cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seed Priming Alleviates Stress Tolerance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Seed priming is an age-old practice in agriculture. Seed germination and seedling growth can be improved through seed priming (seed hydration–dehydration–rehydration techniques) and seed coating with different living and nonliving substances. Seed priming is an age-old practice in agriculture dates to 1926 showed that rapid germination and seedling growth due to chlorine water priming. Seed priming break ups the seed cover, decreases inhibitor concentration in hull and endosperm and transforms the seeds into a higher state of activation. Both germination rate and seedling growth turn out to be fast and superior in primed seeds compared to non-primed seeds, while capsulated seed gets some essential ingredients required for fast and uniform germination from the coating substances. It is observed that different priming agents improve tolerance to excess and deficit water, salinity, metal toxicity and temperature and different biotic stresses in rice. Reports show that capsulated seeds with appropriate pelleting agents induce tolerance to abiotic stresses such as germination stage oxygen deficiency, cold, drought and salinity. Seed treatments have greater impact to stabilize rice yields under adverse conditions. In this chapter, physiological and biochemical status of primed seeds are discussed in relation to tolerance to diverse abiotic stresses in rice.
Tolerability of enzalutamide in prostate cancer: A meta-analysis.

e15629Background: Enzalutamide, a second-generation androgen receptor inhibitor widely used in the treatment of prostate cancer, is often discontinued due to adverse events. A meta-analysis of rand...
Annual Research Review: Social relationships and the immune system during development

A child's social relationships serve critical functions during development. The interface between a child's social world and their immune system, particularly innate immunity, which helped children survive in the face of infections, nutritional scarcity, and violence throughout human history, is the focus of this Annual Research Review. This article reviews the state of research on social relationships and innate immune inflammation during childhood. Warmth and rejection in childhood social relationships, as well as physical trauma and unpredictable social environments, were not consistently related to circulating inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein during childhood. Instead, links between social environments and inflammation were observed in studies that focus on children with greater background risk factors, such as low family socioeconomic status, family history of mood disorders, or presence of chronic interpersonal stressors combined with acute episodic stressors. In addition, studies on worse childhood social environments and greater inflammation in adulthood were more consistent. Warmth and rejection in the social environment may be related to sensitivity of immune cells to the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids, though this is primarily observed in adolescent women at risk for depression. Additional mechanistic evidence suggests that greater warmth and less rejection are related to processes that regulate inflammation, including greater expression of the glucocorticoid receptor gene and lower expression of genes that are responsive to the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-kappa B. The article concludes by discussing implications of the interface between a child's social relationships and inflammation for mental health and other recent (on evolutionary timescales) health threats, as well as recommendations for future research, and recommendations for researchers interested in integrating inflammatory measures in developmental research.
Intensification of Biomass Thermal Deoxygenation via a Two-Stage Process

Thermal deoxygenation (TDO) is a promising reaction scheme for producing low oxygen bio-oil from biomass carbohydrate. The primary step in bio-oil production involves pyrolysis of alkaline earth metal-neutralized biomass hydrolysates at 723 K yielding bio-oil, chars, carbonates, and light gases. Reactor scaling from bench to floor-scale, however, reduced carbon yields from 80% to 48% of theoretical, respectively. This paper details a two-stage process to intensify the TDO process, improving carbon yields to 79% of theoretical. The scheme involves a 523 K thermal pretreatment (stage I) to yield a polysalt and transition of a melt-phase. The resulting solid polysalt is reduced to powder to improve material handling and reaction rates during decomposition at 723 K (stage II). Resulting bio-oil yield is shown to improve from 0.082 to 0.16 kg-oil/kg-feed. A two-step reaction model is developed detailing the reaction rates and regimes which can guide continuous process design efforts.
Authoritative discourses of development in curricular policy on digital writing

In this article, we take a close look at the authoritative discourses of digital writing development communicated through the US Common Core State Standards, inclusive of its marketing materials (e...
Use of line-scan Raman hyperspectral imaging to identify corn kernels infected with Aspergillus flavus

Abstract The potential of line-scan Raman hyperspectral imaging system equipped with a 785 nm line laser was examined for discrimination of uninfected control, AF36-inoculated and AF13-inoculated corn kernels in this study. The AF13 and AF36 strains were used as representatives of the aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus fungi. A total of 300 kernels were used with 3 treatments, namely, 100 kernels inoculated with the AF13 fungus, 100 kernels inoculated with the AF36 fungus, and 100 kernels inoculated with sterile distilled water as control. The kernels were incubated at 30 °C for 8 days, dried and surface wiped to remove exterior signs of mold. The kernels were imaged on both endosperm and germ sides over the wavenumber range of 103–2831 cm−1. The mean spectrum was extracted from the Raman image of each kernel, and preprocessed with adaptive iteratively reweighted penalized least squares, Savitzky-Golay smoothing and min-max normalization. Based upon the preprocessed group mean spectra, a total of 36 and 51 local Raman peaks were identified from the endosperm side and embryo area of germ side, respectively. With the spectral variables at the identified local peak locations as inputs of discriminant models, the 3-class principal component analysis-linear discriminant analysis models ran 50 random times, achieved mean overall prediction accuracies of 89.47% and 75.55% using the endosperm and embryo data, respectively. The corresponding standard deviations were 3.48% and 4.34%. The results demonstrate usefulness of the line-scan Raman imaging technology in differentiating uninfected control corn kernels and corn kernels infected with aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic fungi.
Direct chemical evidence that serine 180 in the glycine-rich loop of myosin binds to ATP.

Abstract The photochemical reaction of MgADP-vanadate with the active site of myosin has been used to place a serine at the binding site for the gamma-phosphate of ATP. Irradiation of the MgADP-vanadate myosin subfragment 1 transition state-like complex with UV light specifically photooxidizes the hydroxyl group of a serine residue to an aldehyde (Cremo, C. R., Grammer, J. C., and Yount, R. G. (1988) Biochemistry 27, 8415-8420). Reduction of photooxidized myosin with Na-B3H4 gave only 3H-labeled serine. Here, subsequent extensive proteolytic digestion of 3H-labeled myosin subfragment 1 with trypsin and thermolysin yielded two 3H-labeled peptides, both of which contained the sequence Gly-Glu-Ser-Gly-Ala-Gly-Lys-Thr, in which all the 3H was associated with the serine. This sequence is conserved in all myosin heavy chains sequenced to date and corresponds to residues 178-185 in the rabbit myosin heavy chain (Tong, S. W., and Elzinga, M. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 21, 13100-13110). These results place Ser-180 at the gamma-phosphate-binding site for ATP and indicate that the glycine-rich loop around the serine provides essential elements of the phosphate-binding site for ATP in all myosin molecules. Such a role was previously suggested based on the common sequence Gly-X-X-X-X-Gly-Lys-Thr/Ser, found in myosin and many other nucleotide-binding enzymes (Walker, J. E., Saraste, M., Runswick, M. H., and Gay, N. J. (1982) EMBO J. 1, 945-951).
NAJI ATTALLAH’S CREW: STEREOTYPES OF JEWS, ARABS, AND AMERICANS IN EGYPT’S MOST-­‐WATCHED RAMADAN 2012 SOAP OPERA

In addition to its strict fasting regiments, observed by practicing Muslims, the month of Ramadan has become known for its high viewership of serialized television programs throughout the Arabic-speaking world. During Ramadan - a month during which millions partake of festive fast breaking (Iftaar) gatherings after sundown - competition among television stations pull all the stops to attract the largest audiences possible, often by offering compelling seasonal soap operas featuring major local and pan-Arab actors.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients' Perspectives on Their Relationships With Healthcare Providers (HCP)

Objective. The objective of this qualitative study was to examine patients' perspectives on their relationships with healthcare providers (HCPs) as communicated in their expressive writings about i...
Evaluating intensity standardization and inhomogeneity correction in magnetic resonance images

Image intensity standardization is a recently developed postprocessing method designed for correcting acquisition-to-acquisition signal intensity variations inherent in MR images. Inhomogeneity correction is a method used to remove the low spatial frequency background non-uniformities that exist in MR images. Both these procedures have important implications for MR medical image segmentation, registration and image analysis. The effects of these post-processing operations on improvement of image quality in isolation has been well documented. However, the combined effects of these two processes on MR images has not been studied thus far. In this paper, we evaluate the effect of inhomogeneity correction followed by standardization on MR images and vice-versa, in order to determine the best sequence to follow for enhancing image quality. We found that improved standardization was achieved by preceding it with correction, and image inhomogeneity was greatly reduced by standardizing and then correcting.
Irrelevance of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the Methanol Oxidation Reaction on a PtRu Electrocatalyst

Based on detailed in situ attenuated total-reflection–surface-enhanced IR reflection absorption spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS) studies of the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) on Ru/Pt thin film and commercial Johnson–Matthey PtRu/C, a revised MOR enhancement mechanism is proposed in which CO on Pt sites is irrelevant but instead Pt-Ru boundary sites catalyze the oxygen insertion reaction that leads to the formation of formate and enhances the direct reaction pathway.
Serotonin Syndrome Precipitated by Fentanyl During Procedural Sedation

Fentanyl is frequently used for analgesia during emergency procedures. We present the cases of 2 patients who developed agitation and delirium after intravenous fentanyl administration. These patients were chronically taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Both developed neuromuscular examinations consistent with serotonin syndrome, a diagnosis that must be established on the basis of clinical criteria. Although they required aggressive supportive care, including mechanical ventilation, both patients made a full recovery. Use of fentanyl for procedural sedation may precipitate serotonin syndrome in patients taking SSRIs or other serotonergic drugs.
Purification of opioid peptides from molluscan ganglia.

1. Acid extracts from pedal ganglia ofMytilus edulis were fractionated by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). 2. Components were recovered which had the same retention times as met- and leu-enkephalin. 3. When tested in anin vitro assay, these components inhibited dopaminestimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a naloxone-reversible manner. 4. These results suggest that molluscan neural tissue contains opioid peptides similar, perhaps identical, to the mammalian enkephalins.
The Head of the King: Museums and the Path to Resistance

Dans le cadre de la colonisation allemande de la Tanzanie, le chef hehe Mkwawa fut decapite. Son crâne fut d'abord donne au musee de Breme avant que le dernier gouverneur britannique ne le reclame pour le restituer aux Hehe. Analyse des differents sens attribues a la possession de cette tete
Age-related increase of tumor susceptibility is associated with myeloid-derived suppressor cell mediated suppression of T cell cytotoxicity in recombinant inbred BXD12 mice

In this study, our data show that in young BXD12 mice, the implanted TS/A tumor regressed in 4 weeks after implantation, and this regression was associated with extensive T cell infiltration. In contrast, in old BXD12 mice, it was observed that there was rapid tumor growth by 7 weeks. T cell cytotoxicity against TS/A tumor cells exhibited a significant age-related decline, which was correlated with a decline in CD3(+) T cell infiltration of the tumor. Furthermore, the decline of T cell tumor cytotoxicity in aged BXD12 mice was also correlated with the accumulation of CD11b(+)Gr1(+) myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the spleen. Adoptive transfer of these accumulated CD11b(+)Gr1(+)cells from aged mice to 2-month-old BXD12 mice led to the delay of the rejection of implanted tumor cells. The depletion of CD11b(+)Gr1(+)cells from aged BXD12 mice led to the slower growth of tumor. Induction of arginase 1 in myeloid cells isolated from aged mice plays a partial role in immune suppression of T cell cytotoxicity. Thus, the accumulation of immunosuppresssing myeloid cells appears to contribute to the increase of tumor susceptibility as the age of mice increases.
Partial Coherence Theory of Thin Film Radiative Properties

A new approach based on the partial coherent theory of light is introduced to predict the radiative properties of a thin film. General expressions obtained for the normal reflectance and transmittance of a thin film not only degenerate into the limiting results of the wave and the geometric optics in the coherent and incoherent cases, but also apply for all partial coherent states between the limits. The key element in the formulation is the complex degree of coherence, for which a general integral expression is obtained and further approximated algebraically for nearly monochromatic radiation. Limiting criteria and regime maps are established to demonstrate the range of applications for the various methods.
Receptor Activated Ca2+ Release Is Inhibited by Boric Acid in Prostate Cancer Cells

Author(s): Henderson, Kimberly; Stella, Salvatore L; Kobylewski, Sarah; Eckhert, Curtis D | Abstract: BackgroundThe global disparity in cancer incidence remains a major public health problem. We focused on prostate cancer since microscopic disease in men is common, but the incidence of clinical disease varies more than 100 fold worldwide. Ca(2+) signaling is a central regulator of cell proliferation, but has received little attention in cancer prevention. We and others have reported a strong dose-dependent reduction in the incidence of prostate and lung cancer within populations exposed to boron (B) in drinking water and food; and in tumor and cell proliferation in animal and cell culture models.Methods/principal findingsWe examined the impact of B on Ca(2+) stores using cancer and non-cancer human prostate cell lines, Ca(2+) indicators Rhod-2 AM and Indo-1 AM and confocal microscopy. In DU-145 cells, inhibition of Ca(2+) release was apparent following treatment with Ringers containing RyR agonists cADPR, 4CmC or caffeine and respective levels of BA (50 microM), (1, 10 microM) or (10, 20, 50,150 microM). Less aggressive LNCaP cancer cells required 20 microM BA and the non-tumor cell line PWR1E required 150 microM BA to significantly inhibit caffeine stimulated Ca(2+) release. BA (10 microM) and the RyR antagonist dantroline (10 microM) were equivalent in their ability to inhibit ER Ca(2+) loss. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy analysis showed exposure of DU-145 cells to 50 microM BA for 1 hr decreased stored [Ca(2+)] by 32%.Conclusion/significanceWe show B causes a dose dependent decrease of Ca(2+) release from ryanodine receptor sensitive stores. This occurred at BA concentrations present in blood of geographically disparate populations. Our results suggest higher BA blood levels lower the risk of prostate cancer by reducing intracellular Ca(2+) signals and storage.
Region-specific role for GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in injury to Purkinje cells and CA1 neurons following global cerebral ischemia

Abstract Motor deficits are present in cardiac arrest survivors and injury to cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) likely contribute to impairments in motor coordination and post-hypoxic myoclonus. N-Methyl- d -aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor-mediated excitotoxicity is a well-established mechanism of cell death in several brain regions, but the role of NMDA receptors in PC injury remains understudied. Emerging data in cortical and hippocampal neurons indicate that the GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors signal to improve cell survival and GluN2B-containing receptors contribute to neuronal injury. This study compared neuronal injury in the hippocampal CA1 region to that in PCs and investigated the role of NMDA receptors in PC injury in our mouse model of cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR). Analysis of cell density demonstrated a 24% loss of PCs within 24 h after 8 min CA/CPR and injury stabilized to 33% by 7 days. The subunit promiscuous NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 protected both CA1 neurons and PCs from ischemic injury following CA/CPR, demonstrating a role for NMDA receptor activation in injury to both brain regions. In contrast, the GluN2B antagonist, Co 101244, had no effect on PC loss while protecting against injury in the CA1 region. These data indicate that ischemic injury to cerebellar PCs progresses via different cell death mechanisms compared to hippocampal CA1 neurons.
How well do parents understand their own psychotic child

A study designed to test a hypothesis that parents can assess their psychotic child's level of development with reasonable accuracy is presented and discussed. Forty-two fathers and 45 mothers of 47 children with a mean age of 5 years and 4 months were asked to estimate their child's level of functioning in overall development, language, motor, social skills, self-sufficiency, and mental development. Parental estimates were then compared with those based on standard psychological testing. Correlations indicating that parents were very good predictors of test-based estimates remained significant even when possible influences of parental knowledge of the child's age were taken into account. Parents whose children were mildly psychotic were relatively poorer estimators than parents of moderately or severely psychotic children. It is suggested that professionals can utilize parental assessments when psychological testing of the psychotic child is not feasible.
On the biosyntheses of artemisia ketone and bakuchiol

New biosynthetic pathways for the irregular terpenes, artemisia ketone and bakuchiol, are proposed. It is suggested that 2-(1-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)thiamine and 2-(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl) thiamine are key intermediates in the biosyntheses of artemisia ketone and bakuchiol, respectively.
Localization of postresection EGF receptor expression using laser capture microdissection.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) are key components in the genesis of adaptation after small bowel resection (SBR). Within intestinal homogenates, EGFR expression is increased after SBR; however, the exact cells responsible for altered EGFR expression are unknown. In this study, laser capture microdissection (LCM) microscopy was used to elucidate the specific cellular compartment(s) responsible for postresection changes in EGFR expression. Methods: Male ICR mice underwent a 50% proximal SBR or sham operation. After 3 days, frozen sections were taken from the remnant ileum. Individual cells from villi, crypt, muscularis, and mesenchymal compartments were isolated by LCM. EGFR mRNA expression for each cell compartment was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: EGFR expression was increased after SBR within the crypt (2-fold) and muscularis compartments (3-fold). There were no changes detected after SBR in the villus tips or mesenchymal compartments. Conclusions: Increased expression of EGFR in crypts directly correlates with the zone of cell proliferation and supports the hypothesis that EGFR signaling is crucial for the mitogenic stimulus for adaptation. The finding of increased EGFR expression in the muscular compartment is novel and may implicate a role for EGFR as a mediator of the muscular hyperplasia seen after massive SBR. J Pediatr Surg 38:440-445. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Comparison of 8 biomarkers for prediction of right ventricular hypokinesis 6 months after submassive pulmonary embolism

Background Elevated blood concentrations of troponin proteins or brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) worsen the prognosis of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Novel biomarkers that reflect mechanisms of right ventricle (RV) damage from PE may provide additional prognostic value. We compare the prognostic use of BNP, troponin I, D-dimer, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, matrix metalloproteinase, myeloperoxidase, C-reactive protein, and caspase 3 as biomarkers of RV damage and adverse outcomes in submassive PE. Methods This article used a prospective cohort study of normotensive (systolic blood pressure always >100 mm Hg) patients with computed tomographic angiography-diagnosed PE. All patients underwent echocardiography and phlebotomy at diagnosis, and survivors had another echocardiography 6 months later. We tested each biomarker for prognostic significance, requiring a lower limit 95% CI >0.50 for the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) with a reference standard positive of RV hypokinesis on either echocardiogram. Biomarkers with prognostic significance were dichotomized at the concentration that yielded highest likelihood ratio positive and mortality rates compared (Fisher exact test). Results We enrolled 152 patients with complete data. Thirty-seven (24%, 95% CI 18%-32%) had RV hypokinesis. Only BNP and troponin had significant AUROC values as follows: 0.71 (95% CI 0.60-0.81) and 0.71 (95% CI 0.62-0.82), respectively. Overall mortality was 13/153 (8.5%); mortality rate for BNP >100 versus ≤100 pg/mL was 23% versus 3% ( P = .003), respectively. Mortality rate for troponin I >0.1 versus ≤0.1 ng/mL was 13% versus 6% ( P = .205), respectively. Conclusions Of 8 mechanistically plausible biomarkers, only BNP and troponin I had significant prognostic use with BNP having an advantage for predicting mortality.
Configuring resource managers using model fuzzing: A case study of the .NET thread pool

Resource managers (RMs) often expose configuration parameters that have a significant impact on the performance of the systems they manage. Configuring RMs is challenging because it requires accurate estimates of performance for a large number of configuration settings and many workloads, which scales poorly if configuration assessment requires running performance benchmarks. We propose an approach to evaluating RM configurations called model fuzzing that combines measurement and simple models to provide accurate and scalable configuration evaluation. Based on model fuzzing, we develop a methodology for configuring RMs that considers multiple evaluation criteria (e.g., high throughput, low number of threads). Applying this methodology to the .NET thread pool, we find a configuration that increases throughput by 240% compared with the throughput of a poorly chosen configuration. Using model fuzzing reduces the computational requirements to configure the .NET thread pool from machine-years to machine-hours.
Calculation of Excimer Laser Induced Temperature Profiles in PET, PBT, and PS Polymer Films

Temperature profiles in PET (Polyethylene Terephtalate), PBT (Polybutylene Terephtalate), and PS (Polystyrene) films created due to excimer laser irradiation were estimated analytically from the model of semi-infinite heat flux and numerically from the model based on 1-D heat equation. For the analytical estimation of temperature profile, we initially assumed that all of the irradiated excimer laser energy was confined in surface, and the energy was considered as a constant heat flux during the laser irradiation period. Calculation results showed that this assumption is somewhat inadequate for polymer materials especially for the polymers with low UV absorption coefficients, because we could not exclude the absorption of excimer laser energy in bulk. In order to reduce the error from this assumption, temperature profiles were estimated from numerical solution, which included a heat generating function representing absorption of excimer laser beam in polymer. Temperature measurement results showed a good agreement with this calculation, but only when ablation was not significant (i.e., for PS).Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS): An Annotated Bibliography for Librarians

The quantity and scope of the information that has materialized so far on the subject of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) has increased significantly since the first case of the syndrome in the United States was diagnosed in 1981. Initially, information could be found only in a few articles in the medical periodical literature or in a few newspapers. Gradually, more information appeared in health care, allied health, and other professional journals and periodicals. As the incidence of the syndrome increased, more newspapers and the mass market magazines and the electronic media began covering the syndrome, and both health care professionals and the general public found themselves presented with a steady stream of information, research, and education on the subject of AIDS.
Which topologies are quasimetrizable

Abstract A characterization of quasimetrizable spaces is given; they are those whose topologies arise from a σ-self-cocushioned pairbase whose dual is σ-self-cocushioned. This is closely related to the known characterization of γ-spaces as those whose topologies arise from a σ-self-cocushioned pairbase (with no dual condition). The last section of the paper discusses to what extent this is a topological characterization of quasimetrizability, and notes the absence of a “Bing-style” characterization.
Biochemical studies on muscaranic receptors in the salamander olfactory epithelium

Muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the olfactory epithelium of the salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, were studied via binding of 3-[3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate. The receptors are present on the olfactory receptor cells in the epithelium to an amount of 0.08 pmol/mg homogenate protein. Both choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholine esterase are present in the salamander olfactory epithelium.
Outcome After Hypoxia/Asphyxia in Piglets is Worsened by Acidosis and Low Glucose: Is There a Critical Need for Early Interventions Targeting Metabolic Status? 1857

Outcome After Hypoxia/Asphyxia in Piglets is Worsened by Acidosis and Low Glucose: Is There a Critical Need for Early Interventions Targeting Metabolic Status? 1857
Photo-chemically induced DNA effects in the comet assay with epidermal cells of SKH-1 mice after a single oral administration of different fluoroquinolones and 8-methoxypsoralen in combination with exposure to UVA.

Abstract Due to the need for in vivo photo-genotoxicity tests, the in vivo photo-comet assay was established in epidermal cells of the SKH-1 mouse. Groups of 10 male SKH-1 mice each were treated once orally with vehicle only, with three fluoroquinolones (25 mg/kg clinafloxacin, 20 mg/kg lomefloxacin, 200 mg/kg ciprofloxacin) or with 200 mg/kg 8-methoxypsoralene (8-MOP). Thirty minutes after treatment half of the mice in each group were exposed to 23.8 J/cm 2 UVA. Thereafter the mice were killed and their epidermal cells tested in the alkaline (pH >13) comet assay; at the same time after administration, compound-treated, non-irradiated mice were killed and analysed. A negative control group of ten male SKH-1 mice received the vehicle only; half of these animals were exposed to UVA, half were not. The comet tail lengths of epidermal cells of the mice were statistically significantly increased for all three fluoroquinolones (FQ) tested in combination with UV irradiation. Treatment with 8-methoxypsoralene + UV induced a significant reduction of comet tail length. Tail intensity and tail moment gave essentially the same results after combined exposure (compound + UV). Without irradiation, the tail lengths of controls and compound-treated mice were comparable under the conditions of this study. In contrast, tail intensity and tail moment were increased for all test compounds (including 8-MOP), without irradiation. Irradiated controls had a tail length comparable to non-irradiated controls, while tail intensity and tail moment were clearly increased in irradiated controls. In conclusion: under the present experimental conditions the in vivo photo-comet assay is able to detect photo-chemically induced DNA strand breaks as well as photo-chemically induced DNA cross-links.
The effectiveness of simultaneous cues on naming disturbance in aphasia

The effects of increased information redundancy on word retrieval in aphasic patients was investigated in this study. Protocols involved combining five types of cues commonly utilized in aphasia management into eight pairs, each of which could be presented simultaneously. The resulting cue combinations were presented to 16 anterior lesion aphasic subjects who manifested mild to severe word-finding difficulty. All of the combinations were effective in facilitating picture-naming performance, with the severe group demonstrating the most dramatic improvement when simultaneous prompts were utilized. A cueing hierarchy incorporating increased stimulus redundancy is supported.
Curriculum revision isn't just change: It's transition!

Curriculum revision is being considered or is in process at most nursing programs across the country in response to the dynamic changes occurring in the health care industry. Any curriculum revision process necessarily causes a variety of faculty responses ranging from uneasiness to active resistance. Nursing curricula can be viewed as an extension of the faculty's psychological self, collectively and individually. Focusing on curriculum revision as a process of transition, rather than change, may assist faculty to more readily engage in the thinking necessary to develop a new curriculum for the 21st century. The outcomes of curriculum revision with planned strategies based on the process of transition include new curricula, redefined individual and faculty collective self, a renewed sense of psychological effectiveness, and role and environmental mastery and well-being.
Expanding the Paradigm for Estrogen Receptor Binding and Transcriptional Activation

Estrogen receptor (ER) binds to a spectrum of functional estrogen response elements (ERE) within the human genome, including ERE half-sites (HERE), inverted and direct repeats. This has been confounding, because ER has been reported to bind weakly, if at all, to these sites in vitro. We show that ER binds strongly to these nonconventional EREs, and the binding is enhanced by the presence of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1). Collectively, these and previous findings reinforce the notion of the plasticity of strong ER/ERE interactions, consistent with their broader range of observed binding specificity. In addition, transient transfection studies using luciferase reporter gene assays show that these EREs drive luciferase activity, and HMGB1 enhances transcriptional activity. Furthermore, HMGB1 gene expression knockdown results in a precipitous drop in luciferase activity, suggesting a prominent role for HMGB1 in activation of estrogen/ER-responsive genes. Therefore, these data advocate that the minimal target site for ER is a cHERE (consensus HERE) that occurs in many different contexts and that HMGB1 enhances both the binding affinity and transcriptional activity. This challenges the current paradigm for ER binding affinity and functional activity and suggests that the paradigm requires significant reevaluation and modification. These findings also suggest a possible mechanism for a cross talk between genes regulated by ER and class II nuclear receptors.
Theory of Longitudinal Instabilities in Synchrotrons, with Applications

By combining the results of longitudinal instability theory and synchrotron oscillation theory, it is possible to derive two simple and useful expressions for longitudinal instability particle threshold. The first, which holds at injection, is given directly in terms of design parameters; in practical cases it turns out to depend only slightly on injection energy and to be independent of field index and vacuum chamber size, provided only that the vacuum chamber is large enough to contain particle oscillations. The second, which is based on adiabatic bunch behavior, displays the variation of threshold with energy; it decreases monotonically from injection to transition (if a real transition exists) and then increases monotonically. Different regions of this universal curve are relevant, depending upon whether the machine considered is a booster, a weak-focusing machine, or a standard AG synchrotron in which transition is crossed. Practically, it appears that recently proposed boosters will be free from longitudinal instabilities if a little care is exercised in design. It is quite evident that proposed "improved" AG machines will have no problems at injection; the treatment of the transition region is still crude, and further analysis will be required for a definite answer - it appears that there might be trouble at least in Phase II (2 × 1013 protons) unless the capture at injection is extremely efficient.
Simultaneous Report: A Reliable Method to Stimulate Class Discussion

Eliciting in-class discussion that is focused and instructional—yet comfortable and compelling—is a challenge teachers face in every discipline, every day. Too often, open-ended questions posed by the teacher are met with silence or answered by the same handful of outspoken students while the rest of the class looks on. “Simultaneous reporting” is a simple and effective discussion structure for drawing everyone in the room into rich, productive, enjoyable discussions.
Childhood cancer incidence in relation to sunlight exposure

There is increasing interest in the possible association between cancer incidence and vitamin D through its role as a regulator of cell growth and differentiation. Epidemiological studies in adults and one paediatric study suggest an inverse association between sunlight exposure and cancer incidence. We carried out an ecological study using childhood cancer registry data and two population-level surrogates of sunlight exposure, (1) latitude of the registry city or population centroid of the registry nation and (2) annual solar radiation. All models were adjusted for nation-level socioeconomic status using socioeconomic indicators. Latitude and radiation were significantly associated with cancer incidence, and the direction of association was consistent between the surrogates. Findings were not consistent across tumour types. Our ecological study offers some evidence to support an association between sunlight exposure and risk of childhood cancer.
The Arthroscopic Surgical Skill Evaluation Tool (ASSET)

Background:Surgeries employing arthroscopic techniques are among the most commonly performed in orthopaedic clinical practice; however, valid and reliable methods of assessing the arthroscopic skill of orthopaedic surgeons are lacking.Hypothesis:The Arthroscopic Surgery Skill Evaluation Tool (ASSET) will demonstrate content validity, concurrent criterion-oriented validity, and reliability when used to assess the technical ability of surgeons performing diagnostic knee arthroscopic surgery on cadaveric specimens.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Content validity was determined by a group of 7 experts using the Delphi method. Intra-articular performance of a right and left diagnostic knee arthroscopic procedure was recorded for 28 residents and 2 sports medicine fellowship–trained attending surgeons. Surgeon performance was assessed by 2 blinded raters using the ASSET. Concurrent criterion-oriented validity, interrater reliability, and test-retest reliability were evaluated.Re...
Numerical solution of a body-propeller combination flow including swirl and comparisons with data

A numerical procedure based on the full Navier-Stokes equations as applied to the flow near a body/propeller system is developed. The flow is assumed axisymmetric, and the unsteady equations of motion are cast in terms of a stream function, one vorticity component, and the peripheral velocity. The voricity equation and the peripheral momentum equation are solved by an Alternating Difference Implicit technique, and the Poisson equation for the stream function is solved by direct matrix reduction. The propeller is modeled as a an actuator disk, and the direct simulation of a given actual propeller is considered in detail. Turbulent transport is modeled by an integrated Turbulent Kinetic Energy equation with a simple extension to represent the effects of swirl. Detailed comparisons with wind tunnel measurements at x/D = 2 show a good prediction of the axial velocity but an underprediction of the swirl level.
Promoting Equity in Secondary Science and Mathematics Classrooms With Biography Projects

Teachers have been called upon to give their students the opportunity to consider the perspectives of diverse individuals across the science and mathematics curriculum. This is because inclusion enhances motivation and achievement. Biographies provide context for construction of knowledge, vicarious experiences, positive attitudes toward instruction, and literacy enhancement. The purpose of this paper is to provide a rationale for including biography projects representing diverse contributors to science and mathematics, describe a biography project assignment used in a methods course for secondary teacher preparation, provide preservice teachers' comments about the assignment, and make connections to current research about equitable instruction.
Properties of inwardly rectifying K+ channels in ventricular myocytes

The voltage- and time-dependent properties of whole-cell, multi-channel (outside-out), and single channel inwardly-rectifying K+ currents were studied using adult and neonatal rat, and embryonic chick ventricular myocytes. Inward rectification of the current-voltage relationship was found in the whole-cell and single channel measurements. The steady-state single channel probability of opening decreased with hyperpolarization from EK, as did the mean open time, thereby explaining the time-dependent inactivation of the macroscopic current. Myocytes dialysed with a Mg++-free K+ solution (to remove the property of inward rectification) displayed a quasi-linear current-voltage relationship. The outward K+ currents flowing through the modified inward rectifier channels were able to be blocked by the local anesthetic and anti-arrhythmic agent, lidocaine.
Treatment of weight regain after gastric bypass surgery when using a new endoscopic platform: initial experience and early outcomes (with video)

Background Some patients are thought to regain weight after gastric bypass surgery because of dilation of the gastrojejunal anastomosis (GJA) and/or gastric pouch. Objective To assess the technical success and safety of an endoscopic procedure, Revision Obesity Surgery Endoscopic (ROSE), using an endoscopic operating system for the placement of tissue anchors to reduce the diameter of the GJA and size of the gastric pouch. Design Prospective case series. Setting Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Patients and Interventions A total of 20 patients who had regained a mean of 13 kg after gastric bypass, with a dilated pouch and GJA on screening endoscopy, underwent the ROSE procedure. Main Outcome Measurements Technical success, reduction in size of the GJA and gastric pouch, and early complications. Early weight loss was also assessed. Results Technical success was achieved in 17 of 20 (85%) patients with an average reduction in stoma diameter of 16 mm (65% reduction) and an average reduction in pouch length of 2.5 cm (36% reduction). The mean weight loss in successful cases was 8.8 kg at 3 months. There were no major complications. Limitations Single-center case series with a relatively small number of patients and short duration of follow-up, which was inadequate for assessing durable long-term weight loss. Conclusion The ROSE procedure is technically feasible and appears safe. Data from this series suggest that the ROSE procedure is effective in reducing not only the size of the GJA but also the gastric pouch and may provide an endoscopic alternative for weight regain in gastric bypass patients.
NIST Display Colorimeter Calibration Facility

A facility has been developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to provide calibration services for color-measuring instruments to address the need for improving and certifying the measurement uncertainties of this type of instrument. While NIST has active programs in photometry, flat panel display metrology, and color and appearance measurements, these are the first services offered by NIST tailored to color-measuring instruments for displays. An overview of the facility, the calibration approach, and associated uncertainties are presented. Details of a new tunable colorimetric source and the development of new transfer standard instruments are discussed.
Brain electrical asymmetries during cognitive task performance in depressed and nondepressed subjects.

Abstract Background: Studies using electroencephalogram (EEG) measures of activation asymmetry have reported differences in anterior asymmetry between depressed and nondepressed subjects. Several studies have suggested reciprocal relations between measures of anterior and posterior activation asymmetries. We hypothesized that depressed subjects would fail to show the normal activation of posterior right hemisphere regions in response to an appropriate cognitive challenge. Methods: EEG activity was recorded from 11 depressed and 19 nondepressed subjects during the performance of psychometrically matched verbal (word finding) and spatial (dot localization) tasks. Band power was extracted from all epochs of artifact-free data and averaged within each condition. Task performance was also assessed. Results: Depressed subjects showed a specific deficit in the performance of the spatial task, whereas no group differences were evident on verbal performance. In posterior scalp regions, nondepressed controls had a pattern of relative left-sided activation during the verbal task and relative right-sided activation during the spatial task. In contrast, depressed subjects failed to show activation in posterior right hemisphere regions during spatial task performance. Conclusions: These findings suggest that deficits in right posterior functioning underlie the observed impairments in spatial functioning among depressed subjects.
Modularity and evolutionary constraint on proteins

Modularity, which has been found in the functional and physical protein interaction networks of many organisms, has been postulated to affect both the mode and tempo of evolution. Here I show that in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, protein interaction hubs situated in single modules are highly constrained, whereas those connecting different modules are more plastic. This pattern of change could reflect a tendency for evolutionary innovations to occur by altering the proteins and interactions between rather than within modules, in a manner somewhat similar to the evolution of new proteins through the shuffling of conserved protein domains.
Regenerable Manganese-Based Sorbent for Cleanup of Simulated Biomass-Derived Syngas

During biomass gasification, sulfur contained in the feedstock is converted primarily to hydrogen sulfide. Conventional technologies for sulfur removal such as amine scrubbing and ZnO sorption operate at much lower temperatures than those of gasification and tar reforming and are thus thermally inefficient for cleanup of biomass-derived syngas. This work aims to develop options for high-temperature sulfur removal. In this research, we focus our investigation on the regeneration chemistry of a manganese-based sorbent for sulfur removal at the high temperature, high steam conditions (700 °C and up to 68% steam) used for biomass gasification and subsequent syngas conditioning. We found that regeneration conditions that have a small amount of air or steam in combination with air would allow for equal sulfidation and regeneration time. We also demonstrated the effectiveness of both fresh and regenerated sorbents in protecting downstream tar and methane reforming catalysts.
Redox-active tripodal aminetris(aryloxide) complexes of titanium(IV).

New sterically encumbered tripodal aminetris(aryloxide) ligands N(CH2C6H2-3-tBu-5-X-2-OH)3 (tBu,XLH3) with relatively electron-rich phenols are prepared by Mannich condensation (X = OCH3) or by a reductive amination/Hartwig−Buchwald amination sequence on the benzyl-protected bromosalicylaldehyde (X = N[C6H4-p-OCH3]2), followed by debenzylation using Pearlman’s catalyst (Pd(OH)2/C). The analogous dianisylamino-substituted compound lacking the tert-butyl group ortho to the phenol (H,An2NLH3) is also readily prepared. The ligands are metalated by titanium(IV) tert-butoxide to form the five-coordinate alkoxides LTi(OtBu). Treatment of the tert-butoxides with aqueous HCl yields the five-coordinate chlorides LTiCl, and with acetylacetone gives the six-coordinate diketonates LTi(acac). The diketonate complexes tBu,XLTi(acac) show reversible ligand-based oxidations with first oxidation potentials of +0.57, +0.33, and −0.09 V (vs ferrocene/ferrocenium) for X = tBu, MeO, and An2N, respectively. Both dianisylamine-s...