cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A biomechanical analysis of industrial manual materials handlers.

Resultant forces and torques on the joints of 11 females were studied as the subjects performed two manual materials handling tasks in their industrial environment. The subject's activities were recorded by high speed (102 frames per second) 16mm cinematography and the data analysed by a static and dynamic biomechanical model. Statistically significant differences were found between the results of the static and dynamic analyses. Slower filming rates were simulated and were found to show fewer significant differences between the static and dynamic analysis as the data sampling rate decreased. A kinematic analysis of the experienced and inexperienced lifters revealed a great deal of intra-subject variability as well as inter-subject variability indicating that the subjects varied their motion patterns as they lifted or lowered several 14 kg loads. For submaximal tasks such a variation in lifting patterns would allow the subjects to develop muscular load sharing which would help reduce localized muscle fati...
Comparison of continuous and intermittent vibration effects on rat-tail artery and nerve.

Hand-transmitted vibration from powered-tools can cause peripheral vasospasm and neuropathy. A rat-tail model was used to investigate whether the pattern of vibration influenced the type and severity of tissue damage. The tails of awake rats were vibrated continuously or intermittently for a total of 4 hours at 60 HZ, 49 m/s2. Nerves and arteries were harvested immediately or 24 hours after treatment. Tails subjected to intermittent vibration showed transiently increased sensitivity to thermal stimuli. Intermittent vibration caused the most nerve injury immediately and 24 hours after vibration. Continuous vibration invoked a persistent reduction in vascular lumen size. Compared to epinephrine-induced transient vacuolation in vascular smooth muscle cells, both continuous and intermittent vibration caused greater persistence of vacuoles, indicating a vibration-induced pathological process. All vibration groups exhibited elevated nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity indicative of free-radical damage. Pattern of vibration exposure may exert a major influence on the type of vibration injury. Muscle Nerve, 2006
New semiregular divisible difference sets

Abstract We modify and generalize the construction by McFarland (1973) in two different ways to construct new semiregular divisible difference sets (DDSs) with λ 1 ≠ 0. The parameters of the DDS fall into a family of parameters found in Jungnickel (1982), where his construction is for divisible designs. The final section uses the idea of a K -matrix to find DDSs with a nonelementary abelian forbidden subgroup.
Fracture mechanics of a tension-shear macrocrack in rocks

Fracture in rocks is influenced by anisotropy and existence of faults. Fracture initiation and propagation is often under the combined presence of sliding and opening of preexisting cracks. Linear-elastic fracture-mechanics (LEFM) has been used as a model for describing the propagation of a main crack in materials such as rocks, concrete, ceramics, etc. However, the presence of the fracture process zone which includes interlocking of grains and ligament connections results in deviations from perfectly brittle behavior. These effects are more pronounced in mixed-mode fracture, which involves crack initiation under the combined presence of tension-shear or compression-shear stresses.
Electrophoretic enantiomer separations at high pH using the new, single-isomer octakis(2,3-dimethyl-6-O-sulfo)-γ-cyclodextrin as chiral resolving agent

The latest, single-isomer, sulfated γ-cyclodextrin, the sodium salt of octakis(2,3-dimethyl-6-O-sulfo)-γ-cyclodextrin that is stable in basic media was used to separate the enantiomers of neutral, weak acid and weak base analytes by capillary electrophoresis in high pH aqueous background electrolytes. The effective mobilities and separation selectivities were found to follow trends similar to those observed earlier in acidic aqueous background electrolytes. Octakis(2,3-dimethyl-6-O-sulfo)-γ-cyclodextrin proved to interact with all three analyte types less strongly than other single-isomer sulfated cyclodextrins do under comparable conditions.
Context-based similar words detection and its application in specialized search engines

This paper presents a new context-based method for automatic detection and extraction of similar and related words from texts. Finding similar words is a very important task for many NLP applications including anaphora resolution, document retrieval, text segmentation, and text summarization. Here we use word similarity to improve search quality for search engines in (general and) specific domains. Our method is based on rules for extracting the words in the neighborhood of a target word, then connecting this with the surroundings of other occurrences of the same word in the (training) text corpus. This is an on-going work, and is still under extensive testing. The preliminary results, however, are promising and encouraging more work in this direction.
Bacteriophage T4 resistance to lysis-inhibition collapse

Lysis inhibition is a mechanism of latent-period extension and burst-size increase that is induced by the T4 bacteriophage adsorption of T4-infected cells. Mutants of T4 genes imm, sp and 5 (specifically the ts1 mutant of 5) display some lysis inhibition. However, these mutants experience lysis-inhibition collapse, the lysis of lysis-inhibited cells, earlier than wild-type-infected cells (i.e. their collapse occurs prematurely). Lysis from without is a lysis induced by excessive T4 adsorption. Gp5 is an inducer of lysis from without while gpimm and gpsp effect resistance to lysis from without. This paper shows that interfering with the adsorption of phages to imm-, sp- or 5ts1-mutant-infected cells, in a variety of contexts, inhibits premature lysis-inhibition collapse. From these data it is inferred that wild-type T4-infected cells display resistance to lysis-inhibition collapse by a mechanism resembling resistance to lysis from without.
A non-induction renal sparing approach after liver transplantation: high dose mycophenolate mofetil with delayed, low-dose tacrolimus.

Abstract Background Approaches to preserve renal function after liver transplantation (OLT), such as the delayed use of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI), may reduce the need for postoperative renal replacement therapy (RRT) or simultaneous liver–kidney transplantation (SLK). Methods An 1:1 analysis was performed comparing 1-year outcomes of patients with pre-OLT renal dysfunction receiving a renal-sparing approach (RS): MMF (3 g/d), steroids, and delayed tacrolimus (TAC) (day 3 post-OLT; trough, 5–8 ng/mL) versus SLK: MMF (2 g/d), steroids, and immediate TAC (trough 10–12 ng/mL). Results In 84 OLT recipients (42 RS, 42 SLK) Model for End-Stage Liver Disease and creatinine were similar at OLT, with improved creatinine at 1 year (all P P > .05). However, the RS patients had a higher rate of death in those requiring preoperative RRT (7/10 RRT vs 5/32 no RRT; P P = .04), of which there was a comparably higher death rate than those not needing postoperative RRT. Conclusion This noninduction, RS protocol is effective in patients not on pre-OLT RRT. Patients on RRT pre-OLT should be considered for more aggressive renal sparing approaches (induction therapy with more delayed CNI initiation or SLK).
Diagenetic fate of organic contaminants on the Palos Verdes Shelf, California

Municipal wastes discharged through deepwater submarine outfalls since 1937 have contaminated sediments of the Palos Verdes Shelf. A site approximately 6–8 km downcurrent from the outfall system was chosen for a study of the diagenetic fate of organic contaminants in the waste-impacted sediments. Concentrations of three classes of hydrophobic organic contaminants (DDT+metabolites, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and the long-chain alkylbenzenes) were determined in sediment cores collected at the study site in 1981 and 1992. Differences between the composition of effluent from the major source of DDT (Montrose Chemical) and that found in sediments suggests that parent DDT was transformed by hydrolytic dehydrochlorination during the earliest stages of diagenesis. As a result, p,p′-DDE is the dominant DDT metabolite found in shelf sediments, comprising 60–70% of ΣDDT. The p,p-DDE/p,p′-DDMU concentration ratio decreases with increasing sub-bottom depth in sediment cores, indicating that reductive dechlorination of p,p′-DDE is occurring. Approximately 9–23% of the DDE inventory in the sediments may have been converted to DDMU since DDT discharges began ca. 1953. At most, this is less than half of the decline in p,p′-DDE inventory that has been observed at the study site for the period 1981–1995. Most of the observed decrease is attributable to remobilization by processes such as sediment mixing coupled to resuspension, contaminant desorption, and current advection. Existing field data suggest that the in situ rate of DDE transformation is 102–103 times slower than rates determined in recent laboratory microcosm experiments (Quensen, J.F., Mueller, S.A., Jain, M.K., Tiedje, J.M., 1998. Reductive dechlorination of DDE to DDMU in marine sediment microcosms. Science, 280, 722–724.). This explains why the DDT composition (i.e. o,p′-, p,p′-isomers of DDE, DDD, DDT) of sediments from this site have not changed significantly since at least 1972. Congener-specific PCB compositions in shelf sediments are highly uniform and show no evidence of diagenetic transformation. Apparently, the agents/factors responsible for reductive dechlorination of DDE are not also effecting alteration of the PCBs. Two types of long-chain alkylbenzenes were found in the contaminated sediments. Comparison of chain length and isomer distributions of the linear alkylbenzenes in wastewater effluent and surficial sediment samples indicate that these compounds undergo biodegradation during sedimentation. Further degradation of the linear alkylbenzenes occurs after burial despite relatively invariant isomer compositions. The branched alkylbenzenes are much more persistent than the linear alkylbenzenes, presumably due to extensive branching of the alkyl side chain. Based on these results, p,p′-DDE, PCBs, and selected branched alkylbenzenes are sufficiently persistent for use in molecular stratigraphy. The linear alkylbenzenes may also provide information on depositional processes. However, their application as quantitative molecular tracers should be approached with caution.
Probing the Mechanism of Action and Decomposition of Amino Acid Phosphomonoester Amidates of Antiviral Nucleoside Prodrugs

The decomposition pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the in vitro anti-HIV-1 activity of the structurally similar 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) phosphoramidates 1-6 and 3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine (FLT) phosphoramidates 7-10 are reported. The AZT phosphoramidates exhibited no cytotoxicity toward CEM cells at concentrations as high as 100 microM, whereas the FLT phosphoramidates 9 and 10 had CC50 values of 95.6 and 35.1 microM, respectively. All 10 compounds exhibited no cytotoxicity toward PBMCs at concentrations as high as 100 microM and were effective at inhibiting viral replication. In particular, the AZT phosphomonoester amidate 4 displayed comparable antiviral activity to the parent nucleoside analog AZT. Mechanistic studies on the amino acid carbomethoxy ester phosphomonoester amidates revealed that their decomposition pathway differs from that of amino acid carbomethoxy ester aryl phosphodiester amidates of nucleotide prodrugs. AZT phosphomonoester amidates are internalized by lymphocytes to the same extent as AZT by a nonsaturable process. In lymphocytes, the amino acid carbomethoxy ester phosphomonoester amidates of AZT are not significantly metabolized to either AZT or the mono-, di-, or triphosphate of AZT. The amount of active anabolite, AZT-5'-triphosphate, formed in PBMCs incubated with the AZT phosphomonoester amidates 3 and 4 was 2- and 3-fold less than that observed after treatment with AZT, respectively. In contrast, FLT phosphomonoester amidates are rapidly converted to FLT-5'-monophosphate by a process that is antagonized by the corresponding AZT derivative 4. These results suggest that the metabolism of aromatic amino acid carbomethoxy ester phosphomonoester amidate nucleotide prodrugs by PBMCs does not require prior conversion to the corresponding carboxylic acid before proceeding to P-N bond cleavage.
On coloring graphs with locally small chromatic number

In 1973, P. Erdos conjectured that for eachke2, there exists a constantc k so that ifG is a graph onn vertices andG has no odd cycle with length less thanc k n 1/k , then the chromatic number ofG is at mostk+1. Constructions due to Lovasz and Schriver show thatc k , if it exists, must be at least 1. In this paper we settle Erdos’ conjecture in the affirmative. We actually prove a stronger result which provides an upper bound on the chromatic number of a graph in which we have a bound on the chromatic number of subgraphs with small diameter.
Lambda functions for C++0x

A "functional" style of programming has become common in C++, following the introduction of the "Standard Template Library" (STL) into C++'s standard library. C++ is, however, notably lacking in its support for this style and thus cannot take full advantage of its own standard libraries. C++'s mechanisms for defining functions or objects to pass to STL algorithms are overly verbose. The effective use of modern C++ libraries calls for lambda functions in the language.This paper describes a design and implementation of built-in lambda functions for C++. C++'s compilation model, where activation records are maintained in a stack, and the lack of automatic object lifetime management, make safe lambda functions and closures challenging: if a closure outlives its scope of definition, references stored in a closure dangle. Our design is careful to balance between conciseness of syntax and explicit annotations to guarantee safety.Lambda functions can be declared without annotating their parameter types. C++0x, the forthcoming revision of standard C++, supports constrained templates and modular type checking. We describe how to infer parameter types of lambda functions from the constraints of generic functions in order to support modular type checking in the presence of lambda functions. Our design is currently under consideration for adoption to C++0x.
Autophagosome Formation during Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection following Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and the Unfolded Protein Response

Autophagy is a recently recognized component of the life cycle of varicella-zoster virus (VZV). We have documented abundant autophagosome formation in skin vesicles (final site of virion assembly) from randomly selected cases of varicella and zoster. The fact that autophagy was an early event in the VZV replication cycle was documented by finding infected vesicle cells with the VZV IE62 protein confined to the nucleus. Next, we pursued studies in VZV-infected cultured cells to define whether autophagy was preceded by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). First, we demonstrated that autophagosome formation in infected cells closely resembled that seen after treatment of cells with tunicamycin, a potent initiator of ER stress. Second, we demonstrated a marked expansion of ER size in both VZV-infected cells and cells transfected with the predominant VZV glycoprotein complex gE/gI. An enlarged ER is critical evidence of ER stress, which in turn is relieved by the UPR. To this end, we documented the UPR by detecting the alternatively spliced form of the XBP1 protein as well as CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein), both transcriptional activators of other UPR genes in an ER stress-dependent manner. Because VZV does not encode inhibitors of autophagy, the above results suggested that autophagy was a common event in VZV-infected cells and that it was provoked at least in part by ER stress secondary to overly abundant VZV glycoprotein biosynthesis, which led to UPR activation in an attempt to maintain cellular homeostasis.
THE KINETICS OF PENETRATION : VI. SOME FACTORS AFFECTING PENETRATION.

Some of the factors affecting penetration in living cells may be advantageously studied in models in which the organic salts KG and NaG diffuse from an aqueous solution A, through a non-aqueous layer B (representing the protoplasmic surface) into an aqueous solution C (representing the sap and hence called artificial sap) where they react with CO(2) to form KHCO(3) and NaHCO(3). Their relative proportions in C depend chiefly on the partition coefficients and on the diffusion constants in the non-aqueous layer. But the ratio is also affected by other variables, among which are the following: 1. Temperature, affecting diffusion constants and partition coefficients and altering the thickness of the unstirred layers by changing viscosity. 2. Viscosity (especially in the non-aqueous layers) which depends on temperature and the presence of solutes. 3. Rate of stirring, which affects the thickness of the unstirred layers and the transport of electrolyte in those that are stirred. 4. Shape and surface area of the non-aqueous layer. 5. Surface forces. 6. Reactions occurring at the outer surface such as loss of water by the electrolyte or its molecular association in the non-aqueous phase. The reverse processes will occur at the inner surface and here also combinations with acids or other substances in the "artificial sap" may occur. 7. Outward diffusion from the artificial sap. The outward movement of KHCO(3) and NaHCO(3) is small compared with the inward movement of KG and NaG when the concentrations are equal. This is because the partition coefficients(3) of the bicarbonates are very low as compared with those of NaG and KG. Since CO(2) and HCO(3) (-) diffuse into A and combine with KG and NaG the inward movement of potassium and sodium falls off in proportion as the concentration of KG and NaG is lessened. 8. Movement of water into the non-aqueous phase and into the artificial sap. This may have a higher temperature coefficient than the penetration of electrolytes. 9. Variation of the partition coefficients with concentration and pH. Many of these variables may occur in living cells. (It happens that the range of variation in the ratio of potassium to sodium in the models resembles that found in Valonia.).
A plasmonic subwavelength aperture array for polarimetric and multispectral imaging

We report on a new plasmonic aperture array that utilizes polarization-selective excitation of surface plasmon waves in periodic nanoslits for multispectral and polarimetric imaging. The demonstrated array exhibits polarization-selective of enhanced optical transmission.
Balancing Survival and Extinction in Nonautonomous Competitive Lotka-Volterra Systems

Abstract We generalise and unify some recent results about extinction in n th-order nonautonomous competitive Lotka-Volterra systems. For each r ≤ n , we show that if the coefficients are continuous, bounded by strictly positive constants, and satisfy certain inequalities, then any solution with strictly positive initial values has the property that n − r of its components vanish, whilst the remaining r components asymptotically approach a canonical solution of an r -dimensional restricted system. In other words, r of the species being modeled survive whilst the remaining n − r are driven to extinction.
Expression, purification and comparative characterisation of enzymatically deactivated recombinant botulinum neurotoxin type A

Botulinum Neurotoxin (BoNT) is responsible for botulism, a severe and often deadly disease. Light chain of BoNT behaves as endopeptidase, cleaving the SNARE proteins, and inhibits the neurotransmitter release. A double-mutant E224A/E262A full-length BoNT Type A was successfully cloned and expressed in E. coli. The purified protein lacks the endopeptidase activity involved in the toxic action, and is structurally compatible with the native BoNT/A. Thus this molecule not only can be used as a safe surrogate for study of BoNT, but also can be potentially used as an antidote against botulism, and as a vaccine candidate for botulism.
Interpretations of ‘appropriate’ minority inclusion in clinical research

The range of possible interpretations of the phrase "appropriate representation" has left investigators struggling with the practical application of the National Institutes of Health guidelines on the inclusion of minorities in research. At least three goals might be reached by including minorities in clinical research: to test specific hypotheses about differences by race and ethnicity; to generate hypotheses about possible differences by race and ethnicity; and to ensure the just distribution of the benefits and burdens of participation in research, regardless of whether there are expected differences in outcome by race or ethnicity. In this paper, we describe possible interpretations of "appropriate representation," as well as provide a general approach that investigators might use to address this issue. To expand scientific knowledge about the health of minority populations, investigators should be expected to state which goal they have selected and why that goal is appropriate as compared with other possible goals.
Elevated CO 2 interacts with herbivory to alter chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf temperature in Betula papyrifera and Populus tremuloides

Herbivory can influence ecosystem productivity, but recent evidence suggests that damage by herbivores modulates potential productivity specific to damage type. Because productivity is linked to photosynthesis at the leaf level, which in turn is influenced by atmospheric CO2 concentrations, we investigated how different herbivore damage types alter component processes of photosynthesis under ambient and elevated atmospheric CO2. We examined spatial patterns in chlorophyll fluorescence and the temperature of leaves damaged by leaf-chewing, gall-forming, and leaf-folding insects in aspen trees as well as by leaf-chewing insects in birch trees under ambient and elevated CO2 at the aspen free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) site in Wisconsin. Both defoliation and gall damage suppressed the operating efficiency of photosystem II (ΦPSII) in remaining leaf tissue, and the distance that damage propagated into visibly undamaged tissue was marginally attenuated under elevated CO2. Elevated CO2 increased leaf temperatures, which reduced the cooling effect of gall formation and freshly chewed leaf tissue. These results provide mechanistic insight into how different damage types influence the remaining, visibly undamaged leaf tissue, and suggest that elevated CO2 may reduce the effects of herbivory on the primary photochemistry controlling photosynthesis.
Organizational value contention and managerial mindsets

This paper focuses on the differing ways in which organizations send conflicting signals, in the form of contending organizational values, to their managers regarding the appropriate behavior in a given situation, and the impact that this has on the manager's decision-making process. It posits the existence of three different types of organizational value contention and examines their influence on the resulting patterns of sense-making and behavior evident in the manager's responses, based upon interview data from a cross-section of managers in two organizations.
Statistical representation of generalized distribution data for float-sink coal-cleaning devices: Sand cones

Abstract An earlier paper by this writer presented a method for combining distribution data for float-sink coal-cleaning devices into a single, generalized distribution curve which is independent of the specific gravity of separation. A nonlinear exponential-type equation was used to represent each of the curves and to determine the corresponding generalized probable error. Performance data for five common coal-cleaning devices were analyzed using this method. In this paper the method is applied to another common coal-cleaning device — the sand cone. Numerical values are presented for the constants in the exponential-type generalized distribution equation and for the corresponding generalized probable error. Several different feed size-fractions are considered.
An audio watermarking method using a two-dimensional pseudo-random array

In this paper, we describe a multiple-bit audio watermarking method which is robust against wow-and-flutter, random sample cropping, and pitch shifting. Though these processings are easy to perform, they are difficult for audio watermarks to survive, because they introduce mis-synchronization between the embedded and detection watermarks. Our main ideas against these mis-synchronization attacks are a two-dimensional pseudo-random array (PRA), magnitude modification, and non-linear subbands. The embedding algorithm modifies the magnitudes of segmented areas in the time-frequency plane of the content, according to a two-dimensional pseudo-random array, while the detection algorithm correlates the magnitudes with the PRA. The two-dimensional array makes the watermark robust against cropping because, even when some portions of the content are heavily degraded, other portions of the content can match the PRA and contribute to watermark detection. Secondly, the magnitude modification enables detection even from displaced detection windows. This is because magnitudes are less influenced than phases by fluctuations of the analysis windows caused by random cropping. The last idea, wider bandwidths at higher frequencies, keeps the correspondence of the embedded and detection PRA even for pitch-shifted content. We theoretically and experimentally analyze the robustness of the proposed algorithm against a variety of signal degradations.
Sodium restriction increases aldosterone biosynthesis by increasing late pathway, but not early pathway, messenger ribonucleic acid levels and enzyme activity in normotensive rats.

To determine whether changes in dietary sodium intake modify the early and/or late pathways of aldosterone biosynthesis, we studied in Sprague-Dawley rats the effect of sodium restriction on early (conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone) and late (conversion of corticosterone to aldosterone) pathway activity and on the mRNA levels for the enzymes regulating these steps. Sodium restriction increased basal and angiotensin-II-stimulated aldosterone output from isolated zona glomerulosa cells by 5- to 9-fold. This increase in aldosterone output did not appear to be due to changes in the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone or in the mRNA levels of the early pathway enzyme, cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P-450. In contrast, sodium restriction increased the conversion of corticosterone to aldosterone 10-fold and increased by over 10-fold the mRNA levels of the late pathway enzyme aldosterone synthase. Sodium restriction had no effect on zona glomerulosa levels of 11 beta-hydroxylase mRNA. In...
An optimization model for locating fuel treatments across a landscape to reduce expected fire losses

Locating fuel treatments with scarce resources is an important consideration in landscape-level fuel management. This paper developed a mixed integer programming (MIP) model for allocating fuel tre...
Influence of acidic pH on hydrogen and acetate production by an electrosynthetic microbiome

Production of hydrogen and organic compounds by an electrosynthetic microbiome using electrodes and carbon dioxide as sole electron donor and carbon source, respectively, was examined after exposure to acidic pH (∼ 5). Hydrogen production by biocathodes poised at -600 mV vs. SHE increased >100-fold and acetate production ceased at acidic pH, but ∼ 5-15 mM (catholyte volume)/day acetate and >1,000 mM/day hydrogen were attained at pH ∼ 6.5 following repeated exposure to acidic pH. Cyclic voltammetry revealed a 250 mV decrease in hydrogen overpotential and a maximum current density of 12.2 mA/cm2 at -765 mV (0.065 mA/cm2 sterile control at -800 mV) by the Acetobacterium-dominated community. Supplying -800 mV to the microbiome after repeated exposure to acidic pH resulted in up to 2.6 kg/m3/day hydrogen (≈ 2.6 gallons gasoline equivalent), 0.7 kg/m3/day formate, and 3.1 kg/m3/day acetate ( = 4.7 kg CO2 captured).
Recombinant human interleukin 1β induces production of prostaglandins in primary human fetal astrocytes and immortalized human fetal astrocyte cultures

Abstract Astrocytes play an important role in initiating and modulating inflammatory responses within the central nervous system. Extensive studies in rodents have shown that TPA, substance P, calcium ionophore A21387, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induce formation and release of arachidonic acid metabolites which have immunoregulatory properties. To better understand the immunopathology of brain injury, we studied the role of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL) 6, IL-2, interferon γ and IL-1β in the production of arachidonic acid metabolites in cells from fetal human brain. Among these cytokines, only IL-1β significantly stimulated production of prostaglandins E 2 and F 2α but not PGD 2 , thromboxane B 2 and 6-keto-PGF 1α . Under our experimental conditions, these astrocyte cultures did not produce metabolites in the lipoxygenase pathway such as leukotrienes B 4 and C 4 upon IL-1β stimulation. The stimulatory effects of IL-1β on the induction of arachidonic acid metabolites have been studied in various human cell types but not in astrocytes. Human astrocyte production of PGF 2α and PGE 2 but not PGD 2 , 6-keto-PGF 1α and TXB 2 when stimulated by IL-1β, is thus a novel finding. This observation should initiate investigations into the mechanism of arachidonic acid metabolism and the role of its metabolites in inflammation in the human nervous system.
Examination of the retention behavior of underivatized profen enantiomers on cyclodextrin silica stationary phases

The separation of the enantiomers of five widely used profen-type non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents: fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen was studied using four commercially available cyclodextrin silica stationary phases operated in the reversed-phase mode. The retention behavior of all profens was similar on all the cyclodextrin silica stationary phases studied, but the chiral selectivities differed significantly. Complete separation was achieved for the enantiomers of ibuprofen, flurbiprofen and naproxen.
Evolving N-person social dilemma strategies to resolve questions on participation in climate change programs

This paper describes an N-person social dilemma game created to study how climate change agreement strategies develop. The players in this game are trying to collect a target amount for a climate fund. Players fall into three categories: cooperators who contribute their fair share, altruists who contribute more than their fair share and defectors who contribute nothing. In all cases we would evolve a set of player strategies that collected the target sum (−0%/+0.5%). Our results indicate defection is a preferred strategy, but group-level reciprocity or non-altruistic punishment from a third party can dramatically increase levels of cooperation.
Nonclinical regulatory considerations for wound-healing growth factors

Initial evaluation of the safety of wound-healing growth factors, whether manufactured by biotechnology or not, is dictated by the extent of knowledge of the physiologic, pharmacologic, and toxicologic effects, in vitro and in vivo in animals, and in man at the proposed dose and duration of administration. Prior to Phase 1 clinical study, products are studied to establish evidence of pharmacologic activity, understand the mechanism of action, evaluate the potential human risk, and establish a clinical study dose range. It is difficult to establish a generic plan and generic protocols for the preclinical development of wound-healing growth factors because the toxicologic concerns and suggested studies are tailored to the uniqueness of each product. The quantity of useful information which can be gained from preclinical studies is considered for each product on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the availability of a relevant model. Preliminary information regarding (1) production of the active moiety, (2) ingredients in the final formulation as it is to be marketed, (3) characterization of the growth factor, (4) the proposed dose and route of administration, (5) the known actions and effects, (6) the similarity to the endogenous growth factors, and (7) the proposed target clinical study population is needed to determine the most appropriate preclinical pharmacological and toxicologic studies. Use of this information and additional data relating the pharmacokinetic and toxicologic profiles will be discussed with respect to generalizations in study concepts for pharmacology and toxicology studies and individualization of these preclinical studies which may occur, based upon the uniqueness of the compound.
Modeling of Early Stages of Formation of Poly-CO

We studied the early stages of polymerization of CO under pressure. We performed DFT simulations of 128 and 432 atom models. Structures of random networks found at zero temperature were used for equilibration at 100 K by employing first principles MD. We found that the polymerization begins at 7 − 8 GPa and slightly depends on the size of the model. It turned out that there are several metastable phases of the extended CO solid, corresponding to different compression pressures from 7 − 8 GPa to 15−18 GPa with different numbers of CO fragments, not connected to the random network. We also found that the transition to the phases is irreversible which results in hysteresis loops. Random network structures obtained, say, under 18 GPa could exist at 3 GPa, whereas compression to 3 GPa results in the delta phase of CO crystal, with intact CO fragments and minor distortion of the cubic phase. To analyze the random structure fragments we calculated normal modes and IR intensities using the dipole approximation. Contributions from the main motifs of the random network are identified and compared with experimental IR measurements.
A pH-measuring radio capsule for the alimentary canal.

Merits of a new telemetering system designed to measure pH in the gastrointestinal tract are briefly discussed in conjunction with present technics. In vitro evaluation of the Corning Acido Capsule system includes (a) temperature stability measurements, (b) speed of response to abrupt changes in pH, (c) accuracy of pH indication in the range of pH 1 to pH 8, and (d) long-term stability of the system. The data show that the pH determination is accurate to ± 0.2 pH units for tests lasting up to 18 hours. Preliminary in vivo evaluations indicate that the capsule system provides a convenient and accurate method of measuring hydrogen-ion activity in the alimentary canal, and suggest further in vivo evaluation of the system.
The effects of CO2 on growth and transpiration of radish (Raphanus sativus) in hypobaria

Abstract Plants grown on long-term space missions will likely be grown in low pressure environments (i.e., hypobaria). However, in hypobaria the transpiration rates of plants can increase and may result in wilting if the water is not readily replaced. It is possible to reduce transpiration by increasing the partial pressure of CO 2 (pCO 2 ), but the effects of pCO 2 at high levels (>120 Pa) on the growth and transpiration of plants in hypobaria are not known. Therefore, the effects of pCO 2 on the growth and transpiration of radish ( Raphanus sativus var. Cherry Bomb II) in hypobaria were studied. The fresh weight (FW), leaf area, dry weight (DW), CO 2 assimilation rates (C A ), dark respiration rates (DR), and transpiration rates from 26 day-old radish plants that were grown for an additional seven days at different total pressures (33, 66 or 101 kPa) and pCO 2 (40 Pa, 100 Pa and 180 Pa) were measured. In general, the dry weight of plants increased with CO 2 enrichment and with lower total pressure. In limiting pCO 2 (40 Pa) conditions, the transpiration for plants grown at 33 kPa was approximately twice that of controls (101 kPa total pressure with 40 Pa pCO 2 ). Increasing the pCO 2 from 40 Pa to 180 Pa reduced the transpiration rates for plants grown in hypobaria and in standard atmospheric pressures. However, for plants grown in hypobaria and high pCO 2 (180 Pa) leaf damage was evident. Radish growth can be enhanced and transpiration reduced in hypobaria by enriching the gas phase with CO 2 although at high levels leaf damage may occur.
The effect of glutamate antagonists on c-fos expression induced in spinal neurons by irritation of the lower urinary tract.

Chemical irritation of the lower urinary tract (LUT) of the rat increases the expression of c-fos in neurons in the dorsal horn, dorsal commissure and intermediolateral region of the spinal cord. The role of glutamatergic synapses in this response was examined using two glutamate receptor antagonists, MK-801 (an NMDA antagonist) and CNQX (an AMPA antagonist). In rats with an intact spinal cord, MK-801 (3.5 mg/kg, i.v.) administered 15 min before bladder irritation decreased (50-60%) the number of c-fos-positive cells in all regions of the cord. A smaller dose of MK-801 (0.8 mg/kg, i.v.) was ineffective. In spinal transected rats (4-7 days prior to the experiment) MK-801 (3.5 mg/kg, i.v.) decreased c-fos expression only in the medial dorsal horn. CNQX (1.2 mg/kg, i.v.) was ineffective in both preparations. These results indicate that activation of NMDA receptors at glutamate synapses in the central nervous system may play a role in the processing of nociceptive input from the LUT and may also be involved in reflex pathways mediating micturition.
Individual Agency, the Ordinary, and Postmodern Life

The postmodern challenge to sociological notions of individual agency assails its experiential substantiality, conveying agency instead in philosophically abstract terms and fleeting media images. ...
Towards automated optimization, multidimensional parametrization, and synthesis with electromagnetic solvers in electronic packaging and RF circuit design

High-speed applications in radio frequency, mixed-signal, and digital packaged electronics now necessitate the use of 3D, full-wave electromagnetic field solvers. The widely varied applications now involved in System-in-Package (SiP), System-on-Chip (SoC), Package-on-Package (PoP), three-dimensional integrated circuit (3DIC) technology including through-Silicon vias (TSVs) range from design and verification of the power delivery network (PDN), signal integrity and channel modeling of high-speed serial and parallel links, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radiation, simultaneous switching noise (SSN), and voltage drop and ground bounce modeling amongst others. In addition, designers need to co-design chip I/O, packages, and board subsections nearly simultaneously in order to satisfy system-level signal integrity (SI), power integrity (PI), and EMI constraints. EM field solution is needed not merely in the complete verification of such systems but also in early design. Unfortunately, most EM simulators continue to be verification tools, merely masquerading as design tools. In this paper we discuss the challenges and needs associated with EM-aware design. In particular, we focus on digital microelectronics packages and RF frontend integrated circuits. We discuss how multidimensional parametrization, optimization, and synthesis need to be taken into account while creating simulator flows that will enable early design.
Sequence of U1 RNA from Drosophila melanogaster: implications for U1 secondary structure and possible involvement in splicing

U1 RNA from cultured Drosophila melanogaster cells (Kc) was identified by its ability to be recognized, as an RNP, by anti-(U1)RNP antibodies from human lupus patients. Its sequence was deduced largely from direct analysis of the RNA molecule and then confirmed by DNA sequence determinations on a genomic clone isolated by hybridization to Drosophila U1 RNA. The Drosophila U1 RNA sequence exhibits 72% agreement with human U1 RNA. Nucleotides 3-11, which are complementary to the entire consensus sequence for donor (5') splice junctions in hnRNA, and to part of the acceptor (3') consensus, are exactly conserved. However, nucleotides 14-21, postulated to interact only with acceptor junctions, differ. Comparison of the Drosophila U1 sequence with vertebrate U1 sequences allows a particular secondary structure model to be preferred over others. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that U1 snRNPs are involved in splicing, but suggest specific modifications of the model detailing molecular interactions between U1 RNA and hnRNA during the splicing reaction.
THE TIMING AND MECHANISMS OF THE OFFENDING-DEPRESSION LINK*

Why is juvenile delinquency associated with depression in young adulthood? One possibility is that delinquency interferes with socioeco-nomic attainment and disrupts entry into adult roles, perhaps because of official labeling processes or adolescent socialization into deviance, and these repercussions of delinquency lead to depression. Another possibility is that grown delinquents may show high levels of depression because they tend to offend in adulthood, and adult offenders tend to be depressed. I use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to examine the timing and mechanisms of the offending-depression relationship. The results suggest that delinquency is negatively associated with later status attainment and that the status attainment deficits of grown delinquents are not fully explained by justice system contacts or by adolescent delinquent peer influence. A portion of the longitudinal delinquency-depression link is explained by the low levels of education of grown delinquents and by their involvement with the justice system. Still, young adult depression is more closely tied to recent offending than it is to juvenile delinquency, official labeling, or the status attainment consequences of delinquency.
Diel variation in the abundance and composition of the predator assemblages feeding on aphid-infested soybean

Many predatory arthropods are nocturnal, yet the potential contribution of nocturnal predators to biological control is often overlooked. The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, has emerged as a significant pest of soybean in the North Central US. Soybean aphid biological control research has focused on diurnal predators. Here, we used video cameras to continuously monitor soybean plants infested with soybean aphids, compare the diurnal and nocturnal predator communities on those plants, and assess predator activity during different times of day. Different predator communities were observed being active on soybean during day and night. Coccinellids and anthocorids dominated the diurnal predator community, while Opiliones and Araneae dominated the nocturnal predator community. Nocturnal and diurnal predators were recorded being active for similar rates per hour. Future research is needed to clarify the significance of arachnid predators and other nocturnal generalists to soybean aphid biocontrol.
An electro-optic holographic technique for the measurement of the components of the strain tensor on three-dimensional object surfaces

An electro-optic holographic technique (also called electronic speckle pattern interferometry or TV holography) for the measurement of displacements and strains on three-dimensional object surfaces is presented. The three components of the displacement vector, in a fixed coordinate system, are separated using four independent illumination beams. The interferometric phase for each illumination beam is extracted using the phase stepping technique. Displacements in the fixed coordinate system are projected on to the object surface using the tensor transformation law. Equations for the computation of surface strains using the projected displacements and the surface geometry are developed. The technique is applied for the measurement of strains on the surface of a cylindrical vessel subjected to internal pressure.
The coherent anomaly method applied to a variety of Ising models

Abstract The coherent anomaly method of Suzuki is used to obtain values of the critical exponents γ and β for ferromagnetic nearest-neighbor Ising models on a wide variety of lattices in two, three, four, and higher dimensions. In addition values for γ and β were obtained for higher spin systems. Together these results further support the coherent anomaly method.
A New Kid on the TGFβ Block: TAZ Controls Smad Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling

A recent study from Varelas et al. in Nature Cell Biology reveals a role for the transcriptional regulator TAZ in TGFβ signaling. Not only does TAZ couple phospho-Smads to the transcriptional machinery, it is also essential for their nuclear accumulation.
Thermal denaturation of lobster hemocyanin.

Abstract 1. 1. A procedure for the determination of heat denaturation of hemocyanin by means of changes in specific refractive increment has been presented. The method possesses the advantage of requiring a small volume (0.1 ml) of solution for analysis. 2. 2. Denaturation was found to follow first order kinetics and yielded an activation energy of 80,960 cal mol −1 . 3. 3. The rate of denaturation of hemocyanin at constant temperature varied inversely as the first power of the hydrogen ion concentration, suggesting a dissociation of one proton in the range of pH studied. 4. 4. Thermodynamic analogues based upon the theory of absolute reaction rates were calculated from the data. Approximate values of ΔF ∗ , ΔH ∗ , and ΔS ∗ were found to be approximately 20,700 cal mol −1 , 80,000 cal mol −1 and 175 cal degree −1 , respectively.
Studying Timing Analysis on the Internet with SubRosa

Timing analysis poses a significant threat to anonymity systems that wish to support low-latency applications like Web browsing, instant messaging, and Voice over IP (VoIP). Research into timing analysis so far has been done through simulations or unrealistic local area networks. We developed SubRosa, an experimental platform for studying timing analysis attacks and defenses in low-latency anonymity systems. We present results of experiments on PlanetLab, a globally distributed network testbed. Our experiments validate the major conclusions, but not the detailed results, obtained by prior simulation studies. We also propose a new lightweight defense based on the principles of mix design called ?-buffering and show the limitations of this approach. Finally, motivated by our experimental results, we introduce spike analysis, a new timing analysis technique that takes advantage of unusual delays in a stream to substantially reduce errors over prior techniques.
The Impact of a Cultural Immersion Study Abroad Experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Study abroad programs have increased dramatically. Most programs are short-term and include a cultural immersion as well as classroom and/or service learning. In this article, the authors discuss a study abroad program to China that included cultural immersion and classroom learning specific to traditional Chinese medicine. Participants kept journals with specific writing assignments and reflections about their experiences during the trip. At the conclusion of the trip, a qualitative survey was administered to the participants. Outcomes included the benefits of cultural immersion and a greater appreciation of cultural diversity, complementary and alternative medicine and holistic health care. Participants were able to describe transformational experiences of living in and learning from the Chinese culture and peoples. They intended to incorporate their experiences and enhanced understanding of traditional Chinese medicine and complementary and alternative therapies to provide culturally competent holistic health care in their nursing practice.