cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Upstream Signaling Inhibition Enhances Rapamycin Effect on Growth of Kidney Cancer Cells

Objectives To test the hypothesis that blockage of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or methylethylketone (MEK)1/2 kinase activities impairs the growth of kidney cancer cells and magnifies the growth inhibitory effect of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin. Methods The kidney cancer cells from eight cell lines (including a pair in which the VHL gene or an empty vector was transfected in a VHL mut cell line) were tested for the effect of treatment with an EGFR inhibitor or an MEK1/2 inhibitor on the phosphorylation status of the phosphatidyl inositol 3-OH kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways after stimulation with EGF. In vitro growth assays were performed with EGFR inhibitors (gefitinib or erlotinib) or with MEK1/2 inhibitors (UO126 or PD184352) alone or in combination with rapamycin. The effects of PD184352, rapamycin, and their combination in the cell cycle were evaluated by flow cytometry. Results The growth suppressive effect of combined gefitinib (or erlotinib) and rapamycin was greater than the effect of each drug alone and was not dependent on VHL status. By affecting downstream signaling, the MEK1/2 inhibitors U0126 and PD184352 blocked growth more effectively than did the EGFR inhibitors in selected renal cell carcinoma lines; this effect was enhanced by the addition of rapamycin. At the cell cycle level, the combination resulted in enhanced G 1 arrest. Although eIF4E overexpression has been suggested to make cells resistant to rapamycin, we observed marked growth inhibition with rapamycin as a single agent in SKRC39, which has marked overexpression of eIF4E. Conclusions The results of our study have shown that combined mTOR and other upstream inhibitors have strong potential in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.
Study of wetting properties of Ti/TiN liners deposited by ion metal plasma PVD for low-temperature sub-0.25-um Al fill technology

Ti/TiN liners deposited with Vectra IMPTM (Ion Metal Plasma) PVD technology can be used as wetting layers to lower the temperature of Al planarization. The Ti/TiN liners can also be used to improve the texture and morphology of the Al overlayer. An experimental investigation was performed to study the impact of the IMP PVD process on the wetting properties of the Ti/TiN films. The Ti/TiN underlayers and the Al overlayer were studied for film morphology and texturing using AFM, XRD, and TEM techniques. It was found that the IMP Ti/TiN process can be used to control and optimize the fill capabilities of low temperature Al planarization. Parameters such as process pressure, bias, process temperature of the IMP Ti and TiN process as well as the wetting layer thickness have significant effects on the grain size, reflectivity, crystal orientation, and surface roughness of the aluminum films. Al films with high reflectivity, low roughness and hyper texturing (< 1 degree(s) FWHM) have been obtained with the integration of IMP Ti/TiN liner module with a low temperature Al planarization module. The fill capability of this integrated process exceeds that of the conventional high temperature Al planarization process at the Via level for a sub 0.25 micrometers IC process.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
COLLISIONAL EXCITATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN INTERSTELLAR CLOUDS.

Investigation of different models for the collisional excitation of carbon monoxide (CO) by solving the rate equations for the ten lowest energy levels, including stimulated emission and absorption by 3 K isotropic radiation, spontaneous emission, and collisions. The results are qualitatively applicable to other linear molecules. They show that a wide range of rotational excitation temperatures, including population inversions, can be produced by the various kinetic temperatures and particle densities which are likely to occur in the interstellar regions containing molecules.
Electrochemical Energy Storage for Green Grid

The is a comprehensive review on the needs and potential storage technologies for electrical grid that is expected to integrate significant levels of renewables. This review offers details of the technologies, in terms of needs, status, challenges and future R&d directions.
Abstract 1227: Preserved histological and molecular phenotypes following serialin vivopropagation of patient-derived xenografts of small cell lung cancer

Background: Limited availability of tissue samples is a major impediment to small cell lung cancer (SCLC) research but patient-derived xenograft (PDX) offers a potential alternative. The high genomic instability of SCLC necessitates the need to establish whether the molecular characteristics of PDXs are preserved across serial propagation in mice. Method: PDX were raised using biopsy samples from patients with relapsed SCLC under an IRB-approved protocol. Image guided or bronchoscopic biopsies were directly implanted subcutaneously into SCID mice within 60 minutes of collection and without in vitro culture. Tumor growth was monitored and animals were sacrificed while overall tumor size remained T[p.Lys305Ter], c.488A>G[p.Tyr163Cys], c.892G> [p.Glu298Ter]) detected in tumor samples from the first generation mice were preserved across all subsequent generations tested. Additionally, there were no new aberrations detected in this panel of 17 genes when comparing early to later generations of PDX. Conclusions: Despite the high degree of genomic instability expected in SCLC, serially propagated PDX of SCLC maintained histologic and molecular characteristics across many generations. Our finding that original tumor characteristics remain well preserved in PDX supports future use of this resource as reliable platform for translational research in SCLC.Supported through the Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Scholar Award and NIH/NCI 5K23CA164015 grant to TK Owonikoko Citation Format: Taofeek Kunle Owonikoko, Guojing Zhang, Gabriel L. Sica, Hyun S. Kim, Onyinye C. Ogee-Nwankwo, Suresh S. Ramalingam, Michael R. Rossi, Fadlo R. Khuri. Preserved histological and molecular phenotypes following serial in vivo propagation of patient-derived xenografts of small cell lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1227. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1227
Possible Cooperative Phase for Electrons in Double-Stranded DNA

The possibility of a superfluid phase occurring in macromolecules such as double-stranded DNA is discussed. The restricted geometry for electron states in macromolecules is probably more propitious for the excitonic insulator than for superconductivity. The excitonic insulator in restricted geometry is discussed, and some qualitative comments are made on the band structure of double-stranded DNA.
Climate sensitivity to wetlands and wetland vegetation in mid-Holocene North Africa

Wetland regions are important components of the local climate, with their own characteristic surface energy and moisture budgets. Realistic representation of wetlands, including the important vegetation component, may therefore be necessary for more accurate simulations of climate and climate change. However, many land-atmosphere coupled models either ignore wetlands or treat wetlands as bare, water-saturated soil, neglecting the vegetation present within wetland environments. This study investigates the possible response of the mid-Holocene climate of North Africa to changes in orbital forcing, both with and without the presence of wetlands. The location of these wetlands is guided by analysis of paleovegetation and wetland distribution. In this study, the wetland regime in the land surface component of a climate model was modified to incorporate vegetation. Field measurements have shown that vegetation affects water loss associated with evaporation (including transpiration) within a wetland area. Comparisons between non-vegetated wetland and vegetated wetland revealed an increase in local albedo that produced an associated decrease in net radiation, evaporation and precipitation in the vicinity of the wetlands regions. Based on an analysis of the model surface water balance, the calculated area of mid-Holocene wetland coverage for North Africa closely matches the observed. For the North African region as a whole, the effects of adding vegetation to the wetland produced relatively small changes in climate, but local recycling of water may have served to help maintain paleo wetland communities.
Validity of an observation method for assessing pain behavior in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Context Pain is a common and complex experience for individuals who live with multiple sclerosis (MS) and it interferes with physical, psychological, and social function. A valid and reliable tool for quantifying observed pain behaviors in MS is critical to understand how pain behaviors contribute to pain-related disability in this clinical population. Objectives To evaluate the reliability and validity of a pain behavioral observation protocol in individuals who have MS. Methods Community-dwelling volunteers with MS (N = 30), back pain (N = 5), or arthritis (N = 8) were recruited based on clinician referrals, advertisements, fliers, web postings, and participation in previous research. Participants completed the measures of pain severity, pain interference, and self-reported pain behaviors and were videotaped doing typical activities (e.g., walking and sitting). Two coders independently recorded frequencies of pain behaviors by category (e.g., guarding and bracing) and interrater reliability statistics were calculated. Naive observers reviewed videotapes of individuals with MS and rated their pain. The Spearman's correlations were calculated between pain behavior frequencies and self-reported pain and pain ratings by naive observers. Results Interrater reliability estimates indicated the reliability of pain codes in the MS sample. Kappa coefficients ranged from moderate (sighing = 0.40) to substantial agreements (guarding = 0.83). These values were comparable with those obtained in the combined back pain and arthritis sample. Concurrent validity was supported by correlations with self-reported pain (0.46–0.53) and with self-reports of pain behaviors (0.58). Construct validity was supported by a finding of 0.87 correlation between total pain behaviors observed by coders and mean pain ratings by naive observers. Conclusion Results support the use of the pain behavior observation protocol for assessing pain behaviors of individuals with MS. Valid assessments of pain behaviors of individuals with MS could lead to creative interventions in the management of chronic pain in this population.
Effect of redox polymer synthesis on the performance of a mediated laccase oxygen cathode

Abstract Water-soluble, crosslinkable redox polymers are synthesized from poly(N-vinylimidazole) and an osmium complex, with variation in the concentration and reactant mole ratio of these precursor materials. Higher reactant concentration results in increased osmium loading on the redox polymer backbone, with products produced having a range of 19–23 imidazole repeat units per pendant osmium redox site. Performance of oxygen-reducing enzyme electrodes prepared from the redox polymers and laccase from Trametes versicolor on vitreous carbon rotating disks displays a high dependence on osmium mass fraction, with observed current densities varying by nearly a factor of two over the range osmium fractions studied. The highest-performing electrode produces a current density of 2.1 ± 0.2 mA/cm2 at 0.65 V and 900 rpm in 0.1 M pH 4 citrate buffer at 40 °C, which to our knowledge is greater than any previous analogous electrode. The gain in catalytic performance with osmium mass fraction is attributed to both increased charge transport and mediation kinetics. When scaled to high surface area composite electrodes 13 ± 0.8 mA/cm2 is produced at a rotation rate of 900 rpm, and current densities exceed 20 mA/cm2 when mass transport limitation is further eliminated.
Studies on nitrate uptake by solution grown corn ( Zea mays ) L. genotypes

Nitrate depletion from the media by intact corn seedlings grown under solution culture was measured over a period of time. Two methods were assessed to differentiate corn genotypes for nitrate uptake ability: (1) Nitrate uptake per day per plant basis. (2) Nitrate uptake per day per gram root dry matter basis. The former method was found to be superior as it gave significant and positive correlations with dry matter, nitrate, and reduced nitrogen accumulation in stem, leaf and roots. Nitrate uptake was found to vary with plant age. Root mass and efficiency of roots appear to contribute to the total nitrate uptake ability of the genotype. Corn genotypes studied exhibited marked differences in nitrate uptake ability.
Memory module-level testing and error behaviors for phase change memory

Phase change memory (PCM) is a promising technology to solve energy and performance bottlenecks for memory and storage systems. To help understand the reliability characteristics of PCM devices, we present a simple fault model to categorize four types of PCM errors. Based on our proposed fault model, we conduct extensive experiments on real PCM devices at the memory module level. Numerical results uncover many interesting trends in terms of the lifetime of PCM devices and error behaviors. Specifically, PCM lifetime for the memory chips we tested is greater than 14 million cycles, which is much longer than for flash memory devices. In addition, the distributions for four types of errors are quite different. These results can be used for estimating PCM lifetime and for measuring the fabrication quality of individual PCM memory chips.
Clinical Care at the Genomic Interface: Current Genetic Issues in Neonatal Nursing.

Abstract Although only 1 in 33 infants is born with a genetic condition, neonatal nurses have a growing responsibility to integrate genetic competency into their clinical practice. This review article outlines the specific aspects of assessment, genetic screening and testing, and communication of genetic information between provider and patient in both the newborn and pregnancy period. Essential nursing competencies are introduced as a framework for building a skill and knowledge set in clinical genetics as it applies to neonatal care. The potential development of inquiry and research-oriented practice problems are also highlighted. The exponential growth of human genetic and genomic information drives the need for neonatal nursing to embrace the interface of clinical care and genetic issues.
Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase: a perplexing participant in cellular responses to DNA breakage

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase is a major nuclear protein of 116 kd, coded by a gene on chromosome 1, that plays a role in cellular responses to DNA breakage. The polymerase binds to DNA at single- and double-strand breaks and synthesizes long branched chains of poly(ADP-ribose), which covalently, but transiently, modifies itself and numerous other cellular proteins and depletes cells of NAD+. This much is known, but the physiological role of the polymerization-degradation cycle is still unclear. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of proteins generally inhibits their function and can dissociated chromatin proteins from DNA. Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase increases to toxicity of alkylating agents and some other DNA-damaging agents and increases sister-chromatid exchange frequencies. During repair of alkylation damage, inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase makes no change in excision of damaged products. increases the total number of repair patches, accelerates the rejoining of DNA breaks, and makes variable increases or decreases in net break frequencies. The polymerization cycle consequently is a major player in the response of cells to DNA breakage, but the game it plays is yet to be explained.
Low temperature trapping method for cytochrome oxidase oxygen intermediates

Abstract The trapping of intermediates in the cytochrome oxidase-oxygen reaction is made possible by a three-step procedure: 1) Oxygenation of the ferrous cytochrome oxidase-carbon monoxide compound at a temperature sufficiently low that no ligand exchange with oxygen occurs (−20 to −30°C); 2) flash photolysis at a temperature sufficiently low that the subsequent reaction with oxygen can readily be measured with a multichannel spectrophotometer; 3) rapid cooling of the reaction in progress to a sufficiently low temperature that no further reaction takes place and detailed optical or electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy can be performed. Since the freezing point of the mitochondrial suspensions during oxygenation can be in the range of −20°C, only nondeleterious concentrations of ethylene glycol are employed. The reaction kinetics are observed in the solid state in small-diameter circular tubes suitable for rapid trapping. Efficient optical coupling to the sample tube for transmission spectroscopy and efficient laser photolysis are similarly provided by fiber optics coupling. The method is suitable for studying in detail three compounds of cytochrome oxidase and oxygen formed in the temperature range from −125°C upwards. In addition, the electron transfer processes of the respiratory chain are accurately delineated.
Disconnection syndromes of basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebrocerebellar systems

Disconnection syndromes were originally conceptualized as a disruption of communication between different cerebral cortical areas. Two developments mandate a re-evaluation of this notion. First, we present a synopsis of our anatomical studies in monkey elucidating principles of organization of cerebral cortex. Efferent fibers emanate from every cortical area, and are directed with topographic precision via association fibers to ipsilateral cortical areas, commissural fibers to contralateral cerebral regions, striatal fibers to basal ganglia, and projection subcortical bundles to thalamus, brainstem and/or pontocerebellar system. We note that cortical areas can be defined by their patterns of subcortical and cortical connections. Second, we consider motor, cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders in patients with lesions restricted to basal ganglia, thalamus, or cerebellum, and recognize that these lesions mimic deficits resulting from cortical lesions, with qualitative differences between the manifestations of lesions in functionally related areas of cortical and subcortical nodes. We consider these findings on the basis of anatomical observations from tract tracing studies in monkey, viewing them as disconnection syndromes reflecting loss of the contribution of subcortical nodes to the distributed neural circuits. We introduce a new theoretical framework for the distributed neural circuits, based on general, and specific, principles of anatomical organization, and on the architecture of the nodes that comprise these systems. We propose that neural architecture determines function, i.e., each architectonically distinct cortical and subcortical area contributes a unique transform, or computation, to information processing; anatomically precise and segregated connections between nodes define behavior; and association fiber tracts that link cerebral cortical areas with each other enable the cross-modal integration required for evolved complex behaviors. This model enables the formulation and testing of future hypotheses in investigations using evolving magnetic resonance imaging techniques in humans, and in clinical studies in patients with cortical and subcortical lesions.
Confronting Strange Worlds

To Seek Out New Worlds: Exploring Links between Science Fiction and World Politics. Edited by Jutta Weldes. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003. 240 pp., $69.95 cloth (ISBN: 0-312-29557-X), $22.95 paper (ISBN: 1-4039-6058-5). Midway through H.G. Wells's novel, The War of the Worlds , the narrator encounters a clergyman driven mad by an alien invasion. “Why are these things permitted? What sins have we done?…What are these Martians?” the curate asks. The narrator simply replies, “What are we ?” (Wells 1997:53, emphasis added). Jutta Weldes's edited volume, To Seek Out New Worlds , uses alien encounters to ask larger questions about politics and identity. Like other recent works (see Davies 1990; Barr 1993; Hassler and Wilcox 1997; Seed 1999), this book rejects the “low culture” label attached to science fiction, revealing a genre rich in political themes. Science fiction is a diverse, popular genre worthy of serious study. Although the book's definition of science fiction is very broad, the title actually implies a wider examination than is delivered. However, the discussion of science fiction's depiction of US foreign policy and the relationship between the self and the other contained in To Seek Out New Worlds is certainly worthwhile. By analyzing fictional depictions of international relations, the book aims to shift attention away from traditional high politics. Weldes, following Cynthia Enloe (1996), criticizes traditional international relations' “focus on the powerful” as too narrow, ignoring important elements of world politics (pp. 5–6). The book attempts to widen the scope of inquiry in international relations to include popular culture, an effort that largely succeeds. All the contributors to this volume argue that science fiction and …
Copropagating superluminal and slow light manifested by electromagnetically assisted nonlinear optical processes

We report an experimental observation of nonlinear optical gain and loss assisted by electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and simultaneous superluminal and subluminal light propagations. Two circular components of a linearly polarized light initiate third-order nonlinear processes in which one circular component is attenuated while the other component is amplified in a three-level EIT system. Near the atomic resonance, the attenuated circular component experiences steep normal dispersion and propagates with a slow group velocity, while the amplified circular component experiences steep anomalous dispersion and propagates with a superluminal group velocity.
Microscopy with Nanoapertures to Reveal Membrane Organization with 1 Microsecond and 100 Nanometer Resolution

Current hypotheses for plasma membrane organization depend critically on a variety of length and time scales that are outside the resolution of conventional experimental techniques. Our novel approach utilizes nanoapertures to examine membrane organization and dynamics with near-field optical fluorescence microscopy without incorporating a scanning probe or perturbing the membrane. Conventional microscopy excitation sources and fluorescent probes are used to enable fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) on living cell membranes with super-resolution. The nanoapertures confine the excitation light to a sub-diffraction limit length scale, providing a 25-fold decrease in the illuminated area of the membrane as compared to diffraction-limited illumination.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Can we examine safety culture in accident investigations, or should we?

Abstract Considerable attention has been paid to safety culture since the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power station accident. Researchers have studied it and companies and regulators have applied it to enhance safety. However, few research studies have been conducted that establish a link between safety culture and operational or process safety and methods used to assess safety culture, primarily questionnaires, have been criticized on methodological grounds. One way to enhance system safety is through applying the lessons of investigations of accidents of process safety to remediate organizational shortcomings identified in the investigation. Rather than attempting to assess safety culture directly, examining company actions and decisions directly after an accident can allow investigators to make inferences about safety culture at the time of the accident. This study suggests a method to directly examine the role of organizations in accidents by identifying the nature of organizational errors and describing the logic that can link these errors to accident causation. The application of this method in several accident investigations is described.
SPANNING PROPERTIES OF GRAPHS INDUCED BY DIRECTIONAL ANTENNAS

Let S be a set of points in the plane, such that the unit disk graph with vertex set S is connected. We address the problem of finding orientations and a minimum radius for directional antennas of a fixed cone angle placed at the points of S, such that the induced communication graph G[S] is a hop t-spanner of the unit disk graph for S (meaning that G[S] is strongly connected, and contains a directed path with at most t edges between any pair of points within unit distance). We consider problem instances in which antenna angles are bounded below by 120° and 90°. We show that, in the case of 120° angles, a radius of 5 suffices to establish a hop 4-spanner; and in the case of 90° angles, a radius of 7 suffices to establish a hop 5-spanner.
Interactions between depressed and nondepressed Latina mothers and their premature infants

L'impact de la depression sur l'interaction mere-bebe a ete etudie longitudinalement chez un echantillon de meres americaines immigrees (de pays d'Amerique Latine) tres pauvres et ayant des bebe prematures avec un poids de naissance tres bas. Les caracteristiques maternelles et les caracteristiques des bebes ont toutes ete examinees en utilisant une echelle d'evaluation qui mesurait les interactions durant l'alimentation de l'enfant. Les resultats indiquent que les meres qui etaient deprimees a un mois ne se comportaient pas differemment avec leurs bebes prematures que les meres non-deprimees. De plus, les bebes de meres qui etaient deprimees a un mois ne se comportaient pas differemment avec leurs meres que les bebes de meres non-deprimees. Il n'y avait aucune difference entre les groupes de meres qui restaient deprimees au cours de la periode d'une annee et les groupes dont les scores ne refletaient aucune depression ou aucun changement dans les niveaux de depression. Ces resultats remettent en question les suppositions anterieures sur les interactions entre les dyades meres deprimee-bebe. Les resultats indiquent la necessite qu'il y a d'elargir l'attention de l'etude de maniere a inclure les circonstances socioeconomiques, culturelles et les circonstances de le vie ordinaire des familles qui peuvent avoir un impact bien plus grand sur la condition du bebe que des evaluations simples de depression maternelle, De telles etudes peuvent conduire a des changements dans la maniere dont les services et les types d'interventions sont offerts a des familles de milieux differents.
Competitive release in island Song Sparrow populations

Abstract Song Sparrow territory sizes at 30 mainland and island sites in the Pacific Northwest and one site in Wyoming were measured, and mean values were obtained for each site. Differences in territory sizes were found even though the food supply at each site was similar or varied independently. Song Sparrow territory size was also independent of vegetation structure. A direct correlation was found between Song Sparrow territory size and the number of co-occurring potential competitor species. As the number of competitors decreased, the Song Sparrow territory size decreased. The mechanism through which this decrease occurs is that of competitive release, as realized niche approaches fundamental niche with reduced competitor diversity. Theoretical predictions of Song Sparrow territory size utilizing various forms of α-values were made; results supported the conclusion that competitive release had occurred and that Song Sparrows had expanded ecologically into niches vacated by absent competitors.
S = 1 2 chains and spin-Peierls transition in TiOCl

We study TiOCI as an example of an S= ½ layered Mott insulator. From our analysis of susceptibility data, combined with local-density-approximation (LDA) and LDA+ U band-structure calculations, we conclude that orbital ordering produces quasi-one-dimensional spin chains and that TiOCI is an example of Heisenberg chains that undergo a spin-Peierls transition. The energy scale is an order of magnitude larger than that of previously known examples. The effects of nonmagnetic Sc impurities are explained using a model of broken finite chains.
Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation With Eptifibatide, Bivalirudin, and Heparin in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Receiving Clopidogrel Pretreatment (The PharmacoDynamic Evaluation of Angiomax, Clopidogrel With Or Without INtegrilin [DEACON] Study)

The present study assessed the magnitude of inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate and thrombin receptor activating peptide achieved with unfractionated heparin, the direct thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin, and the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor eptifibatide in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and and were treated with concomitant aspirin and clopidogrel.
Nanotransistors using graphene interfaced with advanced dielectrics for high speed communication

The design fabrication, characterization and modeling of high speed nanotransistors based on large-area atomically thin CVD graphene are presented. Interfacing of the graphene for the first time with advanced dielectrics, such as (piezo) AlN for enhanced performance, and techniques for the direct atomic layer deposition of high-k dielectrics for efficient gate-coupling are also presented. Lastly, novel advanced device concepts and circuits that exploit its tunable property are discussed.
Correlation of Spasticity With Hyperactive Stretch Reflexes and Motor Dysfunction in Hemiplegia

Abstract Objectives: To study the correlation between spasticity and motor dysfunction in the wrist-hand unit of adult hemiplegic patients, and to investigate the correlation between clinical spasticity and hyperactive stretch reflexes. Study Design: A survey study with a sequential case series of subjects. Setting: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, School of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Houston, TX. Subjects: Sequential sample recruited from local stroke support groups: 10 patients with chronic hemiplegia caused by cerebral vascular accident who had various degrees of spasticity in the wrist joint. Outcome Measures: Modified Ashworth Scale, amplitudes of stretch reflexes for wrist flexors, grip strength, active range of motion of the wrist joint, and Fugl-Meyer test. Results: Strong reverse correlation was found between spasticity and grip strength, the Fugl-Meyer test scores, and the Box and Blocks test scores (p = .001 to .005). Results also indicated a strong and consistent correlation between spasticity and reflexive electromyographic activities of the stretch reflex recorded from active muscles (p = .005 and .007), but not between spasticity and torque response of the stretch reflex. Conclusions: The degree of wrist spasticity is associated with impaired hand function in hemiplegic patients, and hyperactive electromyographic response of the stretch reflex, recorded from active muscles, is a valid indicator of spasticity.
Perturbation Expansion of Potential of Charged Dielectric Sphere in Asymmetrical Electrolytes

A perturbation expansion for the electrostatic potential of a uniformly charged, dielectric sphere is extended to include asymmetrical electrolytes in the large radius limit. The potential, valid for q?/?T > 1 and small ?D/a near the sphere, is solved in a similar manner to that for 1-1 electrolytes.
Personality, quality of life and HAART adherence among men and women living with HIV/AIDS

Very few studies have documented relations between personality traits and quality of life among individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Some have shown that poor perceived quality of life as determined by a sense of purpose may be associated with inadequate adherence to highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) in this population. Although adequate HAART adherence is critical to achieve the full therapeutic effects of newly and highly effective regimens, very little is known of how both personality factors and HIV-specific quality of life may impact adherence to these medication regimens. This study evaluated relations among personality traits, quality of life and HAART adherence among 116 men and women living with HIV/AIDS. Results showed that personality traits such as neuroticism were significantly associated with poorer quality of life, whereas conscientiousness and extraversion were associated with better quality of life. In contrast, personality traits were not directly related to HAART adherence. Both higher overall functioning and lower medication worries scores were significantly associated with HAART adherence. Findings suggest that personality traits are associated with HIV-specific quality of life on the one hand, and that HIV-specific quality of life is related to HAART adherence on the other. Future studies assessing the efficacy of psychosocial interventions in improving quality of life and HAART adherence should consider the role of personality traits in promoting better quality of life.
Cultural Difference and Adoption Policy in the United States: The Quest for Social Justice for Children

This article discusses the impact of cultural difference on adoption in the United States (U.S.) during three historical periods and along three dimensions: religion, race and ethnicity. The focus is on the extent to which national and international definitions of the rights of the child as put forth by the United States, the United Nations and The Hague have affected adoption policy and practice. The article questions the extent to which the failure to respond to cultural differences has diminished the rights of the child and resulted in social injustice. Although focused on the U.S., the argument has relevance for many other countries, including Sweden, Romania, Ukraine, Australia, Korea and China.
The U.S. Homeless Student Population: Homeless Youth Education, Review of Research Classifications and Typologies, and the U.S. Federal Legislative Response.

The drastic surge in the number of homeless families in the United States (U.S.) has resulted in an increase in the number of homeless students attending U.S. public schools. Meanwhile, the U.S. public school system is struggling to meet the educational needs of their homeless students. This study examined the historical trajectory of U.S. federal initiatives that aim to respond to the needs of homeless youth; homeless youth research, classifications and typologies; homeless youth social conditions; and the factors that foster or impede their education. This study reviewed U.S. federal policies that intend to address homeless youth needs and education; the causes and impact of homelessness on youth; the economics of homelessness; and the relevance of resiliency in improving homeless youth prospects. Despite the enormous challenges homeless youth face, some manage to successfully graduate from high school. While homeless youth are incapable of building or institutionalizing the support networks and structures they need, they are capable of utilizing available support systems within their surroundings. Without responsive structural support this vulnerable population is at high risk of failure. Several federal programs are mandated to assist homeless youth meet their basic needs and education. For these programs to realize their objectives, deliberate efforts must be expanded to assess and evaluate program efficiency. Also, past federal educational initiatives may offer insights on how to better chart and inform the many existing federal homeless youth programs that aim to meet the diverse and complex needs of homeless students.
Effects of the amount of stimulus information processed on negative event-related potentials.

Abstract Event-related potentials were recorded during simple reaction time and 3 discrimination conditions which varied in the amount of stimulus information that needed to be processed. It was found that NA became longer in duration as the amount of stimulus information that required processing was increased. Using sequential topographic mapping, it was concluded that there are at least 3 overlapping deflections that comprise NA. The experimental effect appeared to be mainly on the third deflection of NA. The problem of overlap between Na and later positive-going components, P380 and P3b, is discussed in terms of their relative latencies and scalp distributions.
Fabrication and testing of a magnetically actuated micropump

A micropump has been fabricated in a modular fashion using silicone elastomers, which are cheap, tough, durable and inert. For modular assembly, molded bodies capture a thin valve membrane, and a diaphragm is glued on top. After attaching a novel, magnetically oriented permanent magnet composite membrane, as well as inlet and outlet tubes, the pump is activated by an electromagnet. Under a differential water head, the valve opened at ∼600 Pa. A pump 15 mm in diameter, 20 mm long, weighing 10 g, had a maximum pump rate for air of 260 μl/min at 1.9 W.
Reaction of In-Situ-Gelled Acids With Calcite: Reaction-Rate Study

This paper (SPE 133501) was accepted for presentation at the SPE Production and Operations Conference and Exhibition, Tunis, Tunisia, 8–10 June 2010, and revised for publication. Original manuscript received for review 9 August 2010. Revised manuscript received for review 3 March 2011. Paper peer approved 9 March 2011. Summary In-situ-gelled acids have been used extensively in matrix acidizing and acid fracturing for acid diversion and reducing the leakoff rate, respectively. A few studies investigated the rate of dissolution of calcite in polymer-based acids, yet none has addressed in detail the in-situ-gelled acids. Therefore, the aim of this work is to examine the mass transfer and the kinetics of the reaction of 5 wt% HCl in-situ-gelled acids with calcite and determine the effect of Fe crosslinker on the rate of calcite dissolution. The rate of reaction of 5 wt% HCl in-situ-gelled acid was measured using the rotating-disk apparatus. Rock samples of 1.5in. diameter and 1-in. length were used. The effect of temperature (100–250°F) and disk-rotational speed (100–1,800 rev/min) was investigated using Pink Desert limestone rock samples. Calcium concentration was measured in the collected samples and was used to determine the acid-reaction rate. Experimental results showed that the rate of calcite dissolution at 150°F was controlled mainly by the rate of mass transfer of the acid to the surface up to a disk rotational speed of 1,000 rev/min and by the rate of the surface reaction above this value. On the basis of the results obtained, the diffusion coefficient of 5 wt% HCl in in-situ-gelled acid at 150°F; the activation energy; and the reaction rate constant at 150, 200, and 250°F were determined for the first time. A power-law kinetic model was used to determine the kinetics parameters. The presence of Fe crosslinker had a significant effect on the rate of dissolution in comparison with reactions with gelled acid (no crosslinker) at the same condition. The reaction rate decreased by a factor of 2.2 and by a factor of 1.4 when the reaction was conducted at 100 and 1,500 rev/min, respectively. A gel layer, formed on the surface, acted as a barrier between the acid and the rock, which reduced the rate of calcite dissolution.
Factors influencing testosterone metabolism by anuran larvae

The effects of experimental conditions—steroid concentration, temperature, treatment duration, tadpole density, and delivery mode—on testosterone (T) metabolic rates were examined in larval anurans. T uptake into tadpoles was measured by scintillation counting of [3H]T and metabolism of T was studied by thin layer chromatography in two anuran species, the African clawed frog (Xenopus laeuis) and the western toad (Bufo boreas). T was extensively metabolized by both species, but the effects of each experimental condition on T metabolism varied between species. In the study of delivery mode, tadpoles injected with T dissolved in saline metabolized T faster than animals in groups where the steroid was added directly to the water. Animals injected with T dissolved in oil metabolized T the slowest, but T was short-lived in all cases. The current study demonstrates that concentration, temperature, treatment duration, tadpole density, and delivery mode may all affect steroid metabolic rates, but these effects vary between species in unpredictable ways. Since steroid metabolism may either activate or deactivate steroids, these factors are important in understanding the potency of steroids in tadpoles. A review of the literature dealing with steroid effects in anuran larvae illustrates these problems. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Chronic tenosynovitis caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

This is the first report of a patient with a history of painless chronic flexor tenosynovitis caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. The slow growth of the organism on culture makes early identification difficult. Flexor tenosynovitis along with proper antibiotic treatment resulted in complete resolution in this patient.
Getting to work – Image ingestion

Chapter 7, Getting To Work – Image Ingestion, covers the key components of getting digital images from the camera into the computer. The ingestion step is one of the most important steps in a safe and efficient digital image workflow. Performing this step properly can provide the best opportunity to automate the digital workflow and ensure organization and safe-keeping of the photographer's work. We discuss best practices for:
A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO OIL SPILL ON MARINE PART II: RECRUITMENT

ABSTRACT A study of marine organisms on intertidal transects encompassed the central theme of observing the effects of the San Francisco Bunker C oil spill of January 18, 1971. From a comparison of pre-oil and post-oil transect data with computation of 95% confidence intervals for population means, it was estimated that 4.2 to 7.5 million marine intertebrates, chiefly barnacles, were smothered by the oil. In subsequent observations from 1972 to 1974, the sample counts of invertebrates had returned to, and in some cases surpassed, pre-oil transect levels. No lingering effects of the oil spill have been noted in any of the marine species.
Precursor Cell Transitions in Oligodendrocyte Development

The physiological demands made upon precursor cell populations during different developmental epochs can be remarkably divergent, particularly in tissues that do not undergo constant turnover in the adult animal. In such tissues, with the central nervous system (CNS) being a prime example, the rapid
Surface modification of ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer films by the attachment of triethoxysilane functionality

Triethoxysilane groups were covalently attached onto the surface of ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer film via a urethane linkage through reaction between the hydroxyl groups in EVOH and 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane in the presence of dibutyltin dilaurate as catalyst. This reaction was confirmed by ATR-IR and XPS analysis. XPS results also indicated that this reaction was not surface sensitive and the modified layer was at least 40 A in depth. The modified film samples were further reacted with tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) for partial hydrolysis and condensation and XPS results showed a significant increase in the contents of oxygen and silicone on the surface which confirmed the above reaction.
Privatizing Monopolies: Lessons from the Telecommunications and Transport Sectors in Latin America

The article reviews the book “Privatizing Monopolies: Lessons from the Telecommunications and Transport Sectors in Latin America,” edited by Ravi Ramamurti.
Roles of PLC-β2 and -β3 and PI3Kγ in Chemoattractant-Mediated Signal Transduction

The roles of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and phospholipase C (PLC) in chemoattractant-elicited responses were studied in mice lacking these key enzymes. PI3Kgamma was required for chemoattractant-induced production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns (3,4,5)P3] and has an important role in chemoattractant-induced superoxide production and chemotaxis in mouse neutrophils and in production of T cell-independent antigen-specific antibodies composed of the immunoglobulin lambda light chain (TI-IglambdaL). The study of the mice lacking PLC-beta2 and -beta3 revealed that the PLC pathways have an important role in chemoattractant-mediated production of superoxide and regulation of protein kinases, but not chemotaxis. The PLC pathways also appear to inhibit the chemotactic activity induced by certain chemoattractants and to suppress TI-IglambdaL production.
Effects of wetland excavation on avian communities in eastern Washington

Despite having an arid climate, the Columbia River Basin of eastern Washington is one of the most important areas for breeding, migrating, and wintering wetland birds in the Pacific Northwest. Extensive farmland irrigation near the O’Sullivan Reservoir and other areas has raised water tables, resulting in closed canopies of emergent vegetation in what are now permanent, shallow wetlands. During 1994–95, we found that avian communities on vegetation-filled wetlands excavated to create open water had greater mean densities of dabbling and diving ducks (Anatidae), shorebirds, American coots (Fulica americana), and terns (Sterna spp.) than untreated control wetlands. Densities of yellow-headed blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) were greater on excavated wetlands, while the densities of red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), Sora (Porzana carolina), and Virginia rails (Rallus limicola) were greater on unaltered sites. Densities of marsh wrens (Cistothorus palustris) and other passerines were similar among excavated and control wetlands. Zooplankton biomass was greater on altered wetlands and generally greater in older excavations. We suggest that managers may design constructed wetland basins to improve population management of diverse wetland bird species by creating an appropriate mix of wetland habitats at the landscape level.
Size Invariance in Visual Object Priming of Gray-Scale Images:

The strength of visual priming of briefly presented gray-scale pictures of real-world objects, measured by reaction times and errors in naming, was independent of whether the primed picture of the object was presented in the same size as or different size from the original picture. These findings replicate results on size invariance in shape recognition, which were obtained with line drawings, and extend them to the domain of gray-level images. Entry-level shape identification is based predominantly on scale-invariant representations incorporating orientation and depth discontinuities which are well captured by line drawings.
Empowering African Americans To Achieve Academic Success

Many problems confront educators who seek to overcome roadblocks to the academic success of black stu dents, particularly those in urban areas. These writers review some of the factors of which educators should be cognizant as they develop inter vention strategies to help black urban students achieve such success.