cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The apolipoprotein B Q3405E polymorphism has no effect on its low-density-lipoprotein receptor binding affinity

A better understanding of the apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) sequences involved in binding to the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor will be achieved by studying the effects of polymorphisms and rare mutations of apoB100. Upon re-examination of apoB100 DNA sequencing discrepancies, a charge-change polymorphism, Q3405E, was found in the putative LDL receptor binding domain of the protein. Positively charged lysine and arginine side chains of the protein have been demonstrated to participate in the ligand. This led us to propose that the presence of an additional negative charge in close proximity could have an impact on the binding affinity. The polymorphism is the result of a C-to-G transition at nucleotide 10422. Population screening revealed 20 of the less common glutamate alleles at an allele frequency of 0.9%. The effect of the presence of one glutamate allele on the binding affinity of LDL for the LDL receptor was investigated in seven heterozygous individuals by a competitive dual-label fibroblast binding assay. One individual who was homozygous for the glutamate allele was discovered and her LDL examined in a competitive displacement binding assay. The additional negative charge at residue 3405 had no detectable affect on the binding affinity.
Utility of a C57BL/6 ES line versus 129 ES lines for Targeted Mutations in Mice

Inbred ES lines, though useful for generating targeted mutations in mice, are used infrequently. To appreciate the relative efficiency of inbred ES lines, a C57BL/6 ES line was compared with 129 strain ES lines for effectiveness in chimera formation leading to the establishment of targeted mutations in mice. Data from a transgenic facility spanning 7 years were collected. C57BL/6 ES cells injected into Balb/c embryos results in lower coat color chimerism than do 129 ES cells injected into C57BL/6 embryos. Combined data indicate that five independent targeted C57BL/6 clones should be injected as compared to three independent 129 clones to generate enough chimeras to effectively test for germ-line transmission. Thus, although less efficient than 129 ES lines, the C57BL/6 ES line is a relatively competent line and useful for the routine generation of targeted mutations in mice on a defined genetic background.
Identification of insulin receptor-containing cells in primary cultures of rat brain

1. Primary cultures of fetal rat brain consist of monolayer of large, flat cells of nonneuronal origin and smaller phase dark cells. 2. Neuron-specific enolase antibody was used to identify immunoreactive cells as neurons and these were present singly or in clusters on top of nonneuronal cells. 3. Incubation of these cultures with fluorescein-labelled insulin (FTC-insulin) resulted in the staining of 5-10% cells in a bright patchy green pattern, which are of neuronal and of nonneuronal morphology. 4. A faint green staining was seen when cultures were incubated with an excess of unconjugated insulin and FTC-insulin indicating that unconjugated insulin competes for the binding of fluorescein-insulin. 5. These results indicate that specific binding sites for insulin are present both on neurons and on nonneuronal cells in cultures of fetal rat brain.
Developmental and sensory‐dependent changes of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are potential participants of sensory-dependent modification of neural connections. Here, we examined the involvement of cAMP-linked mGluRs (mGluR2/3) in sensory-dependent plasticity by studying the correlation of mGluR2/3 changes with the critical period of ocular dominance plasticity, a form of sensory-dependent plasticity, and exploring the effects of dark rearing on mGluR2/3 in the primary visual cortex of cats. Immunohistochemistry showed that the laminar distribution of mGluR2/3 changed with the critical period and was sensitive to dark rearing. The mGluR2/3 immunostaining became most intense in layer IV at the beginning of the critical period and was reduced in layer IV but became intense in layers I–III at the peak of the period, then was concentrated primarily in layers I–upper III at the end of the critical period. Dark rearing delayed these pattern changes for weeks and elevated the normally declining mGluR2/3 quantity shortly after the peak of the critical period. The effects of dark rearing and the correlation of early mGluR2/3 laminar changes with geniculocortical afferent segregation indicate that mGluR2/3 circuitry in the visual cortex is influenced by visual inputs. Our data suggest that mGluR2/3 together with another sensory-influenced mGluR, mGluR5, may participate in the sensory-dependent modification of neural connections in the visual cortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 429:270–276, 2001. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Kearns-Sayre syndrome and hypoparathyroidism

A boy had characteristic manifestations of both Kearns-Sayre syndrome and hypoparathyroidism. Three other known cases of this combination of rare syndromes suggest that the association is not fortuitous. The cause is unknown, but persistent viral infection and autoimmune disorder are suspected.
When Parallel Worlds Converge

He was 26 years old and was my first patient. I was a 23 year old medical student on my surgical clerkship. He never knew his father. At age 16, he dropped out of school, left home and tried to “make it on the streets”. At age 16, I was taking Driver’s Ed and was preparing for a high school debate tournament on the topic: “Resolved: The American criminal justice system should be significantly reformed.” At age 17, he had his first run-in with the criminal justice system for a shoplifting infraction at a convenience market. The charges were ultimately dropped. Over the next several years, he was in and out of jail, detention centers and the like, until at age 21, he was incarcerated in the State Penitentiary for “Assault with a deadly weapon”. At age 17, I had my first run-in with the criminal justice system for a shoplifting infraction at the college bookstore. The charges were ultimately dropped. Over the next several years, I was in and out of different career choices until, at the age of 21, I graduated pre-med with a degree in Human Biology. Earlier that year in the spring, he began having some pain in his mid-abdomen. He had “used” a similar “ploy” in the past to try to get out of doing undesirable tasks in the prison and so no one paid him much attention—until one day in late June he passed a bowel movement entirely comprised of blood. Earlier that year in the spring, I began having some pain in my mid-abdomen, possibly related to stress during my preparation for Step 1 of the National Board examination. The pain ultimately passed one day in late June after the examination was over. He was sent to the surgical ward at the University Hospital where a colonoscopy revealed a 12-cm fungating mass located near the splenic flexure of his transverse colon. The biopsy revealed mucinocystic adenocarcinoma and the abdominal CT scan demonstrated extensive metastatic spread. He was admitted to the surgical service where he underwent subtotal colectomy to relieve his impending bowel obstruction. I was sent to the surgical ward at the University Hospital for my surgical clerkship rotation. From him, I learned about colostomy wounds, colostomy bags and skin-breakdown. I learned how to put in a central line and how to write TPN orders. I learned about liver failure, ascites, chronic pain, morphine drips, and palliation. I learned how important it is to really talk with your patient, to try to offer comfort, and to try to explain the limits of medical science. I learned to care. I also learned that life can be unfair. Two days before the rotation ended, he fell into a coma. Two days before the rotation ended, I took the surgical clerkship examination. Two days later, we both left the service.
Model for a Two-adversary Arms Race

A MATHEMATICAL model for a two-adversary arms race which comprises three features, (i) response to adversary's stockpile, (ii) response to his growth rate and (iii) finite resource limitation, can be described by the pair of equations where u1 and u2 are the arms stockpile for the two sides; the primed functions, their time derivatives; and a and b, the finite limits to the resources of each. The factors (a−u1) and (b−u2) have been used before1 to describe logistic growth laws, but make the above two equations non-linear.
Measurement of free Ca2+ in sarcoplasmic reticulum in perfused rabbit heart loaded with 1,2-bis(2-amino-5,6-difluorophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid by 19F NMR.

Measurements of free calcium ion concentration in the sarcoplasmic reticulum ([Ca2+]SR) and an evaluation of its relationship to changes in cytosolic free calcium and energy state of the cell, as well as heterogeneity of the SR calcium pool, were performed using 19F NMR in Langendorff perfused rabbit hearts loaded with acetoxymethyl ester of 1,2-bis(2-amino-5,6-difluorophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid. We report a base-line time-average [Ca2+]SR value of 1.5 mM (n = 13) in the beating heart, similar to the value measured at diastole. We further report that [Ca2+]SR decreases by ∽30% at the start of systole and that there is no evidence of spacial heterogeneity in [Ca2+]SR during the contraction cycle. However, there appears to be a heterogeneous response to SR calcium channel release activator (caffeine) and SR calcium-ATPase inhibitor (cyclopiazonic acid), consistent with studies suggesting that there are subpopulations of SR. Raising cytosolic free calcium by depolarizing the cell with 30 mM extracellular KCl, resulted in an increase in [Ca2+]SR; however, the calcium gradient was unchanged. Lowering cell phosphorylation potential, which would reduce the free energy available for the SR Ca2+-ATPase, leads to a decrease in the calcium gradient across the SR, but this reduced gradient was primarily due to an increase in cytosolic free calcium and not a net release of SR calcium.
Lobster-eye x-ray optics using microchannel plates

We describe a novel system for focusing X-rays based on the eye of a lobster and a method for fabricating such optics using microchannel plates which have pores with square cross sections. Lobster eye optics will enable us to construct X-ray telescopes capable of simultaneously viewing a large fraction of the sky, making possible a new class of X-ray astronomy survey and monitoring missions. We have tested the X-ray optical properties of one of the first available square pore MCP''s. We find that the angular resolution of the MCP lense is 5 arcminutes (FWHM). The resolution is limited by misalignment of the pore surfaces.
Mineral nutrition during establishment of golden delicious ‘smoothee’ apples on dwarfing rootstocks and interstems

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the influence of 4 interstems (EM.27 EMLA, Mark, M.9 EMLA, and EM.26 EMLA) and 8 rootstocks (EM.27 EMLA, Mark, M.9 EMLA, EM.26 EMLA, M.7A, MM. 106 EMLA, MM. 111 EMLA, and seedling) with and without interstems on foliar element concentrations [nitrogen (N,) phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), boron (B)] of the Golden Delicious ‘Smoothee’ (Malus domestica, Borkh). The trees were planted in 1990 and the experiment was conducted until 1996. Soil pH was low (pH=5.9) before planting but liming raised the pH to 6.5 by the 4th year after planting. Soil P was adequate, K and Mg were high, and Ca was low based on local recommendations for apples. The year by year variation in foliar element concentrations was much higher than rootstock and interstem effects. Differences among interstems and rootstocks were important as foliar element concentrations approached those of deficiency or toxicity. In this study, ...
Getting Better Information into and Out of High-Resolution Structures

My research aims to aid some of the difficult but important parts of model building at very high resolution. Using ubiquitin as a test case, I am working to improve the modeling of alternate conformations both at room temperature and at cryogenic temperature. In addition, we hope to advance the modeling of ions, in particular the relationship of partial occupancy ions to alternate conformations. I currently have three high-resolution structures at cryo-temperature between 1.0A and 1.2A, and I have room-temperature structures between 1.3A and 1.5A. We are currently working to identify alternate networks for mutagenesis and further structural studies. By collecting high-resolution data in a variety of space groups and conditions, we hope to better understand the link between ubiquitin conformational variability and binding specificity.Another aspect of my project involves getting better information into high-resolution models. Our group has previously developed all-atom contact analysis and the MolProbity web service, and these features are now incorporated into the PHENIX crystallographic software system. However, our tools position hydrogens at the nucleus, but PHENIX places them at the centers of the electron clouds. Because the electron cloud is what diffracts X-rays and what matters in evaluating steric contacts, we are working to update parameters in both services. In conjunction with collaborators who are assessing the hydrogen bondlengths, my work uses a database-drive approach to evaluate our current van der Waals radii. Recalibrating the van der Waals radii is important because the radii directly influence contact analysis. We have now settled on a new set of bondlengths and radii and are working to implement these values in both PHENIX and MolProbity. Our new parameters will improve the validation tools available to the crystallographic community, thereby allowing our users to better detect model errors.
Proposed mechanism of inactivating Escherichia coli O157:H7 by ultra-high pressure in combination with tert-butylhydroquinone

Aims: Investigating mechanisms of lethality enhancement when Escherichia coli O157:H7, and selected E. coli mutants, were exposed to tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) during ultra-high pressure (UHP) treatment. Methods and Results: Escherichia coli O157:H7 EDL-933, and 14 E. coli K12 strains with mutations in selected genes, were treated with dimethyl sulfoxide solution of TBHQ (15–30 ppm), and processed with UHP (400 MPa, 23 ± 2°C for 5 min). Treatment of wild-type E. coli strains with UHP alone inactivated 2·4–3·7 log CFU ml−1, whereas presence of TBHQ increased UHP lethality by 1·1–6·2 log CFU ml−1; TBHQ without pressure was minimally lethal (0–0·6 log reduction). Response of E. coli K12 mutants to these treatments suggests that iron–sulfur cluster-containing proteins ([Fe–S]-proteins), particularly those related to the sulfur mobilization (SUF system), nitrate metabolism, and intracellular redox potential, are critical to the UHP–TBHQ synergy against E. coli. Mutations in genes maintaining redox homeostasis and anaerobic metabolism were associated with UHP–TBHQ resistance. Conclusions: The redox cycling activity of cellular [Fe–S]-proteins may oxidize TBHQ, potentially leading to the generation of bactericidal reactive oxygen species. Significance and Impact of the Study: A mechanism is proposed for the enhanced lethality of UHP by TBHQ against E. coli O157:H7. The results may benefit food processors using UHP–based preservation, and biologists interested in piezophilic micro-organisms.
An effective filtering gene selection method for microarray data via shuffling and statistical analysis

Correlation-based filtering gene selection methods have been shown to be quite effective for microarray data analysis, and hundreds of methods have been proposed in literature. In this paper, we extend the correlation of between genes and sample statues in a broader way where the relation between a gene vector and the label vector is particularly unique such that the relation cannot be replicated by randomly shuffling the gene expression values or sample status data. A two-layer of statistical analysis is performed on the original microarrays and label-shuffled data to identify the important gene markers. We design a simple metric---the difference of signal-to-noise between positive and negative classes---that doesn't work well for directly selecting top informative genes (verifying with linear SVM classifier); however, after collecting and ranking the second-level significance values of every gene on the original and many shuffled microarray data, the top selected genes have shown much better classification performance. Results on several public microarray data have shown genes selected by our method could also lead to high leave-one-out prediction accuracy.
Interconnecting Local Networks to Long-Distance Networks

This work was sponsored by the Fleet Material Support Office and Naval Supply Systems Command.
Pulmonary involvement in malignant histiocytosis: A clinicopathologic spectrum

ABSTRACT We describe five patients in whom pulmonary malignant histiocytosis was histologically confirmed during life. Pulmonary symptoms dominated the clinical presentation in three patients, and one patient had a 5-year history of pulmonary malignant histiocytosis controlled by steroids. Radiologic features were nonspecific. Most patients had bilateral reticulonodular or fluffy infiltrates. Recurrent pulmonary histiocytosis in one patient was manifest by bilateral pulmonary nodules. Pathologically, pulmonary infiltration by malignant histiocytosis followed the normal lymphatic pathways of the lung along bronchovascular rays, in interlobular septa, and within the pleura. Unusual features included marked septal edema and fibrosis out of proportion to the degree of infiltration, and in one case, the marked predilection for the infiltrate to occlude small airways (“malignant histiocytosis bronchiolitis”). Three patients had microscopic nondestructive nodules adjacent to lymphatics. A pulmonary recurrence in one patient was composed of large monomorphous nodules with central necrosis and prominent vascular infiltration by malignant cells. The pulmonary infiltrate of malignant histiocytosis was often heterogeneous, and included variable numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells intermingled with alveolar macrophages and metaplastic alveolar lining cells. The cytologic features of the infiltrate varied from benign to pleomorphic and obviously malignant. Histologic features which may obscure the correct diagnosis, as they did initially in three of our cases, include: malignant histiocytic bronchiolitis, marked septal edema and fibrosis; the heterogeneous cellular infiltrate; and in one case, benign cytologic features. The most valuable initial clue to the correct diagnosis was the tendency of the infiltrates to follow lymphatics of the lung.
The effect of being a retention case on a faculty member's salary

Abstract A tenet of the professoriate is that becoming a retention case will increase one's salary. The results from this paper suggest that becoming a retention case does increase one's salary, but that on average, non-retention cases would obtain larger percentage salary gains from becoming retention cases than are achieved by those who are retention cases. Those who do not become retention cases are deterred on the supply side by the costs of doing so, particularly the costs related to potential resettlement. On the demand side, they are less likely to be raided by competing institutions because of their ages and the uncertainty of their future productivities.
The CLEP General Examination Validation Program at the University of Illinois from 1970 to 1972.

The present article reports a validation program at a large midwestern university using the CLEP General Examinations for Social Sciences and History, Humanities, and Natural Sciences. It outlines the various meetings and discussions that took place among the representatives of the various colleges in discussing the implications of the validation studies. It details the decision-making process followed in determining the cutoff scores and the amount of credit to be granted in satisfying the four general educational requirements at the University. It also documents some of the problems encountered in arriving at a final set of cutoff scores.
The Global Brain by Satish Nambisan and Mohanbir Sawney

Books reviewed in this issue: ▪ The Global Brain ▪ Do It Wrong Quickly: How the Web Changes the Old Marketing Rules ▪ Reinventing Project Management: The Diamond Approach to Successful Growth and Innovation ▪ Selling Blue Elephants: How to Make Great Products that People Want before They Even Know They Want Them
Systematic Review of Cemented and Uncemented Hemiarthroplasty Outcomes for Femoral Neck Fractures

Although hemiarthroplasties are an important treatment for femoral neck fractures, the literature does not provide a clear approach for selecting the implant fixation method. Therefore, we performed a systematic search of the medical literature and identified 11 prospective and retrospective studies that compared results between cemented and uncemented femoral implant fixation methods. After independent blind data extraction, we compared variables between cemented and uncemented cohorts using two different meta-analysis models. Pooled data represented 1632 cemented and 981 uncemented hemiarthroplasties (average age of patients, 78.9 and 77.5 years, respectively). The average operating room times and blood loss volumes were 95 minutes and 467 mL, respectively, for the cemented and 80 minutes and 338 mL for the uncemented cohorts. Postoperative mortality rates, overall complications, and pain were similar between the two cohorts. Despite a few potential trends, we found few statistical differences between cemented and uncemented techniques based on reported outcome measurements. In addition, inspection of this literature underscored the lack of and need for consistent and standardized reporting of outcome variables regarding these procedures.
Identification of Acetabular Labral Pathological Changes in Asymptomatic Volunteers Using Optimized, Noncontrast 1.5-T Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background Acetabular labral tears as a source of potential hip pain have received a great deal of attention in recent literature. The gold standard for identifying acetabular labral tears is hip arthroscopy, but recent advances in optimized, noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have proven effectiveness in identifying intra-articular hip pathological changes without the invasive nature of hip arthroscopy or gadolinium-enhanced arthrography. There are little data in the literature on imaging results in an asymptomatic population. Purpose The objective of this study was to use an optimized, noncontrast 1.5-T MRI protocol to identify hip abnormalities, including paralabral cysts, in asymptomatic volunteers. Study design Case series (prevalence); Level of evidence, 4. Methods In this study, 42 hips in asymptomatic patients with an average age of 34 years (range, 27-43 years) were prospectively imaged with optimized, noncontrast 1.5-T MRI scans. Two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists interpreted the scans at 2 different points in time and commented on the presence of labral abnormalities including paralabral cysts. The results were analyzed for both interobserver and intraobserver reliability. Results Acetabular paralabral cysts were identified in 11 of 42 (26.2%) and 9 of 42 (21.4%) hips by the 2 respective radiologists, with an interobserver reliability of 90.5% (κ = .74) and intraobserver reliability of 95.2% (κ = .87). In addition, acetabular labral tears were identified in 36 of 42 (85.7%) and 34 of 42 (80.9%) hips, with an interobserver reliability of 90.5% (κ = .70) and intraobserver reliability of 95.2% (κ = .83). Conclusion Utilizing an optimized, noncontrast 1.5-T MRI protocol, we report the previously undescribed prevalence of acetabular labral pathological abnormalities and paralabral cysts in a young, asymptomatic population. This emphasizes the importance of correlating patient symptoms with history and physical examination when evaluating patients with hip pain and radiographic abnormalities as defined by MRI criteria. These data demonstrate that labral tears can occur without symptoms.
Using situational simulations to support decision making in co-dependent infrastructure systems

In this paper we introduced an integrative network-based approach to modelling co-dependent infrastructure systems and simulating them within the general purpose framework of situational simulations. We introduced and discussed the underlying mathematical model of the simulation, and also discussed typical information that will drive it – specifically considering the case of the City of Houghton, Michigan, in the USA. We also implemented the situational simulation using a proposed process model and the information model, thus providing a prototypical product interface. The simulation is interactive and it allows decision makers to account for complex adaptive interactions among co-dependent infrastructure systems, and to account for non-linear feedbacks and counter-intuitive behaviour. The significance of this research is twofold: 1. It provides an underlying model to represent and reason about co-dependent infrastructure systems. 2. It implements the model within the general purpose framework of situational simulations that can be used by public infrastructure emergency management agencies to test crisis management strategies, assess risk, and specifically identify and prepare for events that expose system vulnerabilities. This paper seeds an agenda for interdisciplinary future research with the ultimate goal of developing products that enhance decision making in managing co-dependent infrastructure systems.
Millennials coming to college

This chapter demonstrates how literature about Millennial students offers a view of some of the thematic elements that bring this generation into focus for educators who would appeal to these characteristics to help students learn, develop, and grow.
Structural Interpretation of Immiscibility in Oxide Systems: IV, Occurrence, Extent, and Temperature of the Monotectic

Liquid immiscibility data in known binary oxide systems are analyzed in relation to three fundamental aspects. Immiscibility in glassforming systems is related to differences in ionic field strengths or electrostatic bond strengths between the network cation with oxygen and the modifier cation with oxygen. If this difference is too small or too large, immiscibility is not present. Analysis also indicates that immiscibility is not to be expected in binary phosphate and vanadia systems. Factors governing the extent of immiscibility are essentially unrelated to its occurrence; in borate and silicate systems, immiscibility is inversely correlated with the number of oxygens per modifier cation in the modifier-rich liquid. Temperature of the monotectic almost always lies between the melting point of the glass former and the first compound beyond the immiscibility gap. Properties of the monotectic, such as the primary phase under the two liquids and location of the eutectic, are fixed according to whether the monotectic temperature is above or below the melting point of the glass former. Principles of immiscibility are summarized.
INHIBITION OF α‐TOCOPHEROL AND CALCIUM CALMODULIN‐STIMULATED PHOSPHODIESTERASE ACTIVITY IN VITRO BY ANTHRACYCLINES

1. The inhibition of alpha-tocopherol and calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase activities was investigated in vitro. 2. Anthracyclines--doxorubicin, daunorubicin and aclacinomycin--inhibited calcium calmodulin-stimulated cyclic 3',5'-AMP (cAMP) nucleotide phosphodiesterase (EC. 3.1.4-17) activity (IC50 = 33.00 +/- 3.50-36.50 +/- 2.75 mumol/l). The stimulation of this enzyme by alpha-tocopherol was also inhibited by doxorubicin (IC50 = 18.50 +/- 4.00 mumol/l). 3. The anthracycline-induced inhibition of the calcium calmodulin and alpha-tocopherol-stimulated phosphodiesterase activity was competitive with calmodulin and alpha-tocopherol respectively. Increasing the concentration of the substrate, cAMP or calcium ions did not attenuate the drug-induced inhibition. The basal activity of the enzyme was not inhibited by concentration of doxorubicin up to 50 mumol/l. 4. In vivo, single dose drug distribution studies of the fluorescence of doxorubicin indicate that in the heart after a cardiotoxic dose (20 mg/kg), myocardial concentrations were achieved which could cause 70-80% inhibition of this phosphodiesterase enzyme. 5. Inhibition of calmodulin function by anthracyclines via direct interaction with calmodulin may contribute significantly to the effects of anthracyclines, such as disturbance in calcium homeostasis as well as acute and chronic deleterious effects on the myocardium. The action of alpha-tocopherol to bind or complex anthracycline may in part contribute to its protection against anthracycline-induced membrane damage and cardiotoxicity.
Remarks from 1809 by Dupont de Nemours on Adam Smith

This document offers an English translation of remarks that Pierre-Samuel Dupont de Nemours made in 1809, remarks principally about Adam Smith. Dupont suggests repeatedly that Adam Smith fudged some points in The Wealth of Nations, because, says Dupont, Smith “thought that in order to maintain public peace, one should not assault infirm eyes with a bright light turned too directly towards them.” This document from 1809 makes a nice companion to the 1788 letter from Dupont to Smith, recently translated and discussed by Prasch and Warin (2009); in which Dupont wrote: “By assaulting their eyes with a bright light, we would reconstitute their blindness.”
Corpus Linguistics, the World Wide Web, and English Language Teaching

This article explores how the Web can serve as a resource for teaching modality in English to prospective teachers of ESL, EFL and ESP. The first section demonstrates how texts taken from two different registers on the Web can be used to teach epistemic modality (e.g. how modal verbs such as may and could express notions of probability and certainty). The second section explores how the Michigan Corpus of Academic Spoken English (MICASE) can be searched to study deontic modality, specifically how the expressions should and might want to are used by teachers and advisors to give advice to students. The discussion demonstrates that teaching grammar is most effective when it is based on real data rather than contri ved and decontextualized examples in grammar books.
Ecological factors associated with West Nile virus transmission, northeastern United States.

Since 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) disease has affected the northeastern United States. To describe the spatial epidemiology and identify risk factors for disease incidence, we analyzed 8 years (1999–2006) of county-based human WNV disease surveillance data. Among the 56.6 million residents in 8 northeastern states sharing primary enzootic vectors, we found 977 cases. We controlled for population density and potential bias from surveillance and spatial proximity. Analyses demonstrated significant spatial spreading from 1999 through 2004 (p 0.75 cases/100,000 residents) than counties with the most (>70%) forest cover. These results quantify urbanization as a risk factor for WNV disease incidence and are consistent with knowledge of vector species in this area.
Occupational Identity and Vocational Education

(2003). Occupational Identity and Vocational Education. Educational Philosophy and Theory: Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 117-121.
A Competitive Perspective on Internet Explorer

Microsoft's Internet Explorer (JE) technologies are included in Windows at no separate charge. Versions 1 and 2 of IE functioned as add-on features in Windows 95. They were not tightly integrated into Windows and did not make applications programming interfaces available to other software. Over time, IE became increasingly integrated into Windows, sharing code with other Windows features and supplying processing services to other operatingsystem components and to software applications. In addition to distribution as part of Windows, Microsoft has routinely offered free IE distribution and upgrades through other channels. Microsoft has also compensated internet access providers (IAP's) and internet content providers (ICP' s) for their efforts to promote the use and distribution of IE. Despite IE's "no-revenue" track record and assurances of free availability in the future, Microsoft spends large sums developing and promoting IE. One interpretation of these (and other) facts holds that Microsoft unlawfully "tied" the browsing functionality of IE to Windows 95 and 98 for anticompetitive purposes. This view rests on the premise that a non-Microsoft web browser could evolve into a substitute for Windows or promote potential substitutes. Of course, the emergence of a substitute would erode the profitability of Windows. Hence, according to this view, Microsoft sought to preclude or forestall the emergence of alternative software platforms by tying its own web browser to Windows and by entering into promotional agreements that raise costs for rival web browsers. As an alternative to this view, we offer a pro-competitive perspective on Microsoft's behavior with respect to IE. Our perspective resonates with several other aspects of Microsoft's behavior as well. It also carries important implications for the connection between market structure and consumer welfare.
Georg Fabricius and inscriptions as a source of law

In 1549 the German Protestant Georg Fabricius (1516–71) edited the first short selection of Roman inscriptions specifically to focus on legal texts. This was a key moment in the history of classical epigraphy: for the first time in print a humanist explicitly demonstrated the value of such archaeological remains for the discipline of law, and implicitly accorded texts written on stone the same status of those recorded in manuscripts. This article situates Fabricius’ work within the antiquarian scholarship of his time. (pp. 96–107)
The effect of formulation variables on smoke evolution of plasticized PVC during combustion

Using an NBS smoke test chamber, smoke evolution of a variety of plasticized and filled PVC formulations is studied. The lowest smoke evolution was provided by the joint use of alkylaryl phosphates and magnesium carbonate. Partial replacement of triaryl phosphates by chlorinated paraffins reduces significantly smoke evolution in the flaming mode without effect from antimony oxide.
Silicon Nitride Derived from an Organometallic Polymeric Precursor: Preparation and Characterization

Partially crystalline Si3N4, with nanosized crystals and a specific surface area greater than 200 m2/g, is obtained by pyrolysis of a commercially available vinylic polysilane in a stream of anhydrous NH3 to 1000°C. This polymer does not contain N initially. Crystallization to high-purity α-Si3N4 proceeds with additional heating above 1400°C under N2. The changes in crystallinity, powder morphology, infrared spectra, and elemental compositions, for samples annealed from 1000° to 1600°C under N2, are consistent with an amorphous-to-crystalline transformation. Although macroscopic consolidation and local densification occur at 1400°C, volatilization and accompanying weight loss limit bulk densification. The effect of temperature on specific surface area is examined and related to the sintering process. These results are applicable to pyrolysis, decomposition, and crystallization studies of ceramics synthesized by polymeric precursor routes.
Thermal infrared data analyses of Meteor Crater, Arizona: Implications for Mars spaceborne data from the Thermal Emission Imaging System

Thermal infrared (TIR) data from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument are used to identify the lithologic distribution of the Meteor Crater ejecta blanket and nearby (within ~3 km) region. This has many applications to the analysis of data from the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) instrument that is currently in orbit at Mars. ASTER and THEMIS, whereas orbiting different planets, have similar spatial and spectral resolutions. THEMIS represents the highest spatial resolution (100 m) to date of the Martian surface, thereby allowing small (~ 1km) impact craters to be studied in detail for the first time. Meteor Crater serves as an analog for the many similar-sized impact sites on the surface of Mars. These sites are future research targets with THEMIS, and ASTER data of Meteor Crater provides ideal data and geologic landscape in preparation for future THEMIS investigations. Fieldwork at Meteor Crater yielded sample collection of the primary lithologies and an opportunity to validate previously-collected high-resolution (3.2 m), airborne Thermal Imaging Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) data. Laboratory thermal emission spectra were obtained for the samples collected. Deconvolution of ASTER TIR emissivity data were performed with image end-members and sample end-members. Comparisons of the spaceborne data to high-resolution airborne TIMS data were used to assess the validity of the ASTER end-member analyses. The ASTER image end-member analysis agreed well with the earlier TIMS end-member analysis where the effects of resolution degradation were accounted for. Laboratory spectra and mineral spectral libraries provided poor fits of deconvolution of multispectral TIR data. Lithologies with similar spectral signatures or with low areal abundances were difficult to identify.Using the same methodology as that applied to the ASTER TIR data of Meteor Crater, THEMIS TIR data of a small (~ 1 km) impact crater in Syrtis Major were analyzed. The crater's rim and ejecta blanket was found to contain larger particle sizes than the surrounding (ejecta-free) plain, indicating a young (fresh) impact age and little or no accumulation of dust. The composition of the rim, ejecta, and surrounding plain was determined to be basaltic. It is hoped that the work performed here will complement future investigations of fresh impact sites with THEMIS data that may be used to solve geologic questions such as 1.) the composition of ejecta blocks that represent pre-impact, underlying stratigraphy in high-albedo, dust-covered regions of Mars, 2.) the approximate age of impact, and 3.) regolith/dust thickness, which appears to be a factor of #2.
Lookahead Expansion Algorithm for Minimum Power Multicasting in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

In this paper, we present a lookahead expansion algorithm (named as Shrinking and Lookahead Expansion, SLE for short) for minimum power multicast tree problem in wireless ad hoc networks. SLE adopts the powerful shrinking process from our previous work, SOR (Shrinking Overlapped Range) algorithm, and adds an intelligent lookahead process to further improve the solution quality. The lookahead process (called as lookahead expansion) expands the intermediate tree to a feasible tree by adding transmissions with minimum power, one by one. The algorithm maintains the found feasible tree with the minimum power sum in addition to the intermediate tree which is not feasible until the end. This lookahead process generates the effective diversification of the solution search space. The computational results strongly support the solid and outstanding performance of SLE owing to the lookahead process.
Real-time PCR assays for genotyping of Cryptococcus gattii in North America.

Background: Cryptococcus gattii has been the cause of an ongoing outbreak starting in 1999 on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and spreading to mainland Canada and the US Pacific Northwest. In the course of the outbreak, C. gattii has been identified outside of its previously documented climate, habitat, and host disease. Genotyping of C. gattii is essential to understand the ecological and geographical expansion of this emerging pathogen. Methods: We developed and validated a mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA) real-time PCR panel for genotyping C. gattii molecular types VGI-VGIV and VGII subtypes a,b,c. Subtype assays were designed based on whole-genome sequence of 20 C. gattii strains. Publically available multilocus sequence typing (MLST) data from a study of 202 strains was used for the molecular type (VGI-VGIV) assay design. All assays were validated across DNA from 112 strains of diverse international origin and sample types, including animal, environmental and human. Results: Validation revealed each assay on the panel is 100% sensitive, specific and concordant with MLST. The assay panel can detect down to 0.5 picograms of template DNA. Conclusions: The (MAMA) real-time PCR panel for C. gattii accurately typed a collection of 112 diverse strains and demonstrated high sensitivity. This is a time and cost efficient method of genotyping C. gattii best suited for application in large-scale epidemiological studies.
Plasma Epinephrine Predicts Fasting Glucose in Centrally Obese African-American Women

The high prevalence of diabetes in African-American (AA) women has been widely assumed to be related to the greater prevalence of obesity in this group. Catecholamine release acting on central adipose tissue has been proposed to be a contributing factor. The aim of this article was to examine the interaction of plasma catecholamines and central adiposity on fasting and nonfasting glucose levels in two separate samples. In both studies, the women were healthy, nondiabetic of similar age. In addition, both studies assessed plasma epinephrine (EPI) and norepinephrine (NOREPI) levels collected at three time points. In study 1, catecholamines were measured during a standardized laboratory mental stress task and in study 2, they were measured during the initial phase (10 min) of an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Results from both studies revealed significant effects of EPI on fasting glucose in the obese women. In study 1, mean EPI levels were significantly related to fasting glucose in AA women with high trunk fat (β = 0.60, P 30 as a proxy for high trunk fat (>32%) in study 2. In study 2, EPI response to the glucose bolus was a strong predictor of fasting glucose in AA women with BMI >30 (β = 0.75, P < 0.003). We conclude that the effect of central adiposity on fasting glucose may be moderated by plasma EPI. This suggests that adrenal medullary activity could play a role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes.
The Dynamics of Opportunity in America: A Working Framework

Since its founding, America has been seen as a land of opportunity, where an individual with skills who was willing to work hard could achieve success and expect his children to do even better. Today we live in turbulent times: A tsunami of change is washing over us, driven by forces operating at multiple levels that have not only led to almost unprecedented inequalities in income and wealth, but also have dramatically restructured the economy and changed the landscape of work. Having sufficient amounts of relevant human and social capital are more critical than ever—and too many Americans are finding they are not equipped to succeed as workers and citizens. Growing inequities in access to opportunities to develop needed capital, strongly linked to socioeconomic status should be cause for grave concern. This chapter presents a framework—gates, gaps, and gradients—that can facilitate understanding of both the dynamics governing the distribution of access to opportunity across the developmental lifespan and the implications of those dynamics for intragenerational and intergenerational mobility. Further, it indicates in broad strokes how this nation can begin to broaden opportunity in order to revitalize the American Dream for the twenty-first century.
Revisions to WPI Inflation in India: News or Noise?

This paper studies the data revision properties of inflation and its components as measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for the Indian economy. We find that data revisions to the WPI inflation and its sub-components are positive and significant, that is, the preliminary estimates of inflation are likely to be revised up. The results show that the revisions to the WPI inflation can not be characterized as either containing pure news or pure noise. We also find that there is a significant predictable component in revisions to inflation in real-time.
Employee Involvement Attitudes among Construction Executives

A survey of construction engineering company executives was conducted to determine the perceptions they had toward three areas of craftworker involvement in the decision-making process. These areas...
Haemophilia A with Ulcerative Colitis

A 15-year-old Japanese boy with severe haemophilia A developed ulcerative colitis. In spite of the absence of factor VIII inhibitor, factor VIII replacement and/or sulfasalazine resulted in no improvement of his bloody stools. The symptoms were successfully managed with oral prednisolone.This is an extremely rare case with haemophilia A developing ulcerative colitis. The findings indicate that when it is difficult to control gastrointestinal haemorrhage in a haemophiliac using factor VIII concentrate, factor VIII inhibitor or other organic lesions including ulcerative colitis must be taken into consideration.
Corrosion of Cu-5Zn-5Al-1Sn (89% Cu, 5% Zn, 5% Al, 1% Sn) Compared to Copper in Synthetic Perspiration During Cyclic Wetting and Drying: The Fate of Copper

Cu-5Zn-5Al-1Sn (89% Cu, 5% Zn, 5% Al, 1% Sn; wt%) and UNS C11000 copper (Cu) were compared with respect to corrosion rate, film formation, and Cu release. Electrochemical, surface characterization, and solution analysis methods were utilized to track the fate of copper during corrosion of freshly ground alloys exposed to cyclic wetting and drying in a synthetic perspiration droplet. Corrosion behavior was a function of both alloy composition and environment, where cyclic wetting and drying resulted in more severe corrosion behavior compared to full immersion in the same perspiration solution. Throughout the corrosion process, significant concentrations of copper ions were released from both alloys. However, concentration increases were limited by solubility and precipitation reaction but still suggested antimicrobial efficacy.
Epidemiological Analysis of Leprosy in Heyuan from 1956 to 2003

Objective:To analyze the leprosy epidemiology in the city of Heyuan and evaluate the effect of prevention and treatment in recent 50 years. Methods: Analysis was based on epidemiologic data collected from 1956 to 2003. Results: From 1956 to 2003, totally 1 326 cases of leprosy showed a steady decline in incidence, detection rate and prevalence rate were dropped from 5.29, 8.10 per 100,000 and 0.259‰, to 0.044, 0.10 per 100,00, and 0.004‰ respectively, and decreased by 99.2%, 98.8%, 98.5% respectively. No new children cases have been detected since 1994 and no any relatives of the patients have been infected since 1987. Conclusion: Leprosy has been effectively controlled in the city of Heyuan and most of the epidemiological indexes have met the criteria set by the national ministry of health (MOH) for eliminating of leprosy.
CURING | Natural and Organic Cured Meat Products in the United States

Natural and organic labeling standards not allowing the addition of any purified chemical, including nitrite and nitrate, have resulted in the development of a new technology called ‘alternative curing.’ By indirect addition of nitrate or nitrite, cured meat characteristics similar to those found in traditionally cured meat products can be attained. These products are characterized by use of plant/vegetable sources of nitrate, such as celery powder, coupled with addition of nitrate-reducing bacteria to facilitate in situ generation of nitrite. As a result, these products offer consumers variety, convenience, and satisfaction while giving manufacturers additional marketing opportunities.
Three sides to a foster care story: An examination of the lived experiences of young adults, their foster care case record, and the space in between

Between 2000 and 2013, the U.S. foster care caseload decreased while the number of children in adoptive homes doubled. These shifts were a result of federal policies prioritizing the moving of chil...
Herpesvirus-6 Infection and Febrile Seizures

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection, incidence, course, complications, and its potential for persistence or reactivation, was studied in infants and children under 3 years of age seen in the ER over a three-year period at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, NY.