cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetics of somatomedin C|[sol]|insulin-like growth factor-I(SMC) response to hGH in GH deficient children

Studies in animals indicate that the half-life (t½) of SMC is longer (2-4 hrs) than that of other polypeptide hormones. This is believed to be due to the fact that SMC circulates as part of a binding protein complex. Studies of the t½ of SMC in humans have not been possible due to the scarcity of purified SMC. We have estimated the t½ of SMC in 11 children (8M, 3F) with GH deficiency. After 2 baseline serum samples were obtained, each child received 5 doses of NPA hGH (0.1 u/kg/dose) at 12 hr intervals. Serum samples were obtained at 24 hrs and 48 hrs of treatment and at 6 hr intervals after the last dose of hGH. Total SMC was determined on acid-ethanol extracted samples using an RIA specific for SMC. The t½ for SMC disappearance was 18.7 ± 2.6 hrs (x ± SEM). T½ was not correlated with age, bone age or peak SMC. However, the time elapsed from the last hGH injection to SMC = ½ peak SMC was correlated with bone age (r = 0.67, p 0.05). In 8 children, growth velocities on hGH are available (8.2 ± 2.5 cm/yr). Growth velocity was not significantly correlated with bone age, peak SMC or t½. Conclusion: The t½ of SMC in GH deficient children is considerably longer than the t½ observed in small animals. The prolonged t½ of SMC may partially explain the success of present GH treatment regimens in promoting skeletal growth.
Intelligent server management framework over extensible messaging and presence protocol

With the increasing importance of cloud services worldwide, the cloud infrastructure and platform management has become critical for cloud service providers. In this paper, a novel architecture of intelligent server management framework is proposed. In this framework, the communication layer is based on the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP), which was developed for instant messaging and has been proven to be highly mature and suitable for mobile and large scalable deployment due to its extensibility and efficiency. The proposed architecture can simplify server management and increase flexibility and scalability when managing hundreds of thousands of servers in the cloud era.
Theory of the antiferromagnetic resonance linewidth

Abstract A quantum-statistical description of magnetic resonance relaxation is given. The contribution of a general n-magnon scattering process to the resonance linewidth is presented. Comparison with data on several antiferromagnets shows that the temperature dependence of the linewidth arises entirely from such multimagnon processes.
Predicting Internet Use as a Source of Health Information: A “Language Divide” Among the Hispanic Population in the United States

Spurred by the rapid diffusion of information technology and advances in e-Health initiatives, the Internet is increasingly viewed as an important tool for health promotion and health education as well as a platform for the delivery of public health interventions. The Internet also holds promise in eliminating health disparities through increased access to health information. Using the Pew 2007 Hispanic Healthcare Survey, we examined the factors that are associated with each of the four media channels (Internet, radio, TV, and print media) as a source of health information among 4,013 Hispanic adults. The most significant predictor of health information-seeking behavior on the Internet was English proficiency. Policy implications include the need to address both the “digital divide” and the “language divide” by increasing Internet access, improving e-Health literacy, and creating high quality and culturally tailored websites in Spanish for Hispanic adults who have low levels of English proficiency and education.
Membrane protein expression and production: effects of polyhistidine tag length and position

Polyhistidine tags enable the facile purification of proteins by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). Both the type and position of purification tags can affect significantly properties of a protein such as its expression level, behavior in solution, and its ability to form suitable samples (esp. suitable crystals for X-ray crystallography). We investigated systematically the effects of polyhistidine tag length and position on many properties related to expression and purification of recombinant integral membrane proteins. Specifically, modified Escherichia coli pET expression vectors were built that placed 6- or 10-histidine tags at the N- or C-termini of the subcloned gene. The E. coli water channel AqpZ was subcloned into this suite of vectors and its expression, purification, solution properties, and yield were characterized. These studies show that: (1) all vectors yield similar expression levels, (2) tag length has a greater effect than tag position upon yield, (3) neither tag length nor position affects significantly detergent solubilization of the protein, (4) the length of the tag affects the oligomerization state of the purified protein, and (5) the tag length and position change chromatographic behavior of the detergent-solubilized protein. In addition, substitution of the lysine codon AAA at the second position, previously shown to have some effect upon soluble protein expression levels, did not have a large effect on AqpZ production. We are currently producing approximately 12 mg of purified AqpZ per liter of shake-flask culture, and preliminary crystals that diffract to approximately 5A resolution have been obtained.
Modifications of nutrient selection induced by naloxone in rats.

Total caloric intake and dietary self-selection of the three macronutrients protein, fat, and carbohydrate were examined in male rats maintained on a 6-h feeding schedule following the administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone HCl (0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 mg/kg IP). Total caloric intake (calculated as the sum of caloric intakes from each of the macronutrients) was decreased for up to 2 h following naloxone administration. By the end of the 6-h feeding period, however, no differences in total caloric intakes were observed as a function of naloxone injections. Examination of intakes of the individual macronutrients revealed that naloxone differentially affected fat, carbohydrate, and protein consumption. Across the 6-h feeding period, animals consumed less calories from the fat ration following all three doses of naloxone than after saline injections. Carbohydrate intake was decreased for up to 2 h following naloxone injections, but returned to control values by the end of the 6-h feeding period. Protein intake, in contrast to fat and carbohydrate intakes, did not vary as a function of naloxone administration. Results of the present experiment are contrasted with patterns of dietary self-selection observed following morphine administration.
Sensitization of pulmonary chemosensitive neurons by bombesin-like peptides in rats

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients suffer from pulmonary stresses such as dyspnea and chest pain, and the pathogenic mechanisms are not known. SCLC cells secrete a variety of bioactive neuropep...
Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed in a Patient With Underlying Malignancy

Question: A 65-year-old man with recently diagnosed abdominal B-cell lymphoma (on R-CHOP therapy) presented to the emergency department with 3 days of general malaise, dizziness, and melena. Associated symptoms included poor intake, multiple episodes of vomiting, and constipation before the onset of melena. He denied any ingestion of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or caustic agents. Physical examination revealed a blood pressure of 94/69 mm Hg, a heart rate of 114 bpm, dry mucous membranes, and epigastric abdominal tenderness. Abdominal computed tomography without contrast showed small bowel dilatation without a definitive transition point, severe sigmoid diverticulosis, and an abdominal retroperitoneal mass. Initial laboratory investigations showed a blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio of 23:1, albumin of 3 g/dL (normal range, 3.5–5), stool occult blood positive, and a hemoglobin of 14.3 g/dL (normal, 13.7–17.5). On the medical floor, a stat hemoglobin in response to further vomiting and dark stools showed a 3-g drop from admission. He was transfused blood, given intravenous fluids, and placed on a proton pump inhibitor drip. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed areas of blood clot with friable mucosa and circumferential eschar located in the distal esophagus (Figure A, B), which abruptly ended at the gastroesophageal junction (Figure C) with no involvement past this site nto the stomach (Figure D). Esophageal brushings showed many inflammatory cells (neutrophils and lymphocytes) without vidence of malignant cells or fungal/viral infection (not shown). An area of tissue proximal to the gastroesophageal junction was iopsied for pathology and showed loss of the epithelial layer, fibrinoid necrosis, and smooth muscle with granulation tissue (Figure , F). Histologic stain revealed no fungal organisms. What is your diagnosis? What therapeutic interventions should be taken? What complication is most associated with this disease rocess? Look on page 1120 for the answer and see the GASTROENTEROLOGY web site (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information n submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI.
The economics of personal computer remanufacturing

Abstract Personal computers (PCs) are among the durable goods of shortest life cycle. Given the increased population of PCs, and their quick turnover, their disposal represents a considerable environmental concern. However, many users do not require the latest technology for running their applications. This opens an opportunity for renovated or remanufactured machines. This paper addresses the complexity of PC manufacturing and the difficulties in developing adequate recovery processes. A recovery process is proposed and evaluated. It allows the coexistence of two markets: one for remanufactured PCs and another for all-new PCs.
Maternal exposure to caffeine and risk of congenital anomalies: a systematic review.

Background:Caffeine is teratogenic in animal studies when administered at high concentrations. Previous review articles have concluded that maternal caffeine consumption does not influence the risk of congenital anomalies. These reviews were narrative rather than systematic. The objective of the cur
The structure of liquid clusters of Lennard-Jones atoms

Abstract We have performed computer simulations of atomic clusters with the goal of studying the structure of the liquid phase. Classical constant energy molecular dynamics was used, with the atoms interacting via a Lennard-Jones 6-12 potential. Liquid clusters were formed by evaporation from a lattice with a relatively large lattice constant; for comparison, solid clusters were formed by a 10–15% scaling of the coordinates of the minimum-energy configurations. The liquid clusters formed ranged in size from approximately 50 to 1000 atoms. The liquid radial distribution functions [ g ( r )] show a split second peak (which is sometimes attributed to “glassy” behavior) which becomes much less pronounced as the size increases. A common neighbour analysis shows a high degree of local polytetrahedral ordering in the liquid and only a very small amount of local octahedral order, in contrast to the solid g ( r ). Radial density profiles [ ρ ( r )] of the liquid clusters show a very clear radial layering; the layer separation is approximately the repulsive hard core diameter. For the larger clusters, the layering is progressively less pronounced, and nearly absent for the largest cluster studied (1085 particles). In two cases, the cluster began in a liquid state which persisted long enough for structural quantities to be taken [ g ( r ) and ρ ( r )] but then showed evidence of the onset of solid structure. Mean squared displacements resolved into interior/exterior of the cluster show that there is a strong spatial dependence of the diffusion in the smaller liquid clusters.
The efficacy of a newer estrogen, TACE, as revealed by vaginal smears.

THE physiologic effect of most estrogenic substances administered orally is relatively brief. In the treatment and clinical management of certain syndromes of the climacteric, notably atrophic vaginitis-cystitis and osteoporosis, a long-acting estrogen would seem to offer definite advantages. The possible value of such a compound in helping the menopausal patient to adjust to her normal postmature state has been described by Bickers (1). Large single crystals, micro crystalline suspensions, and pellets have been employed to extend estrogenic activity following a single parenteral administration. However, these techniques require either incision and insertion of a pellet or hypodermic injection of the active hormone. To obviate these difficulties, a long-acting oral estrogen has been sought and a new synthetic estrogen, TACE,1 has been developed. The hormone is effective by mouth and because of its prolonged action, it has been termed an “oral implant.”
Settlers on the edge: identity and modernization on Russia's arctic frontier

Settlers on the edge: identity and modernization on Russia's arctic frontier, by Niobe Thompson, Vancouver, Toronto, UBC Press, 2008, xiv + 289 pp., $85.00 (hardcover)/$32.95(paperba ck), ISBN 9780...
Accumulating 10,000 Steps: Does this Meet Current Physical Activity Guidelines?

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether taking 10,000 steps in a day is equivalent to meeting the current minimum physical activity guidelines of accumulating at least 30 min of moderate physical activity (MPA). Fifty-nine women ages 20–65 years wore a pedometer and accelerometer concurrently on their right hip for 1 day. There were no differences in the age, body mass index, or the amount of time the pedometers and accelerometers were worn between the 10K+ and the 5 min and > 10 mi...
Fixing the depository library system: Some thoughts on vacuum cleaners, the manifesto, and the state of the government information distribution system, with a modest proposal to remedy the various ills therein: A viewpoint

Abstract Some of the recent literature discussing the problems of the U.S. federal depository library system is reviewed. Various suggestions for fixing the system are noted and further suggestions advanced. The suggestions in this paper are (1) decrease the size of the List of Classes , (2) open the depository system to more public libraries, and (3) end the requirement that regional depositories keep all material forever.
Fast distributed random walks

Performing random walks in networks is a fundamental primitive that has found applications in many areas of computer science, including distributed computing. In this paper, we focus on the problem of performing random walks efficiently in a distributed network. Given bandwidth constraints, the goal is to minimize the number of rounds required to obtain a random walk sample.All previous algorithms that compute a random walk sample of length l as a subroutine always do so naively, i.e., in O(l) rounds. The main contribution of this paper is a fast distributed algorithm for performing random walks. We show that a random walk sample of length l can be computed in O(l2/3D1/3) rounds on an undirected unweighted network, where D is the diameter of the network.1 When l = Ω(D log n), this is an improvement over the naive O(l) bound. (We show that Ω(min{D, l}) is a lower bound and hence in general we cannot have a running time faster than the diameter of the graph.) We also show that our algorithm can be applied to speedup the more general Metropolis-Hastings sampling.We extend our algorithms to perform a large number, k, of random walks efficiently. We show how k destinations can be sampled in O((kl)2/3D1/3) rounds if k ≤ l2 and O((kl)1/2) rounds otherwise. We also present faster algorithms for performing random walks of length larger than (or equal to) the mixing time of the underlying graph. Our techniques can be useful in speeding up distributed algorithms for a variety of applications that use random walks as a subroutine.
Interaction-Free All-Optical Switching via Quantum Zeno Blockade

Embedding a χ(2) crystal in a Fabry-Perot cavity, we propose and demonstrate an all-optical switch via quantum Zeno blockade that is implemented without any physical coupling between the signal and pump waves.
Femtosecond dynamics of flavin cofactor in DNA photolyase: radical reduction, local solvation, and charge recombination

We report here our femtosecond studies of the photoreduction dynamics of the neutral radical flavin (FADH) cofactor in E. coli photolyase, a process converting the inactive form to the biologically active one, a fully reduced deprotonated flavin FADH(-). The observed temporal absorption evolution revealed two initial electron-transfer reactions, occurring in 11 and 42 ps with the neighboring aromatic residues of W382 and F366, respectively. The new transient absorption, observed at 550 nm previously in photolyase, was found from the excited-state neutral radical and is probably caused by strong interactions with the adenine moiety through the flavin U-shaped configuration and the highly polar/charged surrounding residues. The solvation dynamics from the locally ordered water molecules in the active site was observed to occur in approximately 2 ps. These ultrafast ordered-water motions are critical to stabilizing the photoreduction product FADH(-) instantaneously to prevent fast charge recombination. The back electron-transfer reaction was found to occur in approximately 3 ns. This slow process, consistent with ultrafast stabilization of the catalytic cofactor, favors photoreduction in photolyase.
Primary and central hypothyroidism after radiotherapy for head-and-neck tumors.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of radiotherapy (RT)-induced central and primary hypothyroidism regarding total dose, fractionation, and adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods and Materials: We retrospectively reviewed the data from 312 patients treated with RT for extracranial head-and-neck tumors between 1964 and 2000. The cervical lymph nodes were irradiated in 197 patients. The radiation doses to the thyroid gland and hypothalamic-pituitary axis were estimated by reconstructing the treatment plans. Results: Clinical central hypothyroidism (CH) was observed in 17 patients (5.4%); the median clinical latency was 4.8 years. Clinical primary hypothyroidism (PH) was observed in 40 patients (20.3%); the median clinical latency was 3.1 years. Multivariate analysis of clinical CH revealed that fractionation, adjuvant chemotherapy, and total dose to the pituitary were not significant. Multivariate analysis of clinical PH revealed that the total dose to the thyroid ( p = 0.043) was significant, but adjuvant chemotherapy, age, and gender were not. Of the patients tested for hypopituitarism, 14 (20.3%) of 69 demonstrated subclinical CH and 17 (27.4%) of 62 demonstrated subclinical PH. The 5-year and 10-year rates of freedom from clinical CH and PH were 97% and 87% and 68% and 67%, respectively. Of the patients tested, the 5-year and 10-year rates of freedom from subclinical CH and PH were 91% and 78% and 71% and 71%, respectively. Conclusion: Clinical and subclinical manifestations of late radiation toxicity were observed in the thyroid and hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Although CH did not indicate a dependence on fractionation, adjuvant chemotherapy, or total dose to the pituitary, PH showed a dependence on the total dose to the thyroid gland.
Training direct care staff to increase positive interactions with individuals with developmental disabilities

This study tested the effects of direct training on direct care staff's initiation of positive interactions with individuals with developmental disabilities who resided in an intermediate care facility. Participants included four direct care staff and their residents. Direct training included real-time prompts delivered via a one-way radio, and data were collected for immediate and sustained increases in rates of direct care staff's positive interactions. Additionally, this study evaluated the link between increased rates of positive interactions and concomitant decreases in residents' challenging behaviors. A multiple baseline design across participants was used and results indicated that all direct care staff increased their rates of positive interactions during direct training. Moreover, all but one participant continued to engage residents in positive interactions at levels above the criterion during the maintenance phase and follow-up phases. The direct care staff member who did not initially meet the criterion improved to adequate levels following one brief performance feedback session. With regard to residents' challenging behaviors, across phases, residents engaged in low levels of challenging behaviors making those results difficult to evaluate. However, improvements in residents' rate of positive interactions were noted.
Dopamine depletion slows retinal transmission.

Abstract In male hooded rats, depletion of norepinephrine and dopamine by α-methyl- para -tyrosine (AMT) significantly increased the latencies of early peaks in flash-evoked potentials recorded from the visual cortex, lateral geniculate nucleus, and optic tract. These effects were not produced by depletion of norepinephrine by FLA-63, blockade of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors by scopolamine, or blockade of opiate receptors by naloxone. AMT effects occurred only when flashes were used; optic tract stimulation failed to reveal the drug-induced changes. In a dose-response study, haloperidol produced effects similar to those of AMT. l -Dopa + RO4-4602 reversed some of the effects of AMT. It is concluded that depletion of retinal dopamine impairs the timing of retinal responses to light.
Finite element calculation of stress intensity factors for interfacial crack using virtual crack closure integral

This paper presents a successful implementation of the virtual crack closure integral method to calculate the stress intensity factors of an interfacial crack. The present method would compute the mixed-mode stress intensity factors from the mixed-mode energy release rates of the interfacial crack, which are easily obtained from the crack opening displacements and the nodal forces at and ahead of the crack tip, in a finite element model. The simple formulae which relate the stress intensity factors to the energy release rates are given in three separate categories: an isotropic bimaterial continuum, an orthotropic bimaterial continuum, and an anisotropic bimaterial continuum. In the example of a central crack in a bimaterial block under the plane strain condition, comparisons are made with the exact solution to determine the accuracy and efficiency of the numerical method. It was found that the virtual crack closure integral method does lead to very accurate results with a relatively coarse finite element mesh. It has also been shown that for an anisotropic interfacial crack under the generalized plane strain condition, the computed stress intensity factors using the virtual crack closure method compared favorably with the results using the J integral method applied to two interacting crack tip solutions. In order for the stress intensity factors to be used as physical variables, the characteristic length for the stress intensity factors must be properly defined. A study was carried out to determine the effects of the characteristic length on the fracture criterion based the mixed-mode stress intensity factors. It was found that the fracture criterion based on the quadratic mixture of the normalized stress intensity factors is less sensitive to the changes in characteristic length than the fracture criterion based on the total energy release rate along with the phase angle.
Global analysis of mRNA stability in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a highly successful pathogen that infects over a billion people. As with most organisms, MTB adapts to stress by modifying its transcriptional profile. Remodeling of the transcriptome requires both altering the transcription rate and clearing away the existing mRNA through degradation, a process that can be directly regulated in response to stress. To understand better how MTB adapts to the harsh environs of the human host, we performed a global survey of the decay rates of MTB mRNA transcripts. Decay rates were measured for 2139 of the ~4000 MTB genes, which displayed an average half-life of 9.5 min. This is nearly twice the average mRNA half-life of other prokaryotic organisms where these measurements have been made. The transcriptome was further stabilized in response to lowered temperature and hypoxic stress. The generally stable transcriptome described here, and the additional stabilization in response to physiologically relevant stresses, has far-ranging implications for how this pathogen is able to adapt in its human host.
SBD: a signature-based detection for activities of appliances: poster abstract

The large-scale placement of smart meters brings concerns about privacy of individuals in their own homes. Energy consumption data can reveal precise appliances' usage information with non-intrusive load monitors. To mitigate behavior leakage in homes with smart meter measurement, battery-based load hiding (BLH) is widely studied. In this approach, a battery is used to store and supply power to home appliances to hide appliances' consumption. However, because different appliances have different energy consumption signatures, it is still possible to detect activities of appliances. In this paper, we developed a signature-based detection method (SBD), which utilizes the signatures of appliances to detect appliances usage. We conducted extensive system evaluations with 40 homes. Results indicate that our consumption signature detection method has much higher detection accuracy than edge detection.
Predicting High Harmonic Ion Cyclotron Heating Efficiency in Tokamak Plasmas

Observations of improved radio frequency (rf) heating efficiency in ITER relevant high-confinement ($H$-)mode plasmas on the National Spherical Tokamak Experiment are investigated by whole-device linear simulation. The steady-state rf electric field is calculated for various antenna spectra and the results examined for characteristics that correlate with observations of improved or reduced rf heating efficiency. We find that launching toroidal wave numbers that give fast-wave propagation in the scrape-off plasma excites large amplitude ($\ensuremath{\sim}\mathrm{kV}\text{ }{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) coaxial standing modes between the confined plasma density pedestal and conducting vessel wall. Qualitative comparison with measurements of the stored plasma energy suggests that these modes are a probable cause of degraded heating efficiency.
PIAGETIAN TASK PERFORMANCE OF BLACK ADOLESCENTS

Research by David Elkind questions Piaget's assertion that adolescents are able to conserve not only mass and weighc but also volume. In studying children aged 11 to 12, Elkind (1961a) found that only 27% of his sample were able to conserve volume although the majority had attained the ability to conserve mass and weight. In a follow-up study with 469 students between the ages of 12 and 17 yr., Flkind (1961b) noted that 87% conserved mass and weight but only 47% conserved volume. A similar result was obtained in a study conducted by Nadel and Schoeppe (1973) with 24 adolescent eighth grade girls whose mean age was 13.6 yr. While 100% conserved weight and 89% mass, only 29% conserved volume. These results do not support Piaget's predicted age (11-12 yr.) for attaining the abstract conception of conservation of volume. While the aforementioned studies have concerned Caucasian samples, this study examined conservation of mass, weight, and volume by black adolescent males and females from a lower socioeconomic snrus. The subjects were 22 black males and 27 black females ranging in age from 12 to 17 yr. from public schools in a lower socioeconomic area. The test for conservation of mass required the examiner show each student the two balls of clay and demonstrate that they both weighed the same amount. Each subject agreed that the balls we~ghed the same. The examiner then asked, "Do they each contain the same amount of clay?" The subjects concurred. Next examiner rolled one of the balls into a sausage shape and asked each subject, "Do they both contain the same amount of clay now?" This test was considered passed if the subject agreed that the two pieces of clay contained the same amount of clay across change in shape due to nothing being added or taken away. In the test for conservation of weight, the clay sausage was rerolled into a ball and the weighing procedure was repeated. The examiner then rolled one ball of clay into a sausage again and the subject was asked, "Do they each weigh the same?" This test was considered passed if subjects agreed that the cwo pieces of clay continued to weigh the same across perceptual change. In the test for conservation of volume, the examiner used the clay ball and clay sausage that had been made for the test of conservation of weight. The examiner next asked, "Do the two pieces of clay each take up
Ciliated respiratory epithelial surface changes after formaldehyde exposure.

The investigation sought to identify alterations of specific ciliated epithelial surface components after exposure to formaldehyde (HCHO) levels that decrease respiratory ciliary function. Bovine tracheae were reacted with an analog of N‐hydroxysuccinimidobiotin to label epithelial surface‐accessible components before exposure to HCHO. The tracheae were then exposed to 0, 16, 33, and 66 μg HCHO/cm2 epithelial surface for 30 min. Cilia were isolated from the epithelium, separated into membrane and internal axonemal portions, analyzed on sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PACE), and either stained to detect proteins or transblotted to detect biotin‐labeled components. Densitometric analysis of axoneme proteins showed a decrease in the total amount extracted with increased HCHO concentration, including axoneme‐specific proteins, dynein, and tubulin. However, biotinylated proteins in the axoneme fractions proportionately increased. Membrane fractions showed little change in protein...
Carbon and nitrogen turnover in adjacent grassland and cropland ecosystems

The effects of cultivation and soil texture on net and gross N mineralization, CO2 evolution and C and N turnover were investigated using paired grassland and cropped sites on soils of three textures. Gross N mineralization and immobilization were measured using15N-isotope dilution. Grassland soils had high CO2 evolution and gross N mineralization rates, and low net N mineralization rates. Cropland soils had low CO2 evolution rates but had high net and gross N mineralization rates. Grassland soils thus had high immobilization rates and cropland soils had low immobilization rates. Cultivation increased N turnover but reduced C turnover. The data suggest that the microflora in grassland soils are N limited, while those of cropland soils are limited by C availability. Increasing clay content reduced N turnover. C turnover was less clearly related to texture. Differences in the immobilization potential of substrates help explain why agricultural soils have higher N losses than do grassland soils.
Role of body dissatisfaction in the onset and maintenance of eating pathology: a synthesis of research findings.

Objective: Recent findings implicate body dissatisfaction in the development and maintenance of eating pathology. This paper reviews theory and empirical findings regarding the putative origins and consequences of body dissatisfaction because recent findings have not been synthesized or critically evaluated and because these findings have key etiologic and prevention implications. Methods: A computer-assisted literature review was conducted to locate relevant prospective and experimental studies. Results: There is evidence that perceived pressure to be thin, thin-ideal internalization and elevated body mass, but not early menarche, increase the risk for subsequent body dissatisfaction. There is also consistent support for the assertion that body dissatisfaction is a risk factor for eating pathology and that this relation is mediated by increases in dieting and negative affect. Conclusions: This review provides support for the claim that sociocultural processes foster body dissatisfaction, which in turn increase the risk for bulimic pathology, and suggests that prevention and treatment interventions might be enhanced by focusing greater attention on body image disturbances.
Observer-based delayed feedback attitude control for single- and multi-actuator maneuvers

Observer-based attitude controllers for single- and multi-actuator maneuvers are developed from the delayed state feedback control laws obtained by the Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and inverse dynamics approaches, respectively. The TRIAD algorithm is employed to process the observations. The observer gain is selected based on the extended Kalman-Bucy (EKB) filter, and a novel delay estimation approach is used to provide the estimates of the delay. The observer-based delayed feedback control laws are shown to be capable of accurate control of spacecraft attitude from noise-corrupted attitude measurements.
Using dry feed intake as a percentage of initial body weight as a weaning criterion

Newborn Holstein heifers (n = 32) and bulls (n = 12) were used to investigate the use of dry feed intake as a percentage of birth weight as a weaning criterion. Three different percentages (1, 1.5, and 2%) were used. Calves in the 1% treatment group met the weaning criterion earlier than did those in the 1.5 and 2% treatment groups; no difference was detected between the latter two groups. Total dry feed intake at 8 wk was higher for calves in the 1% treatment group than for calves in the other treatment groups; no difference was detected between the 1.5 and 2% treatment groups. Weights for all calves at 8 wk and weights of heifer calves at 12, 16, and 20 wk were not different among groups. Using dry feed intake at 1% of birth weight as a weaning criterion reduced days to weaning, increased dry feed intake from birth to 8 wk, decreased variation in weaning age, and had no apparent negative effect on growth at 20 wk of age. Using dry feed intake as a percentage of birth weight appears to be a suitable criterion to determine when to wean dairy calves.
Impact of Environmental and Harvest Management Variables on Alfalfa Forage Drying and Quality

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of environment and harvest management variables on drying duration and qualitg of alfalfa (Medicano sativa L.) forage grown under semiarid conditions of the western USA. Untreated and conditioning agent (CA)-treated forage was harvested with a commercial mower-conditioner on four dates in 1989 to provide variation in drying duration. Drying duration was determined by periodically monitoring moisture concentration of the forage after harvest until the forage was baled at 180 g water kg −1 herbage. Samples from the bales of each harvest were taken to determine forage quality. Solar radiation, air temperature, air vapor pressure deficit (VPD), soil moisture, and windrow density were monitored during drying [...]
Generalized representation theorems for acoustic wavefields in perturbed media

SUMMARY In this paper, generalized representation theorems for acoustic wavefields in perturbed media are derived from convolution- and correlation-type reciprocity theorems. These theorems allow calculation of the total wavefield in perturbed media from boundary integrals involving knowledge of the impulse responses due to monopole and dipole sources at the boundary only. The presented derivation makes explicit the close connection between the convolution-type reciprocity theorem and the Lippmann–Schwinger integral equation for the scattered field. The derivation of the correlation-type representation theorem leads to an expression for the total wavefield analogous to the Lippmann–Schwinger equation, but expressed in terms of the time-advanced Green’s function instead. The generalized correlation-type representation theorem provides an alternative method to obtain virtual-source time-lapse seismic wavefields compared to the current method of differencing base and monitor virtual-source wavefields, while the convolution-type theorem has potential applications in non-linear inversions and time-lapse seismic feasibility studies for reservoir monitoring.
DUAL TASK ASSESSMENT OF AGE DIFFERENCES IN MENTAL WORKLOAD WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR DRIVING

Older drivers constitute the fastest growing segment of the driving population, in terms of both number of drivers and number of miles driven. Accident analyses reveal that older drivers are not ab...
Illusory Power Transference The Vicarious Experience of Power

We use two experiments to investigate “illusory power transference,” in which individuals minimally associated with powerful others act as if they themselves are powerful outside the boundaries of ...
Insect Population Control by the Use of Sex Pheromones to inhibit Orientation between the Sexes

SEVERAL people have speculated on the thesis that if a sufficiently high concentration of an insect sex pheromone could be maintained in the atmosphere, the sexes could not find each other for mating purposes1–3 (for a review, see Jacobson4). Their conclusion was that this could lead to control or possibly eradication of the species. In the only large scale experiment to test this principle, gyplure, an analogue of the gypsy moth sex pheromone, was distributed over an island infested with gypsy moths5. Mating of males with females was not prevented; the failure of this experiment was attributed to the presence of a “masking” substance in the synthetic pheromone6. We have for the first time obtained experimental confirmation that pre-mating communication between the sexes can be disrupted by permeating the atmosphere with an insect pheromone. This general phenomenon was demonstrated using Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), the cabbage looper, as the test organism.
Targeting protein-protein interactions for HIV therapeutics

The majority of current anti-HIV drugs target the viral reverse transcriptase or protease enzymes. However, enfuvirtide and maraviroc are drugs that have been US FDA approved recently and which function by inhibiting virus cell binding and entry which normally occurs through the interaction of the viral envelope protein with its cellular coreceptor. As HIV-1 utilizes many cellular cofactors during its replication cycle, there are a number of other protein–protein interactions that can serve as targets for anti-HIV drug development. In this review article we discuss the general method used to identify anti-HIV drugs that function through targeting protein–protein interactions. We also discuss the currently known cellular cofactors that may serve as targets in future drugs screens.
NMR studies of structure, hydrogen exchange, and main-chain dynamics in a disrupted-core mutant of thioredoxin

Core-packing mutants of proteins often approach molten globule states, and hence may have attributes of folding intermediates. We have studied a core-packing mutant of thioredoxin, L78K, in which a leucine residue is substituted by lysine, using 15N heteronuclear two- and three-dimensional NMR. Chemical shift differences between the mutant and wild-type main-chain resonances reveal that structural changes caused by the mutation are localized within 12 A of the altered side chain. The majority of resonances are unchanged, as are many 1H-1H NOEs indicative of the main-chain fold, suggesting that the structure of L78K is largely similar to wild type. Hydrogen exchange studies reveal that residues comprising the central beta-sheet of both mutant and wild-type proteins constitute a local unfolding unit, but with the unfolding/folding equilibrium approximately 12 times larger in L78K. The dynamics of main-chain NH bonds in L78K were studied by 15N spin relaxation and compared with a previous study of wild type. Order parameters for angular motion of NH bonds in the mutant are on average lower than in wild type, suggesting greater spatial freedom on a rapid time scale, but may also be related to different rotational correlation times in the two proteins. There is also evidence of greater conformational exchange in the mutant. Differences between mutant and wild type in hydrogen exchange and main-chain dynamics are not confined to the vicinity of the mutation. We infer that mispacking of the protein core in one location affects local dynamics and stability throughout.
Adsorption of methylene blue by potato starch: Effect of methanol, dioxane, sucrose, and urea in aqueous systems

Methylene blue is adsorbed by potato starch from aqueous solution as a monomer or dimer, depending upon its concentration. The adsorption phenomenon can be described by the Langmuir equation. The effect of methanol, dioxane, sucrose, and urea on methylene blue adsorption has been examined. These water-miscible additives shift the monomer-dimer equilibrium of the dye in the direction of the monomer and reduce the extent of methylene blue adsorption without significantly affecting the maximum possible adsorption. This appears to indicate that their effect is primarily on the effective concentration of the dye. At high concentrations, methanol and dioxane apparently further reduce adsorption by affecting the surface of potato starch.
Cancer stem cells and survival pathways.

Gliomas and medulloblastomas are the most frequent malignant brain tumors in adult and children respectively. Although both tumors arise in the CNS, there is a significant difference in their therapeutic response, resulting in medulloblastomas as being relatively curable, while glioblastomas are basically incurable. During the last decade several reports have demonstrated the existence of cancer stem cells in brain tumors, their location and their response to treatment. We have recently described the therapeutic response of medulloblastomas to radiation in their native microenvironment, describing how p53 and PI3K signaling pathway leads to nestin-expressing cells in the perivascular stem cell niche evading cell death while the tumor-bulk succumbs to apoptosis 1. It remains to be determined whether this mechanism of tumor resistance applies to the more complex stem-cell niche and tumor bulk of gliomas.
Parallel implementation of the replica exchange molecular dynamics algorithm on Blue Gene/L

The replica exchange method is a popular approach for studying the folding thermodynamics of small to modest size proteins in explicit solvent, since it is easily parallelized. However, replica exchange can become computationally expensive for large-scale studies, due to the number of replicas needed as well as interprocess or communication requirements both between and within replicas. In this paper, we discuss an implementation of replica exchange molecular dynamics on Blue Gene/L for performing large scale simulation studies of systems of biological interest. The algorithm is tuned with an awareness of the physical network topology and hardware performance features of the Blue Gene/L architecture. Performance measurements for replica exchange using the blue matter molecular dynamics application are presented on Blue Gene/L hardware with up to 256 replicas simulated on 8,192 compute nodes. Both scalability and performance are achieved with this implementation.
Limits in arson debris analysis by capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Sample enrichment technology and instrumental sensitivity are no longer limiting factors in arson debris analysis. When pyrolyzed, petroleum based composite materials may produce artifacts. Urban air is another major source of interference since some of the components typically found in air, in particular alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons, are customarily used as indicators for the presence of gasoline. It is suggested to replace qualitative analysis with a quantitative approach, taking the sample matrix into consideration.
Universal radar antenna design charts

Parabolic antenna design charts which can be used to easily determine the design parameters of radar antennas are described. Parameters used are normalized feed dimensions, F/D ratio, aperture blockage, normalized beam widths and the maximum side lobe level. Discussed topics include chart construction, a sample problem and a proposed antenna simulator.
Downstream Etching of GaAs and InP Using Molecular Chlorine and Chlorine Radicals

The temperature dependent etching of GaAs and InP using both molecular and remote plasma activated Cl2 and HC1 is examined. GaAs etches nearly three times faster in a remotely generated C12 plasma than in a molecular Cl2 environment with plasma off. The temperature dependance from room temperature to 250°C is similar for both cases. Significant etch rates of GaAs are observed for HC1 remotely generated plasma even at room temperature (∼1000 A/min). Although the etch rate for InP below 150°C is quite low for either C12 or HCl, the relatively fast, temperature independent etch rate above this temperature is comparable to that of GaAs. The results are compared to RIE and a thermodynamic model.
The Frontline Clinical Manager Identifying Direct Reports’ Level of Practice

Patricia Benner applied the Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition to describe and interpret skill acquisition and clinical judgment in nursing practice. Operational definitions for the 5 levels of her...
Development of an inducible three colour bacterial water colour system

Here we present the work of the 2006 University of Arizona team in the iGEM (international Genetically Engineered Machine) competition sponsored by MIT. Our aim was to develop an inducible water colour system for painting bacteria in three colours. Using BioBricks, a plasmid was designed for insertion into E. coli which would allow the bacterium to respond to each of three different chemical inducers by producing yellow, cyan or red fluorescent proteins. In principle the inducers could be deposited on a bacterial lawn using a high-resolution printer so that three colour images could be produced with a spatial resolution matching the size of the bacterium. This could be the first step towards producing a bacterial lawn that behaves like a canvas for watercolour painting or eventually a three-colour television set. The application connects with current interest in precise control of cellular response desired in biosensors and bioengineered materials. The University of Arizona iGEM team called the ‘Cell Raisers’ was assembled in May 2006 and worked enthusiastically throughout the summer. The team was comprised of six undergraduates (Tyler Brown, Brian Heinze, Patrick Hollinger, Josh Kittleson, Kevin MacDow, and Dan Reavis), one graduate student (Carlos Chang), and two faculty members (Joan Curry and Mark Riley). This proved to be an ambitious project, and while the final goal was not fully realised, first steps were made in terms of design, plasmid construction and bacterial deposition with an inkjet printer. Patrick Hollinger and Brian Heinze gave the technical presentation to judges and competing teams on Saturday, November 4, 2006 in MIT's Stata Center. The team also presented a poster that was viewed in the evening after all the presentations. For their efforts, the University of Arizona team received honourable mention with special consideration: ‘For progress toward synthetic biology in three colours’.
The complexities of diabetic cardiomyopathy: lessons from patients and animal models

Cardiovascular diseases are foreseeable complications of diabetes mellitus; heart failure is a prominent complication among these. Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a distinct entity independent of coronary artery disease and hypertension. Most of our knowledge on diabetic cardiomyopathy’s pathogenesis comes from studies performed on various animal models. The recent advances in the domain confirm that the disease is above all a maladaptation of the heart mostly driven by the metabolic derangements that accompany diabetes mellitus.