cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Locating Wet Cellular Plastic Insulation In Recently Constructed Roofs

Infrared scanners are quite successful in finding wet roof insulation, especially boards of rapidly absorbing insulations like perlite, wood fiber and fibrous glass. But wet areas develop more slowly and nonuniformly in the cellular plastic insulations, such as urethane, which are commonly used in new roofs. These differences can affect the outcome of an infrared survey of new roofs. To determine the feasibility of detecting incipient wet insulation, several recently constructed roofs were examined thermographically. It was usually more difficult to find moisture in new roofs containing cellular plastic insulations than in new roofs with more-absorbent insulations. This increased difficulty is due to the slower rate of wetting and to the nonuniform manner of wetting of some of the cellular plastics. Perlite, wood fiber and fibrous glass insulations tend to become uniformly wet throughout an entire board, whereas moisture initially concentrates at the perimeters of boards of some cellular plastic insulations. However, eight to ten months after construction, enough moisture can accumulate in most cellular plastic insulations to be visible to aninfrared scanner. Since this moisture is concentrated in a small portion of each insulation board, much of it would probably be overlooked by a nuclear or capacitance grid survey.
A Histochemical Study of Hamster Submandibular Lesions

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUAUN STUDIO HISTOCHIMIC DE LESIONES SUBMANDIBULAR IN LE HAMSTER.—Irritation chronic esseva inducite per le introduction de granos de Sudan IV e Carbowax. Regeneration esseva inducite per le excission de tissu glandular. Le enzymas examinate esseva dehydrogenase succinic, diaphorase de nucleotida diphosphopyridinic, e diaphorase de nucleotida triphosphopyridinic. Le regeneration glandular pareva haber su origine in le cellulas cuboide del striate ductos intralobular. Le activitate del tres mentionate enzymas esseva initialmente basse in le cellulas regenerate. Le valores pro dehydrogenase succinic remaneva basse. Le valores pro le duo diaphorases attingeva nivellos approximativemente normal un septimana post le intervention experimental.
Role of mitochondrial ion channels in cell death.

Ion channels located in the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes are key regulators of cellular signaling for life and death. Permeabilization of mitochondrial membranes is one of the most critical steps in the progression of several cell death pathways. The mitochondrial apoptosis-induced channel (MAC) and the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) play major roles in these processes. Here, the most recent progress and current perspectives about the roles of MAC and mPTP in mitochondrial membrane permeabilization during cell death are presented. The crosstalk signaling of MAC and mPTP formation/activation mediated by cytosolic Ca 2+ signaling, Bcl-2 family proteins, and other mitochondrial ion channels is also discussed. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate opening and closing of MAC and mPTP has revealed new therapeutic targets that potentially could control cell death in pathologies such as cancer, ischemia/reperfusion injuries, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Radiation symmetries of antenna arrays

Abstract A new class of antenna array lattices is examined and classified by using the formalism of the space point groups. The space symmetries of the current excitations and their resulting patterns are investigated. A new procedure for designing orthogonal antenna field patterns is developed.
Quantum mechanical reaction probabilities via a discrete variable representation-absorbing boundary condition Green's function

The use of a discrete variable representation (DVR) and absorbing boundary conditions (ABC) to construct the outgoing Green’s function G(E+)≡lime→0(E+ie−H)−1, and its subsequent use to determine the cumulative reaction probability for a chemical reaction, has been extended beyond our previous work [J. Chem. Phys. 96, 4412 (1992)] in several significant ways. In particular, the present paper gives a more thorough derivation and analysis of the DVR‐ABC approach, shows how the same DVR‐ABC Green’s function can be used to obtain state‐to‐state (as well as cumulative) reaction probabilities, derives a DVR for the exact, multidimensional Watson Hamiltonian (referenced to a transition state), and presents illustrative calculations for the three‐dimensional H+H2 reaction with zero total angular momentum.
Evaluation of the factor structure of the Obstacles to Engagement Scale with low-income African American parents

Objective: Parenting anticipatory guidance is one way to promote optimal child health and development and minimize disparities between children from lower socio-economic status families and their higher income peers. However, low rates of attendance at and completion of parenting programs has been demonstrated. Understanding barriers to participation has important implications. The Obstacles to Engagement Scale (OES) has been used in some populations, but it has not been evaluated for use with low-income African American samples. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the factor structure of the OES with a sample of low-income, African American parents. Method: Parents or legal guardians with children aged 3-8 years completed a survey in the waiting room of a primary care pediatric academic practice in an urban location in the southern United States of America (N = 114). Almost 87% had < 12th grade education and 93% of the children received Medicaid services. The OES was one measure from a larger study and only participants with complete data on the OES were included in the exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Results: The EFA did not support the previous 4-factor solution (intervention demands, personal or family stressors or obstacles, relevance of or trust in intervention, and time and scheduling demands. Instead, a 3-factor statistical solution emerged, but not all items held together conceptually. Conclusions: The current study supports the necessity for evaluating study instruments for use with specific populations. Larger samples are needed to disentangle the effects of educational and poverty status from race and ethnicity and to develop and validate instruments that are appropriate for the study population.
Reflections from a Black female in the promotion and tenure process

Purpose – Navigating the tenure and promotion process can be a daunting task for faculty members regardless of race or gender at institutions of higher learning. The purpose of this paper is to reflect the experiences of a Black female as she navigates the tenure and promotion process at a predominantly White institution (PWI), most of which have an organizational culture dominated by males.Design/methodology/approach – The author describes the process that many faculty members undertake, identifies three levels of peer involvement, and discusses some of the issues that she faced during her efforts to advance from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor to Full Professor and the lessons learnt along the way.Findings – The goal is to illuminate: the impact of personality and communication style on career advancement for Black women in academe, the feelings of apprehension that some Black female faculty at PWIs have regarding the impact of speaking candidly about their experiences and about diversity iss...
Studies of the Epstein-Barr virus-host relationship: autochthonous and allogeneic lymphocyte stimulation by lymphoblast cell lines in mixed cell culture.

Abstract The capacity of 21 established human lymphoblast cell lines to stimulate DNA synthesis in peripheral blood leukocyte populations of autochthonous or allogeneic origin was compared in one-way mixed lymphocyte cultures. Strong stimulation in the autochthonous combination was found in 20 out of 21 pairs, and weak but significant stimulation was observed in the exceptional pair. Allogeneic pairs gave additional increments of stimulation over that of the autochthonous pair in 21 out of 31 pairs tested. The observed stimulation was shown not to be due to a secreted blastogenic agent. The data support but do not prove that EBV-related antigens are responsible for the observed stimulation. This implies the existence of an EBV-immune cell population recognizing specific antigens in the target cell membrane.
PEO-PPO-PEO Block Copolymer Micelles in Aqueous Electrolyte Solutions: Effect of Carbonate Anions and Temperature on the Micellar Structure and Interaction

The structure and interaction of micelles formed by an amphiphilic triblock copolymer P(EO)103−P(PO)39−P(EO)103 (F88) in aqueous electrolyte solutions of potassium carbonate have been investigated using small-angle neutron scattering as functions of temperature and salt concentration. Modeling the SANS data from the copolymer solutions using analytical expressions for the scattering intensity revealed the remarkable effects of carbonate anion concentration and the temperature on the self-assembly of F88 into spherical and cylindrical aggregates and subsequent phase separation. The critical micellization temperature (cmt) of 5 wt % F88 decreases with an increase in the salt concentration, and the cmt approaches ambient temperatures in a solution with 0.1 M K2CO3. An increase in salt concentration also decreases the temperature at which the transition from spherical to cylindrical micelles occurs as well as the phase separation temperature of the copolymer from the solution. These observations clearly indic...
Influence of Prey Behavior on Selective Predation by Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract We explored whether certain behaviors by prey fish species contributed to selective predation by lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Schooling behavior, reactive distance, and predator attack and prey escape swimming speeds were examined for alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), bloater (Coregonus hoyi), rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens). In addition, two- and three-prey species combinations were presented to lake trout to determine if a particular prey species was utilized to a greater extent than others and to observe which specific behaviors or other prey characteristics could account for their greater utilization. There was little difference in percent capture of various prey species and no significant difference (p > 0.05) in escape swimming speeds or attack swimming speeds. However, maximum attack swimming speeds by the lake trout exceeded the maximum escape swimming speeds of prey. Average escape swimming speeds ranged from 2.5 to 2.9 m/sec, and average attack sw...
Effects of overexpression of β1, 4-galactosyltransferase on glycoprotein biosynthesis in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells

beta 1,4-Galactosyltransferase (GalTase) plays a central role in the biosynthesis of N-acetyllactosamine-containing oligosaccharides. However, despite this seemingly important function, little is known about how changes in the levels of GalTase affect oligosaccharide biosynthesis. We have examined the effects of overexpressing GalTase on the glycosylation of endogenous glycoproteins in F9 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells. Cells transfected with either the short form of the GalTase cDNA (encoding a protein of 386 amino acids) or the long form of the GalTase cDNA (encoding a protein of 399 amino acids) had a 3-fold increase in total GalTase activity, relative to control F9 cells. Analysis of pronase-digested glycopeptides obtained from control and transfected cells after metabolic labelling with [6-3H]galactose revealed no significant qualitative or quantitative differences, as assessed by Bio-Gel P-6 gel filtration chromatography and Tomato lectin affinity chromatography. Furthermore, SDS-PAGE analysis of immunoprecipitated [3H]galactose-labelled lysosomal-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1) glycoprotein showed no difference in amounts or mobility. Pronase digestion and subsequent analysis of the gel-fractionated LAMP-1 glycoproteins also indicated no differences between the various cell lines. The inability of elevated GalTase activity to affect glycosylation was not due to limiting levels of GalTase substrates, since an excess of substrates was detectable in lysed cells using either endogenous or exogenous GalTase and UDP-[3H]galactose. Finally, the subcellular distribution of GalTase, as assessed by sucrose gradient fractionation, was similar between all cell types, thus suggesting that GalTase was appropriately compartmentalized in the transfected cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Children in Medical Research: balancing protection and access: has the pendulum swung too far?

This paper examines the changes in policies regarding children in research between 1966 and 2003. The changes reflect a shift in focus from protection to access. The need for protection was brought to light in 1966, with the publication of Henry Beecher's "Ethics and Clinical Research," which described 22 research projects that he considered unethical. Four of these involved child subjects. Within a few years, Paul Ramsey and Richard McCormick debated the ethical acceptability of enrolling children in any non-therapeutic research. The first U.S. policies to address the protection of human subjects were written in the 1970s and 1980s, and additional protections (Subpart D) were provided to child subjects, who were considered particularly vulnerable. In the 1990s, however, several new policies were implemented by the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and Congress, in which the focus had shifted from protecting children from research risks to ensuring access. The article describes the new policies, examines the motivations for the change, and describes some of the effects of these policies. It concludes by suggesting that greater attention must be paid to ensure that increased access is not achieved by undermining the additional protections to children provided by Subpart D.
Acute Hormonal Response to Cigarette Smoking

Preliminary smoking studies using non-smokers were unsatisfactory because the subjects became obviously "ill" with nausea, pallor, sweating, etc. The rise in adrenocorticotropic hormone and growth hormone in these individuals could not be attributed to a cigarette effect as opposed to a nonspecific stress. A small number of female smokers seemed less consistent in their responses than did male subjects. The final study employing male, habitual smokers showed the following results: (1) A sharp rise in circulating cortisol occurred after two cigarettes which was maintained through the 2nd hour and fell slowly after the smoking period. (2) Circulating growth hormones also began to rise after two cigarettes, peaked at 1 hour, and then fell back to control levels while smoking continued. (3) Urinary catecholamines tended to be higher on smoking days than on nonsmoking days, but results were variable and of questionable significance. (4) Luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone did not show any significant variations with smoking as compared to non-smoking.
Oscillatory traveling waves in a hyperbolic model of a fluidized bed

Abstract A class of admissible solutions to a hyperbolic system of equations modeling a gas fluidized bed is constructed. The solutions are traveling waves composed of smooth transitions joined by admissible shocks. The existence of these solutions depends on the presence of stable and unstable regimes for the linearized system. These regimes are due to particle inertia and particle phase pressure and do not exist in the simpler kinematic models which omit these effects. Included are oscillatory and slug-like solutions previously conjectured to exist only in systems with particle viscosity.
Selective contractile dysfunction of left, not right, ventricular myocardium in the SHHF rat

The progression of hypertension to cardiac failure involves systemic changes that may ultimately affect contractility throughout the heart. Spontaneous hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) rats have d...
656 ROLE OF PANCREATIC PROTEASE IN DEGRADATION PROCESS OF SUCRASE-ISOMALTASE IN RAT JEJUNUM

Whereas sucrase activity is higher in the upper jejunum than in the lower jejunum, the activity of isomaltase is the same in both segments. To analyze the mechanism involved in this difference, the common pancreatico-biliary duct was occluded in 3-month-old rats. Control animals were sham operated. Eighteen hours after the operation, the activity of sucrase (SA) and isomaltase [determined as palatinose-hydrolyzing activity (PA)] and immuno-reactive amount of sucrase-isomaltase (IRS) were determined in the upper (UJ) and the middle third (LJ) of jejunoileum. Efficacy of the duct ligation was verified by the determination of trypsin activity of each segment. The results (mean ± SEM) are summarized below. Significant differences: *UJ vs LJ; §sham vs ligated. The decreased SA/PA ratio in LJ was restored by pancreatic duct ligation. Significant linear regression was established between trypsin activity in intestinal lumen and SA/PA ratio (r= -0.801, N=16, p < 0.001). Studies thus show that pancreatic proteases have more effect on the degradation of sucrase than on isomaltase.
Tribe and state in revolutionary Iran: the return of the Qashqa'i Khans

This paper discusses the attempted resumption of paramount Qashqa'i leadership upon the fall of the Pahlavi regime in 1979. Paramount Qashqa'i leaders had been exiled from Iran following their support of Prime Minister Mosaddeq in the early 1950s and had, since then, either remained in exile or returned to Iran to live under political restrictions. In early 1979, those in exile returned to Iran and joined the others in resuming positions of regional and national political power.
Interaction of O2 with Pd single crystals in the range 1-150 Torr : Surface morphology transformations

Abstract The interaction of O2 with Pd single crystals including Pd(1 1 1), Pd(1 1 0) and Pd(1 0 0) in the pressure range 1–150 Torr was studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The Pd single crystal surface morphologies were determined by the oxidation conditions: O2 pressure, exposure time and treatment temperature. Oxygen dissolution into Pd metal followed by the formation of bulk oxide was observed. The dissolution of oxygen resulted in the increase of the inter-planar spacing between the first two layers, 9–14% increase after an exposure of Pd(1 1 1) to 10–25 Torr O2 at 600 K for 10 min, and 10–20% increase after exposing Pd(1 1 0) and Pd(1 0 0) to 1 Torr O2 at 600 K for 10 min. Elongated or semi-spherical oxide agglomerates along the steps nucleated and grew on both Pd(1 1 0) and Pd(1 0 0) surfaces after oxidation in 5–25 Torr O2 at 600 K. When bulk PdO was formed, the single crystal surface was covered with semi-spherical agglomerates 2–4 nm in size, which tended to aggregate to form a “cauliflower-like” structure. The single crystal surface area also increased during oxidation.
An empirical examination of switching cost investments in business‐to‐business marketing relationships

The concept of switching costs or transaction‐specific investments has been widely used in theoretical models of industrial buyer‐seller relationships. Yet there are few empirical studies that have examined the dimensionality of switching costs. The purpose of this study is to investigate empirically the dimensions of switching costs. Different typologies, or dimensions, of switching costs are identified from a review of the literature. Measures of these dimensions are developed and empirically tested for construct and pragmatic validity using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Two switching cost dimensions are identified and validated: hard assets and soft assets.
Long-term culture of embryogenic sugarcane callus

Embryogenic calluses of sugarcane capable of regenerating green plants after long-term culture were sought. The largest quantities of embryogenic calluses were produced on Murashige & Skoog medium, but cultures maintained on Chu N6 medium remained embryogenic and totipotent longer. Both media contained 4.5 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-d). The effect of supplements on somatic embryogenesis was examined. Kinetin (0.5 μM) and 10% (v/v) coconut water in callus initiation medium were inhibitory to subsequent embryogenesis. Embryogenic calluses on N6 medium increased in fresh weight with proline concentration up to 90 mM. Maximum fresh weight was achieved with 5% sucrose. Although genotypic differences were observed, embryogenesis occurred in all 17 sugarcane clones tested. Embryogenic calluses of one cultivar regenerated green plants after 16 months, but suspensions were totipotent for only 8 months. Total number of regenerated plants decreased with time in culture, while the number of pale green plants increased starting after 5 months in culture.
Platelets and metastasis revisited: a novel fatty link

Platelets have long been suspected of having a role in cancer progression and metastasis that has largely been attributed to platelet-mediated enhancement of tumor cell survival, extravasation, and angiogenesis. A study in this issue of the JCI suggests that platelet-derived lysophosphatidic acid is coopted by aggressive breast and ovarian cancer cells as a tumor cell mitogen and promoter of osteolysis during bone metastasis.
Predicting failure of composite structures containing cracks

The ability to predict failure loads in composite structures containing through-the-thickness cracks is a requirement in a variety of structural design circumstances. The objective of this study was to develop a practical computational technique that simulates progressive damage growth in the vicinity of the crack tip in a manner that allows the prediction of failure over a wide range of crack sizes. This was accomplished through the use of the discrete crack model with a general purpose finite element program. Calculations were performed for two different laminates with various crack sizes under tensile loading. An analysis was also performed on a section of a composite aircraft fuselage containing a crack and subjected to internal pressure loading. Reasonably good agreement was found between the calculations and the results from tests.
Polymorphisms in CYP1A1 and Ethnic-Specific Susceptibility to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy. The U.S. Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry reports that Hispanic children have the highest incidence of ALL, however, it is unclear if this is due to genetic factors, unique environmental exposures, or both. Previous reports have shown an association between CYP1A1 variants and ALL. Methods: To explore the contribution of CYP1A1 polymorphisms to ALL susceptibility in different ethnic groups, we conducted a case–control analysis in Caucasian, Hispanic, and African-American children. Results: Increased risk of developing ALL was found in the whole sample group for homozygosity of variant alleles at CYP1A1 *2C (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.18–5.33, P = 0.016) and CYP1A1 *2B (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.43–7.34, P = 0.005). Stratified analyses showed increased risks in the Hispanic group ( CYP1A1 *2A, OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.27–5.74, P = 0.010; CYP1A1 *2C, OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.13–5.38, P = 0.023; and CYP1A1 *2B, OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.40–7.69, P = 0.006) but not for the other ethnic groups. Hispanic control subjects were significantly more likely to be carriers of variant alleles as compared to Caucasians ( P < 0.0001) and African Americans ( P = 0.005). Conclusions: Our study suggests that polymorphisms in CYP1A1 may contribute to the increased risk of ALL in Hispanic children due to both their impact on leukemia susceptibility and the increased prevalence of the at-risk alleles in the Hispanic population. Impact: Our study provides a novel and specific link between CYP1A1 polymorphisms and ethnic influence on ALL risk that may help explain varying susceptibilities across groups to environmental toxins. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(7); 1537–42. ©2011 AACR .
Use of the technique for extensor tendon acceleration with an injured soldier after a metacarpal fracture

ObjectiveThe purpose of this case report was to evaluate the effectiveness of the ‘technique for extensor tendon acceleration’ (TETA) in improving an active extensor lag at the metacarpophalangeal ...
Diuretic treatment of systolic hypertension in the elderly.

The publication, in 1991, of the results of the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP) constituted a major therapeutic advance for treating isolated systolic hypertension–systolic blood pressure 160 to 219 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure 60 years of age.1 The results demonstrated not only a decrease in strokes but also coronary heart disease. In earlier studies, the ability to demonstrate a beneficial effect of treating combined systolic diastolic hypertension on the incidence of coronary heart disease was difficult to demonstrate: one possibility that was entertained to explain the difficulty was related to the dose of diuretic used. The relatively high doses of thiazide diuretics (50 to 100 mg/d) used in previous hypertension …
Climate Literacy and a National Climate Service

The effort to establish a National Climate Service would be incomplete without attention to climate literacy. Underpinning the demand for new services is a growing awareness of our collective vulnerability to climate variability and change. How that is portrayed is a challenging problem, one that cannot be answered through web-based delivery of products. Local, trusted sources of climate information are needed and these entities need to be supported as they engage those they serve in a sustained education process on climate. What is learned through this engagement relating to how information is presented and used will inform national efforts to increase services and relevance of climate information.
A heuristic approach to optimum interference in group behavior

Abstract A situation paradigm is presented in which some authority wants to optimize, in the statistical sense, the decisions to be made by the individual members of a group. An incentive scheme based on rewards and penalties is proposed. The appropriate levels of the latter are initially set by experimentally found utility scales and are then continually adjusted by a learning program.
High concentration formulations of recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist: I. physical characterization

At relatively high protein concentrations (i.e., up to 100 mg/mL), recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (rhIL-1ra) was found to exist in a monomer-dimer equilibrium controlled by solution ionic strength. Sedimentation equilibrium at 25 degrees C was used to measure the increase in the dimer dissociation constant (K(d)) as a function of ionic strength. K(d) increased from 2.0 to 12.6 mM as the solution ionic strength was increased from 0.011 to 0.184 molal. These K(d) values were used with both static light scattering and membrane osmometry data collected over a protein concentration range of 1-100 mg/mL to determine second osmotic virial coefficients. Expanding the second osmotic virial coefficient model to account for separate monomer-monomer (B(22)), monomer-dimer (B(23)), and dimer-dimer (B(33)) interactions reveals net monomer-dimer interactions are attractive, whereas the others are repulsive. Lastly, isothermal titration calorimetry dilution experiments showed that rhIL-1ra dimerization is enthalpically driven (DeltaH(dimerization) << 0), which is consistent with intermolecular cation-pi interactions previously proposed as the monomer-monomer contact sites in dimers.
Galileo Gravity Results and the Internal Structure of Io

Doppler data generated with the Galileo spacecraft's radio carrier wave were used to measure Io's external gravitational field. The resulting triaxial field is consistent with the assumption that Io is in tidal and rotational equilibrium. The inescapable conclusion is that it has a large metallic core. If the core is a eutectic mixture of iron and iron sulfide, it comprises 20.2 +/- 7.4 percent of the satellite's total mass with a radius that is about 52 percent of lo's mean radius of 1821.3 kilometers; if the core is pure iron, it comprises 10.5 +/- 3.7 percent of the total mass with a radius of about 36 percent of the mean radius.
Temporal changes of cytokines and nitric oxide products in urine from renal transplant patients

Temporal changes of cytokines and nitric oxide products in urine from renal transplant patients. Background Acute rejection and urinary tract infection (UTI) both increase nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in urine from renal transplant patients. Also, with rejection, a regulatory interplay between nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines has been suggested. Thus, measurement of the temporal changes of NOS products and cytokines in urine will provide a strategy for the diagnosis of acute rejection and for its differentiation from UTI. Methods Soluble interleukins (ILs) and NOS-related products, cyclic GMP (cGMP), nitrate, and nitrite were measured in 192 urine samples consecutively collected from 13 patients within the first three months of transplantation. Sixty-seven additional urine specimens were collected randomly from 24 patients for follow-up analysis of the nitrate test. Results Among patients who experienced rejection, the percentage (%) binding of IL-2 increased within the first five days ( P = 0.0004) after transplantation and one to five days prior to the clinical diagnosis (dx) of rejection ( P = 0.02). Tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, and IL-8 increased at the time of rejection dx ( P ≤ 0.01). With UTI, IL-2 ( P = 0.01) decreased one to five days prior to dx, and IL-10 ( P = 0.003) increased one to five days after dx. Although cGMP and nitrate are dependent variables, cGMP increased ( P ≤ 0.0009) with both rejection and UTI, and nitrate increased ( P = 0.0001) with rejection and decreased ( P = 0.0001) with UTI. Prior to formal dx (1 to 5 days), urine nitrate clearly differentiated rejection (3004 to 7451 μmol/L) from UTI (90 to 885 μmol/L) and controls (1059 to 3235 μmol/L). The additional 67 urines demonstrated that the sensitivity of the nitrate test for rejection and UTI was 100%. Conclusions In renal transplant patients, specific temporal changes in urine cytokine levels do occur with acute rejection and UTI, but urine nitrate levels are the most precise at differentiating rejection from UTI.
Automated selection of auto crash causes

The University of Alabama has developed a software system called the Critical Analysis Reporting Environment (CARE). CARE was designed to provide information for the analysis of automobile crash data. One of the most important applications of CARE is in enabling the decision maker to determine what causes crashes. In this paper, a modified genetic algorithm is used to identify the potential problem areas which are the combination of causal attributes. To find the combination of attributes that causes the accident is a NP-hard combinatorial problem when a big number of variables is involved. However, with an appropriate fitness function, the given combinatorial problem can be solved by a genetic algorithm where only a fraction of possible combinations are used to guide the search to produce the best results. Genetic algorithms that are loosely based on biological evolution provide an effective search method when the problem solving procedure can not be well defined. The crash records of the year 2000 in Alabama's Walker County will be used to demonstrate and to evaluate the proposed algorithm.
Detecting communication errors from visual cues during the system's conversational turn

Automatic detection of communication errors in conversational systems has been explored extensively in the speech community. However, most previous studies have used only acoustic cues. Visual information has also been used by the speech community to improve speech recognition in dialogue systems, but this visual information is only used when the speaker is communicating vocally. A recent perceptual study indicated that human observers can detect communication problems when they see the visual footage of the speaker during the system's reply. In this paper, we present work in progress towards the development of a communication error detector that exploits this visual cue. In datasets we collected or acquired, facial motion features and head poses were estimated while users were listening to the system response and passed to a classifier for detecting a communication error. Preliminary experiments have demonstrated that the speaker's visual information during the system's reply is potentially useful and accuracy of automatic detection is close to human performance.
The acquisition of Spanish

This is the first book on the acquisition of Spanish that provides a state-of-the-art comprehensive overview of Spanish morphosyntactic development in monolingual and bilingual situations. Its content is organized around key grammatical themes that form the empirical base of research in generative grammar: nominal and verbal inflectional morphology, subject and object pronouns, complex structures involving movement (topicalizations, questions, relative clauses), and aspects of verb meaning that have consequences for syntax. The book argues that Universal Grammar constrains all instances of language acquisition and that there is a fundamental continuity between monolingual, bilingual, child and adult early grammatical systems. While stressing their similarities with respect to linguistic representations and processes, the book also considers important differences between these three acquisition situations with respect to the outcome of acquisition. It is also shown that many linguistic properties of Spanish are acquired earlier than in English and other languages. This book is a must read for those interested in the acquisition of Spanish from different theoretical perspectives as well as those working on the acquisition of other languages in different contexts.
Pendred's syndrome: Identification of the genetic defect a century after its recognition

Pendred's syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by goiter and congenital sensorineural deafness. Most patients with Pendred's syndrome are euthyroid, but the perchlorate test is positive indicating an impaired iodide organification. The sensorineural deafness is typically associated with a malformation of the inner ear, referred to as Mondini cochlea. The incidence of Pendred's syndrome is thought to be as high as 7.5 to 10 in 100,000 individuals, and it has been estimated to account for about 10% of the cases with hereditary deafness. Linkage of Pendred's syndrome to chromosome 7q22-31.1 was first established in 1996, and the Pendred's syndrome gene (PDS gene) was cloned in 1997. The PDS gene encodes pendrin, a highly hydrophobic 780 aminoacid protein with 11 transmembrane domains. Its function is unknown. Sequence comparison reveals a very high homology to several sulfate transporters suggesting that it could be a sulfate or anion transporter. A wide spectrum of mutations in the PDS gene has now been associated with Pendred's syndrome. Molecular analysis of the PDS gene is useful to make a definite diagnosis in familial and sporadic cases with Pendred's syndrome, and will be helpful for determining the true prevalence of this disorder.
The smallest particles in Saturn's A and C Rings

Radio occultations of Saturn’s main rings by spacecraft suggest a power law particle size-distribution down to sizes of the order of 1 cm (Marouf, E.A., Tyler, G.L., Zebker, H.A., Simpson, R.A., Eshleman, V.R. [1983]. Icarus 54, 189–211; Zebker, H.A., Marouf, E.A., Tyler, G.L. [1985]. Icarus 64, 531–548.). The lack of optical depth variations between ultraviolet and near-IR wavelengths indicate a lack of micron-sized particles. Between these two regimes, the particle-size distribution is largely unknown. A cutoff where the particle-size distribution turns over must exist, but the position and shape of it is not clear from existing studies. Using a series of solar occultations performed by the VIMS instrument on-board Cassini in the near-infrared, we are able to measure light forward scattered by particles in the A and C Rings. With a model of diffraction by ring particles, and the previous radio work as a constraint on the slope of the particle size distribution, we estimate the minimum particle size using a truncated power-law size distribution. The C Ring shows a minimum particle size of 4.1-1.3+3.8 mm, with an assumed power law index of q = 3.1 and a maximum particle size of 10 m. The A Ring signal shows a similar level of scattered flux, but modeling is complicated by the presence of self-gravity wakes, which violate the assumption of a homogeneous ring, and higher optical depths, which require multiple-order scattering. If q < 3, our A Ring model requires a minimum particle size below one millimeter (<0.34 mm for an assumed q = 2.75, or 0.56-0.16+0.35 mm for a steeper q = 2.9) to be consistent with VIMS observations. These results might seem to contradict previous optical (Dones, L., Cuzzi, J.N., Showalter, M.R. [1993]. Icarus 105, 184–215) and infrared (French, R.G., Nicholson, P.D. [2000]. Icarus 145, 502–523) work, which implied that there were few particles in the A Ring smaller than 1 cm. But, because of the shallow power law, relatively little optical depth (between 0.03 and 0.16 in extinction, or 0.015–0.08 in absorption) is provided by these particles.
Mass Transfer in a Geologic Environment

A new analytical solution is presented that predicts the rate of dissolution of species from a waste package surrounded by a wet porous medium. By equating the rate of diffusive mass transfer into the porous rock to the rate of liquid-surface chemical reaction, an analytical solution for the time-dependent dissolution rate and the time-dependent concentration of dissolved species at the waste surface is obtained. From these results it is shown that for most of the important species in a package of radioactive waste the surface liquid quickly reaches near-saturation concentrations and the dissolution rate can be predicted by the simpler theory that assumes saturation concentrations in the surface liquid. 26 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.
An equation solver of very large capacity

A very simple equation solver of very large capacity is developed. The method described here does not require a very large in-core memory; however, a fast random access device like a magnetic disk drive is required.
Brittle‐to‐Ductile Transition in Silicon Carbide

Observations of the microstructure and creep behavior of two commerical silicon carbides are presented. A combination of techniques has been used to characterize the microstructures. Sequential creep rupture testing has been carried out and scanning electron microscopy used to observe creep-crack propagation and damage development. Basic theory for stress fields and creep rates around a crack tip is relatd to the observed brittle-to-ductile transition in these materials. Analogy with the brittle-to-ductile transition in steels is made and used to interpret the present observation.
Coregulation of CD8+ T cell exhaustion by multiple inhibitory receptors during chronic viral infection

T cell exhaustion often occurs during chronic infection and prevents optimal viral control. The molecular pathways involved in T cell exhaustion remain poorly understood. Here we show that exhausted CD8+ T cells are subject to complex layers of negative regulation resulting from the coexpression of multiple inhibitory receptors. Exhausted CD8+ T cells expressed up to seven inhibitory receptors. Coexpression of multiple distinct inhibitory receptors was associated with greater T cell exhaustion and more severe infection. Regulation of T cell exhaustion by various inhibitory pathways was nonredundant, as blockade of the T cell inhibitory receptors PD-1 and LAG-3 simultaneously and synergistically improved T cell responses and diminished viral load in vivo. Thus, CD8+ T cell responses during chronic viral infections are regulated by complex patterns of coexpressed inhibitory receptors.
Quantitative Measurement of Mass and Aromaticity Distributions for Heavy Distillates 1. Capabilities of the HPLC-2 System

This is the first in a series of papers describing a high-performan ce liquid chromatography (HPLC) system for quantitative measurement of the distribution of both aromatic carbon and mass in heavy distillates. Unique detector algorithms are applied to quantitate the aromaticity and mass of six groups (saturates, 1-4 ring aromatics, and polars) separated from oils using solvent gradients on coupled columns. Separation efficiencies (ring purities) are verified by alternate separations and mass spectra, the aromaticities derived from ultraviolet spectra are validated with 13 C-nuclear magnetic resonance, and the evaporative mass detector results are verified by weighing isolated fractions from multiple runs. Both single- and interlaboratory precision are established at ~10% (1σ relative standard deviation). Several examples are provided to illustrate the utility of HPLC-2 data in refining heavy distillates.
Dependence of photosynthesis and vitamin B12 uptake on cellular vitamin B12 concentration in the multicellular alga Cladophora glomerata (Chlorophyta)

The influence of vitamin B12 on the growth potential of Cladophora glomerata (L.) Kutz. was investigated by quantifying the following responses to cellular vitamin B12 concentrations: yield, photosynthetic rate, and vitamin B12 uptake rate. Yield was expressed as dry weight harvested after a 28-d growth period; photosynthetic rate was estimated by the 14C technique; vitamin uptake rates were determined with 3H-labeled vitamin B12, and cellular vitamin B12 concentration was estimated by bioassay. Functional dependence of these responses on cellular vitamin B12 concentration was best described by the Droop cell-quota model. The critical concentration, defined as the minimal cellular vitamin B12 concentration needed for a maximal response, was estimated as the concentration range that resulted in a response that was 75–85% of the maximum. Responses consistently resulted in a predicted critical concentration range of 0.3–0.5 ng B12 (mg dry wt)−1. This is interpreted as a range of cellular vitamin B12 concentration below which significant limitation of the growth potential of Cladophora occurs and above which it does not. This critical concentration range can be used to indicate vitamin B12 limitation in nature. The physiological parameters describing the Cladophora response curves are similar to those of other algae that require vitamin B12.
Full-wave directional illumination analysis in the frequency domain

Directional illumination analysis based on one-way wave equations has been studied extensively; however, its inherent limitations, e.g., one-way propagation, wide-angle error, and amplitude inaccuracy, can severely hinder its applications for accurate survey design and true-reflection imaging corrections in complex media. We have analyzed the illumination in the frequency domain using full two-way wave propagators considering the extensive computation and huge storage required for time-domain methods, and the fact that the illumination is frequency dependent. This full-wave analysis can provide frequency-dependent full-angle true-amplitude illumination not only for the downgoing waves but also for the upgoing waves, including turning waves and reflected waves. Two methods were considered to decompose the full wavefield into the local angle domain: a direct full-dimensional decomposition and more efficient split-step decomposition composed of three lower-dimensional decompositions. The results of illumination analysis demonstrated the advantages of this method. The two decomposition methods produced similar results.
El lamento de Tegualda: Duelo, fantasma y comunidad en La Araucana

Resumen es: Por medio del personaje de Tegualda en La Araucana, Ercilla elabora una compleja reflexion en torno a la relacion entre Eros y Tanatos y su lugar en la ...
Syndecan-4 mediates macrophage uptake of group V secretory phospholipase A2-modified LDL

We previously reported that LDL modified by group V secretory phospholipase A2 (GV-LDL) promotes macrophage foam cell formation through a mechanism independent of scavenger receptors SR-A and CD36, and dependent on cellular proteoglycans. This study investigates the role of syndecans, a family of cell surface proteoglycans known to mediate endocytosis through macropinocytosis, in macrophage uptake of GV-LDL. LY 294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, significantly reduced internalization of 125I-labeled GV-LDL in J-774 macrophages, consistent with a macropinocytic uptake pathway. Using small, interfering RNA-directed gene silencing, we demonstrated a direct relationship between 125I-labeled GV-LDL binding and the level of syndecan-3 and syndecan-4 expression in J-774 cells. However, 125I-labeled GV-LDL uptake was significantly reduced only when syndecan-4 expression was suppressed. Peritoneal macrophages from syndecan-4-deficient mice exhibited markedly reduced uptake of fluorescently labeled GV-LDL compared with wild-type cells. Furthermore, cholesteryl ester accumulation induced by GV-LDL was dependent on syndecan-4 expression. Syndecan-4 expression and GV-LDL binding were significantly increased in J-774 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide, suggesting that GV-LDL uptake via this pathway may be enhanced during inflammation. Taken together, our data point to a novel role for syndecan-4 in mediating the uptake of GV-LDL, a process implicated in atherosclerotic lesion progression.
Streptococcal brain abscess: analysis of clinical features in 20 patients.

BACKGROUND To assess the clinical features and therapeutic outcomes of brain abscess caused by streptococci. METHODS Twenty patients, 18 males and 2 females, aged 3 to 76 years, collected over a 14-year period, have been identified at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. RESULTS Among these 20 patients, 13 had viridans streptococci infection alone, one had non-A, non-B, and non-D streptococci infection alone, and the other 6 had mixed infections each including streptococci. The locations of all of the abscesses were supratentorial. Among these patients, 18 had a single abscess and 2 had multiple abscesses. Underlying conditions were common in our patients, including head trauma, heart disease, otopharyngeal infection, and medical procedures. Nineteen patients were treated surgically and 1 was treated with antibiotics alone. Nineteen survived and 1 died, with an overall mortality rate of 5%. CONCLUSION The clinical presentations and underlying conditions varied according to the different streptococcal species. Streptococcal brain abscesses accounted for 17% of our cases with brain abscesses, and 30% of our streptococcal infections had polymicrobial infections. Although streptococcal brain abscesses were commonly associated with otopharyngeal infections or infectious endocarditis, they also appeared to be often related to neurosurgical events or medical procedures in recent years. Based on our study, prognosis is favorable with early diagnosis and prompt treatment.