cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polarized temporal impulse response for scattering media from third-order frequency correlations of speckle intensity patterns

Second- and third-order frequency correlations of speckle intensity patterns are used to characterize scattering media for multiple polarization states. The polarized temporal responses thus obtained are sensitive to the degree of scatter, with results being predictable by a diffusion model with sufficiently strong scatter. Experimental data are used to reconstruct various transfer functions.
Reduction of ECS produced retrograde amnesia by post-trial introduction of strychnine.

Abstract Strychnine sulfate was used to reduce the amount of retrograde amnesia induced by electroconvulsive shock (ECS). Male Swiss-Webster mice were trained on the step-down passive avoidance task, given ECS and then injected intraperitoneally with either 0.1 mg/kg strychnine or saline. The animals were tested in the apparatus one to twenty-four hours later. Mice given ECS alone displayed partial memory for the training (by responding with longer latencies) if tested within two hours after training, but did not display retention twenty-four hours later. Animals given strychnine following ECS had significantly longer step-down latencies at twenty-four hours than did the saline or no injection controls. Further experiments replicated the basic results, and also showed that strychnine injections delayed two hours after the training trial attenuated ECS-induced retrograde amnesia, but that a three hour injection delay was ineffective. The results were interpreted in terms of changes in short-term and long-term memory.
Automatic sensory information processing abnormalities across the illness course of schizophrenia.

BackgroundDeficits in automatic sensory discrimination, as indexed by a reduction in the mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3a event-related potential amplitudes, are well documented in chronic schizophrenia. However, MMN and P3a have not been sufficiently studied early in the course of psychotic illness. The present study aimed to investigate MMN, P3a and reorienting negativity (RON) across the course of schizophrenia.MethodMMN, P3a, and RON were assessed in 118 subjects across four groups: (1) individuals at risk for psychosis (n=26); (2) recent-onset patients (n=31); (3) chronic patients (n=33); and (4) normal controls (n=28) using a duration-deviant auditory oddball paradigm.ResultsFrontocentral deficits in MMN and P3a were present in all patient groups. The at-risk group's MMN and P3a amplitudes were intermediate to those of the control and recent-onset groups. The recent-onset and chronic patients, but not the at-risk subjects, showed significant RON amplitude reductions, relative to the control group. Associations between MMN, P3a, RON and psychosocial functioning were present in the chronic patients. In the at-risk subjects, P3a and RON deficits were significantly associated with higher levels of negative symptoms.ConclusionsAbnormalities in the automatic processes of sensory discrimination, orienting and reorienting of attention are evident in the early phases of schizophrenia and raise the possibility of progressive worsening across stages of the illness. The finding that MMN and P3a, but not RON, were reduced before psychosis onset supports the continued examination of these components as potential early biomarkers of schizophrenia.
NF-κB activation as a key mechanism in ethanol-induced disruption of the F-actin cytoskeleton and monolayer barrier integrity in intestinal epithelium

Intestinal barrier disruption has been implicated in several intestinal and systemic disorders including alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Using monolayers of intestinal (Caco-2) cells, we showed that ethanol (EtOH) disrupts the barrier integrity via destabilization of the cytoskeleton. Because proinflammatory conditions are associated with activation of NF-kappa B (NF-kappaB), we hypothesized that EtOH induces disruption of cytoskeletal assembly and barrier integrity by activating NF-kappaB. Parental cells were pretreated with pharmacological modulators of NF-kappaB. Other cells were stably transfected with a dominant negative mutant for the NF-kappaB inhibitor, I-kappaBalpha. Monolayers of each cell type were exposed to EtOH and we then monitored monolayer barrier integrity (permeability); cytoskeletal stability and molecular dynamics (confocal microscopy and immunoblotting); intracellular levels of the I-kappaBalpha (immunoblotting); subcellular distribution and activity of NF-kappaB (immunoblotting and sensitive ELISA); and intracellular alterations in the 43kDa protein of the actin cytoskeleton, polymerized F-actin, and monomeric G-actin (SDS-PAGE fractionation). EtOH caused destabilizing alterations, including I-kappaBalpha degradation, NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, NF-kappaB subunit (p50 and p65) activation, actin disassembly (upward arrow G-, downward arrow F-), actin cytoskeleton instability, and barrier disruption. Inhibitors of NF-kappaB and stabilizers of I-kappaBalpha (e.g., MG-132, lactacystin, etc) prevented NF-kappaB activation while protecting against EtOH-induced injury. In transfected I-kappaBalpha mutant clones, stabilization of I-kappaBalpha to inactivate NF-kappaB protected against all measures of EtOH-induced injury. Our data support several novel mechanisms where NF-kappaB can affect the molecular dynamics of the F-actin cytoskeleton and intestinal barrier integrity under conditions of EtOH injury. (1) EtOH induces disruption of the F-actin cytoskeleton and of intestinal barrier integrity, in part, through I-kappaBalpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation; (2) The mechanism underlying this pathophysiological effect of the NF-kappaB appears to involve instability of the assembly of the subunit components of actin network.
Abstract 2545: Regulation of NF-YB by miR-485-3p affects TopoisomeraseIIα expression

DNA topoisomerase IIα (TopoIIα) is an essential nuclear enzyme. Our teniposide-resistant human leukemic lymphoblastic cells (CEM/VM-1-5) express reduced TopoIIα protein. To determine the role of TopoIIα in drug resistance, previously we knocked down TopoIIα in parental CEM cells by RNAi. Compared to control cells, CEM-siTopoIIα cells are more resistant to etoposide. Our previous work suggested that the transcription factor NF-YB is a negative regulator of TopoIIα, working through the TopoIIα promoter (Morgan and Beck, Mol. Pharmacol 59:203,2001). We have found that NF-YB protein expression is increased in CEM/VM-1-5 cells compared to CEM cells. This suggests that increased NF-YB may be the cause of reduced TopoIIα in CEM/VM-1-5 cells. We asked what causes the up-regulation of NF-YB in CEM/VM-1-5 cells. MicroRNAs are a recently identified group of non-protein coding RNAs that regulate posttranscriptional gene expression. In our previous study, we found by microRNA profiling that hsa-miR-485-3p, is lower in CEM/VM-1-5 cells compared to CEM cells. MicroRNA target prediction programs also reveal that the 3′ UTR of NF-YB harbors a putative miR-485-3p binding site. We hypothesized that hsa-miR-485-3p regulates drug resistance by decreasing NF-YB expression, which in turn negatively regulates TopoIIα expression. We overexpressed miR-485-3p in CEM/VM-1-5 cells and this led to reduced expression of NF-YB and a corresponding upregulation of TopoIIα. To validate the binding of miR-485-3p to NF-YB 3′-UTR, present experiments with HEK293Tcells using luciferase reporters carrying the 3′-UTR of the NF-YB gene are being done to clarify the role of miR-485-3p in this phenomenon. (Supported in part by CA40570 from NCI and in part by UIC) Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2545.
Activity and kinetics of dissociation and transfer of amphotericin B from a novel delivery form

Recently it has been demonstrated that moderate heat treatment of Amphotericin B/deoxycholate solutions (HAmB-DOC) leads to a therapeutically interesting supramolecular rearrangement that can be observed by significant changes in light scattering, CD, and absorbance. In this study, we continue the investigation of the physical properties of this new form by evaluating the activity and kinetics of dissociation and dispersion of HAmB-DOC and AmB-DOC in saline, serum, and in model mammalian or fungal lipid biomimetic membrane vesicles. Stopped-flow spectrophotometry combined with singular value decomposition (SVD) and global analysis were used to resolve the components of this process. The dissociation kinetics for both states are complex, requiring multiexponential fits, vet in most cases SVD indicates only two significant changing species representing the monomer and the aggregate. The kinetic mechanism could involve dissociation of monomers from coexisting spectroscopically similar but structurally distinct aggregates or sequential rearrangements in supramolecular structure of aggregates. Rate constants and amplitudes of dissociation from aggregates to monomer in buffer, whole serum, 10% cholesterol, and ergosterol membrane vesicles are generally greater for AmB-DOC, demonstrating its greater kinetic instability. In addition, at comparable low concentrations, HAmB-DOC and AmB-DOC are nearly equally active at promoting cation selective permeability in ergosterol-containing membranes; however, HAmB-DOC is much less active against mammalian mimetic cholesterol-containing vesicles, despite a higher level of self-association, supporting previous observations that there exists a specific “toxic aggregate” structure.
Thymoma. A clinical and pathological study of 65 cases

A clinicopathologic study of 65 patients with thymomas was performed. The most significant prognostic feature of the thymomas was the presence or absence of gross invasion of adjacent tissue. None of 37 patients with non-invasive thymomas died of tumor or had a recurrence. Invasive thymomas resulted in the death of 3 of 17 patients. Two others are alive with unresectable tumor, and one other patient died of myasthenia gravis with recurrent thymoma. The histologic type of thymoma had no value in predicting prognosis. Thirty-five patients had possibly associated syndromes. These syndromes, particularly myasthenia gravis and red cell hypoplasia, affected survival to an equal or greater extent than did the direct effects of the tumors.
Spatial Representation of Noun Phrases.

Certain aspects of the structure of simple noun phrases may be represented geometrically by considering the n words as points located in n-1 dimensional Euclidean space. The interword distances, taken collectively, contain information on hierarchical structure within the phrase, while unidimensional projections of the configuration indicate sequential word order. Structurally different noun phrases are then theoretically represented by qualitatively different spatial configurations. An attempt was made to elicit such structures empirically through a spatial imagery task in which Ss were asked to draw spatial diagrams of 30 different noun phrases. The main results were consistent with predictions of a spatial model of syntax and revealed reliable differences between diagrams of two particular kinds of phrases: (a) phrases in which the modifiers may be interchanged without altering the meaning, and (b) phrases where word interchanges are not permitted.
Gamma oscillations in a minimal CA3 model

A minimal model of the CA3 region of the hippocampus produces gamma oscillations. These oscillations exist across a broad range of conditions. For instance, the oscillations exist in the presence or absence of external input. Additionally, quantal synaptic failures do not eliminate the gamma oscillations. More importantly, there is a sensitivity to the average firing rates of neurons in the simulations. Specifically, increasing the average firing rates leads to a continuous phase transition that is a quenching of the gamma oscillations. Although the minimal model includes an inhibitory neuron, no explicit time constant of this neuron or the inhibitory synaptic conductance corresponds to the observed frequencies of oscillation.
Anyone for Bowling?: Coalescing for Shared Activities

Despite the importance of individuals coming together for social group-activities (e.g. pick-up volleyball, chess clubs), the process by which such groups coalesce is poorly understood. Existing theories focus on adoption and contribution rates, group types, and the formation of group norms, as opposed to the processes involved in initial group coalescence. We address this gap in the literature through an interview study examining: 1) how well people's needs for social group activity engagement are being met; 2) the challenges they face in finding and participating in, and; 3) leading interest-based group activities. Our findings highlight how people-s needs are not being addressed by current technologies. In particular, they place a heavy burden on individuals to step forward into leadership positions where the return they will receive for their efforts is often unknown, or extremely limited. We discuss the implications of our findings for the design of interest-based group coalescing technology.
Predicting the policy choices of individual legislators: A comparative study of Canada and the United States

For this project we measured a set of variables defining the demographic and career characteristics and the values of lawmakers and used this information to predict policy decisions. Legislators were surveyed in three Canadian provinces and two American states. Regression analysis was used to build a linear prediction equation for two policy issue areas: educational funding and welfare/unemployment compensation. For both American state legislators and Canadian provincial legislators, the best overall predictors of policy choice are value orientations. Demographic and career attributes, however, are also important determinants of policy choice. It was actually possible to explain just as much of the variance in policy support scores by using career and demographic attributes alone - ignoring the data describing the values of the legislators. Although studies of decision-making are central to the discipline of political science, this project stands apart from most previous research efforts for several reasons: (1) it incorporates an explicitly measured dependent variable; (2) it employs a comparative perspective, which analyzes the membership of several legislative assemblies cross-nationally, focusing on the United States and Canada; and (3) it evaluates legislators along a variety of dimensions.
The impact of climate change on patterns of zoogeomorphological influence: Examples from the Rocky Mountains of the Western U.S.A.

Abstract Many animals in the mountains of the western U.S.A. and elsewhere are geomorphically active. The spatial pattern and intensity of these impacts, associated with activities such as digging for food, burrowing for shelter, and damming of streams, may change as a result of climate change. Food sources utilized will be affected by processes such as meadow infilling with trees, upward advancement of trees, and changes in intensity of other geomorphic processes such as avalanching and glacial action and associated meltwater. Examples are presented here that illustrate the importance of accurate habitat mapping to be able to assess the impact of climate change on geomorphically active animals, as well as the importance of knowledge of food sources of these animals. As climate change impacts food sources and habitats, some geomorphically active animals may become much more limited in the geographic range and intensity of their influence, and some may disappear altogether if the habitat disappears.
Modeling multilayer structure with metal inclusion using effective medium theory

By employing the equivalence principle and connection scheme (EPACS), an efficient integral equation (IE) approach is used to model multilayer structure with metal inclusion is presented. The numerical results show a good agreement between EPACS and HFSS. Effective media theory is adopted to simplify the multilayer structure. Numerical results and computational costs show the advantages of EPACS and the effective media model.
The thoracic glanglia of the grasshopper, Melanoplus differentialis: fine struc- ture of the perineurium and neuroglia with special reference to the intracellular distribution of phosphatases.

The thoracic ganglia of Melanoplus are encapsulated by a number of consecutive protective sheaths. These include an outer layer of pigment cells, an acellular neural lamella composed partially of collagenous fibres, and an inner perineurium. The perineurial cells contain numerous osmiophilic granules; these are extracted by glutaraldehyde fixation after which the cells have a vacuolated appearance. Beneath the perineurial sheath lies the ganglion proper, in which neuroglial cells ensheath neurones that are arranged peripherally around a central neuropile. The neuroglia consist of attenuated cells with prominent cytoplasmic processes extending around, as well as into, the cytoplasm of the nerve cell bodies. Membrane-delimited dense bodies or “gliosomes” are present in the glial cytoplasm; these appear to be lysosomes for they contain cytochemically demonstrable acid phosphatase activity in incubated sections. These lysosomes differ from those of most vertebrates in that, in addition to hydrolyzing nucleoside monophosphates at acid pH, they also hydrolyze nucleoside diphosphates and triphosphates at neutral pH. Reaction product from adenosine triphosphatase activity is seen in both the glial plasma membrane and in the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, as is reaction product due to thiamine diphosphatase. This enzymatic activity in the membranes of the glial cells provides a useful way of “marking” the cells for both light and electron microscopy. The possible signifcance of membrane-associated phosphatase activity in a cell whose function appears to be at least in part trophic, is discussed.
Impact of Obesity on Surgical Site Infection in Colon and Rectal Surgery

Obesity affects over 30% of the United States population. Over the past 10 years, there has been increased recognition of the prevalence of obesity and its contribution to worse outcomes among medical and surgical patients. In particular, obesity has been validated as a risk factor for surgical site infection (SSI) among patients undergoing major abdominal surgery with some reports demonstrating an increased risk of SSI as high as sixty percent (60%) among obese patients. For patients undergoing elective colon and rectal surgery, a higher incidence of SSI (up to 45%) has been reported in comparison to outcomes of other surgical procedures. Obesity, as well as numerous other variables, have been implicated as a potential source for this increased incidence. Although the pathophysiology of obesity-related SSI has been suggested (decreased wound oxygen tension, impaired tissue antibiotic penetration, altered immune function, etc.), the true effect of obesity has not been clearly described. The purpose of this review is to examine the growing epidemic of obesity and its specific impact on SSI for both general and colorectal surgical patients. The proposed mechanisms for why obesity increases the risk of SSI will be briefly discussed, as well.
Hydration force between phosphatidylcholine surfaces in aqueous electrolyte solutions

Abstract The effects of varying the concentration of monovalent salts on the van der Waals and hydration forces acting between surfaces made with the phospholipid dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine were studied using the osmotic pressure technique of Rand and Parsegian (D. LeNeveu et al. Nature (London) 259, 601–603 (1976)). Applied osmotic pressure versus lamellar separation relationships for the same lipid in different monovalent salt solutions (10 mM, 100 mM, or 1 M NaCl or KCl) were compared. Our results indicate that monovalent salts affect the force character between lipid surfaces in a manner different from that observed for mica surfaces (R. M. Pashley J. Colloid Interface Sci. 80, 153–162 (1981)) which has a different mechanism for adsorbing charges. Specifically, we found a qualitative decrease in both the net repulsive force and van der Waals force between DPPC bilayer surfaces as the concentration of the monovalent salt in solution increased. We infer that the decrease in hydration force is due to decreased structuring of the solvent between the lipid bilayers as the ionic concentration increases.
Force Calibration of Nano Universal Testing Machine Using Milligram Weights

This paper presents an approach for calibrating the force transducer on the nano universal testing machine using milligram weights. Previous research on force calibration of such a system focused on the range from 10 mN to 200 mN, ignoring forces below 10 mN. The main purpose of this study is to analyze and calculate the uncertainty of force measurements within the range from 0.2 mN to 10 mN. The ABA calibration method in accordance with OIML R111-1 is adopted to determine the uncertainty in force measurement. The results indicate that the maximum relative uncertainty of force measurement is 7.0 × 10−3 with a 95% confidence level. The investigation can be used as the basis for evaluating measurement uncertainty of the system in small force range.
Generation-to-generation passage of the nuclear polyhedral virus of Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.).

GENERATION-TO-GENERATION passage of polyhedral viruses has been reported for a number of insects1–5. Previous work with the nuclear polyhedral virus of Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.) indicated that generation-to-generation passage of the virus occurred in this insect, but the evidence was inadequate to decide whether the virus passed within the egg or by contamination of the egg shell6. This communication presents the results of experiments on this question.
Error analysis of a randomized numerical method

We analyze a randomized algorithm for solving the initial value problem for the finite dimensional system\( {dy \over dt} = f (t, y)\; ; \quad y (t_0) = y_0 \) on a finite interval under the hypothesis that \(f\) is smooth in\(y\) but no more than bounded and measurable in \(t\). The algorithm is a representative member of an infinite family of methods akin to the Runge-Kutta family. It generates a sequence \(Y_k\) by iterating the single step formula\( Y_1 = Y_0 + {h \over 2 p} \sum_{j=1}^ p \{ f (U_j, Y_0 + hf (u_j, Y_0)) + f (u_j, Y_k)\} $$ $$ U_j = \max (T_{1j}, T_{2j})\; , \quad u_j = \min (T_{1j}, T_{2j}) \) where for each step \(\{ T_{1j}\} \) and \(\{ T_{2j}\}\) are fresh\(p\) -fold random samples of the uniform distribution on \([t_0,t_0+h]\). We analyze the resulting random estimator \(Y\) of \(y\) by giving a weak law for its error that, with probability \(1 - \beta\), gives error bounds in terms of the parameters \(\beta\), \(h\) and \(p\).
Nonlinear analysis of barge crush behavior and its relationship to impact resistant bridge design

Abstract Bridge structures crossing navigable waterways must not only be designed to resist gravity, wind, and earthquake loads, but must also be capable of resisting ship and barge collision loads. Design specifications used both in the US and internationally employ empirical models of vessel crush behavior to produce codified procedures for computing equivalent static design loads due to vessel impact. In this paper, the ADINA finite element code is used to compute force-deformation relationships for several hopper barge crushing scenarios. Results obtained from the nonlinear finite element crush analyses are then compared to empirical crush models found in bridge design specifications.
Design and modeling of an active steerable end-effector

A model has been developed in MATLAB to design a new active, steerable end-effector. The end-effector design consists of a number of bimorph actuator sections in series with each active layer being individually controlled. Each section may behave as either a bimorph or a unimorph actuator, where in the case of unimorph one of the active layers is passive. By varying the strength and direction of the electric field across each section, a prescribed overall shape can be achieved to allow the user to steer the device. The focus of ths paper is on the model of the end-effector using electroactive polymer (EAP) materials. In the EAP model, the experimental data for the electrostrictive P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer is used to model the non-linear relationship between the electric field and the induced strain. Due to the large deflections achievable with the EAP, a pseudo rigid-body model for large deflections beams is also used. The behavior of piezoelectric ceramic is compared to that of electro-active polymer (EAP). The target application for this steerable device is a small-scale smart surgical instrument for minimally invasive surgery.
Qualification Testing of Engineering Camera and Platinum Resistance Thermometer (PRT) Sensors for Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Project under Extreme Temperatures to Assess Reliability and to Enhance Mission Assurance

Package Qualification and Verification (PQV) of advanced electronic packaging and interconnect technologies and various other types of qualification hardware for the Mars Exploration Rover/Mars Science Laboratory flight projects has been performed to enhance the mission assurance. The qualification of hardware (Engineering Camera and Platinum Resistance Thermometer, PRT) under extreme cold temperatures has been performed with reference to various project requirements. The flight-like packages, sensors, and subassemblies have been selected for the study to survive three times (3x) the total number of expected temperature cycles resulting from all environmental and operational exposures occurring over the life of the flight hardware including all relevant manufacturing, ground operations and mission phases. Qualification has been performed by subjecting above flight-like qual hardware to the environmental temperature extremes and assessing any structural failures or degradation in electrical performance due to either overstress or thermal cycle fatigue. Experiments of flight like hardware qualification test results have been described in this paper.
Specific radioactivities of carotenes synthesized from C14-labeled terpenol pyrophosphates by isolated tomato plastids☆

Abstract Specific radioactivities were determined for carotenes biosynthesized from C 14 -labeled terpenol pyrophosphates by isolated tomato plastids. A decline in specific radioactivities of the acyclic carotenes was obtained with an increase in unsaturation of the carotene (i.e., phytoene to lycopene), which is consistent with the proposal of Porter and Anderson of sequential desaturation of phytoene as the pathway for the biosynthesis of lycopene. The specific radioactivities obtained for the cyclic carotene β-carotene were higher in some samples than those for lycopene, thereby indicating that some of the β-carotene of tomatoes is synthesized through cyclization of a precursor other than lycopene. A suggested precursor for this cyclization is neurosporene.
Survey of electron and ion bulk flows in the distant magnetotail with the Geotail spacecraft

A histogramic survey is reported for the electron and ion bulk flows in Earth's magnetotail at geocentric radial distances in the range of about 10 to 210 R(sub E) from the Comprehensive Plasma Instrumentation on board the Geotail spacecraft. Specifically the X-components of the bulk flows are examined for high ion temperatures, greater than 5 x 10(exp 6) K, and for the lower ion temperatures. This separation of plasmas provides a reasonably effective criterion for identifying the hot plasmas associated with the plasma sheet and its boundary layers and the colder plasmas found in the magnetotail lobes and magnetopause boundary layer. The survey shows that the distributions of earthward bulk flows of ions and electrons are similar for each of the two temperature regimes, respectively. However, average speeds for the ions and electrons as a function of radial distance are dissimilar in that the electron bulk speeds are greater than those for the ions. All average electron and ion bulk flows are directed tailward at geocentric radial distances greater than 30 R(sub E). The most striking dissimilarity in the occurrence frequencies of the bulk flows is the large number with high tailward speeds for the electrons, greater than 500 km/s, relative to those for the ions. It is found that the disparity in bulk flows is due to the presence of two ion velocity distributions, one with high temperatures and a bulk speed similar to that of the electrons and the second, colder distribution with higher number density and considerably lesser bulk flow speed.
Reverse Monte-Carlo Ray-Tracing Method Combined With Full-Spectrum K-Distribution Method for Radiative Heat Transfer

Accurate prediction of radiative heat transfer plays a key role in many high temperature applications, such as combustion devices and fires. Among various simulation methods, the Monte-Carlo Ray-Tracing (MCRT) has the advantage of solving the radiative transfer equation (RTE) for real gas mixtures with almost no approximations; however, it has disadvantage of requiring a large computational effort. The MCRT method can be carried out with either the Forward MCRT or the Reverse MCRT, depending on the direction of ray tracing. The RMCRT method has advantages over the FMCRT method in that it uses less memory, and in a domain decomposition parallelization strategy, it can explicitly obtain solutions for the domain of interest without the need for the solution on the entire domain.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
An iron complex with pendent amines as a molecular electrocatalyst for oxidation of hydrogen

Electricity can be produced by the oxidation of hydrogen in fuel cells, but the best catalyst for this is platinum, a precious metal of low abundance. Now a molecular complex of iron, a very abundant, inexpensive metal, has been rationally designed for the oxidation of H2 at room temperature.
Pathobiological Implications of the Expression of EGFR, pAkt, NF-κB and MIC-1 in Prostate Cancer Stem Cells and Their Progenies

The progression of prostate cancers (PCs) to locally invasive, androgen-independent and metastatic disease states is generally associated with treatment resistance and disease relapse. The present study was undertaken to establish the possibility of using a combination of specific oncogenic products, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), pAkt, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for optimizing the management of patients with localized PC at earlier disease stages. The immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence data have revealed that the expression levels of EGFR, Ser473-pAkt, NF-κB p65 and MIC-1 proteins were significantly enhanced in the same subset of 76 cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma specimens during the disease progression and these biomarkers were expressed in a small subpopulation of CD133+ PC cells and the bulk tumor mass of CD133− PC cells. Importantly, all of these biomarkers were also overexpressed in 80–100% of 30 PC metastasis bone tissue specimens. Moreover, the results have indicated that the EGF-EGFR signaling pathway can provide critical functions for the self-renewal of side population (SP) cells endowed with stem cell-like features from highly invasive WPE1-NB26 cells. Of therapeutic interest, the targeting of EGFR, pAkt, NF-κB or MIC-1 was also effective at suppressing the basal and EGF-promoted prostasphere formation by SP WPE1-NB26 cells, inducing disintegration of SP cell-derived prostaspheres and decreasing the viability of SP and non-SP WPE1-NB26 cell fractions. Also, the targeting of these oncogenic products induced the caspase-dependent apoptosis in chemoresistant SP WPE1-NB26 cells and enhanced their sensibility to the cytotoxic effects induced by docetaxel. These findings suggest that the combined use of EGFR, pAkt, NF-κB and/or MIC-1 may represent promising strategies for improving the accuracy of current diagnostic and prognostic methods and efficacy of treatments of PC patients in considering the disease heterogeneity, thereby preventing PC progression to metastatic and lethal disease states.
A clearer view of effusive-constrictive pericarditis.

In the 1920s and 1930s, when pericardiectomy first became an established therapy for constrictive pericarditis, surgeons recognized the condition in which pericardial effusion coexists with a visceral constrictive pericarditis (or constrictive epicarditis) (see Figure). In 1971, clinical and hemodynamic features were described that allowed the diagnosis to be made before an operation or autopsy had been performed. Since that time, individual cases have been reported nearly every year. Many of these cases, including at least one reported in the Case Records of the Massachusetts General Hospital,1 occurred in the United States. Others have been reported in at least 26 countries . . .
Drivers of Liking for Yogurt Drinks with Prebiotics and Probiotics

Several studies have addressed the sensory properties of yogurt. However, as the market for yogurt continues to expand and new varieties of yogurt with novel ingredients emerge, additional sensory tests are needed to ensure the quality of the products. Three selected prebiotics, soluble corn fiber, polydextrose, and chicory inulin, were each added at an excellent source of fiber (5 g fiber/serving) or a good fiber source (2.5 g fiber/serving) levels into a yogurt drink base. Three additional yogurt drinks contained 5 g of each of the separate prebiotics along with a mixture of probiotics (Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5). A control sample with no prebiotics or probiotics was also included in the experimental design. Yogurt drinks were evaluated by 110 consumers for overall acceptance, acceptance of aroma, appearance, taste, and texture, and purchase intent. Demographic information pertaining to consumer knowledge of prebiotics and probiotics was collected. Consumer data were correlated with previously obtained descriptive analysis data to identify drivers of liking. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), Fisher's least significant difference (LSD), cluster analysis, internal preference mapping, and external preference mapping. Total variance explained by the internal and external preference maps were 32.2% and 64.6%, respectively, which showed higher levels of the prebiotics with probiotics drove consumer liking compared to lower levels without probiotics. In terms of ingredients added, chicory inulin and polydextrose were preferred over soluble corn fiber. Yogurt drinks with these prebiotics included and probiotics were characterized by a medium level of sweetness and high viscosity. Development of new prebiotic and probiotic containing drinkable yogurts should strive for a medium level of sweetness and high viscosity for maximum consumer acceptance.
Effect of 48-hour infusion of the synthetic oxytocin antagonist, [1-beta-mercapto(beta-(CH2)5)1(OMe)Tyr2,Orn8]-oxytocin, on myometrial activity of pregnant sheep at 139-140 days of gestation.

Currently there is considerable interest in the actions of oxytocin antagonists on the pregnant myometrium. Few studies have been conducted involving long-term infusions of oxytocin antagonists to late-pregnant experimental animals. We set out to determine whether continuous infusion of an oxytocin antagonist ([1-beta-mercapto(beta-(CH2)5)1(OMe)Tyr2,Orn8]-oxytocin) would influence basal levels of myometrial activity of the contracture type and maternal prostaglandins in pregnant sheep. The antagonist was infused into a uterine vein at 80 micrograms.h-1 for 48 h starting at 139 days of gestational age. The antagonist significantly reduced total myometrial electromyogram activity and the frequency of contractures but did not change contracture duration. Antagonist infusion did not produce any significant alterations in maternal carotid or uterine vein 13,14-dihydro-15 keto prostaglandin F2 alpha concentrations. Contractures probably represent an intrinsic instability of the resting membrane potential of uterine muscle and these results suggest that oxytocin may play a role in regulating their frequency in sheep during the last third of gestation.
Theories of Structure versus Theories of Change

The dynamics/computation debate recalls a similar debate in the evolutionary biology community concerning the relative primacy of theories of structure versus theories of change. A full account of cognition will require a rapprochement between such theories and will include both computational and dynamical notions. The key to making computation relevant to cognition is not making it analog, but rather understanding how functional information-processing structures can emerge in complex dy-
Speckle Correlation Times Of Doppler Resolved Rotating Targets

Speckle correlation times of Doppler resolved rotating targetsWA. JanosRockwell International, S &SED, Electro- Optics2600 Westminster Boulevard P.O. Box 3644Seal Beach, CA 90740 -7644ABSTRACTThe correlation time of each Doppler or cross -range resolution cell of a rotating target is derived as the time duration required for the surfaceroughness elements within the illuminated cell to rotate out of it.Thus, for a fully range- resolved rotating target, each Doppler resolution cell has its associated cross section and correlation time. However,the effective speckle correlation time of the target is weighted towards an effective average over the correlation times of the dominant scattering
Composite edible films based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose nanoparticles

It has been stated that hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) based films have promising applications in the food industry because of their environmental appeal, low cost, flexibility and transparency. Nevertheless, their mechanical and moisture barrier properties should be improved. The aim of this work was to enhance these properties by reinforcing the films with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) at the nano scale level. Three sizes of MCC nanoparticles were incorporated into HPMC edible films at different concentrations. Identical MCC nanoparticles were lipid coated (LC) prior to casting into HPMC/LC-MCC composite films. The films were examined for mechanical and moisture barrier properties verifying how the addition of cellulose nanoparticles affected the water affinities (water adsorption/desorption isotherms) and the diffusion coefficients. The expected reinforcing effect of the MCC was observed: HPMC/MCC and HPMC/LC-MCC films showed up to 53% and 48% increase, respectively, in tensile strength values in comparison with unfilled HPMC films. Furthermore, addition of unmodified MCC nanoparticles reduced the moisture permeability up to 40% and use of LC-MCC reduced this value up to 50%. Water vapor permeability was mainly influenced by the differences in water solubility of different composite films since, in spite of the increase in water diffusivity values with the incorporation of MCC to HPMC films, better moisture barrier properties were achieved for HPMC/MCC and HPMC/LC-MCC composite films than for HPMC films.
Fractal analysis as a means for the quantification of intramandibular trabecular bone loss from dental radiographs

Atechnique is proposed which uses fractal analysis for the non- traumatic and non-invasive quantification of trabecular bone density in the mandible using standard dental radiographs. Binary images of trabecular bone patterns are derived from digitized radiographic images. Fractal analysis is then used to calculate the Hausdorif dimension (D) of the binary image patterns. Variations in D calculated with this method can be correlated with known cases of systemic osteoporosis to establish normal and abnormal ranges for the value of D.
Blades have the edge [blade servers]

An increasing number of computer rooms all over the world are switching from conventional servers to blade servers because they offer huge improvements over conventional, rack-mounted units. The greatest benefit of blades is their flexibility, which allows them to be easily installed, managed and repaired compared to conventional servers. The promise of blades lies not so much in their hardware as in the software used to manage them. Blades' management programs let system administrators automate and simplify what are otherwise tedious, time-consuming tasks. Another useful feature manufacturers are adding to blades is the ability to split a single physical blade server into many smaller, virtual ones. This allows an administrator to create logical shells that each run a different operating system and its respective applications simultaneously on a single server.
Anticipated work/family conflict and family member views: role in police recruiting

Research on police officer recruiting has not focused on anticipated work/family conflict, the amount of conflict an applicant thinks will be in a police job. The influence of anticipated work/family conflict on applicant and family member opinions and applicant behavior wasexamined. Also, gender and family role differences were examined. We found congruence in applicant and family member views, and a lack of relation of anticipated work/family conflict to applicant behavior. Future research needs on how work/family issues are viewed by applicants are discussed.
Coefficient of Network Complexity

The degree of complexity of a critical path network may be classified by calculating a Coefficient of Network Complexity. It is defined as the quotient of activities squared divided by events or preceding work items squared divided by work items. Three distinct contributions are offered. First, the CNC may serve as an indicator of the attention spent in planning the project. Second, the CNC may be used to derive a predictor of network computer processing time. Third, the CNC value suggests the appropriate processing scheme.
Thermal hydraulics and mechnical design of the blanket for the Tokamak conceptual reactor UWMAK-II

Abstract A conceptual blanket design for UWMAK-II based on breeding in LiAlO 2 and helium cooling for a D-T fusion reactor is described. The reactor is a Tokamak with 316 stainless steel as the primary structural material, a major radius of 13 m and a minor radius of 5 m. The power output is 5000 MW(th) and the maximum temperature in the stainless steel structure is 650°C. This reactor design study is one of a series performed to evaluate the merits of various fusion reactor design concepts. In this paper the mechanical and the thermal hydraulics problem associated with the blanket for this reactor is described. Special attention has been given to the need for repairing and replacing the first wall of the blanket. Other problems which may arise from such a blanket design are also discussed.
Continuity and change in narrative study: Observations on componential and functional analysis

Since its ancient origins, narrative theory has involved two broad types of analysis — componential and functional. Componential analysis seeks to isolate the elements and operations that make up narrative. Functional analysis explores the purposes of narrative. Commonly, writers isolate two functions — one emotive, the other ethical and/or political. The broad framework of narrative theory has remained largely the same since its inception. Changes have primarily been a matter of expanding the scope or detail of componential or functional analyses. In the twentieth century, there was a particular expansion of the ethico-political part of functional analysis. One distinctive feature of very recent narrative theory is its use of cognitive neuroscience to expand our componential analyses treating narrative causality and plot organization and our functional analyses treating emotion. Unfortunately, the work on emotional functional analysis has not been integrated with its ethico-political counterpart. This lack of integration may be due to the political economy in which cognitive literary study arose. Moreover, the future of such integration may be less a matter of the analyses themselves and more a matter of the political economy in which these analyses are embedded.
Interactive disturbance effects of two disparate ecosystem engineers in North American shortgrass steppe

Disturbances such as fire, grazing, and soil mixing by animals interact to shape vegetation in grassland ecosystems. Animal-generated disturbances are unique in that they arise from a suite of behaviors that are themselves subject to modification by external factors. The manner in which co-occurring animal taxa interact to alter vegetation is a function of their respective behaviors, which shape the characteristics (e.g., the magnitude or extent) of their disturbances. To determine whether prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) and harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex occidentalis) interactively alter vegetation structure and heterogeneity on the Colorado shortgrass steppe, we characterized the size, dispersion, and vegetation of prairie dog burrow mounds and ant nests (located on and off prairie dog colonies) and vegetation growing beyond mound and nest perimeters. Ants located on prairie dog colonies engineered significantly larger nests and disturbed nearly twice as much total soil area as their off-colony counterparts. Ant nests were overdispersed both on and off prairie dog colonies, while prairie dog mounds were randomly dispersed. Where harvester ants and prairie dogs co-occur, the overdispersed pattern of on-colony ant nests is in effect "overlaid" onto the random pattern of prairie dog mounds, resulting in a unique, aggregated pattern of soil disturbance. Ant nests on prairie dog colonies had significantly less vegetation and lower plant species diversity than did prairie dog mounds, while off-colony nests were similar to mounds. These results suggest that ant nests are more highly disturbed when located on prairie dog colonies. Beyond nests proper, ants did not appear to alter vegetation in a manner distinct from prairie dogs. As such, the interactive effects of prairie dogs and ants on vegetation arise mainly from the disturbance characteristics of mounds and nests proper.
Teacher, talk, and task: Communicative demands during individualized instruction time

Marilyn Merritt Frank Humphrey Service-like Event Project Center for Applied Linguistics Arlington, Virginia Frequently in any elementary or preschool classroom and even more frequently in open classrooms, there are situations in which children are expected to work independently while the teacher is engaged in working directly with other children. Often those children working independently need or desire the teacher's attention for help, approval or direction before the teacher has finished his/her activ-