cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 972: Epigenetic-microRNA networks in colon cancer stem cells

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Although chemotherapeutic regimens often suppress tumor growth, cancer patients show high variability in their responses and commonly develop resistance to these drugs and recurrence of the tumor. To explain this phenomenon, the cancer stem cell hypothesis suggests that tumors contain a small number of tumor-forming, self-renewing, cancer stem cells (CSCs) within a population of non-tumor-forming cancer cells. In our study, we have identified that CD133+/CD44+/ALDH1+ colon cancer cells are able to self-renew, form tumors in immunodeficient (rag2-/-gammac-/-) mice and are highly resistant to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy treatment. Several studies have identified that microRNAs are central regulators of oncogenesis, however their role in CSC formation and maintenance has not been elucidated. In order to identify microRNAs that suppress the growth of CD133+/CD44+/ALDH1+ colon cancer stem HCT-116 cells, we transfected a library of 810 microRNAs in these cells and evaluated their viability 24h post transfection. The microRNA library screen revealed 8 microRNAs that suppressed more than 80% colon CSC growth. Specifically, miR-26b inhibited most effectively (96%) colon CSC growth. In addition, microRNA microarray analysis revealed that miR-26b expression is highly decreased in colon CSCs in comparison to colon non-stem cancer cells (NSCCs), suggesting the importance of miR-26b in colon CSC growth. Bioinformatic and molecular analyses revealed that miR-26b targets directly the 3’UTR of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). Overexpression of EZH2 in colon NSCCs resulted in formation of colon CSCs, suggesting the importance of EZH2 in colon CSC formation. Furthermore, chromatin-immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) analysis showed that miR-26b overexpression in colon CSCs reactivates the expression of genes repressed by H3K27 tri-methylation. Interestingly, we have identified that miR-26b promoter area is a direct target of EZH2 suppressed by H3K27 tri-methylation. The transcriptional signature of the miR-26b-EZH2 network was also identified in colon CSCs derived from human colon cancer tumors. In addition, miR-26b targeted selectively colon CSCs and acted together with 5-FU chemotherapy to block tumor growth and prolong remission in colon cancer mouse models. Taken together, these data suggest the identification of novel epigenetic-microRNA network in colon CSCs and provide the rationale and experimental basis for using the combination of miR-26b and chemotherapy drugs to improve treatment of patients with colon cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 972. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-972
Row replacement algorithms for screen editors

Interactive screen editors repeatedly determine terminal command sequences to update a screen row. Computing an optimal command sequence differs from the traditional sequence comparison problem in that there is a cost for moving the cursor over unedited characters and the cost of an n-character command is not always the cost of n one-character commands. For example, on an ANSI-standard terminal, it takes nine bytes to insert one character, ten to insert two, eleven to insert three, and so on. This paper presents an O(MN) dynamic programming algorithm for row replacement where an n-character command costs an + b for constants a and b. M is the length of the original row and N is the length of its replacement. Also given is an O(Cost × (M + N)) “greedy” algorithm for optimal row replacement. Here Cost is the optimal cost (in bytes) of the replacement, so the algorithm is fast when the require d update is small. Though the algorithm is rather complicated, it is fast enough to be useful in practice.
A method for the interpretation of results obtained by Liapunov's method.

Interpretation of results obtained by Liapunov method, using parallelepiped imbedded in region of asymptotic stability
Micropores in plagioclase

Plagioclase feldspar is often surprisingly porous on a small scale. Pores range in size from less than 1 μm to about 40 μm, and occupy up to 2.3 % by volume. In general, the highest plagioclase porosities occur in rocks which would have had a comparatively “wet” history: normal granites and pegmatites. Rocks which were drier—gabbro, a diabase and an exceptionally dry granite—have much lower plagioclase porosities, as do two lowgrade metamorphic samples. It is suggested that the nearly equant pores represent sites of former fluid inclusions, while the planar cavities of cracklike cross-section may be partially annealed fractures formed early in the history of the rock.
The high-temperature Eu2O3BaCO3CuO-atmospheric oxygen phase diagram: Phase characterization in the 90 K superconducting region

Abstract A comprehensive study of the Eu2O3CuOBaCO3 (950°C BaCO3 decomposition products) system has been effected on intimately mixed specimens which were subsequently fired both in air and in pure oxygen. In the binary oxide regions the phases Eu2BaO4, Eu2CuO4, and BaCuO2+x were observed. In the ternary oxide region the phases Eu2BaCuO5, EuBa2Cu3O6.5+x, and Eu3Ba3Cu6O13.5+x were observed. The phases were characterized by X-ray diffraction; structure type and lattice parameter data are reported. Only for EuBa2Cu3O6.5+x in the orthorhombic modification was 90 K superconductivity observed.
A World Without War? Reflections on Globalization and Antiglobalization

ABSTRACT The paper takes the form of several reflections on developments that have unfolded since 11 September 2001, with particular reference to the concentration and projection of power in the United States, both state and private, as well as its implications for the prospect of a new general world war and the possibilities for dissent.
Interleaved Retrodirective Sub-Arrays for Null-Steering Interference Rejection

Retrodirective arrays have been established as a unique type of high-speed, self-steering array with the flexibility to integrate with a wide range of communication functions. However, their automatic phase reversal function prohibits the use of channel weighting prior to retransmission, greatly limiting its beamforming capabilities. In this work, an interleaved sub-array architecture is proposed to introduce a null-steering feature into retrodirective arrays for interference rejection. The system maintains its simple high-speed operation with a Butler matrix receiver rather than a digital receiver. A minimum number of phase shifters are required for null-steering. An 8-element prototype is fabricated to demonstrate this new feature. Measured pattern results validate the effectiveness of the introduced null-steering capability.
Effectiveness of sterile boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) against a low-density population in commercially grown cotton in northcentral Mississippi.

Sterile boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, were released into six fields of commercially grown cotton (total of 28.1 ha) in Choctaw County, Miss. Three fields (total of 18.8 ha) that received no sterile weevils were used as controls. Weevils were sterilized by subjecting them to 10 krad of gamma irradiation, then immersing them in either an acetone or aqueous solution of 0.04% diflubenzuron. The weevils were suspended in an aqueous solution of 0.55% furcellaran, a gelling agent, and dispensed directly onto cotton plants by means of specially designed equipment. The population of native boll weevils present in the field during the course of this test, as estimated using three techniques, averaged 4.1 per 0.4 ha/wk. This very low population of native weevils encountered during the release period allowed a test of the hypothesis that a given number of sterile weevils will produce increasingly greater reductions in egg hatch of native populations as those populations become smaller. Egg hatch in fields where the sterile weevils were released averaged 15.2% as opposed to 94.4% in control fields, indicating that sterile weevils could effect significant reductions in egg hatch of a low-level native population in commercially grown cotton. Comparing these results with those of a previous test indicated that, although egg hatch was lower in the smaller native population, the efficiency of the sterile weevils appeared to be lower with the smaller population.
The Virtually Invisible Internet

We consider the question "What if we could redesign the Internet, how would we do it?" The preliminary proposal discussed in this paper is based on two observations - today, and in the future, wireless access by users will be the predominant mode of communication and communication typically follows a group-pattern where groups of people and/or entities engage in a specific communication activity. Using these two observations, we propose a novel group-based architecture with the goal of making the Internet more usable as well as invisible to users.
An unusual alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme in a patient with concomitant marked elevation of acid phosphatase without clinical evidence of prostatic carcinoma.

Abstract An 81-year-old male with congestive heart failure and prostatic hypertrophy was found to have markedly elevated serum acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) and moderately elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1). Alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme analysis was performed to determine the organ source of the enzyme. There was an unusual slow-migrating alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme band in the serum of this patient suggestive of hepatic origin by a variety of biochemical tests.
NMR spin echo experiments as probes of vortex dynamics in YBa2Cu3O7

Abstract We report 89Y and 17O NMR (9 Tesla) spin echo decay (T2) measurements for YBa2Cu3O7. We correct the results to remove effects of 63,65Cu dipolar coupling in order to isolate effects of vortex dynamics. We confirm vortex localization in the vortex solid state with rms displacements consistent with Langevin dynamical theory, but with motional dynamics at time scales some 106 times slower than predicted.
Boundary integral equation formulation for Interface cracks in anisotropic materials

We present a boundary integral formulation for anisotropic interface crack problems based on an exact Green's function. The fundamental displacement and traction solutions needed for the boundary integral equations are obtained from the Green's function. The traction-free boundary conditions on the crack faces are satisfied exactly with the Green's function so no discretization of the crack surfaces is necessary. The analytic forms of the interface crack displacement and stress fields are contained in the exact Green's function thereby offering advantage over modeling strategies for the crack. The Green's function contains both the inverse square root and oscillatory singularities associated with the elastic, anisotropic interface crack problem. The integral equations for a boundary element analysis are presented and an example problem given for interface cracking in a copper-nickel bimaterial.
Acute toxicity of aqueous and substrate-bound copper to the midge,Chironomus decorus

Fourth instar larvae of the midge,Chironomus decorus, were exposed to copper in water and copper in food and substrate (bound forms). Copper present in aqueous forms was more toxic than when it was present in bound forms. The relationship between copper in water and copper in midges could be described by an exponential equation while the relationship between copper in substrate and midges was best described by a simple linear regression equation. Midge larvae accumulated copper from water and possessed some mechanisms to regulate copper uptake and excretion when exposed to copper concentrations of 0.05–1.0 mg/L (aqueous forms) and lost that ability when the concentration exceeded 1.0 mg/L. On the contrary, the midge larvae were unable to accumulate copper from food, since the estimated bioconcentration factor was between 0.10 and 0.16. When the midge larvae were exposed to copper in water, the uptake rate increased rapidly from 0–10 hr and then the rate increased very slowly or in some cases it reached a steady state after 10 hr. The steady state was attained within 1 to 3 hr when the midges were exposed to copper in food and substrate.
Evaluation of a tertiary amine labeling protocol for peptides and proteins using Ru(bpy)33+-based chemiluminescence detection

Abstract The properties of four ruthenium complexes and their efficiency as probes for chemiluminescent (CL) detection were evaluated, and a protocol for CL detection of a protein labeled with a tertiary amine was proposed. Of the four ruthenium complexes studied, Ru(bpy) 3 3+ proved to exhibit the characteristics necessary for optimum CL detection. Two biotin derivatives were synthesized containing a tertiary amine functionality and then incubated with the protein, avidin. The addition of the tertiary amine moiety to biotin made the derivative more sensitive to Ru(bpy) 3 3+ -based CL. Quantitative data were obtained as a model of a labeling protocol by varying the number of biotins per avidin. Limit of detection (LOD) for either derivative were determined to be ∼50 nM, for the lowest concentration studied. The relative luminescence response increased with increasing number of tertiary amine labels per molecule of avidin. The results showed the potential of this approach for the detection of proteins using this tertiary amine labeling methodology.
Clinical Findings and Diagnosis in Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis: A Case Series From Massachusetts

Objective To describe clinical findings and the use of a tick-associated pathogen panel in a series of patients with human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) at a suburban Boston hospital.
Cell-free synthesis of ribosomal proteins on polyribosomes.

Abstract Polyribosomes isolated from normally growing Escherichia coli were used to direct the cell-free incorporation of radioactive amino acids into proteins. The proteins synthesized in vitro were characterized by carboxymethyl cellulose column chromatography followed by acrylamide gel electrophoresis. At least 18 ribosomal proteins appear to have been labeled in vitro, four of which were isolated as single bands on acrylamide gels. In addition, cyanogen bromide cleavage of one radioactive ribosomal protein yielded fragments containing radioactivity, implying identity between the synthesized molecules and this ribosomal protein. These experiments demonstrate that endogenous messenger RNA on polysomes can direct the cell-free synthesis of at least some ribosomal proteins.
Geographical Determinism in Fin-de-siècle Marxism: Georgii Plekhanov and the Environmental Basis of Russian History

Recent attempts to construct a “contextual” history of geography have refocused attention on the theories and proponents of environmental determinism, in the attempt to establish connections with the reactionary political-intellectual needs of nineteenth-century European imperialism. The present essay seeks to broaden this interpretive perspective by documenting the existence of a strong commitment to environmentalist ideas on the far left as well. The subject of the inquiry is the eminent Russian Marxist theoretician G. V. Plekhanov. It will be seen that Plekhanov placed environmentalist principles at the very foundation of his social theory, and that he did so without any doubt that they fit properly within the general conceptual framework established by Marx himself. In developing his own analysis, Plekhanov borrowed heavily from the work of contemporary geographers, in particular that of Friedrich Ratzel. As with other determinists, Plekhanov's environmentalism was essentially “ideological” in the sense that he used it toward an ulterior explanatory purpose, but this was, in his case, a purpose which had nothing to do with the project of legitimizing European domination of the globe. Rather, he used his environmentalism to explain the backwardness and social deformation of his own native Russia.
Synthesis and Characterization of Plasma Synthesized Nanostructured Magnesia-Yttria Based Nanocomposites

Polycrystalline Y2O3 is the material of choice for IR windows since it has excellent optical properties in the visible, and near infra-red band. However, current processing methods yield polycrystalline Y2O3 with large grain size (> 100 μm), which limits the hardness and erosion resistance attainable. One way to improve strength is to develop an ultra-fine grained material with acceptable optical transmission properties. To realize a fine-grained ceramic, one approach is to develop a composite structure, in which one phase inhibits the growth of the other phase during processing. In this study, Y2O3-MgO nanocomposite with various MgO content (20, 50 and 80 mol%) were synthesized using plasma spray method. Extensive characterization techniques including x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Energy Dispersive spectrometry (EDS) were employed to study the synthesized powder as well as the consolidated sample. Transmission Electron Microscopy, as well as EDS chemical mapping, revealed that the consolidated sample have bi-continuous MgO-Y2O3 nanostructure with an average grain size of 200 nm.
Plaque assay of cytomegalovirus strains of human origin.

The use of human fibroblasts with an agarose overlay medium was found to be a reliable and practical method for the plaque assay of Herpesvirus hominis (1). This technique has now been modified for use in assaying cytomegalovirus (CMV) strains of human origin. Two methods for the quantitation of cytomegalovirus have been described previously, in addition to the traditional determination of 50% tissue culture infectivity doses by tube dilution. The first of these, the microscopic counting of infected cells on coverslip preparations after either immunofluorescent (2) or Giemsa (3) staining had obvious limitations and technical difficulties. Plummer and Benyesh-Melnick (4) then described a plaque assay technique using methyl cellulose in the overlay medium. Since agarose overlays are more easily handled than methyl cellulose and afford a firm overlay to prevent viral spread, we investigated the use of an assay with two sequential agarose overlays. The criteria for a useful plaque assay described by Cooper (5...
You Are How You Eat? Femininity, Normalization, and Veganism as an Ethical Practice of Freedom

In this paper I argue that the practice of veganism is, or can be, a Foucauldian ethical practice of freedom. I begin by sketching out the problematization of alimentary practices within a normalizing patriarchal framework, which some feminists argue is dominant within contemporary North American society. Within this problematization, eating—for many women—is a way to manage the body’s appearance and bring it into conformity with feminine norms, and also an ongoing opportunity to exercise the will over unruly bodily desires. I then consider the narratives of women who claim that veganism helped them to relinquish disordered eating habits, temper the emotional and psychological turmoil that surrounded their alimentary practices, and mitigate antagonism toward their own bodies. In short, the practice of veganism appears to have reproblematized eating for these women. Thus, I suggest, veganism can be an ethical practice of freedom: it can loosen the tight grip of patriarchal normalization as constituted in and through disordered eating habits, and constitute subjects that are “a little less governed” by this form of power. I conclude by considering objections to this thesis, and in particular, the concern that veganism is linked to healthism, another worrying form of normalization.
Predicting wafer-level IP error due to particle-induced EUVL reticle distortion during exposure chucking

The mechanical distortion of an EUVL mask from mounting in an exposure tool can be a significant source of wafer-level image placement error. In particular, the presence of debris lodged between the reticle and chuck can cause the mask to experience out-of-plane distortion and in-plane distortion. A thorough understanding of the response of the reticle/particle/chuck system during electrostatic chucking is necessary to predict the resulting effects of such particle contamination on image placement accuracy. In this research, finite element modeling is employed to simulate this response for typical clamping conditions.
Community College Student Alcohol Use Developing Context-Specific Evidence and Prevention Approaches

The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of heavy alcohol use, related harm, and implications for prevention among community college students. We used data from 7,965 students at 1...
Factors associated with plant species richness in a coastal tall-grass prairie

In this study we examine the factors associated with variations in species richness within a remnant tall-grass prai­ rie in order to gain insight into the relative importance of controlling variables. The study area was a small, isolated prairie surrounded by wetlands and located within the coastal prairie region, which occurs along the northwestern Gulf of Mexico coastal plain. Samples were taken along three transects that spanned the prairie. Parameters measured included micro­ elevation, soil characteristics, indications of recent distur­ bance, above-ground biomass (including litter), light penetra­ tion through the plant canopy, and species richness. Species richness was found to correlate with micro-elevation, certain soil parameters, and light penetration through the canopy, but not with above-ground biomass. Structural equation analysis was used to assess the direct and indirect effects of micro· elevation, soil properties, disturbance, and indicators of plant abundance on species richness. The results of this analysis showed that observed variations in species richness were primarily associated with variations in environmental effects (from soil and microtopography) and were largely unrelated to variations in measures of plant abundance (biomass and light penetration). These findings suggest that observed variations in species richness in this system primarily resulted from environ­ mental effects on the species pool. These results fit with a growing body of information that suggests that environmental effects on species richness are of widespread importance.
Environmental lead after hurricane Katrina.

I support the warning from Rabito et al. (2012) about the hazards of power sanding and their call for enforcing the New Orleans, Louisiana, Code of Ordinances (2001) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (U.S. EPA 2008) for cleanup of residual lead dust at residential properties. Power sanding has been a scourge to the safety and well-being of children and pets in New Orleans for many years (Jacobs et al. 2003; Mielke et al. 2001). Unfortunately, Rabito et al. (2012) made a fundamental error by comparing medians from soil data (Mielke et al. 2005), which I shared with them, with principally foundation soil data. These medians included four sample locations: foundation, open space (i.e., mid-yard), residential-street side, and busy-street side. Comparing pre-Katrina median soil lead from our survey with foundation soil samples post-Katrina does not provide insight into foundation soil lead changes stemming from renovation. Furthermore, evidence from Louisiana blood lead surveillance shows decreasing—not increasing—exposure after Hurricane Katrina. The 2008 Orleans Parish results show that 38.5% of the children were tested, and 6.4% of these presented with lead concentrations ≥ 10 µg/dL (Louisiana Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance System 2009). In 2010, 40.0% of the children in Orleans Parish were tested, including a higher proportion of children from outer areas of New Orleans, and 3.3% presented with ≥ 10 µg/dL (Louisiana Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance System 2010). The continuing pattern of lead poisoning is uneven, with larger preva-lence in the interior of the city and lower prevalence in outer areas of the city (Zahran et al. 2011, their Figure 1). From the perspective of lead changes in soil and blood, both measurements decreased after Katrina (Zahran et al. 2010). Although large numbers of children are still at risk from lead poisoning, the blood lead trends reported for New Orleans do not support the future implications suggested by Rabito et al. (2012). Regarding the future, it is important to note that New Orleans is under-taking improvements to playgrounds so children will have lead-safe play areas in every neighborhood (Schleifstein 2011). A project is also under way to improve the quality of play areas at New Orleans child care centers (Mielke et al. 2011a). In addition, projects to eliminate lead-based paint and soil lead hazards at public housing properties are ongoing (Reckdahl 2011). The implications are that in the future, New Orleans will be safer with respect to lead. Private residential properties often have higher risk for lead poisoning than do public properties (Mielke et al. 2011b), and Rabito et al. have appropriately called attention to the need to address lead contamination of private residential properties.
Can punishment morally educate

Over the past ten years or so, there has been a renewed interest in the moral education theory of punishment. The attractions of the theory are numerous, not least of which is that it offers hopes for a breakthrough in the apparently intractable debate between deterrence theorists and retributivists. Nevertheless, I believe there are severe problems with recent formulations of the theory. First, contemporary educationists all place great emphasis on autonomy, yet fail to show how continued respect for autonomy is compatible with achievement of their stated punitive goals. Second, educationists have, and possibly must, take incarceration as the best available punitive sanction. Yet it is unclear how morally educative such a punishment will be. Third, contemporary educationists view punishment as a benefit to be conferred on an offender. But educationists have not succeeded in arguing that society is obligated to confer such benefits, nor have they adequately defended the Platonic moral psychology necessary to show that moral education is always a benefit to justly punished offenders. Fourth, contemporary educationists are hopeful that an indeterminate sentencing policy can be avoided, but I argue that such a policy is an ineliminable component of an educationist justification of punishment. Finally, I raise some doubts about the scope that educationist goals ought to have in any comprehensive theory of punishment.
Infrared and Raman spectra of carbonyl cyanide

Abstract The infrared and Raman spectra of carbonyl cyanide in the gas, liquid, and solid phases were measured from 10 to 2500 cm−1. The spectral measurements are discussed in terms of a planar C2v molecular structure. Results of a vibrational analysis using a modified valence force field are presented. X-ray diffraction experiments and vibrational spectra of the polycrystalline solid suggest that carbonyl cyanide crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with two equivalent molecules located in a primitive C2v lattice and occupying either CsorC2 sites.
Insider threat mitigation: preventing unauthorized knowledge acquisition

This paper investigates insider threat in relational database systems. It discusses the problem of inferring unauthorized information by insiders and proposes methods to prevent such threats. The paper defines various types of dependencies as well as constraints on dependencies that may be used by insiders to infer unauthorized information. It introduces the constraint and dependency graph (CDG) that represents dependencies and constraints. In addition, CDG shows the paths that insiders can follow to acquire unauthorized knowledge. Moreover, the paper presents the knowledge graph (KG) that demonstrates the knowledgebase of an insider and the amount of information that the insider has about data items. To predict and prevent insider threat, the paper defines and uses the threat prediction graph (TPG). A TPG shows the threat prediction value (TPV) of each data item in insiders’ KG, where TPV is used to raise an alert when an insider threat occurs. The paper provides solutions to prevent insider threat without limiting the availability of data items. Algorithms, theorems, proofs and experiments are provided to show the soundness, the completeness and the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Child neurology and the Internet

The Internet has become available as a tool to disseminate and gain access to information as well as to provide an ease of communication. The current question before us is how will we, as child neurologists, take advantage of this opportunity? This article delineates examples of current useful resources, investigates the potential of the Internet for neurology, and suggests a "vision" for the future of neurology on the Internet.
An independent test of thermal subsidence and asthenosphere flow beneath the Argentine Basin

Abstract We have used primary precision depth recorder and single channel seismic data from three cruises of the R/V Conrad to test thermal subsidence and asthenosphere flow models for seafloor depth versus age in the Argentine Basin in the western South Atlantic. We found a region in the west central part of the basin where anomalously shallow depths, that can not be explained by any simple thermal or dynamic model, are associated with a local free-air gravity anomaly. Elsewhere, over ages ranging from 1 to 104 Ma, there is no evidence of the “flattening” of the depth/age trend that is characteristic of the plate cooling model for the thermal subsidence of the oceanic lithosphere. The halfspace thermal subsidence model accounts for nearly 98% of the variance of seafloor depth, but the slope, b =425±10 m Ma −1/2 , implies improbably high mantle temperatures and/or low mantle densities. Moreover, there is some systematic misfit between the data and the halfspace model. A thermal subsidence model in which initial conditions vary with age accounts for the misfit, but also requires an implausible variation of mantle temperature and/or density. Alternatively, a model that includes the effect of induced flow in the asthenosphere eliminates the misfit and yields a reasonable rate of thermal subsidence b =330±20 m Ma −1/2 . That the mantle temperature ( T m ∼1150±70)°C implied by the subsidence rate is slightly lower than normal is consistent with the hypothesis that this region has not been affected by hot spots or mantle plumes. The viscosity of the asthenosphere derived from the model (3–4 × 10 19 Pa s) is high, but consistent with viscosities estimated from plate dynamics models when the low mantle temperature is taken into account. Finally, the PMS flow model is consistent with measured heat flow in the region. These results lend weight to the hypothesis that the bathymetry of the Argentine Basin is influenced by induced flow in the asthenosphere, as well as by halfspace cooling of the upper mantle.
Nature's New Deal: The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Roots of the American Environmental Movement – By Neil M. Maher

If you have ever hiked a trail in a state park, gazed down at a national forest or contoured agricultural fields on a cross‐country flight, or contemplated why most Americans embraced the New Deal ...
Vive la différence!: On potential sex differences in response to thrombolysis

In longitudinal studies, women are more likely than men to be disabled after stroke.1,2 Age, comorbidity, premorbid functional status, stroke severity and subtype, and diagnostic and therapeutic biases are possible explanations for this sex difference in functional outcomes. Biologic reasons may also exist: levels of procoagulant factors such as plasminogen activator inhibitor and factor VII are higher in women than men.3 This sex disparity in stroke outcomes has been less consistently demonstrated among patients receiving thrombolysis,4–7 providing indirect evidence that thrombolysis nullifies this gender gap, although one study (a tertiary analysis of the Glycine Antagonist in Neuroprotection trial [GAIN]) suggested this is not always the case.8 In this issue of Neurology ®, the Canadian Alteplase for Stroke Effectiveness Study (CASES) provides more supportive …
Comparison of Performance of Korean Regional and National Banks: 1992-2004

This paper compares the performance of regional banks and national banks in Korea for the period of 1992- 2004 by examining how the profitability of these two groups differs, identifying major determinants of profitability for each group, and explaining their similarities and differences. Two competing hypotheses, the market power hypothesis and the efficient structure hypothesis, are tested in an integrated model. The results obtained from the panel data indicate that economic growth, efficiency, and non-performing loans are significant variables in explaining profitability for both regional and national banks. On the other hand, the exchange rate and capital ratio affect bank profitability significantly for national banks, but not for regional banks, while the inflation rate and the net interest margin are important variables only for regional banks. Market concentration has no influence on bank profitability, and the market share is a significant variable for national banks, but it shows inconclusive results for regional banks.
Absorption Spectrum of the ``Pink'' Afterglow of Nitrogen in the Vacuum Ultraviolet

Absorption spectrum of short-lived pink afterglow of nitrogen photographed in vacuum ultraviolet from 1600 to 1150 angstroms
Ulnar Shaft Stress Fracture in a High School Softball Pitcher

This article presents a case of a 17-year-old softball pitcher with insidious onset of right forearm pain. On presentation, the patient had tenderness on palpation of the midshaft of the ulna, pain with resisted pronation, and pain with fulcrum-type stressing of the forearm. A bone scan revealed increased uptake in the right ulna, and a subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed bone marrow edema and numerous small ulnar stress fractures. She was treated with bone stimulation and complete rest and is in the process of returning to pitching.
Fish consumption and hair mercury levels in women of childbearing age, Martin County, Florida.

The health effects of mercury in humans are mostly on the developing nervous system. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding must be targeted in order to decrease mercury exposure to the populations at highest risk—infants, unborn fetuses, and young children. This purpose of this study is to understand the demographics of fish-consumption patterns among women of childbearing age (including pregnant women) in Martin County, Florida, and to analyze the associations of mercury levels in participants’ hair with socio-demographic variables in order to better design prevention messages and campaigns. Mercury concentrations in hair samples of 408 women ages 18–49 were assessed. Data on demographic factors, pregnancy status, fish consumption, and awareness of fish advisories were collected during personal interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. The geometric and arithmetic means of hair mercury concentration were 0.371 and 0.676 µg/g of hair. One-fourth of the respondents had a concentration ≥1 µg/g of hair. Consuming a higher number of fish meals per month, consumption of commercially purchased or locally caught fish higher in mercury, White race and income ≥$75,000 were positively associated with the likelihood of having higher hair mercury levels. This study confirms the existence of a higher overall mean hair mercury level and a higher percentage of women with ≥1 µg/g hair mercury level than those reported at the national level and in other regional studies. This suggests the need for region-specific fish consumption advisories to minimize mercury exposure in humans.
Impaired mucin synthesis and bicarbonate secretion in the colon of NHE8 knockout mice

Sodium/hydrogen exchanger 8 (NHE8), the newest member of the SLC9 family, is expressed at the apical membrane of the epithelial cells in the intestine and the kidney. Although NHE8 has been shown t...
Lagrangian data assimilation for point vortex systems

A new method for directly assimilating Lagrangian tracer observations for flow state estimation is presented. It is developed in the context of point vortex systems. With tracer advection equations augmenting the point vortex model, the correlations between the vortex and tracer positions allow one to use the observed tracer positions to update the non-observed vortex positions. The method works efficiently when the observations are accurate and frequent enough. Low-quality data and large intervals between observations can lead to divergence of the scheme. Nonlinear effects, responsible for the failure of the extended Kalman filter, are triggered by the exponential rate of separation of tracer trajectories in the neighbourhoods of the saddle points of the velocity field. This article was chosen from Selected Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Vortex Flows and Related Numerical Methods (UC Santa-Barbara, 17-20 March 2002) ed E Meiburg, G H Cottet, A Ghoniem and P Koumoutsakos.
1996 fuel cell status

The technology of fuel cells is heating up. A world that ten years ago was unaware of the concept can now witness approximately 200 fuel cell units operating in 15 countries. Energy planners and decision makers are becoming aware that, in addition to a continual increase in installations, the reliability of early commercial units is outstanding and the cost is dropping. They have begun to ask whether fuel cells might fit into their future. While the fuel cell concept is simple, determining which type of fuel cell to consider may prove taxing. The multiplicity of fuel cells and their development programs, coupled with the amount of subject material and claims-versus-reality, may seem overwhelming. Fuel cell commercialization activities in North America are the focus of five manufacturers that are developing four types of fuel cell: the 200/spl deg/C phosphoric acid (PAFC); the 80/spl deg/C proton exchange membrane (PEM); the 650/spl deg/C molten carbonate (MCFC); and the 1000/spl deg/C solid oxide (SOFC) fuel cell.
Security Assessment, Analysis, and Assurance

The rapid development in both computer and telecommunication technologies has resulted in massive interconnectivity and interoperability of systems. The world is getting more and more interconnected every day. Most major organization systems are interconnected to other systems through networks. The bigger the networks, the bigger the security problems involving the system resources on these networks. Many companies, businesses, and institutions whose systems work in coordination and collaboration with other systems as they share each others’ resources and communicate with each other face a constant security threat to these systems, yet the collaboration must go on.
Polytype control of spin qubits in silicon carbide

Crystal defects can confine isolated electronic spins and are promising candidates for solid-state quantum information. Alongside research focusing on nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond, an alternative strategy seeks to identify new spin systems with an expanded set of technological capabilities, a materials-driven approach that could ultimately lead to 'designer' spins with tailored properties. Here we show that the 4H, 6H and 3C polytypes of SiC all host coherent and optically addressable defect spin states, including states in all three with room-temperature quantum coherence. The prevalence of this spin coherence shows that crystal polymorphism can be a degree of freedom for engineering spin qubits. Long spin coherence times allow us to use double electron-electron resonance to measure magnetic dipole interactions between spin ensembles in inequivalent lattice sites of the same crystal. Together with the distinct optical and spin transition energies of such inequivalent states, these interactions provide a route to dipole-coupled networks of separately addressable spins.
Block Copolymer-Based Biomembranes Functionalized with Energy Transduction Proteins

Block copolymer-based membranes can be functionalized with energy transducing proteins to reveal a versatile family of nanoscale materials. Our work has demonstrated the fabrication of protein-functionalized ABA triblock copolymer nanovesicles that possess a broad applicability towards areas like biosensing and energy production. ABA triblock copolymers possess certain advantages over lipid systems. For example, they can mimic biomembrane environments necessary for membrane protein refolding in a single chain (hydrophilic(A)- hydrophobic(B)-hydrophilic(A)), enabling large-area membrane fabrication using methods like Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition. Furthermore, the robustness of the polymer molecules/structure result in spontaneous and rapid protein-functionalized nano-vesicle formation that retains structure as well as protein functionality for up to several months, compared to one to two weeks for the lipid systems (e.g. POPC). The membrane protein, Bacteriorhodopsin (BR), found in Halobacterium Halobium, is a light-actuated proton pump that develops gradients towards the demonstration of coupled functionality with other membrane proteins, such as the production of electricity through Bacteriorhodopsin activity-dependent reversal of Cytochrome C Oxidase (COX), found in Rhodobacter Sphaeroides. Protein-functionalized materials have the exciting potential of serving as the core technology behind a series of fieldable devices that are driven completely by biomolecules.
1,2‐Bis(2,5‐diethylphospholano)benzene

[136705-64-1] C22H36P2 (MW 362.47) InChI = 1S/C22H36P2/c1-5-17-13-14-18(6-2)23(17)21-11-9-10-12-22(21)24-19(7-3)15-16-20(24)8-4/h9-12,17-20H,5-8,13-16H2,1-4H3/t17-,18-,19-,20-/m1/s1 InChIKey = GVVCHDNSTMEUCS-UAFMIMERSA-N (ligand for asymmetric catalysis;1 rhodium complexes are efficient catalyst precursors for highly enantioselective hydrogenation of α-(N-acylamino)acrylates,1, 2 enol acetates,1 and N-acylhydrazones3, 4) Alternate Name: (R,R)- and (S,S)-Ethyl-DuPHOS. Physical Data: bp 138–143 °C/0.045 mmHg; (R,R)-Ethyl-DuPHOS, [α]25D = −265° (c 1, hexane). Form Supplied in: colorless viscous liquid; both enantiomers available commercially. Analysis of Reagent Purity: optical rotation, 1H NMR, 31P NMR, 13C NMR. Preparative Methods: preparation of (R,R)-Ethyl-DuPHOS requires the use of (3S,6S)-3,6-octanediol.1, 2 Enantiomerically pure (3S,6S)-octanediol is obtained in 35–45% overall yields via a simple three-step procedure5, 6 involving the Ru–(S)-BINAP-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation7 of methyl propionylacetate to methyl (3S)-3-hydroxypentanoate (95% yield, 99% ee), followed by quantitative hydrolysis to the corresponding β-hydroxy acid, and subsequent electrochemical Kolbe coupling (eq 1). This sequence has been used for the synthesis of multigram quantities of (3S,6S)-octanediol, as well as a series of related chiral 1,4-diols.2, 6 Antipodal (3R,6R)-octanediol was prepared in a similar fashion by employing the (R)-BINAP–Ru catalyst in the first step.6 (1) The crystalline (3S,6S)-octanediol (mp 51–52 °C; [α]25D = +22.8° (c 1, CHCl3)) is next converted to the corresponding (3S,6S)-octanediol cyclic sulfate (mp 80–81 °C; [α]25D = +28.6° (c 1, CHCl3)) through reaction with Thionyl Chloride, followed by oxidation with Sodium Periodate and a catalytic amount (0.1 mol%) of Ruthenium(III) Chloride (eq 2).2 The final step involves successively treating 1,2-bis(phosphino)benzene8 with n-Butyllithium (2 equiv 1.6 M in hexane), followed by (3S,6S)-octanediol cyclic sulfate (2 equiv), and then n-BuLi (2.2 equiv) to provide the product (R,R)-Ethyl-DuPHOS in 78% yield after purification by distillation (eq 2). The use of (3R,6R)-octanediol cyclic sulfate in eq 2 allows the analogous preparation of (S,S)-Ethyl-DuPHOS. In addition to Ethyl-DuPHOS (R = Et), a series of other DuPHOS derivatives (R = Me, Pr, i-Pr, Cy, Bn) have been prepared in this manner.1, 2 (2) Handling, Storage, and Precautions: somewhat air sensitive and should be handled and stored in a nitrogen or argon atmosphere. Metal complexes generally are sensitive to oxygen in solution. Use in a fume hood.
Electrical conductivity of polycrystalline olivine containing a silicate glass

The complex impedance of a polycrystalline sample of San Carlos olivine including 5 vol% of a synthetic silicate glass containing sodium, magnesium, and iron has been measured as a function of temperature under controlled oxygen fugacity at a.c. frequencies of 10[sup 2], 10[sup 3], and 10[sup 4] Hz. Below [approximately] 800[degrees]C, the conductivity of the sample is at least 5 to 10 times higher than that of single crystal and polycrystalline San Carlos olivine, respectively, and has an activation energy half that of the single crystal. The sample conductivity increases dramatically as a function of the measurement frequency. Hysteresis and time-dependent changes in sample conductivity are observed above the liquidus of the glass ([approximately]900[degrees]C). The data suggest that the electrical conductivity of partially molten samples is characterized by parallel conduction of the solid and melt phases and is a sensitive indicator of melt distribution as well as the kinetics of melt re-equilibration. 20 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.
Evaluation of Nursing Work Effort and Perceptions About Blood Glucose Testing in Tight Glycemic Control

Background Tight glycemic control is important in critically ill patients and involves insulin infusions and monitoring of blood glucose levels. Hourly measurements of blood glucose levels and adjustments of intravenous insulin doses require additional work by nurses. Objectives To evaluate the nursing work incurred with and nursing perceptions about tight glycemic control and blood glucose monitoring. Methods A variety of intensive care units were studied. Surveys were used to gain information about nurses' perceptions. Time-in-motion observations were used to determine the time taken to measure blood glucose levels and adjust insulin doses. Results Nurses thought that tight glycemic control was important and that the work associated with it was substantial. Nurses thought that easier and automated forms of blood glucose monitoring are needed. They preferred using an arterial catheter to obtain blood samples to avoid excessive finger sticks. The total number of blood glucose measurements was 77 954. The mean time taken for hourly blood glucose monitoring and adjustment of insulin doses was 4.72 minutes. The estimated costs of time spent on glycemic control during a 1-year period were $182 488 for nurses' salaries and $58 500 for supplies. Conclusions Although most nurses endorse tight glycemic control, the work associated with it is burdensome and costly. Because up to 2 hours might be required for tight glycemic control for a single patient in a 24-hour period, the costs in time and money are high. Easier clinical methods for monitoring blood glucose levels are needed.
Play and Creativity: Developmental issues

Play and creativity have been linked in numerous ways. Theoretically, pretend play fosters the development of cognitive and affective processes that are important in the creative act. Russ's (1993) model of affect and creativity identified the major cognitive and affective processes involved in creativity and the relations among them, based on the research literature. Central to both play and creativity is divergent thinking. Both cognitive and affective processes in play have been related to divergent thinking in children. In a longitudinal study, quality of fantasy and imagination in play predicted divergent thinking over time. Divergent thinking itself was relatively stable over time. An important question is whether play can facilitate creativity. Play has been found to facilitate insight ability and divergent thinking. Studies have also shown that children can be taught to improve their play skills. Future research studies should: (i) investigate specific mechanisms that account for the relationship ...