cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of action of docosahexaenoic acid in the nervous system

This review describes (from both the animal and human literature) the biological consequences of losses in nervous system docosahexaenoate (DHA). It then concentrates on biological mechanisms that may serve to explain changes in brain and retinal function. Brief consideration is given to actions of DHA as a nonesterified fatty acid and as a docosanoid or other bioactive molecule. The role of DHA-phospholipids in regulating G-protein signaling is presented in the context of studies with rhodopsin. It is clear that the visual pigment responds to the degree of unsaturation of the membrane lipids. At the cell biological level, DHA is shown to have a protective role in a cell culture model of apoptosis in relation to its effects in increasing cellular phosphatidylserine (PS); also, the loss of DHA leads to a loss in PS. Thus, through its effects on PS, DHA may play an important role in the regulation of cell signaling and in cell proliferation. Finally, progress has been made recently in nuclear magnetic resonance studies to delineate differences in molecular structure and order in biomembranes due to subtle changes in the degree of phospholipid unsaturation.
Brain Responses While Viewing Television Reflect Program Interest

Human and animal evoked potential research on the neurophysiological substrates of attention/distraction has shown enhanced amplitude in response to attended stimuli and diminished amplitude to probe stimuli during distraction.To study further the electrophysiological correlates of attention/distraction in humans under more natural conditions I used television viewing which provided a means to manipulate distraction level by varying the interest value of the TV programs people watched. Preliminary studies demonstrated that one can record reliable, event-related brain potentials from people while they watch television by computer averaging electro-cortical responses evoked by flicker probe stimuli electronically inserted in the TV picture.The results of three separate experiments on a total of 30 young adults studying the effects of program interest on these TV-evoked potentials (TVEPs) all revealed significantly smaller amplitude late components for vertex TVEPs when people watched personally interesting,...
Implementation of Microarrays for Methylobacterium extorquens AM1

Microarrays are an important tool for understanding global gene expression changes, and the resulting data sets can be used to direct physiologic and metabolic studies. To take advantage of this technology, 60-mer oligonucleotide microarrays were designed for Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 to study gene expression changes that occur under differing physiological conditions. The carbon utilization pathways for methanol and succinate have been well characterized, and growth with these substrates was chosen as the condition used to validate the microarray data. The data were analyzed using two different methods and compared to previously obtained experimental data. The array data processed using the Significance Analysis of Microarrays followed by p-value assessment, correlated best to the experimental data. In addition to validating the microarrays, these studies uncovered possible connections between methylotrophy, iron, and sulfur homeostasis, bacteriochlorophyll production and polyketide synthesis, and ...
Characterization of Human and Mouse Rod cGMP Phosphodiesterase δ Subunit (PDE6D) and Chromosomal Localization of the Human Gene

Abstract The mammalian multisubunit photoreceptor cGMP phosphodiesterase PDEαβγ2(PDE6 family) is a peripherally membrane-associated enzyme. A novel subunit, termed PDEδ (HGMW-approved symbol, PDE6D; MW 17 kDa), is able to detach PDE partially from bovine rod outer segment membranes under physiological conditions. Cloning of human and mouse PDEδ cDNAs revealed that PDEδ is a nearly perfectly conserved polypeptide of 150 amino acids that shows partial sequence homology to photoreceptor RG4 of unknown function. Multiple-species Southern blot analysis demonstrates that the PDEδ gene has been well conserved during evolution and is detectable at high stringency in invertebrates. The human and mouse genes are contained in less than 8 kb of genomic DNA and consist of four exons and three introns (0.7–4 kb in human, 0.7–2.2 kb in mouse). The PDEδ gene structure is identical to that of the C27H5.1 gene identified in the eyeless nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans.The human PDEδ gene (locus designation PDE6D) was localized to the long arm of chromosome 2 (2q35–q36) by fluorescencein situhybridization. By synteny, the mouse PDEδ gene is predicted to reside on chromosome 1.
Congenital Heart Surgery Nomenclature and Database Project: aortico-left ventricular tunnel

The extant nomenclature for aortico-left ventricular tunnel is reviewed for the purpose of establishing a unified reporting system. The subject was debated and reviewed by members of the STS-Congenital Heart Surgery Database Committee and representatives from the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery. Efforts were made to include all relevant nomenclature categories using synonyms where appropriate. The Hovaguimian classification appears most useful to surgeons: type 1, a simple tunnel with a slit-like opening at the aortic end, no aortic valve distortion; type II, a large extracardiac aortic wall aneurysm of the tunnel with an oval opening at the aortic end, with or without ventricular distortion; type III, intracardiac aneurysm of the septal portion of the tunnel, with or without right ventricular outflow tract obstruction; and type IV, a combination of type II and III. A comprehensive database set is presented, which is based on a hierarchical scheme. Data are entered at various levels of complexity and detail, which can be determined by the clinician. These data can lay the foundation for comprehensive risk stratification analyses. A minimum database set is also presented which will allow for data sharing and would lend itself to basic interpretation of trends. Outcome tables relating diagnoses, procedures, and various risk factors are presented.
Modelling river oil spills: a review

The risk of oil spills in rivers has increased due to oil storage facilities along rivers, inland navigation, major oil transport pipelines that cross rivers. Inland oil spills are more frequent than ocean oil spills but are usually of smaller volumes. Oil spills in inland waterways can have enormous environmental and economical impacts because of their closeness to populated areas and economic centres. Previous review studies on oil spill modelling have concentrated on ocean oil spill modelling. In this paper all existing major river oil spill models are reviewed. The specific needs of the river oil spill models that are different from the ocean oil spill models are identified. The physico chemical oil spill processes which form the model are discussed. A comparison of the different models are presented. Simulations are presented to demostrate state-of-the-art in river oil spill models.
Chronic Proliferative Dermatitis in Mice: NFκB Activation Autoinflammatory Disease

Autoinflammatory diseases are a heterogeneous group of congenital diseases characterized by the presence of recurrent inflammation, in the absence of infectious agents, detectable autoantibodies or antigen-specific autoreactive T-cells. SHARPIN deficient mice presents multiorgan chronic inflammation without known autoantibodies or autoreactive T-cells, designated Sharpin(cpdm). Histological studies demonstrated epidermal hyperproliferation, Th-2 inflammation, and keratinocyte apoptosis in this mutant. The mutant mice have decreased behavioral mobility, slower growth, and loss of body weight. Epidermal thickness and mitotic epidermal cells increase along with disease development. K5/K14 expression is distributed through all layers of epidermis, along with K6 expression in interfollicular epidermis, suggesting epidermal hyperproliferation. K1/K10 is only detectable in outer layers of spinosum epidermis, reflecting accelerated keratinocyte migration. Alpha smooth muscle actin is overexpressed in skin blood vessels, which may release the elevated white blood cells to dermis. CD3(+)CD45(+) cells and granulocytes, especially eosinophils and mast cells, aggregate in the mutant skin. TUNEL assay, together with Annexin-V/propidium iodide FACS analysis, confirmed the increase of apoptotic keratinocytes in skin. These data validate and provide new lines of evidence of the proliferation-inflammation-apoptosis triad in Sharpin(cpdm) mice, an NFκB activation autoinflammatory disease.
An approach to isolating T cell lines that react to antigens presented on the surface of dendritic cells.

We describe an approach that might be useful for identifying antigens on surfaces of antigen presenting cells. It is known that dendritic cells carry antigens in situ and are efficient at clustering antigen-specific T cells. Using the human mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) system, we have shown that alloreactive CD4+ T cells can be selected by their capacity to cluster with dendritic cells in the first 2 days of the MLR. Small numbers of clustered cells, 1-10/culture well, could then be expanded as antigen-specific lines in presence of either antigen or mitogen, sodium periodate. Few antigen-specific lines could be isolated from the nonclustered fraction. When T cell lines derived from the dendritic T cell clusters were maintained without antigen, i.e. using second party (syngeneic antigen-presenting cells (APC] or irrelevant antigen bearing APC, i.e. third-party (HLA-mismatched) stimulator cells plus mitogen, the T cells retained their specificity for the original stimulating alloantigen over the time course tested, several weeks to months. These findings show that by using dendritic cells as immunoadsorbents one can prepare antigen-specific cell lines and maintain the specificity of the lines without the need for adding exogeneous antigen during either immunoselection or cloning. We discuss the possible use of dendritic cells as a means for raising T cell lines and clones that recognize antigens being carried by APC and which might be pertinent to protective immunity and autoimmunity.
What They Bring: How MSW Students Think About Mental Disorder and Clinical Knowledge

Social work educators are charged with preparing the next generation of clinical practitioners, since social workers provide the majority of the nation’s mental health services. Yet little is known about the “soil” onto which instruction falls—the ideas about mental disorder that MSW students bring to their clinical assessment courses. Without understanding the concepts that students already have, it is difficult to know how material is actually assimilated and translated into practice. Thus, a survey was conducted of MSW students (N = 388) at three graduate programs in the Northeastern U.S. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed by iterative thematic analysis. Differences among response patterns at the three sites, corresponding to demographic differences among the students, suggest that both personal and work experience profoundly affect students’ views of disorder; specifically, the experiences of race and privilege may be crucial to the development of MSW students’ thinking about the nature of mental disorder and clinical knowledge. Implications for teaching and learning are offered.
A Model of Knowledge Management Success

This article describes a knowledge management (KM) success model that is derived from observations generated through a longitudinal study of KM in an engineering organization and KM success factors found in the literature, which were modified by the application of these observations and success factors in various projects. The DeLone and McLean (1992, 2003) IS Success Model was used as a framework for the model, since it was found to fit the observed success criteria and provided an accepted theoretical basis for the proposed model.
New developments in the preoperative evaluation and perioperative management of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing vascular surgery.

Background Preoperative evaluation and perioperative management of cardiac disease in patients undergoing vascular surgery (VS) is important for patients and vascular surgeons. Recent evidence has emerged that has allowed us to develop contemporary paradigms for evaluating and managing coronary artery disease in VS patients perioperatively. Methods The utility of stress testing, the role of preoperative coronary revascularization, the optimal use of beta-blockers and statins, and the role of antiplatelet therapy in VS patients were reviewed in the literature. Results The revised Lee cardiac risk index, based on the number of risk factors (high-risk surgery, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, renal failure, hypertension, and age >75) quantitates cardiac risk. Stress testing is not predictive of myocardial ischemia/infarction (MI) or death and is only recommended in patients with unstable angina or an active arrhythmia. Stress testing for patients with 0 to 2 risk factors delays VS up to 3 weeks. In high-risk patients (>or=3 risk factors), it helps to identify patients who may develop myocardial ischemia and would benefit from a 30-day period to optimize medical therapy before VS. Stress testing and coronary catheterization do not predict which coronary artery to revascularize to prevent MI or death. Revascularization does not decrease MI or death rates at 1 month or 6 years. Although beta-blocker treatment decreases cardiac risk with VS, timing and dosage (titration) influence outcomes, improper usage may increase stroke and death rate, and not all VS patients should be taking these drugs. Patients with >or=1 risk factor should be considered to begin a low dose beta-blocker 1 month before VS. Preoperative statin use sharply decreases MI, stroke, and death perioperatively and long-term postoperatively. Conclusion Routine stress testing should not be performed before VS. The Lee index should be used to stratify risk in patients undergoing VS. Patients with >or=3 risk factors or active cardiac conditions should undergo stress testing, if VS can be delayed. All VS patients, except those with 0 risk factors, should be considered for a beta-blocker (bisoprolol, 2.5-5 mg/d started 1 month before VS, titrated to a pulse or=120 mm Hg). Intermediate risk factors may not require aggressive heart rate control but simply maintenance on a low-dose beta-blocker. Statins should be started (ideally 30 days) before all VS using long-acting formulations such as fluvastatin (80 mg/d) for patients unable to take oral medication.
The assessment of childhood asthma

The development of independent outcome measures for assessing the severity of asthma seems justified. The various outcomes measures listed by the guidelines (symptoms, nocturnal awakenings, rescue beta2-agonist use, and lung function) and their response to therapy are predictive of severe exacerbations from asthma. They do not necessarily strongly correlate with each other, however. Measures of AHR, particularly methacholine provocation, and the measurement of FeNO are attractive as assessments of ongoing asthma activity in children when lung function and symptoms are normal.
Factors associated with kyphosis progression in older women: 15 years' experience in the study of osteoporotic fractures.

Age-related hyperkyphosis is thought to be a result of underlying vertebral fractures, but studies suggest that among the most hyperkyphotic women, only one in three have underlying radiographic vertebral fractures. Although commonly observed, there is no widely accepted definition of hyperkyphosis in older persons, and other than vertebral fracture, no major causes have been identified. To identify important correlates of kyphosis and risk factors for its progression over time, we conducted a 15-year retrospective cohort study of 1196 women, aged 65 years and older at baseline (1986 to 1988), from four communities across the United States: Baltimore County, MD; Minneapolis, MN; Portland, OR; and the Monongahela Valley, PA. Cobb angle kyphosis was measured from radiographs obtained at baseline and an average of 3.7 and 15 years later. Repeated measures, mixed effects analyses were performed. At baseline, the mean kyphosis angle was 44.7 degrees (SE = 0.4, SD = 11.9) and significant correlates included a family history of hyperkyphosis, prevalent vertebral fracture, low bone mineral density, greater body weight, degenerative disc disease, and smoking. Over an average of 15 years, the mean increase in kyphosis was 7.1 degrees (SE = 0.25). Independent determinants of greater kyphosis progression were prevalent and incident vertebral fractures, low bone mineral density and concurrent bone density loss, low body weight, and concurrent weight loss. Thus, age-related kyphosis progression may be best prevented by slowing bone density loss and avoiding weight loss.
Psychiatric Uses of Newer Anticonvulsants.

Sir: Over the past several years, the number of new anticonvulsants has increased considerably. As the number of new agents increases, so too does the reporting of off-label uses in psychiatric disorders. Interestingly enough, of all the anticonvulsants available in the United States, only valproate is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for use in acute mania. There are about 15 controlled studies demonstrating clinical utility of carbamazepine in the treatment of acute mania; however, it is not FDA approved for that use.1 The following discussion will look at the off-label uses of the newer anticonvulsants in psychiatric disorders.
Effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on hepatic and renal prostaglandin synthetase

Abstract This study examines the possibility that the very toxic compound, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), produces its toxic effects through induction or repression of microsomal prostaglandin synthetase (cyclooxygenase). The effects of TCDD on microsomal synthesis of prostaglandin from [ 14 C]arachidonic acid in rabbit liver and kidney medulla were examined 24 and 72 hr after TCDD administration. A hepatotoxic dose of TCDD (30 μg/kg) did not affect prostaglandin synthetase activity of rabbit liver or kidney medulla microsomes at either time point, although other microsomal enzymes (cytochrome P-488) were altered in both tissues.
Association of the Adaptor Molecule Lat with Cd4 and Cd8 Coreceptors Identifies a New Coreceptor Function in T Cell Receptor Signal Transduction

Linker for activation of T cells (LAT) is an adaptor protein whose tyrosine phosphorylation is critical for transduction of the T cell receptor (TCR) signal. LAT phosphorylation is accomplished by the protein tyrosine kinase ZAP-70, but it is not at all clear how LAT (which is not associated with the TCR) encounters ZAP-70 (which is bound to the TCR). Here we show that LAT associates with surface CD4 and CD8 coreceptors and that its association is promoted by the same coreceptor cysteine motif that mediates Lck binding. In fact, LAT competes with Lck for binding to individual coreceptor molecules but differs from Lck in its preferential association with CD8 rather than CD4 in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. Importantly, as a consequence of LAT association with surface coreceptors, coengagement of the TCR with surface coreceptors induces LAT phosphorylation and the specific recruitment of downstream signaling mediators to coreceptor-associated LAT molecules. These results point to a new function for CD4 and CD8 coreceptors in TCR signal transduction, namely to promote LAT phosphorylation by ZAP-70 by recruiting LAT to major histocompatibility complex–engaged TCR complexes.
Application of Item Response Models to Criterion-Referenced Assessment

Of interest in this study was the use of item re sponse models for obtaining accurate examinee do main score estimates and for increasing the prob abilities with which examinees are assigned correct ly to mastery states with ctiterion-referenced test scores. Specifically, the purpose of this investigation was to compare the one-, two-, and three-parameter logistic test models for estimating domain scores and making mastery/nonmastery decisions. Com puter simulation methods were used to recover a set of true domain scores with each of the logistic test models under a variety of testing conditions. Also, the percent of times the use of each model led to decisions which were consistent with decisions made with the true domain scores was studied. The one- parameter and three-parameter model resulted in highly comparable results for middle and high abil ity examinees, while for low ability examinees, the more general model always performed somewhat better.
Dynamics of particle size/conversion distributions in fluidized beds: application to char gasification

Abstract Dynamic relations are given which describe the time-dependent behavior of the distribution of reacting particles which are distributed in both size and in their degree of conversion in a fluidized bed. These relations are solve by the method of orthogonal collocation. The adequacy of the orthogonal collocation formulation is determined by comparing steady-state results to steady-state solutions obtained directly by a semi-analytical method. Transient responses of bed weight and particle size/conversion distributions to a step increase in the feed rate are given to exemplify results of the dynamic solution algorithm.
Bacterial Expression of Human Respiratory Syncytial Viral Phosphoprotein P and Identification of Ser237 as the Site of Phosphorylation by Cellular Casein Kinase II

Abstract The phosphoprotein P gene of human respiratory syncytial virus has been cloned and the protein expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed protein was soluble, unphosphorylated, and constituted ∼10% of the total bacterial protein. Electrophoretic and antigenic analyses demonstrated the identity of the recombinant protein with viral P protein and P protein synthesized in reticulocyte lysates. Purified recombinant P protein was efficiently phosphorylated in vitro by purified native as well as recombinant casein kinase II (CKII) or by the CKII activity in uninfected cell extracts. Through deletions and site-directed mutagenesis, the site of CKII phosphorylation was mapped to a single serine residue (Ser 237 ) near the C-terminal end of the P protein.
Micro‐enterprise supply chain management in developing countries

Purpose – A majority of citizens in the developing world rely upon self‐employment and micro‐enterprise operations as their primary and only source of income. The purpose of this paper is to examine how micro‐enterprise owners in the developing world can improve their standard of living by better managing their supply chains.Design/methodology/approach – By relying upon case‐study methodology, propositions are derived.Findings – Such propositions should provide direction to activists and governments in raising the productivity of such enterprises, hence reducing poverty.Originality/value – Examining the relevant literature in relation to field observations helps identify a number of important issues which need to be examined further by academicians.
Perturbative heavy quark fragmentation function through O ( α s 2 ) : Gluon initiated contribution

We derive the gluon initiated contribution to the initial condition for the perturbative fragmentation function of a heavy quark through order $\mathcal{O}({\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}^{2})$ in the $\overline{\mathrm{MS}}$ scheme. This result is needed for the resummation with next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy of quasicollinear logarithms ${ln﻿}^{k}({m}^{2})$ in heavy quark differential distributions by solving the complete Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi (DGLAP) equation. Together with the previously evaluated fermion initiated components, this result completes the derivation of the initial condition for the perturbative fragmentation function at next-to-next-to-leading order.
Interactions of lipids with peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors

Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) are present at high densities in the rat kidney distal tubule. [3H]RO 5-4864 binding to PBRs in kidney membranes is inhibited by several unidentified low molecular weight hydrophobic compounds in urine and serum. We tested representative hydrophobic compounds from several lipid classes for ability to inhibit binding to rat kidney PBRs of two high affinity ligands, [3H]RO 5-4864 and [3H]PK 11195. Unsaturated fatty acids and alcohols inhibited [3H]RO 5-4864 binding with half-maximal inhibition occurring at 3 X 10(-6) M to 10(-4) M. Inhibitory potency increased with the degree of unsaturation. Phospholipids inhibited [3H]RO 5-4864 in the same concentration range, with inhibitory potency in this case dependent both upon an unsaturated fatty acid moiety and upon the polar head group. Phosphatidylethanolamine was the most potent phospholipid tested (IC50 = 2 X 10(-6) M), whereas phosphatidylcholine was not inhibitory. Although phospholipids inhibited both [3H]RO 5-4864 and [3H]PK 11195 binding equally, unsaturated fatty acids had a much greater inhibitory effect upon [3H]RO 5-4864 than upon [3H]PK 11195 binding. Similar effects were obtained with digitonin-solubilized PBRs. These data demonstrate that in our experiments PBR binding was inhibited by specific lipids and that binding of proposed agonist (RO 5-4864) and antagonist (PK 11195) ligands was differentially affected by unsaturated fatty acids.
An optimized lactate dehydrogenase release assay for screening of drug candidates in neuroscience

Abstract Introduction Quantification of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release is a widely accepted assay for the quantitative determination of cell viability and late-stage apoptosis. Major disadvantages of commercially available LDH assay kits include proprietary formulations, limited options for optimization and high cost, all resulting in limited reproducibility in research applications. Here, we describe a novel, custom LDH assay suitable in the context of plate reader-based screening of drug candidates for glioprotection, but with wide applicability to other cell types and experimental paradigms. Methods We developed a novel and highly reproducible LDH release assay that is more cost-effective than commercially available assays with comparable performance. The assay was validated by assessing 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid antioxidant protection against tert -butylhydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in C6 astroglioma cells. Assay performance was validated by direct comparison and compatible with other methods of measuring cellular viability, namely 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and 6-carboxy-2′, 7′ dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assays. Results There was no statistically significant difference between results obtained with the novel custom assay and a commercially available assay CytoTox96® (Promega, Madison, WI). Discussion The novel custom LDH release assay allows the reproducible quantification of cell viability and is highly cost-effective when compared to commercially available assays (approximately 25 times cheaper). In addition and in contrast to commercially available assays, the identification and detailed description of all assay components and procedures provide greater control over experimental conditions and design. We provide a detailed standard operating procedure permitting our novel assay to be readily adapted depending on experimental requirements.
Medical waste management/incineration

Abstract Major changes in medical waste disposal practices are expected to occur in the future because of regulatory requirements from both the Federal and State level; namely: • • At the Federal level, under the Clean Air Act of 1970 and its recently enacted Amendments of 1990, EPA proposed air emission standards to regulate medical waste incineration in February 1995. • • At the State level, many States are developing new standards to control medical waste disposal. Because of the information need to support the implementation of the regulations, both the Federal Government and the States have conducted various studies. This paper represents a discussion of what has been learned as a result of these studies. Major activities have included: • • EPA's/Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory's (RREL's) State-of-the-Art Assessment of Medical Waste Thermal Treatment; • • Four medical waste management workshops co-sponsored by EPA's RREL, EPA's Office of Solid Waste (OSW), and the California Air Resources Board; • • Field tests of medical waste incinerator performance conducted by EPA and the States; • • Evaluation of medical waste treatment technologies conducted by private industries; • • The promulgation of medical waste incineration standards by several States and the active development of Federal standards by EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS); and • • EPA's/OSW's submittal of their first Interim Report to Congress.
Activation of the Kinase Activity of ATM by Retinoic Acid Is Required for CREB-dependent Differentiation of Neuroblastoma Cells

The ATM protein kinase is mutated in ataxia telangiectasia, a genetic disease characterized by defective DNA repair, neurodegeneration, and growth factor signaling defects. The activity of ATM kinase is activated by DNA damage, and this activation is required for cells to survive genotoxic events. In addition to this well characterized role in DNA repair, we now demonstrate a novel role for ATM in the retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells into post-mitotic, neuronal-like cells. RA rapidly activates the activity of ATM kinase, leading to the ATM-dependent phosphorylation of the CREB protein, extrusion of neuritic processes, and differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells into neuronal-like cells. When ATM protein expression was suppressed by short hairpin RNA, the ATM-dependent phosphorylation of CREB was blocked. Furthermore, ATM-negative cells failed to differentiate into neuronal-like cells when exposed to retinoic acid; instead, they underwent cell death. Expression of a constitutively active CREBVP16 construct, or exposure to forskolin to induce CREB phosphorylation, rescued ATM negative cells and restored differentiation. Furthermore, when dominant negative CREB proteins with mutations in either the CREB phosphorylation site (CREBS133A) or the DNA binding domain (KCREB) were introduced into SH-SY5Y cells, retinoic acid-induced differentiation was blocked and the cells underwent cell death. The results demonstrate that ATM is required for the retinoic acid-induced differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells through the ATM dependent-phosphorylation of serine 133 of CREB. These results therefore define a novel mechanism for activation of the activity of ATM kinase by RA, and implicate ATM in the regulation of CREB function during RA-induced differentiation.
Neuroelectrical Decomposition of Spontaneous Brain Activity Measured with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Spontaneous activity in the human brain occurs in complex spatiotemporal patterns that may reflect functionally specialized neural networks. Here, we propose a subspace analysis method to elucidate large-scale networks by the joint analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. The new approach is based on the notion that the neuroelectrical activity underlying the fMRI signal may have EEG spectral features that report on regional neuronal dynamics and interregional interactions. Applying this approach to resting healthy adults, we indeed found characteristic spectral signatures in the EEG correlates of spontaneous fMRI signals at individual brain regions as well as the temporal synchronization among widely distributed regions. These spectral signatures not only allowed us to parcel the brain into clusters that resembled the brain's established functional subdivision, but also offered important clues for disentangling the involvement of individual regions in fMRI network activity.
Landau damping of low- and high-power slow electrostatic waves

Waves were excited in a warm plasma at frequencies above the lower hybrid frequency and have measured their damping characteristics under a variety of conditions. Strong wave absorption was measured if ..omega../k/sub ''/ less than or equal to 3 v/sub e/, in agreement with the predictions of linear Landau damping. At a certain critical power level, consistent with the power required to flatten the velocity distribution, the absorption disappears. Above this level evidence was obtained for the appearance of an enhanced electron tail between 80--250 eV, in and above the energy range where Landau damping should occur.
MEASURING THE BENEFITS OF URBAN IMPROVEMENTS

This paper analyzes the benefits that arise from urban improvements such as changes in the transportation system or air quality. In general, two types of benefits occur: the direct or user benefits of the improvement and the secondary benefits of changes in land values and housing prices.
Mass transfer to the rear of a sphere in Stokes flow

Abstract Mass transfer to a sphere, including the rear region, in Stokes flow and at large Peclet numbers, is investigated. By the singular-perturbation technique, six distinct regions of different mass-transfer mechanisms are found. One of these regions, the diffusion layer, has already been solved by the boundary-layer method. Another area, the region at the rear of the sphere, is solved here. The local Nusselt number at the rear stagnation point is found to be 1·192. To predict the mass transfer rate everywhere on the sphere, a composite solution can be formed from the boundary-layer solution and the rear-region solution. In heat- and mass-transfer problems, the method used here complements the boundary-layer methods in predicting the heat- or mass-transfer rate at the rear of an axisymmetric object.
P-21 Initial experience in minimally invasive cardiac surgery with coronary sinus catheter placement by anaesthesiologists in an academic centre

Introduction. While coronary sinus catheter (CSC) placement by anaesthesiologists for retrograde cardioplegia in minimally invasive cardiac surgery is relatively safe in experienced hands, the optimum way to train in this technique is not known [1]. Two cardiac anaesthesiologists at our institution attended one lecture and one demonstration of CSC placement, and then trained a third anaesthesiologist. We evaluated the success rate and the time taken for CSC placement in our initial few cases. Method. An IRB-approved retrospective review was conducted for patients in whom CSC placement was attempted in JanuarySeptember 2010. We noted the time from the patient’s entry to the operating room to being ready for the surgical team (anaesthesia preparation time, APT). The success rate, cause for failure and complications of CSC placement were recorded. We then evaluated the average APT for these 3 anaesthesiologists in cases without CSC placement. Results. In the 9 months reviewed, CSC placement with both echocardiographic and fluoroscopic guidance was successful in 21 out of 23 patients. No complications were noted. In 2 patients the CS ostium was engaged with echocardiographic guidance, but because of an acute curve in the CS, the catheter could not be advanced further despite multiple attempts, including use of guidewires and curving the tip of the CSC. Mean APT was 128 (range 94-176) minutes. There was no discernable trend of improving times over the 21 cases. For cases without CSC placement, mean APT was 71 (range 40-160) minutes. Discussion. With minimal training, it is possible to insert CSC successfully in 90% of patients. When CSC placement is attempted the average time taken to get the patient ready for the surgical team is extended by approximately one hour. APT acted as a surrogate marker for the time taken to insert the CSC, but could potentially be affected by multiple other factors.
Fuzzy inventory model for deteriorating items with price dependent demand

This article focuses on the implementation of fuzzy set theory in the inventory control of deteriorating items where holding cost and deterioration rate are considered as linearly increasing functions of time. An uncertain cycle time is considered and described by a (symmetric) triangular fuzzy number. Demand rate as a function of selling price is also considered. The optimum results are defuzzified by a signed distance method. All results are illustrated numerically and graphically. This research investigates the effect of uncertainty and also directs one to realize the great importance of uncertainty in managing inventory control activity.
Anchoring Political Preferences: The Structural Bases of Stable Electoral Decisions and Political Attitudes in Britain

The paper applies a structural perspective to the analysis of political preferences. Examining two British surveys, the 1987 cross-section of the electorate and a panel survey that covers the 1983 and 1987 elections, the research explores the bases of persistent voting for the same party, location on left-right scales, and the probability of holding the same policy views on a host of different issues over time. A set of structural variables rests at the heart of the paper';s theory: discussion networks, patterns of interactions with members of political parties, social class networks, and location in the social structure. Several hypotheses guide the analysis: The effects of the structural variables on the probability of casting a ballot for the same political party in any one election and in adjacent elections will remain, even after controlling for party identification; political party socialization; location on left-right scales; positions taken on any and all political issues; age, and past levels of electoral stability. The effects of structural variables on left-right position will remain, even after controlling for locations on alternative left-right scales. Finally, reinforcing attitudinal context provides the only consistent determinant of stable policy positions, after controlling for a host of alternative explanations including level of education; age; interest in politics, and a general propensity to offer stable answers to political questions.
From luminary to lesser-known: The declining influence of criminology textbook authors on scholarship

I reanalyze four citation studies of criminology/criminal justice journals and books to demonstrate that the authors of criminology textbooks in past years, considered as a group, were better-known scholars than the authors of textbooks today. When authors/co-authors of criminology textbooks published from 1936 to 1965 are compared with authors/co-authors of criminology textbooks published from 1984 to 1993, many more of the former ranked among the most frequently cited scholars of their time. I conclude with some thoughts about why so few prominent scholars today write criminology textbooks.
Rumination and Overgeneral Autobiographical Memory in Adolescents: An Integration of Cognitive Vulnerabilities to Depression

During adolescence, rates of depression dramatically increase and girls become twice as likely as boys to develop depression. Research suggests that overgeneral autobiographical memory and rumination are vulnerability factors for depressive symptoms in adolescence that may be triggered by stressful life events. The current longitudinal study included 160 early adolescents (Mage = 12.44 years, 60.0 % African American, 40.0 % Caucasian, and 56.2 % female). At baseline, adolescents completed measures of current depressive symptoms, rumination, and specificity of autobiographical memories. Approximately 9 months later, the adolescents completed measures of current depressive symptoms and stressful life events that had occurred between baseline and follow-up. Analyses indicated that girls with more overgeneral autobiographical memories in combination with higher levels of rumination were most vulnerable to experiencing increases in depressive symptoms following stressful life events. Additionally, retrieving more specific autobiographical memories appeared to buffer against the impact of negative life events on depressive symptoms among both boys and girls. Memory specificity may play a protective role in depression risk, suggesting that memory specificity training interventions may prove beneficial for adolescents.
Transformation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in four different marine and estuarine sediments: effects of sulfate, hydrogen and acetate on dehalogenation and side-chain cleavage

Enrichments initiated with marine and estuarine sediments from the Arthur Kill (NY/NJ estuary) and Paleta Creek (San Diego Bay, CA), transformed 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid to 4-chlorophenol in the presence of sulfate (25 mM). Transformation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid was not observed with two other marine sediments from Tuckerton, NJ and Flax Pond (Stony Brook, NY). The lag period prior to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid loss or the time required for 50% removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (t50) in Arthur Kill and San Diego enrichments was not affected by the presence of sulfate, although the addition of hydrogen and acetate decreased the lag periods and t50 values in these enrichments. The first step in the transformation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid was side-chain removal forming 2,4-dichlorophenol which was then dechlorinated to 4-chlorophenol. Second-generation Arthur Kill cultures dechlorinated 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid to 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid. This dechlorination occurred both in the presence and absence of sulfate (25 mM); however, sulfate reduced the rate of dechlorination by approximately 50%. Second-generation cultures inoculated with the sulfate-amended enrichments consumed sulfate and dechlorinated 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid to 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid concurrently when supplied with hydrogen and acetate; the rate of dechlorination was twice that of cultures that did not receive hydrogen and acetate. Sulfate consumption occurred only in cultures supplemented with hydrogen and acetate. These results indicate that dechlorination of an organochlorine pesticide in marine and estuarine sediments occurs in the presence of sulfate and the addition of readily utilizable carbon and electron donors can stimulate dechlorinating activity.
Soil and Water Conservation Advances in the United States

Edited by Ted M. Zobeck and William F. Schillinger. SSSA Spec. Publ. 60. SSSA, 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison, WI 53711. 2010. 301 pp. Hardcover. Member price $48, nonmember price $60. ISBN: 978-0-89118-852-0. This excellent anthology is essentially an agricultural geography of the contiguous United
Coping With Grief After Involuntary Pregnancy Loss: Perspectives of African American Women

Objective To present the coping strategies used by African American women following their miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, fetal deaths, and stillbirths, which the authors have termed involuntary pregnancy losses or IPLs. Design Semistructured audiotaped interviews; grounded theory methods used to collect and analyze the data. Setting Urban community-based sites in the Western United States. Participants 20 African American adult women who reported a history of involuntary pregnancy loss within 3 years of interview. Results In this study, the women's responses to their IPL were grouped into four areas. They coped with personal reactions, reactions of others, memories of the baby, and subsequent pregnancies. Conclusion The women in this study used inner resources to develop self-help strategies to cope with reactions following IPL. Nurses are challenged to harness the influence of family, friends, religion, and cultural traditions to assist women in processing the cognitive, emotional, and social traumas associated with IPL. Educating women to recognize grief responses after IPL and to manage these responses effectively may prevent adverse outcomes to their physical and mental health. A culturally sensitive framework of clinical assessment and intervention for African American women experiencing IPL has been developed.
Soybean isoflavone exposure does not have feminizing effects on men: a critical examination of the clinical evidence

Objective To critically evaluate the clinical evidence, and when not available, the animal data, most relevant to concerns that isoflavone exposure in the form of supplements or soy foods has feminizing effects on men. Design Medline literature review and cross-reference of published data. Result(s) In contrast to the results of some rodent studies, findings from a recently published metaanalysis and subsequently published studies show that neither isoflavone supplements nor isoflavone-rich soy affect total or free testosterone (T) levels. Similarly, there is essentially no evidence from the nine identified clinical studies that isoflavone exposure affects circulating estrogen levels in men. Clinical evidence also indicates that isoflavones have no effect on sperm or semen parameters, although only three intervention studies were identified and none were longer than 3 months in duration. Finally, findings from animal studies suggesting that isoflavones increase the risk of erectile dysfunction are not applicable to men, because of differences in isoflavone metabolism between rodents and humans and the excessively high amount of isoflavones to which the animals were exposed. Conclusion(s) The intervention data indicate that isoflavones do not exert feminizing effects on men at intake levels equal to and even considerably higher than are typical for Asian males.
Low-frequency variability of pulsars.

Etude de l'influence des fluctuations de densite de grande longueur d'onde (≤10 14 cm) dans le milieu interstellaire sur les observations de pulsars et de radiosources extragalactiques
Minor-Groove-Modulating Adenosine Replacements Control Protein Binding and RNAi Activity in siRNAs

Short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are common tools in molecular biology; however, the development of RNAi-based therapeutics is limited by immunostimulatory and nonspecific effects mediated by off-ta...
Organization and development of brain stem auditory nuclei of the chicken: ontogeny of n. magnocellularis and n. laminaris.

Nucleus magnocellularis (NM) and nucleus laminaris (NL) are, respectively, second- and third-order auditory nuclei in the chicken brain stem. In this report the morphogenesis of these nuclei is examined. The times of origin of the cells of these nuclei were studied with 3H-thymidine autoradiography. The number of cells in each nucleus and their rostro-caudal distribution within each nucleus was determined in Nissl-stained sections at 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 21 days of incubation. For the above ages the volumes of NM and NL were also calculated planimetrically and the rostro-caudal distribution of volume within each nucleus was studied. The results indicate that the times of origin of NM and NL neurons do not overlap — the cells of NM are formed at around 60 hours of incubation, while those of NL are formed at around 84 hours. At nine days, both nuclei have a roughly equal complement of cells; however by 21 days (hatching) the number of NM neurons has decreased by 18%, while the number of NL neurons has decreased by 84%. In both nuclei most of the cell death occurs in the period between 11 and 13 days, during which time NL assumes a laminar appearance. A rostro-caudal gradient of cell death was found for both nuclei. The times of volume increases in NM and NL commence at the end of the period of cell death, beginning at 13 days for NM and at 17 days for NL, whose cell death is more protracted. For both nuclei a rostro-caudal gradient of volumetric expansion was also found.