cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An experimental implementation of chemical subtraction.

Abstract A preparative analytical method was developed to selectively remove (“chemically subtract”) a single compound from a complex mixture, such as a natural extract or fraction, in a single step. The proof of concept is demonstrated by the removal of pure benzoic acid (BA) from cranberry ( Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) juice fractions that exhibit anti-adhesive effects versus uropathogenic Escherichia coli . Chemical subtraction of BA, representing a major constituent of the fractions, eliminates the potential in vitro interference of the bacteriostatic effect of BA on the E. coli anti-adherence action measured in bioassays. Upon BA removal, the anti-adherent activity of the fraction was fully retained, 36% inhibition of adherence in the parent fraction at 100 μg/mL increased to 58% in the BA-free active fraction. The method employs countercurrent chromatography (CCC) and operates loss-free for both the subtracted and the retained portions as only liquid–liquid partitioning is involved. While the high purity (97.47% by quantitative 1 H NMR) of the subtracted BA confirms the selectivity of the method, one minor impurity was determined to be scopoletin by HR-ESI-MS and (q)HNMR and represents the first coumarin reported from cranberries. A general concept for the selective removal of phytoconstituents by CCC is presented, which has potential broad applicability in the biological evaluation of medicinal plant extracts and complex pharmaceutical preparations.
Some aspects of factorization theory—a survey ∗

Over the past 20 years or so, there has been a considerable growth of interest among mathematicians, throughout the world, in the factorization theory of meromorphic functions. in this survey article, we have included various significant results and methods derived recently, that are directly related to the problems of the fix-points of a composite entire funtion. primality and pseudo-primality as well as unique factorizability of entire and meromorphic functions. We have also posed several open questions for further investigations.
Influence of Experimental Flooding on Litter Dynamics in a Rio Grande Riparian Forest, New Mexico

Flow regulation, which has largely eliminated flooding along the Rio Grande in central New Mexico, has substantially changed the riparian ecosystem. We investigated managed flooding as a means of restoring ecosystem function. After collecting baseline data during 1991 and 1992 in two riparian forest sites that had not flooded for about 50 years, we flooded an experimental site for 27-32 days during late spring of 1993, 1994, and 1995, leaving the reference site unflooded. During the final year of the study we compared these sites to two additional sites located within the riverside levee, one of which has been flooding naturally while the second remained largely unflooded. Three years of experimental flooding did not change the total biomass of either woody debris or forest-floor litter at the experimental flood site. Both woody debris and forest-floor litter, however, were significantly lower at the natural flood site than at the experimental flood site and two unflooded sites. Leaf and wood decomposition rates increased with flooding. The decay rate for cottonwood logs at the unflooded site (0.010 per year) predicted a half-life of 69.3 years, while the decay rate of 0.065 per year after 3 years of experimental flooding predicted a half-life of 10.6 years. This suggests that a decade of annual flooding may be used to restore the organic debris to pre-regulation levels. Flooding may also have caused an increase in litter production. These results suggest that experimental flooding has initiated a process of restoring ecosystem function within the riparian forest.
Brain morphology at entry into treatment for alcohol dependence is related to relapse propensity

Background We examined whether any differences in brain volumes at entry into alcohol dependence treatment differentiate subsequent Abstainers from Relapsers. Methods Individuals in alcohol dependence treatment ( n = 75) underwent magnetic resonance imaging approximately 6 ± 4 days after their last alcoholic drink, and 40 age-matched nonsmoking light drinkers (LD) were studied as control subjects. At follow-up 7.8 ± 2.6 months later, 23 alcoholics (31%) had abstained from drinking and 52 (69%) had relapsed. Deformation morphometry compared Relapsers, Abstainers, and LD. Results Compared with LD, future Abstainers had smaller brain tissue volumes in the left amygdala, hippocampal head, and entorhinal cortex and bilaterally in the thalamus and adjacent subcortical white matter (WM) and had larger volume in the left lateral orbitofrontal region. Compared with LD, future Relapsers had smaller brain tissue volumes in the right middle temporal, occipital, and superior frontal WM. Compared with future Abstainers, future Relapsers had smaller tissue volumes primarily in bilateral orbitofrontal cortex and surrounding WM. Results were virtually unaffected after controlling for common comorbidities. Conclusions At entry into alcohol dependence treatment, the brain structure of future Relapsers differs from that of future Abstainers. Future Relapsers have smaller brain volumes in regions of the mesocorticolimbic reward system that are critically involved in impulse control, emotional regulation, craving, and evaluation and anticipation of stimulus salience and hedonics. Structural abnormalities of this circuitry might confer greater risk for resumption of hazardous drinking after treatment and might contribute to the definition of a neurobiological relapse risk profile in alcohol dependence.
Prospective study of breast MRI in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers: effect of mutation status on cancer incidence

Annual MRI screening is recommended as an adjunct to mammography for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Prophylactic oophorectomy has been shown to decrease breast cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Here, we aimed to examine the combined effects of MRI and oophorectomy. For this purpose, 93 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers were screened with yearly mammograms and yearly MRI scans. Study endpoints were defined as date of breast cancer diagnosis, date of prophylactic mastectomy, or date of most recent contact. Of 93 women, with a median age of 47, 80 (86%) had prophylactic oophorectomy. Fifty-one women (55%) had BRCA1 mutations. A total of 283 MRI scans were performed. Eleven breast cancers (9 invasive, 2 ductal carcinoma in situ) were detected in 93 women (12%) with a median follow-up of 3.2 years (incidence 40 per 1,000 person-years). Six cancers were first detected on MRI, three were first detected by mammogram, and two were “interval cancers.” All breast cancers occurred in BRCA1 mutation carriers (incidence 67 per 1,000 person-years). Apart from BRCA1 vs. BRCA2 mutation status, there were no other significant predictors of breast cancer incidence. Most invasive breast cancers were estrogen receptor negative (7 of 9) and lymph node negative (7 of 9). There have been no systemic recurrences with a median follow-up of 19 months after cancer diagnosis. Finally, it was concluded that all breast cancers occurred in BRCA1 mutation carriers, in most cases despite oophorectomy. These data suggest that surveillance and prevention strategies may have different outcomes in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.
Environmental limits, their prescription and proscription

This paper reviews the significant thermal and associated factors in a terrestrial environment, selects some of the more common and useful indices for predicting the combined effects of these on man and suggests tolerance, performance and comfort limits for nude and clothed men at rest and at work.
Evidence-Based Practices for Thromboembolism Prevention: Summary of the ASPS Venous Thromboembolism Task Force Report

In July of 2011, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Executive Committee approved the Venous Thromboembolism Task Force Report. The report includes a summary of the scientific literature relevant to venous thromboembolism and plastic surgery along with five evidence-based recommendations. The recommendations are divided into two sections: risk stratification and prevention. The risk stratification recommendations are based on the 2005 Caprini Risk Assessment Module, which has been validated in the scientific literature as an effective tool for risk-stratifying plastic and reconstructive surgery patients based on individual risk factors for 60-day venous thromboembolism. The three prophylaxis recommendations are dependent on an individual patient's 2005 Caprini Risk Assessment Module score.
A comparison of two methods for determining ultrasonic intensity for medical transducers.

Abstract The spatial and temporal average intensity (/ SATA ) is determined for four diagnostic ultrasound transducers by two methods: (a) direct measurements (beam profiling) with a miniature hydrophone, as described in the AIUM-NEMA standard, and (b) estimating from measurements of total power and assumptions about beam size. The latter method is frequently used by diagnostic ultrasound manufacturers when reporting output levels to users and regulatory agencies. However, due to the conventions for defining beam area, this method actually overestimates the spatial average intensity. For the four transducers tested, the estimated / SATA exceeds the measured / SATA by several hundred percent. The spatial peak, temporal average intensity (/ SPTA ) was also measured for the four transducers and is less than the estimated / SATA in every case.
Scatterometry characterization of polysilicon gate profiles in a 90 nm logic process

Scatterometry was applied in a 90 nm logic process to monitor etched polysilicon gate profiles and establish correlations of inline dimensional measurements to end-of-line electrical test data. Scatterometry data were acquired on test wafers patterned on full-loop production routes, with etched polysilicon profiles intentionally skewed across wide profile ranges, bracketing the nominal 75 nm linewidth target. Scatterometry profiles were benchmarked to cross-section SEM images, and optimal correlations were established across wide process skews to both average top-down SEM linewidths and to end-of-line electrical test data for electrical-CDs and overlap capacitance. Scatterometry measurements were made with commercial Rotating-Compensator Spectroscopic Ellipsometers, with model inversions on four independent spectral components of 0-th order diffracted signals from grating test structures. Profile regression and analysis were based on both real-time parallel computations, and on pre-computed databases. Analyses of linewidth error propagation, correlations, and sensitivities were made using computed databases and measured spectral covariance matrices for the four signal components. Calculations of measurement uncertainties for polysilicon linewidths closely matched cross-tool measurements of 0.1 nm 1-σ site-level precision. At wafer-level, bottom CD mean matching of < 0.1 nm was demonstrated between two production metrology tools in our fab in short-term precision measurements.
Energy harvesting from electromagnetic energy radiating from AC power lines

There has been considerable interest in energy harvesting for wireless sensor networks. Energy harvesting from thermal sources such as body heat and mechanical sources such as human motion have been proposed. There are also sensor network systems that harvest energy from the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, ambient light levels in indoor environments are typically significantly lower than those found outdoors and highly dependent on the nature of the indoor environment considered. Recently, low-power clock synchronization using electromagnetic energy radiating from AC power lines was proposed. In this paper, we go a step ahead and try to answer the question: Can energy be harvested from the electromagnetic energy radiating from AC power lines and use it to operate a wireless sensor network with a low duty-cycle? We find that such energy harvesting appears promising.
Origins of Nonstoichiometry and Vacancy Ordering in Sc 1 − x □ x S

Whereas nearly all compounds A(n)B(m) obey Dalton's rule of integer stoichiometry (n: m, both integer), there is a class of systems, exemplified by the rocksalt structure Sc1-x squarexS, that exhibits large deviations from stoichiometry via vacancies, even at low temperatures. By combining first-principles total energy calculations with lattice statistical mechanics, we scan an astronomical number of possible structures, identifying the stable ground states. Surprisingly, all have the same motifs: (111) planes with (112) vacancy rows arranged in (110) columns. Electronic structure calculations of the ground states (identified out of approximately 3x10(6) structures) reveal the remarkable origins of nonstoichiometry.
Managerial Stress and Strain in a Mining Organization.

Abstract Measures of job stress and strain were obtained from 95 management level employees in an underground mine. In addition, 13 potential moderators of stress-strain relations were assessed. Findings indicated that such stresses as under-utilization of skills, job insecurity, role conflict and ambiguity, variation in work load, and lack of participation had moderate to high relationships with the psychological strains of anxiety-irritation-depression, psychosomatic symptoms, and job dissatisfaction. However, none of the moderators, which included measures of Type A personality, flexibility, need for social approval, social support, age, and tenure, had an appreciable effect on the stress-strain linkage. Possible explanations for the failure of the moderator approach, along with comparisons to other investigations, were offered in conclusion.
The study of solute—solute forces by NMR relaxation☆

Abstract By calculation it is found that the enhancement of the NMR relaxation rate of 7Li+ by Mn2+ or Ni2+ in aqueous solution is measurably different for two models which are consistent with other magnetic relaxation and thermodynamic data for the solutions.
Facilitating navigation in information spaces

A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate whether simple hyperlink annotations?traffic lights that represent Internet connection speeds?can facilitate web navigation. Traffic lights are small red, yellow or green images added around the anchor text of each link indicating its connection speed, red for slow, yellow for somewhat fast and green for fastest. The first two experiments showed that traffic lights do not facilitate perceptual processes involved in web navigation (i.e. link localization and visual search). However, traffic lights also do not distract from the process of finding links in hypertext documents and, thus have no perceptual performance cost. The third experiment showed that traffic lights facilitate web navigation performance by improving link evaluation and decision processes. This improvement is particularly marked when link relevance is low or undifferentiated. It was concluded that supplying users with information about Internet connection speeds improves web navigation performance. Thus, traffic lights provide functional cues for efficiently navigating the web.
Identification of thyroid hormone receptor isoforms in thyrotropin-releasing hormone neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.

TRH gene expression in hypophysiotropic neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is under regulation by thyroid hormone circulating in the bloodstream. To determine whether thyroid hormone could exert effects directly on TRH-producing neurons in the PVN, the presence of thyroid hormone receptors (TR) in these neurons was determined by double labeling immunocytochemical techniques, using specific antiserum to each of the functional TRs, TR alpha 1, TR beta 1, and TR beta 2, followed by antiserum to prepro-TRH-(25-50) as a marker for TRH neurons. In addition, the presence of the TR variant, TR alpha 2, was sought in these cells. Immunoreactive TR alpha 1 and TR beta 2 were found in the greatest percentage of TRH neurons in the PVN (91.1 +/- 2.5% and 83.8 +/- 2.1%) and intensely stained the nucleus. Immunoreactive TR beta 1 was also found in the majority of TRH neurons, but stained PVN cells only lightly compared to the other TRs. TR alpha 2 was found to coexist in only a minority of TRH neu...
Phosphofructokinase of Leishmania donovani and Leishmania braziliensis and its role in glycolysis.

SYNOPSIS. It was shown in an investigation of the phosphofructokinases of Leishmania donovani and Leishmania braziliensis that both enzymes are similar to that of Crithidia fasciculata. Although the enzymes are allosteric with respect to their substrates and require AMP for activation, there is no influence by other heterotropic modifiers. The Mg2+-ATP chelate activates these enzymes in a first order process and they can be inhibited by free ATP. The inhibition is reversed by the activator, AMP, in a competitive manner. The requirement for the nucleotide in L. donovani can be eliminated by decreasing the pH. The data indicate that phosphofructokinase, a pivotal enzyme in glycolysis for most organisms, probably does not play an important role in glycolysis in Leishmania.
Effect of surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy on the R3327 MAT-Ly Lu tumor

The R3327 MAT-Ly Lu is a prostate derived, anaplastic, hormone independent carcinoma. It spreads primarily to regional lymph nodes, followed by lung metastases. Combination therapy with surgery (tumor removal with or without regional lymphadenectomy) and chemotherapy (ICRF-159) was more effective treatment than either one alone. Primary tumor excision plus lymphadenectomy appeared to reduce the number of pulmonary metastases.
Medical Geology: Emerging Discipline on the Ecosystem–Human Health Interface

Medical geology is an emerging discipline that, broadly defined, examines the public health impacts of geologic materials and geologic processes. The scope and range of medical geology include: (1) identifying and characterizing natural and anthropogenic sources of harmful materials in the environment; (2) learning how to predict the movement and alteration of chemical, infectious, and other disease-causing agents over time and space; and (3) understanding how people are exposed to such materials and what can be done to minimize or prevent such exposure. Participants of a Medical Geology Working Group that met recently in Washington, DC, identified lessons learned to date in the development of this new field, noted research gaps that should be addressed, and recommended key priorities and directions for a sustainable future for medical geology.
More undecidable lattices of Steinitz exchange systems

We show that the first order theory of the lattice ω ( S ) of finite dimensional closed subsets of any nontrivial infinite dimensional Steinitz Exhange System S has logical complexity at least that of first order number theory and that the first order theory of the lattice ( S ∞ ) of computably enumerable closed subsets of any nontrivial infinite dimensional computable Steinitz Exchange System S ∞ has logical complexity exactly that of first order number theory. Thus, for example, the lattice of finite dimensional subspaces of a standard copy of ⊕ ω Q interprets first order arithmetic and is therefore as complicated as possible. In particular, our results show that the first order theories of the lattice ( V ∞ ) of c.e. subspaces of a fully effective ℵ 0 -dimensional vector space V ∞ and the lattice of c.e. algebraically closed subfields of a fully effective algebraically closed field F ∞ of countably infinite transcendence degree each have logical complexity that of first order number theory.
Drilling into Molten Lava in the Kilauea Iki Volcanic Crater, Hawaii

THE November 1959 eruption at Kilauea Iki, Hawaii, produced a lava lake more than 300 ft. deep containing about 45 million cubic yards of lava. An experiment was conducted to obtain knowledge of the problems encountered when drilling through the crust of the lake into molten rock, and to obtain as much volcanological data as possible.
Integrals and derivatives of functions in MacLane's class and of normal functions

If f is meromorphic in D = {,|z| f has the asymptotic value a at ζ, ζ ∈ C (={|z| = 1}), if there exists an arc Γ such that Γ ends at ζ, (Γ − {ζ}) ⊂ D , and f has the limit a as |z| → 1 on Γ. The class ( M ) originally defined by G. R. MacLane ((8), p. 8), consists of those functions that are non-constant and holomorphic (meromorphic) in D and that have asymptotic values at a dense subset of C . In (8), p. 36, MacLane has shown the following three conditions are sufficient for a non-constant holomorphic function f to be in :
Factors that influence the further survival of patients who survive five years after the diagnosis of cancer in childhood or adolescence.

To evaluate the further survival, and to identify disease and treatment factors which influence the further survival, of five-year survivors of cancer diagnosed during childhood or adolescence, we reviewed the courses of 591 previously untreated patients who were less than 20 years of age at diagnosis and survived for five years after diagnosis. Fifty-three of 143 patients who experienced disease recurrence during the first five years after diagnosis died during the period of observation, compared to 18 of 448 patients who did not experience disease recurrence during the first five years after diagnosis. The sex-specific standardized mortality ratios for the group of patients who never relapsed or relapsed more than five years after diagnosis were not significantly different from those of the New York State population. Cox proportional hazards modelling of the subgroup of patients who relapsed during the first five years after diagnosis demonstrated that disease which was treated surgically, a diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease or acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and older age at diagnosis were significantly associated with further survival in this group, whereas similar modelling of the patients who did not experience disease recurrence during the first five years after diagnosis failed to identify any variables which were associated with continued survival. The results of this study suggest that childhood and adolescent cancer patients who survive for five years without disease recurrence have a survival rate similar to that of the general population. Continued follow-up of this cohort is required to determine if the present findings can still be demonstrated as the majority of the cohort ages beyond 35 years of age. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Water Loss Rates and Temperature Profiles in Dry Heated Normal and PSE Porcine Muscle

Small cylinders of longissimus porcine muscles from normal and stress susceptible animals and two groups with intermediate characteristics were heated from the frozen state, past sen sory doneness and well into the dehydration period. The water loss rates and temperature pro files of the muscle cylinders were monitored throughout the heating period. Pale, soft, ex udative muscle had a greater maximum moisture emission at an earlier time and lower temperature than the normal samples. When the sample interiors were between 60°C and 100°C, the centerline thermocouple frequently registered higher temperature than those ther mocouples closer to the surface. Implications of these results for interpreting heat and mass transfer mechanisms and for cooking recommendations are discussed.
The management of pediatric appendicitis: a survey of North American Pediatric Surgeons.

Abstract Background/purpose Variation exists among pediatric surgeons in the management of pediatric appendicitis. The goal of this study was to determine current practice patterns and provide a foundation for evidence-based outcome studies that would standardize patient care. Methods Members of the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) were surveyed. Data included preference of imaging, timing of operation, and opinions on interval appendectomy. Intraoperative principles surveyed included use of cultures, antibiotic irrigation, transperitoneal drains, and method of wound closure. Spectrum and duration of antibiotic coverage were assessed, as were discharge criteria. Results Survey response was 70%. A majority prefers computerized tomographic (CT) imaging and favors interval appendectomy in appropriate candidates. Seventy percent indicate a stable child with suspected appendicitis would be operated on in a semiurgent manner rather than emergently in their practice. Discrepancy exists in the type and duration of antibiotic coverage, impact of clinical parameters on antibiotic use, and utility of discharge criteria. Conclusions This study consolidates current opinions on appropriate management of pediatric appendicitis, providing a foundation for evidence-based outcome studies capable of bringing conformity to the management of this surgical disease. Such studies would establish clinical practice guidelines that optimize resource utilization while maintaining quality care.
THE GENDER DISTINCTIONS OF PRIMEVAL HISTORY AND A CHRISTIAN SEXUAL ETHIC

Pour traiter la question d'une ethique sexuelle chretienne fondee sur la complementarite des sexes comme elle apparait dans le recit de la Genese, l'A. se propose de repondre a trois questions: le recit litteraire de la Genese peut-il avoir une incidence sur le comportement humain? Ce recit est-il un expose des origines de la sexualite humaine et nous renseigne t-il sur l'activite sexuelle? La creation de l'homme et de la femme signifie t-elle necessairement que cette distinction a un sens theologique? Il semble qu'on ne puisse demander aux premiers chapitres de la Genese de fonder une ethique sexuelle puisqu'ils visent avant tout a ancrer la foi des chretiens dans l'action salvifique du Christ
Competitive Electron Scavenging by Chemically Modified Pyrimidine Bases in Bromine-Doped DNA: Relative Efficiencies and Relevance to Intrastrand Electron Migration Distances

ESR spectroscopy at low temperatures is employed to investigate electron transfer within DNA doped with randomly spaced electron traps. The traps were introduced by careful bromination of DNA in ice-cooled aqueous solution. The procedure is shown by NMR and GC/MS techniques to modify thymine, cytosine, and guanine 2‘-deoxyribosides, transforming them into 5-bromo-6-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrothymine, T(OH)Br, 5-bromocytosine, CBr, and 8-bromoguanine, GBr, derivatives. The bromination products formed in molar ratio close to T(OH)Br/CBr/GBr = 0.2:1:0.23 and serve as internal electron scavengers on γ-irradiation. Paramagnetic products that result from electron scavenging in DNA by T(OH)Br and CBr units at 77 K have been identified by ESR as the 6-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrothymin-5-yl (TOH•) radical and the 5-bromocytosine σ* radical anion, CBr•-. Our quantitative estimates show that electron scavenging by T(OH)Br in bromine-doped DNA is over an order of magnitude more efficient than the more abundant CBr traps. This indica...
Homogeneous variables in classical dynamics

The well-known methods of classical mechanics, based on the use of a Lagrangian or Hamiltonian function, are adequate for the treatment of nearly all dynamical systems met with in practice. There are, however, a few exceptional cases to which the ordinary methods are not immediately applicable. For example, the ordinary Hamiltonian method cannot be used when the momenta pr, defined in terms of the Lagrangian function L by the usual formulae pr = ∂L/∂qr, are not independent functions of the velocities. A practical case of this kind is provided by the electromagnetic field, considered as a dynamical system with an infinite number of degrees of freedom, since the momentum conjugate to the scalar potential at any point vanishes identically. Again, for the very simple example of the relativistic motion of a particle of zero rest-mass in field-free space, the Lagrangian function vanishes and the usual Lagrangian method is not applicable.
Affective guidance of intelligent agents: How emotion controls cognition

How do emotions and moods color cognition? In this article, we examine how such reactions influence both judgments and cognitive performance. We argue that many affective influences are due, not to affective reactions themselves, but to the information they carry about value. The specific kind of influence that occurs depends on the focus of the agent at the time. When making evaluative judgments, for example, an agent's positive affect may emerge as a positive attitude toward a person or object. But when an agent focuses on a cognitive task, positive affect may act like feedback about the value of one's approach. As a result, positive affect tends to promote cognitive, relational processes, whereas negative affect tends to inhibit relational processing, resulting in more perceptual, stimulus-specific processing. As a consequence, many textbook phenomena from cognitive psychology occur readily in happy moods, but are inhibited or even absent in sad moods (149).
Lipid Rafts of Primary Endothelial Cells Are Essential for Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus/Human Herpesvirus 8-Induced Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and RhoA-GTPases Critical for Microtubule Dynamics and Nuclear Delivery of Viral DNA but Dispensable for Binding and Entry

Early during de novo infection of human microvascular dermal endothelial (HMVEC-d) cells, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) (human herpesvirus 8 [HHV-8]) induces the host cell's preexisting FAK, Src, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), Rho-GTPases, Diaphanous-2 (Dia-2), Ezrin, protein kinase C-zeta, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and NF-kappaB signal pathways that are critical for virus entry, nuclear delivery of viral DNA, and initiation of viral gene expression. Since several of these signal molecules are known to be associated with lipid raft (LR) domains, we investigated the role of LR during KSHV infection of HMVEC-d cells. Pretreatment of cells with LR-disrupting agents methyl beta-cyclo dextrin (MbetaCD) or nystatin significantly inhibited the expression of viral latent (ORF73) and lytic (ORF50) genes. LR disruption did not affect KSHV binding but increased viral DNA internalization. In contrast, association of internalized viral capsids with microtubules (MTs) and the quantity of infected nucleus-associated viral DNA were significantly reduced. Disorganized and disrupted MTs and thick rounded plasma membranes were observed in MbetaCD-treated cells. LR disruption did not affect KSHV-induced FAK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation; in contrast, it increased the phosphorylation of Src, significantly reduced the KSHV-induced PI3-K and RhoA-GTPase and NF-kappaB activation, and reduced the colocalizations of PI3-K and RhoA-GTPase with LRs. Biochemical characterization demonstrated the association of activated PI3-K with LR fractions which was inhibited by MbetaCD treatment. RhoA-GTPase activation was inhibited by PI3-K inhibitors, demonstrating that PI3-K is upstream to RhoA-GTPase. In addition, colocalization of Dia-2, a RhoA-GTPase activated molecule involved in MT activation, with LR was reduced. KSHV-RhoA-GTPase mediated acetylation and aggregation of MTs were also reduced. Taken together, these studies suggest that LRs of endothelial cells play critical roles in KSHV infection and gene expression, probably due to their roles in modulating KSHV-induced PI3-K, RhoA-GTPase, and Dia-2 molecules essential for postbinding and entry stages of infection such as modulation of microtubular dynamics, movement of virus in the cytoplasm, and nuclear delivery of viral DNA.
Pediatric Return Appointment Adherence for Child Welfare-Involved Children in Los Angeles California

Objectives This study of primarily Latino caregivers and Latino child welfare-involved children had the following aims: (1) explore the return appointment adherence patterns at a pediatric medical clinic; and (2) determine the relationship of adherence to return appointments and caregiver, child, and clinic variables. Methods The sample consisted of caregivers of child welfare-involved children who were asked to make a pediatric outpatient clinic return appointment (N = 87). Predictors included caregiver demographics, child medical diagnoses and age, and clinic/convenience factors including distance from the clinic to caregiver’s home, days until the return appointment, reminder telephone call, Latino provider, and additional specialty appointment. Predictors were examined using χ2 and t tests of significance. Results Thirty-nine percent of all caregivers were nonadherent in returning for pediatric appointments. When return appointments were scheduled longer after the initial appointment, caregivers were less likely to bring children back for medical care. Conclusions The 39 % missed return appointment rate in this study is higher than other similar pediatric populations. Better coordination between pediatricians and caregivers in partnership with child welfare case workers is needed to ensure consistent follow-up regarding health problems, especially when appointments are not scheduled soon after the initial appointment.
Sampling at the species level: Impact of spatial biases on diversity gradients

Sample bias is a fundamental issue in analyses of diversity. The adequacy of the fossil record continues to be questioned, especially at fine taxonomic and spatial scales. Here we evaluate the impact of variability in sampling intensity on diversity patterns of Late Cambrian trilobite faunas of Laurentian North America across a spectrum of five shelf environments. The data set consists of nearly 2000 samples from the published literature and 55 field collections that provide an independent estimate of diversity in each environment. Collections from the literature are distributed unevenly among environmental groupings; shallow subtidal carbonates account for almost half of the total. However, despite the strong sampling bias, raw counts of species from the literature reproduce the general shape of the diversity gradient established from field collections, including low species richness in nearshore environments and peak diversity in carbonate buildups. Rarefaction of species records confirmed the overall shape of the gradient, although the rank order of some facies was obscured by sampling problems. The results suggest that the adequacy of the published fossil record depends upon the level of analysis. Gross diversity patterns retrieved in this study appear to be robust, but resolution of fine detail is influenced by sampling issues.
Adaptive power controllable retrodirective array system for wireless sensor server applications

An adaptive power controllable retrodirective array system is presented. It is able to conserve battery power in an idle mode and wake up only when it needs to operate, extending the array system's lifetime. One application of this technology is for use as wireless sensor servers, which act as a relay point between wireless sensors and remote data collectors. The proposed retrodirective array is fabricated and tested at 5.8 GHz and uses an integrated rectenna and an analog switch, which controls a battery power source. When an RF signal is received by the antenna array, it is split between a rectenna and receiver (RX), where most power is sent to a rectenna. The collected dc voltage wakes up the system by activating a switch connected to a battery and the RX. When there is no interrogation, the switch turns off. Furthermore, the second and third harmonic rejection characteristic of a circular sector antenna is introduced so that it makes the system simpler by eliminating a low-pass filter in the rectenna. For the phase-conjugation retrodirective array, second subharmonic mixers are used by employing antiparallel diode pairs, which enables avoiding expensive high-frequency oscillators. It is experimentally demonstrated that the retrodirective array system with the proposed power management can retransmit the received signal toward the source when the received power is greater than -8.5dBm. Application of the retrodirective array system as a multifunctional RX array is also investigated.
Mechanical properties of nanocomposite systems

The interaction zone and the bridge formation hypotheses are often used to explain the changes in mechanical properties and glass transition temperature that accompany by the addition of nanoparticles to a polymer matrix. We employ a formalism that relies on local stress fluctuations to calculate the local mechanical properties of nanocomposites in order to examine the validity of these theories. Advanced Monte Carlo techniques involving chain connectivity algorithms are used to create statistically independent configurations and aid in the efficient sampling of the stress. Three types of polymer particle interaction are considered. An increase of the mechanical properties is found for attractive and neutral particles, while for repulsive ones a decrease is observed. For the attractive case, the formation of a stiff glassy layer is apparent in the vicinity of the nanoparticle. The distribution of local moduli for the nanocomposite is narrower than that of the unfilled polymer, suggesting that nanoparticles reinforce glassy polymers by reducing the degree of mechanical inhomogeneity. Results are presented for the effect of particle size, polymer chain length, volume fraction and surface area of the particles on mechanical properties. Oscillatory deformations are also considered in order to address the effects of frequency on the mechanical properties of nanocomposites.
Multilevel Interactions between Ethylene and Auxin in Arabidopsis Roots

Hormones play a central role in the coordination of internal developmental processes with environmental signals. Herein, a combination of physiological, genetic, cellular, and whole-genome expression profiling approaches has been employed to investigate the mechanisms of interaction between two key plant hormones: ethylene and auxin. Quantification of the morphological effects of ethylene and auxin in a variety of mutant backgrounds indicates that auxin biosynthesis, transport, signaling, and response are required for the ethylene-induced growth inhibition in roots but not in hypocotyls of dark-grown seedlings. Analysis of the activation of early auxin and ethylene responses at the cellular level, as well as of global changes in gene expression in the wild type versus auxin and ethylene mutants, suggests a simple mechanistic model for the interaction between these two hormones in roots, according to which ethylene and auxin can reciprocally regulate each other's biosyntheses, influence each other's response pathways, and/or act independently on the same target genes. This model not only implies existence of several levels of interaction but also provides a likely explanation for the strong ethylene response defects observed in auxin mutants.
A micromachined contacting sliding short for high frequency applications

As science probes into the Terahertz region (THz), there is a need for more precise micromachining techniques to fabricate structures such as rectangular waveguides. Additionally, as wavelength decreases there is a greater need for fine tuning of these devices to maximize the amplitude and adequately change the phase of the signal. The concept presented in this article builds on previous sliding backshort designs and integrates them with lithographic micromachining techniques to increase the flexibility of conventional rectangular waveguides for sub-millimeter waves.
Distributed privacy for visual sensor networks via Markov shares

Visual sensor networks (VSNs) can be used to acquire visual data (i.e. images) for applications such as military reconnaissance, surveillance, and monitoring. In these applications, it is of utmost importance that visual data be protected against eavesdropping to uphold confidentiality and privacy rights. Furthermore, protection mechanisms for these sensor nodes must be efficient and robust to node capture and tampering. This paper considers a distributed approach to privacy in which highly correlated images within a dense sensor cluster are obfuscated. The particular approach, in which nodes within a cluster work together to create and transmit shares (called Markov shares) makes it necessary for an attacker to capture several correlated visual nodes and/or shares in order to gain improved semantic information of the observation area. The proposed technique does not require that the individual sensor node readings be exactly registered, nor the correlation model be known a priori. Simulation results based on a cluster of 18 nodes show: (1) most Markov shares use fewer bits per pixel than the original image hence providing compression capability; (2) a denial of service attack on a single node (e.g., corrupting a region of interest) has minimal impact on the reconstructed data at the sink; (3) five or more Markov shares need to be intercepted by an attacker before the semantic content of the desired image can be understood; and (4) authorized reconstruction of unregistered individual images with random rotation transformations up to 10 degrees is possible.
Direct Comparison of the Magnitude and Phase of Measured S-parameters of Metamaterials with Finite Element Simulation

This paper calculates the S-parameters of the metamaterial structure using finite element simulation. To verify the simulation, a slab composed of arrays of the Omega structures was prepared, and the S-parameters of the metamaterial slab sample were measured using a focused beam free-space microwave measurement setup. The direct comparison of S-parameters shows perfect agreement of the simulation and the measurement. A strong resonance at about 7.5 GHz is observed
Multiple paternity in the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum

For over a decade, we have been studying the reproductive behavior of the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, in the Dry Torugas off the Florida Keys, an important mating and nursery ground for this species. In the course of these studies, we have used a variety of tags and tagging protocols to monitor individual animals. Here we report the use of molecular methods for the genetic analysis of nurse sharks. Specifically we have analyzed genetic variation at the MHC II alpha locus using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the amplified products. We found this technique to be a relatively rapid and reliable method for identifying genetic differences between individual sharks. Applying this method to a family of sharks consisting of a mother and 32 pups, we demonstrate that at least four fathers must have fathered this brood. Multiple paternity in the nurse shark suggests a mechanism by which populations of this species may maximize genetic variability. This seems especially valuable for philopatric species whose migratory movement, and thus potential for genetic diversity, is limited.
The Command and Control and Miami Models at the 2004 Republican National Convention: New Forms of Policing Protests

With the increase in large contentious demonstrations in the last decade has come a variety of new efforts to explain the tactics used by police. Based on an analysis of how the New York Police Department (NYPD) handled six demonstrations at the 2004 Republican National Convention (RNC), this article argues that the more repressive Miami model of policing has not become the universal norm in policing large protests. Each of the six protests was dealt with in a unique way, though a general pattern emerged in which the police used either the "soft hat" command and control model or the "hard hat" Miami model. This suggests that local police forces make decisions about how to police demonstrations independent of influence by federal officials or national trends. It also emphasizes the importance of local political context in investigating the motivations of police action at protests.
Role of enhanced laser field in laser processing of nanomaterials

Lasers have proven to be unique tools for a highly selective processing of nanomaterials system on the basis of the enhanced laser field, maintaining other sensitive portion in the system untouched. However, in many practical applications, a wide interspacing distribution among nanomaterials and nonlinear laser absorption properties of the nanomaterials in the highly excited nanomaterials states, frequently lead to rather adverse effects in terms of controlled nanomaterials processing. In this study, we will take a few laser nanomaterials processing examples mainly based on the nanowires system including the spin coated metallic nanowires for transparent electrode applications and selective semiconductor nanowires growth from the metallic nanocatalysts, and discuss on the role of the enhanced laser field via the combined theoretical and experimental investigations. Specific aims of properly utilizing the enhanced laser fields are to achieve improved electrical conductance for practical transparent electrode applications, and to facilitate directed growth of semiconductor nanowires at designated sample locations, respectively.
College Sports’ Corporate Arena

Sociologist D. Randall Smith argues that a segment of big-time college sports has embraced the corporate model and this has led to a steady increase in the revenue gap between the “haves” and “have nots.”
Solutions for 2-Dimensional Compatibility Equations

A new method is given for obtaining solutions to 2-Dimensional compatibility equations, different from the degenerating method of the 3-D Volterra formula. It is solved by defining a tensor called Newton logarithmic potential of strain tensor.
High fat diet augments amphetamine sensitization in mice: Role of feeding pattern, obesity, and dopamine terminal changes.

High fat (HF) diet-induced obesity has been shown to augment behavioral responses to psychostimulants that target the dopamine system. The purpose of this study was to characterize dopamine terminal changes induced by a HF diet that correspond with enhanced locomotor sensitization to amphetamine. C57BL/6J mice had limited (2hr 3 d/week) or extended (24 h 7 d/week) access to a HF diet or standard chow for six weeks. Mice were then repeatedly exposed to amphetamine (AMPH), and their locomotor responses to an amphetamine challenge were measured. Fast scan cyclic voltammetry was used to identify changes in dopamine terminal function after AMPH exposure. Exposure to a HF diet reduced dopamine uptake and increased locomotor responses to acute, high-dose AMPH administration compared to chow fed mice. Microdialysis showed elevated extracellular dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) coincided with enhanced locomotion after acute AMPH in HF-fed mice. All mice exhibited locomotor sensitization to amphetamine, but both extended and limited access to a HF diet augmented this response. Neither HF-fed group showed the robust amphetamine sensitization-induced increases in dopamine release, reuptake, and amphetamine potency observed in chow fed animals. However, the potency of amphetamine as an uptake inhibitor was significantly elevated after sensitization in mice with extended (but not limited) access to HF. Conversely, after amphetamine sensitization, mice with limited (but not extended) access to HF displayed reduced autoreceptor sensitivity to the D2/D3 agonist quinpirole. Additionally, we observed reduced membrane dopamine transporter (DAT) levels after HF, and a shift in DAT localization to the cytosol was detected with limited access to HF. This study showed that different patterns of HF exposure produced distinct dopamine terminal adaptations to repeated AMPH, which differed from chow fed mice, and enhanced sensitization to AMPH. Locomotor sensitization in chow fed mice coincided with elevated DAT function and increased AMPH potency; however, the enhanced behavioral response to AMPH after HF exposure was unique in that it coincided with reduced DAT function and diet pattern-specific adaptations.