cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in genetic organization and expression in aging cells.

In this paper we review our recent studies on the human fibroblast model of cellular aging, which illustrate how physiological decline and certain age-dependent diseases may develop at the cellular level. We will demonstrate that the basis of these changes may involve a variety of alterations in genetic structure and expression, and further, that their stochastic nature probably accounts for the progressive individual variation that occurs between aging persons and between their component cells.
Testing Animal Behavioral Teratogens

Mark Twain observed that “man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.” Trying to develop an animal model for blushing would therefore be pointless from both a physiological and a psychological perspective. Fortunately animals resemble humans in other ways, and these resemblances can be used to make inferences about the human condition. While such inferences are always tenuous, the more closely the results of animal studies resemble observations in humans, the more confident we can be in drawing other inferences from animals to humans. The bottom lines in animal research are (1) how similar animals are to humans in their reaction to the same conditions and, (2) how similar are the methods used in animal and human research.
Direct visualization and molecular simulation of dewpoint pressure of a confined fluid in sub-10 nm slit pores

Abstract The fluid phase behavior characterization at nanoscale is a challenging and significant problem for many processes such as polymer analysis, drug delivery, carbon dioxide storage, and petroleum production, among others. It is commonly accepted that the fluid phase behavior in sub-10 nm pores is considerably different than the phase behavior in bulk environment. In this study, experiments using the lab-on-a-chip approach has been conducted to measure and visualize n-Butane condensation pressure in nano-scale slit pores of 50 nm, 10 nm, and 4 nm. The result shows that n-Butane dewpoint pressure can deviate as high as 14% from its original value due to the confinement effect. Molecular simulation has also been performed with a purpose to model the experimental results. The simulation results show a good agreement with the experimental data and prove the significant impact of the confinement effect.
The Investigation of Neutron Kinetics and Cross Sections in Fast Nonmoderating Assemblies by the Nanosecond Pulsed Neutron Source Technique

Nanosecond bursts of monoenergetic neutrons in the range 0.8-- 1.6 Mev are injected into non-moderating assemblies of bismuth, lead, and natural uranium. The flux in these assemblies is observed to decay exponentially with characteristic nanosecond time constants in good agreement with one velocity transport theory, and the known inelastic scattering and absorption cross sections. These experiments serve as a check on the validity of the assumptions of transpont theory. The technique also serves as a method for measuring macroscopic inelastic and absorption cross sections directiy, without the necessity of making the corrections required in other methods, e.g., for double scattering and for the angular distribution. (auth)
Exploring Young U.S. and Chinese Consumers’ Motivations to Recycle

Young consumers are major targets for necessary interventions to change consumption habits to address environmental sustainability challenges. The current study provides a comparison of a Western a...
Florida's Established Arthropod Weed Biological Control Agents and Their Targets

Around 5% of the plant species deliberately introduced into Florida for crop production and horticultural uses have invaded sensitive aquatic and terrestrial natural areas as well as improved pastures. One of the reasons they become invasive is they lack the natural enemies that limit their reproduction. Biological control reunites these natural enemies (usually arthropods) with their host plants to selectively weaken and suppress the invasive weeds. This 3-page fact sheet was written by J. P. Cuda and J. H. Frank and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in779
Sex differences in Mecp2-mutant Rett syndrome model mice and the impact of cellular mosaicism in phenotype development

There is currently no effective treatment for Rett syndrome (RTT), a severe X-linked progressive neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the transcriptional regulator MECP2. Because MECP2 is subjected to X-inactivation, most affected individuals are female heterozygotes who display cellular mosaicism for normal and mutant MECP2. Males who are hemizygous for mutant MECP2 are more severely affected than heterozygous females and rarely survive. Mecp2 loss-of-function is less severe in mice, however, and male hemizygous null mice not only survive until adulthood, they have been the most commonly studied model system. Although heterozygous female mice better recapitulate human RTT, they have not been as thoroughly characterized. This is likely because of the added experimental challenges that they present, including delayed and more variable phenotypic progression and cellular mosaicism due to X-inactivation. In this review, we compare phenotypes of Mecp2 heterozygous female mice and male hemizygous null mouse models. Further, we discuss the complexities that arise from the many cell-type and tissue-type specific roles of MeCP2, as well as the combination of cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous disruptions that result from Mecp2 loss-of-function. This is of particular importance in the context of the female heterozygous brain, composed of a mixture of MeCP2+ and MeCP2- cells, the ratio of which can alter RTT phenotypes in the case of skewed X-inactivation. The goal of this review is to provide a clearer understanding of the pathophysiological differences between the mouse models, which is an essential consideration in the design of future pre-clinical studies.
Yvette: Homeschooling as Split-Schooling—Homeschooling One of Two

From the UK, Yvette is a 28-year-old mother of two sons. She describes her hopes and dreams when deciding to come to the USA to work on her bachelor’s degree including anticipated benefits for her children. However, Yvette’s narrative documents her very experiences trying to advocate each son. She enrolled both children in two different public schools (one a charter school), but details why she decided to homeschool one son, but not the other. As a Black immigrant, Yvette’s account also demonstrates that notions of the “Black Elevated Minority,” which is usually prescribed to non-American, Black ethnics, do not always apply. As a full-time student, Yvette found creative ways to accomplish her split-schooling practice including entrepreneurship and outsourcing to a homeschool school-like organization.
Victim Behavior in a Sample of Military Sexual Assault Cases

AbstractThis study explored victim responses to sexual assault within a military context. Victim behavior was identified in forensic case files of service members charged with sexual assault (N = 5...
Evolution of Spiral Shocks in U Geminorum during Outburst

Time-resolved spectroscopic observations of U Geminorum during its 2000 March outburst show strong spiral shocks in the accretion disk. During the plateau at maximum brightness, the spiral shocks contribute ~14% to the total He II flux. The two arms of the spiral show a distinctly different evolution during the outburst and decline, which indicates an asymmetric evolution in the disk.
Bi-Objective Optimization for Battery Electric Bus Deployment Considering Cost and Environmental Equity

Sustainable development of the transport system has been the consensus around the world for the past decades. Encouraged by the urgent need for cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels, vehicle electrification has been advancing at an unprecedented pace. As a major component of the multimodal transportation system, public transit is at the forefront of adopting battery technology into its operation. Battery Electric Bus (BEB), with superior features such as zero-emission and reduced noise, is made ready for commercial deployment in the past several years. However, it is still a grand challenge to successfully deploy BEB system given the nature of the public transit system and the unique spatio-temporal characteristics of BEB. This research presents a bi-objective optimization model for BEB deployment to consider constraints unique to the BEB system and to address the trade-off between environmental equity for the disadvantaged population and capital investment. The model is further demonstrated using the transit system operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to offer insights on the benefits gained as a result of BEB deployment. Optimal deployment plans under different budgets are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the model. The trade-offs in each of the plans are further discussed and compared. This research set the foundation for transit agencies to develop optimal deployment strategies for BEB systems when multiple goals need to be considered, allowing planners and decision-makers to create a transportation ecosystem that better serves livable and sustainable communities.
Immune-mediated diseases and thromboembolic events: a modified Delphi panel.

A multidisciplinary panel of physicians was convened to gain understanding of the relationship between thromboembolic events (TEs) and immune-mediated diseases (IMDs). The primary objective of the ...
Use of deuterium oxide (2H2O) to assess muscle protein synthesis in juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) fed complete, and valine-deficient diets.

The use of 2H2O in tank water to assess protein synthesis rates in fish is a relatively novel methodology that could allow for a better understanding of the effects of particular nutritional and environmental variables on rates of protein accretion. As such, this study involved an assessment and comparison of protein synthesis rates in the muscle of juvenile red drum fed a control diet (nutritionally complete) versus a valine (Val)-deficient diet. Six groups of 12 juvenile red drum, initially weighing ~ 4.5 g/fish, were stocked in six separate 38-L aquaria operating as a recirculating system. Fish were acclimatized to experimental conditions for 2 weeks while being fed the control diet. Just prior to initiating the protein synthesis assay, one aquarium of fish was fed the control diet while a second aquarium of fish was fed the Val-deficient diet. Immediately after consuming the experimental diets, each group of fish was moved to an independent aquarium containing 2H2O, and the fractional synthetic rate (FSR) of protein synthesis was obtained at 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after feeding by collecting two fish per treatment at each time point. This protein synthesis assay procedure was performed in three separate sessions, and considered as replicates over time (n = 3) for fish fed the control or Val-deficient diets immediately before initiating the session. Results indicated that a one-time feeding of a diet deficient in Val significantly reduced protein synthesis rates in the muscle of red drum. In addition, a significant effect of time after feeding was found, where observed FSR values peaked at 12 h after feeding and decreased as time progressed. In conclusion, deuterium methodologies were applicable to red drum, and this approach had the sensitivity to assess differences in protein synthesis rates when dietary perturbations were introduced.
Clinical and Paraclinical Characteristics of Non-Classic Phenylketonuria.

Objective Phenylketonuria (PKU) is one of the most common inherited metabolic diseases, which is classified into classic and non-classic types. It is estimated that 2% of children with PKU develop a severe and progressive neurological disease, called non-classic (malignant) PKU. This study aimed to demonstrate the clinical features, laboratory findings, and diagnostic/therapeutic characteristics of non-classic PKU patients referred to a tertiary referral center for children in Tehran, Iran. Materials & Methods In this study, background information, such as gender and age, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and response rate to conventional treatment, was investigated in patients with non-classic PKU, who were referred to Mofid Children's Hospital in Tehran, Iran, through neonatal screening. Results Twenty patients with a diagnosis of non-classic PKU were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 6.00±2.81 years (range: 2-12 years), and 45.0% were male. In patients with a late diagnosis, the most common presentations were motor developmental delay (15.0%), skin and cutaneous manifestations (15.0%), seizure (5.0%), and restlessness (5.0%). The overall response rate to treatment was 85.0%. Factors that predict good response to treatment included female gender, higher neopterin level, and lower age at diagnosis and management. Conclusion In conclusion, about half of patients with non-classic PKU remain asymptomatic, which is due to early diagnosis via neonatal screening. Also, higher age at diagnosis and treatment, besides low neopterin levels, may be useful as prognostic factors.
The side doors of immigration: multi-tier migration regimes in Japan and South Korea

South Korea and Japan have among the lowest levels of international migration among all rich democracies. While both countries enacted far-reaching democratic reforms in their recent histories, the...
Muscle-Like Actuators and Their System Dynamics

Muscle-like actuators can be composed by connecting together individual contractile modules in a variety of configurations. This chapter shows that by including more or fewer modules and varying how they are connected the designer can tailor the configuration to the application in precise ways and produce actuators in a range of form factors. As more of the units are recruited, or brought into the active state, the muscle-like actuator contracts, imparting motion to the robot. New algorithms are needed to determine how best to recruit, and these algorithms must consider the system dynamics of the muscle-like actuator, which will depend on how they are configured, unlike traditional actuators which are easily modeled by linear filters.
Restorative Justice Liability: School Discipline Reform and the Right to Safe Schools Part V: School Discipline Reform and Liability

In this fifth article of a five-article series, Professor James confronts the third great question: At what tipping point should student injury claims succeed when based on the allegation that educators, through policy or custom, are indifferent to the risk of harm? In the first part, we must place external reforms into the school environment to examine at greater depth the interplay between school discipline reform and the demands of the outside world. The second part focuses on the characteristics of discipline reform that increase the risk of liability for educators. The most important conclusion is that under the rubric of “restorative justice,” schools blunt the effectiveness of school discipline reforms because their institutional interests frequently align directly against student safety. These conflicting interests, which take form of “excessive tolerance,” affect the welfare of students and effectively manipulate the scope and direction of school discipline reform.
UNIT 6.7 Enzymatic Amplification of DNA by PCR: Standard Procedures and Optimization

This unit describes a method for amplifying DNA enzymatically by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), including procedures to quickly determine conditions for successful amplification of the sequence and primer sets of interest, and to optimize for specificity, sensitivity, and yield. Hot-start methods are described which can greatly improve specificity, sensitivity, and yield. This protocol suggests some relatively inexpensive methods to achieve hot start, and lists several commercial hot-start options which may be more convenient, but of course more expensive. The unit has recently been updated to include new information on reagents to enhance the reaction, better cycling parameters, and innovations in robotics and high-performance thermocyclers.
Case Report: Syphilitic Hepatitis–A Rare and Underrecognized Etiology of Liver Disease With Potential for Misdiagnosis

Syphilitic hepatitis (SH) in adults is a rare condition that can be easily misdiagnosed. Clinical and histopathologic manifestations of SH can mimic other infectious and non-infectious conditions, and the diagnosis should be considered in all at-risk patients with abnormal liver function tests. We present an unusual case of SH presenting with seizures and multiple liver lesions. This case report, in line with other newly published reports, promotes awareness of SH as a rare manifestation of treponemal infection and highlights the importance of including SH in the differential diagnosis for patients at risk for sexually transmitted infections and presenting with liver enzyme abnormalities. From a hospital quality control and socioeconomic perspective, our case adds to the growing body of evidence that demonstrates an increasing incidence of patients suffering from venereal diseases and injection drug use disorders and the burden these conditions place on the healthcare system. Recognition of the clinicopathologic features of SH is required to prevent missed diagnosis and to foster systematic crosstalk between healthcare staff and public health personnel managing this problem.
The Continental Drift Controversy

The resolution of the sixty-year debate over continental drift, culminating in the triumph of plate tectonics, changed the very fabric of Earth science. This four-volume treatise on the continental drift controversy is the first complete history of the origin, debate and gradual acceptance of this revolutionary theory. Based on extensive interviews, archival papers and original works, Frankel weaves together the lives and work of the scientists involved, producing an accessible narrative for scientists and non-scientists alike. This second volume provides the first extensive account of the growing paleomagnetic case for continental drift in the 1950s and the development of apparent polar wander paths that showed how the continents had changed their positions relative to one another, more or less as Wegener had proposed. Paleomagnetism offered the first physical measure that continental drift had occurred and helped determine the changing latitudes of the continents through geologic time.
Inheritance of 5-Methyltryptophan-Resistance, Selected In Vitro, In Tobacco and Datura innoxia Plants

Selection for resistance to the tryptophan analog, 5-methyltryptophan (5MT), has produced cell lines which overproduce free tryptophan (Trp) due to the presence of a feedback altered anthranilate synthase (AS), less sensitive to feedback inhibition. Since AS is the first enzyme in the Trp branch of the shikimic acid pathway and is the feedback control point, the feedback alteration leads to the increased levels of free Trp observed. We have selected 5MT-resistant Nicotiana tabacum and Datura innoxia cultures and have regenerated plants. The tobacco plants did not have high free Trp or feedback altered AS while the D. innoxia plants did. Cultures initiated from these plants, in both cases, were resistant, however. Apparently the feedback resistant AS form was only expressed in tobacco cultured cells, but was expressed in both cells and plants of D. innoxia. The resistance trait is inherited by progeny as a single, nuclear, dominant gene in D. innoxia. In the case of tobacco the trait appears to be under the control of a nuclear dominant gene or genes but continued segregation upon successive self-pollinations makes the exact mode of inheritance unclear. The trait is also retained for more than 10 years in D. innoxia plants maintained through cuttings in the greenhouse.
Comparison of Pulsed Electrochemical Detection Modes Coupled with Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis

There is a need to develop analytical methods that are capable of rapidly measuring small biological markers in the field of metabolomics. Among others, carbohydrates play an important role biologically yet are traditionally hard to detect since they have no chromophore or fluorophore. In the present report, the first application of integrated pulsed amperometric detection (iPAD) coupled with microchip electrophoresis to the analysis of glucose, mannose, sucrose, maltose, glucosamine, lactose, maltotriose and galactose is demonstrated. iPAD is an electrochemical detection mode that can be used for direct detection of carbohydrates, amines and sulfur containing compounds. The effect of different solution parameters, including the buffer concentration, pH and the concentration of SDS on both separation and detection response was analyzed. In addition, a comparison study between PAD and iPAD was performed using glucose, glucosamine, sucrose and maltose as model carbohydrates.
Cognitive effects of methamphetamine in humans: separating fact from hysteria (222.3)

This talk provides a critical review of findings from recent research investigating the impact of recreational methamphetamine (MA) use on human cognition. Included in the discussion are findings from studies that have assessed the acute and long-term effects of MA on several domains of cognition. In addition, relevant neuroimaging data are reviewed in an effort to better understand neural mechanisms underlying MA-related effects on cognitive functioning. In general, the data on acute effects show that MA improves cognitive performance in selected domains. Regarding long-term effects on cognitive performance and brain-imaging measures, statistically significant differences between MA users and control participants have been observed on a minority of measures. More importantly, however, the clinical significance of these findings may be limited because cognitive functioning overwhelmingly falls within the normal range when compared against normative data. Despite this, there seems to be a propensity to int...
High performance low cost metal-filled composites for embedded passive applications [capacitor materials]

It is essential to find new candidate materials for embedded capacitors. This work presents the development of a novel aluminum-filled high dielectric constant composite. Aluminum is well known as a fast self-passivation and low-cost metal. The thin passivation layer forms an insulating boundary outside of the metallic spheres, which has dramatic effects on the electrical, mechanical, and chemical behaviors of the resulting composites. Influences of aluminum particle size and filler loading on the dielectric properties of composites have been studied. Due to the self-passivation nature of fine aluminum spheres, a high loading level of aluminum can be used while the composite materials continue to be insulating. Dielectric property measurement demonstrates that, for composites containing 80 wt% 3.0 m aluminum, a dielectric constant of 109 and a low dissipation factor of about 0.02 (@ 10 kHz) can be achieved. At such loading level, materials still show good processability and good adhesion toward the substrate. The developed aluminum composite is a promising candidate material for embedded capacitor applications.
Low-power circuit advantages of the scaled accumulation FET

The trend toward higher clock frequencies has resulted in FETs being compared for their performance at the highest frequencies. Traditionally, the buried channel(BC) FET is considered to have more short channel effects than the normal surface channel inversion(SCI) FET and thus the BC FET is used only when absolutely needed. The same, more severe short channel effects behavior has been assumed for moderate to high-V/sub T/ FETs, which find use in ultra low-power applications. However, a careful investigation both at the transistor and circuit level, reveals that the BC FET is better than the SCI FET for moderate speed, ultra low-power applications.
Strain and substoichiometry at the Si ( 100 ) / SiO 2 interface

Interfacial strain and substoichiometric silicon oxides are the two principal causes that result in the redshift of the transverse and longitudinal optical phonons of the asymmetric stretch of O in the Si-O-Si bridging bond of thermal ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ with decreasing oxide thickness. Analyses to comprehend these effects, therefore, require a consideration of both strain and interfacial substoichiometry. A method to isolate the contributions of strain and substoichiometry towards the observed shifts is proposed. The procedure, which utilizes a simple optical model and an effective medium approximation, allows an estimation of the average strain and substiochiometry in films of different thicknesses. Analyses of oxides formed at two different temperatures (550 and 700 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C) with dry and wet oxygen reveal how process conditions affect the interface properties.
A 5-HT2C receptor-mediated interaction between 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine and citalopram in the rat

Previous studies conducted in our laboratory have shown that acute administration of the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI), citalopram, potentiates the stimulus effects of the phenethylamine hallucinogen [-]-2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM) in the rat while neither substituting for the DOM stimulus when administered alone nor altering brain levels of DOM. The present investigation was designed to determine the mechanism by which citalopram acts on DOM-induced stimulus control. To that end, we tested the following hypotheses: (a) citalopram blocks the transport of DOM by the serotonin transporter, (b) citalopram acts via the 5-HT(1A) receptor, and (c) citalopram acts via the 5-HT(2C) receptor. Hypothesis (a) was rejected on the basis of equilibrium saturation studies of [3H]citalopram binding, which revealed no significant affinity of DOM for the 5-HT transporter of rat brain membranes. Hypotheses (b) and (c) were tested in a group of 20 rats in which stimulus control was established with DOM (0.6 mg/kg; 75 min pretreatment time). A two-lever, fixed ratio 10 (FR10), positively reinforced task with saline controls was employed. Hypothesis (b), a role for the 5-HT(1A) receptor, was rejected on the basis of an absence of antagonism of the effects of citalopram on DOM by the selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist, WAY-100635. In contrast, Hypothesis (c), a role for the 5-HT(2C) receptor, gained support from the observation of significant antagonism of the effects of citalopram on DOM by the selective 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist, SB-242084.
Discovery of Tricyclic Indoles That Potently Inhibit Mcl-1 Using Fragment-Based Methods and Structure-Based Design

Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) is an antiapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins that is overexpressed and amplified in many cancers. Overexpression of Mcl-1 allows cancer cells to evade apoptosis and contributes to the resistance of cancer cells to be effectively treated with various chemotherapies. From an NMR-based screen of a large fragment library, several distinct chemical scaffolds that bind to Mcl-1 were discovered. Here, we describe the discovery of potent tricyclic 2-indole carboxylic acid inhibitors that exhibit single digit nanomolar binding affinity to Mcl-1 and greater than 1700-fold selectivity over Bcl-xL and greater than 100-fold selectivity over Bcl-2. X-ray structures of these compounds when complexed to Mcl-1 provide detailed information on how these small-molecules bind to the target, which was used to guide compound optimization.
Uniform grid upsampling of 3D lidar point cloud data

Airborne laser scanning light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems are used for remote sensing topology and bathymetry. The most common data collection technique used in LiDAR systems employs a linear mode scanning. The resulting scanning data form a non-uniformly sampled 3D point cloud. To interpret and further process the 3D point cloud data, these raw data are usually converted to digital elevation models (DEMs). In order to obtain DEMs in a uniform and upsampled raster format, the elevation information from the available non-uniform 3D point cloud data are mapped onto the uniform grid points. After the mapping is done, the grid points with missing elevation information are lled by using interpolation techniques. In this paper, partial di erential equations (PDE) based approach is proposed to perform the interpolation and to upsample the 3D point cloud onto a uniform grid. Due to the desirable e ects of using higher order PDEs, smoothness is maintained over homogeneous regions, while sharp edge information in the scene well preserved. The proposed algorithm reduces the draping e ects near the edges of distinctive objects in the scene. Such annoying draping e ects are commonly associated with existing point cloud rendering algorithms. Simulation results are presented in this paper to illustrate the advantages of the proposed algorithm.
An Analysis of the Relationship between Students' Political Position and the Extent to Which They Deviate from Parents' Position1

Alternative interpretations of the relationship between college students' and parents' political positions were investigated. As in previous research, parents' and students' political positions were positively correlated. However, present results additionally indicated that left-(compared to right-) wing students were more discrepant from parents' political position, while left- (compared to right-) wing parents were less discrepant from offspring. This was interpreted as reflecting differences between student and parent political position distributions. Results raise doubts about the common hypothesis drawn from the literature that left-wing students are directly socialized and supported by their parents and that family conflict reported by left-wing students reflects certain attributes of their liberal homes rather than objectively greater disagreement. Results also fail to support the “generational conflict” hypothesis that left-wing students are in rebellion against their parents. Instead emphasis is placed on the role of the college Zeitgeist in the development of the students' views, and on the inter-action of the Zeitgeist with family background.
Spin-fluctuation-induced superconductivity: Mythsvs. reality

We consider several scientific myths associated with the role played by spin fluctuations in the copper oxide superconductors and report on recent theoretical and experimental work which confronts the myths with reality and, in so doing, effectively destroys them. Among the myths we expose are: «spin fluctuations cannot bring abouthigh-temperature superconductivity»; «even if spin fluctuations can bring about highTc, the coupling constant required is so large that the corresponding normal-state properties will not agree with experiment»; «experiment suggests that the pairing state is “s”-wave or extendeds-wave». We report on the results of strong-coupling calculations using the Eliashberg formalism which provide strong evidence for the description of the planar quasi-particles in YBa2Cu3O7 as a nearly antiferromagnetic Fermi liquid in which the measured anomalous normal-state properties arise from the coupling of quasi-particles to spin fluctuations, while their spin-fluctuation-induced interaction leads uniquely to a superconducting state withdx2−y2 symmetry. We survey briefly a number of recent experimental developments on the superconducting properties of YBa2Cu3O7 which argue strongly againsts-wave pairing, while lending support to adx2−y2 pairing state.
Regulatory role of insulin in the degradation of low density lipoprotein by cultured human skin fibroblasts.

Abstract The degradation of 125I-labeled low density lipoprotein by cultured human skin fibroblasts was enhanced 25% by preincubation of cells with insulin. This effect of insulin appeared to be mediated via stimulation of low density lipoprotein binding to its cell surface receptor, since binding and subsequent internalization of low density lipoprotein were stimulated to a similar extent as was degradation. In addition, insulin enhanced binding of low density lipoprotein at 4°C, at which temperature internalization of the lipoprotein does not occur; A similar effect of insulin on the interaction of very low density lipoprotein with cultured fibroblasts was observed. Insulin-induced changes in the degradation of low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein appeared to be a function of the change in lipoprotein binding. Thus, insulin may play a role in the regulation of low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein degradation by peripheral cells by influencing the receptor-mediated transport of these lipoproteins.
Functional genomics studies shed light on the nutrition and gene expression of non-typhoidal Salmonella and enterovirulent E. coli in produce

Abstract Despite the fact that plants are not traditionally considered as hosts for human enteric pathogens, recent evidence suggests that non-typhoidal Salmonella and enterovirulent Escherichia coli recognize plants and rely on a specific set of genes to multiply in plant-associated environments, eventually causing dramatic outbreaks of illness. The advent of sensitive functional genomics tools, including differential fluorescence induction and in vivo expression technology, set the stage for the characterization of the genes and behaviors used by enterics to colonize, persist and proliferate within plants and the associated microbial communities. Meta-analysis of published data suggests that Salmonella and enterovirulent E. coli persist in plants using strategies that differ from those in phytobacteria. Virulence genes were upregulated in E. coli O157:H7 in the presence of lettuce leaf exudates, however Salmonella SPI-1 genes associated with gastroenteritis were dispensable during plant growth. Microarray and mutant studies of plant responses to human pathogens reveal that plants generally do not recognize Salmonella and enterovirulent E. coli as phytopathogens or beneficial symbionts, although the full spectrum of plant responses to enterics remains to be elucidated. Defining plant responses to human enteric pathogens becomes increasingly important as the feasibility of breeding for resistance to these organisms is being evaluated.
Malignant risk and surgical outcomes of presacral tailgut cysts

Background: Presacral tailgut cysts are uncommon and few data exist on the outcomes following surgery. Methods: Patients undergoing tailgut cyst resection at the Mayo Clinic between 1985 and 2008 were analysed retrospectively. Demographic data, clinicopathological features, operative details, postoperative complications and recurrence were reviewed. Results: Thirty-one patients were identified (28 women), with a median age of 52 years. Seventeen patients were symptomatic and 28 had a palpable mass on digital rectal examination. Median cyst diameter was 4·4 cm. Four patients had a fistula to the rectum. Complete cyst excision was achieved in all patients; eight underwent distal sacral resection or coccygectomy. Postoperative complications occurred in eight patients but without 30-day mortality. Malignant transformation was present in four patients: adenocarcinoma in three and carcinoid in one. The cyst recurred in one patient after surgery for a benign lesion. Conclusion: Presacral tailgut cysts should be removed due to the risk of malignant transformation. Copyright © 2010 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selectivity and Isotope Effects in Hydronation of a Naked Aryl Anion

An aryl anion is produced by rapid addition of iodide to the p-benzyne diradical formed by cycloaromatization of an enediyne. The aryl anion is then hydronated (protonated or deuteronated) to form 1-iodotetrahydronaphthalene. Hydrons can be incorporated not only from water but also from such weak acids as dimethyl sulfoxide and acetonitrile. The relative reactivity of each pair of hydron donors is evaluated from competition experiments. A low selectivity is observed and taken as evidence for a high basicity of the aryl anion. Moreover, the same relative reactivities are obtained with Bu4NI as with LiI; therefore the species that undergoes hydronation is not an aryllithium but a naked aryl anion. These studies thus characterize the reactivity of a naked aryl anion in solution and contrast it with the reactivity of an aryllithium or an aryl Grignard.
Autism spectrum disorders in preschool-aged children: prevalence and comparison to a school-aged population.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and case characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) among 4-year-olds and to compare findings to previous prevalence estimates for 8-year-olds in the same geographic area. Methods South Carolina (SC) has been a participant in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's active, population-based, multiple-site ASD surveillance network for 8-year-olds since 2000. The 8-year-old methodology, designed to identify children both with and without prior diagnosis, was applied in SC with modification to include information sources for younger children. Results The ASD prevalence among 4-year-olds in 2006 was 8.0 per 1000 (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.1–9.9), or 1 in 125. In comparison, ASD prevalence among 8-year-olds in the same geographic area was 7.6 (95% CI, 5.7–9.5) in 2000 and 7.0 (95% CI 5.1–8.9) in 2002. Developmental concerns were documented at earlier ages across time, and while most cases received services, only 20% to 29% received services specific to ASD. Conclusions Findings should provide useful information for the planning of health/education policies and early intervention strategies for ASD.
Evaluation of the Effect of Impregnated Platinum on PFSA Degradation for PEM Fuel Cells

One of the main sources of membrane degradation in fuel cells is attack by radicals formed wherever Pt, H2, and O2 are present. The effect of Pt precipitated in the membrane is under debate. Although Pt can provide another site for radical formation, it can also scavenge hydrogen peroxide and radicals in the membrane and improve durability. In this work, the effects of Pt particles within the membrane are evaluated and related to membrane degradation. Membranes were ex situ impregnated with 0, 10, 30, and 50 mol% Pt and then tested for 100 h in a fuel cell, at 90 C/100% relative humidity. The highest degradation was observed with the membranes containing 10 mol% Pt, with fluoride emissions of the same magnitude as those of catalyst coated membranes containing Pt/C. Membranes containing 0, 30, and 50 mol% Pt resulted in very low fluoride emission. The high degradation in the 10 mol% membrane was attributed to the low density of platinum particles, which allows generated radicals to attack the membrane before being deactivated. In the 30 mol% and 50 mol% membranes, where the platinum particles were denser, the generated radicals became deactivated on neighboring particles before they attacked the membrane.
Rapid and selective effects of thyrotropin on [35S]methionine incorporation into cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins in calf thyroid tissue slices.

Abstract Previous studies have indicated that thyrotropin may induce general increases in RNA and protein synthesis in calf thyroid tissue slices. In this report, we show that thyrotropin selectively stimulates [ 35 S]methionine incorporation into small numbers of specific cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins. We provide data on the time course of stimulation and on relative molecular masses and isoelectric points of hormone-response proteins. Calf thyroid tissue slices were incubated for 3 h, 6 h or 9 h in the presence or absence of thyrotropin (50 mU/ml); [ 35 S]methionine (50–75 μCi/ml) was added for the final 3 h of incubation. Cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions were then prepared, and analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. Thyrotropin increased [ 35 S]methionine incorporation into two cytoplasmic and four nuclear proteins within 3 h; hormonal effects on the labeling of five of these six proteins were transient, and no longer evident after 6–9 h. In contrast, a second group of two cytoplasmic and four nuclear proteins exhibited increased labeling after a delay of 6–9 h. Our results suggest that thyrotropin selectively stimulates the synthesis of specific cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins in calf thyroid tissue slices, and that stimulation involves at least two mechanisms (one rapid, the other delayed).
Inability of higher-order outer product learning to map random higher-order problems

Abstract Higher-order neural networks have the ability to perform complicated mapping operations. These mapping surfaces can be far superior to a two-layer, first-order neural network. However, the most common learning algorithm is based upon the outer product learning rule. This paper demonstrates that the outer product, higher-order learning approach fails to create the higher-order mapping surface except for one limited case.
Sensor web architectural concepts and implemention challenges: a heuristic approach

There is a significant interest in the Earth Science remote sensing community to increase the number of observations. The obvious reasons for such a push is to improve the temporal and surface coverage of measurements. However, there is little analysis available in terms of benefits, costs and optimized set of sensors needed to make these necessary observations. In reality, this is a complex problem that should be carefully studied and balanced over many boundaries. For example, the question of technology maturity versus users desire to obtain additional measurements is non congruent. This is further complicated by the limitations of the laws of physics and the economic conditions. With the advent of advance technology, it is anticipated that the cost of the spacecraft technology will become more affordable. However, the specialized detector subsystems, and the precision flying techniques may still require substantial innovation, development time and cost. Additionally, the space deployment scheme should also be given a careful attention because of a high expense. Nonetheless, it is important to carefully examine the science priorities and steer the development efforts that can commensurate with the tangible requirements. This paper outlines a possible set of architectural concepts, operational scenarios and potential benefits of one scheme versus another. It further makes some suggestions where one can draw some boundary conditions to incrementally solve this predicament.
THE PALESTINIAN WOMEN'S AUTONOMOUS MOVEMENT

This article examines the Palestinian women's autonomous movement that emerged in the early 1990s, emphasizing changes in the sociopolitical context to account for the movement's emergence, dynamics, and challenges. Using interviews obtained during fieldwork in Palestine in 1992, 1993, and 1994, and employing historical and archival records, I argue that Palestinian feminist discourses were shaped and influenced by the sociopolitical context in which Palestinian women acted and with which they interacted. The multiplicity of views voiced by the women I interviewed attests to the impossibility of homogenizing and flattening women's experiences, while the range of actions and strategies employed by different groups and organizations calls attention to contextual limitations on social action.
The Relationship Between Life Satisfaction, Risk-Taking Behaviors, and Youth Violence

This study builds on existing criminological theories and examines the role of life satisfaction and self-control in explaining youth violence. Using data from a stratified cluster sample of 5,414 public high school students who responded to the South Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the study examines the relationship between adolescents'perceptions of life satisfaction, behavioral risky acts, and self-reported acts of violence. Analyses indicate that higher levels of life satisfaction are associated with lower violence. Participation in work and involvement in health-related risk-taking behaviors pertaining to sex, drugs, and alcohol are also associated with increased violence. The implications of these findings for criminological theory and for school-based violence prevention programs are discussed.
Optimization of properties of carbon nitride and CNx/TiN coatings prepared by single-cathode magnetron sputtering

Abstract A single-cathode magnetron sputtering system was used to deposit CN x and CN x /TiN coatings onto Si (100) and polished M2 substrates. It was shown that optimum choice of substrate bias and pressure is required to obtain smooth films with maximum hardness and wear performance for carbon nitride. This work that it is possible to obtain CN x /TiN composite films using the same single-cathode approach, although the C/Ti ratio required to achieve the best hardness and wear properties has yet to be optimized.
Public participation and poverty alleviation: The experience of reform communists in India's West Bengal

Abstract Public participation is essential to making poverty alleviation programs responsive to the needs of the poor, but it requires a political process that adequately represents their interests. Yet as long as the poor remain poor, they are disadvantaged in securing equitable representation. This article highlights the problems stemming from this paradox of participation. It shows how implementing poverty alleviation programs through elected governing councils has simultaneously made policy more responsive to the poor while permitting the organizational interests of the ruling communist party to distort implementation. The article highlights the importance of political competition among parties and nongovernment organizations for maximizing responsiveness to the poor.
Thermomechanical oscillations in material flow during high-speed machining

This paper presents a nonlinear dynamics approach for predicting the transition from continuous to shear–localized chip formation in machining. Experiments and a simplified one–dimensional model of the flow both show that, as cutting speed is increased, a transition takes place from continuous to shear–localized chip formation in the flowfield of the material being cut. Initially, the process appears to be somewhat disordered. With further increases in cutting speed, the average spacing between shear bands increases monotonically, and the spacing becomes more regular and asymptotically approaches a limiting value that is determined by the cutting conditions and the properties of the workpiece material.