cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of UVB on Hydrolysis of α-Tocopherol Acetate to α-Tocopherol in Mouse Skin

We have assessed the hydrolysis of α-tocopherol acetate (α-TAc) to the active antioxidant α-tocopherol (α-TH) in mouse epidermis and in supernatant from epidermal homogenates. Topically administered α-TH prevents UVB photocarcinogenesis in C3H mice, whereas α-TAc does not. Hydrolysis in skin was monitored in mice treated topically with deuterium labeled α-TAc (d3-α-TAc). Epidermal samples were isolated from mice and analyzed for endogenous (d0-α-TAc) and d3-α-TH by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Within 24 h, the levels of d3-α-TH increased up to 10-fold over endogenous d0-α-TH levels; however, in mice irradiated with UVB prior to the application of d3-α-TAc, levels of d3-α-TH increased up to 30–40-fold over endogenous d0-α-TH. This enhancement of α-TAc hydrolysis increased with increasing UVB dose. Prior UVB exposure may increase hydrolysis of α-TAc by increasing epidermal esterase activity. Nonspecific esterase activity was measured in the 2000 ×g supernatant from epidermis of unirradiated and irradiated mice. α-Napthyl acetate, a nonspecific esterase substrate, was converted to α-napthol in supernatants from unirradiated mice. Hydrolysis to α-napthol increased ≈3-fold in supernatants from irradiated mice. Hydrolysis of α-TAc to α-TH also occurred in supernatant from unirradiated mice, and this hydrolysis increased ≈3-fold in supernatant from irradiated animals. These data indicate that nonspecific esterase activity was increased by UVB in the skin, that α-TAc is converted to α-TH in the homogenate fraction containing nonspecific esterase, and that UVB exposure modulates the metabolism of α-TAc to α-TH in vivo.
Numerical evaluation of radiation integrals for reflector antenna analysis including a new measure of accuracy

Results are presented for an investigation of popular numerical integration methods applied to the reflector antenna problem. The comparison of methods is facilitated by the introduction of a new figure-of-merit (the p-factor), which is a measure of how far out in pattern-space the results are accurate. The p-factor can also be used to determine how dense a sampling grid is required for a given pattern accuracy. Results of the comparison show that Gauss-Zirnike polynomial integration on the diameter and the trapezoidal rule on the circumference was the most accurate method tested. Somewhat less accurate but still good methods were the Gauss-Legendre/trapezoidal and Gauss-Legendre/Gauss-Legendre methods. >
Factors affecting reproductive maturity of redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii)

Abstract Redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii Sudw.) trees attained reproductive maturity (the ability to produce ovulate and staminate strobili) earlier on a relatively mesic lowland site than on a relatively xeric upland site in western Texas. Maturity was more highly correlated with height than with other tree characteristics. Herbaceous vegetative cover within 2.5 m of juniper plants less than 20 years old was negatively correlated with maturity. These data indicate that trees growing on a site with heavy competition from other vegetation will mature more slowly than trees growing on a less-competitive site.
Development and Evaluation of an Observational Method for Assessing Repetition in Hand Tasks

Several physical stressors, including repetitive, sustained, and forceful exertions, awkward postures, localized mechanical stress, highly dynamic movements, exposures to low temperatures, and vibration have been linked to increased risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Repetitive exertions have been among the most widely studied of these stressors, but there is no single metric for assessing exposure to repetitive work. A new methodology enables repetitive hand activity to be rated based on observable characteristics of manual work. This method uses a series of 10-cm visual-analog scales with verbal anchors and benchmark examples. Ratings for repetition reflect both the dynamic aspect of hand movements and the amount of recovery or idle hand time. Trained job analysis experts rate the jobs individually and then agree on ratings. For a group of 33 jobs, repetition ratings using this system were compared to measurements of recovery time within the cycle, exertion counts, and cycle time. Amount of...
American Indian substance use: the hazards for substance use initiation and progression for adolescents aged 14 to 20 years.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the risks and risk factors for substance use initiation and progression among a large sample of American Indian (AI) adolescents. Method Data came from surveys completed by 2,356 AI adolescents aged 14 to 20 years who participated in two or more consecutive waves of a longitudinal study between 1993 and 1996 (response rate 74%). Discrete-time survival analysis was used to describe the risks and risk factors for substance use initiation and progression. Results The risk for initiating use of any substance accelerated in early adolescence and peaked at age 18. The risk for progression from use of alcohol, marijuana, and/or inhalants to the use of other illicit drugs (e.g., cocaine) increased over the first 4.5 years after initiating substance use, then diminished in subsequent years. The risk of substance use initiation and progression varied across the four participating communities and by season of the year. Compared to adolescents who initiated substance use with alcohol only, adolescents who initiated substance use with marijuana or inhalants were more likely to progress to use other illicit drugs. Conclusions Prevention programs for AI communities should be designed to address these community, age, and seasonal variations in the risks for substance use initiation and progression.
Thin Film Lithium Niobate for Use in Silicon Based Devices

The incorporation of a thin film of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) in a conventional MOS (metal-oxide-semiconductor) structure gives the possibility of two fundamentally different types of computer memory architectures. One, based on ferroelectric switching involves the reorganization of charge in the transistor channel to compensate for the change in polarization. Another, based on the bulk photovoltaic effect, involves a shift in the transistor threshold with exposure to differing intensities of incident light. With the use of a molybdenum liftoff process, transistors have been fabricated in which LiNbO3 replaces the usual gate oxide of an MOS transistor. Transistor parameters such as the transconductance, output conductance, and amplification for these devices are reported.
Regulation of Ack-Family Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinases

Ack family non-receptor tyrosine kinases are unique with regard to their domain composition and regulatory properties. Human Ack1 (activated Cdc42-associated kinase) is ubiquitously expressed and is activated by signals that include growth factors and integrin-mediated cell adhesion. Stimulation leads to Ack1 autophosphorylation and to phosphorylation of additional residues in the C-terminus. The N-terminal SAM domain is required for full activation. Ack1 exerts some of its effects via protein-protein interactions that are independent of its kinase activity. In the basal state, Ack1 activity is suppressed by an intramolecular interaction between the catalytic domain and the C-terminal region. Inappropriate Ack1 activation and signaling has been implicated in the development, progression, and metastasis of several forms of cancer. Thus, there is increasing interest in Ack1 as a drug target, and studies of the regulatory properties of the enzyme may reveal features that can be exploited in inhibitor design.
Characteristics of coherent lidar returns from calibration targets and aerosols

A CO2 heterodyne lidar system and high speed digitizer were used to examine properties of returns from disk and belt-type calibration targets and atmospheric aerosols. Amplitude statistics of the returns from the targets examined corresponded to those of the Rayleigh phasor predicted by theory. Returns from a belt sander fluctuated at a much slower rate than those from the disks or aerosols, requiring longer averaging times for accurate power measurement. At very close focal lengths returns from single large particles often dominated the backscattered aerosol signal.
Ultrastructural aspects of the main excretory duct of rat submandibular gland.

Recent data indicate active transport of Na+ and K+ by the main excretory duct (MED) of the rat submandibular gland. In view of these data submandibular MED's of four adult rats were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Luminal surfaces of two MED's were examined with the scanning electron microscope. The duct is surrounded by connective tissue, blood vessels and neuron perikarya. Blood supply to the ductal epithelium consists of a plexus of sinusoidal capillaries. Three principal cell types compose the epithelium: light cells, dark cells, and basal cells. The basal cells resemble those of striated ducts except for the presence of numerous hemidesmosomes along basal plasma membranes of MED basal cells. Light cells show basal infoldings, and bulbous enlargements may occur at their distal aspects. Dark cells are narrow, electron dense cells with prominent microvilli at the luminal surface. Intercellular clefts penetrate MED epithelium from the lumen to a depth of one-third the epithelial thickness. Surfaces of the clefts are lined by dark and light cells. Intercellular tissue spaces are present at lateral boundaries of all cells and extend from the epithelial base to distal cytoplasmic levels.
Structure of m-carboxyphenyl-α-d-galactopyranoside complexed to heat-labile enterotoxin at 1.3 Å resolution: surprising variations in ligand-binding modes

In the quest to develop drugs against traveller's diarrhoea and cholera, the structure of the B pentamer of heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) complexed with a new receptor-binding antagonist, m-carboxyphenyl-α-d-galactopyranoside, has been determined. The high resolution obtained for this structure allowed anisotropic refinement of the model. It was also now possible to confirm at a near-atomic resolution the structural similarity between the B subunits of LT and the closely related cholera toxin (CT), including the similarity in deviations of planarity of the same peptide unit in LT and CT. The structure of the LT complex clearly revealed different conformations for the m-­carboxyphenyl moiety of the ligand in the five B subunits of LT, while the binding modes of the well defined galactopyranoside moieties were identical. In two binding sites the m-carboxyphenyl moiety displayed no significant electron density, demonstrating significant flexibility of this moiety. In a third binding site the m-carboxyphenyl moiety could be modelled unambiguously into the density. The two remaining binding sites were involved in crystal packing contacts and the density for the ligands in these two binding sites clearly revealed different binding modes, of which one conformation was identical to and one completely different from the conformation of m-carboxyphenyl-galactopyranoside in the third subunit. The multiple binding modes observed in the crystal may represent the ensemble of conformations of m-carboxyphenyl-α-d-galactopyranoside complexed to LT in solution.
Interaction of a piezoelectric transducer with an elastic half-space

Abstract We study the interaction between an ultrasonic transducer, typical of those presently used in Nondestructive Testing (NDT) practice, and a test medium, through a viscous couplant. The transducing element is a circular piezoelectric cylinder of class C ω , polarized in the thickness direction with electroded faces and insulated lateral surface. The electrodes are connected by an electric circuit, and the transducer is considered to be either sending or receiving, depending on whether or not a course of specified voltage is included in the circuit. The piezoelectric disc is modeled as a first order linear plate of finite extent. The test medium is idealized to be an elastic half-space. We present the steady vibration problem of the transducer/test medium configuration forced by the voltage source in the transducer circuit and an incident wave in the test medium. This problem is reduced to coupled integral equations for the torsionless axisymmetric components of the interface tractions on the piezoelectric disc's faces. Various approximations of the problem are also considered which allow us to obtain the transducer output without solving these integral equations.
Practical Leadership: Conceptualizing the Everyday Leadership Work of Teachers

Teachers often resist the label of “leader” and the hierarchical structures that the idea of leader conjures, yet they continue to engage in leadership enactment. This article describes an alternative conception of teacher leadership—practical leadership—embodied by leadership enactment through local deliberation and action. This notion is grounded in teachers’ accounts of their everyday work and framed within the theoretical tradition of practical reasoning. Two teachers are featured in short cases that illustrate the enactment of practical leadership, highlighting the contextual nature of practical leadership; the role that deliberation plays in decision making; and how educational purposes drive the nature of influence that a teacher has on others.
Tadpole shrimp structure macroinvertebrate communities in playa lake microcosms

Laboratory microcosms were used to assess whether tadpole shrimp, Triops sp., affect community structure of other native macroinvertebrates in playa lakes of the Southern High Plains of Texas. Removal of tadpole shrimp shortly after hatching reduced abundances of many taxa, and decreased subsequent taxonomic richness and diversity. For many invertebrates, the presence of tadpole shrimp in low numbers had a positive effect on mean abundance. Direct effects of tadpole shrimp include the reduction of prey species abundance, which in turn may alter biotic interactions among other taxa. Indirect effects include physical modification of the environment during foraging through surface sediments. Results suggest that tadpole shrimp may be a key species controlling structure of macroinvertebrate communities in playa lakes.
Holometric Testing Applications For Vehicle Component Structural Improvement

Holometric testing of vehicle components to improve their structural characteristics is now a proven methodology. The inherent advantages of a full-field, high sensitivity measurement capability are emphasized for the iterative improvement of prototype structures (static and dynamic) and the timely application to understanding structure related concerns on vehicles in production. Successful acquisition of usable and valid test results requires considerable thought and effort to create a test set-up that recreates as closely as possible the test subject boundary and loading or excitation conditions existing in-vehicle. The recent addition of advanced Computer Aided Holometry (CAH) has significantly enhanced the understanding and utilization of holometric testing by Ford engineering. Recent examples of studies that address both the static and dynamic behavior of components are presented. Continuous wave and pulsed laser holometric techniques have been applied to study the following subjects: (1) self generated brake noise, (2) engine block noise radiation, (3) steering column vibration, (4) engine structure deformation under fastener torque loads and (5) cylinder head deformation under simulated combustion chamber pressure loads.
Evaluation of thickness, porosity and pore shape of plasma sprayed TBC by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Abstract An equivalent circuit of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was suggested to model the morphological structure of nonexposure thermal barrier coating (TBC). The morphological properties of as-coated air plasma sprayed (APS) TBC were correlated with the EIS parameters. A linear relationship between TBC topcoat thickness, D c , and ceramic resistance, R c , has been found particularly when the TBC have the same porosity. The TBC porosity, P , shows to be a function of ceramic thickness, D c , and porosity, P ; in particular, it shows a proportional relationship with ceramic capacitance, C c , when ceramic thickness, D c , is kept unchanged. The pore size and shape in the TBC topcoat can be assessed by the pore resistance, R p , as measured by EIS. The results indicate that electrochemical impedance spectroscopy can be used for quality assurance of TBC and, in particular, to evaluate TBC ceramic topcoat thickness, porosity and kinds of defects.
Some thoughts on the requirements for a theory of biology.

Complexity and stability are the ubiquitous characteristics of all biological phenomena. The theoretical suggestions presented here acknowledge this and attempt to capitalize on the property of selectiveness that complexity induces. It is from this that a belief in the existence of selection rules emerges. What is required of a viable theory is a linguistic means of maneuvering known information so that these selection or limitation rules may be obtained, and thence, by their manipulation, to generate the properties exhibited by biological systems.
Temperature effects on radiation damage to silicon detectors

Abstract Motivated by the large particle fluences anticipated for the SSC and LHC, we are performing a systematic study of radiation damage to silicon microstrip detectors. Here we report radiation effects on detectors cooled to 0°C (the proposed operating point for a large SSC silicon tracker) including leakage currents and change in depletion voltage. We also present results on the annealing behavior of the radiation damage. Finally, we report results of charge collection measurements of the damaged detectors made with an 241 Am α source.
Modeling the contribution of individual proteins to mixed skeletal muscle protein synthetic rates over increasing periods of label incorporation.

Advances in stable isotope approaches, primarily the use of deuterium oxide (2H2O), allow for long-term measurements of protein synthesis, as well as the contribution of individual proteins to tissue measured protein synthesis rates. Here, we determined the influence of individual protein synthetic rates, individual protein content, and time of isotopic labeling on the measured synthesis rate of skeletal muscle proteins. To this end, we developed a mathematical model, applied the model to an established data set collected in vivo, and, to experimentally test the impact of different isotopic labeling periods, used 2H2O to measure protein synthesis in cultured myotubes over periods of 2, 4, and 7 days. We first demonstrated the influence of both relative protein content and individual protein synthesis rates on measured synthesis rates over time. When expanded to include 286 individual proteins, the model closely approximated protein synthetic rates measured in vivo. The model revealed a 29% difference in measured synthesis rates from the slowest period of measurement (20 min) to the longest period of measurement (6 wk). In support of these findings, culturing of C2C12 myotubes with isotopic labeling periods of 2, 4, or 7 days revealed up to a doubling of the measured synthesis rate in the shorter labeling period compared with the longer period of labeling. From our model, we conclude that a 4-wk period of labeling is ideal for considering all proteins in a mixed-tissue fraction, while minimizing the slowing effect of fully turned-over proteins. In addition, we advocate that careful consideration must be paid to the period of isotopic labeling when comparing mixed protein synthetic rates between studies.
Vagueness and the mind of God

This paper examines the mind and language of an omniscient being from a supervaluationist perspective. Two questions hall receive special attention. How ought the supervaluationist explicate the concept of omniscience? And what ought the supervaluationist expect an omniscient speaker to say about a Sorites series?
Role of specimen radiography in patients treated with skin-sparing mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

Background: Specimen radiography is an important part of breast conservation surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The objective of this study was to determine whether mastectomy specimen radiography could help in obtaining negative resection margins in patients with DCIS undergoing skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) with immediate breast reconstruction (IBR). Methods: Of 95 patients treated at our institution with SSM and IBR for DCIS, 35 had specimen radiography. The mastectomy specimen was first examined grossly and then inked, serially sectioned, and sent for radiographic assessment. Tissue slices containing calcifications were identified for pathologic evaluation. Additional tissue was excised if tumor was found near the inked margins or if calcifications were found near the radiographic margins. Results: Of the 35 patients who had specimen radiography, the radiographic margins were free of calcifications in 30 patients (86%); of these patients, the margins on the final histologic examination were free of tumor in 27 and within 1 mm in 3. The other five patients (14%) had calcifications close to the radiographic margin; four underwent an intraoperative re-excision, but the margin for one of those four patients was still positive on final histologic examination. Margins were found to be negative by both mastectomy specimen radiography and histology in 77% of the patients. Of the 95 patients with DCIS, three patients (3%), none of whom had specimen radiography, developed local recurrences. One of these was successfully re-treated, one died as a result of synchronous distant metastases, and one was lost to follow-up. At a median follow-up time of 3.7 years, 93 patients (98%) were alive and free of disease. Conclusions: Intraoperative radiography of mastectomy specimens may be useful for assessing margin status and for identifying the location of microcalcifications within tissue slices.
Dynamic photoelastic studies of wave propagation in granular media

Abstract The optical method of dynamic photoelasticity is used to visualize the load transfer profiles due to explosive loading in granular aggregates. The granular media are simulated by using arrays of disks fabricated from a brittle polyester material—Homalite 100. Attention is focused on the effect of microstructure or the geometrical packing of the grains on the wave propagation phenomena. The experimental data are analyzed to obtain the stress wave attenuation, wave velocities and contact stresses as a function of time along various directions in the assembly of grains. Dynamic load transfer functions are developed to predict dynamic contact loads in any systematic or random assembly of grains for any given loading. The predicted results are compared with the experimental data. The effect of local inhomogeneities on the wave propagation phenomena is also shown.
Critical Factors to Consider in Evaluating Standard-Setting Studies to Map Language Test Scores to Frameworks of Language Proficiency

In this article, we consolidate and present in one place what is known about quality indicators for setting standards so that stakeholders may be able to recognize the signs of standard-setting quality. We use the context of setting standards to associate English language test scores with language proficiency descriptions such as those presented in the Common European Framework of Reference (Council of Europe, 2001). The criteria we discuss, however, apply to any language test and language framework. Standard-setting practices are often used to associate test scores with descriptions of language proficiency, as that is one way to provide meaning to the scores. However, there are a large number of standard-setting methods and procedures, and although there are suggested guidelines on how to implement such studies, not all studies necessarily follow the guidelines or follow them to the same extent. This makes it difficult to evaluate the quality of standard-setting results. Our intention is to offer guidanc...
An In Vitro Evaluation of the Sealing Ability of a New Root-canal–obturation System

In this study the sealing ability of a new urethane methacrylate resin-based sealer, EndoRez, was evaluated using a fluid-filtration model. Sixty-four single-rooted lower bicuspids were decoronated, instrumented, and divided into 3 groups of 20 each with 4 teeth used as controls. In group A, the roots were obturated with EndoRez and a single cone of gutta-percha, group B with AH Plus and a single cone of gutta-percha, and group C was obturated using gutta-percha with warm vertical compaction and AH Plus sealer. All specimens were allowed to set for 7 days in 100% humidity at 37 degrees C. The groups were compared for differences in the amount of leakage (mm/h) using a Chi-square test. The leakage of group A was significantly higher at p = 0.01 than the other two groups. There was no significant difference in leakage between groups B and C.
Statistical Studies on the Inheritance of Rate of Laying in White Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds

Abstract ALTHOUGH several investigators have found rate of laying to be an excellent criterion of total egg production, few investigators have attempted to explain its factorial inheritance. All of these investigators have not used the same measure of rate. However, Knox, Jull, and Quinn (1935) have stated that the different measures used by various investigators are all duplicate measures of rate. Pearl (1912) reported that the number of eggs produced before March 1 was determined by two dominant factors, one autosomal and the other sex-linked. Goodale and MacMullen (1919) reported results that were in agreement with Pearl’s theory, but they also proposed an alternative theory that recognized two dominant, autosomal factors which could also account for Pearl’s results. Goodale stated that the methods used by Pearl and himself were inadequate to solve the problem and concluded that the mode of inheritance of winter egg production remained to be determined. Hurst (1921) . . .
Tail pinch induced fluid ingestion: interactions of taste and deprivation.

Abstract Tail pinch (TP) can induce many consummatory behaviors in rats, but it does not induce rats to drink water. Seeking to explain this exception, we designed these experiments to examine the effects of taste cues and deprivation state on drinking during TP. Food deprived rats increased drinking of sweetened milk and sweetened water, but not of plain milk during TP. TP did not alter the drinking of quinine flavored milk. Deprivation state had a large interactive effect on TP drinking. Water deprived rats decreased drinking of water, and did not increase drinking of any fluids during TP. Water deprivation thus appears to inhibit the facilitatory effects of TP on drinking of sweetened fluids. The facilitatory effects of TP are not limited to sweet fluids, since non-deprived rats were found to drink saline and plain milk in addition to sweetened milk and sweetened water. The contribution of these results to our understanding of stress and reward mechanisms is discussed, together with implications for the recently emphasized parallels between the effects of TP and other forms of stimulation-induced ingestive behaviors.
Police Discourse on Racial Profiling

As central actors in the phenomenon, the police view is noticeably absent from research on racial profiling. Given the prominence of “color-blind” racial ideology in the face of disparate opinions about the police between minorities and Whites in the United States, police discourse on racial profiling bears examination. The author employs in-depth interviews of patrol officers in the Novad (a fictitious name), Texas, police department about racial profiling. A dominant narrative—“White boy in a no White boy zone” —emerges in contrast to the reverse scenario that composes the public discourse on racial profiling. This analysis supports the work of Bonilla-Silva, who suggests that rhetorical strategies have developed in the color-blind era to express racialized issues in ways that appear nonracial.
465 SIGNIFICANT SHIFT IN THE BACTERIOLOGY OF MENINGITIS IN EARLY LIFE

Changes in bacterial causes of meningitis over the past years has led to the use of various empiric antibiotic regimens. A review of 248 cases of meningitis among children less than 17 years of age during the period 1973 to 1978 documented a significant shift in bacteriologic agents of meningitis in early life. Group B streptococcus (GBS)(59%), gram-negative bacilli (GNB) (26%), Haemophilus influenza type B (HIB)(9%), Neisseria meningitidis (NM)(3%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP)(3%) caused meningitis in the first month of life. In the second month, HIB (33%), SP(25%), NM(25%), and GBS(17%) were the etiologic agents; GNB were no longer isolated. GBS (33.3%) continued to be a major cause of meningitis in the third month along with HIB (33.3%), and SP (33.3%). HIB (73%), SP (14%), and NM (13%) were the only bacterial isolates beyond three months. These data document two important shifts early in life: 1. HIB is becoming more common in the first month. 2. GNB are no longer a significant cause of meningitis in the second month. Based on the latter observation, ampicillin and chloramphenicol would be the most appropriate antibiotic regimen for the initial management of meningitis in children beyond the first month. Further studies, however, will be needed to determine the efficacy of this antibiotic combination against GBS which remains a major problem through the third month.
Commentary on ''A roadmap for the prevention of dementia II. Leon Thal Symposium 2008.'' Alzheimer's disease translational research programs at the National Institute on Aging

A key component of the mission of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) is to diminish the public-health burden posed by diseases of aging, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in particular. The NIA’s Division of Neuroscience (formerly the Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging Program) has a longstanding interest and commitment to supporting translational research for AD that goes back to 1991 when the first AD Drug Discovery Request for Applications (RFA) was issued. In 2004, as a result of a process aimed at establishing measureable agency performance goals, the Office of Management and Budget selected the following performance target goal for the NIA: ‘‘To identify at least one intervention that would delay the onset or slow the progression of AD by 2013.’’ In response to this charge, the NIA’s Division of Neuroscience began a series of program-development activities and initiatives aimed at creating a robust AD translational research program. Here we provide a summary of the NIA’s current translational research initiatives and related programs.** In 2004, the NIA launched an exploratory R21 grants program for early drug discovery for AD (http://grants.nih.gov/ grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-06-261.html), in collaboration with the Institute for the Study of Aging/Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ISOA/ADDF; www.alzdiscovery. org). In 2005, a U01 cooperative agreement program was initiated for preclinical drug development of small molecules and biologics for the treatment of AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and age-related cognitive decline (http://grants. nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-266.html). Funding for these initiatives was secured through an NIA director’s set-aside through the end of 2009, at which point the support will likely transition to mainstream NIA funding. These programs provide a critical investment in the early steps of AD drug discovery and preclinical drug development, because they are the most risky steps and are unlikely to be pursued by the pharmaceutical industry.
Scintigraphic pattern of regional cardiac sympathetic innervation in patients with familial long QT syndrome using positron emission tomography.

BACKGROUNDThe purpose of this study was to determine whether scintigraphic evidence of cardiac sympathetic neuronal dysinnervation is present in patients with the familial long QT syndrome. The "sympathetic imbalance" hypothesis for the familial long QT syndrome proposes that the long QT syndrome results from a congenital imbalance of sympathetic innervation of the heart caused by lower-than-normal right cardiac sympathetic activity. Although the majority of clinical features of the long QT syndrome can be understood according to this hypothesis, its validity has never been shown. Noninvasive scintigraphic evaluation of the pattern of sympathetic innervation of the heart has recently become possible with catecholamine analogues that can be taken up by sympathetic nerve terminals: radioiodinated metaiodobenzyl guanidine or C-11 hydroxyephedrine (HED).METHODS AND RESULTSNine affected patients, each from a separate family with familial long QT syndrome, were enrolled in this study (three men, six women; mean...
A path analysis of intention to redonate among experienced blood donors: an extension of the theory of planned behavior.

BACKGROUND: The need for blood products is constant and unremitting, yet only a small percentage of eligible individuals answer the appeal to donate. Further, most new donors never return to provide a repeat donation. The ongoing need to attract and retain new donors has led to the examination of psychosocial factors that may predict the likelihood of blood donation behavior. By use of regression techniques, prior studies have established that elements of the Theory of Planned Behavior (e.g., attitude, subjective norm, personal moral norm, and perceived control or self-efficacy) can predict intention to donate among nondonors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Path analysis was used to further examine the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior in predicting donation intention in a sample of 227 experienced donors who completed an online survey. Experiential measures relating to previous donations, including the experience of vasovagal reactions and overall donor satisfaction, were added to the model. RESULTS: The final model, which provided an excellent fit to the data, characterized 1) three direct pathways from attitude, subjective norm, and self-efficacy to donation intention and 2) four indirect pathways, wherein self-efficacy, personal moral norm, vasovagal reactions, and overall donor satisfaction influence donation intention through attitude. In total, 65 percent of the variance in donation intention and 50 percent of the variance in attitude is accounted for in this model. CONCLUSION: The Theory of Planned Behavior can be used to predict donation intentions among experienced donors. Further, the model's predictive utility is improved by considering the influence of previous donation experiences on donor attitudes.
Impact of polymer hydrophobicity on the properties and performance of DNA sequencing matrices for capillary electrophoresis

To elucidate the impact of matrix chemical and physical properties on DNA sequencing separations by capillary electrophoresis (CE), we have synthesized, characterized and tested a controlled set of different polymer formulations for this application. Homopolymers of acrylamide and N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and copolymers of DMA and N,N-diethylacrylamide (DEA) were synthesized by free radical polymerization and purified. Polymer molar mass distributions were characterized by tandem gel permeation chromatography - laser light scattering. Polymers with different chemical compositions and similar molar mass distributions were selected and employed at the same concentration so that the variables of comparison between them were hydrophobicity and average coil size in aqueous solution. We find that the low-shear viscosities of 7% w/v polymer solutions decrease by orders of magnitude with increasing polymer hydrophobicity, while hydrophilic polymers exhibit more pronounced reductions in viscosity with increased shear. The performance of the different matrices for DNA sequencing was compared with the same sample under identical CE conditions. The longest read length was produced with linear polyacrylamide (LPA) while linear poly-N,N-dimethylacrylamide (PDMA) gave approximately 100 fewer readable bases. Read lengths with DMA/DEA copolymers were lower, and decreased with increasing DEA content. This study highlights the importance of polymer hydrophilicity for high-performance DNA sequencing matrices, through the formation of robust, highly-entangled polymer networks and the minimization of hydrophobic interactions between polymers and fluorescently-labeled DNA molecules. However, the results also show that more hydrophobic matrices offer much lower viscosities, enabling easier microchannel loading at low applied pressures.
HIV glycoprotein as a superantigen. A mechanism of autoimmunity and implications for a vaccination strategy

The pathogenic effects of HIV may reflect mimicry of several key immunological molecules. The surface glycoprotein of HIV has superantigenic properties responsible for the sequential deletion of T-cell clones. In addition, the glycoprotein has several regions sharing homology with class II MHC products. It can elicit cross-reactive antibodies which block replenishment of these T-cells in the thymus. The usefulness of conventional vaccination strategies in the fight against AIDS has been subject to debate. Based on these considerations, we argue that effective vaccines should avoid viral sequences homologous to class II MHC proteins which might exacerbate this process.
Performance of multihop wireless networks: shortest path is not enough

Existing wireless ad hoc routing protocols typically find routes with the minimum hop-count. This paper presents experimental evidence from two wireless test-beds which shows that there are usually multiple minimum hop-count paths, many of which have poor throughput. As a result, minimum-hop-count routing often chooses routes that have significantly less capacity than the best paths that exist in the network. Much of the reason for this is that many of the radio links between nodes have loss rates low enough that the routing protocol is willing to use them, but high enough that much of the capacity is consumed by retransmissions. These observations suggest that more attention be paid to link quality when choosing ad hoc routes; the paper presents measured link characteristics likely to be useful in devising a better path quality metric.
Common Structure Dimensions of the American College Testing Program Academic Test and the California Psychological Inventory

Factor and canonical correlation analyses were used to investigate possible relationships between achievement and personality variables. Data were obtained from the American College Testing Program...
Male Sexual Dysfunction as Related to Alcohol Consumption: A Pilot Study

Personal interviews were conducted with 44 male volunteers consecutively admitted to outpatient treatment in a county alcoholism program. Fifty-three per cent of the subjects were still drinking minimally or in moderation at the time of the interview. Quantity, frequency, and duration of drinking, from onset of regular drinking to present, were related to sexual dysfunctions. During heavy drinking, 59% of patients experienced erection dysfunction, 48% repotted ejaculation incompetence, and 84.4% had experienced at least one kind of sexual dysfunction.
Differential Expression of Ia by Murine Keratinocytes and Gut Epithelium in Response to Recombinant Gamma-Interferon

Abstract Keratinocyte expression of class II antigens (HLA-DR, human; Ia, murine) is associated with certain cutaneous diseases, especially those marked by the infiltration of immune and inflammatory cells into the skin. It has been shown that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is capable of inducing human keratinocytes to express HLA-DR. Similar results, however, have not been duplicated in murine systems. The purpose of this study was to determine whether IFN-gamma was capable of inducing murine keratinocyte expression of Ia in vivo in an experimental model in which epithelial cells in a variety of organs were shown to express Ia after the i.v. injection of IFN-gamma. Recombinant murine IFN-gamma was injected into BALB/c mice. Biopsies of skin and intestine were analyzed by indirect immunoperoxidase to identify Ia-expressing keratinocytes and mucosal cells, respectively. In terferon-gamma was administered as either:1) a single s.c. injection, 2) multiple i.v. injections of increasing doses (10 3 -10 5 U/d) on 3 consecutive d, or 3) i.p. injections of 5 × 10 4 Ud or 5 × 10 5 Ud on 6 consecutive d. At all i.v. and i.p. injection doses, the intestinal villi mucosal cells were induced to express Ia. Keratinocyte expression of Ia, however, was observed only in animals that received the two higher i.p. doses. Procedures to augment Ia expression, e.g., combined treatment with pertussis toxin, dinitrofluorobenzene, tumor necrosis factor, and indomethacin, did not enhance the ability of IFN-gamma to induce keratinocyte expression of Ia. We conclude that: 1) high doses of IFN-gamma are required to induce murine keratinocyte Ia expression in vivo and 2) low doses of IFN-gamma, although capable of inducing intestinal mucosal cells to express Ia, do not induce keratinocyte Ia expression.
Gastric dysrhythmias and nausea of pregnancy.

Gastric dysrhythmias have been recorded from patients with a variety of nausea syndromes. The aim of this study was to measure gastric myoelectric activity in women with and without nausea during the first trimester of pregnancy. In 32 pregnant women gastric myoelectric activity was recorded for 30–45 min with cutaneous electrodes that yielded electrogastrograms (EGGs). Frequencies of the EGG waves were analyzed visually and by computer. Subjects rated their nausea at the time of EGG recording on a visual analog scale with 0 representing no nausea and 300 mm severe nausea. Gastric dysrhythmias were found in 26 pregnant subjects: Seventeen had tachygastrias (EGG frequencies of 4–9 cpm),five had 1- to 2-cpm EGG waves, and four had flat-line patterns. Mean nausea scores of the subjects with tachygastrias, 1- to 2-cpm, and flat-line patterns were 64.8±13, 93.4±23, and 77.2±36, respectively. Six pregnant subjects had normal 3-cpm EGG patterns, and their nausea scores averaged 2.8±1.1 (P<0.05 compared with nausea scores in subjects with tachygastrias, 1- to 2-cpm, and flat-line rhythms). Six subjects with gastric dysrhythmias during pregnancy were restudied after delivery; each of these subjects had normal 3-cpm EGG patterns and none had nausea. Thus, gastric dysrhythmias are objective pathophysiologic events associated with symptoms of nausea reported during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Combining keyword search and forms for ad hoc querying of databases

A common criticism of database systems is that they are hard to query for users uncomfortable with a formal query language. To address this problem, form-based interfaces and keyword search have been proposed; while both have benefits, both also have limitations. In this paper, we investigate combining the two with the hopes of creating an approach that provides the best of both. Specifically, we propose to take as input a target database and then generate and index a set of query forms offline. At query time, a user with a question to be answered issues standard keyword search queries; but instead of returning tuples, the system returns forms relevant to the question. The user may then build a structured query with one of these forms and submit it back to the system for evaluation. In this paper, we address challenges that arise in form generation, keyword search over forms, and ranking and displaying these forms. We explore techniques to tackle these challenges, and present experimental results suggesting that the approach of combining keyword search and form-based interfaces is promising.
Gas Turbine Internal Inspection With Minimum Disassembly

Borescope techniques offer an opportunity to evaluate internal gas turbine condition with minimum disassembly and outage time. As part of an overall maintenance evaluation program, the Borescope is an additional tool available to the Maintenance Planner in reducing cost and increasing equipment availability and reliability.Copyright © 1974 by ASME
From Broadway to Classroom: Using Entertainment Media to Get Your Point across.

Teachers today are more aware of differences in the way students learn and that a wide variety of strategies must be employed when teaching. Major musical films, when appropriately excerpted, can provide an entertaining and unique way of addressing valid instruction objectives in both the cognitive and affective domains. In this article, the authors provide applications of specific Broadway musicals and films to everyday instructional practices.
Radiation therapy for diabetes insipidus caused by Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Hypothalamic-pituitary radiation therapy has been the standard treatment for the diabetes insipidus of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The goal of this study was to assess the role of radiation therapy in Langerhans cell histiocytosis-associated diabetes insipidus and to compare the results with nonirradiated controls. Forty-seven patients with pathologically confirmed Langerhans cell histiocytosis were diagnosed with diabetes insipidus between 1950 and 1989 and were treated at the Mayo Clinic. These patients were divided into two groups on the basis of treatment for the diabetes insipidus: The first group (radiation group) included 30 patients (28 of whom were evaluable for response) who received hypothalamic-pituitary radiation therapy, and the second group (control group) included 17 patients who did not. A partial response to treatment was defined as a reduction in vasopressin dosage or improvement in computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A complete response was defined as no further need for vasopressin therapy or normalization of CT or MRI. End points analyzed included treatment response, patient characteristics, morbidity, dose-response relationship, and survival. Patient characteristics of the two groups were similar except for age and lung involvement, both of which were significantly less in the radiation group. Thirty-six percent of patients (10 of 28) in the radiation group responded to hypothalamic-pituitary radiation therapy (22% complete response and 14% partial response), whereas none in the control group responded. Five of the six complete responders were irradiated within 14 days of the diagnosis of diabetes insipidus. The mean dose used in the responding and nonresponding patients was 11.2 and 10 Gy, respectively. Three of five patients (60%) treated with more than 15 Gy responded compared to seven of 23 (30%) treated with less than 15 Gy. Eight of the 10 responders (80%), compared to 16 of 35 nonresponders (46%), were female. Only one in 20 patients with concomitant lung histiocytosis responded. Complications of therapy may include insufficiency in other hypothalamic-pituitary axes in the treated patients. Actuarial survivals at 5, 10, 20, and 40 years for the entire group were 80%, 78%, 75%, and 65%, respectively, with a median follow-up in living patients of 14.7 years.
Discordant Pulsus Alternans

A patient with simultaneously recorded discordant pulsus alternans is presented. No similar example of this phenomenon has been found in the English literature. The implications of this observation in elucidating the mechanism of pulsus alternans are discussed.
Photopatternable Conductor Tapes for PDP Applications

DuPont has developed photopatternable Fodel® Tape-on-Substrate™ (TOS) materials, combining the process and cost benefits of a tape with resolution capabilities of photolithography, for PDP conductor applications. The single-layer (silver) and two-layer (silver and black) tape materials are described in terms of circuit processing and performance characteristics.