cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adenylate cyclase activity coupled to the stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding protein in patients having electrophysiologic studies and either structurally normal hearts or idiopathic myocardial disease.

Abstract There has been much recent interest in transmembrane signaling involving adrenergic and other receptors both in animals and humans with congestive heart failure (CHF). In patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and severe CHF, β-adrenoceptor density and maximal adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by (−)-isoproterenol in the presence of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) are reduced. 1 Other studies in animal models of CHF preceded by myocardial hypertrophy have revealed an increase in β-adrenoceptor density accompanied by reduced receptor affinity for agonist and a decrease in the stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding protein (Gs). 2,3 To date, there are no data reporting functional alterations in Gs in humans.
Impact of tacrolimus-sirolimus maintenance immunosuppression on proteinuria and kidney function in pancreas transplant alone recipients.

BACKGROUND Nephrotoxicity is a major complication with immunosuppression regimens used in transplantation. Calcineurin inhibitor-sparing or reduction regimens using sirolimus (SRL) have shown variable success in kidney transplantation. There is limited data on the role of SRL on native kidney function in pancreas transplantation. METHODS All patients undergoing pancreas transplantation from 2003 to 2010 were enrolled in this study (n=65). Patient demographic characteristics were identified and divided into two groups: those receiving tacrolimus (Tac) in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and those maintained on a regimen of Tac and SRL with or without MMF. The slopes for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum creatinine level (sCr), and proteinuria changes over time were assessed between groups. Urine protein and creatinine ratio (uPr/uCr) was used to assess proteinuria. RESULTS There was no difference in baseline demographic characteristics. Patients were followed for a median of 3 years. Baseline sCr and eGFR were similar between groups. Differences in uPr/uCr and rate of change in sCr and eGFR were not significant between the groups overall or for any specific time. There was worsening of sCr, eGFR, and uPr/uCr within the groups over the period of study. There were no significant differences when groups were split by age or gender or when the SRL group was split further based on MMF inclusion. CONCLUSIONS Our study findings suggest that using a Tac-SRL regimen in patients with pancreas alone transplantation is a safe approach and may not lead to worsening proteinuria and kidney function when compared with regimens using Tac with MMF.
Data Mining Solutions for Sustainability Problems

Nearly every aspect of modern life is laced with questions and choices regarding sustainability. Some questions are pervasive, e.g., should I print this IEEE Potentials article or should I read it online? Others are subtle and we might not think consciously about them, e.g., how much CO2 does a Google search release into the atmosphere? Still others are knotty conundrums: how do we encourage and incentivize an entire city to “go green?” Computational sustainability [Gomes (2009)] deals with answering questions such as the above using mathematical and algorithmic techniques. Its scope is broad: from designing environmentally friendly substitutes for everyday products, to reducing carbon emissions of data centers, to encouraging energy efficiency in homes, and finally to understanding the interplay between multiple systems at a societal level. Many issues interplay in achieving sustainability goals. First, it is desirable to have an accurate model of the underlying process or product so that we can understand exactly where to focus our sustainability objectives. Second, we must systematically evaluate and assess alternatives alongside multiple (environmental and other) criteria. Finally, satisfactory implementation of sustainable alternatives requires a “buy-in” from all involved stakeholders.
Pharmacokinetics of pentobarbital after intravenous and oral administration

The plasma levels in humans of pentobarbital were determined after intravenous administration of a 50 mg dose. It was found that pentobarbital is distributed in at least two kinetically distinct body compartments: a central, or “serum” compartment and a peripheral, or “tissue,” compartment. By use of established mathematical techniques, values were assigned to the rate constants controlling the distribution and overall elimination of the drug from the body. The oral absorption of pentobarbital in fasted and nonfasted subjects was determined by mathematical analysis of the plasma level data following oral administration of a 50 mg dose. It was found that the presence of food significantly reduces the apparent absorption rate constant but not the amount absorbed. The absorption of a second dose, given 1.5 hr after the first dose, in nonfasted subjects was not affected, and a rapid increase in plasma levels occurred after this administration.
ATTITUDINAL AND SITUATIONAL VARIABLES INFLUENCING URBAN MODE CHOICE: SOME EMPIRICAL FINDINGS

A mode choice decision structure incorporating traveler attitudes toward modes and situational constraints is investigated. The major hypothesis tested is that mode choice is determined primarily by situational constraints, such as auto ownership and income, secondly by the quality of alternative modes.
IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS CDNA SYNTHESIS IN RESTING T LYMPHOCYTES IS REGULATED BY T CELL ACTIVATION SIGNALS AND DENDRITIC CELLS

We explored the relationship between T cell activation signals and dendritic cells (DC) in the replication cycle of immunodeficiency viruses. First we analyzed the effect of two cell cycle inhibitors (mimosine and aphidicolin) on SIV reverse transcription, circularization, and integration in macaque resting T cells stimulated with anti-CD3 mAb at the time of infection. The formation of SIV LTR circles was blocked by the G1 inhibitor mimosine. The G1/S inhibitor aphidicolin neither affected circularization nor integration of SIV DNA. Therefore, the induction of SIV LTR circle production is likely to be mediated by signaling events normally regulating the G1 to S transition. We further characterized DC-dependent HIV-expression in human T cells. We examined the effect of ligating two novel receptors, IPO-3 and Bgp95, on DC-dependent HIV-1 expression. Activation of DCs through IPO-3 receptors, and to a lesser extent Bgp95 ligation, upregulated HIV spread in these cells. The mechanisms by which IPO-3 vs. Bgp95 increase HIV-1 levels appear to be different. In particular, IPO-3 ligation alone on T cells also increased HIV-1 levels. Activation of T cells via defined surface receptors or with DCs is required for establishing HIV/SIV cDNA synthesis in T cells.
Models of energy-exchange mechanics applicable to a particle simulation of reactive flow

Statistical particle simulations, such as the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, are appropriate for computationally modeling highly rarefied hypersonic flows about vehicles during atmospheric entry. Models of molecular interaction kinetics must account for the exchanges of energy occurring among the thermal energy modes during translational, rotational, and vibrational relaxation as well as dissociation, recombination, and atomic-exchange reactions in air. As presented here, models employed in a particle simulation for reaction mechanics are constrained by consideration s of detailed balance at equilibrium and conservation of linear momentum and energy. Equipartition of internal energy between rotational and vibrational modes promotes equilibrium and is compatible with the quantized nature of the simple harmonic oscillator. Postreaction energies may be proportionally partitioned among the thermal energy modes contributing to reaction, followed by thermal relaxation steps to promote detailed balance at equilibrium. Reaction selection rules, as functions of reactive collision energy, are structured to yield Arrhenius reaction-rate temperature dependence at equilibrium. The models described here are verified through simulation of superheated adiabatic reservoirs relaxing thermochemically to equilibrium.
The elimination of equine strongyles and hematological and pathological consequences following larvicidal doses of thiabendazole

Twelve horses were divided into three groups and given various doses of a mixed species strongyle inoculum, representing light, moderate, and heavy infections. Three weeks after the larval inoculations, three animals from each group were given larvicidal doses of thiabendazole (TBZ) (440 mg kg-1 on two consecutive days); one animal from each group served as a non-medicated control. Treatment was repeated three weeks later. One treated animal from each group was designated for long-term study; others were necropsied to study adult and larval parasite loads. Six of the twelve animals with strongylosis developed moderate eosinophilia. TBZ given at 440 mg kg-1 on two consecutive days caused depression, lethargy, and anorexia which lasted for five days. Eosinopenia, lymphopenia, and neutrophilia occurred in treated animals, and lasted for three days. During the course of TBZ treatment, one horse died from what appeared to be a mis-dosing or an anaphylactic reaction. At necropsy, active thrombi of the anterior mesenteric artery were seen in parasitized animals, but not in those treated with TBZ. Five out of seven medicated horses were completely free of adult and larval strongyle parasites. One had a few Strongylus edentatus larvae and another had small strongyles. No Strongylus vulgaris larvae or adults were recovered from any horse treated with TBZ.
Mapping Reaction Dynamics via State-to-State Measurements: Rotations Tell the Tale

We describe a series of experiments and computational simulations of the state-to-state dynamics of the atom transfer reactions H + HX → H2(v‘,j‘) + X (HX = hydrogen halide) and H + RH → H2(v‘,j‘) + R (RH = alkane). The rotational and vibrational state distributions of the H2 products are characterized for reaction at well-defined initial conditions. The vibrational state distributions provide some information. However, it is the rotational state distributions that form the basis for mapping the path from reactants to products. In analyzing these state distributions, we develop a method that takes explicit, quantitative account of kinematic constraints on the product energy disposal. This method is generally applicable to bimolecular reactions and provides a context in which to interpret the rotational and vibrational state distributions.
The vibrational energy flow transition in organic molecules: Theory meets experiment

Most large dynamical systems are thought to have ergodic dynamics, whereas small systems may not have free interchange of energy between degrees of freedom. This assumption is made in many areas of chemistry and physics, ranging from nuclei to reacting molecules and on to quantum dots. We examine the transition to facile vibrational energy flow in a large set of organic molecules as molecular size is increased. Both analytical and computational results based on local random matrix models describe the transition to unrestricted vibrational energy flow in these molecules. In particular, the models connect the number of states participating in intramolecular energy flow to simple molecular properties such as the molecular size and the distribution of vibrational frequencies. The transition itself is governed by a local anharmonic coupling strength and a local state density. The theoretical results for the transition characteristics compare well with those implied by experimental measurements using IR fluorescence spectroscopy of dilution factors reported by Stewart and McDonald [Stewart, G. M. & McDonald, J. D. (1983) J. Chem. Phys. 78, 3907–3915].
Is the ENSO Phenomenon Changing as a Result of Global Warming

It has been suggested by some that warm El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events have become stronger and more frequent as a result of global warming. This study aims to investigate whether there...
Requirements for activation of trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen in rabbit pancreatic juice

Abstract Requirements for the activation of trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen in rabbit pancreatic juice are described. Trypsinogen is optimally activated by purified enterokinase at 30°C after 2 hr in the presence of 25 m m Tris-HCl, pH 8.1, containing 25 m m CaCl2. Chymotrypsinogen is optimally activated by trypsin at 4° after 2 hr in the presence of 50 m m Tris-HCl, pH 8.1. Bovine serum albumin is added to the activation mixtures to prevent loss of zymogens through adsorption to the container walls. The activation of trypsinogen by purified enterokinase is found to vary with temperature, time, Ca2+ concentration, and enterokinase concentration but is unchanged over the pH range of 7.4–8.8. Activation of chymotrypsinogen by trypsin is found to vary with temperature, time, and trypsin concentration but is not altered by the presence or absence of Ca2+ and is unchanged over the pH range of 7.4–8.8. Using optimal conditions for zymogen activation, the eventual proteolytic activity and the amount of juice protein being activated are directly related. Deviations from these conditions of activation could lead to erroneous results.
HYDRODYNAMICS--DOES IT TRAP OIL?*

In order for the hydrodynamics of meteoric water to be an important trapping mechanism for hydrocarbon accumulations, it must have existed for a long geologic period extending from the time of secondary hydrocarbon migration and its accumulation to the present time. However, in most interior sedimentary basins, the present hydrodynamic patterns are considered to have been developed only a short while ago (geologically speaking), after the significant uplift and the associated erosional events which caused the present topographical relief. Most petroleum accumulations were probably formed a long time before the development of the present hydrodynamic flow patterns, and hence must be explained by different mechanisms that have been effective for a much longer geologic period.
Boundary-layer profile measurements in a combustion driven MHD generator

The velocity, temperature, and electron number density profiles were measured in the electrode wall boundary layer of a combustion driven MHD generator. Both subsonic and supersonic conditions were run. The experimental results are compared with predictions of a two-dimensional turbulent boundary-layer computation. For the subsonic condition, high levels of freestream turbulence were measured, about 10-12 percent. The measured velocity profile was fatter than that predicted, although the temperature and electron number density profiles were in agreement. This difference is tentatively ascribed to the high freestream turbulence levels. There was no measurable MHD effect for the subsonic case. For the supersonic condition, the measured velocity, temperature, and electron number density profiles fell under the predicted profiles. The discrepancy may be due to three-dimensional recirculation effects. There was a small amount of MHD interaction, the degree of which was in agreement with predictions. Electron number density nonequilibrium was not identified, but the degree of nonequilibrium predicted was small. Under the appropriate supersonic conditions, primarily at freestream temperatures below 2400K, ionization nonequilibrium is predicted to occur.
Fully-Depleted Silicon-on-Insulator Devices for Radiation Dosimetry in Cancer Therapy

The potential of using fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) devices as dosimeters for radiation cancer therapy is investigated. The response of long-channel FDSOI MOSFETs to radiation from a linear accelerator under various clinical conditions has been measured. Linear response of the device threshold voltage, ${V_{\rm th}}$ , is observed for typical interventional energy X-rays up to absorbed doses as high as 160 Gy. The device response is observed to be strongly influenced by the application of a substrate bias, ${V_{\rm bg}}$ , with sensitivity improvements of up to $20 \times $ observed for ${V_{\rm bg}} =+ 5~\hbox{V}$ compared to ${V_{\rm bg}} = 0$ . The results have been used to calibrate numerical simulations that show the design space for using FDSOI variable capacitors (varactors) as passive wireless radiation dosimeters suitable for in vivo implantation. Simulation studies show that a design space exists to realize wireless sensors with both high quality factor ( $Q > 20$ at 1 GHz) and good sensitivity ( $\Delta f/f = 0.12\% /\hbox{Gy}$ ). These results indicate the promise of FDSOI to realize a new, convenient class of in vivo dosimeters for radiation therapy.
Mexican Migration to the United States: A Focus on Missouri

ABSTRACT Migration from Mexico has been essential to the economy of the United States (U.S.), and prior to the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, Mexican migration was largely seasonal. With increasing border controls and the heightened dangers in entering the U.S. illegally, Mexican migrants are making their move more permanent. This qualitative pilot project explores critical junctures at which Mexican migrants made the decision to establish residence in one city in Missouri. Implications of their responses are explored.
The Effect of SCHIP Expansions on Health Insurance Decisions by Employers

This study uses repeated cross-sectional data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Insurance Component (MEPS-IC), a large nationally representative survey of establishments, to investigate the effect of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) on health insurance decisions by employers. The data span the years 1997 to 2001, the period when states were implementing SCHIP. We exploit cross-state variation in the timing of SCHIP implementation and the extent to which the program increased eligibility for public insurance. We find evidence suggesting that employers whose workers were likely to have been affected by these expansions reacted by raising employee contributions for family coverage options, and that take-up of any coverage, generally, and family coverage, specifically, dropped in these establishments. We find no evidence that employers stopped offering single or family coverage outright.
Ultra‐Low‐Field NMR Relaxation and Diffusion Measurements Using an Optical Magnetometer

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry and diffusometry are important tools for the characterization of heterogeneous materials and porous media, with applica- tions including medical imaging, food characterization and oil- well logging. These methods can be extremely effective in applications where high-resolution NMR is either unnecessary, impractical, or both, as is the case in the emerging field of portable chemical characterization. Here, we present a proof- of-concept experiment demonstrating the use of high-sensitiv- ity optical magnetometers as detectors for ultra-low-field NMR relaxation and diffusion measurements. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry and diffusometry are important tools for the characterization of heterogeneous materials and porous media, (1) with applica- tions including the study of biological systems, (2, 3) medical imaging, food characterization, (4, 5) and oil-well logging. (6, 7) These methods can be extremely effective in applications where high-resolution NMR is either unnecessary, impracti- cal, or both. The pulse sequences used to make these measurements are often robust even in the presence of sample motion, strong gradients, and pulse imperfections, (8, 9) allowing for the use of magnetic resonance in extreme environments or under conditions with rigid design con- straints. Relaxometry and diffusometry are often used when making ex-situ measurements, wherein the geometry of the usual NMR experiment is inverted and a detector is used to either probe the surface of a larger sample or it is entirely surrounded by the sample. (10-12) In these cases, the volume and geometry within which it is possible to create a homogeneous field are limited, and in general it is not feasible to generate the field strengths necessary to make high resolution NMR measurements; however, relaxation and diffusion depend on many environmental factors including chemical composition, pressure, (13) temperature, (14, 15) phase, (16, 17) and even sample geometry, (18) and as such measurements of these processes can yield considerable information about the sample.
Testing rates of planktonic versus benthic predation in the field

Predation is a major source of mortality for the eggs, embryos, and larvae of marine invertebrates. Many studies have measured rates of predation on the developmental stages of marine invertebrates in the lab, but few studies have estimated predation rates in the field. Field studies of predation on developmental stages have generally been limited to organisms in a single environment, with few comparisons of equivalent prey items between habitats. These limitations have prevented comparisons of the relative risks of development in planktonic and benthic habitats. To determine the relative risks of predation for free-living eggs, embryos, and larvae, we measured loss rates for agarose baits flavored with the eggs of two species of marine invertebrates on separate coasts of the United States. First, we deployed agarose baits flavored with eggs of the sand dollar, Dendraster excentricus (Eschscholtz), in planktonic and benthic habitats in Parks Bay, Shaw Island, Washington. We subsequently deployed agarose baits flavored with eggs of the sipunculan Phascolopsis gouldii (Fisher), in planktonic and benthic habitats in Ewin Narrows, Harpswell, Maine. In addition, we measured loss rates of live, tethered megalopae of the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister (Dana) in Washington. For both agarose baits and tethered megalopae, loss rates were highest in benthic habitats. Loss rates of agarose baits flavored with sand dollar eggs were nearly two times greater on the benthos than in the plankton. Loss rates of agarose baits flavored with sipunculan eggs were 13 times greater on the benthos than in the plankton. Loss rates of tethered megalopae were 12 times greater on the benthos than in the plankton during the day, and were 28 times greater for benthic megalopae than for planktonic megalopae at night. These results support a basic, yet previously untested assumption of life-history theory, that rates of predation on developmental stages of marine invertebrates are greater on the benthos than in the plankton.
Therapeutic management of premenstrual syndrome.

Importance of the field: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is among the most common health problems reported by reproductive-age women. Estimates indicate that up to 25% of women may warrant treatment for the distress or impaired functioning associated with the symptoms. Areas covered in this review: The primary focus of this review is the clinical condition of PMS and randomized, placebo-controlled trials of PMS treatment. A literature search in PubMed was conducted for these topics. The most recent reports of specific treatments in controlled treatment studies and all meta-analyses were selected. What the reader will gain: Reports consistently indicate that serotonergic antidepressants reduce PMS symptoms compared to a placebo. Hormonal treatments are the most widely prescribed medical treatment. Some oral contraceptives and gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs have demonstrated efficacy, particularly for women who want contraception and PMS symptom control. Numerous non-pharmacologic treatments are utilize...
Regional implications of shi'a revival in Iraq

The Shi'a‐Sunni competition for power is not just the single greatest determinant of stability in post‐Saddam Iraq. The sectarian struggle will have the single greatest influence on the future of peace and stability from South Asia to the Levant.
Improving Medication Administration Safety in Solid Organ Transplant Patients Through Barcode-Assisted Medication Administration

Solid organ transplant recipients are prescribed a high number of medications, increasing the potential for medication errors. Barcode-assisted medication administration (BCMA) is technology that reduces medication administration errors. An observational study was conducted at an academic medical center solid organ transplant unit before and after BMCA implementation. Medication accuracy was determined and administration errors were categorized by type and therapeutic class of medication. A baseline medication administration error rate of 4.8% was observed with wrong dose errors representing 78% of the errors. During the post-BCMA period the medication administration error rate was reduced by 68% to 1.5% (P = .0001). Wrong dose errors were reduced by 67% (P = .001), and unauthorized medication administrations were reduced by 73%. Steroids were associated with the highest error rate. The results of this study suggest that routinely adopting BCMA has the potential to reduce medication administration errors in transplant patients.
Photographic Techniques and the Measurement of Impact and Importance Attributes On Trip Design: A Case Study

Dans cet article , les AA. proposent une methodologie originale pour identifier les attributs et les impacts du voyage par l'analyse des photographies considerees comme significatives par les touristes
Predicting Tor path compromise by exit port

Tor is currently the most popular low latency anonymizing overlay network for TCP-based applications. However, it is well understood that Tor's path selection algorithm is vulnerable to end-to-end traffic correlation attacks since it chooses Tor routers in proportion to their perceived bandwidth capabilities. Prior work has shown that the fraction of malicious routers and the amount of adversary-controlled bandwidth are significant factors for predicting the number of paths that an adversary can compromise. We extend this prior work by identifying that the application-layer protocol being transported is also a significant factor in predicting path compromise. Through a simulation study driven by data obtained from the real Tor network, we show that ports commonly associated with peer-to-peer file sharing protocols and the simple mail transport protocol (SMTP) are significantly more vulnerable to this attack than other ports.
A Review of Spatial Methods in Epidemiology, 2000–2010

Understanding the impact of place on health is a key element of epidemiologic investigation, and numerous tools are being employed for analysis of spatial health-related data. This review documents the huge growth in spatial epidemiology, summarizes the tools that have been employed, and provides in-depth discussion of several methods. Relevant research articles for 2000–2010 from seven epidemiology journals were included if the study utilized a spatial analysis method in primary analysis (n = 207). Results summarized frequency of spatial methods and substantive focus; graphs explored trends over time. The most common spatial methods were distance calculations, spatial aggregation, clustering, spatial smoothing and interpolation, and spatial regression. Proximity measures were predominant and were applied primarily to air quality and climate science and resource access studies. The review concludes by noting emerging areas that are likely to be important to future spatial analysis in public health.
Environmental Regulation in Oligopoly Markets: A Study of Electricity Restructuring

Electricity restructuring o®ers the potential for more e±cient production and investment, but may create the opportunity for producers to exercise market power. Oligopolists may cause deadweight loss in wholesale electricity markets, even when demand is perfectly inelastic, by inducing cross-¯rm production ine±ciencies. This study estimates the environmental implications of production ine±ciencies attributed to market power in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland electricity market. Air pollution fell substantially during 1999, the year in which both electricity restructuring and new environmental regulation took e®ect. I measure production ine±ciencies by comparing observed behavior with estimates of production in a competitive market. During the period studied, actual production costs, including abatement costs, exceeded competitive estimates by 8%. Estimates of competitive production, which account for new environmental regulation, explain only 60% of
A breakthrough in optimizing throughput and manufacturing efficiency via factory-wide dynamic WIP dispatching in 300mm semiconductor manufacturing

With the rapidly advancing semiconductor technology and competitive business conditions, it is very crucial to maintain high operation efficiency and maximize the key product throughput to supply market in a timely manner. Dynamic WIP (work in process) dispatching is a new technology to efficiently dispatch semiconductor manufacturing materials to desired tools for lot process promptly in response to dynamically changing operational and business needs. This paper describes how dynamic WIP dispatching capabilities are built on the next generation Manufacturing Execution System in Intel's manufacturing facilities, and employed in advanced 300 mm factories to significantly reduce throughput times, inventory levels, and labor overhead
Analysis of Ultralow-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Measurements Associated with the 1999 M 7.1 Hector Mine, California, Earthquake Sequence

We installed two electromagnetic (EM) monitoring systems in the im- mediate aftermath of the 16 October 1999 Hector Mine earthquake to search for possible continuing ultralow-frequency (ULF) EM activity due to the mainshock as well as for any precursory or coseismic EM signals that might be associated with large aftershocks. We installed the first portable monitoring system 2.5 days after the M 7.1 Hector Mine earthquake at a location 16 km southeast of the epicenter and 2 km east of the surface rupture. A second system was installed on 29 October 1999, 10 km northwest of the epicenter and within 100 m of the surface rupture. Our continuous measurements of multiple-component magnetic field, electric field, and ground motion span the low frequencies appropriate for recording possible EM sig- nals generated at seismogenic depths and were carried out during 3 months following the mainshock. Continuous magnetic-field measurements at observatory EM stations operating in California are used as remote-reference sites to remove global atmo- spheric signals, which helps isolate local terrestrial sources of interest. Our analysis of preseismic ULF-EM variations, the coseismic response, the 2-month-long magnetic-field power spectra, and electric-field polarization shows no anomalous behavior clearly associated with seismic activity.
Engaging Adolescents With LD in Higher Order Thinking About History Concepts Using Integrated Content Enhancement Routines

The understanding and use of historical concepts specified in national history standards pose many challenges to students. These challenges include both the acquisition of content knowledge and the use of that knowledge in ways that require higher order thinking. All students, including adolescents with learning disabilities (LD), are expected to understand and use concepts of history to pass high-stakes assessments and to participate meaningfully in a democratic society. This article describes Content Enhancement Routines (CERs) to illustrate instructional planning, teaching, and assessing for higher order thinking with examples from an American history unit. Research on the individual components of Content Enhancement Routines will be illustrated with data from 1 of the routines. The potential use of integrated sets of materials and procedures across grade levels and content areas will be discussed.
Differential expression of plastidic aldolase genes in Nicotiana plants under salt stress

Two homologous genes of plastidic fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (AldP) isozymes were isolated from green leaves of a salt stress-tolerant Nicotiana species, Nicotiana paniculata, by differential screening. The products of the corresponding genes, NpAldP1 and NpAldP2, were 91% identical to each other and 70-85% identical to the other known plant plastidic aldolases. Although these two genes showed similar organ-specific expression and daily cycles, their responses to salt stress differed: mRNA accumulation of NpAldP2 increased, but that of NpAldP1 slightly decreased. The mRNA accumulations of their counterparts of two other Nicotiana species, NeAldP1 and NeAldP2 (Nicotiana excelsior), and NaAldP1 and NaAldP2 (Nicotiana arentsii) were studied under the same stress condition. N. arentsii conserved accumulation profiles similar to N. paniculata, but N. excelsior did not. In N. excelsior, accumulation of NeAldP1 decreased to 50% of the control after stress and gradually recovered thereafter, whereas accumulation of NeAldP2 temporarily decreased and reached 250% of the control by the third day of stress. Southern blot analysis indicated that NpAldP1, NpAldP2, NaAldP1, and NaAldP2 include one or two closely related genes and NeAldP1 and NeAldP2 several.
Attachment Figures in Middle Childhood

Previous research has focused on who the primary attachment figures are for children in middle childhood, but there has been relatively little research on other important people who may fulfill attachment needs. The goal of the study was to identify who children use as non-parental attachment figures and to examine whether children's use varies with certain child characteristics. Children 7—12 years of age completed an open-ended interview to identify attachment figures. This study suggests that children may, at times, direct secure base behavior towards peers, siblings, grandparents, and teachers. The study also shows that the identity and use of attachment figures may vary with certain child characteristics such as age, gender, and sibling status. Older siblings were more likely than younger siblings to be used as attachment figures, and older children were more likely than younger children to turn to peers to fulfill attachment needs.
Impact of different clinical variables on pregnancy outcome following embryo cryopreservation

Abstract In our program's 13 years of experience, more than 9000 embryos have been cryopreserved in gonadotropin-stimulated IVF cycles. Over 1500 thaw and transfer cycles have yielded a pregnancy rate of approximately 25%. Different ovarian stimulation regimens (various preparations of FSH, alone or in combination with hMG, with or without concomitant use of a GnRH agonist) did not influence embryo survival or pregnancy rate. Likewise, the application of oocyte/embryo micromanipulation techniques for assisted fertilization (ICSI for male infertility) or assisted hatching (performed selectively) did not have an impact on pregnancy results. Survival and transfer rates of embryos cryopreserved at pronuclear or cleaving stage did not differ significantly. However, implantation and pregnancy rates were higher with pronuclear embryo freezing (day-2 transfers) when compared to embryos frozen at the cleavage stage (day-3 transfers). This may be the result of patient selection and transfer policies. Similar implantation and pregnancy results were achieved in natural and estrogen–progesterone supplemented transfer cycles. Initial experience with pronuclear freezing followed by transfer at the blastocyst stage appears to offer a very successful alternative for selected patients.
Differential hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal activation of the neuroactive steroids pregnenolone sulfate and deoxycorticosterone in healthy controls and alcohol-dependent subjects

Ethanol and the neuroactive steroids have interactive neuropharmacological effects and chronic ethanol administration blunts the ethanol-induced increase in neuroactive steroid levels in rodent plasma and brain. Few studies have explored neuroactive steroid regulation in alcohol-dependent human subjects. In fact, the regulation of adrenal neuroactive steroids has not been well defined in healthy controls. We thus explored the regulation of two neuroactive steroids, pregnenolone sulfate (PREG-S) and deoxycorticosterone, by pharmacological challenges to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in healthy controls and 1-month abstinent alcohol-dependent patients with co-occurring nicotine dependence. Plasma levels of PREG-S and deoxycorticosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay in controls and alcohol-dependent patients after challenges of naloxone, ovine corticotrophin releasing hormone (oCRH), dexamethasone, cosyntropin, and cosyntropin following high-dose dexamethasone. In addition, basal diurnal measures of both hormones were obtained. PREG-S plasma levels in healthy controls were increased by cosyntropin challenge (with and without dexamethasone pretreatment) and decreased by dexamethasone challenge. However, PREG-S concentrations were not altered by naloxone or oCRH challenges, suggesting that PREG-S is not solely regulated by hypothalamic or pituitary stimulation. Deoxycorticosterone, in contrast, is regulated by HPA challenge stimulation in a manner similar to cortisol. Alcohol-dependent patients had a blunted PREG-S response to cosyntropin (with and without dexamethasone pretreatment). Furthermore, the time to peak deoxycorticosterone response following oCRH was delayed in alcohol-dependent patients compared to controls. These results indicate that plasma PREG-S and deoxycorticosterone levels are differentially regulated by HPA axis modulation in human plasma. Further, alcohol-dependent patients show a blunted PREG-S response to adrenal stimulation and a delayed deoxycorticosterone response to oCRH challenge.
The Impacts of Human Visitation on Mussel Bed Communities Along the California Coast: Are Regulatory Marine Reserves Effective in Protecting These Communities?

Rocky intertidal habitats frequently are used by humans for recreational, educational, and subsistence-harvesting purposes, with intertidal populations damaged by visitation activities such as extraction, trampling, and handling. California Marine Managed Areas, particularly regulatory marine reserves (MRs), were established to provide legal protection and enhancement of coastal resources and include prohibitions on harvesting intertidal populations. However, the effectiveness of MRs is unclear as enforcement of no-take laws is weak and no regulations protect intertidal species from other detrimental visitor impacts such as trampling. The goal of this study was two-fold: (1) to determine impacts from human visitation on California mussel populations (Mytilus californianus) and mussel bed community diversity; and (2) to investigate the effectiveness of regulatory MRs in reducing visitor impacts on these populations. Surveys of mussel populations and bed-associated diversity were compared: (1) at sites subjected to either high or low levels of human use, and (2) at sites either unprotected or with regulatory protection banning collecting. At sites subjected to higher levels of human visitation, mussel populations were significantly lower than low-use sites. Comparisons of mussel populations inside and outside of regulatory MRs revealed no consistent pattern suggesting that California no-take regulatory reserves may have limited effectiveness in protecting mussel communities. In areas where many people visit intertidal habitats for purposes other than collecting, many organisms will be affected by trampling, turning of rocks, and handling. In these cases, effective protection of rocky intertidal communities requires an approach that goes beyond the singular focus on collecting to reduce the full suite of impacts.
Photocatalytic Degradation of 4-Chlorophenol: The Effects of Varying TiO2Concentration and Light Wavelength☆

Abstract The effects of TiO2surface loading and light conditions on the photocatalyzed degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) were examined, in order to address deficiencies in previous studies in which these issues were not examined satisfactorily. It is proposed that these factors explain differences in the reported reaction intermediate concentrations. Increasing the loading of TiO2in a slurry has little effect on the rate of 4-CP disappearance. However, the concentration of 4-chlorocatechol (4-CC), a primary degradation product, decreases with increasing TiO2loading. Zero order kinetics in terms of 4-CP were observed for 4-CP degradation. The rate of mineralization increased with increasing TiO2concentration. The rate of mineralization relative to 4-CP degradation was more rapid under conditions of lower light intensity. Significant adsorption of 4-CC on Degussa P25 TiO2was measured and these data are fitted well by a Langmuir isotherm. Adsorption of 4-CC accounts for most of the changes in 4-CC concentration at different TiO2loadings. An increased proportion of surface oxidation reactions at higher TiO2loadings and lower light intensity may explain the higher rates of mineralization in thicker slurries. The quantum yield of reaction of 4-CP increased with decreasing wavelength of light from φ=0.01, at λ=360 nm to φ=0.07, at λ=300 nm. A relationship ofd[4-CP]/dt ∝ I0.8was measured.
Bicomponent Composites: Preparation from Incompatible Polymers by Corona Treatment

Corona treatment of various substrates in nitrogen was found to markedly improve the adhesion between the substrate and polymeric coatings which were subsequently applied by in situ polymerization of the appropriate monomers. Sub strates included films, fibers, and fabrics of polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyelhylene terephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene, and Saran. Condensation polymers employed as coatings included polyamides, polyesters, poly- sulfonamides, and poiyureas. Other polymer coatings were also applied by anionic and cationic polymerization. Com posites prepared after corona treatment of the substrate were shown to have superior interfacial adhesion and abrasion and solvent resistance, compared with composites which had been prepared without corona treatment. Electron micro copy was used to demonstiate the difference between differently treated samples of films and fabrics. The good interfacial adhesion exhibited by coatings on corona-treated films, even after extensive elon...
An electrophysiological study of the object-based correspondence effect: Is the effect triggered by an intended grasping action?

We examined Goslin, Dixon, Fischer, Cangelosi, and Ellis’s (Psychological Science 23:152–157, 2012) claim that the object-based correspondence effect (i.e., faster keypress responses when the orientation of an object’s graspable part corresponds with the response location than when it does not) is the result of object-based attention (vision–action binding). In Experiment 1, participants determined the category of a centrally located object (kitchen utensil vs. tool), as in Goslin et al.’s study. The handle orientation (left vs. right) did or did not correspond with the response location (left vs. right). We found no correspondence effect on the response times (RTs) for either category. The effect was also not evident in the P1 and N1 components of the event-related potentials, which are thought to reflect the allocation of early visual attention. This finding was replicated in Experiment 2 for centrally located objects, even when the object was presented 45 times (33 more times than in Exp. 1). Critically, the correspondence effects on RTs, P1s, and N1s emerged only when the object was presented peripherally, so that the object handle was clearly located to the left or right of fixation. Experiment 3 provided further evidence that the effect was observed only for the base-centered objects, in which the handle was clearly positioned to the left or right of center. These findings contradict those of Goslin et al. and provide no evidence that an intended grasping action modulates visual attention. Instead, the findings support the spatial-coding account of the object-based correspondence effect.
Enhanced stem cell‐derived cardiomyocyte differentiation in suspension culture by delivery of nitric oxide using S‐nitrosocysteine

The development of cell-based treatments for heart disease relies on the creation of functionally mature stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes employing in vitro culture suspension systems, a process which remains a formidable and expensive endeavor. The use of nitric oxide as a signaling molecule during differentiation has demonstrated the potential for creating increased numbers of spontaneously contracting embryoid bodies in culture; however, the effects of nitric oxide signaling on the function and maturation of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes is not well understood. In this study, the effects of nitric oxide on mouse embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte contractile activity, protein, and gene expression, and calcium handling were quantified. Embryoid bodies (EBs) formed using the hanging drop method, were treated with the soluble nitric oxide donor S-nitrosocysteine (CysNO) over a period of 18 days in suspension culture and spontaneous contractile activity was assessed. On day 8, selected EBs were dissociated to form monolayers for electrophysiological characterization using calcium transient mapping. Nitric oxide treatment led to increased numbers of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (SC-CMs) relative to non-treated EBs after 8 days in suspension culture. Increased incidence of spontaneous contraction and frequency of contraction were observed from days 8-14 in EBs receiving nitric oxide treatment in comparison to control. Expression of cardiac markers and functional proteins was visualized using immunocytochemistry and gene expression was assessed using qPCR. Cardiac-specific proteins were present in both CysNO-treated and control SC-CMs; however, CysNO treatment during differentiation significantly increased βMHC gene expression in SC-CMs relative to control SC-CMs. Furthermore, increased calcium transient velocity and decreased calcium transient duration was observed for CysNO-treated SC-CMs in comparison to control SC-CMs. Soluble nitric oxide donors, including S-nitrosocysteine, have advantages over other bioactive molecules for use in scalable culture systems in driving cardiac differentiation, since they are inexpensive and the diffusivity of nitric oxide is relatively high. By enabling maintenance of spontaneous contraction in suspension culture and progressing electrophysiological function of resulting SC-CMs toward a more mature phenotype, long-term application of S-nitrosocysteine was shown to be beneficial during cardiac differentiation. Taken together, these results demonstrate the efficiency of nitric oxide as a signaling compound, with implications in the improvement of pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte maturation in large-scale culture systems.
Heating the Compact Ignition Tokamak (CIT)

The proposed CIT (Compact Ignition Tokamak) starts operation in 1997 with 20 MW of RF heating power. The tokamak and facility are to be designed to accommodate 50-MW auxiliary heating. The heating methods now being considered are ion cyclotron heating and electron cyclotron heating. Aspects of these systems are described, and the rationale on the amounts and types of power is discussed. >
COMPARISON OF HIGH PRESSURE WATER TO WHIZARD KNIFE REMOVAL OF BEEF AND PORK TISSUE FROM VERTEBRAE

High pressure water (110 kPa) was compared to the Whizard knife (WK) with respect to quantity and composition of tissue recovered from thoracic, lumbar, and cervical vertebrae of swine and beef carcasses. High pressure water (HPW) recovered tissue contained less collagen than that recovered using the WK. A higher percentage of tissue was recovered from beef bones by WK than by HPW, but HPW tissue was higher in noncollagen protein. Recovery differed due to vertebral location; thoracic and lumbar vertebrae yielded a higher percentage of tissue than did cervical vertebrae. Centrifugation at 4000 x g was required to reduce the moisture content of HPW-recovered tissue to that of WK-recovered tissue, Fat content of HPW-recovered beef tissue was lower than that of WK-recovered tissue, however the reverse was true for tissue recovered from pork vertebrae. Recovery method had no effect on total protein or ash content.