cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defects and charge transport in perovskite ferroelectrics

Abstract Factors that determine the concentrations of mobile charged species and their contributions to the electrical conductivities of perovskite ferroelectrics are reviewed. Possible charge carriers include electrons, holes, and oxygen vacancies. BaTiO 3 and Pb ( Zr 1 − x Ti x ) O 3 (PZT) are oxygen-excess p -type insulators when equilibrated in oxidizing atmospheres with extensive trapping of holes at acceptor centers. Electrons are not trapped in BaTiO 3 , and the reduced material is an n -type semiconductor. In the case of PZT there is evidence for the presence of deep electron traps. Neither electrons nor holes have thermally-activated mobilities in BaTiO 3 , but the hole mobility is thermally-activated in PZT. Oxygen vacancies can be the dominant charge carrier in both materials under some circumstances.
Inhibition of Orientia tsutsugamushi infection by a truncated recombinant 56‐kDa outer membrane protein

Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate recombinant 56-kDa outer membrane protein as a potential inhibitor to infection from Orientia tsutsugamushi. Methods and Results: The 56-kDa protein was cloned and expressed in an Escherichia coli system, and the degree of target cell attachment to immobilized 56-kDa protein was measured in a cell adhesion assay. The results showed that the 56-kDa protein has an ability to attach HeLa cells. Furthermore, treatment of target cells with a truncated 56-kDa 1–418 (amino acid residues) protein inhibited target cell infection by O. tsutsugamushi, demonstrated with an indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay. Conclusions: The truncated 56-kDa protein (a.a. 1–418) plays an important role in O. tsutsugamushi infection, and the 56-kDa protein could be useful and effective in the inhibition of O. tsutsugamushi attachment and infection. Significance and Impact of the Study: The attachment of the 56-kDa protein to target cells was directly determined by in vitro adherence test, and the invasion of target cells by O. tsutsugamushi was inhibited by treating the target cells with a truncated 56-kDa protein.
Mantle protein excretion and calcification in the hardshell clam Mercenaria mercenaria. I. Protein excretion in the intact clam

We have monitored the incorporation of 3H-glycine into, and the excretion of, soluble tissue and extrapallial fluid proteins in the hardshell clam Mercenaria mercenaria in an attempt to follow some of the metabolic events that occur antecedent to shell deposition. After incubating at 20°C for 48 h, clams were killed and the distribution of incorporated and unincorporated tritium in seawater, mantle fluid, hemocoelic-tissue fluid, extrapallial fluid and tissue was determined. Most of the incorporated tritium was in the insoluble tissue proteins. Much more incorporated tritium was found in the hemocoelic-tissue fluid fraction than in the extrapallial fluid. We assume that most of the radioactivity we followed was due to free or incorporated radioactive glycine. The ratio of 3H-protein to 3H-glycine was greater in the extrapallial fluid than in the hemocoelic-tissue fluid, suggesting either protein secretion into or glycine removal from the extrapallium. We also observed that both 3H-protein and 3H-glycine concentrations were higher in the mantle fluid than in the external sea water, although the ratios of 3H-glycine to 3H-protein in these two fluids were not different.
Rethinking the role of automated writing evaluation (AWE) feedback in ESL writing instruction

Abstract The development of language processing technologies and statistical methods has enabled modern automated writing evaluation (AWE) systems to provide feedback on language and content in addition to an automated score. However, concerns have been raised with regard to the instructional and assessment value of AWE in writing classrooms. The findings from a few classroom-based studies concerning the impact of AWE on writing instruction and performance are largely inconclusive. Meanwhile, since research provides favorable evidence for the reliability of AWE corrective feedback, and that writing accuracy is both an important and frustrating issue, it is worthwhile to examine more specifically the impact of AWE corrective feedback on writing accuracy. Therefore, the study used mixed-methods to investigate how Criterion ® affected writing instruction and performance. Results suggested that Criterion ® has led to increased revisions, and that the corrective feedback from Criterion ® helped improve accuracy from a rough to a final draft. The potential benefits were also confirmed by the instructors’ interviews. The students’ perspectives were mixed, but the extent to which the views vary may depend on the students’ language proficiency level and their instructors’ use and perspectives of AWE.
Endoscopic ultrasound and paracentesis in the evaluation of small volume ascites in patients with intra-abdominal malignancies.

The evaluation of ascites in patients with known or suspected malignancy is a critical aspect of preoperative staging. Endoscopic evaluation by ultrasound of low volume ascites and sampling of the ascitic fluid by endoscopic ultrasound guided paracentesis (EUS-P) is both a sensitive and specific modality for the determination of peritoneal implants, which is not only an important prognostic indicator but a crucial factor in determining treatment strategy. It is common practice to utilize EUS for gastrointestinal malignancies such as pancreatic or gastric masses, with the performance of paracentesis during the same procedure for the purpose of imaging the abnormality and possibly performing fine needle aspiration for biopsy of the neoplasm itself. However, given the ability of EUS-P to adequately sample even minimal ascites, detecting much smaller volumes than traditional computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, EUS-P may be a useful modality for the standard metastatic workup of any newly diagnosed or suspected malignancy. In this “Field of Vision” commentary, we discuss the role of EUS-P, including the article by Suzuki et al reporting their experience with EUS-P using an automated spring-loaded needle device. We also review the utility of EUS-P for non-gastrointestinal malignancies, such as ovarian cancer, which has a high incidence of malignant ascites.
Interhelical Angle and Distance Preferences in Globular Proteins

Orientational preferences between interacting helices within globular proteins have been studied extensively over the years. A number of classical structural models such as ''knobs into holes'' and ''ridges into grooves'' were developed decades ago to explain perceived preferences in interhelical angle distributions. In contrast, relatively recent works have examined statistical biases in angular distributions which result from spherical geometric effects. Those works have concluded that the predictions of classical models are due in large part to these biases. In this article we perform an analysis on the largest set of helix-helix interactions within high-resolution structures of nonhomologous proteins studied to date. We examine the interhelical angle distribution as a function of spatial distance between helix pairs. We show that previous efforts to normalize angle distribution data did not include two important effects: 1), helices can interact with each other in three distinct ways which we refer to as ''line-on-line,'' ''endpoint-to-line,'' and ''endpoint-to-endpoint,'' and each of these interactions has its own geometric effects which must be included in the proper normalization of data; and 2), all normalizations that depend on geometric parameters such as interhelical angle must occur before the data is binned to avoid artifacts of bin size from biasing the conclusions. Taking these two points into account, we find that there are very pronounced preferences for helices to interact at angles of approximately 6160 and 6208 in the line-on-line case. This pattern persists when the closest a-carbons in the helices vary from 4 to 12 A ˚ . The endpoint-to-line and endpoint-to-endpoint cases also exhibit distinct preferences when the data is normalized properly. Analysis of the local structural interactions which give rise to these preferences has not been studied here and is left for future work.
Avalanche ionization in amorphous semiconductors

Abstract Using the results of a previous treatment of hot electrons in amorphous semiconductors, the avalance ionization coefficient, α, has been calculated as a function of the electric field. The Shockley hot-electron model was used. Because there is no conservation of crystal momentum, the threshold for electron-hole pair production is lower than it would be in a crystal of the same energy gap, and above the threshold the probability per unit time for pair production is quadratic in the energy. The results for α has been used to calculate the current-voltage relation for avalanche injection, and to study the avalanche process as a mechanism for switching.
Interrogation of the Tricuspid Annulus by Doppler Tissue Imaging in Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension: Implications for the Assessment of Right-Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Function

Background: Chronic pulmonary hypertension (CPHT) has a great impact on both right-ventricular (RV) systolic and diastolic properties and the assessment of those properties is not a
[3H]SNC121: A novel high affinity ligand for rat brain delta receptors: Preliminary studies

Abstract Calderon et al. (1) recently prepared the enantiomers and their methoxy precursors of the non-peptide delta agonist (±)-BW373U86 and its benzlic epimer (2). In one of these enantiomers, SNC80, the allyl function was reduced with tritium gas to the corresponding propyl derivative to yield [ 3 H]SNC121 ( SA =26.8 Ci/mmol ). Experiments with non-radioactive SNC-121 indicated that it had high affinity and selectivity (>1000-fold) for rat brain delta receptors. Incubations proceeded for 4–6 hr at 25°C (equilibrium) in 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4 with rat brain membranes. [ 3 H]SNC121 labeled two binding sites: an opioid binding site and a non-opioid drug binding site. For the experiments reported here, DADL (10 μM) was used to define non-specific binding. Under these conditions, we obtained 70%–75% specific binding. [ 3 H]SNC121 labeled an apparent single class of binding sites with a delta-like ligand selectivity profile. GppNHp and sodium decreased [ 3 H]SNC121 binding by altering the K d ( P ) without changing the Bmax. GppNHp (20 μM) failed to strikingly alter the IC50 and slope factor of DPDPE, Deltorphin-II and naltrindole when displacing [ 3 H]SNC121. Viewed collectively, [ 3 H]SNC121 selectively labels a single class of delta opioid receptors in a manner consistent with an agonist-type interaction. Future experiments will determine the nature and/or function of the non-opioid [ 3 H]-SNC121 binding site.
Mechanisms of seizure-induced 'transcriptional channelopathy' of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated (HCN) channels

Epilepsy may result from abnormal function of ion channels, such as those caused by genetic mutations. Recently, pathological alterations of the expression or localization of normal channels have been implicated in epilepsy generation, and termed 'acquired channelopathies'. Altered expression levels of the HCN channels - that conduct the hyperpolarization-activated current, I(h) - have been demonstrated in hippocampus of patients with severe temporal lobe epilepsy as well as in animal models of temporal lobe and absence epilepsies. Here we probe the mechanisms for the altered expression of HCN channels which is provoked by seizures. In organotypic hippocampal slice cultures, seizure-like events selectively reduced HCN type 1 channel expression and increased HCN2 mRNA levels, as occurs in vivo. The mechanisms for HCN1 reduction involved Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptor-mediated Ca(2+) influx, and subsequent activation of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. In contrast, upregulation of HCN2 expression was independent of these processes. The data demonstrate an orchestrated program for seizure-evoked transcriptional channelopathy involving the HCN channels that may contribute to certain epilepsies.
Localization of protein kinase C isozymes in cardiac myocytes.

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes is associated with their translocation from the cell-soluble fraction to the cell-particulate fraction, presumably near their protein substrates. Therefore, identifying the subcellular localization of each activated PKC isozyme may help to elucidate its role in cardiac functions. In the present work, we have determined the subcellular localization of six PKC isozymes (α, βI, βII, δ, ϵ, and ζ) in nonstimulated cardiac myocytes and in myocytes stimulated by norepinephrine (2 μM) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (100 nM). Activated PKC isozymes were localized in various subcellular compartments such as inside the nucleus and on myofibrils. The presence of serum in the growth medium also caused a redistribution of PKC isozymes in the cells distinct from that obtained with cells cultured in defined medium. We suggest that isozyme-specific localization may determine phosphorylation of different protein substrates present at these respective translocation sites and the resulting PKC-mediated cellular responses.
Exchange Processes in a Channel with Two Vertical Emerged Obstructions

The flow around two vertical obstructions situated in a long open channel with lateral walls is simulated using Large Eddy Simulation (LES). The emerged obstructions (groynes) are oriented perpendicular to the channel side walls. The incoming channel flow is fully turbulent. The focus of the present paper is to examine the mass transfer between a contaminant situated initially in the (embayment) region between the obstructions and the main channel. The mass transfer is simulated using a passive (conserved) scalar transport equation. The scalar is introduced instantaneously inside the embayment. The eddy structures that populate the detached shear layer starting at the tip of the upstream obstruction and their interaction with the coherent structures inside the embayment area are shown to play an important role in the contaminant entrainment from the embayment area into the main channel. It is also found that the flow convected into the embayment from the region downstream of the second obstruction can substantially accelerate the removal of the contaminant from the embayment region. A detailed analysis of the contaminant flux variation in the top, middle and bottom layers inside the embayment region is carried out to better understand how the contaminant exits the embayment area, the role played by vertical motions within the embayment, and the effects induced by the presence of the bottom surface which delays the contaminant purging from the bottom layer. It is found that one half of the contaminant mass situated initially in the bottom third of the embayment volume is not leaving the embayment through the corresponding embayment–channel interface. The opposite is observed for the top third layer where the mass of contaminant leaving through the top interface area is 50% higher than the corresponding mass of contaminant initially situated in the top layer. This shows that the mass exchange is highly non-uniform over the depth and there is an overall contaminant flux within the embayment toward the free surface. The decay of contaminant mass within the embayment is calculated enabling estimation of a global 1D exchange coefficient based on dead-zone theory. It is found that though dead-zone models can relatively accurately describe the contaminant mass decay in time within the embayment, the mass exchange is not characterized by a unique value of the exchange coefficient over the whole length of the ejection process for the present geometry and flow conditions. Rather, two distinct phases of the decay process are identified. In the initial phase of decay over which about 68% of the total mass of contaminant leaves the embayment, the exchange coefficient is found to be about twice the value estimated for the final phase.
Investigation of cobalt porphyrin doped polymer membrane films for the optical sensing of imidazole and its derivatives

Abstract A cobalt(II) porphyrin was successfully incorporated into polymer membranes for the optical sensing of imidazole and its derivatives. This research has led to a better understanding of the behavior of Co(II) porphyrin in solution and in polymeric membranes. In aprotic dichloromethane (DCM), the Co(II) tetraphenylporphyrin (CoTPP) and Co(II) octaethylporphyrin (CoOEP) show a sensitive response to imidazole due to the strong ligation of the N-3 on the imidazole ring to the Co(II) center, which induces an absorbance change to the Soret band. However, when doped in polymeric films, only the CoTPP exhibits moderate sensitivity towards aqueous imidazole, histamine and histidine. This weakened coordination ability of CoTPP towards imidazole in the polymer films may be due to the coordination of the plasticizer, the impurities from the THF and polymer matrix at the Co(II) center. The selectivity of the polymer films towards imidazole over common anions is high. Lifetime of the cobalt(II) porphyrin incorporated polymer film was relatively short.
Localization and characterization of serologic epitopes on HLA-A2

Abstract A panel of cells expressing 68 different mutant HLA-A2 genes was generated by site-directed mutagenesis and DNA-mediated gene transfer in order to define the regions of class I MHC molecules that contribute to the epitopes recognized by mAb. Each of the variant HLA-A2 molecules differed from HLA-A2.1 by a single amino acid substitution. The substitutions were located in both the α-helices and β-strands of the α 1 and α 2 domains, and included residues that are highly polymorphic and that are conserved. All but five of the variant HLA-A2 molecules were expressed at levels that ranged from ∼25%–100% the levels found for HLA-A2.1. The remaining five variants had no detectable expression and all involved substitutions at highly conserved residues. Eleven mAbs with specificities that ranged from highly HLA-A2 specific to monomorphic were analyzed for their ability to bind the variant HLA-A2 molecules. The results demonstrate that the binding of five of 11 mAbs could be mapped to the α 1 and α 2 domains. MA2.1 was the only antibody mapped to the α 1 domain. CR11–351 and A2,A28M1 recognized an overlapping epitope at the amino terminal end of the α 2 -helix, and PA2.1 and BB7.2 recognized an overlapping epitope that includes the carboxy terminus of the α 2 -helix and a turn on one of the underlying β-strands. These results demonstrate that positions located on the surface of the molecule, but not within the peptide-binding cleft of the molecule, are important in serological specificities.
Inside Front Cover: The Elastic Properties and Plastic Behavior of Two‐Dimensional Polymer Structures Fabricated by Laser Interference Lithography (Adv. Funct. Mater. 10/2006)

The probing of the micromechanical properties within a two-dimensional polymer structure with sixfold symmetry fabricated via interference lithography reveals a nonuniform spatial distribution in the elastic modulus “imprinted” with an interference pattern in work reported by Tsukruk, Thomas, and co-workers on p. 1324. The image prepared by M. Lemieux and T. Gorishnyy shows how the interference pattern is formed by three laser beams and is transferred to the solid polymer structure. The elastic and plastic properties within a two-dimensional polymer (SU8) structure with sixfold symmetry fabricated via interference lithography are presented. There is a nonuniform spatial distribution in the elastic modulus, with a higher elastic modulus obtained for nodes (brightest regions in the laser interference pattern) and a lower elastic modulus for beams (darkest regions in the laser interference pattern) of the photopatterned films. We suggest that such a nonuniformity and unusual plastic behavior are related to the variable material properties “imprinted” by the interference pattern.
Optical System Design for Telescopes

A procedure is outlined and demonstrated by reference to an example which shows that the design of optical systems for terrestrial telescopes of moderate power can be facilitated through the early and continuous establishment of criteria, especially with regard to the various components comprising the system.
A study of nitric oxide adsorption on copper (100) and (110)

Abstract The adsorption of nitric oxide on single crystal copper (100) and (110) surfaces has been studied with electron energy loss vibrational spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction and thermal desorption spectroscopy. In the case of Cu(110), vibrational spectra confirm that molecular adsorption of NO occurs for very low exposures with a crystal temperature of 80 K. For exposures exceeding 2.2 L, dissociation occurs with atomic oxygen and nitrogen retained on the surface and located at the long bridge site. Vibrational frequencies obtained using two isotopic forms of NO, 14NO and 15NO, are assigned to the stretching and bending modes of NO and indicate a molecule strongly tilted relative to the surface normal in a predissociative state. Dissociation occurs at temperatures above 113 K with the atomic species again retained on the surface. Adsorption of nitric oxide on Cu(100) was found to be more complicated. Vibrational spectra indicate a difference in molecular species between low exposure (∼1 L) and high exposure (∼10 L) cases for T
Rapid cold-hardening blocks cold-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of pro-caspases in the flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis

Apoptosis plays important roles in the selective elimination of sub-lethally damaged cells due to various environmental stresses. The rapid cold-hardening (RCH) response protects insects from the otherwise lethal consequences of injury due to cold-shock. We recently demonstrated that cold shock induces apoptotic cell death in insects and that RCH functions to specifically block cold-shock-induced apoptosis. In the present study we used isolated fat body, midgut, muscle, and Malpighian tubules from adult flesh flies Sarcophaga crassipalpis to test the following hypotheses: (1) cold-induced apoptosis varies among different tissues and (2) RCH blocks the apoptotic pathway by preventing the activation of pro-caspases. Cold-shock induced substantial amounts of apoptotic cell death that matched with tissue damage as determined using vital dyes. RCH treatment significantly reduced apoptotic cell death in all tested tissues. Caspase-3 (executioner) activity was 2–3 times higher in the cold- and heat-shocked groups than in control and RCH groups. Likewise, the activity of caspase-9 (initiator) showed a similar trend as for caspase-3 in all tissues but midgut. In addition, cold-shock and heat-shock treatments also increased caspase-2 activity 2–3 folds in both soluble and membrane fractions of fat body and muscle extracts compared to controls.
A comparative study of PSO-technique and fuzzy based SSSC controller for improvement of transient stability performance

This paper presents a comparative study of the PSO-technique and the Fuzzy based controller for the improvement of transient stability of Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC). New and efficient configuration of adaptive SSSC controller based on the Fuzzy control is presented. Further, the performance of the Fuzzy based controller is compared with the PSO-technique results. Simulation results are presented and analyzed for the two controllers. The proposed technique is demonstrated by simulation studies on a single machine infinite bus system. It is observed that Fuzzy based controller give better response than the PSO-technique for the transient stability of SSSC controller. It is also observed that the proposed SSSC controller improves greatly the voltage profile of the system under severe disturbances.
Community life: African Americans in multiethnic residential areas

The influx of new immigrants from Latin America and Asia has changed communities throughout the country. This immigration has dramatically altered the ethnic composition of many neighborhoods. As a result, shifting cultural and ethnic diversity is changing the dynamics of community life in America. Warren (1978) defined community as "that combination of social units and systems that perform the major social functions having locality relevance" (p. 9). The term community implies something both geographic and psychologic. Geographically it identifies a specific cluster of individuals, whereas psychologically it indicates shared interests, shared social characteristics, and social interaction. However, mere geographic proximity of residence or similar interests do not in and of themselves make a community. Frequency and intensity of interaction and segregation of association are the main ingredients determining community identity. Proximity and shared interests are unimportant unless frequent close interaction is present (Hillery, 1955; Warren, 1978).
Esterase isozymes in a solitary bee, Megachile rotundata (Fab.): characterization, developmental multiplicity, and adult variability.

This study describes the biochemical characterization and genetic variation of cytosolic esterases in the alfalfa leafcutting bee,Megachile rotundata (Fab.). Esterase isozymes were separated by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing and characterized by inhibition with eserine sulfate, EDTA, paraoxon, andp-hydroxymercuribenzoate. Based on inhibition patterns and substrate specificity, there are major differences between adults and immature forms and more subtle differences between male and female adults. M. rotundata esterases are largely organophosphate sensitive and the two major adult allozymes were highly variable within the population examined. Differences in esterase expression between life stages with respect to niche and the occurrence of diploid males are discussed.
Preconcentration of nickel and cobalt on algae and determination by slurry graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry.

Abstract Unicellular green algae have been utilized to preconcentrate Ni 2+ and Co 2+ ions from sea-water and riverine water samples. Studies have shown that rinsing the algae with 0.12 M hydrochloric acid improves the adsorption of nickel and cobalt, and the optimum range of pH of extraction is wide. The maximum extraction efficiencies were 84 and 73% for Ni and Co, respectively, at ng/ml levels. The sea-water matrix and relatively small amounts of many impurities reduce the adsorption efficiency for both nickel and cobalt. The preconcentration is achieved by mixing 6 mg of algae with 50–100 ml of sample, and subsequently isolating the algae by centrifugation. The pellet of algae is then resuspended in 1 ml of 0.08 M nitric acid, and analyzed as a slurry by graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry. The values found for nickel and cobalt in riverine (SLRS-1) and sea-water (CASS-1) standard reference materials are within the limits of certification.
Sandifer Syndrome: an Unappreciated Clinical Entity

SUMMARY Five cases of Sandifer syndrome are reported, and the authors suggest that frequently the diagnosis may be overlooked, especially when the patient has a milder or incomplete form of the syndrome. None of the children had hiatal hernia, so this is not an essential requirement for the syndrome. The findings in these five cases suggest that the abnormal posturing associated with this syndrome may be the result of extreme sensitivity of the esophagus to refluxed gastric acid. RESUME Le syndrome de Sandifer: une entile clinique depreciee Cinq cas de syndrome de Sandifer sont rapportes et les auteurs suggerent que le diagnostic peut etre souvent neglige, specialement quand le malade presente une forme legere ou incomplete du syndrome. Aucun des enfants n'avaient de hernie hiatale et celle-ci n'est done pas une manifestation essentielle du syndrome. Les donnees des cinq cas suggerent que les postures anormales associees au syndrome peuvent etre le resultat de l'extreme sensibilite de l'oesophage au reflux d'acide gastrique. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Sandifer Syndrom: ein wenig beachtetes klinisches Bild Es wird uber funf Falle mit einem Sandifer Syndrom berichtet. Die Autoren sind der Ansicht, daB die Diagnose vermutlich haufig nicht gestellt wird, besonders dann, wenn der Patient eine mildere oder inkomplette Form des Syndroms aufweist. Keines der Kinder hatte eine Hiatushernie, diese ist also fur das Syndrom nicht ausschlaggebend. Die Befunde dieser fiinf Falle lassen vermuten, das die Fehlhaltung, die bei diesem Syndrom auftritt, moglicherweise mit der starken Empfindlichkeit des Oesophagus gegen die aufsteigende Magensaure zusammenhangt. RESUMEN Sindrome de Sandifer: una entidad clinica no apreciada Se aportan cinco casos de sindrome de Sandifer y los autores sugieren que con frecuencia el diagnostico puede ser pasado por alto, especialmente cuando el paciente tiene una forma menor o incompleta del sindrome. Ninguno de los nifios tenia una hernia de hiato, por lo que este no es un requisito esencial para el sindrome. Los hallazgos en los cinco casos sugieren que la anomalia postural asociada con este sindrome puede ser el resultado de un a extrema sensibilidad del esofago al reflujo acido gastrico.
The type 2C phosphatase Wip1: An oncogenic regulator of tumor suppressor and DNA damage response pathways

The Wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1, Wip1 (or PPM1D), is unusual in that it is a serine/threonine phosphatase with oncogenic activity. A member of the type 2C phosphatases (PP2Cδ), Wip1 has been shown to be amplified and overexpressed in multiple human cancer types, including breast and ovarian carcinomas. In rodent primary fibroblast transformation assays, Wip1 cooperates with known oncogenes to induce transformed foci. The recent identification of target proteins that are dephosphorylated by Wip1 has provided mechanistic insights into its oncogenic functions. Wip1 acts as a homeostatic regulator of the DNA damage response by dephosphorylating proteins that are substrates of both ATM and ATR, important DNA damage sensor kinases. Wip1 also suppresses the activity of multiple tumor suppressors, including p53, ATM, p16INK4a and ARF. We present evidence that the suppression of p53, p38 MAP kinase, and ATM/ATR signaling pathways by Wip1 are important components of its oncogenicity when it is amplified and overexpressed in human cancers.
Effect of hydrocortisone on experimental silicotic nodule.

SummaryThe effect of treatment with hydrocortisone upon growth and maturation of the silicotic nodule has been studied in mouse liver. Treatment slowed growth of lesions and development of collagen and reticulin regardless of the time at which therapy was instituted. When hydrocortisone was discontinued, however, the size of nodules returned close to control level. Histological differences were noted between control and treated nodules after 150 days. These differences (disorganization and cellularity of treated nodules) suggest a continuation of the early inflammatory response in hydrocortisone treated lesions.
GAIN SUPPRESSION INVOLVING BOTH STIMULATED RAMAN AND HYPER-RAMAN PHOTONS IN TWO-STEP STIMULATED EMISSIONS

Abstract We show that multiphoton destructive interference leading to gain suppression can be produced even when two different step-wise stimulated emissions, such as stimulated Raman and hyper-Raman emissions, are included in the interference loop.
Staining of embryonic and small mammalian skeletal systems.

The methods commonly used for staining developing bone (Lundvall, 1905; Spalteholz, 1914; Batson, 1921; Dawson, 1926; Richmond and Bennett, 1938; Cumley, Crow, and Griffin, 1939; Williams, 1941), have involved the use of 1% or 2% Aqueous KOH without employing any bleaching agent. The introduction of hydrogen peroxide into the technic proves to be a distinct advantage, and in the concentration here proposed, does not result in the production of fine bubbles. The maceration process can be hastened through the use of an increased concentration of potash in the absence of a fixative, although this in itself is one of the hazards of the technic. However, if the preparations are carefully watched, this difficulty may be largely avoided. The method works admirably and gives a very clear muscle tissue so that the skeletal elements are very sharply outlined. The proposed method (arranged in the form adopted in Staining Procedures) is herewith described.
A fast heuristic based on spacefilling curves for minimum-weight matching in the plane

Abstract We present a heuristic to find a good matching on n points in the plane. It is essentially sorting and so runs in O(n log n) worst-case time and linear expected time. Its performance is competitive with that of previously suggested methods. However, it has the advantages of being trivial to code and of being indifferent to the choice of metric or the probability distribution from which the points are drawn.
Is PCOS an inflammatory process

PRO--PCOS is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation as evidenced by elevation of multiple markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein, interleukin-18, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and white blood cell count as well as endothelial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress. CON--Current studies examining the evidence for low grade inflammation in PCOS are small, heterogeneous for the diagnosis, confounded by degree of adiposity and do not consistently demonstrate a clinically relevant increase in the above mentioned biomarkers.
Inapplicability of the Hubbard model for the description of real strongly correlated electrons

Abstract The single band Hubbard model assumes that two electrons in an atom will doubly-occupy the same atomic orbital that is singly occupied when a single electron is at the atom. This assumption is incorrect, due to the fact that the spacing of atomic energy levels is always smaller than the intra-atomic Coulomb repulsion between electrons. Relaxation of this assumption leads to an effective single band Hamiltonian where the interatomic hopping amplitude varies with the atomic charge occupation. First principles calculations of the variation in the magnitude of hopping amplitudes are presented and its possible consequences for superconductivity are discussed.
Fighting Back: A Test Of The Subculture Of Violence Thesis

National Crime Survey (NCS) data on criminal incidents over a ten-year period (1973-1982) were used to examine the correlates of type of self-protective action taken by crime victims. The primary focus of the study is the usefulness of the subculture of violence thesis for the interpretation of victim responses to personal crime. The study also explores the importance of contextual ("neighborhood") characteristics vis-a-vis individual characteristics in explaining victim behavior.
A proposed conformation of isoleucyl-5-angiotensin II.

Abstract Optical rotatory dispersion studies on isoleucyl 5 -angiotensin II show the peptide has a definite degree of order which is decreased by urea. Ultraviolet spectral studies on the phenolic hydroxyl group indicate it does not interact with any other groups in the molecule. A three-dimensional model of angiotensin II is suggested which is consistent with physical and biological data available.
Superconductivity, phase fluctuations, and the c-axis conductivity of bilayer high-temperature superconductors

We present a theory of the interplane conductivity of bilayer high-temperature superconductors, focusing on the effect of quantal and thermal fluctuations on the oscillator strengths of the superfluid stiffness and the bilayer plasmon. We find that the opening of the superconducting gap and establishment of superconducting phase coherence each lead to redistribution of spectral weight over wide energy scales. The factor-of-2 relation between the superfluid stiffness and the change below ${T}_{c}$ in the oscillator strength of the absorptive part of the conductivity previously derived for single-layer systems is found to be substantially modified in bilayer systems.
Magnetic modeling of a MEMS flux concentrator

Magnetic flux concentrators are soft magnetic materials typically used to focus magnetic field lines in an effort to increase the sensitivity of a magnetic sensor. The use of magnetoresistive sensors, especially given the recent development of magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) with MgO barriers exhibiting magnetoresistance (MR) values as large as 400%, has created interest in flux concentrators as an avenue to not only increase sensitivity but to also mitigate the 1/f noise that is prevalent in these devices at low frequencies. Here we describe the magnetic modeling that has facilitated the development of the micromechanical system (MEMS) flux concentrator, a device that uses magnetic flux concentrators deposited on MEMS structures that modulate low frequency signals at the position of the sensor, essentially shifting the signal of interest to a frequency range in which 1/f noise is much lower. We present magnetic modeling results of various designs, including our current design, focusing on key design elements.
Tau-fluvalinate content of Apistan strips

The tau-fluvalinate content of 13 lot numbers of Apistan® strips was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The average percent tau-fluvalinate in strips from each lot number ranged from 9.95 to 10.64 %, which falls within the range specified in the Confidential Statement of Formula (CSF) on file with the Environmental Protection Agency. It is not likely that the reduced efficacy in parasitic mite (Varroa jacobsoni) control reported in certain areas of the US is due to the tau-fluvalinate content of Apistan® strips. © Inra/DIB/AGIB/Elsevier, Paris
Two-dimensional capacitance calculation in stratified and/or arbitrary dielectric media

This paper combines the layered Green's function and bound charge technique to characterize the capacitance matrix in arbitrary two-dimensional geometries. When there exists no infinite ground plane, the authors enforce the constraint that the sum of all free charges is zero. When arbitrary dielectrics are sandwiched between two parallel ground planes, they numerically differentiate the integral of a closed-form parallel-plate Green's function. Both CPU time and storage are reduced as a result. >
Colonization strategies of Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0-1: activation of soil-specific genes important for diverse and specific environments.

Pseudomonas fluorescens is a common inhabitant of soil and the rhizosphere environment. In addition to potential applications in biocontrol and bioremediation, P. fluorescens is of interest as a model for studying bacterial survival and fitness in soil. A previous study using in vivo expression technology (IVET) identified 22 genes in P. fluorescens Pf0-1 which are up-regulated during growth in Massachusetts loam soil, a subset of which are important for fitness in soil. Despite this and other information on adaptation to soil, downstream applications such as biocontrol or bioremediation in diverse soils remain underdeveloped. We undertook an IVET screen to identify Pf0-1 genes induced during growth in arid Nevada desert soil, to expand our understanding of growth in soil environments, and examine whether Pf0-1 uses general or soil type-specific mechanisms for success in soil environments. Twenty six genes were identified. Consistent with previous studies, these genes cluster in metabolism, information storage/processing, regulation, and ‘hypothetical’, but there was no overlap with Pf0-1 genes induced during growth in loam soil. Mutation of both a putative glutamine synthetase gene (Pfl01_2143) and a gene predicted to specify a component of a type VI secretion system (Pfl01_5595) resulted in a decline in arid soil persistence. When examined in sterile loam soil, mutation of Pfl01_5595 had no discernible impact. In contrast, the Pfl01_2143 mutant was not impaired in persistence in sterile soil, but showed a significant reduction in competitive fitness. These data support the conclusion that numerous genes are specifically important for survival and fitness in natural environments, and will only be identified using in vivo approaches. Furthermore, we suggest that a subset of soil-induced genes is generally important in different soils, while others may contribute to success in specific types of soil. The importance of glutamine synthetase highlights a critical role for nitrogen metabolism in soil fitness. The implication of Type 6 secretion underscores the importance of microbial interactions in natural environments. Understanding the general and soil-specific genes will greatly improve the persistence of designed biocontrol and bioremediation strains within the target environment.
A Grounded Theory of High-Quality Leadership Programs Perspectives From Student Leadership Development Programs in Higher Education

Drawing on the experiences and perspectives of multiple stakeholders closely associated with diverse types of successful student leadership programs, the purpose of this study was to identify the a...
Optimal coding of infinite streams of data

Huffman coding minimizes the expected coding length for data generated by a known distribution on a finite set. In practice, a stream of data having no known end is often encountered as, for example, over a transmission line, making the total amount of data infinite or large enough to make Huffman coding impractical. In this paper, we present a mathematical formalism for such infinite or repeated coding and demonstrate that pure arithmetic coding produces the minimal cumulative (not per-symbol) expected coding length which is equal to the entropy (not the entropy rate) for all finite data lengths.
Superior hypophyseal artery aneurysms have the lowest recurrence rate with endovascular therapy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Given the challenges posed by surgical clipping, endovascular techniques have been increasingly used to treat SHA aneurysms. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of endovascular techniques in the treatment of SHA aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical charts and initial and follow-up angiograms were reviewed retrospectively for all patients treated with endovascular procedures at our institution between January 2006 and February 2011. RESULTS: We identified 87 patients with SHA aneurysms who were treated with endovascular techniques. Of these patients, 79 were women and only 8 were men (90.8% female predominance). Thirty-five patients were treated with coil embolization; 45, with stent-assisted coiling; 4, with balloon-assisted coil embolization; and 3, with a flow-diversion technique. Minor complications occurred in 2 patients (2.2%). None of the patients had a major complication. The mortality and permanent morbidity rates related to the procedure were 0%. Imaging follow-up was available for 89.4% of patients (DSA in 65, MRA in 11 patients) at a mean time point of 10.4 months (range, 6–60 months). Of the 76 patients with available follow-up, 3 patients had a recurrence (3.9%) and only 1 required further intervention (1.3%). Stent-assisted coiling was associated with lower recurrence rates than simple coil embolization. CONCLUSIONS: SHA aneurysms have the lowest recurrence rate with endovascular treatment compared with aneurysms in other locations by using historical data. Because of its safety and efficacy, endovascular therapy should be considered the procedure of choice for the treatment of SHA aneurysms.
A Polyhedral Study of Integer Variable Upper Bounds

We study the polyhedron of the single node capacitated network design model with integer variable upper bounds. We first give a characterization of valid inequalities that is useful in proving the validity of several classes of inequalities. Next we derive several classes of valid inequalities and we give conditions for them to be facet-defining. Sequence independent lifting is used to obtain additional facets. We conclude by reporting computational results with a branch-and-cut algorithm.
Accuracy assessment of pharmacogenetically predictive warfarin dosing algorithms in patients of an academic medical center anticoagulation clinic

The objectives of this retrospective cohort study are to evaluate the accuracy of pharmacogenetic warfarin dosing algorithms in predicting therapeutic dose and to determine if this degree of accuracy warrants the routine use of genotyping to prospectively dose patients newly started on warfarin. Seventy-one patients of an outpatient anticoagulation clinic at an academic medical center who were age 18 years or older on a stable, therapeutic warfarin dose with international normalized ratio (INR) goal between 2.0 and 3.0, and cytochrome P450 isoenzyme 2C9 (CYP2C9) and vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) genotypes available between January 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008 were included. Six pharmacogenetic warfarin dosing algorithms were identified from the medical literature. Additionally, a 5 mg fixed dose approach was evaluated. Three algorithms, Zhu et al. (Clin Chem 53:1199–1205, 2007), Gage et al. (J Clin Ther 84:326–331, 2008), and International Warfarin Pharmacogenetic Consortium (IWPC) (N Engl J Med 360:753–764, 2009) were similar in the primary accuracy endpoints with mean absolute error (MAE) ranging from 1.7 to 1.8 mg/day and coefficient of determination R2 from 0.61 to 0.66. However, the Zhu et al. algorithm severely over-predicted dose (defined as ≥2× or ≥2 mg/day more than actual dose) in twice as many (14 vs. 7%) patients as Gage et al. 2008 and IWPC 2009. In conclusion, the algorithms published by Gage et al. 2008 and the IWPC 2009 were the two most accurate pharmacogenetically based equations available in the medical literature in predicting therapeutic warfarin dose in our study population. However, the degree of accuracy demonstrated does not support the routine use of genotyping to prospectively dose all patients newly started on warfarin.
Overview of the presentations on microsporidia and free-living amebae at the 10th International Workshops on Opportunistic Protists.

Microsporidia, particularly Enterocytozoon bieneusi and the Encephalitozoon species, cause diarrhea and systemic disease in humans, and the free-living amebae (FLA), such as Naegleria fowleri and species of Acanthamoeba, cause fatal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) in humans. Both groups of organisms appear to cause infection via waterborne transmission, among other modes, and both are particularly problematic as causes of opportunistic infections (OIs) in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS. These infections are also being detected in other groups of immunologically compromised individuals, such as children, travelers, and the elderly. This overview summarizes research on the microsporidia and FLA presented at the 10th International Workshops on Opportunistic Protists (IWOP-10), conducted in Boston, MA, 28 to 31 May 2008. Conditions of immune deficiency render individuals susceptible to a myriad of OIs. OIs were the principal causes of morbidity and mortality in persons with HIV/AIDS until the mid-1990s, when combination antiretroviral therapies (ART) began to be applied. Despite the dramatic reduction of OIs resulting from ART, OIs continue to affect persons with HIV who may be unaware of their HIV infection or are unable or unwilling to access ART (26). The IWOP were initiated as a means to exchange and discuss research on the OIs affecting HIV/AIDS (15). This venue has served to improve our understanding of the OIs that affect persons with HIV/AIDS and that are increasingly being recognized in additional groups of individuals with compromised immune systems, such as malnourished children, organ transplant recipients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and the elderly. MICROSPORIDIA