cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
C1 Inhibitor: Evidence for Decreased Hepatic Synthesis in Hereditary Angioneurotic Edema

Although the Cl inhibitor was detected in 5 to 10 percent of normal hepatic parenchymal cells by means of the immunofluorescent technique, none was seen in liver biopsies from two individuals with hereditary angioneurotic edema having low concentrations of Cl inhibitor in the serum. In contrast, the percentages of cells which reacted with fluorescent antiserums to C4 and transferrin were normal. These data suggest that in most subjects with hereditary angioneurotic edema, there is decreased synthesis of the C1 inhibitor but normal synthesis of C4, and that the disease results from this biosynthetic error.
Scaling laws for noise-induced temporal riddling in chaotic systems

Recent work has considered the situation of riddling where, when a chaotic attractor lying in an invariant subspace is transversely stable, the basin of the attractor can be riddled with holes that belong to the basin of another attractor. The existence of invariant subspace often relies on certain symmetry of the system, which is, however, a nongeneric property as system defects and small random noise can destroy the symmetry. This paper addresses the influence of noise on riddling. We show that riddling can actually be induced by arbitrarily small noise even in parameter regimes where one expects no riddling in the absence of noise. Specifically, we argue that when there are attractors located off the invariant subspace, the basins of these attractors can be temporally riddled even when the chaotic attractor in the invariant subspace is transversely unstable .W e investigate universal scaling laws for noise-induced temporal riddling. Our results imply that the phenomenon of riddling is robust, and it can be more prevalent than expected before, as noise is practically inevitable in physical systems. @S1063-651X~97!01410-4#
An investigation of the degree of randomness in the dispersion of point features (triple junctions) in a plane

SUMMARY The nearest-neighbour distance distribution was used as a criterion to investigate the dispersion of triple junctions. Comparison of the expected and measured distributions by the χ2-test indicated that the triple junctions were probably not randomly located, contrary to an earlier conclusion based on an areal probe of the same specimen. The present results suggest that areal probes are insensitive to large deviations from randomness in the location of points in a plane.
Factors influencing a woman's choice to undergo breast-conserving surgery versus modified radical mastectomy.

Abstract Background: The use of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) rather than modified radical mastectomy (MRM) for the treatment of breast carcinoma is an option for the majority of women (75%) with early stage breast cancer, but only 20% to 50% choose to undergo this procedure nationwide. The objective of this study was to identify factors influencing a woman's choice between BCS and MRM, and specifically, the surgeon's influence on this choice. Methods: A total of 134 women eligible for BCS were sent a survey. Data obtained included demographics, influential factors in treatment choice, and satisfaction with preoperative discussion and postoperative results. Results: Ninety-six women completed the questionnaire. Mean patient age was 62 years. Most women surveyed felt their treatment options were satisfactorily explained to them. BCS, MRM with reconstruction (MRM-R), and MRM without reconstruction (MRM-NR) were performed in 45%, 15%, and 40% of patients, respectively. Overall, the most influential factor was the fear of cancer. Women choosing BCS indicated that the surgeon, cosmetic result, and psychological aspects were more influential in their decision than in women undergoing MRM-NR ( P P = 0.0002). Conclusions: The surgeon's input is important in a woman's choice to undergo BCS or MRM-R. However, it appears that if a woman wants to have MRM-NR, even when she is a candidate for BCS, the surgeon's input is overshadowed by the patient's fear of cancer.
Nonpoint-source pollution reduction for an Iowa watershed: an application of evolutionary algorithms.

We apply an integrated simulation-optimization framework to search for cost-efficient mix and location of agricultural conservation practices in a typical agricultural watershed for two types of nitrogen reduction targets: control of mean annual nitrogen loadings, and a “safety-first” type constraint, insisting that nitrogen targets be met in every weather realization (weather-resilient solutions). Evolutionary algorithms are developed for each of the appropriate water quality targets. Our approach allows for the derivation of a watershed-level total and marginal nitrogen abatement cost curve. Controlling for the probability of meeting water quality targets (looking for weather-resilient solutions) is found to be significantly more costly than controlling the average nitrogen loadings. Both types of solutions are assessed for robustness with respect to weather uncertainty: solutions selected to reduce average loadings do well under weather uncertainty, while the robustness of solutions selected to be resilient decreases with the stringency of the water quality goal. Nous avons applique un modele integre de simulation-optimisation pour trouver des combinaisons de pratiques agricoles de conservation efficaces en terme de couts et les endroits ou elles devraient etre adoptees dans un bassin versant agricole typique pour deux types de cibles de reduction des charges d’azote : la surveillance des charges moyennes annuelles d’azote et une contrainte du type « securite d’abord », selon laquelle les cibles d’azote doivent etre respectees peu importe les conditions meteorologiques (solutions robustes aux changements meteorologiques). Nous avons elabore des algorithmes evolutifs pour chaque cible relative a la qualite de l’eau. Notre approche a permis de deriver la courbe de cout liea la reduction marginale et totale de l’azote dans un bassin versant. L’ajustement de la probabilite que les cibles relatives a la qualite de l’eau soient respectees (solutions robustes aux changements meteorologiques) s’est revele significativement plus couteux que de controler les charges moyennes d’azote. Nous avons evalue les deux types de solutions afin de verifier leur performance dans des conditions meteorologiques incertaines : les solutions retenues pour reduire les charges moyennes fonctionnent bien dans des conditions meteorologiques incertaines, tandis que la performance des solutions robustes aux conditions meteorologiques diminue avec le niveau vise de qualite de l’eau.
Integrity of electronic voting systems: fallacious use of cryptography

In recent years, electronic voting systems have been deployed in all U.S. elections. Despite the fact that cryptographic integrity checks are used in most such systems, several reports have documented serious security vulnerabilities of electronic voting terminals. We present an overview of the typical security and election vulnerabilities found in most, if not all, electronic election systems, and present a case study that illustrates such vulnerabilities. Our hands-on security analysis of the AccuVote TSx voting terminal --- used by more than 12 million voters in over 350 jurisdictions in the U.S. --- demonstrates certain new integrity vulnerabilities that are present in the system. We present two attacks based on these vulnerabilities: one attack swaps the votes of two candidates and another erases the name of one candidate from the slate. These attacks do not require modification of the operating system of the voting terminal (as was the case in a number of previous attacks) and are able to circumvent the cryptographic integrity checks implemented in the terminal. The attacks can be launched in a matter of minutes and require only a computer with the capability to mount a PCMCIA card file system (a default capability in most current operating systems). The attacks presented here were discovered through direct experimentation with the voting terminal and without access to any internal documentation or the source code from the manufacturer.
Cycling performance and efficiency of sulfonated poly(sulfone) membranes in vanadium redox flow batteries

Abstract As an alternative to Nafion® ion exchange membrane, an inexpensive commercially-available Radel® polymer was sulfonated, fabricated into a thin membrane, and evaluated for its performance in a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). The sulfonated Radel (S-Radel) membrane showed almost an order of magnitude lower permeability of VO2+ ions (2.07 × 10−7 cm2/min), compared to Nafion 117 (1.29 × 10−6 cm2/min), resulting in better coulombic efficiency (~ 98% vs. 95% at 50 mA/cm2) and lower capacity loss per cycle. Even though the S-Radel membrane had a slightly higher membrane resistance, the energy efficiency of the VRFB with the S-Radel membrane was comparable to that of Nafion because of its better coulombic efficiency resulting from the lower vanadium ion crossover. The S-Radel membrane exhibited good performance up to 40 cycles, but a decline in performance at later cycles was observed, likely as a result of membrane degradation.
Alienation and Drug Abuse: Synonymous?

Alienation from society has been cited by many as a cause of drug abuse among youth. The authors in this article describe their research to substantiate alienation as a cause of drug abuse. They conclude, however, that peer in fluence may account for young people's use of drugs more than does alienation.
Synthesis and structural characterization of manganese(II) derivatives of the bulky, chelating bis(amido) ligands [(NMes)2SiMe2]2- and [DippNCH2CH2NDipp]2-, their neutral amine precursors, and their lithium salts (Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2; Dipp = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3)

The synthesis of three new bulky bidentate diamines, the compounds Me 2 Si(NHMes) 2 (1), Mes(H)NCH 2 CH 2 N(H)Mes (Mes=2,4,6-Me 3 C 6 H 2 ), and Dipp(H)NCH 2 CH 2 N(H)Dipp (3) (Dipp=2,6-i-Pr 2 C 6 H 3 is described. The addition of 2 equiv of n-BuLi to 1 or 3 results in almost quantitative yields of the novel dimeric solvent-free dilithium derivatives [{Li(Mes)N} 2 SiMe 2 ] 2 and [Li(Dipp)NCH 2 CH 2 N(Dipp)Li] 2
Simultaneous reactions at disk and porous electrodes

Abstract Advances in electrochemical engineering are reviewed, and the methodology of the analysis of electrochemical systems is outlined. Examples illustrative of current research concern simultaneous reactions for flow-through porous electrodes and the more fundamental system of a rotating disk electrode. Here the undesirable side reaction is the formation of dissolved hydrogen, and the main reaction is the deposition of copper from sulfuric acid solutions. Distributions of reaction rate, concentration, and potential describe the detailed system behavior. The side reaction is responsible for the poorly defined limiting-current plateau on the disk electrode and provides a limit for the maximum flow rate at which good recovery can be achieved with the porous electrode.
Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Same-Sex Sexual Partnering: 1988–2002

This article proposes that recent normative, economic and legal changes in the United States have made it more likely for American adults, especially women, to select a sex partner of their own sex.Data from the GSS and NHSLS (n = 18,170) were used to examine gender differences in trends in same-sex sexual partnering between 1988 and 2002.The proportion of both men and women who reported having had a same-sex sex partner in the previous year increased over the period, and the increase was greater for women than it was for men.The increase for women was present among both white and black women and was not limited to young adults.Changes in normative climate accounted for the increase in same-sex sexual partnering among men and for a portion of the increase among women. Much attention has been given to estimating the rate of "homosexuality" among men and women. The commonly cited figure of 10 percent can be traced to Alfred Kinsey and his colleagues, who concluded that in the United States, "10 percent of the (white) males are more or less exclusively homosexual for at least three years between the ages of 16 and 53" (Kinsey et al. 1948:651). Kinsey et al. (1953) estimated that the rate for women was a third to half as large as that for men. A study based on national probability samples of American adults from 1988 to 1993 found that women were about half as likely as men to report having had a same-sex sex partner in the previous year (1.4 percent of women vs. 2.7 percent of men) (Laumann et al. 1994). These estimates of same-sex sexual partnering should not be detached from their cultural context. Although genetic differences among people may explain some of the variation in sexual behavior within a culture, the vast differences in sexual behavior across cultures indicate that sexual behavior, including the gender of one's consensual sexual partners, is partly a consequence of social learning and thus is dependent in part on the cultural norms and structural (e.g., economic and legal) constraints of the time and place. Moreover, cultural and structural constraints on the selection of sexual partners, including the gender of one's sexual partners, differ for men and women and may change at different rates for men and women. To understand why men and women choose the sexual partners they do, one must take into account that sexual interactions between two people take place in the context of a relationship that may have been entered into to meet needs other than sexual. Consensual sexual relations between two people may take place because of the desire for emotional intimacy, the prospect of increased social status by association with a high-status other, financial gain, social acceptance and the desire for a family and children. Moreover, one's choice of sexual partners may be constrained by religious teachings, the opinions of friends and family, and legal factors. Thus, the potential earning power and job security of people in same-sex sexual relationships and the legal right of same-sex couples to raise children may
Store‐Distributed Surveys as a Source of Consumer Feedback on Pharmacy Services

A self-administered questionnaire designed to obtain consumer perception of pharmacy services and pharmacy patronage motives is described together with summary results from its implementation by a panel of community pharmacies. Analyses indicated significant differences exist between consumers and pharmacists on the importance of a number of pharmacy services. Remarkable differences of opinion were noted with two services—24 hour coverage of pharmacy services and the posting of prescription prices. Pharmacists rated these services significantly less important than did consumers. There were also differences of opinion on pharmacy patronage motives. The methodology and study results revealed that consumer questionnaires can provide valuable information to pharmacists on their performance.
Nitric oxide: A multifaceted modulator of cardiac contractility

Abstract The ubiquitous signaling molecule, nitric oxide (NO), has been shown to play a key role in many important cellular processes, including endothelium-dependent relaxation of blood vessels, chemical communication between peripheral nerves and smooth muscle, inhibition of platelet aggregation, immune responses and neurotransmission. In recent years a large body of information has appeared addressing the apparently multiple effects of NO and NO donors on myocardial contractility. These findings have often been seemingly contradictory. In this article we will review, and provide a synthesis, of the most recent findings on the wide range of actions of NO on myocardial contractility in an attempt to discriminate the downstream effectors, and to establish whether the multiple contractile responses to NO may be attributed to the activation of distinct cGMP- dependent or independent mechanisms.
The COADS Sea Level Pressure Signal: A Near-Global El Niño Composite and Time Series View, 1946–1993

Abstract Using COADS data for the period 1946–1993, the near-global sea level pressure (SLP) patterns associated with interannual variability and the climatological seasonal march are discussed. A particular focus concerns the patterns associated with the two years before and after the South American sea surface temperatures rise (El Nino). The ten El Nino events in this record are composited, and the robustness of the features of this composite is tested. Many features of the composite are quite robust; they occur during most El Nino events and are infrequent during non-El Nino periods. The most robust feature is an area of negative SLP anomaly (SLPA) in the eastern equatorial Pacific during Year(0) of the composite. This feature exceeds significance thresholds during every El Nino year and never during non-El Nino years; it correlates better with central Pacific SST variability than does the SOI. A west-central North Pacific positive SLPA, occurring late in Year(0) and lasting into the spring of year (+...
Cognitively motivated learning of categorical data with Modeling Fields Theory

a cognitively inspired framework referred to as Modeling Fields Theory (MFT) is utilized as the basic methodology for learning categorical data, represented by large binary vectors. The presented solution, referred to as accelerated MAP, allows simultaneous learning and selection of the number of models. The key element of accelerated MAP is a steady increase of the regularization penalty combined with gradual decrease of the model vagueness. The operation of this algorithm on real world data is illustrated by applying the algorithm to a text categorization problem. The relationship between the described algorithm and the vague-to-crisp process logic and the dynamical system approach to cognition are discussed.
Living With the Other's Pain: The Ethical Implications of Mitsein in Simone de Beauvoir's Le sang des autres

This article establishes that the suffering of the other represents a serious philosophical and ethical problem in Beauvoir's first post–World War II novel. In fact, the other's suffering poses such a complex problem in Le sang des autres particularly because Beauvoir depicts her characters’ world as a kind of Mitsein, which is Heidegger's word to describe how our lives necessarily intertwine with and envelop the lives of others while still allowing for the existential experience of separation. In the novel, the main characters’ potential responses to the other's suffering—quietism, indifference, charity, and empathy—fail according to the novel's existentialist ethical framework because of the ways these responses deny the fundamental ambiguity of Beauvoirian Mitsein. Only in accepting separation and connection as codependent ethical values do the characters find an ethically palatable response to the other's suffering at the end of the novel.
The cup subalgebra of a II1 factor given by a subfactor planar algebra is maximal amenable

To every subfactor planar algebra was associated a II1 factor with a canonical abelian subalgebra generated by the cup tangle. Using Popa's approximative orthogonality property, we show that this cup subalgebra is maximal amenable.
Adsorption of model associative polymers on monodisperse polystyrene latex

Abstract Adsorption isotherms of model nonionic associative polymers on monodisperse polystyrene latexes were measured using a modified serum replacement technique to elucidate the relationships among colloidal stability, latex rheology, and the adsorption behavior of model associative polymers. The model associative polymers' structures consist of linear water-soluble poly(oxyethylene) backbones of molecular weights 51,000–100,400 that have been capped with hydroxyl, dodecyl, or hexadecyl end-groups. A minimum amount of associative polymer is required to flocculate the dispersion by bridging; a certain degree of networking among the associative polymers is needed to span the interparticle distance. The degree of flocculation depends on molecular weight and passes through a maximum at a molecular weight near 50,000–80,000 because the driving force for networking decreases, and the length of associative polymer backbone increases, as the molecular weight increases. Restabilization of the latex occurs at larger concentrations of associative polymer, and a homogeneous network of associative polymer and latex particles forms. The molecular areas of adsorption calculated from adsorption isotherms are large, on the order of 2000–20,000 A2/molecule, and suggest that this restabilization coincides with full coverage of the particle surface by associative polymer. The dependence of the molecular areas of adsorption and the stability of the latex on particle size, hydrophobe length, and associative polymer molecular weight suggest that the polymer conformation on the surface probably consists of loops and trains, with one of the hydrophobic end-groups firmly anchoring the associative polymer and one hydrophobic end-group extending out into the dispersion medium.
Papillomas of the oral cavity

T umors of the oral cavity play an important role in dentistry. Although tumors do not make up a majority of the pathologic conditions seen by the dentist, they are of great significance in their ability t.o jeopardize the health and longevity of the patient. The benign epithelial tumors are of importance from the standpoint of differential diagnosis from carcinoma. Papillomas are considered precancerous lesions. Papillomas occur either as soft out,growths from the surface of the mucous membrane or as hard, hornified warts in areas of ectodcrmal epithelium affected by progressive keratosis. Hard pa.pillomas in the oral cavity occur also in areas affected by advanced leukoplakia. They are produced by a localized progressive heaping-up of keratinized epithelium. The papilloma is an exophytic growth made up of numerous small, fingerlike projections which result in a lesion with a roughened, verrucous or “eauliflowerlike” surface. It is usually well circumscribed and attached 1):~ a. broad base. Occasionally it forms a pedunrulated tumor. Intraorally it. is found most commonly on the tongue, lips. n1ucosa of the cheek, corner of the mouth, ginpiva, palate, and uvu1a.l Most papillomas are no larger than a pea, but, some lesions may gro\Tto the size of’ a hazelnut. These growths occur at any age and are sclen in quite young children. Mnltiplc oral papillomas occur occasional I-. The common wart, or verruca vulgaris, is a common tumor of the skin analogous to the oral papilloma. Although it has been established that in a considerable percentage of cases the skin wart is caused by a virus, this has never been shown to be true of the oral papilloma. Rypertrophy of the papillae of the tongue should not be mistaken for a papilloma. The papillae foliate form projections which may be mistaken for papillomas, especially if they are inflamed as a result of irritat,ion or infection.2
Tensile and microstructural behavior of solute-modified manganese-stabilized austenitic steels

Abstract A program is under way to develop a nickelfree austenitic stainless steel for fusion reactor applications. Previous work showed that a stable austenite alloy is possible in a compositional regime of Fe-(20–25)Mn-(12–14)Cr-(0.1–0.25)C. As a base composition for further alloying for strength and irradiation resistance, an Fe-20Mn-12Cr-0.25C composition was chosen. Tensile properties for this base composition were comparable to those of type 316 stainless steel. To improve strength and irradiation resistance, closely controlled quantities of titanium, tungsten, vanadium, phosphorus and boron were added to the base alloy. Various combinations of these alloying elements improved the tensile properties of the new steels relative to type 316 stainless steel in both the annealed and 20% cold-worked conditions. These solute combinations also produced MC and M 23 C 6 precipitation in some alloys during annealing at 1050 and 1150 °C.
Serving Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Youth: An Interview With Fenice B. Boyd

David Moore interviews Fenice Boyd, an associate professor and associate dean for teacher education in the Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. Sociocultural theory informs her work with multicultural literature and its uses across the curriculum. She asks educators to consider opportunity gaps and go beyond mainstream policies and procedures when teaching culturally and linguistically diverse children and teens as well as children of poverty.
Potential Health Hazards from Consumption of Fish Caught in Polluted Coastal Waters of Los Angeles County

Abstract A survey was carried out in the Los Angeles metropolitan coastal area during 1980 to assess fishing activity and consumption rates of fish by sport fishermen at local sites which were pollution impacted. Among the 1,059 anglers interviewed, 49% of them fish at least one time each week and, depending on species caught, between 67% and 97% of the anglers consume some or all of their fish. The most common species caught (one out of three) was the white croaker (Genyonemus lineatus). Because substantially large quantities of the fish eaten were caught in areas influenced by waste discharges, concern was expressed over possible health hazards to those fish consumers.
Atomic-resolution characterization of the effects of CdCl2 treatment on poly-crystalline CdTe thin films

Poly-crystalline CdTe thin films on glass are used in commercial solar-cell superstrate devices. It is well known that post-deposition annealing of the CdTe thin films in a CdCl2 environment significantly increases the device performance, but a fundamental understanding of the effects of such annealing has not been achieved. In this Letter, we report a change in the stoichiometry across twin boundaries in CdTe and propose that native point defects alone cannot account for this variation. Upon annealing in CdCl2, we find that the stoichiometry is restored. Our experimental measurements using atomic-resolution high-angle annular dark field imaging, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope are supported by first-principles density functional theory calculations.
Comparison of Prognostic Value of Stress Echocardiography Versus Stress Electrocardiography in Patients With Suspected Coronary Artery Disease

Stress electrocardiographic (ECG) ST-segment depression is a prognostic marker of adverse cardiac outcomes in coronary artery disease. However, use of concurrent stress echocardiography (ECHO) has lead to concordant and discordant findings on stress electrocardiogram during stress studies. The prognostic value of stress ECHO in the setting of these stress ECG findings has not been previously evaluated. Outcomes of 1,268 patients (60 +/- 12 years old, 48% women) who had normal electrocardiograms and underwent stress ECHO were analyzed. ST-segment depression > or =1.5 mm in 2 contiguous leads on stress electrocardiogram and a wall motion score index of >1 on peak stress echocardiogram were considered abnormal. Events of nonfatal myocardial infarction (n = 18) and cardiac death (n = 32) were analyzed during follow-up (2.8 +/- 0.9 years). In 91 patients (7%) who had abnormal findings on stress electrocardiogram, 38 (41%) had an abnormal finding on stress echocardiogram and 4 had cardiac events (0.6% per year), and all who had a normal finding on stress echocardiogram had no events (n = 53, 59%, p = 0.01). Among 46 events (92%) with a normal finding on stress electrocardiogram, 30 (60%) showed a discordantly abnormal finding on stress echocardiogram (3.2% per year, p <0.01). Overall, the cohort that had normal findings on stress echocardiogram showed a lower event rate (72%, 16 events, 1.1% per year) compared with the cohort that had abnormal findings on stress echocardiogram (28%, 34 events, 3.6% per year, p <0.001), independent of stress ECG response. Peak wall motion score index (hazard ratio 2.55, p <0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (hazard ratio 0.99, p <0.001) were independent and incremental (global chi-square, p <0.001) prognostic markers by stress ECHO. In conclusion, a normal finding on stress echocardiogram confers a benign prognosis independent of the type of stress ECG response during stress studies. In addition, peak wall motion score index and ejection fraction by ECHO are stronger prognostic markers over stress electrocardiography in patients who are evaluated for coronary artery disease.
Stability of Visual Acuity Measurement in Depression

Objective The authors sought to determine whether depression influences the measurement of visual acuity (VA) in older persons. Methods This was a prospective study, in a geriatric psychiatry inpatient unit. Participants were 32 older patients with major depression. Authors measured VA before and after treatment of major depression, as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES–D). Results As depression resolved, there was no significant change in VA from admission to discharge. CES–D scores significantly declined from admission to discharge. VA was not correlated with depression severity (CES–D score) either at baseline or at discharge. Conclusion This study found no evidence that depression influenced VA testing in older adults. Additional studies in patients with major eye diseases are necessary to evaluate the generalizability of this finding.
The effect of reinforcement of intention statements and/or execution of self-control in smokers and ex-smokers☆

Abstract The present study investigated the differential effects of rewarding intention statements to execute self-control in ex-smokers, smokers who never attempted to quit, and smokers who attempted to quit but failed. Subjects signed a contract to engage in a cold pressor task and then executed the contract. Subjects were either rewarded after the contract execution, both contract and execution, or no reward was administered. Subjects were then given a second trial with no reinforcements. Ex-smokers displayed greatest tolerance of cold when external support was lacking. Smokers who tried to quit but failed, however showed greatest tolerance when they received both contract and execution reinforcement. Finally, subjects who never tried to quit tolerated cold best when execution reinforcement was given and contract reinforcement was withheld. Clinical applications of these results are discussed.
Restenosis: Animal models and morphometric techniques in studies of the vascular response to injury.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has become a frequently used, clinically effective method for the revascularization of stenosed or occluded native arteries And vein grafts. However, the problem of restenosis, which occurs in 25% to 50% of patients who undergo intravascular intervention, continues to significantly affect the clinical utility of this procedure. It is apparent that many forms of vascular injury result in the cascade of events that lead to neointimal proliferation and restenosis. The pathogenesis of this restenosis process is not well understood. In vitro techniques and animal models are currently being used to elucidate some of the mechanisms of restenosis. The purpose of this discussion is to review the animal models currently used in vascular biology research and describe morphometric techniques that can be employed to evaluate these model systems. Proper model systems and accurate morphometric techniques are necessary to provide data that will answer the specific scientific questions that must be resolved in order to understand the pathogenesis of restenosis after vascular injury.
Recent changes in tropical freezing heights and the role of sea surface temperature

A WIDESPREAD retreat of alpine glaciers1 and melting of tropical ice-cap margins2–7 has been observed in recent decades, over which time a general climate warming at lower altitudes has been documented8. Moreover, some ice-core records provide evidence suggesting that mid-tropospheric temperatures in the tropics have been greater in recent decades than at any time during the past 2,000–3,000 years7. Here we examine the processes controlling mountain glacier retreat by comparing high-altitude air-temperature measurements for the past few decades, to the temperatures predicted by a model atmosphere forced by the observed global pattern of sea surface temperature in a 19-year simulation9. The comparison strongly indicates that the observed changes in freezing-level height (the altitude of the 0°C isotherm) are related to a long-term (over decades) increase in sea surface temperature in the tropics, and the consequent enhancement of the tropical hydrological cycle. Although changes in this cycle are likely to affect high-elevation hydrological and ecological balances worldwide10,11, tropical environments may be particularly sensitive because the changes in tropical sea surface temperature and humidity may be largest and most systematic at low latitudes.
Bridging the Divide between Neuroprosthetic Design, Tissue Engineering and Neurobiology

Neuroprosthetic devices have made a major impact in the treatment of a variety of disorders such as paralysis and stroke. However, a major impediment in the advancement of this technology is the challenge of maintaining device performance during chronic implantation (months to years) due to complex intrinsic host responses such as gliosis or glial scarring. The objective of this review is to bring together research communities in neurobiology, tissue engineering, and neuroprosthetics to address the major obstacles encountered in the translation of neuroprosthetics technology into long-term clinical use. This article draws connections between specific challenges faced by current neuroprosthetics technology and recent advances in the areas of nerve tissue engineering and neurobiology. Within the context of the device-nervous system interface and central nervous system (CNS) implants, areas of synergistic opportunity are discussed, including platforms to present cells with multiple cues, controlled delivery of bioactive factors, three-dimensional constructs and in vitro models of gliosis and brain injury, nerve regeneration strategies, and neural stem/progenitor cell (NPC) biology. Finally, recent insights gained from the fields of developmental neurobiology and cancer biology are discussed as examples of exciting new biological knowledge that may provide fresh inspiration towards novel technologies to address the complexities associated with long-term neuroprosthetic device performance.
MicroRNA–mRNA interaction analysis to detect potential dysregulation in complex diseases

It is now recognized that genetic interactions (epistasis) are important sources of the hidden genetic variations and may play an important role in complex diseases. Identifying genetic interactions not only helps to explain part of the heritability of complex diseases, but also provides the clue to understand the underlying pathogenesis of complex diseases. Advances in high-throughput technologies enable simultaneous measurements of multiple genomic features from the same samples on a genome-wide scale, and different omics features are not acting in isolation but interact/crosstalk at multiple (within and across individual omics features) levels in complex networks. Therefore, genetic interaction needs to be accounted for across different omics features, potentially allowing an explanation of phenotype variation that single omics data cannot capture. In this study, we propose an analysis framework to detect the miRNA–mRNA interaction enrichment by incorporating principal components analysis and canonical correlation analysis. We demonstrate the advantages of our method by applying to miRNA and mRNA data on glioblastoma (GBM) generated by The Cancer Genome Atlas project. The results show that there are enrichments of the interactions between co-expressed miRNAs and gene pathways which are associated with GBM status. The biological functions of those identified genes and miRNAs have been confirmed to be associated with glioblastoma by independent studies. The proposed approach provides new insights in the regulatory mechanisms and an example for detecting interactions of multi-omics data on complex diseases.
Abstract LB-9: DNA binding distinguishes wild-type and mutant p53 activity

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Cell cycle regulation is a function of several regulatory genes such as cyclin G, p21, etc. controlled by p53. Several other genes such as pcna, puma, noxa involved in DNA repair and apoptotic pathways are also coordinated by p53. It is thus understandable that mutations in p53 could result in de-regulation of cell cycle progression, DNA repair, apoptosis, etc. Any imbalance in the above mentioned processes normally culminates in cancer. Our present focus of study is breast cancer where the cells harbor either wild-type or mutant p53. Progression of cancer in cell lines with wild-type p53 indicates a different regulatory switch/pathway responsible for the establishment of this disease. In an effort to understand the functional effect of both wild-type and mutant p53, we have done p53 DNA binding with nuclear extracts from several breast cancer cell lines using two assays. The DNA sequences being considered as target for p53 binding are from genes involved in cell cycle regulatory pathways, DNA repair, apoptosis and p53 regulation. We have observed differences in binding of p53 to some of these gene sequences. Cell lines with wild-type p53 and functional estrogen receptor (ER) bind more to the promoter for pcna and cyclin G than cell lines with mutant p53. The binding to the promoter of the puma gene is more similar between cell lines with mutant and wild-type p53 than the other genes analyzed. We anticipate a certain trend in DNA binding based on the functional status of p53 and its interaction with other proteins such as ER. This trend of p53 binding to different gene sequences may be utilized to better understand the causes of breast cancer, its subsequent progression as well as for designing treatment protocols. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-9.
Pathogenic anti-DNA autoantibody-inducing T helper cell lines from patients with active lupus nephritis: isolation of CD4-8- T helper cell lines that express the gamma delta T-cell antigen receptor.

Abstract The antigen responsible for autoimmunization in systemic lupus erythematosus is unknown. In spite of this obstacle, we show that T helper (Th) cell lines that are functionally relevant to this disease can be established in vitro. We derived a total of 396 interleukin 2-dependent T-cell lines from the in vivo activated T cells of five patients with lupus nephritis. Only 59 (approximately 15%) of these lines had the ability to selectively augment the production of pathogenic anti-DNA autoantibodies that were IgG in class, cationic in charge, specific for native DNA, and clonally restricted in spectrotype. Forty-nine of these autoantibody-inducing Th lines were CD4+ and expressed the alpha beta T-cell receptor (TCR). The other 10 were CD4-8- (double negative), 3 expressing the alpha beta TCR and 7 expressing the gamma delta TCR. All of the autoantibody-inducing Th lines responded to some endogenous antigen presented by autologous B cells. The autoreactive responses of the CD4+ Th lines were restricted to HLA class II antigens, whereas those of the double-negative cells were not. Endogenous heat shock or stress proteins of the HSP60 family that were expressed by the lupus patients' B cells were involved in stimulating an autoreactive proliferation of the gamma delta Th cells. These studies demonstrate a novel helper activity of certain gamma delta T cells in a spontaneous autoimmune response.
Loop Current Mixed Layer Energy Response to Hurricane Lili (2002). Part II: Idealized Numerical Simulations

AbstractIn this second part of a two-part study, details of the upper-ocean response within an idealized baroclinic current to a translating tropical cyclone are examined in a series of nonlinear, reduced-gravity numerical simulations. Based on observations obtained as part of a joint NOAA–National Science Foundation (NSF) experiment in Hurricane Lili (2002), the preexisting ocean mass and momentum fields are initialized with a Gulf of Mexico Loop Current–like jet, which is subsequently forced by a vortex whose wind stress field approximates that observed in the Lili experiments. Because of 1) favorable coupling between the wind stress and preexisting current vectors, and 2) wind-driven currents flowing across the large horizontal pressure gradient, wind energy transfer to the mixed layer can be more efficient in such a regime as compared to the case of an initially horizontally homogeneous ocean. However, nearly all energy is removed by advection and wave flux by two local inertial periods after storm pa...
Global distortion of GPS networks associated with satellite antenna model errors

Recent studies of the GPS satellite phase center offsets (PCOs) suggest that these have been in error by approx.1 m. Previous studies had shown that PCO errors are absorbed mainly by parameters representing satellite clock and the radial components of site position. On the basis of the assumption that the radial errors are equal, PCO errors will therefore introduce an error in network scale. However, PCO errors also introduce distortions, or apparent deformations, within the network, primarily in the radial (vertical) component of site position that cannot be corrected via a Helmert transformation. Using numerical simulations to quantify the effects of PC0 errors, we found that these PCO errors lead to a vertical network distortion of 6-12 mm per meter of PCO error. The network distortion depends on the minimum elevation angle used in the analysis of the GPS phase observables, becoming larger as the minimum elevation angle increases. The steady evolution of the GPS constellation as new satellites are launched, age, and are decommissioned, leads to the effects of PCO errors varying with time that introduce an apparent global-scale rate change. We demonstrate here that current estimates for PCO errors result in a geographically variable error in the vertical rate at the 1-2 mm/yr level, which will impact high-precision crustal deformation studies.
Observations from the CDC: Evaluation of a Two-Part Survey Item to Assess Moderate Physical Activity: The Cross-Cultural Activity Participation Study

Purpose: This study evaluated a two-part survey item that assessed adherence to the national moderate physical activity (MPA) recommendation (≥30 min/day on ≥5 days/week). Methods: Participants were African American (n = 137), Native American (n = 129), and Caucasian (n = 50) women ≥ 40 years from South Carolina and New Mexico, who were participating in a study validating physical activity surveys. The survey item was compared with data obtained from MPA recorded in PA records (min/day), Caltrac accelerometers (Muscle Dynamics, Torrance, CA) (kcal/day), and pedometers (steps/day). Results: Approximately 64% of the participants reported meeting the MPA recommendation on the survey item. Adjusted analyses showed that those who reported meeting the recommendation were more active than those who reported not meeting the recommendation (109.2 vs. 83.9 min/day, 2171.2 vs. 2088.4 kcal/day, and 5795.7 vs. 4797.2 steps/day, respectively; all p < 0.0001). The types of activities recorded in the PA record did not differ by self-reported adherence to the MPA recommendation except for walking (25.2 vs. 14.0 min/day for those who reported meeting vs. not meeting the recommendation, respectively; p < 0.05). A higher proportion of those who reported meeting the recommendation also reported participating in conditioning activities compared with those who reported not meeting the recommendation (31% vs. 19%, respectively; p < 0.05). Conclusions: The two-part survey item can reliably differentiate between higher and lower levels of activity. Those who perceive themselves as meeting the MPA recommendation are, on average, likely to have higher activity levels than those who perceive that they do not meet the recommendation.
Cerebral metabolism of oxidized ascorbate

Abstract The brain has a high level of ascorbic acid which is thought to act as a reducing agent, e.g. in protecting tissues against oxidative stress. The mechanisms by which ascorbate is maintained in the useful, reduced state in the CNS is evaluated herein. Cerebrum from rat or calf was minced and homogenized in buffer. The endogenous levels of ascorbic acid, dehydro- l -ascorbic acid (DHAA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined by HPLC with coulometric electrochemical detection. We also quantitated tissue capacity to regenerate ascorbic acid from DHAA, which is a product of electron transfer reactions of ascorbic acid. The homogenate was fractionated by centrifugation in steps up to110,000 × g and dialyzed free of low molecular weight components. The activity for reducing DHAA was approximately equal in the various supernatants; resuspended pellets had little activity. The active component has several properties of a protein, including being precipitated by solid ammonium sulfate addition to the tissue extract; most activity appeared in the 40–80% saturated fraction. The activity was stable up to a temperature of 80°C, but was lost at 95°C. The protein was digested by trypsin. The results suggest that a cytosolic component of cerebrum regenerates ascorbic acid in a step that preferentially uses GSH and NADPH as reducing cofactors. At least one form of DHAA reductase exists in brain.
A Feminist Perspective on Technical Communicative Action: Exploring How Alternative Worldviews Affect Environmental Remediation Efforts.

Because technical communicators are expected increasingly to participate in environmental communication, technical communication practitioners, researchers, and teachers should be aware of current ...
Understanding and Promoting the Transition of Minority Adolescents

Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used to investigate the barriers minority families encountered as their adolescent youth with disabilities move into adulthood and to identify what i...