cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concerning the Determination of Conformational States in Polymers by Infrared Spectroscopy : A Study of Poly(methyl methacrylate)

Changes in the infrared spectra of poly(methyl methacrylate) as a function of temperature have been examined. The results presented here, together with a consideration of normal coordinate calculations reported in the literature, suggest that previous assignments of bands in the 1300−1050 cm−1 region of the spectrum to specific conformations of the ester pendant group are incorrect. Certain bands in this and other regions of the spectrum are nevertheless very sensitive to temperature. It is proposed that this sensitivity is a function of both conformational effects and vibrational relaxation effects. The latter are usually neglected in vibrational spectroscopic studies of polymers, and it is proposed that more attention be paid to changes in band shapes when considering changes in the spectra of polymers as a function of temperature.
Aeroship: A Hybrid Flight Platform

This paper describes the simplest hybrid configuration, called an aeroship, that integrates an airship module and a wing to meet demanding requirements in takeoff/landing, low-speed flight, and control/maneuver for certain challenging flight missions. A flight performance analysis of an aeroship is given, particularly on the optimum ratio between the aerostatic lift and the total weight to achieve the maximum lift-to-drag ratio. To critically examine the conceptual design and performance analysis, a remote-controllable model aeroship is built and tested in flight. The results obtained by using a stereo-videogrammetric system in flight testing are consistent with the performance analysis.
Biophysical Analysis of Gene Regulation Pathways Controlled by Bacterial Non-Coding RNAs

Small non-coding RNAs are transcribed in bacteria in response to a variety of cellular stimuli. These sRNAs often work in conjunction with the RNA binding protein Hfq to regulate gene expression, control stress response pathways, and modulate virulence. Using a combination of biophysics and genetics we have deconstructed these pathways and developed an integrated model for the molecular handoffs that control each step in the regulatory cycle. We will present our work on DsrA and OxyS, sRNAs associated with cold shock and oxidative stress respectively, as well as the mRNAs they regulate and the proteins they bind. While much of the work in this area has focused on post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, our data lead us to propose a new model for these pathways that requires both co-transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes inducing structural rearrangements at both the RNA and DNA levels in response to these environmental stimuli.
Immunomodulatory effects of high-dose α-tocopherol acetate on mice subjected to sidestream cigarette smoke

Abstract Several recent epidemiological investigations raise serious questions about the health effects of high-dose supplements of Vitamin E (VE) in cigarette smokers. To examine these findings, a total of 96 C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to eight groups in a 2×4 factorial design (smoke vs. sham smoke and normal diet vs. 3 VE supplements). The mice were exposed to sidestream cigarette smoke (SSCS), at 0.4 mg total particulate matter/m 3 air, from standard research cigarettes (1R4)/day or filtered room air at 30 min/day, 5 days/week, for 9 weeks through a nose-only exposure chamber. The American Institute of Nutrition 93G purified rodent diet was modulated with 75 (regular diet, 1-fold), 1050 (15-fold), 5550 (75-fold), and 11 175 (150-fold) IU dl-α-tocopherol acetate (α-TA)/kg as VE supplementation and provided ad libitum at an average intake rate of 4.11 g diet/mouse/day. This result demonstrated that SSCS exposure results in lung dysfunction, as indicated by a decrease of pulmonary dynamic compliance ( C dyn ) and increase of lung resistance ( R L ), and body weight loss in mice fed with regular diet. These changes accompanied with increases of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) concentrations of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4 and IFN-γ, as well as hepatic lipid peroxidation. However, supplemental α-TA at the doses of ⩾1050 IU/kg diet prevented the SSCS-induced body weight loss and lung dysfunction. α-TA at ⩾5550 IU/kg significantly increased BAL levels of IL-2 and IL-4 in both the sham SSCS and the SSCS groups. Given at 5550 IU α-TA/kg, but not higher, mice elevated BAL IL-1β level if they were exposed to SSCS. Hepatic lipid peroxidation was decreased in a dose-dependent fashion with different α-TA supplements in both the sham SSCS and SSCS groups. Neither SSCS nor α-TA had an effect on lung permeability, BAL IL-6, splenic T and B lymphocyte proliferation and their T helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines measured among all groups. Data suggest that supplemental α-TA may be needed to counteract SSCS-induced oxidative stress, but that potential side effects introduced by high dosage of this synthetic compound should be considered.
Passive transfer of immunity in human schistosomiasis mansoni: attempt to prevent infection by repeated injections of hyperimmune antischistosome gamma globulin.

Abstract 50 young children (mean age 2·08 years) from an area on the island of St. Lucia highly endemic for schistosomiasis mansoni, who were considered to be uninfected on the basis of repeated stool examinations, were divided randomly into 2 equal groups. At 3-month intervals over the period of a year, the two groups were given either hyperimmune antischistosome gamma globulin (SGG) prepared from adults with proved S. mansoni infections, or control gamma globulin (CGG) prepared in a nonendemic area, to a total dose of 108 mg./kg. At the end of the year the children were admitted to hospital for repeated stool examinations which revealed a 40% incidence of S. mansoni infection in each group. The mean egg output in the SGG-treated group—25·2 ± 11·3 (standard error) eggs/ml. faeces—was not significantly different from that of the CGG-treated group—50·7 ± 23·7 eggs/ml.
Reduction in surgical ischemic-reperfusion injury with adenosine and nitric oxide therapy

Ischemia and reperfusion impair the inherent capacity of the heart to protect itself from related pathophysiologic events by reducing endogenous oxygen radical scavengers and inhibitors. However, other endogenously produced agents, notably adenosine and nitric oxide, are produced during ischemia, reperfusion, or both. These autacoids have several cardioprotection actions in common, particularly antineutrophil effects and inhibition of endothelial-neutrophil interactions, which are key initial steps in ischemic-reperfusion injury. Studies have shown that nitric oxide exerts cardioprotection primarily during reperfusion. Adenosine, on the other hand, protects the myocardium to some extent during both ischemia and reperfusion, thereby covering both periods during which myocardial injury may be sustained during a cardiac operation. Native adenosine or active analogues, or donors of nitric oxide, may be given before or in conjunction with cardioplegia solutions. However, these endogenous agents can also be pharmacologically recruited to provide a new potent therapeutic approach against surgical ischemic-reperfusion injury. This article reviews the cardioprotective effects of primarily endogenous nitric oxide and adenosine in both nonsurgical and surgical models of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Both adenosine and nitric oxide provide potent cardioprotection in surgical and nonsurgical models of ischemia-reperfusion. An important mechanism in this cardioprotection is attenuation of neutrophil-mediated damage.
SEPARATE, BUT LESS UNEQUAL: Fetal Ultrasonography and the Transformation of Expectant Mother/Fatherhood

Fetal ultrasonography has made women's and men's relationship to the fetus more equal. Drawing on information obtained from multiple conjoint interviews with 62 childbearing couples, I suggest that although women and men are both advantaged by fetal ultrasonography, expectant fathers' experience of the fetus is always enhanced, whereas pregnant women's experience may also be attenuated. For men, fetal ultrasonography is like a prosthetic device: an enabling mechanism that permits them access to a female world from which they have been excluded because of their limited biological role in reproduction. For women, fetal ultrasonography is enabling, but it may also be a disabling mechanism that disrupts their privileged access to the fetus.
Endocrine regulation of posteclosion enlargement of the male and female reproductive glands in Monarch butterflies.

The colleterial glands of female Monarch butterflies, and the accessory glands, tubular glands, and ejaculatory ducts of male Monarchs, exhibit considerable enlargement after eclosion in summer adults. Experiments using neck-ligatures and allatectomies, with or without injections of compounss with high juvenile hormone activity, show that the normal posteclosion hypertrophy of these organs is stimulated by juvenile hormone.
Boundaries of the unconscious, private, and public self in Japanese and Americans: a cross-cultural comparison

Abstract Since Japanese explore inner reactions less often and less thoroughly than Americans, they may be less well known to themselves than Americans ( Barnlund, 1975 ). The present study has examined this hypothesis by comparing self-knowledge and self-disclosure by Japanese and Americans. This is the latter part of our study on self and culture, the first part having been printed already ( Asai and Barnlund, 1993 ). Fourteen topics of self-disclosure were examined. Americans reported significantly higher levels of both self-knowledge and self-disclosure than Japanese. Americans reported having thought significantly more than Japanese about Grief, Religious feelings, Positive personal qualities, Physical attractiveness, and Death. In both cultures, levels of self-knowledge and self-disclosure were positively correlated, suggesting that cultures influence both knowledge of the inner self and disclosure to others. The limitation of our present approach is also briefly discussed.
PROFESSIONAL NOTICING PRACTICES OF NOVICE MATHEMATICS TEACHER EDUCATORS

The focus on professional noticing in mathematics education has recently gained increased interest as researchers work to understand how and what is noticed and how this translates into practice. Much of this work has focused on the professional noticing practices of inservice teachers and preservice teachers, with less attention focused on those educating teachers. This research explores how novice mathematics teacher educators professionally notice as they engage in teaching experiments and create models of student’s mathematical thinking. Findings indicate the novice teacher educators are including some evaluative comments in their professional noticing practices but lack in-depth interpretive analysis about student thinking and rarely make connections between student’s thinking and the broader principles of teaching and learning. These findings provide evidence for the importance of supporting teacher educators with developing their abilities to professionally notice.
Analysis of power and energy for fuel cell systems

Abstract The relationship between power and energy for a fuel cell system consisting of a fuel cell stack and reactant storage subsystem, and operating at constant power or variable power, was analyzed. The characteristic parameters of the fuel cell stack and the reactant subsystem are considered to be independent variables, which are functions of the power and energy of the fuel cell cystem, respectively. Mathematical expressions were derived for determining the minimum weight of the fuel cell system when the cells operate at constant power and the cell voltage varies linearly with the current density. The relationship between the weight of a fuel cell system and variable power levels was also determined. These mathematical models were used to analyze the experimental results reported in the literature for an alkaline fuel cell and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
How Does the Eye Warm? Part I: A Potential Temperature Budget Analysis of an Idealized Tropical Cyclone

AbstractIn this first part of a two-part study, the mechanisms that accomplish the warming in the eye of tropical cyclones are investigated through a potential temperature budget analysis of an idealized simulation. The spatial structure of warming varies substantially with time. During rapid intensification (RI), the warming is maximized at midlevels, and as a consequence, the perturbation temperature is always maximized in this region.At the start of RI, total advection of potential temperature is the only significant term contributing to warming the eye. However, for a substantial portion of RI, the region of most rapid warming actually undergoes mean ascent. The net advective warming is shown to be a result of eddy radial advection of potential temperature, dominated by a wavenumber-1 feature that is likely due to a dynamic instability. At a sufficient intensity, mean vertical advective warming becomes concentrated in a narrow zone just inward of the eyewall. In agreement with prior studies, this adve...
Parsimonious Estimation of the Wechsler Memory Scale, Fourth Edition Demographically Adjusted Index Scores: Immediate and Delayed Memory

The recent release of the Wechsler Memory Scale Fourth Edition contains many improvements from a theoretical and administration perspective, including demographic corrections using the Advanced Clinical Solutions. Although the administration time has been reduced from previous versions, a shortened version may be desirable in certain situations given practical time limitations in clinical practice. The current study evaluated two- and three-subtest estimations of demographically corrected Immediate and Delayed Memory index scores using both simple arithmetic prorating and regression models. All estimated values were significantly associated with observed index scores. Use of Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient as a measure of agreement showed a high degree of precision and virtually zero bias in the models, although the regression models showed a stronger association than prorated models. Regression-based models proved to be more accurate than prorated estimates with less dispersion around observed values, particularly when using three subtest regression models. Overall, the present research shows strong support for estimating demographically corrected index scores on the WMS-IV in clinical practice with an adequate performance using arithmetically prorated models and a stronger performance using regression models to predict index scores.
Hertz Contact Based Scaling of Puncture Forces for Large Scale Needle Prototypes Using a Gelatinous Tissue Phantom

In order to test small scale medical devices, it is often necessary to prototype them on a larger scale such that proof-of-concept tests can be made more affordably and design details can be tested more easily. This article discusses a method of scaling large needle prototypes for testing in a gelatin phantom such that puncture forces match those expected for the actual-size needle when puncturing tissue. Using Hertz contact force equations to account for the differences in prototype materials and size, as well as for the tissue phantom properties, 10× scale prototype needles were inserted into a gelatin phantom and puncture forces were compared with those of a real scale prototype in bovine liver tissue. Results showed that for a 19 gauge (1.06 mm) stainless steel needle tip, where a maximum doctor-applied load of 5 N was desired to pierce liver tissue, loads of 0.44 N using Hertz point contact, and 0.31 N using Hertz line contact methods were predicted to puncture liver tissue, and an average load of 0.31 N was observed in force-displacement measurements. With a 10× scale stereolithographed needle prototype, Hertz point contact predicted a load of 0.31 N to puncture a gelatin phantom, Hertz line contact theory predicted 0.37 N, and an average load of 0.73 N observed in force displacement measurements. Similar contact mechanics based scaling methods might be applied to cutting devices.
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and the Successful Sexual Assault Prosecution

In recent years, specialized nursing skills have proliferated. On the leading edge of this phenomenon are sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs). This article, and its supporting research, examines the relationship between the SANE, the prosecutor's office, and the disposition of sexual assault cases in Texas. All prosecutors in this highly populous state were surveyed regarding their perceptions of the contributions of SANEs to the criminal justice process. Sexual assault cases present at each stage of prosecution unique obstacles to conviction, as thoroughly explored in other publications. The gauntlet of trial is intimidating to many, if not all, of the victims of this offense. Attempts to protect the victim from unnecessary and irrelevant personal attacks have been somewhat successful. SANEs, invariably volunteers with specialized forensic training, provide professional evidence collection and continuity of support for victims and are a pragmatic innovation in criminal justice. In this article, their ...
Aberrant Myeloid Maturation Identified by Flow Cytometry in Primary Myelofibrosis

Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that may display a variable degree of cytopenia and dysplasia sometimes difficult to distinguish from myelodysplastic syndrome with myelofibrosis (MDS-MF). We reviewed flow cytometric features of bone marrow from 70 cases of PMF and compared them with those from 17 cases of MDS-MF and 20 nonneoplastic control cases. The results were correlated with JAK2(V617F) and cytogenetic findings. Granulocytes and monocytes from PMF cases exhibited multiple dysplastic features overlapping with those of MDS-MF at a comparable or higher frequency: low side scattering, aberrant CD56 expression in granulocytes and monocytes, and an abnormal CD13/CD16 maturation pattern. Unique to PMF was the small granulocyte size compared with that of MDS-MF and control cases. Although the percentage of CD56+ granulocytes and monocytes did not correlate with JAK2(V617F) or cytogenetic abnormalities, a subset analysis of 36 cases revealed that median fluorescence intensity of CD56 expression correlated positively with the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities. Our findings indicate that although there is considerable overlap between PMF and MDS-MF, the smaller granulocytes observed in PMF are a useful distinguishing feature.
#bully: Uses of Hashtags in Posts About Bullying on Twitter

To understand how bullying is represented within social media, the characteristics of hashtags associated with public mentions of bullying on Twitter between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012 are explored in this study. The most frequently used 500 hashtags among the 552,831 distinct hashtags used with the keywords “bully,” “bullied,” and “bullying” were identified and organized into eight categories. Hashtag features, including the number of tweets and retweets in which the hashtag appeared, the number of unique authors who used the hashtag, and the numbers of URLs, hashtags, and user mentions were found to be associated with hashtag category membership. Differences in the daily usage of hashtags used with bullying keywords were also identified. The differences show that bullying has both an immediate, large scale influence as well as a more every day presence. Benefits of using social media for studying bullying and cyberbullying are discussed.
Rate-limiting, diurnal activity of hepatic microsomal cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase in pigeons with high serum cholesterol

Abstract Efficiency of regulating serum cholesterol by Cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase was studied in pigeon strains hypo-(SR-39) and hypercholesterolemic (SR-37) with respect to dietary cholesterol. Diurnal hydroxylase activity in SR-37 was 10% of that in strain SR-39 adapted to a light-dark cycle and fed a non-cholesterol diet. Acrophase (6 p.m.) activity was 54-fold greater in SR-39 than in SR-37 pigeons. Dietary cholesterol elevated enzyme activity 2.8-fold in SR-37 pigeons. Dietary cholestyramine plus cholesterol increased hydroxylase activity 21-fold in SR-37 and 3-fold in SR-39 strain; yet, activity remained greater in SR-39. Cholestyramine feeding prevented elevated cholesterol levels in both groups. The circadian rhythms of hydroxylase and serum corticosterone were determined. The diurnal activity in SR-37 was 10% of that in SR-39 and acrophase activity was 34-fold greater in SR-39. Hormone levels were comparable. Programmed acrophase was asynchronous between strains. Hydroxylase activity was positively correlated with corticosterone levels and inversely correlated with serum cholesterol. A defect in the up-regulation of Cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase is proposed which limits the catabolism of cholesterol in strain SR-37.
The Nature and Value of Supererogatory Actions

Evaluation morale des actions surerogatoires, en termes de devoir et de bien pour autrui selon J. O. Urmson et S. Wolf, d'une part, et en termes d'action pas toujours bonne selon E. Pybus et J. Hampton, d'autre part. Adoptant la hierarchie des actions morales etablie par Urmson (exigence, permission, interdiction, surerogation), l'A. se propose de montrer : 1) que l'action surerogatoire n'est pas forcement louable; 2) qu'elle presuppose certains traits de caractere comme le developpement des vertus et en particulier, la vertu du respect de soi; 3) qu'elle comporte une part de risque concernant son bien-etre
If Politics Matters: Implications for a “New Institutionalism”

From Aristotle and Hobbes through Bentley, Truman, and Riker, many writers have claimed, more or less directly, that they are founding or helping to found a true political science for the first time. Modern scholars have usually expressed this aspiration via criticism of earlier “unscientific” approaches. Thus William Riker in 1962, advocating rational choice theory as the basis of political analysis, dismissed “traditional methods—i. e., his-tory writing, the description of institutions, and legal analysis” as able to produce “only wisdom and neither science nor knowledge. And while wisdom is certainly useful in the affairs ofmen, such a result is a failure to live up to the promise in the name political science ”. l Subsequently, rational choice has indeed become the most prominent pretender to the throne of scientific theory within the discipline.
Construction of single-copy integration vectors for Staphylococcus aureus

Single-copy integration vectors suitable for cloning in Staphylococcus aureus have been constructed. Their construction was based on the site-specific recombination system of staphylococcal phage, L54a. The vectors are capable of autonomous replication in Escherichia coli, but they are not endowed with a replication function in S. aureus. As a consequence, establishment of these vectors in S. aureus can only be achieved by the integration system of the phage. Once integrated into the chromosome, the vectors, or their derivatives, were stably inherited even without selective pressure. Because such a vector exists in an integrated form in S. aureus, the gene dosage of the DNA cloned in the vector matches that of the chromosome.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nef Potently Induces Apoptosis in Primary Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells via the Activation of Caspases

The lentiviral protein Nef plays a major role in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) infection. Although the exact mechanisms of its actions are not fully understood, Nef has been shown to be essential for the maintenance of high-titer viral replication and disease pathogenesis in in vivo models of simian immunodeficiency virus infection of monkeys. Nef has also been suggested to play a pivotal role in the depletion of T cells by promoting apoptosis in bystander cells. In this context, we investigated the ability of extracellular and endogenously expressed HIV-1 Nef to induce apoptosis in primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs). Human brain MVECs were exposed to baculovirus-expressed HIV-1 Nef protein, an HIV-1-based vector expressing Nef, spleen necrosis virus (SNV)-Nef virus (i.e., SNV vector expressing HIV-1 Nef as a transgene), and the HIV-1 strain ADA and its Nef deletion mutant, ADAΔNef. We observed that ADA Nef, the HIV-1 vector expressing Nef, and SNV-Nef were able to induce apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The mutant virus with a deletion in Nef was able to induce apoptosis in MVECs to modest levels, but the effects were not as pronounced as with the wild-type HIV-1 strain, ADA, the HIV-1-based vector expressing Nef, or SNV-Nef viruses. We also demonstrated that relatively high concentrations of exogenous HIV-1 Nef protein were able to induce apoptosis in MVECs. Gene microarray analyses showed increases in the expression of several specific proapoptotic genes. Western blot analyses revealed that the various caspases involved with Nef-induced apoptosis are processed into cleavage products, which occur only during programmed cell death. The results of this study demonstrate that Nef likely contributes to the neuroinvasion and neuropathogenesis of HIV-1, through its effects on select cellular processes, including various apoptotic cascades.
Issues and challenges in optical network design

• Various paradigms of optical network design has been presented • Networks of the future will be heterogeneous with convergence of various technologies • Convergence among: -Access/metro/core network segments — Optical and wireless technologies — Physical, network, and services “layers” • including energy-conservation issues
Phencyclidine and some of its analogues have distinct effects on NMDA receptors of rat hippocampal neurons.

Phencyclidine (PCP) is a dissociative anesthetic agent which blocks the excitatory effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) in the central nervous system. To investigate the role of the PCP reactive site in the control of NMDA activation of hippocampal pyramidal cells, we have examined the action of PCP and some of its analogues on the response properties of single NMDA receptors. Application of NMDA (5–15 μM) to outside-out patches of membrane elicited bursts of ion channel openings which were greatly reduced in frequency and duration in the presence of PCP (2.5–10 μM) or m-amino-PCP (2.5–10 μM), a behaviorally active derivative of PCP. These effects of PCP were reversed when the membrane potential was shifted from negative to positive values. Application of the behaviorally inactive agent 1-piperidino-cyclohexanecarbonitrile (⩾ 220 μM) left NMDA-activated currents relatively unaltered. Treatment with another analogue, m-nitro-PCP (5–20 μM), resulted in an unexpected increase in frequency of openings. At a higher concentration (100–300, μM), however, m-nitro-PCP acted like PCP in reducing frequency of opening and channel life-time. Like PCP, these effects of m-nitro-PCP were reversed at positive potentials. Taken together, these results suggest that PCP and its derivatives block the open state of the NMDA channel. Moreover, the dual effect of m-nitro-PCP shows that excitability is not necessarily decreased by PCP analogues but may instead be enhanced depending on modifications of the PCP molecule.
Variable Data Rate Vocoder Improvements for Secure Interoperable DoD Voice Communication

One intermediate goal towards achieving universal secure voice interoperability in the Department of Defense (DoD) has been the development of a universal voice encoder (vocoder). This vocoder would seamlessly encode speech at a wide range of interoperable variable and fixed data rates to suit a wide range of DoD communication equipment. This paper describes the most important features of such a vocoder and recent advancements in achieving this goal. Specifically this paper will describe three main areas: 1) Summary of the variable data rate (VDR) algorithm and the most recent improvements to the vocoder. 2) Methods for transcoding between fixed rate and variable data rate vocoding modes. 3) Summary of heavily bit error protected, fixed-rate modes.
Coherent-states engineering with linear optics: Possible and impossible tasks

The general transformation of the product of coherent states ${\ensuremath{\prod}}_{i=1}^{N}|{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{i}⟩$ to the output state ${\ensuremath{\prod}}_{i=1}^{M}|{\ensuremath{\beta}}_{i}⟩$ ($N=M$ or $N\ensuremath{\ne}M$), which is realizable with linear optical circuit, is characterized with a linear map from the vector $({\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}^{\ensuremath{\ast}},\dots{},{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{N}^{\ensuremath{\ast}})$ to $({\ensuremath{\beta}}_{1}^{\ensuremath{\ast}},\dots{},{\ensuremath{\beta}}_{M}^{\ensuremath{\ast}})$. A correspondence between the transformations of a product of coherent states and those of a single photon state is established with such linear maps. It is convenient to apply this linear transformation method to design any linear optical scheme working with coherent states. The examples include message encoding and quantum database searching. The limitation of manipulating entangled coherent states with linear optics is also discussed.
Cell transcriptional state alters genomic patterns of DNA double-strand break repair in human astrocytes

Misrepair of DNA double-strand breaks can lead to chromosomal rearrangements, which can promote carcinogenesis. Here, the authors show in cultured human astrocytes that transcriptional activation impacts on DNA double-strand break formation and repair upon ionizing radiation in a site-specific manner.
Perceptual sensitivity to visual/kinesthetic discrepancy in hand speed, and why we might care

We investigated the ability of a user in a head-mounted display virtual environment to detect a virtual hand avatar moving at a speed different than that of the real hand. We measured discrepancy detection thresholds for each of the six cardinal directions of 3-space (left, right, up, down, toward, and away). For each of these six directions we measured two discrepancy detection thresholds: one for when the avatar hand moved more quickly than the real hand and one for when it moved more slowly. We found a trend that users are less sensitive to increases in hand avatar speed than they are to decreases. The amount the hand avatar speed can be increased without a user noticing is surprisingly large. This information is useful for techniques that require introducing hand-avatar motion discrepancy, such as a technique for recovering from the position discrepancy introduced by simulated surface constraints.
Estimating Weight Loss Using Daily Caloric Deficits

Abstract Learning Outcome: To identify burn patients at risk for weight loss and to calculate dry weight. Introduction: The goal of nutritional support for burn patients is to minimize weight loss to less than 10% of preburn weight. The hypermetabolism associated with severe burn injury can result in the loss of more than one pound per day. Patients can lose significant amounts of lean body mass unnoticed because hypoalbuminemia leads to anasarca. We describe a method for estimating dry weight. Method: A computerized program based on Excel™ was developed, using caloric deficit to calculate daily weight loss and dry weight. Caloric requirement was based on estimates using the Harris-Benedict and appropriate stress factors; in some patients indirect calorimetry was also done. Caloric intake was calculated from daily calorie counts. Each 3500 calorie deficit was assumed to represent one pound of weight loss. A spread sheet of weight loss and estimated dry weight were charted. Discussion: This method can quickly and accurately estimate weight loss and calculate actual dry weight. Early identification of weight loss will prevent complications due to underfeeding. The precise dry weight also helps the medical staff estimate medication requirements and avoid under- and over-dosing medications. We will present a case study using this charting tool for tracking weight loss and dry weight.
RESPONSE TO ASSESSMENT FEEDBACK: THE EFFECTS OF GRADES, PRAISE, AND SOURCE OF INFORMATION

This experiment involved college students (N = 464) working on an authentic learning task (writing an essay) under 3 conditions: no feedback, detailed feedback (perceived by participants to be provided by the course instructor), and detailed feedback (perceived by participants to be computer generated). Additionally, conditions were crossed with 2 factors of grade (receiving grade or not) and praise (receiving praise or not). Detailed feedback specific to individual work was found to be strongly related to student improvement in essay scores, with the influence of grades and praise more complex. Overall, detailed, descriptive feedback was found to be most effective when given alone, unaccompanied by grades or praise. The results have implications for theory and practice of assessment.
Flagellar Activity of the Colony Members of Volvox aureus Ehrbg. during Light Stimulation

SYNOPSIS. The flagellar behavior of the colonial Volvox aureus Ehrbg. was examined by placing 1.01 μ polystyrene particles in suspension with Volvox, and recording particle movement photomicrographically. When directional light stimulation was given, flagellar activity ceased in the anterior cells of the stimulated side. Such responses create unequal driving forces on the 2 sides of the colony, so that the colony turns toward the stimulated side. Dose response studies indicated a photoresponse gradient from front to rear in the colony, anterior cells being most responsive. The mechanism of gradient formation has yet to be determined.
Representation in Early Stage Design: An Analysis of the Influence of Sketching and Prototyping in Design Projects

Sketching and prototyping of design concepts have long been valued as tools to support productive early stage design. This study investigates previous findings about the interplay between the use and timing of use of such design tools. This study evaluates such tools in the context of team design projects. General trends and statistically significant results about “sketchstorming” and prototyping suggest that, in certain constrained contexts, the focus should be on the quality of information rather than on the quantity of information generated, and that prototyping should begin as soon as possible during the design process. Ramifications of these findings are discussed in the context of educating future designers on the efficient use of design tools.
The Consequences of Role-conferred Bias and Base-rate Neglect*

This study examines the effect of training to reduce biases and heuristics on the consequence of judgments. We demonstrate that untrained subjects' judgments may systematically yield better consequences than judgments of subjects trained to reduce biases and heuristics. This result implies that educators should use caution when interpreting the findings of biases and heuristics research. In establishing the existence of situations in which biases and heuristics produce better consequences than an unbiased, or normative procedure, we open the larger question of the need for an elaboration of the prescriptive uses of the normative procedures.
Lipids out of order.

An in-depth biophysical look at lipids in the influenza viral envelope reveals disordered membranes at physiological temperatures, and will likely reshape the debate over the role of lipids and proteins in biomembranes.
Pseudotumor Formation in the Bladder as a Late Complication of Total Hip Replacement

A 44-year-old man presented to our urological department in May 1995 with intermittent painless gross hematuria 2 months in duration, and a history of right and left hip replacement for alcoholic induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head in 1984 and 1988. He had experienced an episode of bladder tamponade due to blood clot before admission to the hospital. Cystoscopy revealed a 20 x 20 x 20 mm. protruding tumor in the right lower lateral bladder wall. Transurethral resection of the tumor was performed, and histopathological study showed only inflammatory cell and abscess formation without evidence of malignancy. Hematuria recurred 3 months later. Repeat cystascopy revealed a locally recurrent bladder tumor, which was resected. Histopathological analysis showed inflammation. Excretory urography revealed a normal collecting system except for a piece of bone cement found inside the right pelvis in close contact with the bladder wall (see figure). The tumor recurred 3 months later. Partial cystectomy was performed and a piece of bone cement was found penetrating into the bladder wall. Right hip revision arthroplasty was performed 4 months later with no evidence of recurrent bladder tumor.
24 Tesla superconducting toroidal field magnet concept for a commercial Tokamak reactor

A 24-T superconducting toroidal field magnet concept for a commercial fusion power reactor is discussed, and a magnet development path is outlined. Superconducting and structural materials options are discussed within the framework of a 20-yr development time. Nb/sub 3/Sn may be capable of operating at up to 18-20 T. For B>20 T, Nb/sub 3/Al, Nb/sub 3/(Al,Ge) or ceramic high-T/sub c/ superconductors are required. Enhanced strength and stiffness and reduced conductor bending stress are obtained with carbon fiber reinforced steel (Incoloy 908) as the primary structural material. Composite behavior is analyzed using a two-dimensional orthotropic failure criterion. The size of the magnet is minimized subject to electromagnetic, mechanical, and practical constraints.
End-of-life preferences and presence of advance directives among ethnic populations with severe chronic cardiovascular illnesses

Background:Little end-of-life planning occurs among ethnic minorities with severe cardiovascular illnesses.Aim:The purpose of this study was to explore end-of-life preferences and determine the presence of signed end-of-life advanced directives.Methods:Thirty ethnic minority patients volunteered for an open-ended question interview. Content analysis was used to summarize responses into themes using patients’ terms.Findings:Five themes emerged: (a) importance of family involvement in care at end of life; (b) being pain free (or pain controlled) at the end of life; (c) having a comfortable environment for death was desired; (d) wanting no procedures for prolonging life; and (e) desiring a relationship with a professional for end-of-life decision making (reported as inconsistently available). New unique findings were related to concerns about multiple and repeatedly rotating professionals not allowing these ethnic patients end-of-life discussions and fear that signing forms would lead to deportation. Overall...
The Truth of Sorcery

The anthropological study of witchcraft in the colonial period centered on functionalism and the revelation of conflict. Recent African studies in particular have revealed new dimensions of witchcraft, no longer confined to localities but located in the state and in the international economy. Witchcraft, it is clear, has not declined with independence and development; it has, rather, flourished in unexpected ways and entwined itself in political action and political thinking.' The study of how this happened belongs to the ethnography and the history of particular cases. Such study, however, is not intended to reveal the nature of witchcraft as an institution, if it is that. Rather, one must return to earlier studies that look at the phenomenon in general. In the discussion below, I have picked
dl-Methionine Is as Efficacious as l-Methionine, but Modest l-Cystine Excesses Are Anorexigenic in Sulfur Amino Acid-Deficient Purified and Practical-Type Diets Fed to Chicks

Three bioassays were conducted to elucidate the effects of dietary cystine on the efficacy of L-Met and DL-Met fed to chicks. In assay 1, a purified diet markedly deficient in Met (0.12%) and cyst(e)ine (0.05%) was used to compare the relative effectiveness of L-Met and DL-Met in the presence of graded levels of dietary cystine. Addition of 0.05% Met improved (P < 0.01) weight gain when added to diets with 0 or 0.07% added L-cystine, but weight gain decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with greater cystine supplementation up to 0.35%, regardless of Met supplementation. There were no differences in growth performance due to supplementation of L-Met vs. DL-Met. In assay 2, a corn-soybean meal-peanut meal diet (0.25% Met and 0.25% cyst(e)ine) was supplemented with 0, 0.025, 0.05, or 0.075% L-Met plus 0 or 0.2% added L-cystine. Supplemental Met improved (P < 0.01) growth performance, but weight gain and feed intake were depressed (P < 0.01) by cystine supplementation. Whereas 0.2% added L-cystine depressed feed intake 6.9%, weight gain was reduced only 3.6%. Thus, cystine supplementation actually improved (P < 0.01) gain:feed. In assay 3, the corn-soybean meal-peanut meal diet was supplemented with 0 or 0.03% L-Met or DL-Met in the absence or presence of 0.2% added L-cystine. Again, Met supplementation improved (P < 0.01) growth performance, whereas supplemental cystine reduced (P < 0.05) weight gain and feed intake, but increased (P < 0.01) gain:feed. From these bioassays, it may be concluded that there is no evidence to suggest differences in effectiveness between L-Met and DL-Met in purified or practical-type low-protein diets of varying sulfur amino acid (SAA) content fed to chicks from 8 to 20 d of age. However, supplemental cystine has a negative impact on voluntary feed intake when supplemented in diets markedly deficient in SAA. This effect is evident with minimal SAA intake and when greater than 50% of SAA intake is provided by cyst(e)ine, rather than Met.
Intracranial haemorrhage: therapeutic interventions and anaesthetic management

Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating cause of stroke. Although the total incidence of ICH has remained stable worldwide, the proportion associated with the use of anticoagulant medications is increasing. Innovative interventions developed to improve patient outcomes often require peri-procedure anaesthetic management. This non-systematic review examines the pathophysiology of ICH at a clinical level, reports on novel therapeutic interventions, many of which are currently in clinical trials, and reviews the current published recommendations for the management of patients with ICH.
Summer Soil Moisture Spatiotemporal Variability in Southeastern Arizona

AbstractSoil moisture is important for many applications, but its measurements are lacking globally and even regionally. The Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) in southeastern Arizona has measured near-surface 5-cm soil moisture with 19 in situ probes since 2002 within its 150 km2 area. Using various criteria to identify erroneous data, it is found that in any given period from 1 July to 30 September from 2002 to 2011, 13–17 of these probes were producing reasonable data, and this is sufficient to estimate area-averaged seasonal soil moisture. A soil water balance model is then developed using rainfall as its only input to spatially extrapolate soil moisture estimates to the 88 rain gauges located within the watershed and to extend the measurement period to 56 years. The model is calibrated from 2002 to 2011 so that the daily in situ and modeled soil moisture time series have a high average correlation of 0.89 and a root-mean-square deviation of 0.032 m3 m−3. By interpolating modeled soil moisture...
NSAID Inhibition of Prostate Cancer Cell Migration Is Mediated by Nag-1 Induction via the p38 MAPK-p75NTR Pathway

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) R-flurbiprofen and ibuprofen have been shown to induce expression of p75NTR (neurotrophin receptor) in prostate cancer cell lines. p75NTR, a tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member, is a proapoptotic protein that functions as a tumor suppressor in the human prostate. Expression of p75NTR is lost as prostate cancer progresses and is minimal in several metastatic prostate cancer cell lines. NSAIDs induce p75NTR through activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, with a concomitant decrease in cell survival. Here, we show that treatment with R-flurbiprofen and ibuprofen induces expression of the NSAID-activated gene-1 (Nag-1) protein, a divergent member of the TGF beta (TGF-β) family, in PC-3 cells. Using the selective pharmacologic inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB202190, and p38 MAPK-specific siRNA (small interfering RNA), we show that Nag-1 induction following NSAID treatment is mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway. p75NTR-specific siRNA pretreatment shows that Nag-1 induction by NSAIDs is downstream of p75NTR induction. Decreased survival of NSAID-treated cells is rescued by p75NTR-specific siRNA but not by Nag-1 siRNA. Transwell chamber and in vitro wound healing assays demonstrate decreased cell migration upon NSAID treatment. Pretreatment of PC-3 cells with p75NTR and Nag-1–specific siRNA shows that NSAID inhibition of cell migration is mediated by Nag-1 and p75NTR. These results demonstrate a role for Nag-1 in NSAID inhibition of cell migration, but not survival. Mol Cancer Res; 8(12); 1656–64. ©2010 AACR.
MKP-1 (3CH134), an immediate early gene product, is a dual specificity phosphatase that dephosphorylates MAP kinase in vivo

Mitogenic stimulation of cells induces rapid and transient activation of MAP kinases. Here we report that a growth factor-inducible gene, 3CH134, encodes a dual specificity phosphatase that dephosphorylates and inactivates p42MAPK both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, 3CH134 protein dephosphorylates both T183 and Y185 in p42MAPK. In serum-stimulated normal fibroblasts, the kinetics of inactivation of p42MAPK coincides with the appearance of newly synthesized 3CH134 protein, and the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide leads to persistent activation of MAP kinase. Expression of 3CH134 in COS cells leads to selective dephosphorylation of p42MAPK from the spectrum of phosphotyrosyl proteins. 3CH134 blocks phosphorylation and activation of p42MAPK mediated by serum, oncogenic Ras, or activated Raf, whereas the catalytically inactive mutant of the phosphatase, Cys-258-->Ser, augments MAP kinase phosphorylation under similar conditions. The mutant 3CH134 protein also forms a physical complex with the phosphorylated form of p42MAPK. These findings suggest that 3CH134 is a physiological MAP kinase phosphatase; we propose the name MKP-1 for this phosphatase.