cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silver toxicity and accumulation in largemouth bass and bluegill.

Exposure of juvenile largemouth bass and bluegill to silver (0.3 to 70 ug/liter) resulted in accumulation of this metal. The quantity of metal accumulated increased as exposure concentration increased with a subsequent equilibrium developing between the water and tissue concentrations. Metal accumulations in the bass tissues were highest in the internal organs, followed by the gills and remainder of the body. The greatest increase was exhibited in the gills. Zinc concentrations in the bass body remainder and the bluegill total body appeared to vary in an approximately inverse relationship to the initial accumulation of silver within the tissues. The bass were more sensitive to silver than the bluegill. Abnormal behavior patterns were observed in both species.
Absorption spectroscopy via the I-V curve of a Josephson junction

The fact that characteristic features appear on the I-V curves of Josephson junctions coupled electromagnetically to various circuit elements offers the possibility of a type of absorption spectroscopy by coating a small amount of sample on a weak-link and observing the structure induced on the I-V curve. The weak-link then acts as both source and detector. By observing d V/dI and d2V/d I2 vs V for Nb point contacts coated with a material with an absorption at 13.9 cm-1 we have observed features at V = 0.85 mV corresponding to interaction of the sample with the Josephson oscillation. However the I-V curves of point contacts exhibit a profusion of structure not related to the sample. By observing all the structure as a function of temperature it is possible to identify three general types of features : 1. Features that vary like Δ(T), the BCS gap function, and occurring at V = 2 Δ/ne, n an integer, the subharmonic structure. 2. Features that vary linearly with T4 and that correspond to relaxation oscillations of the weak-link coupled to antenna modes of the point contact. 3. Features that do not vary appreciably with temperature and that correspond to interaction with the sample material. All these features can be described using simple lumped parameter models of the weak-link. Thin film bridges appear to offer more promise for useful measurements on sample materials. We are studying various types of weakly linked films, primarily ones formed by implanting Fe into Nb films using an ion accelerator.
Synthesis of ribonucleic acid by mengovirus-induced RNA polymerase in vitro: Nature of products and of RNase-resistant intermediate*

The end products of the RNA polymerase reaction catalyzed by cytoplasmic particles from Novikoff rat hepatoma cells infected with mengovirus are viral-specific single-stranded RNA and double-stranded RNA. The latter has a melting temperature of 97°C in 0·1 m -Nacl. A third type of RNA is also formed which, like double-stranded RNA, is resistant to degradation by pancreatic RNase, but is distinguishable from the latter in that it melts at lower temperatures (40 to 65°C) and is less resistant to RNase than double-stranded RNA. Both the low-melting and double-stranded RNA's produced in vitro , however, form parts of multi-component structures which also contain single-strands and therefore sediment in sucrose density-gradients at rates intermediate between those of single stranded viral RNA (35 s) and purified double-stranded RNA (20 s) and precipitate in 2 m -LiCl. When isolated after removal of the single-strands by treatment with RNase, on the other hand, the double-stranded RNA formed in vitro sediments as a homogeneous fraction of 20 s and is soluble in 2 m -LiCl, and the low-melting RNA has a sedimentation coefficient identical to that of double-stranded RNA. The low-melting RNA is synthesized more rapidly than single-stranded and double-stranded RNA during the first 10 to 15 minutes of the polymerase reaction, but disappears toward the end of the reaction coincidental with the cessation of synthesis of single-stranded and double-stranded RNA. Results from pulse-chase experiments demonstrate that the low-melting RNA is a precursor of single-stranded and double-stranded RNA.
Differential regulation of lnterleukin-6, macrophage inflammatory protein-1, and JE/MCP-1 cytokine expression in macrophage cell lines☆

Abstract Activated macrophages produce a number of proinflammatory cytokines including IL-6, JE, MIP-1α and MIP-1β. The induction requirements for production of either IL-6 or the MIP-1 related inflammatory proteins (MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and JE) have been analyzed independently using fibroblasts, monocytes, or endothelial cells. However, little is known about the regulation of these cytokines in macrophages. Since activated macrophages produce prostaglandins (PGE2) which may participate in the autoregulation of cytokine production by stimulation of adenylate cyclase and the induction of cAMP-dependent signal pathways, we determined the effects of PGE on the production of IL-6 and MIP-1 -related proteins. Murine macrophage cell lines were incubated with PGE1, PGE2, cholera toxin, or dibutyryl cAMP in the presence or absence suboptimal doses of LPS. Pharmacologic agents alone did not induce IL-6 production but incubation of macrophages with combinations of adenylate cyclase stimulators and LPS or dcAMP and LPS led to the dosedependent enhancement of IL-6 secretion and mRNA expression. In contrast, PGE1 inhibits LPS-induced JE, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β mRNA expression and this inhibition is partially dependent on a cAMP-mediated pathway of signal transduction. In previous work we demonstrated that IFN-γ and PMA do not stimulate the production of IL-6 by macrophages. Here we show that incubation of macrophages with either IFN-γ or PMA induces the expression of JE, MIP-1α and MIP-1β mRNA expression. JE mRNA expression is much more responsive to the stimulatory effects of IFN-γ than are the MIP-1 genes. Finally, PGE inhibits PMA and IFN-γ-induced JE and MIP-1-related mRNA expression.
From Fear to Hope: Reclaiming the Art of Learning.

Wise voices, at long last being heard in public arenas, continue awakening people to the devastation writ large in their private-cum-corporate irresponsibilities. Simultaneously, voices screeching ...
Health literacy in HIV treatment: accurate understanding of key biological treatment principles is not required for good ART adherence.

Findings on the relationship between health literacy and outcomes in HIV have been inconsistent. Health literacy has previously been operationalized as general functional literacy, but has not included content knowledge about HIV disease and treatment. Semi-structured interviews with people living with HIV in 2 U.S. cities, including questions about the etiology, pathophysiology and treatment of HIV. We compared responses to biomedical conceptions. The 32 respondents were demographically diverse. Although most understood that HIV degrades the immune system, none could explain the nature of a virus, or the mechanism of antiretroviral (ARV) drug action. Fewer than half accurately reported that it is desirable to have a high CD4+ cell count and low viral load. A minority understood the concept of drug resistance. While most believed that strict adherence to ARV regimens was important to maintain health, three believed that periodic treatment interruption was beneficial, and three believed they should not take ARVs when they used alcohol or illicit drugs. Respondents generally had very limited, and often inaccurate biomedical understanding of HIV disease. Most reported good regimen adherence but did not have any mechanistic rationale for it. The failure to find a consistent relationship between health literacy and ARV adherence may be largely because most people simply follow their doctors’ instructions, without the need for deep understanding.
Temporal trends in spatial access to pharmacies that sell over-the-counter syringes in New York City health districts: relationship to local racial/ethnic composition and need.

Pharmacies that sell over-the-counter (OTC) syringes are a major source of sterile syringes for injection drug users in cities and states where such sales are legal. In these cities and states, however, black injectors are markedly less likely to acquire syringes from pharmacies than white injectors. The present analysis documents spatial and temporal trends in OTC pharmacy access in New York City health districts over time (2001–2006) and investigates whether these trends are related to district racial/ethnic composition and to local need for OTC pharmacies. For each year of the study period, we used kernel density estimation methods to characterize spatial access to OTC pharmacies within each health district. Higher values on this measure indicate better access to these pharmacies. “Need” was operationalized using two different measures: the number of newly diagnosed injection-related AIDS cases per 10,000 residents (averaged across 1999–2001), and the number of drug-related hospital discharges per 10,000 residents (averaged across 1999–2001). District sociodemographic characteristics were assessed using 2000 US decennial census data. We used hierarchical linear models (HLM) for descriptive and inferential analyses and investigated whether the relationship between need and temporal trajectories in the Expanded Syringe Access Demonstration Program access varied by district racial/ethnic composition, controlling for district poverty rates. HLM analyses indicate that the mean spatial access to OTC pharmacies across New York City health districts was 12.71 in 2001 and increased linearly by 1.32 units annually thereafter. Temporal trajectories in spatial access to OTC pharmacies depended on both need and racial/ethnic composition. Within high-need districts, OTC pharmacy access was twice as high in 2001 and increased three times faster annually, in districts with higher proportions of non-Hispanic white residents than in districts with low proportions of these residents. In low-need districts, “whiter” districts had substantially greater baseline access to OTC pharmacies than districts with low proportions of non-Hispanic white residents. Access remained stable thereafter in low-need districts, regardless of racial/ethnic composition. Conclusions were consistent across both measures of “need” and persisted after controlling for local poverty rates. In both high- and low-need districts, spatial access to OTC pharmacies was greater in “Whiter” districts in 2001; in high-need districts, access also increased more rapidly over time in “whiter” districts. Ensuring equitable spatial access to OTC pharmacies may reduce injection-related HIV transmission overall and reduce racial/ethnic disparities in HIV incidence among injectors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11524-009-9399-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Minimum weight corrugated-core sandwich panels subjected to uniaxial compression☆

Abstract Analytical methods are developed by which corrugated-core sandwich panels can be designed with absolute minimum weight, yet retaining structural integrity (i.e. structurally optimum) for given load index, panel width, panel length, and face and core materials. Of equal importance is the fact that these methods provide a means for rational material selection through the comparison of weights of optimum construction for various material systems as a function of load index. The methods account for both isotropic and orthotropic face and core material as well as various boundary conditions. They are also applicable for panels at elevated or lowered temperatures.
Community-based newborn care in Bangladesh

This correspondence focuses on a community-based newborn-care intervention package in Bangladesh. First the challenger of the trial declares there is inadequate information provided for sample-size calculation and that there are inconsistencies between the design analysis and interpretation. The author follows up with a reply affirming that the analysis and interpretation follow the design of the study and are based on sound methods and provides evidence for that statement.
Detection of carbohydrates and steroids by cation-enhanced nanostructure-initiator mass spectrometry (NIMS) for biofluid analysis and tissue imaging.

Nanostructure-initiator mass spectrometry (NIMS) is a highly sensitive, matrix-free technique that is well suited for biofluid analysis and imaging of biological tissues. Here we provide a new technical variation of NIMS to analyze carbohydrates and steroids, molecules that are challenging to detect with traditional mass spectrometric approaches. Analysis of carbohydrates and steroids was accomplished by spray depositing NaCl or AgNO3 on the NIMS porous silicon surface to provide a uniform environment rich with cationization agents prior to desporption of the fluorinated polymer initiator. Laser desorption/ionization of the ion-coated NIMS surface allowed for Na+ cationization of carbohydrates and Ag+ cationization of steroids. The reliability of the approach is quantitatively demonstrated with a calibration curve over the physiological range of glucose and cholesterol concentrations in human serum (1−200 μM). Additionally, we illustrate the sensitivity of the method by showing its ability to detect carbo...
Supervisors’ role in TQM and non‐TQM firms

In the total quality management (TQM) environment, a major responsibility of TQM implementation rests with supervisors who translate the top management strategies into short‐term execution. Hence, the role of supervisors in the quality improvement efforts warrants a serious examination. Presents a comparison of the roles of supervisors in quality improvement strategies in TQM and non‐TQM firms. Based on a survey of 232 manufacturing firms in the USA and Canada, analyses the role of supervisors in TQM and non‐TQM firms using eight quality constructs. Major results indicate that, as compared with non‐TQM firms, supervisors in TQM firms receive more support and encouragement from top management, are under less tension, and possess a higher level of satisfaction. Also, participation of supervisors in the firm’s quality efforts is higher in TQM firms. The higher level of supervisors’ involvement, coupled with the top management commitment, results in higher quality of manufacturing processes and products for TQM firms than non‐TQM firms. Further, when implementing TQM strategies, non‐unionized firms are found to provide a better work environment for supervisors than the unionized firms.
Epilepsy and the too-well-connected brain.

New excitatory brain circuitry induced by injury: a leading pathophysiology or an also-ran in post-traumatic epilepsy ? (pages 990−996)
ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF JUDICIAL IMPACT: Miranda in Five State Courts

For over three decades, numerous studies on the impact of the United States Supreme Court have made it obvious that the legal rules and policy preferences of the Court do not automatically determin...
Quantum chemical studies of model cytochrome P450 hydrocarbon oxidation mechanisms II. Mechanisms and relative kinetics of oxene reactions with alkenes

Abstract The characteristics of triplet and singlet oxene models for alkene oxidations have been examined with the MNDO method and the formalism of statistical thermodynamics. Propene was selected as a prototype unsymmetrical alkene, and methane and ethylene reactions with O( 3 P), which are well documented in the experimental and ab initio literature, were used to gauge the performance of MNDO. It was found that transition state geometries and activation entropies were reliably predicted, but that an empirical factor was necessary to correct overestimation of activation enthalpies. It was determined that hydroxylations and epoxidation of propene, initiated by a O( 3 P) atom, must be non-concerted, while the corresponding reactions with singlet oxene are concerted. Furthermore, singlet oxenes are not expected to show any selectivity, while O( 3 P) adds to the β-carbon of propene preferentially in the first step of epoxidation, this reaction being ∼10 times faster than addition to the α-carbon and orders of magnitude faster than allyl and propenyl hydrogen abstractions, which would lead to hydroxylations. It is shown that triplet oxene is a good qualitative model for the active oxygen species of cytochrome P450, and that the detailed mechanisms considered here provide consistent explanations for experimental observations on in vitro P450 epoxidation of styrenes, and for suicide inactivation of P450 by ethylene and other small alkenes.
Extending the Reach of Cognitive Radio

There has been significant research progress reported over the last few years in the development of cognitive radio technologies. This paper reviews some of these results, describes several critical issues to integrate these results in usable products, and describes the large-scale Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency efforts to further develop and exploit dynamic spectrum access, and initiate development and operational use of cognitive networking and a new generation of affordable wireless technology. This paper also describes future research needs to fully exploit cognitive radio technology and addresses the challenges that will arise with its large-scale deployment.
SU-E-J-242: Post-Treatment Planning Tool for Estimating Dose Distribution Delivered to Spinal Radiosurgery Patients Based On Measured Intra-Fraction Positional Data

Purpose: To demonstrate feasibility and utility of a planning tool for post treatment reconstruction of delivered dose distribution based on measured patient motion. The spinal cord dose limits in clinical use are based on planned dosimetric data which can significantly differ from delivered dose. This tool can be utilized to correlate clinical outcomes to delivered dose Methods and Materials: ur previous studies have shown that without intrafraction motion management, patients can move up to 3mm. The current institutional protocol requires intrafraction motion management by stereoscopic imaging prior to each treatment field. Patients are repositioned when 1mm tolerance is exceeded. Dosimetric effects of 62 spinal radiosurgery patients were investigated by simulating patient motion. For each patient plan, three additional plans were created, where the planning isocenter was shifted towards the cord by 1mm, 2mm and 3mm, for a total of 248 plans. D95% was evaluated for the target volume and D0.035cc and V10Gy were evaluated for the spinal cord. Results: D95% decreased up to 3%, 9% and 15% for 1mm, 2mm and 3mm shifts correspondingly. These shifts resulted in D0.035cc exceeding 12Gy in 26%, 55% and 76% of patients, respectively, while previous work revealed that patients with a 1mm shift exceeded the 12Gy dose Dmax constraint 51% of the time. These respective shifts also resulted in 53%, 65% and 74% exceeding the constraint limit of 10Gy dose to 10% of the spinal cord outlined 6 mm above and below the target volume. Conclusion: We have shown that delivered dose distributions can significantly differ from planned dose distributions. Spinal cord dose limits in clinical use are based on planned data, assuming no patient motion. This tool can be utilized to estimate delivered dose distribution and correlate clinical outcomes to delivered dose data.
Effect of niacin precursors on the excretion of niacin metabolites.

Conclusions1. The effect of tryptophan, quinolinic acid, ornithine, isocinchomeronic acid, and anthranilic acid on the ability of the rat to form niacin derivatives has been determined.2. Isocinchomeronic acid does not appear to be an intermediate in the synthesis of niacin.3. Ornithine and anthranilic acid seem to stimulate the synthesis of niacin in the intestinal tract only.4. The results neither prove nor refute the theory that quinolinic acid is a possible intermediate in the tryptophan niacin synthesis scheme.
Investigation into the petrogenesis of Apollo 14 high-Al basaltic melts through crystal stratigraphy of plagioclase

Abstract The petrogenesis of Apollo 14 high-Al basaltic melts was studied using crystal stratigraphy, which involves textural (crystal size distributions — CSDs) and chemical analyses (electron microprobe and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). The samples studied here include pristine basalt 14072 and basaltic clasts from breccia 14321, and impact-generated crystalline samples 14073, 14276 and 14310. Plagioclase was the focus of this study because of its relatively high modal abundances and because it was on the liquidus for much of the melt cooling histories. Plagioclase crystals were analyzed (core-to-rim compositions where possible) to test and refine petrogenetic models based upon whole-rock compositions (Groups A, B, and C designations) and to investigate basalt 14072 and impact-melt crystallization. Textural studies have shown that each basalt group has distinctive plagioclase CSDs, which are in turn distinctive from those of the impact melts. Evolution of the individual basaltic melts was studied by comparing the equilibrium-melt compositions (calculated from plagioclase compositions using relevant partition coefficients) to fractional crystallization (FC) and assimilation and fractional crystallization (AFC) models. Petrogenetic modeling of trace elements in Group A basalts revealed that petrogenesis continued beyond 40% total crystallization required to model whole-rock compositions, and that there were open-system processes that affected the magma during plagioclase crystallization. Petrogenetic modeling of pristine high-Al basalts (14072 and Groups A, B and C) using trace elements shows that the equilibrium-melt compositions do not fall on a single AFC or FC trajectory. This is consistent with fluctuating degrees of assimilation (i.e., variable r-values) and/or variable assimilant compositions during petrogenesis. Petrogenetic modeling reveals that the impact melts experienced only closed-system fractional crystallization. This work demonstrates the importance of crystal stratigraphy in revealing the intricacies of lunar basalt petrogenesis.
Internal convective effects on the lifetime of the metastable phase undercooled Fe–Cr–Ni alloys

Differences have been observed between the lifetimes of the metastable phases of undercooled samples of Fe–12 wt% Cr–16 wt% Ni alloy which had been subjected to electromagnetic levitation (EML) and electrostatic levitation (ESL). Internal flow is induced within the samples by positioning forces in EML and much weaker Marangoni forces in ESL. The hypothesis being tested is that the flow within EML samples is strong enough to cause the growing metastable dendrites to deflect so that the secondary arms of adjacent dendrites collide, resulting in early nucleation of the stable phase. Simulations using a commercial computational fluid dynamics software package were performed to determine the time required for collision of the secondary arms to occur. There is quantitative agreement between the numerical time to collision and the experimental lifetime of the metastable phase. It has been determined that the induced convective flow in EML samples is strong enough to cause collision and is the most likely cause o...
An extreme-scale implicit solver for complex PDEs: highly heterogeneous flow in earth's mantle

Mantle convection is the fundamental physical process within earth's interior responsible for the thermal and geological evolution of the planet, including plate tectonics. The mantle is modeled as a viscous, incompressible, non-Newtonian fluid. The wide range of spatial scales, extreme variability and anisotropy in material properties, and severely nonlinear rheology have made global mantle convection modeling with realistic parameters prohibitive. Here we present a new implicit solver that exhibits optimal algorithmic performance and is capable of extreme scaling for hard PDE problems, such as mantle convection. To maximize accuracy and minimize runtime, the solver incorporates a number of advances, including aggressive multi-octree adaptivity, mixed continuous-discontinuous discretization, arbitrarily-high-order accuracy, hybrid spectral/geometric/algebraic multigrid, and novel Schur-complement preconditioning. These features present enormous challenges for extreme scalability. We demonstrate that---contrary to conventional wisdom---algorithmically optimal implicit solvers can be designed that scale out to 1.5 million cores for severely nonlinear, ill-conditioned, heterogeneous, and anisotropic PDEs.
Language and Literacy, Home and School.

The ages from 3 to 9 are critical for the acquisition of literacy. National surveys show that U.S. schools have sustained constant levels of student achievement during the past few decades, a time during which student and family demographics have declined, a time of increased demands for high levels of literacy. This article proposes a framework for thinking about the relation between home and school during a developmental period when the school becomes increasingly significant in the acquisition of language and literacy. The primary thesis is that, in order for home and school to cooperate on behalf of the student, they must share a vision of the outcomes from these years. I present the concept of critical literacy,the capacity to use language as a tool for problem‐solving and communication, as the foundation for this shared vision. Critical literacy offers an effective model for describing student outcomes, while also serving as a tool that allows teachers and families to join forces. The paper contrast...
Not all are desired: providers' views on interpreters' emotional support for patients.

Objective This study examines (a) providers’ expectations and concerns for interpreters’ emotional support, and (b) the complexity and dilemma for interpreters to offer emotional support in health care settings.
1645 NONINVASIVE EVALUATION OF UPPER AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION (UAO) IN CHILDREN

Information obtained from serial inspiratory-expiratory (I/E) flow volume (FV) curves on four children with signs and symptoms or UAO was compared to that obtained by physical examination, bronchoscopy, and airway fluoroscopy in an attempt to evaluate the usefulness of FV curves in young children. FV patterns associated with lesions of the upper airway have been described as fixed (F) UAO, variable intrathoracic (VI) UAO, and variable extrathoracic (VE) UAO. In three of the four cases (Cases 1,2,3) the FV pattern suggested a lesion of the upper airway confirmed by more conventional techniques. In Case 1, fluoroscopy alone confirmed the diagnosis suggested by the FV pattern. I/E FV patterns when combined with airway fluoroscopy, may characterize anatomic lesions of the upper airway frequently missed by less dynamic techniques.
Adaptive Power Control with Online Model Estimation for Chip Multiprocessors

As chip multiprocessors (CMPs) become the main trend in processor development, various power and thermal management strategies have recently been proposed to optimize system performance while controlling the power or temperature of a CMP chip to stay below a constraint. The availability of per-core dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) also makes it possible to develop advanced management strategies. However, most existing solutions rely on open-loop search or optimization with the assumption that power can be estimated accurately, while others adopt oversimplified feedback control strategies to control power and temperature separately, without any theoretical guarantees. In this paper, we propose a chip-level power control algorithm that is systematically designed based on optimal control theory. Our algorithm can precisely control the power of a CMP chip to the desired set point while maintaining the temperature of each core below a specified threshold. Furthermore, an online model estimator is designed to achieve analytical assurance of control accuracy and system stability, even in the face of significant workload variations or unpredictable chip or core variations. To further improve system performance, we also integrate dynamic cache resizing into our control framework so that power can be shifted among CPU cores and the shared L2 cache. Empirical results on a physical testbed show that our controller outperforms two state-of-the-art control algorithms by having better SPEC benchmark performance and more precise power control. In addition, extensive simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of our algorithm for various CMP configurations.
Role of integrin alpha 4 beta 7/alpha 4 beta P in lymphocyte adherence to fibronectin and VCAM-1 and in homotypic cell clustering

Integrins are heterodimeric cell surface proteins that mediate both cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. We and others recently identified cDNAs encoding a novel integrin beta subunit, beta 7, in lymphocytes. We have now detected beta 7 mRNA in mouse TK-1 T lymphoma cells, which are known to express the putative Peyer's patch homing receptor alpha 4 beta P. We used an anti-peptide antiserum and a novel mAb against the beta 7 subunit to show that TK-1 cells express beta 7 as the only subunit associated with alpha 4. We conclude that beta 7 and beta P are identical. We also show that activated peripheral blood T cells express alpha 4 beta 7. We studied the function of alpha 4 beta 7/alpha 4 beta P in TK-1 cells, which do not express very late antigen (VLA)-4 (alpha 4 beta 1). Cells adhered to intact fibronectin and to a fibronectin fragment containing the CS-1 region, but not to a fragment containing the RGD sequence. Adhesion to fibronectin was inhibited by antibodies to alpha 4, suggesting that alpha 4 beta 7 is a fibronectin receptor. We confirmed that alpha 4 beta 7 binds to the CS-1 region of fibronectin using affinity chromatography. TK-1 cell adhesion to the vascular cell adhesion molecule VCAM-1 was also inhibited by antibodies to alpha 4, implying that alpha 4 beta 7 also plays a role in the adherence of lymphocytes to endothelial cells. TK-1 cell binding to fibronectin and VCAM-1 is markedly increased by brief PMA stimulation. We also found that mAbs against alpha 4 and beta 7 induce homotypic clustering of TK-1 cells. Taken together these results suggest that alpha 4 beta 7/alpha 4 beta P recognizes some or all of the same widely distributed ligands recognized by VLA-4 (alpha 4 beta 1) and that the role of alpha 4 beta 7/alpha 4 beta P may not be restricted to lymphocyte homing.
High performance microshield line components

Several millimeter-wave passive components have been fabricated using the microshield transmission line geometry, and their performance is presented herein. Microshield is a quasi-planar, half-shielded design which uses a thin dielectric membrane (1.5 /spl mu/m) to support the conducting lines. This approach provides a nearly homogeneous, air-filled environment and thus allows extremely broad-band TEM operation. This paper examines the conductor loss and effective dielectric constant of microshield lines and presents results on transitions to conventional coplanar waveguide, right-angle bends, different stub configurations, and lowpass and bandpass filters. Experimental data is provided along with numerical results derived from an integral equation method. The microshield line is shown to be very suitable for high performance millimeter and submillimeter-wave applications. >
DNA-binding specificity and trans-activating potential of the leukemia-associated E2A-hepatic leukemia factor fusion protein.

Abstract Hybrid transcription factors, resulting from gene fusions in the wake of chromosomal translocations, have been implicated in leukemogenesis, but their precise contributions to oncogenic conversion remain unclear. The E2A-HLF fusion gene, formed by a t(17;19)(q22;p13) in childhood pro-B-cell acute lymphoid leukemia, encodes a hybrid protein that contains the trans-activation domain of E2A (E12/E47) linked to the bZIP DNA-binding and dimerization domain of hepatic leukemia factor (HLF). Here we report that both HLF and E2A-HLF bind to a 10-bp consensus sequence, 5'-GTTACGTAAT-3', with a core dyad-symmetric motif characteristic of the bZIP scissors-grip model of DNA binding. A probe containing this sequence bound chimeric E2A-HLF proteins in nuclear extracts of a leukemic cell line (UOC-B1) containing the t(17;19), as demonstrated by complexes supershifted with antibodies specific for amino-terminal epitopes of E2A or carboxyl-terminal eptiopes of HLF. E2A-HLF functioned as a potent trans activator of reporter gene expression from a plasmid that contained the consensus DNA-binding sequence. Interestingly, wild-type HLF was restricted in its capacity to act as a trans activator, functioning in human fetal kidney cells but not HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells or NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. The ability of the E2A-HLF hybrid protein to bind DNA in a sequence-specific manner and trans activate the expression of artificial reporter genes suggests that it could subvert transcriptional programs that normally control the growth, differentiation, and survival of lymphoid progenitor cells.
Predictors of Topical Anesthetic Effectiveness in Children

Abstract Some children report significant pain with peripheral intravenous catheter (IV) insertion, despite the appropriate use of topical lidocaine anesthetics. This analysis of data from an existing study identified factors related to variation in topical anesthetic effectiveness used for IV insertion. The children (n = 218) in this investigation were 4 to 10 years old and undergoing a scheduled IV insertion. Inclusion criteria were (1) topical anesthetic was used according to manufacturer's recommendations, (2) DNA material was available, and (3) child completed a self-report measure of pain intensity (Oucher scale). Low pain phenotype was defined as a pain intensity score of 0 to 3, and high pain phenotype was an intensity score of 4 to 10. Potential predictor variables included child age, gender, number of previous painful procedures, state and trait anxiety, temperament characteristics, and alleles in 3 candidate genes in a pain pathway influenced by topical anesthetics (endothelin-1 [ EDN1 ], endothelin receptor A [ EDNRA ], endothelin receptor B [ EDNRB ]). All subjects were genotyped for a single-nucleotide polymorphism in each gene. Children in the high pain group (n = 89) were significantly younger ( P P = .0029), scored higher for trait ( P = .0009) and state anxiety ( P = .0312), and had the EDNRA TT genotype (high pain group, TT 67.35%; low pain group, TT 39.47%; P = .026). Perspective The identification of factors that influence peripheral pain sensation aids in selecting the most appropriate pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions. Until genotyping is available at a clinically prescriptive level, other predictors (eg, age and activity level) can be used to tailor pain-relieving strategies for children undergoing needle sticks.
The Failure of Self-threading Retentive Pins Under Tensile Load

The resistance of self-threading retentive pins to failure in tension is due primarily to residual compressive forces in dentin generated during pin insertion. Examination of load-elongation curves and photomicrographs of samples also indicated that the interlocking of pin threads with dentin provides only a minor contribution to the peak retentive load.
Optical Pumping Method to Reduce Light Shift in a Vapor Cell Atomic Frequency Standard

A novel optical pumping method is developed to reduce the light shift (AC Stark shift) in a vapor cell atomic frequency standard. The method uses the multiple excited state energy levels to cancel the total light shift. The collision-broadened linewidth in the optical transition is used to reduce the resultant influence of the laser frequency detuning. Experimentally, the laser beam polarization is used to reduce the intensity variation induced clock frequency shift while the buffer gas pressure is adjusted to reduce the laser frequency fluctuation induced clock frequency shift.
Bit-serial CORDIC circuits for use in a VLSI silicon compiler

The CORDIC algorithm is discussed, and modifications which have been found to make the basic algorithms more flexible are presented. Logic diagrams of circuits which implement the fixed-point computations of these modified CORDIC algorithms in a bit-serial fashion are introduced. This choice allows the hardware to be compact and regular, thus permitting the placement of many CORDIC processing elements on a single die. >
A novel sensing scheme for the displacement of electrostatically actuated microcantilevers

We present the design and implementation of a novel sensing scheme to reconstruct the displacement of electrostatically actuated microcantilevers that are used in atomic force microscopy. Our approach proposes to estimate rather than measure directly the displacement, by means of an observer that uses the current through the capacitive cantilever as an input. In particular, we formulate the observer problem as an H/sub /spl infin// optimal filtering problem for periodic systems. We show here our first experimental results regarding the implementation of this sensing scheme, which includes a custom made off-chip circuit to measure very small currents (few p/spl Lambda/) at high frequencies (/spl ap/ 100 kHz).
First‐year growth response of trees in an intact forest exposed to elevated CO2

Summary Although elevated atmospheric CO2 has been shown to increase growth of tree seedlings and saplings, the response of intact forest ecosystems and established trees is unclear. We report results from the first large-scale experimental system designed to study the effects of elevated CO2 on an intact forest with the full complement of species interactions and environmental stresses. During the first year of exposure to ^ 1.5 E ambient CO2, canopy loblolly pine (Pinus taeda, L.) trees increased basal area growth rate by 24% but understorey trees of loblolly pine, sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.), and red maple (Acer rubrum L.) did not respond. Winged elm (Ulmus alata Michx.) had a marginally significant increase in growth rate (P = 0.069). These data suggest that this ecosystem has the capacity to respond immediately to a step increase in atmospheric CO2; however, as exposure time increases, nutrient limitations may reduce this initial growth stimulation.
Sun Compass Integration of Skylight Cues in Migratory Monarch Butterflies

Migrating monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) use a time-compensated sun compass to navigate from eastern North America to their overwintering grounds in central Mexico. Here we describe the neuronal layout of those aspects of the butterfly's central complex likely to establish part of the internal sun compass and find them highly homologous to those of the desert locust. Intracellular recordings from neurons in the monarch sun compass network reveal responses tuned to specific E-vector angles of polarized light, as well as azimuth-dependent responses to unpolarized light, independent of spectral composition. The neural responses to these two stimuli in individual neurons are mediated through different regions of the compound eye. Moreover, these dual responses are integrated to create a consistent representation of skylight cues in the sun compass throughout the day. The results advance our understanding of how ambiguous sensory signals are processed by the brain to elicit a robust behavioral response.
An alternative design for multichannel and multiple listener room acoustic equalization

Room acoustic equalization in a multichannel and multiple listener environments, has been studied extensively and involves designing an equalization filter, separate or independent for each channel, by analyzing the speaker-room responses at multiple positions for each specific channel. Existing approaches do not consider the combined effects of the sound field generated by multiple speakers in the multichannel setup, despite the signals being simultaneously transmitted from individual channels (e.g., stereo or multichannel 5.1 signals). In this paper, we present an alternative approach for designing multichannel and multiple listener equalization filters through a joint-optimization process that involves analysis of the combined sound fields from a multichannel system. We consider two cases, one where the number of listeners are equal to the number of channels and another where the numbers of listeners are more than the number of channels. We also compare the results from the proposed approach to the industry standard root-mean-square (RMS) averaging approach that generates a filter that is independent for each channel.
Stress Transients Generated by Excimer-Laser Irradiation of Polyimide

We measure the stress transients resulting from pulsed excimer laser irradiation of polyimide at 351, 308, 248 and 193 nm, using thin (9 μm) piezoelectric PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) films. We find that fluences between 3·10−3 and 102 J/cm2 generate peak stresses between 104 and 109 Pa. Further, the results show three ranges of fluence where different physical mechanisms mediate the stress generation. In the lowest range of fluence, subsurface thermal decomposition (for λ = 351 and 308 nm) and photodecomposition (for λ = 248 and 193 nm) govern the generation of the observed stresses. At higher fluences we identify two regimes, independent of laser wavelength, where the gas dynamic expansion of the ablation products and plasma formation and expansion, are responsible for the generated stresses.
Kjeldahl determination determination of protein in milk powder should be paid attention to link

kjeldahl determination as a classical method for determination of protein in food testing application is very wide, however, its operation process relatively complex objective existence, but as long as the details under strictly control in the process of analysis, can enhance the accuracy of the results of the analysis, obtained satisfactory results. In this paper, the powdered milk test in the process of weighing, digestion, distillation and titration, etc should be pay attention to link has made the detailed analysis and summary, looking for personnel engaged in related industries to provide some useful reference.
Rapid fluorescent PCR detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and ways of its virulence genes setting up and evaluation of application effect

Objective: To establish a rapid,specific,sensitive and quantitative method for detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and its virulence genes,for emergency detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus of food poisoning.Methods:According to GenBank gene sequences of Vibrio parahaemolyticus(AY-289609) of non-thermolabile hemolysin(tlh),thermostable direct hemolysin(tdh),thermostable related hemolysin(trh) for the target sequence,design primers and Tagman probe,improve and optimize DNA template preparation method and PCR reaction time to improve the speed,collecting samples of food poisoning,and parallel compared with the national standards.Results:This method takes only 30 minutes,the limit of detection was 2×101 cfu/ml;the quantitative linear range of 2×103 cfu/ml~2×108 cfu/ml,parallel detect before and after amplified bacteria of 77 patients′stool,results show that the detection rate higher than the national standard methods and with statistical significance(χ2=58.80,P0.01;χ2=42.98,P0.01).And non-specific response to seven kinds of common bacterial,the standard deviation between 0.10~0.56 to detect six kinds of concentration of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.Conclusion:This method can be completed within 30 minutes in the stool of Vibrio parahaemolyticus tlh,tdh,trh detection with high sensitivity and good specificity,resulting in stable,anti-bacteria and drug interference and so on advantages.It is suitable for detection of food poisoning emergency.
The treatment of pinworm infection in children.

(1953). The Treatment of Pinworm Infection in Children. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 83-86.
Identification of human RNA editing sites: A historical perspective

A-to-I RNA editing is an essential gene regulatory mechanism. Once thought to be a rare phenomenon only occurring in a few transcripts, the emergence of high-throughput RNA sequencing has facilitated the identification of over 2 million RNA editing sites in the human transcriptome. In this review, we survey the current RNA-seq based methods as well as historical methods used to identify RNA editing sites.
Evaluation of higher-level auditory function in children with asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Higher-level auditory/cognitive functions were evaluated in 16 children: eight with asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections and eight children documented not to have asymptomatic congenital CMV infections. Hearing sensitivity was within normal limits in all subjects. Results in both groups were within the normal range on the screening measures of verbal abilities, visual perception, social behavior, and memory span. In contrast, results of the auditory measures revealed abnormal dichotic speech perception, delayed latencies on auditory brainstem evoked responses, and disproportionately slow reaction times in a difficult listening condition (Stroop task). With the exception of dichotic speech perception, however, the pattern of auditory results suggested subtle disorders that were difficult to discern unequivocally with the small subject sample. Further studies are encouraged to determine the status of higher-level auditory/cognitive functions in children with asymptomatic congenital CMV infections.
Photosymbiosis in Past and Present Reefs

Reef organisms are well known for engaging in photosymbiosis in which a heterotrophic protist or animal host partners with one or more kinds of photosynthetic microbes. This relationship provides metabolic advantages in nutrition and rapid calcification, often leading to secretion of massive skeletons in the host. In turn the symbiont receives protection, physical stability in the photic zone and direct access to the sun’s energy. On an evolutionary scale, this relationship provided strong selective pressures for producing the algal-host relationship and has occurred multiple times in geological history. Today, different kinds of algae (dinoflagellates, diatoms, chlorophytes, rhodophytes, and cyanobacteria) inhabit various hosts (foraminifera, corals, mollusks) in modern reefs, and multiple phylogenetically separate algae may have also inhabited phylogenetically distinct ancient animals and protists. The modern dinoflagellate photosymbiont Symbiodinium occurs in a wide variety of unrelated host organisms from protists to mollusks. Molecular data indicate this genus first evolved either after the end-Cretaceous mass extinction 65 my ago or in the Early Eocene some 55 my ago. Encysted dinoflagellates related to Symbiodinium have been traced to the Triassic, and photosymbiosis may have been involved in even earlier reef associations. In all fossils, however, the identity of ancient photosymbionts is difficult to establish because they rarely, if ever, fossilize. Nevertheless, indirect evidence indicates that photosymbiotic ecosystems existed at least as far back as the Cambrian. Inferential lines of evidence, including large colony size, massive skeletons, unusual or complex morphology, the biogeographic distribution of possible hosts and skeletal geochemistry are all consistent with active photosynthesis. In the following pages, we develop the hypothesis that photosymbiosis best explains both the successes and failures of reefs through geologic time. We then review the evidence that suggests photosymbiosis in reef organisms played significant roles through geologic time in both the evolution and extinction of organisms and the reefs they constructed.