cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Halothane, Enflurane, and Isoflurane on Measurements of Ca2+ by Calcium Electrode and Aequorin Luminescence

Abstract We assessed the possible effects of the volatile halogenated anesthetics halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on Ca 2+ electrode measurements and on the Ca 2+ sensitivity of the bioluminescent protein aequorin. In Ca 2+ –EGTA buffers of different pCa values (7.870, 6.726, 6.033, 4.974, 4.038, and 2.995) and in serial Ca 2+ dilutions (10 −4 , 10 −3 , and 10 −2 M), halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane each caused a concentration-dependent and reversible increase in the absolute value of the negative electrode potential. Isoflurane and enflurane had larger effects than halothane. Neither of these anesthetics changed aequorin luminescence at any pCa tested in the range 2–8. There was no potentiation or inactivation of aequorin luminescence over a period of up to 2 h. These results suggest that (1) halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane interfere with Ca 2+ electrode measurements, most likely by changing the physicochemical properties of the membrane; (2) these anesthetics do not inactivate or otherwise modify the characteristics of the reaction of Ca 2+ with aequorin; and (3) these anesthetics do not change the apparent affinity of EGTA for Ca 2+ .
Direct injection assay of angiotensin-converting enzyme by high-performance liquid chromatography using a shielded hydrophobic phase column

Abstract A rapid and sensitive method for the determination of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in serum and tissue extracts is described. The procedure is based on the high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of the synthetic substrate hippuryl- l -histidyl- l -leucine from the hydrolysis product hippuric acid. The separation is accomplished by direct injection of biological assay mixtures onto a shielded hydrophobic phase column with isocratic elution.
A study of ice shape prediction methodologies and comparison with experimental data

Current analytical ice shape prediction methods are described and evaluated. The analyses of Gray (1958), Wilder (1969), and Bragg (1982) are compared with the prediction of the LEWICE computer analysis. The effects of time stepping and initial surface roughness on analysis predictions are studied utilizing the prediction methods and flight data. Rime, mixed, and glazed ice shapes at the leading edge of an airfoil are analyzed. It is observed that there is no change in ice shape prediction if ice accumulation is less than 0.01, a minimum of 2 time steps is need to incorporate time dependent behavior into the analysis, and the LEWICE analysis provided the most accurate predictions.
N-type SIPOS and poly-silicon emitters

Abstract N -type SIPOS and poly-silicon emitters on silicon show potential for improved minority carrier blocking properties over conventional diffused emitters. This paper discusses experiments designed to elucidate the physical mechanisms responsible for this improvement and to optimize the process conditions. Emitters both with and without an intentionally grown chemical oxide under the SIPOS or poly-silicon film are investigated. Both poly-silicon and SIPOS emitters, in their optimized form, can achieve J oe of less than 2 × 10 −14 A/cm 2 , an improvement of several decades over shallow diffused emitters.
Extracting 3-D information using 2-D images of seeds

Abstract At the National Seed Storage Laboratory, a color image database is being developed to characterize the phenotypic variations of genetic resources, specifically seeds. In order to collect seed characteristics such as size, shape, color, surface pattern, etc., a 3-D image measurement technique was developed using 2-D images. This information is needed to visualize all aspects of the seed characteristics in order to develop a germplasm inventory. Image processing techniques were developed to extract the key seed features. With this information, seed scientists will possess a tool capable of providing more precise data on seed genetic variability.
Conspicuousness and vestigial escape behaviour by two dendrobatid frogs, Dendrobates auratus and Oophaga pumilio

Aposematic prey are thought to move slowly and openly near predators, but exhibit reduced escape behaviour. We studied conspicuousness and escape by aposematic poison frogs ( Dendrobates auratus and Oophaga pumilio ). In circles of leaf litter, observers detected poison frogs quickly. Flight initiation distance (FID, predator-prey distance when escape begins) increases with approach speed in non-cryptic palatable prey, but not for frogs in clearings, which permitted close approach. On trails frogs moved slowly into forest and FID in D. auratus increased with approach speed. Distance from cover and handling exposing predators to distastefulness may account for greater reliance on aposematism in clearings. We observed responses to a simulated predator (stick with painted face) in three conditions: not approached, approached, and touched. Latency to hop and time to exit circles decreased and exit from circles was directed further away from the approach path in the order not approached, approached, touched. Oophaga pumilio changed directions less when approached than not; many exhibited no escape behaviour. Aposematic dendrobatids move slowly near predators, but retain risk-assessment mechanisms due to occasional predation. Differences in escape between dendrobatids and palatable Craugastor frogs suggest that dendrobatid defensive behavior may have been molded to maximize the effectiveness of aposematism.
Abnormal Glucose Metabolism and Parafoveal Telangiectasia

Parafoveal telangiectasia is a microvascular abnormality of the macula that may be developmental or acquired. Twenty-eight patients with this condition and normal fasting blood glucose levels underwent ophthalmologic evaluation and glucose tolerance testing. Bilateral telangiectasia was more frequently associated with laboratory evidence of abnormal glucose metabolism than unilateral disease (five of eight cases vs six of 17 cases). In five of our patients, results of glucose tolerance testing were consistent with diabetes even though fasting blood glucose levels were normal. Right-angle venules, which have been reported to be an important sign of bilateral disease, were also found in unilateral telangiectasia. Unilateral telangiectasia occurs in females as well as males. Glucose tolerance testing should be performed in all patients who have bilateral parafoveal telangiectasia.
The unfinished journey of ecological economics

The goal of the economists and ecologists who laid the conceptual foundations for ecological economics in the 1960s and 1970s was to create a scientifically informed discipline that could serve as the basis for coordinating economic activities in environmentally responsible ways. The aim of this article is to make a convincing case that the history of neoclassical economic theory provides a coherent basis for understanding why ecological economists must finish the journey begun by these economists and ecologists.
Probing the sensitivity of the total nucleus-nucleus reaction cross section at intermediate energies to medium effects and isospin asymmetries

This paper presents reaction cross-section predictions. These predictions are the result of a continuous pipeline that originates from a microscopic nuclear interaction. Density parameters and effective nucleon-nucleon cross sections (both involved in the reaction calculations) are by-products of the same equation of state. First, we perform tests of sensitivity to medium effects using reactions involving $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$, a stable but weakly isospin-asymmetric nucleus. We also show predictions for collisions of some neutron-rich isotopes of calcium and argon. We observe significant sensitivity of the reaction cross section to medium effects but very weak sensitivity to inclusion of isospin asymmetry in the effective nucleon-nucleon cross sections.
UV induced degradation of herbicide methyl viologen: Kinetics and mechanism and effect of ionic media on degradation rates

Abstract A treatment technology which involves the utilization of UV light for the degradation of the herbicide, methyl viologen, (MV2+), in aqueous solutions is developed. Kinetics and mechanism of photodegradation process is also investigated. The photolysis of methyl viologen was found to be a first order process, however, the observed first order rate constant decreased from 0.0908 to 0.0141 min‐1 when starting methyl viologen concentration was changed from 3.0 mg/L to 18.0 mg/L. It is proposed that ion‐pair formation between the species ∗MV2+, counter ion X‐, and MV2+ exits, and is responsible for the observed decrease in rate at higher methyl viologen concentrations. The effect of the ionic strength upon the rate of degradation was also investigation, and the are constant was found to decrease further at higher ionic strength. The photodecomposition of methyl viologen appears to be a homolytic process leading to the formation of methyl pyridinium radical which then undergo photolysis at a much faste...
Toward an integrative view of strategic human resource management

Abstract This article presents an integrative perspective of the human resource system based on the notion of managing competencies and behavior. Six basic HR strategies are derived by juxtaposing the three fundamental elements of a system (input, process, output) with the two strategic foci of HRM (competencies and behavior). These HR strategies are referred to as Competence Acquisition, Competence Utilization, Competence Retention, Competence Displacement, Behavior Control, and Behavior Coordination. The implications and advantages of this reconceptualization are discussed.
Exercise and the Aging Mind: Buffing the Baby Boomer's Body and Brain

Among the fears of aging are loss of memory, cognitive decline, and loss of independence. Baby boomers have entered the "aged" cohort and are actively seeking ways to maintain strong bodies and strong minds. Bench to clinical research suggests that keeping physically active and engaged in moderate to vigorous exercise may be vital to brain health. Because exercise promotes neurogenesis, increased brain volume, and improved cognitive function, it can help the aging brain to retain plasticity. However the precise mechanisms by which exercise accomplishes these changes in the brain are not clearly understood. This study argues that "what is good for the heart is good for the brain," although more research is needed to determine the optimal exercise prescription for brain health and successful cognitive aging.
On the deformation mechanisms in lamellar TiAl alloys

Efforts are currently under way to model large scale plastic deformation and texture evolution in lamellar Ti-Al alloys. The model is based on an analysis of an aggregate of two-phase composite inclusions, where each constituent deforms by its available slip systems. The deformation and stress are assumed to be uniform within each phase while enforcing the compatibility and traction equilibrium across the interface. In the present work, the authors elucidate constraints imposed by the orientation relationship (OR) (habit plane) to the plastic anisotropy in two-phase Ti-Al alloys. It is shown that the kinematic constraints of limited slip activity in the [alpha][sub 2]-phase slabs are transmitted to the neighboring [gamma]-phase slabs. This result is consistent with experimental observations of soft mode vs hard mode plastic anisotropy. Thus, with the assumption of homogeneous deformation in each slab, the hard modes in the [gamma] phase - which correspond to the constrained modes in the analysis - are primarily due to the conservation of the OR during deformation, the kinematic deficiency in the [alpha][sub 2] phase, and the interfacial compatibility condition. This fundamentally differs from the current explanation in terms of a Hall-Petch effect.
Content retrieval using cloud-based DNS

Cloud-computing systems are rapidly gaining momentum, providing flexible alternatives to many services. We study the Domain Name System (DNS) service, used to convert host names to IP addresses, which has historically been provided by a client's Internet Service Provider (ISP). With the advent of cloud-based DNS providers such as Google and OpenDNS, clients are increasingly using these DNS systems for URL and other name resolution. Performance degradation with cloud-based DNS has been reported, especially when accessing content hosted on highly distributed CDNs like Akamai. In this work, we investigate this problem in depth using Akamai as the content provider and Google DNS as the cloud-based DNS system. We demonstrate that the problem is rooted in the disparity between the number and location of servers of the two providers, and develop a new technique for geolocating data centers of cloud providers. Additionally, we explore the design space of methods for cloud-based DNS systems to be effective. Client-side, cloud-side, and hybrid approaches are presented and compared, with the goal of achieving the best client-perceived performance. Our work yields valuable insight into Akamai's DNS system, revealing previously unknown features.
How effective is tegaserod for the treatment of female patients with mixed subtype IBS

This Practice Point commentary discusses the findings and limitations of a study by Chey and colleagues that evaluated the safety and efficacy of tegaserod in women with mixed subtype IBS (alternating constipation and diarrhea) or constipation-predominant IBS. This trial, the largest performed in patients with mixed subtype IBS, demonstrated improvement in both global and individual IBS symptoms in patients treated with tegaserod (6 mg twice daily) compared with those receiving placebo. Tegaserod was generally well tolerated, with the most common adverse event being diarrhea. The limitations of the study include short duration (4 weeks) and the absence of men. This trial confirms the outcomes of previous studies demonstrating that pharmacologic modulation of the serotonin system can improve IBS symptoms in some patients. Unfortunately, the immediate clinical relevance of this study is now questionable, given the withdrawal of tegaserod from the US market in March 2007.
Pericardiocentesis induced intrapericardial thrombus: Detection by two-dimensional echocardiography

2. Cohen LS, Friedman WF, Braunwald E: Natural history of mild congenital aortic stenosis elucidated by serial hemodynamic studies. Am J Cardiol 30:1, 1972. 3. Bogart DB, Murphy BL, Wong BYS, Pugh DM, Dunn MI: Progression of aortic stenosis. Chest 76:391, 1979. 4. Cheitlin MD, Gertz EW, Brundage BH, Carlson CJ, Quash JA, Bode RS Jr: Rate of progression of severity of valvular aortic stenosis in the adult. AM HEART J 98:689, 1979.
Abstract 2553: Characterization of the UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases in melanocytes and melanoma

The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) family of enzymes catalyzes the glucuronidation of a variety of endogenous compounds such as bilirubin and steroid hormones, as well as xenobiotics including chemotherapeutic agents and environmental carcinogens. Glucuronidation of these substrates inactivates them by making them more hydrophilic and easily excreted. UGTs are expressed primarily in the liver, but are also expressed in several extra-hepatic tissues including prostate, breast, colon, lung, brain, kidney, bladder and ovary. However, there have been no reports measuring UGTs in melanocytes or melanoma. We screened several primary melanocyte cultures from neonatal foreskin as well as several primary and metastatic melanoma cell lines for UGT expression by RT-PCR. Three UGT family members, UGT2B7, UGT2B10 and UGT2B15, were found to be expressed in melanocytes. Interestingly, of all the melanoma cell lines screened only WM115, a primary melanoma, had UGT expression. Again, only UGT2B7, UGT2B10 and UGT2B15 were detected. UGT expression was not detected in another primary melanoma cell line, WM3211, or in any metastatic melanoma cell line assayed suggesting that loss of UGT expression occurs during melanoma progression. Treatment of WM3211 cells with temozolomide, currently indicated for treatment of metastatic melanoma, induced expression of UGT2B7, UGT2B10 and UGT2B15. Similar induction of these UGTs was observed in response to adriamycin or epirubicin treatment of WM3211 cells. Furthermore, induction of UGT2B7, UGT2B10 and UGT2B15 in response to epirubicin was also observed in the metastatic melanoma cell line SKmel28. Since the UGTs are Phase II xenobiotic metabolism enzymes, we hypothesize that the upregulation of the UGTs in melanoma cells in response to chemotherapeutic agents is a potential mechanism for the well documented drug resistance observed in this malignancy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2553.
The association between mountaintop mining and birth defects among live births in central Appalachia, 1996–2003

Birth defects are examined in mountaintop coal mining areas compared to other coal mining areas and non-mining areas of central Appalachia. The study hypothesis is that higher birth-defect rates are present in mountaintop mining areas. National Center for Health Statistics natality files were used to analyze 1996–2003 live births in four Central Appalachian states (N ¼1,889,071). Poisson regression models that control for covariates compare birth defect prevalence rates associated with maternal residence in county mining type: mountaintop mining areas, other mining areas, or non-mining areas. The prevalence rate ratio (PRR) for any birth defect was significantly higher in mountaintop mining areas compared to non-mining areas (PRR¼ 1.26, 95% CI¼ 1.21, 1.32), but was not higher in the nonmountaintop mining areas, after controlling for covariates. Rates were significantly higher in mountaintop mining areas for six of seven types of defects: circulatory/respiratory, central nervous system, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and ‘other’. There was evidence that mountaintop mining effects became more pronounced in the latter years (2000–2003) versus earlier years (1996–1999.) Spatial correlation between mountaintop mining and birth defects was also present, suggesting effects of mountaintop mining in a focal county on birth defects in neighboring counties. Elevated birth defect rates are partly a function of socioeconomic disadvantage, but remain elevated after controlling for those risks. Both socioeconomic and environmental influences in mountaintop mining areas may be contributing factors.
Making the Movies Real: The Death Penalty & Local TV News

Media organizations, particularly the broadcast media, have become extremely important actors on the public stage over the last three decades. As a result, what the media chose to cover and how they chose to cover it is an important question. That is magnified when the media turn their attention to a public policy issue like the death penalty that already possesses profound social significance. In no other area of public policy can the state impose its will so completely and finally on an individual citizen. Therefore, the public should understand the issues that surround capital punishment. That understanding is virtually always communicated through media organizations because very few of us have first-hand knowledge of the death penalty. In this paper, I explore how television broadcast organizations cover the imposition of the death penalty. How did they carry it out? What themes did they convey? What did the public learn?
Human Antibodies to Bacterial Superantigens and Their Ability To Inhibit T-Cell Activation and Lethality

Bacterial superantigens (BSAgs) cause massive stimulation of the immune system and are associated with various pathologies and diseases. To address the role of antibodies in protection against BSAgs, we screened the sera of 29 human volunteers for antibodies to the SAgs staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), SEB, SEC1, and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1). Although all volunteers had detectable levels of antibodies against SEB and SEC1, many (9 out of 29 volunteers) lacked detectable antibody to SEA or had minimal titers. Antibody titers to TSST-1 were well below those to SEB and SEC1, and three volunteers lacked detectable antibody to this BSAg. In addition, pooled immunoglobulin preparations obtained from different companies had antibody titers against SEs and TSST-1. There was a good correlation between antibody titers and inhibition of superantigenic effects of these toxins. Transfer of SEB-specific antibodies, obtained from pooled sera, suppressed in vitro T-cell proliferation and totally protected mice against SEB. These data suggest that the inhibitory activity of human sera was specific to antibodies directed against the toxins. Thus, it may be possible to counteract with specific antibodies BSAg-associated pathologies caused by stimulation of the immune system.
Is Capital Punishment Morally Required? The Relevance of Life-Life Tradeoffs

Recent evidence suggests that capital punishment may have a significant deterrent effect, preventing as many eighteen or more murders for each execution. This evidence greatly unsettles moral objections to the death penalty, because it suggests that a refusal to impose that penalty condemns numerous innocent people to death. Capital punishment thus presents a life-life tradeoff, and a serious commitment to the sanctity of human life may well compel, rather than forbid, that form of punishment. Moral objections to the death penalty frequently depend on a distinction between acts and omissions, but that distinction is misleading in this context, because government is a special kind of moral agent. The familiar problems with capital punishment - potential error, irreversibility, arbitrariness, and racial skew - do not argue in favor of abolition, because the world of homicide suffers from those same problems in even more acute form. The widespread failure to appreciate the life-life tradeoffs involved in capital punishment may depend on cognitive processes that fail to treat "statistical lives" with the seriousness that they deserve.
Asymmetry in Resting Intracortical Activity as a Buffer to Social Threat

Social rejection can create powerful changes in people’s brains and bodies. In the study reported here, we examined brain-based individual differences associated with buffering against cardiovascular threat responses to social rejection. Using EEG source-localization techniques, we examined differences in intracortical asymmetry. We predicted that individuals with greater left relative to right dorsolateral prefrontal activity would show a more approach-motivated response to social rejection. Eighty-four female participants were randomly assigned to one of three stressful situations: social rejection, social evaluation without rejection, or self-evaluation. Among participants assigned to the social-rejection condition, greater left relative to right prefrontal intracortical activity at baseline was associated with more adaptive cardiovascular profiles and more self-reported approach-oriented emotions. Participants in the other conditions did not show these relationships. Our data are the first to show tha...
Do placental species abort offspring? Testing an assumption of the Trexler–DeAngelis model

Summary 1. We investigate how resource level affects reproduction in matrotrophic ( Poeciliopsis prolifica ) and lecithotrophic ( P. monacha ) fishes. 2. One of our goals was to test an assumption of the Trexler‐DeAngelis model for the evolution of matrotrophy, which was that matrotrophic species can adjust litter size by aborting offspring in low food conditions. Our more general goal was to elucidate other differences between the reproductive modes. 3. Both species have superfetation and c. 30-day development time. Females of each species were assigned to high or low food availability for 30 days, or one gestation period. Any young born during that time interval would have initiated development before the initiation of the experiment. If embryos are aborted, then this would be seen as a reduction in brood size in the low food treatment relative to the high food treatment within this period. 4. Our results suggest P. monacha responds to low food by sacrificing reproduction to maintain lipids, while P. prolifica maintains reproduction at the expense of lipids. Neither species showed a significant reduction in offspring number over the course of the experiment, suggesting that these species do not abort offspring in low food conditions.
Development of nanometer scale structures in composites of Nb-Ti and their effect on the superconducting critical current density

A detailed investigation has been made of an optimized, high critical current density composite of Nb-46.5 wt"/o Ti. Details of the fabrication of the composite are given and an extensive metallurigical characterization of the microstructure at many stages in the fabrication and optimization process is presented. It is shown that up to 20% of IX-Ti is produced by the heat treatment process. The mechanism by which the precipitate distribution is refined with increasing number of heat treatment and initially equaixed precipitates turned into very thin, high aspect ratio ribbons by large drawing strains· is quantitatively described. Critical current density measurements show that the optimum pinning forces are obtained for precipitates of '" 1 nm in thickness, spaced ",4 nm apart. These dimensions are considerably smaller than those previously reported. There appears to be little or no proximity effect suppression of the pinning force even though the precipitate thickness is of order 0.2 coherence length. The specific pinning force of the precipitates ranges from 170 to 260 N/m2, a value similar to that measured earlier for grain boundary film precipitation in this alloy.
Ecomorphological variation in foraging behaviour by Puerto Rican Anolis lizards Anolis lizard ecomorphs

Ecomorphs of Anolis lizards evolved convergently via niche partitioning in separate radiations. Each ecomorph has a suite of traits including body size, morphology, microhabitat, anti-predatory behaviour, and foraging, but foraging movements of ecomorphs have not been characterized quantitatively. Data are presented on aspects of foraging for seven species representing four ecomorphs in the cristatellus series from Puerto Rico. Using these and published data for Jamaican and Hispaniolan anoles, an examination is made of predictions based on definitions of ecomorphs by Williams (1972, 1983). Grass-bush and trunk-crown anoles exhibited higher movement rates than trunk-ground anoles. Data for other radiations agree and support a prediction of relatively high movement rates for twig and trunk ecomorphs. All the species studied were ambush foragers and all used the head-down survey posture, indicating phylogenetic stability of these traits. Arboreal species adopted survey posture in about 75% of observations, and grass-bush species used it when on elevated perches. Rates of foraging movements increased as perch height decreased in grass-bush ecomorphs owing to visual obstruction by vegetation limiting the scanning area close to the ground. A similar relationship occurred unexpectedly in a trunk-crown II species, A. stratulus, whereas movement increased marginally with perch height in a trunk-crown I species, A. evermanni. Perch height and movement rates were unrelated in three trunk-ground species. Movements per minute and per cent time moving were highly correlated among species owing to the brevity of individual movements. Data from other Greater Antillean radiations are needed to separate the effects of ecology and phylogeny on anole foraging.
Transient extracellular application of gold nanostars increases hippocampal neuronal activity

Background: With the increased use of nanoparticles in biomedical applications there is a growing need to understand the effects that nanoparticles may have on cell function. Identifying these effects and understanding the mechanism through which nanoparticles interfere with the normal functioning of a cell is necessary for any therapeutic or diagnostic application. The aim of this study is to evaluate if gold nanoparticles can affect the normal function of neurons, namely their activity and coding properties. Results: We synthesized star shaped gold nanoparticles of 180 nm average size. We applied the nanoparticles to acute mouse hippocampal slices while recording the action potentials from single neurons in the CA3 region. Our results show that CA3 hippocampal neurons increase their firing rate by 17% after the application of gold nanostars. The increase in excitability lasted for as much as 50 minutes after a transient 5 min application of the nanoparticles. Further analyses of the action potential shape and computational modeling suggest that nanoparticles block potassium channels responsible for the repolarization of the action potentials, thus allowing the cell to increase its firing rate.
Intergenerational cycle of maltreatment: a popular concept obscured by methodological limitations

Abstract Objective: The intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment is a controversial subject. Much of existing research is plagued with at least three fundamental weaknesses: (1) using case status to define subjects; (2) adopting a dichotomous perspective that does not consider the reality of maltreatment on various continua; and (3) using operational definitions that fail to differentiate between maltreatment subtypes. We controlled for these problems and examined the structure of child maltreatment and its influence on later parenting practices in an ethnically-diverse community sample. Method: Data from a community sample of parents (N = 383) were analyzed with a Structural Equation Modeling methodology. Reliable and valid continuous measures of child maltreatment (Child Trauma Questionnaire) and parenting practices (Parental Acceptance and Rejection Questionnaire) were used. Results: Results revealed a moderately strong effect from a general factor of Child Maltreatment to a general factor of Poor Parenting for both mothers and fathers, supporting a common dysfunction transmission process. For mothers, Family Neglect by itself also led to poor parenting, and sexual abuse as a child led to aggressive parenting. For fathers, Child Maltreatment had a different structure, as sexual abuse was distinct from the factors of Family Abuse and Family Neglect. Also, for fathers, sexual abuse led to rejecting parenting practices. Conclusions: This study supports the intergenerational cycle of child maltreatment hypothesis in such a way that several weaknesses in much of existing research were controlled. Clinical implications and potential mechanisms of transmission are discussed.
Differential Regulation of Human Antigen-Specific Th1 and Th2 Lymphocyte Responses by Isozyme Selective Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors

Our study explores the relative efficacy of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 clonal responses. Proliferative responses for both phenotypes were down-regulated by the PDE4 inhibitor, rolipram, but not the PDE3 inhibitor, siguazodan. The Th2 clones were more sensitive than the Th1 clones to PDE4 inhibition (P < .05 at 10 and 100 microM rolipram). The addition of 1 microM of the adenylyl cyclase activator, isoproterenol, significantly decreased both the EC50 and IC50 of rolipram in both phenotypes (P < .05). Gene expression for interleukin-4, interleukin-5, or interferon-gamma, assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, was down-regulated by the PDE4 inhibitor, but not the PDE3 inhibitor, in each respective clone. Cytokine protein secretion paralleled the results of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for IL-4 and interferon-gamma (P < .01 for each). No differential efficacy on cytokine generation parameters between T helper phenotypes was apparent. Rolipram treatment significantly elevated intracellular cyclic AMP (adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) in clonal T cells (P < .01 for Th1 or Th2 clones); these elevations were consistently greater in the Th2 clones (P < .05). Finally, Th1 cells showed reduced gene expression for the PDE4C isoform and a lack of gene expression for the PDE4D isoform by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, compared to the Th2 cells. These data demonstrate the potent immunomodulatory efficacy of PDE4 inhibition on antigen-specific T cell clones. The enhanced sensitivity of Th2 cells to PDE4 inhibition may be due, in part, to the differential expression of PDE4 isoforms between Th1 and Th2 cells.
Differentiated services network with distributed-buffer core-stateless weighted fair queuing

Existing bandwidth broker approach for centralized or hierarchical reservation control in differentiated service (DiffServ) network is appropriate for long-lived flows, and requires out-of-band signaling transport mechanism and per-flow state maintenance within the core. While persistent congestion may be minimized with bandwidth broker, transient congestion is unavoidable as per-flow reservation control is not feasible in DiffServ network. This paper proposes a novel distributed-buffer core-stateless weighted fair queuing (DC- WFQ) network architecture to support: (1) a distributed core-stateless reservation control scheme that is appropriate for short-lived and long-lived flows, and does not require the support of an explicit signaling transport mechanism; (2) a transient congestion control scheme to prevent packet loss by absorbing transient congestion with distributed buffering in upstream routers associated with the potential congestion-causing traffic. The proposed DC-WFQ network is based on extension and DiffServ adaptation of the core-stateless fair queuing (CSFQ) network, which is enabled with dynamic packet state encoding and probabilistic packet dropping to approximate fair queuing among flows. The CSFQ network is adapted to support weighted fair queuing among flow-aggregates.
Estradiol enhances neurogenesis following ischemic stroke through estrogen receptors α and β

Neurogenesis persists throughout life under normal and degenerative conditions. The adult subventricular zone (SVZ) generates neural stem cells capable of differentiating to neuroblasts and migrating to the site of injury in response to brain insults. In the present study, we investigated whether estradiol increases neurogenesis in the SVZ in an animal model of stroke to potentially promote the ability of the brain to undergo repair. Ovariectomized C57BL/6J mice were implanted with capsules containing either vehicle or 17beta-estradiol, and 1 week later they underwent experimental ischemia. We utilized double-label immunocytochemistry to identify the phenotype of newborn cells (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-labeled) with various cellular markers; doublecortin and PSA-NCAM as the early neuronal marker, NeuN to identify mature neurons, and glial fibrillary acidic protein to identify astrocytes. We report that low physiological levels of estradiol treatment, which exert no effect in the uninjured state, significantly increase the number of newborn neurons in the SVZ following stroke injury. This effect of estradiol is limited to the dorsal region of the SVZ and is absent from the ventral SVZ. The proliferative actions of estradiol are confined to neuronal precursors and do not influence gliosis. Furthermore, we show that both estrogen receptors alpha and beta play pivotal functional roles, insofar as knocking out either of these receptors blocks the ability of estradiol to increase neurogenesis. These findings clearly demonstrate that estradiol stimulates neurogenesis in the adult SVZ, thus potentially facilitating the brain to remodel and repair after injury.
Methotrexate therapy for chronic noninfectious uveitis: Analysis of a case series of 160 patients

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the outcomes of patients with chronic noninfectious uveitis unresponsive to conventional antiinflammatory therapy who were treated with methotrexate. Design Retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. Participants All patients with chronic noninfectious uveitis treated with methotrexate at a single institution from 1985 to 1999. Methods Charts of patients seen on the Ocular Immunology & Uveitis Service at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary were reviewed. Patients with chronic uveitis of noninfectious origin treated with methotrexate were included in the study. Main outcome measures Control of inflammation, steroid-sparing effect, visual acuity, adverse reactions. Results A total of 160 patients met the inclusion criteria. Control of inflammation was achieved in 76.2% of patients. Steroid-sparing effect was achieved in 56% of patients. Visual acuity was maintained or improved in 90% of patients. Side effects requiring discontinuation of medication occurred in 18% of patients. Potentially serious adverse reactions occurred in only 8.1% of patients. There was neither long-term morbidity nor mortality caused by methotrexate. Conclusions Methotrexate is effective in the treatment of chronic noninfectious uveitis that fails to respond to conventional steroid treatment. It is an effective steroid-sparing immunomodulator, is a safe medication, and is well tolerated.
A nonlinear finite element analysis of the periodontal ligament under orthodontic tooth loading

The stressed state of the periodontal ligament (PDL) is understood to play a critical role in the tooth movement initiated by orthodontic treatment. Finite element simulations have been used to describe PDL stresses for orthodontic loading; however, these models have predominantly assumed linear mechanical properties for the PDL. The present study sought to determine the importance of using nonlinear mechanical properties and nonuniform geometric data in computer predictions of periodontal ligament stresses and tooth movements. A 2-dimensional plane-strain finite element model of a mandibular premolar was constructed based on anatomic data of transverse sections of tooth, PDL, and bone from a 24-year-old cadaveric man. A second model was constructed of the same tooth but with a PDL of uniform thickness. Each of these was prescribed linear or nonlinear elastic mechanical properties, as obtained in our own experiments. Predictions of the maximum and minimum principal stresses and von Mises stresses in the PDL were determined for extrusive and tipping forces. The results indicated that biofidelic finite element models predicted substantially different stresses in the PDL for extrusive loading than did the uniform thickness model, suggesting that incorporation of the hourglass shape of the PDL is warranted. In addition, incorporation of nonlinear mechanical properties for the PDL resulted in dramatic increases in the stresses at the apex and cervical margin as compared with the linear models.
Detonation synthesis of nano-size materials

The detonation of explosives typically creates 100`s of kbar pressures and 1,000`s K temperatures. These pressures and temperatures last for only a fraction of a microsecond as the products expand. Nucleation and growth of crystalline materials can occur under these conditions. Recovery of these materials is difficult but can occur in some circumstances. This paper describes the detonation synthesis facility, recovery of nano-size diamond, and plans to synthesize other nano-size materials by modifying the chemical composition of explosive compounds. The characterization of nano-size diamonds by transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy will also be reported.
Modification of the Collection Solvent to Enhance Liquid Trapping Efficiencies After Supercritical Fluid Extraction

A series of experiments is performed to determine the effect of adding a modifier to the collection solvent when using liquid trapping with direct restrictor immersion after supercritical fluid extraction. The addition of a modifier to the collection solvent allows the trapping efficiencies of a polarity test mix obtained at higher temperatures to approach those obtained at lower temperatures. Collection pressurization is found to increase both the recovery and precision for all analytes. The selection of both modifier and collection solvent is discussed, with emphasis on changing the physical properties (surface tension, viscosity, and boiling point) of the collection solvent.
Disfunction of the Apoptotic Pathway in Cancer Cells

Apoptosis is an important physiological process for maintaining homeostasis, remodeling and eliminating abnormal cells in normal tissues. Development of human cancer is a multistage process involving various genetic alternations and cellular abnormalities. Cellular changes should lead to activation of the apoptotic pathway and induction of cell death, which prevents tumor growth and progression. However, during tumorigenesis, some tumor cells develop apoptosis-resistant mechanisms that allow the cancer cells to avoid apoptotic cell death, resulting in the initiation and progression of human cancers. Defects in the apoptotic signaling pathway have been detected in many cancer cells and cancer tissues. A deregulated apoptotic signal pathway confers a high survivability and resistance of the tumor cells to therapeutic reagents. Understanding the alterations in apoptotic signaling in human cancer cells should provide important information for the development of novel cancer therapies directly targeting the apoptotic signal pathway in cancer cells.
Campaign Money, Congress, and Perceptions of Corruption:

Many Americans think campaign money has a corrupting influence on Congress. Yet how they think about money in politics is a relatively unexplored topic. This article investigates how the public rea...
Genetic improvement of an arthropod natural enemy: Relative fitness of a carbaryl-resistant strain of the California red scale parasite Aphytis melinus DeBach

Abstract A relative fitness test was conducted on carbaryl-resistant (R) and susceptible (S) strains of Aphytis melinus DeBach. The mean number of progeny produced per female per day was not significantly different between the R (2.56) and S (2.98) colonies, but the mean number of females produced per female per day was significantly different between the colonies (R colony = 1.67; S colony = 2.11). The sex ratios (♀:♂) of the R (1.96:1) and S (2.64:1) progeny were significantly different, but the R strain was 65% female, which is within the normal range for A. melinus. There were no apparent differences in the emergence rates of the adult progeny of the R and S colonies, indicating that selection for resistance in the R strain had not affected its developmental rate. There also were no significant differences in the mean developmental time between the two colonies. Resistance in the R strain declined over a period of 10 months (15 generations) after selection was discontinued, indicating that resistance was unstable. A mixture of R and S (RS) parasites initially showed an intermediate level of resistance between the pure R and S colonies, and resistance declined slowly thereafter for a period of 10 months. An R colony which was periodically selected with carbaryl for the 10-month period showed no decline in resistance level. Selection of the RS colony after 8 months elevated its resistance level, indicating that RS hybrids in the field may respond to selection by insecticide applications.
Pose-Tracking Controller for Satellites with Time-Varying Inertia

Copyright © 2014 by the authors, published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.
Post-ischemic Myoclonic Status Following Cardiac Arrest in Young Drug Users

Background Myoclonic status may be observed following cardiac arrest and has previously been identified as a poor prognostic indicator in regard to return of neurologic function. We describe a unique situation in post-cardiac arrest patients with myoclonic status and hypothesize possible predictors of a good neurologic outcome.
CD52 Is Expressed on Human Mast Cells and Is a Therapeutic Target for the Anti-CD52 Monoclonal Antibody Campath-1H in Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia and Mast Cell Disorders.

Abstract Campath-1H is a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of CD52 expressing B-cell malignancies. Recently, we and others have observed that Campath-1H shows unusually high activity in patients with relapsed/refractory Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM), a B-cell malignancy with excess bone marrow mast cells (BMMC). Importantly, as we have recently shown, BMMC appear to provide direct support for WM tumor cell growth (Tournilhac et al, JCO 2004 22:571S), and are therefore a potential therapeutic target in WM. We therefore examined BMMC from patients with WM and other mast cell disorders for cell surface expression of CD52, and targeting by Campath-1H in preclinical studies. Multicolor flow cytometric analysis demonstrated CD52 expression on BMMC (FceRI+, CD117+) from 13/15 WM; 2/2 systemic mastocytosis (SM) patients; 2/4 healthy donors; as well as on the LAD and HMC MC lines. Moreover, RT-PCR analysis confirmed CD52 expression in sorted BMMC from 6/7 WM, along with 6/6 healthy donors. Importantly, Campath-1H induced high levels of antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) actvity against LAD mast cells using activated NK effector cells. No direct cytotoxicity or antiproliferative activity by Campath-1H on LAD cells was observed. These studies demonstrate that CD52 is widely expressed on human MC and provide support for the use of Campath-1H in the treatment of WM and other systemic mast cell disorders.
Depression care among depressed adults with and without comorbid substance use disorders in the United States

Objective We compared the prevalence of receiving depression care between adults with past-year major depressive episodes (depressed) and substance use disorders (SUD) in the United States and their depressed counterparts without SUD. Method Data were from 25,500 adults who participated in the 2008–2014 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression models were applied. Results During 2008–2014, approximately 55.4% of depressed U.S. adults with SUD received past-year depression care, while 60.1% of depressed adults without SUD received such care. Overall, co-occurring SUD was associated with an 8% decreased likelihood of receiving past-year depression care (risk ratio (RR) = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.89–0.96). For depressed adults with severe functional impairment, co-occurring SUD was associated with a 9% decreased likelihood of receiving past-year depression care (RR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.87–0.95). For depressed men, co-occurring SUD was associated with a 13% decreased likelihood of receiving past-year depression care (RR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.81–0.94). The following depressed adults were at increased risk of not receiving depression care: those without functional impairment, without suicidal ideation, and without physical comorbidities, aged 18–29, male, racial/ethnic minorities, having less than high school education, uninsured, and never married. Conclusions Among depressed adults in the United States, comorbid SUD modestly but significantly decreases the likelihood of receiving past-year depression care. Depressed young adults, men, racial/ethnic minorities, less educated individuals, uninsured adults, and never married adults are also at increased risk for not receiving depression care. Outreach efforts are needed to broaden access to depression care for these underserved adults.
The Necessity of Workforce Development for Clinical Research Professionals

A skilled workforce is essential, and the only way it can be accomplished is through education and ongoing professional development. In an effort to bring new ideas on clinical workforce development to our readers, this issue of Clinical Researcher addresses the topic from multiple angles for a wide array of clinical research roles.