cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of human β-defensins HBD-1, HBD-2, and HBD-3 in cultured keratinocytes and skin substitutes

Defensins are effector molecules of the innate host defense system with antimicrobial activity against a variety of pathogens, including microorganisms commonly found in burn units. beta-Defensins are variably expressed in the epithelia of skin and other organs. Cultured skin substitutes (CSS) grafted to burn wounds lack a vascular plexus and are therefore more susceptible to microbial contamination than split thickness skin autograft. To investigate whether beta-defensins can contribute to host defense in CSS, we examined expression of human beta-defensins HBD-1, HBD-2, and HBD-3 in cultured keratinocytes and CSS from uninjured donors and burn patients. HBD-1 was expressed in all keratinocyte strains analyzed. HBD-2 expression in keratinocyte monolayers was highly variable but did not correlate with burn injury. HBD-3 was expressed at variable levels in all but one keratinocyte strain. CSS were prepared from two donors that lacked expression of HBD-2 in keratinocyte monolayers. All three genes were readily detected in CSS from both donors, suggesting up-regulation of HBD-2 and HBD-3. In sections of CSS, HBD-1, HBD-2, and HBD-3 proteins were localized to distinct epidermal regions. We conclude that beta-defensins can potentially contribute to innate immunity in CSS, but their levels may be too low to prevent contamination after grafting.
Metamodel based model transformation language to facilitate domain specific model driven architecture

The Model Driven Architecture (MDA) can have a greater impact by expanding its scope to Domain Specific MDA (DSMDA). This helps developers to represent their systems using familiar domain concepts. For each DSMDA, a transformer is needed to convert Domain Specific Platform Independent Models (DSPIM-s) to Domain Specific Platform Specific Models (DSPDM-s). Such model transformers are time consuming and error prone to develop and maintain. A high-level specification language to formally specify the behavior of model transformers is required. The language must also have an efficient execution framework. This research proposes to develop such a language and execution framework.
Antibody and pre- plus post-transplant prednisone treatments support T cell-depleted stem cell engraftment without drug-induced morbidity

Rigorous T cell depletion methods can now be used to reduce the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) associated with allogeneic, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, full T cell depletion is also associated with a significant risk of graft failure. Here we hypothesize that engraftment failures after T cell-depleted HSCT may be due, in part, to the absence of GVHD prophylaxis. To test this hypothesis, we used a haploidentical mouse model to systematically measure the effects of immunosuppressive drug treatments and anti-T cell antibodies on engraftment. Results showed that engraftment was supported in all animals when hosts were pre-treated with anti-T cell antibodies, but donor chimerism was significantly improved when hosts were also treated with prednisone. Interestingly, when hosts received only pre-HSCT prednisone treatments, engraftment was not improved; when hosts received only post-HSCT prednisone (initiated near the time of irradiation), the animals became extremely ill. Results therefore demonstrated the need for both pre- and post-HSCT prednisone treatments as a means to ensure engraftment without morbidity in all host animals.
Use of rescue pollination to make a complex interspecific cross in potato

A cross between cultivated tetraploid potato and 2n-pollen producing triploid hybrids containingSolomon stoloniferum genomes was not successful using standard crossing procedures. Berry formation did not occur. Berries were formed, however, when pollination by the triploid hybrids was followed by application of cultivated tetraploid pollen. Berries contained seeds, most of which were intraspecific hybrids of 4x-4x origin. About 4% of 1749 seedlings scored with an isozyme marker were identified as interspecific hybrids of 4x-3x origin. The use of this second pollination is called “rescue pollination.” It appears to promote normal fruit development which standard crossing technique failed to do.
Stabilized Structure from Motion without Disparity Induces Disparity Adaptation

3D structures can be perceived based on the patterns of 2D motion signals [1, 2]. With orthographic projection of a 3D stimulus onto a 2D plane, the kinetic information can give a vivid impression of depth, but the depth order is intrinsically ambiguous, resulting in bistable or even multistable interpretations [3]. For example, an orthographic projection of dots on the surface of a rotating cylinder is perceived as a rotating cylinder with ambiguous direction of rotation [4]. We show that the bistable rotation can be stabilized by adding information, not to the dots themselves, but to their spatial context. More interestingly, the stabilized bistable motion can generate consistent rotation aftereffects. The rotation aftereffect can only be observed when the adapting and test stimuli are presented at the same stereo depth and the same retinal location, and it is not due to attentional tracking. The observed rotation aftereffect is likely due to direction-contingent disparity adaptation, implying that stimuli with kinetic depth may have activated neurons sensitive to different disparities, even though the stimuli have zero relative disparity. Stereo depth and kinetic depth may be supported by a common neural mechanism at an early stage in the visual system.
The role of wind tunnels in predicting sounding rocket aerodynamics

The nature of some cases of flow separation, flow-field interference, unusual vehicle shape or size, excessive deviations to high angular positions. Mach number induced effects, Reynolds number effects, and effects of protruberances on wind tunnel investigations of sounding rockets are illustrated.
Value-Chain Dynamics of the West Point Foundry, 1817-1911: A Historical Case Analysis in Marketing.

This case provides the opportunity for students to explore marketing and value/supply-chain dynamics in a unique historical context. The West Point Foundry (WPF), located in Cold Spring, New York, was one of the most important manufacturing ventures in the United States from 1817 to 1911. The case outlines the supply-chain details of the WPF as well as the sociopolitical contexts in which the foundry operated, providing students with a chance to integrate and apply a wide range of concepts. The case is applicable in any marketing course in which supply/value-chain dynamics are relevant.
Effect of Gravity on Colloidal Deposition Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the effect of gravitational forces on the deposition of submicrometer colloidal particles onto solid surfaces to test the usual assumption that the contribution of gravity to the behavior of particles with diameters <1 mm is negligible. The effects of both particle size and density were examined using polystyrene sulfate latex, silica, and colloidal gold particles of several sizes ranging from 10 nm to 1 mm. The results show that significant differences are observed in the deposition of colloidal particles onto horizontal and vertical surfaces, under identical suspension conditions and exposure times, showing that gravitational forces can have a considerable effect. This effect was quantified by analysis of the AFM images. The experimental results are compared to calculations of the expected coverage and particle surface concentration assuming diffusion-limited adsorption and deposition by sedimentation. Gravity can be negligible for low-density particles with diameters considerably smaller than 1 mm. However, if the density of the colloidal particles is high, as in the case of colloidal gold, gravity can become a significant driving force for particle transport to the surface, even for particles with diameters much smaller than 100 nm. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.
Solid support synthesis of polysubstituted tetrahydroquinolines via three-component condensation catalyzed by Yb(OTf)3

Abstract Solid support synthesis of polysubstituted tetrahydroquinolines is described. The procedure is based on a three-component condensation involving immobilized derivatives of 4-aminophenylalanine, aldehydes, alkenes and Yb(OTf)3 as a catalyst. The methodology is further expanded to the solid support synthesis of tricyclic tetrahydroquinoline by the concomitant formation of the Schiff base followed by intramolecular trap of the alkene.
Threshold noise and the laser transient

The energy in a laser cavity at threshold affects the time required for the laser to go from threshold to saturation. By determining the statistical distribution of laser turn-on times, i.e., the time required for the laser to undergo its transient from threshold to saturation, the noise distribution in the cavity can be calculated. A phenomenological model is used to analyze the low-level noise in a laser cavity based on the distribution of turn-on times of a pulsed laser. The results of this analysis are used to study the effects of injecting a signal from a cw laser into the cavity of the pulsed laser. A small injected signal shortens the laser transient and changes the shape of the distribution of turn-on times. The method used allows examination of the statistical properties of photons in the cavity without the need for photon counting.
Bi-algebraic groups

Abstract We obtain several necessary and sufficient conditions for a pro-affine bi-algebraic group to be an algebraic group.
Microstructure Evolution in Three-Dimensional Inhomogeneous Elastic Media

A new, three-dimensional boundary integral method is used to study the evolution of an isolated precipitate growing by diffusion in an infinite, elastic matrix. An adaptive surface mesh[23] is used to accurately and efficiently discretize the precipitate boundaries in three dimensions. The model accounts for diffusion, surface energy, interface kinetics and elastic energy, which are coupled through a modified Gibbs-Thomson boundary condition at the precipitate-matrix interface. The precipitate and matrix phases are taken to have different elastic-stiffness tensors, and there is a mismatch strain between the phases. Both isotropic and anisotropic elasticity are investigated. In this article, the coarsening and growth of a single precipitate are simulated under various conditions. For isotropic elasticity, coarsened shapes are found to be consistent with the equilibrium-shape analysis of Johnson and Cahn.[29] Growth shapes are found to become rapidly nonlinear and to develop regions of high curvature. In elastically anisotropic systems, coarsened shapes are found to be consistent with the equilibrium-shape calculations of Mueller and Gross.[7,8] Simulations of coarsening in which the cubic axes of the precipitate are different from those of the matrix suggest that there may be more than one local minima in the energy, so that the observed shapes depend on the growth path. Finally, non-convex precipitate morphologies are seen for the growth of soft Ni3Al precipitates in a Ni matrix, consistent with experimental observations. In the case of a hard Ni3Si precipitate grown under the same conditions, we find self-similar growth of a convex shape.
A fixed-grid local method for 1-D Stefan problems

Abstract This note is concerned with a fixed grid local method for the solution of 1-D free boundary problems. The method uses a coordinate transformation. After the coordinate transformation, it is then possible to obtain exact solutions for the resulting equations in terms of the local variables. These exact solutions are in terms of constants of integration that are unknown. By imposing the given boundary conditions, and some smoothness requirements, it is possible to furnish a set of linearly independent conditions that can be used to solve for the constants of integration. A number of examples are used to study the applicability of the method.
Nanotechnology-enabled water treatment and reuse: emerging opportunities and challenges for developing countries

The availability of clean water is necessary for all aspects of food production, preparation, distribution and consumption. Yet the magnitude, intensity and diversity of water pollution and the depletion of some water resources continue to grow, reducing the availability of clean, usable water and raising the potential for a water-related crisis that would have a severe impact on food processes. These impacts could be especially severe in developing nations where water supplies and treatment technologies are limited. Nanotechnology shows great promise as a feasible means of treating both long-standing and emerging water contaminants, as well as enabling technologies such as desalination of seawater to increase water supply. However, some engineered nanomaterials could also become water pollutants that threaten public and ecosystem health. Accordingly, this paper considers both the applications and implications of nanotechnology within the context of water quality and water security for developing countries.
Smoke-Point Properties of Nonbuoyant Round Laminar Jet Diffusion Flames

The laminar smoke-point properties of non-buoyant round laminar jet diffusion flames were studied emphasizing results from long-duration (100-230 s) experiments at microgravity carried out in orbit aboard the space shuttle Columbia. Experimental conditions included ethylene- and propane-fueled flames burning in still air at an ambient temperature of 300 K, pressures of 35-130 kPa, jet exit diameters of 1.6 and 2.7 mm, jet exit velocities of 170-690 mm/s, jet exit Reynolds numbers of 46-172, characteristic flame residence times of 40-302 ms, and luminous flame lengths of 15-63 mm. Contrary to the normal-gravity laminar smoke point, in microgravity, the onset of laminar smoke-point conditions involved two flame configurations: closed-tip flames with soot emissions along the flame axis and open-tip flames with soot emissions from an annular ring about the flame axis. Open-tip flames were observed at large characteristic flame residence times with the onset of soot emissions associated with radiative quenching near the flame tip: nevertheless, unified correlations of laminar smoke-point properties were obtained that included both flame configurations. Flame lengths at laminar smoke-point conditions were well correlated in terms of a corrected fuel flow rate suggested by a simplified analysis of flame shape. The present steady and non-buoyant flames emitted soot more readily than non-buoyant flames in earlier tests using ground-based microgravity facilities and than buoyant flames at normal gravity, as a result of reduced effects of unsteadiness, flame disturbances, and buoyant motion. For example, present measurements of laminar smoke-point flame lengths at comparable conditions were up to 2.3 times shorter than ground-based microgravity measurements and up to 6.4 times shorter than buoyant flame measurements. Finally, present laminar smoke-point flame lengths were roughly inversely proportional to pressure to a degree that is a somewhat smaller than observed during earlier tests both at microgravity (using ground-based facilities) and at normal gravity.
The female artist in Kate Chopin's The Awakening: Birth and creativity

(1986). The female artist in Kate Chopin's The Awakening: Birth and creativity. Women's Studies: Vol. 13, The Female Imagination and the Modernist Aesthetic, pp. 23-32.
Scaffolding pre-service teachers’ observations: eye on the future

Pre-service teachers spend an inordinate amount of time observing teaching and learning in classrooms with the goals of understanding the complexities of that space and impacting their teaching. Consequently, teacher educators are responsible for scaffolding pre-service teachers in the use of appropriate and effective observational skills and tools. In this article, we describe how pre-service teachers were scaffolded to engage in effective observations in their field experiences to reflectively build a foundation for learning about teaching. Data were collected from 27 pre-service teachers during two semester-long language arts methods courses where students used a blended approach for their observations. The description of the course demonstrates that the design of a blended observational process with the related tools completed in the language arts methods courses met the needs of pre-service teachers by honing their observation skills in order to have the potential to positively impact classroom teaching.
County-Nonprofit Service Arrangements: The Roles of Federal and State Fiscal Involvement

This study examines the effects of federal and state financial transfers on county–nonprofit relationships. An assessment of production choices for 122 U.S. counties reveals that federal transfers to county governments stimulate county–nonprofit relationships and promote arrangements based upon collaboration. Supporting evidence shows these effects to be more prevalent in areas with lower population density. Meanwhile, state transfers influence choices for less collaborative arrangements among more urbanized areas. The findings provide important insight regarding county–nonprofit relationships within the face of fiscal federalism. The author demonstrates that the fiscal instruments of centralized governments play an important role in choices for decentralized units to engage in collaborative arrangements with nonprofits.
Stationary Markov equilibria for overlapping generations

At a stationary Markov equilibrium of a Markovian economy of overlapping generations, prices at a date-event are determined by the realization of the shock, the distribution of wealth and, with production, the stock of capital. Stationary Markov equilibria may not exist; this is the case with intra-generational heterogeneity and multiple commodities or long life spans. Generalized Markov equilibria exist if prices are allowed to vary also with the realization of the shock, prices and the allocation of consumption and production at the predecessor date-event. (Stationary) Markov $ \epsilon $ -equilibria always exist; as $ \epsilon \rightarrow 0, $ allocations and prices converge to equilibrium prices and allocations that, however, need not be stationary.
SU-FF-J-108: Dose Variation of Critical Structures in Daily Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients Using Helical Tomotherapy Megavoltage CT System

Purpose: To study daily spinal cord and parotid gland dose variation for nasopharyngeal cancer patients undergoing helical tomotherapy treatments, as a result of patient weight loss during the course of treatments.Method and Materials: Five nasopharygeal cancer patients who received helical tomotherapy treatments were selected. At the end of the treatments, patients lost an average weight of 6.3 kg, or 8.4% relative to the weight at the beginning of the treatments. Daily megavoltage CT (MVCT) scans were performed prior to each treatment fraction, and MVCT images were registered with planning CTimages for patient setup corrections. Contours for spinal cord and parotid glands were drawn on MVCT images throughout the treatment course. Based on daily MVCT images, actual dose delivered to the critical structures were calculated using the Planned Adaptive application in the helical tomotherapy treatment planning system. The maximum dose to the spinal cord and the median doses to the parotid glands were analyzed. Results: The maximum dose to the spinal cord, after setup corrections, did not show significant variation as a result of patient weight loss. However, the median doses to the parotid glands showed significant increase due to facial tissue shrinkage during treatments. The average median dose to the parotid glands for the five patients were 83 cGy for the first treatment fraction, and it was 143 cGy per fraction for the last fraction. The average parotid gland volume decreased from 20.5 cc to 13.2 cc during treatments.Conclusion: Daily patient setup corrections based on MVCT image registrations prevented significant dose variation to the spinal cord due to setup uncertainty. During the course of radiotherapy, as a result of body weight loss, the parotid glands typically receive significantly higher dose compared to the dose dictated in the treatment plan.
Optimality and guidance for planar multiple-burn orbit transfers

An analysis of the second variation for extremal orbital transfers is presented, as well as a discussion of a multipleburn guidance scheme that may be implemented for such transfers. The second variation analysis includes the examination of the conditions for free final time transfers. A continuous burn transfer is shown to have neighboring extremals through these conditions. An implicit guidance scheme is explored, which implements a neighboring optimal feedback guidance strategy to calculate thrust direction and thrust off-times. A new time-to-go formulation is introduced, which has improved performance for this transfer. This continuous burn guidance scheme is adapted to multiple-burn transfers. A two-burn guidance problem is simulated. , C a d(-) e eT f go H
Mexico’s balance of payments and exchange rates: a cointegration analysis

Abstract Mexico’s recurrent economic crises have cast serious doubts on the existence of a long-run relationship between the country’s balance-of-payments and exchange rates. In this paper, cointegration and vector autoregression techniques are applied to Mexico’s data covering the period 1971 through 1988. Despite the presence of nonstationarity, the statistical analysis supports a long-run relationship between changes in international reserves and the exchange rate and changes in domestic credit. Further multivariate Granger causality tests, together with innovation accounting, indicate that Mexico’s monetary authorities adjust domestic assets to sterilize balance-of-payments deficits in a futile attempt to control its monetary policy.
Similarity solution for natural convection flow over an isothermal vertical wall immersed in thermally stratified medium

Abstract A similarity solution has been obtained for a natural convection flow on a heated isothermal wall suspended in a quiescent, thermally stratified atmosphere. A new similarity variable is defined which reduces to that for the classical case of an isothermal plate in a uniform temperature, quiescent medium. It also properly represents the case for an isothermal plate in a linear stably stratified atmosphere. This is a unique feature which has not been discussed before. Predicted values of the local temperature defect and flow reversal are in qualitative agreement with results obtained by earlier investigators.
Interaction of ATP analogs with yeast 3-phosphoglycerate kinase. Affinity labeling of the hinge region.

Yeast 3-phosphoglycerate kinase is inactivated by incubation with pyridoxal 5′-diphospho-5′-adenosine (AdoP2Pxy) [Tamura, J. K., Rakov, R. D. & Gross, R. L. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 4126–4133). Incorporation of 1 mol affinity label/mol enzyme was sufficient for complete inactivation of 3-phosphoglycerate kinase. The substrate ATP affords substantial protection against inactivation. Partial protection is afforded by the substrate glycerate 3-phosphate. When AdoP2Pxy-modified phosphoglycerate kinase was reduced with [3H]NaBH4 and subjected to trypsin hydrolysis, only one radioactive peptide was isolated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The amino acid composition and sequence analysis of the purified radioactive peptide revealed that it spans residues 379–403 of the enzyme and Lys385 specifically reacted with the affinity label. This peptide represents the hinge region between the two domains of the protein, where the active site is also located. The fluorescence intensity of enzyme-bound AdoP2Pxy is enhanced when glycerate 3-phosphate is added, suggesting exposure of the fluorescent probe to a more hydrophobic environment. Another fluorescent analog, anthraniloyl-dATP (ant-dATP), which carries the fluorescent reporter group on the ribose ring, binds to the enzyme at two distinct sites with Kd values of 6±2 μM and 25±3 μM, as determined by steady-state anisotropy measurements. Bound ant-dATP was displaced from the enzyme by glycerate 3-phosphate and ATP, as monitored by the fluorescence anisotropy. These results suggest that both fluorescent ATP analogs bind to the active site, which is at the hinge region of the enzyme. Model-building studies showed that when AdoP2Pxy is built into the open form of the enzyme, as described in X-ray studies, the pyridoxyl group of AdoP2Pxy cannot reach Lys385 for Schiff-base formation. Labeled Lys385 is on a β-turn immediately following helix XII, which was suggested to interact with the nucleotide and become ordered at the active site of 3-phosphoglycerate kinase [Watson, H. C., Walker, N. P. C., Shaw, P. J., Bryant, T. N., Wendell, P. L., Fothergill, L. A., Perkins, R. E., Conroy, S. C., Dobson, M. J., Tuite, M. F., Kinesman, A. J. & Kinesman, S. M. (1982) EMBO J. l, 1635–1640]. The results presented here suggest that binding of substrates cause significant structural changes in the enzyme.
Effect of Animal Fat and Mixtures of Animal and Vegetable Fats Containing Varying Amounts of Free Fatty Acids on Performance of Cage Layers

Abstract CONSIDERABLE work has been carried out within the past few years on the use of animal and vegetable fats as an energy source for growing chickens. Studies on the use of fats in the diets of laying hens have been somewhat limited, however, although the relationship of energy to egg production has been investigated. Heuser et al. (1945) showed that a ration low in fiber content produced a higher rate of egg production than similar rations high in fiber. Quisenberry et al. (1949) and Skinner et al. (1951) presented evidence that increased egg production and improved feed efficiency could be obtained through the use of high energy (low fiber) type diets. Bird and Whitson (1946) fed laying rations of both low and high fiber content and found that the productive efficiency was related inversely to the fiber content. Singsen et al. (1952) and Gerry (1954) reported that less feed was …
High-resolution mapping of sperm function defects in the t complex fourth inversion.

Structural variants of the mouse Chr 17-specific t complex, known as t haplotypes, express factors that alter the ability of sperm to carry out their roles in the normal fertilization process. In previous studies of males carrying heterospecific combinations of the t complex, we discovered a unique M. spretus/t haplotype phenotype of male sterility. In additional studies with mice carrying a series of M. spretus–M. m. domesticus recombinant Chr 17 homologs and a complete t haplotype (S-+/t), we monitored physiological aspects of sperm function to map a locus (Hst6) responsible for expression of the t-specific ``curlicue'' sperm flagellar curvature phenotype to 1 cM within the fourth inversion of the t complex. In the present report, we quantitatively analyze the in vitro capability of sperm from mice with similar S-+/t Chr 17 genotypes to fertilize zona pellucida-free mouse eggs. The results identify a locus, Stop1, mapping distal to Pim1, with acute effects on the ability of sperm to penetrate the oolemma. The data suggest that Stop1 is a complex locus consisting of at least two genetic elements, a proximal one overlapping the Hst6 locus, and another, distal to the Hst6 locus. Further quantitative analyses of the ``curlicue'' phenotype produced by sperm derived from these same animals indicate that expression of this chronic flagellar curvature phenotype also derives from at least two elements, both mapping within the Hst6 locus. Thus, these studies provide higher resolution mapping of the molecular basis of t haplotype-specific sperm dysfunction emanating from In(17)4.
A Semiotic Analysis of Corporate Language; Organizational Boundaries and Joint Venturing

Many people deserve recognition for helping me present the narrative semiotic method used in this study. The credit for achieving the present level of clarity is largely theirs: Stephen Barley, Janice Beyer, Janet Dukerich, Roger Dunbar, Jane Dutton, William Guth, James Hoover, Anne Huff, Marjorie Lyles, Frances Milliken, Linda Pike, and the editor and anonymous reviewers of Administrative Science Quarterly. This research was partially supported by a grant from the Tenneco Fund. In an attempt to explain differences in the propensity of organizations to enter into joint ventures, this study uses a semiotic method of textual analysis to examine CEOs' letters to shareholders as they reflect the existence and strength of boundaries separating internal organizational subunits and boundaries separating the company from external environments. These boundaries are linked to the propensity of ten companies in the chemical industry to engage in joint-venture activity. Weak internal or interdivisional boundaries and strong boundaries separating the company from the external environment were prevalent in firms having no joint ventures; strong interdivisional boundaries and weak external boundaries were prevalent in firms having several joint ventures."
Suppression of experimental colitis in mice by CD11c+ dendritic cells.

Background: The innate immune system serves a critical role in homeostasis of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Both macrophages (MOs) and dendritic cells (DCs) have been shown to have pathogenic roles in animal models of inflammatory bowel disease. However, studies by several labs have established that resident MOs and DCs within the normal GI tract maintain an immunosuppressive phenotype compared to that seen in other peripheral sites. Recent studies by our lab demonstrated that the depletion of both MOs and DCs before the initiation of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis resulted in exacerbation of disease, partly caused by increased neutrophil influx. Methods/Results: In this current report, DSS-induced colitis was shown to be significantly more severe when DCs were selectively depleted in mice as indicated by changes in weight loss, stool consistency, rectal bleeding, and histopathology. In contrast to enhanced colitis in MO/DC-depleted mice, which was associated with increased neutrophil influx, increased colitis in DC-depleted mice was not associated with an increase in neutrophils in the colon, as shown by CXCL1 chemokine levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. However, increased IL-6 gene and protein expression in colon tissues correlated positively with increased colitis severity in DC-depleted mice compared to colitis in DC-intact mice. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that resident DCs can suppress the severity of acute DSS colitis and that regulation of IL-6 production may contribute to DC-mediated control of intestinal inflammation. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008)
THE PREVALENCE OF ADULT SEXUAL ASSAULT THE LOS ANGELES EPIDEMIOLOGIC CATCHMENT AREA PROJECT

Data were collected as a supplement to the Los Angeles Epidemiologic Catchment Area project, one of five field sites of a National Institute of Mental Health-initiated program. The authors used a two-stage probability sampling technique to interview 3,132 Los Angeles residents of two mental health catchment areas during the period January 1983-August 1984. Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites were about equally represented in the sample, as were males and females. Respondents were asked, "In your lifetime has anyone ever tried to pressure or force you to have sexual contact? By sexual contact I mean their touching your sexual parts, your touching their sexual parts, or sexual intercourse?" Persons who reported an assault were asked additional questions, including information about the most recent assault. Lifetime prevalence of sexual assault during adulthood (at or after age 16 years) was estimated at 10.5% for the entire sample. Women, non-Hispanic whites, and young people (less than age 40 years) reported higher rates of sexual assault than men, Hispanics, and older people. Highest rates were reported by young non-Hispanic white women with some college education (26.3%). In the most recent sexual assault, three-fourths of respondents knew their assailant, over half experienced harm or the threat of harm, and half experienced sexual contact including but not limited to intercourse.
2′-O-ribose methylation of cap2 in human: function and evolution in a horizontally mobile family

The 5' cap of human messenger RNA consists of an inverted 7-methylguanosine linked to the first transcribed nucleotide by a unique 5'-5' triphosphate bond followed by 2'-O-ribose methylation of the first and often the second transcribed nucleotides, likely serving to modify efficiency of transcript processing, translation and stability. We report the validation of a human enzyme that methylates the ribose of the second transcribed nucleotide encoded by FTSJD1, henceforth renamed HMTR2 to reflect function. Purified recombinant hMTr2 protein transfers a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to the 2'-O-ribose of the second nucleotide of messenger RNA and small nuclear RNA. Neither N(7) methylation of the guanosine cap nor 2'-O-ribose methylation of the first transcribed nucleotide are required for hMTr2, but the presence of cap1 methylation increases hMTr2 activity. The hMTr2 protein is distributed throughout the nucleus and cytosol, in contrast to the nuclear hMTr1. The details of how and why specific transcripts undergo modification with these ribose methylations remains to be elucidated. The 2'-O-ribose RNA cap methyltransferases are present in varying combinations in most eukaryotic and many viral genomes. With the capping enzymes in hand their biological purpose can be ascertained.
Chopper-Operated Electromagnetic Flowmeter

The problem of design of a square-wave electromagnetic flowmeter may be simplified by the use of a mechanical chopper as the gating device. Such an instrument has been assembled using commercial components costing less than $1000. A commercial 400-cycle chopper amplifier, Offner model 190, was modified to perform the sampling. Carrier signal was provided by Tektronix 162 and 161 generators. Proper synchronization with the chopper is obtained by use of the 161 delay control. Magnet assemblies were made of ferrite toroidal cores and platinum electrodes, cast in epoxy resin and powered directly by a Heathkit 70-watt amplifier. Using a carrier frequency of 400 cps, good frequency response, stability, and signal-to-noise levels were attained. Calibration curves are linear for forward and backward flow. Sensitivity was sufficient to record blood flow levels of 1 ml per minute.
Robust change detection in urban area using multi-temporal polarimetric UAVSAR data

SAR change detection is useful when emergency situations occurred and weather conditions are unfavourable. In this study, a change detection using multi-temporal polarimetric UAVSAR data was investigated in urban environment. The most robust polarimetric parameter was evaluated, and change detction techniques using maximum likelihood ratio and hyperbolic tanget function were applied to the selected parameters. The comparison results with Google Earth's historical images showed a quite good agreement. A fitting of hyperbolic tangent function to the multi-temporal polarimetric parameters much reduced the false alarm rate, and it also provide whether the building was constructed or destructed and when the the changes occurred.
Long-Term Disuse Osteoporosis Seems Less Sensitive to Bisphosphonate Treatment Than Other Osteoporosis

We sought to determine whether risedronate can preserve cortical bone mass and mechanical properties during long-term disuse in dogs, assessed by histomorphometry and biomechanics on metacarpal diaphyses. Risedronate slowed cortical thinning and partially preserved mechanical properties, but it was unable to suppress bone loss to the degree seen in other osteoporoses. Introduction: Disuse induces dramatic bone loss resulting from greatly elevated osteoclastic resorption. Targeting osteoclasts with antiresorptive agents, such as bisphosphonates, should be an effective countermeasure for preventing disuse osteoporosis. Materials and Methods: Single forelimbs from beagles (5–7 years old, n = 28) were immobilized (IM) for 12 months. Age-matched, non-IM dogs served as controls. One-half the animals received either risedronate (RIS, 1 mg/kg) or vehicle daily. Histomorphometry was performed on second metacarpal mid-diaphyses. Cortical mechanical properties were determined by testing third metacarpal diaphyses in four-point bending. Results: IM caused marked reduction in cortical area (−42%) and cortical thinning (−40%) through endocortical resorption, extensive intracortical tunneling, and periosteal resorption; both bone resorption and formation were significantly elevated over control levels on all envelopes. IM also decreased maximum load and stiffness by ∼80% compared with controls. RIS reduced both periosteal bone loss and marrow cavity expansion; however, cortical area remained significantly lower in RIS-treated IM animals than in untreated non-IM controls (−16%). RIS also increased resorption indices in all envelopes compared with nontreated IM, indicating that RIS suppressed osteoclast activity but not osteoclast recruitment. RIS did not affect bone formation. RIS treatment conserved some whole bone mechanical properties, but they were still significantly lower than in controls. There were no significant differences in tissue level material properties among the groups. Conclusion: RIS treatment reduces cortical bone loss at periosteal and endocortical surfaces caused by long-term immobilization, thus partially conserving tissue mechanical properties. This modest effect contrasts with more dramatic actions of the bisphosphonate in other osteoporoses. Our results suggest that risedronate impairs osteoclastic function but cannot completely overcome the intense stimulus for osteoclast recruitment during prolonged disuse.
Tonkonogy, Joseph. Vascular Aphasia

Researchers interested in cognition are likely to have at least some passing acquaintance with the issues in aphasia. At some point in their education they may have learned about the Wernicke theory of language and the brain, in which the motor representations for words are presumed to be localized in Broca’s area and the auditory sensory representations for words are presumed to be localized in Wernicke’s area. Those whose interests focus on language may also be familiar with recent approaches to aphasia that attempt to establish deficits in more central cognitive aspects of language such as syntax, semantics, or phonology rather than restricting attention to articulation and perception. In many respects, the book Vascular Aphasia by Joseph Tonkonogy (1986) is in the tradition of the Wernicke approach rather than the more recent cognitive approach. However, the information he presents points out the many inadequacies of the simplistic Wernicke theory. The Wernicke theory holds that Broca’s aphasics have a deficit in speech production due to the disruption of motor speech representations, but preserved comprehension because of the sparing of sensory speech representations. The reverse is assumed to be true for Wernicke’s aphasics, that is, comprehension is impaired, but production is spared. Tonkonogy presents the clinical syndromes in sufficient detail to make it clear that patients classed as either Broca’s or Wernicke’s aphasics have both production and comprehension deficits, but that the character of these deficits may differ for the two groups. Several other syndromes are also discussed and the departure of these syndromes from the predictions of the Wernicke model either in terms of the pattern of symptoms or the brain areas affected is made obvious. To support the claims about localization of function, a wealth of data obtained from postmortem examinations as well as from CAT scans is presented. The most interesting discussion in the book deals with redundancy of representation in the nervous system and the protection that this provides against small lesions. Tonkonogy presents a compromise between the strict localizationist and holistic or equipotential theories of brain function. He argues for what he terms multipotentiality, meaning that different areas are specialized for different functions, but within a given region there are many redundant, parallel channels that carry out the same function. Under this system, destruction of a part of the region does not lead to total failure of the system. He suggests that another means of protecting against system failure might derive from different regions carrying out a function in different ways by responding to different “alphabets” or units of the input. He
Negative Impact of Employment on Engineering Student Time Management, Time to Degree, and Retention: Faculty, Administrator, and Staff Perspectives

Interviews with faculty, administrators, staff, and students at four engineering programs reveal the role of undergraduate student employment on retention and timely degree completion among engineering students. Dueling narratives reveal how student approaches to earning an engineering degree differ greatly from faculty, administrator, and staff expectations. Faculty, administrators, and staff advise students on proper time management and are frustrated that student employment reflects a lack of commitment to engineering. Students acknowledge the challenges of balancing school and work yet consider employment important to student life. Some students adjust their course schedules to meet work demands, thus increasing time to degree. Faculty describe a seamless pathway to an engineering career through coursework, scholarships, undergraduate research opportunities, and internships. Students remain employed because scholarships do not sufficiently meet their financial needs and internships are not convenient ...
The hermeneutic circle and authoral intention in divine revelation

In his recent book on revelation, Jorge Gracia rejects the authorial intention view of textual interpretation, arguing that the only interpretation that makes sense for texts regarded as divinely revealed is theological interpretation. Both his position and the authorial view face the problem of the Hermeneutical Circle. I contend that the arguments he provides in his own defense do not successfully avoid the circularity present in his own view. His thesis about expected behavior might provide resources for a solution, but this thesis in turn can be used to respond to his own objections against the authorial intention view of interpreting divinely revealed texts.
Stability of free and encapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 in yogurt and in an artificial human gastric digestion system

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of encapsulation on survival of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 (ATCC 4356) in yogurt and during artificial gastric digestion. Strain ATCC 4356 was added to yogurt either encapsulated in calcium alginate or in free form (unencapsulated) at levels of 8.26 and 9.47 log cfu/g, respectively, and the influence of alginate capsules (1.5 to 2.5mm) on the sensorial characteristics of yogurts was investigated. The ATCC 4356 strain was introduced into an artificial gastric solution consisting of 0.08 N HCl (pH 1.5) containing 0.2% NaCl or into artificial bile juice consisting of 1.2% bile salts in de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe broth to determine the stability of the probiotic bacteria. When incubated for 2h in artificial gastric juice, the free ATCC 4356 did not survive (reduction of >7 log cfu/g). We observed, however, greater survival of encapsulated ATCC 4356, with a reduction of only 3 log cfu/g. Incubation in artificial bile juice (6 h) did not significantly affect the viability of free or encapsulated ATCC 4356. Moreover, statistically significant reductions (~1 log cfu/g) of both free and encapsulated ATCC 4356 were observed during 4-wk refrigerated storage of yogurts. The addition of probiotic cultures in free or alginate-encapsulated form did not significantly affect appearance/color or flavor/odor of the yogurts. However, significant deficiencies were found in body/texture of yogurts containing encapsulated ATCC 4356. We concluded that incorporation of free and encapsulated probiotic bacteria did not substantially change the overall sensory properties of yogurts, and encapsulation in alginate using the extrusion method greatly enhanced the survival of probiotic bacteria against an artificial human gastric digestive system.
Without surrender: an interview with Kari Levitt

In this interview, development economist Kari Polanyi Levitt, author of Silent Surrender, the influential 1970 study of US corporations in Canada, revisits the political circumstances from which the book emerged, and its reception in various contexts. In English Canada, the book resonated with a spirit of Left nationalism, while the French edition of the book touched on the political unrest in Montreal. In the Caribbean, newly independent governments made use of similar arguments in their bid to regain control of their economies. The ways in which Levitt interacted with these different political movements are discussed, including her work with Caribbean scholars based in Canada.
Effects of high-intensity resistance training on strength, mobility, balance, and fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial.

Background and purpose Resistance exercise via negative, eccentrically induced work (RENEW) has been shown to be associated with improvements in strength, mobility, and balance in multiple clinical populations. However, RENEW has not been reported for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods Nineteen individuals with MS (8 men, 11 women; age mean = 49 ± 11 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] mean = 5.2 ± 0.9) were randomized into either standard exercise (STAND) or standard exercise and RENEW training (RENEW) for 3×/week for 12 weeks. Outcome measures were lower extremity strength (hip/knee flexion and extension, ankle plantar and dorsiflexion, and the sum of these individual values [sum strength]); Timed Up and Go (TUG), 10-m walk, self-selected pace (TMWSS) and maximal-pace (TMWMP), stair ascent (S-A) and descent (S-D) and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Results No significant time effects or interactions were observed for strength, TUG, TMWSS, TMWMP, or 6MWT. However, the mean difference in sum strength in the RENEW group was 38.60 (representing a 15% increase) compared to the sum strength observed in the STAND group with a mean difference of 5.58 (a 2% increase). A significant interaction was observed for S-A, S-D, and BBS as the STAND group improved whereas the RENEW group did not improve in these measures. Discussion and conclusions Contrary to results in other populations, the addition of eccentric training to standard exercises did not result in significantly greater lower extremity strength gains in this group of individuals with MS. Further this training was not as effective as standard exercise alone in improving balance or the ability to ascend and descend stairs. Following data collection, reassessment of required sample size indicates we were likely underpowered to detect strength differences between groups.
Quartz-based photonic crystal surfaces for multiplexed cancer biomarker detection

We report for the first time the combination of a quartz-based photonic crystal (PC) with a detection instrument designed to perform label-free (LF) and enhanced fluorescence (EF) imaging for antibody microarray applications. Label-free detection is used to quantify binding density of immobilized capture antibodies. Angle-scanning approach is implemented to achieve more uniform fluorescence enhancement by reducing the coefficient of variation of replicate assays by 20–99% compared to ordinary fluorescence microscopy.