cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complexation of copper with polymeric silica in aqueous solution

Abstract A series of experiments was conducted to study the uptake of Cu by colloidal SiO 2 in aqueous solution. Solutions consisting of 2400 mg l −1 monomeric SiO 2 were allowed to polymerize for 24 h at pH values from 4 to 9, producing coexisting populations of monomer and polymer in each solution. These solutions were combined with aqueous CuCl 2 solutions in final Cu concentrations of 5–30 mg l −1 . After the solutions had equilibrated for 24 h, they were filtered through 0.1 μm Millipore filters and analyzed by ICP-AES and gel filtration chromatography (GFC). Experiments conducted at pH 7 with varying Cu concentrations yielded a critical coagulation concentration of 15±1 mg l −1 Cu. GFC analyses of solutions in which coagulation occurred revealed no SiO 2 polymer in the filtrates, suggesting that coagulation is due to the coalescence of SiO 2 polymers by Cu. Experiments conducted with 20 mg l −1 Cu exhibited a gradual increase in Cu uptake from pH 5 to 7, followed by a sharp decrease in Cu uptake from pH 7.25 to 7.50. The gradual increase in Cu uptake up to pH 7 may reflect the increasingly negative surface charge of SiO 2 polymer with increasing pH. The abrupt decrease in the adsorption of Cu to SiO 2 polymer at pH values > 7.25 may be attributed to the decrease in dissociated Cu 2+ relative to Cu(OH) 2 ° at higher pH. Although it is traditionally held that the formation of Cu silicates, such as chrysocolla, occurs under acid conditions in supergene Cu deposits, this investigation suggests that Cu silicate formation may be favored in near-neutral solutions in nature.
Conservation properties for plane deformations of isotropic and anisotropic linearly elastic strips

Plane deformations of a rectangular strip, composed of an homogeneous fully anisotropic linearly elastic material, are considered. The strip is in equilibrium under the action of end loads, with the lateral sides traction-free. Two conservation properties for certain cross-sectional stress measures are established, generalizing previously known results for the isotropic case. It is noteworthy that in the first of these conservation laws only one of the off-axis elastic constants appears explicitly while in the second only the opposite off-axis constant appears explicitly. Such conservation properties are useful in assessing the influence of material anisotropy on Saint-Venant's principle, as well as in establishing convexity properties for cross-sectional stress measures. In particular, it is anticipated that the results should be useful in determining the extent of edge effects in the off-axis testing of anisotropic and composite materials.
Localization of an excess electron in sodium halide clusters.

Mesure de l'abondance et des proprietes electroniques d'agregats Na n X n−1 neutres (n<100), dans un faisceau supersonique, par photoionisation: pour les agregats a arrangement cubique, un electron est localise sur une lacune anionique et stabilisee d'agregat vis-a-vis de la fragmentation
Aging changes in Bruch's membrane of monkeys: an electron microscopic study.

Bruch’s membrane from monkeys of various ages was studied by electron microscopy. In monkeys under 15 years of age, Bruch’s membrane rarely contained a small amount of polymorphous materia
Renal response to short-term hypocapnia in man.

Renal response to short-term hypocapnia in man. This study examines the renal response to moderate hyperventilation in healthy man. Eight men hyperventilated for 26hr (Paco 2 ∼ 30 to 32mm Hg) in normoxia (barometric pressure, P B ∼ 740mm Hg) and hypobaric hypoxia (P B ∼ 530mm Hg). Anaerobic samples of arterial blood and urine were studied at two-hour intervals. Plasma [HCO 3 - ] fell with time during sustained hypocapnia and after 26hr was reduced 2.5mEq/liter, with plasma pH compensated ∼ 60%. Statistically significant changes in renal H + handling were observed within the initial 2hr of hyperventilation and were evident over the first 12hr. Over 26hr, mean total HCO 3 - excretion in hypocapnia was 10.2mEq above control and mean total acid excretion (UV TA + UV NH 4 + ) was 17.5mEq below control. An increased urinary excretion of cations, especially sodium, accompanied the decrease in acid excretion. Plasma lactic acid accumulation was negligible. We conclude that renal mechanisms contribute significantly and relatively quickly to plasma pH compensation during the early phase of adaptation to hypocapnia in man. Reponse renale a une hypocapnie de courte duree chez l'home. Ce travail etudie la reponse renale a une hyperventilation moderee chez l'homme normal. Huit sujets adultes de sexe masculin ont hyperventile pendant 26 heures (Paco 2 ∼ 30 a 32mm Hg) en normoxie (P B ∼ 740mm Hg) et en hypoxie hypobare (P B ∼ 530mm Hg). Des echantillons de sang arteriel et d'urine preleves de facon anaerobie ont ete etudies a des intervalles de deux heures. Les bicarbonates plasmatiques diminuent en fonction du temps au cours de l'hypocapnie continue et sont reduits de 2,5mEq/litre a la 26e heure avec un pH plasmatique compense a 60%. Des modifications significatives du comportement renal vis-a-vis des ions H + sont observees des les deux premieres heures d'hyperventilation et sont evidentes sur les premieres 12 heures. Sur l'ensemble des 26 heures l'excretion moyenne de HCO 3 - au cours de l'hypocapnie est superieure de 10,2mEq aux valeurs temoins et l'excretion totale d'acide (UV TA + UV NH 4 ) est inferieure de 17,5mEq aux valeurs temoins. Une augmentation de l'excretion urinaire de cations, surtout du sodium, accompagne la diminution de l'excretion d'acide. L'accumulation d'acide lactique dans le plasma est negligeable. Nous concluons que des mecanismes renaux contribuent significativement et relativement rapidement a la compensation du pH plasmatique au cours de la phase precoce d'adaptation a l'hypocapnie chez l'homme.
Stroke Caregiver Outcomes from the Telephone Assessment and Skill-Building Kit (TASK)

AbstractPurpose: Stroke caregivers often express the need for information about stroke and assistance with stroke-related care in the early discharge period. The Telephone Assessment and Skill-Building Kit (TASK) is an 8-week program that addresses caregiver needs. This study explored the efficacy of the TASK program in improving stroke caregiver outcomes. Method: Guided by a conceptual model, 6 outcomes (optimism, task difficulty, threat appraisal, depressive symptoms, life changes, general health perceptions) were measured in 40 caregivers randomized to the TASK (n = 21) or an attention control group (n = 19). Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for baseline scores and minutes spent with the nurse. Results: Significant increases in optimism at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks were found, with medium effect sizes for the TASK group relative to the control group (p < .05). Significant improvements in task difficulty at 4 weeks, and threat appraisal at both 8 weeks and 12 we...
Securing Hadoop in cloud

Hadoop is a map-reduce implementation that rapidly processes data in parallel. Cloud provides reliability, flexibility, scalability, elasticity and cost saving to customers. Moving Hadoop into Cloud can be beneficial to Hadoop users. However, Hadoop has two vulnerabilities that can dramatically impact its security in a Cloud. The vulnerabilities are its overloaded authentication key, and the lack of fine-grained access control at the data access level. We propose and develop a security enhancement for Cloud-based Hadoop.
Relation of traveling waves to fault locators

THE RESPONSE of a fault locator utilizing traveling waves to measure distance to a fault depends not only on the design of the fault locator but also on the characteristics of the waves themselves. A mathematical analysis of a 3-phase system shows that because of losses and coupling between lines, two surge components are produced which travel at different speeds. The slow wave is equivalent to a current flow in the three wires in parallel, with a ground return; the fast wave is equivalent to current flow confined to the line conductors.
Reactivity of normal and brachypod mouse limb mesenchymal cells with con A

SINCE plant lectins, such as concanavalin A (con A) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), bind to specific carbohydrate residues1, they have been used to investigate changes in plasma membranes during the course of normal development by monitoring lectin-induced agglutinability2–6, the binding affinities of carbohydrate moieties of cell-surface components for radioactively-Iabelled lectins2,5,6, and the distribution of binding sites using fluorescently conjugated lectins7. It has been proposed that agglutinability with con A and WGA varies with the stage of differentiation of a particular cell type1,2,5,6,8. It seems reasonable to assume, therefore, that modifications of cell-surface structure, such as changes in carbohydrate components or in their distribution on or in the plasma membranes, could result in the manifestation of an aberrant phenotype. Support for this notion comes from studies in which a reduced affinity for insulin and various plant lectins by liver cell plasma membranes was observed in young, hyperglycaemic mice9. Several studies on hereditary skeletal disorders10–12 including brachypodism (bpH) in mice13,14 have suggested that these anomalies originate at a time when the surface-mediated events of cell recognition and sorting-out are resulting in the formation of prechondrogenic blastemata15. Since rudiments derived from the postaxial region of the hind-limbs are the most severely affected in branchypodism13,14 con A agglutination and binding experiments were carried out on mesenchyme cells from this region in both normal (+/+) and mutant (bpH/bpH) embryos during early limb development. The results presented here show that differences occur over the 3-d test period supporting the contention that plasma membrane surfaces change during developments1–6,8. These developmental modifications are, however, temporally different between the two genotypically different cells which may be related to the ultimate manifestation of the abnormal phenotype.
Morbid obesity and excessive hospital resource consumption for unilateral primary hip and knee arthroplasty.

Two objectives of this study were (i) to estimate the number of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed on morbidly obese people in the United States, and (ii) to estimate the economic impact of morbid obesity on hospital resource use. In 2006, approximately 2.9% (6713 cases) of primary THA and 4.2% (20 964 cases) of primary TKA recipients were diagnosed as morbidly obese. Despite the controversy associated with increased infection risk and failure rate, a large number of morbidly obese people seem to consider that the benefits outweigh the risks. When sex, age, race, and primary payer were held constant, the hospital resource consumption for unilateral primary THA and TKA was 9% ($1432) and 7% ($1025) higher among morbidly obese patients than among nonobese patients, respectively.
Regulation of the Rad53 protein kinase in signal amplification by oligomer assembly and disassembly

Rad53, the ortholog of mammalian Chk2, is a major DNA damage checkpoint effector kinase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Despite extensive studies on the genetic requirements for Rad53 activation and its linkage downstream to checkpoint responses, the mechanism of Rad53 activation is not completely understood. Rad53-dependent signal amplification is thought to be a primary force that accelerates checkpoint signal transduction processes in response to DNA damage. Rad53 forms oligomers upon DNA damage in vivo. It is not clear how oligomer formation affects Rad53 activation and what is the mechanism of Rad53 oligomerization. Here, we monitor Rad53 oligomer assembly and disassembly in vitro. These processes are ATP-dependent and are regulated through phosphorylation. Mutations in FHA or SCD domains of RAD53 compromise intermolecular autophosphorylation activity and these domains are indispensable for Rad53 oligomerization. The mediator Rad9 is not necessary for Rad53 oligomerization. Rad53 kinase activity is requ...
Adapted fan-beam volume reconstruction for stationary digital breast tomosynthesis

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) provides 3D images which remove tissue overlapping and enables better cancer detection. Stationary DBT (s-DBT) uses a fixed X-ray source array to eliminate image blur associated with the x-ray tube motion and provides better image quality as well as faster scanning speed. For limited angle tomography, it is known that iterative reconstructions generally produces better images with fewer artifacts. However classical iterative tomosynthesis reconstruction methods are considerably slower than the filtered back-projection (FBP) reconstruction. The linear x-ray source array used in s-DBT enables a computationally more efficient volume reconstruction using adapted fan beam slice sampling, which transforms the 3-D cone beam reconstruction to a series of 2-D fan beam slice reconstructions. In this paper, we report the first results of the adapted fan-beam volume reconstruction (AFVR) for the s-DBT system currently undergoing clinical trial at UNC, using a simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART). An analytic breast phantom is used to quantitatively analyze the performance of the AFVR. Image quality of a CIRS biopsy phantom reconstructed using the AFVR method are compared to that using FBP algorithm with a commercial package. Our results show a significant reduction in memory usage and an order of magnitude speed increase in reconstructing speed using AFVR compared to that of classical 3-D cone beam reconstruction. We also observed that images reconstructed by AFVR with SART had a better sharpness and contrast compared to that using FBP. Preliminary results on patient images demonstrates the improved detectability of the s-DBT system over the mammography. By utilizing parallel computing with graphics processing unit (GPU), it is expected that the AFVR method will enable iterative reconstruction technique to be practical for clinical applications.
Flexible intravascular thermal sensors to assess atherosclerosis-mediated changes in hemodynamics

In this study, we introduced an in vivo convective heat transfer-based micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) sensor that measured real-time experimental vascular shear stress values in the aortas of New Zealand White rabbits (n=4). Experiments were performed to measure flow profile changes in response to hyper-cholesterol diet and an irregular tachycardia condition. We have shown that these conditions induce shear stress changes indicative of pre-atherosclerosis regions by the MEMS thermal sensor.
Degradation of LaSr2Fe2CrO9−δ solid oxide fuel cell anodes in phosphine-containing fuels

Abstract The performance and stability of La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ-electrolyte supported solid oxide fuel cells with composite LaSr2Fe2CrO9-δ–Gd0.1Ce0.9O2 anodes were studied in wet H2 and coal syngas containing phosphine impurity. Introduction of 5–20 ppm PH3 into the fuels caused an initial slow cell performance degradation followed by a very rapid complete cell degradation that initiated within 11–24 h – earlier at higher PH3 concentration. There was no recovery after removing PH3 impurity from the fuels. Electrochemical impedance analysis suggested that the initial gradual performance degradation was due to conductivity loss of the oxide anode due to chemisorption and reaction of phosphine. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the formation of FePx and LaPO4 compounds. The rapid degradation presumably occurred when most or all of the Fe initially present in the LaSr2Fe2CrO9−δ was consumed. Thermodynamic calculations confirmed that Fe is highly reactive with PH3 at 800 °C, even at concentrations below 1 ppm.
Characterization of a 41-residue ovine hypothalamic peptide that stimulates secretion of corticotropin and beta-endorphin

A peptide with high potency and intrinsic activity for stimulating the secretion of corticotropin-like and β-endorphin-like immunoactivities by cultured anterior pituitary cells has been purified f...
Gingival biopsy as a diagnostic aid in amyloid disease.

Abstract The result of gingival biopsy was evaluated in ten patients with known amyloidosis. It was positive in six, five of whom had no associated disease. The crystal violet stain provided the most reliable histologic evidence of the presence of amyloid. The gingival biopsy was positive in five patients with amyloidosis in whom there were no clinically obvious changes in the mucous membranes of the mouth. There was no consistent correlation between the results of the gingival biopsy and the Congo red test. It would appear that these tests supplement one another in establishing the diagnosis of amyloid disease.
Exchange Charge Contributions to the Failure of the Cauchy Relations in Alkali Halide Crystals

Using a model originally constructed to deal with the theory of dielectric constants of alkali halide crystals, a theory of the elastic constants of these crystals is developed. Exchange charges arising from the requirements of the exclusion principle are approximated as point charges appropriately placed in a Born-Mayer model ionic crystal. The presence of these exchange charges and the manner in which their magnitude and position change in a strained crystal give rise to interionic forces of a many-body character. As a consequence the model predicts deviations from the Cauchy relation ${c}_{12}={c}_{44}.{c}_{11},{c}_{12}, \mathrm{and} {c}_{44}$ are calculated for 16 NaCl structured alkali-halides. In those cases where the method of calculation is expected to be valid the calculated valves indicate that the exchange charge mechanism can account quantitatively for much of the observed deviation of ${c}_{12}\ensuremath{-}{c}_{44}$ from zero for these crystals.
Insights from crystal structures into the opposite effects on RNA affinity caused by the s- and R-6'-methyl backbone modifications of 3'-fluoro hexitol nucleic Acid.

Locked nucleic acid (LNA) analogues with 2′,4′-bridged sugars show promise in antisense applications. S-5′-Me-LNA has high RNA affinity, and modified oligonucleotides show weakened immune stimulation in vivo. Conversely, an R-5′-methyl group dramatically lowers RNA affinity. To test the effects of S- and R-6′-methyl groups on 3′-fluoro hexitol nucleic acid (FHNA) stability, we synthesized S- and R-6′-Me-FHNA thymidine and incorporated them into oligo-2′-deoxynucleotides. As with LNA, S-6′-Me is stabilizing whereas R-6′-Me is destabilizing. Crystal structures of 6′-Me-FHNA-modified DNAs explain the divergent consequences for stability and suggest convergent origins of these effects by S- and R-6′-Me (FHNA) [-5′-Me (LNA and RNA)] substituents.
Design and characterization of a linear motion piezoelectric micropositioner

Small, lightweight, fast micropositioners provide fast, precise motion for applications in precision manufacturing. A description is given of the design and characterization of a precise linear micropositioner. The device is constructed from a number of piezoelectric plates placed on both sides of a sliding mass. Actuation of the plates in an accordion fashion provides a linear displacement of +or-0.36 mm. In addition, the device has a force capability of over 80 g, as well as position and force sensing capabilities. The dynamic performance of the device is characterized, and initial tests show that it has a second-order system behavior with nonlinear response. The device resolution is affected by the performance of the capacitive-type position sensor and varies from 3 mu m to less than 0.6 mu m. >
A syntactic/semantic technique for surface reconstruction from cross-sectional contours

Surface reconstruction from cross-sectional contours has become increasingly important in medicine. In this paper, a surface reconstruction technique has been developed to improve the conventional triangulation techniques by taking into account local shape characteristics of the surface being reconstructed. The technique involves a syntactic/semantic contour representation which allows a similarity relation, based on the weighted Levenshtein graph, to be established between adjacent contours. This similarity relation is then employed as a guide to form the surface by triangulating similar substructures.
The Modern Electric Age in Relation to Faraday's Discovery of Electromagnetic Induction

THE Faraday centenary celebrations in London in September will commemorate the discovery of electromagnetic induction by the great experimental scientific worker, Michael Faraday, one hundred years ago, in the laboratory of the Royal Institution. The principle involved in that discovery has proved of the greatest importance to the whole civilised world during the century which has since elapsed. The whole world, therefore, joins in the commemoration of an event which, in salient measure, has led up to practical electrical applications tending to interlink many nations in the conjoint use of electric power.
Factors affecting the evaluation of biomonitoring data for human exposure assessment

Measuring trace levels of multiple environmental chemicals in biological tissues (i.e., biomonitoring) with a high degree of accuracy and precision is possible thanks to sophisticated analytical chemistry techniques and highly trained laboratory personnel. Selection and validation of biomarkers of exposure are critical. We present examples of the use of biomonitoring in exposure assessment for non-persistent chemicals using phthalates as model compounds. We also discuss several factors relevant to interpreting and understanding biomonitoring data, including the impact of metabolism of the chemicals and matrix composition in the selection of biomarkers of exposure, as well as temporal stability considerations that may affect the biomarkers' concentrations.
Crystal Structure of Human Nicotinamide Riboside Kinase

Summary Nicotinamide riboside kinase (NRK) has an important role in the biosynthesis of NAD + as well as the activation of tiazofurin and other NR analogs for anticancer therapy. NRK belongs to the deoxynucleoside kinase and nucleoside monophosphate (NMP) kinase superfamily, although the degree of sequence conservation is very low. We report here the crystal structures of human NRK1 in a binary complex with the reaction product nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) at 1.5 A resolution and in a ternary complex with ADP and tiazofurin at 2.7 A resolution. The active site is located in a groove between the central parallel β sheet core and the LID and NMP-binding domains. The hydroxyl groups on the ribose of NR are recognized by Asp56 and Arg129, and Asp36 is the general base of the enzyme. Mutation of residues in the active site can abolish the catalytic activity of the enzyme, confirming the structural observations.
Solubility of the Parabens in Ethanol—Water Mixtures

The solubilities of n-alkyl parabens have been determined in binary mixtures of ethanol and water. The profiles showed a dielectric requirement value of about 29–32 for the subject compounds. The butyl derivative formed a two-phase system over a certain composition range of ethanol and water. These phases were analyzed and found to be approximately invarient with respect to the concentration of the three components indicating the formation of a solvate. The ratio of the solubility of these compounds relative to the methyl derivative is considered over the polarity range studied.
The Internet Development Process: Observations and Reflections

Based on the experience of being part of the team that developed the internet, the author will look back and provide a history of the Norwegian participation. The author will attempt to answer a number of questions such as why was The Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI) invited to participate in the development process, what did Norway contribute to in the project, and what did Norway benefit from its participation?
Structural Autologous Lipoaugmentation: A Pan‐Facial Technique

Background.Structural collapse is a hallmark of the aging face. Autologous fat transplantation is the ideal way to correct the atrophy that accompanies senescence.Objective.To set guidelines for optimizing the results from autologous fat transfer in accordance with the scientific literature.Methods.
Safety testing of lithium ion batteries for navy devices

Lithium ion battery technology is being introduced into power supplies used by our armed forces for a variety of applications. In many cases, the same cells and design parameters that support commercial battery packs are being used in military battery packs. This approach is expected to result in a major decrease in the total life cycle cost of the equipment these batteries support. On June 13, 1991, NAVSEA issued INST9310.1B1, which states that all lithium battery powered equipment must undergo safety evaluation and approval prior to fleet use. This safety program governs a process whereby approvals are issued for lithium batteries to be used in specific equipment on ground facilities, surface combatants, air combatants, and/or submarines. The Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity (NOSSA) manages the program. The chief technical advisors are Code 644 at NSWC Carderock Division and Code 609A at NSWC Crane Division. This paper describes three battery designs that incorporate lithium ion technology, and the results of battery safety tests conducted in accordance with navy requirements.
Diurnal Fluctuation in Photosynthetic Rate and Chlorophyll “a” Content of Phytoplankton from Eastern Pacific Waters

Measurements were made of photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll “a” content of phytoplankton samples taken at regular intervals over a 46-hour period in May 1957, from surface waters near Clarion Island in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Results confirm previous observations of a diurnal pcriodicity in photosynthesis which, in this particular instance, appears to be correlated with variations in chlorophyll content. The photosynthcsischlorophyll relationship gives an estimated value of 4.24 mg C/hr per mg of chlorophyll “a” at a light intensity of 1000 foot-candles.
Habitat use by the African anabantid fish Ctenopoma muriei: implications for costs of air breathing

Abstract – This study examined whether habitat use by the African anabantid fish Ctenopoma muriei is consistent with predictions relating to two costs of air breathing (surface travel and aerial predation). We predicted that C. muriei would be most abundant in habitats that minimize potential costs of air breathing. We quantified environmental correlates of C. muriei abundance within a series of wetland lagoons in Uganda and found that C. muriei was more abundant in shallow waters of the deepest lagoon, in vegetated habitats, and at a depth 15–30 cm below the surface. These locations may minimize cost of travel to the surface for aerial respiration, while maintaining a reasonable distance from the surface to avoid detection by aerial predators. In addition, we experimentally tested effectiveness of vegetative cover in reducing mortality of C. muriei by aerial predators (pied kingfishers) using enclosures with and without vegetation cover in a swamp pool. We found that the presence of vegetative cover significantly reduced susceptibility of C. muriei to predation by pied kingfishers when dissolved oxygen in the water was low and air-breathing frequency was potentially high.
Planar helical undulator sources of circularly polarized X-rays

The planar helical undulator is a charged particle accelerator insertion device that produces a helical magnetic field using only planar magnet arrays. The helical field causes the particles to execute helical trajectories, and to emit X-rays with a degree of circular polarization. To switch the X-ray helicity, some designs require a mechanical shift of the magnet arrays. Other designs use a chicane, a separate undulator to produce each polarization, and a chopper to switch between them. We present an analysis of the different magnetic designs that have been proposed, with emphasis on a device for the 500-1000 eV X-ray range on the SPEAR storage ring. >
Military Experience in Elections and Perceptions of Issue Competence: An Experimental Study with Television Ads

An enduring assumption exists in the United States that past military service casts electoral candidates in a positive light. To demonstrate how voters understand candidates’ military experiences, ...
Revelations on the State of Psychiatry Today

Edited by Jacquelyn Flaskerud, RN, PhD, FAANUniversity of California—Los Angeles, School of Nursing, Los Angeles, California, USAA new book is creating a stir over the way psychiatry currently is p...
The impact of perceived stress and perceived control on anxiety and mood disorders in noncardiac chest pain

Chest pain without detectable heart disease, noncardiac chest pain (NCCP), is linked with anxiety and depression. Theory posits stress and perceived control may relate to NCCP. We hypothesized stress would have direct and mediated effects via perceived control on anxiety and mood disorders in NCCP. Patients (N = 113) completed questionnaires and a structured diagnostic interview. Stress and perceived control were associated with anxiety and mood disorder severity. Perceived control fully mediated the relation between stress and mood disorder severity but not anxiety disorder severity. Results are partially supportive of anxiety-based theories of NCCP.
The Impact of Temporary Labor Migration on Mexican Children's Educational Aspirations and Performance

This article examines how temporary U.S. labor migration by family members and by students affects the educational aspirations and performance of those same students growing up in Mexican migrant communities. Labor migration affects these children in two ways. First it brings remitted U.S. earnings into the household which allows parents to provide more education for their children and reduce the need for children's labor. Higher incomes are also associated with numerous factors that improve the general well-being of children, as reflected in various indicators including higher school grades. Labor migration also has negative impacts on children. In addition to family stress and behavioral problems with adolescents due to parental and sibling absence, migration provides an example of an alternative route to economic mobility. Children growing up in migrant households have access to information and social networks that reduce their likelihood of migration failure should they choose this alternative to the Mexican labor market. We analyze a unique data set from a stratified random sample of 7600 grammar, junior high, and high school-level students in a state capital, a large town, and 25 rural communities in a Mexican migrant-sending state. We find that high levels of U.S. migration are associated with lower aspirations to attend a university at all academic levels. We find, however, a positive relationship between U.S. migration and grades. We conclude that while U.S. migration provides financial benefits that allow children to continue schooling and perform well, it may also reduce the motivation to attain above-average years of schooling.
CCR5 Dictates the Equilibrium of Proinflammatory IL-17+ and Regulatory Foxp3+ T Cells in Fungal Infection

CCR5 is a chemotactic mediator for inflammatory cells as well as regulatory T cells (Tregs). In this study, we investigated the role of CCR5 during infection with the fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum. Mice lacking CCR5 or treated with an mAb to CCL4 had impaired infiltration of inflammatory cells to the lungs. Despite displaying an elevated fungal burden prior to activation of an adaptive immune response, CCL4-neutralized and CCR5−/− mice resolved infection more efficiently than controls. Accelerated fungal clearance was associated with a reduced number of Tregs in the lungs. Impaired trafficking was not solely responsible for the paucity of Tregs in the lungs, as proliferation of both CD4+ T cells and Tregs was diminished in CCR5−/− lungs during infection. A reduced number of Tregs in CCR5−/− lungs was associated with a selective increase of Th17 cytokines, and neutralization of IL-17 increased Treg proliferation and consequently fungal burden in CCR5−/− mice. Thus, CCR5 dictates pathogen persistence by tightly regulating the balance between Treg and Th17 cells in H. capsulatum infection.
Interactions of gonadotropins with corpus luteum membranes. III. Electron microscopic localization of [125I]-hCG binding to sensitive and desensitized ovaries seven days after PMSG-hCG.

Transmission electron micrographs, with and without prior infusion of horseradish peroxidase, and scanning electron microscopy of fractured corpora lutea demonstrated extensive microvillus development on the surface of rat luteal cells 7 days after priming with PMSG and hCG. These microvilli were primarily on the capillary face of the luteal cells, while the basolateral faces of the cell were largely composed of smooth plasma membrane with some gap junctions between adjoining cells, Injection of a small dose of Ii 2 �1l -hCG revealed localization of silver grains primarily on the microvillus surfaces and, to lesser extents, on the basolateral plasma membrane and in subplasma membrane cytosolic vesicles. Pinocytosis was clearly demonstrated. Injection of a dose of 1 25�� -hCG sufficient to desensitize the hCG stimulatable adenylate cyclase and to result in extensive loss of hCG receptors did not enhance the transfer of silver grains into cytoplasmic vesicles. This dose of 2 5 II -hCG decreased the area occupied by microvilli and increased the area of basolateral membrane.
Determination of the Anthelmintic Efficacy of Albendazole in the Treatment of Chickens Naturally Infected with Gastrointestinal Helminths

SUMMARY In the spring of 2006, 60 naturally infected hens obtained from a broiler-breeder farm in northwest Arkansas were used in a controlled titration study to determine the anthelmintic efficacy of albendazole in the treatment of both nematode and cestode infections. Albendazole was used at the dose rates of 0.0, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 mg/kg of BW, with all treatments given individually as an oral suspension on d 0 (split doses) and with necropsies for parasite collection conducted on d 7. There were 15 birds per treatment group. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) reductions in worm burdens from control levels were seen at the 5.0 mg/kg dose level for adult and larval stages of Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, and Capillaria obsignata. A significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the numbers of Raillietina cesticillus (scolexes) from control group levels was seen only at the 20.0 mg/kg rate of treatment. For albendazole given at the rates of 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 mg/kg, respective anthelmintic efficacies based on geometric means were 87.7, 91.2, and 98.2% (A. galli larvae); 100.0, 100.0, and 100.0% (A. galli adults); 96.9, 95.7, and 98.9% (H. gallinarum larvae); 92.7, 95.4, and 94.9% (H. gallinarum adults); 90.3, 91.3, and 95.1% (C. obsignata larvae and adults combined); and 73.1, 73.1, and 96.2% (R. cesticillus). No adverse reactions to albendazole were observed in this study.
Rational design and directed evolution of a bacterial-type glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase precursor

Protein biosynthesis requires aminoacyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetases to provide aminoacyl-tRNA substrates for the ribosome. Most bacteria and all archaea lack a glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (GlnRS); instead, Gln-tRNA(Gln) is produced via an indirect pathway: a glutamyl-tRNA synthetase (GluRS) first attaches glutamate (Glu) to tRNA(Gln), and an amidotransferase converts Glu-tRNA(Gln) to Gln-tRNA(Gln). The human pathogen Helicobacter pylori encodes two GluRS enzymes, with GluRS2 specifically aminoacylating Glu onto tRNA(Gln). It was proposed that GluRS2 is evolving into a bacterial-type GlnRS. Herein, we have combined rational design and directed evolution approaches to test this hypothesis. We show that, in contrast to wild-type (WT) GlnRS2, an engineered enzyme variant (M110) with seven amino acid changes is able to rescue growth of the temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli glnS strain UT172 at its non-permissive temperature. In vitro kinetic analyses reveal that WT GluRS2 selectively acylates Glu over Gln, whereas M110 acylates Gln 4-fold more efficiently than Glu. In addition, M110 hydrolyzes adenosine triphosphate 2.5-fold faster in the presence of Glu than Gln, suggesting that an editing activity has evolved in this variant to discriminate against Glu. These data imply that GluRS2 is a few steps away from evolving into a GlnRS and provides a paradigm for studying aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase evolution using directed engineering approaches.
Controversy in Environmental Policy Decisions: Conflicting Policy Means or Rival Ends?:

In the past few years, environmental activists and some academic studies of environmental political issues have portrayed environmental protection as a new social consensus. This view has some, tho...
Comparison of calcification potential of valvular interstitial cells isolated from individual aortic valve cusps.

Abstract Background Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is one of the most prevalent disorders among the elderly in developed countries. CAVD develops via cell-mediated processes, and clinical data show that CAVD initiates mostly in the noncoronary cusp of the aortic valve. Valvular interstitial cells (VICs) populate the inside of heart valves and are a heterogeneous cell population. The goal of this study is to elucidate the difference in calcification potential among VICs isolated from the left, right, and noncoronary cusps of porcine aortic valves. Methods and results VICs were isolated from each of the aortic valve cusps and cultured in calcifying medium for 14 days to induce calcification. The samples were assessed for calcium deposits, nodule formation, and calcific markers using alizarin red and Von Kossa staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, ALP enzyme activity assay, and Western blot. Extracellular matrix production and degradation were measured using collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) assay and gelatin zymography. We observed that VICs isolated from the noncoronary cusp expressed greatest amount of the above calcific markers as compared to the coronary cusps. Also, collagen and GAG content was the greatest in noncoronary VICs. However, our zymography results showed significant difference only for active matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression between right and noncoronary VICs. Conclusion Our results suggest that VICs among the three cusps within aortic valve might be inherently different, where a subpopulation of VICs might be predisposed to calcification.
Health Insurance Coverage and the Near Elderly, 1998

The near elderly population, those persons ages 55--64, consisted of 22.9 million Americans in 1998. Employee Benefit Research Institute estimates from the March 1999 Current Population Survey (CPS) reveal that, among the near elderly, 85.0 percent reported having some form of health care coverage and 15.0 percent were uninsured during 1998. Among the near elderly with health insurance in 1998, 66.4 percent had employment-based health coverage, while 8.6 percent of the near elderly were covered by an individually purchased health plan, and 16.8 percent were covered by some type of public health insurance (table 3). The near elderly differ from other cohorts in terms of labor force participation rates, marital status, and income levels. As a result, members of this age group also differ in their access to, and sources of, health insurance coverage. The effect becomes even more dramatic in view of the projected growth in the near elderly population. The near elderly represented 8.5 percent of the total U.S. population in 1998, and are expected to represent 13.0 percent of the population by the year 2020. By that time, all of the baby boom generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) will have entered the near elderly group. The first of the boomers will be turning age 55 beginning in 2001, and the last will turn age 55 in 2019. Only by studying and understanding differences among cohorts is it possible to assess the impact of demographic shifts, rising health care costs, and the prospective depleted Medicare program on the near elderly's access to health insurance coverage. The PDF for the above title, published in the March 2000 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another March 2000 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: "The Relationship Between Income and the Uninsured."
Phenomenology, Logic, and the Philosophy of Mathematics: Logicism, Impredicativity, Formalism: Some Remarks on Poincaré and Husserl

Poincare is well known for claiming that logicist and formalist attempts to provide a foundation for mathematics are misguided. He is also known for holding that any mathematical results that depend on viciously circular impredicative definitions are illusory. In Poincare's work these views are linked to a form of constructivism about the natural numbers, to the idea that it is appropriate to reason about only those objects that can be defined in a finite number of words, and to the related idea that in order to be meaningful mathematical theorems must be finitely ‘verifiable’. Poincare's arguments on these matters have been influential, and I believe we can still profit from thinking about them today. My own viewpoint on the foundations of mathematics has been influenced by Husserlian transcendental phenomenology, but I find that Poincare and Husserl have similar positions on a number of general epistemological issues, and that some of their views reinforce one another. In this chapter I shall discuss Poincare's views on logicism, impredicativity, and formalism from the perspective of some central themes of Husserl's transcendental phenomenology. Among the most important themes in phenomenology are that mathematical cognition exhibits intentionality, and that the meaning and reference of mathematical propositions must be understood accordingly. This is accompanied by the view that there are various ‘meaning categories’ in our thinking, and corresponding ‘regional ontologies’.
A Report on Geotechnical Aspects of the January 17, 1994 Northridge Earthquake

INTRODUCTION The January 17, 1994 (Mw=6.7) Northridge, California Earthquake was the most costly natural disaster in U.S. history, resulting in estimated monetary losses on the order of 18 to 20 billion dollars. Fifty-seven fatalities and 8,716 injuries have been attributed to the earthquake, and more than 414,000 families were temporarily displaced from their homes. More than 114,000 buildings were damaged, at least 2,900 of which were unsafe for re-entry. In addition, over 3,500 pipe breaks occurred, interrupting utility services to some areas for as long as two weeks. In this report, a variety of geotechnical phenomena which significantly influenced the locations and severity of much of this damage will be discussed. The report is organized into four sections to describe: (1) the characteristics of ground motions and associated damage patterns, (2) occurrences of ground failure in basin and coastal areas, (3) occurrences of landslides in mountainous areas, and (4) the...
Comment on “Compact wave functions for four-electron atomic systems”

This communication comments on the work of A.M. Frolov and D.M. Wardlaw in Phys. Rev. A 78, 042506 (2008), and specifically on its treatment of the expansion of the total nonrelativistic energies of small atomic systems in inverse powers of the nuclear charge.
Leveraging an Audience Response System for Student Learning and Engagement: Competitive Team Activities in the Classroom with Undergraduate Medical Students

With ever expanding volumes of content deemed critical, but limited curriculum time, medical students are responsible for much of the learning process outside of the classroom. Accordingly, face-to-face time must be optimized for efficiency and value. Leveraging an audience response system (ARS) to deliver multiple-choice questions to students in a competitive team environment may be an effective way to facilitate engagement, motivation, active learning, higher-order thinking and problem solving, peer scaffolding, and formative assessment. This paper describes the use of “compete” functions available in an ARS to deliver a competitive team activity to undergraduate medical students in a large classroom setting.
Connections to Light

This chapter explores the scientific reasons behind the pearlescent appearance of some paints, the high reflective degree of an astronaut's visor, the fascinating glow of a lightstick, and the phenomena causing colorful aurora borealis. . In a lightstick, when one follows a manufacturer's instructions to bend, snap, and shake the stick, a chemical reaction is initiated by mixing the substances contained within separate compartments in the plastic tube. The energy generated during the course of the reaction is accepted by a dye molecule contained within the lightstick and then released in the form of colored light with no accompanying heat. The intense yet cool light provided by a chemical lightstick is ideal for emergency lighting, traffic control, and hazard identification. Numerous sports products, including golf balls, footballs, hockey pucks, badminton birdies, and wiffle balls, use replaceable lightsticks to create innovative nighttime activities. Military covert, nighttime, and emergency operations have been enhanced with the use of visible and infrared chemiluminescent products. With the variations in color, intensity, and duration of light emission possible, these have numerous applications in other commercial industries as well.
A parametric model for barred equilibrium beach profiles: Two-dimensional implementation

Abstract A method is proposed for estimating approximate 2DH bathymetry including longshore variable shoreline and sand bar systems. The method is based on, but extends, a previous 1DH model of Holman et al. (2014) by assuming that this 1DH equilibrium barred bathymetry can be applied for any offshore location if the corresponding mean shoreline orientation is taken to be the local average over a longshore span that is K times the offshore distance. Thus locations close to the beach are sensitive to shoreline and bar details while more seaward locations are steadily less sensitive. The model was tested against 14 ground truth surveys, collected over two years and under widely ranging environmental condition, spanning a 500 by 1000 m region. Models inputs for the shoreline and sand bar positions were extracted from measured bathymetries for these tests (but would be derived from other sources in real applications) while deep-water inputs were found from a single deep-water survey. The model yielded complete 2DH bathymetry maps that were a very good approximation of ground truth. The mean bias and rms error over the full region and data set were 0.27 m and 0.49 m respectively and proxy bathymetries were visually very similar to ground truth. The largest source of error was occasional cross-shore misplacements of otherwise realistic looking sand bars. Results were only weakly dependent on the value of K when tested over a factor of four and the default value of 1.0 is recommended. Performance statistics using input locations for the shoreline and bar crest that were manually digitized from breaking patterns in rectified optical time exposure images were no worse than bathymetry-based inputs. Hydrodynamic predictions using these bathymetries would be a substantial improvement over those from monotonic or even barred 1DH equilibrium proxy bathymetries.