cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transmission of cytomegalovirus infection with renal allograft

Transmission of cytomegalovirus infection with renal allograft. Fifty-four patients who received a renal allograft between October 1971 and October 1974 were followed prospectively to correlate pretransplant serum antibody to cytomegalovirus (CMV) with shedding of CMV following transplantation Twenty-five of 54 patients had antibody demonstrable to CMV using immunofluorescent techniques, but only 20 of 54 using complement-fixing techniques. All 24 who had antibody and survived one month or longer, and seven of nine without antibody but who received a kidney from a seropositive donor shed virus after transplantation, whereas none of 12 individuals without antibody and who received a kidney from a seronegative donor (P Transmission de l'infection a cytomegalovirus par la greffe renale. Cinquante quatre malades qui ont recu une greffe renale entre octobre 1971 et octobre 1974 ont ete suivis de facon prospective afin de correler les titres d'anticorps seriques anticytomegalovirus (CMV) avec l'excretion de CMV apres la transplantation. Vingt-quatre des cinquante-quatre malades avaient des anticorps anti CMV mis en evidence par les techniques d'immuno-fluorescence, mais vingt seulement sur cinquante-quatre au moyen des techniques de fixation du complement. Tous les 24 malades qui avaient l'anticorps et qui ont survecu un mois ou plus et 7 parmi 9 malades qui n'avaient pas l'anticorps mais qui avaient recu un rein de donneur seropositif ont eu une excretion virale alors qu'aucun des 12 sujets sans anticorps et qui avaient recu des reins de donneurs sero-negatifs n'ont eu d'excretion virale (P
Germination responses of forest tree seed to acidity and metal ions

Abstract Seed germination of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), balsam fir (Abies balsamea L.), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsch) was evaluated under laboratory conditions at pH 3, 4 and 5 with and without phytotoxic metal ions (Al at 10 and 100 mg/l, Cd at 1.0 mg/l, Cu at 5 and 10 mg/l, Pb at 5 and 20 mg/l or Zn at 5 and 10 mg/l). Germination was not reduced by acidity or metals, and there were no significant interactions between acidity and metal concentration in any of the tested species. Balsam fir and yellow birch showed significantly greater germination at pH 3 than at pH 4 or 5. Germination rates were similar among all treatments within a species. This study provides no evidence that acidic, metal-containing soil solutions of high elevation coniferous forest ecosystems suppress seed germination of these species.
Double injection in PπN silicon devices

Abstract Investigation of the d.c. electrical behavior of semiconductor P + πN + double injection devices is presented. The samples studied were fabricated from indium-doped silicon partially compensated by shallow donor impurities and were biased into the double injection (post-breakdown) regime at a temperature of 77°K. A numerical computer solution of the steady-state characteristic has been completed in order to explain the experimental d.c. data. The analysis reveals that electron-hole scattering is largely responsible for the increase in bulk voltage with current. In order to obtain agreement between the numerical solution and the experimental data, the filamentary nature of the double injection current is demonstrated.
Increased levels of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in prostate cancer cells derived from repeated metastasis.

To understand alterations to the urokinase system that may occur in progressively metastatic prostate cancer cells, we assessed urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) expression, in vitro motility towards vitronectin, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA)-induced growth and growth factor regulation of uPAR expression in three cell lines—PC-3 and two derivatives from secondary metastases, PC-3M and PC-3MM2. DU-145 and Tsu-Pr1 cells were included for comparative purposes. uPAR expression increases with metastatic passage in these cell lines and accompanies increased growth and motility responses in the presence of uPA. Growth factors TGFβ1 and IGF-1 induce uPAR in all three prostate cancer lines; however, PC-3M and PC-3MM2 cells also respond to bFGF. Of the cell lines tested, PC-3MM2 most uniformly respond to added TGFβ1, IGF-1 and bFGF. These results show that in two progressive derivatives from repeated metastasis of PC-3 cells, constitutive and growth factor-induced uPAR expression is enhanced. This increased uPAR facilitates the properties of growth and motility.
Evaluation of cathepsin D as a prognostic factor in breast cancer

The biologic rationale for the importance of cathepsin D in breast cancer is a provocative one. Cathepsin D is both an estrogen inducible and a constitutively produced protease, which may also act directly as a peptide growth factor. Thus it may play a role in tumor invasiveness, and also in driving cell proliferation. Reported clinical studies are conflicting, with some studies showing cathepsin D levels to correlate with clinical outcome, and other studies finding prognostic significance only in selected subsets of patients, if any. Thus cathepsin D is a potentially important prognostic marker whose clinical application awaits further definition.
Glutamine Synthesis & Translocation in Pine.

Several workers have studied translocation forms of nitrogen in the xylem sap of trees. It is generally assumed that the nitrogen compounds found in the sap are synthesized in the roots and serve as forms in which nitrogen moves to the tops of trees. Various organic compounds (e.g., amino acids, ureides) usually represent most of the nitrogen in the sap, with inorganic forms (e.g., nitrate, ammonia) being present in minor proportions (4, 5, 6, 11, 13). I have found that glutamine was the major nitrogenous constituent of the saps of seven species of pines, accounting for about 80 % of the total amino acid nitrogen at collection time in July (unpublished data). However, since Bollard's work (5) with apple trees showed considerable seasonal variation in the nitrogen content of the sap, my previous analyses of Pinus saps at one time of the year could not be considered as representative of the composition of the sap at other seasons. Bollard found that the peak concentration of nitrogen in apple xylem sap occurred at the time of blossoming. The research reported in the present paper had two main objectives: A, to follow the seasonal variation in free amino acids in the xylem sap of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda, L.), especially in relation to time of flowering; and B, to conduct preliminary studies of glutamine synthesis and translocation in pine roots and seedlings.
Bright correlated twin beams from an atomic ensemble in the optical cavity

We investigate the generation of bright correlated anti-Stokes and Stokes light beams with Doppler-broadened four-level atoms inside an optical ring cavity. By manipulating the large dispersion of the intracavity atomic medium near the electromagnetically induced transparency condition, the generated anti-Stokes and Stokes light fields can be made simultaneously on resonance with the cavity and to oscillate above threshold with narrowed linewidths. Noise correlation and violation of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality with the two generated twin beams above the oscillation threshold at zero time delay are experimentally demonstrated.
Dynamics of systems on infinite lattices

Abstract The dynamics of infinite-dimensional lattice systems is studied. A necessary and sufficient condition for asymptotic compactness of lattice dynamical systems is introduced. It is shown that a lattice system has a global attractor if and only if it has a bounded absorbing set and is asymptotically null. As an application, it is proved that the lattice reaction–diffusion equation has a global attractor in a weighted l 2 space, which is compact as well as contains traveling waves. The upper semicontinuity of global attractors is also obtained when the lattice reaction–diffusion equation is approached by finite-dimensional systems.
Angular distribution of mass flux from arc-like Ti vapor plasma

Abstract Arc-like Ti vapor plasma that appears symmetrical is formed on the electron beam evaporation source in high vacuum by applying ~ 20 V dc voltage to the anode set diagonally above the source. Angular distributions of both ion and mass fluxes from the plasma at the longitudinal section, including the anode, are investigated. The angular distribution of Ti ion flux from the plasma with 40 V–80 A discharge is unsymmetric (maximum ion current density is 16 Am −2 at θ = 0 ° and source-to-Faraday cup distance 460 mm): the ion current at the anode side (back side) is much higher than that at the front side. However, the ion current decreases near the anode direction. Angular distribution of mass flux from the plasma agrees largely with that of ion flux, but disagrees with that of mass flux from the vacuum evaporation source (cos 3 θ distribution). Therefore, ionization efficiency of Ti vapor in the plasma is considered to be high. Rough surface and small voids are seen at vacuum evaporation, but not at the arc-like discharge evaporation. The cross section fractured in liquid nitrogen is brittle in the former, but ductile in the latter. This shows that self-ion bombardment greatly affects Ti film densification.
Aligning Academic Task and Participation Status through Revoicing: Analysis of a Classroom Discourse Strategy

“Revoicing” by teachers in classroom group conversations creates participant frameworks that facilitate students' “alignment” with academic tasks and their socialization to roles and identities in intellectual discourse. Three examples demonstrate the potential of “revoicing” to: (1) position students in differing alignments with propositions and allow them to claim or disclaim ownership of their position; (2) share reformulations in ways that credit students with teachers' warranted inferences; (3) scaffold and recast problem-solution strategies of non-native-language students.
Impact of Guthion on Survival and Growth of the Frog Pseudacris regilla and the Salamanders Ambystoma gracile and Ambystoma maculatum

The effects of the insecticides Guthion (technical grade) and Guthion 2S (commercial formulation) on survival and growth of tadpoles of the Pacific treefrog Pseudacris regilla, and larvae of the Northwestern salamander Ambystoma gracile and the spotted salamander Ambystoma maculatum were determined in continuous-flow exposures in the laboratory. Ninety-six-hour LC50 values were >3.6 mg/L for P. regilla with technical grade Guthion and 1.47 mg/L with the formulation Guthion 2S (measured as active ingredient Guthion). Ten-day LOAEL and NOAEL values based on length and weight for P. regilla with Guthion were 3.60 and 0.98 mg/L. LOAEL and NOAEL values based on length and weight for P. regilla with Guthion 2S were 0.17 and 0.07 mg/L. The 96-h LC50 for Guthion 2S was 1.67 and 1.90 mg/L for A. gracile and A. maculatum, respectively. LOAEL and NOAEL values based on length and weight for A. gracile with Guthion 2S were 0.22 and 0.10 mg/L; they were 0.11 and 0.03 mg/L for A. maculatum based on weight. These species are as similar in sensitivity as some fish species but are more tolerant to Guthion than most invertebrates.
Integrating Knowledge Sources: An Ontological Approach

There has been a plethora of research in the area of knowledge portals, knowledge warehouses, ontologies, ontology creation and mapping, as well as the automatic creation and mapping of ontologies. While research exists in each respective area there is a lack of conceptual models that will integrate ontologies as a tool for disparate data source integration into knowledge portals or enterprise knowledge warehouses. The purpose of this work is to discuss different tools that have been developed in academic research and provide a conceptual model of how to implement these tools in relation to knowledge portals and warehouses.
Comprehensive video-assisted laparoscopic approach to treat genital and extragenital endometriosis

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory condition in which endometrial glands and stroma are found outside of the endometrium, causing pelvic pain and infertility. The majority of cases are confined to the pelvis, and can be treated either medically or surgically. Video-assisted laparoscopy is the preferred surgical approach, with the goal of restoring normal anatomy and alleviating pelvic pain. Although endometriosis is usually confined to the pelvis, it is also found in the GI tract, urinary tract and thoracic cavity. When endometriosis has spread beyond the genital tract, a high index of suspicion is necessary for diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary approach is often required to treat the disease adequately.
Performance Characteristics of an Ablative Gallium Electromagnetic Accelerator

Experimental performance measurements are presented for an ablative gallium electromagnetic accelerator driven by a 50 μs flat-top current pulse, with gallium supplied to the discharge by evaporation of the central cathode. The arc impedance, exhaust velocity, and electron temperature are measured for discharge currents in the range of 6–24 kA and an electrode radius ratio of ra/rc=3.4. The arc voltage is found to vary linearly with the discharge current, giving an arc impedance of 6–7 mΩ. An exhaust velocity of ue=16 km/s is found by using the mass bit and computing the electromagnetic thrust from the discharge current data. This value is invariant with the discharge current and is within the experimental error of the velocities measured using electrostatic probes. Triple probe measurements yield on-axis electron temperatures in the range of 0.8–3.8 eV and electron densities in the range of 0.16–2.1×1022 m−3. Magnetic induction probe measurements in the interelectrode region yield a peak magnetic fi...
Γ-X interference effects on quasi-bound-state lifetimes in GaAs/AlAs double-barrier heterostructures

The effect of \ensuremath{\Gamma}-X mixing on electron quasi-bound-state lifetimes in GaAs/AlAs symmetric double-barrier heterostructures is studied theoretically using an empirical tight-binding band-structure model. It is found that the \ensuremath{\Gamma} quasi-bound-state tunneling times can be shortened or lengthened by \ensuremath{\Gamma}-X mixing, depending on whether the AlAs barriers consist of an even or odd number of monolayers. This is attributed to the interference between the \ensuremath{\Gamma} and X conduction channels in the AlAs barriers.
Organizational determinants of energy-conservation management

Abstract Energy-conservation activities require new functional and technical activities in all participating organizations and the prospects of effectively managing such activities are contingent upon the specific organizational setting. Based on a previous large-scale investigation in which we identified five organizational archetypes, in-depth longitudinal case studies were undertaken of five organizations in Sweden during 5 years, each organization representing a different archetype. The five organizations have distinct organizational prerequisites and separate basic motivations to engage and succeed in energy-conservation management. Our study reveals distinctive patterns in each case. Implications for government policy and managerial action are discussed in detail.
A time to return to Keynes

Purpose – This paper seeks compare the current financial and economic problems with the problems facing the world economy in the 1930s.Design/methodology/approach – The paper argues that the Great Depression and the current problems have similar causes – excessive speculation, leading to a financial collapse that then results in an economic collapse. It then looks at the work of John Maynard Keynes to help solve the current problems.Findings – The paper advocates a large public works program plus a number of policies to help US homeowners and thereby stabilize housing prices.Originality/value – The paper provides a way out of the current economic and financial problems, and a way to avoid another Great Depression.
Visiometrics and modeling in computational fluid dynamics

Abstract Visiometrics is the process of visualizing and quantifying evolving features in space/time two-dimensional and three-dimensional data sets. An important part of this process is the detailed comparisons of these evolving features with features from experiments and other simulations. This allows us to formulate and validate reduced models of complex equations. In this paper, we focus on the “juxtaposition” or comparison of features from different simulations of computational fluid dynamics and show how insight is gained using this method.
A comparison of Korean and American secondary school textbooks: the case of quadratic equations

This study compares quadratic equations sections of Korean and American textbooks. The number of topics, contents and mathematics items were analyzed. The results show Korean students learn some topics relatively earlier than American students. American textbooks include more problems requiring explanations and various representations and problems requiring higher level cognitive demand. This result could indicate that textbooks might not be the reason for American and Korean students’ performances in international comparative studies. More studies analyzing other standards based textbooks and teaching practice might be needed to have further understanding of mathematics education in two countries.
Validity Estimates and Functionality of Materials and Procedures Used to Monitor the Implementation Integrity of a Reading Intervention.

Observing for, documenting, and improving implementation integrity are critical components of effective intervention services in schools. Without them, students may not receive effective intervention, and systems-level models of intervention service-delivery may never be properly evaluated or realize its potential. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a comprehensive set of materials and procedures for observing interventionists’ use of a structured reading program. We examined the following research questions: (a) do direct observations of an interventionist using the program correspond with his or her self-report of implementation integrity; (b) do direct observations of an interventionist correspond with permanent products that are generated from the intervention; and (c) did the observation and feedback procedures result in interventionists using the program more successfully? Primary findings showed that the observation and feedback procedures were effective in producing strong imple...
Fluorinated pyrimidines—XXXV The metabolism of 2′,3′-dehydro-5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine in Ehrlich ascites cells

Abstract Biochemical studies on the mechanism of action of 2′,3′-dehydro-5-fuoro-2′-deoxyuridine (DHFUDR) are reported. DHFUDR inhibits the incorporation of 14C-formate into the DNA thymine of Ehrlich ascites cells but only at a level 1000 times that of 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (FUDR) required for a similar inhibition. DHFUDR is not a substrate when assayed in the nucleoside kinase systems of ascites cells. normal substrates when assayed in the nucleoside kinase systems of ascites cells. 14C-DHFUDR upon incubation with ascites cells gives a pattern of metabolites similar to that seen with 5-fluorouracil (FU). Simultaneous incubation of 14C-DHFUDR and 3HFU reveals that the only pathway of importance for DHFUDR metabolismism a non-enzymatic cleavage to FU. The significance of these findings is discussed with reference to previous biological studies of DHFUDR.
Modeling the influence of particle morphology on the fracture behavior of silica sand using a 3D discrete element method

Abstract The constitutive behavior and deformation characteristics of uncemented granular materials are to a large extent derived from the fabric or geometry of the particle structure and the interparticle friction resulting from normal forces acting on particles or groups of particles. Granular materials consist of discrete particles with a fabric (microstructure) that changes under loading. Synchrotron micro-computed tomography (SMT) has emerged as a powerful non-destructive 3D scanning technique to study geomaterials. In this paper, SMT was used to acquire in situ scans of the oedometry test of a column of three silica sand particles. The sand is known as ASTM 20–30 Ottawa sand, and has a grain size between US sieves #20 (0.841 mm) and #30 (0.595 mm). The characteristics and evolution of particle fracture in sand were examined using SMT images, and a 3D discrete element method (DEM) was used to model the fracture behavior of sand particles. It adopts the bonded particle model to generate a crushable agglomerate that consists of a large number of small spherical sub-particles. The agglomerate shape matches the 3D physical shape of the tested sand particles by mapping the particle morphology from the SMT images. The paper investigates and discusses the influence of agglomerate packing (i.e., the number and size distribution of spherical sub-particles that constitute the agglomerate) and agglomerate shape on the fracture behavior of crushable particles.
Transient behavior of liquid jets injected normal to a high velocity gas stream

The transient effects of the breakup and atomization of liquid jets in a crossflow on the size of droplets within the plume were experimentally determined. Water and water/methanol mixtures were injected normal to an air stream at Mach numbers 0.48 and 3, at ambient temperature and at stagnation pressures of 1.4 and 4.3 a tin, and at liquid-to-gas momentum flux ratios from 4-12. Droplet size distributions at sampling rates of up to 9 kHz were obtained using a Fraunhofer diffraction technique. The transients in the liquid mass flow rates were inferred from measurements of the extinction of a laser beam passing through the aerosol. The droplet sizes were found to fluctuate with frequencies of the order of 1-15 kHz. The fluctuations were characterized by a sudden and relatively brief increase in the mean diameter of the droplets caused by the passage of fractured clumps. Also evident was the very small size of the droplets that had been sheared off the windward surfaces of the jet. The jet fracture frequency was related to the frequency of waves propagating along the initial jet column. The axial column waves are postulated to have been caused by jet perturbations created by vortices in the air flow around the jet column.
The effects of dynamic assessment procedures on Raven Matrices performance, visual search behavior, test anxiety and test orientation

Abstract The effects of dynamic testing procedures on Raven Coloured Matrices performance, visual scanning procedures, test anxiety, and orientation to the test situation were assessed. The subjects were 72 third-grade children. The results supported the hypotheses of the study showing that (1) dynamic assessment procedures involving either verbalization or elaborated feedback lead to higher levels of Raven Matrices performance; that (2) dynamic assessment modifies visual search behaviors; and that (3) dynamic assessment reduces test anxiety and negative orientation to the testing situation. The results are interpreted as offering construct validation to the assessment approaches used.
M2C CARBIDE PRECIPITATION IN AF1410 STEEL

Etude par microscopie ionique a emission de champ-sonde atomique des carbures dans l'acier AF1410 a haute teneur en cobalt et en nickel apres differents traitements de revenu. Influence de la temperature, de la fraction d'impulsion de tension et de la pression de gaz. Les compositions des carbures mesurees par microscopie ioniaue a emission de champ et microscopie electronique a balayage en transmission sont en bon accord avec les calculs thermodynamiques
Intermittent Burning of Ammonium Perchlorate-Hydrocarbon Binder Monomodal Matrixes, Sandwiches, and Propellants

The onset of the midpressure extinction of certain formulations (termed matrixes) of ammonium perchlorate (AP) of monomodal particle size distribution and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene binder, in the pressure range around 2-5 MPa, is examined. These matrixes, besides being tested in isolation, have been included in between AP laminas to form sandwiches and mixed with coarse AP particles to form high solids-loading (87.5%) non-aluminized propellants. The burning rates of the sandwiches show abnormal trends with pressure such as low or negative exponents in ranges corresponding to the onset of the midpressure extinction of their respective matrixes. The propellants exhibit this behavior to a lesser degree. Quenched surfaces (self-extinguished or intentionally interrupted during burning) of all the three types of samples were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope, and the burning history of the samples was captured with a high-speed digital camera. The results indicate the prevalence of intermittent burning of the matrixes as the pressure is varied across the boundary between continuous burning and self-extinction (burn/no-burn boundary) of the matrixes. The burning surfaces are marked by extreme three dimensionality coupled with a redistribution of the fine AP particles and the binder. The observations are explained based on the combined effects of the need for the AP particles and the binder to accumulate relative to each other on the burning surface depending on the difference in their pyrolysis rates and the existence of the binder in a molten state on the burning surface.
INDUSTRIAL CASE STUDIES IN PRODUCT FLEXIBILITY FOR FUTURE EVOLUTION: AN APPLICATION AND EVALUATION OF DESIGN GUIDELINES

A product’s flexibility for future evolution is its ability to be quickly and economically adapted to meet changing requirements. In previous work, a set of guidelines has been developed for designing flexible products. In this paper, two similar industrial case studies are presented to investigate the effectiveness of these guidelines for designing small-lot products with flexibility for future evolution. The systems are real products that have been designed and built by the authors, providing unrestricted insight into the design process and outcome of each project. The first product, a large testing system for high pressure seals, was designed without the aid of flexibility for future evolution guidelines. The second product, an automated welding test station, was designed with flexibility for future evolution as a specific deliverable of the final product. The flexibility of each system was measured by considering its adaptability to prototypical change modes. Of the two systems, the welding system was found to be more flexible than the seal testing system. The welding system also served as an example of integrating product flexibility guidelines throughout the development process.
Mixed lymphocyte response-generated suppressor cell specificity in humans is major histocompatibility complex-restricted

To formally test the hypothesis that allospecificity of the human mixed lymphocyte response-generated suppressor cells is restricted to the major histocompatibility complex, 18 primary mixed lymphocyte responses, using peripheral blood lymphocytes of 10 HLA-typed families, were used to generate suppressor effector cells. Responder lymphocytes shared one HLA haplotype with the stimulator cells. At day 10, the effector cells were tested for their ability to suppress proliferation of 55 test mixed lymphocyte responses consisting of naive autologous lymphocytes as responders and irradiated cells from individual family members as stimulators. Suppression was predicted when the test culture stimulators expressed the same HLA haplotype to which the suppressor cells were primed. There was statistically significant correlation between suppression and HLA haplotype sharing (p = 0.0143). In 6 out of 13 assays, however, we observed suppression that was not predicted on the basis of relevant HLA haplotype sharing. These stimulators shared only HLA-A2 with the priming haplotype. HLA antigen sharing was not seen in the 7 remaining, nonsuppressed cultures. We conclude that, within families, the effector function of in vitro generated suppressor cells is restricted by the major histocompatibility complex.
Polarized fluorescence from photodissociation fragments: a study of ICN photolysis using synchrotron radiation

Abstract Linearly polarized synchrotron radiation (1100–1700 A) is used to photodissociated ICN, and emission from the CN (B 2 Σ + ) fragment is analyzed for its degree of polarization, which is found to vary between 0 and 8%. This measurement establishes the direction of the absorption transition dipole moment in the molecular frame.
Stanford GEMS Phase 2 Obesity Prevention Trial for Low-Income African-American Girls: Design and Sample Baseline Characteristics

Abstract Objective African-American girls and women are at high risk of obesity and its associated morbidities. Few studies have tested obesity prevention strategies specifically designed for African-American girls. This report describes the design and baseline findings of the Stanford GEMS (Girls health Enrichment Multi-site Studies) trial to test the effect of a two-year community- and family-based intervention to reduce weight gain in low-income, pre-adolescent African-American girls. Design Randomized controlled trial with measurements scheduled in girls' homes at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 month post-randomization. Setting Low-income areas of Oakland, CA. Participants Eight, nine and ten year old African-American girls and their parents/caregivers. Interventions Girls are randomized to a culturally-tailored after-school dance program and a home/family-based intervention to reduce screen media use versus an information-based community health education Active-Placebo Comparison intervention. Interventions last for 2 years for each participant. Main outcome measure Change in body mass index over the two-year study. Results Recruitment and enrollment successfully produced a predominately low-socioeconomic status sample. Two-hundred sixty one (261) families were randomized. One girl per family is randomly chosen for the analysis sample. Randomization produced comparable experimental groups with only a few statistically significant differences. The sample had a mean body mass index (BMI) at the 74th percentile on the 2000 CDC BMI reference, and one-third of the analysis sample had a BMI at the 95th percentile or above. Average fasting total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were above NCEP thresholds for borderline high classifications. Girls averaged low levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity, more than 3 h per day of screen media use, and diets high in energy from fat. Conclusions The Stanford GEMS trial is testing the benefits of culturally-tailored after-school dance and screen-time reduction interventions for obesity prevention in low-income, pre-adolescent African-American girls.
Variable reproductive success in fragmented populations

Abstract Marine habitats are naturally patchy and anthropogenic disturbance can further fragment them. Many marine animals are sessile as adults or obligate inhabitants of particular habitats, so populations living in isolated patches of habitat are linked largely by dispersal of planktonic larvae. Theoretically, larvae are more likely to find and settle into large patches of habitat than small patches, thus small habitat patches may experience a more discontinuous supply of recruits resulting in small populations with unusual size- or age-structures or odd sex ratios — conditions where Allee effects on reproductive success are likely. We tested this hypothesis for the Caribbean spotted spiny lobster ( Panulirus guttatus ), an obligate inhabitant of coral patch reefs whose mating dynamics are size-dependent. We found that P. guttatus were less abundant on small reefs where their size structure and per capita reproductive success were significantly more variable, particularly among large females that are susceptible to sperm limitation that diminishes fertilization rates. These results are indicative of Allee effects and provide a mechanistic understanding of how size-dependent mating dynamics influence reproductive success in ways that alter population dynamics in patchy habitats.
Antigen cross-presentation of immune complexes.

The ability of dendritic cells (DC) to cross-present tumor antigens has long been a focus of interest of physicians, as well as basic scientists, that aim to establish efficient cell-based cancer immune therapy. A prerequisite for exploiting this pathway for therapeutic purposes is a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the induction of tumor-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses when initiated by DCs via cross-presentation. The ability of humans DC to perform cross-presentation is of utmost interest as this cell type is a main target for cell-based immunotherapy in humans. The outcome of a cross-presentation event is guided by the nature of the antigen, the form of antigen uptake and the subpopulation of DCs that performs presentation. Generally, CD8+ DCs are considered to be the most potent cross-presenting DCs. This paradigm, however, only applies to soluble antigens. During adaptive immune responses, immune complexes form when antibodies interact with their specific epitopes on soluble antigens. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) immune complexes target Fc-gamma receptors on DCs to shuttle exogenous antigens efficiently into the cross-presentation pathway. This receptor mediated cross-presentation pathway is a well-described route for the induction of strong CD8+ T cell responses. IgG-mediated cross-presentation is intriguing because it permits the CD8- DCs, which are commonly considered to be weak cross-presenters, to efficiently cross-present. Engaging multiple DC subtypes for cross-presentation might be a superior strategy to boost CTL responses in vivo. We here summarize our current understanding of how DCs use IgG-complexed antigens for the efficient induction of CTL responses. Because of its importance for human cell therapy, we also review the recent advances in the characterization of cross-presentation properties of human DC subsets.
The Relative Influence of Calcium, Strontium and Magnesium on Calcitonin Secretion in the Pig

Young pigs were infused in vivo with solutions of calcium, magnesium and strontium. Calcitonin was measured by radioimmunoassay in blood samples taken from an indwelling jugular catheter placed in the vicinity of the thyroid venous drainage. A several-fold rise in plasma concentration of magnesium or strontium was followed by a rise in plasma CT. A comparison of equimolar infusions of calcium, magnesium, and strontium suggests that the relative sensitivity of the CT secretory mechanism to these cations is calcium > strontium >magnesium.(Endocrinology 94: 1176, 1974)
A note on planes of characteristic three

A projective plane has characteristic three if in every ternary ring coordinatizing it all elements ≠ 0 of the additive loop have order 3. We show that if a finite plane of characteristic three is coordinatized by a near-field, then the plane is desarguesian.
Progression of diabetic retinopathy after endophthalmitis

Abstract Objective To determine the effect of endophthalmitis on diabetic retinopathy. Design Noncomparative case series. Methods The records of all consecutive patients with endophthalmitis treated between 1992 and 1997 at the Medical College of Wisconsin were retrospectively reviewed. Those patients with diabetes mellitus were analyzed. Participants From 77 reviewed records, 11 patients (12 eyes; 14%) were identified as diabetics with endophthalmitis and were studied. Main outcome measures Stage of diabetic retinopathy, time to retinopathy progression, and visual acuity. Results Mean patient age was 68 years, and mean duration of diabetes was 11.7 years. Mean patient follow-up was 17 months. Of the six cases without evidence of retinopathy before the endophthalmitis, none went on to develop retinopathy. Of six eyes with pre-existing nonproliferative retinopathy, four showed evidence of progression within 6 months of the infection. Three developed severe proliferative disease and macular edema, and one developed severe nonproliferative disease. More patients without pre-existing retinopathy achieved a final visual acuity of 20/40 or greater. Conclusions Patients with pre-existing diabetic retinopathy may be at increased risk for rapid retinopathy progression and a poorer visual outcome after endophthalmitis. These results support the concept that inflammation may exacerbate diabetic retinopathy.
A decrease in brain activation associated with driving when listening to someone speak

Behavioral studies have shown that engaging in a secondary task, such as talking on a cellular telephone, disrupts driving performance. This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the impact of concurrent auditory language comprehension on the brain activity associated with a simulated driving task. Participants steered a vehicle along a curving virtual road, either undisturbed or while listening to spoken sentences that they judged as true or false. The dual-task condition produced a significant deterioration in driving accuracy caused by the processing of the auditory sentences. At the same time, the parietal lobe activation associated with spatial processing in the undisturbed driving task decreased by 37% when participants concurrently listened to sentences. The findings show that language comprehension performed concurrently with driving draws mental resources away from the driving and produces deterioration in driving performance, even when it does not require holding or dialing a phone.
The generalized deadlock resolution problem

In this paper we initiate the study of the AND-OR directed feedback vertex set problem from the viewpoint of approximation algorithms. This AND-OR feedback vertex set problem is motivated by a practical deadlock resolution problem that appears in the development of distributed database systems. This problem also turns out be a natural generalization of the directed feedback vertex set problem. Awerbuch and Micali [1] gave a polynomial time algorithm to find a minimal solution for this problem. Unfortunately, a minimal solution can be arbitrarily more expensive than the minimum cost solution. We show that finding the minimum cost solution is as hard as the directed Steiner tree problem (and thus Ω(log2n) hard to approximate). On the positive side, we give algorithms which work well when the number of writers (AND nodes) or the number of readers (OR nodes) are small. We also consider a variant that we call permanent deadlock resolution where we cannot specify an execution order for the surviving processes; they should get completed even if they were scheduled adversarially. When all processes are writers (AND nodes), we give an O(log n log log n) approximation for this problem. Finally we give an LP-rounding approach and discuss some other natural variants.
Printed circuit board material and design considerations for wireless applications

Designers are moving towards material systems which can be fabricated using conventional epoxy/glass printed circuit board (PCB) processes. This allows microwave circuits to be built using the vast fabrication infrastructure available for digital circuits. This paper provides basic background information about substrate material characteristics and design considerations, which are critical for wireless applications. Material characteristics discussed include dissipation factor, dielectric constant tolerances and stability. Design and material options which allow microwave circuits to be manufactured by conventional FR4 fabricators are emphasized.
Susceptibility of antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant hospital bacteria to disinfectants.

Objective To evaluate whether hospital strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria exhibited altered susceptibility to disinfectants. Design Antibiotic-susceptible bacteria were obtained from American Type Culture Collection: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella choleraesuis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Hospital strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria were obtained from clinical isolates, including: S aureus, S epidermidis, E coli, Enterococcus species, K pneumoniae, and P aeruginosa. The Association of Official Analytical Chemist's use-dilution method was used to test these 12 strains of 7 bacterial pathogens for their susceptibility to a phenol and a quaternary ammonium compound. For five pathogens, we tested a susceptible and a more resistant strain in 20 comparative trials (5 pathogens, 2 disinfectants, 2 dilutions per disinfectant). Results In our 20 comparative trials, the antibiotic-resistant strains exhibited an increased resistance to the disinfectant in only a single instance. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that the development of antibiotic resistance does not appear to be correlated to increased resistance to disinfectants.
Diverse splicing mechanisms fuse the evolutionarily conserved bicistronic MOCS1A and MOCS1B open reading frames.

Molybdenum is an essential cofactor in many enzymes, but must first be complexed by molybdopterin, whose synthesis requires four enzymatic activities. The first two enzymes of this pathway are encoded by the MOCS1 locus in humans. We describe here a remarkably well-conserved novel mRNA splicing phenomenon that produces both an apparently bicistronic MOCS1AM-OCS1B transcript, as well as a distinct class of monocistronic transcript. The latter are created by a variety of splicing mechanisms (alternative splice donors, alternative splice acceptors, and exonskipping) to bypass the normal termination nonsense codon of MOCS1A resulting in fusion of the MOCS1A and MOCS1B open reading frames. Therefore, these “no-nonsense” transcripts encode a single bifunctional protein embodying both MOCS1A and MOCS1B activities. This coexpression profile was observed in vertebrates (human, mouse, cow, rabbit, opossum, and chicken) and invertebrates (fruit fly and nematode) spanning at least 700 million years of evolution. Our phylogenetic data also provide evidence that the bicistronic form of MOCS1 mRNA is likely to only produce MOCS1A protein and, combined with Northern analyses, suggests that MOCS1B is translated only as a fusion with MOCS1A. Taken together, the data presented here demonstrate a very highly conserved and physiologically relevant dynamic splicing scheme that profoundly influences the protein-coding potential of the MOCS1 locus.
Inhibition of Phagocytosis-Associated Chemiluminescence by Superoxide Dismutase

Abstract During the process of phagocytosis, human leukocytes emit a burst of luminescence which can be measured in a liquid scintillation spectrometer. The enzyme superoxide dismutase, which removes superoxide anions (O·), inhibited this chemiluminescence by 70% at a concentration of 100 μg/ml. The enzyme did not inhibit phagocytosis. These results support other studies indicating that O· is elaborated by phagocytizing leukocytes. They also indicate that O· plays a major role in phagocytosis-associated chemiluminescence, though not necessarily as the luminescing agent. Catalase and benzoate inhibited the chemiluminescence of phagocytosis to a slight extent, suggesting that hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical, respectively, might also be involved in this phenomenon. The relationship between the mediators of chemiluminescence and those responsible for phagocytic bactericidal activity remains to be defined.
Comparison of Deliberate and Spontaneous Facial Movement in Smiles and Eyebrow Raises

We investigated movement differences between deliberately posed and spontaneously occurring smiles and eyebrow raises during a videotaped interview that included a facial movement assessment. Using automated facial image analysis, we quantified lip corner and eyebrow movement during periods of visible smiles and eyebrow raises and compared facial movement within participants. As in an earlier study, maximum speed of movement onset was greater in deliberate smiles. Maximum speed and amplitude were greater and duration shorter in deliberate compared to spontaneous eyebrow raises. Asymmetry of movement did not differ within participants. Similar patterns contrasting deliberate and spontaneous movement in both smiles and eyebrow raises suggest a common pattern of signaling for spontaneous facial displays.
Weight Lifting and Physical Function Among Survivors of Breast Cancer: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose Survivors of breast cancer may experience deterioration of physical function. This is important because poor physical function may be associated with premature mortality, injurious falls, bone fracture, and disability. We conducted a post hoc analysis to explore the potential efficacy of slowly progressive weight lifting to reduce the incidence of physical function deterioration among survivors of breast cancer. Methods Between October 2005 and August 2008, we conducted a single-blind, 12-month, randomized controlled trial of twice-per-week slowly progressive weight lifting or standard care among 295 survivors of nonmetastatic breast cancer. In this post hoc analysis of data from the Physical Activity and Lymphedema Trial, we examined incident deterioration of physical function after 12 months, defined as a ≥ 10-point decrease in the physical function subscale of the Medical Outcomes Short-Form 36-item questionnaire. Results The proportion of participants who experienced incident physical function...
Issues in estimating the prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome: examination of 2 counties in New York State.

OBJECTIVE.Two demographically similar counties included in the New York Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Surveillance Network had very different prevalence rates. This study examined the components of the surveillance in an attempt to discover the reasons for this discrepancy. METHODS.Erie County and Monroe County were the 2 most populous counties included in the New York Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Surveillance Network. Erie County includes Buffalo, the second largest city in New York State, and Monroe County includes Rochester, the third largest city. Multiple sources of ascertainment included birth defect surveillance systems, genetic clinics, and early intervention programs. The case definition was based on the Institute of Medicine criteria of an abnormality in each of the following 3 areas: facial features, central nervous system, and growth. RESULTS.Children born in Erie County or Monroe County between 1995 and 1999 were included. The fetal alcohol syndrome prevalence rates in these 2 counties were 0.90 cases per 1000 births and 0.21 cases per 1000 births, respectively. The 2 counties were demographically similar and had similar rates of binge drinking among women of childbearing age. There was less participation in the surveillance system by sources in Monroe County. Erie County had a very active clinician with a specialized fetal alcohol syndrome clinic.