cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene-specific nucleotide excision repair is impaired in human cells expressing elevated levels of high mobility group A1 nonhistone proteins

Abstract Previous work has established that stably transfected human MCF7 cells over-expressing high mobility group A1 proteins (HMGA1) are deficient in global genomic repair (GGR) following exposure to either UV light or cisplatin. To investigate whether HMGA1 over-expression also interferes with gene-specific repair, we employed a rapid and convenient quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for measuring repair in unique DNA sequences. Efficiency of UV-induced lesion removal was assessed for two genes in MCF7 cells either induced, or not, to over-express transgenic HMGA1 proteins: the constitutively active HPRT gene and the transcriptionally silent β- globin gene. As controls, similar experiments were also performed in non-transgenic MCF7 cells that do not express detectable levels of HMGA1 and in normal human embryonic fibroblasts that naturally over-express HMGA1 proteins. Our results indicate that exposure of cells to a UV dose of 20 J/m 2 produced an average of 0.21 ± 0.03 and 0.19 ± 0.02 lesions/kb in the HPRT and β- globin genes, respectively, with no significant difference between HMGA1 over-expressing cells and non-expressing cells. On the other hand, analysis of repair following UV exposure revealed that, compared to controls, HMGA1 over-expressing cells take considerably longer to repair photo-lesions in both the active HPRT and the silent β - globin loci, with non-expressing cells repairing 50% of lesions in HPRT 3–4 h faster than HMGA1 over-expressing cells. Interestingly, the delay in repair is even more prolonged in the silent β - globin locus in HMGA1 over-expressing cells compared to control cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report of HMGA1 proteins inhibiting nucleotide excision repair (NER) within specific genes located in either transcriptionally active “open”, or inactive “closed”, chromatin domains. Furthermore, taken together with previous findings, these results suggest that HMGA1 over-expression interferes with repair processes common to both the GGR and transcription-coupled repair pathways.
The impact of multichannel urodynamics upon treatment recommendations for female urinary incontinence.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether multichannel urodynamic testing changes a physician’s treatment recommendations when managing women with urinary incontinence. In this prospective reader study, four fellowship-trained urogynecologists reviewed 39 abstracted cases of urinary incontinence on two occasions: first without and subsequently with urodynamic data. Treatment recommendations were made for each case after each review. The probability of urodynamic data modifying treatment recommendations was estimated for each reader and for the population of readers using a random effects logistic regression to account for reader variability. The overall probability that urodynamic data would change treatment was 26.9% (95% confidence interval (CI), 18.6%, 37.2%) for medical treatments and 45.5% (95% CI, 37.8%, 53.4%) for surgical treatments. Reader-to-reader differences accounted for 3% and <1% of the total variance for medical and surgical treatments, respectively. Multichannel urodynamic evaluations are significantly associated with changes in medical and surgical treatment recommendations in a referral population.
Uncovered interest parity puzzle: Asymmetric responses

Abstract This paper estimates UIP slope parameters using a large number of cross-country bilateral exchange rates from a broad spectrum of developed and developing countries. Empirical evidence shows that short-term (one month) UIP holds well, and the failure of UIP is largely due to the key currency bias. UIP fails more often when a key currency is involved in bilateral exchange rate especially when a key currency offers higher return on capital than when only non-key currencies are involved. This paper also presents empirical evidence for state-dependent asymmetric responses in exchange rate changes depending on the direction of forward premium.
Establishment of xenografts and cell lines from well‐differentiated human thyroid carcinoma

Background Our aim was to establish Chinese human thyroid cancer cell lines and to provide the material for thyroid cancer research. Methods We collected thyroid cancer tissues from 93 patients with thyroid cancer for developing the primary culture. Thyroid cancer tissues were verified by frozen sections during the operations, then subjected to primary cell culture. During the first several passages, fibroblasts were removed by selective attachment. Results From the 93 cancer tissues used, two follicular cancer tissues from the metastatic area (CGTH W-1, CGTH W-2) and one papillary thyroid cancer tissue (CGTH W-3) could be passed over 50 times. Cellular transformation with loss of contact inhibition occurred during passages 5–8. Electron microscopic studies of the CGTH W-1 cell line showed the presence of an abundance of mitochondria and Golgi complex. Presence of microvilli with interdigitations between neighboring cells were found in CGTH W-2 and CGTH W-3 cell lines. Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were used to determine whether these cells were tumorigenic. Two months after transplantation of 1 × 107 CGTH W-1, 2, and 3 cells into SCID mice, subcutaneous tumors ∼ 2–2.5 cm in size were clearly visible. After affinity cross-linking, an IGF-I with insulin-like growth factor binding proteins complex corresponding to a molecular size of 41 kDa was observed in culture media collected from CGTH W-1, SW 579, and RO82 W-1 cells. Conclusions Three thyroid cancer cell lines were established, which may provide material for future thyroid cancer research. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Asymptotic properties of autoregressive integrated moving average processes

Abstract In this paper we study the asymptotic behavior of so-called autoregressive integrated moving average processes. These processes constitute a large class of stochastic difference equations which includes among many other well-known processes the simple one-dimensional random walk. They were dubbed by G.E.P. Box and G.M. Jenkins who found them to provide useful models for studying and controlling the behavior of certain economic variables and various chemical processes. We show that autoregressive integrated moving average processes are asymptotically normally distributed, and that the sample paths of such processes satisfy a law of the iterated logarithm. We also establish a law which determines the time spent by a sample path on one or the other side of the “trend line” of the process.
Fermions in the hypercharge sector of the standard lattice electroweak theory. Global limit

We study the global limit of the hypercharge U(1){sub Y} sector of the standard lattice electroweak theory. We show that for fermions with both Y{sub R} = 0 and Y{sub R} {ne} 0 the doubler modes can be removed in the continuum limit while the physical fermion masses can be tuned to agree with physical values. 18 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.
Nuclear Role of WASp in the Pathogenesis of Dysregulated TH1 Immunity in Human Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome

The clinical symptomatology in the X-linked Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), a combined immunodeficiency and autoimmune disease resulting from WAS protein (WASp) deficiency, reflects the underlying coexistence of an impaired T helper 1 (TH1) immunity alongside intact TH2 immunity. This suggests a role for WASp in patterning TH subtype immunity, yet the molecular basis for the TH1-TH2 imbalance in human WAS is unknown. We have discovered a nuclear role for WASp in the transcriptional regulation of the TH1 regulator gene TBX21 at the chromatin level. In primary TH1-differentiating cells, a fraction of WASp is found in the nucleus, where it is recruited to the proximal promoter locus of the TBX21 gene, but not to the core promoter of GATA3 (a TH2 regulator gene) or RORc (a TH17 regulator gene). Genome-wide mapping demonstrates association of WASp in vivo with the gene-regulatory network that orchestrates TH1 cell fate choice in the human TH cell genome. Functionally, nuclear WASp associates with H3K4 trimethyltransferase [RBBP5 (retinoblastoma-binding protein 5)] and H3K9/H3K36 tridemethylase [JMJD2A (Jumonji domain-containing protein 2A)] proteins, and their enzymatic activity in vitro and in vivo is required for achieving transcription-permissive chromatin dynamics at the TBX21 proximal promoter in primary differentiating TH1 cells. During TH1 differentiation, the loss of WASp accompanies decreased enrichment of RBBP5 and, in a subset of WAS patients, also of filamentous actin at the TBX21 proximal promoter locus. Accordingly, human WASp-deficient TH cells, from natural mutation or RNA interference–mediated depletion, demonstrate repressed TBX21 promoter dynamics when driven under TH1-differentiating conditions. These chromatin derangements accompany deficient T-BET messenger RNA and protein expression and impaired TH1 function, defects that are ameliorated by reintroducing WASp. Our findings reveal a previously unappreciated role of WASp in the epigenetic control of T-BET transcription and provide a new mechanism for the pathogenesis of WAS by linking aberrant histone methylation at the TBX21 promoter to dysregulated adaptive immunity.
Neural Development: Spinning skin into neurons

Basic helix–loop–helix proteins are transcriptional regulators with important roles in myogenesis and neurogenesis. One such protein, NeuroD, has an impressive ability to promote ectopic neuronal differentiation in Xenopus.
Optical Characterization of Silicon Oxycarbide Thin Films

The local bonding environments in silicon oxycarbide thin films with different amounts of carbon were analyzed using the complementary optical techniques of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies. Film formation was accomplished by low-temperature (250°C), plasma-enhanced CVD using SiH4, CH4 and O2 as the source gases. Control samples were also deposited using only SiH4 and CH4, and SiH4 and O2 source gases. The films were then subjected to rapid thermal annealing at 800, 900 and 1100 °C for 90 seconds. Results showed that carbon incorporation into the oxide hinders stoichiometric SiO2 formation upon annealing at 800 and 900 °C. Annealing at 1100 °C produced films which showed stoichiometric SiO2 formation. Phase separation into nano-crystalline silicon (<5 nm) and a mixture of amorphous silicon carbide and silicon oxide was also observed upon annealing, with crystallite size decreasing as the carbon content of the films was increased.
Perceived Historical Drinking Norms and Current Drinking Behavior: Using the Theory of Normative Social Behavior as a Framework for Assessment

Social norms are sustained and disseminated, both implicitly and explicitly, through the act of communication. As a result, communication researchers have sought to classify and target normative perceptions to enact social change. In line with this research, the current study investigated whether perceptions of past normative behavior, referred to here as historical norms, were significantly related to current behavior. Using the theory of normative behavior as a guiding framework, two studies were conducted to assess whether college student drinking behavior was related to one of two perceived historical drinking norms measures: historical consumption norms (i.e., the perceived percentage of students who drank over time) and historical tradition norms (i.e., the perception of drinking as a university tradition). Study 1 revealed that although historical consumption norms was not directly related to drinking behavior, it moderated the effect of descriptive norms on drinking behavior (p = .03). A full asse...
Racial Preference and Intelligence.

Summary Young black males and females (N = 60 in Head Start and day-care groups) were administered a short form of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence and a racial preference measure. A point biserial correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between an intelligence test score and racial preference. The results suggested a significant relationship between the two variables for males and females, with high IQ males making white choices and high IQ females making black choices.
Correction to 'Directory-based cache coherence in large-scale multiprocessor'

A corrected version of fig. 4 of the above-titled paper (see ibid., vol.23, no.6, p.49-58, 1990) is provided. Because two shades of black appeared to be continuous when printed, the speech bar chart in the figure did not properly illustrate the difference between the 'Read only processing by block' and the 'Unoptimized trace' portions of the bars. >
A Tentative Theory of Metallic Whisker Growth

Abstract : The surface-tension forces on a small hump of a metallic surface are considered in a theory of metallic whisker growth. Approximate calculations relate the whisker radius to a Frank-Read source at the surface of the metal. The rate of growth of a tin whisker at room temperature is calculated to be from 1 mm to 1 cm per year for K Beta n - 100 to 1000. K is a factor depending on the detailed stress distribution, Beta is the number of lattice sites which can emit or absorb vacancies, and n is the number of loops in transit between the source and the surface at one time.
Electrophysiologic differences between mouse extensor digitorum longus and soleus.

Abstract Miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs) and indirectly elicited action potentials were recorded in vivo at 37°C from surface fibers of the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and the slow-twitch soleus (SOL) muscles of 3- to 4-month-old Bar Harbor 129 mice. The EDL MEPPs exhibited a significantly higher frequency, smaller amplitude, and shorter duration than the MEPPs of the SOL. Action potentials of EDL fibers exhibited a significantly greater amplitude and shorter duration than SOL fibers. A single stimulus elicited several action potentials from an EDL fiber but only one action potential from a SOL fiber. Fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibers can thus be identified and distinguished on the basis of these electrophysiologic parameters. There was no significant difference in resting membrane potentials between EDL and SOL fibers.
Preference alters consumptive effects of predators: top-down effects of a native crab on a system of native and introduced prey.

Top-down effects of predators in systems depend on the rate at which predators consume prey, and on predator preferences among available prey. In invaded communities, these parameters might be difficult to predict because ecological relationships are typically evolutionarily novel. We examined feeding rates and preferences of a crab native to the Pacific Northwest, Cancer productus, among four prey items: two invasive species of oyster drill (the marine whelks Urosalpinx cinerea and Ocenebra inornata) and two species of oyster (Crassostrea gigas and Ostrea lurida) that are also consumed by U. cinerea and O. inornata. This system is also characterized by intraguild predation because crabs are predators of drills and compete with them for prey (oysters). When only the oysters were offered, crabs did not express a preference and consumed approximately 9 juvenile oysters crab−1 day−1. We then tested whether crabs preferred adult drills of either U. cinerea or O. inornata, or juvenile oysters (C. gigas). While crabs consumed drills and oysters at approximately the same rate when only one type of prey was offered, they expressed a strong preference for juvenile oysters over drills when they were allowed to choose among the three prey items. This preference for oysters might negate the positive indirect effects that crabs have on oysters by crabs consuming drills (trophic cascade) because crabs have a large negative direct effect on oysters when crabs, oysters, and drills co-occur.
Femtosecond pulses in the focal region of lenses.

A systematic theoretical and experimental study of focusing femtosecond light pulses by single lenses is presented. By evaluation of the diffraction integral the interplay of spherical and chromatic aberration is shown to determine the temporal as well as the spatial intensity distribution in the focal region of a lens. Conditions are derived under which the effect of spherical aberration dominates. Here a temporally unbroadened, in-focus pulse occurs while the spatial distribution is that expected from an annular lens aperture. If chromatic aberration is the major aberration, the in-focus pulses are considerably broadened. Both effects could clearly be measured with 100-fs pulses using a modified Michelson interferometer. In an intermediate parameter range both chromatic and spherical aberration contribute to the pulse broadening and to the spatial intensity pattern in a given plane in the focal region. From Fresnel diffraction we expect a weak-intensity distribution to precede the in-focus pulse on the axis. Another weak intensity peak is produced by the pulse traveling on axis. By measuring its separation from the main pulse in the marginal focal plane one can estiamte the aberration parameters.
Ligation of the α2-macroglobulin signaling receptor on macrophages induces synthesis of platelet activating factor

The binding of receptor-recognized forms of alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) to macrophage alpha 2M signaling receptors increases inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate synthesis and induces Ca2+ mobilization. In this report, we demonstrate that ligation of the macrophage alpha 2M signaling receptor is also associated with synthesis of platelet activating factor (PAF) by both the de novo and remodeling pathways. Both alpha 2M-methylamine and a cloned and expressed 20-kDa receptor binding fragment (RBF) from rat alpha 1M+, stimulated macrophage synthesis of PAF from [3H]acetate, [3H]methylcholine, and 1-O-[3H]alkyl lyso-PAF by two- to threefold. PAF levels reached a peak in 20 min after the cells were exposed to alpha 2M-methylamine or RBF; they remained elevated for about 1 h after ligand addition to the cells. When [3H]methylcholine was the substrate, pertussis toxin did not block PAF synthesis, but the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporin reduced synthesis by 65-70%. Cycloheximide completely abolished the increase in synthesis of PAF by macrophages exposed to alpha 2M-methylamine. By contrast, when [3H]acetate was employed as a precursor, staurosporin or cycloheximide did not abolish the increase in PAF synthesis. These studies suggest that protein kinase C is necessary for the induction of the de novo pathway by alpha 2M-methylamine. Both alpha 2M-methylamine and RBF stimulated the activity of lyso-PAF acetyltransferase by about fourfold. Both ligands also stimulated the activity of PAF acetylhydrolase by about six- to sevenfold, indicating that ligation of the alpha 2M signaling receptor also regulates the degradation of PAF. The ability of receptor-recognized forms of alpha 2M to regulate levels of PAF suggests that alpha 2M-proteinase complexes not only regulate macrophage function by activating intracellular signaling but also may indirectly regulate the function of other cells that cannot bind alpha 2M-proteinase complexes.
Earth System Science and the Internet

Abstract In 1991, NASA and the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) initiated a program to introduce college undergraduates to the interdisciplinary challenges of an emerging Earth system science approach to understanding our planet. Earth system science views the Earth as a synergistic physical system of interrelated phenomena, processes and cycles which remain largely unexplored in traditional disciplinary Earth science course offerings. The ongoing Cooperative University-based Program for Earth System Science Education (ESSE) challenges colleges and universities to develop and offer classroom courses which examine the Earth as a system and to share their progress, course materials and learning modules. Concurrent with the development of the ESSE community and its shared learning resources has been the exponential growth of the Internet and its suite of communication tools, which are a central resource for the ESSE Program. The Internet has enabled the rapid deployment of information and resources through shared repositories of learning materials and general Earth system science knowledge, all of which serve to create and maintain an active informed education community. ESSE participants are organizing to develop a suite of web-based Earth system science learning modules and sharing course materials and learning resources via the ESSE web site. The modular approach more easily assimilates peer-reviewed learning resources into a wide range of classroom environments. A web-based peer-reviewed Journal of Earth System Science Education is proposed to provide educators with quality classroom materials addressing the Earth as a system and to reward ESS resource developers with citable references. More sophisticated web search and retrieval functions, as well as advanced communication tools will be needed to maintain automated databases of networked resources and an informed user community as Earth system science and the Internet enter the new millennium.
Integrated Use of Expert Systems at the K-Tree Level

In this paper, we discuss the integrated use of expert systems built from expert systems shells. We explain that this integration can be conceptually viewed as expert systems integration at the K-tree level. The relationship between our work and other work in distributed artificial intelligence is also examined.
Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency: clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of a second family.

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency is an inborn error of metabolism that leads to combined serotonin and catecholamine deficiency, first described by Hyland et al in 1990. The clinical ...
Safety and efficacy of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor in kidney and liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND Leukopenia is not infrequently encountered following solid organ transplantation, most often in the setting of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and/or its treatment with ganciclovir. The present study was undertaken to determine the safety and efficacy of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in renal and liver transplant recipients with leukopenia. METHODS Between 1 June 1991 and 1 June 1998, patients received G-CSF for 2 indications: 1) white blood cell count (WBC) < 3000/mm3, with a decline from baseline; 2) to shorten the duration of leukopenia associated with chemotherapy. A retrospective review of the outcome of such therapy was undertaken. RESULTS 50 patients were given 100 courses of treatment with G-CSF; 35 of 168 liver transplant recipients (20.8%), 14 of 391 kidney transplant recipients (3.6%), and 1 of 4 recipients of combined liver-kidney transplants (25.0%) received from 1 to 9 courses of G-CSF. Presumed causes of leukopenia were identified as ganciclovir in 28 cases (28.0%), CMV in 21 (21.0%), chemotherapy in 12 (12.0%), sepsis in 11 (11.0%), azathioprine in 5 (5.0%), interferon in 3 (3.0%) and other causes in 20 cases (20.0%). The median length of therapy was 10.0 days (range 1-154 days) and the average dose of daily G-CSF received was 3.9+/-1.5 microg/kg/day. The average WBC was (2.4+/-1.3 )x 10(3)/microl at the beginning of therapy, and (13.8+/-9.1) x 10(3)/microl at the end of therapy. In 7 of 100 treatments (7.0%) a WBC of 5.0 x 10(3)/microl was not reached during G-CSF therapy; in 6 of these 7 cases, G-CSF therapy lasted fewer than 4 days. The mean time needed to reach a WBC count of 5 x 10(3)/microl was 3.7+/-3.3 days among 71 patients who had daily WBC counts sent. Eight G-CSF treatments (8.0%) were followed by episodes of rejection appearing during or within 2 months of treatment; 5 of them were biopsy-documented. No relation was found between the highest WBC obtained during G-CSF therapy and the risk of rejection. Eight patients (16.0%) died while receiving G-CSF, all from infection. Six of these 8 patients were receiving G-CSF for leukopenia secondary to sepsis. Overall, 25 patients (50.0%) received 49 courses of G-CSF secondary to CMV and/or ganciclovir therapy. In 40 of 49 courses (81.6%), ganciclovir could be continued at recommended doses. Twenty-one of 22 patients (95.5%) with symptomatic CMV infection had a clinical response to ganciclovir. Sixteen of 18 patients (88.9%) treated for a CMV infection and followed with serial antigenemia assays attained microbiological cure; both patients who did not were infected with ganciclovir resistant CMV. CONCLUSION G-CSF was well tolerated in solid organ transplant recipients. It was particularly useful in patients with CMV disease, allowing optimal ganciclovir therapy.
Suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression by 15S-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid in androgen-dependent prostatic adenocarcinoma cells.

Emerging reports now implicate alterations of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism with prostate carcinogenesis. To test this hypothesis, androgen-primed benign hyperplastic (BHC) and malignant tumorigenic (MTC) cells derived from the Lobund-Wistar rat model of autochthonous prostate adenocarcinoma were incubated with 14C-AA. Our data using MTCs revealed enhanced dual metabolism of 14C-AA via COX to generate increased PGE2 and via 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) to generate increased 5S-HETE in tumorigenic cells. Western blot of MTCs revealed upregulation of COX-2 expression. This paralleled the increased biosynthesis of PGE2. Since some polyunsaturated fatty acids have been reported to modulate AA metabolism and tumorigenesis, we primed the cells with either γ-linolenic acid (GLA) or its in vivo metabolite, 15S-HETrE, prior to incubation with AA. Our data revealed suppression of COX-2 expression/PGE2 biosynthesis. In parallel, priming cells with 15S-HETrE resulted in greater suppression of COX-2 expression/PGE2 biosynthesis. These findings suggest that 15S-HETrE could function in vivo after dietary intake of GLA to suppress DHT-enhanced prostatic COX-2 expression/PGE2 biosynthesis and, thus, alleviate tumor growth and progression. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Oxygen consumption during spontaneous ventilation with acute lung injury in anesthetized pigs.

Acute lung injury causes a restrictive pulmonary defect, decreases lung compliance, and increases the work of breathing. We wished to determine the oxygen cost of the increased elastic work of breathing associated with acute lung injury. Extracorporeal venous circulation with a membrane lung was used to extract CO2 and to induce apnea in 14 anesthetized pigs. Data were collected during 4 experimental states: during spontaneous ventilation and apnea when the animals' lungs were normal, and after acute lung injury developed because of oleic acid administration.Acute lung injury decreased lung compliance from 101 ± 79 (mean ± SD) to 52 ± 25 ml/cm H2O (p < 0.04), and increased the elastic work of breathing from 700 ± 590 to 1,060 ± 630 ml·cm H2O (p = 0.01). During spontaneous ventilation, the increases in total O2 consumption and the O2 cost of breathing caused by acute lung injury were sufficiently small as to be undetectable, and, therefore, less than 3 to 4% of basal O2 consumption despite markedly increas...
Site of Recurrence in Patients with Stages I and II Carcinoma of the Lung Resected for Cure

Ninety-nine patients with Stage I or II lung carcinoma that was other than the small cell type and who survived for more than 30 days after a "curative" resection were followed for five years or until death if it occurred prior to the five-year anniversary. Recurrent disease developed in 44 patients. Clinical data and data from postmortem examination were reviewed in these 44 patients in an attempt to classify each recurrence as either initially local or distinct metastatic disease. The site of the first documented recurrence was local in 18 patients and distance metastases in 26. When the patients with recurrence were separated into TNM categories, it was apparent that in those patients without lymph nodes metastases demonstrated in the resected specimen (N0), the initial recurrence tended to be a distant metastases, whereas in those with such involvement (N1), the initial occurrence was more often local. In light of these data, selection of appropriate initial adjuvant therapeutic modalities may be different for each type of patient.
Cobalt-based catalysts supported on titania and zirconia for the oxidation of nitric oxide to nitrogen dioxide

Abstract Cobalt-based catalysts supported on TiO2 and ZrO2 were studied for the oxidation of NO to NO2 in excess oxygen. NO oxidation was studied as the first step in a two-step catalytic scheme where NO is oxidized to NO2 and in turn NO2 is reduced with CH4 to N2 under lean conditions. Catalysts were prepared by sol–gel (SG) and incipient-wetness impregnation (IWI) techniques and characterized by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), and diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS). It was found the nature of the support, the synthesis technique, and the pretreatment conditions affect the catalytic activity. 10% Co/ZrO2 catalysts prepared by IWI were found to be most active among the catalysts tested, giving the highest NO uptake capacity and the highest turnover frequency (TOF) based on NO adsorption sites. Tests with bulk Co3O4 also showed significant NO oxidation activity.
The survival of primordial color fluctuations

Abstract We calculate the probability that primordial statistical color fluctuations present in the early universe survive and become states of fractional electric charge. Even in the case of exact (i.e., perfectly confining) QCD, we show that there may be a nonzero (but undetectably small) abundance of fractionally-charged states due to primordial fluctuations. We predict a larger fractional charge abundance if QCD is broken, and that the abundance would probably be unacceptably large if the temperature for spontaneous symmetry breaking is greater than the QCD scale parameter Λ.
Echocardiographic measures of systolic and diastolic function worsen in children 1 year after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Methods We retrospectively reviewed pre- and 1 year post-HSCT echocardiograms in patients less than 21 years old who received HSCT at Children's Hospital Boston between 2005 and 2008. We compared systolic and diastolic function parameters, including corrected velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (VCFc), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), stress-velocity index, tissue Doppler imaging derived measurements (E’ ,A ’, and S’ myocardial velocities at the septum, mitral annulus, and tricuspid annulus), and left ventricular flow propagation, in this cohort. Pre- and post-HSCT values of each parameter were compared using the paired t-test.
Confucianism and Ethics in the Western Philosophical Tradition II: A Comparative Analysis of Personhood

This Philosophy Compass article continues the comparison between Confucian and mainstream Western views of personhood and their connection with ethics begun in Confucianism and Ethics in the Western Philosophical Tradition: Fundamental Concepts (CEWI), by focusing on the Western self conceived as an independent agent with moral and political rights. More specifically, the present article briefly accounts for how the more strictly and explicitly individualistic notion of self dominating Western philosophy has developed, leading up to a recent debate in modern Western rights theory between Herbert Fingarette and Henry Rosemont, Jr., two contemporary Western philosophers who are both steeped in Confucian thought as well as moral and political philosophy. This compares and contrasts Confucian principles with some basic to modern Western rights theory and the more individualistic view of self they entail. In the end, a new view of personhood and “free will” is offered that synthesizes insights from the Confucian treatment of persons as being essentially interdependent with the Western treatment of persons as being essentially independent. [Correction added after online publication 31 May 2010: Sentence changed.]
MRI Phenotype Is Associated With Response to Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage III Breast Cancer

Background: The preferred management for women with stage II or locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) is neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Pathologic response to chemotherapy has been shown to be an excellent predictor of outcome. Surrogates that can predict pathologic response and outcome will fuel future changes in management. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrates that patients with LABC have distinct tumor patterns. We investigated whether or not these patterns predict response to therapy.
Effective Sampling Range of a Synthetic Protein-Based Attractant for Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Studies were conducted in Honduras to determine effective sampling range of a female-targeted protein-based synthetic attractant for the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Multilure traps were baited with ammonium acetate, putrescine, and trimethylamine lures (three-component attractant) and sampled over eight consecutive weeks. Field design consisted of 38 traps (over 0.5 ha) placed in a combination of standard and high-density grids to facilitate geostatistical analysis, and tests were conducted in coffee (Coffea arabica L.),mango (Mangifera indica L.),and orthanique (Citrus sinensis X Citrus reticulata). Effective sampling range, as determined from the range parameter obtained from experimental variograms that fit a spherical model, was approximately 30 m for flies captured in tests in coffee or mango and approximately 40 m for flies captured in orthanique. For comparison, a release-recapture study was conducted in mango using wild (field-collected) mixed sex C. capitata and an array of 20 baited traps spaced 10-50 m from the release point. Contour analysis was used to document spatial distribution of fly recaptures and to estimate effective sampling range, defined by the area that encompassed 90% of the recaptures. With this approach, effective range of the three-component attractant was estimated to be approximately 28 m, similar to results obtained from variogram analysis. Contour maps indicated that wind direction had a strong influence on sampling range, which was approximately 15 m greater upwind compared with downwind from the release point. Geostatistical analysis of field-captured insects in appropriately designed trapping grids may provide a supplement or alternative to release-recapture studies to estimate sampling ranges for semiochemical-based trapping systems.
The incumbent discount: Stock market categories and response to radical technological change

I combine research from institutional theory and technological change to explore stock market reactions as firms respond to radical technological change and, further, how these reactions affect firms' subsequent responses. An incumbent firm's stock price will decrease to the extent that it is forced it to depart from its stock market identity. Negative reactions from the stock market, in turn, affect subsequent response efforts. Incumbent inertia or an inability to respond to technological change may arise from institutional pressures from financial markets during the uncertain period of technological change.
Theory of Periodic Dielect Waveguides

The propagation of electromagnetic waves along open periodic, dielectric waveguides is formulated here as a rigorous and exact boundary-value problem. The characteristic field solutions are shown to be of the surface-wave or leaky-wave type, depending on the ratio of periodicity to wavelength (d/lambda). The dispersion curves and the space-harmonic amplitudes of these fields are examined for both TE and TM modes. Specific numerical examples are given for the cases of holographic layers and for rectangularly corrugated gratings; these show the detailed behavior of the principal field components and the dependence of waveguiding and leakage characteristics on the physical parameters of the periodic configuration.
Modeling the effects of organic nitrogen uptake by plants on the carbon cycling of boreal forest and tundra ecosystems

Boreal forest and tundra are the major ecosystems in the northern high latitudes in which a large amount of carbon is stored. These ecosystems are nitrogen-limited due to slow mineralization rate of the soil organic nitrogen. Recently, abundant field studies have found that organic nitrogen is another important nitrogen supply for boreal forest and tundra ecosystems. In this study, we incorporated a mechanism that allowed boreal plants to uptake small molecular amino acids into a process-based biogeochemical model, the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (TEM), to evaluate the impact of organic nitrogen uptake on ecosystem carbon cycling. The new version of the model was evaluated for both boreal forest and tundra sites. We found that the modeled organic nitrogen uptake accounted for 36–87% of total nitrogen uptake by plants in tundra ecosystems and 26–50% for boreal forests, suggesting that tundra ecosystem might have more relied on the organic form of nitrogen than boreal forests. The simulated monthly gross ecosystem production (GPP) and net ecosystem production (NEP) tended to be larger with the new version of the model since the plant uptake of organic nitrogen alleviated the soil nitrogen limitation especially during the growing season. The sensitivity study indicated that the most important factors controlling the plant uptake of organic nitrogen was the soil amino acid diffusion coefficient ( D e ) in our model, suggesting that the organic nitrogen uptake by plants is likely to be regulated by the edaphic characteristics of diffusion. The model uncertainty due to uncertain parameters associated with organic nitrogen uptake of the tundra ecosystem was larger than the boreal forest ecosystems. This study suggests that considering the organic nitrogen uptake by plants is important to carbon modeling of boreal forest and tundra ecosystems.
AIR FILTRATION IMPROVED BY ELECTROSTATICALLY CHARGING FIBROUS MATERIALS

ABSTRACT Particle filtration efficiency is governed by mechanical mechanisms, i.e. interception, impaction and diffusion, as well as by electrostatic mechanisms, i.e. electrostatic attraction force. The mechanical mechanisms are determined by the surface area of fibers on the web. Therefore, reducing fiber diameter improves filtration efficiency. However, filters have a low filtration efficiency for very small particles by mechanical mechanisms. The filtration efficiency is greatly improved by electrostatic charging of fibrous materials. Charging theory and charging techniques will be described. The improvement of filtration efficiency by electrostatically charging the meltblown polypropylene (PP) webs using the techniques developed at the University of Tennessee as compared with other techniques will be discussed.
Modeling nonlinear dynamics in analog circuits via root localization

An algorithm for determining when electrical circuit poles and zeros (i.e., roots) are topologically localized to a node or coupled-pair of nodes is described. Discovering this relationship provides insight to designers for circuit optimization, and is a basis upon which nonlinear dynamic behavioral models can be built. This root localization algorithm, the main contribution of this paper, facilitates the creation of models that more accurately reflect the distinctive behavior of a circuit. This is accomplished by identifying when poles and zeros can be modeled as localized effects whose values change with circuit operating conditions. The underlying modeling approach is described to provide a context for this research. The algorithm is illustrated through several examples.
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli vesicles target toxin delivery into mammalian cells.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a prevalent cause of traveler’s diarrhea and infant mortality in thirdworld countries. Heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) is secreted from ETEC via vesicles composed of outer membrane and periplasm. We investigated the role of ETEC vesicles in pathogenesis by analyzing vesicle association and entry into eukaryotic cells. Fluorescently labeled vesicles from LT-producing and LT-nonproducing strains were compared in their ability to bind adrenal and intestinal epithelial cells. ETEC-derived vesicles, but not control nonpathogenderived vesicles, associated with cells in a time-, temperature-, and receptor-dependent manner. Vesicles were visualized on the cell surface at 41C and detected intracellularly at 371C. ETEC vesicle endocytosis depended on cholesterol-rich lipid rafts. Entering vesicles partially colocalized with caveolin, and the internalized vesicles accumulated in a nonacidified compartment. We conclude that ETEC vesicles serve as specifically targeted transport vehicles that mediate entry of active enterotoxin and other bacterial envelope components into host cells. These data
The seroprevalence of cagA-positive Helicobacter pylori strains in the spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Abstract Background & Aims: The role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is unknown. We determined the prevalence of cagA -positive (cagA + ) H. pylori strains in patients with GERD or its complications compared with controls of similar age. Methods: A total of 153 consecutive patients with GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and Barrett's esophagus complicated by dysplasia or adenocarcinoma were compared with 57 controls who underwent upper endoscopy for reasons other than GERD. H. pylori infection and CagA antibody status were determined by histology and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: H. pylori prevalence was lower (34%) in patients with GERD and its sequelae than in the control group (45.6%)( P = 0.15). Regardless of the group, increasing age was associated with higher prevalence of H. pylori ( P = 0.003). When compared with controls (42.3%), the prevalence of cagA + H. pylori strains decreased ( P = 0.008) in patients with more severe complications of GERD (GERD, 36.7% [nonerosive GERD, 41.2%; erosive GERD, 30.8%]; Barrett's esophagus, 13.3%; and Barrett's with adenocarcinoma/dysplasia, 0%). Conclusions: Prevalence of H. pylori in patients with GERD and its sequelae was lower but not significantly different than that of a control group. However, patients carrying cagA + strains of H. pylori may be protected against the complications of GERD, especially Barrett's esophagus and its associated dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1998;115:50-57
The Independent Association Between 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D and Adiponectin and Its Relation With BMI in Two Large Cohorts: The NHS and the HPFS

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and adiponectin levels are both associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease. Cross-sectional studies have suggested that 25(OH)D concentrations are positively associated with adiponectin, and that this relation may strengthen with increasing BMI. However, these studies had small samples sizes and did not account for many known confounders of adiponectin levels. We evaluated whether 25(OH)D was independently associated with circulating adiponectin in two large populations, and whether BMI modified this relationship. Cross-sectional analyses were performed on 1,206 women from the Nurses' Health Study I (NHS) and 439 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the independent association between 25(OH)D and adiponectin after controlling for potential confounders. Effect modification by BMI was examined by creating interaction terms between vitamin D and BMI. 25(OH)D concentrations were positively associated with circulating adiponectin in univariate analyses, and also independently associated with adiponectin after multivariable adjustments in both populations (women: β = 0.06, P < 0.001; men: β = 0.07, P < 0.05). BMI did not significantly modify the relation between 25(OH)D and adiponectin in either population. Higher 25(OH)D concentrations were independently associated with higher adiponectin concentrations in large populations of women and men. Since lower levels of 25(OH)D and adiponectin are associated with higher cardio-metabolic risk, assessing the effect of vitamin D supplementation on adiponectin levels is warranted.
Temporal Patterns in Student-Advisor Instant Messaging Exchanges: Individual Variation and Accommodation

This study analyzed rhythm and timing in 18 instant messenger (IM) conversations between one advisor and four graduate students (4 dyads), hypothesizing that individuals would show a consistent style across sessions but would differ from one another across dyads. ANOVA results supported the hypotheses for individual students and dyads; however, the advisor varied the timing of her messages to harmonize with the students’ preferred temporal styles. These findings suggest that individuals’ temporal consistency with themselves may be disrupted if they accommodate to others; advisors may be especially likely to do this. A correlation was also found between number of characters and seconds per message across sessions, on the basis of which we posit an overall temporal profile for dyadic IM. Implications of the findings are discussed for online advising, instruction, and system design.
“You Got to Apply Seriousness”: A Phenomenological Inquiry of Liberian Refugees' Coping

Liberian women's coping with refugee resettlement in the United States was examined. The authors analyzed interviews of 10 women according to van Manen's (1990) hermeneutic phenomenology. Nine themes, grouped within 3 coping categories (adopting culturally sanctioned attitudes, engaging with a new environment, and situating oneself in a narrative), were identified. Implications include the need for counselors to use holistic and advocacy-based counseling approaches and facilitate coping by cultural meaning making of experiences.
Participant Observation and the Nonnative Ethnographer: Implications of Positioning on Discourse-Centered Fieldwork:

Much of the methods literature examines the roles an ethnographer may play while conducting fieldwork (e.g., the ‘‘outsider,’’ the ‘‘stranger,’’ or the ‘‘student’’). This article shifts the focus t...
System Identification of a MEMS Gyroscope

Author(s): M’closkey, RT; Gibson, S; Hui, J | Abstract: This paper reports the experimental system identification of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory MEMS vibratory rate gyroscope. A primary objective is to estimate the orientation of the stiffness matrix principal axes for important sensor dynamic modes with respect to the electrode pick-offs in the sensor. An adaptive lattice filter is initially used to identify a high-order two-input/two-output transfer function describing the input/output dynamics of the sensor. A three-mode model is then developed from the identified input/output model to determine the axes’ orientation. The identified model, which is extracted from only two seconds of input/output data, also yields the frequency splitbetween the sensor’s modes that are exploited in detecting the rotation rate. The principal axes’ orientation and frequency split give direct insight into the source of quadrature measurement error that corrupts detection of the sensor’s angular rate. © 2001 ASME.