cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coupled Large Strain Consolidation and Solute Transport. II: Model Verification and Simulation Results

The results of numerical simulations for coupled large strain consolidation and solute transport, obtained using the CST1 model, are presented. CST1 accounts for advection, longitudinal and transverse dispersion, first-order decay reactions, and linear equilibrium sorption. Verification checks of CST1 show excellent agreement with analytical solutions for one-dimensional (1D) transport in rigid porous media, including various Peclet numbers and concentration boundary conditions. Similarly excellent agreement is observed for two-dimensional advection-dispersion transport in rigid media and 1D advection-dispersion transport in compressible media undergoing large strain consolidation. CST1 is then used to investigate consolidation-induced solute transport for a single composite liner system and a confined disposal facility for dredged contaminated sediments. In both cases, solute transport was found to be strongly affected by consolidation-induced advection both during and after the consolidation period. Con...
An Attributional Examination of Retributive Versus Utilitarian Philosophies of Punishment

Two basic goals of punishment—retribution and utility—and the means to those goals, including isolation, rehabilitation, and the creation of fear, were first examined. The objectives of punishment were then related to attributions regarding the cause of a transgression. It was documented that punishment goals are mediated by the expectancies and affects that are elicited by causal beliefs. It also was argued that the purposes of punishment are more state-like than trait-like, for they change as a function of the reason for a transgression. Data from three laboratory experiments, as well as a field study regarding reactions to O. J. Simpson for his alleged crimes, were presented in support of the above beliefs. In addition, the morality of retribution versus utilitarianism was discussed in the context of the caning of Michael Fay in Singapore. It is suggested that rehabilitation may be the most moral of the punishment means.
Carbonate dissolution in Recent sediments of the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean: Preservation patterns and carbonate loss above the lysocline

Abstract Multiple dissolution indices from 45 sediment samples show that the foraminiferal lysocline is near 3800 m in the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean, close to the saturation horizon with respect to calcite in the water column. Below the lysocline, the increase in foraminiferal fragmentation, decrease in absolute abundance and progressive modification of planktic foraminiferal assemblages with depth is accompanied by an increasing rate of loss of carbonate from the sediments. Above the lysocline, some dissolution must occur in order to produce the dramatic reduction in foraminiferal numbers (up to 60%) and the pattern of increased fragmentation with depth. However, the amount of carbonate actually lost from supralysoclinal sediments reaches at most 20–30% of the total at the depth of the lysocline. The principal driving force behind supralysoclinal dissolution is most likely the oxidation of organic matter incorporated into the sediments. Dissolution above the lysocline has a greater apparent impact on relative preservation in the coarse ( > 150 μ m ) fraction than it does on total carbonate loss because of redistribution of carbonate to the finer size fractions as fragments. Though the effects of dissolution on foraminiferal preservation are clearly visible at all depths, the lysocline itself does appear to mark the local onset of large-scale loss of dissolved carbonate from the sediments. Such an interpretation is broadly consistent with models regarding the saturation state of the overlying waters as the principal driving force behind the preservation or dissolution of Recent carbonate sediments on the sea floor.
Dietary TH 6040 alters composition and enzyme activity of housefly larval cuticle

Abstract Housefly larvae of 2 days of age were allowed to grow in media containing 0, 0.4, 1.0, or 2.5 ppm TH 6040[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)-urea] for 3 days prior to analysis of the cuticle for structural components (chitin and protein) or enzymes important in cuticle formation (chitinase and phenoloxidase). As the TH 6040 concentration is increased, the amount of chitin is progressively reduced such that, at 2.5 ppm TH 6040, the level is only 25% of normal. The amount of cuticle protein is unaffected so the protein: chitin ratio increases from 3.4 in the control larvae to 14.3 in 2.5 ppm-treated larvae, an alteration which probably affects the elasticity and firmness of the endocuticle. Dietary TH 6040 at 1.0 ppm increases the cuticle chitinase activity to about 180% and the cuticle phenoloxidase activity to 155% as compared with control larvae, with a further chitinase activity increase to 240% of normal at 2.5 ppm TH 6040. These enzyme changes are expected to hamper the build-up or maintenance of the cuticle chitin and enhance sclerotization of the exocuticle.
Divergent functions for airway epithelial matrix metalloproteinase 7 and retinoic acid in experimental asthma

The innate immune response of airway epithelial cells to airborne allergens initiates the development of T cell responses that are central to allergic inflammation. Although proteinase allergens induce the expression of interleukin 25, we show here that epithelial matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) was expressed during asthma and was required for the maximum activity of interleukin 25 in promoting the differentiation of T helper type 2 cells. Allergen-challenged Mmp7(-/-) mice had less airway hyper-reactivity and production of allergic inflammatory cytokines and higher expression of retinal dehydrogenase 1. Inhibition of retinal dehydrogenase 1 restored the asthma phenotype of Mmp7(-/-) mice and inhibited the responses of lung regulatory T cells, whereas exogenous administration of retinoic acid attenuated the asthma phenotype. Thus, MMP7 coordinates allergic lung inflammation by activating interleukin 25 while simultaneously inhibiting retinoid-dependent development of regulatory T cells.
Probabilistic models of food microbial safety and nutritional quality

Microbial and compositional analyses of processed foods, raw materials, ingredients and discharge streams are an important part of safety and quality assurance in the food industry. Law mandates that their results ought to be kept for a specified time. The records are usually in the form of charts or tabulated values presented or listed in a sequential order. Such records frequently appear as randomly fluctuating time series. Usually, the fluctuations are within a range considered safe or acceptable, and as long as the entries are all within this range the nature of the fluctuations is of little interest. Occasionally, there are exceptional entries; a high microbial count or a particularly low concentration of an important nutrient, for example. In most cases they can be traced to a known cause, equipment failure and human error are the most common. But there can be odd entries, which may have serious safety or quality implications that have no apparent reason. These occur because of the random coincidence of several factors, some unknown or undocumented. Usually they cancel one another, but not exactly, and hence the fluctuations. The probability that factors that tend to spoil the product, or lower its nutritive value, will act in unison can be estimated from the distribution of past events, provided that the entries are independent and their series stationary. The concept is demonstrated with industrial microbial and other records having symmetric and asymmetric distributions. It was tested by comparing the estimated frequencies of large or small values with those actually observed in fresh data.
AODVjr, AODV simplified

In this paper AODVjr, a simplified version of the AODV protocol, is described. AODVjr is compared in simulation to a full featured AODV implementation. The results show that AODVjr performs as well as AODV and describes other positive effects of a smaller protocol specification.
Effectiveness of beta-glucan collagen for treatment of partial-thickness burns in children.

Background/Purpose: Beta glucan collagen matrix (BGC), which combines the carbohydrate beta-glucan with collagen, has been used as a temporary coverage for adult partial thickness burns with reported good results. Observed advantages of BGC coverage include reduction of pain, improved healing, and better scar appearance. Potentially even more important in children is the elimination of painful daily dressing changes to the burned epithelial surface, as well as decreased fluid loss. This report details the authors' 2-year experience with BGC in a pediatric burn center. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 225 consecutive pediatric patients treated at our institution between 1997 and 1999 identified 43 patients (19%) with suspected partial thickness burns treated with BGC as the primary wound dressing. BGC was applied to a debrided burn wound and secured with steri-strips, kerlix, and an ace wrap. After 24 hours, adherence of the BGC was confirmed and then left open to air. Results: The most common cause of burn injury was scald (61%), followed by flame (37%), and contact (2%). The average age of patients was 5.5 years (range, 6 weeks to 16 years) and mean percent total body surface area burned was 9.3% (1% to 35%). Thirty-four patients (79%) had the BGC remain intact while the wound healed underneath, with excellent cosmetic results, minimal analgesic requirements, and no need for repetitive dressing changes. Nine patients (21%) had the BGC removed before wound healing: 6 patients lost the BGC because of progression of the burn to full thickness, 2 had BGC nonadherence over a joint, and 1 had an unexplained nonadherence. Conclusions: Partial-thickness burns in children can be effectively treated with BGC with good results, even in infants and toddlers. BGC markedly simplifies wound care for the patient and family and seems to significantly decrease postinjury pain.
Cracking in Alloy 600 Penetration Nozzles: A Regulatory Perspective

Cracking in Alloy 600 penetration nozzles in the reactor pressure vessel upper heads of pressurized water reactors (PWRs) has been an issue in the U.S. nuclear industry for more than 10 years. This paper provides a regulatory perspective on how the U.S. industry and the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have addressed new findings over the last 10 years and responded to ensure safety of U.S. PWRs. This paper provides a summary going back to the early 1990’s and emphasizes activities over the last three years since the discovery of circumferential cracking at Oconee, and provides a perspective regarding on-going NRC activities.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
FIRless FIRwoes: How Preferences Can Interfere with the Theorems of International Trade

Abstract An example is presented of a two-country, two-factor, four-good trade model in which free trade causes factor prices to be drawn farther apart than they were in autarky. The example is equivalent to a two-good model with a double factor intensity reversal (FIR), and thus demonstrates that the problems associated with FIRs can arise in many dimensions without them. These problems include the undermining of other trade theorems as well, and can be avoided only by making some assumption about demand as well as about technology. For example, the model becomes well-behaved if preferences and technology are both Cobb-Douglas.
Designing an educational strategy for increasing organ donor registration among older adults.

Context—Older adults (50-70 years of age) have lower organ donor registration rates than younger adults. Despite recent increases in organ donation registration of adults 18 to 49 years of age, the increase in older adult registrations is less.Objective—To use research results from surveys and focus groups to inform an educational strategy and design for the older adult population.Design—Pooled survey data from 3 statewide random-digit dial telephone interview surveys of 6230 adults, including 2631 respondents age 50 or older, were used to identify barriers to organ donor registration and information needs of older adults compared with younger adults. Two focus groups with older adults were used to further identify barriers and to pilot test messages for an educational strategy for older adults.Setting and Participants—Surveys were conducted with adults in Ohio. Focus groups were conducted in 2 major cities in Ohio with older adults, 50 to 70 years of age.Results—Survey results indicate that older adults ...
Coronal electron temperature from the solar wind scaling law throughout the space age

Recent in situ observations of the solar wind show that charge states (e.g., the O7 +/O6 + and C6 +/C5 + abundance ratios) and α-particle composition evolved through the extended, deep solar minimum between solar cycles 23 and 24 (i.e., from 2006 to 2009). Prior investigations have found that both particle flux and magnetic field strength gradually decreased over this period of time. In this study, we find that (for a given solar wind speed) the coronal electron temperature (as derived from O7 +/O6 + and C6 +/C5 + measurements from ACE) likewise decreased during this minimum. We use the Schwadron & McComas solar wind scaling law to show that cooler coronal electron temperatures are naturally associated with lower particle fluxes because downward heat conduction must be reduced to keep the average energy loss per particle fixed. The results of the scaling law should apply to all solar wind models and suggest that the evolution of the solar wind is linked to the solar dynamo, which caused the coronal magnetic field strength to decrease in the deep, extended minimum. We utilize the scaling law to project coronal electron temperatures backward in time throughout the space age and find that these temperatures have been decreasing in successive temperature maxima since 1987 but were increasing in successive temperature maxima from 1969 to 1987. Thus, we show how the solar wind scaling law relates solar wind properties observed at 1 AU back to coronal electron temperatures throughout the space age.
Atypical and typical neuroleptic treatments induce distinct programs of transcription factor expression in the striatum.

Atypical and typical neuroleptics, when administered chronically, can bring about profound but contrasting changes in schizophrenic symptoms and motor activation and dramatically modulate brain neurochemistry. To explore the transcriptional events that might be involved in this neurochemical regulation, we used immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting to examine the expression patterns of two bZip transcription factors, c-Fos and FosB, in the striatum of rats treated acutely and chronically with neuroleptic drugs of different classes. Typical and atypical neuroleptic drugs produced contrasting regulatory effects on a FosB-like protein of ca. 36–39 kDa, the molecular weight of truncated FosB (ΔFosB). Chronic treatments with two typical neuroleptics, haloperidol and metoclopramide, but not with the atypical neuroleptic clozapine, led to markedly enhanced FosB-like immunoreactivity in the caudoputamen. Further, c-Fos-like protein in the striatum, considered a marker for the induction of antipsychotic actions by neuroleptic treatments, was downregulated by chronic treatment with the two potent antipsychotic drugs tested, but not by chronic treatment with metoclopramide, which has low antipsychotic efficacy but induces extrapyramidal side effects. These results suggest that chronic treatments with neuroleptics having different effects on cognitive and motor behavior induce different long-term changes in transcription factor expression in the striatum. Nevertheless, we found that neuroleptics of both classes regulated transcription factor expression in overlapping populations of striatal neurons expressing enkephalin or DARPP-32. Contrasting patterns of transcriptional regulation in these neurons may thus contribute to the distinct neurochemical and behavioral effects that characterize neuroleptics of different classes. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Wave-Mechanical Formulation of Many-Fluid Plasma Theory in Electromagnetic Fields

The macroscopic dynamics of classical many-component plasmas in electric and magnetic fields is formulated in terms of scalar complex wave equations which contain pressure and electromagnetic potentials. The complex wave equation of each particle component is shown to be mathematically equivalent to the nonlinear conservation equations of mass, vector momentum, and energy. Thus, the description of a plasma by wave equations leads to a considerable mathematical simplification compared to the conventional many-fluid electromagnetohydrodynamics. As an elementary illustration of the wave-mechanical formalism, the dispersion of longitudinal and transverse electromagnetic waves in an electron plasma is treated.
Promotion of axonal regeneration in the injured CNS

Summary Molecules that are found in the extracellular environment at a CNS lesion site, or that are associated with myelin, inhibit axon growth. In addition, neuronal changes—such as an age-dependent reduction in concentrations of cyclic AMP— render the neuron less able to respond to axotomy by a rapid, forward, actin-dependent movement. An alternative mechanism, based on the protrusive forces generated by microtubule elongation or the anterograde transport of cytoskeletal elements, may underlie a slower form of axon elongation that happens during regeneration in the mature CNS. Therapeutic approaches that restore the extracellular CNS environment or the neuron's characteristics back to a more embryonic state increase axon regeneration and improve functional recovery after injury. These advances in the understanding of regeneration in the CNS have major implications for neurorehabilitation and for the use of axonal regeneration as a therapeutic approach to disorders of the CNS such as spinal-cord injury.
Tomographic reconstruction with adaptive sparsifying transforms

A central problem in computed tomography (CT) imaging is to obtain useful, high-quality images from low-dose measurements. Methods that exploit the sparse representations of tomographic images have long been known to improve the quality of reconstructions from low-dose data. Recent work has shown that sparse representations learned directly from the data can outperform traditional, fixed representations, but are prohibitively expensive for practical use in CT. We propose a new method for tomographic reconstruction from low-dose data by combining the statistically weighted data fidelity term with an adaptive sparsifying transform regularizer. This regularizer can be fit to the data at lower cost than competing methods. Our algorithm alternates between reconstructing the image and learning the sparsifying transform. The Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers technique is used to provide an efficient solution to the statistically weighted minimization problem. Numerical experiments on data from clinical CT reconstructions indicate that adaptive sparsifying transform regularization outperforms synthesis sparsity methods at speeds rivaling total-variation regularization.
Substance P gene expression in sympathetic neurons is regulated by neuron/support cell interaction.

Abstract In agreement with previous findings, the presence of support cells was found to increase the level of preprotachykinin (i.e. substance P-encoding) mRNA in cultures of sympathetic neurons. Treatment of neuron-only cultures, which did not express detectable levels of preprotachykinin mRNA, with conditioned medium from support cell-only cultures, also increased the level of preprotachykinin mRNA. This elevation in substance P gene expression was reflected in a 2-fold increase in the number of substance P-like immunoreactive neurons. In contrast, treatment of neuron-only cultures with conditioned medium from co-cultures of sympathetic neurons and support cells did not increase the level of preprotachykinin mRNA or the number of neurons containing substance P-like immunoreactivity. These observations suggest that while support cells release a soluble factor(s) capable of inducing substance P expression in sympathetic neurons, the production or action of this factor(s) is inhibited by the interaction between support cells and sympathetic neurons. Thus, by interacting with non-neuronal cells in their environment, sympathetic neurons appear to play an active role in determing which neurotransmitter phenotype they express.
K+ release from rat parotid cells: An α1-adrenergic mediated event

Abstract To characterize α-adrenergic receptors in rat parotid gland tissue, 9,10-[9,10- 3 H(N)]-dihydro-α-ergocryptine ([ 3 h]dhe) and [ 3 H]prazosin binding to membranes and stimulated K + release from parotid cell aggregates were examined. Prazosin (selective α 1 -adrenergic antagonist), displacement of [ 3 H]DHE binding from parotid membranes was biphasic, indicating the presence of both α 1 - and α 2 -adrenergic receptors. The numbers of α 1 - and α 2 -receptors were about equal. α 1 -Adrenergic receptors were further studied by [ 3 H]prazosin binding. [ 3 H]Prazosin binding was a rapid, reversible, saturable and stereospecific process, with high affinity ( K D = 0.38 nM) and low capacity ( B max = 380 fmoles ligand bound/g tissue, 10.1 fmoles/mg protein) as determined by Scatchard analysis. The characteristics of [ 3 H]prazosin binding were in good agreement with those of catecholamine-stimulated K + release, suggesting that K + release from rat parotid gland cells is an α 1 -adrenergic mediated effect.
Optical power limiting and nonlinear absorption effects of polymer functionalized carbon nanotube thin films

Polymer/multiple walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) thin films on glass slide substrates have been fabricated by using the spin-coating method. The optical power limiting performance and nonlinear absorption in these films have been characterized experimentally. Transmission electron micrograph and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques have been used to investigate the interaction between polymer molecules and MWNTs. SEM images of polymer functionalized carbon nanotubes show that polymer molecules and MWNTs can interact via -stacking to increase solubilization of MWNTs, which can be used to explain the optical power limiting effect. For quantitative comparison of different polymer MWNT thin film performance, the open Z-scan technique is employed to measure nonlinear absorption coefficient and optical power limiting effects of different polymer MWNT thin films.
Bouveret’s syndrome: a rare cause of GI bleeding

Background: Bouveret's syndrome is defined as gastric outlet obstruction due to gallstone impaction in the duodenal bulb. We describe a case of Bouveret's syndrome presenting with hematemesis and melena.
Dimensions of Polymer Chains in Critical Semidilute Solutions

In this Letter we present first measurements of the radius of gyration $({R}_{g})$ for polystyrene in deuterocyclohexane at the critical concentration of the polymer over a temperature range $\ensuremath{\Theta}\ensuremath{\ge}T\ensuremath{\ge}{T}^{c}$ using small-angle neutron scattering and the high-concentration labeling methodology. We do not observe a reduction of ${R}_{g}({T}^{c})$ at the critical temperature of phase demixing ${T}^{c}$ as compared to ${R}_{g}(\ensuremath{\Theta})$ in the $\ensuremath{\Theta}$ region, which indicates that the critical polymer solution cannot be considered as an ensemble of partially collapsed noninterpenetrating coils.
The isolated in vitro perfused spiral modiolar artery: pressure dependence of vasoconstriction

Abstract We developed a new technique, the isolated in vitro perfused spiral modiolar artery, which allowed the continuous measurement of the vascular diameter and control of the intravascular pressure. An isolated section of the spiral modiolar artery from the gerbil was perfused on one end with a set of concentric pipettes and occluded on the other end in order to apply a defined intravascular pressure in the range between 10 and 230 cm H 2 O. The preparation was continuously superfused with a NaCl solution. The diameter of the spiral modiolar artery in NaCl solution displayed little dependence on the applied intravascular pressure. The diameter was 73±10 μm ( n =5) at 10 cm H 2 O and increased with pressure to 85±7 μm ( n =5) at the highest applied pressure (220 or 230 cm H 2 O). Elevation of the K + concentration from 3.6 to 150 mM in the superfusate caused a transient vasoconstriction. The amplitude of the K + -induced vasoconstriction depended strongly on the applied intravascular pressure. At 10 cm H 2 O the amplitude was maximal and the outer diameter decreased transiently by 49±9% (from 73±10 to 38±9 μm; n =5). The amplitude of K + -induced vasoconstriction was nearly maximal at pressures lower than 30 cm H 2 O, declined at higher pressures, and was not significantly different from zero at pressures larger than 100 cm H 2 O. These observations in conjunction with an estimation of the intravascular pressures in vivo suggest that cochlear blood flow can be regulated on two levels: (1) cochlear blood flow can be regulated by controlling the vascular diameter of the spiral modiolar artery (intracochlear blood flow regulation) and (2) intracochlear blood flow regulation can be modulated by altering the perfusion pressure which is controlled by the vasculature upstream of the cochlea.
Massive calcification and obstruction in a homograft after the rastelli procedure for transposition of great arteries

In a 9 1/2 year old boy with transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect and pulmonic stenosis, massive calcification and obstruction of the homograft developed within 17 months after a Rastelli procedure. The calcified homograft was resected and replaced with a prosthetic graft. The morphologic changes in the resected homograft and the possible mechanism of the calcification are reviewed.
An accurate method for the quantification of cytochrome C oxidase in tissue sections

Cytochrome oxidase (COX) is the enzyme that constitutes the last step of the mitochondrial electron transport chain for the production of ATP. Measurement of COX activity can be achieved by histochemistry, thus providing information about the metabolic status of the brain. Brain regions with high metabolism will present high COX activity in histochemistry assays and vice versa. Using histochemistry versus biochemistry to assess COX activity presents the advantage of providing a map of the differences in metabolism in discrete brain regions. Moreover, COX histochemistry allows quantifying the activity of a particular brain region, by converting units of optical density into units of activity. In the present work we have devised a methodology that allows not only quantifying differences in COX activity between groups, but also quantifying the amount of COX present in brain tissue sections, by directly relating optical density (OD) measurements to cytochrome C oxidase concentration, something that traditionally is achieved by the use of western blot. For this purpose we created a set of standards of known concentration of COX that were affixed to a nitrocellulose membrane, and this membrane was incubated together with the tissue sections in which COX activity was assessed. A standard curve was created using a gradient of different concentrations of purified bovine heart cytochrome oxidase (from 2μg to 0.1μg in intervals of 0.25μg). This standard curve allowed us to detect changes in optical density as low as 5%, and relate these OD differences with known concentrations of cytochrome C oxidase.
Intraventricular flow during isovolumic relaxation: Description and characterization by Doppler echocardiography

This study describes the characteristics of a prominent Doppler flow velocity signal representing intraventricular flow during left ventricular isovolumic relaxation. The flow during the isovolumic relaxation period was demonstrated in 60 subjects, including 7 with a normal heart, 26 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 10 with aortic valve disease, 9 with a transplanted heart and 8 others. All had normal to hyperdynamic left ventricular systolic function with some degree of cavity obliteration as seen in the apical two-dimensional echocardiographic views. In contrast, this isovolumic relaxation period flow could not be demonstrated in the absence of cavity obliteration in any of 20 patients with either normal or diminished left ventricular systolic function. Isovolumic relaxation period flow was best recorded from the apical transducer position and was directed toward the apex in all patients. By pulsed wave, and with two-dimensional Doppler ultrasound, the isovolumic relaxation period flow originated within a narrow area in the medial portion of the left ventricle along the middle or basal segments of the interventricular septum, but was recorded over a larger area toward the apex. The peak isovolumic relaxation period flow velocity was recorded just basal to the area of cavity obliteration, usually at the level of the papillary muscles, and ranged from 0.4 to 2.3 m/s (mean of 1.0 m/s). This isovolumic relaxation period flow started with aortic valve closure and, in 50 of the 60 patients, it lasted throughout isovolumic relaxation until mitral valve opening. In the other 10 patients (all with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), it lasted for only a part (mean 63%) of this period. Because of its timing and appearance, this isovolumic relaxation period flow potentially could be confused with the early peak of the diastolic transmitral Doppler flow velocity signal.
Optimal quantum control with multi-polarization fields

Abstract The dynamical advantages for employing up to three independently shaped polarization fields are explored in the optimal control of quantum systems. The analysis compares multi-polarization optimal control with what may be achieved using linearly polarized (1-D) control. Simulations on model systems show how multi-polarization (2-D, 3-D) optimally shaped pulses can overcome symmetry forbidden transitions and improve control quality by better accessibility to the target state.
Thin ideal internalization in Mexican girls: a test of the sociocultural model of eating disorders.

Objective: We examined the influence of thin ideal internalization on body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in Mexican girls. Method: We sampled 137 public school girls aged 12–15 from a small city in Mexico. Participants were given Spanish versions of the sociocultural attitudes toward appearance scale, two measures of body dissatisfaction, the eating attitudes test, and the attitudinal familism scale. Results: Thin ideal internalization mediated the relationship between thin ideal awareness and body dissatisfaction, and the relationship between thin ideal awareness and eating disorder symptoms. Attitudinal familism was negatively correlated with thin ideal internalization for girls outside of the normal weight range. Conclusion: Mexican girls are at risk of eating disorder symptoms, and there is support for the sociocultural model of disordered eating in this population. Hispanic family values may mark protection from thin ideal internalization in Mexican girls outside of the normal weight range. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2008
Trace-gas mixing in isolated urban boundary layers: Results from the 2001 Phoenix sunrise experiment

Measurements made from surface sites, from the 50 and 140 m levels (the 16th and 39th floors) of a skyscraper, and from an instrumented aircraft are used to characterize early morning profiles of CO, NOy, and O3 within the mid-morning summertime convective atmospheric boundary layer (CABL) over Phoenix, Arizona. Although mixing was anticipated to produce uniform values of these species throughout the CABL, this was found not to be the case. Background air advected into the upper levels of the boundary layer and entrained air from above appear to be the most likely cause for the lack of well-mixed trace gases. The results show that surface measurements may provide only limited information on concentrations of trace-gas species higher in the boundary layer. r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Activation of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor during Ozone Inhalation Contributes to Airway Epithelial Injury and Repair:

The authors investigated the importance of the neuropeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), in epithelial injury, repair, and neutrophil emigration after ozone exposure. Wistar rats were administered either a CGRP-receptor antagonist (CGRP(8-37)) or saline and exposed to 8 hours of 1-ppm ozone or filtered air with an 8-hour postexposure period. Immediately after exposure, ethidium homodimer was instilled into lungs as a marker of necrotic airway epithelial cells. After fixation, airway dissected lung lobes were stained for 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine, a marker of epithelial proliferation. Positive epithelial cells were quantified in specific airway generations. Rats treated with CGRP(8-37) had significantly reduced epithelial injury in terminal bronchioles and reduced epithelial proliferation in proximal airways and terminal bronchioles. Bronchoalveolar lavage and sections of terminal bronchioles showed no significant difference in the number of neutrophils emigrating into airways in CGRP(8-37)-treated rats. The airway epithelial cell line, HBE-1, showed no difference in the number of oxidant stress positive cells during exposure to hydrogen peroxide and a range of CGRP(8-37) doses, demonstrating no antioxidant effect of CGRP(8-37). We conclude that activation of CGRP receptors during ozone inhalation contributes to airway epithelial injury and subsequent epithelial proliferation, a critical component of repair, but does not influence neutrophil emigration into airways.
The path to preservation: Using proteomics to decipher the fate of diatom proteins during microbial degradation

We drew upon recent advances in tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomic analyses in order to examine the proteins that remain after a diatom bloom enters the stationary phase, precipitates out of the photic zone, and is subjected to microbial degradation over a 23-d period within a controlled laboratory environment. Proteins were identified from tandem mass spectra searched against three different protein databases in order to track proteins from Thalassiosira pseudonana and any potential bacterial contributions. A rapid loss of diatom protein was observed over the incubation period; 75% of the proteins initially identified were not detected after 72 h of exposure to a microbial population. By the 23rd day, peptides identified with high confidence correlated with only four T. pseudonana proteins. Five factors may have influenced the preservation of diatom proteins: (1) protection within organelles or structures with multiple membranes, (2) the relative cellular abundance in the photosynthetic apparatus, (3) the number of transmembrane domains in the protein sequence, (4) the presence of glycan modification motifs, and (5) the capability of proteins or peptides to aggregate into supramolecules.
Validity of the Force-Velocity Relation for Muscle Contraction in the Length Region, l ≤ l0

Considerable attention has been directed to the characteristic force-velocity relation discovered by A. V. Hill in the study of muscle kinematics. Models of contractile process were tested on the basis of their compatibility with the Hill equation. However, almost all the isotonic data have been restricted to one length, l0, the maximum length with almost no resting tension; the velocities measured are those initial values when the load begins to move. The force-velocity curve extrapolates to zero velocity for isometric tension, but only for the tension at that one length. Very few efforts have been made to study the profiles of the curves throughout the range of lengths over which shortening takes place. In examining the length region, l ≤ l0, for an isotonically contracting muscle, not only is the force-velocity relation valid for the initial reference length, l0, but also for any other length. The analysis in this report indicates that the constants a/P0 and b/l0 remain fixed throughout the length change of afterloaded isotonic shortening in the Rana pipiens sartorius muscles.
Rodent Herpesvirus Peru Encodes a Secreted Chemokine Decoy Receptor

Viruses have long been studied not only for their pathology and associated disease but also as model systems for understanding cellular and immunological processes. Rodent herpesvirus Peru (RHVP) is a recently characterized rhadinovirus related to murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) that establishes acute and latent infection in laboratory mice. RHVP encodes numerous unique proteins that we hypothesize might facilitate host immune evasion during infection. We report here that open reading frame (ORF) R17 encodes a high-affinity chemokine binding protein that broadly recognizes human and murine CC and C chemokines. The interaction of R17 with chemokines is generally characterized by rapid association kinetics, and in the case of CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL24, and XCL1, extremely stable complexes are formed. Functionally, R17 potently inhibited CCL2-driven chemotaxis of the human monocytic cell line THP-1, CCL3-driven chemotaxis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and CCL2-mediated calcium flux. Our studies also reveal that R17 binds to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in a process dependent upon two BBXB motifs and that chemokine and GAG binding can occur simultaneously at distinct sites. Collectively, these studies suggest that R17 may play a role in RHVP immune evasion through the targeted sabotage of chemokine-mediated immune surveillance.
Video content parsing based on combined audio and visual information

While previous research on audiovisual data segmentation and indexing primarily focuses on the pictorial part, significant clues contained in the accompanying audio flow are often ignored. A fully functional system for video content parsing can be achieved more successfully through a proper combination of audio and visual information. By investigating the data structure of different video types, we present tools for both audio and visual content analysis and a scheme for video segmentation and annotation in this research. In the proposed system, video data are segmented into audio scenes and visual shots by detecting abrupt changes in audio and visual features, respectively. Then, the audio scene is categorized and indexed as one of the basic audio types while a visual shot is presented by keyframes and associate image features. An index table is then generated automatically for each video clip based on the integration of outputs from audio and visual analysis. It is shown that the proposed system provides satisfying video indexing results.
Direct observation of UV-crosslinked protein-nucleic acid complexes by matrix-assisted laser desorption lonization mass spectrometry

Interactions between proteins and nucleic acids are important in the fundamental cellular processes that drive replication, recombination, dynamic alteration and repair of DNA, transcription and processing of RNA, synthesis of proteins, and regulation of enzyme activities. As part of an effort to develop a general, sensitive mass spectrometric strategy for the characterization of protein-nucleic acid interactions, we have used matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry to analyze protein-nucleic acid complexes that have been covalently crosslinked by ultraviolet (UV) light. In general, the application of MALDI mass spectrometric techniques to studies of UV-induced crosslinking of nucleoprotein complexes is demonstrated to be feasible. Specifically, MALDI mass analysis was used to determine the molecular weights of the phage T4 gene 32 protein (gp32) crosslinked to the oligonucleotide (dT)20, and the Escherichia coli transcription termination factor rho, photoaffinity labeled with 4-thio-uridine-diphosphate (4sUDP). The covalent gp32:(dT)20 complex is readily detected at a concentration of 1-2 microM in 1 microL of an unpurified solution of reactants that has been exposed to a single, 266 nm UV laser pulse. Mass spectrometric molecular weight determinations of the covalent rho:4sUDP complex add directness and specificity to the ATPase inactivation assay normally used to monitor the formation of 4sUDP photoaffinity labeled rho. It is found that successful MALDI mass spectrometry of protein-nucleic acid complexes is as critically dependent on the choice of solvents and additives as it is on the primary matrix compound.
Age as a Moderator of the Determinants of Life Satisfaction

Previous studies indicate that age differences in life satisfaction are minimal, especially when other variables are statistically controlled. This article examines the degree to which age moderates the impact of several predictors of life satisfaction. Interaction effects are investigated in context of a path model positing the structural determinants of life satisfaction. Results indicate that, although the total and direct effects of age are trivial, age is an important moderator of the effects of marital status, income, health, and social support upon lifesatisfaction.
A Roadmap for Health Care Accountability

theologians in the late 1970s and early 1980s encouraged their colleagues to distance themselves from practical bioethics. That is, Evans accounts for theological marginalization in terms of jurisdictional competition (and defeat at the hands of bioethicists) rather than what he alludes to in one sentence, but does not explore-a "crisis in theology." Evans' narrative of the origins of bioethics as a "profession" is very compressed, and I think does not do justice to what bioethics has taken to be its defining hallmark: what Daniel Callahan described long ago as "interdisciplinarity." That understanding of a plurality of perspectives, voices, and methods simply isn't compatible with Evans' analytical lens of jurisdiction competition and power plays for political influence. s' na rative of the origins of thics as a "profession" is very comssed, and I think does not do justice Other questions about Evans's analysis suggest themselves at various points. There are enough that, in my view, the overall argument is far from successful. Yet it is very successful in raising fundamental questions about the professional identity and moral integrity of bioethics and bioethicists, and that in itself makes Playing God very valuable reading.
A DEFORMATION OF THE BIG CELL INSIDE THE GRASSMANNIAN MANIFOLD G(r,n)

In this paper we construct a quantum analogue of the big cell inside the grassmannian manifold. Our deformation comes in tandem with a coaction of the upper parabolic subgroup in SLn(k), giving to the big cell the structure of quantum homogeneous space. At the end we give the De Rham complex of the quantum big cell and we define a ring of differential operators acting on the quantum big cell.
HESPERALETES (MAMMALIA: PERISSODACTYLA), A NEW TAPIROID FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Two new species of tapiroid perissodactyls referred to Hesperaletes gen. nov. are described from the Uintan of southern California. Hesperaletes has a deeply retracted narial incision, which is an indicator of prehensile proboscis development. This feature also characterizes early Oligocene Protapirus from North America and has been used to diagnose Tapiridae. All late Uintan samples from San Diego County, California, are referred to H. borineyi sp. nov., but anomalous patterns of variability and morphological variation prohibit referral of much smaller early Uintan samples to a single species. Most of the early Uintan samples are referred to H. walshi sp. nov. with the exception of one sample, which is referred to cf. Hesperaletes. North American Protapirus and Hesperaletes show many cranial similarities, and phylogenetic analysis resolves them as members of an unnamed clade, implying that Hesperaletes is a tapirid.
Binocular sensory outcomes in accommodative ET

Abstract Purpose To review what is known about the normal maturational sequence for fusion and stereopsis and the binocular sensory deficits associated with accommodative esotropia (ET) and to explore the clues that accommodative ET provides about critical periods for binocular sensory function. Methods Studies of binocular sensory function during infancy and early childhood are presented. Results Most of the maturation of binocular sensory function occurs during the first year of life, yet a later abnormal visual experience—such as the onset of accommodative ET—can profoundly and permanently disrupt fusion and stereopsis. Conclusions Some binocular sensory deficits may exist before the onset of accommodative ET, but others may result directly from abnormal binocular experience. The functional organization of the maturing visual system appears to be maximally sensitive to disruption by abnormal visual experience during the first months of life, but susceptibility continues until at least 4 years of age.
IL-3 Maintains Activation of the p90S6K/RPS6 Pathway and Increases Translation in Human Eosinophils

IL-5 is a major therapeutic target to reduce eosinophilia. However, all of the eosinophil-activating cytokines, such as IL-5, IL-3, and GM-CSF, are typically present in atopic diseases, including allergic asthma. As a result of the functional redundancy of these three cytokines on eosinophils and the loss of IL-5R on airway eosinophils, it is important to take IL-3 and GM-CSF into account to efficiently reduce tissue eosinophil functions. Moreover, these three cytokines signal through a common β-chain receptor but yet differentially affect protein production in eosinophils. Notably, the increased ability of IL-3 to induce the production of proteins, such as semaphorin-7A, without affecting mRNA levels suggests a unique influence of IL-3 on translation. The purpose of this study was to identify the mechanisms by which IL-3 distinctively affects eosinophil function compared with IL-5 and GM-CSF, with a focus on protein translation. Peripheral blood eosinophils were used to study intracellular signaling and protein translation in cells activated with IL-3, GM-CSF, or IL-5. We establish that, unlike GM-CSF or IL-5, IL-3 triggers prolonged signaling through activation of ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) and the upstream kinase 90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (p90S6K). Blockade of p90S6K activation inhibited phosphorylation of RPS6 and IL-3-enhanced semaphorin-7A translation. Furthermore, in an allergen-challenged environment, in vivo phosphorylation of RPS6 and p90S6K was enhanced in human airway compared with circulating eosinophils. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying differential activation of eosinophils by IL-3, GM-CSF, and IL-5. These observations identify IL-3 and its downstream intracellular signals as novel targets that should be considered to modulate eosinophil functions.
Integrated approach for the optimal selection of environmentally friendly drilling systems

There is a pressing need in the energy industry to develop technologies capable of reducing the environmental impact during oil and gas drilling operations. However, these technologies have not been fully integrated into a decision-making system that can reflect a quantitative effort toward this goal. This paper introduces two quantitative decision methods for the selection of environmentally friendly drilling systems. One is based on a multi-attribute utility approach and the other one is based on the analysis of interventions or causal approach. To illustrate the applicability of the proposed methods and to contract their benefits and limitations, a case study is presented using data collected from Green Lake at McFaddin, TX, USA.