cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The cellular metabolism and systemic toxicity of arsenic.

Although it has been known for decades that humans and many other species convert inorganic arsenic to mono- and dimethylated metabolites, relatively little attention has been given to the biological effects of these methylated products. It has been widely held that inorganic arsenicals were the species that accounted for the toxic and carcinogenic effects of this metalloid and that methylation was properly regarded as a mechanism for detoxification of arsenic. Elucidation of the metabolic pathway for arsenic has changed our understanding of the significance of methylation. Both methylated and dimethylated arsenicals that contain arsenic in the trivalent oxidation state have been identified as intermediates in the metabolic pathway. These compounds have been detected in human cells cultured in the presence of inorganic arsenic and in urine of individuals who were chronically exposed to inorganic arsenic. Methylated and dimethylated arsenicals that contain arsenic in the trivalent oxidation state are more cytotoxic, more genotoxic, and more potent inhibitors of the activities of some enzymes than are inorganic arsenicals that contain arsenic in the trivalent oxidation state. Hence, it is reasonable to describe the methylation of arsenic as a pathway for its activation, not as a mode of detoxification. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the processes that control the formation and fate of the methylated metabolites of arsenic and of the biological effects of these compounds. Given the considerable interest in the dose-response relationships for arsenic as a toxin and a carcinogen, understanding the metabolism of arsenic may be critical to assessing the risk associated with chronic exposure to this element.
Tourette syndrome and comorbid early-onset schizophrenia.

Objective: A study of the shared phenomenology between Tourette syndrome (TS) and schizophrenia. Method: An illustrative case report is presented. We used a chart review of 399 clinically ascertained patients with TS to identify 10 cases meeting criteria for schizophrenia. From our 10 patients, salient clinical characteristics were then tabulated. We then extracted similar clinical characteristics from a previously published series of patients with comorbid TS and schizophrenia in order to combine cases and allow for a comparison between childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS), adolescent-onset schizophrenia (AdolOS), and adult-onset schizophrenia (AduOS) cases in these groups. Results: We found 10 cases of schizophrenia (all were males) in the 399 TS patients for a prevalence rate of 2.5% (95% CI 0.96– 4.04). Mean age of tic onset for TS diagnostic criteria ranged from 2-14 years with a mean of 8.2 years. The mean age of diagnosis for schizophrenia was 14.2 (range 9–23 years). We found six cases of schizophrenia with onset of positive psychotic symptoms by 13 years of age, two cases with onset after 13 years of age and before 18 years of age, and two cases with onset after 18 years of age. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was present at a higher rate (70%) than one would expect in a clinically ascertained group of patients with TS. Comparison between COS, AdolOS and AduOS in our pooled cases noted a sex bias skewed toward males. Catatonic symptoms may be more likely in child or adolescent onset cases and negative symptoms more likely in AduOS cases. Conclusions: The 2.5% prevalence of schizophrenia in our TS sample exceeds the 1% expected rate of schizophrenia in the general population (chi-square=9.14; P=.0025). The six cases of COS (before 13 years of age) exceeds the expected rate of 1–2 per 100,000 (chi-square=4499; P=.0001). The 752-fold increase in observed rates of comorbid TS and COS over expected rates suggests a role for unknown common underlying etiologic factors. Based on clinical features, patients with TS and comorbid COS, AdolOS, or AduOS do not have different conditions. We conclude with suggestions for further research. © 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc.
Evolutionary computation: challenges for the 21st century

The field of Evolutionary Computation has experienced tremendous growth over the past 40 years, resulting in a wide variety of evolutionary algorithms and applications. This poses two interesting challenges: to provide a unified view of the field and to identify important open issues.This talk addresses these challenges by giving an overview of a general EC framework that can help compare and contrast approaches, encourages crossbreeding, and facilitates intelligent design choices. The use of this framework is then illustrated by showing how traditional EAs can be compared and contrasted with it, and how new EAs can be effectively designed using it.Finally, the framework is used to identify some important open issues that need further research
Optimal quadrature formula nonlinear estimators

Abstract This paper presents a method for the realization of nonlinear estimators based on an optimal quadrature approximation. The optimal quadrature formula is obtained by solving a set of nonlinear algebraic equations induced from a monospline subject to a set of interpolatory conditions. All the weights of the optimal quadrature formulas derived from monosplines which do not involve the derivatives of the integrand at the end points are positive. This guarantees the positiveness of the quantized density functions in numerical approximation of Bayesian recursive computations. The numerical errors associated with the optimal quadrature approximation to Bayesian recursive computations are discussed. Finally methods of quantizing and updating the prediction and filtering densities are derived.
Risk of coronary heart disease in subjects with chest discomfort: The Framingham Heart Study

Abstract purpose: To examine the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) events in subjects of the Framingham Study reporting new chest discomfort. subjects and methods: Original cohort subjects with chest discomfort were classified by their history into three groups: definite angina, possible angina, or nonanginal chest discomfort. Subjects were followed for 2 years for CHD events, including coronary insufficiency, myocardial infarction, or CHD death. results: Compared to that in subjects without chest discomfort, the relative odds of a CHD event was 3.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.11, 6.60) in men with definite angina and 3.0 (95% CI 1.33, 6.69) in men with possible angina. Comparable increased CHD risk was also observed in women with definite or possible angina, with relative odds of 5.4 (95% CI 3.08, 9.30) and 2.9 (95% CI 1.13, 7.17), respectively. The increase in CHD risk associated with definite or possible angina persisted after adjustment for cardiac risk factor profile. There was no increase in risk associated with nonanginal chest discomfort. conclusion: CHD risk is increased in subjects with new chest discomfort that on the basis of history is consistent with definite or possible angina, whereas CHD risk is not increased in subjects with nonanginal chest discomfort. The presence of chest discomfort and its characteristics facilitate the classification of subjects into meaningful categories that offer prognostic information beyond that provided by traditional CHD risk factors.
Far-Right Lone Wolf Homicides in the United States

Little is known about the nature of far-right lone wolf terrorism and how this form of violence varies across different types of suspects. Relying on data from the Extremist Crime Database (ECDB), we comparatively examine characteristics of far-right homicides in the United States perpetrated by suspects with no evident affiliations with domestic terrorist organizations. Surprisingly, we found that this form of lone wolf terrorism has generally not increased during the past decade. We also found important differences, such as in suspects’ mental health, in statuses of homicide offenders who operate alone compared to those who associate or act with others.
Multiscale Stress Analysis of Sheared and Focally-Adhered Endothelial Cells: Role of Subcellular Matrix Moduli in Focal Adhesion-Mediated Signaling

Focal adhesions (FAs) and their associated integrins are thought to act as mechanosensors and transducers of shear stress into intracellular biochemical signals. However, to date there exists no quantification of the magnitude of forces generated at integrin molecules in response to apically-applied fluid shear stress. Thus, we used finite element analysis of fluid dynamics and cellular stresses to compute FA stresses from solid models of focally-adhered endothelial cells. These models were developed from quantitative 3-D microscopy and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy of calcein-stained endothelial cells. Extrusion coupling variables mapped stresses from the macroscale cell model to individual microscale 3-D models of FAs determined from quantitative TIRF. Included in the microscale FA model were moduli for subcellular matrix (SCM) (e.g. hyaluronan, hyaluronaic acid and other glycocalyx constituents) and extracellular matrix (ECM) (e.g. collagen, fibronectin). Integrin forces were estimated from assumed bonds densities and computed FA stresses. Maximal bond tension obtained from the simulation for a single integrin-extracellular matrix (ECM) bond was .1pN. Thus, it is unlikely that integrin-ECM bonds or chemical activities are appreciably affected by shear stress. The computational model, however, supports an alternative model of activation in and reorganization of FAs in which shear stress-induced forces cause the membrane to bend toward and away from the ECM immediately upstream and downstream of the FA, respectively. The simulation also suggests that the elasticity of the SCM plays an important role in modulating shear-induced FA reorganization. These results support a new model of endothelial cell activation by shear stress in which integrins and FAs participate in the directional biasing of force-induce signaling but do not initiate it.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Long-term efficacy of high-dose diltiazem for chronic stable angina pectoris: 16-month serial studies with placebo controls.

Abstract In order to assess the long-term efficacy of diltiazem for the treatment of angina pectoris, eight patients with chronic stable exertional angina who were previously entered into a 4-month randomized, double-blind placebo controlled study, were studied for an additional 12 months. The patients continued to take diltiazem, 360 mg/day, and underwent treadmill exercise testing after 10 and 16 months of therapy. A single-blind placebo week was introduced after 16 months and a treadmall test was porformed at the end of this week. Diltiazem therapy continued to augment exercise duration until 0.1 mV of ECG ST depression at 10 and 16 months as compared to the final pracebo period: 573 ± 133 (SD) seconds at 10 months; 565 ± 148 seconds at 16 months; vs 431 ± 151 seconds at final placebo (both p
Personal Safety and Sexual Safety for Women Using Online Personal Ads

This study examined the impact of the Interneton personal and sexual safety for women meeting men through online ads. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected with an online survey. Of the 740 women who completed the survey, 568 reported having met in person with a man who answered their online personal ad. Results revealed that women used e-mail communication prior to a face-to-face meeting to negotiate such issues as safety, boundaries, sexual preferences, history of sexually transmitted infections, and condom use. Thirty percent of respondents engaged in sexual activity on their first encounter. Seventy-seven percent of respondents who met an online partner did not use condoms for their first sexual encounter. The high frequency and intensity of e-mail communication prior to meeting in person cultivated acceleration of intimacy for the individuals involved and may have affected women’s decisions to engage in risky sexual behaviors.
Effect of Palladium as a Corrosion Inhibitor in Chromium Thin Film Systems

A thin layer of palladium has been used to inhibit corrosion in thin film systems employing chromium as an adhesive layer. The low hydrogen over potential of palladium maintains the chromium at a sufficiently high potential to promote passivation and prevent corrosion. Potentiometric measurements and accelerated life-test results are presented.
Effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) on urinary excretion of hydroxyproline, calcium and phosphorus in the rat.

The effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) were studied in rats. Intravenous infusion of 4.84 mM Na2EDTA increased the urinary excretion of calcium six-fold, phosphorus three-fold and hydroxyproline 55% in 158 g thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTXed) rats. Calcitonin (25 MRC mU/rat/h) abolished the sodium EDTA-induced increase in hydroxyproline excretion, presumptive evidence that sodium EDTA was acting on bone. To determine whether the changes induced by sodium EDTA are due to lowering of plasma calcium, rats were infused with 4.84 mM ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid (EGTA), a more specific calcium chelator. EGTA increased the urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorus (P<0.001) but not hydroxyproline in thyroparathyroidectomized rats. Furthermore, when TPTXed rats were infused with calcium EDTA (4.84 mM Ca2EDTA) in order that ionic calcium concentration would not be altered, hydroxyproline excretion was again markedly increased but phosphorus excretion was decreased by 26%. Since the displacement of the sodium ions in Na2EDTA by calciumin vivo is instantaneous, and since calcium EDTA itself induces collagenolysis, the increase in urinary hydroxyproline excretion due to sodium EDTA cannot be attributed solely to lowering of plasma calcium. From these data two conclusions are drawn. First, sodium EDTA enhances bone breakdown independently of its effect on parathyroid hormone secretion. Second, since bone plays a major role in the maintenance of plasma calcium, interpretation of results should be made with caution in those investigations in which EDTA is used to study calcium homeostasis.
Physical detection of influenza A epitopes identifies a stealth subset on human lung epithelium evading natural CD8 immunity

Vaccines eliciting immunity against influenza A viruses (IAVs) are currently antibody-based with hemagglutinin-directed antibody titer the only universally accepted immune correlate of protection. To investigate the disconnection between observed CD8 T-cell responses and immunity to IAV, we used a Poisson liquid chromatography data-independent acquisition MS method to physically detect PR8/34 (H1N1), X31 (H3N2), and Victoria/75 (H3N2) epitopes bound to HLA-A*02:01 on human epithelial cells following in vitro infection. Among 32 PR8 peptides (8–10mers) with predicted IC50 500 for M158–66 with PA, HA, PB1, PB2, and NA epitopes also detected. However, aside from M158–66, natural CD8 memory responses against conserved presented epitopes were either absent or only weakly observed by blood Elispot. Moreover, the functional avidities of the immunodominant M158–66/HLA-A*02:01-specific T cells were so poor as to be unable to effectively recognize infected human epithelium. Analysis of T-cell responses to primary PR8 infection in HLA-A*02:01 transgenic B6 mice underscores the poor avidity of T cells recognizing M158–66. By maintaining high levels of surface expression of this epitope on epithelial and dendritic cells, the virus exploits the combination of immunodominance and functional inadequacy to evade HLA-A*02:01-restricted T-cell immunity. A rational approach to CD8 vaccines must characterize processing and presentation of pathogen-derived epitopes as well as resultant immune responses. Correspondingly, vaccines may be directed against “stealth” epitopes, overriding viral chicanery.
Crystal Structure of the 6-Hydroxymethyl-7,8-Dihydropterin Pyrophosphokinase•Dihydropteroate Synthase Bifunctional Enzyme from Francisella tularensis

The 6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase (HPPK) and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) enzymes catalyze sequential metabolic reactions in the folate biosynthetic pathway of bacteria and lower eukaryotes. Both enzymes represent validated targets for the development of novel anti-microbial therapies. We report herein that the genes which encode FtHPPK and FtDHPS from the biowarfare agent Francisella tularensis are fused into a single polypeptide. The potential of simultaneously targeting both modules with pterin binding inhibitors prompted us to characterize the molecular details of the multifunctional complex. Our high resolution crystallographic analyses reveal the structural organization between FtHPPK and FtDHPS which are tethered together by a short linker. Additional structural analyses of substrate complexes reveal that the active sites of each module are virtually indistinguishable from those of the monofunctional enzymes. The fused bifunctional enzyme therefore represents an excellent vehicle for finding inhibitors that engage the pterin binding pockets of both modules that have entirely different architectures. To demonstrate that this approach has the potential of producing novel two-hit inhibitors of the folate pathway, we identify and structurally characterize a fragment-like molecule that simultaneously engages both active sites. Our study provides a molecular framework to study the enzyme mechanisms of HPPK and DHPS, and to design novel and much needed therapeutic compounds to treat infectious diseases.
Information spaces as interactive worlds

This poster abstract re-conceptualizes information interfaces as immersive "worlds" of information with rules that govern their behavior. It is argued that rethinking interfaces in this way has the potential to suggest new and innovative ways to study, present, and interact with information in computing environments.
B74-40 Digital Systems: Hardware Organization and Design

This book is an introduction to the design of digital systems. It is intended as a one semester course for electrical engineering or computer science students and assumes only a minimal background in programming, binary numbers, and Boolean algebra. The intended level of the course is never mentioned. The major goal of the book is to "....involve the student in the design process...". The vehicle for this involvement is a register transfer (RT) language. Statements in the language are shown to be readily translated into hardware. Thus once the RT language description is formulated the hardware design is essentially complete. Also, as a matter of course specific systems are designed in the RT language before generalizations are made. Unfortunately the RT language and the specific to general approach (both of which the reviewer views as good techniques) lead to the major weaknesses of the book.
The conduction electron g-factor in Au

We report measurements of the angular dependence of the orbitally averaged conduction electrong-factor in Au for neck, rosette, dog bone, and belly orbits determined from the absolute amplitude of the associated de Haas-van Alphen oscillations.
Potential Impact of Housing Policy on Transportation Infrastructure in Chinese Cities

Directive No. 165, a new directive from the Chinese central government-specifically, the Department of Construction-requires that 70% of new residential units be smaller than 90 m2, as of June 1, 2006. The directive raised great concerns after initial confusion and speculation, not only for land developers and consumers but also for urban and transportation planners. The intention of the new policy is clearly targeted to tame ever-rising housing prices and bring affordable housing to average citizens. However, it is questionable whether the policy at its face value can achieve those objectives. The policy's effect on land use, urban form, infrastructure, and eventually the housing market is as yet unknown. This paper focuses on the potential effect of the new housing policy on urban infrastructure, particularly transportation. On the basis of the historical urban development in China, Western experience, and current problems and issues encountered by most large metropolitan areas worldwide, the authors ca...
Divisions Among Us: Women Administrators, Faculty, and Staff on the Complicated Realities of Support and Sisterhood

Although Robin Morgan argued that sisterhood is powerful (1970) and forever (2003), results from this case study show that sisterhood is not easily achieved, even in women’s groups in which support for women was a formal goal. Narratives of eight women faculty, middle managers, and top administrators reveal that organizational sexism and women’s differing standpoints made sisterhood at one midsized university difficult to achieve.
Oxygen modulates nitric oxide production selectively in fetal pulmonary endothelial cells.

Acute hypoxia causes pulmonary hypertension in the fetus and newborn that is contrasted by systemic hypotension or normotension. To better understand the role of nitric oxide (NO) in this specific pulmonary vascular response, we determined the acute effects of decreased oxygenation on NO production in ovine fetal pulmonary and systemic (mesenteric) endothelial cells. NO was assessed by measuring cGMP accumulation in fetal vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells during co-culture incubations of endothelium and VSM (40 s) in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine. Changes in cGMP were dependent on the endothelium and on NO synthase and guanylate cyclase activity. At high O2 (680 mm Hg), basal NO was detectable and NO increased 6- to 10-fold with bradykinin or A23187. In pulmonary endothelium, basal NO fell 58% at pO2 = 150 mm Hg and 51% at 40 mm Hg versus 680 mm Hg, while NO with bradykinin fell 56% and 63%, respectively. NO with A23187, however, was unchanged at 150 mm Hg, but it...
Supported Lipid Bilayers on Biocompatible Polysaccharide Multilayers

Solid-supported phospholipid bilayers are widely used as models to probe the function of cellular membranes and as platforms for membrane protein biosensing applications. Although supported lipid bilayers have a number of advantages in terms of ease of fabrication and characterization, the proximity of the membrane to the solid support is a limitation for applications that involve incorporation of integral membrane proteins. This limitation can be overcome by formation of supported lipid bilayers on soft polymer cushions. We have prepared biocompatible polymer cushions by the layer-by-layer assembly of two polysaccharide polyelectrolytes, chitosan (CHI) and hyaluronic acid (HA), on glass substrates. (CHI/HA)5 films were characterized by atomic force microscopy, giving an average thickness of 57 and roughness of 25 nm in aqueous solution at pH 6.5. Formation of zwitterionic lipid bilayers by the vesicle fusion method was attempted using DOPC vesicles at pH 4 and pH 6.5 on (CHI/HA)5 films. At higher pH adsorbed lipids had low mobility and large immobile lipid fractions; a combination of fluorescence and AFM indicated that this was due to the formation of heterogeneous membranes with defects and pinned lipids, rather than to a layer of surface adsorbed vesicles. By contrast, more uniform bilayers with mobile lipids were produced at pH 4. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching gave diffusion coefficients that were similar to those for bilayers on PEG cushions and considerably higher than those measured on other polyelectrolyte films. The formation of bilayers containing reconstituted integral membrane protein was compared on PEM and PEG films. These results demonstrate that polysaccharides provide a useful alternative to other polymer cushions, particularly for applications where biocompatibility is important.
Laser excited time-resolved fluorescence of the Cl2CS molecule

Abstract Previously unreported fluorescence of the hiophosgene molecule is observed. Single vibronic 1 (Π*-n) eigenstates are excited with a high power, pulsed monochromatic dye laser. Gas kinetic quenching rates and collision-free lifetimes of about 35 μsec are observed. A vibrational energy threshold of ≈3400 cm −1 for the onset of nonradiative unimolecular processes is found.
Isolation and expression of a sterol carrier protein-2 gene from the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

Trafficking of cholesterol in insects is a very important process due to the fact that insects depend on dietary cholesterol to fulfil their physiological needs. We identified a putative mosquito sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) cDNA from fourth instar subtracted cDNA library. The AeSCP-2 protein has high degree homology in the sterol transfer domain to both rat and human SCP-2. Transcripts of AeSCP-2 in fourth instars were detected strongly in the midgut, and weakly in the head and hindgut. In the early pupae, AeSCP-2 transcription was observed in the thorax, head and body wall of abdomen, but not in the gut. The interaction of mosquito sterol carrier protein-2 (AeSCP-2) with cholesterol was examined. The Kd of purified recombinant AeSCP-2 to cholesterol was 5.6 ± 0.6 × 10−9 m using radiolabelled cholesterol-binding assay. The results suggest that AeSCP-2 has high affinity to cholesterol and may function as a carrier protein in mosquitoes.
Peripheral conversion of L-5-Hydroxytryptophan to serotonin induces drinking in rats

Female rats administered serotonin (0.25 to 4.0 mg/kg, s.c.) showed a dose-dependent increase in water intake. The dipsogenic response was nearly maximal when 2 mg/kg was administered s.c. and plateaued by 2 hr after treatment. l-5Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), the precursor of serotonin, is also a potent dipsogen which induces drinking by way of the renin-angiotensin system. The possibility that the dipsogenic activity of 5-HTP is dependent on decarboxylation to serotonin was the objective of these studies. Either benserazide (30 mg/kg. s.c.), a central and peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, or carbidopa (6.5 mg/kg, s.c.), a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, was administered 15 min prior to the dipsogen. Both decarboxylase inhibitors attenuated the dipsogenic response to 5-HTP (25 mg/kg, s.c.) but not to serotonin (2 mg/kg, s.c.). The peripheral serotonergic receptor antagonist, methysergide (3 mg/kg, i.p.), blocked the dipsogenic responses to both 5-HTP (25 mg/kg, s.c.) and serotonin (2 mg/kg, s.c.). There was no interaction between 5-HTP (18 mg/kg, s.c.) and serotonin (1 mg/kg, s.c.) when administered simultaneously with respect to their dipsogenic effects. Thus, the drinking response accompanying administration of 5-HTP occurs following peripheral conversion to serotonin which, in turn, activates peripheral serotonergic receptors. The mechanism(s) by which activation of peripheral serotonergic receptors increases water intake is not known, but appears to involve release of renin from the kidney.
Penetration of a Lateral Sonic Gas Jet into a Hypersonic Stream

4 Singleton, R. E., Nash, J. F., Carr, L. W., and Patel, V. C, "Unsteady Turbulent Boundary-Layer Analysis," TM X-62, 242, Feb. 1973, NASA. 5 Singleton, R. E. and Nash, J. F., "A Method for Calculating Unsteady Turbulent Boundary Layers in Twoand Three-Dimensional Flows," Proceedings of the AIAA Computational Fluid Dynamics Conference, July 1973, AIAA, Palm Springs, Calif. 6 Nash, J. F. and Patel, V. C., "A Generalized Method for the Calculation of Three-Dimensional Turbulent Boundary Layers," Fluid Dynamics of Unsteady, Three-Dimensional and Separated Flows, Proceedings of Project SQUID Workshop, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga, June 1971. 7 Nash, J. F. and Patel, V. C., Three-Dimensional Turbulent Boundary Layers, SBC Technical Books, Sybucon, Inc., Atlanta, Ga., 1972. 8 Bradshaw, P., Ferriss, D. H., and Atwell, N. P., "Calculations of Boundary-Layer Development Using the Turbulent Energy Equation," Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 28, 1967, p. 593. 9 Bradshaw, P., "Calculation of Boundary Layer Development Using the Turbulent Energy Equation, VI, Unsteady Flow," NPL Aerospace Rept. 1288, Feb. 1969, National Physical Laboratory, England. 10 Sears, W. R. and Telionis, D. P., "Unsteady Boundary-Layer Separation," Recent Research on Unsteady Boundary Layers (Proceedings of the IUTAM Symposium, Quebec 1971), edited by E. A. Eichelbrenner, Presses de FUniversite Laval, Quebec 1972.
In Defense of Natural Theology: A Post‐Humean Assessment – Edited by James F. Sennett and Douglas Groothuis (eds)

Book reviewed: In Defense of Natural Theology: A Post-Humean Assessment, James F. Sennett and Douglas Groothuis (eds), Intervarsity Press 2005 (0-8308-2767-6), 336 pp., pb $13.00
Divergent phenotype of rat thoracic and abdominal perivascular adipose tissues

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is implicated as a source of proatherogenic cytokines. Phenotypic differences in local PVAT depots may contribute to differences in disease susceptibility among arteries and even regions within an artery. It has been proposed that PVAT around the abdominal and thoracic aorta shares characteristics of white and brown adipose tissue (BAT), respectively; however, a detailed comparison of the phenotype of these PVAT depots has not been performed. Using young and older adult rats, we compared the phenotype of PVATs surrounding the abdominal and thoracic aorta to each other and also to epididymal white and subscapular BAT. Compared with young rats, older rats exhibited greater percent body fat (34.5 ± 3.1 vs. 10.4 ± 0.9%), total cholesterol (112.2 ± 7.5 vs. 58.7 ± 6.3 mg/dl), HOMA-insulin resistance (1.7 ± 0.1 vs. 0.9 ± 0.1 a.u.), as well as reduced ACh-induced relaxation of the aorta (maximal relaxation: 54 ± 10 vs. 77 ± 6%) (all P < 0.05). Expression of inflammatory genes and markers of immune cell infiltration were greater in abdominal PVAT than in thoracic PVAT, and overall, abdominal and thoracic PVATs resembled the phenotype of white adipose tissue (WAT) and BAT, respectively. Histology and electron microscopy indicated structural similarity between visceral WAT and abdominal PVAT and between BAT and thoracic PVAT. Our data provide evidence that abdominal PVAT is more inflamed than thoracic PVAT, a difference that was by and large independent of sedentary aging. Phenotypic differences in PVAT between regions of the aorta may be relevant in light of the evidence in large animals and humans that the abdominal aorta is more vulnerable to atherosclerosis than the thoracic aorta.
Use of midazolam for refractory status epilepticus in pediatric patients.

Status epilepticus is more common among children than young adults. Children might be less likely to die and might be resistant to permanent neurologic damage due to status epilepticus, but signifi...
Evidence of Chemical Stimulation of Hepatic Metabolism by an Experimental Acetanilide (FOE 5043) Indirectly Mediating Reductions in Circulating Thyroid Hormone Levels in the Male Rat

Abstract N -(4-Fluorophenyl)- N -(1-methylethyl)-2-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]oxy]acetamide (FOE 5043) is a new acetanilide-type herbicide undergoing regulatory testing. Previous work in this laboratory suggested that FOE 5043-induced reductions in serum thyroxine (T 4 ) levels were mediated via an extrathyroidal site of action. The possibility that the alterations in circulating T 4 levels were due to chemical induction of hepatic thyroid hormone metabolism was investigated. Treatment with FOE 5043 at a rate of 1000 ppm as a dietary admixture was found to significantly increase the clearance of [ 125 I]T 4 from the serum, suggesting an enhanced excretion of the hormone. In the liver, the activity of hepatic uridine glucuronosyl transferase, a major pathway of thyroid hormone biotransformation in the rat, increased in a statistically significant and dose-dependent manner; conversely, hepatic 5′-monodeiodinase activity trended downward with dose. Bile flow as well as the hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of [ 125 I]T 4 were increased following exposure to FOE 5043. Thyroidal function, as measured by the discharge of iodide ion in response to perchlorate, and pituitary function, as measured by the capacity of the pituitary to secrete thyrotropin in response to an exogenous challenge by hypothalamic thyrotropin releasing hormone, were both unchanged from the controlled response. These data suggest that the functional status of the thyroid and pituitary glands has not been altered by treatment with FOE 5043 and that reductions in circulating levels of T 4 are being mediated indirectly through an increase in the biotransformation and excretion of thyroid hormone in the liver.
An Examination of Compulsory School Attendance Ages and High School Dropout and Completion

An increasingly popular, but underresearched, initiative aimed at reducing high school dropout is raising the compulsory school attendance age. This study used a national data set from academic years 2001-02 to 2005-06 to examine the grade level at which students drop out, rates of dropout over time, and high school completion by state, region of the country, and compulsory school attendance ages of 16, 17, and 18. Results indicated that the compulsory school attendance age had a small relationship with the timing of dropout but no meaningful relationship with high school graduation. Also, no discernible pattern of reductions in drop-out rates was evident for states that raised their attendance ages. Implications and the effective prevention strategies are discussed.
Collider searches for dark matter in events with a Z boson and missing energy

Searches for dark matter at colliders typically involve signatures with energetic initial-state radiation without visible recoil particles. Searches for monojet or monophoton signatures have yielded powerful constraints on dark matter interactions with Standard Model particles. We extend this to the mono-$Z$ signature and reinterpret an ATLAS analysis of events with a $Z$ boson and missing transverse momentum to derive constraints on dark matter interaction mass scale and nucleon cross sections in the context of effective field theories describing dark matter which interacts via heavy mediator particles with quarks or weak bosons.
Bioactivation of the selective estrogen receptor modulator desmethylated arzoxifene to quinoids: 4'-fluoro substitution prevents quinoid formation.

Although selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are useful in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, the SERM tamoxifen has been associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer possibly due to metabolism to electrophilic quinoids. Another SERM, arzoxifene is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of breast cancer, and since it has similar structural characteristics to tamoxifen, it also has the potential to form quinoids. In the current study, the active form of arzoxifene in vivo, desmethylated arzoxifene (DMA), was synthesized and chemically or enzymatically oxidized to DMA diquinone methide. The half-life of DMA diquinone methide at physiological pH and temperature was approximately 15 s. Reaction of DMA diquinone methide with glutathione (GSH) gave four mono-GSH conjugates, two di-GSH conjugates, and one tri-GSH conjugate. In incubations of DMA with GSH and either rat or human liver microsomes, DMA o-quinone−GSH conjugates were detected in addition to DMA diquinone meth...
Internet, education, and the Web

With the evolving Global Information Infrastructure (GII), we are witnessing the start of a revolution in information technology that has the potential to impact the form and structure of the university beyond anything we can currently imagine. The way we search for knowledge and information is undergoing a profound change. This technology and its future evolution has the potential of making Internet-based telelearning the new educational paradigm at local and global levels. In this paper, we expound on characteristics of this educational paradigm that make it different from traditional video-based distance learning. These include interactivity, multimedia, self-paced speed, exam-on-demand, programmed educational modules covering different aspects of the same topic at varying levels of difficulty, adaptivity, and usefulness for learning-disabled students. We present software tools based on the World Wide Web that can be used as teaching aids. They provide an integrated "notebook" interface for information access as well as computation. Some of the authors are involved in offering a "virtual" section of an introductory programming course, which is briefly described.
Mitochondrial DNA Diversity in Mennonite Communities from the Midwestern United States

We examined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in six Mennonite communities from Kansas (Goessel, Lone Tree, Garden View, Meridian, and Garden City) and Nebraska (Henderson) to determine their genetic structure and its relationship to population history. Mitochondrial DNA haplogroup and haplotype information were obtained from blood samples from 118 individuals. Molecular genetic variation was analyzed using diversity measures, neutrality test statistics, spatial analysis of molecular variance (SAMOVA), and multidimensional scaling plots. The Mennonite samples exhibited eight western European mtDNA haplogroups: H, HV0, I, J, K, T, U, and X. Comparable to other populations of European descent, haplogroup H was the most frequent in all six communities and ranged from 35% in Lone Tree to 75% in Old Order Mennonites from Garden City. Fifty-eight different mtDNA haplotypes were found in these groups with only one shared among all six populations. Haplotype diversities varied from 0.81 in Goessel to 0.96 in Henderson and Garden View. Multivariate statistical analysis of these populations indicates that these Anabaptist communities formed new congregations by fissioning along familial lines. Population subdivision of these communities into congregations supports previously documented patterns of fission-fusion. These haploid molecular data provide a more accurate reflection of biological relationships between midwestern Mennonite communities than evidence based on classical genetic markers.
Absolute-stability test for discrete systems.

Numerical absolute stability test for nonlinear discrete systems using bilinear transformation
Exact Critical Values for Bartlett's Test for Homogeneity of Variances

Abstract Consider n normal populations. Random samples of equal size m are taken from each population. It is desired to use the Bartlett procedure to test at level α the hypothesis of equal variances. A method is presented to provide exact critical values of the Bartlett test statistic. Computed exact critical values are tabulated for various (n, d, α), where d = m - 1 denotes the common number of degrees of freedom.
Forward error correction for high-speed I/O

Modern state-of-the-art high-speed (Gb/s) I/O links today rely exclusively upon an equalization-based transceiver to achieve a bit error-rate (BER) of 10-15. This paper explores the potential of applying forward error-correction (FEC) in such links to reduce power and BER. The FEC coding gain can be employed to lower the power consumed in the analog components (e.g., transmit driver, clock recovery unit (CRU)) since these do not scale with process technology. A BER improvement of six orders-of-magnitude and ten orders-of-magnitude is demonstrated for a 20" FR4 channel operating at 10 Gb/s with a LE and a DFE, respectively, using a BCH code. Savings in the encoder-decoder power overhead of up to 50% is demonstrated for a (63, 36, 11) BCH code using a novel gated decoder architecture.
Infrared Sensing for On-Line Weld Geometry Monitoring and Control

This paper describes a method for on-line weld geometry monitoring and control using a single front-side infrared sensor. Variations in plate thickness, shielding gas composition and minor element content are known to cause weld geometry changes. These changes in the weld geometry can be distinctly detected from an analysis of temperature gradients computed from infrared data. Deviations in temperature gradients were used to control the bead width and depth of penetration during the welding process. The analytical techniques described in this paper have been used to control gas tungsten arc and gas metal arc welding processes.
Wheeze Phenotypes in Young Children Have Different Courses During the Preschool Period

J Just, P Saint-Pierre, R Gouvis-Echraghi. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013;111(4):256–261.e1 The goal of this study was to evaluate whether categorizing children with early wheeze based on their trigger can help predict their disease course in the preschool years. Initially, 300 children aged <3 years with a history of wheeze were enrolled. Follow-up data were available on 150 of the children at age 5 years. The children with a history of wheeze were enrolled at <3 years of age and divided based on history into 3 groups: mild early viral …
Cannabinoids selectively decrease paired-pulse facilitation of perforant path synaptic potentials in the dentate gyrus in vitro

Abstract Perforant path synaptic potentials recorded from the outer molecular layer of the dentate gyrus were tested for paired-pulse potentiation and stimulus sensitivity in the presence and absence of the potent cannabinoid receptor ligand, WIN 55,212-2. Extracellular perforant path synaptic potential amplitudes were increased by 51% in 2 mM Ca2+ medium and 60% in 3 mM Ca2+ medium at a conditioning-test (C-T) interval of 10 ms, decreasing to 10–15% facilitation at an 80 ms C-T interval. Exposure to the potent cannabinoid receptor ligand WIN 55,212-2 produced a marked and dose-dependent reduction in the amplitude of the facilitated perforant path synaptic potentials. Maximum paired-pulse facilitation was reduced to 35% and 25% in 2.0 and 5.0 μM WIN 55,212-2 respectively. The effect was selective for potentials facilitated at C-T intervals of 10–60 ms. Input/output (I/O) curves of perforant path field potentials were shifted to the right in a dose-dependent (2.0 and 5.0 μM) manner by WIN 55,212-2. Significant differences in peak amplitudes of perforant path potentials were obtained at all suprathreshold stimulus intensities. A comparison of WIN 55,212-2 (5 μM) with the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (200 μM) showed that when both drugs were administered independently each produced similar decreases in perforant path paired-pulse potentiation. However when administered together at these concentrations baclofen and WIN failed to potentiate each other, suggesting nonadditivity due to effects on a common process. Results are discussed in terms of the potential pre-and postsynaptic role of cannabinoid receptors and the possibility that GABAB and cannabinoid receptors couple to a common presynaptic substrate for reducing paired-pulse facilitation of perforant path synaptic responses.
Testing a communication network model of employee turnover based on centrality

Abstract This study tested Feeley and Barnett's (1997) Erosion Model (EM) of employee turnover which predicts that individuals who are more central in their communication network will be more likely to remain at their position (or less likely to turnover). Seventy employees from three different organizations were surveyed about their attitudes toward their jobs and were also asked to indicate (by checklist) which employees they spoke to regularly at work. Turnover data were obtained at 3 and 6 months time after the surveys were completed. Results generally supported the Erosion Model of employee turnover. Those employees with high Degree or number of links in the network were less likely to turnover. Employees who required fewer links to communicate to all others in the network (i.e., Closeness) were also less likely to turnover but this relationship only approached statistical significance (p = .06). Betweenness, defined as the frequency with which a person falls between pairs of other positions in a net...
Nonlinear systems and differential geometry

Nonlinear systems which are governed by a finite number of ordinary differential equations with controls present constitute a large and important class models for practical purposes. In the last few years, there has been considerable progress in our understanding of this class of models. This is an expository paper devoted to surveying and explaining some of the main results currently available. Background material on manifold theory is included in order to make the paper more nearly self-contained.
Designing optimized pipelined global interconnects: algorithms and methodology impact

As across-chip wire delays exceed a clock cycle, interconnect pipelining becomes essential. However, the arbitrary insertion of flip-flops can change the differentials of latencies along paths in the circuit, and this can cause the implemented circuit to have a different functionality than was intended by the designer. Although it is possible to use design techniques that maintain the functionality of the circuit, an additional concern is a reduction in the throughput. This may be overcome by careful choices at various stages of design that impact the across-chip wire latencies. The paper surveys the published work on wire-pipelining, describes its impact on circuit and system level throughput, and outlines some of the problems to be resolved in formulating a wire-pipelining centric strategy for physical design.
A Search for New Classes of Conducting Polymers using 4d and 5d Metal Porphyrin Complexes

Studies of molecular superconductivity have centered around a class of closely-related charge transfer salts. The synthesis, structural characterization, and especially the physics of this class of molecular superconductors dominate this conference.
Process Monitoring In Accounting: Implementing Pre-Control Charts

This research paper has two primary goals. The first is to briefly discuss how control charts and pre-control charts can be applied to non-manufacturing processes, including how companies can use control charts and pre-control charts to improve business processes, financial reporting processes, auditing methods, and tax accounting processes. The second goal is to illustrate how pre-control can be applied to an accounting process. An example is used to demonstrate implementation of Six Sigma techniques for monitoring company expense budget variances.
Looking Ahead to the Past

As technology advances, we realize that there is still much to learn about well-trodden subjects such as metabolism and RNA biology. Yaffe makes his predictions for three areas from the past to watch for exciting revelations in cellular regulation.
Beyond Motivation: A Model of Registered Nurses' Participation and Persistence in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs:

This study explored registered nurses' participation in baccalaureate nursing programs as a holistic phenomenon, focusing on eliciting their perspective of the process. Indepth unstructured interviews were conducted with 18 registered nurses who were at various points in their pursuit of the baccalaureate degree in nursing. Analysis revealed seven themes which were incorporated into a model describing registered nurses' participation in baccalaureate nursing programs. The themes define the primary tasks involved in participation and persistence, and describe factors which influence the achievement of these tasks. The findings identify a new variable involved in participation, increase our understanding of the role played by life transitions in participation, suggest a framework for examining relationships between school and nonschool variables in dropout, and have implications for several aspects of practice.