cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CRF Mediates the Anxiogenic and Anti-Rewarding, But Not the Anorectic Effects of PACAP

Anxiety disorders represent the most common mental disturbances in the world, and they are characterized by an abnormal response to stress. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and its receptor PAC1 have been proposed to have a key role in mediating the responses to stress as well as the regulation of food intake and body weight. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), the major stress peptide in the brain, has been hypothesized to be involved in PACAP effects, but the reports are conflicting so far. The present study was aimed at further characterizing the behavioral effects of PACAP in rats and at determining the role of central CRF receptors. We found that intracerebroventricular PACAP treatment induced anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze test and elevated intracranial self-stimulation thresholds; both of these effects were fully blocked by concurrent treatment with the CRF receptor antagonist D-Phe-CRF(12-41). Interestingly, the CRF antagonist had no effect on PACAP-induced increased plasma corticosterone, reduction of food intake, and body weight loss. Finally, we found that PACAP increased CRF levels in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and, importantly, in the central nucleus of the amygdala, as measured by solid phase radioimmunoassay and quantitative real-time PCR. Our results strengthen the notion that PACAP is a strong mediator of the behavioral response to stress and prove for the first time that this neuropeptide has anti-rewarding (ie, pro-depressant) effects. In addition, we identified the mechanism by which PACAP exerts its anxiogenic and pro-depressant effects, via the recruitment of the central CRF system and independently from HPA axis activation.
Fluorescence lifetime modification in Eu:Lu2O3 nanoparticles in the presence of silver nanoparticles

Abstract Europium-doped lutetium-oxide (Eu:Lu 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles were synthesized using a combustion technique and a co-precipitation technique, and their properties were compared. Surface modification utilizing small silane molecules and long chain polymers were explored to de-agglomerate and disperse the particles. Structural, morphological and optical properties were characterized with X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and laser spectroscopy respectively to evaluate these materials. The luminescent behaviors were compared between the pristine and modified Eu:Lu 2 O 3 nanoparticles to study the influence of surface ligands on emission properties. Subsequently, the Eu:Lu 2 O 3 nanoparticles were placed on top of a thin film consisting of silver nanoparticles and combined with silver nanoparticles and dispersed in a polymer matrix. The presence of the silver nanoparticles led to a reduction of the fluorescence lifetime of 12–14%.
Bilateral synchronous breast cancer and HER-2/neu overexpression.

Bilateral synchronous breast cancer appears to have a worse prognosis than comparable unilateral breast cancer. HER-2/neu expression in bilateral breast cancer has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to review the characteristics of patients with bilateral synchronous breast cancer and to report the incidence of HER-2/neu overexpression. Between 1984 and 1998, 58 patients were diagnosed with bilateral synchronous breast cancer (defined as both cancers diagnosed within 3 months). The paraffin blocks from both breast specimens were available and immunostained in 21 patients. Of 42 breast specimens, there were 31 invasive carcinomas and 11 noninvasive carcinomas. Of the 21 paired specimens immunostained for HER-2/neu, 11 were invasive cancers in both breasts, nine were invasive cancers in one breast and noninvasive cancers in the other breast, and one was noninvasive cancers in both breasts. Of the 31 invasive carcinomas, HER-2/neu was overexpressed (2–3+) in 22 (71%) and negative (0–1+) in nine (29%). In contrast, 35 of 101 (34.7%) consecutive unilateral invasive breast cancer specimens from our institution overexpressed HER-2/neu. The difference in HER-2/neu overexpression between patients with bilateral synchronous breast cancer and unilateral breast cancer (22/31 v.s. 35/101) was statistically significant (chi square = 11.3, p < 0.001). In cases where both breasts had invasive carcinoma, HER-2/neu overexpression could be either in one (six patients) or both breasts (four patients). The increased mortality of patients with bilateral synchronous breast cancer may be due to the higher incidence of HER-2/neu overexpression.
The heel pad.

In an attempt to gain insight into the etiology of heel pain, the heel pad was studied via dissection. The dynamic action of the heel pad as well as varying stimuli interpreted as pain were examined in view of their integral relationship to body functions. It is be lieved that the major role played by the heel pad has to do with pressure, and the larger number of nerve endings present to respond to pressure suggests that these are also the nerve endings responsible for the sensation of pain.
Predictors of College Students' Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Abstract This study assessed the use of complementary and alternative medicine among college students (N=913), the relationships between health locus of control with use of complementary and alternative medicine, and health locus of control with attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine and what predicts their use. A majority (66%, n=913) of students reported using complementary and alternative medicine, with higher use found among older students (p=.006) and female students (p=.01). Holistic attitude and control were strong predictors for college students use of complementary and alternative medicine, and there was a significant correlation between internal locus of control and the use of complementary and alternative medicine (r=.35, p=.01). College students were more likely to use complementary and alternative medicine when compared with samples from other studies. Campus health care providers and college curriculum planners may need to include complementary and alternative medicine servi...
Yohimbine facilitated acoustic startle in combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder

Preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that the acoustic startle reflex (ASR) is a useful model to investigate the neurochemical basis of anxiety and fear states. This work has revealed that the anxiogenic alpha-2 receptor antagonist, yohimbine, increases the amplitude of the ASR in laboratory animals and in healthy human controls. Because of the growing body of data that support the hypothesis that severe stress results in substantial alterations in noradrenergic neuronal reactivity, the present investigation evaluated the effects of yohimbine on the ASR of 18 patients with PTSD and 11 healthy combat controls. Subjects received IV yohimbine (0.4 mg/kg) or saline placebo on 2 separate days in a randomized double blind placebo control design. A trial of two tone frequencies with varied intensity (90, 96, 102, 108, 114 dB) white noise and instantaneous rise time, was delivered binaurally through headphones. Tones were delivered every 25–60 s, for a 40-ms duration. Startle testing was performed 80 min post-infusion and lasted 15–20 min. Yohimbine significantly increased the amplitude, magnitude and probability of the ASR in combat veterans with PTSD, but did not do so in combat controls. Overall startle was significantly larger in the PTSD subjects; however, this did not account for the differential effect of yohimbine, since yohimbine had no significant effect in the control group. This study demonstrates an excitatory effect of yohimbine on the amplitude, magnitude and probability of the ASR in PTSD patients that is not seen in combat controls. In the context of the key role of this reflex in the alarm response, this finding adds to the array of documented behavioral, biochemical and cardiovascular effects of yohimbine in humans which support the relationship between increased noradrenergic function and exaggerated startle symptomatology of PTSD.
Dry weather induces outbreaks of human West Nile virus infections

Background Since its first occurrence in the New York City area during 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) has spread rapidly across North America and has become a major public health concern in North America. By 2002, WNV was reported in 40 states and the District of Columbia with 4,156 human and 14,539 equine cases of infection. Mississippi had the highest human incidence rate of WNV during the 2002 epidemic in the United States. Epidemics of WNV can impose enormous impacts on local economies. Therefore, it is advantageous to predict human WNV risks for cost-effective controls of the disease and optimal allocations of limited resources. Understanding relationships between precipitation and WNV transmission is crucial for predicting the risk of the human WNV disease outbreaks under predicted global climate change scenarios.
Optimization of a whole-cell cadmium sensor with a toggle gene circuit.

This work demonstrates improvement of a whole-cell cadmium detection sensor through construction of a gene circuit. A cadmium (II) specific regulatory promoter, PcadR, from Psuedomonas putida 06909, is used in the assembly of a toggle circuit. The circuit contains the cadR promoter fused to lacIq and gfp, and a divergently transcribed tac promoter and cadR. The toggle sensor exhibits lower background fluorescence, and a 20-fold lower detection limit in comparison to a nontoggle gene circuit. The detection limit of the toggle sensor is 0.01 μM (1.12 ppb) cadmium chloride, and tunable with the addition of isopropyl-b-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The toggle sensor is highly specific to cadmium (II), and no response is elicited from zinc, lead, manganese, nickel, copper, and mercury. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009
RbSr isotopic age of eskridge shale (lower permian), Eastern Kansas

Abstract Twelve whole-rock samples of Eskridge Shale with 87 Rb/ 86 Sr ratios greater than 1 define a least-squares isochron of 300±4 million years (m.y.) age with initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr = 0.7116±0.0006 using 50 billion years (b.y.) as the half life of 87 Rb. Fourteen whole-rock samples of Eskridge Shale with 87 Rb/ 86 Sr ratios less than 1 show a random distribution in both coordinates and are considered unsuitable for age work. If the latter are combined with the twelve other samples a least-squares isochron of 332±16 m.y. with initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr = 0.7100±0.0014 results which is clearly too old for the Lower Permian. We consider the 300±4 m.y. age a maximum age of formation for the Eskridge Shale, because: (1) it contains an abundance of 2M 1 illite of allogenic origin; and (2) it is higher than the proposed 270–280 m.y.(?) age for the Pennsylvanian-Permian boundary which lies only approximately 280 ft. below the Eskridge Shale. The twelve suitable samples have achieved some type of homogenization of their Sr isotopic composition prior to deposition whereas such homogenization is not achieved in the more calcareous (unsuitable) samples due to a failure of the allogenic constituents to equilibrate with the marine environment.
Four novel mutations in the RPE65 gene in patients with Leber congenital amaurosis.

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCArpar; is a heterogeneous disorder representing the congenital forms of retinitis pigmentosa accounting for about 5% of all retinal dystrophies. The RPE65 gene product is required for regeneration of the visual pigment for phototransduction. Defects in the RPE65 gene have so far been shown to account for ∼10 % of known cases of LCA. Here we describe four additional novel mutations in the RPE65 gene (c.889delA, c.131G>A, c.1249G>C, c.430T>G) and several novel polymorphisms in a large series of LCA patients. Hum Mutat 18:164, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Regulation of sex hormone-binding globulin production by growth factors

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a glycoprotein whose production has been demonstrated to be regulated by both sex steroids, as well as by thyroid hormone and peptide hormones such as insulin. However, none of these regulatory factors would explain the marked decrease in serum SHBG seen throughout the prepubertal and pubertal time period in both boys and girls. Furthermore, current in vitro data show that both androgens and estrogens can stimulate SHBG production by the human hepatoblastoma cell line Hep G2; yet, in vivo androgens appear to suppress SHBG levels, while estrogens are associated with elevated levels. This study was undertaken to determine possible mechanisms to explain this phenomenon. Hep G2 cell cultures were incubated with insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Significant decreases in the level of SHBG in the culture medium relative to control cultures occurred for each of the growth factors (P less than .01), whereas an increase in SHBG levels was observed in the medium of DHEA-treated cells. When cells were coincubated with IGF-I and thyroxine (T4), which alone stimulates SHBG production both in vivo and in vitro, the SHBG response to T4 was blunted. These results suggest that growth factors, as well as insulin, may be important determinants in SHBG production.
A 3V-125 MHz CMOS continuous-time filter

A low-voltage high-frequency CMOS fully-differential filtering technique is presented. The low internal voltage characteristic of current-mode circuits allows the operation at power supply voltages as low as 3 V with high dynamic range. The integrator time constant is determined by a MOSFET small-signal transconductance and an additional noncritical MOSFET gate capacitance. For ladder filters derived from doubly-terminated LC prototypes, HSPICE (simulation program with IC emphasis) simulations predict a 3-dB bandwidth of 125 MHz for a three-pole lowpass filter. Power dissipation is 6 mW/pole with a 3-V power supply. >
REBUTTING NONREBUTTALS: A REJOINDER TO MY CRITICS

My challenge to the Dispersal Consensus (DC) stimulating this forum (Imbroscio, 2008) is, admittedly, provocative, confrontational, and hard-edged. This stylistic approach in tone and content was n...
Performance and Cost Analysis of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Routine Identification of Yeast

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry was compared to phenotypic testing for yeast identification. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry yielded 96.3% and 84.5% accurate species level identifications (spectral scores, ≥ 1.8) for 138 common and 103 archived strains of yeast. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is accurate, rapid (5.1 min of hands-on time/identification), and cost-effective ($0.50/sample) for yeast identification in the clinical laboratory.
Sequential Cardiorespiratory Patterns Associated with Outcome in Septic Shock

Sequential hemodynamic and oxygen transport monitoring was performed in 33 patients with septic shock to define physiologic patterns associated with outcome. Measurements taken over a 24-hour period prior to the hypotensive crisis, defined as the lowest initial mean arterial pressure (MAP) after a decrease of at least 30 mm Hg from initial normal values, were compared to those taken during the 24 hours thereafter. In the 24-hour period prior to the hypotensive crisis, the 19 survivors demonstrated significantly greater cardiac index (CI), left cardiac work index (LCWI), oxygen delivery (DO2), and oxygen consumption (VO2) than the 14 patients who died. No other significant differences were found between the two patient groups. When sequential cardiorespiratory patterns were examined, significant increases in CI, LCWI, left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI), DO2, and VO2 were present in survivors as early as eight hours before the hypotensive crisis. The results presented in this study suggest that patterns of survival may be determined in critically-ill septic patients before shock, as defined by the initial hypotensive episode, develops.
The Nuclear Pool of Tetraspanin CD9 Contributes to Mitotic Processes in Human Breast Carcinoma

Tetraspanin-29 (CD9) is an integral membrane protein involved in several fundamental cell processes and in cancer metastasis. Here, characterization of a panel of breast cancer cells revealed a nuclear pool of CD9, not present in normal human mammary epithelial cells. Antibody binding to surface CD9 of breast cancer cells resulted in increased nuclear CD9 fluorescence. CD9 was also found, along with a plasma membrane–associated pool, in the nuclei of all primary ductal breast carcinoma patient specimens analyzed. In all patients, about 40% of the total CD9 cellular fluorescence was nuclear. CD9 colocalized at the nuclear level with CEP97, a protein implicated in centrosome function, and with the IGSF8, an established CD9 partner in the plasma membrane. Co-immunoprecipitation of CEP97 and IGSF8 with CD9 was shown in nuclear extracts from breast cancer cells expressing a CD9–GFP fusion protein. However, by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analysis, no direct binding of CD9 with either protein was observed, suggesting that CD9 is part of a larger nuclear protein complex. CD9 depletion or exposure of parental breast cancer cells to anti-CD9 mAb resulted in polynucleation and multipolar mitoses. These data indicate that the nuclear CD9 pool has an important role in the mitotic process. Implications: The discovery of a nuclear pool of CD9 has prognostic and/or therapeutic potential for patients with ductal carcinoma of the breast. Mol Cancer Res; 12(12); 1840–50. ©2014 AACR.
Frequency response of top-gated carbon nanotube field-effect transistors

The ac performance of carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFETs) has been characterized using two approaches involving: 1) time- and 2) frequency-domain measurements. A high input impedance measurement system was used to demonstrate time-domain switching of CNFETs at frequencies up to 100 kHz. The low level of signal crosstalk in CNFETs fabricated on quartz substrates enabled frequency-domain measurements of the ac response of CNFETs in the megahertz range, over five orders of magnitude higher in frequency than previously reported ac measurements of CNFET devices.
Review of the Effects of Anti-T-Cell Monoclonal Antibodies on Major and Minor GvHR in the Mouse

Human bone marrow transplantation, as presently applied, almost exclusively utilizes cells taken from donors matched to the recipient at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The prime reason for this is to avoid or minimize the complications of graft-versus-host (GvH) reaction that would otherwise prove fatal to the marrow recipient. This recognition stems from the early work on GvH response across MHC barriers that was carried out in mouse, dog, and primate models by a number of notable investigators (1–6). These studies not only made apparent the importance of MHC matching to minimize or avoid GvHR, but provided much insight into the basic mechanisms of the reactions, including the identification of T-cells as the prime mediator for GvHR (7).
Dietary fatty acids and alcohol: effects on cellular membranes

The consumption of ethanol has been shown to exert profound effects on cellular membranes which result in damage and/or adaptation. Both membrane lipids and proteins are affected, but because of the physicochemical properties of ethanol, many of the membrane effects are directly related to the interaction of ethanol with the lipid component of the membrane. In addition to the direct lipid-ethanol interaction, ethanol has been shown to dramatically alter lipid metabolism. Triacylglycerol accumulates dramatically in the liver, and biosynthesis of the polyunsaturated fatty acids seems to be altered via effects upon the acyl-CoA desaturases. Because precursors of both families of unsaturated fatty acids, i.e. omega 3 and omega 6 families, cannot be synthesized de novo, they must be supplied from dietary sources. Thus, the unsaturated membrane fatty acid composition depends upon these dietary fats and their metabolism via the desaturases. Further, the level of dietary fat seems to play a very important role in ethanol-induced damage to various cellular membranes. Diets with high levels of fat greatly enhance liver steatosis as well as liver membrane damage and liver fibrosis. By altering the composition of dietary fat to include either more saturated fatty acids, higher levels of a specific omega 6 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, or higher levels of the omega 3 fatty acids, biochemical, physiological and neurobehavioral effects of ethanol have been shown to be modulated. Therefore, it appears that dietary fatty acids may play an important role in altering some of the deleterious effects of ethanol.
Improving mobile application security via bridging user expectations and application behaviors

To keep malware out of mobile application markets, existing techniques analyze the security aspects of application behaviors and summarize patterns of these security aspects to determine what applications do. However, user expectations (reflected via user perception in combination with user judgment) are often not incorporated into such analysis to determine whether application behaviors are within user expectations. This poster presents our recent work on bridging the semantic gap between user perceptions of the application behaviors and the actual application behaviors.
Electrical Transport in a Semimetal–Semiconductor Nanocomposite

Measurements are presented on the low-field electrical conductivity and moderate-field current-voltage characteristics in a nanocomposite structure of ErAs particles in an In0.53Ga0.47As host with Be compensation. The electrical conductivity displays strong temperature dependence with two types of transport mechanisms. At ~ 205 K and above, the low-field conductivity appears to be dominated by free electrons in In0.53Ga0.47As. Between 55 and 205 K, the conductivity is well explained by variable-range hopping, sigma = A exp(-B/T1/4), via Mott's law. The transport displays a soft breakdown effect at moderate bias fields that grows in threshold field with decreasing temperature. This is attributed to impact ionization of the Be dopants.
Long-Term Central Venous Catheter Use and Risk of Infection in Older Adults With Cancer

Purpose Long-term central venous catheters (CVCs) are often used in patients with cancer to facilitate venous access to administer intravenous fluids and chemotherapy. CVCs can also be a source of bloodstream infections, although this risk is not well understood. We examined the impact of long-term CVC use on infection risk, independent of other risk factors such as chemotherapy, in a population-based cohort of patients with cancer. Patients and Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis using SEER-Medicare data for patients age > 65 years diagnosed from 2005 to 2007 with invasive colorectal, head and neck, lung, or pancreatic cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or invasive or noninvasive breast cancer. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the relationship between CVC use and infections, with CVC exposure as a time-dependent predictor. We used multivariable analysis and propensity score methods to control for patient characteristics. Results CVC exposure was associated with a significantly...
Pupil diameter tracks the exploration-exploitation trade-off during analogical reasoning and explains individual differences in fluid intelligence

The ability to adaptively shift between exploration and exploitation control states is critical for optimizing behavioral performance. Converging evidence from primate electrophysiology and computational neural modeling has suggested that this ability may be mediated by the broad norepinephrine projections emanating from the locus coeruleus LC [Aston-Jones, G., & Cohen, J. D. An integrative theory of locus coeruleus-norepinephrine function: Adaptive gain and optimal performance. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 28, 403-450, 2005]. There is also evidence that pupil diameter covaries systematically with LC activity. Although imperfect and indirect, this link makes pupillometry a useful tool for studying the locus coeruleus norepinephrine system in humans and in high-level tasks. Here, we present a novel paradigm that examines how the pupillary response during exploration and exploitation covaries with individual differences in fluid intelligence during analogical reasoning on Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices. Pupillometry was used as a noninvasive proxy for LC activity, and concurrent think-aloud verbal protocols were used to identify exploratory and exploitative solution periods. This novel combination of pupillometry and verbal protocols from 40 participants revealed a decrease in pupil diameter during exploitation and an increase during exploration. The temporal dynamics of the pupillary response was characterized by a steep increase during the transition to exploratory periods, sustained dilation for many seconds afterward, and followed by gradual return to baseline. Moreover, the individual differences in the relative magnitude of pupillary dilation accounted for 16% of the variance in Advanced Progressive Matrices scores. Assuming that pupil diameter is a valid index of LC activity, these results establish promising preliminary connections between the literature on locus coeruleus norepinephrine-mediated cognitive control and the literature on analogical reasoning and fluid intelligence.
Pericytes are progenitors for coronary artery smooth muscle

The heart is a complex organ composed of several different cell types. Muscle cells of walls of the heart contract to pump blood around the body. These muscle cells are themselves supplied with blood from the coronary arteries that penetrate deep into this muscle tissue. The lining of the coronary arteries is made of endothelial cells, while smooth muscle cells (or SMCs for short) surround the arteries and provide support. The SMCs can also contract to increase or decrease blood flow to the heart, depending on the heart rate. Endothelial cells and SMCs of the coronary arteries physically interact but develop from different precursor cells. The coronary artery SMCs are derived from cells that comprise the outer layer of the heart (called the epicardium) and move inwards during embryonic development. However, it was not clear exactly what kind of cells these precursor cells are, or which molecular signals trigger their conversion into SMCs. Volz et al. have studied cardiac development in mice and used fluorescent labels to observed individual cells of the epicardium as they divided and moved. This revealed that when epicardial cells developed into the coronary artery SMCs, there was always an intermediate cell type that wrapped around the developing blood vessels. Upon further investigation, Volz et al. found that these cells were so-called pericytes, which otherwise support small blood vessels throughout the body. Furthermore, the pericytes that did not develop into SMCs remained near the coronary arteries and were still present in adult hearts. Lastly, experiments showed that a protein called Notch-3 is expressed on pericytes and interacts with another protein called Jagged-1 on endothelial cells to prompt the conversion of pericytes into SMCs. Since heart development is similar in mice and humans, these findings may have implications for future therapies of coronary artery disease, the most common cause of death worldwide. Currently there are no methods to trigger the formation of new coronary arteries after injury or blockage, but knowledge of the pericyte precursors and the signaling pathways that turn them into SMCs could eventually lead to new treatments.
Monitoring the prevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis IgG antibodies using serial sampling in growing and breeding swine herds

Summary Objective: To determine seroprevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis and the time of seroconversion in growing and breeding swine herds using the immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA). Methods: Blood was collected from individually identified growing pigs in 16 herds at weaning (approximately 3 weeks of age) and in those herds, plus four others, at 3week intervals until market weight (total 20 herds). Blood was collected from individually identified breeding animals (replacement gilts) at entry into nine breeding herds and then at 3-week intervals. Samples were tested at a dilution of 1:30 using the IPMA, which identifies IgG antibodies. Results: Fifteen of twenty growing herds (75%) were seropositive for L intracellularis at some time between weaning and 24 weeks of age. Within-herd seroprevalence in positive growing herds ranged from 11 to 92% and peaked near marketing (18 to 24 weeks of age). Seven of nine breeding herds (78%) were seropositive. Withinherd seroprevalence in breeding herds ranged from 5 to 61% and peaked near the time of herd entry and again late in the study. Implications: As L intracellularis IgG serum antibodies were short-lived in this study, serial blood sampling at intervals of 3 weeks or less may prove useful in determining L intracellularis serological status in a swine production system. On the basis of these results, blood samples to detect exposure to L intracellularis should be collected from growing swine at 18 to 24 weeks of age, and from replacement gilts at entry into the breeding herd and at first lactation.
IRS Will Not Look Beyond Direct Activities of Trustees in Applying Passive Activity Loss Limits to Trusts

A recent Technical Advice Memorandum (TAM) 200733023 appears to finally flesh out the IRS's position on determining whether a trust has materially participated in a business activity to avoid the Code Sec. 469 passive activity loss (PAL) limitations. The IRS considered a trust to have materially participated in a business activity for PAL purposes only if its fiduciaries directly participate in the activity on a regular, continuous and substantial basis. Having the trustees hire someone else to be active is not good enough, according to the IRS. Paper provides an interview with David Nave discussing the impact of the TAM. Nave stated CCH that he 'wasn't sure if the TAM gives a lot more guidance than we had before.' Nave reported that there was a question in the past as to whether taxpayers should look to the beneficiary or trustee for application of the Code Sec. 469 passive activity loss rules. However, he emphasized that while the passive activity rules have been around for 21 years and the IRS has even reserved space for guidance on material participation of trusts and estates under Reg. §1.469-5T(g), no definitive guidance on the issue has been released. Nave stated it was 'like reserving a table and never showing up for dinner.' When asked about the idea, Nave agreed that it would be wise for the IRS to seek guidance in this area from practitioners or look at how passive activity losses by trusts are being treated in actual practice. Nonetheless, Nave advised practitioners to take heed of this TAM, as it is likely that, since there is no other guidance for the application of passive activity loss rules to trusts, the IRS will challenge any contrary tax positions. Nave explained that the dearth of guidance leaves open such questions as whether a trustee who is a real estate professional may qualify for the real estate professional exception under Reg. §1.469-5T(g) so that the trust itself may be deemed to have materially participated in the activity.
Reversibility of sterilization produced by vas occlusion clip.

A preliminary study to evaluate the use of tantalum clips as a reversible vasoocclusive device was undertaken in six dogs. Applying two clips on each vas resulted in total aspermia. Removal of the clips five weeks after occlusion resulted in the restoration of sperm to the ejaculate in one of the three dogs tested. Single clips on each vas did not produce aspermia. Reanastamosis was attempted in four dogs. Sperm appeared in the ejaculate of two dogs and were present in one vas of a third at the time of sacrifice. The use of clips requires further study.
Abstract 3577: Sensitivity and resistance of non-small cell lung cancer to the telomerase inhibitor imetelstat

Telomerase is expressed in the majority of lung cancers and functions to extend telomeres allowing for unlimited replication potential. Telomerase may also be essential in maintaining a cancer stem cell population making it an attractive therapeutic target. A new telomerase inhibitor, imetelstat (GRN163L), is currently in clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Imetelstat, a lipidated 13-mer oligonucleotide N3′ P5′-thio-phosphoramidate, binds the functional RNA template of telomerase preventing telomerase from extending telomeres and thus potentially leading to telomere loss associated cancer cell death. In the present studies we treated multiple NSCLC cell lines (representing the full spectrum of oncogenotypes and chemotherapy drug response phenotypes) with imetelstat (1 μM, a concentration achieved in patients) continuously over several months and all tumor lines showed loss of telomerase activity and shortening of telomeres. NSCLC lines with initially short telomeres (NCI-H2073-initial telomere length (ITL) 2.7 Kb, Calu-3 (ITL 1.5 Kb), and NCI-H2087 (ITL 3 Kb)) either suffered massive apoptotic associated cell death (H2073) within one week, or developed very short telomeres and ceased proliferating at 2.5 weeks (Calu-3) or 20 weeks (H2087) of treatment, demonstrating primary sensitivity. However, a small subpopulation in H2073 continues to grow in culture in the presence of drug and is being tested for telomere length and sensitivity to higher concentrations of imetelstat. NSCLC lines with long telomeres (NCI-H1819 (ITL 15Kb) and NCI-H157 (ITL 14.5Kb)) treated with 1 µM imetelstat twice weekly for 32 weeks showed reduction of telomeres to 1.8 and 2 Kb respectively with no effect on mass culture proliferation but, in some cases, showed inhibition of colony formation. Removal of imetelstat resulted in return of telomerase activity and telomere re-growth. With continued 1 μM treatment, however, H1819 telomere length stabilized at 1.8Kb while H157 cells showed re-growth of telomeres to parental length and now requires >5 μM imetelstat to robustly inhibit telomerase. In summary, we have found a panel of NSCLC lines demonstrate several imetelstat response phenotypes: extreme initial sensitivity, maintenance of shortened telomeres with inhibition of colony formation, and acquired resistance to imetelstat therapy. We conclude that NSCLCs exhibit a diverse spectrum of responses to telomerase targeted therapy emphasizing the need to have tumor biomarker signatures for personalizing imetelstat therapy in NSCLC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3577.
Rational synthesis of [Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}3]- from its parent Zintl ion Ge9(4-).

Reported is the first rational synthesis of a trisubstituted deltahedral Zintl ion, [Ge(9){Si(SiMe(3))(3)}(3)](-) in this case, by the addition of the three substituents in a reaction of the parent naked deltahedral Zintl ion Ge(9)(4-) with {(Me(3)Si)(3)Si}Cl. The new species were crystallized and structurally characterized in [K(2,2,2-crypt)](2)[Ge(9){Si(SiMe(3))(3)}(3)] (monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 26.497(3) A, b = 24.090(2) A, c = 29.268(3) A, β = 113.888(2)°, V = 17082(3) A(3), Z = 8, R1/wR2 = 0.0436/0.0812 for the observed data and 0.1023/0.1010 for all data).
The Materiality of Virtual War: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Disabling Effects of Imperialism.

A slew of recent news coverage has reported favorably on the use of virtual reality video games as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in US soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Drawing on critical disability studies work, this paper argues that such depictions (re)produce a depoliticized framework for understanding PTSD that champions medico-technological interventions and hinders broader social and political activism by taking for granted and normalizing conditions of perpetual war. Through an analysis of medical research and media portrayals extolling such technologies, this paper unravels the contradictory logic in these celebratory depictions to condemn imperialism, problematize the use of virtual reality for PTSD treatment, and ultimately call for anti-imperialist disability studies scholarship and disability activism.
Health claims on resistant starch

Health claims are the claims to indicate the benefit of food or food component to health,including nutrients function claims,intensifying function claims、reduction of disease risk claims,structure function claims,Chinese health care function claims.Nutrient function claims and Chinese health care function claims are the main claims used in China.The health claims on resistant starch from high amylose maize(RS2)refers to"resistant starch and reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses","digestive health benefits" and"favours a normal colon metabolism" by European Food Safety Authority(EFSA)in 2011.China does not have the health claims on resistant starch.In this paper,the physiological function of four type's resistant starch was reviewed,and the potential health claims were discussed.The paper provides a theoretical reference for the future research and development of resistant starch.
Adsorption and Gas Separation of Molecules by Carbon Nanohorns

In this paper, we report the results of Monte Carlo simulations of the adsorption of neon, argon, methane and carbon dioxide in carbon nanohorns. We model the nanohorns as an array of carbon cones and obtained adsorption isotherms and isosteric heats. The main sites of adsorption are inside the cones and in the interstices between three cones. We also calculated the selectivity of carbon dioxide/methane, finding that nanohorns are a suitable substrate for gas separation. Our simulations are compared to available experimental data.
Authentic Trump: Yearning for Civility

Donald Trump, known as a mogul and reality TV celebrity, is presented as horrific in the press now that he wants to be President of the United States, a position requiring controlled and civil behavior, which he cannot master. Comparisons between his candidacy for president and a reality TV show abound, forcing us to contend with the conventions, privileged behaviors and ethics of the current culture of surveillance (which includes reality TV), arising in contexts of surveillance but now exceeding these. The crossover from reality TV celebrity to presidential candidate is troubled, highlighting the uncomfortable intersection of Trump’s whiteness and wealth with his crass behavior. The reality TV genre is seen as trashy, featuring people without class in behavior and often in social and financial status. The presidency, however, is for the elite white upper-middle or upper-class (usually male)—Obama negotiates the politics of respectability to fit this ideal. Popular articulations of Trump demonstrate the ...
Newborn Screening by Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Confirmation

Over the last several of decades, newborn screening (NBS) has rapidly expanded from the application of a single test to identify a severe but treatable disorder in presymptomatic newborns in order to provide therapy and prevent disease, to a complex and important health program.
Light Particle Probes of the Dynamical Evolution of Multifragmentation Reactions

Understanding the mechanism of multi-fragment disassembly of the nucleus and its relationship to the liquid-gas phase transition and using this understanding to elucidate the equation of state of nuclear matter continue to be elusive goals. Considerable effort has been expended in studying and modeling the multifragmentation process and the importance of multifragment production at intermediate and higher energies is now very well established experimentally [1–5]. However, the unambiguous preparation and characterization of well defined equilibrated systems in collision processes and the separation of dynamic effects from equilibrium properties of the disassembling system have proved to be very difficult. As a result, attempts to derive reliable information on the properties of hot, equilibrated nuclear matter from the experiments have had limited success. It has become very clear that experimenters must take great care that the reaction dynamics is well understood and that the source of the observed fragments is very well characterized if such information is to be obtained. A number of questions regarding excitation energy and temperature determinations, fragment formation mechanisms and the role of compression and expansion modes can only be answered by much more detailed experiments and analysis and by comparisons of results from different experiments in which the collision dynamics are clearly understood.
Can nomograms improve our ability to select candidates for active surveillance for prostate cancer

Can nomograms improve our ability to select candidates for active surveillance for prostate cancer?
Effects of Focus of Attention on Tone Production in Trained Singers

Motor performance in familiar tasks is often advantaged when performers focus on the effects of their movements rather than on the movements themselves. But, this phenomenon has yet to be studied systematically in the context of vocal production. I evaluated 20 trained singers’ vocal tone as they varied their focus of attention. Each participant performed a short vocalise, a phrase of “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” and a prepared solo piece under six different conditions in which they focused attention on either keeping the vibrato steady, the position of their soft palate, directing their sound to points in the room at three different distances from the singer, or imagining “filling the room” with sound. Each session began with singers performing with no focus instructions, which served as a baseline for comparison. Expert listeners rated all performances on seven variables. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) revealed significant effects for the evaluation variables of ring and overall tone quality i...
Generation and characterization of aerosols released from sanding composite nanomaterials containing carbon nanotubes

Abstract An adaptable system was developed to generate and characterize particles released from composite materials containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The system was tested with a belt sander by sanding 1) glass fiber/epoxy resin, 2) acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and 3) ABS with carbon black. Each material was tested with fine and coarse sandpaper in its neat form and with CNT additives. Total number concentrations, respirable mass concentrations, and particle number/mass distributions of the released particles were measured with a combination of direct-read instruments. Airborne particle samples for electron microscopy analysis were collected on polycarbonate filters, and onto a transmission electron microscopy grid supported carbon film using a thermophoretic sampler. Using automated microscopy analysis and a newly developed method, over 200 particles from each filter sample were analyzed for chemical composition, size, and the presence of CNT protrusions. Direct-read instruments revealed that the highest number and mass concentrations were generated with Material 1 (6 × 104 particles/cm3 and 0.5 mg/m3 with coarse sandpaper) and that the addition of C'NTs decreased number concentrations (4.5 × 104 particles/cm3 with coarse sandpaper). Respirable concentrations of the materials containing CNTs were higher than the respective base materials without additives with the exception of Material 1 with coarse sandpaper. Microscopy analysis results indicated that particles were primarily micrometer-sized and some particles had protruding features. From the chemical analysis, the percentages of particles generated during sanding that were attributable to the deterioration of sandpaper were 59–83% for Material 1 and 6–27% for Materials 2 and 3. The highest number of protrusions were found in Material 3 with CNT additive and fine sandpaper (3.71 average protrusions per particle) while the lowest number or protrusions were found in Material 2 with short CNTs and fine sandpaper (0.66 average protrusions per particle). No free-standing CNTs were observed in the samples. The combination of direct-read instruments and automated electron microscopy provides greater insights in particle chemistry, size measurements and CNT associations.
Chapter 16 Energy metabolism in the developing rumen epithelium

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the metabolic development in the neonatal rumen epithelium. The physical changes occurring during rumen epithelial development are extensively characterized. Both ontogenic and physiological/dietary factors are necessary for complete rumen epithelial metabolic development. The rumen fermentation itself, or on physical changes manifested by changes in rumen epithelial morphology and blood chemistry in the growing ruminant are focused. Changes in the expression of specific genes, such as those for ketone body production, in response to ontogenic and physiological/dietary factors appear to be responsible for the changes in energy metabolism in developing rumen epithelium. The eight-week period following birth, the time period in which the bulk of the physical and metabolic changes occur in the developing rumen epithelium is described in the chapter. The role of ontogeny in rumen epithelial metabolic development is only recognized for the importance it plays in this process. The mechanisms regulating gene expression within the developing rumen epithelium to obtain a better understanding of this process is required.
Controls of nitrogen cycling evaluated along a well-characterized climate gradient

The supply of nitrogen (N) constrains primary productivity in many ecosystems, raising the question "what controls the availability and cycling of N"? As a step toward answering this question, we evaluated N cycling processes and aspects of their regulation on a climate gradient on Kohala Volcano, Hawaii, USA. The gradient extends from sites receiving 3,000 mm/yr, and the pedology and dynamics of rock-derived nutrients in soils on the gradient are well understood. In particular, there is a soil process domain at intermediate rainfall within which ongoing weathering and biological uplift have enriched total and available pools of rock-derived nutrients substantially; sites at higher rainfall than this domain are acid and infertile as a consequence of depletion of rock-derived nutrients, while sites at lower rainfall are unproductive and subject to wind erosion. We found elevated rates of potential net N mineralization in the domain where rock-derived nutrients are enriched. Higher-rainfall sites have low rates of potential net N mineralization and high rates of microbial N immobilization, despite relatively high rates of gross N mineralization. Lower-rainfall sites have moderately low potential net N mineralization, relatively low rates of gross N mineralization, and rates of microbial N immobilization sufficient to sequester almost all the mineral N produced. Bulk soil δ15 N also varied along the gradient, from +4‰ at high rainfall sites to +14‰ at low rainfall sites, indicating differences in the sources and dynamics of soil N. Our analysis shows that there is a strong association between N cycling and soil process domains that are defined using soil characteristics independent of N along this gradient, and that short-term controls of N cycling can be understood in terms of the supply of and demand for N.