cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Age, the stress process, and physical distress: the role of distal stressors.

Objectives: This article examines the nature of distal stressors over a 15-year period and the extent to which they contribute to the explanation of additional variation in the life stress model. Methods: The study uses data collected from a community sample of adults to test specific hypotheses. Results: Findings show that (a) distal stressors significantly increase variance explained in physical symptoms and maintain a direct effect on physical symptoms, (b) recent stressors mediate the effects of distal stressors on distress, and (c) social resources have direct and mediating effects on physical distress. Variations exist for different age groups or life stages. Discussion: The implications of the findings are discussed in the context of life course, theoretical issues of temporality, types of stressors, and the role of social resources. The major conclusion is that there are multiple pathways to distress that differ for different stages in the life course.
Selection predicate indexing for active databases using interval skip lists

Abstract A new, efficient selection predicate indexing scheme for active database systems is introduced. The selection predicate index proposed uses an interval index on an attribute of a relation or object collection when one or more rule condition clauses are defined on that attribute. The selection predicate index uses a new type of interval index called the interval skip list (IS-list). The IS-list is designed to allow efficient retrieval of all intervals that overlap a point, while allowing dynamic insertion and deletion of intervals. IS-list algorithms are described in detail. The IS-list allows efficient on-line searches, insertions, and deletions, yet is much simpler to implement than other comparable interval index data structures such as the priority search tree and balanced interval binary search tree (IBS-tree). IS-lists require only one third as much code to implement as balanced IBS-trees. The combination of simplicity, performance, and dynamic updateability of the IS-list is unmatched by any other interval index data structure. This makes the IS-list a good interval index structure for implementation in an active database predicate index. ‡
Genetic segregation and the maintenance of sexual reproduction.

SEXUAL reproduction confronts evolutionary biology with a paradox: other things being equal, an asexual (all-female) population will have twice the reproductive potential of a competing sexual population and therefore should rapidly drive the sexual population to extinction1,2. Thus, the persistence of sexual reproduction in most life forms implies a compensatory advantage to sexual reproduction. Work on this problem has emphasized the evolutionary advantages produced by the genetic recombination that accompanies sexual reproduction1–7. Here we show that genetic segregation produces an advantage to sexual reproduction even in the absence of an advantage from recombination. Segregation in a diploid sexual population allows selection to carry a single advantageous mutation to a homozygous state, whereas two separate mutations are required in a parthenogenetic population. The complete fixation of advantageous mutations is thus delayed in a heterozygous state in asexual populations. Calculation of the selective load incurred suggests that it may offset the intrinsic twofold reproductive advantage of asexual reproduction and maintain sexual reproduction in diploid populations.
Structure of an Agonist-Bound Human A2A Adenosine Receptor

Activation of G protein-coupled receptors upon agonist binding is a critical step in the signaling cascade for this family of cell surface proteins. We report the crystal structure of the A(2A) adenosine receptor (A(2A)AR) bound to an agonist UK-432097 at 2.7 angstrom resolution. Relative to inactive, antagonist-bound A(2A)AR, the agonist-bound structure displays an outward tilt and rotation of the cytoplasmic half of helix VI, a movement of helix V, and an axial shift of helix III, resembling the changes associated with the active-state opsin structure. Additionally, a seesaw movement of helix VII and a shift of extracellular loop 3 are likely specific to A(2A)AR and its ligand. The results define the molecule UK-432097 as a "conformationally selective agonist" capable of receptor stabilization in a specific active-state configuration.
Gamma radiolysis of methyl t-butyl ether: a study of hydroxyl radical mediated reaction pathways

Abstract The reactions of hydroxyl radicals with methyl t -butyl ether (MTBE) were studied using gamma radiolysis. Aqueous solutions of 100 ppm MTBE were saturated with 4:1 N 2 O/O 2 gas mixture prior to irradiation. Under these conditions hydroxyl radical is the predominant reactive species generated during gamma radiolysis. Complete degradation of MTBE is achieved within ∼30 min of irradiation at a dose rate of 0.21 kGy/min. The major volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced are t -butyl formate (TBF), t -butyl alcohol (TBA), acetone, and methyl acetate. Under the reaction conditions, TBF does not yield TBA, but rather acetone as the primary reaction product. The formation of TBA by hydrolysis of TBF and a hemiacetal formed during the initial oxidative processes of MTBE appear to be minor reaction pathways. Although 2-methyl-2-methoxyl-propionaldehyde (MMP) has been proposed as a reaction product, we were unable to confirm its existence and we therefore, propose a reaction pathway, which does not involve MMP, as the predominant path leading to the formation of methyl acetate. The overall yields of VOCs are low with maximum individual yields between 4% and 13%. Upon extended treatment with gamma radiolysis the VOCs can be completely degraded. These studies contribute to a better fundamental understanding of the reactions of hydroxyl radicals with MTBE, and the resulting oxidation products, TBF and TBA.
EXPEDIENT SYNTHESES OF ESPINTANOL, p-METHOXYCARVACROL AND THYMOQUTNOL DIMETHYL ETHER

(1996). EXPEDIENT SYNTHESES OF ESPINTANOL, p-METHOXYCARVACROL AND THYMOQUTNOL DIMETHYL ETHER. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 221-225.
Cathodic protection for disks of various diameters

In a simplified disk model for cathodic protection, the maximum disk size that can be protected completely is calculated for the case that the anode is infinitely far away. Results calculated for potential-dependent hydrogen evolution and iron dissolution are compared with that for an assumed uniform current density and an allowed window of variation of electrode potential. Attempting application of a voltage that yields equal average hydrogen and iron current densities leads to iron corrosion near the center and hydrogen generation near the edge of the disk, with large values of these current densities for large disks. Another approach is to suppress only iron corrosion by applying a sufficiently negative protecting voltage. Suppressing the iron current leads to an enormous hydrogen generation near the edge of large disks.
Reference Jacobian optimization-based rezone strategies for arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian methods

The philosophy of the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) methodology for solving multidimensional fluid flow problems is to move the computational grid, using the flow as a guide, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the simulation. A principal element of ALE is the rezone phase in which a "rezoned" grid is created that is adapted to the fluid motion. We will describe a general rezone strategy that ensures the continuing geometric quality of the computational grid, while keeping the "rezoned" grid as close as possible to the Lagrangian grid at each time step. Although the methodology can be applied to more general grid types, here we restrict ourselves to logically rectangular grids in two dimensions. Our rezoning phase consists of two components: a sequence of local optimizations followed by a single global optimization. The local optimization defines a set of "reference" Jacobians which incorporates our definition of mesh quality at each point of the grid. The set of reference Jacobians then is used in the global optimization. At each node we form a local patch from the adjacent cells of the Lagrangian grid and construct a local realization of the Winslow smoothness functional on this patch. Minimization of this functional with respect to the position of the central node defines its "virtual" location (the node is not actually moved at this stage). By connecting this virtually moved node to its (stationary) neighbors, we define a reference Jacobian that represents the best locally achievable geometric grid quality. The "rezoned" grid results from a minimization (where the points are actually moved) of a global objective function that measures the distance (in a least-squares sense) between the Jacobian of the rezoned grid and the reference Jacobian. This objective function includes a "barrier" that penalizes grids whose cells are close to being inverted. The global objective function is minimized by direct optimization leading to the rezoned grid. We provide numerical examples to demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of our methodology on model examples as well as for ALE calculations of Rayleigh-Taylor unstable flow.
Exenatide dosing in alpacas

In order to investigate whether exenatide could be used to stimulate glucose clearance and insulin secretion in alpacas without causing colic signs, six healthy adult alpacas were injected once a day with increasing subcutaneous doses. A follow-up intravenous glucose injection was given to induce hyperglycemia, and serial blood samples were collected to measure plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and nonesterified fatty acids. The exenatide doses used were saline control (no drug), and 0.02, 0.05, or 0.1 mcg/kg injected subcutaneously. Alpacas had significantly lower plasma glucose concentrations and higher insulin concentrations on all treatment days compared with the control day, but the increase in insulin was significantly greater and lasted significantly longer when the alpacas received the two higher dosages. Two of the alpacas developed mild colic signs at the 0.05 mcg/kg dose and were not evaluated at the highest dose. Based on these findings, the 0.05 mcg/kg dose appears to offer the greatest stimulation of insulin secretion and glucose clearance without excessive risk or severity of complications.
A decentralized approach to maintenance of intravenous therapy

A prospective experiment was conducted in a university-affiliated hospital to evaluate the effectiveness of a core of specially trained staff nurses in the maintenance of IV therapy. Five staff nurses for each of two experimental units were trained for 1 month by an IV nurse educator and were expected to perform venipuncture and monitor peripheral IV care on their units. On three control units, IV therapy continued to be a shared function of all medical house staff and nurses. During this study, 876 IV infusions on 707 patients were studied. There was a decrease in the phlebitis rate on experimental units from baseline to study periods of from 33.5% to 20.9% (relative risk, controlled for duration of the use of an IV device, 0.53, p = 0.05), whereas the rate on control units increased slightly (23.8% to 26.7%, p = greater than 0.5). Regardless of duration of use, steel needles were associated with lower phlebitis rates than were plastic catheters. The mean duration that each infusion device was in place was significantly shorter on experimental units than on control units (2.4 vs. 3.3 days, p = less than 0.001). However, bacterial colonization of IV devices occurred more often on experimental units than on control units both at baseline (12.7% vs. 7.1%; p = 0.25) and during the study phase (19.4% vs. 5.9%; p = less than 0.01). This increased colonization occurred with IV infusions started by both physicians and nurses. There were no septic complications of IV therapy in the patients studied. Patient comfort, measured by number of sticks for each venipuncture and patient interview, was significantly improved (p = less than 0.001) on experimental units during the study phase. Costs to start such a decentralized IV program on 10 clinical units was calculated to be about +10,000. This study provides information useful to those making administrative decisions regarding the value of IV teams or other methods for IV therapy maintenance. We concluded that a decentralized program can be successful with commitment of time and money resources and with a system of monitoring to ensure compliance with written IV guidelines.
Entry of EGF into brain is rapid and saturable

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a neurotrophic peptide produced both in the central nervous system and the periphery. Peripheral administration of EGF causes central nervous system-mediated changes. The central nervous system effects could be explained by the permeation of EGF across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this report, we show that 125I-EGF crosses the BBB rapidly, with an influx rate of about 2 microl/g x min, much faster than that for neurotrophins, cytokines, and most other bioactive peptides tested. The 125I-EGF was recovered intact in the brain 10 min after i.v. injection, and the majority of the peptide reaching the brain was present in the parenchyma. The fast rate of influx was significantly decreased by co-administration of nonradiolabeled EGF and transforming growth factor alpha, peptides that share the EGF receptor. By contrast, a monoclonal antibody against the EGF receptor failed to inhibit the entry of EGF. Furthermore, mice with a mutation in the EGF receptor had no significant decrease in the rapid rate of entry of 125I-EGF. By contrast to the fast rate of entry, 125I-EGF injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) only exited the brain with the bulk flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Thus, EGF has a saturable transport system at the BBB for rapid, unidirectional influx. The transport system does not require the entire EGF receptor and is susceptible to possible therapeutic manipulation.
Fractionation and characterization of low molecular weight solubilized proteins of newborn rat keratohyalin granules.

Abstract Newborn rat epidermis was extracted using methods reported to extract keratohyalin granules. All extraction techniques yielded preparations of solubilized proteins with similar sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoretograms. The solubilized proteins were fractionated on a Sephadex G-200 column and six low molecular weight protein fractions (apparent molecular weights between 10 000 and 18 000) have been identified. Four of these have been isolated and partially characterized. Two of the fractions are characterized by high histidine, arginine, serine and glutamic acid concentrations and have an amino acid composition similar to that of the histidine-rich protein characteristic of keratohyalin granules. One of these histidine-rich fractions (molecular weight 13 700) has ribonuclease activity. The other two isolated fractions are basic proteins, one of which (molecular weight 12 800) is a basic lysine-rich protein. This protein is not found in any other tissues of the new born or adult rat.
Cigarette smoke activates guanylate cyclase and increases guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate in tissues

The gaseous phase of cigarette smoke induced a 2- to 36-fold increase in the activity of guanylate cyclase in supernatant and particulate fractions from various rat and bovine tissues over basal activity. The characteristics of this phenomenon paralleled those of the activation of guanylate cyclase by nitric oxide, which is a component of tobacco smoke.
The role of electromagnetic radiation in hypervelocity impact mechanics

Abstract This paper is based upon an acceptance presentation I made for the 1998 Distinguished Scientist award presented by the Hypervelocity Impact Society. Nearly thirty years ago, I recorded a cine sequence of a gaseous debris plume expanding behind a thin cadmium plate impacted by a cadmium sphere. The plume stagnated on a second plate where it glowed so brightly that it must have been heated to over 50,000 oK. The fact went unnoticed for nearly twenty years until it was predicted theoretically and then finally observed. The theoretical analysis showed that virtually all gaseous impact debris that is intercepted gives up its energy to electromagnetic radiation. Potential exists to use the resulting radiation for a variety of research opportunities. More recently, tungsten plasma accelerated electrically with a 10 MV pulse generator at Sandia National Laboratories has been imploded onto the axis of an evacuated cylindrical cavity where it stagnates against itself to produce enormous pulses of incoherent electromagnetic radiation. The intensity of the radiation is so great that it vaporizes and launches surface material off samples exposed to it. Extremely intense shockwaves are produced that are being used for extending material equation-of-state determinations well above pressure levels reachable by laboratory impacts.
Oral contraceptive use and mortality after 36 years of follow-up in the Nurses’ Health Study: prospective cohort study

Objective To determine whether use of oral contraceptives is associated with all cause and cause specific mortality. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Nurses’ Health Study, data collected between 1976 and 2012. Population 121 701 participants were prospectively followed for 36 years; lifetime oral contraceptive use was recorded biennially from 1976 to 1982. Main outcome measures Overall and cause specific mortality, assessed throughout follow-up until 2012. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the relative risks of all cause and cause specific mortality associated with use of oral contraceptives. Results In our population of 121 577 women with information on oral contraceptive use, 63 626 were never users (52%) and 57 951 were ever users (48%). After 3.6 million person years, we recorded 31 286 deaths. No association was observed between ever use of oral contraceptives and all cause mortality. However, violent or accidental deaths were more common among ever users (hazard ratio 1.20, 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.37). Longer duration of use was more strongly associated with certain causes of death, including premature mortality due to breast cancer (test for trend P Conclusions All cause mortality did not differ significantly between women who had ever used oral contraceptives and never users. Oral contraceptive use was associated with certain causes of death, including increased rates of violent or accidental death and deaths due to breast cancer, whereas deaths due to ovarian cancer were less common among women who used oral contraceptives. These results pertain to earlier oral contraceptive formulations with higher hormone doses rather than the now more commonly used third and fourth generation formulations with lower estrogen doses.
Nb-Al powder metallurgy processed multifilamentary wire

Powder metallurgy processed Nb-Al wire with overall critical current densities, J c , at 4.2K up to 104A/cm2at 19T has been investigated in more detail, Kramer plots and directly measured H c2 values of samples with different heat treatments show an increase in H c2 at 4.2K up to 24.5T. Test coils, using long lengths of wire, and tested in fields up to 15T, show J c values equal to those of short samples. Multiple strand hydrostatic small scale extrusions were made. A number of third element additions including B, Mg, Co, Cr and Ni in fine powder form were incorporated in the P/M processing but these did not improve J c . ac losses were measured and used to determine J c at 10w fields. The high field ac losses are lower than that for any In Situ or powder processed Nb 3 Sn wires.
A Wide-Band Square-Wave Generator

A square-wave generator is described which covers a very wide frequency range, is compact, self-contained, and adaptable to many other uses besides the investigation of transient response. The instrument uses a positive-bias type multivibrator. The operation of the multivibrator and clipping circuits are explained. Approximate formulas for the multivibrator frequency and pulse width are derived and discussed and its increased stability against interference explained. Methods and fields for application are then discussed.
Relationships and change in religious communities

The purpose of this paper is to apply Argyris's theoretical statements concerning interpersonal competence acquisition and organizational effec tiveness to one kind of organization currently undergoing rapid change?reli gious communities such as those in the Catholic Church. Even the most casual observer of church and religious affairs is aware of the ferment and change?often agonizing?that have increasingly pervaded the scene since Vatican II. What is happening in most religious communities is a case in point. Precious little, if anything, is exempt from earnest questioning and experimentation. Values held sacred and untouchable, in some cases for literally centuries, are suddenly the object of searching reappraisals. Not only the modes of living religious life but the very concept of religious life is grist for the mill. It is scarcely surprising, then, that the processes of change have been attended by so much confusion, fear, and suspicion. Perhaps no area of change has been as controversial and emotionally charged as the area of interpersonal relations in religious life. What place do personal relations have in the life of a religious community? What kinds of relationships are appropriate? How do they affect community objectives? On these and similar questions virtually no one stands neutral. The issue reaches deeply into persons and values. In what follows, we intend to summarize one set of criteria for assessing interpersonal competence and then relate these criteria to the interpersonal world of religious life. Interpersonal competence
Double-sided flux-switching linear synchronous machine with yokeless translator

In this paper, a novel double-sided design of a 3υ permanent magnet flux-switching linear synchronous machine (FSLSM) with a yokeless translator is proposed. When compared to conventional flux-switching linear machines, it is found that the proposed design can achieve 56% higher thrust without compromising other features of the conventional flux-switching motor. The proposed design also exhibits excellent thrust versus current linearity even under high excitation currents. Force analysis of the proposed design is performed to establish the mechanical integrity of the design. The proposed linear motor is suitable and cost-effective for applications that require long strokes and may also, find uses in repeated oscillatory type applications.
Forecasting the Future: How Television Weathercasters—Attitudes and Beliefs about Climate Change Affect Their Cognitive Knowledge on the Science

The topic of climate change has recently resurfaced on many news agendas, but increasingly, the scientific and political issues mix. Previous research has noted that even though the public relies p...
The mechanism of tyrosine oxidation by mushroom tyrosinase.

The mechanism of tyrosine oxidation by mushroom tyrosinase was studied spectrophotometrically and by oxygen uptake studies using an oxygen galvanocell. From the data obtained the following mechanism was postulated: S + E1 (tyrosine site) ⇄ SE1→ P1 + E1 (Km′, Vm′) P1 + E2 (dopa site) ⇄ P1E1 → P2 + E2 (Km, Vm) S + E2 ⇄ SE2 (inactive) (K1) The theoretical analysis of the data by the equation derived from this mechanism gives an adequate explanation of the characteristic induction period and other kinetic peculiarities observed in the oxidation of tyrosine by tyrosinase.
The Impact of Candidate Name Order on Election Outcomes

Perceived obligations of citizen duty may compel some people to cast votes in democratic elections even when they lack sufficient information to make informed choices. Psychological theories of choice suggest that, under such circumstances, voters may be influenced by the order in which candidates' names appear on the ballot, biasing people toward candidates listed early (when voters can generate reasons to vote for the candidates) or late (when voters can only generate reasons to vote against the candidates). Consistent with this reasoning, analyses of 1992 election returns in Ohio revealed that reliable name-order effects appeared in 48 percent of 118 races, nearly always advantaging candidates listed first, by an average of 2.5 percent. These effects were stronger in races when party affiliations were not listed, when races had been minimally publicized, and when no incumbent was involved. Furthermore, name-order effects were stronger in counties where voters were less knowledgeable about politics. All of this suggests that ballot structure influences election outcomes when voters lack substantive bases for candidate preferences. However, the magnitude of name-order effects observed here suggests that they have probably done little to undermine the democratic process in contemporary America.
Increased levels of laminin in ascitic fluid of patients with ovarian cancer.

Laminin is a component of the extracellular matrix and is associated with tumor cell metastasis. Present studies show that the ovarian cancer cell lines produce significant amounts of laminin (54–140 ng/ml) in culture. Since ovarian cancer is associated with ascites production, laminin levels were then determined in ascites and serum. The results indicate that the ascites from patients with serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary had higher levels of laminin than the normal peritoneal fluid (P < 0.0001). However, the serum levels of laminin did not differ significantly between the control population and ovarian cancer patients.
Hydrodynamic control of phytoplankton in low salinity waters of the James River estuary, Virginia, U.S.A.

Abstract Autotrophic biomass and productivity as well as nutrient distributions and phytoplankton cell populations in the James River estuary, Virginia, were quantified both spatially and temporally over a 17-month period. Emphasis was placed on the very low salinity region of the estuary in order to gain information on the fate of freshwater phytoplankters. Differing amounts of freshwater plant biomass are advected into the estuary as living material, DOC or POC and the demonstrated variability of this input must play an important role in marine biogeochemical cycling. Late summer and fall maxima in both chlorophyll a and the photosynthetic production of particulate organic carbon in very low salinity regions were inversely correlated with river discharge. During periods of low river discharge greater than 50% of the chlorophyll a biomass measured at 0‰ disappeared within a narrow range of salinity (0–2‰). Cell enumeration data suggest that species introduced from the freshwater end-member tend to comprise the bulk of the biomass removed. Confounding factors, which may contribute to the regulation of both the abundance and species of phytoplankters mid-river, include the flocculation of colloidal material with phytoplankton cells, the presence of the turbidity maximum and the growth of endemic phytoplankton populations. An inverse relationship exists between the phytoplankton abundance in very low salinity waters and the abundance of biomass measured in the lower portion of the river (estuary). Thus, autotrophic production in the fresh and very low salinity areas may indirectly regulate the onset on the spring bloom in the estuary by controlling the amount of nutrients available.
Solder joint fatigue study under low temperature Martian conditions

Electronics, without requiring heater power or enclosure in a centralized "warm electronics box," will need to survive mean surface temperatures of -120/spl deg/C to +20/spl deg/C for an extended (>2 years) Martian mission and an operational temperature up to 85/spl deg/C. These surface temperatures range over one Martian day or typical cycle. Since the electronics will need to survive extended thermal cycles (3/spl times/ life of 2010 cycles) under these conditions, thermally induced fatigue is a significant concern. The solder joint reliability of connectors with Sn60Pb40 finish and In80Pbl5Ag5 solder on a printed wiring board was investigated. Between 638 to 1431 cycles from -120/spl deg/C to +85/spl deg/C, a small number of leads failed on a printed wiring board with a silicone conformal coating. Scanning electronic microscopy analysis revealed crack initiation at the lead finish and In80Pbl5Ag5 solder interface in at least one case with martensitic phase transformation of tin/lead solder and the loss of ductility in the tin phase at low temperatures as the failure modes. Another failure region was composed of several intermetallic compounds with intermetallic embrittlement as a failure mode. This fatigue study determines the corresponding failure modes of the thermally stressed components at each failed interface.
EVALUATION OF A PROTEOLYTIC ENZYME MIXTURE ISOLATED FROM CRUDE TRYPSINS IN TISSUE DISAGGREGATION

Trypsin, chymotripsin and elastase are the pancreatic enzymes required for neonatal rat heart tissue disaggregation. We have previously developed a procedure for the isolation of a mixture of these three enzymes from commercial crude-trypsin samples. Toxic materials present in certain crude-trypsin samples are removed during purification. An evaluation of this mixture was conducted for its ability to disaggregate neonatal rat heart tissue for cell culture. Large numbers of cells were released with minimal cellular damage as determined by their ability to survive and function in culture. Rat lung and kidney tissue also were disaggregated successfully and cultured with this preparation. It is apparent that this enzyme preparation has a potential for disaggregating a wide variety of tissues.
Effects of antisera to bullfrog prolactin and growth hormone on metamorphosis of Rana catesbeiana tadpoles.

Abstract Rabbit antisera to bullfrog prolactin (fPRL) or growth hormone (fGH), or normal rabbit serum (NRS) were injected intraperitoneally into late prometamorphic tadpoles of Rana catesbeiana . The injections were given once a week for 5 weeks at a dose of 50 μl per animal. The fPRL antiserum accelerated metamorphic climax and the GH antiserum did not. The results indicate that endogenous PRL has antimetamorphic effects in this species.
Wideband and flat-gain optical amplification from 1460 to 1510 nm by serial combination of a thulium-doped fluoride fibre amplifier and fibre Raman amplifier

A wideband and flat-gain optical amplifier is realised for the wavelength band under the gain band of erbium-doped fibre amplifiers by serially connecting a thulium-doped fluoride fibre amplifier and a fibre Raman amplifier. A high gain of > 25 dB is obtained in the range 1460 – 1510 nm.
Comparison of stem-cell recovery in autoimmune and normal strains

The capacity of NZB stem cells to proliferate in vivo was evaluated in two systems which required repopulation of peripheral organs. In both types of depletion systems, stem-cell repopulation after cyclophosphamide treatment or adoptive transfer repopulation in lethally irradiated hosts, it was found that NZB stem cells were hyperproliferating. The increase in proliferating cells was most pronounced in the spleens of NZB mice treated with high-dose cyclophosphamide and in lethally irradiated F1 mice reconstituted with NZB T-cell-depleted bone marrow. Thus, upon a stimulus to repopulate, NZB marrow stem cells will hyperproliferate in peripheral organs resulting in an increase in cell number. The abnormality in the marrow cells can be observed in young NZB mice when their marrow cells are in an environment which requires recovery and division.
Mechanism of protein precipitation and stabilization by co-solvents

Abstract The interactions between proteins and a number of substances which, when present at high concentration, stabilize or precipitate proteins, have been analyzed in terms of the preferential interactions of these co-solvents with proteins. In all cases, stabilization or precipitation was accompanied by preferential exclusion of the co-solvent from the immediate domain of the protein, i.e., preferential hydration of the protein. This means that addition of the co-solvent to the aqueous protein solution increased the chemical potentials of both components. The thermodynamic interaction parameters derived from such data make it possible to calculate the salting out constant, Ks, as well as to construct a phase isotherm for any given solvent mixture which indicates the limiting protein solubility. The salting-out effect can be decomposed into contributions from non-specific preferential exclusion and specific binding of the ligand to the protein, the balance leading to solubilization or precipitation. In reactions, such as denaturation, the effect of co-solvent on the reaction depends on the difference in the preferential interactions of the two end states of the protein. Principal sources of preferential exclusion have been identified as steric exclusion, increase of the surface tension of water by the co-solvent, repulsion by charged loci on the protein and solvophobicity.
Identification of a Domain That Mediates Association of Platelet-activating Factor Acetylhydrolase with High Density Lipoprotein

The plasma form of platelet-activating factor (PAF) acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), also known as lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) inactivates potent lipid messengers such as PAF and modified phospholipids generated in settings of oxidant stress. In humans, PAF-AH circulates in blood in fully active form and associates with high and low density lipoproteins (HDL and LDL). Several studies suggest that the location of PAF-AH affects both the catalytic efficiency and the function of the enzyme in vivo. The distribution of PAF-AH among lipoproteins varies widely among mammals. Here, we report that mouse and human PAF-AHs associate with human HDL particles of different density. We made use of this observation in the development of a binding assay to identify domains required for association of human PAF-AH with human HDL. Sequence comparisons among species combined with domain-swapping and site-directed mutagenesis studies led us to the identification of C-terminal residues necessary for the association of human PAF-AH with human HDL. Interestingly, the region identified is not conserved among PAF-AHs, suggesting that PAF-AH interacts with HDL particles in a manner that is unique to each species. These findings contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for association of human PAF-AH with HDL and may facilitate future studies aimed at precisely determining the function of PAF-AH in each lipoprotein particle.
Development of a clinical decision rule for triage of women with palpable breast masses.

Abstract Background and Objective: Given the large numbers of open breast biopsies performed in women who have benign breast masses, we developed a clinical decision rule (CDR), called BREASTAID, to triage women into open biopsy or follow-up. Methods: A prospective cohort design was used to obtain data on 452 palpable breast masses evaluated at a referral clinic. Breast cancer was defined as ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive cancer at open biopsy. Separate logistic regression models were developed at three logical stages of the clinical workup. Bayes' theorem was applied in a stepwise fashion to revise model probabilities to generate a final probability of cancer. Receiver operator characteristics curves were generated to determine the optimum cut-point. Results derived from the CDR were compared with actual clinical practice. Results: A total of 452 masses in 380 women were included. Clinical practice resulted in 180 masses (39.8%) undergoing open biopsy, 41 (22.8%) of which were cancers. Age, history of breast cancer in the mother, mass size, mammography findings, and fine needle aspiration biopsy results were included in the final models. When applied to the derivation dataset, BREASTAID successfully identified 40 of 41 cancer masses (sensitivity 97.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 94.1–99.9), and 350 of 411 noncancer masses (specificity 85.2%, 95% CI 81.8–88.5). BREASTAID would have reduced the number of biopsies performed on the 411 benign masses from 139 to 61. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that a CDR based on routinely collected clinical variables has the potential to accurately triage women with palpable breast masses. Further validation of the rule is required before its clinical use can be considered.
Terrorism, shared rules and trust

WHAT is the moral significance of terrorism? To answer this question, I begin with the following assumptions, for which I offer no argument: all acts of terrorism are morally objectionable and there is at least one (non-moral) feature that makes all acts of terrorism morally objectionable (that is, all acts of terrorism are morally objectionable in at least one and the same way). This does not rule out the possibility that some acts of terrorism may be morally permissible or even morally required. Permissible and obligatory acts may nonetheless fail to be morally “pure.” They may have some morally objectionable features. In this way, a terrorist act is like all acts to which “thick” predicates are applicable. For example, all brutal acts are morally objectionable. But there might be cases in which a brutal act is nonetheless excusable or even morally required. A rude comment is always objectionable (although perhaps not morally so), but there might be some cases in which it is excusable to be rude. In such instances, we might say that it is regrettable that such actions had to be taken and we might condemn those who put us in the position to have to resort to such objectionable measures even if they are the same people who are the objects of our morally objectionable act (and we therefore end up in a sense blaming the victim). We might say, with only modest inaccuracy, that good people are being forced to do bad (which is to say, morally objectionable) things. Let us call the ineliminable moral objectionableness of all terrorist acts the special objectionableness of terrorism. So we can put the question addressed in this paper in the following way: What accounts for the special objectionableness
Genotyping of Candida parapsilosis from three neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) using a panel of five multilocus microsatellite markers: Broad genetic diversity and a cluster of related strains in one NICU

Candida parapsilosis (CP) (n = 40) isolated from an unselected patient population in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of three US hospitals were collected over periods of 3.5-9 years. Two previously published microsatellite markers and three additional trinucleotide markers were used to produce multiplex genotypes, which revealed broad strain diversity among the NICU isolates with a combined index of discrimination (D) = 0.997. A cluster of eight related CP strains from four infants in a single NICU was observed. An extended collection of 24 CP isolates from the general population of that hospital showed that the cluster of NICU isolates was related to three isolates from general hospital patients. This microsatellite marker set is suitable to investigate clusters of colonizing and infecting strains of CP.
A Longitudinal Study of Hemodynamics in a Functional Human Hemodialysis Fistula Using 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis

An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis in end-stage renal disease. However, 60% of AVFs fail to achieve sufficient lumen dilation to allow adequate blood flow for chronic dialysis [1]. Although hemodynamics is likely an important modulator of AVF maturation and remodeling, the AVF hemodynamic spatial distribution profiles and their relationship with AVF maturation and remodeling are unclear [2]. Based on data collected from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of an AVF and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, we developed a protocol for longitudinal (over time) and noninvasive monitoring of geometry and hemodynamics of human AVF.© 2010 ASME
Framing the “Green” alternative for environmentally conscious consumers

Purpose – Many market examples show that consumers are willing to pay a premium for “green” products and services. The purpose of this paper is to gain some insight into how consumers respond to green alternatives, and examine how managers can best position their green products to maximize the premium consumers are willing to pay.Design/methodology/approach – A series of behavioral experiments was conducted to demonstrate how the green product's characteristics are framed significantly affects the size of the “green premium” consumers are willing to pay.Findings – The results show that positive framing (focusing on the advantages of the green product) works best for environmentally conscious consumers while negative framing (focusing on avoiding the disadvantages of the non‐green product) works best for less environmentally conscious consumers. Additionally, subtractive price framing which focuses on the discount consumers would pay for the non‐green product alternative results in a higher green premium t...
Consistency between death rates of immigrants and death rates in their home nations.

Unlike suicide rates, rates of death from motor vehicle accidents and “all other violent deaths” of 13 immigrant groups in Australia are not consistently associated with mortality rates from these causes in the home nations.
Beyond convexity: local search and equilibrium computation

It is well known that an equilibrium point of a zero-sum two-player game can be computed in polynomial time using linear programming while the computation of a Nash equilibrium in a general two-player game is PPAD complete. In parallel, an Arrow-Debreu equilibrium price of an exchange market of traders with linear utilities is polynomial-time computable using convex programming, while the computation of an equilibrium price of an exchange market with linearly separable piece-wise linear utilities is PPAD complete. This convexity based dichotomy is fascinating in my view. In this talk I would like to discuss some of our recent work about the mathematical and complexity structure of equilibria, both for fixed-point-based Nash and market equilibria and for potential-function-based network equilibria that can be found by any local search procedure. I would also like to touch on the questions such as "Is local search fundamentally easier than fixed point computation?"
Impact of Euschistus servus and E. variolar ius (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) Feeding on Early Growth Stages of Corn

Greenhouse studies were conducted to quantify the effects of feeding activity of selected densities of third instars, combined fourth and fifth instars, and adults of Euschtstus servus (Say) and E. variolarius (Palisot de Beauvois) on VE, V2, and V4 corn ( Zea mays L.) Exposures of VE and V2 corn to all densities of third, fourth and fifth instars, or adults for 96 h resulted in termination of growth, reduced growth, or mortality of plants. There was no mortality of V4 plants. Third instars through adults caused tillering of VE and V2 corn, but only fourth and fifth instars and adults caused tillering of V4. Third instars through adults caused significantly shorter mean extended leaf heights of all growth stages. They also caused significantly lower dry root and aboveground weights of VE and V2 corn. Only adults caused significantly lower dry root weights of V4 plants. Corn growth stages and stink bug densities apparently affect the intensity of damage and may be important factors in assessing damage and determining control strategies.
Medical decisions concerning noncompetent patients.

Medical decisions concerning noncompetent patients that are most morally problematical are those that involve life and death choices. In making these choices for others, I urge that decision-makers carefully attend to the degree and history of a person's noncompetence, and distinguish four relevant categories of competence: partial, potential, lost and never possessed. Attending to these will help enable us to sort out when and how autonomous choice is possible and desirable and when and how to rely upon a judgment of a patient's best interests instead. This conflict is explored with particular reference to the Quinlan, Fox and Saikewicz cases. I argue that respect for autonomy, wherever possible, has presumptive priority, and that it is more often possible than frequently supposed. On the other hand, the notion of autonomous choice itself is perverted when forced upon inappropriate cases, such as those presented by the never competent. Here it is not merely legitimate, but inescapable to use a best interest criterion that ignores autonomy in making treatment decisions. Specific cases in which these normally distinct guidelines for decision-making concur, conflict and need resolution are discussed. In the end it is often more important to determine who will choose than by what substantive criteria he or she will be guided. In considering this issue, I try to show that the substantive criteria have implications for who the proper decision-makers are in many problematical cases.
Phospho-dependent protein recognition motifs contained in C/EBP family of transcription factors: in silico studies.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs) are transcriptional regulators implicated in cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and tumorigenesis. Their biological activities require interactions with several protein partners. This report presents insights from in silico analysis aimed at identifying phosphorylation-dependent protein recognition motifs in C/EBPs. (1) All C/EBP variants contain intrinsically disordered Ser/Thr- and Pro-rich segments with potential docking sites for WW and Polo-box domains of prolyl isomerase Pin1 and Polo-like kinases (Plks), respectively. (2) Consensus phosphorylation sequences for Plks are located in a highly conserved region of transactivation domains, suggesting that Plks might modulate transcriptional activities of C/EBPs in a cell cycle-dependent manner. (3) Phosphorylation at these positions, as well as at conserved Ser in the extended basic region, would create phosphoserine-containing motifs (pSXXF/Y/I/L), which could be recognized by BRCT repeats containing ...
Field Control of the Nantucket Pine Tip Moth by the Nematode DD-136

Field investigations showed that the nematode DD-136 would kill Rhyacionia frustrana (Comstock) larvae under natural conditions. More first-generation tip moth larvae were killed than second or third. Nematode suspensions were aided in effectiveness by addition of 10% glycerin and to a lesser degree by addition of wetting agents or spreader-stickers, namely, 2% solution of Emgard 2050, Sole-onic CDS, and IGEPON AP-78. However, it was concluded that under the conditions of this study, DD-136 did not provide sufficient control of the Nantucket pine tip moth to recommend its use.
Reaction of phenol-formaldehyde bond with refractory filler

The surface of refractory filler exerts a significant influence on the state of the polymer matrix, polycondensation, coking and oxidation of the phenol-formaldehyde bond. The degree of reaction of the bond with the filler increases with increase in the basicity of the filler and increase in its surface. In this case, there is an increase in the strength of the composition, and reductions in the coke residue upon carbonization of the bond, and the resistance to the oxidative action of the atmospheric oxygen.
The 2-, 4-, and 6-pyridones related to 1-methyl-nicotinonitrile

Abstract The 2-, 4-, and 6-pyridones related to 1-methylnicotinonitrile have been synthesized and their properties compared. The 4-pyridone is a new compound and the 2-pyridone has not been obtained synthetically before. The 4- and 6-pyridones are identical to two of the products obtained from enzymatic oxidation of nicotinonitrile methiodide.