cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distinct Role of ZAP-70 and Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing Leukocyte Protein of 76 kDa in the Prolonged Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Protein Kinase by the Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1α/CXCL12 Chemokine

Stimulation of T lymphocytes with the ligand for the CXCR4 chemokine receptor stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α/CXCL12), results in prolonged activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) ERK1 and ERK2. Because SDF-1α is unique among several chemokines in its ability to stimulate prolonged ERK activation, this pathway is thought to mediate special functions of SDF-1α that are not shared with other chemokines. However, the molecular mechanisms of this response are poorly understood. In this study we show that SDF-1α stimulation of prolonged ERK activation in Jurkat T cells requires both the ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase and the Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kDa (SLP-76) scaffold protein. This pathway involves ZAP-70-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of SLP-76 at one or more of its tyrosines, 113, 128, and 145. Because TCR activates ERK via SLP-76-mediated activation of the linker of activated T cells (LAT) scaffold protein, we examined the role of LAT in SDF-1α-mediated ERK activation. However, neither the SLP-76 proline-rich domain that links to GADS and LAT, nor LAT, itself are required for SDF-1α to stimulate SLP-76 tyrosine phosphorylation or to activate ERK. Together, our results describe the distinct mechanism by which SDF-1α stimulates prolonged ERK activation in T cells and indicate that this pathway is specific for cells expressing both ZAP-70 and SLP-76.
The generation of MHD waves by forced turbulence in a weakly magnetized fluid

The effect of the fluctuating buoyancy force on wave generation in a weakly magnetized plasma is considered. As expected, the efficiency of MHD wave generation is enhanced by including this force. However, it remains true that the observed variation of coronal emission at fixed spectral type cannot be accounted for by a wave generation process of the type discussed here.
Food Security Index and Socio-Economic Effects of Climate Change on Rural Farming Households in Delta State, Nigeria

The study examined the food security status and the socio-economic effects of climate change on rural farming households in Delta State, Nigeria. The main objective of the study was to determine the food security status of the rural farming households in the state while the specific objective was to determine the socio-economic effects of climate change on rural farming households in the state. Multistage sampling procedure was used in the random selection of local government, communities and rural households for the research study. The data for the study were obtained with the aids of structured questionnaire survey randomly administered to rural farming households in the state. Food security index was used to determine the level of food insecurity (food security status) among the rural households in communities that have been affected by flood and or other climate hazardswhile descriptive statistics was used to summarize the socio-economic effects and their food security status of the rural farming households in the state. Most respondents (65.10%) were married with low annual income of N54,702 ($353) which is less than the poverty line of less than $1 (one dollar) a day. Most rural farming households witnessed loss of investment on farm lands, lives and income respectively in the state. The study also reveals that rural farming households suffered ill health, such as malaria, water borne diseases and skin infections that were on the increase in the state. The study also revealed that majority of respondents was moderately food insecure. The study also recommends that Government planning agencies and policy makers should put into consideration these food insecurity situations in their planning and policy implementation to prevent future chronic food insecurity situation in the state.
Growth and device performance of InP/GaAsSb HBTs

We report the growth of high-quality InP/GaAsSb heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) for high-frequency applications by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) and gas-source molecular beam epitaxy (GSMBE) using carbon as a base dopant. Hole concentrations above 10/sup 20/ cm/sup -3/ are achieved in a carbon-doped GaAsSb base layer. We measure type I and type II luminescence from InP/GaAsSb/InAlAs and GaAsSb/InP superlattices to evaluate quickly the HBT's GaAsSb base layer and collector-base and base-emitter heterojunction quality. The HBTs exhibit excellent DC characteristics and a current gain cutoff frequency over 210 GHz.
What We Know and Don't Know About the Role of Apologies in Resolving Healthcare Disputes

Much of the discussion of how apologies might be beneficial in resolving health care disputes has been based primarily on intuition and incomplete empirical data. This Article attempts to review what is known and not known about apologies in this context. After briefly reviewing recent legislative developments regarding disclosing and apologizing for medical errors, the Article brings together and examines a variety of empirical data — from surveys, experiments, and case studies — that bear on the role of apologies in health care settings and draws attention to avenues of further research.
Low-level arsenic exposure and developmental neurotoxicity in children: A systematic review and risk assessment.

Abstract Risk assessments of arsenic have focused on skin, bladder, and lung cancers and skin lesions as the sensitive cancer and non-cancer health endpoints, respectively; however, an increasing number of epidemiologic studies that can inform risk assessment have examined neurodevelopmental effects in children. We conducted a systematic review and risk assessment based on the epidemiologic literature on possible neurodevelopmental effects at lower arsenic exposures. Twenty-four cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies were identified that report on the association between low-level arsenic exposure (i.e., largely
Comparative biodegradability of anionic surfactants in synthetic and natural test systems

Abstract Studies on the biodegradability of representative anionic surfactants using the Modified OECD Screening Test indicated deficiencies in the test for these materials. Biodegradation studies in natural ecosystems employing realistic substrate concentrations were found to contribute to a better understanding of the actual disappearance in the environment.
Quantitative damage morphology analysis of laser-induced surface cracks in fused silica at 355 nm

A morphology study was conducted on fused silica surfaces damaged by single pulse laser irradiation at 355 nm. The physical characterization of the surface showed that cracks initiate at ellipsoidal pits on both input and output surfaces. The size of the pit increases with laser pulse-length and the orientation of the ellipse is perpendicular to the electric field. The pits are less than 300 nm deep. Cracks initiate along the main axis of the ellipse. The morphology of the cracks is different for input vs. output surfaces. The output surface crack exhibits a shell- like morphology typical of localized compressive stress. The input surface crack shows, on the other hand, a star-like pattern. These differences seem to be caused by differences in plasma propagation on the surface. The extent of damage and the number of shells or branches increases with increasing fluence. A molten morphology can be observed at the center of the cracks for fluences above the pit formation threshold. This indicates that local temperatures can be in excess of several thousand degrees C.
Regulation of the MtrC-MtrD-MtrE Efflux-Pump System Modulates the In Vivo Fitness of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The Neisseria gonorrhoeae MtrC-MtrD-MtrE multidrug-resistance efflux pump expels macrolide antibiotics, penicillin, and antimicrobial effectors of the innate defense. Mutation of the mtrR locus, which encodes a transcriptional repressor of the mtrCDE operon, increases gonococcal resistance to these agents. Here we report that, in a mouse infection model, an mtrR mutant is more fit than the wild-type bacteria. Consistent with derepression of the mtrCDE operon as the primary reason for the fitness benefit, an mtrR,mtrE double mutant and an mtrE mutant showed no difference in survival phenotype. Gonococcal mutants deficient in MtrA, an activator of the mtrCDE operon, exhibited significantly reduced fitness in vivo, and mtrA mutants with spontaneous compensatory mtrR mutations were selected during infection. These results confirm the importance of the MtrC-MtrD-MtrE efflux-pump system during experimental gonococcal genital-tract infection and also illustrate an antibiotic-resistance mechanism that is accompanied by a fitness benefit rather than a fitness cost.
Multistage linear electron acceleration using pulsed transmission lines

A four‐stage linear electron accelerator is described which uses pulsed radial transmission lines as the basic accelerating units. An annular electron beam produced by a foilless diode is guided through the accelerator by a strong axial magnetic field. Synchronous firing of the injector and the acccelerating modules is accomplished with self‐breaking oil switches. The device has accelerated beam currents of 25 kA to kinetic energies of 9 MV, with 90% current transport efficiency. The average accelerating gradient is 3 MV/m.
Peer Difficulties in Children with Epilepsy: Association with Seizure, Neuropsychological, Academic, and Behavioral Variables

Purpose/Objective: A developmental psychopathology framework was used to examine variables associated with peer problems in children with epilepsy (CWE). Variables commonly associated with peer difficulties in typically developing children, such as inattentive behavior, anxious behavior, and academic achievement were investigated. Neuropsychological functioning, age at epilepsy onset, and seizure status were also examined. Research Method/Design: Participants were 173 CWE, ages 8–15. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to determine which variables predicted peer problems in CWE and to test hypothesized interrelations among variables. Results: The SEM revealed that anxious behavior mediated relations between neuropsychological functioning and peer difficulties and seizure status and peer difficulties. Inattentive behavior mediated the association between neuropsychological functioning and peer difficulties. Neuropsychological functioning mediated the relation between age at epilepsy onset and inatt...
An Interview With Chapman Conference Chair Venkat Lakshmi

AGU's Chapman Conference program has been facilitating small collaborative meetings on topical and specialized subjects for more than 35 years. These meetings allow for debate and an exploration of possible solutions to scientific problems, while providing a professional networking opportunity for younger scientists. Venkat Lakshmi, professor of hydrology, climate, and water resources and former chair of the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of South Carolina, was selected in January as the Chapman Conference program chair through 2015. Lakshmi, a former Eos editor, recalls with enthusiasm organizing a 2012 Chapman Conference in Hawaii: the proposal writing, the grant writing, soliciting presenters, and gathering scientific material. He is now using his experience organizing meetings and mentoring students at his university to help advance the Chapman program. Eos spoke with him about his new role and his vision for the program.
Adverse Events With the Use of rhBMP-2 in Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Spine Fusions: A 9-Year Institutional Analysis.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective chart review. OBJECTIVE To describe the adverse outcomes associated with the use of rhBMP-2 in thoracolumbar and lumbar fusions. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA rhBMP-2 has been increasingly used in spinal fusions over the past decade. Early studies reported that the use of rhBMP-2 is associated with decreased operative time, blood loss, and pain scores, as well as improved fusion rates. Recent investigations have shown rhBMP-2 to be associated with various complications occurring at incidences ranging from 0% to 100%. METHODS Using the institutional electronic medical records, we retrospectively reviewed all patients between January 2002 and September 2010 that underwent thoracolumbar and lumbar spine fusion with BMP. Patient demographics, operative, and outcome/complication information was collected. RESULTS A total of 547 patient charts were reviewed with a mean follow-up time of 17 months. Mean age was 58 years. Forty-one percent of patients had undergone previous spine surgery. Thirty-nine percent of patients had a PLIF/TLIF, 29% underwent a PLF, and 20% an ALIF. No relevant differences in the patient characteristics and complications were identified between the various surgical approaches. For all approaches, having undergone a previous spine surgery was associated with increased incidence of radiculitis, reoperation, and pseudoarthrosis (P=0.005, 0.0008, 0.05, respectively) as compared with those without previous spine surgery. Being a current smoker at the time of operation was associated with increased rate of radiculitis (P=0.03) as compared with nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS The use of rhBMP-2, in this study, had an incidence of radiculitis, pseudoarthrosis, and reoperation that was similar to the rates in historical controls without rhBMP-2. Complications do not differ by surgical approach, but are more likely in current smokers and those undergoing revision surgery. A prospective study is warranted to further delineate the adverse event profile of rhBMP-2 and the variables that are likely to affect it (ie, type of surgery, carrier, and dose).
Rainfall Shocks, Local Revenues, and Intergovernmental Transfer in Mali

Summary This paper explores the implications of rainfall shocks for municipal tax revenues and intergovernmental transfers in Mali. I found that exogenous phenomena such as weather, not under the control of local actors, could affect the way de facto decentralization plays out by influencing the fiscal capacity of local governments. In a panel data of 692 municipalities from 2000 to 2008, I found that rainfall shocks, through the fluctuations they induce in agricultural incomes, affect revenue collection of local governments, and in turn drive further revenues local governments receive through transfer by the central government.
Rap Singing as an Icebreaker for Large Classes

A rap song, composed and performed by the instructor, is suggested as an effective device for emphasizing substantive points, reducing student anxiety, and establishing rapport between the instructor and students in a large introductory class.
Host-guest scale of left-handed polyproline II helix formation.

Despite the clear importance of the left-handed polyproline II (PPII) helical conformation in many physiologically important processes as well as its potential significance in protein unfolded states, little is known about the physical determinants of this conformation. We present here a scale of relative PPII helix-forming propensities measured for all residues, except tyrosine and tryptophan, in a proline-based host peptide system. Proline has the highest measured propensity in this system, a result of strong steric interactions that occur between adjacent prolyl rings. The other measured propensities are consistent with backbone solvation being an important component in PPII helix formation. Side chain to backbone hydrogen bonding may also play a role in stabilizing this conformation. The PPII helix-forming propensity scale will prove useful in future studies of the conformational properties of proline-rich sequences as well as provide insights into the prevalence of PPII helices in protein unfolded states.
Particle size distribution and chemical composition of coal-tar fumes

The study was intended to characterize the chemical and physical nature of coal-tar fumes emitted from spreading applications of coal tar. Two separate experiments were performed. The first resulted in the determination of a coal-tar fume particle size distribution. The second experiment resulted in the identification of the primary compounds found in collected tar fumes and a determination of their relative concentration.
Survival advantage in Medicare patients receiving drug-eluting stents compared with bare metal stents: real or artefactual?

Background Concerns have been raised regarding late mortality, particularly from late stent thrombosis, from drug-eluting stents (DES). Randomized clinical trials have shown that DES decrease restenosis but do not decrease mortality compared with bare metal stents (BMS). These studies utilized well-defined clinical and angiographic subsets. In the “real world” drug-eluting stents are used in a much broader crosssection of patients. We evaluated mortality in the first year after implantation of DES, specifically the sirolimus-eluting stent (SES), Cypher vs. BMS in “real world” older patients using the Medicare claims database.
Measuring Policy Change in the Rehnquist Court

Measurement of policy change is complicated by change in the content of the issues that policymakers face. The author presented a method to control for issue change in decisions of the Supreme Court and used that method to measure change in civil liberties policy from 1946 to 1986. This article uses the same method to measure policy change in the early Rehnquist Court (1986-1993). The analysis indicates that the early Rehnquist Court was less favorable to civil liberties than its record of pro- and anti-civil liberties decisions indicates, because it increasingly accepted cases in which pro-civil liberties votes were relatively "easy" to cast. The results underline the need to take issue change into account in analyzing policy change.
Managing the nitrogen cycle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from crop production and biofuel expansion

Public policies are promoting biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuel consumption in order to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the mitigation benefit can be at least partially compromised by emissions occurring during feedstock production. One of the key sources of GHG emissions from biofuel feedstock production, as well as conventional crops, is soil nitrous oxide (N2O), which is largely driven by nitrogen (N) management. Our objective was to determine how much GHG emissions could be reduced by encouraging alternative N management practices through application of nitrification inhibitors and a cap on N fertilization. We used the US Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS2) as the basis for a case study to evaluate technical and economic drivers influencing the N management mitigation strategies. We estimated soil N2O emissions using the DayCent ecosystem model and applied the US Forest and Agricultural Sector Optimization Model with Greenhouse Gases (FASOMGHG) to project GHG emissions for the agricultural sector, as influenced by biofuel scenarios and N management options. Relative to the current RSF2 policy with no N management interventions, results show decreases in N2O emissions ranging from 3 to 4 % for the agricultural sector (5.5–6.5 million metric tonnes CO2 eq. year−1; 1 million metric tonnes is equivalent to a Teragram) in response to a cap that reduces N fertilizer application and even larger reductions with application of nitrification inhibitors, ranging from 9 to 10 % (15.5–16.6 million tonnes CO2 eq. year−1). The results demonstrate that climate and energy policies promoting biofuel production could consider options to manage the N cycle with alternative fertilization practices for the agricultural sector and likely enhance the mitigation of GHG emissions associated with biofuels.
Risk and Protective Factors, Parenting Stress, and Harsh Parenting in Mexican Origin Mothers with Toddlers

In a community sample of Mexican origin mothers with toddlers (n = 58), we examined risk and protective factors associated with mothers’ feelings of parenting stress and reports of harsh parenting practices. We evaluated maternal depressive symptoms, economic hardship, and child negative affect as risk factors and mothers’ global social support and romantic relationship quality as protective factors. Results indicated that depressive symptoms and economic hardship were unique predictors of increased parenting stress, whereas romantic relationship quality was associated with decreased parenting stress. Maternal depressive symptoms and romantic relationship quality were uniquely associated with harsh parenting practices; moreover, these statistical associations were accounted for by mothers’ feelings of parenting stress. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for programs that work with Mexican origin families with young children who are experiencing parenting stress, highlighting the importan...
Classification of Risk Status in Kindergarten Screening: A Comparison of Alternative Measures

This study examined the classification agreement associated with estimates of risk status across alternative measures for 92 kindergarten children and their caregivers. The study focused on the child variable of educational risk as measured by two instruments: Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning-Revised (DIAL-R) and Early Screening Profiles (ESP). Family risk was measured by the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Overall, the classification agreement between the measures designed to assess educational risk was moderate, but higher than past similar studies with preschool children. In contrast, the classification agreement between the measures of educational and family risk was low. The practice of kindergarten screening may need to be expanded to allow for the assessment of other critical variables, such as family risk.
Teamwork Through Team Building: Face-to-Face to Online

This article describes the ways the authors incorporated team-building activities into our online business writing courses by interrogating the ways that kinesthetic learning translates into the electronic realm. The authors review foundational theories of team building, including Cog's Ladder and Tuckman's Stages, and offer sample exercises they have converted. The authors show how the medium affects the exercises, how the choices made as teachers affect the exercises, and how they adjusted to meet the needs of their students. The authors argue that teamwork most successfully occurs after team building, and too often this team building is lacking in online environments.
Closure to “Integrated Decision Support System for Optimal Renewal Planning of Sewer Networks” by M. R. Halfawy, L. Dridi, and S. Baker

The authors of this paper discussed a number of issues in wastewater infrastructure management, including condition rating, deterioration modeling, risk assessment, asset prioritization, and optimization of rehabilitation strategies within budgetary constraints. While their effort is certainly laudable, I want to offer some comments about the deterioration modeling as presented in the “Example System Use” on p. 368, as well as discussed elsewhere in the paper. The authors recognize the importance of quality and quantity of condition assessment data to develop reliable deterioration models for sewer networks, but they fall short on the importance of using appropriate and correct model development and validation procedures. For example, the paper suggests and applies ordinary regression model s for deterioration of wastewater pipelines. However, it may not be advisable, and be “theoretically inappropriate” Lynch 2007 to use ordinary regression model s to predict discrete and ordered outcomes for the following reasons: 1. The deterioration may be intrinsically continuous, but it is usually measured in discrete and ordinal i.e., noncontinuous ways, in terms of, for example, structural internal condition grades ICGs or structural performance grades SPGs for wastewater pipelines. As noted by the authors, the Water Research Center’s Sewerage Rehabilitation Manual suggests
Distributed Hydrologic Modeling in Northwest Mexico Reveals the Links between Runoff Mechanisms and Evapotranspiration

AbstractA distributed hydrologic model is used to evaluate how runoff mechanisms—including infiltration excess (RI), saturation excess (RS), and groundwater exfiltration (RG)—influence the generation of streamflow and evapotranspiration (ET) in a mountainous region under the influence of the North American monsoon (NAM). The study site, the upper Sonora River basin (~9350 km2) in Mexico, is characterized by a wide range of terrain, soil, and ecosystem conditions obtained from best available data sources. Three meteorological scenarios are compared to explore the impact of spatial and temporal variations of meteorological characteristics on land surface processes and to identify the value of North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) forcing products in the NAM region. The following scenarios are considered for a 1-yr period: 1) a sparse network of ground-based stations, 2) raw forcing products from NLDAS, and 3) NLDAS products adjusted using available station data. These scenarios are discussed ...
Variable conformation and dynamics of calmodulin complexed with peptides derived from the autoinhibitory domains of target proteins

Calcium-saturated calmodulin (CaM) can bind and activate many target proteins through the direct association with the respective autoinhibitory domains. The CaM binding sequences within the autoinhibitory domains of these proteins have little sequence homology, and the mechanisms associated with CaM's ability to recognize and productively bind with these variable sequences is unclear. Common structural features of CaM bound to five peptides that are homologous to the autoinhibitory domains of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase, CaM-dependent protein kinase II alpha, the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase, a MARCKS homolog, and glycogen phosphorylase kinase were assessed using frequency-domain fluorescence spectroscopy. In addition, the structural features of CaM complexed with the peptide melittin was also considered. We observe similar decreases in the average fluorescence lifetime and similar increases in the solvent accessibility of N-(1-pyrenyl)maleimide (PM) bound at Cys27 in calcium binding loop I in the amino terminal domain of CaM upon association with all six target peptides. Likewise, using fluorescence resonance energy transfer to measure the spatial separation between the opposing globular domains in CaM, we observe a similar spatial separation between the opposing globular domains of CaM bound to all six peptides. This indicates that CaM undergoes comparable structural changes upon association with all six target peptides. However, there are significant differences in the observed lifetime, solvent accessibility, correlation time associated with the segmented rotational motion of PM-CaM, and in the spatial separation between the opposing globular domains in CaM upon association with the individual target peptides, which indicates that CaM adopts a different tertiary structure that is dependent on the structural features of the bound target peptide. The correlation times associated with the overall hydrodynamic properties of CaM complexed with all six peptides are nearly identical (phi 2 approximately 10.6 +/- 0.4 ns) and are consistent with the known dimensions of CaM complexed to a peptide homologous to the CaM binding sequence of CaM-dependent protein kinase II alpha. Therefore, while these results are consistent with a common binding mechanism between CaM and all six target peptides, they indicate that the binding domains of CaM adopt different tertiary structures that allow them to bind with the variable sequences found in the autoinhibitory domains of target proteins with high affinity.
Structure of the zinc-binding domain of an essential component of the hepatitis C virus replicase

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a human pathogen affecting nearly 3% of the world's population. Chronic infections can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. The RNA replication machine of HCV is a multi-subunit membrane-associated complex. The non-structural protein NS5A is an active component of HCV replicase, as well as a pivotal regulator of replication and a modulator of cellular processes ranging from innate immunity to dysregulated cell growth. NS5A is a large phosphoprotein (56-58 kDa) with an amphipathic alpha-helix at its amino terminus that promotes membrane association. After this helix region, NS5A is organized into three domains. The N-terminal domain (domain I) coordinates a single zinc atom per protein molecule. Mutations disrupting either the membrane anchor or zinc binding of NS5A are lethal for RNA replication. However, probing the role of NS5A in replication has been hampered by a lack of structural information about this multifunctional protein. Here we report the structure of NS5A domain I at 2.5-A resolution, which contains a novel fold, a new zinc-coordination motif and a disulphide bond. We use molecular surface analysis to suggest the location of protein-, RNA- and membrane-interaction sites.
Coordination of two planar robots in lifting

The dynamic equations for a two-robot system with and without load are formulated. For control purposes, the constraint forces are derived as functions of input and state. The inverse plant method and computation of the constraint forces are used to coordinate the control of the system. No pressure or force sensors are considered, and no force feedback is used. The effectiveness of the control strategy for point-to-point motion of the coordinated robots performing a lifting task is checked by digital computer simulations. >
Thermal Damage Prediction for Collagenous Tissues Part I: A Clinically Relevant Numerical Simulation Incorporating Heating Rate Dependent Denaturation

Subablative thermotherapy is frequently used for the treatment of joint instability related diseases. In this therapy, mechanically deformed collagenous tissues are thermally shrunk and the stability of the tissue is re-established. In this research, the thermal damage fields generated by three different clinical heating modalities (monopolar and bipolar radio frequency and Ho:YAG laser) are compared numerically using finite element analysis. The heating rate dependent denaturation characteristics of collagenous tissues are incorporated into the model using experimental data from in vitro experimentation with rabbit patellar tendons. It is shown that there are significant differences among the thermal damage profiles created by these modalities, explaining the main reason for the discrepancies reported in the literature in terms of the efficacy and safety of each modality. In the complementary paper, the accuracy of the model presented here is verified by in vitro experimentation with a model collagenous tissue and by quantifying the denaturation-induced birefringence change using Optical Coherence Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Intellectuality in parents of psychotic, subnormal, and normal children.

Due to etiological implications, parental intellectuality defined by 29 descriptive rating scales was compared in 96 families. Parents represented 33 autistic and schizophrenic children, 33 matched normals, and 30 subnormals. Data was obtained from objectively rated interviews, WAIS and other scales. All groups were alike in characteristics they sought in spouses and children, premarital interests, reading preferences, and life style. With the child's age, sex, ordinal position, race, religion and SES held constant, only one significant difference was found between parents of normal and autistic children. The latter emphasized academic success less in autistic than matched normals in their children. All parents of deviant children desired improvement in speech and relatedness, realistically deemphasizing intellectual achievement. Fathers' verbal IQs were significantly higher for autistic than subnormal groups. Parents of normals were significantly younger at child's birth, an unexpected finding implying a neurological link between autism and subnormality.
Differential expression of TGF-β isoforms during postlactational mammary gland involution.

After cessation of lactation, the mammary gland undergoes involution, which is characterized by a massive epithelial cell death and proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix. Whereas the expression patterns and also the function of TGF-β isoforms during mammary gland branching morphogenesis and lactation are well understood, their expression during postlactational involution and therefore a possible role in this process is poorly known. In this study we show that TGF-β3 expression is dramatically induced (>fivefold) during mouse mammary gland involution when compared to that of virgin mouse, reaching a maximal expression level at day 4 after weaning. In contrast, other TGF-β isoforms do not display significant increase in expression during involution (TGF-β1, 1.3-fold and TGF-β2, <1.5-fold) when compared to that of virgin or lactating mice. During mammary gland involution, TGF-β3 is expressed in the epithelial layer and particularly in myoepithelial cells. A comparison of the kinetics of TGF-β3 expression to that of programmed cell death and degradation of the basement membrane suggests that TGF-β3 functions in the remodeling events of the extracellular matrix during the second stage of involution.
Ideal solution behavior and heats of fusion from the UO2-PuO2 phase diagram

Abstract Under equilibrium conditions, the binary system UO 2 -PuO 2 forms a continuous series of solid solutions, and has the familiar lens-shaped phase diagram, without the previously reported maximum in the melting point. The curves are reproduced with great accuracy by using the ideal solution relations and values of the heats of fusion for the pure constituents obtained from the two-component melting point data. The Epstein and Howland approximation, that the entropy of fusion of metals and oxides is equal to R per atom, is subjected to a rigorous statistical evaluation by writing ΔH i / T i = α i N i R . If the rule were exact, α i would be unity. For both the 56 elements and the 46 oxides for which reliable heat of fusion data are available, it was found that the mean value of the deviation constant is $ α = 1.18 ± 0.32 . For UO 2 and PuO 2 , the values are αuo 2 = 1.140 ± 0.001, αpuo 2 = 1.057 ± 0.001, and the corresponding heats of fusion are ΔHuo 2 = 21 200 cal / mole , ΔHPuo 2 = 16 800 cal / mole , with an estimated uncertainty of 1300 cal/mole. Using these constants, the Lyon and Baily phase diagram can be derived theoretically, with deviations no greater than the experimental uncertainties.
Cognitive strategies for coping with uncertain outcomes

Abstract It was proposed that, when faced with highly desirable but uncertain outcomes, people may employ cognitive strategies in an attempt to influence their future affective responses to the outcomes in question. The present study attempted to demonstrate the use of two such strategies. First, it was hypothesized that when people are faced with a low probability of obtaining a highly desirable outcome, they tend to derogate that outcome by perceiving it as less attractive. Second, it was proposed that when people are faced with uncertainty regarding the occurrence of a highly desirable outcome, they tend to underestimate the likelihood of its occurrence, in an attempt to avoid future disappointment. These hypotheses were tested within the context of a lottery in which subjects were given a low, moderate, or high chance of winning a prize that was either high or low in attractiveness. As predicted, subjects viewed the highly attractive prize as less valuable and attractive when they had a low probability of winning than when the probability of winning was moderate or high. Subjects also perceived themselves as less likely to win when the prize was high in attractiveness than when it was low in attractiveness. The relationship of these findings to studies of self-handicapping and attribute ambiguity is discussed.
Validation of ocean color satellite sensors using coastal observational platform in Long Island Sound

The Long Island Sound Coastal Observational platform (LISCO) near Northport, New York, has been recently established to support satellite data validation. LISCO is equipped with both multispectral SeaPRISM and hyperspectral HyperSAS radiometers for ocean color measurements. LISCO substantially expands observational capabilities for the continuous monitoring and assessment of ocean color satellite data quality. This offers the potential for improving the calibration and validation activities of current and future Ocean Color satellite missions, as well as for satellite intercomparisons and spectral characterization of coastal waters. Results of measurements made by both the multi and hyperspectral instruments, in operation since October 2009, are presented, evaluated and compared with ocean color satellite data. The comparisons with the normalized water-leaving radiance derived from SeaPRISM with that from MERIS, MODIS and SeaWiFS showed satisfactory correlations (r > 0.9 at 550nm) and consistencies (APD < 15% at 550nm). Similar and equivalent results are obtained when the hyperspectral HYPERSAS data are compared with the same satellite datasets. The results confirm that the LISCO site is appropriate for use in calibration/validation of the ocean color satellites in coastal waters and as a key element of the AERONET-OC network. This makes it possible to foresee a wider use of the LISCO site to monitor current and future ocean color multispectral (NPOESS, Sentinel) and hyperspectral (HICO) satellite missions.
Individualized Assessment Moderates the Impact of HIPAA Privacy Rules

In this comment, I express appreciation of Erard's (this issue) review, and urge psychologists to continue to protect test security. I disagree with Erard's belief that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is salient for nonhealth forensic issues. I then review some ways in which individualized assessment practices can moderate the negative impact of the HIPPA privacy rules. Assessors can use tests as a ground for joint exploration of the client's experience, behavior, and their contexts. Clients may later ask for a review of test data and collaborative life findings, but they rarely are interested in acquiring test records. Attorneys, after discovering that assessment conclusions are based largely on events/contexts provided by the client and others, are less interested in acquiring test records that the psychologist used as tools rather than as evidence for conclusions.
Evaluation of the safety and tolerability of Neoral and Sandimmune: a meta-analysis.

PRIOR TO the development of cyclosporine, the immunosuppressive protocol used in many transplant recipients was azathioprine and prednisone. Since the development of cyclosporine, many transplant centers have switched to a triple immunosuppressive protocol of azathioprine, prednisone, and cyclosporine. The addition of cyclosporine provided improved patient and graft survival rates. However, studies have shown that the absorption of cyclosporine (Sandimmune) is altered by a variety of factors, which include bile flow, intake of food, and gastrointestinal motility. Due to the high interand intra-pharmacokinetic variability, defining an optimal dose has been difficult. Although patient and graft survival had increased, it became obvious that a more predictable formulation of cyclosporine had to be developed. Neoral was introduced in the early 1990s, and numerous studies have shown that Neoral has significantly less pharmacokinetic variability and its absorption is not as dependent as Sandimmune on the factors listed above. Many of these studies have suggested that Neoral is the better choice for immunosuppressive therapy; however, very few of these study results have reached statistical significance. Although Neoral has been endorsed as the cyclosporine formulation of choice, its administration to all transplant recipients remains in question. The focus of this study was to compare the safety and tolerability of Neoral and Sandimmune.
QCD thermodynamics with 2+1 flavors at nonzero chemical potential

We present results for the QCD equation of state, quark densities, and susceptibilities at nonzero chemical potential, using $2+1$ flavor asqtad ensembles with ${N}_{t}=4$. The ensembles lie on a trajectory of constant physics for which ${m}_{ud}\ensuremath{\approx}0.1{m}_{s}$. The calculation is performed using the Taylor expansion method with terms up to sixth order in $\ensuremath{\mu}/T$.
Length Scale Heterogeneity in Lateral Gradients of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Polymer Brushes Prepared by Surface-Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization Coupled with In-Plane Electrochemical Potential Gradients

We report the preparation and characterization of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) polymer brushes exhibiting controlled lateral variations in the patchiness of polymer chains. These gradients were achieved through an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) grafting-from approach utilizing surfaces on which the spatial profile of the initiator density was carefully controlled. Initiator density gradients were formed on Au by first preparing a hexadecanethiol (HDT) density gradient, by reductive desorption using a laterally anisotropic electrochemical gradient. The bare areas in the original HDT gradient were then back-filled with a disulfide initiator, (BrC(CH3)2COO(CH2)11S)2. The initiator coverage was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Then, surface-initiated ATRP was utilized to transfer the initiator density gradient into gradients of PNIPAAm chain density. Ellipsometry, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize these PN...
High‐Pressure Effects on the Microstructure, Texture, and Color of White‐Brined Cheese

: White-brined cheeses were subjected to high-pressure processing (HPP) at 50, 100, 200, and 400 MPa at 22 °C for 5 and 15 min and ripened in brine for 60 d. The effects of pressure treatment on the chemical, textural, microstructural, and color were determined. HPP did not affect moisture, protein, and fat contents of cheeses. Similar microstructures were obtained for unpressurized cheese and pressurized cheeses at 50 and 100 MPa, whereas a denser and continuous structure was obtained for pressurized cheeses at 200 and 400 MPa. These microstructural changes exhibited a good correlation with textural changes. The 200 and 400 MPa treatments resulted in significantly softer, less springy, less gummy, and less chewy cheese. Finally, marked differences were obtained in a* and b* values at higher pressure levels for longer pressure-holding time and were also supported by ΔE* values. The cheese became more greenish and yellowish with the increase in pressure level. Practical Application: The quality of cheese is the very important to the consumers. This study documented the pressure-induced changes in selected quality attributes of semisoft and brine-salted cheese. The results can help the food processors to have knowledge of the process parameters resulting in quality changes and to identify optimal process parameters for preserving pressure-treated cheeses.
Development and Application of Laser Diagnostics for Reacting and Nonreacting Flows at Wright-Patterson AFB

Over the past few years, we have developed and applied a wide range of laser-diagnostic techniques to an equally wide range of complex flowfields at Wright-Patterson AFB. Our guiding principle in these efforts has been to employ laser-based tools to further our understanding of turbulent flames, so that in the end we improve combustor performance (e.g., thrust, emissions, etc.). We have primarily focused on three areas for development (though our areas of application have been much broader): 1) combined planar laser-induced fluorescence and particle-image velocimetry, 2) planar Doppler velocimetry, and 3) filtered Rayleigh scattering. Each of these is a powerful imaging diagnostic technique that allows the study of complex turbulent flowfields. We discuss these tools in the context of their application to turbulent flows as well as future diagnostic development.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
A phase I clinical trial of didemnin B

Didemnin B is a depsipeptide extracted from the marine tunicate Trididemnin cyanophorum. This agent is a potent inhibitor of L1210 growth in vitro and has activity against murine B16 melanoma, P388 leukemia, and M5076 sarcoma in vivo. The results of preclinical toxicologic tests demonstrated abnormalities in clotting parameters thought to be secondary to drug-induced liver dysfunction. Thirty-five patients with advanced cancer received didemnin B according to a 5-day bolus schedule with dose levels ranging from 0.03 to 2.00 mg/m2/d. The dose-limiting toxicity was nausea and vomiting. Sporadic elevation of the hepatic enzyme level occurred but was not dose limiting. Two patients had anaphylactic symptoms possibly related to the 5% polyoxyethylated castor oil (Cremophor EL, BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany) vehicle during the drug infusion. Clinical bleeding was not observed and myelosuppression was not significant. No partial or complete tumor responses were seen. The recommended Phase II dose for the 5-day schedule is 1.6 mg/m2/d.
Effect of cadmium accumulation on serum vitellogenin levels and hepatosomatic and gonadosomatic indices of winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus)

Vitellogenin (Vg) is an egg yolk precursor protein that is produced in the liver and transported to developing oocytes in the gonad by the blood. Contaminants in the environment may affect its production by the liver as well as its uptake by the gonad, threatening the development and survival of winter flounder embryos or larvae. In order to study the effects of cadmium contamination on serum Vg levels (measured as alkali-labile phosphate or ALP), female winter flounder were exposed to 25 or 50 μg/L cadmium in seawater for 71 days. The exposure began in early November when Vg production begins, and ended in mid-January, when Vg levels peak.
C4 dense-deposit disease.

To the Editor: Dense-deposit disease is a complement-mediated disorder characterized by a proliferative glomerulonephritis, bright capillary-wall C3 staining on immunofluorescence microscopy, and large intramembranous osmiophilic dense deposits that markedly thicken the glomerular capillary walls.1,2 The underlying pathophysiology — fluid-phase dysregulation of the alternative pathway — leads to accumulation of C3 breakdown products in the glomerular basement membrane. C4 is conspicuously absent.3 Proteinuria was detected in a 12-year-old Hispanic girl at a well-child visit. The blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels were normal, urinalysis showed trace blood with a urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio of 1.5, and renal ultrasonography showed normal-size . . .
PRODUCTION OF CORN AND LEGUME MALTS FOR USE IN HOME FERMENTATION

Aqueous extracts of amylases from germinated corn, cowpeas, chickpeas and Great Northern beans were made to determine the optimum pH, temperature and time of incubation for their activity. Starch hydrolysis, measured by starch-iodine reaction, and amount of glucose liberated from soluble starch and from the seed starches were measured. Alpha-amylase from corn had a lower pH and a higher temperature optima than cowpeas, chickpeas and Great Northern beans. The amylase (total dextrinizing) activities measured at the optimum pH and temperature were 18.4, 14.3 and 2.66 for corn, cowpeas and Great Northern beans respectively. Chickpeas had a very low alpha-amylase activity. Corn and cowpea malts are more practical to use in home fermentation because they converted the starch to dextrin much faster. More reducing sugars were produced from the bean starches by corn and cowpea malts than by chickpea and Great Northern bean malts.