cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of chronic caffeine feeding on the activities of oxygen free radical defense enzymes in the growing rat heart and liver

The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between concentration of Zn, Cu and Fe, and the catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in the heart and liver of newborn rats whose dams were fed a diet supplemented with caffeine. Heart Zn levels of the 22- and 30-day-old rats of the caffeine group showed a decrease, whereas liver Zn levels showed an increase compared to the control. Cu levels in the liver at day 22 in the caffeine group were less than in the control. Cu- and Zn-containing superoxide dismutase activities showed an increase in the hearts of the caffeine group compared to the control. The activity of catalase and glutathion peroxidase showed no difference in the heart and liver between the groups. The present study suggests the possible involvement of superoxide dismutase enzyme in the impairment of heart formation as a result of chronic caffeine intake in the early growing period.
The Mania of Existence: Klein, Winnicott, and Heidegger's Concept of Inauthenticity

This paper offers a new interpretation of Heidegger's concept of inauthenticity (Uneigentlichkeit) in Being and Time. It breaks from the “conformity interpretation” of inauthenticity, according to which the anonymity of the inauthentic person is due to her conformity to das Man. Rather, it argues that the anonymity of the inauthentic person is due to “existential mania” – a state in which a person denies her death and anxiety, understands her abilities to be limitless, and is perpetually active. It shows how this existential mania – and the anonymity to which it gives rise – is analogous to the mania described by the object relations psychoanalyst Melanie Klein. Finally, drawing on D. W. Winnicott's discussion of mania, it shows how both the inauthentic person's conformity to das Man, and her existential mania, give rise to anonymity.
Laparoscopic approaches to the common bile duct stone: transcystic bile duct exploration, choledochotomy and stone fragmentation

It has been illustrated that a convergence of new technologies, including advanced laparoscopic techniques, flexible video endoscopy, coaxial balloon dilators and biliary lithotripsy, has allowed the modern laparoscopic surgeon to address a pressing issue: how to deal with choledocholithiasis. A variety of techniques and methods have been described; each has their advocates, philosophical advantages and potential drawbacks. The definitive decision as to which technique is the best awaits the results of future prospective studies. Until then, the three techniques outlined will allow the majority of surgeons to extend the advantages of minimally invasive surgery to patients with choledocholithiasis. There is no doubt that this is desirable. These procedures, however, are not without their failure rate and complications, and they remain technically demanding. Increased education and training of surgeons is needed and further improvement of existing technology is demanded. This includes improved fibreoptic choledochoscopes with better optics, more flexibility and larger working channels; better stone baskets and better mechanical graspers, and safer and more effective stone lithotriptors. Other questions remain unanswered, such as the relative and absolute contraindications to performing laparoscopic common duct explorations. Can patients with multiple common duct stones or very small ducts be safely handled using these methods? Is there a size of common duct stone that is safe to leave behind, and are there safe antegrade methods of treating distal duct stenosis? The new interest in avoiding the placement of T-tubes for common duct drainage also needs close scrutiny. All these questions need well-constructed studies to answer them; but in the meantime, laparoscopic common duct exploration is undoubtedly here to stay, and this new approach to an old problem is inducing biliary surgeons to question many traditionally held dicta, which can in the long run only be in the patients' best interest.
Laser‐induced fluorescence measurement of plasma ion temperatures: Corrections for power saturation

When using high‐power pulsed tunable dye lasers to measure plasma ion temperatures, it is important to attenuate the laser intensity. The temperature is found from the Doppler broadening of a spectral line. This may be obscured by saturation broadening, an instrumental effect encountered when too much laser intensity is used. Three useful experimental methods for determining the optimum pulsed laser intensity are found from a semiclassical atomic physics model. As an example, an Ar II transition pumped by a 1‐GHz bandwidth laser is examined. The fluorescence linewidth of room‐temperature ions broadens from 1.50 to 2.87 GHz when the homogeneous laser intensity is increased from 50 kW/m2 to 5 MW/m2.
Transcriptional regulation of the human quinone reductase gene by antiestrogen-liganded estrogen receptor-α and estrogen receptor-β

We have previously reported that antiestrogens stimulate quinone reductase (NAD(P)H:(quinone-acceptor) oxidoreductase (QR or NQO1); EC 1.6.99.2) enzymatic activity, an action that may provide protective effects against the toxicity and mutagenicity caused by quinones. We have now investigated the transcriptional regulation of the QR gene by antiestrogens. In transfection experiments employing the 5'-flanking (863-base pair) region of the human QR gene promoter with its electrophile/antioxidant response element (EpRE/ARE) or deleted or mutated constructs, we observe that antiestrogens induced an increase in QR gene promoter reporter activity in estrogen receptor (ER) negative breast cancer and endometrial cancer cells transfected with ER, and this induction by antiestrogens was repressed by estradiol. The stimulation of QR transcriptional activity required the 31-base pair electrophile-responsive region from the human QR gene promoter and a functional ER. Intriguingly, antiestrogens were stronger activators of the QR EpRE via the ER subtype ERbeta than ERalpha. Oligonucleotide gel mobility and antibody shift assays reveal that the ER binds to the EpRE but is only a minor component of the proteins bound to the EpRE in ER-containing MCF-7 breast cancer cells. While binding of ERbeta to the estrogen response element was weaker when compared with ERalpha, ERbeta and ERalpha showed similar binding to the EpRE. Together these findings provide evidence that QR gene regulation by the antiestrogen-occupied ER is mediated by the EpRE-containing region of the human QR gene and indicate that the ER is one of the complex of proteins that binds to the EpRE. In addition, that ERbeta is a more potent activator at EpRE elements than is ERalpha suggests that the different levels of these two receptors in various estrogen target cells could impact importantly on the antioxidant potency of antiestrogens in different target cells. These findings have broad implications regarding the potential beneficial effects of antiestrogens since EpREs mediate the transcriptional induction of numerous genes, including QR, which encode chemoprotective detoxification enzymes.
Recent Advances in Automatic Continuous Online Monitoring of Polymerization Reactions (ACOMP)

ACOMP allows comprehensive, model-independent, near realtime monitoring of many different types of polymerization reactions. It provides conversion kinetics, and the evolution of average molar mass, intrinsic viscosity and average composition distributions (for copolymers). Here, recent advances in ACOMP will be summarized, dealing with continuous reactors, copolymerization, 'living' type reactions (NMP, RAFT, ATRP, ROMP), polyelectrolytes, heterogeneous phase reactions, including free radical reactions in emulsions, and predictive control. In the case of emulsion polymerization, a new approach will be presented in which the evolution of the characteristics of both the soluble phase - monomer conversion, polymer molar mass and intrinsic viscosity- and the dispersed phase - particle size - are simultaneously monitored. NSF CBET 0623531, BoR ITRS 019B, NASA NCC3-946, TIMES, PolyRMC (Tulane Center for Polymer Reaction Monitoring and Characterization).
Optical and RF combined link experiment (Invited Paper)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing a new and exciting communications capability through the Optical and Radio Frequency (RF) Combined Link Experiment (ORCLE) program. This program will develop and demonstrate a prototype system that combines free space optical and RF communications into a single networked system to provide compact, robust, high-bandwidth, mobile communications to military forces. ORCLE is a revolutionary approach to communications that will combine the high data rate capability of laser communications, the high reliability of RF communications, and clever network management to ensure high quality, reliable networked communications, even if some of the links are affected by atmospheric or physical obstructions.
Ambulatory EEG cassette recorders for prolonged electroencephalographic monitoring in animals

We describe the use of ambulatory cassette EEG recorders for monitoring in vivo neurophysiologic signals from multiple animals over prolonged periods of time. This technique centers around a simple interface device that attenuates the intracerebral signals to the input range of the recording device and around a common indifferent input for all animals. The resulting analog recordings have the advantage of good signal resolution and rapid review of 24 h of recorded data.
Neural basis of postural instability identified by VTC and EEG

In this study, we investigated the neural basis of virtual time to contact (VTC) and the hypothesis that VTC provides predictive information for future postural instability. A novel approach to differentiate stable pre-falling and transition-to-instability stages within a single postural trial while a subject was performing a challenging single leg stance with eyes closed was developed. Specifically, we utilized wavelet transform and stage segmentation algorithms using VTC time series data set as an input. The VTC time series was time-locked with multichannel (n = 64) EEG signals to examine its underlying neural substrates. To identify the focal sources of neural substrates of VTC, a two-step approach was designed combining the independent component analysis (ICA) and low-resolution tomography (LORETA) of multichannel EEG. There were two major findings: (1) a significant increase of VTC minimal values (along with enhanced variability of VTC) was observed during the transition-to-instability stage with progression to ultimate loss of balance and falling; and (2) this VTC dynamics was associated with pronounced modulation of EEG predominantly within theta, alpha and gamma frequency bands. The sources of this EEG modulation were identified at the cingulate cortex (ACC) and the junction of precuneus and parietal lobe, as well as at the occipital cortex. The findings support the hypothesis that the systematic increase of minimal values of VTC concomitant with modulation of EEG signals at the frontal-central and parietal-occipital areas serve collectively to predict the future instability in posture.
Evidence-based treatment of stuttering: V. The art of clinical practice and the future of clinical research.

Abstract This epilogue summarizes and expands on some of the many points raised in Parts I through IV, emphasizing that evidence-based practice is not in conflict with the “art” of clinical practice but may actually be synonymous. An evidence-based practice framework is also used to suggest some future directions for clinical research in stuttering. Educational objectives: The reader will learn about and be able to (1) describe the similarities between evidence-based practice and the art of clinical practice, (2) explain how evidence-based practice provides a structure for future stuttering research, and (3) evaluate the importance of an evidence-based approach to stuttering treatment.
Anti-atherosclerotic actions of azelaic acid, an end product of linoleic acid peroxidation, in mice.

Background Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with the accumulation of oxidized lipids in arterial lesions. Recently we studied the degradation of peroxidized linoleic acid and suggested that oxidation is an essential process that results in the generation of terminal products, namely mono- and dicarboxylic acids that may lack the pro-atherogenic effects of peroxidized lipids. In continuation of that study, we tested the effects of azelaic acid (AzA), one of the end products of linoleic acid peroxidation, on the development of atherosclerosis using low density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr−/−) mice.
Victims and survivors : Emerging vocabularies of motive for battered women who stay

This paper reviews the literature providing reasons for why battered women “stay” in abusive relationships and examines the emergence of images of battered women as “survivors” in early and contemporary activists’ discourses, drawing on ideas from social constructionist approaches to social problems, identity, and deviance to explore this phenomenon. Most of the early representations of battered women I analyze emphasize their emotionality and their victimization, while the more recent constructions of this collective identity discussed here emphasize their rationality and their agency. Both “victim” and “survivor” typifications provide accounts for why battered women stay in violent relationships, thus providing a vocabulary of motive for this oft-imputed “deviance.” Constructing battered women as survivors, however, may also remediate some of the stigma that can attach to victimization more generally. After situating victim and survivor discourses and considering how the image of a survivor may meet normative expectations that a victim image perhaps violates, I briefly discuss some implications of these alternate collective identities.
Combined Targeting of the Estrogen Receptor and the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Shows Enhanced Antiproliferative Effects

Identifying new effective therapeutic treatments for lung cancer is critical to improving overall patient survival. We have targeted both the estrogen receptor (ER) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathways using an ER antagonist, fulvestrant ("Faslodex"), and the selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib ("Iressa"), in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Rapid activation of phospho-EGFR and phospho-p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase by estrogen was observed, indicating nonnuclear ER transactivation of EGFR. Additionally, EGFR protein expression was down-regulated in response to estrogen and up-regulated in response to fulvestrant in vitro, suggesting that the EGFR pathway is activated when estrogen is depleted in NSCLC cells. Cell growth and apoptosis were examined in several NSCLC lines that express varying amounts of ERbeta, EGFR, and Neu but no full-length ERalpha. One cell line contained an EGFR mutation. Cells were exposed to 10 nmol/L estrogen and 10 ng/mL EGF and either 1 mumol/L fulvestrant or 1 mumol/L gefitinib alone or in combination. In all cell lines, the drug combination decreased cell proliferation up to 90% and increased apoptosis 2-fold. The relative responses to gefitinib and fulvestrant were similar regardless of ER and EGFR expression and mutation status. In an in vivo lung tumor xenograft model, the drug combination decreased tumor volume in severe combined immunodeficient mice by approximately 60% compared with 49% and 32% for gefitinib and fulvestrant treatment alone, respectively. Antitumor effects of the combination therapy were accompanied by biochemical and histologic evidence of increased apoptosis, decreased phospho-p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase expression, and increased Ki-67 expression compared with individual treatment. These studies provide evidence of a functional interaction between the ER and the EGFR pathways in NSCLC.
Improvement in smooth pursuit eye movements after cigarette smoking in schizophrenic patients

This study examined whether schizophrenics' cigarette smoking normalized smooth pursuit eye movement abnormalities. Fifteen schizophrenic and 15 nonschizophrenic subjects abstained from their usual cigarette smoking for an average of 10 h. Their baseline performance during a constant velocity smooth pursuit task was then assessed. The subjects smoked as much as they desired in a 10-min period and then were retested immediately postsmoking, and 10 and 20 min later. Smooth pursuit gain and the percentage of total eye movement due to various saccadic subtypes were computed using infrared oculography and computerized pattern recognition software. After smoking, smooth pursuit gain increased and the percentage of total eye movements due to leading saccades decreased significantly in the schizophrenic patients. There were no changes in the gain or leading saccades of nonschizophrenic subjects after smoking. Nicotinic receptor dysfunction may be a candidate mechanism for smooth pursuit eye movement abnormalities in schizophrenia.
Pigment cell interactions and differential xanthophore recruitment underlying zebrafish stripe reiteration and Danio pattern evolution

Fishes have diverse colour patterns, yet the mechanisms of pattern diversification are poorly understood. Here, the authors show that the uniform pigment pattern in Danio albolineatus is established by an early differentiation of xanthophores controlled by cis regulatory changes at the csf1a locus.
Determination of alkali metal ion binding selectivities of calixarenes by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization and electrospray ionization in a quadrupole ion trap

Abstract Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) are used to evaluate the alkali metal ion binding selectivities of a series of calixarenes. Each calixarene of interest is mixed with one or more alkali metal salts (1:100 ratio of calixarene to metal), either in the ESI solution or on the MALDI probe surface, and the relative binding selectivities are directly determined from the intensities of the calixarene/metal complexes in the mass spectra. For t -butylcalix[4]arene-tetraacetic acid tetraethyl ester (calixarene 1 ), complexation of Na + is favored over complexation of K + , in agreement with prior solution results obtained by conventional methods. For the three calixarenes that do not have t -butyl groups on the upper rims, the calixarenes preferentially bind K + over Na + , thus demonstrating that size selective complexation can be probed with both the ESI and MALDI methods. Collision-activated dissociation results indicate that the phenyl oxygens, but not necessarily the ethoxy ethyl oxygens of the lower rims, are the primary binding sites for the alkali metal ions.
Effect of 5α-dihydrotestosterone and flutamide on the facilitation of lordosis by LHRH and naloxone in estrogen-primed female rats

Abstract Although 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a potent inhibitor of lordosis behavior in ovariectomized estrogen-primed female rats, the mechanism(s) by which this steroid has this action is unknown. The present experiments sought to determine whether DHT inhibits lordosis by preventing the known facilitatory actions of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), naloxone, and Substance P on lordosis. Lordosis behavior was examined in ovariectomized, estrogen-primed rats prior to or 30, 60, 90, and 180 min following intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of LHRH (500ng), naloxone (1 μg), Substance P (1 μg), or saline and 0.01 N acetic saline vehicles, and the effects of DHT (2.5 mg/rat) following similar treatment were examined. In Experiment 1, LHRH and naloxone increased lordosis within 30 min after infusion, while Substance P and the saline or acetic saline vehicles had no effect. Treatment with DHT in combination with estrogen prevented the facilitation of lordosis by LHRH and naloxone. In Experiment 2, ovariectomized, estrogen-primed females shown to be responsive to LHRH during a first screening test were tested for lordosis after receiving either DHT or DHT in combination with the androgen receptor antagonist, Flutamide (7.5 mg/injection × 3). Again, DHT prevented the facilitatory action of LHRH; however, Flutamide did not counteract that effect. In Experiment 3, Flutamide did not counteract the inhibitory effect of DHT on estrogen and progesterone-induced lordosis. These results demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of DHT cannot be overridden by neuroactive peptides which themselves stimulate receptivity. It seems unlikely that DHT inhibits lordosis either by interfering with the behavioral action of these peptides or by activation of the androgen receptor.
Topographic analysis of human follicle-stimulating hormone-β using anti-peptide antisera

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify peptide sequences of human follicle-stimulating hormone-β (hFSHβ) which are accessible subsequent to association with hFSHα in heterodimeric hFSH. Antisera were raised against synthetic peptides (Abpep) corresponding to hFSHβ sequences 1–20, 16–36, 33–53, 49–67, 66–85, 81–100 and 98–111. The topography of hFSHβ was studied by testing the binding of these antisera to hFSHβ and hFSH captured by monoclonal antibodies (MAb) in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). When hFSH and hFSHβ were captured by the same MAb, binding of Ab16–36, Ab33–53, Ab81–100 and Ab98–111 to hFSH was significantly lower compared to hFSHβ. However, compared to other Abpep, binding of Ab35–53 to hFSH was strong. Similar results were obtained when hFSH was captured by an α-specific MAb (10.3A6). Using 10.3A6, it was also possible to demonstrate significant binding of Ab49–67 to hFSH. The data suggests that residues in regions 33–53 and 49–67 of hFSHβ appear to be accessible in the heterodimeric hFSH in addition to the glycosylated region of 1–15. Regions 16–36, 33–53, 81–100 and 98–111 of hFSHβ appear to contain subunit contact-associated sequences which are either masked or structurally altered subsequent to association with hFSHα in the heterodimeric hFSH.
Robust Control Design for Resonance Damping of a Directional Microphone

Abstract This work applies µ analysis and synthesis techniques to develop a robust strategy for damping resonant modes in micromachined directional microphones of the parallel capacitive type. By properly selecting a weighting function, a robust controller is successfully designed via the D-K algorithm. Linear simulations show that the resonant mode of a directional microphone can be flattened out, and pushed to a frequency beyond the sensitivity of the human ear. The closed loop responses are free of ringing effects observed in open loop even for the worst-case parameter values.
Dissociation of spatial navigation and visual guidance performance in Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) mutant mice.

Spatial learning in rodents requires normal functioning of hippocampal and cortical structures. Recent data suggest that the cerebellum may also be esential. Neurological mutant mice with dysgenesis of the cerebellum provide useful models to examine the effects of abnormal cerebellar function. Mice with one such mutation, Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd), in which Purkinje cells degenerate between the third and fourth postnatal weeks, were evaluated for performance of spatial navigation learning and visual guidance learning in the Morris maze swim-escape task. Unaffected littermates and C57BL/6J mice served as controls. Separate groups of pcd and control mice were tested at 30, 50 and 110 days of age. At all ages, pcd mice had severe deficits in distal-cue (spatial) navigation, failing to decrease path lengths over training and failing to express appropriate spatial biases on probe trials. On the proximal-cue (visual guidance) task, whenever performance differences between groups did occur, they were limited to the initial trials. The ability of the pcd mice to perform the proximal-cue but not the distal-cue task indicates that the massive spatial navigation deficit was not due simply to motor dysfunction. Histological evaluations confirmed that the pcd mutation resulted in Purkinje cell loss without significant depletion of cells in the hippocampal formation. Teese data provide further evidence that the cerebellum is vital for the expression of behavior directed by spatial cognitive processes.
SPIN-SPIN EFFECT IN THE 165HO TOTAL NEUTRON CROSS SECTION AT ENERGIES OF 0.4 and 1.0 MEV,

Abstract Measurements of the spin-spin effect, σ ss in the total cross section for polarized neutrons on polarized 165 Ho are reported at neutron energies of 0.4 and 1.0 MeV. The absence of an observable effect at 1.0 MeV is in contradiction with a recently reported experimental result. The results of an improved theoretical calculation of σ ss for neutron energies below 8 MeV are presented and used with the new experimental data to obtain the new limit ‖ V ss ‖
Bodies of evidence — compartmentalization of the piRNA pathway in mouse fetal prospermatogonia

Epigenetic reprogramming of embryonic mouse germ cells involves DNA demethylation of the genome that is accompanied by derepression of transposable elements (TEs). Threatening the genome's integrity, TE activation is efficiently countered by the concerted action of de novo DNA methylation and PIWI-interacting small RNAs (piRNAs). Recent studies have closely examined the subcellular localization of various piRNA pathway proteins in fetal prospermatogonia of wild-type and piRNA pathway mutant mice. Our survey highlights hierarchies and partnerships between the members of this ancient defensive mechanism. Overall, the elaborate cytoplasmic compartmentalization of the piRNA pathway in fetal prospermatogonia provides a highly informative context to aid our understanding of the mouse piRNA pathway.
A Cognitive Theory of Dream Symbols

(1953). A Cognitive Theory of Dream Symbols. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 169-186.
Distributed cognition: An alternative model of cognition for medical informatics

Abstract Background Medical informatics has been guided by an individual-centered model of human cognition, inherited from classical theory of mind, in which knowledge, problem-solving, and information-processing responsible for intelligent behavior all derive from the inner workings of an individual agent. Objectives and results In this paper we argue that medical informatics commitment to the classical model of cognition conflates the processing performed by the minds of individual agents with the processing performed by the larger distributed activity systems within which individuals operate. We review trends in cognitive science that seek to close the gap between general-purpose models of cognition and applied considerations of real-world human performance. One outcome is the theory of distributed cognition, in which the unit of analysis for understanding performance is the activity system which comprises a group of human actors, their tools and environment, and is organized by a particular history of goal-directed action and interaction. Conclusion We describe and argue for the relevance of distributed cognition to medical informatics, both for the study of human performance in healthcare and for the design of technologies meant to enhance this performance.
Synthesis and characterization of enantiomers of 5- and 6-methyloctanoic acids

Abstract Enantiomers of 5- and 6-methyloctanoic acids were synthesized in high configurational purity from 1,4-butanediol and 1,5-pentanediol, respectively. Each diol was alkylated with para-methylbenzyl bromide to form a monoether alcohol. The residual alcohol group was converted to a bromide that was then alykalated with valeric or butyric acid dianions, respectively, leading to α-branched acids that were resolved by fractional crystallization of diastereomeric α-phenylethylamides. Subsequently, the diastereomerically pure amides were reductively cleaved, the hydroxymethyl groups were reduced to methyl substituents, the para-methylbenzyl group was hydrogenolyzed, and the resulting alcohol was oxidized to the acid. Configurational assignments are described.
Nafion membranes reinforced with magnetically controlled Fe3O4–MWCNTs for PEMFCs

A novel composite membrane consisting of Nafion proton exchange polymer and Fe3O4–MWCNT (multiwall carbon nanotube) nanoparticles was prepared through solution-casting. By applying a magnetic field beneath the mixture during casting, the Fe3O4–MWCNT particles are drawn to one side of the membrane, promoting the formation of distinct Nafion-rich and Fe3O4–MWCNT-rich layers in the through-thickness direction of the cured membrane. This technique provides increased mechanical reinforcement to the membrane due to the presence of MWCNTs while preserving low electrical conductivity in the through-thickness direction due to the Fe3O4–MWCNT-free layer created by the magnetic field. The precursor Fe3O4–MWCNT nanocomposite was synthesized using wet chemistry techniques. Its crystal structure, morphology, and MWCNT content were verified using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Composite [Fe3O4–MWCNT]–Nafion membranes were synthesized with and without the application of a magnetic field. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were applied to the membranes and used to confirm the formation of two functional layers. Their tensile strength, electrochemical impedance, and fuel cell performance were also characterized and compared with pure Nafion membranes. It is shown that the magnetic preparation technique can be used to synthesize composite Fe3O4–MWCNT-reinforced Nafion membranes with improved tensile strength and equivalent fuel cell performance to pure Nafion. These membranes can potentially replace pure Nafion membranes in PEMFCs because thinner membranes with equivalent strength can be produced, resulting in increased performance.
Phosphorelay signalling: New tricks for an ancient pathway

Abstract ‘Two-component' phosphorelay systems, once thought to be used exclusively by prokaryotes, have in the past few years been shown to exist in eukaryotes. A two-component system in Dictyostelium has now been shown to modulate protein kinase A, a key regulator of multicellular development in this organism.
Thermal-mechanical responses of 3D IC integration with a passive TSV interposer

In this study, 3D IC integrations with a TSV interposer supporting Moore's law chips on its top and bottom sides are investigated. Emphasis is placed on the determination of the TSV interposer warpage and the nonlinear stress and creep strain in the Cu-low-k pads and micro solder joints.
Children and Fitness: A Public Health Perspective

Abstract The promotion of cardiorespiratory fitness through increased physical activity has become a national public health objective for both adults and children. Based on numerous small-scale studies it appears that children are highly fit but the population distribution is unknown due to the lack of rigorous population studies. Very little is known about the extent of children's physical activity; the available evidence does not support the hypothesis that children obtain sufficient activity to explain their generally high levels of fitness. Due to the lack of evidence of substantial carry-over effects of youth fitness to adult health and the likelihood of children's resistance to vigorous fitness routines, there is little reason to recommend an aerobic training focus in physical education. A focus on enjoyable moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with carry-over value to adulthood is recommended. Physical education is an important vehicle for promoting physical activity by children; it appear...
An ABC Guide to Provincial Lending Patterns in China: Progress and Prospects

With a non-performing loan ratio of over 20% in 2007, and a concentration in China's poorer areas, the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) seemed an unlikely candidate for a successful initial public offering. The major capital injection the bank received in November 2008 was preceded by signs of a reduced proclivity to lend to China’s loss-making state-owned enterprises over our 1998-2007 sample period, however. Although some evidence of redistributive lending practices remains, ABC's prospects may not actually be any worse than those of the other big state-owned banks that undertook initial public offerings in 2005-2006.
Dark Energy as a Property of Dark Matter

A novel model of dark matter (DM), elastically compressible, can contribute to the acceleration of our Universe expansion. While each galaxy compresses its own DM within its gravitation field, the DM bordering neighboring galaxies, far from their centers, is pulled apart. It is shown that, although the DM pressure tends to zero at such locations, the DM compressibility tends to infinity. This allows the DM to expand between galaxies without gravitation hindrance. The model is consistent with the coupled distributions of baryonic and dark matters, with black hole formation at the centers of large galaxies, with galactic flat rotation curves, with a Tully-Fisher relation, and with Milgrom’s MOND relation. Results are discussed.
Cholesterol ester concentrations and the ester hydrolases in cultured glioblastoma cells: Effect of lipoprotein depleted serum.

Abstract We have investigated the effects of substituting lipoprotein depleted serum (LPDS) for normal fetal calf serum (FCS) in culture media on cholesterol ester concentrations and the activity of the ester hydrolases in cultured glioblastoma (C-6 glial) cells. Glial cells grown in media supplemented with 10% FCS contained 16–23% of total cholesterol as esterified sterol. Total sterol content of the cells cultured in media supplemented with LPDS was reduced by 55–75% as compared to cells cultured in FCS media and none of this sterol was in esterified form. Cholesterol ester hydrolase activity was maximal at pH values of 4.5 and 6.5 and required Triton X-100 for optimal activity. Cholesterol ester hydrolase activity at pH 4.5 was significantly higher in cells grown in FCS media than in cells cultured in LPDS media, but the activity at pH 6.5 was not significantly different. The protein: DNA ratio of cells cultured in FCS was higher than in cells cultured in LPDS. These findings indicate that the increase in cholesterol ester concentrations in cells is accompanied by increased activity of lysosomal cholesterol ester hydrolase; and suggest that, in cells cultured in FCS, the availability of free cholesterol for incorporation into cellular membranes is regulated by cholesterol ester hydrolase. The findings also indicate that changes in growth and differentiation of cells cultured in LPDS may be related to reduced availability of exogenous cholesterol.
Role of urethral reconstruction and artificial sphincter in complicated salvage radical prostatectomy

Abstract Patients undergoing radical prostatectomy following failed definitive radiation therapy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate run a substantial risk of refractory bladder neck contractures and urinary incontinence developing. A combined reconstructive technique utilizing a urethral pull-through procedure and implantation of an antificial urinary sphincter to treat these complications is described. When a patient can truly be cured by radical prostatectomy, this relatively straightforward reconstruction can salvage what otherwise would be considered a surgical failure.
Matching vertical integration strategies to competitive conditions

This paper contrasts the vertical integration strategies of 192 firms in the presence of diverse environmental and strategic forces to suggest how successful uses of vertical integration differ from less successful ones. Briefly, firms which did not use vertical integration as effectively transferred more goods and services internally, and they did so more often under adverse industry conditions. A frequent error was to undertake more integrated activities in-house and engage in longer chains of processing from ultra-raw materials to finished goods. Ironically, many of the vertically integrated firms that suffered adversity possessed the bargaining power needed to contract advantageously for goods or services, but accepted an overly risky ownership position unnecessarily by producing them, instead.
Determination of the growth rate-regulated steps in expression of the Escherichia coli K-12 gnd gene.

In Escherichia coli K-12 strain W3110, the amount of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase relative to that of total protein, i.e., the specific enzyme activity, increases about threefold during growth in minimal media over the range of growth rates with acetate and glucose as sole carbon sources. Previous work with gnd-lac operon and protein fusion strains indicated that two steps in the expression of the gnd gene are subject to growth rate-dependent control, with at least one step being posttranscriptional. With both Northern (RNA) and slot blot analyses, we found that the amount of gnd mRNA relative to that of total RNA was 2.5-fold higher in cells growing in glucose minimal medium than in cells grown on acetate. Therefore, since the total mRNA fraction of total RNA is essentially independent of the growth rate, the amount of gnd mRNA relative to that of total mRNA increases about 2.5-fold with increasing growth rate. This indicates that most of the growth rate-dependent increase in 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase can be accounted for by the growth rate-dependent increase in gnd mRNA level. We measured the decay of gnd mRNA mass in the two growth conditions after blocking transcription initiation with rifampin and found that the stability of gnd mRNA does not change with growth rate. We also used a gnd-lacZ protein fusion to measure the functional mRNA half-life and found that it too is growth rate independent. Thus, the growth rate-dependent increase in the level of gnd mRNA is due to an increase in gnd transcription, and this increase is sufficient to account for the growth rate regulation of the 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase level. The dilemma posed by interpretations of the properties of gnd-lac fusion strains and by direct measurement of gnd mRNA level is discussed.
Decoupled control of combustion timing and work output in residual-affected HCCI engines

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is a promising low temperature combustion strategy for internal combustion engines. However, when HCCI is achieved with variable valve actuation (VVA) the lack of a direct combustion initiator and cycle-to-cycle dynamics complicate control of the process. This work outlines a strategy for the simultaneous control of both in-cylinder pressure and combustion timing through the use of an approximately decoupled timing/pressure controller. The decoupling is achieved by controlling peak pressure and combustion timing on separate time scales with different VVA-induced control inputs, inducted gas composition and effective compression ratio, respectively. The paper also details how the strategy can be extended to handle decoupled timing/work output control. Experimental results show that in-cylinder pressure or work output can be controlled on a cycle-to-cycle basis, while combustion timing is slowly varied.
Pre-Existing Tumor-Sensitized T Cells Are Essential for Eradication of Established Tumors by IL-12 and Cyclophosphamide Plus IL-12

The antitumor immune response activated by IL-12, especially by a combination of cyclophosphamide and IL-12 (Cy+IL-12), is clinically significant in certain experimental tumor models, in that a number of well-established (10-20 mm in diameter) s.c. tumors are completely eradicated. Furthermore, Cy+IL-12 treatment is also able to eradicate well-established grossly detectable experimental lung metastases and advanced ascites tumors. Despite the dramatic antitumor effects seen in some tumor models, Cy+IL-12 fails to induce regression of other established tumors. Characterization of tumor immunogenicity shows that all tumors responding to IL-12 and Cy+IL-12 treatments are immunogenic tumors, in that an antitumor immune response is detectable in tumor-bearing hosts upon tumor establishment. In contrast, none of the nonimmunogenic tumor responds to IL-12 and Cy+IL-12 treatments. Analysis of cellular requirements for successful tumor rejection through an adoptive cell transfer approach reveals that the presence of tumor-sensitized, but not naive, T cells is essential for tumor rejection by IL-12 and Cy+IL-12. Transfer of these tumor-sensitized T cells must be conducted before, but not after, IL-12 treatment in order for tumor rejection to occur. The requirement of sensitized T cells is also tumor specific. In mice bearing immunogenic tumors, the presence of pre-existing tumor-sensitized T cells is demonstrated by adoptive cell transfer experiments using purified spleen T cells from these mice. Results from our study show that Cy+IL-12-based immunotherapy of cancer may be highly effective and that pre-existing tumor-sensitized T cells are essential for the success of the therapy.
Biophysical mechanisms: a component in the weight of evidence for health effects of power-frequency electric and magnetic fields.

Abstract Swanson, J. and Kheifets, L. Biophysical Mechanisms: A Component in the Weight of Evidence for Health Effects of Power-Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields. Radiat. Res. 165, 470–478 (2006). Comparatively high exposures to power-frequency electric and magnetic fields produce established biological effects that are explained by accepted mechanisms and that form the basis of exposure guidelines. Lower exposures to magnetic fields (<1 μT average in the home) are classified as “possibly carcinogenic” on the basis of epidemiological studies of childhood leukemia. This classification takes into consideration largely negative laboratory data. Lack of biophysical mechanisms operating at such low levels also argues against causality. We survey around 20 biophysical mechanisms that have been proposed to explain effects at such low levels, with particular emphasis on plausibility: the principle that to produce biological effects, a mechanism must produce a “signal” larger than the “noise” that exists natu...
Blowup estimates for observability of a thermoelastic system

With observation restricted to a single component: displacement, velocity, or temperature, we consider observability of the nonscalar thermoelastic system
Synthetic Aperture Sonar low frequency vs. high frequency automatic contact generation

Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) bottom mapping sensors are on the verge of entering operational use. Here we examine the utility of both the low and high frequency output of SAS systems recorded from trials to determine their utility in the automatic contact generation scheme described in the companion paper "Automated Change Detection using Synthetic Aperture Sonar Imagery " [1]. The survey area covered by the trial has contacts called separately by the high and low frequency SAS output. The results are compared with a manual survey of the data to determine accuracy. The two frequency results are also compared by processing time. The data are then used to determine how merging the two outputs may yield an improved contact calling algorithm.
Histotechnology: A New Curriculum for Current and Changing Educational Needs

This article presents a new curriculum for histotechnology, one that will provide the requisite training to meet the burgeoning demand for qualified histotechnologists in health care, research, and industry. The curriculum represents a paradigm shift from the traditional “sectioning-and-staining” approach to teaching histotechnology in that it requires students to develop competencies in cytopathology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, laboratory information systems, immunofluorescence, waste management, quality assurance, in situ nucleic hybridization, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills. In addition, the curriculum provides a well-rounded education, with course work in English, mathematics, science, computer science, social studies, and management. The article also examines the steps for implementing an effective histotechnology curriculum and how such a curriculum can address common technology challenges facing histotechnologists and pathologist—now and in the years ahead. One notable difference between this proposed curriculum model and those currently in use is its scope. It is a comprehensive model that is flexible enough to facilitate both full-time and part-time study, yet it includes sufficient depth of training so students will meet the requirements for certification by the ASCP—the only body that currently certifies histotechnologists. Entry requirements for graduate and professional schools will also be satisfied.
Stress, Glucocorticoids, and Damage to the Nervous System: The Current State of Confusion

An extensive literature demonstrates that glucocorticoids (GCs), the adrenal steroids secreted during stress, can have a broad range of deleterious effects in the brain. The actions occur predominately, but not exclusively, in the hippocampus, a structure rich in corticosteroid receptors and particularly sensitive to GCs. The first half of this review considers three types of GC effects: a) GC-induced atrophy, in which a few weeks' exposure to high GC concentrations or to stress causes reversible atrophy of dendritic processes in the hippocampus; b) GC neurotoxicity where, over the course of months, GC exposure kills hippocampal neurons; c) GC neuroendangerment, in which elevated GC concentrations at the time of a neurological insult such as a stroke or seizure impairs the ability of neurons to survive the insult. The second half considers the rather confusing literature as to the possible mechanisms underlying these deleterious GC actions. Five broad themes are discerned: a) that GCs induce a metabolic vulnerability in neurons due to inhibition of glucose uptake; b) that GCs exacerbate various steps in a damaging cascade of glutamate excess, calcium mobilization and oxygen radical generation. In a review a number of years ago, I concluded that these two components accounted for the deleterious GC effects. Specifically, the energetic vulnerability induced by GCs left neurons metabolically compromised, and less able to carry out the costly task of containing glutamate, calcium and oxygen radicals. More recent work has shown this conclusion to be simplistic, and GC actions are shown to probably involve at least three additional components: c) that GCs impair a variety of neuronal defenses against neurologic insults; d) that GCs disrupt the mobilization of neurotrophins; e) that GCs have a variety of electrophysiological effects which can damage neurons. The relevance of each of those mechanisms to GC-induced atrophy, neurotoxicity and neuroendangerment is considered, as are the likely interactions among them.