cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seasonal oxygen and carbon isotope variability in euthecosomatous pteropods from the Sargasso Sea

Abstract We examine seasonal variations in the stable carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of individual shells of the pteropods Limacina inflata and Styliola subula, collected from Oceanic Flux Program sediment traps (at 500 m depth) near Bermuda in the western Sargasso Sea. Calcification depths estimated from L. inflata δ 18 O vary between 200 and 650 m in late winter and spring, and between 50 and 250 m in late summer and fall. S. subula shows similar seasonal variability with calcification depths between 250 and 600 m in late winter and spring and 50–400 m in late summer and fall. These results suggest that both species calcify across a greater range of depths than indicated by previous geochemical studies. Furthermore, the data indicate that these species change their calcification depth in conjunction with changes in thermal stratification of the water column. Pteropod shell δ 13 C values vary inversely with δ 13 C DIC but show a positive correlation with seawater [CO 3 2− ] and temperature after depth differences in δ 13 C DIC are accounted for. We hypothesize that either the influence of temperature on metabolic CO 2 incorporation during shell growth and/or the influence of ambient [CO 3 2− ] on shell geochemistry can explain these relationships. Taken together, the individual shell δ 18 O and δ 13 C data suggest that shell calcification, and by inference the life cycle, of these pteropods is several months or less. Individual pteropod shell analyses have potential for contributing to our understanding of the environmental parameters that play a role in seasonal calcification depth shifts, as well as to our knowledge of past upper ocean thermal structure.
PPARδ: a dagger in the heart of the metabolic syndrome

Obesity is a growing threat to global health by virtue of its association with insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, collectively known as the metabolic syndrome or syndrome X. The nuclear receptors PPARalpha and PPARgamma are therapeutic targets for hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance, respectively, and drugs that modulate these receptors are currently in clinical use. More recent work on the less-described PPAR isotype PPARdelta has uncovered a dual benefit for both hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance, highlighting the broad potential of PPARdelta in the treatment of metabolic disease. PPARdelta enhances fatty acid catabolism and energy uncoupling in adipose tissue and muscle, and it suppresses macrophage-derived inflammation. Its combined activities in these and other tissues make it a multifaceted therapeutic target for the metabolic syndrome with the potential to control weight gain, enhance physical endurance, improve insulin sensitivity, and ameliorate atherosclerosis.
AMIP Simulation with the CAM4 Spectral Element Dynamical Core

AbstractThe authors evaluate the climate produced by the Community Climate System Model, version 4, running with the new spectral element atmospheric dynamical core option. The spectral element method is configured to use a cubed-sphere grid, providing quasi-uniform resolution over the sphere and increased parallel scalability and removing the need for polar filters. It uses a fourth-order accurate spatial discretization that locally conserves mass and total energy. Using the Atmosphere Model Intercomparison Project protocol, the results from the spectral element dynamical core are compared with those produced by the default finite-volume dynamical core and with observations. Even though the two dynamical cores are quite different, their simulated climates are remarkably similar. When compared with observations, both models have strengths and weaknesses but have nearly identical root-mean-square errors and the largest biases show little sensitivity to the dynamical core. The spectral element core does an ...
Helper-dependent adenoviral vector achieves prolonged, stable expression of interleukin-10 in rabbit carotid arteries but does not limit early atherogenesis.

Abstract Vascular gene therapy could potentially complement or replace current therapies for human atherosclerosis, while avoiding their side effects. However, development of vascular gene therapy is limited by lack of a useful vector. Helper-dependent adenovirus (HDAd) shows promise to overcome this barrier because, unlike first-generation adenovirus, HDAd achieves durable transgene expression in the artery wall with minimal inflammation. To begin to test whether HDAd, delivered to the artery wall, can limit atherosclerosis we constructed HDAd that expresses rabbit interleukin (IL)-10, a potent atheroprotective cytokine, and tested its activity in a rabbit model of early carotid atherogenesis. HDAd expressed immunoreactive, active IL-10 in vitro. In contrast to other HDAd-expressed transgenes, IL-10 expression from HDAd increased significantly between 3 days and 2 weeks after infusion and remained stable for at least 8 weeks. Rising, persistent IL-10 expression was associated with relative persistence of...
Interannual Variability of the Atlantic Hadley Circulation in Boreal Summer and Its Impacts on Tropical Cyclone Activity

AbstractA novel method was developed to define the regional Hadley circulation (HC) in terms of the meridional streamfunction. The interannual variability of the Atlantic HC in boreal summer was examined using EOF analysis. The leading mode (M1), explaining more than 45% of the variances, is associated with the intensity change of the ITCZ. M1 is significantly correlated to multiple climate factors and has strong impacts on Atlantic tropical cyclone (TC) activity. In the positive (negative) phase of M1, the ITCZ is stronger (weaker) than normal, and more (fewer) TCs form over the main development region (MDR) with a larger (smaller) fraction of storms intensifying into major hurricanes. Analyses showed that the large-scale dynamic and thermodynamic conditions associated with a stronger ITCZ are more favorable for TC activity.The roles of tropical easterly waves in modulating the Atlantic TC activity are highlighted. In the positive phase of M1, the wave activity is significantly enhanced over the MDR and ...
Internet reliability with realistic peering

Peering between network providers is modeled as a set of interconnections at hub nodes. The paper employs probabilistic methods to determine the likelihood of a path between nodes, under a variety of simulated disruptions or failures of parts of a network. Reliability is measured as the probability of withstanding failure of network components such as nodes or linkages. A reliability envelope is devised in order to define a range of impacts—with the recognition that the damage to subsets of the network can vary from a relatively benign effect to a much more critical or lethal impact. Thus, we describe a range of scenarios from best to worst, within the same level of infrastructure loss. With the use of simulation data for the United States, results show the critical role of major hubs in sustaining communication among cities. In the paper we highlight especially reliable nodes (for example, Chicago and Atlanta) and those that are most susceptible (for example, Birmingham, Alabama, and Nashville, Tennessee...
Fiorinia externa and Tsugaspidiotus tsugae (Homoptera: Diaspididae): Distribution, Abundance, and New Hosts of Two Destructive Scale Insects of Eastern Hemlock in Connecticut

A winter survey for scale insects of Tsuga canadensis Carriere, Eastern hemlock, at 279 sites in 31 towns in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, CT, indicated that Fiorinia externa Ferris and Tsugaspidiotus tsugae (Marlatt) (Homoptera: Diaspididae) are serious pests throughout much of the area. A 3rd diaspidid scale, Phenacaspis pinifoliae (Fitch), occurred only in low densities at 4 sites and was not considered a pest of hemlock. The heaviest infestation of F. externa was in the town of Greenwich where trees at 15 of the 18 sites sampled supported high densities (>75 scales/100 needles). In the 9 towns comprising the major area infested, F. externa occurred on hemlocks at 81 of the 113 sites (71.7%) sampled. T. tsugae occurred in all 31 towns surveyed but only at 89 of the total 279 sites (31.9 %) were hemlocks infested. At one site each in New Canaan and in Westport, densities of T. tsugae were high (>75 scales/100 needles). At 58 sites, both species occurred together on the same trees and occasionally on the same needles. A survey conducted at the Montgomery Pinetum and the Bartlett Arboretum, Fairfield County, CT, revealed that F. externa and T. tsugae were able to colonize and mature on a wide variety of exotic conifers. Adult female F. externa occurred on the following conifers examined: all 9 Abies spp.; all 3 Cedrus spp.; all 12 Picea spp.; 12 of 14 Pinus spp.; Pseudotsuga menziesii Britton; both Taxus spp.; and all 4 Tsuga spp. F. externa was not observed on Pinus griffithi McClelland or on Pinus lambertiana Douglas indicating possible resistance of these pines to scale attack. Adult T. tsugae occurred on 3 Abies spp., Cedrus atlantica Manetti, 3 Picea spp., and 2 Tsuga spp.
A simple method for stabilizing protein-sulfhydryl groups during SDS-gel electrophoresis.

Abstract Sulfhydryl-containing proteins can oxidize during SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to produce broad bands with irreproducible mobilities. Oxidation affects molecular weight estimates and decreases resolution. Alkylation of reduced proteins prior to electrophoresis eliminates the problems caused by reoxidation. A simple protocol involves reducing proteins with low concentrations of dithioerythritol and alkylating with a slight excess of iodoacetamide. These reactions are insensitive to atmospheric oxygen and to reagent concentrations provided that sulfhydryl groups are first completely reduced and then completely alkylated. The reagents need not be removed from the proteins prior to electrophoresis.
Measurement of the Barrier to β-Hydride Elimination in a β-Agostic Palladium−Ethyl Complex: A Model for the Energetics of Chain-Walking in (α-Diimine)PdR+ Olefin Polymerization Catalysts

The cationic Pd(II) ethyl complex [[(2,6-(iPr)2C6H3)NC(An)C(An)N(2,6-(iPr)2C6H3)]Pd(CH2CH2-μ-H)]BAr‘4 (8), which exhibits a β-agostic interaction, has been synthesized via protonation of the corresponding diethyl complex with H(OiPr2)2BAr‘4 (Ar‘ = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3). The fluxional behavior of this ethyl cation has been studied quantitatively using 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Two dynamic processes have been observed: (1) β-H elimination and reinsertion with opposite regiochemistry and (2) rotation about the C−C bond of the ethyl group. β-H elimination is the lower energy process, with ΔG⧧ = 7.1 kcal/mol at −108 °C. Eyring analysis of the 13C NMR data indicates ΔH⧧ = 6.1 ± 0.2 kcal/mol and ΔS⧧ = −5.2 ± 0.9 eu. Rotation of the agostic methyl group occurs with ΔG⧧ ca. 8.4 kcal/mol at −108 °C. These data provide insight into the energetics of chain walking, which is responsible for the unusual polyolefin microstructures produced using (α-diimine)PdR+ catalysts.
A valence model of political competition in Britain: 1992–1997

Abstract Formal stochastic models of voting have concluded that vote maximizing parties will converge to the mean of the electoral distribution. Much empirical evidence has concluded that such a situation is non-generic. This paper presents an electoral theorem for the stochastic vote model with multivariate normal disturbances, which gives necessary and sufficient conditions for the validity of the mean voter theorem. The coefficients of a multinomial conditional probit model of the 1979 election in Britain are then examined. On the basis of the estimation, the model involving socio-demographic variables and “valence”, it is concluded that vote maximizing parties would converge to the electoral origin. Since this was not observed, the formal model is extended to include the influence of activists on voter response. A survey of British MPs preferred policy positions in 1997 is used to estimate the positions of party principals, and these are compared with voter estimations of party positions. A second electoral theorem is presented which determines the optimal party location involving a trade-off between principals' preferences and electoral response.
Efficacy of neo- and adjuvant treatment modalities in gastrointestinal cancer patients.

Data which have emerged from randomized clinical trials are inconclusive regarding the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for patients with esophageal cancer. In 2001, available data appear to support the use of adjuvant chemoradiation therapy following the complete resection of a gastric cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy following the resection of a stage III (and - probably - "high-risk" stage II) colon cancer, and the use of adjuvant (and most likely neoadjuvant) chemoradiation therapy for stages II and III rectal cancer.
Prediction of disease-free survival after therapy in Wilms' tumor using nuclear morphometric techniques☆

Abstract The outlook for children with Wilms' tumor has markedly improved with the use of multimodal therapy, and survival currently exceed 85%. Current trends have been to use less intense therapy for children whose tumors have favorable histology (FH). By decreasing the amount of therapy given to patients whose conditions have an excellent chance of responding, the need for accurate criteria to separate high-risk and low-risk groups becomes imperative. Nuclear morphometric techniques have been developed and extensively tested in the author's laboratory. Preliminary studies of FH Wilms' tumors demonstrated the applicability of this technique. Herein, the authors present a retrospective study of 108 patients with FH tumors, with a mean follow-up period of 1,994 ± 107 days (66 months) for those whose tumors did respond to therapy, and 686 ± 61 days (23 months) for those whose tumors did not respond. The univariate predictors were age ( P = .02), the skewness of nuclear roundness factor (SNRF) ( P = .009), and the mean of the lower five values for nuclear ellipticity, measured by the feret diameter method (L5EFD) ( P = .01). A multivariate analysis combining all three variables better separated the two groups ( P = .00016). A probability function curve was constructed to predict poor prognosis. Kaplan-Meier actuarial survival analysis was used to predict disease-free survival as clinical progression, and separated the two groups ( P = .0004, Wilcoxon-Gehan statistic). These results suggest that nuclear morphometry is useful in the initial assessment of patients with Wilms' tumor.
The appearance-reality distinction and perspective taking with facial masks

Little is known about how children perceive themselves while wearing facial masks; how they perceive another person who is wearing a facial mask; or how they believe another person perceives them when they are wearing facial masks. This aspect of the appearance-reality distinction was studied in 60 children, 20 in each of three age groups: 4, 4.5, and 5.5 years old. Each child responded to both an appearance question (“… looks like?”) and a reality question (“… really and truly?”) on each of four trials. Three of the trials involved wearing masks (Wonder Woman, Spiderman, or Bugs Bunny) but the other did not. Each child answered the eight appearance-reality questions under three perspective-taking conditions: self (what the child perceived while looking in a mirror), other (what the child perceived while looking at another), and other’s perspective (what another perceived while looking at the child). In general, the results suggest that the appearance-reality distinction and simple perspective taking are well established by the age of 5.5 years, and that correct responses to reality questions emerge earlier than correct responses to appearance questions.
Crime and crypto on the information superhighway

(1995). Crime and crypto on the information superhighway. Journal of Criminal Justice Education: Vol. 6, Information Literacy: En Route to the Information Superhighway, pp. 323-336.
The Effects of Teen Passengers on Teen Driver Speeds and Headways

This observational study investigated teen driving as a function of passenger presence and passenger gender. Vehicles were observed leaving high school parking lots at dismissal time, and the apparent age (teen or adult) and gender of drivers and passengers were recorded. At sites near the school, vehicle speeds and headways were recorded using a LIDAR and video-based system. Vehicles in the traffic stream were matched, where possible, to vehicles identified leaving the school. Thus, vehicles driven by teens could be distinguished from “general traffic.” Passenger presence and gender had strong effects on speed and headway and were more pronounced than driver gender effects. While teens drove slightly faster than general traffic, the primary influence on speed was the presence of a male passenger. Similarly, shorter headways were associated with male, rather than female, passengers. Passenger influences on teen driving depend on passenger gender, driver gender, and the particular driving measure.
Timing of Cenozoic volcanism and Basin and Range extension in northwestern Nevada: New constraints from the northern Pine Forest Range

Eocene–middle Miocene volcanic rocks in the northern Pine Forest Range, Nevada, are ideally situated for reconstructing the timing and style of volcanism and extensional faulting in the northwesternmost part of the Basin and Range province. A conformable sequence of Cenozoic volcanic and sedimentary strata in the northern Pine Forest Range dips ~30°W, and 11 new 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages from this sequence defi ne 3 major episodes of volcanic activity. Pre-Tertiary basement and older (ca. 38 Ma) Tertiary intrusive rocks are overlain unconformably by Oligocene (ca. 30–23 Ma) basalt fl ows and dacitic to rhyolitic ash-fl ow tuffs interbedded with fi ne-grained tuffaceous sedimentary rocks. Oligocene rocks are overlain by ~550 m of ca. 17–16 Ma basalt fl ows equivalent to the Steens Basalt in southern Oregon, and basalt fl ows are capped by a thin 16.3 Ma ignimbrite that likely is correlative with either the Idaho Canyon Tuff or the Tuff of Oregon Canyon. The northern Pine Forest Range is bounded to the east by a major down-to-the-east normal fault that dips ~40°E with well-developed fault striations indicative of dip-slip motion. This fault initiated at an angle of ~70° and was rotated ~30° during uplift of the range. A suite of 17 apatite fi ssion-track ages from the Pine Forest footwall block demonstrates that exhumation, uplift, and slip on the range-bounding fault began ca. 12–11 Ma and continued until at least 7 Ma, with moderate slip since then. The Pine Forest Range did not undergo signifi cant extension before or during peak Oligocene and Miocene volcanism, and similar geologic relationships in nearby ranges suggest that a larger region of northwestern Nevada was also little extended during this interval. Basin and Range faulting in northwestern Nevada appears to have begun no earlier than 12 Ma, making it distinctly younger than deformation in much of central and southern Nevada, where peak extension occurred in the middle Miocene or earlier.
Clinical radiation pathology as applied to curative radiotherapy

The value of radiation pathology in understanding the radiation effects in normal tissues and tumors is stressed in developing curative radiotherapy. A theory of cell radiosensitivity is presented based on cellular proliferation, differentiation and life span. From this base, concepts of tissue and organ radiosensitivity are developed utilizing the knowledge of tissue organization, cell kinetics and microcirculation. Through a series of paradigmatic charts and drawings an attempt is made to explain different clinical manifestations of radiation reactions on the basis of similar histopathologic changes. Possible future directions for radiation research to explore are outlined.
Sensory neuropeptides modulate cigarette smoke-induced decrease in neutral endopeptidase activity in guinea pig airways

Abstract Cigarette smoke (CS) inhalation stimulates C-fibers to release sensory neuropeptides which mediate airway reflex responses to prevent irritants from entering the lower airways. When CS is inhaled via the upper airways, these airway defense responses may modulate the effect of CS on airway NEP activity and related airway hyperresponsiveness. To examine this possibility, we exposed guinea pigs to 1:10 diluted mid-tar cigarette smoke 100 puffs per day for 7 days and recorded pulmonary resistance of cumulative doses of neurokinin A (NKA, 10 −12 –10 −8 mol/kg, i.v.) or methacholine (Mch, 1–50 μg/kg, i.v.). NEP activity in the tracheobronchi was measured using fluorometric assay. Exposure of CS alone failed to alter the doseresponse to NKA or Mch compared with air control. NEP activity in the airways after CS exposure was slightly but significantly lower than that of air control. Capsaicin pretreatment 1 week before CS exposure significantly shifted the dose-response curves of NKA, but not Mch, to the left and decreased NEP activity in the airways to a greater extent compared with CS exposure alone group. Capsaicin pretreatment alone failed to alter the responsiveness to NKA or NEP activity. CS also induced a significant increase in neutrophil counts in airways. Capsaicin pretreatment enhanced the effect of CS on neutrophil recruitment. We conclude that sensory neuropeptides may have a protective role in modulation of airways NEP activity downregulation induced by CS, probably by preventing CS from entering the lower airways or the chronic release of sensory neuropeptides induced by CS providing increased amount of substrata for NEP upregulation, and therefore modify the direct effect of CS on NEP activity and related airway hyperresponsiveness.
Changes in measured size of atherosclerotic plaque calcifications in dual-energy CT of ex vivo carotid endarterectomy specimens: effect of monochromatic keV image reconstructions.

The aim of this study was to compare the size of the calcifications measured on the different keV images to a histological standard. Five ex vivo carotid endarterectomy (CEA) specimens were imaged with a dual-energy CT. CT images were reconstructed at different monochromatic spectral energies (40, 60, 77, 80, 100, 120, 140 keV). Cross-sectional area of the plaque calcifications present on each CT image was measured. The histological calcium areas on each corresponding CEA specimen were traced manually on digitised images of Toluidine Blue/Basic Fuchsin stained plastic sections. The CT images and corresponding histology sections were matched. The CT-derived calcium areas on each keV image were compared to the calcified area measurements by histology. A total of 107 histology sections were matched to corresponding CT images. The average calcified area per section by histology was 7.6 ± 7 mm2 (range 0–26.4 mm2). There was no significant difference between the calcified areas measured by histology and those measured on CT–virtual monochromatic spectral (VMS) reconstructed images at 77 keV (P = 0.08), 80 keV (P = 0.20) and 100 keV (P = 0.14). Calcium area measured on the 80 keV image set was most comparable to the amount of calcium measured by histology. • Dual-energy computed tomography allows reconstruction of virtual monochromatic images. • Virtual monochromatic images reconstructed at different keVs reveal different atherosclerotic calcification quantification. • Virtual monochromatic images allows better evaluation of calcified atherosclerotic plaques.
Experimental investigation of thermally induced plastic deformation in MMCS using back scattered Kikuchi method

Abstract We have used the BKD method to investigate the predicted stress gradients, induced near the fiber-matrix interfaces during the processing of metal matrix composites. The BKD patterns in a composite specimen have to be acquired with great consistency before the images can be analyzed for quantitative information on dislocation densities and hence plastic strain. We have developed a suitable image acquisition and analysis procedure for this purpose. The developed methodology has been applied to evaluate the plastic strain gradients in an Al-W composite subjected to a cooling cycle. We have compared the BKD results to FEM analysis which takes into account the temperature dependent material properties and actual spatial distribution of fibers. The results reveal the presence of sharp gradients of plastic strain near the interfaces.
Problem behaviors, substance abuse and sexual abuse in psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents with bulimia nervosa

Twenty-eight adolescent bulimics were compared to 201 psychiatrically hospitalized non-eating disordered patients. Non-eating disordered patients were found to be reliably more aggressive, delinquent, and under-controlled than patients with bulimia nervosa. Sexual abuse was found to be less prevalent among bulimic adolescents than comparison adolescents. No significant between group differences were achieved on any measure of alcohol/drug abuse. The behavioral profiles of substance abusing bulimics were highly similar to those of non-eating disordered patients. Three months follow-up of bulimic patients found that they were less depressed, had less somatization, and were less overcontrolled; however, they showed no reliable improvements in eating attitudes/behaviours or drug/alcohol use.
Maintenance of cell volume in the central nervous system

Maintenance of the ionic and osmotic composition and volume of intra- and extracellular fluids in the brain is crucial for normal functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). Osmoregulation in the CNS is mediated by solute and water transport across the blood-brain barrier, choroid plexus and plasma membrane of glial cells and neurons. Despite its clinical and physiological significance, however, little is known about the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms by which CNS osmotic and ionic balance is maintained. In this review, I will discuss our current understanding of cell volume regulation in the CNS and how it relates to various disease processes, such as hyponatremia, renal failure and hypernatremia. A detailed understanding of brain osmoregulatory processes represents a fundamental physiological problem and is required for the treatment of numerous disease states, particularly those encountered in the practice of nephrology.
Effects of the kinase inhibitor CGP41251 (PKC 412) on lymphocyte activation and TNF-α production

CGP41251 is a serine/threonine and tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is a novel anticancer agent. Because the kinases that CGP41251 inhibits play important roles in T lymphocyte activation, we hypothesized that this compound may have useful immunomodulatory properties. Here we characterized the in vitro immunomodulatory effects of CGP41251. The effects of CGP41251 on lymphocyte proliferation, expression of T cell activation surface markers, and intracellular calcium response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC's) were measured. Intracellular IL-2, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma expression in CGP41251-treated T cells stimulated by lectin was measured by flow cytometry. CGP41251 inhibited lectin-induced lymphocyte proliferation and upregulation of activation surface markers with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 0.1 microM. CGP41251, at micromolar concentrations, blunted the intracellular calcium response during PBMC activation. CGP41251 inhibited TNF-alpha production by T cells with an IC(50) of 0.5 microM and did not significantly inhibit the production of IL-2 or IFN-gamma. In conclusion, CGP41251 potently inhibits T lymphocyte activation and function and interferes with the proximal part of the T cell activation pathway. The ability of CGP41251 to selectively block T cell TNF-alpha production warrants the evaluation of this compound on other, e.g., monocyte, immune cells and in immunological conditions that are characterized by high TNF-alpha levels such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Dating and disclosure: adolescent management of information regarding romantic involvement.

Voluntary disclosure regarding romantic involvement was examined in a sample of 222 middle and late adolescents (124 female adolescents, M = 16.19 years). Disclosure was described with three empirically derived, conceptually meaningful composites that pertained to identity/choice of romantic partner, everyday expression of romantic relationship, and parental supervision/sexual contact. Disclosure regarding identity/choice and expression was greater for females than for males and mothers were targets more than were fathers. Older adolescents disclosed less regarding supervision/sex than did younger adolescents. Trust was positively associated with disclosure, particularly for females when considering supervision issues. Assessment of adolescents' beliefs regarding act's potential for self-harm and consequences to others illuminated adolescents' reasoning regarding disclosure and nondisclosure. Potential harm was positively associated with disclosure regarding supervision/sex issues. The potential for an activity to affect other people was positively associated with disclosure regarding identity/choice and expression for middle adolescents but not for late adolescents.
Generic noun phrases in mother-child conversations.

Generic noun phrases (e.g. Tigers are fierce) are of interest for their semantic properties: they capture ‘essential’ properties, are timeless, and are context-free. The present study examines use of generic noun phrases by preschool children and their mothers. Mother–child pairs were videotaped while looking through a book of animal pictures. Each page depicted either a single instance of a particular category (e.g. one crab) or multiple instances of a particular category (e.g. many crabs). The results indicated a striking difference in how generics vs. non-generics were distributed, both in the speech of mothers and in the speech of preschool children. Whereas the form of non-generic noun phrases was closely linked to the structure of the page (i.e. singular noun phrases were used more often when a single instance was presented; plural noun phrases were used more often when multiple instances were presented), the form of generic noun phrases was independent of the information depicted (e.g. plural noun phrases were as frequent when only one instance was presented as when multiple instances were presented). We interpret the data as providing evidence that generic noun phrases differ in their semantics and conceptual organization from non-generic noun phrases, both in the input to young children and in children's own speech. Thus, this simple linguistic device may provide input to, and a reflection of, children's early developing notion of ‘kinds’.
Oncologic Management of Hereditary Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in females and the third most common cancer diagnosed in males. Familial CRC comprises ~20 to 30% of all CRC cases. Lynch syndrome (LS), previously called hereditary nonpolyposis CRC (HNPCC), is the most common of the hereditary CRC syndromes. In this review, the oncological management of hereditary colorectal cancer from the medical oncologist perspective is discussed with special emphasis on Lynch syndrome. Lynch syndrome is characterized by the presence of germline mutations in the mismatch repair genes (MMR)-MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, and PMS2. The available data regarding the prognostic role of mismatch repair genes (MMR), the predictive role of MMR genes, and the implications of that in the management of patients with deficient MMR genes (dMMR/MSI-H) tumors including Lynch syndrome patients are also discussed.
Kinetic studies on the reaction between dicyanocobinamide and hypochlorous acid.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a potent oxidant generated by myeloperoxidase (MPO), which is an abundant enzyme used for defense against microbes. We examined the potential role of HOCl in corrin ring destruction and subsequent formation of cyanogen chloride (CNCl) from dicyanocobinamide ((CN)2-Cbi). Stopped-flow analysis revealed that the reaction consists of at least three observable steps, including at least two sequential transient intermediates prior to corrin ring destruction. The first two steps were attributed to sequential replacement of the two cyanide ligands with hypochlorite, while the third step was the destruction of the corrin ring. The formation of (OCl)(CN)-Cbi and its conversion to (OCl)2-Cbi was fitted to a first order rate equation with second order rate constants of 0.002 and 0.0002 µM−1s−1, respectively. The significantly lower rate of the second step compared to the first suggests that the replacement of the first cyanide molecule by hypochlorite causes an alteration in the ligand trans effects changing the affinity and/or accessibility of Co toward hypochlorite. Plots of the apparent rate constants as a function of HOCl concentration for all the three steps were linear with Y-intercepts close to zero, indicating that HOCl binds in an irreversible one-step mechanism. Collectively, these results illustrate functional differences in the corrin ring environments toward binding of diatomic ligands.
Diffractive–refractive X-ray optics for very high angular resolution X-ray astronomy

Abstract The 0.5 arcsec angular resolution of the Chandra X-ray Observatory is possibly the best that a grazing incidence telescope with substantial collecting area will ever attain. We describe a telescope consisting of a diffractive and refractive doublet that transmits rather than reflects X-rays. Therefore, its angular resolution is relatively insensitive to figure errors and surface roughness, the factors that limit grazing incidence telescopes. When the focal length of the refractive component is minus twice that of the diffractive the chromatic aberration that is inherent in the diffractive and refractive components individually will compensate each other within a limited but not insignificant energy band. We consider a system with a long focal length, about 5000 km, to allow the refractive lens to be thin and transmit X-rays. The long focal length requires very long distance formation flying between an optics spacecraft and a detector spacecraft that must be aligned to better than a few centimeters. Solar orbit is a likely site. We simulate an imaging system where chromatic aberration is corrected to first order at 6 keV. The angular resolution is expected to be better than 0.3 miliarcsec within a 10% bandwidth. The components are lightweight, and can probably be made in a machine shop.
Thermodynamic Properties for the Solid-Liquid Phase Transition of Silybin + Poloxamer 188

Mixtures of silybin (1) + poloxamer 188 (2) were prepared by a method of fusion cooling. Temperature (Tfus) and enthalpy of fusion (ΔfusH) versus mass fraction of silybin were measured by a DSC method. A eutectic point with w1 = 0.25 and Tfus,E = 325.4 K was observed. IR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction results indicate that the spectra of mixtures can be regarded as the superposition of those of pure silybin and poloxamer 188. There was no significant change in the crystal structure of silybin and poloxamer in the mixed solid. The experimental Tfus, w1 diagram was fitted by using the Flory−Huggins model with a fair agreement.
First Report of Pythium sterilum Causing Root Rot of Blueberry in the United States.

In September 2009, ~40 declining blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Jersey’) were observed in a poorly drained area of a 30-year-old field near Fennville, MI. The stunted bushes had yellow leaves and defoliation; others were completely dead. The grower reported that the bushes had been declining over several years. Root samples tested positive in a Phytophthora ELISA test (Agdia Inc., Elkhart IN). Twenty root pieces (2 cm long and 2 to 3 mm in diameter) were surface disinfested and plated on Rye A agar; five yielded fungal-like colonies that were subcultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA). One isolate was white and grew slowly (3 to 4 mm/day at 22 to 24°C). Three isolates were white and grew faster (10 to 12 mm/day at 22 to 24°C) in a chrysanthemal pattern. The fifth was a Fusarium sp. DNA of the white colonies was extracted and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was sequenced using ITS1 (5′-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3′) and ITS4 (5′-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3′) primers. The slow-growing morphotype...
Prolonged disruption of plasma β-endorphin dynamics following surgery

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of surgery on plasma β-endorphin dynamics. Plasma β-endorphin levels were measured by liquid chromatography/radioimmunoassay in seven patients undergoing elective surgery. Blood samples were obtained every 4 hr for two 24-hr periods: one beginning 48 hr before surgery and the other beginning 48 hr after surgery. Computer analysis of β-endorphin levels as a function of clock time demonstrated a true circadian rhythm preoperatively with a mean of 28.0 ± 5.9 pg/ml. In the postoperative period mean β-endorphin levels were significantly elevated (85.6 ± 20.7 pg/ml, P < 0.005). Surgical procedures caused significant phase shifting in the grouped mean circadian rhythm of plasma β-endorphin (mean = 2.4 hr). When the data was analyzed individually, plasma circadian rhythms were found to be totally abolished in the three patients with the longest operative times (mean = 3.8 hr) and significantly displaced in time in the remaining four patients. These prolonged alterations in plasma endogenous opioid peptide levels following surgery have not been previously reported, and should be considered in the management of the postsurgical patient.
Fortifying the barrier: the impact of lipid A remodelling on bacterial pathogenesis

Gram-negative bacteria decorate their outermost surface structure, lipopolysaccharide, with elaborate chemical moieties, which effectively disguises them from immune surveillance and protects them from the onslaught of host defences. Many of these changes occur on the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide, a component that is crucial for host recognition of Gram-negative infection. In this Review, we describe the regulatory mechanisms controlling lipid A modification and discuss the impact of modifications on pathogenesis, bacterial physiology and bacterial interactions with the host immune system.
The occupational therapy home assessment: The home as a therapeutic environment

This article defines the environment's potential to "support competence, provide appropriate stimulation, and promote safety" by using examples and case data. The author fosters a great appreciation of the home as a medium for enhancing functional independence. This information is of vital importance to the home care professional who relates to the geriatric patient in the home setting.
Flexible cross-domain event delivery for quality-managed multimedia applications

To meet end users' quality-of-service (QoS) requirements, online quality management for multimedia applications must include appropriate allocation of the underlying computing platform's resources. Previous work has developed novel operating system (OS) functionality for dynamic QoS management, including multimedia or real-time CPU schedulers and OS extensions for online performance monitoring and for adaptations, as well as QoS-aware applications that adapt their behavior to gain additional benefits from such functionality. This article describes a general OS mechanism that may be used to implement a wide variety of online quality management functions. ECalls is a communication mechanism that implements multiple cross-domain calling conventions that can be customized to the quality management needs of applications. The ECalls mechanism is based on the notions of events, event channels, and event handlers. Using events, applications can share relevant QoS attributes with OS services, and OS-level resource management services can efficiently provide monitoring data to target applications or application managers. Dynamically generated event handlers can be used to customize event delivery to meet diverse application needs, for example, to achieve high scalability for Web servers or small jitter for real-time data delivery.
Vibrational excitations of pure FeCl3 and graphite intercalated with ferric chloride

Abstract The polarized Raman spectra of crystalline FeCl 3 , and of stage 1 and 2 graphite- FeCl 3 intercalation compounds have been obtained. The observed FeCl 3 derived modes are assigned vibrational species according to the space group C 3i 2 (R 3 ) for the pure crystal and the D 3d layer factor group for the intercalated compounds. Measurements show that FeCl 3 intercalated in graphite maintains its layer structure, no evidence for monomeric FeCl 3 or dimeric Fe 2 Cl 6 being observed. There is also no evidence for FeCl 2 layer stochiometry.
Basic graphics software

Basic graphics software is system software for the application programmer designed to relieve him of the need for intimate knowledge of graphic devices. Ideally basic graphics software would be a common package for all users. However a more feasible approach would be to define distinct functions which should be common to the many packages which must be developed.
Liquid phase deposition of titania onto nanostructured poly-p-xylylene thin films

We describe a simple, solution-based, two-step process for the fabrication of titania–parylene composite films as a prerequisite for their evaluation as materials for bioimplant applications. In the first step, a ligand capable of binding titania, such as phenylphosphonic acid, is physisorbed onto a nanostructured poly-p-xylylene thin film previously prepared via surface-promoted oblique angle polymerization of radicals formed during vapor-phase pyrolysis of [2.2]-p-cyclophanes. The adsorbed ligand templates conformal growth of titania on the polymer surface in the second step via a liquid phase deposition process involving the controlled hydrolysis of (NH4)2TiF6 in the presence of H3BO3 in pH 2.88 aqueous solution at ∼50 °C. SEM and AFM analyses support a deposition mechanism that includes direct growth of titania on the ligand-impregnated parylene surface, as well as incorporation of titania nanoparticles nucleated in solution into the growing film. XPS and XRD results show that the as-deposited titania contains both amorphous and nanocrystalline anatase phases, with the latter readily consolidated by annealing at ∼200 °C without destruction of the underlying parylene polymer. Titania adhesion can be tuned by proper choice of the ligand, with ligands such as phenylphosphonic acid that strongly bind to titanium dioxide leading to deposition of titania films that pass the Scotch® tape adhesion test.
Coorientation of body image among older married couples

Abstract This study examined how older husbands and wives perceived their bodies and appearance in the framework of coorientation effect. Data were collected via a mail survey of older married couples residing in three metropolitan areas in Florida. A total of 94 married couples who were 60 years older participated in this study. Results indicated that older husbands’ self-assessment of appearance was positively correlated with wives’ self-assessment of appearance. Husbands’ evaluation of their wives’ appearance was positively associated with wives’ self-assessment of their own appearance (self-other agreement), and wives’ evaluation of their husbands’ appearance was also positively correlated with husbands’ self-assessment of their own appearance (self-other agreement). In addition, husbands’ evaluation of their wives’ appearance corresponded to wives’ evaluation of their husbands’ appearance (reciprocity). These results indicated that the agreement in two spouses’ self-assessment of appearance can be explained by the two coorientation effects (self-other agreement and reciprocity) occurred in two partners of married couples.
A collaborative BCI approach to autonomous control of a prosthetic limb system.

Existing brain-computer interface (BCI) control of highly dexterous robotic manipulators and prosthetic devices typically rely solely on neural decode algorithms to determine the user's intended motion. Although these approaches have made significant progress in the ability to control high degree of freedom (DOF) manipulators, the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) is still an ongoing research endeavor. In this paper, we describe a hybrid system that combines elements of autonomous robotic manipulation with neural decode algorithms to maneuver a highly dexterous robotic manipulator for a reach and grasp task. This system was demonstrated using a human patient with cortical micro-electrode arrays allowing the user to manipulate an object on a table and place it at a desired location. The preliminary results for this system are promising in that it demonstrates the potential to blend robotic control to perform lower level manipulation tasks with neural control that allows the user to focus on higher level tasks thereby reducing the cognitive load and increasing the success rate of performing ADL type activities.
Oscillating stagnation point flow

A solution of the Navier-Stokes equations is given for an incompressible stagnation point flow whose magnitude oscillates in time about a constant, non-zero, value (an unsteady Hiemenz flow). Analytic approximations to the solution in the low and high frequency limits are given and compared with the results of numerical integrations. The application of these results to one aspect of the boundary layer receptivity problem is also discussed.
Binary apodization schemes for plane wave transmits

Traditionally, diagnostic ultrasound uses focused beams on transmit and receive. In contrast, modern systems (both research and clinical) are transitioning towards high frame rate sequences that insonify the entire field of view and sample the backscattered energy on all system channels in parallel. Full-field transmit beams (e.g. plane waves or wide spherical waves) are known to have a trailing wave that lags behind the main wavefront, adding clutter to the image. The trailing wave can be suppressed using Tukey apodization on transmit. However, most hardware cannot transmit continuous apodization profiles. Binary (on/off) apodization schemes present a possible alternative. Several binary apodization schemes were evaluated using Field II simulations. The simulations were compared using several metrics, including relative trailing wave amplitude and CNR in anechoic cyst phantoms. Results indicate that, as expected, plane wave image degradation is largely due to high side lobe levels. However, the results also demonstrate that there are additional impacts from the trailing wave, which can be suppressed in some cases. The trailing wave suppression by binary apodization is highly depth dependent, and the most efficient way to improve image quality metrics is to reduce the lateral extent of the plane wave.
Social Behavior Problems of Learning Disabled and Normal Girls

The present study compares teacher ratings of LD and normal girls, grouped at three age levels, on school emotional and behavior problems as measured by the Behavior Problem Checklist. Personality Problem (e.g., anxiety, withdrawal) was the only factor dimension that differentiated LD from non—LD girls, and these differences were not apparent at every age level. The number of problems increased with age for normal girls, but older and younger LD girls showed higher levels of problem behaviors than LD girls in the middle-age group. Research and other implications of these findings are discussed.