cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patterns of sore mouth in outpatients with cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Goals The aims of this secondary data analysis were to (a) categorize patterns in the development, duration, intensity, and resolution of sore mouth (which can be considered a proxy for oral mucositis) severity and distress over two cycles of chemotherapy in cancer outpatients and (b) examine the relationship of demographic (age, gender, marital status, and educational level) and disease characteristics (type of cancer and type of chemotherapy) to specific patterns of sore mouth (SM).
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and Competing Visions of the Living Wage

Abstract This article explores the relationship between legislated wage floors and the more elusive concept of a living wage. Wages are one way that society has signaled gender and racial identity and constitute an important social practice for shaping gender relations In the debates over passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act, advocates simultaneously utilized alternative definitions of the term living wage. In part, these alternative views of the living wage reflected attempts to distinguish different forms of masculinity.
Gravity anomalies and crustal shortening in the eastern Mediterranean

Abstract Crustal shortening of the ocean floor in the eastern Mediterranean is recognized by a marked thickening of the sedimentary layer seaward of the Hellenic and Calabrian island arcs. Steep gradients and large negative free-air anomalies in the gravity field along with a highly uniform, low regional heat flow are manifestations of the thickened crust. Bodies of recently deformed sediment in and seaward of the Hellenic Trough reveal the style, polarity, and dynamics of the thickening mechanism. A linear buried anticlinal structure, inferred from analysis of surface ship gravity profiles, may mark the site of contemporary intrabasinal underthrusting. The distribution of earthquakes beneath the Mediterranean Ridge supports the interpretation that the Anaximander, Ptolomy, and Strabo Mountains are features comparable to large basement nappes. Cyprus is one such structure, offset to the south, where the oceanic crust and part of the upper mantle have been involved in the decollement.
Geographic Information Systems

This special issue addresses the challenges in handling geographic problems at a global scale, from earthquakes to climatic change, and from water-resource distribution to mountain classification. The various research and applications herein can help foster greater insight and understanding of specific geographic problems and share innovative techniques for addressing these problems in the fast-growing interdisciplinary community.
Investigation of the effects of operator technique on handheld sensor data for landmine detection

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a commonly employed sensing modality for landmine detection. It has been successfully deployed in vehicular systems, and is also being integrated into handheld systems. Handheld mine detection systems are typically deployed in situations where either the terrain or mission renders a vehicular-based system less effective. Handheld systems are often more compact and maneuverable, but quality of the sensor data may also be more dependent on the operators experience with and technique in using the system. In particular, the sensor height with respect to the air-ground interface may be more variable than with a vehicular-based system. This variation in sensor height above the air-ground interface may have the potential to adversely affect mine detection performance with the GPR sensing modality. In this work, the effects of operator technique on handheld sensor data quality is investigated, and ground alignment is explored as a potential approach to reducing variability in the sensor data quality due to operator technique. Results for data measured with a standard GPR/EMI handheld sensor at a standardized test site are presented.
Interfacial catalysis by human 85 kDa cytosolic phospholipase A2 on anionic vesicles in the scooting mode

Analysis of phospholipases A2 on model phospholipid bilayers in which enzyme is essentially irreversibly bound at the lipid-water interface, termed "scooting mode", is a useful tool for studying the kinetic properties of interfacial enzymes. It is shown that human cytosolic 85 kDa phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) hydrolyzes sn-2-arachidonyl-containing phospholipids or the gamma-linolenoyl ester of 7-hydroxycoumarin (GLU) dispersed in vesicles of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphomethanol (L-DOPM) in the scooting mode. Trapping of cPLA2 on L-DOPM vesicles is rapid and independent of product formation. Slowing of cPLA2-catalyzed hydrolysis of substrates present in phosphatidylmethanol and phosphatidylcholine vesicles is primarily due to apparent inactivation rather than to substrate depletion. cPLA2 phosphorylated on serine 505 by mitogen-activated protein kinase displays a 30% increase in the rate of sn-2-arachidonylphosphatidylcholine hydrolysis in the scooting mode compared to that of the nonphosphorylated enzyme. Kinetic parameters of cPLA2 acting on a variety of different phosphatidylmethanol vesicles were evaluated, and the results are discussed in terms of active site affinities for substrates and of lateral organization of substrates in the bilayer. A key result is that the sigmoidal kinetics reported previously using 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphomethanol (DMPM) vesicles are most prominent near the phase transition temperature of DMPM. No sigmoidal kinetics was observed using L-DOPM vesicles. The results of kinetic experiments and the behavior of a fluorescent substrate analog are consistent with nonideal mixing of substrate in DMPM vesicles, but not in L-DOPM vesicles, suggesting that apparent saturation and sigmoidal kinetics are more a result of nonideal mixing of substrate in DMPM vesicles than of active site binding of substrate. The fluorescence assay described using L-DOPM/GLU vesicles is useful for evaluating the interfacial behavior of cPLA2, including its substrate preferences and the effect of active site-directed inhibitors.
Surface characterization of PVP-sized and oxygen plasma-treated carbon fibers

The objectives of this work were to characterize the surface of commercial carbon fibers, focusing on the effect of polymer sizing and the effect of oxygen radiofrequency plasma treatment. The fiber surface composition was determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the surface topography was examined by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Voltage-contrast XPS distinguished between unsized and sized carbon fibers, by which the former behaved as a conductive material whereas the latter behaved as a mixture of both conductive and non-conductive materials due to a contribution from a polymeric sizing material. The AFM measurements revealed that oxygen plasma treatment for 30 s roughened the unsized fiber surfaces; however, further treatment smoothed the overall topography. Oxygen plasma treatment for 30 s also increased the surface oxygen content. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is there any difference in the productivity of dry land and irrigated seed potatoes

These trials and others made throughout the last fifteen years as well as extensive observation of a number of lots of seed under a variety of conditions seem to warrant the conclusion that production under irrigation does not impair the seed value of seed stocks that are free from virous diseases.
Uteroglobin suppresses allergen-induced TH2 differentiation by down-regulating the expression of serum amyloid A and SOCS-3 genes

Allergen-induced airway inflammation may lead to allergic asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory system. Despite its high incidence, the majority of the world’s population is unaffected by allergic airway inflammation most likely due to innate protective mechanism(s) in the respiratory system. The mammalian airway epithelia constitutively express uteroglobin (UG), a protein with potent anti-inflammatory and anti-chemotactic properties. We report here that UG binds to FPR2, a G-protein coupled receptor, inhibits chemotaxis, down-regulates SOCS-3 gene expression and STAT-1 activation, which are critical for the differentiation of T-helper 2 (TH2) cells that secrete pro-inflammatory TH2 cytokines. We propose that UG suppresses allergen-mediated activation of TH2 response by down-regulating the expression of genes that are critical for TH2 differentiation.
Induction and regulation of class II major histocompatibility complex mRNA expression in astrocytes by interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α

Abstract Astrocytes can function as antigen-presenting cells (APC) upon expression of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens, which are induced by interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Previous data from this laboratory had shown that the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) enhances IFN-γ-mediated class II antigen expression on astrocytes. We have now investigated the effect of IFN-γ and TNF-α on class II MHC mRNA expression in astrocytes using Northern blot analysis. Astrocytes do not constitutively express mRNA for class II MHC. Kinetic analysis of class II MHC mRNA expression in IFN-γ-treated cells demonstrated an 8 h time lag, which was followed by an increase over the next 16 h. Optimal expression of class II mRNA was detected after a 24 h incubation with IFN-γ. This level of expression was further enhanced by the simultaneous addition of IFN-γ and TNF-α to the astrocytes, while TNF-α alone had no effect on class II mRNA expression. TNF-α does not act by increasing the stability of IFN-γ-induced class II mRNA, indicating its action is not at that specific level of post-transcriptional control. Furthermore, astrocyte class II mRNA expression was inhibited when cycloheximide (CHX) was added together with IFN-γ or IFN-γ/TNF-α, and when CHX was added up to 4 h after treatment with IFN-γ or IFN-γ/TNF-α. These results indicate that astrocyte class II mRNA expression is mediated by newly synthesized proteins induced by IFN-γ and/or IFN-γ/TNF-α. The expression of class II antigens on astrocytes, and cytokine modulation of their expression, may be important in the initiation and perpetuation of intracerebral immune responses.
Unconventional hysteresis behavior in compositionally graded Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 thin films

Thin-film lead–zirconate–titanate (PZT) capacitors with composition gradients normal to the substrate were fabricated via a novel technique using pulsed laser deposition. These capacitors exhibited large polarization offsets when driven by an alternating electric field. The direction of the offsets depended on the direction of the gradient with respect to the substrate. The largest offset, greater than 400 μC/cm2 when driven with a 50 V/μm field, was nearly an order of magnitude greater than any reported for other graded ferroelectric films. This difference is attributed to both the high spontaneous polarization of PZT and the high-quality films obtained by pulsed laser deposition.
Comparison of medical abortion follow-up with serum human chorionic gonadotropin testing and in-office assessment☆☆☆★★★

Abstract Background The study was conducted to compare lost to follow-up (LTFU) rates in women having a medical abortion who chose follow-up by in-office ultrasound assessment or serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) testing. Methods This retrospective chart review included 865 women who underwent medical abortion in a free-standing outpatient clinic from September 1, 2007, through September 30, 2010. Patients had a 1-week follow-up evaluation after receiving the medications consisting of in-office ultrasound assessment or serial serum β-hCG testing. Ultrasound assessment was offered throughout the study period, and serum β-hCG testing was offered as of September 1, 2008. Demographic and medical data were reviewed to evaluate LTFU rates based on patient's chosen method of follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors that were independently associated with lack of follow-up. Results LTFU rates increased from 18% to 27% in the first and third years of the study period, respectively (p=.009). LTFU rates with ultrasound and β-hCG testing were 22.9% and 33.7%, respectively (p=.024). In multivariable analysis, follow-up method was not associated with increased LTFU. Increased parity, any previous induced abortion, increased distance from home to clinic site and unemployment were independently associated with increased LTFU. Conclusions Although LTFU rates are higher with serum β-hCG testing than in-office ultrasound follow-up in our patient population, the women who choose this method are inherently more likely not to follow-up because of other characteristics that predict a high likelihood of being LTFU. Offering serum β-hCG testing does not decrease the LTFU rate in women having a medical abortion.
Solar Power Satellites: Historical Perspectives with a Look to the Future

Since the late 1960s, there has been interest in the United States, and later in other nations, to capture solar energy in space and efficiently transmit it back to Earth. Starting with his seminal paper in 1968, Dr. Peter Glaser began architecting a prototype system that was further explored by the US Department of Energy in the Concept Development and Evaluation Program. This initial study showed that the project was very ambitious and fraught with technical, social, and economic uncertainties. Energy economics and the lack of a reliable, high frequency space launch capability brought most research to a halt in the 1990s. This paper proposes a rational technical strategy to refocus Solar Power Satellite (SPS) research. It suggests a 30 year timeline for program milestones and analyzes potential technical performance. Real options analysis is used to manage uncertainty and permits the exploration of possible futures that are dependent on launch costs and electricity market prices. We propose that the U.S. can make progress toward implementing a small scale SPS system within several decades if work is begun now on technology development and on addressing societal concerns.
Portrait of Luca Pacioli and Disciple: A New, Mathematical Look

Although the famous Portrait of Luca Pacioli and Disciple is a favorite illustration in surveys of Renaissance history and the history of science and mathematics, little is known about it. A detailed analysis of its contents and cultural context reveals that rather than a simple double portrait, the painting celebrated the achievements of mathematical humanists and their education program. The analytic skills that they championed were based on the visual language of Euclidean geometry. Not surprisingly, the diagrams of the Elements as printed by Erhard Ratdolt (Venice, 1482) are the focus of the picture and its complex iconography.
Defining the key pharmacophore elements of PF-04620110: Discovery of a potent, orally-active, neutral DGAT-1 inhibitor

DGAT-1 is an enzyme that catalyzes the final step in triglyceride synthesis. mRNA knockout experiments in rodent models suggest that inhibitors of this enzyme could be of value in the treatment of obesity and type II diabetes. The carboxylic acid-based DGAT-1 inhibitor 1 was advanced to clinical trials for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, despite of the low passive permeability of 1. Because of questions relating to the potential attenuation of distribution and efficacy of a poorly permeable agent, efforts were initiated to identify compounds with improved permeability. Replacement of the acid moiety in 1 with an oxadiazole led to the discovery of 52, which possesses substantially improved passive permeability. The resulting pharmacodynamic profile of this neutral DGAT-1 inhibitor was found to be similar to 1 at comparable plasma exposures.
Self-healing of Optical Airy Beams

We report the first observation of self-reconstructing Airy optical beams. It is demonstrated that these accelerating Airy beams can re-form along propagation. The robustness of their intensity features in adverse environments will be discussed.
Effect of Fungicide Applications Scheduled to Control Gummy Stem Blight on Yield and Quality of Watermelon Fruit

Yield and quality reductions in watermelon infected with Didymella bryoniae may be attributed to reduced number or weight of fruit, sunburned fruit, fruit rot, or low sugar content due to gummy stem blight on foliage and black rot on fruit. Number, weight, soluble solids content, and external appearance of fruit were determined in four experiments conducted in fall 1996 and 1997 and spring 1997 and 1998. Severity of gummy stem blight was varied by applying no fungicide, mancozeb, or chlorothalonil according to different schedules. In the fall, when disease severity was high, total fruit weight, percent marketable fruit, and soluble solids content were lower and percent fruit with black rot was higher in nonsprayed than in sprayed treatments. Fungicide applications did not affect total fruit weight, soluble solids content, or black rot in the spring, when disease severity was moderate to low. Percent sunburned fruit was greater in treatments sprayed every 14 days than in those sprayed weekly. In fall experiments, the number of healthy, unblemished fruit increased linearly as the number of fungicide applications was increased from zero to nine per season. Yield losses in watermelon to gummy stem blight and black rot resulted primarily from a reduction in total fruit weight and an increase in number of diseased and sunburned fruit.
TCF-4 binds β-catenin and is expressed in distinct regions of the embryonic brain and limbs

Abstract The Tcf family of transcription factors, in association with β-catenin, mediate Wnt signaling by transactivating downstream target genes. Given the function of Wnt genes in neural development and organogenesis, Tcf transcription factors must be integral to the development of many embryonic tissues. In fact, the role of Tcf genes in axis formation in Xenopus and in segment polarity in Drosophila is well established. In this report, we have identified two isoforms of the mouse Tcf-4 gene. Tcf-4 expressing cells showed nuclear localization of β-catenin. Although Tcf-4 RNA was widely distributed throughout embryogenesis, high levels of Tcf-4 expression were particularly evident in the developing CNS and limb buds. In extended streak stage embryos (E7.5), Tcf-4 expression was detected in anterior endoderm. E8.5 embryos had Tcf-4 expression in rostral neural plate and in alternating rhombomeres of the hindbrain. By E9.5 and thereafter, expression in the hindbrain disappeared and strong expression was detected in the diencephalon. Strikingly, Tcf-4 expression in the forebrain was undetected in Small eye mutant embryos indicating that Pax-6 is required for Tcf-4 expression in the forebrain. In developing limbs, Tcf-4 is readily detected starting at E10.5 and is limited to mesenchymal cells surrounding the areas of chondrification. These data indicate a function for Tcf-4 in neural and limb development, two tissues where Wnt signaling plays an essential role.
Collaborating to Teach Prosocial Skills

A collaborative approach to teaching social skills to students with prosocial skill deficits is described. Steps of the intervention include forming a team of two or more educators who are interest...
Case report 845

A 59-year-old white man presented with a history of pain in the left knee. The pain had started 6 months earlier when he struck his knee against a file drawer. At the beginning, the pain was intermittent and later subsided. Lately, the patient noticed continued swelling of the proximal par t of his left leg for which he sought medical advice. His past medical history was remarkable for diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Physical examination revealed a full range of mot ion of the left knee. There was a firm swelling of the proximal par t o f the left tibia with no tenderness or skin changes and the neurovascular bundle was intact. Plain radiography revealed a large, well-circumscribed, lucent lesion involving the proximal end of the tibia and reaching the articular margin with a sclerotic border (Fig. 1). Magnetic resonance imaging (MR) was performed and showed the lesion as hypointense on Tl-weighted images and bright on T2-weighted images. Both signals were homogeneous (Fig. 2). An open biopsy was then performed.
Specific Interactions at the Regulatory Domain-Substrate Binding Domain Interface Influence the Cooperativity of Inhibition and Effector Binding in Escherichia coli d-3-Phosphoglycerate Dehydrogenase

The crystal structure of d-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase reveals a limited number of contacts between the regulatory and substrate binding domains of each subunit in the tetrameric enzyme. These occur between the side chains of Arg-339, Arg-405, and Arg-407 in the regulatory domain and main chain carbonyls in the substrate binding domain. In addition, Arg-339 participates in a hydrogen bonding network within the regulatory domain involving Arg-338 and Tyr-410, the C-terminal residue of the enzyme subunit. Mutagenic analysis of these residues produce profound effects on the enzyme's sensitivity to serine, the cooperativity of serine inhibition, and in some cases, the apparent overall conformation of the enzyme. Mutations of Arg-405 and Arg-407, which span the interface where the two domains come together, reduce the cooperativity of inhibition and increase the sensitivity of the enzyme to serine concentration. Serine binding studies with Arg-407 converted to Ala demonstrate that cooperativity of serine binding is also significantly reduced in a manner similar to the reduction in the cooperativity of inhibition. Mutations of Tyr-410 and Arg-338 decrease the sensitivity to serine without an appreciable effect on the cooperativity of inhibition. In the case of Tyr-410, a deletion mutant demonstrates that this effect is due to the loss of the C-terminal carboxyl group rather than the tyrosine side chain. All mutations of Arg-339, with the exception of its conversion to Lys, had profound effects on the stability of the enzyme. In general, those mutants that decrease sensitivity to serine are those that participate mainly in intradomain interactions and may also directly affect the serine binding sites themselves. Those mutants that decrease cooperativity are those that participate in interdomain interaction within the subunit. The observation that the mutants that decrease cooperativity also increase sensitivity to serine suggests a potential separation of pathways between how the simple act of serine binding results in noncooperative active site inhibition in the first place and how serine binding also leads to cooperativity between sites in the native enzyme.
Direct Investment, Hysteresis, and Real Exchange Rate Volatility

Abstract Recent papers by Dixit and others have put forth the argument that real exchange shocks generate a condition of hysteresis in the export entry and exit prices, and that this wedge in prices explains the persistence in the U.S. current account deficit. This article shows that the critical hysteresis bounds for exports are altered dramatically by the additional option to locate manufacturing in the United States. We develop a model that incorporates simultaneously the option to exit from a foreign country along with the option to invest in manufacturing facilities. The numerical simulations provide strong qualifications to the relationship between hysteresis in export prices and the persistence of the current account deficit. J. Japan. Int. Econ., March 1996, 10 (1), pp. 12–36. School of Management, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215.
Treatment of neuropathic pain with plant medicines

Neuropathic pain is a common and very prevalent disorder affecting the citizens of both developed and developing countries. The approved and licensed drugs for neuropathic pain are reported to have associated side effects. Traditional plant treatments have been used throughout the world for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Among the many medications and other alternative medicines, several herbs are known to cure and control neuropathic pain with no side effects. The present paper discusses the plants with neuropathic pain and related beneficial effects originating from different parts of world that are of current interest.
Engaging undergraduate students in nano-scale circuit research using summer internship

Semiconductor technology has been scaling at a steady pace following Moore's law. The current generations of the technology have reached dimensions well below 100nm where nano-scale phenomena are prominent. Transistors in such a small scale behave very differently than the classic long channel devices taught in most undergraduate level textbooks. Moreover, there are new challenges in nano-scale circuit design, such as process variations and reliability issues that are not taught in undergraduate level courses. Working on latest technology issues is typically an opportunity available only to graduate level students working on related research projects. To address this gap, using a NASA Curriculum Improvements Partnership Award for the Integration of Research (CIPAIR) grant, we have created a summer internship program that engages community college students in research projects on the latest challenges of circuit design in nano-scale semiconductor technology. Through this program, four community college students were mentored by two graduate students in a research project to analyze performance degradation of integrated circuits due to transistor aging effects in nano-scale. In this research, analysis of transistor breakdown was performed through computer simulations to understand effects on circuit power and performance. A ring oscillator circuit was utilized as a generic logic circuit for this research. The breakdown was modeled by resistors placed between the transistor terminals. The value of the resistor represents the severity of the breakdown; large resistors represent fresh transistors, whereas low resistors represent a fully broken transistor. In addition to computer simulations, real ICs were studied by taking power measurements experimentally. This research aims to offer better insight into the impact of transistor breakdown and to improve IC design in nano-scale. Through this internship program, the undergraduate students not only contributed to research and discovery, but also gained valuable experience and knowledge of nano-scale circuits that could have not been achieved in traditional educational methods.
Identification of microorganisms for biological control of powdery mildew in Cornus florida

Abstract Although early signs of powdery mildew on flowering dogwood in Tennessee woodlands appear at about the same time as in commercial nurseries, they do not progress further. The objective of this study was to isolate potential biological agents on flowering dogwoods ( Cornus florida L.) leaves in the forest setting of two state parks that contribute to the low incidence of powdery mildew in that setting, and to assess their role in disease suppression. Microorganisms isolated from leaves of native forest understory trees were evaluated on susceptible seedlings inoculated with powdery mildew conidia. Of 157 isolates, 25 reduced disease severity, and 14 were highly effective as biological control agents in greenhouse seedling trials. The highly effective isolates were identified as Acremonium spp., Ampelomyces spp., Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., Trichoderma spp., Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Bradyrhizobium spp., Brachybacterium spp., Curtobacterium spp., Cryptocoocus spp., Rhodosporidium spp., and two unidentified yeasts. The most effective isolates reduced the incidence of infected leaves from 75–100% to less than 10%.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Catenated Polystyrene−Poly(2-vinylpyridine) Block Copolymer

The synthesis, isolation, and characterization are reported of a polystyrene−poly(2-vinylpyridine) block copolymer “catenane” with a molecular weight of about 10 000 and containing about equal masses of each of the rings. This catenane is prepared by end-to-end coupling of a P2VP dianion lithium salt with 1,4-bis(bromomethylbenzene) in THF in the presence of a PS macrocycle (Mp = 4500). The catenane was isolated by precipitation−extraction procedures that were optimized using a 50/50 PS-b-P2VP macrocycle as a model for the catenane. The catenane copolymer was characterized by SEC, 1H NMR, and emission (fluorescence) spectroscopy.
Expression of a β-Adrenergic Receptor Kinase Inhibitor Reverses Dysfunction in Failing Cardiomyocytes

The spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) rat shares numerous functional and molecular characteristics of human heart failure (HF), including impairment of β-adrenergic receptor (AR) signaling with decreased βAR density and coupling to adenylyl cyclase as well as increased βAR kinase (βARK1) levels and activity. We examined the effects of βARK1 inhibition on the signaling and contractile function in failing ventricular myocytes isolated from SHHF rat hearts. This was done by adenoviral-mediated gene transfer of the carboxy-terminal 194 amino acids of βARK1 (βARKct), which acts as an in vivo βARK1 inhibitor. Basal cAMP production was reduced in cells from SHHF rat hearts (n=4) compared with that found in cells isolated from the hearts of age-matched Sprague-Dawley (SD) control rats (n=8; SHHF, 2.5±0.2% conversion [3H]adenine to cAMP, versus SD, 4.2±0.2%; P<0.01), as were cAMP responses to the β-agonist iso-proterenol (ISO; SHHF, 5.2±0.2%, versus SD, 7.2±0.4%; P<0.01). Following βARKct expression, SHHF cardiomyocytes displayed a significant increase in basal (6.6±0.6%, P<0.01) and ISO-stimulated cAMP production (8.8±0.6%, P<0.01) versus failing myocytes treated with an empty adenovirus. Concerning contractile function of these cells, βARKct expression produced significant improvement in ISO (10−6 M) stimulated (n=7 hearts) cell shortening, relaxation, and contraction compared with failing cells treated with the control empty virus (βARKct, 39±11%, 70±18%, and 70±20%, versus empty virus, 1±7%, 5±5%, and 0±7%, respectively). Thus, these data indicate that targeted βARK1 inhibition via genetic manipulation is a powerful therapeutic approach for improving the function of failing cardiomyocytes.
The 600 Å bands of helium

Abstract Time resolved spectroscopy indicates that the states which give rise to the 600 A bands of helium are populated via He(1 1 S), He(2 1 S) collisions in the hot are (initial) period of the discharge. Pronounced differences are observed in the emission curves of the molecular helium continuum at 623, 670 and 800 A which are briefly related to the kinetics involved in the respective excitation processes.
High-resolution morphometric analysis of human osteoblastic cell adhesion on clinically relevant orthopedic alloys

Understanding the cellular basis of osteoblastic cell-biomaterial interaction is crucial to the analysis of the mechanism of osseointegration, a requirement of long-term orthopedic implant stability. Clinically, the amount of bone ingrowth is variable, and cellular parameters that influence ingrowth have yet to be clearly determined. In this study, two clinically relevant orthopedic alloys, titanium Ti6A14V (Ti) and cobalt-chrome-molybdenum (CC), were used for a comparative analysis of primary human osteoblastic cell adhesion and spreading, where cell adhesion represents the initial interaction between cellular elements and the biomaterial surface. The kinetic profile of adhesion revealed enhanced cell attachment upon rough Ti surfaces relative to rough CC. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), we observed that, during the first 12 h of contact with the substratum, osteoblastic cells were relatively less spread on rough Ti, whereas cells appeared elongated with multiple cellular extensions on rough CC. Focal adhesion contacts, as indicated by vinculin immunostaining, were distributed throughout the cells adhering to Ti, but were relatively sparse and localized to cellular processes on CC. Furthermore, three-dimensional CLSM reconstruction analysis indicated the presence of vinculin at all membrane-to-surface contact points on both Ti and CC. On Ti, these contact points closely followed the surface contour, whereas, on CC, they were restricted to relative topographic peaks only. Actin cytoskeletal reorganization was prominent in cells cultured on Ti, with stress fibers arranged throughout the cell body, whereas, on CC, actin filaments were sparse and localized primarily to cellular extensions. Because cell attachment mechanisms are likely to influence signal transduction and regulation of gene expression, these early differential responses of osteoblastic cells on Ti and CC may have functional implications on subsequent extracellular matrix mineralization and bone ingrowth at the cell-biomaterial interface.
Polynomially solvable total tardiness problems: Review and extensions

This paper shows that all polynomially solvable cases of the single machine total tardiness problem center around or are direct extensions of three well known results for that problem. A new polynomially solvable case for the problem is developed as well. It is also shown that two of these well known results for the single machine total tardiness problem are valid for the parallel machine total tardiness problem as well.
Cross-Informant Ratings of the Emotional and Behavioral Functioning of College Students

One hundred seventy-four college students and a subset of their mothers and fathers provided ratings of college students’ emotional and behavioral functioning. College students and their mothers and fathers demonstrated variable levels of correspondence in their ratings of college students’ internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Similar findings were noted with t-test comparisons, with college students rating themselves as experiencing significantly higher levels of behavior problems than did their mothers and fathers. Further, college students’ ratings of their mothers’ and fathers’ parenting and their perceptions of their parents predicted significantly their ratings of their own behavior problems. Although mothers’ communication reciprocity and perceptions of their college students served as significant predictors of mothers’ ratings, a different pattern of results occurred with paternal variables. Overall, these findings further the understanding of correspondence and predictors of cross-informant ratings of college students’ emotional and behavioral functioning.
How much redistribution is possible through commodity taxes

Abstract This paper aims to quantify the redistribution which can be attained as the outcome of indirect taxation. This question is of crucial relevance to many countries which are constrained to depend primarily on indirect taxes. I assess the maximum possible redistribution by imposing the most redistributive indirect taxation. The public budget is balanced, and the real income gain to the worst-off is taken as the metric of redistribution. Ceilings on this metric are first obtained within a general set-up, and then in a number of specific models. The resulting redistribution is found to be meager. As this is the outcome of the most redistributive taxation, redistribution from any real-world indirect taxation will be even smaller.
On the Theory and Observation of Highly Collapsed Stars

The investigation presented here falls into two parts. In the first part (Sections A to H) the general relativistic solution given by Schwarzschild of the problem of a homogeneous sphere of constant density is discussed. For every given density a characteristic mass Ml exists, for which the pressure in the center of the sphere becomes infinite, and for which the velocity of light in the same point becomes equal to zero. In the case of collapsed neutron stars. Ml is of the order of a large stellar mass. The effective mass and the gravitational energy of the sphere are determined as functions of its proper mass. Equations are developed which express the velocity and the wave-length of light as functions of the distance from the center of the sphere. The characteristic mass Ml of collapsed neutron stars is expressed in terms of the charge and mass of the electron and the proton and the universal gravitational constant. Some possible relations of the results obtained with recent cosmological theories are pointed out. The second part of this paper deals with the possibility of actually observing the formation of collapsed neutron stars. The hypothesis is examined that supernova outbursts are caused by the formation of neutron stars. A number of reasons are advanced which make this hypothesis attractive. From the data which were obtained from numerous observations of the bright supernova (1937) in the extragalactic spiral IC 4182, a number of consequences of the neutron star hypothesis are developed. In particular the redshift in the spectrum of the supernova IC 4182 is interpreted as a gravitational redshift. On this interpretation it follows that some of the physical characteristics of the central star of a supernova one year after maximum brightness are (in order of magnitude) as follows: radius 100 km, average density 10^12 g/cm^3 and effective surface temperature greater than 5×10^6 degrees. The light curves, the spectra and the total generation of energy in supernovae are discussed in the light of the neutron star hypothesis.
Habituation and sensitization of neuronal activity in the reticular formation of the rat.

Abstract Extracellular discharges of neurons in mesencephalic-pontine reticular formation of rat were recorded. Cells showed varying degrees of responsiveness to peripheral sensory stimulation including habituation and/or sensitization to repetitive sensory stimuli. Effects of repeated habituation series as well as effects of interstimulus interval are described. Alteration in response to repetitive stimulation (habituation or sensitization) was not always the same for different modalities even for a single neuron responsive to more than one modality.
Requirements of the Early Reading Task.

This article represents an attempt to contribute to the development of a comprehensive analysis of the specific requirements of the early reading task and to identify related competencies which children must develop if they are to respond successfully to the requirements.
Crowdsourcing and open source software participation

Crowdsourcing is a phenomenon involving the use of volunteers to accomplish a goal or objective (often work). Individuals, businesses, and government agencies find it possible to harness the participation of volunteers to design products and complete project work. Simply stated, Open Source Software (OSS) is crowdsourcing applied to software development. OSS-based systems have become an important source of computing products, through operating systems such as Linux, Web services through Apache, or desktop environments such as Gnome. This study affords a through literature review developed within a discussion of the common motivations and relationships between crowdsourcing and OSS. It contributes to the literature by providing useful insights which researchers and organizations can utilize to leverage crowdsourcing and OSS concepts in addressing their efforts.
The First Technical Writer in English: A Challenge to the Hegemony of Chaucer:

The claim that Geoffrey Chaucer was “the first technical writer in English,” which appears several times in the recent literature on the history of technical writing in early English, misleads beca...
Industry influence on occupational and environmental public health.

Traditional covert influence of industry on occupational and environmental health (OEH) policies has turned brazenly overt in the last several years. More than ever before the OEH community is witnessing the perverse influence and increasing control by industry interests. Government has failed to support independent, public health-oriented practitioners and their organizations, instead joining many corporate endeavors to discourage efforts to protect the health of workers and the community. Scientists and clinicians must unite scientifically, politically, and practically for the betterment of public health and common good. Working together is the only way public health professionals can withstand the power and pressure of industry. Until public health is removed from politics and the influence of corporate money, real progress will be difficult to achieve and past achievements will be lost. Key words: industry influence; government policy; worker health; science and politics; science manipulation. INT J OCCUP ENVIRON HEALTH 2007;13:107‐117
THE THIRD WAY AND THE TEMPORALLY INFINITE: A REJOINDER

obligates Aquinas to show (since he cannot adopt the disputable assumption that past time is finite) that in an infinite past time inhabited only by contingent beings there would have been a time at which it would have been the case that none existed. In what follows I shall counter both claims. Aquinas' assumptions, terminology and methodology reveal, first of all, that (Df.l) is not illegitimately restrictive and, secondly, that he would regard as unintelligible the claim that he is arguing in (A2.1) under the obligation with regard to infinite past time attributed to him.
Diffusion controlled stress rupture of polycrystalline materials

The high temperature stress rupture process in polycrystalline solids is examined in terms of grain boundary parting by vacancy condensation at the tip of a crack within the boundary. The gradient for diffusion of these defects is considered in the model to arise from the stress gradient in advance of the flaw tip. A rupture stress function is derived which is shown to closely describe the stress rupture behavior of a number of metals and high temperature alloys.
Complex band structure, decay lengths, and Fermi level alignment in simple molecular electronic systems

The complex band structure of a periodic system is the conventional band structure extended to complex Bloch k vectors. The k vectors with an imaginary part describe spatially decaying wave functions and arise in, for example, the analysis of impurity and surface states. They also represent the quantum tunneling states which are vehicles of electron transport through a barrier such as a thin oxide layer or a molecule. We present a method for obtaining the complex band structure of a molecule which is composed of repeating units. The complex band structures of some simple organic molecules (n-alkanes, alkenes, and linked benzene rings) will be determined and used to analyze electron conduction through molecules (e.g., octanedithiol) connected between gold electrodes. The form of the complex band structure clearly elucidates the molecule length dependence of the tunneling current and also suggests the energy for alignment of the Fermi level.
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory therapy in the elderly

In the United States today, the number of persons 65 years of age or older is about 25 million. Two thirds of this group have musculoskeletal complaints severe enough to cause them to use considerable quantities of over-the-counter medications to alleviate discomfort. In treating elderly patients with osteoarthritis, one of the most common rheumatic diseases of the elderly, it is imperative for physicians to be aware of the numerous physiologic aspects of aging and how these may affect the pharmacokinetic activity of various prescribed agents. Drug therapy in the elderly should be determined by the principle of least toxicity. Dosage titration is particularly advisable when pharmacokinetic activity of a drug is not known.
High‐Calcium Diet in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: Intervention with Calcium Antagonist Verapamil

A number of studies have shown an antihypertensive effect for high-calcium diets, but others have found no effect or, even a prohypertensive effect. Because of these disparate results, studies were conducted in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) fed either a normal calcium diet (1.0% calcium) or a high-calcium diet (4.0% calcium) with or without verapamil HCl (50 mg/kg body weight) from ages 5 to 12 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured by indirect tail cuff method. During the analysis of the electrolytes and vasoactive hormones monitored in this study, it was found that rats fed high-calcium diet had significantly elevated serum ionized and total calcium and calcium excretion. Systolic blood pressure for the verapamil-normal calcium diet (week 5, 148 +/- 4 mm Hg; week 7, 162 +/- 4 mm Hg) did not differ significantly from that of normal calcium diet (week 5, 152 +/- 2 mm Hg; week 7, 160 +/- 1 mm Hg). The high-calcium diet potentiated the development of hypertension, i.e., SBP was (157 +/- 2 mm Hg) on the 5th week and (174 +/- 4 mm Hg) on the 7th week. Conversely, verapamil high-calcium diet prevented the development of hypertension (week 5, SBP was 139 +/- 4 mm Hg; week 7, SBP was 146 +/- 3 mm Hg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
In Vitro Evaluation of a New Aminoglycoside Derivative of Kanamycin, BB-KA: a Comparison with Tobramycin and Gentamycin

Against more than 90% of 200 bacterial strains tested in vitro, the inhibitory concentration of gentamicin and tobramycin was 3.1 μg/ml and that of BB-K 8, a new semisynthetic aminoglycoside derivative of kanamycin, was 6.3 μg/ml.
Postnatal development of the putative neuropeptide-Y-mediated sympathetic--parasympathetic autonomic interaction.

Objective : Intense stellate ganglion stimulation causes a long-lasting inhibition of cardiac vagal responses in adult dogs. This inhibition is thought to result from the release of neuropeptide Y from sympathetic nerve terminals, which, in turn, blocks the release of acetylcholine from parasympathetic neurons. The purpose of this study was to characterize the developmental expression of this autonomic interaction in the dog. Methods : We studied and compared the effects of 5-min trains of right stellate ganglion stimulation on cardiac chronotropic responses to supramaximal vagal stimulation trains in 10 neonatal dogs, 8 one-month-old puppies, 8 two-month-old puppies and 8 adult dogs. Results : In the adult group, after 5 min of stellate stimulation, inhibition of the vagal chronotropic response was observed in 7 of 8 (87.5%). Inhibition was observed in 100% of the one-month-olds and in 87.5% of the two-month-olds. In contrast, in the neonates, inhibition was observed in only 4 of 10 (40%) (P < 0.05). The maximum percent inhibition of the cardiac vagal response was significantly less in the neonates than in the older puppies (P < 0.001) and adults (P < 0.01), and the summated inhibition also tended to be less in the neonates (P < 0.05 compared to one- and two-month-old puppies). Finally, in 60% of the neonates and 37.5% of all other animals vagal responses after stellate stimulation were facilitated, i.e. at least 20% greater than the pre-stellate stimulation values. Conclusion : The putative neuropeptide-Y-mediated, sympathetic-parasympathetic interaction is not fully expressed in the canine neonate. It appears to develop quite rapidly postnatally, being fully expressed by 1 month of age. We hypothesize that this developmental change is likely the result of maturation of sympathetic nervous system function after birth. The facilitation of the vagal chronotropic response, observed in some animals after stellate stimulation, is a new finding, and may represent yet another type of autonomic interaction.