cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of calmodulin in human renal cell carcinoma

Calmodulin is a ubiquitous intracellular calcium binding protein which has been shown to be associated with cell cycling. Previous studies using animal tumor models have suggested a positive correlation between tumor calmodulin content and rate of tumor growth. We studied the role of calmodulin in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines and compared this with short term normal fetal kidney cell lines. The effects of calmodulin inhibition was determined using the calmodulin inhibitor W13 (Naphthalene-sulfonamide) and its less active partner W12. Cell size, calmodulin content and inhibition studies using W13 did not reveal any simple correlations for the RCC cell lines, although the RCC lines did have a higher content than the fetal kidney cell lines. Calmodulin content determination of RCC and normal adult kidney tissue failed to show any difference. We conclude that, contrary to previous reports using animal models, there is no simple relationship between tumor growth rates and calmodulin content for human RCC.
Small-scale oxygen isotope variations and petrochemistry of ultradeep (>300 km) and transition zone xenoliths

Abstract The oxygen isotopic composition of 6 xenoliths for which an origin between 310 to 450 km has been deduced was analyzed. An eclogite from Koidu, Sierra Leone, is composed of garnet with δ 18Ogt = 5.67‰ vs SMOW (standard mean ocean water) ± 0.06‰ SEM (standard error of the mean) and clinopyroxene with δ 18Ocpx = 5.52 ± 0.18. Results for xenoliths from Jagersfontein, South Africa, are; harzburgite: garnet δ 18Ogt = 5.78 ± 0.16, clinopyroxene δ 18Ocpx = 5.24 ± 0.27, orthopyroxene δ 18Oopx = 4.39 ± 0.21, olivine δ 18Ool = 5.69 ± 0.08; lherzolite: δ 18Ogt = 5.63 ± 0.07, δ 18Ocpx = 4.3, δ 18Oopx = 5.62 ± 0.27; a bimineralic gt/cpx xenolith with minor opx: δ 18Ogt = 5.08 ± 0.13, δ 18Ocpx = 4.32 ± 0.08, δ 18Oopx = 4.21 ± 0.31. Two single crystal garnets with minor associated pyroxenes and in one case, olivine, gave the following results: #1 δ 18Ogt = 5.62 ± 0.05, δ 18Ocpx = 5.09 ± 0.07, δ 18Oopx = 5.62 ± 0.12, δ 18Ool = 5.59; #2 δ 18Ogt = 5.62 ± 0.09. While evidence for isotopic equilibrium is observed between some gt/ol, gt/opx and cpx/opx pairs, the 18O/16O fractionation between garnet and clinopyroxene tends to be out of equilibrium. Based on the observed oxygen isotope variability, a diffusion model for the data, and published radiogenic isotope data for the samples, it is concluded that these xenoliths experienced a series of metasomatic alterations, including an event which lowered the 18O content of the pyroxenes a few Ma prior to the eruption of the kimberlite.
Genetic Covariation Between Brain Volumes and IQ, Reading Performance, and Processing Speed

Although there has been much interest in the relation between brain size and cognition, few studies have investigated this relation within a genetic framework and fewer still in non-adult samples. We analyzed the genetic and environmental covariance between structural MRI data from four brain regions (total brain volume, neocortex, white matter, and prefrontal cortex), and four cognitive measures (verbal IQ (VIQ), performance IQ (PIQ), reading ability, and processing speed), in a sample of 41 MZ twin pairs and 30 same-sex DZ twin pairs (mean age at cognitive test = 11.4 years; mean age at scan = 15.4 years). Multivariate Cholesky decompositions were performed with each brain volume measure entered first, followed by the four cognitive measures. Consistent with previous research, each brain and cognitive measure was found to be significantly heritable. The novel finding was the significant genetic but not environmental covariance between brain volumes and cognitive measures. Specifically, PIQ shared significant common genetic variance with all four measures of brain volume (r g = .58–.82). In contrast, VIQ shared significant genetic influence with neocortex volume only (r g = .58). Processing speed was significant with total brain volume (r g = .79), neocortex (r g = .64), and white matter (r g = .89), but not prefrontal cortex. The only brain measure to share genetic influence with reading was total brain volume (r g = .32), which also shared genetic influences with processing speed.
Infantile stimulation induces brain lateralization in rats

The hypothesis tested was that the effects of early experiences are asymmetrically distributed in the two brain hemispheres. Litters were either handled or not handled between birth and weaning, and the weanlings were reared in either laboratory cages or enriched environments between 21 and 50 days. When approximately 135 days old, animals within each of the four treatment groups had a right neocortical ablation, a left neocortical ablation, a sham operation, or no surgery. About 1 month later, all animals were given the open-field test for emotionality and exploratory behavior. Ablating either the right or left neocortex increased the activity scores of nonhandled controls, but there was no evidence of lateralization. However, the groups handled in infancy did show lateralization. Ablating the left brain did not significantly increase activity, but ablating the right brain caused extreme scores: handled rats without enrichment experience were the most active, and handled rats also placed into the enriched environment had near-zero scores in the open field.
Implementing landscape indices to predict stream water quality in an agricultural setting: An assessment of the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) protocol in the Mississinewa River watershed, East-Central Indiana

Abstract This study addressed the potential ability to link landscape indices to stream water quality in a predominately agricultural landscape located in the Mississinewa River watershed, East-Central Indiana. A methodology for developing and analyzing landscape indices using a GIS and remotely sensed and geospatial data was applied to 30 Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 14-digit subwatersheds. Six indices, three representing natural area extent characteristics and three representing natural area disturbance characteristics were developed. The resulting indices were then tested to determine if they could be linked to water quality variables (Total Phosphorus, Nitrate, E.COLI, and macroinvertebrate [EPT/C] Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera/Chironomidae scores). These variables were gathered from a database of diagnostic studies that only called for a single grab sample during a storm event and a base flow. Using this data provided an opportunity to test the quality of using single grab water samples as response variables. Regressions were not found to be significant for any of the four water quality variables. The findings provoked a discussion on the need for managing variation in water quality samples when attempting to develop successful linkages between landscape indices and stream conditions.
Providing ancillary services through demand response with minimum load manipulation

This paper presents a demand response (DR) algorithm for regulating system frequency using responsive customer loads, while minimizing the amount of manipulated loads. The dynamic model for a small islanded microgrid and an improved hill climbing controller are developed in MATLAB/Simulink® to show the proof of concept. Simulation results show that the improved DR control strategy provides frequency and voltage regulation while minimizing the amount of manipulated responsive loads. As a result, customer quality-of-service (QoS) is not compromised, while a higher percentage of responsive loads (more non-spinning reserve) would be available for additional control for responding to unexpected disturbances.
Usefulness of thallium-201 for distinction of ischemic from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Abstract Thallium-201 scintigraphic defects are observed in most patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and also can be found in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. To determine the ability of qualitative and quantitative perfusion parameters to differentiate these entities, thallium-201 exercise testing was performed in 51 patients with coronary arteriography referred for evaluation of severe congestive heart failure. All patients had a left ventricular ejection fraction 70% in ≥1 artery, and 20 idiopathic patients had no coronary stenosis or identifiable cause of heart disease. Similar exercise capacity, ejection fraction and sex distribution were found in both groups. Ischemic patients more often had severe perfusion defects (97 vs 25%; p = 0.00001), large perfusion defects involving ≥40% of the left ventricular contour (100 vs 80%; p = 0.01), and increased thallium-201 lung uptake (94 vs 65%, p = 0.01). Large severe defects were present in 90% of ischemic and only 5% of idiopathic patients. On quantitative analysis, the area of the thallium-201 curve less than normal was greater in ischemic than idiopathic patients (14.8 ± 9.5% vs 3.3 ± 2.8%; p = 0.001). The degree and severity of redistribution were similar in both groups. Multivariate analysis identified the qualitative parameters of increased thallium-201 lung uptake, severe defects and large severe defects as the only independent predictors of the presence of ischemic disease. The presence of large severe defects had a 97% predictive value for ischemic cardiomyopathy. The absence of severe defects had a 94% predictive value for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. It is concluded that thallium-201 can reliably differentiate these 2 entities.
Anti-VPg antibody inhibition of the poliovirus replicase reaction and production of covalent complexes of VPg-related proteins and RNA

Anti-VPg antibodies inhibited host-factor-dependent RNA synthesis by the poliovirus replicase but not oligo(U)-primed synthesis, implicating VPg in the de novo initiation of replicase products. Complexes of VPg-related polypeptide and newly made RNA could be immunoprecipitated by anti-VPg antibody from the host-factor-stimulated products of the replicase reaction. The complexes appeared to be covalently linked and involved 50 to 150 nucleotide chains of RNA that were RNAase-T1-resistant and could be largely poly(U).
Optimal positioning of combined mobile platform-manipulator systems for material handling tasks

Mobile manipulators are attracting significant interest in the industrial, military, and public service communities because of the potential they provide for increased efficiency in material handling and manipulation tasks. Corresponding interest has arisen in the robotics research community since the combination and coordination of the mobility of an autonomous platform with the robotic motion of a manipulator introduce complex analytical problems. One such problem arises from the particular kinematic redundancy which characterizes practical mobile manipulators. This paper is concerned with a particular aspect of the resolution of this redundancy, which is its utilization to optimize the system's position and configuration during task commutations when changes occur in both task requirements and task constraints. Basic optimization schemes are developed for cases when load and position constraints are applied at the end-effector. Various optimization criteria are investigated for task requirements including obstacle avoidance, maneuverability and several torque functions. The problem of optimally positioning the platform for execution of a manipulation task requiring a given reach is also treated. Emphasis is then placed on the multi-criteria optimization methods which are necessary to calculate the commutation configurations in sequences of tasks with varying requirements. Sample results are presented for a system involving a three-link planar manipulator on a mobile platform. The various optimization schemes are discussed and compared, and several directions (in particular the novel use of minimax optimization pioneered here for redundancy resolution) are outlined for further extensions of the methods to the general problem of motion planning and control of redundant robotic systems with combined mobility and manipulation capabilities.
Ultrafast spin dynamics in diluted magnetic semiconductor superlattices

Abstract Direct time-resolved optical and magnetic studies of charge carriers and ionic spins in diluted magnetic semiconductors are reported. These measurements are made on a series of CdTe/Cd 1 − x Mn x Te superlattices, in order to probe the spin dynamics in thin magnetic layers by utilizing the overlap of the quantum-confined carrier wavefunctions and the Mn-containing barriers. We discuss representative results for the thinnest (9 A) CdTe quantum wells.
Superior survival of young women with malignant melanoma

Abstract Background: The Commission on Cancer data from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) relating to patients with malignant melanoma are used to examine patterns of long-term survival by patient gender and age, stage of disease, disease morphology, and anatomic subsite. Methods: Five calls for data have yielded more than 3,700,000 cases of cancer for the years 1985 through 1993, including 23,341 cases of malignant melanoma between 1985 and 1989, from hospital cancer registries across the US, representing slightly less than a quarter of all melanoma cases diagnosed in the US between 1985 and 1989. Results: Three statements can be made from this data: (1) There is little difference in the frequency of malignant melanoma between men and women with respect to stage of disease or morphology. However, differences between the genders do appear with respect to the anatomic subsite of melanotic tumors. (2) Overall, young women (45 years of age and under) enjoy superior survival rates when compared with older women (55 years of age and older) and men of any age. (3) The survival advantage held by young women is particularly pronounced among patients diagnosed with advanced stage disease. Conclusions: These data suggest that factors present in younger women may be critical in the superior survival rates seen among premenopausal women and might be hormonal in nature.
Determining the Mechanism of Peptide-Induced Dye-Flux from Giant Unilamellar Vesicles

A single-vesicle analysis was employed to compare the dye release mechanisms of several different peptides from phospholipid vesicles. These peptides, which have different amino acid sequences, are similar in that they all form amphipathic α-helices when bound to a phospholipid membrane. Peptides used include δ-lysin, DL-1 (a δ-lysin variant), TPW-3 (a transportan 10 variant), and CE-2 (a cecropin A variant). Previous hypotheses about the mechanisms of these peptides, being all-or-none or graded, were based on ANTS/DPX assay results in populations of large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs). δ-Lysin, CE-2, and TPW-3 were determined to exhibit the graded mechanism of dye release, while DL-1 was determined to exhibit the all-or-none mechanism. Here we use giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), which are observable under a microscope, to examine these mechanisms and further test these hypotheses. Preliminary results have shown CE-2 to exhibit graded dye release and DL-1 to exhibit all-or-none dye release, which are consistent with results obtained using LUVs. However, δ-lysin and TPW-3, which were determined to exhibit weaker graded mechanisms using LUVs, displayed characteristics of both the graded and all-or-none mechanisms in GUVs. We have also employed GUVs, coupled with fluorescence microscopy, to investigate two other areas of interest. The first is to determine if peptide accumulation on the membrane is concurrent with dye-flux, and if so, to what extent peptide accumulation is required to cause subsequent dye-flux. The second, is to use GUVs to study peptide-induced domain formation in membranes of various lipid compositions.This research was supported by NIH Grant GM072507.
Reds, white and blue: The dialectical construction of Zionism through the communist other in the Israeli press, 1948-1976

For many years, the Communist Party of Israel (CPI) has been seen as the political other of the Israeli parliamentary scene, due to its radical views on Jewish—Arab relations, its non-Zionist stance, and its socioeconomic ideology. This article analyzes the ways in which the Israeli mainstream press utilized these characteristics of the CPI in order to dialectically confirm the moral superiority, historical inevitability, and ideological cohesiveness of Zionism over the first three decades of Israel’s existence. By portraying the CPI as treacherous, irrational, dogmatic, violent, and passive, Zionism was shown to be patriotic, logical, pragmatic, peaceful, and active. By focusing on the CPI’s support of Arab interests, Zionism became reduced to its nationalistic components, at the expense of the socialist ideals supposedly embraced earlier. The implications of these findings for the role of the media in the construction of collective identity and the exclusion of marginalized social groups are discussed.
Variation in condition of rainbow trout in relation to food, temperature, and individual length in the Green River Utah

Abstract We examined how condition (weight at length) of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss varied in relation to availability of drifting invertebrates and temperature at two locations over four seasons in the Green River, Utah. Food availability (daytime drift density) varied more than 17-fold across sites and seasons, and rainbow trout experienced an 11°C range in mean monthly temperature. Both rainbow trout gut fullness and condition increased as joint, nonlinear functions of increasing food availability and increasing temperature. Variation in condition decreased with fish size, although condition of intermediate sized fish was most strongly related to variation in food and temperature. Observed relationships between rainbow trout condition, drift abundance, and temperature were qualitatively consistent with bioenergetic models that predict fish growth should vary as a joint function of food and temperature. However, the inferred temperature optima for rainbow trout seemed to be significantly higher t...
Storage of serum in plastic and glass containers may alter the serum concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls

Valid exposure assessment and biomonitoring of toxicants rely on standardized specimen collection, handling, storage, and measurement. In a study designed to determine organochlorine concentrations in blood samples, we recruited participants from registered anglers in Michigan. After participants were interviewed, blood was collected from study subjects, either at home by a phlebotomist or in a commercial blood-draw station. The phlebotomists stored their samples in glass containers, but without our knowledge, the commercial laboratory transferred the specimens to plastic containers for freezing in its central facility. Samples were analyzed in the Analytical Chemistry Section Laboratory of the Michigan Department of Community Health. This laboratory also provided information on storage in glass (n = 28) versus plastic containers (n = 113). We conducted linear regression analyses to assess factors that may explain the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs). Our results indicate that storage of serum in plastic containers altered the total concentrations of PCBs, in particular, the higher chlorinated PCBs (PCB-180 and PCB-199), but not DDE or PBBs. No other characteristics of the samples could explain the higher PCB values (0.75 micro g/L vs. 0.45 micro g/L; p = 0.025) of those stored in plastic containers. The proportion of PCB detects in both subsamples did not differ. Some preceding studies have provided information on whether specimens were stored in glass or plastic containers; however, a number of studies have not. We suggest the initiation of a new review process to determine whether these earlier reports were based on unbiased PCB determinations. We recommend standardizing specimen collection, handling, storage, and measurement, which is particularly necessary for newly emerging analytes.
Changes in Subjective Well-Being in Timor-Leste on the Path to Independence

Summary In countries emerging from ethnic and civil conflict, standard approaches to measuring trends in well-being do not account for the empowerment of the population due to the political liberalization, which is critical for the successful implementation of zero-generation reforms. They also fail to do justice to the often massive population displacement unleashed by the violence which makes a comparison of living standards from before to after the conflict problematic. Using the example of Timor-Leste, this paper demonstrates how subjective, objective, and recall information collected through a cross-sectional household survey can be combined to provide a rich profile of trends in well-being from the pre- to post-conflict stage. By differencing across pre- and post-conflict periods, the regression estimates are robust with regard to psychological attributes or other time-invariant personal traits. The analysis shows that the changes in self-rated welfare and power in Timor-Leste broadly corresponded to changes recorded by objective indicators of economic resources, economic shocks, and ethno-linguistic status.
Dose reduction in pediatric abdominal CT: use of iterative reconstruction techniques across different CT platforms

Dose reduction in children undergoing CT scanning is an important priority for the radiology community and public at large. Drawbacks of radiation reduction are increased image noise and artifacts, which can affect image interpretation. Iterative reconstruction techniques have been developed to reduce noise and artifacts from reduced-dose CT examinations, although reconstruction algorithm, magnitude of dose reduction and effects on image quality vary. We review the reconstruction principles, radiation dose potential and effects on image quality of several iterative reconstruction techniques commonly used in clinical settings, including 3-D adaptive iterative dose reduction (AIDR-3D), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR), iDose, sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) and model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR). We also discuss clinical applications of iterative reconstruction techniques in pediatric abdominal CT.
Reducing lead-time through improved technological forecasting: Some specific suggestions for more usefully formulated projections of technological availability☆

Abstract : In new military systems, the development time required must be made as short as possible. In examining this critical problem, perhaps it is useful to first attempt to separate those elements of lead-time of an organizational or administrative nature from those primarily associated with technology. This paper recognizes the importance of administrative lag factors, but focuses its attention on suggestions for more realistically estimating technological lags.
Finding mobility: women negotiating fear and violence in Mexico City’s public transit system

Feminists have long known that a woman’s confidence, sense of possibility, aspirations, and personal growth depend on their ability to be mobile. Yet gender-based violence and sexual harassment against women commuters greatly limit those freedoms. How then should cities adapt in order increase women’s equal access to mobility? To address this question, this article looks at the case of Mexico City, investigating how women pursue mobility despite hostile and violent conditions that immobilize them. Based on women’s testimonies, comments made on online debate forums, and surveys among women commuters in Mexico City, this article maps the ways women cope with violence and harassment on public transportation. The analysis also pays particular attention to how women’s coping strategies are restructured through state interventions, including women-only transportation. The data reveals that gender-based violence in Mexico City’s public transportation limits women’s mobility and reinforces gender inequality. It a...
Innovative framework for 3D wavelet video streaming

Effective and efficient video streaming has become a popular research topic in recent years. Significant research has been done on streaming techniques for MPEG video. In comparison, research on the same for wavelet-compressed video is far from adequate. In the paper, we exploit the features of the 3-D wavelet video in streaming applications to design a novel streaming framework. The new framework takes into consideration of the video content in both compression and transmission scheme for optimal performance. The framework consists of two parts: a compression module specially designed for video streaming and a robust transmission module. In the compression module, the input video is first segmented into GOFs (group of frames) by a dynamical grouping approach such that the frames of the same GOF have similar contents. Then the integer-based 3-D wavelet transform is used to achieve real-time computation. To prevent error propagation in the streaming, a bounded coding scheme is employed such that the output bitstreams of different subbands are independent. In the transmission module, a content-based retransmission scheme is adopted to minimize the distortion caused by packet loss, while subjecting to both rate and delay constraints. The optimized transmission is achieved by a fast decision-making system that employs a heuristic algorithm to drop the least significant packets if necessary to ensure the delivery of more important ones in the same GOF. Furthermore, optimal bandwidth allocation between different GOFs is implemented to keep the video quality consistent regardless of the packet loss rate. Experimental results are provided to show the effectiveness of the designed framework.
Intercellular signaling in glial cells: Calcium waves and oscillations in response to mechanical stimulation and glutamate

Intercellular Ca2+ signaling in primary cultures of glial cells was investigated with digital fluorescence video imaging. Mechanical stimulation of a single cell induced a wave of increased [Ca2+]i that was communicated to surrounding cells. This was followed by asynchronous Ca2+ oscillations in some cells. Similar communicated Ca2+ responses occurred in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, despite an initial decrease in [Ca2+]i in the stimulated cell. Mechanical stimulation in the presence of glutamate induced a typical communicated Ca2+ wave through cells undergoing asynchronous Ca2+ oscillations in response to glutamate. The coexistence of communicated Ca2+ waves and asynchronous Ca2+ oscillations suggests distinct mechanisms for intra- and intercellular Ca2+ signaling. This intercellular signaling may coordinate cooperative glial function.
Characterizing the nonlinear dynamic behavior of membrane optics

The use of true-membrane reflectors holds the promise of increasing the size of space-based apertures by decreasing payload mass and reducing launch volumes, but figure acquisition and maintenance of the thin, deployed structure present significant control challenges. The ability to manage both the static and dynamic aberrations defines the utility of these compliant mirrors for resolving quality images. The scope of the current study consists of characterizing the non-linear dynamic behavior of membrane reflectors to visible-optics quality under realistic support and loading scenarios. The basis for quality in the finite element model (FEM) deformed shape predictions is established both by comparing FEM and analytical solutions for linear static problems and by studying the convergence of eigen solutions. Most of the results are shown, too, to be within a previously determined range of optically-accurate solutions. The topographical difference between linear and non-linear dynamic solutions is characterized and correlated to support and loading regimes for eventual inclusion in closed-loop-control schemes. The objective of this paper is thus to study the non-linear characteristics of the dynamic behavior of membrane optics as the basis for future work in system identification and figure control.
Nothing new under the sun: transformational leadership from a historical perspective

Transformational leadership theory is a relatively recent entrant into the realm of management thought. In fact, the majority of this literature has been published in the past 15 years. That being said, the ideas that are central to transformational leadership are not necessarily new. Many of these constructs can be found in the writings of earlier management theorists. The literature indicates that transformational leadership can positively impact on organizational outcomes and employee satisfaction. Without an understanding of its historical roots, however, transformational leadership risks becoming nothing more than the latest “buzzword” for enhancing organizational performance. To fully understand and appreciate the paradigm, one must trace the development of the transformational factors from a historical perspective.
Sampling Serious Injuries in Traffic Crashes at the State Level

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act requires a new emphasis on measurement of serious injuries in crashes. Current practice in states that measure serious injuries is to use the police-reported injury severity of A (suspected serious injury) to define serious injury. However, serious injury is more appropriately defined as a medical diagnosis. The biggest challenge to using a medical diagnosis as the definition of serious injury is that medical outcome data are typically not part of a state crash data set. The most comprehensive solution to this challenge is to link state crash databases with state trauma registries. However, for most states, data linkage is still many years away. This paper discusses sampling medical records as an interim solution. Sampling approaches are discussed, and a stratified sampling approach is recommended. Optimal allocation of a sample provides a framework for determining the proportion of cases to sample from each subgroup, and the desired precision of the e...
Factors underlying significant underestimations of glucokinase activity in crude liver extracts: physiological implications of higher cellular activity.

M. Kuwajima, C. B. Newgard, D. W. Foster, and J. D. McGarry (1986, J. Biol. Chem. 261, 8849-8853) have concluded that the reason postprandial hepatic glycogenesis occurs primarily from gluconeogenic precursors rather than glucose is because glucokinase activity is insufficient to support the observed rates of glycogen synthesis. F. L. Alvares and R. C. Nordlie (1977, J. Biol. Chem. 252, 8404-8414) have concluded that the combined activities of glucokinase and hexokinase are less than the apparent rates of hepatic glucose uptake. We have identified several factors in the assays used in these studies which lead to substantial underestimations of glucokinase activity. Glucokinase was assayed either by allowing glucose 6-phosphate to accumulate over 10 min (discontinuous assay) or by coupling the formation of glucose 6-phosphate with its oxidation by Leuconostoc mesenteroides glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NAD (continuous assay). Accurate determinations of glucokinase at 37 degrees C with subsaturating glucose require both 100 mM KCl and 2.5 mM dithioerythritol in the assay medium; 2-mercaptoethanol will not substitute for dithioerythritol. When both KCl and dithioerythritol are absent (Kuwajima et al.) glucokinase activity is underestimated by 3- to 5-fold. The discontinuous assay as used previously (Alvares and Nordlie) underestimates glucokinase activity in crude extracts by 2- to 2.5-fold, due in part to the hydrolysis of glucose 6-phosphate and its transformation to other hexose monophosphates. Under optimized conditions at 37 degrees C both assays yield similar results in extracts from fed rats, i.e., 2-3 and 4-5 units/g liver at 10 and 100 mM glucose, respectively. Some implications of the finding that total hepatic glucose phosphorylating capacity at physiological concentrations significantly exceeds the observed rates of postprandial glycogen synthesis are discussed.
Lipid abnormalities in renal disease

A 32-year-old white man developed swelling of his feet and ankles and facial swelling in the mornings. Physical examination revealed blood pressures ranging between 130—140/95—100 mm Hg and peripheral edema. Laboratory evaluation showed: BUN, 9 mg/dl; plasma creatinine, 0.9 mg/dl; plasma total protein, 3.5 g/dl; plasma albumin, 1.7 g/dl; and plasma cholesterol, 448 mg/dl. Urinalysis disclosed 4+ protein and microhematuria. A 24-hour urine collection contained 17 g of protein; creatinine clearance was 112 mllmin. Appropriate serologic tests were negative, and a diagnosis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome was made. A renal biopsy yielded 14 glomeruli; one was globally sclerotic and 3 others had lesions of segmental sclerosis. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy established the diagnosis of focal segmental gbmerulosclerosis. The patient was treated with sodium restriction and diuretics for his edema, and prednisone, 120 mg every other day, for longer than 3 months; the proteinuria did not abate. Proteinuria ranged from 11.7 to 15.8 g daily, plasma albumin from 1.9 to 1.5 g/dl, total protein from 3.6 to 4.5 g/dl, and total cholesterol from 575 to 700 mg/dl (Chem 20 panel results). After the corticosteroids were tapered, the patient was instructed in a 300 mg cholesterol, low-saturated-fat diet. After 2 months of this diet, his plasma lipids were accurately measured by ultracentrifugation: cholesterol, 399 mgldl; LDL cholesterol, 329 mg/dl; VLDL cholesterol, 33 mgldl; HDL cholesterol, 37 mg/dl; and total triglyceride, 378 mg/dl. The cholesterol-binding resin colestipol hydrochloride (Colestid) was prescribed for 3 months; total cholesterol decreased to 341 mgldl (LDL cholesterol, 276 rng/dl; VLDL cholesterol, 32 mgldl; HDL cholesterol, 33 mg/dl; triglyceride, 405 mg/dl). He then discontin-
Does rural residence affect access to prenatal care in Oregon

: Context: Identifying how maternal residential location affects late initiation of prenatal care is important for policy planning and allocation of resources for intervention. Purpose: To determine how rural residence and other social and demographic characteristics affect late initiation of prenatal care, and how residence status is associated with self-reported barriers to accessing early prenatal care. Methods: This observational study used data from the 2003 Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) (N = 1,508), with late initiation of prenatal care (after the first trimester) as the primary outcome. We used Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes to categorize maternal residence as urban, large rural, or small/isolated rural. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate whether category of residence was associated with late initiation of prenatal care after adjusting for other maternal factors. Association between categories of barriers to prenatal care and maternal category of residence were determined using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test of association. Findings: We found no significant association between residence category and late initiation of prenatal care, or residence category and barriers to prenatal care initiation. Urban women tended to be over age 34 or nonwhite. Women from large rural areas were more likely to be younger than 18 years, unmarried, and have an unintended pregnancy. Women from small rural areas were more likely to use tobacco during pregnancy. Conclusions: Maternal residence category is not associated with late initiation of prenatal care or with barriers to initiation of prenatal care. Differences in maternal risk profiles by location suggest possible new foci for programs, such as tobacco education in small rural areas.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for HIV medication adherence and depression

For patients with HIV, depression is a common, distressing condition that can interfere with a critical self-care behavior — adherence to antiretroviral therapy. The present study describes a cognitive-behavioral treatment designed to integrate cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression with our previously tested approach to improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy for HIV. Each session addresses HIV medication adherence in the context of modules for activity scheduling, cognitive restructuring, problem-solving training, and relaxation training/diaphragmatic breathing. We present the design of the intervention and outcome of 5 cases. All of the patients presented below were men who have sex with men who were infected with HIV through sexual transmission. Generally, these patients showed improvements in both depression and medication adherence.
HomeTPS: Uncovering what is happening in home networks

The rapid growth of broadband connections and home networks has created new application opportunities such as video streaming and remote health care. However, managing and securing the increasingly complicated home networks has remained a serious challenge for most home users who have little technical expertise to manage their home networks and connected devices. Towards this end, we will demonstrate HomeTPS, a traffic profiling system for home networks that collects, analyzes and makes sense of home network traffic. The demonstration will show automatic traffic collection from programmable home routers, informative traffic summary reports and behavior profiles for Internet-capable home devices, and real-time discovery of anomalous traffic from Internet attackers or from compromised devices in home networks.
Seasonal variations of the atmospheric temperature structure at South Pole

[1] Fe/Rayleigh lidar measurements are combined with the high-altitude balloonsonde data and used to characterize the seasonal variations of atmospheric temperature at South Pole from the surface (2.835 km) to 110 km altitude. Twelve-month oscillations, associated with solar UV absorption by ozone, dominate the seasonal variations of temperature throughout the stratosphere and lower mesosphere from 10 to 60 km. In the mesopause region between 70 and 100 km, 12- and 6-month oscillations dominate the seasonal variations with the warmest temperatures occurring near the spring and fall equinoxes. During the month of March, temperature near 80 km is more than 25 K warmer than MSIS-00. The spring and fall temperature maxima in the mesopause region appear to be associated with the combined effects of the annual variations in adiabatic heating and cooling and the annual variations in solar heating, which are 180° out of phase. During the month of June, the stratopause and mesopause temperatures are about 20–30 K colder than the model predictions. The seasonal temperature variations are the largest near 85 km altitude, where they are approximately 85 K peak to peak.
Heavy-ion Fractionation in the Impulsive Solar Energetic Particle Event of 2002 August 20: Elements, Isotopes, and Inferred Charge States

Measurements of heavy-ion elemental and isotopic composition in the energy range ~12-60 MeV nucleon^(–1) are reported from the Advanced Composition Explorer/Solar Isotope Spectrometer (ACE/SIS) instrument for the solar energetic particle (SEP) event of 2002 August 20. We investigate fractionation in this particularly intense impulsive event by examining the enhancements of elemental and isotopic abundance ratios relative to corresponding values in the solar wind. The elemental enhancement pattern is similar to those in other impulsive events detected by ACE/SIS and in compilations of average impulsive-event composition. For individual elements, the abundance of a heavy isotope (mass M_2) is enhanced relative to that of a lighter isotope (M_1) by a factor ~(M_(1)/M_2)^α with α ≃ 15. Previous studies have reported elemental abundance enhancements organized as a power law in Q/M, the ratio of estimated ionic charge to mass in the material being fractionated. We consider the possibility that a fractionation law of this form could be responsible for the isotopic fractionation as a power law in the mass ratio and then explore the implications it would have for the ionic charge states in the source material. Assuming that carbon is fully stripped (Q_C = 6), we infer mean values of the ionic charge during the fractionation process, Q_Z , for a variety of elements with atomic numbers 7 ≤ Z ≤ 28. We find that Q_(Fe) ≃ 21-22, comparable to the highest observed values that have been reported at lower energies in impulsive SEP events from direct measurements near 1 AU. The inferred charge states as a function of Z are characterized by several step increases in the number of attached electrons, Z – Q_Z . We discuss how this step structure, together with the known masses of the elements, might account for a variety of features in the observed pattern of elemental abundance enhancements. We also briefly consider alternative fractionation laws and the relationship between the charge states we infer in the source material and those derived from in situ observations.
Intravenous lipid emulsion for local anesthetic toxicity: a review of the literature.

Introduction The use of intravenous lipid emulsion (IVLE) has been proposed as a new potential treatment for local anesthetic toxicity. Local anesthetics work through reversible binding at sodium channels, and signs and symptoms of toxicity include central nervous system and cardiovascular effects. Cardiovascular collapse is a potential result of local anesthetic toxicity, and is generally resistant to resuscitation efforts with standard measures.
An extension of a norm inequality for a semi-discrete g*λ function

A norm inequality for a semi-discrete g*λ(f) function is obtained for functions, f, that can be written as a sum whose terms consist of a numerical coefficient multiplying a member of a family of functions that have properties of geometric decay, minimal smoothness and almost orthogonality condition. The theorem is applied to the rate of change of u, a solution to Lu = div→f in a bounded, nonsmooth domain Ω Rd, d≥3, u = 0 on ∂Ω.
Postnatal development of [3H]yohimbine binding in the olfactory bulb of male and female rats.

Abstract A postnatal increase in [ 3 H]yohimbine binding sites was observed in the rat olfactory bulb. The maximal increase in binding site density was between postnatal days 1 and 14 and corresponded to that of peak interneuron (granule and periglomerular) production and maturation, suggesting a possible interneuron location for the α 2 -adrenoceptors in the rat olfactory bulb. No differences in [ 3 H]yohimbine binding in the olfactory bulb attributable to sex or stage of the estrous cycle were observed.
Condition of Soils and Vegetation Along Roads Treated with Magnesium Chloride for Dust Suppression

Investigations of vegetation stress along non-paved roads treated with a range of magnesium chloride (MgCl2) application rates utilized 60 roadside and 79 drainage plots on 15 and 18 roads, respectively. Evaluations were completed of foliar damage, plant health, biotic and abiotic damage incidence and severity, soil and foliar chemistry and other common site and stand characteristics of Pinus contorta, Populus tremuloides, Picea engelmannii, Abies lasiocarpa, and lower elevation plots dominated by shrubs and grasses. High concentrations of soil magnesium and chloride (400–500 ppm), high foliar chloride (2,000–16,000 ppm depending on species) and high incidence of foliar damage were measured in roadside plots along straight road segments in the first 3 to 6.1 m adjacent to treated roads. In drainage plots, where water is channeled off roads, high concentrations of both magnesium and chloride ions and associated foliar damage were measured between 3 and 98 m from the road. High incidence of foliar damage and elevated ion concentrations were not apparent in control plots along non-treated roads. Lodgepole pine appeared to be the most sensitive species, while aspen accumulated the most chloride and exhibited the least amount of damage. Foliar chloride concentrations strongly correlated with percent foliar damage for all species (r = 0.53 to 0.74, p < 0.0001) while the incidence of biotic damages did not correlate well. Positive relationships between foliar chloride and magnesium chloride application rates were strong and can be used to predict foliar concentrations and subsequent damage to roadside trees.
A Change of Heart: Moral Emotions, Transformation, and Moral Virtue

Inspired in part by a renewed attention to Aristotle's moral philosophy, philosophers have acknowledged the important role of the emotions in morality. Nonetheless, precisely how emotions matter to morality has remained contentious. Aristotelians claim that moral virtue is constituted by correct action and correct emotion. But Kantians seem to require solely that agents do morally correct actions out of respect for the moral law. There is a crucial philosophical disagreement between the Aristotelian and Kantian moral outlooks: namely, is feeling the correct emotions necessary to virtue or is it an optional extra, which is permitted but not required. I argue that there are good reasons for siding with the Aristotelians: virtuous agents must experience the emotions appropriate to their situations. Moral virtue requires a change of heart.
Epidemiology of Barrett’s esophagus and adenocarcinoma

Norman Barrett described the columnar lined esophagus in 19501. In another paper written in 19572 he acknowledged the opinion of Allison and Johnstone3 that the condition represented an acquired disorder, associated with reflux. There is no useful information about its epidemiology before the widespread use of flexible endoscopy in the last quarter of the twentieth century.
Expression of insulin‐like growth factor system genes during the early postnatal neurogenesis in the mouse hippocampus

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is essential to hippocampal neurogenesis and the neuronal response to hypoxia/ischemia injury. IGF (IGF-1 and -2) signaling is mediated primarily by the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-1R) and modulated by six high-affinity binding proteins (IGFBP) and the type 2 IGF receptor (IGF-2R), collectively termed IGF system proteins. Defining the precise cells that express each is essential to understanding their roles. With the exception of IGFBP-1, we found that mouse hippocampus expresses mRNA for each of these proteins during the first 2 weeks of postnatal life. Compared to postnatal day 14 (P14), mRNA abundance at P5 was higher for IGF-1, IGFBP-2, -3, and -5 (by 71%, 108%, 100%, and 98%, respectively), lower for IGF-2, IGF-2R, and IGFBP-6 (by 65%, 78%, and 44%, respectively), and unchanged for IGF-1R and IGFBP-4. Using laser capture microdissection (LCM), we found that granule neurons and pyramidal neurons exhibited identical patterns of expression of IGF-1, IGF-1R, IGF-2R, IGFBP-2, and -4, but did not express other IGF system genes. We then compared IGF system expression in mature granule neurons and their progenitors. Progenitors exhibited higher mRNA levels of IGF-1 and IGF-1R (by 130% and 86%, respectively), lower levels of IGF-2R (by 72%), and similar levels of IGFBP-4. Our data support a role for IGF in hippocampal neurogenesis and provide evidence that IGF actions are regulated within a defined in vivo milieu.
Design and implementation of softphone based on softswitch framework

Acted as the communication terminal equipment, softphone can realize communications between PC to PC and PC to PSTN. Meanwhile, with the development of the next generation network (NGN), softswitch has been widely deployed in network. Based on the facts above, this paper discusses the design and implementation of a softphone based on softswitch framework. Firstly, this paper presents the concept of a softphone and SIP. Secondly, it analyses the function of a softphone and designs the architecture of it. Finally, it introduces an implementation of each module of a softphone, including: main control module, SIP signaling process module and media process module.