cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enterovirus 71 excretion in the infected patients

Objective To describe the characteristics of EV71 shedding in EV71 infected persons.Methods Throat swabs and fecal samples were collected from severe and mild hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) cases as well as close contacts.All the samples were assayed with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The subjects were divided into three groups,namely,severe case group,mild case group and close contact group.Kruskal-Wallis Test was employed to compare the difference in duration of viral RNA shedding among the three groups.Results A total of 136 throat swabs and fecal samples were collected from 27 children and 3 adults,which includes 7 close contacts,9 mild cases and 14 severe cases.The results showed that significant difference in duration of EV71 shedding was found among three groups (P ＜0.01).The longest duration of EV71 shedding in fecal samples was 54 days and 30 days in throat swabs.Conclusions HFMD is characterized by extended excretion of EV71.Our results suggest that the duration of EV71 shedding is correlated with the severity of the disease.EV71 shedding through feces can persist more than 54 days.Prolonged virus shedding is a potential risk factor of proliferating HFMD epidemic. Key words: Hand-foot-mouth disease; Enterovirus 71; Virus excretion
Disparities in community water system compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act

Abstract Understanding potential disparities in community compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) will help managers effectively and fairly allocate funding for improving drinking water systems. Environmental justice is experienced at the scale of the individual, the household, the neighborhood, or the water service provider and is too fine-grained a scale for spatial analysis with most available state datasets. This research represents an effort to ascertain which spatial analysis method selected to estimate the demographics of water service areas best supports environmental justice analysis at the state scale. To understand whether there are disparities in compliance with the SDWA, this study specifically investigated the relationship between socioeconomic status and race as well as other water system variables, and violations to the SDWA of community water system (CWS) in the state of Pennsylvania. The sociodemographic characteristics of the water systems were estimated using three different CWS-level spatial analysis methods (areal weighting, dasymetric mapping, areal interpolation) and a county-level spatial analysis method. Negative binomial regression was used to evaluate whether these sociodemographic characteristics, and other water system variables, including size of the water system, ownership, and water source, are associated with SDWA violations. This research demonstrates that the spatial analysis method selected for an environmental justice study can affect the results and conclusions of the research. Evidence that SDWA violations were associated with race or socioeconomic status was not found; however, this study did determine that small CWSs (
Can an Academic RVU Model Balance the Clinical and Research Challenges in Surgery

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to identify perceptions of academic surgeons regarding academic productivity and assess its relationship to clinical productivity. We hypothesized that these perceptions would vary based on respondent characteristics including clinical activity and leadership roles. DESIGN This retrospective, survey-based study was performed from August 26, 2019 to September 26, 2019. SETTING The setting was academic surgical departments across the US. PARTICIPANTS The survey instrument was administered to faculty members of the Association of Program Directors in Surgery. A total of 105 academic surgeons responded. RESULTS Most respondents were Program Directors (59%) of general surgery programs. Of the participants, 30% identified as Professor, 36% as Associate Professor, and 15% as Assistant Professor. Respondents agreed that multiple academic pursuits or factors should count towards academic productivity including the following (in descending order): completing a first-authored manuscript (98.8%), completing a senior-authored manuscript (97.7%), chairing a national committee (94.1%), serving on a national committee (88.2%), completing a second-authored manuscript (88.0%), completing a first lecture (83.7%), completing a middle-authored manuscript (71.8%), completing a lecture (whether or not repeated) (70.9%), impact factor of journal (60.7%), and attendance at grand rounds (57.0%). Perspectives did not vary significantly based on surgeon demographics, clinical setting, or leadership role (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Perceptions regarding what constitutes academic productivity and merit a reduction in clinical expectation are remarkably similar across multiple surgeon characteristics including demographics, academic title, leadership role, and practice environment.
Effect of Therapist Coaching Statements on Parenting Skills in a Brief Parenting Intervention for Infants

Behavioral parenting interventions have been shown to decrease early childhood behavior problems by improving parenting skills. Few studies have examined the impact of therapist coaching statements on parenting skill acquisition, especially among ethnic minority families and non-English-speaking families. In this study, we examined therapists' use of responsive and directive coaching statements during the first coaching session in a brief parenting intervention, the Infant Behavior Program (IBP), on changes in parenting skill acquisition. Participants were 24 mothers of 12- to 15-month-olds, with elevated levels of behavioral problems from primarily Latinx and low-income backgrounds. Mothers who heard more responsive coaching from their therapist showed greater increases in positive parenting skills. Spanish-speaking therapists used fewer responsive coaching statements and more commands, however, language spoken did not moderate the effect of these statements on changes in parenting skills. Responsive coaching statements in English and Spanish had a positive impact on parenting skill acquisition.
A simple model for the entropy of melting of monatomic liquids

We present an analytical model for calculating the entropy at melt of monatomic liquids. The model is motivated by the concept of a rough potential energy surface. It offers a simple, physical explanation for Richard's melting rule and provides a material-dependent correction to Trouton's vaporization rule. Without employing any adjustable parameters, the model agrees closely with experimental entropy of melting values for monatomic liquids. When combined with the phonon theory of liquids, it allows for estimation of entropy over the entire liquid range.
The Adult Neck Mass: Predictors of Malignancy.

ObjectiveDistinguishing benign from malignant adult neck masses can be challenging because data to guide risk assessment are lacking. We examined patients with neck masses from an integrated health...
Collaborating Through NEPA: Achieving a Social License to Operate on Federal Public Lands

As demand and consumption of natural gas increases, so will drilling operations to extract the natural gas on federal public lands. Fueled by the shale gas revolution, natural gas drilling operations are now frequently taking place, not only in the highly documented urban settings, but also on federal public lands with high conservation value. The phenomenon of increased drilling in sensitive locations, both urban and remote, has sparked increased public opposition, requiring oil and gas producers to reconsider how they engage the public. Oil and gas producers have increasingly deployed the concept of a social license to operate to gain support from the public and the communities in which they operate. A social license to operate is a voluntary license granted by communities, obligating companies to go above and beyond the requirements of their legal license to operate. While natural gas developers have increasingly sought to achieve a social license to operate in urban settings, such as the Colorado Front Range, there has been little use of this approach by operators drilling on federal public land. We advocate for the use of increased collaboration with affected stakeholders and communities through the NEPA process as a means to achieve a social license to operate on federal public land.
Rayleigh Scattering: Density Dependence of Orientation Motions in Acetone and Benzene

Results of a high pressure study of the depolarized scattering in acetone and benzene are presented. The density dependences of the angular velocity and angular position correlation functions are determined. In both liquids the AVCF show a negative overshoot, however the mechanism or reorientational motions appear to be significantly different.
Identification of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) binding motifs in Biomphalaria glabrata

Biomphalaria glabrata acts as the intermediate host to the parasite, Schistosoma mansoni, and for this reason, the immune system of B. glabrata has been researched extensively. Several studies have demonstrated that the transcriptome profile of B. glabrata changes following exposure to a variety of pathogens, yet very little is known regarding the regulation of gene expression in this species. Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) homologues have recently been identified in B. glabrata but few functional studies have been carried out on this family of transcription factors. The aims of this study therefore were to identify NF-κB binding sites (κB motifs) in B. glabrata and examine them via functional assays. Two different κB motifs were predicted. Furthermore, the Rel homology domain (RHD) of a B. glabrata NF-κB was able to bind these κB motifs in EMSAs, as well as a vertebrate κB motif.
Assessment of Autoimmunity and Hypersensitivity

Biopharmaceuticals, either via their (immuno)-pharmacological mechanism of action, or their chemical structure (foreign proteins), have the potential for inducing autoimmunity and/or hypersensitivity reactions in treated human subjects. Therefore autoimmunity and hypersensitivity are critical issues to be considered during the preclinical as well as the clinical safety evaluation of all biopharmaceuticals. This article focuses on regulatory guidance and assays for predicting hypersensitivity and autoimmunity of biopharmaceuticals. Keywords: autoimmunity; hypersensitivity reactions; preclinical evaluation; immunogenicity
Towards Quantitative Non-Destructive Evaluation of Aging Aircraft

Non-destructive testing techniques, as they are practiced in the field of quantitative non-destructive evaluation, are at the basis of a comprehensive approach to secure the safety of aging aircraft. The applications, advantages and disadvantages of the principal NDE techniques are summarized in this paper. It is discussed that measurement models for these techniques, in conjunction with the POD concept, scanning plans and methods of graphical display, facilitate the selection of optimal procedures for specific inspection problems. These models also suggest NDE standards and calibration techniques and they can be an important part of inspection system validation and operator training. Four major components of a comprehensive QNDE program for aging aircraft are identified and briefly discussed.
The Value of Outsourced Software

There is a growing discussion of risks when software development is outsourced. In order to assess the extent of those risks, one needs to know the value of that concerned software. Software is an intangible good, and the value of intangibles is based on the income they are expected to generate in the future. This paper presents a model for software valuation based on principles of IP valuation, sales expectations, net present value, and related parameters. An original contribution of this work is the diminution of the base value of the software as maintenance is performed over the lifecycle of the software. The valuation process is presented via a simple quantitative example. Having a quantitative model on a spreadsheet allows for the exploration of business alternatives. Conclusions are drawn that reflect on academic and business practices.
World Crisis Effects on Social Security in Latin America and the Caribbean: Lessons and Policies

Written by a top scholar on social security in Latin America and the Caribbean, this book assesses the effects of the world economic crisis on social security and welfare in the region. Drawing on the impact of and lessons from previous crises, Carmelo Mesa-Lago identifies the strengths and weakness of Latin American social security before the current global crisis. He evaluates the event's actual and potential effects on pensions, health care, and social assistance programs, based on a taxonomy of three groups of countries. The book ends with a summary of policies adopted by some countries and the author's own recommendations on social policies to lessen the adverse outcomes of the financial crisis. Latin America's pioneering social-welfare reforms make this book important for other regions of the world, both developed and developing.
Age‐related changes in murine CNS mRNA gene expression are modulated by dietary melatonin

Brain cellular functions decline with normal aging, accompanied by a changing profile of gene expression. Gene array analysis was used to quantitatively estimate messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels in the cerebral cortex of both young (4-month) and old (27-month) B6C3F1 male mice. A stringent degree of significance was obtained by using multiple gene chips. Out of 12,423 mRNA levels, only 25 changed significantly with age. Nine of these genes coded for inflammatory proteins, all of which were elevated in aged, relative to younger mice. Melatonin (200 p.p.m.) included in the diet of aged animals for 8 wk elevated serum and cortical melatonin and reversed 13 of the 25 genes altered with age. In no case did melatonin potentiate age-related changes in gene expression. The restoration of a more youthful gene profile to brains of aged animals by melatonin, to a large extent, involves reversal of age-induced elevation of basal inflammatory parameters.
Epidemic and bioterrorism preparation among emergency medical services systems.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this research was to determine the preparedness of emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in one US state to cope with a massive epidemic event. METHODS: Data were collected primarily through telephone interviews with EMS officials throughout the State. To provide a comparison, nine out-of-state emergency services agencies were invited to participate. RESULTS: Emergency medical services agencies from nine of the 23 counties (39%) provided responses to some or all of the questions in the telephone survey. Seven of the nine out-of-state agencies provided responses to the survey. Most of the EMS agencies do not have broad, formal plans for response to large-scale bio-terrorist or pandemic events. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that EMS agencies in this state fundamentally are unprepared for a large-scale bioterrorism or pandemic event.The few existing plans rely heavily on mutual aid from agencies that may be incapable of providing such aid. Therefore, EMS agencies must be prepared to manage a response to these incidents without assistance from any agencies outside of their local community. In order to accomplish this, they must begin planning and develop close working relationships with public health, healthcare, and elected officials within their local communities. Language: en
An introduction to the method of sweeping presumptions for modeling nonmonotonic reasoning

Reasoning almost always occurs in the face of incomplete information. Such reasoning is nonmonotonic in the sense that conclusions drawn may later be withdrawn when additional information is obtained. This paper introduces a new method, called sweeping presumptions, for modeling nonmonotonic reasoning. The main goal of the paper is to provide an example-driven, non-technical introduction to the method of sweeping presumptions, and thereby to make it plausible that sweeping presumptions can usefully be applied to the problems of nonmonotonic reasoning. The paper discusses a representative sample of examples that have appeared in the literature on non monotonic reasoning, and discusses them from the point of view of sweeping presumptions. >
Insights from sadness: A three-step model of the development of altruism as hedonism

Abstract Research into the effects of sad mood on prosocial action is reviewed and is used as a vehicle for examining the transformation of altruism from a punishing to a gratifying event. A three-step model of the socialization of altruism as a reinforcer is proposed. The model argues for (a) an initial stage (presocialization) in which altruism occurs rarely among young children because of its punishing function, (b) a second stage (awareness of norms) in which altruism functions as a mechanism for the receipt of positive sanctions, and (c) a final stage (internalization) in which, by adulthood, altruism has acquired a gratifying function through its status as a conditioned reinforcer. Evidence for the functional equivalence of self-gratification and adult altruism is also presented.
A randomized controlled trial of an HIV sexual risk-reduction intervention for young African-American women.

Objective. —To evaluate the efficacy of a community-based social skills human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention intervention to enhance consistent condom use. Design. —A randomized, single-blind controlled trial. Setting. —Bayview-Hunter's Point neighborhood of San Francisco, Calif, a predominantly African-American community that is economically disadvantaged. Participants. —A sample of 128 sexually active, heterosexual, African-American women 18 through 29 years of age was recruited using street outreach techniques. Participants completed a structured baseline interview; 100 women (78.1%) completed 3-month follow-up interviews. Intervention. —Women randomized to the social skills intervention completed five sessions that emphasized ethnic and gender pride, HIV risk—reduction information, sexual self-control, sexual assertiveness and communication skills, proper condom use skills, and developing partner norms supportive of consistent condom use. Women randomized to the HIV education condition participated in a single session that provided HIV risk—reduction information. Women randomized to the delayed HIV education control condition received no HIV risk—reduction information until all follow-up interviews were completed. Main Outcome Measures. —Consistent condom use, HIV risk—reduction knowledge, sexual self-control, sexual assertiveness, sexual communication, and partner norms supportive of consistent condom use. Results. —Compared with the delayed HIV education control condition, women in the social skills intervention demonstrated increased consistent condom use (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 4.15;P=.04), greater sexual self-control (adjusted OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.00 to 3.60;P=.05), greater sexual communication (adjusted OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.67 to 10.01;P=.002), greater sexual assertiveness (adjusted OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.01 to 3.27;P=.05), and increased partners' adoption of norms supporting consistent condom use (adjusted OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.08 to 3.87;P=.03). No statistically significant differences in outcome variables were observed between the HIV education condition relative to the delayed HIV education control condition. Conclusion. —Community-based HIV risk—reduction programs that are gender relevant and culturally sensitive and provide social skills training can effectively enhance consistent condom use. (JAMA. 1995;274:1271-1276)
Reliability of Preference Ratings as a Function of Cardinal Value and Natural Order

Preference ratings generally involve a scale which employs the normal order of the natural numbers. The objective of the experiment reported here was to determine the relative reliabilities of preference ratings administered under the following 3 conditions: ( a ) when a normal order scale is used twice, ( b ) when a normal order scale is followed by a complete reversal of that order, and (c ) when a reversed order scale is used twice. Three groups of 20 Ss were asked to give their preferences for the following 9 fruits: bananas, oranges, apples, pears, plums, pineapples, watermelons, grapes, and peaches, by rank. Preference ratings on a reversed scale were translated back into the normal order, under conditions ( b ) and ( c ) , so that 9 which indicated maximum preference and 1 minimum preference, became 1 and 9, respectively, after translation. In short, the normal order scale value corresponding to a reversed scale value, SR, was equal to 10 SH. When 2 normal-order scale preferences had been obtained for each S, rho was calculated and converted to r by the formula, r = 2 sin ( x p / 6 ) . The average values of T for each group, namely, rl = .91, r2 = .67, and r3 = .77, were obtained, using the Fisher transformation, where n = 9 (our scale ratings) and is averaged for 20 values of z. A t test of significance showed that for and &, p < .01; while for i z , .O1 < p < .02. The significance of the difference between pairs of these ss was also determined, where the sample n = 20. Only and r2 were significantly different ( p < .05). Clearly the relative reliabilities of the 3 scaling procedures are in the order: normal, reversed, and mixed. Normal and mixed tend to yield credibly different results. No guess can be made as to what the results would have been for a larger N, scale values in excess of 9, for other stimulus materials in the taste category or for preferences in some other category.
Auranofin, an Anti-Rheumatic Gold Compound, Modulates Apoptosis by Elevating the Intracellular Calcium Concentration ([Ca2+]i) in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Auranofin, a transition metal complex is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but is also an effective anti-cancer drug. We investigate the effects of Auranofin in inducing cell death by apoptosis and whether these changes are correlated to changes of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Cytotoxicity of Auranofin was evaluated using MTS assay and the Trypan blue dye exclusion method. With fluorescent dyes SR-FLICA and 7-AAD apoptotic death and necrotic death were differentiated by Flow cytometry. A concentration dependent decrease in the viability occurred and cells were shifted to the apoptotic phase. Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) was recorded using florescence microscopy and a calcium sensitive dye (Fluo-4 AM) with a strong negative correlation (r = −0.713) to viability. Pharmacological modulators 2-APB (50 μM), Nimodipine (10 μM), Caffeine (10 mM), SKF 96365(20 μM) were used to modify calcium entry and release. Auranofin induced a sustained increase of [Ca2+]i in a concentration and time dependent manner. The use of different blockers of calcium channels did not reveal the source for the rise of [Ca2+]i. Overall, elevation of [Ca2+]i by Auranofin might be crucial for triggering Ca2+-dependent apoptotic pathways. Therefore, in anti-cancer therapy, modulating [Ca2+]i should be considered as a crucial factor for the induction of cell death in cancer cells.
Principles of an atomtronic battery

An asymmetric atom trap is investigated as a means to implement a "battery" that supplies ultracold atoms to an atomtronic circuit. The battery model is derived from a scheme for continuous loading of a non-dissipative atom trap proposed by Roos et al.(Europhysics Letters V61, 187 (2003)). The trap is defined by longitudinal and transverse trap frequencies and corresponding trap energy heights. The battery's ability to supply power to a load is evaluated as a function of an input atom flux and power. For given trap parameters and input flux the battery is shown to have a resonantly optimum value of input power. The battery behavior can be cast in terms of an equivalent circuit model; specifically, for fixed input flux and power the battery is modeled in terms of a Thevenin equivalent chemical potential and internal resistance. The internal resistance establishes the maximum power that can be supplied to a circuit, the heat that will be generated by the battery, and that noise will be imposed on the circuit. We argue that any means of implementing a battery for atomtronics can be represented by a Thevenin equivalent and that its performance will likewise be determined by an internal resistance.
Fitting kinetic data for two independent saturable terms by multifit ii, a general purpose curve fitting program in fortran iv

Abstract The present report describes multifit ii , a fortran program for fitting data to non-linear equations and its application to biphasic kinetic data. Biphasic plots are encountered, e.g. in cases of enzymatic reactions and in the area of amino acid transport across biological membranes. This program gives a least squares fit of an equation to data, and obviates the need for non-statistical approximations, with their inherent bias. Equations to be fit are written in the form (numerator)/(denominator), where each may contain up to four terms, and each term may be a maximum of fourth order, including up to four independent variables. Data may be fit by the present program in either direct or reciprocal form. The approach taken is an iterative procedure (Newton's method). Scaling and weighting of data are incorporated. Parameters used to generate ideal test data in biphasic kinetic plots were recovered to four significant figures. The utility of the program in fitting real biphasic data obtained from amino acid transport experiments is demonstrated.
Viral interference at the level of capsid size determination by satellite phage P4.

Abstract Satellite virus P4 is a defective bacteriophage which requires all 17 late morphogenic gene products of its P2 coliphage helper for normal lytic development. We demonstrate here that during this helper-satellite virus interaction the satellite P4 blocks a late step in the lytic development of the P2 helper. During co-infection, replication and processing of helper and satellite DNAs proceed normally. However, only small satellite size capsids are assembled. We have also determined that a P4 mutant which does not interfere is unable to direct the production of small capsids. In addition, another satellite mutant which has lost the ability to direct the condensation of small capsids was found not to interfere. Hence, P4 interferes with the lytic development of its helper by directing the assembly of capsids too small to package the P2 genome.
Breaking ofSU3 symmetry in the electromagnetic decay of the decuplet

The interaction responsible for the electromagnetic decays of the decuplet of 3/2+ baryon resonances is assumed to contain a symmetrybreaking part transforming as the I=0, Y= 0 member of an octet, and relations between the amplitudes for these decays are presented. The effect of an interaction transforming as a member of the27 representation is also discussed.
Low-Temperature Thermopower of Dilute Alloys

A new mechanism - the virtual recoil of solute ions - is investigated and shown to cause the dominant contribution to the thermopower of dilute alloys at low temperatures.
De novo design and molecular assembly of a transmembrane diporphyrin-binding protein complex.

The de novo design of membrane proteins remains difficult despite recent advances in understanding the factors that drive membrane protein folding and association. We have designed a membrane protein PRIME (PoRphyrins In MEmbrane) that positions two non-natural iron diphenylporphyrins (FeIIIDPP’s) sufficiently close to provide a multicentered pathway for transmembrane electron transfer. Computational methods previously used for the design of multiporphyrin water-soluble helical proteins were extended to this membrane target. Four helices were arranged in a D2-symmetrical bundle to bind two Fe(II/III) diphenylporphyrins in a bis-His geometry further stabilized by second-shell hydrogen bonds. UV−vis absorbance, CD spectroscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation, redox potentiometry, and EPR demonstrate that PRIME binds the cofactor with high affinity and specificity in the expected geometry.
Elasto-plastic finite element analyses of two-dimensional rolling and sliding contact deformation of bearing steel

An elastoplastic finite element analysis of repeated rolling-plus-sliding contact is presented for the elastic-linear-kinematic hardening-plastic properties of hardened bearing steel at room temperature. Contacts in the absence of frictional heating are found to produce peak cyclic strain ranges and residual stresses that are similar to the values obtained for pure rolling. For the cases considered, the energy dissipated as heat by plastic deformation is found to be 3-15 percent of the energy dissipated at the surface by friction.
Cancer: Clonal cooperation

Widespread genetic heterogeneity in cells of human tumours poses a question: what prevents the fittest clone from taking over? A demonstration of interdependence between distinct clones might shed light on this puzzle. See Letter p.113
Effect of Slurry Selectivity on Dielectric Erosion and Copper Dishing in Copper Chemical-Mechanical Polishing

Abstract A formidable challenge in the present multi-step Cu CMP process, employed in the ultra-large-scale integration (ULSI) technology, is the control of wafer surface non-uniformity caused by dielectric erosion and Cu dishing. A definitive understanding of the causes of material loss and a physical model for non-uniformity in Cu CMP are thus required. This paper examines the effects of slurry selectivity on dielectric erosion and Cu dishing, in both single- and multi-step Cu CMP processes, in terms of several geometrical and physical parameters. Furthermore, optimal slurry selectivities to mitigate dielectric erosion and Cu dishing in both single- and multi-step polishing are suggested.
Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Expression in Brain following Cerebral Ischemia

Cerebral ischemia is followed by a local inflammatory response that is thought to participate in the extension of the tissue damage occurring in the postischemic period. However, the mechanisms whereby the inflammation contributes to the progression of the damage have not been fully elucidated. In models of inflammation, expression of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is responsible for cytotoxicity through the production of large amounts of nitric oxide (NO). In this study, therefore, we sought to establish whether iNOS is expressed in the ischemic brain. Rats were killed 6 h to 7 days after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. iNOS expression in the ischemic area was determined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Porphobilinogen deaminase mRNA was detected in the same sample and used for normalization. In the ischemic brain, there was expression of iNOS mRNA that began at 12 h, peaked at 48 h, and returned to baseline at 7 days (n = 3/time point). iNOS mRNA expression paralleled the time course of induction of iNOS catalytic activity, determined by the citrulline assay (17.4 +/- 4.4 pmol citrulline/micrograms protein/min at 48 h; mean +/- SD; n = 5 per time point). iNOS immunoreactivity was seen in neutrophils at 48-96 h after ischemia. The data provide molecular, biochemical, and immunocytochemical evidence of iNOS induction following focal cerebral ischemia. These findings, in concert with our recent demonstration that inhibition of iNOS reduces infarct volume in the same stroke model, indicate that NO production may play an important pathogenic role in the progression of the tissue damage that follows cerebral ischemia.
A Dionysiac Connection in an Early Rubens

Poussin's sheer intelligence is one of the most striking and satisfying qualities manifested in his art. This is so clear that there is a temptation to think he was not only intelligent but intellectual, arcanely intellectual, as well. But how evident is this intellectuality in his art? To what extent is that art colored by philosophical speculations that were either original or based on obscure classical passages?
Front-end modules with versatile dynamic EVM correction for 802.11 applications in the 2GHz band

A SiGe BiCMOS, CMOS/SOI front-end module (FEM) for WLAN applications in the 2GHz band is presented. In the transmit mode it delivers 29dB small-signal gain and 3% EVM at 19.3dBm. In the receive mode, it achieves a noise figure of 1.85dB, 14dB gain, and an IIP3 level of 3dBm with 9mA current consumption. The FEM employs bias control circuitry that can be configured to address the linearity requirements of the WLAN standards family under varying environmental and channel conditions, including the emerging 802.11ac standard.
Catalytic activity of metal hydrides

Abstract It is found that a series of metal hydrides (hydrogen storage materials) such as LaNi 5 or related materials catalyze a water synthesis reaction in the presence of oxygen at room temperature. The speed of the reaction can be influenced by chemical substitution. In some cases the bulk of the reaction occurs in a matter of seconds. The reaction is repeatable as the hydride is regenerable. The essence of these findings is that transition metals such as Ni, Co or Fe in the presence of yet more electropositive metals such as La or Ti can have “catalytic” properties analogous to such noble metals as Pt. The findings also rekindle the hope for catalytic activity around ambient conditions for such important reactions as methanation and ammonia synthesis. Also, wide implications for such fields as fuel cells, isotope separation, selfcleaning of hydrogen storage materials, etc. appear indicated.
Partial phase conjugation, fidelity, and reciprocity

Abstract The fidelity of partially phase conjugated images is considered taking into account the finite aperture of phase conjugate mirrors. The analysis is based on the conservation of energy and the reciprocity theorems. In the absence of absorption, the conservation of energy leads to a simple relationship between the image-to-background ratio ( I / B ) and the aperture of the phase conjugator. In the presence of absorption, the reciprocity theorem leads to an expression of the image-to-background ratio ( I / B ) that depends on the fraction of power intercepted by the phase conjugator. The results are presented and discussed.
Qualitative Assertions as Prescriptive Statements

The primary question regarding prescriptive appropriateness is a difficult one to answer for the qualitative researcher. While there are certainly qualitative researchers who have offered prescriptive protocols to better define and describe the terrain of qualitative research design and there are qualitative researchers who offer research conclusions that might be considered prescriptive by the reader, the nature of qualitative research tends to avoid the prescriptive statement in the research findings. Instead, a transparent process of research design, theoretical framework application or construction, participant population/sample identification, and data collection/analysis are revealed throughout the research manuscript leading not to prescriptive findings but rather to asserted outcomes that are carefully communicated to the reader within the context of the research design and experience.
Effects of User Habituation in Keystroke Dynamics on Password Security Policy

Access control systems rely on a variety of methods for authenticating legitimate users and preventing malicious ones from accessing the system. The most commonly used system is a simple username and password approach. This technology has been the de-facto standard for remote authentication applications. A username-password based system assumes that only the genuine users know their own credentials. However, breaching this type of system has become a common occurrence in today's age of social networks and modern computational devices. Once broken, the system will accept every authentication trial using compromised credentials until the breach is detected. In this paper, we explore certain aspects of utilizing keystroke dynamics in username-password based systems. We show that as users get habituated to typing their credentials, there is a significant reduction in the variance of the keystroke patterns. This trend is more pronounced for long and complex passwords as opposed to short dictionary based passwords. We also study the time window necessary to perceive habituation in user typing patterns. Furthermore, we show that habituation plays a key role in classification of genuine login attempts by reducing the equal error rate (EER) over time. Finally, we explore an authentication scheme that employs the security of complex passwords and keystroke dynamics. Access control systems rely on a variety of methods for authenticating legitimate users and preventing malicious ones from accessing the system. The most commonly used system is a simple username and password approach. This technology has been the de-facto standard for remote authentication applications. A username-password based system assumes that only the genuine users know their own credentials. However, breaching this type of system has become a common occurrence in today's age of social networks and modern computational devices. Once broken, the system will accept every authentication trial using compromised credentials until the breach is detected. In this paper, we explore certain aspects of utilizing keystroke dynamics in username-password based systems. We show that as users get habituated to typing their credentials, there is a significant reduction in the variance of the keystroke patterns. This trend is more pronounced for long and complex passwords as opposed to short dictionary based passwords. We also study the time window necessary to perceive habituation in user typing patterns. Furthermore, we show that habituation plays a key role in classification of genuine login attempts by reducing the equal error rate (EER) over time. Finally, we explore an authentication scheme that employs the security of complex passwords and keystroke dynamics.
Microstructural instability in a crept fully lamellar TiAl alloy

Abstract A fully-lamellar TiAl alloy creep deformed at 760°C with a stress of 138 MPa and a strain of ∼1.5% was employed in the examination of microstructural instability. Fragmentation and spheroidization of α2 lamellae and formation of recrystallized γ grains (γG) inside the lamellar colony were observed. It was proposed that the fragmentation and spheroidization of α2 lamellae during creep could be caused by either a subgrain boundary groove mechanism or an intersection of deformation twins with α2 phase lamellae. Possible mechanisms were proposed. The formation of coarsened γG grains was frequently observed. The γG grains had crystallographic relationships with the lamellar structure as 1 10> γG// 1 10 γ>// [11 2 0] α2 and {111}γG⊥{111}γ//(0001)α2. Simple thermodynamical analysis was done on the formation of γG grains. Deformation and dynamically recrystallized structures in the γG grains were also observed.
Decreasing Rates of Lymph Node Dissection During Radical Nephrectomy for Renal Cell Carcinoma

The utility of lymph node dissection (LND) during radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) continues to be controversial, yet its use by urologists in the United States is unknown. We analyzed the incidence of and trends in LND from a large, nationally representative cancer registry. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry we identified 37,279 patients with RCC who underwent radical nephrectomy from 1988 to 2005. LND was defined as a surgeon removing ≥5 nodes; however, sensitivity tests were performed using cutoffs of ≥3 and ≥1 nodes. We analyzed changes in LND rates over time and used multivariable logistic regression to predict those who underwent LND. Of the 37,279 patients with RCC, 2,463 (6.6 %) received a LND. There was a gradual decline in LND beginning in 1988 that accelerated after 1997, with the period of 1998–2005 having significantly decreased odds of LND compared with the period 1988–1997 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.65; 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI]: 0.59–0.71). This decline was driven primarily by a 63 % reduction in LND rates among localized tumors (p < .001). There has been a significant decline in LND rates during radical nephrectomy for localized kidney cancer over the past 7 years. In contrast to prior estimates, very few urologists in the United States are removing ≥5 nodes during lymph node dissection for RCC.
Correlation between solvent-induced vibrational frequency shifts of the CO moiety and solvent electron acceptor numbers: tetramethylurea

Abstract The CO stretching frequencies in the Raman spectra of 0.10 M solutions of tetramethylurea in seventeen solvents have been recorded. These frequencies exhibit a linear relationship with the solvent electron acceptor number. Comparison of the slopes of these lines and those obtained from analyzing literature data of ν(CO) reveals a correlation with the bond polarity. A linear correlation between (νhexane −νsoln)/νhexane and the solvent acceptor number is also shown. The slopes of these latter plots can be related to νhexane and it is suggested that this approach be used to explain the specific solvent—solute interaction contributions to solvent-induced vibrational frequency shifts. This method is compared with the solvato-chromic method and it is shown that solvent acidity strongly influences the observed vibrational frequency shifts for the CO moiety of tetramethylurea.
Absence of gonadotropin surges and gonadotropin-releasing hormone self-priming in ovariectomized (OVX), estrogen (E2)-treated, progesterone receptor knockout (PRKO) mice.

It is well known that estrogen (E2) stimulates expression of progesterone receptors (PRs), thereby inducing responsiveness of several tissues to the actions of progesterone (P). Recent studies have also suggested, however, that biological actions previously ascribed to E2 alone may also be mediated by activation of E2-induced PRs, even independently of signal changes in P concentrations. In the present experiments, the progesterone receptor knockout (PRKO) mice were used to assess the role of PR activation in the positive feedback actions of E2 on gonadotropin release. Ovariectomized (OVX) PRKO mice were tested for their capacity to mount primary gonadotropin surges in response to exogenous E2, and to exhibit a GnRH self-priming effect in response to sequential injections of the decapeptide. Wild-type (WT) and PRKO mice were OVX, treated with both 17b-estradiol and estradiol benzoate (EB), and then killed at 1900 h on day 7 postOVX. Plasma LH RIA revealed that WT mice exhibited surges in response to the E2 treatment; the PRKO mice, however, showed no elevation in plasma LH above untreated controls. Instead, plasma LH levels in E2-treated, OVX PRKO mice decreased significantly in comparison to untreated OVX PRKO mice, suggesting that E2 can exert a negative feedback influence on LH release in PRKO mice, despite the absence of positive feedback effects. A slight but significant rise in plasma FSH was observed in E2-treated OVX WT mice in comparison to untreated controls: an effect not seen in E2-treated OVX PRKO mice, reinforcing the observation that estrogen’s positive feedback effects are compromised in PRKO mice. In a second experiment, E2-treated OVX WT and PRKO mice were given either one or two pulses of GnRH 60 min apart, and killed 10 min later. The WT mice were found to exhibit a robust GnRH self-priming effect, as WT mice receiving two GnRH pulses displayed LH responses approximately 2-fold greater than those receiving only one pulse. By contrast, PRKO mice receiving two GnRH pulses exhibited no additional increase in plasma LH levels. We conclude that PR activation is obligatory for expression of the GnRH self-priming effect as well as for generation of E2-induced LH and FSH surges. The extent to which failure of LH surge secretion in PRKO mice is due to the absence of GnRH self-priming, lack of hypothalamic GnRH surges, and/or defects in other processes remains to be determined. These observations clearly demonstrate, however, that the presence of PR is an absolute requirement for the transmission of E2-induced signals leading to gonadotropin surges. (Endocrinology 140: 3653‐3658, 1999)
In vitro generation of tumor specific T cells that recognize a shared antigen of AML: Molecular characterization of TCR genes

The identification of immunologically relevant tumor antigens is hampered by the difficulty of generating tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTL). We present data demonstrating in vitro induction of autologous acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)-specific CTL. The specific T cell receptor has been identified and cloned. The CTL demonstrated specific lysis to autologous tumor blasts, but not to autologous BLCL or the NK-sensitive target K562. The clone secreted GM-CSF, TNFa, and IFNg when stimulated with AML blasts from 3 of 11 patients or cell lines tested, but not with K562 or autologous B-LCL. These three AML samples share a single HLA Class I antigen, HLA-A24. The T cell receptor genes identified by molecular methods are Vβ7.9-J2.3-Cβ2 and Vα17-J49-Cα.
α‐Subunits of Ns are released from the plasma membrane following cholera toxin activation

Abstract Cholera toxin (CT) and islet-activating protein (IAP, a Bordetella pertussis toxin) were employed to test the hypothesis that GTP-binding regulatory proteins are released from plasma membranes to a greater extent when ‘activated’ than when ‘inactivated’. CT, which activates N s (the stimulatory GTP-binding regulatory protein of the adenylate cyclase system), catalyzed the incorporation of radioactivity from [ 32 P]NAD into 45 and 47.5 kDa peptides associated with rat liver plasma membranes. Following ADP-ribosylation and centrifugation at 100000 × g for 1 h, approx. 30–35% of these CT-labelled peptides were no longer associated with the plasma membranes, but were recovered from the supernatant fraction. IAP, which inactivates N i (the inhibitory GTP-binding regulatory protein of the adenylate cyclase system) catalyzed the incorporation of radioactivity from [ 32 P]NAD into a 41 kDa peptide associated with the membranes. However, in contrast to the CT-labelled peptides, typically less than 5% of the lAP-labelled peptide was found in the 100000 × g supernatant fraction, but rather was almost exclusively associated with the membrane pellet. The data indicate that the α-subunits of N s are released from the plasma membrane following activation, and support the hypothesis that the βγ-subunits act to anchor the α-subunits to the plasma membrane. Cholera toxin Islet-activating protein GTP-binding protein
First Five Minutes.

Abstract A successful classroom experience is the goal of every instructor. Setting the tone, on the first day of class, is a well-known pedagogical technique. By setting the tone, the instructor gives students cues for expectations, attitudes, motivation, behavior, and learning. But, how do librarians who teach information technology or library instruction for a single class period take advantage of setting the tone to ensure a successful learning experience for the students? Librarians will have to set the tone in the first five minutes of the class. This article discusses the issues involved with setting the tone for a library instruction session.