cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ASSESSMENT OF BIRTH WEIGHT AND CROP PRODUCTION PATTERNS AROUND MOTHER'S RESIDENCE

A landscape approach using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) technologies was developed to identify the proximity of maternal residence to agricultural areas, and the association between crop production patterns around mothers residences and low birth weight was evaluated. Satellite data obtained for Weld County, Colorado, in 1991 and 1993 were digitally processed to generate crop location maps for this study. GIS procedures were then used to determine crop types within 300- and 500-m circular zones around mothers' homes for 125 births that occurred from 1991 to 1993 in the study area. The relationships between different crop patterns around the mothers' residences and the birth weight of babies were investigated while controlling for potential confounding variables. The results indicated that low birth weight was associated with total crop production area within a 300-m buffer zone around mothers' residences (P=0.058). When each of the study crops was considered separately, low birth weight was associated with sugar beet production (P=0.05) and corn production (P=0.1) within both the 300- and the 500-m buffer zones. This RS/GIS approach provides clues to the potential relationships between birth weight and crop production near the residence.
Pilot study of patient satisfaction with nonfluorinated topical steroids compared with a topical immunomodulator in atopiform dermatitis.

Background There is clinical uncertainty concerning the effectiveness of the new topical immunomodulators vs. the conventional use of topical steroids for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Objectives To assess patient satisfaction with these two prescription topical remedies for atopic eczema. Methods In an open-label, 2-week, comparative study, 10 patients demonstrating atopiform dermatitis were given tacrolimus and 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate in a 70% oil-in-water base to apply to the eczema on opposite sides of the body. After 2 weeks of applying the agents twice daily to their respective sides of the body surface, the study subjects completed a 12-question survey to assess their opinions of the two products. Results There was a preference for the nonfluorinated topical steroid over tacrolimus in this cursory head-to-head study. There were no withdrawals from the study or side-effects reported with either product. Conclusions Trials of short duration with small numbers of patients do not adequately inform practitioners regarding the use of these topical remedies. However, the higher satisfaction of patients with 0.1% hydrocortisone buyrate in a 70% oil-in-water base over tacrolimus certainly warrants further investigation.
Effect of Nutrient Density on Performance, Egg Components, Egg Solids, Egg Quality, and Profits in Eight Commercial Leghorn Strains During Phase One

This study was a 3 x 8 factorial arrangement of 3 nutrient densities (low, medium, and high) and 8 commercial Leghorn strains. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of increasing both dietary energy and other nutrients (amino acids, Ca, and available P) on performance, egg composition, egg solids, egg quality, and profits in 8 commercial Leghorn strains during phase 1 (from 21 to 36 wk of age). This experiment lasted 16 wk. Eight strains of hens (n = 270 of each strain) at 21 wk of age were randomly divided into 24 treatments (6 replicates of 15 birds/treatment). There were no interactions between strain and diet except for BW. Strain had a significant effect on all measured parameters except mortality, whole egg solids, and yolk color. As nutrient density increased, hens linearly adjusted feed intake to achieve similar energy intakes so that the similar quantities of dietary energy (5.8 to 5.9 kcal) were used to produce 1 g of egg. As nutrient density increased, egg mass linearly increased, and feed conversion linearly improved. Egg-specific gravity and Haugh unit linearly decreased with increasing nutrient density. There was a quadratic response of the percentage of albumen solids to the increased nutrient density. Increasing both dietary energy and other nutrient (amino acids, Ca, and available P) contents significantly increased yolk and albumen weight at the same time, resulting in a significant increase of egg weight during early egg production. Egg weight may be maximized to genetic potential by increasing both dietary energy and other nutrient (amino acids, Ca, and available P) contents during early egg production. Because egg prices and ingredient prices often change, there can be no fixed optimal nutrient density for optimal profits.
Roving Librarians: Taking it to the Streets

The idea of the roving librarian on a college campus is not new. This mobile information service allows students, faculty, staff, and community library users access to personalized information service in a variety of areas and promotes library service. A roving librarian project gives librarians the time to focus on serving patrons as individuals rather than on the building as the primary resource. It also allows librarians the opportunity to have formal and informal conversations with students which can enhance information services. Roving may well contribute to the retention of community college students and may also serve to strengthen the quality of students’ educational experiences and aid in their academic success.
Retrograde perfusion sphincterometry with a flexible cystoscope: method of troubleshooting the AMS 800

We developed the technique of retrograde perfusion sphincterometry to troubleshoot the AMS 800 device. We implanted artificial urinary sphincters in men who were incontinent after prostatectomy and performed intraoperative retrograde perfusion sphincterometry. Retrograde perfusion sphincterometry using a flexible cystoscope is simple and allows early recognition of intraoperative urethral injury and mechanical malfunction.
Antifungal combination therapy: where we stand.

Amphotericin B has been used in combination, simultaneously or sequentially, with fluconazole and itraconazole. However, there are no data from clinical trials to suggest the most appropriate use of these drug combinations. In vitro work has consistently described antagonism of polyenes and azoles, but new work suggests that hydrophilic azoles (e.g. fluconazole) with amphotericin B may not result in antagonistic effects, whereas lipophilic azoles (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole) antagonize the antifungal effects of amphotericin B. Experimental studies in animals with invasive candidiasis show that fluconazole and amphotericin B are not antagonistic and may be additive in their effects. In contrast, itraconazole and amphotericin B are antagonistic in this same murine candidiasis model. In animals infected with Aspergillus, itraconazole plus amphotericin B seem to be antagonistic when used simultaneously and possibly when used sequentially. Nevertheless, initial therapy with amphotericin B followed by itraconazole in patients with aspergillosis is a common clinical strategy. Recent data and concepts concerning the combined use of available antifungal drugs are discussed in this paper.
Crime victimization among immigrant Latino day laborers in post-Katrina New Orleans

Reports indicate that the criminal victimization of Latino immigrants in the United States has been increasing yet is often underreported. This may be especially true in new immigrant settlement cities that lack an established Latino community to provide support and feelings of security. New Orleans is an important context to investigate criminal victimization as it has experienced a large demographic shift in Latino composition post-Hurricane Katrina. This ethnographic study elucidates the social processes and structural factors that contribute to the criminal victimization of Latino day laborers (LDLs) in New Orleans. Three emergent social processes associated to criminal victimization are discussed, including: (1) distinct settlement process; (2) chaos of the setting and lifestyle; and (3) high-risk exposure. LDLs' experiences of crime victimization are also explored. Findings reveal distinct structural factors associated to new immigrant settlement cities that contribute to the heightened vulnerability of LDLs. Language: en
1025-94 Augmentation of Systolic Pressure and Coronary Perfusion Pressure by Intermittant Airway Occlusion During Active Compression-Decompression CPR in Humans

In an effort to improve upon the beneficial hemodynamic effects observed previously with active compression decompression (ACD) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients in ventricular fibrillation (VF), we tested the hypothesis that intermittant endotracheal tube (ETT) occlusion, performed when not actively ventilating the patient, will increase coronary perfusion by augmenting positive intrathoracic pressures during the compression phase and increasing negative intrathoracic pressures during active decompression. Eight patients undergoing placement of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators received ACD CPR during sustained VF in the operating room when the initial defibrillator shock failed and while the defibrillator was recharging. When the 1st shock failed, the ETT was either transiently occluded or remained patent for 10 seconds while ACD CPR was performed. The operator blinded to the status of ETT patency. Mean ± SEM arterial (art), right atrial (ra), and coronary perfusion (cpp) pressures (mmHg) during compression and decompression were measured. A p value g0.05 was considered not significant (NS). compression decompression art ra cpp art ra cpp Open ETT 38.1 ± 3.5 24.2 ± 2.4 13.9 ± 3.4 25.5 ± 4.2 9.3 ± 3.1 16.2 ± 2.9 Occluded ETT 44.7 ± 43 24.2 ± 2.2 20.5 ± 4.2 306 ± 4.8 10.1 ± 3.2 20.5 ± 3.9 p value = 0.01 NS 0.009 0.03 NS 0.03 We conclude that intermittant impedance to gas exchange during ACD CPR, when not actively ventilating a patient, may augment the beneficial hemodynamic effects of ACD CPR by further enhancing venous return during the active decompression phase and by increasing intrathoracic pressures during chest compression.
Moral hazard and humanitarian law: The International Criminal Court and the limits of legalism.

This article considers the limits of law in addressing large-scale human rights disasters. Focusing on the International Criminal Court, or ICC, the article suggests that conceiving of international justice in terms of retribution and accountability diminishes the idea of justice-as-rescue. It is relatively painless for states to endorse a Hague tribunal established by international treaty and cloaked in the mantle of law. It is much harder to seek immediate justice by intervening to prevent or stop atrocities. Trials and interventions are not mutually exclusive, but there are a number of reasons – a preference for law over coercion, public opinion tilting away from intervention and toward tribunals, growing skepticism about armed intervention, UN caution, member-state wariness, and possibly the ICC's own ban on aggression – to believe that decision-makers may opt for legal remedies rather than risk intervention. The article underscores the challenges of grounding humanitarian duty in either law or ethics, but calls for further development of a political framework for intervention in order to balance the pursuit of international justice.
The effects of sludge age and metal concentration on copper equilibrium in the activated sludge process

Abstract This research investigated the general effects and equilibrium behavior of copper in the activated sludge process under a range of organic loadings and influent copper concentrations. This was achieved in a two‐phase experiment using continuous‐flow laboratory scale activated sludge units.
Dietary Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A Personal Odyssey

It often is stated that “diet is the cornerstone” of diabetes treatment. However, which diet(s) should be recommended for people with diabetes has been, and remains controversial. During the lectur...
Preliminary investigation of the palladium-tungsten-γ-alumina catalyst system by transmission electron microscopy (tem)

Abstract Preliminary studies comparing the morphology and chemical nature of a Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalyst with a Pd-W/γ-Al2O3 catalyst have been carried out using transmission electron microscopy. Evidence is presented to indicate that the incorporation of a high concentration of tungsten changes the palladium particle characteristics after calcination in air at 500 °C and also after reduction in hydrogen at 550 °C. When Pd/γ-Al2O3 is calcined in air, small palladium particles (⩽ 2 nm) are formed in addition to larger palladium oxide particles (⩽ 7 nm). Both types of particles are thin, essentially two-dimensional, resulting in a high surface to volume ratio. On the other hand, the palladium particles formed during reduction contain a narrow size range (ca. 3–10 nm) with many particles assuming a three-dimensional symmetry, thus providing a lower surface to volume ratio. Pd-W/γ-Al2O3 catalyst, when calcined in air, also produces an essentially two-dimensional bimodal particle size distribution, but in this sytem the particles are all metallic palladium with no oxides detected. After heating this specimen in hydrogen, only a small increase in the particle size range, with a slight decrease in the concentration of small particles, was noted indicating a strong interaction between particles and substrate. Thus a high palladium surface area is retained in this catalyst.
Determinants of the Thrombogenic Potential of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are cylindrical tubes of graphitic carbon with unique physical and electrical properties. MWCNTs are being explored for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Successful biomedical application of MWCNTs will require compatibility with normal circulatory components, including constituents of the hemostatic cascades. In this manuscript, we compare the thrombotic activity of MWCNTs in vitro and in vivo. We also assess the influence of functionalization of MWCNTs on thrombotic activity. In vitro, MWCNT activate the intrinsic pathway of coagulation as measured by activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) assays. Functionalization by amidation or carboxylation enhances this procoagulant activity. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that MWCNTs enhance propagation of the intrinsic pathway via a non-classical mechanism strongly dependent on factor IX. MWCNTs preferentially associate with factor IXa and may provide a platform that enhances its enzymatic activity. In addition to their effects on the coagulation cascade, MWCNTs activate platelets in vitro, with amidated MWCNTs exhibiting greater platelet activation than carboxylated or pristine MWCNTs. However, contrasting trends are obtained in vivo, where functionalization tends to diminish rather than enhance procoagulant activity. Thus, following systemic injection of MWCNTs in mice, pristine MWCNTs decreased platelet counts, increased vWF, and increased D-dimers. In contrast, carboxylated MWCNTS exhibited little procoagulant tendency in vivo, eliciting only a mild and transient decrease in platelets. Amidated MWCNTs elicited no statistically significant change in platelet count. Further, neither carboxylated nor amidated MWCNTs increased vWF or D-dimers in mouse plasma. We conclude that the procoagulant tendencies of MWCNTs observed in vitro are not necessarily recapitulated in vivo. Further, functionalization can markedly attenuate the procoagulant activity of MWCNTs in vivo. This work will inform the rational development of biocompatible MWCNTs for systemic delivery.
Scattering of Charged Particles by Nonspherical Atoms

The problem considered is the calculation of scattering of low-energy charged particles by an atom whose ground-state configuration contains incomplete $p$ or higher $l$ shells. An optical potential is derived which is a matrix in the atomic angular-momentum states and a noncentral operator in the coordinates of the scattered particle; when projected onto the invariant subspaces of total angular momentum for the system, this potential leads to a set of coupled integro-differential equations for the partial-wave scattering amplitudes in which all symmetries are explicit. Various approximations to the optical potential are displayed and related to the permanent and induced charge moments of the atom, and the exchange interaction for electron scattering is derived. Finally, a brief discussion of the determination of the scattering amplitudes is given, including descriptions of low-energy limits, of limits for large total angular momentum, and of the application of the Kohn variational principle.
Laser-induced fluorescence-cued, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy biological-agent detection

Methods for accurately characterizing aerosols are required for detecting biological warfare agents. Currently, fluorescence-based biological agent sensors provide adequate detection sensitivity but suffer from high false-alarm rates. Combining single-particle fluorescence analysis with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) provides additional discrimination and potentially reduces false-alarm rates. A transportable UV laser-induced fluorescence-cued LIBS test bed has been developed and used to evaluate the utility of LIBS for biological-agent detection. Analysis of these data indicates that LIBS adds discrimination capability to fluorescence-based biological-agent detectors. However, the data also show that LIBS signatures of biological agent simulants are affected by washing. This may limit the specificity of LIBS and narrow the scope of its applicability in biological-agent detection.
The Transition from Analog to Digital NOTAMs: A Tool to Support Human Performance

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is modernizing the United States Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) System by transitioning from an analog system to a digital system for originating and tracking NOTAMs. This shift will enable the FAA to organize the different elements of aeronautical information into separate data fields. The resulting data will be machine readable, which will support users’ ability to sort, filter, and manage the volume of electronic NOTAM information. The new system comprises a suite of digital software products designed by the FAA. As part of the suite, the FAA developed a web-based software application called Digital NOTAM Manager (NOTAM Manager), which airport and FAA Technical Operations personnel use to create digital NOTAMs. This demonstration will present the capabilities of NOTAM Manager and discuss the human factors benefits and challenges of NOTAM Manager to NOTAM originators and end users.
Calcium mobilization by inositol phosphates and other intracellular messengers.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] is now widely recognized as a messenger controlling the release of calcium from intracellular stores. In oocytes, and also probably in excitable cells, another potential calcium-mobilizing messenger is cyclic ADP ribose, although there is as yet little evidence that its levels are regulated by hormones or other extracellular mediators. In addition to signaling intracellular calcium release, [Ins(1,4,5)P3] also regulates calcium entry across the plasma membrane, but not in a direct manner. Rather, the depletion of intracellular stores by the calcium-mobilizing action of [Ins (1,4,5)P3] initiates a process of retrograde signaling whereby the depleted stores generate or release a diffusible messenger that is believed to act on the plasma membrane. A phosphorylated metabolite of [Ins(1,4,5)P3], inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4], has been proposed to modulate this process, but the literature is not consistent on this point. A recently proposed candidate for the retrograde messenger is an activity extracted from Jurkat cells termed CIF (calcium influx factor), which has many properties consistent with such a messenger. There is also evidence that a GTP-dependent process, possibly involving a small G protein, is involved in signaling calcium entry and may be involved in either the formation or action of the diffusible messenger for calcium entry.
Why become speckled? Ontogeny and function of speckling in Shark Bay bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.)1

To date, color patterns have been used to assess cetacean age and taxonomic status, but few studies have determined precise correlates of coloration with known age or investigated its function. Here, we examine the ontogeny of speckling in 88 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Shark Bay, Australia, of known age, tracked from birth to age 34. Ventral speckles first appear in the genital area at a mean age of 10.2 ± 0.35 yr (range = 7.6–12.7 yr). Throughout their life span, speckles increase in number and density, particularly along the ventral and lateral sides. The timing of speckle onset does not significantly differ by sex but is related to sexual maturity in females. The age of speckle onset in the genital area correlates with the age of first known parturition. In terms of speckle function, we discuss two hypotheses commonly proffered to explain color variation, concealment, and communication. Concealment from predators or prey is unlikely to explain speckle development in Shark Bay Tursiops because the onset occurs long after peak predation risk and initial hunting success (at 3 mo of age). We suggest that speckle patterns offer reliable cues on reproductive status and/or condition and could, thus, serve a communicative or some other function.
Raman Spectra Variation of Partially Suspended Individual Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The electrical and optical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been shown to be sensitive to their environment. Therefore it is very important to understand and exploit the environmental effect on the properties of nanotubes, especially for individual SWNTs. We report herein a systematic investigation of the Raman spectra variation of 15 individual SWNTs partially suspended on trench-contained substrates. Our experiments are conducted with low laser power to exclude possible heating effects. Most SWNTs show enhanced Raman signals for their suspended segment compared with their segment sitting on the SiO2 substrate, with several exceptions exhibiting either similar Raman intensity or a reverse result. Apart from this distinct intensity contrast, moderate radial breathing mode (RBM) frequency variations are observed for some nanotubes, which can be attributed to nanotube−substrate interactions. By analyzing the behaviors of the RBM full width at half-maximum (fwhm) and the intensity ra...
Sex, but not Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism, Differences in Spatial Performance in Young Adults

The purpose of this study was to examine how sex and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype contribute to individual differences in spatial learning and memory. The associations of APOE genotype with neurocognitive function have been well studied among the elderly but less is known at earlier ages. Young adults (n = 169, 88 females) completed three neurocognitive tasks: mental rotation, spatial span, and Memory Island, a spatial navigation test. Males outperformed females on all three tasks: finding the hidden targets more quickly on Memory Island (Cohen’s d = 0.62) and obtaining higher scores on mental rotation (d = 0.54) and spatial span (d = 0.37). In contrast, no significant effects of APOE were observed. The identified sex differences elaborate upon past literature documenting sexually dimorphic performance on specific neurobehavioral tasks.
Helping your patients beat cocaine addiction: The four dimensions of treatment

PREVIEWEven though the dramatic increase in cocaine use that began in the 1970s is abating, primary care physicians today can still expect to encounter patients with cocaine intoxication and withdrawal and the health problems that result from long-term use. Among the nearly 3 million current users of cocaine are half a million users of the highly addictive form, crack. Dr Khouzam describes the distinctive clinical characteristics, medical complications, and accompanying psychiatric disorders of patients with cocaine addiction. He also explains the various dimensions of treatment that are required to provide comprehensive care to these patients.
Genistein induces the metastasis suppressor kangai-1 which mediates its anti-invasive effects in TRAMP cancer cells.

Previous studies demonstrated a direct correlation with loss of kangai-1 (KAI1), a metastasis suppressor, and poor prognosis in human prostate and other cancers. In this study, we have characterized the age-dependent downregulation of KAI1 in the TRAMP model which was reversed when mice were fed a genistein-enriched diet. We demonstrated here that doses of genistein (5 and 10 μM) - which could be achieved by supplement intake- significantly induced the expression of KAI1, both at the mRNA and protein levels (up to 2.5-fold), and decreased the invasiveness of TRAMP-C2 cells by more than 2.0-fold. We have pinpointed KAI1 as the suppressor of invasion, since its targeted knockdown by siRNA restored the invasive potential of genistein-treated TRAMP-C2 cells to control levels. This work provides the first evidence that genistein treatment may counteract KAI1 downregulation, which is observed in many cancer types and therefore, could be used in anti-metastatic therapies.
Increased anxiety during anticipation of unpredictable but not predictable aversive stimuli as a psychophysiologic marker of panic disorder

Objective: Predictability is a fundamental modulator of anxiety in that the ability to predict aversive events mitigates anxious responses. In panic disorder, persistent symptoms of anxiety are caused by anticipation of the next uncued (unpredictable) panic attack. The authors tested the hypothesis that elevated anxious reactivity, specifically toward unpredictable aversive events, is a psychophysiological correlate of panic disorder. Method: Participants were exposed to one condition in which predictable aversive stimuli were signaled by a cue, a second condition in which aversive stimuli were administered unpredictably, and a third condition in which no aversive stimuli were anticipated. Startle was used to assess anxious responses to cues and contexts. Results: Relative to healthy comparison subjects, patients with panic disorder displayed equivalent levels of fear-potentiated startle to the threat cue but elevated startle potentiation in the context of the unpredictable condition. Conclusions: Patients with panic disorder are overly sensitive to unpredictable aversive events. This vulnerability could be either a premorbid trait marker of the disorder or an acquired condition caused by the experience of uncued panic attacks. As a premorbid trait, vulnerability to unpredictability could be etiologically related to panic disorder by sensitizing an individual to danger, ultimately leading to intense fear/alarm responses to mild threats. As an acquired characteristic, such vulnerability could contribute to the maintenance and worsening of panic disorder symptoms by increasing anticipatory anxiety.
Incubator Designs for Space Flight Application Optimization and Automation

Spaceflight life sciences research typically requires accurately controlled thermal environments to help isolate the effects of gravity on the development of living organisms or biochemical reactions. Given the power, mass and volume constraints of spaceflight experimental hardware, highly efficient temperature control is necessary to provide scientists with adequate tools for their research. The main focus is on 3 incubators, designed by the authors, for commercial space biotechnology research. While the simplest incubator allows for highly accurate temperature control above ambient only, the more sophisticated units use temperature-controlled liquid circulation systems for above and below ambient temperature control. The latest design variation provides eight individually controlled sample containers, where temperatures can be maintained constant or profiled for automated experiment initiation and termination, or preservation of samples on orbit.
Self-aligned double-patterning layout decomposition for two-dimensional random metals for sub-10-nm node design

Self-aligned double patterning (SADP) is popularly in production use for one-dimensional-type dense patterns with good pitch control in NAND Flash memory applications and the fin layer patterning of FinFET devices, but it is still challenging to apply SADP to two-dimensional (2-D) random metal patterns. We describe the SADP layout decomposition methods for complex 2-D layouts. The SADP for complex logic metals consists of a two mask approach using a core (mandrel) mask and a trim mask. This paper describes methods for automatically choosing and optimizing the manufacturability of base core mask patterns, generating assist core patterns, and optimizing trim mask patterns to accomplish high quality layout decomposition in the SADP process. Our technique is validated with 22-nm node industrial standard cells and logic designs, which can be applicable to sub-10-nm node design. Experimental results show that our proposed layout decomposition for SADP effectively decomposes many challenging 2-D layouts.
Seven-transmembrane receptor signaling through beta-arrestin.

Cell surface receptors are important communicators of external stimuli to the cell interior where they lead to initiation of various signaling pathways and cellular responses. The largest receptor family is the seven-transmembrane receptor (7TMR) family, with approximately 1000 coding genes in the human genome. When 7TMRs are stimulated with agonists, they activate heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins), leading to the production of signaling second messengers, such as adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate, inositol phosphates, and others. Activated receptors are rapidly phosphorylated on serine and threonine residues by specialized enzymes called G protein–coupled receptor kinases. Phosphorylated receptors bind the multifunctional adaptor proteins β-arrestin1 and β-arrestin2 with high affinity. β-arrestin binding blocks further G protein coupling, leading to "desensitization" of G protein–dependent signaling pathways. For several years, this was considered the sole function of β-arrestins. However, novel functions of β-arrestins have been discovered. β-arrestins are now designated as important adaptors that link receptors to the clathrin-dependent pathway of internalization. β-arrestins bind and direct the activity of several nonreceptor tyrosine kinases in response to 7TMR stimulation. β-arrestins also bind and scaffold members of such signaling cascades as the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). β-arrestins are crucial components in 7TMR signaling leading to cellular responses that include cell survival and chemotaxis. β-arrestins act as endocytic adaptors and signal mediators not only for the 7TMRs, but also for several receptor tyrosine kinases.
From Pen to Print: The New Visual Landscape of Professional Communication

Visual design has played an important role in the historical development of professional communication. The technology of laser printing has reestablished the importance of visual language in funct...
Unconventional Nuclear Warfare Defense (UNWD) containment and mitigation subtask.

The objective of this subtask of the Unconventional Nuclear Warfare Design project was to demonstrate mitigation technologies for radiological material dispersal and to assist planners with incorporation of the technologies into a concept of operations. The High Consequence Assessment and Technology department at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has studied aqueous foam's ability to mitigate the effects of an explosively disseminated radiological dispersal device (RDD). These benefits include particle capture of respirable radiological particles, attenuation of blast overpressure, and reduction of plume buoyancy. To better convey the aqueous foam attributes, SNL conducted a study using the Explosive Release Atmospheric Dispersion model, comparing the effects of a mitigated and unmitigated explosive RDD release. Results from this study compared health effects and land contamination between the two scenarios in terms of distances of effect, population exposure, and remediation costs. Incorporating aqueous foam technology, SNL created a conceptual design for a stationary containment area to be located at a facility entrance with equipment that could minimize the effects from the detonation of a vehicle transported RDD. The containment design was evaluated against several criteria, including mitigation ability (both respirable and large fragment particle capture as well as blast overpressure suppression), speed of implementation, cost, simplicity, and required space. A mock-up of the conceptual idea was constructed at SNL's 9920 explosive test site to demonstrate the containment design.
Flow in a rotating non-aligned straight pipe

A third-order regular perturbation solution is developed for laminar flow through a straight pipe that is rotating about an axis not aligned with the pipe axis. Coriolis accelerations produce transverse secondary velocities (similar to those in flow through coiled tubes) and modify the axial-velocity profile. The effects of rotation on the velocity fields are shown to depend on two parameters: (i) the product of axial and rotational Reynolds numbers, and (ii) the square of the rotational Reynolds number itself. Even though their strength increases with increases in parameter magnitudes, transverse circulations are qualitatively insensitive to parametric values. The axial profile, on the other hand, can be significantly modified by the rotation; the zeroth-order parabolic axial profile can be skewed toward the outside, dimpled in the centre with maximums on either side of the centreline, or both, depending on the values of the two parameters. The modification of the axial-velocity profile has important ramifications in the design of heat/mass-transfer devices.
Compartmental Analysis of Sources of the Bovine Ejaculate

A compartmental analysis mcdei applicable to many experimental situations was used to estimate the volume contributed to ejaculated bull semen by the (1) seminal vesicles, (2) epididymides and (3) other sources. The fluid which drips from the urethra during sexual preparation was assumed to be characteristic of the latter compartment. Fructose, sperm, and chloride (Cl), respectively, were used as markers. Estimates of vesicular fluid fructose concentration ranged from 959 to 1658 mg/bC ml; similarly, estimates of epididymal sperm concentration ranged from 3.35 to 7.10 X 109 sperm/mi. Average urethral fluid Cl concentrations ranged from 487 to 517 mg/lOO ml. The uniformity in Cl among bulls supports the postulate that urethral fluid essentially is a filtrate from a rather uniform pool, the blood. For first ejaculates it was estimated that each of the three areas contributed approximately 1.5 ml to the average ejaculate of 17to 22-month-old bulls and similarly each contributed about 2.0 ml for 3-year-old bulls. For both groups of bulls, epididymal volume contribution to second ejaculates was only about half that of first ejaculates, but volume contributions from the other two compartments were similar to
Analysis of Comparison of Patient Preference for Two Insulin Injection Pen Devices in Relation to Patient Dexterity Skills

Insulin therapy is the cornerstone of medical treatment for many patients with diabetes. Self-administration of this life-saving medication is no longer limited to the traditional vial and syringe. Instead, more and more patients worldwide are using prefilled insulin pen devices. Ease of use, convenience, confidence in dosing accuracy, and improved quality of life are just a few of their advantages. As with any medical technology, safe and proper use is vital. Many studies have examined pen device preference and usability. Until now, no study has included patients with both visual and dexterity impairments. To ensure safe and simple self-administration of insulin for all patients, it is time for the special needs of patients with diabetes to be considered not only during product development, but during postmarketing studies as well.
Low-cost, SCR-based premium power quality variable speed drive technology

A unique variable speed drive topology is presented. This topology has been shown to use silicon controlled rectifier switches without commutation circuitry at a frequency of 2 kHz to produce input and output waveforms with current total harmonic distortion below 3%. Furthermore, the voltage rise on the output is 1.2 v//spl mu/s without inductive filtering, which preserves motor insulation and bearing life. The topology is low cost due to its minimal switching complexity.
Differential Expression of Interferon (IFN) Regulatory Factors and IFN-Stimulated Genes at Early Times after West Nile Virus Infection of Mouse Embryo Fibroblasts

Although lineage I West Nile virus (WNV) strain Eg101 induced beta interferon (IFN-β) production as early as 12 h after infection in primary mouse embryo fibroblasts and did not inhibit the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, it was still able to replicate efficiently. To gain insights about possible viral countermeasures used by this virus to suppress the host response, the cell transcriptional profile and the kinetics of IFN regulatory factor (IRF) expression and activation were examined at early times after infection. By 12 h after WNV infection, the majority of the up-regulated genes were ones involved in IFN pathways. However, comparison of IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression levels in mock-infected, IFN-treated, and virus-infected cells indicated that WNV infection suppressed the up-regulation of a subset of ISGs, including genes involved in transcriptional regulation, apoptosis, and stress responses, prior to 24 h after infection. Analysis of mRNA and protein levels for representative genes indicated that suppression was at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Translocation of IRF-3 to the nucleus was observed beginning at 8 h, IRF-7 expression was detected by 12 h, but IRF-1 expression was not detected until 24 h after infection. Virus-induced gene suppression was sufficient to overcome the effect of exogenous IFN pretreatment for 1 h but not for 4 h prior to infection. These data indicate that WNV can selectively counteract the host response at early times after infection by previously unreported mechanisms.
The Molecular Perspective: Morphine

The Oncologist 2004;9:717-718 www.TheOncologist.com After a century of effort, morphine remains the most effective weapon in the war against pain. Most painkillers, such as aspirin and acetaminophen, have an upper limit to their painkilling level, but morphine blocks more and more pain with increasing doses. Morphine is far from perfect, however: it causes nausea and constipation, it presents a constant danger of life-threatening respiratory depression, and it is strongly addictive. Chemists have tinkered and modified the basic form of the molecule in a continuing effort to make it more potent and to reduce its severe side effects. Heroin was an early attempt to create an improved version of morphine, but it did not reduce the addictive qualities as hoped. Hundreds of compounds have been tested since then, but none have managed to isolate the desirable painkilling properties from the unwanted side effects. Morphine is so effective because it acts directly at painmodulating receptors in the nervous system, termed opioid receptors. These receptors respond to natural compounds, such as the enkephalin shown in Figure 1, built by our bodies to control the levels of pain experienced at different times. For instance, endorphins may be produced during heavy exercise, reducing pain levels when those levels inhibit strenuous activity. Morphine mimics these natural compounds, binding to the receptors and artificially blocking the pain messages. When morphine binds to opioid receptors, the painkilling message is transmitted inside the cell through a G protein cascade, as shown in Figure 2. The G protein system is the most common method of signaling in our cells. There are thousands of different G protein-coupled receptors, each waiting for a different signal. Each system starts with a receptor that recognizes the signaling molecule, which then activates a G protein inside the cell, which in turn activates an enzyme or an ion channel that spreads the signal throughout the cell. In the case of adrenaline, the G protein activates Fundamentals of Cancer Medicine The Oncologist
Classroom Talk for Rigorous Reading Comprehension Instruction.

Abstract This study examined the quality of classroom talk and its relation to academic rigor in reading-comprehension lessons. Additionally, the study aimed to characterize effective questions to support rigorous reading comprehension lessons. The data for this study included 21 reading-comprehension lessons in several elementary and middle schools from three urban school districts. Quantitative analyses showed that students' demonstration of knowledge and thinking talk moves during the discussion had strong, positive relationships with the level of the rigor in the lesson. Qualitatively, the lesson transcripts were closely examined to find characteristics of teachers' questions that engage students in high-level thinking. This study also discussed implications for effective questioning in classroom.
Identifying factors predicting iron deficiency in United States adolescent females using the ferritin and the body iron models.

Summary Background & aims Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in the United States affecting 9–16% of female adolescents. With the primary purpose of detecting iron deficiency, primary care screening consists of a hemoglobin or hematocrit laboratory test. This method is simple and inexpensive, but tests for anemia, and is neither sensitive nor specific for iron deficiency. Alternate methods for diagnosing iron deficiency using the ferritin and body iron models are not widely utilized. The study objective was to compare iron deficiency risk factors among adolescent females defined by the ferritin and body iron models to better characterize those who may benefit from iron deficiency testing as opposed to the current anemia-based screen. Methods This cross-sectional study of female adolescents aged 12–21 years utilized National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2006 data. Anemia was defined by standard hemoglobin cutoffs. The ferritin model defines iron deficiency through transferrin saturation, ferritin and erythrocyte protoporphyrin laboratory testing. Body iron calculates iron status with a formula involving transferrin receptor and ferritin. Bivariate and multivariable analyses examined associations between questionnaire responses and iron deficiency defined by each model. Results Among 1765 participants, 2.7% were anemic. Iron deficiency prevalence was 13.1% and 9.1% by the ferritin and body iron models, respectively. Based on the model, anemia-based screening had a sensitivity of 15.6–18.8% for iron deficiency. Multivariable associations for ferritin model iron deficiency included age, race/ethnicity, activity level and medroxyprogresterone acetate injection. Age and food insecurity were significant using the body iron model. Conclusions Universal anemia-based screening misses the majority of iron-deficient adolescent females. The common risk factor identified here, adolescent age, may both inform preventive care guidelines on age-based screenings and prospective studies of adolescent iron deficiency risk factors.
An approach for reducing computational requirements in modal identification

References ^unningham, H. J. and Desmarais, R. N., "Generalization of the Subsonic Kernel Function in the S-Plane, with Applications to Flutter Analysis," NASA TP 2292, March 1984. Vepa, R., "On the Use of Fade Approximants to Represent Unsteady Aerodynamic Loads for Arbitrary Small Motions of Wings," AIAA Paper 76-17, Jan. 1976. Jones, W. P., "Aerodynamic Forces on Wings in Non-Uniform Motion," ARC R&M 2117, Aug. 1945. Hounjet, M. H. L., "ARSPNS: A Method to Calculate Steady and Unsteady Potential Flow about Fixed and Rotating Lifting and Nonlifting Bodies," NLR TR 85114 L, Sept. 1985.
Formulation effects on isoxaben and trifluralin in runoff water from container plant nurseries

Abstract Sprayable and granular formulations of isoxaben and trifluralin were applied to container plant nursery beds to determine formulation effects on herbicide runoff and weed control. In 1998 herbicide application was followed by 0.8 cm of irrigation delivered in 60 min, and runoff water samples were collected on the day of application (DOA). The highest concentrations of isoxaben and trifluralin detected in runoff water were 0.50 and 0.15 μg ml−1, respectively. Total isoxaben in runoff water was greater from the granular than from the sprayable formulation, but no differences attributable to formulation were detected for trifluralin. In 1999 herbicide application was followed by irrigation applied in three pulse cycles of 30 min each (0.8 cm per cycle). Runoff water samples were collected daily through 2 d after herbicide application (DAA). The highest herbicide concentrations were found in the first runoff sample on the DOA. Isoxaben was detected at 1.6 μg ml−1 from both formulations, and triflural...
Tree mortality in mature riparian forest: Implications for Fremont cottonwood conservation in the American southwest

Abstract. Mature tree mortality rates are poorly documented in desert riparian woodlands. I monitored deaths and calculated annual survivorship probability (Ps) in 2 groups of large (27–114 cm DBH), old (≥40 years old) Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii Wats.) in a stand along the free-flowing Yampa River in semiarid northwestern Colorado. Ps = 0.993 year-1 in a group (n = 126) monitored over 2003–2013, whereas Ps = 0.985 year-1 in a group (n = 179) monitored over the same period plus 3 earlier years (2000–2003) that included drought and a defoliating insect outbreak. Assuming Ps was the same for both groups during the 10-year postdrought period, the data indicate that Ps = 0.958 year-1 during the drought. I found no difference in canopy dieback level between male and female survivors. Mortality was equal among size classes, suggesting Ps is independent of age, but published longevity data imply that either Ps eventually declines with age or, as suggested in this study, periods with high Ps are interru...
[Study on the risk factors of injuries among children at school age, from the families of migrant workers in Hangzhou city].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors of injuries among school aged children from migrant workers' families, in Hangzhou. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey on 3582 students from eight separate schools in which, four were set for migrant workers' families and the other four were for families of permanent residents. Stratified cluster random sampling method was used. Data was analyzed by unconditional univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods under SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: The incidence rate of injury did not show statistical difference between children of migrant workers or from the permanent residents. The incidence rate of multiple injuries was higher in children from the migrant workers' families. The incidence rates on electric shock occurred at the primary school, drowning among boys at the secondary school and scald/crash/cutting by knives in girls at secondary schools were seen higher among children from the of migrant workers. Results from multivariate analysis showed that factors as gender (OR = 1.20), age (6 - 9 years: OR = 0.70, 10 - 12 years: OR = 1.45), fond of playing Pingpong (OR = 1.35), history of injuries by pets (OR = 1.41), skills on swimming (OR = 1.22), no history of being threatened (OR = 0.68), having harmonious family relations (OR = 0.69) and owning a house by family (OR = 0.76) appeared to be the major one that related to the occurrence of injury. CONCLUSION: Personal behavior as well as family and social environment seemed to be factors affecting the occurrence of injuries among children from the migrant workers' families. Language: zh