cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Runaway-Homeless Episodes on High School Dropout

This article uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 to examine the relationship between running away from home between the ages of 12 and 14 and dropping from high school among youth. Propensity score matching was conducted in estimating the effect of running away on high school dropout while controlling for confounding factors, such as familial instability and socioemotional health risks. The findings suggest that having runaway-homeless episodes have a detrimental effect on academic achievement.
Combining Two-Dimensional Diffusion-Ordered Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Imaging Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry, and Direct Analysis in Real-Time Mass Spectrometry for the Integral Investigation of Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals

During the past decade, there has been a marked increase in the number of reported cases involving counterfeit medicines in developing and developed countries. Particularly, artesunate-based antimalarial drugs have been targeted, because of their high demand and cost. Counterfeit antimalarials can cause death and can contribute to the growing problem of drug resistance, particularly in southeast Asia. In this study, the complementarity of two-dimensional diffusion-ordered 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (2D DOSY 1H NMR) with direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART MS) and desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI MS) was assessed for pharmaceutical forensic purposes. Fourteen different artesunate tablets, representative of what can be purchased from informal sources in southeast Asia, were investigated with these techniques. The expected active pharmaceutical ingredient was detected in only five formulations via both nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectr...
Review of Corning's capabilities for ULE mirror blank manufacturing for an extremely large telescope

The next generation of large ground based astronomical telescopes will have their primary mirrors, and in some cases secondary mirrors, built using a segmented approach. Corning has the capacity and capability to produce mirror segment blanks from Corning ULEThe next generation of large ground based astronomical telescopes will have their primary mirrors, and in some cases secondary mirrors, built using a segmented approach. Corning has the capacity and capability to produce mirror segment blanks from Corning ULE® titania-silica glass in segment sizes ranging from 1.0- meter to 1.8-meters flat to flat (1.2-meter to 2.1-meter point to point). Corning also has the capability of producing large monolithic mirrors for use in secondary, tertiary and/or other mirror blanks up to 8.5-meters in diameter. This paper will review and further discuss the material and processes employed by Corning to produce several hundred to several thousand mirror segment blanks for extremely large telescopes, along with large monolithic mirror blanks for downstream optics, titania-silica glass in segment sizes ranging from 1.0- meter to 1.8-meters flat to flat (1.2-meter to 2.1-meter point to point). Corning also has the capability of producing large monolithic mirrors for use in secondary, tertiary and/or other mirror blanks up to 8.5-meters in diameter. This paper will review and further discuss the material and processes employed by Corning to produce several hundred to several thousand mirror segment blanks for extremely large telescopes, along with large monolithic mirror blanks for downstream optics.
Selective autophagy: talking with the UPS

Far from now are the days when investigators raced to identify the proteolytic system responsible for the degradation of their favorite protein. Nowadays, it is well accepted that a given protein can be degraded by different systems depending on factors such as cell type, cellular conditions, or functionality of each proteolytic pathway. The realization of this sharing of substrates among pathways has also helped to unveil deeper levels of communication among the different proteolytic systems. Thus, cells often respond to blockage of one degradative mechanism by upregulating any of the other available pathways. In addition, effectors and regulators of one proteolytic system can be degraded by a different proteolytic pathway that exerts, in this way, a regulatory function. In this mini review, we describe the different levels of cross-talk among autophagic pathways and the ubiquitin/proteasome system. We also provide examples of how this proteolytic communication is used for compensatory purposes in different pathological conditions and discuss the possible therapeutic potential of targeting the modulators of the cross-talk among proteolytic pathways.
Metastable gels: A novel application of Ogston theory to sickle hemoglobin polymers

Sickle hemoglobin differs from normal adult hemoglobin by its ability to polymerize, which occurs at relatively high concentrations since the solubility for polymerization is typically above 160 mg/ml. We have recently found that the gel formed by polymers is metastable if the gel is not centrifuged or aged for long times in that polymerization ceases before the monomer concentration has decreased from its original value to the solubility. We have proposed that this effect is due to the obstruction of ends by other polymers in the crowded gel. Here we use Ogston's theory describing spaces amid arrays of random rods to provide a framework for describing the failure of the polymers to propagate. We find good agreement between fiber diameter and minimum void spaces. This novel application of a well-established theoretical framework for crowding may apply to other dense gels as well.
A demonstration of two-component behaviour of the circular dichroic spectra of poly(L-tyrosine, 3-bromo-L-tyrosine) in trimethylphosphate

The circular dichroic spectrum of poly(Tyr,TyrBr) in trimethylphosphate from 180 to 320 nm is found to be a linear function of composition from 25 to 68% TyrBr, and the spectra of the Tyr and TyrBr components are resolved. For Tyr the resolved spectrum is in agreement with available CD spectra of poly(Tyr). These results are interpreted to mean that the side-chain conformations of Tyr and TyrBr are not affected by the other component, and that for Tyr the conformation is the same as in poly(Tyr). It is also concluded that poly(Tyr,TyrBr) is helical with the same helix sense as poly(Tyr). The restrictions on the side-chain conformations are discussed, and it is suggested that the Tyr and TyrBr side chains are all in the same χ1 region.
Production of hydrogen by thermal decomposition of methane in a fluidized-bed reactor-Effects of catalyst, temperature, and residence time

Abstract A large quartz reactor ( 97 cm × 4.2 cm ) was constructed to study the decomposition of methane in a fluidized bed of carbon-black particles, which acts as a catalyst. Experiments were run for 400–2000 min using three types of carbon black, temperatures of 810–980 °C, and space velocities of 95–210 h - 1 . Under optimum conditions, the decomposition produces ⩾ 40 % hydrogen in the reactor effluent, solid carbon that remains on the carbon bed, and little else. However, at the higher temperatures ( ⩾ 965 ∘ C ), gas-phase decomposition occurred with formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and suspended carbon particles. Typically, hydrogen production decreased during the first 50 min of an experiment, then remained approximately constant for an extended period and finally fell to a low rate by 1600–2000 min. Various measurements were made on the carbon at the beginning and end of the experiments in an attempt to understand the decrease in hydrogen production.
Polycomb protein Ezh1 promotes RNA polymerase II elongation

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins initiate the formation of repressed chromatin domains and regulate developmental gene expression. A mammalian PcG protein, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2), triggers transcriptional repression by catalyzing the addition of methyl groups onto lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me2/3). This action facilitates the binding of other PcG proteins to chromatin for purposes of transcriptional silencing. Interestingly, there exists a paralog of Ezh2, termed Ezh1, whose primary function remains unclear. Here, we provide evidence for genome-wide association of Ezh1 complex with active epigenetic mark (H3K4me3), RNA polymerase II (Pol II), and mRNA production. Ezh1 depletion reduced global Pol II occupancy within gene bodies and resulted in delayed transcriptional activation during differentiation of skeletal muscle cells. Conversely, overexpression of wild-type Ezh1 led to premature gene activation and rescued Pol II occupancy defects in Ezh1-depleted cells. Collectively, these findings reveal a role for a PcG complex in promoting mRNA transcription.
Plant community responses to long-term fertilization: changes in functional group abundance drive changes in species richness

Declines in species richness due to fertilization are typically rapid and associated with increases in aboveground production. However, in a long-term experiment examining the impacts of fertilization in an early successional community, we found it took 14 years for plant species richness to significantly decline in fertilized plots, despite fertilization causing a rapid increase in aboveground production. To determine what accounted for this lag in the species richness response, we examined several potential mechanisms. We found evidence suggesting the abundance of one functional group—tall species with long-distance (runner) clonality—drove changes in species richness, and we found little support for other mechanisms. Tall runner species initially increased in abundance due to fertilization, then declined dramatically and were not abundant again until later in the experiment, when species richness and the combined biomass of all other functional groups (non-tall runner) declined. Over 86 % of the species found throughout the course of our study are non-tall runner, and there is a strong negative relationship between non-tall runner and tall runner biomass. We therefore suggest that declines in species richness in the fertilized treatment are due to high tall runner abundance that decreases the abundance and richness of non-tall runner species. By identifying the functional group that drives declines in richness due to fertilization, our results help to elucidate how fertilization decreases plant richness and also suggest that declines in richness due to fertilization can be lessened by controlling the abundance of species with a tall runner growth form.
The obese Zucker rat model of glomerular injury in type II diabetes.

Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of renal failure in the United States. 1 Although the incidence of nephropathy is higher in Type I diabetes, at least one third of diabetics who develop end-stage renal disease have Type II diabetes. 2 In both Type I and Type II diabetes, the pathogenesis of renal failure is poorly understood. Several studies have been performed using insulin-supplemented, moderately severe hyperglycemic rats made diabetic with alloxan or streptozotocin. The results of investigations using this model have suggested that increased glomerular capil lary pressure and plasma flow may cause glomerular injury in insulin-dependent diabetes. 3 However, these insulin-dependent rat models develop minimal glomerular injury and have not been shown to progress to end-stage renal disease. Thus, the role of altered glomerular hemodynamic function in the pathogenesis of diabetic glomerulosclerosis is still unclear. Even less clear, however, is the pathogenesis of glomerular injury in patients with Type II diabetes, which is often characterized by a genetic predisposition, obesity, hypertension, peripheral insulin resistance, mild hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. 4,5 There have been few investigations of renal disease in animal models of Type II diabetes, although several features of Type II diabetes have been induced in rats fed high sucrose diets. 6 Glomerulosclerosis in this model was associated with glucose intolerance and hypercholesterolemia. 6 In contrast, glomerular injury could not be attributed to hypertension, and hyperglycemia per se did not correlate with focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS). 6 However, which of these factors may be responsible for the glomerular injury in this model, or in patients with Type II diabetes, is unknown. The obese Zucker rat has been used to study endocrinologic and metabolic disturbances characteristic of Type II diabetes. Obese Zucker rats spontaneously develop mild hyperglycemia, elevated plasma insulin levels, and peripheral insulin resistanceJ ,8 Obesity in theZucker rat is an autosomal recessive trait. ~ Like obese humans with Type II diabetes, obese Zucker rats also develop hyperlipidemia and mild hypertension. 8,9 Lean littermates, on the other hand, appear to be normal in all respects. Thus, obese Zucker rats provide an opportunity to investigate the effects of Type II diabetes on renal structure and function, while normal, lean littermates can be used as genetically matched controls.
Time-domain uniform geometrical theory of diffraction for a curved wedge

A time-domain version of the uniform geometrical theory of diffraction (TD-UTD) is developed to describe, in closed form, the transient electromagnetic scattering from a perfectly conducting, arbitrarily curved wedge excited by a general time impulsive astigmatic wavefront. This TD-UTD impulse response is obtained by a Fourier inversion of the corresponding frequency domain UTD solution. An analytic signal representation of the transient fields is used because it provides a very simple procedure to avoid the difficulties that result when inverting frequency domain UTD fields associated with rays that traverse line or smooth caustics. The TD-UTD response to a more general transient wave excitation of the wedge may be found via convolution. A very useful representation for modeling a general pulsed astigmatic wave excitation is also developed which, in particular, allows its convolution with the TD-UTD impulse response to be done in closed form. Some numerical examples illustrating the utility of these developments are presented.
Cocaine and metabolites in amniotic fluid may prolong fetal drug exposure

Objective: Cocaine and metabolites can be found in the amniotic fluid after maternal use, presumably as a result of fetal urination. The fetus may be repeatedly exposed to the effects of these drugs through contact with amniotic fluid that contains these substances. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the naive fetal lamb generates detectable fetal blood levels of cocaine and metabolites when cocaine is placed directly into the amniotic fluid and, if so, whether fetal swallowing accounts for these findings. Study Design: Six pregnant ewes with singleton fetuses of 120 to 125 days' gestation were chronically catheterized for daily sampling of cocaine and metabolite levels in maternal venous plasma, fetal venous plasma, and amniotic fluid over a 7-day period. Esophageal ligation was performed in three additional animals similarly instrumented to evaluate the role of fetal swallowing in the distribution of amniotic fluid cocaine and its metabolites. In each case, at the time of surgery, an Alzet osmotic pump delivering cocaine at 0.5 mg/kg estimated fetal weight per hour into the amniotic fluid was secured to the fetal back. Cocaine and metabolites (benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, and norcocaine) were measured daily in material and fetal plasma, amniotic fluid, and meconium by solid-phase extraction and derivatization and quantified by high-performance gas chromatographic techniques. Results: The concentrations of ecgonine methyl ester were highest in the amniotic fluid followed by cocaine and benzoylecgonine. In the normal and esophagus-ligated groups, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, and norcocaine were found in fetal plasma in concentrations of approximately 3% that of amniotic fluid. Ecgonine methyl ester was not detected in fetal plasma from either group. Meconium samples from sheep with and without esophageal ligation demonstrated high levels of norcocaine. Conclusion: We conclude that cocaine and metabolites in amniotic fluid enter the fetal circulation to produce detectable plasma levels through routes other than swallowing. Moreover, the results of meconium analyses in the two groups of fetuses suggest that fetal swallowing is not the primary mechanism by which cocaine and metabolites enter the intestine.
Fluorescent probe detects redistribution of cell calcium during stimulus-secretion coupling

STIMULUS-secretion coupling in pancreatic acinar cells is believed to be mediated by a rise in intracellular Ca2+ activity1–5. Based on the observation that physiological secretagogues trigger a rapid increase of Ca2+ efflux3,4 and stimulate enzyme release even in the absence of extracellular calcium2,4,5, it has been proposed that stimulus–secretion coupling involves a redistribution of intracellular calcium3,5,6. Since most calcium in pancreatic acinar cells is bound to membranes or is sequestered in mitochondria7, we have attempted to monitor these calcium stores during secretion by using the fluorescent probe chlorotetracycline (CTC). This probe forms highly fluorescent complexes with Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the presence of biological membranes or detergent miceles8,9 and has been successfully used in isolated mitochondria10,11 and sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles12 to monitor calcium movements induced by substrates and inhibitors. In this report, we show that fluorescence of CTC associated with pancreatic acinar cell membranes decreases rapidly on stimulation of enzyme secretion and that this intensity change is preferential for CTC complexed to calcium.
Lung compliance measurement in mice.

to the editor: I read the article by Martin et al. ([1][1]) in the September 2007 issue of AJP-Lung . The authors presented interesting observations of increased lung compliance in TIMP-3 null mice during a septic insult. Lung compliance was measured by the linear regression method, the constant
Hughlings Jackson: A Yorkshireman's Contribution to Epilepsy

• Hughlings Jackson (1835-1911), who was born in Yorkshire (England), was the most famous graduate of the York Medical School, which closed in 1862. In York, he received his earliest neurological influences under Laycock. Jackson's most outstanding contributions were in the field of epilepsy. His were the definitive studies of unilateral convulsions that led Charcot to introduce the term Jacksonian epilepsy . His radically new view of epilepsy in terms of discharging lesions was the first neuronal theory and the foundation stone of our modern understanding of the disorder. His theories were based on detailed clinical observation and were later confirmed by the experimental studies of Fritsch and Hitzig, and by his colleague David Ferrier. He was more concerned with the nature than with the classification of epilepsy, and he linked his concepts of the disease to his hierarchical views of nervous system function. His writings on epilepsy over 40 years are on a par with the Hippocratic writings on the Sacred Disease.
Wear Scar Prediction Based on Wear Simulator Input Data—A Preliminary Artificial Neural Network Approach

A significant difference in wear scar formation between tested and retrieved knee implants of the same type has been reported. In this study, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model has been designed with the aim to gain knowledge of relationships between simulator input parameters and generated wear scars. One hundred twenty-four short-term tests were conducted with four implants of a single design using a four-station knee simulator in load control mode. Data points of the wear scar boundaries were transferred into bitmap images for computer analysis. Eighty percent of these discretized wear scars formed the output training set for a back-propagation neural network. The input training set was selected from the related simulator input motion and load parameters. The remainder of the testing matrix was used for network cross-validation and testing. Training resulted in 82.9% accuracy of the input-to-output relationship and 69.3% predictive capability. The predictive capabilities of the network may be further enhanced by utilizing a modification of the learning algorithm.
Invariance entropy for random control systems

For continuous-time random control systems, this paper introduces invariance entropy for random pairs as a measure for the amount of information necessary to achieve invariance of random weakly invariant compact subsets of the state space. For linear random control systems with compact control range, the invariance entropy is given by the sum of the real parts of the unstable eigenvalues of the uncontrolled system if we assume ergodicity.
Benthic foraminiferal response to the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama and coincident paleoceanographic changes

Abstract Late Cenozoic benthic foraminiferal faunas from the Caribbean Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Site 502 (3052 m) and East Pacific DSDP Site 503 (3572 m) were analyzed to interpret bottom-water masses and paleoceanographic changes occurring as the Isthmus of Panama emerged. Major changes during the past 7 Myr occur at 6.7–6.2, 3.4, 2.0, and 1.1 Ma in the Caribbean and 6.7–6.4, 4.0–3.2, 2.1, 1.4, and 0.7 Ma in the Pacific. Prior to 6.7 Ma, benthic foraminiferal faunas at both sites indicate the presence of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW). After 6.7 Ma benthic foraminiferal faunas indicate a shift to warmer water masses: North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) in the Caribbean and Pacific Deep Water (PDW) in the Pacific. Flow of NADW may have continued across the rising sill between the Caribbean and Pacific until 5.6 Ma when the Pacific benthic foraminiferal faunas suggest a decrease in bottom-water temperatures. After 5.6 Ma deep-water to intermediate-water flow across the sill appears to have stopped as the bottom-water masses on either side of the sill diverge. The second change recorded by benthic foraminiferal faunas occurs at 3.4 Ma in the Caribbean and 4.0-3.2 Ma in the Pacific. At this time the Caribbean is flooded with cold AABW, which is either gradually warmed or is replaced by Glacial Bottom Water (GBW) at 2.0 Ma and by NADW at 1.1 Ma. These changes are related to global climatic events and to the depth of the sill between the Caribbean and Atlantic rather than the rising Isthmus of Panama. Benthic foraminiferal faunas at East Pacific Site 503 indicate a gradual change from cold PDW to warmer PDW between 4.0 and 3.2 Ma. The PDW is replaced by the warmer, poorly oxygenated PIW at 2.1 Ma. Although the PDW affects the faunas during colder intervals between 1.4 and 0.7 Ma, the PIW remains the principal bottom-water mass in the Guatemala Basin of the East Pacific.
Cognitive correlates of schizophrenia signs and symptoms: I. verbal communication disturbances

We examined the relations between verbal communication disturbances and several hypothesized etiological factors in 47 schizophrenia spectrum individuals. Both alogia and disturbed discourse coherence were associated with poor planning abilities. Alogia and discourse coherence were differentially associated with performance on tasks measuring fluency, working memory, word finding abilities, and concentration/attention.
The toxicity of tetrahydrobiopterin: acute and subchronic studies in mice.

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is presently being employed in clinical trials for the therapy of various neurological disorders. The toxicity of BH4 in mice was analyzed by acute and subchronic intraperitoneal and acute oral survival studies. Organ weight analysis and histopathology were performed after acute and subchronic i.p. administration. The effect of probenecid on BH4 toxicity was also tested. An LD50 of approximately 260 mg/kg was obtained from acute (14-day) intraperitoneal survival studies. A dose-dependent increase in kidney weights and histopathologic evidence of acute toxic tubular necrosis were noted in acute i.p. studies. Acute oral administration of up to 1318 mg/kg BH4 did not cause any significant morbidity or mortality, nor did subchronic (92-day) i.p. administration of 10 or 50 mg/kg BH4. Probenecid pretreatment did not decrease the toxicity of BH4. The importance of further evaluation of the potential toxicity of tetrahydrobiopterin in clinical utilization is emphasized.
Dysphonia and dermatomyositis: an unusual manifestation

We report a case of a 39-year-old female with a recent diagnosis of dermatomyositis and dysphonia. Dermatomyositis is a connective tissue disease with multisystem involvement: cardiac, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and dermatologic are the most common. While dermatomyositis affects thousands of individuals in the United States, laryngeal involvement has only been described in a single case report to date.
Analysis of offense tactics of basketball games using link prediction

Every basketball game has a lot of game records, also called match data. All the data are not only statistical but also logical and spatial. People normally use these kind of data to obtain statistical or summarized information of the games, but few have used these data to analyze the teams' tactics. In this paper, we present an approach to analyze the match data for detecting basketball teams' tactic using link prediction method. The main idea is to create a measure for the team offense tactics based on the Basketball Analysis Graph (BA graph) and use link prediction to extract the information about the cooperation between teammates and offense priority. The information may be used for basketball game strategy assistance.
A Space Operations Network Alternative: Using Globally Connected Research and Education Networks for Space-Based Science Operations

Earth based networking in support of various space agency projects has been based on leased service/circuits which has a high associated cost. This cost is almost always taken from the science side resulting in less science. This is a proposal to use Research and Education Networks (RENs) worldwide to support space flight operations in general and space-based science operations in particular. The RENs were developed to support scientific and educational endeavors. They do not provide support for general Internet traffic. The connectivity and performance of the research and education networks is superb. The connectivity at Layer 3 (IP) virtually encompasses the globe. Most third world countries and all developed countries have their own research and education networks, which are connected globally. Performance of the RENs especially in the developed countries is exceptional. Bandwidth capacity currently exists and future expansion promises that this capacity will continue. REN performance statistics has always exceeded minimum requirements for spaceflight support. Research and Education networks are more loosely managed than a corporate network but are highly managed when compared to the commodity Internet. Management of RENs on an international level is accomplished by the International Network Operations Center at Indiana University at Indianapolis. With few exceptions, each regional and national REN has its own network ops center. The acceptable use policies (AUP), although differing by country, allows any scientific program or project the use of their networks. Once in compliance with the first RENs AUP, all others will accept that specific traffic including regional and transoceanic networks. RENs can support spaceflight related scientific programs and projects. Getting the science to the researcher is obviously key to any scientific project. RENs provide a pathway to virtually any college or university in the world, as well as many governmental institutes and science centers. RENs are not to be used for mission critical types of network traffic, even though RENs performance characteristics would support it.
Primary small cell carcinoma of the lung initially presenting as a breast mass: a fine-needle aspiration diagnosis.

The incidence of metastases to the breast from extramammary sites is relatively low compared with the incidence of primary breast carcinoma. Primary sites which have a predilection for metastases to the breast include, in the order of decreasing frequency, malignant melanoma, lymphoma, lung carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, and soft tissue sarcoma, followed by gastrointestinal and genitourinary primaries. Most lung primaries metastasizing to breast represent adenocarcinoma. Other types of lung carcinoma, including small cell carcinoma, are relatively rare. We report a case of lung small cell carcinoma metastasizing to the breast and initially presenting with a breast mass in a 50-year-old female. The tumor was first diagnosed on a fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimen (FNAB) from the breast lesion and subsequently supported by core biopsy. A discussion of the differential diagnoses to consider on FNAB follows. Because of the difference in treatment for primary small cell carcinoma of breast versus primary small cell carcinoma of the lung, as well as the difference in prognosis for both malignancies, determining the site of primary malignancy is crucial to adequate patient care. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Which Features of an Object are Stored in Visual Working Memory across a Saccade? Evidence from Visual Search

No Change (M = 214 ms) Color Switch (M = 281 ms) The automaticity of irrelevant feature encoding was assessed by making color antipredictive of saccade target location after the primary saccade. , Hollingworth et al., 2008). Such transsaccadic memory is critical for establishing object correspondence and perceptual continuity across eye movements. The present study probed the nature of saccade target encoding into VWM: No Change Color Switch Pr op or tio n of C or re c
Hormonal and metabolic effects of calcium channel antagonists in man

Calcium is a component of many metabolic reactions. By blocking calcium transport across cell membranes, calcium channel antagonists can therefore theoretically affect numerous metabolic and hormonal processes. In vitro studies have often documented just such an effect. Because of the expanding use and prevalence of calcium antagonists in clinical practice, a review of their in vivo effects on hormones and metabolism is warranted. The effect on glucoregulatory hormones, calcium regulatory hormones, anterior and posterior pituitary secretion, the renin-angiotensin axis, plasma catecholamines, and plasma lipids and lipoproteins is herein reviewed. The various calcium antagonists, by virtue of their distinct chemical structures, influence metabolism in their own unique manner. Despite the widespread involvement of calcium in hormone action, however, calcium channel antagonists have little dramatic impact on hormone regulation. This is, in part, due to the drug dosage used in clinical practice and to the inherent compensatory mechanisms built into normal endocrine function. The development of agents with greater and more potent metabolic specificity, however, coupled with the ability to target drug action, holds promise for expanded therapeutic application in the future.
The Potential Impact of Climate Change on Soil Properties and Processes and Corresponding Influence on Food Security

Abstract: According to the IPCC, global temperatures are expected to increase between 1.1 and 6.4 °C during the 21st century and precipitation patterns will be altered. Soils are intricately linked to the atmospheric/climate system through the carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic cycles. Because of this, altered climate will have an effect on soil processes and properties. Recent studies indicate at least some soils may become net sources of atmospheric C, lowering soil organic matter levels. Soil erosion by wind and water is also likely to increase. However, there are many things we need to know more about. How climate change will affect the N cycle and, in turn, how that will affect C storage in soils is a major research need, as is a better understanding of how erosion processes will be influenced by changes in climate. The response of plants to elevated atmospheric CO 2 given limitations in nutrients like N and P, and how that will influence soil organic matter levels, is another critical research need. How soil organic matter levels react to changes in the C and N cycles will influence the ability of soils to support crop growth, which has significant ramifications for food security. Therefore, further study of soil-climate interactions in a changing world is critical to addressing future food security concerns.
Antitumor Efficacy of 34.5ENVE: A Transcriptionally Retargeted and “Vstat120”-expressing Oncolytic Virus

Here, we describe the construction and testing of a novel herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) derived oncolytic virus (OV): 34.5ENVE (viral ICP34.5 Expressed by Nestin promotor and Vstat120 Expressing), for the treatment of cancer. This virus showed significant glioma-specific killing and antiangiogenic effects in vitro and in vivo. Treatment of subcutaneous and intracranial glioma-bearing mice with 34.5ENVE showed a significant increase in median survival of mice in four different glioma models. Histology and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) revealed reduced microvessel density (MVD) and increased tumoral necrosis in 34.5ENVE-treated tumor tissue compared to control OV-treated tumor tissue. Collectively, these results describe the construction, efficacy, and impact on tumor microenvironment of a transcriptionally driven OV armed with Vstat120 gene expression. These preclinical results will facilitate future clinical testing of 34.5ENVE.
Stereospecific dextrorphan tolerance in rats.

1 Levorphanol was 20 times more potent than dextrorphan in decreasing food-reinforced fixed ratio 15 responding in male Sprague Dawley rats. 2 Chronic dextrorphan (100 mg/kg, i.p.; every 8 h) resulted in the development of dextrorphan tolerance. The dextrorphan dose-effect curve was shifted to the right three fold. 3 In contrast to dextrorphan, nontolerance developed to the effects of levorphanol. 4 These data support the hypothesis that (+)-isomers of opioids produce pharmacologically distinct CNS effects.
What Products Can Benefit From African American Advertising Appeals? The Moderating Role of Product Involvement

With a significant spending power, the African American segment is one of the most lucrative, interesting, and complex targets for national and local advertisers. As this consumer segment continues to grow in importance, marketers need to focus on what types of products could benefit from African American-targeted advertising. Our research studies show African Americans respond to advertising targeted to them and their responses are moderated by ethnic identification and product involvement. Consistent with both theoretical frameworks, distinctiveness theory and ethnic identification theory, we found that identified African Americans prefer African American models especially when advertising low-involvement products.
Impaired allogeneic activation and T-helper 1 differentiation of human cord blood naive CD4 T cells.

Abstract CD4 T cells, particularly those of the T-helper 1 (Th1) subset, are important effectors in alloimmune diseases, such as graft-versus-host disease, and in controlling infections with intracellular pathogens. Thus, it is plausible that impaired neonatal CD4 T-cell immunity might contribute to the low incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells using cord blood (CB) compared with adult sources of hematopoietic stem cells. In support of this hypothesis, we found that CB naive CD4 T cells had reduced activation and impaired early Th1 differentiation compared with adult peripheral blood naive CD4 T cells after stimulation by allogeneic dendritic cells derived from adult monocytes. Early Th1 polarization was dependent on interleukin-12 and CD154, and CB CD4 T cell/dendritic cell co-cultures had impaired expression of both proteins. CB naive CD4 T cells had low basal levels of signal transduction and activation of transcription 4 messenger RNA and protein, and, after alloantigen stimulation, reduced interleukin-12-induced signal transduction and activation of transcription 4 tyrosine phosphorylation, compared with adult peripheral blood naive T cells. Lastly, FoxP3 protein expression, a marker for regulatory CD25high CD4 T cells, was lower for naive CD4 T cells of CB compared with those of adult peripheral blood, which argued against increased T-regulatory activity as a mechanism for the decreased Th1 differentiation of CB CD4 T cells. Together, these intrinsic limitations in T-cell activation and Th1 differentiation may impair the ability of T cells in CB and the neonate to respond to allogeneic or infectious challenges.
Aerosol acidity determination by reaction with 14C labelled amine

Abstract The acidity of aerosol particles collected on Teflon membrane filters is analyzed by exposure to 14C labelled trimethylamine and by counting the resulting β-ray emission. An accurate calibration is established by the use of known, laboratory-generated sulfuric acid samples. For ambient aerosol samples, results from this new method compare favorably with results from a Gran titration procedure for acidity.
A Rapid Procedure for Inverting Del-Square with Certain Computers

Abstract A rapid procedure for inverting a second-order finite-difference form of the two-dimensional del-square operator is presented. The procedure may be used whenever the precision of the computer significantly exceeds the required accuracy of the results; effectively it acquires its speed by using the otherwise unneeded power of the computer represented by the additional precision. A particular variant should prove especially useful in numerical weather prediction, in instances when storage space is at a premium.
One-trial context fear conditioning as a function of the interstimulus interval

In two experiments, we examined the effects of a wide range of interstimulus intervals (2.5, 15, 45, 120, 135, and 405 sec) on one-trial context fear conditioning with rats. Here, the interstimulus interval (ISI) denotes the time between placement in a conditioning chamber and the onset of a single footshock. On the conditioning day, we observed that the rats’ behavior at the time of shock onset varied systematically across ISI values. On the subsequent test day, we used context-evoked freezing as a measure of context conditioning and found the well-known inverted U-shaped ISI function. We also found that conditioned freezing for the shortest ISI values was concentrated early in the test session, whereas freezing at longer ISIs was distributed more evenly throughout the test session. The freezing results found here are more consistent with the literature on conditioning with punctate cues than are previously described results from one-trial context fear-conditioning procedures.
Towards automatic customization of interconnect and memory in the CoRAM abstraction (abstract only)

When developing applications to run on FPGAs, we tend to expend great effort on crafting the custom hardware acceleration datapath---but blindly turn to the FPGA vendor tool/library to provide default solutions for on-chip interconnect and external interfaces. This often leads to ineffective communication- or memory-bound implementations since the design and tuning of the default general-purpose solutions necessarily makes design compromises for generality. This is counterproductive as the FPGA's flexible reconfigurability should afford us great opportunities for performance gain and cost reduction through extensive application-specific customization of the interconnect and interface IPs. This work presents a compiler that generates custom interconnect topology and connectivity with appropriately scaled capacity to support an application's exact communication requirements at a minimized cost. More specifically, the compiler analyzes an application developed for the CoRAM abstraction [1,2] for its connectivity and bandwidth requirements between the hardware processing kernels and external DRAM banks. The result is an extremely fine-tuned custom-topology soft-logic network-on-chip interconnect, which is enabled by the CONNECT NoC framework [3].We perform an extensive evaluation that benchmarks two applications against the standard CoRAM implementation flow that relies on a fixed generically-tuned general-purpose soft-logic network-on-chip. Our RTL-driven evaluation shows a large opportunity for area reduction and improved efficiency (up by 48%) without any impact on application performance.
Synthesis of amine-functionalized diene-based polymers as novel gene delivery vectors

A series of amine-functionalized diene-based polymers were synthesized via anionic and free radical polymerization techniques for evaluation of their potential as gene delivery vectors. Cytotoxicity, binding affinity, and transfection efficiency properties were examined. A systematic study of the structure−property relationships revealed that cytotoxicity decreased as the side group of the polymers changed from methyl to propyl group due to the decrease of the acidity after protonation. The binding affinity between the polymers and DNA also decreased as the size of the side group increased. Of the polymers studied, poly[2-(N,N-diethylaminomethyl)-1,3-butadiene], with lower cytotoxicity than poly(ethylene imine) and higher transfection efficiency at an N/P ratio of 2, is a promising, novel transfection vector.
Chick gonad differentiation following excision of primordial germ cells.

Abstract The differentiation of embryonic chick gonads lacking germ cells was compared to that of normal chick gonads to determine whether the somatic elements of sterile avian gonads will undergo normal sexual differentiation. Primordial germ cells were removed by surgical excision of anterior germinal crescent from early embryos, Hamburger and Hamilton stages 6–11. Surgically treated and control embryos were sacrificed at 6, 15, and 20 days of incubation, and their gonads were studied histologically. Analysis of differentiation was based on morphological criteria at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels. In both male and female embryos, the somatic elements of the gonads differentiated normally in the absence of germ cells. The significance of these results for understanding the controls of differentiation of both the somatic gonad and the germ cells in birds is discussed and correlated with similar results in mammals.
Feasibility and separation sequencing in multicomponent batch distillation

Abstract Batch distillation of azeotropic mixtures usually produces azeotropes. Various techniques such as pressure swing or extractive distillation are currently available to break azeotropes in continuous columns. We describe methods to break azeotropes using a homogeneous entrainer in a conventional or inverted batch column. We show that the use of an inverted configuration is essential to break minimum boiling azeotropes. The entrainer selection is determined from an analysis of the batch distillation regions in the limit of a large number of stages and large reflux ratio or large reboil ratio. Several possible schemes for breaking binary azeotropes are described. We find that most ternary azeotropes can be broken into pure components and binary azeotropes using only an appropriate choice of the initial feed. We finally describe how to obtain a feasible sequence to separate an azeotropic mixture of methyl acetate, methanol, ethyl acetate and ethanol, and present some sequence alternatives.
Still Life in Black and White: Effects of Racial and Class Attitudes on Prospects for Residential Integration in Atlanta

I use the 1993 Atlanta Survey of Urban Inequality to evaluate the effects of five types of racial and class attitudes on assessments of the desirability of residential integration: (1) preferences for neighbors of the same race, (2) perceived racial differences in social class characteristics, (3) Whites’perceptions of group threat from Blacks, (4) Blacks’perceptions of discrimination, and (5) negative racial stereotypes. For Whites the strongest predictors of resistance to integration are negative racial stereotypes and perceptions of group threat from Blacks. For Blacks in-group preferences, negative racial stereotypes and, to a small extent, beliefs that Whites tend to discriminate against other groups are positively associated with resistance to integration. I conclude by arguing that since racial attitudes are linked to attitudes about residential integration, open housing advocates should focus their efforts on addressing persistent racial mistrusts and prejudices.
Minimum degree algorithms for stability number

Mahadev and Reed (J. Graph Theory 30(2) (1999) 113) found a finite forbidden induced subgraph characterization for the maximal hereditary class of graphs where a minimum degree greedy algorithm produces a maximum stable set. We extend this class.
Room‐Temperature Ferroelectricity in Hexagonal TbMnO3 Thin Films

Piezoresponse force microscopy imaging in conjunction with first-principles calculations provide strong evidence for room-temperature ferroelectricity in epitaxially stabilized hexagonal TbMnO3 thin films, which in the bulk form are with orthorhombic structure. The obtained results demonstrate that new phases and functional properties of complex oxide materials can be strain-engineered using epitaxial growth.
Saving energy consumption and CO2 emission from sustainable efficient operating zones in inland electrodialysis reversal desalination

A pre-design parameter, system efficiency (SE) was modeled for operations with water recovery rate through cell pairs (WRRTC)>0.5. The variables for equation were validated with data from a pilot scale study of electrodialysis reversal (EDR). The correlation between experimental and predicted SE are good at overall R2 0.924 with significant p 0.000. System efficiency-to-polarization degree ratio is inversely linear with demineralization, WRRTC, and polarization degree (PD). The most sensitive operational parameter was found to be PD. The sustainable efficient zones for PD, WRRTC, and demineralization were found to be 1040–1315 (A/m2) (L/eq), 0.57–0.67, and 62–90%. By operating EDR in this zone, 8–15% of energy consumption and CO2 emission were saved.
Computational materials science: challenges, opportunities

A brief description of the present position of computational materials sciences is presented. Dramatic increases in computing capability together with exciting new scientific frontiers have created unprecedented opportunities for the development and application of computational materials sciences. The balanced growth of the field involves a range of research and styles, from innovative single principal investigators to large interdisciplinary teams able to exploit leadership class computing.