cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of the bremsstrahlung contribution to specimen damage in XPS using Auger peak intensities

Abstract The contribution of the bremsstrahlung radiation from a conventional X-ray source to specimen damage is related to the total amount of X-ray energy absorbed by the specimen. For organic compounds, which contain light elements such as C, O, and N, absorption of X-rays leads primarily to 1s photoemission. In this study the Auger-to-photoelectron peak (KLL/1s) intensity ratio was measured using both conventional and monochromatic AlKα X-ray sources for a series of compounds containing light elements from C to Mg. These ratios show a systematic 15–70% increase with conventional source relative to the monochromatic source, as the atomic number decreases for all elements studied except Mg. Calculations of 1s hole production, based on characteristic line and bremsstrahlung intensities measured with an energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer, showed the same trend, but smaller percentage increases. The differences between the experimental and theoretical values are attributed mainly to an overestimate of the characteristic/bremsstrahlung ratio using the energy-dispersive X-ray data. The bremsstrahlung contribution to specimen damage for carbon was estimated to be between ≈ 4% (calculated from X-ray data) and ≈ 44% (calculated from relative Auger intensities).
Angiogenesis modulation in cancer research: novel clinical approaches

Angiogenesis — the formation of new blood vessels — is essential for tumour progression and metastasis. Consequently, the modulation of tumour angiogenesis using novel agents has become a highly active area of investigation in cancer research, from the bench to the clinic. However, the great therapeutic potential of these agents has yet to be realized, which could, in part, be because the traditional strategies that are used in clinical trials for anticancer therapies are not appropriate for assessing the efficacy of agents that modulate angiogenesis. Here, we discuss methods for monitoring the biological activity of angiogenic modulators, and innovative approaches to trial design that might facilitate the integration of these agents into anticancer therapy.
Changing perceptions of riskiness in drinking, drugs, and driving: an emergency department-based alcohol and substance abuse prevention program.

For the last three years, the University of New Mexico School of Medicine/Division of Emergency Medicine has sponsored an Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Program (ASAP). The program's objectives were to expose youth to the "real-life" social and medical consequences of alcohol and substance abuse through visits and interviews with patients and their families at the University of New Mexico Emergency Department and Trauma Center. A pretest, post-test, and eight-month follow-up evaluation design was used to assess the program's effects. Questionnaires were administered to randomly selected experimental and control groups of seventh grade students (n = 27). Repeated-measures analysis of variance detected a significant experimental/control condition x time crossover interaction effect for stated perception of riskiness, F (2, 31) = 3.20, P = .049. The data indicated that, over time, the experimental group perceived the riskiness of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol to be greater, while the control group perceived such behavior to be less risky.
Detection of left atrial thrombi by two-dimensional echocardiography and surgical correlation in 148 patients with mitral valve disease.

Abstract Left atria1 (LA) thrombus has long been recognized as a complication of rheumatic mitral valve disease.1–4 Until the development of 2-dimensional echocardiography, these thrombi were rarely diagnosed before surgery. There have been few published reports3,4 regarding the utility of 2-dimensional echocardiography in the detection of LA thrombi, and the sensitivity and specificity of 2-dimensional echocardiography in detecting them remain uncertain. We undertook a review of all adult patients undergoing mitral valve replacement during a 64-month period to determine (1) the sensitivity and specificity of 2-dimensional echocardiography in detecting LA thrombi; (2) the location and attachment of the thrombi, (3) whether LA thrombi can form in mitral valve disease other than rheumatic mitral stenosis; (4) the clinical features associated with the development of LA thrombi, that is, the presence of atria1 fibrillation and LA size; and (5) whether the presence of thrombus is associated with embolic events.
Pressure dependence of the E2 and E1 deep levels in GaAs, GaP, and their alloys.

Measurements of the effects of pressure on the thermal-electron emission rate and capture cross section for the {ital E}2 and {ital E}1 deep levels in GaAs, GaP, and their alloys have yielded the pressure dependences of the energies of these levels, allowed evaluation of the breathing-mode lattice relaxations accompanying carrier emission or capture by these levels, and revealed trends that lead to new insights. The results are consistent with a model which associates {ital E}2 with the ({minus}/0) and {ital E}1 with the (2{minus}/{minus}) charge states of the As (or P) vacancy.
Social dominance, task performance and nutrition: implications for reproduction in eusocial wasps

Dominance status is associated with individual differences in reproductive capacity in many animal societies, but the mechanisms that link social dominance to reproductive physiology are poorly understood. We propose a model for social dynamics that incorporates the nutritional costs and benefits of behavior: dominant individuals avoid energy-expensive behavior and build their nutritional reserves, thereby increasing their potential for reproduction. Greater reproductive capacity, once achieved, favors increased social dominance. To test the model, we measured relationships of females' nutrient storage and reproductive capacities with dominance status and task performance in the eusocial wasp Mischocyttarus mastigophorus. Ovary development was positively related with high levels of nutrient storage and with high rates of dominance behavior, but was not correlated with task performance. In contrast, high levels of nutrient storage were positively related with the performance of nutrient garnering and conserving tasks, but not with dominance behavior. These data support a model which places the nutritional costs of task performance as an intermediate causal link that connects dominance status with the accumulation of nutrient stores. Nutrient flow may be a general causal mechanism linking dominance status to reproductive capacity in animal societies.
Negotiating for More: The Multiple Equivalent Simultaneous Offer

Whether a doctor, professional baseball manager, or a politician, having successful negotiation skills is a critical part of being a leader. Building upon prior journal articles on negotiation strategy, the author presents the concept of the multiple equivalent simultaneous offer (MESO). The concept of a MESO is straightforward: as opposed to making a single offer, make multiple offers with several variables. Each offer alters the different variables, such that the end result of each offer is equivalent from the perspective of the party making the offer. Research has found several advantages to the use of MESOs. For example, using MESOs, an offer was more likely to be accepted, and the counterparty was more likely to be satisfied with the negotiated deal. Additional benefits have been documented as well, underscoring why a prepared radiology business leader should understand the theory and practice of MESO.
A SELF‐REPORT COMPARISON OF INDIAN AND ANGLO DELINQUENCY IN WYOMING

Previous studies, including those of Wind River Indian Reservation youth, indicate that native American adolescents have a relatively high rate of official delinquency involvement, Official rates may reflect, however, not only the actual incidence of delinquent behavior, but also other factors such as the manner in which the law is enforced. The findings of the present study are based on a self-report type questionnaire administered to students attending two high schools in the Wind River Indian Reservation area of Wyoming. The data point to little overall difference in the delinquent behavior of Indian and Anglo males, with the exception of a greater involvement of Indian males in delinquent activities centering around the school. The Indian female, however, appears to be considerably more involved than her Anglo counterpart in running away from home and in a variety of offenses centering around the school, theft, vandalism, and assault. When social class is controlled, there is a substantial reduction in the number of offenses for which there are significant differences between the two races, although a few differences are found on particular class levels which do not obtain for the sample as a whole.
Centrifugal Distortion in Asymmetric Molecules. II. HDS

A perturbation method for relating the theory of centrifugal distortion in asymmetric top molecules to observed microwave Q branch, $a$ or $c$ type transitions, is presented. The formula for the distortion correction is expressed in terms of the total angular momentum, $J$, the symmetry axis momentum of the nearest symmetric top, $K$, and five distortion constants. The formula yields a satisfactory fit to the observed spectrum of HDS ($\ensuremath{\kappa}\ensuremath{\simeq}\ensuremath{-}0.5$). The electric dipole moment is determined as 1.02\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02 debye. The inertia defect and distortion constants are calculated. The effective structure for the HDS molecule so determined is in agreement with infrared determinations.
Nicotinamide and ketamine reduce infarct volume and DNA fragmentation in rats after brain ischemia and reperfusion.

Abstract The possible ability of nicotinamide and ketamine to decrease infarction volume and DNA fragmentation was investigated in a middle cerebral artery occlusion rat model. DNA fragmentation was measured with an enzyme linked immunoassay. Control infarct volume was 223.8±10.6 mm 3 . Ketamine alone did not alter infarct volume, 233.2±61.8 mm 3 . Nicotinamide alone did not alter infarct volume, 235.2±62.8 mm 3 . The combination of ketamine and nicotinamide decreased infarct volume to 83.8±35.2 mm 3 . Ketamine produced hypothermia. Nicotinamide and ketamine decreased brain swelling and DNA fragmentation in the cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus in rats perfused for 6 or 24 h. Ketamine may synergize the actions of nicotinamide and partially prevent brain damage from ischemia and reperfusion.
Regulation of Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 Expression in Human Endometrial Stromal Cells by Estrogen and Progesterone

There is a cyclicity in the number of endometrial macrophages that is most likely secondary to changes in steroid hormone levels. One cytokine that controls macrophage migration is monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). In the endometrium, highest levels of MCP-1 are detected perimenstrually, when estrogen levels are low; however, when estrogen levels are high (around the time of ovulation), MCP-1 levels are lowest. We hypothesized that sex steroids may be involved in the regulation of macrophage migration by regulating MCP-1 expression. We investigated the regulation of MCP-1 expression in human endometrial stromal cells by estradiol 17β (E 2 ) and progestins. We found that MCP-1 mRNA levels decreased in response to E 2 (5 x 10 -8 M), with biphasic nadirs at 8 h and 24 h. MCP-1 protein production was also inhibited by E 2 in a concentration-dependent manner. Tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen, alone (10 -7 M) did not affect MCP-1 expression, but it reversed the E 2 -induced inhibition up to 80%. Progesterone (10 -7 M) alone slightly decreased MCP-1 levels, and the combination of E 2 and progesterone further decreased them, but that decrease was not different from that observed using E 2 treatment alone. In summary, we found that E 2 inhibits MCP-1 expression in endometrial stromal cells, and we speculate that E 2 may control endometrial macrophage migration by regulating MCP-1 expression.
Optical characterization of quantum dots entrained in microstructured optical fibers

We present a study of the basic optical properties of colloidal CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots entrained in a microstructured optical fiber. Quantum dots suspended in heptane were pulled into the holes surrounding the solid core of a microstructured optical fiber of the holey fiber class via capillary action and are found to remain in the fiber. In this experiment, a laser coupled into the fiber photoexcited quantum dots along the length of the fiber. Quantum dot emission was observed to couple into the fiber core and propagate along the fiber. To investigate the use of such a system in fiber-based light generation or amplification, a second laser overlapping the low-energy portion of the quantum dot emission was simultaneously coupled into the fiber. We observed apparent amplification of this light when photoexciting the quantum dots well above their bandedge.
APPLICATION OF A SYSTEMS ENGINEERING APPROACH TO OPTIMIZE THE DOD PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROCESSES

The U.S. Army Missile Command (MICOM) has utilized a traditional, functional systems engineering approach for weapon system development. However, the advent of the concurrent engineering philosophy highlighted that the success of a defense program could be enhanced by applying a systems engineering approach to managing or determining programmatic requirements. A Process Action Team was established at MICOM to develop an optimized systems engineering process for weapon systems development, which includes the philosophy of concurrent engineering. This paper presents a case study of the team's findings.
Down-Regulation and Recovery of Endothelin-1 Binding and Signaling in Rat Cardiomyocytes

Down-regulation and recovery of endothelin (ET) receptors and of ET-dependent phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) signaling was examined in cultured cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats. Three hours treatment with 5 nM ET-1 decreased surface receptors to 30%, and transduction to 19%, of their respective time-zero values. After extensive washing and a 3 h recovery period surface receptors returned to 74% of the time-zero value, with concomitant recovery of signal transduction to 75% of the time-zero value. The recovery of PI-PLC signaling in these cells is in contrast with a previous report, but consistent with recovery of the receptor complement.
The role of nonconventional magnetic resonance imaging techniques in demyelinating disorders

The use of nonconventional magnetic resonance imaging techniques (eg, magnetization transfer, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and diffusion weighted imaging) allows for an accurate characterization of lesions as compared with conventional or standard approaches in demyelinating diseases. Magnetization transfer, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and diffusion weighted imaging have revolutionized our understanding of demyelinating diseases because these techniques have been used to identify pathologic changes of normal-appearing brain tissue and characterize the differences in lesions. Metrics derived from these methods correlate with clinical disability and provide more accurate tools for monitoring disease activity and treatment effect over time. Quantitative T1 and T2 relaxation time maps provide additional information on demyelinating diseases, allowing for the evaluation of myelin water and distribution of water within tissues. Finally, the measurement of central nervous system atrophy has become a valuable element in determining the course of multiple sclerosis.
Overview of Cancer Epigenetics

Epigenetic mechanisms including DNA and histone modifications result in silencing of genes without changing the coding sequence of the gene. Even though these events are heritable, they are potentially reversible, thus opening up opportunities for therapeutic intervention. The importance of epigenetic changes in human cancer is only now being recognized in the medical community. A series of discoveries over the last four decades has thrust epigenetics into the forefront of new drug discoveries. Three systems--DNA methylation, RNA-associated silencing, and histone modification--are used to initiate and sustain epigenetic silencing. Current knowledge suggests that agents that intervene in this process by "turning back on" silenced genes may represent a significant advancement in treating many forms of cancer. In addition, changed patterns of methylation can be detected with a high degree of sensitivity thus providing clinicians with prognostic information.
Where the hormones, there moan I.

Abstract This autobiography traces the effects of “marriages” of different fields on the development of new directions of research. Such events occurred several times in my career and generated much of my research. (Steroids 56 :298–310, 1991)
Prostaglandin E2 activates HPK1 kinase activity via a PKA-dependent pathway.

Abstract Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) is a hematopoietic cell-restricted member of the Ste20 serine/threonine kinase super family. We recently reported that the immunosuppressive eicosanoid, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), is capable of activating HPK1 in T cells. In this report, we demonstrate that unlike the TCR-induced activation of HPK1 kinase activity, the induction of HPK1 catalytic activity by PGE2 does not require the presence of phosphotyrosine-based signaling molecules such as Lck, ZAP-70, SLP-76, and Lat. Nor does the PGE2-induced HPK1 activation require the intermolecular interaction between its proline-rich regions and the SH3 domain-containing adaptor proteins, as required by the signaling from the TCR to HPK1. Instead, our study reveals that PGE2 signal to HPK1 via a 3′ -5 ′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate-regulated, PKA-dependent pathway. Consistent with this observation, changing the serine 171 residue that forms the optimal PKA phosphorylation site within the “activation loop” of HPK1 to alanine completely prevents this mutant from responding to PGE2-generated stimulation signals. Moreover, the inability of HPK1 to respond to PGE2 stimulation in PKA-deficient S49 cells further supports the importance of PKA in this signaling pathway. We speculate that this unique signaling pathway enables PGE2 signals to engage a proven negative regulator of TCR signal transduction pathway and uses it to inhibit T cell activation.
Atomic Force Microscope Studies of Fullerene Films: Highly Stable C60 fcc (311) Free Surfaces.

Atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffractometry were used to study 1500 A-thick films of pure C60 grown by sublimation in ultrahigh vacuum onto a CaF2 (111) substrte. Topographs of the films did not reveal the expected close-packed structures, but they showed instead large regions that correspond to a face-centered cubic (311) surface and distortions of this surface. The open (311) structure may have a relatively low free energy because the low packing density contributes to a high entropy of the exposed surface.
Collaboration and Competition in Two Colonization Projects: Toward a General Theory of Official Corruption

The development of efficient and honest bureaucracies has long been a central concern in studies of organizations, but there is little theory to explain the emergence of corruption in bureaucracies. Analyses of this type of corruption in underdeveloped countries have frequently attributed causation to particular political, cultural, or social-structural factors, without taking into account different degrees of corruption in highly different frames. In this study, we propose that the degree of antagonistic surveillance or collaborative exchange within and between bureaucratic agencies is a key determinant of the incidence of official corruption. Two development projects within the same geographical, political, administrative and temporal frames in a single developing country are compared in order to examine this proposition. Our analysis of rural development projects along the Transamazon Highway in Brazil indicates that antagonism between agents of different bureaucratic agencies serves to reduce corrupti...
The Role of the Agranular Insular Cortex in Anticipation of Reward Contrast

Sixteen male Long-Evans rats were tested on a modified version of Flaherty et al.'s [Flaherty, C. F., Turovsky, J., & Krauss, K. L. (1994). Relative hedonic value modulates anticipatory contrast. Physiology and Behavior, 55, 1047-1054.] anticipatory contrast paradigm to assess memory for the anticipation of reward. Prior to testing each rat received either a control or quinolinic acid induced lesion of the agranular insular cortex. In the home cage, each rat was allowed to drink a water solution containing 2% sucrose for 3 min followed by a water solution containing 32% sucrose for 3 min. Across 10 days of testing, the control rats showed significantly increased anticipatory discriminability as a function of days. In contrast, rats with agranular insular cortex lesions failed to show anticipatory discriminability. The results of a preference task revealed that both groups could perceptually discriminate between a 2% and a 32% sucrose solution. The data suggest that the agranular insular cortex may be involved in the anticipation of reward.
The psychology of religion and coping : theory, research, practice

1. An Introduction to the Psychology of Religion and Coping I. A Perspective on Religion 2. The Sacred and the Search for Significance 3. Religious Pathways and Religious Destinations II. A Perspective on Coping 4. An Introduction to the Concept of Coping 5. The Flow of Coping III. The Religion and Coping Connection 6. When People Turn to Religion: When They Turn Away 7. The Many Faces of Religion in Coping 8. Religion and the Mechanisms of Coping: The Conservation of Significance 9. Religion and the Mechanisms of Coping: The Transformation of Significance IV. Evaluative and Practical Implications 10. Does It Work? Religion and the Outcomes of Coping 11. When Religion Fails: Problems of Integration in the Process of Coping 12. Putting Religion into Practice
FINE STRUCTURE OF PHLOEM CELLS IN RELATION TO TRANSLOCATION IN THE COTTON SEEDLING

A B S T R A C T When special precautions were taken to permit killing and fixation of sieve elements before they were cut, sieve pores were found to be open. Companion cells were shown to be highly resistant to freezing injury and less plasmolyzable than phloem parenchyma. Plasmodesmata connected parenchyma to parenchyma, parenchyma to companion cells, and companion cells to sieve elements. Their general absence between parenchyma cells and sieve elements points to a specific role of companion cells in sieve tube functioning. EM studies of these cells revealed an ER system which connects the central core of the plasmodesma to the sieve tube. This system may be responsible for active sucrose transport. Callose was always present on sieve plates of mature functioning sieve elements even with the most rapid killing and fixing possible. Extra callose promoted by heating (45 C) an intact stem segment was found to constrict the sieve pores almost completely. Constriction of plasmodesmata in lateral sieve areas also was evident. Fine structure analysis of the blocking mechanism is in accord with evidence obtained by tracer studies. THE ANATOMY and physiology of the phloem have been studied extensively; however, several functional aspects of the individual cells remain controversial. In long-distance translocation the physiological data indicate the occurrence of mass flow in sieve elements (Swanson, 1959; Crafts, 1961), but anatomical studies often showed the presence of slime-filled sieve pores (Northcote and Wooding, 1966; Cronshaw and Esau, 1967). In short-distance transport it is believed that movement of solutes into and out of the phloem depends on active metabolic transfer processes involving enzymatic action. The peculiar structure of the enucleate sieve element protoplast suggests that associated parenchyma cells, especially companion cells, may play an important role in translocation (Crafts, 1951; Bauer, 1953). However, convincing anatomic evidence to support the concept has not been obtained. The present contribution adds to knowledge of the relationship between the structural and functional features of phloem tissue based on EM observations. An improved killing and fixing procedure was developed to prevent wound eff ects in sieve elements by cutting. The fine structure of mature sieve elements in relation to other phloem cells was studied. The callose systems which control symplastic translocation also were studied. A possible mechanism of translocation of sugars into and out of sieve elements
Various aspects of expert systems: applications in manufacturing

Abstract Expert systems are a recent development in the field of artificial intelligence. These systems attempt to put an expert's or a group of experts' knowledge into a sophisticated computer program for decision-making purposes. These systems are very costly and have a high degree of risk for the organization. This paper explains how knowledge is obtained, how computer programs are developed for expert systems, and how they are being used in a manufacturing setting. The paper shows the important role expert systems are playing in manufacturing in areas such as process scheduling, robotics, plant layout, and process planning. Case studies are used to give the reader a greater understanding of real world applications of expert systems. The legal impact of expert systems is still ambiguous, as is true with other computer-based technology. The paper also discusses the legal issues of expert systems.
Science Achievement of English Language Learners in Urban Elementary Schools: Fourth-Grade Student Achievement Results from a Professional Development Intervention.

As part of a 5-year professional development intervention aimed at improving science and literacy achievement of English language learning (ELL) students in urban elementary schools, this study examined fourth-grade students' science achievement across a 3-year (2005–2008) implementation of our professional development intervention consisting of curriculum units and teacher workshops. Analyses were conducted with 1,758 students at six schools that participated in the intervention. The results of this study reveal several central findings. First, students in the treatment group displayed a statistically significant increase in science achievement from pre- to posttest. Second, there was no statistically significant difference in achievement gains between students at English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Levels 1–4 and students who had exited from ESOL or never been in ESOL. Third, there was no significant difference in achievement gains based on the year of participation in the intervention. Finally, students in the treatment group scored substantially lower on National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) items than the norm group at the pretest, but higher than the norm group at posttest. These results indicate that ELL students' improved achievement on the science test was a result of effective inquiry-based science instruction as promoted in the professional development intervention. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed95:771–793, 2011
The association of blood angioregulatory microRNA levels with circulating endothelial cells and angiogenic proteins in patients receiving dacarbazine and interferon.

Background Blood biomarkers are needed to monitor anti-angiogenic treatments for cancer. The association of blood levels of microRNAs (miRs) implicated in angiogenesis with circulating endothelial cells (CEC) and with angiogenic proteins was examined in patients administered drugs with anti-angiogenic activity.
Measurement of the specific heat capacity of liver phantom.

Phantoms are often used to simulate tissue during the development, testing and calibration of medical devices. In order to infer the specific absorption rate (SAR) and resistive heating in phantoms from temperature measurements, the specific heat capacity and density of the phantom are needed. Stauffer et al (2003 Int. J. Hyperth. 19 89–101) developed several phantoms that mimic dielectric properties of liver tissue at 915 MHz. However, thermal properties of the phantoms were not presented. We have measured specific heat capacities and densities for these phantoms. We also present dielectric properties for these phantoms measured from 0.7 to 20 GHz, including 2.45 GHz—a commonly used frequency for microwave hyperthermia and ablation.
Optimum tracking of nonlinear-model predictive control for Boost based PFC rectifier

In this paper a tracking problem for a single-phase PFC rectifier exploiting the Boost converter as nonlinear system using model predictive control (MPC) is discussed. After approximation of the tracking error in the receding horizon by its Taylor-series expansion to any specified order, an analytic solution to the MPC is developed and a closed-form nonlinear predictive controller is presented. The main advantage of the proposed digital control PFC method is that unity power factor can be achieved over wide input voltage and load current range. Boost PFC topology with NMPC shows better and more accurate performance in both steady state and transient state than linear control methods. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed NMPC.
The Development of Validated Checklist for Foley Catheterization: Preliminary Results

Foley catheterization (FC) is known to result in complications. Validated checklists are central to teaching/assessing procedural skills and may result in improved health care quality. The results of the first step of the validation of male and female FC checklists are described. A comprehensive literature review of articles published on FC did not yield a checklist validated by the Delphi method. A modified Delphi technique involving a panel of 7 experts was used to develop FC checklists. The internal consistency coefficients using Cronbach's α were .91 and .88, respectively, for males and females. Developing a 24-item male FC checklist and a 23-item female FC checklist for teaching/assessing FC is the first step in the validation process. For these checklists to become further validated, they should be implemented and studied in the simulation and the clinical environments.
The late phase of preconditioning.

Abstract —Unlike the early phase of preconditioning (PC), which lasts 2 to 3 hours and protects against infarction but not against stunning, the late phase of PC lasts 3 to 4 days and protects against both infarction and stunning, suggesting that it may have greater clinical relevance. It is now clear that late PC is a polygenic phenomenon that requires the simultaneous activation of multiple stress-responsive genes. Chemical signals released by a sublethal ischemic stress (such as NO, reactive oxygen species, and adenosine) trigger a complex cascade of signaling events that includes the activation of protein kinase C, Src protein tyrosine kinases, and nuclear factor κB and culminates in increased synthesis of inducible NO synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, aldose reductase, Mn superoxide dismutase, and probably other cardioprotective proteins. An analogous sequence of events can be triggered by a variety of stimuli, such as heat stress, exercise, and cytokines. Thus, late PC appears to be a universal response of the heart to stress in general. Importantly, the cardioprotective effects of late PC can be reproduced pharmacologically with clinically relevant agents (eg, NO donors, adenosine receptor agonists, endotoxin derivatives, or opioid receptor agonists), suggesting that this phenomenon might be exploited for therapeutic purposes. The purpose of this review is to summarize current information regarding the pathophysiology and mechanism of late PC.
Does NETosis Contribute to the Bacterial Pathoadaptation in Cystic Fibrosis

Significant advances in our understanding of neutrophil biology were made in the past several years. The exciting discovery that neutrophils deploy neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to catch pathogens paved the way for a series of additional studies to define the molecular mechanisms of NET generation and the biological significance of NETosis in acute and chronic pathologic conditions. This review highlights the latest knowledge regarding NET structures, deployment, and function, with an emphasis on current understanding of NET proteomes, their conservation, and significance in the context of cystic fibrosis (CF), a condition characterized by excessive extracellular DNA/NET presence. We also discuss how our understanding of NETosis yields novel therapeutic approaches and their applicability to CF.
B Cells in Health and Disease

B cells play a key role in regulating the immune system by producing antibodies, acting as antigen-presenting cells, providing support to other mononuclear cells, and contributing directly to inflammatory pathways. Accumulating evidence points to disruption of these tightly regulated processes in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. Although the exact mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated, a fundamental feature of many autoimmune disorders is a loss of B-cell tolerance and the inappropriate production of autoantibodies. Dysfunctional immune responses resulting from genetic mutations that cause intrinsic B-cell abnormalities and induction of autoimmunity in the T-cell compartment by B cells that have broken tolerance may also contribute to these disorders. These findings provide the rationale for B-cell depletion as a potential therapeutic strategy in autoimmune disorders and other disease states characterized by inappropriate immune responses. Preliminary results with the CD20-targeted monoclonal antibody rituximab indicate that rituximab can improve symptoms in a number of autoimmune and neurologic disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes). Additional studies are warranted to further characterize the role of B cells in autoimmune diseases and the therapeutic utility of B-cell depletion.
A discrete optimization model for preserving biological diversity

In this paper we propose an operational framework within which the concept of diversity is measurable. Based on an interspecies dissimilarity index, we develop a series of progressively more efficient integer programming formulations with the objective of maximizing biological diversity under resource constraints. To illustrate the solution procedure, the model is applied to the preservation of the crane family. We also show how additional modelling considerations can be incorporated in a simple and direct fashion. Finally, an alternative approach to measuring biodiversity is presented to exemplify that different measures of diversity can lead to differing ecological conservation policies.
The tsunami of March 9, 1957, on the Island of Hawaii

Abstract The Aleutian-born tsunami of March 9, 1957, produced water heights on the island of Hawaii between those produced by the 1946 and 1952 tsunamis. The tsunami-generating mechanism, although poorly understood, permits a hypothesis of multiple waves generated near the source (or the same wave traveling different paths) which eventually interfere to produce contrasting intensities in different parts of the broad Hawaiian area. Comparisons suggest that each tsunami is unique and unpredictable in some respects and predictable in others. Water heights depend in part on location and orientation of coastlines with respect to the earthquake epicenter and the presumed line along which the tsunami was generated. Local conditions of seiche and coastline configuration further modify average wave heights. Local conditions are effectively constant with respect to Aleutian tsunamis, and empirical data on water heights and danger areas are available. A program of improving tsunami and earthquake observations, together with additional tide-observation stations, may eventually permit more precise evaluation of a tsunami both before and after its arrival.
Regenerating Topsoil Functionality in Four Drastically Disturbed Soil Types by Compost Incorporation

The low water-holding capacity and low nutrient levels of roadcuts in northern California cause many of these disturbed areas to remain chronically barren. Yard waste compost was incorporated into four nonvegetated substrates found along roadcuts (decomposed granite [DG], lahar, serpentine, and sandstone) in order to regenerate topsoil infiltration, water-holding capacity, and nutrient availability. Soil physical and chemical properties, as well as the vegetative response of a native perennial grass, were compared between treatments (non-tilled, tilled, and tilled with compost amendment). Tillage and compost addition decreased soil bulk density compared to the non-tilled treatment, and the compost treatment increased the soil carbon and nitrogen contents compared to the non-tilled and tilled treatments. Tillage alone resulted in an increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity in soils that did not contain a large amount of coarse fragments. Tillage also reduced sediment loss in all soils except the DG. Foliar C13 content did not predict water stress consistently between treatments. The incorporation of yard waste compost increased plant available water in coarse but not in fine-textured soils, and aboveground plant biomass was significantly greater in the compost treatment than in either of the other treatments. Although the incorporation of yard waste compost generated the greatest revegetation success, tillage alone may be a sufficient treatment if residual soils have adequate nutrient levels.
Unified bias analysis for DOA estimation algorithms

A statistical analysis using subspace perturbation expansion is applied to the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation bias for MUSIC, Min-Norm, ESPRIT, State-Space Realization (TAM), and Matrix-Pencil algorithms, assuming that only a finite amount of array data is available. The authors obtain an unified analytical expression of the DOA estimation bias for those algorithms in a simple and self-contained fashion. The tractable formula provides insight to the algorithms. Simulation results verify the analytically predicted performance. >
Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite Nanopowders via Sucrose‐Templated Sol–Gel Method

The present research describes synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanopowders using a sol–gel route with calcium nitrate and ammonium hydrogen phosphate as calcium and phosphorous precursors, respectively. Sucrose is used as template material, and alumina is added as a dopant to study its effects on particle size and surface area. Synthesized powders are characterized using X-ray diffractometry, BET surface-area analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. Results show that alumina stabilizes the HAp crystalline phase. Average particle size of mesoporous HAp samples is between 30 and 50 nm with surface area of 51–60 m2/g.
The ALEXSYS mortgage pool allocation system

Various approaches are given for the allocation of mortgage pools, a combinatorial optimization problem, faced by financial institutions that trade in mortgage-backed securities. The authors review the problem, describe and compare the approaches taken to solve it, and demonstrate how this work motivates further research and the development of a high-level parallel rule language that uses meta-rules for reduction of conflicting (or less profitable) instantiations. >
Fault-tolerant multi-destination routing in hypercube multicomputers

Multicast algorithms for faulty hypercube multicomputers are discussed. Two types of algorithms are proposed. Type I algorithms have the following features: they are distributed, in the sense that the same algorithm is implemented in all involved nodes and based on local information only; they can always find shortest paths from the source to all destinations whenever such exist; and they are easy to implement in hardware. The algorithms deal with nodes faults only, and they cannot deliver messages to those destinations that can be reached through some longer paths. Type II algorithms deal with both link faults and node faults. They can deliver messages to all reachable destinations if the total number of faults is less than the dimension of the hypercube. However, these algorithms are not easy to implement in hardware. >
Distance Learning: What We Don't Know Can Hurt Us

Distance learning is increasingly being used across the country to teach students, primarily in the secondary schools. Often decisions concerning its applications in foreign languages are made by administrators and technology specialists without the involvement or even the awareness of the foreign language profession. The author raises a series of questions concerning the use of distance learning to teach languages and calls upon the profession to become engaged in this issue.
Gender ideology childrearing and child health in Jamaica.

The societies of the Caribbean region have been characterized by female-headed households, kinship networks linked by women, and the presence of women in the labor force. The position of women in Jamaica as economic providers and mothers carries implications for the treatment of male and female children. An examination of mothers' expressed gender preferences, anthropometric assessments of children, gender preferences in adoption, and data on child abandonment in Kingston, Jamaica, suggests that the centrality of women in ideology is manifested in prevalent childcare practices favoring female children. [Caribbean, gender roles, ideology, child health, childrearing]
Distinctive Encoding Reduces the Jacoby-Whitehouse Illusion

We investigated the influence of distinctive encoding on the Jacoby and Whitehouse (1989) illusion. Subjects studied visually presented words that were associated with either an auditory presentation of the same word (nondistinctive encoding) or a picture of the object (distinctive encoding). In both conditions, words were visually presented on the recognition test, and half were preceded by brief repetition primes. Priming test items increased hits and false alarms in the auditory condition, demonstrating the Jacoby—Whitehouse illusion. This illusion was reduced in the picture condition. In order to test whether this distinctiveness effect was caused by a recollectionbased response strategy (i.e., the distinctiveness heuristic), we minimized recollection-based responding by having subjects make speeded recognition decisions. Contrary to the distinctiveness heuristic hypothesis, speeded responding did not eliminate the distinctiveness effect on the Jacoby—Whitehouse illusion. Picture encoding may reduce this illusion via a shift in preretrieval orientation, as opposed to a postretrieval editing process.
Lobar torsion complicating bilateral lung transplantation

Abstract We report a case of left lower lobe torsion in a patient who had undergone bilateral lung transplantation for α 1 -antitrypsin deficiency. The patient experienced acute pulmonary hypertension and hypoxemia on post-operative Day 3 and the chest X-ray showed bilateral alveolar infiltrates and a new focal consolidation of the left lower lobe. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed complete obstruction of the left lower lobe bronchus and abnormal rotation of the left upper lobe bronchus suggesting torsion, which was confirmed by pulmonary angiography and ultimately at thoracotomy. The possibility of acute lobar torsion should be considered in lung transplant recipients who demonstrate evidence of acute respiratory insufficiency in the early post-operative period.
Gynecological symptoms and sexual behaviors among adolescent women.

Abstract Study Objective The study sought to expand the minimal understanding of the prevalence of gynecological symptoms, such as vulvovaginal pain, pelvic cramps, and vaginal discharge, and the prevalence of the relationship of symptom duration to event-level sexual behaviors. Design Data were daily diaries collected from an ongoing, longitudinal cohort with the three symptom variables Main Outcome Measures Symptom duration was calculated, and event-level sexual behaviors were included. Results It was reported with relative frequency that single symptoms had positive and negative effects, whereas multiple symptoms and long duration of symptoms decreased the likelihood of all noncoital sexual behaviors. Conclusions Gynecological symptoms influence the likelihood of sexual behaviors, suggesting a complex relationship between the occurrences.
Chromatin signature of widespread monoallelic expression

Understanding how genes are activated and silenced is one of the central challenges in modern biology. These processes underpin the development of a fertilized egg into a complex organism, and they can also lead to life-threatening diseases when they go wrong. There are two copies of each gene in a human cell, a maternal copy and a paternal copy, and it is thought that both copies are usually regulated together. However, there are exceptions to this rule: for certain genes only the maternal copy is expressed as a protein in some cells, whereas the paternal copy is expressed in other cells. This form of gene regulation, which is called monoallelic expression, can result in neighboring cells heading down very different paths. In extreme cases, depending on the differences between the two copies of the gene, cells that express one copy may function normally, while cells where the other copy is activated will start forming tumors. However, despite these potentially grave consequences, and early results which suggested that monoallelic expression affected a large number of human and mouse genes, it has proved to be a major technical challenge to identify these genes in most cell types. Now, Nag, Savova et al. have discovered a molecular signature that can be used to detect monoallelic expression. The signature was found in chromatin, the densely packed structure formed by DNA and proteins inside the cell nucleus. Nag, Savova et al. discovered that the genes that are subject to monoallelic expression are bound with proteins that are modified in two contrasting ways. One modification, which is usually a sign of gene silencing, is prevalent on the inactive copy of the gene, and the other, which often marks active genes, is chiefly present on the active copy. Nag, Savova et al. report that these modifications are found in different sets of genes in different cell types, indicating distinct genome-wide patterns of monoallelic expression. The chromatin signature approach lets them estimate the fraction of human genes that are subject to monoallelic expression. This number is surprisingly high: about 20% of commonly expressed genes and more than one-third of tissue-specific genes. In a particularly intriguing finding, almost all bivalent genes—a subset of genes that are involved in determining the fate of cell during development—are estimated to become monoallelic when they are activated. In addition to these unexpected findings, the chromatin signature approach opens the door to exploring monoallelic expression as a form of gene regulation in all types of cells and, ultimately, to understanding how it is involved in both normal development and in disease.