cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Legitimizing Hope: An Exploration of Effective Mentoring for Dominican American Male College Students:

The purpose of this study was to explore the informal mentoring relationships of 15 male, Hispanic (Dominican American), first-generation college students, to determine how their mentoring experiences influenced their academic progress, standing, and retention. In-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 undergraduates from a comprehensive, public urban university. The mentors proved to be valuable social capital for these statistically at-risk students by providing them with insider academic information, legitimizing their academic and professional goals, and transforming their immigration experiences into academic inspiration. Suggestions for effective mentoring for immigrant/ethnic minority college students are presented.
Histological structure of epithelial hydra and evidence for the complete absence of interstitial and nerve cells

Hydra were treated with colchicine, resulting in the elimination of interstitial, nerve, and stinging cells. These animals were cloned for several months and then examined histologically to determine: (1) the extent of cell depletion, and (2) the effect of this depletion on tissue structure and epithelial cell morphology. Thirteen of these hydra were serially sectioned for light microscopy and every cell was identified. All of the animals were composed solely of epithelial cells. No cells of the interstitial cell lineage, which includes interstitial cells, nerve cells, nematoblasts, and gametes, were found. Using experimental hydra with low numbers of interstitial and nerve cells, we verified that these cell types, when present, are readily identifiable in histological sections. Thus, we conclude that the cloned hydra are completely free of all cells except epithelial cells, and hence are defined as epithelial hydra. The histological organization of epithelial cells is normal in these animals. In each body region (hypostome, tentacles, gastricregion, peduncle, and basal disc) the organization of tissue and epithelial cell structure is normal. Therefore, epithelial cells are capable of autonomous region-specific differentiations, and tissue architecture can arise independently of the interstitial cell lineage.
Thermal Effect of Gold Nanorods in Implanted Prostatic Tumors During Laser Photothermal Therapy

In recent years, nanotechnologies have emerged as promising therapies due to their ability to deliver adequate thermal dosage to irregular and/or deep-seated tumors. Gold nanorods can be tuned to a specific laser wavelength and serve as strong laser energy absorbers. Due to the powerful optical absorption, the laser energy is concentrated in an area congregating by nanorods, and then the energy absorbed can be transferred to the surrounding tumor tissue by heat conduction.1–4 Currently, there are wide variation ranges of treatment protocols using photothermal therapy. A systematic approach is lacking to analyze temperature elevation history in tumors during heating to design an optimized combination of laser parameters to maximize thermal damage to tumors.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The mouse gamete adhesin, SED1, is expressed on the surface of acrosome-intact human sperm

Objective To determine whether SED1, a protein secreted by the mouse epididymis that coats sperm and participates in sperm adhesion to the zona pellucida, is present on human sperm and in human epididymal tissue. Design SED1 expression was analyzed by immunoblot and indirect immunofluorescence assays. Setting Academic clinical and research laboratories. Patient(s) Human breast milk was donated. Unused semen was donated by men presenting for semen analysis or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cadaveric epididymal tissue was obtained from the institutional body donor program. Intervention(s) Human milk fat globule membranes and human seminal plasma proteins were analyzed by immunoblot. Human sperm and epididymis were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Acrosomal status was determined by staining with fluorescein isothiocyanate- Pisum sativum agglutinin. Main Outcome Measure(s) Immunoblot and indirect immunofluorescence assays. Result(s) Human SED1 is recognized by two different polyclonal anti-SED1 antisera. SED1 is localized to the plasma membrane of human sperm overlying the intact acrosome. In acrosome-reacted sperm, SED1 is localized to the equatorial segment. SED1 is expressed by the epithelium of the anterior caput epididymis. Conclusion(s) SED1 is expressed on the surface of acrosome-intact human sperm and in the anterior caput of the human epididymis, similar to that seen in mouse.
Trypanosoma lewisi, Trypanosoma rhodesiense: Mitotic activity in normal and folic acid deficient rats

Ten experiments were performed to compare mitotic activity in livers of rats infected with Trypanosoma rhodesiense and Trypanosoma lewisi. The host dietary groups were: (1) complete or full complement; (2) folic acid deficient, and (3) pair-fed or calorically restricted. Liver mitotic counts of T. lewisi-infected rats fed complete and pair-fed control diets showed a high degree of significance over that of control rats. From days 35 to 55, liver mitotic counts of T. lewisi-infected rats deficient in folic acid showed an average of 16±2 mitotic phases as compared to 9±2 for livers of uninfected animals. Liver mitotic counts of T. rhodesiense-infected and non-infected rats fed complete and pair-fed control diets showed that there were essentially no differences in the mitotic counts from that seen in liver from control, uninfected animals. On day 25 (day 5 of infection), folic acid-deficient infected rats showed a significantly higher number of dividing cells than the controls. Folate was measured in isolated, washed T. lewisi and T. rhodesiense cells. T. lewisi and T. rhodesiense contained 9.6 ng folate per 108 cells and 6.2 ng of folate per 108 cells respectively. Metabolic products of T. lewisi contained an average of 0.51 ng of folate per 108 trypanosomes. T. rhodesiense metabolic products contained 0.3 ng of folate per 108 trypanosomes.
Increased serum soluble interleukin-2 receptors in schizophrenic monozygotic twins.

There is a confusing history of immune findings associated with schizophrenia. At least some of these discrepant results may be artifacts caused by heterogeneity. In an attempt to decrease heterogeneity, we studied three groups of monozygotic twins who were either discordant for schizophrenia, concordant and ill, or concordant and well. This comparison minimizes environmental and genetic variance, and heightens differences that are actually due to the disorder. Overall, schizophrenic subjects had higher levels of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptors (SIL-2Rs) than unaffected individuals (480.8, SD 238.6 U/ml vs 380.9, SD 170.6 U/ml;F=5.256,df=1.61,P=0.02). When data from discordant and concordant twin groups were analysed separately, both the discordant ill twins (P=0.06) and concordant ill twin pairs (P=0.08) showed trends towards higher serum SIL-2R levels than their respective control groups. These data contribute to the growing body of evidence that immune activation is associated with some forms of schizophrenia.
Oral Clonidine for Rapid Control of Accelerated Hypertension

Thirty emergency-room patients, 15 men and 15 women, from 27 to 64 years old with diastolic blood pressures (DBP) >115 mm Hg, were admitted to an open-label, oral loading trial of clonidine. At this time, their supine mean arterial pressures (MAP) averaged 150 ± 2 mm Hg. An initial clonidine dose of 0.1 to 0.2 mg was to be followed every hour by another 0.1 mg until the DBP had been lowered to a level allowing treatment to be continued on an ambulatory basis or until a total of 0.5 mg had been given. A satisfactory response—defined as a reduction of the supine DBP to 105 mm Hg or lower if the baseline was between 115 and 135 mm Hg, or reduction of a baseline DBP >135 mm Hg by at least 30 mm Hg—was achieved in all but one of the patients in an average of 118 minutes; the mean dose required was 0.26 mg. The mean reduction from the baseline MAP was 23.1 ± 0.9%. Drug-related adverse experiences comprised drowsiness and dry mouth in 13 patients. Thereafter, 28 of the patients were chronically treated with clonidine for an average of 73 days. In 24 patients treated for at least 80 days, the daily clonidine dose averaged 0.375 mg. All the patients required concurrent diuretic therapy. A satisfactory response (as defined above) to this maintenance treatment was shown by 85% of the patients, and full blood-pressure control (supine DBP <95 mm Hg) was attained in 78%. The mean decreases from the baseline systolic and diastolic readings (taken before the acute treatment phase) amounted to 28.6% ± 2.5% and 19.8% ± 1.3%, respectively. Side effects were essentially the same as during the oral loading phase.
Effect of metal—ligand ratio on polarization of fluorescence from metal-8-quinolinol complexes

Abstract When excited at 370 nm in glycerol, 1:1 complexes of 8-quinolinol with Al3+, Mg2+ and Zn2+ fluoresce with polarizations of 0.327, 0.301 and 0.314 respectively. As the ratio of ligand-to-metal increases, the polarizations decrease to limiting values, 0.200 and 0.168 for 2:1 Mg2+ and Zn2+ complexes and 0.111 for the 3:1 Al3+ complex. These changes indicate that excitation energy can transfer from one ligand to another on the same metal center. A simple model is developed to predict the extent of depolarization assuming (1) randomization of excitation energy among ligands associated with the same metal center, (2) the angle between emission transition moments is 60° and (3) that ligand electronic properties are independent of the complex stoichiometry. The predicted extent of depolarization is lower than experimental values. Shifts in excitation, emission and polarization spectra indicate that ligand electronic properties are not independent of ligand—metal ratio.
The Effect of Copolymer Architecture on Solution Behavior

Abstract Cloud-point data to 270 °C and 2,750 bar are presented for mixtures of light hydrocarbons with polyethylene, poly(ethylene- co -methyl acrylate), and poly(ethylene- co -acrylic acid) copolymers. Adding highly structured ethylene to the polymer backbone decreases the number of chain branches in the backbone, increases ΔH fusion , and increases the cloud-point pressures. Methyl acrylate added to the backbone decreases the crystallinity of the copolymer, but increases its polarity, thus shifting the cloud point curve to higher temperatures and pressures. Adding acrylic acid to the backbone changes the shape of the cloud point curve and shifts it to high temperatures where intramolecular hydrogen bonding is reduced. If a polar cosolvent is used the cloud point curve shifts to lower temperatures and pressures for mixtures with polar copolymers especially if the cosolvent hydrogen bonds to the copolymer. However, once all of the hydrogen bonding sites are occupied, further additions of cosolvent cause the copolymer to precipitate from solution.
Warfarin for atrial fibrillation in community-based practise.

Summary. Background: Previous studies of anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation (AF) have predominantly occurred in academic settings or randomized trials, limiting their generalizability.Objective: To describe the management of patients with AF anticoagulated with warfarin in community-based practise.Methods: We enrolled 3396 patients from 101 community-based practises in 38 states. Data included demographics, comorbidities, and International Normalized Ratio (INR) values. Outcomes included time in therapeutic INR range (TTR), stroke, and major hemorrhage.Results: The mean TTR was 66.5%, but varied widely among patients: 37% had TTR above 75%, while 34% had TTR below 60%. The yearly rates of major hemorrhage and stroke were 1.90 per 100 person-years and 1.00 per 100 person-years. Four percent of patients (n = 127) were intentionally targeted to a lower INR, and spent 42.7% of time with an INR below 2.0, compared to 18.8% for patients with a 2.0–3.0 range (P < 0.001). Mean TTR for new warfarin users (57.5%) remained below that of prevalent users through the first six months. Patients with interruptions of warfarin therapy had lower TTR than all others (61.6% vs. 67.2%, P < 0.001), which corrected after deleting low peri-procedural INR values (67.0% vs. 67.4%, P = 0.73).Conclusions: Anticoagulation control varies widely among patients taking warfarin for AF. TTR is affected by new warfarin use, procedural interruptions, and INR target range. In this community-based cohort of predominantly prevalent warfarin users, rates of hemorrhage and stroke were low. The risk versus benefit of a lower INR target range to offset bleeding risk remains uncertain.
A SLAMS dunk for cancer regulators.

Genetic regulators of cancer are identified by combining data on global gene expression and DNA copy number.
Sibling effects on smoking in adolescence: evidence for social influence from a genetically informative design

Aims Behavioral genetic research has suggested that sibling effects on smoking may reflect social rather than genetic processes. We utilize a genetically informative sample of adolescents to test this proposition, focusing on sibling relationship processes (social connectedness) shown to be influential in studies of deviancy. Design A combined twin-sibling design was employed to disentangle genetic and non-genetic effects. Participants We utilized a sample of 1421 adolescent sibling pairs participating in the US National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). These sibling pairs represent a spectrum of genetic relatedness and include monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins, biological siblings, half-siblings and unrelated siblings. Measurements Participants completed self-report questionnaires on smoking behavior, quality of relationship with their sibling (social connectedness) and peer and parental smoking. Findings Main effects of both shared environment and genetics were found on adolescent smoking frequency. Social connectedness between siblings moderated shared environmental influences on smoking frequency at each time period, as well as on change in smoking frequency. Shared environmental effects were more pronounced when siblings reported high levels of social connectedness. These environmental sibling effects on smoking were significant after controlling for parent and peer smoking. Conclusions This report extends prior research on sibling effects on smoking by identifying specific relationship dynamics that underlie transmission of risk within sibships and providing evidence that such relationship dynamics represent social rather than genetic processes.
Shifts in habitat templates for lotic microalgae linked to interannual variation in snowmelt intensity

We investigated the importance of snowmelt as an organizing factor for epilithic microalgae in a high-altitude montane stream during 3 yr (1995‐1997) of differing melt characteristics. Changes in algal biomass and taxonomic structure in two stream reaches that differed in hydrologic characteristics were assessed relative to variation in stream-water nutrient content, temperature, surface-water/groundwater exchange, and algivorous macroinvertebrate assemblages. Melt-induced increases in stream discharge were large and abrupt in 1995, nearly undetectable in 1996, and protracted and of intermediate magnitude in 1997. In 1995, algal and grazer densities were significantly reduced by melt discharge. Postmelt grazer recovery was slow, and the percentage of live cells in the diatom assemblage increased abruptly; algal biomass initially increased and subsequently varied with stream-water N : P ratio. In 1996, snowmelt produced no evident proximate effects. Initial high grazer densities declined throughout the summer. In midsummer, an N : P ratio of 140 in the upstream reach corresponded to a more than fourfold increase in algal biovolume and a shift to dominance by large diatoms. Downstream, a lower N : P peak induced no algal response. In 1997, grazer densities declined during protracted melt runoff and increased sharply during melt recession, concurrent with decreases in live diatom percentage and algal biovolume. N : P declined in 1997 from ;16 : 1 to values indicative of N limitation and correlated with decreases in algal biovolume. Our results show that effects of snowmelt in montane streams reflect both initial melt-induced mortality that sets initial conditions for succession and melt-induced aquifer recharge that controls nutrient supply in the months following peak melt discharge. The influence of these two components extends beyond snowmelt recession into summer base flow, suggesting that variation in melt characteristics generates interannual differences in the functioning of these systems.
Cortical responses from adults and infants to complex visual stimuli

Abstract Event-related potentials (ERPs) time-locked to the onset of visual stimuli were extracted from the EEG of normal adult (N = 16) and infant (N = 23) subjects. Subjects were not required to make any response. Stimuli delivered to the adults were 150 msec exposures of 2 sets of colored slides projected in 4 blocks, 2 in focus and 2 out of focus. Infants received 2-sec exposures of slides showing people, colored drawings or scences from Disneyland, as well as 2-sec illuminations of the experimenter as she played a game or of a TV screen the baby was watching. The adult ERPs showed 6 waves (N1 through P4) in the 140–600-msec range; this included a positive wave at around 350 msec that was large when the stimuli were focused and smaller when they were not. The waves in the 150–200-msec range, by contrast, steadily dropped in amplitude as the experiment progressed. The infant ERPs differed greatly from the adult ones in morphology, usually showing a positive (latency about 200 msec)—negative (5–600 msec)—positive (1000 msec) sequence. This ERP appeared in all the stimulus conditions; its presence or absence, furthermore, was correlated with whether or not the baby seemed interested in the stimuli. Four infants failed to produce these ERPs; an independent measure of attention to the stimuli, heart rate deceleration, was demonstrated in two of them. An electrode placed beneath the eye to monitor eye movements yielded ERPs closely resembling those derived from the scalp in most subjects; reasons are given for assigning this response to activity in the brain, probably at the frontal pole. This study appears to be one of the first to search for cognitive ‘late waves’ in a no-task situation. The results suggest that further work with such task-free paradigms may yield additional useful techniques for studying the ERP.
SPONTANEOUS DECIDUAL REACTIONS AND MENSTRUATION IN THE BLACK MASTIFF BAT, MOLOSSUS ATER

Uterine function was assessed histologically in nonpregnant Molossus ater removed from a laboratory breeding colony. During the luteal phase of the cycle, bilateral decidual reactions were found to develop spontaneously in the absence of either embryos or experimental manipulation of the uterus. These included the formation of early decidual giant cells, closure of the uterine lumina, and morphological changes in the endometrial blood vessels. Some endothelial cell hypertrophy was noted in much of the decidua, but this was most pronounced in vessels associated with an unusual vascular tuft that formed in the endometrium surrounding the cranial end of the uterine lumen. These latter vessels also developed very prominent basal laminae. In pregnant bats, this tuft played a central role in the morphogenesis of the definitive discoidal chorioallantoic placenta. At the end of nonpregnant cycles, the decidua became necrotic and was sloughed off with associated bleeding. As in menstruating catarrhine primates, the endometrium of M. ater is vascularized by spiral arterioles and populated by distincitve granulocytes containing large, acidophilic granules. Increased coiling of these arterioles did not appear to be an essential element in the mechanism of menstruation in this species. M. ater is a monotocous, seasonal breeder, with a relatively long gestation period. Although it has a bicornuate uterus, ovulation and implantation appear to occur only on the right side of the tract. The ability to menstruate probably affords this bat an efficient mechanism for eliminating a highly differentiated endometrium from the usual implantation site in the event of a reproductive failure. In the wild, this may provide M. ater with another chance to establish a pregnancy at a still opportune time during the same breeding season.
Oriental Bolboceras: Introduction to the genus and taxonomy of the nigricans group of species (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Bolboceratinae)

The taxonomy of the genus Bolboceras Kirby, 1819 (= Indobolbus Nikolajev, 1979) is discussed. The Oriental members of the genus as currently conceived have not been revised for the past 160 years. Operational groups of species are proposed, including the Bolboceras nigricans group. In this group B. nigricans Westwood, 1848 and five new Oriental group members are here keyed, diagnosed, and illustrated. The new species proposed are: Bolboceras schulzei (Bangladesh, India), B. malabaricum (India), B. extraneum (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan), B. insulare (Sri Lanka), and B. mimicans (Myanmar). In an Appendix a single new species is described in the Bolboceras perpunctatum group, to consolidate the key to the Bolboceras species groups – B. perpunctatum (India). A list of names of all Bolboceras species is given, indicating a formal retransfer of some from Indobolbus to Bolboceras, following a 2006 ruling of the ICZN on the use of the name Bolboceras.
Effects of ad lib extended-delayed sleep on sensorimotor performance, memory and sleepiness in the young adult.

Abstract Behavioral functions were studied in 16 healthy young adult males who slept regularly for 7–8 hr following two electrographically recorded conditions of continuous sleep. The conditions consisted of a rigidly scheduled 12–8:00 a.m. control night and an ad lib session when the times for sleep were at the subjects' own inclination. Thirty minutes after awakening from each condition measurements were obtained from (1) short-term memory, (2) visual choice reaction time and (3) auditory vigilance tasks, and (4) the Stanford Sleepiness Scale. A statistically significant augmentation of total sleep occurred on the ad lib nights (mean=9.6 hr) compared with the control condition (mean=7.5 hr) which was mainly due to an average 2.7 hr delay in awakening times. Following ad lib extended-delayed sleep there was a significant decline in performance on all tasks and significant elevation of sleepiness scale ratings 90 min after awakening. This effect of ad lib sleep, like behavioral deficits characteristically arising from disturbances in the diurnal rhythm, was mainly apparent early during testing and increased little with time. The results of the present study support the assumption that phase-delays in accustomed awakening times were largely the cause for the specific performance decrements observed rather than extended sleep per se.
Effects of acute doxorubicin treatment on hepatic proteome lysine acetylation status and the apoptotic environment.

Effects of acute doxorubicin treatment on hepatic proteome lysine acetylation status and the apoptotic environment
Topologically close-packed phase precipitation and thermal stability in alloy 22

The thermal stability of Alloy 22 affected by the precipitation of topologically close-packed (TCP) phases was investigated by means of experimental measurements and thermodynamic calculations. Both mill-annealed and welded specimens were exposed to various thermal aging and solution-annealing treatments. Microstructural analyses showed progressive precipitation of TCP phases in both the mill-annealed and welded specimens upon aging at 870 °C. Solution annealing of the welded material results in homogenization of the fusion zone; however, a high annealing temperature of 1300 °C leads to undesirable grain growth. All aging and solutionizing treatments of the welded material enhance precipitation of the secondary phases. Thermodynamic calculations predicted a solvus temperature of 1271 °C for the TCP phase in the interdendritic region as a result of Mo segregation during the solidification of the welded metal. This model prediction is consistent with experimental results showing that precipitates are observed in the welded material after various solution-annealing treatments. Results obtained from the present study suggest that solution-annealing treatments for Alloy 22 disposal containers should be carefully evaluated to assure that a homogeneous single-phase structure will be obtained.
Preparation of pure neuronal and non-neuronal cultures from embryonic chick sympathetic ganglia: A new method based on both differential cell adhesiveness and the formation of homotypic neuronal aggregates

Abstract A new method has been developed for the preparation of essentially pure primary cultures of neurons and non-neuronal cells from 11-day embryonic chick sympathetic ganglia. This method utilizes (1) differences in cell-to-substrate adhesiveness between neurons and non-neuronal cells and (2) the capacity of neurons to form homotypic aggragates. The maximum difference in adhesiveness between neuronal and non-neuronal cells occurred when the ganglia were dissociated with trypsin following collection in a salt solution lacking divalent cations. This difference allowed the preparation of highly purified non-neuronal cultures and 85–90% pure neuronal cultures. Intermittent agitation during the period of cell separation markedly increased the purity of the neuronal cultures by (1) inhibiting neuronal but not non-neuronal cell attachment and (2) facilitating the formation of homotypic neuronal aggregates in the supernatant. Neuronal and non-neuronal cultures prepared under these conditions were more than 99% pure on the basis of both morphological and biochemical analyses. Both cell types exhibited attachment efficiences greater than 95% and have been maintained for several weeks in vitro. Thus, completely isolated neuronal and non-neuronal cultures can be prepared and maintained for prolonged periods in the absence of cells of the other type.
Pussy Riot as a feminist project: Russia's gendered informal politics

This article considers Pussy Riot as a feminist project, placing their actions and the regime's reactions in the context of three post-9/11 developments in gender and sexuality politics in Russia. First, I assert that Pussy Riot's stunts are a logical reaction to the Kremlin's masculinity-based nation-rebuilding scheme, which was a cover for crude homophobic misogyny. Second, Pussy Riot is part of the informal feminism emerging in Russia, a response to nongovernmental organization (NGO) feminism and the regime's repression of NGO feminism, albeit likely to be outflanked by regime-supported thuggery. Third, the members of Pussy Riot were so harshly prosecuted because they – swearing, covered up and disloyal – violated the political cleaner role that the Kremlin has given women in the last few years. Feminist social scientists have long looked for politics outside of formal institutions and processes. The Pussy Riot affair makes clear how much gender is central to the informal politics that gender-blind obs...
Property enhancement of melt processable rubber by blending with thermoplastic and elastomer

The effect of blending various thermoplastics and elastomers with melt processable rubber was studied using ECHIP experimental design. This study shows that with a minimum of tests, key property effects, interrelationships, synergisms, etc., can be identified. The data is useful in guiding the user to produce blends that will optimize properties within a given cost restraint.
Biliverdin reductase: PKC interaction at the cross-talk of MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways.

Biliverdin reductase (BVR) was characterized some 25 years ago as a unique dual-cofactor/pH-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of biliverdin-IXa. Our knowledge of functions of BVR has in...
2, 3, 7, 8-TCDD enhances the sensitivity of mice to concanavalin A immune-mediated liver injury

Abstract Inflammation plays a major role in immune-mediated liver injury, and exposure to environmental pollutants such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been reported to alter the inflammatory response as well as affect immune cell activity. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that TCDD pretreatment exacerbates hepatotoxicity in a murine model of immune-mediated liver injury induced by concanavalin A (Con A) administration. Mice were pretreated with 30 μg/kg TCDD or vehicle control on day zero and then given either Con A or saline intravenously on day four. Mice treated with TCDD did not develop liver injury; however, TCDD pretreatment increased liver injury resulting from moderate doses of Con A (4–10 mg/kg). TCDD-pretreated mice had altered plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, including interferon gamma (IFNγ), and TCDD/Con A-induced hepatotoxicity was attenuated in IFNγ knockout mice. At various times after treatment, intrahepatic immune cells were isolated, and expression of cell activation markers as well as cytolytic proteins was determined. TCDD pretreatment increased the proportion of activated natural killer T (NKT) cells and the percent of cells expressing Fas ligand (FasL) after Con A administration. In addition FasL knockout mice and mice treated with CD18 antiserum were both protected from TCDD/Con A-induced hepatotoxicity, suggesting a requirement for direct cell–cell interaction between effector immune cells and parenchymal cell targets in the development of liver injury from TCDD/Con A treatment. In summary, exposure to TCDD increased NKT cell activation and exacerbated immune-mediated liver injury induced by Con A through a mechanism involving IFNγ and FasL expression.
Spectral absorption coefficients for the fundamental and first overtone vibration-rotation bands of CN.

A previous measurement of the transition moment of the fundamental vibration-rotation band of CN is combined with theoretical calculations of relative vibrational transition probabilities in order to compute absorption coefficients for the CN fundamental and first-overtone bands. Line strengths for 121 lines in each branch of all fundamental and first-overtone bands with upper-transition states not greater than 6 are calculated for temperatures of 2000, 3000, and 4000 K; these line strengths are presented as averaged over 8-kayser intervals. The relative vibrational transition moments are placed on an absolute scale, and the wavenumbers of the band origins and heads are given
Proximal and time-varying effects of cigarette, alcohol, marijuana and other hard drug use on adolescent dating aggression

Although numerous studies have established a link between substance use and adult partner violence, little research has examined the relationship during adolescence and most extant research has not examined multiple substance use types. The current study used hierarchical growth modeling to simultaneously examine proximal (between-person) and time-varying (within-person) relations between cigarette, alcohol, marijuana and hard drug use and physical dating aggression across grades 8 through 12 while controlling for demographic covariates and shared risk factors. Proximal effects of marijuana use on dating aggression were found for girls and proximal effects of hard drug use on dating aggression were found for boys. Time-varying effects were found for alcohol for both boys and girls and for hard drug use for boys only. Overall, findings suggest that alcohol, marijuana and hard drug use predict whether and when adolescents engage in dating aggression and should be targeted by prevention interventions.
Atypical neural activity during inhibitory processing in substance-naïve youth who later experience alcohol-induced blackouts

Abstract Background Alcohol-induced blackouts are associated with the development of alcohol abuse and dependence, so it is important to consider potential neurobiological risk factors for experiencing this problem prior to the onset of substance use. This study examines whether neural activity during inhibitory processing might be atypical in substance-naive youth who later experience alcohol-induced blackouts. Methods We examined inhibitory processing during fMRI with a go/no-go task that requires withholding a prepotent response in substance-naive youth who would later transition into heavy drinking ( n = 40) and youth who remain abstinent ( n = 20). After approximately 5 years of annual follow-up assessments, youth were classified as nondrinkers ( n = 20), and heavy drinking youth were classified as having experienced an alcohol-induced blackout (blackout+; n = 20) or not (blackout−; n = 20). Groups were matched on demographic variables, and youth who experienced blackouts were matched on follow-up substance use. Results Prior to initiating substance use, blackout+ youth showed greater activation during inhibitory processing than nondrinkers and blackout− youth in frontal and cerebellar brain regions. Mean activation during correct inhibitory responses relative to go responses in the left and right middle frontal gyri at baseline predicted future blackout experience, after controlling for follow-up externalizing behaviors and lifetime alcohol consumption. Conclusions Substance-naive adolescents who later experience alcohol-induced blackouts show increased neural effort during inhibitory processing, as compared to adolescents who go on to drink at similar levels but do not experience blackouts and healthy, nondrinking controls, suggesting a neurobiological vulnerability to alcohol-induced memory impairments.
In-line D2O analysis

Abstract A technique has been developed for in-line monitoring of D 2 O concentration in process streams. Commercially available neutron counters are used to detect neutrons from deuterium in water irradiated with 2.62 MeV gamma rays [ 1 2 D(γ,n) 1 1 H]. Using this technique, deuterium concentrations from 0.015% to 0.13% D 2 O in water were measured in laboratory tests with an accuracy of 1% in 30 min. A source-detector configuration was developed and the proposed system successfully tested in the laboratory. The technique was not applied in the existing heavy water plant because of a shortage of funds, and because justification for modification of existing towers was insufficient. Use of the technique for new plants, where towers could be designed initially to include such an instrument, should be much more economically advantageous.
Analysis of signal intensities in electron spin echo envelope modulation spectroscopy

Abstract Unlike ENDOR, electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy enables one to interpret the signal intensity without knowledge of relaxation processes. The technique is put to the test through analysis of the signal from 39 K in the fifth shell around the F-centre in a single crystal of KCl. The ratio between the experimental and theoretical intensities in this case is found to be 1.06 ± 0.09.
Baroclinic instability over wavy topography

The occurrence of new unstable modes of quasigeostrophic baroclinic oscillation of rotating stratified shear flow over a wavy bottom is examined. To obtain a tractable mathematical problem, the bottom topography is considered as a perturbation modifying the oscillations. It is found that combinations of a top-intensified and a bottom-intensified Eady mode, each stable without topography, can be destabilized by topography if certain resonant conditions are met. These are that (i) the two modes possess the same wavefrequency, and (ii) topography possesses a wavenumber c bridging the gap between the wavenumbers of the modes a, b, i.e. c = a – b. Growth rate of this instability (called type A) is proportional to the amplitude of the topographic component. There are two special cases: (i) when one of the basic modes is a marginally neutral mode – according to the classical analysis without topography – the instability is stronger (type M) with growth rate proportional to the 2/3-power of topographic amplitude; (ii) when both modes are marginally neutral the instability is even stronger (type M2) with growth rate proportional to the square root of topographic amplitude.These topographic instabilities, like classical baroclinic instability, draw their energy from the available potential by transporting buoyancy down the mean gradient associated with the geostrophic shear flow.
Effects of Friction on Haptic Perception in Simulated Endoscopic Environments

Current endoscopic instrumentation cannot replicate the haptic feedback available during open surgery. Distracting friction forces in the interface make it difficult for surgeons to detect and differentiate between small-scale surgical site forces. As a result, the visual channel is being used to process information that should be available through the haptic sense. An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of friction, when probing tissues of dissimilar compliance. Results showed that the presence of friction in the interface increased applied force by 45%, contact time by 40%, and errors by a factor of 2 (100%), while its absence increased human operator confidence by 15%. The effects of friction were generally more pronounced in conditions with impaired visual cues but were also very strong when vision was available. These results are applicable to the design of more effective instrumentation for endoscopic surgery as well as robotic surgery.
Grid solutions for biological and physical cross-site simulations on the TeraGrid

Computational grids and grid middleware offer unprecedented computational power and storage capacity, and thus, have opened the possibility of solving problems that were previously not possible on even the largest single computational resources. These opportunities not withstanding, the development of grid applications that run efficiently remains a challenge due to the inherent heterogeneity of networks and system architectures inherent in such environments. We present grid solutions to two grand challenge problems in computational mechanics. To study the scalability of our solutions we implemented both as MPI applications and ran them on the TeraGrid using NEKTAR and MPICH-G2. We present the results of our study which demonstrate near linear scalability in both applications when run across multiple TeraGrid sites and at a scale of hundreds or processors.
Message Framing Surrounding the Oslo I Accords

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the secret negotiations and the public rhetoric of Palestinian and Israeli leaders leading up to the Oslo I Accords. To accomplish this goal, we coded public statements made by Israeli and Palestinian leaders in the months preceding the accords and the events that unfolded during the talks. We hypothesized that the Palestinian leaders, as nonstate actors, would engage in outbidding by showing a more aggressive, backward-looking orienta tion in public. Israeli leaders, as state actors, would engage in frontstage-backstage behavior and display a more balanced public rhetoric. The results showed that the Palestinians focused on justice issues framed as mistrust and backward looking. This public framing was associated with retreat in the private talks. In contrast, the Israelis switched between positively and negatively framed rhetoric with forward-looking and affiliative statements correlated with lack of progress and backward-looking and mis trust rhetoric associated with progress in the talks.
Multiple mechanisms of ontogenic regulation of nuclear receptors during rat liver development

Nuclear receptors (NRs) play pivotal roles in the regulation of genes contributing to hepatobiliary cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis. We have previously shown that transporters involved in bil...
The intrinsic electrostatic potential and the intermediate ring of charge in the acetylcholine receptor channel.

A ring of aligned glutamate residues named the intermediate ring of charge surrounds the intracellular end of the acetylcholine receptor channel and dominates cation conduction (Imoto et al. 1988). Four of the five subunits in mouse-muscle acetylcholine receptor contribute a glutamate to the ring. These glutamates were mutated to glutamine or lysine, and combinations of mutant and native subunits, yielding net ring charges of −1 to −4, were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. In all complexes, the α subunit contained a Cys substituted for αThr244, three residues away from the ring glutamate αGlu241. The rate constants for the reactions of αThr244Cys with the neutral 2-hydroxyethyl-methanethiosulfonate, the positively charged 2-ammonioethyl-methanethiosulfonate, and the doubly positively charged 2-ammonioethyl-2′-ammonioethanethiosulfonate were determined from the rates of irreversible inhibition of the responses to acetylcholine. The reagents were added in the presence and absence of acetylcholine and at various transmembrane potentials, and the rate constants were extrapolated to zero transmembrane potential. The intrinsic electrostatic potential in the channel in the vicinity of the ring of charge was estimated from the ratios of the rate constants of differently charged reagents. In the acetylcholine-induced open state, this potential was −230 mV with four glutamates in the ring and increased linearly towards 0 mV by +57 mV for each negative charge removed from the ring. Thus, the intrinsic electrostatic potential in the narrow, intracellular end of the open channel is almost entirely due to the intermediate ring of charge and is strongly correlated with alkali-metal-ion conductance through the channel. The intrinsic electrostatic potential in the closed state of the channel was more positive than in the open state at all values of the ring charge. These electrostatic properties were simulated by theoretical calculations based on a simplified model of the channel.
Measuring perceived teacher support and its influence on adolescent career development

This article examines available measures of perceived teacher support and presents findings from two studies exploring the psychometric properties of the Teacher Support Scale (TSS). In Study 1, an...
Application of Spectral Remote Sensing for Agronomic Decisions

Remote sensing has provided valuable insights into agronomic management over the past 40 yr. The contributions of individuals to remote sensing methods have lead to understanding of how leaf reflectance and leaf emittance changes in response to leaf thickness, species, canopy shape, leaf age, nutrient status, and water status. Leaf chlorophyll and the preferential absorption at different wavelengths provides the basis for utilizing reflectance with either broad-band radiometers typical of current satellite platforms or hyperspectral sensors that measure reflectance at narrow wavebands. Understanding of leaf reflectance has lead to various vegetative indices for crop canopies to quantify various agronomic parameters, e.g., leaf area, crop cover, biomass, crop type, nutrient status, and yield. Emittance from crop canopies is a measure of leaf temperature and infrared thermometers have fostered crop stress indices currently used to quantify water requirements. These tools are being developed as we learn how to use the information provided in reflectance and emittance measurements with a range of sensors. Remote sensing continues to evolve as a valuable agronomic tool that provides information to scientists, consultants, and producers about the status of their crops. This area is still relatively new compared with other agronomic fields; however, the information content is providing valuable insights into improved management decisions. This article details the current status of our understanding of how reflectance and emittance have been used to quantitatively assess agronomic parameters and some of the challenges facing future generations of scientists seeking to further advance remote sensing for agronomic applications.
Effect of Soil Data Resolution on Identification of Critical Source Areas of Sediment

Identification of critical source areas (CSAs) of pollution in a watershed is important for effective implementation of best man- agement practices (BMPs). Process-based watershed models are often used for this purpose. One of the main inputs to these models is the spatially explicit soils data. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the use of two commonly used soil data sets, the State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) and the Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) data, can lead to differences in location of CSAs of sediment. A watershed model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), in combination with the Tukey-Kramer test was used for locating CSAs in the Fish River watershed located in coastal Alabama. The model was calibrated and validated using flow data from a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauging station located within the watershed. The locations of the CSAs of sediment were analyzed at subwatershed and hydrologic response unit (HRU) levels. Results show that the locations of the CSAs were different for the two soil data sets. The locations of the CSAs varied at both subwatershed and HRU levels. The use of STATSGO soil data resulted in higher soil erodibility factor and surface runoff. As a result, higher sediment yield was obtained from the use of the STATSGO data as compared with the sediment yield obtained from the use of the SSURGO data. Therefore, for accurate identification of CSAs of sediment (and potentially other pollutants) and for effective imple- mentation of economically feasible BMPs, it is important to use the most detailed spatial data set available. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HE .1943-5584.0000318. © 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
Vasospasm and p53-Induced Apoptosis in an Experimental Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose— Despite intensive research efforts, the etiology of vasospasm (sustained constriction of the cerebral vessels) remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of p53-induced apoptosis in the vasculature at 24 and 72 hours. To completely examine the apoptotic cascades, key proteins of the caspase-dependent, -independent and mitochondrial pathways were examined. Methods— In this study, adult rats were divided into 3 groups: sham (n=21), nontreatment (subarachnoid hemorrhage [SAH]+dimethyl sulfoxide; n=42), and treatment (SAH+pifithrin-α) (n=42) groups. Each animal in the SAH group underwent a surgical procedure to induce SAH, and the basilar artery was harvested at 24 and 72 hours for analysis. Results— We found severe vasospasm at the 24-hour time point, which persisted to 72 hours. Furthermore, we found that the markers of the apoptotic cascades rose significantly at the 24-hour time point but had dissipated by 72 hours. However, the neurological outcome and mortality scor...
A Comparison and Evaluation of Multi-View Stereo Reconstruction Algorithms

This paper presents a quantitative comparison of several multi-view stereo reconstruction algorithms. Until now, the lack of suitable calibrated multi-view image datasets with known ground truth (3D shape models) has prevented such direct comparisons. In this paper, we first survey multi-view stereo algorithms and compare them qualitatively using a taxonomy that differentiates their key properties. We then describe our process for acquiring and calibrating multiview image datasets with high-accuracy ground truth and introduce our evaluation methodology. Finally, we present the results of our quantitative comparison of state-of-the-art multi-view stereo reconstruction algorithms on six benchmark datasets. The datasets, evaluation details, and instructions for submitting new models are available online at http://vision.middlebury.edu/mview.
Vascular endothelial growth factor accelerates compensatory lung growth after unilateral pneumonectomy

We hypothesize that compensatory lung growth after unilateral pneumonectomy in a murine model is, in part, angiogenesis dependent and can be altered using angiogenic agents, possibly through regula...