cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of PI3K/Akt signaling in memory CD8 T cell differentiation

The clonal expansion, differentiation into effectors and establishing an immunological memory are crucial components of the adaptive immune response. Following the initial encounter with a pathogen, clonal CD8 T cell expansion yields at least two distinct populations of effector cells, short-lived effector cells (SLECs) and memory precursor effector cells (MPECs). SLECs are the terminally differentiated cells, which play an active role in pathogen clearance and undergo apoptosis once the pathogen is eliminated. In contrast, MPECs persist and give rise to self-renewing memory cells. These memory CD8 T cells maintain a state of heightened alertness and are poised to rapidly respond and swiftly clear the pathogen upon antigen re-encounter. As one of the goals of vaccination is to induce the development of these memory CD8 T cells, understanding the cellular and molecular basis of memory cell differentiation is critical to rational vaccine design. It is clear that memory differentiation is complex and involves multiple interrelated signaling pathways. It is influenced by factors such as the strength and duration of antigen receptor signaling and concurrent exposure to cytokines. Several signaling pathways that influence T cell fate have been recently described, and many culminate in the differential expression of specific transcription factors. Unfortunately, the mechanisms underlying the coordination and confluence of these signaling pathways remain largely unknown. In this review, we will discuss the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway as a central signaling node, and the function of Akt as a rheostat in orchestrating the differentiation of memory CD8 T cells.
Chronic ethanol consumption and liver glycogen synthesis.

Chronic ethanol consumption results in a dramatic decrease in liver glycogen concentrations, which could be related to either a depressed rate of synthesis or an increased rate of breakdown. Earlier studies suggested that there is not an increase in the rate of glycogenolysis as glycogen phosphorylase activities are not elevated. In the present study it was observed that the incorporation of radiolabeled glucose into glycogen was significantly depressed in hepatocytes from ethanol-fed rats under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Chronic ethanol consumption decreased the total glycogen synthase (a + b) activity, which correlated closely with a loss in glycogen synthase protein. However, glycogen synthase messenger RNA levels were not depressed, which indicated posttranscriptional modifications affecting both activity and protein levels. The concentration of glucose transporter 1 was also decreased due to ethanol consumption, but glucose transporter 2 levels were not altered. This latter result suggests that glucose transport in the perivenous region of the liver lobule may be decreased in chronic ethanol consumers. The alterations in glucose transport protein and glycogen synthesis observed in this study may contribute to lowered glycogen synthesis, but do not appear to account for the magnitude of the decreases in glycogen levels and rate of synthesis. Indeed, ethanol effects on glycogen metabolism are likely to be exerted at several levels, including posttranslational modulation of enzyme activities.
The fields of an electric dipole in motion

Abstract The retarded potentials and fields of an oscillating electric dipole undergoing accelerated relativistic motions are developed. Radiation patterns for typical dipole motions are given. The simultaneous fields of the dipole are derived. A four-vector form for the dipole potential is developed. It is assumed that the dipole motion is “a priori” known and that the path dimensions are macroscopically measurable in order that the classical field theory be valid. The resulting equations are verified by showing that for restricted motions the fields reduce to less general forms found in the literature.
Comparison of suspended growth and hybrid systems for nitrogen removal in ammonium bisulfite pulp mill wastewater.

Abstract A series of bench‐scale nitrification/denitrification tests were carried out with both suspended growth and hybrid bioreactors. The hybrid reactor was fined with plastic (polyethylene) media to evaluate the effects of biofilm. Two types of reactor configurations were tested; 4‐compartment and 6‐compartment modes. The experiments were initiated with a half‐strength pulp and paper wastewater and its strength increased stepwise to the raw wastewater. Solid retention time was fixed at 10 days after a start‐up period while hydraulic retention time was extensively varied from 3.5 to OS days. The results from each type of reactor were compared in terms of nitrification/denitrification efficiency and stability. Experimental results demonstrate that the hybrid system showed greater stability in nitrification and higher denitrification efficiency than the suspended growth system. In the hybrid system, attached volatile solids formed 61 — 72% of total volatile solids in the reactor and the amount of attache...
Influence of gap extrema on the tunneling conductance near an impurity in an anisotropic superconductor

We examine the effect of an impurity on the nearby tunneling conductance in an anisotropically gapped superconductor. The variation of the conductance has pronounced spatial dependence which depends strongly on the Fermi surface location of gap extrema. In particular, different gap symmetries produce profoundly different spatial features in the conductance. These effects may be detectable with a scanning-tunneling-microscope study of the surface of a high-temperature superconductor.
Nanocrystal-Based Light-Emitting Diodes Utilizing High-Efficiency Nonradiative Energy Transfer for Color Conversion

We report a practical implementation of high-efficiency color conversion in an electrically pumped light-emitting diode (LED) using nonradiative energy transfer. On the basis of a new LED design that offers both strong energy-transfer coupling and efficient carrier injection, we show that a hybrid structure comprising a single monolayer of CdSe nanocrystals assembled on top of an InGaN/GaN quantum well provides nearly 10% color conversion efficiency. This value is significantly higher than that for a traditional absorption−re-emission color-conversion scheme in a similar device structure. Furthermore, these hybrid devices can also provide improved efficiencies, compared not only to phosphor-based structures but also to stand-alone LEDs.
Equilibrium Geostrophic Turbulence I: A Reference Solution in a β-Plane Channel

Abstract A numerical solution is calculated for quasi-geostrophic, adiabatic, baroclinic, wind-driven flow in a β channel. The rates of driving and dissipation are such that the solution is turbulent in equilibrium. The equilibrium state is characterized by vigorous turbulent transports of momentum (by isopycnal form drag and horizontal Reynolds stress divergence), mass and heat. Eddy generation is by baroclinic conversion of mean potential energy. A well-defined inertial range with power-law wavenumber spectra develops in a numerical approximation of the limit of vanishing rates of interior diffusion. In that same limit, mean potential vorticity gradients and eddy enstrophy also vanish. The diagnostic eddy diffusivity for heat (i.e., the ratio −v′T/Ty) is found to be nearly uniform in space. Eddy energies are in approximate equipartition between kinetic and potential over a wide range of horizontal scales. The mew jet is only slightly supercritical, by a global linear instability criterion, but it is hi...
Enhancing accurate information processing: An investigation of verbal information probes in decision making

A significant concern for communication scholars is identifying the role played by interaction in group decision‐making efficacy. The present study continued this investigation by examining the impact of communicative behaviors designed to examine information introduced into group discussion. Specifically, the relative frequencies of three types of verbal information probes (VIP), utterances that have the potential to stimulate examination of a statement, were found to be positively related to group decision quality. Descriptive analyses also revealed: 1) VIPs prevalently took the form of a challenge which prompts justification for a statement, and 2) VIPs primarily served the function of solution development.
Fetal Protection in Wisconsin's Revised Child Abuse Law: Right Goal, Wrong Remedy

n the summer of 1998, the Wisconsin State legislature amended its child protection laws.' Under new child abuse provisions, Wisconsin judges can confine pregnant women who abuse alcohol or drugs for the duration of their pregnancies. South Dakota enacted similar legislation almost simultaneously. The South Dakota statute requires mandatory drug and alcohol treatment for pregnant women who abuse those substances and classifies such activity as child abuse. In addition, the South Dakota legislation gives relatives the power to commit pregnant women involuntarily for two days; a court order can place the pregnant women in custody for up to nine months. 2 These recent legislative "successes" follow scores of failed attempts by legislators in other states to establish fetal protection laws aimed at women who use and abuse drugs and alcohol during pregnancy.' Barbara Lyons, of the Wisconsin Right to Life Committee, boldly predicts that, by passing fetal protection laws, "Wisconsin has become a national model for this sort of legislation. '' 4
Bilateral Thumb Burns Leading to the Diagnosis of Crack Lung

Bilateral thumb burns on a young woman admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia led us to consider the diagnosis of crack lung despite the fact that the woman denied cocaine use. Cocaine was found on a urine toxicology study, and its use was subsequently confirmed by history. The patient was treated for crack lung with complete resolution of her symptoms and radiographic findings. Inspection of the hands for burns consistent with handling cocaine pipes should prompt a consideration of crack lung in patients with pulmonary infiltrates.
Nucleotide excision repair, oxidative damage, DNA sequence polymorphisms, and cancer treatment.

Can a single polymorphic site help tailor a cancer patient's chemotherapy regimen? The study by Zhao et al. [(1)][1] presented in this issue of Clinical Cancer Research suggests that in fact polymorphic sites in noncoding gene regions may determine how a patient will react to a given chemotherapy
Youth Psychopathy and Criminal Recidivism: A Meta-Analysis of the Psychopathy Checklist Measures

Although narrative reviews have suggested that “youth psychopathy” is a strong predictor of future crime and violence, to date no quantitative summaries of this literature have been conducted. We meta-analyzed recidivism data for the Psychopathy Checklist measures across 21 non-overlapping samples of male and female juvenile offenders. After removing outliers, psychopathy was significantly associated with general and violent recidivism (r w's of .24 and .25, respectively), but negligibly related to sexual recidivism in the few studies examining this low base rate outcome. Even after eliminating outliers, however, considerable heterogeneity was noted among the effects, with some of this variability being explained by the gender and ethnic composition of the samples. Effect sizes for the small number of female samples available for analysis were mostly small and nonsignificant, and psychopathy was a weaker predictor of violent recidivism among more ethnically heterogeneous samples. In relation to predicting both general and violent recidivism, psychopathy performed comparably to an instrument designed specifically to assess risk, the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (Hoge & Andrews, 2002).
Impact of learning style assessment on self-reported skills of students in an associate degree nursing program

Abstract The purpose of this pilot project was to evaluate the effectiveness of the visual, aural, reading, kinesthetic learning style assessment tool, coupled with faculty mentoring, to aid third-semester nursing students in the development of effective study skills. A convenience sample of third-semester associate degree nursing students from 2 campuses was used. The findings support the use of learning style assessment and mentoring in associate degree nursing students to facilitate effective study skills.
Effects of intraventricular acetylcholine, cholinesterase, and related compounds in normal and catatonic cats.

IT has been known for some time that di-iso-fluorophosphonate and similar drugs, which are anti-cholinesterases in nature, in toxic doses produce syndromes resembling certain psychoses, and that in schizophrenics they aggravate signs and symptoms1. Conversely, it was thought that cholinesterase and other drugs counteracting acetylcholine should reduce the manifestations of schizophrenia, and they have done so, on injection into the cerebral ventricles of man2.
Effects of Protein Supplementation in Chronic Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Objective We evaluated the impact of oral protein supplementation given during hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis on nutritional status, number of hospitalizations, and length of stay. Design We used a randomized crossover design in which serum albumin, normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR), total hospitalizations, and length of stay were compared in patients who received protein supplements with those who did not. The study was conducted for 1 year (November 2005 to October 2006). Setting This study was conducted at an outpatient dialysis facility. Subjects Forty-nine patients were treated with hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis for at least 3 months. Results The nPCR significantly increased by month 4 of treatment from a baseline of 1.05 to 1.16 (P = .007). The control group had a significant decline in nPCR during the first 6 months, from 1.11 to 0.98 (P = .038). Improvement was evident in albumin by month 3, from 3.49 to 3.52 (P = .035), but this was not sustained. In the second 6 months, the control group had a significant drop, from 3.35 to 3.19 (P = .014), and the difference between the protein-supplementation and control groups was significant during the second 6 months (P = .037). The nPCR also dropped significantly (P = .024) for the control group in the second 6 months. When protein supplementation ended, weight dropped significantly for those with a body mass index of Conclusions In-center supplementation of protein generally improves serum markers of nutrition overall, and when it is discontinued, these markers decline. Larger studies are needed to confirm the trends that we observed regarding nutritional markers and reductions in hospitalizations and hospitalization days.
A quantitative “direct-output” method for determination of thyroid secretion rate in the rat

Abstract A direct output method for estimating daily thyroxine (T4) secretion rate in the rat is described, and results are compared with those obtained by the T4 substitution method. By use of the substitution method it was determined that triiodothyronine (T3) has 4.6 times as much activity per unit of iodine as does T4. This factor was used to calculate the proportional contribution of T3 and T4 presumed to be released from the thyroid to the daily thyroid hormone output, expressed in terms of T4. Values for the direct output method were calculated by the equation, TSR (μg T4/day) = K4 × Thyroidal I × 2.33, where, K4 equals the daily fractional I131 output rate and 2.33 is a combined factor used to express daily hormone output in terms of T4 activity. In rats receiving adequate dietary iodine, TSR values determined by the two methods were not significantly different. In iodine-deficient states, however, there was a large difference between results obtained by the two methods. The substitution method failed to detect differences in TSR of rats receiving two different basal diets ranging from deficient to adequate in their iodine content. By the direct output method there was a high correlation between iodine intake and TSR, with values leveling off when iodine intake was adequate. The results are interpreted to show that the substitution method measures the physiological demand for thyroid hormone, but represents true TSR only if iodine supplies are adequate. The direct output method is more applicable in cases where iodine supply is likely to be a limiting factor.
Free speech and snake oil.

Dr. Eli Glatstein’s editorial, “The Return of the Snake Oil Salesman” (IJROBP 2003;55:561–562), raises a series of concerns about direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising concerning intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). He argues that such advertising touts the alleged benefits of IMRT in the absence of a sufficient body of supportive research. Furthermore, he chides DTC advertisers for failing to disclose the real and potential ill effects of IMRT. He wonders whether there ought to be some restraint on this form of “free speech,” because it disseminates misleading information. Although I am generally in sympathy with this point of view, the problem of DTC advertising is complex
Tourists getting close to whales, is it what whale-watching is all about?

Abstract To date research on whale-watching has tended to focus on impacts on the whales. Management approaches often rely on minimum approach distances. An associated assumption is that whale-watchers wish to get close to whales. Studies of motivation for other recreational activities show that humans seldom undertake recreational activities for simplistic reasons. Thus, this study was developed to determine the influences over whale-watchers’ enjoyment, more specifically, to assess the importance of the geographical proximity of whales. Twelve whale-watch cruises at Tangalooma, Australia were surveyed and 704 questionnaires analysed. Results showed the number of whales and their behaviour, numbers of fellow passengers, cruise duration, boat construction and sea-sickness influenced satisfaction. The geographical proximity of the whales was not a major influence. Many whale-watchers (35 per cent) returned satisfied even when no whales were sighted. Whale-watching is not simply about getting close to whales, many other variables are important. A better understanding of the watchers, as well as the whales, will assist in the sustainable management of this growing tourism industry.
Improvement of biogenic emissions estimation in the Canadian Lower Fraser Valley and its impact on particulate matter modeling results

Abstract As part of the effort to reduce uncertainties in air quality modeling in the Canadian Lower Fraser Valley (LFV) area, we made modifications to the landuse dataset, emission factors and environmental correction algorithms of Biogenic Emission Inventory System (BEIS2) implemented in Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emission (SMOKE) and studied the impact of these modifications on Community Multiscale Air Quality particulate matter (PM) modeling results. The landuse dataset Biogenic Emissions Land cover Database version 3 with 1 km spatial and 230 landuse-category resolution was enhanced with Canadian forest and crops data. This replaced the SMOKE/BEIS2 county-based, 127 landuse-category dataset. BEIS3 emission factors were used, with modifications in nitric oxide factors for agricultural categories, to replace BEIS2 emission factors. The surface shortwave downward radiation flux from MM5 was used to replace the flux calculated by Models3 Meteorological-Chemistry Interface Processor. The soil temperature from the Oregon State University/Eta land surface model coupled with MM5 was used to replace empirically computed soil temperature. The spatial distribution of modified biogenic emissions and comparison of air quality model results against observations in the LFV region showed that the modifications improved the model performance. On a domain-average basis, these modifications resulted in approximately 100% increase in biogenic nitric oxide, 50% increase in monoterpenes and 14–20% decrease in isoprene emissions for the period 31 July–7 August 1993. Analyses showed that the modifications to the landuse dataset and emission factors contributed most to the changes in emissions. From an episode-average perspective, these changes caused approximately 12–85% biogenic secondary organic aerosol (SOA) increases. The changes in anthropogenic SOA and fine inorganic aerosol were approximately −5% to 4% and −0.5% to 4%. The modifications also changed the modeled contributions from biogenic sources to the PM loading in the atmosphere.
Analysis of the efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in the geriatric population

Associate Editor Michael G. Wyllie Editorial Board Ian Eardley, UK Jean Fourcroy, USA Sidney Glina, Brazil Julia Heiman, USA Chris McMahon, Australia Bob Millar, UK Alvaro Morales, Canada Michael Perelman, USA Marcel Waldinger, Netherlands OBJECTIVE To define the efficacy and tolerability of sildenafil in elderly men, as epidemiological data show an increasing life-expectancy of the population, and age is not only correlated with increasing morbidity but also an increase in the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED), for which sildenafil, available for >8 years, is effective and safe across a wide variety of medical comorbidities, severity and causes of ED. PATIENTS AND METHODS A database was generated from all sildenafil users in one sexual medicine practice, and data were extracted for men aged >60 years. The database included data on patient demographics, comorbidities, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores and adverse events (AEs). The patients were subdivided into those aged 60–69 (group 1), 70–79 (group 2), and ≥ 80 years (group 3). Analysis of variance was used to assess differences among the three groups for several variables of demographics and erectile response. RESULTS In all, 167 patients were analysed; there were no significant differences in the duration of ED (5 ± 3 years) or presence of comorbidities among the three groups. With a mean of two risk factors, the overall incidence of comorbidities was hypertension in 37%, dyslipidaemia in 28%, diabetes in 26%, coronary artery disease in 18% and lower urinary tract symptoms in 46%. The efficacy data showed that overall, 54% of men responded to sildenafil, with a mean increase in IIEF EF domain score of 5.7. Within the three groups there was a significant age-related decrease in response rate and IIEF EF domain score with age. However, there was no difference in AE incidence among the three groups, with an overall profile of 18% headache, 8% flushing, 8% dyspepsia, 5% nasal congestion and 2% visual changes. No overt cardiovascular events were reported. CONCLUSIONS From these data, sildenafil is an effective agent in elderly men, but had a lower efficacy rate with increasing age, especially in men aged >80 years. The incidence of side-effects was similar to that in the general population taking sildenafil, with no difference in AEs among the different age groups
742-4 Radial Artery Graft: Angiographic Follow-up

Interest in the use of the radial artery (RA) as a coronary bypass graft has increased. Attention to harvesting and use of perioperative calcium channel inhibitors have ameliorated problems with spasm noted in earlier studies. Since 1993, 72 patients (pts) underwent grafting using a free RA from the non-dominant forearm. Re-angiography was performed in 24 pts to date and is the subject of this study. Pts ranged from 39–79 years (mean 55.5); all had 2 or 3 vessel disease and an average of 3 grafts/pt were constructed (range 2–4). Left internal thoracic artery (L1TA) was used in all cases except 1. The RA was a single graft in 19 including 2 to the LAD system, 12 to the circumflex system and 5 to the RCA. The RA-was sequential in 5 cases. Of the 24 pts catheterized an average of 9 weeks post-op 24/24 RA's were patent: 1 (sequential) RA had a mid-graft stenosis. There was no spasm seen in any RA. RA distal diameters (2.6 mm) were well matched to the recipient vessel (RV) (2.2 mm). The ratio RV/graft diameter was 0.83 for the radial artery similar to the ratio for the L1TA (0.90). Conclusion The RA is a viable coronary conduit, easily harvested and has excellent early patency rates.
High vapour pressure deficit exacerbates xylem cavitation and photoinhibition in shade-grown Piper auritum H.B. & K. during prolonged sunflecks : I. Dynamics of plant water relations.

Water relations dynamics during simulated sunflecks at high (36°C) and medium (27°C) temperatures and high and low vapour pressure deficits beween leaf and air (VPD) were studied on shade-grown Piper auritum H.B. & K. plants, a pioneer tree, common in gaps and clearings of tropical rain forests. The leaves of P. auritum wilt rapidly when exposed to high light. Exposure to high VPD and high light caused substantial and rapid dehydration of leaves. Dehydration could be prevented under high humidity irrespective of temperature. Water stored in leaf cells served as initial source for transpiration upon high light exposure. This effect increased with increasing VPD and temperature. The pronounced decrease in leaf water content over time in high light caused a rapid decrease in leaf water potential (Ψl) and a concomitant increase in water potential gradient (ΔΨ/Δx) between trunk and leaf, yet the high leaf elasticity (small bulk elastic modulus, e) allowed turgor maintenance under most conditions. Under high VPD and high temperature, stomata remained open and ΔΨ/Δx frequently exceeded 0.95 MPa · m−1, the cavitation-inducing threshold (ΔΨ/Δxcav) causing high rates of acoustic emissions from stems and leaf petioles and leading to concomitant losses in hydraulic conductance per leaf area (kl). At medium temperature (high VPD), stomatal closure contained xylem embolism by keeping ΔΨ/Δx at or below this threshold. We argue that wilting substantially contributes to creating a sufficient driving force for water uptake from the soil, and reducing the VPD (through a decrease in radiation load and thus leaf temperature) to avoid excessive dehydration.
The minimum of a unit-release reservoir with Markovian inputs

On donne une methode alternative de calcul des probabilites, utilisant le theoreme de Perron Frobenius
Gene expression of lipoprotein lipase in experimental nephrosis

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is commonly associated with marked hypertriglyceridemia, impaired triglyceride-laden lipoprotein clearance, and reduced peripheral tissue uptake of triglycerides from chylomicrons. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is the rate-limiting step in triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism. Earlier studies have demonstrated a marked reduction of plasma post-heparin lipolytic activity and LPL protein in NS. However, the effect of NS on gene expression of LPL has not been elucidated. We studied rats with puromycin aminonucleoside-induced NS and the placebo-injected control animals. Heart, soleus muscle, and fat body LPL activity, protein mass, and mRNA were measured and plasma lipid levels were quantitated. The NS group exhibited marked proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and hypertriglyceridemia. This was associated with significant reductions of LPL activity and immunodetectable protein in the heart, adipose tissue, and soleus muscle in the NS group. The reduction in LPL protein mass in the tissues tested was accompanied by a parallel reduction in LPL mRNA of the heart but not of either adipose tissue or skeletal muscle, suggesting translational or posttranslational modifications. A negative correlation was found between plasma triglyceride concentration and the LPL, activities of the tissues tested in the study population. Thus this study has revealed a significant down-regulation of tissue LPL protein in experimental NS. This phenomenon can, in part, account for hypertriglyceridemia, impaired catabolism of chylomicrons, and very low-density lipoprotein by peripheral tissues and decreased postheparin lipolytic activity in NS.
Providing Data for Educational Policy in an International Context: The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

Policy-makers in many nations of the world are involved in educational reforms. In order to make effective educational decisions for the 21st century, policy-makers need information of a wide variety of kinds, for example, comparative performance data and curriculum information from other nations. National assessments can be valuable, but international surveys provide a broader base of information and allow countries to view their current status and planning within an international perspective. The purpose of this paper is to describe the goals of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study and the steps being followed to insure that the results from the study will meet the diverse informational needs of policy-makers.
Common cancers—Genetics, origin, prevention, screening: Parts I and II

Carcinogenesis is a stepwise process that occurs through mutations of cancer-related genes. Five or more genes must be mutated before malignant transformation occurs in most adult cancers; in some childhood cancers as few as two mutated genes may be sufficient. A rare inherited mutation of a critical gene may predestine cancer to occur in one or more sites. This germline mutation is present in virtually every cell in the body, except half of the germ cells, which do not contain the mutated gene in their haploid chromosome set. These and other genes have been used to piece together a puzzle of regulatory systems that govern cell division and proliferation, as well as apoptosis or programmed cell death. Mutations of these genes result not only in increased cell proliferation but also in diminished cell death. Most genetic changes that occur during carcinogenesis are not inherited or germline. They are acquired after birth and are called somatic mutations. A somatic mutation affects only the mutated cell and its progeny. Each time a cell divides, there is a chance of somatic mutation, and therefore there always is a low, background risk for cancer and other malignant lesions. A far more prevalent cause of cancer-related death in the United States is environmental exposure. Such exposure causes somatic mutations of cancer-related genes through direct damage to DNA or through alteration of proliferation or cell death, which enhances the baseline risk for mutation. As carcinogenesis becomes understood, interventions may be designed that selectively interfere in important steps. Screening for cancer is based on the premise that one can treat a patient for a cancer that has not spread from its primary site. Nevertheless, cancer screening is controversial and often confusing. Issues of costs, risks versus benefits, physical time and effort, and patient compliance all affect the clinician's view of screening, often to the extent that the true value of this approach to cancer control is underappreciated and underutilized. A clinician should consider the following questions when assessing the priority, scope, and intensity of cancer screening. Is the cancer an important public health problem? Can preclinical stages be detected and cured? Are effective screening tests available? Are the tests feasible and acceptable? Have screening programs reduced cancer-specific mortality? Is the screening program cost effective? Is screening generally recommended? There is clear-cut evidence of benefit from screening for cancer of the cervix, breast, colon and rectum, and skin and some specific genetic syndromes. Evidence of survival benefit from screening for prostate cancer is lacking, although prostate specific antigen screening is widely used. Screening for lung and ovarian cancer is ineffective.
Fano resonances in metasurfaces made of linear trimers of plasmonic nanoparticles

We investigate Fano resonances in planar two-dimensional periodic arrays of linear trimers of plasmonic nanoparticles that appear under plane wave incidence. The observed Fano resonances are associated to resonances belonging to the trimer (metamolecule) itself, where some are found to be strongly affected by the array periodicity. We observe that array-dependent resonances appearing for oblique incidence are resistant to losses, whereas narrow dipolar-like Fano resonances associated mainly to the metamolecule, which appear also under normal incidence, disappear when losses are too high. In particular, we prove the latter by theoretical (dipolar approximation) and full-wave simulations, in good agreement. We propose that the use of very low-loss plasmonic materials or the use of gain materials to mitigate plasmonic losses may lead to (high-quality factor) dipolar-like Fano resonances under normal incidence, exhibiting a certain degree of fabrication defect tolerance, which might be employed to improve sensors, lasing, switching, and nonlinear devices, for example.
Rotation and Lithium Surface Abundances, Revisited

For giants in the Hertzsprung gap, the relations between Teff, v sin i, and lithium surface abundances are reinvestigated and compared with the relations found for Hyades main-sequence F stars. For the Hyades main-sequence F stars, the v sin i decrease steeply around Teff ~ 6450 K. At the same temperature the lithium surface abundances show a narrow, deep dip. For most giants there is also a steep decrease of v sin i for Teff around 6450 K. At this temperature the lithium surface abundances of the giants also decrease steeply and remain low for Teff < 6400 K. The changes in rotation and Li surface abundances occur over a temperature interval of less than 300 K, which for a 2 M⊙ giant corresponds to an age interval of about 106 yr. The simultaneous steep decreases of rotation velocities and Li surface abundances indicate that for the giants these changes are due to the same cause, which we suggest to be deep mixing. It then seems rather likely that for the Hyades main-sequence F5 V stars the decrease of rotation and Li surface abundance is also caused by deep mixing. We suggest that in both cases the changes are related to the merging of the hydrogen and helium convection zones.
Effects of acute ischemia and reperfusion on the myocardial kinetics of technetium 99m-labeled tetrofosmin and thallium-201

Effects of no-flow ischemia and reperfusion on myocardial extraction and retention of 99mTc-labeled tetrofosmin and 201Tl were investigated in seven isolated, blood-perfused rat hearts with isotope dilution studies at constant coronary perfusion. After a control injection of tracers, no-flow ischemia was induced for 20 minutes. After coronary reflow, tracers were injected. Both maximal fractional extraction and capillary permeability-surface area product for tetrofosmin were significantly less than those for 201Tl (maximal fractional extraction 0.30±0.01 and 0.70±0.09, respectively, p<0.001; capillary permeability-surface area product 0.66±0.14 and 2.29±0.61, respectively, p<0.001). After no-flow ischemia-reperfusion, both maximal fractional extraction and capillary permeability-surface area product decreased for both tetrofosmin and 201Tl (decreases in maximal fractional extraction of 23% and 7%, respectively; decreases in capillary permeability-surface area product of 27% and 16%, respectively), although the difference reached statistical significance only for tetrofosmin. Net extraction at 5 minutes of both tracers decreased significantly after no-flow ischemia-reperfusion (tetrofosmin 20% decrease, p<0.01; 201Tl 23% decrease, p<0.02). Early (0 to 5 minutes) washout of tetrofosmin did not change after no-flow ischemia-reperfusion, whereas the 201Tl value increased significantly. Although late (5 to 19 minutes) washout of both tracers increased significantly after no-flow ischemia-reperfusion, the myocardial clearance rates for tetrofosmin were always significantly less than those noted for 201Tl. The myocardial uptake of tetrofosmin is depressed (independent of blood flow) after severe ischemic injury, apparently resulting mainly from decreased transcapillary exchange. In contrast, the depressed uptake of 201Tl is related more to an accelerated early washout from injured myocardium than to a fairly stable initial transcapillary exchange.
The future of proteomic analysis in biological systems and molecular medicine

Proteomics is the study of proteins and their interactions within complex biological systems. While this field is often associated with mass spectrometry, it is more useful to consider proteomics in the context of an objective: to identify and understand the molecular basis of health and disease at the protein level in vivo. Achieving this objective will require (1) technological developments to resolve current instrument limitations and (2) multidisciplinary integration of biological and protein analysis technologies to answer important questions in both the biological sciences and molecular medicine.
The roles of ISO 14001, research institutions and professional organisations in environmental performance

Firms continue to face many challenges with managing global supply chain operations and environmental performance. This paper presents a conceptual relationship framework that associates government, enterprises, industry standards, professional organisations, research institutions and individuals that operate and influence environmental performance. Industry case studies and standards define the various roles and relationships of these major entities in environmental performance and demonstrate the impact that different constituent interactions have on organisations and the environment. This paper aims to advance a greater understanding of environmental programmes, standards and performance through consideration of complex relationships and strategic motives of agents and constituents that interact within these systems. This study illustrates several interactions of various entities related to environmental performance and provides a framework for further research.
Diffusion of technologies for the care of older adults with exudative age-related macular degeneration

Purpose To determine patterns of diffusion of diagnostic tests and therapeutic interventions in the United States through 2010 for patients with newly diagnosed exudative macular degeneration (AMD). Design Retrospective longitudinal cohort analysis. Methods setting and patient population: A total of 23 941 Medicare beneficiaries with exudative AMD newly diagnosed during 1992-2009. observation procedures: Current Procedural Technology (CPT-4) billing codes were used to identify use of diagnostic tests (optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and fundus photography) and therapeutic interventions (argon laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, intravitreal corticosteroids, and anti–vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] agents) used by these beneficiaries during the first year following diagnosis. main outcome measures: Rates of use of study diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Results Diffusion was rapid for each successive new diagnostic and treatment modality, with use of newer procedures quickly replacing existing ones. The number of beneficiaries treated with anti-VEGF agents for exudative AMD was considerably greater than for prior innovations, rising from use in 4.0% of beneficiaries in 2004-05 to 62.7% in 2009-10. In each year from first diagnosis years 2006-2009 and in different practice settings, use of bevacizumab exceeded that of ranibizumab (60%-78% vs 33%-47%, respectively). Rates of diffusion of the various therapies were relatively similar in communities throughout the United States irrespective of presence of a major teaching hospital in the vicinity. Conclusions Newer, more effective therapeutic interventions for exudative AMD diffused rapidly throughout the United States, quickly replacing older, less effective interventions. Although improving patient outcomes, rapid diffusion raises important public policy issues for Medicare and other payers to consider.
Quantitative characterization of domes in primary mouse mammary epithelial tumor cell cultures.

Dome populations from primary cultures of mouse mammary tumor cells were quantitatively studied in regard to size, distribution, density and the area occupied by light-diffusion photography and image analysis. The effects of fetal bovine serum, insulin and hydrocortisone were analyzed. Quantitative characterization documented dome diameter (mode diameter 0.26 to 0.52 mm), dome area occupied (average 23%, maximum 38.7%), and density (average 78 domes per cm2, maximum 117 domes per cm2) for standard culture conditions. Insulin and hydrocortisone had a primary effect on dome density whereas 15% fetal bovine serum had a minimal effect. However, insulin and hydrocortisone had a synergistic optimal effect on dome population. Time-lapse cinematography revealed that the dome population is not static, but a very dynamic one. Domes underwent irregular pulsations of expansion and contraction. Dome enlargement was either by a series of expansions and contractions, by lateral involvement of other cells, or by coalescence of two or more domes. Domes have been considered to be the in vitro counterpart of the in vivo acinus of the mouse mammary gland. However, quantitative dome population characterization has not been available. Dome analysis by light-diffraction photography and image analysis lends itself towards correlative studies of domes and their differentiative products.
Situating Strategies: An Examination of Comprehension Strategy Instruction in One Upper Elementary Classroom Oriented Toward Culturally Relevant Teaching

Drawing on ethnographic and discourse analytic methods, this article examines how comprehension strategies aligned with goals in a classroom oriented toward culturally relevant teaching. Findings indicate that (1) two distinct sets of comprehension were taught in the room and (2) one set aligned more easily with culturally relevant teaching than the other.
Hypoxia-induced growth limitation of juvenile fishes in an estuarine nursery: assessment of small-scale temporal dynamics using RNA:DNA

The ratio of RNA to DNA (RNA:DNA) in white muscle tissue of juvenile summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) and weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) was used as a proxy for recent growth rate in an estuar...
The estrous cycle, reproduction, growth, and development of temperature regulation in the pygmy mouse, Baiomys taylori.

The estrous cycle of Baiomys taylori averages 4.9 days. The gesta-tion period is estimated to be 22 to 23 days. A postpartum estrus is frequent. Puberty occurs as early as 28 days of age. Seven of 10 females between 25 and 29 days of age conceived within a week after pairing. The average weight of 47 individuals at birth was 1.20 ± 0.08 (SD) grams. The adult level of body temperature could be maintained at ages between 10 and 15 or 15 and 20 days for neonates exposed to 30 and 28°C, respectively, for a period of 2 hours. Growth during the first 20 to 35 days occurred in two phases with the first phase exhibiting an instantaneous growth rate of 7.50 ± 0.32 and 7.29 ± 0.42 per cent of body weight per day for experimentals (those young used for metabolic as well as body temperature and body weight measurements) and controls (those young used only for body weight measurements), respectively. The second growth phase commenced at 11.3 days for the experimentals and 17.0 days for the controls. The second growth phase averaged only. 4.01 ± 0.26 and 3.30 °: 0.52 per cent of body weight per day for the experimentals and controls, respectively, and coincided with the full development of homeothermy. At a body temperature of 36 to 37°C and a body weight of 2.0 to 2.5 grams—the lower size limit for homeothermy—the oxygen consumption was 3.6 ° 0.40 (2 SE) cc O2/g/hr if the ambient temperature was 30°C. The oxygen consumption for neonates averaging 22.5 ± 0.7 days of age was 4.31 ± 0.16 cc O2/g/hr at an ambient temperature of 30°C. This relatively high level of oxygen consumption indicated that 30°C was below thermal neutrality, the ambient temperatures at which the oxygen consumption of adults is 1.95 ± 0.25 (2 SE).
Representing documents using an explicit model of their similarities

A method is proposed for creating vector space representations of documents based on modeling target interdocument similarity values. The target similarity values are assumed to capture semantic relationships, or associations, between the documents. The vector representations are chosen so that the inner product similarities between document vector pairs closely match their target interdocument similarities. The method is closely related to the Latent Semantic Indexing approach; in fact, they are equivalent when the target similarities are derived directly from document similarities based on term co-occurrence. However, our method allows for external sources of interdocument semantic constraints to be used in the indexing, though at greater computational expense. The method is applied to three standard text databases from the information retrieval literature. On the CISI database of information science abstracts, performance (measured by precision averaged over a range of recall levels) improves by 28% compared to a weighted term-vector approach, and improves 10% compared to Latent Semantic Indexing. Similar improvement is obtained on the Cranfield database, but no improvement is obtained for the artificial MED database of medical abstracts. The generally favorable performance suggests interesting potential for methods which explicitly modify the retrieval system to meet interdocument semantic constraints. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Expression of hepatic microsomal cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity in lean and obese Zucker rats

Abstract The activity of hepatic microsomal cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase was studied in genetically obese and lean Zucker rats. The liver microsomal cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity in fatty Zucker rats ( fa fa ) is about 50% to 70% lower than that of the lean (Fa/−) rats of the same sex, when animals were sacrificed at the middle of the dark cycle. When rats were sacrificed at the middle of the light cycle, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity was the same as in the dark cycle in obese rats of both sexes, but was 65% lower in lean rats. However, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity was stimulated by the treatment with cholestyramine in both obese and lean rats. Our results suggested that the diurnal regulation of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity is lost in obese rats but was present under cholestyramine treatment in the genetically obese strain of rats.
ProgrammingLand: A visualization enhanced hypertextbook

ProgrammingLand is a visualization enhanced hypertextbook designed and used to teach introductory computer science courses. It is based upon a MOO with a Web browser interface. It functions as an online resource that may replace both the course textbook as well as a learning management system. The system may provide supplementary content material, such as a textbook, to an otherwise conventional course. It may also serve as the entire body of content in a distance education course. This content will generally be in the form of text, but may include graphics, Java applets and other types of interactive exercises to teach and reinforce this material. The system is organized into hierarchical lessons. It monitors each student's progress through an instructor- chosen list of lessons. The instructor may choose assignments for the system to give a student upon completion of the lesson. Like a textbook, different instructors may choose to use different material or different features that are present in the system. ProgrammingLand has been used at several different institutions for the last few years and is freely available under the GNU license.