cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sublimation-controlled oxidation of antimony trioxide

Abstract Previous investigators noted that a mixture of dimorphic Sb 2 O 3 oxidizes to orthorhombic Sb 2 O 4 more rapidly than each dimorph separately. It was hypothesized that Sb 2 O 3 (c) sublimes to low-energy nucleation sites on Sb 2 O 3 (o) to oxidize. In this study thermodynamic calculations indicated that the driving force for oxidizing a sublimed species is much greater than that for nonsublimed Sb 2 O 3 . The hypothesis was validated experimentally using small-particle-size (10–20 μm) Sb 2 O 3 to achieve appreciable sublimation rates. It was found that the oxidation rates of both Sb 2 O 3 (c) and Sb 2 O 3 (o) are linearly correlated to the equilibrium sublimation pressure of each dimorph. Also, the apparent activation energy of oxidation was determined to be 42.6–45.9 kcal/mole, approximating the enthalpy of sublimation for Sb 2 O 3 (∼43–47 kcal/mole). These observations strongly support the hypothesis that Sb 2 O 3 oxidation is sublimation controlled.
Abstract B80: HSP90 inhibitor SNX‐2112 and prodrug SNX‐5422 (PF‐04929113) inhibit key signal pathways Akt, Src and STAT3 and reactivate tumor suppressor p53 in head and neck cancer

Purpose: Heat shock 90 (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone that interacts with and stabilizes many client substrates involved in modulating cell proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. Natural product Hsp90 inhibitors, such as benzoquinone ansamycins and their derivatives (i.e. geldanamycin, 17AAG), degrade oncogene and signal protein clients of Hsp90 and possess anti‐tumor activity. Due to the limited solubility and hepatotoxicity caused by these agents, other Hsp90 inhibitors with a more favorable profile have been intensely sought after. In this study we investigated the biological activity of a synthetic small molecule inhibitor of Hsp90, SNX‐2112, or the orally available prodrug SNX‐5422 (PF‐04929113), in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Experimental Design: The effects of SNX‐2112 on cellular proliferation and Hsp90 client signal molecules, p53, and p53‐targets were examined in human HNSCC cell lines from the University of Michigan Squamous Cell Carcinoma (UMSCC) series. The effect of SNX‐5422 administered by oral gavage on tumor growth was examined in the UMSCC‐11A murine xenograft model. Protein expression of Hsp90 client signal molecules were measured in tumor specimens harvested at three time points by immunohistochemistry (IHC) during SNX‐5422 treatment, to identify the molecules mediating drug effects on proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Results: SNX‐2112 exhibited potent growth inhibition in the UMSCC cell lines, with an IC50 range of 25 ‐ 75 nmol/L, and inhibited pro‐survival signal kinase phospho‐Akt at 24, 48, and 72 hours following exposure to SNX‐2112 in UMSCC‐11A. We also observed increased expression of pro‐apoptotic transcription factor p53, and target gene PUMA, at 24, 48, and 72 hours following SNX‐2112 exposure. Pro‐drug SNX‐5422 (PF‐04929113) administered 20 mg/kg 5 days/wk or 50 mg/kg 3 days/wk for 3 wks significantly decreased tumor growth. By IHC, tumor specimens showed increased staining for p53 and apoptosis (TUNEL), and decreased staining for signal molecules Src, p‐STAT3, and p‐Akt together with markers of proliferation (Ki67) and vessel density (CD31). No apparent toxicity was observed in mice with SNX‐5422 administered 20 mg/kg 5 days/wk for three weeks. Conclusion: Synthetic Hsp90 inhibitor SNX‐2112 is effective at degrading Hsp90 clients that play a significant role in proliferation, cell survival, and angiogenesis in HNSCC in vitro. In addition, SNX‐5422 inhibits tumor growth by promoting apoptosis through modulation of several key signaling pathways. SNX‐5422 warrants investigation as a clinical agent for treatment of head and neck cancer. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):B80.
Algorithms for solving overdetermined systems of linear equations in the lp-metric, 0 < p < 1

Abstract We investigate overdetermined systems of m linear equations in d unknowns. We equip R m with the p -homogeneous metric ∥x∥ p = ∑ j = 1 m ¦x j ¦ p , 0 , and seek approximate solutions of the linear system which minimize the error vector in this metric. After showing that the number of points at which a solution of this problem can occur is finite, we present several algorithms for solving the given approximation problem globally and locally. The algorithms apply to the interesting l 1 -case as well.
Development and validation of an analytical method for naled and dichlorvos in air

A new gas chromatographic method for analysis of the thio organophosphate pesticide naled and its transformation product dichlorvos (DDVP) was developed and validated. Naled and DDVP in air were trapped on XAD-4 resin. The pesticides were recovered from the resin with ethyl acetate. Ethyl acetate extract was analyzed for naled and DDVP by using a gas chromatograph equipped with a DB-5 Megabore capillary column and a nitrogen−phosphorus detector. The limits of quantitation for naled and DDVP were 0.05 and 0.10 μg/sample, respectively. Naled and DDVP trapped on the resin were stable over 21 days at −20 °C. Trapping efficiencies of naled and DDVP in the air samples were 74.5 ± 3.5% and 49.7 ± 3.3%, respectively. The newly developed method showed excellent results for the air samples collected at the application sites. Maximum observed concentrations of naled and DDVP at the application sites were 6.30 and 0.99 μg/m3, respectively. Keywords: Air sample; naled; dichlorvos; gas chromatography
Cutaneous histopathology of Rocky Mountain spotted fever

The dermatologic diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is often presumptive; the clinical presentation includes skin rash and febrile illness with or without a clear history of tick bite. The characteristic cutaneous manifestations include a generalized skin eruption with purpuric, blanching or non-blanching macules and papules usually involving the extremities. Although skin biopsies are often performed to confirm the diagnosis, the spectrum of cutaneous histopathology in RMSF has not been well described. We studied a series of 26 cases of RMSF, of which 10 were surgical specimens and 16 were autopsies. The microscopic changes were correlated with the duration of illness. The main histopathologic feature was lymphohistiocytic capillaritis and venulitis with extravasation of erythrocytes, edema, predominantly perivascular and some interstitial infiltrate. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) with neutrophilic infiltrate and nuclear dust was seen in 11 of 15 (73%) specimens from involved skin. These lesions with LCV also showed notable epidermal change including basal layer vacuolar degeneration with mild dermoepidermal interface lymphocytic exocytosis. Six lesions with LCV displayed focal fibrin thrombi and capillary wall necrosis. Apoptotic keratinocytes were noted in 3 lesions with LCV. Subepidermal blister was observed in the skin lesion of an autopsied patient with LCV changes. Another lesion of a fatal case with LCV also contained features of acute neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis. Focal small nerve twig inflammation was noted in a third autopsy case with LCV. Plasma cells were seen in 6 of 34 specimens (18%); and eosinophils were observed in 3 (9%). The subcutaneous fat contained a mild perivascular inflammation and one case revealed focal lobular neutrophilic inflammation. Immunohistologic (IH) staining using polyclonal rabbit anti-Rickettsia rickettsii demonstrated positive staining of the organisms in the affected endothelial cells in all 12 cases tested. The cutaneous histopathology of RMSF is caused by endothelial damage by the rickettsial organisms which elicit an initial lymphohistiocytic small vessel vasculitis with progression to LCV. The vasculitis in RMSF is, therefore, considered to be a form of septic vasculitis.
In Situ Solution-Phase Raman Spectroscopy under Forced Convection

In situ Raman spectra of solution-phase electrogenerated species have been recorded in a channel-type electrochemical cell incorporating a flat optically transparent window placed parallel to the channel plane that contains the embedded working electrode. A microscope objective with its main axis (Z) aligned normal to the direction of flow was used to focus the excitation laser beam (λexc = 532 nm) in the solution and also to collect the Raman scattered light from species present therein. Judicious adjustment of the cell position along Z allowed the depth of focus to overlap the diffusion boundary layer to achieve maximum detection sensitivity. Measurements were performed using a Au working electrode in iron hexacyanoferrate(II), [Fe(CN)6]4-, and nitrite, NO2-, containing aqueous solutions as a function of the applied potential, E. Linear correlations were found between both the gain and the loss of the integrated Raman intensity, IR, of bands, attributed to [Fe(CN)6]3- and [Fe(CN)6]4-, respectively, reco...
Situation semantics and models of analogy

The preceding theory represents, I believe, a large improvement over conceptual graph theories of analogy. In particular, it is possible for analogical reasoning to be flexible or ‘creative’ on this approach, an aspect of analogy that is not accounted for in conceptual graph theories. I also believe that searching by constraint violations is a more reasonable way to organize memory search than to look for properties of conceptual hierarchies. Proof of this last point, however, awaits an more detailed classification of the constraints that figure in analogical reasoning.
Physical factors influencing refraction of the echolocative sound beam in delphinid cetaceans

The delphinid melon has been postulated to function as a “sound lens” in which lipids refract and collimate the ultrasonic beam used for echolocation. To identify the major physical factors influencing sound-beam refraction, lipid samples from the 4 regions of the Tursiops truncatus melon were examined for variation of sound velocity with temperature. These results were then combined with available sound velocity data for Tursiops sp. melon tissue, Globicephala melaena melon lipids, G. melaena melon tissue, and seawater to model the total melon/seawater system encountered by the projected sound beam in both delphinids. Our analysis suggests that much of the refractive collimation occurs at the tissue/seawater interface rather than in the main body of the delphinid melon. Abrupt changes in the temperature and sound velocity at or near this convex interface (the forehead) cause this refraction.
Inhibition by acetylcholine of cockroach heart (Gromphadorhina portentosa)

Abstract 1. 1. The normal heart-rate (at 25° C.) of the Madagascar hissing cockroach is 66.5 beats per minute. 2. 2. There is no difference between sexes. 3. 3. 10 −2 M and 10 −3 M acetylcholine slows the beat (to 56.1 and 63.1 beats per minute respectively), whereas 10 −4 M ACh has no effect. 4. 4. Glutamate (10 −2 M ) is also without effect, but 5-hydroxytryptamine (10 −2 M ) is slightly stimulatory (68.8 beats per minute).
Patterns and structure in systems governed by linear second-order differential equations

This article represents a survey of transmutation ideas and their interaction with typical physical problems. For linear second-order differential operatorsP andQ one deals with canonical connectionsB:P→Q (transmutations) satisfyingQB=BP and the related transport of ‘structure’ between the theories ofP andQ. One can study in an intrinsic manner, e.g., Parseval formulas, eigenfunction expansions, integral transform, special functions, inverse problems, integral equations, and related stochastic filtering and estimation problems, etc. There are applications in virtually any area where such operators arise.
Species-specific detection of three human-pathogenic microsporidial species from the genus Encephalitozoon via fluorogenic 5′ nuclease PCR assays

Abstract This study describes fluorogenic 5′ nuclease PCR assays suitable for rapid, sensitive, high-throughput detection of the human-pathogenic microsporidial species Encephalitozoon hellem, E. cuniculi and E.intestinalis . The assays utilize species-specific primer sets and a genus-specific dual fluorescent-labeled probe that anneals to a region within the Encephalitozoon 16S rRNA gene. The assay design theoretically permits the probe to be used either with one set of primers for species-level determination or with a combination of all three primer sets for a genus-level screening of samples. The linear range of all three species-specific calibration curves that were developed using serial ten-fold dilutions of genomic DNA isolated from hemacytometer counted spores was determined to be between 10 4 and 10 −1 spores per PCR sample. The coefficients of variation were ≤5·2% over the entire 5-log span of each calibration curve. When DNA isolated from flow cytometric enumerated spores from each of the three Encephalitozoon species was used to evaluate the quantitative capability of the species' respective calibration curves, the results from 34 out of 36 (94%) samples were within 2 standard deviations. The species-specificity of each assay was confirmed using DNA isolated from 10 4 spores from each of the other two Encephalitozoon species as well as DNA extracted from numerous other protozoa, algae and bacteria.
Mechanisms of Intracellular Killing of Rickettsia conorii in Infected Human Endothelial Cells, Hepatocytes, and Macrophages

The mechanism of killing of obligately intracellular Rickettsia conorii within human target cells, mainly endothelium and, to a lesser extent, macrophages and hepatocytes, has not been determined. It has been a controversial issue as to whether or not human cells produce nitric oxide. AKN-1 cells (human hepatocytes) stimulated by gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1β, and RANTES (regulated by activation, normal T-cell-expressed and -secreted chemokine) killed intracellular rickettsiae by a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), when stimulated with the same concentrations of cytokines and RANTES, differed in their capacity to kill rickettsiae by a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism and in the quantity of nitric oxide synthesized. Hydrogen peroxide-dependent intracellular killing of R. conorii was demonstrated in HUVECs, THP-1 cells (human macrophages), and human peripheral blood monocytes activated with the cytokines. Rickettsial killing in the human macrophage cell line was also mediated by a limitation of the availability of tryptophan in association with the expression of the tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase. The rates of survival of all of the cell types investigated under the conditions of activation and infection in these experiments indicated that death of the host cells was not the explanation for the control of rickettsial infection. This finding represents the first demonstration that activated human hepatocytes and, in some cases, endothelium can kill intracellular pathogens via nitric oxide and that RANTES plays a role in immunity to rickettsiae. Human cells are capable of controlling rickettsial infections intracellularly, the most relevant location in these infections, by one or a combination of three mechanisms involving nitric oxide synthesis, hydrogen peroxide production, and tryptophan degradation.
A novel class of small RNAs: tRNA-derived RNA fragments (tRFs)

New types of small RNAs distinct from microRNAs (miRNAs) are progressively being discovered in various organisms. In order to discover such novel small RNAs, a library of 17- to 26-base-long RNAs was created from prostate cancer cell lines and sequenced by ultra-high-throughput sequencing. A significant number of the sequences are derived from precise processing at the 5' or 3' end of mature or precursor tRNAs to form three series of tRFs (tRNA-derived RNA fragments): the tRF-5, tRF-3, and tRF-1 series. These sequences constitute a class of short RNAs that are second most abundant to miRNAs. Northern hybridization, quantitative RT-PCR, and splinted ligation assays independently measured the levels of at least 17 tRFs. To demonstrate the biological importance of tRFs, we further investigated tRF-1001, derived from the 3' end of a Ser-TGA tRNA precursor transcript that is not retained in the mature tRNA. tRF-1001 is expressed highly in a wide range of cancer cell lines but much less in tissues, and its expression in cell lines was tightly correlated with cell proliferation. siRNA-mediated knockdown of tRF-1001 impaired cell proliferation with the specific accumulation of cells in G2, phenotypes that were reversed specifically by cointroducing a synthetic 2'-O-methyl tRF-1001 oligoribonucleotide resistant to the siRNA. tRF-1001 is generated in the cytoplasm by tRNA 3'-endonuclease ELAC2, a prostate cancer susceptibility gene. Our data suggest that tRFs are not random by-products of tRNA degradation or biogenesis, but an abundant and novel class of short RNAs with precise sequence structure that have specific expression patterns and specific biological roles.
Adrenalectomy in Frogs and Toads.

SummaryIn a small number of the giant species of toad, Bufo marinus, approximately 30% were apparently successfully adrenalectomized without renal failure, by unilateral surgical extirpation of one adrenal followed later by removal of the remaining kidney with its contained adrenal. Hormone maintenance therapy was possible with desoxycorticosterone acetate and, when withheld, was followed by a return of adrenal insufficiency symptoms and death.
Optimality of the myriad filter in practical impulsive-noise environments

Linear filtering theory has been largely motivated by the characteristics of Gaussian signals. In the same manner, the proposed myriad filtering methods are motivated by the need for a flexible filter class with high statistical efficiency in non-Gaussian impulsive environments that can appear in practice. We introduce several important properties of the myriad filter and prove its optimality in the family of /spl alpha/-stable distributions.
Vegetation, fire, and climate history of the northwestern Great Basin during the last 14,000 years

The northwestern Great Basin lies in the transition zone between the mesic Pacific Northwest and xeric intermountain West. The paleoenvironmental history based on pollen, macroscopic charcoal, and plant macrofossils from three sites in the northwestern Great Basin was examined to understand the relationships among the modern vegetation, fire disturbance and climate. The vegetation history suggests that steppe and open forest communities were present at high elevations from ca 11,000 to 7000 cal yr BP, and were replaced by forests composed of white fir, western white pine, and whitebark pine in the late Holocene. Over the last 11,000 years, fires were more frequent in mid-elevation forests (10–25 fire episodes/1000 years) and rare in high-elevation forests (2–5 fire episodes/1000 years). Applying modern pollen–climate relationships to the fossil pollen spectra provided a means to interpret past climate changes in this region. In the past 9000 years summer temperatures decreased from 1 to 41C, and annual precipitation has increased 7–15%. These results indicate that the millennial-scale climate forcing driving vegetation changes can be quantified within the intermountain West in general and northwestern Great Basin in particular. In addition, fire can be considered an important component of these ecosystems, but it does not appear to be a forcing mechanism for vegetation change at the resolution of these records. r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effect of silver nanoparticle surface coating on bioaccumulation and reproductive toxicity in earthworms (Eisenia fetida).

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of surface coating on the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) soil. Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were exposed to AgNO3 and Ag NPs with similar size ranges coated with either polyvinylpyrrolidone (hydrophilic) or oleic acid (amphiphilic) during a standard sub-chronic reproduction toxicity test. No significant effects on growth or mortality were observed within any of the test treatments. Significant decreases in reproduction were seen in earthworms exposed to AgNO3, (94.21 mg kg-1) as well as earthworms exposed to Ag NPs with either coating (727.6 mg kg-1 for oleic acid and 773.3 mg kg-1 for polyvinylpyrrolidone). The concentrations of Ag NPs at which effects were observed are much higher than predicted concentrations of Ag NPs in sewage sludge amended soils; however, the concentrations at which adverse effects of AgNO3 were observed are similar to the highest concentrations of Ag presently observed in sewage sludge in the United States. ...
Postnatal development of membrane properties of layer I neurons in rat neocortex

Using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques in brain slices, we studied the postnatal development of electrophysiological properties of rat neocortical layer I neurons during the first three weeks of postnatal life. Neurons, including Cajal-Retzius cells, were visualized under Nomarski optics before recording. In the first postnatal week, all layer I neurons, including Cajal-Retzius cells, had low resting membrane potentials (-40 to -55 mV), high input resistances (1–5 G omega), and long membrane time constants (80–130 msec). Action potentials (APs) of layer I neurons early in postnatal development were lower in amplitude and longer in duration. The threshold for APs also was more depolarized than in older neurons. A medium after- hyperpolarization already was present at postnatal day 0 (PN0), but fast afterhyperpolarizations were not seen until PN10. At all postnatal ages, layer I neurons were capable of repetitive firing, displayed little or no frequency adaptation, and did not display slow afterhyperpolarizations. Early in development, layer I neurons had a prominent hyperpolarization-activation depolarizing sag that decreased with age. These results suggest that the membrane properties of rat neocortical layer I neurons mature rapidly during the first two postnatal weeks. Cajal-Retzius cells had electrical properties similar to other layer I neurons and did not show an earlier maturation of membrane properties.
Nanopower betavoltaic microbatteries

This paper presents theoretical and experimental studies on betavoltaic microbatteries using low-level radiation from 1/spl sim/100 milliCurie /sup 63/Ni thin films. The model indicates that powers of hundred nanowatts are possible with 50-100 milliCurie radioisotope sources. Two types of betavoltaic microbatteries are developed and tested. One is the planar silicon pn-diode with electroplating of /sup 63/Ni thin film, and the other is the bulk micromachined pn-junction structure with the inverted pyramid array. The obtained power is on the scale of one-nanowatt with an open circuit voltage of 128 millivolts, and a short circuit current of 2.86 nA. The output power can be increased using greater activity and efficient collector designs.
Frequency response of advanced silicon bipolar transistors at low temperature

The high-frequency behavior of advanced bipolar silicon transistors has been measured at temperatures between 83 and 350 K. The cutoff frequency, DC gain, and associated frequency-dependent parameters are reported. Although the transistors are optimized for room-temperature operation, their performance at liquid-nitrogen temperature is not severely degraded. Though decreased, the current gain remains sufficiently high for use in some applications. The cutoff frequency is reduced by about a factor of two. It is suggested that this is primarily due to an increase of the base transit time and that increasing the base doping may improve the low-temperature response. Using the maximum frequency of oscillation to predict circuit switching speed, it appears that small, high-performance transistors suffer a speed degradation at near liquid-nitrogen temperature. >
Mupirocin resistance screening of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates at Madigan Army Medical Center

ABSTRACT Mupirocin is an antibiotic used for eradication and infection control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Mupirocin binds to the bacterial isoleucyl tRNA synthetase, thus disrupting bacterial protein synthesis. Four hundred nine MRSA clinical isolates collected in 2006 and 2007 at Madigan Army Medical Center were screened for mupirocin resistance by E test and polymerase chain reaction; 7 MRSA isolates (1.7%) were found to be fully resistant to mupirocin (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] by E test: >1,024 µg/mL), 10 isolates (2.4%) had MIC values of 1 to 32 µg/mL, while 392 MRSA isolates (95.9%) had MIC values of <1 µg/mL. No trend of increased mupirocin resistance was found when compared with subsequent years. These results show that mupirocin remains a valid infection control measure due to its unique mechanism of action and the high susceptibility rate of MRSA isolates. In addition, rapid screening by polymerase chain reaction of MRSA shows promise in assessing the ful...
Divided by a Common Language: Why the British Adoption of the American Anti-Discrimination Model Did Not Lead to an Identical Approach to Age Discrimination Law

The federal Civil Rights Act 1964 and the Supreme Court's decision in the case of Griggs v. Duke Power (which outlawed so-called disparate impact discrimination) were effectively the source of anti-discrimination laws within the United Kingdom just as much as within the United States. They led to the creation of a template for British anti-discrimination laws containing the following core elements: (i) a definition of discrimination as 'less favourable' treatment; (ii) the establishment of a public agency responsible for the oversight and enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation; (iii) a defense of 'genuine occupational qualification' focused on the objective requirements for a job and not on the state of mind of the employer; and (iv) a recognition and definition of disparate impact discrimination as well as of disparate treatment discrimination and victimization. Yet while age discrimination was prohibited within the U.S. by the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (A.D.E.A.) within just three years of the Civil Rights Act, the U.K. only expressly prohibited age discrimination in late 2006. Moreover, the U.K. did not follow the A.D.E.A., but instead applied its now-standard template to age discrimination law. As a result, British age discrimination law protects all workers (and not just those over the age of 40), as well as prohibiting disparate impact discrimination just as much as discrimination by disparate treatment. In the area of age discrimination law, therefore, the U.K. now gives effect more accurately to the aspirations behind the U.S. Civil Rights Act than federal U.S. law currently does.
Civil-Military Cooperation in Civilian Casualty Investigations: Lessons Learned from the Azizabad Attack

Coalition-caused civilian casualties present a potentially grave threat to the failure of the U.S.-led counterinsurgency in Afghanistan. Most attempts to mitigate this threat, whether by the military or academics, focus on preventing civilian casualty incidents in the first place. What the literature fails to address, and what the military may struggle with the most, however, is responding to civilian casualty incidents when they do occur. This article attempts to fill this void.I propose that the President create a Task Force on Civilian Protection by executive order. The Task Force would work with the United Nations, the Government of Afghanistan and, for the first time, NGOs, to investigate alleged civilian casualty incidents. Synthesizing this effort in a single entity would solve a variety of problems while signaling the importance that the U.S. places on protecting vulnerable civilians in wartime. Involving NGOs in civilian casualty investigations, once unthinkable, is now both possible and desirable. Multiple developments now enable the military and humanitarian organizations to work together more closely, among them the rise of the lexicon of law (which makes humanitarian and military professionals “co-linguists”) and the advent of lawfare (which encourages the military to adopt a strategy of openness and honesty to counter enemy assertions of legal violations). Both the military and humanitarian organizations could benefit from closer cooperation. The nature of the conflict in Afghanistan makes the case for the Task Force all the more compelling. Ultimate success in Afghanistan may well hinge on gaining the support of the local people. Few acts do as much to damage the trust and support of the local people than civilian casualty incidents. The proposed Task Force, by responding quickly and transparently to civilian casualty incidents, could show the Afghan people that coalition forces care deeply about their safety. In this way, the Task Force would do its part to ensure that civilian casualties - a recurrent and regrettable aspect of war - present less of a threat to the coalition’s success.
Hookah Use Among U.S. College Students: Results From the National College Health Assessment II

INTRODUCTION Tobacco use is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Hookah use is a growing tobacco trend among young adults; yet little is known about how young adult college student hookah smokers differ from nonsmokers or cigarette smokers. METHODS Results from 18- to 24-year-old participants in the Fall 2008-Spring 2009 National College Health Assessment II (N = 82,155) were used in multinomial logistic regression models to compare nonsmokers, cigarette-only smokers, hookah-only smokers, and dual (cigarette and hookah) users. RESULTS Ten percent of the sample reported hookah use in the last 30 days. Compared with nonsmokers, cigarette, hookah, and dual users were more likely to be younger, male, White, and use other substances (including alcohol). Compared with nonsmokers, hookah and dual users were more likely to be members of fraternities/sororities (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17 and 1.14, respectively), live in the West (OR = 1.49 and 1.31, respectively), and attend larger institutions. Compared with cigarette-only smokers, hookah and dual users were more likely to be younger, male, live on campus, live in the West, attend large institutions, and were less likely to attend public institutions. Compared with cigarette-only smokers, hookah-only users were more likely to be non-White and less likely to use marijuana or other drugs. CONCLUSIONS Hookah-only and dual users are demographically different than cigarette-only or nonsmoking college students. Interventions for tobacco use on college campuses should address the demographic differences among tobacco users (including polysubstance use) and attempt to recruit students as entering freshman to provide education and prevent hookah use uptake.
The Significations of Representing Dialect in Writing

This article reviews some of the constraints and implications involved in the reporting of speech in fiction and elsewhere, paying particular attention to some of the issues that attend the represe...
Discussion on the causation and monitoring countermeasure of adverse events of orthopedic implants

Adverse events of orthopedic implants are common, the writers discussed common reasons of adverse events of orthopedic implants from several respects, producing on how reduc-ing adverse several of orthopaedic implants have putted forward correspoding monitoring counter-measures.
Organic indicators and its influencing factors in finished water of domestic water treatment units with activated carbon filters in Shanghai

Objective To investigate organic indicators and its influencing factors in finished water of domestic water treatment units(WTUs) with activated carbon filters in Shanghai. Methods A total of 248 families were chosen in Shanghai and the finished water samples of WTUs were collected for the determination of COD and TOC in summer(Jul.),autumn(Oct.),and winter(Dec.), and the influencing factors were investigated. Results The unqualified rates for COD were 37.5% in summer,33.6% in autumn and 37.9% in winter. The unqualified rates for TOC of treated water was 0.8% in summer, meanwhile, TOCs were qualified in autumn and winter. Multivariate analysis showed that treated water volume of the filter was positively correlated with the unqualified rates of COD in summer, autumn and winter. There were positive correlations between COD and TOC in each season. Conclusion The main influencing factors for removal rate of organic compounds for domestic WTUs with activated carbon filters are treated water volume, the water quality of raw water. It is necessary to replace the activated carbon filters in time.
A New Species of Conceveiba (Euphorbiaceae) from Belize

Conceveiba belizensis McPherson & B. Holst (Euphorbiaceae), a new species of Conceveiba Aubl., is described, differing notably from the similar C. guianensis Aubl. and C. rhytidocarpa Mull. Arg. in having staminate inflorescences unbranched (vs. paniculiform), staminate flowers with pedicels 4–9 mm long (vs. less than 2 mm) and staminodes much shorter than the stamens (vs. staminodes much longer than the stamens), and pistillate flowers sessile (vs. pedicels at least 2 mm long).
Redo Fallot: Surgery for Pulmonary Valve Implantation

Since tetralogy of Fallot was first successfully repaired in 1954, an encouraging long-term survival has been reported. However, an increasing number of adult survivors will present late after repair for re-intervention, and pulmonary regurgitation has been the most common indication. The timing and indications for pulmonary valve replacement continue to evolve but the trend has now moved towards earlier intervention before irreversible changes in right ventricular function occur. Late survivors are also at an increased risk of developing arrhythmias due to right ventricular scarring related to corrective surgery and sudden death remains the commonest cause of late death. The need to restore pulmonary valve competency to preserve right ventricular function and reduce the arrhythmia burden have therefore become the important indications for late intervention in this disease. In addition to traditional surgical approaches, the role of percutaneous valve intervention is also emerging. It is anticipated that this strategy will improve the long-term mortality and morbidity and will be the focus of this chapter.
Yin and Yang of the Fas pathway in regulating self-tolerance

T diabetes (T1D) results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic insulin-producing s-cells. Autoreactive T cells are activated by islet autoantigens in pancreatic lymph nodes (PLN) from where they infiltrate pancreatic islets of Langerhans to cause insulitis and s-cell destruction. Although present within the normal repertoire of healthy individuals, autoreactive T cells are held in check by suppressive cytokines and specialized subsets of regulatory cells. In disease-susceptible individuals and the widely used “non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model,” these immunoregulatory mechanisms fail, thereby permitting diabetogenic T cells to infiltrate islets, cause insulitis, and destroy s-cells. What causes these mechanisms to fail and how the failures can be avoided/rectified are current questions of paramount scientific and clinical significance. Our group is interested in understanding mechanisms that potently control s-cell-specific autoreactive T-cells when Fas ligand (FasL), an apoptosisinducing member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, is genetically or pharmacologically inactivated. Disruption of the Fas pathway causes massive T cell lymphoproliferation but instead of causing or aggravating organ specific autoimmunity, as is the case with CTLA-4 or Foxp3 deficiency, it restores organ-specific T cell tolerance in several autoimmune models. This paradox is best illustrated in NOD mice carrying homozygous gld or lpr mutations. Our mouse data support the hypothesis that defects in IL-10 utilization underlie autoimmune diabetes and that IL-10producing B cells induced in pancreata by inactivating FasL are capable of controlling diabetogenic T cells. We will discuss the role of FasL in compromising and negating the role of IL-10 in antagonizing the diabetogenic process especially at the effector site, the pancreas. Abdel Rahim A. Hamad, J Cell Sci Ther 2013, 4:4 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2157-7013.S1.026
Determination of origin and intended use of plutonium metal using nuclear forensic techniques

Abstract Nuclear forensics techniques, including micro-XRF, gamma spectrometry, trace elemental analysis and isotopic/chronometric characterization were used to interrogate two, potentially related plutonium metal foils. These samples were submitted for analysis with only limited production information, and a comprehensive suite of forensic analyses were performed. Resulting analytical data was paired with available reactor model and historical information to provide insight into the materials' properties, origins, and likely intended uses. Both were super-grade plutonium, containing less than 3% 240 Pu, and age-dating suggested that most recent chemical purification occurred in 1948 and 1955 for the respective metals. Additional consideration of reactor modeling feedback and trace elemental observables indicate plausible U.S. reactor origin associated with the Hanford site production efforts. Based on this investigation, the most likely intended use for these plutonium foils was 239 Pu fission foil targets for physics experiments, such as cross-section measurements, etc.
Clinical observation on scalp acupuncture for diffusion tensor imaging in cerebral palsy children with periventricular leukomalacia

To observe the effect of Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-refreshing needling technique on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in cerebral palsy (CP) children with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and investigate the underlying mechanism. A total of 18 CP children with PVL received modern rehabilitation training and scalp acupuncture. The before-after study was conducted to compare the fractional anisotropy (FA) of the white matter fiber tracts, gross motor function measure (GMFM) score, Gesell developmental scale and changes in muscle tone. For the comparison before and after the first course of treatment, there were no statistical differences in DTI findings and FA values (both P>0.05); there were statistical differences in GMFM dimensions A and B (both P 0.05); and there were statistical differences in six items of Gesell development test (P 0.05); and there were statistical differences in six items of Gesell developmental test between before, after 30 and 60 treatments and between 30 and 60 treatments (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-refreshing scalp acupuncture has no significant efficacy on the repair and regeneration of white matter fibers in children with PVL and CP in a short period of time; however, it gradually works along with the prolonged treatment time. In addition, it can improve the motor function and mental development and the efficacy is closely associated with the time of treatment.
The mock turtle's tears: ersatz enamel and the hierarchy of media in Pseudo-Kodinos

The enormous prestige accorded to Byzantine cloisonne enamel seems to have continued into the Palaiologan period, although evidence suggests that its production ceased in the decades after the Fourth Crusade. The medium of the imperial images described by Pseudo-Kodinos as ὑπὸ ὑeλίου λeγομένου διαγeλάστου, which was worn on the headgear of thirteen ranks of court officials, is here identified as verre eglomise, reverse painting on glass. A reading of Pseudo-Kodinos’ treatise alongside surviving works of art suggests that fourteenth-century Byzantines were consciously using ersatz media in an effort to keep up the appearance of continuity with the empire's more prosperous past.
Dermatology in Systemic Disease

Keywords in this section refer to diseases in many different areas of internal medicine. These diseases include, among others, collagen vascular, endocrine, hematologic, gastrointestinal, and neoplastic diseases. The collagen vascular disorders include lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and dermatomyositis. Polyarteritis nodosa has two main components: systemic and cutaneous, but has no keyword. The livedo pattern on the lower legs in cutaneous polyarteritis is very characteristic but may be seen in other disorders, including other collagen diseases. The dull red nodules on the lower legs seen in both cutaneous and systemic polyarteritis are similarly nondiagnostic.
Wide, Continuously Swept VCSEL Using a Novel Air-Cavity-Dominant Design

We report electrically-pumped MEMS-VCSELs with a record 70 nm continuous wavelength sweep at 1057-nm with 600 kHz rate using a novel air-cavity-dominant design. Such devices are promising for swept-source OCT and 3D sensing applications.
EVA: a framework for network analysis and risk assessment

EVA is an attack graph tool that allows an administrator to assess and analyze a network in a variety of fashions. Unlike other attack graph tools which just focus on visualizing the network or recommending a set of patches to secure the network, EVA goes beyond these modes to fully explore the power of attack graphs for a multitude of administrative and security tasks. EVA can be used to derive a set of hardening measures for a network, to perform strategic analysis of a network, to design a more secure network architecture, to assist in forensic evaluations after a security event and to augment an intrusion detect system with information about the likely targets of an attack. This paper summarizes the framework used by EVA, provides real-world results of using EVA and shows how EVA is scalable to large networks.
Overview: Molecular Physiology of Cardiac Potassium Channels

Potassium (K+) channels regulate K+ ion movement across the cell membrane and are important in maintaining the electrical activity in most excitable cells, because they control cellular resting potential and action potential duration. Action potentials recorded from cardiac cells are characterized by their long duration and slow repolarization, quite unlike action potentials found in other electrically excitable cells such as nerve and skeletal muscle. This prolonged depolarization is important in regulating the strength and duration of the contraction of the heart. Outward currents through K+ channels play important roles in influencing the morphology of the action potential in the heart. For example, inward rectifier K+ current (IKir) is important in controlling the resting membrane potential, whereas current through voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) channels plays a major role in controlling the duration of the action potential in cardiac cells. Many K+ channels are the physiological targets of neurotransmitters and hormones, which influence heart rate and contractility through their action on many different types of ion channels, including K+ channels.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Developmental Approaches from Infancy through Early Childhood

Over the past decade, there have been exponential changes in perspectives on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which includes classic autism, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome (APA, 1994). Perhaps the most striking changes are in the prevalence rates for this group of disorders (now generally referred to with the umbrella term ASD; APA, 2013), not only in the USA but in all countries where epidemiological studies have been conducted. The latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control estimate that 1 in 88 children in the USA has an ASD and an even more alarming figure of 1 in 54 boys (ADDM, 2012). These soaring rates, which still seem to be rising, have led to growing public awareness about ASD coupled with serious fears and concerns as some media reports refer to a new epidemic of this once rare neurodevelopmental disorder.
Genetics of racing performance in the American Quarter Horse

Over one million racing records of American Quarter Horses were used to provide a description of Quarter Horse racing data. The data represented five racing distances (201, 320, 366, 402 and 796 m). Finish time was used to measure racing performance. Means and variances for finish time increased with length of the race, but the distributions were similar for the five distances. Each distribution was skewed to the right and more peaked than a normal distribution. Repeated records were an important source of information for improving accuracy of genetic evaluations and for comparing horses and sires across races and tracks. There was a tendency for more older horses and geldings to be found in the longer races. Two-year-old horses raced almost exclusively against other two-year-olds and most three-year-olds raced only with horses their own age. An interaction was found between sex and age that was inteirpreted to be the result of differential selection rates among the sexes. Further study of age and sex effects is needed to develop adjustment factors for preadjusting Quarter Horse racing data for use in genetic evaluations.
American Dream in Flux: The Endangered Right to Lease a Home

Homeownership in the US is on the decline and the percentage of the population that rents their residence is growing. Renters present a distinct demographic compared to owners, and most of the more vulnerable segments of society rent their homes. But the law prohibits renting a home in some neighborhoods. Occasionally, zoning provisions hamper the ability of would-be tenants and would-be landlords to rent. More typically, however, community restrictive covenants are what block rentals. Zoning prohibitions on rentals have been attacked as violations of property rights. But in condominiums and other privately governed neighborhoods, segregation of renters from owner occupants has been continually upheld by the courts and has been consistently promoted as policy by government and quasi government entities. These policies and legal structures harm not only the rights of would-be landlords but also would-be tenants in such communities. Community rental restrictive covenants perpetuate broader social harms as well. It is time to rethink the desirability of these restrictions, even in the "private" context of neighborhood covenants.​
Alcohol and Cocaine Combined Substance Use on Adult Hypothalamic Neural Stem Cells and Neurogenesis

Many advancements have been made over the years looking at the individual and combined effects of drugs of abuse on the brain, with one key area of research focusing on the effects on neurogenesis. An integral part of fetal brain development and, later, maintenance in the adult brain, neurogenesis occurs in three main regions: subventricularzone of the lateral ventricles (SVZ), subgranularzone of the dentate gyrus (SGZ), and the tanycyte layer in the hypothalamus (TL). We will review current literature on combined drugs of abuse and their effect on adult neurogenesis. More specifically, this review will focus on the effect of combining cocaine and alcohol. Additionally, the tanycyte layer will be explored in more depth and probed to look at the neurogenic properties of tanycytes and their role in neurogenesis.
Mushfaking It: Postsecondary Academic Literacy Practices of Students From Refugee Backgrounds:

Relatively little is known about the long-term academic literacy development of refugee-background students, particularly at the postsecondary level. The purpose of this study was to understand how...