cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PLANT DESIGN FOR REVERSED FIELD PINCH REACTOR (TITAN)

Various energy conversion systems have been reviewed in order to select an efficient power cycle compatible with the Reversed Field Pinch (RFP) reactor requirements. The power cycles were selected for two reactor designs, liquid lithium-cooled and aqueous water-cooled first wall/blanket. The steam cycle was found to be most suitable for the RFP reactor. The result of a preliminary plant availability study indicates that a compact RFP reactor may have a potential for higher availability over the conventional tokamak fusion reactor.
Mutational specificity of the (+)-anti-diol epoxide of benzo[a]pyrene in a supF gene of an Escherichia coli plasmid: DNA sequence context influences hotspots, mutagenic specificity and the extent of SOS enhancement of mutagenesis

Mutagenesis by the suspected major mutagenic metabolite of activated benzo[a]pyrene, which is (+)-anti-BPDE, was analyzed with a new system, which permits the selection of supF- mutations in an Escherichia coli plasmid using lactose minimal plates. (+)-anti-BPDE enhances base pairing mutations--principally at G:C base pairs, frameshift mutations and large deletions. Frameshift mutagenesis principally involves deletions and insertions of a single G:C base pair in runs of G:C base pairs. Base pairing mutations are significantly enhanced by SOS induction, especially GC-->TA mutations. Nearest neighbor analysis was performed assuming that a guanine (underlined) is being mutated, and (+)-anti-BPDE base pairing mutagenesis is enhanced by SOS induction in 5'-(A/T)G-3' sequences approximately 4-fold more than in 5'-(G/C)G-3' sequences, and in 5'-G(C/G)-3' sequences approximately 4-fold more than in 5'-G(A/T)-3' sequences; this is discussed. The influence of sequence context on quantitative aspects of (+)-anti-BPDE mutagenesis is considered, and hotspots are found at most, but not all, 5'-GG-3' sequences. The influence of sequence context on qualitative aspects of (+)-anti-BPDE mutagenesis (i.e. mutagenic specificity) is also considered. For example, the sequences, 5'-AG-3', 5'-CG-3' and 5'-GG-3', all have examples of G-->T, G-->A and G-->C mutations, while in the sequence, 5'-TG-3', only G-->T mutations have been detected. (The latter finding correlates with a recent site-specific study on the major adduct of (+)-anti-BPDE formed at N2-Gua in a 5'-TG-3' context, where G-->T mutations predominated [Carcinogenesis (1992) 13, 1415-1425].) These results suggest that sequence context plays a role in defining the kind of mutation (i.e. GC-->TA versus GC-->AT versus GC-->CG) induced by (+)-anti-BPDE, where the base on the 5' side of the guanine undergoing mutation seems to be influential. The most likely model for this is that sequence context influences adduct conformation, which controls mutagenic specificity.
Strain-induced superconductivity in lead salt superlattices

Recent data on lead salt superconducting superlattices are interpreted in terms of an electronic pairing mechanism. The strain in these structures is estimated within the uncertainties in the deformation potential parameters and boundary conditions. The results indicate that the PbS/PbTe superlattice on KCl [100] substrate is particularly susceptible to band inversion in the PbTe layers. Consequently, electrons (or holes) are trapped in the ensuing localized states associated with the PbS/PbTe interface. By virtue of an exciton-exchange mechanism these electrons condense into a superconducting state. The estimated Tc is in reasonable agreement with the data. Finally the observed superconductivity in another IV–VI superlattice is discussed in light of the present model. Neuere Ergebnisse an supraleitenden Bleisalz-Supergittern werden mit einem elektronischen Paarbil dungsmechanismus interpretiert. Die Spannungen in diesen Strukturen werden im Bereich der Unisicherheiten der Parameter des Deformationspotentials und der Randbedingungen berechnet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, das das PbS/PbTe-Supergitter auf KCl-(100)-Substraten besonders empfindlich ist gegenuber Bandinversion in den pbTe-Schichten. Folglich werden Elektronen (order Locher) in den sich ergebenden lokalisierten Zusrtanden, die mit der pbS/pbTe-Grenzflauche verbunden sind, einge-fangen. Aufgrund eines Exziton-Austauschmechanismus kondensieren diese Elektronen zu einem supraleitenden Zustad. Das berechnete Tc ist in vernunftiger Ubereinstimmung mit den Werten. Schlieslich wird die beobachtete Supraleitung in einem anderen IV–VI-Supergitter mit dem angegebenen Modell diskutiert.
Cholesterol Control Beyond the Clinic: New York City's Trans Fat Restriction

Decades after key modifiable risk factors were identified, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of preventable death, and only one quarter of persons with high cholesterol levels have attained recommended levels of control. Cholesterol control efforts have focused on consumer education and medical treatment. A powerful, complementary approach is to change the makeup of food, a route the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene took when it restricted artificial trans fat--a contributor to coronary heart disease--in restaurants. The Department first undertook a voluntary campaign, but this effort did not decrease the proportion of restaurants that used artificial trans fat. In December 2006, the Board of Health required that artificial trans fat be phased out of restaurant food. To support implementation, the Department provided technical assistance to restaurants. By November 2008, the restriction was in full effect in all New York City restaurants and estimated restaurant use of artificial trans fat for frying, baking, or cooking or in spreads had decreased from 50% to less than 2%. Preliminary analyses suggest that replacement of artificial trans fat has resulted in products with more healthful fatty acid profiles. For example, in major restaurant chains, total saturated fat plus trans fat in French fries decreased by more than 50%. At 2 years, dozens of national chains had removed artificial trans fat, and 13 jurisdictions, including California, had adopted similar laws. Public health efforts that change food content to make default choices healthier enable consumers to more successfully meet dietary recommendations and reduce their cardiovascular risk.
Effects of irradiation and post-irradiation annealing on the thermal conductivity/diffusivity of monolithic SiC and f-SiC/SiC composites

Abstract Laser flash thermal diffusivity measurements were made on high-purity monolithic CVD-SiC and 2D f-SiC(Hi-Nicalon™)/ICVI-SiC composite samples before and after irradiation (250–800 °C, 4–8 dpa-SiC) and after post-irradiation annealing composite samples to 1200 °C. For irradiated CVD-SiC, the defect concentrations at saturation were estimated to range from 25 300 appm (250 °C) down to 940 appm (800 °C). The transverse thermal conductivity ratios after-to-before irradiation (Kir/Ko) determined at the irradiation temperatures ranged from: 0.044 (250 °C) up to 0.12 (800 °C) for irradiated CVD-SiC and 0.18 (330 °C) up to 0.29 (800 °C) for the irradiated Hi-Nicalon™ composite. Analysis of thermal diffusivity values for the Hi-Nicalon composite measured in air, argon, helium and vacuum indicated that thermal conductivity degradation occurred primarily due to point defect accumulation in the matrix component. After annealing to 1200 °C and cooling to ambient, fiber/matrix debonding occurred due to net shrinkage in the fiber and PyC interface components.
Ginzburg-Landau Model and Single-Mode Operation of a Free-Electron Laser Oscillator

It is shown that the radiation field in a long-pulse, low-gain free-electron laser oscillator obeys the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation. The question of single-mode operation is investigated by analysis and simulation, and the results are compared with experiments at the University of California at Santa Barbara, as well as the Dutch fusion free-electron-maser experiment. It is shown that the intervention of a frequency-dependent reflection coefficient can facilitate the realization of single-mode operation. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Characterization of the effect of cocaine on catecholamine uptake by pregnant myometrium

Objective To characterize the effect of cocaine on catecholamine uptake by myometrium from pregnant women. Methods Slices of myometrium obtained from nine women during elective cesarean delivery at term were incubated with [ 3 H]-norepinephrine and various uptake inhibitors for 30 minutes. The radiolabeled material was extracted with perchloric acid, expressed as percent control (± standard error of the mean), and compared by one-factor analysis of variance and Fisher multiple range test. Results Myometrial uptake was inhibited by cocaine (42 ± 9%) by neuronal (type 1) uptake inhibitors (desipramine 41 ± 14%; N-ethylmaleimide 53 ± 8%), and by extraneuronal (type 2) inhibitors (normetanephrine 56 ± 19%; corticosterone 73 ± 9%). When uptake inhibitors were used in combination with cocaine, uptake was not decreased further in the presence of neuronal inhibitors (desipramine plus cocaine 40 ± 20%; N-ethylmaleimide plus cocaine 42 ± 4%). However, the effect of cocaine appeared to be added to that of extraneuronal inhibitors (normetanephrine plus cocaine 25 ± 14%; corticosterone plus cocaine 32 ± 1%). Conclusion Catecholamine uptake by myometrium in pregnant women appears to be both extraneuronal and neuronal in nature, and cocaine inhibits the neuronal portion of this uptake. This mechanism may play a role in the increased rate of premature delivery associated with cocaine abuse.
Do trauma safety-net hospitals deliver truly safe trauma care? A multilevel analysis of the national trauma data bank.

BACKGROUND: : Patients treated at "safety-net hospitals," facilities that care for a high percentage of uninsured patients, are known to have worse outcomes. This study seeks to analyze whether care at "trauma safety-net hospitals" (TSNH) accounts for the known mortality disparity between uninsured and insured trauma patients. METHODS: : A retrospective analysis of trauma patients (age, 18-64 years) in the National Trauma Data Bank (6.2; 2001-2005) with moderate to severe injury (Injury Severity Score ≥9) was performed. TSNH were defined as facilities treating ≥47% uninsured trauma patients. The main outcome measure was adjusted mortality of patients treated at TSNH versus non-TSNH. A multilevel analysis using multiple logistic regression and generalized estimating equations was performed to control for both hospital and patient-level characteristics (age, gender, insurance, injury severity, shock, and type and mechanism of injury). Subset analyses by hospital trauma level designation and patient injury severity and type were also performed. RESULTS: : Collectively 343,053 trauma patients were treated at 46 TSNH and 413 non-TSNH. TSNH patients (n = 36,774) were more likely to be minorities (55% vs. 27%; p Language: en
Prevalence of viral respiratory tract infections in children with asthma.

Background Previous studies support a strong association between viral respiratory tract infections and asthma exacerbations. The effect of newly discovered viruses on asthma control is less well defined. Objective We sought to determine the contribution of respiratory viruses to asthma exacerbations in children with a panel of PCR assays for common and newly discovered respiratory viruses. Methods Respiratory specimens from children aged 2 to 17 years with asthma exacerbations (case patients, n=65) and with well-controlled asthma (control subjects, n=77), frequency matched by age and season of enrollment, were tested for rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, coronaviruses 229E and OC43, parainfluenza viruses 1 to 3, influenza viruses, adenoviruses, and human bocavirus. Results Infection with respiratory viruses was associated with asthma exacerbations (63.1% in case patients vs 23.4% in control subjects; odds ratio, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.7- 11.6). Rhinovirus was by far the most prevalent virus (60% among case patients vs 18.2% among control subjects) and the only virus significantly associated with exacerbations (odds ratio, 6.8; 95% CI, 3.2-14.5). However, in children without clinically manifested viral respiratory tract illness, the prevalence of rhinovirus infection was similar in case patients (29.2%) versus control subjects (23.4%, P > .05). Other viruses detected included human metapneumovirus (4.6% in patients with acute asthma vs 2.6% in control subjects), enteroviruses (4.6% vs 0%), coronavirus 229E (0% vs 1.3%), and respiratory syncytial virus (1.5% vs 0%). Conclusion Symptomatic rhinovirus infections are an important contributor to asthma exacerbations in children. Clinical implications These results support the need for therapies effective against rhinovirus as a means to decrease asthma exacerbations.
Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis of Combustion Gases

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has developed a unique extractive Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) system to analyze rapidly changing moist fire gas concentrations as a function of time. The system was designed to eliminate numerous errors generated by state-of-the-art FTIR systems for fire gas analysis. In addition, the path length, cell volume, sample flow rate, and system temperature were optimized to provide a rapid response and a sufficient dynamic range to detect gas concentrations generated in a fire (modified cone) calorimeter. A nonlinear classical least squares method was developed to analyze the FTIR data and generate the concentration histories and confidence limits of the 16 fire gases. Results of the technique are presented for flaming and nonflaming combustion tests of a mix of six common plastics.
Mass spectrometric quantification of endogenous beta-endorphin.

Fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in the B/E linked-field scan mode were used to quantify endogenous beta-endorphin (BE) in individual human pituitary extracts. The experimental protocol includes the addition of a stable isotope-labeled internal standard ((2H4-Ile22)BE1-31, human) to the tissue homogenate before extraction, purification of the native BE by a combination of Sep-Pak chromatography and gradient high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), trypsin digestion to cleave BE into smaller peptides, and separation of the tryptic fragment BE20-24 (NAIIK) by isocratic reversed-phase HPLC. Mass spectrometric quantification is based upon recording either (a) the [M + H]+ ions of NAIIK and its deuterated analog ((2H4)NAIIK), or (b) the transitions ([NAIIK + H](+)----[NAI]+) and [((2H4)NAIIK + H](+)----[(2H4)NAI]+) using the B/E linked-field scan. Linear calibration curves were obtained using these two mass spectrometric techniques from standard solutions containing 1.25-20 micrograms of BE; each standard solution also contained 10 micrograms of (2H4)BE. The amounts (means +/- s.d.) of endogenous BE in five separate human pituitaries were found to be 156 +/- 84 [( M + H]+ method) and 169 +/- 99 pmol mg-1 protein (MRM method).
Ultrastructure of the human carotid body. A perspective on the mode of chemoreception.

Surgically excised human carotid bodies have been analyzed by electron microscopy. Several ultrastructural features suggest that they are closely related to sympathetic neuroendocrine glands and autonomic ganglia: the chief cells synthesize intensely osmiophilic cytoplasmic granules, occasionally develop neuroid processes, and are intimately associated with neurilemmal sustentacular cells. Other lines of evidence indicate that secretion of the chief cell is norepinephrine or a closely related bioamine-neurotransmitter. The role of chief cells in mediating chemosensation may be explained by modulated release of the bioamine in response to local metabolic conditions. Human chief cells are richly innervated. Recognizable zones of synapse display an efferent type of polarity and sometimes appear adrenergic. Thus, reflexive sympathetic excitation of chief cells may be physiologically significant in man. The anatomic compartmentalization characteristic of carotid body chief cells is discussed in relation to a possible functional significance.
Gestational diabetes: maternal response to diet and insulin therapy as reflected by glycosylated hemoglobin concentration.

To assess the effects of diet and insulin therapy on pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin concentration was determined longitudinally in 32 women. Diet was instituted when a diagnosis of gestational diabetes was made and was supplemented with insulin for fasting hyperglycemia. At initial presentation, glycosylated hemoglobin concentration was increased in the 18 women who required insulin compared with the 14 women managed by diet alone (7.1 % ± 0.2% versus 6.2% ± 0.2%, mean ± SEM, p
Putting the Eco in Ecotoxicology

Testing of pesticides and often other persistent chemicals increasingly involves aquatic mesocosms. Since our intention is to protect natural systems, predictions of their response based on surrogate systems are desirable. Toxicity tests at a variety of levels of biological organization are now available, ranging from single-species laboratory tests to those carried out in field enclosures of portions of natural systems. Validation is essential to determine accuracy of the predictions that will almost certainly not be identical for the wide variety of testing systems now available. Some important scientific considerations in the development of protocols are discussed.
Postrevolutionary Mobilization In China: The One-Child Policy Reconsidered

It is postulated that the Jowitt threat/reaction model of mobilization as the "controlled disruption...of social personal institutional and psychological routines" as evidenced in the 1989 democracy movement does not characterize the postrevolutionary Chinese political process. This is demonstrated in the 1-child study where the mass campaign was the institutional legacy of the Maoist regime. The mass campaign was changed from an instrument of calculated disruption into an instrument of methodical change engineered by Community Party rule. Mobilization after the Maoist regime (1949-76) is described as the construction of a "social spiritual civilization." The only mobilization that disappeared entirely was the campaign used to destroy the party-state apparatus. Mobilization was still used to achieve political goals (party rectification spiritual pollution elimination and counters to bourgeois liberalization) and specific directives such as tree planting or electoral reform. 2 periods are discussed: the 1 child per couple mobilization campaign 1979-83 and institutionalized mobilization 1984-89. The policy of promoting 1 child was an example of targeting a particular obstacle and/or promoting a particular ideal. It became a narrowly defined cultural revolution in challenging traditional beliefs and practices and led to nationwide mobilization using standard campaign methods. Indicators of campaign activity proposed by Bennet and Cell were used between 1979-84: information organization and mass participation. Incentives and coercion were also involved. The pressures of rural reform however altered the politics. Ample examples are given of the family planning (FP) effort to show how mobilization functioned. Since 1985 FP has been associated with other political ideological or morality movements. Throughout this period however the characteristics of a mobilization campaign are met: organized routine altering activity which has a goal of defeating a barrier to socialist development. Since 1984 there has been predictability decentralization and routinization in the form of Communist Party rule in China. The context for campaign implementation is the only change. The limits of institutionalized mobilization and the sources of mobilization in Chinese politics are further defined.
SES differences in young children’s metacognition in the context of mathematical problem solving

Abstract This investigation examines socioeconomic (SES) differences in young children’s development of key aspects of metacognition and related language. The participants were 102 children ranging in age from 4 years 0 months to 5 years 11 months in five daycare centers located in New York City. Metacognitive abilities and language were observed as children engaged in an individually administered clinical interview concerning mathematical problem solving. The results indicate that the ability to describe thinking and explain ideas is stronger in the upper-SES group than the middle- or lower-SES groups. The findings also indicate that all the SES groups, and children of both ages, show little awareness of mistakes and adaptability without adult assistance. The capacity to express thinking was found to increase with age during early childhood. The results suggest that young children begin to employ rudimentary forms of metacognition before the onset of formal schooling. Implications for education are discussed.
Recovery from exercise at varying work loads. Time course of responses of heart rate and systolic intervals.

The time course of the recovery period was characterized by noninvasive measurements after 4 minute bicycle exercise at 3 separate work loads in volunteers with normal peak responses. Most responses started immediately to return toward resting control values. Left ventricular ejection time and stroke volume change are discussed. Changes in pre-ejection period were determined by changes in isovolume contraction time, and factors affecting the degree and rate of return are considered. The rates of change in the ejection time index and in the ratio pre-ejection period/left ventricular ejection time were virtually independent of load throughout most of recovery.
Nischarin inhibits Rac induced migration and invasion of epithelial cells by affecting signaling cascades involving PAK

Abstract Nischarin, a cytosolic protein that binds the α5β1 integrin, plays an important role in fibroblast migration, and in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. The effect of Nischarin on Rac induced migration and invasion by breast and colon epithelial cell lines has been determined. In these cells, Rac potently induced migration, as well as invasion of matrix; both of these events were strongly inhibited by overexpression of Nischarin. To understand the mechanism of Nischarin’s inhibitory role in Rac induced cell migration, several effector domain mutants of Rac1 were employed. Nischarin was able to inhibit migration induced by Rac effector mutants that can activate PAK and JNK, but not migration stimulated by other Rac mutants. Further, Nischarin inhibited PAK induced cell migration, while not affecting migration induced by MEKK1, a Rac effector in the JNK pathway. In addition, Nischarin failed to inhibit migration induced by MEK1, a downstream effector in the Ras-Raf-MEK-Erk signaling cascade. Furthermore, Nischarin does not affect Rac mediated JNK and PI3K activities. However, Rac induced migration and invasion were effectively blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of PI-3 kinase and MEK. These results suggest that several pathways contribute to cell migration, but that Nischarin selectively inhibits Rac driven signaling cascades that affect migration through PAK.
Population-Level Comparative Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Versus Open Radical Nephrectomy for Patients With Kidney Cancer

BACKGROUND: Because there is limited population-based evidence supporting the comparative effectiveness of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) after its widespread adoption, we compared trends in hospital-based outcomes among patients with kidney cancer treated with LRN or open radical nephrectomy (ORN). METHODS: Using linked SEER-Medicare data, the authors identified patients with kidney cancer who were treated with LRN or ORN from 2000 through 2005. The authors measured 4 primary outcomes: intensive care unit (ICU) admission, prolonged length of stay, 30-day hospital readmission, and in-hospital mortality. The authors then estimated the association between surgical approach and each outcome, adjusting for patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and year of surgery. RESULTS: The authors identified 2108 (26%) and 5895 (74%) patients treated with LRN and ORN, respectively. Patients treated with LRN were more likely to be white, female, of higher socioeconomic position, and to have tumor sizes of � 4 cm (all P < .05). The adjusted probability of ICU admission and prolonged length of stay was 41% and 46% lower, respectively, for patients undergoing LRN (P < .001). Although uncommon for both groups, the adjusted probability of in-hospital mortality was 51% higher (2.3% vs 1.5%, P ¼ .04) for patients treated with a laparoscopic approach. CONCLUSIONS: At a population level, patients treated with LRN have a lower likelihood of ICU admission and prolonged length of stay, supporting the convalescence benefits of laparoscopy. In-hospital mortality, however, was higher among patients treated with LRN. The latter finding suggests a potentially unanticipated consequence of this technique and highlights the need for long-term monitoring during and after the widespread adoption of new surgical technologies. Cancer 2011;117:4184–93. V C 2011 American Cancer Society.
A spinal site mediates opiate analgesia in frogs.

Abstract The application of acetic acid to the hind leg of a frog will induce a spinally mediated wiping reflex only if the acetic acid concentration is above a certain threshold. By using this reflex as the basis of a test for nociception, we show that morphine sulfate is a potent analgesic in the frog when injected into the lumbar area of the spinal cord. Significant analgesia is induced within 5 min after injection of as little as 0.0316 μg of morphine sulfate. Low doses of morphine sulfate (0.0316 or 0.1 μg) induce analgesia which dissipates within 1 h while for higher doses (0.316, 1.0 or 3.16 μg) the analgesia persists for at least 3 h. The analgesic effect of 0.316 μg of morphine sulfate is completely blocked by naloxone HCl at either 0.158 or 0.316 μg. Animals receiving naloxone alone (0.316 μg) appear to be slightly hyperalgesic compared to saline injected controls but this effect is not significant.
Alcoholism Counselor Trainees: Some Changes in Job Related Functioning following Training:

41 alcoholism counselor trainees were evaluated on changes in five parameters of job related functioning by their supervisors, following an intense training program. A rating scale, completed by ag...
Life cycle assessment of the potential carbon credit from no- and reduced-tillage winter wheat-based cropping systems in Eastern Washington State

Abstract Integrated environmental and economic assessment studies are required to support tillage reduction decisions. In this paper, carbon sequestration and nitrous oxide emissions from winter wheat-based cropping systems were evaluated in eastern Washington, USA, using computer simulation. System boundaries were expanded to consider fertilizer production and use of machinery in a standard life cycle assessment (LCA) study. Variations in rainfall, tillage intensity and crop rotation were considered. Potential earnings from carbon credits obtained by converting to reduced and no-till management were evaluated and compared with the corresponding changes in farm budgets. No-till increased the average soil carbon sequestration by 0.5, 0.3, 0.2 Mg-C ha−1 yr−1 (30-year average) in high, middle and low rainfall zones, respectively. On-farm N2O emissions contributed 60–70% of the total CO2-equivalent emissions (CO2e ha−1 yr−1) in high and middle rainfall scenarios and 30–40% in low rainfall scenarios. Production of fertilizers contributed 13 ± 3% of total emissions. Emissions from fuel consumption varied across sites due to differences in machinery use with different topography, tillage, soils and number of fallow years. Reduced tillage systems are more profitable in the moderate and high rainfall zones with 2011 crop price and input cost assumptions but they are less profitable in the drier rainfall zone. Even a more inclusive accounting with LCA that includes credits for reductions in N2O emissions, fuel usage and fertilizer production was insufficient to compensate for the lower returns. With the net market price assumption of 2.48 $ CO2e−1 ha−1 yr−1, the CO2e credits for reducing tillage ranged from 0.27 to 1.63 $ CO2e−1 ha−1 yr−1 across the region.
Brief Overview of United States Involvement in Global Health Training since World War II

T he past decade has witnessed a surge of interest in and critical analysis of the involvement of the United States in the training of health professionals from developing countries. Furthermore, since the year 2000, approximately one-quarter of US medical school graduates have participated in an international elective. Accompanying this increase in exchanges and collaborations is a growing dialogue about the implications, both positive and negative, to such partnerships, particularly their effect on the developing country partner. To inform both continued expansion of international training partnerships and discussions about the safeguards of the interests of the participating nations, institutions, and individuals, an examination of the rich history of the US in these endeavors is useful.
Diversity and genomics of Antarctic marine micro-organisms

Marine bacterioplanktons are thought to play a vital role in Southern Ocean ecology and ecosystem function, as they do in other ocean systems. However, our understanding of phylogenetic diversity, genome-enabled capabilities and specific adaptations to this persistently cold environment is limited. Bacterioplankton community composition shifts significantly over the annual cycle as sea ice melts and phytoplankton bloom. Microbial diversity in sea ice is better known than that of the plankton, where culture collections do not appear to represent organisms detected with molecular surveys. Broad phylogenetic groupings of Antarctic bacterioplankton such as the marine group I Crenarchaeota, alpha-Proteobacteria (Roseobacter-related and SAR-11 clusters), gamma-Proteobacteria (both cultivated and uncultivated groups) and Bacteriodetes-affiliated organisms in Southern Ocean waters are in common with other ocean systems. Antarctic SSU rRNA gene phylotypes are typically affiliated with other polar sequences. Some species such as Polaribacter irgensii and currently uncultivated gamma-Proteobacteria (Ant4D3 and Ant10A4) may flourish in Antarctic waters, though further studies are needed to address diversity on a larger scale. Insights from initial genomics studies on both cultivated organisms and genomes accessed through shotgun cloning of environmental samples suggest that there are many unique features of these organisms that facilitate survival in high-latitude, persistently cold environments.
Between Zionism and Liberalism: Oscar Janowsky and Diaspora Nationalism in America

Of all the varieties of modern Jewish politics, none has experienced a more curious fate than Diaspora Nationalism. This nonterritorial strain of Jewish nationalism, also known as Autonomism, was once widely regarded as “together with Zionism the most important political expression of the Jewish people in the modern era.” From its fin-de-siecle origins in the Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires, it spread rapidly across Eastern Europe, sprouting various movements for Jewish national-cultural autonomy. After World War II, however, Diaspora Nationalism vanished almost overnight. So too was its intellectual afterlife marked by silence, as postwar historians of Jewish political thought largely ignored its legacy. Recently, however, Diaspora Nationalism has emerged as a growing field of scholarship. The results are impressive: a striking new wave of studies on its intellectual leadership, political parties, cultural projects, and various interwar East European Autonomist experiments. This abundance of fresh research promises to reframe not only the history of Diaspora Nationalism, but also that of Zionism and Jewish nationalism more generally.
The effect of combined administration of cadmium and furosemide on auditory function in the rat.

A number of heavy metals have been associated with toxic effects to the peripheral or central auditory system. These include lead, arsenic, mercury, platinum and organic tin compounds. In addition, the ototoxic effects of some metals may be potentiated by other factors. However, the auditory effects of cadmium have not previously been reported. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential ototoxic effects of cadmium from an acute dosage, and its potentiation by furosemide. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds were measured in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats received either cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg, i.p.) followed by saline (4 ml/kg, i.p.). cadmium chloride followed by furosemide (200 mg/kg, i.p.), or furosemide alone. Follow-up ABRs were carried out 7 days post-treatment and threshold changes were compared between each treatment group. No significant threshold change was seen for the cadmium chloride plus saline treated or the furosemide treated animals. However, significant threshold elevations were observed in animals receiving cadmium chloride plus furosemide. In addition, scanning electron microscopy revealed extensive hair cell loss in animals treated with cadmium chloride and furosemide. Although functional auditory changes were not seen after the administration of cadmium alone, the potentiation of threshold changes by furosemide suggests that cadmium may be ototoxic under certain conditions.
External costs of intercity truck freight transportation

From a societal perspective, it is desirable for all transportation users to pay their full social (private and external) costs. We estimate four general types of external costs for intercity freight trucking and compare them with the private costs incurred by carriers. Estimated external costs include: accidents (fatalities, injuries, and property damage); emissions (air pollution and greenhouse gases); noise; and unrecovered costs associated with the provision, operation, and maintenance of public facilities. The analysis reveals that external costs are equal to 13.2% of private costs and user fees would need to be increased about threefold to internalize these external costs.
Evaluation is a dynamic process: Moving beyond dual system models.

Over the past few decades, dual attitude ⁄process ⁄system models have emerged as the dominant framework for understanding a wide range of psychological phenomena. Most of these models characterize the unconscious and conscious mind as being built from discrete processes or systems: one that is reflexive, automatic, fast, affective, associative, and primitive, and a second that is deliberative, controlled, slow, cognitive, propositional, and more uniquely human. Although these models serve as a useful heuristic for characterizing the human mind, recent developments in social and cognitive neuroscience suggest that the human evaluative system, like most of cognition, is widely distributed and highly dynamic. Integrating these advances with current attitude theories, we review how the recently proposed Iterative Reprocessing Model can account for apparent dual systems as well as discrepancies between traditional dual system models and recent research revealing the dynamic nature of evaluation. Furthermore, we describe important implications this dynamical system approach has for various social psychological domains.
Transcriptional Activation of E2F1 Gene Expression by 17β-Estradiol in MCF-7 Cells Is Regulated by NF-Y-Sp1/Estrogen Receptor Interactions

17beta-Estradiol (E2) stimulated proliferation and DNA synthesis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, and this was accompanied by induction of E2F1 mRNA and protein levels. Analysis of the E2F1 gene promoter showed that the -146 to -54 region was required for E2-responsiveness in transient transfection assays, and subsequent deletion/mutation analysis showed that a single upstream GC-rich and two downstream CCAAT-binding sites were required for transactivation by E2. Gel mobility shift assays with multiple oligonucleotides and protein antibodies (for supershifts) showed that the -146 to -54 region of the E2F1 gene promoter bound Sp1 and NF-Y proteins in MCF-7 cells. The estrogen receptor (ER) protein enhanced Sp1 interactions with upstream GC-rich sites, and interactions of ER, Sp1, and ER/Sp1 with downstream DNA bound-NF-Y was investigated by kinetic analysis for protein-DNA binding (on- and off-rates), coimmunoprecipitation, and pulldown assays using wild-type and truncated glutathione S-transferase (GST)-Sp1 chimeric proteins. The results showed that Sp1 protein enhanced the Bmax of NF-Y-DNA binding by more than 5-fold (on-rate); in addition, the Sp1-enhanced NF-Y-DNA complex was further stabilized by coincubation with ER and the rate of dissociation (t1/2) was decreased by approximately 50%. Sp1 antibodies immunoprecipitated [35S]NF-YA after coincubation with unlabeled Sp1 protein. Thus, transcriptional activation of E2F1 gene expression in MCF-7 cells by E2 is regulated by multiprotein ER/Sp1-NF-Y interactions at GC-rich and two CCAAT elements in the proximal region of the E2F1 gene promoter. This represents a unique trans-acting protein complex in which ligand-dependent transactivation by the ER is independent of direct ER interactions with promoter elements.
Transforming RF and mm-Wave CMOS circuits

This papers highlights the design of RF and mm-wave building blocks which achieve high performance despite implementation in low-voltage digital CMOS technology. It is shown that integrated circuit transformers can greatly aid the design of such circuits by serving many roles, such as impedance matching, AC coupling, voltage combining, and converting signals from single-ended to differential form. Design, layout, and simulation strategies will be reviewed and several key power amplifier (PA) building blocks will be demonstrated.
Effect of calorie restriction on the free-living physical activity levels of nonobese humans: results of three randomized trials

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of calorie restriction (CR) on free-living physical activity levels among humans. Data were from three CALERIE phase I site-specific protoc...
CODEHOP (COnsensus-DEgenerate Hybrid Oligonucleotide Primer) PCR primer design.

We have developed a new primer design strategy for PCR amplification of distantly related gene sequences based on consensus-degenerate hybrid oligonucleotide primers (CODEHOPs). An interactive program has been written to design CODEHOP PCR primers from conserved blocks of amino acids within multiply-aligned protein sequences. Each CODEHOP consists of a pool of related primers containing all possible nucleotide sequences encoding 3–4 highly conserved amino acids within a3 0 degenerate core. A longer 5 0 non-degenerate clamp region contains the most probable nucleotide predicted for each flanking codon. CODEHOPs are used in PCR amplification to isolate distantly related sequences encoding the conserved amino acid sequence. The primer design software and the CODEHOP PCR strategy have been utilized for the identification and characterization of new gene orthologs and paralogs in different plant,animal and bacterial species. In addition,this approach has been successful in identifying new pathogen species. The CODEHOP designer (http://blocks.fhcrc.org/ codehop.html) is linked to BlockMaker and the Multiple Alignment Processor within the Blocks Database World Wide Web (http://blocks.fhcrc.org).
Inelastic earthquake spectra

This paper presents a procedure for computing inelastic design spectra in terms of yield displacement. The procedure results in substantial computational savings as compared to the current procedures for computing the inelastic spectra in terms of displacement ductility. The proposed method is used to obtain inelastic design spectra for alluvium and rock. The results for alluvium are compared to those from the Newmark and Hall,10 Riddell and Newmark12 and Lai and Biggs4 studies. The findings indicate that for given ductility and frequency one may de-amplify the elastic response or reduce the elastic forces more for a structure on rock than for a structure on alluvium. A technique is presented so that the inelastic design spectrum can be scaled to any desired yield displacement and acceleration. An example is presented to illustrate how the proposed inelastic spectra can be used to compute the required ductility for a given system.
PCR Detection of Yersinia pestis in Fleas: Comparison with Mouse Inoculation

The "gold standard" for identifying Yersinia pestis-infected fleas has been inoculation of mice with pooled flea material. Inoculated mice are monitored for 21 days, and those that die are further analyzed for Y. pestis infection by fluorescent-antibody assay and/or culture. PCR may provide a more rapid and sensitive alternative for identifying Y. pestis in fleas. To compare these assays, samples were prepared from 381 field-collected fleas. Each flea was analyzed individually by both PCR and mouse inoculation. Sixty of the 381 flea samples were positive for Y. pestis by PCR; 48 of these PCR-positive samples caused death in mice (80.0% agreement). None of the 321 PCR-negative samples caused death. Among the 12 mice that survived inoculation with PCR-positive samples, 10 were later demonstrated by serology or culture to have been infected with Y. pestis. This suggests that death of inoculated mice is less reliable than PCR as an indicator of the presence of Y. pestis in flea samples. Mouse inoculation assays produce results that are comparable to PCR only when surviving as well as dead mice are analyzed for infection. The rapidity and sensitivity (10 to 100 CFU of Y. pestis) of PCR suggest that it could serve as a useful alternative to mouse inoculation for routine plague surveillance and outbreak investigations.
Mitotic phosphorylation activates hepatoma-derived growth factor as a mitogen

Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) is a nuclear protein that is a mitogen for a wide variety of cells. Mass spectrometry based methods have identified HDGF as a phosphoprotein without validation or a functional consequence of this post-translational modification. We found that HDGF in primary mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) was phosphorylated. Wild type HDGF was phosphorylated in asynchronous cells and substitution of S103, S165 and S202 to alanine each demonstrated a decrease in HDGF phosphorylation. A phospho-S103 HDGF specific antibody was developed and demonstrated mitosis-specific phosphorylation. HDGF-S103A was not mitogenic and FACS analysis demonstrated a G2/M arrest in HDGF-S103A expressing cells, whereas cells expressing HDGF-S103D showed cell cycle progression. Nocodazole arrest increased S103 phosphorylation from 1.6% to 29% (P = 0.037). Thus, HDGF is a phosphoprotein and phosphorylation of S103 is mitosis related and required for its function as a mitogen. We speculate that cell cycle regulated phosphorylation of HDGF may play an important role in vascular cell proliferation.
An Analytic Study of Two Probabilistic Models for Establishing Ad Hoc WLANs

Two contention-based algorithms are proposed in this paper for establishing ad hoc Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). They are named uniform and geometric, respectively, based on the nature of the probabilistic model in the decision making process used in each algorithm. The main performance consideration in this paper is the network setup time each algorithm requires. It is shown that the network setup time is an explicit function of the total solicitation rounds required. The paper is, therefore, focused on deriving the distribution of the total solicitation rounds needed for setting up a network. It is shown analytically that the performance of uniform is better than that of geometric. It also derives the asymptotic lower and upper bounds for the average setup times for uniform.
Factors impacting the perceived organizational support of IT employees

Organizations today face shortages of IT personnel. We investigated workplace factors in one state government in hope of identifying factors that influence perceived organizational support (POS) within an IT work environment. A combination of job characteristics (challenging job and perceived workload), job stressors (work exhaustion, role conflict, and role ambiguity), and the organization's discretionary actions (pay-for-performance and mentoring opportunities) were measured and hierarchical regression was used to determine the relationships. Four control variables were also included (age, gender, organizational tenure, and professional versus administrator status). Role ambiguity, role conflict, work exhaustion, career mentoring, and pay-for-performance together explained 62% of the variance in the IT employees' POS. Career mentoring and role ambiguity explained most of the variance.
Aerosol Concentrations During the 1999 Fresno Exposure Studies as Functions of Size, Season, and Meterology

Two 1999 Fresno exposure studies took place in February (winter season) and April/May (spring season) for periods of four weeks each. During that time, nearly continuous measurements of outdoor aerosol concentrations were made with a TSI Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and a PMS optical particle counter (LASX). These instruments provide particle size distribution information from about 0.01 to 3
High dimensional feature reduction via projection pursuit

The recent development of more sophisticated remote sensing systems enables the measurement of radiation in many more spectral intervals than previously possible. An example of that technology is the AVIRIS system, which collects image data in 220 bands. As a result of this, new algorithms must be developed in order to analyze the more complex data effectively. Data in a high dimensional space presents a substantial challenge, since intuitive concepts valid in a 2-3 dimensional space do not necessarily apply in higher dimensional spaces. For example, high dimensional space is mostly empty. This results from the concentration of data in the corners of hypercubes. Other examples may be cited. Such observations suggest the need to project data to a subspace of a much lower dimension on a problem specific basis in such a manner that information is not lost. Projection pursuit is a technique that will accomplish such a goal. Since it processes data in lower dimensions, it should avoid many of the difficulties of high dimensional spaces. The authors investigate some of the properties of projection pursuit. >
p300 in Prostate Cancer Proliferation and Progression

Although prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in males, little is known about the mechanisms involved in its progression. Recent in vitro studies suggest that coactivators of the androgen receptor play an important role in PCa progression. We have shown previously that p300 is involved in androgen receptor transactivation. In the present work, we studied 95 patients with biopsy-proven PCa who underwent prostatectomy as treatment of their tumors between 1995 and 1998. We found that p300 correlated with in vivo proliferation (P = 0.009) as determined by MIB-I expression. Moreover, high levels of p300 in biopsies predicted larger tumor volumes (P < 0.001), extraprostatic extension (P = 0.003), and seminal vesicle involvement (P = 0.002) at prostatectomy, as well as PCa progression after surgery (P = 0.01). Furthermore, we found that the disruption of p300 transcripts through small interfering RNA inhibited PCa cell proliferation both at the basal level and on interleukin 6 stimulation. We conclude that p300 plays an important role in PCa cell proliferation, as well as PCa progression.