cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Deep Tropical and Subtropical Convection from Nadir-Viewing High-Altitude Airborne Doppler Radar

This paper presents observations of deep convection characteristics in the tropics and subtropics that have been classified into four categories: tropical cyclone, oceanic, land, and sea breeze. Vertical velocities in the convection were derived from Doppler radar measurements collected during several NASA field experiments from the nadir-viewing high-altitude ER-2 Doppler radar (EDOP). Emphasis is placed on the vertical structure of the convection from the surface to cloud top (sometimes reaching 18-km altitude). This unique look at convection is not possible from other approaches such as ground-based or lower-altitude airborne scanning radars. The vertical motions from the radar measurements are derived using new relationships between radar reflectivity and hydrometeor fall speed. Various convective properties, such as the peak updraft and downdraft velocities and their corresponding altitude, heights of reflectivity levels, and widths of reflectivity cores, are estimated. The most significant findings are the following: 1) strong updrafts that mostly exceed 15 m/s, with a few exceeding 30 m/s, are found in all the deep convection cases, whether over land or ocean; 2) peak updrafts were almost always above the 10-km level and, in the case of tropical cyclones, were closer to the 12-km level; and 3) land-based and sea-breeze convection had higher reflectivities and wider convective cores than oceanic and tropical cyclone convection. In addition, the high-resolution EDOP data were used to examine the connection between reflectivity and vertical velocity, for which only weak linear relationships were found. The results are discussed in terms of dynamical and microphysical implications for numerical models and future remote sensors.
The active control of prejudice: Unpacking the intentions guiding control efforts.

To date, there is little direct evidence that people who are motivated to respond without prejudice actively work to reduce their prejudice. The authors explored people's efforts to control prejudice for an upcoming interracial interaction. They proposed that people who were motivated to respond without prejudice should exert effort to control prejudice but that their efforts should reflect the intentions underlying their motivation. Behavioral evidence was provided across 3 studies supporting the contention that external motivation to respond without prejudice results in the intention to hide prejudice and that externally motivated people actively work to reduce detectable prejudice. In contrast, internal motivation gives rise to the intention to be free of prejudice, and internally motivated people actively work to eliminate any form of prejudice whether or not it would be apparent to others. The short- and long-term implications of these differential intentions are discussed.
Kinase Structural Dynamics Enables Tight and Selective Binding of Inhibitors

Protein kinases are obvious drug targets against cancer due to their central role in cellular regulation. With oncologic diseases being the second leading cause of death in the US kinases rapidly gain attention and are likely to become the number one drug target. Using NMR and fast kinetics, we establish a novel model that solves a longstanding question of high selectivity of clinically relevant drug Gleevec that effectively inhibits Abl tyrosine kinase while closely related Src family of kinases is affected much less. Our study of an entirely different family of Ser/Thr Aurora kinases and its specific inhibitors suggests that an energy landscape that provides tight affinity via an induced-fit and binding plasticity via a conformational selection mechanism is likely to be general for many inhibitors.
Polymers as fibers

The relation between polymer and fiber structure and fiber properties is discussed. The specific effects of intermolecular forces, chain stiffness, monomer unit regularity, crystallinity, crosslinking, orientation, molecular weight, and chemical composition on the important fiber properties of melting point, modulus, elasticity, or recovery from strain, tensile strength, moisture adsorption, and dyeability are discussed in some detail. An example is given to illustrate the role of today's sophisticated engineering in further controlling and modifying fiber properties.
An Interview with Tina Feick

Tina Feick was raised in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia. This was fertile ground for a career centered around the library—her father was a college professor at Cheyney University, a...
Public Goods in Rural Areas: Problems, Policies, and Population

T HE PUBLIC GOOD is the bane and the blessing of the working economist. It is baneful because it does not comfortably fit the rules of allocation or efficiency and it demands that allegiance be paid to equity--a very difficult aspect in economic policy and analysis. The public good is also a blessing for the working economist since it provides a true frontier in theory, research and policy-a frontier that should be as productive to this and the next generation of economists as the marginal analysis proved to be for Marshall and his followers. Public goods are goods characterized by nonexclusivity, huge indivisibilities, externalities in production and/or consumption and zero or near zero marginal costs.' They are not new to economists or to economic reasoning but have only recently come into their own as important research themes. Adam Smith spent a great deal of time discussing features of economic society that would have to be provided through nonmarket mechanisms. His public goods centered on transport, defense and the 18th century versions of consumer protection-the laws of contract. Later economists expanded Smith's ideas to include an infrastructure of public goods that could be related to social needs or economic needs. Neither Smith nor his successors provided analysis; the public good was simply produced and made available.
Comparison of natural and man-made salt marshes in Galveston Bay Complex, Texas

Vegetation characteristics of three natural marshes and one marsh that was experimentally established on dredged material in 1976 and 1977 were compared in the Galveston Bay Complex, Texas. During fall 1978, Six replicate samples of below-ground and above-ground measurements were taken at each of three elevations. Five elevations were sampled in 1979. Greater quantities of live above-ground biomass per m2 were collected at the man-made marsh than at natural marsh areas. The broad range of values for each of the vegetation parameters measured in each marsh, and the variation by elevation indicated that differences probably were not related to experimental establishment. Differences probably reflected environmental conditions at each area. Below-ground biomass was less in the artificial marsh than at natural marsh areas. The low root biomass in comparison to natural sites indicated that the experimental marsh at Bolivar Peninsula was still in an early stage of development.
Spin-dependent scattering in multilayered magnetic rings

Narrow mesoscopic $\mathrm{NiFe}/\mathrm{Cu}/\mathrm{Co}$ elliptical rings exhibit room-temperature giant magnetoresistance with distinct resistance levels corresponding to three different micromagnetic states. The highest and lowest resistance states of the multilayer rings correspond to the Co layer being in a bidomain state, antiparallel or parallel, respectively, to the NiFe, while the intermediate resistance corresponds to the Co layer being in a vortex state. Micromagnetic simulations suggest that the behavior of these rings is dominated by magnetostatic interactions between the domain walls in the Co and NiFe layers. Additional magnetization states in the NiFe at low applied fields can account for the minor loop behavior.
Viscosity of liquids from the transfer function of microcantilevers

Abstract A method is presented to obtain the viscosity and density of a fluid from the mechanical frequency response of a microcantilever beam immersed in fluids. The technique is a practical solution to perform the measurement when only very small quantities of the fluid are available. A novel algorithm is described to measure the viscosity and density of an ambient fluid by comparing experimental results with the theory. The theoretical results are analytical with a closed form solution. The algorithm presented is easier to implement than the standard method currently used by most atomic force microscope practitioners. In addition, unlike the standard method, the new algorithm is applicable to high viscosity fluids that do not produce resonant peaks in the microcantilever power spectra. Experiments were carried out using standard cantilevers in a fluid cell filled with air, water, methanol and commercial oils. The result of comparing theory with experiment validates the algorithm and thus we propose the algorithm as a way to measure density and viscosity of uncharacterized fluids.
Effect of Starvation-Refeeding and an Exogenous Glucocorticoid on Carbohydrate Metabolism in Chick Liver

Broiler chicks, 4 weeks of age, were subjected to a regimen of 48-hr starvation and 24-hr refeeding as a means of inducing hepatic glycogen supercompensation. A synthetic glucocorticoid (prednisolone) and transcription inhibitor (actinomycin D) treatment were superimposed on the starvation-refeeding regimen to examine the effect of an exogenous glucocorticoid and the necessity for de novo protein synthesis during glycogen supercompensation. Starvation decreased plasma glucose, immunoreactive insulin and liver glycogen. These parameters returned to, or overshot prefasting levels after a 48-hr refeeding period. Prednisolone magnified the overshoot response but some de novo protein synthesis was required. Glycogen synthase a activity was opposite that of liver glycogen content. A possible nonhormone stimulated glycogen synthetic mechanism in the starvation-refeeding response of the chick was noted.
Chronic haloperidol treatment fails to alter the anorexic actions of dopaminergic agonists and cholinergic drugs

Abstract 1. 1. Experimental rats were chronically treated with haloperidol and tested with dopaminergic and cholinergic drugs for their anorexic effects. 2. 2. All of the test drugs significantly reduced the compulsive eating that results from food deprivation. 3. 3. Chronic haloperidol failed to change sensitivity of the animals to dopaminergic or cholinergic drugs. There was a trend towards an increase in sensitivity to a peripheral effect of a cholinergic drug. 4. 4. In contrast to the present data, sensitivity to dopaminergic drugs in producing locomotor stimulation and stereotypy is increased after chronic haloperidol. These experiments suggest that alteration in neurotransmitter functioning after chronic neuroleptics markedly differs in different neurobehavioral systems.
Prepulse suppression using a self-induced ultrashort pulse plasma mirror

The plasma mirror is a self-induced, plasma-based optical element which can be inserted into existing experiments to reduce prepulse energy without significant degradation of ultrashort pulse laser light. We have directly observed the nonlinear reflectivity of the plasma mirror as well as the spatial and temporal characteristics of the reflected pulse. The initial measurements indicate that the incident pulse reflects specularly from a high density, highly reflective plasma. The reflected pulse has a smoothed spatial profile and reduced pulsewidth. We outline future work to characterize both the plasma mirror technique of prepulse suppression and its reflected pulse.
Pattern quarks and leptons

Disclinations, concave and convex, are the canonical point defects of two-dimensional planar patterns in systems with translational and rotational symmetries. From these, all other point defects (vortices, dislocations, targets, saddles and handles) can be built. Moreover, handles, coupled concave–convex disclination pairs arise as instabilities, symmetry breaking events. The purpose of this article is to show that embedded in three or more dimensions, concave and convex disclination strings, two-dimensional disclinations with loop backbones, have interesting and suggestive invariant indices which are integer multiples of and .
A New Pathway in the Microbial Transformation of cis-Abienol by Nocardia restricta JTS-162

cis-Abienol was transformed into a new compound, (12Z)-labda-12,14-dien-17a-oic acid, in the presence of metabolic inhibitors, by Nocardia restricta JTS-162. Based on the experiments with a degradation sequence, a new transformation pathway was proposed. This pathway was not determined by the plasmid, and was suppressed by the other pathway determined by the plasmid.
Three Times a Study: Business Students and the Library

Revisiting a study performed 30 years ago, researchers at three institutions surveyed undergraduate and graduate students in marketing courses to determine their attitudes toward and knowledge of library services and collections. Results found that 21st-century students are more likely to believe in the importance of library research, to have had library instruction, and to use Web sites and Internet search engines to begin their research. However, they are less likely to read business periodicals. Faced with a list of information sources, they are generally able to pick out a useful resource, although not always the most efficient. Implications for library service to business students are discussed.
Gyroscopic and support effects on the steady-state response of a noncontacting flexibly mounted rotor mechanical face seal

Effets gyroscopiques et effets du support sur un joint mecanique axial sans contact avec un rotor monte de facon elastique
The Effect of Clouds and Wind on the Difference in Nocturnal Cooling Rates between Urban and Rural Areas

Abstract The urban warming effect is interesting in its own right and is important for understanding global warming. The aim of this study is to determine how the urban warming effect changes with cloud conditions and with wind speed. Studies of the urban warming effect have mostly concentrated on the urbanrural difference in daily maximum or minimum temperatures. The problem was approached using a new technique. Instead of comparing a city, represented by a first-order weather station, with the surrounding rural area, represented by data collected by cooperative observers; pairs of cities, each with a first-order weather station, were studied. One city was large. The other city was small enough to have a minimal warming effect and was close enough to the larger city to approximately represent the rural area. In this way, hourly temperatures, cloud cover, and wind data could be studied rather than only the differences between the daily maxima or minima. Results show that wind disrupts the normal nocturna...
The Role of Kelvin Number on Bulge Formation from Estuarine Buoyant Outflows

This investigation examines the influence of the Kelvin number (K) and fractional depth (h/D) on bulge formation from buoyant outflows from an estuary or strait perpendicular to the coastline. Here K = W/R is the ratio of the width (W) at the mouth of the estuary to the deformation radius (R), and h and D are the buoyant layer and ambient ocean depths, respectively. Measurements of velocity and lateral shear (≈ relative vorticity ζ) at the baymouth are reported for experiments on a flat-bottomed rotating turntable. The form of the velocity profile across the mouth depends on the value of K. The buoyant outflow flows across the entire width of the estuary for narrow estuaries (i.e., K ≤ 1). In contrast, for wide estuaries (K > 2), dense oceanic water inflows on the left and the buoyant waters outflow on the right (looking seaward). Velocity profiles of the inflowing oceanic waters are laterally uniform with velocities (V/C ≈ −0.4), whereas velocity profiles of the outflowing buoyant waters are laterally sheared with peak velocities of V/C ≈ 1.0 at the right hand exit. The flow pathways when bulges form comprises an anticyclonic turn offshore of the mouth and a downshelf propagating coastal current. Anticyclonic bulges form for surface-advected outflows h/D 0.4), and an additional flow pathway is that buoyant waters recirculate back cyclonically into the estuary at the left-hand (upshelf) side of the estuary. The offshore extent of buoyant waters associated with this cyclonic recirculation can be as large as 7R.
Carbon sequestration in dryland ecosystems of West Asia and North Africa

The West Asia–North Africa (WANA) region has a land area of 1.7 billion ha, and a population of 600 million. Desertification and soil degradation are severe problems in the region. The problem of drought stress is exacerbated by low and erratic rainfall and soils of limited available water holding capacity and soil organic carbon (SOC) content of less than 0.5 per cent. The SOC pool of most soils has been depleted by soil degradation and widespread use of subsistence and exploitative farming systems. The historic loss of a SOC pool for the soils of the WANA region may be 6–12 Pg compared with the global loss of 66–90 Pg. Assuming that 60 per cent of the historic loss can be resequestered, the total soil-C sink capacity of the WANA region may be 3–7 Pg. This potential may be realized through adoption of measures to control desertification, restore degraded soils and ecosystems, and improve soil and crop management techniques that can enhance the SOC pool and improve soil quality. The strategies of soil-C sequestration include integrated nutrient management (INM) and recycling, controlled grazing, and growing improved fodder species on rangeland. Improved technologies for cropland include use of INM and biofertilizers, appropriate tillage methods and residue management techniques, crop rotations and cover crops, and water and nutrient recycling technologies. Through adoption of such measures, the potential of soil-C sequestration in the WANA region is 0.2–0.4 Pg C yr−1. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Activation of hindbrain neurons in response to gastrointestinal lipid is attenuated by high fat, high energy diets in mice prone to diet-induced obesity

Food intake is controlled by peripheral signals from the gastrointestinal tract and adipocytes, which are integrated within the central nervous system. There is evidence that signals from the GI tract are modulated by long term changes in diet, possibly leading to hyperphagia and increased body weight. We tested the hypothesis that diet-induced obese-prone (DIO-P) and obese-resistant (DIO-R) mice strains differ in the long term adaptive response of the gut-brain pathway to a high fat diet. Immunochemical detection of Fos protein was used as a measure of neuronal activation in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) in response to intragastric administration of lipid in DIO-P (C57Bl6) and DIO-R (129sv) mouse strains maintained on chow or high fat, high energy diets (45% or 60% kcal from fat). Intragastric lipid administration activated neurons in the NTS in both DIO-P and DIO-R mice; the number of activated neurons was significantly greater in DIO-P than in DIO-R mice (P<0.001). However, lipid-induced activation of NTS neurons in DIO-P mice was attenuated by approximately 30% after maintenance on either 45% or 60% HF diet, for 4 or 8 weeks, compared to chow fed controls (P<0.05). In contrast, in DIO-R mice, maintenance on a HF diet (45% or 60%) had no effect on lipid-induced activation of NTS neurons. These results demonstrate that DIO-P and DIO-R mice strains differ in the adaptation of the pathway to long term ingestion of high fat diets, which may contribute to decrease satiation and increased food intake.
Active site water molecules revealed in the 2.1 A resolution structure of a site-directed mutant of isocitrate dehydrogenase.

Abstract Isocitrate dehydrogenase catalyses the two step, acid base, oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate. Lysine 230 was suggested to act as proton donor based on geometry and spatial proximity to isocitrate. To clarify further the role of lysine 230, we co-crystallized the lysine-to-methionine mutant (K230M) with isocitrate and with α-ketoglutarate. Crystals were flash-frozen and the two structures were determined and refined to 2.1 A. Several new features were identified relative to the wild-type structure. Seven side-chains previously unplaced in the wild-type structure were identified and included in the model, and the amino acid terminus was extended by an alanine residue. Many additional water molecules were identified. Examination of the K230M active sites (K230M isocitrate and K230M-ketoglutarate) revealed that tyrosine 160 protrudes further into the active site in the presence of either isocitrate or α-ketoglutarate in K230 M than it does in the wild-type structure. Also, methionine 230 was not as fully extended, and asparagine 232 rotates ∼30 ° toward the ligand permitting polar interactions. Outside the active site cleft a tetragonal volume of density was identified as a sulfate molecule. Its location and interactions suggest it may influence the equilibrium between the tetragonal and the orthorhombic forms of isocitrate dehydrogenase. Differences observed in the active site water structure between the wild-type and K230M structures were due to a single point mutation. A water molecule was located in the position equivalent to that occupied by the wild-type e-amine of lysine 230; a water molecule in that location in K230M suggests it may influence catalysis in the mutant. Comparison of K230M complexed with isocitrate and α-ketoglutarate illuminates the influence a ligand has on active site water structure.
Abstract CN08-02: Implications of the cancer stem cell hypothesis for breast cancer prevention

The cancer stem cell hypothesis proposes that cancers arise in cell populations that either dysregulate or acquire the stem cell property of self-renewal. Resulting cancers are hierarchically organized and driven by a subpopulation that retains stem cell properties. This suggests that dysregulation of self-renewal plays an important role in early stages of carcinogenesis and that an understanding of the pathways which regulate self-renewal may lead to new strategies for cancer prevention. Our laboratory has identified markers including CD44+/CD24- and Aldehyde dehydrogenase which have proven useful in identifying populations of normal and transformed breast epithelial cells. Furthermore, we have developed in vitro and animal models to elucidate pathways which regulate self-renewal in these cells. These studies, and others, suggest that stem cell self-renewal is regulated by an interaction of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Intrinsic regulation occurs through interacting developmental pathways including Notch, hedgehog, Wnt and Akt. Cytokine networks in the stem cell niche including IL-8 and IL6 also play important roles in stem cell regulation. These pathways may also contribute to the well-known links between inflammation and cancer. Inflammatory cytokines may contribute to clonal expansion of stem cell populations which can then acquire secondary genetic changes resulting in expression of the fully malignant phenotype. We have demonstrated that dietary components including curcumin and sulforaphane which have been shown to have chemopreventive properties are able to target Wnt signaling in stem cell populations. These and other studies support the approach of targeting stem cell self-renewal pathways for cancer prevention. References: 1. Liu S, Wicha MS. Targeting breast cancer stem cells. J Clin Oncol 28:4006-12, 2010. 2. Kakarala M, Brenner DE, Korkaya H, et al: Targeting breast stem cells with the cancer preventive compounds curcumin and piperine. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 2009. 3. Li Y, Zhang T, Korkaya H, et al. Sulforaphane, a dietary component of broccoli/broccoli sprouts, inhibits breast cancer stem cells. Clin Cancer Res 16:2580-90, 2010. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):CN08-02.
Social Capital in a Community Context: A Multilevel Analysis of Individual- and Community-Level Predictors of Social Trust

The community structural pluralism model represents the earliest and most enduring research program to conceptualize media effects within a community context. The model, which has intellectual roots in social theory concerned with the impact of population size and density on human interaction, is relevant to the resurgence of interest in multilevel analysis in media research, particularly research regarding the media effects on indicators of social capital such as social trust. The present study uses multilevel modeling to test the linear development model (Berry & Kasarda, 1977) which predicts that community structural pluralism would be negatively associated with individual-level social trust, even while controlling for individual-level predictors including media use and length of residence. Using survey data from 21 communities included in the 2001 Social Capital Community Benchmark Study, the analysis includes a rigorous test of the community structural pluralism model by determining whether the relat...
The flywheel effect: Ionospheric currents after a geomagnetic storm

In the period following a geomagnetic storm the high-latitude, magnetospheric-driven convection pattern is normally weak. However, the neutral circulation, set up by ion-neutral momentum coupling during the main phase of the storm, may continue for several hours after the storm has ended. This persistent neutral circulation has the potential to drive Hall currents for some hours. In this paper we investi- gate these "flywheel" currents by simulating a storm which occurred on the 23 rd of November 1982 using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere Ionosphere General Circulation Model (NCAR-TIGCM). The resulting high-latitude, height-integrated Hal/currents are dominated by the neutral-wind-driven component for several hours after the end of main phase of the storm. The direction of these currents is reversed from normal. Analysis of the neutral and ion components of this current system indicates that the neutral component may drive as much as 80% of the high-latitude current system immediately after the storm has ended, and may continue to dominate this system for 4 to 5 hours. stant in the E-region for the transfer of momentum from the plasma to the neutral gas implies that the neutral winds that were forced by the ions during the main phase of the geomag- netic storm can persist for a long time after the cessation of magnetospheric-driven forcing, and may drive significant ionospheric and magnetospheric field-aligned currents over the polar cap in a way that is similar to that of the dynamo in low and middle latitudes. Lyons et al. (1985) studied these winds and they showed that, in practice, the neutral circulation in the high-latitude E region can drive a significant Hall current system for up to six hours after the cessation of strong magne- tospheric convection - the so-called neutral "flywheel" effect. Some experimental support for this concept exists in the results published by several authors (e.g. Maezawa, 1976; Zanetti, 1984), who showed that ionospheric currents can reverse direction when B z is northward. In this paper we extend the Lyons et a1.(1985) study to investigate the link between the neutral circulation and these reversed currents during the period following a geomagnetic storm.
United states cholesterol guidelines 2001: expanded scope of intensive low-density lipoprotein–lowering therapy

The new clinical guidelines of the US National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) were released in May 2001. These guidelines were published as the NCEP's Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III report. They are derived from an extensive review of the emerging literature so as to provide an evidence-based report. Thanks to recent clinical trials of cholesterol-lowering therapy, it is possible to expand the scope of clinical management for both dietary and drug therapies. This expansion derives from a conclusive demonstration of efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of therapies. This article will review briefly the major features of ATP III.
Child welfare standards for success

This paper suggests a set of standard outcome indicators for public child welfare systems. Just as private enterprises can evaluate their performance relative to such indicators as profit and return on equity, public child welfare systems should be able to assess their performance over time in comparison to other agencies
The enzymic synthesis of gangliosides: Uridine diphosphate galactose: N-acetylgalactosaminyl-(N-acetylneuraminyl)- galactosyl-glucosyl-ceramide galactosyltranferase in rat tissues

Abstract The enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of galactose from UDP-galactose to N -acetylgalactosaminyl-( N -acetylneuraminyl)-galactosyl-glucosyl-cerimade (G M2 or Tay-Sachs ganglioside) was demonstrated in extraneural tissues of adult and young rats. The incorporation of radioactive galactose from UDP-[ 14 C]galactose was stimulated by the exogenous addition of G M2 . The radioactive product was characterized as galactosyl- N -acetylgalactosaminyl-( N -acetylneuraminyl)-galactosyl-glucosyl-ceramide (G M1 ) by silica-gel G column chromatography and by ascending thin-layer chromatography.
Feasibility of a Clinic‐Based Hypocaloric Dietary Intervention Implemented in a School Setting for Obese Children

The objective of this study was to examine whether a protein-sparing modified fast diet and a hypocaloric balanced diet are effective in a clinic-based dietary intervention implemented in a school setting high-risk weight loss program for superobese (> or = 140% of their ideal body weight for height [IBW] children. A group of children from two suburban public schools in New Orleans, Louisiana were randomized to either dietary-intervention group and control group. Children were followed for 6 months. In the dietary-intervention-group, 12 of 44 superobese children [ages 8.8 to 13.4 years, weight 144% to 212% of IBW] volunteered to participate. In the control group, 7 of 19 superobese children [ages 9.4 to 12.9 years, weight 140% to 195% of IBW] volunteered to participate. During the first 9 weeks, 12 superobese children were placed on a 2520 to 3360 J (600 to 800 Cal) protein-sparing modified fast diet. Subsequently, the diets of all children were increased in a 3-month period 420 J (100 Cal) every 2 weeks until a 5040 J (1200 Cal) per day balanced diet was attained. In both groups, height and weight were obtained at baseline, 10 weeks, and 6 months; and biochemical measurements were performed at baseline and 6 months. At 6 months the 12 superobese children on protein-sparing modified fast diet had a significant weight loss from baseline (-5.6 +/- 7.1 kg, ANOVA p < 0.02); a significant decrease in percentage IBW (-24.3 +/- 20%, ANOVA p < 0.002); and had positive growth velocity Z-score (1.3 +/- 1.6, ANOVA p < 0.05). Six children were not superobese at 6 months. At 6 months eight of 12 children were active participants and 11 of 12 children were followed. Decrease in blood pressure, as well as, downward trends in serum lipids were observed at 6 months. No clinical complications were observed. At 6 months, the 7 control superobese children, when compared with baseline had gained weight (2.8 +/- 3.1 kg, ANOVA p < 0.008); but had no significant change in percentage IBW (-0.3 +/- 5.9%, ANOVA p = 0.61); and had no changes in growth velocity Z-score (0.1 +/- 1.3, ANOVA p = 0.83). These children did not have any change in blood pressure and an upward trend in serum lipids were observed at 6 months. Protein-sparing modified fast diet and a hypocaloric balanced diet appear to be effective in a group of superobese-school-age children in a medically supervised clinic-based program implemented in a school setting over a 6-month period. The efforts of committed clinic staffs, school officials, peers, and family involvement were crucial to the success of this intervention program in promoting and maintaining weight loss over a 6-month period. Further research with a specific comparison of the hypocaloric diets with longer follow-up periods in the school setting is necessary. In the meantime, these diets should be used only with close medical supervision.
Odanacatib, A Cathepsin K‐Specific Inhibitor, Inhibits Inflammation and Bone Loss Caused by Periodontal Diseases

Background: Periodontitis is a bacteria-induced inflammatory disease mainly affecting periodontal tissues, leading to periodontal inflammation, bone breakdown, and loss of the tooth. The main obstacle for treating periodontitis effectively is the difficulty in finding a target that can inhibit bone loss and inflammation simultaneously. Recent studies showed that cathepsin K (CTSK) might have functions in the immune system besides its role in osteoclasts. Thus, targeting CTSK would have a potential therapeutic effect in both the bone system and the immune system during the progression of periodontitis.Methods: In the current study, a small molecular inhibitor (odanacatib [ODN]) is explored to inhibit the function of CTSK in a bacteria-induced periodontitis mouse model.Results: The application of ODN decreased the number of osteoclasts, macrophages, and T cells, as well as the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the periodontitis lesion area. Furthermore, lack of CTSK inhibited the expression of TLR...
Reconfigurable and Evolvable Architecture for Autonomous on-board systems

Self-reconfigurable and evolvable hardware is a new emerging technology which will enable adaptation of computing systems to changing environments. This paper deals with the design architecture of an autonomous on-board system and the development of a real-time scheduler for the adaptation manager of reconfigurable hardware fabric. Our approach employs computer architecture with two key layers: the adaptation manager and the real time configuration kernel. This has significant advantages in terms of flexibility, scalability, cost, and compatibility with embedded technology. Some preliminary results are presented.
History of Ear Infections and Prevalence of Asthma in a National Sample of Children Aged 2 to 11 Years: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 to 1994

Methods: We analyzed data on 7,538 children aged 2 to 11 years who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine the cross-sectional associations of history of ear infections with prevalence of ever-diagnosed asthma and the prevalence of wheezing in the last year in US children. Results: History of ear infections was significantly related to the lifetime prevalence of diagnosed asthma (prevalence odds ratio [POR], 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 2.36) and to the prevalence of wheezing in the last year (POR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.37) after controlling for potential confounding variables. The number of ear infections was linearly and significantly related to the risk of asthma and wheezing in the last year. Among children with no diagnosis of asthma, there was a significant association between a history of ear infections and any wheezing in the last year (adjusted POR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.07 to 2.25). Conclusions: Our study indicated strong and significant associations of a history of asthma and wheezing with the frequency of ear infections in a nationally representative sample of 7,538 children aged 2 to 11 years. These findings highlight the need for prospective studies to examine further the relationship between asthma and ear infections. (CHEST 2004; 125:1685–1692)
Benchmarking and Budgeting Techniques for Improved Forensic Laboratory Management

Abstract Forensic laboratories are not immune from downturns in the worldwide economy. Recession and economic slowdowns, when coupled with the public's heightened sense of the capabilities of forensic science, put stress on the effectiveness of forensic laboratories. The resources available to forensic laboratories are limited, and managers are under greater pressure to improve efficiency and effectiveness. To this end, the use of internal and external financial and accounting metrics to plan, control, evaluate, and communicate performance is examined. Using data from the QUADRUPOL and FORESIGHT studies, we illustrate the use of external benchmarking through a calculation of laboratory return on investment and the internal development and use of a budget to enhance laboratory performance in light of limited resources.
Evaporation as a nutrient retention mechanism at Sycamore Creek, Arizona

Studies of nutrient cycling in streams have typically focused on patterns and mechanisms of retention because retention can result in temporary or permanent removal of biologically important nutrients. Biogeochemical studies of nitrate in stream ecosystems have focused primarily on biotic uptake and sequestration, while little is known about abiotic mechanisms of nitrogen retention. Evaporation is one abiotic mechanism that can contribute to nutrient retention with nutrients stored as precipitated solutes in sandbars. The objective of this study was to assess the significance of evaporation-driven nitrate retention in sandbars to reach-scale nutrient budgets at Sycamore Creek, Arizona. The vertical profile of chloride and nitrate evaporties were used as a tool to evaluate abiotic retention. I found that salts accumulated in surface layers (0–2 cm) of exposed sandbar sediments. Calculated evaporative retention rate was 0.7–5.4% of average rate of uptake by biota in the surface stream. However, the area of influence of these two mechanisms varies greatly. Taking into account this spatial and seasonal variation in areal extent of the surface stream versus exposed sandbar surfaces, evaporite formation accounted for 14.8% of retention in the study reach and up to 46.0% of annual retention compared to instream biotic uptake. Nitrate retention via evaporation is important because of the temporary disconnection of nutrients stored in sandbars to the surface stream delaying further biological processing until hydrological reconnection occurs.
The molecular conformations of polytetrafluoroethylene: forms II and IV

Abstract The crystal structure of polytetrafluoroethylene, –(CF2)n–, is unusual in having a number of crystal forms and also possessing substantial molecular motion within the crystal well below the melting point. This article deals with the unusual first-order transition occurring at about 19°C, changing the crystal structure from form II to form I. This article also updates current literature on the crystal structures of these two forms. X-ray and electron diffraction data from forms II and IV are interpreted as helical structures. Form II is defined mathematically as a non-commensurable helix close to a 13/6 conformation of six turns per 13 (CF2) groups. Form IV is interpreted as a commensurable 15/7 helix which is consistent with space group P31. Fiber diffraction patterns of these forms are described in detail.
FAMILY COMMUNICATION PATTERNS AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT The Child's Role

The relationship of family communication patterns to indicators of political development between children in fourth and fifth grades and adolescents in eleventh and twelfth grades is compared. Parents' and children's levels of political knowledge, political interest, frequency of political discussion, and exposure to political information in the mass media were measured. Results suggest that the nature of parent-child communication and effects of that interaction depend not only on messages stressed by the parent but also on the child's own cognitive abilities and goals.
Self-Giant-Pulsed Operation Of Ruby And Nd3+:YAG Lasers

Self-giant-pulsed operation of ruby lasers at 77 and 300°K and Nd 3+:YAG lasers at 77°K pumped by the 5145-R output of a pulsed argon ion laser is described. Self-giant-pulsed operation was obtained by: (1) static mirror misalignment, and (2) static misalignment of the fila-ment of the pumped laser material with respect to the mirror resonator axis. An output that consisted of a single "giant" pulse could be obtained for ruby by either method; for Nd3+:YAG, the output always consisted of one or more "giant" pulses and characteristic relaxation oscillations. These results are compared with the predictions of the theoretical model of E. R. Peressini in which the self-giant pulsing of these lasers is described as a limiting case of spiking. The relaxation oscillations in the output of ruby lasers are compared with the theoretical predictions.© (1969) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mass Spectrometry–Based Biomarker Discovery: Toward a Global Proteome Index of Individuality

Biomarker discovery and proteomics have become synonymous with mass spectrometry in recent years. Although this conflation is an injustice to the many essential biomolecular techniques widely used in biomarker-discovery platforms, it underscores the power and potential of contemporary mass spectrometry. Numerous novel and powerful technologies have been developed around mass spectrometry, proteomics, and biomarker discovery over the past 20 years to globally study complex proteomes (e.g., plasma). However, very few large-scale longitudinal studies have been carried out using these platforms to establish the analytical variability relative to true biological variability. The purpose of this review is not to cover exhaustively the applications of mass spectrometry to biomarker discovery, but rather to discuss the analytical methods and strategies that have been developed for mass spectrometry–based biomarker-discovery platforms and to place them in the context of the many challenges and opportunities yet to be addressed.
Magnetic field activated lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles for stimuli-responsive drug release.

Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles (SRNPs) offer the potential of enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and minimizing the side-effects of chemotherapeutics by controllably releasing the encapsulated drug at the target site. Currently controlled drug release through external activation remains a major challenge during the delivery of therapeutic agents. Here we report a lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticle system containing magnetic beads for stimuli-responsive drug release using a remote radio frequency (RF) magnetic field. These hybrid nanoparticles show long-term stability in terms of particle size and polydispersity index in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Controllable loading of camptothecin (CPT) and Fe3O4 in the hybrid nanoparticles was demonstrated. RF-controlled drug release from these nanoparticles was observed. In addition, cellular uptake of the SRNPs into MT2 mouse breast cancer cells was examined. Using CPT as a model anticancer drug the nanoparticles showed a significant reduction in MT2 mouse breast cancer cell growth in vitro in the presence of a remote RF field. The ease of preparation, stability, and controllable drug release are the strengths of the platform and provide the opportunity to improve cancer chemotherapy.
Carabid beetle responses to herbicide application, shelterwood seed cut and insect defoliator outbreaks

Managing forests to promote biodiversity requires understanding the effects of silvicultural practices on a range of forest species and communities. We evaluated carabid beetle (Coleoptera; Carabidae) responses to operational herbicide and shelterwood seed cut treatments in northern hardwood stands on the Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania, USA, from 1992 to 2000. There was substantial defoliation by elm spanworms (Ennomos subsignarius Hubner) or cherry scallopshell moths (Hydria prunivorata Ferguson) during four of the 9 years of this study, so we also evaluated effects of these lepidopteran outbreaks on carabids. We found no differences in carabid species richness between herbicide-treated and no herbicide plots overall or in any year, but carabid abundance was higher in herbicide-treated plots in the year following application. Carabid community composition differed among years and increased in dissimilarity over the course of the study but did not differ between herbicide-treated and no herbicide plots. Shelterwood seed cuts had no effects on carabid species richness, abundance or community composition. The relatively few significant effects of experimental treatments on individual carabid species tended to be small and responses we did find differed somewhat from previous studies. In 1992, carabid abundance was significantly correlated with elm spanworm defoliation and in 1995 both species richness and abundance were significantly higher in areas defoliated by cherry scallopshell moth. These results support previous findings that forestry practices that have relatively minor and short-term effects on forest vegetation are unlikely to have substantial effects on carabids; however, natural resource variation resulting from forest lepidopteran outbreaks may have important cascading effects for carabid communities that have not been fully explored. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Drains Prevent Seromas Following Lumpectomy with Axillary Dissection

: Lumpectomy with axillary dissection for breast cancer is usually followed by at least an overnight stay in the hospital for drain management. We eliminated drains and discharged patients following lumpectomy and axillary dissection. A retrospective study of 80 consecutive patients from July 1, 1994, to June 30, 1995, formed the basis for this study. Drains were omitted in 20 consecutive patients discharged to home after undergoing lumpectomy with axillary dissection. This group was compared to the 62 previous patients who had 7 mm closed suction drains until the drainage was less than 25 ml/shift. Seroma formation occurred in 40% of the undrained patients compared to 6% of patients kept overnight in the hospital with a closed-suction drain (p < 0.001). Tumors were smaller and the number of nodes examined by the pathologists was fewer in the patients managed without drains. Patients developing seromas were older, heavier, and shorter than those who did not develop seromas. The use of a drain was related significantly to seroma formation in multivariate analysis.
Evaluating sex offenders under sexually violent predator laws: How might mental health professionals conceptualize the notion of volitional impairment?

This paper examines the signifi cance of the Supreme Court's Hendricks and Crane decisions, with focus given to how mental health professionals may conceptualize the notion of volitional impairment. The Hendricks decision autho- rized postsentence civil commitment for sex offenders having a mental abnormal- ity or personality disorder, rendering them likely to engage in future acts of sexu- al violence. In the Supreme Court's majority opinion, Justice Thomas implied that the Kansas Act was legitimized by limiting the class of offenders eligible for this specialized form of commitment to those who are "unable to control" their danger- ousness. In Crane, the Court ruled that while the Hendricks decision does not re- quire that a sex offender be completely unable to control behavior, it does require proof of serious diffi culty in controlling conduct. In evaluating the meaning of this decision for mental health professionals, this paper notes the decline of volitional impairment standards in the insanity defense, summarizes case law regarding sexu- al predators and volitional impairment, and further reviews the empirical and theo- retical literatures exploring the notion of volitional impairment.
Base-dopant density variation with emitter size in polysilicon-emitter transistors

Fabrication of polysilicon-emitter bipolar transistors with submicron emitter dimensions leads to diminished arsenic concentration in the emitter polysilicon. As a result, these small transistors are found to have significantly higher base dopant density, lower peak frequency response, and lower base current density than transistors with larger emitters made on the same silicon chip. Data indicate that these effects are caused, at least in part, by the steep topography of the polysilicon emitter. This topography results in lower arsenic concentrations in polysilicon of smaller emitters and, consequently, shallower emitter depths and wider base widths. >