cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Thin Film Interference Laboratory Experiment for Introductory Physics

Introductory physics laboratory experiments have typically been employed to reinforce classroom instruction instead of teaching students experimental design. Recent research has shown that lab experiments that focus on experimental practices are more effective at teaching students physics concepts. The experiment described in this paper has been developed to teach students the basics of experimental design by exploring the physics of thin film interference and spectroscopy in order to answer the following question: “What is the thickness of the oxide layer of anodized niobium?”
Standardization in the MSPE: Key Tensions for Learners, Schools, and Residency Programs.

The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), which summarizes a medical student's academic and professional undergraduate medical education performance and provides salient information during the residency selection process, faces persistent criticisms regarding heterogeneity and obscurity. Specifically, MSPEs do not always provide the same type or amount of information about students, especially from diverse schools, and important information is not always easy to find or interpret. To address these concerns, a key guiding principle from the Recommendations for Revising the MSPE Task Force of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) was to achieve "a level of standardization and transparency that facilitates the residency selection process." Benefits of standardizing the MSPE format include clarification of performance benchmarks or metrics, consistency across schools to enhance readability, and improved quality. In medical education, standardization may be an important mechanism to ensure accountability of the system for all learners, including those with varied backgrounds and socioeconomic resources. In this Perspective, members of the aforementioned AAMC MSPE task force explore five tensions inherent in the pursuit of standardizing the MSPE: (1) presenting each student's individual characteristics and strengths in a way that is relevant, while also working with a standard format and providing standard content; (2) showcasing school-specific curricular strengths while also demonstrating standard evidence of readiness for internship; (3) defining and achieving the right amount of standardization so that the MSPE provides useful information, adds value to the residency selection process, and is efficient to read and understand; (4) balancing reporting with advocacy; and (5) maintaining standardization over time, especially given the tendency for the MSPE format and content to drift. Ongoing efforts to promote collaboration and trust across the undergraduate to graduate medical education continuum offer promise to reconcile these tensions and promote successful educational outcomes.
Association between hypothyroidism and chronic kidney disease observed among an adult population 55 years and older.

Hypothyroidism and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are highly prevalent conditions with a potential mechanistic link. We sought to determine whether hypothyroidism is associated with CKD among a large diverse community-based cohort.A cross-sectional study was performed (January 1, 1990-December 31, 2017) within a large integrated health system. Individuals age ≥55 years of age with outpatient measurements of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and ≥2 serum creatinine values were included. Hypothyroidism was defined as TSH >4 mIU/L and/or receipt of thyroid hormone replacement and further categorized as hypothyroid status: TSH >4 mcIU/mL and attenuated-hypothyroid status: TSH <4 mcIU/mL with receipt of thyroid hormone replacement. Euthyroidism was defined as TSH <4 mIU/L and no thyroid hormone replacement. Our primary measure was CKD defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <45 mL/min/1.73 m. Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, race, and comorbidities was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) for CKD by thyroid status.Among 378,101 individuals, 114,872 (30.4%) had hypothyroidism among whom 31,242 and 83,630 had hypothyroid and attenuated-hypothyroid statuses, respectively. Individuals with hypothyroidism had a CKD OR (95%CI) of 1.25 (1.21-1.29) compared with those with euthyroidism. Granular examination of thyroid statuses showed that hypothyroid and attenuated-hypothyroid statuses had CKD ORs (95% CI) of 1.59 (1.52-1.66) and 1.12 (1.08-1.16), respectively. A similar relationship was observed in analyses that defined CKD as an eGFR <60 L/min/1.73 m.Among individuals 55 years and older, we observed that those with hypothyroidism were more likely to have CKD. A stronger association was found among patients of hypothyroid status compared with attenuated-hypothyroid status suggesting a dose dependent relationship.
Creating Virtual Reality Based Interventions for Older Adults Impacted by Substance Misuse: Safety and Design Considerations

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging evidence-based intervention approach that has been successfully used to address substance use disorders (SUDs) and manage chronic pain in young and middle age ad...
SNR-efficient distortion-free diffusion relaxometry imaging using ACcelerated Echo-train shifted EPTI (ACE-EPTI)

Purpose: To develop an efficient acquisition technique for distortion-free diffusion MRI and diffusion-relaxometry. Methods: A new ACcelerated Echo-train shifted Echo-Planar Time-resolved Imaging (ACE-EPTI) technique is developed to achieve high-SNR, distortion- and blurring-free diffusion and diffusion-relaxometry imaging. ACE-EPTI employs a newly designed variable density spatiotemporal encoding with self-navigation capability, that allows submillimeter in-plane resolution using only 3-shot. Moreover, an echo-train-shifted acquisition is developed to achieve minimal TE, together with an SNR-optimal readout length, leading to ~30% improvement in SNR efficiency over single-shot EPI. To recover the highly accelerated data with high image quality, a tailored subspace image reconstruction framework is developed, that corrects for odd/even-echo phase difference, shot-to-shot phase variation, and the B0 field changes due to field drift and eddy currents across different dynamics. After the phase-corrected subspace reconstruction, artifacts-free high-SNR diffusion images at multiple TEs are obtained with varying T2* weighting. Results: Simulation, phantom and in-vivo experiments were performed, which validated the 3-shot spatiotemporal encoding provides accurate reconstruction at submillimeter resolution. The use of echo-train shifting and optimized readout length improves the SNR-efficiency by 27-36% over single-shot EPI. The reconstructed multi-TE diffusion images were demonstrated to be free from distortion (susceptibility and eddy currents) and phase/field variation induced artifacts. These improvements of ACE-EPTI enable improved diffusion tensor imaging and rich multi-TE information for diffusion-relaxometry analysis. Conclusion: ACE-EPTI was demonstrated to be an efficient and powerful technique for high-resolution diffusion imaging and diffusion-relaxometry, which provides high SNR, distortion- and blurring-free, and time-resolved multi-echo images by a fast 3-shot acquisition.
Cultural versus biological inheritance: A retrospective view of Cavalli-Sforza and Feldman (1973)

Cultural versus biological inheritance: A retrospective view of Cavalli-Sforza and Feldman (1973)
Oxidative Modification of LHC II Associated with Photosystem II and PS I-LHC I-LHC II Membranes

Under aerobic conditions the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) by electron transport chains is unavoidable, and occurs in both autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms. In photosynthetic organisms both Photosystem II (PS II) and Photosystem I (PS I), in addition to the cytochrome b6/f complex, are demonstrated sources of ROS. All of these membrane protein complexes exhibit oxidative damage when isolated from field-grown plant material. An additional possible source of ROS in PS I and PS II is the distal, chlorophyll-containing light-harvesting array LHC II, which is present in both photosystems. These serve as possible sources of 1O2 produced by the interaction of 3O2 with 3chl* produced by intersystem crossing. We have hypothesized that amino acid residues close to the sites of ROS generation will be more susceptible to oxidative modification than distant residues. In this study, we have identified oxidized amino acid residues in a subset of the spinach LHC II proteins (Lhcb1 and Lhcb2) that were associated with either PS II membranes (i.e. BBYs) or PS I-LHC I-LHC II membranes, both of which were isolated from field-grown spinach. We identified oxidatively modified residues by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Interestingly, two different patterns of oxidative modification were evident for the Lhcb1 and Lhcb2 proteins from these different sources. In the LHC II associated with PS II membranes, oxidized residues were identified to be located on the stromal surface of Lhcb1 and, to a much lesser extent, Lhcb2. Relatively few oxidized residues were identified as buried in the hydrophobic core of these proteins. The LHC II associated with PS I-LHC I-LHC II membranes, however, exhibited fewer surface-oxidized residues but, rather a large number of oxidative modifications buried in the hydrophobic core regions of both Lhcb1 and Lhcb2, adjacent to the chlorophyll prosthetic groups. These results appear to indicate that ROS, specifically 1O2, can modify the Lhcb proteins associated with both photosystems and that the LHC II associated with PS II membranes represent a different population from the LHC II associated with PS I-LHC I-LHC II membranes.
Seasonal Incidence of Bacterial Temperature Types in Louisiana Soil and Water

Psychrophilic bacteria were not detected in soil, mud, and water in the summer. In winter, they were present in water and mud and constituted a significant portion of the bacterial flora in lake water.
Stationary properties of ∂E/∂R

It is made clear that two different statements in the literature concerning energy derivatives are completely compatible by deriving them as two different interpretations of the same equation. Some other aspects of these results are also discussed.
Finite-Temperature Collective Excitation of a Bose-Einstein Condensate

We derive a simple formula for the finite-temperature shifts of the collective excitations of a Bose-Einstein condensate. To test the validity of our treatment we apply it to explain the anomalous behavior of the ``m=2'' excitation frequency in the recent JILA experiments (D. S. Jin et al, PRL, 78 (1997) 764), where this frequency does not approach its ``noninteracting'' value at $\omega = 2 \omega_{\rho}$ but, instead, decreases with temperature. It turns out that the effect is mainly governed by a resonance between the condensate excitation frequency and one of the quantum eigenfrequencies of the thermal cloud. Comparison of our predictions with the JILA experimental data shows a good agreement.
Differential Xenobiotic Induction of CYP2A5 in Mouse Liver, Kidney, Lung, and Olfactory Mucosa

The effects of pyrazole, which is known to induce hepatic cytochrome P4502A5 (CYP2A5) through posttranscriptional mechanisms, on the level of CYP2A5 in liver and extrahepatic tissues were examined in this study. Intraperitoneal administration of pyrazole at 200 mg/kg for 3 days induced CYP2A4/5 mRNAs and proteins and microsomal coumarin 7-hydroxylation activity in liver and kidney of C57BL/6 mice. A marginal increase (30%) in CYP2A4/5 mRNAs was also observed in the olfactory mucosa but not in the lung, and no increase in CYP2A4/5 proteins or microsomal coumarin 7-hydroxylation activity was observed in either the olfactory mucosa or lung. CYP2A4/5 proteins were not detected on immunoblots in other tissues examined, including breast, bone marrow, testis, prostate, ovary, and uterus from control or pyrazole-treated mice. On the other hand, pyrazole treatment induced CYP2E1 in the olfactory mucosa as well as in liver and kidney, indicating that the olfactory mucosa was exposed to pyrazole. The lack of CYP2A inducibility in the olfactory mucosa was also observed for several other known inducers of hepatic CYP2A5, including cobaltous chloride, stannous chloride, griseofulvin, thioacetamide, and aminotriazole. These results suggest that the mechanisms involved in the induction of hepatic and renal CYP2A5 by pyrazole and other xenobiotic compounds may be tissue-specific.
Feeding Holstein Steers from Start to Finish

Holstein beef has become a significant segment of the feedlot industry. Holstein steers typically enter the feedlot at a lighter body weight, require more pen space per animal, and are in the feedlot for longer periods of time than beef breeds. The only real differences in carcass characteristics are the lower dressing percentage and the smaller rib eye area, which can be increased with anabolic implants and the use of β-agonists. Holsteins are typically fed higher roughage concentrations. Fat concentrations can also be increased to offset the lower energy diets. Protein requirements do not appear to be different from beef cattle, although Holstein steers weighing from 300 to 700 lb should be fed plant protein sources (eg, soybean meal).
The Light Chain Subunit Is Required for Clathrin Function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Clathrin, a multimeric protein involved in intracellular protein trafficking, is composed of three heavy chains (Chc) and three light chains (Clc). Upon disruption (clc1Δ) of the single Clc-encoding gene (CLC1) in yeast, the steady state protein levels of Chc decreased 5-10-fold compared with wild type cells; consequently, phenotypes exhibited by clc1Δ cells may result indirectly from the loss of Chc as opposed to the absence of Clc. As an approach to directly examine Clc function, clc1Δ strains were generated that carry a multicopy plasmid containing the clathrin heavy chain gene (CHC1), resulting in levels of Chc 5-10-fold elevated over wild-type levels. As with deletion of CHC1, deletion of CLC1 results in defects in growth, receptor-mediated endocytosis, and maturation of the mating pheromone α-factor. However, elevated Chc expression in clc1Δ cells partially suppresses the growth and α-factor maturation defects displayed by clc1Δ cells alone. Biochemical analyses indicate that trimerization and assembly of Chc are perturbed in the absence of Clc, resulting in vesiculation defects. Our results demonstrate that the light chain subunit of clathrin is required for efficient Chc trimerization, proper formation of clathrin coats, and the generation of clathrin-coated vesicles.
The complexity of the disjunction and existential properties in intuitionistic logic

This paper considers the computational complexity of the disjunction and existential properties of intuitionistic logic. We prove that the disjunction property holds feasibly for intuitionistic propositional logic; i.e., from a proof of A ⊂v B, a proof either of A or of B can be found in polynomial time. For intuitionistic predicate logic, we prove superexponential lower bounds for the disjunction property, namely, there is a superexponential lower bound on the time required, given a proof of A ⊂v B, to produce one of A and B which is true. In addition, there is superexponential lower bound on the size of terms which fulfill the existential property of intuitionistic predicate logic. There are superexponential upper bounds for these problems, so the lower bounds are essentially optimal.
Raman Thermometry of Polysilicon Microelectro-mechanical Systems in the Presence of an Evolving Stress

In this work, the use of Raman Stokes peak location and linewidth broadening methods were evaluated for thermometry applications of polysilicon microheaters subjected to evolving thermal stresses. Calibrations were performed using the temperature dependence of each spectral characteristic separately, and the uncertainty of each method quantified. It was determined that the Stokes linewidth was independent of stress variation allowing for temperature determination, irrespective of stress state. However, the linewidth method is subject to greater uncertainty than the Stokes shift determination. The uncertainties for each method are observed to decrease with decreasing temperature and increasing integration times. The techniques were applied to mechanically constrained electrically active polysilicon microheaters. Results revealed temperatures in excess of 500°C could be achieved in these devices. Using the peak location method resulted in an underprediction of temperature due to the development of a relative compressive thermal stress with increasing power dissipation.
Immunologic analysis by gel diffusion of effects of prolonged cultivation on Histomonas meleagridis (Smith).

SYNOPSIS. Antigens were prepared from each of 4 lines of Histomonas meleagridis: Hm-L1, a strain highly virulent for both turkeys and chickens; Hm-L1/C12, Hm-L1/C24, Hm-L1/C52, 3 avirulent substrains derived from Hm-L1 after 12, 24, 52 weeks of in vitro cultivation, respectively. Hm-L1 strain and the 3 substrains were maintained in liquid nitrogen. Antisera were developed in rabbits against Hm-L1 and Hm-L1/C24 parasites. Both antisera were reacted on gel diffusion plates with homologous and heterologous antigens. Two groups of precipitin lines and/or bands designated arbitrarily as A and B, were observed on the slides. Analysis of these bands revealed the common antigenic composition of the 4 histomonads with respect to some of the group A and group B antigens. The concentrations and numbers of precipitin lines in both groups increased, however, with the length of cultivation. These antigenic differences are discussed in the light of their possible relationship to pathogenicity.
The Politics of Local Government Stabilization Funds

The adoption, maintenance, and prudent use of budgetary stabilization funds are fundamental financial management precepts, yet the variables that influence the size of these funds are poorly understood. This article contributes to the stabilization fund literature by examining the extent to which variation in stabilization fund balances across municipalities and over time can be explained by a community's political culture and financial management capacity. The balanced panel research design includes archival data for 239 Massachusetts municipalities for each of 18 fiscal years. Stabilization fund balances are lower in communities with either an anti-tax or a pro-spending political culture. Stabilization fund balances are higher in communities that have the financial management capacity to accumulate budget surpluses that can be made available for appropriation to stabilization funds. Communities with the open town meeting form of government also have higher stabilization fund balances.
Two-dimensional phase fraction charts

A phase fraction chart is a graphical representation of the amount of each phase present in a system as a function of temperature, composition or other variable. Examples are phase fraction versus temperature charts used to characterize specific alloys and as a teaching tool in elementary texts, and Schaeffler diagrams used to predict the amount of ferrite in stainless steel welds. Isothermal-transformation diagrams (TTT diagrams) are examples that give phase (or microconstituent) amount versus temperature and time. The purpose of this communication is to discuss the properties of two-dimensional phase fraction charts in more general terms than have been reported before. It is shown that they can represent multi-component, multiphase equilibria in a way which is easier to read and which contains more information than the isotherms and isopleths of multi-component phase diagrams.
GENERALIZED EIKONAL EQUATION IN EXCITABLE MEDIA

Numerical simulations show that, in excitable media, the standard eikonal equation describing the dependence of a wave front's local velocity on its curvature fails badly in the presence of significant dispersion [Pertsov et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 78, 2656 (1997)]. Here we derive a corrected eikonal equation, valid in an unrestricted frequency range, which includes highly dispersive conditions. The derivation, which uses a finite-renormalization technique, is applied to diffusion-reaction equations with generic reactivity functions and two diffusivities of arbitrary ratio. In the important case of equal diffusivities \ensuremath{\alpha}, we obtain at low curvature, the following contribution to the speed: [-1+(\ensuremath{\omega}/c)(\ensuremath{\partial}c/\ensuremath{\partial}\ensuremath{\omega})](\ensuremath{\alpha}/r), where 1/r is the curvature, \ensuremath{\omega} is the frequency, and c=c(\ensuremath{\omega}) is the speed of a plane wave with that frequency. In the single-diffusivity case there is a further contribution (\ensuremath{\epsilon}/c)(\ensuremath{\partial}c/\ensuremath{\partial}\ensuremath{\epsilon})(\ensuremath{\alpha}/r), where \ensuremath{\epsilon} is the ratio of time scales for diffusing and nondiffusing variables; \ensuremath{\epsilon} is not restricted to a small range. Both cases yield excellent agreement with numerical simulations. Our various formulas are compared with the classical results of Zykov (Biofizika 25, 888 (1980) [Biophysics 25, 906 (1980)]) and of Keener [SIAM J. Appl. Math. 46, 1039 (1986)].
Changes in the Correlation Between Eye and Steering Movements Indicate Driver Distraction

Driver distraction represents an increasingly important contributor to crashes and fatalities. Technology that can detect and mitigate distraction by alerting distracted drivers could play a central role in maintaining safety. Based on either eye measures or driver performance measures, numerous algorithms to detect distraction have been developed. Combining both eye glance and vehicle data could enhance distraction detection. The goal of this paper is to evaluate whether changes in the eye-steering correlation structure can indicate distraction. Drivers performed visual, cognitive, and cognitive/visual tasks while driving in a simulator. The auto- and cross-correlations of horizontal eye position and steering wheel angle show that eye movements associated with road scanning produce a low eye-steering correlation. However, even this weak correlation is sensitive to distraction. Time lead associated with the maximum correlation is sensitive to all three types of distraction, and the maximum correlation coefficient is most strongly affected by off-road glances. These results demonstrate that eye-steering correlation statistics can detect distraction and differentiate between types of distraction.
Novel methods of automated quantification of gap junction distribution and interstitial collagen quantity from animal and human atrial tissue sections.

Background Gap junctions (GJs) are the principal membrane structures that conduct electrical impulses between cardiac myocytes while interstitial collagen (IC) can physically separate adjacent myocytes and limit cell-cell communication. Emerging evidence suggests that both GJ and interstitial structural remodeling are linked to cardiac arrhythmia development. However, automated quantitative identification of GJ distribution and IC deposition from microscopic histological images has proven to be challenging. Such quantification is required to improve the understanding of functional consequences of GJ and structural remodeling in cardiac electrophysiology studies.
H2 and COx generation from coal gasification catalyzed by a cost-effective iron catalyst

Abstract The objective of this research is to study the effect and mechanism of FeCO 3 -based catalytic gasification of a low-sulfur sub-bituminous Wyodak coal from the Powder River Basin (PRB) of Wyoming. The catalytic effect was evaluated by comparing the gas compositions and carbon conversion kinetics with and without of FeCO 3 , which was realized by gasifying the coal with a fixed-bed laboratory gasifier within steam environment at atmospheric pressure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Mossbauer spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to study the involved catalytic mechanism through characterization of the iron species and oxidation states of the catalyst and the composition of tar released during pyrolysis. Experimental results show that the catalyst is active in both pyrolysis and gasification steps, and can increase carbon conversion rate and reduce the activation energy of coal gasification. In addition, its oxidation states including magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ), wustite (FeO), and metallic iron, change with gasification condition. The research indicates that FeCO 3 is a promising catalyst for coal gasification.
Back to the Future: Information Science for the New Millennium

L'auteur met en valeur les notions d'integration et d'interdisciplinarite dans l'evolution des sciences de l'information. Les trois domaines constitutifs des sciences de l'information sont pris en compte successivement : recherche, enseignement et pratique professionnelle. Le role des specialistes de l'information vis-a-vis des nouveaux explorateurs de l'Internet est souligne.
Thin-film recording media

Thin-film magnetic recording media are reviewed in this paper. Although the magnetic materials and deposition processes are necessarily discussed, this paper is intended to review film media from a broader perspective than is usually found in the literature. Therefore, the subjects of applications, magnetic properties pertinent to recording, materials and processes, and reliability receive balanced attention. Moreover, within the materials and processes section and the reliability section, the topics of substrate preparation, overcoats, and mechanical and chemical stability are addressed as issues which are as important as the magnetic properties themselves. Rather than grouping film media according to the type of deposition process used (sputtered, plated, etc.) as is often done, media are grouped according to the type of magnetic anisotropies exploited and whether they are metallic or not. This classification better reflects the recording performance observed in the various film media.
Using 3D interfaces to facilitate the spatial knowledge retrieval: a geo-referenced knowledge repository system

Retrieving knowledge from a knowledge repository includes both the process of finding information of interest and the process of converting incoming information to a person's own knowledge. This paper explores the application of 3D interfaces in supporting the retrieval of spatial knowledge by presenting the development and the evaluation of a geo-referenced knowledge repository system. As computer screen is crowded with high volume of information available, 3D interface becomes a promising candidate to better use the screen space. A 3D interface is also more similar to the 3D terrain surface it represents than its 2D counterpart. However, almost all previous empirical studies did not find any supportive evidence for the application of 3D interface. Realizing that those studies required users to observe the 3D object from a given perspective by providing one static interface, we developed 3D interfaces with interactive animation, which allows users to control how a visual object should be displayed. The empirical study demonstrated that this is a promising approach to facilitate the spatial knowledge retrieval.
Development of a Novel Model System to Study Remodeling of ECM Scaffolds in Response to Cyclic Stretching

In an effort to better understand the role of mechanical loading on the healing and remodeling of biological tissues, a number of in vitro models have been developed to apply either static or cyclic mechanical load to cell-seeded scaffolds (Huang 1993, Langelier 1999, Cacou 2000). The current study describes the validation of a new system designed to facilitate the study of matrix remodeling in cell seeded scaffolds, as well as the formation of tissue engineered scaffolds for potential use in repair of healing ligaments and tendons. Our objective was to develop a system that would allow a cell seeded scaffold to remain viable under cyclic loading for long periods of time, with the capability to apply complex loading regimes to the scaffold while monitoring the load in the scaffold.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Some remakrs on chemical equilibrium and kinetics in the nitrogen oxides-water system

Abstract A consideration of a substantial body of kinetic evidence which specifies N2O4 as the chief reactant species in the NO2N2O4H2OHNO3 system suggested that the equilibrium data for this system would be more logically expressed in terms of N2O4. Apparent temperature independence is achieved by this manner of correlation. Literature data proving the ionization of N2O4 in solutions are in accord with the kinetic and equilibrium data. The ionic nature of the reaction would seem to preclude the existence of a purely gas-phase reaction between these nitrogen oxides and water.
Comparison of Symbicort® versus Pulmicort® on steroid pharmacodynamic markers in asthma patients.

Summary Background Combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting β 2 -adrenergic agonists (LABA) is reported to have superior effects on controlling asthma symptoms to ICS alone; however, there is no molecular-based evidence to explain the clinical effects. Here, the effect of the ICS/LABA combination was compared with ICS on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activation in sputum macrophages. Methods In a randomised, double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled 6-visit study, 10 patients with mild asthma were given placebo, formoterol (Oxis ® 12 μg), budesonide (Pulmicort ® 200 μg :BUD200, or 800 μg :BUD800), or budesonide/formoterol combination (Symbicort ® ) as a single 100/6 μg (SYM100) or double 200/12 μg (SYM200) dose. Sputum macrophages were separated by plate adhesion from induced sputum. GR binding to the glucocorticoid-response elements on oligonucleotides (GR-GRE binding) was evaluated by ELISA. mRNA expression of MAP-kinase phosphatase (MKP)-1 and IL-8 were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Results GR-GRE binding was significantly increased after treatment with SYM100 (3.5 OD/10 μg protein, median, p Conclusions The effects of SYM100 and SYM200 on GR activation were not different from that of BUD800 and superior to BUD200. Thus, it has been confirmed at a molecular level that inhaled combination therapy with a lower dose of budesonide has an equivalent effect to a high dose of budesonide alone. In addition, GR-GRE binding is found to be a valuable pharmacodynamic marker for steroid efficacy in clinical studies. (Registration No. NCT00159263)
Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms of the Insulin Receptor Gene in Families with Insulin Resistance and Leprechaunism

ABSTRACT Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) for the insulin receptor gene were compared among controls and families Atl and Ark-1, whose probands have extreme insulin resistance and leprechaunism. Previous studies indicated that fibroblasts cultured from patients Atl and Ark-1 had less than 10% of normal insulin binding. Cells cultured from the related parents of Atl had partial reduction in insulin binding, suggesting that patient Atl inherited the same mutant allele for the insulin receptor from both his parents. By contrast, the parents of Ark-1 were unrelated and their cells had different degrees of impaired insulin binding, suggesting that patient Ark-1 inherited two different, non-complementing alleles for the insulin receptor. To test these hypotheses, RFLPs were defined for the insulin receptor gene and their transmission was studied in families Atl and Ark-1. Patients affected with leprechaunism had no private polymorphisms in the insulin receptor gene, indicating that gross rearrangements were not present. A polymorphism generated with EcoRI at the 5’ end of the insulin receptor gene gave fragments of 16 and 20 kb and was the only one informative in family Atl. Both parents were heterozygous, presenting a 16 and a 20 kb fragment, and transmitted the 20 kb allele to their affected offspring. Ark-l’s parents were heterozygous for three different RFLPs, including this EcoRI polymorphism, and patient Ark-1 inherited a different allele for the insulin receptor from each parent. These results support the genetic hypotheses suggested by insulin-binding studies and indicate that RFLPs can be used to identify transmission of the insulin receptor gene in families with insulin resistance.
Adenosine-induced apoptosis in glomerular mesangial cells

Adenosine-induced apoptosis in glomerular mesangial cells. Background Mesangial cell apoptosis is a mechanism of resolution of glomerular hypercellularity in inflammatory forms of glomerular injury in which adenosine (ADO) was shown to play an anti-inflammatory role. This, and the observation that mesangial cell have ADO receptors prompted us to determine whether ADO induces mesangial cell apoptosis and to explore underlying mechanisms. Methods Cultured mouse mesangial cell were incubated in the presence or absence of ADO or ADO receptor agonists (R-PIA, NECA, IB-MECA, CGS26180) or antagonists (DPCPX, DPSPX, MRS1191) for 48 hours. Cell death was assessed by trypan blue exclusion analysis. Apoptosis was assessed by DNA fragmentation, TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. Results ADO and the A3 ADO receptor agonist IB-MECA induced mesangial cell death, which was markedly attenuated by the A3 receptor antagonist MRS1191. The A1 receptor agonist R-PIA, A2 receptor agonist NECA or the A2a receptor agonist CGS-12680 had no effect. The IB-MECA–induced mesangial cell death was due to apoptosis. This occurred via a cAMP independent mechanism. RT-PCR analysis revealed presence of A3, A1 and A2b but lack of A2a receptor transcripts in MC total RNA. Western blot analysis of mesangial cell lysates revealed expression the A3 receptor protein only. Conclusion The observations indicate that ADO induces mesangial cell apoptosis via stimulation of the A3 receptor.
Change of meaning processes in impression formation

Subjects formed an impression of an unknown other described by the traits intelligent, clean, efficient, level‐headed, punctual, neat, ambitious, and self‐disciplined. Even though each of these traits is positive in normative evaluation, an overall negative evaluation of the stimulus person resulted. However, when two traits highly discrepant from the descriptive meaning of these eight traits (easy‐going and sensitive) were substituted for the two highest evaluated traits, an overall positive evaluation resulted. These and related results provide convincing evidence for a change of meaning model in comparison to a weighted averaging model of impression formation. In a subsidiary investigation support for the weighted averaging position was shown to depend on the standard experimental procedure used in impression formation research in which subjects make judgments of a large number of trait sets.
Unusual conformational changes in 6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase as revealed by X-ray crystallography and NMR.

Abstract The crystal structure of Escherichia coli 6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase (HPPK) in complex with MgADP has been determined at 1.5-A resolution with a crystallographic R factor of 0.191. The solution structure of HPPK in complex with Mg2+ and β,γ-methyleneadenosine 5′-triphosphate (MgAMPPCP) has been determined using a simulated annealing protocol with 3,523 experimental NMR restraints. The root mean square deviation of the ensemble of 20 refined conformers that represent the solution structure from the mean coordinate set derived from them is 0.74 ± 0.26 A for all backbone atoms and 0.49 ± 0.22 A when residues Pro14, Pro44–Gln50, and Arg84–Pro91 are excluded. Binding of MgADP causes significant changes in the conformation and dynamical property of three loops of HPPK that are involved in catalysis. A dramatic, unusual conformational change is that loop 3 moves away from the active center significantly with some residues moving by >17 A. The binding of MgADP also stabilizes loop 1 and loop 3 but makes loop 2 more mobile. Very similar conformational and dynamical changes are observed in the NMR solution structure of HPPK·MgAMPPCP. The conformational and dynamical changes may play important roles in both substrate binding and product release in the catalytic cycle.
Histidine 386 and its role in cyclooxygenase and peroxidase catalysis by prostaglandin-endoperoxide H synthases.

Prostaglandin-endoperoxide H synthases (PGHSs) have a cyclooxygenase that forms prostaglandin (PG) G2 from arachidonic acid (AA) plus oxygen and a peroxidase that reduces the PGG2 to PGH2. The peroxidase activates the cyclooxygenase. This involves an initial oxidation of the peroxidase heme group by hydroperoxide, followed by oxidation of Tyr385 to a tyrosyl radical within the cyclooxygenase site. His386 of PGHS-1 is not formally part of either active site, but lies in an extended helix between Tyr385, which protrudes into the cyclooxygenase site, and His388, the proximal ligand of the peroxidase heme. When His386 was substituted with alanine in PGHS-1, the mutant retained 20% of the native cyclooxygenase activity. However, peroxidase activity could be restored (10-30%) by treating H386A PGHS-1 with cyclooxygenase inhibitors or AA, but not with linoleic acid; in contrast, mere occupancy of the cyclooxygenase site of native PGHS-1 had no effect on peroxidase activity. Heme titrations indicated that H386A PGHS-1 binds heme less tightly than does native PGHS-1. The low peroxidase activity and decreased affinity for heme of H386A PGHS-1 imply that His386 helps optimize heme binding. Molecular dynamic simulations suggest that this is accomplished in part by a hydrogen bond between the heme D-ring propionate and the N-δ of Asn382 of the extended helix. The structure of the extended helix is, in turn, strongly supported by stable hydrogen bonding between the N-δ of His386 and the backbone carbonyl oxygens of Asn382 and Gln383. We speculate that the binding of cyclooxygenase inhibitors or AA to the cyclooxygenase site of ovine H386A PGHS-1 reopens the constriction in the cyclooxygenase site between the extended helix and a helix containing Gly526 and Ser530 and restores native-like structure to the extended helix. Being less bulky than AA, linoleic acid is apparently unable to reopen this constriction.
Comparison of nitrous oxide, morphine and diazepam effects in the mouse staircase test.

Mice were exposed for 10–20 min to room air, 100% oxygen (O2) or increasing concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O) in O2, then tested for 3 min in a staircase inside a glovebag. N2O produced a concentration-dependent increase in the number of steps ascended (NSA) but no change in the number of rears (NR). Pretreatment with naloxone reversed the increase in NSA and also unmasked N2O reduction in NR. By comparison, increasing doses of the narcotic standard morphine reduced NSA and NR; these changes in NSA and NR were sensitive to antagonism by naloxone. The benzodiazepine standard diazepam produced a dose-related reduction in NR while reducing NSA only at higher doses. These data indicate that N2O influences on NSA and NR resemble neither morphine nor diazepam. In addition, it appears that the opioid activity of N2O might mask its antianxiety activity in this particular paradigm.
Rotation of Cu Nanorods during Growth

The dynamic growth of Cu nanoparticles at high temperatures was observed in situ by a transmission electron microscope. During growth, Cu nanorods are formed and their aspect ratio increases from 1.24 to 4.59 with growth time and temperature (T ≤ 920 °C). With further temperature increasing (at T = 960 °C), all the particles become a spherical shape. Most Cu nanorods formed during growth rotate nearly monotonically around a fixed axis, and their instantaneous rotation speed follows a Gaussian distribution. The variation of the rotation speed is 3 × 10-3 rad/s at T = 800 °C and 1.7 × 10-3 rad/s at T = 920 °C, which infers a more active rotation at lower temperature. This phenomenon is believed to be caused by the difference in Cu adatom concentrations around the Cu nanorods during growth.
We Need to Teach for Ethical Conduct

Abstract Educators have a responsibility to teach students not only to be knowledgeable and intelligent, but also to use their knowledge and intelligence in ethical ways; that is, to be wise. In this essay, I first describe why we need to teach for ethical behavior. Then, I discuss how we can teach for ethical behavior. Finally, I draw some conclusions.
Pathophysiology and assessment of neuropathic pain in Fabry disease.

UNLABELLED Severe neuropathic pain and hypohidrosis are important symptoms of Fabry disease, particularly in the first three decades of life. The pain is associated with a length-dependent small-fibre neuropathy that also causes a selective deficiency of cold perception. Cold exposure often accentuates the pain and worsens thermal perception. The hypohidrosis leads to poor exercise and heat tolerance. The mechanisms by which alpha-galactosidase A deficiency causes these physiological abnormalities are poorly understood. The stored glycolipid (globotriaosylceramide) may interfere with the function of cellular membrane proteins, such as ion channels, or may lead to cytotoxicity. The characteristic neuropathic pain can be symptomatically treated with various types of anticonvulsant drugs, such as carbamazepine. Improvement in neuropathic pain as a primary outcome measure has been useful in demonstrating that enzyme replacement therapy is effective in improving pain-related quality of life in Fabry disease. CONCLUSIONS The dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system is easily assessable and more readily reversible with specific therapy than the destructive processes that occur in organs such as the kidney. In future, therefore, it is likely that neuropathic pain, quantitative sensory testing and hypohidrosis will serve as clinical outcome measures for studies of specific and effective therapies for Fabry disease.
The bias of schedules and playoff systems in professional sports

We examine the method used for seeding teams in professional sports leagues after the regular season has ended. In particular, we are interested in which teams are in the playoffs and which of these playoff teams get the home field advantage and/or a first round bye. We show that the regular season schedule is biased against good teams since teams are separated into divisions and that in addition to the current schedules and their inherent biases the playoff systems add more bias against good teams since division winners are typically ranked higher than nondivision winners. The amount of bias in various cases is presented. Furthermore, we present necessary and sufficient conditions for a schedule to be completely unbiased. Using this condition we develop schedules which maximize intradivision rivalries while maintaining no bias.
Smart Poly(styrene)/Carbon Black Conductive Polymer Composites Films for Styrene Vapour Sensing

Conductive Polymer Composites (CPC) can be used to elaborate sensing elements able to detect solvent vapours at very low concentrations (some ppm). Our experiments have shown that combining atactic PS or syndiotactic PS to five carbon black of different specific surfaces, allows obtaining a wide range of electrical resistances and surface morphologies. The CPC films have been elaborated from solutions by spraying and spin coating, the former being more adequate to design sensitive films with tuneable electrical properties. The larger electrical responses were obtained with an initial resistance close to 10 4 Ω. Our sensors gave a response for very low styrene concentration (some ppm) increasing as a function of vapour concentration.
A verification of the Monte Carlo code MCNP for thick target bremsstrahlung calculations

The bremsstrahlung spectra from thick targets of Be, Al, and Pb are calculated using the Monte Carlo code MCNP (Monte Carlo N-particle). The current version of MCNP (v.4A) incorporates a coupled electron-photon transport scheme that allows the user to estimate the photon fluence produced from primary electron interactions. The simulation parameters are based on bremsstrahlung measurements of 15 MeV electrons incident on thick targets of Be, Al, and Pb at various angles between 0 degree and 90 degrees. The integrated yield and mean energy of each bremsstrahlung spectrum is calculated for the three targets at these angles. For angles less than 60 degrees the integrated yield calculated by MCNP4A is within 6% of measured values for the three targets. Furthermore, predicted mean energy is within 7% of the values derived from measurement for all angles tested. Also compared are the performances of two MCNP4A fluence tallies; a next-event estimator (detector tally) and a track length estimator (cell tally). Timing studies indicate the detector tally will perform the integrated yield calculations to a precision of 1% approximately 10 to 50 times faster than the conventional cell tally for an emission angle of 0 degree.
Client experience of gender in therapeutic relationships: An interpretive ethnography.

The purpose of this study was to explore clients' experiences of gender in therapeutic relationships in order to inform therapists of critical issues from clients' perspectives. To capture clients' views, the researchers chose an interpretive ethnographic design that used unstructured, collaborative interviews with clients who had worked with both female and male therapists. The interviews were analyzed using procedures developed by Kvale (1996), who emphasizes the importance of including the client's voice in data gathering, analysis, and final presentation. The results were reviewed with the clients to insure accurate presentation of their views. The final results were organized into six themes: client-therapist connection, male therapists, female therapists, topics discussed, effectiveness, and confounding factors. Researchers discuss the implications of gender-stereotyped behavior in therapy, the relationship between therapist gender and therapeutic alliance, and recommendations for practicing gender-sensitive therapy.
Tumor-induced modulation of macrophage class II MHC molecule mRNA expression

Class II MHC protein expression in macrophages (Mϕ) is reduced during tumor growth. Because regulation of class II MHC proteins occurs during transcription, tumor growth may suppress class II MHC protein expression by suppressing mRNA. The decrease in class II mRNA may result from (i) a decrease in Mϕ responsiveness to an inducing agent, such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ), or (ii) an increase in Mϕ sensitivity to suppressing agents, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). To determine how tumors induce suppression of class II mRNA, Mϕ were cultured in the presence of IFN-γ with or without other factors, and Northern blot analyses were performed. Unstimulated normal host (NH) or tumor-bearing host (TBH) Mϕ do not express detectable class II mRNA. The addition of IFN-γ induces class II mRNA expression in NH and TBH Mϕ, but class II mRNA expression is significantly lower in TBH Mϕ. Kinetic studies suggested that NH Mϕ class II mRNA is induced faster and in greater amounts than TBH Mϕ class II mRNA. There is a decrease in Mϕ class II mRNA stability during tumor growth that may account for the decreased induction by IFN-γ. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) suppresses class II mRNA induction in both NH and TBH IFN-γ-treated Mϕ but TBH Mϕ are more sensitive to its suppression. PGE2 and tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), two factors produced by LPS-stimulated Mϕ, were tested for their ability to modulate class II mRNA expression in NH and TBH IFN-γ-treated Mϕ. PGE2 suppressed class II mRNA expression in both NH and TBH Mϕ. The addition of TNF-α to IFN-γ-treated Mϕ suppressed class II mRNA in NH Mϕ but, surprisingly, had an additive effect on IFN-γ-induced class II mRNA expression. TNF-α did not induce class II mRNA expression in TBH Mϕ in the absence of IFN-γ. The cause of the reduced class II mRNA expression during tumor growth is a decreased response to IFN-γ and an increased sensitivity to PGE2. This change may cause the observed suppression mediated by TBH Mϕ.