cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceived Social Norms in the Neighborhood Context: The Role of Perceived Collective Efficacy in Moderating the Relation Between Perceived Injunctive Norms and Use of Corporal Punishment

Social norms regarding corporal punishment (CP) may be the most important population-level risk factor for child physical abuse in the U.S. Little is known about the perceived social contexts, such as perceived norms and collective efficacy, that are linked with CP. In particular, there is a paucity of research exploring the direct and/or moderating roles of collective efficacy in reducing CP as a risk factor for child physical abuse. The current study examined the linkages between perceived neighborhood levels of both parenting collective efficacy and injunctive norms regarding CP use with maternal attitudes toward and use of CP. Data were utilized from a survey conducted with female primary caregivers (N = 436) enrolled in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children clinics in the Greater New Orleans Area. Perceived collective efficacy was not significantly associated with attitudes toward CP, and had only a marginally significant positive association with CP use (χ2 (2, N = 436) = 8.88, p = 0.06). Further, perceived injunctive norms (i.e., perceived higher levels of approval) of CP use by neighbors were positively associated with positive attitudes toward CP use (AOR: 6.43; 95% CI 4.00, 10.33) and greater frequency of CP use (AOR: 2.57; 95% CI 1.62, 4.09). There was evidence of effect modification by perceived collective-efficacy on the relation between injunctive norms of neighbors and frequency of CP use (p = 0.082). For those who reported high perceived collective efficacy, there was a significant association between positive perceived injunctive norms and frequency of CP use (AOR: 3.24; 95% CI 1.51, 6.95); this suggests that perceived collective efficacy does not buffer risk for CP use when parents perceive that neighbors approve of its use. Targeted efforts for larger communities to shift beliefs and attitudes regarding CP use may be valuable not only in shifting community norms supportive of CP but also in building supportive community networks that discourage parents from using CP and encourage them to practice non-harsh parenting strategies.
Measurement Techniques of Low-Value High-Current Single-Range Current Shunts from 15 Amps to 3000 Amps

Standard resistors that are used to measure current and are designed to dissipate relatively high levels of power are known as current shunts. This paper will discuss some of the many different typ...
World history through the history of the oceans and seas: Oceanic histories, edited by David Armitage, Alison Bashford and Sujit Sivasundaram, United Kingdom, Cambridge University Press, 2018, 326 pp., $68.63 (hardback), ISBN 978-1108423182, $24.99 (paperback), ISBN 978-1108434829

Longue duree has attracted a great deal of attention among scholars recently. David Armitage, Alison Bashford and Sujit Sivasundaram have edited the first volume in an announced book series on ‘Oce...
Young Children’s Social Networks in an Informal Urban Settlement in Kenya: Examining Network Characteristics Among Kamba, Kikuyu, Luo, and Maasai Children:

Children’s social networks comprise a variety of social partners who interact with the child in unique ways and contribute distinctly to her social and emotional development. This study examines th...
Reaction of Resorcinol with alpha,beta-Unsaturated Ketones.

Products of the acid-catalyzed reaction of resorcinol with α,β-unsaturated ketones have been found to fall into two classes. The first type of product is illustrated by 4-(3,4-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2,4,4-trimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-yl)-1,3-benzenediol, 1, formed in 91% yield by the reaction of resorcinol with 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one (mesityl oxide). The second type of product is illustrated by (C2-symmetric) 2,2‘-spirobi(7-hydroxy-4,4-dimethylchroman), 4, formed in 85% yield by the reaction of resorcinol with 2,6-dimethyl-2,5-heptadien-4-one (phorone). A number of examples of reactions leading, in quite good yields, to products analogous to 1 are presented, as well as some reactions that fail. Flavan 1 is identical to the compound formed by the acid-catalyzed reaction of acetone with excess resorcinol. Compound 1 and a steroidal analogue of 1 have been found to be fluorescent.
Utilization of computed tomography imaging in the pediatric emergency department

In recent years, there has been a movement toward more judicious use of computed tomography (CT) imaging in an attempt to limit exposure of pediatric patients to ionizing radiation. The Image Gently Alliance and like-minded movements began advocating for safe and high-quality pediatric imaging worldwide in the late 2000s. In the context of these efforts, we evaluate CT utilization rates in the pediatric emergency department at a major academic medical center. We tracked utilization in several categories of CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) between July 2008 and June 2017 and compared them with utilization rates from 2000 to 2006. A total of 4,955 pediatric patients underwent a total of 5,973 CT scans, 2,775 US studies and 293 MRI scans while in the pediatric emergency department during the 2008–2017 study period. We observed decreases in CT scans across all categories, ranging from a 19% decrease in abdominal CT to a 66% decrease in chest CT. Relatively greater decreases in CT scans were observed in patients younger than 3 years of age as compared to older children and adolescents. Abdominal and pelvic US increased. Brain MRI also increased over the final two years of the study. CT utilization decreased throughout the 2008–2017 study period.
The Opposing Functions of Protein Kinases and Phosphatases in Chromosome Bipolar Attachment

Accurate chromosome segregation during cell division is essential to maintain genome integrity in all eukaryotic cells, and chromosome missegregation leads to aneuploidy and therefore represents a hallmark of many cancers. Accurate segregation requires sister kinetochores to attach to microtubules emanating from opposite spindle poles, known as bipolar attachment or biorientation. Recent studies have uncovered several mechanisms critical to chromosome bipolar attachment. First, a mechanism exists to ensure that the conformation of sister centromeres is biased toward bipolar attachment. Second, the phosphorylation of some kinetochore proteins destabilizes kinetochore attachment to facilitate error correction, but a protein phosphatase reverses this phosphorylation. Moreover, the activity of the spindle assembly checkpoint is regulated by kinases and phosphatases at the kinetochore, and this checkpoint prevents anaphase entry in response to faulty kinetochore attachment. The fine-tuned kinase/phosphatase balance at kinetochores is crucial for faithful chromosome segregation during both mitosis and meiosis. Here, we discuss the function and regulation of protein phosphatases in the establishment of chromosome bipolar attachment with a focus on the model organism budding yeast.
A new serine protease family with elastase activity is produced by Streptomyces bacteria

We found an elastolytic activity in the culture supernatant of Streptomyces sp. P-3, and the corresponding enzyme (streptomycetes elastase, SEL) was purified to apparent homogeneity from the culture supernatant. The molecular mass of purified SEL was approximately 18 kDa as judged by SDS-PAGE analysis and gel-filtration chromatography. Utilizing information from N-terminal amino acid sequencing of SEL and mass spectrometry of SEL tryptic fragments, we succeeded in cloning the gene-encoding SEL. The cloned SEL gene contains a 726 bp ORF, which encodes a 241 amino acid polypeptide containing a putative signal peptide for secretion (28 amino acid) and pro-sequence (14 amino acid). Although the deduced primary structure of SEL has sequence similarity to proteins in the S1 protease family, the amino acid sequence shares low identity (< 31.5 %) with any known elastase. SEL efficiently hydrolyses synthetic peptides having Ala or Val in the P1 position such as N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-(Pro or Val)-Ala-p-nitroanilide (pNA), whereas reported proteases by streptomycetes having elastolytic activity prefer large residues, such as Phe and Leu. Compared of kcat/Km ratios for Suc-Ala-Ala-Val-Ala-pNA and Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Ala-pNA with subtilisin YaB, which has high elastolytic activity, Streptomyces sp. P-3 SEL exhibits 12- and 121-fold higher, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the predicted SEL protein, together with predicted proteins in streptomycetes, constitutes a novel group within the S1 serine protease family. These characteristics suggest that SEL-like proteins are new members of the S1 serine protease family, which display elastolytic activity.
Right Heart Failure from Pulmonary Embolism

Acute right heart failure (RHF) is an important presentation of acute pulmonary artery thromboembolism (PE). The hemodynamic nature of acute right ventricular failure is fundamentally different from that of chronic right ventricular failure. Recognizing important clinical signs, along with imaging modalities such as Transthoracic echocardiogram, lung ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy scan and computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA), can help to make an early diagnosis. Early treatment with anticoagulants and/or thrombolysis, helps to improve in-hospital survival and reduce long-term pulmonary arterial hypertension. Systemic or catheter directed thrombolysis plays a vital role in patients with hemodynamic instability. The role of advanced hemodynamic support devices as an adjuvant therapy is limited to only specialized centers with experienced operators.
Epistemically flawless false beliefs

A starting point for the sort of alethic epistemological approach that dominates both historical and contemporary western philosophy is that epistemic norms, standards, or ideals are to be characterized by appeal to some kind of substantively normative relationship between belief and truth. Accordingly, the alethic epistemologist maintains that false beliefs are necessarily defective, imperfect, or flawed, at least from the epistemic perspective. In this paper, I develop an action-oriented alternative to the alethic approach, an alternative that is inspired by and jives with the kind of thinking that underwrites promising and increasingly popular enactive or embodied research programs in cognitive science. Moreover, I argue that the proponent of an action-oriented epistemological approach ought to deny that falsity, in and of itself, necessarily constitutes a kind of epistemic imperfection in belief. The action-oriented epistemologist ought to embrace the possibility that there are epistemically flawless false beliefs.
Legalizing Harm Reduction

The opioid use disorder and overdose crisis continues to challenge our agencies, institutions, and the laws underpinning our public health, healthcare, and criminal justice systems. The root causes of this crisis are complex and necessitate comprehensive changes to our social, health care, and criminal justice systems that would take significant time to implement. Yet, there are interventions that can be immediately implemented to curb overdoses and other adverse health outcomes associated with substance use. Harm reduction refers to public health strategies that seek to minimize the injury and illness associated with substance use as opposed to eliminating substance use itself. For example, in the context of opioid use, harm reduction strategies can include increased naloxone training and availability to prevent overdose or establishing syringe service programs to allow people who inject drugs to have access to unused syringes thereby reducing their risk of transmission of HIV, Hepatitis C, and skin injections from the sharing and reuse of needles. While these strategies have seen increased use in the United States as the opioid overdose crisis unfolded, they are implemented in a piecemeal fashion without adequate legal basis to ensure their efficacy in some jurisdictions. This article argues that it is long overdue for harm reduction strategies to be legalized with enabling authorities to ensure they are effective in practice. Part I provides background on harm reduction by describing select harm reduction strategies and the evidence base for them. Part II discusses the status of the harm reduction in the United States by describing four harm reduction strategies in more detail and the limitations of these strategies for being effective under existing legal frameworks in some jurisdictions. Part III concludes by outlining changes in law that are necessary to legalize harm reduction that would create a path towards legalization of drugs.
Evaluating radiant heat in an outdoor urban environment: Resolving spatial and temporal variations with two sensing platforms and data-driven simulation

Abstract Instruments measuring the outdoor radiant environment are limited spatially. They aggregate observations to singular points, eliminating variations from surrounding surface temperatures. Computational methods can characterize the heterogeneous outdoor radiant environment, but spatial validation with accurate tools remains difficult. We use two novel sensing platforms (MaRTy and SMaRT) and an innovative computational validation method to explore Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) spatial variation outdoors. MaRTy is a mobile instrument that evaluates MRT with directional weighting for hemispherical radiation flux density observations. The SMaRT sensor uses a non-contacting infrared surface temperature sensor and LIDAR to map surrounding surface temperatures. We conducted a case study combining the methodology of both instruments to improve spatial mapping of MRT for five locations on Temple University's main campus in Philadelphia, PA in July. For comparison, we collected thermal images to build a data-driven simulation model for MRT. Results demonstrate the improved resolution of combining both sensors to resolve variations in outdoor longwave radiation fluxes. The instruments show variations in surface temperatures up to 10 °C for SMaRT from longwave radiation and MRT variations of 40 °C for MaRTy, which included shortwave influences. These demonstrations of significant spatial variations were measured across an area typically evaluated at one position.
Scaffolding Protein IQGAP1 is Dispensable But Its Overexpression Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma via YAP1 Signaling

IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1) is a ubiquitously expressed scaffolding protein that is overexpressed in a number of cancers, including liver cancer, and is associated with protumorigenic processes, such as cell proliferation, motility, and adhesion. IQGAP1 can integrate multiple signaling pathways and could be an effective antitumor target. Therefore, we examined the role of IQGAP1 in tumor initiation and promotion during liver carcinogenesis. We found that ectopic overexpression of IQGAP1 in the liver is not sufficient to initiate tumorigenesis. Moreover, we report that the tumor burden and cell proliferation in the diethylnitrosamine-induced liver carcinogenesis model in Iqgap1-/- mice may be driven by MET signaling. In contrast, IQGAP1 overexpression enhanced YAP activation and subsequent NUAK2 expression to accelerate and promote hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a clinically relevant model expressing activated (S45Y) β-catenin and MET. Here, increasing IQGAP1 expression in vivo does not alter β-catenin or MET activation; instead, it promotes YAP activity. Overall, we demonstrate that although IQGAP1 expression is not required for HCC development, the gain of IQGAP1 function promotes the rapid onset and increased liver carcinogenesis. Our results show that an adequate amount of IQGAP1 scaffold is necessary to maintain the quiescent status of the liver.
Organoids for the Study of Retinal Development and Developmental Abnormalities

The cumulative knowledge of retina development has been instrumental in the generation of retinal organoid systems from pluripotent stem cells; and these three-dimensional organoid models, in turn, have provided unprecedented opportunities for retinal research and translational applications, including the ability to model disease in a human setting and to apply these models to the development and validation of therapeutic drugs. In this review article, we examine how retinal organoids can also contribute to our understanding of retinal developmental mechanisms, how this knowledge can be applied to modeling developmental abnormalities, and highlight some of the avenues that remain to be explored.
Surviving Becky(s): pedagogies for deconstructing whiteness and gender: edited by Cheryl E. Matias, Washington, DC, Lexington Books, 2019 326. 978-1-4985-8762-4 Hardback ($120.00 or £92.00); 978-1-4985-8763-1 eBook ($40.50 or £31.00)

On the road to racial justice, the book Surviving Becky(s): Pedagogies for Deconstructing Whiteness and Gender utilizes collective remembrance, pain, and humor to confront and heal from Becky, a co...
Updated Experience of Mycobacterium chimaera Infection: Diagnosis and Management in a Tertiary Care Center.

Background Despite safety communications from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the outbreak of Mycobacterium chimaera infections (MCIs) from contaminated heater-cooler devices, new cases continue to be identified. Methods We retrospectively reviewed confirmed cases of MCI that were managed at Mayo Clinic sites (Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota) from 09/2015 to 01/2021. Clinical histories including prior cardiovascular surgery were recorded. Diagnostic workup including ophthalmologic examination, imaging, and laboratory testing was reviewed. Treatment and survival outcomes on follow-up were obtained. Results Twelve patients with MCI were included. All patients had aortic valve or graft replacement. Five patients had their surgical procedures following the 10/15/2015 FDA safety communication. The mean time from surgery to symptom onset (range) was 32 (13-73) months. Ten of 11 patients who underwent ophthalmologic examination had chorioretinal abnormalities. Three patients who underwent microbial cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing tested positive for M. chimaera, which was subsequently confirmed with blood culture growth. Echocardiography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) revealed evidence of prosthetic valve/graft infection in 7/12 (58.3%) and 6/10 (60.0%) of cases, respectively. Seven patients (58.3%) underwent redo cardiovascular surgery. Of these, 1 patient died 2 days postdischarge, 1 experienced spinal osteomyelitis relapse, and another had interval prosthetic valve fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on PET/CT suspicious for recurrent infection. Among 4 patients on medical therapy only, 3 expired or transitioned to hospice during follow-up. Conclusions MCI continues to occur despite the FDA communications. Incorporation of ophthalmologic examination and use of advanced tools may improve MCI diagnosis. The mortality in these patients is high even with aggressive surgical/medical management.
Uniform Loading for Steel-Deck-Reinforced Slabs

Previous research at Iowa State University has resulted in a shear-bond design equation which was based on data obtained from tests utilizing concentrated line loads on one-way elements. However, since most floor slabs are usually designed for uniformly distributed loads a shear-bond formulation for such loading is required. A modification of the shear-bound concentrated loading design equation is examined for use with uniformly loaded systems. The results of laboratory service and ultimate load tests which substantiated the equation conversion are presented. The full-scale slab element tests consist of three uniformly loaded specimens which are compared with three companion specimens subjected to concentrated line loads. A description of the loading system and test procedures utilized for each type of loading is given. In addition to the shear-bond strength comparison for the tests, significant behavioral characteristics involving failure, end slip, load-deflection, and cracking are presented.
The Chemokine Growth-Regulated Oncogene-α Promotes Spinal Cord Oligodendrocyte Precursor Proliferation

Chemokines, (chemotactic cytokines) are a family of regulatory molecules involved in modulating inflammatory responses. Here we demonstrate that the chemokine growth-regulated oncogene-α (GRO-α) is a potent promoter of oligodendrocyte precursor proliferation. The proliferative response of immature spinal cord oligodendrocyte precursors to their major mitogen, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), is dramatically enhanced by GRO-α present in spinal cord conditioned medium. One source of GRO-α is a subset of spinal cord astrocytes. Cultures of astrocytes contain GRO-α mRNA and protein and secrete biologically active concentrations of GRO-α. In postnatal spinal cord white matter the location of GRO-α-immunoreactive cells is developmentally regulated: GRO-α+ cells first appear in ventral and later in dorsal spinal cord white matter. These results suggest that localized proliferation of oligodendrocytes is mediated by synergy between PDGF and GRO-α.
Isolation of the CAR1 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and analysis of its expression.

Abstract We isolated the CARI gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae on a recombinant plasmid and localized it to a 1.58-kilobase DNA fragment. The cloned gene was used as a probe to analyze polyadenylated RNA derived from wild-type and mutant cells grown in the presence and absence of an inducer. Wild-type cells grown without the inducer contained very little polyadenylated RNA capable of hybridizing to the isolated CAR1 gene. A 1.25-kilobase CAR1-specific RNA species was markedly increased, however, in wild-type cells grown in the presence of inducer and in constitutive, regulatory mutants grown without it. No CAR1-specific RNA was observed when one class of constitutive mutant was grown in medium containing a good nitrogen source, such as asparagine. Two other mutants previously shown to be resistant to nitrogen repression contained large quantities of CAR1 RNA regardless of the nitrogen source in the medium. These data point to a qualitative correlation between the steady-state levels of CAR1-specific, polyadenylated RNA and the degree of arginase induction and repression observed in the wild type and in strains believed to carry regulatory mutations. Therefore, they remain consistent with our earlier suggestion that arginase production is probably controlled at the level of gene expression.
Differential Inhibition of In Vitro Malignant Cell Assays by B16 Mouse Melanoma Variants

Neural retina aggregation and adhesion assays, shown to be sensitive to the presence of small number of malignant cells, were differentially inhibited by cells or medium from B16 mouse melanoma sublines with higher metastatic characterizations, which suggests a correlation between inhibition of adhesion and aggregation and metastatic potential.
Does tea prevent cancer? Evidence from laboratory and human intervention studies

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a widely consumed beverage and has been extensively studied for its cancer-preventive activity. Both the polyphenolic constituents as well as the caffeine in tea have been implicated as potential cancer-preventive compounds; the relative importance seems to depend on the cancer type. Green tea and the green tea catechin have been shown to inhibit tumorigenesis at a number of organ sites and to be effective when administered either during the initiation or postinitiation phases of carcinogenesis. Black tea, although not as well studied as green tea, has also shown cancer-preventive effects in laboratory models. A number of potential mechanisms have been proposed to account for the cancer-preventive effects of tea, including modulation of phase II metabolism, alterations in redox environment, inhibition of growth factor signaling, and others. In addition to the laboratory studies, there is a growing body of human intervention studies suggesting that tea can slow cancer progression and modify biomarkers relevant to carcinogenesis. Although available data are promising, many questions remain with regard to the dose-response relations of tea constituents in various models, the primary mechanisms of action, and the potential for combination chemoprevention strategies that involve tea as well as other dietary or pharmaceutical agents. The present review examines the available data from laboratory animal and human intervention studies on tea and cancer prevention. These data were evaluated, and areas for further research are identified.
Dynamic respiratory mechanics in monkeys measured by forced oscillations

Abstract We measured impedances of the lungs (Z l ) and respiratory system (Zrs) by discrete frequency (f) forced oscillations in adult bonnet monkeys at two lung volumes, FRC at transrespiratory system pressure (Prs) of −5 cm H 2 O. Measurements were made from 2 to 32 Hz to study f dependence of effective resistance (Reff) and reactances, and from 1 to 8 Hz to study f dependence of effective pulmonary compliance (Ceff, l ). Estimates of resistances (R) , inertances (I) and compliances (C)_ of the lungs ( l ), chest wall (w) and respiratory system (rs)_were obtained by fitting the 2−32 Hz data to a series RIC network model. Reff, l , Reff, w and Reff, rs were found to be f dependendt. The magnitude of Z l was small relative to that of Zrs at all f with R l only 30% of Rrs and C l six times Crs. Decreasing lung volume from FRC to Prs = −5 cm H 2 O increased R l , Rw and Rrs, slightly decreased C l , Cw and Crs, slightly increased resonance frequencies, and increased the f dependent behavior of Ceff, l . Our results indicate both similarities and differences between the respiratory system of these primates and man.
Multichannel resonance parametrization in the presence of an inelastic background

Abstract A new approach to parametrizing scattering matrix elements as a sum of a resonance form plus a unitary background term is described. The relative phase of the two terms and the required analyticity structure at threshold are given explicitly for the two-channel case. The application of this formalism to several πN scattering partial waves is presented and compared to previous work.
Self-control choice with electrical stimulation of the brain as a reinforcer.

In a discrete-trials procedure, rats chose between a small reinforcer (a low frequency of electrical stimulation of the brain) and a larger reinforcer (a higher frequency of stimulation). The small reinforcer was delivered after a delay that was constant within a condition but varied across conditions. The delay for the large reinforcer was increased or decreased many times a session in order to estimate an indifference point--a delay at which the two alternatives were chosen about equally often. When the indifference points from several conditions were plotted as a function of the delay for the small reinforcer, the resultant "indifference curves" had positive y-intercepts and slopes greater than 1.0. These results are similar to those obtained in previous studies with pigeons as subjects and food as the reinforcer, and they suggest that a hyperbolic equation describes the relation between a reinforcer's delay and its value or effectiveness. The fact that a large reinforcer delayed several seconds was chosen over a small reinforcer delivered almost immediately after a response provides further evidence against a simple reciprocal relation between delay and value.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 penetration initiates mobilizaton of cell surface proteins

Abstract Changes in membrane structure resulting from herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) penetration were detected using fluorescence photobleaching recovery methods. The effect could be blocked by inhibitors of viral and cellular processes involved in virus penetration. A rapid mode of HSV-1 strain KOS penetration into VERO cells at 37°C normally occurs after a 5 min lag period and is 90–95% complete within 20–30 min. Rates of cell surface protein diffusion increase 2–3-fold after 5 min and return to normal after 25–30 min, this return correlating temporally with the penetration of the virus. At pH 6.3 the lag period preceeding penetration of HSV is increased to 20 min and penetration proceeds much more slowly than at pH 7.4. Inhibition of virus penetration with cytochalasin B or with the antiherpes drug tromantadine also prevents the HSV-1-induced increase in cell surface protein mobility. Colchicine, which does not block HSV-1 penetration, prevents the recovery of the membrane following virus penetration. Therefore, the changes in membrane structure characterized by increased cell surface protein mobility seem to be caused by virus penetration. Cytoskeletal function and integrity are required for the initiation of, and cell recovery from, virus penetration. A pH-sensitive activity, likely to be a virion fusion glycoprotein, is also required.
Genomic and proteomic analyses reveal multiple homologs of genes encoding enzymes of the methanol:coenzyme M methyltransferase system that are differentially expressed in methanol- and acetate-grown Methanosarcina thermophila

Each of the genomic sequences of Methanosarcina acetivorans, Methanosarcina mazei, and Methanosarcina thermophila revealed two homologs of mtaA, three homologs of mtaB, and three homologs of mtaC encoding enzymes specific for methanogenesis from methanol. Two-dimensional gel electrophoretic analyses of polypeptides from M. thermophila established that methanol induces the expression of mtaA-1, mtaB-1, mtaB-2, mtaB-3, mtaC-1, mtaC-2, and mtaC-3 whereas mtaB-3 and mtaC-3 are constitutively expressed in acetate-grown cells. The gene product of one of three mttC homologs, encoding trimethylamine-specific methyltransferase I, was detected in methanol- but not acetate-grown M. thermophila. A postulated role for the multiple homologs is discussed.
Alcohol primes the airway for increased interleukin-13 signaling.

BACKGROUND Using an experimental model of airway fibrosis following lung transplantation, we recently showed that chronic alcohol ingestion by donor rats amplifies airway fibrosis in the recipient. Associated with alcohol-mediated amplification of airway fibrosis is increased transforming growth factor beta-1(TGFbeta(1)) and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression. Other studies have shown that interleukin-13 (IL-13) modulates TGFbeta(1) signaling during experimentally-induced airway fibrosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that IL-13 is a component of alcohol-mediated amplification of pro-fibrotic mediators in the alcoholic lung. METHODS To test this hypothesis, we analyzed tracheal epithelial cells and type II alveolar cells from control- or alcohol-fed rats, alcohol-treated mouse lung fibroblasts, and human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro for expression of various components of the IL-13 signaling pathway. Signaling via the IL-13 pathway was assessed by measuring levels of phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription-6 (STAT6). In addition, we performed heterotopic tracheal transplantation using control-fed and alcohol-fed donor rats and analyzed tracheal allografts for expression of components of the IL-13 signaling pathway by RT-PCR and immunocytochemical analyses. RESULTS Interleukin-13 expression was detected in type II alveolar epithelial cells and human bronchial epithelial cells, but not in lung fibroblasts. IL-13 expression was decreased in whole lung and type II cells in response to alcohol exposure. In all cell types analyzed, expression of IL-13 signaling receptor (IL-13R alpha(1)) mRNA was markedly increased. In contrast, mRNA and protein expression of the IL-13 decoy receptor (IL-13R alpha(2)) were decreased in all cells analyzed. Exposure to alcohol also increased STAT6 phosphorylation in response to IL-13 and lipopolysaccharide. CONCLUSIONS Data from multiple cell types in the pulmonary system suggest that IL-13 and its receptors play a role in alcohol-mediated activation of pro-fibrotic pathways. Taken together, these data suggest that alcohol primes the airway for increased IL-13 signaling and subsequent tissue remodeling upon injury such as transplantation.
Acute toxic effects in mice of an extract from the marine algae Gonyaulax monilata.

Abstract Unialgal cultures of Gonyaulax monilata were cultured and harvested. A modified Westphall procedure was used to prepare an extract which did not contain saxitoxin, the gonyautoxins and structurally related toxins. The extract was administered i.p. to young adult, male CD-1® mice and produced: sedation, abdominal constriction, fecal clumping in the perianal area, ataxia, tremors, cyanosis, loss of reflexes, convulsions and death ( ld 50 = 2.28 mg/kg ). Gross and microscopic pathology in the treated mice included: acute active hyperemia of the viscera, multifocal areas of necrosis of the musculature of the intestinal wall and diaphragm and the presence of cytoplasmic vacuoles in the peripheral margins of the acinar portion of the pancreas. Clinical pathology of the mice which survived 24 hr included significant elevation in the levels of serum lactic dehydrogenase, glutamic pyruvic and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminases. Some of these mice also had significantly decreased white blood cell counts. The extract administered orally produced similar signs without the abdominal constriction and convulsions (median lethal oral dose = 6.73 mg/kg). Gross pathology findings included extensive and severe congestion of the abdominal visceral organs. Vehicle control mice were normal. In conclusion, G. monilata, previously reported as nontoxic in homeotherms, yields an extract which contains a water soluble glycosidic substance(s) which is lethal to mice.
The dynamics of Herbig–Haro objects

Radial-velocity and proper-motion information on Herbig-Haro (HH) objects is analyzed for clues to the character of the supersonic flows that produce the objects. The correlations among space velocities, excitation states, internal velocity dispersions, electron densities, and positions relative to the exciting stars for the emission knots of HH 1 and HH 2 is examined. Whereas the interstellar-bullet model may account for most of the phenomena in the HH 1-HH 2 system, HH 43 is found to show characteristics of a stellar wind shock against an obstacle cloudlet. By contrast, the HH 46-HH 47 system exhibits a continuous, well-collimated jet of emission with knots that may be due to instabilities in the confined, supersonic flow.
Special Education Teacher Time Use in Four Types of Programs

The authors examined, by direct observation and 1 hr interval self-reporting, teacher time use in 4 types of special education programs (adaptive behavior units, content mastery, coteaching, resource room). Over 7,000 pieces of data were collected across an academic year from 31 teachers in 24 schools within 9 districts in the Southwestern United States. Interrater reliability was established with concurrent observers visiting classrooms. Differences between program types were reliably established, with some of those differences anticipated and others not. Across programs, an average special education teacher time use profile also was plotted, with interesting findings including only 20% of class time spent on academic instruction and nearly 17% spent on special and general education paperwork. The implications are described for teachers and administrators and for policy.
The DEAD-Box Protein Dhh1 Promotes Decapping by Slowing Ribosome Movement

Translational control and messenger RNA (mRNA) decay represent important control points in the regulation of gene expression. In yeast, the major pathway for mRNA decay is initiated by deadenylation followed by decapping and 5′–3′ exonucleolytic digestion of the mRNA. Proteins that activate decapping, such as the DEAD-box RNA helicase Dhh1, have been postulated to function by limiting translation initiation, thereby promoting a ribosome-free mRNA that is targeted for decapping. In contrast to this model, we show here that Dhh1 represses translation in vivo at a step subsequent to initiation. First, we establish that Dhh1 represses translation independent of initiation factors eIF4E and eIF3b. Second, we show association of Dhh1 on an mRNA leads to the accumulation of ribosomes on the transcript. Third, we demonstrate that endogenous Dhh1 accompanies slowly translocating polyribosomes. Lastly, Dhh1 activates decapping in response to impaired ribosome elongation. Together, these findings suggest that changes in ribosome transit rate represent a key event in the decapping and turnover of mRNA.
Abstract 1094: Dynamics of Gemcitabine induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression in pancreatic tumor microenvironment

Background: The clinical standard of care for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is treatment with Gemcitabine (Gem) despite Gem9s limited benefits. To date, no surrogate marker has been identified to indicate whether Gem treatment directly affects PDAC tumor cells. In order to identify such a marker, we analyzed Gem treated cell lines and clinical samples. Methods: 12 PDAC cell lines were treated with 5μM Gem for three hours and then allowed to grow in the absence of Gem for 24hrs before mRNA expression analysis (Illumina Gene Expression Array). IHC and WB were used to quantify IL-8 expression. ShRNA mediated silencing was utilized to study the therapeutic value of IL-8. Results: mRNA expression and WB confirmed the induction of IL-8 after Gem treatment. Gem induced IL-8 expression was transcriptionally controlled by NFκB and C/EBP. PDAC cells (MPanc96 and BxPc-3-CXCR1), HPSC (Human Pancreatic Stellate Cells-CXCR1) and HUVEC (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial cells-CXCR1 & 2) expressed the receptor of IL-8. Conditioned media from Gem treated cells and rIL-8 treated cells, stimulated cell growth (PDAC, HPSC and HUVEC), polygon formation in HUVEC and α-SMA expression in HPSC. Stable silencing of IL-8 in Capan2 cells, which develop an abundant stroma, led to a significant reduction in tumor volume. Histologically, IL-8 silenced tumors showed reduced micro-vessel density (CD37), as well as highly reduced desmoplasia (Trichrome stain & α-SMA) associated with necrosis. Further, IHC revealed strong IL-8 expression in neo-adjuvant Gem-treated human PDAC tissues (strong expression 42.1%, weak expression 57.9%, negative 0%) in comparison to tissue from patients that underwent surgery alone (strong expression 0%, weak expression 77.8%, negative 22.2%).Conclusion: Gem induced IL-8 functions as a growth factor for cancer cells and its microenvironment. Thus, IL-8 can serve as a surrogate marker to indicate Gem effects in PDAC. Citation Format: Sobeyda Gomez, Takahiko Fujii, Haojie Huang, Rosa Hwang, Viji Ramachandran, Craig Logsdon, Thiru Arumugam. Dynamics of Gemcitabine induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression in pancreatic tumor microenvironment. [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 1094. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1094
The nuclear microprobe at the University of Arizona

Abstract A nuclear microprobe has been operational at the University of Arizona since early 1994. It utilizes a magnetic quadrupole doublet (model QL-300 from Microscope Associates, Inc.) with an 11 mm diameter aperture and lens lengths of 6 cm each. The magnetic pole tips are electrically insulated to enable electric rotational alignment and beam rastering by application of varying voltages to the pole tips. Ion beams are obtained from a 5.5 MV model CN, High Voltage Engineering Corp. Van de Graaff accelerator with a Penning type ion source. Present mininum beam spot size is about 2 μm obtained with a 4 MeV H2+ beam with a current of about 40 pA. To date, the instrument has been successfully used to map concentrations of Hg, Cr, and As in rabbit renal slices using PIXE.
Comformal higher spin in (2+1) dimensions

Abstract The conformal algebra in (2+1) dimensions allows an infinite-dimensional extension. We show that the Chern-Simons action for this algebra yields a generalisation of conformal gravity which contains an infinite tower of gauge fields of all integer spins greater than two, consistently coupled to conformal gravity. A similar extension of the N =1 conformal superalgebra yields a conformally-invariant gauge theory of all integer and half-integer spins starting with spin 3 2 .
Measurements of CH 3 O 2 NO 2 in the upper troposphere

Abstract. Methyl peroxy nitrate (CH3O2NO2) is a non-acyl peroxy nitrate that is important for photochemistry at low temperatures characteristic of the upper troposphere. We report the first measurements of CH3O2NO2, which we achieved through a new aircraft inlet configuration, combined with thermal-dissociation laser-induced fluorescence (TD-LIF) detection of NO2, and describe the accuracy, specificity, and interferences to CH3O2NO2 measurements. CH3O2NO2 is predicted to be a ubiquitous interference to upper-tropospheric NO2 measurements. We describe an experimental strategy for obtaining NO2 observations free of the CH3O2NO2 interference. Using these new methods, we made observations during two recent aircraft campaigns: the Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC-3) and the Studies of Emissions and Atmospheric Composition, Clouds, and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys (SEAC4RS) experiments. The CH3O2NO2 measurements we report have a detection limit (S/N = 2) of 15 pptv at 1 min averaging on a background of 200 pptv NO2 and an accuracy of ±40%. Observations are used to constrain the interference of pernitric acid (HO2NO2) to the CH3O2NO2 measurements, as HO2NO2 partially decomposes (~11%) along with CH3O2NO2 in the heated CH3O2NO2 channel used to detect CH3O2NO2.
Extraconjugal Determinants of Spousal Communication About Family Planning in Kenya

Prior researchers have examined the influence of spousal communication on fertility behavior without looking at what causes spouses to start talking about family planning. This study bridges this gap in the literature by examining the extraconjugal (social networks) factors that influence spouses to start talking to each other about family planning. Data from a study conducted in Kenya between 1997 and 1998 show that interspousal communication about family planning is initiated as a result of the operation of the various social network variables. Interacting with others (neighbors, friends, and relatives) appears to encourage the respondents to talk to their spouses about family planning, perhaps because it decreases their fears by giving them adequate background information to introduce the topic to their spouses.
Goodness of ergodic adiabatic invariants

For a "slowly" time-dependent Hamiltonian system exhibiting ergodic motion, the volume inside the hypersurface on which the Hamiltonian equals a constant is an adiabatic invariant. It is shown that the error in the constant is diffusive and scales as ${(\frac{{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{C}}{\ensuremath{\tau}})}^{\frac{1}{2}}$, where ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{C}$ is a certain correlation time of the ergodic motion, and $\ensuremath{\tau}$ is the time scale over which the Hamiltonian changes.
Hypothermic Reperfusion After Cardiac Arrest Augments Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Activation

Induction of mild hypothermia improves neurologic outcome after global cerebral ischemia. This study measured levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in hippocampal tissue of rats after resuscitation from 8 minutes of normothermic, asphyxial cardiac arrest. After resuscitation, rats were maintained either at normal temperature (37°C) or cooled to mild hypothermia (33°C, beginning 60 minutes after resuscitation). After 12 or 24 hours, neurotrophin levels in hippocampus were measured by immunoblotting. Ischemia and reperfusion increased hippocampal levels of BDNF. Induction of hypothermia during reperfusion potentiated the increase in BDNF after 24 hours, but not after 12 hours. Levels of NGF were not increased by postresuscitation hypothermia. Hypothermia also increased tissue levels and tyrosine phosphorylation of TrkB, the receptor for BDNF. Increased BDNF levels were correlated with activation of the extracellularly regulated kinase (ERK), a downstream element in the signal transduction cascade induced by BDNF. In contrast to the many deleterious processes during ischemia and reperfusion that are inhibited by induced hypothermia, increasing BDNF levels is a potentially restorative process that is augmented. Increased activation of BDNF signaling is a possible mechanism by which mild hypothermia is able to reduce the neuronal damage typically occurring after cardiac arrest.
Opioid Analgesic Use Disorders Among Adolescents in the United States

This study examined risk for opioid analgesic use disorders (OAUD) using the 2007 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (N = 17,727 adolescents). Males with poor grades in school (D or F) and females who argued frequently (11 + times past-year) with parents were about 3 times as likely (males: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.59, CI = 1.06–6.35, p < .05; females: AOR = 3.00, CI = 1.34–6.72, p < .01) as other males and females, respectively, to have opioid analgesic dependence that met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria. Hispanics were almost twice as likely (AOR = 1.95, CI = 1.05–3.65, p < .05) as Whites to have OAUD than to have alcohol or marijuana use disorders. Findings can inform interventions and future studies.
Measurement of Cellulolytic Activity by Low Pressure Liquid Chromatography

Abstract The application of aqueous, low pressure liquid chromatography to the assay of cellulolytic enzyme activity is discussed. The advantages of this method are speed of analysis (less than 20 min.), small sample size (20 μl), good resolution, and a tolerance of the system to the presence of extraneous salts and proteins. Examples showing the use of this tool are given.
Exceptional thermal stability and high volatility in mid to late first row transition metal complexes containing carbohydrazide ligands

Abstract Treatment of metal(II) halides (metal = Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cr) with the potassium salts of carbohydrazides L1–L6 afforded Cu(L1)2 (75%), Cu(L2)2 (51%), Cu(L3)2 (23%), Co(L1)2 (57%), Cr(L1)2 (62%), Ni(L1)2 (76%), Ni(L2)2 (62%), Ni(L3)2 (62%), Ni(L4)2 (13%), Ni(L5)2 (11%), Ni(L6)2 (29%), [Fe(L1)2]2 (28%), and [Mn(L1)2]2 (12%) as crystalline solids, where L1 = Me2NN C(tBu)O−, L2 = Me2NN C(iPr)O−, L3 = Me2NN C(Me)O−, L4 = (CH2)5NN C(tBu)O−, L5 = (CH2)5NN C(iPr)O−, and L6 = (CH2)5NN C(Me)O−. These complexes were characterized by spectral and analytical techniques, and by X-ray crystal structure determinations for Cu(L1)2, Co(L1)2, Cr(L1)2, Ni(L1)2, and [Fe(L1)2]2. Cu(L1)2, Co(L1)2, Cr(L1)2, and Ni(L1)2 exist as square planar, monomeric complexes, whereas [Fe(L1)2]2 is a dimer. A combination of sublimation studies, thermal decomposition temperature determinations, and thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis demonstrate that the Cu, Co, and Ni complexes Cu(L1)2, Cu(L2)2, Co(L1)2, Ni(L1)2, and Ni(L2)2 have the lowest sublimation temperatures and highest decomposition temperatures among the series. Additionally, these compounds have higher volatilities and thermal stabilities than commonly used ALD and CVD precursors. Hence, these new complexes have excellent properties for application as ALD precursors to Cu, Co, and Ni metal films.
Non-traded goods, urban unemployment and welfare in LDCs

Abstract This paper examines how disturbances in urban manufacturing affect goods prices, unemployment, and welfare in a capital-specific Harris-Todaro model with urban non-tradeable goods. We show that (1) technical progress in manufacturing increases the price of non-tradeables and improves national welfare; (2) a deterioration in the terms of trade increases the price of the non-traded goods and improves national welfare, if the gain of the induced employment effects exceeds the direct loss of the terms-of-trade decline.