cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Indomethacin pretreatment reduces ozone-induced pulmonary function decrements in human subjects

We studied whether O3-induced pulmonary function decrements could be inhibited by the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, indomethacin, in healthy human subjects. Fourteen college-age males completed six 1-h exposure protocols consisting of no drug, placebo, and indomethacin (Indocin SR 75 mg every 12 h for 5 days) pretreatments, with filtered air and O3 (0.35 ppm) exposures within each pretreatment. Pretreatments were delivered weekly in random order in a double-blind fashion. Ozone and filtered air exposure, separated by 72 h, were delivered in random order in a single-blind fashion. Exposures consisted of 1-h exercise on a bicycle ergometer with work loads set to elicit a mean minute ventilation of 60 L/min. Statistical analysis revealed significant (p < 0.05) across pretreatment effects for FVC and FEV1, with no drug versus indomethacin and placebo versus indomethacin comparisons being significant. These findings suggest that cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid, which are sensitive to indometh...
Ways with Words: Language, Life and Work in Communities and Classrooms

Photographs, maps, figures, tables, texts Acknowledgments Prologue Note on transcriptions Part I. Ethnographer Learning: 1. The piedmont: textile mills and times of change 2. 'Gettin' on' in two communities 3. Learning how to talk in Trackton 4. Teaching how to talk in Roadville 5. Oral traditions 6. Literate traditions 7. The townspeople Part II. Ethnographer Doing: 8. Teachers as learners 9. Learners as ethnographers Epilogue Epilogue - 1996 Notes Bibliography Index.
Modeling the Effects of Distinct Calcium Dynamics in Purkinje Cells in Delayed Afterdepolarization-Induced Triggered Activity

Background Recent mouse experiments demonstrated that Purkinje cells (PC) are more vulnerable to delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) than ventricular myocytes (VM). PCs exhibit a distinct calcium (Ca) activation process, which in the presence of ryanodine receptor (RyR2) mutations may facilitate DADs and triggered activity. However, the exact mechanisms are poorly understood. We hypothesize that cytosolic Ca diffusion together with T-type Ca (ICaT) channel reopening as a result of leaky RyR2 lead to DAD-induced triggered activity in PCs. Methods A detailed mathematical model of a mouse PC (Figure A) involving spatiotemporal diffusion of cytosolic Ca was developed. Two components of the Ca activation—radial subsarcolemmal wavelets (C1) and longitudinal cell-wide waves (C2), as observed in literature—were modeled (Figure B). RyR2 mutations were simulated by reducing the threshold for sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca release in the presence of isoproterenol effects. Results During 1-Hz pacing, sarcolemmal (SL) Ca channels trigger C1 propagating toward the core of the cell, which then triggers C2. SR Ca leaks initiated wavelets propagating in the reverse direction. Increased amplitudes of the L-type Ca current (ICaL) (150%) and ICaT (200%) were sufficient to cause DADs due to reactivation of ICaT and sodium/calcium exchanger (Figure C). Further increase in ICaT (300%) led to DAD-induced triggered activity (Figure D), which was not observed with increased ICaL alone. Conclusions Our simulations suggest that characteristic two-dimensional cytosolic Ca diffusion along with reactivation of ICaT lead to DAD-induced triggered activity caused by leaky SR in PCs. Download : Download high-res image (208KB) Download : Download full-size image
Directional smoothing for interferogram reduction

In this paper, the concept of directional smoothing is introduced and its application to interferogram noise reduction is presented. Interferograms provide isophase lines, that is, fringes and they thus contain directional information. In essence, the method incorporates this valuable directional information of interferograms by setting up a slender mask of relatively large aspect ratio along a fringe. The new value, that is, the average or median intensity of the pixels within the slender mask is assigned to each pixel. The slender mask could be straight or curved. For a straight slender mask, one should find the average direction of fringes within a certain chosen region. For a curved slender mask, the mask is set up along the fringe direction and may vary for each pixel. Based on computer simulation of experiments, the results appear to be promising as compared with ordinary smoothing or median filtering.
Exploiting signal and noise statistics for fixed point FFT design optimization in OFDM systems

Scaling the different stage outputs in an FFT appropriately is crucial for getting a good Signal to Quantization noise ratio (SQNR) in fixed point FFT design. Traditional designs have either handled this through Convergent block floating point technique (CBFP), which has memory, computation and latency penalties or through time consuming simulations. In this paper, we consider the special case of FFT design for OFDM transceivers. We exploit the Gaussian nature of OFDM signals to predict the bit-growth of the signal through the various stages of the FFT and propose a technique to scale the signal appropriately. Additionally, we investigate the quantization error profile and propose a technique to improve SQNR by exploiting the presence of null tones at the band edges. With the proposed techniques, the performance comes close to the CBFP design, with no increase in complexity compared to existing static designs. Simulation results illustrating the performance improvements of the proposed technique are presented.
The role of in situ decomposition of organic matter on the concentration of non-conservative properties in the sea

Abstract The concentration of organic matter in the ocean is examined in relation to the effect of its decomposition on the distribution of associated non-conservative properties of oxygen, nitrate, and phosphate. Current evidence illustrates the seemingly random distribution of dissolved carbon on an ocean wide scale within the relatively narrow limits of ± 0·2 mg C/1. below a depth of 400 m. Plots of associated indices of organic decomposition (oxygen, phosphate, and nitrate) against salinity suggest that these parameters, within unknown time scales, are quasiconservative. If modified by the activity of living organisms, their distribution can only be explained by unvarying metabolic activity at depth.
ARID4A and ARID4B regulate male fertility, a functional link to the AR and RB pathways

ARID4A and ARID4B are homologous members of the ARID (AT-rich interaction domain) gene family. ARID4A and ARID4B physically interact with each other. ARID4A is a retinoblastoma (RB)-binding protein. Biological function of these interactions is still unknown. Here, we report that mice with complete deficiency of Arid4a, combined with haploinsufficiency of Arid4b (Arid4a−/−Arid4b+/−), showed progressive loss of male fertility, accompanied by hypogonadism and seminal vesicle agenesis/hypodysplasia. Arid4a and Arid4b are expressed mainly in Sertoli cells of testes, which implies that their roles in Sertoli cell function are to support spermatogenesis and create the impermeable blood–testis barrier. In fact, evaluation of germ cell development in the Arid4a−/−Arid4b+/− mice showed spermatogenic arrest at the stages of meiotic spermatocytes and postmeiotic haploid spermatids. Analysis of the integrity of the blood–testis barrier showed increased permeability of seminiferous tubules in the Arid4a−/−Arid4b+/− testes. Interestingly, phenotypic Sertoli cell dysfunction in the Arid4a−/−Arid4b+/− mice, including spermatogenic failures and the impaired blood–testis barrier, recapitulated the defects found in the Sertoli cell-specific androgen receptor (AR) knockout mice and the Sertoli cell-specific RB knockout mice. Investigation of the molecular mechanism identified several AR- and RB-responsive genes as downstream targets of ARID4A and ARID4B. Our results thus indicate that ARID4A and ARID4B function as transcriptional coactivators for AR and RB and play an integral part in the AR and RB regulatory pathways involved in the regulation of Sertoli cell function and male fertility.
Networks for Civic Engagement? Neighbourhood Councils and Faith-based Organizations in Los Angeles

Understanding how civic associations shape individuals' understanding of and participation in local political affairs requires a focus on the structural and affective networks engendered by associations. Using micro-level network data, we analyse the networks developed by two different forms of voluntary associations: neighbourhood councils and faith-based organizations. These associations were chosen to examine common assumptions about the bridging and bonding characteristics of differing associational types and the contention that faith-based associations provide their members with compensating network resources. We find that associations' internal (bonding) networks varied more within type than across types. Moreover, the affective content of relationships play an important contextualizing effect, calling into question the usefulness of common associational typologies. We also find that neighbourhood councils have richer bridging networks, which qualifies the degree to which faith-based associations ca...
Competition between non-profit and for-profit health insurers

This study investigates the effects of tax, regulatory, and reimbursement policies and other factors exogenous to the health insurance market on the relative price (to commercial insurers) paid by Blue Cross plans for hospital care, their administrative expense and accounting profits, premiums, and ultimately Blue Cross market share. We specify and estimate a simultaneous equation model to assess interrelationships among these variables. We conclude that premium tax advantages enjoyed by the Blues have virtually no effect on the Blues' premiums or their market shares. A Blue Cross plan's market share has a positive effect on the discount it obtains from hospitals as does coverage of Blue Shield charges by a state-mandated rate-setting plan. An upper bound on the effect on the Blue Cross market share of covering Blue Cross under rate-setting but excluding the commercials from such coverage is seven percentage points. Tests for administrative slack in the operation of Blue Cross plans yield mixed results.
Effects of alterations in the translation control region on bacterial gene expression: use of cat gene constructs transcribed from the lac promoter as a model system

The region controlling translation of the cat gene, which codes for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, has been varied structurally in a series of plasmids that place the gene under control of the lac promoter. These plasmid constructs have enabled study of the structural features that affect the efficiency of mRNA translation. Altering the potential for secondary structure formation within the translation control region caused a tenfold variation in the synthesis of CAT enzyme, whereas varying the distance between the Shine-Dalgarno sequence (SD) and the translation start codon from 7 to 13 bases did not significantly affect the yield of CAT. If the SD was situated in a region of mRNA that is capable of base pairing, the efficiency of translation was decreased; however, the translation start codon, AUG, can initiate translation efficiently even when located in a segment capable of duplex formation. Overlapping of the cat translation control region by translation initiated upstream markedly affected initiation of translation within the cat gene: out-to-frame overlapping translation reduced CAT production by 90%; in-frame overlapping translation prevented detectable initiation of protein synthesis at the cat gene translation start codon, and yielded only fusion proteins. The enzymatic activity of such proteins was influenced by the length of the adventitious peptide segment added to the amino-terminus of the CAT polypeptide.
Delayed muscle detachment after genial tubercle advancement in a patient with obstructive sleep apnea.

The consequences and health implications of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) continue to evolve, as do the various treatments. However, no single universal treatment protocol has been established.1 Medical management of OSAS principally consists of weight loss, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and dental appliances.2 Surgical management has evolved over the past several decades into a variety of staged protocols that incorporate procedures aimed at eliminating obstruction in the nasal cavity, that caused by the soft palate or base of the tongue/ hypopharynx, and that related to deficiencies in the maxillofacial skeleton. The initial phase of treatment generally involves procedures on the soft palate, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) or laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) performed alone or in combination with septoplasty or genial tubercle advancement osteotomy (with or without hyoid myotomy/ suspension). Patients failing this initial phase of treatment are then treated by maxillomandibular advancement or tracheostomy. The recent literature has suggested that skeletal osteotomies (maxillomandibular advancement) may be useful as the initial phase of treatment as well.1,3-6 This case report describes a complication in a patient in the initial phase of treatment who underwent a genial tubercle advancement and had spontaneous detachment of the genial musculature 11 days postoperatively. Report of Case
Concept MAP as Scaffolding for Authentic Assessment

We propose the use of concept maps in a 3-step assessment design to maximize the validity and generalizability of authentic assessments.
Negative Effect of Sequential Serine Codons on Expression of Foreign Genes inEscherichia coli

Herpes simplex virus encodes a 1298-residue protein designated ICP4 that regulates transcription of viral genes. Structural and functional analyses of ICP4 have been facilitated by production of portions of ICP4 in Escherichia coli. We previously observed that expression of most truncated forms of ICP4 in E. coli was relatively efficient, with the exception of portions of the ICP4 gene approximately between codons 160 and 220. We have now localized the portion of ICP4 that inhibits expression to a serine-rich region from position 176 to 199. Our experimental results suggest that codons within the serine-rich domain do not induce termination of transcription, do not alter the intrinsic stability of mRNA, and do not create a proteolytically sensitive site in this portion of ICP4. Silent mutations that alter codon usage of many of the 19 serine codons in this region had no effect on expression. However, we observed that the level of protein expression was inversely proportional to the number of serine codons in this region. The results are consistent with a model in which the serine-rich domain induces premature termination of translation. This effect is not due to any specific secondary structure in the mRNA or lack of sufficient seryl-tRNA synthetase. It remains to be determined whether premature termination can result from insufficient seryl-charged tRNAs. Our results suggest that foreign genes with more than 20 consecutive serine codons may be poorly expressed in E. coli.
Phthalate-treated endometrial cancer cell lines show increased AKR1C1 expression

Endometriosis is common benign gynecologic endometrial disorder that causes infertility and pelvic pain. Endometriosis is associated with aberrant inflammatory responses, increased production of prostaglandins, and progesterone resistance. Recently, aldo-keto reductases (1B and 1C) were shown to play an important role in metabolism of prostaglandins and progesterone. In this study, we assessed the aldo-keto reductase gene expression in endometrial cancer cells (ECC)-1 that were treated with phthalate, which has been previously shown to mediate the development of gynecological disorders. The data indicated that phthalate increased expression of aldo-keto reductases in endometrial cells and stimulated production of prostaglandins and may be involved in the development of progesterone resistance.
Efficient computation of Julia sets and their fractal dimension

Abstract The computation of the fractal dimension is straightforward using the box-counting method. However, this approach may require very long computation times. If the Julia set is the connected common boundary of two or more basins of attraction, then a recursive version of the box-counting method can be made storage- and time-efficient. The method is also suitable for the computation of the Julia sets. We apply the method to verify a result of D. Ruelle regarding the dimension of Julia sets of R ( z )= z 2 + c for small c∈ C , to Newton's method for complex polynomials of degree 3 and to a sequence of Julia sets from the renormalization transformation for hierarchical lattices. We also discuss the computation of Julia sets and their information dimension by the inverse iteration method. In all examples tested we find that the information dimension is less than the fractal dimension.
In vitro functional imaging in brain slices using fast voltage-sensitive dye imaging combined with whole-cell patch recording

In many brain areas, circuit connectivity is segregated into specific lamina or glomerula. Functional imaging in these anatomically discrete areas is particularly useful in characterizing circuit properties. Voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) imaging directly assays the spatiotemporal dynamics of neuronal activity, including the functional connectivity of the neurons involved. In spatially segregated structures, VSD imaging can define how physiology and connectivity interact, and can identify functional abnormalities in models of neurological and psychiatric disorders. In the following protocol, we describe the in vitro slice preparation, epifluorescence setup and analyses necessary for fast charge-coupled device (CCD)-based VSD imaging combined with simultaneous whole-cell patch recording. The addition of single-cell recordings validates imaging results, and can reveal the relationship between single-cell activity and the VSD-imaged population response; in synchronously activated neurons, this change in whole-cell recorded Vm can accurately represent population Vm changes driving the VSD responses. Thus, the combined VSD imaging and whole-cell patch approach provides experimental resolution spanning single-cell electrophysiology to complex local circuit responses.
Primary dose in photon beams with lateral electron disequilibrium.

It is shown that in narrow monoenergetic photon beams under conditions of lateral electron disequilibrium, primary absorbed dose {ital P}({ital r}) is a simple function of beam radius {ital r} : {ital P}{sub ({ital r})}={ital P}{sub {lambda}}{center dot}(1{minus}{ital e}{sup {minus}{gamma}{center dot}{ital r}}), where {ital P}{sub {lambda}} is the primary dose in broad beams for which complete lateral electron equilibrium exists, and {gamma} depends on photon energy and absorbing medium. This formula was evaluated using Monte-Carlo-generated data for the primary dose in water from monoenergetic photons in the energy range from 2 to 8 MeV. The primary dose was studied in beams of radii 0.006 cm{lt}{ital r}{lt}5.0 cm and within the depth interval 0.5 cm{le}{ital d}{le}24 cm. It was concluded that the saturation equation above provides an accurate description of the primary dose from monoenergetic photon beams, as judged by comparison with Monte Carlo results.
Addressing the shortage of pharmacy faculty and clinicians: The impact of demographic changes

Federal capitation payments during the 1970s helped stimulate growth in student and faculty numbers. Although capitation was discontinued in the early 1980s, the intended effect of increasing resources to expand clinical education was achieved. With the approaching end of the first decade of the
A normative study of students’ reported preferred study techniques

Abstract There is no data in the literature regarding the study techniques actually used by students in various grades. The absence of this data may in part explain the conflicting results in the literature on study technique effectiveness. This normative study investigated the study technique preferences of 914 students in grades 6–8, 10–12, and at the college level in order to determine the study techniques actually used by students at various ages. The results indicate that with increasing grade level there is an increase in the total number of study techniques described by students, and also that with increasing grade level Read Only decreases in popularity and is replaced by the study techniques of Underlining and/or Note Taking. Possible explanations for these results include the more active involvement and encoding required by Underlining and Note Taking and the increasing influence of individual differences.
A fundamental limit on the balance of power in a transpiration-controlled channel flow

This paper is a direct sequel to Bewley & Aamo (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 499, 2004, pp. 183-196). It was conjectured in that paper, based on the numerical evidence available at that time, that the minimum drag of a constant mass flux channel flow might in fact be that of the laminar flow. This conjecture turned out to be false; Min et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 558, 2006, 309318) discovered a curious control strategy which in fact reduces the time-averaged drag to sub-laminar levels. The present paper establishes rigorously that the power of the control input applied at the walls is always larger than the power saved (due to drag reduction below the laminar level) for any possible control distribution, including that proposed by Min et al. (2006), thus establishing that, energetically (that is accounting for the power saved due to drag reduction and the power exerted by application of the control), the optimal control solution is necessarily to relaminarize the flow.
Learning database abstractions for query reformulation

The query reformulation approach (also called semantic query optimization) takes advantage of the semantic knowledge about the contents of databases for optimization. The basic idea is to use the knowledge to reformulate a query into a less expensive yet equivalent query. Previous work on semantic query optimization has shown the cost reduction that can be achieved by reformulation, we further point out that when applied to distributed multidatabase queries, the reformulation approach can reduce the cost of moving intermediate data from one site to another. However, a robust and efficient method to discover the required knowledge has not yet been developed. This paper presents an example-guided, data-driven learning approach to acquire the knowledge needed in reformulation. We use example queries to guide the learning to capture the database usage pattern. In contrast to the heuristic-driven approach proposed by Siegel, the data-driven approach is more likely to learn the required knowledge for the various reformulation needs of the example queries. Since this learning approach minimizes the dependency on the database structure and implementation, it is applicable to heterogeneous multidatabase systems. With the learning capability, the query reformulation will be more effective and feasible in real-world database applications.
External Field of the Nerve Impulse

Since the time of Hermann,1 the conception of the nerve impulse as a self-propagating electric stimulus has become more and more widely accepted. Within the last few years several experiments have been reported purporting to test the consequences of this view of the impulse as an electrical circuit with two longitudinal resistive components (the transverse ones do not concern us here), one within the core of the axon itself, the other existing outside the core and involving the surrounding media.2-4An additional possible consequence of the local circuit theory concerns the electro magnetic properties of the field surrounding the region occupied by the advancing impulse. If the theory is true, the magnetic field surrounding the external component of the circuit should be oriented in a manner which is opposed to that of the internal component, with the result that, owing to the extreme with the result that, owing to the extreme smallness of the core's diameter, almost complete cancellation of the magnetic f...
Giant hyperplastic polyps of the gastric remnant simulating carcinoma

Large hyperplastic polyps of the gastric remnant were detected in 2 male patients who had undergone Billroth II gastrojejunostomy for peptic ulcer disease 13 and 18 years earlier. Both patients presented with iron deficiency anemia due to chronic occult gastrointestinal bleeding. The clinical and radiographic findings were initially suggestive of gastric stump malignancy, and one of the resected hyperplastic polyps contained foci of carcinoma in situ. We illustrate the radiographic and pathologic features of these lesions together with a review of the pertinent literature.
Simulation of an Enriching Reflux PSA Process with Parallel Equalization for Concentrating a Trace Component in Air

The utility of a simple numerical model, based on the LDF approximation and the frozen solid phase assumption, was developed to predict the performance of an enriching reflux (ER) pressure swing adsorption (PSA) cycle with parallel equalization (PEQ) for concentrating a trace component. The utility of this model was successfully demonstrated with the enrichment of Xe from air using 13X zeolite and a two-bed, 6-step, ER PSA cycle with PEQ. With the LDF mass transfer coefficient (Ka) ranging from 2.0 to 3.0 kg m-3 s-1, the model predictions of the enrichment factor (YHP/YF) compared well with the experimental results over a wide range of conditions. Both the modeling and experimental results showed that ambient Xe in air could be enriched up to 80 times by the ER PSA cycle with PEQ. The enrichment factor that could be obtained from the more conventional stripping reflux PSA cycle was theoretically limited to 12.5, i.e., the high to low pressure ratio, with the actual value usually being much less than half ...
Robust Parallel Computation Of Image Displacement Fields

This paper describes the implementation of a hierarchical multi-resolution algorithm for the computation of dense displacement fields on the Connection Machine'. The algorithm uses the pyramid representation of the images and a coarse-to-fine matching strategy. At each level of processing, a confidence measure is computed for the match of each pixel, and a smoothness con-straint is used to propagate the reliable displacements to their less reliable neighbors. The focus of this implementation is the use of the Connection Machine for pyramid processing and the implementation of the coarse to fine matching strategy. It will be shown that this technique can be used to successfully match pairs of real images in near real-time.
Tumor Induction in Mice After Localized Single- or Fractionated-Dose Irradiation: Differences in Tumor Histotype and Genetic Susceptibility Based on Dose Scheduling

Purpose To investigate differences in tumor histotype, incidence, latency, and strain susceptibility in mice exposed to single-dose or clinically relevant, fractioned-dose γ-ray radiation. Methods and Materials C3Hf/Kam and C57BL/6J mice were locally irradiated to the right hindlimb with either single large doses between 10 and 70 Gy or fractionated doses totaling 40 to 80 Gy delivered at 2-Gy/d fractions, 5 d/wk, for 4 to 8 weeks. The mice were closely evaluated for tumor development in the irradiated field for 800 days after irradiation, and all tumors were characterized histologically. Results A total of 210 tumors were induced within the radiation field in 788 mice. An overall decrease in tumor incidence was observed after fractionated irradiation (16.4%) in comparison with single-dose irradiation (36.1%). Sarcomas were the predominant postirradiation tumor observed (n=201), with carcinomas occurring less frequently (n=9). The proportion of mice developing tumors increased significantly with total dose for both single-dose and fractionated schedules, and latencies were significantly decreased in mice exposed to larger total doses. C3Hf/Kam mice were more susceptible to tumor induction than C57BL/6J mice after single-dose irradiation; however, significant differences in tumor susceptibilities after fractionated radiation were not observed. For both strains of mice, osteosarcomas and hemangiosarcomas were significantly more common after fractionated irradiation, whereas fibrosarcomas and malignant fibrous histiocytomas were significantly more common after single-dose irradiation. Conclusions This study investigated the tumorigenic effect of acute large doses in comparison with fractionated radiation in which both the dose and delivery schedule were similar to those used in clinical radiation therapy. Differences in tumor histotype after single-dose or fractionated radiation exposures provide novel in vivo evidence for differences in tumor susceptibility among stromal cell populations.
Seismic response control using smart dampers

Presents the results of a numerical study conducted to demonstrate the capabilities of multiple magnetorheological (MR) devices for seismic control of civil engineering structures when used in conjunction with a clipped optimal control algorithm. The study employs an identified model of the integrated structural system that is shown to accurately predict the responses of the experimental setup in the Washington University Structural Control and Earthquake Engineering Lab. Four parallel-plate, shear-mode MR dampers are used to control a six-story structure. The control devices are arbitrarily located in the structure. Through simulation, the performance of the controlled system is examined. The results indicate that high performance levels can be achieved, and the responses of the semi-active system are significantly smaller than that of comparable passive systems.
Selective phosphorylation of the IP3R-I in vivo by cGMP-dependent protein kinase in smooth muscle

This study examined the expression of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R) types and PKG isoforms in isolated gastric smooth muscle cells and determined the ability of PKG and PKA to ...
Impaired expression of glutathione synthetic enzyme genes in mice with targeted deletion of the Nrf2 basic-leucine zipper protein.

Transcriptional activation of genes that play a role in detoxification of xenobiotics and defense against oxidative stress is mediated in part by the antioxidant response element (ARE). For example, it has been shown that the promoters for both the heavy and light chain γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCSH and GCSL) genes require the ARE. CNC-bZIP factors, together with small Maf proteins, have been shown to bind as heterodimers to the NF-E2/AP-1 element, which is similar to the consensus sequence for the ARE. Nrf1 and Nrf2, two widely expressed CNC-bZIP factors, have been implicated in the regulation of genes involved in oxidative stress response. In this study, we examined the effect of nrf2 mutation on the expression of genes involved in glutathione synthesis. We observed that transcripts for gcsH and gcsL genes were decreased in nrf2−/− fibroblasts and livers. Correspondingly, glutathione levels were decreased in Nrf2 deficient livers and fibroblasts. By transient transfection studies in nrf2−/− fibroblasts, we show that transcriptional activation of reporter constructs bearing the human GCSL promoter, as well as the functional ARE of GCSH promoter, required the activator protein Nrf2. By electrophoretic mobility shift assay, recombinant Nrf2 binds the ARE of the GCSL and GCSH promoters. Overexpression of Nrf2 cDNA restored glutathione (GSH) levels in nrf2−/− fibroblasts, which correlated with increased steady state levels of gcsH and gcsL transcripts. These results establish a link between Nrf2 transcription factor and GSH biosynthesis.
Modeling risk as a polyhedron

Risk analysts historically have employed several approaches when examining the risk of terrorism to critical infrastructure. However, frequently these approaches rely on statistical methods, which suffer from a lack of appropriate historical data to produce distributions and do not integrate epistemic uncertainty. Other concerns include locating appropriate subject matter experts who can provide judgment and undertaking an associated validation of these judgments. Given the current body of knowledge, the modeling and simulation community can assist risk analysts to develop more robust methods for the analysis of the risk of terrorism in a critical infrastructure. This paper proposes that risk should be modeled and evaluated as a function of the volume of a risk polyhedron with the key characteristics of the risk of terrorism represented as nodes and the relationship between the key characteristics forming the edges. Specific attention is given to development of the threat component of the risk equation. The values of the key characteristics, instantiated as the length of the edges, are defaulted to absolute uncertainty, the state where there is no information for, or against, a particular causal factor. By adjusting an edge length, the polyhedron's volume either increases or decreases, depending on the informed state of the modeler. Furthermore, individual threat scenarios can be joined, or nested, to inform risk understanding and management. Language: en
On the explosion, glow, and oscillation phenomena in the oxidation of carbon monoxide

A simple binary model is derived from a proposed kinetic scheme for the oxidation of carbon monoxide. It has been analyzed in the phase plane where the three distinctive kinetic phenomena, explosion, glow, and oscillation, observed experimentally, are depicted by solutions of the model.
Preference for Television Programs About Sexual Risk: The Role of Program Genre and Perceived Message Intent

Entertainment-education television programming may offer an effective way to reach audiences by embedding health and social issues into television shows people already choose to watch. Although research has examined the effects of these narrative-based messages on viewers, little is known about the ways in which different types of programs might motivate or inhibit voluntary exposure in the first place. To address this question, 137 young adults read a series of descriptions of television shows about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and then indicated their interest in viewing each one. In a 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment, participants were told that the programs they read about were either (a) scripted dramas or (b) news programs and that they had been produced either (a) purely for entertainment or (b) to promote healthy behavior. Results reveal that program genre and perceived message intent interact to influence preference for television programs about sexual health. Discussion of implication...
Algorithms for bichromatic line-segment problems and polyhedral terrains

We consider a variety of problems on the interaction between two sets of line segments in two and three dimensions. These problems range from counting the number of intersecting pairs between m blue segments andn red segments in the plane (assuming that two line segments are disjoint if they have the same color) to finding the smallest vertical distance between two nonintersecting polyhedral terrains in three-dimensional space. We solve these problems efficiently by using a variant of the segment tree. For the three-dimensional problems we also apply a variety of recent combinatorial and algorithmic techniques involving arrangements of lines in three-dimensional space, as developed in a companion paper.
High Mutation Frequency Induced by Hybridization.

The increase in variability that is a familiar result of the rearing of second generations from crosses between different races is certainly due chiefly to segregation and recombination of genes in which the parental races differed. There is, however, a persistent feeling that perhaps interracial crossing also induces the production of new mutations. The first attempt to test this view experimentally with Drosophila led to negative results (Duncan 1915). Belgovsky (1937) reported an increased frequency of somatic mutations in the hybrids between D. melanogaster and D. simulans, in x-ray experiments. The differences reported were not very striking, and in any case have little bearing on questions concerning spontaneous frequencies.
Plasma vasopressin, renin, and catecholamines during nitroprusside-induced maternal and fetal hypotension in sheep.

Plasma Vasopressin, Renin, and Catecholamines during Nitroprusside-Induced Maternal and Fetal Hypotension in Sheep
A correlated noise reduction algorithm for dual-energy digital subtraction angiography.

It has long been recognized that the problems of motion artifacts in conventional time subtraction digital subtraction angiography(DSA) may be overcome using energy subtraction techniques. Of the variety of energy subtraction techniques investigated, non‐k‐edge dual‐energy subtraction offers the best signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). However, this technique achieves only 55% of the temporal DSASNR.Noise reduction techniques that average the noisier high‐energy image produce various degrees of noise improvement while minimally affecting iodine contrast and resolution. A more significant improvement in dual‐energy DSA iodine SNR, however, results when the correlated noise that exists in material specific images is appropriately cancelled. The correlated noise reduction (CNR) algorithm presented here follows directly from the dual‐energy computed tomography work of Kalender who made explicit use of noise correlations in material specific images to reduce noise. The results are identical to those achieved using a linear version of the two‐stage filtering process described by Macovski in which the selective image is filtered to reduce high‐frequency noise and added to a weighted, high SNR, nonselective image which has been processed with a high‐frequency bandpass filter. The dual‐energy DSACNR algorithm presented here combines selective tissue and iodine images to produce a significant increase in the iodine SNR while fully preserving iodine spatial resolution. Theoretical calculations predict a factor of 2– 4 improvement in SNR compared to conventional dual‐energy images. The improvement factor achieved is dependent upon the x‐ray beam spectra and the size of blurring kernel used in the algorithm. In the limit of large blurring kernels, the noise‐reduced dual‐energy image has an iodine SNR approaching the maximum value achievable with a linear combination of the low‐ and high‐energy images, with the additional advantage that low spatial frequency tissue signals are substantially reduced. Phantom measurements confirm the predicted increase in SNR of the CNR technique while images processed both by conventional dual‐energy and CNR methods demonstrate the noise suppression of the CNR algorithm and the tissue edge artifacts which it may introduce.
Expression and function of blimp1/krox, an alternatively transcribed regulatory gene of the sea urchin endomesoderm network

The blimp1/krox gene of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, formerly krox1, encodes zinc finger transcription factors which play a central role in both early and late endomesoderm specification. Here we show that there are two alternative splice forms transcribed under the control of different regulatory regions. The blimp1/krox1b form was previously unknown, and is the form expressed during cleavage, beginning 6–9 h postfertilization. This form is required for the early events of endomesoderm specification. A different splice variant, blimp1/krox1a, is expressed only from gastrula stage onward. During cleavage stages the blimp1/krox gene is expressed in the large micromeres and veg2 descendents. Soon after, it is expressed in the ring of specified mesoderm cells at the vegetal pole of the blastula. Its expression is later restricted to the blastopore region and the posterior of the invaginating archenteron, and finally to the midgut and hindgut of the pluteus larva. The expression of blimp1/krox is dynamic, and involves several distinct spatial territories. A GFP recombinant BAC was created by substituting the GFP coding sequence for that of the second exon (1b), in order to distinguish the expression pattern of the early form from that of the late form. This construct closely mimics blimp1/krox1b expression during early stages of sea urchin development. To expand our knowledge of the downstream linkages of this gene, additional experiments were carried out using antisense morpholino oligos (MASO). We confirmed previously published data that blimp1/krox autoregulates its own expression, but discovered, surprisingly, that this gene represses rather than activates itself. This negative autoregulation is restricted to the mesodermal and probably skeletogenic territories during the blastula stage, as shown by in situ hybridization analysis of MASO injected embryos. The MASO perturbation analysis also revealed blimp1/krox inputs into other genes of the endomesoderm regulatory network.
Morphology from subaerial erosion of a Mediterranean seamount

Abstract The morphology of a seamount in the Valencia Trough of the Western Mediterranean has been investigated with side-looking sonar (Sea MARC I) and swath-mapping sonar (Sea Beam). The seamount is characterized by deep reentrants on its flanks, radiating spurs and a broad summit plateau. Presently its summit lies 1020 m below sea level. Avalanche scars and debris flow deposits are detected on re-entrant floors and slopes. Fragments of aphanitic basalt and andesitic tuff, sampled at DSDP Site 122 attest to the volcanic origin of the Valencia Seamount. First constructed as a subsea volcano about 20–25 m.y. ago, its flanks became almost entirely emerged 6 m.y. ago at the time of the evaporitic drawdown of the Mediterranean. Valencia Seamount has some features in common with young and old seamounts on the floor of the Pacific Ocean that have never emerged above sea level and other features which may be attributed to subaerial exposure. Two working hypotheses, erosional and constructional, are presented to explain the observed morphology. The erosional hypothesis better accounts for the known paleogeographic and paleoceanographic history of the Mediterranean. The mapped spurs are interpreted as flank rift zones which give many seamounts a starfish-like appearance. Fountain eruptions of hyaloclastites from vents could explain the broadly arched summit plateau. Peaks might be secondary parasitic cones or remanent erosional features of stocks and dykes which are more resistent to mass-wasting than an extrusive cover of vesicular lava flows and deposits of tuff and ash. Gullies are most abundant on the middle and lower flanks. Whereas the gullies might be breached calderas, it is more reasonable to expect that they are dominantly subaerial erosional in origin, considering the emergence history of this particular seamount.
MEMS torsion: mirrors, nanoprobes, and failure (Abstract Only)

MicroElectroMechanical Systems made from single crystal silicon, and operated in torsion are used to rotate micro- mirrors for adaptive optics and for optical switching, to measure atomic forces, and to characterize the silicon at the micro/nm-scale. The design and characterization of torsion actuators for a mirror array and a scanning probe z-motion actuator will be discussed.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pre-radiographic MRI findings are associated with onset of knee symptoms: the most study

Summary Objective Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has greater sensitivity to detect osteoarthritis (OA) damage than radiographs but it is uncertain which MRI findings in early OA are clinically important. We examined MRI abnormalities detected in knees without radiographic OA and their association with incident knee symptoms. Method Participants from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) without frequent knee symptoms (FKS) at baseline were eligible if they also lacked radiographic features of OA at baseline. At 15 months, knees that developed FKS were defined as cases while control knees were drawn from those that remained without FKS. Baseline MRIs were scored at each subregion for cartilage lesions (CARTs); osteophytes (OST); bone marrow lesions (BML) and cysts. We compared cases and controls using marginal logistic regression models, adjusting for age, gender, race, body mass index (BMI), previous injury and clinic site. Results 36 case knees and 128 control knees were analyzed. MRI damage was common in both cases and controls. The presence of a severe CART ( P =0.03), BML ( P =0.02) or OST ( P =0.02) in the whole knee joint was more common in cases while subchondral cysts did not differ significantly between cases and controls ( P >0.1). Case status at 15 months was predicted by baseline damage at only two locations; a BML in the lateral patella ( P =0.047) and at the tibial subspinous subregions ( P =0.01). Conclusion In knees without significant symptoms or radiographic features of OA, MRI lesions of OA in only a few specific locations preceded onset of clinical symptoms and suggest that changes in bone play a role in the early development of knee pain. Confirmation of these findings in other prospective studies of knee OA is warranted.
Exploring and predicting search task difficulty

We report on an investigation of behavioral differences between users in difficult and easy search tasks. Behavioral factors that can be used in real-time to predict task difficulty are identified. User data was collected in a controlled lab experiment (n=38) where each participant completed four search tasks in the genomics domain. We looked at user behaviors that can be obtained by systems at three levels, distinguished by the time point when the measurements can be done. They are: 1) first-round level at the beginning of the search, 2) accumulated level during the search, and 3) whole-session level by the end of the search. Results show that a number of user behaviors at all three levels differed between easy and difficult tasks. Models predicting task difficulty at all three levels were developed and evaluated. A real-time model incorporating first-round and accumulated levels of behaviors (FA) had fairly good prediction performance (accuracy 83%; precision 88%), which is comparable with the model using the whole-session level behaviors which are not real-time (accuracy 75%; precision 92%). We also found that for efficiency purpose, using only a limited number of significant variables (FC_FA) can obtain a prediction accuracy of 75%, with a precision of 88%. Our findings can help search systems predict task difficulty and adapt search results to users.
Does the MTHFR 677C → T variant affect the Recommended Dietary Allowance for folate in the US population?

Background: The MTHFR 677C/T variant is associated with reduced enzyme activity, abnormalities of folate metabolism, and potential increase in folate requirement. The effect of this variant on the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for folate is unclear. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the MTHFR 677C/T polymorphism on the current folate RDA for US adults aged � 19 y (400 lg/d) by race and ethnicity. Design: We calculated the projected RDA for folate for each racial and ethnic group according to the methods of the Institute of Medicine. We modeled the projected RDA with different hypothetical effect sizes ranging from 5% to 50%. The RDA value was then weighted according to the US prevalence of the TT (or the combined CT/TT) genotype in each racial and ethnic group. Results: The projected RDA ranges were based on TT genotype frequencies and on different effect sizes (5–50%) that ranged from 400 to 421 lg/d for non-Hispanic whites, 401–436 lg/d for Mexican Americans, and 400–402 lg/d for non-Hispanic blacks. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the current RDA for folate differs little for non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Mexican Americans irrespective of the MTHFR TT genotype, and, from a population perspective, the MTHFR 677C/T variant does not warrant modifications to the current RDA for dietary folate at this time. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;89:1269–73.