cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Evolutionary History of Nitrogen Fixation, as Assessed by NifD

The evolutionary history of nitrogen fixation has been vigorously debated for almost two decades. Previous phylogenetic analyses of nitrogen fixation genes (nif) have shown support for either evolution by vertical descent or lateral transfer, depending on the specific nif gene examined and the method of analyses used. The debate centers on the placement and monophyly of the cyanobacteria, proteobacteria, and Gram-positive bacteria (actinobacteria and firmicutes). Some analyses place the cyanobacteria and actinobacteria within the proteobacteria, which suggests that the nif genes have been laterally transferred since this topology is incongruent with ribosomal phylogenies, the standard marker for comparison. Other nif analyses resolve and support the monophyly of the cyanobacteria, proteobacteria, and actinobacteria, supporting vertical descent. We have revisited these conflicting scenarios by analyzing nifD from an increased number of cyanobacteria, proteobacteria, and Gram-positive bacteria. Parsimony analyses of amino acid sequences and maximum likelihood analysis of nucleic acid sequences support the monophyly of the cyanobacteria and actinobacteria but not the proteobacteria, lending support for vertical descent. However, distance analysis of nucleic acid sequences placed the actinobacteria within the proteobacteria, supporting lateral transfer. We discuss evidence for both vertical descent and lateral transfer of nitrogen fixation.
Quantum vacuum energy in a closed universe

The problem of defining the vacuum energy and pressure of quantized fields in the static Einstein universe is considered. A regularization procedure which utilizes a wavelength cutoff in the mode sum is discussed and applied to the cases of the massive conformally coupled scalar field, the electromagnetic field, and the neutrino field. In all cases a positive vacuum energy density and pressure are obtained. In the case of the massive scalar field it is possible for the vacuum pressure to exceed the vacuum energy density, thus violating the dominant energy condition. For the electromagnetic and neutrino fields the energy density and pressure are of the form $\ensuremath{\rho}=\ensuremath{\gamma}\overline{h}\frac{c}{{a}^{4}}$ and $P=\frac{\ensuremath{\rho}}{3}$, respectively, where $\ensuremath{\gamma}=\frac{11}{240{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}}$ for the electromagnetic field and $\ensuremath{\gamma}=\frac{17}{1920{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}}$ for the neutrino field, and where $a$ is the radius of the universe.
Metastasis: from dissemination to organ-specific colonization

Metastasis to distant organs is an ominous feature of most malignant tumours but the natural history of this process varies in different cancers. The cellular origin, intrinsic properties of the tumour, tissue affinities and circulation patterns determine not only the sites of tumour spread, but also the temporal course and severity of metastasis to vital organs. Striking disparities in the natural progression of different cancers raise important questions about the evolution of metastatic traits, the genetic determinants of these properties and the mechanisms that lead to the selection of metastatic cells.
Regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair in the United States.

Purpose To determine if there are variations in regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair in the United States. Design Retrospective, noninterventional, cross-sectional study. Methods Year 2009 Medicare fee-for-service claims for retinal detachment repair were aggregated in 4 geographic regions and evaluated. The relative preference for retinal detachment repair by pars plana vitrectomy, scleral buckling, and pneumatic retinopexy was analyzed. Results The Midwest demonstrated a greater preference for scleral buckling compared to all other regions ( P P ≤ .02). The Northeast demonstrated a greater preference for pneumatic retinopexy when compared to all other regions ( P P ≤ .08). Conclusion There are statistically significant variations in regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair. The West, despite its historical association with pneumatic retinopexy, did not demonstrate a greater preference for the surgical technique.
The Structure of Mammalian Cyclooxygenases

Cyclooxygenases-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2, also known as prostaglandin H2 synthases-1 and -2) catalyze the committed step in prostaglandin synthesis. COX-1 and -2 are of particular interest because they are the major targets of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including aspirin, ibuprofen, and the new COX-2-selective inhibitors. Inhibition of the COXs with NSAIDs acutely reduces inflammation, pain, and fever, and long-term use of these drugs reduces the incidence of fatal thrombotic events, as well as the development of colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we examine how the structures of COXs relate mechanistically to cyclooxygenase and peroxidase catalysis and how alternative fatty acid substrates bind within the COX active site. We further examine how NSAIDs interact with COXs and how differences in the structure of COX-2 result in enhanced selectivity toward COX-2 inhibitors.
Calcium Mobilization Contributes to Pressure-Mediated Afferent Arteriolar Vasoconstriction

Preglomerular responses to vasoactive agonists utilize calcium released from intracellular stores and activation of calcium influx pathways to elicit vasoconstriction. The current study was performed to determine the role of calcium release from intracellular stores on the afferent arteriolar response to increases in perfusion pressure. Experiments were performed, in vitro, using the blood perfused, juxtamedullary nephron technique combined with videomicroscopy. The response of afferent arterioles to 30 mm Hg increases in perfusion pressure was determined before and after depletion of intracellular calcium pools with a 10-minute preincubation with 1 μmol/L thapsigargin or 100 μmol/L cyclopiazonic acid. Afferent arteriolar diameter averaged 20.2±1.0 μm (n = 19) at a control perfusion pressure of 100 mm Hg. Increasing perfusion pressure to 130 and 160 mm Hg reduced afferent caliber by 10.7±1.0% ( P P 3 )-sensitive intracellular stores.
Carbon isotope compositions of terrestrial C3 plants as indicators of (paleo)ecology and (paleo)climate

A broad compilation of modern carbon isotope compositions in all C3 plant types shows a monotonic increase in δ13C with decreasing mean annual precipitation (MAP) that differs from previous models. Corrections for temperature, altitude, or latitude are smaller than previously estimated. As corrected for altitude, latitude, and the δ13C of atmospheric CO2, these data permit refined interpretation of MAP, paleodiet, and paleoecology of ecosystems dominated by C3 plants, either prior to 7–8 million years ago (Ma), or more recently at mid- to high latitudes. Twenty-nine published paleontological studies suggest preservational or scientific bias toward dry ecosystems, although wet ecosystems are also represented. Unambiguous isotopic evidence for C4 plants is lacking prior to 7–8 Ma, and hominid ecosystems at 4.4 Ma show no isotopic evidence for dense forests. Consideration of global plant biomass indicates that average δ13C of C3 plants is commonly overestimated by approximately 2‰.
Nonassociative learning as gated neural integrator and differentiator in stimulus-response pathways

Nonassociative learning is a basic neuroadaptive behavior exhibited across animal phyla and sensory modalities but its role in brain intelligence is unclear. Current literature on habituation and sensitization, the classic "dual process" of nonassociative learning, gives highly incongruous accounts between varying experimental paradigms. Here we propose a general theory of nonassociative learning featuring four base modes: habituation/primary sensitization in primary stimulus-response pathways, and desensitization/secondary sensitization in secondary stimulus-response pathways. Primary and secondary modes of nonassociative learning are distinguished by corresponding activity-dependent recall, or nonassociative gating, of neurotransmission memory. From the perspective of brain computation, nonassociative learning is a form of integral-differential calculus whereas nonassociative gating is a form of Boolean logic operator – both dynamically transforming the stimulus-response relationship. From the perspective of sensory integration, nonassociative gating provides temporal filtering whereas nonassociative learning affords low-pass, high-pass or band-pass/band-stop frequency filtering – effectively creating an intelligent sensory firewall that screens all stimuli for attention and resultant internal model adaptation and reaction. This unified framework ties together many salient characteristics of nonassociative learning and nonassociative gating and suggests a common kernel that correlates with a wide variety of sensorimotor integration behaviors such as central resetting and self-organization of sensory inputs, fail-safe sensorimotor compensation, integral-differential and gated modulation of sensorimotor feedbacks, alarm reaction, novelty detection and selective attention, as well as a variety of mental and neurological disorders such as sensorimotor instability, attention deficit hyperactivity, sensory defensiveness, autism, nonassociative fear and anxiety, schizophrenia, addiction and craving, pain sensitization and phantom sensations, etc.
Idiopathic massive left ventricular thrombus in HIV patient

A 47-year old man with HIV presented with a stroke. Imaging revealed a large mobile left-ventricular thrombus. The mass was resected using a small ventriculotomy with good early postoperative prognosis. Thrombus etiology is likely related to HIV pathology.
Fast frequency-dependent block of action potential upstroke in rabbit atrium by small local anesthetics

Abstract Local anesthetics depress the rapid depolarizing phase of atrial action potentials in a frequency-dependent manner. Several local anesthetics were tested in this study at doses that only slightly depressed atrial action potential upstrokes at the spontaneous rate near 2 Hz, but that produced marked reductions in atrial fiber upstrokes when the drive rate was increased to 5 Hz. This frequency-dependent blocking action, especially the rate of development of the block during the 5-Hz stimulus train, is compared for several local anesthetics that have a wide range of lipid solubilities. Although the rate of block development does not correlate well with lipid solubility, it does correlate with molecular weight or size of the local anesthetic molecule. Smaller local anesthetics give faster frequency-dependent blocking. The beta-blocker propranolol also induces a frequency-dependent block of action potential upstroke, with the speed of such block development being predictable on the basis of the molecular weight of propranolol. The design of fast frequency-dependent blockers by using the criterion of smaller molecular size represents an important new structure-activity relation that may very well help in the design of better antifibrillatory drugs.
Stem growth per unit of leaf area: a measure of tree vigor.

The ratio of basal area growth to sapwood basal area is shown to correspond with stemwood-volume production per unit of leaf area. Analyzing 122 healthy Douglas-fir in one stand showed this ratio to be consistent among all but suppressed trees. Evaluating other stands suggests the ratio may be sensitive to environment and reflect competition. This ratio of tree vigor will aid silviculturists in determining optimum stocking or in maintaining a stand at a selected level of vigor. FOREST SCl. 26:112-117.
KCNJ11 knockout morula re-engineered by stem cell diploid aggregation.

KCNJ11 -encoded Kir6.2 assembles with ATP-binding cassette sulphonylurea receptors to generate ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel complexes. Expressed in tissues with dynamic metabolic flux, these evolutionarily conserved yet structurally and functionally unique heteromultimers serve as high-fidelity rheostats that adjust membrane potential-dependent cell functions to match energetic demand. Genetic defects in channel subunits disrupt the cellular homeostatic response to environmental stress, compromising organ tolerance in the adult. As maladaptation characterizes malignant KATP channelopathies, establishment of platforms to examine progression of KATP channel-dependent adaptive behaviour is warranted. Chimeras provide a powerful tool to assay the contribution of genetic variance to stress intolerance during prenatal or post-natal development. Here, KCNJ11 KATP channel gene knockout↔wild-type chimeras were engineered through diploid aggregation. Integration of wild-type embryonic stem cells into zona pellucida-denuded morula derived from knockout embryos achieved varying degrees of incorporation of stress-tolerant tissue within the KATP channel-deficient background. Despite the stress-vulnerable phenotype of the knockout, ex vivo derived mosaic blastocysts tolerated intrauterine transfer and implantation, followed by full-term embryonic development in pseudopregnant surrogates to produce live chimeric offspring. The development of adult chimerism from the knockout↔wild-type mosaic embryo offers thereby a new paradigm to probe the ecogenetic control of the KATP channel-dependent stress response.
EFFECT OF BLANCHING, EDTA AND NaHSO3 ON COLOR AND VITAMIN B6 RETENTION IN CANNED GARBANZO BEANS

THE EFFECT of blanching, EDTA and NaHSO3 treatments on color and vitamin B6 retention in canned garbanzo beans (Cicer arietinum) was investigated. Saccharomyces carlsbergensis (ATCC 9080) and Kloeckera apiculata (UCD FS & T 72–62) were used as comparative organisms for the microbiological assay. Water blanching resulted in approximately 10–15% loss of total vitamin B6 while steam blanching resulted in only 5–8% loss. The dry garbanzo beans contained 5.5 μg vitamin B6/g when S. carlsbergensis was used as the test organism and 5.8 μg/g when K. apiculata was used. Blanching had no significant effect on the color of the canned beans. Vitamin B6 retention in the canned product was affected by the use of NaHSO3 in the soaking water as a bleaching agent. Samples soaked in water containing 1600 ppm NaHSO3 contained 3.4 ± 0.1 μg vitamin B6/g on the dry basis while the control samples contained 3.9 ± 0.2 μg/g. The NaHSO3 soaking improved the color of the canned beans significantly. Incorporating 300 ppm of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in the canning brine for color improvement did not significantly affect the vitamin B6 content of the canned product. But, it did improve the color of the canned beans. Use of K. apiculata as the test organism resulted in slightly but consistently higher total vitamin B6 assays in all samples than those using S. carlsbergensis. This could be due to the difference in the response of the two organisms toward the different forms of vitamin B6. K. apiculata responds nearly equally to pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine, while S. carlsbergensis responds nearly the same to pyridoxine and pyridoxal, but to a lesser degree to pyridoxamine.
Thin-film solid oxide fuel cell with high performance at low-temperature

Abstract A planar thin-film solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) was developed at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory – Materials Science Division. The thin-film SOFC is fabricated with an inexpensive and scalable technique involving colloidal deposition of YSZ on porous NiO–YSZ substrates, yielding SOFCs capable of high power density at an operating temperature of 800°C. The thickness of the YSZ film deposited onto the porous substrates is approximately 10 μm after sintering. Ni–YSZ/YSZ/LSM cells built with this technique have exhibited theoretical open circuit voltages (OCVs), high diffusion limited current densities and high power density. The cells have been tested for long periods of time (over 700 h) and have been thermally cycled from 600–800°C while demonstrating excellent stability over time.
Electricity restructuring in Iberian Peninsula

Spain and Portugal, based on their geographical location in the Iberian Peninsula, have limited interconnections with their European neighbors in terms of energy exchanges. This paper draws a brief overview of the present status of the Iberian Peninsula's electricity market. The topics that are presented in this paper include, who are the players in the Iberian electricity market? What are their positions? How is the market affected by the economic situations in Europe and South America? What is the expected energy mix for the coming years? Also, the paper focuses on the possible merger between the Portuguese and the Spanish markets. The creation of that common market in this case may be difficult to settle but it will reinforce the position of the two countries for electricity trading in Europe.
Prone positioning causes the heart to be displaced anteriorly within the thorax: implications for breast cancer treatment.

Introduction Prone positioning has been suggested as an alternative to the conventional supine position for patients receiving breast radiotherapy, but few data exist on how this may alter heart location. We herein quantitatively compare the intrathoracic location of the heart in the prone and supine positions in patients treated for breast cancer. Methods and Materials In 16 patients treated with tangent photons for breast cancer, the computed tomography planning images (obtained in the supine position) and diagnostic magnetic resonance images (obtained in the prone position) were studied. For each case, the distance between the anterior pericardium and the anterior chest wall was measured at nine specific points; three points at each of three axial levels. The differences in the measurements between the prone and supine positions were compared with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results There is a systematic displacement of the lateral and superior aspect of the heart closer to the chest wall in the prone vs. supine position (mean displacement 19 mm (95% confidence interval 13.7–25.1 mm, p Conclusions The superior and lateral aspects of the heart typically move anteriorly during prone positioning compared with the supine position. This may have negative consequences in situations in which the high-risk target tissues include the chest wall or deep breast.
Isothermal flow in an optical fiber coating applicator and die system

The isothermal flow generated by a fast-moving optical fiber in a coating applicator and die was studied numerically. Although it is expected that thermal effects can be important in typical coating processes, the isothermal flow behavior should be thoroughly investigated before including the heat transfer considerations. Thus, isothermal flow is studied in this paper, and key parameters that play a major role in the optical fiber coating process are investigated in detail. The coupled partial differential equations that govern the fluid flow are solved on a transformed nonuniform staggered grid. A finite volume method is employed with a semi implicit method for pressure linked equations (SIMPLE)-based algorithm for the pressure calculations. The fiber speed is varied from 0.1 up to 22 m/s, and various applicator sizes are considered. The diameters at the die entrance and at the die exit are varied separately, since the geometry of the applicator and of the die can play an important role. Both free and solid wall surfaces are taken for the boundary condition at the top surface in the applicator. The shear-free condition can be regarded as direct contact of the coating fluid with the cooling gas at the top surface. Three different viscosities were chosen, based on reference temperatures, taken as the fluid inlet temperature, the fiber inlet temperature, and the average temperature. Relatively low pressure differences, compared to those in the applicator and the die, were found at the dynamic contact point where the fiber first enters the coating applicator. This suggests that air or gases used for cooling the fiber may be able to enter through this location. It was also found that the shear rates in this region are comparatively higher. The temperature-dependent viscosities were found to be of critical importance in the flow. The change in size of the applicator did not significantly affect the mass flow rates at the die exit, whereas the pressure gradients and shear rates near the dynamic contact point were strongly affected. The flow field in the die changed substantially with a change in the exit size. Maximum pressures and shear rates in the die increased drastically when the die exit became smaller. This study also suggests that a more accurate representation of the upper meniscus is needed to simulate flow near the fiber entry into the applicator.
Acquisition of knowledge sources for natural language processing

Tools for facilitating the task of encoding knowledge in developing lexicons and knowledge bases (KBs) are discussed. The specific tools discussed are Lextool (lexicon development tool) and KBtool (knowledge base development tool). These tools, written in Lisp, are the result of an attempt to automate the process of acquiring the data for the benefit of users with varying levels of sophistication. These tools allow for data to be encoded easily and verified automatically. Both expert and nontechnical user aspects of these tools are described. >
Systems simulation. Supplementing global models with computational models: An assessment and an energy example

Many global modeling efforts have been criticized for not paying enough attention to political decision making. Computational models, based on much of the methodology developed by scholars in the “artificial intelligence” community have been utilized in recent years to represent some aspects of political decision making. Could intellectual progress be made by combining some of the features of these heretofore disparate academic strands? Answering that question is the first emphasis of this paper. Four criteria are suggested under which supplementing global modeling efforts with computational models seems to make sense. The criteria are the identity of the political unit being modeled, the depth of the modeler's understanding of the political unit's problem-solving behavior, the question of whether the political unit can be reasonably characterized as exhibiting an identifiable general mode of problem solving, and whether there is sufficient information available to provide for a validity test. A mechanism-elucidating model of the U.S. congressional energy research and development decision making is presented in the second portion of the paper. Programmed in LISP, the model is presented to be suggestive of the type of efforts which could fruitfully supplement global models. The intentional inferencing procedures through which a “modal” and two other significant representative members of the U.S. Congress decide how to vote on legislation in the area of funding energy research and development is the subject matter of the LISP-based example. The model is tested for the case of 1985 congressional legislation concerning funding of the Synthetic Fuels Program, and is supported. Conclusions of the model are compared with those typically input to a global model, and the computational model is found to be more accurate because it suggests lower levels of U.S. energy research and development funding. The substitution of an emphasis on intentional inferencing of key political actors for the common emphasis of national economic rationality is the central change leading to this improvement. Levels dealt with in this article include organization, group, society, and supranational system. The decider is the major subsystem involved.
The Right to a Competent Electorate

The practice of unrestricted universal suffrage is unjust. Citizens have a right that any political power held over them should be exercised by competent people in a competent way. Universal suffrage violates this right. To satisfy this right, universal suffrage in most cases must be replaced by a moderate epistocracy, in which suffrage is restricted to citizens of sufficient political competence. Epistocracy itself seems to fall foul of the qualified acceptability requirement, that political power must be distributed in ways against which there are no qualified objections. However, it is less intrinsically unjust than democracy with universal suffrage, and probably produces more just outcomes. Thus epistocracy is more just than democracy, even if not perfectly just.
A Broadcasting Scheme for Infrastructure to Vehicle Communications

A large set of potential applications being designed for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) depend on the broadcasting of information and control packets by roadside infrastructure points to vehicles in their vicinity. This paper considers the transport capacity of broadcast schemes and evaluates and compares the transport capacity of strategies based on time-splitting, frequency-splitting and superposition coding. A proportionally fair broadcast scheduling algorithm is then proposed and its performance compared against other schedulers.
SYNTHESIS OF ARYL HALIDES via ORGANOBORANE CHEMISTRY

A method for the rapid synthesis of a variety of substituted aryl halides by the reaction of organoboranes with halide ions in the presence of chloramine-T is described in detail. The products were purified by column chromatography on silica gel using a mixture of petroleum ether-ethyl acetate as eluent.
A fast wafer-level screening test for VLSI metallization

A method for screening out poor-quality metallizations from VLSI fabrication lines by wafer-level probing is proposed. Theoretical analysis suggests a linear dependence of the metal line conductance on the square of the current density, at thermal equilibrium. The limit to this linearity for ideally perfect metallizations occurs at the metal melting point, at which there is a sudden decrease in the conductance value to zero. In real interconnects, nonidealities such as localized defects or nonuniform surrounding dielectric at isolated points could lead to a deviation of the conductance from ideal expectations. Using this as a diagnostic, a universal methodology for assessing metal quality, independently of the physical parameters of the metal line, is described. Qualitative correlation with electromigration lifetime results is used to validate the method. >
DNA Inversions between Short Inverted Repeats in Escherichia Coli

Using site-specific mutagenesis in vitro, we have constructed Escherichia coli strains that allow the detection of the inversion of an 800-bp segment in the lac region. The invertible segment is bounded by inverted repeats of either 12 or 23 bp. Inversions occurring at these inverted repeats will restore the Lac+ phenotype. Inversions can be detected at both short homologies at frequencies ranging from 0.5 x 10(-8) to 1 x 10(-7). These events, which have been verified by DNA sequence analysis, are reduced up to 1000-fold in strains deficient for either RecA, RecB or RecC. They are not reduced in strains deficient in the RecF, J pathway. These results show that the RecB,C,D system can mediate rearrangements at short sequence repeats, and probably plays a major role in cellular rearrangements.
Feature combination strategies for saliency-based visual attention systems

Bottom-up or saliency-based visual attention allows primates to detect nonspecific conspicuous targets in cluttered scenes. A classical metaphor, derived from electrophysiological and psychophysical studies, describes attention as a rapidly shiftable “spotlight.” We use a model that reproduces the attentional scan paths of this spotlight. Simple multi-scale “feature maps” detect local spatial discontinuities in intensity, color, and orientation, and are combined into a unique “master” or “saliency” map. The saliency map is sequentially scanned, in order of decreasing saliency, by the focus of attention. We here study the problem of combining feature maps, from different visual modalities (such as color and orientation), into a unique saliency map. Four combination strategies are compared using three databases of natural color images: (1) Simple normalized summation, (2) linear combination with learned weights, (3) global nonlinear normalization followed by summation, and (4) local nonlinear competition between salient locations followed by summation. Performance was measured as the number of false detections before the most salient target was found. Strategy (1) always yielded poorest performance and (2) best performance, with a threefold to eightfold improvement in time to find a salient target. However, (2) yielded specialized systems with poor generalization. Interestingly, strategy (4) and its simplified, computationally efficient approximation (3) yielded significantly better performance than (1), with up to fourfold improvement, while preserving generality.
Room, Equipment, Basic Techniques

The Most Important Resource of the neurointer-ventional service is the staff, the technologists, nurses, and anesthesia teams. With encouragement, respectful communication, and teaching, most personnel are capable of making important contributions to patient safety, case management, materials use, etc., through suggestions or observations that may not always be apparent to a single operator. The motivation for such behavior can be cultivated by working toward creating an environment in which individuals realize that their work has personal meaning and is therefore important. Pride in one’s work will translate into an attention to detail, an interest in the case in progress, a willingness to participate with suggestions, and a sense of vigilance necessary for the nature of this work. Similarly, an outlook of inclusion toward the nursing staff and anesthesia team in the case will extract from them a greater level of collaboration redounding to the ultimate advantage of the patient.
The Story of Lau v. Nichols: Breaking the Silence in Chinatown

Lau v. Nichols is a landmark case in language rights. There, the Court recognized for the first time that children who do not speak English have a right to special assistance in the public schools. Lau was decided under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act rather than the Constitution. Nonetheless, the decision has endured for thirty years as a benchmark of equal treatment for English language learners. Despite Lau’s singular importance, the story behind the case has never been fully told. This chapter relies on court documents, newspaper coverage, interviews, and scholarly literature to describe how the lawsuit began, how the litigation strategy changed over time, and how the students secured a surprising and unanimous victory in the United States Supreme Court. The attorney who filed the case believed that it had to be “Lau, not Lopez” to maximize the chances of success in federal court. His strategy capitalized on the image of Asian Americans as the model minority. Although Lau was brought by Chinese-speaking students, its protections have most often been invoked by children whose primary or home language is Spanish. The role that Spanish speakers have played in keeping Lau alive is vitally important because the Justices did not specify any particular remedy for language discrimination. As legal and political battles continue to be waged to preserve bilingual education programs, the story of Lau provides an invaluable and long overdue look at the ideological and educational struggles that forged this important civil right.
Synthesis of 4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-Xylose, 4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-Arabinose, 4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-2-deoxy-d-glucose, 4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-mannose, and 4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-glucosamine by cellobiose phosphorylase from Clostridium thermocellum☆

Cellobiose phosphorylase from Clostridium thermocellum catalyzes the synthesis of six different disaccharides from α-d-glucose 1-phosphate and d-glucose, 2-deoxy-d-glucose, d-mannose, d-glucosamine, d-xylose, or d-arabinose. Structural studies indicate that thesedisaccharides are 4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-glucose, 4-O-β-d-gluco-pyranosyl-2-deoxy-d-glucose, 4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-mannose, 4-O-β-d-gluco-pyranosyl-d-glucosamine, 4-O-β-glucopyranosyl -d-xylose, and 4 -O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-arabinose. Following electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels, most of the enzyme activity was located in a single band, an indication that there is one major component which is active on each of the six different glucosyl acceptors.
Innovative Apparatus for Quantitatively Evaluating Effectiveness of Cervical Orthosis and Cervical Thoracic Orthosis

Accurate and objective evaluation of the effectiveness of cervical orthosis and cervical thoracic orthosis in restricting neck motion is essential for making clinical decision. Existing methodologies, however, are either not cost-effective or incapable of offering consistent and/or objective outcomes. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a cost-effective apparatus which is capable of delivering controllable loading to the head and neck in all three anatomical planes. The apparatus consists of a custom helmet and an instrumented T-handle, allowing the experimenter to apply a force couple in each of the three anatomical planes. Twenty-seven young healthy subjects participated in the evaluation study with cervical orthosis and cervical thoracic orthosis. Four trials were conducted in each plane and the signals of torque and three-dimensional motion sensors were collected simultaneously. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) of intra-rater reliability ranged from 0.916 to 0.996 for flexion, extension, and lateral bending. ICCs of intra-rater reliability ranged from 0.762 to 0.967 for axial rotation. ICCs of loading and unloading were comparable across test conditions. A similar pattern was revealed in inter-rater reliability. When the experimenter held the T-handle using both hands, a force couple formed, producing a primarily rotary effect. The relatively low reliability in axial rotation might be attributed to the deficiency of cervical orthoses in effectively restricting neck motion in the transverse plane. The apparatus will be a useful tool and offer both quantitative and objective biomechanical evaluation of cervical orthoses.
Effect of Selection for High or Low Incidence of Tibial Dyschondroplasia for Seven Generations on Live Performance

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of divergent selection for tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) on live performance of broilers. Broilers used in the experiment were produced from the parental lines selected for high (H) and low (L) incidence of TD and a randombred control (C) line. Diallel crosses were made between H and L lines. The offspring produced were HH, HL, LH, LL, and CQ where the first letter refers to sire line and the second letter refers to dam line. Body weights, average daily body weight gains, and exponential growth rates were determined at weekly intervals. The incidence of TD was recorded at 4 and 7 wk of age. There was no difference among body weights of lines up to 5 wk of age. Sire lines influenced body weights of birds from 5 to 7 wk of age. A significant interaction between sire and dam lines for body weight was the result of decreased body weights of birds in the HH line from 5 to 6 wk of age. There was a similar interaction for body weight gain, which resulted in a slower growth rate of birds in the HH line from 3 to 5 wk of age. Tibial dyschondroplasia incidence was 84.1 and 92.0% in the HH line, 5.6 and 5.4% in the LL line, and 7.0 and 13.2% in the CC line at 4 and 7 wk of age, respectively. It was suggested that genetic predisposition for TD was independent of body weight.
Demand Versus Supply: Assessing the Capacity of MPA Programs to Satisfy the Growing Need for Professional Management in Local Government

This article addresses concerns expressed by members of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) regarding whether the supply of qualified local government managers will keep pac...
Abstract IA21: Role of Tet1-catalyzed 5mC hydroxylation in transcriptional regulation and ES cell maintenance

Epigenetic modifications play important roles in diverse biological processes that range from regulation of gene expression, embryonic development, stem cell reprogramming, and human diseases such as cancers. One of the epigenetic modifications is DNA methylation. Although enzymes responsible for DNA methylation have been well characterized, enzymes responsible for active DNA demethylation in mammalian cells have remained elusive. Recent studies have demonstrated that a novel family of proteins— Tet1–3—have the capacity to convert 5mC to 5hmC, raising the possibility that Tet proteins may catalyze the initial step leading to DNA demethylation. Interestingly, Tet1 plays an important role in stem cell self-renewal and maintenance. To understand how Tet1 contributes to these processes, we profiled the genome-wide location of Tet1 and 5hmC in ES cells. This study revealed that Tet1 has a dual function in activating pluripotency stem cell genes and silencing lineage-specific differentiation genes. Further studies revealed that Tet1 contributes to gene silencing by facilitating recruitment of PRC2. Thus, our studies establish a link between Tet1 and PRC2 and revealed a dual function for Tet1 and 5hmC in transcriptional regulation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2011 Sep 14-18; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(18 Suppl):Abstract nr IA21.
Psychiatric aspects of swallowing disorders.

Abstract Dysphagia can be the presenting symptom of numerous organic and/or functional esophageal disorders. Adequate differential diagnosis, including the ruling out of organic disease, is essential. A functional etiology should be ruled in only after a thorough psychiatric examination. Review of selected literature points to the desirability of utilizing psychological and behavioral techniques for dysphagia patients with documented functional disorders. Investigations with the technically advanced means now available for studying esophageal motility should be undertaken to confirm or assess the observations of earlier reports concerning the relative roles of organic and psychological factors.
The Effect of Renin on the Cardiac Output

Summary1. The cardiac output per minute of intact dogs anesthetized with 2.5 to 3.5 mg of morphine sulphate per kilogram was determined according to the Fick principle before and after the intravenous injection of renin and of tyramine. 2. On using a dosage of renin and of tyramine sufficient to give a good pressor effect, the cardiac output was not found to be significantly changed.I wish to thank Drs. B. S. Oppenheimer and B. Friedman for their interest and criticism of this work.
Centering indigenous college student voices and perspectives through photovoice and photo-elicitation

Abstract Using arts-based inquiry and drawing on photovoice, photo-elicitation and visual narrative, in this study we explore how Native American college students experience space and place at the University of New Mexico, a large, research-extensive university in the Southwestern United States. The objective of this study is to more clearly understand how Native American students view their educational environment. Student perspectives will be framed through an artistic inquiry coming directly from the students and their interpretations of space, place, and community. This study is designed to ultimately inform the institution, local tribal communities, and the existing body of research on how participants viewed their college-going experience in relation to space and place, and how we might more adequately serve Native American college students. Initial findings indicate the critical importance of cultural centers, houses, and designated cultural spaces for Native American students, as indicated in the literature. Though Native students may experience struggles and successes similar to other student groups within the context of higher education, it is critical that student affairs professionals, administrators, faculty, and other educational leaders acknowledge how discourses of colonialism and genocide inform higher educational spaces, as well as the experience of Native American college students.
Application of mechanical activation in preparation of spinel LiMn_2O_4

The effects of mechanical activation on the phase-structure、morphology and reaction process of precursor in the preparation of spinel LiMn2O4 was introduced in this paper.The results showed that,the lattice defects and distortion of activated γ-MnO2 were increased,LiOH was changed from crystalline to amorphous substance,and chemical reactions appeared during the process of activation.The phase-structure of synthesized spinel LiMn2O4 were studied.The results showed that the mechanically activation improved the reaction activity of the precursor,and the temperature to synthesis spinel LiMn2O4 was greatly reduced.
Commerce and Communication

To comprehend more fully the phenomenon of commercial speech, we must look beyond First Amendment cases and commentary to the actual ways in which our culture communicates about and through commodities. To this end, we start from the beginning. Part I presents an account of the commercial message-making industry and the culture of modern mass advertising. We mark the movement from the product-information format that typified early mass advertising to the "lifestyle" format more in vogue today. We then examine the processes and consequences of modern mass advertising and contrast these to a model that we label "classified communication." Part II discusses two key free speech values — rationality and individuality — as they are reconfigured in the new ages of "reason" and "self." Finally, Part III explores free speech options in our capitalistic system and argues that, in much of our culture, image is all, truth is irrelevant, there is no right to know, and we are as we consume. Against this backdrop, if modern commercial expression is to be constitutionally protected in a more honest way, it is primarily because it is speech in the service of selling. What this portends for the individual and the culture, and for the defenders and critics of commercial speech, is the subject of all that follows.Four responses (by five scholars) were published with this essay. We have attached our reply ("The Psychology of First Amendment Scholarship: A Reply") to the main essay in a single PDF.
Influence of Li's Prescription I for Asthma on Apoptosis of Eosinophils and Expression of Bcl-2 Gene in Asthmatic Mice

Objective To study the influence of Li's Prescription Ⅰfor Asthma(LPAⅠ)on apoptosis of eosnophils(EOS)in lung tissue of asthmatic mice,and to explore its possible therapeutic mechanism for asthma.Methods Sixty Kunming male mice with specific pathogen free were equally randomized into 6 groups:normal group,model group,dexamethasone group(2mg/kg),and low-,middle-and high-dosage LPAⅠ groups(in the dose of 6.4,12.8 and 19.2 g·kg-1·d-1,respectively).Mice models of bronchial asthma were induced by sensitization with intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin(OVA)and challenge with nasal inhalation of OVA.The expression of apoptosis gene and anti-apoptosis gene bcl-2 in EOS of mice lung tissue was detected with in situ DNA end-labeling technique and immunohistochemical assay.Results EOS apoptotic index was higher(P0.01),and bcl-2 expression level in EOS was lower(P0.05 or P0.01)in LPAⅠ groups than those in the model group.Conclusion The therapeutic mechanism of LPAⅠ for bronchial asthma is possibly related with inhibiting bcl-2 expression,promoting apoptosis of EOS and reducing hyperreactive inflammation in lung tissue of asthmatic mice.
Induction of human platelet fibrinogen receptors by epinephrine in the absence of released ADP

The ability of epinephrine to expose platelet fibrinogen receptors independent of released ADP was assessed using aspirin-treated, gel-filtered platelets. Similar to ADP-induced aggregation, platelet aggregation in response to epinephrine was accompanied by fibrinogen binding. Ten micromolar epinephrine induced a maximum number of platelet fibrinogen receptors in the absence of significant 14C-serotonin release. As indicated by Scatchard analysis, receptors exposed by both epinephrine and ADP had similar affinities for fibrinogen, but epinephrine induced approximately 30% fewer receptors than did ADP. This appears to correlate with the lesser degree of primary aggregation observed with this agent. Studies using phentolamine, a specific alpha-adrenergic antagonist, apyrase, or creatine phosphate/creatine kinase indicate that the exposure of platelet fibrinogen receptors by epinephrine was specific for platelet alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation and was not the result of released ADP.
Mesoporous Au/TiO2 nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Mesoporous Au/TiO2 nanocomposites with Au nanoparticles homogeneously embedded within crystalline TiO2 framework were synthesized using a simple one-pot assembly approach and exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity.
Pharmacological Management Options to Prevent and Reduce Ischemic Hemorrhagic Transformation.

Background Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a common and natural complication after acute ischemic stroke. The only FDA-approved treatment so far for acute ischemic stroke is rapid reperfusion with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). Although it has been shown to exaggerate the risk and severity of HT and to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Objective The aim of this review is to discuss the multifactorial pathophysiology of hemorrhagic transformation, promising interventional targets, and pharmacological treatment options. Results and conclusion Understanding HT is essential to restore cerebral blood flow to ischemic brain by reperfusion therapy without causing this complication and additional brain injury. Therefore methods for the prevention and treatment of HT are needed. Although experimental studies showed promising results, clinical translation remains unsatisfactory to date.
Postdischarge Falls and Readmissions: Associations with Insufficient Vision and Low Health Literacy among Hospitalized Seniors.

The role of patient-level risk factors such as insufficient vision has been understudied. Because insufficient vision may interfere with health literacy assessments, the full impact of low health literacy among older patients with impaired vision is unknown. We sought to determine whether senior inpatients’ insufficient vision and low health literacy are associated with adverse outcomes postdischarge, specifically falls and readmissions. We conducted an observational study of adult medicine inpatients at an urban hospital. Visual acuity and health literacy were screened at bedside. Outcomes data were collected by telephone 30 days postdischarge. Among 1,900 participants, 1,244 (65%) were reached postdischarge; 44% had insufficient vision and 43% had low health literacy. Insufficient vision was associated with postdischarge falls among participants ≥65 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42–8.05), but not among participants <65 years (AOR 1.44, 95% CI 0.89–2.32). Low healt...