cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dimerization of Azotobacter vinelandii flavodoxin (azotoflavin).

Abstract Molecular weight determinations by gel filtration of Azotobacter vinelandii flavodoxin (azotoflavin) which had been stored aerobically for various periods of time indicated that this flavoprotein electron carrier could exist in the monomeric ( M r = 23,000) or dimeric ( M r = 46,000) form. This conclusion was substantiated by sedimentation velocity centrifugation analysis and sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis data. The absorbance ratios ( A 274 : A 452 ) of both monomer and dimer were identical, indicating the same ratio of flavin to protein in both species and that dimerization was a simple aggregation of two flavoprotein molecules. Because the flavodoxin dimer could be converted to predominantly the monomeric form by 2-mercaptoethanol, this was taken as preliminary evidence that dimerization is the result of a disulfide bridge between the cysteinyl group of two subunits and that 2-mercaptoethanol breaks this disulfide bond by reducing it back to its original cysteinyl sulfhydryl form. The oxidized form of monomeric flavodoxin was reduced by sodium dithionite to the semiquinone form at rates two to four times faster than was the oxidized form of the dimer. Similarly, the semiquinone form of the monomer was reduced to hydroquinone at rates somewhat faster than the comparable reaction of the dimer. The semiquinone forms of both monomer and dimer were oxidized by oxygen at approximately the same rate. Only monomeric flavodoxin had biological activity—it coupled the reducing power of illuminated chloroplasts to Azotobacter nitrogenase. The dimer was completely inactive in this reaction unless it was supplemented with about 10 −6 m methyl viologen (which by itself was not active). The biological activity of the monomer (and its absence in the dimer), along with the probable ratios of monomer to dimer in vivo , and the possible significance of this ratio are discussed.
Effects of carbohydrate and protein meals on cardiovascular levels and reactivity.

Abstract This study examined the effects of standard laboratory Stressors on cardiovascular measures before and after the consumption of a modest meal. A mental arithmetic task and a reaction time task were administered before and 2 h after a carbohydrate or a protein meal. A noncaloric placebo meal and a fasting condition were included as control treatments. The caloric meals, in particular the carbohydrate meal, induced an increase in cardiac output, ventricular contractility, and systolic blood pressure. Total peripheral resistance and diastolic blood pressure dropped. Although postprandial adjustments were substantial, stress reactivity patterns generally were not perturbed by the meals. Only heart rate reactivity was stronger after eating the carbohydrate meal. It is concluded that subjects' meal consumption prior to their participation in a psychophysiological experiment needs to be taken into account.
Conceptual Issues in Measuring the Burden of Skin Diseases

Mary-Margaret Chren and Martin A. Weinstockwz Dermatology Service, and the Interdisciplinary Research Program to Improve Care for Older Veterans, a Research Enhancement Award Program of the Health Services Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), and the Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA; wThe Dermatoepidemiology Unit, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center; zDepartment of Dermatology, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University
Influence of Access, Anticoagulant, and Bleeding Definition on Outcomes of Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Early Experience of an US Academic Center.

Abstract Background We aimed to carry out comparison of different bleeding avoidance strategies in doing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) using either radial or femoral as access of choice and either bivalirudin or unfractionated heparin as anticoagulant of choice. In this analysis, we analyzed the influence of major bleeding definition on bleeding outcomes as well. Methods We did a retrospective analysis of 139 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who had PPCI in our academic center from January 2010 till October 2013. The primary outcome at 30 days was a composite of death from any cause or stent thrombosis or non-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) related major bleeding (CathPCI Registry definition) and secondary outcomes were individual components of primary outcome and the hospital length of stay. Results There was no significant difference among different access/anticoagulant combinations with regards to primary outcome (22% in radial/bivalirudin vs. 5% in radial/heparin vs. 17% in femoral/bivalirudin vs. 28% in femoral/heparin group; p = 0.2) as well as its individual components except the hospital length of stay (2.56 vs. 3 vs. 3.97 vs. 4.4 days each; p < 0.0001). The overall rate of major bleeding was 11.5%. When we use HORIZON-AMI bleeding definition, it went up to 25 % due to one particular component (p < 0.004). Conclusions This single center observational study doing PPCI did not show any superiority of one bleeding avoidance strategy over others with regard to primary outcome and its individual components except the hospital length of stay. It also shows the importance of bleeding definition on bleeding outcomes.
Oxidation Kinetics of Epitaxial (100) Copper Films at 25 ◦ C and 50 ◦ C

Very-thin-film kinetics data are presented for oxide growth on parent epitaxially formed (100) copper crystals at 25 and 50°C with different oxygen pressures in the range 0.01 torr to 170 torr. The results are interpreted in terms of the model based on electric-field driven ionic diffusion associated with the electrostatic-potential difference created by an electron-tunnel- current-virtual equilibrium.
Maternal vitamin D status, prolonged labor, cesarean delivery and instrumental delivery in an era with a low cesarean rate

Maternal vitamin D status, prolonged labor, cesarean delivery and instrumental delivery in an era with a low cesarean rate
Psychometric Characteristics of the Atiitudes toward Mathematics and its Teaching (ATMAT) Scale

This article reports on one aspect of a multifaceted inquiry into the attitudes and anxieties that prospective elmentary teachers may have toward teaching mathematics. At the beginning, midterm, and end of one semester, students were asked to respond to an Attitudes Towards Mathematics and its Teaching (ATMAT) scale. The students were from two sections taught by the same instructor. One important aspect of this attitude scale was that it was used to elicit responses concerning prior experiences related to mathematics. This article specifically addresses the characteristics of the scale. Two psychometric models were employed: classical true-score theory and the one-parameter Rasch item response theory. These models provided data supporting the ATMAT scale's reliability, its content and construct validity, and its invariance over three time points.
g = 2 as a gauge condition

Charged matter spin-1 fields enjoy a nonelectromagnetic gauge symmetry when interacting with vacuum electromagnetism, provided their gyromagnetic ratio is 2. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of polypentenamer

A high degree of hydrogenation of a polypentenamer was achieved with a homogeneous catalyst based on a metal alkyl-transition metal complex . Essentially complete saturation of the polymer was achieved without significant changes in molecular weight or molecular weight distribution.
Lysine needs of summer-reared male broilers from six to eight weeks of age

Experimentation was conducted to estimate dietary lysine needed to optimize production of summer-reared broilers between 42 to 56 d of age. Male Ross x Ross 308 chicks were placed in floor pens of an open-sided house and provided common feeds from placement to 42 d of age. During the subsequent 42 to 56 d, birds received a corn-soybean meal basal diet (18% CP and 3,250 kcal/kg ME) established to provide limiting essential amino acids favorably balanced near requirement levels with the exception of lysine. Four 0.10% increments of L-lysine isonitrogenously displaced L-glutamic acid from the basal diet to provide analyzed values progressing from 0.85 to 1.25%. Body weight gain and mortality were not altered as dietary lysine increased; however, feed conversion linearly improved. Chilled carcass yield, amount of abdominal fat, and recovery of skinless boneless breast meats were not affected. Measurements on nitrogen balance and plasma levels of total protein, albumin, glucose, and uric acid taken at 49 d from a concurrent study using sample birds in raised-wire cages and identical feeds also failed to define a requirement. However, plasma aspartic transferase increased to a maximum approximating 1.05% lysine, whereas free lysine concentration linearly increased to the highest level. Overall data supported a lysine requirement no less than 0.95% that was greater than the previous minimum of 0.85% obtained under similar terms without heat stress. Suppression of growth from heat stress appears to reduce the absolute need for lysine; however, increased dietary concentration appears necessary to accommodate depressed feed intake and improve its effectiveness.
Paleopathology and health of native and introduced animals on Southern Peruvian and Bolivian Spanish Colonial sites

Spanish colonial sites in southern Peru and Bolivia contain remains of native camelids and introduced bovids with examples of degenerative paleopathologies that are interpreted as reflecting changes in herd management, animal use and animal health following the Spanish conquest. The archaeological contexts include three Spanish colonial wineries from Moque- gua in southern Peru and the nearby colonial village of Torata Alta where indigenous people were forced to resettle under Spanish control. Also from Peru is faunal material from the 14th to 16th century rural agropastoral village of Pillistay located near Camana. Animal remains with bone abnormalities are also present in residential, commercial and industrial sites associated with Spanish silver mining near Potosi´, Bolivia at Tarapaya and Cruz Pampa. Eighteen pathological specimens are described including examples of degenerative changes to phalanges, vertebrae, tarsals, limb elements and ribs. Paleopathologies present include exostoses, osteophytes, porosity, grooving and eburnation. Examples of phalangeal exo- stoses on bovid phalanges indicate the use of these introduced animals as draught cattle. Exostoses on camelid first phalanges suggests their use as cargo animals as do thoracic vertebrae with severe cases of degenerative pathology. Introduced caprines contain few pathologies indicating their primary use as food animals. The bone abnormalities from colonial sites are more severe than those reported for prehispanic faunal assemblages. These data provide insights into the health and work behaviour of indigenous Andean camelids and introduced Eurasian animals following the Spanish conquest. Copyright 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variational multiscale enrichment method with mixed boundary conditions for modeling diffusion and deformation problems

Abstract This manuscript presents the formulation and implementation of the variational multiscale enrichment (VME) method using canopy -shaped microscale enrichment functions obtained through the use of a new family of microscale boundary conditions. The purpose of the new enrichment functions and the new boundary condition is to relax the overconstraint imposed by the homogeneous microscale boundary condition (e.g., residual free bubbles) commonly employed in the variational multiscale literature. The formulation and implementation of the method are presented for diffusion and elasticity problems. The performance of the proposed method is assessed by comparing with direct numerical simulations on diffusion and deformation problems. A boundary parameter identification approach is proposed to obtain near-optimal boundary conditions. The identification approach is verified in the context of the deformation response of particle-reinforced composites.
Two-parameter ridge regression and its convergence to the eventual pairwise model

A generalization of the one-parameter ridge regression to a two-parameter model and its asymptotic behavior, which has various better fitting characteristics, is considered. For the two-parameter model, the coefficients of regression, their t-statistics and net effects, the residual variance and coefficient of multiple determination, the characteristics of bias, efficiency, and generalized cross-validation are very stable and as the ridge parameter increases they eventually reach asymptotic levels. In particular, the beta coefficients of multiple two-parameter ridge regression models converge to a solution proportional to the coefficients of paired regressions. The suggested technique produces robust regression models not prone to multicollinearity, with interpretable coefficients and other characteristics convenient for analysis of the models.
Potential cause of lethality of an allele implicated in social evolution in fire ants.

The gene Gp-9 is believed to have a major effect on colony social organization in fire ants, with the presence of b-like alleles in a colony associated with multiple-queen (polygyne) organization. Queens and workers of polygyne Solenopsis invicta homozygous for the b-like allele designated b suffer reduced viability compared to other genotypes, and bb queens do not survive to become egg-layers. Thus, the b allele effectively acts as a recessive lethal. This allele differs from the remaining b-like alleles (designated b′), as well as all other Gp-9 alleles, by encoding a lysine at position 151 in the protein product, suggesting that this substitution is responsible for its deleterious effects. We tested this hypothesis by comparing frequencies of b′b′ and bb homozygotes, first in queens of Solenopsis richteri and S. invicta, then in S. invicta workers from populations polymorphic for the two b-like alleles. We found that almost 20% of S. richteri queens were b′b′ homozygotes, compared to the virtual absence of bb homozygotes among S. invicta queens, and that 5–18% of S. invicta workers bore genotype b′b′, compared to the apparent lack of bb workers in the same populations. While we cannot entirely rule out involvement of other genes in complete gametic disequilibrium with Gp-9, our data are consistent with the hypothesis that the Lys151 residue in GP-9 protein confers the deleterious effects of the b allele in homozygous condition, possibly by impairing the protein’s function through interference with ligand binding/release or hindrance of dimer formation.
Lorentzian isothermic surfaces and Bonnet pairs

Lorentzian surfaces in Lorentz three-space are studied using an indefinite version of the quaternions. A classification theorem for Bonnet pairs in Lorentz three-space is obtained.
Absolute lymphocyte count at day 28 independently predicts event-free and overall survival in adults with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia

We investigated the prognostic impact of absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) following induction chemotherapy in newly diagnosed adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients with ALC ≥350 cells/μL at day 28 had a median overall survival (OS) of 47.4 months when compared with 17.6 months for those with an ALC 30.0 K/μL vs. >6.0-30.0 K/μL, P ≤ 0.002 for OS and EFS) and cytogenetics (abnormal vs. normal, P = 0.002 for OS and P = 0.02 for EFS) were independent prognostic factors of both OS and EFS. Combining these three factors segregates patients in three well-defined risk groups. These data suggest that ALC can be used in combination with other prognostic features to better predict outcome and that targeting the immune system to improve ALC may be a worthwhile strategy in ALL.
A study of mitosis, meiosis, histology, and scanning electron microscopic details of spermatogenesis in an infertile male with probable 46,XY/47,XXY germinal mosaicism

A 29-year-old infertile man with mild eunuchoid body proportions and unilateral gynecomastia with a low sperm count had normal chromosomes in lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts. Serum testosterone, urinary ketosteroid, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were normal, but serum prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and estrogen levels were above normal. Testicular biopsy showed hypocellularity, a pacuity of maturing sperm, and increased lipid content in early spermatogonia. Cytogenetic analysis of the testicular material showed probable 46,XY/47,XXY mosaicism in spermatogonial cells. None of the cells in diakinesis and metaphase I showed the extra-X as a univalent, and 50% of the cells in diakinesis were hypodiploid with intact XY bivalents. Further analysis of spermatogenesis revealed polymorphic dyads, triads, tetrads, and uncleaved meiotic products of first and second meiosis. Sex chromatin studies of testicular cells showed that 20% of the cells were X-chromatin positive. Scanning electron microscopic study of sperm revealed a wide range of polymorphisms, with some uncleaved meiotic products maturing into double-headed and double-tailed sperm or sperm with bulbous middle pieces or protrusions. A cytogenetic basis for the origin of these abnormalities is presented.
Mood disturbance in pregnancy and the mode of delivery

Abstract Objective: In prior studies, mood disturbance has been associated with poor obstetric outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether depression during pregnancy is associated with a higher frequency of cesarean or assisted vaginal delivery. Study Design: A mood disorders questionnaire, which included the standardized Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), was offered to all antenatal patients in their early third trimester from January 1996 to December 1999 at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Maternal demographics and pregnancy outcome data were collected from a computerized database on 1697 patients who completed the surveys. A CES-D score of 16 or higher was considered to indicate significant depressive symptoms. Rates of cesarean section and assisted vaginal delivery in women with and without scores of 16 or higher were compared by using the χ 2 test. Results: Of the study population, 264 women (15.6%) had CES-D scores of 16 or higher. Among all subjects, the cesarean section rate was 24.0%, and the assisted vaginal delivery rate was 10.0%. There was no statistically significant difference between the rate of cesarean section (26.5% vs 23.6%) or assisted vaginal delivery (8.0% vs 10.4%) in women with and without elevated CES-D scores ( P =.34). These findings did not change when nulliparous and multiparous patients were analyzed separately, when the definition of patients at risk for depression was expanded to include women who indicated current or past use of antidepressants or when the cutoff CES-D score criteria was increased to 19 or 25. With our sample size, an α =.05 and a β =.2, we had the power to detect a 7.5% difference between our two groups. Conclusion: Data from this study did not support a relationship between depressive symptoms during pregnancy and mode of delivery. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:864-7.)
Behavioral Treatment of Migraine in Children and Adolescents

Behavioral interventions, particularly biofeedback and relaxation therapy, have demonstrated their effectiveness in the treatment of both adults and older children with migraine in controlled trials. The physiological basis for their effectiveness is unclear, but data from one trial suggest that levels of plasma β-endorphin can be altered by relaxation and biofeedback therapies. The data supporting the effectiveness of behavioral therapies are less clear-cut in children than in adults, but that is also true for the data supporting medical treatment. This is due in part to methodological issues, especially the lack of a specific test for migraine, which has hampered research and helped lead to an inappropriate de-emphasis on care for childhood headache. In addition, migraine headaches in children are often briefer and have a higher rate of spontaneous remission than those experienced by adults, making it difficult to separate effective from ineffective treatments. While it is widely believed that stress is a major factor in childhood migraine, well-designed studies have had difficulty developing data to support this viewpoint. Many clinicians utilize ‘confident reassurance’, reassuring the family that the child is not seriously ill, in the belief that having migraine headaches can be stressful. They also modify behaviors that are believed to trigger migraine headaches, such as poor sleep habits or irregular meal times. Relaxation therapies use techniques such as progressive relaxation, self-hypnosis, and guided imagery. Several studies have found relaxation therapies to be as effective, or more effective, in reducing the frequency of migraine headaches than modest doses of a β-blockade medication, although one study found relaxation therapy to be no more effective than a control program. Several studies have demonstrated that these therapies can be taught to children in a low cost but effective manner. Biofeedback therapies commonly use an apparatus to demonstrate a physiological effect. Most commonly in pediatrics, children are taught to raise the temperature of one of their fingers. This can be done with or without a thermometer. Several groups have shown that these techniques can be taught to children and that their use is associated with fewer and briefer migraine headaches. People who experience migraines can also experience episodic headaches throughout life. An important consideration is preparing children to deal with future headaches, allowing them to feel in control of their health. Behavioral therapies have the potential to do this, giving the child access to a technique that can be easily resumed without a medical visit or prescription. LEADING ARTICLE
Relationship between levator ani contraction and motor unit activation in the urethral sphincter.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between levator ani contraction and motor unit action potential activation in the striated urethral sphincter. Study Design: One hundred eight women who underwent preoperative evaluation at our referral center were studied. All women gave a urogynecologic history and underwent physical examination, multichannel urodynamic testing, and urethral sphincter electromyography. Manual muscle testing was used to grade levator ani contractions as poor, moderate, or strong; quantitative electromyography software was used to analyze motor unit action potential activation in the urethral sphincter. Results: Levator ani contractions were graded as poor in 46% of the women, moderate in 31% of the women, and strong in 23% of the women. Manual muscle grade was not related to quantitative electromyography values in the urethral sphincter at rest or with voluntary pelvic floor contraction. Poor manual muscle grade was associated with detrusor instability ( P =.004) and more advanced stages of prolapse ( P =.037). Levator ani strength was not significantly related to age, genuine stress incontinence, urethrovesical junction hypermobility, menopausal status, or surgical cure rates. Conclusion: The ability to contract the levator ani does not appear to be related to the ability to activate motor unit action potentials in the urethral sphincter, which suggests that the function of the levator ani in maintaining urinary continence is independent from the role of the urethral sphincter. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:403-6.)
Characterization of Overweight Permitted Truck Routes and Loads in Wisconsin

This study analyzed 95,000 overweight (OW) single-trip truck permits issued in Wisconsin between May 2007 and June 2013. A geographic information system and relational databases were used to conduct a statewide routing analysis to identify highways that are heavily used by OW permitted trucks, such as WI-140. Field studies at WI-140 confirmed a high proportion of OW trucks. In addition, pavement damage and deterioration caused by heavy truck traffic were investigated by conducting a visual distress survey and determination of the pavement condition index (PCI). The pavement of WI-140 was heavily distressed, with a PCI description of very poor. The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) was used on WI-140 to evaluate the performance of the pavement under OW truck traffic. The results of the MEPDG analysis showed that the pavement was heavily distressed and deteriorated, a condition that was consistent with field measurements and observations. A primary application of the routing and pavement a...
Pharmacologic changes in performance of normal and brain-damaged rats

Chlorpromazine (2 and 3 mg/kg), α-methylparatyrosine (150 mg/kg), parachlorophenylalanine (316 mg/kg), and physostigmine (0.01, 0.05, 0.075 mg/kg) were administered to brain-damaged and intact rats at different times during acquisition of a DRL-20 schedule of reinforcement. Normal and neocortically lesioned animals were benefited by most of the agents used, but the animals with hippocampal damage were relatively insensitive to the various neurochemical agents. The animals with hippocampal damage were only affected by the high doses of chlorpromazine, α-methylparatyrosine, and the lowest dose of physostigmine.
Robots in Italy: beyond da Vinci

we used a two-part joystick, with an actual joystick for one hand and a throttle on the other. At the last minute we were not able to use this camera and had to make due with an overhead camera instead. We used the throttle to control speed and the joystick to control the direction. Switches were used to change the mobility behaviors from teleoperation (manual) to one of the autonomous modes (left wall following, straight with obstacle avoidance, right wall following). The current behavior being used was displayed on the user interface. The map was not functional for this demonstration but we would implement it to include operator annotation capabilities— for victims, obstacles, and just notes of general interest. The final demonstration integrated mobility behaviors and a laser visualization into a user interface. Camp participants were able to use the human-robot interface to drive the robot through an outdoor arena. Although the mapping behavior was not able to run in realtime, the group working on mapping was able to map the outdoor arena and this image was used as a place holder in the user interface. The simulation group was able to complete a simulation of the outdoor arena and incorporate it into their simulation environment. What made all of this remarkable was that the work was done in about 12 hours! Information about the camp including lectures for download are at www.dis.uniroma1.it/%7Emultirob/ camp04/index.html. The camp was truly international-participants came from Japan, Czech Republic, Sweden, USA, Italy, and Germany. The UI team alone included campers from Japan, USA, Germany, Italy, and Israel.
First-principles study of shear behavior of Al, TiN, and coherent Al/TiN interfaces

In this ab initio work, density functional theory was used to calculate the ideal shear strengths of pure Al, pure TiN, the Al/TiN interfacial region, and Al/TiN multilayers. The ideal shear strength of the Al/TiN interface was found to vary from very low (on the order of the ideal shear strength of Al) to very high (on the order of the ideal shear strength of TiN), depending on whether the TiN at the interface was Ti- or N-terminated, respectively. The results suggest that the shear properties of Al/TiN depend strongly on the chemistry of the interface, Al:N versus Al:Ti terminations. Nevertheless, for the Al/TiN multilayers, the ideal shear strength was limited by shear in the Al layer away from the interface, even when the individual layer thickness is less than a nanometer.
Field calibration and validation of remote-sensing surveys

The Optical Collection Suite OCS is a ground-truth sampling system designed to perform in situ measurements that help calibrate and validate optical remote-sensing and swath-sonar surveys for mapping and monitoring coastal ecosystems and ocean planning. The OCS system enables researchers to collect underwater imagery with real-time feedback, measure the spectral response, and quantify the water clarity with simple and relatively inexpensive instruments that can be hand-deployed from a small vessel. This article reviews the design and performance of the system, based on operational and logistical considerations, as well as the data requirements to support a number of coastal science and management projects. The OCS system has been operational since 2009 and has been used in several ground-truth missions that overlapped with airborne lidar bathymetry ALB, hyperspectral imagery HSI, and swath-sonar bathymetric surveys in the Gulf of Maine, southwest Alaska, and the US Virgin Islands USVI. Research projects that have used the system include a comparison of backscatter intensity derived from acoustic multibeam/interferometric sonars versus active optical ALB sensors, ALB bottom detection, and seafloor characterization using HSI and ALB.
1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) and its analogue, 19-nor-1α,25(OH)2D2, potentiate the effects of ionising radiation on human prostate cancer cells

Radiotherapy with external beam radiation or brachytherapy is an established therapeutic modality for prostate cancer. Approximately 30% of patients with localised prostate cancer relapse at the irradiated site. Secondary effects of ionising radiation (IR), for example, bowel and bladder complications, are common. Thus, the search for biological response modifiers that could potentiate the therapeutic effects of radiation and limit the occurrence of serious side effects is an important task in prostate cancer therapy. 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol), the active metabolite of vitamin D, and its analogues are under investigation for the treatment of several malignancies including prostate cancer. Here, we report that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its less calcaemic analogue 19-nor-1α,25-(OH)2D2 (Zemplar®) act synergistically with IR to inhibit the growth of the human prostate cancer cells in vitro. 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 potentiated IR-induced apoptosis of LNCaP cells, and nanomolar doses of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 19-nor-1α,25-(OH)2D2 showed synergistic inhibition of growth of LNCaP cells at radiobiologically relevant doses of IR (1–2 Gy). At higher doses of IR, the combination of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and IR or 19-nor-1α,25-(OH)2D2 and IR resulted in moderate antagonism. The synergistic effect at radiobiologically relevant doses of radiation suggests that a combination of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or 19-nor-1α,25-(OH)2D2 with IR could permit a reduction in the dose of radiation given clinically and thus potentially reduce treatment-related morbidity.
Sites of inhibition of in vitro DNA synthesis in carcinogen- and UV-treated phi X174 DNA.

THE availability of DNA molecules of known sequence and rapid methods for the determination of the sequence of particular DNA fragments1–3 make it possible to investigate the molecular action of mutagens and carcinogens more closely4,5. For example, there is considerable evidence that some types of lesion in DNA such as UV light-induced pyrimidine dimers and various chemical adducts are blocks to DNA synthesis both in vivo6–9 and in vitro10,11. The available data support the hypothesis that the block occurs at the level of the lesion on the template strand10,11. We have used DNA containing such lesions on a template of known sequence for in vitro DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase 1 to investigate the site of the block at the level of the nucleotide sequence. This method allows us to determine both the site at which lesions capable of blocking synthesis by DNA polymerase occur and exactly where synthesis stops in relation to the lesion.
Prediction of Temperature Distribution in a Food Self-Heating System

This paper presents a numerical modeling and simulation of heat transfer in a food self-heating unit for group meals. A model of a water-activated heater based on an exothermic reaction was developed. The resulting governing equations of heat conduction and chemical reaction were solved for an analytical approximate solution, to which experimental data found from literature were compared and curve fitted. Then a model of a complete food-heating unit, which includes a stack of four sets of food tray, heating tray, and heater sandwiched between them, as well as the cardboard container, was developed. A system of governing equations for heat transfer in the composite medium for the complete model was solved. Numerical solution of temperature distribution within the food-heating unit is presented. The responses in thermal performance of the heating system to the parameters that influence heating profiles of the heater such as decay constant and heat generation were studied in order to improve the thermal performance of the heating system. The results are useful for designing and optimizing self-heating systems for food served to groups of many people.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Visual-feature and response components in a picture-word interference task with beginning and skilled readers☆☆☆

Abstract A series of four experiments is reported in which reaction times for naming line drawings were analyzed as a function of the similarity of the print superimposed on the drawings to the printed label for the drawing. This effect was studied as a function of grade level (ages 6, 8, and 11 years) and, hence, reading experience. The studies were designed to determine more precisely the characteristics of the stage of visual feature analysis of word identification and to examine response competition factors in this interference task. Results indicated that a combination of end letters and word shape was important for word identification and that response articulation was a significant distinct interference component in this task.
Audiovisual Resynthesis in an Augmented Reality

"Resynthesizing Perception" immserses participants within an audiovisual augmented reality using goggles and headphones while they explore their environment. What they hear and see is a computationally generative synthesis of what they would normally hear and see. By demonstrating the associations and juxtapositions the synthesis creates, the aim is to bring to light questions of the nature of representations supporting perception. Two modes of operation are possible. In the first model, while a participant is immersed, salient auditory events from the surrounding environment are stored and continually aggregated to a database. Similarly, for vision, using a model of exogenous attention, proto-objects of the ongoing dynamic visual scene are continually stored using a camera mounted to goggles on the participant's head. The aggregated salient auditory events and proto-objects form a set of representations which are used to resynthesize the microphone and camera inputs in real-time. In the second model, instead of extracting representations from the real world, an existing database of representations already extracted from scenes such as images of paintings and natural auditory scenes are used for synthesizing the real world. This work was previously exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Of the 1373 people to participate in the installation, 21 participants agreed to be filmed and fill out a questionnaire. We report their feedback and show that "Resynthesizing Perception" is an engaging and thought-provoking experience questioning the nature of perceptual representations.
Space infrared telescope facility (SIRTF) focal plane

The Infrared Array Camera (IRAC), Multiband Imaging Photometer (MIP), and the Infrared Spectrometer (IRS) of the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) are described. The configuration and capabilities of the SIRTF are discussed. The small silicon array module, the germanium array module, and bolometer module of MIP, which is designed to provide sensitivity limited only by natural background and telescope emissions over the 3-200 micron spectral range, and allow diffraction limited imaging, super resolution techniques, mapping, and surveying, are examined. The objectives and design of the IRAC, which is constructed for two-dimensional photometry and imaging over a wavelength region from 2-30 microns and to perform extragalactic, galactic and solar system astronomy, are studied. The use of the IRS to study the dynamical and physical phenomena of the universe in the 2.5-200 micron range is analyzed.
Segmented aperture space telescope modeling used for remote sensing and image utility analysis

The terrestrial remote sensing community is interested in segmented aperture space telescopes with geometries similar to NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). However, the unorthodox design has caused a decrease in image quality introduced by piston, tip, and tilt phasing errors of the segments and lightweight mirror aberrations. Traditionally image quality has been determined using the Generalized Image Quality Equation (GIQE), however Fiete et.al.1 have shown that there are inherent problems with the GIQE method when working with apertures that are not circularly symmetric. In this paper an image utility technique utilizing a multispectral motion detection algorithm is used to show how changes in mirror phasing and varying degrees of lightweight mirror aberrations affect a systems utility for detecting motion.
The pituitary-adrenal response to “minimized” schedule-induced drinking

Abstract Previous research has indicated that hungry rats engaging in polydipsic drinking while on an intermittent food-delivery schedule exhibit a significant drop in plasma corticosterone levels during a 30-min experimental session; rats that do not have water available during sessions maintain their presession corticosterone levels, however. This effect of schedule-induced drinking has been interpreted as reflecting primarily psychological factors rather than peripheral physiological factors. This interpretation was supported in the present experiments. In Experiment 1, corticosterone levels in polydipsic rats were determined at 0, 10, 20 and 30 min during an intermittent-feeding session in order to assess the time course of the effect. In Experiment 2, fluid consumption by polydipsic rats during a 30-min session was reduced by presenting a saccharine solution previously paired with illness in a conditioned taste aversion procedure. The results of both experiments indicate that significant reductions in corticosterone from presession levels are found even when the amount of fluid consumed during a session is relatively small.
Multiscale-Based Mechanical Engineering Education

The classical engineering mechanics courses of Statics, Dynamics and Strength of Materials are taught to most engineering disciplines. With the advent of multiscale analysis and practice, reforms should be implemented in such classical mechanics courses to address the change so that they won't be limited only to continuum and macro-based level, but to include all the scales. This paper will suggest revisions that should be implemented in these courses. This includes introducing the concepts of multiscale engineering and the addition of new modules in the form of example problems in micro and nano-scales. Relying upon the framework of existing courses and using the existing physical and intellectual resources, an array of educational activities will be suggested to provide such an opportunity for undergraduate engineering students. The efforts will be substantiated and facilitated using the simulation capabilities of Computer Aided Engineering and Drawing (CADD) techniques as well as the analysis capabilities of Finite Elements Model (FEM) procedures.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Perceived Problems of Beginning Teachers

Perceived problems of beginning teachers in their first years of teaching are reviewed. Studies from different countries are included. Issues such as the reality shock and changes in behaviours and attitudes are considered also. The eight problems perceived most often are classroom discipline, motivating students, dealing with individual differences, assessing students’ work, relationships with parents, organization of class work, insufficient and/or inadequate teaching materials and supplies, and dealing with problems of individual students. There is a great correspondence between the problems of elementary and secondary beginning teachers. Issues such as person-specific and situation-specific differences, views of the principals, problems of experienced teachers, and job satisfaction of beginning teachers are discussed also. Three frameworks of teacher development are presented which provide conceptualizations of individual differences among beginning teachers. Finally, forms of planned support for begi...
Detection of exercise-induced ischemia by changes in B-type natriuretic peptides.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exercise-induced ischemia on levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its inactive N-terminal fragment (NT-pro-BNP)and to determine whether measurement of these peptides can improve the diagnostic accuracy of exercise testing. Background The ability of exercise testing to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited by modest sensitivity and specificity. B-type natriuretic peptides (NT-pro-BNP and BNP) are released by ventricular myocytes in response to wall stress. We hypothesized that exercise-induced ischemia results in increased wall stress and triggers release of NT-pro-BNP and BNP. Methods A total of 74 patients with known CAD, normal left ventricular function, and normal resting levels of NT-pro-BNP and BNP who were referred for exercise testing with radionuclide imaging, and 21 healthy volunteers, were enrolled. Blood was drawn before and after maximal exercise and analyzed for NT-pro-BNP and BNP. Results Of the patients with CAD, 40 had ischemia on perfusion images and 34 did not. Median post-exercise increases in NT-pro-BNP and BNP (ΔNT-pro-BNP and ΔBNP) were approximately four-fold higher in the ischemic group than in the nonischemic group (ΔNT-pro-BNP 14.5 vs. 4 pg/ml, p Conclusions Measurement of exercise-induced increases in BNPs more than doubles the sensitivity of the exercise test for detecting ischemia with no loss of specificity.
Plasma Fatty Acid–Binding Protein 4, Nonesterified Fatty Acids, and Incident Diabetes in Older Adults

OBJECTIVES To examine the relation of fatty acid–binding protein (FABP)4 and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) to diabetes in older adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We ascertained incident diabetes among 3,740 Cardiovascular Health Study participants (1992–2007) based on use of hypoglycemic medications, fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, or nonfasting glucose ≥200 mg/dL. FABP4 and NEFA were measured on specimens collected between 1992 and 1993. RESULTS Mean age of the 3,740 subjects studied was 74.8 years. For each SD increase in log-FABP4, hazard ratios (HRs) for diabetes were 1.35 (95% CI 1.10–1.65) for women and 1.45 (1.13–1.85) for men controlling for age, race, education, physical activity, cystatin C, alcohol intake, smoking, self-reported health status, and estrogen use for women ( P for sex-FABP4 interaction 0.10). BMI modified the FABP4-diabetes relation ( P = 0.009 overall; 0.02 for women and 0.135 for men), in that statistically significant higher risk of diabetes was mainly seen in men with BMI 2 (HR per SD: 1.78 [95% CI 1.13–2.81]). There was a modest and nonsignificant association of NEFA with diabetes ( P trend = 0.21). However, when restricted to the first 5 years of follow-up, multivariable-adjusted HRs for diabetes were 1.0 (ref.), 1.68 (95% CI 1.12–2.53), and 1.63 (1.07–2.50) across consecutive tertiles of NEFA ( P trend = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Plasma FABP4 was positively associated with incident diabetes in older adults, and such association was statistically significant in lean men only. A significant positive association between plasma NEFA and incident diabetes was observed during the first 5 years of follow-up.
The Effect of He Implantation on the Tensile Properties and Microstructure of Cu/Fe Nano‐Bicrystals

In situ uniaxial tensile experiments on as-fabricated and helium-implanted 100 nm-diameter Cu/Fe bicrystals unearth the effect of individual face-centred-cubic/body-centred-cubic (fcc-bcc) interfaces on improving radiation-damage tolerance and helium absorption. Arrays of nanotensile specimens, each containing a single Cu grain in the bottom half and a single Fe grain on top, were fabricated by templated electron-beam lithography and electrodeposition. Helium is implanted at 200 keV to a dose of 10^(14) ion/cm^2 nominally into the interface region. High-resolution, site-specific transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and through-focus analysis reveal that the interfaces are nonplanar and contain ≈5 nm-spaced He bubbles with diameters of 1–2 nm. Nanomechanical experimental results show that the irradiated samples exhibit yield and ultimate tensile strengths more than 60% higher than the as-fabricated ones, while they retain comparable ductility. Tensile failure always occurs gradually, along the interfaces, with no noticeable shape localization. The absence of brittle failure in He-irradiated metals might be explained, in part, by the inability of the small He bubbles to serve as sufficient stress concentrators for cracking. In addition, the non-orthogonal orientation of the interfaces with respect to the loading axes results in the development of both normal- and shear-stress components. Tensile loading along the pillar axes may cause those interfacial regions subjected to normal stresses to detach, while the inclined regions, subjected to shear, to carry plastic deformation until final fracture.
Noncoding RNAs in Cardiovascular Biology and Disease

The genome continues to fascinate the enthusiasts, and the captivation seems unabating because of the continuous stream of new discoveries. What was once considered a junk DNA has now emerged to contain a large number of important regulatory elements.1 As an example of such discoveries is the recent finding that the genome contains ≈6200 enhancer elements that are operational in the human fetal and adult hearts.2 Genes occupy only ≈1.5% and coding exons only ≈1% of the genome, which make up only ≈60 million nucleotides of the 6.4 billion nucleotides (3.2 billion base pairs) in the genome.3 Yet, ≈5% of the human genome has undergone purifying selection and hence are likely functional.4 It is intriguing that about two third of the evolutionary constrained genomic elements are located in introns and the intergenic regions, suggestive of their regulatory roles in the genome.4 These conserved regions are enriched in loci that have been found to be associated with clinical phenotypes in the genome-wide association studies.4 The initial findings of the ENCODE (Encyclopedia of DNA Elements) project, although preliminary, illustrate the presence of numerous regulatory elements in the genome, including the enhancers.1 The discoveries largely made possible by the recent advances in the high-throughput RNA sequencing point to enormous RNA splicing diversity and the plethora of alternative splicing variants. Approximately 95% of the multiexon genes undergo alternative splicing, resulting in ≈100 000 abundant splice variants in various tissues.5 Moreover, it seems that almost all genomic regions in 1 form or shape are transcribed, which seems perplexing as only ≈1% of the genome codes for proteins, as has been understood to date. Only recently we have started to appreciate the diverse biological functions of these nonprotein coding transcripts, which are referred to as noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). …