cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oestrogen causes degradation of KLF5 by inducing the E3 ubiquitin ligase EFP in ER-positive breast cancer cells

KLF5 (Kruppel-like factor 5) is a multifunctional transcription factor involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and carcinogenesis. In addition to frequent inactivation in different types of human cancers, including breast cancer, KLF5 has been identified as an essential co-factor for the TGF-β (transforming growth factor β) tumour suppressor. In our previous study demonstrating a negative regulation of ER (oestrogen receptor α) function by KLF5 in breast cancer cells [Guo, Dong, Zhao, Sun, Li and Dong (2010) Int. J. Cancer 126, 81-89], we noticed that oestrogen reduced the protein level of KLF5. In the present study, we have tested whether and how oestrogen/ER signalling regulates KLF5 protein. We found that oestrogen caused the degradation of KLF5 protein, and the degradation was sensitive to proteasome inhibitors, but not other inhibitors. The oestrogen-inducible E3 ligase EFP (oestrogen-responsive finger protein) was identified as a key player in oestrogen-mediated degradation of KLF5, as knockdown and overexpression of EFP increased and decreased KLF5 protein levels respectively, and the decrease continued even when protein synthesis was blocked. EFP-mediated degradation impaired the function of KLF5 in gene transcription. Although only unubiquitinated EFP interacted with KLF5, overexpression of EFP appeared to prevent the ubiquitination of KLF5, while resulting in heavy ubiquitination of the E3 itself. Furthermore, ubiquitination of EFP interrupted its interaction with KLF5. Although the mechanism for how EFP degrades KLF5 remains to be determined, the results of the present study suggest that oestrogen causes the degradation of KLF5 protein by inducing the expression of EFP in ER-positive breast cancer cells.
Thallium-201 Scintigraphy for Detection of Multivessel Disease in Patients with Prior Inferior Myocardial Infarction

In order to compare the effectiveness of thallium-201 ( 201 Tl) myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and the exercise electrocardiogram for identifying patients with multivessel coronary artery disease, these noninvasive tests and coronary arteriography were performed in 89 patients with prior inferior wall myocardial infarction. Eighty patients performed an adequate exercise test (angina, ST-segment depression or achievement of 85 percent maximum age-predicted heart rate). Of these 80 patients, coronary angiography documented multivessel disease in 57 and single-vessel disease in the remaining 23. Of the 57 patients with multivessel disease, 203 Tl correctly predicted multivessel disease in 58 percent and the exercise ECG was positive in 63 percent. Of the 23 patients with single vessel disease 201 Tl was negative for multivessel disease in 91 percent, while the exercise ECG was negative in only 52 percent For detecting multivessel disease, combining the two tests increased the sensitivity to 82 percent, but decreased the specificity to 48 percent. The predictive value of positive 201 Tl for multivessel disease was 94 percent as compared to 76 percent for the exercise ECG. Thallium-201 identified disease of the left anterior descending vessel in only 33 percent of 42 patients with disease in this vessel. These data suggest that in patients with previous inferior myocardial infarction, both 201 Tl and exercise ECG have limited clinical value for predicting multivessel disease. However, unlike exercise ECG, 201 Tl is highly specific and, when positive (perfusion defects in more than one vascular segment), highly predictive for multivessel disease.
Introduction of a Tolerance Factor for the Nd2CuO4(T′)-Type Structure

A tolerance factor, tf = [3{radical}2r{sub o} + 2{radical}6(r{sub A} + r{sub o})]/9(r{sub B} + r{sub o}), has been established for the Nd{sub 2}CuO{sub 4}-type structure, where r{sub A}, r{sub B}, and r{sub o} are the radii of the A,B, and O ions, respectively. It is based on the geometrical matching between the A-O, B-O, and O-O bond distances, and it can be used to distinguish between Nd{sub 2}CuO{sub 4}(T{prime}-), T{sup *-}, and K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}(T)-type phases. Using Shannon`s ionic radii, it is found that the T{prime} phases occur for tf 1.00. As expected the stability boundaries of these two structure types. The fact that T{prime} and T separate at tf = 1.00 suggests that the new tolerance factor model is applicable to both structure types.
Mechanisms of lipid oxidation in food dispersions

As the continues to improve the nutritional content of their products, challenges in prevention of rancidity have increased due to the presence of more polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, consumer demand for all natural foods has limited the use of traditional methods to control lipid oxidation such as synthetic antioxidants and hydrogenation. To overcome these challenges a better understand the mechanisms of lipid oxidation are needed so that novel antioxidant technologies can be developed. Lipids in foods often exist as dispersions stabilized by emulsifiers that provide physical stability. Food emulsions contain an oil-water interface that has major impact on the lipid oxidation pathways by influencing the location and reactivity of prooxidative transition metals, lipid hydroperoxides, minor lipid components, free radical scavengers and metal chelators. Understanding how the physical properties of the lipid–water or lipid–air interface in food dispersions impacts oxidation chemistry has lead to new strategies to create lipid structures that slow down the development of rancidity by decreasing interaction between lipids in the emulsion droplet core with prooxidants and oxygen as well as increasing antioxidant concentrations at the site of oxidation.
Selective estrogen receptor modulators: the ideal estrogen replacement?

Abstract The ultimate estrogen for replacement therapy should exert beneficial actions upon the skeletal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems while displaying minimal side effects in the uterus and breast. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as tamoxifen and raloxifene, have recently been studied to achieve these aims. Not only are these agents potentially effective in reducing a patient’s risk of breast carcinoma but they have also been shown to increase bone mineral density and prevent osteoporosis. Displaying favorable effects on lipid metabolism, SERMs also may be protective against coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. Tamoxifen’s adverse side effects on the uterus have not been noted with raloxifene, because the latter behaves as an estrogen antagonist in the endometrium. Ongoing studies, such as the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene and the Raloxifene Use for the Heart trials, may help to further determine whether SERMs are the ideal estrogen for the postmenopausal female patient.
HCV in incarcerated populations: an analysis of gender and criminality on risk.

While studies have explored the prevalence and correlates for hepatitis C (HCV) infection in substance-using and incarcerated populations these studies have not examined the attributes of criminal histories for those with HCV infection. This study examines the HCV infection rate as it relates to criminal risk factors using baseline data from a randomized trial of re-entering offenders and examines how these risk factors vary by gender. The HCV-positive population had a longer amount of time in confinement (105 vs. 61 months) than those who tested negative. HCV positive men were more likely to currently be receiving drug treatment than women. Criminal risk was positively associated with HCV infection while controlling for major risk factors (OR 1.25, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.46), suggesting that the relationship was not spurious. While criminologists tend to examine risk relative to public safety threats, it appears that the public health needs equally require attention. Policy issues are examined regarding how services can be delivered to treat those with HCV infections within the correctional system and address criminal risk factors.
A first year introduction to life cycle analysis

At Rowan University, we have developed a module to introduce first year engineering students to life cycle assessment (LCA) through the comparison of the environmental impact of the combustion of two diesel fuels: petroleum diesel and biodiesel from waste vegetable oil (WVO). The purpose of this LCA module was to incorporate life cycle thinking into the engineering design process, to apply the four main steps of LCA (definition and scope, inventory analysis, impact assessment and improvement assessment), and to recognize modifications that would improve the environmental impact of the biodiesel combustion. Students compared the emissions generated in the combustion of laboratory-made biodiesel from waste vegetable oil and conventional diesel from petroleum by analyzing the exhaust gases from a generator. A fuel combustion life cycle inventory was developed using student data from the laboratory experiment, and life cycle analysis was then conducted using SimaPro®. The biodiesel fuel had been previously produced in the laboratory by the students and the production life cycle environmental impacts had been calculated as well. The assessment of learning outcomes indicates a significant increase in conceptual understanding of life cycle assessment in every category, and an average gain of over 60% in overall knowledge of life cycle assessment.
Claspin, a Chk1-Regulatory Protein, Monitors DNA Replication on Chromatin Independently of RPA, ATR, and Rad17

Claspin is required for the ATR-dependent activation of Chk1 in Xenopus egg extracts containing incompletely replicated DNA. We show here that Claspin associates with chromatin in a regulated manner during S phase. Binding of Claspin to chromatin depends on the pre-replication complex (pre-RC) and Cdc45 but not on replication protein A (RPA). These dependencies suggest that binding of Claspin occurs around the time of initial DNA unwinding at replication origins. By contrast, both ATR and Rad17 require RPA for association with DNA. Claspin, ATR, and Rad17 all bind to chromatin independently. These findings suggest that Claspin plays a role in monitoring DNA replication during S phase. Claspin, ATR, and Rad17 may collaborate in checkpoint regulation by detecting different aspects of a DNA replication fork.
Highlights of hadron measurements

Abstract Each time our field has seen an increase in energy or colliding species size, hadron measurements have been the first observables to be measured. As such, they are rightly known as the most mature measurements available. However, they are anything but “old hat”. Indeed, the ingenuity of the experimenters has lead to a depth of understanding and detail of analysis far beyond the early imaginings of our field. In this summary, I am privileged to review these ingenious measurements and their detailed findings.
The feeding ecology of larval Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) in the California Current region: an updated approach using a combined OPC/MOCNESS to estimate prey biovolume

A combined optical particle counter (OPC) and multiple opening and closing net and environmental sensing system (MOCNESS) was used to obtain simultaneous measurements of the fine-scale distribution of ‘prey-sized’ particles and the vertical distribution of larvae of Pacific hake (Merluccius productus). Physical properties were also measured. The data were used to describe the feeding ecology of Pacific hake larvae, and to explore the effects of prey abundance, time of day, temperature and depth on feeding. Pacific hake larvae consumed a wide variety of prey including copepod eggs, nauplii, copepodites, and euphausiid metanauplii. Calanoid copepodites comprised > 75% of the ingested prey volume. First-feeding larvae were 2.5–3.0 mm SL. These larvae consumed prey 40–200 μm wide. Larvae 3.0–6.5 mm long ingested prey 40–400 μm wide and larvae > 6.5 mm long ingested prey 400–700 μm wide. There were clear diel patterns in feeding incidence and prey volume ingested. Feeding commenced between 06:01 and 08:00 hours PST and continued until ∼ 16:00 hours. Ingested prey items remained in the gut until complete gut evacuation occurred near dawn. The volume of food ingested was estimated using two indices, the cube root of the prey volume (CRPV) and the cube root of the stomach volume (CRSV). Standard length, log elapsed time since gut evacuation, depth and particle biovolume contributed significantly to variation in both indices. Temperature did not contribute to variability in either CRPV or CRSV.
Applications Of The One-Dimensional Diffusion Approximation To Biological Tissue

Radiative transfer relates the macroscopic optical properties of a light scattering and absorbing material to microscopic parameters characterizing the individual particles, usually the absorption coefficient (k), total scattering coefficient (s), and mean cosine of the scattering angle (g). In densely scattering media the numerical values of these parameters must be calculated by fitting experimental quantities to theory, typically the transmission coefficient (T), reflection coefficient (R), and a third parameter such as the attenuation depth (3). Approximate radiative transfer theories have been employed to solve thT "inverse problem" for practical geometries. The recent review of Star t al. describes some mathematical models of current interest. The diffu ion approximation treats light propagation in a turbid medium as equiva-lent to particle diffusion. Comparisons of flux density distributions calculated with the diffusion approximation and Monte Carlo simulations suggest1 that the diffusion approximation is most accurate for k << s(1 - g) and low g. The parameter s' = s(1 g) is the reduced scattering coefficient. HoweyeE,3 recent measurements on animal tissues led to values of g close to unity. ' The purpose of the present work was to construct a diffuse optics spectro-photometer for measuring the optical properties of tissue layers over a wide spectral range and analyze the experimental results with two formulations of the one-dimensional diffusion approximation based on different angular scattering distributions or "phase functions".
Effects of Tocopherol (Vitamin E)-Deficient Diet on Some Oral, Para-Oral, and Hematopoietic Tissues of the Rat

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUALE EFFECTO DE DIETA CARENTE IN TOCOPHEROL (VITAMINA E) SUPER LE TiSSUS ORAL, PARA-ORAL, E HEMATOPOIETIC DEL RATTO.—Carentia de vitamina E produceva progressive dystrophia muscular nutritional. Le alterationes histologic del tissu muscular variava inter degeneration e le complete disparition de fibras muscular e lor reimplaciamento per fibrosis. Le alterationes histopathologic occurrente in le glandulas salivari consisteva de reimplaciamento del parenchyma per cellulas grassiose e fibrose tissu conjunctive. Le dentes incisori del animales carente in vitamina E manifestava retardos in lor eruption, bizarre formas anatomic, dispigmentation, e hypoplasia. Tres del animales experimental disveloppava leucemia e 1, possibilemente, lymphosarcoma. Si iste conditiones esseva spontanee o inducite per un virus es non ancora clar. Le rolo de carentia in vitamina E in tal casos es plus obscur ancora.
Characterization of a tryptophan 6-halogenase from Streptomyces toxytricini.

Tryptophan (Trp) halogenases are found in various bacteria and play an important role in natural product biosynthesis. Analysis of the genome of Streptomyces toxytricini NRRL 15443 revealed an ORF, stth, encoding a putative Trp halogenase within a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase gene cluster. This gene was cloned into pET28a and functionally overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The enzyme halogenated both l- and d-Trp to yield the corresponding 6-chlorinated derivatives. The optimum activity was at 40°C and pH 6 giving k cat /K M value of STTH of 72,000 min−1 M−1. The enzyme also used bromide to yield 6-bromo-Trp.
Detection of human mammary tumor virus proteins in human breast cancer cells

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) has been proven to induce mammary cancer in mice. MMTV-like env gene sequences have been detected in one-third of the human breast tumors studied. The whole proviral structure with 95% homology to MMTV was found in two human breast tumors and was designated as human mammary tumor virus (HMTV). HMTV viral particles with betaretroviral features have been isolated. In addition, a retrovirus called human betaretrovirus (HBRV), homologous to the mentioned retroviruses, has been isolated from tissues of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. In this report, the expression of HMTV envelope (Env) and capsid (Ca) was detected in 10 primary cultures of human breast cancer containing HMTV sequences (MSSM) by Western blot and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), using a panel of antibodies against HMTV Env, HBRV Env and Ca and the MMTV Env Gp36 and Ca P27 proteins. By contrast, HMTV proteins did not react with antibody against the MMTV Env Gp52 protein. All the antibodies detected MMTV proteins with exception of two out of four monoclonal antibodies against HMTV Env. Approximately 13% of the MSSM cells showed HMTV protein expression by FACS analysis. This report shows the expression of HMTV proteins for the first time in human breast cancer cells using a panel of antibodies against HMTV, HBRV and MMTV proteins. This should be taken into consideration when MMTV antibodies are used to detect HMTV proteins in human tissues.
Deposition kinetics of silicon dioxide from hexamethyldisilazane and oxygen by PECVD

Abstract Silicon oxide films were deposited on silicon wafers of 200°C in a radio frequency reactor from gas mixtures of hexamethyldisilazane and oxygen at various discharge powers and oxygen flow rates. Kinetics of the deposition of silicon dioxide was studied by using a simple surface chemistry model combined with the electron induced dissociation model developed in our previous work. The validity of the combined model was examined by investigating the behavior of the incorporation rate of Si–O–Si bonds into the films in terms of the discharge power. According to the model, in the regime of the negligible contribution of ion bombardment the incorporation rate ψ is expressed as ψ∞/ψ=1+χ−1Prf−1, with ψ∞=ψ at the discharge power, Prf=∞.χ is a parameter independent of Prf and designates the efficiency of dissociation of oxygen molecules per inputted power under the experimental conditions of this work. The experimental results showed that the incorporation rate for the films deposited at oxygen flow rates of 10, 30 and 50 sccm and at a monomer flow rate of 3 g/h followed the prediction of the model very well. The values of χ were estimated to be in the order of ∼1.0×10−2W−1 and decreased as the oxygen flow rate increased. The decrease in χ was explained by using the uniform discharge model for an electronegative discharge.
Morphological characteristics of dendrite bundles in the lumbar spinal cord of the rat

The finding of motoneuron dendrites organized into small compact bundles in cats, monkeys and pigs suggested that a study of this phenomenon in rats should be undertaken. An analysis was performed with electron microscopy, light microscopy and Golgi methods. An extensive dendrite bundle organization was found in the sixth lumbar segment of the spinal cord. Two discrete bundles were localized bilaterally: a lateral bundle in the ventrolateral gray substance, and a medial bundle in the ventral funiculus. The lateral bundle was found to consist of longitudinally oriented dendrites, neurocytons, glial cells and capillaries. As many as 1678 closely packed dendrites were observed in the lateral bundle. The medial bundle contained dendrites directed across the midline and also longitudinally oriented dendrites. Neurocytons in the medial dendrite bundle were found singly or in clusters, and many radiating bundles of dendrites were observed projecting toward the lateral bundle. Golgi analysis confirmed that neurons in the lateral bundle had most of their dendrites oriented longitudinally. It was possible to trace several dendrites into the lateral bundle from dorsally and medially lying neurons. Electron microscopy substantiated the fact that the bundles were composed of dendrites. It also revealed numerous dendrodendritic and dendrosomatic contacts which were desmosomal in type as well as an abundance of small unidentified processes. Various functions which have been attributed to the dendrite bundles are discussed.
ACCELERATOR PHYSICS ISSUES AT THE SSC

The proposed Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) is a high-luminosity proton-proton colliding-beam accelerator, unique in the world, providing access to particle collision energies at least an order of magnitude greater than are available at existing facilities. The design of the SSC has been previously described in the Conceptual Design Report.1 Although not the final SSC design, this paper updates the previous design to include the changes due to the change in cell phase advance from 60 to 90 degrees, and particularly emphasizes the underlying accelerator physics issues which are involved in the SSC. A brief history of the SSC program is given followed by detailed design considerations.
English is for dummies: linguistic contradictions at an international college in South Korea

Under the slogan of internationalisation, Korean universities have opened international colleges as a way to better attract and accommodate foreign students. However, due to a lack of foreign student recruiting capability, the majority of the students who enrol at one such international college are not foreign, but Korean. Contradictions arise when the English-language medium enforced by the foreign faculty members of the college conflicts with the linguistic practices of the mostly Korean student body. This article uses an international college in South Korea as a case study for the examination of the role of English on student life at Asian universities pursuing internationalisation strategies via the recruitment of foreign faculty members. Paradoxically, by establishing an international college that aggressively enforces the English language medium, the Korean university has created an environment where students avoid using English at all.
Evidence for the presence of a K-dependent acidifying adenosine triphosphatase in the rabbit renal medulla.

Evidence for the presence of a K-dependent acidifying adenosine triphosphatase in the rabbit renal medulla. To date direct evidence for the presence of a H-K-ATPase in the medulla comes from proton and potassium transport studies performed on K-restricted animals and K dependent ATP hydrolysis and Rb uptake in both normal and K-depleted animals. The present work examines K-dependent acidification in the medulla of rabbits on normal K diets. A membrane vesicle preparation was developed that was enriched for apical membranes derived from the renal medulla. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent vesicular acidification was present and the extent of vesicular acidification was dependent on ambient K concentration. Moreover, ATP hydrolysis was dependent on ambient K concentration. K-dependent acidification was inhibited by the specific inhibitor of the gastric H-K-ATPase, SCH28080. However, significant acidification was observed in the absence of K that was not inhibited by SCH28080. The data suggest that an H-K-ATPase similar to the gastric H-K-ATPase is present in the renal medulla of rabbits on a normal K diet. The component of acidification and ATP hydrolysis that is independent of K concentration likely represents the previously characterized vacuolar H-ATPase.
Septicemia due to Aeromonas hydrophila: Clinical and Immunologic Aspects

Over a 32-month period, nine patients treated for neoplastic disease at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center developed septicemia caused by Aeromonas hydrophila. Five patients had skin lesions associated with onset of infection; in two patients these lesions were indistinguishable from ecthyma gangrenosum, the skin lesion classically associated with infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Invitro studies indicate that, like P. aeruginosa, invasive strains of A. hydrophila are resistant to the bactericidal action of normal serum. Recovery from infection was associated with high titers of serum opsonins against A. hydrophila; and fatal infection, with negligible opsonizing activity. A. hydrophila is an increasing cause of nosocomial septicemia in immunologically compromised hosts, and the clinical features of A. hydrophila septicemia resemble those of systemic P. aeruginosa infection. Several recent reports have detailed the bacteriologic, clinical, and epidemiologic evidence for the role of Aeromonas hydrophila in human infections [1-3]. The majority of specimens from which this organism was isolated, however, contained other bacteria, thereby raising questions about the pathogenic significance of A. hydrophila. At Memorial Hospital, the clinical unit of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, nine cases of septicemia due to A. hydrophila were observed in the 32-month period between October 1969 and May 1972. This number exceeded that of cases of septicemia caused by either Serratia marcescens or Erwinia species for the same period. This report will focus on the clinical and immunologic aspects of these cases. The availability of serum from two cases of fatal infection and one patient convalescing from infection has permitted specific assessment of bactericidins and opsonins in relation to the clinical course of these patients.
Surgical Treatment of Bilateral Subclavian Artery Aneurysms: The Combined Median Sternotomy and Cervical Approach

Surgical treatment of bilateral subclavian artery aneurysms can present a challenge to the surgeon. A simple method of aneurym exclusion and revas cularization of the upper extremities and posterior cerebral circulation is presented. This approach greatly simplifies the surgical management of this complex lesion.
An Evaluation of the REMI Model for the South Coast Air Quality Management District

This paper reports an evaluation of the econometric model developed by Regional Econometric Models Inc. for the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The analysis is focused on the in-sample performance, forecasting ability, and characteristics in impact analysis of the model. The trade-offs implicit in the performance of this model relate directly to questions of explanatory power. In particular, the model is characterized by well-specified structural equations that enhance its ability to formulate policy-relevant simulations. This may come at the cost of predictive ability in a statistical sense. Choices related to this trade-off are at the heart of applied regional analysis.
Diurnal fluctuations of water tables induced by atmospheric pressure changes

Abstract The shallow water table at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, fluctuates 1.5–6.0 cm per day during the summer, and 0.5–1.0 cm per day during the winter. Highest water levels occur in late afternoon, whereas lowest levels occur in mid-morning. Similar fluctuations occur in many other localities having shallow, fine-grained aquifers. The fluctuations are attributed to temperature-related atmospheric pressure changes acting on the capillary zone. This proposed mechanism involves the transfer of water from below the water table to the capillary fringe in response to lower pressure, and transfer of water from the capillary fringe to the water table in response to higher pressure. Rapid volume changes of air entrapped in the capillary pores account for the expulsion or infusion of capillary water. Laboratory experiments with an artificial aquifer confirm that such fluctuations can occur rapidly when the only variable is pressure. In this case no intervening confining layer exists, so the mechanism is distinctly different from the mechanism which causes blowing wells. The correct interpretation of fluctuations of several centimeters can be of considerable importance in monitoring small changes of water levels in manometers emplaced to monitor seepage through dams or levees, or in measuring small drawdowns in observation wells during pumping tests of fine-grained aquifers.
Stromal Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling Mediates Prostatic Response to Androgen Ablation by Paracrine Wnt Activity

Mechanisms of androgen dependence of the prostate are critical to understanding prostate cancer progression to androgen independence associated with disease mortality. Transient elevation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) occurs after androgen ablation. To determine the role of TGF-beta on prostate response to androgen ablation, conditional TGF-beta type II receptor knockout mouse models of the epithelia (Tgfbr2(NKX3.1KO)) and stromal fibroblasts (Tgfbr2(fspKO)) were used. After castration, the prostates of Tgfbr2(NKX3.1KO) mice had apoptosis levels similar to those expected for control Tgfbr2(floxE2/floxE2) mice. Prostates of Tgfbr2(fspKO) mice, however, had reduced regression and high levels of proliferation associated with canonical Wnt activity throughout the glandular epithelia regardless of androgen status. In contrast, Tgfbr2(floxE2/floxE2) prostates had epithelial canonical Wnt activity only in the surviving proximal ducts after castration. In vitro studies showed that androgen antagonist, bicalutamide, transiently elevated both Tgfbr2(floxE2/floxE2) and Tgfbr2(fspKO) stromal expression of Wnt-2, Wnt-3a, and Wnt-5a. The neutralization of Wnt signaling by the expression of secreted frizzled related protein-2 (SFRP-2) resulted in decreased LNCaP prostate epithelial cell proliferation in stromal conditioned media transfer experiments. In vivo tissue recombination studies using Tgfbr2(fspKO) prostatic stromal cells in combination with wild-type or SV40 large T antigen expressing epithelia resulted in prostates that were refractile to androgen ablation. The expression of SFRP-2 restored the Tgfbr2(fspKO)-associated prostate responsiveness to androgen ablation. These studies reveal a novel TGF-beta, androgen, and Wnt paracrine signaling axis that enables prostatic regression of the distal ducts after androgen ablation while supporting proximal duct survival.
On linear estimation with transformed measurements with applications to fixed-interval smoothing

In this paper, we discuss some properties of linear estimation based upon transformed measurements. A necessary and sufficient condition on the measurement transformation such that the estimate based upon the transformed measurements is the same as the estimate based upon the original measurements is given. Problems of this kind often arise in applications such as data compression, distributed signal processing, and fixed-interval smoothing.
Strategies for predictive control of chrome stress-induced registration errors

The focus of this paper is on the development and implementation of a correction strategy that enables mask manufacturers to maintain the yields at current levels while simultaneously reducing registration errors by several nanometers. An alternate consequence is that yields at current registration specifications are improved. Previous work has shown that one source of image placement error is the chrome stress relief caused by etching. This can cause over 25 nm of distortion from the resist pattern to the final etched chrome pattern. Theoretical and experimental data have shown that the distortion has a radial signature, which can be significantly reduced by traditional magnification correction. If the magnitude of this correction term can be predicted before patterning, the magnification can be implemented as a correction term in the writing process, minimizing registration errors. Studies have shown that the percent clear area of the mask, x-field size, y-field size, and chrome stress are the key parameters that will affect the correction term. Data based on finite element simulations were first fit to these parameters to obtain a predictive curve based upon theory. Experimental reticles were then written to test the theoretical prediction. The predictions were found to coincide well with the experimental data; registration improvements of over 20 nm were observed. The correlation was then applied to a set of production reticles. There was an observable improvement in registration after the correlation was implemented, although less than that seen in the experimental reticles.
Boundary Element Analysis of Interface Cracks

A new boundary element formulation is developed to determine the complex stress intensity factors associated with cracks on the interface between dissimilar materials. This represents an extension of the methodology developed previously by the authors for determination of free-edge generalized stress intensity factors on bimaterial interfaces, which employs displacements and weighted tractions as primary variables. However, in the present work, the characteristic oscillating stress singularity is addressed through the introduction of modified weighting functions and corresponding numerical quadrature formulas. As a result, this boundary-only approach provides extremely accurate mesh-independent solutions for a range of interface crack problems. A number of computational examples are considered to assess the performance of the method in comparison with analytical solutions and previous work on the subject.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Peptide-Based Probes for Targeted Molecular Imaging

Targeted molecular imaging techniques have become indispensable tools in modern diagnostics because they provide accurate and specific diagnosis of disease information. Conventional nonspecific contrast agents suffer from low targeting efficiency; thus, the use of molecularly targeted imaging probes is needed depending on different imaging modalities. Although recent technologies have yielded various strategies for designing smart probes, utilization of peptide-based probes has been most successful. Phage display technology and combinatorial peptide chemistry have profoundly impacted the pool of available targeting peptides for the efficient and specific delivery of imaging labels. To date, selected peptides that target a variety of disease-related receptors and biomarkers are in place. These targeting peptides can be coupled with the appropriate imaging moieties or nanoplatforms on demand with the help of sophisticated bioconjugation or radiolabeling techniques. This review article examines the current trends in peptide-based imaging probes developed for in vivo applications. We discuss the advantage of and challenges in developing peptide-based probes and summarize current systems with respect to their unique design strategies and applications.
Skin Picking Disorder

Skin picking consumes hours a day for some individuals, causing disfigurement and interfering with social or work life. Skin picking disorder has a prevalence of 1%–5% and can arise at any age, often after the onset of a dermatological condition. Although it has similarities to obsessive-compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder, it is distinguished by a personal or family history of grooming disorders and a lack of preoccupation with appearance. A dermatologist should determine whether the patient has an underlying skin condition and whether medical treatment is needed.
Time-varying perturbations can distinguish among integrate-to-threshold models for perceptual decision making in reaction time tasks

Several integrate-to-threshold models with differing temporal integration mechanisms have been proposed to describe the accumulation of sensory evidence to a prescribed level prior to motor response in perceptual decision-making tasks. An experiment and simulation studies have shown that the introduction of time-varying perturbations during integration may distinguish among some of these models. Here, we present computer simulations and mathematical proofs that provide more rigorous comparisons among one-dimensional stochastic differential equation models. Using two perturbation protocols and focusing on the resulting changes in the means and standard deviations of decision times, we show that for high signal-to-noise ratios, drift-diffusion models with constant and time-varying drift rates can be distinguished from Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes, but not necessarily from each other. The protocols can also distinguish stable from unstable Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes, and we show that a nonlinear integrator can be distinguished from these linear models by changes in standard deviations. The protocols can be implemented in behavioral experiments.
Speech Analysis Systems: An Evaluation

Performance characteristics are reviewed for seven systems marketed for acoustic speech analysis: CSpeech, CSRE, ILS-PC, Kay Elemetrics model 5500 Sona-Graph, MacSpeech Lab II, MSL, and Signalyze. The characteristics reviewed include system components, basic capabilities (signal acquisition, waveform operations, analysis, and other functions), documentation, user interface, data formats and journaling, speed and precision of spectral analysis, and speed and precision of fundamental frequency analysis. Basic capabilities are also tabulated for three recently introduced systems: the Sensimetrics SpeechStation, the Kay Elemetrics Computerized Speech Lab (CSL), and the LSI Speech Workstation. In addition to the capability and performance summaries, this article offers suggestions for continued development of speech analysis systems, particularly in data exchange, journaling, display features, spectral analysis, and fundamental frequency analysis.
Preferences for sweet in relationship to use of oral contraceptives and pregnancy.

Abstract Sweetness preference of 165 women was measured during a variety of hormonal conditions. Group LP consisted of women using oral contraceptives (OC) which had a low progestin potency, while the women in group HP used OCs which had a high progestin potency. Groups I, II, and III consisted of women who were tested during one of the three trimesters of pregnancy. For purposes of comparison with the treatment groups, women who were nonpregnant, non-OC users were roughly divided into groups representing the phase of the menstrual cycle during which they were tested. All of the women tasted four solutions of sucrose and ranked them in order from most to least preferred. Group LP had a significant preference for strong concentrated sucrose solutions, whereas Group HP had no preference. There were no significant differences in sweetness preference between the three trimesters of pregnancy, but the sweetness preference of pregnant women was significantly less than that of the nonpregnant women.
Editor's puzzle: identifying the champion

Solutions should be sent to the editor at conitzer@cs.duke.edu with subject header SIGecom Exchanges Puzzle. The author(s) of the most elegant solution (as judged by the editor) will be allowed to publish his or her or their proof in the next issue of the Exchanges (ties broken towards earlier submissions). To make the solution accessible to a wide audience, try to minimize technical jargon in the proof. The editor will not give any feedback on submitted solutions and ignore any requests for hints, etc.
Study of banking sector design from risk perspective to minimise social costs

A comprehensive review of the US banking sector design is currently underway with debates among bankers, trade, consumer groups and regulatory agencies on pricing, The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) bank insurance fund maintenance and coverage levels for new deposit insurance initiative. A macro design framework is proposed as an input to planned improvements. The objective of the proposed conceptual banking sector model is to seek a design where each bank self-monitors its own risk level and controlled by the market forces/discipline. The agency providing risk-based depositors' insurance should break even, at minimal, and the stockholders should make an adequate rate of return. In this way, the need for regulations is decreased, the banking sector becomes more stable and the social cost is decreased.
Evaluating and ranking patents using weighted citations

Citation counts have been widely used in a digital library for purposes such as ranking scientific publications and evaluating patents. This paper demonstrates that distinguishing different types of citations could rank better for these purposes. We differentiate patent citations along two dimensions (assignees and technologies) into four types, and propose a weighted citation approach for assessing and ranking patents. We investigate five weight learning methods and compare their performance. Our weighted citation method performs consistently better than simple citation counts, in terms of rank correlations with patent renewal status. The estimated weights on different citations are consistent with economic insights on patent citations. Our study points to an interesting and promising research line on patent citation and network analysis that has not been explored.
A ketogenic diet increases the resistance to pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in the rat.

Summary: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a ketogenic diet would increase the resistance of rats to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures and to understand the relation of ketonemia to seizure resistance. Methods: A freely consumed, high-fat (ketogenic) diet was administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 5–10 weeks, while control animals were fed either rodent chow or a high-carbohydrate diet. Ketonemia was measured as plasma levels of β-hydroxybutyric acid (β-OHB). Seizures were induced by tail-vein infusion of pentylenetetrazole. Results: The ketogenic diet produced a highly significant (p <0.01) increase in β-OHB levels within 5 days. Induction of seizures by PTZ 35 days after animals were placed on their respective diets showed that ketogenic animals had a significantly (p <0.01) increased threshold for seizure induction compared with those fed an isocaloric diet of either high-carbohydrate or normal rodent chow. Ketogenic animals did not exhibit increased seizure severity relative to controls, despite receiving consistently higher doses of PTZ. Conclusions: The ketogenic diet resulted in an increased seizure threshold, confirming the hypothesis, and seizure threshold was found to be a direct function of the level of ketonemia.
Prospective randomized trial of heated humidified versus cold dry carbon dioxide insufflation during laparoscopic gastric bypass.

Background The replacement of cold dry carbon dioxide with heated humidified gas for insufflation during complex laparoscopic procedures has been reported to decrease hypothermia and peritoneal cell desiccation, with a resultant decrease in postoperative pain and narcotic use and a shortened recovery, but may prevent the paralysis of the peritoneal polymorphonuclear cell cytokine cascade and add to the cost of the procedure. We report our outcomes comparing carbon dioxide insufflation with different characteristics during laparoscopic gastric bypass. Methods Fifty consecutive patients were randomized to undergo laparoscopic gastric bypass with either cold-dry or heated-humidified carbon dioxide insufflation. Statistical analysis of variance between groups was determined by Levine's t test with the Greenhouse-Geisser correction, at a significance level of P Results The two groups were similar for preoperative gender, age, weight, body mass index, and baseline C-reactive protein. The intraoperative room and patient core temperature, liters of insufflation used, lens cleanings, operating time, recovery room time, and narcotics used were not significantly different. The postoperative subjective analog shoulder pain score was significantly less (P = .025) for the heated-humidified group at 18 hours, but not at 6, 12, 24, or 48 hours. The abdominal pain scores and overall narcotic use, postoperative C-reactive protein, and length of stay were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion Heated-humidified insufflation resulted in a transient reduction in subjective shoulder pain at 18 hours postoperatively, but no reduction in abdominal pain or narcotics used. We were unable to verify any clinically significant difference between the two groups comparing heated-humidified and cold-dry insufflation after laparoscopic gastric bypass.
Biodegradable hybrid recombinant block copolymers for non-viral gene transfection

Abstract Thermal targeting of therapeutic genes can enhance local gene concentration to maximize their efficacy. However, lack of safe and efficient carriers has impeded the development of this delivery option. Herein, we report the preparation and evaluation of a hybrid recombinant material, p[Asp(DET)] 53 ELP(1–90), that possess a thermo-responsive elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) segment and a diethylenetriamine (DET) modified poly- l -aspartic acid segment. The term, hybrid, indicates that the material was prepared by genetic engineering and synthetic chemistry. In summary, the thermal phase transition behavior and cytotoxicity of the biodegradable copolymer were studied. The polyplexes formed by the copolymer and pGL4 plasmid were characterized by dynamic light scattering and ζ-potential measurements. The polyplexes retained the thermal phase transition behavior conferred by the copolymer; however, they exhibited a two-step transition process not seen with the copolymer. The polyplexes also showed appreciable transfection efficiency with low cytotoxicity.
Another look at the theoretical assumptions of adolescent egocentrism

Abstract We attempt in this paper to reevaluate the theoretical assumptions of D. Elkind's theory of adolescent egocentrism Child Development, 38, 1025–1034). We argue that the construct is not well placed in the ontogenetic context of Piagetian logical development, and that the theory cannot account for stage transition or the appearance of the imaginary audience (IA) and personal fable (PF) components. We argue that the IA and PF constructions are better understood as problems in interpersonal understanding. These components are reinterpreted in terms of stage sequence that describes the ontogenesis of interpersonal understanding. The advantages of this model are highlighted.
Electrochemical Determination of Tricyclic Antidepressants

Abstract Electrochemical detection of tricyclic antidepressants was conducted with glassy carbon, carbon paste and antimony doped tin oxide electrodes. We find that glassy carbon electrodes undergo passivation due to an adsorption process. Reliable calibration curves can only be obtained by polishing the electrode surface between scans. Carbon paste electrodes result in nonlinear calibration curves due to partitioning of the analyte and/or oxidized products of the analyte into the organic phase of the carbon paste. The extent of partitioning is dependent on the number of scans in the presence of the analyte. Antimony doped tin oxide yielded reproducible, linear calibration curves in the flow injection analysis mode as well as with differential pulse polarography.
Preferential modulation of embryonic cell proliferation and differentiation by embryonic interferon

Embryonic-interferon (E-IFN), a novel species of interferon (IFN) produced solely by embryo cells, inhibited the proliferation of embryo cells in early gestation preferentially vis-a-vis fetal cells in late gestation but had little effect on the in vitro differentiation of embryonic pre-adipocytes to adipocytes. In contrast, mature-interferon (M-INF) did not exhibit this preferential inhibition of cell proliferation and did inhibit pre-adipocyte differentiation. These results suggest that the function of E-INF is different from that of M-IFN and that this function may involve modulation of the developmental process.
Instant Nutritional Assessment

Instant nutritional assessment of the hospitalized patient is described based upon admission serum albumin levels and total lymphocyte counts. Abnormalities of these parameters are associated with markedly increased morbidity and mortality in a series of 500 consecutively admitted patient. It is suggested that instant nutritional assessment be performed on all hospitalized patients with appropriate alterations and therapy being made to allow for nutritional repletion.