cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gramene 2013: comparative plant genomics resources

Gramene (http://www.gramene.org) is a curated online resource for comparative functional genomics in crops and model plant species, currently hosting 27 fully and 10 partially sequenced reference genomes in its build number 38. Its strength derives from the application of a phylogenetic framework for genome comparison and the use of ontologies to integrate structural and functional annotation data. Whole-genome alignments complemented by phylogenetic gene family trees help infer syntenic and orthologous relationships. Genetic variation data, sequences and genome mappings available for 10 species, including Arabidopsis, rice and maize, help infer putative variant effects on genes and transcripts. The pathways section also hosts 10 species-specific metabolic pathways databases developed in-house or by our collaborators using Pathway Tools software, which facilitates searches for pathway, reaction and metabolite annotations, and allows analyses of user-defined expression datasets. Recently, we released a Plant Reactome portal featuring 133 curated rice pathways. This portal will be expanded for Arabidopsis, maize and other plant species. We continue to provide genetic and QTL maps and marker datasets developed by crop researchers. The project provides a unique community platform to support scientific research in plant genomics including studies in evolution, genetics, plant breeding, molecular biology, biochemistry and systems biology.
Cylindrical Polarimetric Phased Array Radar: A multi-function demonstrator and its calibration

This paper provides an overview of the calibration techniques, tools, and challenges surrounding the development of a Cylindrical Polarimetric Phased Array Radar (CPPAR) demonstrator for the US Multifunction Phased Array Radar (MPAR) effort. The calibration of this system is being carried out at multiple levels, using multiple techniques, in order to achieve the best possible sidelobe and polarimetric performance, and each of these techniques are discussed herein.
Constructivist and Constructionist Approaches to Graduate Teaching in Second Life: Ethical Considerations and Legal Implications

As a growing number of faculty use constructivist and constructionist approaches to teaching in SL, little research exists on the many ethical considerations and legal implications that affect course development. Following the experiences of the instructor and five students, their 12-week journey is documented through interviews, journals, blogs, weekly course activities, SL class dialogs, and in-world assignments. Additionally, five faculty and staff experts who taught or trained in SL at this university were also interviewed and consulted. Ethical considerations in constructivist and constructionist teaching were time, appearance, skills, scaffolded instruction, playful exploration, vicarious experience, self-directed project development, construction of objects, constructivism and constructionism balance, social networking and collaboration, harassment and griefing, false identities and alternate avatars, chat log sharing, and copyright and trademark violations. Lessons learned included developing scaffolded pedagogical approaches that moved from direct teaching to constructivism and constructionism, and required faculty and student adherence to the SL TOS, Community Standards, and Intellectual Property policy.
Nicotine Elicits Prolonged Calcium Signaling along Ventral Hippocampal Axons

Presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have long been implicated in the modulation of CNS circuits. We previously reported that brief exposure to low concentrations of nicotine induced sustained potentiation of glutamatergic transmission at ventral hippocampal (vHipp)-striatal synapses. Here, we exploited nAChR subtype-selective antagonists and agonists and α7*nAChR knockout mutant mice (α7-/-) to elucidate the signaling mechanisms underlying nAChR-mediated modulation of synaptic transmission. Using a combination of micro-slices culture from WT and α7-/-mice, calcium imaging, and immuno-histochemical techniques, we found that nicotine elicits localized and oscillatory increases in intracellular Ca(2+) along vHipp axons that persists for up to 30 minutes. The sustained phase of the nicotine-induced Ca(2+) response was blocked by α-BgTx but not by DHβE and was mimicked by α7*nAChR agonists but not by non-α7*nAChR agonists. In vHipp slices from α7-/- mice, nicotine elicited only transient increases of axonal Ca(2+) signals and did not activate CaMKII. The sustained phase of the nicotine-induced Ca(2+) response required localized activation of CaMKII, phospholipase C, and IP3 receptor mediated Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR). In conclusion, activation of presynaptic nAChRs by nicotine elicits Ca(2+) influx into the presynaptic axons, the sustained phase of the nicotine-induced Ca(2+) response requires that axonal α7*nAChR activate a downstream signaling network in the vHipp axons.
Profiling of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoform activity in women with intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI/I)

WITH INTRA-AMNIOTIC INFECTION/INFLAMMATION (IAI/I) LISSA K. MAGLOIRE (F), CATALIN S. BUHIMSCHI, CHRISTIAN M. PETTKER, ANNA K. SFAKIANAKI, BEN HAMAR, VINEET BHANDARI, IRINA BUHIMSCHI, Yale University, Ob./ Gyn. & Reprod. Sci., New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University, Pediatrics, New Haven, Connecticut OBJECTIVE: Increased LDH levels holds rapid predictive value in the presence of microbial invasion of the amniotic fluid (AF). Five distinct LDH isoenzymes (LDH 1-5) have been described. The purpose of this study was to describe the AF LDH isoenzyme activity profiles in women with IAI/I. STUDY DESIGN: AF was retrieved by amniocentesis in 67 consecutive women stratified in the following groups: i) (D)AFC: positive AF cultures, n=15, GA: 27.6G0.8 wks; ii) ( )AFC: negative AF cultures, n=21, GA: 28.9G1.1 wks; iii) 2nd trim. control (normal genetic karyotype), n=13, GA: 18.4G0.5 wks; iv) 3rd trim. control (fetal lung maturity), n=18, GA: 36.8G0.2 wks. LDH isoform activity was investigated after isoelectric focusing in agarose gels. Total LDH activity was measured in parallel by a kinetic UV spectrophotometric assay. Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis. RESULTS:Microbial infection increased totalLDHactivity: (D)AFC:median [range]: 930.5 [169.3-3374.8] vs. ( )AFC: 211.2 [95.6-1939.3] U/L; p=0.002]. LDH isoform profiling identified significant and specific increases in LDH isoforms 4 and 5 activities in (D)AFC but not in the ( )AFC group (p!0.01). Advancing gestational age was characterized by selective upregulation of LDH isoform 5 in the absence of infection (2nd vs. 3rd trim. controls, p=0.003).
Nitric oxide mediates cyclosporine-induced apoptosis in cultured renal cells

Nitric oxide mediates cyclosporine-induced apoptosis in cultured renal cells. Background The clinical use of cyclosporine (CsA) is limited by its nephrotoxicity. Apoptosis, perhaps instigated by increased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, may play a role in such toxicity. Methods Human mesangial cells, human tubular cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, or murine endothelial cells were cultured with CsA at final concentrations of 0 to 1000 ng/mL for 4 to 24 hours. As inhibitors of apoptosis, 0.01 mol/L L-nitromethylarginine (L-NAME) or 1 μg/mL cycloheximide (CHX) was added, whereas 0.01 mol/L sodium nitroprusside (as a nitric oxide donor) was used as a positive control. Apoptosis was assessed by using TUNEL method and by DNA fragmentation by electrophoresis. In addition, NOS enzymatic activity, Northern blots for inducible NOS (iNOS) mRNA, and immunohistochemically demonstrable iNOS protein were evaluated. Results Within 12 to 24 hours, CsA significantly increased the fraction (8 to 35%) of apoptotic cells in each cell line, according to the dose. Fragmentation of DNA confirmed apoptosis. L-NAME and CHX inhibited the phenomenon, whereas sodium nitroprusside enhanced it. Each cell line significantly increased NOS activity in response to CsA, an effect blunted by L-NAME and CHX. Neither inhibitor modified the increased iNOS mRNA expression elicited by CsA. Positive staining for both iNOS and p53 proteins was observed in all cell lines incubated with CsA that were inhibited by CHX; L-NAME inhibited only p53 staining. Conclusions CsA induces apoptosis in various renal cell lines, and this effect is mediated by the induction of iNOS via p53. These effects may contribute to the acellular fibrosis characteristic of late CsA nephrotoxicity.
Protein heterogeneity in rabbit liver ferritin: two types of molecular dimers.

Summary Native pore-gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of rabbit liver ferritin reveals the usual single band of molecular monomers, but shows two bands at the position of molecular dimers. The proteins in these three bands were purified by excision from preparative slab gels. All three bands (1) contain considerable amounts of iron-rich ferritin when examined by electron microscopy, (2) show complete identity when reacted with antirabbit-ferritin antibodies, and (3) have similar amounts of H-type and L-type ferritin subunits with denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These results establish that there are two classes of ferritin molecular dimers. The larger diner band uniquely also contains a polypeptide with Mr = 170,000. This unusual type of ferritin heterogeneity seems to be due to the presence of a non-ferritin protein associated only with one class of dimers.
Influences of maternal postpartum depression on fathers and on father–infant interaction

Il a deja ete prouve que la depression post-partum (DPP) influence de maniere negative l'interaction mere-nourrisson. Cependant peu de recherches ont explore la maniere dont les peres et l'interaction pere-nourrisson sont affectes lorsqu'une mere est deprimee. Cette etude a examine l'influence de la DPP maternelle sur les peres et identifie des facteurs maternels et paternels lies a l'interaction pere-nourrisson dans des familles avec des meres deprimees par rapport a non-deprimees. Un echantillon pratique de 128 triades mere-pere-nourrisson, dont approximativement la moitie incluait des femmes ayant des symptomes importants de DPP au depistage, a ete recrute a partir d'un echantillon de depistage de 790 femmes postpartum. Les meres et les peres ont rempli des mesures de depression, de satisfaction conjugale, et de stress de parentage a deux et trois mois postpartum et ont chacun ete filme a la video lors d'une interaction avec leurs nourrissons. Les resultats indiquent que la DPP maternelle est liee a une depression paternelle croisssante et a un stress de parentage paternel plus eleve. Les conjoints de meres deprimees ont fait etat d'une interaction moins optimale avec leurs nourrissons, ce quei indique que les peres ne compensent pas les effets negatifs de la depression maternelle sur l'enfant. Bien que l'interaction mere-nourrisson n'ait pas influence l'interaction pere-nourisson, les sentiments de la mere sur sa relation avec l'enfant a eu une influence sur l'interaction pere-nourrisson et l'interaction pere-nourrisson indique un besoin qu'il y a de comprendre de maniere plus approfondie les influences reciproques entre meres, peres et nourrissons.
An efficient centroid type-reduction strategy for general type-2 fuzzy logic system

In this paper, an efficient centroid type-reduction strategy for general type-2 fuzzy set is introduced. This strategy makes use of the result of @a-plane representation, and performs the centroid type-reduction on each @a-plane. Simulations show that it usually needs only several resolution of @a value such that the defuzzified value converges to a real value. Consequently, comparing with the exhaustive computation approach, this approach can tremendously decrease the computation complexity from exponential into linear.
Gelation of Protein Emulsion by Transglutaminase

Transglutaminase is a Ca2+ dependent enzyme that covalently polymerizes-proteins through the formation of e-(γ-glutamyl)lysyl cross-links. We investigated the transglutaminase reaction in emulsions stabilized by protein. When emulsions prepared with proteins (αs1-casein, and soybean 11S and 7S globulins) and soybean oil were incubated with transglutaminase, the emulsions turned into gels. Gel formation depended on the amount of transglutaminase and the pH. The results on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that protein in the emulsions was polymerized by the action of transglutaminase. Gelation of the emulsions was attributed to the formation of e-(γ-glutamyl)lysyl cross-links.
Implementation of Asphalt-Rubber Mixes into the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide

ABSTRACT The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) developed by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) utilizes material properties to predict distresses in pavement structures. This new MEPDG is in the process of replacing the traditional pavement design based on the AASHTO 1993 Design Guide. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) uses Asphalt- Rubber (AR) mixes state-wide. These mixes include both gap and open gradation designs. However, the national calibration process that was undertaken for the MEPDG did not include asphalt-rubber mixes. Because of their unique characteristics, this paper addresses steps and efforts undertaken in a recent study to implement these AR mixes into the MEPDG. There were several issues and limitations identified pertaining to the implementation of AR mixes in the MEPDG. Short and long term recommendations were provided. An important outcome includes a modified Dynamic Modulus predictive equation for AR mixes that is expected to be ...
Children in kinship care: How do they fare?

Abstract The placement of children in need of out-of-home care with relatives (i.e., kinship care) has been an increasing trend. The study summarized in this paper represents the first comprehensive assessment of the physical and mental health and educational status of children in kinship care. The anticipated high risk status of these children was supported by study findings in all areas of assessment. These findings are discussed and recommendations are offered for policy, practice and future research.
The Portuguese Columbus, secret agent of King John II

Part 1: the Cathars the Inquisition the Portuguese Jews the peninsular crusades and the templars the pre-Columbian discoveries the diplomatic treaties of King John II. Part 2 The hermetism of Christopher Columbus: Columbian documentation the language of the Admiral of the Indies the multiplicity of "Foreign Columbuses". Part 3 Empirical and scientific navigation: Portuguese nautical cryptography the enigma of Columbus' voyages the problem of the legendary Thule more theses on the discovery of America the mystery of the seven cities. Part 4 Biographic Machiavellianism: enigmatic lineage the "fabric" of a weaver's descent the strategem fo deceit. Part 5 Christopher Columbus revealed: dispersing the mist the prophecy of the Sibyl astrology and alchemy the labyrinth of the Cabala on the other side of the mirror from light to darkness. Part 6 Check and mate: after the heat of the battle a house on Madeira and a convent in Lisbon the genealogical web "terra rubra" and la rabida huntsmen and admirals stopovers at Azores, Portugal and Arzila. Part 7 On the trail of the last incognitos: the protectors of the admiral adulterers and adulterators the damsel of Cordoba distortions corrected the heraldic secret a question of physionomy the "Brothers" and the "Cousins" gambit. Appendix 1: The Hebraic letters/numbers and their meaning. Appendix 2: Triangles and hemispheres and its Latin words.
High-resolution quantification of focal adhesion spatiotemporal dynamics in living cells

Focal adhesions (FAs) are macromolecular complexes that provide a linkage between the cell and its external environment. In a motile cell, focal adhesions change size and position to govern cell migration, through the dynamic processes of assembly and disassembly. To better understand the dynamic regulation of focal adhesions, we have developed an analysis system for the automated detection, tracking, and data extraction of these structures in living cells. This analysis system was used to quantify the dynamics of fluorescently tagged Paxillin and FAK in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts followed via Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy (TIRF). High content time series included the size, shape, intensity, and position of every adhesion present in a living cell. These properties were followed over time, revealing adhesion lifetime and turnover rates, and segregation of properties into distinct zones. As a proof-of-concept, we show how a single point mutation in Paxillin at the Jun-kinase phosphorylation site Serine 178 changes FA size, distribution, and rate of assembly. This study provides a detailed, quantitative picture of FA spatiotemporal dynamics as well as a set of tools and methodologies for advancing our understanding of how focal adhesions are dynamically regulated in living cells. A full, open-source software implementation of this pipeline is provided at http://gomezlab.bme.unc.edu/tools.
Long-acting reversible contraception in adolescents.

Adolescents like adults adhere to medication regimens that require less frequent dosing. Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods allow young women to think about their contraception less often. LARC methods are safe in young healthy women and are the most reversible methods reversible methods in preventing pregnancy. These methods include intrauterine devices the subdermal implant and the injection. None of these methods contain estrogen so they are safe for young women with medical conditions for which estrogen-containing medications are contraindicated. Some of these methods also provide additional non-contraceptive benefits that may help young women with menstrual complaints of dysmenorrhea or menorrhagia.
Photoacoustic breast tomography prototypes with reported human applications

Photoacoustic breast tomography could provide optical molecular imaging with near-infrared light at sonographic image resolution by utilizing the photoacoustic effect. This review summarizes reports about current prototypes that were applied in vivo in humans. Four databases were searched for reports about prototypes of photoacoustic breast tomography that were tested in vivo in humans. Data extracted from the reports comprised details about system design, phantom studies, and clinical studies. Five prototypes were included. System designs comprised planar, hemicylindrical and hemispherical geometries. In total, 52 of 61 breast cancers (85 %) were detected by three of the prototypes, showing image details such as ring-pattern of the haemoglobin-rich tumour vasculature. A refined prototype provided submillimetre resolution at a good contrast-to-noise ratio up to a depth of about 5 cm in a cup-shaped breast configuration. Another novel prototype demonstrated that in the mammographic imaging geometry, the total imaging depth approximately duplicates with bilateral laser illumination. Most prototypes focused on detecting elevated haemoglobin content related to tumours, but proof-of-principle was also given for multispectral optoacoustic tomography by additional imaging of tissue oxygenation. Photoacoustic breast tomography can detect breast cancer. This radiation-free molecular imaging technology should be further refined and studied for clinical applications. • Photoacoustics combines optical imaging with sonographic signal detection. • Photoacoustic tomography could provide molecular imaging at high image resolution. • Prototypes have been designed for human breast cancer imaging. • Preliminary evaluation studies show that photoacoustic tomography detects breast cancer. • This radiation-free method should be further improved and studied for clinical applications.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy complicating liver transplantation

We report on a patient who had chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy following liver transplantation for hepatitis B-induced fulminate hepatic failure. Possible symptomatic recurrence of hepatitis B in the graft prompted a reduction in the cyclosporine dosage, which may have triggered the immune response leading to demyelination. Initial plasma exchange and then intravenous immune globulin after relapse led to marked clinical improvement.
Application of Proteomic Marker Ensembles to Subcellular Organelle Identification

Compartmentalization of biological processes and the associated cellular components is crucial for cell function. Typically, the location of a component is revealed through a co-localization and/or co-purification with an organelle marker. Therefore, the identification of reliable markers is critical for a thorough understanding of cellular function and dysfunction. We fractionated macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells, both in the resting and endotoxin-activated states, into six fractions representing the major organelles/compartments: nuclei, mitochondria, cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, and plasma membrane as well as an additional dense microsomal fraction. The identity of the first five of these fractions was confirmed via the distribution of conventional enzymatic markers. Through a quantitative liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis of the fractions, we identified 50-member ensembles of marker proteins ("marker ensembles") specific for each of the corresponding organelles/compartments. Our analysis attributed 206 of the 250 marker proteins ( approximately 82%) to organelles that are consistent with the location annotations in the public domain (obtained using DAVID 2008, EntrezGene, Swiss-Prot, and references therein). Moreover, we were able to correct locations for a subset of the remaining proteins, thus proving the superior power of analysis using multiple organelles as compared with an analysis using one specific organelle. The marker ensembles were used to calculate the organelle composition of the six above mentioned subcellular fractions. Knowledge of the precise composition of these fractions can be used to calculate the levels of metabolites in the pure organelles. As a proof of principle, we applied these calculations to known mitochondria-specific lipids (cardiolipins and ubiquinones) and demonstrated their exclusive mitochondrial location. We speculate that the organelle-specific protein ensembles may be used to systematically redefine originally morphologically defined organelles as biochemical entities.
Effect of exercise training on clot strength in patients with peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication: An ancillary study:

Objectives:Patients with peripheral artery disease have walking impairment, greater thrombotic risk, and are often treated with exercise training. We sought to determine the effect of a 3-month-lon...
Measurements of surface energy budgets in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado

The surface energy balance of a mountain valley and a mountain peak were continuously monitored for periods of 126 and 34 days, respectively. The data yielded temporally resolved, high-quality measurements of the radiative, soil, and total atmospheric turbulent heat fluxes. Comparative data for the two sites reveal the effects of terrain setting and surface cover in modulating the heat balance. A procedure is suggested for accommodating local advective affects due to variable terrain and surface cover to allow partitioning of the total turbulent flux into values for sensible and latent heat. This procedure relies on a stability-dependent coefficient of turbulent transfer which is locally calibrated to systematically minimize advection-related errors. Scaling functions for the transfer coeffient are based on the effective blackbody temperature of the surface. Consequently, the procedure offers an opportunity for developing reliable bulk representations of heat transfer at the surface for use with remote sensing data and with models of the soil and surface cover in complex terrain.
Development of high-productivity, strong cation-exchange adsorbers for protein capture by graft polymerization from membranes with different pore sizes

This paper describes the surface modification of macroporous membranes using ATRP (atom transfer radical polymerization) to create cation-exchange adsorbers with high protein binding capacity at high product throughput. The work is motivated by the need for a more economical and rapid capture step in downstream processing of protein therapeutics. Membranes with three reported nominal pore sizes (0.2, 0.45, 1.0 μm) were modified with poly(3-sulfopropyl methacrylate, potassium salt) tentacles, to create a high density of protein binding sites. A special formulation was used in which the monomer was protected by a crown ether to enable surface-initiated ATRP of this cationic polyelectrolyte. Success with modification was supported by chemical analysis using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and indirectly by measurement of pure water flux as a function of polymerization time. Uniformity of modification within the membranes was visualized with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Static and dynamic binding capacities were measured using lysozyme protein to allow comparisons with reported performance data for commercial cation-exchange materials. Dynamic binding capacities were measured for flow rates ranging from 13 to 109 column volumes (CV)/min. Results show that this unique ATRP formulation can be used to fabricate cation-exchange membrane adsorbers with dynamic binding capacities as high as 70 mg/mL at a throughput of 100 CV/min and unprecedented productivity of 300 mg/mL/min.
Epigenetic histone acetylation and deacetylation mechanisms in experimental models of neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract Introduction Epigenetic modifications, such as histone acetylation and deacetylation, are responsible for maintaining chromatin stability. As such, they have been implicated in a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders. Methods Histone acetylation involves the presentation of an acetyl group to lysine residues at the N terminus of histone proteins. Conversely, histone deacetylation involves the detachment of acetyl groups. Transcriptionally active chromatin is linked to acetylated histones, and in mouse neurons, is implicated in proper learning and memory. Discussion Proper functioning of histone deacetylases (HDACs) plays a pivotal role in histone acetylation homeostasis. Results A wide range of brain disorders are associated with improper balances within histone acetylation mechanisms, resulting in transcriptional dysfunction and translational disparities. Treatment modalities with various HDAC inhibitors have emerged as potential new strategies for therapeutic intervention in neurodegenerative disease. HDAC inhibitors enhance synaptic plasticity, learning and memory in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). In this review, we discuss a variety of in vitro cellular models and in vivo mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases and the potential application of HDAC inhibitors to prevent and treat these disorders.
Policies and Imprisonment: The Impact of Structured Sentencing and Determinate Sentencing on State Incarceration Rates, 1978–2004

Research has begun to systematically assess the relationship between sentencing policies and state incarceration rates. Prior studies, however, have examined policy‐based relationships in isolation, failing to consider the impact of combinations of policies. Using a pooled time series design, this article examines interactions between structured sentencing, determinate sentencing, and state incarceration rates between 1978 and 2004. Results show that constraining release discretion through determinate sentencing matters more than constraining sentencing discretion through structured sentencing. Consistent with prior research, determinate sentencing was associated with lower incarceration rates independent of other policies. Contrary to prior research, however, the presence of presumptive sentencing guidelines was associated with lower incarceration rates only when combined with determinate sentencing. These findings suggest that while a state may effectively insulate sentencing decisions from outside soci...
38th United States of America Mathematical Olympiad

(2010). 38th United States of America Mathematical Olympiad. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 156-158.
A review of: “Agency, Health and Social Survival: The Ecopolitics of Rival Psychologies”

Caroline New (1996) Agency, Health and Social Survival: the Ecopolitics of Rival Psychologies, London: Taylor & Francis, 190 pp., $12.95
Psychosocial risk factors for eating disorders in Hispanic females of diverse ethnic background and non-Hispanic females

This study investigated differences in psychosocial risk factors for eating disorders among university females (n=406) of diverse Hispanic background (Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central American/Mexican, Dominican, Venezuelan) and among White non-Hispanic (n=102) female students. Risk factors were assessed using the Psychosocial Risk Factor Questionnaire (PRFQ) which includes four subscales: Social Pressure for Thinness, Media Pressure for Thinness, Concern for Physical Appearance, and Perception of Physical Appearance. There were significant differences among the groups in total PRFQ score, F(7,499)=2.76, P<.008, and the subscale score for Concern, F(7,499)=2.99, P<.004, with Dominicans, Venezuelans and Columbians having higher scores than White non-Hispanics and Central Americans/Mexicans. In addition, there was a significant difference in BMI, F(7,499)=2.70, P<.009. Both Puerto Ricans (24.27+0.81) and Venezuelans (24.66+1.00) had higher BMIs than White non-Hispanics (21.87+0.37), Cubans (21.99+0.24) and Brazilians (21.46+0.96). There was also a significant, F(7,498)=2.70, P<.009, difference among the groups in Ideal Body Image score. Puerto Ricans had the highest score and Brazilians the lowest. Acknowledging that differences in psychosocial risk factors exist among Hispanic females of diverse background can assist us in creating more targeted approaches for the prevention of potential eating disorders in this population.
The role of fibronectin in adhesion of metastatic melanoma cells to endothelial cells and their basal lamina.

Abstract Vascular endothelial cells synthesize an extracellular matrix or basal lamina composed of collagens, proteoglycans and glycoproteins such as fibronectin (FN). Using affinity-purified anti-FN, we have examined the role of FN in adherence of metastatic B16 melanoma cells to endothelial cell monolayers which lack FN on apical cell surfaces and to their basal lamina which contains FN. B16 melanoma cells, which do not contain significant amounts of FN, attached at much higher rates to endothelial basal lamina and polyvinyl-immobilized FN compared with intact endothelial cell monolayers. Anti-FN failed to inhibit attachment of melanoma sublines of low (B16-F1) or high (B16-F10) metastatic potential to intact endothelial cell monolayers, inhibited slightly B16 cell attachment to basal lamina and completely abolished attachment of B16 cells to polyvinyl-immobilized FN. The antibiotic tunicamycin which inhibits glycosylation of B16 cell surface glycoproteins and blocks experimental metastasis [18] inhibited B16 attachment to endothelial cells, basal lamina and immobilized FN. The results suggest that FN mediates, only in part, the adhesion of B16 melanoma cells to basal lamina through glycoprotein receptors on B16 cells.
the consultant pharmacist and analgesic/anti-inflammatory drug usage in a geriatric long-term facility.

The contribution of a consultant pharmacist to a 33-month study of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug usage by 210 elderly long-term patients was evaluated by a fifth-year pharmacy student. In the 143 patients who used analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents, significant changes were noted, viz, decreased use of codeine (p = .002); increased use of acetaminophen (p = .003) and anti-inflammatory agents (p = .020); increased regular scheduling of aspirin and acetaminophen; and an overall decrease in total drug usage from 7.2 to 4.8 drugs per patient. No effect was noted on the number of analgesics per patient, and the percentage of aspirin or propoxyphene or acetaminophen combinations used. A protocol was established for pain therapy, including a system of stop orders for propoxyphene and codeine.
China's Naval Strategy and Nuclear Weapons: The Risks of Intentional and Inadvertent Nuclear Escalation

The naval strategy of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Navy (PLAN) closely integrates China's conventional forces with nuclear weapons in a warfighting role, the combination of which is intended to threaten or cause massive U.S. casualties. In reality, however, Chinese air and naval capabilities are quite modest and the PLA may suffer heavy attrition in the early days of a Sino-U.S. conflict. China's conventional options will become scarce and nuclear weapons may be seen as the only way to win or save face. A highly unstable situation will result when China is faced with the choice between defeat or nuclear usage.
Coulomb drag of massless fermions in graphene

Using a structure consisting of two, independently contacted graphene single layers separated by an ultrathin dielectric, we experimentally measure the Coulomb drag of massless fermions in graphene. At temperatures higher than 50 K, the Coulomb drag follows a temperature and carrier density dependence consistent with the Fermi liquid regime. As the temperature is reduced, the Coulomb drag exhibits giant fluctuations with an increasing amplitude, thanks to the interplay between coherent transport in the graphene layer and interaction between the two layers.
Renal action of cholera toxin: II. Effects on adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP system

Renal action of cholera toxin: II. Effects on adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP system. The effects of cholera toxin (CT) on the adenylate cyclase-adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) system(s) in renal cortex were examined using the isolated renal cortical tubules of rat. Unlike parathyroid hormone, catecholamines or prostaglandins, CT had no immediate effects on cAMP production by the tubules or on adenylate cyclase activity. However, after 30 min of incubation at 37°C, cAMP production by the tubules started to rise and reached a plateau between 60 and 90 min. This rise in cAMP production was not abolished by protein synthesis inhibitors (actinomycin D and cycloheximide) nor by the inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis (acetyl-salicylate and indomethacin). Repeated washings of the tubules exposed to the toxin for five minutes at 0 or 37°C did not abolish the effect of CT to stimulate cAMP production. Assays of adenylate cyclase activity using homogenates prepared from isolated tubules which were incubated for 60 min with CT revealed an increase in the basal adenylate cyclase activity without any change in NaF-sensitive enzyme activity. It is concluded that CT binds to renal tubule cells rapidly, possibly through energy-independent process. CT stimulates adenylate cyclase activity and increases cAMP production by the renal tubule cells after a latent period of 30 min. The stimulatory effects of CT are not due to new protein synthesis or prostaglandin formation.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE PROTEOLYTIC ENZYME FROM THE LATEX OF THE MILKWEED, ASCLEPIAS SPECIOSA TORR. SOME COMPARISONS WITH OTHER PROTEASES III. KINETICS OF THE HEAT INACTIVATION OF PAPAIN, BROMELIN, AND ASCLEPAIN

1. The rates of heat inactivation of papain, bromelin, and asclepain were determined at several different temperatures. Papain was by far the most resistant to heat. 2. The destruction of papain at 75–83° and bromelin at 55–70° followed the course of a first order reaction, except that for longer times of heating, bromelin (at 60–70°) was inactivated more rapidly than the first order equation required. 3. The rate of inactivation of asclepain at 55–70° followed the second order equation. 4. The critical thermal increments of inactivation of papain and bromelin, calculated with the van't Hoff-Arrhenius equation, were of the same high order that has been found for protein denaturation. The increment for asclepain was somewhat lower.
Enhancing protease enantioselectivity by ionic liquids based on chiral- or ω-amino acids

Abstract Ionic liquids (ILs) carrying anions of chiral- or ω-amino acids were prepared. The enzymatic hydrolysis of phenylalanine methyl ester was studied in aqueous solutions of these ILs. These ILs were found capable of stabilizing the protease activity and enantioselectivity at low concentrations. Interestingly, higher ees and yields of l -phenylalanine were generally observed in ILs based on d -amino acids rather than in those derived from l -isomers. The reason could be that d -amino acids are more kosmotropic than l -isomers. Meanwhile, the IL–D 2 O solution was able to further enhance the enzymatic resolution, when comparing with that in an IL–H 2 O system.
Generation of Microcellular Materials via Self-Assembly in Carbon Dioxide

Fluoroalkyl urea compounds were designed to generate foams via dissolution in CO2, self-assembly in solution, and critical point drying via pressure reduction. The fluoroalkyl groups imparted CO2-p...
Novel photorefractive liquid crystal polymer composites

We have studied the photorefractive properties of a composite consisting of the polymer PVK doped with 4,4'- pentylcyanobiphenyl and C60. The material is homogeneous, stable, and does not require a plasticizer agent. Net gain coefficients over 100 cm-1 are observed. Measurements of orientational and electro-optic responses indicate that the orientational response is large, but markedly inhibited. We also report dramatic gain enhancement in two-beam coupling and novel angle and electric field dependencies in this composite.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Lessons from Germany: The ‘ecobalance’ as a tool for pollution prevention

(1996). Lessons from Germany: The ‘ecobalance’ as a tool for pollution prevention. Social and Environmental Accountability Journal: Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 3-6.
Trace Water Detection in Phosphine By Cavity Ring-down Spectroscopy

We are using cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) to measure concentrations of water in nitrogen and, for the first time to our knowledge, in phosphine. Water vapor concentrations have been measured in purified and unpurified phosphine, indicating a water mole fraction of (22.0 ± 1.0) x 10-6 in unpurified phosphine. After purification with an in-line, chemically-reactive purifier, the mole fraction of water in phosphine was less than 0.1 × 10-6. Mole fractions as high as (730 ± 60) × 10-6 have been measured in unpurified phosphine, suggesting that the H2O vapor concentration increases substantially with time as the gas is stored in a cylinder. The materials properties of AlInP grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) with CRDS-characterized PH3 were found to be relatively insensitive to water contamination at the 22 mol/mol level.
A narrative review of manual muscle testing and implications for muscle testing research.

Objective Manual muscle testing (MMT) is used for a variety of purposes in health care by medical, osteopathic, chiropractic, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and athletic training professionals. The purpose of this study is to provide a narrative review of variations in techniques, durations, and forces used in MMT putting applied kinesiology (AK) muscle testing in context and highlighting aspects of muscle testing important to report in MMT research.
An Excess of the Proinflammatory Cytokines IFN-γ and IL-12 Impairs the Development of the Memory CD8+ T Cell Response to Chlamydia trachomatis

The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States and the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Transfer of cultured Chlamydia-specific CD8(+) T cells or vaccination with recombinant virus expressing an MHC I-restricted Chlamydia Ag confers protection, yet surprisingly a protective CD8(+) T cell response is not stimulated following natural infection. In this study, we demonstrate that the presence of excess IL-12 and IFN-γ contributes to poor memory CD8(+) T cell development during C. trachomatis infection of mice. IL-12 is required for CD8(+) T cell expansion but drives effector CD8(+) T cells into a short-lived fate, whereas IFN-γ signaling impairs the development of effector memory cells. We show that transient blockade of IL-12 and IFN-γ during priming promotes the development of memory precursor effector CD8(+) T cells and increases the number of memory T cells that participate in the recall protection against subsequent infection. Overall, this study identifies key factors shaping memory development of Chlamydia-specific CD8(+) T cells that will inform future vaccine development against this and other pathogens.
Fertility and parental consent for minors to receive contraceptives.

Objectives. I examined the effect of imposing a requirement for parental consent before minors can receive medical contraceptives.Methods. Birth and abortions among teens, relative to adults, in a suburban Illinois county that imposed a parental consent requirement in 1998 were compared with births and abortions in nearby counties during the period 1997–2000.Results. The relative proportion of births to women under age 19 years in the county rose significantly compared with nearby counties, whereas the relative proportion of abortions to women under age 20 years declined insignificantly, with a relative increase in the proportion of pregnancies (births and abortions) to young women in the county.Conclusions. Imposing a parental consent requirement for contraceptives, but not abortions, appears to raise the frequency of pregnancies and births among young women.
Systematic Changes of the Nb-Sn Reaction With Time, Temperature, and Alloying in Restacked-Rod-Process (RRP) ${\hbox {Nb}}_{3}{\hbox {Sn}}$ Strands

Reaction heat treatments spanning 605 to 750degC and 24 to ~400 hours were applied to several sets of RRP strands. Magnetization and transport measurements were used to track the changes of superconducting properties and the amounts of Nb3Sn formed. The experiments showed that temperature increases of 15degC produced equivalent properties in half the time within the temperature range 620-680degC. This result was the same whether Ta or Ti was used to alloy the Nb3Sn. The bulk pinning force Fp for Ta-alloyed wires displayed a significant drop for temperatures outside the range above, due to tin gradients at low temperatures and grain growth at high temperatures. The Fp drop at high reaction temperatures prevents wire technology from taking advantage of the significantly higher Kramer-plot intercept H K for high-temperature reactions. On the other hand, Ti alloying provides a quick and potent means to increase H K at reaction temperatures for which Fp remains high.
UMLS concept indexing for production databases: a feasibility study.

To the Editor:— In the recently published study by Nadkarni et al.,1 the authors used text-mining software to extract concepts from clinical documents. Matching of these concepts was attempted with the UMLS 99 Metathesaurus. Matches were then categorized as true positives (TP), false positives (FP), true negatives (TN), and false negatives (FN) from 8,745 terms in a “training set” and 1,701 terms in a “test set,” for a total of 10,446 terms. True positives were reported as 82.6 percent for the training set and 76.3 percent for the test set. In 1999, we carried out an almost identical study using the identical version of the UMLS, on a larger scale, which resulted in very similar results that were presented at the 1999 AMIA Annual Symposium.2 In our study, 4,994 of the most frequently referenced terms were chosen from 1,000,000 terms randomly extracted from the general Mayo Clinic Master Sheet Index and the Impression/Report/Plan section of the Mayo Clinic clinical notes system, to form a general medicine set. The Mayo Clinic Department of Dermatology independently developed a lexicon of 9,050 …
A fully integrated, monolithic, cryogenic charge sensitive preamplifier using N-channel JFETs and polysilicon resistors

An N-channel JFET process technology for integrated charge sensitive preamplifiers has been developed. The process integrates multiple pinch-off voltage JFETs fabricated in an n-type epitaxial layer on a low resistivity p-type substrate. The process also incorporates polysilicon resistors integrated on the same die as the JFETs. The optimized polysilicon resistors exhibit 1/f noise nearly as good as metal film resistors at the same current. Results for the integrated amplifier are discussed. >
Functional genetic variants in the 3'-untranslated region of sulfotransferase isoform 1A1 (SULT1A1) and their effect on enzymatic activity.

Sulfotransferase isoform 1A1 (SULT1A1) is the most highly expressed hepatic sulfotransferase and is involved in the biotransformation of a wide variety of endo- and xenobiotics. A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the coding region of SULT1A1, several proximal promoter SNPs, and copy number variation (CNV) are associated with altered enzymatic activity, but these variants do not fully account for the observed variation of SULT1A1 activity in human populations. In order to identify additional SNPs modulating SULT1A1 activity, we examined the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of SULT1A1 in 97 liver samples. Direct sequencing revealed that two SNPs in the 3′-UTR (902A > G [rs6839] and 973C > T [rs1042157]) and one SNP in the 3′-flanking region (1307G > A [rs4788068]) were common. These SNPs are in absolute linkage disequilibrium with each other and in tight linkage with SULT1A1*1/2 (linkage coefficient D′ 0.83) and are significantly associated with SULT1A1 messenger RNA (p = 0.001, 0.029, 0.021) and enzymatic activity (p = 0.022, 0.012, 0.027). We then examined the collective effects of 3′-UTR SNPs, SULT1A1*1/2, and CNV on SULT1A1 activity in 498 Caucasian and 127 African-American subjects by haplotype analysis. This analysis revealed that SULT1A1*1/2 does not contribute to the variation in SULT1A1 enzymatic activity when the 3′-UTR SNPs are included in the statistical model. Two major haplotypes (ACG and GTA) were significantly correlated with SULT1A1 activity, and when stratified by copy number, the SULT1A1 3′-UTR SNPs remain significantly associated with SULT1A1 enzymatic activity in Caucasians, but not in African-Americans. Subsequent functional characterization revealed that a microRNA, miR-631, regulates SULT1A1 expression in a genotype-specific manner.
Shaping the Federal Courts: The Obama Nominees†

Objectives The objective of this study is to explore President Obama's nominations to the lower federal courts and compare his patterns to those from George W. Bush and William Jefferson Clinton using a typology established by Goldman in 1997. Methods Using data from 1993 to 2012 provided by the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, we examine a series of cross-tabulations to make our comparisons. Results The data indicate that President Obama has nominated more women and minorities to the federal bench than either of his two immediate predecessors. Additionally, his nominees possess more moderate ideological preferences than the nominees from either Bush or Clinton. Conclusions These results demonstrate that Obama seems more concerned with racial and gender diversity rather than ideological preferences. Therefore, President Obama's claims of pragmatism and his desire to nominate individuals who reflect American society, often doubted by both political supporters and detractors, appear supported by the available data.