cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrophobic organic contaminants in surficial sediments of Baltimore Harbor : Inventories and sources

The heavily urbanized and industrialized Baltimore Harbor/Patapsco River/Back River system is one of the most highly contaminated regions of the Chesapeake Bay. In June 1996, surficial sediments were collected at 80 sites throughout the subestuarine system, including historically undersampled creeks and embayments. The samples were analyzed for a suite of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) consisting of 32 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 113 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners. Total PAH and total PCB concentrations ranged from 90 to 46,200 and 8 to 2,150 ng/g dry weight, respectively. There was enormous spatial variability in the concentrations of HOCs, which was not well correlated to grain size or organic carbon content, suggesting nonequilibrium partitioning and/or proximity to sources as important factors explaining the observed spatial variability. High concentrations of both classes of HOCs were localized around major urban stormwater runoff discharges. Elevated PAH concentrations were also centered around the Sparrow's Point Industrial Complex, most likely a result of the pyrolysis of coal during the production of steel. All but 1 of the 80 sites exceeded the effects range-low (ERL) for total PCBs and, of those sites, 40% exceeded the effects range-medium (ERM), suggesting toxicity to marine benthic organisms would frequently occur. Polychlorinated biphenyl homolog patterns most closely resembled Aroclor 1260 at sites around areas of high concentration of industrial outflows and urban runoff. Conversely, those sites further from suspected municipal and industrial discharges had patterns resembling that of Aroclor 1254. We suggest the heavier chlorinated pattern is indicative of near-source emissions of PCBs. The lighter chlorinated PCB patterns observed are similar to those found in mainstem Chesapeake Bay sediments and may reflect a more weathered pattern or one derived, in part, from air-water exchange of gaseous PCBs. Using principal component analysis, differences in PAH signatures were discerned. Higher molecular weight PAHs were enriched in signatures from sediments close to suspected sources (i.e., urban stormwater runoff and steel production complexes) compared to those patterns observed at sites further from outfalls or runoff. Due to varying solubilities and affinities for organic matter of the individual PAHs, partitioning of the heavier weight PAHs may enrich settling particles with high molecular weight PAHs. Lower molecular weight PAHs, having lower affinity for particles, may travel from the source to a greater extent.
Effect of probenecid on the concentration of the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid acidic metabolites of tyramine, octopamine, dopamine and norepinephrine.

Abstract Mass fragmentography was employed to measure the concentrations of the acidic metabolites of tyramine (p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid), octopamine (p-hydroxymandelic acid), dopamine (3,4-dihy-droxyphenylacetic and homovanillic acid) and norepinephrine (vanilmandelic acid) in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of schizophrenic patients. Treatment with oral probenecid (100 mg/kg) increased the concentrations o f p-hydroxyphenylacetic. 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic and homovanillic acid by over 3-fold compared to the baseline levels. The concentration of p-hydroxymandelic acid was also increased, but only moderately compared to the increase of homovanillic acid. Vanilmandelic acid showed a tendency toward being elevated by probenecid, but in our study, the elevation was not statistically significant, probably due to the large variance between subjects.
Multiphasic Mechano-Electrochemical Finite Element Model of Human Intervertebral Disc

The intervertebral disc (IVD) is the largest cartilaginous structure in human body that contributes to flexibility and load support in the spine. To accomplish these functions, the disc has a unique architecture consisting of a centrally-located nucleus pulposus (NP) surrounded superiorly and inferiorly by cartilage endplates and peripherally by the annulus fibrosus (AF). Because the disc is avascular and experiences mechanical loads, the cells in IVD tissues live in a complex physical environment. Knowledge of mechanical, chemical and electrical signals within the tissue is important for understanding mechanobiology of IVD [1]. The objective of this study was to develop a three-dimensional (3D), inhomogeneous finite element model (FEM) for human IVD for analyzing the physical environment and solute transport within the tissue under different mechanical loading conditions. A case of IVD under axial compression was simulated and reported.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Incidence of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus infection in abandoned citrus occurring in proximity to commercially managed groves.

Huanglongbing is one of the most devastating diseases of citrus (Citrus spp.). One management tactic against huanglongbing is aggressive management of the vector, the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama), with insecticide applications. However, D. citri in abandoned groves are not controlled and therefore pose a risk of reinfestation for nearby commercial citrus. These abandoned groves could serve as a reservoir for the vector, as well as a source of the presumed causal agent for huanglongbing in Florida, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las). The current study was conducted to determine the degree to which Las is present in abandoned Florida citrus groves and to compare relative inoculum levels in nearby managed and abandoned groves during times of the year when D. citri are abundant (June, July, and August). In addition, the movement of Las by dispersing D. citri adults from inner and edge rows of abandoned grove plots to the corresponding rows of managed plots was quantified during the same 3 mo. The results of the current study confirmed the presence of Las in both D. citri and plant tissue in abandoned groves at statistically equivalent levels to those in nearby managed groves. The mean number of D. citri adults dispersing from abandoned to managed grove plots ranged from 7.25 ± 1.70 to 70.25 ± 21.25 per 4-d intervals. Of those, the mean number of dispersing D. citri adults that were carrying the Las pathogen ranged from 1.00 ± 0.58 to 1.50 ± 0.50. Our results indicate that abandoned citrus groves are a significant source of Ca. Las and that dispersing D. citri move this pathogen into nearby managed groves.
The collapse of the Railway Mania, the development of capital markets, and the forgotten role of Robert Lucas Nash

It is well known that the Railway Mania in Britain in the 1840s had a great impact on accounting. This paper contributes a description and analysis of the events that led to the two main upheavals in accounting that took place then, and of the key role played by Robert Lucas Nash in those events. He was a pioneer in accounting and financial analysis, providing studies on the financial performance of railways that were more penetrating and systematic than those available to the public from anyone else. His contemporaries credited him with precipitating a market crash that led to one of two dramatic changes in accounting practices that occurred in the late 1840s. Yet his contributions have been totally forgotten. The collapse of the Railway Mania provides interesting perspectives on the development of capital markets. The accounting revolution was just one of the byproducts of the collision of investors’ rosy profit expectations with cold reality. Shareholders’ struggles to understand, or, more precisely, t...
Studies on the mechanism of trimethoprim-induced hyperkalemia

Studies on the mechanism of trimethoprim-induced hyperkalemia. We examined the effects of trimethoprim (TMP) on metabolic parameters and renal ATPases in rats after a 90minute infusion (9.6 mg/hr/kg body wt, i.v.) and after 14 days (20 mg/kg body wt/day, i.p.). After one dose of TMP, plasma electrolytes, arterial pH and aldosterone levels were normal, but a natriuresis, bicarbonaturia, and decreased urinary potassium excretion occurred. Na-K-ATPase activity in microdissected segments from these animals was decreased by 36 ± 0.9% in proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) ( P P P P P P P in vitro with the drug; TMP in vitro did not affect H-ATPase or H-K-ATPase activity. These results suggest that TMP-induced hyperkalemia may result from decreased urinary potassium excretion caused by inhibition of distal Na-K-ATPase in the face of intact H-K-ATPase activity.
Acute changes in dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake lowers soluble interleukin-6 receptor in healthy adult normal weight and overweight males.

Abstract Objective To determine the effect of a short-term isocaloric exchange of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n3) for linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n6) on fasting levels of soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL6R), and soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptors 1 and 2 (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) in healthy normal weight and overweight/obese adult males. Design Four-day clinical intervention study with 0.5% or 5% of total energy from ALA. Fasting (10 h) blood samples were obtained on the morning of day 5 in both diet treatments to measure sTNFR1, sTNFR2, and sIL6R. Subjects Nine normal weight ( BMI kg / m 2 ) and seven overweight ( BMI ≥25 kg / m 2 ) healthy males. Results Fasting sIL6R decreased significantly from the control (C) diet following four days on the high ALA isocaloric (ISO) diet in normal weight and overweight/obese subjects (normal weight: C =34.89±3.17 ng / ml , ISO =30.91±2.24 ng / ml , p C =38.19±3.92 ng / ml , ISO =33.57±2.47 ng / ml , p Conclusions The results suggest that an isocaloric exchange of ALA for LA can reduce fasting sIL6R concentration by ∼11% after a four-day dietary intervention in both overweight/obese and normal weight subjects. The data also suggest that longer exposure to a similar diet may have the potential to reduce inflammatory burden and thus lower the risk of both cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes.
The accelerating effect of adrenalectomy on regrowth of hair in the thyroidectomized rat.

THE accelerating effect of adrenalectomy on hair growth in the rat is a well established fact, data on which have been reviewed by Baker (1951). This is a curious phenomenon for which there is no ready explanation. If hair growth is a part of general somatic growth, it would be expected to be altered with changes in the pituitary acidophils that secrete growth hormone (somatotrophic hormone, STH). A method for depleting the pituitary of acidophil granules is by thyroidectomy, after which there is known to be retardation of the hair growth. One might expect the loss of acidophil granules in the thyroidectomized rat to prevent the accelerated growth of hair after adrenalectomy. This hypothesis was tested by the experiments to be reported here; the results, however, were found to be the direct opposite of those anticipated. This unexpected finding was clear-cut and constant. methods For the experiments were used groups of rats of a colony of Wistar albino strain,
Effects of production of abnormal proteins on the rate of killing of Escherichia coli by streptomycin.

The role of abnormal membrane proteins in modulating the rate of killing by streptomycin was investigated. Davis et al. (B.D. Davis, L. Chen, and P.T. Tai, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:6164-6168, 1986) have proposed that misread membrane proteins created by the action of streptomycin on translating ribosomes cause the formation of nonspecific membrane channels which allow increased uptake of the antibiotic and contribute to its bactericidal action. Pretreatment of Escherichia coli with a low concentration of puromycin enhanced the rate of killing by streptomycin. The effect of the pretreatment with puromycin was transient, since approximately normal rates of killing by streptomycin were restored after 30 min of incubation in antibiotic-free medium. This time period correlates with the time required to degrade labile polypeptides in puromycin-treated cells. The induction of a specific abnormal malE-lacZ fusion protein, which is capable of disrupting the normal membrane protein secretion process, also increased the rate of killing by streptomycin. Induction of malF-phoA fusion proteins, which have no significant effects on membrane integrity, did not alter susceptibility to streptomycin. These observations suggest that certain abnormal membrane proteins can contribute to the bactericidal action of streptomycin.
USING ADVANCE ORGANIZERS TO FACILITATE READING COMPREHENSION AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Two studies were conducted that examined whether advance organizers would have differential benefits for older individuals when compared with young adults. Experiment 1 investigated age and treatment effects in recall of a passage at two delay intervals. Experiment 2 partially replicated the first experiment, but it also evaluated the effectiveness of advance organization with a sample of adults of limited verbal ability in remembering the information provided in text from the gist of a passage through three levels of detail. Results indicated that advance organizers may help adults of all ages, but only under restricted circumstances. In the first experiment, older adults were helped on a test of recognition memory, but not on one of recall memory. In the second experiment, both young and older adults of limited verbal ability appeared to be helped in comprehending detail in the text.
The principle of reciprocity in signal strength calculations—a mathematical guide

Confusion exists over the application of the Principle of Reciprocity to NMR signal strength calculations when wavelength in a sample is comparable to the latter's size. A simple and easily reproduced bench experiment that validates the principle is therefore described. Building on the experimental results, elementary mathematics are employed to derive simple equations for the B1 fields in both the negatively and the positively rotating frames. Using these equations, the reader is then guided through the steps needed to deduce correctly the signal received in an NMR experiment. The article should serve as a resource for those attempting signal strength calculations. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 12: 173–187, 2000
Transcriptome-wide gene regulation by gentle treadmill walking during the progression of monoiodoacetate induced arthritis

Exercise is the most widely recommended and used conservative therapeutic approach to improve joint function in arthritis (1–3). Recent guidelines published by Osteoarthritis Research Society International suggest that exercise is in general beneficial for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) (3). Such recommendations are supported by large cohort studies demonstrating that adults engaging in minimal to no physical activity show higher incidence of radiographically diagnosed osteoarthritis (4). Additionally, older adults engaged in moderate physical activity show reduced risk of arthritis-related disability (5). However, in some patients physical activity is either associated with a greater risk or has no effect on knee joints, making it difficult to discern which patients will or will not benefit from physical therapies (6–9). Chondrocytes, mechanoresponsive cells within the cartilage, perceive and respond to mechanical stimuli by altering their biosynthetic ability, morphology and cartilage extracellular matrix (10, 11). These cells interpret mechanical signals in a magnitude dependent manner (12, 13). Excessive loading of joints is injurious and activates proinflammatory signaling cascades, similar to those implicated in the etiology of OA (14–17). Contrarily, physiological loading is shown to be antiinflammatory and induce IL-10 production in the synovium, and upregulate synthesis of glycosaminoglycans in the cartilage of patients at increased risk of OA (18–21). In fact, exercise is vital for cartilage homeostasis and its lack atrophies cartilage (22), implicating distinct roles of physiotherapies in both preventing damage and improving joint function. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of exercise in the form of gentle treadmill walking (GTW) on well-defined stages of cartilage damage, using a rat knee model of MIA (23). Others and we have shown earlier that low or physiological levels of compressive/tensile forces are antiinflammatory on chondrocytes in vitro. These forces suppress several biomarkers of inflammation, such as IL-1β, TNF-α, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and aggrecanases (12, 13, 24, 25). Here, we systematically examined the efficacy of moderate exercise on the progression of MIA macroscopically, microscopically, and by microtomographic (μCT) imaging. A transcriptome-wide microarray analysis was also conducted to track the changes in gene expression subsequent to GTW therapy to gain key insights into the basis of success or failure of such therapies (1, 3, 4, 26).
TECHNICAL CHANGE AND THE DEMAND FOR SKILLS DURING THE SECOND INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: EVIDENCE FROM THE MERCHANT MARINE, 1891-1912

Abstract Using a large, individual-level wage data set, we examine the impact of a major technological innovation—the steam engine—on the demand for skills in the merchant shipping industry. We find that the technical change created a new demand for engineers, a skilled occupation. It had a deskilling effect on production work—moderately skilled able-bodied seamen were replaced by unskilled engine room operatives. On the other hand, able-bodied seamen, carpenters, and mates employed on steam vessels earned a premium relative to their counterparts on sail vessels, and this appears partly related to skill.
Interface Adhesion between 2D Materials and Elastomers Measured by Buckle Delaminations

2D systems have great promise as next generation electronic materials but require intimate knowledge of their interactions with their neighbors for device fabrication and mechanical manipulation. Although adhesion between 2D materials and stiff substrates such as silicon and copper has been measured, adhesion between 2D materials and soft polymer substrates remains difficult to characterize due to the large deformability of the polymer substrates. In this work, a buckling-based metrology for measuring the adhesion energy between few layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and soft elastomeric substrates is proposed and demonstrated. Due to large elastic mismatch, few layer MoS2 flakes can form spontaneous wrinkles and buckle-delaminations on elastomer substrates during exfoliation. MoS2-elastomer interface toughness can therefore be calculated from the buckle delamination profile measured by atomic force microscopy. The thickness of the MoS2 flake is obtained by analyzing coexisting wrinkles on the same flake. Using this approach, adhesion of few layer MoS2 to 10:1 Sylgard 184 polydimethylsiloxane is measured to be 18 ± 2 mJ m−2, which is about an order of magnitude below graphene-to-stiff-substrate adhesion. Finally, this simple methodology can be generalized to obtain adhesion energies between various combinations of 2D materials and deformable substrates.
Thalidomide blocking of particle-induced TNFα release in vitro

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), pleiotropic cytokines with osteotropic activities, are produced by multiple cells in the skeletal tissue, including macrophages and osteoblasts. They are thought to be pivotally involved in pathological bone resorption, such as that seen with aseptic loosening. Thalidomide is reported to have antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory effects in a number of inflammatory diseases. We investigated the effect of thalidomide on titanium (Ti) particle-induced TNFα and IL-6 production by both human macrophage U937 and osteoblast MG-63 cell lines. They were stimulated with 1 × 10 7 Ti particles/ml and treated simultaneously with or without various concentrations of thalidomide (from 2.5 ng/ml to 25μg/ml) for 24, 48, or 72 h. Cell viability and proliferation were measured. TNFα and IL-6 in the supernatant of the culture media were also analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found that with a concentration of thalidomide of less than 2.5μg/ml the viability of the two cell lines did not differ significantly from that of controls treated simultaneously with 1 × 10 7 Ti particles/ml. Cell proliferation was inhibited to some extent when they were treated with thalidomide 2.5μg/ml co-cultured with 1 × 10 7 Ti particles/ml. Thalidomide treatment was found to inhibit TNFα production in a dose-dependent manner in human macrophages exposed to Ti particles. At the clinically achievable drug dose of 2.5μg/ ml, 34.4% TNFα inhibition occurs. Thalidomide had no effect on IL-6 secretion in these cultures. These data support the idea that thalidomide may have potential for treating prosthetic loosening in humans.
Effect of ileocolonic transposition on gut morphology, gene expression, and function.

Abstract Intestinal morphology and expression of brush border enzymes can be dramatically altered by nutrient composition and position along the longitudinal gut axis. In contrast, endocrine gene expression appears to be relatively “imprinted” and is not significantly altered by positional changes. The purpose of our study was to assess the effects of transposing the ileum into the colonic position on intestinal morphology, gene expression, and enzyme activity. For this study, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent either transposition of an approximately 8-cm segment of distal ileum into the colonic position or sham operation. Rats were sacrificed 2 months after operation and transposed or sham ileum was assessed. We found that transposition of the ileum to the colonic position resulted in no change in the ileal mucosal architecture. Furthermore, no change in the expression of the endocrine genes neurotensin and PYY or the apoptotic genes was detected. Although sucrase-isomaltase activity was decreased in the transposed ileum, this decrease did not achieve statistical significance. These results demonstrate that the ileum can be successfully interposed into the colonic position. In this location, the ileum functions normally without changes in the villus morphology or gene expression pattern despite the change in position and composition of the luminal content.
Cholesterol and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Renewed focus on an old villain

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with increased cardiovascular and liver-related mortality. NAFLD is characterized by both triglyceride and free cholesterol (FC) accumulation without a corresponding increment in cholesterol esters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of cholesterol metabolic genes in NAFLD and relate these to disease phenotype. NAFLD was associated with increased SREBP-2 maturation, HMG CoA reductase (HMGCR) expression and decreased phosphorylation of HMGCR. Cholesterol synthesis was increased as measured by the circulating desmosterol:cholesterol ratio. miR-34a, a microRNA increased in NAFLD, inhibited sirtuin-1 with downstream dephosphorylation of AMP kinase and HMGCR. Cholesterol ester hydrolase was increased while ACAT-2 remained unchanged. LDL receptor expression was significantly decreased and similar in NAFLD subjects on or off statins. HMGCR expression was correlated with FC, histologic severity of NAFLD and LDL-cholesterol. These data demonstrate dysregulated cholesterol metabolism in NAFLD which may contribute to disease severity and cardiovascular risks.
Photoemission studies of the alkali-covered Ge (111) surface☆

Abstract Photoelectron energy distribution measurements have been used to monitor changes in the surface potential of the Ge(111) surface as a function of cesium and sodium coverage. The specimen was sputter-cleaned, intrinsic (45 ohm-cm) germanium. It was found that the surface was p-type throughout the entire stable coverage range. In the case of cesium deposition, strong evidence of emission from occupied surface states was observed for coverages less than 0.15 monolayer. Exposure of the cesium-covered specimen to oxygen caused the surface to become less p-type. Structure in the surface potential versus coverage curve for sodium correlates with structure in the work function versus coverage curve and with a surface reconstruction observed by LEED.
Reducing off-chip memory access via stream-conscious tiling on multimedia applications

The iteration space of a loop nest is the set of all loop iterations bounded by the loop limits. Tiling the iteration space can effectively exploit the available parallelism, which is essential to multiprocessor compiling and pipelined architecture design. Another improvement brought by tiling is the better data locality that can dramatically reduce memory access and, consequently, the relevant memory access energy consumptions. However, previous studies on tiling were based on the data dependence, thus arrays without dependencies such as input arrays (data streams) were not considered. In this paper, we extend the tiling exploration to also accommodate those dependence-free arrays, and propose a stream-conscious tiling scheme for off-chip memory access optimization. We show that input arrays are as important, if not more, as the arrays with data dependencies when the focus is on memory access optimization instead of parallelism extraction. Our approach is verified on TI's low power C55X DSP with popular multimedia applications, exhibiting off-chip memory access reduction by 67% on average over the traditional iteration space tiling.
Functional redundancy of steroid C26-monooxygenase activity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis revealed by biochemical and genetic analyses.

One challenge to the development of new antitubercular drugs is the existence of multiple virulent strains that differ genetically. We and others have recently demonstrated that CYP125A1 is a steroid C26-monooxygenase that plays a key role in cholesterol catabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis CDC1551 but, unexpectedly, not in the M. tuberculosis H37Rv strain. This discrepancy suggests that the H37Rv strain possesses compensatory activities. Here, we examined the roles in cholesterol metabolism of two other cytochrome P450 enzymes, CYP124A1 and CYP142A1. In vitro analysis, including comparisons of the binding affinities and catalytic efficiencies, demonstrated that CYP142A1, but not CYP124A1, can support the growth of H37Rv cells on cholesterol in the absence of cyp125A1. All three enzymes can oxidize the sterol side chain to the carboxylic acid state by sequential oxidation to the alcohol, aldehyde, and acid. Interestingly, CYP125A1 generates oxidized sterols of the (25S)-26-hydroxy configuration, whereas the opposite 25R stereochemistry is obtained with CYP124A1 and CYP142A1. Western blot analysis indicated that CYP124A1 was not detectably expressed in either the H37Rv or CDC1551 strains, whereas CYP142A1 was found in H37Rv but not CDC1551. Genetic complementation of CDC1551 Δcyp125A1 cells with the cyp124A1 or cyp142A1 genes revealed that the latter can fully rescue the growth defect on cholesterol, whereas cells overexpressing CYP124A1 grow poorly and accumulate cholest-4-en-3-one. Our data clearly establish a functional redundancy in the essential C26-monooxygenase activity of M. tuberculosis and validate CYP125A1 and CYP142A1 as possible drug targets.
Application of the tritium interface method for determining recharge rates to unconfined drift aquifers. II: Non-homogeneous case

The depth of penetration of bomb tritium into the saturated zone was used to calculate the rate of groundwater recharge to an unconfined homogeneous drift aquifer in Cape Cod, Massachusetts (U.S.A.). The aquifer is of glaciofluvial origin and is composed of well sorted sand and gravel. Tritium concentration in groundwater ranged from 0 to 85 T.U. Bomb tritium (> 5 T.U.) was found in 45 groundwater samples collected from 1.5 to 27.1 m below the water table; prebomb tritium concentrations (< 5 T.U.) were identified in 4 samples collected from 25.6 to 41.1 m below the water table. Assuming piston-type flow beneath groundwater divides, the rate of recharge to the aquifer was found to range from 33.7 to 40.6 cm yr−1. This range agrees favorably with recharge estimates previously determined from water budget analyses.
Initial evaluation of an ultrasound measure for assessing the activity of skin lesions in juvenile localized scleroderma.

Objective To evaluate the construct validity of 2 proposed measures (the Ultrasound Disease Activity [U-DA] and the Tissue Thickness Score [TTS]) for evaluating sonographic differences in juvenile localized scleroderma skin lesions. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of juvenile localized scleroderma patients who had ultrasound scans of their skin lesions between October 2005 and February 2009. Imaged lesions were classified as active or inactive based upon clinical assessment. Lesions had to have been imaged within 1 month of a clinic visit or have the same clinical assessment during both the visit before and the visit after the scan. Two physicians scored the scans using the U-DA, which scores for differences in lesion echogenicity and vascularity compared with normal tissue. Tissue thickness differences were evaluated by percent differences and by using the TTS. Wilcoxon's rank sum test was performed to assess differences. Results We studied 52 scans from 21 patients, 32 scans of active skin lesions and 20 scans of inactive skin lesions. Features reported by clinicians as indicative of active disease included erythema, warmth, violaceous color, new lesion, expansion of lesion, and induration. The U-DA was significantly different between active and inactive skin lesions (P = 0.0010) with significant differences found for the parameters of total echogenicity, hypodermis echogenicity, and deep tissue layer vascularity (P = 0.0014, P = 0.0023, and P = 0.0374, respectively). No significant differences were found for tissue layer thickness or TTS. Conclusion The U-DA may be a useful tool in the identification of localized scleroderma activity. Further study is needed to prospectively evaluate the validity, reliability, and sensitivity of this potential monitoring tool.
Clinical outcomes after an unstructured treatment interruption in children and adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV infection.

OBJECTIVE. An unstructured treatment interruption in children with perinatally acquired HIV infection is an issue with unresolved significance. The objective of this study was to investigate the actual prevalence and clinical outcomes of a treatment interruption in children and adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV-1 infection. METHODS. Clinical data were analyzed for 72 children and adolescents who had HIV-1 infection and stopped their medications at 4 academic centers in the United States between January 2000 and September 2004. RESULTS. Among 405 patients with perinatal HIV-1 infection, 72 (17.8%) experienced a treatment interruption during the observation period. The mean age of patients at the time of the treatment interruption was 12.8 years, and the mean length of the treatment interruption was 14 months. Medication fatigue was the most common reason for a treatment interruption. The CD4+ T-cell percentage nadir before the treatment interruption did not predict CD4+ T-cell percentage declines during the treatment interruption; however, the CD4+ T-cell percentage gain from nadir to the time of the treatment interruption predicted CD4+ T-cell percentage declines during the treatment interruption. During the median follow-up of 19 months (range: 6–48 months), 48 (67%) patients resumed antiretroviral medications. As expected, there was a continuous CD4+ T-cell percentage decrease and plasma HIV-1 RNA increase during the observation period. Overall, 7 (10%) patients were admitted to the hospital; 2 (3%) patients experienced an AIDS-defining illness. CONCLUSIONS. An unstructured treatment interruption seems to be a major issue for youth with perinatally acquired HIV-1 infection. Patients who experienced the greatest rise in CD4+ T-cell percentage on treatment had the largest CD4+ T-cell percentage decline after the treatment interruption. Close monitoring is required when a treatment interruption occurs in children and adolescents with HIV infection.
Regulation and Function of SUMO Modification

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) 1 is a protein of 97 amino acids that is structurally similar to ubiquitin and has been called by other names including Smt3p, Pmt2p, PIC-1, GMP1, Ubl1, and Sentrin (1). Like ubiquitin, SUMO has been found to be covalently attached to certain lysine residues of specific target proteins (2). In contrast to ubiquitination, however, sumoylation does not promote the degradation of proteins but instead alters a number of different functional parameters of proteins, depending on the protein substrate in question. These parameters include but are not limited to properties such as subcellular localization, protein partnering, and DNA-binding and/or transactivation functions of transcription factors (2-4). The contrast between the functional effects of ubiquitination and sumoylation is most striking in the case of IKB, where sumoylation stabilizes the protein by modifying the same residue that is ubiquitinated, thereby directly competing with that pathway (5). This review will focus on the regulation of SUMO modification and its role in controlling the functional properties of proteins. The reader is also referred to other excellent reviews on this topic (2-4, 6-8).
Hesitation Blues: Does Minority Opinion Status Lead to Delayed Responses?

Research in public opinion and political communication indicates that those who hold viewpoints that are in the minority may be more hesitant to express their opinion when compared to those in the majority. Gauging hesitation through response latencies has been put forth as a measure of the internalization of majority pressure. In a laboratory setting, participants are asked to offer simple judgments (e.g., “like” or “dislike”) for various digitized images of both political and nonpolitical persons, things, and ideas. Responses are recorded and categorized according to majority or minority status and then analyzed at both the subject and the object level in an attempt to better understand the link between the climate of opinion and response hesitancy. Overall, those in the minority take longer to offer “like” or “dislike” responses when compared to those in the majority. This relationship is positively correlated with the size of the majority. Furthermore, individual differences are found to moderate the ...
Developmental anatomy of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Aurora’) shoot regeneration

The developmental anatomy of the regeneration of adventitious shoot apices from leaves of Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Aurora’ is described for the first time. Leaves were cultured for 0, 3, 6, 10, 15, or 21 d with their upper or lower surface in contact with Woody Plant Medium supplemented with 2% sucrose, vitamins, 5 μM thidiazuron, and 0.5% Agargel. Initial signs of adventitious shoot formation were evident by 6 d and well-developed adventitious shoots were observed by 21 d. Shoot apices formed from parenchyma cells that initially proliferated from the midrib, palisade mesophyll, and epidermis adjacent to the xylem of the original veins. Shoot apices formed directly from the upper surface regardless of which leaf surface was in contact with the medium.
Aging and Family Life: A Decade Review

In this review, we summarize and critically evaluate the major empirical, conceptual, and theoretical directions that studies of aging families have taken during the first decade of the 21st century. The field has benefited from an expanded perspective based on four overarching themes: (a) complexity in emotional relations, (b) diversity in family structures and households, (c) interdependence of family roles and functions, and (d) patterns and outcomes of caregiving. Although research on aging families has advanced theory and applied innovative statistical techniques, the literature has fallen short in fully representing diverse populations and in applying the broadest set of methodological tools available. We discuss these and other frontier areas of scholarship in light of the aging of baby boomers and their families.
Microscale mechanics for sensors and actuators

Microscale mechanical structures have been conceived and fabricated that make possible a wide variety of microsensors and microdynamical moving elements. Miniature sensors and microscopic moving elements on a chip are made by standard integrated-circuit fabrication techniques, augmented with special etches and deposited films. An integrated audio microphone, a miniaturized hot-wire anemometer for sensing gas flow, and an ultrasonic oscillator multisensor are some realized possibilities. Photolithographically shaped polysilicon layers, grown on an easily-etched sacrificial phosphosilicate glass layer, form tiny movable gears, sliders, springs, and cranks. Electrostatically driven micromotors less than 100 mu m across have been operated successfully. Device opportunities and fundamental properties requiring investigation are described. >
Characterization of various SEE hardened power management ICs

Single event effects test results are reported for several power management devices that have been specifically SEE-hardened by design. Single event transient, as well as single event latchup data is presented and discussed.
Joining optics and electronics for information processing and communication

The complementary capabilities of optics and electronics strongly suggest a combined integrated technology with optical, optoelectronic, and electronic functionality. Requirements of and progress towards such a technology will be discussed.
Carrier and adjuvant properties of liposome-borne tumor-specific antigens

The purpose of this study was to examine (1) the association of tumor extract proteins with phospholipid vesicles of varying physiochemical properties, and (2) the adjuvant and carrier properties of liposome-borne tumor antigens in the in vivo induction of an antitumor immune response. Cell surface antigens of the 3-methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma of C3H/HeJ mice, MCA-F, were extracted using 2.5% 1-butanol. Crude and electrofocused antigen preparations capable of eliciting a protective antitumor immune response were used to prepare liposome vaccines. The incorporation of extract proteins into liposomes formed by butanol dialysis (BVD) was three- to five-fold greater than the encapsulation of protein into the aqueous compartment of multilamellar vesicles (MLV). The electrochemical properties of the BDV had a significant effect on the induction of an antitumor response: Antigens borne on negatively charged, but not uncharged, liposomes were effective in protecting hosts against supralethal tumor challenge, and displayed a specific activity 20- to 50-fold greater than soluble antigen. Antigens carried by MLV were not effective in generating an immunoprotective response. The lipophilic characteristics of butanol-extracted antigens allowed (1) the passive adsorption of immunoprotective tumor antigen onto the surface of preformed vesicles, and (2) adsorption of MCA-F antigen onto the surface of an antigenically distinct tumor MCA-D. In the latter experiment, adsorption of MCA-F-specific antigen onto MCA-D cells resulted in a change in the membrane antigen phenotype as measured by indirect immunofluorescence. Although butanol released a lipophilic moiety from cells which spontaneously reassociated with phospholipid bilayers, no evidence for a lipoidal antigen was obtained when tumor-derived lipids were used as immunogens. This study demonstrates that butanol-extracted tumor antigen is lipophilic without being a lipid, and that negatively charged liposomes can be effective as carriers and adjuvants for tumor antigens in the induction of an antitumor immune response.
Influence of valley geometry on stability of an earth dam

Influence of valley geometry on stability of an earth dam is assessed in terms of its static slope stability. Numerical model results for an earth dam sited in a trapezoidal valley are presented fo...
An Efficient Traffic Adaptive Backoff Protocol for Wireless MAC Layer

To avoid collisions in wireless networks, medium access control (MAC) protocols, such as distributed coordination function (DCF), have been developed to assist each node to decide when and how to access the communication channel. Although DCF is widely used in 802.11 based wireless local area networks, its performance is limited because DCF does not take into account the traffic intensity and node density. In other word, DCF only knows collision occurs but does not know how severe of the collision. In this paper, we develop a novel traffic adaptive backoff (TAB) protocol. We use network allocation vector count to approximate the intensity of surrounding traffic and the density of the nodes. TAB protocol then chooses a random backoff time uniformly between a lower threshold and an upper threshold. Simulations results suggest that the TAB protocol improves network performance by achieving a better channel utilization and reducing the number of dropped packets.
Habitat differentiation of sympatric Geonoma macrostachys (Arecaceae) varieties in Peruvian lowland forests

Among the hypotheses invoked to explain high species richness in tropical forests, the niche differentiation hypothesis has received observational and experimental support (Ashton 1969, Chesson 2000, Clark et al. 1999, Souza & Martins 2004, Svenning 2001, Terborgh & Mathews 1999). Habitat specialization with regard to edaphic factors and topography has been observed in several plant groups including trees, lianas, shrubs, ferns and palms (Clark et al. 1999, Ibarra-Manriquez & Martinez-Ramos 2002, Svenning 1999, Tuomisto & Ruokolainen 1993). Treefall gaps and light gradients have also been found to be important ecological factors affecting plant distribution and niche differentiation in the understory (Chazdon 1986, Poorter & Arets 2003, Terborgh & Mathews 1999). It is suggested that such habitat heterogeneity may not only maintain biodiversity but also may lead to the origin of new species through the process of parapatric speciation (Gentry 1989, Haffer 1997, Patton & Smith 1992).
Business Plan Competitions: Start-Up 'Idols' and Their Twenty-First Century Launch Pads

Business plan competitions (BPCs) promise to expand regional economies and catalyze new venture development. BPCs have evolved into a talent search and a launch pad for nascent entrepreneurs. "American Idol" style contests are hailed and criticized. An assessment of BPCs as both business and pedagogical processes adds to the literature on competitions. This analysis examines a sample of top-ranked programs in entrepreneurship, engineering and general business. Do competitions reward innovative business models? Are there variations in the selection of winners, products or services? The study examines how the "elite" nature of the contest sponsor affects winner selection.
On the integration of Maxwell's equations, and charge and dipole fields

It is shown how the direct integration of Maxwell's equations for free space may be accomplished by using a four-dimensional integral identity constructed for this purpose. The method is applied to the calculation of the electromagnetic fields of moving electric charges, and electric and magnetic dipoles. INTRODUJCTION In many problems in mathematical physics where the dependent variables of physical interest satisfy partial differential equations, one or more of these equations is homogeneous, and potential functions can be introduced from which the dependent variables can be deduced by differentiation. But in other problems, the differential equations are inhomogeneous and no potential functions exist, in which case it is useful to have a method for solving the equations directly by using suitable Green functions: also, even when potential functions do exist, it is of theoretical, if not of practical, interest to have a direct method of solution. In the case of Maxwell's equations, direct methods of solution have been used by other authors when the time-variations of the electromagnetic field are harmonic (cf. Stratton I 941) and the time co-ordinate can be separated, but direct methods when the time is present as an independent variable have not received much attention. Some years ago, the author published a method for the direct integration of the linearized vector equations for the velocity in steady flow of perfect gases (Ward I952). In that case the equations were written as two inhomogeneous first-order equations for the velocity, and it was possible to use a previously known vector integral identity to perform the function of a Green identity. Subsequently, this method was generalized to deal with the linearized equations for unsteady flow of perfect gases (Ward i963), the treatment being four-dimensional instead of threedimensional, and the required integral identity being a simple generalization of that used for steady flows. In both problems, it was convenient to write the vector equations of motion in symmetrical form with respect to the independent variables, and this seemed to lead necessarily to redundancy in the systems of equations, in the sense that they were equivalent to more scalar equations than there were scalar components of the vector variables, but of course the systems were consistent among themselves. The same order of ideas can be applied to the problem of integrating other systems of vector differential equations, and an application to Maxwell's equations for the electromagnetic field is treated in this paper. The appropriate symmetrical fourdimensional form of Maxwell's equations is already established (cf. Stratton I 941), the dependent variable being an anti-symmetrical tensor or six-vector. It is interesting to note that this system of equations is also redundant, being equivalent to
Sequence analysis and membrane partitioning energies of α-helical antimicrobial peptides

Sequences of 221 α-helical antimicrobial peptides (αAMPs) were compared and 63--166 of them were selected and analyzed using Perl programs. The results showed that aliphatic amino acids Gly, Leu, Ala, Ile and two positively charged amino acids Lys and Arg were composed of more than 63% of the first 20 residues of αAMPs. The weighed mean membrane partitioning energies at positions from 1 to 25 of αAMPs were calculated. Profile of the partitioning energies suggests oblique membrane insertion and an amphipathic α-helical structure of the N-terminus of αAMP (residues from 1 to 13), a bend structure at positions 13 and 14, and a less structured C-terminus that parallels the surface of the membrane. These structural features are in good agreement with the experimentally determined membrane structure of hemagglutinin fusion peptide from influenza virus. We hypothesize that this (N-terminal oblique α-helix)---central bend---(C-terminus) could be a common structural motif of membrane-disruptive peptides.
Molecular and ultrastructural characterization of Haplosporidium diporeiae n. sp., a parasite of Diporeia sp. (Amphipoda, Gammaridea) in the Laurentian Great Lakes (USA)

Background The phylum Haplosporidia contains coelozoic and histozoic, spore-forming, obligate protozoan endoparasites that infect a number of freshwater and marine invertebrates including bivalves, crustaceans, and polychaetes. In amphipods, haplosporidians cause systemic infection resulting in a range of pathologies. While amphipods belonging to the genus Diporeia (Gammarideae) have been shown to host haplosporidians, the taxonomic relationship of the Diporeia haplosporidian(s) is largely unknown due to the lack of phylogenetic and detailed ultrastructural studies.
Pentaphenyl-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane as a reactive flame retardant

2,4,4,5,5-Pentaphenyl-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane may be generated by treating benzpinacol with (dichloro)phenylphosphine. The phospholane contains a strained carbon-carbon bond which undergoes thermally-induced homolysis at 70°C to generate a diradical capable of initiating styrene polymerization. The polymer generated from decomposition of the phospholane in the presence of styrene monomer contains phosphorus in the mainchain. This polymer exhibits thermal stability comparable to that of conventional polystyrene but decreased flammability.