cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Burn-induced Bone Loss: Importance, Mechanisms, and Management

Objective: The purpose of this article is to familiarize the reader with the issue of bone loss that accompanies severe burn injury. Why is this important? How does it happen? How can we treat it? Methods: The published findings on this subject are reviewed and integrated into a conceptual framework. Results: Bone loss occurs quickly following a severe burn, is sustained, and increases the risk of postburn fracture. The likely mechanisms responsible are the increase in endogenous glucocorticoid production resulting from the stress response and resorptive cytokines resulting from the systemic inflammatory response and likely aggravated by progressive vitamin D deficiency. Calcium metabolism is also disrupted as the patients develop hypocalcemic hypoparathyroidism likely due to an upregulation of the parathyroid calcium-sensing receptor, possibly due to inflammatory cytokine stimulation. Treatment is achieved by use of anabolic agents and vitamin D supplementation. Studies of acute administration of the antiresorptive agent pamidronate are also promising. Conclusion: Postburn bone loss should be looked for in patients with a burn injury of 40% or greater total body surface area. The cause is inherent to the adaptive mechanisms following burn injury. Methods are available to treat this condition.
Ghosts of 1932: The Lost History of Estate and Gift Taxation

In 1932, the United States confronted a bleak economic landscape. Amid the financial carnage caused by the 1929 stock market crash and the ensuing Great Depression, economic activity had ground to a halt, tax revenues had plunged, and the nation’s debt had soared. The declining government revenues and soaring debt threatened both the viability of American industry and the nation’s credit rating. Congress took bold action that year, enacting a massive tax bill (“the Revenue Act of 1932”) designed to balance the federal budget without further stifling economic growth. As has been true through nearly a century of tax legislation, Congress included estate and gift taxes as a component of the Revenue Act of 1932. The architects of these estate and gift tax provisions made a number of crucial legislative choices, implicating issues of tax policy that remain as relevant today as they were some eighty years ago. Yet, histories of American taxation typically devote frustratingly little analysis to the specific estate and gift tax provisions included in the Revenue Act of 1932. As such, despite their continued relevance, the details of key decisions, and the motivations of those who made them, effectively have been lost to history. In this paper, I seek to reclaim this lost history of estate and gift taxation. While the ensuing analysis certainly will enable us to more fully appreciate the events of 1932 and evaluate the actions Congress took in that fateful year, my inquiry is not of mere historical interest. Rather, the choices made in 1932 have helped shape the fundamental structure of U.S. estate and gift taxation for nearly eight decades, including our modern estate and gift tax code. As such, understanding the events of 1932 can help us to understand why our estate and gift taxes operate the way they do as well as help inform future debate about the optimal structure of our wealth transfer tax system.
Feeding time, frequency and ration affect growth and energy allocation in young adults of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus

In a 62-day growth trial, wild caught Lytechinus variegatus (ca. 18 g, 35 ± 2 mm dia.) were fed as follows: (i) ration equivalent to 3% of average body weight proffered once daily in the morning (AM treatment); (ii) ration equivalent to 3% of average body weight proffered once daily in the evening (PM treatment); (iii) ration equivalent to 1.5% of average body weight proffered twice daily (every 12 h, AM/PM treatment); (iv) ration equivalent to 3% of average body weight proffered in the evening on alternate days (EODSR/PM); or (v) ration equivalent to 6% of average body weight proffered in the evening on alternate days (EODDR/PM). At 30 and 62 days, wet weight gain among urchins fed daily was significantly higher than that of urchins fed on alternate days, regardless of ration size. At 62 days, reduced gonad dry matter production and gonad index were observed among individuals fed on alternate days, regardless of ration size. At 30 and 62 days, feed conversion ratio was optimized among individuals fed daily and in the EODSR/PM treatment. These data suggest that, for culture of L. variegatus, daily feeding will optimize growth, gonad production and feed efficiency regardless of ration size or time of feeding.
An Analysis of the Day-of-the-Week Effect in Latin American Stock Markets

The purpose of this article is to determine the existence of the Day-of-the-Week (DOW) effect in six Latin American stock markets: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, and Peru. For this, an analysis of their associated stock indexes is in order, using returns in domestic currency. Considering the years 1993-2007, each stock market shows at least one abnormal day. The most common effects for these markets were the negative return effect on Mondays and the positive return effect on Fridays.
Who Regulates It? Water Policy and Hydraulic Fracturing in Texas

Hydraulic fracturing, the injection of a pressurized fluid mixture of mostly water, sand and a small amount of chemicals (frac fluids), increases extraction rates and recovery of oil or gas. The technique has become increasingly popular when used in combination with horizontal drilling, especially in Texas shale formations. Hydraulic fracturing often requires thousands of cubic meters of water per well. Access to water might be challenging due to water scarcity, allocation policies, price, location, and competition for water. In this policy analysis, we conducted a detailed bottom-up survey for each groundwater conservation district to catalog and assess the prevailing policies and practices related to water and hydraulic fracturing, focusing on the ways in which the State of Texas regulates the use of fresh and non-freshwater for hydraulic fracturing. We find that policies are inconsistent statewide with great variability from district to district in regulations and potential solutions to the challenge of freshwater use. From this analysis, we provide information on the practice of hydraulic fracturing and examine strategies for reducing freshwater use through recycling and use of non-freshwater. In this report, we present the current water policy framework and alternative solutions.
The organization of domains in proteins obeys Menzerath-Altmann’s law of language

Background The combination of domains in multidomain proteins enhances their function and structure but lengthens the molecules and increases their cost at cellular level.
Clinical correlates of lung ventilation defects in asthmatic children.

Background Lung ventilation defects identified by using hyperpolarized 3-helium gas ( 3 He) lung magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are prevalent in asthmatic patients, but the clinical importance of ventilation defects is poorly understood. Objectives We sought to correlate the lung defect volume quantified by using 3 He MRI with clinical features in children with mild and severe asthma. Methods Thirty-one children with asthma (median age, 10 years; age range, 3-17 years) underwent detailed characterization and 3 He lung MRI. Quantification of the 3 He signal defined ventilation defect and hypoventilated, ventilated, and well-ventilated volumes. Results The ventilation defect to total lung volume fraction ranged from 0.1% to 11.6%. Children with ventilation defect percentages in the upper tercile were more likely to have severe asthma than children in the lower terciles ( P = .005). The ventilation defect percentage correlated ( P 1 (percent predicted), FEV 1 /forced vital capacity ratio (percent predicted), and forced expiratory flow rate from 25% to 75% of expired volume (percent predicted). Conclusion The lung defect volume percentage measured by using 3 He MRI correlates with several clinical features of asthma, including severity, symptom score, medication requirement, airway physiology, and atopic markers.
Oral (n-3) Fatty Acid Supplementation Suppresses Cytokine Production and Lymphocyte Proliferation: Comparison between Young and Older Women

The effect of (n-3) fatty acid supplementation on cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation was investigated in young (23-33 y) and older (51-68 y) women. Subjects supplemented their diets with 2.4 g of (n-3) fatty acid/d for 3 mo. Blood was collected before and after 1, 2 and 3 mo of supplementation. The (n-3) fatty acid supplementation reduced total interleukin (IL)-1 beta synthesis by 48% in young women but by 90% in older women; tumor necrosis factor was reduced by 58% in young and 70% in older women. Interleukin-6 was reduced in young women by 30% but by 60% in older women. Older women produced less IL-2 and had lower mitogenic responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) than young women prior to (n-3) fatty acid supplementation. The (n-3) fatty acid supplementation reduced IL-2 production in both groups; however, this reduction was significant only in older women. The PHA-stimulated mitogenic response was significantly reduced by (n-3) fatty acid in older women (36%). Thus, long-term (n-3) fatty acid supplementation reduced cytokine production in young women and cytokine production and T cell mitogenesis in older women. The reduction was more dramatic in older women than in young women. Although (n-3) fatty acid-induced reduction in cytokine production may have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects, its suppression of IL-2 production and lymphocyte proliferation in older women may not be desirable.
Streamflow Changes in the South Atlantic, United States During the Mid- and Late 20th Century1

: Repeated severe droughts over the last decade in the South Atlantic have raised concern that streamflow may be systematically decreasing, possibly due to climate variability. We examined the monthly and annual trends of streamflow, precipitation, and temperature in the South Atlantic for the time periods: 1934-2005, 1934-1969, and 1970-2005. Streamflow and climate (temperature and precipitation) trends transitioned ca. 1970. From 1934 to 1969, streamflow and precipitation increased in southern regions and decreased in northern regions; temperature decreased throughout the South Atlantic. From 1970 to 2005, streamflow decreased, precipitation decreased, and temperature increased throughout the South Atlantic. It is unclear whether these will be continuing trends or simply part of a long-term climatic oscillation. Whether these streamflow trends have been driven by climatic or anthropogenic changes, water resources management faces challenging prospects to adapt to decadal-scale persistently wet and dry hydrologic conditions.
Effect of the Ratio of Free to Total Prostate-specific Antigen on Interassay Variability in Proficiency Test Samples

Background: Up to sevenfold differences were observed between total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) methods for New York State Proficiency Test samples prepared with seminal fluid PSA in human female serum. Because the PSA was mainly in its free form under these conditions, we wanted to determine whether a defined mixture of free and complexed PSA would reduce the interassay differences. Methods: We prepared a series of five solutions of 60 g/L bovine serum albumin with 10 μg/L total PSA consisting of varied proportions of free, noncomplexible PSA, and α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT)-complexed PSA from 0% to 100%. Two hundred seventy laboratories measured the total PSA in these samples, and 16 laboratories also analyzed the samples for free PSA. The results were used to calculate free/total PSA ratios. Results: Interassay CVs for total PSA measurements were ∼7% at 10–15% free PSA but became gradually larger as the free/total PSA ratio increased. Measured free-PSA concentrations were similar within each sample (mean CV, 12%), and the results were relatively independent of the proportion of free PSA in the samples. Twofold discrepancies between actual and expected ratios were observed with some methods at 100% free PSA and to a lesser degree at 30% free PSA. At 100% free PSA, the relatively higher total-PSA values measured by nonequimolar methods yielded low free/total PSA ratios of 50–60%. In contrast, the lower total PSA values obtained by equimolar methods yielded ratios close to the expected 100%. Conclusions: Preparing proficiency test samples with a 10:90 mixture of free, noncomplexible PSA:PSA-ACT is a viable alternative to the use of seminal fluid PSA. Furthermore, the method used to measure total PSA may have a substantial impact on the calculated proportion of free PSA and hence may have clinical relevance.
"Cosmic flashing" in four dimensions.

Quantum field theory allows violation of the weak energy condition in the form of locally negative energy densities and fluxes. If the laws of physics place no restrictions on the extent of energy condition breakdown, then dramatic violations of the second law of thermodynamics, causality, and cosmic censorship might become possible. In this paper, we explore the possibility that manipulation of negative energy fluxes could lead to the production of naked singularities. This might be accomplished by injecting a negative energy flux into an extreme ($Q=M$) charged black hole. However, quantum field theory requires that an initial negative energy flux due to quantum coherence effects must be followed by a more than compensating positive flux. Thus any singularity resulting from this process would be only "temporarily" naked. In an earlier publication, we dubbed the occurrence of a naked singularity with limited duration "cosmic flashing." There, in a two-dimensional analysis where the fluxes were produced by moving mirrors, we showed that quantum field theory imposed limits on the magnitude and duration of the negative energy flux in the form of an uncertainty-principle-type inequality. If $|\ensuremath{\Delta}M|$ is the magnitude of the change in the mass of the black hole due to the absorption of negative energy, and $\ensuremath{\Delta}T$ is the effective lifetime of the naked singularity thus produced, then we showed that $|\ensuremath{\Delta}M|\ensuremath{\Delta}Tl1$, in units where $c=\ensuremath{\hbar}=1$. The current paper analyzes the behavior of a minimally coupled, quantized, massless scalar field propagating in a four-dimensional extreme Reissner-Nordstr\"om black-hole background. In this case a similar inequality is shown to hold for a general negative energy flux, irrespective of how the flux is produced. A numerical analysis shows that the angular-momentum-dependent potential barrier around the black hole screens out the contributions to the flux from the higher $l$ modes. We estimate the metric perturbations produced by the negative energy flux. In an order of magnitude estimate, we show that these are smaller than the metric fluctuations expected from quantum gravity. Therefore we conclude that quantum field theory prevents an unambiguous violation of cosmic censorship.
Are We Asking the Right Questions? A Review of Assessment of Males With Eating Disorders

Most of the commonly used eating disorders (ED) assessments were normed and developed for females, and their status among male populations is rarely addressed in the literature. Recently, some male-specific instruments have been developed that may have some utility with this population. This article aims to: (a) briefly outline some special considerations and challenges when assessing ED in male populations; (b) review the utility of some of the most commonly used ED assessments with males; and (c) review some of the measures that have recently been developed to assess male-specific ED-related symptoms, with the hope that a greater understanding of male-specific presentation may be elucidated.
The inventory of parent and peer attachment: individual differences and their relationship to psychological well-being in adolescence

The results of two studies are reported. Study I involved the development of the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA), a self-report instrument for use with adolescents. Subject were 179 college students aged 16–20 years. Item content of the instrument was suggested by attachment theory's formulations concerning the nature of feelings toward attachment figures. In Study II, the convergent validity of the IPPA was examined. Also, a hierarchial regression model was employed to investigate the association between quality of attachment and self-esteem, life-satisfaction, and affective status. Respondents were 86 adolescents from the Study I sample. As hypothesized, perceived quality of both parent and peer attachments was significantly related to psychological well-being. Results of the development of a theoretically focused, exploratory classification scheme indicated that adolescents classified as highly securely attached reported greater satisfaction with themselves, a higher likelihood of seeking social support, and less symptomatic response to stressful life events.
The Stability of Multi-Planet Systems

A system of two small planets orbiting the Sun on low-eccentricity, low-inclination orbits is stable with respect to close encounters if the initial semi-major axis difference, Δ, measured in mutual Hill radii,RH, exceeds[formula], due to conservation of energy and angular momentum. We investigate the stability of systems of more than two planets using numerical integrations. We find that systems with Δ 10 are also unstable. The slopebdepends weakly on the number of planets, but is independent of planetary mass,m, if we measure Δ in units that are proportional tom1/4rather than the usualRH∝m1/3. Instability in multi-planet systems arises because energy and angular momentum are no longer conserved within each two-planet subsystem due to perturbations by the additional planet(s). These results suggest that planetary embryos will not become isolated prior to the final stage of terrestrial-planet formation simply due to a failure to achieve close encounters. Other factors leading to isolation cannot be ruled out at this stage.
Metabolic Syndrome: Adenosine Monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase and Malonyl Coenzyme A

The metabolic syndrome can be defined as a state of metabolic dysregulation characterized by insulin resistance, central obesity, and a predisposition to type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, premature atherosclerosis, and other diseases. An increasing body of evidence has linked the metabolic syndrome to abnormalities in lipid metabolism that ultimately lead to cellular dysfunction. We review here the hypothesis that, in many instances, the cause of these lipid abnormalities could be a dysregulation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/malonyl coenzyme A (CoA) fuel-sensing and signaling mechanism. Such dysregulation could be reflected by isolated increases in malonyl CoA or by concurrent changes in malonyl CoA and AMPK, both of which would alter intracellular fatty acid partitioning. The possibility is also raised that pharmacological agents and other factors that activate AMPK and/or decrease malonyl CoA could be therapeutic targets.
The hydrolysis of bile acid conjugates

Abstract Studies were made of a) the relationship of bile acid structure and analytical recoveries (measured by 3-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase) following vigorous alkaline hydrolysis of bile acid conjugates and b) the relationship of structure and hydrolysis time of taurine- and glycine bile acid conjugates in a reaction catalyzed by glycocholic acid hydrolase. Alkaline hydrolysis resulted in good recoveries of hydroxy and 7 and 12- oxo-bile acids but poor recoveries of 3-oxo-bile acids. Borohydride reduction of the 3-oxo-acids prevented these losses. Complete enzymatic hydrolysis of glycine conjugated bile acids was about five times more rapid than that of taurine conjugates. Hydrolysis of conjugates containing oxo groups was slow. Borohydride reduction of oxoacids corrected this and did not inhibit enzymatic hydrolysis. It was concluded that both vigorous alkaline and enzymatic hydrolysis are satisfactory in bile acid assays if borohydride reduction is instituted before the hydrolytic step. However, due to the presence of possible enzyme inhibitors and solubility difficulties, strong alkaline hydrolysis is preferable to enzymatic hydrolysis in fecal bile acid determinations at this time.
Current medical, anoscopic, endoscopic, and surgical treatments for bleeding internal hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids are extremely common in adults and are the most frequent cause of self-limited hematochezia in ambulatory adults. Most patients with gastrointestinal bleeding from internal hemorrhoids have bright red blood per rectum that stops and is not associated with anemia. However, approximately 15% to 20% of patients with bleeding internal hemorrhoids have more severe bleeding that requires hospitalization and transfusion for severe anemia. In a CURE Hemostasis Research Group study of patients with severe hematochezia, internal hemorrhoids represented the second most common colorectal cause of severe hematochezia. Bleeding internal hemorrhoids are most effectively diagnosed by slotted anoscopy; however, in adults, other colonic lesions need to be excluded by colonoscopy. Endoscopic and anoscopic techniques for treatment of bleeding internal hemorrhoids include sclerotherapy, banding, direct current probe, infrared coagulator, bipolar probe, and heater probe. Endoscopic diagnosis, treatment techniques, results, and complications are presented in this report, and medical and surgical treatments are discussed.
Nuclear receptor unfulfilled regulates axonal guidance and cell identity of Drosophila mushroom body neurons

Nuclear receptors (NRs) comprise a family of ligand-regulated transcription factors that control diverse critical biological processes including various aspects of brain development. Eighteen NR genes exist in the Drosophila genome. To explore their roles in brain development, we knocked down individual NRs through the development of the mushroom bodies (MBs) by targeted RNAi. Besides recapitulating the known MB phenotypes for three NRs, we found that unfulfilled (unf), an ortholog of human photoreceptor specific nuclear receptor (PNR), regulates axonal morphogenesis and neuronal subtype identity. The adult MBs develop through remodeling of γ neurons plus de-novo elaboration of both α′/β′ and α/β neurons. Notably, unf is largely dispensable for the initial elaboration of γ neurons, but plays an essential role in their re-extension of axons after pruning during early metamorphosis. The subsequently derived MB neuron types also require unf for extension of axons beyond the terminus of the pruned bundle. Tracing single axons revealed misrouting rather than simple truncation. Further, silencing unf in single-cell clones elicited misguidance of axons in otherwise unperturbed MBs. Such axon guidance defects may occur as MB neurons partially lose their subtype identity, as evidenced by suppression of various MB subtype markers in unf knockdown MBs. In sum, unf governs axonal morphogenesis of multiple MB neuron types, possibly through regulating neuronal subtype identity.
Change in maximum standardized uptake value on repeat positron emission tomography after chemoradiotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer identifies complete responders

Objective The objective was to identify whether repeat positron emission tomography scan after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer predicted a complete response. Methods A retrospective study using a prospective database was performed. Patients had esophageal cancer and underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, an initial and repeat positron emission tomography, endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration (at the same institution), and Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy with lymph node resection. Results There were 221 patients who underwent Ivor Lewis, 86 of whom had their initial and repeat positron emission tomography scans performed at the same center. Of these, 37 patients (43%) were complete responders. The median maximum standardized uptake value of esophageal cancer decreased by 72% in the 37 patients who were complete responders, by 58% in the 31 patients who were partial responders, and by 37% in the 18 patients who had a minimal pathologic response. When the maximum standardized uptake value decreased by more than 64%, the patient was likely to be a complete responder ( P = .003, area under the curve=0.75). Conclusion When initial and repeat positron emission tomography scans are performed at the same center at least 30 days after the completion of preoperative chemoradiotherapy, the percent change in the maximum standardized uptake value is a predictor of the response to chemoradiotherapy by a patient with esophageal cancer. When the maximum standardized uptake value decreases by 64% or more, it is likely that the patient is a complete responder. These data may help guide neoadjuvant therapy and identify patients for a future randomized study that compares observation with surgical resection in patients with esophageal cancer who appear to be complete responders.
THE WAVELENGTH-DEPENDENT FRACTION OF BIOLOGICAL DAMAGE DUE TO THYMINE DIMERS AND TO OTHER TYPES OF LESION IN ULTRAVIOLET-IRRADIATED DNA

— The sensitivity of Hemophilus influenzae transforming DNA to monochromatic ultraviolet radiation has been determined with and without maximum photoreactivation. The fraction of ultraviolet damage which is photoreactivable (the photoreactivable sector) is large and varies with the wavelengths of the inactivating radiation, decreasing at the extremes of the ultraviolet spectrum. Equating photoreactivable damage with thymine dimer damage, we may interpret the wavelength dependence of photoreactivability and the spectrum for non-photo-reactivable damage in terms of the absorption spectra of thymidine and cytosine deoxyriboside. The data suggest that cytosine deoxyriboside alteration is important in non-photoreactivable biological damage.
Embodied attention and word learning by toddlers.

Many theories of early word learning begin with the uncertainty inherent to learning a word from its co-occurrence with a visual scene. However, the relevant visual scene for infant word learning is neither from the adult theorist’s view nor the mature partner’s view, but is rather from the learner’s personal view. Here we show that when 18-month old infants interacted with objects in play with their parents, they created moments in which a single object was visually dominant. If parents named the object during these moments of bottom-up selectivity, later forced-choice tests showed that infants learned the name, but did not when naming occurred during a less visually selective moment. The momentary visual input for parents and toddlers was captured via head cameras placed low on each participant’s forehead as parents played with and named objects for their infant. Frame-by-frame analyses of the head camera images at and around naming moments were conducted to determine the visual properties at input that were associated with learning. The analyses indicated that learning occurred when bottom-up visual information was clean and uncluttered. The sensory-motor behaviors of infants and parents were also analyzed to determine how their actions on the objects may have created these optimal visual moments for learning. The results are discussed with respect to early word learning, embodied attention, and the social role of parents in early word learning.
Imaging of cerebrospinal fluid space and movement in mice using near infrared fluorescence.

Abstract We developed an optical method for imaging the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space and the movement of CSF in mice using a near infrared fluorescence imaging methodology. Indocyanine green bound to high-density lipoprotein (ICG-HDL) was injected into the lumber subarachnoid space of nude mice. The time course of CSF movement was followed over 48 h. The imaging system was configured for epi-fluorescence measurements at near infrared wavelengths using the illumination light and narrow band excitation filtration with central wavelength of 755 nm. Emission light was filtered with a longpass filter with a cutoff at 798 nm. After the injection of ICG-HDL, a strong fluorescence signal clearly delineated the cisterna magna, bilateral supracerebellar/cerebello-pontine angle cistern, and interhemispheric cistern. Much of the fluorescent tracer was washed out within 24 h after the injection. This study has therefore demonstrated that an optical method, employing near infrared fluorescence imaging, can determine the CSF space and the movement of CSF in nude mice.
Effects of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids senecionine, retrorsine and seneciphylline on aminopyrine N-demethylase activity of the rat liver s-10 fraction

Abstract The effects of individual pyrrolizidine alkaloids on the mixed-function oxidase (MFO) enzyme aminopyrine N -demethylase were determined in rat liver 10000 × g supernatant. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids, senecionine, seneciphylline and retrorsine were obtained from Senecio vulgaris . Senecionine and seneciphylline were found to be linear mixed-type inhibitors while retrorsine was found to be a competitive inhibitor of aminopyrine N -demethylase. The average K 1 's ± S.E. for senecionine, seneciphylline and retrorsine were 0.18 ± 0.02, 0.33 ± 0.06 and 0.92 ± 0.05 mM, respectively.
Static adhesion assay for the study of integrin activation in T lymphocytes.

T lymphocyte adhesion is required for multiple T cell functions, including migration to sites of inflammation and formation of immunological synapses with antigen presenting cells. T cells accomplish regulated adhesion by controlling the adhesive properties of integrins, a class of cell adhesion molecules consisting of heterodimeric pairs of transmembrane proteins that interact with target molecules on partner cells or extracellular matrix. The most prominent T cell integrin is lymphocyte function associated antigen (LFA)-1, composed of subunits αL and β2, whose target is the intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1. The ability of a T cell to control adhesion derives from the ability to regulate the affinity states of individual integrins. Inside-out signaling describes the process whereby signals inside a cell cause the external domains of integrins to assume an activated state. Much of our knowledge of these complex phenomena is based on mechanistic studies performed in simplified in vitro model systems. The T lymphocyte adhesion assay described here is an excellent tool that allows T cells to adhere to target molecules, under static conditions, and then utilizes a fluorescent plate reader to quantify adhesiveness. This assay has been useful in defining adhesion-stimulatory or inhibitory substances that act on lymphocytes, as well as characterizing the signaling events involved. Although described here for LFA-1 - ICAM-1 mediated adhesion; this assay can be readily adapted to allow for the study of other adhesive interactions (e.g. VLA-4 - fibronectin).
Stress Management Counseling: From crisis to prevention

Abstract The importance of developing preventive stress management interventions in major societal institutions is emphasised, with particular attention given to the schools and employment settings. The unique role that counseling psychology can assume in promoting preventive stress management interventions is discussed. Review of major stress theories and examples of interventions are presented.
Abstract 2769: Evaluation of PPP2R2A as a prostate cancer susceptibility gene: Comprehensive germline and somatic study

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL PPP2R2A, a gene mapped to 8p21.2, encodes α isoform of the regulatory B55 subfamily of the protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A). PP2A is one of the four major Ser/Thr phosphatases, and is implicated in the negative control of cell growth and division. Because of its known functions and its location within a chromosomal region where evidence for linkage and somatic loss of heterozygosity were found, we hypothesized that either germline sequence variants or somatic copy number changes in PPP2R2A may increase prostate cancer (PCa) risk. To address this, we first sequenced PPP2R2A in 96 probands of hereditary prostate cancer (HPC) families recruited at John Hopkins Hospital; each family had at least three first-degree relatives affected with prostate cancer. Twenty-five germ-line variants were identified in this analysis, including 15 known SNPs and 10 new sequence variants. Most new sequence variants were rare, except 2 new sequence variants with minor allele frequency (MAF) ≥ 0.05 (−482T/C MAF=0.072 and -78C/G MAF=0.058). Thereafter, it was less likely that these sequence variants of PPP2R2A would be co-segregated with PCa. Second, to see if there are any genetic variants in PPP2R2A associated with sporadic PCa, we analyzed 10 SNPs of 15 known SNPs that span the complete PPP2R2A gene in Cancer Genetic Markers of Susceptibility (CGEMS, 737 cases and 1,105 controls) and in Cancer of the Prostate in Sweden (CAPS, 498 cases and 494 controls) from a Sweden population, as genotypes of these 10 SNPs had already been available in both studies. No consistent significant differences in the allele and genotype frequencies were observed among these sporadic PCa cases and controls. Finally, we examined the deletion status in 141 clinical PCa samples from John Hopkins using Affymetrix 6.0 SNP arrays. With the allele-specific analysis of intensities from all paired tumor and normal tissue samples, it was found that PPP2R2A was commonly (67.1%) deleted in these tumor samples including a homozygous deletion in 3 tumors (2.1%). These results suggest that somatic deletion rather than germline sequence variants of PPP2R2A may play a more important role in prostate cancer susceptibility. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2769. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2769
Exploration and extraction in a duopoly-exhaustible resource market

Exploration for an exhaustible natural resource is valuable because it produces information about the resource stock. I model a duopoly-exhaustible resource industry with imperfect information about stock size as a two-period game, where each period is made up of an exploration stage and an extraction stage. I derive the value of gaining information about stock size prior to committing to an extraction plan both for the exploring firm and for the rival. I show that an exploring firm would prefer, on average, to keep exploration information private, but that industry profit is higher when information is made public. Le processus d'e-xploration et d'extraction dans un marche de ressource naturelle non- renouvelable oui il y a un duopole. Le processus d'exploration est utile parce qu'il permet de produire des renseignements quant a la taille du stock d'une ressource naturelle non- renouvelable. L'auteur examine un modele de duopole dans un jeu a deux p6riodes pour une industrie de ressource naturelle non-renouvelable; l'information est imparfaite quant a la taille du stock de resource et chacune des deux p6riodes a un stage d'exploration et un stage d'extraction. L'auteur d6rive la valeur de l'information additionnelle qujant a la taille du stock de ressource avant de s'etngager dans un plan d'extraction a la fois pour l'entreprise exploratrice et pour l'entreprise rivale. On montre que l'enterprise exploratrice va pr6f6rer, en moyenne, garder l'information priv6e mais que les profits dans l'industrie sont plus 6lev6s quand l'information est rendue publique.
Role of smart microgrid in a perfect power system

The demand for clean, reliable power is greater than ever. Global energy production is expected to increase 77% by 2030, and pending new demands for power from computers, communication systems, and electric vehicles threaten our outdated electric grid. The need for an effective, reliable and efficient means to deliver that new energy to meet new demands is near-critical. In addition, alarming issues related to global warming, uncertain gas prices, security of fossil fuel imports, and power blackouts have sparked additional interests in renewable energy to ensure that the electricity sector will continue to provide reliable and affordable energy to its customers. The integration of renewable supply into the electricity grid would enhance the social sustainability of energy infrastructure. However, such integration could inevitably result in a new electric supply risk on a significantly large scale associated with the security of the supply infrastructure. In such cases, microgrids which are fueled by renewable energy sources and managed by smart grid and a series of smart sensors could offer a perfect power system with higher reliabilities which would guide customers to lower their costs and utilize electricity more efficiently. The task of improving the efficiency and upgrading the resiliency of the electric grid, in order to support clean and renewable energy, is one we cannot let be exported or delegated overseas.
The Structure of Galois Algebras

Abstract Let B be a ring with 1 and G an automorphism group of B of order n for some integer n . It is shown that if B is a Galois algebra with Galois group G , then B is either a direct sum of central Galois algebras or a direct sum of central Galois algebras and a commutative Galois algebra. Moreover, when G is inner, B is either a direct sum of Azumaya projective group algebras or a direct sum of Azumaya projective group algebras and a commutative Galois algebra. Examples are given for these structures.
Design challenges for HIV-1 vaccines based on humoral immunity

Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) presents profound challenges to vaccine developers. Potential hurdles of relevance to the design of an effective HIV-1 vaccine based on humoral immunity include: (1) the exceptional rate of mutation of the viral genome due to an error-prone polymerase (i.e., reverse transcriptase) (1), (2) a relatively high rate of genomic recombination (2, 3), (3) both within-host and between-host evolution (4), (4) extensive glycosylation of the chief antigenic target (gp120) recognized by potentially protective antibodies (5, 6), (5) immunodominance of regions of the envelope glycoprotein that display a high degree of primary structure diversity (7) favoring the generation of neutralizing antibodies of narrow breadth, (6) a relatively low density of antigen spikes on the virion surface (8, 9) thereby minimizing multivalent antibody binding and perhaps raising the threshold affinity required for potent neutralization by at least some antibodies, (7) the ability of HIV to infect CD4+ T cells and other cells critical to functioning of the immune system, and deplete the numbers of these cells, and (8) perhaps most insidious, activation of CD4+ T cells, which is necessary for the generation of potent broadly neutralizing antibodies in response to immunization may simultaneously increase the number of cells susceptible to infection by HIV (10, 11). The scale of the antigenic diversity characterizing the HIV-1 envelope molecules, which are the primary targets of antibody-mediated immunity, is truly daunting. According to Korber et al. (1), the HIV-1 viral genomes in one infected individual encompass the same approximate extent of nucleotide sequence diversity that is exhibited by the worldwide population of influenza A viral genomes over the course of a year. While most HIV transmission events appear to trace back to a single virus, up to a quarter of infections may involve infection by two to five viruses (12). So, even if vaccine immunization elicits a robust antibody response, the probability that the antibodies circulating in the blood of a vaccinated individual will effectively neutralize or otherwise mediate immunity against all of the viruses mediating infection will be greatest if those antibodies are broadly neutralizing. In addition, due to rapid within-host evolution, substantially different viruses may be infecting different individuals in a large population. Therefore, antibodies generated by vaccination will need to be broadly neutralizing to achieve high levels of vaccine efficacy.
Spread of iontophoretically injected ions in a tissue.

Abstract Equations were developed for the spread of ions iontophoretically injected into a tissue, on the assumption that the material is transported by electrical forces. Corrections were made for the uptake by cellular elements and blood vessels of the injected material which tends to move through the extracellular spaces. The predictions made from these equations agreed with the dimensions of tissue changes produced in the rat's cerebral cortex by the iontophoretic injection of glutamate.
On the Hopf Term in a Two-Dimensional σ Model for Antiferromagnets

We discuss the possible topological terms in (2+1)d sigma models for antiferromagnets and point out errors in some of the ‘proofs’ of the nonexistence of the Hopf term.
Diastolic dysfunction is a feature of the antiphospholipid syndrome

Recurrent thrombi, thrombocytopenia, pregnancy loss, and stroke in association with medium to high concentrations of anticardiolipin antibodies are well-recognized features of antiphospholipid syndrome. Cardiac manifestations of primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) also have been documented but involve structural and valvular heart disease. Diastolic dysfunction in PAPS has not been well described. Therefore, 10 patients with PAPS (nine women and one man) of mean age 30 +/- 7 years (range 20 to 46 years) and 10 healthy age-, sex-, weight-, and height-matched control subjects were studied by echocardiography. Anticardiolipin antibody concentrations of patients with PAPS were > 80 immunoglobulin G phospholipid units as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Doppler-derived parameters of left ventricular filling showed a significant association between PAPS and diastolic dysfunction compared with control, as evidenced by a decrease in peak early filling velocity (52 +/- 10 cm/sec vs 67 +/- 12 cm/sec; p < 0.01), a decrease in the ratio of peak early to peak atrial filling velocities (1.03 +/- 0.40 vs 1.52 +/- 0.28; p < 0.005), a decrease in the mean deceleration rate of early filling (338 +/- 75 cm/sec2 vs 590 +/- 227 cm/sec2; p < 0.005), and an increase in the percentage of atrial contribution to filling and deceleration time. Left ventricular mass, diastolic filling time, and heart rate did not differ between groups. Left ventricular systolic function was normal and ejection fraction did not differ between patients with PAPS and control subjects (63% +/- 2% vs 65% +/- 7%; p not significant).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Enhancing undergraduate education in aerospace engineering and planetary sciences at MIT through the development of a CubeSat mission

CubeSats are a class of nanosatellites that conform to a standardized 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm, 1 kg form factor. This miniaturization, along with a standardized deployment device for launch vehicles, allows CubeSats to be launched at low cost by sharing the trip to orbit with other spacecraft. Part of the original motivation for the CubeSat platform was also to allow university students to participate more easily in space technology development and to gain hands-on experience with flight hardware. The Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics along with the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Studies (EAPS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently completed a three semester-long course that uses the development of a CubeSat-based science mission as its core teaching method. Serving as the capstone academic experience for undergraduates, the goal of this class is to design and build a CubeSat spacecraft that serves a relevant science function, such as the detection of exoplanets transiting nearby stars. This project-based approach gives students essential first hand insights into the challenges of balancing science requirements and engineering design. Students are organized into subsystem-specific teams that refine and negotiate requirements, explore the design trade space, perform modeling and simulation, manage interfaces, test subsystems, and finally integrate prototypes and flight hardware. In this work we outline the heritage of capstone design/build classes at MIT, describe the class format in greater detail, and give results on the ability to meet learning objectives using this pedagogical approach.
In situ identification of bacteria size by light scattering

Optical transmission and light scattering measurements were performed on three species of bacteria with different sizes and shapes (Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis). The average bacteria size was determined from transmission measurements by using the Gaussian Ray Approximation of Anomalous Diffraction Theory. A rescaled spectra combining multiple angular data was analyzed in the framework of the Rayleigh-Gans theory of light scattering in order to determine particle shape and size distribution. Particle size and shape as determined by both methods are in good agreement with size and shape measured by scanning electron microscopy. These results demonstrate that light scattering may be able to detect and identify microbial contamination in the environment.
The EPR spectrum of triplet excitions in crystalline pyrene

Abstract The room temperature EPR spectrum of triplet excitions in crystalline pyrene has been studied. Spin hamiltonian parameters have been obtained and from these the molecular fine structure constants are deduced assuming only monomeric sites. The correspondence between the latter and the directly measured values is taken to imply the absence of an excimeric contribution to the triplet exciton state.
SOLAR ENERGY FOR HEATING AND COOLING

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the use of solar energy for heating and cooling. Solar energy can play a major role for housing where conventional energy costs are high. Solar heating, hot water, and cooling systems can be broadly classified in two categories: (1) active solar systems and (2) passive solar systems. Active solar systems require electrically powered pumps or blowers to circulate the thermal transport fluids utilized by the system. Passive solar systems collect and utilize solar energy by natural means and do not involve the use of mechanical power to circulate the heat transport fluid. The thermal energy transfer in and out of the structure, in and out of the storage medium, and around and through the conditioned space is by natural means. Control elements such as vents and dampers are often incorporated into passive designs to permit the occupant to restrict the flow of thermal energy. In direct gain systems, the solar radiation enters through a window and directly strikes the floor or objects within the room that, in turn, are heated and heat the air within the room. The thermal inertia of the conditioned space helps store this heat for nighttime.
Optical-packet-switched interconnect for supercomputer applications[Invited]

Feature Issue on Optical Interconnection Networks (OIN). We describe a low-latency, high-throughput scalable optical interconnect switch for high-performance computer systems that features a broadcast-and-select architecture based on wavelength- and space-division multiplexing. Its electronic control architecture is optimized for low latency and high use. Our demonstration system will support 64 nodes with a line rate of 40 Gbit/s per node and operate on fixed-length packets with a duration of 51.2 ns using burst-mode receivers. We address the key system-level requirements and challenges for such applications.