cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association between dietary arginine and C-reactive protein

Abstract Objective We investigated whether a dietary intake of arginine is associated with risk for cardiovascular disease as determined by levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods We analyzed the Third National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey, a national public-use dataset collected between 1988 and 1994. Arginine intake was calculated from the 24-h dietary recall using the nutrient composition database of the University of Minnesota Nutrition Coordinating Center. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relation between arginine intake and serum levels of CRP while controlling for age, sex, race, exercise, total caloric intake, body mass index, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension, and fiber intake. Results In the unadjusted model, the likelihoods of having a high level of CRP (>3.0 mg/L), from the lowest to the highest level of arginine intake, were 34.8%, 31.0%, 27.7%, and 18.4% respectively. Arginine intake below the median range was associated with higher levels of CRP ( P P Conclusions The results of this study show a relation between arginine intake and CRP level that persisted after controlling for factors associated with CRP. Individuals may be able to lower their risk for cardiovascular disease by consuming more arginine-rich foods such as nuts and fish.
RNA Synthesis Startpoints in Bacteriophage λ: Are the Promoter and Operator Transcribed?

Hybridization and fingerprint analysis of in vitro synthesized λ RNA shows that four chains are initiated at sites corresponding to those seen in vivo, and that each molecule starts with a specific sequence. In one case examined, the major leftward operon, the promoter and operator and not transcribed into RNA.
Melanocytic bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumor in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 1: a case report with emphasis on intraoperative cytological findings.

We present the cytological features along with histologic and imaging findings of a melanocytic bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumor in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 1 (MEN-1). Intraoperative touch preparations of the lung tumor showed single spindle cells and loosely cohesive aggregates of spindle cells with oval to elongated nuclei, “salt and pepper” chromatin pattern and inconspicuous nucleoli. The spindle cells occasionally contained cytoplasmic pigment, which revealed to be melanin by Fontana Masson stain on permanent processed material. Immunohistochemical stains for both synaptophysin and chromogranin were strongly positive in the spindle cells. The findings were consistent with melanocytic bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumor, which is relatively uncommon in MEN-1. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010;38:669–674. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Apparent feedback from the caudate nucleus to the substantia nigra following amphetamine administration

Abstract Spontaneous neuronal activity in the caudate nucleus, substantia nigra and mesencephalic reticular formation was recorded following intraperitoneal injection of (+)-amphetamine sulphate (2·0 mg/kg). In the caudate nucleus, (+)-amphetamine produced a brief potentiation of neuronal activity that was followed by a prolonged depression, lasting in some cases longer than 100 min. A similar response pattern was observed for neurones in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra following amphetamine administration, although the potentiation of activity was some-what less pronounced and the duration of depression was more variable. Neurones in the pars reticulata of the substantia nigra displayed only a prolonged increase in activity after drug injection, as did neurones in the mesencephalic reticular formation. The results are discussed in terms of a possible feedback control of dopaminergic transmission in the nigro-striatal pathway.
Directed self-assembly of a colloidal kagome lattice

A challenging goal in materials chemistry and physics is spontaneously to form intended superstructures from designed building blocks. In fields such as crystal engineering and the design of porous materials, this typically involves building blocks of organic molecules, sometimes operating together with metallic ions or clusters. The translation of such ideas to nanoparticles and colloidal-sized building blocks would potentially open doors to new materials and new properties, but the pathways to achieve this goal are still undetermined. Here we show how colloidal spheres can be induced to self-assemble into a complex predetermined colloidal crystal-in this case a colloidal kagome lattice-through decoration of their surfaces with a simple pattern of hydrophobic domains. The building blocks are simple micrometre-sized spheres with interactions (electrostatic repulsion in the middle, hydrophobic attraction at the poles, which we call 'triblock Janus') that are also simple, but the self-assembly of the spheres into an open kagome structure contrasts with previously known close-packed periodic arrangements of spheres. This open network is of interest for several theoretical reasons. With a view to possible enhanced functionality, the resulting lattice structure possesses two families of pores, one that is hydrophobic on the rims of the pores and another that is hydrophilic. This strategy of 'convergent' self-assembly from easily fabricated colloidal building blocks encodes the target supracolloidal architecture, not in localized attractive spots but instead in large redundantly attractive regions, and can be extended to form other supracolloidal networks.
Ocular tissue absorption of clindamycin phosphate.

• Clindamycin phosphate, a new semisynthetic antibiotic that is effective in the treatment of toxoplasmosis and of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, was found to be highly concentrated in the choroid, iris, and retina of the pigmented rabbit eye after a single intramuscular injection of 75 mg/kg. Drug levels considered adequate for the control of most ocular infections were detectable in the iris, choroid, and retina 24 hours after injection, at which time serum levels were negligible. Subconjunctival injection of clindamycin phosphate also produced sustained high levels of drug in the choroid, iris, and retina; but when 150 mg was injected in a volume of 1 ml, corneal edema and severe inflammation of the conjunctiva resulted. Lesser amounts (15 to 35 mg) injected subconjunctivally produced adequate ocular tissue levels without damage to the conjunctiva or cornea.
Thermodynamic Behavior of Ethylene−Styrene Interpolymers

The Dow Chemical Company has recently introduced a new family of copolymers of ethylene and styrene identified as ethylene−styrene interpolymers (ESIs). The ability of the group-contribution lattice-fluid equation of state (GCLF EoS) to predict the volumetric properties of a series of ESIs of different compositions, the solubility parameter of a given copolymer, and the solubility of toluene was tested. The two latter experiments were conducted in the temperature range 50−150 °C. On average, the error in density was less than 1.1% in the temperature and pressure ranges of 100−250 °C and 6.9−690 bar, respectively. The solubility parameter of the polymer was measured using inverse gas chromatography. The solubility parameter was found to have a strong temperature dependency that the model could not reproduce accurately. At 25 °C, however, the model predictions were found to be in the range of the literature data. The GCLF EoS gave good predictions for the solubilities of the vapors at low styrene contents. ...
The effects of liver disease and aging on the disposition of diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, oxazepam and lorazepam in man.

The benzodiazepines constitute a class of drugs of considerable disparity in a number of potentially clinically important ways. They are also used so widely that the characteristics of the patient population important in overall drug responsiveness vary considerably, also. The possibility, therefore, exists that one drug may have more desirable qualities than another related benzodiazepine when used in a particular group of patients. A clinical response has both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic components, and as an initial exploration of the latter hypothesis the disposition of a number of benzodiazepines has been investigated with respect to the effects of aging and liver disease on the involved processes. Considerable differences exist between the drugs when studied in a group of young and old individuals aged usually below 30 and above 60 years. With diazepam and chlordiazepoxide aging leads to a 3- to 6-fold prolongation in the elimination half-life from about 20–30 hours to 60–80 hours and 6–8 hours to 30–36 hours, respectively. In both cases this involves an age-related increase in the distribution volume, but in addition the plasma clearance of chlordiazepoxide decreases about 3-fold. In contrast, the removal of both oxazepam and lorazepam from the body, appears to be unaffected by aging, whether expressed by the half-life or plasma clearance. Similar differences between these drugs also exist with respect to the effects of liver disease on their disposition. Cirrhosis produces a 2- to 3-fold increase in the half-life of both diazepam and chlordiazepoxide relative to age-matched controls. The predominant cause of this is a significant reduction in plasma clearance but the distribution of the drugs is slightly increased due to a reduction in plasma binding. Acute viral hepatitis has a similar but slightly smaller effect upon plasma clearance, which is reversible upon clinical recovery. Neither of these diseases has a significant effect on the disposition of oxazepam and lorazepam. The aging process and liver disease, therefore, affect the disposition of these closely related benzodiazepines quite differently. The fact that the pharmacokinetics of benzodiazepines which are eliminated by glucuroni-dation are relatively unaffected by the investigated disease processes suggests that they may be more clinically advantageous than perhaps similar drugs which are oxidatively metabolized. However, well designed clinical studies including assessment of any pharmacodynamic alterations will be required to test whether this is indeed correct.
The energy release rate for a Griffith crack in a piezoelectric material

The plane solution giving the stresses and electric fields in an infinite body around a cylindrical cavity with an elliptical cross-section is presented. The energy change in an infinite body due to the introduction of an elliptical cavity having an electric field within it is calculated. The electric field from the interior of the cavity is then used in conjunction with the energy change formula to calculate the total energy release rate per crack tip when a Griffith crack propagates. Due to a change of stored electrostatic energy within the crack, the total energy release rate is not equal to the energy release rate at the crack tips as the material separates. The implications for fracture and crack growth are discussed.
Xanthomonas Leaf Spot and Stem Canker on Blueberry in Nurseries in Florida

In June and July 1998, in nurseries in south Florida, lesions were observed on the foliage and stems of three southern high-bush cultivars of blueberry hybrids (Vaccinium coryumbosum). Plants were approximately 1.5 to 2 years of age (0.6 to 1 m high). Disease incidence ranged from 95 to 50%, depending on cultivar. Lesions on leaves were roughly round, 5 to 20 mm in diameter, reddish brown surrounded by a yellow halo, and frequently coalesced to form large blighted areas. Stem cankers were soft, dark brown-to-black, and often resulted in the death of the entire branch. Microscopic examination of free-hand sections through lesion margins revealed bacterial streaming. Isolation of bacteria on nutrient agar consistently recovered mucoid, yellow bacteria typical of a xanthomonad. A pure culture of the bacteria was gram negative, oxidase negative, nonfluorescent, and proteolytic and produced a hypersensitive reaction on tobacco. Strains had fatty acid profiles with 88.5% similarity to Xanthomonas campestris pv....
Treatment for Family Members in Crisis After Critical Injury

A sudden critical injury produces a great amount of stress within a family. Families faced with this experience require treatment to modify the stress of the situation, receive and comprehend information, maintain patterns of adequate family functioning, use effective coping skills, and provide positive support to the patient. Specific questions discussed include: Who are family members? Why treat family members who are in crisis? What areas should be included in family assessment? What treatments are effective for families? What family outcomes can be expected? A clinical case study is used to describe assessment areas and initial treatments for family in crisis after one of their members is critically injured.
Elbow extension using anterior deltoids and upper pectorals in spinal cord-injured subjects.

Abstract Objective: Surface electromyography was used to identify muscles active in isometric elbow extension in spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients. Design: Tetraplegic subjects participated in this cohort study aimed at identifying some of the muscles that are active during isometric elbow extension. Setting: Regional Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Center. Patients: The patients had to have a C6 motor level on the right side (wrist extensor ≥3/5) with 0/5 or 1/5 elbow extensor muscle power. Of 32 patients who could be contacted by telephone, 6 eventually were able to make it to the SCI center for testing. Measurements: The patients performed a series of isometric elbow extension contractions of 25%, 50%, and 75% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) as measured by a force transducer. Surface electromyography (EMG) of the right elbow extensor, anterior deltoid, and upper pectoral muscles was measured using the root mean square (rms) of the amplitude of the motor unit activity as the parameter of muscle activity. Statistical analyses were performed using a repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey post-hoc HSD for each percentage of MVC. Results: For each muscle tested, there was significantly ( p Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that the anterior deltoid and the upper pectoral muscles exert an isometric elbow extension force for C6 quadriplegic patients.
Solitary Wave Propagation and Stabilization in Negative Index Materials

Spatio-temporal multi-dimensional propagation in negative index materials is analyzed starting from a simple dispersion relation and a cubic nonlinearity. Using fast Fourier-Bessel numerical methods, we show that nonlinearity and/or dispersion management stabilizes solitary wave solutions.
Large-scale seagrass restoration in a damaged estuary

Abstract After several years of environmental planning, and the Port of Miami Expansion Program having been started, a large-scale seagrass restoration project, including a test plot programme, was initiated in a damaged estuary in south-eastern Florida, Biscayne Bay, in 1982. For the project 13 test plots throughout the area were selected, totalling 10.38 acres in area, which is the largest test plot programme implemented to date, with the exception of our ongoing test plot programme in Jamaica (16.9 acres). Three seagrasses, Thalassia testudinum, Halodule wrightii and Syringodium filiforme, were transplanted at each test plot by two methods: 9.4–18.6 months after transplantation, survival and growth of the plants were measured (survival measurements taken by Connell Associates, Inc., 1983). Thalassia sprigs ranked first in survival followed by Halodule sprigs. Test plots differed widely in the survival and growth of the three species. Nine of the 13 plots had one species/method successful enough for further planting. Mid-bay sites damaged by dredging had two species surviving 60% or more. High turbidity sites were the least successful. Only Thalassia sprigs were successful at high energy sites. Syringodium sprigs showed poor survival overall, and are not recommended for transplanting. Thalassia seedlings appeared adequate in low energy sites, but required heavier anchoring in medium energy sites. The major impacts to the test plots were dredging, filling and urban run-off. No industrial effluent sites were included.
Systematic delivery of enkephalin peptide through eyes

Leu-enkephalin is one of the important peptides which could become useful drugs in the clinics because of its analgesic action and its availability in mass quantity through biotechnology production. It is found in this study that enkephalin can be effectively absorbed systemically through eyes without using a surfactant as absorption enhancer. Enkephalin at 0.125% (31.25 micrograms/25 microliter) reached a plateau of blood concentration at 11.5 ng/ml in 3-4 hrs and stayed high for 8-9 hrs. In contrast, the blood concentration of enkephalin declined rapidly after i.v. administration with a T1/2 of less than 30 min and reached the lowest point at 22 ng/ml in 5 hrs. With higher concentrations at 1% (.25 mg/25 microliter) and 5% (1.25 mg/25 microliter) similar absorption kinetics was observed except that they reached higher plateau of blood concentration at 72 ng/ml and 233 ng/ml, respectively.
Ten years of composite fermions

Abstract A single principle, namely the existence of a particle called composite fermion, has not only brought about a synthesis of the rich and non-trivial phenomenology of the two-dimensional electron liquid in high magnetic fields, but also provided an extremely accurate, zero-parameter quantitative theory. A brief perspective is given of what is firmly established and what remains to be understood.
The Effects of Computer Programming on Problem-Solving Skills and Attitudes

This study examined the effects of systematic computer programming and problem-solving instruction on problem-solving skills and attitudes. Two hundred seventy-two elementary and junior high studen...
A neuroanatomical study of analgesia and catatonia induced by etorphine in the rat

Abstract Rats were injected with 1 μg (in 1 μl volume) of etorphine in one of 11 different neuroanatomical sites. The flinch-jump technique was used to measure analgesia and the bar test was used to assess catatonia. Etorphine injections into the periaqueductal gray (PAG), cerebral aqueduct (AQ). midbrain reticular formation (MRF), and medial thalamus (MT), produced both analgesia and catatonia. There was no significant difference in the degree of analgesia produced among these sites; however, the degree of catatonia at the reticular formation site was significantly lower than the catatonia elicited at other “catatonia-positive” sites. Etorphine injections into the cerebellum (CB) and cortico-medial amygdala (CMA) produced catatonia without analgesia. Etorphine injections into the following areas produced neither analgesia nor catatonia: basolateral amygdala (BLA); caudate-putamen (CPU), hippocampus (HP), nucleus accumbens (ACB), and globus pallidus (GP). The results suggest neuroanatomical specificity and some degree of differing sensitivity.
Attribution Theory A Factor-Analytic Evaluation of Internal-External and Endogenous-Exogenous Partitions

The interrelationship of the internal-external and endogenous-exogenous partitions in attribution theory was examined. Intentional actions were rated by undergraduates on four attributional scales (internal-external, enjoyment, endogenous-exogenous, freedom) and one methodological scale. A factor analysis revealed great consanguinity among the internal-external, enjoyment, and freedom scales only.
Chromium-Polyimide Interface Chemistry

We have studied the reactions occurring for the deposition of chromium onto pyromellitic dianhydride - 4,4’-oxydianiline (PMDA-ODA) polyimide for a wide range of metal coverages, using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as solution studies involving model compounds. A multi-step, coverage-dependent, mechanism is proposed which includes an initial electron transfer from Cr to PMDA-ODA. followed by formation of Cr-O and and Cr-N polymer-bound intermediates, At higher metal coverage, Cr-oxides and Cr-nitrides are formed which may activate the polymer for subsequent formation of Cr-carbide. No evidence was obtained in support of a model involving initial formation of a π-arene complex between chromium atoms and PMDA-ODA. In the course of this work we have shown that similarities exist between the chemistry of metal atoms in condensed phases and the reactions occurring between metal atoms and surfaces.
Iatrogenic ureteral injury secondary to a thoracolumbar lateral revision instrumentation and fusion

Abstract Background context Urologic, gynecologic, and colorectal surgical procedures account for most of the iatrogenic ureteral injuries; however, iatrogenic injury secondary to thoracolumbar spinal surgery remains a rare complication. Purpose To report a case of iatrogenic ureteral injury secondary to a thoracolumbar lateral revision instrumentation and fusion managed by percutaneous nephrostomy, ureteroureterostomy, and ureteral stent placement. Study design Case report. Methods A 24-year old female underwent surgical removal of a lumbar plate and broken screw with placement of a unirod spanning L1–L3 through a thoracolumbar exposure with resection of the twelfth rib. Results On postoperative day 14 she developed left flank pain. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a left perinephric fluid collection. After placement of a nephrostomy tube, a retrograde pyelogram with a concomitant antegrade nephrostogram confirmed the diagnosis of ureteral entrapment in the lumbar instrumentation. A spatulated end to end ureteral anastomosis (ureteroureterostomy) was performed over a double J ureteral stent. Conclusions Although an iatrogenic ureteral injury secondary to thoracolumbar surgery is rare, it should be included in the differential diagnosis for a patient presenting with flank pain after undergoing lateral thoracolumbar fusion. A urinoma, also an uncommon occurrence, may be a presenting sign. Prompt diagnosis and institution of appropriate corrective surgical procedures may result in successful outcome.
The immobilization of DNA molecules to electrodes in confined channels at physiological pH

Large numbers of DNA molecules are immobilized to electrodes at the physiological pH of 8.0, and the length of the immobilized DNA molecules is controlled using an ac voltage. Efficient DNA immobilization at physiological pH has been demonstrated by integrating electrodes in confined channels 500 nm wide and 100 nm deep. The low volume of the channels allows large numbers of DNA molecules to access the electrode surfaces, leading to efficient immobilization.
Breakdown of ZnSe under conditions associated with water tree formation

Prolonged exposure of chemical-vapor-deposited, polycrystalline ZnSe to 10 kV at 500 Hz and a 1-molal NaCl solution results in severe mechanical damage. The damage is in the form of defects which originate at the surface and grow into the bulk with a bushlike morphology. The damage path is predominantly intergranular. Neither exposure to the salt solution in the absence of the high electrical field nor electrolytic exposure alone produces the defects. >
An Extensible Toolkit for Context-Aware Mobile Applications

In this paper, we describe an extensible toolkit for creating, testing and executing context-aware mobile applications. Our aim is to facilitate research in wearable & ubiquitous computing by providing an experimental framework into which novel sensors, networking mechanisms, web services and algorithms can easily be added and explored. The paper describes the toolkit, an SDK used to create plug-ins, and three example extensions that encapsulate a low-cost 3-axis compass, a heart rate monitor and a system for detecting services available on the network.
A long-lived C2H3ClBr* radical from the reaction of atomic chlorine with vinyl bromide

Abstract The reaction of Cl with CH 2 CHBr produces both CH 2 CHCl and (with HI present) CH 2 ClCH 2 Br in pressure-dependent yields, indicating a long-lived (≳10 −10 s) C 2 H 3 ClBr* precursor to CH 2 CHCl. The precursor structure(s) may be CH 2 ClCHBr* and/or CH 2 CHClBr*, probably the latter with a 1,2-Br shift included in the mechanism. The addition reaction itself may not be very “anti-Markownikoff”, gaining that appearance by the subsequent 1,2-halogen shift.
Using corpus and knowledge-based similarity measure in Maximum Marginal Relevance for meeting summarization

MMR (maximum marginal relevance) is widely used in summarization for its simplicity and efficacy, and has been demonstrated to achieve comparable performance to other approaches for meeting summarization. How to appropriately represent the similarity of two text segments is crucial in MMR. In this paper, we evaluate different similarity measures in the MMR framework for meeting summarization on the ICSI meeting corpus. We introduce a corpus- based measure to capture the similarity at the semantic level, and compare this method with cosine similarity and centroid score that only considers the salient words in the segments. Our experimental results evaluated by the ROUGE summarization metrics show that both the centroid score and the corpus-based similarity measure yield better performance than the commonly used cosine similarity. In addition, adding part-of-speech information in the corpus-based approach helps for the human transcripts condition, but not when using ASR output.
Stem and progenitor cell-mediated tumor selective gene therapy

The poor prognosis for patients with aggressive or metastatic tumors and the toxic side effects of currently available treatments necessitate the development of more effective tumor-selective therapies. Stem/progenitor cells display inherent tumor-tropic properties that can be exploited for targeted delivery of anticancer genes to invasive and metastatic tumors. Therapeutic genes that have been inserted into stem cells and delivered to tumors with high selectivity include prodrug-activating enzymes (cytosine deaminase, carboxylesterase, thymidine kinase), interleukins (IL-2, IL-4, IL-12, IL-23), interferon-beta, apoptosis-promoting genes (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) and metalloproteinases (PEX). We and others have demonstrated that neural and mesenchymal stem cells can deliver therapeutic genes to elicit a significant antitumor response in animal models of intracranial glioma, medulloblastoma, melanoma brain metastasis, disseminated neuroblastoma and breast cancer lung metastasis. Most studies reported reduction in tumor volume (up to 90%) and increased survival of tumor-bearing animals. Complete cures have also been achieved (90% disease-free survival for >1 year of mice bearing disseminated neuroblastoma tumors). As we learn more about the biology of stem cells and the molecular mechanisms that mediate their tumor-tropism and we identify efficacious gene products for specific tumor types, the clinical utility of cell-based delivery strategies becomes increasingly evident.
Embryonic-Derived Glial-Restricted Precursor Cells (GRP Cells) Can Differentiate into Astrocytes and Oligodendrocytes in Vivo

We have isolated and characterized a unique glial-restricted precursor cell (GRP) from the embryonic spinal cord. Clonal analysis demonstrated that these cells are able to generate oligodendrocytes and two distinct type of astrocytes (type 1 and type 2) when exposed to appropriate signals in vitro. We now show that many aspects of these cells are retained in vivo. GRP cells are restricted to the glial lineage in vivo as they seem to be unable to generate neuronal phenotypes in an in vivo neurogenic environment. GRP cells survive and migrate in the neonatal and adult brain. Transplanted GRP cells differentiate into myelin-forming oligodendrocytes in a myelin-deficient background and also generate immature oligodendrocytes in the normal neonatal brain. In addition, GRP cells also consistently generated glial fibrillary protein-expressing cells in the neonatal and adult brain, a property not consistently expressed by other glial precursor cells like the O-2A/OPC cells. We suggest that the lineage restriction of GRP cells and their ability to generate both oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in vivo together with their embryonic character that allows for extensive in vitro expansion of the population makes the cell useful for clinical application.
Fluxes of Ca2+ and K+ Are Required for the Listeriolysin O-Dependent Internalization Pathway of Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is responsible for the life-threatening food-borne disease listeriosis. This disease mainly affects elderly and immunocompromised individuals, causing bacteremia and meningoencephalitis. In pregnant women, L. monocytogenes infection leads to abortion and severe infection of the fetus or newborn. The L. monocytogenes intracellular life cycle is critical for pathogenesis. Previous studies have established that the major virulence factor of L. monocytogenes, the pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO), is sufficient to induce L. monocytogenes internalization into human epithelial cell lines. This internalization pathway strictly requires the formation of LLO pores in the plasma membrane and can be stimulated by the heterologous pore-forming toxin pneumolysin, suggesting that LLO acts nonspecifically by forming transmembrane pores. The present work tested the hypothesis that Ca2+ and K+ fluxes subsequent to perforation by LLO control L. monocytogenes internalization. We report that L. monocytogenes perforates the host cell plasma membrane in an LLO-dependent fashion at the early stage of invasion. In response to perforation, host cells undergo Ca2+ -dependent but K+ -independent resealing of their plasma membrane. In contrast to the plasma membrane resealing process, LLO-induced L. monocytogenes internalization requires both Ca2+ and K+ fluxes. Further linking ion fluxes to bacterial internalization, treating cells with a combination of Ca2+ and K+ ionophores but not with individual ionophores is sufficient to induce efficient internalization of large cargoes, such as 1-μm polystyrene beads and bacteria. We propose that LLO-induced L. monocytogenes internalization requires a Ca2+ - and K+ -dependent internalization pathway that is mechanistically distinct from the process of plasma membrane resealing.
Determination of 4,4'-methylene-bis(2-chloroaniline)-DNA adduct formation in rat liver and human uroepithelial cells by the 32P postlabeling assay

The probable human carcinogen 4,4'-methylene-bis(2-chloroaniline) (MOCA) was utilized to develop biomarkers of exposure to occupational carcinogens. The 32P postlabeling assay, utilizing the nuclease P1 enhancement procedure, was used to evaluate MOCA-DNA adduct formation in target tissues. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with different dosing regimens of MOCA, and DNA was isolated from the liver. Additionally, a human uroepithelial cell (HUC) line was treated with N-hydroxy-MOCA for 24 hr, cells were harvested, and DNA was isolated. DNA was analyzed for MOCA-DNA adduct formation by the 32P postlabeling assay. Five MOCA adducts were detected in rat liver DNA. Adduct A, which corresponded to N-(deoxyadenosin-8-yl)-4-amino-3-chlorobenzyl alcohol, was the major adduct in rat liver DNA appearing in all treatment groups. Levels of adduct A were higher when MOCA was administered by ip injection versus oral gavage. Phenobarbital pretreatment increased the amount of adduct A approximately 12-fold. The pathway leading to the formation of adduct A in DNA from HUC appeared to be saturated at the concentrations used: 2.5, 5, and 10 microM. However, an additional adduct (E) was observed at the 10 microM treatment level only. A major DNA adduct was detected in the target tissue of rats and target human cells for MOCA-induced carcinogenesis, thus making it useful as a biomarker of exposure. Other DNA adducts were also observed with the different doses and routes of exposure investigated.
Matrix laminate composites: Realizable approximations for the effective moduli of piezoelectric dispersions

This paper is concerned with the effective piezoelectric moduli of a special class of dispersions called matrix laminates composites that are known to possess extremal elastic and dielectric moduli. It is assumed that the matrix material is an isotropic dielectric, and the inclusions and composites are transversely isotropic piezoelectrics that share the same axis of symmetry. The exact expressions for the effective coefficients of such structures are obtained. They can be used to approximate the effective properties of any transversely isotropic dispersion. The advantages of our approximations are that they are (i) realizable, i.e., correspond to specific microstructures; (ii) analytical and easy to compute even in nondegenerate cases; (iii) valid for the entire range of phase volume fractions; and (iv) characterized by two free parameters that allow one to “tune” the approximation and describe a variety of microstructures. The new approximations are compared with known ones.
Adjusting the Phenology Model of Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Washington State Apple Orchards

Studies were conducted with codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., to fit cumulative curves for the occurrence of injured fruits and male moth catches in sex pheromone-baited traps as a function of accumulated degree-days after the start of moth flight. Twelve data sets were collected from seven apple, Malus domestica Bordhausen, orchards in Washington State from 2003 to 2006. Cumulative data were grouped across years for orchards either treated with sex pheromone dispensers or untreated and fit to logistic equations for both the first and second generation. No significant differences were found for the cumulative curves of moth flight or egg hatch between pheromone-treated and untreated orchards; thus, these data were combined. These new logistic models for moth flight and egg hatch were compared with a widely used distributed-delay model originally developed in Michigan. The cumulative flight curves for the logistic and distributed-delay models were statistically different (slopes) for the first but not the second generation. Cumulative egg hatch in the logistic model was significantly different from the distributed-delay model (intercepts and slopes) for both generations. Most strikingly, the timing of 50% egg hatch during the first generation was delayed 100 DD in the logistic model. The potential impact of this change in the characterization of codling moth's phenology on the effectiveness of insecticide programs targeting eggs and newly eclosed larvae was examined. Possible explanations for this significant difference between the models are discussed.
Intrinsic kinetics of plasmon-enhanced reverse water gas shift on Au and Au–Mo interfacial sites supported on silica

Abstract Well characterized AuMo x catalysts were synthesized by controlled surface reactions (CSR) and studied in reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction with and without visible light addition. The numbers of Au and Au–Mo interfacial sites on these catalysts were quantified using low temperature (173 K) CO adsorption with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and electron microscopy. Due to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect, visible light irradiation of the catalyst caused a decrease in the apparent activation energy from 80.2 ± 3.9 kJ/mol to 55.5 ± 3.1 kJ/mol and 67.5 ± 1.3 kJ/mol to 38.7 ± 1.9 kJ/mol with visible light irradiation over Au/SiO 2 and Au 1 Mo 0.1 /SiO 2 , respectively. The catalytic activity went through a maximum upon addition of Mo, with Au 1 Mo 0.1 /SiO 2 being the most active catalyst. The Au 1 Mo 0.1 catalyst with LSPR was 30 times more active than the reference Au catalyst under dark conditions. Visible light irradiation increased the reaction rate 4.7–4.8 times at 573 K for all catalysts. The turnover rates (CO mole produced per mole of Au or AuMo x site per min) on the Au and AuMo x interfacial sites were measured to be 0.98 min −1 and 14 min −1 in the dark conditions and 4.4 min −1 and 63 min −1 under the light conditions at 573 K. The rate per AuMo x interfacial site is 14 times greater than the rate per Au site under both dark and light conditions. These results indicate that the LSPR has the same enhancement effect on both Au and AuMo x catalytic sites.
Ukraine Neither a State Nor a Country

This is an examination of the culture history of Ukraine, its relation to Russia, the Soviet Union and European imperialism and colonialism. The geography, religion and linguistic divisions of the area of Ukraine must be considered in any assessment of its future. This paper places the debate over Russian or European spheres of influence today over the country in a historical and cultural perspective.
Environmentally Assisted Cracking in Advanced Aerospace Aluminums

Aerospace alloys, often aluminums, are frequently exposed to corrosive environments resulting from naval service. These environments may produce significant changes in crack growth characteristics in these materials. An experiment was designed to characterize the effects of environment on crack growth rate and fracture mechanism for existing cracks in aluminum 7050-T7451 plate material. This data will be comparatively analyzed against aluminum 7075- T7631, an alloy with known susceptibility to corrosion, in order to determine the relative susceptibility of 7050-T7451, generally considered a superior aluminum alloy in terms of strength and corrosion resistance. The resulting data and subsequent analysis can in turn be used in more accurate determination of aircraft component service life in common corrosive environments experienced by aircraft in naval service.
Comparative Study of Quality of Life in Stroke Patients in Ahwaz

: Background: This study aimed to determine the Quality of Life (QoL) of people with stroke in Ahvaz. Materials and method: In this cross-sectional study, QoL of 200 patients with stroke were studied. Results: The mean age of the patients’ was 59±14 years. QoL were significantly correlated with gender, age group, educational level, marital status and type of cerebral damage (p 0.05). Conclusion: Lower QoL is in women, older age, illiterate people, widowed and people with ischemic stroke notify the necessity of attention to these vulnerable groups. [ZJRMS, 2012 14(2): 86-90 ]
Cadaveric validation study of computational fluid dynamics model of sinus irrigations before and after sinus surgery

Background Investigations into the distribution of sinus irrigations have been limited by labor-intensive methodologies that do not capture the full dynamics of irrigation flow. The purpose of this study was to validate the accuracy of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for sinonasal irrigations through a cadaveric experiment. Methods Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed on 2 fresh cadavers to open all 8 sinuses, including a Draf III procedure for cadaver 1, and Draf IIb frontal sinusotomies for cadaver 2. Computed tomography maxillofacial scans were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively, from which CFD models were created. Blue-dyed saline in a 240-mL squeeze bottle was used to irrigate cadaver sinuses at 60 mL/second (120 mL per side, over 2 seconds). These parameters were replicated in CFD simulations. Endoscopes were placed through trephinations drilled through the anterior walls of the maxillary and frontal sinuses, and sphenoid roofs. Irrigation flow into the maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses was graded both ipsilateral and contralateral to the side of nasal irrigation, and then compared with the CFD simulations. Results In both cadavers, preoperative and postoperative irrigation flow into maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses matched extremely well when comparing the CFD models and cadaver endoscopic videos. For cadaver 1, there was 100% concordance between the CFD model and cadaver videos, and 83% concordance for cadaver 2. Conclusion This cadaveric experiment provided potential validation of the CFD model for simulating saline irrigation flow into the maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses before and after sinus surgery.
Intraspecific variation in Stylops bipunctatae Pierce (Strepsiptera: Stylopidae).

A description of intraspecific variation in female Stylops bipunctatae Pierce, previously known only from 3 type specimens, is given. Some characters, such as mandibular dentation and form of th basal pigment band, exhibited wide variation. Other characters, such as certain ratios of cephalothoracic dimensions, were much less variable and are probably more useful in characterizing this species.
Si/III-V hybrid external-cavity laser stabilization using real-time micro-ring monitoring and feedback control

Stable mode-hop-free operation for a Si/III-V hybrid external-cavity laser was demonstrated during 320mA bias current sweep using a real-time ring monitoring, a fast feedback control loop, and a simple bang-bang control algorithm, by both tunable micro-ring filter and cavity phase section.
Design of Distribution and Utilization Monitoring Terminal Based on 32-bit Digital Signal Processor and 16-bit Synchronous Serial A/D Converter

By using of 32-bit digital signal processor (DSP), embedded Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) and 16-bit synchronous serial A/D converter, a full isolated distribution and utilization monitoring terminal is designed and implemented. In this design multiple anti-interference measures realized by hardware and software are adopted to improve the reliability of this device; the buffer technique based on hardware and software as well as the optimized query algorithm for historical data are applied to improve system efficiency. The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) module is taken as communication means and the reliability of its application is further researched and practiced. For fixed-point DSP, the C language programming is adopted, thus both reliability and maintainability of the system are enhanced.
Cerebral MRI features of Sturge-Weber syndrome in infants less than 1y of age

Objective:Retrospective study of cerebral MR imaging features of Sturge-Weber syndrome(SWS)in infant less than 1y of age was performed,and their clinical significance was evaluated.Methods:The MRI features of 7infants less than 1y age with SWS were retrospectively analyzed.All had plain MRI,6patients had enhanced MRI.Results:All patients had characteristic features of angioma involving facial-trigerminal nerves distributed area.Unilateral cerebral sphere was involved in 5patients,the signal intensities of involved white matters on T2 WI were significantly reduced,accompanied with local brain atrophy and and choroid plexus enlargement(n=4);2patients had bilateral cerebral spheres involved.In the 6infants with contrast-enhanced MRI,letomeningeal enhancement could be revealed,5patients had marked enhanced leptomeningeal angioma,1patient had infratentorial structures involvement simultaneously.Conclusion:For infants with clinically suspected SWS,contrast enhanced MRI is helpful in the diagnosis and demonstration of involved regions,provides significant reference for the prognosis.
Determination of Nitrate in Food by Thymol

[Objective] To establish the method for the determination of nitrate concentration in food by using thymol. [Methods]After extracting the samples, the reaction between thymol and nitrate produced nitrothymol in the presence of sulphuric acid; then nitrothymol was made to react with sodium hydroxide; determination was made on the concentration of nitrate by spectrophotometry at 412 nm.[Results]The linear calibration showed a direct ratio between the concentration of nitrate and the absorbance measurement within the range of 0.1~2.0μg/ml (r=0. 9993); the detection limit was 0.04 μg/ml; the relative standard deviations were 2.30~3.52%; the recovery rate was 91.5%~95.2%. [Conclusion]This method is proved to be simple to operate with good accuracy and linear range; it can be applied in the determination of nitrite in food.
Comparison of Packed Beds, Washcoated Monoliths, and Microfibrous Entrapped Catalysts for Ozone Decomposition at High Volumetric Flow Rates in Pressurized Systems

Weight- and volume-sensitive systems such as aircraft require restrictive ducting, which leads to high face velocities (10–40 m/s) in reactive structures. A head-to-head comparison was conducted experimentally among packed beds (estimated data), monoliths, and microfibrous entrapped catalysts (MFECs) during ozone decomposition to investigate the effects of system pressure on the effective reaction rate, gas–solid mass-transfer rate, and heterogeneous contacting efficiency (HCE, the ratio of the logarithmic ozone removal to the pressure drop across the reactor). For the same mass flow rate, higher-pressure systems (2–3 atm) operate at lower face velocities than atmospheric-pressure systems. These higher system pressures result in increased residence times and reaction rates; therefore, HCE is enhanced. In addition, the HCE for the MFEC was more than twice that of the packed bed or monolith at equivalent system pressures because of the higher gas–solid mass-transfer rates and reduced pressure drops of the MFEC.
When fairness matters less than we expect

Do those who allocate resources know how much fairness will matter to those who receive them? Across seven studies, allocators used either a fair or unfair procedure to determine which of two receivers would receive the most money. Allocators consistently overestimated the impact that the fairness of the allocation procedure would have on the happiness of receivers (studies 1-3). This happened because the differential fairness of allocation procedures is more salient before an allocation is made than it is afterward (studies 4 and 5). Contrary to allocators' predictions, the average receiver was happier when allocated more money by an unfair procedure than when allocated less money by a fair procedure (studies 6 and 7). These studies suggest that when allocators are unable to overcome their own preallocation perspectives and adopt the receivers' postallocation perspectives, they may allocate resources in ways that do not maximize the net happiness of receivers.
Calling for Conscious Evolution

In this chapter, we revisit several evolutionary scientists who called for conscious evolution in Chapter 2. In the second section, I introduce ideas of additional scholars who have explored a comprehensive approach to self-guided purposeful evolution.
Sunlight or Window Dressing? Local Government Compliance with South Africa's Promotion of Access to Information Act

Institutional reforms often face challenges of poor compliance and implementation at the local level. I analyze these in a context where weak state capacity and limited enforcement make widespread compliance unlikely. South Africa's 2000 Promotion of Access to Information Act tasked the South African Human Rights Commission with monitoring and promoting compliance, but with limited resources and no authority to sanction. I argue that local political competition can generate endogenous incentives for compliance, even under conditions of weak capacity and limited external enforcement. Using data on 234 South African municipalities over 10 years, I find higher levels of compliance among more politically competitive municipalities. The results are not simply a function of differences between African National Congress–governed municipalities and others, and are robust to numerous controls for different forms of local state capacity.