cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies Related to School and College Programs of Family Life Education

N o institution is more pivotal and potent in human development than the family unit, yet little attention has been given to equipping young people to establish effective family relationships and to produce healthy, vigorous, future families41 ) Very little effort and money have been spent o n the prevention of social problems through the education of the young for responsible and effective parenthood. Currently, the nature and quality of family life are matters of increasing concern to health workers and educators throughout the world. Programs of family life education, human relations, sex education, population dynamics, and other family-oriented programs are being advocated and introduced into school curricula, youth agencies, adult and parent education activities, and professional education programs of various types at many levels. (2, 3) Perhaps there is no form of education that demands more from leaders and teachers than education focussed on better family living. “The biggest problem for those working in these programs is to find the experience at each age and grade level that will build on what has gone before and add something at each stage that will help family members to make increasingly wise decisions about their own family behavior and its consequences.”(4) There is widespread disparity throughout the literature on basic terminology and definitions as well as on suggested program content. In the majority of articles, family life education is construed to be an umbrella term that logically includes sex education451 Grout views family life education as an integral part of general education, including health education, and confirms the impression that there is no clear-cut and widely accepted point of view as to the nature and scope of family life education.(2) A recent Working Group of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (I.P.P.F.) addressed itself to the problems of developing programs related to responsible parenthood and sex education46) They stated that there is “great uncertainty as to what is to be taught, by whom, how it should be taught and when.” They were convinced that the way in which this form of education is introduced and implemented will (and should) vary from one society to another. “Each country will make its own decisions as to the most appropriate ways of giving this
Towards Expeditionary Battlefield Manufacturing Using Recycled, Reclaimed, and Scrap Materials

The ability to manufacture at the point of need in austere environments is a very important concept for the military. Research at the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is showing that agile, expeditionary manufacturing could be accomplished through use of materials at or near to the location of operating bases. These materials could include not only organic and inorganic materials naturally occurring in the area but also recycled materials (metals, polymers, etc.) from operating bases as well as battlefield scrap. This idea could potentially reduce the huge logistics tail needed to conduct wars on foreign soil, saving valuable resources and lives, and allowing the warfighter to perform the mission, instead of guarding and securing convoy transports. It would be favorable for our warfighters to have access to technology that uses locally available materials, for the following reasons: improved operational readiness, decreased energy costs related to transportation, reduction of spares inventory needed in-theater, and increased self-sustainability of operating bases. This paper describes ARL’s efforts towards delivering manufacturing operations to the battlefield using recycled, reclaimed, and scrap materials for feedstock.
Loss Model and Optimization Method for Switched-Capacitor Divider for POL Application

These days, two stages approach for Point of Load (POL) Converter using switched-capacitor divider starts to get explored due to its high-power density, scalability and simplicity. Switched-capacitor divider circuit has been around for a while but mainly used in the very low power area. The loss model and the optimization method for high current application are very scarce and limited to a IC level circuit. This paper explores the 2:1 switched-capacitor model as the basic of loss analysis derivation and expands it to higher divider ratio Dickson based switched-capacitor topology as Dickson topology utilizes multiple conduction paths in parallel to reduce the conduction loss, which is the majority loss in high current application. Based on the derived model, this paper presents the optimization method to design 4:1 and 6:1 switched-capacitor divider for POL applications.
"Saying Is Believing" Effects: When Sharing Reality About Something Biases Knowledge and Evaluations

This chapter considers the interrelations among three psychological principles-audience tuning, aboutness, and shared reality. It reviews some examples of audience tuning and its biasing effects on subsequent knowledge and evaluations. The chapter explains the aboutness principle is described and is used to understand why audience tuning introduces biases. It also considers the principle of shared reality and discusses how tuning about some topic to an audience creates a shared reality with them. It is this shared reality that transforms audience- tuned messages into seemingly objective and accurate statements on the topic. Communicators take into account both personal characteristics of their audience, such as their background knowledge or attitudes, and momentary situational factors such as their audience's vantage point or current state of comprehension. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, both words are rooted in the Late Latin and have come to signify an elementary distinction between kinds of knowledge.
Particle Irradiation Induced Defects in High Temperature Superconductors

We use irradiation with 50-MeV Cu-ions to create vortex pinning defects in high-temperature superconducting Y1Ba2Cu3O7-x coated conductors using a beam-rastering approach that allows for the uniform irradiation of large ample areas. Our samples contain barium zirconate nanorods as pre-existing vortex pinning defects. By irradiating the samples at angles of 0o, 15oand 30o from the crystallographic c-axis we explore the interplay between pre-existing and irradiation-induced pinning and find that irradiation at 30o leads to a moderate enhancement of Jc at 5 K at high fields (greater than 2 Tesla). In contrast, Jc was suppressed for all temperatures and fields for other angles of irradiation. Optimized particle irradiation procedures offer a way for improving the performance of high-temperature superconducting wires for use in high magnetic fields without the need for changing wire synthesis protocols.
Cameras on beds: The ethics of surveillance in nursing home rooms

Surveillance cameras are increasingly being deployed in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, with insufficient attention to what is ethically fraught about this way of assuaging concerns about abuse and other personnel challenges. With seven state laws now regulating camera monitoring and more on the way, it is urgent for us to consider the ethical implications of how we use technology to keep older adults safe. Drawing on findings from the first facility survey on this topic, we address three ethical issues: the risk that in-room cameras pose to residents' privacy and dignity, the risk of undermining care workers' sense of being fiduciaries for residents, and the probable extension of camera use by facilities to monitor staff and residents. We argue that with an aging population, intensifying strain on the care workforce, and ease of access to Web-connected cameras, this is a critical moment to address these ethical challenges.
A comparison of freshwater mussel assemblages along a land‐use gradient in Minnesota

Intensive agricultural land use may have adverse impacts on freshwater mussel assemblages. Before European settlement, the Minnesota River Basin (MRB) was home to dense and diverse assemblages of freshwater mussels. Of the 40 species that occurred there, 43% have been extirpated. the St. Croix Basin (SCB) in Minnesota/Wisconsin, in contrast, has maintained a dense and diverse mussel assemblage, probably owing to the maintenance of a higher‐quality ecosystem. Mussels were sampled in four rivers representing an agricultural land‐use gradient. Timed searches were conducted in each of three rivers of the MRB, and in one river in the SCB in 2015. These were previously sampled by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (1998–2008). Mussel abundance and richness were lower in the MRB compared with the SCB. There were negligible changes in mussel density in the SCB, whereas abundances declined 17–83% in the MRB over the same period. Rates of decline were greatest for rivers with higher agricultural land use. Individuals of species that inhabited both basins were larger in tributaries with higher agricultural land use. MRB rivers with increased agricultural land use harboured a greater proportion of individuals displaying opportunistic (low life‐span, age and high fecundity) and periodic life‐history traits (moderate to high growth rates, low to intermediate fecundity, life span and age at maturity), whereas SCB assemblages had a greater percentage of mussels displaying equilibrium life‐history traits (long life‐span, late maturity and low reproductive effort). Also, rivers with higher amounts of suspended sediment contained more individuals classified as disturbance tolerant. This study provides evidence that agricultural land use contributes to the loss of mussel diversity and abundance, especially in mussel species that are long lived or slow to reproduce. These life‐history traits may be correlated with increased sensitivity to disturbances commonly observed in agricultural basins, including more and larger flood events.
Hydrous heating experiments at 130 °C yield insights into the occurrence of hydrogen sulfide and light alkanes in natural gas reservoirs

Abstract Improved understanding of the origin of produced volatiles from conventional reservoirs and unconventional source rocks is critical for petroleum exploration and production. A series of hydrous heating experiments using two immature Type II siliciclastic source rocks, Pennsylvanian Turner Mine shale (TMS) and Devonian New Albany Shale (NAS), at 130 °C over one to two years were conducted to assess gas generation at low temperature. Elemental sulfur (ES) was added to the NAS samples to evaluate the role of sulfur on thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR). The produced volatile composition was investigated in situ using Raman spectroscopy at the end of the heating experiments. Results show that the two source rocks yield different types and concentrations of volatiles. Only CH4 and CO2 were detected following hydrous heating of the TMS source rock in contrast to CH4, C2H6, C3H8, and CO2 which were observed in experiments using NAS. Variations in the produced volatiles are likely the result of compositional differences within the respective source rock organic matter. Experiments involving ES show strong H2S signals that are likely due to the formation of H2S from the reaction of ES with water at 130 °C. H2S signals correlate with a greater relative concentration of CH4 and CO2 compared to experiments where ES was not added, on a time-normalized basis. The correlation between the presence of H2S and an increase in CH4 and CO2 concentration could indicate the occurrence of TSR. Here we propose that H2S in siliciclastic shale can be generated in the presence of ES at low temperatures via both disproportionation of ES into H2S and SO42−, and TSR. Our findings from this study provide experimental evidence that may aid efforts to interpret the origin of H2S in low-temperature sedimentary basins.
Integrative genomic analyses of APOBEC-mutational signature, expression and germline deletion of APOBEC3 genes, and immunogenicity in multiple cancer types

Although APOBEC-mutational signature is found in tumor tissues of multiple cancers, how a common germline APOBEC3A/B deletion affects the mutational signature remains unclear. Using data from 10 cancer types generated as part of TCGA, we performed integrative genomic and association analyses to assess inter-relationship of expressions for isoforms APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B, APOBEC-mutational signature, germline APOBEC3A/B deletions, neoantigen loads, and tumor infiltration lymphocytes (TILs). We found that expression level of the isoform uc011aoc transcribed from the APOBEC3A/B chimera was associated with a greater burden of APOBEC-mutational signature only in breast cancer, while germline APOBEC3A/B deletion led to an increased expression level of uc011aoc in multiple cancer types. Furthermore, we found that the deletion was associated with elevated APOBEC-mutational signature, neoantigen loads and relative composition of T cells (CD8+) in TILs only in breast cancer. Additionally, we also found that APOBEC-mutational signature significantly contributed to neoantigen loads and certain immune cell abundances in TILs across cancer types. These findings reveal new insights into understanding the genetic, biological and immunological mechanisms through which APOBEC genes may be involved in carcinogenesis, and provide potential genetic biomarker for the development of disease prevention and cancer immunotherapy.
Assessing Gauge Undercatch Correction in Arctic Basins in Light of GRACE Observations

NASA GRACE and GRACE-FO [NNH15ZDA001N-GRACE]; NASA Energy and Water Cycle Study [NNH13ZDA001N-NEWS]; NASA MEaSUREs [NNH17ZDA001NMEASURES]
Powering microbial electrolysis cells by electricity generation from simulated waste heat of anaerobic digesters using thermoelectric generators

Abstract Waste heat from anaerobic digesters can be converted to electricity by using thermoelectric generators (TEG). Herein, such energy was employed to power a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) for producing hydrogen gas. Four TEG units could deliver a voltage of ~0.5 V, sufficient to drive the MEC that achieved a hydrogen production rate of 0.48 ± 0.13 m3 m−3 d−1. This rate was further improved to 0.75 ± 0.05 m3 m−3 d−1 when the temperature difference for TEG was increased from 18 to 28 °C. There was no significant difference between the TEG-powered MEC and power supply-supported MEC (at 0.6 V), in terms of current generation, hydrogen production, and organic removal. Ambient air was also studied as a cold-side source for TEG, although some challenges were encountered to maintain a large temperature difference. Those results will encourage further exploration of using TEG as a feasible power supply for sustainable MEC operation.
Using deep learning to extend the range of air pollution monitoring and forecasting

Abstract Across numerous applications, forecasting relies on numerical solvers for partial differential equations (PDEs). Although the use of deep-learning techniques has been proposed, actual applications have been restricted by the fact the training data are obtained using traditional PDE solvers. Thereby, the uses of deep-learning techniques were limited to domains, where the PDE solver was applicable. We demonstrate a deep-learning framework for air-pollution monitoring and forecasting that provides the ability to train across different model domains, as well as a reduction in the run-time by two orders of magnitude. It presents a first-of-a-kind implementation that combines deep-learning and domain-decomposition techniques to allow model deployments extend beyond the domain(s) on which it has been trained.
Retrogression Forming and Reaging of AA7075-T6 Alclad to Produce Stampings with Peak Strength

A retrogression heat treatment was combined with simultaneous warm forming to produce cross-shaped stampings from AA7075-T6 Alclad sheet. This process is termed retrogression forming. A maximum-allowed-retrogression-forming-time, which includes sheet heat up, transfer, and stamping, was predicted by calculation to achieve peak-aged strength through a single reaging heat treatment after forming. Sheets of 1.6-mm-thick AA7075-T6 Alclad were stamped at 200 °C to a depth of 45 mm within 2 s without splitting. The formed geometry exhibits a complexity appropriate to automotive structural components. These stampings were then subjected to one of two reaging heat treatments. A full reaging heat treatment of 120 °C for 24 h produced strength levels in excess of the original, peak-aged T6 alloy sheet. A simulated paint bake heat treatment at 185 °C for 25 min recovered 95% of the strength lost during warm forming. Successful retrogression forming and reaging of AA7075-T6 provides new possibilities for stamping high-strength aluminum alloys into complex geometries without sacrificing strength.
The Personalized Medicine for Prostate Cancer (PMPC) Study: The role of race, genomics, and patient complexity in treatment outcomes.

302Background: Matching of patients with optimal treatment for localized prostate cancer (PCa) requires accurate estimates of risk for progression or recurrence. Traditional risk assessment methods...
Do Links Between Personality and Life Outcomes Generalize? Testing the Robustness of Trait–Outcome Associations Across Gender, Age, Ethnicity, and Analytic Approaches:

The Big Five personality traits have been linked with a broad range of consequential life outcomes. The present research systematically tested whether such trait–outcome associations generalize acr...
Impact of the affordable care act and early Medicaid expansion on head and neck cancer mortality in the United States.

7035Background: Medicaid expansion has been associated with increased access to care and earlier stage at diagnosis among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). However, it is unclear whether Me...
Predictors of remaining in foster care after age 18 years old

Abstract Background The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 created the option for U.S. states to extend the foster care age limit up to the 21 st birthday. The law provides foster youth extra protections while they transition to adulthood. Objective To inform states’ efforts to better design and implement extended foster care (EFC), we examine the impact of the policy change on length of EFC stay and factors associated with youth’s time in EFC. Participants and setting We use two samples of foster youth in California that extended the foster care age limit to 21 in 2012: 37,827 youths who turned 18 between the years 2008 and 2014 and 711 youths who participated in an interview-based panel study. Methods Leveraging California’s child welfare administrative data and California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study's (CalYOUTH) survey data, we investigated predictors of months youths remained in EFC with linear regression and Cox proportional hazard regression. Results Almost half of youth eligible for EFC remained in care until their 21 st birthday. These cohorts stayed in foster care up to 16 months longer (p Conclusions Our findings underscore the importance that placement location has on how long youth remain in EFC, and expands our understanding of how county and state context shape EFC participation.
Preoperative Nonsurgical Weight Loss Interventions Before Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Background An upcoming total joint arthroplasty (TJA) may motivate patients with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 40 kg/m2) to lose weight. Weight loss can optimize outcomes following TJA, and many surgeons use a 40 kg/m2 cut-off for undergoing TJA to reduce the risk of complications. However, few patients who are denied TJA for severe obesity successfully lose weight. This is the first systematic review of nonsurgical weight loss interventions before TJA. Methods Five electronic databases were searched for articles on January 11, 2021. Studies that utilized preoperative nonsurgical weight loss interventions for patients with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) scheduled for or awaiting TJA of the hip or knee were included. Two reviewers independently screened articles, assessed methodological quality, and extracted data. Results We retrieved 1943 unique records, of which 7 met inclusion criteria including 2 randomized clinical trials and 5 single-arm case series. Overall, weight loss ranged from 5.0 to 32.5 kg. Four interventions reduced BMI by 3 kg/m2 at 3-5 months, while 1 reduced BMI by 12.7 kg/m2. Other weight outcomes and those related to pain, function, complications, and adverse events were inconsistently reported. Conclusion Although larger trials are needed, particularly randomized controlled trials that measure preoperative weight loss in a control group, nutritional status, and postoperative complications, the available evidence indicates that short-term, nonsurgical, preoperative weight loss interventions before TJA produce both statistically significant weight loss and reduced BMI before surgery. It remains unknown if the amount of weight loss from these interventions is clinically significant and sufficient to improve outcomes after TJA.
Concurrent Chemoradiation With 5-Fluorouracil and Mitomycin in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Rectum

Rectal carcinoma-squamous type is infrequently seen. Etiopathogenesis, prognosis, and therapeutic management of rectal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are not clearly defined. Rectal SCC is now approached with definitive upfront chemoradiotherapy (CRT), with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin with a goal to avoid surgery. However, its management is planned based on histology features regardless of the localization of SCC rectal cancer. We present a case of a 47-year-old Caucasian female with rectal SCC who is under remission for two years after being treated with upfront chemoradiation with mitomycin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).
Computer-Generated Proofs of Mathematical Theorems

algorithm A recipe or set of instructions which, when followed precisely, will produce a desired result. binomial coefficient The binomial coefficient ( n k ) is the coefficient of x in the expansion of (1+x). It counts the number of ways of choosing k objects from a set of n objects. computer algebra system A computer package that enables the computer to do symbolic computations such as algebraic simplification, formal differentiation, and indefinite integration. Diophantine equation An equation in several variables for which only integer solutions are accepted. hypergeometric series A finite or infinite summation, 1 + a1 + · · ·+ ak + · · ·, in which the first term is 1 and the ratio of successive summands, ak+1/ak, is a quotient of polynomials in k. hypergeometric term A function of, say, k that is the kth summand in a hypergeometric series. proof certificate A piece of information about a mathematical statement that makes it possible to prove the statement easily and quickly. proper hypergeometric term A function of two variables such as n and k which is of the form: a polynomial in n and k times xy for some fixed x times a product of quotients of factorials of the form (an+ bk + c)! where a, b, and c are fixed integers.
Finite Element Method for the Analysis and Calibration of a Closed Loop Control Algorithm for Pressbrake Bending

Finite Element Analysis is shown to be a useful tool for the off-line calibration of a method for the real time control of a metal forming process. The identification of the material characteristics of a sheet being bent in a pressbrake is chosen as an example. Finite element analysis is used as a numerical experiment so that the accuracy of the simplified model needed for real time control can be assessed. The results can also suggest ways to improve the algorithm. In this example, the finite element analysis showed that the stress estimates are accurate, but the strain estimates need improvement either by the use of an empirical calibration factor or by the development of a more exact theory.
THE ROLE OF MULTILEVEL SELECTION IN THE EVOLUTION OF SEXUAL CONFLICT IN THE WATER STRIDER AQUARIUS REMIGIS

In evolution, exploitative strategies often create a paradox in which the most successful individual strategy "within" the group is also the most detrimental strategy "for" the group, potentially resulting in extinction. With regard to sexual conflict, the overexploitation of females by harmful males can yield similar consequences. Despite these evolutionary implications, little research has addressed why sexual conflict does not ultimately drive populations to extinction. One possibility is that groups experiencing less sexual conflict are more productive than groups with greater conflict. However, most studies of sexual conflict are conducted in a single isolated group, disregarding the potential for selection among groups. We observed Aquarius remigis water striders in a naturalistic multigroup pool in which individuals could freely disperse among groups. The free movement of individuals generated variation in aggression and sex-ratio among groups, thereby increasing the importance of between-group selection compared to within-group selection. Females dispersed away from local aggression, creating more favorable mating environments for less-aggressive males. Furthermore, the use of contextual analysis revealed that individual male aggression positively predicted fitness whereas aggression at the group level negatively predicted fitness, empirically demonstrating the conflict between levels of selection acting on mating aggression.
MAPPING CELL FATE AND FUNCTION USING RECOMBINASE-BASED INTERSECTIONAL STRATEGIES

Cell types are typically defined by expression of a unique combination of genes, rather than a single gene. Intersectional methods therefore become crucial to selectively access these cells for higher resolution fate mapping and functional manipulations. Here, we discuss one such intersectional method. Two recombinase systems (Cre/loxP and Flp/FRT) work together to remove a double STOP cassette and thereby activate expression of a target transgene solely in cells defined by a particular pairwise combination of driver genes. Depending on the nature of the target transgene, this strategy can be used to deliver cell-lineage tracers, sensors, and/or effector molecules to highly selective cell types in vivo. In this chapter, we discuss concepts, reagents, and methods underlying this intersectional approach and encourage consideration of various intersectional and binary methods for accessing uniquely defined cell subsets in the mouse.
Evaluating the sensitivity of wetlands to climate change with remote sensing techniques

Wetlands are valuable ecosystems that provide many valuable services, yet many of these important ecosystems are at risk because of current trends in climate change. The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) in the upper-midwest of the United States and south-central Canada, characterized by glacially sculpted landscapes and abundant wetlands, is one such vulnerable region. According to regional/global climate model predictions, drought occurrence will increase in the PPR region through the 21st century and thus will probably cause the amount of water in wetlands to decline. Water surface area (WSA) of Kidder County, ND, from 1984–2011 was measured by classifying TM/ETM+(Landsat Thematic Mapper / Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus) images through the modified normalized difference water index. We then developed a linear model based on the WSA of these wetlands and historical climate data and used this to determine the wetland sensitivity to climate change and predict future wetlands WSA in the PPR. Our model based on Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) of the current year (PDSIt − 0) and of the previous two years (PDSIt − 2) can explain 79% of the annual wetland WSA variance, suggesting a high sensitivity of wetlands to drought/climate change. We also predicted the PPR wetlands WSA in the 21st century under A1B scenario (a mid-carbon emission scenario) using simulated PDSI based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change AR4 22-model ensemble climate. According to our prediction, the WSA of the PPR wetlands will decrease to less than half of the baseline WSA (defined as the mean wetlands WSA of the 2000s) by the mid of the 21st century, and to less than one-third by the 2080s, and will then slightly increase in the 2090s. This considerable future wetland loss caused only by climate change provides important implication to future wetland management and climate adaptation policy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of replication factor C from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a component of the leading-strand DNA replication complex

A number of proteins have been isolated from human cells on the basis of their ability to support DNA replication in vitro of the simian virus 40 (SV40) origin of DNA replication. One such protein, replication factor C (RFC), functions with the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), replication protein A (RPA), and DNA polymerase delta to synthesize the leading strand at a replication fork. To determine whether these proteins perform similar roles during replication of DNA from origins in cellular chromosomes, we have begun to characterize functionally homologous proteins from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. RFC from S. cerevisiae was purified by its ability to stimulate yeast DNA polymerase delta on a primed single-stranded DNA template in the presence of yeast PCNA and RPA. Like its human-cell counterpart, RFC from S. cerevisiae (scRFC) has an associated DNA-activated ATPase activity as well as a primer-template, structure-specific DNA binding activity. By analogy with the phage T4 and SV40 DNA replication in vitro systems, the yeast RFC, PCNA, RPA, and DNA polymerase delta activities function together as a leading-strand DNA replication complex. Now that RFC from S. cerevisiae has been purified, all seven cellular factors previously shown to be required for SV40 DNA replication in vitro have been identified in S. cerevisiae.
Evaluation of cost versus antioxidant determinants in green tea dietary supplements

Abstract Objective To investigate the association between cost and (a) chemical constituents and (b) antioxidant activity as quality determinants of select green tea supplements available in the United States. Design/setting Laboratory analysis of green tea using HPLC and antioxidant assay methods. Main outcome measures Correlation between selected quality parameters and daily cost based on the serving size as stated in the label. Quality was defined in terms of (a) catechin levels (validated high-performance liquid chromatography method), (b) total phenolic content (Folin–Ciocalteu method), and (c) antioxidant activity (total antioxidant capacity and diphenylpicryl hydrazyl free-radical scavenging). Results A wide range of variation in marker levels and antioxidant activity was observed in the evaluated products. Catechin levels correlated well with the total phenolic content in each product while antioxidant activities were not as consistent when correlated with catechin/polyphenol levels. There was also a low correlation between product cost and quality. Conclusion Our results indicate that product cost does not always reflect quality, at least within the selected range of products. Thus, for a pharmacist to be able to recommend quality green tea dietary supplements, factors other than cost should be considered.
Characterization of polyurethane foams from soybean oil

Modified soy-based vegetable oil polyols were successfully incorporated as a replacement for conventional polyols to produce flexible slabstock polyurethane foams. The oil was characterized for its hydroxyl value and fatty acid composition. The modified oils had higher hydroxyl values and lower unsaturated acids than regular unmodified oils. Three different modified polyols were used to investigate the reactivity with isocyanates. The effects on the foaming reaction of two different isocyanates, namely TDI and MDI, were investigated. The reactions were also carried out with a mixture of polyols containing synthetic polyols and vegetable oil-based polyols to delineate the effect of each component. FTIR technique was used to identify the sequence of chemical reactions during the foaming process. The effect of water levels and isocyanate content on the kinetics of the foaming reaction was investigated. Information regarding the formation of hard and soft segments with the varying compositions was obtained. As the water content increased, the amount of the hard segment and urea formation increased in both soy oil polyols and synthetic polyols. Increased synthetic polyols in the mixture increased the rate of reaction and phase mixing due to the availability of primary hydroxyl groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) were used to probe the morphology. As the water content increased, the cell size increased. At lower water content a more uniform cell structure was evident and at higher water levels hard domain size increased. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3097–3107, 2002
Qualitative behavior of dissipative wave equations on bounded domains

The qualitative behavior of solutions of the mixed problem utt = Δu-a(x)ut in IR x Ω, u=0 on IR x ∂Ω, is studied in the case when a>0 and Ω⊂IRn is bounded. Roughly speaking, if a≧amin>0, then solutions decay at least as fast as exp t(ɛ −1/2amin), with the possible exception of a finite dimensional set of smooth solutions whose existence is associated with a phenomenon of overdamping. If amax is sufficiently small, depending on Ω, then no overdamping occurs.
Post-buckling dynamic behavior of periodically supported imperfect shells

Abstract A circular cylindrical shell, periodically supported and subjected to step-loading in the form of lateral or hydrostatic pressure, is studied. Using the time-dependent von Karman-Donnell equations, its imperfection sensitivity is examined and a simple asymptotic expression for the dynamic buckling load, valid for small imperfections, is obtained. There is a simple relation, independent of the imperfection, between the dynamic and static buckling loads.
Selective Autophagy of the Adaptor Protein Bcl10 Modulates T Cell Receptor Activation of NF-κB

The adaptor protein Bcl10 is a critically important mediator of T cell receptor (TCR)-to-NF-κB signaling. Bcl10 degradation is a poorly understood biological phenomenon suggested to reduce TCR activation of NF-κB. Here we have shown that TCR engagement triggers the degradation of Bcl10 in primary effector T cells but not in naive T cells. TCR engagement promoted K63 polyubiquitination of Bcl10, causing Bcl10 association with the autophagy adaptor p62. Paradoxically, p62 binding was required for both Bcl10 signaling to NF-κB and gradual degradation of Bcl10 by autophagy. Bcl10 autophagy was highly selective, as shown by the fact that it spared Malt1, a direct Bcl10 binding partner. Blockade of Bcl10 autophagy enhanced TCR activation of NF-κB. Together, these data demonstrate that selective autophagy of Bcl10 is a pathway-intrinsic homeostatic mechanism that modulates TCR signaling to NF-κB in effector T cells. This homeostatic process may protect T cells from adverse consequences of unrestrained NF-κB activation, such as cellular senescence.
Grain flows and bed-load sediment transport: Review and extension

A recent model for intense bedload sediment transport based upon the dynamics of collisional grain flows is summarized and extended with a discussion of bed resistance and boundary conditions. The model predicts decreased flow resistance and increased sediment transport at high shear stresses due to the presence of a granular-fluid layer near the bed.
Erratum to: Fluoroscopic findings post-peroral esophageal myotomy.

esophageal myotomy Carla B Harmath, Jeanne M Horowitz, Senta M Berggruen, Nancy A Hammond, Paul Nikolaidis, Frank H Miller, Lori A Goodhartz, Ezra N Teitelbaum, Eric S Hungness, Vahid Yaghmai Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North Saint Clair Street, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60614, USA Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
Phosphorlyation of tyrosine aminotransferase invitro by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases

Summary The phosphorylation of purified rat liver tyrosine aminotransferase was studied in vitro using a purified cGMP-dependent protein kinase (bovine lung) and the purified catalytic subunit from a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (rat liver). Both protein kinases catalyzed the transfer of 32 Pi from [γ- 32 P] ATP to tyrosine aminotransferase. However, the phosphorylation rates were much lower than observed with histones as substrates. Both protein kinases phosphorylated the same major site in tyrosine aminotransferase, corresponding to a serine residue in a tryptic peptide having a molecular weight of about 800. This site also appeared to be phosphorylated in hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells in vivo .
Respondent rationale for neither agreeing nor disagreeing: Person and item contributors to middle category endorsement intent on Likert personality indicators

Abstract The current study examines intentions behind middle category endorsement in personality assessment, and investigates person and item antecedents to these intentions. Participants verbally explained their responses to 100 personality items and completed personality, self-concept clarity, and cognitive ability measures. Talked through items were scaled with respect to clarity, complexity, and need for contextualization. Verbal protocols suggest that the predominant respondent orientation when selecting the Likert middle category is it depends. Candidate item and person antecedents indicate that middle category endorsement intentions are more closely attributable to item rather than respondent characteristics. These findings suggest that consecutive integer scoring algorithms may result in personality scale attenuation – particularly with instruments that contain indicators reflecting an ambiguous or unspecified context.
Substituting tube-hydroformed parts for automotive stampings: An economic model

This paper examines the economics of substituting tube-hydroformed parts for stamped assemblies. Tube hydroforming has been heralded for its ability to decrease weight and increase stiffness compared with stamped solutions. The economics of this substitution question is examined in three case studies where tube-hydroformed components have replaced stampings using technical cost modeling, a technique developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The cases illustrate different factors that influence the relative cost of tube hydroforming compared to stamping.
Identifying population vulnerable to hydrological hazards in San Juan, Puerto Rico

The hazards of place framework developed by Cutter (1996) has been applied to several areas across the United States. This article tests the applicability of that model for analysis of hydrological disasters in the municipio of San Juan, Puerto Rico. San Juan is chosen because it combines many socioeconomic attributes of a developing area while offering data availability befitting its status as a US commonwealth. The interoperability of principal components and arithmetically based methods for producing a social vulnerability layer are examined. For both methods, a basket of commonly cited demographic variables representing social and economic vulnerability is extracted from Census 2000 sample (SF-3) data at the census block-group level of analysis. These results provide insight on the strengths and weaknesses of the methods both methodologically and regarding policy implementation. A look at the neighborhood of La Perla suggests complex local positive and negative effects of local processes on vulnerability not captured by demographic analysis. These effects relate to possible census undercounts in peripheral areas and uncaptured coping ability provided by social networks.
Time variability of Martian bolometric albedo

A time series of calibrated bolometric albedo maps of Mars is presented which establish accurate values of surface bolometric albedo and demonstrate changes in the bolometric appearance of specific regions with time of year and atmospheric conditions. The maps were constructed from Viking infrared thermal mapping data and provide global coverage at latitudes between -60 and +60 deg at 1 x 1 deg spatial resolution for a period spanning a Martian year and including the global dust storms of 1977. During dust-free periods, the bolometric albedo maps are found to be similar to classical earth-based visual albedo maps. A distinctly bimodal distribution of bolometric surface albedos is obtained even during the dust storms, with typical Lambert albedos of 0.27 and 0.16 for the bright and dark Martian surfaces, respectively. Atmospheric effects including dust storms are found to influence strongly apparent surface albedos, especially for dark areas, while neither bright nor dark regions show measurable long-term variations of bolometric albedo during clear periods.
Dietary restrictions in healing among speakers of Iquito, an endangered language of the Peruvian Amazon.

Ethnobotanical research was carried out with speakers of Iquito, a critically endangered Amazonian language of the Zaparoan family. The study focused on the concept of "dieting" ( siyan++ni in Iquito), a practice involving prohibitions considered necessary to the healing process. These restrictions include: 1) foods and activities that can exacerbate illness, 2) environmental influences that conflict with some methods of healing (e.g. steam baths or enemas) and 3) foods and activities forbidden by the spirits of certain powerful medicinal plants. The study tested the following hypotheses: H1 - Each restriction will correlate with specific elements in illness explanatory models and H2 - Illnesses whose explanatory models have personalistic elements will show a greater number and variety of restrictions than those based on naturalistic reasoning. The work was carried out in 2009 and 2010 in the Alto Nanay region of Peru. In structured interviews, informants gave explanatory models for illness categories, including etiologies, pathophysiologies, treatments and dietary restrictions necessary for 49 illnesses. Seventeen botanical vouchers for species said to have powerful spirits that require diets were also collected. All restrictions found correspond to some aspect of illness explanatory models. Thirty-five percent match up with specific illness etiologies, 53% correspond to particular pathophysiologies, 18% correspond with overall seriousness of the illness and 18% are only found with particular forms of treatment. Diets based on personalistic reasoning have a significantly higher average number of restrictions than those based on naturalistic reasoning. Dieting plays a central role in healing among Iquito speakers. Specific prohibitions can be explained in terms of specific aspects of illness etiologies, pathophysiologies and treatments. Although the Amazonian literature contains few studies focusing on dietary proscriptions over a wide range of illnesses, some specific restrictions reported here do correspond with trends seen in other Amazonian societies, particularly those related to sympathetic reasoning and for magical and spiritual uses of plants.
Toxicologic studies of a superpotent alpha-melanotropin, [Nle4, D-Phe7]alpha-MSH.

A toxicology study was performed in mice given a superpotent α melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) analog. This 13 amino acid derivative, [Nle4, D-Phe7]α-MSH or NDP-MSH, is a melanotropin which is very slowly biodegraded in vivo and is active at 1/1,000 the concentration of natural α-MSH. Mice were administered up to 2 mg/kg of the analog daily and weekly over 4 or 12 weeks by both topical application (in 90% DMSO) or by IP injections (in physiologic saline). At the end of this period, no toxic effects were observed in various organs, on hematologic indices, or on weight gain. A slight increase in triglyceride and platelet levels were noted in mice given the analog weekly for 12 weeks. There was no evidence of an effect on behavior nor ACTH-like endocrine actions such as elevated serum cortisol levels. Transdermal drug delivery studies performed in vitro showed reproducible diffusion of the NDP-MSH analog through full-thickness mouse skin. Approximately 0.002% to 0.05% of a 10−4M preparation was transdermally delivered using a DMSO/water solution or a PEG/alcohol cream base, respectively. This superpotent analog is now entering a Phase I clinical trial with possible therapeutic applications for the treatment of hypomelanotic disorders such as vitiligo and for pharmacologic tanning without the need for sunlight exposure.
Shiga toxin 1 elicits diverse biologic responses in mesangial cells

Shiga toxin 1 elicits diverse biologic responses in mesangial cells. Background Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) is a causative agent in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Its receptor, the glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb 3 ), is expressed on cultured human endothelial and mesangial cells. Mesangial cell injury in HUS ranges from mild cellular edema to severe mesangiolysis and eventual glomerulosclerosis. We hypothesized that, in addition to endothelial cells, mesangial cells are targets of Stx1. Methods Human mesangial cells were exposed to Stx1. Protein synthesis was measured using [ 35 S]-methionine/cysteine. Cell viability was measured as the lysosomal uptake of Neutral Red. Monocyte chemotactic peptide (MCP-1) mRNA and protein were analyzed by Northern blotting and ELISA. Results Stx1 (0.25 to 2500ng/ml) resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of protein synthesis. This effect of Stx1 was potentiated by preincubation of the cells with interleukin-1 α (IL-1 α ; 2ng/ml) or tumor necrosis- α (TNF- α ; 500 U/ml). Stx1 had little effect on mesangial cell viability during the first 24hours of exposure to Stx1. However, prolonged incubation with Stx1 for 48 and 72hours resulted in a 68% and 80% decrease in cell-viability, respectively. Stx1 elicited a dose and time dependent increase in the levels of MCP-1 mRNA, an effect that was potentiated by preincubation with IL-1 α . Conclusion These data indicate that mesangial cells are susceptible to the effects of Stx1 in vitro . Stx1 exerts a spectrum of biologic effects on mesangial cells ranging from activation of chemokine genes to a lethal toxic injury. Immunoinflammatory cytokines potentiate the effects of Stx1. Thus, glomerular pathology in HUS may also result from a direct effect of Stx1 on mesangial cells.
Quantitative Analysis of Protein Translocations by Microfluidic Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Flow Cytometry

Protein translocation, or the change in a protein's location between different subcellular compartments, is a critical process by which intracellular proteins carry out their cellular functions. Aberrant translocation events contribute to various diseases ranging from metabolic disorders to cancer. In this study, we demonstrate the use of a newly developed single-cell tool, microfluidic total internal reflection fluorescence flow cytometry (TIRF-FC), for detecting both cytosol to plasma membrane and cytosol to nucleus translocations using the tyrosine kinase Syk and the transcription factor NF-κB as models. This technique detects fluorescent molecules at the plasma membrane and in the membrane-proximal cytosol in single cells. We were able to record quantitatively changes in the fluorescence density in the evanescent field associated with these translocation processes for large cell populations with single cell resolution. We envision that TIRF-FC will provide a new approach to explore the molecular biology and clinical relevance of protein translocations.