cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CXCR7 antagonism prevents axonal injury during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis as revealed by in vivo axial diffusivity

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is characterized by the pathological trafficking of leukocytes into the central nervous system (CNS). Using the murine MS model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we previously demonstrated that antagonism of the chemokine receptor CXCR7 blocks endothelial cell sequestration of CXCL12, thereby enhancing the abluminal localization of CXCR4-expressing leukocytes. CXCR7 antagonism led to decreased parenchymal entry of leukocytes and amelioration of ongoing disease during EAE. Of note, animals that received high doses of CXCR7 antagonist recovered to baseline function, as assessed by standard clinical scoring. Because functional recovery reflects axonal integrity, we utilized diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to evaluate axonal injury in CXCR7 antagonist- versus vehicle-treated mice after recovery from EAE. C57BL6/J mice underwent adoptive transfer of MOG-reactive Th1 cells and were treated daily with either CXCR7 antagonist or vehicle for 28 days; and then evaluated by DTI to assess for axonal injury. After imaging, spinal cords underwent histological analysis of myelin and oligodendrocytes via staining with luxol fast blue (LFB), and immunofluorescence for myelin basic protein (MBP) and glutathione S-transferase-π (GST-π). Detection of non-phosphorylated neurofilament H (NH-F) was also performed to detect injured axons. Statistical analysis for EAE scores, DTI parameters and non-phosphorylated NH-F immunofluorescence were done by ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test. For all statistical analysis a p < 0.05 was considered significant. In vivo DTI maps of spinal cord ventrolateral white matter (VLWM) axial diffusivities of naive and CXCR7 antagonist-treated mice were indistinguishable, while vehicle-treated animals exhibited decreased axial diffusivities. Quantitative differences in injured axons, as assessed via detection of non-phosphorylated NH-F, were consistent with axial diffusivity measurements. Overall, qualitative myelin content and presence of oligodendrocytes were similar in all treatment groups, as expected by their radial diffusivity values. Quantitative assessment of persistent inflammatory infiltrates revealed significant decreases within the parenchyma of CXCR7 antagonist-treated mice versus controls. These data suggest that CXCR7 antagonism not only prevents persistent inflammation but also preserves axonal integrity. Thus, targeting CXCR7 modifies both disease severity and recovery during EAE, suggesting a role for this molecule in both phases of disease.
Close-coupling cross sections for electron-impact excitation of Kr28+

Coupling effects among the channels for collisional excitation of 2/ital s//sup 2/2p/sup 4/, 2/ital s/2/ital p//sup 5/, and 2/ital p//sup 6/ configurations of oxygenlike krypton have been reinvestigated and found to be small. In an earlier publication, it was reported that coupling to the 2/ital s/2/ital p//sup 5/ /sup 3/P/degree/ state has a strong influence on the cross section /sigma/(2/ital s//sup 2/2/ital p//sup 4//ital P//r arrow/2/ital p//sup 6/ /sup 1//ital S/). That apparent coupling is shown to be due to an inconsistency involving orthogonality and correlation functions. We solve the correct set of coupled integrodifferential equations using the niem, /Sigma/, and rmatrix codes. All three calculations are performed using the same atomic states and the same configurations to describe the target. We find very good agreement among the cross sections obtained from all three codes. We also calculated distorted-wave cross sections for the same set of transitions. The distorted-wave results are nearly identical to the results obtained with the close-coupling codes.
Biosynthesis and release of cell wall-like glycoproteins during the vegetative cell cycle of Chlamydomonas reinhardii

The culture medium of asynchronously growing Chlamydomonas reinhardii cells contains distinct proteins which are derived from the cell walls of these cells. When cultures are synchronized by a light-dark cycle cell wall proteins are synthesized throughout the cycle, but the release of these proteins into the culture medium occurs primarily in the last quarter of the cycle, after cell separation has occurred. The mutant CW-2, which does not form a normal cell wall, continuously synthesizes and secretes cell wall proteins into the culture medium. The synthesis of cell wall protein during the cell cycle appears to be modulated and peaks of synthesis occur at the end of the light period and in the second half of the dark period, shortly after cell separation. At these times the cells devote 15% of their protein-synthetic capacity to making cell wall proteins.
Diffusion of hydrogen in niobium-tantalum alloys at 296 K

The diffusivity of hydrogen in niobium (Cb), tantalum and three niobium-tantalum alloys has been measured at 296 K by a macroscopic technique based on the Boltzmann-Matano analysis. The hydrogen diffusivity extrapolated to zero concentration does not vary linearly with alloy concentration but rather appears to be less than would be predicted by a linear interpolation between the diffusivity of hydrogen in pure niobium and tantalum. The dependence of hydrogen diffusivity on hydrogen concentration was also determined. In each alloy, the diffusivity was found to decrease with increasing hydrogen concentration. The diffusion coefficient for hydrogen decreased by approximately a factor of two as the hydrogen concentration increased from zero to the solubility limit in each metal.
A qualitative study of physicians' experiences ordering and receiving influenza vaccine during the 2005-2006 influenza season.

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this qualitative analysis is to identify problems general internists and pediatricians encountered when ordering and receiving influenza vaccine during the 2005–2006 influenza season. Methods A U.S. national network of general internists and pediatricians was surveyed via the internet in November 2005. A content analysis was conducted of responses to an open-ended invitation to comment on problems encountered ordering and receiving influenza vaccine. Results Survey response rates were 51% (156/308) for general internists and 64% (180/283) for pediatricians. A total of 53 general internists and 102 pediatricians provided comments. Four general themes emerged: barriers to obtaining influenza vaccine, the impact of shortages and delays on practices, issues contributing to the problems practices experienced, and physicians' overall perceptions of influenza vaccine delivery in the U.S. Within these themes, notable domains included the perceived lack of communication between distributors and practices and physicians' frustration with vaccine availability at non-medical facilities. Conclusions Our findings indicate that physicians perceived a number of problems with the influenza vaccine distribution/supply system and have concerns about their ability to vaccinate their patients. These findings are useful in directing further quantitative assessments about the extent and nature of perceived problems with vaccine supply and distribution.
Curious structure in "canonical" alanine-based peptides.

We have performed all atom simulations of blocked peptides of the form (AAXAA)3, where X = Gln, Asn, Glu, Asp, Arg, and Lys with explicit water molecules to examine the interactions between side chains spaced i,i–5 in the sequence. Although side chains in this i,i–5 arrangement are commonly believed to be noninteracting, we have observed the formation of unusual i,i–5 main chain hydrogen bonding in such sequences with positively charged residues (Lys) as well as polar uncharged groups (Gln). Our results are consistent with the unusual percentage of hydrogen bonding curves produced by amide exchange measurements on the well-studied sequence acetyl-(AAQAA)3-amide in water (Shalongo, W., Dugad, L., Stellwagen, E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 116:8288–8293, 1994). Analysis of our simulations indicated that the glutamine side chain showed the greatest propensity to support π helix formation and that the i,i–5 intramolecular hydrogen bonds were stabilized by water-bridging side chain interactions. This intermittent formation of the unusual π helix structure was observed for up to 23% of the total simulation time in some residues in (AAQAA)3. Control studies on peptides with glutamine side chains spaced i,i–3, i,i–4, and i,i–6 did not reveal similar unique structures, providing stronger evidence for the unique role side chain interactions with i,i–5 spacing. © 1997 Wiley-Liss Inc.
Characteristics of radioactivity contamination of soil at the Nevada test site

Abstract For 35 years the Nevada Test Site Complex has been contaminated by a combination of transuranic elements, fission products, and activation products. Within the nuclear detonation sites the initial radionuclide distribution depended upon the different types of nuclear tests (airburst, surface, or underground) and meteorological conditions at the time of each test. Results of this study show that the present distribution is the result of wind and water erosion, whereas site specific geomorphic features and pedogenic processes played secondary roles. The high temperatures of the detonations resulted in most of the radionuclides being incorporated into fused soil and rock materials which have very low solubilities in aqueous media. The glassy silicate contaminants vary in size, but most (91%) are greater than 0.1 mm in diameter. Therefore, the radioactivity contributed by the resuspendible (
The Essence of Military Group Cohesion

In July 2006,Armed Forces & Society published an article by Anthony King, “The Word of Command: Communication and Cohesion in the Military.” This commentary takes exception to certain statements and conclusions in King's article, and in the process, sketches a standard model of military group cohesion. This model is based on social integration in the military and is composed of both primary group cohesion (peer and leader bonding) and secondary group cohesion (organizational and institutional bonding). The essence of peer bonding is given as social relationships based on trust and teamwork. The standard model is presented as a tool to sensitize ethnographers about what to look for when observing military interactions and to help them interpret what they see.
Structural Analysis of Proinsulin Hexamer Assembly by Hydroxyl Radical Footprinting and Computational Modeling

Mutations in the insulin gene can impair proinsulin folding and cause diabetes mellitus. Although crystal structures of insulin dimers and hexamers are well established, proinsulin is refractory to crystallization. Although an NMR structure of an engineered proinsulin monomer has been reported, structures of the wild-type monomer and hexamer remain undetermined. We have utilized hydroxyl radical footprinting and molecular modeling to characterize these structures. Differences between the footprints of insulin and proinsulin, defining a “shadow” of the connecting (C) domain, were employed to refine the model. Our results demonstrate that in its monomeric form, (i) proinsulin contains a native-like insulin moiety and (ii) the C-domain footprint resides within an adjoining segment (residues B23–B29) that is accessible to modification in insulin but not proinsulin. Corresponding oxidation rates were observed within core insulin moieties of insulin and proinsulin hexamers, suggesting that the proinsulin hexamer retains an A/B structure similar to that of insulin. Further similarities in rates of oxidation between the respective C-domains of proinsulin monomers and hexamers suggest that this loop in each case flexibly projects from an outer surface. Although dimerization or hexamer assembly would not be impaired, an ensemble of predicted C-domain positions would block hexamer-hexamer stacking as visualized in classical crystal lattices. We anticipate that protein footprinting in combination with modeling, as illustrated here, will enable comparative studies of diabetes-associated mutant proinsulins and their aberrant modes of aggregation.
The Feminist Consciousness

Feminism is more than a philosophy or ideology. It is a “vocabulary of motives” maintained by strong group support. Becoming a feminist leads to a transformation of consciousness and an alteration ...
Diagnostic Evaluation of Numerical Model Simulations Using the Tendency Equation

A procedure is proposed to expand the diagnostic capabilities of the pressure tendency equation of a primitive equation NWP model by computing the pressure tendency in physical coordinates. The advantages of isolating the density advection as a diagnostic tool to understand pressure changes is shown. By simple thermodynamic arguments it is demonstrated that in areas of synoptic-scale cyclonic development, the vertically integrated density advection is more than sufficient to explain the depletion of mass over a growing depression. Consequently, the joint contribution of the net divergence and vertical motion opposes the pressure fall. This is illustrated for a case of rapid cyclogenesis in southern South America.
Runoff Curve Numbers for Simulated Highway Slopes under Different Slope, Soil-Turf, and Rainfall Conditions

AbstractHighway infrastructure is a major non-point source of storm water runoff and associated pollutants. Forty-four simulated rainfall tests were conducted over a turf-covered plot-scale test bed that represented typical highway slopes of 25, 33, and 50%. The two soil-turf combinations were Argentine Bahia over AASHTO A-3 soil (fine sand) and Pensacola Bahia over AASHTO A-2-4 soil (silty fine sand). All the tests were conducted in central Florida, where the weather is subtropical. This paper presents the analysis of curve numbers (CN) obtained from simulated rainfall-runoff data. The CN values for the 24 tests conducted on the Argentine Bahia A-3 soil combination varied from 70.4 to 93.0 with a mean value of 79.6. The CN values for the 20 tests conducted on the Pensacola Bahia A-2-4 soil combination varied from 89.0 to 97.2 with a mean of 94.0. The scatter of the CN values was more for fine sand (standard deviation of 8.31) than for silty fine sand (standard deviation of 2.48). Single factor ANOVA sugg...
A dual leucine kinase-dependent axon self-destruction program promotes Wallerian degeneration.

Axon degeneration is an active process. Miller and colleagues show in fly and mouse models that axon degeneration requires the kinase DLK and its downstream target JNK to proceed.
A short history of time and space in immune discrimination: reply to the commentaries.

It is helpful to begin by reviewing the conceptual framework adopted by C&B. The principle of an idiotypic network regulation of the immune system is considered central. In this framework idiotypes are, by any genetic definition, self components and the immune regulation of idiotypes is tantamount to autoimmunity. To resolve this paradox immune regulation is divided into dominant suppression and immunity. While this might regulate self-reactivity out of existence, it does not resolve the problem of how to distinguish S-idiotopes from S-epitopes. Under cover of logical consistency, the world of S-epitopes is incorporated into that of S-idiotopes, and the immune system given providence over the regulation of S-epitopes (the so-called ‘homunculus’ or ‘central immune system’). The integration of all self components into a network of immune regulation has been criticized previously [4] on the grounds that this would unreasonably require the immune regulation of normal non-immune physiology. Given that idiotype network regulation depends upon a fully connected set of sequential recognition-dependent reactions, this network cannot be maintained if it is full of holes due to the elimination of anti-S cells. Any evidence of clonal deletion would pose a serious challenge to the concept of idiotype networks. Thus, any defence of the concept must not only deny simple clonal inactivation, but also provide a reasonable interpretation of the experimentally observed world. C&B agree that self can only be distinguished from nonself by the time factor that separates a prior and persistent self from a subsequent and transient nonself. We differ sharply on how the immune system arranges to measure this separation in time. We postulate that anti-S is eliminated and anti-NS is not, whereas C&B would require that anti-S and anti-NS remain present at all times. Our postulate retains anti-NS, but requires a solution to the primer problem, i.e. the antigen-independent pathway from iTh to eTh. C&B use S-idiotopes and S-epitopes to drive an initial network into a dominantly suppressive mode that is referred to by Cohen [5] as the ‘homunculus’. However, as far as we can tell, there is no simple explanation for how the anti-NS network becomes inducible, and how the two opposed networks are kept insulated one from the other. Nor is there any straightforward rule we can discover that explains what happens when the two networks do happen to overlap by chance, e.g. an antigen having both S and NS epitopes. Do the two networks mutually annihilate or does one capture bits of the other? This is the critical problem we insist needs resolution. As far as we can determine no solution is possible because the destructive effector functions cannot distinguish an antigen (to be destroyed) from an idiotype (not to be destroyed, but regulated instead).
Growth differentiation factor-15 encodes a novel microRNA 3189 that functions as a potent regulator of cell death

According to the latest version of miRBase, approximately 30% of microRNAs (miRNAs) are unique to primates, but the physiological function of the vast majority remains unknown. In this study, we identified miR-3189 as a novel, p53-regulated, primate-specific miRNA embedded in the intron of the p53-target gene GDF15. Antagonizing miR-3189 increased proliferation and sensitized cells to DNA damage-induced apoptosis, suggesting a tumor suppressor function for endogenous miR-3189. Identification of genome-wide miR-3189 targets revealed that miR-3189 directly inhibits the expression of a large number of genes involved in cell cycle control and cell survival. In addition, miR-3189 downregulated the expression of multiple p53 inhibitors resulting in elevated p53 levels and upregulation of several p53 targets including p21 (CDKN1A), GADD45A and the miR-3189 host gene GDF15, suggesting miR-3189 auto-regulation. Surprisingly, miR-3189 overexpression in p53-/- cells upregulated a subset of p53-targets including GDF15, GADD45A, and NOXA, but not CDKN1A. Consistent with these results, overexpression of miR-3189 potently induced apoptosis and inhibited tumorigenicity in vivo in a p53-independent manner. Collectively, our study identified miR-3189 as a novel, primate-specific miRNA whose effects are mediated by both p53-dependent and p53-independent mechanisms. miR-3189 may, therefore, represent a novel tool that can be utilized therapeutically to induce a potent proapoptotic effect even in p53-deficient tumors.
Estimation of plastic strain by fractal

It is shown that the power spectrum of a specimen surface in the form of a laser speckle pattern can be characterized by the fractal dimension which reflects change in surface texture due to plastic strain. The fractal dimension method can be used to evaluate surface roughness and plastic strain. A number of measure-scale pairs are tested, and the intensity-frequency pair is found to be best at relating fractal strain to plastic strain or surface roughness.
Reaction of cis-3-bromo-1,2-dibenzoylpropene with amines†

The reaction of cis-3-bromo-1,2-dibenzoylpropene (1) with amines proceeds by means of a substitution-rearrangement attack to give the 2-(α-aminoacetophenonyl)acrylophenones (2). Like similar structures, 2 undergoes further substitution-rearrangement by amines to give 3-benzoyl-5-phenylpyrroles (5) and an enaminoketone, α-acetophenonyl-β-aminoacrylophenone (3). Competitive with substitution-rearrangement, amine addition to 2 followed by loss of hydrogen and then water leads to formation of the 3-benzoyl-4-amino-5-phenylpyrroles (4). The enaminoketones (3) by contrast with 2 are quite stable. Structure 2 when in polar solvents or in the presence of amines undergoes substitution-rearrangement to give 3, which can be induced to give the pyrroles (5) when exposed to acid conditions. When neat or in solvents of low polarity, 2 undergoes intermolecular substitution-rearrangement-dehydration to give 5 almost exclusively. A novel addition reaction of 3-benzoyl-5-phenylfuran involving attack by isopropyl- or cyclohexylamine provides a quantitative method of synthesizing the appropriate N-substituted examples of 3 and an efficient method of deriving the corresponding pyrroles (5).
Seeing and Photographing Your Visual Observations

Light can play tricks on your eyes. Deficiencies that are observable at 1:00 PM are not necessarily observable at 3:00 PM. Depending on the nature of the light, sunlight vs. daylight, an inspector may or may not observe a bowing stone panel. Depending on the building facade material, configuration, or texture, light may or may not illuminate a facade deficiency. Ornate facades cast shadows in sunlight. A crack or spall can be lurking in those shadows. The inspector's choice of binoculars, experience, and possibly his psychological disposition may influence whether or not he observes an existing facade deficiency. Recognizing the deficiency may truly be a challenge, but photographing the deficiency may be a greater challenge. The crack or spall that lurks in the shadow on a sunny day may be nearly impossible to photograph. Excessive sunlight that reflects off the facade may wash out a photograph. Automatic cameras typically grab all surrounding light for a photograph, but this may be too much or too little depending upon the item to be photographed within the frame. The ability to set your camera manually may be necessary. This paper discusses the nature of light and suggestions for observing building facades and for recording deficiencies.
Modeling the geomagnetic perturbations produced by ionospheric currents, above and below the ionosphere

Abstract This paper briefly surveys the nature of magnetic perturbations at the ground and at low-Earth-orbit (LEO) altitudes produced by ionospheric and geomagnetic-field-aligned currents, with the aid of representative simulation and empirical models. The equatorial electojet, driven by the eastward daytime ionospheric electric field, strongly affects magnetic perturbations near the magnetic equator. Thermospheric winds also influence low-latitude ionospheric currents, and create significant east–west magnetic perturbations at lower LEO altitudes. At midlatitudes, currents flow not only within the ionosphere but also along geomagnetic field lines above the ionosphere. The latter can produe significant large-scale magnetic perturbations above the ionosphere over large regions of space. The largest magnetic perturbations are produced by electric currents in the auroral zones and the geomagnetic-field-aligned currents that connect the ionosphere with the outer magnetosphere. Above the ionosphere, the high-latitude magnetic perturbations tend to be dominated by toroidal magnetic perturbation fields associated with the field-aligned currents. LEO observations of magnetic perturbations can provide valuable information about the drivers of the ionospheric dynamo, the state of the magnetosphere, and the transfer of energy between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere.
Competition Law and the WTO: Rethinking the Relationship

This essay identifies obstacles to the inclusion of a competition law regime in the WTO and suggests changes that are likely to be necessary if competition law is to become an effective part of the WTO. Two obstacles have impeded inclusion of competition law in the WTO's legal regime and are likely to continue to do so. They are (i) a lack of confidence that the norms, practices and procedures of the WTO rest on a robust conception of community and (ii) uncertainty and concern about what form of competition law might be included and what its role in the WTO would be. In order to reduce the first of these obstacles, the institutions and members of the WTO will need to develop a conception of community that engenders widespread confidence in the WTO's basic modes of operation. Eliminating the second obstacle would require clarification of the kind of competition law that would be acceptable within the WTO, and this, in turn, is likely to require development of a form of competition law that is specifically designed for the WTO and that can elicit the long-term support of all categories of members. The essay suggests that the competition law issue is intricately interwoven with the future of the WTO. The changes that would be necessary to introduce and successfully implement competition law in the WTO are to a large extent the same as those that the institution will need to make if it is to enrich its role as an institution. , Oxford University Press.
Treatment of metastatic sarcoma to the liver with bland embolization

BACKGROUND. The authors evaluated the impact of bland particle embolization on survival in patients with metastatic sarcoma to the liver. METHODS. Twenty-four patients with liver-dominant metastases from sarcoma were treated with particle embolization from 1996 to 2002. Primary tumors included 16 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), 7 intestinal leiomyosarcomas, and 1 liposarcoma. Thirteen patients had known extrahepatic disease. Embolization was performed by using polyvinyl alcohol or trisacryl microspheres to effect stasis in the target vessel(s). Follow-up images to assess response were obtained 4 weeks after the procedure. Decrease in the size of the target lesion by >25% or development of >50% necrosis on follow-up imaging was considered a treatment response. RESULTS. Nineteen patients had metachronous liver metastases, and the median disease-free interval was 22 months (range 10–156 months) from resection of the primary tumor. Ten patients underwent prior liver resection for metastatic disease. Of 15 evaluable patients, 9 patients (60%) had a radiographic response. The median follow-up for all patients was 21 months. The median follow-up for surviving patients was 59 months. Overall survival from the time of initial embolization was 62% at 1 year, 41% at 2 years, and 29% at 3 years. Patients who had radiographic evidence of response survived significantly longer than patients who did not respond (63 months vs. 19 months; P < .007). Patients with GIST survived significantly longer than patients with visceral leiomyosarcoma (median, 36 months vs. 18 months; P < .03). CONCLUSIONS. Bland embolization was efficacious in some patients with metastatic sarcoma to the liver. Radiographic evidence of response was correlated with improved survival. This regional therapy may enter the treatment algorithm for patients who have unresectable disease or disease that has failed conventional therapies. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Deterring Moral Exclusion

This paper focuses on the detection and deterrence of moral exclusion. From a variety of perspectives, different authors have demonstrated the progression of moral exclusion: from conflicts of interest, to group categorizations, moral justifications, unjust procedures, and finally, harmful outcomes. Dissent, divergent opinions, and a pluralistic perspective all help to combat moral exclusion by enlarging the scope of justice. However, dissent and diversity can narrow as well as widen the scope of justice, so it is important to identify conditions that support pluralism and the right to dissent. Research approaches are suggested that combine scientific investigation with expansion of the scope of social justice.
Sildenafil therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia: not quite yet

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common chronic lung disease of infancy and complicates the course of up to one-third of extremely preterm babies. BPD results in poor long-term pulmonary outcomes and increases the risk of neurodevelopmental delay. As a result, a significant amount of research has sought to better define the population most at risk, as well as to develop prevention strategies.1, 2 We now understand that the risk for BPD increases with younger gestational age, intrauterine growth restriction, presence of chorioamnionitis and delay in time to full enteral feeds.2, 3 However, the ability to identify populations of at risk infants has not improved our ability to prevent BPD. Although prenatal steroids and postnatal surfactant have diminished the impact of respiratory distress syndrome, they have not diminished the frequency or severity of BPD in the extremely low birthweight population.2, 4 In recent years, various strategies such as hydrocortisone, recombinant human superoxide dismutase, vitamin A, caffeine and, most recently, inhaled nitric oxide have all been tested as BPD-prevention strategies, but with a variable degree of success.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 To date, there is no absolute therapy to prevent BPD other than to prevent preterm birth.
Electron-phonon interaction and superconductivity in metallic hydrogen

Abstract We have evaluated the electron—phonon interaction parameter λ and the superconducting transition temperature T c for metallic hydrogen, based on APW band structure calculations and the theory of Gaspari and Gyorffy. These results strongly support the view that metallic hydrogen would be a high temperature superconductor.
Health-related quality of life among self-reported arthritis sufferers : Effects of race/ethnicity and residence

Objective: We evaluated differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for African Americans and Caucasians with self-reported arthritis residing in rural and urban areas of a southern state. Methods: 1,191 individuals completed a telephone survey, which included the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Participants were stratified into groups: African American/rural, Caucasian/rural, African American/urban, and Caucasian/urban. We evaluated differences and associations in HRQoL for the four groups.Results: Multivariable linear regression models revealed that being an African American rural resident was associated with worse self-reported mental health on the SF-12 even after adjusting for multiple confounding variables. In contrast, multivariable linear regression models revealed that being a Caucasian rural resident was associated with worse physical health SF-12 scores.Conclusions: The study revealed differences in HRQoL on the mental and physical health functioning scales of the SF-12 for African American rural and Caucasian rural residents. Researchers assessing HRQoL in arthritis patients should consider using a race/residence product term in their analyses.
Common cyclic entire functions for partial differential operators

Let H(ℂN) denote the Frechet space of all entire functions of N variables (N≥1). The purpose of this paper is to prove the existence of a dense set of functions f in H(ℂN) such that if L is any nonscalar linear differential operator with constant coefficients, then the set {p(L)f∶p(·) is a polynomial} is dense in H(ℂN).
Novel High-Density Data-Retention Power Gating Structure Using a Four-Terminal Double-Gate Device

This paper presents a new power gating structure with robust data retention capability using only one single double-gate device to provide both power gating switch and virtual supply/ground diode clamp functions. The scheme reduces the transistor count, area, and capacitance of the power gating structure, thus improving circuit performance, power, and leakage. The scheme is compared with the conventional power gating structure via mixed-mode physics-based two-dimensional numerical simulations. Analysis of virtual ground bounce for the proposed scheme is also presented.
High performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. 1: Separation of Cannabis constituents and quantitation of Δ9 tetrahydrocannabinol

A simple, isocratic high performance liquid chromatography system (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (EC) was used to study Cannabis constituents. Several Cannabis extracts and reference standards were examined. A total of eleven constituents were separated, and three major cannabinoids; Δ8, Δ9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) were identified. A linear relationship was established for the quantitation of the halucinogenic constituent Δ9 THC. Minor contaminants in Δ9 THC reference standard, which were not detected by gas chromatography (GC) were detected for the first time. The detection limits of Δ9 THC and related cannabinoids were in the low nanogram range (2–20 ng).
Determination of oil and lipids in cottonseed meal

Two simple methods for determining total oil equivalent in cottonseed meal are described. The meal is extracted with methanol, and the crude extract is either (a) saponified and subsequently acidified to find the weight of acids set free, or (b) subjected to methanolysis to determine the weight of esters formed. When applied to a meal previously extracted with petroleum ether, these methods determine lipids. Results obtained on three commercial cottonseed meals were in excellent agreement with those obtained by the more cumbersome method requiring direct saponification of the ground meal. The methods described should also be applicable to soybean and sunflower seed meals and to other systems containing lipids, such as flours, doughs, and leaf proteins. One of the methods is particularly useful as a preliminary step in the determination of cyclopropenoid acids in cottonseed meal because much larger lated as methyl esters.
Mouse liver cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase: rapid isolation, characterization and immunochemical comparison with hepatoma enzyme.

Abstract Cytoplasmic NAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase is decreased in activity in three transplantable mouse hepatomas compared to the activity of this enzyme in liver tissue. This enzyme is composed of several molecular forms of similar size which differ slightly in charge; the total activity and the discernible number of forms of the enzyme are decreased in both hepatoma and fetal liver. Mixing experiments suggest the absence of a significant quantity of unbound inhibitor of enzyme activity in the tumor or an activator in the liver. The liver cytoplasmic enzyme was purified to homogeneity by a relatively rapid method using Blue Sepharose affinity chromatography, which results in a good yield and high specific activity of the enzyme. Cytoplasmic and mitochondrial enzymes bind and elute differentially from this affinity resin. Molecular weight, kinetic constants and amino acid composition of the cytoplasmic enzyme were determined. Monospecific antiserum to the cytoplasmic enzyme has been produced in a goat and used to demonstrate a lack of immunological cross-reactivity between the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic enzyme. The tumor and liver cytoplasmic enzymes possess similar, if not identical, immunological determinants. Immunotitration experiments have been used to demonstrate that liver and hepatoma enzyme are identical in specific activity. Thus, the reduction in level of cytoplasmic enzyme in hepatoma is due to a decrease in the number of molecules per tissue mass.
Superconducting magnets for toroidal fusion reactors

Fusion reactors will soon be employing superconducting magnets to confine plasma in which deuterium and tritium (D-T) are fused to produce usable energy. At present there is one small confinement experiment with superconducting toroidal field (TF) coils: Tokamak 7 (T-7), in the USSR, which operates at 4 T. By 1983, six different 2.5 × 3.5-m D-shaped coils from six manufacturers in four countries will be assembled in a toroidal array in the Large Coil Test Facility (LCTF) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for testing at fields up to 8 T. Soon afterwards ELMO Bumpy Torus (EBT-P) will begin operation at Oak Ridge with superconducting TF coils. At the same time there will be tokamaks with superconducting TF coils 2 to 3 m in diameter in the USSR and France. Toroidal field strength in these machines will range from 6-9 T. NbTi and Nb 3 Sn, bath cooling and forced flow, cryostable and metastable - various designs are being tried in this period when this new application of superconductivity is growing and maturing.
An investigation of lewis base-monoiodoboranes and their reactions with group V donors in solution

Abstract A series of monoiodoborane adducts LBH 2 I (L = N(CH 3 ) 3 pyridine, 3-methylpyridine, 4-methylpyridine or (C 6 H 5 ) 3 P) has been prepared. Ideally, the addition of suitable amines, phosphines or trimethylarsine to a benzene solution of these adducts would be expected to yield boronium salts containing two different donors coordinated to a central boron atom. These salts, of the general formula LL′BH 2 I, were formed in several instances (L′ = (CH 3 ) 3 P, (C 6 H 5 ) 3 P, (CH 3 ) 3 N). Six previously unreported boronium cations have been characterized. The iodide salts of these boronium cations may be easily converted to their hexafluorophosphate analogs except for the large ligands such as (C 6 H 5 ) 3 P or 3-methylpyridine. In contrast, trimethylarsine reacted with 4-MepyBH 2 I in benzene to give 4-MepyH + I − and [(CH 3 ) 3 AsI] + I − . The proton and boron NMR spectra of all species were investigated when experimentally feasible.
Influencing the quality of women and infant health care through education-practice partnerships.

Judith A. Halstead, DNS, RN, ANEF, is a professor of nursing and executive associate dean for academic affairs in the School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN. Given the increasing complexity and daunting challenges that exist within the health care systems in which we practice nursing, it is no longer feasible for nursing practice and nursing education to function in isolated silos. We must acknowledge the many bene¢ts of working collaboratively to prepare future nurses to ensure that they will emerge from our undergraduate and graduate nursing education programs equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competencies they need to deliver quality nursing care. Nursing students cannot achieve these desired skill sets without interacting with those who are expert nurses: the stai nurses and advanced practice nurses who function in the forefront of patient care. Likewise, practicing nurses must remain engaged in the world of education in order to stay current and up-to-date in the practice setting. The articles in this In Focus series provide examples of educational innovations and how practice and education canwork together to provide quality learning experiences for students and promote the continuing education of practicing nurses in the areas of women and infant health care.
Performance Study of a GaAs Based Laser Diode Chip in a Condensing Environment

This paper presents a performance study done on semiconductor laser diodes in a moisture condensing environment. Devices with laser diodes are used in a wide variety of electronic applications and in various climatic conditions. The motivation behind this study is a common environmental exposure, where a device using a laser diode is brought into a relatively humid environment (a building) from a cold, outside environment. Under such conditions, condensation occurs on various components of the device, including the diode, and could affect the laser output power. Reliability of the device is a critical concern since the laser diode and the lens are susceptible to failure due to such repetitive condensation conditions. The test vehicle chosen for this study was a 980nm laser diode. These are used in products for a broad range of markets, including data communications, aerospace, material processing, scientific and defense industries [1–3]. These products may be used in environmental conditions that could result in condensation within the product. A hermetic package could address this concern, but it is an expensive option. Nonhermetic packaging for the laser component could help lower the cost of these devices; however reliability is a potential concern. Prior research on laser diodes consists of various reliability measurements on 980nm lasers using stress tests (e.g. accelerated aging tests; thermal cycling tests) [3–6]. Reliability analysis of laser diodes specifically addressing condensation measurements has not been previously reported. A Military Standard Specification [MIL-STD-883E Method 1004.7] titled, ‘Moisture resistance test’ was used to conduct this reliability study [10]. An experimental setup was designed and fabricated. A photonic package with a 980nm laser diode was subjected to repetitive condensing cycles and laser output power was recorded as a function of time, temperature and humidity. The variation in laser output power due to condensation was observed and quantified. The focus of this paper is on performance degradation of the laser diode. The possible mechanisms for this degradation are currently being investigated.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Power frequency magnetic field exposure and gap junctional communication in Clone 9 cells

Abstract Exposure to a power-frequency magnetic field has been reported to produce a statistically significant inhibition of gap junctional communication (GJC) in Clone 9 cells that have been pre-stressed by treatment with low concentrations of chloral hydrate (CH) [C.F. Blackman, J.P. Blanchard, S.G. Benane, D.E. House, J.A. Elder, Double blind test of magnetic field effects on neurite outgrowth, Bioelectromagnetics, 19 (1998) 204–209]. This observation might provide mechanistic insight into the possible role of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the carcinogenic process, since cancer cells frequently show decreased or absent GJC, and tumor promoting chemicals have been observed to inhibit GJC. Magnetic field exposure conditions were 45 Hz, 23.8 μT rms+parallel DC 36.6 μT, for 30 min of exposure. The responses of Clone 9 cells to the GJC-inhibiting effects of the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate and the chemical CH were evaluated and compared to reported results [S.G. Benane, C.F. Blackman, D.E. House, Effects of perchloroethylene and its metabolites on intercellular communication in Clone 9 rat liver cells, J. Toxicol. Environ. Health, 48 (1996) 427–437]. Before magnetic field exposure, cells were exposed for 24 h to either 3 (nine experiments) or 5 mM (11 experiments) CH to produce GJC of 67% or 50%, respectively, relative to unexposed controls. GJC was assessed microscopically using the scrape-loading technique and a blinded protocol. No statistically significant effect was observed due to magnetic field exposure with either CH concentration.
Ganglioside gm2 as a target structure recognized by human natural killer cells

This report investigates the possibility that the ganglioside GM2 is a common target structure for natural killer cells. A subpopulation of lymphocytes, NK cells may play a role in vivo in controlling the growth of certain tumors.
Personality traits in captive lion‐tailed macaques (Macaca silenus)

Personality influences an individual's perception of a situation and orchestrates behavioral responses. It is an important factor in elucidating variation in behavior both within and between species. The major focus of this research was to test a method that differs from those used in most previous personality studies, while investigating the personality traits of 52 captive lion-tailed macaques from four zoos. In this study, data from behavioral observations, a P-type principal components analysis (PCA), and bootstrapped confidence intervals as criteria for judging the significance of factor loadings were used rather than subjective ratings, R-type factor analyses, and arbitrary rules of thumb to determine significance. We investigated the relationships among individual component scores and sex, hormonal status, and dominance rank (controlling for age and social group) using a multiple regression analysis with bootstrapped confidence intervals. Three personality dimensions emerged from this analysis: Component 1 contained Extraversion-like behaviors related to sociability and affiliativeness. The higher mean Component score for females suggests that they are more “extraverted” than males. Only agonistic behaviors were significantly related to component 2. High-ranking individuals exhibited higher mean Component 2 scores than mid- or low-ranked individuals. Bold and cautious behaviors both loaded positively on Component 3, suggesting a dimension related to curiosity. The mean Component 3 score for females was higher than the mean score for males. The method used in this study should facilitate intraspecific and general interspecific comparisons. Developing a standardized trait term list that is applicable to many species, and collecting trait term data in the same manner and concurrent with behavioral observations (and physiologic measures when feasible) could prove useful in primate research and should be explored. Am. J. Primatol. 67:177–198, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Educational Aspirations and Postsecondary Access and Choice

Using data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS: 88), this study examines educational aspirations and postsecondary access and choice by students in urban, suburban, and rural schools. In addition, this study raises issues with the methods in postsecondary educational research by using students in different grades (8th, 10th, and 12th grades) as baseline populations to compare educational outcomes. The results indicated that students in urban schools were comparatively disadvantaged in the early years in schooling in terms of postsecondary access but appeared to be enrolled in postsecondary institutions at similar percentages as their suburban counterparts, if they made it to later years in K-12 schooling. For those students in urban schools who went to college, higher percentages were enrolled in private institutions and four-year colleges. Students in rural schools were consistently disadvantaged in postsecondary aspirations and enrollment, compared to students in other schools.
Experimental and theoretical investigation of continuous flow column crystallization

A theoretical and experimental investigation of the separation achieved in a column crystallizer which utilizes a spiral conveyor was conducted to determine the effect of variables associated with continuous flow operation. A system that exhibits negligible solid solubility was used. Several feed mixtures containing less than 31,000 p.p.m. weight cyclohexane in benzene were employed. The principal variables evaluated in this study in a column of constant length were the feed position, internal crystal rate, and flow rates of terminal streams. A mathematical model is developed which considers axial dispersion and mass transfer between the liquid adhering to the crystals and the bulk liquid. The model satisfactorily explains the effect of the variables associated with continuous flow operation and shows that axial dispersion is more dominant in continuous flow than in total reflux operation. It is shown that multiple pass or cascade operation is necessary to produce material of purity higher than a critical level which is related to the feed composition. This occurs because of impurities in the crystal phase which are likely caused by volumetric inclusions.