cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Life prediction by mechanistic modeling and system monitoring of environmental cracking of iron and nickel alloys in aqueous systems

Abstract Environmentally assisted cracking of structural components is a life-limiting factor in the operation of, for example, light-water reactors, fossil plants, steam and gas turbines, nuclear waste containment and deaerators. In the context of an overall emphasis on light-water reactors, the shortcomings of existing design and life evaluation codes are highlighted and an improved approach is presented on the basis of the application of fundamental mechanistic understanding and a quantitative model of environmental crack advance. The integration of this model with real-time chemical sensors and reference crack growth monitors permits enhanced control and management of cracking in structural components. Validation of this approach was performed using laboratory and field data for specimens and prototypical components. For nucleaar steam supply, an on-line monitoring and predictive modeling framework has been developed for both in-core and out-of-core structural components fabricated from types 304 and 316L stainless steel, A533B and A508 low alloy steel, and Inconel 600 and Inconel 182 alloys. The conceptual and quantitative formulation of the film rupture-slip dissolution mechanism of crack advance is reviewed. The analyses and independent evaluation of the crack tip environment, chemical reaction rates and stress-strain fields, common to all fundamental models for environmentally assisted cracking are summarized. On the basis of these data, theoretical predictions of the subcritical crack propagation rate were made for different steady state and transient conditions of environment (e.g. degree of aeration of water purity), material (e.g. degree of grain boundary
Special section on operating systems

This special collection of articles examines recent research in operating systems, focusing on particular systems and projects that are seminal and representative. The areas these articles cover include distributed operating systems, heterogeneous computer systems, distributed programming, and real-time systems.
Implementation of a Federated Search System: Resource Accessibility Issues

During 2009, the Hilton M. Briggs Library, South Dakota State University, went live with MetaLib, a federated search engine from Ex Libris. This paper presents the implementation process, addresses resource accessibility issues, and suggests a number of resources that can be consulted about these issues. Readers can apply similar strategies to projects involving federated search systems, as many implementation projects involve the same basic considerations presented here. The author did not find any studies specifically focused on configurations of MetaLib resources, so this content should be singularly useful.
Long‐term effects of amygdala GABA receptor blockade on specific subpopulations of hippocampal interneurons

Growing evidence indicates that the amygdala modulates hippocampal functions. To test the hypothesis that this modulation may involve long-lasting effects on interneuronal networks in the hippocampus, changes in the expression of neurochemical markers specific for different interneuronal subpopulations were assessed in adult rats 96 h following acute infusion of low doses of the GABAA receptor antagonist picrotoxin into the amygdala. The numerical density (Nd) of somata showing immunoreactivity (IR) for parvalbumin (PVB) was decreased in dentate gyrus (DG) and the CA4-2 region, while that of calretinin (CR)-IR was decreased in DG and CA2. The Nd of calbindin D28k (CB)-IR somata was decreased in CA3-2. The densities of axon terminals arising from PVB-IR and cholecystokinin (CCK)-IR basket neurons were also altered, with those of CCK-IR terminals increased across all sectors, while PVB-IR terminals were decreased only in the CA region. Increases in CCK-IR terminals were paralleled by increases of terminals with IR for the 65-kD isoform of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65). Mixed-effects statistical models, adapted specifically for these analyses, indicated that perturbations of amygdalar inputs to the hippocampus significantly alter the drive that hippocampal PVB-, CR-, and CB-IR neurons within the dentate gyrus/CA4 region exercise on CCK-IR terminals within the same region as well as in CA3-1. These results suggest that amygdalar modulation of specific neuronal subpopulations may induce lasting and far-reaching changes in the hippocampus during normal functioning, as well as in diseases involving a disruption of amygdalar activity. In particular, changes in specific interneuronal markers within selective hippocampal sectors detected in the present results are strikingly similar to those reported in this region in schizophrenia. These similarities suggest that, in this disease, a disruption of GABAergic transmission within the amygdala may play a significant role in the induction of abnormalities in the hippocampus.
Cultural contexts of care: Family caregiving for elderly in America and Africa

Abstract Societies differ in the way in which family members provide care to elderly. In this article a comparison is made between the caretaking of elderly in two communities, one in a suburb of Philadephia, USA, another in rural Botswana, Africa. The differences in the manner and frequency of family caretaking of elderly are examined from the point of view of social and economic differences in the two communities as well as from the point of view of cultural values about the nature of relations between members of different generations.
Photon number statistics in resonance fluorescence

Exact closed-form expressions for the probability $p(n)$ that $n$ photons are spontaneously emitted in a given time by a two-level atom in a coherent exciting field are derived using the theory of atomic motion in a traveling wave.
Comparison of microwave and mutual inductance measurements of the inductive nonlinearity of HTS thin films

A quadratic dependence of penetration depth on supercurrent density may be observed both by an inductive measurement on unpatterned films and by a microwave measurement of third-harmonic generation in coplanar waveguide. Results for the two methods are compared for a series of YBCO films. We find good agreement between the two measurements.
Self-diffusion in indium☆

Abstract Self-diffusion coefficients parallel (D∥) and perpendicular (D⊥) to the tetragonal axis were measured in paired samples of single-crystal indium in the range from 44° to 144°C. The ratio D ∥ D ⊥ was found to be ~0.75 ± 0.05 and was not noticeably temperature dependent. Thus the activation energies Q∥ and Q⊥ were about the same, 18.7 ± 0.3 kcal/mol. with D0(⊥) ~ 3.7 and D0(∥) ~ 2.7 cm2/sec. The smallest difference, Q∥-Q⊥, detectable in this experiment would have been about 0.6 kcal/mol. Mosaic boundaries observed in the single crystals may possibly have been responsible for a component of fast diffusion which contributed to the uncertainties in the measured D values. If the volume diffusion occurs by a vacancy mechanism, then it is reasonable to expect D⊥ to be greater than D∥, as found, with Q∥ slightly higher than Q⊥,
Hybrid optically interconnected microprocessor: an InP I-MSM integrated onto a mixed-signal CMOS analog optical receiver with a digital CMOS microprocessor

This paper presents the results of simultaneously working fully-differential optoelectronic receiver fabricated in Si CMOS with digital SIMD microprocessor on the same die next to analog, optical interface circuitry, the receiver have been hybrid integrated with a thin film InP-based inverted (I)-MSM photodetector and optically tested using external light source modulated by digital input signal. The noise immunity to mixed-signal digital switching noise of the differential receiver has been shown to be good enough to generate 10-9 BER.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Bolometric sensors for elementary particle detectors

Abstract We review the recent advances in bolometric sensors for elementary particle detectors. The first successful detectors used doped semiconductor thermistors such as NTD (neutron transmutation doped) Ge to measure the temperature rise of dielectric crystals and superconductors well below T c . More recently a new generation of advanced detectors take advantage of the athermal phonons produced by a particle interaction to collect the energy from crystals before full thermalization has occurred. These sensors are based on SIN (superconducting-insulating-normal) tunnel junctions or superconducting-transition thermometers, and are read out using low-impedance SQUID amplifiers. In addition, the Stanford group has demonstrated a large-area phonon sensor design for Si and Ge crystals based on Al phonon collection pads connected to W lines. These devices are self-calibrating through the use of negative electrothermal feedback.
Defects in Ge epitaxy in trench patterned SiO2 on Si and Ge substrates

Abstract We study coalescence defects and their possible origins for Ge growth within parallel SiO 2 trenches created on (001) Si along [110] and [100] directions and (001) Ge substrates along [110]. Prior to coalescence, defects are not observed at the top of Ge, emerging from within trenches during lateral growth over the SiO 2 template. However, for Ge on Si growth, coalescence of Ge growing from adjacent trenches leads to twin defects and threading dislocations that originate from the top center and top corners of the SiO 2 walls, respectively. For Ge-on-Ge homoepitaxy, twins and threading dislocations are observed in Ge above the top center of the SiO 2 , but dislocations are not observed at the top corners of the SiO 2 walls. The twin defects are preferentially aligned along the same direction as channels patterned along [110] (twin density of 1.5×10 7 cm −2 ), but not for channels patterned along [100] (twin density of 2.5×10 7 cm −2 ). Finite element modeling is used to calculate the thermal stresses occurring in Ge and reveals that maximum thermal stress occurs near the top corners of the SiO 2 walls, where the threading dislocations (density of 7.2×10 7 cm −2 ) are experimentally observed in Ge grown on Si.
Distributed switched supervisory control to achieve almost sure safety for a class of interconnected networked systems

An interconnected wireless networked system consists of numerous coupled subsystems that need to exchange information over wireless communication channels. The use of these wireless networks induces a great deal of stochastic uncertainty that often results from deep fades, where a severe drop in the quality of communication link occurs. Such uncertainty negatively impacts the system's performance and causes unexpected safety issues. This paper proposes a distributed switched supervisory control scheme under which the local controller is reconfigured in response to the changes of channel state, to assure almost sure safety for the interconnected system. Here, almost sure safety means that the likelihood of the system state entering a safe region asymptotically goes to one as time goes to infinity. Sufficient conditions are provided for each local supervisor to determine when and which controller is placed in the feedback loop to assure almost sure safety in the presence of deep fades.
Implementing Lifestyle Medicine Guidelines Into Pharmacy Practice

The adoption of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines has been challenging for the medical community. The adoption of lifestyle medicine–related guidelines may be even more challenging due to...
Public opinion and presidential responsibility for the economy: Understanding personalization

The general mechanisms which underlie the psychological phenomenon ofpersonalizing (“cognitive simplification” and “defensive attribution”) would seem to have great utility in explaining attributions of presidential control over the economy. Yet previous research has generated inconsistent and inconclusive empirical results. This study identifies several sources of inconsistency and then attempts to clarify the approach by focusing separately on the “object” and the “subject” of personalizing. Our findings suggest that the determinants of personalizing to “the president” are different from the factors that explain personalizing to the incumbent. In addition, we find that the impact of the two psychological mechanisms differs substantially within economic subject areas.
Overall and zonal energy end use in an energy conscious office building

Abstract An office building of unusual design has been monitored for more than three years. Numerous submeters allow tracking of energy end use. The building was designed to make significant use of daylighting, with some passive solar heating, and an emphasis on night ventilation cooling of thermal mass. The overall building end usages are compared to those of three zones of varying orientation, spatial character, size, and population. Insights about daylight-sensing controls of indirect electric lighting, “task heating,” and night ventilation of mass and air quality are presented.
Fatigue crack-propagation in annealed poly(butylene terephthalate)

Samples with the same percentage crystallinity, supermolecular structure and lamellar thickness but different average molecular weight were prepared to distinguish the effect of tie chain density on fatigue crack propagation (FCP) behaviour. This alteration in molecular weight was accomplished by “controlled” chain degradation during thermal annealing. A significant decrease in FCP resistance was observed when samples were annealed at different temperatures for various amounts of time. In addition, an examination of the fracture surfaces of these specimens indicates a transition to a more brittle-type behaviour when annealed for longer periods of time at any specific annealing temperature. The decrease in FCP resistance is attributed to a decrease in the tie chain density.
Time course of mild arm lymphedema after breast conservation treatment for early-stage breast cancer.

Purpose Arm lymphedema is a potential consequence of the treatment for breast carcinoma. The objective of this retrospective study was to characterize the progression of mild arm lymphedema after breast conservation treatment for breast cancer. Methods and Materials The study cohort was drawn from 1,713 consecutive Stage I or II breast cancer patients who underwent breast conservation therapy, including axillary staging followed by radiation. Arm lymphedema was documented in 266 (16%) of 1,713 patients. One hundred nine patients, 6% of the overall group and 40% of the patients with arm lymphedema, presented with mild arm lymphedema, defined as a difference of 2 cm or less between the measured circumferences of the affected and unaffected arms. Results Among the 109 patients with mild arm lymphedema at the time of arm lymphedema diagnosis, the rate of freedom from progression to more severe lymphedema was 79% at 1 year, 66% at 3 years, and 52% at 5 years. The patients who were morbidly obese, had positive axillary lymph nodes, or received supraclavicular irradiation at the time of breast cancer treatment were at higher risk of progression from mild arm lymphedema to more severe edema. Conclusions Mild arm lymphedema, generally considered to be a minor complication after breast conservation treatment for breast cancer, was associated with a risk of progression to a more severe grade of arm lymphedema in a substantial fraction of patients.
Optical MEMS fabrication, scaling and design of microoptical devices and systems

MEMS technology offer substantial advantages for optical systems: Tight dimensional tolerances allow accurate control of optical fields, MEMS actuators provide tunability, parallel processing leads to low cost, and miniaturization simplifies packaging and installation. Cost-effective use of microfabrication technology requires miniaturization, however, so optical MEMS presents unique challenges in design and scaling.
Arthritis as a presenting manifestation of malignancy in children.

Arterial thrombosis occurred with about the same frequency in arteries treated with papaverine and placebo. Age (below 1 year or over), sex, race, weight of the child, severity of cardiac status, type of cardiac lesion, site of arteriotomy, or duration of catheterization did not influence the outcome. Seven children had severe arterial spasm as manifested by a cool, pulseless limb and weak oscillations recorded by the oscillometer at the end of the catheterization but with return of the pulse within 4 to 8 hours. In these seven patients, papaverine had been used in three and placebo in four, again demonstrating no particular advantage to the use of topical papaverine.
Similarity analysis on government regulations

Government regulations are semi-structured text documents that are often voluminous, heavily cross-referenced between provisions and even ambiguous. Multiple sources of regulations lead to difficulties in both understanding and complying with all applicable codes. In this work, we propose a framework for regulation management and similarity analysis. An online repository for legal documents is created with the help of text mining tool, and users can access regulatory documents either through the natural hierarchy of provisions or from a taxonomy generated by knowledge engineers based on concepts. Our similarity analysis core identifies relevant provisions and brings them to the user's attention, and this is performed by utilizing both the hierarchical and referential structures of regulations to provide a better comparison between provisions. Preliminary results show that our system reveals hidden similarities that are not apparent between provisions based on node content comparisons.
Multiple Sclerosis: An Immunologic Perspective

The precise cause of MS remains unknown, although immunopathologic studies provide solid evidence of participation of activated immune cells in the formation of MS lesions. Cell-mediated and antibody-mediated(humoral) immune responses are involved in the immunopathogenesis of MS. The Thl and Th2 cells, by releasing a variety of pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines, work in opposition to balance the immune response and to determine the net effect of the inflammation. The current understanding of immunopathogenesis shapes the contemporary approach to the treatment of MS. The article also reviewed the mechanisms of action of commonly used immunotherapy agents and their impact on the immune response of patients who have MS.
A dispersion model for the hepatic uptake and elimination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

A convection-dispersion model for the uptake and elimination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in the liver is presented. The model is adapted from the general dispersion model of Roberts and Rowland and includes the dynamics of TCDD interaction with two intracellular proteins, the Ah receptor and cytochrome P450 IA2. A ''well-mixed'' compartment was added to describe the venous blood concentration of TCDD. The result is a nonlinear system of seven coupled partial and ordinary differential equations with time delays.
Ethnic Identification in a Complex Civilization: Who Are the Lue?

T HE initial stimulus for this paper' was provided by my inability to give a simple answer to the simple question: "Whom did you study in the field?" The reasons for this inability concern the ways in which ethnologists demarcate ethnic units and account for their survival. These are complex and important issues which require thoughtful and extensive research. It would be false to claim that this short paper raises all of the relevant questions and absurd to claim that it answers them. Nevertheless, I hope that this presentation of data about the Lue2 will both encourage others to recognize in their own work the need for identifying and delimiting ethnic entities and suggest some questions and field procedures which may help them to do this. Since comparison is basic to anthropology (Lewis 1956), it is important that our units be comparable (K6bben 1952:132). Yet, it is apparent that the neat ethnic labels which we anthropologists use frequently deceive us. In reading about various areas of the world one frequently encounters ethnic names with unclear referents and groups of people with no constant label. Raoul Naroll, in a recent article (1964), demonstrates that one source of confusion is our lack of agreement about the criteria which define the entities-variously called "tribes," "cultures," "societies," "peoples"-which we describe. Such lack of agreement is obviously a challenge to global comparisons. As this paper will demonstrate, it also has implications for ethnographic fieldwork. Naroll lists six criteria: trait distributions, territorial contiguity, political organization, language, ecological adjustment, and local community structurecommonly used to demarcate ethnic entities. In addition to Naroll's specific criticisms of them, I would add that these and similar criteria have three main shortcomings as delimiters of "culture-bearing units" (Naroll 1964:283). 1) Since language, culture, political organization, etc., do not correlate completely, the units delimited by one criterion do not coincide with the units delimited by another. 2) If by "culture" we wish to mean "a pattern, a set of plans, a blueprint for living" (Naroll 1964:288), then units delimited by combinations of these criteria, including the combination which Naroll suggests, are only occasionally and accidentally "culture-bearing units." 3) It is often difficult to discern discontinuities of language, culture, polity, society, or economy with sufficient clarity to draw boundaries. It is this which makes me suggest that the delimitation of ethnic entities is especially problematic in all parts of the world which are continuously inhabited but not divided into either sharp ecological zones or strong and durable states. Under such conditions, it becomes quite
Kœnig's Collection at the Philadelphia Exhibition

MY attention has just been drawn to the fact that a report has recently been circulated in London to the effect that the splendid collection of acoustic apparatus exhibited by Kœnig, of Paris, at the Centennial Exhibition of 1876, had been retained in this country for the Stevens Institute of Technology, under promise of payment, and that nothing had been paid for it.
Peptide Interfacial Biomaterials Improve Endothelial Cell Adhesion and Spreading on Synthetic Polyglycolic Acid Materials

Resorbable scaffolds such as polyglycolic acid (PGA) are employed in a number of clinical and tissue engineering applications owing to their desirable property of allowing remodeling to form native tissue over time. However, native PGA does not promote endothelial cell adhesion. Here we describe a novel treatment with hetero-bifunctional peptide linkers, termed “interfacial biomaterials” (IFBMs), which are used to alter the surface of PGA to provide appropriate biological cues. IFBMs couple an affinity peptide for the material with a biologically active peptide that promotes desired cellular responses. One such PGA affinity peptide was coupled to the integrin binding domain, Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD), to build a chemically synthesized bimodular 27 amino acid peptide that mediated interactions between PGA and integrin receptors on endothelial cells. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCMD) was used to determine the association constant (K A 1 × 107 M−1) and surface thickness (~3.5 nm). Cell binding studies indicated that IFBM efficiently mediated adhesion, spreading, and cytoskeletal organization of endothelial cells on PGA in an integrin-dependent manner. We show that the IFBM peptide promotes a 200% increase in endothelial cell binding to PGA as well as 70–120% increase in cell spreading from 30 to 60 minutes after plating.
Use of Bacterial Asphyxia for Homologous Antigen Production in Experimental Immunization against Human-Type Tuberculosis.

Summary and conclusionsFollowing the immunization of 33 rabbits with tubercle bacilli killed by asphyxia, 29 of the animals showed (mostly at 8-10 months) no tuberculous lesions. Among 31 normal siblings of the above 25 exhibited gross tuberculous lesions. Thus parasitic asphyxia is a flexible and virtually untried principle for use in immunology. It appears promising for study in human-type as well as in avian-type tuberculosis.
Origins of carbonaceous aerosol in Denver and Albuquerque during winter

Abstract Ambient aerosol measurements in wintertime Denver and Albuquerque show that volatile and elemental carbon constitute more than one-half of the observed total fine particle mass. A multiple linear regression method has been used to estimate the contribution to these carbonaceous materials made by mobile sources and wood smoke. In both cities, the wood smoke contribution is much greater at night, and is much greater in Albuquerque than in Denver. The greater impact in Albuquerque is presumably due, at least partially, to the more residential character of the sampling site.
Melanoma and ionizing radiation: is there a causal relationship?

Abstract Fink, C. A. and Bates, M. N. Melanoma and Ionizing Radiation: Is There a Causal Relationship? Radiat. Res. 164, 701–710 (2005). This review was initiated in response to concerns that ionizing radiation could be a cause of melanoma. Studies presenting the relative risks for melanoma after external ionizing radiation exposure were in seven categories: (1) The Canadian Radiation Dose Registry, (2) nuclear industry workers, (3) subjects near nuclear test blasts, (4) survivors of the atomic bombings of Japan, (5) airline pilots and cabin attendants, (6) recipients of medical radiation, and (7) radiological technicians. Relative risks for leukemia in each of the studies were used to confirm the likelihood of exposure to ionizing radiation. When studies within a category were compatible, meta-analytic methods were used to obtain combined estimates of the relative risk, and a meta-regression analysis of melanoma relative risk compared to leukemia relative risk was used to examine consistency across expos...
Mannose-binding lectin plays a critical role in myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion injury in a mouse model of diabetes

Diabetic patients are at increased risk of cardiomyopathy, acute myocardial infarction and loss of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs), but the aetiology is poorly understood. We hypothesised a significant role for mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in cardiomyopathies associated with hyperglycaemia. The role of MBL in myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion (MI/R) injury was investigated in wild-type (WT) and MBL-null mice following 2 weeks of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia. Hyperglycaemic WT mice presented with significantly decreased left ventricular ejection fractions and increased serum troponin I levels and myocardial inflammation compared with non-diabetic WT mice following MI/R. Hyperglycaemic MBL-null mice or insulin-treated diabetic WT mice were significantly protected from MI/R injury compared with diabetic WT mice. In an additional study using diabetic WT mice, echocardiographic measurements demonstrated signs of dilative cardiomyopathy, whereas heart:body weight ratios suggested hypertrophic cardiac remodelling after 2 weeks of hyperglycaemia. Immunohistochemical analysis of CPCs showed significantly lower numbers in diabetic WT hearts compared with non-diabetic hearts. Insulin-treated diabetic WT or untreated diabetic MBL-null mice were protected from dilative cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic remodelling and loss of CPCs. These data demonstrate that MBL may play a critical role in diabetic MI/R injury. Further, the absence of MBL appears to inhibit hypertrophic remodelling and hyperglycaemia-induced loss of CPCs after just 2 weeks of hyperglycaemia in mice.
Behavioral models of binge-type eating.

Abstract Purpose: To describe and evaluate behavioral models of binge-type eating. Data identification: Studies were identified using Medline and hand searches of bibliographies of identified articles. Study selection: Isomorphic studies were selected that were judged to have some measure of construct validity. Data extraction: Face and construct validity were assessed, as well as simplicity and cost of use. Results of data synthesis: Several different models of binge-type eating exist, each with different strengths of validity and use. These include models using sham feeding, restriction/refeeding cycles and/or stress, limited access (LA) to optional foods, and eating induced by operant schedules of behavior. Conclusions: We concur with Harry Harlow, who was quoted by Gerry Smith as saying: “You'd be crazy to use animal models, but you'd also be crazy not to use them.”
When pay for performance works too well: The negative impact of pay dispersion

The article presents information on the negative impact of the pay for performance method of rewarding employees. Research suggesting that compensation systems designed to encouraged and reward desired performance may negatively affect organizational and individual performance. The researcher's use of compensation and performance data from Major League Baseball is analyzed, as well as the findings of the research. Suggestions of possible explanations for the findings are also discussed, including the effect that different rates of pay may have on employee interaction.
Non-Child-Related Family Stress, Parenting Styles, and Behavior Problems in School-Age Girls Adopted from China

Parenting has been conceptualized to mediate or moderate children’s adaptation to family stress. Our study expanded the literature to determine, within the adoptive context, how non-child-related family stress (NCR-family stress; e.g., parent’s problems at work) and parenting styles were related to internalizing and externalizing problems in school-age girls adopted from China. Using data from the third wave of a longitudinal study, 651 school-age girls were identified for the current analysis. On average, the girls were 9.3 years old (SD = 2.7) and were adopted at 15.6 months (SD = 13.8). Data on NCR-family stress, parenting styles and child behavior problems were collected from the adoptive mothers using the social problem questionnaire, parenting styles and dimensions questions, and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6–18), respectively. After controlling for age at adoption, age, the adoptive mother’s education level, household income, and the girls’ corresponding behavior problems from the second wave of data (2 years prior), we found that that the association between NCR-family stress and the adopted Chinese girls’ internalizing problems and externalizing problems was mediated by authoritarian parenting and moderated by authoritative parenting.
Modulation of chemokine receptor activity through dimerization and crosstalk

Chemokines are small, secreted proteins that bind to the chemokine receptor subfamily of class A G protein-coupled receptors. Collectively, these receptor-ligand pairs are responsible for diverse physiological responses including immune cell trafficking, development and mitogenic signaling, both in the context of homeostasis and disease. However, chemokines and their receptors are not isolated entities, but instead function in complex networks involving homo- and heterodimer formation as well as crosstalk with other signaling complexes. Here the functional consequences of chemokine receptor activity, from the perspective of both direct physical associations with other receptors and indirect crosstalk with orthogonal signaling pathways, are reviewed. Modulation of chemokine receptor activity through these mechanisms has significant implications in physiological and pathological processes, as well as drug discovery and drug efficacy. The integration of signals downstream of chemokine and other receptors will be key to understanding how cells fine-tune their response to a variety of stimuli, including therapeutics.
Noncovalent cell surface engineering with cationic graft copolymers.

Chemical approaches to cell surface engineering have emerged as powerful tools for resurfacing the molecular landscape of cells and tissues. Here we report a new strategy for re-engineering cell surfaces through electrostatic adsorption of appropriately structured and functionalized poly(l-lysine)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-g-PEG) copolymers to cellular interfaces. Grafting of methoxy terminated tetra(ethylene glycol) chains to PLL abrogated polycation cytotoxicity in a charge density and PEG dependent manner, and copolymers structured with a unique balance of grafted PEG chains and free lysine monomers adsorbed to cell surfaces without compromising viability. Structurally analogous PLL-g-PEG copolymers bearing terminally functionalized PEG grafts were used as ‘cell surface active’ polymeric carriers for biotin, hydrazide, and azide moieties, which selectively captured streptavidin-, aldehyde-, and cyclooctyne-labeled probes, respectively, on cell surfaces. This strategy opens new opportunities in c...
Effects of spatial and temporal resolution for MR image-guided thermal ablation of prostate with transurethral ultrasound.

Purpose To describe approaches for determining optimal spatial and temporal resolutions for the proton resonance frequency shift method of quantitative magnetic resonance temperature imaging (MRTI) guidance of transurethral ultrasonic prostate ablation. Materials and Methods Temperature distributions of two transurethral ultrasound applicators (90° sectored tubular and planar arrays) for canine prostate ablation were measured via MRTI during in vivo sonication, and agree well with two-dimensional finite difference model simulations at various spatial resolutions. Measured temperature distributions establish the relevant signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) range for thermometry in an interventional MR scanner, and are reconstructed at different resolutions to compare resultant temperature measurements. Various temporal resolutions are calculated by averaging MRTI frames. Results When noise is added to simulated temperature distributions for tubular and planar applicators, the minimum root mean squared (RMS) error is achieved by reconstructing to pixel sizes of 1.9 and 1.7 mm, respectively. In in vivo measurements, low spatial resolution MRTI data are shown to reduce the noise without significantly affecting thermal dose calculations. Temporal resolution of 0.66 frames/minute leads to measurement errors of more than 12°C during rapid heating. Conclusion Optimizing MRTI pixel size entails balancing large pixel SNR gain with accuracy in representing underlying temperature distributions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005;22:109–118. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Syntheses and Structures of 6,13-Dihydro-6,13-diborapentacenes: π-Stacking in Heterocyclic Analogues of Pentacene

6,13-Dibromo-6,13-dihydro-6,13-diborapentacene (1) has been prepared by the reaction of 2,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)naphthalene with BBr3. The reaction of 1 with Me4Sn or mesityllithium afforded the dim...
Performance analysis of augmented partitioned multistage interconnection networks

Abstract In previous work, a novel scheme for constructing fault-tolerant multistage interconnection networks (MINs) was presented. The constructed augmented partitioned MINs (APMINs) were evaluated using a switch level fault model in terms of full access (FA) and dynamic full access (DFA) measures. The simulation results showed that the proposed scheme significantly improved the fault-tolerant capability of MINs. Based on the small synchronous clock scheme, we first analyze the performance of this class of synchronous packet-switched APMINs. We then evaluate the performance of the APMIN-based tightly coupled and loosely coupled multiprocessor systems using a hybrid probabilistic and queueing model. The performance of this class of fault-tolerant multiprocessor systems and that of systems employing Omega and modified Omega (MD-Omega) networks are also compared.
Regulation of HPV16 E6 and MCL1 by SF3B1 inhibitor in head and neck cancer cells.

ABT-737 inhibits the anti-apoptotic proteins B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) and BCL-XL. Meayamycin B switches the splicing pattern of myeloid cell leukemia factor 1 (MCL1) pre-mRNA. Specifically, inhibition of splicing factor 3B subunit 1 (SF3B1) with meayamycin B promotes the generation of the proapoptotic, short splicing variant (MCL1-S) and diminishes the antiapoptotic, long variant (MCL1-L). This action was previously associated with the cytotoxicity of meayamycin B in non-small cell lung carcinoma cell lines. ABT-737 induced apoptosis in response to an ablation of MCL1-L by meayamycin B. In this study, we further exploited this synergistic combination in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), up to 90% of which overexpress MCL1 and BCL-XL. In a panel of seven HNSCC cell lines, the combination of meayamycin B and ABT-737 rapidly triggered a Bax/Bak-mediated apoptosis that overcame the resistance from HPV16-positive HNSCC against each agent alone. Both RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that meayamycin B up-regulated MCL1-S and down-regulated MCL1-L. Significantly, we discovered that SF3B1 was involved in the splicing of oncogenic HPV16 E6 to produce non-oncogenic HPV16 E6*, indicating that SF3B1 may inhibit HPV16-induced tumorigenesis.
Impulsive rotatory motion of a circular disk in a viscous fluid

Es wird eine analytische Methode fur die Bestimmung der Geschwindigkeit der Stromung und der Winkelgeschwindigkeit einer kreisformigen Scheibe gegeben, die in einer zahen, inkompressiblen Flussigkeit einen Drehstoss erhalt.
Gene Expression Alterations in Immune System Pathways following Exposure to Immunosuppressive Chemicals

Exposure to environmental agents can affect a number of adverse immunological outcomes, including changes in the incidence of infectious disease. Diethylstilbestrol (DES), dexamethasone (DEX), cyclophosphamide, and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) are immunosuppressive chemicals that can induce similar pathophysiological end points in the thymus; however, the mechanism of toxicity is different for each compound. We examined differential gene expression in the spleen and thymus following chemical exposure and correlated these changes with alterations in functional immune end points and our knowledge of the known mechanisms of action. RNA from the spleen and thymus has been analyzed using Illumina Sentrix arrays and BeadStudio software. Preliminary data suggest that DES induced the greatest number of gene changes in the spleen, while DEX induced the most changes in the thymus. In both spleen and thymus, genomic analysis revealed gene expression changes that were common to multiple chemicals and that may be associated with xenobiotic-induced immune system perturbations, including alterations in genes associated with apoptosis, antigen processing and presentation, and response to biotic stimulus. This was particularly evident in the thymus, where there were many similarities in the expression profiles, as well as gene alterations unique to a single compound. In contrast, expression profiles in spleen were more distinct. The category of genes most profoundly affected by all four chemicals was response to biotic stimulus: there were both clusters of genes modulated by multiple chemicals and genes altered by a single chemical. The distinct gene profiles may specifically relate to cellular targets and mechanism of action.
Cell biology: how to build a cell junction.

Structures of the protein vinculin reveal drastic conformational changes associated with binding to its partners in cell-adhesion contacts. These changes might let vinculin regulate the assembly of these complexes.
Finite-element models of continental extension

Numerical models of the initial deformation of extending continental lithosphere, computed to investigate the control of preexisting thermal and mechanical heterogeneities on the style of deformation, are presented. The finite element method is used to calculate deformation with a viscoelastic-plastic model for the lithosphere. Comparisons of the results of analytic models and finite-element models using this method show that good results may be obtained by the numerical technique, even with elements containing both brittle and viscoelastic sampling points. It is shown that the gross style of initial extensional deformation is controlled by the depth and width of the initial heterogeneity which localizes deformation.
Impact of receiver coil misalignment on near-field communication system performance

The coupling coefficient is not only affected by the distance between the coils but also by the misalignment of the coils. In this paper, a simple intuitive expression of coupling coefficient for laterally and angularly misaligned coils is derived, based on the near-field expressions for a small loop antenna, and special cases of perfectly aligned coils, axially placed angularly misaligned coils, laterally displaced coils, co-planar laterally displaced coils are discussed. These simple cases offer an insight into impact of receiver coil misalignment on the near-field communication system performance.
RECOMBINANT ERYTHROPOIETIN (rEPO) INDUCED ELEVATION IN GLYCOSYLATED HEMOGLOBIN (GHb) DUE TO INCREASED SYNTHESIS OF HEMOGLOBIN F (HgbF) IN END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE (ESRD). 2201

RECOMBINANT ERYTHROPOIETIN (rEPO) INDUCED ELEVATION IN GLYCOSYLATED HEMOGLOBIN (GHb) DUE TO INCREASED SYNTHESIS OF HEMOGLOBIN F (HgbF) IN END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE (ESRD). 2201
Family Systems Theory Reconsidered: Integrating Social Construction Theory and Dialectical Process

This paper explores the limitations and problems of family systems theory that have been discussed in recent years by feminist writers, narrative family therapists, and family system theorists who have adopted the constructionist view. Reconsiderations of family systems theory focus on the following concerns: (a) the emphasis on homeostatic processes in the family at the expense of understanding the family as a system that is continually changing, (b) the tendency to dichotomize between an individual perspective and a family systems perspective, (c) the potential for gender bias in family systems theory, (d) the challenge that social inequities and cultural diversity present for systems theorists, and (e) skepticism about the practice of defining reality and problems in the family exclusively from the privileged position of the researcher. Social construction theory and an analysis of dialectical process are discussed as providing epistemological and substantive perspectives that can be corrective of some of the constraining aspects of family systems theory. A constructionist family systems perspective would incorporate social construction and dialectical perspectives into a process model for understanding family communication which: (a) views family process as evolutionary rather than circular, (b) explores the individual-system dialectic and the presence of dilemmas and contradictions in family relationships, (c) recognizes the potential for gender and cultural bias as one theorizes about relationships and families, (d) suggests that meanings and problems do not have objective realities of their own but are linguistically constructed, and (e) views the therapist-researcher not as an objective observer but as part of the system that is being observed. This paper argues that family systems theory is not a static model but one that is continually evolving and changing. Recent conversations in the family systems theory literature suggest that we have much to gain by adopting an interpretive, narrative framework for studying communication in family systems.
The structure of Marine Ecosystems: An alternative

In “The Structure of Marine Ecosystems” (1974), Steele developed a simulation model which suggested that the stability of planktonic communities was dependent on a threshold response allowing phytoplankton a refuge in concentration below which herbivorous zooplankton did not feed. Observations from the North Sea were presented to support this hypothesis. In order to more realistically represent the simulated herbivores, Calanus spp., several of Steele's assumptions have been modified. The results of the revised model indicate that feeding thresholds are not essential for the long-term realism and stability of the simulated system and suggest an alternative, ecosystem control through predation.
Late Oligocene mousebird converges on parrots in skull morphology

A new fossil stem group representative of Coliiformes (mousebirds) with a remarkable skull morphology is described from the late Oligocene of Germany. Oligocolius psittacocephalon sp. nov. for the first time preserves the skull of a post-Eocene fossil mousebird. This exhibits a combination of skull features unknown from any other bird and converges on the skull of parrots in that the beak is separated from the cranium by a marked nasofrontal hinge and in that the interorbital part of the frontal bones is very wide. In addition, the mandible of the new species exhibits long retroarticular processes, which are unexpected because unlike in other coliiform birds exhibiting this feature, the short beak was probably not used for probing in substrate. It is hypothesized that the retroarticular processes of O. psittacocephalon instead served for a particular wide and forceful opening of the beak. Eight large fruit stones are situated in the area of the digestive tract of the new species. Preservation of most of these in a well-delimited cluster in the region of the upper oesophagus suggests that, unlike in modern mousebirds, O. psittacocephalon had a crop. The new fossil shows that late Oligocene European stem group Coliiformes significantly differed from their extant relatives in morphology and probably also in feeding ecology.
A method for evaluating anisotropic and restricted diffusion by simultaneous use of spin and stimulated echoes

Abstract A new NMR method is described for evaluating anisotropic and restricted molecular diffusion in a single experiment by simultaneously exploiting both spin-echo (SE) and stimulated-echo (STE) NMR signals. The method employs a sequence of four RF pulses, θ—τ1—90°—τ2—180°—τ2—(SE)—τ3—90°—τ1—(STE), combined with two pairs of diffusion-sensitive gradient pulses, one pair of which is positioned in the τ1 intervals and the other of which is introduced into the 2 intervals. We show that the diffusion attenuation of the SE is affected only by the diffusion-sensitive gradient pulses positioned in the τ1 intervals, whereas the diffusion attenuation of the STE is influenced only by the diffusion-sensitive gradient pulses placed in the τ2 intervals. This method should be useful for anisotropic and restricted diffusion measurements of molecules which diffuse relatively freely in one direction while being impeded by barriers in another direction in systems in which the T1 of the diffusing substance is greater than T2. The SE signal is used to measure relatively unrestricted diffusion in the first direction, whereas the STE signal is used to measure more restricted diffusion in the second direction, where the barrier separations may be probed by larger spacings between the diffusion-sensitive gradient pulses.