cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
U(VI) biosorption by Azolla imbircata dry power from solution

Azolla imbircata dry powder (Ai-dp) was prepared by collecting wild Azolla imbircata, drying and grinding. SEM, FTIR and XPS have been used to characterize it. Batch biosorption experiments studied pH, contact time, initial U(VI) concentration, adsorbent dosage and temperature effects on U(VI) biosorption. These results indicated that the maximum biosorption capacity was 4.55 mg L−1 under conditions of 303 K, pH 2.0, initial U(VI) concentration 15 mg L−1 and adsorbent dosage 3.75 g L−1. The biosorption process fit pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm, it showed the adsorption process was monolayer chemisorption. The thermodynamic fitting results showed the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic.
A 1.2nW Analog Electrocardiogram Processor Achieving a 99.63% QRS Complex Detection Sensitivity

An energy-efficient electrocardiogram (ECG) processor for real-time QRS detection is presented. The proposed algorithm is based on the Pan-Tompkins algorithm and it is implemented in the analog domain leveraging ultra-low power analog electronics biased in subthreshold. Operational transconductance amplifiers with ∼100 mV linear range are used in almost all of the processing blocks, while squaring is performed on current signals. Additionally, instead of adaptive thresholding, a fixed-level thresholding is performed, thereby eliminating the need for additional blocks such as memory and threshold update. The processor is designed in 65 nm TSMC CMOS technology and has a footprint of 0.078 mm2. When supplied by a 1 V supply, the processor consumes 1.2 nW. Using the recordings in the MIT-BIH database, the processor achieves an average QRS detection sensitivity of 99.63% and positive predictivity of 99.47%.
Alternating hemiparesis in the context of hemolytic uremic syndrome and COVID-19 positivity.

Hemiparesis has been reported in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), however electrophysiological findings associated with this syndrome have not been well-characterized, and alternating hemiparesis presentations have not been reported. We present detailed electrophysiological and clinical findings in a case of alternating hemiparesis corresponding to alternating focal contralateral delta slowing on prolonged EEG monitoring in a case of HUS with COVID-19 positivity. A 24-year-old woman was admitted with bloody diarrhea, acute kidney injury, and focal seizures initially presumed due to Escherichia coli 0157:H7 Shiga-like toxin-related hemolytic uremic syndrome (ST-HUS). After admission, the patient tested positive for COVID-19. Continuous EEG monitoring revealed diffuse polymorphic delta slowing. Around 24 hours into the admission, the delta slowing became focal in the right hemisphere and was associated with a left hemiparesis. Around three days later, the clinical and EEG pattern reversed, showing left hemisphere slowing and an associated right hemiparesis. Additionally, 14 Hz positive spikes were observed throughout the recording period. Neuroimaging, including CT and MRI, was negative for acute ischemia throughout. The patient subsequently recovered over several days with no residual neurologic abnormalities.
The Orienting Response: Index of Attention

The orienting response (OR) is a fundamental element of classical conditioning. For Pavlov, it provided a means of determining whether a stimulus could serve as a CR. The OR eventually became the focus of much interest in its own right, as it reflected the animal’s initial overt reaction to a new, soon-to-be-conditioned stimulus. Stimuli that have little inherent salience elicit an OR before conditioning. Pavlov referred to this as a “what is it” reflex. The OR signals an observable attentional reaction before learning. For this reason, the OR has considerable relevance to the study of attention.
Laser Fabrication of Integrated Circuits

The techniques used to fabricate integrated circuits have evolved rapidly during the past two decades, resulting in faster circuit speeds, smaller feature sizes, greater device density, a larger number of devices per chip, higher die yields, shorter fabrication times and lower costs. Current process research will continue promoting this trend of improved integrated circuit manufacturing performance in coming years. Recent research in laser processing of semiconductors has also been impressive, impacting each established fabrication method. Surely, selected elements of laser processing will be included in the rapidly expanding technology base of successful production techniques. This wide-ranging spectrum of laser-based candidate steps for the fabrication of silicon-based planar integrated circuits will be critically surveyed here. Emphasis will be placed on direct-laser writing fabrication steps in which a laser focused to ~ 1 μm induces local gas-surface pyrolytic reactions.
The Case for Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges

Public land management agencies are faced with greater challenges today than ever before in responding to the recreational needs of society. As Will Rogers so aptly stated, “Land, they make so little of it nowadays” (Steinhart 1986). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) also must face these challenges in management of national wildlife refuges (NWRs). There is a growing demand by the American people to utilize and enjoy NWRs in a variety of ways. Managers are faced with the dilemma of determining how much and what kind of management and utilization of natural resources is appropriate without compromising the mandates and integrity of the 434 NWRs they administer (see figure 1). They must accept the fact that, in our complex society with sharply conflicting interests and philosophies, it is impossible to conduct management programs that will be acceptable to all the people all of the time. Hunting on NWRs is a prime example of this conflict.
Fashion innovativeness, information technology innovativeness, and prior experience as factors influencing adoption of apparel mobile E-catalogs

The popularity of mobile devices has resulted in the proliferation of many emergent retailing platforms. One of the new inventions in the fields of mobile commerce and catalog shopping is mobile e-catalog apps. This study examines a causal model of how two aspects of domain-specific innovativeness – Fashion Innovativeness (FI) and Information Technology Innovativeness (ITI) – and prior experiences influence consumers’ decisions regarding the adoption of a new shopping platform: apparel Mobile E-catalog (MEC). A total of 217 usable responses were collected from US adult tablet users. The results indicate that respondents who have higher levels of FI and ITI and shop online more frequently have elevated Mobile E-catalog adoption intention. A post hoc analysis showed that 50% of the respondents were reluctant to unsubscribe from print catalogs, even when tablet versions of the catalogs were available. Findings suggest that US tablet users are not ready to suspend their use of print catalogs and switch solely...
Psychometrics in engineering education: evaluating test score reliability and validity

This interactive workshop provides participants an opportunity to gain an in-depth perspective on the role of psychometrics in engineering education. Discussion will focus on the issues of reliability and validity in consideration of instrument construction and use for classroom, research, and/or program evaluation purposes. Engineering educators who want to gain a working knowledge of how the psychometric properties of their instruments affect results are encouraged to attend. Popular statistical programs (e.g., SAS, SPSS) used to examine the properties of test scores will be presented. Participants will receive instructional resources that can be used to evaluate the psychometric properties of their instruments. If interested in attending this session, you are encouraged to bring information related to your sample and copies of your instrument(s). Attend this session ready to learn about state-of-the-art methods to evaluate and improve your instruments.
Space-Time Tracking

We propose a new tracking technique that is able to capture non-rigid motion by exploiting a space-time rank constraint. Most tracking methods use a prior model in order to deal with challenging local features. The model usually has to be trained on carefully hand-labeled example data before the tracking algorithm can be used. Our new model-free tracking technique can overcome such limitations. This can be achieved in redefining the problem. Instead of first training a model and then tracking the model parameters, we are able to derive trajectory constraints first, and then estimate the model. This reduces the search space significantly and allows for a better feature disambiguation that would not be possible with traditional trackers. We demonstrate that sampling in the trajectory space, instead of in the space of shape configurations, allows us to track challenging footage without use of prior models.
Star WARCs and new systems: An analysis of US international satellite policy formation

Abstract In November 1984 the US government decided to allow private companies to put international communications satellites in orbit over the equator. This article examines the political background to the controversial decision, particularly the discussions and problems between the State and Commerce Departments. Factors which are seen as important to the decision are the ‘free-market’ environment currently favoured by the US government, a lack of concern for the needs of the Third World, and the concrete economic gains ( v intangible foreign relations losses) for US industry. The article concludes by exploring the implications for the future of INTELSAT and communications in the Third World.
Oxidants and Antioxidants in Development and Differentiation

Metabolic gradients are known to influence cellular differentiation at critical junctures of development. The existence of these gradients will stimulate variations in the rate of generation of active oxygen metabolites by metabolic pathways. Recent evidence suggests that cellular oxidation can induce changes in gene expression during normal development. Conversely, antioxidants such as ascorbate, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene are inhibitory to differentiation in many types of cells. One basis of oxidative influence on gene expression stems from changes in cellular calcium distribution.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Cosmopterosis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Glaphyriinae) with Discussions on Male Secondary Sexual Characters and Larval Feeding on Capparis (Capparaceae) in the Pyraloidea and Lepidoptera (Insecta)

ABSTRACT New species of Cosmopterosis Amsel were discovered feeding on Capparis L. (Capparaceae) during exploration for caterpillars in the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste (ACG), Costa Rica. Cosmopterosis is revised and now includes four species. Three new species, C. hispida, C. jasonhalli, and C. spatha, and the immatures of C. spatha and biology for two species, C. jasonhalli and C. spatha, are described; the type species, C. thetysalls (Walker), is redescribed. A key and illustrations for the identification of the species is provided. We propose a hypothesis for the relationship between species in Cosmopterosis and the placement of Cosmopterosis in the subfamily. The cladistic analysis, the first such analysis in the Glaphyriinae, included 21 morphological characters one of which, the radiodiscal process, a male secondary sexual character and presumably an androconial scent pouch is described and considered a autapomorphy for the genus. Male secondary sexual characters and larval feeding on Capparis i...
Prospects for detecting and identifying high Galactic latitude EGRET sources at E > 50 GeV

Abstract The majority of EGRET sources remain unidentified with counterparts at any other wavelength. However, a subset of sources at high Galactic latitude are very like to be associated with extragalactic radio sources, and either are blazars or are very similar to them. With the source localization of VERITAS, identification with these radio sources will be much firmer, should they be detected in gamma rays. I will discuss their chances for being detected at E > 50 GeV based on the multiwavelength data from representative radio sources which are considered to be good matches to EGRET unidentified objects. I will also discuss implications for the physics and classification of the sources.
The National Survey of American Life: A study of racial, ethnic and cultural influences on mental disorders and mental health

The objectives of the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) are to investigate the nature, severity, and impairment of mental disorders among national samples of the black and non-Hispanic white (n = 1,006) populations in the US. Special emphasis in the study is given to the nature of race and ethnicity within the black population by selecting and interviewing national samples of African-American (N = 3,570), and Afro-Caribbean (N = 1,623) immigrant and second and older generation populations. National multi-stage probability methods were used in generating the samples and race/ethnic matching of interviewers and respondents were used in the largely face-to-face interview, which lasted on average 2 hours and 20 minutes. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) IV World Mental Health Composite Interview (WHO-CIDI) was used to assess a wide range of serious mental disorders, potential risk and resilience factors, and help seeking and service use patterns. This paper provides an overview of the design of the NSAL, sample selection procedures, recruitment and training of the national interviewing team, and some of the special problems faced in interviewing ethnically and racially diverse national samples. Unique features of sample design, including special screening and listing procedures, interviewer training and supervision, and response rate outcomes are described.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with esophageal cancer: a case report

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy has increasingly been reported in the medical literature in recent years. Much is still unknown regarding risk factors and clinical relationships. We contribute this case report to the growing set of literature on the topic. We report the case of a 64-year-old woman with esophageal cancer who developed takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a form of reversible heart failure, and we present a review of the literature. Patients present with symptoms similar to an acute coronary syndrome; however, cardiac catheterization reveals patent coronary arteries, and symptoms of heart failure resolve completely within weeks. It is important that clinicians consider takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the differential diagnosis of heart failure and gain a basic understanding of the clinical presentation and diagnosis.
Luminescence ages for alluvial-fan deposits in Southern Death Valley : Implications for climate-driven sedimentation along a tectonically active mountain front

Abstract Controversy exists over whether alluvial-fan sedimentation along tectonically active mountain fronts is driven by climatic changes or tectonics. Knowing the age of sedimentation is the key to understanding the relationship between sedimentation and its cause. Alluvial-fan deposits in Death Valley and throughout the arid southwestern United States have long been the subjects of study, but their ages have generally eluded researchers until recently. Most mapping efforts have recognized at least four major relative-age groupings (Q1 (oldest), Q2, Q3, and Q4 (youngest)), using observed changes in surface soils and morphology, relation to the drainage net, and development of desert pavement. Obtaining numerical age determinations for these morphologic stages has proven challenging. We report the first optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages for three of these four stages deposited within alluvial-fans along the tectonically active Black Mountains of Death Valley. Deposits showing distinct, remnant bar and swale topography (Q3b) have OSL ages from 7 to 4 ka., whereas those with moderate to poorly developed desert pavement and located farther above the active channel (Q3a) have OSL ages from 17 to 11 ka. Geomorphically older deposits with well-developed desert pavement (Q2d) have OSL ages ∼25 ka. Using this OSL-based chronology, we note that alluvial-fan deposition along this tectonically active mountain front corresponds to both wet-to-dry and dry-to-wet climate changes recorded globally and regionally. These findings underscore the influence of climate change on alluvial fan deposition in arid and semi-arid regions.
METODOLOGIE DI SOVVERSIONE: MONTE IGNOSO DI PAOLA MASINO:

Monte Ignoso (1931) e una cupa storia d'amore e morte dai risvolti profondamente edipici. La maternita — protagonista principale del romanzo — strettamente correlata alla sessuofobia, e considerata un'imposizione ed una condanna; all'estremo opposto sta l'infanzia, intesa come momento magico dell'esistenza umana, che le imposizioni sociali distruggono in un crescendo di gretta convenzionalita tipica delle consuetudini borghesi.Nonostante un immediato successo di pubblico, MI ebbe diverse recensioni negative, tra le quali quella di Gadda, che trovo lo stile della Masino infarcito di futurismi decadenti, ne critico l'ipersurrealismo, e non ne comprese il voluto stravolgimento grammaticale. MI fu altrettanto stroncato negli anni seguenti dalla critica fascista, che lo denuncio come eversivo a causa dei toni sommessi eppure pericolosamente destabilizzanti per la propaganda demografica; toni che si faranno sempre piu pesanti nelle altre produzioni dell'autrice, fino ad esplodere nel suo piu maturo romanzo, Nas...
Researching the use of voice recognition writing software

Abstract Voice recognition technology (VRT) has become accurate and fast enough to be useful in a variety of writing scenarios. Yet the field of composition and rhetoric has paid scant attention to this new technology so far. Additionally, we know little about how this technology might affect writing processes or our perceptions of silent writing. This review article explores future use of VRT by examining past research into the technology of dictation and suggests future avenues for research, including the effects of planning and the technology’s use in various phases of writing processes.
Brain substrates of infant–mother attachment: Contributions of opioids, oxytocin, and norepinephrine.

The aim of this paper is to review recent work concerning the psychobiological substrates of social bonding, focusing on the literature attributed to opioids, oxytocin and norepinephrine in rats. Existing evidence and thinking about the biological foundations of attachment in young mammalian species and the neurobiology of several other affiliative behaviors including maternal behavior, sexual behavior and social memory is reviewed. We postulate the existence of social motivation circuitry which is common to all mammals and consistent across development. Oxytocin, vasopressin, endogenous opioids and catecholamines appear to participate in a wide variety of affiliative behaviors and are likely to be important components in this circuitry. It is proposed that these same neurochemical and neuroanatomical patterns will emerge as key substrates in the neurobiology of infant attachments to their caregivers.
Noncooperative distributed MMSE relay schemes under jamming environment and node geometry in wireless relay networks

The main contribution of this paper is the derivation of optimum relay amplifying matrices for noncooperative distributed wireless amplifying-and-forward relay networks. Channels connecting any two nodes are under fading, and either partial-band noise jamming or non-symmetrical node geometry. The minimum mean squared error criterion is used for the optimality. With the derived optimum relay amplifying matrices, the bit error rate is compared through simulation for various situations.
Computer-Mediated Intervention Tailored on Transtheoretical Model Stages and Processes of Change Increases Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Urban African-American Adolescents

Abstract Purpose To examine the efficacy of an intervention based on the transtheoretical model (TTM) for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents. Design Pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study. Setting Youth services agencies located in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Agencies were assigned to computer intervention (CIN) and nonintervention control study arms. Subjects A total of 507 African-American adolescents ages 11 to 14 years. Intervention Youths in the CIN arm completed four 30-minute intervention sessions tailored on TTM stages and processes of change. Measures Self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption and stages, pros, cons, and self-efficacy for consumption. Analysis Intervention effects were examined with analysis of covariance models that were controlled for demographic variables and baseline measures of each outcome. Chi-square analyses were used to examine between-arm differences in youths' stage progressions. Re...
Intramolecular electron transfer in the oxidation of amines by methylamine oxidase from Arthrobacter P1

The intramolecular electron-transfer rate constant for the Cu(II)–topaNH2⇌ Cu(I)–topaSQ equilibrium in methylamine oxidase has been measured by temperature-jump relaxation techniques. At pH 7.0 the estimated kobs = 150±30 s–1 for both methylamine and benzylamine; assuming the equilibrium constant is ≈0.7–1 at pH 7.0 and 296 K, this would correspond to a forward electron-transfer rate constant kET≈ 60–75 s–1. Although substantially slower than the previously determined kET≈ 20 000 s–1 for pea seedling amine oxidase [5] steady-state kinetics measurements established that kET > kcat≈ 4–10 s–1. Thus the Cu(I)-semiquinone state is a viable intermediate in methylamine oxidase turnover.
Disturbed Eating Severity Scale (DESS) places disturbed eating risk on a continuum

The purpose of this study was to develop a tool for assessing the severity of disturbed eating, use the tool to place disturbed eating behavior severity on a continuum, and to investigate how demographic and psychographic characteristics associated with disturbed eating differ across this continuum. Young adults (n=2438; 58% White; 63% female) from three north coast universities completed an online survey (fall 2009 to summer 2010) assessing eating behaviors and psychographic characteristics. Eating behavior scores were used to calculate the Disturbed Eating Severity Score (DESS), which placed participants along a continuum of four disturbed eating severity (non- disturbed to highly-disturbed) categories. Analysis of covariance and post hoc tests revealed significant differences among DESS categories on all eating behavior scales and nearly all psychographic characteristics. Thus, the DESS scale may help health care practitioners identify patients with varying degrees of disturbed eating behaviors and offer early interventions that could halt progress toward an eating disorder.
Modeling of circular diaphragm and spreadsheet solution programming for touch mode capacitive sensors

This article describes the power series solution to the model of circular diaphragm deflection under uniform load. The parameters for touch mode operation, such as touch point pressure and touch radius, are defined and computed by the algorithm proposed in this article. Therefore, the power series solution can be applied for touch mode operation. Based on the analysis, a spreadsheet solution software is programmed as a tool for touch mode capacitive sensor design and performance estimation. Compared the results from this tool and ABAQUS simulation, the error is within 5% and this PC-based tool is very promising in time saving.
Differential Distributions of Synechococcus Subgroups Across the California Current System

Synechococcus is an abundant marine cyanobacterial genus composed of different populations that vary physiologically. Synechococcus narB gene sequences (encoding for nitrate reductase in cyanobacteria) obtained previously from isolates and the environment (e.g. North Pacific Gyre Station ALOHA, Hawaii or Monterey Bay, California) were used to develop quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays. These qPCR assays were used to quantify populations from specific narB phylogenetic clades across the California Current System (CCS), a region composed of dynamic zones between a coastal-upwelling zone and the oligotrophic Pacific Ocean. Targeted populations (narB subgroups) had different biogeographic patterns across the CCS, which appear to be driven by environmental conditions. Subgroups C_C1, D_C1 and D_C2 were abundant in coastal-upwelling to coastal-transition zone waters with relatively high to intermediate ammonium, nitrate and chl. a concentrations. Subgroups A_C1 and F_C1 were most abundant in coastal-transition zone waters with intermediate nutrient concentrations. E_O1 and G_O1 were most abundant at different depths of oligotrophic open-ocean waters (either in the upper mixed layer or just below). E_O1, A_C1 and F_C1 distributions differed from other narB subgroups and likely possess unique ecologies enabling them to be most abundant in waters between coastal and open-ocean waters. Different CCS zones possessed distinct Synechococcus communities. Core California Current (CC) water possessed low numbers of narB subgroups relative to counted Synechococcus cells, and coastal-transition waters contained high abundances of Synechococcus cells and total number of narB subgroups. The presented biogeographic data provides insight on the distributions and ecologies of Synechococcus present in an eastern boundary current system.
Species and site differences in Neotropical army ant emigration behaviour

Along with large wingless queens and group foraging raids, periodic colony movements or emigrations are a defining feature of army ant behaviour. Emigrations are important because they regulate spacing among colonies, and provide access to new foraging sites. 2. Raid and emigration activity of army ant communities was measured at four Neotropical sites using a standardised sampling protocol. Sampling of emigration activity was carried out throughout the diel cycle. 3. Both raid and emigration activity occurred throughout the day and night. Emigration activity was highest under cover of darkness, but sites and species differed in the diel timing of emigrations. These site and species differences have implications for the evolution of emigration behaviour, as well as for the community ecology of army ants.
The effects of dithiothreitol on violaxanthin de-epoxidation and absorbance changes in the 500-nm region☆

Abstract The effects of dithiothreitol on absorbance changes at 505 and 515 nm in isolated lettuce chloroplasts were investigated. Dithiothreitol inhibited the ascorbate-dependent 505-nm change that is due to the de-epoxidation of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin. Dithiothreitol was effective for both light-induced de-epoxidation at pH 7 and dark de-epoxidation at pH 5. Titration of de-epoxidase activity with dithiothreitol resulted in complete inhibition at about 5 μmoles dithiothreitol per mg chlorophyll. Removal of dithiothreitol restored de-epoxidase activity. These results are consistent with the view that dithiothreitol inhibits violaxanthin de-epoxidation and the corresponding 505-nm change by reducing a disulfide that is required for de-epoxidase activity. Dithiothreitol was effective in resolving absorbance changes due to violaxanthin de-epoxidation and other changes that were superimposed under some conditions. At 515 nm and in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), phenazine methosulfate, and ascorbate, dithiothreitol inhibited the large, slow and irreversible change which was due to de-epoxidation but not the fast and reversible so-called 515-nm change. At 505 nm and under similar conditions, dithiothreitol revealed the presence of a slow reversible change in addition to the one from de-epoxidation. Results with dithiothreitol showed that the absorbance change at 505 nm in the presence of DCMU, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol and ascorbate was due entirely to de-epoxidation. Similarly, absorbance changes at 515 nm also appeared to be mainly from de-epoxidation but with the presence of a small transient change due to some other components. It is suggested that dithiothreitol may be useful in resolving complex light-induced absorbance changes in other photosynthetic systems as well as in enabling new studies on reversible absorbance changes in the 500-nm region.
Abstract 4944: Regulation of vitamin D 24-hydroxylase gene expression in human prostate cancer by epigenetic mechanisms

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol), the active form of vitamin D3, plays a major role in regulating calcium homeostasis and bone mineralization. Calcitriol also modulates cellular proliferation and differentiation in a variety of cell types. Furthermore, calcitriol has an anti-tumor effect in several tumor models. 1,25-(OH)2D-hydroxylase (24-hydroxylase), encoded by the CYP24A1 gene, plays a key role in attenuation of calcitriol effects by degrading calcitriol to a much less active vitamin D metabolite. CYP24A1 is dysregulated in wide range of tumors. The over-expression of CYP24A1 is associated with poor prognosis of some human cancers. Interestingly, CYP24A1 is down-regulated in human prostate cancer. Little is known about the mechanism(s) underlying the regulation of CYP24A1 expression in human prostate cancer. We have analyzed 3 prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, DU-145 and PC3) which express variable levels of CYP24A1. We have found that CYP24A1 gene expression is inversely correlated with promoter DNA methylation in human prostate cell lines. Treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC), activates CYP24A1 gene expression in prostate cancer cells. In vitro methylation of the CYP24A1 promoter by methylases SssI, HpaII and HhaI represses its promoter activity. Furthermore, inhibition of histone deacetylases by trichostatin A (TSA) enhances the expression of CYP24A1 in prostate cancer cells. ChIP-qPCR reveals that histone modifications are associated with the CYP24A1 promoter region. Treatment with TSA increases acetylated H3K9 and dimethylated H3K4 and simultaneously decreases dimethylated H3K9 at the CYP24A1 promoter. ChIP-qPCR assay also shows that treatment of prostate cancer cells with DAC and TSA increases the recruitment of VDR to the CYP24A1 promoter. We have also collected paired samples of benign and malignant tissue from 30 human prostatectomy samples. RT-PCR analysis of paired human prostate samples reveals that CYP24A1 expression is down-regulated in prostate malignant lesions compared to matched benign lesions (p<0.001). Bisulfite DNA pyrosequencing reveals that CYP24A1 gene is hypermethylated in malignant lesions compared to matched benign lesions. Taken together, these data indicate that the repression of CYP24A1 gene expression in human prostate cancer cells is mediated in part by promoter DNA methylation and repressive histone modifications. Epigenetic repression of CYP24A1 may involve blocked recruitment of VDR to CYP24A1 regulatory regions, and nucleation of repressive chromatin structures at the CYP24A1 promoter. This study was supported by NIH/NCI grants CA067267, CA095045 and CA085142. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4944.
Morphology of cellular precipitation of tin from lead-tin bicrystals-ii

Abstract Additional observations are reported on the morphology of cellular precipitation of tin from Pb(Sn) bicrystals misoriented by tilts from a [100] axis. No interconnection between tin lamellae were observed and the evidence indicates that individual formation of tin plates at the boundary in the special crystal-lographic orientation, is an important, and probably the predominant, mechanism for the formation of tin lamellae, including their multiplication within a colony. When the temperature is abruptly lowered during cell growth the readjustment in lamellae spacing is effected by nucleation on the cell boundary of new lamellae between those already existing. When the temperature is raised abruptly during cell growth large sections of the cell boundary sometimes become detached from existing lamellae. Further movement of the boundary must then await nucleation of a new set of lamellae. Nucleation of tin plates lying on the grain boundary in the special erystallographic orientation requires, in general, that a small region of the boundary be deformed through an angle, φ. We have formulated an expression for the free energy of forming a special nucleus taking account of the boundary deformation. Cell boundary orientations favorable for the formation of special nuclei will exist at one of the cell edges and in sections of the boundary which are passing around obstacles. We propose a model for the multiplication of tin lamellae within a colony which is based on these concepts.
Arrestant-Feeding Stimulant as an Additive to Shell SD-8447 for Control of Corn Earworm Larvae in Sweet Corn

The mortality of larvae of Heliothis zea (Boddie) on corn seedlings grown in the greenhouse increased significantly when an arrestant-feeding stimulant extracted from sweet corn kernels was mixed with Shell SD-8447 (2-chloro-1-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl) vinyl dimethyl phosphate), and Compared with mortality on a check treated with SD-8447 only. Also, damage to com ears decreased significantly when the extract plus SD-8447 was applied to artificially infested sweet corn silks in the field. Thus the incorporation of an arrestant-feeding stimulant with an insecticide would increase the effectiveness of a corn earworm control program.
Phase synchronization in two coupled chaotic neurons

Abstract Chaotically-spiking dynamics of Hindmarsh–Rose neurons are discussed based on a flexible definition of phase for chaotic flow. The phase synchronization of two coupled chaotic neurons is in fact the spike synchronization. As a multiple time-scale model, the coupled HR neurons have quite different behaviors from the Rossler oscillators only having single time-scale mechanism. Using such a multiple time-scale model, the phase function can detect synchronization dynamics that cannot be distinguished by cross-correlation. Moreover, simulation results show that the Lyapunov exponents cannot be used as a definite criterion for the occurrence of chaotic phase synchronization for such a system. Evaluation of the phase function shows its utility in analyzing nonlinear neural systems.
Heterogeneity of urinary acid mucopolysaccharides.

687 mg of crude urinary acid mucopolysaccharides (preparation A) were precipitated from 30 litres of normal human urine according to methods previously described1.
Maize Shrunken-1 intron and exon regions increase gene expression in maize protoplasts

Abstract A DNA cassette containing the first intron of the maize Shrunken-1 (Sh1) and adjacent exon sequences stimulates reporter gene expression in maize protoplasts up to 100-fold. Because this highly active cassette is being used to elevate gene expression in numerous genetic engineering experiments and because of the paucity of information concerning the mechanism(s) governing increased expression, we examined how placement and orientation of this cassette, intron sequence and length, and interactions of intron and exon sequences affect expression levels. The data reveal two significant features: (1) substantial alterations within the intron portion of the cassette do not affect its stimulatory effect and (2) the stimulation appears to occur at more than one level of gene expression. Specifically, we show that the magnitude of intron-mediated stimulation is not increased by the tandem addition of a complete cassette to a construct already containing the Sh1 first intron cassette nor is stimulation affected by an 87% increase or a 63% decrease in the size of the intron. Placement of an additional cassette within a Sh1 first intron cassette does not significantly alter the stimulatory effect; however, the orientation of sequences is important, since placement of an inverted cassette within another cassette abolishes the stimulatory effect. A significant finding is that the exon portion of the Sh1 intron 1 cassette boosts gene expression approximately 7-fold in the absence of the intron, while exon sequences from the alcohol dehydrogenase-1 (Adh1) gene inhibit gene expression. Placement of Adh1 exon sequences adjacent to the Sh1 first intron, however, elevates gene expression above the level observed with the Sh1 first intron cassette. These mixing experiments strongly suggest that the exon and intron components of the Sh1 first intron cassette act at different steps in gene expression.
Continuation of a class of seismic processor s and associated 'rays'

Summary We introduce a general theory for the transformation of seismic data or an image with respect to a continuous change of a parameter (velocity, acquisition configuration, anisotropy). We then place existing examples of such transformations in our framework. This encompasses the notion of ‘velocity rays’, ‘image waves’ etc.
Toward Systematic Study of the History and Foundations of Literacy

This study of a literacy course begins with methodological approaches useful in the historical study of the literacy profession, its practices, beliefs, and participants. A model course is presented via “moments” in the history of literacy. Results from implementations of the model course are also presented.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are still getting smarter: now a way to identify lead failure and prevent resultant inappropriate shocks.

b l The combination of clinical trial data and expanded eimbursement coverage has led to exponential growth in he use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for rimary prevention. However, a dark side of the therapy is hat more than one third of shocks delivered to patients reated with ICDs for primary prevention are inappropriate, ost commonly due to atrial arrhythmias but also to overensing of normal cardiac signals, such as T waves or ultiple-component long-duration R waves, and sensing of xternal electrical noise and of noise artifacts from faulty eads. Furthermore, with the shift to primary prevention, he proportion of inappropriate shocks has actually inreased. In the secondary prevention Antiarrhythmics Versus Imlantable Defibrillators (AVID) trial, an ICD shock was elivered to 45% of the patients at 1 year and to 62% of the atients at 2 years. However, 11% had at least one episode lassified as inappropriate therapy due to atrial fibrillation nd 9% due to supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The first arrhythmia” detected was due to ICD malfunction or inppropriate sensing 3% of the time. For patients receiving ICDs for primary prevention, alhough appropriate ICD therapy occurs less frequently than n patients receiving ICDs for secondary prevention, inapropriate shocks are especially problematic. In the Multienter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial (MADIT) I study, 24% of the patients with an ICD received approriate therapy during the 17.2-month average follow-up. owever, 12.2% of patients received inappropriate shocks. rom another perspective, of the 806 therapies delivered by n ICD in MADIT II, 36.4% were inappropriate. Of those, 8% were due to atrial fibrillation, 34% to another SVT, and 7% to abnormal sensing. Multiple attempts to decrease the occurrence of inapproriate shocks have been made. The earliest generation ICDs ncorporated a probability density function (PDF) to differ-
The History of Lake Superior Regulation: Implications for the Future

Abstract Lake Superior outflows have been regulated for the past 80 years. The last 15 years have encompassed both extremely high water supplies and lake levels and subsequent drastic declines in the levels of Lakes Superior and the lower lakes. The IJC is considering a study whose purpose would be the reexamination of the current Lake Superior regulation plan, which has been in use since 1990. In preparation for that discussion, several different aspects of past and potential future Lake Superior levels were analyzed. The stage-discharge equation representing natural flow conditions for the pre-1900 Lake Superior outlet was used to simulate “unregulated” Lake Superior outlet conditions, using actual water supplies. Net basin supplies developed for a climate change study were used to evaluate the potential effects of regulation on future levels. A 50,000 year set of stochastic net basin supplies, based upon the present climate, was also used to provide hypothetical upper and lower bounds. By comparing recorded Lake Superior levels to what might have happened in the absence of regulation and what may occur with future supplies, it is hoped that the development and/or evaluation of any future adjustments to the regulation criteria for Lake Superior might be aided.
A Cognitive Perspective on Ethnicity, Race, and Termination of Parental Rights*

The determination of parental “fitness” in termination of parental rights cases is open to much judicial discretion and, thus, potentially open to bias. Even if judges look to mental health professionals as expert witnesses, misattributions of racial and ethnic cues may still be likely given the poor state of our parenting models and the lack of ethnically and racially relevant normative data and measurement instruments. A social cognitive framework is used to examine the potential for bias in the nature of categories of information that judges and mental health evaluators currently use to make decisions. Recommendations for research and practice that might enhance judicial and mental health evaluator sensitivity to racial and ethnic differences in interaction, family structure, and parenting practices are reviewed.
THE EFFECT OF RATE CASES ON PUBLIC UTILITY STOCK RETURNS

Public utility rate cases are economic events because they affect the intrinsic value of the utility. This paper examines the effect of rate cases on public utility stock returns. “Average” rate cases do not appear to affect the utilities' value, but “above-average” and “below-average” settlements cause positive or negative adjustments, respectively.
Ethanol familiarity and naltrexone treatment affect ethanol responses in rats.

Abstract In the present study, the effects of ethanol familiarity on the ability of naltrexone to alter ethanol palatability and consumption were examined. One group of rats was allowed continuous access to 10% vol/vol ethanol and water for 3 weeks. A second group received only water. At the end of this time, the groups were further subdivided and injected with either 3mg/kg naltrexone or saline (total of four groups; n =11–13 per group) before ethanol taste reactivity tests with 10% vol/vol ethanol and ethanol consumption tests. Results showed that naltrexone effectively decreased ingestive responding and increased aversive responding. Further, rats familiar with alcohol made more ingestive responses to 10% vol/vol ethanol. A significant interaction of drug treatment and familiarity was found in the data for aversive responses: naltrexone treatment produced more aversive responses in ethanol-familiar rats, whereas saline treatment resulted in fewer aversive responses in rats familiar with ethanol. Naltrexone treatment clearly reduced consumption of 10% vol/vol ethanol, although its effects were attenuated somewhat by ethanol familiarity. The present data indicate that both alcohol familiarity and naltrexone treatment affect ethanol reactivity and ethanol consumption in outbred rats. The interaction of naltrexone treatment and ethanol familiarity only for aversive reactivity and the lack of such an interaction for the consumption measures suggests that the mechanisms underlying ethanol reactivity and ethanol consumption may be dissociable at the neural level.
Expression of telomerase and telomere length are unaffected by either age or limb regeneration in Danio rerio.

Background The zebrafish is an increasingly popular model for studying many aspects of biology. Recently, ztert, the zebrafish homolog of the mammalian telomerase gene has been cloned and sequenced. In contrast to humans, it has been shown that the zebrafish maintains telomerase activity for much of its adult life and has remarkable regenerative capacity. To date, there has been no longitudinal study to assess whether this retention of telomerase activity equates to the retention of chromosome telomere length through adulthood. Methodology/Principal Findings We have systematically analyzed individual organs of zebrafish with regard to both telomere length and telomerase activity at various time points in its adult life. Heart, gills, kidney, spleen, liver, and intestine were evaluated at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 2 years of age by Southern blot analysis. We found that telomeres do not appreciably shorten throughout the lifespan of the zebrafish in any organ. In addition, there was little difference in telomere lengths between organs. Even when cells were under the highest pressure to divide after fin-clipping experiments, telomere length was unaffected. All aged (2 year old) tissues examined also expressed active amounts of telomerase activity as assessed by TRAP assay. Conclusions/Significance In contrast to several other species including humans, the retention of lifelong telomerase and telomeres, as we have reported here, would be necessary in the zebrafish to maintain its tremendous regenerative capacity. The ongoing study of the zebrafish's ability to maintain telomerase activity may be helpful in unraveling the complexity involved in the maintenance (or lack thereof) of telomeres in other species such the mouse or human.
W-band polarimetric scattering features of a tactical ground target using a 1.56-THz 3D-imaging compact range

In this study the polarization scattering matrices (PSM) of individual scatterers from a complex tactical ground target were measured as a function of look angle. Due to the potential value of PSMs in studies of automatic target recognition, a fully polarimetric, three-dimensional spot scanning radar modeling system was developed at 1.56 THz to study the W-band scattering feature behavior from 1/16th scale models of targets. Scattering centers are isolated and coherently measured to determine the PSMs. Scatterers of varying complexity from a tactical target were measured and analyzed, including well-defined fundamental odd and even bounce scatterers that maintain the exact normalized PSM with varied look angle, scatterers with varying cross- and co-pol terms, and combination scatterers. Maps defining the behavior of the position and PSM activity over varying look angle are likely to be unique to each target and could possibly represent exploitable features for ATR. The high-resolution spot scanning radar system transceiver uses a high-stability, narrow-band optically pumped far infrared laser and implements laser/microwave sideband generation. The measurement system is a heterodyned, fully polarimetric, three-dimensional imaging system, using raster scanning and frequency chirping to obtain the 3D image. The effect of mapping the 3D polarimetric scattering center data into range/cross-range ISAR imagery is demonstrated. The mapping showed considerable promise for retaining consistency over varying look angles, and the corresponding ISAR imagery demonstrated similar characteristics. The results were then analyzed in linear polarization and circular polarization bases for possible manipulations for the purpose of a simple ATR. A method utilizing the properties of two circular polarization receive states is demonstrated and its performance analyzed.