cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fantasy in Career Development

Fantasy activity has long been recognized as a normal psychological process that individuals use to deal with emotions, goals, and beliefs. Recent developments in this area have led some counselors to employ fantasy as a technique in the counseling relationship. This article explores the development of fantasy activity as a part of career development, reviews relevant research, and cites examples of the use and implementation of fantasy.
Youth fitness testing: the effect of percentile-based evaluative feedback on intrinsic motivation.

Abstract This study was a test of Deci and Ryan's (1985) cognitive evaluation theory in a fitness testing situation. More specifically, it was a test of Proposition 2 of that theory, which posits that external events that increase or decrease perceived competence will increase or decrease intrinsic motivation. Seventh and eighth grade schoolchildren (N = 105) volunteered for an experiment that was ostensibly to collect data on a new youth fitness test (the Illinois Agility Run). After two untimed practice runs, a specially adapted version of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) was administered as a pretest of intrinsic motivation. Two weeks later when subjects ran again, they were apparently electronically timed. In reality, the subjects were given bogus feedback. Subjects in a positive feedback condition were told their scores were above the 80th percentile, while those in a negative feedback condition were told their scores were below the 20th percentile. Those in a control condition received no fe...
Development of periradicular lesions in immunosuppressed rats

Abstract Problem. The role of bacteria has been well established in pulpal and periapical diseases, but the contribution of the host defenses is less clear. Objectives. The purpose of this study was to compare periradicular lesion development in immunosuppressed rats with that in normal rats. Study Design. Fifteen rats were given weekly injections of Cytoxan (Bristol Laboratories) to suppress their immune systems. The pulps of mandibular first molars of these animals and another 15 rats that had received no medications were exposed and left open to their oral flora. The rats were killed at 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Radiographic analysis was performed by means of a computer linked to a digitizing board and stylus. In addition, specimens were decalcified, sectioned, stained, and examined under a microscope with a grid to quantify relative percentages of surface areas of bone, root, periodontal ligament, marrow spaces, soft tissue, and inflammatory infiltrate. Results. Statistical analysis showed a significantly greater radiographic bone loss in the immunosuppressed group only at 4 weeks. No significant histologic differences were found between the two groups. Conclusion. Our results suggest that reduction of circulating leukocytes may not significantly affect the development of periradicular pathosis in rats.
Stable isotope analysis using tunable diode laser spectroscopy

Measurements of ratios of stable isotopes are used in such diverse fields as petroleum prospecting, medical diagnostics, and planetary exploration. The narrow emission linewidth available from tunable diode lasers permits high-resolution infrared absorption measurements of closely spaced isotopic rovibrationallines. Our dual beam spectrometer uses the sweep integration technique in a spectral region where adjacent spectral lines are of approximately equal absorbance at the expected isotopic abundances. The experimen­ tal results reported here indicate that isotopic ratios of carbon in carbon dioxide can be measured to an accuracy of better than 0.4%. This laser spectroscopic technique offers an alternative to the mass spectrometric technique for in situ isotopic analysis in field studies, as well as flight and space applications. 13 C/ 12 C, carbon dioxide, laser spectroscopy.
Disparity filtering: proximity detection and segmentation

Abstract Simple stereo disparity filters can provide "proximity detectors" shaped like concave shells in front of the observer.Ideally, these are isodisparity surfaces. In practice, a narrowly-tuned filter results in a thin shell. The specialcase of the zero-disparity surface is called the horopier. A disparity filter can also be useful for distinguishingan object that lies on an isodisparity surface from its surroundings. These filters are much less expensive than stereographic scene interpretation since they are local operations. Similarly, they are also less general. We analyze the expected proximity sensitivity of one simple version of the disparity filter and compare this to itsempirical performance. We also present some feature based and correlation based disparity filters and comparetheir "segmentation" performance on various scenes. 1 Introduction This paper discusses a class of very simple stereo vision systems called disparity filLers and their application to the
Lobate scarps and the Martian crustal dichotomy

Landforms reflecting crustal shortening are found in the ancient highlands of the eastern hemisphere of Mars. These structures, referred to as lobate scarps, are interpreted to be thrust faults. Lobate scarps occur near and are oriented roughly parallel to the Martian crustal dichotomy, a major geologic and topographic boundary that divides the heavily cratered highlands from the relatively smooth, featureless northern lowlands. The long- and short-wavelength topography of lobate scarps in the northern Terra Cimmeria-Amenthes region have been analyzed using photoclinometry, Earth-based radar altimetry, and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter data. The measured relief of lobate scarps in this region ranges from ∼110 to 1230 m, and they occur on gentle regional slopes that dip both toward and away from the dichotomy. Estimates of the horizontal shortening across the lobate scarps studied range from roughly 0.24 to 2.6 km (n = 9), assuming fault plane dips of 25°. The displacement-length (D-L) relationships of thrust faults associated with the lobate scarps are consistent with those observed for terrestrial fault populations. The compressional strain in the heavily cratered highlands near the dichotomy, determined using the D-L data for the lobate scarps, is estimated to be ∼0.17%. Topographic data indicate that the dichotomy in the northern Terra Cimmeria-Amenthes region has a distinct topographic signature. The spatial and temporal relationship of the lobate scarps to the boundary suggests that they are related to its formation, supporting models for a tectonic origin of the crustal dichotomy.
Millimeter-wave spectroscopy of carbonyl diazide, OC(N3)2

Abstract Millimeter-wave absorption spectra for carbonyl diazide (OC(N 3 ) 2 ) are reported in the frequency range of 243–360 GHz, at both 293 K and 213 K. Transitions for two of the three possible conformations, one with both of the azide groups syn to the carbonyl group, or with one syn and the other anti, were observed in the spectra. Theoretical calculations at the CCSD(T)/ANO1 level do an excellent job of predicting the ground state rotational constants and 4th order centrifugal distortion terms for both conformers. Relative line intensities, along with theoretically predicted dipole moments, were used to estimate the energy difference of the two observed forms, yielding a result in good agreement with the ab initio potential energy surface. The spectra of the ν 12 , ν 7 , ν 9 and 2ν 12 excited vibrational states for the more abundant syn – syn conformer have been assigned, and a great many transitions for each of them have been fit using partial 6th and 8th order centrifugal distortion Hamiltonians. Anharmonic vibration–rotation interaction constants from the CCSD(T)/ANO1 calculations are in excellent agreement with the experimentally determined constants in the case of ν 7 and ν 9 , but not for ν 12 .
Pediatric residents’ knowledge, attitudes and opinions about emergency contraception

quickly if the professional is helpful and displays the traits that earn trust, whereas it is violated if the professional is unhelpful or disrespectful. 2) When no immediate need is present, youth “observe” the professional’s interaction with others and may share mildly sensitive information while carefully observing the person’s reaction and behaviors. 3) If the professional appears trustworthy after this period, many youth report “testing” him/ her by slowly revealing sensitive information to see if confidentiality is broken or they feel judged. 4) A successful outcome after sharing during a crisis may allow the observation and testing periods to be skipped. 5) A violation of trust at any point causes serious damage, often leading to withdrawal and anger. It may sometimes lead to a second closely monitored chance. In every stage, youth observe for the key professional behaviors of honoring privacy, being honest, being authentically respectful, and maintaining a nonjudgmental stance. There were divergent opinions on whether a person with shared life experience was easier to trust; most stated that it was more important that the professional display genuine concern for youths’ success. Conclusion: Because homeless youth have had challenging, often painful, experiences with adults, they go through a thoughtful process that includes observation and testing before taking the chance of revealing sensitive information. Professionals who display honesty, respect without judgment, and maintain privacy may be deemed trustworthy. Support: Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship Program, NICHD 5K23HD001490-05.
A REVIEW OF BOND DURATION MEASURE IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

The last two decades were characterised by uncertainty in financial markets due to volatile interest rates. Consequently bond and money managers were interested in minimising interest rate risk. This was accomplished by developing immunisation strategies derived from the concept of duration. Consequently, almost all the relevant literature is limited to bond portfolio management. In this paper duration and immunisation concepts are discussed in the context of financial management: working capital management and capital budgeting techniques. In Section I, a brief review of bond duration measure is made. Section II describes the application of duration measures in bond immunisation strategies. In Section III, a duration measure is developed for working capital management technique. Section IV contains some secondary capital budgeting technique based on duration measure.
Six factors which affect the condition number of matrices associated with kriging

Determining kriging weights to estimate some variable of interest at a given point in the field involves solving a system of linear equations. The matrix of this linear system is subject to numerical instability, and this instability is measured by the matrix condition number. Six parameters in the kriging process have been identified which directly affect this condition number. Analysis of a series of 648 experiments gives some insight on these parameters, and how the condition number relates to kriging variance.
InAsBi alloys grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy

InAsBi is a III/V alloy with potential application for detectors in the 8–12 μm region of the spectrum. Growth of InAs1-xBix, with x ≤ 0.054, at 350°C by atmospheric pressure organometallic vapor phase epitaxy has been made possible by using a new combination of precursors, ethyldimethylindium (EDMIn), tertiarybutylarsine (TBAs) and trimethylbismuth (TMBi). Results were obtained using a V/III ratio between 21 and 22. With these conditions, a Bi distribution coefficient of 1.746 was measured. X-ray diffraction verifies that Bi incorporates substitutionally into the zincblende structure. For x < 0.045, it was possible to suppress whisker formation and obtain excellent surface morphology. Measurement of photoluminescence for x ≤ 0.037 indicates good crystal quality. The measured rate of change of bandgap with Bi concentration, dEg/dx = -55 meV/%Bi, indicates that a 77 K bandgap energy of E = 0.10 eV should be reached with an alloy composition of InAs0.94Bi0.06.
Transcriptional repression of peri-implantation EMX2 expression in mammalian reproduction by HOXA10.

HOXA10 is necessary for mammalian reproduction; however, its transcriptional targets are not completely defined. EMX2, a divergent homeobox gene, is necessary for urogenital tract development. In these studies we identify and characterize the regulation of EMX2 by HOXA10. By using Northern analysis and in situ hybridization, we found that EMX2 is expressed in the adult urogenital tract in an inverse temporal pattern from HOXA10, suggestive of a negative regulatory relationship. Constitutive expression of HOXA10 diminished EMX2 mRNA, whereas blocking HOXA10 through the use of antisense resulted in high EMX2 mRNA expression. Deletional analysis of the EMX2 5′ regulatory region revealed that a 150-bp element mediated transcriptional repression when cotransfected with pcDNA3.1/HOXA10 in transient-transfection assays. Binding of HOXA10 protein to this element was demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and further localized to a consensus HOXA10 binding site within this element by DNase I footprinting. Site-directed mutagenesis abolished binding, as well as the negative transcriptional regulation. Transcriptional activation of empty spiracles, the Drosophila ortholog of EMX2, by Abdominal-B (HOXA10 ortholog) has been previously demonstrated. These findings demonstrate conservation of the transcription factor-target gene relationship, although the direction of regulation is reversed with possible evolutionary implications.
Sparing of radiation-induced damage to the physis: fractionation alone compared to amifostine pretreatment.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relative benefits of sparing longitudinal bone growth by fractionation alone compared to pretreatment with amifostine, a chemical that provides differential radioprotection of normal tissues. Methods and Materials: Twenty-four weanling 4-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into 2 overall treatment groups: fractionation alone ( n = 12) and amifostine pretreatment ( n = 12). The distal femur and proximal tibia in the right leg of each animal were exposed to a therapeutic X-irradiation dose (17.5 Gy total in 3 or 5 fractions) with the contralateral left leg as control. In 12 of the animals, amifostine (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 20 min before radiation exposure. Six weeks later, growth was calculated based upon measurement of the bone lengths. Results: Fractionated radiation resulted in a mean percent overall limb growth loss of 21.1 ± 7.0%. The addition of amifostine brought the mean percent overall limb growth loss to 16.3% ± 4.6%, which showed a strong trend toward significance compared to fractionation alone ( p = 0.061). The addition of radioprotection with amifostine to 5 fractions irradiation significantly reduced the femoral and overall percentage growth arrest and limb length discrepancy compared to 5 fractions alone. Conclusions: These results support further investigation of amifostine and other radioprotectants in combination with fractionation for use in growing children requiring radiotherapy to the extremity for malignant tumors.
Root morphology--clinical significance in pathogenesis and treatment of periodontal disease.

Root shapes may contribute to development of periodontal defects by providing an environment favorable to retention of plaque. Knowledge of the anatomy of the oral structures, especially root anatomy, is therefore necessary to the diagnosis and treatment of existing or potential periodontal problems. Data on root anatomy are reviewed and photographs of six representative cross sections of the roots of individual teeth are presented.
Dynamic spectrum allocation for power load prediction via wireless metering in smart grid

The data traffic for wireless metering in smart grid is considered. A dynamic spectrum allocation scheme is proposed for the power load prediction. Two approaches, namely batch mode allocation and sequential allocation, are proposed with various criteria. Numerical results show that the total cost can be significantly reduced while the performance of load prediction is guaranteed.
Synthesis and thermal degradation of some ferrocene‐containing polyazines and poly‐schiff bases

Abstract : A series of ferrocene-containing polymeric azines and polymeric Schiff bases were synthesized by means of acid-catalyzed solutions poly-condensations. The molecular structures of the polymers synthesized have been determined and information concerning their thermal behavior has been obtained. Comparative thermal stabilities of the products of polymerization of aliphatic and aromatic diamines with 1,1'-diformylferrocene and 1,1'-diacetylferrocene were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis both in air and in an inert atmosphere. In the inert atmosphere, initial weight loss due to thermal stress did not occur below 300C in all cases and in many cases 50-70% residue of polymer sample remained at 700C. The use of a fluorinated diamine led to the synthesis of a polymer which did not exhibit any significant enhancement of thermal properties. Investigation of the polymer products by direct inlet mass spectroscopy led to the observation that several of the systems contained significant amounts of cyclic dimers, although linear polymers were the major products in most cases. Extraction of the cyclic dimers followed by molecular weight determinations by vapor phase osmometry confirmed their molecular structures. (Author)
Trypanosome Telomeres Are Protected by a Homologue of Mammalian TRF2

Putative TTAGGG repeat-binding factor (TRF) homologues in the genomes of Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania major were identified. They have significant sequence similarity to higher eukaryotic TRFs in their C-terminal DNA-binding myb domains but only weak similarity in their N-terminal domains. T. brucei TRF (tbTRF) is essential and was shown to bind to duplex TTAGGG repeats. The RNA interference-mediated knockdown of tbTRF arrested bloodstream cells at G2/M and procyclic cells partly at S phase. Functionally, tbTRF resembles mammalian TRF2 more than TRF1, as knockdown diminished telomere single-stranded G-overhang signals. This suggests that tbTRF, like vertebrate TRF2, is essential for telomere end protection, and this also supports the hypothesis that TRF rather than Rap1 is the more ancient DNA-binding component of the telomere protein complex. Identification of the first T. brucei telomere DNA-binding protein and characterization of its function provide a new route to explore the roles of telomeres in pathogenesis of this organism. This work also establishes T. brucei as an attractive model for telomere biology.
Oil and Growth in the Republic of Congo

This paper investigates the linkages between oil and growth in Congo, where there appears to be no evidence of direct spillover effects. The empirical results suggest however that political instability has a negative effect on non-oil growth, and that the presence of oil could have fueled political instability by being associated with weakening institutions. The results also show that fiscal discipline is beneficial for growth. In addition, there are strong linkages between world oil prices and the real effective exchange rate, with movements in the latter having important indirect repercussions for growth.
New or little‐known species of exotic Tipulidae (Diptera). XIX

SYNOPSIS Four new species of Antocha, one new species of Gonomyia, two new species of Trentepohlia and one new species of Erioptera are described from stations in Sikkim and Assam. Additional illustrations of previously described species of Antocha and Trentepohlia are included.
A constant factor approximation algorithm for generalized min-sum set cover

Consider the following generalized min-sum set cover or multiple intents re-ranking problem proposed by Azar et al. (STOC 2009). We are given a universe of elements and a collection of subsets, with each set S having a covering requirement of K(S). The objective is to pick one element at a time such that the average covering time of the sets is minimized, where the covering time of a set S is the first time at which K(S) elements from it have been selected.There are two well-studied extreme cases of this problem: (i) when K(S) = 1 for all sets, we get the min-sum set cover problem, and (ii) when K(S) = |S| for all sets, we get the minimum-latency set cover problem. Constant factor approximations are known for both these problems. In their paper, Azar et al. considered the general problem and gave a logarithmic approximation algorithm for it. In this paper, we improve their result and give a simple randomized constant factor approximation algorithm for the generalized min-sum set cover problem.
Quantum-well p-channel AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs heterostructure insulated-gate field-effect transistors with very high transconductance

Quantum-well p-channel pseudomorphic AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs heterostructure insulated-gate field-effect transistors with enhanced hole mobility are described. The devices exhibit room-temperature transconductance, transconductance parameter, and maximum drain current as high as 113 mS/mm, 305 mS/V/mm, and 94 mA/mm, respectively, in 0.8- mu m-gate devices. Transconductance, transconductance parameter, and maximum drain current as high as 175 mS/mm, 800 mS/V/mm, and 180 mA/mm, respectively were obtained in 1- mu m p-channel devices at 77 K. From the device data hole field-effect mobilities of 860 cm/sup 2//V-s at 300 K and 2815 cm/sup 2//V-s at 77 K have been deduced. The gate current causes the transconductance to drop (and even to change sign) at large voltage swings. Further improvement of the device characteristics may be obtained by minimizing the gate current. To this end, a type of device structure called the dipole heterostructure insulated-gate field-effect transistor is proposed. >
An approach to symbolic timing verification

Symbolic timing verification is a critical tool in the development of higher-level synthesis tools. The authors present an approach to symbolic timing verification using constraint logic programming techniques. The techniques are quite powerful in that they not only yield simple bounds on delays but also relate the delays in linear inequalities so that tradeoffs are apparent. They model circuits as communicating processes and the current implementation can verify a large class of mixed synchronous and asynchronous specifications. The utility of the approach is illustrated with some examples. >
The Health of Women in Transition from Welfare to Employment

Although numerous studies of welfare policy exist, studies of women's health within the context of U.S. welfare reform policy have been limited. From an ecological health perspective, welfare policy shapes the immediate environment in which women live. The environment has long been recognized by nursing as a major determinant of health status. Using data from the Washington State Family Income Study (FIS), this research examined women's psychosocial health when making the transition from welfare receipt to employment. No differences in psychosocial health were found between women leaving welfare for employment and those remaining on welfare (p > .05 on depression, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and emotional support). This finding is consistent with earlier qualitative research, which indicates the life circumstances of women leaving welfare for paid employment rarely improve. To better understand how public policies such as those related to welfare affect the lives and health of women, additional research is sorely needed.
The effect of virtual reality gaming on dynamic balance in older adults

BACKGROUND: physical therapy interventions that increase functional strength and balance have been shown to reduce falls in older adults. AIM: this study compared a virtual reality group (VRG) and a control group (CG). DESIGN: randomised controlled 6-week intervention with pre- and post-test evaluations. SETTING: outpatient geriatric orthopaedic and balance physical therapy clinic.Population: forty participants were randomised into two groups.Method: the VRG received three different Nintendo® Wii FIT balance interventions three times per week for 6 weeks and the CG received no intervention. RESULTS: compared with the CG, post-intervention measurements showed significant improvements for the VRG in the 8-foot Up & Go test [median decrease of 1.0 versus -0.2 s, (P = 0.038) and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (6.9 versus 1.3%) (P = 0.038)]. CONCLUSION: virtual reality gaming provides clinicians with a useful tool for improving dynamic balance and balance confidence in older adults. Language: en
Gap junction channel structure in the early 21st century: facts and fantasies.

Gap junction channels connect the cytoplasms of adjacent cells through the end-to-end docking of single-membrane structures called connexons, formed by a ring of six connexin monomers. Each monomer contains four transmembrane α-helices, for a total of 24 α-helices in a connexon. The fundamental structure of the connexon pore is probably similar in unpaired connexons and junctional channels, and for channels formed by different connexin isoforms. Nevertheless, variability in results from structurally focused mutagenesis and electrophysiological studies raise uncertainty about the specific assignments of the transmembrane helices. Mapping of human mutations onto a suggested Cα model predicts that mutations that disrupt helix–helix packing impair channel function. An experimentally determined structure at atomic resolution will be essential to confirm and resolve these concepts.
Content distribution in Delay-Tolerant Networks using social context

Wireless communication technologies have given rise to the development of Delay Tolerant Networks, a collection of devices that route data opportunistically. These networks can be used to distribute data, such as news articles, advertisements, and media, to interested clients. To deliver content efficiently, the Social Content Distribution (SCD) scheme collects social context data and request patterns. Nodes then are designated as mobile repositories, or throw-boxes, which house large content stores. Clients request specific articles from nearby repositories. Which nodes will request data can be predicted based on request and social patterns, so the SCD schema can fulfill content requests quickly and efficiently. Applying the SCD protocol to a simulated environment of social entities improved the delivery ratio of content requests when compared to static repositories or nonsocial request tracking schema.
Three-Dimensional Tissue Assemblies: Novel Models for the Study of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Pathogenesis

The lack of readily available experimental systems has limited knowledge pertaining to the development of Salmonella-induced gastroenteritis and diarrheal disease in humans. We used a novel low-shear stress cell culture system developed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in conjunction with cultivation of three-dimensional (3-D) aggregates of human intestinal tissue to study the infectivity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium for human intestinal epithelium. Immunohistochemical characterization and microscopic analysis of 3-D aggregates of the human intestinal epithelial cell line Int-407 revealed that the 3-D cells more accurately modeled human in vivo differentiated tissues than did conventional monolayer cultures of the same cells. Results from infectivity studies showed that Salmonella established infection of the 3-D cells in a much different manner than that observed for monolayers. Following the same time course of infection with Salmonella, 3-D Int-407 cells displayed minimal loss of structural integrity compared to that of Int-407 monolayers. Furthermore, Salmonella exhibited significantly lower abilities to adhere to, invade, and induce apoptosis of 3-D Int-407 cells than it did for infected Int-407 monolayers. Analysis of cytokine expression profiles of 3-D Int-407 cells and monolayers following infection with Salmonella revealed significant differences in expression of interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-1Ra, and tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNAs between the two cultures. In addition, uninfected 3-D Int-407 cells constitutively expressed higher levels of transforming growth factor beta1 mRNA and prostaglandin E2 than did uninfected Int-407 monolayers. By more accurately modeling many aspects of human in vivo tissues, the 3-D intestinal cell model generated in this study offers a novel approach for studying microbial infectivity from the perspective of the host-pathogen interaction.
Being a citizen online - New opportunities and dead ends

This study compares the impact of various types of traditional and Web-based forms of communication on political efficacy, knowledge, and participation. Findings suggest that the role of the Internet in promoting citizenship is limited. In fact, respondents who used the Web frequently for entertainment purposes were less likely to feel efficacious about their potential role in the democratic process and also knew less about facts relevant to current events. Regardless of the frequency with which people used the Internet for various informational or entertainment purposes, these analyses suggest that traditional mass media maintain a key role in promoting democratic citizenship.
Gigahertz ambipolar frequency multiplier based on CVD graphene

Ambipolar transport in graphene offers great opportunities for novel device and circuit applications. This paper discusses the RF performance of CVD grown graphene transistors for the first time. Then, a new graphene ambipolar frequency multiplier that can operate at 1.4 GHz with extremely high output spectral purity (> 90%) is demonstrated. These GHz graphene frequency multipliers, made from wafer-scale graphene synthesis and fabrication processes, demonstrate the great potential of graphene-based ambipolar devices for RF and mixed-signal applications.
Intracellular signaling pathways mediating lymphocyte trafficking

Lymphocytes migrate from the blood stream into secondary lymphoid organs (SLO), where antigens (Ag) collected in the periphery are displayed on the surface of Ag-presenting cells. Continuous lymphocyte recirculation throughout SLO greatly increases the chances that rare Agspecific T and B cells encounter their cognate Ag, making it a prerequisite for effective immune surveillance. Members of the chemokine family of proteins, as well as the lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), are the main factors orchestrating dynamic trafficking of lymphocytes. They exert this control by activating specific receptors, which promote lymphocyte adhesion inside specific microvessels of SLO, subsequent migration inside lymphoid tissue and egress into the blood. This article covers our current understanding of the complex intracellular signaling mechanisms that are activated downstream of these receptors and contribute to lymphocyte recirculation.
Regional trabecular bone matrix degeneration and osteocyte death in femora of glucocorticoid- treated rabbits.

Glucocorticoids at pharmacological concentrations cause osteoporosis and aseptic necrosis, particularly in the proximal femur. Several mechanisms have been proposed, but the primary events are not clear. We studied changes in the bone structure and cellular activity in femora of glucocorticoid-treated rabbits before the occurrence of fracture or collapse. In rabbits treated 28 days with 4 micromol/kg.day of methylprednisolone acetate, changes in the cortical bone were minor. However, metabolic labeling showed that bone formation was virtually absent in the subarticular trabecular bone, and scanning electron microscopy showed resorption of 50-80% of the trabecular surface. Thus, reduction in bone synthesis and increased resorption were involved in bone loss. Vascular changes, which have been hypothesized to mediate glucocorticoid damage, were not seen, but histological changes suggested that trabecular bone was damaged. Matrix integrity was examined using laser scanning confocal microscopy to detect passive tetracycline adsorption. In treated animals, but not controls, tetracycline was adsorbed, in a novel lamellar pattern, in 50--200 microm regions extending deep into trabeculae. This showed that the matrix, which is normally impervious, was exposed at these sites. TUNEL assays showed that matrix damage correlated with cell death in the subarticular trabecular bone of treated animals. The pattern of cell death involving cohorts of osteoblasts and osteocytes comprised up to half of the bone volume in affected regions and is consistent with an apoptotic mechanism. Small numbers of TUNEL-labeled osteoblasts, but no osteocytes, were detected in control bone. We conclude that exposure of bone matrix permeability and that regional cell death consistent with apoptosis is an early event in glucocorticoid-induced bone damage.
Fostering a Liberal Credit System

Higher Education has undergone quite a lot of transformation over the years. After the Kothari Commission report in 1966, discussions on college autonomy started and a few colleges became autonomous since 1978 and a few of them have completed 25 years of such a freedom. Academic freedom, under autonomy, helped many colleges innovate new curricula, design relevant courses, frame new syllabi and introduce new evaluation methods. But the required flexibility for the students to have a greater choice of courses appropriate to their interests, needs and long-term goals is not available even in autonomous colleges; rather a rigid and compartmentalised system is perpetuated. This paper makes an attempt to identify the unique features of choice-based credit system and the effect of helping students to decide.Choice based credit system (CBCS), or a cafeteria like system is the solution for this type of transformation from the traditional teacher oriented education to a student-centred education. Taking responsibility for their own education in this way, students can benefit the most from all the available resources. Academic commissions and committees such as UGC, TANSCHE and NAAC recommend CBCS for higher education. Though a few institutions claim to have introduced this system, in reality not much of freedom is given to the students. Everyone agrees that intellectual depth and breadth characterise higher education. But, in allowing the students to choose their favourite courses, certain questions arise. The rules regarding the number of students in each class and the number of hours per week for the students or for the teachers have not changed from the old affiliated system. To summarise, a credit system can function only when we start to see our students as mature individuals, capable of making their own decisions.
Dynamics of belt-pulley-shaft systems

Abstract An analytical model of a pair of pulleys mounted on compliant spinning parallel shafts is developed. These form parts of a belt drive system and are connected by a single belt span, which is modeled as a combination of longitudinal and torsional springs. The pulleys are modeled as rigid cylindrical disks and slippage at the belt-pulley interfaces is ignored. The shafts are modeled as continuous beams having torsional flexibilities as well. The rotation speed is high such that the gyroscopic effect is non-negligible. Natural frequency sensitivity to rotation speed (Campbell diagram) and response due to a sinusoidal excitation force on a shaft is obtained. Modal analysis after reducing the discretized system to a first-order form is used for the response calculation. The study shows that the gyroscopic effect is present even for short lengths of the shafts. Splitting of the natural frequencies as well as the mode shapes is observed at low rotation speeds and critical speeds are observed at high rotation speeds. For coupled frequencies, the response of the system is found to be approximated by modal superposition of a smaller number of modes. The peak responses are explained using the Campbell diagram along with the modal energy plots.
Local Magnitude and Anomalous Amplitude Distance Decay in the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone

ABSTRACT Seismic waveforms from the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Network are corrected to the nominal Wood–Anderson (WA) torsion seismometer to obtain a total of 11,905 maximum trace amplitudes from 690 events seen on 50 different horizontal components to determine a local magnitude scale for the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone (ETSZ). We use the following distance‐correction function −log 10 ( A 0 )=0.538( r /17)−0.0002516( r −17)+2.0, in which A 0 is the maximum amplitude measured in millimeters and r is the hypocentral distance measured in kilometers; this better agrees with reported moment magnitudes for larger events in the ETSZ. Using the normal 100 km distance for M L normalization severely overestimates M L , and we therefore chose to adopt the 17 km normalization technique. The −log 10 ( A 0 ) is very flat at distances >200 km, suggesting unusually low distance attenuation at local and near‐regional distances from the ETSZ. The WA response reported by the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior to the nominal response shows no significant difference in the distance‐dependent factor for the log A 0 term, although the revised response consistently yields M L values that are 0.1 lower than those found using the nominal response. The b ‐values for the currently reported duration magnitude are lower than the b ‐values obtained using the newly calculated M L scale. The relationship between M L and M D can be expressed as M L =0.68093 M D +0.64603. The catalog of events used in this study is complete for M L >1.3.
Long-term survival in patients with metastatic melanoma vaccinated with melanoma-antigen loaded dendritic cells

8547 Background: Previous clinical trials have demonstrated safety and tolerability of cancer antigen-loaded dendritic cells (DCs) in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Further, DCs administered to patients with metastatic melanoma are immunogenic and induce durable clinical responses even in patients who failed previous cytotoxic therapy. This report is an analysis of long term clinical outcomes of DC vaccinated patients from our institution. Methods: Between March 1999 and February 2005 seventy patients with metastatic melanoma were treated with DC vaccines in four sequential phase I-IIa clinical trials. Most patients had M1b or M1c metastatic disease. DCs were generated either from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors or from monocytes. Forty nine HLA-A*0201+ patients received vaccines pulsed with melanoma antigen derived peptides (MART-1, MAGE-3, TYR and gp100). Twenty one patients received DCs loaded with killed allogeneic melanoma cells. KLH was used as helper antigen and, in HLA-A*0201+ patients, Flu...
Algorithm Development of Temperature and Humidity Profile Retrievals for Long-Term HIRS Observations

A project for deriving temperature and humidity profiles from High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) observations is underway to build a long-term dataset for climate applications. The retrieval algorithm development of the project includes a neural network retrieval scheme, a two-tiered cloud screening method, and a calibration using radiosonde and Global Positioning System Radio Occultation (GPS RO) measurements. As atmospheric profiles over high surface elevations can differ significantly from those over low elevations, different neural networks are developed for three classifications of surface elevations. The significant impact from the increase of carbon dioxide in the last several decades on HIRS temperature sounding channel measurements is accounted for in the retrieval scheme. The cloud screening method added one more step from the HIRS-only approach by incorporating the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) observations to assess the likelihood of cloudiness in HIRS pixels. Calibrating the retrievals with radiosonde and GPS RO reduces biases in retrieved temperature and humidity. Except for the lowest pressure level which exhibits larger variability, the mean biases are within ±0.3 °C for temperature and within ±0.2 g/kg for specific humidity at standard pressure levels, globally. Overall, the HIRS temperature and specific humidity retrievals closely align with radiosonde and GPS RO observations in providing measurements of the global atmosphere to support other relevant climate dataset development.
A new fluorometric and optical approach for tracking of intracellular calcium, blood volume and oxygenation changes in the rat brain in vivo

We present a new fluorometric in vivo approach to track intracellular free calcium changes directly from the cortex of the rat along with the changes in blood volume and cerebral oxygenation during ischemia.
Agile tire slippage dynamics for radical enhancement of vehicle mobility

Abstract There is a need to radically increase mobility of terrain vehicles through new modalities of vehicle locomotion, i.e., by establishing a new technological paradigm in vehicle dynamics and mobility. The new paradigm greatly applies to military vehicles for the radical improvement of tactical and operational mobility. This article presents a new technological paradigm of agile tire slippage dynamics that is studied as an extremely fast and exact response of the tire–soil couple to (i) the tire dynamic loading, (ii) transient changes of gripping and rolling resistance conditions on uniform stochastic terrains and (iii) rapid transient changes from one uniform terrain to a different uniform terrain. Tire longitudinal relaxation lengths are analyzed to characterize the longitudinal relaxation time constants. A set of agile characteristics is also considered to analyze agile tire slippage dynamics within a time interval that is close to the tire longitudinal relaxation time constants. The presented paradigm of agile tire slippage dynamics lays out a foundation to radically enhance vehicle terrain mobility by controlling the tire slippage in its transient phases to prevent the immobilization of a vehicle. Control development basis and requirements for implementing an agile tire slippage control are also analyzed and considered.
Lattice Engineering Using Lateral Oxidation of Alas: an Approach to Generate Substrates With New Lattice Constants

We demonstrate a new approach to the growth of dislocation free lattice-mismatched materials on GaAs substrates using Al2O3 interlayers obtained by lateral oxidation of AlAs. This is achieved by generating relaxed low threading dislocation density InGaAs templates which are mechanically supported but epitaxially decoupled from the host GaAs substrate. This process uses the phenomena of relaxation of strained coherent hypercritical thickness (h > hcritical,) layer in direct contact with an oxidizing Al-containing semiconductor (i.e. AlAs or AlGaAs). 5000 A In0.11Ga0.89As layers were then grown on the In0.2 Ga0.8As/Al2O3/GaAs template which acts as a pseudo-substrate (lattice-engineered substrate). The epitaxial layers are partially relaxed and have extremely smooth surface morphology. Further TEM micrographs of these epitaxial layers show no misfit dislocations or related localized strain fields at the In0.2Ga0.8As/Al2O3 interface. The absence of misfit dislocations or local strain contrast at the In0.2Ga0.8As/Al2O3 interface is attributed to both reactive material removal during the oxidation process and the porous nature of the oxide itself. We propose that the strain relaxation in In0.3Ga0.7As is enhanced due to the absence of misfit dislocations at the In0.2Ga0.8As/A12O3 interface.
Discrimination contrast: Speeds to small reward as a function of locus and amount of Interpolated reinforcement

Three groups of rats (C, D, and E) each received, during a daily session, two runway trials in one-half of a differential conditioning apparatus to one-pellet reward. Groups C and E also received one and 12 pellets, respectively, in a placement cage twice during a session. Group D received two additional 12-pellet trials in the other half of the differential conditioning apparatus. The S— (one-pellet) speeds of Group D over the later stages of training were significantly below the approximately equivalent performance level attained by Groups E and C.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF HYDRATION STATE OF CLAYSTONE BY STOVE METHOD

Hydration degree and hydration state of claystone have been studied quantitatively by stove method, in which stove time has been determined and the results of isothermal adsorption and thermal weight loss analysis have been compared. Results show that the suitable stove time is 12 hours, and results of stove method are identical to that of isothermal adsorption and thermal weight loss analysis. In addition, the satisfying results have been obtained by using the method to quantitatively determine the hydration degree and hydration state of mudstone in Shanshan-Tuha Qiketai and to evaluate inhibition ability of inorganic salts. It is practicable that the stove method can be used to quantitatively determine hydration degree and hydration state of claystone.
Research and Realization of Synchronization Performance Detection System in Intelligent Substation

With the higher requirements for time synchronization in intelligent substation,the emphasis of time synchronization lies in not only the synchronization between clock system and the satellite time,but also in the performance for all substation equipments. This paper introduces the main frame of time synchronization performance detection system in intelligent substation,does systematic research and reliazation on signal detection method. It completes the closed-loop detection of secondary equipment in intelligent substation by receiving,outputing the synchronization signals and receiving the feedback signals,and also achieves the goal to integrity detection of the synchronous link.
Interferons and Interleukin-2: Molecular Basis of Activity and Therapeutic Results

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a tumor refractory to standard cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens. The rationale for the use of cytokines in this cancer is based upon compelling evidence that RCC is sensitive to immunological manipulation.
Thyroid influence on the salivary secretory immune system

Thyroid hormones are known to play an integral role in the regulation of cellular dynamics and immune function of both lymphoid tissue and intestinal mucosa1–3. Because these hormones also stimulate the growth and differentiation of the submandibular gland4, the present study sought to determine whether the thyroid influences the expression of the salivary secretory immune system. For comparison, studies were also conducted to assess the impact of hypothyroidism on IgA levels in tears, bile, serum and intestinal secretions.
Catalysis by Supported Single Metal Atoms

The recent explosive growth in research on catalysis by supported single metal atoms proves the scientific interest in this new frontier of heterogeneous catalysis. A supported single-atom catalyst (SAC) contains only isolated individual atoms dispersed on, and/or coordinated with, the surface atoms of an appropriate support. SACs not only maximize the atom efficiency of expensive metals but also provide an alternative strategy to tune the activity and selectivity of a catalytic reaction. When single metal atoms are strongly anchored onto high-surface-area supports, SACs offer a great potential to significantly transform the field of heterogeneous catalysis, which has been critical to enabling many important technologies. In this Perspective, I discuss the most recent advances in preparing, characterizing, and catalytically testing SACs with a focus on correlating the structural perspective of the anchored single metal atoms to the observed catalytic performances. The grand challenge to successfully devel...