cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adherence of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to virus infected cells: role of the cytoskeleton and prostaglandin E.

Abstract Human peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) form significantly greater numbers of rosettes with virus infected cells than healthy controls. Because increased lymphocyte adherence in MS may be important to the disease process, we have investigated the mechanisms governing lymphocyte adherence in healthy control volunteers. We have previously shown that prostaglandins E 1 , E 2 (PGE 2 ), and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db cAMP) increase control lymphocyte adherence to MS levels. We now report that colchicine (10 −7 M) and nocodazole (10 −7 M) significantly increased control lymphocyte adherence to measles virus infected human epithelial (HEp-2) cells. Lumicolchicine had no effect. Cytochalasins A, B, C, and D also had no effect on lymphocyte adherence. Colchicine (10 −5 + 10 −7 M) treatment of mononuclear cells enhanced PGE synthesis in tissue culture. Cytochalasins had no effect on PGE synthesis. Thus, microtubules appear important to adherence of lymphocytes to virus infected cells perhaps by virtue of their involvement and/or control of PG biosynthesis.
In-situ Measurement of Crystalline Lattice Strains in Polytetrafluoroethylene

Strain measurements by neutron diffraction are employed as an in situ technique to obtain insight into the deformation modes of crystalline domains in a deformed semi-crystalline polymer. The SMARTS (Spectrometer for MAterials Research at Temperature and Stress) diffractometer has been used to measure the crystalline lattice displacements in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for crystalline phase IV (at room temperature) in tension and compression and for crystalline phase I (at 60°C) in compression. The chemical structure of PTFE, -(C2F4)-n, makes it ideally suited for investigation by neutron methods as it is free of hydrogen that results in limited penetration depths and poor diffraction acquisition in most polymers. Deformation parallel to the prismatic plane normals is shown to occur by inter-polymer chain compression with a modulus ∼10× bulk, while deformation parallel to the basal plane normal occurs by intra-polymer chain compression with a modulus ∼1000× bulk, corresponding with theoretical values for a PTFE chain modulus. Deformation parallel to the pyramidal plane normals is accommodated by inter-polymer chain shear.
Effect of Temperature on the Desorption and Decomposition of Mustard from Activated Carbon

Experimental data are reported for the desorption of bis-2-chloroethyl sulfide, (a sulfur mustard or HD) and its decomposition products from activated coconut shell carbon (CSC). The results show that under equilibrium conditions changes in the HD partial pressure are affected primarily by its loading and temperature of the adsorbent. The partial pressure of adsorbed HD is found to increase by about a decade for each 25 C increase in temperature for CSC containing 0.01--0.1 g/g HD. Adsorption equilibria of HD appear to be little affected by coadsorbed water. Although complicated by its decomposition, the distribution of adsorbed HD (of known amount) appears to occupy pores of similar energy whether dry or in the presence of adsorbed water. On dry CSC adsorbed HD appears stable, while in the presence of water its decomposition is marked by hydrolysis at low temperature and thermal decomposition at elevated temperatures. The principal volatile products desorbed are 1,4-thioxane, 2-chloroethyl vinyl sulfide and 1,4-dithiane, with the latter favoring elevated temperatures.
Structured waves near the plasma frequency observed in three auroral rocket flights

Abstract. We present observations of waves at and just above the plasma frequency (fpe) from three high frequency electric field experiments on three recent rockets launched to altitudes of 300–900 km in active aurora. The predominant observed HF waves just above fpe are narrowband, short-lived emissions with amplitudes ranging from
Changing management of gallstone disease during pregnancy

Background: Symptomatic gallstones may be problematic during pregnancy. The advisability of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is uncertain. The objective of this study is to define the natural history of gallstone disease during pregnancy and evaluate the safety of LC during pregnancy.
A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes in the Treatment of Aphasia

An extensive search of aphasia-treatment literature yielded 55 reports of clinical outcomes satisfying the essential criteria for inclusion in a meta-analysis. The results confirmed those of an ear...
N-(3-[18F]fluoropropyl)-spiperone: The preferred 18F labeled spiperone analog for positron emission tomographic studies of the dopamine receptor

The ligands currently used for PET studies of the dopamine receptor are fluorine-18-labeled spiperone (FSp) and carbon-11 or fluorine-18-labeled N-methyl-spiperone. All three of these ligands have drawbacks in either their chemical preparation or their biological behavior. We have previously prepared a series of N-fluoroalkyl-spiperone derivatives which are simple to prepare in high radiochemical yield. N-[18F]fluoropropyl-spiperone (3-F-Pr-Sp) and N-[18F]fluoroethyl-spiperone (2-F-Et-Sp) were the most promising ligands. In vitro competitive binding studies showed affinities for the dopamine receptor of 3-F-Pr-Sp greater than FSp greater than 2-F-Et-Sp. Brain extraction studies in a primate model showed that FSp, 2-F-Et-Sp, and 3-F-Pr-Sp were not completely extracted by the brain. High bone uptake and kidney clearance was observed with 3-F-Pr-Sp, while 2-F-Et-Sp cleared through the intestine in rats. This is in contrast to FSp where clearance is through the kidney. Studies to evaluate the extraction of metabolites in the brain were carried out by administering large doses (10 mCi) of FSp, 2-F-Et-Sp and 3-F-Pr-Sp to rats and reinjecting the metabolites in blood into other rats. These experiments showed that less than 0.02% of the metabolites from FSp and 3-F-Pr-Sp entered the brain, while 0.5% of the metabolites from 2-F-Et-Sp entered the brain. The majority of the activity present in the cerebellum after the administration of 2-F-Et-Sp is metabolites; therefore 2-F-Et-Sp is unsuitable for PET imaging studies. PET imaging studies in baboons and in one normal human volunteer with 3-F-Pr-Sp showed a high striatum-to-cerebellum ratio, showing that 3-F-Pr-Sp can replace ligands currently in use to study dopamine receptors.
Digital simulation of polarimetric radars

A new generation of radar systems that exploit the polarizing characteristics of various targets and clutter are under develop ment. These radars utilize the high-range resolution techniques of frequency-agile fast Fourier transform techniques and are a radical departure from conventional pulse radar. The methods of simulating these new processes and typical results are shown.
Littoral zone fish communities of two Florida lakes and a comparison with Michigan lakes

The abundance and habitat distribution of littoral zone fishes in two small southern Florida lakes were quantified by underwater censuses. The bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and large-mouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) accounted for 75–80% of community biomass in both lakes; important coexisting species were predominantly benthic feeders in Lake Sirena and planktivores in Lake Annie. All species were largely confined to areas of macrovegetation which extended to a depth of 4 m in Lake Annie but only to 1.2 m in Lake Sirena. The differences in community structure were related to differences in habitat and also variation in water levels and benthic production.
Calculation of Correlation Functions in the Weak Coupling Approximation

Abstract We have previously pointed out (1996, Phys. Rev. Lett.77, 798) that in the calculation of a correlation function C(t) by means of the fluctuation–dissipation theorem, much insight could be gained by writing the Fourier transform of C(t) as of the Fourier transform of the relaxation function multiplying the universal power spectrum of quantum noise at temperature T. Here, we show how this factorization leads to an immediate simplifying approach in the weak coupling limit near resonance. In particular, the time decay dependencies which appear are those associated with the Onsager classical regression theorem. Also, we throw further light on our previous assertion that there is never a quantum regression theorem.
A neuropsychological study of early onset schizophrenia

Abstract Characterizing a pattern of cognitive dysfunction in early onset schizophrenic patients may illuminate neurodevelopmental contributions to the illness. A cohort of chronically institutionalized schizophrenic patients with a variable range of age of onset (range 7–29 years) was administered a comprehensive battery of neurophsychological tests that included the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Test Battery. After statistical control of age, parental socioeconomic class (SES) effects, and thorazine equivalents, age of illness onset was positively correlated with performance on measures of motor ability, perceptual motor and pure motor speed, receptive and expressive speech, and overall cognition function, and inversely related to severity of negative symptoms; that is, earlier age of onset was associated with worse cognitive performance and an increase in negative symptoms. This study demonstrates that an early age of onset in schizophrenic illness is associated with impairment on tasks which involved motor and language abilities, functions linked to the frontal, temporal, and subcortical regions of the brain. This association is not due to the effects of medication, negative symptoms, or duration of illness.
Vergleich einiger gas-chromatographischer Untersuchungsmethoden für Aromastoffe von Getränken sowie Beschreibung einer „Säulenextraktion“ für Aromastoffe aus Getränken

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird uber die verschiedenen Methoden zur gas-chromatographischen Untersuchung von Aromastoffen von Getranken berichtet. Prinzipiell werden 3 Verfahren angewandt: 1. Injektion eines Aroma-Luft-Wasserdampfgemisches, 2. Injektion von Destillaten oder Aromakonzentraten, 3. Injektion von extrahierten und von Losungsmitteln weitgehend befreiten Aromastoffen. Die beiden erstgenannten Methoden erlauben zwar ein schnelles Arbeiten, eignen sich aber nicht fur alle Getranke. Da die Anreicherung der Aromastoffe durch Extraktion arbeits und zeitaufwendig ist, wird daher ein Verfahren vorgeschlagen, das die Extraktion aller organischen Aromastoffe aus dem Getrank innerhalb von 20 min praktisch ermoglicht. Bei diesem Verfahren wird das Losungsmittel mit einer Dosierpumpe in fein zerteilter Form durch das in einer Saule befindliche Getrank geleitet. Zur quantitativen Extraktion eignet sich am besten eine Mischung aus Ather und n-Pentan oder aus Ather und Isopentan. Diese Losungsmittelgemische haben den Vorteil, das aus alkoholhaltigen Flussigkeiten nur geringe Mengen Athylalkohol extrahiert werden.
Determinants of Initiation Codon Selection during Translation in Mammalian Cells

Factors affecting translation of mRNA contribute to the complexity of eukaryotic proteomes. In some cases, translation of a particular mRNA can generate multiple proteins. However, the factors that determine whether ribosomes initiate translation from the first AUG codon in the transcript, from a downstream codon, or from multiple sites are not completely understood. Various mRNA properties, including AUG codon-accessibility and 5′ leader length have been proposed as potential determinants that affect where ribosomes initiate translation. To explore this issue, we performed studies using synthetic mRNAs with two in-frame AUG codons−both in excellent context. Open reading frames initiating at AUG1 and AUG2 encode large and small isoforms of a reporter protein, respectively. Translation of such an mRNA in COS-7 cells was shown to be 5′ cap-dependent and to occur efficiently from both AUG codons. AUG codon-accessibility was modified by using two different elements: an antisense locked nucleic acid oligonucleotide and an exon-junction complex. When either element was used to mask AUG1, the ratio of the proteins synthesized changed, favoring the smaller (AUG2-initiated) protein. In addition, we observed that increased leader length by itself changed the ratio of the proteins and favored initiation at AUG1. These observations demonstrate that initiation codon selection is affected by various factors, including AUG codon-accessibility and 5′ leader length, and is not necessarily determined by the order of AUG codons (5′→3′). The modulation of AUG codon accessibility may provide a powerful means of translation regulation in eukaryotic cells.
Adenosine triphosphatase and morphological integrity of mitochondria.

Abstract Gramicidin, antimycin A, dinitrophenol, and butyl-3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoate stimulate mitochondrial ATPase at 23° without causing swelling of these particles. Desoxycholate, saponin, and triiodothyroacetic acid activate ATPase at 23° but also produce swelling or rupturing of the mitochondria. Triiodothyronine, thyroxine, stearic acid, and DPNH enhance mitochondrial ATPase and swelling at 37° but not at 23°. At suboptimal levels of Ca++, thyroxine further actives fresh mitochondrial ATPase but has no effect when the Ca++ concentration is optimal.
The systematic significance of achene micromorphology in Carex retrorsa (Cyperaceae)

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine achene epidermal features of nine Carex species within sections Vesicariae and Lupulinae. Two major epidermal features are recognized in this study: the epidermal layers with one or two primary silicon bodies in each cell and the absence of any primary silicon body. Comparative data of achene morphology using SEM, and evidence compiled from previous investigations, support the placement of Carex retrorsa within section Vesicariae.
The structure of rice weevil pectin methylesterase.

Rice weevils (Sitophilus oryzae) use a pectin methylesterase (EC 3.1.1.11), along with other enzymes, to digest cell walls in cereal grains. The enzyme is a right-handed β-helix protein, but is circularly permuted relative to plant and bacterial pectin methylesterases, as shown by the crystal structure determination reported here. This is the first structure of an animal pectin methylesterase. Diffraction data were collected to 1.8 A resolution some time ago for this crystal form, but structure solution required the use of molecular-replacement techniques that have been developed and similar structures that have been deposited in the last 15 years. Comparison of the structure of the rice weevil pectin methylesterase with that from Dickeya dandantii (formerly Erwinia chrysanthemi) indicates that the reaction mechanisms are the same for the insect, plant and bacterial pectin methylesterases. The similarity of the structure of the rice weevil enzyme to the Escherichia coli lipoprotein YbhC suggests that the evolutionary origin of the rice weevil enzyme was a bacterial lipoprotein, the gene for which was transferred to a primitive ancestor of modern weevils and other Curculionidae. Structural comparison of the rice weevil pectin methylesterase with plant and bacterial enzymes demonstrates that the rice weevil protein is circularly permuted relative to the plant and bacterial molecules.
The Development of an Attribution-Based Theory of Motivation: A History of Ideas

The history of ideas guiding the development of an attribution-based theory of motivation is presented. These influences include the search for a “grand” theory of motivation (from drive and expectancy/value theory), an attempt to represent how the past may influence the present and the future (as Thorndike accomplished), and the incorporation of causes and their properties (from Heider and Rotter). The goal of this approach is the formulation of a conception in which causes influence action via the mediating mechanisms of specific affects (as first suggested by Atkinson) and expectancy. The empirical and conceptual contributions of the theory are summarized.
In Situ Gene Expression by Vibrio vulnificus

Strains of Vibrio vulnificus incubated in situ in natural estuarine waters during warm months continued to express katG (periplasmic catalase), rpoS (stress sigma factor), tufA (elongation factor), wza, and wzb (capsule synthesis). vvhA (hemolysin) was differentially expressed between environmental and clinical isolates. These results paralleled our in vitro findings.
Association Studies of Polymorphisms of CYP2E1 Gene in Alcoholics with Cirrhosis, Antisocial Personality, and Normal Controls

To determine the role of CVP2€1 gene in susceptibility to alcoholism and alcohol cirrhosis, we gentoyped a sample of alcoholics with and without cirrhosis, alcoholics with antisocial personality, alcoholic families, and normal controls with Rsal, Pstl, and Dral polymorphisms in the gene. Relative risk and haplotype relative risk approaches were used in genotype data analysis. The Pstl polymorphism data were excluded from further analysis due to strong linkage disequilibrium with Rsal. For the Rsal polymorphism, comparison of total alcoholics, alcoholics with and without cirrhosis, and alcoholics with antisocial personality with normal controls were negative. The results of the same analysis with the above groups for Dral were also negative. Using the haplotype relative risk method, the result for Dral was positive, meaning that the mutated allele (D2) was significantly more transmitted than nontransmitted. However, the result of the same analysis for the Rsal polymorphism was not statistically significant. We conclude that the CYP2€1 gene plays no
Design, construction and testing of a wheelchair-mounted robotic arm

A wheelchair-mounted robotic arm (WMRA) was designed and built to meet the needs of mobility-impaired persons with limitations of upper extremities, and to exceed the capabilities of current devices of this type. The mechanical design incorporates DC servo drive, with actuator hardware at each individual joint, allowing reconfigurable link lengths. It has seven degrees of freedom and uses a side mount on a power wheelchair. The control system allows coordinated Cartesian control, and offers expandability for future research, such as coordinated motion with the wheelchair itself. This paper discusses the current state of the art in WMRAs; describes the design goals and user requirements for this device; explains the component selection process; discusses details of the mechanical design, electrical system and low-level controller; covers manufacturing concerns; and describes the testing of the completed arm. Further improvements are also suggested
Wheel traffic impact on soil conditions as influenced by tillage system in Central Anatolia

Abstract The increased limiting effects of soil compaction on Central Anatolian soils in the recent years demonstrate the need for a detailed analysis of tillage system impacts. This study was undertaken to ascertain the effects of seven different tillage systems and subsequent wheel traffic on the physical and mechanical properties of typical Central Anatolian medium textured clay loam soil (Cambisol), south of Ankara, Turkey. Both tillage and field traffic influenced soil bulk density, porosity, air voids and strength significantly except the insignificant effect of traffic on moisture content. Traffic affected the soil properties mostly down to 20 cm. However, no excessive compaction was detected in 0–20 cm soil depth. The increases of bulk density following wheel traffic varied between 10–20% at 0–5 cm and 6–12% at 10–15 cm depth. In additions, traffic increased the penetration resistance by 30–74% at 0–10 cm and 7–33% at 10–20 cm. Less wheel traffic-induced effects were found on chisel tilled plots, compared to ploughed plots. Soil stress during wheel passage was highly correlated with soil strength. Also, both tillage and traffic-induced differences were observed in mean soil aggregate sizes, especially for mouldboard ploughed plots. The obtained data imply that chisel+cultivator-tooth harrow combination provides more desirable soil conditions for resisting further soil compaction.
Creating a Web-Enhanced Interactive Preclinic Technique Manual: Case Report and Student Response

This article describes the development, use, and student response to an online manual developed with off-the-shelf software and made available using a web-based course management system (Blackboard) that was used to transform a freshman restorative preclinical technique course from a lecture-only course into an interactive web-enhanced course. The goals of the project were to develop and implement a web-enhanced interactive learning experience in a preclinical restorative technique course and shift preclinical education from a teacher-centered experience to a student-driven experience. The project was evaluated using an anonymous post-course survey (95 percent response rate) of 123 freshman students that assessed enabling (technical support and access to the technology), process (the actual experience and usability), and outcome criteria (acquisition and successful use of the knowledge gained and skills learned) of the online manual. Students responded favorably to sections called "slide galleries" where ideal and non-ideal examples of projects could be viewed. Causes, solutions, and preventive measures were provided for the errors shown. Sections called "slide series" provided cookbook directions allowing for self-paced and student-directed learning. Virtually all of the students, 99 percent, found the quality of the streaming videos adequate to excellent. Regarding Internet connections and video viewing, 65 percent of students successfully viewed the videos from a remote site; cable connections were the most reliable, dial-up connections were inadequate, and DSL connections were variable. Seventy-three percent of the students felt the videos were an effective substitute for in-class demonstrations. Students preferred video with sound over video with subtitles and preferred short video clips embedded in the text over compilation videos. The results showed it is possible to develop and implement web-enhanced and interactive dental education in a preclinical restorative technique course that successfully delivered information beyond the textual format.
Analysis of structure and function of the B subunit of cholera toxin by the use of site-directed mutagenesis.

Summary Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis of ctxB was used to produce mutants of cholera toxin B subunit (CT-B) altered at residues Cys-9, Gly-33, Lys-34, Arg-35, Cys-86 and Trp-88. Mutants were identified phenotypically by radial passive immune haemolysis assays and genotypically by colony hybridization with specific oligonucleotide probes. Mutant CT-B poly-peptides were characterized for immunoreactivity, binding to ganglioside GM1, ability to associate with the A subunit, ability to form holotoxin, and biological activity. Amino acid substitutions that caused decreased binding of mutant CT-B to ganglioside GM1 and abolished toxicity included negatively charged or large hydrophobic residues for Gly-33 and negatively or positively charged residues for Trp-88. Substitution of lysine or arginine for Gly-33 did not affect immunoreactivity or GM1 -binding activity of CT-B but abolished or reduced toxicity of the mutant holotoxins, respectively. Substitutions of Glu or Asp for Arg-35 interfered with formation of holotoxin, but none of the observed substitutions for Lys-34 or Arg-35 affected binding of CT-B to GM1. The Cys-9, Cys-86 and Trp-88 residues were important for establishing or maintaining the native conformation of CT-B or protecting the CT-B polypeptide from rapid degradation in vivo.
Strategic Public Health Interventions

In the discussion concerning network interactions above I gave several example of how to use network theory to intervene against the spread of infectious diseases. In general a policy maker would like to lengthen the characteristic path length in the network. In doing so she may intervene by vaccinating individuals with high degree or high betweenness centrality measures. In doing so it makes the structure of the interaction network less able to efficiently spread an infectious disease. There have been many studies that have looked at these types of strategies in real world populations. For instance, I, along with Philip Polgreen and Alberto Segre, look at how allocating a limited amount of vaccine by giving it first to the individuals with highest degree in the network, as opposed to randomly, greatly limits the spread of infectious disease in a hospital. Others use social interaction data to investigate how different vaccination programs change the expected size of epidemics.
Direct Measurement of Transformation Zone Strains in Toughened Zirconia

Residual strains responsible for crack tip shielding have been measured within transformation zones surrounding cracks in Mg-PSZ. Two techniques were used for strain measurement: moire interferometry and high-resolution image matching. Both methods provide maps of differential in-plane displacements within the specimen surface intersected by the crack, the latter method with the higher resolution. The results are compared with finite-element analysis to assess surface relaxation effects, and the measured strains are used to evaluate the crack tip shielding stress intensity factor. Calculations based on the assumption that the unconstrained transformation strain is hydrostatic dilatation yielded results that were significantly smaller than the measured toughness increases.
Automatic sensitivity analysis of kinetic mechanisms

An algorithm for the automatic sensitivity analysis of kinetic mechanisms based on the Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (FAST) method of Shuler and co-workers is reported. The algorithm computes a measure of the relative sensitivity of each concentration to each parameter of interest, such as rate constants, Arrhenius parameters, stoichiometric coefficients, and initial concentrations. Arbitrary variations in the magnitude of the parameters are allowable. The algorithm is illustrated for the simple example of computing the sensitivity of the concentration of species A to variation of the two Arrhenius parameters for the hypothetical reaction A + A →.
Changes in the Factor VIII C2 domain upon membrane binding determined by hydrogen-deuterium exchange MS.

Factor VIII enhances the catalytic activity of Factor IXa in a membrane-bound enzyme complex and both proteins are necessary to prevent haemophilia. Tandem lectin-like C domains mediate the membrane binding of Factor VIII and membrane-interactive residues have been identified. However, the available data provide little insight into the dynamic changes that occur upon membrane binding. We used time-based hydrogen–deuterium exchange MS to evaluate the dynamics of FVIII-C2 (Factor VIII C2 domain) alone and when membrane bound. The results confirm the participation of previously identified membrane-interactive loops in the binding mechanism. In addition, they indicate that a long peptide segment, encompassing a membrane-interactive loop and strands of the β-barrel core, is remarkably dynamic prior to membrane binding. The flexibility is reduced following membrane binding. In addition, regions that interact with the A1 and C1 domains have reduced solvent exchange. Thus the isolated C2 domain has extensive flexibility that is subject to stabilization and could be related to interactions between domains as well as between Factor VIII and Factor IXa or Factor X. These results confirm that the proposed membrane-binding loops of the FVIII-C2 interact with the membrane in a manner that leads to protection from solvent exposure.
Searching for Higgs Boson Decay Modes with Deep Learning

Particle colliders enable us to probe the fundamental nature of matter by observing exotic particles produced by high-energy collisions. Because the experimental measurements from these collisions are necessarily incomplete and imprecise, machine learning algorithms play a major role in the analysis of experimental data. The high-energy physics community typically relies on standardized machine learning software packages for this analysis, and devotes substantial effort towards improving statistical power by hand-crafting high-level features derived from the raw collider measurements. In this paper, we train artificial neural networks to detect the decay of the Higgs boson to tau leptons on a dataset of 82 million simulated collision events. We demonstrate that deep neural network architectures are particularly well-suited for this task with the ability to automatically discover high-level features from the data and increase discovery significance.
Waalbot: Agile climbing with synthetic fibrillar dry adhesives

This video presents a palm-size climbing robot which uses synthetic fibrillar dry adhesives inspired by geckos. With fibrillar footpads, the robot is shown to climb smooth surfaces such as glass and acrylic, and surfaces with micron-scale roughness such as wood. In particular, the agility of the robot is highlighted by demonstrations of climbing, steering, and plane-to-plane transitions.
A molecular method to assess bioburden embedded within silicon-based resins used on modern spacecraft materials

Current assessments of bioburden embedded in spacecraft materials are based on work performed in the Viking era (1970s), and the ability to culture organisms extracted from such materials. To circumvent the limitations of such approaches, DNA-based techniques were evaluated alongside established culturing techniques to determine the recovery and survival of bacterial spores encapsulated in spacecraft-qualified polymer materials. Varying concentrations ofBacillus pumilusSAFR-032 spores werecompletelyembedded in silicone epoxy. An organic dimethylacetamide-based solvent was used to digest the epoxy and spore recovery was evaluated via gyrB-targeted qPCR, direct agar plating, most probably number analysis, and microscopy. Although full-strength solvent was shown to inhibit the germination and/or outgrowth of spores, dilution in excess of 100-fold allowed recovery with no significant decrease in cultivability. Similarly, qPCR (quantitative PCR) detection sensitivities as low as *10 3 CFU ml �1 were achieved upon removal of inhibitory substances associated with the epoxy and/or solvent. These detection and enumeration methods show promise for use in assessing the embedded bioburden of spacecraft hardware. Received 22 March 2011, accepted 12 January 2012, first published online 16 February 2012
Betel quid chewing in rural Bangladesh: prevalence, predictors and relationship to blood pressure

Background Betel quid is chewed by 600 million people worldwide and it has been linked to obesity and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of our study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of betel quid chewing in a rural area of Bangladesh, and determine its effects on body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure. Methods In this population-based prospective study, we analysed data on 19 934 Bangladeshi adults. Linear and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the socio-demographic predictors of betel quid chewing and the effect of betel quid on change in BMI and on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, arterial pressure, overweight or obesity, and hypertension. Results At baseline, betel quid was chewed by 33.2% of the cohort (35.5% of men, 31.6% of women). In a subsample in which we collected methods of use, 17.5% chewed it without tobacco and 82.5% chewed it with tobacco. In multivariate analysis, betel quid chewing was associated with female sex, older age, tobacco smoking and lower socio-economic status, as measured by fewer years of formal education and not owning land. Betel quid was chewed more times per day among women and older persons. At follow-up, persons who chewed betel quid without tobacco had higher systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and arterial pressure in comparison with never users. After controlling for other explanatory variables, chewing betel quid without tobacco was associated with general hypertension [odds ratio (OR) 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–2.10] and systolic hypertension (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.01–2.37). We did not observe associations of betel quid chewing with BMI or overweight. Conclusions Betel quid chewing is likely contributing to high blood pressure in Bangladesh, particularly among women.
The end of forgetting: Strategic agency beyond the panopticon

The rapid explosion of information technologies in recent years has contributed to a substantive change in the social dimensions of information-sharing, and is forcing us to revise substantially our old assumptions regarding the knowledge/power dynamic. In this article, we discuss a range of strategic information-management options available to individuals and institutions in the networked society, and contrast these ‘blueprints’ to Foucault’s well-known panopticon model. We organize these observations and analyses within a new conceptual framework based on the geometry of ‘information flux’, or the premise that the net flow of information between an individual and a network is as relevant to power dynamics as the nature or volume of that information. Based on this geometrical model, we aim to develop a lexicon for the design, description and critique of socio-technical systems.
Using Adaptive Circuits to Mitigate Process Variations in a Microprocessor Design

This case study discusses how to use adaptive circuits in a big dual-core microprocessor to combat process variation. The large die size also makes it suffer more on-die process variation. To prevent continuous design updates or multiple design optimizations, designs incorporate adaptive techniques that achieve the highest performance possible. Although adaptive techniques are not new, having been implemented to some degree for generations (for example, self-calibrating I/O), they have taken significant new roles in many design aspects. As adaptive designs proliferate, increasing amounts of effort go into testing them. This article presented two types of adaptive systems: the silicon-optimizing active deskew system and the silicon-monitoring power measurement and cache latent-error detection system. However, these adaptive circuits are the tip of a growing iceberg. As variability increasingly affects designs, designers will likely use more adaptive circuits to achieve the highest performance and reliability possible. New scaling issues, such as erratic bits, will make these adaptations even more necessary to the design's fundamental operation. With increasing use of adaptive circuits, designers will need to develop new test techniques to ensure high part quality and reliability
Predicting Parents' Experiences With Coresident Adult Children:

This research examined the likelihood of parent-adult child coresidence and the implications of coresidence for the quality of life as perceived by parents. Data from the 1987-1988 National Survey of Families and Households showed that a positive home environment is a strong selection factor in predicting the probability of coresidence. The presence of unlaunched adult children is most likely when families have not been reconstituted through parental remarriage, when parent-child relations are good, and when parents hold favorable attitudes toward the continued support of adult children. After controlling for selection effects, predictions concerning the normative expectedness of the living arrangement, the influence of children's dependency, and parents' social class on parental experiences in the coresident living arrangement were tested. The normative expectedness of the coresident living arrangement, as indicated by the age of coresident adult children, had little impact on parents' experiences. Adult...
Mica: A Web-Search Tool for Finding API Components and Examples

Because software libraries are numerous and large, learning how to use them is a common and problematic task for experienced programmers and novices alike. Internet search engines such as Google have emerged as important resources to help programmers successfully use APIs. However, observations of programmers using web search have revealed problems and inefficiencies in their use. We present a new prototype search tool called Mica that augments standard web search results to help programmers find the right API classes and methods given a description of the desired functionality, and help programmers find examples when they already know which methods to use. Mica works by using the Google Web APIs to find relevant pages, and then analyzing the content of those pages to extract the most relevant programming terms and to classify the type of each result.
Charting the progression of disability in Parkinson disease: study protocol for a prospective longitudinal cohort study

Background People with Parkinson disease (PD), even in the presence of symptomatic relief from medical, surgical, and rehabilitative interventions, face a persistent worsening of disability. This disability is characterized by diminished quality of life, reduced functional mobility, declining performance in activities of daily living and worsening neurological impairments. While evidence has emerged supporting the clinically meaningful benefits of short-term exercise programs on these underlying factors, assertions regarding the effects of sustained programs of exercise and physical activity on the trajectory of disablement in PD are made in the absence of direct evidence. Indeed, the natural decline in quality of life and functional mobility in people diagnosed with PD is poorly understood. Moreover, outcome measures commonly used in clinical exercise trials typically do not capture the full spectrum of disability as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Towards Reliable, Performant Workflows for Streaming-Applications on Cloud Platforms

Scientific workflows are commonplace in eScience applications. Yet, the lack of integrated support for data models, including streaming data, structured collections and files, is limiting the ability of workflows to support emerging applications in energy informatics that are stream oriented. This is compounded by the absence of Cloud data services that support reliable and performant streams. In this paper, we propose and present a scientific workflow framework that supports streams as first-class data, and is optimized for performant and reliable execution across desktop and Cloud platforms. The workflow framework features and its empirical evaluation on a private Eucalyptus cloud are presented.
Correlation of maternal and pup NK-like activity and TNF responses against cytomegalovirus to pregnancy outcome in inbred guinea pigs.

Immunologic causes for poor outcome of pregnancy complicated by primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection are only partially understood. Maternal and pup tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and natural killer cell (NK)-like activity associated with primary gestational CMV infection initiated in either the first or third trimester equivalent in the inbred guinea pig model were investigated. Poor pregnancy outcome defined as fetal resorptions, premature delivery, stillbirths, and intrauterine growth retardation occurred with infection at either gestational time. Induction of TNF and NK activity by CMV infection during pregnancy correlated with resorptions in early pregnancy infection and with premature labor in late pregnancy infection. Stillbirths occurred with CMV infection at either time. Regardless of the gestational time of CMV acquisition, poor outcome correlated with higher maternal NK and TNF responses during the first weeks after maternal virus acquisition. Furthermore, CMV infected dams with loss of ≥ 50% of conceptus had higher TNF responses than infected dams with < 50% conceptus loss. Likewise, pups born in litters from CMV-infected dams with resorptions and/or premature labor also had enhanced NK activity and TNF response to CMV compared with pups born to dams not having resorptions or premature labor. TNF responses in the delivered pups of infected dams were higher than from pups of uninfected dams regardless of litter outcome, whereas pup NK responses were enhanced only in pups from litters of dams with premature labor or resorptions. Enhanced NK and TNF activity appear to be associated with premature delivery and other poor outcomes of pregnancy. J. Med. Virol. 60:230–236, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
End-of-Life Care Intensity Among Adolescent and Young Adult Patients With Cancer in Kaiser Permanente Southern California

Importance Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death among adolescents and young adults (AYAs), but little is known about the care that AYA patients with cancer receive at the end of life (EOL). Objective To evaluate the intensity of EOL care among AYA patients with cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants Cross-sectional study of Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KSPC) cancer registry data and electronic health records for 663 AYA patients with either stage I to III cancer and evidence of cancer recurrence or stage IV cancer at diagnosis. All patients were treated within KSPC, an integrated health care delivery system, and died between 2001 and 2010 before age 40 years (age range at time of death, 15-39 years). Main Outcomes and Measures (1) Chemotherapy use in the last 14 days of life; (2) intensive care unit (ICU) care in the last 30 days of life; (3) more than 1 emergency department (ED) visit in the last 30 days of life; (4) hospitalization in the last 30 days of life; and (5) a composite measure of medically intensive EOL care including any of the aforementioned measures. Results Eleven percent of patients (72 of 663) received chemotherapy within 14 days of death. In the last 30 days of life, 22% of patients (144 of 663) were admitted to the ICU; 22% (147 of 663) had more than 1 ED visit; and 62% (413 of 663) were hospitalized. Overall, 68% of patients (449 of 663) received at least 1 medically intensive EOL care measure. Conclusions and Relevance Most AYA patients received at least 1 form of medically intensive EOL care. These findings suggest the need to better understand EOL care preferences and decision making in this young population.
Terrestrial arthropods of Steel Creek, Buffalo National River, Arkansas. I. Select beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae, Carabidae, Cerambycidae, Curculionoidea excluding Scolytinae).

Background The Ozark Mountains are a region with high endemism and biodiversity, yet few invertebrate inventories have been made and few sites extensively studied. We surveyed a site near Steel Creek Campground, along the Buffalo National River in Arkansas, using twelve trap types - Malaise traps, canopy traps (upper and lower collector), Lindgren multifunnel traps (black, green, and purple), pan traps (blue, purple, red, white, and yellow), and pitfall traps - and Berlese-Tullgren extraction for eight and half months. New information We provide collection records of beetle species belonging to eight families collected at the site. Thirty one species represent new state records: (Buprestidae) Actenodes acornis, Agrilus cephalicus, Agrilus ohioensis, Agrilus paracelti, Taphrocerus nicolayi; (Carabidae) Agonum punctiforme, Synuchus impunctatus; (Curculionidae) Acalles clavatus, Acalles minutissimus, Acoptus suturalis, Anthonomus juniperinus, Anametis granulata, Idiostethus subcalvus, Eudociminus mannerheimii, Madarellus undulatus, Magdalis armicollis, Magdalis barbita, Mecinus pascuorum, Myrmex chevrolatii, Myrmex myrmex, Nicentrus lecontei, Otiorhynchus rugosostriatus, Piazorhinus pictus, Phyllotrox ferrugineus, Plocamus hispidulus, Pseudobaris nigrina, Pseudopentarthrum simplex, Rhinoncus pericarpius, Sitona lineatus, Stenoscelis brevis, Tomolips quericola. Additionally, three endemic carabids, two of which are known only from the type series, were collected.
Women in Cardiology: Very Few, Different Work, Different Pay.

Fifty years ago, there were very few women in medicine, but by 2014, almost one-half of first-year medical students were women [(1)][1]. Female physicians are much more likely to select certain fields for clinical training; women currently comprise 83% of residents in obstetrics and gynecology, 73%
Vocabulary does not complicate the simple view of reading

Gough and Tunmer’s (1986) simple view of reading (SVR) proposed that reading comprehension (RC) is a function of language comprehension (LC) and word recognition/decoding. Braze et al. (2007) presented data suggesting an extension of the SVR in which knowledge of vocabulary (V) affected RC over and above the effects of LC. Tunmer and Chapman (2012) found a similar independent contribution of V to RC when the data were analyzed by hierarchical regression. However, additional analysis by factor analysis and structural equation modeling indicated that the effect of V on RC was, in fact, completely captured by LC itself and there was no need to posit a separate direct effect of V on RC. In the present study, we present new data from young adults with sub-optimal reading skill (N = 286). Latent variable and regression analyses support Gough and Tunmer’s original proposal and the conclusions of Tunmer and Chapman that V can be considered a component of LC and not an independent contributor to RC.
Premium Debt Swaps, Tax-Timing Arbitrage, and Debt Service Parity

A premium debt swap involves exchanging a new issue of high-coupon bonds for similar outstanding high-coupon debt. The swap achieves a tax-timing arbitrage. By reissuing premium bonds, the borrower preserves debt service parity and realizes a net-present-value benefit equal to the difference between the immediate tax deduction of the bond-retirement premium and the present-value tax cost of amortizing the identical original issue premium on the new bonds. The net advantage of refunding is the same as for a cash repurchase but without the undesirable accounting impact.
Homogeneous Enzyme Immunoassay of Acetaminophen in Serum

A new commercially available homogeneous enzyme immunoassay, using the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) catalyzed conversion of NAD to NADH, has been evaluated and applied to the determination of acetaminophen in serum. Replicate analysis of serum control samples over the range of 10-200 micrograms/mL demonstrated a within-assay coefficient of variation of less than or equal to 4.6% and a between-assay coefficient of variation of less than or equal to 5.8%. Regression analysis of two separate groups of 98 and 47 serum samples by this technic, using different reagent lots, and a HPLC reference method gave equations of y = 0.981x - 0.941 (r = 0.984) and y = 1.06x - 2.21 (r = 0.994), respectively. No interference due to hemolysis or turbidity was noted. Evaluation of samples containing 35 commonly prescribed or over the counter medications demonstrated no significant cross-reactivity. Prepared reagents were stable over a period of at least 2 months when stored at 4 degrees C. Correlations between two reagent lots were excellent (r = 0.998). A single sample can be analyzed expeditiously. The result may help evaluate a potential acetaminophen poisoning. Another way to assess this toxicity, calculation of the elimination half-life, has limitations that depend on the precision of the analysis.
Environmental Requirements for Computer Assisted Instruction

Physical learning environments for computers require special consideration and design. The better this “electronic classroom” environment is designed, the greater are the chances that the desired l...
The Persistence of Division: Geography, Institutions, and Online Friendship Ties

As noted by theorists such as Blau, Durkheim, Mayhew, and others, interaction opportunity is a fundamental determinant of social structure. One of the most empirically well established factors infl...