cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic and molecular evidence for a trans-acting regulatory locus controlling glutathione S-transferase-2 expression in Aedes aegypti.

The amount of glutathione S-transferase-2 (GST-2) protein and enzyme activity in a mutant strain (strain GG) of the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) is approximately 25-fold higher than in the wild-type (+ +) strain. The mode of inheritance of the GG phenotype was studied in F1 and backcross progeny using GST enzyme assays, isozyme-specific antisera, and Northern blot analysis. Enzyme assay of parental and F1 progeny showed that the + + phenotype was dominant to the GG phenotype. This was true for larvae as well as for all tissues examined in adults in both sexes. Immunoblotting experiments showed that, like the + + strain, F1 larvae and adults express very low levels of GST-2 protein compared with the GG strain. Northern blotting experiments showed that the steady-state levels of GST-2 mRNA in parental and F1 hybrid larvae closely matched the enzyme activity and immunological data. These results suggest the existence of a trans-acting regulatory locus that acts to repress GST-2 mRNA transcription and/or decrease GST-2 mRNA stability in + + and F1 hybrids. GST enzyme activity in backcross progeny, however, did not segregate into the two distinct phenotypes (low and high) predicted for a single locus, dominant allele model. Backcross progeny expressed a wide range of GST activity and GST-2 protein amount with no apparent fit to simple Mendelian ratios. These backcross data suggest that additional loci are also involved in regulating GST-2 isozyme expression. Taken together, the results suggest that overexpression of GST-2 in the GG strain of Aedes aegypti is due to allelic segregation at a trans-acting regulatory locus, most likely a repressor, with additional effects due to other modifying loci.
Detecting BGP configuration faults with static analysis

The Internet is composed of many independent autonomous systems (ASes) that exchange reachability information to destinations using the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). Network operators in each AS configure BGP routers to control the routes that are learned, selected, and announced to other routers. Faults in BGP configuration can cause forwarding loops, packet loss, and unintended paths between hosts, each of which constitutes a failure of the Internet routing infrastructure.This paper describes the design and implementation of rcc, the router configuration checker, a tool that finds faults in BGP configurations using static analysis. rcc detects faults by checking constraints that are based on a high-level correctness specification. rcc detects two broad classes of faults: route validity faults, where routers may learn routes that do not correspond to usable paths, and path visibility faults, where routers may fail to learn routes for paths that exist in the network. rcc enables network operators to test and debug configurations before deploying them in an operational network, improving on the status quo where most faults are detected only during operation. rcc has been downloaded by more than sixty-five network operators to date, some of whom have shared their configurations with us. We analyze network-wide configurations from 17 different ASes to detect a wide variety of faults and use these findings to motivate improvements to the Internet routing infrastructure.
Agonist-induced internalization of kappa-opioid receptors in noradrenergic neurons of the rat locus coeruleus

Abstract Kappa-opioid receptors (κOR) are positioned to modulate pre- and post-synaptic responses of norepinephrine-containing neurons in the rat locus coeruleus (LC). The ability of an acute systemic injection of a long acting κOR agonist, U50,488, to induce trafficking of κOR was assessed in the LC using immunogold-silver detection in male Sprague–Dawley rats. U50,488 administration shifted immunogold-silver labeling indicative of κOR from primarily plasmalemmal sites to intracellular sites when compared to vehicle-treated subjects. This translocation from the plasma membrane to the cytoplasmic compartment was prevented by pre-treatment with the κOR antagonist, norbinaltorphimine (norBNI). To determine whether agonist stimulation could induce adaptations in the expression of the noradrenergic synthesizing enzyme, dopamine beta hydroxylase (DβH), and κOR expression, Western blot analysis was used to compare expression levels of DβH and κOR following U50,488 administration. Expression levels for DβH and κOR were significantly increased following U50,488 administration when compared to controls. These data indicate that a systemic injection of a κOR agonist stimulates internalization of κORs in noradrenergic neurons and can impact κOR and DβH expression levels in this stress-sensitive brain region.
Outpatient Two-Dimensional Echocardiography–Guided Pericardiocentesis

Abstract Two-dimensional echocardiography–guided pericardiocentesis is an accepted, safe, and cost-effective procedure. Carefully selected patients can be treated with this technique in an outpatient setting. A consecutive series of outpatient echocardiography-directed pericardiocentesis performed for diagnostic or therapeutic indications is described. Appropriate technique and precautions are discussed. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 1998;11:433-5.)
Intraoperative hyperglycemia and perioperative outcomes in cardiac surgery patients

OBJECTIVE To estimate the magnitude of association between intraoperative hyperglycemia and perioperative outcomes in patients who underwent cardiac surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective observational study of consecutive adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery between June 10, 2002, and August 30, 2002, at the Mayo Clinic, a tertiary care center in Rochester, Minn. The primary independent variable was the mean intraoperative glucose concentration. The primary end point was a composite of death and infectious (sternal wound, urinary tract, sepsis), neurologic (stroke, coma, delirium), renal (acute renal failure), cardiac (new-onset atrial fibrillation, heart block, cardiac arrest), and pulmonary (prolonged pulmonary ventilation, pneumonia) complications developing within 30 days after cardiac surgery. RESULTS Among 409 patients who underwent cardiac surgery, those experiencing a primary end point were more likely to be male and older, have diabetes mellitus, undergo coronary artery bypass grafting, and receive insulin during surgery ( P ≤.05 for all comparisons). Atrial fibrillation (n=105), prolonged pulmonary ventilation (n=53), delirium (n=22), and urinary tract infection (n=16) were the most common complications. The initial, mean, and maximal intraoperative glucose concentrations were significantly higher in patients experiencing the primary end point ( P CONCLUSION Intraoperative hyperglycemia is an independent risk factor for complications, including death, after cardiac surgery.
The cellular and humoral basis of the immune response.

Abstract Class II molecules, called Ia molecules or DR, are expressed in macrophages, B lymphocytes, and activated T cells. Through these molecules, the B and T cells produce the immune response. Furthermore, this class of glycoproteins can serve as markers for the immune responses and their related disorders, ie, autoimmune disease. The new discoveries of the extended haplotypes. which include the genes for some proteins of the complement system and the Ia-like genes, make it possible to study the association of a chromatin section of chromosome 6 (seven centimorgans) with diseases.
Group Parent Training: A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Eating Disorders

This paper describes the rationale, development, and implementation of a group parent training program designed to assist caregivers in the management of their child's eating disorder while facilitating the development of a healthy home environment for sustained change. The content of this program instructs caregivers in disorder management and capitalizes on caregivers as role models of adaptive behavior. Strategies are provided to address acute disorder management, features of caregivers that may impede task implementation, and environmental and attitudinal changes. The group format enhances social support, accountability, and self-efficacy. A preliminary qualitative evaluation and future directions are described to assist healthcare professionals in better meeting the needs of caregivers of these disorders.
Densitometric evaluation of quick x-ray developing solutions

Abstract In a study of various solutions it was determined that different concentrations of the Kodak developer-replenisher concentrate could be used effectively as quick developing solutions.
Nursing as Informed Caring for the Well‐Being of Others

Assumptions about four main phenomena of concern to nursing (persons/clients, health/well-being, environments and nursing) are presented and an elaboration is made of the structure of a theory of caring. The issues that arise when nursing is viewed as "informed caring for the well-being of others is also examined."
Guilt by Association: Strategic Failure Prevention and Recovery Capacity Investments

We examine technological systems that display the following characteristics: (i) unplanned outages incur significant costs, (ii) the system experiences an outage if one or more of its subsystems fails, (iii) subsystem failures may occur simultaneously, and (iv) subsystem recovery requires specific resources and capabilities that are provided by different firms. Firms may invest in two measures to enhance system availability—namely, failure prevention and recovery capacity. If recovery capacity investment is the only option, we find that the firms in a decentralized setting overinvest in capacity, resulting in higher system availability but at a higher cost. If both investments can be made, we find that the firms underinvest in failure prevention and overinvest in recovery capacity. That is, firms in a decentralized setting shift their focus from preventing failures to responding to failures. The net effect is lower system availability, reversing the conclusion above. We also find that, unexpectedly, firms...
Magnetic and electrical properties of sandwich-like lanthanide phthalocyanines

Abstract Rare-earth phthalocyanine sandwich compounds and their iodine analogues have been synthesized. Single crystals were obtained by electrochemical means, and magnetic susceptibility measurements on the polycrystalline samples follow the Curie-Weiss law. Room temperature and 77 K EPR spectra at X-band for undoped lutetium phthalocyanine indicate the presence of a free-radical phthalocyanine unit. Doped complexes also show a narrow signal with a g-value of 2.00. D.C. conductivity measurements on pellets in the temperature range 20 to 300 K yielded values on the order of 10−5 to 10−7 s cm−1 for the undoped phthalocyanines, and 10−2 to 10−4 s cm−1 for the doped ones. The conductivity behavior may be explained in terms of the variable-range hopping mechanism for heavily-doped semiconductors.
Segmenting volunteers by motivation in the 2012 London Olympic Games

Abstract The present research employed seven motivational factors to delineate sports-event volunteer segments for the 2012 London Olympic Games. The investigators conducted a survey of 11,421 volunteers in the 2012 London Olympic Games and used the factor-clustering method to identify three distinct segments (i.e., the obligated, the enthusiastic, and the semi-enthusiastic). In addition, these segments' overall satisfaction, behavioral intentions for other future events, and socio-demographic backgrounds were assessed, uncovering significant differences among the segments. An ANOVA and a chi-square test found the segments to differ significantly from each other in all of these regards.
Fundamental Diagram of Traffic Flow: New Identification Scheme and Further Evidence from Empirical Data

A systematic approach is developed to identify the bivariate relation of two fundamental traffic variables, traffic volume and density, from single-loop detector data. The approach is motivated by the observation of a peculiar feature of traffic fluctuations. That is, in a short time, traffic usually experiences fluctuations without a significant change in speed. This fact is used to define equilibrium in a new manner, and a mixed integer programming approach is proposed for constructing a piecewise linear fundamental diagram (FD) accordingly. By construction, the proposed method is data adaptive and optimal in the sense of least absolute deviation. This method is used to perform a case study with data from one section of a multilane freeway. The results indicate that both capacity drop and concave–convex FD shapes abound in practice. Differences in traffic behavior across freeway lanes and along freeway sections revealed through the FD are discussed.
Novel methodology to determine thermal conductivity of thermoelectric materials and comparison with device performance

Accuracy of thermal conductivity measurements is an ongoing area of controversy in thermoelectric materials development. In this work, we demonstrate a novel steady-state method for characterizing thermal conductivity of bulk materials and devices under isothermal and near-isothermal conditions. The isothermal condition is achieved by exactly balancing Peltier heat flow against an externally imposed heat flow in the material. Under steady-state, isothermal conditions, heat flow in the material can be determined with high accuracy because external parasitic heat flows become negligible. We compare our results with conventional measurement techniques and also with measured thermoelectric device performance. Agreement between predicted and measured thermoelectric cooler performance is within 2%. Results for thermoelectric power generators will also be discussed.
Feasible optimal deformable mirror shaping algorithm for high-contrast imaging

The Princeton University Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) group has been working on a novel method for direct imaging of extra solar planets using a shaped-pupil coronagraph. The entrance pupil of the coronagraph is optimized to have a point spread function (PSF) that provides the suppression level needed at the angular separation required for detection of extra solar planets. When integration time is to be minimized, the photon count at the planet location in the image plane is a Poisson distributed random process. The ultimate limitation of these high-dynamic-range imaging systems comes from scattering due to imperfections in the optical surfaces of the collecting system. The first step in correcting the wavefront errors is the estimation of the phase aberrations. The phase aberration caused by these imperfections is assumed to be a sum of two-dimensional sinusoidal functions. Assuming one uses a deformable mirror to correct these aberrations, we propose an algorithm that optimally decreases the scattering level in specified localized areas in the image plane independent of the choice of influence function of the deformable mirror.
Recognition by a human alloreactive T-cell clone of an HLA-DP-associated epitope on monocytes and fibroblasts but not on B cells

We examined the ability of a panel of allospecific (N = 9) and of TT-specific (N = 15) human inducer T-cell clones to respond to antigen presented by B cells or by monocytes. With one exception all T-cell clones responded equally well to antigen presented by monocytes, by lightly irradiated (1000 rads) peripheral blood resting B cells, or by heavily irradiated (7500 rads) Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B cells. One alloreactive human T-cell clone, Clone A1, which recognized an HLA-DP-associated antigen proliferated in response to allogeneic monocytes and gamma-interferon-treated fibroblasts but not in response to allogeneic B cells even in the presence of autologous monocytes. Nonspecific conjugate formation between B cells and Clone A1 was normal. Yet in contrast to allogeneic monocytes, allogeneic B cells failed to induce a rise in the intracellular calcium ion concentration and failed to cause interleukin 2 (IL2) receptor expression in Clone A1. Neither interleukin 1 (IL1) nor phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) reversed the inability of Clone A1 to proliferate to allogeneic B cells. The failure of allogeneic B cells to stimulate A1 was not due to their lack of expression of the HLA-DP gene product recognized by Clone A1 or to excessive sialation of this product. These results suggest that Clone A1 recognizes an epitope associated with HLA-DP which is expressed on monocytes and on gamma-interferon-treated fibroblasts but which is either absent or altered on B cells.
Mechanism-based model for tumor drug resistance.

The development of tumor resistance to cytotoxic agents has important implications in the treatment of cancer. If supported by experimental data, mathematical models of resistance can provide useful information on the underlying mechanisms and aid in the design of therapeutic regimens. We report on the development of a model of tumor-growth kinetics based on the assumption that the rates of cell growth in a tumor are normally distributed. We further assumed that the growth rate of each cell is proportional to its rate of total pyrimidine synthesis (de novo plus salvage). Using an ovarian carcinoma cell line (2008) and resistant variants selected for chronic exposure to a pyrimidine antimetabolite,N-phosphonacetyl-l-aspartate (PALA), we derived a simple and specific analytical form describing the growth curves generated in 72 h growth assays. The model assumes that the rate of de novo pyrimidine synthesis, denoted α, is shifted down by an amount proportional to the log10 PALA concentration and that cells whose rate of pyrimidine synthesis falls below a critical level, denoted α0, can no longer grow. This is described by the equation:
Video-QoE aware radio resource allocation for HTTP adaptive streaming

We consider the problem of scheduling multiple adaptive streaming video users sharing a time-varying wireless channel such as in modern 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems. HTTP Adaptive Streaming (HAS) framework is used by the video users for video rate adaptation. HAS is a client driven video delivery solution that has been gaining popularity due to its inherent advantages over other existing solutions. Quality of Experience (QoE) has become the prime performance criterion for media delivery technologies and wireless resource management is a critical part in providing a target QoE for video delivery over wireless systems. We propose a novel cross-layer Video-QoE aware optimization framework for wireless resource allocation that constraints rebuffering probability for adaptive streaming users. We propose a Re-buffering Aware Gradient Algorithm (RAGA) to solve this optimization problem. RAGA relies on simple periodic feedback of media buffer levels by adaptive streaming clients. Our simulation results on an LTE system level simulator demonstrate significant reduction in re-buffering percentage using RAGA without compromising video quality.
Quantification of personal exposure concentrations to gasoline vehicle emissions in high-end exposure microenvironments: Effects of fuel and season

Mobile-source air toxic (MSAT) levels increase in confining microenvironments (MEs) with numerous emission sources of vehicle exhaust or evaporative emissions or during high-load and cold-start conditions. Reformulated fuels are expected to reduce MSAT and ozone precursor emissions. This study, required under the Clean Air Act Section 211b, evaluated high-end exposures in cities using reformulated (methyl tertiary-butyl ether [MTBE] or ethanol [EtOH]) fuels and conventional gasoline blends. The study investigates 13 high-end MEs, sampling under enhanced exposure conditions expected to result in maximal fuel and exhaust component exposures to carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes), MTBE, 1,3-butadiene (1,3-BD), EtOH, formaldehyde (HCHO), and acetaldehyde (CH3CHO). The authors found that day-to-day ME variations in high-end benzene, 1,3-BD, HCHO, and CO concentrations are substantial, but independent of gasoline composition and season, and related to the a...
Chemotherapy-related neuropathic symptoms and functional impairment in adult survivors of extracranial solid tumors of childhood: Results from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study

Abstract Objectives To ascertain prevalence of peripheral sensory and motor neuropathy, and to evaluate impairments in relation to function. Design St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study, a clinical follow-up study designed to evaluate adverse late effects in adult survivors of childhood cancer. Setting A children's research hospital. Participants Eligibility required treatment for an extracranial solid malignancy between 1962 and 2002, age ≥18 years, ≥10 years postdiagnosis, and no history of cranial radiation. Survivors (N=531) were included in the evaluation with a median age of 32 years and a median time from diagnosis of 25 years. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Primary exposure measures were cumulative doses of vinca-alkaloid and platinum-based chemotherapies. Survivors with scores ≥1 on the sensory subscale of the Modified Total Neuropathy Score were classified with prevalent sensory impairment. Those with sex-specific z scores of ≤−1.3 for dorsiflexion strength were classified with prevalent motor impairment. Participants completed the 6-minute walk test (endurance), the Timed Up & Go test (mobility), and the Sensory Organization Test (balance). Results The prevalence of sensory and motor impairment was 20% and 17.5%, respectively. Vinca-alkaloid exposure was associated with an increased risk of motor impairment (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–2.64) without evidence for a dose response. Platinum exposure was associated with increased risk of sensory impairment (adjusted OR=1.62; 95% CI, .97–2.72) without evidence of a dose response. Sensory impairment was associated with poor endurance (OR=1.99; 95% CI, .99–4.0) and mobility (OR=1.65; 95% CI, .96–2.83). Conclusions Vincristine and cisplatin exposure may increase risk for long-term motor and sensory impairment, respectively. Survivors with sensory impairment are at increased risk for functional performance limitations.
Calibration methods used in cancer simulation models and suggested reporting guidelines.

Increasingly, computer simulation models are used for economic and policy evaluation in cancer prevention and control. A model’s predictions of key outcomes, such as screening effectiveness, depend on the values of unobservable natural history parameters. Calibration is the process of determining the values of unobservable parameters by constraining model output to replicate observed data. Because there are many approaches for model calibration and little consensus on best practices, we surveyed the literature to catalogue the use and reporting of these methods in cancer simulation models.
Oceanographer tracks marine debris from the Japan tsunami and other incidents

[1] In the wake of the 11 March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck Japan, much of the debris that washed out to sea continues to float slowly on ocean currents across the Pacific Ocean. The leading edge of a dispersed field of debris that has not already sunk or biodegraded was estimated by a computer model to be about halfway across the Pacific, north of Midway Island, as of 31 July, 142 days after the tsunami. According to Curtis Ebbesmeyer, a consulting oceanographer who has been involved with tracking various kinds of ocean flotsam for decades, the debris field, which encompasses an area about the size of California, could begin to reach the U.S. West Coast by March 2012. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Satellite and Information Service was able to track the debris field until mid-April, when the debris became too dispersed to be detected in satellite imagery. Ebbesmeyer, formerly an oceanographer with Mobil and Standard Oil, told Eos that he does not have any recent physical evidence of the debris field because it is now widely dispersed and still far away from any landfall. Ebbesmeyer said, though, that his confidence level for the debris field's estimated size and location is “very high.”
Boundary-Crossing Competence: Theoretical Considerations and Educational Design

This article provides a conceptual account and empirical analyses of the development of boundary-crossing competence—the ability to function competently in multiple contexts—using representative cases from two after-school programs with immigrant and low-socioeconomic status students. Our findings suggest that organizational designs that create networks of related communities of practice can provide opportunities for nondominant students to develop boundary-crossing competences through participation in expanded, horizontal—rather than hierarchal—systems of what Moll and colleagues have called “networked expertise.” These new directions in understanding competence have important implications for improving learning designs for nondominant students.
Foregrounding Positive Problem-Solving Teamwork: Awareness and Assessment Exercises for the First Class and Beyond:

In an advanced technical and professional writing course, a pair of in-class exercises integrates the teaching of teamwork with other class topics of project management and observation-based research. The first exercise introduces teamwork in a positive way, by raising awareness of strategies for solving problems successfully. The second exercise follows up on the first, focusing on assessment of problem-solving teamwork. The pair of exercises is memorable and effective, showing students in an engaging, thought-provoking way that they have control and responsibility for the success of their teamwork. The materials for conducting the exercises, provided here, encourage reflection and discussion.
Large scale Hartree–Fock calculations. Compression of two-electron integrals and their indices

Abstract The new efficient algorithm for a compression of the two-electron repulsion integrals and their indices is proposed and employed in the conventional SCF algorithm of the Hartree–Fock method. Results of numerical investigations of this algorithm obtained in the molecular Hartree–Fock calculations including the largest known one's are presented and discussed.
Heinrich Heine's Appraisal of John Bull*

Author's Summary.— Heine had a natural antipathy for what seemed to him the cold, mechanical ways of the English coupled with their Puritanism and cant, but he admired their political freedom and parliamentary activity, especially the liberalism of George Canning.)
The role of Mg2+ in immune cells

The physiological and clinical relevance of Mg(2+) has evolved over the last decades. The molecular identification of multiple Mg(2+) transporters (Acdp2, MagT1, Mrs2, Paracellin-1, SLC41A1, SLC41A2, TRPM6 and TRPM7) and their biophysical characterization in recent years has improved our understanding of Mg(2+) homeostasis regulation and has provided a basis for investigating the role of Mg(2+) in the immune system. Deletions and mutations of Mg(2+) transporters produce severe phenotypes with more systemic symptoms than those seen with Ca(2+) channel deletions, which tend to be more specific and less profound. Deficiency of the Mg(2+) permeable ion channels TRPM6 or TRPM7 in mice is lethal at embryonic day 12.5 or at day 6.5, respectively, and, even more surprisingly, chicken DT40 B cells lacking TRPM7 die after 24-48 h. Recent progress made in Mg(2+) research has helped to define underlying mechanisms of two hereditary diseases, human Hypomagnesemia (TRPM6 deletion) and X-chromosomal immunodeficiency (MagT1 deletion), and has revealed a potential new role for Mg(2+) as a second messenger. Future elucidation of human Mg(2+) transporters (Mrs2, SLC41A1, SLC41A2, TRPM7) expressed in immunocytes, beyond MagT1 and TRPM6, will widen our knowledge about the potential role of Mg(2+) in the activation of the immune response.
Delighting Chinese users: the Google China experience

Google entered China market as a late-comer in late-2005, with no local employees, an inadequate product line, and small market share. This talk will discuss Google China's efforts to build up a team, learn about local user needs, apply its global innovation model, and won over users in the past 2.5 years.This talk will cover the results of our user studies, and our key findings about Chinese users for searching and using the Internet. It will also discuss how these findings were applied to our products, and how these products gained traction in the market place. It will also discuss Google's progress in Chinese search relevance, search user experience, and key technology areas where we innovated.This talk will also discuss the process of internationalization - how Google hired locally, and applied its global 20% project approach to encourage truly relevant local innovations. It will discuss several examples of these innovations - from product innovations like the weather map, the input method editor, SMS greetings search, to research innovations like parallel SVM/SVD.Google China's progress dispelled the myth that multinational Internet companies cannot succeed in China. The key ingredients, like in any other success story, are: focus on the customer, embrace the corporate culture, empower local flexibility, and of course, innovate, innovate, innovate.
IBS, NERD and functional dyspepsia are immuno–neuronal disorders of mucosal cytokine imbalances clinically reversible with high potency sucralfate

Abstract Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), non-erosive reflux disorder (NERD), and functional dyspepsia (FD) are best classified as immuno–neuronal disorders of the mucosa or functional mucosal syndromes (FMS). Each appears to be clinically reversible using high potency sucralfate (HPS). In FMS of the GI tract, postprandial nausea, altered motility, discordant peristalsis, vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperalgesia are the clinical expressions of a mucosal imbalance between pro-inflammatory cytokines of up-regulated intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and feedback anti-inflammatory cytokines tasked with moderating the antigenic response of IELs. Normal functioning GI tract requires an operative balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatrory cytokines, a balance governed by locally expressed growth factors. The surface concentration of sucralfate can be enhanced 7–23-fold by suspending it in a select concentration of cations and multi-dentate cationic chelators. Increased surface concentration of sucralfate facilitates novel dose effects which include efficient activation of growth factors, quiescence of gated-nociceptor firing and resultant restoration of normal GI function.
Age-Related Changes in Strength, Joint Laxity, and Walking Patterns: Are They Related to Knee Osteoarthritis?

Background and Purpose: Aging is associated with musculoskeletal changes and altered walking patterns. These changes are common in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and may precipitate the development of OA. We examined age-related changes in musculoskeletal structures and walking patterns to better understand the relationship between aging and knee OA. Methods: Forty-four individuals without OA (15 younger, 15 middle-aged, 14 older adults) and 15 individuals with medial knee OA participated. Knee laxity, quadriceps femoris muscle strength (force-generating capacity), and gait were assessed. Results: Medial laxity was greater in the OA group, but there were no differences between the middle-aged and older control groups. Quadriceps femoris strength was less in the older control group and in the OA group. During the stance phase of walking, the OA group demonstrated less knee flexion and greater knee adduction, but there were no differences in knee motion among the control groups. During walking, the older control group exhibited greater quadriceps femoris muscle activity and the OA group used greater muscle co-contraction. Discussion and Conclusion: Although weaker, the older control group did not use truncated motion or higher co-contraction. The maintenance of movement patterns that were similar to the subjects in the young control group may have helped to prevent development of knee OA. Further investigation is warranted regarding age-related musculoskeletal changes and their influence on the development of knee OA.
SU-GG-T-251: Effect of Range Compensators On Entrance Doses in Proton Therapy

Purpose: To investigate the effect of the range compensator on the entrance dose in proton therapy.Method and Materials: A proton field with a range of 12 cm in water and a modulation width of 9 cm was delivered using our double scattering system (IBA). Measurements of depth dose curves were performed in a water phantom using a PPC05 parallel‐plate ionization chamber. Various thickness (0.5 cm and 2.0 cm) of 30 cm × 30 cm solid water were attached at the end of snout. Different air gaps (7.5 cm, 15.5 cm and 40.5 cm) were achieved by retracting snout to different locations. Variation in relative dose at depth 2.6 mm was evaluated to determine the effect of the range compensator. Results: Without any compensator, no change was observed between measured depth dose curves at different air gaps. For protons passing through 0.5 cm thick solid water at various air gaps, minimal variation was observed at 2.6 mm depth, or at any other position in the PDD. However, with a 2.0 cm solid water compensator, the entrance doses are 82.1%, 83.6% and 84.6% for air gaps of 40.5 cm, 15.5 cm and 7.5 cm respectively. Conclusion: With 2 cm solid water, the entrance dose increases by 2.5% by changing the air gap from 40.5 cm to 7.5 cm. The increase of entrance dose is likely due to the secondary particles produced by primary protons.
Infrared Lattice Vibrations of Nitrogen-doped ZnO Thin Films

Nitrogen (N) is the most promising p-type dopant for zinc oxide (ZnO), and its bonding state must be governed by the substitution of N atoms into anion sites. We have synthesized un-doped ZnO and N-doped ZnO thin films by utilizing a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. The N-doped ZnO thin film possessed shorter c-axis length than the un-doped ZnO thin film. This fact seems to be owing to that Zn-N bond length is shorter than Zn-O bond length in wurtzite structure. Besides, from the result of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) measurement, the absorption peak of the N-doped ZnO thin film emerged at 406 cm−1, and was attributed to transverse optical (TO) phonon of E 1 mode. The infrared lattice vibrations of the N-doped ZnO thin films can be induced by the complex factors consisting of not only the decreases in reduced mass and interionic distance, but also the increase in covalency.
Sexual activity and preference: Six quantifiable dimensions

We present a new multidimensional measure of sexual activity and preference that may be of use to researchers and practitioners who work in clinical settings involving sex‐related problems. The questionnaire contains six subscales to measure amounts of sexual activity and six subscales to measure degree of preference for those activities. The 12 subscales have good to excellent reliabilities, and they all appear to have content, construct, and factorial validity.
Verb meanings at the crossroads between higher-level and lower-level constructions

The locative alternation has been analyzed in a variety of linguistic frameworks over the past four decades. This paper discusses various analyses of the locative alternation in Construction Grammar, comparing Goldberg's (1995) with Iwata's (2008) lexical-constructional account. Following Iwata's detailed analysis, this paper shows that constructions of different degrees of abstraction are necessary to account for the full range of argument realizations of verbs in the locative altnernation.
Zinc inhibition of potassium efflux in depolarized frog muscle and its modification by external hydrogen ions and diethylpyrocarbonate treatment.

Efflux of42K+ was measured in frog sartorius muscles equilibrated in hyperosmotic depolarizing solutions. At the internal potentials obtained, K+ passes mainly through the inward rectifier potassium channels. Inhibition of K+ efflux by external Zn2+ (0.25 to 15mm) differs in three significant ways from inhibition by Ba2+. (1) The dose-response relation does not correspond to action at a single site. (2) The Zn2+-sensitivity of K+ efflux does not depend on [K+] o at constant internal potential. (3) Zn2+ inhibition is reduced by hydrogen ions, while Ba2+ inhibition is unaffected. Further, the Ba2+-sensitivity of K+ efflux is not altered by a half-inhibiting Zn2+ concentration, suggesting that the two ions do not interact at a common site. The histidine-modifying reagent diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) reduces Zn2+ inhibition. After DEPC treatment Zn2+ inhibition is further reduced by low pH. DEPC has little effect on Ba2+ inhibition. Zn2+ inhibition is not altered by treatment with the sulfhydryl reagents 5,5′-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) or dithiothreitol. The results can be described by either of two models in which two sites can bind Zn2+ and one or both of the sites may also bind H+. When both sites bind Zn2+, K+ efflux is inhibited, and a third site may then bind H+. The effects of DEPC can be accounted for by a decrease in H+ affinity of the first two sites by a factor of 50, and a decrease in Zn2+ affinity of these sites and of the H+ affinity of the third site by about one order of magnitude.
Inositol Polyphosphate 5-Phosphatases 1 and 2 Are Required for Regulating Seedling Growth

Signals can be perceived and amplified at the cell membrane by receptors coupled to the production of a variety of second messengers, including myoinositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3]. The myoinositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatases (5PTases; EC 3.1.3.56) comprise a large protein family that hydrolyzes 5-phosphates from a variety of myoinositol phosphate (InsP) and phosphoinositide phosphate (PtdInsP) substrates. Arabidopsis thaliana has 15 genes encoding 5PTases. Biochemical analyses of a subgroup of 5PTase enzymes suggest that these enzymes have both overlapping and unique substrate preferences. Ectopic expression of these genes in transgenic plants can reduce Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels and alter abscisic acid (ABA) signaling. To further explore the function of 5PTases in signaling, we have identified and characterized T-DNA insertional mutants for 5PTase1 and 5PTase2 and produced a double mutant. When grown in the dark, the seeds from these mutants germinate faster than wild-type seeds and the mutant seedlings have longer hypocotyls than wild-type seedlings. Seeds from these mutant lines also demonstrate an increase in sensitivity to ABA. These changes in early seedling growth are accompanied by mass increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3, but not by changes in endogenous ABA content. By labeling the endogenous myoinositol pool in 5ptase1 and 5ptase2 mutants, we detected increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 and a decrease in PtdIns, PtdIns(4)P, and phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate. Taken together, these data indicate that the At5PTase1 and At5PTase2 genes have nonredundant roles in hydrolyzing inositol second-messenger substrates and that regulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels is important during germination and early seedling development.
Toward a Synthesis of Cellular Auditory Forebrain Functional Organization

There is no global theory of auditory forebrain function since the facts available cannot support such an edifice. New technologies, some outlined in the previous chapters, have broadened the issues of functional organization and elevated the discussion to more global perspectives. In the following we are not attempting to provide a global synthesis. We rather address some questions preliminary to such a theory with the explicit view from the cellular level.
Changes in Expression of Contractile FP and Relaxatory EP2 Receptors in Pregnant Rat Myometrium during Late Gestation, at Labor, and Postpartum

Prostaglandins synthesized at parturition may act via specific myometrial receptors as mediators of uterine contractions. Several isoforms of eicosanoid (prostaglandin) receptors, identified by pharmacological means, are linked to contractile (FP, EP1, EP3) or relaxatory (EP2, EP4, IP, DP) intracellular pathways. Changes in mRNA expression of the contractile FP and the relaxatory EP2 receptor were measured in myometrium throughout gestation, at parturition, and postpartum. Timed pregnant rats were killed at 0900 h on Day 16, 18, 20, 21, 21.5, or 22 (parturition) of pregnancy or one day postpartum (n = 5 animals/group). A longitudinal section of myometrium was removed, total RNA was extracted, and semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), calponin, EP2, and FP receptor mRNA expression. Complementary DNA products were run on agarose gels and visualized, and the quantity of cDNA product was measured against a DNA mass ladder. RT-PCR product identity was confirmed by restriction enzyme cleavage. EP2 receptor mRNA expression was highest at Day 16 and declined significantly to Day 21.5 and one day postpartum (p < 0.05, Student-Newman-Keuls procedure). Expression of FP receptor mRNA was low at Day 16 of gestation and increased significantly until delivery (p < 0.05, ANOVA) at Day 22, then fell to prepartum levels at one day postpartum. Myometrial activity at parturition may change from an active quiescent to an active contractile state in concert with a decline in expression of the relaxatory EP2 receptors and up-regulation of contractile FP receptors.
Gaze Patterns during Identity and Emotion Judgments in Hearing Adults and Deaf Users of American Sign Language

Deaf individuals rely on facial expressions for emotional, social, and linguistic cues. In order to test the hypothesis that specialized experience with faces can alter typically observed gaze patterns, twelve hearing adults and twelve deaf, early-users of American Sign Language judged the emotion and identity of expressive faces (including whole faces, and isolated top and bottom halves), while accuracy and fixations were recorded. Both groups recognized individuals more accurately from top than bottom halves, and emotional expressions from bottom than top halves. Hearing adults directed the majority of fixations to the top halves of faces in both tasks, but fixated the bottom half slightly more often when judging emotion than identity. In contrast, deaf adults often split fixations evenly between the top and bottom halves regardless of task demands. These results suggest that deaf adults have habitual fixation patterns that may maximize their ability to gather information from expressive faces.
Genes Required for and Effects of Alginate Overproduction Induced by Growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Pseudomonas Isolation Agar Supplemented with Ammonium Metavanadate

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that can adapt to changing environments and can secrete an exopolysaccharide known as alginate as a protection response, resulting in a colony morphology and phenotype referred to as mucoid. However, how P. aeruginosa senses its environment and activates alginate overproduction is not fully understood. Previously, we showed that Pseudomonas isolation agar supplemented with ammonium metavanadate (PIAAMV) induces P. aeruginosa to overproduce alginate. Vanadate is a phosphate mimic and causes protein misfolding by disruption of disulfide bonds. Here we used PIAAMV to characterize the pathways involved in inducible alginate production and tested the global effects of P. aeruginosa growth on PIAAMV by a mutant library screen, by transcriptomics, and in a murine acute virulence model. The PA14 nonredundant mutant library was screened on PIAAMV to identify new genes that are required for the inducible alginate stress response. A functionally diverse set of genes encoding products involved in cell envelope biogenesis, peptidoglycan remodeling, uptake of phosphate and iron, phenazine biosynthesis, and other processes were identified as positive regulators of the mucoid phenotype on PIAAMV. Transcriptome analysis of P. aeruginosa cultures growing in the presence of vanadate showed differential expression of genes involved in virulence, envelope biogenesis, and cell stress pathways. In this study, it was observed that growth on PIAAMV attenuates P. aeruginosa in a mouse pneumonia model. Induction of alginate overproduction occurs as a stress response to protect P. aeruginosa, but it may be possible to modulate and inhibit these pathways based on the new genes identified in this study.
A Comparison of Risk Factors for Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque in the Coronary, Carotid, and Abdominal Aortic Arteries The Diabetes Heart Study

The extent of shared risk factors for calcified atherosclerotic plaque (CAP) of the coronary, carotid, and abdominal aortic arteries is unknown. CAP was measured by computed tomography in 1,125 individuals in families affected with diabetes. Statistical methods adjusted for the lack of independence between observations. CAP scores were standardized, and tests of interaction were conducted to compare risk factor relations across vascular beds. The average age of the cohort was 61 years, and 84% had diabetes. The correlation in CAP scores across vascular beds ranged from 0.59 to 0.72. Age, albumin/creatinine ratio, hemoglobin A1c, diabetes, hypertension, and lipid-lowering therapy were correlated with quantity of CAP in all vascular beds (all p < 0.05); no differences in the strength of these relations were noted. In contrast, other significant correlates differed in the strength of their relations with CAP. The risk factor pack-years of smoking was most strongly correlated with CAP in the abdominal aorta (p < 0.005). Male gender, previous myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization were most strongly correlated with CAP in the coronary arteries (p < 0.0001). In summary, CAPs of the coronary, carotid, and abdominal aortic arteries generally share common risk factors, even though several of these factors have a greater impact on CAP in one vascular bed than another.
Reduced-encoding MRI using higher-order generalized series

Reduced-encoding MRI has been used in a wide variety of MR applications where temporal resolution is critical. Although the Generalized Series model (with basis functions constructed from a reference image) allows the reconstruction of high-resolution dynamic images from a small number of encodings, the ability of the model to capture localized dynamic features is limited by the model order, which in the past has been set equal to the number of encodings acquired. This paper extends this model by incorporating higher frequency terms, which allows for a sharper reconstruction of new localized features. Since the series coefficients of the higher-order model are underdetermined by the data collected, two important issues arise which are addressed in this paper: the definition of an appropriate regularization criterion and the solution of the corresponding optimization problem. Results from simulated as well as biological data are also provided to demonstrate the properties of this model.
Harm reduction for alcohol-use-related problems among college students.

Traditionally, the college Spring Break in the U.S. is used by a significant number of university students as an opportunity for excessive alcohol use. Thus, this fairly discreet time period lends itself to the introduction of a harm reduction intervention for problems related to alcohol use. During the week prior to the Spring Break, university students completed a diary for the eight days of the break (Saturday to Saturday). Students were asked to predict their alcohol consumption and the frequency and type of alcohol problems they would experience during the Spring Break. These same students were then asked to complete the diary one week after the Spring Break reporting their actual consumption and alcohol problems. A control group also completed the diary after Spring Break. Although consumption rates for beer, wine and liquor did not differ between groups, students who completed the diary before Spring Break reported a significantly lower frequency of alcohol problems for the eight day period. Result...