cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"Pizza is cheaper than salad": assessing workers' views for an environmental food intervention.

Objective: “Images of a Healthy Worksite” aims to provide easy access to healthful foods and to reduce sedentarism at the worksite—to prevent weight gain. Formative research for the nutrition intervention component was aimed at gaining a broad understanding of the sociocultural role of food and eating among workers and worker perspectives on socially feasible and culturally acceptable environmental intervention strategies. Research Methods and Procedures: Using an adapted PRECEDE health planning model, we conducted ecological, educational, environmental, and administrative assessments at the worksite. Through 15 in-depth interviews, five focus groups, and community mapping at two sites with 79 administrators, managers, workers, and food service personnel (51% men, 82% white), we assessed workers' perspectives on physical, sociocultural, economic, and policy environments. Data were coded for predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors related to intervention strategies in vending, cafeteria, catering, and informal food environments. After classification for reach, intensity, and sustainability, objectives and evaluation plans were developed for each highly ranked strategy. Results: Key sociocultural factors affecting food and eating included: stress-related eating in a downsizing workplace, enthusiasm for employer-sponsored weight gain prevention efforts that respect personal privacy, and the consequences of organizational culture on worker access to the food and eating environment. Workers supported healthier cafeteria and catering options, bringing healthful foods closer, and labeling of healthful options. Discussion: We provide a practical and systematic approach to formative research and assess the interrelatedness of the physical, policy, economic, and sociocultural factors that affect environmental worksite interventions to prevent weight gain among employees.
An incentive system for reducing malware attacks

Providing hackers an environment---other than the Net---to test and exhibit theirmalware talents has its rewards.
Volatile Constituents from the Flowers of Nicotiana longiflora

ABSTRACT The volatile constituents obtained by vacuum-steam distillation of flowers of Nicotiana longiflora were characterized by capillary GC and GC/MS. Twenty-nine compounds, comprising 75% of the GC profile of volatiles, were identified. The three major constituents were the labdane alcohol, manool; the acyclic diterpene, neophytadiene; and 2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-2(Z)pentene. The volatile concentrate exhibited an aroma characteristic of green bell peppers, attributable to the presence of minor amounts of the potent aroma compound, 2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine, previously unreported in Nicotiana species.
HIF1α and HIF2α: sibling rivalry in hypoxic tumour growth and progression

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are broadly expressed in human cancers, and HIF1α and HIF2α were previously suspected to promote tumour progression through largely overlapping functions. However, this relatively simple model has now been challenged in light of recent data from various approaches that reveal unique and sometimes opposing activities of these HIFα isoforms in both normal physiology and disease. These effects are mediated in part through the regulation of unique target genes, as well as through direct and indirect interactions with important oncoproteins and tumour suppressors, including MYC and p53. As HIF inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical evaluation as cancer therapeutics, a more thorough understanding of the unique roles performed by HIF1α and HIF2α in human neoplasia is warranted.
Cellular response of the rat brain to single doses of 137Cs γ rays does not predict its response to prolonged ‘biologically equivalent’ fractionated doses

AbstractPurpose: To determine if the brain's response to single doses predicts its response to ‘biologically equivalent’ fractionated doses.Methods: Young adult male Fischer 344 rats were whole-brain irradiated with either single 11, 14, or 16.5 Gy doses of 137Cs γ rays or their ‘biologically equivalent’ 20, 30, or 40 Gy fractionated doses (fWBI) delivered in 5 Gy fractions, twice/week for 2, 3, or 4 weeks, respectively. At 2 months post-irradiation, cellular markers of inflammation (total, activated, and newborn microglia) and neurogenesis (newborn neurons) were measured in 40 μm sections of the dentate gyrus (DG).Results: Although the total number of microglia in the DG/hilus was not significantly different (p > 0.7) in unirradiated, single dose, and fWBI rats, single doses produced a significant (p 0.1). Additionally, single doses produced a significant (p < 0.002) dose-dependent increase in surviving newborn microglia; fWBI did no...
A university admissions system

Abstract This paper presents a mathematical programming model that will make admit/reject decisions for applicants to a university freshman class. The model is intended to aid (rather than replace) reviewers and will help produce better and more consistent decisions. It also provides a university administration with some control over “balance” in the composition of the student body and allows investigation of the consequences of alternative admission policies. The nature of the problem suggests an integer programming formulation, however it is shown that a linear programming formulation will provide an efficient and practical solution for all but a very small set of applicants (no more than 19).
Individual differences in respiratory- heart period coupling and heart period responses during two attention-demanding tasks

Respiratory-heart period coupling was assessed via the weighted coherence (Cw) statistic de­ rived from cross-spectral analysis and was related to physiological response patterns during two attention-demanding tasks. Subjects with a high coherence responded with significantly larger heart period decelerations at the time of the imperative stimulus in a reaction-time task. Peak deceleration of the low-coherence subjects exhibited more temporal variability. In a vigilance task, individual differences in coherence assessed prior to task manipulations were main­ tained during the task and significantly decreased during the task. Individual differences in coherence between and within sessions were stable, whereas corresponding analyses for heart period, heart period variance, and spontaneous electrodermal activity reflected only significant within-session correlations. The data suggest that individual differences in respiratory-heart period coherence are stable and are related to phasic cardiac responses in a reaction-time task. It has been proposed that respiratory-heart period coupling reflects an individual difference in nervous system organization related to cognitive processes such as sustained attention (Porges, 1980; Porges, Bohrer, Keren, Cheung, Franks, & Drasgow, 1981). In the development of this hypothesis, the coupling between respiration frequency and heart period pat­ terns was evaluated in children with attentional def­ icits who were treated with methylphenidate. Cou­ pling increased only after administration of the dose of methylphenidate most consistently found to fa­ cilitate cognitive performance. The degree of coupling between respiration and heart period is based upon a physiological relation­ ship between phase of respiration and vagal efferent influence on the heart. Inspiration blocks vagal ef­ ferent influences to the heart and is associated with heart rate acceleration. Expiration enhances the vagal influence on the heart and is associated with heart rate deceleration. Although the specific physio­ logical pathways mediating the "gating" of vagal activity by respiration are not known, it is known that the stretch receptor afferents in the lungs are prepotent in the triggering of the gate (see Porges, McCabe, & Yongue, 1982). In fact, when lung inflation stimulates the stretch afferents, virtually all vagally mediated reflexes on the heart (e.g.,
Sex-specific signaling in the blood-brain barrier is required for male courtship in Drosophila.

Soluble circulating proteins play an important role in the regulation of mating behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. However, how these factors signal through the blood–brain barrier (bbb) to interact with the sex-specific brain circuits that control courtship is unknown. Here we show that male identity of the blood–brain barrier is necessary and that male-specific factors in the bbb are physiologically required for normal male courtship behavior. Feminization of the bbb of adult males significantly reduces male courtship. We show that the bbb–specific G-protein coupled receptor moody and bbb–specific Go signaling in adult males are necessary for normal courtship. These data identify sex-specific factors and signaling processes in the bbb as important regulators of male mating behavior.
Fast globally optimal single surface segmentation using regional properties

Efficient segmentation of globally optimal surfaces in volumetric images is a central problem in many medical image analysis applications. Intra-class variance has been successfully utilized, for instance, in the Chan-Vese model especially for images without prominent edges. In this paper, we study the optimization problem of detecting a region (volume) bounded by a smooth terrain-like surface, whose intra-class variance is minimized. A novel polynomial time algorithm is developed. Our algorithm is based on the shape probing technique in computational geometry and computes a sequence of O(n) maximum flows in the derived graphs, where n is the size of the input image. Our further investigation shows that those O(n) graphs form a monotone parametric flow network, which enables to solving the optimal region detection problem in the complexity of computing a single maximum flow. The method has been validated on computer-synthetic volumetric images. Its applicability to clinical data sets was demonstrated on 20 3-D airway wall CT images from 6 subjects. The achieved results were highly accurate. The mean unsigned surface positioning error of outer walls of the tubes is 0.258 ± 0.297mm, given a voxel size of 0.39 x 0.39 x 0.6mm 3 .
Comparing patient perspectives of disability and treatment effects with quality of participation in a post-acute brain injury rehabilitation programme

Ten severely brain-injured patients completed questionnaires designed to measure perceived disability, level of depression, and effects of treatment over the course of a six month, full-time outpatient rehabilitation programme. Treatment staff also rated patients' progress and participation in the programme on a once-a-month basis. High correlations among the patient measures were found, although little relationship appeared between patient and staff ratings. Implications for patient-staff interactions and overall psychosocial outcome after brain injury are discussed.
Evaluating the 3C-like protease activity of SARS-Coronavirus: Recommendations for standardized assays for drug discovery

Although the initial outbreaks of the deadly coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) were controlled by public health measures, the development of vaccines and antiviral agents for SARS-CoV is essential for improving control and treatment of future outbreaks. One potential target for SARS-CoV antiviral drug development is the 3C-like protease (3CLpro). This enzyme is an attractive target since it is essential for viral replication, and since there are now a number of high resolution X-ray structures of SARS-CoV 3CLpro available making structure-based drug-design possible. As a result, SARS-CoV 3CLpro has become the focus of numerous drug discovery efforts worldwide, but as a consequence, a variety of different 3CLpro expression constructs and kinetic assays have been independently developed making evaluation and comparison between potential inhibitors problematic. Here, we review the literature focusing on different SARS-CoV 3CLpro expression constructs and assays used to measure enzymatic activity. Moreover, we provide experimental evidence showing that the activity of 3CLpro enzymatic is significantly reduced when non-native sequences or affinity-tags are added to the N- or C-termini of the enzyme, or when the enzyme used in assays is at concentrations below the equilibrium dissociation constant of the 3CLpro dimer. We demonstrate for the first time the utility of a highly sensitive and novel Alexa488-QSY7 FRET-based peptide substrate designed for routine analysis and high-throughput screening, and show that kinetic constants determined from FRET-based assays that are uncorrected for inner-filter effects can lead to artifacts. Finally, we evaluated the effects of common assay components including DTT, NaCl, EDTA and DMSO on enzymatic activity, and we recommend standardized assay conditions and constructs for routine SARS-CoV 3CLpro assays to facilitate direct comparisons between SARS-CoV 3CLpro inhibitors under development worldwide.
Low proteasome activity as a means to track and target breast cancer stem cells in-vivo.

Abstract #5055 Based on clinical observations, the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs)/cancer initiating cells (CICs) in solid cancers has been postulated by radiation biologists and oncologists for decades. According to the stem cell hypothesis, only a small number of CSCs/CISs within a tumor have the ability to repopulate an entire tumor while their progeny does not. CSCs/CISs in solid tumors can now be identified prospectively in gliomas, head & neck cancers, pancreatic cancers, colon cancers, prostate cancers, melanomas, and in breast cancers. CSCs/CISs are thought to be mostly quiescent and relatively resistant to conventional anti-cancer therapy. Breast CSCs/CICs are enriched in cell populations with high CD44 and low or absent CD24 expression. Unfortunately, detection of breast CSCs/CISs, using CD44 and CD24 expression analysis, requires dissociation of the tumors and antibody staining for surface markers. We recently discovered that cancer stem cells, and specially breast CSCs/CICs, have low proteasome activity. In order to utilize this novel marker for the identification of breast CSCs/CICs, we developed retroviral vectors coding for fusion proteins between thymidine kinase (TK), the fluorescent protein ZsGreen and the c-terminal degron of murine ornithine decarboxylase (cODC). We stably transfected human breast cancer cells lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, T47-D) with this reporter gene construct for 26S proteasome activity. Our reporter construct allowed us to track CSCs/CICs responses to radiation therapy in vivo via fluorescent imaging, but also to target them selectively using suicide gene (TK) therapy. Thus, the use of thymidine kinase in our fusion constructs allows for specific elimination of this cell population by ganciclovir preventing self-renewal in-vitro and causing T47-D and MDA-MB-231 tumor xenograft regression in vivo. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 5055.
Allostery in Recombinant Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase from Manduca sexta

Soluble guanylyl/guanylate cyclase (sGC), the primary biological receptor for nitric oxide, is required for proper development and health in all animals. We have expressed heterodimeric full-length and N-terminal fragments of Manduca sexta sGC in Escherichia coli, the first time this has been accomplished for any sGC, and have performed the first functional analyses of an insect sGC. Manduca sGC behaves much like its mammalian counterparts, displaying a 170-fold stimulation by NO and sensitivity to compound YC-1. YC-1 reduces the NO and CO off-rates for the ∼100-kDa N-terminal heterodimeric fragment and increases the CO affinity by ∼50-fold to 1.7 μm. Binding of NO leads to a transient six-coordinate intermediate, followed by release of the proximal histidine to yield a five-coordinate nitrosyl complex (k6-5 = 12.8 s-1). The conversion rate is insensitive to nucleotides, YC-1, and changes in NO concentration up to ∼30 μm. NO release is biphasic in the absence of YC-1 (koff1 = 0.10 s-1 and koff2 = 0.0015 s-1); binding of YC-1 eliminates the fast phase but has little effect on the slower phase. Our data are consistent with a model for allosteric activation in which sGC undergoes a simple switch between two conformations, with an open or a closed heme pocket, integrating the influence of numerous effectors to give the final catalytic rate. Importantly, YC-1 binding occurs in the N-terminal two-thirds of the protein. Homology modeling and mutagenesis experiments suggest the presence of an H-NOX domain in the α subunit with importance for heme binding.
CORPUS PROCESSING FOR LEXICAL ACQUISITION. Branimir Boguraev and James Pustejovsky (Eds.). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1996. Pp. xi + 245. $32.50 cloth.

This book contains 11 papers on the computational extraction of lexical structure from text input and text search: That is what is meant here by lexical acquisition . The introduction sets out the prospects for automatic lexical acquisition and is followed by three papers on proper name identification and categorization. These offer different computational solutions to the quandaries proper names pose for delimitation, classification, standardization, and discourse reference. For example, where is the person in Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and how should this to be linked to Fed Chief ? The advance in these papers is their attempt to solve proper naming via text structure alone, which makes the systems more savvy than brute look-up programs.
Effects of polyvalent cations and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers on recovery of CNS white matter from anoxia.

Abstract The effects of anoxic injury on the functional integrity of mammalian central white matter were studied electrophysiologically using the rat optic nerve model. Previous studies on this model have shown that extracellular Ca 2+ is critical to the production of irreversible anoxic injury, and suggest that during anoxia Ca 2+ crosses the membrane to enter the intracellular compartment. We attempted to elucidate the mechanism by which this damaging Ca 2+ influx occurs. The inorganic Ca 2+ channel blockers Mn 2+ (1 mM), Co 2+ (1 mM) or La 3+ (0.1 mM) had no effect on recovery of the area under the compound action potential after a standard 60 min period of anoxia; only Mg 2+ (10 mM) significantly improved recovery (54.9 ± 8.9% vs. 28.7 ± 10.1%, P 2+ channel blockers of the dihydropyridine class, nifedipine (1–10 μM) or nimodipine (1–40 μM), also had no effect on recovery from anoxia. We conclude that Ca 2+ influx during anoxia does not occur via conventional Ca 2+ channels sensitive to polyvalent cations or dihydropyridines.
Elevated Temperature Vapor Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Abstract In the past decade the investigative technique known as photoelectron spectroscopy has undergone a rapid rise in use. Papers dealing with research work involving the method are now being published at a rate of over 400/year. The procedure involves the irradiation of a gaseous, liquid, or solid sample with monoenergetic photons to liberate photoelectrons. Then, an analysis of the electrons according to their kinetic energies is made. The results are usually presented as photoelectron spectra in the form of electron intensities plotted against their kinetic energies. Peaks in the spectral traces are usually reflections of the liberations of electrons from discrete energy levels of the substances involved, and ionization energies corresponding to these peaks may be readily obtained by subtracting their kinetic energies from the energy of the irradiating photons. The ionization energies so obtained can be related to the electronic energetics of the atoms o r molecules of the irradiated material in, t...
Behavioral sensitization to ethanol does not result in cross-sensitization to NMDA receptor antagonists.

Behavioral sensitization to the locomotor stimulant effects of ethanol may be related to neuroadaptations within glutamatergic systems. Previous research has suggested that the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) subclass of glutamate receptors is critical for the development of ethanol sensitization. We hypothesized that sensitization to ethanol would be associated with changes in sensitivity to NMDA receptor ligands. DBA/2J and heterogeneous stock (HS) mice were injected with ethanol or saline for 12 days and tested for their acute and sensitized responses to the locomotor effects of ethanol in automated activity monitors. After this treatment phase, mice were challenged with MK-801, ethanol, or ketamine, and locomotor activity was measured for 20 to 60 min. Other ethanol-sensitized and nonsensitized mice were assessed for sensitivity to the effects of NMDA after tail-vein infusions. There was no evidence for cross-sensitization to MK-801 or ketamine, or altered sensitivity to NMDA in ethanol-sensitized animals, in any experiment. In one experiment, previously ethanol-treated HS mice developed tolerance to the locomotor stimulant effects of ketamine. These results indicate that ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization is not associated with increased behavioral sensitivity to NMDA receptor antagonists or altered sensitivity to NMDA receptor agonists. To the extent that changes in sensitivity to these ligands reflect changes in NMDA receptors, these results are inconsistent with the hypothesis that ethanol sensitization is associated with alterations in NMDA receptor-mediated processes.
The effects of sex ratio and density on the expression of gender in the polychaeteCapitella capitata

Large natural populations of the marine polychaeteCapitella capitata (species type I) contain males, females, and occasionally, hermaphrodites. Environmental conditions control the occurrence of hermaphrodites. At low density or in groups with female-biased sex ratios, males develop into hermaphrodites, and hermaphrodites are common. Crosses suggest that females are heterogametic, and males and hermaphrodites are homogametic. Heterogametic females do not become hermaphrodites. This study shows that in homogametic individuals, environmental conditions determine not only the development of hermaphroditism but also the expression of initial gender. Homogametic individuals can express either male or female gender initially, and homogametic individuals of either gender can develop subsequently into simultaneous hermaphrodites. The choice of initial gender depends on isolation. Most homogametic juveniles become females if reared alone but males if reared with other conspecifics. Homogametic males readily develop into hermaphrodites if females are rare. In contrast, homogametic females rarely become hermaphrodites.
A Bayesian operationalization of the resource‐based view

This paper argues that the gap between the theoretical utility and the practical utility of the resource-based view (RBV) may be narrowed by operationalizing the theory more consistently with Penrose's original framework. The operationalization proposed here is a twofold approach. First, the RBV may be enhanced by the explicit recognition of Penrose's two classes of resources, namely, administrative resources and productive resources. This distinction suggests a focus on the administrative decisions of managers that lead to economic performance. Second, we argue that the RBV is a theory about extraordinary performers or outliers—not averages. Therefore, the statistical methods used in applying the theory must account for individual firm differences, and not be based on means, which statistically neutralize firm differences. We propose a novel Bayesian hierarchical methodology to examine the relationship between administrative decisions and economic performance over time. We develop and explain a measure of competitive advantage that goes beyond comparisons of economic performance. This Bayesian methodology allows us to make meaningful probability statements about specific, individual firms and the effects of the administrative decisions examined in this study. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
VARIABLES RELATED TO BREAST SELF‐EXAMINATION: Model Generation

Using a prospective design, variables from several relevant social psychological theories that would predict breast self-examination were identified. The participants included a probability sample of 362 women who were 35 or older. Instruments were tested for validity and reliability. Data were collected from each participant twice, 1 year apart, using an in-person interview for Time 1 and a telephone interview for Time 2. Results of standardized path coefficients (beta) indicated that breast self-examination (BSE) at Time 2 was directly related to BSE at Time 1 (.76). Indirect paths for susceptibility (.40), health motivation (.46), and barriers (- .54) were identified. All paths mentioned were significant (p ≤ .01). Findings have implications for interventions to increase BSE in women 35 and older.
Enthalpies of formation in the tantalum-sulfur and tantalum-aluminum systems

Abstract Knudsen effusion studies by the mass loss and mass spectrometric techniques have been used to measure vapor pressures of Al(g) in equilibrium with solid phases in the Ta-Al binary system. The P-T measurements, in the ranges 10−8 to 10−5 atm and 1321–1713 K respectively were used in deriving reaction enthalpies for the incongruent sublimation of various phases according to second law and third law methods. From these enthalpies the ΔHf,298o and ΔHat,298o for each Ta-Al compound were derived. The interpretation of the numerical results includes comparison with previously measured values for the tantalum sulfides and for various transition-metal-aluminum phases. Explanations of chemical trends in stability, as manifested in ΔHfo, are proposed on the basis of 1. (1) the bonding-stability model of Brewer and Engel, 2. (2) band structure calculations for the similar compounds Zr2Al and ZrS, and 3. (3) a recent theory by Gelatt and coworkers that is based on electronic band calculations for several types of binary d-sp compounds.
Definition of the Catapsydrax stainforthi Zone in the Saucesian Stage, California

MANY attempts have been made to establish better correlations between the Miocene marine geological strata of California and those of Europe and tropical regions. The two chief difficulties have been that many of the important zonal fossils of one region are absent in other regions, and even those important faunal indices that are common to the different areas have differential ranges when compared with one another. Discovery of the Catapsydrax stainforthi planktonic foraminiferal fauna on Erben Guyot1—a guyot located about 800 miles west of San Diego—made it possible to correlate these planktonic fossils with the standard planktonic zones of tropical areas but unfortunately not with the standard California Miocene Stages of Kleinpell2.
Ozone measurement survey in commercial jet aircraft.

Abstract : A survey was made to (1) measure ozone concentrations in CAR 4b jet aircraft cabins and cockpits on flights above 25,000 ft to obtain a 12-month evaluation with emphasis on seasonal and meteorological correlation and (2) locate and chart ozone-enriched air masses to obtain further correlations and to find any abnormal conditions that result in high ozone concentration. The data obtained by monitoring jets showed: (1) External ozone enters via the pressurization system. (2) Ozone concentration varies with altitude, latitude, and season. (3) Pressurization systems of various aircraft do not differ in ozone-decomposing efficiency. (4) Internal ozone concentration is negligible on flights made below the tropopause.
Rearing black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in the laboratory: bionomics and life table statistics for Simulium pictipes.

Mass-rearing techniques were used to rear Simulium pictipes through 3 generations. Survival from early larva to adult (parental generation) ranged from 74.1 to 94.7%, while subsequent generations (F1 and F2) exhibited survival rates of 64.9–94.8% from egg to adult. As many as 11,295 vigorous adults were obtained from a single rearing. Mating occurred at a low rate, and no selection for increased insemination was observed within 3 generations. However, females readily blood fed through membranes and large numbers of eggs were laid routinely. Comparisons are drawn between S. pictipes and other black fly species exhibiting similar patterns of larval and adult behavior, such as members of the S. damnosum complex.
Environmental aspects of tributyltin

The tributyltin species, the active ingredient in some antifouling paint formulations, is perhaps the most acutely toxic chemical to aquatic organisms ever deliberately introduced to water. It has been demonstrated to have an adverse effect on shellfish in France and England, and as a consequence the use of tributyltin-containing antifouling paints has been restricted in these countries. Other countries have banned the use of tributyltin-containing antifouling paints or are contemplating restrictions. This article reviews such environmental aspects of tributyltin as methods of analysis, toxicity, environmental occurrence, persistence and fate. Tributyltin concentrations in many locations may be high enough to cause chronic toxicity or harmful effects in some aquatic organisms, and in some locations the tributyltin concentrations may be high enough to be acutely toxic to some organisms. Biological degradation of tributyltin in water and sediment appears to be the most important factor limiting the persistence of tributyltin in aquatic environments. To some degree, then, the persistence of tributyltin in aquatic environments depends upon the nature of the ecosystem. Tributyltin exhibits low-to-medium persistence in water and moderate persistence in sediment. A summary is given of the regulatory status of tributyltin in some countries, and recommendations are made for further research.
On the appearance of acetylcholine receptors in denervated rat diaphragm, and its dependence on nerve stump length.

Abstract Acetylcholine (ACh) sensitivity and extrajunctional receptor distribution of the rat diaphragm were closely monitored during the early period following denervation. Both contracture in response to 10 μg/ml of ACh and extrajunctional binding of [ 125 I]alpha-bungarotoxin ([ 125 I]α-BTX) were first detectable 30 h after cutting the phrenic nerve in the thorax. If the nerve were cut more proximally, leaving a 3.5 cm distal nerve stump, the same level of ACh contracture and [ 125 I]α-BTX binding did not appear until 40 h after operation. This 10-h delay was far longer than the 3-h delay in transmission failure reportedly dependent on stump length. The earliest detectable extrajunctional [ 125 I]α-BTX binding appeared throughout the entire muscle fiber, and was not localized to the endplate region as would be expected if degeneration in the nerve terminal induced new receptors. However, later significant increases in [ 125 I]α-BTX binding at the endplate region could have resulted from such degeneration. All these results are consistent with neurotrophic regulation of muscle ACh receptors, working via a mechanism involving axonal transport.
Induction of cytochrome P450 2E1 increases hepatotoxicity caused by Fas agonistic Jo2 antibody in mice.

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) may be a central pathway in generating oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, and causing hepatotoxic injury by alcohol and various hepatotoxins. This study evaluated the ability of CYP2E1 to potentiate or synergize the hepatotoxicity of Fas in vivo. C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with pyrazole (Pyr) to induce CYP2E1. Then, 16-hour fasted mice were administered agonistic Jo2 anti-Fas antibody ip. Other mice were treated with Pyr or Jo2 alone. Levels of serum aminotransferase were 8.3- and 6.3-fold higher in the Pyr/Jo2 group compared with Jo2 alone, respectively. Histological evaluation of liver showed more extensive acidophilic necrosis and severe pathological changes in the Pyr/Jo2-treated mice. DNA fragmentation and caspase-8 and -3 activities were more elevated in the Pyr/Jo2 group compared with Jo2 alone. CYP2E1 activity and protein levels were higher in the Pyr/Jo2 group than in Jo2 alone. Levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, 3-nitrotyrosine protein adducts, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyls were also higher in the Pyr/Jo2 group compared with Jo2 alone. Glutathione and activities of catalase and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase were decreased in the Pyr/Jo2 group. Administration of chlormethiazole, an inhibitor of CYP2E1, to the Pyr/Jo2-treated mice caused a significant decrease of alanine aminotransferase and liver pathological changes in association with a decrease in CYP2E1 protein and activity. In conclusion, enhanced hepatotoxicity of Fas was found in mice with elevated levels of CYP2E1. We speculate that overexpression of CYP2E1 might synergize and increase the susceptibility to Fas induced-liver injury. (HEPATOLOGY 2005;42:400–410.)
Him-10 Is Required for Kinetochore Structure and Function on Caenorhabditis elegans Holocentric Chromosomes

Macromolecular structures called kinetochores attach and move chromosomes within the spindle during chromosome segregation. Using electron microscopy, we identified a structure on the holocentric mitotic and meiotic chromosomes of Caenorhabditis elegans that resembles the mammalian kinetochore. This structure faces the poles on mitotic chromosomes but encircles meiotic chromosomes. Worm kinetochores require the evolutionarily conserved HIM-10 protein for their structure and function. HIM-10 localizes to the kinetochores and mediates attachment of chromosomes to the spindle. Depletion of HIM-10 disrupts kinetochore structure, causes a failure of bipolar spindle attachment, and results in chromosome nondisjunction. HIM-10 is related to the Nuf2 kinetochore proteins conserved from yeast to humans. Thus, the extended kinetochores characteristic of C. elegans holocentric chromosomes provide a guide to the structure, molecular architecture, and function of conventional kinetochores.
Immediate and long-term effects of a sophomore radiology elective.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of sophomore electives in radiology on medical students' career choices and later clinical practice as physicians and to assess the need for change in the curriculum. Materials and Methods A survey questionnaire created by the Department of Radiology was sent to graduates of the Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, Ill, who had been offered a series of three sophomore electives in radiology between academic years 1978 and 1998. The survey included five questions concerning the utility of the electives. Results Of the 2,883 questionnaires mailed, 31 were undeliverable and 411 (14%) were completed and returned. A total of 347 (84%) of the respondents had enrolled in one or more of the sophomore radiology electives, and 325 of 340 (96%) stated that the instruction received was valuable to their careers. In addition, 54 of 333 respondents (16%) indicated that the radiology electives influenced their choice of specialty, and 322 of 328 (98%) believed that the courses should remain part of the sophomore year elective choices. Within the respondent pool, 40 of 261 (15%) identified themselves as radiologists. Among radiologists and nonradiologists, respectively, 39 of 40 (98%) and 308 of 371 (83%) had enrolled in one or more of the sophomore electives in radiology, 34 of 39 (87%) and 291 of 301 (97%) stated that knowledge gained from the courses proved valuable to their careers, 30 of 39 (77%) and 24 of 303 (8%) were influenced by the electives in their choice of specialty, and 37 of 39 (95%) and 285 of 289 (99%) stated that radiology should continue to be offered during the sophomore year. Conclusion Practicing physicians overwhelmingly supported the continuation of the sophomore radiology electives. Some suggested that radiology should be a required course or clinical clerkship.
The induction of serotonin3-like receptor supersensitivity and dopamine receptor subsensitivity in the rat medial prefrontal cortex after the intraventricular administration of the neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine : a microiontophoretic study

Abstract This study examines the effect of intraventricular administration of the neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine on serotoninia, serotonin2 and serotonin3 receptors in the rat medial prefrontal cortex using in vivo extracellular single cell recording and iontophoresis. Iontophoresis of the serotonin1a, serotonin1C,2 and serotonin3 receptor agonists (±)-8-hydroxy-(di-n-propyl)aminotetralin, (±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane and 2-methylserotonin, respectively, produces a current-dependent (5–80 nA) suppression of the basal firing rate of medial prefrontal cortical cells in sham- and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine-lesioned rats. The suppression produced by 2-methylserotonin and serotonin was significantly greater in 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine-lesioned rats than in control rats. No significant difference in the spontaneous activity of medial prefrontal cortex cells was observed between experimental and control rats after iontophoresis of (±)-8-hydroxy-(di-n-propyl)aminotetralin or (±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the response of medial prefrontal cortex cells to the iontophoresis of GABA, whereas the response of medial prefrontal cortex cells to the iontophoresis of dopamine was significantly attenuated in animals pretreated with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine compared to controls. Our results indicate that 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine-induced denervation selectively enhances the sensitivity of serotonin3-like receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex, which could, at least partially, account for the serotonin denervation supersensitivity. Moreover, the finding that the response of medial prefrontal cortical cells to the iontophoresis of dopamine is attenuated in 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine pretreated rats is consistent with the view that the inhibitory action of dopamine in the medial prefrontal cortex is dependent upon serotonin tone.
Age and Work Satisfaction

This study is concerned with the relationship between age and overall work satisfaction. Data from 1,385 workers representing a variety of different occupational groups suggest that age has an indirect positive effect on work satisfaction through its relationship to work rewards and values. Two commonly offered explanations of this relationship—cohort and aging—are examined. Overall, the available data provide conditional support for a type of aging explanation referred to as the intrinsic reward-accommodation hypothesis.
Characterization of BADS-binding proteins in epithelial plasma membranes.

When a fluorescent stilbene was added to epithelial plasma membrane suspension the emission spectrum showed a broad peak containing overlapping emissions resulting from different adducts. By focusing on a specific emission wavelength a common site having a dissociation constant of ≈5μm was calculated in the rat kidney, small intestine, pancreatic islets and shark rectal gland. This binding could be displaced by loop diuretics, (e.g., furosemide with an IC50 of 40 μm), DIDS (ki 1 μm) and thiocyanate. These results pose certain questions such as: (i) whether the evidence for multiple peaks are due to specific interactions representing multiple binding affinities and (ii) whether the binding of stilbene and the observed displacement can be identified on a specific protein. Separating the proteins present in the purified basolateral and brush-border membranes by SDS-PAGE, transfer of these proteins onto introcellulose paper and labeling of the nitrocellulose strips by radioactive BADS (4-benzamido-4′ aminostilbene-2-2′ disulphonic acid) and bumetanide could identify labeled proteins. These experiments showed that whereas some proteins bound either BADS or bumetanide, one protein with a molecular weight of ≈100 or 130,000 D appeared to bind both. This protein was found on the basolateral membrane in the rat kidney cortex and medulla and the shark rectal gland and in the basolateral and brush-border membranes of the small intestine. Displacement of the protein-bound stilbene by loop diuretics could not be quantitated on the nitrocellulose transfer strips for this protein. Antibodies raised against the cytoplasmic fragment of band 3 reacted with the stilbene-labeled 100–130,000 D proteins indicating sufficient immuno-cross-reactivity between the separate species. These experiments involving binding of BADS and bumetanide and cross-reactivity with the human band 3 antibody suggest that these kilodalton proteins could structurally resemble human band 3.
The temporal course of dark adaptation in the turtle, Pseudemys, using a behavioral avoidance paradigm.

Thresholds for spectral lights were measured in the turtle, Pseudemys, during dark adaptation and chromatic adaptation using a behavioral avoidance paradigm. The turtles were conditioned to withdraw their heads in response to a light stimulus in order to avoid shock. Dark adaptation was complete by 60–90 sec in the dark measured with “white” light. Longwavelength light showed the same time course as “white” light, but dark adaptation for shortwavelengths was more prolonged. Not until 45 min in the dark did threshold functions to short-wavelength light intercept the more swiftly adapting, long-wavelength, threshold functions. Spectral sensitivity curves derived from the dark adaptation functions showed that in early dark adaptation Pseudemys is maximally sensitive to long-wavelength light. After prolonged dark adaptation, a sensitivity to short-wavelength light emerged and increased as a function of time in the dark. Chromatic adaptation selectively decreased sensitivity in particular regions of the spectrum suggesting the existence of multiple receptor mechanisms. The results were compared to electrophysiological data and to other behavioral studies.
An efficient single pass approach to frequent episode discovery in sequence data

There is a considerable body of work on sequence mining of transactional data. Most of the related work on point data make several passes over the entire dataset in order to discover frequently occurring episodes/patterns. The OnePass frequent episode discovery (or FED) algorithm, proposed in this paper, takes a different approach than the traditional apriori class of pattern detection algorithms. In our approach, significant intervals for each event (or device) are computed first (independently) and are used for detecting frequent patterns along with the interval in which they occur. The advantage of this approach is that the data set is compressed substantially in the first step thereby reducing the size of input used and hence the computation. Also, each event/device can be processed individually allowing for parallel computation of individual events. The OnePass FED algorithm then works on these significant intervals to discover interesting episodes in a single pass as compared to the apriori class of algorithms. Our approach is significantly more efficient and scales as well as compared to traditional mining algorithms. Extensive experimental analysis establishes its efficiency and scalability.
Necrosis of the Anterolateral Papillary Muscle–An Unusual Mechanical Complication of Myocardial Infarction

We report the case of a 66-year-old woman with no significant past medical history who presented to the Emergency Department at Houston Methodist Hospital with 24 hours of chest pain. An electrocardiogram was done, an electrocardiogram confirmed a posterolateral ST elevation myocardial infarction. An immediate and successful percutaneous coronary intervention of a totally occluded ramus intermedius was performed. Six hours later she developed pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock, severe acidosis, and anuria. Echocardiography showed severe mitral regurgitation due to a ruptured anterolateral papillary muscle, and emergency surgery revealed necrosis of this muscle. A bioprosthetic mitral valve was placed, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was needed for 3 days. This is a rare mechanical complication of myocardial infarction, which usually affects the posteromedial papillary muscle. The patient subsequently made a good recovery. One month later, just prior to discharge home, the patient developed pneumonia and sepsis, and she expired from multiorgan failure.
Malpractice payments by optometrists: an analysis of the national practitioner databank over 18 years.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this analysis was to describe characteristics and trends of malpractice payments by optometrists since the inception of the National Provider Data Bank (NPDB) as they assumed increasing prescriptive authority. Methods NPDB data files were analyzed for details of optometrist malpractice payments from 1991 through 2008. Payment amounts, sources, and allegations were all identified and summarized, along with geographic and demographic data. Results Between 1991 and 2008, a total of 609 optometrist malpractice payments were reported nationally, ranging from $50 to $2,050,000 (median, $57,500; mean, $156,055 ± 246,556), with 603 (99%) less than $1,000,000. Annual inflation-adjusted mean dollars and frequency of payments increased only nominally over the 18-year interval, from $154,573 to $155,151, and 30 to 40, respectively. More than half of all cases originated in 11 states. Alleged errors in diagnosis accounted for 55% of all cases. Conclusion Malpractice payments on behalf of optometrists are relatively infrequent (on average, less than 34 nationally each year) and usually relatively small (almost half less than $50,000). The frequency of payments and mean payments have increased little over the last 2 decades.
Parastomal Hernia Repair

Parastomal hernias remain a daunting challenge to general and colorectal surgeons. Their unique anatomy and alteration of abdominal wall mechanics contribute to a significant recurrence rate and associated morbidity in repair. Recent advances in synthetic and biologic meshes, as well as refinement of laparoscopic surgical techniques, may offer potential improvements in outcome for these patients. We conducted a review of the literature for parastomal hernia repair, including manuscripts specifically addressing the use of synthetic and biologic prostheses. We then chose selected references from these studies to include in this review. Results are summarized to reflect current evidence for use of prostheses and other techniques in the repair of parastomal hernias. Repair of parastomal hernias remains plagued by significant recurrence rates. Recurrence may be higher when other abdominal wall hernias are addressed simultaneously. Synthetic mesh repair appears to reduce recurrence compared with primary suture repair. The use of biologic prostheses may reduce recurrence rate and eliminate the potential for mesh infection. The laparoscopic approach should be individualized to both patient and surgeon factors.
Aspect aware UAV localization

We consider target detection and tracking of stealthy targets. These targets can be characterized by a strong aspect dependence leading to difficult detectability without a multi-static setup. Even in a multi-static setup only sensors in a certain zone can detect the return signal, if the the aspect dependent return has a small bandwidth. We propose a solution based on a large number of simple sensor, as using many receivers increases the probability of detection. The sensors are simple in the sense that they only transmit binary detection results to a fusion center that has comparatively deep capabilities, and they do not need to know their own position or communicate with other sensors. We characterize the target position estimation performance using the Cramer-Rao bound and simulation results, considering uncertainty in nuisance parameters as the sensor positions or the specifics of the aspect dependence. We suggest a data collection protocol that includes locating sensors that detect the target and has low communication complexity. As a novelty we also include information about "non-localized" sensors, as sensors which do not detect the target stay quiet to save bandwidth and energy, therefore are not known to the fusion center except via knowledge of the deployed sensor density and deployment region.