cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Consideration of Gender in Relation to Social Learning and Social Structure: A General Theory of Crime and Deviance:

This article considers Ronald Akers' book, Social Learning and Social Structure: A General Theory of Crime and Deviance, in relation to knowledge about crimes against women and the relationship of gender to type, pattern and amount of crime. Contributions of the book are summarized, and shortcomings discussed. Specific criticisms are lack of integration with feminist theory in the areas of conceptualizing and measuring crime and deviance and a failure to consider gender structure. The final discussion focuses on implications for theory development.
Enumerating bases of self-dual matroids

We define involutively self-dual matroids and prove that an enumerator for their bases is the square of a related enumerator for their self-dual bases. This leads to a new proof of Tutte's theorem that the number of spanning trees of a central reflex is a perfect square, and it solves a problem posed by Kalai about higher dimensional spanning trees in simplicial complexes. We also give a weighted version of the latter result. We give an algebraic analogue relating to the critical group of a graph, a finite abelian group whose order is the number of spanning trees of the graph. We prove that the critical group of a central reflex is a direct sum of two copies of an abelian group, and conclude with an analogous result in Kalai's setting.
Lead ion activates phosphorylation of electroplax Na+- and K+- dependent adenosine triphosphatase [(NaK)-ATPase] in the absence of sodium ion

Abstract PbCl 2 in micromolar concentrations stimulates phosphorylation of electroplax microsomal protein in the absence of Na + . Other divalent cations showed little or no such effect. The (Mg 2+ + Pb 2+ )- and (Mg 2+ + Na + )-dependent membrane-bound protein kinase activities in electroplax particulate preparations exhibit properties in common, including their acid stability, ouabain sensitivity, ATP specificity, and molecular size. It is concluded that the (Mg 2+ + Pb 2+ )-dependent phosphoprotein is part of the Na + -, K + -dependent adenosine triphosphatase [(NaK)ATPase]. The Pb 2+ -dependent product, in contrast to the Na + -dependent one, is insensitive to K + and the hydrolysis of ATP is thus inhibited.
Loop quantum gravity

One of the great challenges facing physics today is to reconcile quantum theory and general relativity. Loop quantum gravity is an approach to this challenge that incorporates quantum theory into our description of spacetime from the very start. Quantum states of the geometry of space are described by "spin networks" - graphs with certain labellings of their edges and vertices. The theory predicts that geometrical quantities such as area and volume take on a discrete spectrum of possible values, and it explains the entropy of black holes by associating information to each point at which a spin network edge punctures the event horizon. I will give a nontechnical introduction to these ideas, focussing on some computational challenges that arise in studying this theory.
Bioengineering bacterial cellulose/poly(ethylene oxide) nanocomposites.

By adding poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) to the growth medium of Acetobacter xylinum, finely dispersed bacterial cellulose (BC)/PEO nanocomposites were produced in a wide range of compositions and morphologies. As the BC/PEO w/w ratio increased from 15:85 to 59:41, the cellulose nanofibers became smaller but aggregated in larger bundles, indicating that PEO mixed with the cellulose on the nanometer scale. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested intermolecular hydrogen bonding and also preferred crystallization into cellulose Iβ in the BC/PEO nanocomposites. The fine dispersion of cellulose nanofibers hindered the crystallization of PEO, lowering its melting point and crystallinity in the nanocomposites although remaining bacterial cell debris also contributed to the melting point depression. The decomposition temperature of PEO also increased by approximately 15 °C, and the tensile storage modulus of PEO improved significantly especially above 50 °C in the nanocomposites. It is argued that this inte...
The Retention Effects of an Adult's Emotional Displays on Infant Behavior

The goal of this investigation was to study the regulatory retention effects of an adult's emotional displays on infant behavior. In Study 1, 11- and 14-month-old infants were tested in a social-referencing-like paradigm in which a 1-hr delay was imposed between the exposure trials and the test trial. In Study 2, 11-month-olds were tested in the same paradigm, but the delay between the exposure trials and the test trial was only 3 min. Study 1 revealed that 14-month-olds, but not 11-month-olds, demonstrated behavior regulatory effects toward the target object linked to the adult's emotional displays. Study 2 indicated that 11-month-olds were affected by the emotional displays if the delay between exposure and test trials was brief enough.
Changing epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of Clostridium difficile toxin-associated colitis

One hundred and ninety patients with Clostridium difficile toxin-associated colitis (CTAC) or pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) were identified, from microbiology records, disease index and proctoscopy service records, and studied retrospectively. CTAC was associated with cephalosporin antibiotic administration in 70 per cent of the patients. CTAC developed postoperatively in 108 patients after all types of surgery with no preponderance for abdominal surgery. Identification of cytotoxin in stool samples was the primary diagnostic test in 81 per cent of patients but cytotoxin was isolated in 98 per cent of all patients. Pseudomembranes visible on proctoscopy established the diagnosis in 19 per cent of patients and were more commonly seen in severe colitis (71 per cent) than in mild colitis (23 per cent). CTAC responded similarly to oral vancomycin and metronidazole with a relapse rate of 20-23 per cent, respectively. With its association with cephalosporin administration, CTAC is likely to occur with increasing frequency in surgical practice. Oral metronidazole is an effective, cheap, alternative to vancomycin therapy.
Soft X-ray magnetic scattering as a probe of recording media

We highlight recent experiments that use magnetic X-ray scattering as a probe of magnetic recording media. Resonant small-angle scattering at the 2p levels of 3d transition elements strongly enhances scattering from both magnetic and chemical structure of thin films and allows a quantitative determination of the chemical and magnetic grain sizes with nm resolution. The chemical grain size measurements compliments the information determined by transmission electron microscope. However, the ability to measure magnetic correlations in the <100 A range is well below the resolution that is currently achievable in most magnetic imaging techniques. Information about length scales in non-magnetic underlayers is also provided by these sensitive scattering measurements by tuning the photon energy to elements that are specific to the underlayer structure. These techniques should continue to provide insight and feedback into the development of future recording media.
The Great Decoupling

cambridge, mass.—A wonderful ride has come to an end. For several decades after World War II the economic statistics we care most about all rose together as if they were tightly coupled. GDP grew, and so did productivity—our ability to get more output from each worker. At the same time, we created millions of jobs, and many of these were the kinds of jobs that allowed the average American worker, who didn’t (and still doesn’t) have a college degree, to enjoy a high and rising standard of living. Productivity growth slowed down in the 1970s—a development that had us rightly worried—but revved up again in the 1990s and has stayed strong most years since. But as the graph below, which was first drawn by economist Jared Bernstein, shows, productivity growth and employment growth started to become decoupled from each other at the end of that decade. Bernstein calls that gap that’s opened up the “jaws of the snake,” and they show no signs of closing. We’re creating jobs these days, but not enough of them. The employment to population ratio, or percentage of working age people that have work, dropped over 5 points during the Great Recession, and has improved only half a point in the almost three and a half years since it ended. We’re creating jobs these days,
STT-RAM designs supporting dual-port accesses

The spin-transfer torque random access memory (STT-RAM) has been widely investigated as a promising candidate to replace the static random access memory (SRAM) as on-chip cache memories. However, the existing STT-RAM cell designs can be used for only single-port accesses, which limits the memory access bandwidth and constraints the system performance. In this work, we propose the design solutions to provide dual-port accesses for STT-RAM. The area increment by introducing an additional port is reduced by leveraging the shared source-line structure. Detailed analysis on the performance/reliability degradation caused by dual-port accesses and the corresponding design optimization are performed. We propose two types of dual-port STT-RAM cell structures having 2 read/write ports (2RW) or 1-read/1-write port (1R/1W), respectively. Comparison shows that a 2RW STT-RAM cell consumes only 42% of area of a dual-port SRAM. The 1R/1W design further reduces 7.7% of cell area under same performance target.
Physiological and pharmacological properties of vanadium

Vanadium is distributed extensively in nature. It is a trace element and is present in almost all living organisms including man. Even though vanadium was originally recognized for its ability to inhibit membrane Na+-K+-ATPase, various laboratory studies now document that this element has the capacity to affect the activity of various intracellular enzyme systems and may modify their physiological functions. Vanadium may be an essential element for normal development and may play an important role in various homeostatic mechanisms, and thus vanadium deficiency may prove to be an important concern. Abnormalities in biological disposition of vanadium may be involved in the pathogenesis of certain neurological disorders or cardiovascular diseases. While the essentiality of this element for living organisms is yet to be established with certainty, vanadium has become an increasingly important element and is used extensively in various heavy industries such as steel, oil, etc.; thus, the incidence of exposure to toxic levels of vanadium to industrial workers has been an increasing concern for toxicologists. To date, little information is available on the physiological or pharmacological actions of vanadium; hence, it is difficult to reach any definitive conclusion concerning its biological significance, essentiality and its role in pathological states. An attempt has been made in this review to broadly document what is known of various biological actions of vanadium.
31P NMR analysis of chicken breast meat vacuum tumbled with NaCl and various phosphates

The hydrolysis of several commercially used phosphates was studied in chicken breast meat marinated and tumbled in 70 g kg−1 NaCl and 12 g kg−1 of either disodium pyrophosphate (DSPP), tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP), tetrapotassium pyrophosphate (TKPP), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) or glass phosphate. After treatment, intact muscle was ground in the presence of EDTA-Na2 to prevent further enzymatic breakdown of phosphates. TSPP and TKPP were fully hydrolysed within 1.25 h, STPP within 3.25 h, DSPP within 6 h and glass phosphate within 24 h. DSPP lowered the muscle pH from 5.97 to 5.60, while TSPP and TKPP increased the pH to 6.10 and 6.19 respectively. Based on PP chemical shifts, the pH was found to increase with time. No evidence of tripolyphosphate (TPP) in the STPP-treated samples was found, suggesting that it had already been hydrolysed to pyrophosphate (PP) or monophosphate (Pi) during treatment. PP hydrolysis occurred at about the same rate as Pi production in STPP-treated samples. Pi production in meat treated with glass phosphate was relatively slow, indicating a lack of muscle enzymes capable of breaking down long-chain phosphates. Late production of Pi after depletion of oligophosphate was attributed to hydrolysis of cellular phosphates. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Abnormal grain growth in alumina-zirconia nanocomposites

Abstract Abnormal grain growth in the alumina-zirconia system was investigated using a zirconia-20 weight% alumina nanocomposite. This composite was synthesized by the chloride sol-gel synthesis technique using zirconium tetrachloride, yttrium chloride and aluminum chloride as precursors. The powders were cold pressed using 40 MPa and sintered at 1773 K or 1873 K for 16 hr. The pellets heat treated at 1773 K showed uniform grain coarsening while the specimens heat treated at 1873 K showed significant amounts of abnormal grain growth. This is attributed to the inability of the alumina dispersoids to pin the zirconia grains at higher temperatures.
Reasonably Full Hydrologic Development of Reservoir Sites

The size of multipurpose reservoir development is usually determined by an economic analysis of reservoir capabilities and the present and projected water resources needs which can be satisfied. This analysis is referred to as project formulation, wherein optimum conditions are sought. In responding to multiple objectives, i.e., national economic development, regional development and environmental quality, which are being considered in river basin planning in recent years, reservoirs should provide for reasonably full hydrologic development. Additional storage will be needed to provide opportunities for economic development, as well as meet unexpected development. Also, it provides more flow regulation capability for quality of environment considerations. An analysis has been made on twelve reservoir sites in the New York State portion of the Susquehanna River Basin to determine the so-called “reasonably full hydrologic development of reservoir sites.” Hydrologic, economic, environmental and physical characteristics of the sites are taken into consideration. For normal conditions, it can be concluded that a yield equivalent to about 80 percent of the average discharge (runoff) can be considered as reasonably full hydrologic development for reservoir sites in the Susquehanna River Basin in New York. The same technique can be applied elsewhere to determine reasonably full hydrologic development of reservoir sites.
Studies on glutathione transport utilizing inside-out vesicle prepared from human erythrocytes

Abstract Adenosine triphosphate-dependent glutathione transport was characterized using inside-out vesicles made from human erythrocytes. Kinetic analysis of the glutathione disulfide (GSSG) transport showed a biphasic Line-weaver-Burk plot as a function of GSSG concentration suggesting the operation of two different processes. One phase had a high affinity for GSSG and a low transport velocity. Most active at acidic pH and at 25°C, this transport activity was easily lost during the storage of vesicles at 4°C. The K m for Mg-ATP was 0.63 mM; guanosine triphosphate (GTP) substituted for ATP gave a 340% stimulation of transport activity. Neither dithiothreitol nor thiol reagents affected this transport process. The other phase had a low affinity for GSSG and a high transport velocity. Most active at pH 7.2 and 37°C, this transport activity was stable during storage of vesicles at 4°C for several days. The K m for Mg-ATP was 1.25 mM; GTP substituted with no change in activity. Dithiothreitol increased the V but did not alter the K m , and thiol reagents inhibited the transport. These findings suggest that there are two independent transfer processes for GSSG in human erythrocytes.
Transsynaptic virus tracing from host brain to subretinal transplants.

The aim of this study was to establish synapses between a transplant and a degenerated retina. To tackle this difficult task, a little-known but well-established CNS method was chosen: trans-synaptic pseudorabies virus (PRV) tracing. Sheets of E19 rat retina with or without retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were transplanted to the subretinal space in 33 Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) and transgenic s334ter-5 rats with retinal degeneration. Several months later, PRV-BaBlu (expressing E. colibeta-galactosidase) or PRV-Bartha was injected into an area of the exposed superior colliculus (SC), topographically corresponding to the transplant placement in the retina. Twenty normal rats served as controls. After survival times of 1-5 days, retinas were examined for virus by X-gal histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. In normal controls, virus was first seen in retinal ganglion cells and Muller glia after 1-1.5 days, and had spread to all retinal layers after 2-3 days. Virus-labeled cells were found in 16 of 19 transplants where the virus injection had retrogradely labeled the topographically correct transplant area of the host retina. Electron microscopically, enveloped and nonenveloped virus could clearly be detected in infected cells. Enveloped virus was found only in neurons. Infected glial cells contained only nonenveloped virus. Neurons in retinal transplants are labeled after PRV injection into the host brain, indicating synaptic connectivity between transplants and degenerated host retinas. This study provides evidence that PRV spreads in the retina as in other parts of the CNS and is useful to outline transplant-host circuitry.
Ru2Ge3 : crystal growth and some properties

Large samples of Ru 2 Ge 3 were grown from Ge-rich off-stoichiometric melts at a temperature close to 1460 o C by a vertical gradient freeze method in graphite and glassy carbon crucibles. Diffusionless transition from a high temperature tetragonal structure to a low temperature orthorhombic structure causes twinning and crack formation. The thermal expansion coefficients of both low and high temperature phases were measured. Some electrical transport properties in the 25-1000 o C temperature range in different crystallographic directions are also described for this high temperature semiconductor. Substantial anisotropy is observed
Retinal Hemorrhages in Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Detachment of the posterior vitreous can cause clinically significant retinal hemorrhage. Two patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment had massive retinal hemorrhages overlying the optic disks. These absorbed in time without sequealae. A third patient had numerous small blot hemorrhages scattered near the optic disk and macula. A fourth patient presented with a small macular hemorrhage causing temporary visual loss. All patients had moderately severe myopia and were in good health without hypertension or diabetes. There was no history of trauma or Valsalva maneuver. Hematologic and coagulation studies were normal. These cases indicate that retinal hemorrhages due to posterior vitreous detachment may be strikingly large, multiple, and, when involving the macula, cause temporary visual loss.
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease in Childhood

Rheumatic diseases with overlapping clinical features have been known since at least 1900 under such descriptive designations as "sclerodermatomyositis," "lupoderma," "rupus," and others. These hybrid descriptors recognize the occasional mixing of features of the classic rheumatic disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, and systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), in the same patient. However, because of the absence of precise pathogenetic and etiologic information, even the traditional rheumatic diseases have been largely classified on the basis of aggregations of clinical, histologic, and immunologic findings. In 1972, Sharp and colleagues first described 26 adults with a new syndrome, which they defined as mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). A major contribution of Sharp and his colleagues was to name and attempt to classify an overlap syndrome in explicit clinical terms and to associate it with specific autoantibodies directed against "extractable nuclear antigen" (ENA). One year later, the first child with MCTD was reported, and in 1977 a series of 14 children with MCTD was first investigated. Where does mixed connective tissue disease, in both children and adults, stand now after more than a decade of study? Directly, the concept of MCTD has focused our attention upon the description of overlapping features of the rheumatic diseases, and it has forced us to confront whether "lumping" or "splitting" descriptors serves the patient from a therapeutic or prognostic point of view.
Large Engine Hybrid Ceramic Bearings

General Electric Aircraft Engines under contract from the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), has demonstrated the ability of ceramic rolling elements to withstand shock loading conditions experienced during race spalling, has performed a series of full scale tests directed at showing the thermal benefit of large hybrid bearings at speeds up to 3.0 MDN, and has developed a condition monitoring device that detects both ceramic and metallic bearing debris. The details of the three primary tasks are presented in this paper: Task 1 involves the testing of a hybrid bearing operating in severe shock loading conditions, with comparisons to an all steel bearing. Task 2 involves back-to-back comparison of an all-steel high speed bearing to a hybrid bearing of the same geometry and to a hybrid bearing of tighter race curvatures, showing differences between outer ring temperatures of all-steel and hybrid bearings. Task 3 deals with the bench testing of a new ultrasonic bearing condition monitoring device, designed to collect and detect both ceramic or metallic debris.Copyright © 1994 by ASME
Holocene paleoecology of an estuary on Santa Rosa Island, California

The middle to late Holocene history and early Anglo-European settlement impacts on Santa Rosa Island, California, were studied through the analysis of sediments in a small estuarine marsh. A 5.4-m-long sediment core produced a stratigraphic and pollen record spanning the last 5200 yr. Three major zones are distinguishable in the core. The lowermost zone (5200 to 3250 yr B.P.) represents a time of arid climate with predominantly marine sediment input and high Chenopodiaceae and Ambrosia pollen values. The intermediate zone (3250 yr B.P. to 1800 A.D.) is characterized by greater fresh water input and high values for Asteraceae and Cyperaceae pollen and charcoal particles. The uppermost zone (1800 A.D. to present) documents the unprecedented erosion, sedimentation, and vegetation change that resulted from the introduction of large exotic herbivores and exotic plants to the island during Anglo-European settlement. The identification of pollen grains of Torrey Pine (Pinus torreyana) documents the persistence of this endemic species on the island throughout the middle to late Holocene.
Where Spirit and Bulldozer Roam: Environmenta and Anxiety in Highland Borneo

This paper explores changing perceptions of the natural environment among the Kelabit, an indigenous people of the Borneo interior. It considers both traditional and post- Christian conversion understandings about forest spaces. The former animistic ritual practices of the Kelabit centered on a spiritual dialogue with the natural world and this dialogue was often marked by active efforts to avoid or mitigate danger through ritual practice. One key example presented here is the former ceremony of ‘calling the eagle’ (nawar keniu), a ritual employed in times of crisis that exemplifies the dialogical and entwined relationship Kelabit had to the natural world. Such former animistic beliefs are contrasted with contemporary Christian practices, including a local mountain retreat on Mount Murud and present day political and economic anxieties over logging in the Kelabit highlands as a means to consider relationships between religion and attitudes toward the environment among the Kelabit.
Readiness for Change: Appropriation of External Resources in Two Urban Schools.

There are few instances in the literature on urban school reform that have closely studied specific school buildings to describe the grant resource ap- propriation process. This study attempts to fill that gap by developing case studies of two middle schools with divergent profiles in resource utilization through micro-ethnographies. One school exhibited optimal engagement with opportunities made available through a large federally funded grant, whereas the second school failed to do the same through this initiative. We investigated how the unique features of these schools and key individuals within them intersected with the structure of the grant program to shape the nature of school engagement. These two case study narratives illuminate the range of factors that might be implicated in the implementation of school reform initiatives, particularly in urban settings.
Postural set and overt movement: a force-platform analysis.

Summary.-If the posrural set is altered by changing the habitual balance of the head during a movement performed against gravity, the subjective feeling of weight can be markedly reduced. For the movement from sitting-to-standing an objective record of force distribution corresponding to the differences in feeling tone reported by S has been obtained with a strain-gauge force platform. The force platform appears well adapted for studying the relation between postural set and overt movement. A method has been described for changing the reflex balance of the head in a normal S by inhibiting his habitual "set" during a movement performed against gravity, e.g., straightening up from a postural slump (Jones, 1965). If the muscles attached to the head are kept from shortening during such a movement, the head will have a different tensional relation to the body from what it has habitually. When the changed relation between head and trunk is maintained during a subsequent movement, e.g., walking or getting up from a chair, Ss consistently report a marked reduction in the feeling of weight. It has been conjectured that the mechanism by which movement pattern and feeling tone are changed is the anti-gravity reflexes (the righting reflexes of Magnus) which are partially inhibited by neuro-muscular sets: the inhibition of these habitual sets facilitates anti-gravity responses (Jones, 1963). The effect of a change in head balance on the movement from sitting to standing is illustrated in Fig. 1 by triangle diagrams drawn from the projected frames of a motion picture. The triangles were constructed by connecting points over the seventh cervical vertebra and the sternal notch with each other and with the midpoint of the Frankfort plane. The plane (which is defined by a line drawn from the tragion of the ear to the low point of the orbit) is indicated by a bar at the apex of the triangle. Triangle and bar provide a measure of the changing relations of head to trunk and head to horizon. The first diagram in each row represents S's habitual pattern of standing up. The other two show how the head-balance was changed during the "experimental" or guided movements, and how the head trajectory was affected by the change. Dealing directly with the kinesthetic element in response patterns, the method has important implications for education and therapy. Guiding a movement in this way is a form of non-verbal communication which gives S a kinesthetic standard for judging the efficiency of an habitual response pattern and a 'This study was supported by the Tufts Fund for Research in Kinesthesis and with the assistance of the Tufts University Faculty Awards Committee. Tresent address : Man-Tech, Inc., Reading, Massachusetts.
The solid-phase combinatorial synthesis of β-thioketones

Abstract A solid-phase split-mix organic synthesis method was developed which, by two synthetic steps, converts polymer-bound aldehyde I into resins III. Step one consists of dividing I into three equal portions in separate flasks, condensing each with a different ylide, and subsequently recombining to give II. This mixture of beads was again equally divided into three flasks, and each flask treated with a thiolate Michael donor. Prior to recombining the contents of each flask (i.e., sub-library), samples of each resin were removed and incubated with a THF/HCO2H mixture to liberate the small molecule products. GC-MS established that each sub-library (A, B, and C) contained the three anticipated formate esters. In addition, GC analysis illustrates that, while there were no purification steps involved in this solid-phase analogous organic synthesis save bead washings between steps, the desired products are obtained in excellent purity. Single bead (200–400 mesh) selection from library D (combined sub-libraries A-C), solvolysis, and GC-MS analysis shows that compound identities can be established on a per bead basis.
Differential roles of IL-1 and TNF-α on graft-versus-host disease and graft versus leukemia

We demonstrate an increase in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after experimental bone marrow transplant (BMT) when cyclophosphamide (Cy) is added to an otherwise well-tolerated dose (900 cGy) of total body irradiation (TBI). Donor T cell expansion on day +13 was increased after conditioning with Cy/TBI compared with Cy or TBI alone, although cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) function was not altered. Histological analysis of the gastrointestinal tract demonstrated synergistic damage by Cy/TBI and allogeneic donor cells, which permitted increased translocation of LPS into the systemic circulation. TNF-α and IL-1 production in response to LPS was increased in BMT recipients after Cy/TBI conditioning. Neutralization of IL-1 significantly reduced serum LPS levels and GVHD mortality, but it did not affect donor CTL activity. By contrast, neutralization of TNF-α did not prevent GVHD mortality but did impair CTL activity after BMT. When P815 leukemia cells were added to the bone marrow inoculum, allogeneic BMT recipients given the TNF-α inhibitor relapsed at a significantly faster rate than those given the IL-1 inhibitor. To confirm that the role of TNF-α in graft versus leukemia (GVL) was due to effects on donor T cells, cohorts of animals were transplanted with T cells from either wild-type mice or p55 TNF-α receptor–deficient mice. Recipients of TNF-α p55 receptor–deficient T cells demonstrated a significant impairment in donor CTL activity after BMT and an increased rate of leukemic relapse compared with recipients of wild-type T cells. These data highlight the importance of conditioning in GVHD pathophysiology, and demonstrate that TNF-α is critical to GVL mediated by donor T cells, whereas IL-1 is not. J. Clin. Invest. 104:459-467 (1999).
The beam-foil interaction process

Abstract A specific case of the particle-solid interaction that has become known as the beam-foil interaction will be discussed with emphasis on problems related to the beam-foil technique. The nature of the interaction is studied from both a fundamental and a “practical” point of view. Investigations of fundamental processes clarify the role of foil and beam parameters on energy loss, scattering, charge exchange, sputtering yields, and excited state formation. A practical look at a real foil involves problems of foil preparation, changes in foil character, and breakage during experiments. Some non-linear effects such as heating, and foil thickening occur which can affect normalization procedures when the foil is used in beam-foil experiments.
Differential roles of regulatory light chain and myosin binding protein-C phosphorylations in the modulation of cardiac force development

Phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) by protein kinase A (PKA) independently accelerate the kinetics of force development in ventricular myocardium. However, while MLCK treatment has been shown to increase the Ca(2+) sensitivity of force (pCa(50)), PKA treatment has been shown to decrease pCa(50), presumably due to cardiac troponin I phosphorylation. Further, MLCK treatment increases Ca(2+)-independent force and maximum Ca(2+)-activated force, whereas PKA treatment has no effect on either force. To investigate the structural basis underlying the kinase-specific differential effects on steady-state force, we used synchrotron low-angle X-ray diffraction to compare equatorial intensity ratios (I(1,1)/I(1,0)) to assess the proximity of myosin cross-bridge mass relative to actin and to compare lattice spacings (d(1,0)) to assess the inter-thick filament spacing in skinned myocardium following treatment with either MLCK or PKA. As we showed previously, PKA phosphorylation of cMyBP-C increases I(1,1)/I(1,0) and, as hypothesized, treatment with MLCK also increased I(1,1)/I(1,0), which can explain the accelerated rates of force development during activation. Importantly, interfilament spacing was reduced by 2 nm (3.5%) with MLCK treatment, but did not change with PKA treatment. Thus, RLC or cMyBP-C phosphorylation increases the proximity of cross-bridges to actin, but only RLC phosphorylation affects lattice spacing, which suggests that RLC and cMyBP-C modulate the kinetics of force development by similar structural mechanisms; however, the effect of RLC phosphorylation to increase the Ca(2+) sensitivity of force is mediated by a distinct mechanism, most probably involving changes in interfilament spacing.
Comparing Responses to Horticultural-Based and Traditional Activities in Dementia Care Programs:

Engaging persons with dementia in meaningful activities supports well-being; however, care staff are challenged to implement age- and ability-appropriate activities in a group setting. We compared a randomly assigned treatment group, who received horticultural therapy-based (HT-based) programming to a comparison group, who engaged in traditional activities (TA) programming, on engagement and affect. Horticultural therapy-based programming was implemented twice weekly at 4 treatment sites for 6 weeks, while regular TA were observed at comparison sites. Results revealed no differences between groups on affective domains. Levels of adaptive behavior differed between the groups, with the treatment group demonstrating higher levels of active, passive, and other engagement and the comparison group demonstrating higher levels of self-engagement. Our results highlight the value of HT-based programs and the importance of simultaneously capturing participants' affective and behavioral responses. Theoretical and practical considerations about the facilitation of and context in which the programming occurs are discussed.
Distribution of mRNA encoding a novel opioid receptor in mouse brain

Abstract We have used degenerate oligonucleotide primers and PCR to clone a novel G protein-coupled receptor from rat striatum mRNA. This clone, r21, shares extensive sequence identity with the mouse delta (δ) opioid receptor identified in NG108-15 cells. Sequence analysis of r21 revealed that it is: 91%, 59%, 75% and 60% identical to the mouse δ opioid receptor in transmembrane (TM) domains III, IV, V and VI, respectively. An antisense riboprobe spanning TMs III – VI was prepared and hybridized in situ to mouse brain sections. The distribution of r21 mRNA in the mouse brain suggests that it may encode a kappa opioid receptor subtype.
Hydrogasification of Carbon in an Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma

Hydrogasification of carbon (C + 2H2 rarr CH4) was studied using a microwave plasma in atmospheric pressure Ar/H2 mixtures. When the activated Ar/H2 gas stream interacted with cold carbon particles downstream of the microwave cavity, CH4 (methane) was the only stable gasification product, as measured by gas chromatography. However, when carbon particles were injected into the plasma within the microwave cavity, both C2H2 (acetylene) and C2H4 (ethylene) were measured in addition to CH4. To identify a gasification mechanism by the microwave plasma, UV emission and minimum operational power required to maintain plasma were measured. From the experimental results, the initial reaction step leading to CH4 is thought to be a chemisorption-desorption reaction of hydrogen radical onto a carbon particle. For the C2H2 and C2H4 generation, hydrogen ion reaction with a carbon particle is suggested.
The Swedish Housing Model: an Assessment:

In the postwar period Sweden has undertaken extensive political interventions for the purpose of achieving social housing goals. Today, the Swedish housing standard is one of the highest in the world with virtually all households provided adequate shelter. Yet, serious reservations concerning both efficiency and equity must be raised with respect to the Swedish model.
Comparison of monostatic and bistatic radar images

An initial study of bistatic radar images using scattering data computed from a boundary-of-revolution method of moments algorithm is described. Bistatic image results are compared with those for a monostatic system to illuminate the differences which may arise due to distinct scattering behaviors; variations with the bistatic angle (i.e. the angle between incident and scattering directions) and with polarization are also considered. Results show that specular-like mechanisms indeed produce similar images from monostatic or bistatic data, but higher order scattering effects can appear significantly different.
A Strong Start: Plasma Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Stroke Differential Diagnosis

In the January issue of Clinical Chemistry , Foerch and colleagues (1) report on the diagnostic accuracy of plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)2 for differentiating intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and cerebral ischemia in patients with symptoms of acute stroke. This major, welcome effort from the Biomarker for Rapid Diagnosis of Hemispheric Stroke (BE FAST!) group cites highly significant differences in plasma GFAP collected within 4.5 h of symptom onset for acute stroke. No fewer than 14 centers (13 German and 1 Swiss) collected data on 205 patients during the 1-year period between June 1, 2009, and May 31, 2010. The diagnostic accuracy for ICH generated P values of <0.001, compared with ischemic stroke (IschSt) or stroke “mimic.” A readily performed blood test that showed this large a difference would affect the management of acute stroke. It could spare the lost time and efforts of acute imaging tests to rule out ICH and …
Cue-reactors: individual differences in cue-induced craving after food or smoking abstinence.

Background: Pavlovian conditioning plays a critical role in both drug addiction and binge eating. Recent animal research suggests that certain individuals are highly sensitive to conditioned cues, whether they signal food or drugs. Are certain humans also more reactive to both food and drug cues? Methods: We examined cue-induced craving for both cigarettes and food, in the same individuals (n=15 adult smokers). Subjects viewed smoking-related or food-related images after abstaining from either smoking or eating. Results: Certain individuals reported strong cue-induced craving after both smoking and food cues. That is, subjects who reported strong cue-induced craving for cigarettes also rated stronger cue-induced food craving. Conclusions: In humans, like in nonhumans, there may be a ‘‘cue-reactive’’ phenotype, consisting of individuals who are highly sensitive to conditioned stimuli. This finding extends recent reports from nonhuman studies. Further understanding this subgroup of smokers may allow clinicians to individually tailor therapies for smoking cessation.
Navigating documents with the virtual scroll ring

We present a technique for scrolling through documents that is simple to implement and requires no special hardware. This is accomplished by simulating a hardware scroll ring--a device that maps circular finger motion into vertical scrolling. The technique performs at least as well as a mouse wheel for medium and long distances, and is preferred by users. It can be particularly useful in portable devices where screen-space and space for peripherals is at a premium.
Innovative Techniques to Decrease Blood Exposure and Minimize Interruptions in Pediatric Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) allows gradual, precise removal of excess fluid and solutes. Special considerations are necessary for children who require CRRT because of their smaller circulating blood volumes and the potential for hemodynamic instability associated with the initiation of CRRT. In critically ill children, the CRRT circuit is often primed with blood rather than saline to prevent excessive hemodilution. Two innovative techniques have been designed to limit repeated exposure to donated blood, reduce hemodynamic instability associated with priming of the circuit with blood, and limit interruptions in CRRT. A circuit-to-circuit exchange technique offers a safe, effective alternative method for CRRT circuit changes in small children and infants. A concurrent technique that combines CRRT with plasmapheresis is effective in preventing interruptions of therapy when patients require multiple modes of supportive treatment.
Gating of a G protein-sensitive mammalian Kir3.1 - prokaryotic Kir channel chimera in planar lipid bilayers

Kir3 channels control heart rate and neuronal excitability through GTP-binding (G) protein and phosphoinositide signaling pathways. These channels were the first characterized effectors of the βγ subunits of G proteins. Because we currently lack structures of complexes between G proteins and Kir3 channels, their interactions leading to modulation of channel function are not well understood. The recent crystal structure of a chimera between the cytosolic domain of a mammalian Kir3.1 and the transmembrane region of a prokaryotic KirBac1.3 (Kir3.1 chimera) has provided invaluable structural insight. However, it was not known whether this chimera could form functional K+ channels. Here, we achieved the functional reconstitution of purified Kir3.1 chimera in planar lipid bilayers. The chimera behaved like a bona fide Kir channel displaying an absolute requirement for PIP2 and Mg2+-dependent inward rectification. The channel could also be blocked by external tertiapin Q. The three-dimensional reconstruction of the chimera by single particle electron microscopy revealed a structure consistent with the crystal structure. Channel activity could be stimulated by ethanol and activated G proteins. Remarkably, the presence of both activated Gα and Gβγ subunits was required for gating of the channel. These results confirm the Kir3.1 chimera as a valid structural and functional model of Kir3 channels.
Neighborhoods and Public-Private Partnerships in Pittsburgh

The long-term impact of public-private partnerships as a governing structure has not been adequately explored. In Pittsburgh, neighborhood groups have struggled to participate in the partnership's revitalization agenda. Their participation often is recognized as necessary for legitimation purposes, but they are often excluded from influencing economic development policy. Theories of incorporation and corporatism provide some insight into the possibilities and limits of including neighborhood interests in partnerships. A dynamic of consent best explains why neighborhood interests are often in contradiction with partnership agendas and why there are inherent limits to legitimacy in partnership structures.
A neural-net-based device for monitoring Amtrak railroad track system

This paper demonstrates the feasibility of employing artificially intelligent automation for the task of monitoring the Amtrak railroad track system in a real-time transportation environment. The neural-net-based device (automation) processes several quantities that portray the localized existence of the Amtrak system. These quantities may be one or more of the following: location of the switch on the railroad track; time of observation; and the direction of travel. Given these quantities, it is desired that the state of the system, (which can only belong to one of several distinct categories) be predicted as outputs of the automation. Possible outputs are conditions classified as NORMAL, NOT NORMAL , REVERSE, and NOT REVERSE . Implicit in the choice of a configuration of inputs and outputs is the hypothesis of the existence of a multivariable mapping connecting these inputs and outputs-a mapping that hopefully coincides with the real-world dynamics of the railroad track. The neural-net-based device is tested on a specific, already-in-place transportation control system-the Centralized Electrification & Traffic Control (CETC) system operated by Amtrak on the northeast corridor. The CETC is chosen because of the clear value which such an operational safety and security monitor would bring to it. The test results obtained in this paper confirm that artificial neural networks can be effectively used to solve the pattern recognition problem posed by the Amtrak system. To the best of the author's knowledge, no similar work is outstanding, planned, or anticipated at this time.
miR-451 Regulates Dendritic Cell Cytokine Responses to Influenza Infection

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important posttranscriptional regulators in immune cells, but how viral infection regulates miRNA expression to shape dendritic cell (DC) responses has not been well characterized. We identified 20 miRNAs that were differentially expressed in primary murine DCs in response to the dsRNA agonist polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, a subset of which were modestly regulated by influenza infection. miR-451 was unique because it was induced more strongly in primary splenic and lung DCs by live viral infection than by purified agonists of pattern recognition receptors. We determined that miR-451 regulates a subset of proinflammatory cytokine responses. Three types of primary DCs treated with antisense RNA antagomirs directed against miR-451 secreted elevated levels of IL-6, TNF, CCL5/RANTES, and CCL3/MIP1α, and these results were confirmed using miR-451null cells. miR-451 negatively regulates YWHAZ/14-3-3ζ protein levels in various cell types, and we measured a similar inhibition of YWHAZ levels in DCs. It is known that YWHAZ can control the activity of two negative regulators of cytokine production: FOXO3, which is an inhibitory transcription factor, and ZFP36/Tristetraprolin, which binds to AU-rich elements within 3′-untranslated regions to destabilize cytokine mRNAs. Inhibition of miR-451 expression correlated with increased YWHAZ protein expression and decreased ZFP36 expression, providing a possible mechanism for the elevated secretion of IL-6, TNF, CCL5/RANTES, and CCL3/MIP1α. miR-451 levels are themselves increased by IL-6 and type I IFN, potentially forming a regulatory loop. These data suggest that viral infection specifically induces a miRNA that directs a negative regulatory cascade to tune DC cytokine production.
Comparison of minority carrier lifetime measurements in superstrate and substrate CdTe PV devices

We discuss typical and alternative procedures to analyze time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurements of minority carrier lifetime (MCL) with the hope of enhancing our understanding of how this technique may be used to better analyze CdTe photovoltaic (PV) device functionality. Historically, TRPL measurements of the fast recombination rate (t 1 ) have provided insightful correlation with broad device functionality. However, we have more recently found that t 1 does not correlate as well with smaller changes in device performance, nor does it correlate well with performance differences observed between superstrate and substrate CdTe PV devices. This study presents TRPL data for both superstrate and substrate CdTe devices where both t 1 and the slower TRPL decay (t 2 ) are analyzed. The study shows that changes in performance expected from small changes in device processing may correlate better with t 2 . Numerical modeling further suggests that, for devices that are expected to have similar drift field in the depletion region, effects of changes in bulk MCL and interface recombination should be more pronounced in t 2 . Although this technique may provide future guidance to improving CdS/CdTe device performance, it is often difficult to extract statistically precise values for t 2 , and therefore t 2 data may demonstrate significant scatter when correlated with performance parameters.