cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chylothorax in infancy

Summary 1. A case of spontaneous bilateral chylothorax in a 6-week-old infant is presented, together with a detailed analysis of the chyle. The patient succumbed, despite repeated thoracenteses and vigorous supportive therapy over a period of two months. Post-mortem examination failed to reveal a cause for the chylous effusion. 2. Absorption tests with vitamins A and D and beta carotene were performed. Vitamins A and D were rapidly absorbed into the chyle from the gastrointestinal tract and in appreciable quantities. Beta carotene was poorly absorbed. 3. Aspirated chyle was administered intravenously many times without untoward reactions. 4. The loss of protein through the repeated aspiration of chyle is fully as important as that of fat, if not more so. Supportive therapy in cases of chylothorax should include measures to maintain body protein stores.
Cytotoxic effects of ricin without an interchain disulfide bond: genetic modification and chemical crosslinking studies

Abstract Ricin is a toxic glycoprotein made of two polypeptide chains (A and B) linked by a disulfide bond. Ricin binds to cells by the B chain and is then internalized. The interchain disulfide bond is believed to be reduced in endosomes, and the A chain is then subsequently translocated to cytoplasm where it inactivates ribosomes. To understand the role of the disulfide bond in ricin toxicity, we prepared two types of ricin molecules. First, cysteine 259 of the A chain was mutated to an alanine residue. The mutant A chain was then reassociated with the native B chain to determine whether ricin is biologically active in the absence of an interchain disulfide bond. Reassociated mutant ricin showed a 40-fold reduction in biological activity. Binding studies using a hydrophobic fluorescence probe indicated that the associated complex was stable only at neutral pH and became highly unstable at a lower pH characteristic of the endosomal milieu. In the second construct, the interchain disulfide bond was replaced with a non-reducible bond by chemical derivatization. Interestingly, the non-reducible ricin molecule; was equally cytotoxic as native ricin. These results show: (i) that the interchain disulfide bond is necessary to hold the A chain and the B chain together at endosomal pH, and (ii) that intact ricin may be transported to the cytoplasm where proteolysis or hydrolysis may occur to release the biologically active moiety.
Fish oil thermosetting polymers : synthesis, structure, properties and their relationships

Abstract The cationic copolymerization of native or conjugated fish oil (FO or CFO) with divinylbenzene (DVB), norbornadiene (NBD) or dicyclopentadiene (DCP) comonomers initiated by boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BF3·OEt2) was conducted in an effort to develop useful biodegradable polymers with rationally designed structures from natural renewable resources. Polymers ranging from rubbers to hard plastics have been obtained. 1H NMR, 13C NMR, solid state 13C NMR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) have been used to characterize the structures and physical properties of the fish oil polymers. The results indicate that the products are typical thermosetting polymers with densely crosslinked structures. These polymer materials have densities of approximately 1000 kg/m3, which appear to be independent of their compositions. The structure of the bulk polymer is composed of 40–85 wt% of crosslinked polymer networks plasticized by 15–60 wt% of unreacted free oil. The moduli of the FO (∼0.8 GPa) and CFO (∼1.1 GPa) polymers at room temperature are found to be comparable to those of conventional petroleum-based plastics. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers range from 50 to 150°C with a broad transition region. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicates three distinct decomposition temperature regions, i.e. 200–400°C, 400–560°C, and 560–800°C, which correspond to evaporation of the unreacted free oil, carbonization of the crosslinked polymer network, and oxidation of the carbon, respectively. The thermal stability of these materials is found to be largely dependent on the amount of unreacted free oil molecules present in the bulk polymers. The CFO polymers have higher moduli and thermal stability than the FO polymers due to the lower amount of free oil present in the CFO bulk polymers.
P22 New selective reaction-based fluorescent probes for hydrogen sulfide: Synthesis and applications

Mounting evidence for H2S as a signaling molecule has led to increased demand for techniques to detect this reactive sulfur species in biological systems with high sensitivity and selectivity. Previously established methods have relied upon tissue and cell disruption to measure intracellular H2S levels. Our laboratory has been devising new ways to image hydrogen sulfide in intact, living cells with spatial and temporal resolution. Two first-generation fluorescent probes, Sulfidefluor-1 and Sulfidefluor-2 (SF1 and SF2), employ the chemoselective H2S-mediated reduction of azides to produce a turn-on response in the presence of H2S. Additional modifications to these initial probe designs have yielded second-generation probes that display higher sensitivities and enable detection of endogenously produced H2S in various model systems. These new chemical tools now set the stage for further study of the physiological roles of H2S and elucidation of the complex, dynamic interplay between redox-active species in cellular environments.
Comparison of Multivariate Calibration Techniques for Mid-IR Absorption Spectrometric Determination of Blood Serum Constituents

Determination of glucose and other clinically important blood constituents based on IR spectrometry and multivariate calibration techniques, such as partial least-squares (PLS) and principal components regression (PCR), has been an active research area. In our recent investigations of glucose determination in undiluted human whole blood samples, we noticed that the application of multivariate calibration based on PLS in combination with adaptive neural networks (PLS-ANN) resulted in significant improvement in glucose prediction compared with results from either the PLS or PCR technique. In the study reported here, we have applied this technique for the determination of different constituents in human blood serum. The specific objective of this study was to compare the capabilities of the PLS, PCR, and PLS-ANN techniques for the prediction of cholesterol, total proteins, glucose, and urea in human blood serum samples.
Morse connection graphs for piecewise constant vector fields on surfaces

Abstract We describe an algorithm for constructing Morse Connection Graphs (MCGs) of Piecewise Constant (PC) vector fields on surfaces. The main novel aspect of our algorithm is its way of dealing with false positives that could arise when computing Morse sets from an inexact graph representation. First, our MCG does not contain trivial Morse sets that may not contain any vector field features, or contain features that cancel each other. Second, we provide a simple criterion that can be used to rigorously verify MCG edges, i.e. to determine if a respective connecting chain of trajectories indeed exists. We also introduce an adaptive refinement scheme for the transition graph that aims to minimize the number of MCG arcs that the algorithm is not able to positively verify.
Neuro-ophthalmic findings in the visual variant of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Purpose To describe the clinical features of a visual variant Alzheimer's disease, a disorder that might be seen by the ophthalmologist with visual symptoms and signs. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Eight patients with Alzheimer's disease presenting with predominantly visual complaints. Methods A retrospective review of patients at a tertiary care academic center seen by the authors from 1999 to 2001 with Alzheimer's disease and predominantly visual complaints. Results Eight patients with the visual variant of Alzheimer's disease were reviewed. All had seen eye care providers before referral to the neuro-ophthalmology clinic for visual complaints but without a diagnosis. Four patients had homonymous visual field loss, and two had presumed cortical visual impairment. Neuroimaging showed either normal brain (1 patient) or atrophy of the parietal or occipital areas but no structural lesions (7 patients). Fluoro-18-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans were performed in five of the cases, and all showed hypoperfusion in the parietooccipital areas. Neuropsychologic testing revealed visuospatial deficits in all 5 patients tested. Conclusions Visual symptoms might be the presenting (or rarely only) manifestation of Alzheimer's disease. Clinicians should be aware of the visual variant of Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychological testing and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide supporting evidence for the diagnosis. Positron emission tomography scans might be helpful in selected cases, especially those with a normal MRI.
Changes in Sensitivity of Reward and Motor Behavior to Dopaminergic, Glutamatergic, and Cholinergic Drugs in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a leading cause of intellectual disability. FXS is caused by loss of function of the FMR1 gene, and mice in which Fmr1 has been inactivated have been used extensively as a preclinical model for FXS. We investigated the behavioral pharmacology of drugs acting through dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and cholinergic systems in fragile X (Fmr1-/Y) mice with intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) and locomotor activity measurements. We also measured brain expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine biosynthesis. Fmr1-/Y mice were more sensitive than wild type mice to the rewarding effects of cocaine, but less sensitive to its locomotor stimulating effects. Anhedonic but not motor depressant effects of the atypical neuroleptic, aripiprazole, were reduced in Fmr1-/Y mice. The mGluR5-selective antagonist, 6-methyl-2-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP), was more rewarding and the preferential M1 antagonist, trihexyphenidyl, was less rewarding in Fmr1-/Y than wild type mice. Motor stimulation by MPEP was unchanged, but stimulation by trihexyphenidyl was markedly increased, in Fmr1-/Y mice. Numbers of midbrain TH+ neurons in the ventral tegmental area were unchanged, but were lower in the substantia nigra of Fmr1-/Y mice, although no changes in TH levels were found in their forebrain targets. The data are discussed in the context of known changes in the synaptic physiology and pharmacology of limbic motor systems in the Fmr1-/Y mouse model. Preclinical findings suggest that drugs acting through multiple neurotransmitter systems may be necessary to fully address abnormal behaviors in individuals with FXS.
AP-S Distinguished Lecturer Program for 2009–2010

The full abstracts of the Distinguished Lecturers' talks and the Lecturers' biographies appeared in the June 2009 issue of the Magazine. This information can also be obtained by sending an email request to info.distlect.ap@ieee.org, or via a link at http://www.ieeeaps.org.
Studies regarding the mechanism of false negative urea breath tests with proton pump inhibitors

Studies regarding the mechanism of false negative urea breath tests with proton pump inhibitors
A Comment on Disguised Observation in Sociology

We would suggest that, in principle, anyone is publicly accountable for the actions which it is his duty to perform. Most of the time, however, since sociologists are not muckrakers, it is not necessary or desirable to single out individuals or even clearly identifiable small groups. In such situations one may reasonably use confidentiality as an inducement to cooperation. In other situations, however, this is clearly unwarranted. If one wishes to study the functioning of courts, or of a mayor's office, or of General Motors, or of unions, it is perhaps better to put up with the difficulties of only doing what one can do without promising to keep information confidential. Since publicly accountable individuals often recognize the fact of their accountability and the useful purposes that might be served by sociologists studying them, one can often gain a good deal of cooperation without the promise of confidentiality.5 We are suggesting that sociologists in this respect have the same rights that journalists have. Our understanding of the social process may be such that we do not use this right in the same way as journalists, because we are not interested in momentary sensations but in developing an understanding of the persisting tendencies of social systems, large or small.
Chaos in digital filters

It is shown that when the second-order digital filter is implemented using a two's-complement arithmetic for the addition operation, it can exhibit chaotic behavior for certain regions in the parameter space. The overflow nonlinearity of the adder results in a rather complex dynamics, with a phase portrait that is self-similar and has a fractal geometry. The intricate chaotic dynamics of this nonlinear filter is analyzed using symbolic dynamics involving three symbols. >
On the Development of a Hybrid Particle Method Using the Differential Formulation

An extension of the Dual Particle Dynamics (DPD) method is introduced for the differential (strong) formulation in solid mechanics. Similar to the DPD, the new approach, termed the Hybrid Particle Method, employs two different types of particles or interpolation points, namely the motion points (mps) and stress points (sps). Momentum is balanced at the mps, while stresses and other field variables are calculated and tracked at both the sps and mps. A new momentum mixture rule is introduced which allows the Hybrid Particle Method to span the entire range from pure co-locational (mps only) to the pure DPD as well as variations and combinations of the two approaches. In one dimension, the accuracies of both the momentum balance and stress calculations are examined in detail. Co-locational (mps only) approaches are shown to be extremely noisy for wave propagation problems. However, accurate stresses are obtained at both mps and sps. A series of one dimensional results are shown to demonstrate the validity of ...
Determinants and Long-Term Effects of Attendance Levels in a Marital Enrichment Program for African American Couples

Although most efficacious marital enrichment programs are multisession, few studies have explored whether outcomes differ according to session attendance, particularly among minority groups with lower than average participation in prevention programs. This study therefore investigates attendance levels and long-term improvements in couple functioning among 164 couples participating in the Promoting Strong African American Families program. Structural equation models indicated session attendance predicted 2-year changes for men's reports of communication, commitment, and spousal support (marginally) but not for women's. Individual and couple characteristics that predicted attendance levels were also identified. Results highlight distinct gender differences in the effects of sustained attendance as well as characteristics that provide early identifiers for African American couples at increased risk of low program attendance.
Social interactions among teachers, handicapped children, and nonhandicapped children in a mainstreamed preschool

Abstract The emotional tone and social integration of two mainstreamed preschool classes were studied to determine whether or not the findings of an earlier study would be repeated. Although most variables showed no differences between handicapped and nonhandicapped children's peer-directed and teacher-directed behaviors, result did suggest that, particularly in one class, nonhandicapped children tended to selectively interact with other nonhandicapped (as opposed to handicapped) children when engaging in more complex (associative) social play. Handicapped children did not show the same tendency to interact more within their own group. At the same time, handicapped children received more help and affection from peers, and were more effectionate towards peers, than nonhandicapped children. Teachers refused handicapped children's requests and corrected their behavior more often; however they also gave them more help and more affection than nonhandicapped children. The results were generally congruent with those of an earlier study but did show more segregation on the part of nonhandicapped children.
Distribution and excretion of heparin.

SummaryHeparin S35 was extracted from the liver of dogs administered inorganic Na2S35O4. Distribution of this heparin was determined in rats. The mast cells were found to take up injected heparin S35, and radioactivity persisted in liver and spleen after virtual disappearance from plasma. Anticoagulant activity was found to parallel isotope activity of the plasma of dogs injected with heparin S35. Urinary excretion in dogs accounted for only about 20% of the injected isotope at a time when plasma anticoagulant activity had returned to normal.
Nonconvex polyhedra by repeated truncation of semiregular polyhedra

Some of the semiregular (Archimedean) polyhedra (1–13 in Table 1) afford on truncation polyhedra that contain vertices where the sum of planar degrees for the faces which meet at those vertices is equal to (for 17, 18, and 23 in Table 3) or higher than 360° (21, 22, 24–26 in Table 3). Therefore such polyhedra are nonconvex.
L 2 estimates for Chebyshev collocation

We study Chebyshev collocation when applied to a system of symmetric hyperbolic equations on a finite domain with general boundary conditions. We show that the use of orthogonal projections in theL 2 norm in order to smooth out the higher modes and to implement boundary conditions leads to a stable numerical approximation in theL 2 norm; the stability estimate corresponds to the estimate of the continuous problem. For constant coefficient systems the method reduces to an efficient implementation of Legendre-Galerkin.
Electrochemically-Reversible, Single-Electron Oxidation of C60 and C70

Of special interest has been the cathodic electrochemistry of fullerenes, in part due to the observation of superconductivity for some of the triaionic states of C[sub 60]. While the cathodic electrochemistry has proven to be very rich, culminating last year in the observation of C[sub 60][sup 6], its anodic electrochemistry remains largely unexplored. To establish the chemical reversibility of the first oxidation wave of C[sub 60] and C[sub 70], the corresponding anodic and cathodic currents for this couple were measured as a function of the scan rate between 10 and 100 mV/s. The ratios determined (i[sub a]i[sub c]) were all equal to 1 within experimental error. Therefore, the cation radicals generated electrochemically are relatively long-lived on the voltammetric time scale at room temperature. The lifetime of the radicals can be estimated to be < 0.5 min. Most interestingly, scanning the potential more positive than that of the first reversible oxidation of C[sub 70] resulted in the observation of a second, one-electron oxidation of C[sub 70], C[sub 70][sup +] [yields] C[sub 70][sup 2+], at a potential of + 1.75 V. It is interesting to note that the potential difference between the first and the second anodic waves is 550 mV, closemore » to the values previously reported for the separations between consecutive cathodic waves of C[sub 60] and C[sub 70]. This second wave does not appear to be chemically reversible, as judged by preliminary cyclic voltammetric studies. Attempts to observe the second oxidation wave for C[sub 60] have not been successful. 14 refs., 1 fig.« less
Estrogen receptor alpha is required for mammary development and the induction of mammary hyperplasia and epigenetic alterations in the aromatase transgenic mice

Abstract Aromatase transgenic mice exhibit hyperplastic and dysplastic changes, attesting to the importance of local estrogen in breast carcinogenesis. These mice also show increased levels of the estrogen receptor α and β (ERα, ERβ) suggesting that this receptor may play an important role in the initiation of estrogen-mediated mammary hyperplasia observed in these mice. To address the specific role of ERα in the mammary development and in the induction of estrogen-mediated hyperplasia in aromatase transgenic mice, we have generated MMTV-aromatase × ERα knockout cross (referred as aromatase/ERKO). Even though ERβ is expressed in aromatase/ERKO mice, lack of ERα leads to impaired mammary growth in these mice. The data suggest that ERα plays an important role in the mammary gland development as well as in the induction of mammary hyperplasia in aromatase transgenic mice. Lack of ERα expression in the aromatase/ERKO mice resulted in a decrease in the expression of Cyclin D1, PCNA and TGFβ relative to the aromatase parental strain. The studies involving aromatase/ERKO mice show that lack of ERα results in impaired mammary development even in the presence of continuous tissue estrogen, suggesting estrogen/ERα-mediated actions are critical for mammary development and carcinogenesis.
140–220 GHz SPST and SPDT Switches in 45 nm CMOS SOI

This letter presents 140-220 GHz single-pole single-throw (SPST) and single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switches built using 45 nm semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS technology. A tuned-shunt topology is used to minimize the insertion loss, and the transistor layout results in very low ground inductance and high isolation. The double-shunt SPST switch results in an insertion loss of 1.0 dB and an isolation of 20 dB, while the SPDT switches result in an insertion loss of 3.0 dB and an isolation of 20-25 dB, all at 180 GHz. The switches are well matched with a return loss at all ports greater than 10 dB at 140-220 GHz. The work shows that advanced CMOS nodes can be used for transmit-receive switches in emerging 140-220 GHz CMOS systems.
Analysis of energy usage at membrane water treatment plants

The production and supply of potable water using seawater and brackish water desalination, and reclamation of wastewater for reuse by membrane processes has seen a rapid growth in the last decade to meet the growing demands of water in many regions of the world. Energy consumption plays a critical role in the selection of appropriate membrane treatment technologies for potable water production. For example, wastewater reclamation for reuse by membrane filtration is more attractive than reverse osmosis (RO) desalination due to much lower specific energy consumption and materials costs. Specific energy consumption reflects the energy efficiency of a membrane process but is not a realistic indictor for comparing the power requirements of different membrane processes. A parameter called, comparative-kW, is proposed for comparing the power requirements of various membrane based plants operating under a wide range of product water recoveries. Several cases are analysed to illustrate the usefulness of comparativ...
Agonists that suppress M-current elicit phosphoinositide turnover and Ca2+ transients, but these events do not explain M-current suppression.

Abstract The hypothesis that acetylcholine, substance P, and LHRH suppress M-current by activating phospholipase C was tested. Each agonist caused turnover of phosphoinositide, as measured by release of inositol phosphates, and a modest transient rise in intracellular free Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+ ] i ), as determined with fura-2. Active phorhol esters depressed M-current only 50% and did not prevent further suppression by LHRH. M-current, its control by agonists, and its depression by phorbol esters were not affected by adding inositol trisphosphate or Ca 2+ buffers with high or low Cal+ to the whole-cell, voltage-clamp pipette. We conclude that phospholipase C activation does occur but does not mediate the suppression of M-current by agonists. Caffeine produced large [Ca 2+ ] i transients and acted as an agonist to suppress M-current.
Infantile colouration as an elicitor of caretaking behaviour in old world primates

The infants of many primate species possess distinctively coloured or patterned coats and flesh. Evolutionary theory, primate ecology, and observational evidence all indicate that these distinctive characteristics may elicit attention, protection, tolerance, and other forms of caregiving from older conspecifics. Such caretaking responses to infantile characteristics are analogous to those found in other mammals and do not seem to require learning.
Open-Ended Approaches to Science Assessment Using Computers

We discuss the potential role of technology in evaluating learning outcomes in large-scale, widespread science assessments of the kind typically done at ETS, such as the GRE, or the College Board SAT II Subject Tests. We describe the current state-of-the-art in this area, as well as briefly outline the history of technology in large-scale science assessment and ponder possibilities for the future. We present examples from our own work in the domain of chemistry, in which we are designing problem solving interfaces and scoring programs for stoichiometric and other kinds of quantitative problem solving. We also present a new scientific reasoning item type that we are prototyping on the computer. It is our view that the technological infrastructure for large-scale constructed response science assessment is well on its way to being available, although many technical and practical hurdles remain.
The anterior cricoid split in puppies.

Abstract The acute and long-term effects of the anterior cricoid split on the subglottis of puppies intubated from 7 to 14 days are documented. The anterior cricoid split acutely increased the intralumenal cricoid surface area in puppies with intubation-induced airway injury. An intense inflammatory response with mucosal ulceration and granulation tissue is elicited by 14 days of intubation by using the canine model of induced subglottic stenosis developed by Supance et al. [19]. When animals intubated for 14 days underwent an anterior cricoid split on day 7, the airway appears essentially normal by day 14. The split cricoid cartilage maintained a ‘U’ configuration following the procedure. The regior of deficient cartilage anteriorly is bridged by fibrous tissue with normal epithelium lining the lumenal surface. Splitting the cricoid cartilage anteriorly increased the intralumenal area and no long term complications resulted from the procedure. The mechanisms by which the anterior cricoid split expands the airway intralumenal area while maintaining airway support have been reviewed.
Introduction and comparison of next-generation mobile wireless technologies

Mobile networks and services have gone further than voice-only communication services and are rapidly developing towards data-centric services. Emerging mobile data services are expected to see the same explosive growth in demand that Internet and wireless voice services have seen in recent years. To support such a rapid increase in traffic, active users, and advanced multimedia services implied by this growth rate along with the diverse quality of service (QoS) and rate requirements set by these services, mobile operator need to rapidly transition to a simple and cost-effective, flat, all IP-network. This has accelerated the development and deployment of new wireless broadband access technologies including fourth-generation (4G) mobile WiMAX and cellular Long-Term Evolution (LTE). Mobile WiMAX and LTE are two different (but not necessarily competing) technologies that will eventually be used to achieve data speeds of up to 100 Mbps. Speeds that are fast enough to potentially replace wired broadband connections with wireless. This paper introduces both of these next generation technologies and then compares them in the end.
Microbial degradation of chlorinated phenols

Abstract The chlorinated phenols comprise a large group of toxic, man-made chemicals that are serious environmental pollutants. Microorganisms can degrade many, but not all, of the chlorinated phenols, often using chlorophenol-specific catabolic enzymes. Novel technologies are evolving for using specific microorganisms to clean contaminated soils and waters of chlorophenols.
Emissivity of Lanthanum Hexaboride Thermionic Electron Gun Cathode

The emissivity of the thermionic electron gun cathode material lanthanum hexaboride (LaB $$_6$$ ) at an operating temperature of 1622 K has been measured for wavelengths from 550 nm to 2400 nm. The emissivity is calculated from scanning monochromator spectral measurements calibrated with a tungsten lamp and the published emissivity of 0.82 at 1600 K for LaB $$_6$$ at 650 nm. The results show a higher emissivity at shorter wavelengths (up to 0.86 at 729 nm) and a lower emissivity in the near-IR to mid-IR (down to 0.41 at 2146 nm). These measurements were motivated by the need to make fast, accurate optical measurements of the temperature of the LaB $$_6$$ cathode in our thermionic microwave gun, and to select the wavelength most readily absorbed by the cathode for manipulation of its surface temperature as a means of counteracting back-bombardment heating.
Synthesis and photopolymerization of N,N'-dimethyl,-N,N'-di(methacryloxy ethyl)-1,6-hexanediamine as a polymerizable amine coinitiator for dental restorations.

Abstract N , N ′-dimethyl,- N , N ′-di(methacryloxy ethyl)-1,6-hexanediamine (NDMH) was synthesized for the purpose of replacing both triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and the non-polymerizable amine which is added as a coinitiator in dental resin mixtures. 2,2- bis [4(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropoxy)phenyl] propane ( bis -GMA), camphorquinone (CQ) and ethyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate (EDAB) were used as monomer, photoinitiator and coinitiator, respectively, in these model dental resin systems. Mixtures of bis -GMA/TEGDMA/CQ/EDAB and bis -GMA/TEGDMA/CQ/NDMH were found to reach final conversions of about 45%, slightly higher than bis -GMA/NDMH/CQ (40%) under comparable visible light irradiation conditions. In addition, samples cured to these conversions were tested with dynamic mechanical analysis. The bis -GMA/TEGDMA/CQ/EDAB, bis -GMA/TEGDMA/CQ/NDMH and bis -GMA/NDMH/CQ mixtures were found to have approximately the same glass transition temperature and modulus. Finally, the water sorption and solubility of bis-GMA/NDMH/CQ were higher than those of the bis -GMA/TEGDMA/CQ/EDAB, and bis -GMA/TEGDMA/CQ/NDMH. However, the values were still within the range of the ISO 9000's standards. These results suggest that NDMH is a viable alternative to conventional photocuring dental resins, serving both as a diluent and coinitiator, since there are no large differences in physical and mechanical properties when using NDMH to replace the amine coinitiator and TEGDMA diluent. The key advantage to this system is that the dimethacrylate NDMH can copolymerize with bis -GMA and TEGDMA, limiting the amount of extractable amine.
Ethanol extracts from the mushroom Inonotus obliquus (Chaga) alter melanoma cell viability and morphology

Abstract. Inonotus obliquus (also known as Chaga) is a fungal parasite of birch trees that has been prized in folkloric medicine for centuries due to its curative powers against cancer and infectious diseases. Over the past decade, a number of studies have examined the anti-tumor properties of various Chaga extracts and demonstrated remarkable efficacy of this natural product in the treatment of solid tumors in mice. We sought to determine if ethanol extracts from Chaga affected the oncogenic properties of cultured melanoma cells. Treatment of B16F1 mouse melanoma cells with fresh ethanol extracts of Chaga resulted in strong increases in melanocyte dendricity as evidenced by increases in the number of cells with dendritic projections, the number of projections per cell, and total projection length. Chaga treatment led to cell cycle disruption as evidenced by decreased steady state cyclin mRNA expression and an increase in the number of cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Moreover, Chaga treatment led...
Viewing transplantation immunology through today's lens: new models, new imaging, and new insights.

The last several decades have brought significant immunologic advances in the fields of inflammation, infection, and transplantation tolerance. Heretofore, our understanding of how complex immune interactions occur has been limited to static in situ tissue analysis and in vitro dynamic studies using isolated cells devoid of stromal elements typically present in vivo. Recent advances in molecular, flow cytometry, and intravital imaging have provided new insight into the dynamic interactions occurring among a variety of cells within the bone marrow (BM) and immune systems, ranging from undifferentiated hematopoietic progenitors to fully committed effector memory cells, which will likely have direct clinical and translational implications. In this review we highlight how the application of these cutting-edge technologies will sculpt the landscape of the next generation of immunologic advances.
Modeling Water, Sediment and Organic Carbon Discharges in the Hudson-Mohawk Basin: Coupling to Terrestrial Sources

A previous modeling study (Howarth et al. 1991) showed the potential of a simple watershed hydrology model, the Generalized Watershed Loading Function model (GWLF, Haith and Shoemaker 1987) for estimating annual loads of sediment and organic carbon to the Hudson River from various land uses in the upper portion of the basin. We examined the quality and accuracy of model outputs after making two major modifications. First, we used a geographic information system (GIS) and several environmental databases to improve model estimates of several parameters. Second, we evaluated alternative methods for incorporating weather data.We examined seasonal variation of model output as well as annual averages. Annual fluxes increased over those of Howarth et al. (1991) by 10% for sediment and 20% for TOC for the Hudson-Mohawk basin, resulting in closer agreement with measurement-based estimates. The estimated fluxes exhibited a strong seasonal component, with greates sediment load occurring during a few sping events. Finally, model estimates of fluxes associated with forested and agricultural scenarios, characteristic of earlier periods of the region’s history, predicted a doubling of sediment and TOC loading in an agriculturally dominated Hudson basin but a reduction of sediment by 90% and of TOC by 60% in a completely forested basin.
Molecular-Dynamics Simulation of the Effects of Methyl Rotation and Other Protein Motions on the NOE

Abstract The internal motions of a 36-residue C-terminal fragment of cellobiohydrolase were simulated by a 550 ps all-atom molecular dynamics calculation. The trajectories of methyl group torsional fluctuations were appended to simulate longer (2.0 ns) trajectories for modeling ideal methyls undergoing torsional vibrations about the methyl axis and proton jumps among the three equivalent proton positions. Relaxation rates and NOEs of these ideal methyl groups were calculated for methyl systems with different geometries and proton jump rates (0, 4, 15, and 27 ns −1 ) using correlation functions derived from the MD trajectories. The exact results could be approximated by a three-site jump model in which the correlation time of methyl jumps was 50 ps. N -site jump models with N ≥ 6 gave results similar to those expected for a freely rotating methyl group. The relaxation rates of ideal methyl groups experiencing torsional motions were reduced, depending on geometry and proton jump rate, to 30-85% of the static methyl rates. Relaxation rates were also calculated for "real" methyl groups (and various nonmethyl interactions) using exact correlation functions derived directly from the MD trajectory of the protein. Contributions of conformational fluctuations from backbone and side-chain motions were apparent as reductions and enhancements of relaxation rates relative to a static average structure. When methyl groups of the static model were calculated with a three-site jump model, similar motional effects were observed for methyl and nonmethyl interactions. Distances back-calculated from the exact relaxation rates indicate that internal motions increase the apparent distance of nonmethyl interactions by less than 0.5 A. For interactions involving methyl groups, internal motions result in back-calculated distances that are between r − 1.0 and r + 0.6 A of the distance in the average structure.
Two-Part Pricing with Costly Arbitrage

This paper considers the optimal two-part pricing strategy of a monopolist whose customers collude when they purchase the firm's product. In contrast to the sentiment in the existing price discrimination literature, I find that a monopolist's profit can actually increase when consumers share its good. When transaction costs for collusion are zero the firm can extract the full consumer surplus through two-part prices. When transaction costs are positive or there are a substantial number of consumers without access to resale, the firm may be hurt by arbitrage.
Does leptin cause vascular disease

In the past two decades, there has been a 2- to 4-fold increase in childhood obesity in the United States. The current epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States can be expected to cause a surge in cardiovascular disease in this generation.1,2⇓ Already, obesity-related illnesses account for nearly 300 000 deaths and about $100 billion in economic costs per year in the United States. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms by which obesity accelerates vascular disease has become ever more important. See p 1919 Obesity is associated with hypercholesterolemia, which is in some cases due to elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Obesity-associated dyslipidemia is often due to metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by hypertriglyceridemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.3 Each component of the metabolic syndrome may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease observed in obesity. In addition, plasma levels of C-reactive peptide (CRP) increase with fat mass and decline with weight loss.4 Recently, CRP has been demonstrated to directly impair endothelium-dependent vasodilation,5 and it is also known to be predictive of increased cardiovascular events in patients with other risk factors or with vascular disease.6 Obesity is also known to reduce vascular compliance.7 An increase in vascular stiffness has long-term adverse effects on the cardiovascular system by increasing impedance to blood flow and thereby increasing cardiovascular work and contributing to the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. Traditional risk …
Structure of the Avian Oviduct With Emphasis on Sperm Storage in Poultry

The macroanatomy, histology, and fine structure of the avian oviduct is reviewed and related to its role in fertile egg production. The avian oviduct functions as a biological assembly line, beginning sequentially with the deposition of the albumen around the fertilized or unfertilized ovum, then the shell membrane, and lastly, the shell, all within 25 hr of ovulation. While in transit through the oviduct, the fertilized ovum progresses to the pre-gastrulation stage of development.
Work Organization, Area Labor-market Characteristics, and Depression among U.S. Nursing Home Workers: A Cross-classified Multilevel Analysis

Associations between forms of work organization that follow globalization and depression were examined in U.S. nursing home assistants. A cross-sectional study of 539 nurse assistants in 49 nursing homes in three states in 2000 assessed nursing home ownership type, managerial style, wage policy, nurse assistants' emotional stresses, and area labor-market characteristics (county income inequality, median household income, and social capital) in relation to the prevalence of depression among the nurse assistants. A cross-classified multilevel analysis was used. For-profit ownership, emotional strain, managerial pressure, and lack of seniority pay increases were associated with depression. Labor-market characteristics were not associated with depression once work organization was taken into account. The deregulation of the nursing home industry that accompanies globalization is likely to adversely affect the mental health of nursing home assistants.
Understanding Economic Biases in Representation: Income, Resources, and Policy Representation in the 110th House

This article explores the extent, and possible causes, of income-based biases in representation of citizens by members of the 110th Congress. The author finds that the preferences of wealthier citi...
A review of three PWM techniques

Concerns switching power converters for motor drives. Three commonly used PWM techniques, sinusoidal PWM technique, space vector PWM technique and hysteresis (bang-bang) PWM technique, are discussed in this paper with emphasis on implementation. Experimental results are presented for all three PWM techniques.
Symptom monitoring in childhood asthma: a randomized clinical trial comparing peak expiratory flow rate with symptom monitoring.

Background Accurate symptom evaluation is a critical component of asthma management. Limited data are available about the accuracy of symptom evaluation by children with asthma and their parents, or the impact of various symptom-monitoring strategies on asthma morbidity outcomes. Objective The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of three different intensities of symptom monitoring on asthma morbidity outcomes. Methods One hundred sixty-eight children (ages 6 to 19) of diverse racial, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds were randomized to 1 of 3 treatment groups (subjective symptom evaluation, symptom-time peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) monitoring, daily PEFR monitoring) in this longitudinal, clinical trial. Outcome measures included a summary asthma severity score, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, symptom days, and health care utilization. Results Children who used PEFR meters (PFMs) when symptomatic had a lower asthma severity score, fewer symptom days, and less health care utilization than children in the other two treatment groups. Minority and poor children had the greatest amount of improvement using PFMs when symptomatic. Results were much less striking in white families. Thirty percent of families in the PFM treatment groups discontinued use entirely by 1 year postexit, whereas the majority of families who continued use (94%) used them only when symptomatic to inform symptom interpretation and management decisions. Conclusions Not every child with asthma needs a PFM. Children and families facing extra challenges as a result of illness severity, sociodemographic, or health care system characteristics clearly benefited most from PFM use.
Patterns of relationships between background characteristics, coping, and stroke caregiver outcomes.

AbstractPurpose: Little is known about mediators of stroke caregiver outcomes or patterns of relationships of outcome predictors. We examined relationships between the variable sets of caregiver and stroke survivor characteristics, coping (proposed mediators), and caregiver outcomes. Methods: We assessed 253 dyads prior to discharge from acute rehabilitation. Outcomes were depression, anxiety, preparedness, life change, and family functioning. Coping included problem solving, caregiver appraisal, and unmet resource needs. Multivariate canonical correlation analyses were computed between the sets of variables to identify unique patterns of relationships. Results: Six patterns of significant relationships were found (R =.30 to .84, Ps <.01 to .02). The strongest relationship was that between greater threat appraisal and negative life change, greater anxiety, and lower caregiving preparedness (P < .01). Caregiver characteristics (nonwhite, spousal caregivers) were related significantly to several outcomes (p...
Perched water table responses to forest clearing in northern Idaho

Many forested soils of northern Idaho containing fragipans and seasonal perched water tables (PWTs) have been cleared for agricultural use. However, little information exists on the direct effect of canopy removal on PWTs in these soils. We compared PWTs in soils where forest canopy had been removed with those in adjacent soils with intact canopy. Study sites were selected such that both cleared and forested treatments occurred within the same soil map unit. Perched water table levels in shallow wells were monitored weekly or biweekly from November to June or July for 3 yr. Results indicate that canopy removal substantially affects both average height and duration of seasonal PWTs. Average PWT levels were 6 to 107% higher under cleared treatments, with greatest increases observed when seasonal precipitation was dose to long-term averages. Seasonal PWTs developed 2 to 8 wk sooner under cleared treatments compared with forested treatments. Additionally, it took as much as four months before PWTs in the forested treatments reached an equivalent height as those in the cleared treatments. At one study site, the average volume of perched water in the cleared treatment was 7.5 cm greater than that in the forested treatment over the period of episaturation. Results suggest that land-use interpretations based on duration and proximity of a seasonal PWT to the soil surface may need to be adjusted when vegetation cover is altered. It may also be appropriate to distinguish between cleared and forested phases of fragipan-containing soil series when developing hydrologic interpretations.
War, Cooperation, and Conflict: The European Possessions in the Caribbean, 1939-1945

Code Names for Military Operations and Defense Systems The Framework of Defense of the European Caribbean: 1938-1939 The War in the Circum-Caribbean Theatre: September 1939 to April 1940 The Defeat of the Netherlands and Caribbean Repercussions The Inter-American Conference at Havana, Cuba The Anglo-American Destroyers-Bases Agreement The Fall of France and French Caribbean Repercussions ABC-1 and the Atlantic-Caribbean Sea Frontier The Conclusion of the Leased Bases Agreement Establishing the Caribbean/Western Atlantic Bases The Entry of United States Forces into Surinam The United States and the Defense of Aruba and Curacao The Battle of the Caribbean: February 1942 to August 1943 The French Caribbean in the War: November 1940 to November 1942 The Ralliement of the French Caribbean to the Allied Nations Bibliography Index
Enhanced rational signal modeling

Abstract In various signal processing applications involving theoretical or empirical considerations, it is desired to appropriately modify a given data set so that the modified data set possesses prescribed properties. These properties are usually chosen so as to identify information signals believed to be contained within the data. The modification of the data then serves as a cleansing process whereby corrupting noise, measurement distortion or theoretical mismatch is removed. In this paper, a recently developed signal enhancement algorithm is described which achieves this objective. Particular attention is directed towards properties that are describable using a singular value decomposition (SVD) of a data generated matrix. Examples are given demonstrating a significant improvement in the performance of subspace-based frequency estimation techniques.