cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of cadmium in biological fluids by the delves modification of atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Abstract A quantitative method is described for the rapid determination of submicrogram levels of cadmium in urine, plasma and whole blood. The method involves chelation of the cadmium with ammonium 1-pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and extraction into methylisobutyl ketone. A 20-μl aliquot of the extract is then analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a Delves microcrucible attachment. The apparent sensitivity of detection is 1 ng/ml of cadmium, and the precision in terms of average deviation is approximately 3%.
A review: the role of high dose methylprednisolone in spinal cord trauma in children.

Background The use of steroids in traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in children is controversial. There is a paucity of literature on its usage. To help clarify recommendations on steroid use in children, we reviewed the current literature on the administration of high dose methylprednisolone (MP) use in traumatic spinal cord injuries with an emphasis in pediatric spinal cord trauma. Methods A retrospective review of the current literature on traumatic spinal cord injuries was conducted. Outcomes were critically reviewed from the National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Studies (NASCIS) II and III and Cochrane review; as well as, other randomized and retrospective studies. Papers describing objective neurological outcomes were only included. Results The outcomes of neurological improvement following steroid infusion have not been reproducible outside of the NASCIS and one single Japanese trial. High dose steroids significantly increase the risk of infections leading to prolonged hospital stay and ventilator dependence. Conclusion Data from adult studies remains controversial with insufficient data to support administration of MP for treatment of traumatic spinal cord injuries. Randomized controlled trials are needed in the pediatric population to assess the advantages of steroid use after SCI in children. On the basis of the current evidence, the use of steroids in patients is associated with increased infectious risks and no neurological improvements.
Social Organization in Caged Layers: The Peck Order Revisited

Abstract The dominance hierarchy that exists among free ranging chickens is a peck order. Several researchers have attempted to correlate various production parameters of caged layers with dominance rank, with mixed results. Animal welfare groups have expressed increasing concern over the effects of battery cage housing on the behavior of layers, even though several researchers have shown that the incidence of aggressive pecks decreases in these cages. The studies presented here demonstrate that agonistic interactions occur among most pairs of hens housed in pens but do not occur among most pairs of hens housed in cages. Therefore, peck orders could be constructed for hens housed in pens but not for hens housed in cages. Incidence of agonistic interactions is highest in cage-housed hens immediately following housing of the hens; this peak is matched when group membership is mixed. These results suggest that a social system does form among caged hens even if a peck order does not. A single dominant hen in each cage was involved in and won a large majority of the agonistic encounters in the cages. The lack of evidence of dominance relationships between pairs of hens in cages, other than those between a single dominant hen and its cage mates, supports the hypothesis that despotism, not a peck order, was the prevailing social organization among hens housed in high-density cages.
Radiation exposure of vascular surgery patients beyond endovascular procedures

Background Medical imaging evaluations provide valuable information and are often imperative in the care of our patients. Radiation exposure in patients who undergo medical imaging procedures is not routinely monitored and the associated risks are often underestimated. Methods Radiation exposure associated with computed tomography (CT) angiography and coronary intervention is reviewed. Results Vascular surgeons are often involved in the decision-making process in roughly 30% of CT scans performed that are believed to be unnecessary. Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) practice guidelines for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms recommended eliminating a 6-month contrast surveillance CT if no endoleak was observed at 1 month after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Ultrasound and aortic duplex can help eliminate some of the CT scans. Conclusion Vascular surgeons must remain vigilant in monitoring radiation exposure for their patients who have potential for coronary and vascular imaging with radiation. Judicious use of alternative imaging modalities when possible and maintaining the dose as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) is the responsibility of vascular surgeons.
Impact of chronic kidney disease on outcomes of superficial femoral artery endoluminal interventions.

While aggressive endoluminal therapy for superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusive disease is commonplace, the implications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on long-term outcomes in this population are unclear. We examined the consequences of endovascular treatment of the SFA in patients with and without varying stages of CKD. A database of patients undergoing endovascular treatment of the SFA between 1986 and 2007 was queried, and two groups were defined: estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 60 mL/min/1.73 cm(2). Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Results were standardized to TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC-II) and Society for Vascular Surgery criteria. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to assess time-dependent outcomes. Factor analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazard model for time-dependent variables. Data are presented as mean +/- standard deviation where appropriate. There were 525 limbs in 535 patients (68% male, average age 66 +/- 14 years) that underwent endovascular treatment for claudication or chronic critical limb ischemia (51%). Patients with eGFR 60. In patients with critical limb ischemia, there was no difference in patency between those with eGFR 60. Limb salvage was worse in patients with eGFR 60. With respect to limb salvage, six factors were significantly associated with a reduction in rates: presence of tissue loss at presentation (relative risk [RR] = 6.45, p = 0.003), 0 or 1 vessel tibial runoff (RR = 2.56, p < 0.01), progression of distal disease noted in follow-up (RR = 4.62, p < 0.01), embolization at the initial intervention (RR = 2.70, p < 0.05), diabetes mellitus (RR = 3.71, p < 0.01), and a history of congestive heart disease (RR = 2.42, p < 0.01). Notable factors that were not significantly associated included lesion calcification (p = 0.64), TASC C or D lesion categorization (p = 0.99), acute occlusion at initial intervention (p = 0.40), and adjuvant stenting (p = 0.67). CKD does not impact the patency of SFA interventions. Limb salvage in patients with critical ischemia is significantly worse when the eGFR is <or=60 mL/min/1.73 cm(2).
Light damage in Abca4 and Rpe65rd12 mice.

Purpose. Bisretinoids form in photoreceptor cells and accumulate in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) as lipofuscin. To examine the role of these fluorophores as mediators of retinal light damage, we studied the propensity for light damage in mutant mice having elevated lipofuscin due to deficiency in the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter Abca4 (Abca4−/− mice) and in mice devoid of lipofuscin owing to absence of Rpe65 (Rpe65rd12).
Mutagenesis studies on cultured mammalian cells. The sensitivity of the asparagine-requiring phenotype to several chemical agents

Abstract The effect of several chemical agents on the mutation frequency from asparagine dependence to asparagine independence has been studied in Jensen sarcoma cells. It was found that ethylmethanesulfonate brought about a dramatic exponential increase, while nitrosoguanidine was not highly effective as a mutagen, causing only a modest increase in mutation frequency, and quinacrine HCl was ineffective. The results presented here are compared with those obtained in other systems and with our previous work on the effects of UV on mutation induction in the asparagine system. They suggest that the basis of the asparagine requirement of mammalian cell lines resides in a specific genetic alteration in nuclear DNA which is corrected by the mutagenic action of the agents tested here.
Reexamining the temporal aspects of affect: relationships between repeatedly measured affective state, subjective well-being, and affective disposition

Abstract Research that includes measures of affect has often used measures of affective state, subjective well-being, and affective disposition interchangeably. The present study examined the relationships between three widely-used measures of these constructs. Examination of coefficient alpha and test–retest reliabilities indicated that there are temporal differences between the constructs. Confirmatory factor analysis models indicated that affective state correlates with subjective well-being, which in turn correlates with affective disposition. Results indicate that the constructs are related but not equivalent, and that researchers should ensure they use the most valid instrument for the construct they wish to measure.
Effects of lead shot ingestion on free-ranging mourning doves.

Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) may develop Pb toxicosis from ingesting spent Pb shot from hunted fields in which they feed. One to 6.5 percent of the dove population may ingest Pb shot based on analysis of gizzard contents. No Pb shot toxicity studies have been conducted on free-ranging mourning doves. Mortality data for Pb-dosed, free-ranging doves would help determine the actual effects of Pb shot ingestion on the mourning dove population. Causes of death of Pb-treated doves also could help to estimate exposure of predators and scavengers to secondary Pb toxicosis. The objectives of this study were to compare mortality and causes of death of free-ranging Pb-treated and untreated mourning doves.
Metabolism of [3H]leupeptin by rat liver.

Abstract Tritium-labeled leupeptin was used to study how this tripeptide proteinase inhibitor interacts with the liver, including the mechanism of its transport into the cell, its subcellular distribution after uptake, and its metabolism once in the tissue. Experiments were done in situ and in a perfused liver. At low concentrations (1 to 10 μ m ) the uptake of radioactive inhibitor was competed by chemically reduced leupeptin. At high concentrations at least up to 400 μ m the uptake was directly proportional to the external concentration of tripeptide. Entry into the tissue essentially stopped at low temperature ( 3 H]Leupeptin initially was located in the soluble fraction of the liver homogenate and by 15 to 30 min became concentrated in the lysosome-rich fraction. During 2 h of perfusion almost 50% of [ 3 H]leupeptin that had entered the liver was secreted intact into the bile. In addition, a portion of the leupeptin that remained in the liver was degraded during this time period.
Effects of sodium bicarbonate correction of metabolic acidosis on regional tissue oxygenation in very low birth weight neonates

To determine the effects of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) correction of metabolic acidosis on cardiopulmonary, laboratory, and cerebral, renal and splanchnic regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) and fractional tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE) in extremely premature neonates during the first postnatal week. Observational cohort data were collected from 500 to 1250 g neonates who received NaHCO3 'half' corrections (0.3 * Weight (kg) * Base Deficit (mmol l−1)) for presumed renal losses. Twelve subjects with normal blood pressure and heart rate received 17 NaHCO3 corrections. Mean (±s.d.) gestational age was 27±2 week and birth weight was 912±157 g. NaHCO3 corrections provided a mean (±s.d.) 4.5±1.0 ml kg−1 fluid bolus, shifted mean (±s.d.) base deficit from 7.6±1.8 to 3.4±2.1 mmol l−1 (P<0.05), and increased median (±s.d.) pH from 7.23±0.06 to 7.31±0.05 (P<0.05). No significant changes in blood pressure, pulse oximetry, PCO2, lactate, sodium, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine or hematocrit were observed. Cerebral, renal and splanchnic rSO2 (74%, 66% and 44%, respectively, at baseline) and FTOE (0.21, 0.29 and 0.52, respectively, at baseline) were unchanged following NaHCO3 correction. NaHCO3 infusions decreased base deficits and increased pH though produced no discernible effects or benefits on cardiopulmonary parameters including rSO2 and FTOE. These findings warrant further prospective evaluation in larger populations with more significant metabolic acidosis to determine the utility of tissue oxygenation monitoring in differentiating metabolic acidosis due to oxygen delivery/consumption imbalance versus renal bicarbonate losses.
Binding to the high-affinity substrate site of the (Na+ + K+)-dependent ATPase

The (Na+ + K+)-dependent ATPase exhibits substrate sites with both high affinity (Km near 1 microM) and low affinity (Km near 0.1 mM) for ATP. To permit the study of nucleotide binding to the high-affinity substrate sites of a canine kidney enzyme preparation in the presence as well as absence of MgCl2, the nonhydrolyzable beta-gamma imido analog of ATP, AMP-PNP, was used in experiments performed at 0-4 degrees C by a centrifugation technique. By this method the KD for AMP-PNP was 4.2 microM in the absence of MgCl2. Adding 50 microM MgCl2, however, decreased the KD to 2.2 microM; by contrast, higher concentrations of MgCl2 increased the KD until, with 2 mM MgCl2, the KD was 6 microM. The half-maximal effect of MgCl2 on increasing the KD occurred at approximately 1 mM. This biphasic effect of MgCl2 is interpreted as Mg2+ in low concentrations favoring AMP-PNP binding through formation at the high-affinity substrate sites of a ternary enzyme-AMP-PNP-Mg complex; inhibition of nucleotide binding at higher MgCl2 concentrations would represent Mg2+ acting through the low-affinity substrate sites. NaCl in the absence of MgCl2 increased AMP-PNP binding, with a half-maximal effect near 0.3 mM; in the presence of MgCl2, however, NaCl increased the KD for AMP-PNP. KCl decreased AMP-PNP binding in the presence or absence of MgCl2, but the simultaneous presence of a molar excess of NaCl abolished (or masked) the effect of KCl. ADP and ATP acted as competitors to the binding of AMP-PNP, although a substrate for the K+-dependent phosphatase reaction also catalyzed by this enzyme, p-nitrophenyl phosphate, did not. This lack of competition is consistent with formulations in which the phosphatase reaction is catalyzed at the low-affinity substrate sites.
Planetary boundary layer errors in mesoscale inversions of column-integrated CO2 measurements

Observing platforms of greenhouse gas column mole fractions using remote sensing instruments have enhanced the capability of carbon data assimilation systems at large scales and helped improve our understanding of the underlying processes involved in the exchange of carbon at the surface of the globe. In this study, we quantify the additional information carried by these measurements at finer scales and consider the impact of vertical transport errors in current modeling systems, one of the main sources of uncertainties in regional inverse flux estimates. Surface-based column-integrated sensors are shown to be a significant source of information to constrain local surface fluxes at fine scales. Gain and error reduction are only about 20% lower than for in situ instruments. Column measurements show less dependence on near-field surface fluxes compared to in situ, with the error reduction being more homogeneously distributed. However, vertical transport errors still impact the flux retrievals, as with in situ measurements but to a lesser extent. Inverse fluxes from both types of measurements were affected by errors in vertical mixing and mean horizontal winds, with a larger impact on the inverse carbon balance using in situ measurements. The use of remote sensing measurements also appeared to constrain significantly the boundary concentrations, a critical limitation in current regional inversions. We finally performed a pseudo-data experiment combining both types of instruments, creating an optimal observing network with a lower impact of planetary boundary layer transport errors on the surface fluxes and the boundary concentrations, and a more widely distributed reduction of the errors over the boundaries.
SU-C-WAB-07: Normalized Distance Discordance (DD): A Quantitative and Position-Specific Metric to Evaluate the Uncertainty of Inter-and Intra-Patient Deformable Registrations

Purpose: Quantitative tools to estimate the uncertainty in deformable image registration are lacking. Distance discordance(DD) is a quantity that we have defined, and is an estimate of the mean error (measured in terms of distance) due to deformable image registration. This abstract presents a refined method of estimating distance discordance that improves accuracy. Methods: Starting from an arbitrary reference image [i] in a set of images [1…n], voxels are traced from any two moving images [j] and [k] that happened to be registered at the same voxel on [i] to other reference images in the image set. The difference between each pair of points is recorded in the Cartesian coordinate system (dx,dy,dz). The mean of the difference ( , , ) is subtracted from the original difference in order to calculate the unbiased distance between these pair of points and which corresponded to distance discordance metric. Experiments using this new approach were evaluated in a set of 8 different head and neck patients. Results: The 3D spatial map of the mean DD metric showed a variation among anatomical sites in the head and neck region. Regions of high contrast (bones) showed a lower mean DD value (2—13 mm) while regions of low contrast (soft tissue) had a larger mean DD value (6—19 mm). The shape of the dose discordance histogram (DDH) for some anatomical structures followed a log normal distribution with a long tail while others had irregular shape. Conclusion: The updated DD metric gives an unbiased measure of the spatial uncertainty in image registration in the absence of a ground truth. For instance, the DD maps can be used to set a level of confidence for dose accumulation in adaptive radiotherapy. However, the DD metric provides a necessary but not a sufficient condition to ensure good registration. Partially supported by NIH grant R01 CA85181; href=http://soundfrost.org/>download free<
Inverse problem for kidney concentrating mechanism

Abstract Mathematical models of the mechanism for making concentrated urine in the mammalian kidney compute the variables V (e.g., volume flows and concentrations) as function of parameters h (e.g., water and solute permeabilites). We consider the inverse problem: given a V , for which h is known to exist, compute h . We give computational evidence that h can be determined well within the round-off error tolerance without any prior information about it.
Nicotine intake and dose response when smoking reduced-nicotine content cigarettes.

Objectives The progressive reduction of the nicotine content of cigarettes has been suggested as a way to wean smokers from nicotine and tobacco. As a first step in evaluating this strategy, we studied smokers smoking cigarettes containing tobacco with differing nicotine content. Methods Twelve healthy smokers participated in a semiblinded, within-subject, crossover study. Subjects were asked to smoke 1 of their usual brand of cigarette and then on 5 subsequent occasions to smoke a research cigarette, each with differing nicotine content. The research cigarettes contained 0.6 to 10.1 mg nicotine per cigarette. Plasma nicotine and blood carboxyhemoglobin levels, as well as subjective and cardiovascular responses, were measured after smoking. Systemic nicotine intake per cigarette was estimated by use of plasma nicotine concentrations over time and clearance data from the general population. Results Systemic nicotine intake (0.26-1.47 mg per cigarette) varied with nicotine content of the cigarette (r = 0.82, P < .001). Compensation when smoking single low–nicotine content cigarettes ranged from −1% (95% confidence interval, −23% to 21%) to 34% (95% confidence interval, −39% to 107%) for 1-mg to 8-mg research cigarettes. Carbon monoxide intake and estimated tar exposure were similar across cigarettes. Low–nicotine content cigarettes were rated as being of lower quality and less satisfying than the 12-mg research cigarette or the usual brand (P < .05 for both comparisons). Cigarette smoking increased heart rate and decreased skin temperature, but the nicotine dose-response curve flattened at higher doses, with a maximal response being observed in cigarettes at a nicotine content level of about 8 mg. Conclusions Our study suggests that reduced–nicotine content cigarettes are reasonable candidates for trying to reduce the level of nicotine addiction in smokers. The flat nicotine dose–cardiovascular response curve is consistent with other studies demonstrating tolerance to the cardiovascular effects of nicotine. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2006) 80, 703–714; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2006.09.007
Laboratory demonstration of Phase Induced Amplitude Apodization (PIAA) coronagraph with better than 10-9 contrast

We present coronagraphic images from the Phase Induced Amplitude Apodization (PIAA) coronagraph on NASA's High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT) at the Jet Propulsion Lab, showing contrasts of 5x10(exp -1) averaged from 2-4 lambda/D, in monochromatic light at 808 nm. In parallel with the coronagraph and its deformable mirror and coronagraphic wavefront control, we also demonstrate a low-order wavefront control system, giving 100 x rms suppression of introduced tip/tilt disturbances down to residual levels of 10(exp -3) lambda/D. Current limitations, as well as broadband (10% fractional bandpass) preliminary results are discussed.
Alterations in hypothalamic serotonin metabolism in male hamsters with photoperiod-induced testicular regression

Abstract Transfer of adult male golden hamsters to a short photoperiod (SD; 8L:16D) resulted in a significant decrease in testicular weight and luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (Prl) levels as compared to animals maintained in a long photoperiod (LD; 16L:8D). These changes were accompanied by significant increases in serotonin (5-HT) synthesis in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) as determined by measuring 5-hydroxytryptophan accumulation after inhibition of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase with NSD-1015. Serotonin synthesis in the median eminence, anterior hypothalamus and olfactory bulbs was not different in SD vs LD animals. Transfer of SD gonadally regressed hamsters to LD restored MBH 5-HT synthesis to control levels.
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Dilemmas: Duration and Choice of Antiplatelets in Acute Coronary Syndromes

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is a key component of therapy for acute coronary syndromes managed with and without percutaneous coronary intervention. Recent advances have given patients a wider variety of therapeutic options including the use of combinations of agents, dosing strategies, and durations of therapy. The optimal regimen minimizes thrombotic risk without increasing the risk of bleeding. Choosing the best therapy for each patient is an individualized dilemma that requires new, evidence-based tools to support regimen decision-making.
Direct Measurement of Polyethylene Glycol Induced Depletion Attraction between Lipid Bilayers

Although polyethylene glycol (PEG) is widely used for aggregating or fusing cells, the forces responsible for these interactions have remained elusive. Through a variety of techniques including quasi-elastic light scattering, surface force measurements, and 31P-NMR, we have established that while PEG of molecular weight 8000−10000 is effective in causing the aggregation of vesicles, PEG of lower or higher molecular weight (1000 and 18 500, respectively) is ineffective. For the first time, direct force measurements between lipid bilayers in solutions of 8000−10000 molecular weight reveal the existence of an attractive osmotic force due to a polymer depleted layer near the bilayer surface. Lower molecular weight PEG does not have a large enough size (Flory radius, RF) to generate a significant depletion force, while higher molecular weight PEG adsorbs sufficiently on the bilayer surfaces to eliminate the depletion attraction and produces a repulsive steric barrier to aggregation. The measured forces can be ...
Biosynthesis of trimethylamine oxide in the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Abstract 1. 1. Trimethylamine- 14 C (TMA- 14 C) and choline-methyl- 14 C were converted to trimethylamine- 14 C-oxide (TMA- 14 C-O) following intravenous injection of the labeled precursors into intact nurse sharks. Pretreatment of sharks with sodium barbital had no effect on the rate of conversion of TMA- 14 C to TMA- 14 C-O. 2. 2. Liver slices converted both TMA- 14 C and choline-methyl- 14 C to TMA- 14 C-O. 3. 3. TMA- 14 C was oxidized to TMA- 14 C-O by liver homogenates. NADPH was required for activity in this system.
Development in academic libraries: A review of the literature

Abstract A body of literature discusses fundraising, grants' seeking, and money-making ideas for nonprofit institutions, but very little of it is concerned directly with academic libraries. This article reviews the literature concerning development in academic libraries and introduces ways and means of making money for libraries.
Biases in research evaluation: Inflated assessment, oversight, or error-type weighting?

Abstract Reviewers of research are more lenient when evaluating studies on important topics [Wilson, T. D., Depaulo, B. M., Mook, D. G., & Klaaren, K. J. (1993). Scientists’ evaluations of research: the biasing effects of the importance of the topic. Psychological Science, 4 (5), 323–325]. Three experiments ( N = 145, 36, and 91 psychologists) investigated different explanations of leniency, including inflation of assessments (applying a heuristic associating importance with quality), oversight (failing to detect flaws), and error-weighting (prioritizing Type II error avoidance). In Experiment 1, psychologists evaluated the publishability and rigor of studies in a 2 (topic importance) × 2 (accuracy motivation) × 2 (research domain) design. Experiment 2 featured an exact replication of Wilson et al. and suggested that report length moderated the effects of importance on perceived rigor, but not on publishability. In Experiment 3, a manipulation of error-weighting replaced the manipulation of domain (Experiment 1). Results favored error-weighting, rather than inflation or oversight. Perceived seriousness of Type II error (in Experiments 1 and 3) and the error-weighting manipulation (in Experiment 3) predicted study evaluations.
Why Western vendors don't dominate China's ERP market

Examining cases of failed ERP system implementation in China and explaining the unique circumstances.
Early experience with extended use of insulin-like growth factor-1 in advanced chronic renal failure.

Early experience with extended use of insulin-like growth factor-1 in advanced chronic renal failure. Short-term high-dose insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) therapy has been shown to enhance glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in end-stage chronic renal failure (CRF), but the efficacy and safety of prolonged therapy is unproven. To determine if prolonged therapy with IGF-1 can enhance renal function in advanced CRF, eight patients were entered into a study to receive one month of IGF-1 treatment, 60 µg/kg subcutaneously b.i.d. Six patients completed the study and two dropped out for reasons considered to be unrelated to the IGF-I treatment. Baseline inulin and PAH clearances averaged 17 ± 3 and 66 ± 14 ml/min/1.73 m 2 , respectively, in the subjects who completed the study. With treatment there was a modest 14% increase in the average GFR which approached statistical significance ( P = 0.051). After stopping treatment the clearance values returned to basal values. The PAH clearance showed a similar trend. There were no significant changes in BUN, serum creatinine or electrolyte levels. On the other hand there were marked changes in the serum IGF binding protein (IGFBP) profile. Serum IGFBP-3 levels fell while IGFBP-1 and -2 levels rose during treatment, changes that likely affect the bioavailability of IGF-I. Thus, in this small series of patients IGF-1 treatment produced significant changes in the serum IGFBP profile and a modest upward trend in the GFR.
Leaping Fire: Texts and Technology

As English educators, we are called upon to prepare future teachers of English language arts as they journey from content knowledge, to pedagogical knowledge, to classroom practice. It is an opportunity to share our passion for teaching and learning, for spiraling between theory and practice. We encourage our students to create classroom communities where wonder and the imagination are nurtured and challenged. Medicus and Wood illustrate many creative and exciting uses for technology, which capture the students' attention and interest, engaging students in classroom activities to promote academic achievement. They have focused on three concepts, which are central to the language arts teacher's practice—(a) connection/community, (b) artistic/aesthetic/imaginative thinking, and (c) literacy.
Crossing the Ocean and Back Again with Piven and Cloward

Poor People's Movements: Why They Succeed, How They Fail . By Frances Fox Piven and Richard A. Cloward. New York: Pantheon Books, 1977. 381 pages.
Adrenocorticotropin/cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-mediated transcription of the human CYP17 gene in the adrenal cortex is dependent on phosphatase activity.

cAMP-dependent transcription of steroid hydroxylase genes involves activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and subsequent phosphorylation of downstream target proteins. Although the requirement for the activation of PKA is well established, none of the transcription factors required for steroid hydroxylase gene transcription have been found to be PKA phosphoproteins. In this study we examined the role of changes in phosphorylation state on the expression and transcriptional activity of the human CYP17 gene (hCYP17). Using inhibitors of serine/threonine phosphatase activity (okadaic acid) and phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity (peroxyvanadate), we can inhibit the cAMP-inducible binding of the steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), p54nrb/NonO, and polypyrimidine tract-binding protein-associated splicing factor (PSF) complex required for regulation of transcription to the promoter of hCYP17. Further, both okadaic acid and peroxyvanadate attenuate cAMP-stimulated increases in endogenous hCYP17 mRNA expre...
Designing Enterprise Solutions with Web Services and Integration Patterns

Web services are an ideal implementation platform for integrating disparate legacy systems because they are platform-independent. Enterprise Integration Patterns (EIP) represent possible design solutions that may be used to construct these enterprise integration solutions. Constructing design solutions with EIP that build on the platform-independence allowed by web services requires that the former be converted into mechanisms that may be implemented with the latter. One such mechanism is conversation models that may be used to implement interactions among web services representing different legacy systems. No methodologies exist that designers can use to construct integration solutions using web services and EIP in this manner. In this paper, we outline such a methodology that generates the design elements in the form of conversation policies for web services.
TCDD-induced activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor regulates the skin stem cell population.

Abstract The environmental toxin 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo p-dioxin (TCDD) plays an important role in the development of chloracne. Chloracne is characterized by hyperkeratosis of the interfollicular squamous epithelium and metaplasia of sebaceous glands. Dysregulation of keratinocyte terminal differentiation leading to accelerated formation of the cornified envelope as a result of TCDD-mediated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) activation has been implicated as one of the molecular pathogenic mechanisms contributing to the development of chloracne. In addition, chloracne is characterized by altered skin stem cell characteristics, and it has been speculated that the phenotype of chloracne closely matches that of c-Myc overexpressing transgenic mice. Therefore, we sought to determine whether TCDD plays a role in regulation of the skin stem cell population. We have proposed in this report that TCDD may directly or indirectly (via AHR receptor cross-talk) upregulate c-Myc via epidermal growth factor receptor–extracellular signal regulated kinase (EGFR–ERK) axis stimulation, which may correspond with an increase in human epidermal stem cell activation and differentiation of EPSCs into keratinocytes, with eventual depletion of the epidermal stem cell compartment of the skin. Thus, TCDD may cause increased epidermal stem cell turnover during chloracne.
Induction or consolidation systemic therapy in the multimodality treatment of unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Chemoradiotherapy has been shown to improve survival over radiation alone for unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Large randomized trials comparing sequential to concomitant platinum based chemoradiotherapy have demonstrated improved median survival times in favor of concomitant treatment. Recent phase II trials have evaluated the integration of advanced radiotherapy techniques, novel chemotherapy combinations, induction chemotherapy, and consolidation chemotherapy with concomitant chemoradiotherapy. On-going or recently completed phase III trials are evaluating whether the promising regimens from phase II studies are superior to concomitant chemoradiotherapy alone. Molecular therapies now need to be integrated with chemoradiotherapy.
Class I MHC Molecule-Mediated Inhibition of Sindbis Virus Replication

The threshold for systemic viral infection relies on the amplification of virus at a primary infection site. We have identified that class I MHC molecules can trigger the inhibition of replication of Sindbis virus in a haplotype- and allele-specific manner. Class I MHC molecules of H-2d haplotypes exhibit a strong inhibitory effect whereas H-2k haplotypes show minimal inhibition of Sindbis viral replication. By a single gene transfection of H-2d class I MHC molecules, into cells that express class I MHC molecules of H-2k haplotype and are susceptible to viral replication, these cells became resistant to viral replication. The inhibition of viral replication by class I MHC molecules occurs neither during the stage of virus entry/endocytosis nor during virus maturation. Rather, viral-specific RNA replication, as well as viral gene expression, are inhibited in cells expressing inhibitory class I MHC molecules. This class I MHC molecule-mediated inhibition requires newly synthesized host gene products, implying the activation of an intracellular signaling mechanism that is triggered by specific class I MHC molecules.
Atmospheric circulation and the tropospheric ozone maximum over the tropical South Atlantic Ocean

Ozone for a ten year period obtained from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) has been compared with velocity potential for the same period. It has been found that the global-scale circulation serves to modulate the ozone concentration over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Examination of the low frequency modes reveal close correspondence between the two parameters, especially at the annual timescale. Descending motion over southern Africa reduces precipitation, thereby enhancing biomass burning and the subsequent release of trace gases and the possible photochemical production of ozone. Transport to the ozone maximum region over the tropical Atlantic Ocean occurs mainly from tropical Africa. Little evidence has been found on a climatological time-scale to support the theory of stratospheric infusion into the troposphere above the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
Quantifying the net economic benefits of mechanical wildfire hazard treatments on timberlands of the western United States

Abstract Mechanical treatment of vegetation is done on public and private lands for many possible reasons, including enhancing wildlife habitat, increasing timber growth of residual stands, and improving resistance to damaging pests. Few studies, however, have focused on the circumstances under which mechanical wildfire hazard reduction treatments can yield positive net economic wildfire benefits for landowners and managers. This study describes an economic assessment tool built from a representative area sample frame inventory of hazardous and potentially treatable timberland in twelve western states of the U.S. Base case parameter assumptions about values at risk, timber product prices, stand re-growth following treatment and wildfire impacts enable an initial estimate of the amount of timberland with positive discounted expected net economic benefits under four policy scenarios. These assumptions are then varied in a Monte Carlo simulation to provide some bounds of uncertainty around base case levels. A policy that allowed optimal prescriptions and product sales and which incorporates wildfire costs and benefits would result in more than 25% of treated area with positive net benefits. This is reduced somewhat if wildfire reduction costs and benefits are not considered, and reduced again to 14% when large trees are excluded from product sales. A policy that prohibits sale of products from these treatments results in less than 1% of area with positive net benefits.
The vibrational response of single-chambered fish swimbladders to low-frequency sound

The gas-filled swimbladder of a fish resonates in the ambient noise field, scattering significant amounts of acoustic energy. The Non-invasive Vibration Amplitude Measurement System (NIVAMS) was used to measure the frequency response of the swimbladder of a freshwater species, the oscar (Astronotus ocellatus Cuvier), in a range from 200 to 2000 Hz. NIVAMS uses continuous wave ultrasound to measure swimbladder vibrational displacement amplitudes in vivo. Advantages of the NIVAMS are that it is non-invasive (no surgery is required to make the measurements) and that it is non-intrusive (the motion is unaltered by the measurement process). The response of the oscar's single-chambered swimbladder followed the general characteristics of
GRAIL: An E3 Ubiquitin Ligase that Inhibits Cytokine Gene Transcription Is Expressed in Anergic CD4+ T Cells

T cell anergy may serve to limit autoreactive T cell responses. We examined early changes in gene expression after antigen-TCR signaling in the presence (activation) or absence (anergy) of B7 costimulation. Induced expression of GRAIL (gene related to anergy in lymphocytes) was observed in anergic CD4(+) T cells. GRAIL is a type I transmembrane protein that localizes to the endocytic pathway and bears homology to RING zinc-finger proteins. Ubiquitination studies in vitro support GRAIL function as an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Expression of GRAIL in retrovirally transduced T cell hybridomas dramatically limits activation-induced IL-2 and IL-4 production. Additional studies suggest that GRAIL E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and intact endocytic trafficking are critical for cytokine transcriptional regulation. Expression of GRAIL after an anergizing stimulus may result in ubiquitin-mediated regulation of proteins essential for mitogenic cytokine expression, thus positioning GRAIL as a key player in the induction of the anergic phenotype.
Competition on the Face: Affect and Language in ASL Motherese.

Research on early mother-child interaction has documented the crucial role affect plays in the content and modulation of early interactions. For hearing mothers, voice quality is considered to be the single most informative channel for affective expression. For deaf caregivers who use American Sign Language (ASL), the vocal channel is unavailable, and facial expression is critically important. Not only do facial behaviours signal affective and communicative information, but specific facial behaviours also function as obligatory grammatical markers. This multifunctionality of facial expression presents a dilemma for deaf parents signing to their toddlers as these two systems potentially compete for expression on the face. This study addresses how affective facial expression interacts with the linguistic forms in ASL motherese. To address this issue, we present data from both cross-sectional and longitudinal videotaped interaction from a total of 15 deaf mothers signing with their deaf toddlers (ages 0;9-2;8). Using Ekman & Friesen's Facial Action Coding System (FACS) (1978) we analysed child-directed maternal wh- questions. Because they are frequent in early discourse, and they require furrowed brows which also signal anger and puzzlement, wh- questions represent an ideal context to address the potential conflict of grammatical and affective facial expression in ASL motherese. Our studies indicate a shift from affect to grammar at about the child's second birthday. These findings shed new insight on the nature and possible role of input on the language acquisition process.
SEEDS OF CHANGE: SUBSTANCE AND INFLUENCE IN BRAND COMMUNITIES

Corporations use social media to build online communities, in order to create and maintain product loyalty and source new product ideas. Community members discuss the corporation’s products, services, or practices. Topics range from suggestions for products, enhancements, or services. Users communicate their grievances to each other and the company, hoping to garner support and change. Posted messages contain not only the substance of their claims, but also cognitive and affective influence tactics. How do these embedded influence tactics mitigate the efficacy of claims in persuading others to support the burgeoning movement? Results provide partial support for the model developed, indicating that (1) efficacy of claims on community comments was negatively moderated by negative affect and assertiveness; (2) efficacy of claims on points awarded by community members was positively moderated by rational persuasion; (3) efficacy of claims on comments by corporate employees was positively moderated by rational persuasion.
Penalized Fisher discriminant analysis and its application to image-based morphometry

Image-based morphometry is an important area of pattern recognition research, with numerous applications in science and technology (including biology and medicine). Fisher linear discriminant analysis (FLDA) techniques are often employed to elucidate and visualize important information that discriminates between two or more populations. We demonstrate that the direct application of FLDA can lead to undesirable errors in characterizing such information and that the reason for such errors is not necessarily the ill conditioning in the resulting generalized eigenvalue problem, as usually assumed. We show that the regularized eigenvalue decomposition often used is related to solving a modified FLDA criterion that includes a least-squares-type representation penalty, and derive the relationship explicitly. We demonstrate the concepts by applying this modified technique to several problems in image-based morphometry, and build discriminant representative models for different data sets.
Multi2 Router: A Novel Multi Local Port Router Architecture with Broadcast Facility for FPGA-Based Networks-on-Chip

Modern FPGAs provide increased gate count with decreased power consumption. Several IP cores along with embedded processor and memory provide a great opportunity of implementing system-on-chip (SoC) designs on configurable devices. Networks-on-Chip (NoC) is an emerging style of SoC design, introduced to overcome the communication and performance bottlenecks of a shared-bus approach. Multi local port router (MLPR) present a novel design alternative for the traditional NoC design. This new methodology offers numerous advantages including bandwidth optimization and reduced network area & power consumption, resulting eventually in improved performance of the NoC system. Unlike the bus-based systems, communication in NoCs until now have been between pair of cores, with no scope of multi-casting. In this research, we advance a step further in the pursuit of a high performance FPGA-based NoC system. We exploit the multi-casting nature present in various application system task graphs and present a novel & improved MLPR architecture with broadcast capability. We present the modified architecture, the decoding scheme and the stripped-down crosspoint matrix, resulting in reduced logic usage & increased performance. We report the synthesis and the simulation results.
A low noise, high resolution silicon temperature sensor

High resolution temperature measurement is essential for determination of blood perfusion in biomaterials. A compact, low noise, high resolution temperature sensor designed for use in an invasive tissue property measurement probe is presented. The circuit is based on traditional proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) principles. A feedback technique is used to improve linearity and reduce noise. Data from test chips shows temperature resolution of 3 m/spl deg/C. The chips were fabricated using a 1.75 /spl mu/m double poly, single metal modified CMOS process designed for this project.
Effects of Epichlorohydrin on Male and Female Reproduction in Long-Evans Rats

Abstract Male and female Long-Evans rats were treated with epichlorohydrin (ECH) by oral gavage (males: 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg/day; females: 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day) for 21 and 14 days, respectively, prior to mating trials with untreated animals. Treated females were further dosed until delivery. Fertility was assayed in the high-dose males only and was found to be totally impaired. No measured parameters of female reproduction were changed relative to controls. Treated males showed normal copulatory behavior. Sperm morphology and percentage motile sperm were not statistically different from control values in both ejaculated and cauda epididymal samples from ECH-treated animals. The number of sperm in ejaculates was normal while cauda epididymal sperm count was slightly decreased in males at the 50 mg ECH/kg dose level. Mean curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement of cauda epididymal sperm were significantly reduced by ECH at 12.5 mg/kg/day and above. Sperm track linearity was also reduced, but only at 50 mg/kg/day. Beat/cross frequency of sperm was significantly increased at 12.5 mg/kg/day and above. All of the above sperm motion parameters showed dose-dependent trends. These effects are consisten with the spermatozoal metabolic lesions reported for α-chlorohydrin, a metabolite of ECH.
Chemoinducible gene therapy: a strategy to enhance doxorubicin antitumor activity.

A replication-defective adenoviral vector, Ad.Egr-TNF.11D, was engineered by ligating the CArG (CC(A/T)6GG) elements of the Egr-1 gene promoter upstream to a cDNA encoding human tumor necrosis factor-α. We report here that Ad.Egr-TNF.11D is activated by the clinically important anticancer agents cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, and paclitaxel. N-acetylcysteine, a free radical scavenger, blocked induction of tumor necrosis factor-α by anticancer agents, supporting a role for reactive oxygen intermediates in activation of the CArG sequences. Importantly, resistance of PC-3 human prostate carcinoma and PROb rat colon carcinoma tumors to doxorubicin in vivo was reversed by combining doxorubicin with Ad.Egr-TNF and resulted in significant antitumor effects. Treatment with Ad.Egr-TNF.11D has been associated with inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. In this context, a significant decrease in tumor microvessel density was observed following combined treatment with doxorubicin and Ad.Egr-TNF.11D as compared with either agent alone. These data show that Ad.Egr-TNF.11D is activated by diverse anticancer drugs.