cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4920: Integrative identification of stochastically activated signaling sub-networks in individual cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Traditional studies on signal transduction are focused on measuring the average levels of proteins in populations of isogenic cells to determine the regulatory properties of cell signaling networks and design effective intervention strategies for cancer therapy. However, the average protein levels measured in populations of cells may be quite different from the protein levels measured in individual cells. Signaling differentiation in individual cells is often associated with stochastic events that may activate different cellular sub-networks at different times to generate diverse responses. It is therefore critical to elucidate these stochastic events to design therapeutic interventions that may effectively inhibit abnormal signaling sub-networks in individual cells. In this work, we analyzed the epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling network in the MDA-MB468 breast cancer cell line and the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) signaling network in the MBA-MB231 breast cancer cell line. We measured the average changes in the phosphorylation of proteins after EGF or IGF-1 stimulation using reverse-phase protein arrays (RPPA). We developed a detailed mathematical model to predict the deterministic and stochastic dynamics of EGF and IGF-1 signaling networks. We used particle swarm optimization to train the deterministic model to predict the average transient changes in the phosphorylation of proteins measured by RPPA and infer the unknown model parameters. Using the estimated model parameters, we implemented the stochastic model to predict the transient changes in the phosphorylation of proteins in individual cells. The modeling results showed that protein phosphorylation in individual cells could attain levels that were several fold higher or lower that those attained by the average cell in the population. We used a multicolor fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) to measure the distribution in the phosphorylation of protein after EGF or IGF-1 stimulation and experimentally validate the modeling predictions. We finally compared the overall signal transduction of individual cells whose protein phosphorylation attained higher and lower levels to computationally identify cellular sub-networks that were differentially activated. The integrative approach described here is therefore a useful tool for computationally predicting the stochastic events responsible for signaling differentiation in individual cells and optimizing experimental intervention strategies for cancer therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4920. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4920
Etiologic role of lactic dehydrogenase virus infection in an age-dependent neuroparalytic disease in c58 mice.

Abstract Lactic dehydrogenase virus (LDV) associated with transplantable line Ib lymphocytic leukemia in C58/Wm mice, K36 lymphocytic leukemia in AKR/J mice, and the Gardner lymphosarcoma in C3H/HeJ mice elicited a fatal neuroparalytic disease when injected ip into 7- to 9-month-old X-irradiated indicator C58 mice. LDV associated with the WEHI-3B line of transplantable myelomonocytic leukemia or the Harding-Passey transplantable myeloma in BALB/c mice failed to elicit the disease. Recipients of such tumor extracts were immune to rechallenge by line Ib-associated LDV. Tumor lines free of LDV failed to elicit the disease or immunize recipient mice to line Ib LDV challenge. The Plagemann (P-LDV), Riley (R-LDV), and Notkins (N-LDV) strains of LDV were less neuropathogenic than the line Ib-derived strain (Ib-LDV). Indicator C58 mice that survived infection by the P-LDV, R-LDV, and N-LDV strains were immune to rechallenge by Ib-LDV. Antiserum prepared in young C58 mice to Ib-LDV or R-LDV protected indicator C58 mice from Ib-LDV challenge. These results show that a common viral contaminant of transplantable tumors and virus stocks that ordinarily is not pathogenic elicits a fatal neurologic disease in genetically susceptible, immunosuppressed, C58 mice.
Micro Feature Enhanced Sinter Bonding of Metal Injection Molded (MIM) Parts to Solid Substrate

In MIM, fine metal powders are mixed with a binder and injected into molds, similar to plastic injection molding. After molding, the binder is removed from the part, and the compact is sintered to almost full density. The obstacle to sinter bonding a MIM part to a conventional (solid) substrate lies in the sinter shrinkage of the MIM part, which can be up to 20%, meaning that the MIM part shrinks during sintering, while the conventional substrate maintains its dimensions. This behavior would typically inhibit bonding and/or cause cracking and deformation of the MIM part. A structure of micro features molded onto the surface of the MIM part allows for shrinkage while bonding to the substrate. The micro features tolerate certain plastic deformation to permit the shrinkage without causing cracks after the initial bonds are established. In a first series of tests, bond strengths of up to 80% of that of resistance welds have been achieved. This paper describes how the authors developed their proposed method of sinter bonding and how they accomplished effective sinter bonds between MIM parts and solid substrates.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Vi SEROLOGY IN THE DETECTION OF TYPHOID CARRIERS

Abstract A new haemagglutination assay for Vi antibodies was evaluated in searches for symptom-free carriers of Salmonella typhi associated with sporadic cases of typhoid fever. The assay differs from previous ones in that a purified (instead of crude) Vi antigen from Citrobacter was used to sensitise the red blood cells. In ten sporadic outbreaks of typhoid stool culture identified seven enteric carriers of S. typhi among the patients' families or other close contacts. All seven carriers had Vi antibodies in titres ranging from 1:40 to 1:2560. Moreover, among thirty- seven stool-culture-negative contacts of patients, only one had Vi antibodies, in a titre of 1:10. Thus, the new assay for Vi antibodies was as sensitive and as specific as faecal culture in detecting symptom-free typhoid carriers. It could become a convenient screening test.
Agenesis or hypoplasia of major salivary and lacrimal glands

We described a young man with almost total absence of the parotid glands, hypoplasia of both lacrimal glands, marked hypofunction of both submandibular glands, and left nasolacrimal duct atresia. Lack of tearing, severe dental caries, and conjunctival scarring following chronic xerophthalmia and conjunctivitis serve to alert pediatricians to this autosomal dominant disorder with considerable variation in expressivity.
Differential recall of problem names and clues as a function of problem solution or nonsolution

An attempt was made to relate the Zeigarnik effect to the broader field of learning. It was assumed that the consequence of task interruption is motivation persistence, assumed to be operative in the classic Zeigarnik situation, and that the consequence of task completion is motivation reduction, generally regarded to be operative in a learning situation. The relative influence of each of these factors on unexpected recall was assessed by comparing two recall measures for a series of problem tasks, some of which had been interrupted and some completed. The first measure was the standard recall of problem names. A clue was introduced in the context of each problem task in order to make possible the second recall measure, which involved responses in the final phase of the total problem task behavior sequence. The recall of clues made possible a more direct test of the influence of reward as a function of task completion. A total of 106 college students were unexpectedly tested for recall of 17 problem names and clues. The results indicated a reliable preferential recall of clues from completed rather than interrupted problems and a slight, but unreliable, preferential recall of problem names from completed rather than interrupted problems.
Drug Use and Risks for HIV/AIDS Among Indigent Women in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

SUMMARY The PROVIVA project (Projeto Venha Informar-sesobre o Virus da AIDS), funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and administered by the University of Miami School of Medicine, was established in 1993 for the purpose of developing and implementing a community-wide HIV/AIDS prevention effort in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Recruitment began in mid-1994 and the specific target groups included cocaine-using women and men in Rio's favelas (shantytowns) and “red light” districts. Study participants were obtained through standard chain referral and targeted sampling techniques, and through May 31, 1997 over 1,500 were enrolled in the project. This analysis focuses on the first 339 women recruited. The women ranged in age from 18 to 62, with a median of 29 years. The majority were either black or multi-racial (morena, parda, mulata, cafe com leite, and other multi-racial designations), and almost all were of low socio-economic status. The HIV risk behaviors engaged in by these women during the 30-day peri...
A method for removing leukocytes from stored blood.

A method for preparing leukocyte-poor blood from packed red cells that have been stored in ACD for ten days is described. The addition of heparin and CaCl2 to buffy coat poor-packed cells followed by nylon fiber filtration removes approximately 97 per cent of the leukocytes when compared with whole blood. Fresh plasma and platelets are useful by-products of this procedure.
Optimizing protein precipitation efficiency for assessing the contribution of low molecular weight compounds to serum antioxidant capacity

Abstract Antioxidant capacity testing is commonly used in clinical investigations to provide an estimate of in vitro antioxidant capacity of biosamples. Although beneficial to measure the synergistic contribution of all compounds with antioxidant functionality, assessing the capacity of non-protein fractions or small molecules like ascorbic acid with primary antioxidant functionality may be more beneficial in specific populations. Thus, efficacy of solvent/s to precipitate serum proteins is critical to assessing the antioxidant contribution of these compounds. Objectives To compare protein precipitation efficiency of a validated precipitating solvent system to acetone, the commonly utilized precipitating solvent in the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and to evaluate antioxidant contribution of small molecular weight compounds in serum from 20 adults aged 65 and older with stage I or stage II obesity, yet who were otherwise healthy. Design and methods Precipitating solvent/s included acetone (1:8 (v/v)) or methanol/acetonitrile/acetone (MAA) (1:1:1, v/v/v) in a ratio of 1:4 (v/v). Protein concentration and antioxidant capacity were measured by the Biuret and ORAC assay, respectively. Results Significant differences (p Conclusions Precipitation by MAA is more effective than acetone alone in precipitating high molecular weight proteins, thus allowing for assessment of antioxidant capacity of small molecules in serum.
An analytical model for predicting the freeze–thaw durability of wood–fiber composites

Abstract The development and validation of an analytical model that predicts the onset of frost-induced damage in wood–plastic composites (WPCs) is presented in this work. The mathematical model is based on the mechanics of a hollow cylinder subjected to an internal pressure caused by the expansion of freezing moisture bound in the wood–fiber reinforcement. The model is substantiated using experimental data from several published studies. Using a stochastic approach, the model is implemented to analyze the effect of wood fiber specie, fiber volume fraction, and matrix material properties on the frost resistance of fully and partially saturated WPCs. Results show that WPCs with high fiber contents, high moisture contents, and low polymer tensile strengths are most susceptible to frost-induced damage. Data also suggest that the use of softwood fibers (e.g., pine, spruce) and polymers with low moduli and high tensile strengths enhances the frost-resistance of WPCs.
Developmental regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate- and kainate-type glutamate receptor expression in the rat spinal cord

Spinal motor neurons undergo experience-dependent development during a critical period in early postnatal life. It has been suggested that the repertoire of glutamate receptor subunits differs between young and mature motor neurons and contributes to this activity-dependent development. In the present study we examined the expression patterns of N-methyl-D-aspartate- and kainate-type glutamate receptor subunits during the postnatal maturation of the spinal cord. Young motor neurons express much higher levels of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR1 than do adult motor neurons. Although there are eight potential splice variants of NR1, only a subgroup is expressed by motor neurons. With respect to NR2 receptor subunits, young motor neurons express NR2A and C, while adult motor neurons express only NR2A. Young motor neurons express kainate receptor subunits GluR5, 6 and KA2 but we are unable to detect these or any other kainate receptor subunits in the adult spinal cord. Other spinal cord regions display a distinct pattern of developmental regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate and kainate receptor subunit expression in comparison to motor neurons. Our findings indicate a precise spatio-temporal regulation of individual subunit expression in the developing spinal cord. Specific combinations of subunits in developing neurons influence their excitable properties and could participate in the emergence of adult neuronal form and function.
Lack of X inactivation: loss of one X inactivation center in a case with mos45,X,-21, +der(21)t(X;21) (p21.3;p11.2)/46,X,t(X;21) (p21.3;p11.2).

We present a girl with a mos45,X, −21, +der(21)t(X;21) (p21.3;p11.2)/46,X,t(X;21) (p21.3;p11.2) chromosome constitution. The ratio of these cells was 59/26 in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)- stimulated lymphocytes. The 45,X,der(21) t(Xp–;21p+) cells lacked an X inactivation center located at Xq13 on the derivative X chromosome; in these cells, the whole normal X chromosome and the distal part of Xp translocated onto the derivative chromosome 21 were early replicating. She had moderate mental retardation and other findings different from those that occur in the Ullrich-Turner syndrome. Her phenotype may be due to the functional excess of the distal part of Xp on the derivative 21 in 45,X,der(21)t(Xp–;21p+) cells; thus, this might be another type of the “lack of X-inactivation” syndrome. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Consequences of analyticity and unitarity for partial-wave amplitudes

Abstract Asymptotic and integral relationships between the functions associated with the unphysical and physical spectral functions of partial-wave amplitudes with l ≧ 1 for the scattering of spinless particles are developed. The results are used to show that: (a) The function associated with the unphysical singularities must have a closely limited asymptotic behavior if the dispersion relation is to be consistent. (b) The unphysical singularities determine precisely the leading asymptotic term in the function associated with the physical cut and in the absence of unphysical singularities, there can be no scattering. (c) In many cases, the unphysical singularities determine the asymptotic limits of the transmission factor and the real part of the phase shift. (d) If the transmission factor goes to zero (maximal inelasticity), the rate at which it approaches this limit is sometimes bounded by a known function. In these cases, the unphysical singularities and the transmission factor together determine the leading asymptotic term of the phase shift. (e) In some situations, a sign inconsistency in the asymptotic constraints implies the existence of poles in any N D solution with residues whose signs prevent their interpretation as bound states. These poles are then “ghosts.” (f) In an exact partial-wave dispersion relation, at least when l ≧ 2 , there is no simple way by which to determine, from the sign of the unphysical function at threshold or at infinity, whether the corresponding “force” is attractive or repulsive. This sign is fixed at these energies by general arguments. As a result of these constraints, one can conclude that the usual approximations of the unphysical cut in terms of the singularities of pole diagrams have a chance of satisfying consistency requirements only for the s- and p-waves with spin zero and one particle exchanges. For p-waves, the exchange of a spin one particle is required. Certain rapidly convergent integral identities are developed which can be used to test for the presence of ghosts or of bound states in N D solutions or to test the accuracy of solutions. Finally, the relativistic Chew-Low model is used to demonstrate numerically the importance of some of the restrictions obtained.
Oxidation of zeolite acid sites in NO/O2 mixtures and the catalytic properties of the new site in NO oxidation

Abstract The NO oxidation reaction kinetics over a number of zeolite structures were investigated at temperatures above 423 K using plug-flow microreactors and in situ FTIR spectroscopy. Fast catalytic NO oxidation rates (up to 1000×) are observed over H- and Na-exchanged zeolite frameworks (BEA, MFI, and CHA) at temperatures above 423 K with respect to the gas-phase reaction. NO oxidation rates increase with temperature over H- and Na-zeolites, while siliceous zeolites display little activity. Activation energies scale in the order of CHA −1 ), and application of transition state theory shows that the formation of the activated complex is an enthalpically controlled process that benefits from smaller zeolite pore size. In all samples, rates are proportional to NO and O 2 concentrations, in contrast to low-temperature catalytic rates Loiland et al. [33], which are second order in NO and first order in O 2 . This difference indicates that a new reaction mechanism is operative above 423 K. In-situ FTIR studies reveal that NO + coordinated at framework sites in the zeolite pores (Si O − (NO + ) Al) plays a direct role in the catalysis, and they also reveal that the NO oxidation rate is proportional to the amount of NO + present in the sample. Furthermore, it is found that NO + is in equilibrium with gas-phase NO and that desorption of NO + (as NO) yields an oxidized acid site (Si O Al). No evidence of NO + formation is observed over the siliceous zeolite samples. A working model of the reaction mechanism for the high-temperature NO oxidation reaction is proposed for acidic zeolites that is consistent with the observed form of the rate equation and the observed NO + reaction intermediate.
Using an Information Problem-Solving Model as a Metacognitive Scaffold for Multimedia-Supported Information-Based Problems

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a specific problem-solving model on achievement and attitudes when students solve an information-based problem. Thirty-five eighth-grade students in two intact classes were asked to write newspaper articles that summarized the events surrounding the Selma March during the African-American Civil Rights Movement. One class of students followed the procedures of the Eisenberg and Berkowitz Information Problem Solving (EBIPS) model, while the other followed a standard set of guidelines for writing newspaper articles. Both groups of students used a multimedia database of information dealing with the African-American Civil Rights Movement for the activity. Achievement and attitudinal data were collected at the end of the treatment period, and observational data were collected throughout the treatment period. Results suggested that students who were supported by the EBIPS model created articles that were more accurate, utilized a wider variety of i...
A dose-response study of estradiol's effects on the developing zebra finch song system.

Abstract To gauge the sensitivity of the female zebra finch song system to estradiol (E2), we used subcutaneous implants to administer various doses of E2 to hatchling female zebra finches. Four different doses of E2 were administered: 50, 15, 5 and 0-μg via subcutaneous silicon “ropes” at hatching, and the brains were examined in adulthood. Further, we examined whether masculinization was all-or-none once a threshold was reached or if the morphology of the song system would show a graded response to the various doses of E2. Finally, we asked if the various dependent measures – volume of song nuclei, neuron size, and neuron number – would show differential sensitivity to E2. Fifteen micrograms was sufficient to masculinize many aspects of the song system and was often as effective as 50-μg, causing a dramatic difference relative to the 0-μg group. Different aspects of the song system seemed differentially sensitive to the effects of E2: volumes of song control nuclei, the size of RA neurons, and the number of HVC neurons were significantly masculinized by 15-μg E2, but the number of RA neurons and HVC and lMAN soma sizes required 50-μg. The results suggest that several developmental processes are influenced by E2, possibly because of multiple sites of action or multiple processes that respond to E2.
Growth of high purity single crystals of arsenic

Abstract Large, high quality, single crystals of arsenic have been grown from the melt in a high pressure bomb made from synthetic quartz. The crystals have residual resistance ratios (RRR) of up to 5500, the largest reported to date.
Adaptive immune-mediated host resistance to Toxoplasma gondii is governed by the NF-κB regulator Bcl-3 in dendritic cells

The atypical IκB family member Bcl-3 associates with p50/NF-κB1 or p52/NF-κB2 homodimers in nuclei, thereby either positively or negatively modulating transcription in a context-dependent manner. Previously we reported that Bcl-3 was critical for host resistance to Toxoplasma gondii. Bcl-3-deficient mice succumbed within 3-5 weeks after infection, correlating with an apparently impaired Th1-type adaptive immune response. However in which cell type(s) Bcl-3 functioned to assure resistance remained unknown. We now show that Bcl-3 expression in dendritic cells is required to generate a protective Th1-type immune response and confer resistance to T. gondii. Surprisingly, mice lacking Bcl-3 in dendritic cells were as susceptible as mice globally deficient for Bcl-3. Furthermore, early innate defenses were not compromised by the absence of Bcl-3, as initial production of IL-12 by dendritic cells and IFN-γ by NK cells were preserved. However, subsequent production of IFN-γ by CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells was compromised when dendritic cells lacked Bcl-3, and these mice succumbed at a time when T-cell-mediated IFN-γ production was essential for host resistance. These findings demonstrate that Bcl-3 is required in dendritic cells to prime protective T-cell-mediated immunity to T. gondii.
Anatomic location of penetrating lower-extremity trauma predicts compartment syndrome development

Abstract Background Compartment syndrome of the lower extremity can be a difficult diagnosis to make with serious consequences if diagnosis and intervention is delayed. Identifying patients who are more likely to develop this syndrome can help prevent the associated complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the anatomic location of the penetrating lower-extremity injuries can predict development of compartment syndrome. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients admitted for a minimum of 23 hours to the University of South Alabama trauma center for penetrating lower-extremity trauma during the 8-year period from July 1998 through June 2006. Patients were entered in the study if wound trajectory was confined to the lower extremity between the inguinal ligament and the ankle. Injuries were categorized as above knee (AK) or below knee (BK), and whether the injury was in the proximal or distal half of the extremity segment. Clinical examination or compartmental pressures were used to diagnose BK compartment syndrome. Results A total of 321 patients sustained 393 lower-extremity injuries during the study period, of which 255 (65%) were AK and 138 (35%) were BK. Thirty-one (8%) lower extremities developed BK compartment syndrome with 29 (94%) secondary to penetrating injuries of the BK segment. All BK injuries that developed compartment syndrome were located in the proximal half of the BK segment. Eighteen (7%) AK injuries underwent BK 4-compartment fasciotomy, 16 (6%) of which were prophylactic after surgical intervention for AK vascular injury. Two patients (1%) developed postoperative BK compartment syndrome after superficial femoral vein ligation. All AK injuries that underwent fasciotomy sustained vascular injuries requiring surgical intervention. No BK compartment syndromes occurred in any patients with expectantly managed AK or distal BK injuries. Conclusions Injuries to the proximal half of the BK segment are the most common cause for the development of compartment syndrome from penetrating injuries of the lower extremity. Development of BK compartment syndrome because of penetrating AK injury is rare without an associated surgically significant vascular injury. Observational admission for compartment syndrome development in patients with penetrating injury to the AK segment or distal BK segment is unnecessary.
Effects of specular reflection on radiative heat transfer in an absorbing, emitting, and anisotropically-scattering medium

Abstract The effect of specular reflection in a one-dimensional, absorbing, emitting, and anisotropically-scattering medium is analyzed. The mathematical formulation is shown to involve the function Fn(x)= ∝1o(e-x/μ/1 - ϱ1ϱ-2e2L/μ)υn-2 dμ, which can be readily evaluated as a fast-coverging, infinite series of exponential integral functions. Numerical solutions to the resulting integral equations are generated by the method of point allocation. Physically, the radiative energy within a participating medium bounded by specularly reflective surfaces is observed to experience more multiple reflection than the corresponding diffuse reflection case. This leads to some differences between the two cases in the heat transfer and temperature profile results. These differences, however, are generally quite minor for the considered one-dimensional planar system.
Computer science: small department initiative (abstract only)

Faculty members in a small department (5 FTE or less) face special challenges and strengths because of their size. This BOF is a time for faculty to meet and discuss ways to meet the shared challenges and take advantage of their strengths. The actual topics covered will be based on those attending. Possible topics might include: sharing classes, increasing enrollment, general education, and specialized courses.
Early phonological development: Creating an assessment test

This paper describes a new protocol for assessing the phonological systems of two-year-olds with typical development and older children with delays in vocabulary acquisition. The test (Profiles of Early Expressive Phonological Skills (PEEPS), Williams & Stoel-Gammon, in preparation ) differs from currently available assessments in that age of acquisition, based on lexical norms from the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Developmental Inventories, served as the primary criterion for creating a word list. Phonetic and semantic properties of the words were also considered in selecting items for the test. Productions of words using the PEEPS protocol have been gathered from a group of children with typical development and another group with cleft lip and/or palate. By 24 months of age, the children with typical development produced more than 90% of the target words and the children with atypical development produced 73% of the words. Regarding administration, the time needed for administering the protocol decreased with age.
Induction of p53 and apoptosis by δ12-PGJ2 in human hepatocarcinoma SK-HEP-1 cells

Human hepatocarcinoma cells (SK-HEP-1) were induced to die through apoptosis by treatment with delta 12-prostaglandin (PG)J2, as characterized by the appearance of a typical DNA ladder. The induction of apoptosis by delta 12-PGJ2 was specifically blocked by cycloheximide (CHX). Western analysis using anti-p53 or anti-WAF1 monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that these two protein levels were increased 3 h after delta 12-PGJ2 treatment, and accumulated for up to 12 h. The induction of p53 protein seemed to be dependent on the increase of p53 mRNA level, which was inhibited by CHX treatment. However, delayed addition of CHX after delta 12-PGJ2 treatment failed to affect both p53 mRNA levels and DNA fragmentation following delta 12-PGJ2 treatment, indicating that the inhibition of p53 synthesis may contribute to the protective effect of CHX against delta 12-PGJ2-mediated cytotoxicity. Therefore, our results suggest that the initial events caused by delta 12-PGJ2, leading ultimately to SK-HEP-1 cell death, involve a certain process required for p53 induction. However, the finding that delta 12-PGJ2 is also active against Hep 3B cells which are devoid of a functional p53 indicates that p53 may not be the critical requirement for inducing apoptosis by delta 12-PGJ2.
Biblical Worldview: The Christian Higher Education Foundation for Learning.

The integration of faith and learning is regarded to be a primary distinctive of Christian higher education, yet this terminology conveys a false dichotomy. The frequent call for integration suggests that the Christian faith and learning belong to different areas of knowledge and practice; consequently, there is a need for bringing the two realms together. In this article, a biblical worldview is presented as the unifying factor for the fusion of faith and learning. The biblical narrative provides a solid foundation for a comprehensive worldview, offering implications for the Christian faith and Christian higher education.
Aging-induced decrements in neuropeptide Y: the retention of ejaculatory behavior is associated with site-selective differences.

Abstract Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been implicated in the control of reproductive and cardiovascular function. We observed an age-related decrease in the number of males copulating to ejaculation and a moderate systolic hypertension in middle-aged (16- to 17-month-old) rats. NPY content was examined in microdissected brain nuclei in 5 groups of rats: 2 groups of young rats, 1 heterosexually naive and the other ejaculating in 3 successive mating test; 3 groups of middle-aged rats, 1 heterosexually naive, 1 group that had extensive sexual experience but failed to ejaculate in tests at 16.5 months of age, and the third continuing to ejaculate at 16.5 months of age. NPY levels were found to vary depending on the brain area, the age of the animals, and the maintenance of ejaculatory behavior. In sexually naive middle-aged males, NPY levels were uniformly lower than in younger males. There were no differences in NPY levels of young animals, regardless of sexual experience. In the medial preoptic area, the group that retained ejaculatory behavior through 16.5 months of age, had higher levels of NPY than those observed in young sexually experienced rats. In sexually experienced rats that were no longer ejaculating at 16.5 months of age levels were lower than all other groups except the sexually naive middle-aged group. In the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, levels were equivalent in the young groups and in the middle-aged rats that retained ejaculatory behavior, being greater than in the middle-aged rats that were no longer ejaculating or were sexually naive. In the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, levels were highest in young rats, lowest in middle-aged rats that were sexually naive or no longer ejaculating and intermediate in the group of rats retaining ejaculatory behavior. In contrast, in the hypothalamic dorsomedial and ventromedial nuclei, there were no significant differences between the three middle aged groups. We suggest that as the sexually active rat ages there is a neural site-specific hypersecretion of NPY in an attempt to maintain pituitary-gonadal hormone production and copulatory behavior. Following this, there is a decrease in activity of NPY neurons which results in ejaculatory failure. The suggested sexually relevant source of NPY to the medial preoptic area and the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus is the NPY-synthesizing cells in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus.
Creating a Responsive Middle Level School Through Systematic Long-Range Planning:

Here's a step-by-step guide to planning for the development of an effective and responsive middle level school.
A note on the bimodal stationary distributions in hard chemical instabilities

Over the past years there has been considerable activity in the application of birth and death stochastic equations to the analysis of nonlinear chemical reaction schemes (see Refs. 1-4 for reviews). Of particular interest are systems that exhibit multiple stationary states, as transitions between these states are analogous to first-order phase transitions/3-5) It has been claimed that the stationary distributions of such master equations are bimodal/1-5~ and that this bimodality is the stochastic analog of the deterministic hysteresis effect. It is the aim of this note to argue that the stationary distribution of the master equation is effectively unimodal when the thermodynamic limit is properly taken. Thus the hysteresis effect is shown to be of a kinetic origin, and not a property of the stationary character of the stochastic system/6~ The effective unimodality can be established for a general kinetic equation of the form
Single Molecule Tracking as a Probe of Free Volume Transitions in Stimulus-Responsive Polymers – Do Single Molecules Behave Like Caribou?

Actively-switchable transport can be achieved in stimulus-responsive polymer brushes. Single molecule trajectories are used to understand local diffusion and, in turn, to study the polymer free volume distribution.
Runoff Water Quality during Drought in a Zero-Order Georgia Piedmont Pasture: Nitrogen and Total Organic Carbon

Approximately 11% of the Southern Piedmont (1.8 million ha) is used for pasture and hay production, mostly under low-input management. Few studies have investigated in the region long-term nitrogen and carbon losses in surface runoff, which can be significant. We present 1999 to 2009 hydrologic and water quality data from a rotationally grazed, 7.8-ha, zero-order pasture (W1) near Watkinsville in the Georgia Piedmont. Annual rainfall was 176 to 463 mm below the long-term average (1240 mm) in 7 of the 11 yr. There were 20 runoff events during 86 mo of below-average rainfall (deficit period), compared with 54 events during 46 mo of nondeficit period. Mean event flow-weighted concentration (in mg L) was 0.96 for nitrate-nitrogen (NO-N), 0.97 for ammonium-nitrogen (NH-N), 3.70 for total nitrogen (TN), and 9.12 for total organic carbon (TOC) ( = 43-47; limited due to instrument problem). Nutrient loads (in kg ha per event) averaged 0.04 for NO-N, 0.03 for NH-N, 0.19 for TN, and 0.54 for TOC. Total loads for N and TOC were 6 to 11 times greater from nondeficit than from deficit periods. The observed N concentrations, while well below maximum drinking water standard limits, could pose risk for eutrophication, which can be stimulated at lower concentrations. However, the ability of headwater streams, such as the one downstream of W1, to reduce nutrient concentrations might partially alleviate this concern. The results of this study point to the need to use a long-term dataset that includes measurements made in drought and wet years when evaluating the efficacy of water quality standards.
Expressive writing as a therapeutic process for drug-dependent women.

ABSTRACT. Background: Although women with substance use disorders (SUDs) have high rates of trauma and posttraumatic stress, many addiction programs do not offer trauma-specific treatments. One promising intervention is Pennebaker's expressive writing, which involves daily, 20-minute writing sessions to facilitate disclosure of stressful experiences. Methods: Women (N = 149) in residential treatment completed a randomized clinical trial comparing expressive writing with control writing. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to document change in psychological and physical distress from baseline to 2-week and 1-month follow-ups. Analyses also examined immediate levels of negative affect following expressive writing. Results: Expressive writing participants showed greater reductions in posttraumatic symptom severity, depression, and anxiety scores, when compared with control writing participants at the 2-week follow-up. No group differences were found at the 1-month follow-up. Safety data were enc...
Anisotropic Island Growth: A New Approach to Thin Film Electrocrystallization

The electrochemical deposition of metals onto foreign substrates usually occurs through Volmer−Weber island growth, and hence the structure and properties of thin films are critically dependent on the mechanism of nucleation and growth. For example, high nucleus densities are essential for achieving island coalescence at small thickness. Here we demonstrate a new approach to controlling thin film microstructure through the control of island geometry. By promoting anisotropic island growth, film coalescence can be achieved at smaller thickness and with lower island densities.
Comparison of Limb and Precordial Vectorcardiographic Systems

Two advanced types of vectorcardiographic systems have been applied to 104 miscellaneous patients for the purpose of comparing practical features and electric results. The 2 systems showed satisfactory average agreement, as expected, but there were marked individual differences in many cases. Despite corrections for torso shape and typical eccentric ventricle location, the limb electrode system yielded results significantly outside attainable limits, and hence is considered unsatisfactory for quantitative work despite its practical advantages.
The big and small of it: How body size evolves

Body size is a biological variable of fundamental importance and plays a central role in analyses of life history, sexual dimorphism, allometry, and natural and sexual selection. Yet, there remains a sizeable gulf in our understanding that lies between what we hypothesize influences change in size, from the point of view of ultimate causation, and what we know about how shifts in body size are regulated from a proximate perspective. I seek here to tie these two perspectives together, and specifically to argue that an understanding of the hormonal regulation of body size is necessary for constructing hypotheses regarding how body size evolves. Recent work using model organisms points to the insulin/insulin-like growth factor pathway as playing a key role in the regulation of growth, size, reproduction, and senescence. I review the role of various components of this pathway in regulating growth and size and illustrate the evidence for different ways in which these might work to generate differences in size in various organisms. Of particular interest are the tradeoffs between size and other life history traits produced by experimental alterations in this pathway. Recent work emphasizing the ways in which body size can be altered based on extrinsic factors provides the opportunity to link advances in uncovering the proximate bases of growth and size and offers an opportunity to frame new hypotheses regarding how variation in size evolves.
Infections in Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic individuals are at increased risk of infection in general, in part because of immune defects. In addition, associated situations, such as depressed mental status, increase risk to specific syndromes such as lung abscess related to depressed consciousness and aspiration. Social factors related to hygiene and living situations are also linked to specific microorganisms, such as Mycobacteria tuberculosis, Bartonella quintana, Vibrio vulnificus, and Capnocytophaga canimorus..
CORRELATION OF IMMUNE RESPONSES WITH HIV PLASMA VIREMIA. † 1074

We sought to correlate immunologic and clinical parameters with HIV-1 RNA plasma levels in a group of 14 HIV-infected children [mean CD4 count 617 cells/mm3 (range 10-2880). Plasma viremia was measured by RT-PCR assay(Roche Amplicor Kit). We analyzed T-cell responses to mitogens (PHA, Con-A, PWM) and antigens (tetanus, candida), T-suppressor cell activity, and humoral responses to H. influenzae, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria vaccines. We compared characteristics according to viral load: low 100,000 copies/ml. Table
719-5 Clinical Correlates and Prognostic Significance of the Frequency of Episodes of Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia in the Electrophysiologic Study versus Electrocardiographic Monitoring Trial (ESVEM)

Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VTns) predicts mortality in several settings but its significance in patients (pts) with a history of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias is unknown. Pts in ESVEM were randomized to guidance method and to drug independent of VTns events. We grouped pts (n = 486) by frequency of VTns events on baseline 48hr drug-free HM: Gl ≡ No VTns (n = 70), G2 ≡ g0 to l0.25 runs/h (n = 190). G3 ≡ ≥0.25 to l1 runs/h (n = 109), G4 ≡ ≥ 1 runs/h (n = 117). There were no significant differences (p g 0.05) between groups with respect to age, ejection fraction, functional class, presenting arrhythmia, prior exposure to antiarrhythmic drugs or guidance method. Data are presented in order of group number (Gr1, 2, 3, 4, respectively). Significant differences were observed for sex (29, 8, 13, 15%female; p = 0.0008), previous myocardial infarction (6%, 10%, 22%, 23%; p = 0.0002), PVC/h (136, 146, 300, 735; p l 0.0001), pairs/h (1, 3,12, 60; p l 0.0001), and mean heart rate (77, 74, 74, 80 bpm; p = 0.0008). Because the significance of VTns may vary in pts with different disorders, an analysis was restricted to pts with ischemic heart disease (IHD, n = 414). Significant differences were observed for age (63, 65, 64, 67 yr; p = 0.01). sex (23, 6, 10,9%female, p = 0.0028). years since last myocardial infarction (MI) (3.7, 8.9, 9.1, 7.9yr; p l 0.0001), history of operative revascularization (8%, 29%, 30%, 38%; p = 0.0003), for PVC/h (151, 149,286, 769 PVC/h; p l 0.0001). mean pairs/h (1, 3, 12,62; P l 0.0001). mean heart rate (76, 74, 76, 81 bpm; p = 0.004), but not for ejection fraction, functional class, presenting arrhythmia, previous exposure to antiarrhythmic drugs, number of Mis, or angina since last MI. Variables based on presence/absence, on continuous and on stratified frequency measures of VTns events and the above variables were entered into a Cox proportional hazards regression model for: 1) pts discharged on a drug predicted to be effective, 2) all randomized pts (intention-to-treat), 3) pts with IHD. None of the VTns variables were significant independent predictors of arrhythmia recurrence or all-cause mortality. We conclude that significant clinical differences exist between groups of pts with different frequencies of VTns events. However, measures of VTns event frequency were not predictors of arrhythmia recurrence or mortality in this group of patients with known ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
JUVENILE MORTALITY INCREASES WITH CLUTCH SIZE IN A NEOTROPICAL BIRD

The change in avian clutch size with latitude is a celebrated example of geographic variation in a vertebrate life-history trait. Alternative hypotheses for this pattern invoke nest predation, limited food for nestlings, or post-fledging juvenile mortality as selection pressures leading to small clutch size of tropical birds. We manipulated the clutch size of Spotted Antbirds (Hylophylax naevioides) in central Panama to test these hypotheses. We observed that rates of nest predation were not influenced by parental activity at nests and parents could successfully feed nestlings in enlarged broods. Although larger broods produced the most fledged juveniles, these individuals were less likely to survive to dispersal than were juveniles that fledged from smaller broods. Consequently, nest productivity did not vary with clutch size. Post-fledging mortality was not related to nestling mass two to three days prior to fledging. Rather, differences in the allocation of parental investment per juvenile among differently sized broods appeared to influence juvenile survival probability. These results identify parental care during the post-fledging period as a potential key factor influencing the evolution of small clutch size in tropical birds.
High-throughput lipidomic analysis of fatty acid derived eicosanoids and N-acylethanolamines

Fatty acid-derived eicosanoids and N-acylethanolamines (NAE) are important bioactive lipid mediators involved in numerous biological processes including cell signaling and disease progression. To facilitate research on these lipid mediators, we have developed a targeted high-throughput mass spectrometric based methodology to monitor and quantitate both eicosanoids and NAEs, and can be analyzed separately or together in series. Each methodology utilizes scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (sMRM) pairs in conjunction with a 25 min reverse-phase HPLC separation. The eicosanoid methodology monitors 141 unique metabolites and quantitative amounts can be determined for over 100 of these metabolites against standards. The analysis covers eicosanoids generated from cycloxygenase, lipoxygenase, cytochrome P450 enzymes, and those generated from non-enzymatic pathways. The NAE analysis monitors 36 metabolites and quantitative amounts can be determined for 33 of these metabolites against standards. The NAE method contains metabolites derived from saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and eicosanoids. The lower limit of detection for eicosanoids ranges from 0.1pg to 1pg, while NAEs ranges from 0.1pg to 1000pg. The rationale and design of the methodology is discussed.
Souriau scattering and the Yang-Mills dust

In [8]Souriau introduced a classical scattering theory in order to derive a Poincare covariant form of the first law of thermodynamics from the principles of general relativity. In this paper we give an exposition of Souriau's ideas in a more general context, so as to be applicable to Yang-Mills theories.