cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transmembrane calcium influx induced by ac electric fields

Exogenous electric fields induce cellular responses including redistribution of integral membrane proteins, reorganization of microfilament structures, and changes in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i). Although increases in [Ca2+]i caused by application of direct current electric fields have been documented, quantitative measurements of the effects of alternating current (ac) electric fields on [Ca2+]i are lacking and the Ca2+ pathways that mediate such effects remain to be identified. Using epifluorescence microscopy, we have examined in a model cell type the [Ca2+]i response to ac electric fields. Application of a 1 or 10 Hz electric field to human hepatoma (Hep3B) cells induces a fourfold increase in [Ca2+]i (from 50 nM to 200 nM) within 30 min of continuous field exposure. Depletion of Ca2+ in the extracellular medium prevents the electric field-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane is responsible for the [Ca2+]i increase. Incubation of cells with the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 does not inhibit ac electric field-induced increases in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that receptor-regulated release of intracellular Ca2+ is not important for this effect. Treatment of cells with either the stretch-activated cation channel inhibitor GdCl3 or the nonspecific calcium channel blocker CoCl2 partially inhibits the [Ca2+]i increase induced by ac electric fields, and concomitant treatment with both GdCl3 and CoCl2 completely inhibits the field-induced [Ca2+]i increase. Since neither Gd3+ nor Co2+ is efficiently transported across the plasma membrane, these data suggest that the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by ac electric fields depends entirely on Ca2+ influx from the extracellular medium.
Development of structural hierarchy in injection-molded PVDF and PVDF/PMMA blends: part III. Spatial variation of superstructure as detected by small-angle light scattering

Abstract The shape and size of the superstructure developed in spatial structural gradients formed in the injection-molded PVDF/atactic-PMMA blends were studied using small-angle laser light scattering technique. The surface layers formed due to extensional flow exhibited an unusual two-point SALS patterns when viewed in Hv mode. At high mold temperature (especially with the 70/30 PVDF/PMMA sample due to even lower nucleation density), the region between skin and shear zone that formed under relatively low stresses exhibit low nucleation density resulting in spherulitic superstructure. The inner portions of the shear layer and the core were found to form prolate spheroidal spherulites with short axis oriented in the flow direction. The aspect ratios of these spherulites are about 1.1–1.14 and this anisotropy in shape was found even at the mid-plane of the samples indicating the persistence of the influence of flow on structure at such depths. The results indicate that the mold temperature has the most influence on the evolution of superstructure in the parts as compared to the injection speed though these two parameters are not completely independent of each other. The increase of PMMA concentration drastically reduces the size of the spherulites in all depths in the molded parts. This behavior was attributed to the reduction in crystallizability particularly to the decrease of chain diffusion with the addition of stiffer non-crystallizable PMMA chains.
Bayesian approaches to failure prediction for disk drives

Hard disk drive failures are rare but are often costly. The ability to predict failures is important to consumers, drive manufacturers, and computer system manufacturers alike. In this paper we investigate the abilities of two Bayesian methods to predict disk drive failures based on measurements of drive internal conditions. We first view the problem from an anomaly detection stance. We introduce a mixture model of naive Bayes submodels (i.e. clusters) that is trained using expectation-maximization. The second method is a naive Bayes classifier, a supervised learning approach. Both methods are tested on realworld data concerning 1936 drives. The predictive accuracy of both algorithms is far higher than the accuracy of thresholding methods used in the disk drive industry today.
Applying Research on Effective Bilingual Instruction in a Multi-District Inservice Teacher Training Program.

Abstract Helping teachers apply existing research on bilingual instruction is both a critical and complex problem. The Multi-district Trainer of Trainers Institute (MTTI) has used sophisticated staff development and research dissemination strategies to help teachers apply this body of research. This article has three purposes: (1) to describe the MTTI; (2) to analyze its impact; and (3) to examine MTTI as a research utilization process. Data were collected using interviews, questionnaires, observations and participant logs. The MTTI uses the Joyce and Showers staff training model, with important refinements in the peer coaching process. Teams of influential theoreticians and MTTI facilitators guide participants through cycles of training lasting several years. The content and bureaucratic arrangements are also described. MTTI has had substantial impact on participants’ use of bilingual instructional strategies in the classroom, on the institutionalization of these strategies in school settings, on the ins...
Biosynthetic Precursors of Vitamin K as Growth Promoters for Bacteroides melaninogenicus

Abstract The growth of a vitamin K-requiring strain of Bacteroides melaninogenicus was promoted by some postulated and proven biosynthetic precursors of bacterial menaquinones, 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, shikimic acid, chorismic acid, and 4(2′-carboxyphenyl)-4-oxobutyric acid. Growth of the organism with [2′,4-14C2]-4(2′-carboxy phenyl)-4-oxobutyric acid as the vitamin K replacement gave rise to a mixture of radioactive menaquinone-9 and menaquinone-10; the dilution factor for this incorporation was 1.8.
Structural basis of permeability in sequential segments of the microvasculature of the diaphragm. I. Bipolar microvascular fields.

Abstract A new method is described for the reliable identification of successive segments in the microvasculature of skeletal muscle. The procedure relies on the existence in the postero-lateral regions of the mouse diaphragm of bipolar microvascular fields (BMFs) in which the supplying arteriole enters and the draining venules leave the capillary bed from opposite ends. In such fields the different segments of the microvasculature were initially recognized at the light microscope level in whole mounts of the muscle; their identity was confirmed by successive examination under the light and the electron microscope. In these BMFs, the average capillary path length is ∼580 μm, the average inner diameter increases progressively from ∼3 μm for the arteriolar, to ∼3.5 μm for the venular segments of capillaries; from this level, there is a sharp increase to the inner diameters of the postcapillary venules (∼11.5 μm). The new procedure has the advantage of allowing precise sampling in the muscle microvasculature and can be used to study regional differences in the structure and function of the small vessels of the peripheral vasculature.
On Interpolation Errors over Quadratic Nodal Triangular Finite Elements

Interpolation techniques are used to estimate function values and their derivatives at those points for which a numerical solution of any equation is not explicitly evaluated. In particular, the shape functions are used to interpolate a solution (within an element) of a partial differential equation obtained by the finite element method. Mesh generation and quality improvement are often driven by the objective of minimizing the bounds on the error of the interpolated solution. For linear elements, the error bounds at a point have been derived as a composite function of the shape function values at the point and its distance from the element’s nodes. We extend the derivation to quadratic triangular elements and visualize the bounds for both the function interpolant and the interpolant of its derivative. The maximum error bound for a function interpolant within an element is computed using the active set method for constrained optimization. For the interpolant of the derivative, we visually observe that the evaluation of the bound at the corner vertices is sufficient to find the maximum bound within an element.We characterize the bounds and develop a mesh quality improvement algorithm that optimizes the bounds through the movement (r-refinement) of both the corner vertices and edge nodes in a high-order mesh.
Brain-systemic temperature gradient is temperature-dependent in children with severe traumatic brain injury.

Objectives:To understand the gradient between rectal and brain temperature in children after severe traumatic brain injury. We hypothesized that the rectal temperature and brain temperature gradient will be influenced by the child's body surface area and that this relationship will persist over phys
Tracing digital thyroid culture: building communities of support

In this poster presentation, the author traces health communication in online spaces, especially conversations about hypothyroidism on Twitter. Specifically, the author looks at how participants on Twitter use the hashtag #hypothyroidism for patient agency and advocacy. The strength of ties between #hypothyroidism (the Twitter hashtag) and the actors necessary for its existence is also discussed. This poster presentation argues that Twitter can strengthen patient agency and advocacy in both online and offline relationships between hypothyroidism patients and healthcare professionals. Patient agency and advocacy is accomplished because Twitter helps to build communities of support between and among patients and professionals through the immediacy and accessibility of information.
An execution model for limited ambiguity rules and its application to derived data update

A novel execution model for rule application in active databases is developed and applied to the problem of updating derived data in a database represented using a semantic, object-based database model. The execution model is based on the use of “limited ambiguity rules” (LARs), which permit disjunction in rule actions. The execution model essentially performs a breadth-first exploration of alternative extensions of a user-requested update. Given an object-based database schema, both integrity constraints and specifications of derived classes and attributes are compiled into a family of limited ambiguity rules. A theoretical analysis shows that the approach is sound: the execution model returns all valid “completions” of a user-requested update, or terminates with an appropriate error notification. The complexity of the approach in connection with derived data update is considered.
men's changing image of women in Nahuat oral tradition

This paper describes how men change their image of women in folktales when women improve their position in a male-dominant family system. Comparison of cognate folktales from two Sierra Nahuat communities in Mexico that represent stages of family change shows how storytellers alter the competence and sexuality of their female characters when women acquire more control over strategic resources.
Optical Properties of a Polyimide for Waveguide Applications in On-Chip Interconnects

In this work. we report on characterization methods and the optical properties of a polyimide (Ultradel 9020D). The prism coupling technique was used to couple light into polyimide thin films. The scattered light from the surface was imaged to determine the optical loss at different wavelengths. The coupling angle was used to find the refractive index of the films. The stability of the polymer in terms of refractive index and absorption losses was studied by heat treatment under nitrogen at elevated temperatures. No significant change was observed in the properties of the film at annealing temperatures below 200°C. The bulk and surface losses were separated and it was found that the waveguide losses were dominated by bulk losses. Temperature stability of the polymer was evaluated by annealing the polymer at 125°C for up to 30 hours. No significant changes were seen in the optical losses for these times.
An assessment of pre- and within-season remotely sensed variables for forecasting corn and soybean yields in the United States

Abstract Four timely and broadly available remotely sensed datasets were assessed for inclusion into county-level corn and soybean yield forecasting efforts focused on the Corn Belt region of the central United States (US). Those datasets were the (1) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as derived from the Terra satellite's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), (2) daytime and (3) nighttime land surface temperature (LST) as derived from Aqua satellite's MODIS, and (4) precipitation from the National Weather Service (NWS) Nexrad-based gridded data product. The originating MODIS data utilized were the globally produced 8-day, clear sky composited science products (MOD09Q1 and MYD11A2), while the US-wide NWS data were manipulated to mesh with the MODIS imagery both spatially and temporally by regridding and summing the otherwise daily measurements. The crop growing seasons of 2006–2011 were analyzed with each year bounded by 32 8-day periods from mid-February through late October. Land cover classifications known as the Cropland Data Layer as produced annually by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) were used to isolate the input dataset pixels as to corn and soybeans for each of the corresponding years. The relevant pixels were then averaged by crop and time period to produce a county-level estimate of NDVI, the LSTs, and precipitation. They in turn were related to official annual NASS county level yield statistics. For the Corn Belt region as a whole, both corn and soybean yields were found to be positively correlated with NDVI in the middle of the summer and negatively correlated to daytime LST at that same time. Nighttime LST and precipitation showed no correlations to yield, regardless of the time prior or during the growing season. There was also slight suggestion of low NDVI and high daytime LST in the spring being positively related to final yields, again for both crops. Taking only NDVI and daytime LST as inputs from the 2006–2011 dataset, regression tree-based models were built and county-level, within-sample coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.93 were found for both crops. Limiting the models by systematically removing late season data showed the model performance to remain strong even at mid-season and still viable even earlier. Finally, the derived models were used to predict out-of-sample for the 2012 season, which ended up having an anomalous drought. Yet, the county-level results compared reasonably well against official statistics with R2 = 0.77 for corn and 0.71 for soybeans. The root-mean-square errors were 1.26 and 0.42 metric tons per hectare, respectively.
Seismic Activity, Polar Tides and the Chandler Wobble

Earthquakes may be triggered by changes in the elastic energy which are neither too fast (∼days) nor too slow (∼106 yr). Such a point of view provides a qualitative understanding of suggested correlations between polar motion and the annual seismic energy release. The Chandler wobble and earthquakes may have a common excitation source—the release of elastic energy stored in the Earth—and we show that a resonant coupling between seismic activity and polar motion has the right sign and strength to explain the pumping of the Chandler wobble as a consequence of in-phase release of elastic energy.
Microstructural Changes in Inconel® 740 After Long-Term Aging in the Presence and Absence of Stress

The Ni-based alloy, Inconel® 740, is being extensively examined for use in advanced ultrasupercritical steam boilers because its precipitation-strengthened microstructure appears to offer the necessary creep strength under the high temperatures and pressures (up to 760°C and 35 MPa) needed for high efficiency power generation. However, because this application requires extremely long lifetimes under these conditions (up to 30 years), long-term microstructure stability is a major concern. In this paper, results from microstructural analyses of Inconel 740 specimens aged at 700 and 750°C in the presence and absence of creep loading for times up to ~31,000 h are presented. The primary focus was on the development of the eta η (Ni3Ti) phase and coarsening of coherent γ′-Ni3(Al,Ti) precipitates and its depletion near eta/matrix interfaces. However, despite these processes, Inconel 740 showed adequate long-term microstructural stability to assure adequate creep strength for the intended application.
On the use of Ga-In eutectic and halogen light source for testing P3HT-PCBM organic solar cells

Abstract In this paper, we report a simple and inexpensive method for testing the photovoltaic characteristics of organic devices. We report measurement data on P3HT–PCBM organic solar cells spin-coated from chloroform solutions, obtained using a Gallium–Indium eutectic top contact, and a halogen light source. We propose a method to correct the spectral mismatch of this light source with the solar spectrum. The effect of annealing and changing the P3HT:PCBM ratio are studied, and similar results as with evaporated aluminum are obtained. We conclude that Ga–In eutectic and halogen light source can conveniently be used instead of evaporated aluminum and a solar simulator for the study of polymer–fullerene bulk-heterojunction devices.
Two-photon-absorption cross section of Nd3+ in yttrium aluminum garnet and yttrium lithium fluoride near 1.06 microm.

We have measured the spectrally integrated two-photon-absorption (TPA) cross sections for the $^{4}\mathrm{I}_{9/2}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{}}^{4}$${\mathrm{G}}_{7/2}$ transitions of ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}$ and obtained values of 1.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}40}$ and 0.15\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}40}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{4}$ for ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}$-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) and yttrium lithium fluoride (YLF), respectively. These results are in satisfactory agreement with theoretical calculations based on the properties of ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}$ free-ion wave functions. The difference between YAG and YLF, however, is not accounted for by the free-ion theory and suggests that the intermediate-state energies and wave functions are considerably host dependent. In addition, we conclude, based on our measurements, that rare-earth TPA will not contribute significantly to either losses or the nonlinear refractive index in typical laser media employing rare-earth ions.
The requirement for cell surface galactosyl residues during oxidative activation of normal and chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes.

Abstract Galactose oxidase stimulated normal and leukemic lymphocytes to undergo DNA synthesis and cell division. Although the response of normal lymphocytes to galactose oxidase was enhanced with neuraminidase pretreatment, substantial activation of leukemic lymphocytes required pretreatment with neuraminidase. Leukemic lymphocytes exhibited maximal response to neuraminidase-galactose oxidase later than that observed in normal lymphocytes. Treatment of lymphocytes with trypsin diminished their response to galactose oxidase. When lymphocytes were pretreated with β-galactosidase to specifically remove cell surface galactosyl residues, the response to galactose oxidase was prevented. The response of normal and leukemic lymphocytes to sodium periodate was also reduced after treatment with galactose oxidase. These data support the concept that oxidation of cell surface galactosyl residues is critical during lymphocyte activation.
Ab Initio Calculation of the Heats of Formation of Nitrosamides: Comparison with Nitramides

Ab initio calculations of the structures and energies of the mono-, di-, and trinitrosamides are compared to mono-, di-, and trinitramides. Highly accurate standard heats of formation of this series of nitramides and nitrosamides are calculated using isodesmic reactions and high-level theories. The nitrosamides have heats of formation at 0 K that are 20−40 kcal/mol higher than the analogous nitramides. The N−N bond strengths are comparable whether a NO or NO2 group is bonded to the central nitrogen atom. The data suggest that converting the nitro groups to nitroso groups will result in compounds that have lower weight, shorter N−N bond lengths, and higher energy content, at the expense of lower oxygen balance. This suggests that nitrosamides are potentially useful high-energy materials. A revised ΔHf° for NH2NO2 is proposed to be 3.8 kcal/mol at 0 K, in close agreement with previous theory and very different from experiment. Recommended values for ΔHf° are 34 and 71 kcal/mol for di- and trinitramide, resp...
Investigating the Construct Validity of Scores from a Measure of Teachers' Participation in Decision Making Using Procrustean Rotation

As interest in teachers' participation in decision making grows, obtaining valid data to assess the effects of participation becomes increasingly important. One instrument, developed by Bacharach, Bauer, and Shedd, has been used in several recent studies of participation. Although the internal-consistency reliability of scores from this measure appears to be adequate, the construct validity of scores from the instrument has not been fully investigated. The present study explores the construct validity of data from the instrument using principal components analysis and Procrustean rotation. Findings were generally supportive of validity, although the results were somewhat more qualified with respect to one factor.
Potentiation of acute paraquat toxicity by vitamin E deficiency.

The present study evaluated the development and course of acute paraquat toxicity in rats deficient in vitamin E, a major biologic antioxidant which interrupts free radical chain reactions and blocks lipid peroxidation. Normal and vitamin E deficient rats were given 50 mg/kg paraquat dichloride in a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection. Both percent survival and duration of survival following paraquat were significantly reduced in vitamin E deficient rats. Only 1 (2.5%) of 40 vitamin E deficient rats survived 14 days compared to 12 (30%) of 40 (p < 0.001) normal rats, and deaths occurred much earlier (p < 0.001) in vitamin E deficient rats. In addition, histologic lung damage 24 to 48 h after paraquat administration was far more extensive in vitamin E deficient rats than normal rats. Vitamin E deficient rats treated (i. e., repleted) for 7 days prior to paraquat with vitamin E 1 mg/kg/day IP had a survival rate and duration of survival nearly identical to normal rats receiving paraquat. In contrast, vitamin E deficient rats treated for 3 days prior to and 3 days after paraquat administration with superoxide dismutase (SOD) 10 mg/kg bid IP had survival rates and lung histologic changes indistinguishable from vitamin E deficient rats not receiving SOD. These results (1) demonstrate that deficiency of vitamin E potentiates acute paraquat toxicity in rats, (2) indicate that this potentiation is readily reversed by administration of vitamin E but not SOD, and (3) provide in vivo evidence that paraquat toxicity may be mediated through lipid peroxidation.
Electrical Conductivity Induced in Insulators by Pulsed Radiation

The minimum prompt photoconductivity induced by pulses of x rays, gamma rays, and energetic electrons in various amorphous and disordered insulating organic and inorganic materials is predicted on the basis of data for the scattering of hot electrons in solids and the band gap for insulators. For total doses of 3 × 104 to 30 × 104 rad or greater, the minimum prompt photoconductivity is predicted to be linear with dose rate, ?, and is given by ?(?-1cm-1)=5×10-19?0?/Eg2, where ?0 is the density (g/cm3) and Eg is the optical band gap (eV). This formula agrees well with data for a variety of plastics, mica, and borosilicate glass under widely different irradiation conditions. The formula considerably underestimates absolute values of prompt conductivities observed for Al2O3, MgO, and certain plastics, because the model does not hold for ordered materials.
EUS in cirrhotic patients with and without prior variceal hemorrhage in comparison with noncirrhotic control subjects.

Abstract Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was used to evaluate cirrhotic patients with and without prior variceal hemorrhage. The findings were compared with those of EUS in noncirrhotic control subjects to determine EUS features indicative of cirrhosis and of a risk for variceal hemorrhage. Methods: Patients with cirrhosis undergoing indicated endoscopic screening for varices or surveillance after endoscopic therapy for variceal hemorrhage were studied and compared with healthy noncirrhotic control patients undergoing EUS for benign conditions. Results: Sixty-six cirrhotic patients (31 with prior hemorrhage) and 32 control patients were studied. Nonhemorrhage cirrhotic patients had more severe liver disease by Child's class ( p = 0.02) and less β-adrenergic blocker usage ( p p p p p p = 0.01). Paraesophageal varix size correlated with ascites ( p = 0.03) and, for nonhemorrhage patients, with Child's class ( p Conclusions: Paraesophageal and paragastric varices correlate with the presence and severity of liver disease and portal hypertension. These data support the hypothesis that large paraesophageal and paragastric varices (5 mm or greater) may be risk factors for variceal hemorrhage, an observation that merits further prospective study. Cirrhosis causes dilation of the azygos vein and thoracic duct and thickening of gastric mucosa and submucosa. (Gastrointest Endosc 2000;52:455-62.)
Tandem wire angioplasty.

Stenotic lesions at vessel branch points are not uncommon. In arteries, sheer stress is thought to be atheroprotective, and disturbances in flow at ostia or bifurcations predispose to atherogenesis. When angioplasty of such stenotic lesions is necessary, “kissing balloon” or “tandem (buddy) wire” techniques are often employed.
Riglyne vir ‘n omvattende verrykingsprogram vir die bevordering van die geestesgesondheid

In Suid-Afrika, met die snelle veranderinge in die politiek, ekonomie, lewenstyl en tegnologiese vooruitgang, gepaard met die geweld tans in die land, is die lewenskwaliteit van mense so bemvloed dat produktiwiteit en gedrag benadeel is. *Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
Naive theory and transfer of learning: When less is more and more is less

In this research, we examine how young children perform induction in the domain of biology. According to the essentialist view, even young children have a priori knowledge that some predictors of biological properties are central, whereas others are peripheral. According to the flexible-learning view, the roles of predictors are not fixed, and young children flexibly learn the predictive value of each predictor. In the experiment reported, 4- to 5-year-olds and 11- to 12-year-old preadolescents were taught the predictive values of features that were (by the essentialist account) either central or peripheral for predicting the biological properties of animals. Retention of the learned predictors was then tested immediately after learning, 1 h after leaning, and 2.5–3.5 months later. The results indicate that 2.5–3.5 months after learning, young children retained learned predictors well regardless of their putative centrality, whereas preadolescents were likely to retain and recall only central, but not peripheral, predictors.
Survey for mitochondrial-desmosome complexes in differentiating epithelia.

Mitochondria are frequently found to be closely associated with the plaques of desmosomes in a variety of columnar or cuboidal epithelia of fetal or early postnatal mammals (mouse, rat, human being). The organs in which mitochondrial-desmosome complexes were found include stomach, small intestine, pancreas, kidney, epididymis, seminal vesicle, coagulating gland, thyroid gland. The association has not been observed in simple squamous epithelium (vascular endothelium). Mitochondria lie quite close to desmosomes in the stratum spinosum of stratified squamous mucous epithelium of fetal animals and also to axo-dendritic synapses in still poorly differentiated central nervous system. Mitochondria have also been detected close to attachment sites in ectoderm of the early frog gastrulae. Here there is as yet no visible plaque material.
Pyrrole Derivatives of 6-APA and 7-ACA. Oxygenation by Singlet Oxygen

Abstract Reactions of the primary amino groups of 6-APA and 7-ACA esters with a vinyl tricarbonyl derivative generate substituted pyrroles at the 6- and 7-positions. Studies on the singlet oxygen oxygenation of one of these pyrrole derivatives are reported.
Reduced coherence, stability, and temporal overlap requirements for holography

We demonstrate that the conventional requirements for hologram formation can be substantially relaxed by interfering two independent local reference beam holograms in a photorefractive medium.
NADPH oxidase mediates radiation-induced oxidative stress in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells

The need to both understand and minimize the side effects of brain irradiation is heightened by the ever-increasing number of patients with brain metastases that require treatment with whole brain irradiation (WBI); some 200,000 cancer patients/year receive partial or WBI. At the present time, there are no successful treatments for radiation-induced brain injury, nor are there any known effective preventive strategies. Data support a role for chronic oxidative stress in radiation-induced late effects. However, the pathogenic mechanism(s) involved remains unknown. One candidate source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, which converts molecular oxygen (O(2)) to the superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) on activation. We hypothesize that brain irradiation leads to activation of NADPH oxidase. We report that irradiating rat brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro leads to increased (i) intracellular ROS generation, (ii) activation of the transcription factor NFkappaB, (iii) expression of ICAM-1 and PAI-1, and (iv) expression of Nox4, p22(phox), and p47(phox). Pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of NADPH oxidase blocked the radiation-mediated upregulation of intracellular ROS, activation of NFkappaB, and upregulation of ICAM-1 and PAI-1. These results suggest that activation of NADPH oxidase may play a role in radiation-induced oxidative stress.
A meta-analysis of the relationship between postpartum depression and infant temperament.

A meta-analysis of 17 studies was conducted to determine the magnitude of the relationship between postpartum depression and infant temperament during the infant's first year. Interrater reliabilities for coding of substantive and methodological characteristics for each study ranged from 87% to 100%. The meta-analytic combinations were calculated in three different ways: unweighted, weighted by sample size, and weighted by a quality index score. A significant, moderate correlation between postpartum depression and infant temperament was found. The mean r index of effect size was .31 when the studies were weighted by sample size; .36 when the studies were unweighted; and .35 when they were weighted by the quality score. All three r indexes were in Cohen's range of moderate effect sizes. The calculated 95% confidence interval ranged from .261 to .369, indicating a significant relationship between postpartum depression and infant temperament. Sample size and year of publication were significantly correlated with the effect size of temperament in infants of postpartum depressed mothers.
Species Differences in TSIX/Tsix Reveal the Roles of These Genes in X-Chromosome Inactivation

Transcriptional silencing of the human inactive X chromosome is induced by the XIST gene within the human X-inactivation center. The XIST allele must be turned off on one X chromosome to maintain its activity in cells of both sexes. In the mouse placenta, where X inactivation is imprinted (the paternal X chromosome is always inactive), the maternal Xist allele is repressed by a cis-acting antisense transcript, encoded by the Tsix gene. However, it remains to be seen whether this antisense transcript protects the future active X chromosome during random inactivation in the embryo proper. We recently identified the human TSIX gene and showed that it lacks key regulatory elements needed for the imprinting function of murine Tsix. Now, using RNA FISH for cellular localization of transcripts in human fetal cells, we show that human TSIX antisense transcripts are unable to repress XIST. In fact, TSIX is transcribed only from the inactive X chromosome and is coexpressed with XIST. Also, TSIX is not maternally imprinted in placental tissues, and its transcription persists in placental and fetal tissues, throughout embryogenesis. Therefore, the repression of Xist by mouse Tsix has no counterpart in humans, and TSIX is not the gene that protects the active X chromosome from random inactivation. Because human TSIX cannot imprint X inactivation in the placenta, it serves as a mutant for mouse Tsix, providing insights into features responsible for antisense activity in imprinted X inactivation.
Gifts of gay and lesbian ministry

We live in a world that, more often than not, questions the spiritual depth, understanding, and value of gay and lesbian people. This article, based on a year-long narrative research study of gay men and lesbian women on a variety of spiritual journeys, raises the assertion that, rather than being spiritually deficient, these individuals can be gifted ministers in a number of ways. Their contributions may include: (a) a marginalized perspective that is able to see truth and hypocrisy in our churches, and the integrity to challenge these institutions; (b) comfort with the intangible, the ambiguous, the shades of gray and the paradoxical; (c) empathy with and compassion for the disenfranchised and the troubled, and a commitment to social justice; (d) an enhanced understanding of God that comes from being a “survivor”; and (e) self-reflectiveness and the valuing of a community that encourages introspection and exploration. The article develops these ideas, based on the stories and reflections of the study participants.
The Relationship between Cross Cultural Experience and Training, and Leader Effectiveness in the US Foreign Service

This study tests the proposition that cross cultural experience and culture training positively affect a leader's choice of leadership behavior appropriate to the local cultural environment and, th...
Propagation of simian virus 40 in a human cell line.

Abstract A human glioblastoma cell line, A172, is shown to support lytic infection by simian virus 40. SV40 propagates to high titer in A172 cells and induces SV40 specific tumor antigen both prior to and after passage in the human cells. The virus passaged in A172 cells is SV40 since it is neutralized by SV40 specific rabbit antiserum. This system offers a possible method to study the evolution of SV40 in human cells.
Effects of noradrenergic lesions on the development of rolipram-sensitive, low-Km, cyclic AMP specific phosphodiesterase in rat brain

Abstract Rolipram-sensitive, low- K m , cyclic AMP specific phosphodiesterase (PDE4) belongs to a superfamily of phosphodiesterases that hydrolyzes cyclic nucleotides. Ample evidence suggest that PDE4 is regulated by β-adrenergic receptors both in cultured cells and in adult rat brain. The present study investigated the effects of neonatal noradrenergic lesions on PDE4 in developing rat brain in comparison to that in the adult rats. Neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine treatment produced selective noradrenergic lesions (>80% loss of norepinephrine in cerebral cortex) without affecting dopaminergic systems. The lesions resulted in temporary reduction of PDE4 activity in cerebral cortex, cerebellum and brainstem. Lesions in the adult rats, on the other hand, did not alter PDE4 activity. Decreased PDE4 activity by neonatal noradrenergic lesions was due to a decrease in the V max of cAMP hydrolysis by PDE4, and not a change in the K m values. Immunoblot analysis showed that decreased PDE4 activity in cerebellum was associated with reduced expression of PDE4A5, PDE4A1, and several PDE4B variants. No change in the expression of any PDE4 subtype in cerebral cortex was detected with the antibodies used in this study. Neither the permanent loss of noradrenergic innervation in cerebral cortex, nor the permanent noradrenergic hyperinnervation in brainstem was accompanied by any permanent change in PDE4 activity. Decreasing PDE4 activity early after neonatal noradrenergic lesions might be important in maintaining constant concentrations of cAMP, which is critical for the cellular proliferation and differentiation that is active during this period.
Traditional and Alternative Designs for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Trials

This article elaborates on the phases of drug development and trial design for pulmonary arterial hypertension, emphasizing the need for learning trials to assess efficacy signals before confirming trials. In this new era in pulmonary arterial hypertension, we need to reconsider innovative trial designs to maximize efficiency and pursue agents with the greatest potential for cure.
AMP-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Activating Agents Cause Dephosphorylation of Akt and Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key cellular sensor of reduced energy supply that is activated by increases in the cellular ratio of AMP/ATP. Phenformin and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR) are two drugs widely used to activate AMPK experimentally. In both differentiated hippocampal neurons and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells we found that these two agents not only activated AMPK, but conversely greatly reduced the activating Ser/Thr phosphorylation of Akt. This blockade of Akt activity consequently lowered the inhibitory serine-phosphorylation of its substrates, glycogen synthase kinase-3α/β (GSK3α/β). An inhibitor of AMPK (Compound C) did not block dephosphorylation of Akt and GSK3. Thus, both drugs widely used to activate AMPK also caused dephosphorylation of Akt and of GSK3. The mechanism for Akt dephosphorylation caused by phenformin, but not AICAR, was due to inhibition of growth factor-induced signaling that leads to Akt phosphorylation. Stimulation of muscarinic receptors with carbachol in SH-SY5Y cells also activated AMPK and transiently caused dephosphorylation of Akt. These findings show that Akt dephosphorylation often occurs concomitantly with AMPK activation when cells are treated with phenformin or AICAR, indicating that these drugs do not only affect AMPK but also cause a coordinated inverse regulation of AMPK and Akt.
The molecular clock ticks regularly in muroid rodents and hamsters.

Extensive DNA sequence data are used to compare the rates of nucleotide substitution in the mouse, rat, and hamster lineages. A relative rate test using hamster sequences as references shows that the rates of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitution in the mouse and rat lineages are nearly equal and a test using human sequences as references shows that the rates in the mouse, rat, and hamster lineages are also nearly equal. Under the assumptions that the guinea pig lineage and the myomorph (mouse, rat, and hamster) lineage diverged 70–100 million years (Myr) ago and that the rate of nucleotide substitution has been constant in all these lineages since their divergence, the date of the mouse-rat split is estimated to be between 20 and 29 Myr ago, which is considerably older than the date (∼ 12 Myr) suggested by available rodent fossils and considerably younger than the date (∼ 35 Myr) suggested by Wilson and colleagues. The murid-hamster split is estimated to be 1.6 times older than the mouse-rat split.
The Trivalent Neodymium Complex [(C5Me5)3Nd] Is a One‐Electron Reductant!

A Se22- complex, Ph3 P, and (C5 Me5 )2 are formed in the reduction of Se=PPh3 by the NdIII complex [(C5 Me5 )3 Nd] [Eq. (a)]. The latter is thus reminiscent of [(C5 Me5 )3 Sm], which, however, appears to be a stronger reductant than [(C5 Me5 )3 Nd]. This suggests that the reductive reactivity of [(C5 Me5 )3 Ln] complexes can be tuned by varying the size of the metal atom.
Infant-directed speech facilitates lexical learning in adults hearing Chinese: implications for language acquisition.

Experiments 1 and 2 examined the effects of infant-directed (ID) speech on adults' ability to learn an individual target word in sentences in an unfamiliar, non-Western language (Chinese). English-speaking adults heard pairs of sentences read by a female, native Chinese speaker in either ID or adult-directed (AD) speech. The pairs of sentences described slides of 10 common objects. The Chinese name for the object (the target word) was placed in an utterance-final position in experiment? (n= 61) and in a medial position in experiment 2 (n= 79). At test, each Chinese target word was presented in isolation in AD speech in a recognition task. Only subjects who heard ID speech with the target word in utterance-final position demonstrated learning of the target words. The results support assertions that ID speech, which tends to put target words in sentence-final position, may assist infants in segmenting and remembering portions of the linguistic stream. In experiment 3 (n= 23), subjects judged whether each of the ID and AD speech samples prepared for experiments ? and 2 were directed to an adult or to an infant. Judgements were above chance for two types of sentence: ID speech with the target word in the final position and AD speech with the target word in a medial position. In addition to indirectly confirming the results of experiments 1 and 2, these findings suggest that at least some of the prosodic features which comprise ID speech in Chinese and English must overlap.
Upper cervical cord compression as cause of death in osteogenesis imperfecta type II.

A cote des causes de mort plus courantes, respiratoires, hemorragiques, le retrecissement du foramen magnum peut representer un autre mecanisme de mort comme l'illustre l'observation anatomo-clinique d'une fille decedee relativement tardivement au 11eme jour
A heterogeneous outbreak of Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens infections in a surgical intensive care unit.

Objective To investigate an outbreak of invasive disease due to Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU). Design Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis of restriction fragments was used to characterize the outbreak isolate genotypes. A retrospective cohort study of surgical ICU patients was conducted to identify risk factors associated with invasive disease. Unit staffing data were analyzed to compare staffing levels during the outbreak to those prior to and following the outbreak. Setting An urban hospital in San Francisco, California. Patients During the outbreak period, December 1997 through January 1998, there were 52 patients with a minimum ICU stay of > or = 72 hours. Of these, 10 patients fit our case definition of recovery of E. cloacae or S. marcescens from a sterile site. Results PFGE analysis revealed a highly heterogeneous population of isolates. Bivariate analysis of patient-related risk factors revealed duration of central lines, respiratory colonization, being a burn patient, and the use of gentamicin or nafcillin to be significantly associated with invasive disease. Both respiratory colonization and duration of central lines remained statistically significant in a multivariate analysis. Staffing data suggested a temporal correlation between understaffing and the outbreak period. Conclusions Molecular epidemiological techniques provided a rapid means of ruling out a point source or significant cross-contamination as modes of transmission. In this setting, patient-related risk factors, such as respiratory colonization and duration of central lines, may provide a focus for heightened surveillance, infection control measures, and empirical therapy during outbreaks caused by common nosocomial pathogens. In addition, understaffing of nurses may have played a role in this outbreak, highlighting the importance of monitoring staffing levels.
Typology of creole phonology: Phoneme inventories and syllable templates

This paper reports on the analysis of a typological database of creole phoneme inventories and surface syllables. The sample encompasses a balanced set of creole languages lexified by Indo-European and non-Indo-European languages. The results of the analysis demonstrate that most creole languages exhibit between twenty and thirty-seven contrastive segments, between five and seven phonemic vowel qualities, and between two and three stop series. No creoles show only CV, and many display CCVC surface syllables. These features are quite unremarkable in comparison with non-creole languages around the world, but they represent significant evidence against claims that the structure of creole languages is especially simple. Instead, creole languages cluster in the typological middle.
Characterization and Adhesion of Interacting Surfaces in Capacitive RF MEMS Switches Undergoing Cycling

The performance and reliability of capacitive-type Radio Frequency Microelectromechanical Systems (RF MEMS) switches are affected by interfacial interactions such as strong attractive adhesion forces that could cause the switch to get temporarily or permanently stuck, thus rendering the device nonfunctional. Such adhesion forces could be induced and progressively increase during cycling by mechanical surface changes, such as increased real contact area or electrical effects such as increased electrostatic forces by dielectric charging. Both effects can occur simultaneously, which makes the characterization of capacitive switch behavior more complex than metal-to-metal switches. In this work, capacitive RF MEMS switches with Ti-on-silicon nitride contact surfaces were fabricated and tested for different numbers of cycles. After cycling, the Ti beam and Si3N4 dielectric contact surfaces were exposed and examined topographically (using Atomic Force Microscopy), chemically (using Time-Of-Flight Secondary Ion ...
Preparative Parameters and Framework Dopant Effects in the Synthesis of Layer-Structure Birnessite by Air Oxidation

An air oxidation method has been used to synthesize a layer-structure birnessite (OL-1) by the oxidation of Mn2+. The synthesis was accomplished in a much shorter time than other methods such as the reduction of MnO4- and redox reactions between Mn2+ and MnO4-. Thorough investigations of preparative parameters such as the rate and extent of oxidation, the concentration of OH-, and the aging process were made to understand the synthesis of birnessite using air oxidation. Five metal (Fe, Co, Ni, Ca, and Cd) cations were added to the initial reactant solutions as framework dopants to study their effects on the synthesis and to modify the properties of the resulting birnessite. The crystal phases, average manganese oxidation states, surface areas, and thermal properties of birnessites prepared under different conditions were studied to understand the influence of these conditions on birnessite formation. Birnessite prepared by this air oxidation method was stable up to 500 °C.
Poetic Genius and Poetic Jinni: The Case of Ibn Shuhayd

Long appreciated for its combination of lyric charm and mordant wit, Ibn Shuhayd al-Andalusi's (992-1035) Risalat al-tawabi' wa-l-zawabi' (Epistle of Attendant Jinn and Whirling Demons),' as I have argued recently,2 also offers a sophisticated treatise on poetic influence and inspiration. Composed around 1013-17, the epistle consists of the young poet's highly ironic and parodic defense against accusations of plagiarism leveled by one Abu Bakr ibn Hazm. The epistle, as edited by Butrus al-Bustani, is divided into an introduction and four chapters on the attendant jinn of poets, the attendant jinn of writers (kuttab), the