cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Voltage contrast XPS—a novel scheme for spatially resolved XPS studies

A novel scheme is introduced which allows spatially resolved XPS studies to be performed in device applications by taking advantage of the ability to bias the various components of the device. The application of a bias voltage produces a shift in the Fermi level of the biased component and there is a corresponding shift in the binding energy of electrons emitted from this component. In this manner it is possible to discriminate between the XPS signals due to a given element but which originate from different areas of the sample. By analogy with the corresponding biasing scheme employed in SEM studies, this technique has been called Voltage Contrast XPS. To illustrate the capabilities of this technique an application involving a recently proposed integrated thermionic emission device is presented.
Absorption of glycerol and its effects on the physical properties of a collagen material: Leather

An aqueous solution of glycerol was applied to a polymeric biomaterial, leather, to evaluate its effects on the physical properties of leather, particularly stiffness. The initial strain energy, Young's modulus, and acoustic-emission methods were used to characterize the stiffness of the resultant leather treated with these glycerol solutions. The measurements revealed that the glycerol treatment significantly reduced the stiffness of the dried leather, indicating the strong lubrication function of glycerol for leather. Experiments were also conducted to investigate the mechanism of glycerol adsorption into the leather matrix. Fick's second law of diffusion was employed to systematically derive a mathematical model for the absorption rate. The effect of temperature on the absorption rate was also included in the model by incorporation of the Arrhenius equation into Fick's second law of diffusion. The resultant model fits the experimental data very well. It not only depicts the mechanism of absorption but also predicts the absorption rate as a function of key variables. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1221–1231, 2003
Suppression of adrenocortical activity in mallard ducks exposed to petroleum-contaminated food.

Specific and total hepatic naphthalenemetabolizing activities increased three- to five-fold during ten days of exposure to food containing 3% South Louisiana crude oil; relative liver weights and hepatic microsomal protein concentrations remained unchanged. A single iv dose of [1,2-3H]corticosterone disappeared exponentially from plasma of both uncontaminated and contaminated birds. The biological half-life, apparent volume of distribution, and the metabolic clearance rate of the labelled corticosterone was the same in the two groups of birds. Adrenal weight remained unchanged following exposure to contaminated food. Since the resting plasma corticosterone concentration in the contaminated birds showed a 72% reduction, 1the corticosterone secretory rate declined commensurately. Inner zone tissue from contaminated bird adrenal glands, superfusedin vitro with medium containing no ACTH, released significantly less corticosterone than control tissue from uncontaminated bird adrenals. Addition of ACTH to the medium stimulated a 20-fold increase in corticosterone release from the tissue slices. In contrast, tissue from contaminated birds was significantly less sensitive to corticotropic stimulation and the same dose of ACTH elicited only one-fifth of the response that occurred in the control tissue. These results indicate that the decline in plasma corticosterone concentration occurring in birds consuming petroleum-contaminated food reflects a decrease in adrenocortical secretory rate due primarily to a decrease in corticotropic sensitivity of adrenocortical cells in the inner zone of the adrenal gland.
Adapting Daniel and Wood's modeling approach to interactive visual analytics

This poster describes our progress in developing an interactive linear modeling system that supports the modeling approach described by Daniel and Wood [4]. Our visual interface permits analysts to build sets of possible models and then creates appropriate visualizations to permit human-in-the-loop model comparison and selection.
Protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) activity is elevated in glioblastoma cells due to mutation of the tumor suppressor PTEN/MMAC

Abstract Glioblastomas are highly malignant tumors of the central nervous system that are resistant to radiation and chemotherapy [1]. We explored the role of the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase signal transduction pathway in glioblastomas, as this pathway has been shown to inhibit apoptosis induced by cytokine withdrawal and the detachment of cells from the extracellular matrix [2]. Components of this pathway have been implicated in tumor development [3–6]. We show that glioblastoma cells, in contrast to primary human astrocytes, contain high endogenous protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) activity and high levels of PI 3,4,5-triphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P 3 ) and PI(3,4)P 2 , the lipid products of PI 3-kinase. These glioblastoma cells express mutant forms of the putative 3′ phospholipid phosphatase PTEN, also known as MMAC. Expression of wild-type PTEN derived from primary astrocytes, but not of mutant forms of PTEN, reduced the levels of 3′ phosphoinositides and inhibited PKB/Akt activity. PTEN antagonized the activation of PKB/Akt by growth factors, by activated PI 3-kinase and by PI-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1), but did not antagonize the phospholipid-independent activation of PKB/Akt lacking the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. These results suggest a role for PTEN in regulating the activity of the PI 3-kinase pathway in malignant human cells.
Seasonal and Spatial Variations in Fish and Macroinvertebrate Communities of Oyster and Adjacent Habitats in a Mississippi Estuary

In Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Grand Bay NERR), Mississippi, we used quantitative drop sampling in three common shallow estuarine habitats—low profile oyster reef (oyster), vegetated marsh edge (VME), and nonvegetated bottom (NVB)—to address the dearth in research comparing nekton utilization of oyster relative to adjacent habitats. The three habitats were sampled at two distinct marsh complexes within Grand Bay NERR. We collected a total of 633 individual fishes representing 41 taxa in 22 families. The most diverse fish family was Gobiidae (seven species) followed by Blennidae and Poeciliidae (three species each). We collected a total of 2,734 invertebrates representing 24 taxa in 11 families. The most diverse invertebrate family was Xanthidae (six species) followed by Palaemonidae (five species). We used ordination techniques to examine variation in species relative abundance among habitats, seasons, and sampling areas, and to identify environmental gradients correlated with species relative abundances. Our resulted indicated that oyster provided a similarly complex and important function as the adjacent VME. We documented three basic trends related to the importance of oyster and VME habitats: 1) Oyster and VME provide habitat for significantly more species relative to NVB, 2) Oyster and VME provide habitat for rare species, and 3) Several species collected across multiple habitats occurred at higher abundances in oyster or VME habitat. We also found that salinity, temperature, and depth were associated with seasonal and spatial shifts in nekton communities. Lastly, we found that the relative location of the two marsh complexes we studied within the context of the whole estuary may also explain some of the temporal and spatial differences in communities. We conclude that oyster habitat supported a temporally diverse and spatially distinct nekton community and deserves further attention in research and estuarine conservation efforts.
Transformation superplasticity in Zircadyne 705

The zirconium alloy Zircadyne 705 (main alloying addition: 2.5 wt.% Nb) was thermally cycled from 900 °C (100% β-phase) to 710 °C (80% α-phase and 20% β-phase), resulting in strain increments after each cycle that are linearly proportional to stress up to 2 MPa. Tensile elongations in excess of 240% were achieved without fracture. The Newtonian flow behavior and high ductility indicate that transformation superplasticity is the dominant deformation mechanism. The superplastic strain increment decreases as the cycling amplitude and period decrease, in general agreement with existing transformation superplasticity models.
Incentive regulation and the change in productive efficiency of local exchange carriers

Abstract Incentive regulation is now an important regulatory tool in the telecommunications industry in the United States. The issue that is explored here is whether incentive regulation in the form of a price cap for interstate access service to local loops has resulted in an increase in productive efficiency. The methodology for measuring the effects of incentive regulation on productive efficiency is data envelopment analysis (DEA). The results of empirically implementing the DEA approach indicate that most local exchange carriers (LECs) were technically efficient over the 1988–1998 period. Three LECs, however, consistently demonstrate scale inefficiency while two LECs show continued improvement in scale efficiency, attaining optimal scale efficiency by 1998. Finally, in the aggregate, there is a small, but clearly identifiable, improvement in aggrega LECs' technical efficiency (TE) between 1988 and 1998. This sort of improvement is precisely what incentive regulation in the form of price caps was designed to promote.
Reversible exploration not worth the cost.

C. P. McKay (“Biologically reversible exploration,” Policy Forum, 6 February, p. [718][1]) makes an impassioned case for so-called biologically reversible exploration of Mars. However, such a strategy will impose additional costs on an already strained program ([1][2]), and it is neither
Effects of cystine, niacin and taurine on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in rabbits.

Abstract Male hypercholesteremic albino rabbits were used to test the effects of cystine, niacin and taurine on the plasma and liver cholesterol concentrations and to correlate the results with the concentration of taurine conjugates in the bile of these animals. Niacin at a 0.6 per cent and 1.2 per cent concentration and taurine at a 1.2 per cent concentration in the diet caused a significant reduction in plasma and liver cholesterol. Niacin (1.2 per cent) caused a greater increase in taurine conjugation than 1.2 per cent taurine. Cystine at the 0.3 per cent dietary level caused a significant increase in both plasma and liver cholesterol concentrations. When its concentration in the diet was increased to 2.4 per cent it caused a significant decrease in liver cholesterol and a significant increase in the concentration of taurine conjugates of the bile. The mechanisms of the action of these compounds are discussed.
Ecology of dietary patterns and nutritional status in West Africa†. 1. Distribution of starchy staples

The geographical patterns of starchy staple consumption in West Africa have been mapped in terms of their relative dietary importance. These staples were found to have regional patterns of usage which were the result of plant ecology and historical diffusion. The usage of individual staples was found to be far from static and had changed significantly in this century. The most important change has been the displacement of maize, yams and rice by manioc in the more humid parts of West Africa.
Posaconazole salvage therapy allows successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with refractory invasive mold infections

We describe the clinical courses of 3 patients with hematologic malignancies (2 with acute myelogenous leukemia and 1 with multiple myeloma) who developed invasive fungal infections due to uncommon molds (Alternaria spp., Paecilomyces lilacinus, and Zygomycetes). Breakthrough invasive fungal infections of the sinus (n = 1), lung (n = 3), and pericardium (n = 1) developed despite fluconazole prophylaxis and failed to respond to treatment with other licensed antifungal therapies, including amphotericin B (n = 3), caspofungin (n = 2), and voriconazole (n = 3), and surgical intervention (n = 2). Salvage therapy with posaconazole oral suspension resulted in successful outcomes in all 3 patients, who subsequently underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) while on continued posaconazole therapy. The median duration of posaconazole treatment before HSCT was 5 months (range: 1.5-6 months). Posaconazole salvage therapy allowed successful allogeneic HSCT in 3 patients with refractory invasive mold infections.
Reservoir Characterization of Mesaverde (Campanian) Bedload Fluvial Meanderbelt Sandstones, Northwestern Colorado: ABSTRACT

Reservoir characterization of Mesaverde meanderbelt sandstones is used to determine directional continuity of permeable zones. A 500-m (1,600-ft) wide fluvial meanderbelt in the Mesaverde Group is exposed as laterally continuous 3-10-m (10-33-ft) high sandstone cliffs north of Rangely, Colorado. Forty-eight detailed measured sections through 3 point bar complexes oriented at right angles to the long axis of deposition and 1 complex oriented parallel to deposition were prepared. Sections were tied together by detailed sketches delineating and tracing major bounding surfaces such as scours and clay drapes. These complexes contain 3 to 8 multilateral sandstone packages separated by 5-20 cm (2-8 in.) interbedded siltstone and shale beds. Component facies are point bars, crevasse splays, chute bars, and floodplain/overbank deposits. Two types of lateral accretion surfaces are recognized in the point bar facies. (1) Gently dipping lateral accretions containing fining-upward sandstone packages. Large scale trough cross-bedding at the base grades upward into ripples and plane beds. (2) Steeply dipping lateral accretion surfaces enclose beds characterized by climbing ripple cross laminations. Bounding surfaces draped by shale lags can seal vertically stacked point bars from reservoir communication. Scoured boundaries allow communication in some stacked point bars. Crevasse splays showing climbing ripples form tongues of very fine-grained sandstone which flank point bars. Chute channels commonly cut upper point bar surfaces at their downstream end. Chute facies are upward-fining with small scale troughs and common dewatering structures. Siltstones and shales underlie the point bar complexes and completely encase the meanderbelt system. Bounding surfaces at the base of the complexes are erosional and contain large shale rip-up clasts. End_of_Article - Last_Page 493------------
HD Scattering from Pt(111): Rotationally mediated selective adsorption

Abstract The HDPt(111) potential is probed with Rotationally Mediated Selective Adsorption (RMSA). This is the full report of the experiment in which RMSA was first discovered. RMSA resonances located 7 vibrational levels of the HDPt(111) potential. Absolute assignment of the vibrational quantum number is aided by previously published comparisons of theory and experiment for rotational excitation probabilities, leading to an inferred well-depth of 55 meV. Rotational hindering is small (≤ 1–2 meV) compared to the HDPt vibrational spacing (∼ 10 meV) or J = 1 rotational energy (11 meV).
Thenoyltrifluoroacetone, a potent inhibitor of carboxylesterase activity

Thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA), a conventional mitochondrial complex II inhibitor, was found to inhibit purified porcine liver carboxylesterase non-competitively with a K(i) of 0.61x10(-6)M and an IC(50) of 0.54x10(-6)M. Both rat plasma and liver mitochondrial esterases were inhibited in a concentration-dependent fashion. Results indicate that TTFA is a potent inhibitor of carboxylesterase activity, in addition to its ability to inhibit mitochondrial complex II activity. Therefore, caution is warranted in using TTFA as a mitochondrial complex inhibitor in combination with esterase substrates, such as fluorescence probes or vitamin E esters.
Neuroblastoma with normal urinary catecholamine excretion

Summary Previous reports have suggested that neural crest cells which give rise to spinal nerve roots and ganglia have suppressed tyrosine metabolism and that neuroblastomas arising from these structures are nonsecretors of catecholamines. This paper describes 2 infants who had paresis from spinal cord compression by primary neuroblastoma orignating in the cervical dorsal nerve roots and ganglia and normal urinary excretion of catecholamines and metabolites.
X-ray excited optical luminescence in the yttrium-gadolinum-terbium phosphate system

Abstract The X-ray excited optical luminescence of Tb in YPO 4 present at 0.01 mol Tb 2 O 3 /mol Y 2 O 3 was found to consist primarily of emission in the 3800–4500 A region arising from 5D 3 → 7F J transitions of Tb 3+ . This luminescence was in addition found to be sensitized by Gd. Preliminary tests on the radiographic properties of the Y 0.8 Gd 0.2 PO 4 : Tb 3+ composition show that this phosphor offers promise as an efficient radiographic screen phosphor.
Concept clarification of neonatal neurobehavioural organization

Title. Concept clarification of neonatal neurobehavioural organization Aim. This paper is a report of a concept analysis of neonatal neurobehavioural organization for healthy full-term infants. Background. The neonatal period is an opportune time for researchers and clinicians to assess and intervene for optimal neurobehavioural organization. Yet there is inconsistency and lack of clarity in a scientifically grounded definition of neonatal neurobehavioural organization. Clarification of the concept will strengthen research findings that influence practice for optimal infant development. Method. A concept analysis of the literature between 1939 and 2007 (n = 57) was conducted using Penrod and Hupcey’s principle-based concept analysis and Morse’s concept clarification. Findings. The concept analysis within and across multiple disciplines revealed: (1) a view of the concept as a holistic phenomenon with multiple dimensions; (2) no agreement on the ideal instrument to operationally define the concept; and (3) consistency in implied meaning, but great variability in terminology. Neonatal neurobehavioural organization was defined as the ability of the neonate to use goal-directed states of consciousness, in reciprocal interaction with the caregiving environment, to facilitate the emergence of differentiating, hierarchical, and coordinated neurobehavioural systems, with ever-increasing resiliency and capacity to learn from complex stimuli. Conclusion. A clear conceptual definition will help the international community to communicate effectively within and between disciplines and to apply evidence-based research findings. It will encourage the development of valid and reliable instruments to capture the concept’s multiple dimensions and direct attention to the infant’s experience, which sculpts early neurobehavioural organization.
Down regulation of interleukin-1β-induced nitric oxide production in lacrimal gland acinar cells by sex steroids

Purpose. Because the ocular surface is constantly exposed to allergens and irritants, it was reasoned that one cause of dry eye might be damage from inflammatory responses normally regulated by sex steroids. To test this hypothesis, we determined if sex steroids could down regulate nitric oxide (NO) production induced by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in cultured rabbit lacrimal gland acinar cells. Methods. Cultured rabbit lacrimal gland acinar cells were exposed to IL-1β to stimulate NO production. Stimulated cells were treated with different sex steroids and expression of iNOS protein determined by Western blotting and NO production by a nitrate/nitrite colorimetric assay. Results. It was found that the androgens testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and 17β-estradiol were able to inhibit interleukin-1β-induced NO production in rabbit lacrimal gland acinar cells at physiological concentrations, while progesterone was not able to inhibit NO production. Sex s...
Potential role of human-specific genes, human-specific microRNAs and human-specific non-coding regulatory RNAs in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis and Sjögren's syndrome.

The etiology and pathogenesis of human autoimmune diseases remain unknown despite intensive investigations. Although remarkable progress has been accomplished through genome wide association studies in the identification of genetic factors that may predispose to their occurrence or modify their clinical presentation to date no specific gene abnormalities have been conclusively demonstrated to be responsible for these diseases. The completion of the human and chimpanzee genome sequencing has opened up novel opportunities to examine the possible contribution of human specific genes and other regulatory elements unique to the human genome, such as microRNAs and non-coding RNAs, towards the pathogenesis of a variety of human disorders. Thus, it is likely that these human specific genes and non-coding regulatory elements may be involved in the development or the pathogenesis of various disorders that do not occur in non-human primates including certain autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Sclerosis and Primary Sjogren's Syndrome. Here, we discuss recent evidence supporting the notion that human specific genes or human specific microRNA and other non-coding RNA regulatory elements unique to the human genome may participate in the development or in the pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis and Primary Sjogren's Syndrome.
Computation of steady and unsteady vortex-dominated flows with shock waves

The unsteady Euler equations have been derived in the conservation form for the flow relative motion with respect to a rotating frame of reference. The resulting equations are solved by using a central-difference finite-volume scheme with four-state Runge-Kutta time stepping. For steady flow applications local time stepping is used, and for unsteady applications the minimum global time stepping is used. A three-dimensional fully vectorized computer program has been developed and applied to steady and unsteady maneuvering delta wings. The capability of the three-dimensional program has been demonstrated for a rigid sharp-edged delta wing undergoing uniform rolling in a conical flow and rolling oscillations in a locally conical flow.
Stochastic resonance in the electrically stimulated auditory nerve: predictions using a stochastic model of neural responsiveness

The incorporation of low levels of noise into an electrical stimulus has been shown to improve auditory thresholds in human subjects. In this paper, thresholds for noise-modulated pulse-train stimuli are predicted by utilizing a stochastic neural-behavioral model of ensemble fiber responses to bi-phasic stimuli. A neural spike count comparison rule has been presented for both threshold and intensity discrimination under the assumption that loudness is a monotonic function of the number of neuron spikes. An alternative approach which we have pursued involves analyzing the neural response to each individual pulse within a pulse train to investigate the threshold behavior. The refractory effect is described using a Markov model for a noise-free pulse-train stimulus. A recursive method using the conditional probability is utilized to track the neural responses to each successive pulse for a noise-modulated pulse-train stimulus. After determining the stochastic properties of the auditory nerve response to each pulse within the pulse train, a logarithmic rule is hypothesized for pulse-train threshold and the predictions are shown to match psychophysical data not only for noise-free stimuli but also for noise-modulated stimuli. Results indicate that threshold decreases as noise variance increases.
Development and discussion of Pugh's quantum electrodynamics.

Abstract A mathematically more precise derivation of the Pugh equations for the S matrix is presented. These equations are applied to the calculation of the third-order vertex term. It is found that λ v is finite. Also, a formal relationship is established between the Pugh vertex term and the renormalized Feynman vertex term.
Predatory impact of the green crab (Carcinus maenas Linnaeus) on post-settlement winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus Walbaum) as revealed by immunological dietary analysis

Abstract Predation on flatfish during the early juvenile stage is an important factor regulating year-class strength and recruitment. In this study, immunological dietary analysis was performed on green crabs ( Carcinus maenas ) collected from the Niantic River, Connecticut, in an effort to evaluate the predatory impact of this species on post-settlement winter flounder ( Pseudopleuronectes americanus ). Through the use of species-specific antiserum, winter flounder proteins were identified in 4.8% of the green crab stomachs analyzed ( n = 313, size range = 14–74 mm carapace width, CW), revealing that crabs ≥ 29 mm CW are predators of post-settlement winter flounder in natural populations. The most significant factor underlying the predator–prey interaction was the relative size relationship between species, such that the incidence of winter flounder remains in the stomach contents of green crabs was positively correlated with predator-to-prey size ratio. Results from dietary analysis were incorporated into a deterministic model to estimate the average daily instantaneous mortality and cumulative mortality of winter flounder owing to green crab predation. Accordingly, green crabs may account for 0.4% to 7.7% (mean = 2.2%) of the daily mortality of winter flounder and consume 1.1% to 32.3% (mean = 10.2%) of the flounder year-class. Model simulations further indicate that variations in green crab abundance and size-structure account for the greatest variability in winter flounder mortality. Relative to other macro-crustacean predators, however, predation by green crabs has a minimal effect on winter flounder survival, due in large part to the low densities of these crabs in temperate estuaries.
Progesterone withdrawal induced by ICI 81008 in pregnant rats

Abstract Of a total of 343 pregnant rats treated with the prostaglandin F2α analogue ICI 81008, 137 aborted, while 83 had reduced and 123 intact litter. These biological variations depended primarily on the gestational timing of treatment and on the dose and route of administration of this synthetic PG. In comparison with the 107 controls, all experimental rats which aborted had a drastic reduction in plasma progesterone levels which was highly significant (P ICI 81008 was most effective between the 6th and 12th days of gestation, when plasma progesterone in the normal controls showed a nadir. Effective treatment reduced plasma progesterone within 6 hours. Evidently the pharmacologically provoked endocrine imbalance precedes the cessation of characteristic gestational weight gain, uterine bleeding and abortion which only manifest 24 to 48 hours after treatment.
An in vivo method for characterization of protein interactions within sulfur trafficking systems of E. coli.

Sulfur trafficking systems are multiprotein systems that synthesize sulfur-containing cofactors such as iron−sulfur clusters. The sulfur is derived enzymatically from cysteine and transferred betwe...
Controlled Streamwise Vorticity in Diffuser Boundary Layer using Hybrid Synthetic Jet Actuation

The formation of streamwise vorticity concentration by exploiting the interaction of surface-mounted passive and active flow control elements with the cross flow is investigated experimentally in a small-scale wind tunnel at high subsonic speeds (up to M = 0.5). Controlled formation of streamwise vortices can be a key element in the mitigation of the adverse effects of secondary flows in embedded propulsion system with complex inlet geometries that can affect pressure recovery and distortion at the engine inlet face. The evolution of these vortices is investigated on a converging-diverging insert along one of the test section walls that is designed to provide an adverse pressure gradient that mimics the pressure gradient within a typical offset diffuser. Counterrotating vortex pairs and single-sense vortices are formed and characterized using conventional passive micro-ramps and micro-vanes, respectively. It is demonstrated that similar streamwise vortices can also be realized using synthetic jet actuators having rectangular orifices that are slanted or skewed to produce single-sense vortices, or streamwise aligned to produce vortex pairs. Hybrid actuation is demonstrated by combining the passive and active actuation approaches to yield a “fail-safe” device with significant degree of controllability.
Investigation of p-Methoxyamphetamine Excretion in Amphetamine Induced Psychosis

MANY differences exist between the symptoms of schizophrenia and those of drug-induced states caused by agents like LSD or mescaline1. Amphetamine psychosis, by contrast, can in some cases replicate virtually all of the manifestations of natural schizophrenic illness2–5. Such a correspondence justifies a study of the biochemical basis of this condition.
Mapping the Arabic blogosphere: politics and dissent online:

This study explores the structure and content of the Arabic blogosphere using link analysis, term frequency analysis, and human coding of individual blogs. We identified a base network of approximately 35,000 Arabic-language blogs, mapped the 6000 most-connected blogs, and hand coded over 3000. The study is a baseline assessment of the networked public sphere in the Arabic-speaking world, which mainly clusters nationally. We found the most politically active areas of the network to be clusters of bloggers in Egypt, Kuwait, Syria, and the Levant, as well as an ‘English Bridge’ group. Differences among these indicate variability in how online practices are embedded in local political contexts. Bloggers are focused mainly on domestic political issues; concern for Palestine is the one issue that unites the entire network. Bloggers link preferentially to the top Web 2.0 sites (e.g. YouTube and Wikipedia), followed by pan-Arab mainstream media sources, such as Al Jazeera.
Emission of energetic protons at backward angles in central collisions

Abstract Backward-angle protons produced in collisions between intermediate-energy complex projectiles and 238 U are shown to originate from reactions which involve large linear momentum transfers to the target. Spectral slopes yield apparent temperatures that are 2–3 times larger than for a fully equilibrated, complete-fusion source. Comparisons with intranuclear cascade and precompound decay calculations suggest a multiple-collision mechanism that is intermediate between quasi-free scattering and complete thermalization.
807. NADPH-Dependent Endosomal ROS Is Critical for rAAV Capsid Processing during Infection

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by phagocytes are well recognized as critical components in the innate immune system. Furthermore, cellular redox stress generated following infection with a number of pathogenic viruses such as HIV has also been reported. We have discovered that adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) has evolved to both stimulate endosomal ROS production during its infection and utilize the resultant hydrogen peroxide to facilitate endosomal processing of the virion. Infection of HeLa cells, IB3 cells, or primary mouse fibroblasts with recombinant AAV2 (rAAV2) stimulated endosomal NADPH-dependent superoxide production 3 to 4-fold. Removal of hydrogen peroxide from within the endosomal compartment by catalase loading significantly decreased transduction by rAAV2 (as measured by a luciferase transgene) |[sim]|80-fold. This inhibitory effect was not due to blocking viral entry as assessed by quantification of intracellular viral genome. Given that Rac1 has been shown to be critical for rAAV2 transduction and is known to be an activator of two NADPH oxidases (Nox1 and Nox2), we sought to determine if rAAV2-induced endosomal ROS originated from Nox1 or Nox2 using knockout (KO) and littermate wild type primary dermal fibroblasts generate from these two KO mouse lines. Results from these experiments demonstrated that Nox2-/- fibroblasts failed to induce endosomal ROS following rAAV2 infection and had an 18-fold lower level of transduction as compared to wild type littermate fibroblasts. In contrast, no differences in rAAV2-induced endosomal ROS or transduction were observed in Nox1 KO and wild type littermate fibroblasts. These results suggested that AAV2 infection induces Nox2 in the endosomal compartment to produce ROS and that endosomal exposure of virus to H2O2 is important for productive intracellular processing of the virus. With the hypothesis that ROS-mediated endosomal processing of rAAV2 might involve redox-mediated changes to cysteine residues on the capsids, we began to map structural changes to purified virions exposed to H2O2 using MALDI-TOF MS. Results from these experiments suggest that nM quantities of H2O2 can enhance trypsin sensitivity of intact capsids, suggesting that ROS may help to unfold the capsid while in the endosome and aid in activating certain biological function of the virus. This hypothesis is supported by experiment demonstrating that treatment of intact rAAV2 virions with nM quantities of H2O2 also stimulates phospholipase A2 activity resident in the viral capsids. Interestingly, changes in pH did not appear to alter either the trypsin sensitivity of intact virions or PLA2 activity of the capsid and did not synergistically affect H2O2 capsid sensitivity in either of these two assays. These results suggest that AAV2 has evolved to both induce and utilize Nox2- derived ROS productively to process its virion during infection. Further elucidation of the mechanism may aid in improving rAAV2 vectors for gene therapy and also uncover novel redox-dependent mechanisms of infection.
Depression, diabetic complications and disability among persons with comorbid schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes.

Background People with schizophrenia are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, its complications, depression, and disability. However, little is known about the interrelationships of these 3 factors in adults with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes. Objective We sought to assess the number of diabetic complications and depressive symptom severity as predictors of disability and evaluate depressive symptom severity as a mediator of the relationship between diabetic complications and disability in a sample of 62 adults with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes. Methods Two- and 3-step sequential regression models were used to evaluate the relationship of depression and number of diabetic complications with disability. Path analysis with bootstrapping was used to evaluate depressive symptom severity as a mediator of the relationship between complications and disability. Results Diabetic complications significantly predicted disability scores when controlling for age, gender, socioeconomic status, hemoglobin A1C, positive symptom severity, and negative symptom severity. The addition of depression severity scores resulted in a significant increase in explained variance in disability scores. In the final model, only depression severity scores were significantly associated with disability scores. The full model accounted for 56.2% of the variance in disability scores. Path analysis revealed a significant indirect association of diabetic complications to disability through depression severity scores while controlling for all covariates. The association between complications and disability was nonsignificant when depressive symptom severity was included in the model. Conclusions Depressive symptoms may present an important and tractable target for interventions aimed at reducing disability in people with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes.
Pesticide Exposure during Greenhouse Applications, Part I. Dermal Exposure Reduction Due to Directional Ventilation and Worker Training

Abstract Workers conducted benchtop handgunning spray operations in a commercial greenhouse in Florida with the ventilation system either on or off. Five workers were experienced applicators, while four had little or no previous application experience. Applications were conducted for 1 hour with a fluorescent tracer substituted for pesticides in an aqueous mixture. Dermal exposure was monitored by video imaging and by patches attached to the arms and legs. The greenhouse ventilation system produced strong unidirectional air movement (> 5 m/s) and therefore had a pronounced effect on the aerosol drift pattern generated during application. Both video-imaging analysis and patch sampling indicated that when spraying occurred with ventilation on rather than off, exposure was reduced for experienced applicators, but increased for inexperienced applicators. Average exposure reductions due to ventilation for the experienced applicators were 63 and 83 percent for the upper arms, and 74 and 94 percent for the upper...
Who we are: the political origins of the medical humanities.

The medical humanities were organized, beginning in the late 1960s, by a small group of people who shared a critique of medical education and a commitment to vigorous action to change it. They proposed to create several demonstration programs in humanities education at American schools. Although the group began with a religious orientation, it soon acquired a broader, more secular mission. As a result of shrewd political organizing, the group attracted members from within medicine, and was awarded a grant to promote the medical humanities. This paper describes these events and sets them in the context of the social and medical history of the 1960s and early 1970s.
Fatigue-related changes in neuromuscular excitability of rat hindlimb muscles.

Brief repetitive trains of supramaximal nerve stimulation produce intermittent muscle activation and, in time, a progressive decline in force (i.e., neuromuscular fatigue) and depression of the electromyogram (EMG). These changes may include within-train reductions in EMG due to a failure of neuromuscular propagation.13 The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in EMG during a 360-second stimulus regimen designed to fatigue soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles of anesthetized rats by activating the muscle with repetitive trains of 40 Hz stimuli. Measurements included peak force for each tetanus, variation of the within-train EMG (coefficient of variation for area), and magnitude of the first EMG waveform (area) of each train. Fatigue was characterized as the relative decline in force over the course of the test. The responses of the test muscles were categorized, based on an absolute scale of fatigability, into five groups: potentiated, nonfatigable, low fatigability, intermediate fatigability, and high fatigability. Fatigable muscles (low, intermediate, and high fatigability groups) demonstrated a decreased EMG magnitude and an increased EMG-area variation with repetitive activation. This increased variation, however, was nonmonotonically related to fatigability such that the least and most fatigable muscles had the smallest within-train EMG variation. We suggest that these data can be explained by considering the EMG (compound muscle action potential) as a stochastic process that represents a composite of single-fiber events (axonal to sarcolemmal transmission) with variable probabillities.
In vivo antitumor efficacy of STAT3 blockade using a transcription factor decoy approach: implications for cancer therapy.

The development of more effective prevention and treatment strategies for solid tumors is limited by an incomplete understanding of the critical growth pathways that are activated in carcinogenesis. Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins have been linked to transformation and tumor progression. Several approaches have been used to block STAT3 in cancer cells resulting in reduced proliferation and apoptosis. We tested the hypothesis that blocking STAT3 activation using a transcription factor decoy approach would decrease tumor growth and STAT3 target gene expression in vivo. In a xenograft model of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), daily administration of the STAT3 decoy (25 μg) resulted in decreased tumor volumes, abrogation of STAT3 activation, and decreased expression of STAT3 target genes (VEGF, Bcl-xL, and cyclin D1) compared to treatment with a mutant control decoy. Blockade of STAT3 with the STAT3 decoy also induced apoptosis and decreased proliferation, an effect that was augmented when the STAT3 decoy was combined with cisplatin, both in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that a transcription factor decoy approach may be used to target STAT3 in cancers that demonstrate increased STAT3 activation including SCCHN.
Toward a string field theory independent of spacetime topology

Abstract We discuss the structure of the infinite-dimensional space which forms the domain of the string field. It is shown that this space is independent of the dimension of spacetime M and depends at most weakly on other topological properties of M. This suggests a formulation of string field theory which is (formally) completely independent of spacetime.
Papillary muscle rupture complicating acute myocardial infarction: analysis of 17 patients

The records of 17 patients (10 men and 7 women) with the diagnosis of acute papillary muscle rupture secondary to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were reviewed to determine the clinical course and pathologic features of this entity. Eight patients underwent operation after papillary muscle rupture had been diagnosed, and 9 had the diagnosis confirmed at autopsy without a prior surgical procedure. The ages were 44 to 80 years (mean 64). The site of AMI was inferolateral in 15 and anterior in 2. The recorded onset of mitral regurgitation ranged from less than 24 hours to 28 days after AMI (mean 6 days). Of the 11 patients presenting with pulmonary congestion alone, 6 remained stable and had subsequent mitral valve replacement and coronary artery bypass graft operation; however, 5 patients' condition initially stabilized with medical therapy and then suddenly deteriorated after a variable period (1 to 60 days), followed by death. Of the 6 patients who presented with systemic hypotension and pulmonary congestion, 4 were treated medically and died; 1 of the 2 who had surgical treatment survived. The extent of the AMI at autopsy was small and was limited to the subendocardium in half of the patients. Significant coronary artery disease was limited to a single vessel in 7 of 14 patients. The unpredictable and rapid clinical deterioration and the limited extent of coronary atherosclerotic disease and infarct size suggest that early surgical repair should be undertaken in patients with papillary muscle rupture after AMI.
THD+Noise Estimation in Class-D Amplifiers

A mathematical analysis of the effect of jitter and nonlinear inductance on THD+noise of class-D amplifiers is presented. In the analysis, it is assumed that jitter is not correlated between edges and has Gaussian distribution. It is shown that the nonlinear inductor in the output filter causes THD+noise to be frequency dependent. The relationship between jitter, nonlinear inductor and circuit parameters is formulated. The accuracy of the proposed mathematical approximation is verified by transistor level simulations.
Performance modeling for IEEE 802.11 vehicle-to-infrastructure networks with directional antennas

This paper proposes an analytical throughput model for IEEE 802.11-based vehicle-to-infrastructure networks with omni-directional antennas (OA) and directional antennas (DA) applied in three different ways. The model considers the antenna gain pattern, multipath effect, co-channel interference, variable link rates and mobility effects. When DAs are applied, the deafness and hidden terminal problems are considered. With the model, the paper compares throughputs of an 802.11g V2I network where (i) all-omni: all nodes (its access point and mobile stations) always employ OAs, (ii) half-omni: all nodes use OAs for RTS/CTS and DAs for DATA/ACK transmissions, and (iii) all-directional: all nodes always employ DAs for all transmissions. The mobility effect is modeled as a throughput scaling factor considering the antenna beam coverage. Numerical evaluation of the models reveals consistently best performance with the half-omni scheme due to the higher link rate and effective avoidance of interference caused by deafness and hidden terminal problems.
Distributed space-time processing in sensor networks

Given the power limitations of sensor networks, it is of interest to determine cooperative communication schemes for such networks which can exploit the inherent spatial diversity of nodes. This paper proposes a simple scheme based on maximal ratio combining and a distributed transmission protocol to effectively exploit temporal and spatial diversity in a sensor network. In contrast to cooperative communication schemes based on distributed space-time codes, the proposed distributed space-time processing (DSTP) method exploits diversity in a greedy manner and does not require the overhead of setting up clusters. DSTP is a suite of cross-layer (physical, media access control and network) distributed protocols designed for ease of implementation, robustness and scalability in large sensor networks. Two modes of DSTP are proposed to allow one-to-one or many-to-one distributed communication. The efficacy of the proposed scheme is evaluated by a diversity analysis as well as simulation results. The frame-error rate performance of DSTP is observed to be superior to simple relaying and a cluster-based distributed space-time method.
Immune response of hepatitis B vaccine among persons with diabetes: a systematic review of the literature.

In October 2011, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended hepatitis B vaccination for adults with diabetes in the United States (1). Serosurvey data from the 1999–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that noninstitutionalized adults aged ≥18 years with diabetes have an increased seroprevalence of past or current hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (1). Outbreaks of hepatitis B in elderly persons with diabetes in long-term care facilities have been linked to diabetes care procedures (including blood glucose monitoring), with likely vehicles for transmission including spring-loaded finger-stick devices used on multiple patients and blood glucose testing meters that were not cleaned between uses on different patients. In the U.S., hepatitis B vaccination is routinely recommended for infants, children, and adolescents. It also is recommended for adults at increased risk of HBV infection, including persons with end-stage renal disease or chronic liver disease, health care personnel, injection-drug users, and men who have sex with men (2–4). A hepatitis B vaccination series results in protection in a high proportion (>95%) of infants, children, and young adults (5). As with other vaccines, the efficacy of the hepatitis B vaccine progressively declines with advancing age, as well as with the presence of obesity and other comorbid conditions (6–12). Results of studies of the hepatitis B vaccine among persons with diabetes generally follow these patterns (13,14). Primary hepatitis B vaccination usually consists of 3 (or 4) doses of 10 or 20 µg of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) protein administered intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle on a 0-, 1-, and 6-month schedule (Table 1). Alternative schedules are U.S.-approved for routine vaccination for specific ages and vaccine formulations, and they elicit dose-specific and final rates of seroprotection similar to those obtained on a 0-, 1-, and …