cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analogical problem solving

Abstract The use of an analogy from a semantically distant domain to guide the problemsolving process was investigated. The representation of analogy in memory and processes involved in the use of analogies were discussed theoretically and explored in five experiments. In Experiment I oral protocols were used to examine the processes involved in solving a problem by analogy. In all experiments subjects who first read a story about a military problem and its solution tended to generate analogous solutions to a medical problem (Duncker's “radiation problem”), provided they were given a hint to use the story to help solve the problem. Transfer frequency was reduced when the problem presented in the military story was substantially disanalogous to the radiation problem, even though the solution illustrated in the story corresponded to an effective radiation solution (Experiment II). Subjects in Experiment III tended to generate analogous solutions to the radiation problem after providing their own solutions to the military problem. Subjects were able to retrieve the story from memory and use it to generate an analogous solution, even when the critical story had been memorized in the context of two distractor stories (Experiment IV). However, when no hint to consider the story was given, frequency of analogous solutions decreased markedly. This decrease in transfer occurred when the story analogy was presented in a recall task along with distractor stories (Experiment IV), when it was presented alone, and when it was presented in between two attempts to solve the problem (Experiment V). Component processes and strategic variations in analogical problem solving were discussed. Issues related to noticing analogies and accessing them in memory were also examined, as was the relationship of analogical reasoning to other cognitive tasks.
Differential determination of glucose and fructose in microgram quantities

Abstract 1. 1. In comparing several colorimetric glucose determinations for adaptation to the microgram level the anthrone method is found to be the most suitable procedure. 2. 2. A method is described for the determination of 0.2–2.0 μg. in 25-μl. samples of glucose or fructose with an accuracy of 0.03 μg. and an average recovery of 100 and 98%, respectively, which is suitable for routine use. 3. 3. The method allows a quantitative differentiation between glucose and fructose, even in the case of a large excess of one of the compounds, by reading the optical density before and after heating at 100 °C. 4. 4. A number of compounds has been tested for possible interference; no seriously interfering compounds are found among the noncarbohydrates studied.
EMPIRICAL RECONSTRUCTION AND NUMERICAL MODELING OF THE FIRST GEOEFFECTIVE CORONAL MASS EJECTION OF SOLAR CYCLE 24

We analyze the kinematics and morphology of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from 2010 April 3, which was responsible for the first significant geomagnetic storm of solar cycle 24. The analysis utilizes coronagraphic and heliospheric images from the two STEREO spacecraft, and coronagraphic images from SOHO/LASCO. Using an empirical three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technique, we demonstrate that the CME can be reproduced reasonably well at all times with a 3D flux rope shape, but the case for a flux rope being the correct interpretation is not as strong as some events studied with STEREO in the past, given that we are unable to infer a unique orientation for the flux rope. A model with an orientation angle of –80° from the ecliptic plane (i.e., nearly N-S) works best close to the Sun, but a model at 10° (i.e., nearly E-W) works better far from the Sun. Both interpretations require the cross section of the flux rope to be significantly elliptical rather than circular. In addition to our empirical modeling, we also present a fully 3D numerical MHD model of the CME. This physical model appears to effectively reproduce aspects of the shape and kinematics of the CME's leading edge. It is particularly encouraging that the model reproduces the amount of interplanetary deceleration observed for the CME during its journey from the Sun to 1 AU.
Effect of a long-acting contraceptive drug, norethindrone enanthate, on serum zinc and copper in human volunteers

Three women volunteers were injected with 1 mg norethindrone enanthate i.v. and the content of zinc and copper in the serum was studied in a total of 11 sampling periods ranging from 4 hours to 14 days after the injection. A significant decrease in serum zinc content occurred within 4 hours after injection of the progestational drug and remained low for the next 14 days. No change in serum copper content was found. The combined values of serum zinc after the drug administration were significantly lower (P < 0.01) than serum zinc content of controls without any contraceptive drug treatment on another group of randomly selected women patients of similar age. The possible implications of decreased serum zinc content to the incidence of thromboembolic complications are discussed.
Precise Temperature Compensation of Phase in a Rhythmic Motor Pattern

Most animal species are cold-blooded, and their neuronal circuits must maintain function despite environmental temperature fluctuations. The central pattern generating circuits that produce rhythmic motor patterns depend on the orderly activation of circuit neurons. We describe the effects of temperature on the pyloric rhythm of the stomatogastric ganglion of the crab, Cancer borealis. The pyloric rhythm is a triphasic motor pattern in which the Pyloric Dilator (PD), Lateral Pyloric (LP), and Pyloric (PY) neurons fire in a repeating sequence. While the frequency of the pyloric rhythm increased about 4-fold (Q10∼2.3) as the temperature was shifted from 7°C to 23°C, the phase relationships of the PD, LP, and PY neurons showed almost perfect temperature compensation. The Q10's of the input conductance, synaptic currents, transient outward current (IA), and the hyperpolarization-activated inward current (Ih), all of which help determine the phase of LP neuron activity, ranged from 1.8 to 4. We studied the effects of temperature in >1,000 computational models (with different sets of maximal conductances) of a bursting neuron and the LP neuron. Many bursting models failed to monotonically increase in frequency as temperature increased. Temperature compensation of LP neuron phase was facilitated when model neurons' currents had Q10's close to 2. Together, these data indicate that although diverse sets of maximal conductances may be found in identified neurons across animals, there may be strong evolutionary pressure to restrict the Q10's of the processes that contribute to temperature compensation of neuronal circuits.
Development of a matrix methodology for database reengineering and improvement: an e-government case study

Design structure matrices have become an accepted tool for product development. However, these approaches focus exclusively on new product development in isolation. They ignore the fact that many products are improvements on existing versions. This is particularly the case with the software. An analogue to the technique is described, which enables the traceability of the software characteristics back to the original customer requirements via a set of integrated matrices. The use of this analogue approach as a requirements' flowdown tool was subjected to a proof-of-concept test during a research project for the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Inversion of donor vertical time shifts to update a near-surface depth/velocity model

ABSTRACTThe near-surface model for static corrections requires a consistent regional depth/velocity model, while incorporating the fidelity of additional static solutions. We addressed the challenge of tying new seismic acquisition to a depth/velocity model, in which there are static corrections derived independently for each seismic data. The generalized method is a four-step procedure that starts with the grafting of the additional shifts to the recipient static model. The time shifts were then adjusted to constrain the long wavelength at defined locations. The next procedure was to split the time shifts into high- and low-frequency components. The final procedure inverted the high frequency into the shallowest layers and the long wavelength to the velocity from base of model to datum. The result was an updated regional depth/velocity model into which new 2D depth/velocity models could be tied. The generalized solution would work with any additional near-surface static corrections, which could include, ...
Measuring cross-cultural adjustment: The problem of criteria

Abstract The nature of the adjustment process for individuals crossing cultural boundaries has not been adequately described in past research, and this leads to difficulty in selection and training of personnel for overseas assignments. This article critically reviews research on criterion measures of overseas adaptation, and raises a series of theoretical issues to be considered in future research. In addition, methods for measurement of cross-cultural adjustment are proposed, and it is suggested that practitioners and researchers in this field could benefit from a careful definition of criteria.
Chain-extension reactions of F-alkyl copper reagents via insertion of difluorocarbene

Abstract In a previous work [1], a gaussian distribution of perfluorinated oligomers CF 3 (CF 2 ) n CU with n = 1–13 has been obtained, starting from CF 2 Br 2 and an excess of copper powder in DMF, at a temperature above 65° C. By using zinc activation upon CF 2 Br 2 in DMF, in the presence of a pre-formed C 6 F 13 CU, chain-extension reactions occur via insertions of :CF 2 into the carbon-copper bond, but we also obtain shorter chains than the starting copper reagent. On the other hand, with lead activation upon CF 2 Br 2 in CH 2 Cl 2 , in the presence of N(C 4 H 9 ) 4 Br, these chain-extension reactions occur, but in this case, we do not observe the formation of shorter chain than the starting substrate.
Activation of brain protein phosphatase-1I following cardiac arrest and resuscitation involving an interaction with 14-3-3γ

The intracellular signaling mechanisms that couple transient cerebral ischemia to cell death and neuroprotective mechanisms provide potential therapeutic targets for cardiac arrest. Protein phosphatase (PP)-1 is a major serine/threonine phosphatase that interacts with and dephosphorylates critical regulators of energy metabolism, ionic balance, and apoptosis. We report here that PP-1I, a major regulated form of PP-1, is activated in brain by approximately twofold in vivo following cardiac arrest and resuscitation in a clinically relevant pig model of transient global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. PP-1I purified to near homogeneity from either control or ischemic pig brain consisted of the PP-1 catalytic subunit, the inhibitor-2 regulatory subunit, as well as the novel constituents 14-3-3γ, Rab GDP dissociation protein β, PFTAIRE kinase, and C-TAK1 kinase. PP-1I purified from ischemic brain contained significantly less 14-3-3γ than PP-1I purified from control brain, and purified 14-3-3γ directly inhibited the catalytic subunit of PP-1 and reconstituted PP-1I. These findings suggest that activation of brain PP-1I following global cerebral ischemia in vivo involves dissociation of 14-3-3γ, a novel inhibitory modulator of PP-1I. This identifies modulation of PP-1I by 14-3-3 in global cerebral ischemia as a potential signaling mechanism-based approach to neuroprotection.
Lessons learned from guppies

The ‘birth’ of guppies Poecilia reticulata as a paradigm of evolutionary biology was in the Arima Valley of Trinidad, where Caryl Haskins first described the simple gradient of fish communities found in the ascent up the drainages of the Northern Range Mountains and its consequence for guppies. At lower elevations, guppies lead a fugitive existence to avoid the constant threat of predation. Above waterfalls that exclude predators but not guppies, the guppies have a greatly reduced risk of being eaten and thus occupy the whole river.
Caspar Controls Resistance to Plasmodium falciparum in Diverse Anopheline Species

Immune responses mounted by the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae are largely regulated by the Toll and Imd (immune deficiency) pathways via the NF-kappaB transcription factors Rel1 and Rel2, which are controlled by the negative regulators Cactus and Caspar, respectively. Rel1- and Rel2-dependent transcription in A. gambiae has been shown to be particularly critical to the mosquito's ability to manage infection with the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Using RNA interference to deplete the negative regulators of these pathways, we found that Rel2 controls resistance of A. gambiae to the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, whereas Rel 1 activation reduced infection levels. The universal relevance of this defense system across Anopheles species was established by showing that caspar silencing also prevents the development of P. falciparum in the major malaria vectors of Asia and South America, A. stephensi and A. albimanus, respectively. Parallel studies suggest that while Imd pathway activation is most effective against P. falciparum, the Toll pathway is most efficient against P. berghei, highlighting a significant discrepancy between the human pathogen and its rodent model. High throughput gene expression analyses identified a plethora of genes regulated by the activation of the two Rel factors and revealed that the Toll pathway played a more diverse role in mosquito biology than the Imd pathway, which was more immunity-specific. Further analyses of key anti-Plasmodium factors suggest they may be responsible for the Imd pathway–mediated resistance phenotype. Additionally, we found that the fitness cost caused by Rel2 activation through caspar gene silencing was undetectable in sugar-fed, blood-fed, and P. falciparum-infected female A. gambiae, while activation of the Toll pathway's Rel1 had a major impact. This study describes for the first time a single gene that influences an immune mechanism that is able to abort development of P. falciparum in Anopheline species. Further, this study addresses aspects of the molecular, evolutionary, and physiological consequences of the observed phenotype. These findings have implications for malaria control since broad-spectrum immune activation in diverse anopheline species offers a viable and strategic approach to develop novel malaria control methods worldwide.
A Semiparametric Change-Point Regression Model for Longitudinal Observations

Many longitudinal studies involve relating an outcome process to a set of possibly time-varying covariates, giving rise to the usual regression models for longitudinal data. When the purpose of the study is to investigate the covariate effects when experimental environment undergoes abrupt changes or to locate the periods with different levels of covariate effects, a simple and easy-to-interpret approach is to introduce change-points in regression coefficients. In this connection, we propose a semiparametric change-point regression model, in which the error process (stochastic component) is nonparametric and the baseline mean function (functional part) is completely unspecified, the observation times are allowed to be subject specific, and the number, locations, and magnitudes of change-points are unknown and need to be estimated. We further develop an estimation procedure that combines the recent advance in semiparametric analysis based on counting process argument and multiple change-points inference an...
Predicting Globe Control Valve Performance—Part I: CFD Modeling

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools are evaluated for use in industrial design applications by predicting primary control valve performance characteristics. The performance parameter of primary interest to the manufacturer is the flow coefficient, C ν . Valves having relative valve capacity factors between 2.5 and 13 were modeled. The control valve C ν was experimentally measured and numerically predicted. Both equal percentage and linear characteristic valves were represented in the study
Privatization, regulation and income distribution in Brazil

Deep inequality in the distribution of income and wealth has been surprisingly persistent throughout Brazil’s five centuries of history. Whether the state’s presence in the economy was pronounced or minimal, its rulers, military or civilian, its economy relatively open or closed to foreign trade and investment, the degree of inequality has hardly changed. Many arguments have been made for this persistence, among them the political power of elites, the low levels of investment in education, and economic dependency. The economic turmoil of the 1980s included the debt crisis early in the decade, price increases verging on hyperinflation, a series of failed stabilization plans, and the fiscal exhaustion of the state. The stage was thus set in the 1990s for a profound rethinking about the way in which Brazil should run its economic affairs. This was reinforced by events outside Brazil, among them the much publicized privatization programs of the U.K and Chile and the disintegration of the socialist economic systems of the U.S.S.R. and Eastern Europe. One of the consequences of this sea change in thinking was much more support for market-oriented policies. Prominent among these policies was the privatization of state-owned enterprises. Our purpose in this paper is to examine the potential impacts of this policy change on economic equity. Concern with equity was rarely the focus of the reforms of the past decade, which were largely driven by fiscal exhaustion and were justified as a way of improving economic efficiency. As important as efficiency and fiscal balance may be, however, we must also ask how privatization might affect the depth and persistence of economic inequality in Brazil. The potential links between privatization and equity are complex and ambiguous, but
Ligand-Field Spectra and Structure of Nickel in Silicate Glasses

The spectra of nickel dissolved in silicate and aluminosilicate glasses with alkali and alkaline-earth modifiers were studied systematically as functions of composition, annealing and temperature, concentration of Ni2+, and redox conditions during melting. Although reducing conditions produced a gray scattering phase, only Ni2+ was observed as a dissolved species. Several glasses contained one of two Ni2+ species which corresponded to previously proposed 4- and 6-coordinated species. Therefore, both octahedral and tetrahedral calculations could be made from directly observed bands free of overlapping. The results of these calculations suggest that the postulated tetrahedral species may instead be cubic (8-coordinated). In addition, mixing of the Ni2+3T1g(P) level with Ni2+ 4p and/or ligand electron transfer bands was observed. Examination of the conditions that could produce the 8-fold site on the basis of stereochemical and crystal-chemical principles indicated that the packing requirements of the alkali-oxygen, alkaline-earth-oxygen, and silicate polyhedra may preclude sites other than a large 6-fold site or an even larger cubic (8) site. Thus, silicate glasses can be considered to consist of highly structured but disordered atomic arrangements.
Subtyping and tailoring treatment approaches.

This issue of the Journal of Dual Diagnosis continues to document the important and varied problems encountered due to the co-occurrence of psychiatric and substance use disorders. At this point, w...
Computer-assisted instruction in an elementary college economics course

Abstract The ingredients involved in the computer component of a cost effective college course in economics are examined in some detail in this article. As measured by increased student achievement and by favorable student reaction to the instruction the course is a success. The main computer ingredients used with the course consist of a series of seven instructional lessons of a review and expository nature, three hour examinations with multiple forms administered by the computer, a sophisticated record-keeping system and a note-writing capability enabling students and instructors to communicate with each other via the computer. In addition a study management system which research has demonstrated improves cognitive achievement was available but was not used in the experiment reported upon here. During the 1979 fall semester roughly 1000 students at the University of Illinois used the ‘economic supplementary package’—available world-wide through CDC. On the average students finishing the complete package spent somewhat less than one hour per week at the computer terminal. Off the computer students used different text books depending upon the lecturers teaching the various sections of the course. The author feels that instructors in other disciplines might benefit from knowing the peculiar combination of inputs which lead to favorable student acceptance of CAI instruction in economics and to statistically significant improvements in outcomes.
Heterogenic loss of the wild-type BRCA allele in human breast tumorigenesis.

Background For individuals genetically predisposed to breast and ovarian cancer through inheritance of a mutant BRCA allele, somatic loss of heterozygosity affecting the wild-type allele is considered obligatory for cancer initiation and/or progression. However, several lines of evidence suggest that phenotypic effects may result from BRCA haploinsufficiency.
IκB Kinase β (IKBKB) Mutations in Lymphomas That Constitutively Activate Canonical Nuclear Factor κB (NFκB) Signaling

Somatic mutations altering lysine 171 of the IKBKB gene that encodes (IKKβ), the critical activating kinase in canonical (NFκB) signaling, have been described in splenic marginal zone lymphomas and multiple myeloma. Lysine 171 forms part of a cationic pocket that interacts with the activation loop phosphate in the activated wild type kinase. We show here that K171E IKKβ and K171T IKKβ represent kinases that are constitutively active even in the absence of activation loop phosphorylation. Predictive modeling and biochemical studies establish why mutations in a positively charged residue in the cationic pocket of an activation loop phosphorylation-dependent kinase result in constitutive activation. Transcription activator-like effector nuclease-based knock-in mutagenesis provides evidence from a B lymphoid context that K171E IKKβ contributes to lymphomagenesis.
Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes in cancer: implications for the diagnostic pathologist

Abstract The response of the immune system to neoplastic growth can be a key determinant in the course of neoplastic disease. While chronic inflammation has been implicated as a potential cause of some neoplastic growth, it is also clear that the immune system can control and even eliminate it as well. Harnessing this interaction has become an intense focus of anti-cancer research with the development of tumour vaccines and immune modulating therapies. While this interaction is inherently dynamic and complex, the diagnostic pathologist is given a static snapshot of the tumour–immune system interface that can have useful information for treating clinicians. Cancer-associated lymphocytic inflammation, or tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), appear to have prognostic and predictive relevance in a variety of neoplasms. Accurate quantification of TILs has become a recommended reporting element for malignancies like melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma and colon cancer. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes and their subsets in a variety of cancers, as well as recommendations for reporting of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes in cancer.
Bilateral carotid endarterectomy as treatment of vascular pulsatile tinnitus

Atherosclerotic carotid artery disease (ACAD) is a rare but recognized cause of pulsatile tinnitus. Existing literature of reported cure for pulsatile tinnitus is reviewed. We found: (1) a male preponderance exists; (2) ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for tinnitus is 92% (12 of 13) effective; (3) proximal lesions lend themselves to CEA whereas distal lesions have been treated by stenting; (4) overall 68% (15 of 22) are cured by intervention; and (5) 89% (17 of 19) can expect immediate relief. We now present a case of bilateral pulsatile tinnitus relieved by bilateral carotid endarterectomy.
Acculturation and Aggression in Latino Adolescents: A Structural Model Focusing on Cultural Risk Factors and Assets

The specific aim of this investigation was to map cultural factors associated with aggressive behavior in Latino adolescents. Interviews were conducted with a sample of 481 foreign- and U.S.-born Latino adolescents living in North Carolina and Arizona. Structural Equation Modeling was used to validate a conceptual model linking adolescent and parent culture-of-origin and U.S. cultural involvement, acculturation conflicts, and perceived discrimination to family processes (familism and parent-adolescent conflict) and adolescent aggression. Parent-adolescent conflict was the strongest cultural risk factor followed by perceived discrimination. Familism and adolescent culture-of-origin involvement were key cultural assets associated with less aggressive behavior. Exploratory mediation analyses suggested that familism and parent-adolescent conflict mediated the effects of acculturation conflicts, parent and adolescent culture-of-origin involvement, and parent U.S. cultural involvement on adolescent aggression. Implications for prevention programming were discussed.
Directions for artificial neural networks: Introductory remarks

Information about the neural network paradigms from the past 30 years is reviewed. The central theme of this article is a description of the history, origination, operating characterics, and basic theory of several supervised neural network training algorithms including the Perception rule, the LMS algorithm, three Madaline rules, and the brack propagation technique. These methods were developped independently. The concept that underlies these algorithms is the « minimal disturbance principle », which suggerts that during training it is advisable to inject new information into a network to disturb stored information to the smallest extent possible. In rule based expert systems decision rules have to be known for application interest. For such applications, trainable expert systems might be usable
Optimal layout decomposition for double patterning technology

Double patterning technology (DPT) is regarded as the most practical solution for the sub-22nm lithography technology. DPT decomposes a single layout into two masks and applies double exposure to print the shapes in the layout. DPT requires accurate overlay control. Thus, the primary objective in DPT decomposition is to minimize the number of stitches (overlay) between the shapes in the two masks. The problem of minimizing the number of stitches in DPT decomposition is conjectured to be NP-hard. Existing approaches either apply Integer Linear Programming (ILP) or use heuristics. In this paper, we show that the problem is actually in P and present a method to decompose a layout for DPT and minimize the number of stitches optimally. The complexity of the method is O(n1.5 log n). Experimental results show that the method is even faster than the fast heuristics.
Postoperative pelvic intensity-modulated radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy in intermediate- and high-risk cervical cancer

Abstract Objective According to national surveys, the use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in gynecologic cancers is on the rise, yet there is still some reluctance to adopt adjuvant IMRT as standard practice. The purpose of this study is to report a single-institution experience using postoperative pelvic IMRT with concurrent chemotherapy in intermediate- and high-risk early stage cervical cancer. Methods From 1/2004 to 12/2009, 34 patients underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (28 median nodes were removed) for early stage cervical cancer. Median dose of postoperative pelvic IMRT was 50.4Gy (range, 45–50.4). All patients received concurrent cisplatin. Results With a median follow-up of 44months, 3 patients have recurred; 1 vaginal recurrence, 1 regional and distant, and 1 distant. The 3- and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 91.2% (95% CI, 81.4–100%) and overall survival (OS) was 91.1% (95% CI, 81.3–100%). All failures and all deaths were in the high-risk group (n=3/26). There was 32.3% G3–4 hematologic toxicity, 2.9% acute G3 gastrointestinal toxicity, and no acute G3 or higher genitourinary toxicity. There were no chronic G3 or higher toxicities. Conclusions Oncologic outcomes with postoperative IMRT were very good, with DFS and OS rates of >90% at median follow-up of 44months, despite a preponderance (76.5%) of high-risk features. Toxicity was minimal even in the setting of an aggressive trimodality approach. Data from this study and emerging data from the Phase II RTOG study (0418) demonstrate the advantages of postoperative IMRT in early stage cervical cancer.
Lipid Environment Modulates the Development of Acute Tolerance to Ethanol in Caenorhabditis elegans

The development of tolerance to a drug at the level of the neuron reflects a homeostatic mechanism by which neurons respond to perturbations of their function by external stimuli. Acute functional tolerance (AFT) to ethanol is a fast compensatory response that develops within a single drug session and normalizes neuronal function despite the continued presence of the drug. We performed a genetic screen to identify genes required for the development of acute functional tolerance to ethanol in the nematode C. elegans. We identified mutations affecting multiple genes in a genetic pathway known to regulate levels of triacylglycerols (TAGs) via the lipase LIPS-7, indicating that there is an important role for TAGs in the development of tolerance. Genetic manipulation of lips-7 expression, up or down, produced opposing effects on ethanol sensitivity and on the rate of development of AFT. Further, decreasing cholesterol levels through environmental manipulation mirrored the effects of decreased TAG levels. Finally, we found that genetic alterations in the levels of the TAG lipase LIPS-7 can modify the phenotype of gain-of-function mutations in the ethanol-inducible ion channel SLO-1, the voltage- and calcium-sensitive BK channel. This study demonstrates that the lipid milieu modulates neuronal responses to ethanol that include initial sensitivity and the development of acute tolerance. These results lend new insight into studies of alcohol dependence, and suggest a model in which TAG levels are important for the development of AFT through alterations of the action of ethanol on membrane proteins.
STAT3 Regulates MMP3 in Heme-Induced Endothelial Cell Apoptosis

Background We have previously reported that free Heme generated during experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) in mice, is central to the pathogenesis of fatal ECM. Heme-induced up-regulation of STAT3 and CXCL10 promotes whereas up-regulation of HO-1 prevents brain tissue damage in ECM. We have previously demonstrated that Heme is involved in the induction of apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells. In the present study, we further tested the hypothesis that Heme reduces blood-brain barrier integrity during ECM by induction of apoptosis of brain vascular endothelial cells through STAT3 and its target gene matrix metalloproteinase three (MMP3) signaling. Methods Genes associated with the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway induced upon stimulation by Heme treatment, were assessed using real time RT2 Profile PCR arrays. A human MMP3 promoter was cloned into a luciferase reporter plasmid, pMMP3, and its activity was examined following exposure to Heme treatment by a luciferase reporter gene assay. In order to determine whether activated nuclear protein STAT3 binds to the MMP3 promoter and regulates MMP3 gene, we conducted a ChIP analysis using Heme-treated and untreated human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBVEC), and determined mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP3 using qRT-PCR and Western blot. Apoptosis in HBVEC treated with Heme was evaluated by MTT and TUNEL assay. Results The results show that (1) Heme activates a variety of JAK/STAT3 downstream pathways in HBVEC. STAT3 targeted genes such as MMP3 and C/EBPb (Apoptosis-related genes), are up regulated in HBVEC treated with Heme. (2) Heme-induced HBVEC apoptosis via activation of STAT3 as well as its downstream signaling molecule MMP3 and upregulation of CXCL10 and HO-1 expressions. (3) Phosphorylated STAT3 binds to the MMP3 promoter in HBVEC cells, STAT3 transcribed MMP3 and induced MMP3 protein expression in HBVEC cells. Conclusions Activated STAT3 binds to the MMP3 promoter region and regulates MMP3 in Heme-induced endothelial cell apoptosis.
Cyclic GMP-activated channel activity in renal epithelial cells (A6).

Abstract We studied the effects of guanosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and nitroprusside on ion channels in the apical membrane of confluent A6 cells (a distal nephron cell line) cultured on permeable supports for 10–14 days using patch clamp techniques. In cell-attached patches without any detectable channel activity, activity of a non-selective cation channel with a single-channel conductance of 1 pS was observed after adding nitroprusside. After adding cGMP to the cytosolic surface of inside-out patches with no detectable channel activity, we observed single channel activity similar to the channel observed after adding nitroprusside. These observations imply that nitroprusside activates a non-selective cation channel with small single channel conductance (1 pS) via an increase in cGMP which activates the channel.
Longevity and Metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster: Genetic Correlations Between Life Span and Age-Specific Metabolic Rate in Populations Artificially Selected for Long Life

We measured age-specific metabolic rates in 2861 individual Drosophila melanogaster adult males to determine how genetic variation in metabolism is related to life span. Using recombinant inbred (RI) lines derived from populations artificially selected for long life, resting metabolic rates were measured at 5, 16, 29, and 47 days posteclosion, while life spans were measured in the same genotypes in mixed-sex population cages and in single-sex vials. We observed much heritable variation between lines in age-specific metabolic rates, evidence for genotype × age interaction, and moderate to large heritabilities at all ages except the youngest. Four traits exhibit evidence of coordinate genetic control: day 16 and day 29 metabolic rates, life span in population cages, and life span in vials. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for those traits map to the same locations on three major chromosomes, and additive genetic effects are all positively correlated. In contrast, metabolic rates at the youngest and oldest ages are unrelated to metabolic rates at other ages and to survival. We suggest that artificial selection for long life via delayed reproduction also selects for increased metabolism at intermediate ages. Contrary to predictions of the “rate of living” theory, we find no evidence that metabolic rate varies inversely with survival, at the level of either line means or additive effects of QTL.
The Unique Biogeochemical Signature of the Marine Diazotroph Trichodesmium

The elemental composition of phytoplankton can depart from canonical Redfield values under conditions of nutrient limitation or production (e.g., N fixation). Similarly, the trace metal metallome of phytoplankton may be expected to vary as a function of both ambient nutrient concentrations and the biochemical processes of the cell. Diazotrophs such as the colonial cyanobacteria Trichodesmium are likely to have unique metal signatures due to their cell physiology. We present metal (Fe, V, Zn, Ni, Mo, Mn, Cu, Cd) quotas for Trichodesmium collected from the Sargasso Sea which highlight the unique metallome of this organism. The element concentration of bulk colonies and trichomes sections was analyzed by ICPMS and synchrotron x-ray fluorescence, respectively. The cells were characterized by low P contents but enrichment in V, Fe, Mo, Ni and Zn in comparison to other phytoplankton. Vanadium was the most abundant metal in Trichodesmium, and the V quota was up to 4-fold higher than the corresponding Fe quota. The stoichiometry of 647C:111N:1P (mol•mol-1) reflects P-limiting conditions. Iron and V were enriched spatially in contiguous cells of 10% and 50% of Trichodesmium trichomes, respectively. The distribution of Ni differed from other elements, with the highest concentration in the transverse walls between attached cells. We hypothesize that the enrichment of V, Fe, Mo and Ni is linked to the biochemical requirements for N fixation either directly through enrichment in the N-fixing enzyme nitrogenase or indirectly by the expression of enzymes responsible for the removal of reactive oxygen species. Unintentional uptake of V via P pathways may also be occurring. Overall, the cellular content of trace metals and macronutrients differs significantly from the (extended) Redfield ratio. The Trichodesmium metallome is an example of how physiology and environmental conditions can cause significant deviations from the idealized stoichiometry.
Functional electrical stimulation helps replenish progenitor cells in the injured spinal cord of adult rats

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) can restore control and offset atrophy to muscles after neurological injury. However, FES has not been considered as a method for enhancing CNS regeneration. This paper demonstrates that FES dramatically enhanced progenitor cell birth in the spinal cord of rats with a chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). A complete SCI at thoracic level 8/9 was performed on 12 rats. Three weeks later, a FES device to stimulate hindlimb movement was implanted into these rats. Twelve identically-injured rats received inactive FES implants. An additional control group of uninjured rats were also examined. Ten days after FES implantation, dividing cells were marked with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). The "cell birth" subgroup (half the animals in each group) was sacrificed immediately after completion of BrdU administration, and the "cell survival" subgroup was sacrificed 7 days later. In the injured "cell birth" subgroup, FES induced an 82-86% increase in cell birth in the lumbar spinal cord. In the injured "cell survival" subgroup, the increased lumbar newborn cell counts persisted. FES doubled the proportion of the newly-born cells which expressed nestin and other markers suggestive of tripotential progenitors. In uninjured rats, FES had no effect on cell birth/survival. This report suggests that controlled electrical activation of the CNS may enhance spontaneous regeneration after neurological injuries.
The effect of cuing after backward conditioning trials

Abstract Rats were given backward pairings of a tone (CS) and shock (US) and were then tested for response to the CS in a lick suppression test. Animals given a cuing or reminder treatment prior to the test exhibited enhanced suppression in the presence of the tone relative to a variety of control conditions. The cue-induced suppression enhancement did not appear to result from sensitization or short-term motivational changes nor did it seem to depend on second-order conditioning of the test context. The effect appeared more robust as the number of backward conditioning trials preceding the cue increased. The results were discussed in terms of current explanations of backward conditioning effects.
Liability Rules and Risk Sharing in Environmental and Resource Policy: Discussion

Two of the papers-Segerson's paper and the paper by Johnson and Ulen-are motivated by the same puzzle: Why are polluters subject to government regulation and also to liability? Is there something about hazardous wastes that requires a public remedy through government regulation and also a private remedy through suits in tort or property? The answers presented in the two papers are quite different.
INFLUENCE OF BACTERIA ON THE CARBONYL COMPOUNDS OF GROUND PORCINE MUSCLE

Quantitative data were obtained for total carbonyls, total monocarbonyls, methyl ketones, saturated aldehydes, 2-enals and 2,4dienals from fresh, reduced surface flora (Dip) and inoculated muscle samples incubated at the optimal growth temperature of the respective bacteria. Individual monocarbonyl compounds were identified by thin-layer and gas liquid chromatography. Micrococcus cryophilus, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Staphylococcus aureus decreased total carbonyls by 57, 18 and 43%, respectively, and total monocarbonyls by 53, 20 and 33%, respectively. Pediococcus cerevisiae increased the total carbonyl and total monocarbonyl content by 70 and 71%. Concentrations of carbonyls in the control samples were directly related to temperature of incubation. Methyl ketones, saturated aldehydes, 2-enals and 2,4dienals were decreased by M. cryophilus, Ps. fluorescens and S. aureus but each monocarbonyl class was increased by P. cerevisiae.
Feminism, imperialism and race: a dialogue between India and Britain

(1994). Feminism, imperialism and race: a dialogue between India and Britain. Women's History Review: Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 469-481.
The role of difficulty and discrimination in constructing multiple-choice examinations: With guidelines for practical application

Abstract A task common to all accounting professors is that of constructing examinations; frequently containing multiple-choice questions. This paper explores some of the concepts from testing and measurement theory that underly the development of high quality multiple-choice questions. First, the examination is conceptualized as a measurement device to assess the degree of student learning. Then, the concepts of difficulty and discrimination are developed and applied to the testing process. Here convergent and discriminant validity are discussed. Finally, specific guidelines are developed for use in generating high-quality multiple-choice questions.
The effect of environment, oxidation and dissolved metal species on the chemistry of coal flotation

The wettability and hence the floatability of coal are influenced markedly by its oxidation as well as the presence of dissolved inorganics in the system. Oxidation results in the formation of oxygenated surface sites that reduce hydrophobicity. Hydrolyzable metal species, whether released from coal itself during processing or added in the process, can drastically affect the flotation process. These phenomena are reviewed and the mechanisms involved are discussed in this paper.
Successful use of recombinant human thyrotropin in the therapy of pediatric well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

Recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) is increasingly employed in stimulating radioiodine (131∣) uptake in adults with well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) for diagnostic scanning, and preliminary evidence suggests that it may have a role in radioactive iodine therapy as well. However, the safety and efficacy of rhTSH in children have not been determined. We report a case of a 13-yr-old boy presenting with metastatic papillary thyroid cancer. After total thyroidectomy, his serum thyroglobulin (Tg) was 302 ng/ml (3.7–49.3) with negative antibodies. A diagnostic whole body scan (WBS) demonstrated multiple foci of uptake in the neck, thyroid bed and chest. His serum TSH only increased to 14.2 μIU/ml (0.3–4.7) upon thyroid hormone withdrawal. Therefore, the patient was given 0.9 mg rhTSH every 24 h for two consecutive days and treated with 102 mCi 131∣ 24 h after the last rhTSH injection. Six months later, the patient was again conditioned with rhTSH and treated with an additional 150 mCi 131∣. This treatment effectively reduced his tumor load with his most recent (10 months after the second ablation) serum Tg measuring 19.3 ng/ml. This case highlights the safety and effectiveness of rhTSH stimulated radioablation in pediatric WDTC, and proposes to invite controlled studies to further investigate pediatric rhTSH use, particularly in patients in whom thyroid hormone withdrawal is not a viable option.
Caught in the act: quantifying protein behaviour in living cells

Protein localization and dynamics both have important roles in cell signal transduction. Biochemical studies have elucidated many details about the chain of events in signal cascades, but the poor temporal resolution and absence of spatial localization in these conventional techniques make it difficult to determine the "where and when" of protein interactions. Over the past decade, imaging technologies and biological tools have developed to a point where many fundamental questions about protein activity can be addressed at the molecular level in living cells, revealing spatio-temporal information that is not provided by traditional biochemical assays. In this review, we illustrate the power of emerging fluorescence microscopy techniques to capture and quantify protein dynamics.
MPDATA: gauge transformations, limiters and monotonicity

MPDATA is a flexible and computationally efficient methodology that has been applied to advection, remapping, and full fluid solvers. In this paper, we extend the fundamental concept, iterated upwind compensation of error, to incorporate a new degree of freedom—that of gauge transformations—with the goal of constructing a monotonicity preserving option for MPDATA. We further augment this scheme by adapting the idea of summing the recursive relations to improve the overall accuracy. This process leads to a theoretical connection of this MPDATA scheme to flux-limited algorithms. Published in 2005 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface pressure solution for boundary-element analysis of stokes flow

Analysis of creeping flow problems using the boundary-element method is now well established. The method is based on the transformation of the governing partial differential equations into a boundary integral equation for the velocity at arbitrary field points in terms of the surface velocities and tractions. Associated with the velocity boundary integral equation is a pressure boundary integral equation. The singularities contained in the kernel functions for the pressure boundary integral equation are an order higher than for the velocity boundary integral equation. Hence, for field points along the boundary of the domain, the pressure boundary integral equation is hypersingular, causing difficulties in evaluating the surface pressure. A method of regularization for the pressure boundary integral equation in which the hypersingular integral is converted into a Cauchy principal value integral is discussed. Some example applications are presented.