cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of compression on the loss of newly synthesized proteoglycans and proteins from cartilage explants.

Abstract The effects of mechanical compression of calf cartilage explants on the catabolism and loss into the medium of proteoglycans and proteins radiolabeled with [35S]sulfate and [3H]proline were examined. A single 2- or 12-h compression of 3-mm diameter cartilage disks from a thickness of 1.25 to 0.50 mm, or slow cyclic compression (2 h on/2 h off) from 1.25 mm to 1.00, 0.75, or 0.50 mm for 24 h led to transient alterations and/or sustained increases in loss of radiolabeled macromolecules. The effects of imposing or removing loads were consistent with several compression-induced physical mediators including fluid flow, diffusion, and matrix disruption. Cyclic compression induced convective fluid flow and enhanced the loss of 35S- and 3H-labeled macromolecules from tissue into medium. In contrast, prolonged static compression induced matrix consolidation and appeared to hinder the diffusional transport and loss of 35S- and 3H-labeled macromolecules. Since high amplitude cyclic compression led to a sustained increase in the rate of loss of 3H- and 35S-labeled macromolecules that was accompanied by an increase in the rate of loss of [3H]hydroxyproline residues and an increase in tissue hydration, such compression may have caused disruption of the collagen meshwork. The 35S-labeled proteoglycans lost during such cyclic compression were of smaller average size than those from controls, but contained a similarly low proportion (~15%) that could form aggregates with excess hyaluronate and link protein. The size distribution and aggregability of the remaining tissue proteoglycans and 35S-labeled proteoglycans were not markedly affected. The loss of tissue proteoglycan paralleled the loss of 35S-labeled macromolecules. This study provides a framework for elucidating the biophysical mechanisms involved in the redistribution, catabolism, and loss of macromolecules during cartilage compression.
On the hadronization of top quarks

Abstract Gluon bremsstrahlung off heavy quarks like top is expected to be strongly damped. Top production on the Z0 resonance will then lead to quasi-exclusive final states consisting of two top hadrons plus at most a few soft pions. It is pointed out that quark-hadron duality can be realized as an average over two-body decay modes of Z0 into top. The states involved are not just the stable top hadrons, but necessarily have to include higher excitations, namely p-, d-, etc. wave configurations of (t q ) . Their strong decays in turn lead to soft pions. Some consequences of this picture are discussed.
Detection of the position, direction and speed of sliding contact with a multi-layer compliant tactile sensor fabricated using direct-print technology

A multi-layer resistance based compliant tactile sensor was fabricated using direct-print (DP) and soft molding processes. The sensor consists of two layers of embedded stretchable sensing elements sandwiched by three layers of a polyurethane rubber material. The sensing elements were created by the DP process using a photopolymer filled with multi-wall carbon nanotubes, which exhibit the property of piezoresistivity. The printed sensing elements were fully cured using ultraviolet light. The sensing elements within each layer of the sensor structure change in electrical resistance when external forces are applied. By processing the measured sensor signals, the fabricated sensor was able to detect the position of contact forces with a 3 mm spatial resolution, as well as their two-dimensional translation directions and speeds. Based on the results, it is concluded that the fabricated sensors are promising in robotic applications and the developed process and material can be a reliable and robust way to build highly stretchable tactile sensors.
Etiology and surgical management of horizontal pontine gaze palsy with ipsilateral esotropia.

Abstract Introduction: An esotropia ipsilateral to a horizontal pontine gaze palsy has been infrequently reported. We discuss the etiology and review the surgical management of this ocular motility defect. Methods: Four patients with radiographically documented dorsal pontine lesions and persistent horizontal gaze palsy with esotropia ipsilateral to the gaze palsy were treated. In each patient, the esotropia was present in attempted primary gaze, producing symptomatic diplopia. An anomalous face turn was required to attain single binocular vision. Results: All 4 patients underwent surgical correction to alleviate the anomalous head position and diplopia. Bilateral, asymmetric surgery was required to achieve a long-term successful result. Single binocular vision in the primary position with elimination or marked improvement of the compensatory head posture was initially achieved in all 4 patients. One patient, who had not undergone asymmetric strabismus surgery to reconcile incomitance produced by the esotropia, rapidly developed a residual esotropia. Conclusions: Ophthalmologists should recognize that concurrent esotropia may occur in patients with horizontal pontine gaze palsy. Single binocular vision in the primary position, an expanded binocular visual field, and alleviation of a compensatory head position are achievable with strabismus surgery.
Food cravings, ethnicity and other factors related to eating out.

Objective: Our objective was to study factors related to eating patterns, specifically whether certain food cravings were associated with frequency of meals eaten away from home.Methods: Data were collected from 277 patients from a family medicine residency office in Arizona. The survey questionnaire included information about the respondents’ demographics, socioeconomic status, food cravings, as well as, number of meals eaten away from home. The food craving inventory included foods in four categories identified by factor analysis: fast foods, carbohydrates, sweets and snacks. Data on food cravings were factor analyzed and scale scores were derived.Results: Being a Hispanic adult, working outside the home, and cravings for individual food items were related to eating more meals away from home. If the mother was working outside the home, the youngest child ate an average of two additional meals away from home each week. In general respondent’s cravings for some specific food items were also related to hig...
Unique isozyme electromorphs in polygynous red imported fire ant populations

Abstract Alate females were collected from monogynous and polygynous Solenopsis invicta colonies in four Texas counties. The two forms were sympatric in two of the counties, and were separated by half a mile and two miles respectively in the other two counties. The alate females from each colony were subjected to electrophoresis in horizontal starch gels and stained for hexokinase and aminopeptidase. Both systems revealed electromorphs in the polygynous population which were not present in the monogynous population. A unique slow hexokinase electromorph was present in 83% of the polygynous alates, while a unique slow aminopeptidase electromorph was present in 46% of the polygynous female alates. No evidence of nest queen pheromonal control over production of the unique isozymes was found. Other non-genetic explanations for the presence of electromorphs unique to polygynous populations are addressed.
Limits in modeling power grid topology

Because of their importance to infrastructure, a number of studies have examined the structural properties of power grids and have proposed random topological models of them. We examine the ability to create generalized models of power grid structure by comparing real data sets to see where inherent modeling limitations occur. We then propose a possible mechanism for why these networks differ in their structure, and the implications these differences have in creating power grid models. Finally, we introduce a new model for power grids with a radial-style architecture.
Assessment and Application of the Biotin Switch Technique for Examining Protein S-Nitrosylation under Conditions of Pharmacologically Induced Oxidative Stress

Protein S-nitrosylation has emerged as a principal mechanism by which nitric oxide exerts biological effects. Among methods for studying protein S-nitrosylation, the biotin switch technique (BST) has rapidly gained popularity because of the ease with which it can detect individual S-nitrosylated (SNO) proteins in biological samples. The identification of SNO sites by the BST relies on the ability of ascorbate to generate a thiol from an S-nitrosothiol, but not from alternatively S-oxidized thiols (e.g. disulfides, sulfenic acids). However, the specificity of this reaction has recently been challenged, prompting several claims that the BST may produce false-positive results and raising concerns about the application of the BST under oxidizing conditions. Here we perform a comparative analysis of the BST using differentially S-oxidized and S-nitrosylated forms of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, as well as intact and lysed human embryonic kidney 293 cells treated with S-oxidizing and S-nitrosylating agents, and verify that the assay is highly specific for SNO. Strikingly, exposure of samples to indirect sunlight from a laboratory window resulted in artifactual ascorbate-dependent signals that are likely promoted by the semidehydroascorbate radical; protection from sunlight eliminated the artifact. In contrast, exposure of SNO proteins to a strong ultraviolet light source (SNO photolysis) prior to the BST provided independent verification of assay specificity. By combining BST with photolysis, we have shown that anti-cancer drug-induced oxidative stress facilitates the S-nitrosylation of the major apoptotic effector glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Collectively, these experiments demonstrate that SNO-dependent signaling pathways can be modulated by oxidative conditions and suggest a potential role for S-nitrosylation in antineoplastic drug action.
Autoradiographic studies of the synthesis of nuclear DNA in various tissues during leaf development of Xanthium pennsylvanicum.

Abstract The synthesis of nuclear DNA and the incorporation of H 3 -thymidine into leaf nuclei of various tissues has been studied during the entire course of leaf development of Xanthium pennsylvanicum . Leaf plastochron index (L.P.I.) developed by Erickson and Michelini (1957) was used for designation of developmental stages. The autoradiographic slides yielded data on the percentage of labeled nuclei and the average number of grains per nucleus in the upper and lower epidermis and palisade layer and in the mesophyll cells. The percentage of labeled nuclei indicated a relative number of cells engaged in DNA synthesis of the above tissues, whereas the average number of grains per nucleus was indicative of the amount of the radioisotopic precursor incorporated into nuclear DNA of a single cell. The amount of DNA synthesis decreased significantly with the age of the leaf in the course of development. At L.P.I. 1.72, fewer cells were engaged in DNA synthesis and also a smaller amount of the radioactive precursor was incorporated in a single nucleus than at L.P.I. −0.56. After L.P.I. 1.72, the amount of synthesis decreased rapidly. However, the amount of incorporation of the radioisotope on a single cell level increased sharply starting with L.P.I. 1.72. In leaves older than L.P.I. 2.78, few cells were engaged in DNA synthesis, but they incorporated more of the H 3 -thymidine per nucleus than at any younger plastochronic age. The amount of DNA synthesis in epidermal and mesophyll layers decreased significantly between L.P.I.'s −0.56 and 1.72 and dropped very rapidly thereafter. In the palisade layer, however, DNA synthesis followed a different pattern. Between L.P.I.'s −0.56 and 0.94, it was constant, but smaller than in the other tissues. At the plastochronic range of L.P.I. 0.94 and 2.2, an almost linear increase was noticeable. During this period of development a highly significant difference in the amount of DNA synthesis was demonstrated between the palisade cells and cells of any other tissue. The nucleic acid synthesis in the palisade layer continued longer and at a significantly higher rate than in the epidermal and mesophyll cells of the lamina for at least one plastochron.
Real-time water distribution in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell

Knowledge of the species distribution within a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is critical to fully characterize the local performance and accurately quantify the various modes of water transport. This paper describes the results of a newly developed real-time technique for in situ measurement of water vapor, nitrogen and oxygen distributions within the reactant flow channels of an operating PEFC using an Agilent real-time gas analyzer (RTGA). The RTGA was interfaced directly to the fuel cell at various locations along the single path serpentine anode and cathode flow channels of a specially designed fuel cell. Species distribution data are combined with measured high frequency resistance and current distribution. The periodic presence of liquid water droplets in the cathode at high current density and at locations near the cathode exit is also observed.
Interleukin-1β mediated amyloid plaque clearance is independent of CCR2 signaling in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Neuroinflammation is a key component of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Particularly, the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) is upregulated in human AD and believed to promote amyloid plaque deposition. However, studies from our laboratory have shown that chronic IL-1β overexpression in the APPswe/PSEN1dE9 (APP/PS1) mouse model of AD ameliorates amyloid pathology, increases plaque-associated microglia, and induces recruitment of peripheral immune cells to the brain parenchyma. To investigate the contribution of CCR2 signaling in IL-1β-mediated amyloid plaque clearance, seven month-old APP/PS1/CCR2−/− mice were intrahippocampally transduced with a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 containing the cleaved form of human IL-1β (rAAV2-IL-1β). Four weeks after rAAV2-IL-1β transduction, we found significant reductions in 6E10 and Congo red staining of amyloid plaques that was confirmed by decreased levels of insoluble Aβ1–42 and Aβ1–40 in the inflamed hippocampus. Bone marrow chimeric studies confirmed the presence of infiltrating immune cells following IL-1β overexpression and revealed that dramatic reduction of CCR2+ peripheral mononuclear cell recruitment to the inflamed hippocampus did not prevent the ability of IL-1β to induce amyloid plaque clearance. These results suggest that infiltrating CCR2+ monocytes do not contribute to IL-1β-mediated amyloid plaque clearance.
Femtosecond lasers and their implications for materials processing

As a result of rapid engineering progress, femtosecond lasers will soon be available for industrial applications such as micro machining. I will review the physics behind laser machining of metals, semiconductors and transparent materials. Then I will briefly discuss the current state-of- the-art in femtosecond laser technology of interest to micro machining.
Periodicities of open linear systems with positive steady states

Systems of two, three, and four linear non-homogeneous differential equations are examined with a view toward determining whether they can possibly serve as mathematical models to describe periodicities in the concentrations of substances which enhance or inhibit each other's rate of production (or dissipation). The nature of the model demands that the solutions of the differential equations be non-negative at all times, i.e., that all the steady states be positive. Conditions for periodicity and for positive steady states are derived, and it is shown that these conditions are not always compatible with each other. In particular it is shown that certain three- and four-hormone models proposed to account for the periodicities observed in the menstrual cycle cannot satisfy the above conditions for any values of the parameters and hence are inadequate.
Allied Health and Nursing Academic Programs at New Jersey county colleges: Holistic Health and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Content:

Rising public interest in and use of holistic health (HH) practices and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has created a need for health care providers to become knowledgeable in these areas. HH/CAM content is increasingly included in curricula of professional health education, a trend less clear in associate, certificate, and diploma programs of 2-year colleges. A survey of directors and coordinators of allied health and nursing programs at New Jersey county colleges was conducted to determine curricular presence of HH/CAM and program constituency awareness of institutionally accessible HH/CAM information resources. Results indicated: rising interest in HH/CAM instruction; multiple forces influencing HH/CAM inclusion; HH/CAM strengthening programs; and uncertainty regarding knowledge of and perceived use of library HH/CAM resources. By including HH/CAM, New Jersey's allied health and nursing programs are progressively aligned with consumer use, and trends of professional health schools.
Repeated exposure to media violence is associated with diminished response in an inhibitory frontolimbic network.

BACKGROUND: Media depictions of violence, although often claimed to induce viewer aggression, have not been shown to affect the cortical networks that regulate behavior. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we found that repeated exposure to violent media, but not to other equally arousing media, led to both diminished response in right lateral orbitofrontal cortex (right ltOFC) and a decrease in right ltOFC-amygdala interaction. Reduced function in this network has been previously associated with decreased control over a variety of behaviors, including reactive aggression. Indeed, we found reduced right ltOFC responses to be characteristic of those subjects that reported greater tendencies toward reactive aggression. Furthermore, the violence-induced reduction in right ltOFC response coincided with increased throughput to behavior planning regions. CONCLUSIONS: These novel findings establish that even short-term exposure to violent media can result in diminished responsiveness of a network associated with behaviors such as reactive aggression. Language: en
Self-assembly of an organometallic silver(I) 1D architecture supported by three different types of bonding interactions

Abstract The new ligand o-C6H4[CH2OCH2C(3-Phpz)3]2 (pz=pyrazolyl ring) reacts with AgBF4 to yield the coordination polymer {o-C6H4[CH2OCH2C(3-Phpz)3]2Ag2(BF4)2}n. The organometallic supramolecular architecture contains two different types of silver(I) cations arranged in bimetallic units forming a 1D coordination polymer. The bimetallic units show three different types of bridging interactions, including a μ-κ1,κ2-tris(3-Ph-pyrazolyl)methane unit, a silver η2-bonded to a phenyl group and π–π stacking interactions.
Shear strength of reinforced aerated concrete beams with shear reinforcement

The paper reports on the analysis of shear strength of reinforced beams made of autoclaved aerated concrete with shear reinforcement. The test data are taken from three different investigations from three countries, in Europe and Japan, and include 61 tests. The analysis of the test data results in regression expressions, suitably modified from a formula used for ordinary concrete members, and shows good agreement with test values. Appropriate expressions are suggested for design.
Spatiotemporal association between birth outcomes and coke production and steel making facilities in Alabama, USA: a cross-sectional study

Background: Previous research has shown exposure to air pollution increases the risk of adverse birth outcomes, although the effects of residential proximity to significant industrial point sources are less defined. The objective of the current study was to determine whether yearly reported releases from major industrial point sources are associated with adverse birth outcomes. Methods: Maternal residence from geocoded Alabama birth records between 1991 and 2010 were used to calculate distances from coke and steel production industries reporting emissions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Logistic regression models were built to determine associations between distance or yearly fugitive emissions (volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and metals) from reporting facilities and preterm birth or low birth weight, adjusting for covariates including maternal age, race, payment method, education level, year and parity. Results: A small but significant association between preterm birth and residential proximity (≤5.0 km) to coke and steel production facilities remained after adjustment for covariates (OR 1.05 95% CI: 1.01,1.09). Above average emissions from these facilities of volatile organic compounds during the year of birth were associated with low birth weight (OR 1.17 95% CI: 1.06, 1.29), whereas metals emissions were associated with preterm birth (OR 1.07 95% CI: 1.01, 1.14). Conclusions: The present investigation suggests fugitive emissions from industrial point sources may increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes in surrounding neighborhoods. Further research teasing apart the relationship between exposure to emissions and area-level deprivation in neighborhoods surrounding industrial facilities and their combined effects on birth outcomes is needed.
Analytical platforms for activity-based protein profiling - exploiting the versatility of chemistry for functional proteomics

The field of proteomics aims to develop and apply technologies for the characterization of protein function on a global scale. Toward this end, synthetic chemistry has played a major role by providing new reagents to profile segments of the proteome based on activity rather than abundance. Small molecule probes for activity-based protein profiling have been created for more than a dozen enzyme classes and used to discover several enzyme activities elevated in disease states. These innovations have inspired complementary advancements in analytical chemistry, where new platforms have been introduced to augment the information content achievable in chemical proteomics experiments. Here, we will review these analytical platforms and discuss how they have exploited the versatility of chemical probes to gain unprecedented insights into the function of proteins in biological samples of high complexity.
Quantifying attentional modulation of auditory-evoked cortical responses from single-trial electroencephalography

Selective auditory attention is essential for human listeners to be able to communicate in multi-source environments. Selective attention is known to modulate the neural representation of the auditory scene, boosting the representation of a target sound relative to the background, but the strength of this modulation, and the mechanisms contributing to it, are not well understood. Here, listeners performed a behavioral experiment demanding sustained, focused spatial auditory attention while we measured cortical responses using electroencephalography (EEG). We presented three concurrent melodic streams; listeners were asked to attend and analyze the melodic contour of one of the streams, randomly selected from trial to trial. In a control task, listeners heard the same sound mixtures, but performed the contour judgment task on a series of visual arrows, ignoring all auditory streams. We found that the cortical responses could be fit as weighted sum of event-related potentials evoked by the stimulus onsets in the competing streams. The weighting to a given stream was roughly 10dB higher when it was attended compared to when another auditory stream was attended; during the visual task, the auditory gains were intermediate. We then used a template-matching classification scheme to classify single-trial EEG results. We found that in all subjects, we could determine which stream the subject was attending significantly better than by chance. By directly quantifying the effect of selective attention on auditory cortical responses, these results reveal that focused auditory attention both suppresses the response to an unattended stream and enhances the response to an attended stream. The single-trial classification results add to the growing body of literature suggesting that auditory attentional modulation is sufficiently robust that it could be used as a control mechanism in brain‐computer interfaces (BCIs).
Continental-scale comparisons of terrestrial carbon sinks estimated from satellite data and ecosystem modeling 1982–1998

A simulation model based on satellite observations of monthly vegetation cover was used to estimate monthly carbon fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems from 1982 to 1998. The NASA–CASA model was driven by vegetation properties derived from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and radiative transfer algorithms that were developed for Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). For the terrestrial biosphere, predicted net ecosystem production (NEP) flux for atmospheric CO2 has varied widely between an annual source of � 0.9 Pg C per year and a sink of +2.1 Pg C per year. The southern hemisphere tropical zones (SHT, between 0j and 30jS) have a major influence over the predicted global trends in interannual variability of NEP. In contrast, the terrestrial NEP sink for atmospheric CO2 on the North American (NA) continent has been fairly consistent between +0.2 and +0.3 Pg C per year, except during relatively cool annual periods when continental NEP fluxes are predicted to total to nearly zero. The predicted NEP sink for atmospheric CO2 over Eurasia (EA) increased notably in the late 1980s and has been fairly consistent between +0.3 and +0.55 Pg C per year since 1988. High correlations
Sweeping and striking: a kinematic study of the trunk during prey capture in three thamnophiine snakes

The trunk plays an obvious and important role in the prey capture behavior of many species of snake, yet trunk function during predatory strikes is poorly understood. Axial kinematics of three thamnophiine snakes (Thamnophis couchii, Thamnophis elegans and Nerodia rhombifer) were studied to quantify differences between sideways-directed and forward-directed attacks and to investigate strike diversity at relatively low phylogenetic levels. Feeding strikes were filmed at 60 Hz, and 13 points along the head and body were digitized. These points were used to calculate body segment displacement, rotation and velocity during predatory strikes. Kinematic analysis revealed significant differences in the foraging modes of these aquatic-feeding species. T. couchii displayed a stereotypical pre-strike posture in which the entire body was arranged in a series of loops directed towards the prey. Forward displacement of body segments sometimes occurred over the entire body in T. couchii but was restricted to the anterior one-third of the trunk in T. elegans and N. rhombifer. T. couchii and N. rhombifer both struck rapidly compared with T. elegans, although N. rhombifer typically had a short strike distance. N. rhombifer struck significantly faster than T. elegans. Aquatic prey capture diversity appears to reflect ecological diversity in thamnophiine snakes.
Optimization Of A Digital Neuron Design

Artificial neural network models, composed of many non-linear processing elements operating in parallel, have been extensively simulated in software. The real estate required for neurons and their interconnections has been the major hindrance for hardware implementation. Therefore, a reduction in neuron size is highly advantageous. A digital neuron design consisting of an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) has been implemented to conform to the hard-limiting threshold function. Studies on reducing the ALU size, utilizing Monte-Carlo simulations, indicate that its effect on network reliability and efficiency is not detrimental. Neurons with reduced ALU size operate with the same computational abilities as full sized neurons.
Microwave characterization of GaAs MESFET and the verification of device model

The elements in the small-signal equivalent circuit model of a microwave GaAs MESFET have been related to the device parameters (i.e., device structure, semiconductor properties, and operating point) by device theories. This equivalent circuit is experimentally verified by small-signal 3-GHz microwave measurements at room and liquid-nitrogen temperatures. The method used for determining the values of equivalent circuit parameters is briefly described.
Postpartum contraceptive use among women with a recent preterm birth

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the associations between postpartum contraception and having a recent preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: Population-based data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System in 9 states were used to estimate the postpartum use of highly or moderately effective contraception (sterilization,intrauterinedevice, implants, shots,pills, patch,and ring)and user-independent contraception (sterilization, implants, and intrauterine device) among women with recent live births (2009e2011). We assessed the differences in contraception by gestational age (� 27, 28e33, or 34e36 weeks vs term [� 37 weeks]) and modeled the associations using multivariable logistic regression with weighted data. RESULTS:Ahigher percentage ofwomen withrecentextreme preterm birth (� 27 weeks) reported using no postpartum method (31%) compared with all other women (15e16%). Women delivering extreme preterm infants had a decreased odds of using highly or moderately effective methods (adjusted odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.4e0.6) and user-independent methods (adjusted odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.4e0.7) compared with women having term births. Wanting to get pregnant was more frequently reported as a reason for contraceptive nonuse by women with an extreme preterm birth overall (45%) compared with all other women (15e18%, P < .0001). Infant death occurred in 41% of extreme preterm births and more than half of these mothers (54%) reported wanting to become pregnant as the reason for contraceptive nonuse. CONCLUSION: During contraceptive counseling with women who had recent preterm births, providers should address an optimal pregnancy interval and consider that women with recent extreme preterm birth, particularly those whose infants died, may not use contraception because they want to get pregnant.
Analysis of uncertain data: Selection of probes for information gathering

We consider the problem of gathering data for evaluation of given hypotheses, and describe a method for analyzing tradeoffs between the expected utility and the cost of data collection.
TRAF2 Plays a Key, Nonredundant Role in LIGHT-Lymphotoxin β Receptor Signaling

LIGHT is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, and its function is mediated by at least two receptors, including lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTbetaR) and herpes simplex virus entry mediator. However, the molecular mechanism of LIGHT signaling mediated by LTbetaR has not been clearly defined. In this report, we demonstrate that TRAF2 is critical for LIGHT- and LTbetaR-mediated activation of both the transcription factor NF-kappaB and the mitogen-activated protein kinase JNK. In HeLa cells, LIGHT induces NF-kappaB and JNK activation, which can be blocked by the dominant negative mutant of TRAF2. In these cells, LIGHT causes the recruitment of TRAF2, TRAF3, and IkappaB kinase into the LTbetaR complex. Importantly, while both NF-kappaB and JNK are activated by LIGHT in wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts, no activation of either of these two pathways is observed in TRAF2 null fibroblasts. However, LIGHT-induced NF-kappaB and JNK activation can be restored by ectopic expression of TRAF2 in TRAF2-/- cells. Interestingly, in contrast to TNF signaling, the activation of both NF-kappaB and JNK by LIGHT was normal in RIP-/- and TRAF5-/- cells. Taken together, our data demonstrate that TRAF2, an important effector molecule of TNF signaling, plays a critical, nonredundant role in LIGHT-LTbetaR signaling.
The Human Repertoire of Odorant Receptor Genes and Pseudogenes

The nose of Homo sapiens is a sophisticated chemical sensor. It is able to smell almost any type of volatile molecule, often at extraordinarly low concentrations, and can make fine perceptual discriminations between structurally related molecules. The diversity of odor recognition is mediated by odorant receptor (OR) genes, discovered in 1991 by Buck & Axel. OR genes form the largest gene families in mammalian genomes. A decade after their discovery, advances in the sequencing of the human genome have provided a first draft of the human OR repertoire: It consists of ∼1000 sequences, residing in multiple clusters spread throughout the genome, with more than half being pseudogenes. Allelic variants are beginning to be recognized and may provide an opportunity for genotype-phenotype correlations. Here, I review the current knowledge of the human OR repertoire and summarize the limited information available regarding putative pheromone and taste receptors in humans.
What causes outbreaks of the gypsy moth in North America

The gypsy moth has been present in North America for more than 100 years, and in many of the areas where it has become established outbreaks occur with varying degrees of periodicity. There also exists extensive spatial synchrony in the onset of outbreaks over large geo- graphic regions. Density-dependent mortality clearly limits high-density populations, but there is little evidence for strong regulation of low-density populations. Predation by small mammals appears to be the major source of mortality affecting low-density populations, but because these are generalist predators and gypsy moths are a less preferred food item, mammals do not appear to regulate populations in a density-dependent fashion. Instead, predation levels appear to be primarily determined by small mammal abun- dance, which is in turn closely linked to the production of acorns that are a major source of food for overwintering predator populations. Mast production by host oak trees is typically variable among years, but considerable spatial syn- chrony in masting exists over large geographic areas. Thus, it appears that the temporal and spatial patterns of mast production may be responsible for the episodic and spatially synchronous behavior of gypsy moth outbreaks in North America. This multitrophic relationship among mast, predators, and gypsy moths represents a very different ex- planation of forest insect outbreak dynamics than the more
Impact of T lymphocytes on cardiac remodeling in hypertension: more questions than answers.

In their intriguing article appearing in this issue of Hypertension , Yu et al1 provide evidence for a role of T lymphocytes in modulating cardiac matrix remodeling resulting from hypertension. The investigators compared the impact of comparable N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)-induced hypertension on cardiac function and matrix composition among 3 strains of mice with widely different T-lymphocyte profiles. They found increased ventricular stiffness, accompanied by enhanced collagen deposition and cross-linking in the strain of mice that were Th2 dominant (BALB/c). In contrast, in mice that were T- (and B-) lymphocyte deficient (C57BL/6 SCID), hypertension resulted in a diminution of collagen content and cross-linking that was generally associated with heart dilation. No changes in ventricular stiffness or collagen were observed in mice that were Th1 dominant (C57BL/6 WT). Because these different responses of the heart to hypertension were observed under pre-existing dissimilar and extreme immune backgrounds, an obvious question is what impact, if any, T lymphocytes have on hypertension-associated cardiac remodeling in more common scenarios. Will it turn out that the well-established neurohormonal input into cardiac remodeling is actually an immunoneurohormal system or only that the neurohormonal component of remodeling is susceptible to modulation by extreme immune conditions? Other than this broad question, several specific questions come to mind from the work of Yu et al.1 First, how relevant is the use of l-NAME to induce hypertension and cardiac remodeling? Chronic pressure overload of the heart in animal models typically induces changes in the heart that include both increased extracellular matrix deposition and so-called compensatory left ventricular hypertrophy because of enlargement of individual …
Exploring the cognitive and emotional correlates to proactive and reactive aggression in a sample of detained girls.

The current study examined the distinction between reactive and proactive aggression in a sample of detained girls (N = 58) aged 12 to 18. This study employed a self-report measure of aggression that was designed explicitly to assess both the forms that aggression takes (i.e., relational and overt), as well as the functions that aggression serves (i.e., reactive and proactive). Reactive aggression was uniquely associated with poorly regulated emotion and anger to perceived provocation, whereas proactive aggression was uniquely associated with callous–unemotional (CU) traits and biased outcome expectations for aggression. While overt aggression appeared to largely account for these associations, relational aggression showed strong and unique associations with CU traits. The current findings highlight the importance of assessing reactive and proactive aggression, as well as both overt and relational aggression, in detained girls.
A REVISED EQUATION FOR HEAT FLUX REDUCTION IN FILM COOLING STUDIES AND DISCUSSION OF ITS APPLICATIONS

In film cooling experimental studies, due to the difficulty in measuring the surface heat flux variation, a Heat Flux Ratio (HFR) equation originally derived by Mick and Mayle [1], has been widely employed to calculate the surface heat flux distribution using the measured adiabatic film effectiveness and surface temperature. A close examination of the derivation process and applications of the HFR equation reveals two issues of concern. First, an implicit assumption was introduced by letting the wall surface temperature of the system withoutfilm be the same as that which would occur with a film-cooled condition. A revised equation is then derived by removing this implicit assumption and incorporating the wall temperature change due to film cooling Secondly, a uniform value of the non-dimensional metal temperature ϕ (or film cooling effectiveness) has been used in all the previous applications of the HFR equation. This practice implicitly implies that a uniform wall temperature is distributed throughout the entire surface under film cooling, which is usually not the case in real conditions. A series of computational experiments are conducted to verify the revised HFR equation under different conditions as well as examine the validity of using a constant surface temperature in the HFR equation. Results reveal that using a constant value of φ (0.5 ~ 0.7) to calculate surface heat flux may result in a negative HFR in some simulated cases showing the commonly adopted value φ=0.5~0.7. This could induce errors and give false HFR. The error is reduced in 3D cases because the streamwise wall temperature becomes more uniform than 2D cases. The difference between the old and new equations can reach about 20%. A conjugate wall cooling simulation shows negative HFR is possible in the region close to the film hole due to the heat conduction from the downstream hotter region into the cooler region near the film hole. Using the actual wall temperature as the ϕ-value, the newly revised HFR equation produces the exact heat flux as calculated by CFD including the correct calculation of negative heat flux caused by the conjugate wall. NOMENCLATURE
THE EVALUATION OF INVOLUNTARY WEIGHT LOSS

Abstract Obstetrician/gynecologists will commonly encounter patients complaining of weight loss. Involuntary weight loss (IWL) is defined as a decrease of at least 5% of body weight within 6 months in the absence of intentional dieting, diuretic therapies, or conditions known to cause weight disturbances. Causes of IWL include decreased intake, increased fluid-nutrient loss, and excess metabolic demand. A high index of suspicion must be maintained to identify young patients with eating disorders. Elderly patients are prone to nutritional deficiencies, social difficulties, and medication side effects. A rational approach to IWL consists of a history, physical examination, and select screening laboratory examinations. If the cause of the weight loss remains unknown, a short observation time is reasonable. Undirected tests have low yield and are not recommended. The prognoses of patients with IWL are generally good. Therapy consists of nutritional supplementation, dietary counseling, treating the underlying cause, and addressing patient anxiety. Medications such as megestrol acetate may be prescribed to stimulate appetite. In one fourth of patients with IWL, no cause is found; the remaining 75% of patients have underlying cancers, nonmalignant diseases, or psychiatric disorders. Undiagnosed and untreated conditions can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, as a primary care physician, the obstetrician/gynecologist must be skilled at the evaluation and treatment of involuntary weight loss.
Rapid laser-wavelength modulation spectroscopy used as a fast temperature measurement technique in hydrocarbon combustion.

A fast temperature measurement technique is described which is suitable for use in dynamic reacting gases, particularly in situations which involve hydrocarbon–air combustion. Temperature is determined from the relative intensity of a pair of fully resolved absorption lines probed with a rapid-tuning single-frequency laser. Demonstration of the technique using 300-μs scans across the R1(7) and R1(11) lines in the (0,0) band of the A2∑+ ← X2Π system of OH present in the postflame gases above a CH4–air flat-flame burner is reported. Fluorescence monitoring of the absorption spectra was used to provide improved spatial resolution. Temperatures inferred from simultaneous absorption and fluorescence measurements showed good agreement with radiation-corrected thermocouple scans.
Enhanced three-dimensional deconvolution microscopy using a measured depth-varying point-spread function

We present a technique to systematically measure the change in the blurring function of an optical microscope with distance between the source and the coverglass (the depth) and demonstrate its utility in three-dimensional (3D) deconvolution. By controlling the axial positions of the microscope stage and an optically trapped bead independently, we can record the 3D blurring function at different depths. We find that the peak intensity collected from a single bead decreases with depth and that the width of the axial, but not the lateral, profile increases with depth. We present simple convolution and deconvolution algorithms that use the full depth-varying point-spread functions and use these to demonstrate a reduction of elongation artifacts in a reconstructed image of a 2 microm sphere.
Improving testability analysis via an automated MIL-STD-2165 checklist tool

The use of a tool which automates the analysis of the MIL-STD-2165 checklist is discussed. Testability analysis benefits from a common checklist database, additional justification fields, sorting high/low scores, and automation of report generation. Practically all new defense programs now require testability analysis and documentation in accordance with MIL-STD-2165. The 2165 checklist tool has eased the labor-intensive tasks and created a standard methodology when performing the checklist analysis process. This tool has been used on several military programs and has resulted in significant labor and quality improvements. >
Executive summary of the Strategic Plan for National Institutes of Health Obesity Research

The Strategic Plan for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Obesity Research is intended to serve as a guide for coordinating obesity research activities across the NIH and for enhancing the development of new efforts based on identification of areas of greatest scientific opportunity and challenge. Developed by the NIH Obesity Research Task Force with critical input from external scientists and the public, the Strategic Plan reflects a dynamic planning process and presents a multidimensional research agenda, with an interrelated set of goals and strategies for achieving the goals. The major scientific themes around which the Strategic Plan is framed include the following: preventing and treating obesity through lifestyle modification; preventing and treating obesity through pharmacologic, surgical, or other medical approaches; breaking the link between obesity and its associated health conditions; and cross-cutting topics, including health disparities, technology, fostering of interdisciplinary research teams, investigator training, translational research, and education/outreach efforts. Through the efforts described in the Strategic Plan for NIH Obesity Research, the NIH will strive to facilitate and accelerate progress in obesity research to improve public health. Am J Clin Nutr 2005;82(suppl):211S-4S.
Microwave Data File Standard

The last few years have seen a rapid increase in the use of computers to measure and evaluate microwave data. To assist in these tasks, many individuals have developed various formats for storing microwave data in mass memory, for example, magnetic tape or disc. The formats generally vary from person to person, program to program and computer to computer. In this paper we shall distuss whether there would be an advantage in an industry standard format and, if so, what the general requirements of such a standard would be.
Fate and bioavailability of arsenic in organo-arsenical pesticide-applied soils. Part-I incubation study

Abstract A laboratory incubation study was conducted to estimate geochemical speciation and in vitro bioavailability of arsenic as a function of soil properties. Two chemically-variant soil types were chosen, based on their potential differences with respect to arsenic reactivity: an acid sand with minimal arsenic retention capacity and a sandy loam with relatively high concentration of amorphous Fe/Al-oxides, considered a sink for arsenic. The soils were amended with dimethylarsenic acid (DMA) at three rates: 45, 225, and 450 mg/kg. A sequential extraction scheme was employed to identify the geochemical forms of arsenic in soils, which were correlated with the “in vitro” bioavailable fractions of arsenic to identify the most bioavailable species. Arsenic bioavailability and speciation studies were done at 0 time (immediately after spiking the soils with pesticide) and after four-months incubation. Results show that soil properties greatly impact geochemical speciation and bioavailability of DMA; soils with high concentrations of amorphous Fe/Al oxides retain more arsenic, thereby rendering them less bioavailable. Results also indicate that the use of organic arsenicals as pesticides in mineral soils may not be a safe practice from the viewpoint of human health risk.