cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-dimensional fluid-transient analysis by the method of nearcharacteristics

Abstract A numerical technique based on the method of nearcharacteristics is used for solving nonlinear fluid-transient problems in two-dimensional plane or axisymmetric geometries. The solution procedure is constructed by relating flow conditions through compatibility relations along nearcharacteristic lines which lie in coordinate planes. This leads to an efficient computational technique which is a direct extension of the one-dimensional method of characteristics and which requires only simple one-dimensional interpolations. Because the nearcharacteristics fall outside the characteristic cone, the solution procedure refers directly to conditions outside the true domains of dependence. However, numerical calculations for simple example problems and comparisons with analytical and experimental results show that the nearcharacteristic procedure is in general as accurate as the bicharacteristic method. Von Neumann stability analysis for a linearized version of the numerical procedure reveals that the schemes based on a formulation in a single coordinate plane are unconditionally unstable. However, averaging the two unstable solutions yields a stable procedure with a stability criterion equivalent to that of the bicharacteristic procedure ( cδt δx ⩽ 0.5 ). Numerical experimentation verifies that these findings for the linearized system also apply to the nonlinear procedures. The ease of formulation of the nearcharacteristic equations and the numerical schemes, even for problems involving large numbers of independent variables or multitudes of characteristics, makes this technique attractive for application where alternate methods of characteristic approaches become too cumbersome or outright impossible.
Kinetics and thermodynamics of nitric oxide binding to transition metal complexes. Relationship to dioxygen binding

The kinetics and activation parameters for ˙NO dissociation from L(H2O)Co(NO)2+ (L = L1 = cyclam and L2 = meso-Me6-cyclam), L2(H2O)Rh(NO)2+, and Cr(H2O)5NO2+ were determined in aqueous solution in the presence of IrCl62−, IrBr62−, or O2 as scavengers for ˙NO and/or metal(II) complexes. The rate constants k–NO at 25 °C are (5.7 ± 0.1) × 10−3 s−1 for L2(H2O)Co(NO)2+, (1.0 ± 0.1) × 10−4 for L1(H2O)Co(NO)2+, (5.9 ± 2.0) × 10−8 for Cr(H2O)5NO2+ and (3.5 ± 1.8) × 10−9 s−1 for L2(H2O)Rh(NO)2+. The kinetics of the reverse reaction were determined by laser flash photolysis at 25 °C, kNO = (1.7 ± 0.2) × 107 M−1 s−1 for L2Co(H2O)22+ and (1.8 ± 0.1) × 108 M−1 s−1 for L2(H2O)Rh2+. The rate constants kNO and k–NO obtained here and those available in the literature were used to calculate the equilibrium binding constants KNO for a series of nitrosyl metal complexes. A good correlation was found between log KNO and log KO2, the latter corresponding to O2 binding. The correlation includes complexes of four different transition metals as well as hydrogen atom, and covers a range of about 3 V in reduction potentials. The implications of these results are discussed.
Performance characteristics of conditioned blood pressure elevations in the baboon.

Operant conditioning of diastolic blood pressure elevation was accomplished in six baboons (Papio sp.) by a procedure using food delivery when diastolic pressure was maintained above a prespecified level, and shock delivery when diastolic pressure remained below that level. Data from steady-state performance indicated a rise in diastolic pressure by a median 22 mm Hg when the daily session was begun. Elevated levels of diastolic blood pressure and low shock frequencies were maintained throughout the 12-hour session. The frequency and duration of shifts in diastolic pressure to below criterion level were found to be variable during the first 1–2 hours but were stable throughout the remainder of the session. Heart rate had a phasic temporal pattern over the 12-hour session, characterized for most subjects by a rate increase at session onset followed by a rate decrease. Analysis of individual performance records showed that the blood pressure increases could occur without concomitant elevations in heart rate.
Effect of light intensity level during prelay light restriction on subsequent reproductive performance of turkey breeder hens.

Abstract Two trials were conducted to determine whether light intensity levels during the prelay (light restriction) and the lay (egg production) periods influenced subsequent photoinduced reproductive performance of turkey breeder hens. The light intensity levels were 22 and 270 lx and each was provided during the prelay and lay periods in a factorial arrangement. Each of the lay period light intensity levels were applied to half of the hens from each prelay treatment group. Data were collected for BW, rate of reproductive development, egg production, fertility, hatchability, egg weight, and poult weight. There were no interactions between the prelay and lay period treatments, nor a consistent prelay light intensity effect on rate of initiation of lay or duration of time to achieve 50% production. In addition, prelay and lay light intensity levels had no consistent effects on rate of lay, percentage of fertility and hatchability, egg weight, and poult weight. It was concluded that there was no advantage to the use of high-intensity light during short-day light restriction of the prelay period on subsequent reproductive performance.
Enhanced Gi‐protein–mediated mitogenesis following chronic ethanol exposure in a rat model of experimental hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with increased expression and function of inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (Gi-proteins). This study addresses the effects of chronic ethanol exposure on the expression and function of adenylyl cyclase (AC)-linked G-proteins (Gs and Gi) and growth in experimental HCC. G-protein expression and function was determined by immunoblot in the hepatic tumorigenic H4IIE cell line and isolated cultured hepatocytes in the absence or presence of ethanol (5-100 mmol/L). Chronic exposure (24 hours) to ethanol dose-dependently increased Gialpha1/2 expression in the H4IIE cell line, but not in cultured hepatocytes. Gsalpha-protein expression remained unchanged in both H4IIE cells and cultured hepatocytes following ethanol treatment. In addition, ethanol directly activated a Gi-protein, because pertussis toxin (PTx)-catalyzed, adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-dependent ribosylation of Gialpha substrates decreased following ethanol treatment. The increased functional activity of Gialpha1/2-protein expression was confirmed by demonstrating that ethanol dose-dependently inhibited basal and stimulated AC activity in H4IIE cells, while not significantly altering basal AC activity in isolated cultured hepatocytes. Furthermore, while ethanol had no significant effect on basal mitogenesis in H4IIE cells or hepatocytes, increased mitogenesis caused by direct Gialpha-protein stimulation (mastoparan M7; 10-5,000 nmol/L) was further enhanced in the presence of ethanol, an effect that was completely blocked following Gi-protein inhibition (PTx; 100 ng/mL). In contrast, activation of Gi-proteins using M7 failed to alter cellular mitogenesis in isolated cultured hepatocytes, whether in the absence or presence of ethanol. Finally, analysis of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity demonstrated that chronic ethanol treatment further enhanced Gi-protein-stimulated MAPK activity in hepatic tumorigenic cells. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that ethanol enhances cellular mitogenesis in experimental HCC as a result of, at least in part, a Gi-MAPK-dependent pathway. Furthermore, this effect may be caused by ethanol's direct up-regulation of the expression and activity of Gi-proteins in HCC.
Selective Detection of Mixed Bacterial Survivors from Fish Fillets after Freezing and Thawing by Ethidium Bromide Monoazide Real-Time PCR

The effect of freezing and thawing on the survival of mixed bacteria from cod fillets was studied using ethidium bromide monoazide (EMA) real-time PCR (EMA Rti-PCR). The permeability of cell membranes, media selection, EMA treatment, addition of glycerol, and the number of freeze-thaw cycles were investigated to discriminate and enumerate viable from dead bacteria following freezing and thawing. Universal primers were used to amplify the sequence of a conserved region of all eubacterial 16S rDNA for EMA Rti‐PCR. Amplification of DNA from frozen-thawed bacterial cells was significantly inhibited by EMA, whereas the DNA without EMA from frozen-thawed cells was readily amplified. Freezing and thawing resulted in damage to the cell membrane resulting in increased EMA uptake as revealed by confocal microscopy. The effect of glycerol on survival of the frozen-thawed cells was determined by plate counts and EMA Rti-PCR. Mixed bacteria from fish fillets suspended in saline containing glycerol (5–20%) resulted in ...
Assessing Moderator Variables: Two Computer Simulation Studes:

The present article proposes a strategy for conceptualizing moderating relationships based on their type-strictly correlational and classical correlational-and form continuous, noncontinuous, logis...
Pyroclastic Rocks of the White Mountain Magma Series, New Hampshire

SILICIC volcanic rocks (Moat volcanics) of the White Mountain magma series, which crop out in the Moat Mountain and Mount Kearsarge (Pequawket) areas of northern New Hampshire, USA1,2, are dominantly of pyroclastic origin. The comendites2 of these areas are chiefly, if not almost entirely, phenocryst-rich, lithic-poor to moderately lithic-rich tuffs. Most of the tuffs seem to have been densely to moderately welded and probably many, if not most, are of ash-flow origin.
Low frequency Raman scattering from ammonium ions is sodium beta-alumina☆

Abstract Based on isotopic frequency shifts and model calculations, bands observed near the region of 155 cm -1 in Raman spectra of sodium beta-alumina containing ammonium ions have been assigned to translational modes of NH 4 + . The spectra of a crystal containing 61% NH 4 + ions show a pair of bands at 165 and 145 cm -1 (11 K). Possible origins of these bands are discussed.
A comparison of three methods of measuring recognition memory in high and low academic achievers

This study compared three commonly used methods of measuring recognition memory (single-item, embedded-item, and multiple-choice tests) under conditions in which the targets and distractors were the same for all tests. The multiple-choice test resulted in higher recognitions and lower false recognitions than the other two tests. High academic achievers had higher recognition scores than low achievers on all tests, but the interaction between achievement level and type of test showed the high achievers to have lower false recognitions only under the multiple-choice test. Significant correlations between word assessment characteristics of the targets (associative frequency, associative reaction time, and pronunciability) and recognition scores were discussed in the context of corresponding correlations with free recall.
Neonatal pneumonectomy for isolated unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis

A 23-day-old female newborn was evaluated for acyanotic respiratory distress immediately after birth. Echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization revealed absence of the right pulmonary artery. Subsequent course was complicated by necrotizing bronchopneumonia. Despite antibiotic therapy and ventilator support she failed to improve; right pneumonectomy was performed to remove the source of sepsis. This case represents an example in which an infectious complication in a rare congenital pulmonary malformation served as an indication for neonatal pneumonectomy.
Multi-Objective optimization entailing computer architecture and thermal design for non-uniformly powered microprocessors

Microprocessors continue to grow in capabilities, complexity and performance. Microprocessors typically integrate functional components such as logic and level two (L2) cache memory in their architecture. This functional integration of logic and memory results in improved performance of the microprocessor. However, the integration also introduces a layer of complexity in the thermal design and management of microprocessors. As a direct result of functional integration, the power map on a microprocessor is highly non-uniform and the assumption of a uniform heat flux across the chip surface has been shown to be invalid post Pentium II architecture. The active side of the die is divided into several functional blocks with distinct power assigned to each functional block. A lot of work has been done addressing this issue with a need of thermally aware computer architecture with a concurrent design approach based on thermal and device clock performance. Previous work has been done to minimize the thermal resistance of the package by optimizing the distribution of the non-uniformly powered functional blocks with different power matrices. The study also provided design guidelines to minimize thermal resistance for any number of functional blocks for a given non-uniformly powered microprocessor. This analysis, however, had no constraints placed on the redistribution of functional blocks regarding the maximum separation of any 2 (or more) functional blocks to satisfy electrical timing and compute performance requirements. In this study, numerical model is developed that utilizes multi-objective optimization consists of redistribution of functional blocks to both improve device performance and thermal performance. Previously developed design guideline for thermal optimization is used as a base line case. This baseline case is embedded into computer architecture (floor plan) to develope a compact model satisfying both electrical and thermal performance. Constraints for the electrical optimization are regarding the maximum separation of any 2 (or more) functional blocks. Once positioning of the functional blocks is carried out, thermal optimization of these non- uniformly powered functional blocks is carried out to minimize thermal resistance. This process is repeated until you get both improve device performance and thermal performance for the non-uniformly powered microprocessor. Finally recommendations are provided for an architecture design regarding maximum separation of functional block with minimum thermal resistance.
Teaching critical thinking skills in the basic speaking course: A liberal arts perspective

(1986). Teaching critical thinking skills in the basic speaking course: A liberal arts perspective. Communication Education: Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 174-182.
Faculty Evaluation as a Genre System: Negotiating intertextuality and interpersonality

This article analyzes evaluation reports in the genre system of a university's retention, promotion and tenure (RPT) process. We first discuss how intertextuality in the report genre is mandated by the RPT genre system and analyze how writers use strategies that reflect institutional values of fairness and objectivity as well as different kinds of power in the system. We then consider how RPT report writers express stance about negative information in a faculty member's file in ways that show interpersonal sensitivity toward multiple audiences, including themselves. The study lends further understanding to how texts within genre systems balance intertextual and interpersonal concerns in order to achieve different functions in an institution.
Measurement of “free-riders” in energy conservative programs

Abstract The term “free-rider” is generally used in the context of energy conservation program evaluations to refer to individuals or organizations who obtain conservation subsidy benefits, but who would have undertaken conservation actions even if the subsidy had not been available. This paper identifies different types of free-riders, and argues that evaluation of conservation programs requires the estimation of energy savings associated with free-riders. Models for estimating these savings are developed and applied to both hypothetical and actual case data. The paper concludes that determining the long-term stability of estimates of energy savings after the elimination of free-rider effects is essential from the perspectives of society, the utilities, and the non-participating customers.
The theory of phase stability under irradiation

Abstract Irradiation-alteration of phase stability is examined from the thermodynamic and kinetic viewpoints. It is shown first that the flux of irradiating particles cannot be treated as a thermodynamic variable, so that an irradiated system is inherently in a driven irreversible state. A typical breeder reactor cladding or fusion first wall irradiation is seen to insert huge (> 10 7 J/mol) amounts of energy into the material; this energy has the potential to do large amounts of work, given the existence of a coupling mechanism. The various coupling mechanisms are reviewed, and estimates made of their effectiveness. Irradiation-induced solute segregation, disordering, and the chemical vacancy effect are shown able to give changes in stability of up to 10 3 J/mol. By contrast, the excess vacancy concentration is unlikely to increase the free energy of the irradiated metal by as much as 1 J/mol. The various mechanisms have the potential to give different kinds of alterations of phase stability, i.e., shift phase boundaries, produce unknown phases, or enhance diffusion. These are discussed and the potentials and limitations of each mechanism are enumerated.
Deployable optical telescope ground demonstration

The deployable optical telescope, the second project of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Integrated Ground Demonstration Laboratory, will demonstrate critical integration technologies associated with the next generation of beam expanders for space-based laser systems and large apertures for tactical surveillance systems. AFRL's development will be carried in cooperation with the contractor community and have direct ties to the future program offices that will utilize the DOT technologies. A flow down of total wavefront error acceptable for future operational systems has been used to derive DOT experiment requirements. The sub-scale DOT will demonstrate the initial deployment of a segmented primary and secondary tower in a 1-g laboratory environment.
Acid Rain and Ozone Influence Mycorrhizal Infection in Tree Seedlings

Atmospheric pollution may be causing reduced growth and increased mortality of trees in forests in Europe and North America. Acid rain and ozone are the two pollutants most frequently mentioned as causal agents in the forest decline problem. One plant-environment interface where atmospheric pollution may be having an impact is the symbiotic association between roots and soil fungi known as mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizae are essential for the survival and growth of most forest tree species in the natural environment. Mycorrhizal fungi can affect the nutrient uptake and translocation, water uptake, root morphology, carbon metabolism and disease resistance of the host plant. In specific instances, mycorrhizal infection has been observed to enhance tree growth increase seedling survival or protect plants from root disease. Therefore, sensitivity of the mycorrhizal association to atmospheric pollution could be harmful to forest trees and might influence the decline of forests.
Morphine- and cocaine-induced c-Fos levels in Lewis and Fischer rat strains.

Lewis (LEW) and Fischer 344 (F344) rat strains have been reported to differ in their sensitivity to the rewarding and aversive efffects of both cocaine and morphine. Specifically, LEW rats self-administer morphine and cocaine to a greater extent than F344 rats, while LEW (compared to F344) rats are more sensitive to the aversive effects of cocaine but less sensitive to the aversive effects of morphine. Consistent with assessments of the rewarding effects of morphine and cocaine in these two strains, LEW rats have lower basal, and generally higher drug-induced, activity in brain regions associated with reward. Although the brain areas that mediate the aversive effects of drugs are becoming better defined, no studies have compared the activation of these areas by aversion-inducing drugs in the LEW and F344 strains. As such, the relationship between the ability of drugs to activate these aversion-associated brain areas and to induce a conditioned taste aversion (CTA) in these strains is unknown. To explore this relationship, LEW and F344 rats were injected with saline or doses of morphine or cocaine (32 mg/kg for both drugs) that have been shown to generate differential taste aversion learning in these strains. All animals were subsequently tested for c-Fos expression in areas of the brain associated with aversion learning (the lateral and medial parabrachial nucleus, intermediate and caudal nucleus tractus solitarius and area postrema), reward (the shell of the nucleus accumbens) and locomotion (the core of the nucleus accumbens and the caudate putamen). The present results indicated that patterns of morphine- and cocaine-induced c-Fos within CTA-associated, but not reward- or locomotor-associated, brain regions paralleled the differential behavioral sensitivities of LEW and F344 rats to these drugs within CTA learning. Analyses with other drugs that do and do not induce aversions differentially would further assess the role of these brain areas in aversion learning, in general, and in strain-dependent differences, in particular.
Chronic contained rupture of an aortic aneurysm mimicking infective spondylitis

Chronic contained rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is rare. These aneurysms are small and affected patients are usually normotensive. The resultant pseudoaneurysmal sac may cause extensive vertebral erosion. Diagnosis is often delayed as the condition may present with symptoms referable to the lumbar spine. This report is of two cases cases where the initial diagnosis was infective spondylitis.
Interrelationships between water economy and thermo-regulation in the Canyon tree-frog Hyla arenicolor

Abstract Canyon tree-frogs, Hyla arenicolor, are found along permanent waterways, but during daylight hours they bask on vertical rock faces in open sun, about a metre above water line. We examined the thermoregulatory activity of H. arenicolor by measuring body temperatures ( T b ) and rates of evaporative water loss (EWL) under field conditions, and EWL under controlled laboratory conditions. Rates of EWL for the northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, were included for comparison. Around midday in June, average T b , 30·6 ± 0·2°C, was independent of air temperature, water temperature, and surrounding rock surface temperature. Between dawn and dusk, the EWL of basking frogs averaged 24·8 ± 3·5% of body mass, equivalent to the bladder water reserves, 25·1 ± 1·4% of body mass, of these animals. The average resistance to water loss for H. arenicolor, 14·9 ± 0.3 s/cm, was nearly 7-fold greater than the skin of a typical frog, R. pipiens, 2·2 ± 0.3 s/cm, but only about one-fifteenth the average skin resistance of 'waterproof' frogs. The relatively high skin resistance to EWL is adaptive for the thermoregulatory activity of H. arenicolor ; preventing excess heat loss through EWL when ambient temperature ( T a ) is less than T b , but permitting excess heat loss through EWL when T a exceeds T b , thereby stabilizing T b during basking.
Dynamic mechanical behavior of partially hydrolyzed ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymers

A dynamic mechanical study has been made of two series of partially hydrolyzed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. Series A contains 75 mole % ethylene and series B contains 59 mole % ethylene. The frequencies employed were 3.5, 11, and 110 Hz, and the temperature range was from −180° to +120°C. Three relaxation regions are discernable in this range and these are labeled α, β, and γ in order of decreasing temperature. The α relaxation is associated with the glass transition of the copolymers. The β relaxation is absent in the unhydrolyzed copolymers and is dependent on hydroxyl content. It is assigned to local motions of hydrogen bonded groups. The γ relaxation is insensitive to hydroxyl content and is assigned to local motions of methylene sequences. The above assignments are supported by the effect of water added to the polymers. Added water decreases the temperatures of the α and β relaxations but does not affect the γ relaxation significantly. The magnitude of the β relaxation is considerably enhanced by water.
Relational experiences of partnered Japanese immigrant women with affect disorders.

Aim. This paper reports the findings of a study that explored characteristics of relationships of Japanese immigrant women partnered both intraculturally and interculturally, and analysed the role of Japanese culture in these relationships. Background. Immigration can cause shifts in interpersonal structures with partners. When there are large discrepancies in gender roles and communication styles between the original and host cultures, the psychological impact on both partners may be significant. However, currently no empirical data are available to support this assumption. Methods. Ten cases selected from the 68 medical records of Japanese-speaking women seen at a mental health clinic from September 2001 to September 2004 were analysed. All of the 10 women met DSM IV-TR criteria of major depressive disorder and were taking antidepressants. Half of the10 women were in intimate intercultural partnered relationships and the remainder of the matched cases were in intracultural relationships at the time of treatment. The two cohorts were matched in age (36·2 and 43·2 years), length of stay in the United States of America (12 and 16·2 years), and length of treatment (1·2 and 1 years). The length of time of the sample in individual psychodynamic psychotherapy ranged from 20 to 317 hours, depending on the intensity of therapy. Findings. Inductive data analysis revealed two themes: (1) Lack of awareness of differences in culturally bound communication by Japanese women in intercultural partnerships; (2) Lack of individuality in Japanese women in intracultural partnerships. Neither group appeared to consider relational aspects of partnership, or to make efforts to improve direct communication with their partners. Conclusion. The influence of Japanese culture on gender role and communication styles functions contrary to the mainstream Western culture of the United States of America. In the future, interpersonal elements of cultural differences between host and original cultures in immigration should be considered in research related to immigrants’ mental health. This approach should lead to effective interventions to facilitate mental health among immigrants, and regardless of purposes of immigration or length of stay in a psychosocially foreign environment.
Physical and chemical properties of Moloney murine leukemia virus p30 protein: a major core structural component exhibiting high helicity and self-association.

The major internal structural protein of the Moloney murine leukemia oncornavirus is a single polypeptide chain of 28,300 molecular weight in dilute solution. Self-association into a multimeric form occurs at increasing concentrations. The molecule is composed of 50% α-helical regions and approximately 12% β-structure which is not altered by self-association. The near ultraviolet circular dichroism spectrum has been resolved into its aromatic and disulfide contributions and is consistent with quantitative amino acid analysis. The hydrodynamic frictional ratio indicates that the molecule is moderately asymmetric.
Nuclear DNA content of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and cervix and its relationship to prognosis

A study was performed to determine if ploidy levels of nuclear DNA content could be used as a prognostic index of the biologic behavior of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and cervix in young females. Forty tumors were examined. Four patterns of nuclear DNA distribution were identified: (1) peridiploid stem cell lines (2N to 3N); (2) peritetraploid stem cell lines (3N to 5N); (3) hypertetraploid stem cell lines (greater than 5N); and (4) highly aneuploid without detectable stem cell lines. Tumors having peridiploid and peritetraploid stem cell lines (low ploidy group) were most often clinical Stage I or II (87%) and were in general associated with a favorable prognosis. Tumors having hypertetraploid stem cell lines and highly aneuploid distribution (high ploidy group) were usually clinical Stage III or IV (65%). Clinically advanced tumors (Stage III or IV) had poor prognosis irrespective of ploidy level. Among the clinical Stage I and II tumors, the low ploidy group had a slightly better prognosis than the high ploidy group. This difference, however, was not statistically significant.
MALDI-MS Evaluation of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Synthesized by Chemical Oxidation with FeCl3

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) synthesized by chemical oxidation with FeCl3 was investigated with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) using either dithranol or the electron-transfer matrices terthiophene and anthracene. Two to three series of ions were observed in the MALDI mass spectra. These series all have hexylthiophene repeat groups, and the end groups/modifications were identified as two or more chlorine atoms through the analysis of isotopic distributions and exact mass measurements. The chlorine atoms may be end groups (on α- or β-carbons of terminal thiophenes) or substituents on the β-carbons of the thiophene groups along the polymer backbone. Although poly(3-alkylthiophenes) synthesized by this method have been reported to contain iron or chlorine impurities, this is the first demonstration that the polymeric product actually contains chlorine atoms that are covalently bound to the polymer chain (vs residual FeCl3). The FeCl3 oxidizing agentnot the chlorinated solve...
Molecular characterization of the first intact Transib transposon from Helicoverpa zea.

Abstract Transib is a superfamily of DNA transposons recently reconstructed in silico from degenerate elements in the genomes of Drosophila melanogaster and Anopheles gambiae. Here we report characterization of the first intact Transib transposon designated Hztransib from Helicoverpa zea. At least two Hztransib copies (one full-length, one internally-deleted) exist in the genomes of a midgut cell line and a laboratory strain of H. zea. The full-length Hztransib has 3518 bp including a 5′ terminal inverted repeat (TIR) of 552 bp, a promoter sequence of 381 bp, an intact open reading frame encoding 507 amino acids, and a 3′ TIR of 502 bp, and is flanked by 5-bp (CGTCG) target site duplications. The full-length Hztransib is transcriptionally active, producing an 3′-truncated mRNA lacking a termination codon (known as nonstop mRNA) due to alternative polyadenylation in two somatic tissues (midgut and fat body) and one germline tissue (ovary). A BLAST search with the deduced Hztransib transposase identified 51 novel Transib elements from 11 insect genomes. While the full-length Hztransib inserts into the 5′-flanking region of a xenobiotic-metabolizing P450 gene CYP6B8 in the midgut cell line, it does not insert into the 5′-flanking region of CYP6B8 in the laboratory strain. Such an insertion dimorphism, together with its complete structural features and mRNA transcripts, demonstrates that the full-length Hztransib not only represents the first known intact Transib element in any organism, but has been recently transposed in H. zea. The fact that the intact Hztransib is transcribed into a 3′-truncated nonstop mRNA which may encode a non-functional transposase or be blocked from further translation via nonstop mRNA decay suggests that it is silenced at the translational or transpositional level.
Metamaterials Using Magnetic Resonance between Periodic Strips and a Metallic Film

Metamaterial can be realized by exciting the magnetic resonance between a periodic metallic strip and an opaque metallic film with a dielectric spacer, allowing tuning the absorption/emission of the infrared radiation.
Hormonal Contraception in Women of Older Reproductive Age

A healthy, lean 46-year-old woman who is a nonsmoker requests advice about contraception. She notes that her menstrual periods are less regular than previously, and she also reports intermittent bothersome hot flashes. She is in a new relationship after a divorce, and she is sexually active. She asks if she can begin to use an oral contraceptive. What would you advise?
Nonlupus nephritides in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a comprehensive clinicopathologic study and review of the literature.

Renal biopsy specimens from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) rarely show changes that are pathogenetically and morphologically unrelated to SLE. The morphology and behavior of these nonlupus nephritides are not well known. Two hundred fifty-two renal biopsies performed on 224 patients with SLE collected from 3,036 native kidney biopsies performed between 1975 and 1998 were reviewed, and those that showed nonlupus nephritides (index biopsies) were selected for studies. Thirteen biopsy specimens with nonlupus nephritides were identified in 13 patients, who belonged to 3 clinically distinct groups. Group I included 6 patients in whom SLE was diagnosed at the time of index biopsies. The index biopsies in these patients showed focal segmental glomerusclerosis (FSGS; 3 cases), Immunoglobulin (Ig) M nephropathy (1 case), and thin basement membrane disease (1 case). The diagnostic features for FSGS included segmental sclerosis involving at least 1 glomerulus, absence of lupus nephritis or other conditions that may cause nonspecific segmental sclerosis of glomeruli such as ischemia or nephrosclerosis, and nephrotic-range proteinuria. There was uniform, global, diffuse and marked thinning of the glomerular basement membrane in the case of thin basement membrane disease. Group II included 3 patients in whom SLE was diagnosed 2 to 9 years before the time of index biopsies and SLE was active at the time of biopsy. The index biopsies in these patients showed FSGS (2 cases) and hypertensive nephrosclerosis (1 case). Group III included 4 patients in whom SLE was diagnosed 5 to 36 years before the time of index biopsies and SLE was inactive at the time of biopsy. The index biopsies in these patients showed 1 case each of amyloidosis, FSGS, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, and allergic acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. Previous renal biopsies, performed in 5 patients, showed IgM nephropathy (1 case), diffuse proliferative lupus GN (1 case), focal proliferative lupus GN (1 case), and mesangial proliferative lupus GN (2 cases). Follow-up biopsies, performed in 3 patients, confirmed the diagnosis of FSGS (2 cases) and hypertensive nephrosclerosis (1 case) noted in the index biopsies. Nonlupus nephritides may occasionally be encountered in SLE patients, regardless of clinical or serologic disease activity. These renal lesions display a broad morphologic spectrum in which FSGS seems most frequent. Renal biopsy plays a crucial role in identifying these lesions, which may have prognostic and therapeutic implications distinct from those of lupus nephritis.
Integrin-dependent control of inositol lipid synthesis in vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells.

Abstract Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, such as fibronectin (FN), regulate fibroblast sensitivity to soluble growth factors, in part, by controlling cellular levels of phosphatidylinositol bis-phosphate (PIP2), the substrate for phospholipase C-γ (McNameeet al.,1993,J. Cell Biol.121, 673–678). In the present study, we extended these investigations by exploring whether cells of the vascular wall also exhibit this response and analyzing the mechanism by which adhesion to ECM regulates intracellular PIP2mass. Capillary endothelial cells, pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells, and C3H 101/2 fibroblasts were all found to exhibit a similar two- to threefold increase in PIP2mass within 3 h after binding to dishes coated with FN. Furthermore, similar effects were observed using dishes coated with a variety of different ECM molecules, including collagen types I and IV as well as a synthetic RGD-containing peptide. An increase in PIP2mass also was produced when suspended cells bound to microbeads (4.5 μm diameter; coated with RGD-peptide or anti-integrin β1antibody) that induce local integrin clustering and focal adhesion formation, independently of cell spreading. In contrast, neither binding of soluble FN nor binding of microbeads coated with ligands for other transmembrane surface receptors (e.g., acetylated low-density lipoprotein, antibodies against heparan sulfate) had any effect on PIP2mass. While these results suggest that integrin clustering stimulates PIP2synthesis, no change in total cellular or cytoskeletal-associated phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate kinase (PIP kinase) activity could be detected when cells bound to immobilized integrin ligands. However, when focal adhesion complexes were isolated from these cells using a magnetic procedure (G. Plopper and D. E. Ingber, 1993,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.193, 571–578), this subfraction of the cytoskeleton was found to be enriched for PIP kinase activity by more than twofold relative to the whole cytoskeleton. These data suggest that ECM binding may increase PIP2mass in vascular cells by clustering cell surface integrin receptors and activating cytoskeletal-associated PIP kinases locally within the focal adhesion complex.
Making the body (w)hole: A semiotic exploration of body modifications

Abstract Cultural norms of attraction are dynamic and fluid, and are psychologically intertwined with acts of corporeal modification that use the body as signifier. These norms are expressed in various ways by individuals, but can be seen most plainly when they are worn on the body, such as with body piercing and tattooing. An intertextual understanding of how body modifications play a role in the integration of psyche and soma appears to motivate understanding of how individual choices are reflections of cultural mores. Psychodynamic and semiotic processes from case examples are provided to illustrate how individuals may move between affect and expressiveness as well as how reading the body as text can generate new understandings of an individual's decision to modify, thus allowing clinicians to better work with their modified clients.
Bisphenol A in thermal paper receipts: an opportunity for evidence-based prevention.

The recent report by Taylor et al. (2011) on the pharmacokinetics of bisphenol A (BPA) emphasizes the similarities between humans, monkeys, and mice in the metabolism of this ubiquitous and potentially toxic synthetic chemical. The authors suggested that human exposure to BPA may be “much higher than previously assumed.” They observed that a potentially important nonfood source of exposure to BPA may be the thermal paper used in cash register receipts. BPA is found in receipt paper (Mendum et al. 2010) and appears to transfer readily from receipts to skin (Biedermann et al. 2010) and to be absorbed transdermally (Zalko et al. 2011). Retail workers, who likely have more frequent exposure to cash receipts containing BPA than other Americans, have been found to have elevated levels of urinary BPA (Lunder et al. 2010). BPA has been shown to be capable of crossing the placenta (Balakrishnan et al. 2010) and to be toxic during early mammalian development (vom Saal and Hughes 2005). This toxicity is relevant to humans, given the similarities in BPA metabolism observed across species by Taylor et al. (2011). Prenatal exposure of human infants to BPA has been associated with behavioral anomalies (Braun et al. 2009). There is a sense of deja vu about this story: In the 1970s polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were widely used in carbonless copy paper (Erickson and Kaley 2011). PCBs were shown to be absorbed through the skin (Carpenter 2006), and prenatal exposures to PCBs were subsequently shown to cause irreversible brain injury to developing fetuses, which resulted in permanent loss of IQ (intelligence quotient) and alterations in behavior (Jacobson and Jacobson 1997). This exposure ended when the manufacture of PCBs was banned in the United States in 1976. The research of Taylor et al. (2011) contributes to our understanding of the potential harms to the developing fetus from BPA. These findings underscore the need to develop a new U.S. chemical policy that would require toxicological testing of widely used chemicals already on the market and premarket safety testing of all proposed new chemicals (Landrigan and Goldman 2011). The time to presume that chemicals are safe until they are proven beyond all doubt to cause injury to America’s children is past. While research into the effects of exposure to BPA continues, we have an opportunity to act today on the basis of the available evidence to remove BPA from thermal paper, as we strive to protect the health and future intelligence of America’s children.
Modeling texture evolution during rolling of a Cu–Nb multilayered system

A polycrystal plasticity model is proposed to predict the unique rolling texture of Cu/Nb nanostructured multilayers. At this length scale, the model accounts for the interface between Cu and Nb layers by computing the aggregate response of composite grains using a viscoplastic self–consistent scheme. Each composite grain is divided into Cu and Nb crystals with the interface parallel to the rolling plane, and compatibility and equilibrium are enforced across the interface. A latent hardening effect is introduced to account for the interaction between glide and interface dislocations. The latter are accumulated during slip transmission. This unconventional hardening confines the movement of glide dislocations by promoting symmetry of slip activities. Consequently, it slows development of the rolling texture for Cu/Nb nanolayers, and partially preserves the initial interface orientation defined by the Kurdjumov–Sachs relationship.
Studying Multilingualism and Group Differences in Adult Communication

The focus of this article is on the study of bilingual and multilingual adults at the Howard Goodglass Aphasia Research Center and the Language in the Aging Brain Laboratory by Drs. Obler and Alber...
Aldose Reductase Mediates Mitogenic Signaling in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is a key feature of atherosclerosis and restenosis; however, the mechanisms regulating growth remain unclear. Herein we show that inhibition of the aldehyde-metabolizing enzyme aldose reductase (AR) inhibits NF-κB activation during restenosis of balloon-injured rat carotid arteries as well as VSMC proliferation due to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) stimulation. Inhibition of VSMC growth by AR inhibitors was not accompanied by increase in cell death or apoptosis. Inhibition of AR led to a decrease in the activity of the transcription factor NF-κB in culture and in the neointima of rat carotid arteries after balloon injury. Inhibition of AR in VSMC also prevented the activation of NF-κB by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), angiotensin-II (Ang-II), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AB). The VSMC treated with AR inhibitors showed decreased nuclear translocation of NF-κB and diminished phosphorylation and proteolytic degradation of IκB-α. Under identical conditions, treatment with AR inhibitors also prevented the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by TNF-α, bFGF, Ang-II, and PDGF-AB but not phorbol esters, indicating that AR inhibitors prevent PKC stimulation or the availability of its activator but not PKC itself. Treatment with antisense AR, which decreased the AR activity by >80%, attenuated PKC activation in TNF-α, bFGF, Ang-II, and PDGF-AB-stimulated VSMC and prevented TNF-α-induced proliferation. Collectively, these data suggest that inhibition of NF-κB may be a significant cause of the antimitogenic effects of AR inhibition and that this may be related to disruption of PKC-associated signaling in the AR-inhibited cells.
Factors Affecting Fellowship Satisfaction among Gynecologic Oncology Fellows

Abstract Objective. The objective of this study was to determine fellowship satisfaction through a survey of gynecologic oncology fellows. Methods. A survey was sent to all gynecologic oncology fellows in May 1998. Surveys were returned anonymously and confidentially. The questions focused on demographics, research and clinical experience, education, faculty involvement, future plans, and fellowship satisfaction. Association between variables were studied using χ 2 and two-tailed t tests. Results. Of the surveys 53.8% were returned. Reputation, faculty, and clinical diversity were ranked the top three reasons for choosing a fellowship program. Eighty-seven and three-tenths percent were satisfied and 89.1% would recommend their fellowship. Fellows listed the two areas they were most satisfied with as surgical training and research support. Seventy-nine and four-tenths percent agreed they spent adequate time in the operating room and 94.1% had enough variety. Sixty percent or more of the clinical fellows felt they would be uncomfortable performing vaginal radical hysterectomies, splenectomies, radical vaginectomies, laparoscopic lymph node dissection (LND), scalene LND, skin grafts, creation of neovagina, tram flaps, and ureterovaginal fistula repairs by the end of their fellowship. Of the fellows surveyed, 94.7% were currently performing research. All believed they would finish their thesis by the end of their training. Thirty percent of fellows from Gynecologic Oncology Group institutions were not required to participate in their research trials. Among the clinical fellows 62.2% thought time for self-education was lacking compared with 35.3% of the research fellows, P = 0.07. The two areas fellows were least satisfied with were didactics and lack of time for other pursuits. Performance evaluations were received by 72.2%; however, evaluations of the program and of the attending staff occurred in only 51.3 and 34.0%, respectively. Sixty-seven and three-tenths percent stated they had a mentor and 34.0% an advisor. Fellows that did not have mentors or advisors thought they spent less time with faculty in educational pursuits ( P = 0.03, 0.06). Conclusion. Areas that could improve fellowship satisfaction include formal didactics and time for self-education. Evaluations of the fellowship and faculty could provide a forum to continue to assess their needs. Requiring a more active role of fellows in research trials may prove to increase research productivity in the future.
Pacific Rim Russian Librarianship: 1 What Progress? Computers, Contrasts, Contributions, Confessions

In this article, the author discusses her 2008 trip to the Russian Far East (Vladivostok and Khabarovsk), visiting libraries, publishers, bookstores, scholars, and others involved with research and activities of interest to librarians. Scholars interested in the Russian Far East will find descriptions of the two main ones in Vladivostok. Observations are from 1996 and 2008.