cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Vernix Caseosa on the Penetration of Chymotryptic Enzyme: Potential Role in Epidermal Barrier Development

The fetal epidermal barrier undergoes rapid development during late gestation despite conditions injurious to the skin postnatally, i.e. prolonged exposure to water (urine) and noxious substances such as pancreatic chymotrypsin. Nevertheless, at birth, term newborns have a superb epidermal barrier. Concomitant with formation of the stratum corneum in utero, vernix caseosa forms a natural multifunctional cream separating the skin surface from the amniotic fluid with possible unique barrier properties. Therefore, we investigated the effect of native vernix, synthetic vernix, and Desitin® on penetration of chymotrypsin, a proteolytic enzyme present in both developing epidermis and meconium. α-Chymotrypsin penetration through test materials was conducted in vitro using a modified Franz diffusion cell. The presence of α-chymotrypsin in vernix and a possible inhibitory effect of vernix on α-chymotrypsin activity were investigated. Vernix films significantly impeded chymotrypsin penetration compared with controls during 24-h exposure experiments. α-Chymotryptic activity in vernix was undetectable, and vernix showed no endogenous inhibition of such activity. Both synthetic vernix and Desitin® significantly impeded α-chymotrypsin penetration compared with controls during 9-h exposure experiments. With respect to the developing epidermal barrier, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that vernix films retain endogenous (epidermal) chymotrypsin while preventing exposure to exogenous (pancreatic) chymotrypsin.
Social support and crack/cocaine use among incarcerated mothers and nonmothers.

Limited research shows that correlates of substance use differ for mothers and nonmothers. This study compares mothers and nonmothers by examining the relationship between perceived social support and frequency of crack/cocaine use. Data for the 307 female prisoners in this sample were collected between 2007 and in four US states during the Criminal Justice-Drug Abuse Treatment Studies’ (CJ-DATS) Reducing Risky Relationships for HIV protocol. Ordinary least squares regression models revealed that greater social support was significantly associated with less frequent crack/cocaine use among mothers but not nonmothers. Implications are discussed. This research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Gaussian Shaped Fuzzy Similarity Inference for Semantic Cell: An Affective Computing in Valence-Arousal Space

Fuzzy similarity computing under semantic network inference was proposed by using a special formalized semantic cell model. Valence-Arousal affective space under such semantic cell model was regarded as more effectiveness in knowledge presentations particular in IT-THEN rule fuzzy inference system. The fuzzy Implication inference also was addressed to resolve the problem in joint density calculation by Gaussian probability density function and fuzzy Mamndini type implication. The case studies in semantic network using proposed method shows the effectiveness and in difference inputs have been discussed.
Feasibility Study of Aerosolized Prostaglandin E1 Microspheres as a Noninvasive Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

This study was designed to test the feasibility of polymeric microspheres as an inhalable carrier for prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)) for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres were prepared by a double emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Six different microspheric formulations were prepared using two different blends of PLGA (50:50 and 85:15) and varying concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in the external aqueous phase (EAP). The particles were characterized for morphology, size, aerodynamic diameter, entrapment efficiency, release patterns, and metabolic stability. Pulmonary absorption was studied in a rat model, and safety of the formulations was evaluated by measuring cytotoxicity in Calu-3 cells and assessing injury markers in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Both actual particle size and aerodynamic diameter of the formulations decreased with increasing PVA concentration. The mass median aerodynamic diameter of the particles was within the respirable range. Entrapment efficiency increased with increasing PVA concentration; PLGA 85:15 showed better entrapment due to hydrophobic interactions with the drug. Compared to intravenously administered PGE(1), microspheres prepared with PLGA 85:15 produced a 160-fold increase in the half-life of PGE(1) following pulmonary administration. Although plain PGE(1) showed rapid degradation in rat lung homogenate, PGE(1) entrapped in the particles remained intact for about 8 h. Optimized formulations were demonstrated to be safe, based on analysis of cytotoxicity and lung-injury markers in BAL fluid. Overall, the data suggest that microspheric PGE(1) formulations have the potential to be used as a noninvasive and controlled-release alternative to the current medications used for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension that are administered by continuous infusion or require multiple inhalations.
How to Take a Weapons History: Interviewing Children at Risk for Violence at School

Violence is prevalent and has been escalating in U.S. schools. One in 10 public schools reported at least one serious violent incident (defined as murder, sexual assault. suicide, physical attack or fight with a weapon, or robbery) during 1996-1997 (U.S. Department of Education, 1998). A nationwide survey reported 15% of students had been in a physical fight. 8% were threatened or injured with a weapon at school during the preceding 12 months, and 4% had missed at least 1 day of school because they felt unsafe at or en route to school during the preceding 30 days; in the same period. 9.8% reported carrying weapons on school property (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1996). There were 11,000 incidents of attacks or fights in which weapons were used during 19961997 (U.S. Department of Education, 1998). Between 1992 and 1994 there were 76 student deaths from violence; most involved firearms and knives and started with interpersonal disputes (Kachur et al., 1996). School-related violence often stems from factors originating outside of school. Youths who are victims of gun-related violence at school often have male family members who routinely carry guns or use or sell drugs (Sheley et al., 1992). Carrying a weapon at school has been associated with alcohol use and being offered. given, or sold illicit drugs (Durant et al., 1997). In rural areas, high school students who carry guns at school may be prone to physical fighting. victimization, entering dangerous situations. and cocaine use (Kingery et al., 1996). Youths often justify carrying weapons because they erroneously believe weapons will prevent fights and make them safer. Of more than 400 adolescents surveyed in Boston, only 55% acknowledged that carrying a gun increases the risk of death or injury (Hausman et aI .• 1994); half agreed that "people
Purification of somatostatin from frog brain: coisolation with retinal somatostatin-like immunoreactivity.

: Somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) was purified from frog brain and retina, and the structure of the brain peptide was determined. Frog brain (101 g) and retinal (45 g) tissues were extracted with 3% acetic acid, yielding 9.6 and 0.44 nmol of SLI, respectively. SLI was further purified by chromatography on a somatostatin immunoaffinity column followed by sequential application to reverse-phase C-18 HPLC columns. The brain and retinal peptides, purified roughly 100,000-fold with net yields of 7.5 and 2.3%, respectively, appeared identical in the final steps of purification. The amino acid sequence of brain SLI, as determined by a gas-phase automated Edman degradation technique, was as follows: Ala-Gly (Cys)-Lys-Asn-Phe-Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser- (Cys). Our data indicate that despite structural variations in somatostatins of other lower vertebrates, the amino acid sequence of frog brain and, by deduction, retinal SLI is identical to that of somatostatin tetradecapeptide. These findings support the physiological relevance of studies directed at elucidating the neurotransmitter function of somatostatin using the well-established models of frog brain and retina.
Effect of Poly(3-octylthiophene) Doping on the Attachment and Proliferation of Osteoblasts

The effect of doping P3OT with ferric chloride on the attachment and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts is reported. Cell density and area correlated strongly with doping concentration: cells were larger and exhibited better spreading as doping increased. Cells cultured on undoped P3OT showed a decrease in proliferation between 24 and 48 h followed by a recovery after 72 h. However, this trend diminished with increasing doping concentration, and disappeared completely at the highest dopant level investigated. Analysis of cell-cell spatial distributions suggested that contact inhibition of proliferation occurred similarly on both undoped and doped P3OT. From these results, FeCl 3 -doping had no significant deleterious effect on attachment or proliferation of osteoblasts in vitro.
Reduced Melanocortin Production Causes Sexual Dysfunction in Male Mice With POMC Neuronal Insulin and Leptin Insensitivity

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides like α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) substantially improve hepatic insulin sensitivity and regulate energy expenditure. Melanocortinergic agents are also powerful inducers of sexual arousal that are being investigated for a possible therapeutic role in erectile dysfunction. It is currently unclear whether reduced melanocortin (MC) activity may contribute to the sexual dysfunction accompanying obesity and type 2 diabetes. Male rodents with leptin and insulin resistance targeted to POMC neurons (leptin receptor [LepR]/insulin receptor [IR]POMC mice) exhibit obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and systemic insulin resistance. In this study, we demonstrate that LepR/IRPOMC males are also subfertile due to dramatic alterations in sexual behavior. Remarkably, these reproductive changes are accompanied by decreased α-MSH production not present when a single receptor type is deleted. Unexpectedly, behavioral sensitivity to α-MSH and MC receptor expression a...
Angiotensin Receptors and Aging

The major biological actions of the renin–angiotensin system are mediated by angiotensin (Ang) II, which binds with equal affinity to Ang type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors. The majority of Ang II actions, however, are mediated by the AT1 receptor, including vasoconstriction, cellular proliferation, tissue growth, direct renal tubular sodium reabsorption, sympathetic nervous stimulation, and aldosterone secretion, which, in aggregate, lead to a rise in blood pressure.1 Because the AT1 receptor is expressed ubiquitously in relatively high levels at renal and cardiovascular sites, an increase in blood pressure represents the net response to increased circulating Ang II. By contrast, AT2 receptors carry a relatively low level of tissue expression in the adult compared with that of AT1 receptors.1 AT2 receptors are expressed in large quantities in fetal tissues, but their expression decreases in the neonatal period and reaches a comparatively low level in the adult animal. However, the capacity for AT2 receptor re-expression is retained in the adult, because upregulation is a common response to circumstances of cardiovascular tissue damage, such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, and hypertension. Activation of AT2 receptors by the binding of Ang II stimulates a hormonal cascade consisting of …
A property of the demand correspondence of a concave utility function

Abstract This paper establishes that the concavity of a consumer's utility function restricts the way in which the demand correspondence can fail to be lower semi-continuous. Two demand theoretic implications are drawn, one of which is that for a fixed endownment the demand correspondence is single-valued except on a set of prices having Lebesgue measure zero. There exist continuous, strictly monotone, and convex but not concavifiable preferences which violate this property.
Cell-attached patch clamping of the intact rabbit ciliary epithelium.

Following thorough removal of adhering aqueous humor, we have succeeded in patch clamping the intact rabbit ciliary epithelium in the cell-attached and inside-out excised-patch modes. Rapidly fluctuating currents (‘chatter activity’) were observed during recordings conducted for as long as 1 h. Chatter activity did not reflect seal instability since interconversion was noted between chatter activity and transitions between stable open and closed states, excision of patches into the bath was associated with substantial shifts in the reversal potential, and chatter activity could be triggered by sustained hyperpolarization, but was insensitive to stretch. The chatter channel was identified as cation-nonselective from the reversal potentials both in the cell-attached and excised-patch modes. The channel's kinetics were similar to those of the cGMP-activated phototransduction channel. The results of PCR amplifications of fragments in cDNA libraries from both human ciliary body and human nonpigmented ciliary e...
Pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry investigation of a thermally cured polymer

Abstract The curing of the Matrimid 5292® polyimide system was studied by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Pyrolysis products characteristic of both initial components and the cured polymer were identified. Changes in the pattern of pyrolysis products could be related to the progress of polymerization. Amounts of methylphenol isomers ( m/z 108), 4-succinimido-4′-aminodiphenylmethane ( m/z 265), and 2-(2-propenyl)-4-methylphenol were found to increase as degree of cure increases. Amounts of O , O ′-diallyl bisphenol A ( m/z 293) produced by pyrolysis decreased with increasing cure. Principal component and canonical variate analysis were used to visualize systematic trends in selected ion intensities from the pyrolysis data. Loading weights derived from orthogonal canonical variate analysis were also found to be useful in identifying pyrolysis products related to percentage cure. These results support the use of Py-GC/MS for monitoring the degree of cure of polymer systems.
The effect of injectable butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin on postpartum serum β-hydroxybutyrate, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of an injection of 10% butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin (Catosal, Bayer, Shawnee Mission, KS) on the day of calving and 1 d later on the prevalence of subclinical ketosis in dairy cattle in the early postpartum period. Cows from 4 herds (n=1,122) were randomized to receive either 25mL of 10% butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin or 25mL of sterile water subcutaneously on both days. Each milliliter of Catosal contained 0.05mg of cyanocobalamin and 100mg of butaphosphan, which provided 17.3mg of P in the form of [1-(butylamino)-1-methylethyl]-phosphonic acid. Serum was sampled for beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentration at calving (pretreatment) and again between 3 and 10 d in milk. A subset of samples from mature cows was also evaluated for serum Ca and P concentrations. When cows from all age groups were included in the analysis, there was no difference between the median serum BHBA concentrations of cows in the 2 treatment groups, and no difference in the proportion of hyperketonemic cows (serum BHBA >or=1,200micromol/L) during the first week postpartum. When the analysis was restricted to mature cows (lactation >or=3), both the median BHBA concentration and the proportion of hyperketonemic cows were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the placebo group. Serum Ca and P concentrations did not differ between treatment groups. Our results suggest that injection of butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin on the day of calving and 1 d later may decrease the prevalence of subclinical ketosis during the week after calving in mature dairy cows, but not in first- and second-lactation animals.
Optical study of the spontaneous magnetization at marginal dimensionality

The spontaneous magnetization in the critical region of the uniaxial, dipolar-coupled ferromagnet LiTb${\mathrm{F}}_{4}$ has been measured using sensitive optical techniques. The magnetic and optical properties of LiTb${\mathrm{F}}_{4}$ and the experimental techniques are discussed in detail. These measurements provide a quantitative comparison between the predicted logarithmic corrections to mean-field theory and the experimentally observed magnetization of a ferromagnet at marginal dimensionality. We conclude that the spontaneous magnetization in LiTb${\mathrm{F}}_{4}$ is described by the relation $\frac{{M}_{c}(T)}{{M}_{c}(T=0)}=B{|t|}^{\frac{1}{2}}{|\mathrm{ln}|\frac{{t}_{0}}{t}||}^{\frac{1}{3}}$ over the range $0.002l~tl~0.09$ with $B=1.77\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06$, ${T}_{c}=2.8700\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002$ K and ${t}_{0}=0.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06$.
Vt Compensated voltage-data a-Si TFT AMOLED pixel circuits

Active-matrix organic light-emitting-diode (AMOLED) displays are now entering the marketplace. The use of a thin-film-transistor (TFT) active matrix allows OLED displays to be larger in size, higher in resolutions and lower in power dissipation than is possible using a conventional passive matrix. A number of TFT active-matrix pixel circuits have been developed for luminance control, while correcting for initial and electrically stressed TFT parameter variations. Previous circuits and driving methods are reviewed. A new driving method is presented in which the threshold-voltage (v t ) compensation performance, along with various circuit improvements for amorphous-silicon (a-Si) TFT pixel circuits using voltage data, are discussed. This new driving method along with various circuit improvements is demonstrated in a state-of-the-art 20-in. a-Si TFT AMOLED HDTV.
Wrist tendon forces during various dynamic wrist motions.

Purpose A common treatment of arthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint requires all or a portion of the flexor carpi radialis tendon (FCR) to be used as an interpositional graft. The purpose of this study was to examine the in vitro tendon forces in 6 wrist flexors and extensors to determine whether their force contribution changes during various dynamic wrist motions along with a specific application to the FCR. Methods We tested 62 fresh-frozen cadaver wrists in a wrist joint motion simulator. During wrist flexion-extension, radioulnar deviation, dart throwing, and circumduction motions, the peak and average tendon forces were determined for the extensor carpi ulnaris, extensor carpi radialis brevis and longus, abductor pollicis longus, flexor carpi radialis, and flexor carpi ulnaris. Results During a dart-throwing motion, the mean and peak FCR forces were statistically less than during the other 3 motions. Conversely, the mean and peak flexor carpi ulnaris forces were statistically greater during the dart-throwing motion than during the other 3 motions. Conclusions Patients who have undergone a surgical procedure in which all or a portion of the FCR has been harvested may experience a decrease in wrist strength with wrist motion, as the FCR tendon normally applies force during wrist motion. The motion least likely to be affected by such surgery is the dart-throwing motion when the force on the remaining FCR is minimized.
Human germ cell mutagens

Human genetic disorders constitute a major public health burden in this country and around the world. The possibility that exposures to mutagenic environmental agents may result in induced genetic damage in human germ cells and thereby increase the incidence of genetic disease has been investigated in research laboratories and in epidemiology studies for decades. The capacity of ionizing radiation and some chemicals to induce transmissible genetic damage in the germ cells of laboratory mammals has been clearly demonstrated and extensively investigated. To date, no clear evidence of such effects in humans has been reported although increased frequencies of chromosomal aberrations have been detected in human sperm following exposures to radiation or chemotherapeutic agents. Evolving methods to detect molecular changes in DNA offer to improve our abilities to detect induced genetic changes. The integration of these methods into mutation epidemiology studies promises to help resolve some of the questions regarding human genetic risk.
Carrier mobility enhancement versus channel direction in highly-doped Si

Abstract Carrier mobilities (μ) versus Si channel directions have been studied for boron-, arsenic-, and phosphorus-implanted highly-doped Si (100) which is equivalent to a source and drain (SD) region of MOSFET by using a continuous anodic oxidation technique/differential Hall effect (CAOT/DHE) technique. The results for B-doped Si show that the hole drift mobility along the Si channel direction can be enhanced relative to the Si channel direction by an average of 12%, and nearly 115% near the surface. For As-doped Si the electron drift mobility along the Si channel direction has little to no enhancement compared to the Si channel direction. For P-doped Si, the electron drift mobility along the Si channel direction can be enhanced relative to the Si channel direction by an average of 10%, and as much as 18% near the surface. This study shows for the first time that electron mobility in P-doped Si is enhanced in the Si channel direction, although the enhancement is not as significant as in B-doped Si. The results are qualitatively and semi-quantitatively consistent with the implant species-dependent effective mobility (μ eff ) behaviors of CMOS device I–V characteristics.
The effect of crystalline anisotropy on pattern formation in laser-melted thin silicon films

Abstract When heated radiatively, thin silicon films on a cooled substrate can develop partially melted regions consisting of alternating parallel bands of liquid and solid phases separated by planar solid-liquid interfaces. As the power of the heat source increases, the lamellar array can break down, giving rise to a corrugated set of interface patterns. In this work we investigate the effect of surface tension anisotropy on nonlinear, finite amplitude pattern formation, extending previous results that have only included the effect of isotropic surface tension. Using weakly nonlinear pertubation theory, we show that parallel lamellar interfaces may become unstable with respect to the development of a finite amplitude traveling wave, due to the anisotropy in surface tension. However, for lamella aligned in special crystallographic orientations (corresponding to extrema in the surface tension) instability is time-independent. In the latter case, using a simple model for anisotropic surface tension, we show that if the alignment of the lamellar interfaces is an orientation having less than the average value of the interfacial energy, then a pertubation of the most dangerous wavenumber will bifurcate subcritically from the planar state, provided that the surface tension anisotropy is above a critical value. Furthermore, for larger anisotropy, the subcritical behavior becomes increasingly more severe. For those lamellar arrays having interfaces initially of higher than average interfacial energy, bifurcation of the most dangerous wavenumber is supercritical. By using a boundary integral method to obtain steady-state numerical solutions for nonplanar solid-liquid interfaces and by using eigenvalue calculations to determine the linear stability of the nonplanar interface shapes, we show the manner in which anisotropic surface tension alters the stability of shapes and influences the interaction between unstable modes.
Boundary layer control by a one atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma layer

Summary form only given, as follows. At the University of Tennessee's Plasma Science Laboratory, we have recently developed, with AFOSR support, a new type of uniform glow discharge plasma which is capable of operating at one atmosphere in air and other gases. This plasma is neither a corona discharge nor a filamentary (ozonizer) discharge, the more familiar plasma discharges also capable of operating at one atmosphere. The physical processes which make this discharge possible, based on an RF ion capping mechanism, will be described theoretically, and the RF frequency, electric field, and electrode separation required to maintain this discharge will be derived from first principles. Characteristic operating and plasma parameters in air at one atmosphere are: RF frequency, 1-6 kHz, RMS electric field/spl ap/9 kV/cm; maximum RMS voltage/spl ap/4 kV; plasma number density/spl ap/10/sup 10/ electrons/cm/sup 3/; and input power density 10-200 milliwatts/cm/sup 3/. The maximum volume of uniform plasma generated to date has been 2.8 liters between parallel plates. More recently, the parallel plate geometry described above has been geometrically transformed and made to operate on a planar surface, producing a steady-slate plasma layer up to several millimeters thick. The electric field in this surface plasma layer can provide a body force per unit area of up to perhaps several thousand pascals. Some speculative applications to boundary layer control, turbulence suppression, drag reduction and noise reduction will be put forward.
The role of pathogenic Escherichia coli in the etiology of veal calf hemorrhagic enteritis

Abstract Veal calf hemorrhagic enteritis, a condition that has no identified specific etiology, is a fatal syndrome of veal calves and has recently become a major concern of the veal calf industry in the midwestern United States. To determine the possible role of common enteric pathogens in this disease, 40 veal calves with hemorrhagic enteritis (cases) and 25 dairy calves diagnosed with enteric infection (control) were investigated. The veal calves were negative for several known enteric pathogens except for pathogenic Escherichia coli isolates that expressed multiple virulence attributes. To determine whether such isolates have a significant association with hemorrhagic enteritis in veal calves, we compared the prevalence of pathogenic E. coli in the 40 veal calves with the prevalence of similar E. coli in the dairy calves that were diagnosed with colibacillosis within the same season of the year. Escherichia coli isolates from the two groups of calves were tested for several properties of E. coli related to pathogenicity, i.e. production of verotoxins, heat-stable enterotoxin (STa), heat-labile enterotoxin, enterohemolysin, K99 fimbrial antigens, hemagglutination activity, and attachment to Hep-2 tissue culture cells. Escherichia coli that produces STa were more commonly isolated from veal calves with hemorrhagic enteritis (45%) than from dairy calves with enteritis (12%) (P
A HISTORY OF SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE DEVICES

This paper gives a historical account of the development of Rayleigh-wave, or surface-acoustic-wave (SAW), devices for applications in electronics. The subject was spurred on initially by the requirements of pulse compression radar, and became a practical reality with the planar interdigital transducer, dating from 1965. The accessibility of the propagation path gave rise to substantial versatility, and a huge variety of devices were developed. Passive SAW devices are now ubiquitous, with applications ranging from professional radar and communications systems to consumer areas such as TV, pagers and mobile phones. The paper describes the extensive work, particularly in the 1970s, to investigate SAW propagation in crystalline media, including piezoelectric coupling, diffraction and temperature effects. This led to identification of many suitable materials. Concurrently, many devices began development, including pulse compression filters, bandpass filters, resonators, oscillators, convolvers and matched filters for spread spectrum communications. In the 1970s, many of these became established in professional systems, and the SAW bandpass filter became a standard component for domestic TV. In the 1980s and 90s, SAW responded to the new call for low-loss filters, particularly for mobile phones. With losses as low as 2 dB required (and subsequently achieved) at RF frequencies around 900 MHz, a raft of new technologies was developed. Additionaly, for IF filters special techniques were evolved to reduce the physical size needed for narrow bandwidths. Such devices are now manufactured in very large quantities. In order to satisfy these needs, new types of surface wave, particularly transverse leaky waves, were investigated, and materials using such waves now have their place alongside more traditional materials.
Simulating dispersive mixing in large peatlands

Numerical simulations indicate that mechanical dispersive mixing can be the dominant mass transport mechanism in large peatlands. Dispersive mixing driven by lateral flow can drive solute fluxes from the mineral soil upward to the peat surface and thereby explain observed patterns of bog and fen in large peatlands. Longitudinal and transverse dispersivities of only 0.5 and 0.05 m, respectively, were sufficient to supply solutes to the peat surface in the absence of upward ground-water flow. Incorporation of hydrodynamic dispersion in peatland systems explains apparent contradictions in solute migration in peatlands, allowing the simultaneous downward flux of labile carbon (i.e. root exudates) produced at the peat surface and upward migration of inorganic solutes from the underlying mineral soil. Previous models of peatland hydrogeochemistry that rely on advection alone as the dominant process for solute transport may therefore be inadequate to explain fully the hydrology, geochemistry, and evolution of large peatlands.
Dimeric subunit stoichiometry of the human voltage-dependent proton channel Hv1

In voltage-gated Na+, K+, and Ca2+ channels, four voltage-sensor domains operate on a central pore domain in response to membrane voltage. In contrast, the voltage-gated proton channel (Hv) contains only a voltage-sensor domain, lacking a separate pore domain. The subunit stoichiometry and organization of Hv has been unknown. Here, we show that human Hv1 forms a dimer in the membrane and define regions that are close to the dimer interface by using cysteine cross-linking. Two dimeric interfaces appear to exist in Hv1, one mediated by S1 and the adjacent extracellular loop, and the other mediated by a putative intracellular coiled-coil domain. It may be significant that Hv1 uses for its dimer interface a surface that corresponds to the interface between the voltage sensor and pore in Kv channels.
Formation, spectroscopic characterization, and application of sulfhydryl-terminated alkanethiol monolayers for the chemical attachment of DNA onto gold surfaces

A novel surface modification procedure for the creation of sulfhydryl-terminated alkanethiol monolayers that can be used for the attachment of biomolecules onto gold surfaces is described. A self-assembled monolayer of the amine-terminated alkanethiol 11-mercaptoundecylamine (MUAM) is reacted with the heterobifunctional cross-linker N-succinimidyl S-acetylthiopropionate (SATP) in order to create a protected sulfhydryl-terminated monolayer. This monolayer can then be deprotected in an alkaline solution to create an active sulfhydryl surface. Compounds that have been modified to contain a maleimide moiety can be easily attached onto the sulfhydryl-derivatized gold surface. In a second attachment strategy, the sulfhydryl-terminated monolayer is reacted with 2,2‘-dipyridyl disulfide to form disulfide bonds on the surface. These disulfide bonds are then used in a thiol−disulfide exchange reaction with free sulfhydryls in order to attach biomolecules, such as thiol-modified DNA or cysteine-containing polypeptid...
The secretory pathway in the mouse epididymis as shown by electron microscope radioautography of principal cells exposed to monensin

The secretory pathway in principal cells of the mouse epididymis was studied using in vitro labeling and electron microscope radioautography of tissue exposed to the ionophore monensin. After a 5-minute pulse of 3H-leucine, control samples of caput epididymidis were incubated in a modified Krebs-Ringer solution (MKRH medium), while experimental specimens were placed in the same medium, to which 1 μM monensin had been added. At intervals between 5 minutes and 4 hours, samples were fixed and prepared for electron microscope radioautography. Analysis of control specimens revealed heaviest labeling of the rough and the sparsely granulated endoplasmic reticulum early in the experiment followed by a fall in radioactivity, maximal labeling of the Golgi apparatus at 30 minutes, and a pronounced rise in the percentage of grains associated with the apical cell surface and the epididymal lumen beginning 1 hour after administration of precursor. In monensin-treated epididymides, radioactive material accumulated in the Golgi region while the normal increase in labeling of the apical surface and the lumen was completely inhibited for at least 2 hours. The percentage of grains attributed to coated vesicles was also reduced in samples exposed to monensin. In contrast, labeling patterns of the abundant, sparsely granulated, endoplasmic reticulum and the rough endoplasmic reticulum were very similar in monensin-treated and control specimens. The concomitant alterations in labeling of the Golgi apparatus and the lumen demonstrate that the Golgi apparatus participates in intracellular transport of secretory proteins in epididymal principal cells, and is not bypassed as previously suggested. The percentage of grains associated with the sparsely granulated endoplasmic reticulum suggests that much of the synthesis of secretory protein in the principal cells occurs in this organelle, and the lack of alteration of its labeling in the presence of a monensin-induced block at the level of the Golgi apparatus indicates that the sparsely granulated endoplasmic reticulum lies before the Golgi apparatus in the secretory pathway. It is speculated that vesicles play a role in transport of secretory pathway. It is speculated that vesicles play a role in transport of secretory protein from the Golgi apparatus to the lumen.
Impacts of Seawalls on Saltmarsh Plant Communities in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire USA

Seawalls are often built along naturally dynamic coastlines, including the upland edge of salt marshes, in order to prevent erosion or to extend properties seaward. The impacts of seawalls on fringing salt marshes were studied at five pairs of walled and natural marshes in the Great Bay Estuary of New Hampshire, USA. Marsh plant species and communities showed no difference in front of walls when compared with similar elevations at paired controls. However, seawalls eliminated the vegetative transition zone at the upper border. Not only did the plant community of the transition zone have high plant diversity relative to the low marsh, but it varied greatly from site to site in the estuary. The effects of seawall presence on other marsh processes, including sediment movement, wrack accumulation, groundwater flow, and vegetation distribution and growth, were examined. Although no statistically significant effects of seawalls were found, variation in the indicators of these processes were largely controlled by wave exposure, site-specific geomorphology and land use, and distance of the sampling station from the upland. Trends indicated there was more sediment movement close to seawalls at high energy sites and less fine grain sediment near seawalls. Both trends are consistent with an increase in energy from wave reflection. The distribution of seawalls bordering salt marshes was mapped for Great and Little Bays and their rivers. Throughout the study area, 3.54% of the marshes were bounded by shoreline armoring (5876 m of seawalls along 165.8 km of marsh shoreline). Localized areas with high population densities had up to 43% of marshes bounded by seawalls. Coastal managers should consider limiting seawall construction to preserve plant diversity at the upper borders of salt marshes and prevent marsh habitat loss due to transgression associated with sea level rise.
Disruption of spermatogenesis in rabbits consuming ethylene glycol monomethyl ether

Abstract Effects of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) on spermatogenesis were examined using groups of six to seven Dutch rabbits that received 0, 12.5, 25.0, 37.5, or 50.0 mg of EGME/kg body weight, respectively, in their drinking water 5d/week. After 12 weeks, animals were euthanized and their testes were removed, weighed, and processed to permit germ cell numbers to be quantified. Spermatogenesis was depressed by EGME in a dose-dependent manner; numbers of round spermatids per Sertoli cell (a measure of spermatogenic efficiency) averaged 8.86, 8.87, 6.20, 2.38, and 7.42 for the 0, 12.5, 25.0, 37.5, and 50.0 mg/kg dosages, respectively. The latter value of 7.42 represents an overestimation of sperm production because it is based on only two unexpected outlier rabbits. Nearly complete destruction of spermatogenesis occurred in the other five animals in this highest dosage group, precluding evaluation by the histometric method. Numbers of homogenization-resistant elongated spermatids per testis, measurable on all animals, averaged 231, 256,195, 52, and 67 × 10 6 , respectively. The correlation between the predicted sperm production, based on the elongated spermatids at necropsy, and the number of sperm ejaculated by the males during week 12 was 0.92. Thus, EGME impaired rabbit spermatogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Generally, rabbit spermatogenesis was at least 10 times more sensitive to EGME than previously reported for rats and mice.
Twins separated at birth: The strange cases of Michael Levin and Leonard Jeffries

This paper deals with two cases at the City College of the City University of New York (CCNY) in which philosophy professor Michael Levin and department chair Leonard Jeffries made negative generalizations about African Americans and Jews, respectively. The comments of Levin and Jeffries are considered with regard to whether they constitute “hate speech,” followed by a discussion of the extent to which hate speech is protected by the First Amendment. The question of the effects of hate speech is also considered.
Young American Muslims: Dynamics of Identity

Nahid Afrose Kabir's new book, Young American Muslims: Dynamics of Identity, takes a fresh approach to the study of Islam in the United States. As with her previous book, Young British Muslims: Ide...
Constructing multispecies biofilms with defined compositions by sequential deposition of bacteria

Rationally-assembled multispecies biofilms could benefit applied processes including mixed waste biodegradation and drug biosynthesis by combining complementary metabolic pathways into single functional communities. We hypothesized that the cellular composition of mature multispecies biofilms could be manipulated by controlling the number of each cell type present on newly colonized surfaces. To test this idea, we developed a method for attaching specific numbers of bacteria to a flow cell by recirculating cell suspensions. Initial work revealed a nonlinear relationship between suspension cell density and areal density when two strains of Escherichia coli were simultaneously recirculated; in contrast, sequential recirculation resulted in a predictable deposition of cell numbers. Quantitative analysis of cell distributions in 48-h biofilms comprised of the E. coli strains demonstrated a strong relationship between their distribution at the substratum and their presence in mature biofilms. Sequentially depositing E. coli with either Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Bacillus subtilis determined small but reproducible differences in the areal density of the second microorganism recirculated relative to its areal density when recirculated alone. Overall, the presented method offers a simple and reproducible way to construct multispecies biofilms with defined compositions for biocatalytic processes.
Long-term effects of virus infection on behavior and aging in mice.

SummaryLarge groups of newborn mice were each inoculated with one of 30 different Coxsackie viruses. Weight changes and mortality were followed for a period of 3 years by which time all mice had died. Results showed that different viruses caused marked differences in weight change and mortality rate; these two variables seem to be directly related to each other. There was no correlation between early mortality following virus inoculation and subsequent chronic mortality. Groups of male mice surviving initial virus inoculation showed an absence of aggression compared with controls, with a shift in response to that of female mice. It was concluded that neonatal virus infection can affect behavior and/or weight change patterns; factors which appear to exert significant effects on the aging process.
Caring Without Justice: How we deaden the spirits of gay and lesbian youth in schools

Too often 'spirituality' and the methods of leading students toward it are defined in terms of religious beliefs. Even when the notion of spirituality is connected to such benign terms as 'love' or 'caring', it is open to dangerous interpretation. In this paper, I provide illustrations of such interpretations. The way that some people define the many notions that surround spirituality serves to deaden the very spirits they claim to want to save. This is particularly true vis-a-vis the issue of homosexuality in schools. I argue that the spirituality of gay and lesbian students can best be served by heeding certain principles of justice.
Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Tumors of the Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses: Clinical Outcomes and Patterns of Failure

Purpose To report outcomes in patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for tumors of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity (PNS/NC). Methods/Materials Between June 2000 and December 2009, 52 patients with tumors of the PNS/NC underwent postoperative or definitive radiation with IMRT. Twenty-eight (54%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Twenty-nine patients (56%) received chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 26.6 months (range, 2.9–118.4) for all patients and 30.9 months for living patients. Results Eighteen patients (35%) developed local-regional failure (LRF) at median time of 7.2 months. Thirteen local failures (25%) were observed, 12 in-field and 1 marginal. Six regional failures were observed, two in-field and four out-of-field. No patients treated with elective nodal radiation had nodal regional failure. Two-year local-regional control (LRC), in-field LRC, freedom from distant metastasis (FFDM), and overall survival (OS) were 64%, 74%, 71%, and 66% among all patients, respectively, and 43%, 61%, 61%, and 53% among patients with SCC, respectively. On multivariate analysis, SCC and >1 subsite involved had worse LRC ( p = 0.0004 and p = 0.046, respectively) and OS ( p = 0.003 and p = 0.046, respectively). Cribriform plate invasion ( p = 0.005) and residual disease ( p = 0.047) also had worse LRC. Acute toxicities included Grade ≥3 mucositis in 19 patients (37%), and Grade 3 dermatitis in 8 patients (15%). Six patients had Grade ≥3 late toxicity including one optic toxicity. Conclusions IMRT for patients with PNS/NC tumors has good outcomes compared with historical series and is well tolerated. Patients with SCC have worse LRC and OS. LRF is the predominant pattern of failure.
Hypoglycemia is the limiting factor in the management of diabetes.

Hypoglycemia is the limiting factor, both conceptually and in practice, in the management of diabetes mellitus. While the long-term goal of diabetes research must remain the cure and the prevention of the disease and reasonable near-term goals might include perfect insulin replacement or prevention of complications despite ongoing hyperglycemia, the most pressing short-term goal for people with diabetes would seem to be insight leading to strategies that effectively minimize the risk of hypoglycemia and thus permit low-risk glycemic control. Having reviewed the field in detail recently, the author offers his personal views of the key questions – concerning the physiology of glucose counterregulation, its pathophysiology in diabetes, and hypoglycemia in diabetes – that, if answered, might lead to a reduced risk of iatrogenic hypoglycemia in people with diabetes. The overriding question is: How can we learn to replace insulin more perfectly, prevent, correct or compensate for compromised glucose counterregulation, or both? Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of transparent alumina reinforced polycarbonate nanocomposite

Abstract Transparent nanocomposite films were fabricated by blending a concentrated nanocomposite formed by in-situ polymerization of polycarbonate in the presence of alumina nanowhisker with a high molecular weight polycarbonate. Polycarbonate was grafted to the alumina nanowhisker surface to improve nanofiller dispersion and load transfer to polymer matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the functionalization of the nanowhisker with polycarbonate. Samples produced using functionalized alumina exhibited improved dispersion compared to the raw alumina nanowhiskers in the PC. Functionalization of alumina nanowhisker enhanced tensile properties (Young’s modulus and tensile strength) relative to the pure polycarbonate and blends produced with raw alumina nanowhisker. Additionally, the nanocomposite formed using in-situ polymerization showed small decreases in transparency in the visual range compared to the base polymer with increased absorption in the UV range. The effect of reaction temperature during in-situ polymerization on the properties of the nanocomposite was investigated. Higher reaction temperature resulted in improved dispersion and sharp increases in tensile modulus and shear strength.