cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms following media exposure to tragic events: Impact of 9/11 on children at risk for anxiety disorders

With the extensive media coverage on September 11, 2001, adults and children indirectly witnessed the terrorist attacks leading to the deaths of almost 3,000 people. An ongoing longitudinal study provided the opportunity to examine pre-event characteristics and the impact of this media exposure. We assessed symptoms of PTSD in 166 children and 84 mothers who had no direct exposure to the 9/11 attacks. The sample included children who had parents with or without anxiety and mood disorders, and who had been assessed for the presence or absence of temperamental behavioral inhibition (BI). We found a 5.4 percent rate of symptomatic PTSD in response to 9/11 in children and 1.2 percent in their mothers. Children's identification with victims of the attack, and for younger children, the amount of television viewing predicted increased risk of PTSD symptoms. Parental depression was associated with higher symptoms, and pre-event levels of family support was associated with a lower risk for PTSD symptoms. BI in children was also linked to lower rates of PTSD symptoms, suggesting that a cautious and fearful approach to novelty may offer protection against exposure to media-based traumatic images. Media viewing of tragic events is sufficient to produce PTSD symptoms in vulnerable populations such as children. Given the links between PTSD symptoms and viewing habits, parental monitoring of media exposure may be important for younger children.
Permafrost - Relation between ice content and dielectric losses at 100 K

The dielectric response of permafrost at 100 K and vacuums of around 10 ntorr is analyzed, varying its percent ice content from 1 to 18.6. The distributions obtained correspond to dielectric relaxations of the Cole-Cole type, with maximum losses occurring in the 30- to 600-Hz frequency range. The logarithms of such maxima depend linearly on the permafrost ice content, two regions of linear variation being defined above and below 3.6% ice content. Such relations point out the feasibility of determining ice content in permafrost by electromagnetic means.
Investigational FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 inhibitors in treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Introduction: Outcomes for the majority of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain poor. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in the understanding of the cytogenetic and molecular determinants of AML pathogenesis. One such advance is the identification of recurring mutations in the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 gene (FLT3). Currently, this marker, which appears in approximately one-third of all AML patients, not only signifies a poorer prognosis but also identifies an important target for therapy. FLT3 inhibitors have now undergone clinical evaluation in Phase I, II and III clinical trials, as both single agents and in combination with chemotherapeutics. Unfortunately, to date, none of the FLT3 inhibitors have gained FDA approval for the treatment of patients with AML. Yet, several promising FLT3 inhibitors are being evaluated in all phases of drug development. Areas covered: This review aims to highlight the agents furthest along in their development. It also focuses on those F...
Perturbation theory of the reciprocal ferrite phase-shifter

A quantitative comparison is made between the results of the perturbation-theory analysis and experimental observations. It has been necessary to consider only the fundamental mode of propagation in a waveguide containing an equivalent dielectric slab and to use as the perturbation the change in the diagonal component of the ferrite permeability tensor as the ferrite becomes magnetized. An explicit expression for the phase shift is derived. A simplified form valid for ferrite specimens large enough to be useful in the reciprocal phase-shifter reveals the principles of operation. This result shows that dielectric concentration of the microwave fields within the ferrite produces a magnification of the permeability change as the ferrite specimen becomes magnetized in the small applied d.c. field.
The Use of Prayer in Group Work With African American Women Recovering From Chemical Dependency

The authors discuss the relevance, propriety, and use of prayer in addressing the recovery of women from substance use. They describe the use of prayer to facilitate the process of rehabilitation and recovery of women who are chemically dependent and illustrate the application of prayer in the context of group treatment and support.
Protein Kinase Cα-Induced p115RhoGEF Phosphorylation Signals Endothelial Cytoskeletal Rearrangement

Heterotrimeric G-proteins of the Gα12/13 family activate Rho GTPase through the guanine nucleotide exchange factor p115RhoGEF. Because Rho activation is also dependent on protein kinase Cα (PKCα), we addressed the possibility that PKCα can also induce Rho activation secondary to the phosphorylation of p115RhoGEF. Studies were made using human umbilical vein endothelial cells in which we addressed the mechanisms of PKCα-induced Rho activation and its consequences on actin cytoskeletal changes. We observed that PKCα associated with p115RhoGEF within 1 min of thrombin stimulation and p115RhoGEF phosphorylation was dependent on PKCα. Inhibition of PKCα-dependent p115RhoGEF phosphorylation prevented the thrombin-induced Rho activation, indicating that the response occurred downstream of PKCα phosphorylation of p115RhoGEF. The regulator of G-protein signaling domain of p115RhoGEF, a GTPase activating protein for G12/13, also prevented thrombin-induced Rho activation, indicating the parallel requirement of G12/13 in signaling Rho activation via p115RhoGEF. These data demonstrate a pathway of Rho activation involving PKCα-dependent phosphorylation of p115RhoGEF. Thus, Rho activation in endothelial cells and the subsequent actin cytoskeletal re-arrangement require the cooperative interaction of both G12/13 and PKCα pathways that converge at p115RhoGEF.
Evaluation of management techniques to conserve water in a mechanical head wash blood removal system

Abstract This research objectively evaluated methods to conserve water in a mechanical beef head wash system. Digital images of pre-wash and post-wash beef heads were analyzed to quantify the percentage change in red saturation of the image, which was used as an objective measure of cleanliness. Three types of nozzles (fan, three-hole, venturi) and three water pressures (344, 516, 689 kPa) were evaluated in a two-way treatment structure. An interaction ( P = 0.07) was observed between water pressure and nozzle type; the change in red saturation increased as pressure decreased for fan and three-hole nozzles which contrasted with venturi nozzles. The fan nozzle × 516 kPa pressure treatment used 25 L of water per head washed and was used to evaluate the effect of three water temperatures (15, 38, 57 °C). Water temperature did not impact ( P = 0.21) change in red saturation. Reducing water wastage and minimizing the use of heated water could have positive economic benefits to the beef processor.
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the ileum.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma occurs most commonly in the extremities and trunk, but rarely in visceral organs. This report documents a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising in the terminal ileum. Following surgical resection, there is no evidence of recurrence or metastasis in this patient after one-year followup studies
Iterative Image Restoration

The projection method of solving a set of linear equations was used to restore linearly degraded images. The advantages of this method are that it always converges, it can readily make use of a priori information about the image, and it does not need excessive computation time. Experimental results indicate that this method could potentially achieve superresolution.
The photoneuroendocrine control of seasonal breeding in the ewe

Abstract The major environmental parameter controlling seasonal breeding in ewes is photoperiod. Short days stimulate, and long days inhibit breeding activity. One of the more intriguing enigmas of neuroendocrinology is the endocrine mechanism whereby a mere change in daylength initiates or prevents estrous cycles. Recent experiments have begun to solve this problem by demonstrating that in ewes, photoperiod governs response of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis to the negative feedback action of estradiol. In long days, estradiol is a potent inhibitor of gonadotropin secretion, whereas in short days it is relatively ineffective in this regard. These photoperiod-induced changes in estradiol feedback are proposed to permit or prevent estrous cycles by controlling the occurrence of a crucial step in the sequence of events leading to ovulation, namely a sustained, preovulatory rise in LH. Thus, estrous cycles cease in long days because an increase in estradiol negative feedback prevents the sustained rise in LH. In short days, estrous cycles resume because a decrease in estradiol feedback permits the sustained rise in LH required for ovulation. Even more puzzling, at present, than the mechanism of transduction of photoperiodic information into an endocrine event controlling seasonal breeding is the problem of transmission of photoperiodic information from the environment to the hypothalamo-pituitary axis. In sheep, early investigations of the transmission pathway have elicited provocative results, only some of which are similar to those obtained in other species. Among the questions which remain to be answered are: what is the location of the photoreceptors, and what, if any, are the roles of the suprachiasmatic nuclei and the pineal in photoperiodic control of seasonal breeding? These issues promise to provide a tantalizing challenge for future investigations into the photoneuroendocrine control of seasonal breeding.
The influence of tunichrome and other reducing compounds on tunic and fin formation in embryonic Ascidia callosa Stimpson

Tunic in 46-hr-old Ascidia callosa larvae reared from dechorionated neurulae is either markedly reduced in thickness or absent altogether. The epidermis is fragile and cuticular fins fail to develop. Dechorionated neurulae treated with tunichrome and other reducing compounds (e.g., glutathione, ascorbate) show an enhancement in tunic formation and rudimentary fin development. UV absorbance spectra of extracts from unfertilized eggs, late tail-bud embryos, and tadpole larvae indicate that tunichrome may be present in all developmental stages. Experiments with neurulae in which the chorion was punctured with tungsten needles but not removed signify that the test cells are the most likely source of tunichrome. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that tunichrome is involved in the natural processes of tunic morphogenesis in ascidian embryos.
A statistical machine learning based modeling and exploration framework for run-time cross-stack energy optimization

As the complexity of many-core processors grow, meeting performance, energy, temperature, reliability, and noise requirements under dynamically changing operating conditions requires run-time optimization of all parts of the computing stack - architecture, system software, and applications. Unfortunately, the combination of design parameters for the entire computing stack results in an operating space of millions of points that must be explored and evaluated at run-time. In this paper, we present a statistical machine learning (SML) based modeling framework that can be used to rapidly explore such vast operating spaces. We construct a multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) based model that uses a number of architecture and application parameters as predictor variables to predict performance and power. We then use a Pareto-front exploring evolutionary algorithm to determine operating points for optimal power and performance. The operating points constituting the Pareto front are stored in look-up tables for runtime use. The proposed framework is applied to an ×264 video encoding application executing on a quad core processor. The microarchitectural predictor variables include core and cache parameters. The application predictor variables include the video resolution, and visual quality determined by the choice of the motion estimation algorithm. The model outputs the average frames per second (FPS) and the average power consumption. The MARS model has an R2 of 0.9657 and 0.9467 respectively for FPS and power. For a video frame resolution of 480x320, and FPS of 20, a power saving of 55% can be obtained by jointly tuning the microarchitectural parameters and the visual quality.
Oral administration of Escherichia coli in enteric coated microparticles induces serum antibodies against lipopolysaccharide antigens

Heat-killed Escherichia coli O55:B5 were encapsulated in microcapsules coated with a pH-sensitive enteric coating (methacrylic acid copolymer). Oral immunization of C57BI/6 x DBA/2 (BDF1) mice with encapsulated bacteria resulted in a humoral immune response directed against bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This response was greatly boosted by a second series of immunization and differed both quantitatively and qualitatively from that induced by intraperitoneal immunization with non-encapsulated heat-killed bacteria. The anti-LPS response following oral immunization was comprised almost exclusively of IgG1 subclass antibodies and was highly specific for the LPS of the immunizing bacteria. The anti-LPS response following intraperitoneal immunization consisted mainly of IgM and IgG2a antibodies which were crossreactive with several bacterial strains. Our results demonstrate that whole killed bacteria, encapsulated by an enteric coating and administered orally, effectively induces an antibody response to L...
Dry friction: modeling and energy flow

Abstract A model of dry, wearless friction between two atomistically flat, two-dimensional workpieces is introduced. This isotropic elastic model allows us to study the flow of energy away from the sliding interface during the frictional process. Although a direct quantitative comparison of the model with molecular dynamics data is not possible, qualitative comparisons indicate that much of the early-time nonplastic behavior of molecular dynamics data can be described by a simple elastic model. Also our results support previous speculation that it is appropriate to introduce viscous damping effects when formulating lower-dimensional models of such physical processes.
ID and 2D Electron Spin Resonance Imaging (ESRI) of Nitroxide Radicals in Stabilized Poly(acrylonitrile−butadiene−styrene) (ABS): UV vs Thermal Degradation

We present the application of 1D spatial and 2D spatial-spectral electron spin resonance imaging (ESRI) in order to deduce the intensity profile and the spatial variation of line shapes for nitroxi...
PERFORMANCE OF BLACK GRANDMOTHERS: PERCEPTIONS OF THREE GENERATIONS OF FEMALES

The purposes of this study were to (a) identify perceptions of 3 generations about the influence of black grandmothers; (b) describe contributions of black grandmothers and detect obstacles that limit their success; and (c) recommend curricula for programs to enhance success of black grandmothers. The 253 subjects were black grandmothers (n = 76), mothers (n = 65), and granddaughters (n = 112). Each generation completed the Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory. A high degree of agreement among generations revealed that teaching is perceived as the greatest strength of grandmothers. Their greatest limitation was the need for information about individual grandchildren.
Biological and nonbiological activation of normal and dicoumarol-treated prothrombin

Abstract Similar to normal, prothrombin obtained from dicoumarol-treated steers required factor X for activation in addition to factor V, thromboplastin and Ca 2+ . The shortest clotting time, however, persisted for approximately an hour as compared to 10 minutes for normal prothrombin. Factor X from dicoumarol-treated plasma also corrected the clotting (activation) defect. Poly-L-lysin, protamine sulfate and 25% sodium citrate solution activated both normal and dicoumarol-treated preparations containing factor X within a few hours. Thrombin yield for normal was half that of its potential but 50% greater than the potential for dicoumarol-treated preparations. This greater yield from dicoumarol-treated prothrombin represented the (nonbiological) activation of “abnormal” molecules. In the absence of factor X, poly-L-lysin and protamine sulfate, on the other hand, did not activate the two prothrombins. In 25% sodium citrate, such preparations activated very slowly taking days or weeks rather than hours. These results indicate the requirement of factor X even for nonbiological activation of prothrombin.
Total Dose and Single Event Effects Testing of the Intersil ISL71090SEH and ISL71091SEH Precision Voltage References

We report the results of SEE and low and high dose rate total dose testing of the Intersil ISL71090SEH and ISL71091SEH hardened voltage references together with a discussion of electrical specifications and fabrication process.
Anthropometric discrimination among affected, at‐risk, and not‐at‐risk individuals in families with Huntington disease

An earlier report showed significant differences among Huntington disease (HD) patients, controls, and particular age cohorts of at-risk persons for several dimensions of body mass and for several linear and craniofacial components of the body. In this investigation a function was derived from a stepwise discriminant analysis of the affected and unaffected groups, and used to classify the at-risk individuals according to HD gene carrier status. The function, comprised of body mass index, subscapular skinfold, head length, and sitting height, classified 95% of the controls and 87% of the affected individuals correctly. Approximately 80% of the individuals at-risk were classified with 80% or greater certainty. We propose that anthropometric variables may prove to be a powerful tool for basic research in HD and the derived discriminant function has potential clinical value as a diagnostic and preclinical diagnostic aid. We emphasize that corroborative testing on other sample populations of HD families is required before these techniques are utilized. Also, it is imperative that the anthropometric protocol include appropriate standardization of the raw measurement data.
Monte Carlo-based compensation for patient scatter, detector scatter, and crosstalk contamination in In-111 SPECT imaging

Abstract We have incorporated Monte Carlo (MC)-based estimates of patient scatter, detector scatter, and crosstalk into an iterative reconstruction algorithm, and compared its performance to that of a general spectral (GS) approach. We extended the MC-based reconstruction algorithm of de Jong et al. by (1) using the “Delta scattering” method to determine photon interaction points, (2) simulating scatter maps for many energy bins simultaneously, and (3) decoupling the simulation of the object and detector by using pre-stored point spread functions (PSF) that included all collimator and detector effects. A numerical phantom was derived from a segmented CT scan of a torso phantom. The relative values of In-111 activity concentration simulated in soft tissue, liver, spine, left lung, right lung, and five spherical tumors (1.3–2.0 cm diam.) were 1.0, 1.5, 1.5, 0.3, 0.5, and 10.0, respectively. GS scatter projections were incorporated additively in an OSEM reconstruction (6 subsets×10 projections×2 photopeak windows). After three iterations, GS scatter projections were replaced by MC-estimated scatter projections for two additional iterations. MC-based compensation was quantitatively compared to GS-based compensation after five iterations. The bias of organ activity estimates ranged from −13% to −6.5% (GS), and from −1.4% to +5.0% (MC); tumor bias ranged from −20.0% to +10.0% for GS (mean±std.dev.=−4.3±11.9%), and from −2.2 to +18.8% for MC (+4.1±8.6%). Image noise in all organs was less with MC than with GS.
CO2 Elicits Long-Term Decline in Nitrogen Fixation

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide ( C a), a product of fossil fuel burning, land-use change, and cement manufacture, is expected to cause a large carbon sink in land ecosystems, partly mitigating human-driven climate change ([ 1 ][1]). Increasing biological nitrogen fixation with rising C a has been
Embeddings into hopfian groups

Received October 21, 1969 A group H is hopfiun if H/N E H implies N = (1). Equivalently, H is hopfian if every epic endomorphism of H is an automorphism. A dual notion is that of co-hopfian: H is co-hopjan if every manic endomorphism of H is an automorphism. Recall that a complete group is a group with trivial center such that every automorphism is an inner automorphism. Let C, be the cyclic group of order n > 1. Define U(p, s) to be the ordinary free product C, * C, . Our purpose is to prove the following embedding theorem: THEOREM. Every countablegroup G is embeddable in a 2-generator, complete, hopfan quotient group H of U(p, s) provided p > 2 and s > 3.
Through-space hydrogen-fluorine and carbon-fluorine spin-spin coupling in 5-fluoro-3,3-dimetryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthrene

The 1R and 13C NMR spectra of the title compound (1) reveal through-space couplings between the fluorine and the C-4 methylene group 1H and 13C), as well as coupling between the fluorine and the C-3 methine carbon and the C-2 methylene carbon.
The Development of Writing Abilities in a Foreign Language: Contributions toward a General Theory of L2 Writing

HISTORICALLY, THE FL TEACHING PROfession has given little sustained attention to the development of writing ability in students' target languages.' Most FL professionals have taken the position that writing is a "secondary" or less crucial skill than listening, speaking, and reading, and, according to Herzog, even government language schools have not tested the writing skill as part of the end-of-course evaluation.
EPIMYSIAL CONNECTIVE TISSUE POLYSACCHARIDES OF BOVINE SEMIMEMBRANOSUS MUSCLE AND ALTERATIONS IN THEIR TYPE WITH AGE AND SEX DIFFERENCES

— Newborn veal, 11.5-month-old steers, 14.5-month-old heifers and 9 to 10.5-year-old cows were used to identify the polysaccharide types present in the epimysium and to determine the relationship between the amount of connective tissue polysaccharides and the amount of collagen in the epimysium. Trimmed muscle was used for tenderness evaluation by shear force. Average amounts of 332, 247, 230 and 202 mg dry polysaccharides per 100g dry, defatted epimysium were isolated from the veal, steer, heifer and cow groups, respectively. A negative correlation was obtained between age of animals and amount of isolated polysaccharides. Only 20% of the hexosamine in the dried defatted epimysium was extracted as soluble connective tissue polysaccharides. It is possible that some selective solubilization of certain polysaccharides occurred during extraction and, consequently, the extracted polysaccharides may not reflect the actual polysaccharide composition of the intact tissue. Considering this, it was found by using Dowex 1 x-2 chromatography that an average of 42% of the total uronic acids of the veal and heifer groups was eluted with 0.5M NaCl. 17 and 19% of the cow and steer uronic acids, respectively, were eluted with 0.5M NaCl. In the veal and heifer groups, 37 and 38% of the total uronic acids were eluted with 1.5M NaCl, whereas in the cow and steer groups the amount represented 71 and 70%. The percentages of uronic acids eluted with 2.0M NaCl were 20, 11, 19 and 12% in the veal, steer, heifer and cow groups, respectively. Dermatan sulfate was found to be the main polysaccharide eluted with 1.5M NaCl for the veal, heifers and cows. It also represented an important type in the steers, although other sulfate polysaccharides seemed to be present. Cellulose polyacetate electrophoresis confirmed that hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate were present in the epimysium. The ratio of hexosamine to insoluble collagen in the epimysium was positively associated with muscle tenderness.
Building the Hothouse: How Mothers Construct Academic Environments.

Mothers have many possible ways of “building a hothouse”: selecting an academic preschool, enrolling their child in lessons, and using highly directive, controlling patterns of interaction.
Dynamax, a new crystal and domain-oriented magnetic core material

Dynamax, a new high-permeability magnetic material containing approximately 65 per cent (%) nickel, 2% molybdenum, and 33% iron, has been developed in the form of thin tape for toroidal cores. It has dynamic characteristics which are superior to those of any rectangular hysteresis loop materials commercially available today. The most promising potential applications are in high-performance magnetic amplifiers and possibly in special transformers. In addition, its d-c magnetization characteristics are comparable to those of Supermalloy except that the Dynamax has a rectangular hysteresis loop and higher remanance. Dynamax has d-c properties which are superior to Deltamax except for lower saturation.
Progressive C-terminal deletions of the renal cystine transporter, NBAT, reveal a novel bimodal pattern of functional expression

Nearly identical proteins (denoted NAA-Tr, rBAT, D2, NBAT), cloned from mammalian kidneys, induce a largely sodium-independent high-affinity transport system for cystine, basic amino acids, and some neutral amino acids in Xenopus oocytes (system b0,+-like). Mutations in the human NBAT gene have been found in several type I cystinurics. In kidney, NBAT is associated with a second, smaller protein (approximately 45 kDa), and this heterodimer has been proposed to be the minimal functional unit of the renal cystine transporter (Wang, Y., and Tate, S. S. (1995) FEBS Lett. 368, 389-392). To delineate regions minimally required for functional expression in oocytes, we constructed a series of C-terminal truncated mutants of rat kidney NBAT (wild-type (WT), 683 amino acids). Expression of these mutants in oocytes yielded an unusual bimodal pattern for the induction of amino acid transport activity. Thus, initial C-terminal truncations aborted elicitation of transport activity. The next mutant in the series, Delta588-683, exhibited most of the transport-inducing potential inherent in the WT/NBAT. Further deletions again attenuated transport activity. Although both the WT/NBAT and the truncated mutant, Delta588-683, induce qualitatively similar transport systems, the two forms of the protein exhibit contrasting sensitivities toward a point mutation in which the cysteine residue at position 111 was mutated to serine. This mutation did not greatly affect induction of transport by the WT/NBAT; however, the Delta588-683 mutant was inactivated by this mutation. Our data further suggest that cysteine 111 is probably the site of disulfide linkage with an approximately 45-kDa oocyte protein producing a complex equivalent to that seen in kidney membranes.
Use of size-exclusion and ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography for the isolation of biologically active growth factors.

Abstract Size-exclusion and ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography were used to purify biologically active growth factors as measured by the ability of the factors to stimulate DNA synthesis in 3T3 cells. Chromatography was performed in aqueous buffer and at neutral pH to avoid possible inactivation of biological activity. The growth factors analyzed were chondrosarcoma growth factor (CHSA-GF), human milk growth factor (HMGF), retinal-derived growth factor (RDGF) and mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF). CHSA-GF, HMGF, and RDGF were eluted from TSK 2000 columns as well-defined peaks of activity with molecular weights of 12,000–15,000, 5000–6000, and 16,000–18,000, respectively. EGF was found to have an abnormally low molecular weight after chromatography on TSK 2000. However, incorporation of guanidine · HCl into the TSK column resulted in the elution of EGF at its known molecular weight of ca . 6000. Anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography on AX 300 was used for the purification of HMGF and RDGF, and cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography on CM 300 was used for the purification of CHSA-GF. The results show that size-exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography can be used without organic solvents or extremes in pH to purify a number of different growth factors successfully with retention of biological activity.
Clinical presentation of thrombosed greenfield filters

The tour de force of this paper lies in the review of clinical presentation of occluded Greenfield filters in a group of patients contraindicated for postopera tive anticoagulation. Nine of 59 patients (15.3%) had occluded filters. Eight of these 9 patients (88.8%) had primary brain tumors. This study, for the first time, to the authors' knowledge, reports a high incidence of caval thrombosis in brain tumor patients (8/31:25.8%) and of an association between caval throm bosis and recurrent deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was seen in 88.8% of patients with caval thrombosis in this service. It is the authors' contention that recurrent DVT, at least in brain tumor patients, should alert the physician to evaluate caval patency. Caval thrombosis was noticed even sixty weeks after the placement of Greenfield filter. The authors conclude, therefore, that brain tumor patients had a high incidence of occluded filters; lower extrem ity morbidity provided a clue to such an event, and such a scenario...
Clarification of a Common Misunderstanding of Collision Frequencies in the Smoluchowski Equation

Flocculation is universally modeled on the basis of the seminal work of M. von Smoluchowski. The key equation is a particle number balance that expresses the net rate of formation of particles of a given type as the difference between the rate at which such particles are formed by collisions of smaller particles and the rate at which they are destroyed by collisions with other particles to form larger ones. The equation is commonly presented in a concise form in which the rates of formation and destruction of particles of a given size are each represented by a single summation containing the term βijninj, in which βij = collision frequency function, and ni and nj = number concentrations of type-i and type-j particles, respectively. Although the product βijninj has been interpreted as the rate of collisions between i and j particles in several important publications, that interpretation is correct only for collisions between unlike particles; the collision rate between like particles is βijninj/2 (i.e., βi...
Characterization of the binding of isoniazid and analogues to Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase.

The first-line antituberculosis drug isonicotinic hydrazide (INH) is a prodrug whose bactericidal function requires activation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase (KatG) to produce an acyl-NAD adduct. Peroxidation of INH is considered a required catalytic process for drug action. The binding of INH and a series of hydrazide analogues to resting KatG was examined using optical and calorimetric techniques to provide thermodynamic parameters, binding stoichiometries, and kinetic constants (on and off rates). This work revealed high-affinity binding of these substrates to a small fraction of ferric enzyme in a six-coordinate heme iron form, a species most likely containing a weakly bound water molecule, which accumulates during storage of the enzyme. The binding of hydrazides is associated with a large enthalpy loss (>100 kcal/mol); dissociation constants are in the range of 0.05−1.6 μM, and optical stopped-flow measurements demonstrated kon values in the range of 0.5−27 × 103 M-1 s-1 with very ...
Infrared reflectivity of Fe2O3·nH2O: Influence on Martian reflection spectra

Abstract A measure of the infrared reflectivity of limonite and Fe 2 O 3 · n H 2 O from 1 to 5 microns has been made. A strong reflection minimum due to water of hydration is shown. Influence of the measured reflectivities on Martian spectra is discussed.
Convenient synthesis of deazaflavin cofactor FO and its activity in F(420)-dependent NADP reductase.

F420 and FO are phenolic 5-deazaflavin cofactors that complement nicotinamide and flavin redox coenzymes in biochemical oxidoreductases and photocatalytic systems. Specifically, these 5-deazaflavins lack the single electron reactivity with O2 of riboflavin-derived coenzymes (FMN and FAD), and, in general, have a more negative redox potential than NAD(P)+. For example, F420-dependent NADP+ oxidoreductase (Fno) is critical to the conversion of CO2 to CH4 by methanogenic archaea, while FO functions as a light-harvesting agent in DNA repair. The preparation of these cofactors is an obstacle to their use in biochemical studies and biotechnology. Here, a convenient synthesis of FO was achieved by improving the redox stability of synthetic intermediates containing a polar, electron-rich aminophenol fragment. Improved yields and simplified purification techniques for FO are described. Additionally, Fno activity was restored with FO in the absence of F420. Investigating the FO-dependent NADP+/NADPH redox process by stopped-flow spectrophotometry, steady state kinetics were defined as having a Km of 4.00 ± 0.39 μM and a kcat of 5.27 ± 0.14 s−1. The preparation of FO should enable future biochemical studies and novel uses of F420 mimics.
Cellular phenotype transformation occurs during thoracic aortic aneurysm development

Objective Thoracic aortic aneurysms result from dysregulated remodeling of the vascular extracellular matrix, which may occur as a result of altered resident cellular function. The present study tested the hypothesis that aortic fibroblasts undergo a stable change in cellular phenotype during thoracic aortic aneurysm formation. Methods Primary murine aortic fibroblasts were isolated from normal and thoracic aortic aneurysm-induced aortas (4 weeks post induction with 0.5mol/L CaCl 2 15minutes) by the outgrowth method. Normal and thoracic aortic aneurysm cultures were examined using a focused polymerase chain reaction array to determine fibroblast-specific changes in gene expression in the absence and presence of biological stimulation (endothelin-1, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, angiotensin-II). The relative expression of 38 genes, normalized to 4 housekeeping genes, was determined, and genes displaying a minimum 2-fold increase/decrease or genes with significantly different normalized cycle threshold values were considered to have altered expression. Results At steady state, thoracic aortic aneurysm fibroblasts revealed elevated expression of several matrix metalloproteinases ( Mmp2, Mmp11, Mmp14 ), collagen genes/elastin ( Col1a1 , Col1a2 , Col3a1 , Eln ), and other matrix proteins, as well as decreased expression of Mmp3, Timp3, and Ltbp1 . Moreover, gene expression profiles in thoracic aortic aneurysm fibroblasts were different than normal fibroblasts after equivalent biological stimuli. Conclusions This study demonstrated for the first time that isolated primary aortic fibroblasts from thoracic aortic aneurysm-induced mice possess a unique and stable gene expression profile, and when challenged with biological stimuli, induce a transcriptional response that is different from normal aortic fibroblasts. Together, these data suggest that aortic fibroblasts undergo a stable phenotypic change during thoracic aortic aneurysm development, which may drive the enhancement of extracellular matrix proteolysis in thoracic aortic aneurysm progression.
Low-V? electro-optic modulator with a high-?? chromophore and a constant-bias field

A low half-wave voltage V? of 1.57??V was obtained with a 2-cm-long birefringent polymer waveguide modulator at a wavelength of 1.3 µm by use of a modulator design with a constant-bias electric field and a high-µ? chromophore. The design allows the maximum achievable electro-optic coefficient of the material to be utilized. This electro-optic coefficient can be more than twice as high as the residue value that is used by conventional modulator designs, after fast partial relaxation following poling.
Taking advantage of national science foundation funding opportunities

This session will highlight programs in the National Science Foundation EHR Division of Undergraduate Education and CISE Division of Experimental and Integrative Activities that are of interest to college faculty, discussing the requirements and guidelines for programs in these areas. It will include a presentation of the characteristics of a competitive proposal and the proposal and review processes, and participants will be encouraged to explore their ideas with the presenters.
The non-exponential behavior of the velocity autocorrelation function

Abstract The contribution to the velocity autocorrelation function from ring events is studied for low densities and t⪆2t0 using a kinetic model. Agreement with computer experiments for V V 0 = 18 is found to be good.
“Be Ye Transformed”: The Sexual Storytelling of Ex-gay Participants

The ex-gay movement in the United States has, for the last three decades, argued that there can be “freedom from homosexuality.” We draw from eighteen in-depth, semi-structured interviews with individuals seeking help from an ex-gay ministry for same-sex attractions. We argue that the testimonies that “ex-gays” or “strugglers” we spoke with represent a distinct genre of story, what Kenneth Plummer would call a “sexual story,” such as, for example, lesbian and gay coming out narratives. We find that elements of each type of narrative are flexible and culturally resonant across subcultures, demonstrating the creativity with which social movements and individuals construct and reconstruct themselves.
Rebootless Linux Kernel Patching with Ksplice Uptrack at BNL

Ksplice/Oracle Uptrack is a software tool and update subscription service which allows system administrators to apply security and bug fix patches to the Linux kernel running on servers/workstations without rebooting them. The RHIC/ATLAS Computing Facility (RACF) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has deployed Uptrack on nearly 2,000 hosts running Scientific Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The use of this software has minimized downtime, and increased our security posture. In this paper, we provide an overview of Ksplice's rebootless kernel patch creation/insertion mechanism, and our experiences with Uptrack.
Partitioning of chloromethanes between aqueous and surfactant micellar phases

Abstract The partition constants for three volatile organic chemicals (VOCs)—methylene chloride, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride—between aqueous and surfactant micellar phases were determined using an equilibrium partitioning method. The surfactants used were sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (DDBS), sodium dodecylsulfate (DDS) and hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (HTAB). The vapor concentration of the VOCs remained unchanged until the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the surfactant was reached. Above the CMC the vapor concentration decreased linearly with increasing surfactant concentration in the aqueous phase. The partition constants (Km) were observed to increase with increasing ionic strength of the solution. The partition constants also increased with increasing hydrophobicity of the VOCs. A pseudo-two-phase model was used to determine the Km values and was found to fit the experimental data well. Cationic micelles of HTAB gave larger Km values than anionic micelles of DDS and DDBS surfactants. Km values also increased with increasing temperature. From a thermodynamic treatment of the equilibrium process the values of the partition constants for transfer of VOCs from an ideal vapor phase to the micellar phase were calculated. These values were found to fall in between the values for aliphatic hydrocarbons and alcohols.
Power system transient and harmonic studies using wavelet transform

This paper presents the application of wavelet transforms in power system transient and harmonic analyses. Based on the discrete time domain approximation, the system components such as resistors, inductors and capacitor are modeled respectively in the discrete wavelet domain for the purpose of transient and steady state analyses. Since the power system is described by a set of ordinary differential equations, an initial value of the state variable is considered for the transient analysis, while a periodic condition is applied to the state variable for the steady state analysis. The wavelet domain impedance is set up, and the equivalent circuit is thus built for system simulation. This method can be implemented by any kind of orthogonal wavelet transform. Numerical results from an arc furnace system are also presented for the transient, harmonic and time-frequency analyses.
Determining Force Dependence of Two-Dimensional Receptor-Ligand Binding Affinity by Centrifugation

Abstract Analyses of receptor-ligand interactions are important to the understanding of cellular adhesion. Traditional methods of measuring the three-dimensional (3D) dissociation constant ( K d ) require at least one of the molecular species in solution and hence cannot be directly applied to the case of cell adhesion. We describe a novel method of measuring 2D binding characteristics of receptors and ligands that are attached to surfaces and whose bonds are subjected to forces. The method utilizes a common centrifugation assay to quantify adhesion. A model for the experiment has been formulated, solved exactly, and tested carefully. The model is stochastically based and couples the bond force to the binding affinity. The method was applied to examine tumor cell adherence to recombinant E-selectin. Satisfactory agreement was found between predictions and data. The estimated zero-force 2D K d for E-selectin/carbohydrate ligand binding was ∼5×10 3 μ m −2 , and the bond interaction range was subangstrom. Our results also suggest that the number of bonds mediating adhesion was small (
MicroRNA-155 Is a Negative Regulator of Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase

Summary B lymphocytes perform somatic hypermutation and class-switch recombination (CSR) of the immunoglobulin locus to generate an antibody repertoire diverse in both affinity and function. These somatic diversification processes are catalyzed by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), a potent DNA mutator whose expression and function are highly regulated. Here we show that AID was regulated posttranscriptionally by a lymphocyte-specific microRNA, miR-155. We found that miR-155 was upregulated in murine B lymphocytes undergoing CSR and that it targeted a conserved site in the 3′-untranslated region of the mRNA encoding AID. Disruption of this target site in vivo resulted in quantitative and temporal deregulation of AID expression, along with functional consequences for CSR and affinity maturation. Thus, miR-155, which has recently been shown to play important roles in regulating the germinal-center reaction, does so in part by directly downmodulating AID expression.
A funny thing happened on the way to the mosque: promoting civil society and religious pluralism through local conflict

Understood primarily as a meta-narrative reflecting citizens' reluctance to accept migration and Islam as permanent components of their society, grass-roots protests against mosque construction also highlight a democratic paradox regarding multi-level governance: while national governments bear chief responsibility for ensuring fundamental religious freedoms, local authorization procedures affecting mosque construction (e.g. zoning, building permits) have rendered communal spaces a Ground Zero for the regulation of Islamic faith communities. While similar protests have taken place across Europe, German officials face special problems in responding to challenges by neighbourhood groups, rooted in the complicated nature of federalism, the legacy of National Socialism and a new, if misunderstood, element of ‘militant democracy’ at local levels. The Pankow-Heinersdorf case, staged on the outskirts of eastern Berlin, shows that multifaceted interventions can help contesting parties come to terms with religious...
Survey of commercial leasehold property

In considering property for this Checkpoint article I have not listed a specific method of construction but have set out to comment on the survey of properties which are held under a Lease. One may consider that it is unreasonable to regard the inspection of such a property as being in any way materially different from the inspection of a Freehold commercial building. There is one major difference: with a Freehold dwelling you are advising your client of the liabilities and obligations that he may have to accept if he proceeds with the acquisition of the property that you are inspecting. You will have advised him on the probabilities of the need to maintain and repair certain sections of the building and ventured forth with informed advice on the cost of looking after the buildings.
Autofluorescence characteristics of oral mucosa

Background The fluorescence characteristics of tissues depend upon their biochemical composition and histomorphological architecture, both of which undergo a change during malignant transformation. These changes are detectable as an alteration in the fluorescence spectral profile of the tissues. Methods Biopsy specimens from clinically suspicious lesions and normal-appearing oral mucosa were obtained from patients. Fluorescence spectroscopic measurements were obtained to study the differences between normal and dysplastic tissues and to determine the most appropriate excitation wavelength(s) for exploiting these differences. Results Fluorescence spectra from a total of 12 histologically normal (healthy mucosa or benign lesions) and ten abnormal (dysplastic or malignant) tissue samples were compared. Significant spectral differences were seen between the two groups. These differences were most marked at the excitation wavelength of 410 nm. Using this wavelength, fluorescence correctly diagnosed 20 of 22 samples studied. Conclusions This technique accurately differentiates normal from abnormal tissues in vitro and has the potential applications for in vivo use as a noninvasive diagnostic tool. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 19: 27–32, 1997.
Great Basin Petroglyphs and Prehistoric Game Trails

Aboriginal petroglyphs "rock-writing") in western and central Nevada have, up to now, remained a puzzle to archeologists as regards their function and location. Recent field investigation strongly suggests that these are connected with hunting magic, presumably aimed at success in the chase, and that they are located along routes of deer migration.
Sealing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Tracts With Gelatin Matrix Hemostatic Sealant: Initial Clinical Use

ABSTRACTPurpose: Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has been performed at several centers with good success. However, these cases have been carefully selected with regard to short duration and smaller stone burden to prevent complications associated with the loss of access to the collecting system. We describe the use of gelatin matrix hemostatic sealant (FloSeal Baxter Medical, Fremont, California) as an adjunct to tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy to help preclude bleeding complications.Materials and Methods: Two patients were treated with PCNL through a single nephrostomy tract. At the satisfactory conclusion of the cases the tract was occluded retrograde with an occlusion balloon catheter and gelatin matrix hemostatic sealant was injected down the nephrostomy tract. An indwelling stent and bladder catheter were placed following which all guidewires were removed and skin sutures were placed.Results: The operative times were 75 and 180 minutes, respectively. Both patients had stable postop...
INTRODUCTION TO SUPERMANIFOLDS

This paper discusses supermanifolds, the simplest sort of noncommutative extension to ordinary differential geometry. They were originally invented as the natural arena for classical field theories describing fermions. Later they turned out to be useful in conferring a geometrical interpretation upon the supersymmetries which some of these theories enjoy. In particular, the supersymmetric string theories are naturally formulated on supermanifolds with two commuting dimensions and one or two anticommuting ones, in addition to a complex structure - the so-called super-Riemann surfaces.