cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dissipative Assembly of Aqueous Carboxylic Acid Anhydrides Fueled by Carbodiimides

Biochemical systems make extensive use of chemically fueled processes (e.g., using ATP), but analogous abiotic systems remain rare. A key challenge is the identification of transformations that can be adapted to a range of applications and make use of readily available chemical fuels. In this context, the generation of transient covalent bonds is a fundamental tool for nonequilibrium systems chemistry. Here, we show that carbodiimides constitute a simple class of chemical fuels for dissipative assembly, taking advantage of their known reactivity to produce (hydrolytically unstable) anhydrides from carboxylic acids in water. Both aliphatic and aromatic anhydrides are formed on convenient time scales using the common, commercially available peptide coupling agent 1-ethyl-3-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)carbodiimide (EDC). An important feature of this reaction is that no part of the carbodiimide is incorporated into the transient species; that is, the fuel is decoupled from the structure-and thus function-of the assembled state. We show that intramolecular anhydride formation of oligo(ethylene glycol) diacids gives macrocycles analogous to crown ethers, representing minimal examples of out-of-equilibrium supramolecular hosts. The kinetics and yields of macrocycle formation respond to cation guests, with the presence of matched cations decreasing their overall production.
Vaccinations for the HIV-Infected Adult: A Review of the Current Recommendations, Part I

Vaccination is a critical component for ensuring the ongoing health HIV-infected adults. Since this group may have reduced immune responses and shorter durations of protection post-vaccination, HIV-specific guidelines have been published. This review article provides a comprehensive discussion of the current guidelines and evidence-based data for vaccinating HIV-infected adults, including data on dosing schedules, immunogenicity studies, and safety. In the current paper, part II of the review, live vaccines, as well as vaccines for travelers and specific occupational groups, will be discussed.
Bone marrow matrix modulation of HL-60 phenotype

The initiation and maintenance of cellular differentiation for a variety of cell types has been shown to be influenced by the microenvironment. To investigate the influence of bone marrow stroma on leukemic cell differentiation, HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells were grown in the presence of Triton-treated extracellular matrix derived from normal human bone marrow stromal cells. This bone marrow matrix microenvironment had a dramatic impact on the phenotypic expression of this malignant line. HL-60 cellular proliferation, morphology, nonspecific esterase activity, formation of Fc rosettes, and sensitivity to induction by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) were all influenced by the presence of matrix molecules. In contrast, stromal cell-conditioned media did not alter HL-60 phenotype. Thus, HL-60 cells appear to retain responsiveness to a human bone marrow stromal cell-derived matrix despite their ability to grow autonomously. Studies of the interaction of leukemic cells and marrow stroma in vitro may provide important information concerning the regulation of leukemic cell behavior.
The role of peer effects and the built environment on individual travel behavior

While urban planners and transportation geographers have long emphasized the importance of social influences on individual travel behavior, many challenges remain to bridge the gap between complex ...
A biparatopic agonistic antibody that mimics fibroblast growth factor 21 ligand activity

Bispecific antibodies have become important formats for therapeutic discovery. They allow for potential synergy by simultaneously engaging two separate targets and enable new functions that are not possible to achieve by using a combination of two monospecific antibodies. Antagonistic antibodies dominate drug discovery today, but only a limited number of agonistic antibodies (i.e. those that activate receptor signaling) have been described. For receptors formed by two components, engaging both of these components simultaneously may be required for agonistic signaling. As such, bispecific antibodies may be particularly useful in activating multicomponent receptor complexes. Here, we describe a biparatopic (i.e. targeting two different epitopes on the same target) format that can activate the endocrine fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 receptor (FGFR) complex containing β-Klotho and FGFR1c. This format was constructed by grafting two different antigen-specific VH domains onto the VH and VL positions of an IgG, yielding a tetravalent binder with two potential geometries, a close and a distant, between the two paratopes. Our results revealed that the biparatopic molecule provides activities that are not observed with each paratope alone. Our approach could help address the challenges with heterogeneity inherent in other bispecific formats and could provide the means to adjust intramolecular distances of the antibody domains to drive optimal activity in a bispecific format. In conclusion, this format is versatile, is easy to construct and produce, and opens a new avenue for agonistic antibody discovery and development.
Detecting pattern changes in individual travel behavior: A Bayesian approach

Abstract Although stable in the short term, individual travel patterns are subject to changes in the long term. The ability to detect such changes is critical for developing behavior models that are adaptive over time. We define travel pattern changes as “abrupt, substantial, and persistent changes in the underlying patterns of travel behavior” and develop a methodology to detect such changes in individual travel patterns. We specify one distribution for each of the three dimensions of travel behavior (the frequency of travel, time of travel, and origins/destinations), and interpret the change of the parameters of the distributions as indicating the occurrence of a pattern change. A Bayesian method is developed to estimate the probability that a pattern change occurs at any given time for each behavior dimension. The proposed methodology is tested using pseudonymized smart card records of 3210 users from London, U.K. over two years. The results show that the method can successfully identify significant changepoints in travel patterns. Compared to the traditional generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) approach, the Bayesian method requires less predefined parameters and is more robust. The methodology presented in this paper is generalizable and can be applied to detect changes in other aspects of travel behavior and human behavior in general.
Lyme borreliosis : ten years after discovery of the etiologic agent, borrelia burgdorferi

Since the recovery of its causative agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, in 1981, Lyme borreliosis has become the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the United States as well as in Europe. Its steadily increasing clinical spectrum now includes erythema migrans, acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans, lymphadenosis beniga cutis, arthritis, myocarditis, progressive meningoencephalitis, myositis, and various ocular and skin disorders. The true incidence of Lyme borreliosis in the world is unknown. In the United States, it has increased from 2,000 cases in 1987, to more than 8,000 in 1989. It occurs now in regions where the tick vectors, Ixodes dammini and Ixodes pacificus, are absent and where other species of ticks may be responsible for maintaining and distributing the spirochete. In Europe, Lyme borreliosis has been reported from 19 countries; its occurrence coincides with the distribution of the vector tick, Ixodes ricinus and possibly Ixodes hexagonus. Specific and dependable serological tests are still not available, but development of probes for specific antigens and the polymerase chain reaction appear promising in detecting ongoing infections and in identifying B. burgdorferi in ticks, animal, and human hosts. Brief reference is made to advances in the preparation of whole cell and genetically engineered vaccines.
Metal Reactivity in Laboratory Burned Wood from a Watershed Affected by Wildfires

We investigated interfacial processes affecting metal mobility by wood ash under laboratory-controlled conditions using aqueous chemistry, microscopy, and spectroscopy. The Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico experiences catastrophic wildfires of devastating effects. Wood samples of Ponderosa Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce, and Quaking Aspen collected from this site were exposed to temperatures of 60, 350, and 550 °C. The 350 °C Pine ash had the highest content of Cu (4997 ± 262 mg kg–1), Cr (543 ± 124 mg kg–1), and labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC, 11.3 ± 0.28 mg L–1). Sorption experiments were conducted by reacting 350 °C Pine, Spruce, and Aspen ashes separately with 10 μM Cu(II) and Cr(VI) solutions. Up to a 94% decrease in Cu(II) concentration was observed in solution while Cr(VI) concentration showed a limited decrease (up to 13%) after 180 min of reaction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses detected increased association of Cu(II) on the near surface region of the reacted 350...
Clinical Trials: Nursing Roles During the Approval Process and Pharmacovigilance of Biosimilars

Background The development of biosimilars is occurring more rapidly as patents on biologics expire. Oncology nurses will have an integral role in the new era of biosimilars regarding administration and education. Objectives The purpose of this article is to review the role of the oncology nurse during biosimilar clinical trials, including regulatory guidelines, comparability exercise, clinical trial designs, and extrapolation of clinical trial data. This article also reviews pharmacovigilance. Methods A literature search was performed using various databases, and U.S. regulatory agency websites were searched for guidelines. Findings The role of the oncology nurse during biosimilar clinical trials includes assessment, monitoring, and reporting of adverse drug reactions associated with a biosimilar. Oncology nurses have key roles in pharmacovigilance of biosimilars, particularly in tracing, monitoring, and accurate reporting of adverse events associated with a specific biosimilar. Oncology nurses and patients must be educated on the proper reporting of adverse events.
Using museum specimens to track morphological shifts through climate change.

Museum specimens offer a largely untapped resource for detecting morphological shifts in response to climate change. However, morphological shifts can be obscured by shifts in phenology or distribu...
Three-dimensional printing of piezoelectric materials with designed anisotropy and directional response.

Piezoelectric coefficients are constrained by the intrinsic crystal structure of the constituent material. Here we describe design and manufacturing routes to previously inaccessible classes of piezoelectric materials that have arbitrary piezoelectric coefficient tensors. Our scheme is based on the manipulation of electric displacement maps from families of structural cell patterns. We implement our designs by additively manufacturing free-form, perovskite-based piezoelectric nanocomposites with complex three-dimensional architectures. The resulting voltage response of the activated piezoelectric metamaterials at a given mode can be selectively suppressed, reversed or enhanced with applied stress. Additionally, these electromechanical metamaterials achieve high specific piezoelectric constants and tailorable flexibility using only a fraction of their parent materials. This strategy may be applied to create the next generation of intelligent infrastructure, able to perform a variety of structural and functional tasks, including simultaneous impact absorption and monitoring, three-dimensional pressure mapping and directionality detection. Piezoelectrics convert force into electrical charge, and vice versa, but the coefficients that determine piezoelectric behaviour are constrained by crystal structure. Here, metamaterials are 3D printed that show arbitrary piezoelectric coefficients.
Recent Trends in Vestibular Schwannoma Management: An 11-Year Analysis of the National Cancer Database

ObjectiveA better understanding of the natural history of vestibular schwannoma (VS) has resulted in a change in treatment paradigms. It has also been proposed that increased use of high-resolution...
Translational Medicine Strategies for Drug Development for Impulsive Aggression

Abstract Aggressive behavior impacts the aggressive individual and the target of that behavior. It occurs in impulsive and premeditated forms that typically coexist in the same individuals. Individuals with recurrent, problematic, impulsive aggressive behavior typically meet DSM criteria for intermittent explosive disorder (IED), and current estimates place the lifetime prevalence of IED in the US adult population at no less than 3.6% (not including individuals in which these behaviors occur only during the course of other disorders). Several decades of research have uncovered many of the cognitive/system neuroscience and neurobiological correlates of impulsive aggression, and this work has been and continues to be the basis for the development of strategies aimed at reducing impulsive aggression in human subjects. This paper reviews this field, in this regard, and discusses how experimental medicine designs can be used to further the development of agents with antiaggressive efficacy.
The work–family interface in a gendered cultural context: Cross-national analysis of work stress:

Work stress is one key health outcome that is responsive to the work–family interface, particularly to the extent to which work and family life lead to conflict outside of their respective spheres....
The Arabidopsis transcription factor AINTEGUMENTA orchestrates patterning genes and auxin signaling in the establishment of floral growth and form

Understanding how flowers form is an important problem in plant biology, as human food supply depends on flower and seed production. Flower development also provides an excellent model for understanding how cell division, expansion and differentiation are coordinated during organogenesis. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, floral organogenesis requires AINTEGUMENTA (ANT) and AINTEGUMENTA-LIKE 6 (AIL6)/PLETHORA 3 (PLT3), two members of the Arabidopsis AINTEGUMENTA-LIKE/PLETHORA (AIL/PLT) transcription factor family. Together, ANT and AIL6/PLT3 regulate aspects of floral organogenesis, including floral organ initiation, growth, identity specification and patterning. Previously, we used RNA-Seq to identify thousands of genes with disrupted expression in ant ail6 mutant flowers, indicating that ANT and AIL6/PLT3 influence a vast transcriptional network. The immediate downstream targets of ANT and AIL6/PLT3 in flowers are unknown, however. To identify direct targets of ANT regulation, we performed an RNA-Seq time-course experiment in which we induced ANT activity in transgenic plants bearing an ANT-glucocorticoid receptor fusion construct. In addition, we performed a ChIP-Seq experiment that identified ANT binding sites in developing flowers. These experiments identified 200 potential ANT target genes based on their proximity to ANT binding sites and differential expression in response to ANT. These 200 candidate target genes were involved in functions such as polarity specification, floral organ development, meristem development and auxin signaling. In addition, we identified several genes associated with lateral organ growth that may mediate the role of ANT in organ size control. These results reveal new features of the ANT transcriptional network by linking ANT to previously unknown regulatory targets.
Elective Surgical Removal of Hydrosalpinges

This chapter aims to discuss the optimal surgical management of hydrosalpinges. The chapter will begin with a discussion on the diagnosis and impact of hydrosalpinges on IVF success rates before paying particular attention to various surgical treatment options. Important preoperative considerations, surgical procedures, and postoperative success rates are included. Evidence for the efficacy of these treatment options, as well as potential alternative treatments, will close the chapter.
Sexual Assault, Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, and Indices of Aggression Among Women.

Sexual assault is associated with many adverse outcomes, including a higher risk for developing posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Although nonsexual trauma exposure has been linked to aggression, the associations between sexual assault and aggression are understudied. Further, the DSM-5 conceptualization of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) includes a symptom related to aggression, and associations between symptom clusters and aggression with regard to the new criteria are underexplored. The present study aimed to (a) examine the relations between sexual assault and indices of aggression (i.e., physical/verbal aggression, anger, and hostility) after accounting for PTSS and (b) investigate PTSD symptom clusters in relation to aggression among 263 women (Mage = 29.03 years, SD = 11.71; 67.6% white). Path analysis revealed that sexual assault was unrelated to indices of aggression, βs = .003-.08; however, PTSS was consistently linked with increased aggression, βs = .22-.49. Results indicated specificity in the associations between the symptom clusters and aspects of aggression. Negative alterations in cognitions and mood corresponded with increased physical aggression, β = .28, and hostility, β = .38, and avoidance was related to verbal aggression, β = .19. Hyperarousal was also tied to higher levels of anger, hostility, and verbal aggression, βs = .21-.33. Nonetheless, lower levels of intrusion symptoms were associated with increased anger and hostility, β = -.26. With regard to understanding women's risk for aggression, PTSS may be more relevant than sexual assault. Further, there may be specificity related to the type of PTSD symptoms and aspects of aggression.
Christianity in Latin America

In its Roman Catholic form, Christianity has been present in Latin America for about 500 years. During the colonial period, Christianity fulfilled a double role: that of validating the social order, beginning with the legitimization of the conquest itself, and also providing the justification for judging that same order. Religions' double function could also be seen at work among the indigenous population, for whom Christianity served as a vehicle of accommodation as well as protest. After independence, Latin American governments have generally regarded the Roman Church as an ideological ally, one which played a crucial role in the legitimization of the social order. But the privileged status of Catholicism has been challenged, first by the generalized, male anticlericalism typical of Catholic countries; then by positivism and the theology of liberation; and finally by the spread of Protestantism. After the breakup of Catholic hegemony and the rapid growth of evangelical churches there was growth and fragmentation; individualism but also the constitution of new communities; political quietism side by side with right wing activism. There are even churches that have reversed the traditional direction of missionary activity and have established branches outside Latin America.
Design of Terminal Comprehensive Detection Platform for Electric Energy Measuring Equipment

This paper aims to effectively detect and estimate the performance of various electric energy measuring equipments. We design a comprehensive detection platform for the electric energy measuring equipment which includes the terminal comprehensive detection platform, the reliability test apparatus, and the dielectric voltage-withstand test apparatus. By designing the systematic framework, communication signal attenuation control module and test station, data from different kinds of acquisition terminals can be collected by the proposed comprehensive detection platform. The electric energy measuring equipment can greatly save time and improve detection efficiency.
Connecting the Dots: Functional Behavior Evaluation in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

This chapter describes a practical and forensically tested approach to conducting adaptive behavior assessments, also known as functional behavior evaluations (FBAs), in the FASD context. From stand-alone FBAs in contexts such as disabilities determination, where mental health evaluators conduct neuropsychological testing as well as adaptive assessments, to “gold standard” multidisciplinary assessments in high-stakes criminal matters involving multiple mental health and medical experts, the ultimate role of the FBA expert is to synthesize and analyze data from multiple sources and methods across the lifespan, integrating neurocognitive/adaptive assessment data with behavioral data to explain brain–behavior connections. The chapter highlights empirically based patterns expected in psychometric testing and adaptive assessment of those with FASD as well as behaviors that typically stem from such patterns, linking that information with neurobehavioral disorder associated with fetal alcohol exposure (ND-PAE), the DSM-5 diagnosis for the central nervous system (CNS) impairment in FASD medical conditions. The chapter concludes with suggestions for mental health professionals on how to present relevant data in reports or testimony in order to describe how the behavior at issue is consistent with developmental trajectory.
Assessment of Accuracy of a Physician Ratings Website in One Metropolitan Area.

ABSTRACT Background Patients frequently use online physician ratings websites (PRWs) to identify physicians for care. PRWs provide physician information and reviews. However, the accuracy of PRWs is uncertain. We investigated the accuracy and validity of Healthgrades with respect to endocrine surgery. We identified factors associated with reported board certification inaccuracy, higher ratings, greater quantity of ratings. Materials and Methods The search term “endocrine surgery specialist” was used and the search was limited to a 25-mile radius around Philadelphia, PA. Data was collected on physician sex, age, board certification, surgical specialty, quantity of ratings, average rating, response to comments, and provision of a self-description. Descriptive statistics were performed to examine surgeon characteristics, ratings, and reported board certifications. Board certification accuracy was determined by searching the corresponding American Board website and calculating a kappa statistic. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with board certification inaccuracy, higher average ratings, and higher quantity of ratings. Results A total of 300 physicians were identified. Eighty-four percent of listed board certifications were accurate; the kappa statistic for accuracy of board certification was 0.634. Providing a response to comments and greater quantity of ratings were associated with higher average ratings. Provision of a self-description, male sex, and younger age were identified as factors associated with higher quantity of ratings. Conclusions A wide range of specialties are identified as endocrine surgery specialists. The reliability of board certification reporting was moderate. Increased surgeon involvement with the Healthgrades site was inconsistently associated with higher average ratings and higher quantity of ratings but lower accuracy.
Detection and Elimination of Blood-Borne Viruses Transmitted by Transfusion

A decade-long epidemic of AIDS has continued to raise an unprecedented concern about the safety of our blood supply. Considering that nearly four million American patients receive the life-saving benefits of blood transfusion every year, we need to recognize several of the inherent biological complications incidental to receiving transfusions (Vyas, 1988). The underlying phenomena of allogenic stimulation and suppression of the transfusion recipient’s hemopoetic and immune systems facilitate graft-vs-host disease (Thaler et al. 1989; Vogelsang, 1990), as well as transmission of a variety of blood-borne viruses (BBVs) harbored by apparently healthy blood donors (Rawal et al. 1990a, b). The BBVs include hepatitis B viruses (HBV), hepatitis C viruses (HCV), hepatitis delta virus (HDV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1/2), human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-I/II) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Transfusion-transmitted BBVs cause a spectrum of multisystem diseases, including chronic hepatitis, liver cancer, AIDS, lymphoma-leukemia and myelopathy.
Regulation of epithelial sodium channel activity in A6 cells via the peptide hormone, prolactin (1181.9)

Prolactin (PRL) is a peptide hormone well-known for its role in lactation. PRL also has osmoregulatory actions via alteration of ion and water transport, actions characterized mostly in aquatic lif...
Mining anchor text trends for retrieval

Anchor text has been considered as a useful resource to complement the representation of target pages and is broadly used in web search. However, previous research only uses anchor text of a single snapshot to improve web search. Historical trends of anchor text importance have not been well modeled in anchor text weighting strategies. In this paper, we propose a novel temporal anchor text weighting method to incorporate the trends of anchor text creation over time, which combines historical weights of anchor text by propagating the anchor text weights among snapshots over the time axis. We evaluate our method on a real-world web crawl from the Stanford WebBase. Our results demonstrate that the proposed method can produce a significant improvement in ranking quality.
Why do we need probabilistic approaches to ontologies and the associated data

Conventional ontologies comprise deterministically organized concepts. Certain ontological relations (e.g., those between diseases and causes, symptoms, treatments, or prognosis) cannot be represented faithfully without handling uncertainty. Biomedical ontologies are useful, only if they point to outcomes of the phenomena of interest. Such outcomes are usually associated with probabilistic data. This study is built upon Bayesian probability theory and machine learning where determinism is treated as a special case over a set of probabilistic ontological relations.
Thermal hysteresis of dielectric response in lead scandium tantalate ceramics

Lead scandium tantalate (PST) is a ferroelectric relaxor with the perovskite structure of A(B'B")O/sub 3/. An anomalously large thermal hysteresis in the dielectric response was found for the mostly disordered PST ceramic. The degree of the hysteresis decreased with increased ordering. The mostly ordered PST ceramics exhibited a typical thermal hysteresis in dielectric response like the normal ferroelectric that forms macrodomains at the transition temperature. The large dielectric hysteresis found in the mostly disordered PST is ascribed to the microdomain-macrodomain transition, which probably occurs when a critical interaction level is reached between microdomains. >
Game Theory in Communication Research: A Reaction and Reorientation

Three major questions are raised concerning Bostrom's assumptions underlying his application of game theory to communication research. First, an individual can either seek to maximize his own self-benefit or to maximize the mutual group benefit, but he cannot do both simultaneously, as Bostrom indicates. Second, regarding the assumption that individuals consistently order their preferences according to an internal scale: the probability of consistency of preference, criterion valuation, and interval units of identical size is very small in real life situations. (An acceptable method of dealing with interval units, using ratios of differences, is described.) Third is the criticism that Bostrom focuses game theory on the solution of an interaction rather than on the communication process through which the solution is derived. In his rejoinder, Bostrom denies stating that individuals will interact to achieve their greatest mutual satisfaction—but that they ought to, and his purpose was to make possible an analysis of the degree to which particular communicative acts approached this “ideal.” To restrict game theory to conflict situations (as Beisecker, and past game theorists, have done) is to ignore a potentially valuable tool for communication research. The fact that communicative measurement is complex is not new, nor a valid reason for no attempt being made to accomplish it.
[2,6-Bis(di-tert-butyl-phosphinometh-yl)-phen-yl-κP,C,P'](nitrato-κO)nickel(II).

The NiII atom in the title compound, [Ni(C24H43P2)(NO3)], adopts a distorted square-planar geometry with the P atoms in a trans arrangement. The compound contains a twofold rotational axis with the nitrate group offset from this axis, except for an O atom of the nitrate group, generating two positions of 50% occupancy for the other atoms of the nitrate group.
Exploraciones para una historia transnacional de la afro-modernidad en América. Chicago y Sao Paulo, 1900-1940 .

El siguiente articulo intenta ampliar los modelos historiograficos centrados en el estado-nacion a traves de la utilizacion de una perspectiva de historia comparada y transnacional. Para lograr este objetivo, este articulo propone la utilizacion del constructo teorico del Atlantico Negro Descentralizado, representando una lectura critica de la teoria propuesta por el sociologo ingles Paul Gilroy. Utilizando la prensa negra y literatura sobre teorias de modernidad y de construccion de raza, este texto se centra en entender como la clase media negra urbana de Chicago y Sao Paulo de la primera mitad del siglo XX, articulo su propia version de la modernidad, la llamada afro-modernidad, dentro de las transformaciones estructurales del espacio publico producidas con la abolicion de la esclavitud en el continente.
A column study of the biological mobilization and speciation of cadmium in soil

An acid sandy loam soil was used in a column study to determine the effect of microorganisms on Cd mobilization in soil and its speciation in column leachates. Non-sterile and sterile (gamma-irradiated) soil columns were initially treated with 90 mg of Cd (NO3)2, and approximately 20 mg of added Cd was retained in the soil. Soil columns were subsequently eluted with a sterile nutrient medium for a period of up to 38 days. Non-sterile and sterile soil columns leached with sterile deionized water served as unsupplemented controls. During a leaching period of 38 days, about 36% of the sorbed Cd in soil was mobilized in the presence of microorganisms and nutrients, while less than 16% of the Cd was released from the sterile and unsupplemented soil controls. To characterize the chemical form of the microbially mobilized Cd, the leachates were analyzed by gel filtration chromatography. In this study, 86% to 93% of the mobilized Cd was associated with the low molecular weight inorganic and organic fraction, while the remainder was eluted in the high molecular weight range. The low molecular weight Cd fractions were further examined by solid phase extraction (C18 Sep-Pak), and cation-exchange chromatography. From the various analyses, it was concluded that a significant amount of Cd existed as a hydrophilic organic complex, and the remainder as cationic Cd. Soil microorganisms were mostly responsible for the transformation of Cd in soil and its subsequent mobilization.
Scattering of ultrasonic waves by internal anomalies in plates

Real-time nondestructive testing (NDT) and nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of plate-type structures are important for structural health monitoring (SHM) applications. In this work, the wave scattering from horizontally oriented internal cavities or cracks in a plate is studied using the distributed point source method (DPSM). DPSM has gained popularity in the last few years in the field of ultrasonic field modeling. DPSM is a semianalytical technique that can be used to calculate the ultrasonic field (pressure, velocity, and displacement fields in a fluid, or stress and displacement fields in a solid) generated by ultrasonic transducers. So far, the technique has been used to model the ultrasonic field near a fluid-solid interface when a solid half-space is immersed in a fluid. This method has also been used to model the ultrasonic field generated in a homogeneous isotropic solid plate immersed in a fluid. The objective of this study is to present the theoretical modeling of the diffraction and scattering pattern of guided waves in the solid plate when transducers of finite dimension are used to generate guided waves in the defective plate.
Endotoxin impairs agonist-induced calcium mobilization in bovine aortic myocytes by a nitric oxide-independent mechanism

Abstract We hypothesized that endotoxin (LPS) would impair vasoconstrictor-agonistinduced calcium (Ca 2+ ) mobilization by a nitric oxide (NO)-dependent mechanism. We incubated bovine aortic myocytes (passages 16 to 23) for 22 to 24 hours with 0 to 1.0 mg/ml Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) + 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS)) was assayed for nitrite (chemiluminescence), and myocytes were loaded with fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester (fura-2AM), after which we assessed basal and thrombin (10 U/ml)-induced peak Ca 2+ mobilization by microspectrofluorimetry. LPS (0.01 to 1.0 mg/ml) led to dose-dependent nitrite accumulation, which was blocked by coincubation with N ω -nitro- l -arginine methyl ester ( l -NAME, 1 mmol/L). LPS also impaired Ca 2+ responses in a dose-dependent manner (from −13% at 0.1 mg/ml to −47% at 1.0 mg/ml, n = 8 to 43/dose). However, coincubation with l -NAME did not ameliorate the Ca 2+ mobilization defect (peak Ca 2+ increments: control = 419 ± 30 nmol/L, vs LPS (1 mg/ml) = 206 ± 18 nmol/L (mean ± SE), n = 15; p l -NAME: 417 ± 31 nmol/L vs LPS/ l -NAME: 212 ± 19 nmol/L; n = 17 p p p > 0.05; LPS vs LPS/ l -NAME: p l -arginine augmented LPS-induced nitrite generation without affecting Ca 2+ mobilization. Indomethacin failed to prevent the LPS-induced decrement in thrombin response, but did inhibit LPS-induced myocyte nitrite production, suggesting “crosstalk” between the NO-synthase and cyclo-oxygenase (COX) systems. These experiments suggest that LPS-induced vascular contractile impairment is at least partly mediated by an NO-independent impairment of agonist-induced myocyte Ca 2+ mobilization. This further suggests that any important contribution of NO synthesis to LPS-induced contractile dysfunction must depend on impairment of the Ca 2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus (i.e., pharmacomechanical coupling).
Catatonia Associated With Lorazepam Withdrawal

Catatonia is a heterogeneous syndrome that varies in etiology, presentation, course, and sequelae. Some have suggested conceptualizing catatonia as malignant when associated with autonomic instability or hyperthermia and simple in the absence of these signs.· Whereas malignant catatonia is a potentially lethal medical emergency, simple catatonia may be quite subtle and go unrecognized. Regardless of type, catatonia has been associated with many different psychiatric and medical conditions. Historically, it has been linked with psychotic illness but likely occurs more frequently in the course of affective disorders. Although catatonia due to medical conditions is rarely precipitated by a single factor, the potential etiologies may be subdivided into the categories of neurologic, metabolic, and substance-induced. In the latter, reactions to drugs such as antipsychotics, disulfuram, corticosteroids, alcohol, and phencyclidine have been reportedY Benzodiazepines (BZDs), particularly lorazepam, have been used in inpatient psychiatric settings to treat catatonic symptoms. However, there is to the best of our knowledge only one case report ofcatatonic symptoms occurring during the course of BZD withdrawalS and none specifically during lorazepam withdrawal. We discuss the development of simple catatonia and its treatment response in the case ofa patient with schizophrenia when lorazepam was tapered and discontinued. Both diagnosis and treatment re-
Long-term outcomes of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in patients with structural heart disease

Background Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) is feasible. However, the long-term outcomes for different underlying diseases have not been well defined.
Effect of Temperature on the Subsurface Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AA 7075-T6 in Machining

Machining processes such as turning are known for generating high strains, strain rates and temperatures. These mechanical and thermal loadings combined on the workpiece can affect the surface microstructure in the context of average grain sizes, texture … etc. Therefore a thorough understanding of these two competing phenomenon on the surface should be investigated to predict the surface microstructure and therefore mechanical properties. However more and more specific parts used in high frequency cyclic loading applications require not only an understanding of the surface but also the subsurface microstructure evolution in the context of deformation resistance and fatigue failure. The main scope of this paper is to investigate the thermal effects of a machining process on the subsurface grain size and hardness through a modelling approach. In this work, a physics-driven model to predict temperature profiles in turning is proposed. Based on the predicted results, a diffusion-based model to predict the average grain size growth in the subsurface is developed, subsequently the Hall-Petch phenomenological equation was used to predict the hardness evolution in the subsurface. To validate the predicted results, machining experiments were conducted for aerospace aluminum alloy AA-7075-T6.
Psychoanalytic psychotherapy with inner city patients

The purpose of this paper is to discuss issues pertaining to the use of psychoanalytic understanding and technique, including the utilization of parameters with inner city patients. Traditionally, inner city patients were not seen as appropriate candidates for psychoanalytically-oriented psychotherapy or psychoanalysis.
Using death certificates to characterize sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): opportunities and limitations.

Objective To examine cause-of-death terminology written on death certificates for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and to determine the adequacy of this text data in more fully describing circumstances potentially contributing to SIDS deaths. Study design With 2003 and 2004 US mortality files, we analyzed all deaths that were assigned the underlying cause-of-death code for SIDS (R95). With the terminology written on the death certificates, we grouped cases into SIDS-related cause-of-death subcategories and then assessed the percentage of cases in each subcategory with contributory or possibly causal factors described on the certificate. Results Of the 4408 SIDS-coded deaths, we subcategorized 67.2% as "SIDS" and 11.0% as "sudden unexplained (or unexpected) infant death." The terms "probable SIDS" (2.8%) and "consistent with SIDS" (4.6%) were found less frequently. Of those death certificates that described additional factors, "bedsharing or unsafe sleep environment" was mentioned approximately 80% of the time. Most records (79.4%) did not mention any additional factors. Conclusion Our death certificate analysis of the cause-of-death terminology provided a unique opportunity to more accurately characterize SIDS-coded deaths. However, the death certificate was still limited in its ability to more fully describe the circumstances leading to SIDS death, indicating the need for a more comprehensive source of SIDS data, such as a case registry.
Effects of delayed pubertal development, nutritional status, and disease severity on longitudinal patterns of growth failure in children with sickle cell disease

Previous studies of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) reported poor growth and delayed maturation. However, the prevalence, magnitude, and correlates of suboptimal growth remain poorly understood. A prospective longitudinal study was undertaken to determine the effects of disease severity and nutritional status on growth, an indicator of childhood well-being. Children, birth to 18 y of age, with SCD-SS were evaluated annually for 4 y. Growth, nutritional status, skeletal and sexual maturation, disease severity, dietary intake, and maternal education were assessed. In this sample of 148 children (78 females), growth in height, weight, or body mass index declined in 84% of subjects; 38% fell below the 5th percentile in one or more measures. Puberty was delayed 1 to 2 y, and median age at menarche was 13.2 y. Skeletal age was delayed by 0.7 ± 1.4 y overall and by 1.3 ± 1.5 y in children 10 to 15 y old. Height status declined over time and was positively associated with advancing puberty and hematological measures in girls, and nutritional status in girls and boys. Growth failure and maturational delay remain significant chronic problems in children with SCD-SS and are related to potentially modifiable factors such as nutritional status.
Breakdown Curve for Solid Insulation

A volt-time breakdown curve for solid insulation, constructed from test data obtained with the use of square edged electrodes, is given in this paper, considerably extending the range of information available on this subject.
Reactive oxygen species, cell signaling, and cell injury.

Abstract Oxidative stress has traditionally been viewed as a stochastic process of cell damage resulting from aerobic metabolism, and antioxidants have been viewed simply as free radical scavengers. Only recently has it been recognized that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are widely used as second messengers to propagate proinflammatory or growth-stimulatory signals. With this knowledge has come the corollary realization that oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are related, perhaps inseparable phenomena. New pharmacological strategies aimed at supplementing antioxidant defense systems while antagonizing redox-sensitive signal transduction may allow improved clinical management of chronic inflammatory or degenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. Introduction of antioxidant therapies into mainstream medicine is possible and promising, but will require significant advances in basic cell biology, pharmacology, and clinical bioanalysis.
Fault tolerance in heterogeneous distributed systems

Dependability of heterogeneous distributed systems is an important issue. Coordination failures may occur even if the given coordination protocol is adhered to by all participants. The fault tolerance (FT) properties of systems are difficult to achieve, especially at application level. What is common to current FT-techniques is their reliance on the code of the various system components, which are often required to be written in a specific language. From the viewpoint of distributed systems, such techniques are feasible for homogeneous systems, or at least systems that are designed and maintained by a single administrative domain. But such code-based techniques are generally unreliable for open systems, due to the lack of overall control over the code of components. This leaves open distributed systems vulnerable to their own faults and to attack on them. However, certain types of FT measures can be established in distributed systems by controlling the flow of messages between system components, independently of the code of system components—which we plan to do via a distributed coordination and control mechanism called Law-Governed Interaction. We demonstrate in this paper, there is a substantial range of FT measures that can be established completely by controlling messaging. Moreover, although the FT-measures to be developed are meant mostly for open systems, some of them can be useful for distributed systems in general, even where traditional code-based techniques are feasible.
INTRADAY AND OVERNIGHT RETURNS AND DAY‐OF‐THE‐WEEK EFFECTS

This paper examines intra-trading-day and overnight returns constructed from a transactions data base. Day-of-the-week effects are examined for firms classified by level of thin trading. Results indicate that thin trading masks day-of-the-week effects. Day-of-the-week effects are much more pronounced for actively traded stocks. The importance of controlling for thin trading in studies where segmentation of returns into distinct periods is important is illustrated through an examination of day-of-the-week effects for firms classified by size.
Control of resonant peak depths of tunable long-period fiber gratings using overcoupling

Abstract We present a method to reduce changes in the resonant peak depth of a long-period fiber grating (LPFG) as the resonant band is tuned by varying the external refractive index. We theoretically analyze the effects of the initial coupling strength on the peak depth change as external refractive index is varied. By controlling the initial coupling strength, it is experimentally demonstrated that an optimum peak depth can be obtained over a range of operating wavelengths that will maximize the sensitivity and stability of LPFG based sensors and tunable filters.
Simulation of Second-Mode Instability in a Real-Gas Hypersonic Flow with Graphite Ablation

A new high-order shock-fitting method with thermochemical nonequilibrium and finite-rate chemistry boundary conditions for graphite ablation is presented. The method is suitable for direct numerical simulation of boundary-layer transition in a hypersonic real-gas flow with graphite ablation. The new method is validated by comparison with three computational datasets and one set of experimental data. Direct numerical simulations were run for a 7 deg half-angle blunt cone at Mach 15.99 to find how graphite ablation and thermochemical nonequilibrium affect boundary-layer receptivity and instability. The real-gas simulation is compared with ideal-gas simulations that set their wall temperature and wall blowing from the real-gas simulation. Weak planar fast-acoustic waves in the freestream are used to perturb the steady base flow. A 525 kHz second-mode wave was found to be significantly unstable for the real-gas simulation, whereas in the ideal-gas simulations, no significant flow instability was seen. For the...
Development of a locked nucleic acid real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Pinus armandii in mixed species pine nut samples associated with dysgeusia.

Recent work has shown that the presence of the species Pinus armandii, even when occurring as species mixtures of pine nuts, is correlated with taste disturbance (dysgeusia), also referred to as “pine mouth”. Because of this known possibility of pine nut mixtures, a need was identified for a rapid streamlined assay to detect the presence of this species in the presence of other types of pine nuts. A locked nucleic acid probe was employed in a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) format to detect a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) unique to this species. This assay was able to detect P. armandii in homogenates down to ∼1% concentration (the lowest level tested) in the presence of several commonly co-occurring and closely related species of pine and should prove to be a useful tool for the detection of this species in food products.