cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prospective Evaluation of Fetuses with Autoimmune Associated Congenital Heart Block Followed in the PR Interval and Dexamethasone Evaluation (PRIDE) Study

We evaluated the efficacy of dexamethasone (DEX) in anti-SSA/Ro-exposed fetuses newly diagnosed with congenital heart block. Previous use of DEX has been anecdotal with varying reports of therapeutic benefit. This was a multicenter, open-label, nonrandomized study involving 30 pregnancies treated with DEX (22 with third-degree block, 6 with second-degree block, 2 with first-degree block) and 10 untreated (9 with third-degree block, 1 with first-degree block). Initial median ventricular rates, age at diagnosis, and degree of cardiac dysfunction were similar between groups. Six deaths occurred in the DEX group. There was no reversal of third-degree block with therapy or spontaneously. In fetuses treated with DEX, 1/6 with second-degree block progressed to third-degree block and 3 remained in second-degree block (postnatally 1 paced, 2 progressed to third degree); 2 reverted to normal sinus rhythm (NSR; postnatally 1 progressed to second degree). DEX reversed the 2 fetuses with first-degree block to NSR by 7 days with no regression at discontinuation. Absent DEX, the 1 with first-degree block detected at 38 weeks had NSR at birth (overall stability or improvement in 4 of 8 in the DEX group vs 1 of 1 in the non-DEX group). Median gestational birth age was 37 weeks in the DEX group versus 38 weeks in the non-DEX group (p = 0.019). Prematurity and small size for gestational age were restricted to the DEX group. Pacemaker use and growth parameters at birth and 1 year were similar between groups. In conclusion, these data confirm the irreversibility of third-degree block and progression of second- to third-degree block despite DEX. A potential benefit of DEX in reversing first- or second-degree block was supported in rare cases but should be weighed against potential steroid side effects such as growth restriction.
The anisotropic seismic structure of the East European platform

[1] We present models for the P and S velocity structure of the upper mantle beneath the East European platform including measurements of radial anisotropy. The models were obtained by full waveform inversion of 3-component broadband seismograms from strike-slip earthquakes located near the edge of the platform and recorded in Russia and Europe. We used direct and multiply reflected body wave arrivals (S, SS, P, PP) combined with fundamental mode Love and Rayleigh waves at source-receiver distances between 15° and 50° to resolve mantle structure down to the 410 km discontinuity. The platform is underlain by a radially anisotropic mantle lid extending to a depth of 200 km with a largely isotropic mantle below. The model has a positive velocity gradient from 41 km to 100 km depth, and a relatively uniform velocity structure from 100 km to 200 km depth with high SH and PH velocities (4.77 km/s, 8.45 km/s). Shear anisotropy is uniform at 5% (βH > βV) from 41 to 200 km depth, drops to 2% from 200 to 250 km and is isotropic below that. The average shear velocity from 100 to 250 km is also uniform at 4.65 km/s and the drop in anisotropy is matched by a drop in βH to 4.70 km/s combined with an increase in βV to 4.60 km/s. Below 250 km there is a positive velocity gradient in both P and S velocity down to 410 km. P anisotropy is not well resolved, but P structure mimics the SH velocity structure, suggesting that P is also anisotropic within the lid.
The Society for the Study of Social Problems: Parental Recollections and Hopes

The roots of the Society for the Study of Social Problems are traced back to the late 1930's and related to changing perspectives in the sociological profession. The authors sought ways during the 1940's to combat the increasing crystallization, elitism, and scientism of the American Sociological Society and of the profession. Several organizational recourses were discussed before they narrowed the choice down to the foundation and establishment of an autonomous SSSP. Steps and problems in SSSP's launching and development are outlined. Analyses are offered of what SSSP has accomplished in a quarter of a century and what it has failed to do. Without setting forth any proposed blueprint for the future, pressing challenges for scientific and professional service in sociology are outlined. Parents of a gestating human being happily speculate about the sex and probable appearance of their offspring and even whether there will be one or more. The speculations of the parents of a professional society are much more perplexing and uncertain. The natal day may be quite delayed and problematic. In fact, such parents have no assurance at all that the birth will ever actually take place. When we now, as the parents of SSSP, think how many times this society was almost aborted before its birth on September 6, 1951, and then almost strangled in its cradle, we look upon its survival with a sense of wonder. To go back a bit, in 1938-43, when Al chaired and we both did the work of the American Sociological Society's Press Relations Committee, we got our first intimate view of how that society's gatekeepers limited access to convention programs and to the one periodical it then published, the American Sociological Review. This was because we received in advance of each convention copies of many of the papers to be read and also, in advance of publication, page proofs of each forthcoming number of the Review. We also learned from their comments on our work what concerned the ASS gatekeepers. They were alarmed by the attention given to E. H. Sutherland's 1939 presidential address, "White Collar Criminality" (1940), and Pitirim A. Sorokin's controversial 1940 paper, "The Nature of the Challenge" (1941). The latter, which Sorokin absorbed into his Fads and Foibles in Modern Sociology
Optimal integration of intermittent energy sources using distributed multi-step optimization

The integration of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar into the electric power grid is a coveted yet challenging goal. The difficulties arise from the intermittency of the sources, the required increase in transmission capacity, and the lack of coordination between control entities. In this paper, a method is developed and implemented for the optimal coordination between storage and intermittent resources in multiple control areas. The problem is formulated as a decomposed multi-step optimization problem using the Optimality Condition Decomposition method. This allows reducing the computational effort by dividing the overall optimization problem into subproblems. Simulation results show convergence to the centralized solution and provide an indication of the benefits of coordinating control areas.
Peer-Mediated Interventions with Elementary and Secondary School Students with Emotional and Behavioural Disorders: A Literature Review.

Peer-mediated interventions (PMIs) have been shown to be effective for increasing adaptive social and academic behaviours of children and youth. Although PMI efficacy is generally well supported, there have been relatively few published intervention studies that focus on elementary, middle and high school students with emotional and behavioural disorders (EBD). The present review examines selected empirical literature in order to identify characteristics and relative efficacy of PMI. Findings of 12 peer-reviewed journal papers including research designs and outcomes were examined. Results provide support for the efficacy of PMI for improving behavioural and social skills of students with EBD. Recommendations include further research on PMI for high school students and longitudinal research of PMI.
Color‐matching performance of polypropylene producers

Producers of colored injection-molded polypropylene plastic parts for automotive interior use were assessed for color-matching performance on the basis of calculated color difference, spectrophotometric similarity to the standard (freedom from metamerism), and visual color match. Considerable disparity was found among the efforts of the nine producers participating in the study.
Full-duplex communication via adaptive nulling

Simultaneous communication in the same frequency band is gaining interest as an approach to increasing spectral efficiency. This functionality is usually prevented by the close proximity of the transmit and receive antennas, resulting in interference at, or saturation of, the receiver electronics. Furthermore, it is of interest to minimize complexity of mobile units; a worst case is to assume that the mobile units are unable to cooperate in the channel estimation and beamforming processes. In this paper, we develop an uncooperative wide-band MIMO adaptive channel estimation and nulling approach for simultaneous transmit and receive on the same channel. Low-power training waveforms are used to estimate the time-varying MIMO interference channel. Transmit beamforming weights that span the null space of the interference channel are then calculated via an algebraic approach. Results are reported, which show null depths at the receive antennas of greater than 40dB in simulation and 30dB in a slow-update wide-band experiment.
Chemical genetics to identify NFAT inhibitors: potential of targeting calcium mobilization in immunosuppression.

The development of more selective immunosuppressive agents to mitigate transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases requires effective strategies of blocking signaling pathways in T cells. Current immunosuppressive strategies use cyclosporin A (CsA) or FK506 to inhibit calcineurin, which dephosphorylates and promotes the nuclear import of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factors. These nuclear NFATs then transactivate cytokine genes that regulate proliferative responses of T cells. Both CsA and FK506 have debilitating side effects, including nephrotoxicity, hypertension, diabetes, and seizures, that argue for the development of alternative or complementary agents. To this end, we developed cell-based assays for monitoring NFAT dynamics in nonlymphoid cells to identify small molecules that inhibit NFAT nuclear import. Interestingly, we found that the majority of these small molecules suppress NFAT signaling by interfering with “capacitative” or “store-operated” calcium mobilization, thus raising the possibility that such mobilization processes are relevant targets in immunosuppression therapy. Further, these small molecules also show dose-dependent suppression of cytokine gene expression in T cells. Significantly, the IC50 of CsA in primary T cells was reduced by the addition of suboptimal concentrations of these compounds, suggesting the possibility that such small molecules, in combination with CsA, offer safer means of immunosuppression.
Simultaneous acquisition of phase‐contrast angiograms and stationary‐tissue images with Hadamard encoding of flow‐induced phase shifts

A technique for the simultaneous acquisition of three-dimensional phase-contrast angiograms and stationary-tissue images is described. Hadamard multiplexed encoding of flow information permits image acquisition times that are a third shorter than those of previous phase-contrast methods. The encoding scheme described also enables differentiation of flow-induced phase shifts from phase shifts due to resonance offset conditions such as field inhomogeneities and chemical shift. Display strategies that combine this phase information with the flow image are described.
Precision measurement of gamma rays from β-decay in Au198 and Au199

The gamma rays following beta decay of Au/sup 1//sup 9//sup 8/ and Au/sup 1//sup 9//sup 9/ a re measured with an error of 1 part in 1300. Two gamma rays follow Au/sup 1//sup 9//sup 8/ decay, at 411.79 plus or minus 0.03 kev and 674.32 plus or minus 0.20 kev; two gamma rays also follow Au/sup 1// sup 9//sup 9/ decay, at 158.33 plus or minus 0.02 kev and 208.12 plus or minus 0.03 kev. (T.F.H.)
Impaired growth hormone-releasing hormone signal transduction in the dwarf (dw) rat is independent of a generalized defect in the stimulatory G-protein, Gs alpha.

The homozygous dwarf (dw) rat pituitary is characterized by a 95% reduction in GH content as well as a 75-80% reduction in the number of somatotrophs. The nature of the mutation responsible for this phenotype is unknown. Previous investigations from our laboratory indicate that dw somatotrophs exhibit decreased sensitivity and a reduced GH secretory response to GH-releasing hormone in vitro, accompanied by a decreased generation of cAMP. We hypothesized that dw rats have a defect in the pathway linking the GH-releasing hormone receptor to adenylyl cyclase and focused on the expression and function of the stimulatory G-protein, Gs alpha. When corrected for differences in pituitary size and cell number, GH mRNA content was reduced by 78% compared to that in controls. However, there was no difference in Gs alpha mRNA content or size in dw pituitaries. Similarly, there was no difference in the content or size of mRNA for the pituitary transcription factor pit-1 in dw pituitaries. Immunoblot analysis of pituit...
An implicit boundary integral method for the solution of Poisson's equation in multi-region bodies

Abstract This paper deals with the application of the boundary integral method to the solution of Poisson's equation in multi region bodies with linear boundary conditions. A new approach is presented for solution of multi-region bodies in which homogeneous separate regions are solved independently. This technique results in a considerable reduction in memory requirements over both conventional (explicit) boundary integral and finite element techniques. Furthermore, this implicit method is much easier to program than the explicit boundary integral techniques that treat multi-region bodies as a single assembly. Any number of regions can be accommodated with the implicit method.
Automatic frame-centered object representation and integration revealed by iconic memory, visual priming, and backward masking.

Object identities (“what”) and their spatial locations (“where”) are processed in distinct pathways in the visual system, raising the question of how the what and where information is integrated. Because of object motions and eye movements, the retina-based representations are unstable, necessitating nonretinotopic representation and integration. A potential mechanism is to code and update objects according to their reference frames (i.e., frame-centered representation and integration). To isolate frame-centered processes, in a frame-to-frame apparent motion configuration, we (a) presented two preceding or trailing objects on the same frame, equidistant from the target on the other frame, to control for object-based (frame-based) effect and space-based effect, and (b) manipulated the target's relative location within its frame to probe frame-centered effect. We show that iconic memory, visual priming, and backward masking depend on objects' relative frame locations, orthogonal of the retinotopic coordinate. These findings not only reveal that iconic memory, visual priming, and backward masking can be nonretinotopic but also demonstrate that these processes are automatically constrained by contextual frames through a frame-centered mechanism. Thus, object representation is robustly and automatically coupled to its reference frame and continuously being updated through a frame-centered, location-specific mechanism. These findings lead to an object cabinet framework, in which objects (“files”) within the reference frame (“cabinet”) are orderly coded relative to the frame.
Biology of Gypsonoma haimbachiana (Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae), a Twig Borer in Eastern Cottonwood

Gypsonoma haimbachiana (Kearfott) causes serious stunting, forking, and other malformations in cottonwood, particularly the young trees. There are 5 larval instars. A summer generation develops in 40–45 days, and there is evidence of 4 or 5 generations per year. The insects overwinter as larvae in shelters on the twigs or in terminal buds. The eggs are laid near a vein on the leaf and the larvae feed in the leaf tissues until their first molt. They then tunnel into new shoots to complete their larval development. They pupate in thin cocoons in bark crevices or in sheltered areas on the ground.
Interaction of silent and replacement changes in eukaryotic coding sequences.

We examined the codon usages in wellconserved and less-well-conserved regions of vertebrate protein genes and found them to be similar. Despite this similarity, there is a statistically significant decrease in codon bias in the less-well-conserved regions. Our analysis suggests that although those codon changes initially fixed under amino acid replacements tend to follow the overall codon usage pattern, they also reduce the bias in codon usage. This decrease in codon bias leads one to predict that the rate of change of synonymous codons should be greater in those regions that are less well conserved at the amino acid level than in the better-conserved regions. Our analysis supports this prediction. Furthermore, we demonstrate a significantly elevated rate of change of synonymous codons among the adjacent codons 5′ to amino acid replacement positions. This provides further support for the idea that there are contextual constraints on the choice of synonymous codons in eukaryotes.
Modulation of human α1(I) procollagen gene activity by interaction with Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors in vitro

Abstract In previous work, we delineated a proximal region of the human α 1(I) collagen gene (COL1A1) promoter necessary to direct its basal transcription in fibroblasts. This region has potential recognition sites for a variety of DNA-binding proteins. Here, we show that the −129/−107-bp sequence in this region of the promoter, which harbors an inverted CCAAT motif closely linked to a GC-rich direct repeat and is perfectly conserved between mouse and human, specifically bound the transcription factors Sp1, Sp3, and CTF/NF-1 in nuclear extracts from human skin and lung fibroblasts. Drosophila Schneider L2 cells lacking endogenous Sp activity were used to investigate the effect of expression of Sp or CTF/NF-1 transcription factors on COLlAl promoter activity. Expression of Sp1 caused potent trans-activation of a COL1A1 promoter (−174 to +42 bp). In contrast, expression of Sp3, which binds to the same recognition sites as Sp1, and CTF/NF-1 stimulated COL1A1 promoter activity only at higher concentrations, and Sp2 did not transactivate. Expression of a 10-fold excess of Sp3, but not CTF/NF-1 or Sp2, abrogated the stimulation of COL1A1 promoter activity induced by Sp1. TGF- β at concentrations previously shown to increase COL1A1 transcription caused a decrease in the relative amount of Sp3 in fibroblast nuclear extracts. These results suggest that both Sp1 and Sp3 bind to the proximal COL1A1 promoter and stimulate its activity; however, their interaction with each other may result in repression of Sp1-induced COL1A1 transcription. Alterations in the relative amounts or DNA-binding activities of these transcription factors in a cell- or signal-specific manner may contribute to the control of transcription from the COL1A1 promoter. The present findings, and recent observations implicating Sp1 and its homologs in regulating the expression of several collagen genes, suggest that the family of Sp1 transcription factors play a role in physiological and pathological modulation of connective tissue accumulation.
Universality of the cluster integrals of repulsive systems.

We provide evidence for the universal behavior of the exponent characterizing the singularity of the Mayer fugacity series for the pressure of a fluid. As long as the two-body potential is positive but otherwise unrestricted, this exponent appears to be independent of the form of the potential and it is a monotonic, slowly increasing function, \ensuremath{\varphi}(D), of the dimensionality D of the system. A limited version of universality has previously been proposed by Poland [J. Stat. Phys. 35, 341 (1984)], restricted to hard, approximately spherical particles. Our results for \ensuremath{\varphi}(D) differ somewhat from those of Poland.
Chemical weathering fluxes from volcanic islands and the importance of groundwater: The Hawaiian example

We investigated the products and rates of chemical weathering on the Hawaiian Islands, sampling streams on Kaua’i and both streams and groundwater wells on the island of Hawai’i. Dissolved silica was used to investigate the flowpaths of water drained into streams. We found that flowpaths exert a major control on the observed chemical weathering rates. A strong link exists between the degree of landscape dissection and flowpaths of water through the landscape, with streams in undissected landscapes receiving water mainly from surface runoff and streams in highly dissected landscapes receiving a considerable fraction of their water from groundwater (springs and/or seepage). Total alkalinity in Hawaiian streams and groundwater is produced exclusively by silicate chemical weathering. We find that fluxes of total alkalinity (often called “CO2 consumption rate” in the geochemical literature), from the islands are lower than those observed in basaltic regions elsewhere. Groundwater is, overall, the major transport vector for products of chemical weathering from the Hawaiian Islands. On the youngest and largest island, submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) transports more than an order of magnitude more solutes to the ocean than surface water and on the youngest part of the youngest island, SGD is the only link between the terrestrial weathering system and the ocean. These results suggest that groundwater, and particularly SGD, needs to be included in geochemical weathering budgets of volcanic islands.
Newborn pig nociceptin/orphanin FQ activates protein tyrosine kinase and mitogen activated protein kinase to impair NMDA cerebrovasodilation after ischemia.

This study characterized the contributions of protein tyrosine kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase in nociceptin/orphanin FQ induced impairment of NMDA dilation after cerebral hypoxia/ ischemia in anesthetized newborn pigs equipped with a closed cranial window. Topical nociceptin/orphanin FQ, in a concentration observed after hypoxia/ischemia, impaired NMDA pial artery vasodilation. Co-administration either of the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein or the mitogen activated protein kinase inhibitor U0126 with nociceptin/orphanin FQ partially prevented the inhibition of NMDA dilation compared to that observed in their absence. After exposure to hypoxia/ischemia, pial artery dilation in response to NMDA was reversed to vasoconstriction but pretreatment with either genistein or U0126 partially protected such impairment. These data show that protein tyrosine kinase and mitogen activated protein kinase activation contribute to nociceptin/ orphanin FQ induced impairment of NMDA dilation. These data suggest that protein tyrosine and mitogen activated protein kinase are involved in the mechanism by which nociceptin/orphanin FQ impairs NMDA dilation following hypoxia/ischemia.
Rats can discriminate illuminance, but not magnetic fields, as a stimulus for learning a two-choice discrimination.

In each of the two experiments, nine rats were trained for 64 trials (eight trials per day) to determine if they could acquire a two-choice discrimination based on a specified discriminative stimulus (SD). In one experiment, the SD was a change in ambient illumination, while in the second experiment the SD was a change in the combination of sinusoidal 60 Hz and static magnetic field (MF) and any cues attendant to energizing the coils that produced the MF exposure. The rats that had a change in illuminance as the SD learned the two-choice task easily, P < .001, whereas the rats having a change in MFs as the SD did not. Bioelectromagnetics 23:545–549, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Attractor Explosions and Catalyzed Vacuum Decay

We present a mechanism for catalyzed vacuum bubble production obtained by combining moduli stabilization with a generalized attractor phenomenon in which moduli are sourced by compact objects. This leads straightforwardly to a class of examples in which the Hawking decay process for black holes unveils a bubble of a different vacuum from the ambient one, generalizing the new endpoint for Hawking evaporation discovered recently by Horowitz. Catalyzed vacuum bubble production can occur for both charged and uncharged bodies, including Schwarzschild black holes for which massive particles produced in the Hawking process can trigger vacuum decay. We briefly discuss applications of this process to the population and stability of metastable vacua.
MnO2-coated graphitic petals for supercapacitor electrodes

Abstract Hybrid manganese dioxide/graphitic petal structures grown on carbon nanotube substrates are shown to achieve high specific capacitance, energy density, power density, and long cycle life for flexible supercapacitor applications. Vertical nanoscale graphitic petals were prepared by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition on commercial carbon nanotube substrates and subsequently coated with a thin layer of MnO2. The graphitic petal/carbon nanotube architecture without any binder provides an efficient scaffold for maximizing the electrochemical performance of MnO2. A specific capacitance (based on the mass of MnO2) of 580 F g−1 is obtained at a scan rate of 2 mV s−1 in 1 M Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. The energy density and power density at 50 A g−1 are 28 Wh kg−1 and 25 kW kg−1, respectively. In addition, the composite electrode shows excellent long-term cyclic stability (less than 10% decrease in specific capacitance after 1000 cycles) while maintaining a small internal resistance. Parallel density functional studies were performed to investigate the stability and electronic structure of the MnO2/graphene interface. Taken together, the work indicates the MnO2/graphitic petal/carbon nanotube composite is a promising electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors.
Cu\{001\}c(2×2)-Pd: An ordered surface alloy

A quantitative low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) intensity analysis shows that the room-temperature reaction of Pd atoms with a Cu{001} surface produces a surface alloy, Cu{100}c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)-Pd, analogous to Cu{001}c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)-Au. The structure of Cu{001}c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)-Pd is almost planar, with the Pd atoms located 0.02\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 A\r{} outwards from the Cu atoms, and an interlayer distance from the Cu atoms to second (100% Cu) layer equal to the Cu{001} bulk interlayer spacing (1.807 A\r{}). Although there are no ordered Pd atoms beyond the surface mixed layer, there is some evidence for disordered Pd either above or below the alloy layer. Angle-resolved photoemission spectra show that the valence band of the surface alloy is characterized by a well-defined Cu 3d--derived band and by the appearance of features due to Pd. The dispersion and the photon-energy dependence of these features suggest their probable origins and are consistent with the alloy character of Cu{001}c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)-Pd.
Affiliative Behavior in Different Species of Voles (Microtus)

Data were collected on the huddling behavior of pine voles, Microtus pinetorum, and meadow voles, M. pennsylvanicus, to supplement earlier data on prairie voles and montane voles. Species that are social/monogamous in the field tended to huddle more in the laboratory. Contact proneness may be one factor driving different mating systems in the field.
Effect of pH on the indirect photolysis treatment of three refractory herbicides

Indirect photolysis rates for the methylene blue- and riboflavin-sensitized photolysis of the refractory herbicides bromacil (5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil), terbacil (3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil), and fluometuron (N,N-dimethyl-N′-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]urea) were investigated as a function of pH. Methylene blue-sensitized photolysis rates were highest at basic pH; riboflavin-sensitized photolysis rates varied and were substrate-specific. Methylene blue and riboflavin bleaching rates were highest at basic pH. The effect of pH on the indirect photolysis treatment of toxic and refractory pollutants in plug flow and completely-mixed reactors is discussed.
Elevated levels of LRH in human milk.

Measurement by double antibody radioimmunoassay indicates that the levels of LRH in human milk arefive to six times higher than the corresponding plasma samples. Such high levels of the hormone in the maternal milk may have a profound influence on the developing reproductive and other related biological processes of the neonates.
Foster care enrichment program

Abstract In summary then, the preliminary data of the Foster Care Enrichment Program indicates that therapeutic foster care can and does exist and that decisions regarding children in foster care can and should be made in a short period of time. Foster families can be recruited who are able and willing to nurture families as well as children. Easily available professional support is necessary and effective, frequent communication of all parties involved is absolutely essential. Short-term foster care can be effective in alleviating crisis situations, offering a diagnostic safe period and establishing therapeutic relationships. The Foster Care Enrichment Program has put into effect what has been known for many years to be good foster care. The program has outlined the needs of foster care and its recipients and ways to fulfill and maximize the goals of foster care. One of the most exacting aspects of our particular program is that the Denver Department of Welfare is actively exploring ways of incorporating program goals and techniques into its larger system.
Stochastic cost optimization of DNAPL remediation - Field application

A stochastic remediation design optimization methodology implemented in the program Stochastic Cost Optimization Toolkit (SCOToolkit) was successfully applied to evaluate remediation options at the East Gate Disposal Yard (EGDY) at the former Fort Lewis, now Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington. Non-optimized forward simulations based on calibrated parameters and their uncertainty inferred from data prior to actual thermal source remediation system implementation at the site indicated a low probability of the actual thermal system design meeting remediation criteria in a reasonable time frame. Calibration using additional data collected during thermal treatment reduced prediction uncertainty, but still predicted a high probability of taking more than 100 years to reach compliance criteria using the actual thermal treatment design with no additional remedial action. Stochastic optimization of the thermal treatment design indicated larger treatment areas were needed to capture source mass due to uncertainty in source delineation. The expected cost for the enlarged thermal treatment system was estimated to be $22M, which is nearly twice that of the actual system, suggesting that additional characterization to reduce source delineation uncertainty or consideration of an alternative strategy that is less sensitive to delineation uncertainty may be warranted. Stochastic optimization of whey injection was investigated to accelerate source zone dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) dissolution and enhance dissolved plume biodecay. The optimized design indicated a 93% probability of meeting compliance criteria by 2100 with an expected net present value cost of $4.7M. Whey injection substantially shortened the remediation time compared to no whey injection. The results indicate that the proposed stochastic cost optimization approach is able to reduce expected remediation costs, increase the probability of achieving remediation objectives, and identify data characterization needs.
A provably complete exploration strategy by constructing Voronoi diagrams

We present novel exploration algorithms that enable the construction of Voronoi diagrams over unknown areas using a vehicle equipped with range sensors. The underlying control law uses range measurements to make the vehicle track Voronoi edges between obstacles. The exploration algorithms make decisions at vertices in the Voronoi diagram to expand the explored area until a complete Voronoi diagram is constructed in finite time. Our exploration algorithms are provably complete, and the convergence of the control law is guaranteed. Simulations and experimental results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of both the control law and the exploration algorithms.
Utilization of proton pump inhibitors does not lead to increased incidence of colon polyps

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of proton pump inhibhitor (PPI) usage in altering the number of patients found to have colon polyps.
Actin and temperature effects on the cross-linking of the SH1-SH2 helix in myosin subfragment 1.

Past biochemical work on myosin subfragment 1 (S1) has shown that the bent alpha-helix containing the reactive thiols SH1 (Cys(707)) and SH2 (Cys(697)) changes upon nucleotide and actin binding. In this study, we investigated the conformational dynamics of the SH1-SH2 helix in two actin-bound states of myosin and examined the effect of temperature on this helix, using five cross-linking reagents that are 5-15 A in length. Actin inhibited the cross-linking of SH1 to SH2 on both S1 and S1.MgADP for all of the reagents. Because the rate of SH2 modification was not altered by actin, the inhibition of cross-linking must result from a strong stabilization of the SH1-SH2 helix in the actin-bound states of S1. The dynamics of the helix is also influenced by temperature. At 25 degrees C, the rate constants for cross-linking in S1 alone are low, with values of approximately 0.010 min(-1) for all of the reagents. At 4 degrees C, the rate constants, except for the shortest reagent, range between 0.030 and 0.070 min(-1). The rate constants for SH2 modification in SH1-modified S1 show the opposite trend; they increase with the increases in temperature. The greater cross-linking at the lower temperature indicates destabilization of the SH1-SH2 helix at 4 degrees C. These results are discussed in terms of conformational dynamics of the SH1-SH2 helix.
The Application of Ultraviolet Irradiation to Exogenous Sources of DNA in Plasticware and Water for the Amplification of Low Copy Number DNA

Using high sensitivity forensic STR polymerase chain reaction (PCR) typing procedures, we have found low concentrations of DNA contamination in plasticware and water assumed to be sterile, which is not detected by standard DNA procedures. One technique commonly used to eliminate the presence of DNA is ultraviolet (UV) irradiation; we optimized such a protocol used in the treatment of water, tubes, plates, and tips for low copy number DNA (LCN) amplification. UV light from a Stratalinker((R)) 2400 was administered to 0.2, 1.5 mL tubes, and PCR plates contaminated with up to 500 pg of DNA. They were subsequently quantified with an ALU-based real-time PCR method using the Rotorgene 3000. Overall, there was a decrease in concentration of DNA recovered as the duration of treatment increased. Nonetheless, following 45 min of irradiating a PCR plate with 500 pg of DNA, nearly 6 pg were still detected. However, when the plate was raised within an inch of the UV source, less than 0.2 pg of DNA was detected. Additionally, lining the area around the samples with aluminum foil further reduced the amount of time necessary for irradiation, as only 30 min eliminated the presence DNA in the raised PCR plate. Similar experiments were conducted using tubes filled with a solution of DNA and water in equivalent concentrations for 50, 15, and 1.5 mL tubes with comparative results. It is plausible that the aluminum foil increased the amount of reflection in the area thereby enhancing penetration of UV rays through the walls of the plasticware. This protocol was tested for the possibility of inhibitors produced from irradiation of plastic tubes. As our protocols require less irradiation time than previous studies, PCR sensitivity was not affected. Moreover, the lifespan of the UV lamps was extended. Our findings demonstrate that this method is useful as an additional precautionary measure to prevent amplification of extraneous DNA from plasticware and water without compromising the sensitivity of LCN DNA amplifications.
An Evaluation of On-Line, Interactive Tutorials Designed to Teach Practice Concepts.

Abstract This paper presents an evaluation of two on-line-based programs designed to teach practice skills. One program teaches crisis intervention and the other teaches suicide assessment. The evaluation of the use of these programs compares outcomes for two groups of students, one using the interactive program outside a class context and the other using the program within the class. Additionally, the evaluation examines results of learning about crisis of these two groups in comparison to a group of students who did not use the programs. Outcomes suggest advantages in using interactive on-line tutorials in efficiency and objectivity. This paper hopes to encourage other faculty to develop similar programs that simulate various elements of social work practice.
A new genus of the family Macrochelidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) based on Macrocheles mycotrupetes Krantz and Mellott and M. peltotrupetes K. and M., phoretic associates of beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Geotrupinae) in southeastern USA

Geotrupacarus n. gen. includes two unusual macrochelid species described from geotrupid beetles in Florida, USA. All postembryonic stages of the new genus are characterized, and a key to macrochelid taxa that share many of its typically non‐phoretic morphological characters is included. Attention is called to the presence of what appear to be two pairs of cribral solenostomes in adults.
Plane monolayer adsorption with area changes

Abstract A specific thermodynamic treatment of adsorption at a plane surface, with and without surface lattice structure, is presented. Equations based on the Flood-Farhan treatment are given, and the Langmuir equation is used as an example although the treatment is applicable to any monolayer equation that can be expressed as a virial-coefficient expansion. The question of the natural variation of surface area with temperature and spreading pressure is emphasized. No general thermodynamic results are obtained, but lattice-spaced and self-spaced adsorbates are contrasted.
Remote Control of DNA-Acting Enzymes by Molecular Boundary Conditions

The rate of action of an enzyme at a point along a long DNA molecule is usually assumed to be determined by the local properties of that region of the nucleic acid chain such as its sequence, flexibility, and molecular stress. Here we show that enzymes that relax DNA torsional stress display rates which strongly depend on how the distant ends of the molecule are constrained: experiments with different size colloidal particles tethered to the end of 10 kb DNAs reveal enzyme rates that are inversely correlated with particle drag coefficient. This effect can be understood in terms of the coupling between molecule extension and local molecular stresses: the rate of bead thermal motion controls the rate at which transition states are visited in the middle of a long DNA. Torsional stress is not a requirement for this effect. Importantly, some enzymes show rates unaffected by bead size. Our results reveal a new mechanism through which variation in chromosome domain architecture, and more generally, large-scale architecture of large thermally fluctuating substrates, can control enzyme rates.
Bright, Red Single-Molecule Emitters: Synthesis and Properties of Environmentally Sensitive Dicyanomethylenedihydrofuran (DCDHF) Fluorophores with Bisaromatic Conjugation

A group of new fluorescent dye materials for single-molecule imaging applications, comprised of an amine donor, a π-system consisting of phenyl and thiophene rings, and a dicyanomethylenedihydrofuran acceptor group have been synthesized. Relative to comparable single-ring compounds, these doubly aromatic conjugated fluorophores have red-shifted absorption and emission, usually accompanied by significantly increased quantum yields. Solvatochromism studies indicate that the photophysical properties of these dyes are sensitive to the solvent polarity and environmental rigidity. Photophysical studies demonstrate that these DCDHF dye materials are strong single-molecule emitters and the total number of detected photons per molecule is among the highest observed thus far for this family of fluorophores.
Organic photodetector with spectral response tunable across the visible spectrum by means of internal optical microcavity

Abstract We demonstrate an organic photodetector (OPD) structure in which the active layers and a thick optical spacer are sandwiched between two metallic electrodes, forming a Fabry–Perot resonant cavity. The second resonant mode of this cavity can be positioned by means of an optical spacer so that its maximum intensity overlaps with the donor–acceptor interface, leading to a peak in the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the OPD for this resonant wavelength. The photoresponse can thus be tuned across the visible spectrum by adjusting the spacer thickness, while the full width half maximum remains approximately 50 nm. Because the active layers can be thin in this approach, the EQE is not sacrificed, and the device can achieve a relatively high response frequency that does not suffer from the inclusion of the optical spacer. We simulate the photoresponse of OPD structure using transfer matrix optical calculations and an exciton diffusion model; our simulation also explicitly accounts for interface roughness measured by atomic force microscopy. Angular dependence of the OPD’s response is also measured and discussed.
Adaptive recovery protocols for multilayer ad-hoc networks in theater of nonuniform failure rate

In this paper, we briefly cover the basic idea of hierarchical cellular networks with mobile routers and its channel planning issues. Then we introduce fault recovery protocols using backup routers and adaptive energy control. Simulation results are presented for evaluation purposes.
Treatment of CML in pediatric patients: Should imatinib mesylate (STI-571, Gleevec) or allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant be front-line therapy?

Background Long-term survival of pediatric patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) receiving myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from fully-matched related and unrelated donors has been reported between 60 and 75%, but is associated with significant morbidity. Imatinib mesylate (STI-571, Gleevec) and reduced intensity conditioning stem cell transplantation (RIC) are two promising new tools that offer potential for decreasing therapy associated morbidity for patients with CML. Results Large trials have shown significant responses in chronic phase patients treated with imatinib and reasonable but short-lived responses in advanced phase CML. Data from adult studies is beginning to define populations likely to progress or have prolonged responses to imatinib, and some adult treatment paradigms are moving toward reserving transplantation until patients are at risk of failure with imatinib. Early trials of RIC transplantation in CML show decreased transplant related morbidity with efficacy similar to conventional transplantation, but the approach has yet to be verified in phase III studies. Data in pediatric patients with imatinib and RIC transplantation is limited. Conclusions Studies with imatinib are underway in pediatrics, but whether pediatric dosing schemes will lead to outcomes similar to adults is unknown. Because HLA-matched myeloablative transplantation offers a high rate of cure in the pediatric population, clinical studies assessing the role of imatinib mesylate and RIC transplantation should be planned carefully in order to avoid sub-optimal outcomes. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Discovery of novel N-aryl piperazine CXCR4 antagonists

A novel series of CXCR4 antagonists with substituted piperazines as benzimidazole replacements is described. These compounds showed micromolar to nanomolar potency in CXCR4-mediated functional and HIV assays, namely inhibition of X4 HIV-1(IIIB) virus in MAGI-CCR5/CXCR4 cells and inhibition of SDF-1 induced calcium release in Chem-1 cells. Preliminary SAR investigations led to the identification of a series of N-aryl piperazines as the most potent compounds. Results show SAR that indicates type and position of the aromatic ring, as well as type of linker and stereochemistry are significant for activity. Profiling of several lead compounds showed that one (49b) reduced susceptibility towards CYP450 and hERG, and the best overall profile when considering both SDF-1 and HIV potencies (6-20 nM).
A review of the urologic manifestations of Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome

Abstract Objective Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a constellation of congenital anomalies that classically presents with macroglossia, abdominal wall defects and gigantism. Although renal and adrenal pathology are the most commonly associated urologic findings of BWS, we report a case of a girl with BWS and symptomatic clitoromegaly, recurrent urinary tract infections and vesicoureteral reflux, followed by a review of the literature regarding urologic manifestations of BWS. Materials and methods A comprehensive review of the literature for renal and non-renal urologic manifestations of BWS was conducted using a computer-based (PubMed) search. The reported renal and non-renal urologic findings are summarized. Results In addition to well-described renal manifestations, a variety of non-renal urologic findings have been reported in patients with BWS. Conclusions Healthcare providers should carefully evaluate both patients and their family members for urologic manifestations of BWS. Early diagnosis and thorough evaluation allows for potential improved management and prognosis of BWS urologic sequelae, including tumors, cryptorchidism and urinary tract abnormalities.
Role of the 2-Amino Group of Purines during dNTP Polymerization by Human DNA Polymerase α

We used a series of dNTP analogues in conjunction with templates containing modified bases to elucidate the role that N(2) of a purine plays during dNTP polymerization by human DNA polymerase alpha. Removing N(2) from dGTP had small effects during correct incorporation opposite C but specifically increased misincorporation opposite A. Adding N(2) to dATP and related analogues had small and variable effects on the efficiency of polymerization opposite T. However, the presence of N(2) greatly enhanced polymerization of these dATP analogues opposite a template C. The ability of N(2) to enhance polymerization opposite C likely results from formation of a hydrogen bond between the purine N(2) and pyrimidine O(2). Even in those cases where formation of a wobble base pair, tautomerization, and/or protonation of the base pair between the incoming dNTP and template base cannot occur (e.g., 2-pyridone.purine (or purine analogue) base pairs), N(2) enhanced formation of the base pair. Importantly, N(2) had similar effects on dNTP polymerization both when added to the incoming purine dNTP and when added to the template base being replicated. The mechanistic implications of these results regarding how pol alpha discriminates between right and wrong dNTPs are discussed.