cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation, Characterization, And High Throughput Extracellular Flux Analysis of Mouse Primary Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells

Mitochondrial dysfunction in the renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) can lead to renal fibrosis, a major cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, assessing mitochondrial function in primary TECs may provide valuable insight into the bioenergetic status of the cells, providing insight into the pathophysiology of CKD. While there are a number of complex protocols available for the isolation and purification of proximal tubules in different species, the field lacks a cost-effective method optimized for tubular cell isolation without the need for purification. Here, we provide an isolation protocol that allows for studies focusing on both primary mouse proximal and distal renal TECs. In addition to cost-effective reagents and minimal animal procedures required in this protocol, the isolated cells maintain high energy levels after isolation and can be sub-cultured up to four passages, allowing for continuous studies. Furthermore, using a high throughput extracellular flux analyzer, we assess the mitochondrial respiration directly in the isolated TECs in a 96-well plate for which we provide recommendations for the optimization of cell density and compound concentration. These observations suggest that this protocol can be used for renal tubular ex vivo studies with a consistent, well-standardized production of renal TECs. This protocol may have broader future applications to study mitochondrial dysfunction associated with renal disorders for drug discovery or drug characterization purposes.
Microstructural Refinement and Mechanical Property Improvement of Copper and Copper-AL2O3 Specimens Processed by Equal Channel Angular Extrusion (ECAE)

Pure copper and copper alloys containing different volume fractions of nano size A1203 dispersoids were processed by ECAE at 25–250°C, annealed at 25–500°C, and microstructural refinement and mechanical property improvement were studied. In samples processed by ECAE to strains of 5, hardness values increased by 100% in copper specimens and 40–50% in Cu-Al203 specimens. A drastic increase in hardness was observed after a strain of 1, and hardness values leveled off beyond a strain of 2. Samples were annealed at 25–500°C, to determine the extent of recovery of hardness values. In ECAE processed copper samples, significant reduction in hardness occurred between 100–200°C, and higher temperature annealing resulted in hardness values close to the values before ECAE processing. However, in Cu-Al203 specimens, the increased hardness was maintained in samples annealed at as high as 500°C. Strength and ductility values determined from 3 point bend tests showed strength values of 150–200 MPa for copper and 650–800 MPa for Cu-Al203 samples with excellent ductility in copper as well as Cu-Al203 samples. The observed results were analyzed in terms of the magnitudes of strengthening contributions from dislocation substructure, fine grains, and incoherent dispersoids.
TEM Characterization of Metallic Nanocatalysts

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, including scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM); X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS); electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS); selected area (SA), nano-beam (NB), and convergent-beam (CB) electron diffraction (ED); electron tomography (ET); and electron holography, are powerful in characterizing metallic nanocatalysts at both high spatial resolution (∼0.05 nm) and high energy resolution (∼0.1 eV). This chapter will review recently published results on the relationship between the structure and catalytic properties of metallic catalysts from the prospective of electron microscopy. As there already exist excellent books and reviews giving insights into the different TEM techniques [1–6], this chapter will avoid in-depth discussions on electron microscopy techniques and tune its focus toward the application of (S)TEM on metallic nanocatalysts, especially on key issues of structural and chemical characterization; it will also introduce the recent developments in in situ environmental TEM techniques. I sincerely hope that this chapter would be of help to those researchers who come from a background of materials or chemistry and who are interested in the application of TEM characterization. Within such limited space, this chapter could not be exhaustive in covering all TEM-related publications, but would instead put an emphasis on those works published in the last 5 years that are of significant value.
Three Design Dimensions of Secure Embedded Systems

This contribution explores the design dimensions, the primary quality factors of a design, of secure embedded systems design. Design dimensions define the design space, and they enable a designer to distinguish a high-quality design from a low-quality design. Besides well-known dimensions such as performance and flexibility, secure embedded systems design introduces a new one: risk, or the potential for loss. Risk is on equal footing with flexibility and performance. The design challenges for risk cannot be met by optimizing for performance or flexibility alone. Hence, secure-embedded system design requires a trade-off between flexibility, performance, and risk. We illustrate this trade-off for each pair of factors through several driver applications, including parallel cryptography, integration of physical unclonable functions and side-channel countermeasures.
Comparison of Urban Development and Management Model of USA and China

There are significant differences in the urban development pattern between China and United States of America (USA). Factors such as social background, history, population size and distribution all have great influence on urban development model and management of the city.
Labeling of Phosphatidylinositol Lipid Products in Cells through Metabolic Engineering by Using a Clickable myo‐Inositol Probe

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) lipids control critical biological processes, so aberrant biosynthesis often leads to disease. As a result, the capability to track the production and localization of these compounds in cells is vital for elucidating their complex roles. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and application of clickable myo-inositol probe 1 a for bioorthogonal labeling of PI products. To validate this platform, we initially conducted PI synthase assays to show that 1 a inhibits PI production in vitro. Fluorescence microscopy experiments next showed probe-dependent imaging in T-24 human bladder cancer and Candida albicans cells. Growth studies in the latter showed that replacement of myo-inositol with probe 1 a led to an enhancement in cell growth. Finally, fluorescence-based TLC analysis and mass spectrometry experiments support the labeling of PI lipids. This approach provides a promising means for tracking the complex biosynthesis and trafficking of these lipids in cells.
Interleukin-10 as a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events in a racially and ethnically diverse population: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Abstract Purpose To understand if baseline levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) are associated with either subclinical atherosclerosis or risk for adverse cardiovascular (CV) events. Methods The study included 930 adults from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) ancillary Stress Study. Participants, age 48–90 years at enrollment, were followed for an average of 10.2 years. IL-10 level was measured at the initial Stress Study visit. Cardiovascular outcomes were defined as composite CV death, myocardial infarction, stroke, stroke death, and resuscitated cardiac arrest. Coronary calcification was determined by Agatston coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. The association between IL-10 level and CV event risk was evaluated by Cox proportional hazard modeling, while that of IL-10 level and CAC presence and amount was determined with prevalence risk ratio (PRR) and linear regression modeling, respectively. Models were adjusted for CV risk factors and proinflammatory biomarkers. Results After full adjustment, IL-10 level did not predict CV events (HR 1.19, 95%CI 0.89, 1.60) and was not associated with CAC prevalence (PRR 1.00, 95%CI 0.94, 1.07), nor amount of CAC in those with nonzero CAC (β -0.01, 95%CI -0.23, 0.21). Conclusion In individuals without clinical heart disease, baseline IL-10 level appears unrelated to risk of CV events and is a poor marker of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.
Prompt fission neutron anisotropy in low-multiplying subcritical plutonium metal assemblies

Abstract Fission neutron anisotropy, due to the kinematics of the fission process, has been studied for non-multiplying sources and highly multiplying subcritical plutonium metal assemblies (i.e. relatively long fission chains). The studies on highly multiplying assemblies show that the observed neutron–neutron angular distribution appear isotropic, while the studies on non-multiplying sources show that the neutron–neutronangular distribution appear anisotropic. No measured data exists, however, that investigates the dependence of neutron anisotropy on multiplication for low-multiplying assemblies. We have experimentally characterized the dependence of fission neutron anisotropy on multiplication for low-multiplying plutonium metal assemblies. Here, an array of 16 organic scintillators was used to measure plutonium metal assemblies (95% 239 Pu, by mass) exhibiting a leakage multiplication of 1.0722(3) to 1.6006(4). Full neutron–neutron angular distributions were measured, and the fission neutron anisotropy was quantified with the ratio of neutron–neutron coincidences observed at 180°and 90°. The results show that the neutron–neutron angular distribution becomes more isotropic as the multiplication increases. Additionally, energy–angle correlations were also characterized showing that the angular distributions are more anisotropic when observing neutrons of higher energy.
The efficacy of zero valent iron-sand filtration on the reduction of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes in surface water for use in irrigation

Abstract The use of surface and recycled water sources for irrigation can reduce demand on critical groundwater resources. Treatment or mitigation may be necessary for the use of these alternative water sources in order to reduce risk associated with microbial pathogens present in the water. In this study, the efficacy of a zero-valent iron (ZVI) sand filter was assessed for the reduction of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli in surface water. Water recovered from an agricultural pond was inoculated with E. coli TVS353 and an environmental L. monocytogenes isolate at 7 Log10 CFU/mL and horizontally filtered over a six-month period through a PVC pipe filter, filled with 35%:65% (volume:volume) ZVI:sand or sand alone. Filtered water was used to irrigate lettuce and bacterial persistence on lettuce leaves was determined for 7 days post-irrigation. Both ZVI:sand-filtered water and sand-filtered water contained significantly (p
Tart cherry consumption with or without prior exercise increases antioxidant capacity and decreases triglyceride levels following a high-fat meal

Exercise and high-phytonutrient foods may lower oxidative stress and increase antioxidant levels, which could combat the negative effects associated with a high-fat (HF) meal. The objective of this...
Asynchronous discussion forum design to support cognition: effects of rubrics and instructor prompts on learner’s critical thinking, achievement, and satisfaction

The purpose of this study was to test the effects of two metacognitive scaffolds on learners’ cognition by evaluating student critical thinking skills performance in an asynchronous discussion board and achievement in a blended learning module. The two scaffolds included a systematic protocol for individualized facilitation prompts and an analytic rubric with three criteria (critical thinking, participation frequency, and writing quality) along with four levels of achievement for each criterion. This research study employed a quasi-experimental, two-by-two factorial design. The study participants (N = 257) were assigned to one of four different conditions. Those provided with the rubric scaffold demonstrated significant differences with respect to their performances. However, the combination of both metacognitive scaffolds had a detrimental effect on learner performance. Additionally, learners reported higher satisfaction levels with the module when presented only with the rubric scaffold. Based on these results, the implications are discussed for those who design, facilitate, and manage asynchronous discussions and blended learning environments.
Uncritical lovers and unloving critics. Comments on subspecialty education in gastroenterology.

The orientation, nature, and duration of training programs in gastroenterology are in flux. Although the direction gastroenterology and its associated training programs should take has been discussed at length by the teachers and practitioners, none of the content of these conversations has appeared in print. Moreover, the “silent generation,” now in training, has never been heard.
Scaffold-hopping as a strategy to address metabolic liabilities of aromatic compounds

Understanding and minimizing oxidative metabolism of aromatic compounds is a key hurdle in lead optimization. Metabolic processes not only clear compounds from the body, but they can also transform parent compounds into reactive metabolites. One particularly useful strategy when addressing metabolically labile or oxidation-prone structures is scaffold-hopping. Replacement of an aromatic system with a more electron-deficient ring system can often increase robustness towards cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation while conserving the structural requirements of the pharmacophore. The most common example of this substitution strategy, replacement of a phenyl ring with a pyridyl substituent, is prevalent throughout the literature; however scaffold-hopping encompasses a much wider scope of heterocycle replacement. This review will showcase recent examples where different scaffold-hopping approaches were used to reduce metabolic clearance or block the formation of reactive metabolites. Additionally, we will highlight considerations that should be made to garner the most benefit from a scaffold-hopping strategy for lead optimization.
Chronic Viral Hepatitis: Current Management and Future Directions

The past decade has seen transformation in the strategies for identifying and managing viral hepatitis, most dramatically the transformation of hepatitis C virus from a mostly chronic affliction to a curable disease that is accessible to wide populations through direct-acting antiviral therapies. More recently, shifting of hepatitis C virus burden to younger patients driven by intravenous drug use has shaped screening recommendations. Future work focusing on effective screening, linkage to care, treatment initiation, and post-cure management will allow countries to work toward meeting goals of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat. Concurrently, hepatitis B virus has also seen advances in management using oral nucleos(t)ide therapies with high-resistance barriers. However, virologic cure remains elusive in the setting of viral genetic persistence within the hepatocyte nucleus, even with suppressive antiviral therapy. Future directions include a refined definition of "cure," new biomarkers, and development of therapies targeting multiple pathways in the viral pathogenic and replication pathway. Progress is additionally being made on the management of hepatitis D infection. This review summarizes the recent evolution in disease characteristics, associated affected population, and changes in our understanding of management for these infections. We also discuss future directions in the management of viral hepatitis, including discussion on issues related to management before and after antiviral therapy. Conclusion: We summarize recent advances in the identification and management of viral hepatitis, which hold the potential to markedly reduce disease burden and therefore associated liver-related complications. However further work is needed to adequately identify and manage these diseases.
Mechanistic insight on transfer rate of the polar organic compounds through the polyethersulfone membrane.

Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers (POCIS) with two supporting polyethersulfone (PES) membranes and a strong adsorbent in between are frequently used to determine the concentrations of polar organic contaminants in the aqueous environment. The solute transfer rate (SRs) through PES is a key parameter affecting the critical membrane/water partitioning coefficient (Rmw) of polar organic molecules, which in turn affects the concentration of these molecules on the adsorbent and the accuracy of POCIS measurement. However, information on SRs and Rmw in the literature is very limited. Prolonged use of POCIS in the measurement of organic compounds may lead to membrane fouling by the retained organic compounds. The relationship between the properties of the polar organic compounds and their different accumulation behaviors in POCIS is not yet clear. This study aimed to measuring the solute transfer rate of four polar organic compounds (atrazine, caffeine, ibuprofen, and atenolol). The results indicated that atrazine had the highest SR of 0.49 mL day−1. Both caffeine and atenolol had an SRs of approximately 0.3 mL day−1. Ibuprofen had the lowest SR of 0.23 mL day−1. The results further revealed that the tendency of the organic solutes to adsorb onto interstitial spaces of the PES polymer was associated with their hydrophobicity and molecular structures.
Absorption of 5G Radiation in Brain Tissue as a Function of Frequency, Power and Time

The rapid release of 5G wireless communications networks has spurred renewed concerns regarding the interactions of higher radiofrequency (RF) radiation with living species. We examine RF exposure and absorption in ex vivo bovine brain tissue and a brain simulating gel at three frequencies: 1.9 GHz, 4 GHz and 39 GHz that are relevant to current (4G), and upcoming (5G) spectra. We introduce a highly sensitive thermal method for the assessment of radiation exposure, and derive experimentally, accurate relations between the temperature rise (ΔT), specific absorption rate (SAR) and the incident power density (F), and tabulate the coefficients, ΔT/ΔF and Δ(SAR)/ΔF, as a function of frequency, depth and time. This new method provides both ΔT and SAR applicable to the frequency range below and above 6 GHz as shown at 1.9, 4 and 39 GHz, and demonstrates the most sensitive experimental assessment of brain tissue exposure to millimeter-wave radiation to date, with a detection limit of 1 mW. We examine the beam penetration, absorption and thermal diffusion at representative 4G and 5G frequencies and show that the RF heating increases rapidly with frequency due to decreasing RF source wavelength and increasing power density with the same incident power and exposure time. We also show the temperature effects of continuous wave, rapid pulse sequences and single pulses with varying pulse duration, and we employ electromagnetic modeling to map the field distributions in the tissue. Finally, using this new methodology, we measure the thermal diffusivity of ex vivo bovine brain tissue experimentally.
The Metaphysical Logic of the Siddhis, Mystic Powers, in Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra

Recent work has clearly established the fundamental place of the siddhis in almost all Indic mokṣa traditions. This paper seeks to excavate a fundamental metaphysical dimension to this phenomenon, by excavating the philosophical logic of these claims from within the contours of Sāṃkhya metaphysics as expressed in the Yoga Sūtras of Patanjali. It will set out to provide a coherent explanation of how these siddhis are not only an inherent ingredient of yogic discourse, but a logical and perhaps inevitable corollary of the parameters of this metaphysics. It will thus take the issue further than a mere recognition of the centrality of the siddhis to yogic practice and discourse by laying out the sequential metaphysics underpinning them, and hence arguing that siddhis are not only fundamental and intrinsic to the Sāṃkhya/Yoga tradition, but an essential by-product of its metaphysical presuppositions.
Study of Electric Field Enhancement Caused by Debris on Laser Optics (Withdrawal Notice)

This presentation, originally published on 11 September 2020, was withdrawn per author request.
Understanding Learners’ Challenges and Scaffolding their Ill-structured Problem Solving in a Technology-Supported Self-Regulated Learning Environment

The purpose of this chapter is to understand learners’ challenges in ill-structured problem solving and identify effective strategies and tools to scaffold their problem-solving processes. The following goals serve to organize the chapter: (1) presenting an updated expert model of ill-structured problem solving based on a critical synthesis of ill-structured problem-solving literature, (2) identifying learner challenges in the ill-structured problem-solving processes by comparing their performance with the expert model, (3) proposing a scaffolding framework with strategies and tools to address various learner challenges. The scaffolding strategies and tools will be discussed in two parts: designing a learning environment with hard scaffolding strategies and tools to address key challenges encountered by learners and facilitating learners’ problem-solving processes through soft scaffolding provided by the teacher/expert and peers. It is hoped that this chapter will shed light on instructional design and classroom practice in supporting learners’ endeavor to solve ill-structured problems.
Closing the Brief Case: Cough in an Immunocompromised Patient.

1. An organism grows well on chocolate agar but poorly or not at all on blood agar. What is the first mandatory step when a Gram stain reveals a tiny, Gram-negative coccobacillus? Answer: a. Because the list of potential microorganisms includes Brucella and Francisella , it is required to
Immunological memory to SARS-CoV-2 assessed for greater than six months after infection

ABSTRACT Understanding immune memory to SARS-CoV-2 is critical for improving diagnostics and vaccines, and for assessing the likely future course of the pandemic. We analyzed multiple compartments of circulating immune memory to SARS-CoV-2 in 185 COVID-19 cases, including 41 cases at ≥6 months post-infection. Spike IgG was relatively stable over 6+ months. Spike-specific memory B cells were more abundant at 6 months than at 1 month. SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells declined with a half-life of 3-5 months. By studying antibody, memory B cell, CD4+ T cell, and CD8+ T cell memory to SARS-CoV-2 in an integrated manner, we observed that each component of SARS-CoV-2 immune memory exhibited distinct kinetics.
Alien vs predator play hide and seek: How habitat complexity alters parasite mediated host survival

Abstract Parasites can greatly affect the behavior of their hosts, influencing how they respond to biotic and abiotic factors within their communities. Some parasites are particularly impactful, causing significant reproductive and behavioral changes in hosts relative to uninfected conspecifics. In eastern North America, a non-native parasitic barnacle, Loxothylacus panopaei (Gissler, 1884), has severe reproductive impacts on native panopeid mud crab hosts, resulting in castration. Moreover, the parasite has been documented to induce significant behavioral changes, such as reducing mud crab activity, influencing predator-prey relationships, and enhancing hiding behaviors in infected host crabs. Yet much remains to be understood regarding the host's ability to escape predators in heterogeneous environments. We investigated the effects of L.panopaei parasitism on mud crab (flatback mud crab, Eurypanopeus depressus (Smith, 1869)) survival in simple versus complex habitats. In lab mesocosm experiments, habitat heterogeneity was manipulated using oysters and gravel, and predatory pressures came from two common predatory crabs in southeast Atlantic estuaries: the Atlantic mud crab, Panopeus herbstii (H. Milne Edwards 1884) and the stone crab, Menippe mercenaria (Say, 1818). We found L.panopaei-infected E. depressus crabs to have the lowest survival rates in the simple gravel habitat, while the crabs with the highest survival were uninfected crabs in the complex oyster habitat. Moreover, we detected differences between uninfected and infected crabs in habitat usage (oyster versus gravel) within the complex habitat. This study demonstrates the complexity of predator-prey dynamics in the face of impactful parasitism and global change, including the introductions of species to new communities where they may have strong impacts on host populations and community interactions.
Tofacitinib Therapy in Children and Young Adults With Pediatric-onset Medically Refractory Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objectives Tofacitinib, a selective Janus kinase inhibitor, effectively induces and maintains remission in adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but data are limited in children. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib for medically refractory pediatric-onset IBD. Methods This single-center retrospective study included subjects ages 21 years and younger who started tofacitinib for medically refractory IBD. Clinical activity indices, clinical response, steroid-free remission, biochemical response, and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated over 52 weeks. Results Twenty-one subjects, 18 with ulcerative colitis or indeterminate IBD, received tofacitinib. At the end of the 12-week induction period, 9 out of 21 (42.9%) subjects showed clinical response and 7 out of 21 (33.3%) were in steroid-free remission. Of evaluable subjects at 52 weeks, 7 out of 17 (41.2%) showed clinical response and were in steroid-free remission. Of those remaining on tofacitinib at 1 year, none required concomitant systemic corticosteroids. Tofacitinib was discontinued in 8 subjects because of refractory disease, including 8 who ultimately underwent colectomy, and in 1 subject who developed a sterile intra-abdominal abscess. There were no instances of thrombi, zoster reactivation, or clinically significant hyperlipidemia, all of which were AEs of interest. Conclusions There is limited experience with tofacitinib in pediatric IBD. In this cohort, tofacitinib induced rapid clinical response with sustained efficacy in nearly half of subjects. This study provides encouraging evidence for the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib as part of the treatment paradigm for young individuals with moderate-to-severe IBD. Larger, well-powered, prospective studies are warranted.
SILO: A Computational Method for Detecting Copy Number Gain in Clinical Specimens Analyzed on a Next-Generation Sequencing Platform

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has proved to be a beneficial approach for genotyping solid tumor specimens and for identifying clinically actionable mutations. However, copy number variations (CNVs), which can be equally important, are often challenging to detect from NGS data. Current bioinformatics methods for CNV detection from NGS often require comparison of tumor/normal pairs and/or the sequencing of whole genome or whole exome. These approaches are currently impractical for routine clinical practice. However, clinical practice does involve repeated use of the same gene panel on a large number of specimens over a long period of time. We take advantage of this repetitiveness and present SILO: a procedure for CNV detection based on NGS on a gene panel. The SILO algorithm analyzes coverage depth of the aligned reads from a sample and predicts CNV by comparing this depth to the average depth seen in a large training set of other samples. Such comparison is robust and can reliably detect copy number gain, although it is found to be unreliable in detecting copy number losses. Successful validation of SILO on NGS data from the Ion Torrent platform with two panels is presented: a small hotspot panel and a larger cancer gene panel.
Isolating trace fission product elements in separated plutonium for applications in nuclear forensics

A chemical methodology has been selected to isolate and concentrate select trace fission product (FP) elements from separated Pu for nuclear forensics. The methodology employs several different resins and eluents to chromatographically separate U and the FP elements of interest into their own fractions. The U, rare-earth element, Cs, and Ba fractions were isolated with relative yields of ≥ 73.8%, ≥ 80.7%, ≥ 98.5%, and ≥ 98.0%, respectively. The methodology was able to successively isolate select FP elements on the order of 10–10 g out of much larger samples of Pu.
Pitting Caused by Chlorides or Sulfates in Organic Media

The pitting behavior of titanium and titanium alloys, pure nickel, aluminum 6061, ano stainless steel Type 304 has been studied using electrochemical techniques in methanol in the presence of sulfates or chlorides. An important factor is the water content of these solutions. In anhydrous solutions of methanol and hydrochloric acid (HCl), passivation cannot occur for titanium and high corrosion rates are observed. Addition of water at a concentration as low as 0.6 percent leads to passivation. The passive region is limited to noble potentials by the pitting potential which, up to 2.5 percent water, increases linearly with water content and is more or less independent of water content for higher concentrations. Similar observations are made for methanol containing sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ). Aluminum 6061 suffers from severe pitting when polarized anodically in methanol with 0.1 or 1.0 N H 2 SO 4 . Pitting was observed also for nickel after anodic polarization experiments in 2 N H 2 SO 4 in methyl alcohol (CH 3 OH). Iron, on the other hand, could not be passivated and pitting, therefore, did not occur. Pitting occurred for stainless steel Type 304 in 0.1 N H 2 SO 4 in CH 3 OH at rather noble potentials in the transpassive region. These results indicate that the solvent can have a large influence on the pitting susceptibility of metals. Titanium is very resistant in aqueous media, but shows pitting behavior similar to aluminum in organic media. It is also found that sulfates which do not cause pitting in aqueous media, where they even might be used as inhibitors, cause severe pitting in organic media for certain materials. Perchlorates have also been found to induce pitting in methanol. Phosphates lead to passivation by formation of a film of high electronic resistance. While pitting occurs on titanium in methanol containing 0.1 N H 2 SO 4 , no localized attack was observed under the same conditions in ethanol, ethylene glycol, or isopropanol.
Hedonic Information Systems: Acceptance of Social Networking Websites

Current models of technology acceptance assume that there is a productivity gain that accompanies technology use. But hedonic information systems that are designed for entertainment or social networking purposes do not produce these same gains. This study proposes a new research model for the acceptance of hedonic information systems in order to explain user intentions. A preliminary qualitative study was conducted to validate the proposed model.
Determinants of balance confidence in community-dwelling elderly people.

Background and Purpose. The fear of falling can have detrimental effects on physical function in the elderly population, but the relationship between a persons' confidence in the ability to maintain balance and actual balance ability and functional mobility is not known. The extent to which balance confidence can be explained by balance performance, functional mobility, and sociodemographic, psychosocial, and health-related factors was the focus of this study. Subjects. The subjects were 50 community-dwelling elderly people, aged 65 to 95 years (X=81.7, SD=6.7). Methods. Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale. Functional mobility was measured using the Timed Up & Go Test. The Activities-specific Balance Scale was used to assess balance confidence. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, multiple regression analysis, and t tests. Results. Fifty-seven percent of the variance in balance confidence could be explained by balance performance. Functional mobility and subject characteristics examined in this study did not contribute to balance confidence. Discussion and Conclusion. Balance performance alone is a strong determinant of balance confidence in community-dwelling elderly people.
Global Land Databases for Environmental Analyses

Global land databases present the area, spatial extent, location, and patterns of land characteristics. Land cover, the natural and artificial materials on the land surface, is the most widely available and used land data theme, but soils and elevation global databases are also found. These land data sets are key inputs to many global and regional environmental models and provide a means to parameterize key landscape processes used in studies of climate and meteorology, atmospheric chemistry, ecological dynamics, hydrology, and resource management.
A new actuator for on-orbit inspection

Can you move along a surface in space without propellant or mechanical contact? This paper presents a new actuator, the induction coupler, which generates an eddy-current force between a robotic inspector and the conductive exterior of its target. This force allows the inspector to crawl along the surface of a target without mechanical contact. Sets of induction couplers composed of spinning arrays of permanent magnets can exert control force and torque in all six rigid-body degrees of freedom by strategically repelling and shearing across the surface of the target. This paper uses an analytical model of eddy-current forces to simulate the set of maneuvers necessary to produce the control force and torque that can move and orient a robotic orbital inspector. Experiments on a low-friction test bed demonstrate a successful implementation of the actuator and verify the feasibility of this approach.
THE CONSISTENCY, EXTENT, AND LOCATIONS OF EARLY-ONSET CHANGES IN CORTICAL NERVE DOMINANCE AGGREGATES FOLLOWING INJURY OF NERVES TO PRIMATE HANDS

The somatosensory cortex of primates contains patch- and bandlike aggregates of neurons that are dominantly activated by cutaneous inputs from the radial, median, and ulnar nerves to the hand. In the present study, the area 3b hand cortex of adult monkeys was mapped immediately before and after combined median and ulnar nerve transection to evaluate the consistency, extent, and location of early post-injury alterations in the deprived median and ulnar nerve cortical bands. Several alterations were observed acutely after injury. (1) The patchlike cortical aggregates of intact radial nerve inputs from the hand underwent a two- to three-fold expansion. This expansion was not related to peripheral changes in the radial nerve skin territory, but was due to rapid central decompression of radial nerve dominance patches. (2) The largest changes involved patches in lateral to central locations of the hand map. (3) The expanded patches occupied cortical zones that were activated by inputs from the digits, palm, and posterior hand prior to injury. These receptive field shifts were initiated within minutes after injury. (4) Receptive fields of neurons within expanded radial nerve patches were normal in size. (5) Besides changes involving radial nerve inputs from the hand, there was a small expansion of forelimb inputs into the preinjury hand cortex; however, the representation of face inputs did not expand into this cortex. (6) Finally, neurons across 50–69% of the hand cortex were unresponsive to tactile stimuli acutely after this injury. These findings indicate that the distribution patterns of nerve dominance aggregates in adult primates begin changing within minutes after nerve injury. Cortical changes involving specific inputs occupy similar extents and locations of cortex, and are arranged in highly consistent patterns, in different individuals. It is suggested that this consistency reflects specific patterns of central sensitization or disinhibition that are triggered by the injury.
21 Modeling microbial-epithelial interactions in the intestine

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on modeling microbial-epithelial interactions in the intestine. The intestinal epithelium is one of the major interfaces with the outside world. This interface is very heavily colonized with gram-negative bacteria and yet permits absorption of life-sustaining nutrients while protecting the tissues below from microbial onslaught. Some of the mechanisms by which the intestinal epithelium can successfully accomplish such seemingly mutually exclusive functions have begun to be elucidated, in part, because the development of reductionist cell culture models. Such models allow well-defined manipulation of experimental parameters while maintaining many of the key aspects of intestinal physiology especially with regard to bacterial-epithelial interactions. The chapter discusses these model systems and outlines many of the techniques that can be used with these systems to study bacterial-epithelial interactions in the intestine. Bacteria interact quite differently with polarized versus non-polarized epithelial cells. Furthermore, bacteria can interact quite differently with the apical versus the basolateral membranes of polarized epithelia.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF EPINEPHRINE AND GLUCAGON TO LIVER PHOSPHORYLASE IV. EFFECT OF EPINEPHRINE AND GLUCAGON ON THE REACTIVATION OF PHOSPHORYLASE IN LIVER HOMOGENATES

This article by Rall, Sutherland, and Berthet on hormone action in cell-free homogenates announced the discovery of the biological activity of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The article influenced much of the subsequent research on hormone action, including the Rodbell's work.
College Expectations for All? The Early Adult Outcomes of Low-Achieving Adolescents Who Expect to Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Critics of the college-for-all ethos argue that it encourages low-achieving adolescents to develop unrealistically high expectations. This argument posits that low-achievers waste time and money, and risk disappointment and self-recrimination, pursuing college when they are unlikely to complete it. The present study uses two national data sets—Add Health and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979—to test the proposition that expecting to earn a bachelor's degree (BA) puts low-achieving students at risk of disadvantageous early adult outcomes. Youth reported their educational expectations in high school, and their income-to-needs ratios and depressive symptoms were measured approximately a decade later. Results in both data sets suggest that the expectation of a BA was advantageous for all students, regardless of achievement level. Low-achievers who expected to earn a BA had higher educational attainment, higher income-to-needs ratios, and fewer depressive symptoms than low-achievers who did not ex...
Growth of Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens on Plants

The proliferation of Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens on two varieties of beans, and on corn, rye, and cabbage was investigated. Comparisons were made with growth patterns on these same plants exhibited by S. lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum. The ability of each of the bacteria to multiply and to spread to new plant parts as they developed from seed was studied under several environmental conditions. Plants were grown aseptically in glass culture and in sterilized and non-sterilized soil in the greenhouse. Quantitative estimations of increase in bacterial numbers were made. S. faecalis established commensal growth on each of five plants, although selectivity was noted for some plant parts. The organism increased in numbers on the plants equally as well as did the control bacteria, both alone, and in competition with the control bacteria and the microflora of the soil.
A quantitative semimicro, semiautomated colorimetric assay for interferon

The colorimetric assay for interferon, which utilizes a vital dye uptake for determination of cell viability, was adapted for semimicro quantities of cells and reagents and semiautomated techinques. Factors affecting interferon titer included the duration if interferon treatment of cells prior to viral challenge, the multiplicity of viral challenge, and the number of viral replicative cycles. Only the multiplicity of the volume, of the interferon sample determined final titer, emphasizing that introduction of a volume term in a statement of interferon titer expresses interferon mass. The semimicroassay for interferon in both human and mouse cells proved precise, sensitive, convenient, reliable, and relatively simple and rapid.
Correlation of Nylon Tirecord Properties with Tire Flatspotting

The theory of flatspotting in tires is reviewed and found to be in essential agreement with that given in earlier publications. The importance of cord moisture content (humidity), temperature, and dynamic response rate in affecting the flatspotting per formance of tirecords is emphasized. Two methods are discussed for favorably altering the viscosity-temperature relationship of nylon tirecords: (a) incorporation of moleculea of bulky groups along the polymer chains (achieved through blending with other poly mers), and (b) plasticization. A new, dynamic flatspot cord testing machine is described which permits close simulation of tirecord stress cycles that duplicate the flatspotting phenomena under various cord moisture contents (humidity test atmospheres) corre sponding to both summer and winter driving conditions. Good correlation is obtained between the laboratory test results and tire results. Applications of the test machine in screening prospective low flatspotting tirecord materials is discussed.
Stripping-mechanism dependence of the Ar 2s fluorescence yield

Argon L1 fluorescence yields have been calculated for the individual multiplet states of ions containing from three to six M-shell vacancies. Effective fluorescence yields for these charge states are computed for statistically distributed states and for distributions that would arise in sequential stripping. For Ar L1M6, the latter result is about 430 times smaller than the former.
Lending Booms, Real Estate Bubbles, and The Asian Crisis

This paper examines the link between lending booms, asset price cycles, and financial crises across East Asian countries. Both theoretical arguments and empirical evidence support a strong relationship between bank lending and asset price inflation, especially in the real estate market. While asset price bubbles were present in most Asian countries during the 1990s, their subsequent bust has affected countries quite differently. Some countries underwent severe exchange and financial crises, while others were able to weather the storm with much less damage. This experience underlines the importance of a strong bank regulatory system.
Science with low temperature detectors

Abstract The novel technique of particle detection with low temperature detectors opens a number of new scientific opportunities. We review some of these, focusing on three generic applications: far infrared bolometry taking as an example the cosmic microwave background, X-ray spectroscopy for astrophysics and biological applications, and massive calorimeters for dark matter searches and neutrino physics.
Sports Injuries among Adults in Six European Union Countries

Background: Participation in sports is a health promotion activity that entails an important injury risk. This study presents data on sport injuries among adults, derived from an established European Union injury monitoring process. Materials and Methods: Data originated from interviews conducted at hospital Emergency Departments in six European Union countries, namely Austria, Denmark, France, Greece, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, using a common, precoded questionnaire, which elicits information regarding sociodemographic variables, event coordinates and injury characteristics. We examined all cases of sport injuries that have been recorded among adults (15+ years old) during a 1-year period (1998). Sports injuries were examined in schools, in organized settings (when the activity was taking place under the auspices of sports federation, clubs or similar organizations) and in spontaneous (nonorganized) activities as well as in specific types of sports by demographics and injury descriptive variable. Results: Emergency department data show that sport injuries are common injuries of considerable severity, since about one third of them are fractures and approximately 4% of cases require hospitalization. Among males, football and basketball are responsible for the majority of sports injuries whereas gymnastics and volleyball are responsible for most injuries among females. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of injury surveillance in assessing the magnitude and characteristics of sport injuries.
Functional redundancy and structural polymorphism in the large subunit of RNA polymerase II

Abstract The RNA polymerase II large subunit contains tandem copies of the sequence Pro Thr Ser Pro Ser Tyr Ser at its carboxyl terminus, the number of which varies from 26 in yeast to 52 in mice. Our results indicate that the heptapeptide repeat sequence is unique and essential to RNA polymerase II. We have determined that a portion of the heptapeptide repeat domain is essential for viability by constructing and analyzing unidirectional deletions of the carboxy-terminal coding sequence in yeast. Cells containing an RNA polymerase II large subunit with less than 10 complete heptapeptide repeats are inviable, those containing 10–12 complete repeats are conditionally viable, and those with 13 or more complete repeats are unconditionally viable. The inviable deletion mutants studied here have truncated RNA polymerase subunits that are stable, but functionally deficient. Finally, the number of repeat units is polymorphic in wild-type yeast strains. These results have implications for the function of this unusual sequence in transcription.
Evidence for the lack of direct phosphorylation of bovine caudate tyrosine hydroxylase following activation by exposure to enzymatic phosphorylating conditions.

Abstract Highly purified bovine caudate tyrosine hydroxylase can be activated by exposure to enzymatic phosphorylating conditions. This activation is due to both a decrease in the K m for the pterin cofactor and to some increase in V max . The K m for the enzyme's substrate, tyrosine, is unchanged by activation. After tyrosine hydroxylase was activated in the presence of [γ- 32 P]-ATP, no incorporation of 32 P into the enzyme was observed by either immunoprecipitation studies or by sucrose gradient studies.
Doha development agenda: implications for the US and world cotton markets

This study analyzed two scenarios that considered a reduction of the US aggregate measure of supports (AMS) payments by 60% over a five-year period. In the first scenario, which considered a unilateral action by the US, the targeted AMS payments reduction would require a 12% cut in the US target price and an 8% cut in the loan rate. This would lead to a 3% decline in US cotton production, a 3% rise in world cotton price, and a 26% decline in US cotton net farm income at the end of the implementation period. The second scenario analyzed the case in which the US AMS payments reduction is concomitant with multilateral tariff and subsidy eliminations from the rest of the world. Under this scenario, fewer cuts in the US loan rate and target price (i.e. 9 and 4%) were required to achieve the 60% AMS reduction because of market liberalization from the from the rest of the world. However, US cotton producers' net farm income still declined by 18%.