cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activation Thermodynamics of Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Mediated Model Membrane Fusion Support Mechanistic Models of Stalk and Pore Formation

Membrane fusion, essential to eukaryotic life, is broadly envisioned as a three-step process proceeding from contacting bilayers through two semistable, nonlamellar lipidic intermediate states to a fusion pore. Here, we introduced a new, to our knowledge, experimental approach to gain insight into the nature of the transition states between initial, intermediate, and final states. Recorded time courses of lipid-mixing, content-mixing, and content-leakage associated with fusion of 23 nm vesicles in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) at multiple temperatures were fitted globally to a three-step sequential model to yield rate constants and thereby activation thermodynamics for each step of the process, as well as probabilities of occurrence of lipid-mixing, content-mixing, or content-leakage in each state. Experiments with membranes containing hexadecane, known to reduce interstice energy in nonlamellar structures, provided additional insight into the nature of fusion intermediates and transition states. The results support a hypothesis for the mechanism of stalk formation (step-1) that involves acyl chain protrusions into the interbilayer contact region, a hypothesis for a step-2 mechanism involving continuous interconversion of semistable nonlamellar intermediates, and a hypothesis for step-3 (pore formation) mechanism involving correlated movement of whole lipid molecules into hydrophobic spaces created by geometry mismatch between intermediate structures.
An examination of blue- versus white-collar workers’ conceptualizations of job satisfaction facets

Abstract This study examined the degree to which blue- versus white-collar workers differentially conceptualize various job facets, namely the work itself, co-workers, supervisors, and pay. To examine these potential differences, we conducted a series of analyses on job satisfaction ratings from two samples of university workers. Consistent with the study hypothesis, results revealed that blue- and white-collar workers held different conceptualizations regarding the nature of co-workers, pay, and the work itself, but not of supervisors. In general, more dimensions for each facet emerged for the white-collar workers, suggesting that these individuals possess more differentiated and multidimensional evaluations of these job facets than do blue-collar workers. Discussion focuses on the meaning and implications of the findings.
Complex PTSD in Victims Exposed to Sexual and Physical Abuse: Results from the DSM-IV Field Trial for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Two hundred thirty four participants in the DSM-IV Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Field Trial who reported sexual and/or physical abuse were evaluated. Participants were categorized according to type of abuse (physical, sexual, both), duration of abuse (acute versus chronic), and onset of abuse (early versus late). Separate logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between age of onset, duration, abuse type, and the complex PTSD (CP) lifetime diagnosis for women and men. Sexually abused women, especially those who also experienced physical abuse, had a higher risk of developing CP, although CP symptoms occurred at a high base rate among physically abused women. The theoretical implications and incremental clinical usefulness of targeting CP symptoms with abused populations are discussed.
Electro-Optically Tunable ${\rm As}_{2}{\rm S}_{3}$ Mach–Zehnder Interferometer on ${\rm LiNbO}_{3}$ Substrate

An electro-optically tunable vertically integrated As2S3 Mach-Zehnder interferometer side coupled to a Ti-diffused waveguide on LiNbO3 substrate was designed and fabricated. Asymmetric coplanar strip electrodes were placed along the As2S3 path, which show strong electro-optic tuning capability, shifting the FSR of the interferometer. The tuning of the TM polarization with 7-mm-long electrodes having a 7-μm gap was observed with VπL = 15.9 V-cm, giving a tuning rate of 0.028 nm/V at 1530 nm. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of electro-optic tuning of an As2S3 guided mode on LiNbO3 substrate.
Time-dependent changes in bolton-hunter-labeled125I-substance P binding in rat spinal cord following unilateral adjuvant-induced peripheral inflammation

Time-dependent changes in Bolton-Hunter-labeled125I-substance P binding occurred in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord following unilateral adjuvant-induced inflammation in the hindpaw of the rat. Inflammation was characterized by measures of edema and hyperalgesia. Edema and hyperalgesia were both present 6 h after induction of inflammation. However, by eight days, hyperalgesia had dissipated while edema persisted. Six hours after the induction of inflammation, widespread decreases in Bolton-Hunter-labeled125I-substance P binding occurred on both sides of the dorsal horn of spinal level L4 in comparison to the control group. However, by two days, widespread increases in Bolton-Hunterlabeled125I-substance P binding occurred on both sides of the spinal cord at level L4 compared to the control group. The increase in radioligand binding was primarily due to a 10-fold increase in affinity of neurokinin-1 receptors for substance P. At later time-points of four and eight days, Bolton-Hunter-labeled125I-substance P binding remained increased only in laminae I/II on the side of the spinal cord ipsilateral to inflammation. The changes in Bolton-Hunter-labeled125I-substance P binding suggest that alterations in substance P synaptic transmission in the spinal cord may contribute to the increased excitability of spinal neurons that accompanies adjuvant-induced peripheral inflammation.
Evaluation of Host Preferences by Helminths and Ectoparasites among Black-tailed Jackrabbits in Northern California

Fifty-four black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) (five juvenile males, 22 adult males, five juvenile females, and 22 adult females) from Humboldt County, California (USA) were evaluated for sex and age-specific differences in parasite prevalences and intensities, 26 February through 30 October 1996. Nematodes found included Biogastranema leporis in 42 hares (78% prevalence), Rauschia triangularis in 26 hares (48%), Trichostrongylus calcaratus in 14 hares (26%), and Trichuris sylvilagi in two hares (4%). Cestodes found included Taenia sp. cysticerci in five hares (9%) and Taenia sp. coenurus found in one hare (2%). Ectoparasites found included the ticks Dermacentor variabilis on 10 hares (19%) and Ixodes spinipalpis (=Ixodes neotomae) on nine hares (17%), as well as the anoplurid louse Haemodipsus setoni on 12 hares (22%). No significant differences in the parasite prevalences or intensities were found between male and female jackrabbits; this was for all males and females collectively, juvenile ma...
The Fence Methods

This paper provides an overview of a recently developed class of strategies for model selection, known as the fence methods. It also offers directions of future research as well as challenging problems.
Widespread epigenetic abnormalities suggest a broad DNA methylation erasure defect in abnormal human sperm

BackgroundMale-factor infertility is a common condition, and etiology is unknown for a high proportion of cases. Abnormal epigenetic programming of the germline is proposed as a possible mechanism compromising spermatogenesis of some men currently diagnosed with idiopathic infertility. During germ cell maturation and gametogenesis, cells of the germ line undergo extensive epigenetic reprogramming. This process involves widespread erasure of somatic-like patterns of DNA methylation followed by establishment of sex-specific patterns by de novo DNA methylation. Incomplete reprogramming of the male germ line could, in theory, result in both altered sperm DNA methylation and compromised spermatogenesis.Methodology/Principal FindingWe determined concentration, motility and morphology of sperm in semen samples collected by male members of couples attending an infertility clinic. Using MethyLight and Illumina assays we measured methylation of DNA isolated from purified sperm from the same samples. Methylation at numerous sequences was elevated in DNA from poor quality sperm.ConclusionsThis is the first report of a broad epigenetic defect associated with abnormal semen parameters. Our results suggest that the underlying mechanism for these epigenetic changes may be improper erasure of DNA methylation during epigenetic reprogramming of the male germ line.
Problems associated with homelessness and young pregnant teenagers

Abstract Study Objective: Homelessness is a major complication to adolescent pregnancy. We hypothesized that homelessness was associated with an increased incidence of other psychosocial and health risk factors for young pregnant teens. Design, Setting, Participants: We conducted a nationwide study of homeless young pregnant teens living in group residential facilities and of a control population of young pregnant teens living at home with their families. Clinical social workers involved in services for these patients were located by consulting a national directory of maternity homes and through contact with hospital-based social service departments randomly selected through long-distance telephone information. After a telephone conversation detailing the nature of the project, questionnaires were mailed to each social worker. They were to complete a questionnaire for each of the two youngest pregnant teens cared for at their facility in the previous 12 months. The data from the returned questionnaires were evaluated by chi-square analysis and Fisher's exact test. Main Outcome Measures: We distributed 736 questionnaires and collected data on 509 subjects (278 homeless, 231 controls) from 191 cities throughout the United States. The return rates were 69.1% from each group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in median age (14 years), race (50 and 42% white, 32 and 39% black, 10 and 14% Hispanic), school grade level (8th), or dropout rates (19 and 18%). Results: Findings included a greater likelihood for those in the homeless group to be under the guardianship of a social service agency (29 vs. 3%, p p p p p p p p p Conclusions: Homelessness should alert prenatal care providers to the expected coexistence of numerous additional psychosocial and health risk factors in young pregnant teens.
A catheter antenna for percutaneous microwave therapy

A flexible catheter antenna with a curved tip is described for transcutaneous microwave treatment of cardiac tachyarrhythmias. In tissue-equivalent phantom modeling materials, the enlarged inner conductor cap and coaxial choke design yields SAR distributions that accentuate heating of tissue toward the distal end of the catheter antenna. The power reflection coefficient is less than 4%.
Discrimination Intervals for Percentiles in Regression

Abstract In simple linear regression the 100pth percentile of the distribution of Y for a given value of X is β0 + β1 X + Zp σ, where Zp is the 100pth percentile of the standard normal distribution. The problem considered is to estimate the value of X for which this percentile is equal to some specified value, Yp . Both point and interval estimates are considered. A procedure for obtaining exact confidence intervals is derived, and in addition, two approximate and two conservative procedures for obtaining intervals are presented and compared. An example is given to illustrate these procedures and an application to covariance analysis is given.
MEASUREMENT OF LIFETIMES AND TENSOR POLARIZABILITIES OF ODD-PARITY STATES OF ATOMIC SAMARIUM

A systematic measurement of the lifetimes and tensor polarizabilities of the lowest-lying odd-parity levels of Sm I was performed. The lifetimes were measured by detecting time-resolved fluorescence following pulsed-laser excitation of atoms in an atomic beam; polarizabilities were measured employing the method of Stark-induced quantum beats. An analysis of the data is undertaken to find the best even-parity candidate states for an atomic electric dipole moment (EDM) measurement. For the most favorable candidate state ${(}^{7}{G}_{1}),$ the electron EDM enhancement factor is evaluated to be in the range $|R|\ensuremath{\approx}100--3800.$ Critical analysis of the present data along with earlier results in Sm shows the necessity of a term reassignment for several odd-parity states. This term reassignment is also used in an estimate of the parity-nonconserving ${}^{7}{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{{F}_{0}}}^{7}{G}_{1}$ amplitude.
Crossover from two to one dimension in in situ grown wires of Pb.

Using a novel fabrication technique, we have studied the metal-insulator transition in in situ grown wires of Pb with cross-sectional areas as small as ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}13}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$. We find that as we cross over into the 1D regime, fluctuations dominate the superconducting transition. Although existing fluctuation models work well at the larger cross-sectional areas, there is systematic deviation as the wires become smaller. We speculate that this may be due to 1D Coulomb correlation effects.
Event-Related Brain Potentials Elicited by Failure to Agree

Abstract Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 13 scalp electrodes while subjects read sentences, some of which contained violations of number or gender agreement. Subjects judged the acceptability of sentences in Experiments 1 and 2 and passively read sentences in Experiment 3. In Experiment 1, violations of subject-verb number, reflexive-antecedent number, and reflexive-antecedent gender agreement elicited a widely distributed positive-going wave (P600). Subject-verb agreement violations also elicited a left-hemisphere negativity. In Experiment 2, personal pronouns that mismatched in gender with the subject noun elicited a P600, but only when subjects judged such sentences to be unacceptable. Semantically anomalous words elicited an enhanced N400 component. In Experiment 3, subject-verb number disagreement elicited a P600 and semantic anomalies elicited an enhanced N400. ERPs to reflexive-antecedent agreement violations did not differ from those to controls. We evaluate the speculation that agreement between sentence constituents reflects syntactic constraints rather than semantic or discourse factors.
Erratum to “Searching for Borrelial T cell Epitopes associated with antibiotic-refractory lyme arthritis” [Mol. Immunol. 45 (2008) 2323–2332]

The authors regret that in the above published paper the following errors: In Table 1 the accession number given for fibronectin binding protein (BBK32) actually corresponds to the borrelial protein fibronectin/fibrinogen binding protein (BB0347). Consequently, all references in the text to BBK32 should have stated BB0347. In addition, the accession number given for p37 (flagellin A, BB0668) actually corresponds to immunogenic protein p37 (BBK48); and the accession number given for p66 should read NP 212737 instead of NP 2112737.
Optimal ride height and pitch control for championship race cars

Abstract Car performance in championship auto racing is strongly influenced by aerodynamics, particularly ground effects aerodynamics. Vehicles employing this technology require careful control of ride height and unsprung mass pitch in order to be stable, perform properly and achieve maximum success on the racetrack. In the past, attempts for controlling these vehicle variables centred around employment of very stiff “suspension systems” so as to prevent aerodynamic load buildup, which occurs at high race velocities, from causing excessive suspension travel. Control of these variables, however, may require use of an active suspension system, coupled with a controller which can adjust the suspension system in such a way as to mask road surface disturbance and aerodynamic noise. In the present work, a controller is developed for such a vehicle/suspension combination using linear quadratic stochastic regulator theory. Vehicle road inputs are modelled as Gaussian white noise, and are nearly completely rejected by the controller. In addition, representative aerodynamic inputs are also well controlled so that vehicle outputs of unsprung mass pitch angle and centre of gravity height are held constant.
Evaluation of methanol crossover in proton-conducting polyphosphazene membranes

Abstract A diffusion cell was developed to evaluate the methanol crossover for a novel class of polyphosphazene electrolyte membranes. It was found that the methanol diffusion coefficients of phenyl phosphonic acid functionalized poly[aryloxyphosphazene] membranes in an aqueous methanol solution (50% v/v) were ∼40 times lower than for Nafion 117, and ∼10–20 times lower than for sulfonated polyphosphazene membranes.
Experience and Latency to Achieve Stereopsis: A Replication:

This study replicated and extended the findings of MacCracken and Hayes (1976). 10 students were presented the same complex stereogram for 5 trials daily over 2 nonconsecutive days, and latencies to achieve depth perception were recorded. Latencies decreased across 5 trials in the first session but were somewhat longer at the beginning of the second session than at the end of the first session.
On a transient transport theory applied to a GaAs/AlxGa1−xAs heterojunction

Abstract A linear quantum theory of transient transport is applied to a GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction at 77 K. The electron energy subband structure is included and transient transport is investigated in the electric quantum limit with electron interactions in the presence of impurities and an electric field. The further inclusion of polar optical phonons as well as ionized impurity scattering is made. The results of the present theory are compared with a Monte Carlo work and to a more sophisticated non-linear approach for an electric field of E = 1 kV cm −1 .
Millimeter-wave rubidium Rydberg van der Waals spectroscopy

We have observed the diatomic $nsns\ensuremath{\rightarrow}ns(n+1)s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(n+1)s(n+1)s$ microwave transitions of pairs of cold Rb Rydberg atoms for $36lnl48$. The $ns(n+1)s$ state has by far the largest van der Waals shift due to its near degeneracy with the nearby $n{p}_{3/2}n{p}_{3/2}$ state. In fact, the energy difference and the van der Waals shift change sign at $n=38$ and we observe shifts of both signs. The combined excitation of the $ns(n+1)s$ and $(n+1)s(n+1)s$ states leads to an unusual line shape which can be described by a three-level Floquet model.
Purification and characterization of the recombinant Na+-translocating NADH : quinone oxidoreductase from vibrio cholerae

The nqr operon from Vibrio cholerae, encoding the entire six-subunit, membrane-associated, Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR), was cloned under the regulation of the PBAD promoter. The enzyme was successfully expressed in V. cholerae. To facilitate molecular genetics studies of this sodium-pumping enzyme, a host strain of V. cholerae was constructed in which the genomic copy of the nqr operon was deleted. By using a vector containing a six-histidine tag on the carboxy terminus of the NqrF subunit, the last subunit in the operon, the recombinant enzyme was readily purified by affinity chromatography in a highly active form from detergent-solubilized membranes of V. cholerae. The recombinant enzyme has a high specific activity in the presence of sodium. NADH consumption was assessed at a turnover number of 720 electrons per second. When purified using dodecyl maltoside (DM), the isolated enzyme contains approximately one bound ubiquinone, whereas if the detergent LDAO is used instead, t...
Management of a case of peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Background A 49-year-old woman presented at hospital, 8 days after giving birth to twins, with signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure. She had no history of heart disease, exposure to cardiotoxic agents or family history of heart muscle disease. Investigations Physical examination and laboratory blood tests, electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography. Diagnosis Peripartum cardiomyopathy. Management Standard heart failure therapy including β-blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, diuretics and systemic anticoagulation.
On Signal and Noise Level Estimation in a Coherent PCM Channel

Joint maximum likelihood estimators are presented for the signal amplitude and noise power density in a coherent PCM channel with white Gaussian noise and a correlation receiver. The estimates are based upon the correlation coefficient outputs of the receiver. From these estimators, an estimator for the quantity (received signal energy)/bit/,(noise power)/(unit bandwidth) upon which the error probabilities depend, is derived. This estimator is shown to be useful as 1) a point estimator for the signal-to-noise ratio for the higher values of this ratio (about 4 dB or greater), and 2) an easily calculated statistic upon which to base data acceptance or rejection criteria. The acceptance or rejection levels are obtained by the use of confidence interval curves in conjunction with word error probability data.
On webs of maximum rank

This paper contains two results on webs of maximal rank. First, we show that at each point, the web normals for a codimension-r web of maximum r-rank are (r−1)-dimensional generators of a rational normal scroll in the projectivized tangent space to the web domain, an extension of a theorem of Chern and Griffiths in the case r=2 [5]. We use this statement to deduce that webs of maximum rank are almost-Grassmannizable in the sense of Akivis [1]. Second, we show that there are exceptional (that is, maximum rank, but not algebraizable) webs W(2n, n, 2) for all n≥2. The construction relies on the properties of zero-cycles on algebraic K3 surfaces.
2-Methylvalerate formation in mitochondria ofAscaris suum and its relationship to anaerobic energy generation

Anaerobic incubation of intactAscaris suum mitochondria with pyruvate and propionate results in the formation of acetate, 2-methylvalerate, and 2-methylpentenoate and involves a rotenone sensitive, electron-transport associated phosphorylation. Malate inhibits 2-methylvalerate formation in these incubations, apparently by dissipating reducing power necessary for 2-methylvalerate formation. Indeed, malonate, an inhibitor of NADH-dependent fumarate reduction, dramatically stimulates 2-methylvalerate formation in incubations containing malate/propionate and malate/pyruvate/propionate but not pyruvate/propionate. In addition, malonate stimulates both 2-methylbutyrate and 2-methylvalerate formation in incubations with malate alone. The results of the present study suggest that branched-chain fatty acid synthesis inA. suum mitochondria is energy linked and that the inability of isolated, intact mitochondria to form branched-chain fatty acids from malate, their presumed physiological substrate, may result from an imbalance in the initial malate dismutation.
Citrus greening disease detection using aerial hyperspectral and multispectral imaging techniques

Airborne multispectral and hyperspectral imaging can be used to detect potentially diseased trees rapidly over a large area using unique spectral signatures. Ground inspection and management can be focused on these detected zones, rather than an entire grove, making it less labor-intensive and time-consuming. We propose a method to detect the areas of citrus groves infected with citrus greening disease [Huanglongbing (HLB)] using airborne hyperspectral and multispectral imaging. This would prevent further spread of infection with efficient management plans of infected areas. Two sets of hyperspectral images were acquired in 2007 and 2009, from different citrus groves in Florida. Multispectral images were acquired only in 2009. A comprehensive ground truthing based on ground measurements and visual check of the citrus trees was used for validating the results using 2007 images. In 2009, a more accurate polymerase chain reaction test for selected trees from ground truthing was carried out. With a handheld spectrometer, ground spectral measurements were obtained along with their degrees of infection. A hyperspectral imaging software (ENVI, ITT VIS) was used for the analysis. HLB infected areas were identified using image-derived spectral library, mixture tuned matched filtering (MTMF), spectral angle mapping (SAM), and linear spectral unmixing. The accuracy of the MTMF method was greater than the other methods. The accuracy of SAM using multispectral images (87%) was comparable to the results of the MTMF and also yielded higher accuracy when compared to SAM analysis on hyperspectral images. A possible inaccurate ground truthing for the grove in 2007 generated more false positives.
The Correlates of School Violence: An Examination of Factors Linked to Assaultive Behavior in a Rural Middle School with a Large Migrant Population

This study examines various factors that contribute to assaultive behavior in school. We focused on the differences between youth whose behavior was not problematic and those who admitted to threatening, stealing from, or physically assaulting students, teachers, or staff. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to a random sample of students at a rural California middle school that serves the children of a large migrant worker population. Results suggest that the factors linked to school violence in this unique sample are very similar to those identified elsewhere. Compared with youth who did not exhibit behavior problems in school, youth who admitted to behavioral problems in school had lower self-esteem scores, less of an ability to control their anger, less commitment to school, weaker bonds with teachers, and less parental supervision after school.
Mechanisms related to psychological well-being in older women with chronic illnesses: Age and disease comparisons

The influence of type of illness (breast cancer versus osteoarthritis) and age on physical health and functioning, self-system interpretive mechanisms, and women's psychological well-being were examined. Self-system interpretive mechanisms are considered mediators of the effects of physical health on psychological well-being and include social comparisons, social integration, and illness perceptions. Young-old (aged 60-74) and old-old (75 +) women, diagnosed with osteoarthritis (N = 102) or breast cancer (N = 86), who volunteered for the study were interviewed using structured self-report scales. Young-old and old-old women did not differ in terms of health status, interpretive mechanisms, or on three of five indices of psychological well-being. On the other hand, women with arthritis, regardless of age, reported more functional health problems, more symptoms, and perceived their illness as more severe, more chronic, and less controllable than women with breast cancer. Although women with arthritis and breast cancer differed significantly in terms of physical health, they did not differ on multiple measures of psychological well-being. For both groups, women who made more positive social comparisons and who had more extensive social networks had higher levels of psychological well-being, regardless of physical health problems.
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression after short-term, high-dose glucocorticoid therapy in children with asthma

Short-term, high-dose oral glucocorticoid therapy is often required for control of acute asthma episodes in children. To evaluate possible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression after such therapy, we studied 11 children with just asymptomatic asthma before and at 3 and 10 days after completion of a five-day course of prednisone (up to 2 mg/kg/day in divided doses, maximum dose = 60 mg/day). HPA axis responsiveness was tested by measuring plasma corticosteroid levels before and after insulin-induced hypoglycemia. When these levels were compared to pretreatment levels, there was a statistically significant blunting of the peak corticosteroid responses to hypoglycemia 3 days after completion of the course of prednisone (p less than 0.001). However, corticosteroid responses were normal in all children 10 days after completion of the course of prednisone. We concluded that a single course of short-term, high-dose glucocorticoid therapy in children with asymptomatic asthma produces only transient (less than 10 days) HPA axis suppression.
Cow dung, rock salt, and medical innovation in the Hindu Kush of Pakistan: The cultural transformation of neonatal tetanus and iodine deficiency

In mountain villages of Chitral District in northwestern Pakistan, dried cow dung is used as Westerners would use talcum powder when babies are swaddled and rock salt is consumed in tea and other foods. Both substances are esteemed as conveying beneficial 'heat' and 'strength'. Unfortunately, however, cow dung sometimes contains a bacterium that causes neonatal tetanus, and the resulting toxin may enter through the baby's unhealed umbilical cord and cause death. Further, rock salt contains no iodine, and Chitral's soil is so iodine-deficient that goiter is very common. Thus local health workers advocate use of talcum powder rather than cow dung, immunization against tetanus, and replacement of rock salt by powdered iodized salt. The present report documents widespread community acceptance of these innovations despite the fact that the biomedical model of tetanus and goiter was not well understood and indigenous concepts of the causes of the diseases remained virtually undisturbed. Most of the villagers were Ismaili Muslim followers of the Aga Khan; their receptivity to such health messages was influenced by the high value that their religion places on advancement through 'education' and was correlated with their proximity to Ismaili health workers whom they trusted. A major implication of this research for primary health care programs is that when one is attempting to change existing health practices, explication of biomedical models should not be the only focus of concern. Attentiveness to the context in which behavior changes are introduced and interpreted is at least equally important. Further, the fact that new knowledge was added to the old without replacing it illustrates the complexity of human cognition and points to limitations in the KAP (knowledge-attitude-practice) model of health belief and behavior. This report adds to a small but important body of literature documenting the dynamic nature of medical pluralism in the developing world.
The production of collagenase by adherent mononuclear cells cultured from human peripheral blood.

Mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation, and the cells adherent to plastic substrata were cultured in serum-free media supplemented with lactalbumin hydrolysate. These cell cultures, which consisted predominantly of monocyte-macrophages as judged by nonspecific esterase staining, accumulated collagenase in the medium. This collagenase resembled other vertebrate collagenases in that it cleaved native triple-helical type I collagen at a locus 3/4-length away from the amino-terminal end of the molecule. The collagenase activity was inhibited by Na2EDTA, dithiothreitol, and fetal calf serum, while the addition of Ca++ or N-ethylmaleimide enhanced the enzyme activity. The accumulation of collagenase in the culture media was markedly enhanced by the incubation of cells with concanavalin A or phorbol myristic acetate. In the presence of cycloheximide, the levels of collagenase activity were markedly reduced, suggesting that active protein synthesis was required to express the enzyme activity. In additional experiments, monocytes were further purified by counterflow centrifugation-elutriation. The collagenase production was markedly increased in cultures enriched in monocyte-macrophages and devoid of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The accumulation of collagenase in monocyte cultures incubated for 48 hours in the presence of concanavalin A or phorbol myristic acetate was of the same order of magnitude as in parallel cultures containing the same number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes purified by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation and Plasmagel sedimentation. The demonstration of collagenase activity in the monocyte cultures appears to reflect the increased diversity of monocyte functions which may play an important role in the tissue damage in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Recovery and Healing of Damage in WIPP Salt

Creep damage in rock salt, which generally manifests in the form of microcracks, can be recovered or healed when subjected to sufficiently high pressures and temperatures. In this paper, the phenomena of damage recovery and healing in rock salt are treated using the continuum damage mechanics approach. A healing term is formulated and incorporated into an existing constitutive model for describing coupled creep, fracture, and healing in rock salt. The constitutive model is then evaluated against experimental data of rock salt from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site. Satisfactory results are obtained between model calculations and experimental measurements of axial, lateral, and volumetric strains, as well as acoustic wave velocity and attenuation recovered during damage healing. Furthermore, analyses of experimental data revealed that healing anisotropies exist in WIPP salt. Most, though not all, of the healing anisotropies can be modeled with an appropriate power-conjugate equivalent stress, kin...
Comparison of ScaRaB, GOES 8, aircraft, and surface observations of the absorption of solar radiation by clouds

Data obtained by the Scanner for Radiation Budget (ScaRaB) instrument on the Meteor 3 satellite have been analyzed and compared to satellite (GOES 8), aircraft (Radiation Measurement System, RAMS), and surface (Baseline Solar Radiation Network (BSRN), Solar and Infrared Observations System (SIROS), and RAMS) measurements of irradiance obtained during the Atmospheric Radiation Measurements Enhanced Shortwave Experiment (ARESE). It is found that the ScaRaB data covering the period from March 1994 to February 1995 (the instrument's operational lifetime) indicate excess absorption of solar radiation by the cloudy atmosphere in agreement with previous aircraft, surface, and GOES 8 results. The full ScaRaB data set combined with BSRN and SIROS surface observations gives an average all-sky absorptance of 0.28. The GOES 8 data set combined with RAMS surface observations gives an average all-sky absorptance of 0.26. The aircraft data set (RAMS) gives a mean all-sky absorptance of 0.24 (for the column between 0.5 and 13 km).
Hydrogen Bond Rearrangements in Water Probed with Temperature-Dependent 2D IR

We use temperature-dependent two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2D IR) of dilute HOD in H2O to investigate hydrogen bond rearrangements in water. The OD stretching frequency is sensitive to its environment, and loss of frequency correlation provides a picture of local and collective hydrogen bond dynamics. The time scales for hydrogen bond rearrangements decrease from roughly 2 ps at 278 K to 0.5 ps at 345 K. We find the barrier to dephasing and hydrogen bond switching to be Ea = 3.4 ± 0.5 kcal/mol, although the trend is slightly non-Arrhenius. The value is in good agreement with the reported barrier height for OD reorientation observed in pump−probe anisotropy measurements. This provides evidence for the proposal that hydrogen bond switching occurs through concerted large angular jump reorientation. MD simulations of temperature-dependent OD vibrational dephasing and orientational correlation functions are used to support our conclusions.
Intertwining material and virtual work

Abstract Virtual work in organizations continues to be promoted despite the absence of a strong conceptual understanding of virtual work and its consequences. In this paper, we draw from Sotto (1997) and Turoff (1997) , who treat virtual work as a second, electronically mediated representation of material work. The virtual and material representations co-exist and intertwine, potentially allowing teams and organizations to extend their capabilities. We identify four aspects of intertwining: reinforcement, complementarity, synergy, and reciprocity. In instances where the relationship between virtual and material worlds of work lack one or more of these aspects, ironic and confused outcomes may result. We illustrate these aspects with anecdotal images, findings from published research, and an original case study. Although our primary focus is upon virtual teams and organizations, we also speculate on the relevance of intertwining to individuals, communities and markets.
Characterization of the natural history of extracellular matrix production in tissue-engineered vascular grafts during neovessel formation.

Background: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a critical determinant of neovessel integrity. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six (polyglycolic acid + polycaprolactone and poly lactic acid) tissue-engineered vascular grafts seeded with syngeneic bone marrow mononuclear cells were implanted as inferior vena cava interposition grafts in C57BL/6 mice. Specimens were characterized using immunohistochemical staining and qPCR for representative ECM components in addition to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Total collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents were determined. MMP activity was measured using zymography. Results: Collagen production on histology demonstrated an initial increase in type III at 1 week followed by type I production at 2 weeks and type IV at 4 weeks. Gene expression of both type I and type III peaked at 2 weeks, whereas type IV
Void diagnostics in liquid-filled pressure sensing lines

Air or gas entrapped in liquid-filled sensing lines can result in false pressure readings, sluggish response, and extraneous noise due to acoustic resonances. This work models the impact on the pressure system transfer function of voids inside sensing lines based on an equivalent pi circuit along with a lumped parameter void representation. Field test data from a fossil power plant are used to validate the simulation results. Two void indicators derived from resonant peak frequencies are also introduced to perform sensing line diagnostics.
From dynamic combinatorial ‘hit’ to lead: in vitro and in vivo activity of compounds targeting the pathogenic RNAs that cause myotonic dystrophy

The myotonic dystrophies (DM) are human diseases in which the accumulation of toxic RNA (CUG or CCUG) repeats in the cell causes sequestration of splicing factors, including MBNL1, leading to clinical symptoms such as muscle wasting and myotonia. We previously used Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry to identify the first compounds known to inhibit (CUG)-MBNL1 binding in vitro. We now report transformation of those compounds into structures with activity in vivo. Introduction of a benzo[g]quinoline substructure previously unknown in the context of RNA recognition, as well as other modifications, provided several molecules with enhanced binding properties, including compounds with strong selectivity for CUG repeats over CAG repeats or CAG–CUG duplex RNA. Compounds readily penetrate cells, and improve luciferase activity in a mouse myoblast assay in which enzyme function is coupled to a release of nuclear CUG–RNA retention. Most importantly, two compounds are able to partially restore splicing in a mouse model of DM1.
Critical Pedagogy in the Age of Global Capitalism: Some Challenges for the Educational Left.

Partant d'une analyse ideologique et philosophique de la situation politique actuelle, l'A. s'interroge sur la voie que doit suivre l'enseignement et la pedagogie
Ketazocines and morphine: effects on gastrointestinal transit after central and peripheral administration.

Abstract The mu agonist, morphine, and the prototype kappa agonists, ketocyclazocine and ethylketocyclazocine (EK), were studied for their effects on gastrointestinal transit. Following s.c. administration, both morphine (0.3–3 mg/kg) and ketocyclazocine (0.3–10 mg/kg) antagonized transit of an opaque marker through the small intestines of mice. Morphine (0.1–1 μg) was also effective after intracerebroventricular (icv) administration in mice whereas ketocyclazocine (0.3–30 μg) was not. Similarly, while both morphine (0.3–5 mg/kg) and EK (0.6–10 mg/kg) slowed transit after s.c. injection to rats, only morphine (1–10 μg), but not EK (0.3–300 μg), was active following icv administration. Icv infusion of the mu benzomorphan, phenazocine (10–100 μg), slowed transit in a dose-related manner. These results indicate that there may be an anatomically distinct distribution of receptors for benzomorphan kappa agonists in both the mouse and rat, with these opiate receptors not being located near the lateral cerebral ventricles. The difference in efficacy between morphine and ketazocines in slowing gastrointestinal transit after icv administration to rodents suggests that (a) inactivity in this endpoint is a characteristic of benzomorphan kappa compounds and (b) the model may serve as a useful screen when establishing in vivo profiles of kappa agonists in mice and rats.
A new analysis of charge transfer and polarization for ligand–metal bonding: Model studies of Al4CO and Al4NH3

The nature of the bonding of CO and NH3 ligands to Al is analyzed, and the intra-unit charge polarization and inter-unit donation for the interaction of ligands with metals are studied. The consequences of metal-to-ligand and ligand-to-metal charge transfer are separately considered by performing a constrained space orbital variation (CSOV) with the electrons of the metal member of the complex in the field of frozen ligand. The electrons of the metal atoms are then frozen in the relaxed distribution given by the CSOV SCF wave function and the ligand electrons are allowed to relax. Quantitative measures of the importance of inter-unit charge transfers and intra-unit polarization are obtained using results of SCF studies of Al4CO and Al4NH3 clusters chosen to simulate the adsorption of the ligands at an on-top side of the Al(111) surface. The electrostatic attraction of the effective dipole moments of the metal and ligand units makes an important contribution to the bond.
Highly Water-Soluble Neutral BODIPY Dyes with Controllable Fluorescence Quantum Yields

A series of novel highly water-soluble neutral BODIPY dyes have been obtained by functionalization of BODIPY dyes with branched oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl ether groups at positions 8, 2 and 6 or 4 and 4′. Use of an ortho-substituent group of branched oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl ether on the meso-phenyl ring of BODIPY dyes and replacement of the fluorine atoms of BODIPY dyes at positions 4 and 4′ with methyloxy or ethynyl subunits significantly enhance fluorescence quantum yields of BODIPY dyes.
Analysis of failure mechanisms in a planetary gear

A planetary gear of an off highway haul truck that failed suddenly during haulage was investigated to determine the possible mechanisms/causes of fracture. The test methods included visual examination, dye-penetrant, hardness, metallography and SEM analysis with EDX attachment. Based on a detailed analysis, it was determined that the planetary gear was properly manufactured and the failure was predominantly due to fatigue but the presence of non-metallic inclusions lead to the unexpected and sudden fracture of the gear causing the haul truck to come to a sudden stop.
Smokeless tobacco use and the risk of Parkinson's disease mortality.

We examined the association between smokeless tobacco use and Parkinson's disease (PD) mortality as assessed by death certificate in a prospective cohort of 95,981 never-smoking men. In this cohort, smokeless tobacco use is inversely associated with PD mortality, with an age-adjusted risk of 0.22 (0.07–0.67) among current users compared to never users. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society
Assessment of soil calcium status in red spruce forests in the northeastern United States

Long-term changes in concentrations of available Ca in soils of red spruce forests have been documented, but remaining questions about the magnitude and regional extent of these changes have precluded an assessment of the current and future status of soil Ca. To address this problem, soil samples were collected in 1992-93 from 12 sites in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine to provide additional data necessary to synthesize all available research results on soil Ca in red spruce forests. Sites were chosen to encompass the range of environmental conditions experienced by red spruce. Concentrations of exchangeable Ca ranged from 2.13 to 21.6 cmolc kg 1 in the Oa horizon, and from 0.11 to 0.68 cmol c kg 1 in the upper 10 cm of the B horizon. These measurements expanded the range of exchangeable Ca reported in the literature for both horizons in northeastern red spruce forests. Exchangeable Ca was the largest Ca fraction in the forest floor at most sites (92% of acid-extractable Ca), but mineral Ca was the largest fraction at the three sites that also had the highest mineral-matter concentrations. The primary factor causing variability in Ca concentrations among sites was the mineralogy of parent material, but exchangeable concentrations in the B horizon of all sites were probably reduced by acidic deposition. Because the majority of Ca in the forest floor is in a readily leachable form, and Ca inputs to the forest floor from the mineral soil and atmospheric deposition have been decreasing in recent decades, the previously documented decreases in Ca concentrations in the forest floor over previous decades may extend into the future.
Change management: the secret sauce of successful program building.

The field of palliative care is somewhat ‘‘counterculture’’ to mainstream biomedicine. In conventional biomedicine, symptoms are used merely as a means to an end, i.e., symptoms are used as clues to diagnose the underlying culprit, the disease. Once identified, all energy is devoted to annihilating the culprit. In contrast, in the field of palliative care, the symptom (pain, dyspnea, nausea, etc.) itself is the focus and much effort is directed at alleviating the symptom. Understandably, this premise of palliative care sets it apart from the rest of mainstream biomedicine. Additionally, hospice and palliative medicine being the ‘‘newest kid on the block’’ of medical subspecialties fundamentally represents change. Therefore, effecting and sustaining change is a key survival skill for all palliative care professionals. Effecting change is a process (not an event) and requires both strategic thinking and ongoing hard work. The Center for Advancement of Palliative Care (CAPC) founded by the pioneering efforts of Dr. Diane Meier offers a framework, requisite tools, and support for clinicians who want to change their local health care systems for the better by building new and expanding existing palliative care programs. Additionally, clinicians have to become skilled in the process of change management in order to harness the full power of the CAPC tools to create successful palliative care programs.
The Sociomicrobiology of Antivirulence Drug Resistance: a Proof of Concept

Antivirulence drugs disarm rather than kill pathogens and are thought to alleviate the problem of resistance, although there is no evidence to support this notion. Quorum sensing (QS) often controls cooperative virulence factor production and is therefore an attractive antivirulence target, for which inhibitors (QSI) have been developed. We designed a proof-of-principle experiment to investigate the impact of bacterial social interactions on the evolution of QSI resistance. We cocultured Pseu- domonas aeruginosa QS-deficient mutants with small proportions of the QS-proficient wild type, which in the absence of QSI mimic QSI-sensitive and -resistant variants, respectively. We employed two different QS-dependent nutrients that are degraded by extracellular (public) and cell-associated (private) enzymes. QS mutants (QSI-sensitive mimics) behaved as social cheaters that delayed population growth and prevented enrichment of wild-type cooperators (QSI-resistant mimics) only when nutrient acquisition was public, suggesting that QSI resistance would not spread. This highlights the potential for antivirulence strategies that target cooperative behaviors and provides a conceptual framework for future studies.