cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of graft cell dose on transplant outcomes following unrelated donor allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: higher CD34+ cell doses are associated with decreased relapse rates.

Abstract Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) have been increasingly used in the matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplant setting, but the impact of CD34+ cell dose on outcomes in this setting have not been well characterized. We analyzed 181 consecutive patients who underwent MUD-PBSC transplantation at the City of Hope between August 2000 to December 2004. Patients were conditioned with either full-intensity regimen or reduced-intensity regimen. There was a significant inverse relationship between higher CD34+ cell dose and faster neutrophil engraftment (r = −0.16, P = .035). By univariate analysis, a CD34+ cell dose ≥4.2 × 106/kg (above the lowest quartile) was associated with significantly lower relapse risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.67, P = .0126), with a trend for corresponding improvement for disease-free survival (HR = 0.84, P = .12) but not overall survival (HR = 0.91, P = .46). The impact of the CD34+ cell dose remained significant in multivariate analysis. The higher CD34+ cell dose was significantly associated with faster recovery of absolute lymphocyte counts on day +30 posttransplant. Subset analysis demonstrated that the higher CD34+ cell dose was associated with (1) greater reduction in relapse in myeloid malignancies than that in lymphoid malignancies, (2) greater reduction in reduced-intensity conditioning than in full-intensity conditioning, (3) greater reduction in relapse when there is a inhibitory killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor ligand (iKIRL)-mismatch in the gravft-versus-host (GVH) direction, and (4) greater reduction in relapse when there is a lack of iKIRL, suggesting that the protective effect of CD34+ cell dose against relapse may be immune-mediated, possibly through NK cell recovery.
Resonance Raman Overtone Intensities and Electron–Phonon Coupling Strengths in Semiconductor Nanocrystals

For linear electron-phonon coupling, the Huang-Rhys factor, S, gives the intensity ratio of the one-quantum vibronic transition (0 → 1) to the purely electronic origin transition (0 → 0) in a vibrationally resolved, zero-temperature absorption or emission spectrum. It is often assumed that the overtone to fundamental integrated intensity ratio in resonance Raman scattering of semiconductor nanocrystals is equal to or proportional to S, or that S may be determined from the overtone intensity in some other straightforward manner. In fact, this is not generally possible because of different excitation profiles for overtones and fundamentals, differential sensitivity of overtones and fundamentals to electronic dephasing, and interference effects from partially overlapping electronic transitions. Here we examine the relationship between the Huang-Rhys factor and the overtone to fundamental intensity ratio through spectroscopic simulations using parameters appropriate to II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals such as CdSe. A simple equation relating the overtone to fundamental Raman intensity ratio to the Huang-Rhys factor is obtained only in the case of a single resonant electronic state, excitation at the maximum of the inhomogeneously broadened absorption band, and a homogeneous line width small compared with the phonon frequency.
A Simple Approach to the Error Analysis of Division-Free Numerical Algorithms

A simple approach is described for the error analysis of division-free algorithms. Applications to the comparison of algorithms for extended sums, products, real polynomial evaluation, complex polynomial evaluation are also given.
Basis for quasi-two-body scaling

Recent measurements of high energy inclusive cross sections in $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$, close to the elastic limit, allow for experimental verification of the "coherent recoil" postulate of "quasi-two-body scaling." Theoretical arguments for the dominance of coherent recoil up to internal nucleon momenta $k\ensuremath{\simeq}1.2 \frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c}$ are presented, along with a new "derivation" of the relationship between quasi-two-body scaling and an "effective" ground state momentum distribution. A possible relationship between inclusive and elastic cross sections is explored.[NUCLEAR REACTIONS Quasi-two-body scaling, "effective" momentum distributions.]
Xeno-Free Defined Conditions for Culture of Human Embryonic Stem Cells, Neural Stem Cells and Dopaminergic Neurons Derived from Them

Background Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) may provide an invaluable resource for regenerative medicine. To move hESCs towards the clinic it is important that cells with therapeutic potential be reproducibly generated under completely defined conditions.
Comparison of low Reynolds number k–ε models in simulation of momentum and heat transport under high free stream turbulence

Abstract Calculations of the effects of high free stream turbulence (FST) on the transport of momentum and heat in a flat plate turbulent boundary layer are presented. Four well known low Reynolds number k – e models namely Launder–Sharma, K.-Y. Chien, Lam–Bremhorst and Jones–Launder were used in order to investigate specifically their prediction capabilities under high FST conditions (initial FST intensity, Tu i > 5%) . These models were implemented in computer code TEXSTAN, a partial differential equation solver which solves steady flow boundary layer equations. Firstly, these models were compared with empirical data and standard correlations to test how they predicted very low FST ( Tu i = 1%) cases. Predictions of all models for skin friction and heat transfer were good (within±5% of data and correlations) with the exception of the Lam–Bremhorst model which predicts skin friction and heat transfer within about 10% of empirical data and correlations. For turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) profiles, Jones–Launder and Launder–Sharma models had problems predicting the peak value of TKE. Subsequently, all these models were used in order to predict the effects of high FST ( Tu i > 5%) . Predictions became poorer (over-prediction up to more than 50% for skin friction and Stanton number, and under-prediction of TKE up to more than 50%) as FST increased to about 26%. The high FST data sets against which the predictions were compared had initial FST intensities of 6.53% and 25.7%. Physical reasoning as to why the aforementioned models break down with increasing FST is given.
Critical Thinking: Knowledge and Skills for Evidence-Based Practice.

Purpose I respond to Kamhi’s (2011) conclusion in his article “Balancing Certainty and Uncertainty in Clinical Practice” that rational or critical thinking is an essential complement to evidence-based practice (EBP). Method I expand on Kamhi’s conclusion and briefly describe what clinicians might need to know to think critically within an EBP profession. Specifically, I suggest how critical thinking is relevant to EBP, broadly summarize the relevant skills, indicate the importance of thinking dispositions, and outline the various ways our thinking can go wrong. Conclusion I finish the commentary by suggesting that critical thinking skills should be considered a required outcome of our professional training programs.
Thiourea-Based Bifunctional Organocatalysis: Supramolecular Recognition for Living Polymerization

A versatile, metal-free, organocatalytic approach to the living ring-opening polymerization of lactide using a bifunctional thiourea−tertiary amine catalyst is described. Mild and highly selective polymerization conditions produced poly(lactides) with predictable molecular weights and extremely narrow polydispersities (∼1.05), characteristic of a living polymerization. The extraordinary selectivity of this catalyst system for polymerization relative to transesterification is remarkably unusual. The low polydispersities and exceptional control observed are a consequence of selective transesterification of lactide relative to the open chain esters. Presumably, the ring strain of lactide provides both a driving force for the polymerization and a kinetic preference for polymerization relative to transesterification with catalyst. We postulate that the initiating/propagating alcohol is activated by acid−base interaction with the tertiary amine moiety and the carbonyl of the lactide monomer is simultaneously ac...
A Menelaus-Type Theorem for the Pentagram

(1993). A Menelaus-Type Theorem for the Pentagram. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 66, No. 2, pp. 121-123.
Genetic drift and polygenic inheritance.

The interaction of random gene drift and selection was studied by computer simulation for two quantitative traits, which were considered to approximate stature and skin color differences in human populations. The expected effects of gene drift, fixation of alleles and reduction of genotypic and phenotypic variances, were found in the simulation. Stabilizing selection, which seems to be the type of selection operating on these traits, was found to increase the effects of gene drift. Since there seems to be no evidence of reduction in phenotypic and presumably genotypic variability in small human populations, the applicability of these simple genetic models to human traits raises problems for which several possible solutions exist.
Direct lamination of solid oxide fuel cell anode support, anode, and electrolyte by sequential tape casting of thermoreversible gel slips

A novel direct lamination technique by tape casting thermoreversible gel-based slips is introduced for the production of solid oxide fuel cell anode support, anode, and electrolyte layers. Production of cells with controlled layer thicknesses of ∼10–500 μm and having well formed and relatively high toughness interfaces is demonstrated. Cells with maximum current density of 1.76 A•cm^(−2) and maximum power density 425 mW cm^(−2) were achieved using 97% H_2/3% H_2O fuel at 800 °C. Specific opportunities for further optimization of processing to improve electrochemical performance are highlighted.
A new physical finding in floppy eyelid syndrome.

Objective: The authors noted that many of their patients with the floppy eyelid syndrome had a unique finding of eyelash ptosis and lashes that curled in many directions. The purpose of this study was to determine how many of these patients had this physical finding. Design: Case series. Participants: The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts and photographs of eight consecutive patients with the floppy eyelid syndrome. They also examined four new patients with floppy eyelid syndrome. Intervention: Surgical tightening of 13 upper lids was performed in 9 patients. Main Outcome Measures: Relief of symptoms and normalization of eyelash position. Results: All of the 12 consecutive patients with floppy eyelid syndrome demonstrated eyelash ptosis with loss of eyelash parallelism. All patients treated with surgical shortening of the affected eyelid were asymptomatic at follow-up. Conclusions: The authors have identified a new physical finding in the floppy eyelid syndrome: eyelash ptosis with loss of eyelash parallelism. The authors believe that this new physical finding is characteristic of the floppy eyelid syndrome, and will aid in the timely diagnosis and treatment of this sometimes obscure syndrome.
Rational design of linear trinuclear metal complexes

A great deal of interest in multimetallic complexes derives from the special chemical and physical properties resulting from the mutual interaction of two or more metal centers. Of particular interest are one-dimensional chains of metal complexes. Materials of this type have exhibited unusual magnetic, optical, and conduction properties. Despite the great interest in this area, the development of widely applicable, rational methods for synthesis of desired metal chain complexes remains elusive. As part of a program to prepare metal-containing polymers, the authors have synthesized multichelating ligand systems. They recently reported the synthesis of a new binucleating ligand, cis-5,15-bis(o-({beta}-alanylamido)phenyl)-2,8,12,18-tetraethyl-3,7,13,17-tetramethylporphyrin, (H{sub 2}(DPE))(NH{sub 2}){sub 2}, and showed that the porphyrin core of this ligand can be metalated to produce mononuclear building blocks. They now report that these complexes can be readily used to prepare linear trinuclear metal complexes.
The challenge of cultural elites : celebrities and social movements

Although celebrities have become a regular fixture in modern social movements, there is little explicit theory on why, or on how they may affect the movements in which they participate. We begin by discussing the resources celebrities can bring to bear on social protest movements, as well as the risks that celebrity participation entails both for the movement and for the celebrity. We suggest a notion of political standing, which sets limits on the sorts of causes in which celebrities will generally participate. In constructing their legitimacy to speak for a movement, celebrities frequently alter the claims of that movement to more consensual kinds of politics. We examine the entry, action, and influence of celebrities in particular movements by looking at two recent controversies in which celebrities are deeply involved: The ongoing efforts to preserve the woods around Walden Pond, and the recent passage, and subsequent political fallout, of an antigay referendum in Colorado. In the first case, celebrity participation led to a redefining of movement claims into a nonconflictual inclusive politics that skirted important questions. In the second case, the larger claims of gay rights and liberation were eclipsed by the entry of celebrities into the conflict who universalized the opposition to discrimination. We conclude by discussing the systematic biases that movement use of celebrities may create, and the need to consider the impact of celebrities’peculiar relationships to audiences as they affect political movements and public life.
Studies of effects of hydrogen bonding on orientational relaxation using picosecond light pulses

Abstract Orientational relaxation of rhodamine 6G in a series of normal alcohols, ethylene glycol, chloroform and formamide has been studied using picosecond light pulses. The effects of hydrogen bonding and the structure of the liquids on the molecular rotational motion are examined.
URINE OROTIC ACID-OROTIDINE LEVELS IN AZARIBINE-TREATED PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS

Azaribine, as a pyrimidine analog, blocks the decarboxylase conversion of orotidylic acid to uridine monophosphate with a resultant excretion of accumulated orotic acid and orotidine in the urine. Patients treated with azaribine may develop transitory, severe central nervous system symptoms of depression, lethargy, and ataxia. These side effects are not predictable from oral dosage, and blood levels of the drug are very difficult to determine. All of our psoriatic patients treated with azaribine excreted large but variable amounts of orotic acid-orotidine in the urine. Spot urine ratios of orotic acid-orotidine:creatinine correlated very well with measured 24-hr urine output of orotic acid-orotidine. Patients with central nervous system symptoms were found to have very high urine levels of orotic acid orotidine. These symptoms can be prevented by monitoring the urinary orotic acid-orotidine:creatinine ratio levels and keeping them within a range which is still compatible with successful management of the psoriatic lesions.
Void nucleation and growth in irradiated polycrystalline metals: a phase-field model

We present a phase-field model for void formation in polycrystalline metals with vacancy concentrations exceeding the thermal equilibrium values. By incorporating a coupled set of Cahn–Hilliard and Allen–Cahn equations, the model captures several relevant processes including vacancy annihilation and nucleation at grain boundaries (GBs), vacancy diffusion toward sinks (including GBs and void surfaces) as well as void nucleation and growth due to vacancy supersaturations occurring in the grain interiors. Illustrative results are presented that characterize the rate of annihilation of the vacancy population at the GB sinks, as well as the formation of void denuded zones adjacent to GBs in bicrystalline and polycrystalline samples, the width of which is found to depend on both the vacancy diffusivity and the vacancy production rate.
Analyzing Real Estate Data Problems Using the Gibbs Sampler

Real estate data are often characterized by data irregularities: missing data, censoring or truncation, measurement error, etc. Practitioners often discard missing- or censored-data cases and ignore measurement error. We argue here that an attractive remedy for these irregularity problems is simulation-based model fitting using the Gibbs sampler. The style of the paper is primarily pedagogic, employing a simple illustration to convey the essential ideas, unobscured by implementation complications. Focusing on the missing-data problem, we show dramatic improvement in inference by retaining rather than deleting cases of partially observed data. We also detail Gibbs-sampler usage for other data problems.
The dating of impure carbonates with decay-series isotopes

Abstract The uranium-series disequilibrium methods have been successfully applied to the dating of clean carbonate precipitates such as coralline and speleothem materials. Similar success has yet to be achieved for the widely occuring inorganically precipitated impure carbonates (e.g., travertine, tufa, and calcrete), of which there is an ever-increasing need for determining their chronology in Quaternary and archaeological studies. The main problem involves the presence of detrital materials which cannot be isolated from the carbonate fraction by simple physical means. Chemical separation using dilute acid leaching has been often attempted. This process may solubilize some of the uranium and thorium isotopes from the detrital component, and this detrital contamination must be corrected for. This paper reviews the principles and assumptions of the detrital correction schemes, discusses the theoretical and experimental aspects of the mixing-line plots as suggested by Rosholt and Szabo, and recommends analytical procedures pertinent to the use of such plots.
Oligomeric A2 + B3 synthesis of highly branched polysulfone ionomers: novel candidates for ionic polymer transducers

Highly branched poly(arylene ether sulfone)s with systematically varied degrees of branching and sulfonation were synthesized through oligomeric A2 + B3 methods for application as ionic polymer transducer (IPT) membranes. IPTs are a class of electroactive polymer devices that leverage ionomeric membranes to perform electromechanical transduction as actuators and/or sensors. Synthesis of controlled molecular weight A2 oligomeric polysulfones targeted the global degree of branching (DBglobal) to approximately 1–3% in the absence of gelation. Size exclusion chromatography confirmed molecular weights greater than 20 000 g mol−1 were achieved for linear and branched polysulfones. Increased degree of sulfonation of the A2 oligomers reduced the development of molecular weight in the oligomeric A2 + B3 branching reaction; the formation of tough, flexible, ion-conducting membranes is required for emerging transducer applications. Variation in the DBglobal attained did not affect the thermal transitions or elastic modulus as significantly as changes in the degree of sulfonation. However, an ionic dissociation temperature was detected below the glass transition temperature of the polysulfone matrix and was relatively independent of the degree of sulfonation. Successful synthesis and characterization of these well-defined branched polysulfone ionomers provide a basis for future investigation of polymer topology effects on IPT performance. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Sequencing a genome by walking with clone-end sequences (abstract): a mathematical analysis

One important approach to sequencing a large genome is (i) to sequence a collection of non-overlapping `seed' chosen from a genomic library of large-insert clones (such as bacterial artificial chromosome (BACs)) and then (ii) to take successive `walking' steps by selecting and sequencing minimally overlapping clones, using information such as clone-end sequences to identify the overlaps. We analyze the strategic issues involved in using this approach. We derive formulas showing how two key factors, the initial density of seed clones and the depth of the genomic library used for walking, affect the cost and time of a sequencing project—that is, the amount of redundant sequencing and the number of steps to cover the vast majority of the genome. We also discuss a variant strategy in which a second genomic library with clones having a somewhat smaller insert size is used to close gaps. This approach can dramatically decrease the amount of redundant sequencing, without affecting the rate at which the genome is covered.
Comments on functional analysis procedures for school-based behavior problems

Functional analysis procedures were developed in the 1980s in an effort to determine whether clinicians could identify the function of behavior problems like self-injury and aggression. More recently, several groups of researchers have been attempting to extend that procedure to classroom environments. The following commentary reflects my viewpoint of this transition.
Higher order mode Gaussian beam waves propagating through turbulence

It is well known that laser beams spread as they propagate through free space due to natural diffraction, and that there is additional spreading when optical waves propagate through atmospheric turbulence. Previous studies on Gaussian beams have mainly involved the lowest order mode (zero- order). The study of higher order mode Gaussian beams has involved Hermite-Gaussian and Laguerre-Gaussian beams for rectangular and cylindrical geometry respectively. These studies have developed expressions for the field and intensity in free space in addition to developing new definitions of beam size in the receiver plane for the higher order modes. In this paper we calculate the mean intensity of higher order mode Gaussian beams propagating through atmospheric turbulence, and, based on previously developed definitions for beam radius, we calculate the additional beam spreading due to random media. It is shown that higher order mode Gaussian beams experience less percentage of additional broadening due to atmospheric fluctuations than the zero order mode beams.
The essential role of cobalt in the inhibition of the cytosolic isozyme of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase from Nicotiana silvestris by glyphosate.

Abstract The prime molecular target of glyphosate ( N -[phosphonomethyl]glycine), a potent herbicidal and antimicrobial agent, is known to be the shikimate-pathway enzyme, 5- enol -pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase. Inhibition by glyphosate of an earlier pathway enzyme that is located in the cytosol of higher plants, 3-deoxy- d - arabino -heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase (DS-Co), has raised the possibility of dual enzyme targets in vivo . With the recent appreciation that magnesium (and manganese) can replace cobalt as the divalent-metal activator of DS-Co, it has now been possible to show that sensitivity of DS-Co to inhibition by glyphosate is obligately dependent upon the presence of cobalt. Evidence for a cobalt(II):glyphosate complex with octahedral coordination was obtained through examination of the effect of glyphosate upon the visible electronic spectrum of aqueous solutions of cobalt(II) chloride. The presence of glyphosate increased the concentration of cobalt(II) chloride required for enzyme activity, and the concentration of cobalt(II) chloride markedly affected the concentration of glyphosate required for inhibition of DS-Co activity. The extent to which DS-Co is vulnerable to inhibition by glyphosate in vivo depends, therefore, upon the unknown extent to which DS-Co molecules in the cytosol might be associated with cobalt.
Nonlinear deformation of axisymmetrically loaded polar orthotropic annular plates

Abstract The equivalent load concept is used in the analysis of large deflection (in the von Karman sense) of polar orthotropic annular plates in which the nonlinear terms of lateral displacement are considered as additional sets of loads acting on the plate. The solution of a von Karman type orthotropic plate is thus reduced to that of an equivalent plate undergoing small displacement. Solutions for plates with simply supported and clamped outer edges and free inner boundaries are obtained and found to be in good agreement with the available solutions. Results are presented to show the effect of orthotropy on lateral displacement and stresses. The numerical technique used in this study offers an efficient means of obtaining solutions to nonlinear plate problems.
A Thermal Stability Criterion for Heat Conduction in Multilayer Composite Solids

Excessive heat generation within a body can cause unbounded temperature or thermal instability. In this work, a new stability test is established for heat conduction in one-dimensional multilayer composite solids that have internal heat generation at a rate proportional to the interior temperature. In the development, a spatial state formulation in the Laplace transform domain and a root locus analysis yield a stability criterion. This criterion gives an upper bound of heat source for thermal stability and relates the degree of excessive heat production to the number of unstable (positive) eigenvalues. The proposed stability test does not need any information on system eigenvalues, requests minimum computational effort, and is applicable to composites with thermal resistance at layer interfaces and bodies with nonuniformly distributed parameters. The convenience and efficiency of the stability test are demonstrated in three numerical examples.
Translocation of spectrin and protein kinase C to a cytoplasmic aggregate upon lymphocyte activation.

Abstract We have previously reported that mammalian tissue lymphocytes exhibit significant heterogeneity with respect to the subcellular distribution of spectrin and that this phenomenon may result from a dynamic behavior of spectrin in response to activation signals. Here, we further characterize the involvement of spectrin in lymphocyte activation by examining its relationship with protein kinase C (PKC). PKC isoenzymes are a family of cytosolic kinases that translocate from the soluble to particulate fraction upon cell stimulation. It is reported here that activation of lymph node T cells through the antigen-specific receptor, or direct activation of PKC by phorbol esters, results in a striking increase in cells expressing a cytoplasmic aggregate of spectrin. Additionally, a concurrent increase in cells expressing aggregates of the beta II isozyme of PKC is observed. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that spectrin and PKC beta II are colocalized in untreated lymphocytes and that these two proteins are coincidently translocated to the same focal aggregate within the cytoplasm following stimulation. This redistribution of spectrin and PKC beta is blocked by pretreatment with calphostin C, a specific inhibitor of PKC. Solubility studies showed that there is an increase of both proteins in the detergent-insoluble fraction of lymphocytes upon activation, and immunoprecipitation studies indicated that the soluble form of these molecules may be associated directly or indirectly as part of a complex of proteins. These data indicate that the positioning of the spectrin-based cytoskeleton is sensitive to activation signals and may play a role in the function or positioning of PKC beta II.
Concurrent purification of sterols, triterpenols and alkenones from sediments for hydrogen isotope analysis using high performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Three methods are presented on how to purify acetylated sterols, acetylated triterpenols and individual alkenones for hydrogen isotope analysis from marine and lacustrine sediments using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The main advantages over previous HPLC methods are reduced operator time, increased automation and the ability to simultaneously purify multiple target compounds from a sample. These gains are achieved primarily by acetylating compounds prior to purification rather than after, and also by using a fraction collector with semi-preparatory rather than analytic configuration. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated for (i) dinosterol and taraxerol in sediment from the brackish pond Poza del Diablo, Galapagos, (ii) for di- and tri-unsaturated C37 and C38 alkenones in cultured Emiliania huxleyi, (iii) for brassicasterol, and di-, tri- and tetra-unsaturated C37 alkenones in sediment from Manito Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada, and (iv) for brassicasterol, dinosterol and di-, tri- and tetra-unsaturated C37 alkenones in sediment from the Great Salt Lake, Utah. The purification process yields 80–90% recoveries and results in no measurable hydrogen isotope alteration.
Focusing Properties of the Gaussian Beam Generated by Optical Resonators with Gaussian Reflectivity Mirrors

Abstract This paper presents a parametric study concerning the focusing properties of the light beam generated by optical resonators with Gaussian reflectivity mirrors. The diffraction integral has been evaluated and analytical expressions are derived for intensity patterns near the focus in systems of different Fresnel numbers. Universal curves have been plotted against dimensionless parameters to show the variations in the intensity patterns due to the change in focusing geometry and the incident beam intensity profile. Modification to the well known diffraction formula are considered in order to extend the conventional Gaussian formalism to the case of Gaussian mirror resonators.
Telepresence and Exemplification: Does Spatial Presence Impact Sleeper Effects?

Exemplification theory (Zillmann, 1999, 2002; Zillmann & Brosius, 2000) suggests exemplar representations in media content may cause people to make overestimated judgments about observed phenomena. Other exemplification research also notes the possibility of a sleeper effect (Gibson & Zillmann, 1994). One hundred forty-seven participants viewed a news story about a terrorist attack in Iraq in one of five conditions meant to manipulate aspects of telepresence and a sleeper effect. Data were not consistent with predictions related to telepresence and sleeper effects. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Use of Habitat, Size of Prey, and Food-Niche Relationships of Two Sympatric Otters in Southernmost Chile

In Magallanes (southernmost Chile), the marine otter Lutra felina tends to use more open and wave-exposed coastal areas, whereas L. provocax is found in more protected habitats. To investigate the hypothesis that the two species segregate habitats to avoid competition for food, we surveyed the available literature on food habits and analyzed food-niche relationships of both species of otters in Magallanes. Overlap of diet between species of otters was relatively high, and L. provocax tended to have a narrower diet than L. felina . Both species consumed prey of similar size. These findings are consistent with the use of different habitats to avoid competition for food resources. However, alternate models, including habitat segregation resulting from differential abilities of the two species at catching prey in more wave-exposed habitats, deserve some attention. Our analysis also revealed that niche breadth and size of prey taken by L. felina at three sites along the Chilean coast were relatively similar. At Chiloe, however, L. felina exhibited the narrowest diet and consumed the largest prey. Although such a difference might be related to variation in abundance of prey among localities, it may also have resulted from the relatively small sample available for Chiloe.
Modulation of levels of a negative transcription factor for IL-2 by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate and okadaic acid.

Abstract A negatively acting transcription factor, negative regulatory element-A (NREA) that suppresses the transcription of interleukin 2 (IL-2) mRNA, has been described previously. We found that treatment of primary bovine lymphocytes with 12-O?tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C, for at least 18 h both increased the levels of the factor and blocked concanavalin A (Con A)-induced proliferation. In contrast, treatments of less than 18 h with TPA decreased NREA levels and increased Con A-induced proliferation. NREA binding activity also increased over basal levels during the first 4 h of stimulation of lymphocytes with Con A in the absence of TPA: after 4 h, NREA levels fell. Phosphorylation of the NREA protein was required for binding to its DNA consensus sequence. Furthermore, incubation of lymphocytes with okadaic acid (OKA), a phosphatase inhibitor, led to increased levels of NREA binding activity and to decreased cell proliferation. Because exposure of lymphocytes to either OKA or TPA should lead to an increase in the phosphorylation and binding of the NREA protein, and a decrease in IL-2 production, proliferation should be decreased. Incubation of lymphocytes with either TPA or OKA inhibited proliferation. However, the mechanisms of action of OKA and TPA appeared to be different because exogenous IL-2 reversed the inhibition of proliferation caused by TPA but not by OKA.
Organic matter fluxes from sediment traps in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean

The vertical flux of particulate organic matter to the ocean floor is controlled by complex remineralization and transport processes. Rapidly sinking, large (>32 µm) particles may account for most of the vertical mass flux1–3. Experiments involving collection of sedimenting particles in traps deployed at varying depths in the water column provide a way of assessing these processes directly2–12. Measurement of organic carbon content of trap material may lead to a general understanding of the flux of particulate organic matter to the sea floor3,8–10. However, details of the transport and transformation phenomena involving sinking particulate organic material can be elucidated only by determining distributions of specific organic compounds associated with the particles11,12. We report here direct flux measurements and composition of lipids obtained by organic geochemical studies of particulate material collected in a deep-sea moored sediment trap experiment in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean.
Soybean Canopy Coverage and Light Interception Measurements Using Digital Imagery

Canopy light interception (LI) is important for yield and crop growth, but LI is often not measured because measurements must be made close to solar noon in unobstructed, direct-beam sunlight. Digital imagery may allow measurements of canopy coverage that are independent of solar radiation and solar angle restrictions. The objectives of this research were to determine the proportion of ground area covered by a soybean (Glycine max L. [Merr.]) canopy from digital images taken from above, and to compare the canopy-coverage measurements with LI measurements. Software limited the scanned areas of digital images to leaves, which allowed calculation of fractional canopy coverage. Similar values of canopy coverage were obtained throughout the day using digital imagery. Furthermore, comparisons of canopy coverage values with LI measured near solar noon indicated that there was a one-to-one relationship. Digital imagery, coupled with appropriate software, offers a simple and effective method of determining canopy coverage and LI.
Suppressive action of near-ultraviolet light on ouabain resistance induced by far-ultraviolet light in Chinese hamster cells

Abstract The interaction between ultraviolet light (UV-C) from germicidal lamps (254 nm) and near-ultraviolet light (UV-B) from Westinghouse Sun Lamps (290–345 nm) was studied in Chinese hamster V79 cells by measuring the effectiveness of combined exposures to induce the resistance to 6-thioguanine or to ouabain. Exposure of cells to a conditioning dose of UV-B (∼ 70% survival) results in significant inhibition of the induction by UV-C of cells resistant to ouabain. The inhibition is lost, however, if cells are incubated for 12 h at 37°C between exposures. Inhibition is also observed when cells are preirradiated with a dose of UV-B filtered with polystyrene (300–345 nm) which, in itself, has no effect on cell killing. Conditioning exposures of unfiltered or filtered UV-B light do not inhibit the induction of 6-thioguanine-resistant cells by UV-C light, and the effects of UV-B and UV-C light are largely independent.
Delivery of the photosensitizer Pc 4 in PEG–PCL micelles for in vitro PDT studies

The silicon phthalocyanine Pc 4 is a second-generation photosensitizer that has several properties superior to other photosensitizers currently approved by the FDA, and it has shown significant promise for photodynamic therapy (PDT) in several cancer cells in vitro and model tumor systems in vivo. However, because of the high hydrophobicity of Pc 4, its formulation for in vivo delivery and favorable biodistribution become challenging. To this end, we are studying encapsulation and delivery of Pc 4 in block copolymer micelles. Here, we report the development of biocompatible PEG–PCL micelle nanoparticles, encapsulation of Pc 4 within the micelle core by hydrophobic association with the PCL block, and in vitro PDT studies of the micelle-formulated Pc 4 in MCF-7c3 human breast cancer cells. Our studies demonstrate efficient encapsulation of Pc 4 in the micelles, intracellular uptake of the micelle-formulated Pc 4 in cells, and significant cytotoxic effect of the formulation upon photoirradiation. Quantitative estimation of the extent of Pc 4 loading in the micelles and the photocytotoxicity of the micelle-incorporated Pc 4 demonstrate the promise of our approach to develop a biocompatible nanomedicine platform for tumor-targeted delivery of Pc 4 for site-selective PDT. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99: 2386–2398, 2010
Effects of the powder manufacturing method on microstructure and wear performance of plasma sprayed alumina–titania coatings

Abstract Three Al 2 O 3 –13wt.% TiO 2 powders, with the same chemical composition but different Al 2 O 3 –TiO 2 distribution patterns, are plasma sprayed and the resulting coatings are compared in terms of their phase composition, microstructure, hardness, crack growth resistance, and abrasive wear performance. It is demonstrated that the degree of mixing of the Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 ingredients in the feed powder has immense impact on the phase composition, microstructure, hardness, crack growth resistance, and abrasive wear performance of the coatings. A high degree of mixing of Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 in the powder state results in more uniform microstructure, higher hardness, higher crack growth resistance, and consequently better abrasive wear resistance of the coating.
PREPARATION OF FULL-FAT SOY FLOUR BY CONDITIONING, HEATING AND GRINDING

A method for manufacturing full-fat soy flour was developed which appears suitable for developing countries. Soybeans were conditioned to about 23% moisture by soaking for 10 min and tempering for 1 hr. They were then heated in an air drier at 99° or 110°C. During heating, the trypsin inhibitor activity in the soybeans decreased by at least 80% in 25 min at 99°C or 15 min at 110°C when tap water was used for conditioning. Full-fat flour made from these soybeans had PDl's of 55 and 42 when the soybeans were heated at 99° and 110°C, respectively. In organoleptic, farinograph and baking tests these soy flours performed as well as or better than commercial soy flour.
A Systematic Study of Mental Illness, Substance Abuse, and Treatment in 600 Homeless Men

AbstractSix hundred homeless men from St. Louis shelters and streets were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS). The majority of homeless men in St. Louis are single and black, with a mean age in their mid-30s. On average, they have not quite a high school education and most have had recent employment difficulties. Major mental illness is overrepresented among these homeless men, although the majority do not suffer from major nonsubstance mental illness. If substance abuse is included, however, the majority (77%) have a history of a psychiatric disorder. Substance abuse was found to complicate almost all pschiatric illness in this population. Three-Lurths (75%) of the men have a history of substance abuse, predominantly alcohol. One-fourth met criteria for antisocial personality; one-fourth are convicted felons.Half of the men have received inpatient psychiatric care. The ma'ority of inpatient services are being used for substance abuse treatment. Only half of those who have a history ...
A scoring system identified near-miss maternal morbidity during pregnancy

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to develop a scoring system for identifying women with near-miss maternal morbidity, and differentiating these women from those with severe but not life-threatening conditions. Study design and setting The study was conducted at the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago (UIMC), which is a tertiary care hospital with approximately 2,220 births per year. UIMC is in a major urban area serving a predominantly African–American and Latina population. This article focuses on five clinical factors: organ failure (⩾1 system), extended intubation (>12 hr), ICU admission, surgical intervention, and transfusion (>3 units), grouped into several scoring system alternatives. The total score on each scoring system was calculated as the weighted sum of the clinical factors present for each woman. Results The five-factor scoring system had the highest specificity (93.9%), but the four-factor scoring system, which eliminated organ system failure for simplification of data collection, still had a specificity of 78.1%. Conclusion Near-miss morbidities identified using the scoring systems presented can be incorporated into clinical case review and epidemiologic studies to enhance the monitoring of obstetric care and to improve estimates of the incidence of life-threatening complications in pregnancy.
Event-related potentials during digit recognition tasks

Abstract Objective : An event-related potential (ERP) correlate of visual short-term memory (VMP) has been identified in our laboratory. This study aims to determine how stimulus load modulates recognition processing of digits. Methods : ERPs were recorded from 117 healthy right-handed subjects during a delayed matching-to-sample paradigm, using number stimuli that were either low load (three digits long) or high load (five digits long). The bootstrap method [R. Srebro, A bootstrap method to compare the shapes of two scalp fields, Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophysiol. 100 (1996) 25–32.] was employed to evaluate the topographic features of the VMP revealed in the current source density (CSD) maps. Results : Response times were significantly shorter for matching stimuli than for non-matching stimuli only for low loads; longer response times were related to higher loads compared to low loads only for matching stimuli. The high loads were related to larger ERP responses. The ERP was significantly smaller for matching than for non-matching three-digit numbers, but not for five-digit numbers. The ERP was also reduced to the test stimuli compared to sample stimuli regardless of stimulus load. Both temporal and frontal regions were involved in the recognition of the digit stimuli, and the left hemisphere was more active in the non-matching processing of digits. Conclusions : The VMP spatial pattern in addition to its amplitude is sensitive to stimulus load in the encoding process.
Down-regulation of protein kinase C in rat glioma C6 cells: Effects on the β-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase

Summary Continuous exposure of rat glioma C6 cells to 12- O -tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) resulted in a time and dose dependent loss of [ 3 H]-phorbol dibutyrate binding sites and protein kinase C activity. Thus, by 24 h, the cells were essentially depleted of protein kinase C activity. In agreement with previous studies, TPA treatment caused a reduction in isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and a sequestration of β-adrenergic receptors. Cells were treated with TPA for 24–48 h to completely down-regulate protein kinase C and then exposed to isoproterenol. Agonist-mediated desensitization of adenylate cyclase and sequestration of β-adrenergic receptors occured at similar rates in control and TPA-treated cells. In addition, agonist-mediated down-regulation of β-adrenergic receptors was not impaired by the absence of protein kinase C activity. Although both agonists and phorbol esters cause desensitization of the β-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase, agonist-mediated events can occur independently of protein kinase C.
Optimal control of finite state Markov processes under counting observations

The authors deal with the class of noisy observations of a controlled finite-state Markov process which modulates the rate of point processes. The control problems for a finite-state Markov process under partial observations are reformulated as ones for piecewise deterministic processes. In a weak sense, the value function is shown to be a viscosity solution of the corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations. >
Electro-mechanical coupling in 8/65/35 PLZT

This work presents the experimental characterization of 8/65/35 PLZT subjected to stress and electric field loading above the coercive field. Strain vs. electric field and electric displacement vs. electric field hysteresis loops as well as stress vs. strain and stress vs. electric displacement are measured. The limitations of linear constitutive modeling and the limitations of large strain ferroelectrics as actuator materials are examined. The results indicate a stress vs. strain curve that clearly shows the "yield" or ferroelastic switching stress is an important criteria for assessing the capability of actuator ceramics. A low threshold of ferroelastic switching means the piezoelectric effect is easily clamped.
When good people happen to bad things: Student learning in unfortunate times

As a new member of the Virginia Tech community, Frank Shushok encourages us to recognize that tragedy, albeit incredibly unfortunate and difficult, provides a temporary openness to the bigger questions of life and living.
RESEARCH ARTICLE: Hispanics and Environmental Voting in the US Congress

We compare the environmental voting behavior of Hispanic congressional members with those of White and African American members, seek to explain disparities in long-term voting trends, and discuss the implications for future environmental policy development. We analyzed congressional members' voting behavior from 1995 to 2006. Multivariate regression models were employed to determine what factors explain racial disparities in voting. Hispanic members were more likely than White, but less likely than African American, to vote proenvironmentally throughout the period. Results show political party increasingly explains this difference. This is because Democrats and Republicans have become increasingly polarized around environmental issues while at the same time racial disparities in party membership in Congress, largely due to increasing Hispanic membership, have also widened. Although oil-and-gas PAC contributions, region, and other variables are also significant predictors of proenvironmental voting, these...