cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kepone removal from aqueous solution by immobilized algae

Abstract Kepone was bioaccumulated from a weak aqueous solution by Prototheca zopfii. The solution containing one ppm Kepone was passed through a fixed bed column contaning the alga immobilized in agar beads. The Kepone was removed from solution with an efficiency similar to that of another column containing immobilized activated charcoal. On the other hand, the hydrophobic resin adsorbant XAD‐2 was not as efficient. Hydrophobic partitioning was not the entire explanation, as the hydrophobic aflatoxin G1 was not bioaccumulated and living algal cells were much more effective than formalin killed cells at bioaccumulation of Kepone. Neither Kepone nor aflatoxin G1 were biodegraded by the algae.
Phase contours and zeros of forward π±-p scattering amplitudes in the complex energy plane

Abstract Dispersion relations are employed to calculate the forward pion-nucleon scattering amplitudes ƒ±(ω) for complex ω. The small-scale structure and asymptotic behavior of the amplitudes are discussed with the aid of a constant phase diagram, while their zerps are calculated explicitly.
Gearing up: technologies for adventures in library learning

Safari and travel outfitters know that, while appropriate and high quality gear is essential, it is merely a tool to facilitate the primary goal – a great adventure. Similarly, in outfitting the Lied Library Collaborative Learning Center (CLC), we chose appropriate and high quality technologies, furniture, and equipment to facilitate the primary goal of enhancing learning. In particular we wanted to build in opportunities for increased flexibility, interactivity and collaboration. This article details the rationale and processes that shaped the development of the CLC and shares our initial reactions to the resulting environment.
Btk-dependent regulation of phosphoinositide synthesis.

Activation of the BCR (B cell antigen receptor) stimulates the production of both PtdIns(3,4,5) P 3 and Ins(1,4,5) P 3 . PtdIns(3,4,5) P 3 and Ins(1,4,5) P 3 are generated from a common substrate, PtdIns(4,5) P 2 . In some systems, continuous PtdIns(4,5) P 2 synthesis is necessary for maximal Ins(1,4,5) P 3 production, but whether this is true for the BCR, and whether PtdIns(4,5) P 2 synthesis is regulated following BCR activation, are not known. We found that Btk (Bruton9s tyrosine kinase), a member of the Tec family of cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases, is constitutively associated with PIP5Ks (phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinases), the enzymes that synthesize PtdIns(4,5) P 2 . Btk functions as a shuttle to bring PIP5K to the plasma membrane as a means of stimulating PtdIns(4,5) P 2 synthesis. The Btk–PIP5K complex appears to localize to lipid rafts. This complex provides a novel shuttling mechanism that allows Btk to regulate the production of the substrate required by both its upstream activator phosphoinositide 3-kinase and its downstream target phospholipase Cγ2.
Comparative studies of the quinic acid (qa) cluster in several Neurospora species with special emphasis on the qa-x-qa-2 intergenic region

The organization of the quinic acid (qa) genes in Neurospora crassa has been compared to that in several other Neurospora species. This gene cluster was found to be highly conserved in all species examined. However, there are numberous restriction fragment length polymorphisms that distinguish the heterothallic and homothallic species. Catabolic dehydroquinase assays indicated that qa-2 gene expression in the homothallic species is subject to induction by quinic acid, as is the case in N. crassa. The qa-x-qa-2 intergenic region of the homothallic species N. africana was cloned and sequenced. Conserved qa activator (qa-1F) binding sites have been identified in this region. When the qa-x-qa-2 intergenic region of N. crassa was replaced with its N. africana counterpart, qa-2 gene expression was reduced; however repression by glucose appeared normal. Furthermore, the N. africana start site for qa-2 transcription (which differs from the N. crassa start site) was utilized in the transformant. The overall evidence suggests that a weakening of the −120 activator binding site in the qa-x-qa-2 intergenic region may be responsible for these differences.
An Explanation for School Failure: Moving Beyond Black Inferiority and Alienation as a Policy-Making Agenda

Numerous authors identify a white supremacist ideology that shapes the educational opportunities for racially diverse students. We contend that this ideology informs educational policy and hampers the likelihood that racially diverse populations can achieve success at levels similar to students of European descent. In this paper we define the white supremacist ideology as it informs education policy and practices. Three examples from the United States are then used to illustrate the influence of such an ideology. These examples include the creation and protection of racially segregated schooling; desegregation policies; and the current uses of school report cards. We conclude with the relevance of this discussion to educational debates in Great Britain and South Africa, and recommendations to minimise the influence of this ideology on education policy and school reform efforts.
A finite element method for the thermochemical decomposition of polymeric materials—II. Carbon phenolic composites

A previously developed formulation for modeling the thermomechanical behavior of chemically decomposing, polymeric materials is verified by simulating the response of carbon phenolic specimens during two high temperature tests: restrained thermal growth and free thermal expansion. Plane strain and plane stress models are used to simulate the specimen response, respectively. In addition, the influence of the poroelasticity constants upon the specimen response is examined through a series of parametric studies.
The spin polarization model for hyperfine coupling constants

The simple spin polarization model for calculation of the spin densities that determine hyperfine coupling constants in free radicals is examined. Spin-unrestricted approaches, both without and with removal of spin contamination, are discussed and compared with spin-restricted treatments. Basis set design and electron correlation effects are also considered. Calculations on small pi radicals are presented to illustrate the arguments. Explanations are advanced for why some of the simpler treatments seem to work better than might be expected.
Cure monitoring of epoxy resins by excimer fluorescence

Abstract Experimental studies are reported of the steady-state fluorescence of the excimer probe 1,3-bis-1-pyrene propane (BPP) during cure of Epon 828, a bis-diglycidylether epoxy, using 4,4′-methylene-bis-cyclohexylamine (MBCH) as hardener. We find that the ratio of excimer to monomer emission is of limited use for monitoring the viscosity increase that occurs during the cure reaction. However, the monomer emission of the excimer probe shows a substantial increase in intensity during the cure reaction which correlates quantitatively with the known change in viscoelastic properties of the Epon 828/MBCH system. Comparison with similar fluorescence enhancement of the probe 1,4-dimethylaminophenyl-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DMA-DPH) during cure of the Epon 828/MBCH epoxy suggests that the observed enhancement of the monomer intensity of BPP is also due to a decrease in non-radiative decay of singlets as the matrix viscosity increases.
Molecular-weight distributions of degradation products in selected frying oils

Polar isolates of frying oils used for frying French fries, potato chips, or French fries/tortilla chips were analyzed for nonvolatile components by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) with viscometric (VIS)/refractometric (RI) detection. The degradation products were separated on three mixed-bed polystyrene/divinylbenzene columns with tetrahydrofuran as eluent. Dual VIS/RI detection of the column effluent enabled simultaneous determination of analyte molecular weights (MW) and concentrations. MW of individual components were calculated from viscosity data with the use of a universal calibration technique. HPSEC of polar samples obtained from different oilseed lines yielded triglyceride-derived products in which the corresponding nonvolatile components had variable MW and compositions. Elevated levels of high-MW components were correlated with the extent of frying oil degradation to serve as indicators for frying oil stability. MW/concentration profiles of degradation products varied notably with frying times. The distribution patterns of degradation products were markedly affected by other frying conditions and oil varieties and therefore served as fingerprint properties of specific oils. High-oleic sunflower oil (HOSUN) (used for frying French fries) appeared to be more stable than cottonseed oil: at 30 h, the concentrations of the highest MW components were 0.63 vs. 0.89 mg/100 mg oil. HOSUN (used for frying French fries/tortilla chips) tended to be more stable than sunflower oil (SUN), as the most abundant (at 30 h, 3.99 vs. 4.34 mg/100 mg oil) species were components 4 (MW=1385) and 3 (MW=2055) for HOSUN and SUN, respectively. High-oleic soybean oil (HOSBO) was notably more stable than soybean oil: at 40 h, the concentrations of the highest MW (2980 vs. 6315) components were 0.21 vs. 4.51 mg/100 mg oil.
Defining the role of overactive bladder treatments in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

The treatment of men with lower urinary tract symptoms is controversial, and medical therapies aimed at benign prostatic enlargement are not always effective. In this Viewpoint, the author discusses the challenges of treating this patient group and argues that a variety of approaches must be considered in the management of this complex condition.
Adolescent and Parent Alliances With Therapists in Brief Strategic Family TherapyTM With Drug-Using Hispanic Adolescents

This study examined the relationship between alliance and retention in family therapy. Alliance was examined at the individual (parent, adolescent) and family level (within-family differences) for families that either dropped out or completed family therapy. Participants were 31 Hispanic adolescents and their family members who received brief strategic family therapy for the treatment of adolescent drug use. Videotapes of first sessions were rated to identify parent and adolescent alliances with the therapist. Results demonstrated that Completer cases had significantly higher levels of alliance across all family members than Dropout cases, and Dropout cases had significantly higher unbalanced alliances than Completer cases. Clinical implications are discussed.
Magnetoelastic modelling of composites containing randomly dispersed ferromagnetic particles

Coupled magnetoelastic behaviour is investigated for two-phase composites containing randomly dispersed ferromagnetic particles under both magnetic and mechanical loading. The pair-wise particle interactions for magnetic field and elastic field are first defined by the solution for two particles embedded in the infinite domain, which is explicitly solved by the Green's function technique. By integrating the interactions from all other particles in the representative volume element, the homogenized magnetic and elastic fields are then obtained. Effective magnetostriction due to the magnetic interaction force is further derived. Without consideration of magnetic loading, this micromechanical model provides an effective elasticity with the pair-wise particle interactions. By dropping the interaction term, this model is reduced into Mori–Tanaka's model. Finally, magnetoelasticity is numerically solved by considering the magnetomechanical coupling effect. It is predicted that the effective Young's modulus and ...
Sport-specific outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose Although anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been studied extensively in the literature, sport-specific outcomes have not been well-documented. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess sport-specific outcomes after ACL reconstruction in the literature. Methods We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify studies reporting sport-specific outcomes after primary ACL reconstruction. Included studies were required to have reported standardized outcomes after primary ACL reconstruction for a single sport or comparing between different sports. Results In total 8 studies conformed to all inclusion criteria: 2 Level II studies, 1 Level III study, and 5 Level IV case series. Only 1 study reported comparisons of standardized outcomes between different sports, whereas 7 studies reported standardized outcomes in a single sport. Return to activity was the most common sport-specific outcome reported and varied from 19% (soccer) to 100% (bicycling and rugby), although the methods of measuring this outcome differed. Conclusions Whereas return to activity after ACL reconstruction appears more likely for bicycling and jogging than for cutting and pivoting sports such as soccer and football, the literature on sport-specific outcomes from ACL reconstruction is limited with minimal data. Further studies are needed to report sport-specific outcomes and return to play after ACL reconstruction. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of Level II, III, and IV studies.
Synthesis of Antimony‐Based Nanowires Using the Simple Vapor Deposition Method

III-V nanowires have attracted plenty of attention because of their potential outstanding performance in a wide range of applications. However, compared to other III-V nanowires, the synthesis of high quality Sb-based nanowires is less developed, which obstructs the progress towards further applications. In this study we report high quality GaSb and InSb nanowires synthesized by a simple vapor deposition method. Epitaxial growth of nanowires on growth substrates is demonstrated. Te doped GaSb nanowires are achieved through in situ doping during the vapor deposition process. Electrical measurements of nanowire field-effect transistors show high performance of the synthesized InSb nanowires.
Pancreatitis: Is TPIAT the answer for treatment of chronic pancreatitis?

Traditional surgical therapy for chronic pancreatitis includes drainage of the dilated pancreatic duct or segmental resection of affected pancreas. Another option gaining increasing favour is that of total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). A consensus conference, with proceedings published in 2013, discusses the current state-of-the-art information surrounding this procedure, and outstanding questions.
Mutagenicity studies of kojic acid

Abstract Kojic acid, a fungal metabolite produced by some species of Aspergillus and Penicillium , was found to induce sister chromatid exchanges and chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells in the presence or absence of the rat liver S9 mix. Furthermore, this compound was demonstrated to induce mutations in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 using both plat incorporation and preincubation methods.
Stability Properties for Feynman’s Operational Calculus in the Combined Continuous/Discrete Setting

We establish some stability theorems for Feynman’s operational calculus in the setting where the time-ordering measures are allowed to have both continuous and discrete parts. In particular, we investigate stability in a number of special cases of this blended approach to the operational calculus.
Activation of Apoptosis in Vivo by a Hydrocarbon-Stapled BH3 Helix

BCL-2 family proteins constitute a critical control point for the regulation of apoptosis. Protein interaction between BCL-2 members is a prominent mechanism of control and is mediated through the amphipathic α-helical BH3 segment, an essential death domain. We used a chemical strategy, termed hydrocarbon stapling, to generate BH3 peptides with improved pharmacologic properties. The stapled peptides, called “stabilized alpha-helix of BCL-2 domains” (SAHBs), proved to be helical, protease-resistant, and cell-permeable molecules that bound with increased affinity to multidomain BCL-2 member pockets. A SAHB of the BH3 domain from the BID protein specifically activated the apoptotic pathway to kill leukemia cells. In addition, SAHB effectively inhibited the growth of human leukemia xenografts in vivo. Hydrocarbon stapling of native peptides may provide a useful strategy for experimental and therapeutic modulation of protein-protein interactions in many signaling pathways.
Tadalafil is efficacious in Black American and Hispanic men with erectile dysfunction: results from multiple observations in men with erectile dysfunction in national tadalafil study in the US (MOMENTUS)

To show that tadalafil is efficacious in Black American and Hispanic men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and efficacy is noninferior to that in Caucasian men. Multiple observations in men with ED in national tadalafil study in the US, a multicenter, open-label study, assessed the efficacy of tadalafil 20 mg taken as needed (maximum one dose/day before sexual activity) for 12 weeks by patients with ED in various populations. This analysis focuses on three groups: Caucasian (Reference group), Black American, and Hispanic men. Primary measurement of efficacy was change from baseline in erectile function (EF) domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the primary analysis was whether efficacy in Black American and Hispanic groups was noninferior to efficacy in the Caucasian group. Secondary efficacy measures included sexual encounter profile (SEP), IIEF intercourse satisfaction (IS) and overall satisfaction (OS) domains, Global Assessment Question (GAQ), and Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scale (PAIRS). Safety was assessed from adverse events (AEs) reported by all enrolled patients. The increase in IIEF EF domain score (>or=9.5) from baseline for each group was statistically significant (P<0.001) and clinically relevant. Efficacy of tadalafil in Black American and Hispanic patients was noninferior to the Caucasian group. IS and OS domains of IIEF had a statistically significant increase from baseline (P<0.001). Change from baseline in positive responses to SEP questions for each group was significant (P<0.001). At least 77% of intercourse attempts were successful over various time intervals up to 36 h postdose. At least 88% of patients in the various groups had a positive response to GAQ1. Improvement from baseline in Sexual Self-Confidence and Spontaneity domains of PAIRS was statistically significant (P<0.001). A low number of AEs and a low AE-related discontinuation rate (2.3%) were reported in all groups. Tadalafil 20 mg was as efficacious in Black American and Hispanic men with ED as in Caucasian patients and was well tolerated.
The modification of childhood stuttering: some response-response relationships.

Abstract The present study was an attempt to examine experimentally functional relationships between stuttering and nonspeech deviant behaviors. Two children, both of whom presented stuttering problems, were observed in clinic and home settings. Initial observations revealed that both children also presented secondary, mildly deviant behavior problems. When contingency management procedures were applied to the secondary problems, both the secondary problems and the stuttering were reduced.
Cr(IV) causes activation of nuclear transcription factor-κB, DNA strand breaks and dG hydroxylation via free radical reactions

Electrophoretic mobility shift, DNA strand breakage assays and electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping were used to investigate the activation of nuclear transcription factor (NF)-kappa B, DNA strand breakage and 2'-deoxyguanosine hydroxylation induced by Cr(IV), as well the role of free radical reactions in these processes. Incubation of synthesized Cr(IV)-glutathione complex with cultured Jurkat cells resulted in activation of DNA binding activity of NF-kappa B. Cr(VI) is also able to induce NF-kappa B activation through Cr(V) and Cr(IV) intermediates generated during the reduction of Cr(VI) by the cells. Cr(III) did not cause observable NF-kappa B activation due to its inability to cross cell membranes. Cr(IV)-induced NF-kappa B activation is dose-dependent. Catalase inhibited the activation while superoxide dismutase enhanced it. The metal chelator, deferoxamine, and hydroxyl (.OH) radical scavengers, sodium formate and aspirin, also inhibited the NF-kappa B activation. Electrophoretic assays using lambda Hind III linear DNA showed that, in the presence of H2O2, Cr(IV) is capable of causing DNA strand breaks. Deferoxamine, sodium formate and aspirin inhibited the DNA strand breaks. HPLC measurements also show that .OH radical generated by the Cr(IV)-mediated reaction with H2O2 was capable of causing 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) hydroxylation to generate 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHdG). The relative magnitude of 8-OHdG formation correlated with the generation of .OH radicals. ESR spin trapping measurements showed that reaction of Cr(IV) with H2O2 generated .OH radicals, which were inhibited by deferoxamine, sodium formate and aspirin. The results show that Cr(IV) can cause NF-kappa B activation, DNA strand breaks and dG hydroxylation through .OH radical-initiated reactions. This reactive chromium intermediate may play an important role in the mechanism of Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis. The results also suggest that the Cr(IV)-glutathione complex may be used as a model compound to study the role of Cr(IV) in Cr(VI) carcinogenicity.
Electron microscope study of palate fusion in mouse embryos.

Abstract An electron microscope study of palatal fusion in 14 1 2 - day mouse embryos was done. The epithelium of the palatine processes was examined prior to, during, and immediately following fusion. Significant findings include the following. In the prefusion palatine process, the basement lamina underlying the epithelium was discontinuous and there were epithelial cell projections into the connective tissue space. At the time of fusion no membrane specializations were found on contacting surface cells of opposing palatal processes. There was evidence, however, of true adhesion between epithelia of opposing processes, but no extracellular “sticky substance” was demonstrable. Immediately following palatal fusion there was widespread evidence of cell death in the midline epithelial seam. Dead epithelial cells were phagocytized by neighboring epithelial cells in the fusion line and by invading connective tissue cells.
Ising anti-ferromagnets on Husimi trees and the re-entrant phase for three-dimensional lattices

Abstract We report here the results of approximating Ising spin systems, with nearest-neighbor anti-ferromagnetic interactions, on the square, simple cubic and body-centered cubic lattices. Our approximations are based on Ising spins on Husimi trees. The critical curves in the magnetic field-temperature plane are discussed with particular emphasis on the possibility of a re-entrant phase being present. In addition we have gathered a rather complete collection of previous results against which we compare our results.
Possible role of GABA in the development of tolerance to alcohol.

Rat cerebellar GABA levels were reduced following 2 weeks alcohol administration. Animals also exhibited alcohol tolerance with an air righting reflex. This tolerance was mimiced by picrotoxin administration in control animals and was reduced in animals chronically administered alcohol by aminooxyacetic acid.
Hepatic, Metabolic and Toxic Effects of Ethanol: 1991 Update

Until two decades ago, dietary deficiencies were considered to be the only reason for alcoholics to develop liver disease. As the overall nutrition of the population improved, more emphasis was placed on secondary malnutrition and direct hepatotoxic effects of ethanol were established. Ethanol is hepatotoxic through redox changes produced by the NADH generated in its oxidation via the alcohol dehydrogenase pathway, which in turn affects the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and purines. Ethanol is also oxidized in liver microsomes by an ethanol-inducible cytochrome P-450 (P-450IIE1) that contributes to ethanol metabolism and tolerance, and activates xenobiotics to toxic radicals thereby explaining increased vulnerability of the heavy drinker to industrial solvents, anesthetic agents, commonly prescribed drugs, over-the-counter analgesics, chemical carcinogens, and even nutritional factors such as vitamin A. In addition, ethanol depresses hepatic levels of vitamin A, even when administered with diets containing large amounts of the vitamin, reflecting, in part, accelerated microsomal degradation through newly discovered microsomal pathways of retinol metabolism, inducible by either ethanol or drug administration. The hepatic depletion of vitamin A is strikingly exacerbated when ethanol and other drugs were given together, mimicking a common clinical occurrence. Microsomal induction also results in increased production of acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde, in turn, causes injury through the formation of protein adducts, resulting in antibody production, enzyme inactivation, decreased DNA repair, and alterations in microtubules, plasma membranes and mitochondria with a striking impairment of oxygen utilization. Acetaldehyde also causes glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation, and stimulates hepatic collagen production by the vitamin A storing cells (lipocytes) and myofibroblasts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Biopsychosocial Determinants of Health and Quality of life Among Young Women with Coronary Heart Disease

Scientific advances have led to substantial reductions in coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality over the past two decades. Impressive achievements in understanding sex differences in CHD outcomes are currently overshadowed by the limited exploration of the health disparities among young women with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Even though patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as perceived health and quality of life (QoL) independently predict cardiovascular events and mortality, there is a paucity of research on the determinants of PROs of young women. This review highlights the scientific evidence of the biological and psychosocial factors contributing to poor health and QoL among young women with ACS. Ascertaining the biopsychosocial determinants of PROs among young women will permit translation of this science into novel strategies for improved risk stratification and appropriate triage to age-specific and gender-sensitive personalized interventions that enhance self-management and reduce health differentials among this vulnerable cohort.
Bibliography of Operations Research in Health-Care Systems

This paper presents a bibliography of the articles that were published before March 1976 and that describe applications of operations research techniques to health-care delivery systems.
A Review of Valproic Acid–Induced Carnitine Deficiency and Replacement:

Objective:To review valproic acid–induced carnitine deficiency and subsequent carnitine replacement.Data Sources:Articles indexed in MEDLINE from 1966 to May 2000, as well as other published works and standard references.Data Extraction:Studies investigating clinical epidemiologic and pathologic evidence of the role of valproic acid–induced carnitine deficiency and double-blind clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of carnitine replacement with anticonvulsant therapy are presented.Data Synthesis:Clinical epidemiologic and pathologic studies provide evidence of valproic acid–induced carnitine deficiency. There is no clear consensus for providing carnitine supplementation to all patients taking valproic acid — It is only indicated for children with valproic acid–induced hepatotoxicity and those with valproic acid overdose.Conclusions:There is evidence that implicates valproic acid in inducing carnitine deficiency. Patients should be evaluated clinically for signs and symptoms of carnitine deficiency ...
Degenerative changes in the neonatal kidney following in-utero exposure to methylmercury.

Abstract Pregnant Sprague—Dawley rats were injected with 4.0 mg Hg/kg body weight of methylmercuric chloride on the 8th day of pregnancy. Tissue samples from the kidneys of the offspring were obtained for electron microscopic examination. Degenerative changes in the epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) including accumulation of lysosomes, enlargement of the apical vacuoles, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and extrusion of large cellular casts into the tubular lumen were observed. Flattening of the basal infolding was found in some PCT epithelial cells. Deposition of basal filaments in these cells were also observed. Extrusion and embedding the spherical microparticles into the basement membranes of the PCT was also a prominent finding. No degenerative changes were seen in the distal tubules. However, degeneration of the Bowman's capsule of the glomeruli, fusion of the epithelial foot-processes, and detachment of the glomerular epithelial cells from their basement membranes could be observed occasionally.
THE ISSUE The Changing Scene for Publishing in Applied Linguistics Journals: Views From Editors

The article presents an introduction to the journal's special section of commentaries, highlighting its central themes examining the status and future of the applied linguistics field.
Exploring the unknowns involved in the transformation of muscle to meat

Meat quality development, or the transformation of muscle to meat, involves a myriad of biochemical pathways that are largely well-studied in living muscle tissue. However, these pathways are less predictable when homeostatic ranges are violated. In addition, there is far less known about how various management or environmental stimuli impact these pathways, either by substrate load or altered cellular environment. Likewise, it is largely accepted that oxygen plays little to no role in the conversion of muscle to meat, as anaerobic metabolism predominates in the muscle tissue. Even so, the oxygen tension within the tissues does not fall precipitously at exsanguination. Therefore, transition to an anaerobic environment may impact energy metabolism postmortem. Antemortem handling, on the other hand, clearly impacts meat quality development, yet the exact mechanisms remain a mystery. In this paper, we will attempt to review those factors known to affect postmortem energy metabolism in muscle and explore those areas where additional work may be fruitful.
Hemangiopericytoma of the head and neck

Abstract Purpose: To report a series of patients with hemangiopericytoma (HP) of the head and neck, to review pathological features of these tumors, and to discuss management options. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, was done in order to identify those patients with primary HP of the head and neck, including soft tissue and mucosal sites. Results: Ten patients with HP of the head and neck were identified. There was an equal sex distribution and an average age of 36 (range 10-65). Seven of the tumors arose from soft tissue sites in the head and neck, and the remaining 3 arose from the mucosa. All patients underwent wide excision of the primary lesion with a local recurrence rate of 40%. Thirty percent of patients developed metastatic lung disease 0 to 8 years after initial diagnosis. Each patient who developed metastatic disease had abundant mitoses on pathological review compared with rare or absent mitoses in the lesions that took a more benign course. Conclusions: Pathological appearance of resected HP is predictive of later metastatic potential. Long-term follow-up is necessary in patients even after radical resection because recurrence or metastasis may be delayed by many years. (Am J Otolaryngol 2000;21:238-243. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company)
Dialogue: Vitamin D, statins and atherosclerotic progression in paediatric lupus

In the last six months, Lupus Science and Medicine has published two papers by Robinson et al 1 ,2 that were secondary analyses and substudies of the Atherosclerosis Prevention in Pediatric Lupus Erythematosus (APPLE) study. The major emphasis of the two papers was (1) the association of vitamin D levels at baseline with inflammatory markers, ethnicity, season, lipid status and disease damage in the first paper, (2) and with progression of carotid intimal thickening in patients treated with atorvastatin in the second paper. The original APPLE study was designed to evaluate whether statin therapy (atorvastatin) could affect atherosclerosis progression over a 3-year period in paediatric patients without hypercholesterolaemia.3 The significance of this study is obvious, given the accelerated atherosclerosis reported in patients with lupus. There was no statistically significant effect of atorvastatin on carotid intimal thickening progression. Studying underlying mechanisms of this proatherosclerotic effect of lupus in paediatric patients devoid of many of the confounding risk factors present in adults with lupus provides an opportunity to assign causation and response to treatment. The Lupus Atherosclerosis Prevention Study4 assessed the effect of statins on atherosclerotic disease progression in 200 adults with no clinical evidence of vascular disease and without elevated cholesterol levels. Like the APPLE study, statin therapy had no significant impact on atherosclerotic progression in adults with lupus. The studies published in Lupus Science and Medicine addressed whether vitamin D status at baseline affected progression of carotid atherosclerosis. Vitamin D is reported to …
Trends and advances in speech recognition

One of the earliest successful applications of machine-learning techniques to pattern recognition was the application of information-theoretic principles to speech recognition. Previous approaches relied heavily on expert input through the painstaking analysis of data to relate speech signals to the word sequences that produced them. Such methodologies were completely displaced by casting the speech recognition problem in a probabilistic framework by modeling the joint probability distribution of speech signals and word sequences. At the beginning of the 21st century, the amount of data and computation to train and build models has increased exponentially, and the emergence of new machine-learning algorithms and methodologies has opened new vistas in approaching complex pattern recognition problems. This is enabled by a new set of machine-learning techniques referred to as graphical models, with computationally tractable training algorithms. Closely related are neural-network modeling techniques, and there has been a resurgence of interest in the application of neural-network concepts, such as deep networks to speech recognition. The explosion of data has caused the development of new ways to capture the key features in massive amounts of data using efficient methods deploying exemplar-based sparse representations. Lastly, all of these different approaches can be tied together in a principled fashion using another variation of graphical models: an exponential model framework. This paper describes the current state of the art in speech recognition systems and highlights the developments that are expected to produce major breakthroughs in our ability to automatically recognize speech using computers.
Parent-reported distress in children under 3 years old during preventive medical and dental care.

This study examined factors related to young children’s distress during preventive oral health visits. Additionally, associations between parent-reported child behaviour during the dental visit and during previous medical visits were tested. One hundred twenty-two children under 3 years of age enrolled in a government insurance programme for low-income children were seen for examination, prophylaxis, and fluoride application at a university-based dental clinic. Child distress was rated by parents on a numerical rating scale. The average age of children enrolled was 23.5 ± 7.3 months. The majority (55.7 %) were judged to have little or no distress pre-examination. Mild or no distress during the examination was reported for 42.6 % of the children and severe distress was reported for 39.4 %. Intensity of distress during the examination was not associated with the child’s age, gender, dental health, or previous experience with dental care. Distress was also unrelated to the caregiver’s education level or own dental health. Intensity of distress was associated with the child’s pre-dental examination distress and distress during prior medical examinations and injections. Dental professionals can better anticipate child distress by assessing children before a dental examination and enquiring about previous medical experiences. Strategies to prepare parents and alleviate distress may help children cope with the preventive dental visit.
Deep‐sea observatory gets undersea cable

More than 50 kilometers of cable have been buried about a meter beneath the seafloor of Monterey Bay, Calif., to provide power and carry data for the first U.S. deep-sea cabled observatory. When finished later this year, the Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS) observatory will provide scientists with constant access to any instrumentation, such as seismographs or oceanographic monitoring stations, plugged into its science node. Later this fall, a trawl-resistant frame will be installed at the end of the cable and provide a home for a computer network hub and electrical substation to which instrumentation can be attached. MARS will support oceanographic research within Monterey Bay and provide a testing ground for technology that can be used in future deep-sea observatories. MARS (http://www.mbari.org/mars/) is a multiinstitutional effort led by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Identification of a promoter for the human C1Q-tumor necrosis factor-related protein-5 gene associated with late-onset retinal degeneration.

PURPOSE. The Complement-1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein 5 (C1QTNF5/CTRP5) gene is located in the 3 untranslated region of the Membrane Frizzled Related Protein (MFRP) gene, and these two genes are reported to be dicistronic. The authors examined the 5 upstream sequence of CTRP5 for the presence of a promoter regulating the expression of this gene. METHODS. The sequence upstream of the translational start site of human CTRP5 (hCTRP5) was analyzed by Promoter Inspector software. A series of plasmids containing segments of hCTRP5 putative promoter sequence (29 bp to 3.6 kb) upstream of the luciferase gene were generated. Cells were transiently transfected with these plasmids, and luciferase activity was measured. 5 RACE analysis was performed to determine the functional transcription start site. V5 tagged-pig CTRP5 (pCTRP5) gene, cloned downstream of the hCTRP5 putative promoter, was expressed in a human retinal cell line (ARPE-19) and a Chinese hamster ovary cell line (CHO-K1) to study the functionality of the putative promoter. RESULTS. Bioinformatic analysis identified a putative promoter region between nt 1322 and 1 sequence of hCTRP5 .5 RACE analysis revealed the presence of the transcriptional start site (TSS) at 62 bp upstream of the start codon in the CTRP5. The 1.3-kb sequence of the hCTRP5 predicted promoter produced higher levels of luciferase activity, indicating the strength of the cloned CTRP5 promoter. The promoter sequence between nt 1322 bp to 29 bp upstream of the first ATG of CTRP5 was found to be essential for this promoter activity. The predicted hCTRP5 promoter was found to control the expression of V5-tagged pCTRP5 and nuclear GFP, indicating that the promoter was functional. CONCLUSIONS. This study revealed the presence of a functional promoter for the CTRP5 gene located 5 of its start site. Understanding the regulation of CTRP5 gene transcription may provide insights into the possible role of CTRP5 in the retina and the pathology underlying late-onset retinal degeneration caused by mutations in this gene. In addition, these studies will determine whether CTRP5 and MFRP are functionally
Any kind of mother in a storm.

During early development, rats show the unlikely behavior of becoming attracted to the very stimulus that they should avoid. A new study shows that this occurs as a result of a complex interplay of glucocorticoid secretion and dopaminergic tone in the amygdala.
Effect of crosslinks on the thermodynamics of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels

The Flory-Huggins interaction parameter χ gel was determined for chemically crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels from swelling pressure and elastic modulus measurements. The PVA gels were prepared in aqueous solutions of different molecular weight (22 000 M w c 0 ≤ 12% w/w). It is found that in all systems the values of χ gel for the crosslinked polymer are greater than the values of χ sol for the uncrosslinked material at identical concentrations. The χ gel data reported here seem to be a function only of the polymer concentration and are independent of the details of the network structure. The results are discussed in relation to other work on the crosslink dependence and volume fraction dependence of χ gel .
Gene regulation by proteins acting nearby and at a distance

Transcription of genes can be controlled by regulatory proteins that bind to sites on the DNA either nearby or at a considerable distance. Recent experiments suggest a unified view of these apparently disparate types of gene regulation.
Birth order, atopy, and symptoms of allergy and asthma among inner-city children attending Head Start in New York City.

Summary Background In past research, children with older siblings were more likely than others to wheeze at age 2 years, but less likely by age 6 years. Higher infection transmission and a down-regulated allergic immune response as a result of these infections, respectively, were suggested as the causes. However, in a study of children aged 0–3 years in a low-income urban community in New York City, USA, with high asthma prevalence, we observed no birth-order effect. Objective To evaluate the association between birth order and atopy and respiratory symptoms in 4-year-old children attending Head Start programs in NYC. Methods Respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire for 1005 children (mean age 4.0 years) living in high asthma prevalence neighbourhoods. Serum was collected from a subgroup of the children (n=494) and specific IgE responses to dust mite, cockroach, mouse, and cat allergens were measured. Results Prevalence of specific IgE (0.35 IU/mL) did not differ significantly among first (35%), second (35%), and later-born children (28%) (P=0.23). Increasing birth order was associated with increasing prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the prior year, including wheeze (first 20%, second 27%, third or later 35%; P<0.001), being awakened at night by cough (28%, 33%, 38%; P=0.005), emergency department visits (14%, 17%, 21%; P=0.02) and hospitalizations for difficulty breathing (6.1%, 6.6%, 10%; P=0.04). The associations of birth order with respiratory symptoms were statistically significant only for the non-seroatopic children and those without an asthmatic parent. Conclusions Non-seroatopic children with older siblings were more likely than those without older siblings to have respiratory symptoms at age 4 years. Although the stability of these associations over time remains to be determined, the differences in findings between this study and our previous NYC birth cohort study suggest that patterns of asthma development may vary even among low-income populations within the same city.
Precision Muon Capture

A new generation of experiments is studying muon capture on hydrogen, deuterium, and 3He with significantly improved precision using a novel active-target method. At the same time, chiral effective field theories (EFTs) allow the calculation of low-energy electroweak observables on protons and the simplest nuclei within a rigorous quantum chromodynamics (QCD)-based framework. This experimental and theoretical progress significantly enhances our understanding of the axial current. In the case of the nucleon, the unambiguous experimental determination of the pseudoscalar coupling gP clarifies a long-standing puzzle and provides a basic test of QCD at low energies. In the case of deuterium and 3He, the new precision data allow a comprehensive test of EFT calculations of weak few-body reactions and determine an essential low-energy constant relevant for related astrophysics reactions of fundamental interest.
Icicles as crystallization phenomena

Abstract Icicles grow by dissipating the heat of fusion through the exterior liquid film. Their growth is therefore partly analogous to hailstone growth, and it is also partly analogous to stalactite growth. Like hailstones, they may grow as virtually solid ice or as a mixture of ice and water. Some aspects of the crystallinity, shape, and air bubble structure of icicles are described and discussed. Icicles are an interesting and instructive phenomenon for observation or for organized study.
Synthesis, characterization, and mutagenicity of nitrated 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole and its phenolic derivatives.

The nitrated N-heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NAHs) are found in a variety of environmental sources; many of them have been determined to be mutagenic in short-term assays and/or carcinogenic in animal tests. In this laboratory, we synthesized and characterized nitrated 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole (DBC) and the nitrophenolic metabolites of DBC as potential mutagenic and carcinogenic xenobiotics. The nitro group was formed exclusively at the 5 and/or the symmetric 9 position of DBC, 2-hydroxy-DBC, 3-hydroxy-DBC, and 4-hydroxy-DBC. Ames plate incorporation mutagenicity assays were conducted using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100, with or without rat liver homogenates (S9). Mutagenicities of the nitrated DBCs were higher than the parent DBC in strain TA98. 5,9-Dinitro-DBC had stronger mutagenic responses than 5-nitro-DBC in all assays, particularly in strain TA98 with S9. 5,9-Dinitro-DBC had a higher reduction potential relative to 5-nitro-DBC (−1.09 V and −1.37 V, respectively). Hydroxyl deri...
Mouse LSTRA leukemia as a model of human natural killer T cell and highly aggressive lymphoid malignancies.

Human large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia is a rare lymphoproliferative disease characterized by clonal expansion of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Th ere are two major forms of human LGL leukemia: T-cell type (85%) and natural killer (NK)-cell type (15%). When NK-cell markers are coexpressed, T-LGL leukemia becomes very aggressive with a poor prognosis [1]. In patients with LGL leukemia, there is a high frequency of somatic activating mutations of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and STAT5 [2,3]. Consistent with the contribution of STAT3 to the malignant transformation of LGL, STAT3 inhibition has been shown to induce apoptosis of leukemic LGL cells from patients [4]. Th ese fi ndings strongly support the critical role