cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stimulation of the Na/K pump in LK sheep erythrocytes by immunoglobulin fragments.

Alloimmune antiserum against the L antigen of red cells from sheep of the LK phenotype is known to stimulate by several fold active Na/K transport in LK cells. We have shown that monomeric fragments, Fab', of anti-L, as well as dimeric fragments, F(ab')2, stimulate transport to the same extent as intact anti-L Ig. Special care was taken to obtain pure fragments. Two earlier reports on the effect of immunoglobulin fragments were contradictory.
Understanding relationship between sequence and functional evolution in yeast proteins.

The underlying relationship between functional variables and sequence evolutionary rates is often assessed by partial correlation analysis. However, this strategy is impeded by the difficulty of conducting meaningful statistical analysis using noisy biological data. A recent study suggested that the partial correlation analysis is misleading when data is noisy and that the principal component regression analysis is a better tool to analyze biological data. In this paper, we evaluate how these two statistical tools (partial correlation and principal component regression) perform when data are noisy. Contrary to the earlier conclusion, we found that these two tools perform comparably in most cases. Furthermore, when there is more than one ‘true’ independent variable, partial correlation analysis delivers a better representation of the data. Employing both tools may provide a more complete and complementary representation of the real data. In this light, and with new analyses, we suggest that protein length and gene dispensability play significant, independent roles in yeast protein evolution.
The rhetoric of the calypso of political commentary from the republic of Trinidad and Tobago: An African‐centered historical‐critical analysis

This article presents an African‐centered historical‐critical analysis of rhetorical roles of the calypso as a vehicle for political commentary in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It reveals the historical and ideological backgrounds of the calypso of political commentary by establishing its African roots and looking at its rhetorical roles during the struggle for emancipation, the struggle against censorship of the calypso, and the struggle for political and national independence. The analysis showed that the calypso of political commentary initially assumed the various rhetorical roles of the people's newspaper, the nation's mouthpiece, and a political or social reformer during the struggles for emancipation, for freedom of expression, and for national and political independence. However, in contemporary calypsoes of political commentary emphasis is placed on the rhetorical role of the nation's mouthpiece.
Service Learning Connections

Les experiences d'apprentissage par le service est l'opportunite donnee aux eleves professeurs d'apprendre leur metier grâce aux communautes qu'ils instruisent. Ils apprennent a adapter leur pedagogie a la communaute sociale qu'ils ont en charge. Ils sont confrontes a la realite du terrain et ils integrent mieux et plus vite ce qu'on attend d'eux en tant qu'educateurs
Comparison of Two and Three Dimensional Flow Computations With Laser Anemometer Measurements in a Transonic Compressor Rotor

Two and three dimensional inviscid solutions for the flow in a transonic axial compressor rotor at design speed are compared with probe and laser anemometers measurements at near-stall and maximum-flow operating points. Experimental details of the laser anemometer system and computational details of the two dimensional axisymmetric code and three dimensional Euler code are described. Comparisons are made between relative Mach number and flow angle contours, shock location, and shock strength. A procedure for using an efficient axisymmetric code to generate downstream pressure input for computationally expensive Euler codes is discussed. A film supplement shows the calculations of the two operating points with the time-marching Euler code.
No-hole k -tuple ( r + 1)-distant colorings of odd cycles

Abstract We give a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of near-optimal Nkr-colorings of cycles. Troxell (preprint) studied near-optimal Nkr-colorings and proved most of the result presented here; our contribution is to complete the proof for odd cycles.
A comparative analysis of adaptive visual servo control for robots manipulators in 2D

Visual servoing is a useful approach for robot control. It is specially attractive when the control objective can be stated directly in image coordinates like in point-to-point regulation. The adaptive control is a technique very used in robot manipulators due to uncertainty in the dynamic model and when is combined with vision allows to handle uncertainty in the camera parameters. In this paper, we propose an adaptive control for a robot manipulator, which allows the displacement of the end-effector following a reference trajectory. It is assumed that the robot is planar and the camera fixed, so that the image plane is parallel to the manipulator workspace. Two well-known adaptive schemes have been simulated together with the proposed algorithm to compare the performance of the different approaches. Simulation results show the good performance of the complete system.
Focused and Shifting Attention in Children with Heavy Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Attention deficits are a hallmark of the teratogenic effects of alcohol. However, characterization of these deficits remains inconclusive. Children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure and nonexposed controls were evaluated using a paradigm consisting of three conditions: visual focus, auditory focus, and auditory-visual shift of attention. For the focus conditions, participants responded manually to visual or auditory targets. For the shift condition, participants alternated responses between visual targets and auditory targets. For the visual focus condition, alcohol-exposed children had lower accuracy and slower reaction time for all intertarget intervals (ITIs), while on the auditory focus condition, alcohol-exposed children were less accurate but displayed slower reaction time only on the longest ITI. Finally, for the shift condition, the alcohol-exposed group was accurate but had slowed reaction times. These results indicate that children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure have pervasive deficits in visual focused attention and deficits in maintaining auditory attention over time. However, no deficits were noted in the ability to disengage and reengage attention when required to shift attention between visual and auditory stimuli, although reaction times to shift were slower.
Model assessment of the role of natural variability in recent global warming

SINCE the late nineteenth century, the global mean surface air temperature has been increasing at the rate of about 0.5 °C per century1–3, but our poor understanding of low-frequency natural climate variability has made it very difficult to determine whether the observed warming trend is attributable to the enhanced green-house effect associated with increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases4,5. Here we evaluate the observed warming trend using a 1,000-year time series of global temperature obtained from a mathematical model of the coupled ocean–atmosphere–land system. We find that the model approximately reproduces the magnitude of the annual to interdecadal variation in global mean surface air temperature. But throughout the simulated time series no temperature change as large as 0.5 °C per century is sustained for more than a few decades. Assuming that the model is realistic, these results suggest that the observed trend is not a natural feature of the interaction between the atmosphere and oceans. Instead, it may have been induced by a sustained change in the thermal forcing, such as that resulting from changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations and aerosol loading.
Appearance and Dress as a Source of Information: A Qualitative Approach to Data Collection

A content analysis of 39 women’s responses to open-ended interview questions revealed a) what impressions they formed of others based on appearance and dress, as well as what cues they chose, and b) that they believed that others also used appearance and dress cues when forming impressions of them. Neither participants’ impressions of others nor participants’ beliefs regarding others’ impressions of them contained information that extended beyond the perceived person to include other people or things associated with the perceived person. Instead, the content of the information inferred included personality characteristics, information about behaviors, biological traits, health and hygiene, and social roles. Most participants believed that both they and others were accurate at decoding information from general appearance and dress cues, although some participants believed that accuracy was dependent upon the situation or related to specific appearance or dress cues.
Corporate environmentalism: Emerging responsibilities for public disclosure in the European community☆

Abstract In both the European Community (EC) and the United States, public disclosure of environmental information is emerging as one of the most signifi- cant developments shaping corporate environmetalism. The United States is widely recognized as having the most farreaching policies regarding pub- lic access and communication of environmental information. The EC is currently moving towards developing strident policies to increase the public's rights of access to environmental information. This paper examines the development of public access to environmental information in the EC in re- lation to the United States, and addresses the implications of these developments for corporations operating in the EC.
International Cooperation and Water Resources Management: Hydrophilanthropy, Sustainable Development, and Sustainable co‐Development

: The paradigm of sustainable development as a strategy of dialogue and communication is of growing interest in the context of international cooperation, in a world of economic, environmental, and societal and demographic interdependence. After a brief discussion of the complexity of the concept of sustainable development, contributing to the difficulty of an operational definition, we introduce sustainable co-development as an operational set of principles and tools for the practical implementation of sustainable development policies in international cooperation, based on mutual trust, shared responsibilities and mutual benefits. Taking history and culture of all partners into account as a facilitator of mutual trust and promoting the role of civil society to increase the sense of responsibility of the partners, sustainable co-development introduces ethical values in economic relationships, combining the generosity of hydro-humanity and hydro-philanthropy and the search for mutual benefits, which is a good condition of sound international cooperation.
The oxytalan connective tissue fibres in gingival hyperplasia in patients treated with sodium diphenyl‐hydantoin

Oxytalan fibres in hyperplastic gingival papillae from 12 young epileptics who had been treated with sodium diphenyl-hydantoin were studied with modifications of Fullmer and Lillie's (1958) and Loe and Nuki's (1964) staining methods. These fibres were compared with the fibres in clinically normal gin-givac and in tissue from fibrous epulides. Fibres reacting with peracetic acid-aldehyde fuchsin (i.e. oxytalan fibres) were present throughout the connective tissue and were especially numerous near the surface epithelium and in areas of inflammatory infiltration. The oxytalan fibres were especially prominent along the junction with epithelium, between the rete pegs and in the deeper connective tissue near bone where they tended to be arranged in large parallel bundles. In cases of fibrous epulis, however, there were very few oxytalan fibres in the connective tissue adjacent to the surface epithelium. It is concluded that the connective tissue performs an important supportive function to the epithelium in gingival hyperplasia, and is of special importance in the genesis of gingival hyperplasia in patients under treatment with sodium diphenyl-hydantoin.
Anion effects on the phase transition of N‐isopropylacrylamide hydrogels

NMR spectra were collected for poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogel using high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) after gel pieces were hydrated in the presence of D2O, NaF, NaCl, and NaI aqueous solutions. Changes in the peak height intensity of the spectra provide quantitative insight into the phase transition process. The thermodynamic values of the phase transition were calculated using a van't Hoff analysis of the NMR data. Unlike the trend observed for decreases in the (LCST), changes in the enthalpy and entropy did not clearly display a linear dependence with respect to salt concentration. Rather, it was observed that increases in salt concentration did not affect the enthalpy and entropy to the extent as the initial change observed between no salt and 100 mM solutions. Finally, the effect of salts on the hysteresis of the rehydrating process was observed. Hysteresis occurs due to the need for hydrophobic interactions to break down before water is able to infiltrate the polymer matrix. NaF stabilizes hydrophobic interactions while NaI destabilize hydrophobic interactions, causing them to break down at higher temperatures. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
An implementation of a distributed scheme for managing the dynamic coexistence of Wireless Body Area Networks

We present a novel implementation of a distributed scheme for Dynamic Coexistence Management (DCM) of Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) of inertial sensors. WBANs are comprised of sensors placed on or implanted inside a person's body to collect physiological signals, activity or environmental data. Since WBANs are mobile systems by design, they can dynamically interfere with other WBANs when their users come within each other's transmission ranges. This situation which is referred to as homogeneous coexistence may result in loss of data as well as increased power consumption and transmission latencies. In this paper we present an implementation of the DCM mechanism for WBANs of inertial sensors that are designed for real-time activity monitoring and gesture recognition. The proposed scheme is implemented and evaluated on sensors that use Nordic wireless transceivers for communication; however, it can be adapted to other types of lowpower wireless standards such as IEEE 802.15.4. Our results indicate that using DCM we can achieve a close to perfect performance with 15-20% more successfully received frames when WBANs are exposed to dynamic coexistence.
Abstract 647: Use of statin and risk of prostate cancer recurrence among patients who received radical prostatectomy

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Background: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (“statins”) have shown broad-spectrum anti-cancer properties in laboratory studies. In epidemiologic studies, statin use has been linked to reduced risk of advanced prostate cancer (PCa). We investigated whether statin use is associated with reduced risk of recurrence in PCa patients who received radical prostatectomy. Methods: All men with incident PCa diagnosed between 2004-2005 who subsequently underwent radical prostatectomy in Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) health plan were identified using KPSC's accredited cancer registry. Exclusion criteria included 0.2 ng/ml; and (2) clinical disease progression, defined as diagnosis of metastatic disease (identified using ICD-9 codes) or PCa-related death (i.e., PCa as primary cause of death). Information on statin use, demographics, co-morbid conditions, pathoclinical prognostic factors, e.g., stage and Gleason score, and outcomes were obtained from cancer registry and electronic medical records. The effects of statin use prior to and after prostatectomy were both examined using bivariate and multivariable Cox models, adjusting for known prognostic factors. For post-operative statin exposure, a time-dependent Cox model was used. Results: A total of 1192 men were included; 38% had pre-operative and 55% had post-operative statin use. Neither pre- nor post-operative statin use was associated with risk of any outcome, as there was no evidence of a clear dose-response relationship (Table). Conclusion: These data suggest that despite statin's protective effect in developing PCa, statin use may not prevent PCa progression. ![Figure][1] Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 647. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-647 [1]: pending:yes
Shape-guided complex-source fluorescence tomography

Local fine representation of the fluorescence map on the standard mesh can be redundant in the sense that the reconstruction resolution is usually limited in such a severely ill-posed problem. Using global characteristic shape functions that can approximately capture the major structural information, we study fluorescence tomography with a new shape-guided representation based on some underlying mesh. Moreover, the proposed method can naturally enforce the prior coexistence of fluorescence yield and lifetime when fluorescence maps are formulated in complex sources. The simulation results suggest that, compared with standard pixel-wise representation, the shape-guided representation offers better localization of inclusions with improved quantitative accuracy, particularly in the case with inclusions of low fluorescence contrast, such as 2:1 inclusion-to-background ratio, and is more robust to the initial guess and the noise.
Open volume and time to open on option-expiration days☆

Abstract We examine the volume and time to open for stocks on option-expiration Fridays. We show that previous findings of abnormal daily volume on option-expiration Fridays can be largely explained by the large volume of trading in the batch opening for stocks that trade on the NYSE and not by an increase in volume over the remainder of the day. We also find that there is an increase in the time to open for stocks on triple-witching Fridays and a decrease in the time to open for stocks on non-quarterly, option-expiration Fridays.
False statements and the differential diagnosis of abuse allegations

OBJECTIVE: Because child psychiatrists do not have a consistent way to classify the untruthful child and because there are no generally accepted definitions of the many ways in which false statements occur in allegations of abuse, the objective of this paper is to classify and define the various ways in which false statements occur in allegations of abuse. METHOD: The author reviewed 40 articles, chapters, and books that contained examples of false statements made by children or caregivers in the context of an abuse allegation. RESULTS: This paper clarifies the concepts of indoctrination, suggestion, fantasy, delusion, misinterpretation, miscommunication, innocent lying, deliberate lying, confabulation, pseudologia phantastica, overstimulation, group contagion, and perpetrator substitution. CONCLUSION: The correct classification of abuse allegations is important in both clinical and forensic child psychiatry. The definitions in this paper, which are based on clinical experience, should be studied through systematic research. Language: en
Some criteria for laminar conditions during HFV

Assessment of the type of flow regime-laminar, transitional or turbulent-present in the central airways during high-frequency ventilation (HFV) can assist in identification of the predominant gas transport mechanisms for a particular species and set of HFV conditions. In this study, we use published empirical relationships, developed to identify the initial change from oscillating laminar flow to oscillating turbulent flow in tubes, to derive the limiting relationships between a dimensionless stroke volume and the Womersley number for maintenance of laminar conditions. When used with morphometric lung models for man and dog, these limiting relationships predicted maximum stroke volumes at experimental frequencies that either exceeded or agreed within 20% with the stroke volumes reported for steady-state ventilation of humans and dogs using HFV. Based on these limiting relationships, stroke volume-frequency combinations reported to demarcate the decline of PaO2 and alveolar ventilation were associated with nonlaminar conditions. It is expected that this approach may be useful in selecting the stroke volume-frequency pairs for HFV when a specific type of flow regime is desired as well as for analysis of HFV data.
Fidelity of translesional synthesis past benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide-2′-deoxyguanosine DNA adducts: Marked effects of host cell, sequence context, and chirality

We have used a site-specific approach to investigate the mutagenic potential of (+)- and (-)-trans-anti-benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE) DNA adducts. Oligodeoxyribonucleotides (5'TCCTCCTG1G2-CCTCTC), modified at the exocyclic amino groups of G1 or G2, were incorporated into a single-stranded shuttle vector and introduced into Escherichia coli or simian kidney (COS) cells. This experimental system permits translesional synthesis to proceed in the absence of DNA repair. The presence of (+)- or (-)-BPDE-N2-dG adducts strongly inhibited translesional synthesis in E. coli; induction of cellular SOS functions reduced this blocking effect. Vectors containing (+)-BPDE adducts at G1 or G2 generated mutation frequencies of 19% and 3%, respectively; these values were not altered significantly by induction of SOS functions. In COS cells, (+)-BPDE-modified vectors generated mutation frequencies of 13% at G1 and 45% at G2. In E. coli, the (-)-BPDE adduct generated mutation frequencies of T transversions targeted to the site of the lesion; however, when G2 was modified, a significant number of targeted G-->A and G-->C mutations were observed in COS cells. We conclude from this study that (+)-and (-)-BPDE-N2-dG adducts pair preferentially to dCMP and dAMP during translesional synthesis in a process that is strongly influenced by the stereochemistry of the adduct, by the bases flanking the lesion, and by host cell factors.
EGFR-dependent pancreatic carcinoma cell metastasis through Rap1 activation

Tyrosine kinase receptors have an essential role in various aspects of tumor progression. In particular, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its ligands have been implicated in the growth and dissemination of a wide array of human carcinomas. Here, we describe an EGFR-mediated signaling pathway that regulates human pancreatic carcinoma cell invasion and metastasis, yet does not influence the growth of primary tumors. In fact, ligation/activation of EGFR induces Src-dependent phosphorylation of two critical tyrosine residues of p130CAS, leading to the assembly of a Crk-associated substrate (CAS)/Nck1 complex that promotes Ras-associated protein-1 (Rap1) signaling. Importantly, GTP loading of Rap1 is specifically required for pancreatic carcinoma cell migration on vitronectin but not on collagen. Furthermore, Rap1 activation is required for EGFR-mediated metastasis in vivo without impacting primary tumor growth. These findings identify a molecular pathway that promotes the invasive/metastatic properties of human pancreatic carcinomas driven by EGFR.
Optical parametric oscillators

Recent developments in beta -barium borate (BBO), lithium triborate (LBO), and potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) optical parametric oscillators are reviewed. It is noted that, with suitable nonlinear optical crystals and pump sources, virtually any wavelength ranging from the UV to the mid IR can now be reached with optical parametric oscillators. The technology is better developed at the present time for the near-UV to 4.5 mu m range, however, largely due to the availability of large, high-quality BBO, LBO, MgO:LiNbO/sub 3/, and KTP crystals. For the 1-10 mu m range, AgGaS/sub 2/ and AgGaSe/sub 2/ show great promise. >
Opposing mitogenic regulation by PACAP in sympathetic and cerebral cortical precursors correlates with differential expression of PACAP receptor (PAC1‐R) isoforms

Neurogenesis in the peripheral and central nervous systems proceeds in region-specific fashion, although underlying mechanisms remain undefined. Emerging evidence indicates that the neuropeptide PACAP and its G-protein-coupled receptor are expressed widely in the embryonic brain, suggesting that the ligand/receptor system plays a role in development. We found previously that PAC1-R activation elicited opposing mitogenic effects in neurogenetic cultures, stimulating peripheral sympathetic neuroblasts while inhibiting cerebral cortical precursors. We have now defined the expression of PAC1-R mRNA isoforms and activation of second-messenger pathways in these model populations. Sympathetic neuroblasts express the "hop" receptor isoform, through which PACAP elicits increased levels of cAMP and activation of the PI signaling pathway. In contrast, cerebral cortical precursors express primarily the "short" (non-insert) receptor isoform and exhibit increased cAMP levels alone following PACAP treatment. Thus, opposing mitogenic regulation in sympathetic and cortical precursors correlates with differential receptor isoform expression and distinct second-messenger signaling. In addition to receptor, PACAP ligand mRNA was expressed by both populations, suggesting that the peptide is produced and acts locally to regulate precursor proliferation. These observations indicate that the PACAP ligand/receptor system is expressed in both the peripheral and central nervous system during development. More generally, these studies suggest that widely expressed extracellular factors mediate region-specific neurogenesis by activating lineage-restricted receptor isoforms and intracellular pathways.
Investigation of post-superplastic forming properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy

In the metal forming industry, most of the efforts are directed towards materials and process development, with little attention paid to the properties of the formed components. In Superplastic Forming (SPF), the issue of post-forming properties is particularly important because of the large plastic deformation, significant microstructural changes, and exposure to elevated temperatures for prolonged periods of time. In this work, a detailed experimental study on the mechanical and microstructural properties of superplastically-formed AZ31 magnesium alloy is presented. The results clearly show the necessity to integrate post-superplastic forming analysis with material and process development for SPF optimization.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Cyclooxygenase-2 Selective Inhibitors for Prostate Cancer Chemoprevention

ABSTRACTPurpose: There is increasing evidence that using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs decreases the incidence of clinically apparent prostate cancer. We review the potential mechanisms of cancer reduction with cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors and the clinical evidence suggesting their effectiveness.Materials and Methods: A literature review using MEDLINE was conducted of animal, observational, and clinical studies of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cancer, specifically prostate cancer. The Physician Data Query database was searched for current studies of COX-2 inhibitors for chemoprevention of prostate cancer.Results: Research suggests that COX-2 inhibiting medications are determinants in lower cancer incidence rates. Other studies have suggested up-regulation of the COX-2 enzyme in prostate cancer compared with normal prostate tissue. Selective COX-2 inhibitors are currently under study to evaluate their potential roles in preventing prostate cancer in high-risk patients (rofecoxib) or t...
Client progress toward referral for discharge to the community: an illustration of an evaluation technique.

Abstract Data on referral and discharge from a short-term habilitative facility are used to illustrate the “survival analysis” of the rate at which institutionalized mentally retarded persons are released to the community and regression analysis of factors which help predict time to release. These techniques can be used to assess the degree to which habilitative facilities and community agencies achieve their stated goals, to help community agencies plan placement requirements, to compare the progress of various subgroups of clients, and to assess the overall benefit of deinstitutionalization efforts for the entire population at which it is aimed.
Activation of dendritic cells and induction of CD4(+) T cell differentiation by aluminum-containing adjuvants.

Aluminum-containing adjuvants are widely used in licensed human and veterinary vaccines. However, the mechanism by which these adjuvants enhance the immune response and predominantly stimulate a T(H)2 humoral immune response is not well understood. In this study, the effects of aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate adjuvants on antigen presentation, expression of costimulatory molecules and cytokines by mouse dendritic cells (DCs) and the ability of DCs to induce T helper cell differentiation were investigated. Dendritic cells pulsed with ovalbumin (OVA) adsorbed to aluminum-containing adjuvants activated antigen-specific T cells more effectively than DCs pulsed with OVA alone. Aluminum hydroxide adjuvant had a significantly stronger effect than aluminum phosphate adjuvant. Both aluminum-containing adjuvants significantly increased the expression of CD86 on DCs but only aluminum hydroxide adjuvant also induced moderate expression of CD80. Aluminum-containing adjuvants stimulated the release of IL-1beta and IL-18 from DCs via caspase-1 activation. DCs incubated with LPS and OVA induced T(H)1 differentiation of naive CD4(+) T cells. In contrast, DCs incubated with aluminum/OVA activated CD4(+) T cells to secrete IL-4 and IL-5 as well as IFN-gamma. Addition of neutralizing anti-IL-1beta antibodies decreased IL-5 production and addition of anti-IL-18 antibodies decreased both IL-4 and IL-5 production. Inhibition of IL-1beta and IL-18 secretion by DCs via inhibition of caspase-1 also led to a marked decrease of IL-4 and IL-5 by CD4(+) T cells. These results indicate that aluminum-containing adjuvants activate DCs and influence their ability to direct T(H)1 and T(H)2 responses through the secretion of IL-1beta and IL-18.
A Crown of Conflicting Glory: Biblical Allusions in Allison's Bastard Out of Carolina

(2007). A Crown of Conflicting Glory: Biblical Allusions in Allison's Bastard Out of Carolina. The Explicator: Vol. 66, No. 1, pp. 59-61.
On resonant separatrix bands of a Duffing oscillator with a twin-well potential

Abstract The chaotic motions in the resonant bands of the Duffing oscillator with a twin-well potential are investigated numerically in this paper. The resonant bands are illustrated through the Poincare mapping sections, and the deviation of saddle points of the resonant separatrix band is observed for the onset of the resonant band. The onset and disappearance of a specific resonant band are investigated through the incremental energy spectrum method. The intermittency either between the two closest resonant bands or between the resonant band and the stochastic layer is observed. Just before the resonant band is destroyed, it is very clearly observed that the self-similarity is induced by the sub-resonance. The three phenomena exist in resonant bands of other nonlinear Hamiltonian systems.
Activated T lymphocytes bind in situ to stromal tissue of colon carcinoma but lack adhesion to tumor cells.

It is not entirely clear which adhesion molecules are responsible for the site-directed traffic of T cells within the tumor microenvironment. The present study investigated whether colon carcinoma tissue and normal colon differ in the expression of functionally relevant molecules. In addition, we identified adhesion molecules involved in the binding of activated T cells onto colon carcinoma in situ. Malignant colon epithelium expressed few adhesion receptors, i.e. CD44 (HERMES), CD49b (integrin alpha2) and CD162 (PSGL-1), whereas the stromal compartment within colon carcinoma was positive for numerous binding molecules, e.g. CD44, CD49a (integrin alpha1), CD49e (integrin alpha5), CD51 (integrin alpha(v)), CD54 (ICAM-1), CD99 (MIC2) and CD162. Lymphocytes infiltrating tumor stroma contrasted with lymphocytes within normal colon interstitium by lacking CD28, CD154 (CD40L), CD56 (NCAM) and CD98 (4F2). Normal activated T cells bound to the lymphocyte-rich areas within the stroma of colon carcinoma using CD44, CD50 (ICAM-3), CD99, CD102 (ICAM-2) and CD162 on the T lymphocytes. We conclude that lymphocytes within colon carcinoma stroma may lack several functionally crucial cell surface molecules. We present a panel of adhesion molecules that could mediate the migration of activated T lymphocytes into the stroma of colon carcinoma.
Improvement in Membrane Integrity and Acrosin Levels of Human Sperm by Use of L4 Membrane

Previous results have demonstrated the advantage of using an L4 filter as a method for sperm preparation in assisted reproductive techniques. The present study examined the effect of two sperm processing methods (L4 filter and swim-up) on sperm acrosin levels and the integrity of the sperm membrane as measured by the hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test. Semen specimens from 35 men (19 suspected subfertile men and 16 normal volunteers) were used to measure acrosin activity; 30 specimens (14 patients and 16 normal men) were used to assess the integrity of sperm membrane by the HOS test. The acrosin activity of L4-filtered spermatozoa (mean 110 ± 85 μIU acrosin/106 sperm) in patients and donors was significantly higher (p <. 002) than in either the swim-up specimens (76 ± 58 μIU) or original unprocessed ejaculate (46 ± 27 μIU). Similarly, the percentage of tail swelling measured by HOS test was significantly higher (p <. 01) in the L4- filtered sperm (mean 71 ± 13%) than in either swim-up specimens (59 ± 18%) or...
Age-related changes in IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 levels in human serum and bone: Implications for bone loss with aging

Abstract Osteoporosis develops because of an age-dependent imbalance between the rates of bone formation and bone resorption (i.e. bone formation rate is inadequate compared with bone resorption rate to maintain bone volume). With regard to the mechanism for the deficiency in bone formation, we propose that age-associated changes in the IGF system components contribute to an age-related decrease in the skeletal capacity for osteoblast cell proliferation. As a means of testing this hypothesis, we have measured serum levels of IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 since our studies have shown that the mitogenic actions of IGFs in bone cells are modulated by inhibitory IGFBP-4 and stimulatory IGFBP-5. By using newly developed and validated radioimmunoassays for measurement of IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5, we found that the circulating level of IGFBP-4 increases with age while that of IGFBP-5 declines with age. In subjects from 23–87 years, serum IGFBP-4 concentrations showed a significant positive correlation with serum PTH while serum IGFBP-5 concentrations showed a significant positive correlation with IGF-I. These age-related changes in the serum levels of IGF system components are consistent with our previous findings of age-related decreases in the femoral cortical contents of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-5. Although the biological implications of the sequestration of IGFs in bone unknown, we have hypothesized that the level of the IGFs in bone is a reflection of their integrated local secretion by osteoblasts. Based on our data, we now propose a model in which (a) underproduction of the stimulatory components and overproduction of an inhibitory component of the IGF system occur as a consequence of aging, and (b) these changes lead to an age-related decrease in the local (autocrine/paracrine) as well as the hormonal (endocrine) actions of the IGFs, which in aggregate could contribute to the decrease in osteoblast proliferation and the deficiency in bone formation. In conclusion, although our findings provide indirect evidence that age associated changes in IGF system components could lead to a deficit in bone formation, further studies are needed to demonstrate a cause and effect relationship between changes in bone cell production of IGF system components and the age-related uncoupling of bone formation from resorption.
Endovascular treatment of experimental aneurysms with liquid polymers: The protective potential of stents

Liquid polymers have previously been used to treat experimental and human aneurysms. However, the delivery of a liquid embolic material into the cerebral circulation involves a high risk of irreversible vessel occlusion and stroke. To evaluate methods for the safe and effective treatment of experimental aneurysms with liquid polymer injection, we tested four different techniques to deliver cellulose acetate polymer (CAP) or N-hexyl-cyanoacrylate into canine side-wall carotid artery aneurysms. The animals were observed for 1 to 10 weeks after treatment. Two aneurysms were treated without protection of the distal circulation, one with CAP and another with N-hexyl-cyanoacrylate. In four cases, an angioplasty balloon was inflated within the parent artery during endosaccular injection of CAP. In two of these cases, the balloon was placed adjacent to the aneurysm orifice, resulting in simultaneous occlusion of both the aneurysm and the parent artery, and in the other two cases, the balloon was positioned proximal to the aneurysm, resulting in temporary flow arrest. Three aneurysms were treated with either CAP or N-hexyl-cyanoacrylate after implantation of a balloon-expandable tantalum stent within the parent artery across the aneurysm orifice. Complete angiographic obliteration was achieved in all but one case. One aneurysm ruptured. Another partially occluded aneurysm reopened 10 weeks after treatment. In all cases treated without stents, distal migration of the polymer resulted in either stenosis or occlusion of the parent arteries. The combination of stent implantation and polymer injection resulted in permanent aneurysm occlusion without detectable polymer migration. An intravascular stent deployed within the parent artery across the aneurysm orifice acted as a safety net during endosaccular polymer injection by allowing blood to flow from the aneurysm cavity while preventing distal migration of liquid polymer.
Desensitization of α2A-adrenoceptor signalling by modest levels of adrenaline is facilitated by β2-adrenoceptor-dependent GRK3 up-regulation

(1) Adrenaline (ADR) and noradrenaline (NA) can simultaneously activate inhibitory alpha(2)- and stimulatory beta-adrenoceptors (AR). However, ADR and NA differ significantly in that ADR is a potent beta(2)-AR agonist while NA is not. Only recently has the interaction resulting from the simultaneous activation of alpha(2)- and beta(2)-AR been examined at the cellular level to determine the mechanisms of alpha(2)-AR regulation following concomitant activation of both alpha(2)- and beta(2)-ARs by chronic ADR. (2) This study evaluates beta(2)-AR regulation of alpha(2A)-AR signalling following chronic ADR (300 nM) and NA (1 and 30 micro M) treatments of BE(2)-C human neuroblastoma cells that natively express both beta(2)- and alpha(2A)-ARs. (3) Chronic (24 h) treatment with ADR (300 nM) desensitized the response to the alpha(2A)-AR agonist, brimonidine, in BE(2)-C cells. Addition of the beta-AR antagonist, propranolol, blocked the ADR-induced alpha(2A)-AR desensitization. Unlike ADR, chronic NA (1 micro M) treatment had no effect on the alpha(2A)-AR response. However if NA was increased to 30 micro M for 24 h, alpha(2A)-AR desensitization was observed; this desensitization was partially reversed by propranolol. (4) Chronic ADR (300 nM) treatment reduced alpha(2A)-AR binding levels, contributing to the alpha(2A)-AR desensitization. This decrease was prevented by addition of propranolol during ADR treatment. Chronic NA (30 micro M), like ADR, treatment lowered specific binding, whereas 1 micro M NA treatment was without effect. (5) Chronic ADR treatment produced a significant increase in GRK3 levels and this was blocked by propranolol or GRK2/3 antisense DNA treatment. This antisense DNA, common to both GRK2 and GRK3, also blocked chronic ADR-induced alpha(2A)-AR desensitization and down-regulation. (6) Acute (1 h) ADR (300 nM) or NA treatment (1 micro M) produced alpha(2A)-AR desensitization. The desensitization produced by acute treatment was beta-AR independent, as it was not blocked by propranolol. (7) We conclude that chronic treatment with modest levels of ADR produces alpha(2A)-AR desensitization by mechanisms that involve up-regulation of GRK3 and down-regulation of alpha(2A)-AR levels through interactions with the beta(2)-AR.
A CONCURRENT PROCESS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The FAA's Oceanic and Offshore Integrated Product Team has established a process for development and validation of system level requirements through the use of Joint Application Design. This process is initiated with operational requirements set in the context of a concept of operations. The concept and system behavior are wholly contained within a requirements model. The goal is to collect user inputs that compliment the operational requirements with a level of detail necessary to complete a system level specification in the model. The model will then be used to validate the requirements against the concept of operations and target benefits for the system build. This paper describes the requirements development and validation process and preliminary results of the application of the process.
Quality specifications in thyroid diseases.

Background: Laboratory tests to support the diagnosis and management of thyroid diseases have undergone significant changes with the introduction of highly sensitive assays for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 and T3 concentrations in plasma. Given the importance of these measurements, quality specifications are needed to ensure accurate results. Goals for precision and accuracy are available based on known intraindividual and interindividual biological variation. Methods: Results of external quality assurance (EQA) schemes are sufficient to document precision goals but survey materials are not commutable for use in determining bias or detect the presence of unusual antibodies on a case-by-case basis. Because TSH concentrations are inversely related to free T4, this physiologic relationship can be exploited for quality assurance purposes. Results: Significant discordance between this relationship can be caused by subclinical and potentially unrecognized disease, dysequilibrium caused by recent therapy, the presence of abnormal binding proteins or protein binding competitor drugs, and antibody interferences such as human antimouse antibody (HAMA) or rheumatoid factor. Conclusion: A mechanism to automatically track discordances for subsequent follow and investigation can be an effective part of a quality assurance program for thyroid hormone measurements.
Microscopy of femtoscale structures

Advances in experimental techniques are discussed for the study of long-lived isomers using gammasphere. Spectroscopy of neutron-rich nuclei in the A ∼ 180 region is made possible for the first time via neutron transfer from heavy beams, and long-predicted high-K isomers are observed.
Details of Colliding Thunderstorm Outflows as Observed by Doppler Lidar

Abstract Three cases of colliding outflow boundaries are examined using data collected from the NOAA Doppler lidar and a meteorological tower during the summer of 1986 near Boulder, Colorado. The data are unique because the lidar and the 300 m tower were colocated, providing measurements of both kinematic and thermodynamic properties. Lidar data reveal small-scale vortex roll instabilities within the leading edge of the outflow. Observations of the post-collision interactions showed that the warmer of the two outflows was deflected upward by the colder outflow to heights of 2 km. In all cases, this forced mechanical lifting was sufficient to produce convection. A simple model of two colliding density currents also suggests that deeper outflows are more efficient in initiating convection.
Thermodynamics of crystallization in high polymers. Cellulose trinitrate

Melting temperatures of cellulose trinitrate (13.96% N) in mixtures with γ-butyrolactone have been determined dilatometrically, and also by an optical method depending on depolarization of polarized light when transmitted through a semicrystalline sample. Results obtained by these two methods, and also by direct visual observation, are in good agreement. Whereas the dilatometric method is preferred for higher concentrations of diluent (volume fraction v1 = 0.86 to 0.68) where the melting point is below 80°C., gas generation by decomposition necessitated abandonment of this method at the higher melting temperatures for lower diluent concentrations. Adoption of the optical method permitted determination of melting temperatures as high as 116°C. (v1 = 0.60). The results have been treated according to the thermodynamic theory of melting of polymers. While the results do not extend far enough to allow definite assignment of the melting point T of the pure polymer, they indicate that it is at least 1000°K. The heat of fusion per structural unit is low—not over 1500 cal. per repeating unit, or 5 cal./g. The low value of the entropy of fusion—less than 1.5 cal./deg./mole of units–indicates limited flexibility of the chains in the liquid state. The high melting point of cellulose trinitrate is a consequence of its low entropy of fusion, and cannot be attributed to large intermolecular attractions in the crystal.
School Counselors in International School: Critical Issues and Challenges

This study sought to examine the views of school counselors in international school settings; international schools being those that enroll students from varying nationalities (both English speaking and non-English speaking countries) and follow an American/International college preparatory education curriculum. Results were pursued in regard to three important areas: (1) mental health needs of students (e.g., coping with cultural transitions, aggression, self-esteem), (2) their own professional development needs (e.g., multicultural development, networking), and (3) their interactions with teachers, administrators, and parents (e.g., lack of knowledge of the counselor’s role, lack of trust in the counselor, lack of teamwork). Implications for supporting international school counselors are provided.