cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Canon of Potato Science: 19. Non-parasitic Weeds

Weeds are unwanted plants that emerge in a planted crop. Weeds infest all agronomic crops and can lower crop yield and quality by competing for light, nutrients, water, and space. Weeds can be categorized into annual, biennial, and perennial based on their life cycle. Annual weeds germinate, flower, and produce seed within a calendar year. Summer annuals germinate in the spring or summer followed by a period of vegetative growth and seed production. Winter annuals germinate in the fall, overwinter in a dormant, vegetative state, and then begin growing again in the spring, with seed production occurring during the summer. Biennial weeds germinate and form a vegetative structure during the first growing season, and produce a reproductive structure and seed the following year. After producing seed in the second year, the plant dies. Perennial weeds live for three years or more and reproduce by various types of vegetative structures including stolons, creeping roots, rhizomes, tubers, and bulbs. Perennial weeds can also reproduce by seed. Weeds can also be grouped into grass, sedges, and broadleaves. Potatoes that emerge from tubers left in the ground after harvest are also weeds and serve as hosts for insect pests and pathogens, and affect cultivar purity in subsequent crops.
Visual search in angiograms: does geometry play a role in saliency?

Quantifying and modeling how the human eye searches medical images is important. Equally detectable lesions may not be equally salient in a visual search. This research investigates the effect of geometry on the saliency of stenoses in angiograms. A previous experiment suggested that stenoses located in areas of high curvature along vessels would be less salient. In this paper, we measure the saliency of stenoses in two steps: first, we measure stenoses amplitude detection thresholds for stenoses at three values of curvature along vessels; second, after adjusting the degree of stenosis at these curvatures to multiples of the measured thresholds to achieve equal detectability, we measure the saliency of the stenoses in a visual search experiment. Median reaction time is used as a measure of saliency. We found that thresholds increase as curvature increases. This finding explains the decrease in saliency found in a previous investigation. Results also show that median reaction time is constant across different curvatures for 70% and higher degrees of stenosis, indicating that saliency is independent of geometry for clinically significant angiographic lesions.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Aspirin sensitivity; experimental studies.

Abstract 1.1. Guinea pigs were sensitized to aspirin by the use of aspirin-protein conjugates. Uncombined aspirin even when incorporated with various adjuncts failed to produce this sensitivity. 2.2. Rabbits showed precipitating antibodies to aspirin when immunized with aspirin-protein conjugates. 3.3. The sera of aspirin-sensitive human beings as well as that of immune rabbits and guinea pigs failed to show an increase in the amount of salicylate normally bound, as determined by our technique. 4.4. Guinea pigs passively sensitized by serum from aspirin-sensitive patients gave distinct though mild anaphylactic reactions when challenged with heterologous aspirin-protein conjugate.
Epidermal growth factor receptor and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein expression in female genital tract carcinosarcomas (malignant mixed müllerian tumors). Clinicopathologic study of 82 cases.

BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and c-erbB-2 (also known as HER-2/neu) oncoprotein (p185erbB-2) are members of the subfamily of tyrosine kinase, transmembrane receptors often implicated in human carcinogenesis. We hypothesize that expression of EGFR and p185erbB-2 adds useful prognostic and histogenetic information regarding female genital tract carcinosarcomas (FGTCSs). METHODS Paraffin sections from 82 FGTCS (61 endometrium, 14 ovary, 5 cervix, and 2 fallopian tube), 56% of which exhibited heterologous elements, were stained using anti-EGFR (clone 31G7, Triton Diagnostics, Alameda, CA) and anti- p185erbB-2 (clone CB11, Novocastra Labs, UK). RESULTS EGFR reactivity was present in 11 (13.4%) FGTCSs (55% carcinomatous component [CC] only, 18% sarcomatous component [SC] only, and 27% in both). EGFR was associated with adenosquamous histology of the CC (P < 0.05) and heterologous rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation in the SC (P < 0.05); no other histopathologic features were correlated. p185erbB-2 reactivity was present in 79 (87.8% strong [S&], 78% membrane [M], and 8.5% weak) FGTCSs (1% CC only, 0% SC only, and 99% in both). p185erbB-2 did not correlate with histopathologic features or EGFR. Seventy-seven patients had clinical follow-up for longer than 12 months. Approximately 49.3% and 72.3% of patients had recurrent disease by 12 and 80 months, respectively; all but 1 were dead from disease. 27% of patients were disease free after 15 to 307 months (median, 77 months; mean, 92 months). EGFR, but not p185erbB-2 expression predicted disease recurrence (P < 0.05). Recurrent disease was associated with Stage greater than I (P < 0.0001), vascular space invasion in resection specimens (P < 0.01), and deep myometrial invasion in hysterectomies (P < 0.05). EGFR was associated with Stage greater than I and did not help predict recurrence in good prognosis groups. CONCLUSIONS p185erbB-2 overexpression in both CC and SC of FGTCS suggests a common carcinogenic mechanism for both components and supports the conversion-histogenesis hypothesis implicating a dominant role for the CC with the SC arising as a metaplastic change from the CC. EGFR may be expressed in either component and indicates aggressive biologic behavior; however, its prognostic utility is limited by its low predictive value for recurrence (40.3%), inability to foretell recurrence in good prognosis groups, and dependence on stage. High frequency of overexpression and dismal prognosis make FGTCS patients good candidates for trials of therapeutic strategies involving the p185erbB-2 receptor manipulations. Cancer 1996;77:533-42.
Effects of guided learning experiences in developing probability concepts at the fifth grade level.

A program of learning experiences designed to develop an understanding of selected probability concepts was administered to fifth grade Ss. An equated control group viewed two films which did not deal with probability concepts. Four post-tests were used. Results indicated significant differences in favor of the experimental Ss, including a test of “maximizing success” when prior knowledge as to input level was not available and no extraneous rewards were used.
Determination, fate, and potential significance of PCBs in fish and sediment samples with emphasis on selected AHH-inducing congeners

Abstract Total PCB residues, non- o , o ′-Cl PCBs, and the most AHH-active mono- o , o′ -Cl PCB congener were determined in Great Lakes fish and sediment samples. Toxic 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl and 2,3,3′,4,4′-pentachlorobiphenyl were detected in both fish and sediments. There appeared to be some reduction in the percentage content of the selected AHH-active congeners in fish and sediment PCB residues when compared to their percentage content in the Aroclor mixtures suspected as sources of contamination. The TCDD equivalents (AHH induction potency normalized to TCDD, times residue concentration in pg/g) were as high as 666 pg/g in fish; PCB residues in one sediment sample appeared to have undergone reductive dechlorination by anaerobic microorganisms.
Genres of political speech: Oratory and conversation, today and in antiquity

Abstract In this essay, I contrast the conversational model of Habermas and deliberative democrats with that of another model proposed by classical rhetoricians, for whom political deliberation was based on oratory, not conversation. Oratory and conversation differ in their fora, the degree of equality among their participants, the legitimacy of non-rational appeals, and their agonistic or cooperative character. These differences are mirrored, to varying degrees, in the models of deliberation proposed by contemporary defenders of reasoned conversation and classical rhetoricians. I consider why the classical rhetoricians considered deliberative oratory, not conversation, as best suited to political speech, and I suggest that the rhetorical perspective points up problems in some of the fundamental assumptions of deliberative democrats, thus raising questions about whether deliberative democracy should be viewed as a viable political theory. Before contrasting the conversational model with deliberative oratory, however, I first examine the continuities between the conversational model developed by proponents of deliberative democracy and the traditional conception of conversation as expressed, primarily, by Cicero and, later, the Renaissance humanists.
Open-label pilot study of levetiracetam (Keppra) for the treatment of chorea in Huntington's disease.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) in reducing chorea in Huntington's disease (HD) patients in a prospective open-label pilot study. Nine HD patients with chorea were treated with LEV in doses up to 3,000 mg/day for up to 48 days. The primary endpoint measure was the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) chorea subscore. The mean dose (±SD) of LEV at endpoint was 2,583.3 ± 1,020.6 mg/day. Mean UHDRS chorea score decreased from 12.6 ± 3.0 at baseline to 6.7 ± 4.3 at endpoint (P = 0.01). There was no significant change in UHDRS total motor scores (38.8 ± 11.4 at baseline and 33.6 ± 26.7 at endpoint; P = 0.24). Somnolence contributed to a 33% drop-out rate, and 3 patients developed Parkinsonism. Results of this open label study suggest that LEV may be efficacious in reducing chorea in HD patients. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Orbital complications of functional endoscopic sinus surgery: MR and CT findings.

AIM To describe the radiological findings of ophthalmic complications during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and correlate them with the clinical manifestations and mechanisms of injury. METHODS This was a retrospective review of the clinical and cross-sectional imaging findings of 9 patients with orbital complications during FESS. RESULTS The most common site of entry into the orbit during FESS was the lower medial orbital wall (7 of 9), followed by the inferior orbital wall, resulting in injury to the medial rectus (4 of 9) and, less frequently, the inferior rectus (2 of 9) or superior oblique muscles (1 of 9). Extensive scarring on imaging (3 of 9) was associated with global ocular motility dysfunction. In contrast, localized scarring (3 of 9) or extraocular muscle trauma (6 of 9) resulted in disturbance of eye movement in the direction of gaze from the injured site. CONCLUSIONS Orbital magnetic resonance and computed tomography findings correlate very well with the abnormal eye movements clinically observed, and can assist in clarifying the cause of injury and guide surgical corrective management of patients suffering orbital complications from FESS. Radiologists should be familiar with the recent developments in FESS instrumentation as well as with the most commonly injured structures within the orbit.
A methodological approach for combining super-resolution and pattern-recognition to image identification

Image acquisition systems integrated with laboratory automation produce multi-dimensional datasets. An effective computational approach for automatic analysis of image datasets is given by pattern recognition methods; in some cases, it can be advantageous to accomplish pattern recognition with image super-resolution procedures. In this paper, we define a method derived from pattern recognition techniques for the recognition of artefacts and noise on set of images combined with super resolution algorithms. The advantage of our approach is automatic artefacts recognition, opening the possibility to build a general framework for artefact recognition independently by the specific application where it is used.
Thermal Properties of Wall Covering Materials

A major source of heat loss in homes is through walls. Increased insulation on interior walls may reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling. This study evaluated the thermal transmittance c...
Cadherin expression in gastrointestinal tract endometriosis: possible role in deep tissue invasion and development of malignancy

Cadherins are cell surface proteins crucial for cell adhesion and tissue integrity. The mechanism of deep tissue invasion in gastrointestinal endometriosis is unknown and may be related to the altered expression of these cell surface proteins. The goal of this study was to evaluate the expression of N-cadherin, E-cadherin, and beta-catenin in peritoneal endometriotic implants, gastrointestinal endometriosis, and carcinoma arising in gastrointestinal endometriosis. Cases of peritoneal endometriosis, gastrointestinal endometriosis, and carcinoma arising in gastrointestinal endometriosis were identified from our pathology database. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against N-cadherin, E-cadherin, and beta-catenin on representative tissue sections. Cases of normal proliferative and secretory endometrium and adenomyosis were included in the study for comparison. The intensity and extent of staining for each marker was scored semiquantitatively. Appropriate positive and negative controls were used. A total of 38 cases (peritoneal endometriosis (n=14), gastrointestinal endometriosis (n=21: 11 colon, 8 appendix, 2 small bowel), and 3 cases of endometrioid carcinoma arising in colonic endometriosis (n=3)) were included in the study. Compared with normal proliferative endometrium, N-cadherin expression was decreased in intensity and extent in secretory endometrium. Peritoneal and gastrointestinal endometriosis also showed markedly decreased expression of N-cadherin compared with proliferative endometrium. All three cases of carcinoma arising in colonic endometriosis showed a total loss of N-cadherin in the tumor, but preserved E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression. In these cases, areas of benign endometriotic glands near the tumor showed weak and focal N-cadherin expression that was gradually lost. Moderate-to-strong membranous staining for beta-catenin expression and variable intensity of E-cadherin expression was seen diffusely in normal endometrium and all study cases. These results strongly suggest that alterations of N-cadherin expression in gastrointestinal endometriosis may have an important role in the mechanism that underlies deep tissue invasion, and possibly also in the development of malignancy.
Detection and characterization of explosives using Raman spectroscopy: identification, laser heating, and impact sensitivity

Raman spectroscopy has been shown to be a useful tool for characterizing neat crystalline explosive samples and for identifying principle components in many propellant and explosive formulations. Recently, we have been investigating changes in Raman spectra of explosives and propellant formulations which occur as the temperature approaches the melting point of the sample. We report recent measurements of Raman spectra of explosives and propellant formulations during bulk heating, and recent measurements of laser heating of the samples during measurement of Raman spectra. The results of these measurements are important to investigators using Raman spectroscopy to measure vibrational spectra at the surface of burning propellant samples.
Soil treatment-induced differential gene expression in tomato: Relationships between defense gene expression and soil microbial community composition

Soil management affects chemical and microbiological properties of soils in ways that impact plant growth. We examined effects of amendment treatments and contrasting management treatments on chemical and microbiological soil properties and on expression of selected defense genes in laboratory-grown tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum). Treatments imposed on a conventionally managed Maury silt loam included: compost, manure, vetch (Vicia villosa), inorganic N, and non-treated control. Non-amended, organically managed Maury soil, collected from the same location was also studied. Compost, manure, and vetch increased total organic C (TOC) and permanganate oxidizable C (POXC) in soil. Organically managed soil also had greater TOC and POXC than the control treatment. Soil N was increased by compost, manure, vetch and inorganic N treatment. Microbial communities from compost, vetch and manure treatments differed from each other and from communities in the other treatments. Defense genes: ChiB (chitinase), Osm (osmotin), and GluA (β-1,3-glucanase) were generally expressed less in plants from manure treated soil and organically managed soil. The PR1b (pathogenesis-related protein PR1b) gene was expressed more in plants from compost, inorganic N, and vetch treatments. Defense gene expression was negatively related to Gram-negative bacterial biomarkers, which were greatest in manure treated soil and organically managed soil. These results suggest that increased relative abundance of Gram-negative members of soil microbial communities in manure treated or organically managed soils may indirectly reduce the steady state expression of defense genes in plants, allowing plants to shift resources from defense to other beneficial functions such as fruit or biomass production.
Preoperative cefoxitin prophylaxis for elective abdominal hysterectomy

Fifty women were randomly given one, two, or three 2 gm parenteral doses of cefoxitin with placebo blinding perioperatively at abdominal hysterectomy. A single preoperative intramuscular dose was more efficient, less frequently associated with the development of bacterial resistance, and less expensive than two or three doses.
Assessment of patients' perceptions of bowel preparation quality at colonoscopy

AIMS: There is little published literature evaluating the accuracy of patients' perceptions of the quality of their own bowel preparation for colonoscopy. The aim of this article was to compare patients' perceptions of the adequacy of their bowel preparation with the endoscopists' rating at colonoscopy. METHODS: Outpatients undergoing elective colonoscopy completed surveys assessing bowel preparation. Patient responses regarding quality of bowel preparation were compared with endoscopists' assessment of colonic preparation. A residual stool score was also calculated for each subject based on the amount of stool, consistency of residual stool, and percentage of bowel visualized. RESULTS: A total of 474 patients were enrolled. Patients' perceptions of the quality of their bowel preparation were inaccurate when compared to the endoscopists' rating (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 34%; accuracy, 50%). Overall correlation with endoscopists' rating was low, r = 0.08. Young patient age (<61 yr) was an independent predictor of both adequate bowel preparation (p = 0.009) and agreement of patient/endoscopist ratings (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Patients are unreliable judges of the quality of their own bowel preparation, tending to overestimate the cleanliness of their colon. Conversely, a patient's fear that their preparation is suboptimal is also inaccurate. A colonoscopy should not be canceled on the basis of a patient's perception that the quality of their preparation is poor.
Specific heats and thermodynamic critical fields in Zn-doped YBa2Cu3O7 − x according to an induced-pairing model

Electronic specific heats and thermodynamic critical fields are calculated in a mean-field version of an induced-pairing model for superconductivity, and compared with results of Loram et al. (1990) on YBa2(Cu(1-y)Zn(y))3O(7-x). This model involves induction of pairing of holes in a wideband by strongly bound electronlike pairs. It is assumed that the planar hole concentration for no Zn addition is close to, but slightly higher than, that for the maximum Tc, and that it increases by 0.015 per planar Cu ion for each increase of y by 0.01. Parameters of the model are taken to be the same as in a previous publication in which energy gaps were discussed, except that an effective hybridization parameter is adjusted for each Zn concentration to give agreement with the observed Tc. Results are presented for y = 0.0, 0.01, and 0.03. The agreement with experiment is good for thermodynamic critical fields, and is fair for specific heats. For specimens with larger y, with relatively low T(c)s, it is argued that the model should be supplemented to include effects of a BCS-type interaction amongst the wideband carriers.
Osteomyelitis as a complication of capillary blood collection for neonatal screening

Abstract We are reporting on two healthy newborns who acquired staphylococcal osteomyelitis of the calcaneus and calcaneus and talus, respectively, due to infected heel puncture or due to direct inoculation of the calcaneus by periosteal penetration during capillary blood sampling for neonatal screening. Description of the proper technique of heel puncture and necessary precautions are given.
Early nuclear cytochemical changes in regenerating mammalian liver.

Abstract Various cytochemical parameters were studied cytophotometrically in parenchymal cell nuclei isolated from rat liver at different times following partial hepatectomy. The study was confined to the early period following operation, before DNA synthesis and before mitotic activity ensued. Binding of acridine orange was found to increase approx. 70% over normal controls at 3 h post-hepatectomy followed by a sharp decrease to 60% below controls by 12 h and a return to near control levels at 24 h. These changes were found in both diploid and tetraploid cell nuclei. The initial two-fold difference in AO binding observed between diploid and tetraploid nuclei in normal liver persisted at 3 h but decreased markedly from 6 to 24 h after operation. Chromatin thermal stability, determined by acridine orange microfluorimetry, showed a rapid decrease at 3 h in both diploid and tetraploid cell nuclei followed by an increase above control levels at 6 h which persisted up to 24 h after partial hepatectomy. Parallel measurements of Feulgen dye binding showed no change in the relative DNA content of diploid and tetraploid cells throughout the experimental period. Ratios of specific picric acid and alkaline bromphenol blue dye binding by histone arginine and lysine side chains were found to rise significantly over normal controls at 3 h post-hepatectomy and return to normal levels by 6 h.
Microtubule Actin Cross-Linking Factor (Macf) A Hybrid of Dystonin and Dystrophin That Can Interact with the Actin and Microtubule Cytoskeletons

We cloned and characterized a full-length cDNA of mouse actin cross-linking family 7 (mACF7) by sequential rapid amplification of cDNA ends–PCR. The completed mACF7 cDNA is 17 kb and codes for a 608-kD protein. The closest relative of mACF7 is the Drosophila protein Kakapo, which shares similar architecture with mACF7. mACF7 contains a putative actin-binding domain and a plakin-like domain that are highly homologous to dystonin (BPAG1-n) at its NH2 terminus. However, unlike dystonin, mACF7 does not contain a coiled–coil rod domain; instead, the rod domain of mACF7 is made up of 23 dystrophin-like spectrin repeats. At its COOH terminus, mACF7 contains two putative EF-hand calcium-binding motifs and a segment homologous to the growth arrest–specific protein, Gas2. In this paper, we demonstrate that the NH2-terminal actin-binding domain of mACF7 is functional both in vivo and in vitro. More importantly, we found that the COOH-terminal domain of mACF7 interacts with and stabilizes microtubules. In transfected cells full-length mACF7 can associate not only with actin but also with microtubules. Hence, we suggest a modified name: MACF (microtubule actin cross-linking factor). The properties of MACF are consistent with the observation that mutations in kakapo cause disorganization of microtubules in epidermal muscle attachment cells and some sensory neurons.
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis After Fluocinolone Acetonide (Retisert™) Implant

Purpose To report a case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis after placement of a fluocinolone acetonide (Retisert™) implant. Design Interventional case report. Methods Retrospective chart review. Results A 65-year-old man with a history of Adamantiades-Behcet disease and bilateral recurrent uveitis that was unresponsive to systemic corticosteroid-sparing immunosuppressive therapy developed clinical evidence of CMV retinitis after receiving his second intravitreal Retisert™ implant in the left eye, while on no systemic immunosuppression. He did not develop CMV retinitis in the right eye despite multiple intraocular and periocular steroid injections. The patient responded well to intravitreal foscarnet followed by placement of an intravitreal ganciclovir implant. Conclusions Ophthalmologists should be aware of the potential risk for development of CMV retinitis after local ocular immunosuppressive therapy.
Borderline Syndrome and Incest in Chronic Pelvic Pain Patients

Twenty-five gynecologic patients with chronic pelvic pain were evaluated in a multi-disciplinary study. Gynecologic evaluation revealed most patients had normal pelvic exams. Psychiatric evaluation showed all of the patients to have significant psychopathology, with Borderline Syndrome, and Hysterical Character Disorder the most frequent diagnoses. A significant incidence of early childhood family dysfunction and incest were found. Psychological testing corroborated the high incidence of severe psychopathology.
The Geographies of Social Movements

This article aims to provide a review of how geographical concepts can help us better understand the development and effects of social movements. Geographers have been rather slow to analyze the specific processes and mechanisms that make it possible for people to cooperate and engage in sustained political struggles with rich and powerful adversaries. Not only has this inattention to social movements deprived the discipline of robust conceptual tools for analyzing contentious politics, it has also limited the discipline’s abilities to contend with broader theoretical issues concerning collective action and agency in the political arena. Recent research into social movements has begun to fill this void. The article maintains that the most fruitful strategy for conceptualizing the geographical underpinnings of social movements would be to examine how issues of space, scale, and place affect the processes already identified in the established sociological and political science literature on social movements.
Oxygen tolerance and coupling of mitochondrial electron transport.

Abstract Oxygen is critical to aerobic metabolism, but excessive oxygen (hyperoxia) causes cell injury and death. An oxygen-tolerant strain of HeLa cells, which proliferates even under 80% O2, termed “HeLa-80,” was derived from wild-type HeLa cells (“HeLa-20”) by selection for resistance to stepwise increases of oxygen partial pressure. Surprisingly, antioxidant defenses and susceptibility to oxidant-mediated killing do not differ between these two strains of HeLa cells. However, under both 20 and 80% O2, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is significantly (∼2-fold) less in HeLa-80 cells. In both cell lines the source of ROS is evidently mitochondrial. Although HeLa-80 cells consume oxygen at the same rate as HeLa-20 cells, they consume less glucose and produce less lactic acid. Most importantly, the oxygen-tolerant HeLa-80 cells have significantly higher cytochrome c oxidase activity (∼2-fold), which may act to deplete upstream electron-rich intermediates responsible for ROS generation. Indeed, preferential inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase by treatment with n-methyl protoporphyrin (which selectively diminishes synthesis of heme a in cytochrome c oxidase) enhances ROS production and abrogates the oxygen tolerance of the HeLa-80 cells. Thus, it appears that the remarkable oxygen tolerance of these cells derives from tighter coupling of the electron transport chain.
Zyflamend, a polyherbal mixture, down regulates class I and class II histone deacetylases and increases p21 levels in castrate-resistant prostate cancer cells

Zyflamend, a mixture containing extracts of ten herbs, has shown promise in a variety of preclinical cancer models, including prostate cancer. The current experiments were designed to investigate the effects of Zyflamend on the expression of class I and II histone deacetylases, a family of enzymes known to be over expressed in a variety of cancers. CWR22Rv1 cells, a castrate-resistant prostate cancer cell line, were treated with Zyflamend and the expression of class I and II histone deacetylases, along with their downstream target the tumor suppressor gene p21, was investigated. Involvement of p21 was confirmed with siRNA knockdown and over expression experiments. Zyflamend down-regulated the expression of all class I and II histone deacetylases where Chinese goldthread and baikal skullcap (two of its components) appear to be primarily responsible for these results. In addition, Zyflamend up regulated the histone acetyl transferase complex CBP/p300, potentially contributing to the increase in histone 3 acetylation. Expression of the tumor suppressor gene p21, a known downstream target of histone deacetylases and CBP/p300, was increased by Zyflamend treatment and the effect on p21 was, in part, mediated through Erk1/2. Knockdown of p21 with siRNA technology attenuated Zyflamend-induced growth inhibition. Over expression of p21 inhibited cell growth and concomitant treatment with Zyflamend enhanced this effect. Our results suggest that the extracts of this polyherbal combination increase histone 3 acetylation, inhibit the expression of class I and class II histone deacetylases, increase the activation of CBP/p300 and inhibit cell proliferation, in part, by up regulating p21 expression.
A Signal Grammar to Guide Functional Modeling of Electromechanical Products

In modern product design methodologies, designers are increasingly required to combine elements spanning multiple engineering domains, thus blurring the boundaries between engineering disciplines. Functional modeling with the Functional Basis provides the basic tools required to integrate system models at the conceptual level; however, there is a lack of unified rules to address the structure of functional models. This article covers the development of a signal grammar for functional modeling with a Functional Basis. At the conceptual level, signal flows represent the information vital to a proper system operation. Signal flows are explored through their Functional Basis lexicon and primary/ carrier flow relationships. A grammar, consisting of morphology and syntax, is presented and applied to a set of electromechanical, component-based building block examples. To further demonstrate the application of signals in functional modeling, an electromechanical product is explored functionally with the application of the signal grammar.
Quantitation of molecular densities by cryo-electron microscopy : Determination of the radial density distribution of tobacco mosaic virus

We have determined the absolute mass and radial scattering density distribution of tobacco mosaic virus in the frozen-hydrated state by energy-filtered low-dose bright-field transmission electron microscopy. The absolute magnitude of electron scattering from tobacco mosaic virus in 150 nm of ice was within 3.0% of that predicted, with inelastic scattering accounting for -80% of the scattering contrast. In order to test the accuracy of the radial reconstruction, a computer model of tobacco mosaic virus was built from the atomic co-ordinates assuming uniform solvent density. The validity of the model was confirmed by comparison of X-ray scattering and predictions of the model (R factor = 0.05). First-order corrections for the microscope contrast transfer function were necessary and sufficient for conversion of the cryo-electron microscopy images into accurate representations of the mass density. At 1.9 nm resolution the compensated reconstruction and model had density peaks of similar magnitude at 2.4, 4.2, 6.0 and 7.8 nm radius and a central hole of 2 nm radius. Equatorial Fourier transforms of the corrected electron images were in excellent agreement with predictions of the model (R factor = 912). Thus, the uniform solvent approximation was adequate at 1.9 nm resolution to describe quantitatively X-ray scattering in liquid water and electron imaging in vitreous ice. This is the first demonstration that cryo-electron microscopy images can be used to quantitate the absolute mass, mass per unit length and internal density distributions of proteins and nucleic acids.
Approaches/Practices: Surviving the Design and Implementation of a Content-Management System: Do the Benefits Offset the Challenges?

Technical communicators should be prepared to take on challenges that are beyond their daily tasks. The author took on such a challenge when she was asked to develop and implement a company's content-management system. This article addresses the different phases of designing and implementing a unified content-management system. The article also offers suggestions for any content developer faced with developing and implementing a content-management system or for any technical communication instructor who wishes to learn more about this process to help meet the academic needs of upcoming content developers.
Toward a transtheoretical model of interprofessional education: Stages, processes and forces supporting institutional change

The history of interprofessional education (IPE) in the USA is a checkered one, characterized by boom and bust cycles of advancement and retrenchment, expansion and contraction. The successful development, implementation and continuation of IPE in health and social care in US higher education institutions all depend on a number of factors related to how individuals and organizations do or do not support it in the academic setting. Deliberate and planned change to advance IPE requires a comprehensive theoretical framework to guide it and insure its success. A transtheoretical model (TTM) of institutional change is proposed as a comprehensive framework of the stages, processes and forces that can facilitate and maintain change in support of IPE. The TTM framework recognizes the complexity of change, and captures and organizes important elements from different organizational theories. It also provides a structure for conceptualizing the multiple dimensions needed for change, offering intervention strategies and leverage points to be used by leaders in promoting and maintaining it. Finally, the TTM model suggests that the stabilization of IPE programs over the long term is dependent on a real and significant shift in institutional values in response to forces from both within and without the organization.
The role of the advanced practice nurse in interventional radiology

Abstract Procedures that traditionally required surgery are now being performed in interventional radiology. In the past, interventional radiologists have left most preoperative evaluations and postoperative follow-ups to the referring physician. However, with patients and procedures becoming more complex, the interventional radiologist needs to take a more active part in providing patient care. How do you expand the duties of interventional radiologists when they are already overworked just performing the procedures? At the University of Michigan, we have started an outpatient clinic staffed by a nurse practitioner to provide preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow-up of our complex patients. The nurse practitioner also provides support for inpatients admitted to the interventional radiology service.
Cassini-Huygens Mission Overview and Recent Science Results

The Cassini-Huygens Project is an international science mission to the Saturnian system. Three space agencies and 17 nations contributed to building the Cassini spacecraft and Huygens probe. The Cassini orbiter is managed and operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The Huygens probe was built and operated by the European Space Agency. The prime mission design for Cassini-Huygens calls for a four-year orbital survey of Saturn, its rings, magnetosphere, and satellites, and the descent into Titan's atmosphere by the Huygens probe. The Cassini orbiter tour consists of 76 orbits around Saturn with 45 close Titan flybys and 8 targeted icy satellite flybys. The Cassini orbiter spacecraft carries twelve scientific instruments that perform a wide range of observations on a multitude of designated targets. The Huygens probe carried six additional instruments that provided in situ and remote sensing of the atmosphere and surface of Titan. Now over three years into the prime mission, the Cassini orbiter continues to study the Saturnian system, returning a wealth of knowledge for present and future generations of scientists. This paper provides an overview of the Cassini- Huygens mission and highlights selected science results.
Acquisition of telecommunications products and services: an examination of inter-sector differences

Three important sectors-public administration, financial services, and manufacturing-are compared in this study with respect to their telecommunications acquisition practices. The three sectors are compared on a number of variables pertaining to the role and management of telecommunications technology, the process of acquiring telecommunications technology, and the outcome of this process. Findings indicate that information technology plays a more important role in the service-oriented sectors than in manufacturing. The acquisition process for telecommunications appears to be more elaborate in the public sector organizations than in private firms. In a relative sense, public sector and financial service organizations are more likely to opt for service solutions for their telecommunications needs as compared to manufacturing organizations that rely mainly on equipment-based solutions. >
Assistive formation maintenance for human-led multi-robot systems

In ground-based military maneuvers, group formations require flexibility when traversing from one point to the next. For a human-led team of semi-autonomous agents, a certain level of awareness demonstrated by the agents regarding the quality of the formation is preferable. Through the use of a Multi-Robot System (MRS), this work combines leader-follower principles augmented by an assistive formation maintenance (AFM) method to improve formation keeping and demonstrate a formation-in-motion concept. This is achieved using the Robot Mean Task Allocation method (RTMA), a strategy used to allocate formation positions to each unit within a continuously mobile MRS. The end goal is to provide a military application that allows a soldier to efficiently tele-operate a semi-autonomous MRS capable of holding formation amidst a cluttered environment. Baseline simulation is performed in Player/Stage to show the applicability of our developed model and its potential for expansive research.
Determinants of Latin American Activism: Domestic and Transnational Political Opportunities and Threats

For decades Latin America has been and continues to be a vibrant source of activism as democracies emerge, civil societies strengthen, and movements turn an outward eye towards international forces. Social movements, organizations, and activists in Latin America mobilize around a diverse set of issues from neoliberalism to women’s rights and more. Yet, all groups must successfully navigate ever-shifting domestic and transnational political opportunities and threats. This review first defines the political opportunity approach and discusses debates surrounding its utility and applicability at different phases of social movement activity, as well as growing debates about the importance of domestic versus transnational opportunities and threats for predicting movement mobilization, protests, and outcomes. Next the article discusses changing domestic and transnational political opportunities and threats throughout Latin America. It then turns to empirical application of the political opportunity model to various social movements, organizations, and activist groups working in Central and South America. This paper concludes with a brief revisit of the debate and points to future lines of inquiry. Additionally, it provides an interactive Google Map, which locates the prominent actors involved in Latin American activism, the international institutions that influence them, and Internet links for more information.
An (un)clear conscience clause: the causes and consequences of statutory ambiguity in state contraceptive mandates.

Since 1996 twenty-eight states have adopted legislation mandating insurance coverage of prescription contraceptives for women. Most of these policies include language that allows providers to opt out of the requirement because of religious or moral beliefs - conscience clause exemptions. There is striking variation in how these exemptions are defined. This article investigates the sources and consequences of ambiguous versus precise statutory language in conscience clauses. We find that some forms of political and institutional fragmentation (party polarization and gubernatorial appointment power) are correlated with the degree of policy specificity in state contraceptive mandates. This finding reinforces previous law and policy scholarship that has shown that greater fragmentation promotes ambiguous statutory language because broad wording acts as a vehicle for compromise when actors disagree. Interestingly it is the more precisely worded statutes that have prompted court battles. We explain this with reference to the asymmetry of incentives and mobilizing costs between those disadvantaged by broad (primarily female employees) versus precisely worded statutes (primarily Catholic organizations). Our findings suggest that the impact of statutory ambiguity on court intervention is heavily contextualized by the resources and organization of affected stakeholders.
Collectrin, an X-Linked, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 Homolog, Causes Hypertension in a Rat Strain Through Gene–Gene and Gene–Environment Interactions Relevance to Human Hypertension

Dr. Cechova and a multinational investigative team1 describe a novel model of hypertension in a susceptible murine model. Their initial studies of collectrin knockout in a mixed genetic mouse strain did not reveal a significant effect on blood pressure (BP).2 However, previous research demonstrated that the collectrin gene is located on a region of the X chromosome with loci linked to hypertension in humans and rats.3,4 Moreover, renal expression of collectrin is upregulated after subtotal nephrectomy and in salt-sensitive hypertension. Article see p 1770 With this background, the authors studied the effects of collectrin null mutations on BP in a 129S6 mouse strain that is susceptible to hypertension and salt sensitivity.5,6 Under standard feeding conditions, the gene–gene interaction in the collectrin knockout/129S6 strain male mice led to a modest 9-mm Hg elevation in BP compared with wild-type control 129S6 mice. The rise …
Four-coordinate, trigonal pyramidal Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes

We report herein the characterization of electrophilic, trigonal bipyramidal {[SiP_3^R]Pt(L)}+ cations ([SiP_3 ^R] ) [(2-R_2PC_6H_4)_3Si]; R ) Ph, ^iPr) that feature weakly coordinated ligands including CH_2Cl_2, Et_2O, toluene, and H_2. A cationic toluene adduct that shows a close platinum aryl C-H σ-contact is perhaps most noteworthy in this context. For the isopropyl-substituted ligand, [SiP_3^(iPr)], it has proven possible to exclude the fifth axial donor to afford the rigorously four-coordinate, trigonal pyramidal (TP) complex {[SiP_3^(iPr)]Pt}^+. An isostructural TP palladium complex {[SiP_3^(iPr)]Pd}^+ is also accessible. Prototypical four-coordinate d^8 platinum and palladium complexes are square planar. The TP d^8 cations described herein are hence geometrically distinct.
Sex Differences in the Transfer of Training of Basic Flight Skills

Twenty-four Air Force Academy cadets participated in an experiment designed to investigate gender differences in the transfer of training between various basic instrument maneuvers. Half the subjects, six males and six females, first flew a climb, cruise, descend profile and then flew a transfer task profile of right turn, cruise, left turn. The remaining subjects, six males and six females, flew the profiles in the reverse order. The results indicate that gender differences in performance of basic flying skills are probably due to previous differential exposure to similar type tasks. Males and females transferred previous training equally well to more difficult basic instrument maneuvers. Language: en
Main-chain polyoxometalate-containing donor–acceptor conjugated copolymers: synthesis, characterization, morphological studies and applications in single-component photovoltaic cells

Two new organic–inorganic hybrid conjugated copolymers (P10 and P11), containing different amounts of hexamolybdate clusters covalently embedded in the main chain with imide-functionalized naphthodithiophene and 3,3′-didodecyloxy bithiophene units, have been synthesized and characterized in detail. The incorporation of hexamolybdate clusters into the polymer backbones is confirmed by 1H NMR, FT-IR, gel permeation chromatography, and elemental analysis. These hybrid copolymers are capable of forming uniform thin films upon spin coating, and they show intense visible and broad near-infrared (NIR) absorptions both in CHCl3 solutions and as spin-casted thin films. Single-component solar cells based on P10, without any other added electron acceptors, show respectable power conversion efficiencies up to 0.31%. The photocurrent contribution from both the organic π-segments and the POM clusters is confirmed by the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency measurements. The absorption in the NIR region is found to be incapable of producing photocurrent, and the photocurrent of the solar cells is attributed exclusively to the UV and visible absorptions of the hybrid copolymers.
Surrendering Solidarity: Considering the Relationships Among Female Correctional Officers

Previous literature on women working in corrections suggests that male coworkers, supervisors, and inmates are hostile and resistant toward female correctional officers (COs). Although this researc...
THE RESPONSE OF FLUVIAL SYSTEMS TO CLIMATE CHANGE: AN EXAMPLE FROM THE CENTRAL GREAT PLAINS

A late Holocene alluvial chronology for a reach of the Republican River, south-central Nebraska, and the late Holocene alluvial and paleoclimatic records of the central Great Plains illustrate the problems inherent in relating fluvial activity to climate change. The alluvial and climatic records reveal that areally synchronous incision around 4200 yr B.P. correlated with a shift to more mesic climatic conditions. Areally synchronous incision after 1100 yr B.P. cannot be correlated to a climate change, primarily because paleoclimatic data for that period are lacking. The dissimilar temporal resolutions of the alluvial and paleoclimatic records hinder attempts to generalize the response of fluvial systems to climate changes. Over relatively long (hundreds of years) and short (tens of years) time scales, the fluvial response to climatic shifts is dependent on variables that may not be discernible in the paleoclimatic record. To enhance understanding of the reaction of fluvial systems to climate change in the...