cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of mechanistically distinct NF-κB inhibitors on glial inducible nitric-oxide synthase expression

Nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB is an important regulator of inflammatory gene expression. Transcriptional regulation of Nos2, the inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) gene, is complex and not fully understood, but appears to be regulated in part by NF-kappaB. To further understand the role of NF-kappaB in Nos2 expression, we compared three functionally distinct NF-kappaB inhibitors on NF-kappaB transactivation and iNOS induction by rat C6 glial cells. Cytokine-induced activation of a consensus NF-kappaB-reporter gene was concentration-dependently inhibited by BAY 11-7082, MG-132, and helenalin. The rank order of potency was MG-132>helenalin>BAY 11-7082, with low concentrations of helenalin stimulating reporter gene activity. Cytokine-stimulated iNOS expression, measured by nitrite accumulation and in vitro l-citrulline production, was similarly reduced by exposing C6 cells to the NF-kappaB inhibitors. Surprisingly, activation of Nos2-reporter gene constructs containing the proximal 188 bp (containing one kappaB site) or proximal 94 bp (no kappaB site) of the rat promoter also was inhibited with the same rank order of potency. Interestingly, low concentrations of helenalin increased activity of both promoter constructs, while BAY 11-7082 poorly inhibited the 94-bp activity. This is the first report describing BAY 11-7082 and helenalin effects on iNOS expression in astroglia. Given the reported mechanism of actions for these inhibitors, cytokine-induced glial iNOS expression appears more sensitive to disruption of proteasome degradation and p65 function than modulation of IkappaB phosphorylation. These findings may foster the design of therapeutic agents aimed at NF-kappaB-associated pathways involved in neuroinflammation, especially iNOS expression.
Exotic atoms, K-nucleus scattering and hypernuclei

Abstract Recent progress in exotic atom physics, kaon-nucleus scattering, and hypernuclear physics is reviewed. Specific problems discussed include searches for muon-nucleon interactions beyond QED, a comparison of data and recent calculations of K ± + 12 C elastic and inelastic scattering, as well as recent studies of Σ and Λ hypernuclei including new data on the level structure of 13 Λ C ∗ .
Distal flow determinants in canine myocardium perfused through internal thoracic artery bypass grafts

The dynamic reactivity and the acute, recruitable flow capacity of an internal thoracic artery (ITA) graft remains unclear. These experiments were conducted in 20 anesthetized dogs with the left ITA grafted to the circumflex artery, off pump, using a brief local occlusion. The left main coronary artery was occluded, rendering the entire left ventricle, including anterior descending artery and circumflex regions, totally dependent on the ITA graft. When the left main coronary artery was occluded, the ITA flow immediately increased more than fivefold (93.4 ± 9.6 mL/min; mean ± standard deviation), representing an absolute flow value three times higher than ITA flow measured in situ on the chest wall (27.5 ± 9.6 mL/min; p r = 0.976; p −1 · min −1 intravenously) significantly increased the graft flow (120.3 ± 18.7 mL/min; p p −1 · min −1 intravenously) significantly decreased ITA graft flow (81.2 ± 9.0 mL/min; p p p p p
Molecular Analyses in Diagnosis of High Genetic Predispositions to Malignancies

This publication summarizes recent progress in DNA testing of genes related to high predisposition to malignancies achieved by Hereditary Cancer Center in Szczecin, Poland.
Reciprocity and Sustainability: Terrace Restoration on Third Mesa

Applied anthropologists are now commonly involved at all levels in rural and agricultural development work in Third World countries. Corresponding efforts in the United States, however, are much less common. This can be attributed in part to increased scrutiny and skepticism concerning past research efforts, which are frequently seen as unilaterally beneficial to researchers and of little tangible long-term gain to local people. No where is this more true than among Native American populations. Leigh Jenkins, Director of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office (HCPO), puts it quite succinctly: "Intruders are not welcome, especially if they come dressed as anthropologists… As any visitor will attest, it has become quite a challenge to prove one's sincerity, honesty, and fairness to the Hopis, especially if that visitor plans to do research" ("Forward" in Peter Whitely, Bacavi: A Journey to Reed Springs [Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Press, 1988]).
Antibodies to Plasmodium circumsporozoite protein (CSP) inhibit sporozoite’s cell traversal activity

Plasmodium sporozoites are deposited in the skin of the mammalian host by Anopheles mosquitoes. To continue the life cycle, the sporozoites have to invade the host's hepatocytes, where they transform into exoerythrocytic forms (EEFs) inside a parasitophorous vacuole. During their route from the skin to the liver, the parasites traverse the capillary epithelium in the dermis to enter the blood circulation, and cross the endothelium of liver sinusoids to enter the parenchyma. Cell traversal by sporozoites is usually measured by quantifying dyes that enter or are released from cells during incubation with salivary gland sporozoites. These methods do not distinguish cell traversal from cell wounding. Here we validate an assay that quantifies cell traversal of sporozoites through monolayers of MDCK cells that form tight junctions. We compared cell traversal of wt sporozoites and of parasites lacking the Type I membrane protein TLP (TRAP-like protein) previously implicated in cell traversal. We provide direct evidence that TLP ko sporozoites are defective in cell traversal and that they are retained inside the MDCK cytoplasm. We then used the MDCK assay to study the effect of a monoclonal antibody (3D11) to the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) on the parasite's cell traversal. We show that 3D11 inhibits cell traversal at nanomolar concentrations. We conclude that antibodies elicited by CSP-based vaccines are likely to inhibit the migration of sporozoites from the skin to the liver.
Review of ammonia emission factors for United States animal agriculture

Ammonia emissions from agricultural industries are a significant source of atmospheric reactive nitrogen, which can lead to negative environmental consequences such as ecosystem change and formation of fine particulate. While a number of emission factors (EFs) have been proposed for developing ammonia emissions inventories for the US, most are based on European research with little discussion of their applicability to US production systems. Recently developed ammonia EFs from literature for animal feeding operations (AFOs), including production facilities for beef and dairy cattle, swine, and poultry, are presented. Tentative EFs for US animal agriculture are suggested until further research can be conducted. Currently, there is a dearth of EFs developed specifically for agricultural production practices in the US.
Catecholamines, strain differences in biosynthetic enzyme activity in mice.

Abstract In five strains of inbred mice, activities of phenylethanolamine N -methyl transferase and tyrosine hydroxylase and amounts of norepinephrine and epinephrine in the adrenal gland vary markedly. Tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the brain also varies widely. The fact that these measures vary independently of each other suggests that several genetic factors are involved. The finding of genetic differences affecting catecholamine synthesis has implications for the study of catecholamine regulatory mechanisms and the relationship between catecholamines and behavior.
Treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma with vinblastine, bleomycin by infusion and cisplatin.

25 malades atteints d'un melanome metastatique ont ete traites par le Valban, la bleomycine en perfusion et le cis-platine. Des 20 malades evaluables aucun n'a presente de reponse objective. Les effets secondaires et la toxicite ont ete graves
Antibody for the prevention of neonatal noscocomial staphylococcal infection: a review of the literature.

Abstract Staphylococci, especially coagulase negative staphylococci (CONS), are responsible for over 75 % of late-onset infections in very low birth weight infants. These infections cause increased length of hospital stay, need for antibiotics, and cost of medical care. Several drug companies have developed and evaluated hyperimmune polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for the prevention of neonatal staphylococcal infection including 1) Altastaph® by North American Biologics Inc., 2) Veronate® by Inhibitex Inc., and 3) Pagibaximab® by Biosynexus Inc, and Glaxo Smith Kline Inc. We will review the development and status of these potential products. Altastaph® is a S. aureus serotype 5 and 8 vaccine induced hyperimmune polyclonal antibody whose development has been placed on hold due to its failure to demonstrate any trend toward efficacy in a recently completed Phase II study. Veronate® is a polyclonal antibody obtained by plasmapheresis from donors with high titers of MSCRAMM (microbial surface components recognizing adhesion matrix molecules) activity against CONS whose development has been placed on hold due to its failure to demonstrate effectiveness in a recently completed Phase III study. Pagibaximab® is a humanized mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody (previously known as BSYX-A110) directed against lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a major cell wall component of gram-positive bacteria, that has recently completed a Phase II study suggesting efficacy and is being developed further for clinical investigation.
Metastable fragmentation of photoionized styrene cluster ions: Implications for cluster ion structure

Abstract Styrene clusters are produced by supersonic expansion of a styrene/Ar mixture, photoionized with 193 or 248 nm light, and analyzed in a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The styrene cluster ions St n + , n ≤ 10, show an alternation in intensity that favors cluster ions containing an even number of molecules. Mass-selected cluster ions, n = 2–8, are allowed to undergo metastable fragmentation, and the fragment ions are separated from the parent ions in the reflectron. For n = 4–8, fragmentation proceeds exclusively by elimination of a series of styrene molecules. Loss of as many as five styrene molecules is observed for n = 6–8. For n = 4, the St + fragment signal is very small, and for n = 3 it is nonexistent. A robust signal for St 2 + indicates the major product channel in both cases. These results are interpreted in terms of formation of covalently bound styrene dimer ions within the ionized clusters, especially n = 3 and 4. The present fragmentation results are also discussed in relation to earlier work. Internal energy considerations show that there should be sufficient energy present to cause fragmentation of the structures proposed in the prior work, but no fragments corresponding to such fragmentation are observed. Thus the present work does not support the cluster ion structures proposed earlier, though it also does not completely rule them out.
Hierarchy of Supramolecular Synthons: Persistent Hydrogen Bonds Between Carboxylates and Weakly Acidic Hydroxyl Moieties in Cocrystals of Zwitterions

Whereas carboxylic acids are well explored in the context of cocrystals, the same cannot be said about carboxylate moieties. This Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) and experimental study demonstrates that carboxylate moieties persistently form charge-assisted H-bonds with weakly acidic hydroxyl moieties such as phenols. CSD statistics reveal that 58 of 103 relevant structures exhibit carboxylate-hydroxyl (phenolic) supramolecular heterosynthons even in the presence of competing functional groups. The following neutral cocrystal formers sustain 15 new cocrystals of zwitterions and their crystal structures reveal that all exhibit carboxylate-hydroxyl supramolecular heterosynthons: citric acid (CIT), l-ascorbic acid (ASC), hesperetin (HES), quercetin (QUE), resveratrol (RES), catechol (CAT), protocatechuic acid (PCA), ferulic acid (FER), ellagic acid (ELA), and gallic acid (GAL). Zwitterions used were betaine (BTN), sarcosine (SAR), dimethyl glycine (DMG), baclofen (BAC), nicotinic acid (NAC), and isonicot...
Effects of forest management on biogeochemical functions in southern forested wetlands

Southern forested wetlands perform two important biogeochemical functions on the landscape: 1) nutrient (N and P), removal from incident surface, subsurface, and ground waters, and 2) export of organic carbon and associated nutrients to aquatic ecosystems downstream. In addition to P sediment deposition, which can range from 1.6 to 36.0 kg ha−1 yr−1 P, denitrification of NO3-N (0.5 to 350 kg ha−1 yr−1) and P adsorption (130 to 199 kg ha−1 yr−1) can be important mechanisms associated with N and P removal, respectively. Biological processes, uptake by plants (15.0 to 51.8 kg ha−1 yr−1 for N; 0.2 to 3.8 kg ha−1 yr−1 for P) and microorganism absorption (16.2 to 87.0 kg ha−1 yr−1 for N; 6.6 to 40.0 kg ha−1 yr−1 for P) are also important and are intimately associated with organic matter export. Clearcut harvests (ground-based or aerial) followed by natural regeneration, are the most common silvicultural techniques used in forested floodplains in the South. Ground-based methods have been shown to increase soil bulk density and decrease hydraulic conductivity and redox potential in wetter soils. In addition to the increases in soil temperature and soil wetness that frequently occur following forest harvesting, these added effects may be responsible for the reduced productivity and altered species composition observed following ground-based vs. aerial harvests. Changes in denitrification will be a function of the degree to which harvesting affects soil redox potential, substrate (C) availability, and nitrate production. In theory, denitrification rates should increase following harvesting, but low nitrate availability in acid soils may limit this effect. The effects of harvesting on P adsorption processes in forested wetlands soils have not been studied. Reductions in plant uptake and litterfall and changes in species composition following harvesting could alter both nutrient retention/transformation and organic C export functions. On wetter sites, canopy removal may stimulate algal populations, providing a short-term mechanism for conserving geochemical exports Clearcut harvest systems that minimize alterations in soil hydrology and promote rapid vegetation regrowth should have the least effect on biogeochemical functions in southern forested wetlands.
Anemia in critical care patients: Incidence, etiology, impact, management, and use of treatment guidelines and protocols

Purpose. The incidence, etiology, impact, and management of anemia in critical care patients and the development of treatment guidelines and protocols for the management of anemia in this patient population are discussed. Summary. Most patients in intensive care units develop anemia as a result of blood losses, nutritional deficiencies, hemolysis, myelosuppression, renal insufficiency, inflammation, infection, or another disease process. Anemia can have an adverse impact on critically ill patients with severe ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease and patients undergoing surgery. The use of blood conservation measures and restrictive blood transfusion strategies can circumvent problems associated with transfusion. Epoetin alfa increases hemoglobin concentrations and reduces the need for transfusion in critical care patients, including surgical patients with large anticipated blood losses. Epoetin alfa also appears to be effective for managing anemia in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Iron supplementation is needed by most patients receiving erythropoietic therapy. Iron supplementation without erythropoietic therapy is inadequate to correct anemia unrelated to iron deciency. Concerns have been raised about a possible increased risk for infection when parenteral iron therapy is used in critical care patients. Developing treatment guidelines or protocols for managing anemia in critical care patients can minimize the need for transfusions and improve prescribing of erythropoietic therapy. Conclusion. Epoetin alfa can play an important role in managing anemia in critical care patients, thereby minimizing patient exposure to transfusion-related risks and optimizing the use of the limited blood supply. There is currently no data available for use of darbepoetin in this manner.
Temporally‐resolved inkjet drop impaction on surfaces

Impaction on smooth solid substrates of drops formed by the drop-on-demand (DOD) method was investigated over a wide range of impaction speeds (U0 = 2.21–12.2 m/s), surface contact angles (θ = 6–107°), and drop diameters (D0 = 40.8–50.5 μm). The experimental results were compared with several existing equations for predicting maximum spreading. The dimensionless time to reach maximum spreading ratio, scaled by D0/U0, ranged from 0.6 to 2.99, depending on Weber number and contact angle. Micron and millimeter drop impactions were compared, and the results indicate that scaling based on three dimensionless numbers (We, Re or Oh, and cos θ) is valid, but spreading ratios of millimeter drops are usually slightly larger during the whole process. The difference is ascribed mainly to the effect of gravity. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
Lung Cancer Cell Type as a Determinant of Bronchoscopy Yield

The accuracy of diagnosis of lung cancer obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopy utilizing sputum cytology and bronchial biopsy depends on the size, location, and number of biopsy samples taken from the tumor. We have found that the accuracy of diagnosis also depends upon the histologic type of cancer. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (brushings, washing, and biopsies) was performed and sputum cytology and bronchial tissue was obtained from 51 patients with histologically-proven lung cancer. The bronchial biopsy was more sensitive than the bronchial washing and brushing techniques in detecting primary bronchogenic and metastatic carcinoma. It was positive in ten of ten patients with small cell carcinoma, 12 out of 20 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, three of four cases of adenocarcinoma, and three of four patients with large cell cancer. The bronchial biopsy yield was influenced by the histologic cell type with the highest diagnostic yield being found with small cell carcinoma.
Protein kinase C is increased in the liver of humans and rats with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: an alteration not due to hyperglycemia.

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that liver protein kinase C (PKC) is increased in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). To this end we examined the distribution of PKC isozymes in liver biopsies from obese individuals with and without NIDDM and in lean controls. PKC isozymes alpha, beta, epsilon and zeta were detected by immunoblotting in both the cytosol and membrane fractions. Isozymes gamma and delta were not detected. There was a significant increase in immunodetectable PKC-alpha (twofold), -epsilon (threefold), and -zeta (twofold) in the membrane fraction isolated from obese subjects with NIDDM compared with the lean controls. In obese subjects without NIDDM, the amount of membrane PKC isozymes was not different from the other two groups. We next sought an animal model where this observation could be studied further. The Zucker diabetic fatty rat offered such a model system. Immunodetectable membrane PKC-alpha, -beta, -epsilon, and -zeta were significantly increased when compared with both the lean and obese controls. The increase in immunodetectable PKC protein correlated with a 40% elevation in the activity of PKC at the membrane. Normalization of circulating glucose in the rat model by either insulin or phlorizin treatment did not result in a reduction in membrane PKC isozyme protein or kinase activity. Further, phlorizin treatment did not improve insulin receptor autophosphorylation nor did the treatment lower liver diacylglycerol. We conclude that liver PKC is increased in NIDDM, a change that is not secondary to hyperglycemia. It is possible that PKC-mediated phosphorylation of some component in the insulin signaling cascade contributes to the insulin resistance observed in NIDDM.
Statistically Enhanced Spectral Counting Approach to TCDD Cardiac Toxicity in the Adult Zebrafish Heart

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a persistent environmental pollutant and teratogen that produces cardiac toxicity in the developing zebrafish. Here we adopted a label free quantitative proteomic approach based on normalized spectral abundance factor (NSAF) to investigate the disturbance of the cardiac proteome induced by TCDD in the adult zebrafish heart. The protein expression level changes between heart samples from TCDD-treated and control zebrafish were systematically evaluated by a large scale MudPIT analysis, which incorporated triplicate analyses for both control and TCDD-exposed heart proteomic samples to overcome the data-dependent variation in shotgun proteomic experiments and obtain a statistically significant protein data set with improved quantification confidence. A total of 519 and 443 proteins were identified in hearts collected from control and TCDD-treated zebrafish, respectively, among which 106 proteins showed statistically significant expression changes. After correcting...
‘One-dimensional turbulence’ simulation of turbulent jet diffusion flames: model formulation and illustrative applications

Abstract A novel modeling approach to the simulation of turbulent jet diffusion flames based on the One-Dimensional Turbulence (ODT) model is presented. The approach is based on the mechanistic distinction between molecular processes (reaction and diffusion), implemented by the direct solution of unsteady boundary-layer reaction-diffusion equations, and turbulent advection in a time-resolved simulation on a 1D domain. The 1D domain corresponds to a direction transverse to the mean flow of the jet. Temporal simulations of jet diffusion flames are performed to illustrate the model’s predictions of turbulence-chemistry interactions in jet diffusion flames. ODT predictions of flow entrainment, finite-rate chemistry and differential diffusion effects are investigated in hydrogen-air diffusion flames at two Reynolds numbers. Two-dimensional renderings of stirring events from a single realization show that ODT reproduces a number of salient features of simple developing turbulent shear flows that reflect the growth of the boundary layer and the mechanisms of turbulence cascade and spatial intermittency. Multiple realizations of jet simulations are used to compute axial and conditional statistics of streamwise velocity, major species, NO, and temperature. Comparison with experimental measurements indicates that chemical properties of interest can be captured by a model that involves a simplified representation of the flow structure. The results show. strong differential diffusion effects in the near field, with attenuation farther downstream.
Techniques for policy enforcement on encrypted network traffic

Most large-scale data communication networks are built from multiple autonomous subnetworks, which are managed by different administrative entities. In many practical environments, information about traffic policies is considered proprietary and is not disclosed by network operators. However, some operational scenarios require routers within a network to check if traffic matches a particular policy that is provided by another entity. In our work, we present several algorithms of how to represent policy databases and how to perform policy checks without explicitly disclosing the total set of policies. This privacy-preserving set operation extends related work, which has assumed that parties trust each other. Our analysis shows that the proposed policy checks can be implemented efficiently in realistic systems.
Myeloproliferative Neoplasia Remodels the Endosteal Bone Marrow Niche into a Self-Reinforcing Leukemic Niche

Multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) and their osteoblastic lineage cell (OBC) derivatives are part of the bone marrow (BM) niche and contribute to hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance. Here, we show that myeloproliferative neoplasia (MPN) progressively remodels the endosteal BM niche into a self-reinforcing leukemic niche that impairs normal hematopoiesis, favors leukemic stem cell (LSC) function, and contributes to BM fibrosis. We show that leukemic myeloid cells stimulate MSCs to overproduce functionally altered OBCs, which accumulate in the BM cavity as inflammatory myelofibrotic cells. We identify roles for thrombopoietin, CCL3, and direct cell-cell interactions in driving OBC expansion, and for changes in TGF-β, Notch, and inflammatory signaling in OBC remodeling. MPN-expanded OBCs, in turn, exhibit decreased expression of many HSC retention factors and severely compromised ability to maintain normal HSCs, but effectively support LSCs. Targeting this pathological interplay could represent a novel avenue for treatment of MPN-affected patients and prevention of myelofibrosis.
Negotiation and conflict in large scale collaboration: a preliminary field study

Coordinating activities in many settings can require people to manage conflict, potential and actual. Conflict arises from resource limitations, high-stakes consequences, uncertainty, goal conflict among stakeholders and hierarchical organizational structures. To understand coordination in such systems, we conducted a field study of management of surgical operating rooms. While coordinating interdependencies, such as progress monitoring, scheduling and rescheduling, and prodding, coordinators managed a set of complicated conflicts. They did so opportunistically, to resolve and to prevent conflict. Additionally, coordinators were concerned with perceived fairness. These findings indicate that, in the design of ICT to support coordination, we should examine not only the mechanical articulation of activities and efficient prioritization of resources, but also means to support companion social processes.
Risk Sports in Basic Instruction Programs: A Status Assessment

(1983). Risk Sports in Basic Instruction Programs: A Status Assessment. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport: Vol. 54, No. 3, pp. 305-308.
Directionality and scientific inference

Directionality can occur in methods and in inference. Methods are investigative processes for getting and analyzing evidence. Inference is a thought process for reviewing the analyzed evidence and drawing conclusions. Methods produce the “news”; inference produces the “editorials”. In questioning my previous comments about directionality, Miettinen and GreenlandMorgenstern are discussing issues in methods, whereas I was discussing issues in inference. To clarify the two different targets of discussion, I shall briefly review the role of directionality in epidemiologic methods before turning to the main point about directionality and scientific inference.
Hollow fiber membrane degassing in ultrapure water and microbiocontamination

Abstract To eliminate bacterial contamination in the production of ultrapure water (UPW), an advanced oxidation process (AOP) destroys bacteria via the use of H 2 O 2 , O 3 and/or UV light. To remove the AOP byproducts like CO 2 , O 2 , etc. from the treated water, membrane degasification is utilized to achieve near complete removal of dissolved gases, CO 2 , O 2 , from deionized water. A small and compact membrane module, commercially available as a blood oxygenator and made out of porous hydrophobic polypropylene (PP) hollow fibers, has yielded excellent degasification. Feed water was in crossflow on the shell side; a vacuum was used on the tube side. To protect the fibers against residual/trace oxidative agents in water, the hollow fibers were coated on the outside with an ultrathin coating of PDD-TFE (perfluorodimethyldioxole-tetrafluoroethylene). Two N 2 -consuming bacterial strains were grown on a flat porous PP membrane (Celgard 2400) as well as on the PDD-TFE coated hollow fibers. Bacterial adhesion lowered the degassing capabilities of the flat membrane as well as the coated hollow fibers. The mass transfer coefficient in the hollow fiber module has been characterized vis-a-vis the flow rate dependence.
A Program Evaluation of Los Angeles ACORN's Welfare Case Advocacy

SUMMARY Bureaucratic confusion and client dissatisfaction since the 1996 changes in welfare policy opened opportunities for third party advocacy on behalf of welfare clients. This paper evaluates Los Angeles ACORN's case advocacy program for welfare clients. Outcomes analyzed include client satisfaction with ACORN's advocacy and effects of the program on welfare clients who later became ACORN members. Ninety-one percent of clients surveyed (N = 99) stated they were satisfied with the resolution of their welfare case complaint. Eighty-eight percent of respondents stated ACORN did a better job resolving their problem compared to the welfare department. Unique aspects of the program include peer advocacy and opportunities for welfare recipients to join ACORN and work on welfare policy changes among other issues.
On the temperature dependence of stacking fault energy in cubic and hexagonal silver–tin alloys

Measurements on extended dislocation nodes and double ribbons have been made between room temperature and 500°C using transmission electron microscopy. Two low stacking fault energy (SFE) alloys with compositions near the mixed phase region were principally studied; 9 at% Sn (f.c.c.) and 11.9 at% Sn (hexagonal). The SFE in the cubic alloy increased reversibly with increasing temperature from 270 up to 500°C; a corresponding decrease in SFE was observed in the hexagonal alloy. Both alloys showed a substantial irreversible change in faulted defect size upon annealing, comparing results in as-deformed specimens with those from material annealed above 270°C. The irreversible behavior is attributed to solute pinning of the partial dislocations. The dependence of SFE on composition throughout the f.c.c. and hexagonal phase regions is considered in light of these results. Es werden transmissionselektronenmikroskopische Messungen an ausgedehnten Versetzungsknoten und doppelten Bandern zwischen Zimmertemperatur und 500°C durchegefuhrt. Es werden hauptsachlich zwei Legierungen mit niedriger Stapelfehlerenergie (SFE) und einer Zusammensetzung in der Nahe des gemischten Phasenbereichs 9 At% Sn (k.f.z.) und 11,9 At% Sn (hexagonal), durchgefuhrt. Die SFE in der kubischen Legierung nimmt reversibel mit steigender Temperatur von 270 bis zu 500°C zu; eine entsprechende Abnahme der SFE wird in der hexagonalen Legierung beobachtet. Beide Legierungen zeigen eine wesentliche irreversible Anderung der Grose der Stapelfehler mit der Temperung, wenn man die Ergebnisse der ursprunglich verformten Proben mit denen von oberhalb 270°C getempertem Material vergleicht. Das irreversible Verhalten wird der Verankerung partieller Versetzungen zugeschrieben. Die Abhangigkeit der SFE von der Zusammensetzung uber den k.f.z. und hexagonalen Phasenbereich wird im Lichte dieser Ergebnisse diskutiert.
Wii Fit Balance Board Playing Improves Balance and Gait in Parkinson Disease

Objective To assess the effect of exercise training by using the Nintendo Wii Fit video game and balance board system on balance and gait in adults with Parkinson disease (PD). Design A prospective interventional cohort study. Setting An outpatient group exercise class. Participants Ten subjects with PD, Hoehn and Yahr stages 2.5 or 3, with a mean age of 67.1 years; 4 men, 6 women. Interventions The subjects participated in supervised group exercise sessions 3 times per week for 8 weeks by practicing 3 different Wii balance board games (marble tracking, skiing, and bubble rafting) adjusted for their individualized function level. The subjects trained for 10 minutes per game, a total of 30 minutes training per session. Main Outcome Measurements Pre-and postexercise training, a physical therapist evaluated subjects' function by using the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, and Sharpened Romberg with eyes open and closed. Postural sway was assessed at rest and with tracking tasks by using the Wii balance board. The subjects rated their confidence in balance by using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale and depression on the Geriatric Depression Scale. Results Balance as measured by the Berg Balance Scale improved significantly, with an increase of 3.3 points ( P = .016). The Dynamic Gait Index improved as well (mean increase, 2.8; P = .004), as did postural sway measured with the balance board (decreased variance in stance with eyes open by 31%; P = .049). Although the Sharpened Romberg with eyes closed increased by 6.85 points and with eyes opened by 3.3 points, improvements neared significance only for eyes closed ( P = .07 versus P = .188). There were no significant changes on patient ratings for the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (mean decrease, −1%; P = .922) or the Geriatric Depression Scale (mean increase, 2.2; P = .188). Conclusions An 8-week exercise training class by using the Wii Fit balance board improved selective measures of balance and gait in adults with PD. However, no significant changes were seen in mood or confidence regarding balance.
PRotEIn AnD PEPtIDE-BASED thERAPEUtIcS In PERIoDontAl REgEnERAtIon

Abstract Protein and peptide-based therapeutics provide a unique strategy for controlling highly specific and complex biologic actions that cannot be accomplished by simple devices or chemical compounds. This article reviews some of the key characteristics and summarizes the clinical effectiveness of protein and peptide-based therapeutics targeting periodontal regeneration. Evidence Acquisition: A literature search was conducted of randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews evaluating protein and peptide-based therapeutics for the regeneration of periodontal tissues of at least 6 months duration. Data sources included PubMed and Embase electronic databases, hand-searched journals, and the ClinicalTrials.gov registry. Evidence Synthesis: Commercially marketed protein and peptide-based therapeutics for periodontal regeneration provide gains in clinical attachment level and bone formation that are comparable or superior to other regenerative approaches. Results from several clinical trials indicate that protein and peptide-based therapies can accelerate repair and regeneration when compared with other treatments and that improvements in clinical parameters continue beyond 12 months. Protein and peptide-based therapies also exhibit the capacity to increase the predictability of treatment outcomes. Conclusions: Clinical and histologic studies support the effectiveness of protein- and peptide-based therapeutics for periodontal regeneration. Emerging evidence suggests that the delivery devices/scaffolds play a critical role in determining the effectiveness of this class of therapeutics.
Regeneration in the auditory system.

Abstract The auditory organs of birds and mammals normally stop producing sensory hair cells during embryonic development, so loss of those cells later in life results in hearing deficits that have been considered irreversible. In contrast to this, the ears of some fish and amphibians produce hair cells continuously throughout life and even increase in sensitivity. The lateral line organs in the skin of fish and aquatic amphibians also contain hair cells and have long been known to be replaceable through regeneration. Recently, it was discovered that after acoustic trauma or antibiotic poisoning, injured hair cells in the mature auditory organs of birds also could be replaced through regeneration. This is especially notable because it occurs in populations of cells that are mitotically quiescent in undamaged ears. More recent investigations have focused on identifying the cells that give rise to new hair cells during regeneration. In the lateral line organs of salamanders, timelapse video microscopy has revealed that surviving supporting cells divide to give rise to progeny that can differentiate either as hair cells or as supporting cells. Definitive identification of the progenitors of regenerated hair cells in the avian cochlea awaits further investigation, but evidence that points to two possible candidate cell types is discussed.
Isolation and characterization of ribosomal ribonucleic acid from the crustacean, Gecarcinus lateralis.

Methods for the isolation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from three crustacean tissue have been devised. These include precipitation of rRNA from total RNA preparations with 1M sodium chloride, to remove both melanin and ATP, or solubilization in buffer containing EDTA, to chelate Mg++ and Ca++ which, when present, form alcohol-insoluble complexes with ATP. By cosedimentation or gel electrophoresis with rRNA of known S20, w, the sedimentation constants of crab rRNA have been determined to be 28 S and 18 S. The base compositions of the 28 S and 18 S rRNA's have been determined. Muscle, midgut gland and epidermis have been found to have higher concentrations of rRNA in the premolt period than in the intermolt period, with the maxima corresponding to the periods of maximum protein synthesis. Premolt epidermis has the highest rRNA content of the three tissues.
Investigating the practices of student researchers: patterns of use and criteria for use of internet and library sources

Abstract For college writers, a key element of academic literacy is the ability to locate, select, evaluate, synthesize, and cite outside sources in their own writing. This study surveyed 543 college students to identify (a) their preferred criteria when evaluating Internet-based and library-based sources and (b) types of instruction students typically receive in evaluating those sources. Students writing research reports (63% of students) generally ranked most highly sources that were easy to use and easy to find, whether those sources were library-based or Internet-based ( r = 0.700, p
Mechanisms of amphotericin B-induced decrease in glomerular filtration rate in rats.

Mechanisms responsible for the reductions in renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in response to acute infusions of amphotericin B were investigated in vivo in rats. The influence of salt status and the roles of adenosine, cyclic AMP, and calcium influx were examined. Amphotericin B was infused into the renal artery in seven groups of rats at 0.025 mg/kg of body weight per min for 15 min. RBF and GFR were measured over 15 min before, during, and after the infusion. Control rats were maintained on a normal salt diet; a second group of rats received a salt-depleted diet, and a third group received a high-salt intake. Four other groups were kept on a normal diet and received theophylline (0.5 mumol/kg/min into the renal artery, intra-arterially [i.a.]), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (85 micrograms/min, i.a.), the 59-nucleotidase inhibitor adenosine alpha,beta-methylene diphosphate (4 mg/kg, intramuscularly), or diltiazem (20 micrograms/kg/min, i.a.). Control rats had a prompt 50% decrease in RBF in response to amphotericin B. This was sustained over the 15-min infusion period and was accompanied by a decrease in creatinine clearance (CLCR) (from 0.83 +/- 0.08 to 0.40 +/- 0.09 ml/min; P less than 0.05). On stopping the infusion, RBF returned quickly to baseline but CLCR continued to decrease further (to 0.35 +/- 0.07 ml/min; P less than 0.05). Salt loading, theophylline, and diltiazem administration prevented the decreases in both RBF and CLCR. Both RBF and CLCR responses in the remaining groups were not significantly different from those in controls. The results of this study reveal a protective effect of salt loading and theophylline against amphotericin B nephrotoxicity in the rat but deny a role for adenosine in mediating these effects. They further suggest that theophylline inhibits the acute responses by a mechanism unrelated to either adenosine receptor blockade or phosphodiesterase inhibition and that calcium influx into the cells is probably responsible for the acute changes in RBF and GFR in response to amphotericin B.
Hospital-wide surveillance: Perspective for the practitioner

Abstract Hospitals with limited resources need to develop priorities and might consider directing their surveillance efforts in the critical care areas. Once surveillance in these areas has been completed, the practitioner can focus attention on other areas of the hospital, including in-service activities. The preliminary report of the CDC's study of the efficacy of nosocomial infection control (SENIC study) showed a direct correlation between the level of in-service activities and subsequent infection rates. In conclusion, goals for a cost effective surveillance system program should reflect (1) priority areas for surveillance, (2) decision as to what information needs reporting, and (3) effective utilization of data to direct preventive efforts and outbreak investigation.
A path analysis interpretation of consumer decision‐making under conditions of potential risk

This study investigates consumer decision-making processes under conditions of potential risk to personal safety. Potential risk was defined as the individual's subjective interpretation of the likelihood of exposure to hazard or danger and their estimation of the consequences of such exposure. The main concerns were to determine under what conditions consumers would choose a flame resistant apparel item over a non-flame resistant apparel item and to discover the amount of money consumers were willing to pay for the flame resistant (FR) characteristic in apparel. A model of the expected decision process was developed. The variables in the model were (i) internal/external (I/E) control (x1), (ii) awareness of flame-resistant facts (x2), (iii) perceived risk (x3), (iv) buying goals (x4), and (v) willingness to pay for the FR characteristic. Data used to test the hypothesized relationships among the variables were collected from 136 mothers of pre-school-age children. Path analysis interpretations revealed that the following were the most salient variables affecting the consumer's willingness to pay: (i) perceived risk of clothing-burn injuries; (ii) consumer's feelings of I/E control; and (iii) FR safety as a buying goal.
Foucauldian Diagnostics: Space, Time, and the Metaphysics of Medicine

This essay places Foucault's work into a philosophical context, recognizing that Foucault is difficult to place and demonstrates that Foucault remains in the Kantian tradition of philosophy, even if he sits at the margins of that tradition. For Kant, the forms of intuition-space and time-are the a priori conditions of the possibility of human experience and knowledge. For Foucault, the a priori conditions are political space and historical time. Foucault sees political space as central to understanding both the subject and objects of medicine, psychiatry, and the social sciences. Through this analysis one can see that medicine's metaphysics is a metaphysics of efficient causation, where medicine's objects are subjected to mechanisms of efficient control.
A Modular Product Design Approach with Key Components Consideration to Improve Sustainability

Modular product design (MPD) has attracted significant attention. The concept of sustainability has also received attention in view of the intensifying demands concerning environmental issues. Because the way a product or system is modularized can have implications on its sustainability, investigating MPD and sustainability jointly is important. To this intended joint investigation, we add the concept of a product’s key components. Mostly, product competitiveness depends strongly on a few key components; thus, we should logically design products with a concentrated consideration of their key components. However, to the best of our knowledge, only scant research addresses key components. Developing an optimal MPD method, which incorporates key components specification, is the primary motivation for this research. In this paper, we provide a sustainable modular product design approach. A graph-based clustering algorithm is offered to cluster components into modules. A module structure sustainability index (MSSI) is used to find an optimal sustainability module structure. A coffee maker case study is used to illustrate the proposed methodology.
Differences in Caregiving: Does Residence Matter?

Many rural residents require care as they age, but the stress associated with providing care to dependent elders may be exacerbated in nonmetropolitan areas due to the lack of formal services. To better understand residential variation in caregiver outcomes, a random-digit telephone survey was conducted in 2004 with 219 metropolitan, 77 micropolitan, and 104 nonmetropolitan West Virginia caregivers. Residential differences were not detected for caregiver well-being outcomes of burden and depressive symptomatology. However, nonmetropolitan caregivers reported more medical conditions than caregivers in other residential categories. Taken together, findings of this study do not support the notion that rural residence always places caregivers at risk for negative outcomes.
Making Adaptations for Mainstreamed Students: General Classroom Teachers' Perspectives

This study sought to determine teachers' perceptions of the desirability and feasibility of adaptations for mainstreamed students in their general education classes. Of particular interest was how teachers of different grade levels would respond to adaptations. Elementary (n = 25), middle school (n = 23), and high school (n = 45) teachers rated both the desirability and feasibility of 30 items on the Adaptation Evaluation Instrument (AEI) on a Likert-type scale. The 30 items represented adaptations derived from two sources, (1) a review of literature and (2) transcripts from a series of focused group interviews. Results indicated statistically significant differences between the mean desirability and feasibility ratings of each inventory item, with all adaptations perceived as more desirable than feasible. Surprisingly few differences between grade groupings surfaced. Findings are discussed in light of teacher preferences for various adaptations.
Optimum activity levels of /sup 15/O-water to map human brain function with the ECAT HR+

The ability of the [15-O] water PET activation technique to localize statistically significant changes in regional cerebral blood flow is dependent on activity injected and task performed. Statistically insignificant changes may occur if insufficient activity is injected, of the task results in an undetectable change in blood flow. For a given PET scanner and level of injected activity, increasing the cognitive load of a task may result in larger blood flow changes. In a series of studies with the EXACT HR+, a state-of-the-art high resolution PET tomograph, the authors explored the relationship between injected activity and the statistical significance attained with a cognitive task that imposed increasing working memory demand. Activity levels of 8-15 mCi are typically injected to optimize HR+ performance in 3D. For this study, 5 mCi, 10 mCi and 15 mCi of [15-O] water were injected into seven normal volunteers. At each activity level the volunteers were required to perform four different N-back tasks in which a letter displayed on a TV monitor is matched with the letter displayed N letters previously. With increasing N, this task places increased load on working memory. The complete sequence of four tasks (N=0, 1, 2, 3) at three activity levels was repeated twice, for a total of 24 injections. The authors show that robust activation maps can be obtained with as little as 5 mCi injected dose, even though the maximum noise equivalent count rate for the HR+ is attained at injected activity levels of [15-O] water in excess of 15 mCi.