cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CpG island methylation is frequently present in tubulovillous and villous adenomas and correlates with size, site, and villous component

CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) pathway in colorectal cancer is characterized by methylation of promoter regions of multiple putative tumor suppressor genes. Aberrant methylation also occurs in serrated and adenomatous polyps. We examined 32 tubulovillous/villous adenomas and 30 tubular adenomas for BRAF/KRAS mutations and methylation at hMLH1, p16, HIC1, RASSF2, MGMT, MINT1, and MINT31. CIMP-positive status (methylation at 3 or more loci) was observed in 44% tubulovillous/villous adenomas compared with 8 (27%) of 30 tubular adenomas (P = .08). Tubulovillous/villous adenomas showed significantly higher methylation than tubular adenomas at MGMT (87% vs 37%, P < .01) and RASSF2 (94% vs 70%, P = .02). There was no significant difference in methylation of HIC1, MINT1, MINT31, and p16. hMLH1 methylation was absent in all tubulovillous/villous adenomas and seen in only 2 (7%) tubular adenomas. CIMP-positive status correlated with large size, right-sided location, and amount of villous component in tubulovillous/villous adenomas. BRAF V600E mutation was not observed in any tubular adenoma or tubulovillous/villous adenoma. KRAS mutations were seen in 9% of tubulovillous/villous adenomas and 10% of tubular adenomas. In conclusion, CIMP-positive phenotype is common in tubulovillous/villous adenomas and increases with large size, right-sided location, and amount of villous component. Methylation of MGMT and RASSF2 increases during the progression from tubular adenoma to tubulovillous/villous adenoma. BRAF mutations are absent in tubulovillous/villous adenomas.
Pregnancy coexisting with serous papillary adenocarcinoma involving both uterus and ovary.

Abstract Less than 100 cases have been reported involving coexistent pregnancy and endometrial cancer or epithelial ovarian cancer. Only one case, histologically an endometrioid adenocarcinoma, demonstrated simultaneous involvement of endometrium and ovary. We report an additional case involving both uterus and ovary coexisting with pregnancy but of a serous papillary histology. A viable preterm infant was delivered. The mother is currently without evidence of disease on cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
Linewidths of the 0-0 hyperfine transition in optically pumped alkali-metal vapors.

Abstract : When considering the O-O hyperfine transition in an optically pumped alkali metal vapor it is often convenient to describe the alkali as a two-level atom. In this approximation it is quite easy to show that the magnetic resonance lineshape, detected as a change in the level's population difference, is a Lorentzian of half-width. A generalized model for the magnetic resonance signal corresponding to the O-O hyperfine transition in an optically pumped alkali vapor is presented. Under conditions of microwave power broadening, the model predicts anomalous light broadening and anomalous relaxation narrowing of the magnetic resonance linewidth. Good agreement between theory and experiment was obtained in an experiment that confirmed the prediction of anomalous light broadening. These results show that the O-O hyperfine transition cannot be described as a simple two level system; rather, the alkali nuclear spin plays an important role in determining the magnetic resonance linewidth.
Precise boron isotopic analysis of aqueous samples: Ion exchange extraction and mass spectrometry

Abstract This paper presents details of an effective ion exchange method for extracting and purifying boron from aqueous fluids as well as modifications to the cesium metaborate mass spectrometric method for determining boron isotopic ratios. Using these methods, natural waters and brines may be routinely analyzed with precision and accuracy on the order of 0.25%. (2 σ), as indicated by analyses of standards and samples taken through the full separation procedure. We review and compare the essential methods used previously for boron isotopic analysis and discuss factors that adversely affect analytical precision and accuracy.
“Giant” tamarin from the Miocene of Colombia

A nearly complete but badly crushed skull and mandible of Lagonimico conclucatus, gen. et sp. nov. is described from the La Victoria Formation, Colombia. The specimen is of middle Miocene age and dates from about 13.5 Ma. Features of the dentition suggest Lagonimico is a sister group to living Callitrichinae (Saguinus, Leontopithecus, Callithrix, and Cebuella). These features include having elongate compressed lower incisors, a reduced P2 lingual moiety, and the absence of upper molar hypocones. The new taxon also has autapomorphies, such as a relatively deep jaw, that rule it out of the direct ancestry of any living callitrichine. This animal is assigned to a new tribe of the callitrichine clade. The orbits of L. conclucatus are small, suggesting diurnal habits. Inflated, low-crowned (bunodont) cheek teeth with short, rounded shearing crests, as well as premolar simplification and M3 size reduction, suggest fruit- or gum- eating adaptations, as among many living callitrichines. Procumbent and slightly elongate lower incisors suggest this species could use its front teeth as a gouge, perhaps for harvesting tree gum. Estimates from jaw size suggest Lagonimico weighed about 1,200 g, about the size of Callicebus, the living titi monkey of South America. Judged from tooth size and jaw length, Lagonimico would have been slightly smaller than Callicebus, but still larger than Cal- limico or any living callitrichine. Therefore, many of the distinctive anatomi- cal features of the callitrichine clade, sometimes explained by phyletic dwarf- ing, may have evolved at larger body size. Evolutionary size reduction may have occurred in parallel in callitrichines and Callimico. 0 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Antifatty Liver Action of Papain and Ficin in Insulin-Treated, Depancreatized Dogs.

SummaryIt is shown that the development of fatty liver in insulin-maintained, depancreatized dogs can be prevented by the daily administration of the plant proteolytic enzymes, papain and ficin.
An iterative procedure for the generation of consistent power/response spectrum

Abstract An iterative procedure is presented that allows computation of spectrum-consistent parameters for the description of earthquake/transient motion. The procedure treats the strong motion portion of the earthquake event as being a stationary Gaussian random process, thereby allowing a mapping between the response spectrum and power spectral density function parameters. Several examples of the mapping procedure are presented with comparison to experimental results to demonstrate the validity and usefulness of the approach.
Fine mapping of three quantitative trait loci for late blight resistance in tomato using near isogenic lines (NILs) and sub-NILs

An earlier study identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) lb4, lb5b, and lb11b for quantitative resistance to Phytophthora infestans (late blight) in a backcross population derived from crossing susceptible cultivated tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum) with resistant L. hirsutum. The QTLs were located in intervals spanning 28-47 cM. Subsequently, near-isogenic lines (NILs) were developed for lb4, lb5b, and lb11b by marker-assisted backcrossing to L. esculentum. Sub-NILs containing overlapping L. hirsutum segments across each QTL region were selected and used to validate the QTL effects, fine-map QTLs, and evaluate potential linkage drag between resistance QTLs and QTLs for horticultural traits. The NILs and sub-NILs were evaluated for disease resistance and eight horticultural traits at three field locations. Resistance QTLs were detected in all three sets of NIL lines, confirming the BC(1) mapping results. Lb4 mapped near TG609, and between TG182 and CT194, on chromosome 4, a 6.9-cM interval; lb5b mapped to an 8.8-cM interval between TG69a and TG413 on chromosome 5, with the most likely position near TG23; and lb11b mapped to a 15.1-cM interval on chromosome 11 between TG194 and TG400, with the peak centered between CT182 and TG147. Most QTLs for horticultural traits were identified in intervals adjacent to those containing the late blight resistance QTLs. Fine mapping of these QTLs permits the use of marker-assisted selection for the precise introgression of L. hirsutum segments containing late blight resistance alleles separately from those containing deleterious alleles at horticulturally important QTLs.
Study of cryogenic procedures for preparation of food for element analysis

Abstract Two cryogenic homogenization procedures, Teflon disk milling and stainless-steel impact milling, were studied for preparing food and dietary supplements for element analysis. The functionality of the disk mill was demonstrated for a fruit/nut/oatmeal granola. Improvement over a rotary cutter blending procedure was shown for three fast-food type foods—hamburger, fried chicken, and egg/ham/cheese English muffin. The capabilities of the two procedures to process mixtures comprised of very dissimilar components were compared. The mixtures included a commercial hard candy having a chili powder coating and a 50:50 (by mass) combination of choline tablets and echinacea root capsules. Nonhomogeneities were found by calculating relative standard deviations (RSDs) for replicate analyses (n=5) and comparing them with the random uncertainties associated with the measurements. Analytical portion masses ranged between 1 g and 45 mg. Element mass fractions were determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis.
A Bayesian integration model for improved gene functional inference from heterogeneous data sources

Increasing amounts of biological data from various sources are being made available by high-throughput genomic technologies. However, no single biological data source analysis can fully unravel the complexities of the hierarchical gene function prediction. Therefore, the integration of multiple data sources is required to acquire a more precise understanding of the role of genes in the living organisms. In this paper, we develop a Hierarchical Bayesian iNtegration algorithm, HiBiN, a general framework that uses Bayesian reasoning to integrate heterogeneous data sources for accurate gene function prediction. The system uses posterior probabilities to assign class memberships to samples using multiple data sources while maintaining the hierarchical constraint that governs the annotation of genes. We demonstrate that the integration of the diverse datasets significantly improves the classification quality for hierarchical gene function prediction in terms of several measures, compared to single-source prediction models and fused-flat model, which are the baselines we compared against.
From Street Protests to Facebook Campaigns: Political Cynicism, Efficacy and Online Political Engagement of Sri Lankan Students

This study examines effects of political cynicism and efficacy on online political engagement of Sri Lankan undergraduates. A survey was conducted among 155 Sri Lankan undergraduates that support the views of the Inter-University Student Federation IUSF, an evidently anti-government student movement that claims to be dedicated to protecting free education in the country. Initial analysis showed that respondents were highly cynical mean: 4.49 on a 1 to 5 scale. The study hypothesized that both political cynicism and efficacy exert a positive impact on online political engagement of respondents. The study also tested the effects of two moderators extent of Facebook use, and the year of study. Results showed that political cynicism exerts a positive impact standardized coefficient:.274, p:.000 on online political engagement, and this effect is positively moderated by the extent of Facebook use standardized coefficient:.261, p:.000. Results also showed that internal political efficacy is not a significant predictor of the dependent variable.
Elevated-temperature deformation mechanisms in Ni3Al

Abstract The creep behavior of single crystalline Ni 3 Al(Ta,B) was investigated over the temperature range 760–1115 °C under compressive stresses ranging from 30 to 700 MPa. The results reveal two different deformation mechanisms as a function of applied stress and temperature. For region I, a stress exponent of 3.2, an inverse primary creep behavior, a creep transient after a stress reduction where the initial creep rate is faster than the minimum creep rate at the reduced stress and dislocation substructure consisting of homogeneously distributed curved dislocations suggests that the dominant deformation mechanism is viscous dislocation glide. For region II, a stress exponent of 4.3, a normal primary creep behavior, a creep transient after a stress reduction where the initial creep rate is lower than the steady-state creep rate at the reduced stress and evidence for subgrain formation suggests that the dominant deformation mechanism is dislocation climb. It is believed that viscous dislocation glide in Ni 3 Al(Ta,B) is controlled by interdiffusion, whereas climb is controlled by Al lattice diffusion.
Genetic control of enzyme structure in hyperuricemia

Abstract 1. 1. A correlation has been made between the hyperuricemic condition in one of the polymorphic forms of Aedes aegypti larvae (yellow) and a structural modification in the molecular organization of the enzyme xanthine dehydrogenase. 2. 2. There is differential accumulation of xanthine and hypoxanthine in the wild type and uric acid in the mutant yellow; these purines were partial inhibitors of XDH. 3. 3. The nutritional conditions of rearing determined the degree of hyperuricemia; the hybrid produced more uric acid than either homozygotes when reared with high concentrations of food suggesting polygenic regulation. 4. 4. Application of these results to the explanation of human hyperuricemia is discussed.
Alkylglycerone phosphate synthase (AGPS) deficient mice: Models for rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata type 3 (RCDP3) malformation syndrome

Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP) is a genetically heterogeneous autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by congenital cataracts, shortening of the proximal limbs, neurological abnormalities, seizures, growth delays, and severe intellectual disability. Most RCDP children die in the first decade of life due to respiratory complications. Mutations in alkylglycerone phosphate synthase (AGPS) cause RCDP type 3 (RCDP3). We've previously established that cataracts and male infertility in blind sterile 2 (bs2) mice are caused by a spontaneous hypomorphic mutation in Agps. As a part of this study, we set out to further explore the bs2 phenotypes and how they correlate to the clinical presentations of RCDP3 patients. Our results show that ~ 50% bs2 mice die embryonically and surviving bs2 mice exhibit growth delays that they overcome by adulthood. The X-ray analysis of adult bs2 mice revealed significant humeral, but not femoral shortening. Clinical and histological eye evaluations revealed that bs2 lenses undergo normal development with first opacities developing at P21 that by P28 rapidly progress to mature cataracts. Evaluation of testes determined that infertility in bs2 mice is due to the aberrant formation of multicellular cellular clusters that undergo apoptosis. Given that the bs2 locus is a hypomorphic Agps mutation, we set out to generate Agps knockout mice utilizing the Knockout Mouse Project (KOMP) resource. Our results showed that ~ 85% of Agps knock-out mice die embryonically whereas surviving adult Agps knock-out mice phenotypically exhibit cataracts and testicular abnormalities similar to those observed in bs2 mice. Given that the majority of Agps knock-out mice die embryonically, this presented a challenge for further analyses of Agps deficiency in mouse models. Although not done as a part of this study, Agps-KOMP mice or ES cells can be further modified with FLP recombinase to generate mice suitable for subsequent matings with a transgenic Cre strain of choice, thereby providing an opportunity to study conditional Agps deficiency in a specific tissue or desired developmental time points without Agps deficiency-mediated embryonic lethality.
Fraught with Ambivalence: Reproductive Intentions and Contraceptive Choices in a Sub-Saharan Fertility Transition

Demographic studies that search for signs of fertility transition in sub-Saharan Africa rarely examine the complex gamut of individual aspirations and misgivings, hopes and frustrations, failures and triumphs that accompany the emerging declines of fertility rates in the subcontinent. This study draws upon qualitative data collected in peri-urban areas of Maputo, Mozambique’s capital and largest metropolis, to explore contradictory meanings and feelings surrounding changes in fertility intentions and contraceptive choices. It argues that although changes in these two aspects of reproductive life are interrelated, they are predicated on distinct types and configurations of external pressures and psychological apparatus, which is often manifested as a puzzling disjunction between fertility preferences and contraceptive use. This disjunction can be further reinforced by persistent gender divisions in reproductive views and strategies. Informal social interaction plays an important role in building societal consensus over fertility matters, but because such interaction deals with reproductive intentions and contraceptive use through largely different mechanisms, it may also help accentuate the intentions-contraception disjunction. This study’s findings therefore call upon both researchers and policymakers to attend more closely to the multidimensionality of fertility transitions in sub-Saharan societies and specifically to the complexities underlying such popular notions as “unmet need for family planning,” “spacing” versus “limiting” births, or “spousal communication” on reproductive matters.
Sex-Related Patterns in the Unit of Perception

Male and female students, categorized as either sex- typed or androgynous, were asked to segment a videotaped sequence of behavior into natural units, according to procedures developed by Newtson (1973). No differences were found for sex of subject or for sex of actor in the rate of unitization. However, a sig nificant interaction revealed that androgynous persons of both sexes respond to male and female actors similarly, while sex- typed persons show considerable divergence toward actors of dif ferent sex. Implications for both sex differences and unit of perception in attribution are discussed.
Hazard Perception and the Urban Geographies of Place: Insights from New York City's Financial Executives Following 9/11

Theories of place have yet to be developed to explore societal responses to terrorism in the post-9/11 city. Urban geographers have shown the relevance of place for understanding the way people live in cities, including conceptualizations of the way people perceive those places. Geographers working on environmental risk have also conceptualized perception, but only in regard to hazard perception. They have not focused on the city itself as a hazard site, nor have they studied how the contours of place affect hazard perception. Joining urban geography and risk-hazards scholarship, this study argues for a terrorism-place nexus that links terrorism hazard perception to urban place. Using survey and interview data collected from 79 financial service executives in New York City, it will be shown that terrorism has created a place-based ontological dissonance among financial executives, and we speculate about the implications for the city should these workers restore ontological order by moving away their estab...
On the use of acoustics for studying suspended oceanic sediment and for determining the onset of the shallow thermocline

Abstract Acoustic observations of a low-density sediment flow originating from a dredge operating in the main Miami shipping channel have been made. The flow proceeded seaward along layered thermal gradients at the top of the shallow thermocline and at greater depths. Acoustic, thermal, salinity, chemical, and transmissivity measurements were made during summer and winter in 1974.
Global Smoothing for the Periodic KdV Evolution

The Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation with periodic boundary conditions is considered. It is shown that for H-s initial data, s > -1/2, and for any s(1) = 0. Our result and a theorem of Oskolkov for the Airy evolution imply that if one starts with continuous and bounded variation initial data, then the solution of KdV (given by the L-2 theory of Bourgain) is a continuous function of space and time. In addition, we demonstrate smoothing for the defocusing modified KdV equation on the torus for s > 1/2.
INFLUENCE OF PLASTIC FLOW ON THE ELECTRICAL AND PHOTOGRAPHIC PROPERTIES OF THE ALKALI HALIDE CRYSTALS

The influence of plastic flow on the ionic conductivity and darkenability of the alkali halides is discussed on the basis of the assumption that vacant lattice sites are generated during lattice flow and condense to form clusters during a subsequent period of time. These assumptions appear to lead to a reasonable interpretation of the available experiments on the changes in properties of the alkali halides which accompany plastic flow. The bleaching action of plastic flow on colored crystals is also discussed, although the mechanism appears to be much less apparent in this case.
Dynamics of Attached Cavities on Bodies of Revolution

Attached cavitation was generated on two axisymmetric bodies, a Schiebe body and a modified ellipsoidal body (the I.T.T.C. body), both with a 50.8 mm diameter. Tests were conducted for a range of cavitation numbers and for Reynolds numbers in the range of Re = 4.4x10⁵ and 4.8x10⁵. Partially stable cavities were observed. The steady and dynamic volume fluctuations of the cavities were recorded through measurements of the local fluid impedance near the cavitating surface [us]ing a series of flush mounted electrodes. These data were combined with photographic observations. On the Schiebe body, the cavitation was observed to form a series of incipient spot cavities which developed into a single cavity as the cavitation number was lowered. The incipient cavities were observed to fluctuate at distinct frequencies. Cavities on the I.T.T.C. started as a single patch on the upper surface of the body which grew to envelope the entire circumference of the body as the cavitation number was lowered. These cavitites also fluctuated at distinct frequencies associated with oscillations of the cavity closure region. The cavities fluctuated with Strouhal numbers (based on the mean cavity thickness) in the range of St = 0.002 to 0.02, which are approximately one tenth the value of Strouhal numbers associated with Karman vortex shredding. The fluctuation of these stabilized partial cavities may be related to periodic break off and filling in the cavity closure region and to periodic entrainment of the cavity vapor. Cavities on both headforms exhibited surface striations in the streamwise direction near the point of cavity formation, and a frothy mixture of vapor and liquid was detected under the turbulent cavity surface. As the cavities became fully developed, the signal generated by the froth mixture increased in magnitude with frequencies in the range of 0 to 50 Hz.
Spatio-temporal diversity in the microenvironments for neural cell adhesion molecule, neural cell adhesion molecule-polysialic acid, and L1-cell adhesion molecule expression by sensory neurons and their targets during cochleo-vestibular innervation

Sixteen phases in the microenvironments were defined for the structural development and innervation of the cochleo-vestibular ganglion and its targets. In each phase the cell adhesion molecules, neural cell adhesion molecule, neural cell adhesion molecule-polysialic acid, and L1-cell adhesion molecule, were expressed differentially by cochleo-vestibular ganglion cells, their precursors, and the target cells on which they synapse. Detected by immunocytochemistry in staged chicken embryos, in the otocyst, neural cell adhesion molecule, but not L1-cell adhesion molecule, was localized to the ganglion and hair cell precursors. Ganglionic precursors, migrating from the otocyst, only weakly expressed neural cell adhesion molecule. Epithelial hair cell precursors, remaining in the otocyst, expressed neural cell adhesion molecule, but not L1-cell adhesion molecule. Post-migratory ganglion cell processes expressed both molecules in all stages. The cell adhesion molecules were most heavily expressed by axons penetrating the otic epithelium and accumulated in large amounts in the basal lamina. In the basilar papilla (cochlea), cell adhesion molecule expression followed the innervation gradient. Neural cell adhesion molecule and L1 were heavily concentrated on axonal endings peripherally and centrally. In the rhombencephalon, primitive epithelial cells expressed neural cell adhesion molecule, but not L1-cell adhesion molecule, except in the floorplate. The neuroblasts and their axons expressed L1-cell adhesion molecule, but not neural cell adhesion molecule, when they began to migrate and form the dorsal commissure. There was a stage-dependent, differential distribution of the cell adhesion molecules in the floorplate. Commissural axons expressed both cell adhesion molecules, but their polysialic acid disappeared within the floorplate at later stages. In conclusion, the cell adhesion molecules are expressed by the same cells at different times and places during their development. They are positioned to play different roles in migration, target penetration, and synapse formation by sensory neurons. A multiphasic model provides a morphological basis for experimental analyses of the molecules critical for the changing roles of the microenvironment in neuronal specification.
Cohesive energy effects on anisotropic transport in ion mixing

Abstract Experimental investigations of the effect of target species cohesive energy on anisotropic transport in ion mixing of metallic systems are reported. Bilayer samples with nearly zero heats of mixing, but different cohesive energy and geometry, such as W on top of Pd (W/Pd), Pd on top of W (Pd/W), Nb/Cu, Cu/Nb, Ag/V, and V/Ag, were irradiated with 300 keV Kr2+ at doses of 1 × 1016 Kr2+/cm2 and 2 × 1016 Kr2+/cm2 at 77 K. The samples were investigated using embedded markers and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. The experimental results indicate a preferential transport of higher cohesive energy material into lower cohesive energy material — in some cases contrary to ballistic arguments. This phenomenon is explained in terms of thermally activated diffusion within thermal spikes.
The Effect of 3-Thiopheneacetic Acid in the Polymerization of a Conductive Electrotextile for Use in Biosensor Development

Investigations were conducted to develop an electrotextile using a nonwoven polypropylene fiber platform conformally coated in a conductive, functionalized copolymer of polypyrrole and 3-thiopheneacetic acid (3TAA). The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) if the inclusion of 3TAA in the polymerization process would have an effect on the availability of binding sites in the high-surface area electrotextile for biorecognition elements and (2) how the increase in the concentration of 3TAA would affect the physical characteristics of the coating, resistivity of the sample and availability of binding sites. It was found that the addition of 3TAA to the polymerization process resulted in an increase in the size of the polypyrrole coating, as well as the material resistivity and available binding sites for biorecognition elements. These factors were used to determine which of the tested concentrations was best for biosensor development. A polymer coated membrane sample containing a concentration within the range of 10–50 mg/mL of 3TAA was selected as the best for future biosensor work.
The Respiratory Response of Guinea Pigs to the Inhalation of Acetic Acid Vapor

Abstract Guinea pigs exposed for one hour to concentrations of 5 to 500 ppm of acetic acid vapor showed an increase in pulmonary flow resistance, a decrease in pulmonary compliance, and an increase in the time constant of the lungs. These changes suggest bronchial constriction as the primary action of this irritant. Concentrations above 100 ppm also caused a decrease in respiration rate and minute volume and an increase in the work of respiration. By-passing the upper airway with a tracheal cannula increased the response. A sodium chloride aerosol delayed the recovery but did not increase the magnitude of the response.
Evidence of unique-parity band structure in neutron-rich odd-A Ru isotopes.

With prompt \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray and x-ray spectroscopy on fission fragments, several new transitions in $^{109,111}\mathrm{Ru}$ have been identified. Angular correlation analysis of several of the new transitions yield evidence of a stretched E2 band structure. Qualitative Nilsson model arguments, systematics, and triaxial rotor+particle calculations support our hypothesis that the observed band is built on the unique parity \ensuremath{\nu}${\mathit{h}}_{11/2}$ orbital.
Inhibition of the corpora allata of last-instar male larvae of the cockroach, Diploptera punctata

Normal rates of juvenile hormone synthesis, cell number and volume of corpora allata were measured in penultimate and final-instar male larvae of Diploptera punctata. The rate of juvenile hormone synthesis per corpus allatum cell was highest on the 4th day of the penultimate stadium, declined slowly for the remainder of that stadium, and rapidly after the first day of the final stadium. Regulation of the corpora allata in final-instar males was studied by experimental manipulation of the corpora allata followed by in vitro radiochemical assay of juvenile hormone synthesis. Nervous inhibition of the corpora allata during the final stadium is suggested by the observation that rates of juvenile hormone synthesis increased following denervation of the corpora allata at the start of the stadium; this operation induced a supernumerary larval instar. Juvenile hormone synthesis by corpora allata denervated at progressively later ages in the final stadium and assayed after 4 days decreased with age at operation. This suggests an increasingly unfavourable humoral environment in the final stadium, which was confirmed by the low rate of juvenile hormone synthesis of adult female corpora allata implanted into final-instar larvae. Thus, inhibitory factors or lack of stimulatory factors in the haemolymph may act with neural inhibition to suppress juvenile hormone synthesis in final-instar males.
Embeddings and delays as derived from quantification of recurrence plots

Abstract Recurrence plots have been advocated as a useful diagnostic tool for the assessment of dynamical time series. We extend the usefulness of this tool by quantifying certain features of these plots which may be helpful in determining embeddings and delays.
Examination of the carboxylesterase phenotype in human liver

Carboxylesterases (CES) metabolize esters. Two CES isoforms are expressed in human liver (CES1 and CES2) and liver extracts are used in reaction phenotyping studies to discern interindividual metabolic variation. We tested the hypothesis that an individual’s CES phenotype can be characterized by reporter substrates/probes that interrogate native CES1 and CES2 activities in liver and immunoblotting methods. We obtained 25 livers and found that CES1 is the main hydrolytic enzyme. Moreover, although CES1 protein levels were similar, we observed large interindividual variation in bioresmethrin hydrolysis rates (17-fold), a pyrethroid metabolized by CES1 but not CES2. Bioresmethrin hydrolysis rates did not correlate with CES1 protein levels. In contrast, procaine hydrolysis rates, a drug metabolized by CES2 but not CES1, were much less variant (3-fold). Using activity-based fluorophosphonate probes (FP-biotin), which covalently reacts with active serine hydrolases, CES1 protein was the most active enzyme in the livers. Finally, using bioorthogonal probes and click chemistry methodology, the half-life of CES 1 and 2 in cultured HepG2 cells was estimated at 96 h. The cause of the differential CES1 activities is unknown, but the underlying factors will be important to understand because several carboxylic acid ester drugs and environmental toxicants are metabolized by this enzyme.
Photochemical reaction of (η5-C5H5)2NbH3 with Mn2(CO)10: structure of [((η5-C5H5)2(CO)Nb)2(μ-H)]+[Mn(CO)5]−

Abstract The photochemical reaction of (η 5 -C 5 H 5 ) 2 NbH 3 with Mn 2 (CO) 10 leads to an ionic product, [((η 5 -C 5 H 5 ) 2 (CO)Nb) 2 (μ-H)] + [Mn(CO) 5 ] − , whose crystal structure suggests a localized, asymmetric bonding description, Cp 2 (CO)NbH → Nb(CO)Cp 2 + , with NbNb = 3.7739(8) A. The NMR signal for the bridging hydrogen sharpens at lower temperatures.
Trace element source terms for mineral dissolution

Abstract We present an approach for determining source terms for modeling trace element release from minerals, using arsenic (As) as an example. The source term function uses laboratory-measured mineral dissolution rates to predict the time rate of change of As concentrations (mol/L s) released to water by the dissolving mineral. Application of this function to As-bearing minerals (realgar, orpiment, arsenopyrite, scorodite, pyrite, and jarosite) in air saturated water at 25 °C shows that mineralogy, grain size and pH are important factors affecting the As source term while DO concentration and temperature are relatively unimportant for conditions found in typical aquifers. The derived function shows that the source term decreases as a function of (1 − t / t L ) 2 , where t L is the grain lifetime, due to the shrinkage of the mineral grains as they dissolve. For some models, either a constant or an instantaneous term might be used, provided that certain time constraints are met. The methods outlined in this paper are intended to help bridge the gap between laboratory measurements and field-based models. Although this paper uses As as an example, the methods are general and can be used to predict source terms for other mineral-derived trace elements to groundwater.
Transforming Cardiovascular Health Through Genes and Environment Presidential Address at the American Heart Association 2012 Scientific Sessions

Good afternoon, and welcome to Scientific Sessions 2012. It is my privilege and honor to address this esteemed group of researchers, clinicians, colleagues, and friends. I thank you for being here today and for your commitment to science and to the fight against cardiovascular diseases andstroke. I’d like to extend a heartfelt welcome to all of you who are young investigators and early in your careers. I feel a special bond with you today. It was 25 years ago, just down the road in Anaheim, when I presented an oral abstract at Scientific Sessions on my very first independent research study. I am honored to be back here today as the president of the American Heart Association. I also stand before you today as a nurse, a basic scientist, and an epidemiologist. This unique career journey has enriched me with the opportunity to work alongside many of you in many capacities. More importantly, I have been able to care for patients, pursue scientific discovery, and study population health, all with the goal of saving and improving lives. Today, I will discuss a major global threat to human health: hypertension. Almost 1 billion people have high blood pressure, putting 1 of every 7 people on the planet at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The World Heart Federation projects that number to grow by >50% by the year 2025.1 As you know, here in the United States, nearly 1 in 3 Americans has hypertension. One in 5 is not aware of this condition. And nearly half of all hypertensives have out-of-control high blood pressure (Figure).2 Ninety percent of Americans are expected to have high blood pressure at some point in their …
Phosphorylation of the cardiac isoform of calsequestrin in cultured rat myotubes and rat skeletal muscle.

Calsequestrin is a high-capacity Ca(2+)-binding protein and a major constituent of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of both skeletal and cardiac muscle. Two isoforms of calsequestrin, cardiac and skeletal muscle forms, have been described which are products of separate genes. Purified forms of the two prototypical calsequestrin isoforms, dog cardiac and rabbit fast-twitch skeletal muscle calsequestrins, serve as excellent substrates for casein kinase II and are phosphorylated on distinct sites (Cala, S.E. and Jones, L.R. (1991) J. Biol. Chem 266, 391-398). Dog cardiac calsequestrin is phosphorylated at a 50 to 100-fold greater rate than is rabbit skeletal muscle calsequestrin, and only the dog cardiac isoform contains endogenous Pi on casein kinase II phosphorylation sites. In this study, we identified and examined both calsequestrin isoforms in rat muscle cultures and homogenates to demonstrate that the cardiac isoform of calsequestrin in rat skeletal muscle was phosphorylated in vivo on sites which are phosphorylated by casein kinase II in vitro. Phosphorylation of rat skeletal muscle calsequestrin was not detected. In tissue homogenates, cardiac and skeletal muscle calsequestrin isoforms were both found to be prominent substrates for endogenous casein kinase II activity with cardiac calsequestrin the preferred substrate. In addition, these studies revealed that the cardiac isoform of calsequestrin was the predominant form expressed in skeletal muscle of fetal rats and cultured myotubes.
Statistical hypothesis testing in intraspecific phylogeography: nested clade phylogeographical analysis vs. approximate Bayesian computation

Nested clade phylogeographical analysis (NCPA) and approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) have been used to test phylogeographical hypotheses. Multilocus NCPA tests null hypotheses, whereas ABC discriminates among a finite set of alternatives. The interpretive criteria of NCPA are explicit and allow complex models to be built from simple components. The interpretive criteria of ABC are ad hoc and require the specification of a complete phylogeographical model. The conclusions from ABC are often influenced by implicit assumptions arising from the many parameters needed to specify a complex model. These complex models confound many assumptions so that biological interpretations are difficult. Sampling error is accounted for in NCPA, but ABC ignores important sources of sampling error that creates pseudo-statistical power. NCPA generates the full sampling distribution of its statistics, but ABC only yields local probabilities, which in turn make it impossible to distinguish between a good fitting model, a non-informative model, and an over-determined model. Both NCPA and ABC use approximations, but convergences of the approximations used in NCPA are well defined whereas those in ABC are not. NCPA can analyse a large number of locations, but ABC cannot. Finally, the dimensionality of tested hypothesis is known in NCPA, but not for ABC. As a consequence, the ‘probabilities’ generated by ABC are not true probabilities and are statistically non-interpretable. Accordingly, ABC should not be used for hypothesis testing, but simulation approaches are valuable when used in conjunction with NCPA or other methods that do not rely on highly parameterized models.
Indocyanine green angiography of multifocal choroiditis

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine indocyanine green (ICG) angiographic characteristics of patients with multifocal choroiditis (MC) and to identify features that may assist in the differentiation of MC from other ocular inflammatory diseases. Methods: After complete ophthalmologic examination, fluorescein angiography and ICG angiography were performed in a series of 14 patients with MC. The ICG findings were then correlated with the clinical and fluorescein angiographic appearance of these patients to determine specific characteristics and distinguishing features of the entity. These findings then were compared with those of angiographic patterns observed in patients with ocular histoplasmosis syndrome to determine whether differentiating features could be identified. Results: Fourteen (50%) of the 28 eyes were found to have large hypofluorescent spots in the posterior pole on ICG angiography, which, in most cases, did not correspond to clinically or fluorescein angiographically detectable lesions. Seventeen (61%) had smaller hypofluorescent lesions (approximately 50 µm in size) in the posterior pole on the ICG study. In seven eyes exhibiting enlarged blind spots on visual field testing, ICG angiography showed confluent hypofluorescence surrounding the optic nerve. The ICG angiogram was found useful in evaluating the natural course in two patients with MC as well as a response to oral prednisone therapy in four others. The ICG angiographic findings differed from those seen in patients with ocular histoplasmosis. Conclusions: Indocyanine green angiography can provide information that is not detectable by clinical or fluorescein angiographic examination in patients with MC. This information may prove useful in differentiating this condition from the ocular histoplasmosis syndrome, provide a better understanding of the natural course and progression of the disease, and provide a potential adjunct in the clinical evaluation of patients undergoing therapeutic regimens for active inflammatory lesions.
A novel approach to adolescents with type 1 diabetes: the team clinic model.

The transition of pediatric patients into the adult world is a major medical issue and a high-risk time period (1–4). In patients with type 1 diabetes, glycemic control is at its worst during adolescence and emerging adulthood (5,6). The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a novel clinical care approach to the type 1 diabetes transition population that would require no additional resources or staff, would be applicable in all clinical settings, could be sustainable outside of a grant setting, and would not require additional time or appointments for patients and families. Alternative medical care approaches, specifically shared medical appointments (SMAs), have successfully increased patient and provider satisfaction, maximized billing, and improved outcomes in other challenging patient populations. The SMA model has been used in adults with chronic medical conditions (including diabetes), women receiving prenatal care, patients requiring urgent care visits, and patients needing routine health care maintenance (7–10). Although not reflected strongly in the literature, the SMA model has also been successful in the pediatric population. In the literature, SMA models have resulted in improved patient outcomes, increased satisfaction of providers and patients, and improved billing and efficiency. Group scheduling has allowed for more comprehensive visits, with increased screening rates and more frequent educational interventions (e.g., from dietitians, nursing staff, and mental health providers). The SMA model has also been found to be more efficient for medical providers, allowing them to see more patients in the same time period (10). Based on the success of SMAs in other chronic medical conditions, the Team Clinic SMA clinic was developed for adolescent patients receiving care at a large pediatric diabetes center. A multidisciplinary team of providers caring for patients in the diabetes center, including social workers, dietitians, certified …
Developing Learning Communities in Health and Human Performance.

Learning communities in health and human performance are creative approaches to traditional academic outcomes. Learning communities are becoming increasingly widespread in a variety of contexts, and there is extensive evidence suggesting that effective learning communities have important benefi ts for students as well as faculty. In this article, three successful learning communities in health and human performance are described, each of which linked two courses around a common theme. Following a general description of learning communities, the “Community Wellness,” “Lifelong Wellness,” and “Healthy Youth” communities are described in detail, and evaluative data are presented. Results of student perception surveys indicated that students were generally satisfi ed with the program; it promoted interaction among them; it encouraged meaningful communication between them and the instructor; it deepened their learning; and it helped them feel a sense of community. We conclude with recommendations to facilitate success and plans for future research.
A comparative study of the reliability of the power electronics in grid connected small wind turbine systems

This work presents a reliability analysis of the Power Conditioning System (PCS) for both the Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG) and Wound Rotor Induction Generator (WRIG)-based small wind turbine generation systems. The PCS for grid connection of the PMG-based system requires a rectifier, boost converter and a grid-tie inverter, while the WRIG-based system employs a rectifier, a chopper and an external resistor in the rotor side with the stator directly connected to the grid. Reliability of the PCS is analyzed for the worst case scenario of maximum conversion losses at a predetermined wind speed. The analysis reveals that the Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of the PCS of a WRIG-based small wind turbine is much higher than the MTBF of the PCS of a PMG-based small wind turbine. The investigation is extended to identify the least reliable component within the PCS for both systems. It is shown that the inverter has the dominant effect on the system reliability for the PMG-based system, while the rectifier is the least reliable for the WRIG-based system. This research indicates that the WRIG-based small wind turbine with a simple PCS is a much better option for small wind energy conversion system.
Sediment source identification in a semiarid watershed at soil mapping unit scales

Abstract Selective erosion and transport of silt and clay particles from watershed soil surfaces leads to enrichment of suspended sediments by size fractions that are the most effective scavengers of chemical pollutants. Thus, preferential transport of highly reactive size fractions represents a major problem relative to sediment/chemical transport in watersheds, and offsite water quality. The objective of this research was to develop an approach to identify sediment sources at a soil mapping unit scale for the purpose of designing site specific best management practices which affect greater reductions in runoff and erosion losses. Surface soil samples were collected along transects from each of the major 25 mapping units in six subwatersheds of the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed. Suspended sediments were collected from supercritical flumes at the mouth of each subwatershed. Laboratory analyses included basic soil/sediment physical and chemical properties, radioisotopes, and stable carbon isotopes, all by standard methods. Aggregation index (AI) values [100 · (1 − water dispersible clay / total clay)] were taken as an indicator of relative soil erodibility. Potential sediment yield index (PSYI) values were calculated by multiplying percent relative area for individual soil mapping units times (100 − AI). Particle size results indicated that suspended sediments were enriched in clay, relative to the watershed soils, by an average of 1.28. Clay enrichment ratios (ER) were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) and positively correlated with AI, an indication that these two parameters can be equated with erodibility and sediment yield. The PSYI values for the six subwatersheds ranged from 68.0 to 81.7. The stable carbon isotope data for the suspended sediments gave a C3 (shrubs) to C4 plant (grasses) ratio that ranged from 1.06 to 2.25, indicating greater erosion from the more highly erodible, shrub-dominated subwatersheds which also coincided with the highest PSYI values. Correlation coefficients determined individually for PSYI versus clay ER, C3/C4 plant ratios, and multivariate mixing model results were: 0.962 (P ≤ 0.01), 0.905 (P ≤ 0.01), and 0.816 (P ≤ 0.05), respectively. These statistically significant relationships support the accuracy of a potential sediment yield index approach for identifying suspended sediment sources at soil mapping unit scales.