cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alcohol Accelerates Loss of Muscle and Impairs Recovery of Muscle Mass Resulting From Disuse Atrophy

Background: Muscle disuse atrophy is observed in patients recovering from trauma and there is an increased risk and severity of injury in patients abusing alcohol (EtOH). However, the interaction of EtOH and disuse on muscle protein balance has not been examined. Therefore, the present study addressed the hypothesis that EtOH accelerates the disuse atrophy and/or impairs the accretion of muscle protein during muscle recovery. Methods: To address this aim, disuse atrophy was induced in rats by 3 days of unilateral hindlimb immobilization (casting), using the contralateral leg as control, with EtOH or saline being orally gavaged twice, each day during this period. In a separate study, EtOH-treated rats received Velcade to inhibit proteasomal degradation. Finally, in the last study, rats had 1 limb casted for 5 days, the cast removed, and EtOH or saline gavaged twice daily during a 5-day recovery period. Muscle protein metabolism was assessed using surrogate markers of protein synthesis [i.e., phosphorylation of 4E-binding protein 1 (BP1) and S6 kinase 1 (S6K1)] and protein degradation (i.e., mRNA content of the ubiquitin E3 ligases atrogin-1 and MuRF1). Results: Ethanol alone did not decrease muscle weight in the uncasted muscle. However, the loss of mass of immobilized muscle from EtOH-gavaged rats was 80% greater than in the animals not receiving EtOH. This atrophic response was not associated with a change in Akt, 4E-BP1 or S6K1 phosphorylation among groups. In contrast, immobilization alone increased both atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA, and EtOH further increased their expression in immobilized muscle. The proteasome inhibitor Velcade attenuated atrophy produced by EtOH + disuse. When administered during the recovery period, EtOH prevented the normal accretion of muscle mass. This EtOH effect was associated with increased atrogin-1 mRNA, a reduction in 4E-BP1 and S6 phosphorylation, and an increased AMP-activated kinase phosphorylation. Conclusions: Based on the changes in these surrogate markers, our data suggest that EtOH accelerates disuse atrophy by stimulating ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, and blunts repletion of muscle protein during recovery from disuse by increasing proteolysis and decreasing protein synthesis.
Maximizing access, minimizing cost: a first step toward the information access future

This white paper is an outgrowth of discussions of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Committee on Access to Information Resources. Although initially written for (he research library community, (he issues included in the paper are relevant lo all libraries that share materials. The white paper sets forth a series of assumptions which serve as the basis for a critique of current ILL activities. The weaknesses of the current environment are complimented by several notable successes. An ideal ILL environment is described, with descriptions of ideal automated financial accounting and management systems. The white papcr also sets forth a series of umanked recommendations that would help realize the ideal. The white papcr offers desirable time frames, effort, costs, and suggests who might lead those initiatives. The white paper was witten to stimulate discussions and begin initiatives that would improve interlibrary loan for all types and sized of libraries.
ULTRASTRUCTURE OF IMMUNOLOGIC PROCESSES.

Publisher Summary Thechapter discusses the shape of immunology in the electron microscope. In its accelerated growth, immunology encompassed a wide range of phenomena from gross pathology to molecular structure and interaction. The ultrastructural immune process can be insighted in future by least three directions. First, additional refinements of the instrument may be expected. Second, intracellular histochemical and immuno-histochemical reagents are just beginning to prove their value. Methods are evolving to separate DNA from RNA morphologically, to distinguish surface antigens from each other, to find the reactive sites of antibody molecules. Last, electron autoradiography provides an opportunity to internally mark the molecular units of an organism. Ultrastructure of immunologic reactions such as antigen-antibody union ( in-vitro and in-vivo ) and pathology (circulating antigen-antibody complexes or macromolecular aggregates and host-immune response to endugenous antigen) are discussed. morphologic immunology hasextended into the realm of the minute,The ultrastructural image of immunologic processes and reactions is the image created by means of the electron microscope. The chapter also discusses formation, storage and release, and sensitized cells (cell-bound antibody) of antibodies and two type of antigen–exogenous and endogenous.
Regional Differences in the Economic Correlates of the Urban Homicide Rate

This article examines regional differences in the economic correlates of the urban homicide rate. On the basis of cultural variations between the South and other parts of the country, the proportion of the population below the poverty line and the level of income inequality are hypothesized to have stronger positive effects on the homicide rate in nonsouthern than in southern cities. Regression results for a sample of 256 nonsouthern cities and a sample of 91 southern cities do not support the hypothesis for the measure of income inequality, however. The Gini coefficient of family income concentration has no significant effect in either region. In contrast, the results for the poverty measure are consistent with expectations. The proportion below the poverty line has a significant, positive effect on the homicide rate only in the nonsouthern sample. These findings suggest that the impact of economic deprivation on rates of violent crime is likely to vary appreciably depending on the general cultural context.
An iterative technique for training speaker verification systems

As biometrics progresses from the lab into practical embedded applications, the need for systems that are computationally simple, memory efficient, and accurate becomes a priority. Polynomial classification systems have high potential to fit these requirements. Previous work has shown that polynomial techniques applied to speaker verification lend to accurate systems with simple multiply-add structures well-fitted to DSP architectures. One of the challenges of the polynomial method is to find memory efficient techniques for training. We show that through a simple matrix index mapping technique combined with iterative training, memory requirements can be reduced drastically in training. We apply the new method to the YOHO database to show the equivalence of the method to prior approaches.
Nonlinear Trivelpiece-Gould waves: Frequency, functional form, and stability

This paper considers the frequency, spatial form, and stability of nonlinear Trivelpiece-Gould (TG) waves on a cylindrical plasma column of length L and radius rp, treating both traveling waves and standing waves, and focussing on the regime of experimental interest in which L/rp≫1. In this regime, TG waves are weakly dispersive, allowing strong mode-coupling between Fourier harmonics. The mode coupling implies that linear theory for such waves is a poor approximation even at fairly small amplitude, and nonlinear theories that include a small number of harmonics, such as three-wave parametric resonance theory, also fail to fully capture the stability properties of the system. It is found that nonlinear standing waves suffer jumps in their functional form as their amplitude is varied continuously. The jumps are caused by nonlinear resonances between the standing wave and nearly linear waves whose frequencies and wave numbers are harmonics of the standing wave. Also, the standing waves are found to be unsta...
Dietary methods research in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: underreporting of energy intake.

Assessment of diet is a critical component of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), which was designed to describe the health and nutritional status of the US population. We analyzed data collected with the primary dietary assessment instrument used in NHANES III, the 24-h recall, for 7769 nonpregnant adults aged ≥20 y to investigate underreporting of total energy intake. Underreporting was addressed by computing a ratio of energy intake (EI) to estimated basal metabolic rate (BMR est ). EI:BMR est was 1.47 for men and 1.26 for nonpregnant women; a population level of 1.55 is expected for a sedentary population. About 18% of the men and 28% of the women were classified as underreporters. Underreporting of energy intake was highest in women and persons who were older, overweight, or trying to lose weight. Underreporting varied according to smoking status, level of education, physical activity, and the day of the week the 24-h recall covered. Additionally, underreporting was associated with diets lower in fat (P < 0.01) and alcohol (P < 0.01 in women) when expressed as a percentage of total energy intake.
Web-based decision support system for integrated supply chain management

The objective of this project was to develop a prototype web-based decision support system for the integrated supply chain, and demonstrate how the performance of the supply chain could be improved by this system. Data from two industrial case studies were examined, and their limitations were identified. An extensive management science/operations research model and a subsequent web-based decision support system were proposed to overcome the determined limitations and better adapt to the real world. A traditional system design methodology was employed to develop the system. Verification and validation were conducted on the system by utilising accepted methods. The system eases data entry for users and helps to avoid a partial perspective view of the supply chain. It can also overcome an overabundance of transactional data for the purpose of managerial decision making, and the difficulties to integrate the activities of multiple organisations.
Multiple Electron Loss Cross Sections for Heavy Ions Incident on Various Atomic and Molecular Gases

Differential cross sections for charge change resulting from the scattering of 20 MeV 127I5+ and 20 MeV 35Cl4+ ions from thin gaseous targets have been measured. Total cross sections for multiple electron loss have been determined by integration of the differential charge state yields over angle. Cross sections will be presented for 127I5+ ions and 35Cl4+ ions on Xe, Ar, and N2. Impact parameter analyses of charge fraction data have been performed; these analyses depend on the assumed interatomic potential but not on any absolute measurements. The applicability of Bohr, Thomas-Fermi, and Lenz-Jensen potentials with the experimental total cross sections will be shown. A different method, using a magnetic quadrupole to focus individual charge states; was used to measure absolute charge state yields of 20 MeV Fe ions emerging within a large acceptance angle from a differentially pumped gas cell of length 9.4 cm.2 N2, Ar, Kr, Xe, and SF6 targets were investigated. From the low pressure yields total cross sections for single and multiple electron loss were obtained using an improved version of the initial growth method.
Oxygen Activity Dependence of the Electrical Conductivity of Li‐Doped Cr2O3

The electrical conductivity of Li-doped Cr2O3 was investigated as a function of PO2, temperature, and dopant content. Results show that the electrical conductivity remains almost unchanged with decreasing P O2 in the high-P O2 region but decreases rapidly at low P O2. A second phase was found in samples which contained more than 0.85 mol% Li. The results are explained by a model in which the concentration of charge carriers is dependent on the acceptor dopant and oxygen vacancy concentration.
Return to Baseline: Psychophysiological Treatment of Postconcussive Symptoms in Combat-Injured Soldiers With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Comorbid Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract The experience of providing self-regulating therapy to combat-injured infantry soldiers at Madigan Army Medical Center is rich in lessons and potential benefits. “Wounded Warriors” from Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) deployments with prolonged somatic symptoms of chronic traumatic headache, disordered sleep, cognitive and affective deficits, and autonomic hyperarousal are assessed in the Neurology Service. The Psychophysiology Clinic is an embedded biobehavioral treatment program within the Neurology Service and provides biofeedback-assisted therapies.
Psychosocial consequences of cure

Survivors of childhood cancer, having overcome the biggest hurdle to a normal life span, must continue to be vigilant toward health care issues as well as toward certain psychological and social problems for which they are at a greater than normal risk. The long-term survivor's knowledge about his/her illness, its treatment, and the consequent need for health surveillance and maintenance practices must be continually updated. Equally important is the survivor's preparation for coping with any long-term consequences of disruption in family, academic, and social activities engendered by cancer treatment. Existing research has frequently focused on patients diagnosed in early childhood. Recent studies, however, suggest that the developmental disruptions may have special significance for the adolescent, who is already struggling with unique issues of separation, changes in peer relationships, emergent sexuality, and future academic and occupational goals. Previous investigations addressing the medical and psychiatric problems encountered by the long-term survivor of adolescent cancer are presented with a focus on current psychological adjustment and degree of emancipation achieved. A recent pilot study, from three major medical centers, collected extensive interview data on a group of long-term survivors and sibling controls. Preliminary analyses of these data are described, and areas for future research are suggested.
1-D nanostructures grown on the Si(5 5 12) surface

Abstract We have used scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to study the growth behavior of noble metals deposited on the high-index Si(5 5 12) surface. This unique surface is tilted 30.5° down from (0 0 1) and forms a single-domain reconstruction composed of row-like structures. When low coverages (
Resected adenocarcinoma of the pancreas— 616 patients: Results, outcomes, and prognostic indicators

This large-volume, single-institution review examines factors influencing long-term survival after resection in patients with adenocarcinoma of the head, neck, uncinate process, body, or tail of the pancreas. Between January 1984 and July 1999 inclusive, 616 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas underwent surgical resection. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database was performed. Both univariate and multivariate models were used to determine the factors influencing survival. Of the 616 patients, 526 (85%) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the head, neck, or uncinate process of the pancreas, 52 (9%) underwent distal pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma of the body or tail, and 38 (6%) underwent total pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma extensively involving the gland. The mean age of the patients was 64.3 years, with 54% being male and 91% being white. The overall perioperative mortality rate was 2.3%, whereas the incidence of postoperative complications was 30%. The median postoperative length of stay was 11 days. The mean tumor diameter was 3.2 cm, with 72 % of patients having positive lymph nodes, 30% having positive resection margins, and 36% having poorly differentiated tumors. Patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy for left-sided lesions had larger tumors (4.7 vs. 3.1 cm, P <0.0001), but fewer node-positive resections (59% vs. 73%, P = 0.03) and fewer poorly differentiated tumors (29% vs. 36%, P<0.001), as compared to those undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for right-sided lesions. The overall survival of the entire cohort was 63% at 1 year and 17% at 5 years, with a median survival of 17 months. For right-sided lesions the 1- and 5-year survival rates were 64% and 17%, respectively, compared to 50% and 15% for left-sided lesions. Factors shown to have favorable independent prognostic significance by multivariate analysis were negative resection margins (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.64, confidence interval [CI] = 0.50 to 0.82, P = 0.0004), tumor diameter less than 3 cm (HR = 0.72, CI = 0.57 to 0.90, P = 0.004), estimated blood loss less than 750 ml (HR = 0.75, CI = 0.58 to 0.96, P = 0.02), well/moderate tumor differentiation (HR = 0.71, CI = 0.56 to 0.90, P = 0.005), and postoperative chemoradiation (HR = 0.50, CI = 0.39 to 0.64, P } < 0.0001). Tumor location in head, neck, or uncinate process approached significance in the final multivariate model (HR = 0.60, CI = 0.35 to 1.0, P = 0.06). Pancreatic resection remains the only hope for long-term survival in patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Completeness of resection and tumor characteristics including tumor size and degree of differentiation are important independent prognostic indicators. Adjuvant chemoradiation is a strong predictor of outcome and likely decreases the independent significance of tumor location and nodal status.
Rate constant of the reaction between chlorine atoms and sulfur dioxide and its significance for stratospheric chlorine chemistry

Abstract The rate constant of the reaction Cl + SO2 + M → ClSO2 + M is measured in a fast-flow reactor with mass spectrometric monitoring of chlorine atoms and product Cl2SO2. At 295K, k = 1.3± 0.9,2.3±0.5 and 19±3 × 10 − 33 cm6molec − 2s − 1,withAr,N2,andSO2as third bodies respectively.Ifstratospheric [SO2] is as low as 2 × 10 − 10 v/v , this reaction is probably not an important sink for stratospheric chlorine in our atmosphere, although it may have greater significance in the atmosphere of Venus.
Adjacency of molybdenum redox sites and the oxidation of butene

The authors have attempted to determine the structure sensitivity of C-H activation and oxygen insertion during the oxidation of 1-butene by measuring how the rates of the reactions depend on variations in the sizes of very small ensembles of redox centers in a catalyst. The authors have employed polyoxometalate cluster compounds in which 3 or 12 of the tungsten ions initially present in a Keggin framework were replaced with molybdenum ions. As in previous work with methanol oxidation, the catalyst derived from the parent Keggin anion, [PW[sub 12]O[sub 40]][sup 3[minus]], was only slightly active for oxidation reactions, making it possible to attribute the activity for the oxidation reactions catalyzed by the substituted samples to the Mo ions and their oxygen ligands.
Analysis of Local Delaminations Caused by Angle Ply Matrix Cracks

Two different families of graphite/epoxy laminates with similar layups but different stacking sequences, (0,theta,-theta) sub s and (-theta/theta/0) sub s were analyzed using three-dimensional finite element analysis for theta = 15 and 30 degrees. Delaminations were modeled in the -theta/theta interface, bounded by a matrix crack and the stress free edge. The total strain energy release rate, G, along the delamination front was computed using three different techniques: the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT), the equivalent domain Integral (EDI) technique, and a global energy balance technique. The opening fracture mode component of the strain energy release rate, Gl, along the delamination front was also computed for various delamination lengths using VCCT. The effect of residual thermal and moisture stresses on G was evaluated.
Attenuation of interfacial pinning enhancement in YBCO using a PrBCO buffer layer

Abstract Numerous experimental results have suggested that the J c of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 (YBCO) films is significantly higher near the film–substrate interface than in the remainder of the film. We previously proposed that this effect is due to interfacial pinning enhancement caused by stress and the resulting misfit dislocations at the heteroepitaxial interface. To test this hypothesis we have used a non-superconducting PrBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− δ (PrBCO) buffer layer to minimize the lattice mismatch with YBCO. We find that the PrBCO layers lower J c of the 0.4 μm YBCO films in a predictable way, and that, if sufficiently thick (∼0.5 μm), they eliminate interfacial enhancement altogether. Our interpretation of this result is that the defects responsible for interfacial enhancement of flux pinning originate at the bottom of the non-superconducting PrBCO layer, which screens the pinning centers from vortices in YBCO. This result demonstrates that the pinning enhancement arises from stress at the film–substrate interface.
Development of a Drift-correction Procedure for a Photoelectric Spectrometer

A technique has been developed to automatically correct for drifts in the radiometric sensitivity of the detector channels in a direct-reading emission spectrometer. The method utilizes a 1000 W tungsten-halogen reference lamp to illuminate the detectors through the same optical path as that traversed during the analysis of the sample. Detector channel responses to the light are compared to those for the same light intensity at the time of analytical calibration. This corrects for the drift. It is noted that with the exception of positioning the lamp, the procedure is fully automatic.
MicroRNA-7 Protects against 1-Methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium-Induced Cell Death by Targeting RelA

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Mitochondrial complex I impairment in PD is modeled in vitro by the susceptibility of dopaminergic neurons to the complex I inhibitor 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). In the present study, we demonstrate that microRNA-7 (miR-7), which is expressed in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive nigral neurons in mice and humans, protects cells from MPP+-induced toxicity in dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells, differentiated human neural progenitor ReNcell VM cells, and primary mouse neurons. RelA, a component of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), was identified to be downregulated by miR-7 using quantitative proteomic analysis. Through a series of validation experiments, it was confirmed that RelA mRNA is a target of miR-7 and is required for cell death following MPP+ exposure. Further, RelA mediates MPP+-induced suppression of NF-κB activity, which is essential for MPP+-induced cell death. Accordingly, the protective effect of miR-7 is exerted through relieving NF-κB suppression by reducing RelA expression. These findings provide a novel mechanism by which NF-κB suppression, rather than activation, underlies the cell death mechanism following MPP+ toxicity, have implications for the pathogenesis of PD, and suggest miR-7 as a therapeutic target for this disease.
Image enhancement using nonuniform sampling

This paper describes the application of a lossy digital image compression scheme to synthetic image enhancement for image scaling. The lossy compression scheme employed is a non-uniform sampling and interpolation algorithm. During image analysis, more sample points are taken from complex regions than from simple regions of the image. Upon resynthesis, missing samples are interpolated. One consequence of the algorithm is that it imparts a structure to the image. The utility of this structure to several methods of subsequent enhanced image scaling by the addition of synthetic resolution is described. These techniques are well suited to image systems where scalable and extensible resolution are desirable features.
Effect of Hypertension on Myocardial Rupture after Acute Myocardial Infarction

Fifty-three of 4,369 patients with acute myocardial infarction died of myocardial rupture. The incidence of rupture varied directly, among men, with the systolic blood pressure on admission to the coronary care unit (CCU), and the highest systolic pressure while in the CCU. Rupture occurred in 0.3 percent of the men with systolic pressures on admission to the CCU between 110-129 mm Hg, increasing to 2.0 percent of men with pressures between 170-189 mm Hg. Similarly, 0.3 percent of the men with a highest systolic pressure
Reduced Growth Factor Requirements and Accelerated Cell-Cycle Kinetics in Adult Human Melanocytes Transformed with SV40 Large T Antigen

Melanomas develop with high frequency in transgenic mice in which oncogenic sequences of the SV40 DNA tumor virus have been specifically targeted to melanocytes. To investigate the role of SV40 in melanomagenesis, cultured human melanocytes were transformed with a retroviral shuttle vector encoding the SV40 large T antigen and examined for changes in cell-cycle kinetics and growth-factor dependence. Colonies expressing the viral oucogene were morphologically indistinguishable from theft non-T-antigen-transformed counterparts. Also like normal melanocytes, the infected cells remained anchorage dependent and non-tumorigenic in nude mice, However, T-antigen positive cultures exhibited significantly accelerated population doubling times, increased saturation densities with highly confluent monolayers and a three- to fourfold extended life span. Most interestingly, cell-cycle analysis revealed a measurable shift from quiescent to cycling cells in T-antigen expressing cultures and an acquired ability to progress more rapidly through G1. Moreover, T-antigen-positive melanocytes proliferated in the absence of PMA and required markedly reduced levels of exogenous bFGF. These studies indicate that the viral oncogen of simian virus 40 provides melanocytes with distinct growth advantages that may render these cells unusually susceptible to additional environmental challenges necessary for full expression of the malignant phenotype.
The ontogenetic development of synaptic junctions, synaptic activation and responsiveness to neurotransmitter substances in rat cerebellar purkinje cells.

Ultrastructural quantitation of synaptogenesis in cerebellum showed the onset of contacts stained by ethanolic phosphotungstic acid at days 3 and 4 with a progressive increase in density of such contacts at later ages. Electrophysiological studies revealed that both responses to parallel fiber stimulation and the occurence of climbing fiber burst responses appear late in the third postnatal day. Studies of drug sensitivity employing microiontophoretic techniques showed that spontaneous activity of Purkinje cells between 0 and 4 postnatal days is accelerated by glutamate, and inhibited by gamma-aminobutyric acid, norepinephrine, adenosine cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and dinitrophenol. Prostaglandin E1 antagonized the action of norepinephrine. These studies indicate that the membrane chemosensitivity to the adult spectrum of putative transmitters precedes the onset of synaptogenesis.
Noncontact Retinal Photocoagulation at the Slit-Lamp Biomicroscope

Four patients had either ocular conditions that made the use of a contact lens for retinal photocoagulation undesirable, or optical aberrations of the ocular media that made photocoagulation with a conventional contact lens difficult. A hand-held 90-diopter lens permitted retinal photocoagulation to be performed at a conventional slit-lamp biomicroscope laser without corneal contact and assisted in delivering laser burns under physical or optical circumstances that would be difficult or impossible with conventional contact lenses. Four patients without ocular surface or media abnormalities were also treated by this method.
Folding minimal sequences: the lower bound for sequence complexity of globular proteins

Abstract Alphabet size and informational entropy, two formal measures of sequence complexity, are herein applied to two prior studies on the folding of minimal proteins. These measures show a designed four-helix bundle to be unlike its natural counterparts but rather more like a coiled-coil dimer. Segments from a simplified sarc homology 3 domain and more than 2 000 000 segments from globular proteins both have lower bounds for alphabet size of 10 and for entropy near 2.9. These values are therefore suggested to be necessary and sufficient for folding into globular proteins having both rigid side chain packing and biological function.
Language capacities: Is grammar special?

Recent studies of children with developmental disorders provide striking insights into the nature of language. These studies suggest that, although much of language arises from more general cognitive capacities, certain aspects of grammar have an autonomous psychological and neural basis.
No evidence that estrogens affect the development of the immune system in the red-eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta.

This article is part of a Special Issue “Neuroendocrine-Immune Axis in Health and Disease.” Exposure to maternally derived substances during development can affect offspring phenotype. In ovo exposure to maternally derived steroids has been shown to influence traits such as growth and behavior in the offspring. The development of the immune system also can be altered by exposure to both androgens and glucocorticoids in a variety of species, but much less is known about the potential for estrogens to influence the development of this system. We examined the effect of estradiol on the development of both innate and adaptive immune components in the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta). A bacterial killing assay was used to assess innate immunity, a delayed-type hypersensitivity test for cellular immunity, and total immunoglobulin levels to measure the humoral immune response. We found no effect of in ovo estradiol treatment on any of our immune measures despite using doses that are known to influence other phenotypic parameters during development and varying the timing of dosing across development. Our results suggest that maternally derived estradiol does not affect the development of the immune system in T. scripta.
Creep Behavior of a SiC-Whisker-Reinforced Alumina

Creep tests in four-point flexure loading configuration in air employing applied stresses of 37 to 300 MPa at temperatures of 1200°, 1300°, and 1400°C were performed on 20-vol%-SiC-whisker-reinforced alumina and unreinforced single-phase polycrystalline alumina. The creep rate of polycrystalline alumina was significantly reduced through the addition of SiC whiskers, although strain to failure was lower. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy results suggest that substantial increase in the creep resistance in flexure of alumina composites originates from the retardation of grain-boundary sliding by the SiC whiskers.
The Contextual Effect of School Attachment on Young Adolescents’ Alcohol Use

Background: The school is a primary context for social interaction, cultivation of interpersonal skills, formation of peer groups, self-expression, and development of self. Several studies have demonstrated that the social context of the school has important implications for determining the likelihood that an adolescent will follow a prosocial path through adolescence as opposed to becoming involved in delinquent behavior. Methods: Using a data set of 4,216 youth in 32 middle schools and junior high schools across the United States, this paper examines the effect of a student’s own level of school attachment as well as the contextual level of school attachment (the normative level of school attachment in a school) on 5 alcohol-related measures: recent use of alcohol, intention to use alcohol, normative beliefs about peer use of alcohol, attitudes toward alcohol use, and aspirations consistent with alcohol use. Results: This study demonstrates that regardless of a student’s own level of school attachment, students who attend schools where the pupils overall tend to be well attached to school are less likely to use alcohol. In addition, they also have lower intentions to use alcohol, perceive that fewer of their peers at school use alcohol, and more strongly hold aspirations that are inconsistent with alcohol use. Conclusions: Our findings, along with the findings of related studies, provide support for the hypothesis that improvement of school climate may result in less substance use among students.
Mobilization of arachidonate and docosahexaenoate by stimulation of the 5-HT2A receptor in rat C6 glioma cells.

Abstract In this study, we demonstrate that astroglial 5-HT2A receptors are linked to the mobilization of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Stimulation of C6 glioma cells, prelabeled with [3H]arachidonate (AA, 20:4n6) and [14C]docosahexaenoate (DHA, 22:6n3), with serotonin and the 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonist (±)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride (DOI) resulted in the mobilization of both [3H] and [14C] into the supernatant of the cell monolayers. The increased radioactivity in the supernatant was mainly associated with free fatty acids. Experiments using inhibitors of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C and PLA2, inhibited the DOI-stimulated mobilization of AA and DHA, suggesting the involvement of both phospholipases. Ketanserin (1 μM), a 5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist, and MDL 100,907 (R(+)-α-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(4-fluorophenylethyl)]-4-piperidine-methanol) (1 μM), a highly selective antagonist for 5-HT2A receptors, significantly decreased the DOI-stimulated release of AA and DHA. These results indicate that the 5-HT2A receptor is coupled to the mobilization of PUFA. The release of AA and DHA in response to serotonin may represent a mechanism through which astroglia provide these polyunsaturated fatty acids to neurons.
Identification of a functional water channel in cytochrome P450 enzymes

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are monooxygenases that contain a functional heme b group linked to a conserved cysteine with a thiolate bond. In the native state, the central iron atom is hexacoordinated with a covalently bound water molecule. The exclusion of solvent molecules from the active site is essential for efficient enzymatic function. Upon substrate binding, water has to be displaced from the active site to prevent electron uncoupling that results in hydrogen peroxide or water. In contrast to typical hemoproteins, the protein surface is not directly accessible from the heme of cytochromes P450. We postulate a two-state model in which a conserved arginine, stabilizing the heme propionate in all known cytochrome P450 crystal structures, changes from the initial, stable side-chain conformation to another rotamer (metastable). In this new state, a functional water channel (aqueduct) is formed from the active site to a water cluster located on the thiolate side of the heme, close to the protein surface. This water cluster communicates with the surface in the closed state and is partly replaced by the flipping arginine side chain in the open state, allowing water molecules to exit to the surface or to reaccess the active site. This two-state model suggests the presence of an exit pathway for water between the active site and the protein surface.
Control Modeling of Flexible Wall Cavity Vibroacoustic Systems

Vibroacoustic modeling of an enclosure with flexible walls is discussed. The block-diagram modeling method is based on formulating the modal parameters of the cavity with rigid walls and the structure with no fluid interaction, i.e. in-vacuo. Having the uncoupled modal models, the rigid wall cavity and in-vacuo structural modal are coupled, “in modal domain”, in a feedback manner. In addition to being computationally efficient, this modeling technique offers a very convenient platform, especially in block diagram based modeling softwares such as Simulink, for synthesis and analysis of active sound control in vibroacoustic systems. It allows for easy access to acoustic (pressure) or structural (acceleration/strain) variables for feedback or feedforward control purposes using structural (force/moment) or acoustic (volume velocity) actuation.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Optimal ordering policies when anticipating a disruption in supply or demand

Abstract We develop an optimal inventory policy for EOQ inventory systems which may have a disruption in either supply or demand. The start of the disruption is known a priori and it lasts a random length of time. We describe the structure of an optimal policy and present a procedure for its computation, along with numerical results.
The isentropic density profile of silicate perovskite computed by the thermal pressure

A thermodynamic method in which all physical properties (derivatives of the Helmholtz energy) are determined from seven thermoelastic parameters is used to calculate density isentropes of (Mg,Fe)SiO 3 perovskite for lower mantle conditions. We find that, provided the EoS constants, ρ 0 , K To , and K' 0 , are known, the density distribution can be found from the thermal pressure and often from the thermal pressure evaluated at zero pressure. Three isentropic density distributions of perovskite are calculated and are shown to be non-parallel with PREM's density distribution. This leads to the speculation that a lower mantle entirely composed of perovskite may not be phase homogeneous throughout its whole depth.
Effects of MPTP on the cerebrovasculature

Abstract The neurotoxin, l-methyl-4-phenyl-l,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, has been shown to cause pooling of blood in the brain microvasculature and decrease the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. All areas of the brain examined in this study were affected. This study points out the possibility that reduced nutrient uptake, hypoxia and ensuing free radical damage are involved in the mechanism of toxicity of this neurotoxin.
Further contributions to a probabilistic interpretation of the mathematical biophysics of the central nervous system.

Following a previous paper, equations are derived for the most probable time of firing of an efferent neuron in terms of the intensityE of excitation of the afferent pathway, whenE is either constant or any given function of time. The equations are not differential equations, but in integral form. It is suggested that e, correspondinglyj, represent the number of excitatory, correspondingly inhibitory, terminal bulbs excited within the period of latent addition at a given most probable time. The relation between the suggested theory and the old one, based on differential equations for e andj is discussed.
Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients who have failed to respond to IFN or IFN and ribavirin combination therapy

Approximately 45% of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection fail to achieve a sustained virologic response when treated with pegylated interferon (IFN) and ribavirin combination therapy. The lack of early virologic response after 12 to 24 weeks of therapy can be a reliable indicator of those who will not benefit from continuing the treatment for 48 weeks. The presence of genotype 1, high viral load, and advanced fibrosis are among the factors that can predict those patients who have higher rates of nonresponse. Nonresponders to IFN monotherapy and IFN plus ribavirin combination therapy can benefit from retreatment with pegylated IFN and ribavirin combination therapy. Treatment options for nonresponders to pegylated IFN and ribavirin are being investigated in several trials. The role of maintenance pegylated IFN is also under investigation, although preliminary evidence suggests that some patients may derive benefit.
Spatial heterogeneity of eukaryotic microbial communities in an unstudied geothermal diatomaceous biological soil crust: Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA

Knowledge of microbial communities and their inherent heterogeneity has dramatically increased with the widespread use of high-throughput sequencing technologies, and we are learning more about the ecological processes that structure microbial communities across a wide range of environments, as well as the relative scales of importance for describing bacterial communities in natural systems. Little work has been carried out to assess fine-scale eukaryotic microbial heterogeneity in soils. Here, we present findings from a bar-coded 18S rRNA survey of the eukaryotic microbial communities in a previously unstudied geothermal diatomaceous biological soil crust in Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA, in which we explicitly compare microbial community heterogeneity at the particle scale within soil cores. Multivariate analysis of community composition showed that while subsamples from within the same soil core clustered together, community dissimilarity between particles in the same core was high. This study describes a novel soil microbial environment and also adds to our growing understanding of microbial heterogeneity and the scales relevant to the study of soil microbial communities.
On the Calculation of Length Scales for Turbulent Heat Transfer Correlation

Turbulence length scale calculation methods were critically reviewed for their usefulness in boundary layer heat transfer correlations. Merits and deficiencies in each calculation method were presented. A rigorous method for calculating an energy-based integral scale was introduced. The method uses the variance of the streamwise velocity and a measured dissipation spectrum to calculate the length scale. Advantages and disadvantages of the new method were discussed. A principal advantage is the capability to decisively calculate length scales in a low-Reynolds-number turbulent boundary layer. The calculation method was tested with data from grid-generated, free-shear-layer, and wall-bounded turbulence. In each case, the method proved successful. The length scale is well behaved in turbulent boundary layers with momentum thickness Reynolds numbers from 400 to 2,100 and in flows with turbulent Reynolds numbers as low as 90.
Holocene paleoclimates of southern Arabia from lacustrine deposits of the Dhamar highlands, Yemen

Abstract This paper presents new evidence from the Dhamar highlands, Yemen, of paleohydrologic response to fluctuations in Holocene climate. Stratigraphic, geochemical, and chronological analyses of highland peat and lacustrine deposits contribute to knowledge of the timing of early Holocene moisture changes on the Arabian Peninsula, providing a backdrop to understanding early cultural development in the Arabian highlands. The location of the Dhamar highlands, characterized by intermontane valleys surrounded by the highest mountains on the Arabian Peninsula and adjacent to the Indian Ocean is ideal for examining the influence of the Indian Ocean Monsoon (IOM) on the moisture history of this region. Fluctuations in the lacustrine and paleosol records of the Dhamar highlands reflect both local changes in paleohydrology and regional influences on the Holocene paleoclimatic conditions in southwest Arabia. In addition, a peat deposit with a radiocarbon age of 10,253 – 10,560 cal yr BP documents some of the earliest Holocene high moisture conditions on the Arabian Peninsula.
Sensitization of lung cancer cells to cisplatin by β-elemene is mediated through blockade of cell cycle progression: antitumor efficacies of β-elemene and its synthetic analogs

The development of effective agents for overcoming platinum chemoresistance in lung carcinoma continues to have high priority. We have demonstrated recently that β-elemene, a novel antitumor compound, enhances cisplatin activity by triggering lung cancer cell death via apoptosis. Here, we investigated whether β-elemene acts synergistically with cisplatin to inhibit non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell proliferation by blocking cell cycle progression. β-Elemene substantially increased the suppressive effect of cisplatin on cell growth and proliferation in the NSCLC cell lines H460 and A549. Furthermore, β-elemene augmented cisplatin in the cell cycle arrest of NSCLC cells at G2/M. This was associated with upregulated checkpoint kinase (CHK2) expression and reduced CDC2 activity (i.e., increased phosphorylation of CDC2 on Tyr-15 and decreased phosphorylation of CDC2 on Thr-161). Moreover, β-elemene and cisplatin in combination clearly decreased the protein levels of cyclin B1 and CDC25C and increased the levels of p21Cip1/Waf1, p27Kip1, and GADD45 in these cells, compared with the effects of either agent alone at the same concentration. These results suggest that the β-elemene-enhanced inhibitory effect of cisplatin on lung carcinoma cell proliferation is regulated by a CHK2-mediated CDC25C/CDC2/cyclin B1 signaling pathway and leads to the blockade of cell cycle progression at G2/M. A comparison of the cytotoxic efficacies of β-elemene and three synthetic analogs (β-elemenol, β-elemenal, and β-elemene fluoride) in the two lung cancer cell lines revealed that β-elemenol and β-elemene fluoride had the same antitumor efficacy as β-elemene, whereas β-elemenal was appreciably more potent than β-elemene. Thus, although all three synthetic analogs of β-elemene considerably suppressed NSCLC cell growth and proliferation, β-elemenal may have greater potential as an anticancer alternative to β-elemene in treating lung cancer and other tumors.
Technology and work practices in citizen science

Citizen science is a form of research collaboration that actively involves the public in scientific research to address real-world problems. Research designed specifically for public participation is a form of information work for which the design of tasks and supporting technologies for volunteers is critically important to the scientific outcomes. This study examines the relationship between information and communication technologies (ICTs) and work practices, with the goal of generating insights to inform the design and management of cyberinfrastructure for citizen science. Comparing three projects with similar volunteer participation activities but varied organizational structures highlighted the importance of project goals and resources in the adoption of technologies, and strategies for using ICT to support ongoing participation and quality assurance.
Caregiver Service Use: A Complex Story of Care at the End of Life

ABSTRACT This study explored the impact of caregiving, service use, and unmet needs of caregivers of the dying and whether end-of-life caregiving differs from other types of caregiving. We hypothesized that end-of-life caregivers would have greater unmet needs before and after the death of their care recipient and that they would report lower levels of well-being than continuing caregivers. We looked specifically at the service use of caregivers whose care recipients died during the study period and whether or not such service use helped caregivers to manage end-of-life care. This study showed that, on average, end-of-life caregivers are older, more likely to be White, and provide care for individuals with greater Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) needs and severe memory problems. In cross-sectional analyses, end-of-life caregivers experienced greater emotional stress, physical strain, and poorer health and used more supportive services than their caregivi...
Bisquaric Acid: Unusual Solid State NMR, Electronic Structure, and a Predicted Order-Disorder Transition

The molecular structure of the recently synthesized compound bisquaric acid was investigated by high-resolution solid state 13C NMR spectroscopy and electronic structure calculations. Variable temperature 13C NMR spectra were found quite unusual compared with the solution phase spectra and not explainable on the basis of the literature data on squaric acid. In particular, the 13CsOH peaks were found to be coincident with the 13CdO peaks. An extensive electronic structure analysis using the density functional theory (B3LYP) was thus performed, including the calculation of the 13C shifts by the GIAO method. Indeed, the calculations indicate that the linker CsC bond has a substantial double-bond character, thereby leading to a strong deshielding of the CsOH carbons. In addition, the theoretical study shows significant differences between bisquaric acid and squaric acid in several molecular properties, such as aromaticity, hydrogen-bonding, dipole moment, and acid-base behavior. Unlike squaric acid, no phase transition was detected for bisquaric acid by 13C NMR. However, the theoretical results suggest the possibility of such a transition at temperatures lower than about 100 °C, but it should be probed by other methods such as specific heat measurements.