cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetic correlation of the acquisition of resistance to immune attack in schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni with a developmental change in membrane potential.

Abstract When Schistosoma mansoni cercariae penetrate the skin of the mammalian host they rapidly pass from fresh water to a high salt physiologic environment and transform into schistosomula. Following this transition, the parasites migrate from the skin to the lungs during which time they change from being highly susceptible to immune attack to being refractory, as measured by in vitro cytotoxicity assays. In this study, in vivo or in vitro schistosomula of different ages were examined for developmentally linked changes in membrane function which might correlate with the attainment of the resistant state. In particular, alterations in the distribution of tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP + ), a synthetic lipophilic cation which shows a potential dependent partition across membranes, were followed. Three-hour-old schistosomula, which are > 75% susceptible to antibody-dependent complement-mediated attack or lymphokine-activated macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity, acquired TPP + at a similar rate and steady state level to 5-day-old lung worms, which were completely resistant to both these effector mechanisms. The addition of ouabain, a Na + /K + -ATPase inhibitor, caused a 50% decrease in both the rate and steady state of TPP + uptake by 3 h parasites but had little effect on these parameters in lung worms. Valinomycin, a K + -ionophore, completely inhibited TPP + influx in both stages. The characteristics of TPP + efflux from 3-h and 5-day-old parasites preloaded with the cation were found to be dissimilar. Whereas 30% of acquired TPP + was lost from lung worms within 2 h, only 10% of acquired cation was released from 3-h schistosomula during the same period. However, in the presence of valinomycin, TPP + efflux from both stages was identical and more rapid (25% in 15 min) than in ionophore-free culture. Examination of 1-, 3- and 5-day old parasites showed them to be largely resistant to immune attack in vitro and to be capable of releasing acquired TPP + in a manner similar to lung worms. On the basis of these data we postulate that: (1) the development of resistance to immune attack is the result of the physiological adaptation of the schistosomulum to the vertebrate host environment, and (2) developing schistosomula may possess a membrane pump/carrier, possibly surface located, which functions to compensate for immune damage-induced, potentially lethal, ion imbalances.
Critical state equation for superconducting niobium wires

Abstract Assuming j c = α ( 1 − |B| H c2 ) , equations are easily obtained which accurately describe Ic vs. H for Nb wires in a simple arrangement simulating infinite slab geometry and readily yield a measure of the pinning parameter α.
Tibial adamantinoma: Its histogenesis from ultrastructural studies

Only three previous reports on the ultrastructural appearance of tibial adamantinoma have been found among some 120 cases of this tumor reported in the literature. The tumor in our case is less differentiated than the cases previously reported. We believe it is of epithelial character and the possibilities of its histogenesis have been narrowed down to either mesothelial, synovial or squamous origins among the many theories proposed. Ameloblastic origin, however, cannot be ruled out.
Abstract 5533: A RT-PCR study of cytokine expression with macrophages and tumors

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Macrophages (MO) are very important in initiating and directing an immune response. However, it has been noted that when MO are in the presence of a tumor, they often undergo a change in phenotype. In this environment, MO will be converted from an aggressive phenotype (M1) to one that promotes tissue remodeling and repair (M2) through a process that is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to identify which cytokines, in both MO and cancer cells, show altered expression when the two are in close proximity. To accomplish this, MCF-7 (breast cancer), MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer), MDA-MB-435 (melanoma), and HT29 (colon cancer) cell cultures were grown in prescribed media followed by a 48-hour co-incubation with whole blood MO. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used as a positive control of an M1-type stimulation. The cytokine levels of both the cancer cells and MO were then analyzed by quantitative PCR (qPRC) for expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Mathematical calculations were analyzed using a Step One® comparative quantification program and the cytokine expression equation 2⁁-(Δct1- Δct2). MO IL-1β showed a fold change of 2.76, 1.58, 0.95, 3.09, 10.11 when exposed to MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435, and HT29 cells and LPS respectively. These expressions correlated with the aggressiveness of the cancer. Aggressive MDA-MB-435's down regulated IL-1β. Fold change in MIF expression was 3.14, 1.33, 7.56, and 1.22 in MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435, and HT29 cells respectively. HT29's had the lowest expression levels suggesting one reason why it's been reported that infiltration of MO happens properly in colon cancers. Fold expression in MO expression of TNF-α was 1.34, 1.65, 1.10, and 0.85 with MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435, and HT29 cells respectively. An interesting finding that warrants further investigation was in regards to the colon cancer. We observed with interest that the colon cancer line, HT29, caused a decrease in expression of MO TNF-α. These findings show that colon cancer HT29 decreases TNF-α expression whereas other tested cancer lines did not. This suggests that colon cancers might evade the immune system by regulating MO TNF-α, an important factor in initiating the caspase-8 regulated apoptotic pathway. These findings suggest that each cancer has an individual method in managing it's microenvironment in respect to MO. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5533. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5533
Radial Focusing in the Linear Accelerator

The focusing mechanism described in the previous paper is applied to the linear accelerator. The defocusing forces in the linear accelerator are derived, and the particular example of a 4-million-volt accelerator 10 meters long is discussed. It is shown that the defocusing forces can be compensated by magnetic or electric lenses of the alternating gradient type using easily attainable field gradients. For example, a defocusing field gradient of 1000 volts per centimeter on a 100-kv proton beam can be compensated by a lens 20 cm long with field gradients of the order of 1000 gauss per centimeter.
How Crisis Shapes Change: New Perspectives on China's Political Economy during the Sino-Japanese War, 1937?1945

This article surveys the recent literature on China's political economy during the Sino-Japanese War (1937–45). This literature reveals that the war-triggered sustained systemic crisis brought about the most intensive Nationalist state-building efforts, the danwei designation of political, economic, and administrative organizations, the expansion of state-owned industries and the decline of the private sector, the creation of a state enterprise system, and the formation of an ideology of developmental state. This literature suggests that the elements of post-1949 institutional and structural arrangements and ideological systems developed well before 1949. Therefore, the critical issue is no longer that of establishing institutional, structural, and ideological continuity between the Nationalist and Communist eras; instead, it rests in understanding why and how the Chinese Communists kept intact, built on, and expanded existing institutions, structures, and ideologies in certain key areas of political, economic, and administrative life.
Case management revisited.

Although little consensus exists about the precise meaning of case management in the care of chronic mental patients (1-3), the concept is widely endorsed and has assumed a central role in service planning. In this article I expand on an earlier discussion of the semantics of case management (1) by suggesting a conceptual approach for synthesizing various current definitions. I also discuss some trends in case management practice that support this approach. Unlike other specialties concerned with the care of chronic mental patients, case management lacks a specific disciplinary focus. The field draws personnel from the full array of service delivery professions. Case management must thus be defined in terms of its functions, not on the basis of the professional training its practitioners undergo. Functionally, case management may be viewed as a vehicle for implementing continuity in the care of mentally ill persons (4-7). It focuses on individualized rather than mass approaches to patient care and is
Direct Interaction between Two Viral Proteins, the Nonstructural Protein 2CATPase and the Capsid Protein VP3, Is Required for Enterovirus Morphogenesis

In spite of decades-long studies, the mechanism of morphogenesis of plus-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the genus Enterovirus of Picornaviridae, including poliovirus (PV), is not understood. Numerous attempts to identify an RNA encapsidation signal have failed. Genetic studies, however, have implicated a role of the non-structural protein 2CATPase in the formation of poliovirus particles. Here we report a novel mechanism in which protein-protein interaction is sufficient to explain the specificity in PV encapsidation. Making use of a novel “reporter virus”, we show that a quasi-infectious chimera consisting of the capsid precursor of C-cluster coxsackie virus 20 (C-CAV20) and the nonstructural proteins of the closely related PV translated and replicated its genome with wild type kinetics, whereas encapsidation was blocked. On blind passages, encapsidation of the chimera was rescued by a single mutation either in capsid protein VP3 of CAV20 or in 2CATPase of PV. Whereas each of the single-mutation variants expressed severe proliferation phenotypes, engineering both mutations into the chimera yielded a virus encapsidating with wild type kinetics. Biochemical analyses provided strong evidence for a direct interaction between 2CATPase and VP3 of PV and CAV20. Chimeras of other C-CAVs (CAV20/CAV21 or CAV18/CAV20) were blocked in encapsidation (no virus after blind passages) but could be rescued if the capsid and 2CATPase coding regions originated from the same virus. Our novel mechanism explains the specificity of encapsidation without apparent involvement of an RNA signal by considering that (i) genome replication is known to be stringently linked to translation, (ii) morphogenesis is known to be stringently linked to genome replication, (iii) newly synthesized 2CATPase is an essential component of the replication complex, and (iv) 2CATPase has specific affinity to capsid protein(s). These conditions lead to morphogenesis at the site where newly synthesized genomes emerge from the replication complex.
Heroin insufflation as a trigger for patients with life-threatening asthma.

Study objectives: To determine the prevalence of self-reported, heroin-associated asthma symptoms among inner-city patients treated for life-threatening asthma, and to compare the rates of drug use between ICU patients with asthma and ICU control patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Designs: Study 1 was a sequential case series of patients requiring ICU admission for asthma (January to June 1999). Study 2 was a retrospective, case-control study of drug use among asthma patients and control subjects with DKA requiring ICU care (1997 to 1998). Setting: Inner-city, public hospital ICU. Patients: Twenty-three patients (26 ICU admissions) with asthma (age range, 16 to 50 years) admitted to the ICU from January to June 1999, and 84 patients (104 ICU admissions) with asthma and 42 patients with DKA (age range, 15 to 50 years) admitted to the ICU during 1997 to 1998. Outcomes studied: Self-reported, heroin-associated exacerbations, history of heroin or cocaine use, and urine drug screen (UDS) results. Measurements and results: In the sequential ICU admissions, 13 of 23 patients (56%) described asthma exacerbations associated with heroin insufflation. In the case-control study, asthmatics were significantly more likely to report heroin use (41.3% vs 12.5%; p = 0.006) and had a significantly higher prevalence of UDS results positive for opiates (60% vs 7%; p = 0.001) compared to subjects with DKA. The rates of cocaine use by history and UDS results did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions: At least since 1997, heroin insufflation is a common asthma trigger in this inner-city ICU and should be considered in the care of patients with life-threatening asthma.
Reliability assurance for regulation of advanced reactors

Advanced nuclear power plants must achieve higher levels of safety than the first generation of plants. Showing that this is indeed true provides new challenges to reliability and risk assessment methods in the analysis of the designs employing passive and semipassive protection. Reliability assurance of the advanced reactor system is important for determining the safety of the design and for determining the plant operability. Safety is the primary concern, but operability is considered indicative of good and safe operation. The authors discuss several concerns for reliability assurance of the advanced design, encompassing reliability determination, level of detail required in advanced reactor submittals, data for reliability assurance, systems interactions and common cause effects, passive component reliability, PRA-based configuration control system, and inspection, training, maintenance, and test requirements. Suggested approaches are provided for addressing each of these topics. >
PRELIMINARY TEST OF EFFECTS OF COGNITIVE ABILITY, EXPERIENCE, AND TEACHING METHODS ON VERBAL ANALOGY TEST SCORES

The methods from which one can choose when preparing for the GRE Verbal Analogies include books, software, audiotapes, and formal classroom instruction. What teaching method will work best for a given individual? To begin the search for an answer, Gray's test of reasoning ability was given to 28 undergraduates who also answered a questionnaire detailing their experience with analogies. They were randomly assigned to teaching conditions ranging from self-directed workbook study to intensive interactive assistance. No teaching method was superior overall, but interactions showed that (1) students who scored worst on the pretest improved the most, (2) those higher in cognitive functioning and experience performed better after intensive interactive assistance, and (3) those lower in both cognitive functioning and experience did significantly better with self-paced workbooks This preliminary work suggests that it may be profitable to assess the prior experience and reasoning of potential students and adopt the...
Conventional Microinvasive Melanoma

After a period of intraepidermal proliferation, some proportion of, perhaps most, in situ melanomas invade the papillary dermis (9-34), often inially as single cells, as small aggregates of cells, or both, constituting level II invasion (Figs. 3 and 10; Table 10). In contrast, the more advanced level III involvement (see below) is defined by tumor cell aggregates filling and expanding the papillary dermis but not clearly involving the reticular dermis (Fig. 11).
Bilateral second branchial cleft sinuses: An unusual case report and review of the literature

Conclusion Bilateral branchial cleft anomalies are rare and can exist in the absence of family history and or syndromic associations as seen in the patient presented here However, it is important to rule out other such associations in the work up of these patients. Understanding the branchial arch embryology helps us to better understand its anatomy and allows for safe excision. In addition, preoperative imaging can also help in operative planning and confirms the clinical diagnosis. If diagnosed at a young age, prophylactic surgical excision is recommended. Introduction
Telemedicine Pre-anesthesia Evaluation: A Randomized Pilot Trial

Abstract Objective: Pre-anesthesia evaluation allows discovery of conditions affecting perioperative planning, but when inadequate it may be associated with delays, cancellations, and preventable adverse events. Not all patients who could benefit will keep appointments. Telemedicine pre-anesthesia evaluation may provide for safe patient care while reducing patient inconvenience and cost. Herein we investigate the impact of telemedicine pre-anesthesia evaluation on perioperative processes. Subjects and Methods: This was a single-center prospective randomized trial in 200 adults scheduled for head and neck surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Consenting patients not meeting criteria for telephone pre-anesthesia evaluation were randomly assigned to the in-person or telemedicine group. The primary outcome measure was inadequate evaluation caused surgical delay or cancellation. Secondary measures included prediction of difficult airway management and concordance of physical examinat...
Contextual Object Localization With Multiple Kernel Nearest Neighbor

Recently, many object localization models have shown that incorporating contextual cues can greatly improve accuracy over using appearance features alone. Therefore, many of these models have explored different types of contextual sources, but only considering one level of contextual interaction at the time. Thus, what context could truly contribute to object localization, through integrating cues from all levels, simultaneously, remains an open question. Moreover, the relative importance of the different contextual levels and appearance features across different object classes remains to be explored. Here we introduce a novel framework for multiple class object localization that incorporates different levels of contextual interactions. We study contextual interactions at the pixel, region and object level based upon three different sources of context: semantic, boundary support, and contextual neighborhoods. Our framework learns a single similarity metric from multiple kernels, combining pixel and region interactions with appearance features, and then applies a conditional random field to incorporate object level interactions. To effectively integrate different types of feature descriptions, we extend the large margin nearest neighbor to a novel algorithm that supports multiple kernels. We perform experiments on three challenging image databases: Graz-02, MSRC and PASCAL VOC 2007. Experimental results show that our model outperforms current state-of-the-art contextual frameworks and reveals individual contributions for each contextual interaction level as well as appearance features, indicating their relative importance for object localization.
Experiences and Media Perceptions of Senders and Receivers in Knowledge Transfer: An Exploratory Study

Guided by knowledge transfer (KT) literature and Channel Expansion Theory (CET), we explore the relationship between the KT process, role-based experiences and media perceptions in a multiple media environment. The results of our experiment suggest that in an asymmetric KT context, while senders and receivers may have different experiences they still converge in their perceptions of the utility of the available media. Our results provide preliminary evidence that expansion in media richness perceptions are nonlinear and may reach some maximum value over time. Finally, our results provide preliminary evidence that perceptions of the richness of one media may be related to richness perceptions of another media. All this suggests that in a role-oriented asymmetric KT context, experiences may not be of equal importance to perceived expansions of media richness.
Routing networks for distributed hash tables

Routing topologies for distributed hashing in peer-to-peer networks are classified into two categories: deterministic and randomized. A general technique for constructing deterministic routing topologies is presented. Using this technique, classical parallel interconnection networks can be adapted to handle the dynamic nature of participants in peer-to-peer networks. A unified picture of randomized routing topologies is also presented. Two new protocols are described which improve average latency as a function of out-degree. One of the protocols can be shown to be optimal with high probability. Finally, routing networks for distributed hashing are revisited from a systems perspective and several open design problems are listed.
A uniformly valid loaded antenna theory

A quasi-static layered approximation is used to simplify the layered solution for insulated antennas to the solution of a generalized impedance boundary value problem, whose solution is expressed in terms of an integral. This integral applies to insulated antennas imbedded in a dense medium, insulated antennas imbedded in air (dielectric-coated antennas), and impedance-loaded antennas, all referred to as loaded antennas. The branch cut contribution for large distances is given by the Sommerfeld space wave formula. The physical transition of loaded antennas to bare antennas is investigated through the asymptotic evaluation of this integral. Simple uniform formulas for loaded antenna current are derived and generalized to cover the same range of validity as the integral. The direct calculation of the input admittance is consistent with the derived uniform formula for antenna current. For insulated antennas in a dense medium, the complete transmission line theory describes the antenna current through the transition to bare antennas. >
Resistant Hypertension Comparing Hemodynamic Management to Specialist Care

Although resistant hypertension affects a minority of all hypertensives, this group continues to experience disproportionately high cardiovascular event rates despite newer antihypertensive agents. Hypertension represents an imbalance of hemodynamic forces within the circulation, usually characterized by elevated systemic vascular resistance. We studied the utility of serial hemodynamic parameters in the selection and titration of antihypertensive medication in resistant hypertensive patients using highly reproducible noninvasive measurements by thoracic bioimpedance. Resistant hypertension patients (n=104) were randomized to drug selection based either on serial hemodynamic (HD) measurements and a predefined algorithm or on drug selection directed by a hypertension specialist (SC) in a 3-month intensive treatment program. Blood pressure was lowered by intensified drug therapy in both treatment groups (169+/-3/87+/-2 to 139+/-2/72+/-1 mm Hg HD versus 173+/-3/91+/-2 to 147+/-2/79+/-1 mm Hg SC, P<0.01 for systolic and diastolic BP), using similar numbers and intensity of antihypertensive medications. Blood pressures were reduced further for those treated according to hemodynamic measurements, resulting in improved control rates (56% HD versus 33% SC controlled to </=140/90 mm Hg, P<0.05) and incremental reduction in systemic vascular resistance measurements. Although the number of patients taking diuretics did not differ between groups, final diuretic dosage was higher in the hemodynamic cohort. Our results demonstrate superior blood pressure control using a treatment algorithm and serial hemodynamic measurements compared with clinical judgment alone in a randomized prospective study. Our measurements of thoracic fluid volume support occult volume expansion as a mediator of antihypertensive drug resistance and use of impedance measurements to guide advancing diuretic dose and adjustment of multidrug antihypertensive treatment.
THE FINE STRUCTURE OF THE EYE OF THE LEECH, HELOBDELLA STAGNALIS

SUMMARY The eye of the rhynchobdellid leech, Helobdella stagnalis, has been examined with the electron microscope. The eye is composed of a cup of pigment cells surrounding a compact mass of photoreceptor cells. In addition to pigment granules, the pigment-cell cytoplasm is characterized by mitochondria, a Golgi complex, and profiles of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. The photoreceptor cell contains a microvillous rhabdomere. The microvilli arise from the membrane of a large intracellular vesicle and obliterate much of its lumen. No connexion between the lumen of the intracellular vesicle and the extracellular space has been observed. The plasmalemma of the photoreceptor cell is folded to form thin pleats of cytoplasm which separate adjacent receptor cells from each other. No glial-like cells have been seen in the receptor cell mass. Directly subjacent to the microvilli and surrounding the intracellular vesicle is a tortuous and predominantly smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. A pair of centrioles is found near the rhabdomere. The cytoplasm around the nucleus is characterized by smooth- and rough-surfaced elements of endoplasmic reticulum, many mitochondria, and a Golgi complex. Proximally, the receptor cell narrows to form a nerve fibre which joins those from other cells to form the optic nerve.
Ultraviolet Spectrophotometric Characterization of a Glutamate Dehydrogenase-reduced Coenzyme-α-Ketoglutarate Complex

Abstract Glutamate dehydrogenase binds α-ketoglutarate and TPNH in a ternary complex such that both ligands are more tightly bound than in binary complexes. TPNH, bound in this ternary complex, absorbs maximally at 332 nm with E332 = 5.2 mm-1 cm-1 in contrast to the absorbance of "free" TPNH (E339 = Emax = 6.2 mm-1 cm-1) and TPNH bound in either a binary or in a glutamate dehydrogenase-TPNH-l-glutamate dead-end ternary complex (E348 = Emax = 4.8 mm-1 cm-1). One molecule of TPNH per 47,000 to 54,000 molecular weight glutamate dehydrogenase (approximately one per peptide chain) was found to be bound in either the α-ketoglutarate or l-glutamate ternary complex. The spectral shifts associated with ternary complex formation were not observed when the coenzyme and substrate analogs, 3-acetylpyridine DPNH or α-ketobutyrate, were used. Therefore, an intact amide on the reduced nicotinamide moiety and a gamma-carboxyl of the dicarboxylate substrate must be required for observable complex formation. The demonstration of the high stability of the glutamate dehydrogenase-TPNH-α-ketoglutarate complex and the correlation of the binding characteristics of the ligands involved in this complex with the effects of these ligands on catalytic events warrants the inclusion of this complex as either a reactive intermediate or a dead-end complex in all general mechanisms proposed for glutamate dehydrogenase catalysis.
Radiation effects on methyl vinyl polysilicone foam

The effects on methyl vinyl polysilicone foam of 60Co γ-ray radiation at room temperature was studied in air, in vacuo, and in an inert gas atmosphere. The unirradiated and irradiated samples were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, and the gas products after radiation were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. The changes of the gel fraction, compression properties, and the stress–relaxation ratio with dose for irradiated samples were observed. The results show that the second crosslinking reaction in the polysilicone after chemical crosslinking took place at a low dose (2 × 105 Gy), but radiation degradation was predominant, with the dose increasing step by step. The mechanical properties of polysilicone foam gradually became low grade after it was irradiated by any dose in excess of 2 × 105 Gy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3437–3441, 2003
Abortive Autophagy Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Cell Death in Cancer Cells

Autophagic cell death or abortive autophagy has been proposed to eliminate damaged as well as cancer cells, but there remains a critical gap in our knowledge in how this process is regulated. The goal of this study was to identify modulators of the autophagic cell death pathway and elucidate their effects on cellular signaling and function. The result of our siRNA library screenings show that an intact coatomer complex I (COPI) is obligatory for productive autophagy. Depletion of COPI complex members decreased cell survival and impaired productive autophagy which preceded endoplasmic reticulum stress. Further, abortive autophagy provoked by COPI depletion significantly altered growth factor signaling in multiple cancer cell lines. Finally, we show that COPI complex members are overexpressed in an array of cancer cell lines and several types of cancer tissues as compared to normal cell lines or tissues. In cancer tissues, overexpression of COPI members is associated with poor prognosis. Our results demonstrate that the coatomer complex is essential for productive autophagy and cellular survival, and thus inhibition of COPI members may promote cell death of cancer cells when apoptosis is compromised.
Who's Stressed? Distributions of Psychological Stress in the United States in Probability Samples from 1983, 2006, and 2009

Psychological stress was assessed in 3 national surveys administered in 1983, 2006, and 2009. In all 3 surveys, stress was higher among women than men; and increased with decreasing age, education, and income. Unemployed persons reported high levels of stress, while the retired reported low levels. All associations were independent of one another and of race/ethnicity. Although minorities generally reported more stress than Whites, these differences lost significance when adjusted for the other demographics. Stress increased little in response to the 2008‐2009 economic downturn, except among middle-aged, college-educated White men with full-time employment. These data suggest greater stress-related health risks among women, younger adults, those of lower socioeconomic status, and men potentially subject to substantial losses of income and wealth. jasp_900 1320..1334
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board's first decade

Concern over the safety of the United States' defense nuclear reactors in the late 1980s led to congressional creation of an independent oversight board. The Defense Nuclear Facility Safeties Board (DNFSB) is responsible for overseeing safety issues at the U.S. Department of Energy's nuclear facilities and issuing recommendations on operations and safety at these facilities, which include South Carolina's Savannah River Site, Texas' Pantex facility, Colorado's Rocky Flats Depot, and others. This article provides an historical overview of the DNFSB's first decade and discusses its relationship and interaction with the Department of Energy and congressional oversight committees as well as the recommendations it has issued on nuclear safety. An assessment of DNFSB's future prospects concludes the article.
Early environment and recruitment of Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) into the breeding population

Abstract In geese, growth regulates survival in the first year. We examined whether early growth, which is primarily governed by environmental conditions, also affects the probability that individuals that survive their first year enter the breeding population. We used logistic regression on a sample of Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) that were weighed at a known age in their first summer and observed during winter (indicating that they had survived the principal mortality period in their first year) to study whether early growth influenced the probability that those individuals would be recruited into the breeding population. We also examined the effects of cohort (1986–1996), sex, age when measured, and area where individuals were reared. The model with the lowest Akaike's Information Criterion score contained body mass, age (days) at measurement, cohort, sex, and brood-rearing area. Models that included variable mass had 85% of the cumulative model weight of the models we considered, indicating...
Analysis of Intermetallic Formation During Ultrasonic Ball Bonding

During ultrasonic ball bonding of copper wire to aluminum pad, the two alloys are joined over an immensely short period of time (<100ms), at a relatively low temperature (< 200°C). Bond formation in such condition is related to accelerated diffusional processes and formation of intermetallic compounds (IMC). Despite the industrial importance of the phenomenon, the micro-mechanism of IMC formation is not clearly understood, nor deeply studied. One of the main barriers toward understanding the phenomena is the limited capability of experimental analysis for analyzing processes occurring over short period of time. In this research, a combination of theoretical analysis and finite element simulation is used to investigate the mechanisms that lead to diffusion enhancement and, as a result, IMCs formation.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Myeloid differentiation protein 2 facilitates pollen- and cat dander-induced innate and allergic airway inflammation.

Background The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey identified several pollens and cat dander as among the most common allergens that induce allergic sensitization and allergic diseases. We recently reported that ragweed pollen extract (RWPE) requires Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to stimulate CXCL-mediated innate neutrophilic inflammation, which in turn facilitates allergic sensitization and airway inflammation. Myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) is a TLR4 coreceptor, but its role in pollen- and cat dander–induced innate and allergic inflammation has not been critically evaluated. Objective We sought to elucidate the role of MD2 in inducing pollen- and cat dander–induced innate and allergic airway inflammation. Methods TCM Null (TLR4 Null , CD14 Null , MD2 Null ), TLR4 Hi , and TCM Hi cells and human bronchial epithelial cells with small interfering RNA–induced downregulation of MD2 were stimulated with RWPE, other pollen allergic extracts, or cat dander extract (CDE), and activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), secretion of the NF-κB–dependent CXCL8, or both were quantified. Wild-type mice or mice with small interfering RNA knockdown of lung MD2 were challenged intranasally with RWPE or CDE, and innate and allergic inflammation was quantified. Results RWPE stimulated MD2-dependent NF-κB activation and CXCL secretion. Likewise, Bermuda, rye, timothy, pigweed, Russian thistle, cottonwood, walnut, and CDE stimulated MD2-dependent CXCL secretion. RWPE and CDE challenge induced MD2-dependent and CD14-independent innate neutrophil recruitment. RWPE induced MD2-dependent allergic sensitization and airway inflammation. Conclusions MD2 plays an important role in induction of allergic sensitization to cat dander and common pollens relevant to human allergic diseases.
Rethinking the Social and Ethical Functions of a History of World Christianity

How can we write a congruent history out of the evangelic message and an inclusive history of World Christianity with the tools and advances available to the discipline until now? A history willing to hear, listen, understand, and include the voices of Christians worldwide in all of their social, ethnic, and generational diversity. Voices yearning to retell their past; to understand it in an attempt to understand their present and transform their futures. A history that is no longer the imposed, absolute one passed on by those with the power to tell it; no longer one in which the voices of all others are alienated and subsumed by that single, dominant story. Is it even possible to imagine a history of Christianity that overcomes the mere social function affixed to the discipline by modernity?
Trends in esophageal cancer survival in United States adults from 1973 to 2009: A SEER database analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM The rise in incidence of esophageal cancer (EC) in the USA over the last four decades has been well documented; however, data on trends in long-term survival and impact on modern therapies associated with survival are lacking. METHODS The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried to identify patients with confirmed EC. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to determine independent mortality factors. RESULTS Of 93 167 patients diagnosed with EC between 1973 and 2009, 49% had a histologic diagnosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). There was an increase (almost double) in the proportion of patients with adenocarcinoma from the 1970s to 2000s (n = 2,350; 35% to n = 32,212; 61%, P < 0.001). Surgery was performed for localized disease in a majority of EC regardless of type (n = 46 683; 89%). Use of surgical treatment increased significantly over the study period (49% to 64%, P < 0.001). There was also an increase in overall median survival (6 months versus 10 months, P < 0.001) and 5-year survival rate (9% to 22%, P < 0.001). Median survival increased consistently for EAC and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) until the 1990s. After this period, median survival of EAC continued to increase more rapidly while SCC remained relatively stable. CONCLUSION A significant survival improvement in esophageal cancer was seen from 1973 to 2009, largely because of earlier detection at a curative stage and greater utilization of treatment modalities (especially surgery). Despite the rising prevalence, patients with EAC have better long-term survival outcomes than those SCC.
Is India's Current Account Position Sustainable?

India's current account position has been worsening in recent years. Data on the components of the current account and the composition of the trade account highlight some concerns but also provide a reason to be optimistic about India's external sustainability. This paper studies sustainability of India's current account position between 1996 and 2006 using the intertemporal solvency model of Hakkio and Rush (1991) and Husted (1992). The intertemporal solvency constraint is satisfied if there is cointegration between inflows and outflows of the current account. The Johansen test shows no evidence of cointegration. However, using the Gregory and Hansen (1996) procedure there is evidence of cointegration with a break. This supports the idea that there is a structural change in the composition of trade and current accounts. Based on this result, the long-run relation between exports and imports is estimated using dynamic GLS. Strong current account sustainability is rejected, but there is evidence of weak sustainability indicating an improved external position.
On the Elimination of Fiduciary Duties: A Theory of Good Faith for Unincorporated Firms

Delaware recently amended its statutes to permit limited liability companies ("LLCs") and limited partnerships to eliminate fiduciary duties. At the same time, Delaware law makes clear that the implied contractual duty of good faith and fair dealing may not be eliminated for these business entities. In this context at least, fiduciary duties become contractual defaults. Accordingly, significant issues are raised as to when fiduciary duties have been successfully removed, and how broad any residual duty of good faith should be. Based on existing Delaware law, this is a problem of contract interpretation: courts must resolve the status of intra-firm duties in light of the firm's governing agreement. For a range of reasons, including statutory policy, avoidance of judicial error, and autonomy concerns, this article will suggest that a textualist mode of interpretation is appropriate when courts enforce LLC or limited partnership agreements which have eliminated fiduciary duties.
Managing Organizational Human Capital: Library Resources

This technical note provides a list of library resources for researching various aspects of managing human capital within organizations.
Effects of Ethanol on In-Cylinder and Exhaust Gas Particulate Emissions of a Gasoline Direct Injection Spark Ignition Engine

The effects of ethanol on reducing the particulate emissions of a direct injection spark ignition (DISI) engine were investigated using a single-cylinder, optically accessible engine. Neat anhydrous ethanol was compared with a baseline fuel of reference grade gasoline. A high speed camera was used to record crank-angle resolved in-cylinder images of the fuel spray, combustion, and thermal radiation from the soot formed for the engine operating conditions studied. Particulate emissions in the engine exhaust gas were also measured using opacity measurements (i.e., using a smoke meter). All experiments were conducted at the same load conditions with a net indicated mean effective pressure of IMEPnet ≈ 5.5 bar and an intake manifold absolute pressure of 76 kPa. The engine speed was fixed at 1500 rpm, and the fuel injection duration was controlled to achieve stoichiometric combustion. Spark timing was adjusted to target combustion phasing (CA50) of 8° aTDC. The effects of engine coolant temperature and fuel in...
Sublethal Effects of Fenvalerate on Adults of the Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Long-term sublethal effects caused by brief tarsal contact with insecticide residues were investigated by rearing female-male pairs of diamondback moths, Plutella xylostella (L.), in which one member had walked for 1 min in a glass tube internally coated with fenvalerate (250 ng[AI]/cm2). Survivorship at 48 h after treatment was 52%. Fifty-two percent of the surviving moths had autotomized one or more legs. Treatment did not affect long-term survival, but fecundity was reduced regardless of which sex was treated. All moths that autotomized were able to reproduce, but their fecundity was only 48% of that for treated moths that did not drop legs.
The evolution and development of human social systems requires more than parasite-stress avoidance explanation

Fincher & Thornhill (F&T) present a model of in-group assortative sociality resulting from differing levels of parasite-stress in differing geographical locations in the United States and the world. Their model, while compelling, overlooks some important issues, such as mutualistic associations with parasites that are beneficial to humans and how some religious practices increase parasite risk.
Methadone effects on zidovudine disposition (AIDS Clinical Trials Group 262)

Large numbers of injection drug users (IDUs) are infected with HIV and receive both methadone and zidovudine (ZDV) therapy. Pharmacokinetic interactions between these agents may effect drug efficacy, toxicity, and compliance. To confirm and expand previous studies that identified a potential interaction between ZDV and methadone, we performed a within-subject study to determine oral and intravenous ZDV pharmacokinetics in 8 recently detoxified, heroin-addicted patients with HIV disease before and after initiation of methadone treatment. Acute methadone treatment increased oral ZDV in the area under the curve (AUC) by 41% (p = .03) and intravenous ZDV AUC by 19% (p = .06). Clearance was reduced by 21% (p = .007) and 19% (p = .04), respectively. Chronic methadone treatment increased oral ZDV AUC by 29% (p = .15) and intravenous ZDV AUC by 41% (p = .05). Clearance was decreased by 26% for both routes (p = .02). Methadone levels remained in the therapeutic range during ZDV treatment. These effects resulted primarily from inhibition of ZDV glucuronidation, but also from decreased renal clearance of ZDV. This study confirms that methadone-maintained patients receiving standard ZDV doses experience greater ZDV exposure and may be at increased risk for ZDV side effects and toxicity. Increased toxicity surveillance and possibly reduction in ZDV dose are indicated when these two agents are given concomitantly.
Hope, Faith, Love, and Treating Serious Mental Health Conditions.

Kenny’s been through high school. He lives alone and always has. He doesn’t work, though he’s tried and failed again and again. He has tics that tend tomake him stand out in a crowd. None of which makes it easy for him to find a job, date, or settle downanddo those thingswe tend to thinkmake lifeworth living. He also has this unfortunate tendency to mix fantasy with reality. He knows he’s not the younger brother of Jesus... most of the time. He knows there’s no devil on his shoulder fomenting anArmageddon that only he can prevent...most of the time. And he knows that life is not so dead-end worthless that he might as well kill himself...this he knows most of the time. I was thinking about Kenny as I walked back from seeing him in clinic late one prematurely wintry afternoon. Unexpectedly, the words of the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr clicked to mind (1). I paraphrase them slightly:
Plasma 12- and 15-hydroxyeicosanoids are predictors of survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension

This study aimed to characterize alterations in select eicosanoids in experimental and human pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and to assess their potential utility as predictors of outcome. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we performed targeted lipidomic analyses of the lungs and right ventricles (RVs) of chronically hypoxic rats and plasma of consecutive PAH patients and healthy controls. In rat lungs, chronic hypoxia was associated with significantly decreased lung prostacyclin (PGI2)/thromboxane B2 (TXB2) ratio and elevated lung 8-hydroxyeicosanoid (HETE) acid concentrations. RV eicosanoids did not exhibit any changes with chronic hypoxia. PAH treatment-naive patients had significantly increased plasma concentrations of TXB2 and 5-, 8-, 12-, and 15-HETE. The PGI2/TXB2 ratio was lower in PAH patients than in controls, especially in the treatment-naive cohort (median: 2.1, 0.3, and 1.3 in controls, treatment-naive, and treated patients, respectively, P = 0.001). Survival was significantly worse in PAH patients with 12-HETEhigh (≥57 pg/mL) and 15-HETEhigh (≥256 pg/mL) in unadjusted and adjusted analyses (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-7.3], P = 0.04 and HR: 4.3 [95% CI: 1.6-11.8], P = 0.004, respectively; adjustment was performed with the REVEAL [Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Disease Management] risk score). We demonstrate significant alterations in eicosanoid pathways in experimental and human PAH. We found that 12- and 15-HETE were independent predictors of survival in human PAH, even after adjusting for the REVEAL score, suggesting their potential role as novel biomarkers.
Is Prepartying a Cause of Heavy Drinking and Consequences Rather Than Just a Correlate? A Longitudinal Look at the Relationship Between Prepartying, Alcohol Approval, and Subsequent Drinking and Consequences.

ABSTRACTBackground: Prepartying, or drinking before an event where more alcohol may or may not be consumed, has been positioned in the literature as a behavior engaged in by heavy drinkers. However, recent findings suggest that prepartying may confer distinct risks, potentially causing students to become heavier drinkers over time. Objectives: The goals of this study were to disentangle the longitudinal relationships between prepartying, general and episodic alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related consequences by investigating (1) whether prepartying is associated with future consequences above and beyond current alcohol consumption habits and (2) whether augmentations in approval for alcohol and related increases in drinking mediate this relationship. Methods: One-hundred and ninety-five undergraduates completed online questionnaires at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months later. Results: Prepartying frequency was more strongly related to alcohol-related consequences one year later than was overall or epis...
Tube aging and oxidation of naphthenic and paraffinic transformer oils

The major components of the insulation system in oil-filled transformers and allied electrical equipment are paper, wire enamel, and the oil itself. The degradation of any one of these materials may affect the degradation and hence the performance of the others. The work reported here was undertaken in an attempt to assess the affect on the degradation of these components of a change from transformer oils derived from napthenic crude stocks to oils derived from paraffinic crude stocks.