cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4026: Attenuation of pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion through a targeted inhibition of the Rac GEF Vav1

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal forms of human cancer, due in large part to a high incidence of metastasis and resistance to conventional chemotherapies. As such, new therapies are needed to halt the metastatic process. The proto-oncogene Vav1 is ectopically expressed in over half of human pancreatic cancers, and its expression correlates with a poor prognosis in humans and promotes survival and transformation in isolated tumor cells. We have found that Vav1, through its GEF activity towards Rac1, also potently induces migration by pancreatic tumor cells. In addition, Vav1 also signals through Cdc42 to drive the formation of invadopodia and matrix degradation, which also promotes tumor cell invasion. Importantly, the activation of Vav1 circumvents the requirement for active Src in this process. Because Vav1 is ectopically expressed in pancreatic cancers and is a potent regulator of tumor cell survival, proliferation, and invasive migration, it could provide a specific therapeutic target for these tumors. Recently, the anti-inflammatory agent azathioprine was described as an inhibitor of Vav1/Rac1 activity in hematopoietic cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that azathioprine could also inhibit the Vav1-driven processes of proliferation and invasion in pancreatic tumor cells. Indeed, we have determined that azathioprine treatment of cultured human PDAC cells reduces viability and proliferation. Further, similar to siRNA-mediated depletion of Vav1, azathioprine treatment reduces cell migration, as well as the matrix degradation required for invasion. Vav1-expressing tumor cells were more sensitive to azathioprine than Vav1-negative cells, supporting the premise that the inhibitory effects of azathioprine are mediated through Vav1. Finally, azathioprine also reduces metastasis in a xenograft model of pancreatic cancer. Taken together, these data uncover a role for aberrantly expressed Vav1 in regulation of the cytoskeletal machinery required for migration and invasion, and in the promotion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Even with the expression of multiple Rho family GEFs, tumor cells that upregulate Vav1 have become dependent upon this exchange factor, implicating Vav1 as a potent node for therapeutic intervention. Supported by R01 CA104125 and R03 CA155778 to M.A.M. Citation Format: Gina L. Razidlo, Christopher Magnine, Arthur C. Sletten, Rachel M. Hurley, Mark A. McNiven. Attenuation of pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion through a targeted inhibition of the Rac GEF Vav1. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4026. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4026
Subsurface geophysical methods in ground-water hydrology

Publisher Summary Ground water may be defined as water in the zone of saturation beneath the surface of the Earth. The lower limit of that zone is the base of the zone of rock fracture, and its upper limit is the water table, which lies in contact with the zone of aeration. Ground-water hydrology deals with the path water follows from its area of intake, or recharge, to its area of withdrawal, or discharge, its occurrence in transit in water-bearing rocks (aquifers), its changes in temperature and chemical quality, and its availability for use. This chapter discusses the subsurface geophysical methods, generally termed “logging” methods, commonly used to determine the analysis of borehole conditions. With respect to geophysical methods in ground-water hydrology, electric logging probably is most important because it enables not only the identification of aquifers penetrated by uncased holes but also the determination of the salinity of their contained water. The methods of exploration described are believed to be the most valuable geophysical tools for subsurface investigations available to the ground-water hydrologist. Individually they provide reliable diagnostic information on important phases of the occurrence, movement, and quality of ground water and on the texture, stratigraphy, and structure of the geologic formations in which ground water occurs.
Teaching Emotional Intelligence In The Business School Curriculum

The ability to manage one’s emotions and to manage one’s interactions with others is tantamount to effective managerial leadership. Students in business schools will need to be prepared to integrate their emotional intelligence with their everyday behavior if they are to achieve success in whatever field of endeavor they have chosen. In this article I will outline a curriculum design that will enable students to understand, appreciate and apply the principles embedded in the emotional intelligence model. The following topics will be discussed in this article as part of this self management curriculum: assessing one’s level of emotional intelligence; the distinction between emotional and intellectual competency; what research shows in terms of the relationship between emotional intelligence and success in life; and a description of the self management course which I currently teach within the emotional intelligence framework.
Optimizer plan change management: improved stability and performance in Oracle 11g

Execution plans for SQL statements have a significant impact on the overall performance of database systems. New optimizer statistics, configuration parameter changes, software upgrades and hardware resource utilization are among a multitude of factors that may cause the query optimizer to generate new plans. While most of these plan changes are beneficial or benign, a few rogue plans can potentially wreak havoc on system performance or availability, affecting critical and time-sensitive business application needs. The normally desirable ability of a query optimizer to adapt to system changes may sometimes cause it to pick a sub-optimal plan compromising the stability of the system.In this paper, we present the new SQL Plan Management feature in Oracle 11g. It provides a comprehensive solution for managing plan changes to provide stable and optimal performance for a set of SQL statements. Two of its most important goals are preventing sub-optimal plans from being executed while allowing new plans to be used if they are verifiably better than previous plans. This feature is tightly integrated with Oracle's query optimizer.SQL Plan Management is available to users via both command-line and graphical interfaces. We describe the feature and then, using an industrial-strength application suite, present experimental results that show that SQL Plan Management provides stable and optimal performance for SQL statements with no performance regressions.
Polarization and angle-of-incidence dependence of the Goos–Hänchen shift in total internal reflection at a planar dielectric–dielectric interface

The Goos–Hanchen shift (GHS) that accompanies total internal reflection (TIR) of a monochromatic p- or s-polarized light beam at a planar interface between a dense medium of incidence of refractive index and a rarer medium of refractive index is considered as a function of the index ratio, , and angle of incidence, . At a unique incidence angle the GHS is the same for the p and s polarizations, hence the shift becomes independent of polarization. Other significant characteristics associated with TIR at the special angle are identified. It is also shown that the GHS is nearly independent of in the range if the incident light is s-polarized and the index ratio N > 2.5. No comparable results are obtained for incident p-polarized light.
Determination of iodine and bromine in organic compounds on the decigram scale

Oxygen-bomb combustion is suggested for decomposition of large samples of heterogeneous organic composites for the analysis of iodine and bromine. The micro method of Childs et al. [7] has been scaled up for the determination of up to 200 mg of bromine; for the determination of similar amounts of iodine, however, addition of sodium hydroxide to the hydrazine sulfate absorbing solution was required for complete reduction. The method of decomposition has been found safe even for 1 g samples of high explosives.
Cocaine-Induced Thrombosis of Common Iliac and Popliteal Arteries

Cocaine-induced thrombosis has been reported in the literature; however, its mechanism is not fully understood. Most cases are of small caliber vessels, such as the coronaries and cerebral vasculature. We report a case of a 36-year-old man with signs and symptoms of acute arterial insufficiency in his right lower extremity. At angiography, the right common iliac artery and the popliteal artery were occluded. The patient was successfully treated with thrombolytic therapy. Cocaine-induced thrombosis should be suspected in a patient with history of cocaine abuse who presents with acute arterial insufficiency in an extremity, without an identifiable source.
Experimental determination of the dissolution kinetics of zero-valent iron in the presence of organic complexants

Environmental context. Iron metal is being considered as a material to be used for the treatment of groundwater contaminated with toxic metals and organics. Although time-dependant information is available, predicting the long-term behaviour of this material has been complicated by the build-up of rust or other alteration phases on the surface of Fe metal. In addition to the build-up of rust, changes to important environmental factors also complicate these types of predictions. The research discussed in this paper uses a non-traditional experimental technique to isolate the impact of specific environmental factors (i.e. pH, temperature) and organic complexants on the dissolution of Fe metal. Abstract. The geochemical cycling of iron, the reactivity of iron minerals and, more recently, the reactivity of zero valent iron (α-Fe), have been the subject of numerous investigations for over more than three decades. These investigations provide a wealth of knowledge regarding the effect of pH, temperature, chelating agents etc. on the reactivity and mechanism(s) of dissolution for α-Fe and iron oxide/oxyhydroxide minerals. However, most investigations have been conducted under static conditions that promote the formation of a partially oxidised surface film (e.g. passivating layer). In the presence of a passivating layer, the proposed dissolution mechanisms are vastly different and are based on the composition of the partially oxidised surface film. The objective of this study was to quantify the dissolution of α-Fe under conditions that maintain the pO2 at a relatively constant level and minimise the formation of a passivating layer on the metal surface. Single-pass flow-through tests were conducted under conditions of relatively constant dissolved O2 [O2(aq)] over the pH(23°C) range from 7 to 12 and temperature range from 23 to 90°C in the presence of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ethylenediamine di-O-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (EDDHA) to maintain dilute conditions and minimise the formation of a partially oxidised surface film and Fe-bearing secondary phase(s) during testing. Although more information is needed, these results suggest the adsorption of EDTA and EDDHA, or the diffusion of the oxidised Fe–organic complex from the surface of α-Fe, is the rate-limiting step in the dissolution reaction. Results also suggest that the rate of dissolution is independent of pH, has a non-linear dependence on the concentration of organic complexant, and the forward dissolution rate for α-Fe is as much as three orders of magnitude greater than when a passive film and corrosion products are present.
"Interpreting Mozart: The Performance Practice of his Piano Pieces and Other Compositions" by Eva Badura-Skoda and Paul Badura-Skoda

This article is a review and critique of Eva and Paul Badura-Skoda's 2009 book “Interpreting Mozart: The Performance Practice of his Piano Pieces and Other Compositions”.
Studies of the role of group VI phospholipase A2 in fatty acid incorporation, phospholipid remodeling, lysophosphatidylcholine generation, and secretagogue-induced arachidonic acid release in pancreatic islets and insulinoma cells.

An 84-kDa group VI phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) that does not require Ca2+ for catalysis has been cloned from Chinese hamster ovary cells, murine P388D1 cells, and pancreatic islet β-cells. A housekeeping role for iPLA2 in generating lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) acceptors for arachidonic acid incorporation into phosphatidylcholine (PC) has been proposed because iPLA2 inhibition reduces LPC levels and suppresses arachidonate incorporation and phospholipid remodeling in P388D1 cells. Because islet β-cell phospholipids are enriched in arachidonate, we have examined the role of iPLA2 in arachidonate incorporation into islets and INS-1 insulinoma cells. Inhibition of iPLA2 with a bromoenol lactone (BEL) suicide substrate did not suppress and generally enhanced [3H]arachidonate incorporation into these cells in the presence or absence of extracellular calcium at varied time points and BEL concentrations. Arachidonate incorporation into islet phospholipids involved deacylation-reacylation and not de novo synthesis, as indicated by experiments with varied extracellular glucose concentrations and by examining [14C]glucose incorporation into phospholipids. BEL also inhibited islet cytosolic phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAPH), but the PAPH inhibitor propranolol did not affect arachidonate incorporation into islet or INS-1 cell phospholipids. Inhibition of islet iPLA2 did not alter the phospholipid head-group classes into which [3H]arachidonate was initially incorporated or its subsequent transfer from PC to other lipids. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric measurements indicated that inhibition of INS-1 cell iPLA2 accelerated arachidonate incorporation into PC and that inhibition of islet iPLA2 reduced LPC levels by 25%, suggesting that LPC mass does not limit arachidonate incorporation into islet PC. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry measurements indicated that BEL but not propranolol suppressed insulin secretagogue-induced hydrolysis of arachidonate from islet phospholipids. In islets and INS-1 cells, iPLA2 is thus not required for arachidonate incorporation or phospholipid remodeling and may play other roles in these cells.
Policy and advocacy content in early childhood teacher education: Results of a national survey

Abstract One important strategy for strengthening policy and advocacy in early childhood education is through the incorporation of specific course content in teacher education programs [New Perspectives in Early Childhood Teacher Education: Bringing Practitioners Into the Debate, Teachers College Press, NY, New York, 1994]. Yet, to date, little is known about the extent to which content relating to these two important issues are incorporated into teacher education programs. In response to this gap, an exploratory study of early childhood teacher education programs was conducted to determine the nature of policy and advocacy content included in undergraduate and graduate programs in the United States. Public and private institutions, ranging in size from small four‐year colleges to large public universities, participated in this national survey. Results indicated that advocacy and policy content is incorporated in most teacher education programs in a varied, yet unsystematic, manner. Respondents also ident...
Dose effects of ketamine on photic and acoustic field potentials

Abstract The effects of 10 incremental doses of ketamine on photic and acoustic-evoked responses were determined in five brain sites in freely moving rats. Permanent semi-microelectrodes (60 μ in diameter) were implanted stereotaxically under pentobarbital anaesthesia within the inferior colliculus (IC) and lateral geniculate body (Lgb), the primary relay sites for acoustic and photic input, respectively. Three additional electrodes were placed in the mesencephalic reticular formation (RF), in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and within the somatosensory cortex (SC). Following recovery from surgery (6–8 days), the averaged acoustic and photic field potentials following 32 repetitive stimuli were averaged as one set using a 1070 NIC minicomputer. Eight sets of recordings, four for each modality, were recorded at 5-min intervals before and after each injection. Ten doses of ketamine were studied: 1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 mg/kg (i.p.). Each animal was tested twice with 1 week interval. In each experiment, only 5 randomly selected incremental different doses were used. The dose which induced surgical anaesthesia was found to be 80 mg/kg (i.p.). Differences in the number of ketamineinduced changes in sensory field potentials were observed between the photic and acoustic input, where the acoustic evoked responses were more sensitive and exhibited dose-dependent responses, particularly in the SC. The lower subanaesthetic doses of ketamine (
Bootstrap model selection in generalized linear models

Model selection is a central component of data analysis. Though there are a variety of methods for likelihood-based estimation methods, there are relatively few for non-likelihood-based generalized linear models (GLMs), such as in the quasi-likelihood and generalized estimating equation (GEE) approaches. In this paper, we develop basic and bias-corrected bootstrap approaches to estimate the predictive mean squared error (PMSE) of a model and use the PMSE for model selection. Simulation studies show that the bias-corrected bootstrap estimate works well when quasi-likelihood or GEE is used to fit either overdispersed or correlated response GLMs. For correlated response data, when the marginal distribution assumption is (almost) correct, Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) calculated under the working independence model also perform well. For illustration, the methods are applied to data sets from evolutionary biology and teratology.
Giant cell formation in ectopic mouse trophoblast.

Abstract Segmenting mouse ova, grafted beneath the kidney capsule of syngenic adult recipients, result in a growth of trophoblast, which changes from small, actively-dividing cells into giant trophoblast cells which degenerate 15 days after grafting. Similar giant cells are found in normal mouse placentas. Radioautography with 3H-thymidine, uridine, and leucine revealed cessation of DNA synthesis after day 8, with decline in RNA synthesis from day 10, and continued protein synthesis through day 15. Treatment with Colcemid reduced the graft size but failed to suppress giant cell formation. Treatment on days 4–7 of grafting with 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR), cyclohexamide, or actinomycin D resulted in giant cell suppression with the maintenance of healthy-appearing small trophoblast cells. These results confirm the early withdrawal of trophoblast grafts from the mitotic pool and the non-mitotic increase of trophoblast DNA, and demonstrate the apparent need for RNA and protein synthesis to support the development of trophoblast giant cells.
Self-organized silicon microcolumn arrays generated by pulsed laser irradiation

Cumulative nanosecond pulsed excimer laser irradiation of silicon produces an array of high-aspect-ratio microcolumns that protrude well above the initial surface. The growth of these microcolumns is strongly affected by the gas environment, being enhanced in air or in other oxygen-containing atmosphere. An array of very large and complex conical structures that also protrude above the surface is formed if the irradiation is performed in sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Kinetics studies of microcolumn growth show that: (i) A certain number of pulses is required to initiate growth of microcolumns; (ii) column nucleation is inhomogeneous, taking place always at the edges of deep grooves or pits; (iii) growth is fast with the earlier pulses but slows down to a halt when the columns reach a certain length. These studies show that columns nucleate and grow by continuous influx of silicon with each laser pulse. It is proposed that the axial growth of microcolumns and cones is due to the deposition of atoms or clusters at their tips. The column/cone tips are melted during irradiation and act as preferred sites for deposition, resulting in a very high axial growth rate. The contribution of etching and ablation to the flux of silicon-rich vapor produced during irradiation is discussed. The mechanism of columnar growth is compared with the vapor-liquid-solid method to grow silicon whiskers.
Double Quantum Filtered 1H NMR Spectroscopy Enables Quantification of Lactate in Muscle

In this study we address the question of quantification of muscle lactate using double quantum filtered (DQF) (1)H NMR spectroscopy where dipolar and scalar coupled spectra are acquired. For this, lactate content in muscle samples was independently determined using a conventional enzymatic assay and DQF, (1)H NMR spectroscopy. NMR quantification of lactate relied on comparison of muscle spectra with similarly acquired spectra of standard lactate solutions. Transverse relaxation, T(2), and dipolar coupling effects were investigated at two different orientations of muscle fibers relative to B(o) and at various lactate concentrations. In all cases, we found a biexponential T(2) decay of the lactate methyl signal with a long T(2) of 142 ms (+/-8 ms, n=24) and a short T(2) of 37 ms (+/-6 ms, n=24). Lactate content of muscle determined by NMR spectroscopy agreed with the results obtained from enzymatic assays of the same samples provided that T(2) effects as well as the presence of both scalar and dipolar coupling interactions of lactate in muscle were taken into account.
The partisan divide--the McCain and Obama plans for U.S. health care reform.

In the face of escalating costs, uneven quality of care, and the growth of the uninsured population, there is broad agreement that the U.S. health care system requires reform. However, Democrats and Republicans remain sharply divided over how to reform it, as evidenced by the health care plans offered by the parties' presidential candidates. The ambitious reform agendas of Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Barack Obama (D-IL) would take the U.S. health care system in very different directions. McCain's plan embraces market forces and promotes individually purchased insurance (see red box). Its centerpiece is a change in the tax treatment of . . .
Comparison of Fluoride Concentrations in Unstimulated whole Saliva Following the Use of a Fluoride Dentifrice and a Fluoride Rinse

Recent evidence has suggested that the cariostatic effects of topical fluoride (F) are related to the presence of low concentrations of ionic F in the oral environment. The purpose of this study was to compare the retention of F in the oral environment over 24-hour periods after the use of a F dentifrice or a F rinse. Groups of ten consenting adult subjects (age 18-52 years) brushed and/or rinsed (B/R) in a standardized manner twice per day in the morning (AM) and before bed (PM) with either a placebo dentifrice (8 ppm F), NaF dentifrice (1100 ppm F), or NaF rinse (225 ppm F). Experiments were performed with placebo dentifrice only (PD); F dentifrice only (FD); F dentifrice followed by F rinse (FD/FR); placebo dentifrice followed by F rinse (PD/FR); and F rinse followed by placebo dentifrice (FR/PD). Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected at baseline and then at 0, 15, 30, and 45 min, 1, 2, and 8 hr after B/R in the AM, after B/R in the PM and upon rising the following morning. Salivary flow rate and F were determined for each sampling interval. The results of this study suggest that: (1) F rinse may be a more effective way of delivering topical F than F dentifrice; (2) based on F retention, the combination of FD/FR was not more effective than FR only (PD/FR); (3) older individuals with gingival recession retained higher F levels; and (4) bedtime F application resulted in longer F retention than did daytime application, which may have important implications for enamel remineralization.
Pharmacokinetics with uncertainties in rate constants

Abstract We consider the compartmental analysis in pharmacokinetics when uncertainties in our knowledge of the rate constants are taken into account. The rate constants are considered as random variables in this article and the joint probability distribution of the drug concentrations are determined. The significance of this stochastic approach is illustrated by simple compartmental models.
Abbreviated Mf and Si Scales for the MMPI

Summary In order to abbreviate the Mf and Si scales of the MMPI, 31 items were selected as representative of the factor dimensions of the two scales. Regression equations were developed to predict standard scale scores from the abbreviated scales for a sample of psychiatric patients and then cross-validated on a similar but independent sample. The correlations between predicted and actual standard scores for the two scales compared favorably with previously reported reliability coefficients for the standard scales. It was concluded that the addition of 20 items to the 71 item Mini-Mult allows for accurate prediction of standard scale scores for the additional two scales.
Methods for feeding tropical rat mites on blood and other fluids through a membrane

Abstract A method for feeding tropical rat mites through a membrane is described. The thin portions of baby chick skin is the most easily obtainable membrane, but several other fresh animal membranes were equally successful. The mites accepted whole blood from several species of animals equally well and accepted diluted blood and plasma nearly as well as whole blood.
Towards real-time, fine-grained energy analytics in buildings through mobile phones

In this paper we present a system called the Energy Lens -- a system that provides deeper, real-time visibility of plug-load energy consumption in buildings. Our initial work focuses on plug-load power metering, display, and real-time aggregation, presented to the user through a mobile phone. We discuss the three main, non-trivial challenges that must be addressed to provide real-time energy analytics in buildings through mobile phones and our initial approach towards addressing each challenge.
On smokeless tobacco, addictive behavior and warning labels.

Abstract This article will offer three primary positions: First, it will support the use of a warning label on containers of smokeless tobacco and second, suggest that an alternative to the present warning statement be considered. The Massachussets Department of Public Health—presently the first state to consider a warning label for smokeless tobacco—proposes a label that would read as follows: WARNING: Use of snuff is addictive and may cause mouth cancer and other mouth disorders. Third, this article will suggest that a warning label will not have any notable impact on the public health. In order to support these positions, the following discussion will briefly examine the relationship between chemical dependency, addictive behavior, tobacco smoking, and the use of warning labels as a deterrant to the use of smokeless tobacco.
Textual Segmentation: A Technique for Measuring Comprehension of Lengthy Prose.

A simple technique for measuring comprehension of lengthy prose, i.e., consisting of multiple sentences, is presented. The “textual segmentation” procedure requires subjects to partition text into ...
Maturity in Adolescent and Young Adult Offenders: The Role of Cognitive Control

This study examined the role of cognitive control in explaining the psychosocial maturity of adolescent (n = 43) and young adult male (n = 40) offenders. We separated psychosocial maturity into prosocial and criminal components, which were statistically unrelated and were explained by different variables. Individuals with higher levels of prosocial maturity were older, had better proactive cognitive control, and had better short-term memory than those with lower levels of prosocial maturity. Individuals with higher levels of criminal maturity were older and had better reactive cognitive control than those with lower levels of criminal maturity. We discuss the implications of these findings with regard to juvenile justice policy and practice.
Torsion of laminated rectangular rods

An existing solution for the problem of torsion of orthotropic laminated rectangular bars is reviewed, and then extended to the case of laminated cross-sections with high aspect ratio. The application to high aspect ratio rectangular cross-sections is important, as it forms the basis for the calculation of stiffness and stresses in torsion of laminated rods with general open cross-section. Calculations are given to show a potentially strong dependence of stiffness and stress distribution on the lamination sequence. Results are also given to show convergence of different forms of the solution, as well as to assess the error when the thin cross-section formulas are used for intermediate aspect ratio geometries.
Differences Between Black and White Students in the Effect of Parental Separation on School Grades

Abstract Effects of parental separation on self-reported school grades are examined in a sample of 1,709 seventh and ninth grade public school students, 44.5 percent of whom are black. A significant statistical interaction between parental separation and race reveals a marked black/white difference in the effect of the timing of separation on grades. Only separation after the second grade has a significant negative effect on the white students, while only separation before kindergarten has a significant negative effect on the black students. It is tentatively concluded that the white students have been negatively affected by conflict between their parents and/or emotional trauma associated with separation, while the black students have been negatively affected mainly by structural weakness of the mother-only family as an economic unit and/or agency of socialization.
Handedness and P300 from Auditory Stimuli

The P3(00) event-related potential (ERP) was elicited in 20 left- and 20 right-handed normal young adult male subjects using a simple auditory stimulus discrimination task. P3 amplitude from the target stimuli was larger at anterior electrode sites for left- compared to right-handed subjects. P3 latency from the standard stimuli was shorter for left- compared to right-handers. The N1, P2, and N2 components generally demonstrated similar handedness effects. The relationship of ERP amplitude and handedness to anatomical variables and cognitive factors is discussed.
Hormone replacement therapy and breast carcinoma risk in Hispanic and non-Hispanic women.

BACKGROUND Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) alleviates menopausal symptoms and prevents osteoporosis, but there is concern that long-term use may have an adverse impact on breast carcinoma risk. Epidemiologic studies report inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between HRT and postmenopausal breast carcinoma risk and there is little information on the HRT-associated risk among minority women. METHODS To investigate the effects of HRT on breast carcinoma risk among Hispanic women, we examined data from the New Mexico Women's Health Study (NMWHS), a statewide case–control study comprising 366 postmenopausal women with breast carcinoma and 403 controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS After adjustment for sociodemographic, medical, and reproductive factors, we found an increased risk associated with long-term users of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT; OR for ERT use longer than 140 months was 2.57, 95%CI, 1.25–5.28, compared with ERT use shorter than 17 months). In addition, there was a positive trend with the duration of ERT use (P < 0.01). Hispanic postmenopausal women appeared to be at a significantly greater risk than non-Hispanic white women (OR for ERT use longer than 140 months in Hispanics was 5.53, 95%CI, 1.47–20.87; OR in non-Hispanics was 2.65, 95%CI, 0.95–7.34, compared with ERT use shorter than 17 months). In contrast, no significant association was observed for combined estrogen-progesterone use in either Hispanic or non-Hispanic women. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicated that postmenopausal women had significantly increased breast carcinoma risk for long-term ERT use. The risks among Hispanic women were substantially higher than among non-Hispanic white women although they were not statistically significant. Cancer 2002;95:960–8. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10791
The olfactory gonadotropin-releasing hormone immunoreactive system in mouse

Abstract The olfactory gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) system in mice was studied with immunofluorescence in combination with lesions of the olfactory bulb and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) which was administered intravascularly, intranasally or into the subarachnoid space. GnRH-positive neurons were located in the two major branches forming the septal roots of the nervus terminalis, in the ganglion terminale, within the fascicles of the nervus terminalis throughout its extent, in a conspicuous band which connects the ventral neck of the caudal olfactory bulb with the accesory olfactory bulb in the nasal mucosa. GnRH-positive fibers were seen in all areas in which neurons were found, i.e. in the rostral septum, the ganglion and nervus terminalis and in the nasal subepithelium. In addition, a broad bundle of fibers was observed to surround the entire caudal olfactory bulb, connecting the rostral sulcus rhinalis with the ventrocaudal olfactory bulb. Fibers were seen in close association with the main and accessory olfactory bulb, with the fila olfactoria and with the nasal mucosa. Throughout the olfactory bulb and the nasal epithelium, an association of GnRH fibers with blood vessels was apparent. Intravascular and intranasal injection of HRP resulted in labeling of certain GnRH neurons in the septal roots of the nervus terminalis, the ganglion terminale, the nervus terminalis, the caudal ventrodorsal connection and in the accessory olfactory bulb. After placement of HRP into the subarachnoid space dorsal to the accessory olfactory bulb, about 50% of the GnRH neurons in the accessory olfactory bulb and in the ventrodorsal connection were labeled with HRP. Also, a few GnRH neurons in the rostral septum, the ganglion terminale and in the fascicles of the nervus terminalis had taken up the enzyme. Lesions of the nervus terminalis caudal to the ganglion terminale resulted in sprouting of GnRH fibers at both sites of the knife cut. Lesions rostral to the ganglion terminale induced sprouting mostly at the distal site of the knife cut while most but not all GnRH fibers proximal to the lesion had disappeared. The results of the present study indicate that the olfactory GnRH system is mostly associated with the nervus terminalis. This cranial nerve apparently projects to the central nervous system as well as the periphery. The results of the HRP uptake studies suggest that the GnRH neurons in the nervus terminalis have access to fenestrated capillaries in the subepithelial connective tissue of the nasal mucosa, to the nasal epithelium proper, and to the subarachnoid space. It is concluded that GnRH in the olfactory system of the mouse can influence different target sites either via the blood stream after release into the submucosal capillaries, or via the external cerebrospinal fluid or via synaptic/asynaptic contacts with, for example, the receptor cells in the nasal epithelium.
Nonproportional cyclic deformation: critical experiments and analytical modeling

Different deformation response due to nonproportional loading has been the subject of numerous experimental and analytical investigations. Critical experiments and methods of comparison to quantify nonproportional hardening are presented. In view of the existing parameters for describing the nonproportional hardening, the concept proposed by Tanaka appears to be the most robust. This article will concentrate on a modified Tanaka model and its performance in view of the experimental observations on two different materials, a 304 stainless steel and a 1045 steel. Further modifications are discussed that will improve the modeling of the experimentally observed nonproportional hardening phenomena.
The Price Effects of the Delta/Northwest Airline Merger

This paper examines the price effects of the merger between Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines. Empirical analysis finds that, other things equal, the fares for airport-pairs where Delta and Northwest competed with each other prior to the merger did not increase by much following the merger. This result is consistent with the additional finding that the impact of changes in low-cost carrier competition is large while the effect of changes in competition from legacy carriers is slight. Since both Delta and Northwest Airlines are legacy carriers, the results for other legacies suggest that the merger should not have exerted a dramatic impact on fares.
Bounds on posterior expectations for density bounded class with constant bandwidth

Abstract We consider a certain (simplified) version of the density bounded class; see Lavine ( J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 86 (1991) 400–403). We find that this class has certain advantages over many other similar classes in terms of elicitation, ease of calculation and other characteristics of interest. Bounds on posterior expectations are considered. In particular, we show how certain bounds may be found in the (multidimensional) normal linear model problem.
Convection Calibration of Schmidt–Boelter Heat Flux Gauges in Stagnation and Shear Air Flow

Experiments were performed to characterize the performance of Schmidt―Boelter heat flux gauges in stagnation and shear convective air flows. The gauges were of a standard design (25.4 mm and 38 mm in diameter), using a copper heat sink with water cooling channels around the active sensing element. A simple model of the gauges using an internal thermal resistance between the sensor surface and the heat sink is used to interpret the results. The model predicts a nonlinear dependence of the gauge sensitivity as a function of the heat transfer coefficient. Experimental calibration systems were developed to simultaneously measure the heat flux gauge response relative to a secondary standard under the same flow and thermal conditions. The measured gauge sensitivities in the stagnation fiow matched the model, and were used to estimate the value of the internal thermal resistance for each of the four gauges tested. For shear flow, the effect of the varying gauge surface temperature on the boundary layer was included. The results matched the model with a constant factor of 15―25% lower effective heat transfer coefficient. When the gauge was water cooled, the effect of the internal thermal resistance of the gauge was markedly different for the two flow conditions. In the stagnation flow, the internal resistance further decreased the apparent gauge sensitivity. Conversely, in shear flow, the resistance was effectively offset by the cooler heat sink of the gauge, and the resulting sensitivities were nearly the same as, or larger than, for radiation.
Mucosal origin of AIDS

The natural history of AIDS implies sexual and breast-milk transmission of HIV across the mucosal lining of digestive and reproductive organs. Intraepithelial mucosal lymphocytes specialized in handling foods, air-borne, and microbial pathogens crossing the mucosal barrier represent up to 90% of immunocompetent cells in a human body. Enteropathy and respiratory infections, the main symptoms and cause of death in AIDS, are attributed to the failure of mucosal immunity.
New generation aspiration catheter: Feasibility in the treatment of pulmonary embolism

AIM: To report our preliminary experience with a new generation aspiration catheter in the treatment of symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: A retrospective database search for pulmonary artery embolectomy since introduction of the Pronto .035” and XL extraction catheter (Vascular Solutions, Minneapolis, MN) at our institution in 10/2009 was performed. Ten consecutive patients were identified in which the Pronto .035” or XL catheter was used between 01/2010 and 03/2013. All patients were referred for catheter based embolectomy due to contraindications to systemic lysis, or for being in such a critical clinical condition that immediate percutaneous treatment deemed warranted. The computed tomography (CT) right to left heart ratio as predictor for the severity of the PE was retrospectively evaluated on standard axial views. The difference between pre- and post-procedure pulmonary pressure measures was taken to assess the procedural effect. RESULTS: Extensive PE was confirmed angiographically in all patients. Measured right- to left ventricle (RV/LV) ratios were elevated beyond one in seven of the eight available CTs. Acute procedural success defined as clinical removal of visible thrombus and improvement in mean pulmonary artery pressure was seen in all recorded patients (n = 8), the mean pulmonary pressures declined from a median (range) of 35.5 (19-46) to 23 (10-37, P = 0.008) mmHg. Neither death nor other complications occurred intra- or immediately periprocedural, yet short term mortality within 30 d was found in 6 out of 9 patients, one patient was lost in follow up. The cause of death within 30 d in the 6 patients was identified as: Circulatory failure in direct connection with the PE (n = 2), stroke, sepsis, or succumbing to malignancy in a hospice setting (n = 2). CONCLUSION: Success in thrombus removal with improved pulmonary hypertension and systemic hypotension suggests this aspiration technique to be effective. Aspiration catheters should be part of further trials.
Initial clinical studies of intravaginal rings containing norethindrone and norgestrel.

Abstract A series of clinical studies were undertaken to determine the incidence of ovulation, breakthrough bleeding and other side effects with polysiloxane intravaginal rings (IVRs) containing various doses of norethindrone and norgestrel in which the designated amount of steroid was evenly dispersed throughout the polysiloxane. There was no evidence of local vaginal irritation and patient acceptance was good during the total of 193 treatment cycles in this study. The use of IVRs containing 100 and 200 mg of norethindrone was associated with a high incidence of bleeding while the devices were in place and ovulation occurred in about one-fourth of treatment cycles. Subjects using IVRs with 50 and 100 mg of norgestrel had a lower incidence of bleeding and ovulatory treatment cycles. Nevertheless, the incidence of bleeding with these rings in place, as well as lack of withdrawal bleeding after their removal was higher than that observed in a previous study with rings of similar design containing medroxyprogesterone acetate.
Self-stimulation of the MFB or VTA after microinjection of haloperidol into the prefrontal cortex of the rat

Haloperidol, a dopamine receptor antagonist, was microinjected in doses of 12 or 24 microng into the prefrontal cortex of the rat. Its effects on self-stimulation of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) or the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) were examined. It was found that these injections failed to attenuate self-stimulation at either structure. However, when haloperidol was injected into the caudate-putamen complex, a decrease in self-stimulation occurred within these structures. These results suggest that dopamine in the medial prefrontal cortex is not necessarily a part of the neurochemical substrate underlying self-stimulation of the ventral tegmental area or medial forebrain bundle.
Complete avulsion of the triceps tendon: MRI diagnosis

Avulsion of the triceps tendon is a rare injury. We report a case of complete avulsion of the triceps tendon diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and confirmed surgically. The excellent soft tissue contrast and multiplanar imaging capability of MRI makes it an ideal tool to diagnose this disorder. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of MRI diagnosis of complete avulsion of the triceps tendon.
The opened processivity clamp slides into view

Replication of genomic DNA is carried out by macromolecular ensembles called replicases (1, 2), and current thinking about their architecture is strongly influenced by our understanding of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III. This bacterial replicase is built out of three subassemblies, each with its own task. The first is the core DNA polymerase, which performs the accurate synthesis of DNA. A second subassembly is the processivity factor, or sliding clamp, which is a closed protein ring and confers high processivity onto the core DNA polymerase. The third component is the clamp loader, which is a molecular machine that uses the energy of ATP binding and hydrolysis to load sliding clamps onto DNA (Fig. 1 A ). Fig. 1. Architectural similarities in clamp loaders and sliding clamps. ( A ) Stylized images of the loaders and clamps from bacteria, eukaryotes, bacteriophage T4, and archaea. RFCS, RFC small subunit; RFCL, RFC large subunit. ( B ) Structure of the opened clamp as suggested by molecular dynamics simulations and an EM-derived structural model. The six-clamp subdomains are arranged as a planar ring in the closed form. Molecular dynamics and an EM-derived model suggest that when the clamp is opened, the subdomains adopt a right-handed spiral or “lock washer” conformation. Early experiments on the processivity factor described an unusual protein that interacted with DNA with a striking dependence on the topology of the DNA (3). This result and revelation of its ringlike structure (4) explained how such a protein might confer processivity onto a DNA polymerase. The model suggested that the sliding clamp could encircle DNA, form contacts to the polymerase, and mechanically tether it to the duplex. A DNA polymerase, tethered in this way, could carry out multiple rounds of base addition without dissociation. This scheme left one important question, namely, how is DNA, which is effectively an infinitely …
Cell cycle-dependent inhibition of kirsten murine sarcoma-leukemia virus release by cytochalasin B

Abstract Inhibition of Kirsten murine sarcoma-leukemia virus [KiMSV(KiMuLV)l release from chronically infected normal rat kidney cells (NRK-K) by cytochalasin B (CB) was dose dependent. Concentrations of CB between 10–25 μg/ml inhibited virus release without inhibiting mitosis and cell division. Maximal inhibition occurred within 4.5 hr of adding CB to logarithmically growing NRK-K cells, and inhibition was reversed within 3 hr of drug removal. CB inhibition of virus release from synchronously growing NRK-K cells was cell-cycle dependent and occurred during late G2 phase and mitosis.
Vocabularies in collaboration channels

Collaborators use vocabulary germane to the domain in context. Collaboration applications and collaborating systems use vocabularies at different (lower) layers that are specific to the state in which they execute. Distributed, yet collaborative domain-specific applications have demonstrated success when lower layer vocabularies are well defined. These standard vocabularies enable platform neutral, programming language neutral and client neutral mechanisms to realize successful handshake between collaboration applications. The concept can be extended to an application neutral, protocol neutral, platform neutral, programming language neutral and client neutral vocabulary model that will facilitate harmonious handshake of collaboration channels. This paper addresses the need for standardizing vocabulary at the collaboration channel level and presents a model for realizing vocabulary-awareness in a generalized neutral format. A pilot study done to implement the model using a sample vocabulary is presented.