cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tricriticality in generalized Schloegl models for autocatalysis: Lattice-gas realization with particle diffusion

Abstract We analyze lattice–gas reaction–diffusion models which include spontaneous annihilation, autocatalytic creation, and diffusion of particles, and which incorporate the particle creation mechanisms of both Schloegl’s first and second models. For fixed particle diffusion or hop rate, adjusting the relative strength of these creation mechanisms induces a crossover between continuous and discontinuous transitions to a “poisoned” vacuum state. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations are performed to map out the corresponding tricritical line as a function of hop rate. An analysis is also provided of the tricritical “epidemic exponent” for the case of no hopping. The phase diagram is also recovered qualitatively by applying mean-field and pair-approximations to the exact hierarchical form of the master equation for these models.
New role for an old probe : Affinity labeling of oxylipid protein conjugates by N'-aminooxymethylcarbonylhydrazino D-biotin

Free radicals, electrophiles, and endogenous reactive intermediates are generated during normal physiological processes and are capable of modifying DNA, lipids, and proteins. However, elevated levels of oxidative modifications of proteins by reactive species are implicated in the etiology and pathology of oxidative stress-mediated diseases, neurodegeneration, and aging. A mass spectrometry-based approach is reported that aids to the identification and characterization of carbonyl-modified proteins. The method uses N‘-aminooxymethylcarbonylhydrazino d-biotin, a biotinylated hydroxylamine derivative that forms an oxime derivative with the aldehyde/keto group found in oxidatively modified proteins. In this paper, the method is demonstrated for one class of carbonyl-modified proteins, namely, oxylipid peptide and protein conjugates formed by Michael addition-type conjugation reactions of α,β-unsaturated aldehydic lipid peroxidation products with nucleophilic peptide side chains. This new application of an “o...
Child protection and justice systems processing of serious child abuse and neglect cases.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to examine the trajectory of cases through four systems: child protection, law enforcement, the dependency courts, and the criminal courts. Method This study focused on a county selected from a 41-county telephone survey conducted for the National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS-3). For this analysis prospective samples were drawn from law enforcement (n = 225) and the county child protection (CPS) agency (n = 225) and followed through in-depth case tracking across all agencies and through both the dependency and criminal court systems. Results The percentage of CPS cases opened in dependency court was similar to prior studies (29%), but the acceptance and prosecution rates were much higher—92% of the cases referred from CPS, including many cases of physical abuse. Compared to referrals from CPS to law enforcement (93%), few cases were referred from law enforcement to CPS (17%). Anecdotally, case referral patterns appeared to be influenced by communication patterns and mutual positive regard, regardless of the collaborative protocols in place. One of the most instructive findings was the degree of difficulty in tracking cases across organizations and the types of obstacles that impeded success. Disorganization was not an issue, rather internal structures set up to facilitate intra-organizational processing were the same structures that actually impeded cross-organizational case finding. Conclusions It is not sufficient to rely on the existence of multi-disciplinary teams or Child Advocacy Centers to ensure collaboration. More attention to daily tasks and activities as well as the nature and quality of communication is warranted. On the technical side, use of common case identifiers on cases that are cross-referred is strongly recommended. Future studies should broaden the scope of inquiry to include the consequences of all case trajectories, rather than solely focusing on the justice system.
Innovation and firm-level persistent profitability: a Schumpeterian framework

Studies of firm-level profit dynamics tend to attribute the variance in profit persistence to variability in the extent to which imitative pressures are resisted. This monopoly-based explanation of persistent profitability implicitly assumes a one-to-one correspondence between firm-level and product-level profit dynamics. Following Schumpeter, this paper begins to develop a framework for firm-level profit persistence that embraces product innovation, competitor imitation, and, more importantly, the prospect that several product innovations may be embodied within a single firm. Such an approach opens the door for an innovation-based explanation of profit persistence to accompany the monopoly-based arguments that are typically offered. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The electrochemical behavior of metal carbonyls in a mixture of a room temperature molten salt and benzene

Abstract The electrochemical oxidation of six metal carbonyls was studied in a mixture of the high Lewis acid, room temperature molten salt, composed of aluminum chloride and ethylpyridinium bromide (2:1 molar ratio) and benzene (50% v/v). Chromiuim hexacarbonyl was found to be reversibly oxidized to the seventeen electron cationo Cr(CO)+6, isoelectronic with vanadium hexacarbonyl. Some stability was also found for the corresponding 17 electron cation of iron pentacarbonyl. The other carbonyl compounds studied Mo(CO)6, W(CO)6, Re2(CO)10, and Mn2(CO)10 exhibit electrochemical behavior characteristic of chemical and electrochemical reactions following the electron transfer reaction. Based on the large dependence of the oxidation potentials on the nature of the central metal atom in this solvent, it is proposed that the metal carbonyls interact with electron deficient species in the melt, decreasing the σ donor ability of the ligand, but increasing its π acceptor capabilities.
Binding of methylated naphthalenes to concentrated aqueous humic acid

In laboratory batches of 1 g/l Aldrich humic acid (HA), apparent binding coefficients (KOC,app) for 1-methylnaphthalene (1-MN) and 1,3-dimethylnaphthalene (1,3-DMN) were determined by apparent solubility (comparison of solubility in water and HA solution). For the HA batches with 1-MN, two trends were observed: delayed sorption (up to 12 days), and an increase in the apparent solubility of 1-MN as the amount of this hydrocarbon as a non-aqueous liquid was increased. These two trends suggest that formation of a colloidal phase may have interfered with our apparent solubility tests. Alternatively, the non-aqueous 1-MN may have caused a slow change in the conformation and/or aggregation of the humic acid and its binding properties. Other batch tests, using solid phase microextraction (SPME), did not have a non-aqueous hydrocarbon phase. Compared with the apparent solubility results, the SPME tests indicated similar but lower KOC,app values for binding of 1-MN and 1,3-DMN to Aldrich HA at 1 g/l HA. Also, KOC,app values for 2-MN, 1,7-DMN and 2,3,5-trimethylnaphthalene in 1 g/l HA were obtained by SPME. Other SPME tests indicated that the KOC,app values for 1-MN and 1,3-DMN in 3 g/l Aldrich HA were lower, 35–50% of those in 1 g/l HA. These significant differences are probably related to changes in the conformation and/or aggregation of the HA. With an increase in HA from 3 and 10 g/l, no significant change in KOC,app was observed for 1,3-DMN and 2,3,5-TMN, but the KOC,app value for 1-MN was slightly larger at 10 g/l. These data do not support an earlier report that HA micelles form above 7.4 g/l Aldrich HA.
Reassessment of the classical closures for scalar turbulence

In deducing the consequences of the Direct Interaction Approximation, Kraichnan was sometimes led to consider the properties of special classes of nonlinear interactions in degenerate triads in which one wavevector is very small. Such interactions can be described by simplified models closely related to elementary closures for homogeneous isotropic turbulence such as the Heisenberg and Leith models. These connections can be exploited to derive considerably improved versions of the Heisenberg and Leith models that are only slightly more complicated analytically. This paper applies this approach to derive some new simplified closure models for passive scalar advection and investigates the consistency of these models with fundamental properties of scalar turbulence. Whereas some properties, such as the existence of the Kolmogorov–Obukhov range and the existence of thermal equilibrium ensembles, follow the velocity case closely, phenomena special to the scalar case arise when the diffusive and viscous effects...
Antecedents to Client Retention and Expanded Services Opportunities for Accounting Firms

ABSTRACT This research explores client expectations and needs as they relate to retention of accounting firms and opportunities for expanded services. Personal integrity of the accountant, overall quality of services, and returning of phone calls were considered most important for retaining the services of an accounting firm. For those clients purchasing additional services over time, expectations were even higher for returning phone calls, personal integrity of the accountant, providing personal attention, and overall quality of services. Managerial implications are discussed with respect to accounting firms' strategies to more effectively manage the service experience between client and provider.
Studies on the Flight Range of Certain Simuliidae, with the Use of Aniline Dye Marker

It is commonly accepted that certain species of flies of the family Simuliidae, namely, Simulium (Simulium) ochraceum Walker, S. (S.) metallicum Bellardi, and S. (Lanea) callidum Dyar and Shannon, are the most probable vectors of onchocerciasis in Guatemala and Mexico. Although to the present day this has not been experimentally proven, certain circumstances do substantiate this belief. These are: (1) The established presence of adult flies of at least one of the above species in any given part of the onchocerciasis zone; (2) The fact that these flies habitually bite humans; (3) The concurrence of greatest fly population with greatest exposure on the part of the people infected; and (4) The presence of microfilariae in dissected flies of the onchocerciasis region. (These microfilariae undoubtedly often belong to species of filariids that infect other animals.)
John W. Tukey's work on interactive graphics

If there ever was a tool that could stimulate the imagination and profit from the intuition and creativity of John Tukey, it was computer graphics. John always saw graphics a being central to exploratory data analysis: "Since the aim of exploratory data analysis is to learn what seems to be, it should be no surprise that pictures play a vital role in doing it well. There is nothing better than a picture for making you think of questions you had forgotten to ask (even mentally)." Much of his work focused on static displays designed to be easily drawn by hand, but he realized that if one wanted to effectively explore multivariate data, computer graphics would be an ideal tool. PRIM-9, the first program to use interactive, dynamic graphics for viewing and dissecting multivariate data, was conceived by John during a four month visit to the Computation Research Group of the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center in early 1972. PRIM-9 opened up a fundamentally new way of exploring multivariate data. Its basic operations--Picturing, Rotation, Isolation and Masking--have stood the test of time and form the core of numerous follow-on systems.John's experiences with PRIM-9 gave rise to a slew of other ideas for the analysis of multivariate data, many of them not tied to interactive graphics. The most well known of those is "Projection Pursuit"--automatically finding interesting low-dimensional projections of multivariate data by optimizing a projection index. John was also keenly interested in ways of detecting and modeling nonlinear structures in multivariate data which might not be manifest in projections, such as concentration of data near nonlinear lower dimensional manifolds. Many of his proposals exist only in the form of hand-written notes and appear "far out" even today. John's work on Prim-9 and Projection Pursuit lent respectability to computationally oriented, non mathematical research in Statistics. He moved the center of gravity away from an (over)emphasis on mathematical theory to a greater balance between methodology, theory, and applications and thereby helped revitalize the discipline of Statistics.
Risk Factors for Hospital-acquired Infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have many risk factors for infection. Compared with older children and adults, infants, particularly premature infants, are relatively immunocompromised. Patients in the NICU have intrinsic risk factors for infections due to immunological "deficiencies" or inadequate development of mechanical barriers such as skin and gastrointestinal tract mucosa. Like other ICU populations, NICU patients have extrinsic risk factors for infection such as prolonged hospitalization, invasive procedures, instrumentation, medical treatments and concomitant medical conditions. Compared with healthy full-term infants, patients in the NICU develop abnormal flora, which is generally acquired in the NICU from patient-to-patient transmission via hand carriage of healthcare workers. This flora is frequently multidrug-resistant as it has developed under the selective pressure of antibiotics and can cause invasive disease. An understanding of the risk factors that are associated with hospital-acquired infections is essential to design preventive strategies.
Behavior of extracellular K+ and pH in skate (Raja erinacea) cerebellum.

Abstract Ion-selective microelectrodes were used to measure extracellular K+ concentrations ([K+]o) and extracellular pH (pHo) in skate cerebellum under resting and stimulated conditions. Consistent with earlier ion analysis of elasmobranch cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), [K+]o was3.6 ± 0.1mM. During parallel fiber activation, [K+]o increased to an upper limit of 12–14 mM with an linear approximately linear dependence on stimulation frequency (1–20 Hz). Post-stimulus undershoots 0.1–0.6 mM were seen throughout an animal temperature range of 13–18 °C. When stimulation produced spreading depression (SD), [K+]o first increased to about 10 mM, then rose more rapidly to about 30 mM. These observations indicate a K+ ceiling of 10–12 mM in elasmobranchs. This ceiling is the same as that seen in mammals, despite marked differences in CSF composition and osmolality between mammalian and elasmobranch species. Extracellular acidification were characteristic of the response. These pHo transients were similar to those reported in other preparations, although the alkaline shift was enhanced. This may be attributed to the relatively low buffering capacity of elasmobranch CSF and to summation with a generally smaller acid shift.
Light-induced formation of hydroxyl radicals in fog waters determined by an authentic fog constituent, hydroxymethanesulfonate

The determination of the photo-production rate of hydroxyl radical (OH) in atmospheric liquids is of fundamental importance to an understanding of atmospheric aquatic chemistry. Recently, several studies have been performed to examine the photo-chemical formation rate of OH in cloud and fog waters using a free radical quenching technique with addition of a relatively large concentration of organic compounds as an OH scavenger. The addition of free-radical scavenger chemicals may significantly alter the nature of the sample water and its OH production rate. In this paper, an authentic constituent, hydroxymethanesulfonate, is proposed as a free radical probe for the measurement of photo-chemical generation rate of OH in fog water. At 313 nm, an apparent quantum yield for the production of OH in a fog water was found to be 0.012+/-0.001, indicating that aqueous-phase photo-chemical processes could represent a significant and may be a dominant source of OH in atmospheric liquids.
Modeling the Interaction Between Broiler Performance and Building Environment

Abstract A mathematical model for simulating broiler growth is presented. The model consists of: 1) weather model, 2) building model, and 3) broiler model. Values were calculated daily for building ventilation, supplemental heat, feed consumption, and growth as affected by thermal characteristics of buildings and outside environmental parameters. The unique characteristic of the model is that inside temperature and humidity conditions are not specified, but both are allowed to vary within a broad range. The model predicts daily inside temperature and humidity conditions based upon bird age, outside temperature, and potential ventilation capacity. Prediction of bird feed conversion and flock fuel usage was verified with commercial integrator data.
Ocular manifestations of rheumatic diseases.

Ocular manifestations of rheumatic disease are common and varied. The presentation of uveitis in psoriatic arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease differ from typical HLA-B27-associated uveitis. Giant cell arteritis continues to be a common cause of visual loss. Early diagnosis is crucial to limiting visual loss. Once visual loss has occurred, the need for oral versus intravenous steroids is controversial. Chronic uveitis associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may be less prevalent than previously shown. However, poor visual outcomes continue to occur and efforts to identify visual prognosticators are being made. Ocular involvement in Behcet's disease, if untreated, leads to blindness. Azathioprine has been shown to improve visual prognosis. Concurrent central nervous system disease has been correlated to a poor visual prognosis.
Direct sums of renormings of ℓ1 and the fixed point property

Abstract Let γ n be an increasing sequence in ( 0 , 1 ) that converges to 1, and let ⦀ ⋅ ⦀ be the equivalent norm of l 1 defined by ⦀ ( a k ) ⦀ = sup n ∈ N γ n ∑ k = n ∞ | a k | . In this article, we show that for any m > 1 , the space ( ∑ i = 1 m ⊕ ( l 1 , ⦀ ⋅ ⦀ ) ) 1 is not isometrically isomorphic to any subspace of ( l 1 , ⦀ ⋅ ⦀ ) and it has the fixed point property.
A numerical method for three-dimensional gas-liquid flow computations

A numerical method for multiphase flow computations based on a finite-difference formulation with a fixed grid is described. The method combines ideas from front tracking and the Ghost Fluid Method, with a numerical technique for velocity extrapolation near the interface. It is shown that the method is able to solve three-dimensional free-surface flow problems with an incompressible liquid and a compressible gas maintaining the interface sharp. Numerical results are compared with numerical solutions of the Rayleigh Plesset equation for the free oscillation of a gas bubble, and independent front-tracking results for buoyant bubbles. Finally, the effects of an imposed sinusoidal liquid flow on a gas bubble are investigated.
The Relationship between Overall Comprehension and Coreferential Tie Comprehension for Second Language Readers of Spanish Literature.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between overall comprehension and the comprehension of coreferential ties for second language readers of Spanish literature. Subjects were beginning and advanced Spanish students at a small liberal arts college. Results showed significant differences (p < .01) between beginning and advanced groups on both the overall comprehension and the coreferential identification measures. Results from a Pearson product-moment procedure showed significant correlations between overall comprehension and coreferent identification at both beginning and advanced levels. These significant correlations indicate that coreferential tie errors may be symptomatic of confusion about another entity in the text.
Postsynthetic modification of a coordination compound with a paddlewheel motif via click reaction: DOSY and ESR studies

Abstract Postsynthetic strategy based on organic coupling reactions has been explored for the synthesis of novel coordination complexes with larger dimensions. A discrete coordination species with a paddlewheel motif, dicopper(II) tetracarboxylate Cu2(OOC-C6H4-N3)4(quinoline)2 (SBU1), was covalently modified with methyl propiolate via “Click” reaction to generate a new coordination compound Cu2(OOC-C6H4-C2N3H-COOCH3)4·(quinoline)2 (1). The combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction, diffusion NMR and ESR has confirmed the success of covalently modifying SBU1 and the retention of the structural integrity after the postsynthetic modification.
The Luminosity of a Flame Containing Sodium Vapor

This paper contains an account of measurements of the variation of the luminosity of a sodium flame with the thickness of the falme and the concentration of the sodium salt solution sprayed into it. The reversal of the sodium lines by the layer of cool vapor at the front of the flame was eliminated by having no sodium in the front 3 cms of the flame. An improved form of sprayer was used in which the level of the solution and its concentration remained constant. It was found that the luminosity is a function of the product of the thickness of the flame and the concentration of the sodium in it or of the mass $M$ of sodium per square cm. This result agrees with the previous results of Gouy, H. A. Wilson and Locher but not with the recent results of C. D. Child. The function of $M$ is proportional to $M$ when $M$ is very small but increases less rapidly than $M$ when $M$ is large. Measurements of the variation of the luminosity with the thickness at the center of one of the $D$ lines and at its edge showed that the absorption at the center is much greater than at the edge as was to be expected.
Some physical properties of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers

The vapor pressures, liquid density (25°C.), and melting points of the lower members of a homologous series of compounds of simple linear structure have been measured. These are the polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers, CH3O(CH2O)nCH3, where n = 2 to 5. The heats of vaporiziation derived from the vapor pressures are used in establishing the heat of vaporization of high molecular weight polyoxymethylene. The densities of these compounds allow the density of the high molecular weight liquid polymer (25°C.) to be determined. The values were used for calculating the cohesive energy density of liquid polymer at 104 cal./cc. at 25°C. The limiting heat of vaporization is used with other thermochemical data in the estimation of the lattice energy (heat of sublimation at 0°K.) of polymer; this estimate is 3.8 ± 0.4 kcal./mole of CH2O.
Structure and regulation of a lignin peroxidase gene from Phanerochaete chrysosporium

We have been investigating the structure and regulation of the lignin peroxidase genes from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The gene for lignin peroxidase isozyme H8 was isolated and sequenced. The gene is split into nine exons and eight introns. The introns have consensus sequences both at the splice junctions and at an internal element which may be involved in the splicing mechanism. The promoter contains the eukaryotic consensus elements: a TATA box at -78 and a ACAAT box at -106. Transcription initiates downstream from these sequences as verified by S1 nuclease mapping. Induction of the genes for the lignin peroxidase isozymes during growth under nitrogen and under carbon limitation were compared by analyses of RNA and protein. The results indicate that the lignin peroxidase isozymes are differentially regulated in response to environmental stress.
Screening for mutations in a genetically heterogeneous disorder: DHPLC versus DNA sequence for mutation detection in multiple genes causing Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) for mutation detection in genetically heterogeneous diseases using Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy as a model. Methods: (1) Identification of the optimal conditions for mutation scanning by DHPLC using 50 known variants of PMP22, MPZ, GJB1 and EGR2. (2) Comparison of DHPLC with DNA sequencing for mutation detection in 168 patient DNA samples. Results: We established the optimal conditions for screening PMP22, MPZ, GJB1, and EGR2 for mutations. Under optimized conditions, DHPLC was as sensitive as DNA sequencing and detected two mutations that were not identified by automated DNA sequence. Conclusions: DHPLC increases the efficiency and sensitivity of mutation screening in genetically heterogeneous diseases.
Epigenetic Deregulation of the LMP1/LMP2 Locus of Epstein-Barr Virus by Mutation of a Single CTCF-Cohesin Binding Site

ABSTRACT The chromatin regulatory factors CTCF and cohesin have been implicated in the coordinated control of multiple gene loci in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency. We have found that CTCF and cohesin are highly enriched at the convergent and partially overlapping transcripts for the LMP1 and LMP2A genes, but it is not yet known how CTCF and cohesin may coordinately regulate these transcripts. We now show that genetic disruption of this CTCF binding site (EBVΔCTCF166) leads to a deregulation of LMP1, LMP2A, and LMP2B transcription in EBV-immortalized B lymphocytes. EBVΔCTCF166 virus-immortalized primary B lymphocytes showed a decrease in LMP1 and LMP2A mRNA and a corresponding increase in LMP2B mRNA. The reduction of LMP1 and LMP2A correlated with a loss of euchromatic histone modification H3K9ac and a corresponding increase in heterochromatic histone modification H3K9me3 at the LMP2A promoter region in EBVΔCTCF166. Chromosome conformation capture (3C) revealed that DNA loop formation with the origin of plasmid replication (OriP) enhancer was eliminated in EBVΔCTCF166. We also observed that the EBV episome copy number was elevated in EBVΔCTCF166 and that this was not due to increased lytic cycle activity. These findings suggest that a single CTCF binding site controls LMP2A and LMP1 promoter selection, chromatin boundary function, DNA loop formation, and episome copy number control during EBV latency.
African American Grandmothers as Caregivers: Answering the Call to Help Their Grandchildren:

African American grandmothers are increasingly assuming the role of “new mothers again” to care for their grandchildren whose parents are absent from the household. Why these older women decide to take on becoming a new mother again after their primary parenting days are over has not been clear. This article uses a phenomenological perspective to describe, in their own words, the experiences of 12 African American grandmothers and why they assumed the parental role for their grandchildren. Six interrelated themes emerged: (a) tradition of kinkeeping; (b) relationship with grandchildren; (c) distrust of the foster care system; (d) grandmother as only the resource; (e) strong relationship with the Lord; and (f) refusal of the grandchild's other grandmother to assist with caregiving. These themes are used as a guide to make recommendations to enhance the lives of grandmothers.
Abstract LB-16: Altered circadian rhythm components are resynchronized by melatonin in human prostate cancer

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major age-related malignancy as increasing age correlates with increased risk for developing this neoplasm. Similarly, alterations in circadian rhythms, because of modifications in various core clock components, have also been associated with the aging population and cancer risk. The pineal hormone melatonin is known to regulate circadian rhythm, which is under the control of a core set of genes: Per-, Clock- and Bmal-family members. The circulating serum levels of melatonin have been shown to decrease in patients with cancer including PCa. Interestingly, melatonin has been shown to have anti-proliferative effects in certain cancers. We have recently found that melatonin imparts anti-proliferative effects in vitro and in vivo via inhibiting Sirt1 that is a class III histone deacetylase and involved in the regulation of aging and several other metabolic processed. In this study, we challenged the hypothesis that melatonin imparts anti-proliferative effects in prostate cancer via resynchronization of deregulated core clock circuitry at the cellular level. First, we determined if the core clock genes circuitry is disrupted in PCa. Interestingly, we found that Clock and Per2 protein levels were downregulated whereas Bmal1 protein levels were up regulated in PCa cells (LNCaP, 22R 1, DU145, PC3), compared to normal prostate epithelial cells as assessed by Western blot analysis. Further, we employed the automated quantitative analysis (AQUA) system to asses the levels of Clock, Per2 and Bmal1 in a tissue microarray (TMA) containing clinical specimens of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasias (HGPIN), localized PCa, aggressive PCa with metastases as well as benign prostate tissue. We found that compared to benign tissues, in all proliferative prostate diseases Clock and Per2 levels were downregulated whereas Bmal1 levels were up regulated. In addition, a forced over-expression of Per2 was found to result in a significant loss of viability of PCa cells. Further, we found that melatonin (1mM and 2mM; 48 h) treatment causes an increase in Per2 and Clock and decrease in Bmal1 (at the protein and mRNA levels) in human PCa cells. Furthermore, as shown by the COSOPT algorithm, we found that melatonin treatment resulted in a resynchronization of oscillatory circadian rhythm genes ( Dbp and Per2 ) while having no effect on non-oscillatory genes. Our data support our hypothesis and suggest that melatonin should be thoroughly investigated as an agent for the management of PCa and other age-related malignancies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-16.
Anybody home? Keeping user presence privacy for advanced metering in future smart grid

Smart metering, the gateway between power users and power utilities, is one of the key devices in smart grid. In order to decrease the data volume for power consumption report sent from smart meters to power utilities, it is more desirable to use differential transmission scheme, in which a smart meter transmits data only when power consumption is changed. However, such a scheme incurs vulnerabilities. Since, in the differential transmission scheme, the corresponding radio activity is proportional to the power activity. This information can be used by attacker to detect whether the power user is at home. In this paper, we study the privacy of power user for the transmission scheme. When the power user is not present, two defense plans are proposed to generate null packets during idle time to emulate the packet transmission during busy time in order to elude the attacker. Then, Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic based attack methods are proposed to combat the defense plan. Numerical results are used to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed defense plans.
The Relationship Between Family-of-Origin Experience and Current Family Violence: A Test of Mediation by Attachment Style and Mental Health Symptom Distress

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the presence of substance abuse, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and mental illness in the home or family-of-origin is predictive of variance in current family violence perpetration. Additionally, a secondary purpose of this study was to examine whether mental health symptom distress and attachment style mediated the relationship between the presence of traumatic experiences in one's family-of-origin and current family violence perpetration. The results suggested that difficult family-of-origin experiences may predict variance in current family violence indirectly through mental health symptom distress and anxious attachment.
A life span perspective on drug use and affective distress in an african‐american sample

Data from the second and third waves of an ongoing study of inner-city African Americans (N = 411) were used to assess the relationship between substance use and affective distress. Involvement with eight substances was examined individually and collectively over a 7-year interval, during which time the study cohort moved from ages 18 to 23 years to 26 to 31 years. Regression analysis indicated that substance use was associated directly with deleterious change in affective distress. Important gender differences were evident in the magnitude, related substances, and timing of these drug effects. Further analysis showed that the introduction of life-style controls for social integration and social attainment did not substantially alter the observed drug effect.
Stress hormone enhances synaptic NMDA response on dopamine neurons.

Stress can induce cravings and relapse in abstinent drug addicts. In this issue of Neuron, Ungless et al. report that corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a key hormone in the stress response, potentiates the N-methyl-D-aspartate NMDA receptor (NMDAR) component of glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto midbrain dopamine neurons, a mechanism that may mediate some effects of stress on relapse.
Fluorescence Labeling And Purification Of Cellulases For Single Molecule Spectroscopy

The development of highly-sensitive detectors for optical microscopy has enabled the detection of individual fluorescent molecules and allowed life scientists to probe dynamic and conformational properties of enzymes. In single molecule spectroscopy (SMS) an essential requirement is the use of bright, fluorescent moieties. In this sense, organic dyes are small molecules that can confer fluorescence capabilities without compromising enzymatic activity. However, tracking of a single a molecule labeled with a single fluorescent moiety is limited by bleaching time and the number of photons emitted by molecule per second. Thus, in SMS it is desirable to have enzymes labeled with multiple fluorescent moieties while retaining native activities.Most organic dye labeling techniques produce mixtures of populations of molecules labeled with different numbers of fluorophores. For SMS this poly-dispersity of labeled molecules can introduce significant variability. In addition, each of these labeled populations can have properties different from the native protein or enzyme, which further complicates the interpretation of results derived from SMS. To address this we have developed methods to label and purify enzymes with a variety of organic dyes from the AlexaFluor family. Our approach explored labeling in free solution and solid phase. Purification methods developed to remove unbound dye were optimized for each of these labeling methods. Separation of populations of labeled molecules was performed via FPLC and optimized for each one of the enzymes labeled. Through these methods we have produced highly purified populations of cellulases Cel5A, Cel6B, and Cel9A labeled with known numbers of dyes. These populations have been characterized for their degree of labeling, location of the fluorescent moiety, and catalytic activity as compared with the native enzymes. We demonstrate the advantage of the use of fluorescently tagged cellulases with well-known physico-chemical properties through SMS measurements.
Nitrogen fixation by the benthic freshwater cyanobacterium Lyngbya wollei

The ability of the benthic cyanobacterium Lyngbya wollei to fix nitrogen was studied using field samples and axenic cultures. L. wollei was collected and isolated from Lake Okeechobee, Florida, where it forms extensive mats. Rates of acetylene reduction up to 39.1 nmol mg dry wt−1 h−1 were observed for field samples. The maximum observed rate of acetylene reduction in axenic laboratory cultures was 200 nmol mg dry wt−1 h−1. Aerobic conditions limited nitrogen fixation activity, but dark/light cycles promoted the development of activity. Reduced oxygen levels appeared to be required for the development of significant levels of nitrogenase activity. The level of irradiance also had a significant impact on the level of activity. The potential significance of nitrogen fixation to Lyngbya production is discussed.
Direct Presynaptic Regulation of GABA/Glycine Release by Kainate Receptors in the Dorsal Horn: An Ionotropic Mechanism

In the spinal cord dorsal horn, excitatory sensory fibers terminate adjacent to interneuron terminals. Here, we show that kainate (KA) receptor activation triggered action potential-independent release of GABA and glycine from dorsal horn interneurons. This release was transient, because KA receptors desensitized, and it required Na+ entry and Ca2+ channel activation. KA modulated evoked inhibitory transmission in a dose-dependent, biphasic manner, with suppression being more prominent. In recordings from isolated neuron pairs, this suppression required GABA(B) receptor activation, suggesting that KA-triggered GABA release activated presynaptic GABA(B) autoreceptors. Finally, glutamate released from sensory fibers caused a KA and GABA(B) receptor-dependent suppression of inhibitory transmission in spinal slices. Thus, we show how presynaptic KA receptors are linked to changes in GABA/glycine release and highlight a novel role for these receptors in regulating sensory transmission.
Super-resolution imaging in live Caulobacter crescentus cells using photoswitchable EYFP

The commonly used, monomeric EYFP enabled imaging of intracellular protein structures beyond the optical resolution limit ('super-resolution' imaging) in living cells. By combining photoinduced activation of single EYFP fusions and time-lapse imaging, we obtained sub-40 nm resolution images of the filamentous superstructure of the bacterial actin protein MreB in live Caulobacter crescentus cells. These studies demonstrated that EYFP is a useful emitter for in vivo super-resolution imaging.
Morphological and physiological changes in black alder induced by water stress

Abstract. Black alder seedlings were exposed to 12 weeks of sublethal water stress by watering only when visibly wilted. Control seedlings were watered regularly throughout the treatment period. Stressed seedlings exhibited significant osmotic adjustment of over 0.4 MPa. The water stress treatment also significantly reduced leaf size, increased epicuticular wax content, and increased the root shoot ratio. The response of leaf conductance to decreasing leaf water potential was influenced by the previous water stress treatment Stressed seedlings had a much lower initial leaf conductance, but showed a gradual drop in leaf conductance as leaf water potential decreased; whereas, control seedling leaf conductance fell rapidly. These morphological and physiological modifications in response to moisture stress have the potential for significantly improving black alder drought tolerance.
Giving Time Gives You Time

Results of four experiments reveal a counterintuitive solution to the common problem of feeling that one does not have enough time: Give some of it away. Although the objective amount of time people have cannot be increased (there are only 24 hours in a day), this research demonstrates that people’s subjective sense of time affluence can be increased. We compared spending time on other people with wasting time, spending time on oneself, and even gaining a windfall of “free” time, and we found that spending time on others increases one’s feeling of time affluence. The impact of giving time on feelings of time affluence is driven by a boosted sense of self-efficacy. Consequently, giving time makes people more willing to commit to future engagements despite their busy schedules.
A variable-voltage bidirectional I/O pad for digital GaAs applications

A bidirectional I/O pad for digital GaAs applications has been designed, fabricated, and tested using Vitesse Semiconductor process technology. The I/O pad is designed to operate at frequencies up to 500 MHz and at GTL, ECL, or Rambus voltage levels. The I/O pads can be calibrated to these voltage levels either manually using external signals or internally using on-chip digital calibration logic.
Properties of Transparent Silica Gel - Pmma Composites

Transparent silica gel - polymer composites have been prepared by the impregnation of porous silica gels with fluid organic monomer followed by in situ polymerization. These materials constitute an entirely new class of transparent composites.
"When you get old like this … you don't run those risks anymore": influence of age on sexual risk behaviors and condom use attitudes among methamphetamine-using heterosexual women with a history of partner violence.

Abstract Background Drug use and partner violence affect older women, yet few studies highlight age-specific HIV risks and prevention strategies. This study compares sexual risk behaviors, condom use attitudes, and HIV knowledge between midlife/older women (ages 45+) and younger women (ages 18–44) reporting methamphetamine use and partner violence in San Diego, California. Methods Our mixed methods study used themes from a qualitative substudy (n = 18) to inform logistic regression analysis of baseline data from an HIV behavioral intervention trial (n = 154). Findings Age-related qualitative themes included physiologic determinants, HIV knowledge, and "dodging the bullet," referring to a lifetime of uncertainty surrounding HIV serostatus after engaging in unsafe drug and sex practices. Midlife/older age was associated with never being married (24.2% vs. 51.2; p = .03), having less than a high school education/GED (12.1% vs. 34.7%; p = .04), lower condom use self-efficacy (2.87 vs. 3.19; p = .03), lower positive outcome expectancies (1.9 vs. 2.1; p = .04), and lower HIV knowledge (85.3% vs. 89.7%; p = .04); however, sexual risk behaviors were not associated with age group. In the multivariate analysis, midlife/older age remained independently associated with lower condom use self-efficacy (adjusted odds ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.27–0.87) and lower HIV knowledge (adjusted odds ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93–0.99). Conclusions Midlife/older methamphetamine-using women with experiences of partner violence present similar sexual risk profiles, but possess different HIV-related knowledge and attitudes toward prevention methods compared with their younger counterparts. Clinicians and public health practitioners can have a positive impact on this overlooked population by assessing HIV risks during routine screenings, encouraging HIV testing, and providing age-appropriate HIV prevention education.
Perfusion pressure and volume status determine the microvascular response of the rat kidney to NG-monomethyl-L-arginine.

This study investigated the role of volume status and perfusion pressure on the hemodynamic response of cortical and medullary renal capillaries to systemic inhibition of nitric oxide. NG-Monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) was infused intravenously (15-mg/kg bolus and 500-micrograms.min-1.kg-1 infusion), and blood flow in cortical capillaries (QCC) and in descending (QDVR) and ascending vasa recta (QAVR) was measured by fluorescence videomicroscopy in euvolemic and volume-expanded anesthetized Munich-Wistar rats. L-NMMA in euvolemic rats decreased vasa recta blood flow (delta QDVR, 3.97 +/- 0.80 nL/min [P < .01]; delta QAVR, 1.90 +/- 0.39 nL/min [P < .01]; n = 6) and QCC (delta QCC, 0.57 +/- 0.15 nL/min [P < .01]; n = 7) despite increases in renal perfusion pressure (RPP). Fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) remained unchanged. In volume-expanded rats, L-NMMA decreased vasa recta blood flow when RPP increased (delta QDVR, 1.42 +/- 0.79 nL/min [P = .05]; delta QAVR, 1.95 +/- 0.34 nL/min [P < .001]; n = 9) or was held constant by partial aortic occlusion (delta QDVR, 1.19 +/- 0.45 nL/min [P < .05]; delta QAVR, 1.44 +/- 0.40 nL/min [P < .01]; n = 8). QCC was unchanged by L-NMMA when RPP increased (delta QCC, 0.27 +/- 0.20 nL/min; n = 8) but decreased significantly by 0.61 +/- 0.11 nL/min (P < .01, n = 8) when increases in RPP were prevented. FENa increased when RPP increased (delta FENa, 2.47 +/- 0.51%; P < .001) and was held constant (delta FENa, 2.64 +/- 0.46%; P < .001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
L dependence of energetic electron precipitation driven by magnetospherically reflecting whistler waves

[1] Ray tracing analysis and a first-order treatment of the wave frequency and electron energy dependence of gyroresonant pitch angle scattering reveals the L shell dependence of the time-integrated energetic electron (>150 keV) precipitation flux in the drift loss cone due to a single cloud-to-ground lightning stroke. Primary features of the L dependence are determined by the ray paths of magnetospherically reflecting nonducted whistler waves, as well as the refraction of the wave normal vectors due to ionospheric horizontal electron density gradients at low latitudes. Calculations for lightning source latitudes of 25°, 35°, and 45°, with an assumed “average” ionospheric electron density profile, as well as an International Reference Ionosphere model profile, indicate that horizontal ionospheric electron density gradients can cause the whistler wave energy to focus near the geomagnetic equator on the first magnetospheric traverse, resulting in a spatially narrow precipitation signature at low L shells (1.4 < L < 1.65). The magnitude of this low-L peak is found to be sensitively dependent on the local ionospheric density gradients. Subsequent magnetospheric reflections result in a broad precipitation peak at higher L shells (1.8 < L < 4.2), which is robustly present, with magnitude being relatively insensitive to lightning source-latitude and ionospheric horizontal gradients. The calculated L dependences were found to be in excellent agreement with drift-loss cone fluxes measured aboard the SAMPEX satellite.
Work smarter, not harder: guidelines for designing simulation experiments

We present the basic concepts of experimental design, the types of goals it can address, and why it is such an important and useful tool for simulation. A well-designed experiment allows the analyst to examine many more factors than would otherwise be possible, while providing insights that cannot be gleaned from trial-and-error approaches or by sampling factors one at a time. We focus on experiments that can cut down the sampling requirements of some classic designs by orders of magnitude, yet make it possible and practical to develop a better understanding of a complex simulation model. Designs we have found particularly useful for simulation experiments are illustrated using simple simulation models, and we provide links to other resources for those wishing to learn more. Ideally, this tutorial will leave you excited about experimental designs---and prepared to use them---in your upcoming simulation studies.