Information in Large Datasets

The ability to evaluate the validity of data is essential to any investigation, and manual “eyes on” assessments of data quality have dominated in the past. Yet, as the size of collected data continues to increase, so does the effort required to assess their quality. This challenge is of particular concern for networks that automate their data collection, and has resulted in the automation of many quality assurance and quality control analyses. Unfortunately, the interpretation of the resulting data quality flags can become quite challenging with large data sets. We have developed a framework to summarize data quality information and facilitate interpretation by the user. Our framework consists of first compiling data quality information and then presenting it through 2 separate mechanisms; a quality report and a quality summary. The quality report presents the results of specific quality analyses as they relate to individual observations, while the quality summary takes a spatial or temporal aggregate of each quality analysis and provides a summary of the results. Included in the quality summary is a final quality flag, which further condenses data quality information to assess whether a data product is valid or not. This framework has the added flexibility to allow “eyes on” information on data quality to be incorporated for many data types. Furthermore, this framework can aid problem tracking and resolution, should sensor or system malfunctions arise.
Identification of a novel Mr = 76-kDa form of beta-adrenergic receptors

Summary The structure of the human β-adrenergic receptor in purified basal membranes of human placental syncytiotrophoblast was probed using photoaffinity labeling. Basal membranes display a high specific activity of receptors (4–5 pmol/mg protein) and possess both β 1 - and β 2 -adrenergic receptors subtypes. Autoradioraphy of membranes that were incubated with the β-adrenergic antagonist [ 125 I]iodoazidobenzylpindolol, photolyzed and then subjected to sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, identified four radiolabeled peptides. M r = 65-kDa, 54-kDa, 43-kDa and a novel higher molecular weight 76-kDa form of the receptor. Photoaffinity labeling of each of these four peptides displayed the pharmacological properties expected for true β-adrenergic receptors. The 76-kDa photoaffinity labeled receptor peptide observed in human placenta basal membranes has not been reported elsewhere. Competition studies with the β 1 -selective ligand CGP-20712A demonstrate that the photoaffinity labeled receptor peptides are composed of both β 1 - and β 2 -adrenergic receptor subtypes.
Short Circuit Study Incorporating Phase Shifting Components

A complete and comprehensive mathematical model of phase shifting components is developed using a delta-wye transformer bank as an example of a typical phase shifting component. Linear graph theory techniques are used to form the model which is called a V-equivalent. The V-equivalent is incorporated into the network matrix called ZBUS which is then used in the short circuit equations for a line-to-ground fault. In this paper, a numerical example utilizing a sample power system is used to illustrate the method by which the V-equivalent of a delta-wye transformer bank is incorporated into a digital computer program for short circuit studies. The results of the digital computer program demonstrate that, by the use of the V- equivalent, phase shifting components such as delta-wye transformers can be made an integral part of the power system model. A single line-to-ground fault can occur on either side of the delta-wye transformer bank, and the correct values of the currents and voltages at the fault and throughout the system can be obtained directly from the solution of the system model. No subsequent calculations are necessary to correct for the effect of the phase shift.
Physical activity and mental health in schoolchildren: A complicated relationship

UNLABELLED According to a study by Parfitt and Eston, physical activity was positively associated with child mental health and self-esteem. In this commentary, gender differences, causal links and implications for prevention are discussed. CONCLUSION The relationship between physical activity and mental health is not as simple as to say that activity will invariably lead to improved mental health. For youngsters to be engaged in physical exercise, it is important that the needs of the particular child be taken into account. Forced and frightening activities should be avoided. The context should be one of enjoyment rather than of harsh discipline and skill-dependent games where many children are apt to fail.
Long-term organ culture of adult rat colon.

Summary Colon explants from adult rats were maintained in culture for over 3 months in our laboratories with good epithelial preservation and cellular differentiation. The light and transmission electron microscopic features of rat colon mucosa during the culture period are described. In all the expiants that remained viable, there was an initial phase of degeneration of the surface and crypt cells, later these areas were repopulated in one week, showing well-formed crypts, goblet cells, and ultrastructural features such as extensive lateral interdigitations, microvilli and glycocalyx — typical of colon. The effect of in vivo carcinogen pretreatment was also studied. The expiant culture from control untreated animals showed good epithelial differentiation with crypts until 6 weeks. In contrast, the expiants from animals pretreated with 4 weekly doses of azoxymethane consistently showed epithelial differentiation with well-formed crypts upto 13 weeks.
Effects of background sound on consumers’ sensory discriminatory ability among foods

Abstract This study aimed to examine accustomed and preferential levels of background sound in eating atmospheres across different demographics (Experiment 1) and to determine whether background sound affects the ability to discriminate overall differences between food/beverage samples (Experiment 2). A total of 244 individuals reported to experience a louder atmosphere, where individuals were more likely to interact with others, during dinner than breakfast and snack time. Furthermore, more than half (58.8%) of the respondents preferred eating while having a conversation. Only 3.7% of the respondents preferred eating in silence. In Experiment 2, 58 participants were asked to conduct overall difference tests of potato chips (original versus lightly salted) and carbonated sodas (original versus sugar free) in the presence of five sound conditions: (1) carbonation sound, (2) crisp chewing-sound, (3) classical music, (4) shadowing task, and (5) white noise. The discrimination performance was found to be less influenced by background sound in potato chips when compared to the carbonated soda, highlighting the possibility that foods with high levels of mastication sound are less susceptible to background noise. While listening to and repeating a newscast (shadowing task), 41% of the participants were able to discriminate overall sensory difference between the two different carbonated sodas, but in the presence of carbonation sound 71% of the participants were able to distinguish between the two sodas. In conclusion, our findings strengthen the claim that conversation is popular and preferred in eating atmospheres, but it may alter participants’ ability to discriminate an overall difference between different foods or beverages.
Regulation of cyclin T1 expression and function by an alternative splice variant that skips exon 7 and contains a premature termination codon

Cyclin T1 (CCNT1), a gene containing nine exons, forms the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) complex and regulates a wide variety of biological processes including transcription. We discovered a novel splice variant of CCNT1 that lacks exon 7 (dE7). RT-PCR analysis revealed that the dE7 transcript was detected in almost all tissues examined. The dE7/FL transcript ratio was high in quiescent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and in tissues poor in cell division; however, it was low in activated PBMC and in tissues with high cell proliferative potential. These results suggest that exon 7 skipping is linked to cell cycle progression. Increasing the dE7/FL transcript ratio resulted in the reduction of CCNT1 protein levels, indicating that the expression of CCNT1 protein is controlled by exon skipping. Exon 7 skipping yields a +1 frameshift at exon 8, which generates a premature termination codon (PTC). The dE7 transcript levels increased when cells were treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) or a kinase inhibitor wortmannin (WORT), whilst the FL transcript levels were unchanged, suggesting that the dE7 transcript is a target of nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). Importantly, reduction of dE7 transcript by WORT correlated well with the decrement of CCNT1 protein expression. The dE7 transcript would produce an approximately 23kDa protein that covers approximately 70% of the cyclin box. The ectopically expressed dE7 protein physically interacted with CDK9 and competed with FL CCNT1 for CDK9, thus should act dominant-negatively on FL CCNT1. The replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), heavily dependent on the CCNT1 function, was inhibited by dE7 protein through the attenuation of Tat/long terminal repeat (LTR)-driven transcription. Taken together, these results suggest that dE7 is a novel splice variant that regulates the expression and function of CCNT1.
Laser interferometric calibration for real-time video color interpretation of thin fluid layers during spin coating

Using color video observation in conjunction with careful thickness calibration with laser interferometry it is possible to map the thickness profile evolution with time for fluid flowing radially outward on a rotating silicon wafer during spin coating. During the latest stages of a transparent fluid thinning on a spinning substrate, the fluid reaches thickness values such that interference effects cause the film to display distinct colors that correlate directly to thickness. These colors cycle through the visible spectrum in a predictable and meaningful way. The present work demonstrates that these colors can be easily captured using standard video equipment and that the corresponding thickness values can be calibrated using simultaneous normal-incidence laser interferometry at the center of the substrate. The combination of these two techniques allows for observation of the spinning wafer to understand fluid thickness profile evolution without being forced to know the exact illumination conditions or refractive index dispersion relationship for the fluid being examined. This technique provides meaningful time-resolved thickness profiles for fluids in the later stage of spin deposition and has potentially wider application in engineering process control and coating characterization.
A Pea Mutant for the Study of Hydrotropism in Roots

Plant roots grow in the direction of increasing soil moisture, but studies of hydrotropism have always been difficult to interpret because of the effect of gravity. In this study it was found that roots of the mutant pea ;Ageotropum' are neither gravitropic nor phototropic, but do respond tropically to a moisture gradient, making them an ideal subject for the study of hydrotropism. When the root caps were removed, elongation was not affected but hydrotropism was blocked, suggesting that the site of sensory perception resides in the root cap.
Mechanotransduction: Getting Morphogenesis Down Pat

Summary Embryonic morphogenesis requires the coordination of forces across multiple tissues and their associated extracellular matrices. A new study reports a mechanical feedback loop in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo between muscle and epidermis that may provide a model for understanding how tissues coordinate morphogenetic events in the embryo.
Effect of tunneling on the one-body proximity friction

The first incomplete moment of the proximity flux function, used in the one-body proximity friction and diffusion, is calculated exactly in a simple model. It is seen that the usual classical approximation underestimates appreciably the exact results. This shows the importance of the quantum tunneling. Good agreements to the exact calculation can be obtained by using the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximation.NUCLEAR REACTIONS: Deep inelastic collisions, one-body friction, proximity flux function, transmission probability, tunneling.
Magnetotransport in the heavy-fermion system YbNi 2 B 2 C

We have measured the high field transverse magnetoresistance and magnetization on single crystalline samples of ${\mathrm{YbNi}}_{2}{\mathrm{B}}_{2}\mathrm{C}$ with the applied magnetic field both parallel and perpendicular to the c axis of the tetragonal crystal structure. At high temperatures, the magnetoresistance is negative with a magnitude that increases as the temperature is lowered. A scaling analysis of the data for $\mathbf{H}\ensuremath{\perp}\mathbf{c}$ finds a characteristic energy that is \ensuremath{\sim}20 K at low temperatures, which is a factor of 2 larger than the Kondo temperature determined from thermodynamic measurements, and it increases linearly with the temperature. Even though the magnetoresistance for $\mathbf{H}\ensuremath{\parallel}\mathbf{c}$ is also negative, the data do not scale. At low temperatures, the magnetoresistance is very anisotropic. In the Fermi-liquid regime below \ensuremath{\sim}1.6 K, the resistivity has a temperature-independent contribution due to ligand and/or Kondo-hole disorder and a term from electron-electron scattering that goes like ${T}^{2}.$ For $\mathbf{H}\ensuremath{\perp}\mathbf{c},$ the residual resistivity and the ${T}^{2}$ coefficient are field dependent. Both the high- and low-temperature data are compared to various theoretical calculations.
Client Satisfaction in a Real Estate Business: A Survey Analysis

In order to understand the service component in the real estate business, an exploratory study was conducted. A sample of clients of a real estate firm in a midwestern city was surveyed by a mail questionnaire. Client perceptions of experienced service and their satisfaction with the service were examined. Five service factors were found to be related to client satisfaction: expectations, communication, relationship, effectiveness and knowledge. Of these, expectations had the most influence. Expectations refer to the role of the sales associate and the sale/purchase transaction. Analysis included implications for research and practice.
Making It Totally Explicit

Abstract This paper begins by isolating the reductive component of Brandom's inferentialism. In order to assess to what extent that reductive component is supported by the considerations Brandom marshals in its defense, I assess the comparative degree of support those considerations provide a non-reductive counterpart of Brandom's original, reductive theory. One of the central claims here is that once the reductive and non-reductive theories are placed side-by-side, it is clear that, save one, all of the considerations Brandom marshals in defense of inferentialism equally well support its non-reductive counterpart. This shows that those considerations offer no support for the reductions at inferentialism's heart. What the considerations raised here ultimately show is that Brandom's defense of the reductive core of his theory ultimately rests on the simple fact that it has a certain feature, namely, that it is reductive in the sense reserved here. I close with a brief discussion of some advantages that som...
A new idiom recognition framework for exploiting hardware-assist instructions

Modern processors support hardware-assist instructions (such as TRT and TROT instructions on IBM zSeries) to accelerate certain functions such as delimiter search and character conversion. Such special instructions have often been used in high performance libraries, but they have not been exploited well in optimizing compilers except for some limited cases. We propose a new idiom recognition technique derived from a topological embedding algorithm [4] to detect idiom patterns in the input program more aggressively than in previous approaches. Our approach can detect a pattern even if the code segment does not exactly match the idiom. For example, we can detect a code segment that includes additional code within the idiom pattern. We implemented our new idiom recognition approach based on the Java Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler that is part of the J9 Java Virtual Machine, and we supported several important idioms for special hardware-assist instructions on the IBM zSeries and on some models of the IBM pSeries. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique, we performed two experiments. The first one is to see how many more patterns we can detect compared to the previous approach. The second one is to see how much performance improvement we can achieve over the previous approach. For the first experiment, we used the Java Compatibility Kit (JCK) API tests. For the second one we used IBM XML parser, SPECjvm98, and SPCjbb2000. In summary, relative to a baseline implementation using exact pattern matching, our algorithm converted 75% more loops in JCK tests. We also observed significant performance improvement of the XML parser by 64%, of SPECjvm98 by 1%, and of SPECjbb2000 by 2% on average on a z990. Finally, we observed the JIT compilation time increases by only 0.32% to 0.44%.
Practical Guide to Supportive Care of Patients With Functional Neuroendocrine Tumors

Supportive care of patients with functional neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) has evolved to include the use of multiple targeted agents to control paraneoplastic states and newer surgical and interventional radiologic techniques to reduce tumor bulk. Challenges encountered by the clinician are the recognition of specific symptom complexes, selecting the relevant laboratory tests and radiologic/scintigraphic scans, and the timing of intervention(s). Individual variables such as the severity of symptoms in the context of primary and metastatic disease sites, tumor bulk, comorbidities, and previous treatment are factors determining the prioritization of specific treatment regimens for patients with functional NETs. Symptoms such as flushing, secretory diarrhea, hypercalcemia, hyper /hypoglycemia, hypercortisolism, and peptic ulcers should improve with decreasing the elevated amino acid and/or peptide levels produced by NETs. These paraneoplastic symptoms may be accompanied by complaints related to tumor burden such as fatigue, pain, early satiety, anorexia, weight loss, night sweats, and/or symptoms secondary to adverse drug effects such as mucositis, dysgeusia, diarrhea, rash, hypertension, and myelosuppression. Developing a comprehensive continuum of care plan early in disease management assists in controlling the presenting signs and symptoms, and in minimizing disease- and/or treatment-related side effects. This guide serves as a framework to manage the signs and symptoms of metastatic functional neuroendocrine tumors.
Results of biopsy via transurethral cystoscopy and cystotomy for diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder and urethra in dogs: 92 cases (2003–2008)

Objective—To assess the diagnostic utility of transurethral cystoscopic biopsy in dogs with histologically confirmed transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder and urethra. Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—92 dogs with histologically confirmed TCC. Procedures—Information on sex, breed, neuter status, body weight, tumor location, biopsy method, number of biopsy procedures, experience level of clinician performing biopsy, and quality of biopsy sample was obtained from medical records. The association of variables with likelihood of achieving a diagnostic-quality biopsy sample was evaluated by use of logistic regression. Results—If used as the initial biopsy method, cystoscopic biopsy samples were of diagnostic quality in 65% of male dogs and 96% of female dogs with histologically confirmed TCC. Cystoscopic biopsy samples were significantly more likely to be of diagnostic quality in female dogs than in male dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Cystoscopic biopsy is an effective method to obtain biopsy samples in dogs with TCC of the bladder and urethra. Cystoscopy is more likely to produce a diagnostic-quality biopsy sample in female dogs with TCC than in male dogs with TCC. Cystoscopy should be considered as a primary means of biopsy in male and female dogs with masses of the urinary bladder or urethra. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2011;239:350–356)
Bradykinin stimulates phosphodiesteratic cleavage of phosphatidylcholine in cultured endothelial cells

Summary The ability of bradykinin to stimulate phosphodiesteratic cleavage of phosphatidylcholine (PC) was investigated in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells prelabeled with [3H]choline and [3H]myristic acid. Both labels were preferentially (≈ 80%) incorporated into PC. Bradykinin stimulated a rapid and parallel increase in approximately equivalent amounts of water soluble ([3H]choline plus [3H]phosphocholine) and lipid ([3H]phosphatidic acid plus [3H]diacylglycerol) phosphodiesteratic cleavage products of PC. Formation of the phosphodiesteratic cleavage products occurred prior to the maximum rate of release of prostacyclin into the medium, and ED50 values for both responses were similar (