cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The inhibitory effect of cadmium on the secretory activity of the isolated perfused rat pancreas

Abstract Perfusion of the isolated rat pancreas with cadmium (Cd) (1 × 10−3 and 5 × 10−4 m ) inhibits the insulin secretory response to glucose (300 mg/100 ml), tolbutamide (40 mg/100 ml), and potassium ions (30 mEq/liter). Cadmium inhibition of pancreatic secretory activity is immediate in onset, and not reversed by simple washout of the organ with perfusion medium. Perfusion of the inhibited organ with a combination of glucose and theophylline results in partial reversal of the inhibition. It is suspected that Cd-induced inhibition of insulin secretion may be mediated through interference with calcium uptake by the pancreatic beta cell.
Structural basis of RXR-DNA interactions

The 9-cis retinoic acid receptor, RXR, binds DNA effectively as a homodimer or as a heterodimer with other nuclear receptors. The DNA-binding sites for these RXR complexes are direct repeats of a consensus sequence separated by one to five base-pairs of intervening space. Here, we report the 2.1 A crystal structure of the RXR-DNA-binding domain as a homodimer in complex with its idealized direct repeat DNA target. The structure shows how a gene-regulatory site can induce conformational changes in a transcription factor that promote homo-cooperative assembly. Specifically, an alpha-helix in the T-box is disrupted to allow efficient DNA-binding and subunit dimerization. RXR displays a relaxed mode of sequence recognition, interacting with only three base-pairs in each hexameric half-site. The structure illustrates how site selection is achieved in this large eukaryotic transcription factor family through discrete protein-protein interactions and the use of tandem DNA binding sites with characteristic spacings.
A micropuncture study of renal sodium retention in nephrotic syndrome in rats: Evidence for increased resistance to tubular fluid flow

Micropuncture studies were carried out in surface nephrons of rats with nephrotoxic-serum (NTS)-induced nephrotic syndrome during a period of active sodium and water retention. It was found that hydrostatic pressure and tubular diameter were increased in the proximal tubules (13.4 +/- 0.2 vs. 10.4 +/- 0.2 mm Hg; 31.3 +/- 0.9 vs. 18.4 +/- 0.7 mu), whereas pressure and tubular diameter were normal in the distal tubules. Single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) was decreased and fractional reabsorption of fluid was markedly increased in the proximal tubules (74.1 vs. 61.7%). The increased pressure gradient between the proximal and distal tubules suggests a condition of increased resistance to flow between the proximal and distal tubules. Microinfusion of proximal tubules with an isotonic "equilibrium" solution led to little or no rise in intratubular pressure in normal rats but it led to a significant rise in nephrotic rats. When proximal tubules of normal rats were infused with a solution containing 100 mg/100 ml albumin, pressure rose to levels observed in nephrotic rats. The mechanism of the increased resistance to flow appeared to be related, therfore, to the presence of protein in the tubular fluid. Sodium retention in the nephrotic animals might be attributed to the reduction in GFR. In other types of renal disease in animals and man with comparable or greater reductions in GFR, sodium retention does not occur, however, and fractional excretion of sodium in the urine is increased in proportion to the reduction in GFR. Thus, the rise in proximal fractional reabsorption secondary to impaired fluid flow could be an important factor in the sodium retention of this disease.
Effects of wafer resection and hemiresection from the distal ulna on load-sharing at the wrist: a cadaveric study.

Purpose Ulnar impaction syndrome is commonly the result of a naturally occurring ulnar-positive condition, distal radius fracture malunion, or collapse of a fractured radial head. The Feldon wafer procedure and the Bowers distal hemiresection procedure are designed to decrease force transmitted through the distal ulna. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of these procedures on distal ulnar loading with varying degrees of ulnar positivity at the wrist. Methods Using a specially designed miniature load cell distal ulnar force was measured in 20 fresh-frozen cadaveric forearms as the wrist was loaded axially to 134 N in neutral forearm rotation; tests were performed in valgus alignment with the elbow flexed to 90°. Ulnar positivity (0 mm, +2 mm, +4 mm, and +6 mm) was created by incremental shortening of the distal radius using a sliding plate. The radial neck was sectioned transversely and the radial head fragment was fixed in its anatomic position using cemented metal prongs connected to a rigid bar; this allowed the radial head to be disconnected and tilted out of the loading pathway to simulate an excised radial head. Loading tests (with and without the radial head in place) were repeated after removal of a 3-mm wafer of bone beneath the triangular fibrocartilage complex, and again after a hemiresection of the distal ulna to the base of the ulnar styloid process. Results For each ulnar status condition (intact, wafer removal, hemiresection) the mean distal ulnar force generally increased as the wrist became more ulnar positive. Both wafer removal and hemiresection significantly decreased mean distal ulnar forces under all conditions of ulnar variance, with or without the radial head in place. With the radial head in place the mean distal ulnar forces (expressed as a percentage of applied wrist force) for the 0-mm condition were 16.9% (intact), 3.8% (wafer removal), and 3.5% (hemiresection); corresponding values for the +6-mm condition were 61.6% (intact), and 39.8% (wafer removal), 15.1% (hemiresection). With the radial head removed the mean distal ulnar forces for the 0-mm condition were 31.7% (intact), 4.6% (wafer removal), and 4.4% (hemiresection); corresponding values for the +6-mm condition were 96.4% (intact), 71.6%, (wafer removal), and 27.2% (hemiresection). The decrease of distal ulnar force resulting from hemiresection was significantly greater than that for wafer removal for all ulnar-positive conditions; force reductions were not significantly different between the 2 procedures with neutral ulnar variance. Conclusions The results of the present study can help to offer a biomechanical basis for choosing between a Feldon wafer procedure and a Bowers hemiresection procedure in patients with ulnocarpal impaction syndrome. Both procedures produced equal decreases of distal ulnar force in the intact forearm. With an ulnar-positive wrist, the condition for which the procedure would be performed commonly, the hemiresection was more effective in decreasing force transmitted through the distal ulna.
Membrane coarctation by calcium as a regulator for bound enzymes.

Abstract The enzyme activity of spherical membranes formed by conjugates of trypsin and chymotrypsin with a polycarboxylic polymer decreases with increasing Ca2+ concentration in the surrounding solution. This phenomenon is reversible and attributed to the coarctation of the membrane structure rather than to changes in the intrinsic behavior of the bound enzymes. Coarctation decreases the swelling and increases the virtual cross-linking of the membrane so that the diffusion rate of the substrate to the catalytic sites is reduced. As a result the overal enzymic activity decreases and the observed reaction departs from the Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The activity of the trypsin conjugate decreases with increasing Ca2+ concentration unlike that of trypsin in free solution, because the effect of membrane coarctation masks the enhancement of tryptic activity by Ca2+. The physical and chemical properties of these polycarboxylic membranes, which contain about 40% enzyme protein, resemble those of some cell membranes such as erythrocyte ghosts. The results suggest that a similar indirect regulation of the activity of bound enzymes via membrane coarctation by Ca2+ or other multivalent metal ions may occur in living systems also.
1056 GRANULOCYTE ADHERENCE IN NEWBORN INFANTS

Adherence to the vascular endothelium is an important cell property of the granulocyte which influences the degree of inflammation and host defense against bacterial invasion. In order to determine if granulocyte adherence (GA) is altered during the newborn period, we studied 52 full-term healthy neonates during their first week of life. The neonates were chosen from mothers who had uncomplicated pregnancies and were receiving no antenatal medications. All neonates had received 1 mg of Vitamin K intramuscularly after birth. GA was assayed by modified nylon fiber columns. The mean GA ± SEM for 80 healthy adult volunteers was 69.6 ± 1.2% while the GA for the 52 newborns was 92.0 ± 0.9%. There was a significant difference between the two populations (p < 0.01). There was no significant influence of either race or sex in both adult and neonatal populations studied. A small but significant negative correlation between GA and hematocrit existed for the adults (r= -0.242, p < 0.05) but no such correlation was demonstrable for the neonatal group. There was no significant correlation for the adults between GA and total granulocyte counts, and a small but significant negative correlation was noted for the neonates (r= -0.285, p < 0.05). It is thus concluded that granulocyte adherence is markedly enhanced in the newborn infant as compared to the adult; it is further speculated that such enhanced adherence to the endothelium possibly contributes to the defective chemotaxis seen in newborn infants.
Nanographene reinforced carbon/carbon composites

Abstract Carbon/carbon composites (C/Cs) with nanographite platelets (NGP) filler in a matrix derived from phenolic resin were produced. Different weight concentration (0.5, 1.5, 3, 5 wt.%) NGP were introduced by spraying the NGP during the prepreg formation. The NGP-reinforced C/Cs were characterized for effect of NGP concentration on microstructure, porosity, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), flexural, ultrasonic and vibration damping behavior. At 1.5 wt.% NGP C/C, the highest values of ILSS observed was 10.5 MPa (increased by 22%), flexure strength of 142.4 MPa (increased by 27%), flexural modulus of 59.2 GPa (increased by 68%) and porosity of 18.8% (reduced by 17.5%) in comparison to neat (without NGP) densified C/C. Ultrasonic testing revealed an average increase of 15% through the thickness Young’s modulus of NGP-C/C; (3.12 GPa at 1.5 wt.% NGP). A 20% average decrease in the damping ratio of the first four modes of vibration was observed in 1.5 wt.% NGP densified C/C. At low concentration (⩽1.5 wt.%) the NGP filled in the pores, cracks and debonded interface but at concentration higher than 1.5 wt.% NGP lost their effectiveness due to agglomeration. The required cycles for desired density/properties are projected to be less compared to neat C/C due to less porosity observed in ⩽1.5 wt.% NGP concentration C/C.
An overview of transmission fault current limiters

Many designs of fault current limiter for use at power system voltages of 275 kV and greater have been proposed but it has not been clear which, if any, would be the most feasible and/or cost effective solution to the potential problem of increasing power system fault levels. This paper attempts to give an overview of the present situation and indicate the designs most likely to succeed. (5 pages)
Clastogenicity of a male contraceptive, gossypol, in mammalian cell cultures with and without the metabolic activation by S9 mix

Abstract The clastogenicity of a potential male contraceptive, gossypol, was examined in cultured Chinese hamster cells with and without the presence of a metabolic activation system (rat liver S9 mix). Gossypol at concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 μg/ml did not induce chromosome breakage either in the presence or absence of the S9 mix. The ability of this compound to induce chromosome breakage and polyploidy was further examined in human lymphocyte cultures. Neither increased frequencies of chromosome breakage nor polyploidy was found in lymphocyte cultures from two healthy donors. The present study indicates that gossypol does not cause genetic damage at the chromosomal level. This is consistent with previously reported findings that it does not produce mutations in the Ames test. Gossypol has been under clinical trial in China for years and shown to be effective in 99.9% of over 10,000 men tested with no or mild side effects. If this compound can be further proven to be “safe” and approved for world-wide use as a male contraceptive, it would be for the benefit of all mankind.
Non-Gaussian Local Density Diffusion (LDD-) Model for Boron Diffusion in Si- and SixGe1-x Ultra-Shallow Junction Post-Implant and Advanced Rapid-Thermal-Anneals

Boron diffusion after implant and anneal has been studied extensively in the past, without de-convoluting the Boron diffusion behavior by the initial post implant Boron concentration profile, which is done in this work first time. To support the de-convolution approach, the local density diffusion (LDD) model is selected, because this model is based on just one single arbitrary diffusion parameter per atomic species and host lattice combination. The LDD model is used for Phosphorus and Arsenic diffusion so far and an extension to simulate Boron diffusion in presence of Boron clusters is presented here. As the result, maximum Boron penetration depth post different rapid thermal anneals and the quantification of diffusing and clustering (non-diffusing) Boron in silicon and silicon-germanium host lattice systems are given.
Corn Grain and Stover Yield Prediction at R1 Growth Stage

Estimating corn (Zea mays L.) grain and stover yield during the growing season is an appealing idea. An accurate yield estimation could benefi t farmers, as well as corn-related industries. Th e objective of this study was to develop regression equations to estimate corn grain and stover yield using easily accessible information (N fertilization rate and cumulative precipitation), and simple plant morphological measurements such as height, stem diameter at various heights, height of the fi rst ear, and plants per hectare. Measurements made at silking (R1) were used since the maximum explainable variability would not exceed 58% at early stages of plant development (V2–V10; between 2-leaf and 10-leaf stages). Th e experiment was conducted from 2009 until 2011 in two locations, in north and central Alabama, under no-tillage and non-irrigated conditions. Treatments were assigned to a 3 × 4 × 2 complete factorial design arranged in a split-split-plot with three replications. Factors were; winter rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop (main plot), N fertilization rates (subplot), and stover residue harvest (sub-subplot). All measurements from this study, across years and locations, were used in the fi nal regression equations to create robust prediction models. Equations, with and without intercept, were developed and compared according to several statistical criteria. Th e fi nal grain yield equation at R1 growth stage included an intercept with a R 2 of 0.7705. Th e fi nal stover equation also included an intercept (R 2 = 0.8473). Th is study suggests that N rate, total precipitation amount from planting until silking, and simple plant morphological measurements can be used to predict corn yield.
A computational study of the hydride affinities of Group I and Group II metals

Abstract A computational study of the hydride affinities of Group I and Group II metals is described. Hydride affinities are reported for MH and M (M = Li, Na) and MH2 and MH (M = Be, Mg). Calculated hydride affinities range from ∼35 kcal mol−1 for Na to ∼67 kcal/mol for BeH. The unusually high hydride affinity for BeH is shown to reflect the high Be–H bond energy in BeH2. Where comparisons are possible, the results obtained using the MP2, MP4, BLYP, and B3LYP methods with a 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis set are in good agreement with experimental or high level theoretical values. Hydride affinities calculated using the G2 approach are too high because of the G2 energy for hydride ion. More reasonable values are obtained from the G2 calculations using the exact energy for the hydride ion.
Simultaneous measurement of coronary reserve flow by left anterior descending coronary artery doppler and great cardiac vein thermodilution methods

Objectives. The objective of this study was to compare left anterior descending coronary artery Doppler blood flow velocity and great cardiac vein thermodilution blood flow measurements of coronary flow reserve and submaximal coronary vasodilation in humans. Background. Reported maximal coronary flow reserve values obtained with the coronary venous thermodilution method are lower than those obtained with other measurement methods. Methods. Thermodilution measurements of great cardiac vein flow in 11 subjects were compared with simultaneous Doppler measurements of changes in left anterior descending coronary flow velocity after intracoronary administration of papaverine, nitroglycerin, iohexol and intravenous administration of dipyridamole. Results. Coronary flow reserve (papaverine peak/rest flow ratio) was 3.7 ± 1.7 (mean ± SD) by the Doppler method and 2.0 ± 0.7 by the thermodilution technique (p < 0.001). Thermodilution flow changes were also smaller than Doppler-measured changes during submaximal vasodilation and during prolonged coronary dilation after dipyridamole administration. Conclusions. Coronary flow reserve and submaximal flow increases measured with the thermodilution method were consistently and substantially smaller than Doppler-derived measurements. This discrepancy has important implications for the comparison of coronary flow reserve measurements performed with the use of different techniques.
Robust designs for nearly linear regression

Abstract In this paper we seek designs and estimators which are optimal in some sense for multivariate linear regression on cubes and simplexes when the true regression function is unknown. More precisely, we assume that the unknown true regression function is the sum of a linear part plus some contamination orthogonal to the set of all linear functions in the L 2 norm with respect to Lebesgue measure. The contamination is assumed bounded in absolute value and it is shown that the usual designs for multivariate linear regression on cubes and simplices and the usual least squares estimators minimize the supremum over all possible contaminations of the expected mean square error. Additional results for extrapolation and interpolation, among other things, are discussed. For suitable loss functions optimal designs are found to have support on the extreme points of our design space.
Preferential biomagnification of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase- inducing polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in the Lake Michigan, USA, lower food web

Preferential biomagnification of 14 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was determined in lower-trophic-level organisms of the Lake Michigan, USA, food web. Bioaccumulation of these coplanar, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH)-inducing PCB congeners and total PCBs in phytoplankton, zooplankton, Mysis relicta, and Diporeia sp. were studied for two locations in Lake Michigan over time. The results indicate that both total PCB and AHH-inducing PCBs biomagnify with increasing food web trophic level, with biomagnification of the AHH-inducing PCBs occurring to a greater degree. The biomagnification factors (BMFs) of the AHH-inducing PCBs suggest that they are highly conserved relative to other PCB congeners. The concentrations expressed as dioxin toxic equivalencies (TEQ concentrations) indicate that the biomagnification of AHH PCBs causes greater concentrations, and thus greater toxicity risk, with increasing trophic level.
Abnormal Amygdalar Activation and Connectivity in Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective Emotional reactivity is one of the most disabling symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We aimed to identify neural substrates associated with emotional reactivity and to assess the effects of stimulants on those substrates. Method We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess neural activity in adolescents with (n = 15) and without (n = 15) ADHD while they performed a task involving the subliminal presentation of fearful faces. Using dynamic causal modeling, we also examined the effective connectivity of two regions associated with emotional reactivity, i.e., the amygdala and the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC). The participants with ADHD underwent scanning both on and off stimulant medication in a counterbalanced fashion. Results During the task, we found that activity in the right amygdala was greater in adolescents with ADHD than in control subjects. In addition, in adolescents with ADHD, greater connectivity was detected between the amygdala and LPFC. Stimulants had a normalizing effect on both the activity in the right amygdala and the connectivity between the amygdala and LPFC. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that in adolescents with ADHD, a neural substrate of fear processing is atypical, as is the connectivity between the amygdala and LPFC. These findings suggest possible neural substrates for the emotional reactivity that is often present in youths with ADHD, and provide putative neural targets for the development of novel therapeutic interventions for this condition.
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia with Hypopituitarism, Hyperprolactinemia, and Normal Growth in Infancy

Of 12 children ages 5 months to 16 years with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH), 2 of 6 lacked septum pellucidum, 9 of 9 had GH deficiency, 5 of 12 TSH deficiency, and 5 of 10 ACTH deficiency. Seven patients 5 months to 2 1/2 years old were at the 10-50th% for height and 25-90th% for weight when diagnosed to have GH deficiency; somatomedin C (SmC) levels were 0.10-0.26 U/ml. In two patients with hypothalamic TSH deficiency basal prolactin (PRL) levels were 27 and 94 ng/ml and peak PRL after TRH were 62 and 111 ng/ml. In 8 others who were clinically and chemically euthyroid PRL levels before and after IV TRH were significantly higher than in children with idiopathic hypopituitarism (IHP): All patients with optic nerve hypoplasia tested with oral L-dopa had normal suppression of basal PRL levels. These results suggest that optic nerve hypoplasia is associated with: 1. High incidence of hypopituitarism, 2. Normal growth in infancy in the absence of GH, and 3. Hyperprolactinemia which may have a growth promoting effect possibly not mediated by SmC.
Effects of divalent cations on amino acid and divalent cation losses from and glycine influx into gills of freshwater bivalve molluscs Anodonta californiensis and Corbicula manilensis

Abstract The losses of Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ and primary amines from excised gills of the freshwater bivalve molluscs Anodonta californiensis and Corbicula manilensis were measured as a function of the concentration of the divalent cations Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ in the medium. The rate of loss of primary amines was reduced by the presence of Mg 2+ and more effectively by Ca 2+ . This observation is consistent with the proposed role of Ca 2+ in maintaining low permeability of membranes. The losses of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ were not affected by Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ , respectively, suggesting that these cations may bind to different sites. Glycine influx into the gills of freshwater molluscs is not an active transport process. The influx of glycine is reduced by the presence of both Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , in contrast to the influx of glycine into gills of the marine bivalve mollusc Mytilus californianus , which is increased by Mg 2+ and unaffected by Ca 2+ . In the case of the freshwater species, the decrease in influx with increasing Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ concentrations is probably a result of changes in the permeability of gill membranes. The difference between the effect of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ on the uptake properties of the freshwater and marine bivalve molluscs may be related to the marine species having more polar lipids than the freshwater species.
The Soulless Tribe

Speculation. A tribe that we have brought into subjection, which we want to make into a slave race…. The government and the scientists give it out that the people of this tribe have no souls; so they can be used without scruple for any purpose whatever. When the slaves say something happens in them, … does this confirm that they have souls? … If they say now “something happens in my head—my soul—” that only shows that they use a certain picture.
Computational studies of the optical properties of silicon compounds bonding to silver atoms and with group III and V substituents

Systems composed of silicon chains and silicon rings, either bonding to one or more Ag atoms or containing substituents from Group III (B, Al, and Ga) or Group V (N, P, and As) elements, have been computationally studied with density functional (DFT) and time-dependent DFT methods to obtain their optical properties. Calculations have provided atomic conformations, excitation energies, and electronic oscillator strengths. Results are presented for 58 compounds to extract the correlation between absorbed light wavelengths, rates of absorption, and the size and composition of the systems, in a way that facilitates comparison of their optical properties. Analyses of the results provide insight on trends relevant to the absorption of near IR, visible, and near UV light. This is of interest in the preparation of surface materials by chemical vapor deposition for photovoltaics and in the utilization of solar energy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Determinants of frequent Internet use in an urban kidney transplant population in the United States: characterizing the digital divide.

Context—The Internet is a staple of electronic communication and is essential to the emerging telemonitoring and health information technology interventions for adults with chronic diseases.Objective—To identify determinants of frequent Internet use in an urban kidney transplant population in the United States.Design—A single center, cross-sectional survey studySetting—An urban Midwestern transplant centerParticipants—78 pretransplant and 177 posttransplant patientsMain Outcome Measures—Frequent Internet use, defined as using the Internet more than 5 hours per week.Results—Only 38% of participants reported being frequent Internet users. Non-Hispanic blacks and participants who reported their race/ethnicity as "other" were significantly less likely than whites to report being frequent Internet users. Women were 59% less likely than men to be frequent users of the Internet. Those who reported having kidney disease for more than 3 years were more likely to report being frequent Internet users. As education i...
The design of narrow beamwidth asymmetric sidelobe array antenna patterns using analytic signal concept

An analytic method for designing an asymmetric sidelobe array antenna pattern is presented. The fundamental principles applied are the analytic signal theory and the phase shifting property of the excitation of an array antenna. An example is given to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this design methodology. >
Minimax Robust MIMO Radar Waveform Design

We consider the problem of minimax robust waveform design for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar based on mutual information (MI) and minimum mean-square error (MMSE) estimation for target identification and classification. Recognizing that a single, precise characterization of target power spectral density (PSD) is rare in practice, we assume the PSD lies in an uncertainty class of spectra bounded by known upper and lower bounds, which markedly relaxes the required target a priori knowledge. Based on this band model, we develop minimax robust waveforms for MIMO radar under both MMSE and MI criteria. These robust waveforms bound the worst-case performance at an acceptable limit, and also could insure performance will be sufficiently good for any PSD in the uncertainty class. Our findings also indicate that the MI and MMSE criteria lead to different minimax robust waveform solutions, which is in contrast to the case of the perfectly known target PSD
Variational methods for high-order multiphoton processes

Methods for applying the variationally stable procedure for Nth-order perturbative transition matrix elements of Gao and Starace [ Phys. Rev. Lett.61, 404 ( 1988);Phys. Rev. A39, 4550 ( 1989)] to multiphoton processes involving systems other than atomic H are presented. Three specific cases are discussed: one-electron ions or atoms in which the electron-ion interaction is described by a central potential; two-electron ions or atoms in which the electronic states are described by the adiabatic hyperspherical representation; and closed–shell ions or atoms in which the electronic states are described by the multiconfiguration Hartree–Fock representation. Applications are made to the dynamic polarizability of He and the two-photon ionization cross section of Ar.
Clinical Practice and the Social Learning Paradigm

to produce behavioral change. In ad dition, relationships among variables must be clearly specified and sup ported by empirical data.1 The case can be made that the clinical interaction is a learning situ ation. That is, clients come to the so cial work practitioner for help in im proving their social functioning through learning new skills.2 If this is so, the learning process offers three theoretical frameworks that could form the foundation for social work practice—the respondent, operant, and modeling paradigms. Research and theoretical work have indicated
Energy Efficient Transmission Scheme for Data-Gathering in Mobile Sensor Networks

Mobile sensor networks are being envisioned for certain applications like habitat monitoring and environmental sensing. For instance, mobile sensor nodes are attached to selected animals to gather data about their behavior. These data are uploaded to stationary units for detailed analysis over wireless ad-hoc networks. Since the mobile sensor nodes are likely to operate on batteries, reducing energy consumption for such data gathering is an important issue. This paper proposes a transmission scheme for power-adjustable radio to optimize transmit energy efficiency subject to given overflow and delay constraints. The energy efficiency is defined as the expected transmit energy to deliver one unit of data from sensor node to stationary unit. An analytical model is developed to estimate the unit energy, data throughput and delay for a sensor node in the single-hop case. Simulation results show that the model achieves very good accuracy. The proposed transmission scheme is then adapted to the multi-hop scenario. Simulations based on radio parameters from a sensor board demonstrate that high energy efficiency can be achieved by the transmission scheme in both single-hop and multi-hop cases
The bases of power in international channels

This study tests the psychometric properties of alternative power measures ‐ which are grounded in the US research ‐ in Saudi Arabia and investigates if the power‐conflict and power‐satisfaction relationships purported to exist in US channels hold true in Saudi Arabia. The study results raise some questions on the applicability of American measures in a different setting. Likewise, the study′s findings concerning relationships between power and satisfaction and power and conflict are mixed. For instance, neither coercive nor noncoercive power sources are significantly related to conflict. This suggests that manufacturers cannot indiscriminately apply conflict management strategies that they commonly employ in domestic settings to minimize or resolve conflict in their international operations.
Brain Distribution and Toxicological Evaluation of a Systemically Delivered Engineered Nanoscale Ceria

Engineered nanoscale ceria is used as a diesel fuel catalyst. Little is known about its mammalian central nervous system effects. The objective of this paper is to characterize the biodistribution of a 5-nm citrate-stabilized ceria dispersion from blood into brain and its pro- or antioxidant effects. An ~4% aqueous ceria dispersion was iv infused into rats (0, 100, and up to 250 mg/kg), which were terminated after 1 or 20 h. Ceria concentration, localization, and chemical speciation in the brain were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, light and electron microscopy (EM), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Pro- or antioxidative stress effects were assessed as protein carbonyls, 3-nitrotyrosine, and protein-bound 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal in hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum. Glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, manganese superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels and activities were measured in hippocampus. Catalase levels and activities were also measured in cortex and cerebellum. Na fluorescein and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were given iv as blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity markers. Mortality was seen after administration of 175‐250 mg ceria/kg. Twenty hours after infusion of 100 mg ceria/kg, brain HRP was marginally elevated. EM and EELS revealed mixed Ce(III) and Ce(IV) valence in the freshly synthesized ceria in vitro and in ceria agglomerates in the brain vascular compartment. Ceria was not seen in microvascular endothelial or brain cells. Ceria elevated catalase levels at 1 h and increased catalase activity at 20 h in hippocampus and decreased catalase activity at 1 h in cerebellum. Compared with a previously studied ~30-nm ceria, this ceria was more toxic, was not seen in the brain, and produced little oxidative stress effect to the hippocampus and cerebellum. The results are contrary to the hypothesis that a smaller engineered nanomaterial would more readily permeate the BBB.
Bacterial Cultures of Lenses Removed During Cataract Surgery

Lenses removed in 408 cataract operations were cultured for bacteria. Most (78%) lenses were sterile. Of the positive cultures, 48% were positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis and 15.4% for S. aureus. These findings reflect the flora of the normal preoperative conjunctiva, and the organisms most commonly implicated in postoperative endophthalmitis. One case of endophthalmitis occurred in this series, and S. aureus was cultured from the lens and later from the postoperative wound and a wound suture, but no intraocular paracentesis was performed to confirm the causative organism.
Functional Selection for the Stochastic Assignment Model

The choice of a function to be optimized is unambiguous in the ordinary assignment model. In the stochastic assignment model there is no clear choice of functional. Six different criteria for the stochastic assignment model are discussed and one is suggested as best.
THE Bb FRAGMENT OF COMPLEMENT FACTOR B ACTS AS A B CELL GROWTH FACTOR

The process of B cell growth and differentiation into plasma cells is highly regulated and may be influenced by a large number of inflammatory mediators, including complement components. We have studied the regulatory influence of Bb, a 60-kD peptide created during the cleavage of complement Factor B by Factor D and C3b. Purified Bb alone had no effect on proliferation and differentiation of human splenic or tonsillar B cells. However, when B cells were activated by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC), Bb enhanced proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Bb also enhanced proliferation when cocultured with SAC and suboptimal concentrations of purified 60-kD B cell growth factor (HMW-BCGF), a previously described lymphokine that is known to possess growth-promoting activity. However, Bb had no effect on cells treated with optimal concentrations of HMW-BCGF. Like HMW-BCGF, Bb's major effect was on the larger in vivo activated B cells. Half-maximal enhancement of proliferation was reached at a Bb concentration of 1-10 nM. Of note is the fact that antibody to Factor B recognized HMW-BCGF, and an mAb to HMW-BCGF also recognized Factor B and Bb, but not Ba. Moreover, radiolabeled Bb bound saturably to activated B cells and to an EBV-transformed human B cell line. The binding of Bb was inhibited by HMW-BCGF but not by Ba or IgG. Thus, Bb is antigenically and functionally related to HMW-BCGF, and can act as a B cell growth and differentiation factor at potentially physiologic concentrations. These data suggest that Bb may be important in amplifying the immune response in areas of inflammation. Since complement activation occurs at inflammatory sites long before induction of HMW-BCGF synthesis, Bb may be an early signal for the clonal expansion of antigen-activated B cells.
Perceptions of environmental health risks among residents in the "Toxic Doughnut": opportunities for risk screening and community mobilization.

Surrounded by landfills, and toxic and hazardous facilities, Altgeld Gardens is located in a “toxic doughnut”. With high rates of environmentally-related conditions, residents have called for a community-based environmental health assessment to improve overall health in their community. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes and beliefs of environmental health risks of Altgeld’s residents which would assist community organizing efforts and provide the groundwork for a community-based environmental health assessment. A questionnaire was designed and administered to 42 Altgeld residents who also participated in focus groups to assess their perceptions of environmental health risks. All participants were Altgeld residents for at least two years and were fairly representative of the broader community. Physical and social hazards were primarily identified as posing risks to participants’ family and the broader community. Physical hazards included the dumping of hazardous waste and landfills; social hazards were crime and drugs. These findings have been useful in community organizing efforts and in program planning for local community-based organizations and public health agencies. The results have also been used to prioritize health and environmental risk issues impacting the community.
The Search for Better Noncholinergic Treatment Options for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a biological process that involves the disruption of multiple neurochemical pathways. Current treatments for Alzheimer's disease locus on deficits in the cholinergic neuro-chemical pathway. While newer generation cholinergic agents have a more favorable side effect profile, only a limited, but consistent, degree of efficacy is seen. Treatments are emerging that focus on other areas of neurochemical activity such as oxidative damage, inflammation, glutamatergic neuro-transmissoions, and serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways. These treatments, supplemented with current cholinergic therapies, may help to ease patients' suffering and caregiver distress.
Energy Usage for Production of Omelets in Restaurants

Abstract Energy usage was determined for the production of three kinds of omelets under actual operating conditions in a fast food and a family dining facility. Information was obtained by on-site data collection during normal breakfast service times within each facility during a three week period. An energy accounting model previously developed for various menu items was used. Omelets prepared in the fast food facility had a significantly longer heat processing time and used greater amounts of food ingredients per omelet and heavier pans. The family dining situation had a significantly greater energy input due to the use of a larger gas burner. Energy losses in excess of 80% were revealed for all products. Energy/nutrient ratios were reported for megajoules expended per kilocalorie and gram of protein at point of service. Recommended changes given for improving energy efficiency included controlling the time the gas burners were ignited, altering the configuration of the pan and the burner, using pans with higher thermal conductivity values, and altering food service procedures to maximize energy efficiencies.
Abstract 3617: The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib enhances the activity of cytarabine in a mouse xenograft model of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

AML is a genetically heterogeneous cancer frequently showing aberrant kinase signaling. Sorafenib, an inhibitor of multiple receptor and intracellular kinases, is in clinical development for the treatment of AML. Although initial anti-leukemic activity has been encouraging, responses have not been durable. We hypothesized that sorafenib was more likely to be effective when administered in combination with cytarabine, one of the most effective agents for the treatment of AML. We previously showed that sorafenib did not negatively influence the intracellular activation of cytarabine to its triphosphate form, and enhanced the activity of cytarabine in 7 AML cell lines and in 25 primary childhood AML blast samples (Niu, AACR, 2009). In the current study, we evaluated the activity of sorafenib in combination with cytarabine versus either agent alone in a mouse xenograft model of AML. 1 × 10 4 Luciferase + U937 cells (monocytic, CALM-AF10 chimera) were injected intravenously into the dorsolateral tail vein of NOD-SCID-IL2Rr null mice and cohorts of 10-12 mice were treated. Sorafenib pharmacokinetics studies were conducted in the same mouse strain to determine a dose that produced human equivalent exposure. Tumor engraftment and progression were evaluated by biophotonic imaging and anti-leukemic activity was determined by monitoring survival time and performing histological studies in colonized tissues (bone marrow, spleen, and liver). Sorafenib 60 mg/kg administered orally twice daily achieved a clinically relevant steady-state exposure of 10 µM and was given on a daily for 5 out of 7 days schedule for 4 weeks; cytarabine 6.25 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally once daily on the same schedule for 4 weeks alone or in combination with twice daily oral sorafenib. Sorafenib in combination with cytarabine delayed tumor progression and significantly (P Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3617.
Effect of Edaravone on FADD and caspase-8 Protein Expression Following Focal Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion

Objective To study the protein expressions of Fas-associated with death domain protein(FADD) and caspase-8,and the effects of edaravone on them.Methods The rats were subjected to the middle cerebral artery occlusion for two hours,then killed at different time points after reperfusion.The protein expressions of FADD and caspase-8 were detected by immunohisto-chemistry.Results The protein expressions of FADD and caspase-8 were markedly increased at 3 h after reperfusion in the penumbra of rat cortex,and peaked at 12 h((P0.01),) then declined quickly at 24 h.Edaravone treatment could significantly downregulate the FADD and caspase-8 protein expressions after 3 h of reperfusion(P0.01,P0.05).Conclusions FADD and caspase-8 may play important roles in the cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury.Edaravone could protect neurons from ischemic damage by decrease the expression levels of FADD and caspase-8.
Hypoxia-activated ligand HAL-1/13 is lupus autoantigen Ku80 and mediates lymphoid cell adhesion in vitro

Hypoxia is known to induce extravasation of lymphocytes and leukocytes during ischemic injury and increase the metastatic potential of malignant lymphoid cells. We have recently identified a new adhesion molecule, hypoxia-activated ligand-1/13 (HAL-1/13), that mediates the hypoxia-induced increases in lymphocyte and neutrophil adhesion to endothelium and hypoxia-mediated invasion of endothelial cell monolayers by tumor cells. In this report, we used expression cloning to identify this molecule as the lupus antigen and DNA-dependent protein kinase-associated nuclear protein, Ku80. The HAL-1/13-Ku80 antigen is present on the surface of leukemic and solid tumor cell lines, including T and B lymphomas, myeloid leukemias, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and breast carcinoma cells. Transfection and ectopic expression of HAL-1/13-Ku80 on (murine) NIH/3T3 fibroblasts confers the ability of these normally nonadhesive cells to bind to a variety of human lymphoid cell lines. This adhesion can be specifically blocked by HAL-1/13 or Ku80-neutralizing antibodies. Loss of expression variants of these transfectants simultaneously lost their adhesive properties toward human lymphoid cells. Hypoxic exposure of tumor cell lines resulted in upregulation of HAL-1/13-Ku80 expression at the cell surface, mediated by redistribution of the antigen from the nucleus. These studies indicate that the HAL-1/13-Ku80 molecule may mediate, in part, the hypoxia-induced adhesion of lymphocytes, leukocytes, and tumor cells.
Leading from the Closet

Students of education are often required to take some course or another that deals with social justice. These courses deal with theorists, teachers, and leaders who “think beyond current behavioural and conceptual boundaries…to change schools in ways and in manners that are consistent with an equitable, inclusive vision” (Brown, 2004, p. 88).
A Scrotal Graft Technique for the Repair of Prostatic-Cutaneous Fistulas

Three patients who had a prostatic urethral fistula into the presacral space and perineal urinary drainage after rectal resection or vascular injury with rectal sloughing were treated successfully by a transperineal, extraurethral scrotal inlay flap.
[Molecular epidemiology of human enterovirus 71 strains in Qingdao region, Shandong province, 2007 - 2009].

Objective To study the molecular epidemiology of human enterovirus 71 (EV71) isolated from patients with hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Qingdao region between 2007 and 2009. Methods Throat swabs of HFMD were detected for total enterovirus (EV), EV71 and CA16 by fluorescence reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The VP1 region was amplified from positive EV71 specimens and 51 nucleotide sequences of VP1 gene were successfully sequenced. EV71 genotypes were characterized by phylogenetic analysis. Results 51 Qingdao EV71 strains identified between 2007 and 2009 belonged to C4a cluster of subgenotype C4 and 5.3% nucleotide divergence and 1.7% amino acid divergence were found among them. The strains in 2008 and 2009 were respectively divided into several lineages on phylogenetic trees but there was a main lineage (namely prominent strain) every year. The Qingdao prominent strains identified in 2008 had high identities with the Linyi prominent strains in 2007. The Qingdao prominent strains in 2009 and the secondary prominent strains in 2008 had high identities with the Fuyang prominent strains in 2008. Two Qingdao strains in 2007 had high identities with the Linyi popular strains in 2007. Conclusion Data showed that several EV71 transmission chains were co-circulating in Qingdao between 2008 and 2009. The main transmission chain in 2008 became the minor one but the minor transmission chain in 2008 was transferred into the main transmission chain in 2009.