cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transforming Growth Factor β Activation of p44mapk in Proliferating Cultures of Epithelial Cells

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent growth inhibitor of a variety of epithelial cell types. The primary signaling mechanism involved in mediating this and other cellular effects of TGF-beta is still unknown. We report here that both TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 resulted in a rapid activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p44mapk, occurring within 5-10 min of growth factor addition. This effect occurred in exponentially proliferating cultures of intestinal epithelial (IEC) 4-1 cells under conditions in which DNA synthesis was inhibited by 95% to 98%. Furthermore, TGF-beta 2 induced a sustained activation of p44mapk under these conditions, lasting for at least 90 min after initial growth factor treatment. Another TGF-beta-sensitive epithelial cell line (CCL 64) displayed a similar rapid increase in p44mapk activity when treated with TGF-beta 1. In contrast, in IEC 4-6 cells that are resistant to TGF-beta effects on growth and DNA synthesis, TGF-beta 2 treatment did not result in an activation of p44mapk. In contrast to the results in proliferating cultures, treatment of quiescent cultures of IEC 4-1 cells with TGF-beta 2 resulted in no significant change in either DNA synthesis or p44mapk activity within 15 min of TGF-beta addition. In contrast, addition of the growth-stimulatory combination of factors (epidermal growth factor + insulin + transferrin = EIT) to quiescent and proliferating IEC 4-1 cells stimulated DNA synthesis and resulted in a sustained activation of p44mapk. Together, our results suggest an association between activation of p44mapk and both TGF-beta-mediated growth inhibition and EIT-mediated growth stimulation. This suggests that the specificity for the cellular effects of growth factors may not occur at the level of MAPK activation per se, but rather at downstream events that include phosphorylation of distinct transcriptional complexes and activation of a select assortment of genes. With regard to TGF-beta specifically, we have proposed a model to explain how activation of p44mapk may be associated with a growth-inhibitory response.
Characteristics of scheduled bleeding manipulation with combined hormonal contraception in university students.

Abstract Background There is a lack of information concerning the decision factors and sources of information influencing women who purposefully deviate from the prescribed use of their combined hormone contraceptives to exert elective control of their scheduled bleeding. Study Design A self-administered email survey of scheduled bleeding practices and beliefs was distributed to 11,900 female students at the University of Oregon. Assessment of survey participant characteristics, scheduled bleeding manipulation features and attitudes and knowledge toward hormonal contraception was analyzed. Results Of 1719 respondents to the survey, 1374 (79.9%) reported using combined hormonal contraception currently or recently. Approximately 17% of these women altered their scheduled bleeding pattern by deviating from package instructions. Of these, 50% indicated they delayed or skipped their scheduled bleeding for convenience or personal choice. Within this group, 47% of women indicated they learned to modify their scheduled bleeding from health care professionals, while 30% indicated such knowledge was obtained from family or friends. Characteristics that decreased the likelihood of this practice included being of Asian race, use of hormonal contraceptive for bleeding cycle regulation, following a regular exercise program, and personal preference for a monthly cycle. Conclusions The majority of university females who choose to modify their scheduled bleeding cycle with combined hormonal contraceptives do so for convenience rather than to avoid menstrual symptoms, and many learn from nonmedical sources. There is some disparity between the preferences of menstruation frequency and actual scheduled bleeding pattern behaviors, suggesting potential for improvement in patient education.
A dynamical system pair with identical first two moments but different probability densities

Often in the literature, stochastic dynamical systems are approximated by moment closure techniques, closure in second moment being common practice. This refers to truncating the statistics generated by time varying probability density functions which evolve under the action of the trajectory-level dynamics. Although it is known that such moment closure approximations may lead to incorrect inferences, explicit examples at the dynamical systems level, are rare in the literature. In this paper, using optimal transport theory, we construct two dynamical systems such that starting from the same initial condition ensemble, their first two moments match at all times, but the underlying probability densities do not. This example serves as a motivation to consider the entire joint probability density function, as opposed to first few moments, for approximating stochastic systems in general, and stochastic jump linear systems in particular.
Specific tlc Determination of Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole in Plasma

A simple spectrodensitometric method for the direct determination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole is based upon measurement of the absorbance of the two compounds on silica gel plates irradiated at 280 and 265 nm, respectively. Unlike the procedure for trimethoprim based on its fluorescence, which requires time for the development of the intensity of the spots, absorbance can be measured immediately. For both compounds, quantities as low as 0.005 μg can be detected and a linear relationship is observed between the integrated peak area and the amount on the plate between 0.02 and 0.5 μg. The percent recovery over the normal range of plasma concentrations for both compounds was 96–105%. This procedure for sulfamethoxazole is compared directly with a method based upon the Bratton-Marshall reaction.
Anticoagulant effects on plasma coenzyme Q10 estimated by HPLC with coulometric detection

Abstract Background : The proportion of reduced coenzyme Q 10 (Q 10 H 2 ) in total coenzyme Q 10 (TQ 10 ), referred to as the Q 10 H 2 :TQ 10 ratio, may be used as a possible marker of in vivo oxidative stress. However, the ranges for Q 10 H 2 :TQ 10 ratio from previous reports are quite variable. Sample handling and preparation appear to have a profound effect on the stability of Q 10 H 2 . Methods : Paired tests were used to estimate TQ 10 , Q 10 H 2 , oxidized coenzyme Q 10 (Q 10 ), and Q 10 H 2 :TQ 10 ratio in patient samples collected in vacutainers containing heparin or EDTA. Sample tubes were immediately placed on ice and promptly centrifuged. After harvesting plasma, 100 μl of plasma was extracted with 1-propanol and centrifuged. The supernatant was injected directly into a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Results : Significantly higher values ( p =0.0015) of TQ 10 , Q 10 H 2 , and Q 10 H 2 :TQ 10 ratio were noted in heparinized plasma as compared to EDTA plasma; Q 10 concentrations were lower in heparinized plasma. When vacutainers containing specimen were opened and kept refrigerated, the Q 10 H 2 :TQ 10 ratios in heparinized samples were stable over 7 h with variation 10 H 2 in closed heparin vacutainers kept refrigerated was stable up to 24 h. Conclusions : Our results indicate that the heparinized plasma is superior to the EDTA plasma in all measurements for coenzyme Q 10 .
High-speed phase-control of wavefronts with binary amplitude DMD for light control through dynamic turbid media

The optical imaging depth in biological materials is limited by the scattering of light in tissue. New methods which control light propagation through scattering media have been introduced with the potential to overcome the scattering of light in biological materials. These techniques shape the incident wavefront to pre-compensate for the scattering effects of light propagation in the material and beyond. However, living biological materials have speckle decorrelation times on the millisecond timescale. This fast rate of change makes liquid crystal spatial light modulation (LC-SLM) devices too slow for this task. To achieve the required wavefront control with high modulation speeds we present binary-amplitude off-axis computer-generated holography implemented on a digital micro-mirror device (DMD). Binary amplitude offaxis holography is a method for the generation of arbitrary wavefronts, and in particular uniform-amplitude phasemodulated images. As a result, we are able to simultaneously encode phase modulated wavefronts at the high frame rate of binary amplitude DMDs. This wavefront encoding technique allows for focusing through temporally dynamic turbid materials at a rate which approaches the decorrelation time of living biological tissue. We demonstrate this technique by high speed wavefront optimization for focusing through turbid media as well as through a dynamic, strongly scattering sample with short speckle decorrelation times. With this approach we attain an order of magnitude improvement in measurement speed over the previous fastest wavefront determination method and three orders of magnitude improvement over LC-SLM methods.
Design and characterization of dispersion compensating fiber based on the LP/sub 01/ mode

The practical implementation of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers with gain at 1.55 /spl mu/m allows long unrepeatered transmission distances. However, in order to realize high data rates over these distances with already installed standard single mode fiber, techniques must be found to overcome the pulse spreading due to the positive chromatic dispersion of the transmission fiber in this window, we review a compensation technique based on propagating the signals through a specially designed fiber with large negative dispersion for the LP/sub 01/ mode, thereby ending up with zero net pulse spreading. The basis of the concept are discussed and a key figure of merit for dispersion compensating devices is defined. The design and optimization of dispersion compensating (DC) fiber is described with special attention to practical concerns including packaging and manufacturability. We describe experimental fabrication results of DC fiber, results of using the fiber to make compact dispersion compensating modules, and the outcome of recent systems experiments incorporating the fiber. >
Real-time queueing network theory

This paper presents real-time queueing network theory, the extension of real-time queueing theory introduced by J.P. Lehoczky (1996) to Jackson queueing networks. This theory describes the behavior of standard Jackson queueing networks when the tasks have end-to-end deadlines. This theory is focused on describing the instantaneous multidimensional profiles of the lead-times of all the tasks in all the nodes of the network. The earliest end-to-end deadline first policy is used at all nodes in the network, although the theory permits other scheduling policies and different policies at different nodes. The real-time network problem is formulated in general, but it is analyzed under heavy traffic conditions where the traffic intensity at each node approaches 1. In this case, the multivariate queue length process converges to a Brownian network, a multivariate Brownian motion constrained to the first orthant. The conditional multivariate lead-time profiles at each of the nodes given the queue lengths converge to a deterministic profile. This characterization is borne out by simulation, and is used to design and evaluate queue control policies to reduce task lateness.
Agricultural risk modelling to improve market information systems in developing countries

Agricultural risk modelling can be incorporated into market information systems to provide additional information to farmers, traders, donors, and policy makers in developing countries for better agricultural risk management. The experience gained from developing agricultural risk models for the crop insurance sectors of the United States and China allows AIR to describe the model components and data sources needed for the development of similar models for other regions. This paper discusses examples of situations in which agricultural risk modelling can improve the market information provided to farmers and other stakeholders in developing countries.
A Thermionic Voltmeter Method for the Harmonic Analysis of Electrical Waves

A thermionic voltmeter method for the harmonic analysis of complex electrical waves is given. The sensitivity and accuracy of the method are tested by measuring wave forms of known harmonic content. Accuracy greater than 1 per cent (referred to the harmonic) for a harmonic of 10 per cent of the fundamental, and greater than 3 per cent accuracy for a 1 per cent harmonic may be obtained. Examples with oscillograms of various applications of the method are given. Sources of error and limits of sensitivity are discussed.
A privacy-sensitive approach to distributed clustering

While data mining algorithms are often designed to operate on centralized data, in practice data is often acquired and stored in a distributed manner. Centralization of such data before analysis may not be desirable, and often not possible due to a variety of real-life constraints such as security, privacy and communication costs. This paper presents a general framework for distributed clustering that takes into account privacy requirements. It is based on building probabilistic models of the data at each local site, whose parameters are then transmitted to a central location. We mathematically show that the best representative of all the local models is a certain ''mean'' model, and empirically show that this model can be approximated quite well by generating artificial samples from the local models using sampling techniques, and then fitting a global model of a chosen parametric form to these samples. We also propose a new measure that quantifies privacy based on information theoretic concepts, and show that decreasing privacy improves the quality of the global model and vice versa. Empirical results are provided on different kinds of data to highlight the generality of our framework. The results show that high quality global clusters can be achieved with little loss of privacy.
A general purpose Maxwell solver for the extraction of equivalent circuits of electronic package components for circuit simulation

The electromagnetic modeling of electronic packages is discussed, and a general-purpose Maxwell solver is presented for deriving equivalent circuits of various components of a package that can be inserted in a SPICE-type circuit simulation program to investigate the electrical performance of the package. The solver is based on the finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) algorithm. Its usefulness is illustrated by applying it to a number of representative problems. >
The concept of motivation.

(1958). The Concept of Motivation. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 58, No. 2, pp. 189-205.
The evaluation of cost-of-illness due to use of cost-of-illness-based chemicals

OBJECTIVES: This study is conducted to estimate the cost paid by the public suffering from disease possibly caused by chemical and to examine the effect on public health. METHODS: Cost-benefit analysis is an important factor in analysis and decision-making and is an important policy decision tool in many countries. Cost-of-illness (COI), a kind of scale-based analysis method, estimates the potential value lost as a result of illness as a monetary unit and calculates the cost in terms of direct, indirect and psychological costs. This study estimates direct medical costs, transportation fees for hospitalization and outpatient treatment, and nursing fees through a number of patients suffering from disease caused by chemicals in order to analyze COI, taking into account the cost of productivity loss as an indirect cost. RESULTS: The total yearly cost of the diseases studied in 2012 is calculated as 77 million Korean won (KRW) per person. The direct and indirect costs being 52 million KRW and 23 million KRW, respectively. Within the total cost of illness, mental and behavioral disability costs amounted to 16 million KRW, relevant blood immunological parameters costs were 7.4 million KRW, and disease of the nervous system costs were 6.7 million KRW. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports on a survey conducted by experts regarding diseases possibly caused by chemicals and estimates the cost for the general public. The results can be used to formulate a basic report for a social-economic evaluation of the permitted use of chemicals and limits of usage.
How does ideology matter in the spatial model of voting

In spatial voting games without a core, if candidates are constrained on one issue, they are implicitly constrained on other issues. Thus external constraints affect optimal positions for candidates. Using new solution concepts, we find the optimal position for a candidate given any linear constraint, given an opponent’s constraint, and determine conditions when constraints are sufficient to yield unbeatable positions.
In vitro activation of ammonia monooxygenase from Nitrosomonas europaea by copper.

The effect of copper on the in vivo and in vitro activity of ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) from the nitrifying bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea was investigated. The addition of CuCl2 to cell extracts resulted in 5- to 15-fold stimulation of ammonia-dependent O2 consumption, ammonia-dependent nitrite production, and hydrazine-dependent ethane oxidation. AMO activity was further stimulated in vitro by the presence of stabilizing agents, including serum albumins, spermine, or MgCl2. In contrast, the addition of CuCl2 and stabilizing agents to whole-cell suspensions did not result in any stimulation of AMO activity. The use of the AMO-specific suicide substrate acetylene revealed two populations of AMO in cell extracts. The low, copper-independent (residual) AMO activity was completely inactivated by acetylene in the absence of exogenously added copper. In contrast, the copper-dependent (activable) AMO activity was protected against acetylene inactivation in the absence of copper. However, in the presence of copper both populations of AMO were inactivated by acetylene. [14C]acetylene labelling of the 27-kDa polypeptide of AMO revealed the same extent of label incorporation in both whole cells and optimally copper-stimulated cell extracts. In the absence of copper, the label incorporation in cell extracts was proportional to the level of residual AMO activity. Other metal ions tested, including Zn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Cr3+, and Ag+, were ineffective at stimulating AMO activity or facilitating the incorporation of 14C label from [14C]acetylene into the 27-kDa polypeptide. On the basis of these results, we propose that loss of AMO activity upon lysis of N. europaea results from the loss of copper from AMO, generating a catalytically inactive, yet stable and activable, form of the enzyme. Images
WHO healthy cities and the US family support movements: a marriage made in heaven or estranged bed fellows?

The family support movement in the US emerged at about the same time that the WHO Healthy Cities project was gaining momentum in Europe and the underlying principles and ecologic frameworks of the two have much in common. However while many Healthy Cities in Europe have included activities that benefit families this has not been made a major focus. There seems to be little awareness of experience gained in the US in terms of establishing programs with limited or no government funding using volunteers and developing social marketing and advocacy strategies sustain long term viability. Similarly cities and states in the US are struggling to develop networks of family support programs and they appear to be doing this without the benefit of experience gained in Healthy Cities projects on how to engage political leadership develop public policies establish intersectoral councils fund a coordinator position mobilize neighborhoods and evaluate community wide health promotion programs. The purpose of this paper is to examine how these two movements might join forces and learn from each other. (authors)
Topographic Maps within Brodmann's Area 5 of Macaque Monkeys

Brodmann's area 5 has traditionally included the rostral bank of the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) as well as posterior portions of the postcentral gyrus and medial wall. However, different portions of this large architectonic zone may serve different functions related to reaching and grasping behaviors. The current study used multiunit recording techniques in anesthetized macaque monkeys to survey a large extent of the rostral bank of the IPS so that hundreds of recording sites could be used to determine the functional subdivisions and topographic organization of cortical areas in this region. We identified a lateral area on the rostral IPS that we term area 5L. Area 5L contains neurons with receptive fields on mostly the shoulder, forelimb, and digits, with no apparent representation of other body parts. Thus, there is a large magnification of the forelimb. Receptive fields for neurons in this region often contain multiple joints of the forelimb or multiple digits, which results in imprecise topography or fractures in map organization. Our results provide the first overall topographic map of area 5L obtained in individual macaque monkeys and suggest that this region is distinct from more medial portions of the IPS.
THALLUS ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE FRUTICOSE LICHENASPICILIA CALIFORNICA, WITH COMPARISONS TO OTHER TAXA

Thallus organization is examined inAspicilia californicaRosentreter, a fruticose lichen known from several localities in central and southern California. The sprawling, terete thallus branches possess a dense central medulla of thick-walled, longitudinally oriented fungal cells. This central tissue emerges at branch apices to form a darkly pigmented fungal tip. Thallus development involves the apical extension of the tip to produce a fungal tissue over which a cylindrical algal layer and cortex will eventually be formed. Apical branches are initiated by furcation entirely within the fungal tip. Lateral branches, emerging from the lichenized thallus, arise as a divergent bundle of elongate fungal cells originating in the medulla. The photobiont appears to play no direct role in initiation of apical or lateral branches. It is concluded that thallus development inA. californicaoccurs with a relatively low degree of synchrony between mycobiont and photobiont growth, similar to the pattern observed in crustose lichens with prothallic growth. A rather similar type of thallus organization is observed inA. hispida, although in that species mycobiont growth and branch initiation appear to be somewhat more closely associated with algal cell proliferation. A squamuloseAspiciliafrom central Spain produces rhizomorphs that may sometimes become invested with an algal layer and cortex, resembling the thallus axes ofA. californica.
Impaired Male Sexual Behavior in Activin Receptor Type II Knockout Mice

Integration of multiple hormonal and neuronal signaling pathways in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) is required for elicitation of male sexual behavior in most vertebrates. Perturbation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the mPOA causes significant defects in male sexual behavior. Although activins and their signaling components are highly expressed throughout the brain, including the mPOA, their functional significance in the central nervous system (CNS) is unknown. Here, we demonstrate a neurophysiologic role for activin signaling in male reproductive behavior. Adult activin receptor type II null (Acvr2 � /� ) male mice display multiple reproductive behavioral deficits, including delayed initiation of copulation, reduced mount, and intromission frequencies, and increased mount, intromission, and ejaculation latencies. These behavioral defects in the adult mice are independent of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) homeostasis or mating-induced changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels. The impairment in behavior can be correlated to the nitric oxide content in the CNS because Acvr2 � /� males have decreased NOS activity in the mPOA but not the rest of the hypothalamus or cortex. Olfactory acuity tests confirmed that Acvr2 � /� mice have no defects in general odor or pheromone recognition. In addition, motor functions are not impaired and the mutants demonstrate normal neuromuscular coordination and balance. Furthermore, the penile histology in mutant mice appears normal, with no significant differences in the expression of penile differentiation marker genes compared with controls, suggesting the observed behavioral phenotypes are not due to structural defects in the penis. Our studies identify a previously unrecognized role of activin signaling in male sexual behavior and suggest that activins and/or related family members are upstream regulators of NOS activity within the mPOA of the forebrain.
The influence of melting on the calculation of explosive induction time

Calculated induction times to explosion for 1.0 cm radius spheres of TNT are reported. It is shown that an error of the order of 50% can be expected if the melting process is neglected.
Readmission of patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Abstract Objective: To assess rates, reasons, and predictors of hospital readmission after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: In this prospective, descriptive, correlational study, 124 subjects responded to a mailed questionnaire 6 weeks after undergoing CABG at Yale New Haven Hospital. Results: The sample was 79% male, 94% white, and had a mean age of 66 ± 10 years and a mean length of stay of 5.7 ± 1.8 days. A total of 14.5% had unplanned cardiac-related readmissions (44% to their community hospital). Chest pain with or without shortness of breath was the primary reason for readmission (33%), followed by incisional problems (17%) and analgesic reactions (17%). Logistic regression analysis, based on bivariate analyses, revealed that female sex (odds ratio 4.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-14.6; P = .007) and obesity (odds ratio 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-11.6; P = .026) predicted hospital readmission. Conclusions: Effective follow-up, with particular focus on women and the obese, may decrease readmissions. (Heart Lung® 1999;28:243-50).
Total Hepatectomy and Liver Replacement (Orthotopic Liver Transplantation) for Primary Hepatic Malignancy

There has been a high incidence of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for primary hepatic malignancy. Nevertheless, a small but significant palliation has been possible with this approach, even in patients who eventually died of recurrence. Two patients with incidental malignancies in their excised livers apparently have been cured. Further gains will be possible only with extremely discriminating selection of prospective recipients.
Terrestrial aftermath of the Moon-forming impact.

Much of the Earth's mantle was melted in the Moon-forming impact. Gases that were not partially soluble in the melt, such as water and CO2, formed a thick, deep atmosphere surrounding the post-impact Earth. This atmosphere was opaque to thermal radiation, allowing heat to escape to space only at the runaway greenhouse threshold of approximately 100 W m−2. The duration of this runaway greenhouse stage was limited to approximately 10 Myr by the internal energy and tidal heating, ending with a partially crystalline uppermost mantle and a solid deep mantle. At this point, the crust was able to cool efficiently and solidified at the surface. After the condensation of the water ocean, approximately 100 bar of CO2 remained in the atmosphere, creating a solar-heated greenhouse, while the surface cooled to approximately 500 K. Almost all this CO2 had to be sequestered by subduction into the mantle by 3.8 Ga, when the geological record indicates the presence of life and hence a habitable environment. The deep CO2 sequestration into the mantle could be explained by a rapid subduction of the old oceanic crust, such that the top of the crust would remain cold and retain its CO2. Kinematically, these episodes would be required to have both fast subduction (and hence seafloor spreading) and old crust. Hadean oceanic crust that formed from hot mantle would have been thicker than modern crust, and therefore only old crust underlain by cool mantle lithosphere could subduct. Once subduction started, the basaltic crust would turn into dense eclogite, increasing the rate of subduction. The rapid subduction would stop when the young partially frozen crust from the rapidly spreading ridge entered the subduction zone.
On the offshore distribution of tide and tidal current

The tides and tidal currents in offshore regions where the frictional effect is negligible are obtained from the tides at the adjacent shore stations by an approximate solution of the tidal equations. Application of the method to two known conditions gives good results where friction is negligible, but rather poor results for the longshore current where friction cannot properly be neglected.
Comparative Effectiveness of Oxaliplatin vs Non-Oxaliplatin-containing Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Stage III Colon Cancer

Results The survival advantage associated with the addition of oxaliplatin to adjuvant 5-FU was evident across diverse practice settings (3-year OS: RCTs, 86% [n = 1273]; SEER–Medicare, 80% [n = 1152]; CanCORS, 88% [n = 129]; NYSCR–Medicaid, 82% [n = 54]; NYSCR–Medicare, 79% [n = 180]; and NCCN, 86% [n = 438]). A statistically significant improvement in 3-year overall survival was seen in the largest cohort, SEER–Medicare, and in the NYSCR–Medicare cohort (non–oxaliplatin-containing vs oxaliplatin-containing adjuvant therapy, adjusted HR of death: pooled RCTs: HR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.70 to 0.92, P = .002; SEER–Medicare: HR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.60 to 0.82, P < .001; NYSCR–Medicare patients aged ≥65 years: HR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.38 to 0.90, P = .02). The association between oxaliplatin treatment and better survival was maintained in older and minority group patients, as well as those with higher comorbidity. Conclusion The addition of oxaliplatin to 5-FU appears to be associated with better survival among patients receiving adju
Protein Kinase Cζ Attenuates Hypoxia-induced Proliferation of Fibroblasts by Regulating MAP Kinase Phosphatase-1 Expression

We have previously found that hypoxia stimulates proliferation of vascular fibroblasts through Gαi-mediated activation of ERK1/2. Here, we demonstrate that hypoxia also activates the atypical protein kinase Cζ (PKCζ) isozyme and stimulates the expression of ERK1/2-specific phosphatase, MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), which attenuates ERK1/2-mediated proliferative signals. Replication repressor activity is unique to PKCζ because the blockade of classical and novel PKC isozymes does not affect fibroblast proliferation. PKCζ is phosphorylated upon prolonged (24 h) exposure to hypoxia, whereas ERK1/2, the downstream kinases, are maximally activated in fibroblasts exposed to acute (10 min) hypoxia. However, PKCζ blockade results in persistent ERK1/2 phosphorylation and marked increase in hypoxia-induced replication. Similarly prolonged ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increase in hypoxia-stimulated proliferation are also observed upon blockade of MKP-1 activation. Because of the parallel suppressive actions of PKCζ and MKP-1 on ERK1/2 phosphorylation and proliferation, the role of PKCζ in the regulation of MKP-1 expression was evaluated. PKCζ attenuation reduces MKP-1 expression, whereas PKCζ overexpression increases MKP-1 levels. In conclusion, our results indicate for the first time that hypoxia activates PKCζ, which acts as a terminator of ERK1/2 activation through the regulation of downstream target, MKP-1 expression and thus serves to limit hypoxia-induced proliferation of fibroblasts.
Vaccine Immunity to Coccidioidomycosis Occurs by Early Activation of Three Signal Pathways of T Helper Cell Response (Th1, Th2, and Th17)

We have previously reported that C57BL/6 mice vaccinated with a live, attenuated mutant of Coccidioides posadasii, referred to as the ΔT vaccine, are fully protected against pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. This model was used here to explore the nature of vaccine immunity during the initial 2-week period after intranasal challenge. Elevated neutrophil and eosinophil infiltration into the lungs of nonvaccinated mice contrasted with markedly reduced recruitment of these cells in vaccinated animals. The numbers of lung-infiltrated macrophages and dendritic cells showed a progressive increase in vaccinated mice and corresponded with reduction of the lung infection. Concentrations of selected inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were initially higher in lung homogenates of vaccinated mice but then generally decreased at 14 days postchallenge in correlation with containment of the organism and apparent dampening of the inflammation of host tissue. Profiles of cytokines detected in lung homogenates of ΔT-vaccinated mice were indicative of a mixed T helper 1 (Th1)-, Th2-, and Th17-type immune response, a conclusion which was supported by detection of lung infiltration of activated T cells with the respective CD4(+) gamma interferon (IFN-γ)(+), CD4(+) interleukin-5 (IL-5)(+), and CD4(+) IL-17A(+) phenotypes. While Th1 and Th2 immunity was separately dispensed of by genetic manipulation without loss of ΔT vaccine-mediated protection, loss of functional Th17 cells resulted in increased susceptibility to infection in immunized mice. Characterization of the early events of protective immunity to Coccidioides infection in vaccinated mice contributes to the identification of surrogates of immune defense and provides potential insights into the design of immunotherapeutic protocols for treatment of coccidioidomycosis.
Mental health services for American Indians and Eskimos.

Past and present mental health services for American Indians and Eskimos are surveyed and found to be inadequate. A plan is outlined for the development of such services based upon a cooperative rather than a paternalistic venture with these minority groups. The plan is based upon the use of indigenous therapists for individual and group psychotherapy, the modification of etiological beliefs, and an emphasis upon primary prevention. The Alaskan Eskimo is used to illustrate how these principles could be put into effect. The outcome would be a system of mental health services specifically adapted to the culture, realistically commensurate with available manpower, and compatible with dignity for the group.
A diphenol oxidase gene is part of a cluster of genes involved in catecholamine metabolism and sclerotization in Drosophila. II. Molecular localization of the Dox-A2 coding region.

Mutations at the Dox-A2 (2-53.9) locus alter the A2 component of diphenol oxidase, an enzyme having an important role in cuticle formation. This locus is in the dopa decarboxylase, Df( 2L)TW130 region, which contains a cluster of at least 14 genes involved in catecholamine metabolism and the formation, sclerotization and melanization of cuticle in Drosophila. The region is subdivided by deficiencies, and localization of breakpoints in cloned DNA reveals a dense subcluster of six genes in the 23 kb proximal to Ddc. Five lethal loci distal to Ddc comprise a second such subcluster. The proximal breakpoints of deficiencies Df(2L)hk18 and Df(2L)OD15 define a 14.3- to 16.8-kb region containing Dox-A2 and l(2 )37Bb, and those of Df(2L)OD15 and Df(2L)TW203 define a 9.3- to 12.1-kb region containing l(2)37Ba, l(2)37Bc and l( 2)37Be.—Southern blots show two of the Dox-A2 mutations are small deletions (0.1 and 1.1 kb). The Dox-A2 locus mRNA is 1.7 kb. cDNA clones indicate that the 3' end is centromere proximal and that the coding region contains at least one small intron. The Dox-A2 locus is within 3.4 to 4.4 kb of the Df(2L)OD15 breakpoint, placing four of the vital loci within a maximum of 15.5 kb. The location of Dox-A2 in a cluster of genes affecting cuticle formation is discussed.
The influence of text legibility on eye movements during reading

Subjects read passages of text on a video monitor as their eye movements were recorded. In Experiment 1, the passages were presented either in a format (ClearType) designed to display smoother, clearer characters on LCD monitors by eliminating pixilation or in standard format (non-ClearType). The passages were also presented in three different fonts (Times New Roman, Harrington and Script MT bold) which differed in how easy the letters were to encode. While there were no comprehension differences due to ClearType or font, ClearType led to faster reading, fewer fixations, and shorter fixation durations than non-ClearType. There were also font differences, with Times New Roman leading to faster reading than the other two fonts. In Experiment 2, we replicated the results that ClearType lead to faster reading than non-ClearType when subjects read single sentences with high or low frequency target words. Across both experiments, word frequency interacted with presentation format. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
T-Cell Effector Functions: Mechanisms for Delivery of Cytotoxicity and Help

INTRODUCTION 480 EFFECTOR-TARGET IN TERACTION .... .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . 481 Recognition and Adherence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481 The Surface Distribution of the TCR, CD4, and LFA -J in Effector-TC Conj ugates.. 482 Intracellular Polarization in the Eff ector Cells During Ef ector-Target Cell Interact ion .. . . . . . 483 Cy TOTOXICITy 486 The First Pathway o f Cytotoxicity 486 The Second Pathway of Cytotoxicity . . . . . . .. .... 487 The Third Pathway of Cytotoxicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . 487 The Fourth Pathway o f Cytotoxicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487 Target Cell Death: Execution or Induction of Suicide? ...... . . . . . . 489 VECTORIAL SECRETION OF CYTOTOXIC GRANULES 490 COMPOSITION OF CYTOLYTIC GRANULES 490 The Complexity of Cytolytic Granules and Possible Functional Consequences 490 Granule Proteins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 493 PERFORIN EXPRESSION AND CTL MATURATION 495 PERFORIN EXPRESSION IN VIVO 498 THE PERFORIN GEN E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 499
Synergy between Toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus

Synergistic interactions among the multiple endotoxins of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis de Barjac play an important role in its high toxicity to mosquito larvae and the absence of insecticide resistance in populations treated with this bacterium. A lack of toxin complexity and synergism are the apparent causes of resistance to Bacillus sphaericus Neide in particular Culex field populations. To identify endotoxin combinations of the two Bacillus species that might improve insecticidal activity and manage mosquito resistance to B. sphaericus, we tested their toxins alone and in combination. Most combinations of B. sphaericus and B. t. subsp. israelensis toxins were synergistic and enhanced toxicity relative to B. sphaericus, particularly against Culex quinquefasciatus Say larvae resistant to B. sphaericus and Aedes aegypti (L.), a species poorly susceptible to B. sphaericus. Toxicity also improved against susceptible Cx. quinquefasciatus. For example, when the CytlAa toxin from B. t. subsp. israelensis was added to Bin and Cry toxins, or when native B. t. subsp. israelensis was combined with B. sphaericus, synergism values as high as 883-fold were observed and combinations were 4-59,000-fold more active than B. sphaericus. These data, and previous studies using cytolytic toxins, validate proposed strategies for improving bacterial larvicides by combining B. sphaericus with B. t. subsp. israelensis or by engineering recombinant bacteria that express endotoxins from both strains. These combinations increase both endotoxin complexity and synergistic interactions and thereby enhance activity and help avoid insecticide resistance.
PERINATAL EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH MATERNAL SMOKING DURING PREGNANCY

To identify components of smoking-related increased perinatal mortality detailed analyses of data from the Ontario Perinatal Mortality Study (50000 births 1300 deaths 1960-1961) measured the relationship of maternal smoking to birth weight gestation placental complications and perinatal mortality. Cross-tabulations with other factors and multiple adjustment showed increases with amount smoked of birth weights < 2500 gm gestations < 38 weeks placenta previa abruptio placentae and perinatal mortality. These significant smoking-related increases were independent of mothers height weight hospital status age-parity group birthplace previous pregnancy history weight gain time of registration and sex of child. Maternal smoking had the strongest effect on birthweight in the 8 factor regression and birth < 2500 gm increased directly with smoking level from 20 to 340% in 37 data subgroups. Births < 38 weeks increased 20 and 50% and perinatal mortality increased 20 and 35% for < 1 pack and 1 + pack smokers respectively adjusted for 7 other factors. Placental complications increased consistently with smoking level in all of 37 subgroups except for primiparous < 1 pack smokers. Adjusted rates increased 25 and 92% for placenta previa 23 and 86% for abruptions among smokers of < 1 pack and 1 + packs respectively. These complications carry high perinatal mortality risk and account for 1/3 to 1/2 of the perinatal deaths attributable to maternal smoking.(AUTHORS)
Consensus Organizing: A Community Development Workbook, by M. L. Ohmer & K. DeMasi

Mary Ohmer and Karen DeMasi, both social workers, have drawn on their experiences as seasoned organizers to produce a workbook that focuses on one particular approach or style of organizing. Consen...
The Temporal Transition from Being Together to Being Alone: The Significance and Structure of Children’s Bedtime Stories

A focus on the temporal dimension of social life immediately reveals two fundamental categories—being together and being alone—and the fact that much of our life is spent in making the temporal transition between the two: between being alone and coming into contact with others, or being with others and leaving their presence to be either alone or with someone else. This paper focuses on the temporal transition from being together to being alone, in short, on the problems of ending social encounters. In other papers, we have developed the importance of the study of endings in general (Albert, 1973, 1975; Albert & Kessler, 1976a,b). Let us note here only that endings between individuals are frequent, that at times they are very difficult to achieve without intense anxiety and emotional turmoil, and finally, that they are central to the study of change that is conceptualized as a temporal partition between the end of one encounter, relationship, or process and the beginning of another.
The Missing Link in Royalty Analysis: An Essay on Resolving Value-Based Royalty Disputes

When a landowner or mineral owner enters into an oil and gas lease, their main form of compensation, in the event oil or gas is discovered, will be based on a percentage of the oil and gas produced from their leased land: a "royalty." Once oil and gas are produced, the commodity tends to increase in value as it moves away from the point of production, the "wellhead," towards its ultimate place of consumption, which may be hundreds of miles removed "downstream" from the wellhead. Costs will be incurred to move the oil and gas from the wellhead toward the point of consumption. Lessors will naturally seek a royalty based upon the increased values downstream of the wellhead. This raises two issues: (1) is the lessor entitled to any of the increased downstream value; and (2) if so, can the expenses associated with obtaining the increased downstream value be considered - deducted - to calculate the royalty due the lessor? This article examines these issues by defining the point at which the oil and gas lease relationship ends regarding oil and gas that have been extracted from the leased land. This missing link analysis focuses on a fundamental issue courts must address to properly resolve lessor/lessee royalty value disputes: When does the lease relationship come to an end? Courts have not articulated an analysis for determining when in the life of the lease, the lease relationship, ends. At what point in the oil and gas development and production process are the lessor and lessee no longer contractually obligated to one another? When has the relationship run its course? Answers to these questions are offered in this essay.
Editor's Column: The Best Laid Plans

The editor discusses a recent workplace incident in which her privacy was violated through social media. This incident raises many questions regarding privacy in the workplace and echoes problems in the larger context of academia.
Synthesis of Itaconic Acid Ester Analogues via Self-Aldol Condensation of Ethyl Pyruvate Catalyzed by Hafnium BEA Zeolites

Lewis acidic zeolites are used to synthesize unsaturated dicarboxylic acid esters via aldol condensation of keto esters. Hafnium-containing BEA (Hf-BEA) zeolites catalyze the condensation of ethyl pyruvate into diethyl 2-methyl-4-oxopent-2-enedioate and diethyl 2-methylene-4-oxopentanedioate (an itaconic acid ester analogue) with a selectivity of ca. 80% at ca. 60% conversion in a packed-bed reactor. The catalyst is stable for 132 h on stream, reaching a turnover number of 5110 molEP molHf–1. Analysis of the dynamic behavior of Hf-BEA under flow conditions and studies with Na-exchanged zeolites suggest that Hf(IV) open sites possess dual functionality for Lewis and Bronsted acid catalysis.
Effect of curvature and thickness on elastic wave velocity in cornea-like structures by FEM and OCE

Wave models, which have been utilized in the past to reconstruct corneal biomechanical properties based on the propagation of an elastic wave, were often developed assuming a thin-plate geometry. However, the curvature and thickness of the cornea are not considered when utilizing these models. In this work, optical coherence elastography (OCE) experiments were conducted on tissue-mimicking agar phantoms and contact lenses along with finite element (FE) modeling of four kinds of cornea-like structures to understand the effects of curvature and thickness on the group velocity of an elastic wave. As the radius of curvature increased from 19.1 to 47.7 mm, the group velocity of the elastic wave obtained by both FE and OCE from a spherical shell section model decreased from ~2.8 m/s to ~2.2 m/s. When the thickness of the agar phantom increased from 1.9 mm to 5.6 mm, the elastic wave velocity increased from ~3.0 m/s to ~4.1 m/s. Both the FE and OCE results show that the group velocity of the elastic wave decreased with radius of curvature but increased with thickness. Therefore, the curvature and thickness must be considered when developing accurate wave models for quantifying biomechanical properties of the cornea.