cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postnatal development of fiber types in normal and dystrophic skeletal muscle of the chick

Abstract Histochemical evaluation of three skeletal muscles of the chick in early postnatal development shows that there are two basic fiber types (α and β) based on myosin ATPase activity. Both of these are initially red (aerobic). One of these (α) can be transformed into the white (anerobic) fiber. Transformation includes changes in metabolic enzymes, mitochondrial density, and intracellular lipid, whereas myosin ATPase activity appears to be relatively stable. It is suggested that skeletal muscle fibers be classified as αR, αW, and βR according to ATPase and oxidative enzyme activities. The degenerative events of muscular dystrophy in the chicken are expressed when the αR fiber is transformed into the αW fiber. It is suggested that quantitative alterations in dystrophic chick muscle fibers are more relevant to degeration than are qualitative ones.
Effect of Religiosity and Dysfunctional Dating Attitudes on Youth Substance Use

The current investigation examined the interactive effect of dysfunctional dating attitudes and religiosity on substance use in a large sample of youth (N = 1,357) from the YouthStyles survey. Based on past research, we explored the possibility that religiosity buffered the association between dysfunctional dating attitudes and substance use. Because age was significantly associated with all study variables, we included age in our analyses. In support of our hypothesis we found an attitude by religiosity by age interaction among youth with moderate levels of dysfunctional dating attitudes. Among these youth, the buffering effect of religiosity increased with age. For youth with low and high dysfunctional dating attitudes, religiosity did not buffer the association. The results of this study are in line with past work that suggests that the association between relationship characteristics and substance use is complex. It also identifies religiosity as a protective factor for the effect of dating attitudes on substance use but suggests that these effects may be the most important for youth with moderate levels of dysfunctional dating attitudes.
Does routine serial computed tomography of the head influence management of traumatic brain injury? A prospective evaluation.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) of the head is the current standard for diagnosing intracranial pathology following blunt head trauma. It is common practice to repeat the head CT to evaluate any progression of injury. Recent retrospective reviews have challenged the need for serial head CT after traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study intends to prospectively examine the value of routine serial head CT after TBI. Methods: Consecutive adult blunt trauma patients with an abnormal head CT admitted to an urban, Level I trauma center from January 2003 to September 2003 were prospectively studied. Variables collected included: initial head CT results, indication for repeat head CT (routine versus neurologic change), number and results of repeat head CT scans, and clinical interventions following repeat head CT. Results: Over the 9-month period, there were 128 patients admitted with an abnormal head CT after sustaining blunt trauma. The 16 patients who died within 24 hours and the 12 patients who went directly to craniotomy were excluded. The remaining 100 patients make up the study population. Abnormal head CT findings were subarachnoid hemorrhage (47%), intraparenchymal hemorrhage (37%), subdural hematoma (28%), contusion (14%), epidural hematoma (11%), intraventricular hemorrhage (3%), and diffuse axonal injury (2%). Overall, 32 patients (32%) had only the admission head CT, while 68 patients (68%) underwent 90 repeat CT scans. Of the repeat head CT scans, 81 (90%) were performed on a routine basis without neurologic change. The remaining 9 (10%) were performed for a change in Glasgow Coma Scale (n = 5), change in intracranial pressure (n = 1), change in Glasgow Coma Scale and intracranial pressure (n = 1), change in pupil size (n = 1), or sudden appearance of a headache (n = 1). Three patients had their care altered after repeat head CT: two underwent craniotomy and one was started on barbiturate therapy. All three patients had their repeat head CT after neurologic change (decrease in Glasgow Coma Scale in 2 and increase in intracranial pressure in 1). Conclusions: Serial head CT is common after TBI. Most repeat head CT scans are performed on a routine basis without neurologic change. Few patients with TBI have their management altered after repeat head CT, and these patients have neurologic deterioration before the repeat head CT. The use of routine serial head CT in patients without neurologic deterioration is not supported by the findings of this study.
Eastern Asia and the Western Pacific timing and spatial distribution of rifting in China

Abstract A compilation of recognized rifts in China indicates that five distinct episodes of rifting have occurred. These episodes occurred at approximately 2.3 Ga, 1.85−1.7 Ga, 1.0-0.7 Ga, 550−190 Ma, and 175 Ma to present. The timing and location of rifting has largely been a function of tectonic activity along the margins of the various Chinese paleocontinents. Some of the oldest rocks in China are found in the Sino- Korean and Tarim cratons, and most of the identified Precambrian rifts are found within or on the margins of these cratons. These cratons are viewed as the continental nucleus of China, and fold belts and microcontinents have been accreted to this nucleus through time. Much of the locus of rifting has migrated away from this nucleus as has the location of the continental margin—especially in the Paleozoic. Beginning in the Middle Mesozoic, rifting commenced along the entire eastern margin of China. Extension occurred concomitantly with subduction in a backarc setting; this is the dominant Cenozoic extensional regime in China and is still active today. To date, few Cenozoic rifts have been , found in western China where most tectonism is probably a consequence of the collision between India and China, but it seems likely that more rifts will be discovered in this area as it becomes better studied.
The PKCδ -Abl complex communicates ER stress to the mitochondria – an essential step in subsequent apoptosis

Conditions that compromise protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum trigger the unfolded protein response (UPR), which either restores proper protein folding or results in cellular demise through apoptosis. In this study, we found that, in response to ER stress in vivo and in vitro, PKCdelta translocates to the ER where it binds to the tyrosine kinase Abl. Tyrosine phosphorylation and kinase activity of PKCdelta are required for PKCdelta binding to Abl in the ER. Moreover, we found that inhibition of PKCdelta by the PKCdelta-specific peptide inhibitor deltaV1-1 or by silencing of PKCdelta reduces ER-stress-induced JNK activation and inhibits ER-stress-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, the inhibitor of PKCdelta kinase activity rottlerin blocks the translocation of the PKCdelta-Abl complex from the ER to the mitochondria and confers protection against apoptosis. Thus, PKCdelta communicates ER stress to the mitochondria by binding to ER-localized Abl. The PKCdelta-Abl complex then translocates to the mitochondria, communicating ER stress to this organelle, thereby, triggering apoptosis.
Sixth Grade Health Awareness in Massachusetts

(1937). Sixth Grade Health Awareness in Massachusetts. The Journal of Educational Research: Vol. 30, No. 9, pp. 684-693.
Modeling of flow nonuniformities in fissured porous media

A review is performed to trace how fissured porous media arise in nature. It is found that packed beds resemble fissured porous media. The range of multiple flow time-scales inherent in such media becomes larger as the particle size range becomes broader, resulting in flow nonuniformities. The status of experimental measurements of voidage and flow nonuniformities is assessed. Some of the difficulties associated with modeling of the multiple flow time-scales are discussed, and a tentative model is proposed. On a fait une revue de litterature sur l'origine naturelle de la fissuration des milieux poreux; on a trouve que les lits garnis presentent une certaine ressemblance avec ces milieux. La gamme des temps d'ecoulements multiples inherents aux milieux en question s'elargit a mesure que celle des dimensions des particules s'accroǐt et il en resulte un manque d'uniformite dans les ecoulements. On a fait le point de l'etat de la question des mesures experimentales du degre de vide et des manques d'uniformite des ecoulements. On discute quelques-unes des difficultes de modelisation des temps mis en jeu dans les ecoulements multiples et on propose un modele a verifier.
Reversible intermolecular energy transfer between chromium(III) complexes in fluid solution

Abstract : Excitation energy transfer from Cr(en)3(3+), Cr(NH3)5(NCS)(2+), trans-CR(en)2(NCS)2(+), and cis-Cr(en)2(NCS)2(+) to Cr(CN)6(3-) is observed in room temperature solutions in water, dimethylsulfoxide, or dimethylformamide. The processes were observed by emission intensity measurements and, especially, by lifetime measurements on both the donor and the acceptor emission. The rate of energy transfer is essentially diffusion controlled in all cases and thus not very sensitive to the charge or ligation of the donor. In addition, evidence for reverse excitation energy transfer is presented; the lifetime of Cr(CN)6(3-) emission is dependent on the concentration of the Cr(III) ammine. It is shown that in this type of coupled system a full kinetic analysis is required to obtain correct bimolecular energy transfer rate constants as those obtained from conventional Stern-Volmer plots can be seriously in error. (Author)
Psychological Theories of Disability and Sexuality: A Literature Review

This literature review examines the theories of disability and sexuality from a psychological perspective. Although psychology has remained on the periphery of the disability and sexuality studies movements, psychological models have begun to address disability and sexuality in two distinct ways: by examining the impact of disability on sexuality and sexual functioning and by examining the intersections between disability and sexual identity development, particularly in the sexual minority (lesbian, gay, and bisexual) community. It concludes with implications for how theory can inform our understanding of human behavior and the social environment and identify areas for further theory development.
Cardiac Arrest Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction: Predictability and Prognosis

Eleven percent of 905 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to the coronary care unit at Duke University Medical Center experienced cardiac arrest. Subgroups of patients at high and low risk for cardiac arrest were identified. Cardiac arrest was experienced by 17 percent of patients with signs of heart failure on admission but by only 3 percent of patients without diabetes mellitus, prior myocardial infarction or heart failure by history or on admission. Only 59 percent of patients with cardiac arrest survived hospitalization compared with 88 percent of those without cardiac arrest. Long-term survival for the 765 hospital survivors was significantly greater in the group without than in the group with arrest at each yearly interval from 1 through 5 years; the 2 year survival rate was 50 and 77 percent, respectively, in these two groups. Many of the deaths among the hospital survivors occurred in patients with signs of heart failure during hospitalization. Among 668 hospital survivors who had mild or no heart failure during hospitalization, cardiac arrest continued to be a significant predictor of mortality. The mode of death among hospital survivors did not differ in the groups with and without cardiac arrest; for example, the incidence rate of sudden death in the two groups was 44 and 37 percent, respectively. In light of recent reports suggesting that the prophylactic use of antiarrhythmic agents can virtually eliminate ventricular fibrillation during the hospital phase of acute myocardial infarction, we contend that such use may substantially reduce both long-term and hospital mortality after acute myocardial infarction.
Potential Pathogenesis and Clinical Aspects of Pulmonary Fibrosis Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Pulmonary fibrosis is an extra-articular disorder that can occur in association with rheumatoid arthritis. The differential diagnosis of this disorder is similar to that of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, but specific entities such as atypical pulmonary infections and drug-induced interstitial lung disease must be considered as causes of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Although the cause of lung fibrosis in persons with rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, factors that can potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of this pulmonary disease include genetic susceptibility, development of an altered immunologic response, and/or aberrant host repair processes. The clinical course of patients with pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis is heterogeneous but is generally insidious, chronic, and progressive. These patients respond unpredictably to available empiric therapeutic agents and, overall, their prognosis is poor; limited data suggests that the median survival time can be less than 4 years.
Domestic Economy and Daily Practice in Guadeloupe: Historical Archaeology at La Mahaudière Plantation

Archaeological research has made significant contributions to the study of the African Diaspora in the Caribbean, but until recently researchers neglected the French islands. This paper reports on archaeological fieldwork at Habitation La Mahaudiere in Guadeloupe, focusing on the economic and social lives of plantation laborers and exploring articulations between local realities at this sugar plantation and broader historical process of the Caribbean region and the French colonial world.
Systems biology at the Institute for Systems Biology

Systems biology represents an experimental approach to biology that attempts to study biological systems in a holistic rather than an atomistic manner. Ideally this involves gathering dynamic and global data sets as well as phenotypic data from different levels of the biological information hierarchy, integrating them and modeling them graphically and/or mathematically to generate mechanistic explanations for the emergent systems properties. This requires that the biological frontiers drive the development of new measurement and visualization technologies and the pioneering of new computational and mathematical tools-all of which requires a cross-disciplinary environment composed of biologists, chemists, computer scientists, engineers, mathematicians, physicists, and physicians speaking common discipline languages. The Institute for Systems Biology has aspired to pioneer and seamlessly integrate each of these concepts.
Total quality management and the contributions of A.V. Feigenbaum

While mention of his work is occasionally referred to in journals, readings, production and operations management and total quality management textbooks, there does not seem to be as much notoriety given to the contributions of Armand V. Feigenbaum as has been given the efforts of others to improvements in quality thinking and techniques in this and other countries. This paper explores some of his contributions, especially those which derive from his managerial years with the General Electric Company and his influence on the work of others of the “founders” of the total quality management movement.
A flemion-based actuator with ionic liquid as solvent

A perfluorinated carboxylic acid membrane, i.e. Flemion, shows improved performance as actuator material compared with Nafion (perfluorinated sulfonic acid). Flemion has a higher ion exchange capacity and good mechanical strength. In particular, Flemion will deform with no back relaxation under applied electrical stimulus. However, with water as solvent, the operation of Flemion in air has serious problems, since water would evaporate quickly in air. Moreover, the electrochemical stability for use in water is around 1 V at room temperature. In previous work, investigations on Nafion with ionic liquid as solvents have been carried out by some researchers and good results have been obtained. In this work, we explore the use of highly stable ionic liquid instead of water as solvent in Flemion. Experimental results indicate that Flemion-based actuators with ionic liquid as solvent have improved stability as compared to the water samples. Although the forces exhibited by Flemion-based actuators with the use of ionic liquid decreased dramatically compared to water, these preliminary results suggest good potential for the use of Flemion with ionic liquid in future applications.
New Observations on Lymph Gland (LM1) and Thymus Activity in Larval Bullfrogs, Rana Catesbeiana

The lymphoid and myeloid (chiefly, bone marrow) systems are concerned principally with the immune response capacity in most vertebrates. With the exception of birds and certain mammals, the thymus acts alone as a major organ and is necessary for the maturation and maintenance of immune competence. I shall restrict my presentation to a review of new information on the role of lymph gland and thymus in larval bullfrogs. I will not consider the thymus or other organs of the lymphomyeloid complex in other larval anurans (1,2,3,4).
Glucosamine-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

To study molecular mechanisms for glucosamine-induced insulin resistance, we induced complete and reversible insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with glucosamine in a dose- and time-dependent manner (maximal effects at 50 mM glucosamine after 6 h). In these cells, glucosamine impaired insulin-stimulated GLUT-4 translocation. Glucosamine (6 h) did not affect insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1 and -2 and weakly, if at all, impaired insulin stimulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Glucosamine, however, severely impaired insulin stimulation of Akt. Inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose transport was correlated with that of Akt activity. In these cells, glucosamine also inhibited insulin stimulation of p70 S6 kinase. Glucosamine did not alter basal glucose transport and insulin stimulation of GLUT-1 translocation and mitogen-activated protein kinase. In summary, glucosamine induced complete and reversible insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This insulin resistance was accompanied by impaired insulin stimulation of GLUT-4 translocation and Akt activity, without significant impairment of upstream molecules in insulin-signaling pathway.
Towards effective immunotherapy for lung cancer: simultaneous targeting of tumor-initiating cells and immune pathways in the tumor microenvironment

Sherven Sharma1,2† †Author for correspondence: 1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, UCLA Lung Cancer Program, School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA Tel.: +1 310 478 3711 ext. 41863 Fax: +1 310 268 4807 ssharma@mednet.ucla.edu 2Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, CA, USA Towards effective immunotherapy for lung cancer: simultaneous targeting of tumor-initiating cells and immune pathways in the tumor microenvironment
Child Care Choice in Urban Thailand Qualitative and Quantitative Evidence of the Decision-Making Process

This article uses qualitative and quantitative evidence to examine child care decision making in Bangkok, Thailand. The preference model developed from qualitative data predicts a strong preference for care by a relative, even if the child has to live separately from his/her mother, and distrust of nonrelative and formal care. Overall about three quarters of children in the sample were cared for by their mother (some of whom were combining work with child care) or another relative when they were age 2. Although the degree to which mothers were working in a formal setting was the strongest predictor of being in nonmaternal care, children of higher socioeconomic status were also found more likely to be in nonmaternal care and less likely to be in a relative's care. The results are discussed in light of changing roles for women in a society undergoing rapid socioeconomic change.
Oxidation of Pb–2.9 at. % Sn alloys

The oxidation behavior of a Pb-2.9 at.% Sn alloy was studied using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) combined with sputter depth profiling. Samples were oxidized in air at temperatures less than 90 °C and at low oxygen pressures at room temperature. The oxide formed on the alloy after oxidation in air has an “oxide inversion layer,” where the amount of preferentially oxidized tin increases with depth into the sample, reaches a maximum, and then decreases to its bulk value. Internal oxidation of tin was also observed in this alloy, probably occurring along grain boundaries. Low pressure oxidation studies indicate that grain boundaries play an important role in the initial development of the oxide.
The integrative review: updated methodology

Aim. The aim of this paper is to distinguish the integrative review method from other review methods and to propose methodological strategies specific to the integrative review method to enhance the rigour of the process. Background. Recent evidence-based practice initiatives have increased the need for and the production of all types of reviews of the literature (integrative reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and qualitative reviews). The integrative review method is the only approach that allows for the combination of diverse methodologies (for example, experimental and non-experimental research), and has the potential to play a greater role in evidence-based practice for nursing. With respect to the integrative review method, strategies to enhance data collection and extraction have been developed; however, methods of analysis, synthesis, and conclusion drawing remain poorly formulated. Discussion. A modified framework for research reviews is presented to address issues specific to the integrative review method. Issues related to specifying the review purpose, searching the literature, evaluating data from primary sources, analysing data, and presenting the results are discussed. Data analysis methods of qualitative research are proposed as strategies that enhance the rigour of combining diverse methodologies as well as empirical and theoretical sources in an integrative review. Conclusion. An updated integrative review method has the potential to allow for diverse primary research methods to become a greater part of evidence-based practice initiatives.
The effects of charge separation in quaternary ammonium, DABCO-containing polymers on in vitro toxicity and gene delivery

Abstract : Polycation materials have recently emerged as promising systems for the delivery of genetic material. In this study, several DABCO (1,4-diazabicyclo2.2.2octane) polymers are investigated for their ability to bind and deliver plasmid DNA (pDNA) into mammalian cells. The DABCO polymers are synthesized by copolymerization of DABCO with 1,3- dibromopropane (D3), 1,4-dibromobutane (D4), 1,6-dibromohexane (D6), 1,8-dibromooctane (D8), and 1,10-dibromodecane (D10) to form a series of quaternary ammonium polymers with increasing charge separation. Gel retardation experiments reveal that each polymer (D3-D10) binds pDNA above a charge ratio of 1.0 (polymer + /pDNA -). The polycations are examined for in vitro transfection efficiency and toxicity in BHK-21 cells. Results of the transfection experiments indicate that the D6 polymer had the highest transfection efficiency. Although all of the polymers are shown to have some toxicity, the D8 and D10 polymers are more toxic to BHK- 21 cells; approximately 30% of the cells survive at a charge ratio of 5 +/- as compared to the D3, D4, and D6 polymers where survival rates are about 80%.
Example of function optimization via hybrid computation

Iterative techniques for function optimization have been considered extensivezy for use in all-digital computation. Relatively little has been done to take advantage of the much higher integration speed of hybrid computation systems. This paper demonstrates application of one simple procedure in a hybrid envi ronment and compares the results to those obtained by an efficient digital procedure. Even though a much more efficient procedure was used on the digital, time-saving factors between 8 and 2 were obtained via the simpler hybrid implementation. Since the dollar cost of the hybrid is much less than that of the digital, the hybrid has a large advantage per solution.
Lunar meteorite LaPaz Icefield 04841: Petrology, texture, and impact-shock effects of a low-Ti mare basalt

Found during the 2004 U.S. Antarctic Search for Meteorites season, LaPaz Icefield (LAP) 04841 represents an addition to the LaPaz lunar basalts suite and brings the total mass collected to 1.93 kg. The presence of FeNi grains, troilite, and the anorthositic composition of plagioclase are evidence for the lunar origin of this meteorite. Pyroxene and olivine Mn/Fe values plot along the trend set for lunar basalts. Analyses of chromite grains provide a V/(Al + Cr) ratio of 1.33 ± 13, translating to an fO2 one log unit below the IW buffer, in accordance with previous fO2 estimates for lunar basalts. Application of the Zr-cooling speedometer, for ilmenite and ulvospinel pairs, gives a cooling rate of 5.2 °C/day, matching previous estimates of cooling rates for the LaPaz lunar meteorites and Apollo mare basalts. Mineral modes and chemistries, as well as trace-element patterns, provide compelling evidence for pairing of this meteorite to others in the LaPaz lunar basalt suite.
Spatial Signatures for Lightweight Security in Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper experimentally investigates the feasibility of crypto-free communications in resource-constrained wireless sensor networks. We exploit the spatial signature induced by the radio communications of a node on its neighboring nodes. We design a primitive that robustly and efficiently realizes this concept, even at the level of individual packets and when the network is relatively sparse. Using this primitive, we design a protocol that robustly and efficiently validates the authenticity of the source of messages: authentic messages incur no communication overhead whereas masqueraded communications are detected cooperatively by the neighboring nodes. The protocol enables lightweight collusion-resistant methods for broadcast authentication, unicast authentication, non-repudiation and integrity of communication. We have implemented our primitive and protocol, and quantified the high-level of accuracy of the protocol via testbed experiments with CC1000 radio-enabled motes.
Non‐parametric identification of a class of nonlinear multidegree dynamic systems

A non-parametric identification technique is presented for chain-like multidegree-of-freedom non-linear dynamic systems. The method uses information about the state variables of non-linear systems to express the system characteristics in terms of two-dimensional orthogonal functions. The technique is applied to a model of a steel frame that has been extensively investigated both analytically and experimentally. The method can be used with deterministic or random excitation to identify dynamic systems with arbitrary non-linearities, including those with hysteretic characteristics. It is also shown that the method is easy to implement and needs much less computer time and storage requirements compared to the Wiener-kernel approach. The method is shown to have low sensitivity to the effects of additive noise in the experimental data.
Membrane Lipid Biosynthesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In Vitro Biosynthesis of Diacylglyceryltrimethylhomoserine

Diacylglyceryltrimethylhomo-Ser (DGTS) is an abundant lipid in the membranes of many algae, lower plants, and fungi. It commonly has an inverse concentration relationship with phosphatidylcholine, thus seemingly capable of replacing this phospholipid in these organisms. In some places this replacement is complete; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is such an organism, and was used for these investigations. We have assayed headgroup incorporation to form DGTS in vitro. The precursor for both the homo-Ser moiety and the methyl groups was found to be S -adenosyl- L -Met. DGTS formation was associated with microsomal fractions and is not in plastids. By analogy with phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis in higher plants, the microsomal activity probably is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. The pH optimum for the total reaction was between 7.5 and 8.0, and the best temperature was 30°C. The apparent K m and V max for S -adenosyl- L -Met in the overall reaction were 74 and 250 μm, respectively.
A case of convergence evoked eyelid nystagmus.

Vertical nystagmus is usually thought of as a manifestation of a posterior fossa lesion. The authors describe a patient with upbeating nystagmus changing to downbeating nystagmus who had a thalamic...
Life History, Habits, and Damage of the Boxelder Leaf Gall Midge, Contarinia negundifolia Felt (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Michigan

The boxelder leaf gall midge is univoltine in Michigan. Adults emerge after the first few warm days in April, and deposit numerous eggs within the folded young leaves of boxelder (Acer negundo L.). Larval eclosion occurs a few days later, and gall development begins shortly after. Head capsule measurements revealed three larval instars. Third-instar larvae drop to the ground near the end of May, work their way into the soil, and construct cocoons. Pupation occurs in late August, and overwintering takes place in the pupal stage. Because oviposition occurs almost always on leaves in a certain stage of development and an estimated 50% of leaves will therefore escape attack, host mortality apparently cannot be caused by this insect.
Isolation, purification, and characterization of a lipoprotein containing Apo B from the human aorta.

Abstract LDL-like lipoproteins were extracted from a buffer-soluble fraction of homogenates of both grossly normal intima and fatty-fibrous plaques from the human aorta. A low-speed supernate of such homogenates was subjected to differential ultracentrifugation to isolate a d 1.006–1.063 density fraction which was further purified by gel filtration on agarose columns, or by affinity chromatography of low-speed supernatants of aortic homogenates on immunoabsorbents (anti-apo B). All recovered immunoreactivity for apo B as measured by electroimmunoassay was found in the retarded fraction following gel filtration or affinity chromatography. Characterization of the aorta-extracted lipoprotein containing apo B illustrated that the lipoprotein was quite similar to plasma LDL with respect to lipid composition, lipid/protein ratio, identification of apo B by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and particle size by electron microscopy. However, aorta-derived lipoproteins differed from plasma LDL with respect to fatty acid composition and electrophoretic mobility. They showed an increase in stearate content which was most prominent in the cholesteryl ester and triglyceride fractions, as well as an increase in oleate and a reduction in linoleate content in both cholesteryl ester and phospholipid fractions. During purification aorta-derived lipoproteins maintained an increase in electrophoretic mobility compared to plasma LDL. This increase in surface charge might be a result of the demonstrated contamination with sulfated glycosaminoglycans (1.5% by weight). However, digestion with chondroitinase ABC had no effect on electrophoretic mobility. The lipoproteins extracted and purified from grossly normal intima and fatty-fibrous plaques possessed the same similarities as well as differences in characteristics relative to plasma LDL. The results from this study suggest that the lipoproteins extracted from the human aorta may represent either the preferential retention of a subclass of plasma LDL with slightly different characteristics from the average but with greater affinity for intimal material, or the products of modification of normal plasma LDL following retention by extracellular components of the aortic intima. This modification may be due to complex formation of LDL with such components.
A role for cell adhesion in beryllium-mediated lung disease.

Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is a debilitating lung disorder in which exposure to the lightweight metal beryllium (Be) causes the accumulation of beryllium-specific CD4+ T cells in the lung and formation of noncaseating pulmonary granulomas. Treatment for CBD patients who exhibit progressive pulmonary decline is limited to systemic corticosteroids, which suppress the severe host inflammatory response. Studies in the past several years have begun to highlight cell-cell adhesion interactions in the development of Be hypersensitivity and CBD. In particular, the high binding affinity between intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (I-CAM1) on lung epithelial cells and the β 2 integrin LFA-1 on migrating lymphocytes and macrophages regulates the concerted rolling of immune cells to sites of inflammation in the lung. In this review, we discuss the evidence that implicates cell adhesion processes in onset of Be disease and the potential of cell adhesion as an intervention point for development of novel therapies.
A Splendid Predicament: Young Men in Classic Maya Society

The Classic Maya, like many peoples in the ancient world, paid keen attention to male youths as a key age/gender grade, and, in the Maya example, to those who would inherit a courtly world of privilege and domination. Detection of glyphic texts and images relevant to male youth reveals them to be a major interest of elite Classic society, participating in tribute, dances and battle. This transient status, marked by infancy and juvenility on one end, adulthood and ancestral status on the other, led to the production of drinking vessels and sundry goods owned by ‘great youths’, presumably those soon to marry or enter adulthood. Homosocial and homoerotic impulses conditioned male youth among the Classic Maya, if in ways that remain only faintly or intermittently visible. The probability nonetheless exists that this evidence represents a thin slice of Classic society, skewed by elite concerns with reproducing elite attributes across generations.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Biostatistics

The Department of Biostatistics in the Gillings School of Global Public Health has a distinguished past, a celebrated present, and a bright future. With a commitment to groundbreaking research, excellence in training students, and public health service, the department has established its role as a leader in the biostatistics community. The department is committed to its mission “to forge dramatic advances in health science research that benefit human health in North Carolina, the US and globally, through the development of profound and paradigm-shifting innovations in biostatistical technology and the thoughtful implementation of biostatistical methodology to solve public health problems” (“The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Biostatistics,” 2007).
Multiple Treatments of Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (pCIMT): A Clinical Cohort Study

Pediatric constraint-induced movement therapy (pCIMT) is one of the most efficacious treatments for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Distinctive components of pCIMT include constraint of the less impaired upper extremity (UE), high-intensity therapy for the more impaired UE (≥ 3 hr/day, many days per week, for multiple weeks), use of shaping techniques combined with repetitive task practice, and bimanual transfer. A critical issue is whether multiple treatments of pCIMT produce additional benefit. In a clinical cohort (mean age = 31 mo) of 28 children with asymmetrical CP whose parents sought multiple pCIMT treatments, the children gained a mean of 13.2 (standard deviation [SD] = 4.2) new functional skills after Treatment 1; Treatment 2 produced a mean of 7.3 (SD = 4.7) new skills; and Treatment 3, 6.5 (SD = 4.2). These findings support the conclusion that multiple pCIMT treatments can produce clinically important functional gains for children with hemiparetic CP.
Photoaffinity guanosine 5'-triphosphate analogs as a tool for the study of GTP-binding proteins.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses photoaffinity guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) analogs as a tool for studying GTP-binding proteins. Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) mediate myriad cellular functions from cell growth and division to protein synthesis and secretion. Heterotrimeric G proteins couple extracellular receptors to a variety of intracellular events, including the generation of second messengers and the transport of molecules across the cell membrane. The binding of GTP creates an activated G protein, and, once activated, the heterotrimeric G protein transmits and amplifies the message of a hormone or neurotransmitter through the invocation of a variety of intracellular processes. The mechanism whereby hormones or neurotransmitters activate G proteins and their intracellular effectors can be studied in reconstituted systems, where purified components appear to reconstruct certain aspects of the receptor-G-protein coupling process. To study the relationship among G proteins, receptors, and effector molecules in complex systems, such as membranes or permeable cells, it is necessary to design probes which will allow, selectively, the examination of G-protein activation. One such probe is the hydrolysis-resistant, photoaffinity GTP analog P 3 -(4-azidoanilido)-P 1 -guanosine 5'-triphosphate. The chapter describes usefulness of this compound for both the examination of G-protein action in complex system and for the purification of G-protein.
Developing a limb repositioning robotic interface for persons with severe physical disabilities

Limb repositioning is necessary for individuals with severe physical disabilities to sustain muscle strength and prevent pressure sores. As robotic technologies become ubiquitous, these tools offer promise to support the repositioning process. However, research has yet to focus on ways in which individuals with severe physical disabilities can control robots for these tasks. This paper presents a study that examines the needs and attitudes of potential users with physical disabilities to control a robotic aid for limb repositioning. Subjects expressed interest in using brain---computer interface (BCI) and speech recognition technologies for purposes of executing robotic tasks. The performance of four subjects controlling arm movements on an avatar through the keyboard, mouse, BCI, and Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition was evaluated. Although BCI and speech technologies may limit physical fatigue, more challenges were faced using BCI and speech conditions compared to the keyboard and mouse. This research promotes accessibility into mainstream robotic technologies and represents the first step in the development of a robotic prototype using a BCI and speech recognition technologies for limb repositioning.
Channel Modeling of MI Underwater Communication Using Tri-Directional Coil Antenna

While underwater wireless communications have been investigated and implemented for decades, existing solutions still have difficulties in establishing reliable and low-delay wireless underwater links among small-size devices. The Magnetic Induction (MI) communication technique is among the promising solutions due to its advantages in low propagation delay and less susceptibility to the transmission environments. To date, existing MI models cannot accurately characterize the complex underwater MI channels, especially in the shallow water with omnidirectional antennas. In this paper, an analytical channel model is developed for underwater MI communication system with Tri-directional coil (TD coil), which is derived based on the rigorous electromagnetic field analysis. The MIMO channel between the tri-directional coil antennas are characterized under the complex influences from the water absorption as well as the surface reflection and lateral waves. To validate the channel model, we compare the theoretical results with simulations derived by the COMSOL Multiphysics simulation tool. The developed channel model confirms the feasibility and lays the foundation of reliable MI underwater communications.
Enhanced Dielectric Properties Of Compositionally Modified BST Based Thin Films For Voltage Tunable Microwave Devices

In this work, material compositional design and optimized film processing methods, were employed to simultaneously lower the dielectric loss and enhance the dielectric tunability of Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 (BST) based thin films without compromising the device impedance matching (er<500) and device control voltage (<10 V) requirements. The films compositional design was achieved by Mg doping BST from 3 to 10 mol % via the metalorganic solution deposition (MOSD) technique and post-deposition annealing in an oxygen ambience. The films dielectric loss at these doping levels was identical, tanδ ∼0.007 and the permittivity values ranged from 339 to 220. Device quality values of tunability, 40 and 32 %, for the 3 and 7 mol% doped BST films, respectively, were achieved by elevating the applied bias to 474 kV/cm. This device quality tuning is compatible with voltage requirements of current semiconductor based systems. The results suggest that the low level acceptor doping from 3 to 7 mol%, optimized precursor solution concentration (0.43 M), and oxygenated post-deposition thermal processing were found to work in concert to lower dielectric loss, limit defect density concentration, optimize film microstructure, and eliminate undesirable film/electrode interfacial phases. The enhanced dielectric and insulating properties of the 3–7 mol% Mg doped BST thin films make them excellent candidates for integration into tunable devices.
The Kissinger Years: Studying Individuals and Foreign Policy

Henry Kissinger's memoirs, White House Years , constitute an important addition to the extant literature on the former Secretary of State. This article is concerned with the study of individuals and the ways which can be used to gain “access” to foreign policy makers. Memoirs provide a potentially useful source of data and means of access to high-level decision makers. Kissinger's memoirs are discussed and evaluated as a research tool within the context of previous biographical and psychological/cognitive studies of Kissinger. Three specific areas of comparison—Kissinger's views of Nixon the individual and statesman, Kissinger's approach to bureaucracy, and Kissinger's policy for dealing with the Soviet Union—are used to illustrate the continuity of his belief system and the consistency between his memoirs and previous research on Kissinger.
Occam's Razor Explains Matthew Effect

Sociologists of science noticed that the results of many collaborative projects and discoveries are often attributed only to their most famous collaborators, even when the contributions of these famous collaborators were minimal. This phenomenon is known as the Matthew effect, after a famous citation from the Gospel of Matthew. In this article, we show that Occam’s razor provides a possible explanation for the Matthew effect. 1 Matthew Effect: A Brief Description In the 1960s, Robert K. Merton, a sociologist of science, observed that there is a tendency to remember only the most famous contributors to a collaborative project, even when the contribution of these famous contributors was minimal. As a result, the famous researchers become even more famous, while others are largely forgotten [3]. He called this phenomenon Matthew effect, after a citation from the Gospel of Matthew 25:29: “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” This phenomenon has been observed in many areas of science. For example, it has recently been emphasized in an article about the contribution of female scientists to computing which was published in Communications of the ACM, the main Computer Science magazine [1]. 2 How Can We Explain the Matthew Effect? Our knowledge decays with time. In the beginning, we may be well aware of the contributions of different scientists to a project. However, as time goes by, we tend to forget the details – and this explains why with time, our perception of contributions of different scientists changes. To understand why these changes follow the Matthew-effect pattern, let us describe the knowledge decay in precise terms.
Mitigation of Effects of Occlusion on Object Recognition with Deep Neural Networks through Low-Level Image Completion

Heavily occluded objects are more difficult for classification algorithms to identify correctly than unoccluded objects. This effect is rare and thus hard to measure with datasets like ImageNet and PASCAL VOC, however, owing to biases in human-generated image pose selection. We introduce a dataset that emphasizes occlusion and additions to a standard convolutional neural network aimed at increasing invariance to occlusion. An unmodified convolutional neural network trained and tested on the new dataset rapidly degrades to chance-level accuracy as occlusion increases. Training with occluded data slows this decline but still yields poor performance with high occlusion. Integrating novel preprocessing stages to segment the input and inpaint occlusions is an effective mitigation. A convolutional network so modified is nearly as effective with more than 81% of pixels occluded as it is with no occlusion. Such a network is also more accurate on unoccluded images than an otherwise identical network that has been trained with only unoccluded images. These results depend on successful segmentation. The occlusions in our dataset are deliberately easy to segment from the figure and background. Achieving similar results on a more challenging dataset would require finding a method to split figure, background, and occluding pixels in the input.
Broadband cloaking of flexural waves

The governing equation for elastic waves in flexural plates is not form invariant, and hence designing a cloak for such waves faces a major challenge. Here, we present the design of a perfect broadband cloak for flexural waves through the use of a nonlinear transformation in the region of the cloak and by matching term by term the original and transformed equations and also assuming a prestressed material with body forces. For a readily achievable flexural cloak in a physical setting, we further present an approximate adoption of our perfect cloak under more restrictive physical constraints. Through direct simulation of the governing equations, we show that this cloak, as well, maintains a consistently high cloaking efficiency over a broad range of frequencies. The methodology developed here may be used for steering waves and designing cloaks in other physical systems with non-form-invariant governing equations.
In hindsight and now again: black male teachers’ recollections on the suffering of black male youth in US public schools

AbstractThis article draws from data in a larger qualitative study on the lives of black male teachers in US public urban schools. I examine their schooling experiences as black male youth. By coupling theories of social suffering with life history methodology, this research analyzes how three black male teachers experienced frustration, marginalization, and misery as students. For these participants, academic tracking was a site of social suffering. This suffering persisted into their adult lives as classroom teachers, as they witnessed and attempted to mitigate the struggles of their own black male students. The findings in this study have implications for further research on black male teachers as well as their recruitment and retention in US public schools.
Genetic Inhibition of Chac1 Leads to Dysregulation of Body Composition

CHAC1 is a gamma-glutamylcyclotransferase downstream of ATF4 in the Unfolded Protein Response. CHAC1 degrades glutathione, the primary, intracellular antioxidant, and decreases Notch signaling. Not...