cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
3D-Bioprinted Inflammation Modulating Polymer Scaffolds for Soft Tissue Repair

Development of inflammation modulating polymer scaffolds for soft tissue repair with minimal postsurgical complications is a compelling clinical need. However, the current standard of care soft tissue repair meshes for hernia repair is highly inflammatory and initiates a dysregulated inflammatory process causing visceral adhesions and postsurgical complications. Herein, the development of an inflammation modulating biomaterial scaffold (bioscaffold) for soft tissue repair is presented. The bioscaffold design is based on the idea that, if the excess proinflammatory cytokines are sequestered from the site of injury by the surgical implantation of a bioscaffold, the inflammatory response can be modulated, and the visceral adhesion formations and postsurgical complications can be minimized. The bioscaffold is fabricated by 3D-bioprinting of an in situ phosphate crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer. In vivo efficacy of the bioscaffold is evaluated in a rat ventral hernia model. In vivo proinflammatory cytokine expression analysis and histopathological analysis of the tissues have confirmed that the bioscaffold acts as an inflammation trap and captures the proinflammatory cytokines secreted at the implant site and effectively modulates the local inflammation without the need for exogenous anti-inflammatory agents. The bioscaffold is very effective in inhibiting visceral adhesions formation and minimizing postsurgical complications.
338 Clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients with dermatopolymyositis

Dermatopolymyositis (DPM) is chronic inflammatory disorder that not only affects the skin and muscles but is also associated with malignancies and other disorders There is currently scant literature on the outcomes of COVID19 patients with DPM and aim was to examine investigate the impact of AD on COVID complications A retrospective cohort study was done using TriNetX, a national federated real time database of 63 million records COVID patient cohorts were identified by validated ICD-10 and serology codes per CDC guidelines An 1:1 matched propensity score analysis was conducted, adjusting for comorbidities and demographics, to calculate adjusted Risk Ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) 45-day COVID complications were examined with severe COVID being defined as a composite of mortality and ventilation Subgroup analyses were also performed for Dermatopolymyositis patients on systemic immunosuppressants In a matched sample of 177 patients in each cohort, there was no statistically significant difference between DPM-COVID patients and non-DPM COVID patients in any of the outcomes examined such as hospitalization (0 97[0 63-1 49]), acute respiratory distress syndrome (1 01[0 42-2 34]), sepsis (1 1[0 48-2 52]), mechanical ventilation (1 01[0 43-2 34]), mortality (1 2[0 53-2 71]), and severe COVID (1 5[0 69-3 25]) Subgroup analysis also revealed that DPM-COVID patients with a one-year history of immunosuppressant use had no significant difference in any of the listed outcomes compared to DPM-COVID patients without history of immunosuppressants DPM patients who contract COVID are not at higher risk for more severe COVID outcomes compared to COVID patients without DPM Systemic immunosuppressants in DPM-COVID patients also did not lead higher risk for COVID complications compared to DPM-COVID patients without a history of systemic immunosuppressants Continuing research on the long term impacts of COVID on DPM patients is needed
Financial Stability and the Role of Central Banks: Evolving Payments Systems, Climate Risks and Financial Stability Risks

Even though unregulated and decentralized platforms such as crypto assets are considered to have the potential to provide low-income earners with cheap banking alternative and “perhaps put pressure on banks to lower fees” (WSJ, 2019), its volatile nature, lack of consensual standards as regards its definition, and more importantly the lack of a centralized regulatory authority or governance in respect of regulatory and reporting procedures, has given rise to concerns. Such concerns gravitating in cases where particularly potentially systemic repercussions are generated by virtue of such assets being tied to government issues currencies or backed by governments. The recent pandemic has further increased the trend towards declining cash activities and transactions. Even prior to the pandemic, there had been extensive discussions relating to preferences of introducing electronic means of payments which would be regulated by central banks – as opposed to private electronic money which are controlled by private actors – in view of growing concerns relating to the popularity of stable coins over de centralized platforms. As well as considering what measures and initiatives have been adopted by international bodies such as the Financial Stability Board, this paper also considers why the need for central bank digital currencies is becoming a popular consideration – as well as challenges and benefits presented through the use of decentralized platforms. In accentuating the role of central banks in the future and current payments system, this paper also highlights its role in addressing climate risks – as well as financial stability risks – with the impact of Securities Financial Transactions on systemic risk, also being taken into consideration.
College-Bound Figured Worlds: Case Studies of Three Urban High Schools:

This qualitative case study explored the unique ways recent college graduates serving as full-time, near-peer mentors supported students along the path to college in three different urban public hi...
Rapidly Remote: Providing Seamless Library Support during a Pandemic

The core mission of the Health Sciences Library at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) is to provide an environment conducive to student learning and the biomedical informatio...
Neural Regulation of Hematopoiesis by the Tachykinins

The neuromodulators/neurotransmitters, substance P (SP) and neurokinin-A (NK-A) belong to the tachykinin family. Both peptides are widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Although lymphoid organs such as the bone marrow (BM) are innervated by peptidergic fibers, non-neural sources for these peptides are possible. Specific cells (endothelial, macrophages and eosinophils) produce SP. In addition, we have found that cytokines induce SP-immunoreactivity (SP-IR) in BM stroma. Although both peptides interact with each of the three cloned NK- receptors (NK-1R, NK-2R, NK-3R), SP and NK-A exhibit preferences for NK-1R and NK-2R respectively. SP and NK-A interact with the G-protein coupled NK-like receptors on hematopoietic cells (CD34+, stroma) to regulate hematopoiesis. Our data indicate the presence of NK-1 and NK-2 like receptors, as well as subtypes of these receptors in BM cells. We have reported that SP stimulates in vitro hematopoiesis (erythroid and myeloid). Compared to SP, NK-A is less stimulatory to erythroid and inhibits myeloid colonies. The regulatory effects by the tachykinins are partly determined by the particular type of NK-Rs being stimulated. NK-1R appears to mediate a stimulatory response whereas, NK-2R inhibits hematopoiesis. Most of the effects by the tachykinins are indirect through the induction of growth factors. We have shown that SP induces IL-1, IL-3, IL-6, GM-CSF and c-kit ligand in BM cells and NK-A induces MlP-1α and TGF-s. Our data indicate that the stroma is involved in most of the tachykinin-mediated effects through the induction of cytokines which in turn regulate the induction, expression and binding affinities of NK-R on BM cells. These studies suggest that the tachykinins can mediate a network of regulatory interactions among BM cells and, that this can lead to “fine-tuned” hematopoiesis. The results also provide evidence that in addition to being neuro-transmitters/-modulators, the tackykinins may be a link of a putative neurohematopoietic axis.
On the creation of a new course entitled "Modeling of Engineering Systems"

This paper explains the preparations undertaken to offer a new course on modeling of engineering systems. It details the factors motivating the development of such a course, its objectives, and the work plan being followed for its preparation. Although this course will be offered to the electrical engineering students, it should be of significant interest to other engineering majors as well. The course involves the use of SIMULINK simulation software.
Defects in pollen-tube differentiation prevent fertilization.

Pollen tubes transport two immotile sperm cells in their cytoplasm during growth through the pistil, delivering one to the egg cell to form the zygote and one to the central cell to create the endosperm. Pollen tubes grow through the pistil’s complex extracellular environment and target ovules by following a gradient of small protein attractants, which are secreted by two specialized synergid cells within the ovule. This image shows Arabidopsis thaliana pollen tubes growing in vitro, and illustrates how pollen tubes gain the capacity to locate and enter ovules only after interaction with the pistil tissue. When pollen grains expressing red fluorescent protein (bottom) are placed directly on media in vitro, they exhibit random growth and are unable to target ovules (shown in white; middle). In contrast, when pollen expressing green fluorescent protein (top) is grown through an explant of stigma and style, pollen tubes grow more rapidly and efficiently target and enter ovules. Pollen transcriptional programs are rapidly induced during growth through the pistil, which prepares the pollen tube for interaction with the synergid cells. The molecular components that allow perception of the chemoattractants, which are similarly transcriptionally regulated, are beginning to be identified. Pollen growth in the pistil initiates pollen tube differentiation, maximizing the capacity of pollen to deliver sperm.
Self-Preservation of Temperature Fluctuations in Isotropic Turbulence

The averaged spectral equations governing the decay of temperature fluctuations in an isotropic turbulent field are considered and found to admit to fully self-preserving solutions which retain a dependence on the initial conditions. The characteristic length scale for the decay is shown to be the scalar Taylor microscale, and the characteristic temperature is the square root of the scalar variance. In addition to recovering the well- known empirically established power law decay for the variance, the mechanical/temperature time scale ratio is shown to be constant. The invariants of scalar decay are discussed and a number of questions are raised which require further research.
Heap decomposition inference with linear programming

Hierarchical decomposition is a fundamental principle that encourages the organization of program elements into nested scopes of access, instead of treating all as "global." This paper offers a foundational study of heap decomposition inference, the problem of statically extracting the decomposition hierarchy latent in the runtimes of object-oriented programs, henceforth revealing the compositional nature of the heap. The centerpiece of the paper is Cypress, a sound, precise, and scalable constraint-based ownership type inference coupled with a novel application of linear programming over integers. All constraints in Cypress are linear, and the precision of decomposition --- placing objects to scopes as non-global as possible --- can be reduced to a linear programming problem. Cypress has been implemented as an open-source tool that can decompose real-world Java applications of more than 100K LOC and up to 6000 statically distinct instantiations.
Containment of a silicone fluid free surface in reduced gravity

In support of the Surface Tension Driven Convection Experiment planned for flight aboard the space shuttle, tests were conducted under reduced gravity in the 2.2-second drop tower and the 5.0-second Zero-G facility at the Lewis Research Center. The dynamics of controlling the test fluid, a 10-centi Stoke viscosity silicone fluid, in a low gravity environment were investigated using different container designs and barrier coatings. Three container edge designs were tested without a barrier coating: a square edge, a sharp edge with a 45-deg slope, and a saw-tooth edge. All three edge designs were successful in containing the fluid below the edge. G-jitter experiments were made in scaled-down containers subjected to horizontal accelerations. The data showed that a barrier coating is effective in containing silicone fluid under g-levels up to 10•1 g0.
Porewater chemistry associated withPhragmites andSpartina in a Connecticut tidal marsh

Porewater chemistry and plant height were examined along 5 short transects extending from sections of tidal marsh dominated by the common reedPhragmites australis to those dominated bySpartina alterniflora. Phragmites was found at relatively higher tidal elevations along 4 of 5 transects; along all transects,Phragmites was growing and flowering throughout a porewater salinity range from 12 to 30 ppt. Dissolved inorganic phosphorus concentrations varied from 0 to >35 μM in bothSpartina andPhragmites sections of marsh, but ammonium concentrations averaged >40 μM in zones dominated bySpartina and 400 μM, perhaps due to sulfide inhibition of nitrogen uptake for growth. The persistence ofPhragmites at field conditions of high salinity and elevated sulfide concentrations suggests that hydrologic management may be insufficient to eradicatePhragmites in tidal wetlands.
An electron microscope investigation of explosively loaded copper

Abstract Single crystals of copper subjected to shock pressures of 63 kbars were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Dislocation substructures in planes perpendicular and parallel to the shock front showed a striking difference in their nature and distribution. Polycrystalline copper specimens subj ected to pressures from 90 to 150 kbars were also examined. The changes observed on annealing are discussed.
Social Work in Schools by Openshaw, L.

It is obvious when reading Social Work in Schools that Linda Openshaw has been a long-time practicing school social worker and identifies strongly with that role. The book is an ambitious attempt t...
Confidence intervals for estimating the population signal-to-noise ratio: a simulation study

This paper considered several confidence intervals for estimating the population signal-to-noise ratio based on parametric, non-parametric and modified methods. A simulation study has been conducted to compare the performance of the interval estimators under both symmetric and skewed distributions. We reported coverage probability and average width of the interval estimators. Based on the simulation study, we observed that some of our proposed interval estimators are performing better in the sense of smaller width and coverage probability and have been recommended for the researchers.
Effects of Various Forms of Calcium on Body Weight and Bone Turnover Markers in Women Participating in a Weight Loss Program

Objective: This study examined the effects of calcium intake on body weight, body fat, and markers of bone turnover in pre-menopausal adult women undergoing a 12 week weight loss program of diet and exercise.Methods: Subjects were prescribed a 12 week diet with a 500 Kcal restriction containing about 750 mg calcium/day, exercised 3 times/week, and were given either placebo capsules, capsules of calcium lactate or calcium phosphate (daily dose about 800 mg calcium), or low fat milk (daily dose about 800 mg calcium). Subjects completed and returned daily diet diaries weekly.Results: Daily calcium intake in mg from diet records + supplement assignment was: 788 ± 175 (placebo), 1698 ± 210 (Ca lactate), 1566 ± 250 (Ca phosphate), 1514 ± 225 (milk)(no significant differences among the calcium and milk groups). Each group had statistically significant changes in body weight (p < 0.01), but there were no significant differences among groups for the weight loss: 5.8 ± 0.8 kg (placebo), 4.1 ± 0.7 kg (Ca lactate), 5...
High Temperature 2-D Millimeter-Wave Radiometry of Micro Grooved Nuclear Graphite

A dual 137 GHz heterodyne radiometer system was used to study grooved nuclear grade graphite (SGL Group NBG17) inside an electric furnace from room temperature to 1250°C. The millimeter wave radiometer views were collinear with the electric field of one polarized parallel, and the other perpendicular, to the grooves. The anisotropic emissivity was readily detected for 100 μm wide grooves of various depths with a spacing period of 0.76 mm. The emissivity in the 500 – 1250°C temperature range was found to be 5.1 ± 0.5% when the E-field was parallel to the grooves and a factor of 2 – 4 higher, depending on groove depth, in the perpendicular direction. The parallel surface emissivity which was identical to ungrooved surface emissivity corresponded to a 137 GHz surface resistance of 5.3 Ohms, which is about 2.5 times higher than the value predicted from frequency scaling dc surface resistance. The perpendicular emissivity had a modulation with groove depth at odd integral multiples of ¼λ, predicted by electromagnetic finite difference time domain analysis.
New Vaccines Against Otitis Media: Projected Benefits and Cost-effectiveness

OBJECTIVE. New vaccines that offer protection against otitis media caused by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and by Moraxella catarrhalis are under development. However, the potential health benefits and economic effects of such candidate vaccines have not been systematically assessed. METHODS. We created a computerized model to compare the projected benefits and costs of (1) the currently available 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, (2) a candidate pneumococcal–nontypeable H influenzae vaccine that has been tested in Europe, (3) a hypothetical pneumococcal-nontypeable H influenzae–Moraxella vaccine, and (4) no vaccination. The clinical probabilities of acute otitis media and of otitis media with effusion were generated from multivariate analyses of data from 2 large health maintenance organizations and from the Pittsburgh Child Development/Otitis Media Study cohort. Other probabilities, costs, and quality-of-life values were derived from published and unpublished sources. The base-case analysis assumed vaccine dose costs of $65 for the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, $100 for the pneumococcal-nontypeable H influenzae vaccine, and $125 for the pneumococcal-nontypeable H influenzae–Moraxella vaccine. RESULTS. With no vaccination, we projected that 13.7 million episodes of acute otitis media would occur annually in US children aged 0 to 4 years, at an annual cost of $3.8 billion. The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was projected to prevent 878000 acute otitis media episodes, or 6.4% of those that would occur with no vaccination; the corresponding value for the pneumococcal–nontypeable H influenzae vaccine was 3.7 million (27%) and for the pneumococcal–nontypeable H influenzae–Moraxella vaccine was 4.2 million (31%). Using the base-case vaccine costs, pneumococcal–nontypeable H influenzae vaccine use would result in net savings compared with nontypeable 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate use. Conversely, pneumococcal–nontypeable H influenzae–Moraxella vaccine use would not result in savings compared with pneumococcal–nontypeable H influenzae vaccine use, but would cost $48 000 more per quality-adjusted life-year saved. The results were sensitive to variations in assumptions on vaccine effectiveness and vaccine dose costs but not to variations in other assumptions. CONCLUSIONS. New candidate vaccines against otitis media have the potential to prevent millions of disease episodes in the United States annually. If priced comparably with other recently introduced vaccines, these new otitis vaccines could achieve cost-effectiveness comparable with or more favorable than that of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
What Would Be the Most Appropriate α/β Ratio in the Setting of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

We hypothesize that the correlation between the radiation dose expressed as the biologically effective dose (BED) and the clinical endpoints will correlate better as the value of the ratio is increased to &#x3e;10&#x2009;Gy, which theoretically minimizes the overestimation of the dose potency associated with the linear quadratic (LQ) formula in the setting of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A search was conducted in the PubMed electronic databases in August 2011. In the studies analyzed, increasing the ratio is associated with an increase in the strength of the correlation between isocenter BED and local control, especially in the studies with median followup of &#x2265;24 months, for which Spearman&#x2019;s correlation coefficients of 0.74&#x2013;0.76 were achieved for of 20&#x2009;Gy, 30&#x2009;Gy, and 50&#x2009;Gy (&#x2009;0.007&#x2013;0.008). A trend toward statistical significance was observed for the correlation of isocenter BED and the 2-year overall survival when an of 20&#x2009;Gy was used approached statistical significance (). Our results suggest that an &#x2009;Gy may be more appropriate for the prediction of dose response in the setting of lung SBRT.
Spawning and Culture of Humpback Chub

Abstract During 1981, humpback chub (Gila cypha) were spawned and cultured at Willow Beach (Arizona) National Fish Hatchery. This species is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Seventeen wild females ovulated after injection with 4 mg acetone-dried carp pituitary per kilogram of body weight. Eight females were stripped manually, whereas the remaining nine injected females spawned naturally in a trout raceway. Mean fecundity of eight females was 2,523. Incubation periods ranged from 102 to 146 h at water temperatures of 21-22°C, 115 to 160 h at 19-20°C, 167 to 266 h at 16-17°C, and 340 to 475 h at 12-13°C. Survival of eggs was 79% at 21-22°C, 84% at 19-20°C, 62% at 16-17°C, and 12% at 12-13°C. At hatching, total length and weight of fry ranged from 6.7 to 7.4 mm and 2.8 to 4.2 mg. The survival of swim-up fry was 99% at 21-22°C, 95% at 19-20°C, 91% at 16-17°C, and 15% at 12-13°C. The length of fry placed in raceways had doubled by 21 to 28 days, and fingerlings attained a range of 36...
A multi-scale homogenization and reconstruction approach for solid material temperature calculations in prismatic high temperature reactor cores

Abstract Traditional full-core heat transfer analysis of high temperature reactors uses effective coarse mesh parameters that are typically derived from a priori analysis and/or simplified analytical models that approximate the subscale temperature response. Consequently, different assumptions are made on each spatial scale, potentially yielding inconsistent solution methods with large associated uncertainties. In contrast, homogenized cross-sections used in full-core neutronics analysis are obtained using consistent homogenization techniques applied in conjunction with unit cell calculations. This approach has been proven both efficient and accurate. It is therefore surprising that formal homogenization techniques are rarely used in heat transfer analysis of nuclear reactors. In this work we take advantage of distinct unit cells that can be identified on each spatial scale in the MHTGR reactor core with the view to develop a consistent and accurate methodology for constructing hierarchical coarse mesh models for solid heat conduction in this reactor type. Three techniques have been used: formal multi-scale expansion homogenization is applied to obtain effective unit cell thermodynamic parameters; coarse mesh temperature discontinuities are defined to ensure continuity of the fine-scale temperatures at interfaces; and reduced order models for the time-dependent temperature response of the unit cells are obtained using proper orthogonal decomposition applied to detailed unit cell simulation results. The result is an efficient method, aimed toward unstructured CFD frameworks, that accurately captures coarse mesh temperatures with the capability of fully reconstructing the fine scale solution at any hierarchical level. The advantages of this method are illustrated for a small prismatic HTGR core using a cascaded solution approach. Starting at the finest scale, the TRISO coated particles, high resolution unit cell calculations are performed in a hierarchical fashion to build up a library of homogenized coarse mesh parameters and reduced order models, which are then used for the full-core heat conduction analysis. We demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the method by comparing results for a typical HTR power excursion transient against detailed reference solutions.
Brain-adipose tissue neural crosstalk.

Abstract The preponderance of basic obesity research focuses on its development as affected by diet and other environmental factors, genetics and their interactions. By contrast, we have been studying the reversal of a naturally-occurring seasonal obesity in Siberian hamsters. In the course of this work, we determined that the sympathetic innervation of white adipose tissue (WAT) is the principal initiator of lipid mobilization not only in these animals, but in all mammals including humans. We present irrefutable evidence for the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) innervation of WAT with respect to neuroanatomy (including its central origins as revealed by transneuronal viral tract tracers), neurochemistry (norepinephrine turnover studies) and function (surgical and chemical denervation). A relatively unappreciated role of WAT SNS innervation also is reviewed — the control of fat cell proliferation as shown by selective chemical denervation that triggers adipocyte proliferation, although the precise mechanism by which this occurs presently is unknown. There is no, however, equally strong evidence for the parasympathetic innervation of this tissue; indeed, the data largely are negative severely questioning its existence and importance. Convincing evidence also is given for the sensory innervation of WAT (as shown by tract tracing and by markers for sensory nerves in WAT), with suggestive data supporting a possible role in conveying information on the degree of adiposity to the brain. Collectively, these data offer an additional or alternative view to the predominate one of the control of body fat stores via circulating factors that serve as efferent and afferent communicators.
Regulation of Cytoskeleton Organization and Paxillin Dephosphorylation by cAMP: STUDIES ON MURINE Y1 ADRENAL CELLS *

Cyclic AMP induces corticosteroid production, differential gene transcription, and cell cycle arrest in adrenal cortex-derived Y1 cells. These responses follow a cAMP-controlled transformation in Y1 cell morphology: the conversion of flat epithelial cells into rounded, highly refractile cells with short processes. Little is known about effector proteins and mechanisms that link activated protein kinase A to the alteration in cell shape. We now report that cAMP causes rapid (≤1 min) and selective tyrosine dephosphorylation of paxillin, a focal adhesion protein. Paxillin is maximally dephosphorylated before other physiological effects of cAMP are detected in Y1 cells. Dephosphopaxillin translocates from focal adhesions to the cytoplasm as stress fibers vanish and F-actin accumulates in membrane ruffles and cytoplasmic aggregates. Remnants of focal adhesion complexes dissociate from the cell cortex and coalesce into large structures that contain aggregated F-actin. Pervanadate, an inhibitor of protein-tyrosine phosphatases, abrogates all effects of cAMP. Conversely, genistein-sensitive protein-tyrosine kinase activity is essential for establishing epithelial morphology and reversing effects of cAMP in Y1 cells. Thus, cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) actions are initially targeted to focal adhesions and cortical actin cytoskeleton; paxillin is an early and unexpected downstream target in a PKA-mediated signaling pathway, and protein-tyrosine phosphatase activity provides an essential link between PKA activation and the control of cell shape.
Integrative Approaches to Childhood Constipation and Encopresis

Constipation and encopresis (fecal soiling) are common childhood disorders that may lead to significant functional impairment. The etiology and course of constipation and encopresis are increasingly conceptualized from a broad biopsychosocial perspective, and therefore a holistic approach to assessment and treatment is indicated. Many children experience symptoms of chronic constipation and/or encopresis that are only partially responsive to conventional medical therapy. Complementary/alternative therapies can often help in the treatment of constipation/encopresis and are well accepted by patients and families.
Mass yield distribution and charge dispersion in 450 MeV proton fission of 238U

Abstract The independent and/or cumulative cross-sections of 26 isotopes of silver, cadmium, indium, tin, and antimony from the fission of 238U with 450 MeV protons have been measured. The isotopic yield distribution for these elements is presented along with the charge dispersion for six mass chains, 109, 115, 117, 125, 127 and 129. The values of the most probable charge, Zp, for 14 mass chains were calculated and the variation of A Zp with A in the mass region 100–130 was determined. For A values between 100 and 120, the value of A Zp is relatively constant at a value of 2·424±0·004 if the charge dispersion width is assumed to be constant at a value of 2·90±0·10 Z units. In the mass region, 125–129, a width of 3·21 Z units and a slightly higher value of A Zp , 2·430±0·004, are required to account for the data. A mass yield curve encompassing this region of A was also determined.
Tissue kallikrein inhibitors in mammals

We have discovered, purified and cloned a new kallikrein-binding protein (KBP or kallistatin) from humans and rodents. Kallistatins are members of the serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) superfamily. They are acidic glycoproteins with molecular masses of 58-62 kDa and pI values of 4.6-5.2. Kallistatin forms a SDS-stable complex with tissue kallikrein and inhibits kallikrein's activities. Human kallistatin has a unique cleavage site with Phe-Phe-Ser at the P2-P1-P1' positions. The protein sequence of mature human kallistatin shares 44-46% identity with other serpins such as human alpha 1-antitrypsin, protein C inhibitor and rat kallikrein-binding protein. The kallistatin genes display the typical five exon-four intron serpin gene structure. The human kallistatin gene is localized on chromosome 14q31-32.1 and the RKBP gene is on chromosome 6. Kallistatin is evolutionarily diverse but functionally conserved in mammalian species. This overview summarizes the biochemistry, molecular biology and potential physiology and/or pathophysiology of this new tissue kallikrein inhibitor.
Articulation effects in lightness: historical background and theoretical implications.

The concept of articulation was first introduced by Katz [1935 The World of Colour (London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co)] to refer to the degree of complexity within a field. Katz, who created the basic research methods for studying lightness constancy, found that the greater the degree of articulation within a field of illumination, the greater the degree of constancy. Even though this concept has been largely forgotten, there is much empirical evidence for Katz's principle, and the effects on lightness are very strong. However, when articulation is increased within a framework that does not coincide with a region of illumination, constancy is weakened. Kardos (1934 Zeitschrift fur Psychologie Erganzungband 23) advanced the concept of co-determination, according to which the lightness of a surface is determined relative to more than one field of illumination. Gilchrist et al (1999 Psychological Review 106 795-834) argue that the fields concept should be replaced by the more operational frameworks concept and that a wide variety of lightness errors can be explained by a modification of the Katz principle: the greater the articulation within a perceptual framework, the stronger the anchoring of lightness values within that framework.
Apologues, by Carlo Lodoli

(2010). Apologues, by Carlo Lodoli. Journal of Architectural Education: Vol. 64, No. 1, pp. 57-64.
Measurements of the UV absorption cross-sections for HO2 and CH3O2 in the gas phase

Relative values of the gas phase absorption cross-sections σ for hydroperoxy (HO2) and methylperoxy (CH3 O2) radicals were determined at 298 K over the wavelength λ ranges 210 – 250 nm and 210 – 280 nm respectively. These determinations were based on measurements of the initial optical density (OD)0 of each radical vs. wavelength immediately following its flash photolytic generation. Chlorine atoms produced by the photolysis (λ ⩾ 300 nm) of Cl2 were stoichiometrically converted into the desired peroxy radical via the reaction sequences or Cross-section ratios for the two radicals, determined in separate experiments at several wavelengths, agreed well with those calculated using data from the complete (OD)0 vs. λ sets and were used to establish the relative intensities of the absorption spectral curves for the two radicals. These spectral data were converted to absolute cross-sections using measurements of the fractional photodissociation of Cl2 per flash in conjunction with measurements of the initial methylperoxy radical OD as a function of Cl2 concentration. The results are compared with existing data in the literature for both relative and absolute absorption cross-sections and the effect of these new values on the existing kinetics data base for both radicals in discussed.
A Simple Colloidal Synthesis for Gram-Quantity Production of Water-Soluble ZnS Nanocrystal Powders.

Abstract A simple, inexpensive, and reproducible procedure is described for large-scale synthesis of highly stable nanocrystalline ZnS powders. Cysteine-capped ZnS nanocrystals (NCs) were produced by a colloidal aqueous synthesis, employing a ligand-competition mechanism in which sulfide was introduced into a preformed zinc–cysteine solution. The synthesis procedure resulted in highly concentrated ZnS NC solutions (∼100 mM) which could be ethanol-precipitated, redissolved, and dried to produce fine powders stable for more than 30 months at 4°C. The NC powders were readily dissolved in aqueous solvents to concentrations as high as 300 mM. ZnS NCs could be prepared without cysteine capping, but only at extremely dilute concentrations (∼0.2 mM ZnSO4) as per Sooklal et al.J. Phys. Chem.100, 4551 (1996). The 30-month-old ZnS NC powders retained their original optical and photocatalytic properties and could be handled much like routine shelf chemicals, unaffected by ambient air or moderate moisture and temperature. UV/vis absorption spectroscopy showed band gap energies (Eg) ranging from 4.82 eV (257 nm λmax) to 4.47 eV (277 nm λmax) for ZnS samples prepared with 0.25–2.0 initial sulfide ratios (as compared to zinc). Samples stored at 4°C for 30 months showed equivalent band gap energies and spectral profiles. The average NC particle size was estimated to be 6.08±0.76 nm by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Selected-area electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction analyses concurred in suggesting a hexagonal crystal structure, with diffractions near d=3.1, 1.9, and 1.6 A. The average NC composition of size-fractionated samples was estimated to be Cys1Zn7S6. p-Nitrophenol, a model organic, was photocatalytically degraded using 30-month-old ZnS NC powders dissolved in an aqueous buffer. Rates of degradation (first-order rate constant k=0.261 min−1; t1/2=2.66 min) were comparable to those of experiments using freshly prepared ZnS NCs (first-order rate constant k=0.247 min−1; t1/2=2.80 min), further demonstrating the long-term stability of thus-produced NC powders.
Parliamentary committees in european democracies

Parliamentary committees are among the most important features of legislative organisation in contemporary democracies. This analysis identifies three perspectives on committees in the neo‐institutional rational choice literature on legislative organisation, in which committees are viewed as vehicles for gains from trade, information acquisition and partisan co‐ordination, respectively. Guided by these perspectives, the article then surveys the structure, procedures and powers of legislative committees in 18 western European democracies from 1990. The data are drawn from a cross‐national collaborative research project directed by Herbert Doring (1995).
Chronic in vivo depletion of CD4 T cells increases both serum IgM levels and the expressed frequency of anti-ssDNA precursors in both NZB and DBA/2 mice.

Abstract Chronic depletion of CD4 T cells has been employed as therapy in a number of models of autoimmune disease, including spontaneously autoimmune NZB W mice. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of CD4 depletion on the production of IgM and IgM anti-ssDNA. Beginning at 8 weeks of age, NZB and DBA 2 mice received 12 weekly injections of monoclonal antibody GK1.5 (anti-CD4) or normal rat IgG. In both strains, CD4 T cell depletion resulted in an increase in serum IgM. Anti-ssDNA precursors, which are increased in NZB mice, were further increased by depletion of CD4 T cells. The DBA 2 mouse expresses anti-ssDNA precursors relatively infrequently; however, CD4 T cell depletion resulted in a significant increase in the expression of these autoantibody precursors as well as an increase in the RNA content of splenic B cells. These results indicate that although CD4 T cell depletion ameliorates clinical manifestations of autoimmunity in some situations, this treatment may also increase serum IgM levels and the production of anti-ssDNA autoantibodies.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND POLITICAL STATUS

mized by the author according to political status as of 1950 with 111 classified as non-self-governing and 85 classified as self-governing, but, it should be noted, these figures have gradually changed with increasing numbers of self-governing areas. More than 50 characteristics of political entities with data available for a large proportion of the self-governing and non-self-governing areas were statistically manipulated in order to determine which items most efficiently discriminated between self-governing and non-self-governing areas.** Numerous variables thought to discriminate between self-governing and non-selfgoverning areas were found to have little or no discriminating power; others were highly discriminating. It should be emphasized, however, that the existence of discriminating items cannot in itself be accepted as evidence that an area must have certain
A modified akaike information criterion

A method, closely related to Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC), is introduced that more nearly matches practical methods of estimating the parameters of an autoregressive (AR) model of a stationary time series. The method is computationally similar to AIC, and in preliminary experiments has shown considerable success in identifying AR model orders.
The impact of political parties on the distribution of state and local tax burdens

Abstract Using a disaggregated measure that allows us to examine the distribution of state and local tax burdens between high and low income groups better, this research finds that in many models, Democratic control is positively associated with a lower relative tax burden on the poor. The results are stronger for average Democratic strength in the state government than for unified Democratic strength. The results are strongest when comparing income groups just below the richest 1% (the next richest 2–5% and the next richest 6–20%) with the poorest 20%. Income inequality is strongly negatively associated with the degree of state and local tax progressivity.
Rapid Prototyping of Multitier Cloud-Based Services and Systems

With the authors' approach, developers build and deploy complex cloud-based applications according to the application's logical functional decomposition, using loosely coupled components that exploit cloud computing's advantages without the restrictions of a particular programming style or architecture.
Coupling multi-level component interfaces for parallel sparse linear system solvers

Component interfaces for sparse linear system solvers facilitate their integration into scientific applications. Due to a great variety of sparse matrix representations and characteristics, the solver choice may be complicated. Furthermore, once chosen, the solver often needs tuning to a given application. Thus, the tasks of solver switching (on the high level of abstraction) and solver tuning may be combined calling for hierarchical linear algebra interfaces. In other words, the user may access the solver either as a whole package or as a set of tunable components. In our previous work, we proposed common interfaces for these two types of accesses. These interfaces were implemented using Common Component Architecture (CCA) specifications. In the current work, we provide and implement a hierarchical design for parallel linear system components and show the benefits of accessing sparse linear algebra functionality via integrated high- and medium-level interfaces.
Will They Stay or Will They Go? Community Features Important in Migration Decisions of Recent University Graduates

Rural regions of the United States have experienced detrimental out-migration, or brain drain, of college-educated individuals. The present study used survey data, gathered with an interactive website tool containing a comprehensive collection of economic and lifestyle features, to determine those most important in migration decisions for public university graduating seniors from the rural state of Iowa. Economic features (overall cost of living and a strong local economy) were ranked as the top features, followed by lifestyle features including two surprising features (access to basic consumer goods and access to health facilities). The impact of individual differences on the likelihood of moving and the selection of desired community features was also examined and proved to be statistically significant. For instance, in comparison with female graduates, male graduates selected educational level of residents and higher percentage of nonmarried residents features more frequently. Implications for policy d...
Nucleoproteins and the Gytological Chemistry of Paramecium Nuclei.

SummaryQuantitative cytological chemical analyses of the nucleoprotein composition of the macro- and micronuclei of a clone of P. caudatum show that both nuclei contain protein, RNA and DNA in the ratio of 20:2:1. Twice as much RNA as DNA was found. From their resemblances to the nucleoprotein contents of metabolic metazoan nuclei, it is concluded that in the vegetative stage, both nuclei of P. caudatum are actively metabolic.
Ambulatory Continuous Femoral Nerve Blocks Decrease Time to Discharge Readiness after Tricompartment Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized, Triple-masked, Placebo-controlled Study

Background The authors tested the hypotheses that, compared with an overnight continuous femoral nerve block (cFNB), a 4-day ambulatory cFNB increases ambulation distance and decreases the time until three specific readiness-for-discharge criteria are met after tricompartment total knee arthroplasty.
Wanted Restoration of the Mental Age in the 1972 Revised Stanford-Binet

Owing to renorming of the Stanford-Binet in 1972, mental age (MA) has increasingly become a raw score and is no longer equivalent to the chronological age in the average child, particularly at the younger years. Despite this important shift, the test protocol and manual remain substantially the same. Consequently, clinicians are apt to overlook the change in MA and will continue making traditional interpretations which are now in error by as much as 6 months. The best remedy would be a restandardization of the 1937 test items, restoring MA to its original meaning. Short of this, the publishers should either include in the manual a proper explanation and conversion table (from tested MA to true MA) or delete references to MA from the test protocol and IQ tables.
Quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction: design and synthesis of mRNA-specific competitor DNA templates and their clinical usage.

WE REVIEW here the technical aspects and clinical application of a powerful and precise molecular tool: quantitative competitive-polymerase chain reaction (QC-PCR). Our design and development of a competitor DNA template for the quantification of granzyme B mRNA by QC-PCR are described to illustrate the principles and the practical utility of this test system for the molecular characterization of allograft rejection.
Complete Electron Nuclear Dynamics

The Electron nuclear dynamics (END) theory is a time-dependent, nonadiabatic approach to molecular processes. It has been implemented in the ENDyne code at the level of approximation that treats the nuclei as classical particles and represents the electrons with a single complex spin unrestricted determinant. This level of theory has been successfully applied to a wide range of ion−atom and ion−molecule reactive collisions. In this paper the extensions of the END theory are outlined in some detail through a hierarchy of approximations to the level of full quantum mechanical treatment of all participating particles.
Pulmonary arterioles from rats with congenital diaphragmatic hernias are hypoplastic but not hyperresponsive.

Abstract Background: Infants born with congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) frequently die as a result of pulmonary hypertension and persistent fetal circulation. The pulmonary vessels of infants with CDH have decreased total cross-sectional area, increased muscle content, and muscularization of intraacinar arterioles that are normally not muscularized. These structural alterations are believed to result in exaggerated responses to normal vasoconstrictor stimuli. Methods: The authors used the nitrofen-induced CDH model in rats to determine whether the vasoconstrictor responses of pulmonary arterioles are exaggerated in this animal model of CDH. The authors compared the responses of isolated third-generation pulmonary arterioles from normal rats and from rats with nitrofen-induced CDH to K + -induced depolarization, phenylephrine, angiotensin II, serotonin, and the thromboxane A 2 agonist, U46619. Results: It was found that the intraluminal diameter of third-generation pulmonary arterioles from CDH rats was significantly less than in controls (129 ± 5 μ 152 ± 9 μ, respectively). In addition, the ratio of wall thickness to vessel internal diameter was increased in the third-generation pulmonary arterioles of rats with nitrofen-induced CDH (0.62 ± 0.4 v 0.50 ± 0.5 for controls). Responses to K+-induced depolarization, phenylephrine, angiotensin II, serotonin, and U46619, however, were not different for pulmonary arterioles from control and CDH rats. Conclusion: These data suggest that the structural alterations of the pulmonary vasculature observed in infants with CDH may not cause exaggerated vasoconstrictor responses to normal vasoconstrictor stimuli.
Phenomenological analysis of a fixed-sphere bag model

We perform a phenomenological analysis of baryon matrix elements in a fixed-sphere MIT bag model. The model consists of massive, noninteracting quarks which carry the usual SU(3) quantum numbers as well as an SU(3) of color. Two- quark matrix elements investigated include those of the sigma operator and axial- vector and vector currents and the magnetic moment, charge radius, and dipole moments of the electromagnetic current. Among our results are the masses 44 MeV for nonstrange quarks and 298 MeV for strange quarks. The model is successful in predicting static properties of the lowest-mass baryons, but has a problem in describing the radiative decay of the nucleon resonance, N*$sub 13$(1520). Four- quark matrix elements, parity-violating nonleptonic decay amplitudes of the 1/ 2$sup +$ baryons, are investigated and are found to be poorly described by the model. (AIP)
Measurements of Surface Wave Decay due to Underwater Turbulence

The decay of surface capillary-gravity waves passing through a zone of turbulent water suggests a dissipative decay mechanism that is proportional to the square of the wave amplitude.