cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vitro fertilization is associated with an increase in major birth defects

Objective To determine the risk of major birth defects in cohorts of children conceived through IVF or through IUI as compared with naturally conceived children. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Academic medical center. Patient(s) Children conceived by IVF or IUI at the University of Iowa from 1989 through 2002, compared with a matched cohort of naturally conceived children. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Outcome data were obtained from Iowa state birth and fetal death certificates and from the Iowa Birth Defects Registry. Result(s) Ninety of 1,462 IVF-conceived children (6.2%) and 17 of 343 IUI-conceived children (5.0%) had a major birth defect, compared with 369 of 8,422 naturally conceived children (4.4%). The adjusted odds ratio of a major birth defect in all IVF-conceived children was 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.67) and 1.11 (95% CI 0.67–1.84) for IUI-conceived children. The birth defect rate was increased after IVF when the analysis was limited to term singletons. Cardiovascular and musculoskeletal defects and known birth defect syndromes were increased after IVF. Among IVF-conceived children, there was no difference in birth defect rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or after transfer of cryopreserved embryos. Conclusion(s) Infants conceived through IVF have a slightly higher rate of major birth defects. More birth defects are noted among children born to infertile couples treated with IUI, although this difference is not statistically significant. Larger studies of infants conceived by infertile couples after all types of infertility treatment are needed to definitively determine whether the increased risk of birth defects is secondary to problems inherent in the infertile couple and/or factors associated with some aspect of the treatment.
A region on the human thyrotropin receptor which can induce antibodies that inhibit thyrotropin-mediated activation of in vitro thyroid cell function also contains a highly immunogenic epitope

Autoantibodies to the thyrotropin receptor (TSHr) bind to the extracellular domain of the TSHr (ETSHr) and either stimulate or inhibit thyroid cell function and/or growth. In order to investigate the regulation and the specificity of the immune response to the TSHr, our laboratory recently produced recombinant human ETSHr protein by using the baculovirus expression system. In the present study, we used the recombinant ETSHr protein, a panel of overlapping synthetic peptides derived from the TSHr, and polyclonal rabbit antibodies produced against recombinant ETSHr and synthetic peptides to define a highly immunogenic region (aa 352-388) of the TSHr. Moreover, we used competitive inhibition studies to identify a dominant epitope (aa 367-372) within this region to which ETSHr antibodies react. This immunodominant epitope lies within a region unique to the TSHr when compared to the other glycoprotein hormone receptors. These data, together with the earlier observation that antibodies against aa region 357-372 can inhibit thyrotropin (TSH)-mediated activation of thyroid cells in culture, show that aa 367-372 represents, an immunodominant epitope within a functionally important region which is unique to the TSHr. Therefore, this region may play an important role in the induction or modulation of the specific immune response against the TSHr.
Low-Intensity Vibration Improves Angiogenesis and Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice

Chronic wounds represent a significant health problem, especially in diabetic patients. In the current study, we investigated a novel therapeutic approach to wound healing – whole body low-intensity vibration (LIV). LIV is anabolic for bone, by stimulating the release of growth factors, and modulating stem cell proliferation and differentiation. We hypothesized that LIV improves the delayed wound healing in diabetic mice by promoting a pro-healing wound environment. Diabetic db/db mice received excisional cutaneous wounds and were subjected to LIV (0.4 g at 45 Hz) for 30 min/d or a non-vibrated sham treatment (controls). Wound tissue was collected at 7 and 15 d post-wounding and wound healing, angiogenesis, growth factor levels and wound cell phenotypes were assessed. LIV increased angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation at day 7, and accelerated wound closure and re-epithelialization over days 7 and 15. LIV also reduced neutrophil accumulation and increased macrophage accumulation. In addition, LIV increased expression of pro-healing growth factors and chemokines (insulin-like growth factor-1, vascular endothelial growth factor and monocyte chemotactic protein-1) in wounds. Despite no evidence of a change in the phenotype of CD11b+ macrophages in wounds, LIV resulted in trends towards a less inflammatory phenotype in the CD11b− cells. Our findings indicate that LIV may exert beneficial effects on wound healing by enhancing angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation, and these changes are associated with increases in pro-angiogenic growth factors.
Making sense of common sense: A framework for tracking hegemony

Aided by the concepts of such scholars as Gramsci and Althusser, Stuart Hall has constructed a rather hybrid form of Marxist theory concerning ideology and hegemony, a middle ground of sorts between structuralism and culturalism. Hall's intriguingly sophisticated and complex ideas concerning hegemony provide a useful theoretical beginning—a critical framework— that could be empowered by a theoretical fleshing out based on systematic, phenomenologically based empirical work. Because the practical, everyday world of common sense is central to Hall's theoretical framework, it could benefit from Glaser and Strauss's process of developing grounded theory, combined with the phenomenological concepts of scholars such as Schutz, Berger and Luckmann, Garfinkel, Mead, and Blumer. In turn, the work of many of today's interpretive‐oriented scholars could benefit from critical cultural studies perspectives. The purpose of this article is to outline a means through which Hall's concepts of hegemony could be empirically...
Immunotherapeutic suppression in transplantable solid tumours.

α-FOETOPROTEIN (AFP) is a glycoprotein, of unknown function, synthesised by the foetal liver and yolk sac of mammals1. Increased serum levels of AFP in adults are indicative of either pregnancy or a pathological state, that is primary hepatocellular carcinoma, regenerating liver and teratoblastomas of the ovary and testis2,3. Recently, abnormal levels of AFP in amniotic fluids have been correlated with foetal distress4. While attempting to study the physiological role of AFP during ontogenic and oncogenic growth, we have observed an interaction between AFP and its homologous antiserum that may have immunotherapeutic value. We report here the suppression of mouse hepatoma growth in vivo and in vitro using passively administered antiserum to AFP.
A new technique for irradiating thoracic inlet tumors.

Abstract Tumors of the thoracic inlet create a dilemma in radiation therapy treatment planning. It is difficult to give tumoricidal doses in this area because of the limitations of spinal cord tolerance. Opposed anterior-posterior fields, oblique fields and electron beam fields give inadequate dose distribution. A patient position and four-field treatment technique has been developed which allows us to give doses of 6000 + rad to tumors in the thoracic inlet, and limits the spinal cord dose to 4000 rad. A 25 MeV photon beam is used for opposed anterior-posterior and lateral fields. The lateral fields are treated with the patient supine, the upper arms are raised and rotated posteriorly, the scapula is pulled medially, the elbows are flexed, the forearms and hands are raised above and behind the head. Following the axis of the upper esophagus, the caudal end of the field is more posterior than the cephalad end of the field. As computerized axial tomography becomes available more readily and provides us with better knowledge of the anatomy in the thoracic inlet, this treatment position and technique may prove very useful.
Evaluation of three techniques for the management of postextraction third molar sockets

Abstract In a study of three techniques for the management of postextraction third molar sockets, it was found that the use of a vitamin B complex and C formulation reduced the duration of postoperative pain and enhanced healing in patients whose incisions were closed with black silk sutures.
Isolation of a cDNA encoding a novel chicken chemokine homologous to mammalian macrophage inflammatory protein-1β

Abstract A cDNA encoding a novel chicken chemokine homologous to mammalian chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP-1β) was isolated and characterised. The cDNA encodes a protein which is 75–80% homologous to human and mouse MIP-1β. All conserved amino acids characteristic of the mammalian chemokine family have been evolutionarily preserved in chicken MIP-1β, suggesting similar protein folding patterns and functional properties.
Comparison of conditional quality of life terminology and visual analogue scale measurements

Two common formats for grading quality of life parameters are descriptive choices (mild, moderate, severe) and visual analogue scales. However the quantitative relationship between descriptive terminology and visual analogue scale scores has not been determined. A content neutral questionnaire was administered to 213 evaluable subjects who were asked to place the descriptors ‘mildly’, ‘moderately’, and ‘severely’ (presented in random order) on 100mm visual analogue scales. Visual analogue scales were presented without and then with hashmarks at 25mm, 50mm, and 75mm. Median visual analogue scale values for the descriptive terms differed significantly without hashmarks (‘mildly’=24mm’, ‘moderately’=43mm, ‘severely’=84mm; p<0.001) and also with hashmarks (‘mildly’=31mm, ‘moderately’=49mm, ‘severely’=85mm; p<0.001). Comparison of interquartile range values (25th–75th percentile) revealed a distinct meaning for ‘severely’ (68–93mm) but marked overlap between ‘mildly’ (10–45mm) and ‘moderately’ (22–53mm). Errors of order (order other than ‘mildly’ < ‘moderately’ < ‘severely’) were made by 91 subjects. The discrepancy ‘moderately’ < ‘mildly’ accounted for most of these errors (72 subjects). Median values for ‘mildly’, ‘moderately’, and ‘severely’ are distinct and approximately linear on a visual analogue scale for large populations. However there is significant confusion between the terms ‘mildly’ and ‘moderately’ for individual subjects. Visual analogue scales can reveal finer quantitative differences than descriptive terms but require a significant time commitment for instruction and administration. Descriptive terms on a word-graphic scale or descriptive terms with numerical values to reenforce order of severity (0=absent, 1=‘mildly’, 2=‘moderately’, 3=‘severely’) may be reasonable alternatives.
From dialogue to monologue and back: Middle spaces in computer-mediated learning

The authors develop a framework for the design of tools to mediate collaboration intended to lead to learning. We identify two categories of media that are common in computer-supported collaborative learning and software in general: communication media and information media. These two types of media are then mapped onto two types of social activities in which learning is grounded: dialogue and monologue. Drawing on literature in learning theory, we suggest the need for interfaces that help students to transition from dialogue to monologue and back again. We examine in detail two cases of students participating in a computer-mediated science learning activity that involved technologies designed to support this transition, and suggest ways that the “middle space” can be supported with software and activities that transcend some of the traditional tradeoffs associated with information and communication interfaces.
Spectral representations for random densities

Abstract The spectral representation for a random density on a closed interval is developed. Its support includes all densities that are bounded almost surely on the closed interval. The representation is implemented with explicit distributional assumptions on the coefficients that allow, at least in theory, the closed form evaluation of prior and posterior moments and the predictive density under exchangeable sampling.
Doing Less with More: Cohorts, Education, and Civic Participation in America

Decades of social science research demonstrate the impact of education on civic participation. However, prior scholarship generally assumes that the returns to education do not change over time or geographic space. Absolute educational effects are not always plausible; as more individuals obtain a college degree, there are a greater number of qualified individuals competing for the same social resources. The present study tests the impact of education on civic participation, and whether this effect changes as the number of college-educated individuals increases over birth cohorts. The present findings suggest that in some cases, a college degree’s impact on civic participation declines as more individuals obtain college degrees. The findings challenge commonly held assumptions about the effect of higher education on civic participation. Furthermore, the findings suggest that while sending an individual to college may increase civic participation, encouraging all high school students to go to college may undercut the benefits of college attendance.
Light scattering properties of spheroidal particles

In the present paper, the light scattering characteristics of spheroidal particles are evaluated within the framework of a scattering theory developed for a homogeneous isotropic spheroid. This approach is shown to be well suited for computing the scattering quantities of spheroidal particles of fairly large sizes (up to a size parameter of 30). The effects of particle size, shape, index of refraction, and orientation on the scattering efficiency factors and the scattering intensity functions are studied and interpreted physically. It is shown that, in the case of oblique incidence, the scattering properties of a long slender prolate spheroid resemble those of an infinitely long circular cylinder.
Channel modeling using the parabolic equation for RF communications

A method that uses the parabolic equation (PE) model to characterize the transmission channel for wideband waveforms is discussed. The results presented use the Advanced Propagation Model (APM) developed by the Atmospheric Propagation branch at the SSC Pacific which utilizes the split-step Fourier algorithm to solve the PE wave equation for a continuous wave (CW) source. To determine the channel response for a given geometry and environment, an approach used to determine the proper frequency sampling to resolve the multipath components will be discussed. The channel impulse response is computed for an ideal case having a direct and reflected path with a known solution, as well as for examples using ducting, terrain, and a surface-based duct measured off the coast of southern California. An example is provided to demonstrate how this method can be used to characterize the time spreading of a waveform and how it can be used to assess the impact of channel-induced intersymbol interference (ISI).
Asymptotic behavior and uniqueness for an ultrahyperbolic equation with variable coefficients

Abstract This paper describes the asymptotic behavior of solutions of a class of semilinear ultrahyperbolic equations with variable coefficients. One consequence of the general analysis is a uniqueness theorem for a mixed boundary-value problem. Another demonstrates unique continuation at infinity. These results extend previous work by M. H. Protter, [Asymptotic decay for ultrahyperbolic operators, in “Contributions to Analysis” (Lars Ahlfors et al. , Eds.), Academic Press, New York, 1974], and A. C. Murray and M. M. Protter, [ Indiana U. Math. J. 24 (1974) , 115–130], on a more restricted class of equations.
Effect of environment on fracture toughness of 96 wt % alumina

An effort is made to deepen understanding of environmental effects on the fracture toughness of an alumina composition that contains a residual glassy phase, by ascertaining the fracture toughness under atmospheric conditions in such varied environments as air distilled water, silicone oil, and liquid nitrogen. Fracture toughness was determined via the single-edge-precracked beam technique. Weibull strength parameters are compared for polished specimens tested both in air and silicone environments.
Multi-scale modeling of shock interaction with a cloud of particles using an artificial neural network for model representation

Abstract The evolution of a solid-gas mixture under the influence of a shock wave depends on particle-particle and particle-shock interactions; i.e. the macroscopic distribution of particles is determined by physics at the particle (micro)-scale. This work seeks to simulate the macro-scale dynamics of gas-solid mixtures by employing information accumulated from direct numerical simulations (DNS) at the micro- (i.e., particle) scale. Data on the forces experienced by particles in a cloud are collected from DNS using a compressible Eulerian solver and provided to an artificial neural network (ANN); the simulations are performed for a range of control parameters, such as Mach number, particle radii, particle-fluid density ratio, position, and volume fraction. Beginning with a simple single stationary particle case and progressing to moving particle laden clouds, the ANN is trained to evolve and reproduce correlations between the control parameters and particle dynamics. The trained ANN is then used in computing the macro-scale flow behavior in a model of shocked dusty gas advection. The model predicts particle motion and other macro-scale phenomena in agreement with experimental observations.
A Quick-Mixed Aluminum Hematoxylin Stain

Two stock solutions are composed as follows: A) aluminum sulfate, sodium iodate and acetic acid in aqueous propylene glycol and B) hematoxylin in pure propylene glycol. When combined in specified proportions the stock solutions yield aluminum-hematein dissolved in nontoxic propylene glycol. The ready-to-use stain, prepared in small volumes as needed, performs well in paraffin sections of plant tissues.
Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase Predicts for Overall Survival Benefit in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated With Inhibition of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin

Purpose Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme involved in anaerobic glycolysis and regulated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)–containing complex 1 (PI3K/Akt/TORC1) pathway as well as tumor hypoxia/necrosis. High serum LDH levels are associated with poor prognosis in patients with cancer, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We tested whether serum LDH is prognostic and has predictive value in patients with metastatic RCC receiving an mTOR inhibitor. Patients and Methods We evaluated pretreatment and post-treatment serum LDH in 404 poor-risk patients with RCC treated with the TORC1 inhibitor temsirolimus or interferon alfa in an international phase III randomized trial. The proportional hazards model was used to test for the prognostic and predictive association of LDH in predicting overall survival (OS). Results Mean baseline serum normalized LDH was 1.23 times the upper limit of normal (ULN; range, 0.05 to 28.5 × ULN). The multivariable hazard ratio for de...
Measurement of K *- production in the reaction K - p --> K *- p

Abstract The K ∗− spectrum in the reaction K − +p → K ∗− +p has been measured at beam momenta 10.9, 13.4 and 15.9 GeV/ c using the missing mass technique. Production of the L(1770), and a Q-K ∗ (1420) enhancement are observed. Differential cross sections in the range of momentum transfer 0.12 t pp | c ) 2 are given. The L meson is observed with a width Γ = 100 ± 26 MeV. The mass spectrum between the L and 2.5 GeV does not show significant structure.
Knowledge and skills needed by teachers in Chinese agricultural schools regarding curriculum and instruction reforms

Agricultural schools in China have undergone numerous transitions as the system is shifting from non-effective academic institutions to vocational-oriented education brought by China’s economic reforms during the past two decades. Changes of traditional curricular and instructional methods have been recognized as an important strategy to strengthen vocational offerings of the existing agricultural educational system. The purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ current and desired knowledge and skills related to curriculum and instruction. The population for the study was teachers of 12 agricultural schools in China. A systematic randomization resulted in a sample of 398 participants from the population. A survey questionnaire was constructed and used to collect data from randomly selected teachers. The results showed that teachers indicated a significantly lower level of current knowledge and skill and they desired to have a higher level of knowledge and skills regarding curriculum and instruction. Teachers also indicated that they were particularly in lack of expertise in educational technology and curriculum and innovative teaching. Based on the results from this study, a need for teacher training and professional development is evident at these 12 schools. It is strongly recommended that teachers should be given opportunities and support to attend teacher training and professional development programs, which will increase their current knowledge base and enable them to successfully implement curriculum innovations.
An empirical study of three access control systems

Access control systems are a key component of computer system security. This paper presents the results of an effort to understand the usability of current access control systems. A study was conducted to observe users of three access control systems: UNIX discretionary access control (DAC), SELinux, and a novel access control system, a File System Firewall (FSF), which we have designed and implemented. Several recommendations for improving user experiences with access control systems are presented based on our analysis of the study results.
Reduced voltage dependence of inactivation in the SCN5A sodium channel mutation delF1617.

Deletion of a phenylalanine at position 1617 (delF1617) in the extracellular linker between segments S3 and S4 in domain IV of the human heart Na+ channel (hH1a) has been tentatively associated wit...
Forecasting Resilience in Arctic Societies: Creating Tools for Assessing Social - Hydrological Systems

Altaweel, Mark R., Lilian N. Alessa, and Andrew D. Kliskey, 2009. Forecasting Resilience in Arctic Societies: Creating Tools for Assessing Social–Hydrological Systems. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 45(6):1379-1389. Abstract: Arctic communities are increasingly faced with social–ecological changes that act at variable speeds and spatial scales. Such changes will affect vital resources, particularly water supplies. Currently, there are few computational tools that integrate multiple social and environmental processes in order to aid communities’ adaptation to change through decision support systems. This paper proposes a modeling and simulation approach that can integrate such processes at different spatiotemporal scales in order to address issues affecting community water supplies. In this paper, a modeling and simulation tool is developed and applied to a case study on the Seward Peninsula. Initial results, using both field observations and computation, show projected patterns of water use, perceptions of water availability, and long-term consumption trends. More broadly, the paper demonstrates the need for developing tools that address issues at the community level for better understanding human and hydrological interactions and policy decisions affecting water supplies.
Event-based minimum-time control of oscillatory neuron models: Phase randomization, maximal spike rate increase, and desynchronization

We present an event-based feedback control method for randomizing the asymptotic phase of oscillatory neurons. Phase randomization is achieved by driving the neuron’s state to its phaseless set, a point at which its phase is undefined and is extremely sensitive to background noise. We consider the biologically relevant case of a fixed magnitude constraint on the stimulus signal, and show how the control objective can be accomplished in minimum time. The control synthesis problem is addressed using the minimum-time-optimal Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman framework, which is quite general and can be applied to any spiking neuron model in the conductance-based Hodgkin–Huxley formalism. We also use this methodology to compute a feedback control protocol for optimal spike rate increase. This framework provides a straightforward means of visualizing isochrons, without actually calculating them in the traditional way. Finally, we present an extension of the phase randomizing control scheme that is applied at the population level, to a network of globally coupled neurons that are firing in synchrony. The applied control signal desynchronizes the population in a demand-controlled way.
Statistical analysis of high density diffuse optical tomography

High density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) is a noninvasive neuroimaging modality with moderate spatial resolution and localization accuracy. Due to portability and wear-ability advantages, HD-DOT has the potential to be used in populations that are not amenable to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), such as hospitalized patients and young children. However, whereas the use of event-related stimuli designs, general linear model (GLM) analysis, and imaging statistics are standardized and routine with fMRI, such tools are not yet common practice in HD-DOT. In this paper we adapt and optimize fundamental elements of fMRI analysis for application to HD-DOT. We show the use of event-related protocols and GLM de-convolution analysis in un-mixing multi-stimuli event-related HD-DOT data. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) in the framework of a general linear model is developed considering the temporal and spatial characteristics of HD-DOT data. The statistical analysis utilizes a random field noise model that incorporates estimates of the local temporal and spatial correlations of the GLM residuals. The multiple-comparison problem is addressed using a cluster analysis based on non-stationary Gaussian random field theory. These analysis tools provide access to a wide range of experimental designs necessary for the study of the complex brain functions. In addition, they provide a foundation for understanding and interpreting HD-DOT results with quantitative estimates for the statistical significance of detected activation foci.
Large scale two sample multinomial inferences and its applications in genome-wide association studies

Statistical analysis of multinomial counts with a large number K of categories and a small number n of sample size is challenging to both frequentist and Bayesian methods and requires thinking about statistical inference at a very fundamental level. Following the framework of Dempster-Shafer theory of belief functions, a probabilistic inferential model is proposed for this ''large K and small n'' problem. The inferential model produces a probability triplet (p,q,r) for an assertion conditional on observed data. The probabilities p and q are for and against the truth of the assertion, whereas r=1-p-q is the remaining probability called the probability of ''[email protected]?t know''. The new inference method is applied in a genome-wide association study with very high dimensional count data, to identify association between genetic variants to the disease Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Update on Pioneer 10

About a year ago NASA announced the formal termination of the extended mission of Pioneer 10 as of March 31, 1997. On March 3, 1997, the 25th anniversary of the launching of Pioneer 10 was celebrated in Washington, D.C., at NASA headquarters and at the National Air and Space Museum. I was among those who gave eulogies for the truly pioneering achievements of this Ames Research Center spacecraft to Jupiter and the outer heliosphere. The services of the outside contractor for Pioneer 10 operations at the Ames Research Center were, in fact, terminated on March 31, 1997. But, by virtue of informal support by the Deep Space Network and the Ames Research Center, Pioneer 10 has continued to yield valuable data on cosmic-ray intensity in the outer heliosphere throughout 1997 and is expected to do so through at least early summer of 1998. The r.f. telemetry link margin, at 16 bits per second, is still satisfactory, and the on-board electrical power from the four radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) is adequate to operate all essential spacecraft systems plus the University of Iowa's cosmic-ray instrument. A precession maneuver to adjust the pointing of the axis of the spacecraft's parabolic antenna was successfully executed on February 3, 1998.
Organic Aerosol Growth Mechanisms and Their Climate-Forcing Implications

Surface- and volume-limited chemical reactions on and in atmospheric aerosol particles cause growth while changing organic composition by 13 to 24% per day. Many of these particles contain carbonaceous components from mineral dust and combustion emissions in Africa, Asia, and North America and reveal reaction rates that are three times slower than those typically used in climate models. These slower rates for converting from volatile or hydrophobic to condensed and hygroscopic organic compounds increase carbonaceous particle burdens in climate models by 70%, producing organic aerosol climate forcings of as much as -0.8 watt per square meter cooling and +0.3 watt per square meter warming.
Neisseria meningitidis Lipopolysaccharide Modulates the Specific Humoral Immune Response to Neisserial Porins but Has No Effect on Porin-Induced Upregulation of Costimulatory Ligand B7-2

The role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the specific humoral response to meningococcal porins was investigated by measuring anti-PorA or -PorB antibody levels in mice immunized with wild-type meningococcal strain H44/76 or with its recently described LPS-negative mutant. Two murine strains were used for these immunizations: C3H/HeJ, which is LPS hyporesponsive, or C3H/HeOuJ, which is LPS responsive. A high level of anti-PorB immunoglobulin G (IgG) response was induced in both strains of mice immunized with either organism. The response induced by the wild-type strain was greater in C3H/HeOuJ mice than in C3H/HeJ mice, while the response induced by the LPS-negative mutant was similar in the two murine strains. Additionally, the anti-PorB response was similar in C3H/HeJ mice immunized with either bacterial strain. In general, the anti-PorA IgG response was lower than the anti-PorB response. These findings indicate that the presence of LPS is not essential for the induction of an antineisserial porin humoral response but can augment such a response. To determine whether LPS has any effect on the B-cell-stimulatory effect of neisserial porins (essential for the adjuvant activity of neisserial porins), B cells from both murine strains were incubated with outer membrane complexes (OMCs) prepared from strain H44/76 and its LPS-negative mutant. OMCs from either meningococcal strain were able to increase the surface expression of the costimulatory ligand B7-2 on B cells from either murine strain. Consistent with previously reported findings, LPS does not significantly affect the ability of neisserial porins to induce the costimulatory ligand B7-2.
Self-Leadership: A Multilevel Review

Over the past 30 years substantial research has focused on the concept of self-leadership. The authors adopt a multilevel perspective to review this research at both individual and team levels of analysis. At the individual level, studies consistently show that increased self-leadership corresponds with better affective responses and improved work performance. Findings are not as consistent at the team level. Relationships between team-level self-leadership and both affective and performance outcomes appear to be moderated by contextual factors. The authors also identify internal and external forces that influence self-leadership. Among these forces, external leadership is particularly important, as self-leadership is not a complete substitute for external leadership. Specifically, external leadership in the forms of empowering leadership and shared leadership facilitate self-leadership of individuals and teams. The authors also identify a number of cross-level research questions that illustrate how futur...
Metabolic Activation of 6-Nitrochrysene in Explants of Human Bronchus and in Isolated Rat Hepatocytes

It has previously been shown that 6-nitrochrysene can be activated to electrophilic species capable of reacting with DNA through metabolic pathways that form N-hydroxy-6-aminochrysene or trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydro-6-aminochrysene as critical intermediates. Since the lung is a known target tissue for the carcinogenic action of polycyclic nitroaromatic hydrocarbons, we investigated the metabolism and DNA binding of [3H]6-nitrochrysene in 11 specimens of human bronchus. Analysis of medium from [3H]6-nitrochrysene-treated explants indicated the presence of trans-9,10-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydro-6-nitrochrysene (0.04-330 pmol/mg epithelial DNA), trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydro-6-nitrochrysene (12-1700 pmol/mg epithelial DNA), 6-aminochrysene (1.6-2200 pmol/mg epithelial DNA), and trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydro-6-aminochyrsene (3.6-610 pmol/mg epithelial DNA). Both the levels and the relative proportions of these metabolites varied widely in explants from different individuals. The amount of DNA recovered and the level of DNA modification were sufficient for adduct analysis in eight of the 11 cases for which metabolite data were obtained. Five additional bronchial specimens for which metabolite data were not obtained were also analyzed for carcinogen-DNA adducts. The levels of binding varied from 0.06 to 30.5 pmol [3H]6-nitrochrysene bound/mg DNA (two adducts per 10(8) nucleotides-10 adducts per 10(6) nucleotides). HPLC analyses of enzymatic hydrolysates of the explant DNA indicated that 11 of 13 cases contained adducts with retention times identical to those of adducts derived from trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydro-6-aminochrysene or N-hydroxy-6-aminochrysene. The adduct derived from trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydro-6-aminochrysene was the major adduct detected in eight of 13 cases. The reasons for the variation in metabolism and adduct formation observed in [3H]6-nitrochrysene-treated explants of bronchus from different donors are not known but may reflect differences in the activities of enzymes responsible for the metabolism of this compound. The influence of induction of drug metabolizing enzymes on the activation pathway of 6-nitrochrysene in an intact cell system was tested using rat hepatocytes. 6-Nitrochrysene was incubated with freshly isolated hepatocytes from rats that were either untreated or pretreated with phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene or Aroclor 1254. Although the levels of adducts were similar in all cases, the pattern of DNA adducts formed in these hepatocytes was dependent on the nature of the pretreatment of the rats. As previously reported, hepatocytes from untreated rats contained adducts derived from N-hydroxy-6-aminochrysene.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Submicron optical CD metrology on photomasks

As the wafer industry has driven the minimum feature size on the photomask to the submicron range, an increased focus has been placed on the metrology used to control such features. The most common method of metrology for photomask linewidth measurements is the optical CD metrology tool. However, now that the submicron range of photomask linewidths and features are aggressively pursued, the optical resolution limit of the optical CD measurement tool is limiting the ability to accurately perform photomask linewidth measurements. It is therefore essential to look beyond this limit, to either pursue new technology CD metrology tools, or to develop practical techniques to measure submicron photomask features approaching or extending beyond the optical resolution limit of the metrology tool. This paper investigates the later approach with discussion and evaluation of some techniques used as an attempt to enhance the current optical CD metrology capability in order to measure photomask features well into the submicron range.
Transmission of HIV-1 and HLA-B allele-sharing within serodiscordant heterosexual Zambian couples

Summary Factors that might increase risk of HIV-1 transmission include age, sex, and amount of HIV-1 RNA in plasma, but findings for HLA allele-sharing are not in agreement. We tested the hypothesis that allele sharing at HLA loci is associated with increased risk of transmission of HIV-1 infection in cohabiting heterosexual Zambian couples. We studied 125 initially serodiscordant partners with sequence-confirmed interpartner HIV-1 transmission and 104 couples who were persistently serodiscordant, and we analysed relations with molecularly typed HLA-A , B , and C alleles by survival techniques. After adjustment for other genetic and non-genetic risk factors seen with heterosexual transmission of HIV-1 in this cohort, sharing of HLA-B alleles was independently associated with accelerated intracouple transmission (relative hazard 2·23, 95% Cl 1·52–3·26, p HLA-B alleles on transmitted viruses accords with current understanding of the effect of B locus polymorphism in HIV-1 and perhaps other infections.
Cosmology, Cosmic Evolution, and Sacramental Reality: A Christian Contribution

From the Christian perspective, creation exists through the Word of God. The Word of God does not create God again but brings forth the absolute otherness of God: creation. The nature of God is to exist. God is existence as unity in the diversity of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The gift of created existence reflects the triune nature of the Word of God. It is synthesis of diversity into unity that creates. Nature brings forth new existence by unifying what it already brought forth previously. Therefore, the creative process of nature is self-similar and nonlinear: self-similar because at all levels it is synthesis that brings forth novelty; nonlinear because the properties of the new unities are not present in their (isolated) elements. The new properties of the wholes, however, do not destroy the properties of the parts. Rather, the elements integrated into new wholes become creatively transformed. This is because the parts become carriers of the whole, which transforms the parts through its presence. The parts become and express the qualities of the whole, qualities that the parts do not possess in isolation. Synthesis, therefore, transforms the parts creatively, because synthesis is creative. The qualities of the parts become elevated because the whole becomes present in and through the parts. The understanding of creation as the result of sequential, creative transformations offers a glance into the mystery of the Word of God present in the Eucharist. Here, too, the elements of bread and wine are not destroyed but elevated, creatively transformed into the Word of God. The elements (bread and wine) become the carrier of a transcendent quality, the Word of God. From this perspective, creation and the sacrament of the Eucharist illuminate each other. This is because the Word of God that creates the otherness of creation and the Word of God present in the Eucharist is the same.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS OF FRESH WATER: EMPIRICAL RULES AND ASSEMBLY THEORY

Abstract Because the integrity of aquatic ecosystems is being challenged worldwide by invading species, there is a growing need to understand the invasion process and to predict the success and effects of invading species. Case histories of fish invasions in streams, lakes, and estuaries indicate that invading species and systems being invaded interact in idiosyncratic ways that are often hard to predict, largely because of the role of environmental variability in determining the outcomes of invasions. We nevertheless present a conceptual model of aquatic invasions and a dozen empirically-derived rules that seem to govern most aquatic invasions. While these rules are limited in their usefulness, they do seem to have more predictive value than rules derived from community assembly theory.
The Mesoscale and Microscale Structure and Organization of Clouds and Precipitation in Midlatitude Cyclones. XIII: Structure of a Warm Front

Abstract Mesoscale measurement from radars, aircraft and rawinsondes, and synoptic and satellite data are used to provide a detailed description of a warm front as it approached the Washington Coast. In many respects, the warm front was consistent with the classical model: temperature rises were concentrated within a forward-sloping frontal zone, winds veered with height and lapse rates were more stable within the frontal zone, clouds and precipitation were produced by upglide over the warm-frontal surface and, as the warm front approached, clouds lowered and precipitation generally increased. However, in several important respects the warm front differed from the classical picture. Air flowed through the warm front and the warm-frontal zone. Also, the warm-frontal zone had a “staircase” profile, with some segments nearly horizontal and other segments with steep slopes. Finally, precipitation was by no means uniformly distributed; instead, it occurred in both irregular and banded-shaped mesoscale features.
Review Articles: What We Know About Shopping Centers

Suburban shopping centers were the most successful retail establishments of the twentieth century. They almost completely supplanted the central downtown department store retail businesses, which h...
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a Patient with Microscopic Polyangiitis (P01.127)

Objective: To discuss neurologic manifestations of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) vasculitis. Background Central nervous system manifestations of MPA are uncommon. Only two cases of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in patients with MPA have been reported. Design/Methods: A case report. Setting: A tertiary care center. Patient: A 69-year old man with chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology came to the ED with new-onset right foot numbness. He was febrile and normotensive. Labs revealed a leukocytosis, anemia and an elevated creatinine. Urinalysis showed 21-30 wbcs, rbcs too numerous to count, 3+ protein, and 3+ blood. CT head was unremarkable. A diagnosis of MPA vasculitis was made based on serum positivity for myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA and renal biopsy. He received steroids and one dose of cyclophosphamide but had a complicated hospital course, with respiratory distress requiring intubation and renal failure requiring CVVH followed by hemodialysis. On Day 28 he went from interactive and able to follow commands to acutely delirious. Hours later he had a generalized seizure and went into status epilepticus. CT scan revealed extensive edema bilaterally in the posterior portions of both hemispheres, raising concern for PRES. CT on hospital day 35 was again consistent with PRES. The patient remained intubated and sedated and was unable to recover. On Day 43, the patient9s family opted for terminal extubation. Results: Our diagnosis was PRES as indicated by the CT scans. Conclusions: The pathophysiology of PRES in patients with MPA vasculitis is unclear. Endothelial damage might predispose to PRES by increasing blood-brain barrier permeability. Our patient had renal failure and was immunosuppressed, which may have also contributed to his development of PRES. MPA itself, the renal failure that it may induce, and the agents used to treat it all may be associated with the development of PRES. Disclosure: Dr. Minen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gold has nothing to disclose. Dr. Badjatia has nothing to disclose.
Phonetic distortions in the serial transmission of short speech samples.

Tests of intelligibility, or “articulation,” must be assumed to be tests which are sensitive to the behavior of a listener and a speaker—and often to a listener who is also a speaker. For this reas...
Pairing the right ingredients for the perfect drug cocktail

Developing new drugs is not the only way to make advances in disease treatment. In many cases, a combination of existing drug therapies is not only more effective than monotherapy but also requires lower doses—thus reducing side effects—and prevents the development of drug resistance. But there
The Impact of Access Restrictions on Fishery Income Diversification of US West Coast Fishermen

ABSTRACTAccess to most fisheries on the US West Coast was essentially open prior to the mid-1970s when state licenses were first limited for salmon fisheries. Subsequently, licenses to most fisheries on the West Coast have been limited, and the numbers of licenses in many fisheries have been reduced with buy-back programs. More recently, catch share programs, which dedicate exclusive shares of catch to individuals or cooperatives, have been introduced in several sectors of the federally managed Pacific groundfish fishery. As access to fisheries has become more restricted, revenue diversification of West Coast fishing vessels has generally declined. This is a source of concern since diversification has been shown to reduce year-to-year variation in revenue and hence financial risk. However, catch share programs may create more security and stability in vessels' landings, which may offset effects of less diversification. Nevertheless, there may be a tradeoff between the efficiency gains enabled by restricti...
Tuning CPU Power During Application Runtime

In Chap. 5, the focus was on reducing power by exploiting idle cycles. In the experiments outlined in this chapter and in Chap. 7 the focus is on identifying opportunities to reduce the energy use of a running application without affecting performance. As mentioned previously, determining what is, and is not, an acceptable trade-off between energy and performance is somewhat subjective. The motivation of the following experiments is to show that significant energy savings can be achieved by tuning architectural components, specifically the CPU, on a per application basis during execution.
Control of boundary layer flow transition via distributed

A reduced-order linear feedback controller, which is used to control the linear disturbance in two-dimensional plane Poiseuille flow, is applied to a boundary layer flow for stability control. Using model reduction and linear-quadratic-Gaussian/loop-transfer-recovery control synthesis, a distributed controller is designed from the linearized two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations. This reduced-order controller, requiring only the wall-shear information, is shown to effectively suppress the linear disturbance in boundary layer flow under the uncertainty of Reynolds number. The controller also suppresses the nonlinear disturbance in the boundary layer flow, which would lead to unstable flow regime without control. The flow is relaminarized in the long run. Other effects of the controller on the flow are also discussed.
Export Currency Pricing and Fiscal Multipliers

This paper develops a small open economy dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model to study the implications of the use of foreign currency in export pricing for fiscal policy in East Asian economies. The result shows that external currency pricing amplifies the effect of an exogenous government spending shock on output. The impact and cumulative multipliers are larger under external currency pricing. However, the result depends on the government policy regime. When the government allows for a systematic response of government spending to public debt, the multipliers in the medium-term are smaller under external currency pricing.