cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of self-assembled and micelle encapsulated QD chemosensor constructs for biological sensing

Whereas a variety of covalent conjugation strategies have been utilized to prepare quantum dot (QD)-based nanosensors, supramolecular approaches of self-assembly have been underexplored. A major advantage of self-assembly is the ability to circumvent laborious synthetic efforts attendant to covalent conjugation of a chemosensor to functionalized QDs. Here, we combine a CdSe/ZnS core–shell QD with gold(III) corroles using both self-assembly and micelle encapsulation to form QD nanosensors. Appreciable spectral overlap between QD emission and corrole absorption results in efficient Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET), which may be initiated by one- or two-photon excitation. The triplet state of the gold(III) corroles is quenched by molecular oxygen, enabling these constructs to function as optical O2 sensors, which is useful for the metabolic profiling of tumours. The photophysical properties, including QD and corrole lifetimes, FRET efficiency, and O2 sensitivity, have been determined for each construct. The relative merits of each conjugation strategy are assessed with regard to their implementation as sensors.
The Opium Trade and Patterns of Terrorism in the Provinces of Afghanistan: An Empirical Analysis

Contemporary terrorist movements in Afghanistan are frequently alleged to be fueled, in part, by the country's voluminous opium trade. Experts argue that terrorist groups currently active in Afghanistan, like the Afghan Taliban, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Hizbul Islami, and various al-Qaeda affiliates, use drug trade profits to recruit and pay cadres, acquire weapons and equipment, and bribe officials while becoming more powerful, and deadly, in the process. This study empirically examines the relationship between the opium trade and terrorism in Afghanistan by conducting a series of negative binomial regression estimations on terrorist attacks and casualties in the 34 Afghan provinces for the period 1996 to 2008. The analysis also considers various economic development, infrastructure, geographic, security, and cultural factors when examining causes of terrorism in the provinces. The study determines that, across all model specifications, provinces that produce more opium feature higher levels o...
Oxidative stress in NSC-741909-induced apoptosis of cancer cells

NSC-741909 is a novel anticancer agent that can effectively suppress the growth of several cell lines derived from lung, colon, breast, ovarian, and kidney cancers. We recently showed that NSC-741909-induced antitumor activity is associated with sustained Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, resulting from suppression of JNK dephosphorylation associated with decreased protein levels of MAPK phosphatase-1. However, the mechanisms of NSC-741909-induced antitumor activity remain unclear. Because JNK is frequently activated by oxidative stress in cells, we hypothesized that reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be involved in the suppression of JNK dephosphorylation and the cytotoxicity of NSC-741909. The generation of ROS was measured by using the cell-permeable nonfluorescent compound H2DCF-DA and flow cytometry analysis. Cell viability was determined by sulforhodamine B assay. Western blot analysis, immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry assays were used to determine apoptosis and molecular changes induced by NSC-741909. Treatment with NSC-741909 induced robust ROS generation and marked MAPK phosphatase-1 and -7 clustering in NSC-741909-sensitive, but not resistant cell lines, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The generation of ROS was detectable as early as 30 min and ROS levels were as high as 6- to 8-fold above basal levels after treatment. Moreover, the NSC-741909-induced ROS generation could be blocked by pretreatment with antioxidants, such as nordihydroguaiaretic acid, aesculetin, baicalein, and caffeic acid, which in turn, inhibited the NSC-741909-induced JNK activation and apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that the increased ROS production was associated with NSC-741909-induced antitumor activity and that ROS generation and subsequent JNK activation is one of the primary mechanisms of NSC-741909-mediated antitumor cell activity.
Evaluation of Exposure to Tuberculosis Among Employees at a Medical Center

INTRODUCTIONTuberculosis (TB), a disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), is spread from person to person through the air. TB usually infects the lungs, but it can also infect other body parts such as the brain, kidneys, or spine. People who are infected by the bacteria but who do not exhibit symptoms have latent TB infection. It is estimated that one-third of the world's population has latent TB infection, and approximately 5%–10% of those infected will develop TB disease within their lifetimes.(–)In July 2011, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a health hazard evaluation request from management representatives at a medical center in Arizona concerning exposure of employees to M. tuberculosis. They asked for our assistance in evaluating the infection control and occupational health practices related to TB.At the time of our visit, the medical center included an inpatient hospital with 73 beds and adjacent outpatient facility, and...
Inhibition of Aβ production by NF-κB inhibitors

The transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) is widely expressed in the nervous system and increased NF-kappaB immunoreactivity has been observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains in the nuclei of neurons within the vicinity of diffuse beta-amyloid plaques. Beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptides are the main constituent of senile plaques and are known to stimulate NF-kappaB activity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of various NF-kappaB inhibitors on the production of Abeta1-40, Abeta1-42, secreted APP (sAPPbeta and sAPPalpha) and APP C-terminal fragments (APP-CTF) using CHO cells overexpressing the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP). Our data show that NF-kappaB inhibitors decrease both Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42 production. In addition, we show that some NF-kappaB inhibitors decrease sAPPbeta and APP-CTFbeta suggesting that they reduce the beta-secretase cleavage of APP. Altogether our data suggest that NF-kappaB inhibitors may be of therapeutic importance for the treatment of AD pathology not only by blocking inflammatory processes but also by directly inhibiting the production of Abeta peptides.
Software engineering: the art of the user interview

The specification of a system is a major problem. One useful technique is to involve users in the design process. This requires considerable skill on the part of the software professionals. As one component of our software engineering course we are trying to develop this skill.We ask our students to design a system, and as a part of developing the system specification we give them an opportunity to interview a “user.” Since real users are often not very helpful, we deliberately arrange that our “users” will be obtuse regarding technical details of the system. We then conduct follow-up classroom discussion which, we hope, will leave the students with a much more realistic idea of what to expect from a user. A skillful interviewer can often gain valuable insights from users into which aspects of the system are most important to the specifications.
To intubate or not—that is the question: continuous positive airway pressure versus surfactant and extremely low birthweight infants

Perspective on the paper by Booth et al (see page398) There is currently a great dilemma regarding the early management of extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants, which involves the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) after delivery compared with the use of prophylactic or early surfactant. Although there is good evidence that prophylactic and early surfactants reduce mortality and respiratory morbidity,1–4 few of these studies had large numbers of the smallest babies who are the longest-term residents of our neonatal intensive care units; also, none of the studies randomised infants in the placebo or control group to treatment with early CPAP. In addition, surfactant treatment may be associated with a lowered rate of milder disabilities at 1 year of age.5 The use of mechanical ventilation, especially in the first few days of life, seems to considerably increase the risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia as defined by the need for oxygen at 36 weeks,6,7 and the incidence of bronchopulmonary disease (BPD) may be increasing in the most premature infants8,9 with a lesser incidence of the most severe forms of this disorder.10 There is an established association between the occurrence and severity of BPD and later neurodevelopmental disabilities.11–15 In our current quandary, is it better to avoid mechanical ventilation in the most vulnerable of preterm infants to circumvent the effects of intubation and baro-volutrauma and not administer early surfactants by using early CPAP, or do the benefits of intubation with the administration of early surfactant outweigh any subsequent morbidities seen with the use of CPAP? Gregory et al 16 showed that CPAP improved oxygenation in the presurfactant era for infants with respiratory distress and that CPAP was able to help in the establishment and maintenance of functional residual capacity. Subsequent …
Recent progress on higher order moment neural arrays

Higher order moment computations are generally necessary wherever the recognition task exceeds the confines of linearity. This paper provides an overview of recent progress on a specific neural network design, which explicitly uses higher order moment information. Attention is focused on the training algorithms used in the design and on network performance in prototype applications.
Protein Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Signal Transduction During Capacitation-Acrosome Reaction and Zona Pellucida Binding in Human Sperm

During capacitation and acrosome reaction of human sperm, 7–14 proteins are phosphorylated, and two of these proteins (95 and 51 kD) are phosphorylated at tyrosine resides. The sperm proteins that bind ZP3 in humans have molecular identities of 95, 63, 51 (FA-1 antigen), and 14–18 kD, respectively. Three of these molecules, 95-, 51-, and 14–18-kD proteins, undergo tyrosine phosphorylation, and 51 kD (FA-1 antigen) also undergoes autophosphorylation. Many of the sperm proteins that participate in ZP binding are also involved in capacitation/acrosome reaction. These findings indicate a vital role of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and tyrosine receptor kinases in sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction, and ZP binding. Since tyrosine phosphorylation is the primary, or even exclusive, indication of signal transduction, it would appear that a signal transduction pathway is involved in these processes. However, the exact mechanism requires further study.
Histamine2 receptor antagonist use and decline in cognitive function among community dwelling elderly

Purpose Previous studies have reported mixed results regarding the use of histamine2 receptor antagonist use and cognitive function. This study evaluated the relationship between the use of histamine2 receptor antagonists and cognitive decline among community dwelling elderly. Methods This cohort study included 2082 subjects from the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly who were not cognitively impaired at baseline (1989/90). Histamine2 receptor antagonist use was determined during in-home interviews. Cognitive function was assessed at 3 and 7 years after baseline by two measures: (1) incident cognitive impairment defined by the short portable mental status questionnaire (SPMSQ); and (2) cognitive decline (increase in two or more SPMSQ errors). Analyzes used multivariable discrete-time hazard models with weighted data adjusted for sampling design and controlled for demographic, health behavior characteristics and health status. Results At baseline, nearly 5% of participants used a histamine2 receptor antagonist. During follow-up, incident cognitive impairment occurred in 24.0%, whereas 34.5% increased by two or more errors on the SPMSQ. In multivariable models, current histamine2 receptor antagonist users compared to never users had a higher risk for cognitive impairment (Adj. RR 1.51; 95%CI 0.93–2.47) and for decline in performance (increase of two or more errors) on the SPMSQ (Adj. RR 1.24; 95%CI 0.74–2.08). A nonsignificant increased risk of cognitive impairment and decline with either higher dose or short-term use was found whereas a nonsignificant protective effect on cognitive decline with current long-term use was seen. Conclusions These results suggest no beneficial effects, and perhaps a detrimental effect, of histamine2 receptor antagonist use on cognitive function in community dwelling elderly. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transcriptome Profiles of Host Gene Expression in a Monkey Model of Human Malaria

We used human microarrays to examine gene expression in a rhesus monkey model of human Plasmodium vivax malaria (P. cynomolgi in Macaca mulatta). Whole-blood cells were collected for extraction of RNA before infection, during both the initial liver phase of infection and bloodstream infection, and during the course of 2 bloodstream relapses. Clustering analysis showed that similarities in gene expression were greater at similar stages of the protocol for the 2 different monkeys than for the same monkey at different stages of the protocol. Interestingly, a large number of genes involved in RNA processing showed distinct down-regulation during the initial liver phase of infection. When only up-regulated genes were examined, there was evidence of an increasing number of "defense response" genes as the infection evolved but not of "cytoskeleton" genes (P</=.001). These results demonstrate the value of microarrays for studying the response of the primate transcriptome to malaria infection; they suggest that the host response is modulated by groups of genes.
Fast algorithms for generalized discrete Gabor expansion

Abstract Several methods for efficient implementing the generalized Gabor expansion are presented. The continuous-time Gabor expansion is converted to a finite discrete-time form suitable for numerical implementation. The results are obtained for an arbitrary choice of synthesis window function and the removal of Gabor's original constraint ωT = 2 π . This paper improves the traditional biorthogonal-function-based method by providing an algorithm of complexity O( L log 2 L ) for computing the biorthorgonal sequence for both the critical and oversampled cases, and an algorithm for computing the Gabor coefficients from the biorthogonal function with the efficiency of the 2D-FFT. Moreover, using the discrete Zak transform, both critical and oversampled Gabor expansions are directly with an algorithm whose complexity is of the order of the FFT. The results obtained extend the results of Janssen (1988) and Orr (1991) to the oversampling case. The frame concept is also used to define the discrete Gabor expansion, and an efficient algorithm to compute the Gabor coefficients directly is presented via the derivation of the dual frame. It is shown that the mother sequence of the dual frame is actually the minimum-energy biorthogonal sequence by demonstrating that their respective DZTs are equivalent. This leads to an intuitive interpretation of the role of the dual frame in the Gabor expansion of discrete-time signals.
Methodology Fit in Offshoring Software Development Projects

Offshoring has become a viable alternative for companies to lower software development costs and leverage labor resources worldwide. To achieve success in offshoring software development projects, a vendor must choose appropriate development methodologies. This study aims to examine how methodology fit affects offshoring project performance. The authors propose that methodology fit affects project performance through interfirm knowledge sharing between vendors and clients. In addition, the impact of methodology fit on knowledge sharing is dependent on relational capital between vendors and clients. A survey was conducted among software companies in China that provide offshoring services. 108 completed questionnaires were collected. The results confirm the authors' hypotheses.
Context-sensitive Cognitive Rehabilitation after Brain Injury: Theory and Practice

The goal of this article is to describe and offer a rationale for an approach to cognitive rehabilitation labelled “context sensitive”. This approach stands in contrast to the modern tradition of cognitive rehabilitation that features massed and decontextualized process-specific cognitive exercises. The paper begins with theoretical considerations, emphasises the history of research in transfer of cognitive skill, incorporates the World Health Organization framework, describes context-sensitive apprenticeship procedures, draws on evidence accumulated over several decades with related disability groups, and ends with answers to frequently asked questions.
Mortality, complication risk, and total charges after the treatment of epidural abscess.

Abstract Background context The treatment of epidural abscess is known to have a high rate of morbidity. Little is known regarding the risk factors for postoperative complications, mortality, and costs of care. Purpose To identify predictors of postsurgical morbidity and mortality, and total charges, associated with epidural abscess. Study design Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from the year 2006 to 2011. Patient sample All patients who had epidural abscess and underwent surgery in the NIS were included. Weighting was used to derive a representative sample. Outcome measures They included in-hospital mortality, the development of complications, and total charges. A utility for failure to rescue (FTR ) was also developed. Failure to rescue was defined as occurring when patients died after sustaining a complication. Methods All patients identified as having epidural abscess and receiving surgical intervention were included. Risk factors were assessed in a bivariate fashion with those maintaining p values less than .2 included in the final multivariable models. Independent predictors of outcome were those that maintained significance after inclusion in multivariable regression. Predictors for total charges were evaluated using generalized linear modeling. Results The population consisted of 30, 274 individuals. The mean age was 57.4 years (±14.7 years). Sixty-three percent of the population was white and 27% was underinsured. Diabetes was present in 30% and 19% had some degree of paralysis. Three percent of patients died during hospitalization and 26% sustained one or more complications. Mean total charges were $159,782 (range: $4,008–$3,373,410). Significant independent predictors for mortality included age, insurance status, liver disease, paralysis, and renal failure, with age (80 years or more) having the greatest effect (odds ratio 4.0 [95% confidence interval 2.0, 7.9]). Many of these same variables were found to be influential in the development of postoperative complications, major morbidity, and FTR. The number of medical comorbidities, underinsured status, paralysis, and renal failure were factors that influenced charges to an extent greater than 20% of the population mean. Conclusions Age, insurance status, paralysis, and medical comorbidities appear to be the predictors of morbidity, mortality, and expense of care. The results of this work highlight the characteristics that may be targeted to reduce charges and improve care for epidural abscess.
Rotation-perturbed surface acoustic waves propagating in piezoelectric crystals

Abstract This paper represents an analysis of surface acoustic waves propagating in rotating piezoelectric solids. The analysis shows that a piezoelectric material may not permit propagation of more than one rotation-perturbed surface wave even if both the Rayleigh wave and the Bleustein–Gulyaev wave are permissible under a non-rotating condition.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome in a child with laboratory-acquired Escherichia coli O157:H7

A 6-year-old girl touched an agar plate containing Escherichia coli O157:H7 while visiting a hospital laboratory, and subsequently, colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome developed. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of the isolate cultured from her stool and that from the laboratory were identical.
Immunoassays based on electrochemical detection using microelectrode arrays

Abstract We show that CombiMatrix’s VLSI arrays of individually addressable electrodes, using conventional CMOS integrated circuitry, can be used in detecting various analytes via immunoassay protocols. These microarrays provide over 1000 electrodes per square centimeter. The chips are coated with a porous material on which specific affinity tags are synthesized proximate to selected electrode sites. CombiMatrix microarrays are used to develop spatially multiplexed assay formats for biological entities over a wide range of sizes, from small molecules to cells. Antibodies are tagged with coded affinity labels and then allowed to self-assemble on the appropriate electrode assay sites. Each analyte-specific antibody is chaperoned to individual, predetermined locations by the self-assembly process. The resulting chip can perform numerous different analyte-specific immunoassays, simultaneously. We present new detection technologies based upon the use of the active individually addressable microelectrodes on the chip: redox enzyme amplified electrochemical detection. The results for human α1 acid glycoprotein, ricin, M13 phage, Bacillus globigii spores, and fluorescein indicate that this method is one of the most sensitive available, with limits of detection in the attomole range. The detection range is 4–5 logs of analyte concentration, with an assay volume of 50 μl or less. The system provides for a host of multiplexed immunoassays because of the large number of electrodes available. We show how the assays can be optimized for maximum performance on the CombiMatrix microarray platform.
Intramolecular arene epoxidation by phosphadioxiranes.

Singlet oxygen reacts with binaphthyl phosphine derivatives such as 1,1‘-binaphthyl di-tert-butyl phosphine to form the corresponding binaphthyl-2-oxide phosphine oxides. This new intramolecular arene epoxidation reaction proceeds with complete retention of stereochemistry. The binaphthyl-2-oxide di-tert-butyl phosphine oxide undergoes a slow “NIH-rearrangement” to form the corresponding hydroxylated product. A transient phosphadioxirane intermediate has been directly observed by low-temperature NMR. Kinetic analyses show that all of the phosphadioxirane intermediate is converted to product.
Fate of Volatile Organic Compounds and Pesticides In Composted Municipal Solid Waste

Composting of municipal solid waste (MSW) has many advantages including volume reduction, reduced atmospheric emissions of methane from landfills, and the potential for beneficial use of the end product. Information about the fate of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) which are commonly present in MSW is needed to protect the environment from undesirable emissions. To achieve this goal, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the fate of four VOCs (benzene, carbon tetrachloride, dichlorobenzene, and xylene) and two pesticides (Captan and Lindane) added to simulated MSW. Volatile organic chemicals were added at three concentrations while pesticides were tested at a single concentration. All of the treatments were replicated three times and composted in 200 L aerated static pile composters. The composters were specially equipped with pumps and flow meters to aerate the feedstock at 1.12-1.68 m3/hr, sorption filters to collect volatile organic chemicals from the exiting air stream, and leachate collectio...
Ruminal fermentation and passage of nutrients to the duodenum of lactating cows fed mixtures of corn and barley

Abstract Five Holstein cows were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design and fed diets containing five different ratios of starch from ground shelled corn and steam-rolled barley. The DMI decreased and both the proportions of OM and starch digested in the rumen increased as barley starch increased in the diet. Corn and barley starches fed in a ratio of 75:25 maximized the proportions of ADF and NDF digested in the rumen. Replacement of 25% of the corn starch with barley starch resulted in the largest increase in the molar percentage of propionate and the largest decrease in the molar percentage of acetate in ruminal fluid. Passage of NAN to the duodenum was not affected by treatment; however, the percentage of nonammonia nonmicrobial N in NAN decreased as barley starch increased. Passage of AA to the duodenum was largest when corn and barley starches were fed in ratios of 100:0 and 0:100 because of the influence of DMI and microbial protein synthesis. Production of milk, CP, and SNF was similar when cows were fed diets containing corn and barley starches in ratios of 100:0, 75:25, and 50:50 but was decreased when the ratios were 25:75 and 0:100. Increased production responses of cows when diets contained larger amounts of starch from ground shelled corn were probably due to increased DMI.
Testing for Lagged, Cotemporal, and Total Dependence in Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis

Panel studies are statistical studies in which two or more variables are observed for two or more subjects at two or more points in time. Cross-lagged panel studies are those studies in which the variables are continuous and divide naturally into two sets. Focus is on estimating and testing the effects, or impacts, of each set of variables on the other. In the regression approach the cross-lagged model is formulated as a multivariate regression model and regression methods are used to make inferences about the parameters. We contribute to this approach by decomposing the dependence in such models into lagged dependence and cotemporal dependence and developing three strategies for assessing the degree of dependence. We present hypothesis tests for these strategies and then demonstrate the three by analyzing a set of psychiatric panel data.
Effects on concurrent administration of verbal and spatial visual tasks on a language related dichotic listening measure of perceptual asymmetry

Abstract This study examined the effects of simultaneous administration of verbal and spatial visual tasks on a dichotic nonsense syllables test of perceptual asymmetry. Both the verbal and the spatial tasks led to an increase in perceptual asymmetry. Errors on the dichotic test increased with simultaneous administration of the verbal task but not with the spatial task.
Analyzing location and dispersion in unreplicated fractional factorials

We explore the impact of dispersion effects on location effect estimation and derive approximate joint confidence regions for pairs of correlated location effect estimates. A procedure for estimating location effects in the presence of a single dispersion effect is recommended.
Mobility and recalcitrance of organo–chromium(III) complexes

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a major industrial pollutant. Bioremediation of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) is a viable clean-up approach. However, Cr(VI) bioreduction also produces soluble organo-Cr(III) complexes, and little is known about their behavior in the environment. When tested with soil columns, citrate-Cr(III) showed little sorption to soil; malate-Cr(III) had limited partitioning with soil; and histidine-Cr(III) exhibited significant interaction with soil. It appears that the mobility varies depending on the organic ligand. Further, Ralstonia eutropha JMP 134 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa pAO1 readily degraded malate, citrate, and histidine, but not the corresponding organo-Cr(III) complexes. The recalcitrance is not due to toxicity, but the complexes are likely to cause hindrance to enzymes, as malate dehydrogenase and amino acid oxidase could not use malate-Cr(III) and histidine-Cr(III), respectively. The data are in agreement with the reports of soluble organo-Cr(III) complexes in the environment.
Irreversible inhibition of ribonuclectide beductase from Ehrlich tumor cells by a modulator analog

Abstract Periodate-oxidized ATP (ATP-PI) was prepared and studied as a modulator analog of ATP in the ribonucleotide reductase system from Ehrlich tumor cells. ATP-PI could not replace ATP as an activator of CDP reduction, but was found to be an effective inhibitor of both CDP and ADP reduction. The inhibition was time dependent with 1 μM ATP-PI causing 100% inhibition after 20 hrs. The inhibition was shown to be irreversible by the Ackermann-Potter plot and enzyme activity was not restored by passage of the ATP-PI-treated enzyme over a Sephadex G-25 column. 14C-ATP-PI eluted with the protein peak on Sephadex G-25 chromatography.
Radiation and ceramide-induced apoptosis

Ceramide is a sphingolipid that acts as a second messenger in ubiquitous, evolutionarily conserved, signaling systems. Emerging data suggest that radiation acts directly on the plasma membrane of several cell types, activating acid sphingomyelinase, which generates ceramide by enzymatic hydrolysis of sphingomyelin. Ceramide then acts as a second messenger in initiating an apoptotic response via the mitochondrial system. Radiation-induced DNA damage can also initiate ceramide generation by activation of mitochondrial ceramide synthase and de novo synthesis of ceramide. In some cells and tissues, BAX is activated downstream of ceramide, regulating commitment to the apoptotic process via release of mitochondrial cytochrome c. Genetic and pharmacologic studies in vivo showed that radiation targets the acid sphingomyelinase apoptotic system of microvascular endothelial cells in the lungs, intestines and brain, as well as in oocytes, to initiate the pathogenesis of tissue damage. Regulated ceramide metabolism may produce metabolites, such as sphingosine 1-phosphate, shown to signal antiapoptosis, thus controlling the intensity of the apoptotic response and constituting a mechanism for radiation sensitivity or resistance. An improved understanding of this signaling system may offer new opportunities for the modulation of radiation effects in the treatment of cancer.
Arcuate foramen: prevalence by age, gender, and degree of calcification

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of calcification of the oblique atlanto-occipital ligaments (OAOLs, arcuate ligaments) relative to gender, age, and degree of calcification. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 255 subjects presenting for orthodontic evaluation were reviewed. Population size was determined by power analysis. Two calibrated raters reviewed the films and classified the degree of calcification using a standardized rating scale. Class 1 ligaments demonstrated no calcification, Class 2 ligaments were less than half calcified, Class 3 ligaments were at least half calcified, and Class 4 ligaments were completely calcified. Of the subjects, 158 were Class 1 (62%), 70 were Class 2 (20%), 18 were Class 3 (7%), and 29 were Class 4 (11%). There was no evidence that the degree of ligamentous calcification of the arcuate ligaments differed by gender (p>0.10) or age (p=0.8891). This suggests that the anomaly is congenital in origin.
Basketball, Zapatistas, and Other Racial Subjects

This essay, in struggling to account for the twisted intersections of sport and race across the US-Mexico border, argues that the cultural critic must account for not only hybridity and transnation...
The Telencephalon Saved by TLC

The telencephalon is one of the most complex parts of the brain, and its patterning is still poorly understood. In this issue of Neuron, Houart et al. (2002) describe a novel Wnt antagonist Tlc, a member of the secreted Frizzled-related protein (sFrp) family. Secreted from the anterior boundary of the zebrafish neural plate, Tlc appears to protect the telencephalon from obliteration by a more caudal neural Wnt signal.
Observations with Radioactive Hydrogen (H3) in Experimental Atherosclerosis

Tritium has been used to study certain aspects of endogenous and exogenous cholesterol metabolism in normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Special attention is given to turnover studies on aortic cholesterol. Labeled cholesterol has been used for feeding experiments and the subsequent rise of serum cholesterol specific activity has been investigated.
Habitat Use and Movements of Two Ecotypes of Translocated Caribou in Idaho and British Columbia

Two woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) ecotypes, mountain and northern, were translocated to the southern Selkirk Mountains in northern Idaho (U.S.A.) to augment a remnant subpopulation. The translocation resulted in an additional subpopulation that used the general area of the release site. The mountain ecotype stock exhibited patterns of movement and habitat use similar to those of the resident subpopulation. The northern ecotype stock exhibited more variable habitat use, especially in the first year after translocation. Dispersal of the northern stock was not as extensive as that of the mountain stock. Fourteen of 22 caribou from the northern stock and 6 of 18 caribou from the mountain stock died during the 3-year period after the release. Our results suggest that when donor subpopulations must be used that do not closely compare with resident subpopulations extinct or extant, larger numbers of individuals may be needed to establish a self-sustaining population. Dos ecotipos de caribues de los bosques (Rangifer tarandus caribou), de las montanas y del norte, fueron translocados al sur de las montanas de Selkirk, en el norte de Idaho (EUA), para aumentar la subpoblacion remananente. La translocacion, dio lugar a una subpoblacion que uso el area general del sitio donde se les puso en libertad. El stock del ecotipo de las montanas exhibio movimientos y un patron del uso del habitat similares a aquellos de la subpoblacion residente. El stock del ecotipo del norte exhibio un uso del habitat mas variable, especialmente durante el primer ano de la translocacion. La dipersion del stock del norte no fue tan extensiva como la del stock de las montanas. Durante los tres primeros anos que siguieron a la puesta en libertad, 14 de los 22 caribues del stock del norte y 6 de los 18 del stock de las montanas murieron. Nuestros resultados sugieren que cuando se debe usar subpoblaciones donantes que no son comparables con las subpoblaciones residentes, extintas o remanentes, se necesita un numero mayor de individuos para poder establecer una poblacion autosuficiente.
Circadian function in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

This study aimed to evaluate whether patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer experience disrupted rest–activity daily rhythms, poor sleep quality, weakness, and maintain attributes that are linked to circadian function such as fatigue. This report describes the rest–activity patterns of 33 non-small-cell lung cancer patients who participated in a randomised clinical trial evaluating the benefits of melatonin. Data are reported on circadian function, health-related quality of life (QoL), subjective sleep quality, and anxiety/depression levels prior to randomisation and treatment. Actigraphy data, an objective measure of circadian function, demonstrated that patients' rest–activity circadian function differs significantly from control subjects. Our patients reported poor sleep quality and high levels of fatigue. Ferrans and Powers QoL Index instrument found a high level of dissatisfaction with health-related QoL. Data from the European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer reported poor capacity to fulfil the activities of daily living. Patients studied in the hospital during or near chemotherapy had significantly more abnormal circadian function than those studied in the ambulatory setting. Our data indicate that measurement of circadian sleep/activity dynamics should be accomplished in the outpatient/home setting for a minimum of 4–7 circadian cycles to assure that they are most representative of the patients' true condition. We conclude that the daily sleep/activity patterns of patients with advanced lung cancer are disturbed. These are accompanied by marked disruption of QoL and function. These data argue for investigating how much of this poor functioning and QoL are actually caused by this circadian disruption, and, whether behavioural, light-based, and or pharmacologic strategies to correct the circadian/sleep activity patterns can improve function and QoL.
cAMP-induced apoptosis in granulosa cells is associated with up-regulation of P53 and bax and down-regulation of clusterin

Evidence indicates that cAMP induces apoptosis in granulosa cells of rat and human ovary. The mechanism by which cAMP induces apoptosis is not known. This study was carried out to evaluate changes in expression of cell death promoters, P53 and bax, and cell death repressor, bcl-2, in cAMP-treated granulosa cells. Treatment of granulosa cells with forskolin (FSK), or 8-bromo-cAMP induced apoptosis as evidenced by internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation as revealed by gel electrophoresis and fluorescent DAPI staining, respectively. The apoptotic effect of cAMP was accompanied by an increase in the expression of P53 and bax proteins as evaluated by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. No change in bcl-2 protein level was observed in cAMP-treated granulosa cells as compared to control. These data suggest that cAMP may activate apoptosis in granulosa cells by shifting the ratio of the death promoter to death repressor genes via alteration of P53 and bax expression. cAMP was also shown to...
Economic evaluation of latent heat thermal energy storage using embedded thermosyphons for concentrating solar power applications

Abstract An economic evaluation of a latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system for large scale concentrating solar power (CSP) applications is conducted. The concept of embedding gravity-assisted wickless heat pipes (thermosyphons) within a commercial-scale LHTES system is explored through use of a thermal network model. A new design is proposed for charging and discharging a large-scale LHTES system. The size and cost of the LHTES system is estimated and compared with a two-tank sensible heat energy storage (SHTES) system. The results suggest that LHTES with embedded thermosyphons is economically competitive with current SHTES technology, with the potential to reduce capital costs by at least 15%. Further investigation of different phase change materials (PCMs), thermosyphon working fluids, and system configurations has the potential to lead to designs that can further reduce capital costs beyond those reported in this study.
Full temperature single event upset characterization of two microprocessor technologies

Data for the Fairchild 9450 I/sup 3/L bipolar microprocessor and the Harris 80C86 CMOS/epi (vintage 1985) microprocessor are presented, showing single-event soft errors for the full mil-spec temperature range of -55 degrees C to 125 degrees C. These data show for the first time that the soft-error cross sections continue to decrease with decreasing temperature at subzero temperatures. The temperature dependence of the two parts, however, is very different. >
Sub-Coulomb proton absorption for isotopes of zirconium and molybdenum

Total ($p$,$n$) cross sections were measured with enriched targets of $^{92,94}\mathrm{Zr}$ and $^{94,95,96,98}\mathrm{Mo}$, from each threshold energy to \ensuremath{\sim}6.7 MeV. Proton strength functions were deduced and compared with those of neighboring nuclei. The strength functions were characterized by a minimum which was interpreted as a valley between the $3s$ and $3p$ single-particle resonances. Optical-model calculations were performed to fit the deduced strength functions. Systematic variations in the depths of the absorptive potentials were found as a function of mass in the manner suggested by Johnson et al.
Diverticulosis of the appendix: a collective review.

The classification, incidence, and pathogenesis of diverticula of the appendix are discussed. Review of the literature reveals 1,373 instances of appendiceal diverticula. Forty-three were “true” or congenital diverticula, and 1,330 were “false” or acquired diverticula. Twenty-four additional cases from the University of Michigan Medical Center are described.
Nonstoichiometry of SrTiO3 seen by EPR of reduced crystals

Abstract EPR measurements on reduced SrTiO 3 indicate the existence of Sr vacancies in as-grown flame-fusion and top-seeded solution-grown crystals. No indication of Sr vacancies was found in flux-grown crystals. A new paramagnetic center induced by reduction is also reported.
Patterns of supplementation, nursing behavior, and lactation: A simulation analysis

The use of computer simulation has many advantages for the study of human milk production. The simulation presented here deals with the interactions between infant calorie requirements and mothers responses to these requirements measured in terms of milk production. The simulated mother-infant interactions include: 1) the effects of different patterns of the use of breast milk supplements; 2) the effects of varying degrees of responsiveness on the part of the mother to increased infant calorie needs due to growth; 3) the interaction between supplementation patterns and responsiveness and 4) the effects of varying degrees of reliability in the milk let-down response. In order to assess these interactions 2 hypothetical situations are simulated: a deterministic pattern of supplementation and a stochastic pattern of supplementation. Milk production is also assessed for the effects of stochastic variation in the let-down response and in the mothers willingness to increase milk production through increased nursing. A major aspect of the model are points where milk production is seen as susceptible to variation in mother-infant interactions; they are noted as stress points. A series of simulation runs were made with formula substitution beginning in the 3rd 5th or 7th week. The results indicate a similar pattern of milk production which increased as supplementation was delayed. The deterministic pattern of supplementation is related only to the 1st stress point in the model but the stochastic pattern influences all 3. The results of the various simulation runs should be taken as a qualitative indication of the effects on milk production of certain behavioral patterns. The different effects of stochastic and deterministic stress at each of the 3 stress points are discussed and implications derived. The results of the simulation suggest that it is random interference in the breastfeeding relationship especially radom supplementation at the 1st stress point that most significantly affects a mothers ability to keep pace with her growing infant. Regular supplementation i.e. a structured mixed feeding strategy does not seem detrimental in and of itself as long as the nonsupplemented feedings are free of interference.
Biogeography of Carabodidae (Acari: Oribatida) in North America

Abstract In North America the oribatid mite family Carabodidae is represented by 54 described and undescribed species in nine genera. Of these, the genus Carabodes is the most widely distributed and species-rich, but most of its 28 species are eastern. Some show considerable endemism and distributional patterns that may relate to glaciation or current climate. Based on the distinctness of the regional faunas, both Carabodes and Odontocepheus probably radiated after North America separated from Europe, and there is little evidence of Beringian dispersal. In continental USA nearly all species of Cubabodes , Kalloia , Yoshiobodes, Pentabodes , Klapperiches , Austrocarabodes and an undescribed genus are restricted to the south Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, and considerable endemism is suspected. Except for the thelytokous species Y. irmayi , few carabodid mites have wide distributions in the Caribbean region.
Thermogravimetry/magnetometry with a Cahn TA450 electronic analytical balance interfaced with an Apple II+ computer

Abstract We have constructed an inexpensive computer-assisted thermogravimetric/magnetic balance utilizing a Cahn TA450 electronic analytical balance and an Apple II + personal computer, both of which were already available in an undergraduate laboratory. Some details of the hardware and software interfacing necessary to make the apparatus work are presented. The balance was then tested with a number of magnetic, thermogravimetric and thermomagnetic applications. The results of the tests demonstrate the utility of the thermomagnetic balance as it was constructed. It compared favorably with our research grade thermomagnetic balance.
The work of Dean Rosenzweig: a tribute to a scientist and an innovator

Dean Rosenzweig, who passed away in January 2007, was a distinguished mathematician and computer scientist. We highlight his contributions to modeling, analysis, and testing of network security protocols, and his work on information technology used in the Zagreb Stock Exchange.
Generalized separable potentials for electronic-structure calculations.

A general formalism is developed for the construction of separable potentials, either from a given pseudopotential or directly from the solutions of an atomic all-electron calculation. Such potentials are vital for the recently developed Car-Parrinello method. A subset of separable potentials, proposed by Kleinman and Bylander, has been used often with great success. However, for some atoms the previously used potentials do not reproduce the scattering properties over a sufficiently wide energy range. It is shown that the Kleinman-Bylander form represents the first term of a complete series. When additional terms are kept, the method yields highly accurate results.
Establishing a Reproducible Hypertrophic Scar following Thermal Injury: A Porcine Model.

Hypertrophic scarring is an unpredictable and poorly understood sequela in both the pediatric and adult populations. Defined as raised, thick, hyperemic, and indurated tissue that does not extend beyond the boundaries of the scar, hypertrophic scarring is frequently seen in secondarily healed burn wounds and after skin-incising surgical procedures. The initial presentation often clinically arises around 8 weeks.1 The etiology is not completely defined; however, it is thought that there is an exaggerated proliferation phase with abnormal collagen deposition, leading to nodular structures composed of contracting myofibroblasts and small vessels.2 Clinically, treatment and the prevention of hypertrophic scars are wrought with unsatisfactory results. Noninvasive treatment often yields to noncompliance through the burdensome application of pressure garments, silicone therapy, and massage.3–6 Invasive interventions such as surgical excision/tissue rearrangement, laser therapy, or radiation are not applicable to larger surface area scarring. Moreover, these modalities can lead to recurrence or further reduction in acceptable cosmesis. With successful clinical applications lacking, returning to an animal model may be beneficial for further evolution in scar understanding. Creating a reproducible, consistent, and easily testable animal model so that new treatment modalities can quickly be implemented in our burn population has become a focus at our institution. The domestic swine represents such an animal model that is cost effective and has similar skin characteristics to humans. We report on the feasibility of creating hypertrophic scarring to serve as a platform for examining future treatment options.