cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence that endogenous relaxin promotes growth of the vagina and uterus during pregnancy in gilts

Recently, it was demonstrated that endogenous relaxin promotes growth of the vagina during the second half of pregnancy in rats and that administration of porcine relaxin promotes growth of the uterus in nonpregnant or early pregnant gilts. This study examined the effects of circulating relaxin on growth of both the vagina and uterus during the last two thirds of the 114-day gestation period in gilts. Furthermore, this study employed an in vitro immunohistochemical localization technique to determine whether the vagina and uterus in pigs have specific relaxin-binding sites. Three groups of pregnant gilts were used: sham-ovariectomized controls (group C; n = 8), ovariectomized progesterone-treated (group OP; n = 6), and ovariectomized progesterone- plus relaxin-treated (group OPR; n = 7). Gilts were either sham ovariectomized or ovariectomized on day 40 of gestation. Hormone replacement therapy with progesterone (group OP), progesterone plus relaxin (group OPR), or hormone vehicles (group C) began on day 38 (progesterone) or day 40 (relaxin) and continued until day 110. On day 110, the vagina and uterus were collected, and wet weight, dry weight, and percent hydration were determined. Small pieces (2-3 cm3) of the vagina and uterus from groups C and OP were frozen and cryosectioned for the immunohistochemical localization of relaxin-binding sites. Relaxin promoted growth of both the vagina and uterus. The wet weights of both the vagina and uterus in relaxin-deficient gilts (group OP) were lower (P < 0.05) than those in controls (group C), and relaxin replacement therapy (group OPR) restored the wet weights of both tissues to values that did not differ from those in controls. The mean dry weights and percent hydrations in the vagina and uterus did not differ among treatments. Immunohistochemical localization studies in the vagina and uterus demonstrated that specific and saturable binding of relaxin was localized in the same cell types of both tissues, namely epithelial cells (luminal in vagina, and both luminal and glandular in uterus), smooth muscle cells (both circular and longitudinal in vagina, and myometrial in uterus), and cells associated with blood vessels. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that circulating relaxin promotes growth of both the vagina and uterus during pregnancy in the pig. Furthermore, this study provides evidence that both the vagina and uterus contain specific and saturable relaxin-binding sites in epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and cells associated with blood vessels. We conclude that these cells probably initiate relaxin's effects on the vagina and uterus of the pregnant pig.
Glycerol kinase activity in adenoma alveolar type II cells

Although several in vivo [l-3] and whole-cell [4-121 studies have demonstrated lung tissue can incorporate glycerol into the glycerol backbone of lipids, the presence of glycerol kinase has not been conclusively demonstrated in the tissue [2,13-151. We have been particularly interested in the biosynthesis of dipahnitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, which is the major component of pulmonary surfactant and is synthesized by the alveolar type II cells. In previous studies [ 12,16-l 81 , pulmonary adenomas induced by urethan were demonstrated to be a useful model for studies of lipid metabolism in alveolar type II cells. These benign adenomas consist almost exclusively of type II cells that contain lamellar bodies [ 19,201 and synthesize surfactant as normal type II cells [12,16] . However, surfactant biosynthesis is more active in adenoma type II cells than in whole lung [12,18] where type II cells comprise only 10% of the cells [21] . We found that adenomas incubated in Krebs-Ringer phosphate buffer incorporated [2-3H, 1 ,3-14C]gly cerol into the glycerol moiety of phosphatidylcholine and other lipids [ 121. This finding implied glycerol kinase is present and led us to examine the type II cells for activity. In the studies reported here, we demonstrate the conversion of labeled glycerol to glycerophosphate by glycerol kinase in cell-free preparations from adenoma type II cells.
Exploring degrees of entanglement

In spite of a long history, the quantification of entanglement still calls for exploration. What matters about entanglement depends on the situation, and so presumably do the numbers suitable for its quantification. Regardless of situational complications, a necessary first step is to make available for calculation some quantitative measure of entanglement. Here we define a geometric degree of entanglement, distinct from earlier definitions, but in the case of bipartite pure states related to that proposed by Shimony (Ann N Y Acad Sci 755:675---679, 1995). The definition offered here applies also to multipartite mixed states, and a variational method simplifies the calculation. We analyze especially states that are invariant under permutation of particles, states that we call bosonic. Of interest to quantum sensing, for bosonic states, we show that no partial trace can increase a degree of entanglement. For some sample cases we quantify the degree of entanglement surviving a partial trace. As a function of the degree of entanglement of a bosonic 3-qubit pure state, we show the range of degree of entanglement for the 2-qubit reduced density matrix obtained from it by a partial trace. Then we calculate an upper bound on the degree of entanglement of the mixed state obtained as a partial trace over one qubit of a 4-qubit bosonic state. As a reminder of the situational dependence of the advantage of entanglement, we review the way in which entanglement combines with scattering theory in the example of light-based radar.
Significance of intraepithelial lymphocytosis in small bowel biopsy samples with normal mucosal architecture

Significance of intraepithelial lymphocytosis in small bowel biopsy samples with normal mucosal architecture
Research and practice reciprocity in software process simulation

The young field of software process simulation was born out of research that stimulated the imagination of many researchers who created a vision for addressing "the software problem." Though the vision has yet to be realized widely, the need for the field is growing and benefits are being seen slowly. Opportunity for continued growth of this field lies in the reciprocity between research and industrial practice. An agenda for advancing software process simulation through this reciprocity is offered.
n-Type GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure detector with a 3.2 THz threshold frequency

Terahertz detection using the free-carrier absorption requires a small internal work function of the order of a few millielectron volts. A threshold frequency of 3.2 THz (93 microm or approximately 13 meV work function) is demonstrated by using a 1 x 10(18) cm(-3) Si-doped GaAs emitter and an undoped Al(0.04)Ga(0.96)As barrier structure. The peak responsivity of 6.5 A/W, detectivity of 5.5 x 10(8) Jones, and quantum efficiency of 19% were obtained at 7.1 THz under a bias field of 0.7 kV/cm at 6 K, while the detector spectral response range spans from 3.2 to 30 THz.
Systemic infusion and local irrigation with argatroban effective in preventing clot formation during carotid endarterectomy in a patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Background A therapeutic dilemma exists when patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis and concomitant heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) are advised to urgently undergo carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with heparin therapy. Methods After a 63-year-old man with HIT and multiple medical comorbidities underwent emergent coronary artery bypass grafting, postoperative imaging revealed plaque at the origin of the left internal carotid artery with 80%−99% stenosis and minimal contralateral internal carotid artery disease. During the patient's evaluation to undergo CEA for symptomatic high-grade carotid stenosis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed persistent platelet factor 4 antibodies. Results The endarterectomy was successfully performed while the patient received argatroban, both as a continuous infusion and intermittent irrigation during dissection of the plaque. Postoperatively, the drip was continued for 24 hours, and the patient was discharged day 2 on a daily dose of 325 mg of aspirin. At the 6-month examination, Doppler ultrasound revealed normal anterograde velocities with no evidence of stenosis, and the patient noted no subsequent ischemic events. Conclusions We now recommend systemic intravenous and local argatroban irrigation to prevent thromboembolic complications in CEA cases with HIT and renal insufficiency. Bivalirudin for both systemic intravenous use and local irrigation may be safer in patients without renal insufficiency because of its shorter half-life.
Nutritional status and the allocation of time in Rwandese households

Abstract This paper analyzes the activity patterns of adult men and women in approximately 110 Rwandese households surveyed four times in 1982–1983. Dynamic models are separately estimated for men and women for the time spent sleeping and resting, performing heavy activities, doing housework, and on agriculture. The models postulate simultaneity between men and women's activities and investigate the differential feedbacks. The main findings are that low incomes and high food prices reduce the households' energy intakes, thereby forcing the adults to spend additional time resting and sleeping. Second, both men and women share the workload in spite of poor nutritional status. Third, for women, there is substitution between housework and agriculture, the former tasks being relegated to other household members. Lastly, energy intakes of twice the Basal Metabolic Rate seem inadequate for the sustenance of active adults. The policy implications of the results are discussed.
LEO to ground optical communications from a small satellite platform

A pair of 2.2 kg CubeSats using COTS hardware is being developed for a proof-of-principle optical communications demo from a 450-600 km LEO orbit to ground. The 10x10x15 cm platform incorporates a 25% wall-plug efficient 10-W Yb fiber transmitter emitting at 1.06 μm. Since there are no gimbals on board, the entire spacecraft is body-steered toward the ground station. The pointing accuracy of the LEO craft, which governs the data rate capability, is expected to be ~ 0.1-0.2 deg. Two optical ground stations, located at the Mt. Wilson observatory, have receiver apertures of 30 and 80 cm. Launch of the CubeSat pair is anticipated to be mid to late 2015.
What to Advise Patients About HerniasADVISING PATIENTS ABOUT HERNIAS

Kamal M. F. Itani, MD; Kwan Hur, PhD; Lawrence T. Kim, MD; Thomas Anthony, MD; David H. Berger, MD, MHCM; Domenic Reda, PhD; Leigh Neumayer, MD; for the Veterans Affairs Ventral Incisional Hernia InvestigatorsBackground: Laparoscopic repair of ventral incisional hernias has not been proved to be safer than open mesh repair.Design: Prospective randomized trial conducted between February 1, 2004, to January 31, 2007.Setting: Four Veterans Affairs medical centers.Participants: One hundred sixty-two patients with ventral incisional hernias.Interventions: Standardized laparoscopic or open repair.Main Outcome Measures: Overall complication rates at 8 weeks and the odds of complications, adjusted for study site, body mass index, and hernia type.Results:: Of the 162 randomized patients, 146 underwent surgery (73 open and 73 laparoscopic repairs). Complications were less common in the laparoscopic group (23 patients [31.5%]) compared with the open repair group (35 patients [47.9%]; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.91; P = .03). Surgical site infection through 8 weeks was less common in the laparoscopic group (5.6% vs 23.3%; AOR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.6). The mean worst pain score in the laparoscopic group was 15.2 mm lower on a visual analog scale at 52 weeks (95% CI, 1.0-29.3; P = .04). Time to resume work activities was shorter for the laparoscopic group than for the open repair group (median, 23.0 days vs 28.5 days), with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.54 (95% CI, 0.28-1.04; P = .06). Overall recurrence at 2 years was 12.5% in the laparoscopic group and 8.2% in the open repair group (AOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.5-4.7; adjusted P = .44).Conclusions: Laparoscopic repair was associated with fewer, albeit more severe, complications and improved some patient-centered outcomes.Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00240188
Compatibility of staining protocols for bone tissue with Raman imaging.

We report the use of Raman microscopy to image mouse calvaria stained with hematoxylin, eosin and toluidine blue. Raman imaging of stained specimens allows for direct correlation of histological and spectral information. A line-focus 785 nm laser imaging system with specialized near-infrared (NIR) microscope objectives and CCD detector were used to collect approximately 100 × 450 µm Raman images. Principal components analysis, a multivariate analysis technique, was used to determine whether the histological stains cause spectral interference (band shifts or intensity changes) or result in thermal damage to the examined tissue. Image analysis revealed factors for tissue components and the embedding medium, glycol methacrylate, only. Thus, Raman imaging proved to be compatible with histological stains such as hematoxylin, eosin and toluidine blue.
Abstract 5273: VBIM technology identifies beta-catenin-like protein (BCLP) as a novel negative regulator of NF-kB

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. The nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) is an important family of transcription factors whose aberrant activation has been found in many types of cancer, including colon cancer. Therefore, understanding the regulation of NF-kB is of ultimate importance for cancer therapy. The purpose of this study is to use a novel validation-based insertional mutagenesis (VBIM) strategy to identify novel regulators of NF-kB, and further evaluate their roles in the regulation of NF-kB signaling in colon cancer cells. We infected D1 cells (293 derived cells with hyper active NF-kB activity) with VBIM virus to cause the overexpression of negative regulators of NF-kB, and then further selected the mutant cells with low NF-kB activity under ganciclovir (GCV) treatment. Targeted gene was then identified by using VBIM specific primers. In a preliminary screen, we identified the novel beta-catenin like protein (BCLP) gene as a negative regulator of NF-kB. Overexpression of BCLP led to decreased NF-kB activity by kB reporter assay, while knocking it down had the opposite effect. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of BCLP in HT29 colon cancer cells greatly reduced both the number and the size of colonies that were formed in a soft agar assay, while sh-RNA mediated knockdown resulted in an opposite effect, confirming that BCLP is a tumor suppressor in HT29 cells. Our future experiments aim to further assess the role of BCLP in colon tumor formation in a mouse xenograft model. In summary, by using the novel VBIM technique, we identified BCLP as a novel negative regulator of NF-kB. This discovery could lead to the establishment of BCLP as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in colon cancer. Citation Format: Rasika Mundade, Tao Lu. VBIM technology identifies beta-catenin-like protein (BCLP) as a novel negative regulator of NF-kB. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5273. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5273
Energy use in United States agriculture: A critique of recent research

Abstract Most studies of energy use in United States agriculture apply system boundaries which lead to incomplete estimates of total energy drawn upon for agricultural production. In this article, the purpose of using different system boundaries is discussed briefly. Examples are given from recent literature where insufficient attention to system boundaries led to erroneous conclusions, even in regard to the purpose of these studies. The conclusion is that system boundary should be considered in relation to the purpose of each study and that studies aiming at comprehensive coverage need to incorporate results of input-output analysis such as the Herendeen coefficients; in addition, all data need to be updated from time to time.
Novel, photon counting X-ray detectors

A novel sealed gaseous parallel plate avalanche chamber detector is described which is significantly less prone to discharges and can consequently achieve high gas gains at high counting rates. The detector has demonstrated stable gains greater than 10 4 at counting rates in excess of 10 7 counts/mm 2 s.
The Changing Image of the Career Woman

During the 1950s there was an effort to assimilate the idea that a married woman could work if her family came first. Women with genuine career interest were described as both rare and maladjusted; research data were interpreted as supporting this negative view. Today there is a decrease in the emphasis on motherhood and a new look at career women. Even women who matured in an earlier day have been favorably described in research findings. Current research gives a more differentiated view of the personality of career women, analyzes the institutional arrangements and prejudiced attitudes which handicap women, and reappraises the concepts of masculine and feminine characteristics and their roles in the personality.
Model Reference Adaptive Control of Train Dynamic Braking

Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) is developed to control the amount of current through the traction motors under various wheel/rail adhesion conditions while braking. More accurate estimation and control of train braking distance will allow the trains to be run with closer spacing. In order to minimize the braking distance of a train, dynamic braking forces need to be maximized while maintaining good wheel/rail adhesion. Wheel/rail adhesion coefficient plays an important role in safe train braking. Excessively large dynamic braking can cause wheel lockup that can damage the wheels and the rail. In addition, it can cause large buff loads that cause derailment or coupler damage. Dynamic braking force is directly proportional to the current supplied to the traction motors. In this study, a multibody formulation of a locomotive and three railcars is used to develop a model reference adaptive controller for adjusting the current provided to the traction motors such that the maximum dynamic braking is achieved, without wheel lockup. Aerodynamic drag and air brake forces are included in the model. The coupler forces are also considered in the control model to ensure that they remain within acceptable levels. The results indicate that the MRAC system significantly improves braking distance while maintaining better wheel/rail adhesion and coupler dynamics during braking.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A survey of airflow models for multizone structures

Abstract Airflow models are used to simulate the rates of incoming and outgoing airflows for a building with known leakage under given weather and shielding conditions. Additional information about the flow paths and air-mass flows inside the building can only be made by using multizone airflow models. In order to obtain more information on multizone airflow models, a literature review was performed in 1984. A second literature review and a questionnaire survey performed in 1989 revealed the existence of 50 multizone airflow models, all developed since 1966, two of which are still under development. All these programs use similar flow equations for crack flow, but differ in the versatility to describe the full range of flow phenomena and the algorithm provided for solving the set of nonlinear equations. This literature review has found that newer models are able to describe and simulate the ventilation systems and interrelation of mechanical and natural ventilation.
Deep-inelastic scattering in a modified bag model.

Deep-inelastic scattering structure functions are calculated in a cloudy bag model with surface dynamics. The model is solved in the adiabatic approximation, the resultant wave functions are projected onto states of zero momentum, and valence-quark distributions are calculated. These distributions are evolved to ${Q}^{2}$=15 ${\mathrm{GeV}}^{2}$ using QCD perturbation theory, where they are compared with experiment. Qualitative agreement is achieved.
Steady-State Frictional Sliding of Two Elastic Bodies With a Wavy Contact Interface

Dry frictional sliding of two elastic bodies, one of which has a periodic wavy surface, is considered, Such a model represents the frictional sliding of two nominally flat surfaces, one of which has periodically spaced asperities. The dependence of the true contact area on loading is analyzed by using the plane strain theory of elasticity. Fourier series and integral transform techniques are applied to reduce the problem to an integral equation which is solved using a series of Jacobi polynomials. For steady-state dynamic frictional sliding with given values of the friction coefficient, materials constants, and sliding velocity, the dependence of the contact zone length on the remotely applied tractions is determined. The results indicate a decrease of the minimum applied traction required to close the gap between the bodies, with an increase of the friction coefficient and/or the sliding velocity. A resonance exists as the sliding velocity approaches the Rayleigh wave speed of the flat body.
Effects of parton intrinsic transverse momentum on photon production in hard-scattering processes

We calculate the photon production cross section arising from the hard scattering of partons in nucleon-nucleon collisions by taking into account the intrinsic parton transverse momentum distribution and the next-to-leading-order contributions. As first pointed out by Owens, the inclusion of the intrinsic transverse momentum distribution of partons leads to an enhancement of photon production cross section in the region of photon transverse momenta of a few GeV/c for nucleon-nucleon collisions at a center-of-mass energy of a few tens of GeV. The enhancement increases as {radical} (s) decreases. Such an enhancement is an important consideration in the region of photon momenta under investigation in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Inflammatory response of lung macrophages and epithelial cells to tobacco smoke: a literature review of ex vivo investigations

Chronic inflammation contributes to the initiation and progression of tumors and tobacco smoke-associated inflammation is associated with malignant and certain non-neoplastic lung diseases. Reported herein are the results of an interpretative synthesis review of the literature assessing the inflammatory response of lung macrophages (MΦ) and epithelial cells to tobacco smoke as measured ex vivo. Papers were retrieved using Boolean operations from PubMed and Scopus. Many writings reported the results of assays of human MΦ from fresh surgically excised human lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage, activated blood monocytes, long-term cell lines and MΦ from different laboratory animals. Some publications reported the findings of comparative studies of lung MΦ freshly isolated from the lungs of smokers and non-smokers. Other papers described the effect of tobacco smoke on lung epithelial cells. Most investigators quantified the response of the target cells to tobacco smoke by measuring the production of pro-inflammatory mediators; these included chemokines, cytokines, reactive oxygen species and enzymes. Investigators have reported conflicting observations of the response of human and animal MΦ and epithelial cells to tobacco smoke. The spectrum included papers describing robust production of various inflammatory mediators, significant reduction of a pro-inflammatory response to a known stimulant and overt cytotoxicity. This literature review documents that there exists no consensus, and no emerging trend line, of the reproducible effect(s) of cigarette smoke. This discrepancy reflects the absence of standardized protocols for collecting, processing and bioassaying the smoke, a highly complex aerosol, and identifies the need for establishing collaborative research schemes.
Structural Information in Probabilistic Framework: A Long Term Portfolio Performance Analysis

Based upon the raw S&P 500 portfolio performance in eight consecutive years, this paper gives an overview analysis of the application of influence diagram to portfolio management. Our findings provide a ground for the question: Is the structure information provide by the expert superior to the one generated by the data? In this study we use an artificial intelligence system called Influence Diagram for portfolio selection. The system was constructed using both expert opinion and an automated system called BN Power Constructor and we found that the expert constructed system outperform human portfolio manager and market in the years of 1995 to 2003.
SIGSEQ: a computer program for predicting signal sequence cleavage sites

A computer program to predict the signal sequence cleavage site, based on the von Heijn's method, has been implemented in the C language. The program is run interactively with options specified in the program run command line or entered at program prompts for information
Fatty acids modulate porcine adipocyte differentiation and transcripts for transcription factors and adipocyte-characteristic proteins☆

Porcine stromal-vascular cells (S/V cells) differentiate into adipocytes in vitro when presented with appropriate hormones and growth factors. Porcine S/V cells were differentiated in vitro in serum-free media with or without fatty acids to determine the effect of fatty acids on differentiation and on transcripts for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2). Differentiation was measured by Oil Red O staining and transcript concentrations were measured by Northern analysis using porcine riboprobes. Addition of 100 µM oleic acid (C18:1) for 5 days increased differentiation and the mRNA levels for PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, LPL and aP2. Other medium- and long-chain fatty acids were less active. Adipocyte differentiation and transcript concentrations for PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, LPL and aP2 were increased by C18:1 in a dose-related manner. Differentiation was greater at 10 days than at 5 days than at 1 day, and C18:1 increased differentiation at each time. Transcript concentrations were increased by C18:1 at 1 and 5 days, but not at 10 days. These results suggest that the main effect of C18:1 is on regulating gene expression (an acute or drug-like effect) rather than changing the membrane fluidity as a result of changing membrane fatty acid composition (a chronic or nutrient-like effect). Taken together, these results indicate that selected fatty acids modulate porcine adipocyte differentiation and transcripts for adipocyte differentiation-related proteins such as PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, LPL and aP2.
Thyroid mimetic as an option for lowering low-density lipoprotein

In this issue of PNAS, Berkenstam et al. (1) demonstrate that the synthetic thyroid hormone mimetic KB2115 produces a marked reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This mimetic is designed to have a selective effect on the β-isoform of the thyroid hormone receptor. Activation of this receptor has been reported to modify cholesterol metabolism in the liver but not to affect the heart (2, 3). The β-isoform of the receptor is to be distinguished from the α-isoform, which mediates the cardiogenic actions of thyroid hormone.
Private health insurance and public expenditures in Jamaica

Abstract Many governments who have large public health care systems are looking for means to reduce the public's financial burden. One approach is to increase reliance on private health care delivery through expanded private insurance coverage. Using data from Jamaica, we estimate models of the demand for medical care. We find that insurance does induce individuals to opt out of the public sector in favor of the higher-quality private sector, thereby reducing total public expenditures on health care. Moreover, since insurance is concentrated among the upper income groups, expanded insurance coverage better targets public expenditures to the poor.
Glomeruloid Microvascular Proliferation Follows Adenoviral Vascular Permeability Factor/Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-164 Gene Delivery

Glomeruloid bodies are a defining histological feature of glioblastoma multiforme and some other tumors and vascular malformations. Little is known about their pathogenesis. We injected a nonreplicating adenoviral vector engineered to express vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor-164 (VPF/VEGF(164)) into the ears of athymic mice. This vector infected local cells that strongly expressed VPF/VEGF(164) mRNA for 10 to 14 days, after which expression gradually declined. Locally expressed VPF/VEGF(164) induced an early increase in microvascular permeability, leading within 24 hours to edema and deposition of extravascular fibrin; in addition, many pre-existing microvessels enlarged to form thin-walled, pericyte-poor, "mother" vessels. Glomeruloid body precursors were first detected at 3 days as focal accumulations of rapidly proliferating cells in the endothelial lining of mother vessels, immediately adjacent to cells expressing VPF/VEGF(164). Initially, glomeruloid bodies were comprised of endothelial cells but subsequently pericytes and macrophages also participated. As they enlarged by endothelial cell and pericyte proliferation, glomeruloid bodies severely compromised mother vessel lumens and blood flow. Subsequently, as VPF/VEGF(164) expression declined, glomeruloid bodies devolved throughout a period of weeks by apoptosis and reorganization into normal-appearing microvessels. These results provide the first animal model for inducing glomeruloid bodies and indicate that VPF/VEGF(164) is sufficient for their induction and necessary for their maintenance.
Snake modulates constriction in response to prey's heartbeat

Many species of snakes use constriction—the act of applying pressure via loops of their trunk—to subdue and kill their prey. Constriction is costly and snakes must therefore constrict their prey just long enough to ensure death. However, it remains unknown how snakes determine when their prey is dead. Here, we demonstrate that boas (Boa constrictor) have the remarkable ability to detect a heartbeat in their prey and, based on this signal, modify the pressure and duration of constriction accordingly. We monitored pressure generated by snakes as they struck and constricted warm cadaveric rats instrumented with a simulated heart. Snakes responded to the beating heart by constricting longer and with greater total pressure than when constricting rats with no heartbeat. When the heart was stopped midway through the constriction, snakes abandoned constriction shortly after the heartbeat ceased. Furthermore, snakes naive to live prey also responded to the simulated heart, suggesting that this behaviour is at least partly innate. These results are an example of how snakes integrate physiological cues from their prey to modulate a complex and ancient behavioural pattern.
Multigene Families, Differential Transcription and Differential Splicing: Different Origin of Contractile Isoproteins in Muscle

I would like to summarize some of the results obtained in Bernardo Nadal-Ginard’s lab in the last two years concerning the number, structure and regulation of the genes for the isoforms of rat muscle protein, I will concentrate on the gene(s) for three of these proteins: myosin heavy chain (MHC), myosin light chain 1/3 (LC1/3) and Troponin T (TNT). The work to be presented has been carried out in collaboration with the following investigators in our lab: MHC: Vijak Mahdavi, Danuta Bois, Muthu Periasamy, Robert Wydro and Russell Medford; LC1/3: Muthu Periasamy and Leonard Garfinkel; TNT: Hanh Nguyen, Russell Medford and Antonia Destree.
Partially Quasi-Cyclic Protograph-Based LDPC Codes

A significant amount of the analysis of protograph-based low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes has been devoted to the subclass of quasi-cyclic (QC) LDPC codes. Despite their implementation advantages and algebraic properties that make them easy to analyze, protograph-based QC-LDPC codes have undesirable fixed upper limits on important code parameters. This implies that picking a QC code from an asymptotically good or capacity approaching ensemble is suboptimal, since long QC codes will not perform close to the ensemble asymptotic limits. Indeed, these limits can only be achieved by codes that are not QC. In this paper we present an overview together with some new results on partially-QC protograph-based LDPC codes, i.e., LDPC codes whose parity-check matrix is partially composed of circulant submatrices. We perform both a minimum Hamming distance and girth analysis of these codes. Moreover, we present explicit partially-QC LDPC code constructions with parameters that exceed the restricted QC upper bounds.
Strategic planning in radiology

As radiology continues to evolve and grow, radiologists must be concerned with preparing radiology for the future. Decisions in capital investments, mergers, outpatient diagnostic clinics, and payment and liability issues will require practicing radiologists to develop and follow up managerial, interpersonal, and learning skills that were not as necessary in the past. To become adept in the new radiology environment and be able to manage change and deal with difficult decisions, radiologists need to acquire a background in strategy.
Targeting potassium channels in cancer

Potassium channels are pore-forming transmembrane proteins that regulate a multitude of biological processes by controlling potassium flow across cell membranes. Aberrant potassium channel functions contribute to diseases such as epilepsy, cardiac arrhythmia, and neuromuscular symptoms collectively known as channelopathies. Increasing evidence suggests that cancer constitutes another category of channelopathies associated with dysregulated channel expression. Indeed, potassium channel–modulating agents have demonstrated antitumor efficacy. Potassium channels regulate cancer cell behaviors such as proliferation and migration through both canonical ion permeation–dependent and noncanonical ion permeation–independent functions. Given their cell surface localization and well-known pharmacology, pharmacological strategies to target potassium channel could prove to be promising cancer therapeutics.
Sleep disorders in psychiatry

Sleep is an active state that is critical for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Sleep is also important for optimal cognitive functioning, and sleep disruption results in functional impairment. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in psychiatry. At any given time, 50% of adults are affected with 1 or more sleep problems such as difficulty in falling or staying asleep, in staying awake, or in adhering to a consistent sleep/wake schedule. Narcolepsy affects as many individuals as does multiple sclerosis or Parkinson disease. Sleep problems are especially prevalent in schizophrenia, depression, and other mental illnesses, and every year, sleep disorders, sleep deprivation, and sleepiness add billions to the national health care bill in industrialized countries. Although psychiatrists often treat patients with insomnia secondary to depression, most patients discuss their insomnia with general care physicians, making it important to provide this group with clear guidelines for the diagnosis and management of insomnia. Once the specific medical, behavioral, or psychiatric causes of the sleep problem have been identified, appropriate treatment can be undertaken. Chronic insomnia has multiple causes arising from medical disorders, psychiatric disorders, primary sleep disorders, circadian rhythm disorders, social or therapeutic use of drugs, or maladaptive behaviors. The emerging concepts of sleep neurophysiology are consistent with the cholinergic-aminergic imbalance hypothesis of mood disorders, which proposes that depression is associated with an increased ratio of central cholinergic to aminergic neurotransmission. The characteristic sleep abnormalities of depression may reflect a relative predominance of cholinergic activity. Antidepressant medications presumably reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep either by their anticholinergic properties or by enhancing aminergic neurotransmission. Intense and prolonged dreams often accompany abrupt withdrawal from antidepressant drugs, a reflection of an REM rebound after drug-induced REM deprivation. The postulated link between sleep and psychiatric disorders has been reinforced by the findings of modern neurobiology.
Shaping Future Pedagogy: World Culture Awareness and Crossing Disciplines

This article reports the results of a qualitative study in cross-discipline exercises supervised over the past 5 years. The research questions are presented and methodology explained, as well as drawbacks and recommendations for future projects. The overall objective of all the exercises described in this article is to educate students in the value of crossing cultural lines and inculcate within them a new world perspective about the Hispanic population.
Instant dehazing of images using polarization

We present an approach to easily remove the effects of haze from images. It is based on the fact that usually airlight scattered by atmospheric particles is partially polarized. Polarization filtering alone cannot remove the haze effects, except in restricted situations. Our method, however, works under a wide range of atmospheric and viewing conditions. We analyze the image formation process, taking into account polarization effects of atmospheric scattering. We then invert the process to enable the removal of haze from images. The method can be used with as few as two images taken through a polarizer at different orientations. This method works instantly, without relying on changes of weather conditions. We present experimental results of complete dehazing in far from ideal conditions for polarization filtering. We obtain a great improvement of scene contrast and correction of color. As a by product, the method also yields a range (depth) map of the scene, and information about properties of the atmospheric particles.
Perceptual learning of orientation judgments in oblique meridians

Fourteen daily training sessions in orientation discrimination of foveal lines in the 45-deg meridian improved thresholds in the trained meridian by an average of 25 % in five observers. A substantial amount of training transferred to the other obliques, but none to the cardinal meridians, with a consequent reduction in the oblique effect. The data were interpreted as showing perceptual learning at two levels: performance facilitation specific to the trained orientation and improved proficiency globally. The failure of the cardinal orientations to share in the benefit is likely to have its origin in the fact that contour orientation in these meridians is so well established that it had already reached maximum hyperacuity thresholds. The judgment of obliques depends much more than the judgment of cardinals on whether the comparison and test stimuli are shown simultaneously or in succession, but this effect is not changed by perceptual training.
Osteonecrosis in Patients Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Case-Control Study

To evaluate risk factors for osteonecrosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, demographic and clinical characteristics of case patients (n = 17) and control patients (n = 34) matched on initial clinic visit date, length of follow-up, and baseline CD4 cell count were compared. Case patients were more likely to have received corticosteroids (47.1% vs. 8.8%; matched odds ratio [OR], 13.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-106), to have had an increase in CD4 cell count from nadir > 0.050 × 10 9 cells/L (64.7% vs. 35.3%; OR, 4.9; 95% CI, 1.0-24), and to have had Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (52.9% vs. 11.8%; OR, 7.6; 95% CI, 1.6-36). Use of protease inhibitors and history of other opportunistic infections did not significantly differ. In multivariate analysis, use of corticosteroids remained significantly associated with osteonecrosis, independently of HIV disease stage and protease inhibitor therapy. Corticosteroid use is an important risk factor for osteonecrosis, but its pathogenesis is likely multifactorial.
Complex Cell Cycle Abnormalities Caused by Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Tax

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), a malignancy of CD4(+) T cells whose etiology is thought to be associated with the viral trans-activator Tax. We have shown recently that Tax can drastically upregulate the expression of p27(Kip1) and p21(CIP1/WAF1) through protein stabilization and mRNA trans-activation and stabilization, respectively. The Tax-induced surge in p21(CIP1/WAF1) and p27(Kip1) begins in S phase and results in cellular senescence. Importantly, HeLa and SupT1 T cells infected by HTLV-1 also arrest in senescence, thus challenging the notion that HTLV-1 infection causes cell proliferation. Here we use time-lapse microscopy to investigate the effect of Tax on cell cycle progression in two reporter cell lines, HeLa/18x21-EGFP and HeLa-FUCCI, that express enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of 18 copies of the Tax-responsive 21-bp repeat element and fluorescent ubiquitin cell cycle indicators, respectively. Tax-expressing HeLa cells exhibit elongated or stalled cell cycle phases. Many of them bypass mitosis and become single senescent cells as evidenced by the expression of senescence-associated β-galactosidase. Such cells have twice the normal equivalent of cellular contents and hence are enlarged, with exaggerated nuclei. Interestingly, nocodazole treatment revealed a small variant population of HeLa/18x21-EGFP cells that could progress into mitosis normally with high levels of Tax expression, suggesting that genetic or epigenetic changes that prevent Tax-induced senescence can occur spontaneously at a detectable frequency.
Pfizer Tablet Hardness Tester

Hardness has long been regarded as an important quality characteristic of tablets. Until recently, only two practical types of tablet hardness testers were available to the pharmaceutical industry. A new addition to this field of testing has just been made. An evaluation of the new instrument includes test comparisons against existing tablet hardness test equipment.
Stop Thinking and Start Doing: Switching From Cognitive Therapy to Behavioral Activation in a Case of Chronic Treatment-Resistant Depression

Several recent investigations have demonstrated that Cognitive Therapy (CT) and Behavioral Activation (BA) are both efficacious treatments for depression (Butler, Chapman, Forman, & Beck, 2006; Dimidjian et al., 2006; Dobson, 1989; Gloaguen, Cottraux, Cucherat, & Blackburn, 1998; Hollon, Thase, & Markowitz, 2002; Jacobson et al., 1996). This investigation focuses on the treatment of Mr. X, a 62-year-old man with chronic treatment-resistant depression and comorbid personality pathology. After a course of 21 sessions of CT, treatment was switched to BA. We present daily mood data from 147 days of each treatment. Generalized least squares analyses of these time series data demonstrated that BA was associated with improved mood and these results were supported by clinical observation of improved functioning during the course of BA. We hypothesize that efforts at cognitive restructuring had an iatrogenic effect on this client and paradoxically triggered depressive rumination; these failed efforts provided further evidence in support of his underlying defectiveness schema. We also speculate that this client's dependent personality ran counter to CT's emphasis on autonomous homework assignments. Future randomized clinical trials are needed to investigate if nonresponders to CT benefit by switching to BA.
Third trimester-equivalent ethanol exposure does not alter complex spikes and climbing fiber long-term depression in cerebellar Purkinje neurons from juvenile rats

Background Studies indicate that exposure to ethanol (EtOH) during fetal development damages cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs). PC proximal dendrites receive glutamatergic input from climbing fibers (CFs) originating at the inferior olive. CF input produces a characteristic response in PCs known as the complex spike (CS). During the first 2 weeks of life in rodents (equivalent to the human third trimester of pregnancy), CF–PC synapses undergo profound refinement. Here, we characterized the impact of EtOH exposure during this period on CF-evoked responses in PCs. Methods Using vapor chambers, neonatal rat pups and their mothers were exposed to air or EtOH for 4 h/d between postnatal day 2 (P2) and P12 (pup serum EtOH concentration, 0.16 g/dl). The function of CF–PC synapses was characterized using patch-clamp electrophysiological techniques in acute slices from the cerebellar vermis. Experiments were performed soon after EtOH withdrawal, when perisomatic CFs are still being eliminated (P15 to P17), and after weaning when CF dendritic translocation is almost complete (P21 to P34). Results Neither the baseline characteristics of the CS (Na+ spike amplitude, area, coastline index, and afterhyperpolarization [AHP] amplitude) nor the type-1 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1)-mediated component of both the CS and AHP were significantly affected by EtOH exposure at P15 to P17 or P21 to P34. The mGluR1-dependent long-term depression (LTD) of CF-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents was not significantly affected by EtOH exposure at P21 to P34. Conclusions EtOH exposure during the third trimester equivalent neither affected basal characteristics of the CS nor CF-LTD at rat cerebellar PCs from juvenile rats.
Self-efficacy and affective responses to short bouts of exercise

Abstract One of the most commonly cited barriers to exercise participation is lack of available time. Furthermore, the minimum exercise duration required to produce physiological changes has seen considerable attention, whereas the minimum duration required to produce psychological benefits has been largely ignored. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to contrast the effects of 10, 15, and 20 minutes of treadmill running on self-efficacy and affective responses. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that self-efficacy increased in all participants (p < .001). Furthermore, multivariate analyses of variance showed that each condition generated increases in positive well-being and decreases in psychological distress (p's< .05). Correlational analyses of post-exercise assessments indicated that self-efficacy levels were positively related to positive well-being and inversely related to fatigue. These findings suggest that 10 minutes of aerobic exercise is sufficient to enhance exercise-r...