cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphine mimics preconditioning via free radical signals and mitochondrial K(ATP) channels in myocytes.

Background —We tried to determine whether morphine mimics preconditioning (PC) to reduce cell death in cultured cardiomyocytes and whether opioid δ1 receptors, free radicals, and KATP channels mediate this effect. Methods and Results —Chick embryonic ventricular myocytes were studied in a flow-through chamber while flow rate, pH, and O2 and CO2 tension were controlled. Cardiomyocyte viability was quantified with propidium iodide (5 μmol/L), and production of free radicals was measured with 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate. PC with 10 minutes of simulated ischemia before 10 minutes of reoxygenation or morphine (1 μmol/L) or BW373U86 (10 pmol/L) infusion for 10 minutes followed by a 10-minute drug-free period before 1 hour of ischemia and 3 hours of reoxygenation reduced cell death to the same extent (* P <0.05) (PC, 20±1%, n=7*; morphine, 32±4%, n=8*; BW373U86, 21±6%; controls, 52±5%, n=8). Like PC, morphine and BW373U86 increased free radical production 2-fold before ischemia (0.35±0.10, n=6*; 0.41±0.08, n=4* versus controls, 0.15±0.05, n=8, arbitrary units). Protection and increased free radical signals during morphine infusion were abolished with either the thiol reductant 2-mercaptopropionyl glycine (400 μmol/L), an antioxidant; naloxone (10 μmol/L), a nonselective morphine receptor antagonist; BNTX (0.1 μmol/L), a selective opioid δ1 receptor antagonist; or 5-hydroxydecanoate (100 μmol/L), a selective mitochondrial KATP channel antagonist. Conclusions —These results suggest that direct stimulation of cardiocyte opioid δ1 receptors leads to activation of mitochondrial KATP channels. The resultant increase of intracellular free radical signals may be an important component of the signaling pathways by which morphine mimics preconditioning in cardiomyocytes.
The optimum rate of drum rotation for aerosol aging

Abstract Rotating chambers (drums) are used to age aerosols. This analysis derives the rate of drum rotation that optimizes the quantity of aerosol retained during the aging period. This optimum rotation rate is much slower than what is used in general practice. The optimum rotation rate is dependent upon the suspension fluid (typically air) density and viscosity, the drum radius, the aging period, and the suspended aerosol particle density and diameter. However, the optimum rotation rate is essentially independent of the particle size for an aerosol particle diameter of 10 μm or less. For these particles, the optimum rotation rate is dependent only upon the drum radius and the aging period. The air motion within the drum is assumed to be isothermal, isobaric, and fully developed to a uniform angular velocity before the aerosol particles are introduced (injected).
The biomimetic cyclization of I,3-dimethyl-2-(trans-trans-7,II-dimethyl-3,7,II-dodecatrienyl)-2-cyclohexenol to give the d-homosteroid nucleus (I)

Abstract The cyclization of tetraenols 3 and 4 has been studied. The tetraenols were prepared as follows: alkylation of the lithium salt of 1-benzyloxy-3-butyne with the previously known trans-tosylates 19 and 20 gave the dienynes 21 and 22. Reduction with sodium in ammonia gave the trans,trans-trienols 25 and 26, which were used to alkylate, via the tosylates 27 and 28, the sodio salt of Hagemann's ester 7. Decarbethoxylation gave the tetraenones 29 and 30 which were converted with methyllithium to 3 and 4. Treatment of tetraenol 3 with trifluoroacetic acid in pentane at −78°C to −10°C gave tetracyclic diene 5 stereoselectively in 45% yield, along with 5% tricyclic triene 32 and a mixture of esters. The esters were reduced and eliminated, giving a mixture (25% yield based on 3) of 66% diene 5 and 34% triene 32. Tetraenol 3 was cyclized with stannic chloride in nitromethane at 22°C giving a 77% yield of a 4:1 mixture of 5 and 32. Treatment of tetraenol 4 with anhydrous formic acid followed by cleavage of the formate esters gave tetracyclic alcohol 6 (isolated in 9% yield) and a mixture of tricyclic trienes 36 and alcohols 37. Cyclization of 4 in trifluoroacetic acid led to larger amounts of tetracyclic diene 40. The structure and configuration (anti,trans,anti,trans) of the cyclization products, 5 and 6, were established by conversion of 6 into the dl ketone 38 and comparison with authentic d-38. Also d-38 was converted into authentic d-5 which was compared with the synthetic dl-5. The comparison substances were prepared as follows. Testosterone benzoate (41) was methylated at C-4, and the C-3 carbonyl group was removed by conversion to the acetate 44, followed by reductive cleavage of the allylic acetate with lithium in ethylamine. Oxidation of the C-17 alcohol gave the ketone 46, which was converted to the carbinolamine 49 by epoxidation with dimethylsulfonium methylide, followed by conversion to the hydroxyazide and reduction with lithium aluminum hydride. Nitrous acid deamination led to the d -homoketone d-38. Treatment of d-38 with methyllithium followed by dehydration led to a mixture of dienes from which d-5 was isolated.
Polyurethane foam treatment of type II endoleaks promotes endoleak thrombosis and eliminates intraaneurysmal pressure in the canine model

Introduction: The impact on intraaneurysmal pressure of treatments for retrograde-collateral perfusion of AAA after endovascular repair (type II endoleak) has not been evaluated. Using a canine model the effect of polyurethane induced thrombosis of type II endoleaks was measured. Methods: Prosthetic aneurysms with multiple collateral branches (lumbar, caudal mesenteric) were created in the infrarenal aorta of 10 mongrel dogs. Type II endoleaks were generated by excluding the aneurysm from antegrade arterial flow with an impermeable stent graft. Implantation of thrombogenic polyurethane foam (reticulated polycarbonate scaffold, pores 250–600um) was performed in 4 animals via a transfemoral catheter delivery system. In 4 control animals no side branches and no endoleaks were present. Intra-aneurysmal and systemic pressures were measured using a solid-state, strain gauge pressure transducer for 14 days before and 30–90 days after stent graft exclusion. Results: Type II endoleaks generated considerable intraaneurysmal pressurization that was significantly reduced from systemic pressure (P < 0.001)(table). Treatment with polyurethane foam induced thrombosis of the endoleak and feeding arteries in all 4 animals. It resulted in nearly complete elimination of intraaneurysmal pressure (P < 0.001) making it indistinguishable from control aneurysms with no endoleaks (P = NS). Cine MRA, Duplex and angiography documented persistent patency up to the time of euthanasia (mean, 64 days) for untreated type II endoleaks and confirmed thrombosis of polyurethane treated endoleaks. ∗. Systolic pressure∗ Mean pressure∗ Pulse pressure∗ Endoleak patency Patent type II endoleak 0.702 0.784 0.406 Patent Polyurethane treated type II endoleak 0.183 0.142 0.054 Thrombosed Control (no endoleak/no branches) 0.172 0.137 0.089 Thrombosed Systemic pressure 1.0 1.0 1.0 NA p value (patent vs polyurethane treated) <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 ∗ All pressures listed were measured after antegrade AAA exclusion and are indexed as a percentage of the systemic pressure. Conclusions: Untreated type II endoleaks result in intraaneurysmal pressures 70–80% of systemic pressure. Thrombosis of endoleaks by polyurethane foam occurs rapidly and results in near abolition of intraaneurysmal pressure.
Deep-sea dune-like features

Abstract Three different types of dune-like features in depths between 2,500 and 4,000 m were observed on what is supposed to be the outer Magdalena Fan, Colombian Basin. Each feature has its own characteristic height and length pattern as well as its location with regard to the local slope of the sea bottom. They have in common, however, that internal reflectors all dip in a westerly direction. Reflectivity changes on 3.5-kHz records may indicate the presence of textural variations. Since the area is generally considered to be void of any continuous, deep currents, it is suggested that these large bodies are fan lobes emplaced by high-viscosity turbidity currents or debris flows. Temporal, locally induced currents, moving at least partly in easterly direction, may have caused a winnowing effect resulting in textural variations.
Remote Measurement of Aerosol Particle Characteristics and Their Significance to Meteorology

Theoretical models for the calculation of the radiative effects of atmospheric aerosols require the inference of such parameters as optical depth, the complex index of refraction and the equivalent size distribution. A polarimeter and a multispectral radiometer are used for local monitoring of aerosols via ground stations, or global monitoring via spacecraft occultation experiments. It is shown that measurements of optical depth at one wavelength as has been the custom, are insufficient to provide useful information for meteorological calculations, and new experiments and instruments must be devised to take advantage of new theoretical developments.
Alcohol expectancies and social anxiety in male and female undergraduates

Recent studies have demonstrated that alcohol expectancies co-vary with some measures of trait anxiety. As part of a college drinking survey with 606 respondents (75.8%) evenly distributed by sex, this study tests further whether social anxiety predicts the expectancies of tension reduction, increased social assertiveness, and social/physical pleasure. In addition, the study examines whether sex, social anxiety, and alcohol consumption interact to predict alcohol expectancies. MANOVA analysis demonstrated that social anxiety significantly predicts the expectancies of tension reduction and increased social assertiveness but not the expectancy of social/physical pleasure. No interaction effects were found among sex, social anxiety, and consumption to predict expectancy levels. However, previous evidence that consumption levels (but not sex) predict expectancies was cross-validated. Findings are discussed within the context of a broader social learning model of alcohol use.
Household magnets can change the programmable shunt valve in hydrocephalus patients

We found that external household magnets can change the pressure settings of programmable shunt valves. We compare two popular, adjustable, shunt valves used to regulate the cerebral-spinal fluid (CSF) of hydrocephalus patients: the Codman/spl reg/Hakim/spl trade/ Programmable Valve (CHPV), and the PS Medical/spl reg/STRATA/spl trade/ Valve. We measured the threshold magnetic fields required to change the settings of these two valves at different initial settings. Both types were susceptible to setting changes, with the actual threshold magnetic field strength needed depending on the valve setting and also having some valve variability. The magnetic fields required to increase the valve settings were similar for the two valves, but the fields required for reducing the settings were lower for the STRATA valve than for the CHPV.
Swipeboard: a text entry technique for ultra-small interfaces that supports novice to expert transitions

Ultra-small smart devices, such as smart watches, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Most of these devices rely on touch as the primary input modality, which makes tasks such as text entry increasingly difficult as the devices continue to shrink. In the sole pursuit of entry speed, the ultimate solution is a shorthand technique (e.g., Morse code) that sequences tokens of input (e.g., key, tap, swipe) into unique representations of each character. However, learning such techniques is hard, as it often resorts to rote memory. Our technique, Swipeboard, leverages our spatial memory of a QWERTY keyboard to learn, and eventually master a shorthand, eyes-free text entry method designed for ultra-small interfaces. Characters are entered with two swipes; the first swipe specifies the region where the character is located, and the second swipe specifies the character within that region. Our study showed that with less than two hours' training, Tested on a reduced word set, Swipeboard users achieved 19.58 words per minute (WPM), 15% faster than an existing baseline technique.
Thermodynamic cloud point assays

Analysis of cloud points and clouding curves by varying heating rates using a commercially available automated melting point apparatus is a method to obtain a corrected cloud point for polymers that have a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Such assays also provide information about the effects of varying heating rates on LCSTs and similar stimuli-responsive phase separation behavior. This melting point apparatus makes it experimentally simple to conduct such assays that probe the effect of varying heating rates, the effect of polymer structure, and the effect of solution components on the breadth and progress of the phase transition process over a wide temperature range. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 186–193, 2008
Itelmen reduplication: Edge-In association and lexical stratification

Reduplication patterns in Itelmen (Chukotko-Kamchatkan) present a prima facie challenge to the view that association in partial reduplication is always Edge-In (Yip 1988, McCarthy & Prince 1996). Closer investigation suggests that Itelmen reduplication may in fact be total copying, masked by an apocope rule. This solution is not obvious, however, as the apocope rule must be limited to ‘core’ or ‘native’ vocabulary. While Russian loans are reasonably transparent, the analysis requires making a distinction between cognates and loans from related Koryak, a distinction speakers are not consciously aware of. Positing that this distinction is part of the synchronic phonology provides a solution to other apparently unrelated phonological puzzles in the language. In addition to removing an apparent counter-example to universal Edge-In association, the proposals made here may also provide a small argument for the lexical stratification model of loanword phonology over a purely representational alternative.
FADTTS: Functional Analysis of Diffusion Tensor Tract Statistics

The aim of this paper is to present a functional analysis of a diffusion tensor tract statistics (FADTTS) pipeline for delineating the association between multiple diffusion properties along major white matter fiber bundles with a set of covariates of interest, such as age, diagnostic status and gender, and the structure of the variability of these white matter tract properties in various diffusion tensor imaging studies. The FADTTS integrates five statistical tools: (i) a multivariate varying coefficient model for allowing the varying coefficient functions in terms of arc length to characterize the varying associations between fiber bundle diffusion properties and a set of covariates, (ii) a weighted least squares estimation of the varying coefficient functions, (iii) a functional principal component analysis to delineate the structure of the variability in fiber bundle diffusion properties, (iv) a global test statistic to test hypotheses of interest, and (v) a simultaneous confidence band to quantify the uncertainty in the estimated coefficient functions. Simulated data are used to evaluate the finite sample performance of FADTTS. We apply FADTTS to investigate the development of white matter diffusivities along the splenium of the corpus callosum tract and the right internal capsule tract in a clinical study of neurodevelopment. FADTTS can be used to facilitate the understanding of normal brain development, the neural bases of neuropsychiatric disorders, and the joint effects of environmental and genetic factors on white matter fiber bundles. The advantages of FADTTS compared with the other existing approaches are that they are capable of modeling the structured inter-subject variability, testing the joint effects, and constructing their simultaneous confidence bands. However, FADTTS is not crucial for estimation and reduces to the functional analysis method for the single measure.
Differential expression of S100 protein subtypes in malignant melanoma, and benign and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

Background: Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) may simulate various benign and malignant lesions, including benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors (BPNSTs) and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). The latter case is diagnostically challenging because DM generally show only S100 protein expression but no reaction to melanocytic markers. S100 family of proteins consists of over 20 members. We report on S100 subtypes in malignant melanomas (MMs), and BPNSTs and MPNSTs to investigate differential expression. Design: S100A1, S100A2, S100A4, S100A6 and S100B immunostains were performed on 80 MMs including conventional and desmoplastic types, 86 BPNSTs and 77 MPNSTs. Results: S100A1 expression was seen in > 91% of MMs in a diffuse reaction, whereas BPNSTs showed focal or no reaction. Sixteen percent of MPNSTs focally expressed S100A1 except for one case with diffuse reaction. S100A2 staining was negative or focal in all three groups whereas S100A4 reaction was variable in all three. S100A6 was diffusely expressed in MMs, BPNSTs and MPNSTs. S100B was stained diffusely in MMs and BPNSTs, but its reaction was observed in 30% of MPNSTs in a focal fashion. Conclusion: S100A1 expression was diffuse in most of MMs but absent or focal in BPNSTs and MPNSTs. This may be helpful to distinguish between the two entities.
Development of integrated preamplifier for high frequency ultrasonic transducer

This paper describes the design of an integrated circuit consisting of a preamplifier with Sallen-Key Butterworth filter for direct interfacing to a high frequency ultrasonic transducer. This preamplifier was fabricated with the IBM 7WL process. Sallen-key filter is used to increase the gain of the front-end circuit. The measured voltage gain of one of the selected front-end circuits for the preamplifier with Sallen-Key filter is 35.61dB at 100MHz with a bandwidth of 87.3% and 8.58mW DC power consumption. Pulse-echo responses and wire-phantom images with ultrasonic transducers have been acquired with the front-end circuit.
Historical Science, Over- and Underdetermined: A Study of Darwin’s Inference of Origins

AbstractThe epistemology of the historical sciences has been debated recently. Cleland argued that the effects of the past overdetermine it. Turner argued that the past is underdetermined by its ef...
Race, insurance type, and stage of presentation among lung cancer patients

The purpose of this study was to determine whether African-American lung cancer patients are diagnosed at a later stage than white patients, regardless of insurance type. The relationship between race and stage at diagnosis by insurance type was assessed using a Poisson regression model, with relative risk as the measure of association. The setting of the study was a large tertiary care cancer center located in the southeastern United States. Patients who were diagnosed with lung cancer between 2001 and 2010 were included in the study. A total of 717 (31%) African-American and 1,634 (69%) white lung cancer patients were treated at our facility during the study period. Adjusting for age, sex, and smoking-related histology, African-American patients were diagnosed at a statistically significant later stage (III/IV versus I/II) than whites for all insurance types, with the exception of Medicaid. Our results suggest that equivalent insurance coverage may not ensure equal presentation of stage between African-American and white lung cancer patients. Future research is needed to determine whether other factors such as treatment delays, suboptimal preventive care, inappropriate specialist referral, community segregation, and a lack of patient trust in health care providers may explain the continuing racial disparities observed in the current study.
SipB-SipC Complex Is Essential for Translocon Formation

The delivery of effector proteins by Salmonella across the host cell membrane requires a subset of effectors secreted by the type III secretion system (TTSS) known as translocators. SipC and SipB are translocator proteins that are inserted into host membranes and presumably form a channel that translocates type III effectors into the host cell. The molecular events of how these translocators insert into the host cell membrane remain unknown. We have previously shown that the SipC C-terminal amino acid region (321–409) is required for the translocation of effectors into host cells. In this study, we demonstrate that the ability to form SipC-SipB complex is essential for their insertion into the host membrane. The SipB-interacting domain of SipC is near its C-terminal amino acid region (340–409). In the absence of SipB, SipC was not detected in the membrane fraction. Furthermore, SipC mutants that no longer interact with SipB are defective in inserting into the host cell membrane. We propose a mechanism whereby SipC binds SipB through its C-terminal region to facilitate membrane-insertion and subsequent translocon formation in the host cell membrane.
The ecology and evolution of male reproductive behaviour in the bees and wasps

Males of aculeate Hymenoptera differ in the behavioural adaptations employed to locate and secure mates. The ecological and evolutionary bases of these differences are explored in this paper. Male bees and wasps search for females by patrolling widely within emergence-nesting areas or within patches of flowers attractive to conspecific females, or by waiting at landmarks, at specific emergence sites, or at nests. Nest dispersion, flower distribution, the type of female mating system and the nature of male-male competition appear to be key factors in determining the mate-locating behaviour of males. Of special interest in multiple-mating by females, which may be an evolutionary response to the costs of attempting to resist copulation in certain situations. When polyandry occurs, males are under selection pressure to be the last male to copulate with a female prior to oviposition if sperm precedence occurs. In species in which females mate just once, a selective premium is placed on being the first male to reach a virgin female. In either case, because receptive females are a limited resource, there is intense competition among males for access to the resource. The density of competitor males may play an important role in determining whether holding a relatively restricted territory is preferable to the strategy of patrolling widely at various sites which may have females. Territoriality is practiced by males of several species of aculeate Hymenoptera when the number of male competitors is relatively few in number and the distribution of emergence sites or foraging areas of females is clumped in space.
Silica deposits in the Nili Patera caldera on the Syrtis Major volcanic complex on Mars

The martian surface features abundant volcanoes and evidence for past liquid water. Extant or relict martian volcanic hydrothermal systems have therefore been sought in the pursuit of evidence for habitable environments. The Mars Exploration Rover, Spirit, detected deposits highly enriched in silica with accessory minerals, suggesting formation by hydrothermal leaching of basaltic rocks by low-pH solutions. However, extensive erosion has obscured the context of the formation environment of these deposits. Silica deposits have also been identified remotely, but also with limited contextual clues to their formation; aqueous alteration products of basalt and volcanic ash are the most likely sources. Here we report the detection from orbit of hydrated silica deposits on the flanks of a volcanic cone in the martian Syrtis Major caldera complex. Near-infrared observations show dozens of localized hydrated silica deposits. As a result of the morphology of these deposits and their location in and around the cone summit, we suggest that the deposits were produced by a volcanically driven hydrothermal system. The cone and associated lava flows post-date Early Hesperian volcano formation. We conclude that, if a relict hydrothermal system was associated with the silica deposits, it may preserve one of the most recent habitable microenvironments on Mars.
Ab initio study of the catalytic effect of H2O on the self-reaction of HO2

Abstract The catalytic enhancement effect of H2O on the self-reaction of HO2 has been studied at the G2M//B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. The lowest channel producing O 2 ( 1 Δ) was also calculated at the CAS(12,12)/6-311G(d,p)//CAS(2,2)/6-31G(d) level. Comparing with the results for the reaction without H2O, we note that the H2O molecule catalytically reduces the barrier for O 2 ( 1 Δ) formation by 1–3 kcal/mol and those for the formation of the ground state O2 and O3 by as much as 6–7 and 4–8 kcal/mol, respectively. Significantly, O3 formation becomes competitive with the formation of O2.
Complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine: a review of therapies for diarrhea.

1. Deepika Mittra, MSc* 2. Cecilia Bukutu, PhD* 3. Sunita Vohra, MD, FRCPC, MSc* 1. *Complementary and Alternative Research and Education (CARE) Program, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Canada. On behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Complementary and Integrative Medicine In 2002, diarrhea was ranked as the seventh leading cause of death in the world. (1) Estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) 2000–2003 report show that worldwide, diarrhea accounts for 18% of deaths in children younger than the age of 5 years. (2) Diarrhea commonly is defined as loose or liquid stools that are passed frequently. (3) Although diarrhea acts as a defense mechanism in the body, quickly eliminating infective organisms, it can cause dehydration, especially in malnourished or immunosuppressed individuals. (3) This review examines published scientific literature on the use of common complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) that have been used to prevent and treat childhood diarrhea that is infectious, acute, or persistent. Due to the high prevalence of this disease in developing nations, much of the literature in this review stems from these regions. Natural health products (NHPs) are used widely for the prevention, treatment, or relief of various conditions, as well as for promotion of personal well-being. NHPs include vitamins and minerals, amino acids, probiotic products (ie, a live microbial culture), homeopathic remedies, and traditional medicines. ### Zinc Zinc is an essential mineral; without it, immune function is compromised and rates of infectious disease can increase. (4) The role of zinc in childhood diarrhea has been studied extensively. A 2008 meta-analysis of 22 studies, 16 addressing acute diarrhea (n=15,231) and 6 examining persistent diarrhea (n=2,968), found that zinc supplementation reduced average stool frequency by 18.8% compared with a 12.5% reduction with placebo. (5) Zinc supplementation and placebo reduced the duration of diarrhea by 15.0% and 15.5%, respectively. Positive findings also were noted in an earlier review that included 25 published and 17 unpublished trials (7 prevention trials, 5 therapeutic trials for acute diarrhea, and 5 for persistent diarrhea) of preschool-age children in developing countries (n=5,362). (4) Pooled analysis …
Research On Developmentally Delayed Children in the Soviet Union

The concept of developmentally delayed children was introduced in the Soviet defectological literature in 1966 with the publication of M. Pevzner's book entitled Children with Developmental Deviations. This column reviews recent studies that compare the clinical characteristics of developmentally delayed, mentally retarded, and average children. A number of Soviet defectologists have studied attention, memory, and intellectual functioning of developmentally delayed children, as well as educational potential and performance. Verbal facility of developmentally delayed children has been reported by numerous investigators as being inferior to that of average children. The Soviet defectological literature indicates that students called developmentally delayed are in many respects similar to those called learning disabled in the United States.
The zinc finger/homeodomain protein δEF1 mediates estrogen-specific induction of the ovalbumin gene

Regulation of the ovalbumin (Ov) gene is strictly controlled by precise developmental, tissue-specific, and hormonal cues. The Ov gene is transcriptionally activated by four classes of steroid hormones: estrogens, androgens, glucocorticoids, and progestins. Although it has served as a model to study multi-hormone gene regulation for the past 30 years, the pathways that relay each hormone signal to the Ov gene are largely unclear. Extensive linker–scanner and point mutation analysis has revealed elements necessary for its induction by estrogen, androgen, progesterone, or glucocorticoid but has failed to identify any elements that are specific to the action of any one steroid hormone. These observations in conjunction with the observation that the Ov gene is indirectly regulated by steroid hormones suggest that these signals may all induce the same transcription factor. However, here we have identified two cis-acting DNA elements in the 5′ flanking region of the Ov gene that are required for induction by estrogen, but not by androgen or progesterone. These elements span −152 to −146 and −810 to −806 with respect to the start point of transcription. This implies that estrogen induces the Ov gene by a separate pathway than do androgens or progestins. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrate that the estrogen-specific sequences bind the estrogen inducible transcription factor δEF1, suggesting that δEF1 plays a distinct role in mediating the estrogen signal to the Ov gene.
Identification of Laudanosine, an Atracurium Metabolite, Following a Fatal Drug-Related Shooting

In a case involving a fatal shooting, toxicology tests on blood and urine demonstrated the presence of cocaine metabolites and a large amount of an unidentified compound. This compound was subsequently identified by mass spectral, gas chromatographic, and thin layer chromatographic tests as laudanosine, a metabolite of the skeletal muscle relaxant atracurium which was administered during emergency surgery. Identification was confirmed by comparison with commercially available standards. Because of the difficulty associated with isolating and chromatographing highly water-soluble compounds, recognition of this artifact is a useful tool in identifying these cases.
Superoxide dismutase induces differentiation in microplasmodia of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum.

Abstract Evidence is presented that supports a role for the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the differentiation of the slime mold, Physarum polycephalum. SOD activity increases 46-fold during differentiation. A strain of Physarum that does not differentiate exhibits no change in SOD activity. Addition of SOD, via liposomes, to the nondifferentiating strain induces differentiation; this effect is enhanced by an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis. Other antioxidants selected for study failed to induce differentiation. Conversely, oxidative treatments including introduction of d -amino acid oxidase, via liposomes, induced differentiation. Cellular oxidation is the probable cause of the SOD effect.
Improvements in glucose tolerance and insulin action induced by increasing energy expenditure or decreasing energy intake: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Weight loss, through calorie restriction or increases in energy expenditure via exercise, improves glucose tolerance and insulin action. However, exercise-induced energy expenditure may further improve glucoregulation through mechanisms independent of weight loss. Objective: The objective was to assess the hypothesis that weight loss through exercise-induced energy expenditure improves glucoregulation and circulating factors involved in insulin action to a greater extent than does similar weight loss through calorie restriction. Design: Sedentary men and women aged 50 – 60 y with a body mass index (kg/m 2 ) of 23.5–29.9 were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 weightloss interventions [12 mo of exercise training (EX group;n 18) or calorie restriction (CR group;n 18)] or to a healthy lifestyle (HL) control group (n 10). The insulin sensitivity index and areas under the curve for glucose and insulin were assessed with an oral-glucosetolerance test. Adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor concentrations were measured in fasting serum. Fat mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: Yearlong energy deficits were not significantly different between the EX and CR groups, as evidenced by body weight and fat mass changes. The insulin sensitivity index increased and the glucose and insulin areas under the curve decreased in the EX and CR groups, remained unchanged in the HL group, and did not differ significantly between the EX and CR groups. Marginally significant increases in adiponectin and decreases in the ratio of tumor necrosis factor to adiponectin occurred in the EX and CR groups but not in the HL group. Conclusions: Weight loss induced by exercise training or calorie restriction improves glucose tolerance and insulin action in nonobese, healthy, middle-aged men and women. However, it does not appear that exercise training–induced weight loss results in greater improvements than those that result from calorie restriction alone. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:1033– 42.
Simultaneous oligonucleotide probe hybridization and immunostaining for in situ detection of Gordona species in activated sludge

Oligonucleotide probes targeting ribosomal RNA can be designed with high specificity to target microbial populations at different phylogenetic levels if the cellular abundance of ribosomal RNA is sufficiently high. In contrast, polyclonal antibody probes cannot be produced with the same specificity for various phylogenetic groups, but they have the potential to detect slow growing microorganisms, populations with low metabolic activities, or even non-viable cells. We combined a polyclonal antibody stain with a ribosomal RNA targeted oligonucleotide probe for the single cell detection of species of the genus Gordona. Gordona species typically require long generation times, often exhibit filamentous growth, and are commonly encountered in activated sludge foams. Our results suggest that the ribosomal RNA content of individual cells of Gordona in activated sludge is highly variable. Therefore, the combined use of an immunostain and an oligonucleotide probe targeting ribosomal RNA can determine the identity of single cells and provide an approximation of their activity. This approach should result in improved detection limits while maintaining high specificity.
Treatment adherence: The importance of therapist flexibility in relation to therapy outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to disentangle within- and between-case variability in the adherence– outcome association. Specifically, we expected that increases or decreases in within-case adherence ratings would be positively associated with therapy outcomes. Method: Seventy clients (74% women, 26% men; Mage 29.8 years, SD 11.00) received psychodynamic psychotherapy at a university-based community outpatient clinic. Adherence to core principles of a psychodynamic treatment model were coded by independent raters at the 3rd, 9th, and termination phase sessions using a psychotherapy technique scale. Therapy outcomes were assessed at both the symptom and the broadband levels of functioning. Results: Within-case variability in adherence ratings was significantly associated with therapy outcomes (accounting for approximately 10% of the variance in outcomes), after controlling for alliance, between-case variability, and the proportion of outcomes attributed by therapists. Conclusion: The flexibility therapists demonstrate regarding the use of technique within a given treatment appears to be related to better outcomes across their caseload in relation to therapists who are less flexible with their interventions at the individual client level. The clinical implications of flexibility in adherence to a treatment model are discussed.
Perspectives and challenges in III-V devices and system-level integration for future wireless applications

The performance of radio frequency (RF) integrated circuits will strongly influence the versatility and portability of future wireless communication systems. Next-generation wireless technologies promise to deliver substantial improvements in size, weight, portability, power consumption and cost. They will also integrate many different functions including not only voice, but also video, data. In addition, with the advent of newer modulation schemes, such as EDGE as a gateway for 3G, major changes are expected to take place in the infrastructure. These new directions and infrastructure changes present a unique opportunity for academic research in several core technology areas. In particular, research in materials technology, system-level integration, modeling and computer-aided design (CAD) support have potential for making a serious impact and help enable the advent of this new wireless age. The paper discusses some of the challenges which must be surmounted in order to make this possible, and how the University of Illinois high-speed integrated circuits group is tackling them.
Membrane Redistribution of the Escherichia coli MinD Protein Induced by MinE

Escherichia coli cells contain potential division sites at midcell and adjacent to the cell poles. Selection of the correct division site at midcell is controlled by three proteins: MinC, MinD, and MinE. It has previously been shown (D. Raskin and P. de Boer, Cell 91:685-694, 1997) that MinE-Gfp localizes to the midcell site in an MinD-dependent manner. We use here Gfp-MinD to show that MinD associates with the membrane around the entire periphery of the cell in the absence of the other Min proteins and that MinE is capable of altering the membrane distribution pattern of Gfp-MinD. Studies with the isolated N-terminal and C-terminal MinE domains indicated different roles for the two MinE domains in the redistribution of membrane-associated MinD.
The excitation of the far ultraviolet electroglow emissions on Uranus, Saturn, and Jupiter.

We propose that the diffuse FUV emissions of H and H 2 in excess of photoelectron excitation observed from the sunlit atmospheres of Uranus, Saturn, and Jupiter are produced by electric field acceleration of photoelectrons and ions locally in the upper atmospheres. This in situ acceleration is required to satisfy the many observational constraints on the altitude distribution, exciting particle energy, and total input energy requirements of the electroglow mechanism. We further suggest that a primary mechanism leading to this acceleration is an ionospheric dynamo, which is created in the same manner as the Earth's dynamo. The calculated altitude of charge separation by the neutral wind drag on ions across magnetic field lines is consistent with the observed peaks in electroglow emissions from the the homopause) and Uranus (just Voyager ultraviolet spectrometer limb scan data on both Saturn (near  ' above the homopause). This dynamo action therefore appears to initiate the acceleration process, which must have the form of field-aligned potentials to accelerate the magnetized electrons. We propose that these field-aligned potentials are due to anomalous resistivity, which results from sufficiently high fieldaligned currents in the ionosphere to generate plasma instabilities and therefore runaway electrons and ions above some critical lower initial energy. There are multiple candidate processes for inducing these currents, including polarization in the equivalent F regions and inner magnetospheric convection, and each of these processes should exhibit latitudinal structure. The acceleration of low-energy electrons in an H 2 atmosphere preferentially results in FUV radiation and further ionization, whereas electron acceleration in a nitrogen/oxygen atmosphere such as the Earth's is dominated by elastic scattering and thus results in electric currents. Individual electron and proton collisions with H 2 molecules will result in excitation, ionization, and heating, so that considerable enhancement of the ionospheric density and heating of the upper atmosphere will accompany the FUV emission.
Newly Discovered Sauropod Dinosaur Tracks with Skin and Foot-Pad Impressions from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, U.S.A

A recently discovered dinosaur tracksite from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, contains abundant sauropod tracks that exhibit varying degrees of preservation. Most of these tracks appear as indistinct bulges on the bottoms of sandstone beds, but several are well preserved and show foot-pad and skin impressions. Three track morphotypes are recognized: a sauropod pes print, a Brontopodus -like manus print, and a diplodocid manus print. The Brontopodus -like manus print most likely represents the footprint of a brachiosaur. This morphotype also contains evidence of phalangeal nodes—the first reported for a sauropod manus. The diplodocid manus print is unique because it contains impressions of a substantial ungual on digit I and a heel pad. A partial sauropod track cast also contains an impression of interlocking, polygonal scales. This is only the second known North American sauropod footprint that contains skin impressions. The spectrum of preservational quality of the tracks and associated trace fossils is used to infer the relative moisture content of the original substrate. Moisture content of the original substrate is estimated to have been moist to borderline saturated. Observations of the tracks at the study areas also are used to establish a list of features that can be used to distinguish deep vertebrate tracks from load casts resulting from gravity-induced soft-sediment deformation.
Black Morocco: a history of slavery, race, and Islam

Black Morocco: A History of Slavery, Race, and Islam is a timely and welcome addition to Moroccan and African history at a time when civil rights activists and members of human rights organisations...
Learning from Journalism

Book review of "Courtroom 302: A Year Behind the Scenes in an American Criminal Courthouse" by Steve Bogira
Faculty Mentoring Undergraduates: The Nature, Development, and Benefits of Mentoring Relationships

Educational research shows that close student-faculty interaction is a key factor in college student learning and success. Most literature on undergraduate mentoring, however, focuses on planned programs of mentoring for targeted groups of students by non-faculty professionals or student peers. Based on the research literature and student and faculty testimony from a residential liberal arts college, this article shows that unplanned “natural” mentoring can be crucial to student learning and development and illustrates some best practices. It advances understanding of faculty mentoring by differentiating it from teaching, characterizing several functional types of mentoring, and identifying the phases through which a mentoring relationship develops. Arguing that benefits to students, faculty, and institutions outweigh the risks and costs of mentoring, it is written for faculty who want to be better mentors and provides evidence that administrators should value and reward mentoring.
Development and Evaluation of an à Posteriori Method for Estimating and Correcting GridInduced Errors in Solutions of the NavierStokes Equations

A method for estimating and correcting gridinduced errors in solutions of the Navier� Stokes equations is presented in the framework of a secondorder finitevolume algorithm on an unstructured mesh. This method is based on the discreteerrortransportequation (DETE) of Qin and Shih, which was shown to accurately predict gridinduced error in Euler equation solutions, as well as high Reynolds number NavierStokes solutions. The current study presents DETEs for laminar viscous flow with secondorder accuracy, and explores possible models for estimating the gridinduced res idual. Solutions on a series of increasingly refined grids were generated for several test problems to demonstrate and assess the usefulness of the NavierStokesbased DE TE algorithm and residual models.
The Food of the Drone Larvae

The drones are the males of the honeybee, produced from unifertilized eggs, and reared in cells larger than those used for rearing workers. The drone larvae grow larger and during their development receive considerably more food than do the worker larvae. According to Stabe (1930) the maximal weight attained by the drone larvae is 384.0 mg. as compared with 159.1 mg. for worker larvae. Planta (1888) weighed the food of larvae from drone cells and found an average of 9.6 mg. of food per cell, while there was only 1.7 mg. of food per worker cell. Values given by Aeppler (1922) correspond quite closely to those of Planta. Planta (1888) also called attention to the fact that the food of drone larvae more than 4 days old contained large amounts of pollen grains (15,000 pollen grains per mg.) while the food of worker larvae of the same age was almost pollen-free. The food of both worker and drone larvae under 4 days old was pollen free.
Crack nucleation criterion and its application to impact indentation in glasses.

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to directly observe nucleation of median cracks in oxide glasses under indentation. Indenters with sharp angles can nucleate median cracks in samples with no pre-existing flaws, while indenters with larger indenter angles cannot. Increasing the tip radius increases the critical load for nucleation of the median crack. Based upon an independent set of simulations under homogeneous loading, the fracture criterion in the domain of the principal stresses is constructed. The fracture criterion, or “fracture locus”, can quantitatively explain the observed effects of indenter angle and indenter tip radius on median crack nucleation. Our simulations suggest that beyond the maximum principal stress, plasticity and multi-axial stresses should also be considered for crack nucleation under indentation, even for brittle glassy systems.
Orbiting magnetic microbeads enable rapid microfluidic mixing

We use three-dimensional numerical simulations and experiments to examine microfluidic mixing induced by orbiting magnetic microbeads in a microfluidic channel. We show that orbiting microbeads can lead to rapid fluid mixing in low Reynolds number flow, and identify two distinct mixing mechanisms. Bulk advection of fluid across the channel occurs due to the flow pattern that is developed when the ratio of flow velocity to bead velocity is low, and leads to rapid mixing. At higher velocity ratios, dispersion of small amounts of fluid across the channel occurs and results in increased mixing. We use simulations to investigate the effect of system parameters on the distance required to achieve a desired mixing level. We develop an experimental continuous-flow device and use it to validate our simulations and to demonstrate rapid microfluidic mixing. This device has the flexibility to also be applied to a mixing chamber or to stop-flow applications for rapid and controllable mixing. In addition to rapid mixing, the use of orbiting magnetic microbeads has the added benefit that functionalized microbeads can be used to capture particles from the fluid solution during mixing, and that they can be extracted from the device for analysis, thus serving multiple functionalities in a single device.