cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic and Raman Scattering Spectroscopy of Zinc Thiocyanate Complexes in Water at 25 ∘ C: Kinetics of Complex Formation Determined by Multivariate Analysis

Advances have been made recently in broadening the accessible ultrasonic absorption frequency range and improving the detectability of minor species present in solution using Raman spectroscopy. Development of chemometric techniques in these areas needs to keep pace with the improvement of these experimental methods. Refinements in the analysis of ultrasonic and Raman data based on multivariable least squares and factor analysis, respectively, are examined to investigate the kinetics of zinc thiocyanate complex formation in water. Analysis of ultrasonic absorption relaxation spectra verified that the observed process in aqueous Zn(SCN)2 involves substitution of water from the first coordination shell of Zn2+. Use of a multivariable least-squares error surface is described that enhances the reliability of assigned frequencies of ultrasonic absorption maxima. Factor analysis of Raman scattering data provided direct evidence that at least four complex species, such as Zn(SCN)+ and Zn(SCN)2, are simultaneously present in the aqueous zinc thiocyanate solutions.
Molecular ion stabilization for enhanced tandem mass spectrometry through derivatization for alkylphenols

While developing a residue method for the analysis of alkylphenols, such as nonylphenol (a class of endocrine disrupting chemicals), an unusual electron impact (EI) spectrum was obtained for nonyl phenylacetate (NPA). No molecular ion was observed, and a spectrum similar to that of the underivatized phenol was recorded, containing ions at m/z 220 and 107. This observation was explained by the loss of neutral ketene. Examination of the EI spectrum of NPA indicated an increase in the intensity of the m/z 220 ion when compared to that in the spectrum of NP. This increase in the intensity of m/z 220 was exploited to enhance tandem mass spectrometric analysis of NP. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiparametric 3T endorectal mri after external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer

Purpose To determine the best combination of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging parameters for the detection of locally recurrent prostate cancer after external beam radiation therapy.
Induction and axonal localization of epithelial/epidermal fatty acid-binding protein in retinal ganglion cells are associated with axon development and regeneration.

Epithelial/epidermal fatty acid-binding protein (E-FABP) is induced in peripheral neurons during nerve regeneration and is found at high levels in central neurons during neuronal migration and development. Furthermore, E-FABP expression is required for normal neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells treated with nerve growth factor (NGF). The present study examined whether E-FABP plays a role in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) differentiation and axon growth. Rat retinal tissues from embryonic (E) and postnatal (P) development through adulthood were examined using immunocytochemical labeling with E-FABP and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) antibodies. E-FABP colocalized with GAP-43 at E14 through P10. At E14, E-FABP immunoreactivity was confined to the somas of GAP-43-positive cells in the ganglion cell layer, but it was localized to their axons by E15. The axons in the optic nerve were GAP-43-positive and E-FABP-negative on E15, but the two proteins were colocalized by E18. Retinal cultures at E15 confirmed that E-FABP and GAP-43 colocalize in RGCs. Postnatally, labeling was present between P1 and P10 but decreased at older ages and was minimally present or absent in adult animals. Western immunoblotting revealed that at E18, P1, and P10 E-FABP levels were at least fourfold greater than those in the adult. By P15, protein levels were only twofold greater, with adult levels reached by P31. Furthermore, E-FABP could be reinduced during axon regeneration. Dissociated P15 retinal cells cultured in the presence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor exhibited sixfold more GAP-43 and E-FABP double-positive RGCs (cell body and axons) than controls. Moreover, all GAP-43-immunoreactive RGCs were also positive for E-FABP. Taken together, these results indicate the following: 1) E-FABP is expressed in RGCs as they reached the ganglion cell layer and 2) E-FABP plays a functional role in the elaboration of RGC axons in both development and regeneration. J. Neurosci. Res. 66:396–405, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sun Protection in Well-Child Care: Results of a Survey of Florida Pediatricians

: Chronic sun exposure has been linked to induction of skin cancers including melanoma and aging changes of the skin, has an adverse effect on certain diseases such as lupus erythematosus and is responsible for druginduced phototoxic reactions. A majority of an individual's lifetime sun exposure may occur during childhood, and thus early photoprotection is desirable. We conducted a written survey of Florida pediatricians regarding their inclusion of sun protection information as part of routine well-child care. The results indicated that a majority of the pediatricians have awareness of the need for parent and patient education about sun-related issues, and most (65%) requested further information and educational materials. This study suggests that expanded educational efforts concerning sun-related health hazards and sun protection would be desirable for physicians involved in pediatric care, for parents, and for children.
Simulation of a four phase switched reluctance motor including the effects of mutual coupling

ABSTRACT Switched reluctance motors are typically constructed such that the coupling between phases is relatively small compared to conventional induction and synchronous machines. While small, this coupling is not negligible and could have important influence on transfer of current between motor phases during both normal and abnormal conditions. This paper presents, for the first time, a coupled circuit model which allows for mutual coupling between motor phases. Comparison is made between simulation and test results and good correlation is obtained.
The latent structure of Multiphasic Sex Inventory–Assessed Pedophilic Interest.

The Multiphasic Sex Inventory (MSI; Nichols & Molinder, 1984) is a self-report measure frequently used in the assessment of sex offenders. Scores on the MSI are often used to assess levels of pedophilic interest. However, the question of whether men with pedophilia represent a unique group distinguished by their sexual interests, or whether they are high-scorers on a continuum of sexual interest in children among men who sexually offend against children remains unanswered. Because no existing evidence points conclusively to pedophilia having either a categorical or continuous latent structure, it is unresolved whether MSI scores should be treated as a continuous measure of severity or whether a cut score should be used to categorize individuals as members of a pedophilic taxon. In the present study, the authors used 3 taxometric procedures to analyze the latent structure of pedophilic interest in a sample of 371 convicted child sex offenders. The results converged to indicate that pedophilic interest (as measured by the MSI) is dimensional. The implications of these findings for the assessment of pedophilic interest are discussed.
Hyperlipemia in 9 Miniature Horses and Miniature Donkeys

The medical records from 9 consecutive miniature horses (n = 5) and miniature donkeys (n = 4) with hyperlipemia (serum triglyceride concentration > 500 mg/dL) were reviewed. In all cases, hyperlipemia was a secondary complication of a primary systemic disease including septicemia, colitis, parasitism, esophageal obstruction, gastric impaction and rupture, fecalith, and pituitary adenoma. Therapy consisted of specific treatment for the primary disease, supportive care, and nutritional support. The mean time for resolution of hyperlipemia in cases requiring nutritional support (n = 6) was 7 days, and the duration of nutritional support in surviving patients was 11.7 days. Seven of 9 patients survived. The primary disease resulted in death in 2 patients. Enteral feeding with commercially prepared low residue diets and treatment of the primary disease was successful in reversing hyperlipemia in 5 of 6 surviving patients that required nutritional support. Parenteral administration of a glucose-based (non-lipid) solution was successful in resolving hyperlipemia in 1 patient.
Factor Structure of Social Relationships: An Examination of Relational Models and Resource Exchange Theories

Although several accounts of elementary relational forms have been proposed, little empirical research has attempted to test, refine and compare them. Such research can strengthen claims that there are relational universals, and can provide a unifying framework and conceptual currency for further study. In the present study, the factor structure of 500 social relationships sampled from 50 undergraduate subjects was examined using items representing relational forms proposed by Fiske (1991) and Foa & Foa (1974). The results are interpreted in light of their implications for the internal organization of the two theories, the interrelations of the two theories, and the relations of both theories to common dimensions of social relationships. It is argued that theories of the basic forms of social relationship must be revised in light of the empirical associations of their elements, and that the time is now ripe for confirmatory tests of these forms.
Carbon Dioxide as an Intravascular Imaging Agent: Review

Patients with renal impairment and/or contrast allergies pose a challenge with regard to diagnostic evaluations. CO 2 may serve as a suitable alternative intravascular contrast agent in these patients with arteriographic applications, including evaluation of peripheral vascular disease, and venographic applications, such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure, to name a few. Unique properties of CO 2 , such as low viscosity, lack of an allergic reaction, and renal toxicity, have afforded it its diagnostic capabilities. However, certain properties of CO 2 also pose a technical challenge in terms of its delivery. Although it remains a relatively safe alternative contrast agent, potential adverse effects have been reported and exist.
Mixed versus pure variants of desmoplastic melanoma: A genetic and immunohistochemical appraisal

Desmoplastic melanoma is subclassified into pure and mixed variants with a higher rate of lymph node metastasis in the latter. Given that reasons for these biological differences are not currently known, we investigated these subtypes with techniques that included genetic and immunohistochemical analyses of 43 cases of desmoplastic melanoma (24 pure, 19 mixed). Direct DNA sequencing was performed on BRAFV600E, RET gene (coding region on exon 11) and KIT (exons 11, 13 and 17). Immunohistochemical stains were performed with antibodies to markers of significance with respect to biological potential of nevomelanocytic proliferations and/or desmoplastic melanoma (Ki-67, CD117, nestin, clusterin, SOX10 and CD271/p75NTR). Polymorphism at the RET coding region (RETp) was noted in 33% of pure (8/24 cases) versus 24% of mixed (4/17 cases); BRAFV600E was absent in all cases of pure (0/24 cases) versus 6% of mixed (1/17 cases); no mutations were found in any of the cases on analyses of exons 11, 13 and 17 of the c-KIT gene (P=NS for all). For immunohistochemical analyses of pure versus mixed: mean percentage of Ki-67 nuclear positivity was 5% (s.d.=5.6) versus 28% (s.d.=12.6, P<0.001); CD117 stained 26% (6/23 cases) versus 78% (14/18 cases, P<0.01); nestin stained 83% (n=19/23 cases) versus 89% (16/18 cases, P=NS); clusterin stained 4% (1/23 cases) versus 6% (1/18 cases, P=NS); SOX10 87% (20/23 cases) versus 94% (17/18 cases, P=NS) and CD271 stained 61% (14/23 cases) versus 67% (12/18 cases, P=NS). Increased CD117 staining in the mixed variant suggests that alterations in the KIT protein may be involved in tumor progression. In addition, the proliferative index of the mixed variant was higher than that of the pure variant.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits interleukin-1beta-induced expression of nitric oxide synthase and production of nitric oxide in human chondrocytes: suppression of nuclear factor kappaB activation by degradation of the inhibitor of nuclear factor kappaB.

Objective The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induces the production of high levels of nitric oxide (NO) in human chondrocytes. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) polyphenols are potent antiinflammatory agents and have been shown to inhibit NO production in tumor cell lines. In the present study, we examined the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, on IL-1β–induced production of NO in primary human osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes. Methods Human chondrocytes were derived from OA cartilage and were treated with EGCG (100 μM) and IL-1β (2 ng/ml) for different periods, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) messenger RNA and protein expression was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Production of NO was determined as nitrite in culture supernatant. Activation and translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), levels of inhibitor of nuclear factor κB (IκB), and NF-κB DNA binding activity were determined by Western blotting and a highly sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Activity of IκB kinase was determined using in vitro kinase assay. Results Human chondrocytes cotreated with EGCG produced significantly less NO compared with chondrocytes stimulated with IL-1β alone (P < 0.005). The inhibition of NO production correlated with the suppression of induction and expression of NF-κB–dependent gene iNOS. EGCG inhibited the activation and translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus by suppressing the degradation of its inhibitory protein IκBα in the cytoplasm. Conclusion Our results indicate that EGCG inhibits the IL-1β–induced production of NO in human chondrocytes by interfering with the activation of NF-κB through a novel mechanism. Our data further suggest that EGCG may be a therapeutically effective inhibitor of IL-1β–induced inflammatory effects that are dependent on NF-κB activation in human OA chondrocytes.
Reappraisal of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy for primary hepatolithiasis.

A review of the literature pertaining to percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy (PTCSL) showed that more than 50% of reported patients had undergone earlier biliary surgery. A retrospective study investigated 74 patients undergoing initial PTCSL for hepatolithiasis who had undergone no prior biliary surgery or manipulation. The patients were followed for 1 to 23 years after PTCSL for effective evaluation of the procedure outcome. Complete clearance of hepatolithiasis was achieved for 61 (82%) patients. The incomplete clearance rate was higher for patients with intrahepatic duct stricture (11/37 [30%] vs 2/37 [5%]; p 0.05) or the presence of gallbladder stones (5/12 [42%] vs 26/49 [53%]; p > 0.05). Patients showing the coexistence of retained or recurrent hepatolithiasis demonstrated a higher incidence of recurrent cholangitis (57% [13/23] vs 14% [7/51]; p < 0.01) or cholangiocarcinoma (17% [4/23]) vs 0% [0/51]; p < 0.01). The findings show that PTCSL is effective for treating primary hepatolithiasis, and that complete stone clearance is mandatory to diminish the sequelae of hepatolithiasis. Intrahepatic duct stricture was the main factor contributing to incomplete clearance and stone recurrence.
Quantifying Reductions in Commute Disutility from Traveler Information Services

An approach is presented for quantifying commute disutility measures. The approach was demonstrated through a case study conducted for the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area by using an analytical technique called the heuristic on-line web-linked arrival time estimation. "Commute disutility" was defined as having pretrip, en route, and posttrip components on the assumption that there is disutility associated with a commuter's expectation of the trip before trip start, the en route trip experience, and the actual outcome of the trip. Three types of regular commuters were modeled: the nonuser who does not use any traveler information and two kinds of traveler information user—the radio listener who listens to commercial broadcast traffic advisories and the advanced traveler information service user who uses a notification-based service that provides route-specific travel time estimates. Analysis showed that compared to nonusers, traveler information users had lower commute disutility. They had fewer late a...
Telemedicine in practice

Telemedicine is defined as the "delivery of health care and sharing of medical knowledge over a distance using telecommunication systems." The concept of telemedicine is not new. Beyond the use of the telephone, there were numerous attempts to develop telemedicine programs in the 1960s mostly based on interactive television. The early experience was conceptionally encouraging but suffered inadequate technology. With a few notable exceptions such as the telemetry of medical data in the space program, there was very little advancement of telemedicine in the 1970s and 1980s. Interest in telemedicine has exploded in the 1990s with the development of medical devices suited to capturing images and other data in digital electronic form and the development and installation of high speed, high bandwidth telecommunication systems around the world. Clinical applications of telemedicine are now found in virtually every specialty. Teleradiology is the most common application followed by cardiology, dermatology, psychiatry, emergency medicine, home health care, pathology, and oncology. The technological basis and the practical issues are highly variable from one clinical application to another. Teleradiology, including telenuclear medicine, is one of the more well-defined telemedicine services. Techniques have been developed for the acquisition and digitization of images, image compression, image transmission, and image interpretation. The American College of Radiology has promulgated standards for teleradiology, including the requirement for the use of high resolution 2000 x 2000 pixel workstations for the interpretation of plain films. Other elements of the standard address image annotation, patient confidentiality, workstation functionality, cathode ray tube brightness, and image compression. Teleradiology systems are now widely deployed in clinical practice. Applications include providing service from larger to smaller institutions, coverage of outpatient clinics, imaging centers, and nursing homes. Teleradiology is also being used in international applications. Unresolved issues in telemedicine include licensure, the development of standards, reimbursement for services, patient confidentiality, and telecommunications infrastructure and cost. A number of states and medical boards have instituted policies and regulations to prevent physicians who are not licensed in the respective state to provide telemedicine services. This is a major impediment to the delivery of telemedicine between states. Telemedicine, including teleradiology, is here to stay and is changing the practice of medicine dramatically. National and international communications networks are being created that enable the sharing of information and knowledge at a distance. Technological barriers are being overcome leaving organizational, legal, financial, and special interest issues as the major impediments to the further development of telemedicine and realization of its benefits.
Starch Fibers: Processing and Characteristics

Two methods for producing fibers from high amylose corn starch are presented, and the physical and chemical characteristics of fibers made following both methods are detailed. These characteristics are described in relation to the process used to convert the raw material into fiber and in relation to the raw material properties.
Using dopamine research to generate rational cannabinoid drug policy

The recent rise in the recreational use of synthetic cannabinoids (e.g. 'K2' and 'Spice') has been accompanied by a corresponding increase in regulation. Besides prohibition of specific compounds and general class bans in over forty states, five synthetic cannabinoids (CB) are federally regulated under a 'temporary' ban and are currently under a formal review to determine whether to permanently schedule them. Whether through explicit prohibition of specific chemicals, or potential de facto bans of unofficially scheduled compounds through the analogue act, scheduling CBs may significantly impede researching their therapeutic utility and elucidating physiological roles of the endogenous CB system. We argue that a review of neuroscience research suggests that synthetic CBs that act like Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by directly binding to and stimulating CB receptors (i.e. direct agonists), as well as novel drugs that indirectly stimulate these receptors by increasing levels of endogenous CB neurotransmitters (i.e. indirect agonists) have therapeutic value. Specifically, neurochemical research into how CBs influence mesolimbic dopamine release, a reliable and consistent marker of drugs' rewarding/reinforcing effects, provides the most useful indication of CB abuse liability, and may have implications for the generation of rational drug policy. It demonstrates that direct CB receptor agonists, but not indirect agonists, increase mesolimbic dopamine release. Thus, while direct CB receptor agonists pose an abuse liability, indirect agonists do not. We recommend regulatory agencies revise policies that treat these separate CB classes similarly and to curb regulation aimed at any CB receptor agonists as Schedule I, as this ignores their medicinal properties.
To pursue or not pursue? That is the question: modeling police vehicular pursuits

Studies incident‐level pursuit data collected by a large metropolitan police department in the USA over the past decade. Demonstrates that accidents are the outcome of about one‐third of pursuits. Urges that pursuit police should continue to evaluate a pursuit that proceeds into another jurisdiction. Finds that pursuits over borders are more likely to result in an accident; that training may be the most important preventative measure; that accidents are more probable when there is more than one police unit and the pursuit is on a non‐express roadway. Supports past evidence that speed is not a probable indicator of accidents.
A High DB/DT, Square-Pulse Excitation Magnetic Core Test Stand for Comparison of Ferrite, Metglas, and Nanocrystalline Materials

Summary form only given. A test stand was developed to generate energy loss and permeability data under square-pulse magnetic excitation for several ferri-and ferromagnetic materials. The test stand consists of a coaxial transmission line pulse-charged to 100 kV that is discharged into a magnetic core load. The magnetization rates achieved in the experiments extend from 5 to 50 T/mus, corresponding to saturation times from 40 to 100 ns. In comparison, recent research using similar materials have discussed energy loss and permeability data up to a magnetization rate of 1 T/mus. The development of the test stand will be discussed in detail, and test results for ferrite CN20, Metglas 2605CO, and the nanocrystalline alloy Finemet FT-1HS will be presented and discussed. In addition, a figure of merit known as the loss factor will be used for relative core-to-core comparisons. In order to verify the accuracy of the data, the test results for Metglas 2605CO and Finemet FT-1HS will be compared with those of previous experiments discussed in the literature in a similar parameter space.
Exploring the isopycnal mixing and helium–heat paradoxes in a suite of Earth system models

Abstract. This paper uses a suite of Earth system models which simulate the distribution of He isotopes and radiocarbon to examine two paradoxes in Earth science, each of which results from an inconsistency between theoretically motivated global energy balances and direct observations. The helium–heat paradox refers to the fact that helium emissions to the deep ocean are far lower than would be expected given the rate of geothermal heating, since both are thought to be the result of radioactive decay in Earth's interior. The isopycnal mixing paradox comes from the fact that many theoretical parameterizations of the isopycnal mixing coefficient ARedi that link it to baroclinic instability project it to be small (of order a few hundred m2 s−1) in the ocean interior away from boundary currents. However, direct observations using tracers and floats (largely in the upper ocean) suggest that values of this coefficient are an order of magnitude higher. Helium isotopes equilibrate rapidly with the atmosphere and thus exhibit large gradients along isopycnals while radiocarbon equilibrates slowly and thus exhibits smaller gradients along isopycnals. Thus it might be thought that resolving the isopycnal mixing paradox in favor of the higher observational estimates of ARedi might also solve the helium paradox, by increasing the transport of mantle helium to the surface more than it would radiocarbon. In this paper we show that this is not the case. In a suite of models with different spatially constant and spatially varying values of ARedi the distribution of radiocarbon and helium isotopes is sensitive to the value of ARedi. However, away from strong helium sources in the southeastern Pacific, the relationship between the two is not sensitive, indicating that large-scale advection is the limiting process for removing helium and radiocarbon from the deep ocean. The helium isotopes, in turn, suggest a higher value of ARedi below the thermocline than is seen in theoretical parameterizations based on baroclinic growth rates. We argue that a key part of resolving the isopycnal mixing paradox is to abandon the idea that ARedi has a direct relationship to local baroclinic instability and to the so-called "thickness" mixing coefficient AGM.
Development and application of herpes simplex virus vectors for human gene therapy

Advances in understanding the molecular basis of human disease and the development of recombinant DNA methods is rapidly creating new means of disease diagnosis and treatment. Among the most revolutionary developments are technologies for transfer of therapeutic genes to the human body to treat both inherited and acquired disease. Gene therapy offers considerable promise for ameliorating otherwise intractable diseases such as immunopathological conditions, cancer, heart disease, and various metabolic and neurodegenerative syndromes. To fulfill this promise, more efficient and effective methods of gene delivery and appropriate gene expression must be developed. The lack of such techniques is currently the most significant impediment to the use of genetic therapy. Both viral and nonviral delivery systems are under development for specific gene-therapy applications. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) represents a novel vector system for gene delivery to the nervous system and other tissues. HSV is able to establish latency in nondividing neuronal cells in which genomes persist long-term but do not integrate or alter host-cell metabolism and that carry a promoter system uniquely capable of escaping repression that shuts off the expression of HSV-lytic genes during latency. This review examines efforts to create defective HSV vectors that are safe, noncytotoxic, and applicable to the treatment of cancer and diseases affecting peripheral nerves. Perhaps the most important use of HSV vectors will be for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases of the brain, but additional studies are required to improve the design of promoters to ensure regulatable or effective levels of therapeutic gene expression.
Prioritizing research topics in professional communication

Within the professional communication field, the gap between academics, who do most of the research, and practitioners, who might make use of those research results, is well known. Prior research has shown that, although practitioners place a high value on research, they read little of it. This paper reports efforts to address one possible cause of this problem by establishing the importance of nine research topic areas, six data collection methods/sources, and three data analysis methods for both academics and practitioners. The research involves a survey of subscribers to the IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication. The results of this survey effort are to be publicized in an effort to encourage researchers to pursue those projects deemed most important.
Lack of TNF-α-induced MMP-9 production and abnormal E-cadherin redistribution associated with compromised fusion in MCP-1-null macrophages.

Homotypic cell fusion occurs in several cell types including macrophages in the formation of foreign body giant cells. Previously, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was demonstrated to be required for foreign body giant cell formation in the foreign body response. The present study investigated the fusion defect in MCP-1–null macrophages by implanting biomaterials intraperitoneally in wild-type and MCP-1–null mice and monitoring the macrophage response at 12 hours to 4 weeks. MCP-1–null mice exhibited reduced accumulation and fusion of macrophages on implants, which was associated with attenuation of the foreign body response. Consistent with previous in vitro findings, the level of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was reduced in MCP-1–null macrophages adherent to implants. In contrast, CCR2 expression was unaffected. In vitro studies revealed reduced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production and abnormal subcellular redistribution of E-cadherin and β-catenin during fusion in MCP-1–null macrophages. Exogenous TNF-α caused an increase in the production of MMP-9 and rescued the fusion defect. Addition of GM6001 (MMP inhibitor) or NSC23766 (Rac1 inhibitor) indicated two distinct induction pathways, one for E-cadherin/β-catenin and one for MCP-1, TNF-α, and MMP-9. Considered together, these observations demonstrate that induction of E-cadherin/β-catenin is not sufficient for fusion in the absence of MCP-1 or the downstream mediators TNF-α and MMP-9. Moreover, attenuation of the foreign body response in intraperitoneal implants in MCP-1–null mice demonstrates that the process depends on tissue-specific factors.
Parallelizing the Volcano database query processor

Volcano is a new data flow query processing system developed for database systems research and education. All operators are designed and coded as if they were meant for a single-process system only. The design implementation of Volcano's exchange operator that parallelizes all other operators is described. It allows intraoperator parallelism on partitioned data assets and both vertical and horizontal interoperator parallelism. The exchange operator encapsulates all parallelism issues and therefore makes implementation of parallel database algorithms significantly easier and more robust. Included in this encapsulation is the translation between demand-driven data flow within processes and data-driven data flow between processes. In order to evaluate the efficiency of Volcano's exchange operator, parallel sorting was implemented by combining Volcano's single-process sort iterator with the exchange iterator. The measurements demonstrate that parallelizing an existing single-process query evaluation engine can be accomplished effectively using Volcano's exchange operator. >
The benefits and costs of serious running.

Abstract The primary purpose of this investigation was to determine the benefits and costs of serious running. Twenty-four runners, 12 females and 12 males with a wide range of demographic characteristics who entered and completed at least three 5K road races were selected for in-depth interviews. The results indicated that although people run for a variety of reasons, a sense of accomplishment appeared as the number one theme in this research. The runners in this study viewed a sense of accomplishment as a substantial benefit, as well as being a source of extended meaning. Health and fitness, as well as social affiliation, were also important for both initial participation and ongoing continuation and for the meaning that running held in their lives. Costs included injuries, letting oneself down, and concern for one's safety was salient for all female runners. The issue of fear was a theme that arose for female runners. Female runners considered the fear of being attacked a cost that influenced when, how...
Effectiveness of partner social support predicts enduring psychological distress after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Objective: Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors who are 1 to 3 years posttransplant are challenged by the need to resume valued social roles and activities—a task that may be complicated by enduring transplant-related psychological distress common in this patient population. The present study investigated whether transplant survivors who receive adequate social support from their spouse or intimate partner experience lower distress. Method: Effects of receiving a greater quantity of partner support (a common approach to studying enacted support) were compared with effects of receiving more effective partner support (i.e., support that more closely matches their needs in terms of its quantity and quality). Men and women (N 230) who were 1 to 3 years posttransplant completed measures of partner support quantity (Manne & Schnoll, 2001), partner social support effectiveness (Rini & Dunkel Schetter, 2010), and psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory; Derogatis & Spencer, 1982). Potential medical and sociodemographic confounds were controlled in analyses. Results: As hypothesized, survivors reported less distress when they received more effective partner support (p .001). Quantity of partner support was not associated with distress (p .23). An interaction revealed that when partner support was effective, the quantity of support survivors received was not associated with their distress (p .90); however, when partner support was ineffective, receiving a greater quantity of partner support was associated with substantially elevated distress (p .002). Conclusions: Findings suggest that clinical approaches to addressing or preventing enduring distress after HSCT should target features of partner support related to its appraised effectiveness.
Not complementary connected and not CIS d-graphs form weakly monotone families

A d-graph G=(V;E"1,...,E"d) is a complete graph whose edges are arbitrarily partitioned into d subsets (colored with d colors); G is a Gallai d-graph if it contains no 3-colored triangle @D; furthermore, G is a CIS d-graph if @?"i"="1^dS"i [email protected]? for every set-family S={S"i|[email protected]?[d]}, where S"[email protected]?V is a maximal independent set of G"i=(V,E"i), the ith chromatic component of G, for all [email protected]?[d]={1,...,d}. A conjecture suggested in 1978 by the third author says that every CIS d-graph is a Gallai d-graph. In this article, we obtain a partial result. Let @P be the 2-colored d-graph on four vertices whose two non-empty chromatic components are isomorphic to P"4. It is easily seen that @P and @D are not CIS d-graphs but become CIS after eliminating any vertex. We prove that no other d-graph has this property, that is, every non-CIS d-graph G distinct from @P and @D contains a vertex [email protected]?V such that the sub-d-graph G[[email protected]?{v}] is still non-CIS. This result easily follows if the above @D-conjecture is true, yet, we prove it independently. A d-graph G=(V;E"1,...,E"d) is complementary connected (CC) if the complement [email protected]?"i=(V,[email protected]?"i)=(V,@?"j"@?"["d"]"@?"{"i"}E"j) to its ith chromatic component is connected for every [email protected]?[d]. It is known that every CC d-graph G, distinct from @P, @D, and a single vertex, contains a vertex [email protected]?V such that the reduced sub-d-graph G[[email protected]?{v}] is still CC. It is not difficult to show that every non-CC d-graph with at least two vertices contains a vertex [email protected]?V such that the sub-d-graph G[[email protected]?{v}] is not CC.
Development of an Aerosol Surface Inoculation Method for Bacillus Spores

A method was developed to deposit Bacillus subtilis spores via aerosolization onto various surface materials for biological agent decontamination and detection studies. This new method uses an apparatus coupled with a metered dose inhaler to reproducibly deposit spores onto various surfaces. A metered dose inhaler was loaded with Bacillus subtilis spores, a surrogate for Bacillus anthracis. Five different material surfaces (aluminum, galvanized steel, wood, carpet, and painted wallboard paper) were tested using this spore deposition method. This aerosolization method deposited spores at a concentration of more than 10(7) CFU per coupon (18-mm diameter) with less than a 50% coefficient of variation, showing that the aerosolization method developed in this study can deposit reproducible numbers of spores onto various surface coupons. Scanning electron microscopy was used to probe the spore deposition patterns on test coupons. The deposition patterns observed following aerosol impaction were compared to those of liquid inoculation. A physical difference in the spore deposition patterns was observed to result from the two different methods. The spore deposition method developed in this study will help prepare spore coupons via aerosolization fast and reproducibly for bench top decontamination and detection studies.
Investing in descriptive evaluation: a vision for the future of assessment.

(2000). Investing in descriptive evaluation: a vision for the future of assessment. Medical Teacher: Vol. 22, No. 5, pp. 478-481.
Diamond jet hybrid HVOF thermal spray: Rule-based modeling of coating microstructure

This paper focuses on the computational modeling and simulation of the microstructure of coatings produced by an industrial high-velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray process (Diamond Jet hybrid gun, Sulzer Metco, Westbury, NY). On the basis of an understanding of the coating structure and mechanisms of pore formation inside of the coating obtained from experimental studies, a stochastic simulation procedure is used to explore the evolution of the microstructure of the coatings. In the coating growth model, the velocity, temperature, and degree of melting of the particles hitting the substrate are determined by a previously developed mathematical model (first article of this series) describing gas and particle behavior, and the complex characteristics of the thermally sprayed coatings are captured by applying certain basic rules that encapsulate the main physical features of the deposition process. In addition to providing useful insight into pore formation and coating growth, the model is used to mak...
Programmed Cell Death of Developing Mammalian Neurons after Genetic Deletion of Caspases

An analysis of programmed cell death of several populations of developing postmitotic neurons after genetic deletion of two key members of the caspase family of pro-apoptotic proteases, caspase-3 and caspase-9, indicates that normal neuronal loss occurs. Although the amount of cell death is not altered, the death process may be delayed, and the cells appear to use a nonapoptotic pathway of degeneration. The neuronal populations examined include spinal interneurons and motor, sensory, and autonomic neurons. When examined at both the light and electron microscopic levels, the caspase-deficient neurons exhibit a nonapoptotic morphology in which nuclear changes such as chromatin condensation are absent or reduced; in addition, this morphology is characterized by extensive cytoplasmic vacuolization that is rarely observed in degenerating control neurons. There is also reduced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling in dying caspase-deficient neurons. Despite the altered morphology and apparent temporal delay in cell death, the number of neurons that are ultimately lost is indistinguishable from that seen in control animals. In contrast to the striking perturbations in the morphology of the forebrain of caspase-deficient embryos, the spinal cord and brainstem appear normal. These results are consistent with the growing idea that the involvement of specific caspases and the occurrence of caspase-independent programmed cell death may be dependent on brain region, cell type, age, and species or may be the result of specific perturbations or pathology.
Social-Skills Training with Children

The complex social skills necessary for confident, responsive, and mutually beneficial interaction with other people are certainly among the most important skills a child must learn. A person’s social facility has profound implications for nearly every facet of life—both in childhood and in adulthood. A lack of social skills may lead directly to problems in interpersonal relationships or may interfere indirectly with optimal functioning in school, occupational, and recreational activities. Yet, as frequently noted, the training of even the most basic social skills has been almost completely neglected in American schools (e.g., Winnett & Winkler, 1972; Lazarus, 1973). Researchers and clinicians have only recently begun to investigate methods of fostering specific social skills in children.
Recreation Specialization Revisited

(2000). Recreation Specialization Revisited. Journal of Leisure Research: Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 18-21.
Reactivation of Aggregated Proteins by the ClpB/DnaK Bi-Chaperone System

Protein aggregation is a common problem in protein biochemistry and is linked to many cellular pathologies and human diseases. The molecular chaperone ClpB can resolubilize and reactivate aggregated proteins. This unit describes the procedure for following reactivation of an aggregated enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase mediated by ClpB from Escherichia coli in cooperation with another molecular chaperone, DnaK. The procedures for purification of these chaperones are also described.
'You are Not Like Me!' Regional Politics and Congressional Roll Call Voting

There has been intense debate over the distinct nature of politics in the American South. Using multilevel modeling techniques, this paper examines the contextual effects of being located with a specific region on congressional behavior. Using congressional roll call data, we analyze legislators from the 91st to 100th congresses. The evidence suggests that, all things being equal, region does influence roll call voting. More importantly, the Southern region of the United States possesses the largest effect on legislators located within that region.
Investigation of asphalt aging behaviour due to oxidation using molecular dynamics simulation

AbstractAn attempt is made to connect the link between internal chemical and molecular mechanical property change and external physical, rheological and mechanical property change for asphalt before and after oxidative aging using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Intermolecular interactions, density, bulk modulus and zero shear viscosity changes of model asphalt systems before and after oxidative aging and mechanical property changes of the asphalt systems under different compressive and tensile stress rates are investigated at room temperature (298 K). Simulation results demonstrate that oxidised functional groups in asphalt molecules increase the strength of intermolecular bonds and the bulk modulus of asphalt, which further contribute to the hardening of the oxidised asphalt. The internal property change is consistent with the external physical and rheological property change after oxidation, which is revealed by the increase of density and viscosity. In addition, both the unoxidised and oxidised as...
Right Does Not Make It Right

The First Amendment is often understood as granting everyone the right to say whatever abusive and offensive they wish. However, one should not ignore that it does not state nor assume that the people troubled by the speech will not react to it, albeit in legal ways, such as expressing their anger, cutting off contact with the speaker, and so on.
Automated tether management system for extravehicular activities: Research Articles

Safe extravehicular activity (EVA) requires astronauts to employ tethers to ensure proximity to their spacecraft. This research strives to improve EVA efficiency by allowing crew members to remotely release and retract their safety tether from extended distances using a tether management system consisting of a remotely releasable robotic gripper and a retractor that controls the length of tether. This circumvents the current need to travel back to the tether anchor and manually release the tether, which requires the crew member to travel three times further than necessary. The automated tether management system is essentially a multifunctional teleoperated robotic system that has the potential to improve EVA efficiency, reduce crew-member fatigue, and improve efficiency of existing robots such as Robonaut. Design and performance requirements are specified to comply with current safety standards. The multifunctional gripper is designed to provide fail-safe self-locking positive engagement on a variety of spacecraft anchors. The retractor employs motorized and passive retraction to minimize power consumption, allow the retractor to mimic existing retractable safety tethers functionality, and facilitate control over gripper flight. A nonconductive fiber-optic core structural tether is designed to transmit commands to the gripper while reducing the risk of developing electrical charges at orbital velocities. Experiments in a simulated microgravity environment evaluate behavior during gripper release and retraction and provide guidelines for improved system operation. Based on these guidelines, the system is then further optimized via simulation for improved retraction considering orbital dynamics. These results provide a recommended operating envelope to allow safe automated gripper retraction. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Electrostatic Funnel in the GABA-Binding Pathway.

The γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAA-R) is a major inhibitory neuroreceptor that is activated by the binding of GABA. The structure of the GABAA-R is well characterized, and many of the binding site residues have been identified. However, most of these residues are obscured behind the C-loop that acts as a cover to the binding site. Thus, the mechanism by which the GABA molecule recognizes the binding site, and the pathway it takes to enter the binding site are both unclear. Through the completion and detailed analysis of 100 short, unbiased, independent molecular dynamics simulations, we have investigated this phenomenon of GABA entering the binding site. In each system, GABA was placed quasi-randomly near the binding site of a GABAA-R homology model, and atomistic simulations were carried out to observe the behavior of the GABA molecules. GABA fully entered the binding site in 19 of the 100 simulations. The pathway taken by these molecules was consistent and non-random; the GABA molecules approach the binding site from below, before passing up behind the C-loop and into the binding site. This binding pathway is driven by long-range electrostatic interactions, whereby the electrostatic field acts as a ‘funnel’ that sweeps the GABA molecules towards the binding site, at which point more specific atomic interactions take over. These findings define a nuanced mechanism whereby the GABAA-R uses the general zwitterionic features of the GABA molecule to identify a potential ligand some 2 nm away from the binding site.