cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A follow-up study for left ventricular mass on chromosome 12p11 identifies potential candidate genes

Background Left ventricular mass (LVM) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Previously we found evidence for linkage to chromosome 12p11 in Dominican families, with a significant increase in a subset of families with high average waist circumference (WC). In the present study, we use association analysis to further study the genetic effect on LVM.
Covariant formalism for F-wave quarkonium production and annihilation: Application to 3FJ-->gg decays.

We derive a covariant formalism to describe {ital F}-wave quarkonium production and annihilation processes in the context of nonrelativistic potential models. We apply it to evaluate the decay rates for the processes {sup 3}{ital F}{sub {ital J}}{r arrow}{ital gg} (where {ital J}=2,3,4). Such a calculation may be useful in evaluating the prospects of producing the predicted narrow {ital F} states in the {Upsilon} system. Related predictions for the two-photon widths of such {ital F} states could also be used in testing the validity of nonrelativistic potential models in the light quark system. We also explicitly calculate the two-photon decay width of the {sup 1}{ital G}{sub 4} state using similar techniques to compare to a recent general calculation.
Characterization of dominant hamster cell mutants resistant to oxygenated sterols

Stable mutants of Dede and CHO cells, resistant to suppression of cholesterogenesis by oxygenated sterols, have been isolated in a single step. Luria-Delbruck fluctuation analysis indicated a random occurrence of resistance at a rate of 1×10−7 mutations/cell/generation. Cholesterol biosynthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity, and growth of the mutant cells were coordinately resistant to oxygenated sterols in the culture medium, and this resistance was expressed as a dominant traint in somatic cell hybrids of the wild-type and mutant cells. The dominant resistance was employed in the selection of various cell hybrids. There was complete additivity of reductase activities in mixed lysates of inhibited wild-type and uninhibited mutant cells, indicating that cytosolic (in)activation factors were not causative of this resistance. We suggest that oxygenated sterols are (co)repressors in suppression of the synthesis of the reductase and that the resistance mutant phenotypes result from altered regulatory loci.
The adsorption and photochemistry of CD3I on TiO2(110)

The adsorption and photochemistry of CD3I adsorbed on TiO2(110) at ∼110 K has been studied by means of temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Complex desorption behavior is observed in TPD suggesting the presence of several distinct coverage regimes. At submonolayer coverages there are two coexisting phases: one dominated by adsorbate–adsorbate interaction, the other dominated by adsorbate–substrate interactions. The first completed monolayer corresponds to (3.8±0.3)×1014 molecules cm−2 and shows only one desorption peak, although this is broad and extends asymmetrically to high temperature indicative of a changing desorption activation energy. With increasing coverage, a discrete, less tightly bound second layer is formed which slowly rearranges to produce three‐dimensional clusters of methyl iodide, as indicated by a sharp reduction in the I (3d5/2)/Ti(2p) XPS intensity ratio. There is evidence that this rearrangement does not involve the first monolayer. Ir...
The clinical pharmacology of vancomycin in seriously ill preterm infants.

ABSTRACT.: The first dose and steady state pharmacokinetics of vancomycin were studied in 16 seriously ill preterm infants (≤34 wk gestational age) with documented Staphylococcus epidermidis infections. One infant was dropped from the study due to peripheral flushing occurring during administration of the first dose. Individual vancomycin doses ranged from 9.8 to 17.8 mg/kg and were infused intravenously over 15-37 min. Fifteen infants were studied after the first dose of vancomycin, whereas only 12 of these 15 were able to be studied under steady state conditions. Vancomycin half-life, steady-state volume of distribution, and body clearance averaged 6.0 h, 0.53 liter/kg, and 1.22 ml/min after the first dose and only slight differences were observed in these parameter estimates under steady state conditions. However, substantial accumulation of vancomycin in serum was observed with multiple dosing. Complete 8-h urine collections were possible in 12 of 15 premature infants after the first dose of vancomycin. Overall, 44.6% of the dose was recovered in the urine with a corresponding vancomycin renal C1R averaging 0.88 ml/min. Vancomycin body Cl correlated directly with renal C1R (r = 0.88, p < 0.001) and body weight (r = 0.8, p < 0.001). Vancomycin pharmacokinetic parameter estimates Vdss and Cl correlated directly with body weight, surface area, and postconceptional age. No significant relationships were observed between these parameter estimates and gestational age or postnatal age. Fourteen of 15 infants were treated successfully for their underlying infectious process. These data support the use of lower doses of vancomycin than previously recommended for the treatment of preterm infants.
Big Events and Risks to Global Substance Using Populations: Unique Threats and Common Challenges

In this commentary, we review a set of "Big Events" from around the world that have adversely impacted substance using populations by first identifying common thematic areas between them, and then describing the unique challenges faced by the diverse and vulnerable populations impacted. The Big Events reviewed are multifaceted and complex in nature, and include the recent global financial crisis, economic and trade sanctions, political transition and its impact on ethnic minorities, colonialism and indigenous communities, and ecological disasters. All have led to immense trauma, displacement, and disruption to critical healthcare services/treatment for people who use drugs, populations who are left underserved in the midst of these crises. It is our hope that through this comparative assessment, global policymakers will proactively identify Big Events and prioritize the development of interventions and policy that meet the unique and immediate needs of substance using population in order to mitigate the significant negative short- and long-term impacts on global public health.
G54 Should Hypernatremia Be Taken Seriously in the Paediatric Critical Care Setting

Aims Hypernatremia in the critical care setting is frequently observed and is shown to be associated with higher mortality in adults. We studied the prevalence and factors surrounding the presence of hypernatremia in a paediatric critical care unit. Method From April 2007 to March 2009, the presence of hypernatremia defined as sodium (Na) greater or equal to 150mmol/l was studied. Demographic details of patients, including the primary intensive care unit (ICU) diagnosis were noted. The duration and peak of hypernatremia along with fluid and diuretic management was reviewed. Results 130 episodes of hypernatremia (10%) were detected in a total of 1301 ICU admissions over this period. Excluding 14 patients who had a head injury as cause for admission requiring active maintenance of higher sodium levels, there were 116 ICU patient episodes of hypernatremia in 104 patients (52 male, 52 female). Hypernatremia ranged from 150 – 182 mmol/l (median 155 mmol/l, IQR 152–158 mmol/l) with a duration range of 1–16 days (median 2 days, IQR 1–3 days) in the entire group. Management was variable from no active intervention to increasing fluids to administrating diuretics. ICU mortality was 4.6% (55 deaths) in the non-hypernatremic group compared to 19.0% (22 deaths) in the hypernatremic group of patients (p Conclusion Hypernatremia in the critical care setting is common and appears to be associated with increased mortality. Fluid management in the sick child can be challenging and the clinician needs to be alerted to initiate optimal fluid management in the hypernatremic child.
The Cavity Method for the Rigidity Transition

In order to motivate an analogy between the rigidity theory and combinatorial optimization, we have used the cavity method to study the floppy to rigid transition in a 2-dimensional (2D) random graph as well as in a 3D small world chain. Our analytic results are in excellent agreement with numerical studies using the pebble game algorithm. We also illustrate that a transfer matrix method is equivalent to the cavity method at the replica symmetric level
Impacts of Florida red tides on coastal communities

Over the last few decades, scientific research has helped to describe the disease neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) by identifying the causative organism, Karenia brevis, and by characterizing the disease-causing toxins, a suite of polyether toxins called brevetoxins. In addition to causing disease in exposed human populations, K. brevis blooms and associated management responses have been linked to other effects on coastal communities. Some of these effects are negative, such as the loss of tourism dollars and the increased burden on local health care services caused by increases in human disease incidence. However, some of the effects are positive, such as the significant improvement in detecting brevetoxins in environmental samples and clinical specimens. This review discusses the health and economic effects from K. brevis blooms on Florida coastal communities and the current efforts to identify the data needed to assess social and cultural effects.
Resveratrol prevents endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling and attenuates development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract Endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of hypertension and vascular oxidative stress can contribute to endothelial dysfunction and hypertension development. Resveratrol is an antioxidant polyphenol which improves endothelium dependent relaxation, the mechanisms of which are unknown. Also, the role of resveratrol in hypertension remains to be established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of resveratrol induced improvement of endothelial function and establish its role in hypertension. SHR and WKY rats, 3–4 weeks old, were treated with resveratrol in drinking water for 10 weeks, untreated SHR and WKY rats served as controls. At the end of the treatment, control SHR exhibited increased blood pressure, oxidative stress and attenuated endothelium dependent relaxation in comparison to WKY rats. The impaired endothelium function in SHR was associated with lower nitrite/nitrate levels, elevated nitrotyrosine content and eNOS uncoupling. Resveratrol treatment attenuated hypertension development in SHR as indicated by lower blood pressure in resveratrol treated SHR (SHR-R) compared to control SHR. SHR-R also exhibited reduced H 2 O 2 content and elevated superoxide dismutase activity. Resveratrol treatment normalized endothelium dependent vasorelaxation in SHR. In parallel, resveratrol restored nitrite/nitrate levels and normalized nitrotyrosine content in SHR. SHR exhibited increased l -arginine dependent superoxide production which was blocked by NOS inhibitor l -NNA, suggesting eNOS uncoupling. eNOS uncoupling was prevented by resveratrol treatment. In conclusion, early treatment with resveratrol lowers oxidative stress, preserves endothelial function and attenuates development of hypertension in SHR. More importantly, prevention of eNOS uncoupling and NO scavenging could represent novel mechanisms for resveratrol-mediated antihypertensive effects.
Clinical effects of early treatment with insulin glargine in patients with cystic fibrosis and impaired glucose tolerance

Diabetes mellitus is an increasing complication of cystic fibrosis (CF), as a result of the improved life expectancy. There is clear association between diabetes and increased morbidity and mortality. Lung function and clinical status deteriorate up to 2-4 yr before the diagnosis of CF-related diabetes (CFRD). The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects, on glucose homeostasis and clinical status, of the early treatment with insulin glargine in CF patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We selected six subjects with IGT diagnosed at oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Median age was 18.12 yr (range 9.2-27.8). Insulin glargine was administered at the median dosage of 0.3 U/kg/day (range 0.2-0.5). After the initial adjustment of the dosage, no patient manifested hypoglycemia during treatment. Median glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) did not show any significant variation during treatment: it was 5.9% at baseline (range 5.5-6.2) and 6.1% (range 5.0-6.7) at the end of follow-up (p=0.496). Median body mass index (BMI) z-score significantly increased during treatment, from -0.95 (range -3.2-+0.6) at baseline to -0.5. (range -3.0-+0.9) at the end of follow-up (p=0.026). Lung function, measured by median forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1%), showed a mild but significant improvement during insulin treatment. It was 72.7% at baseline (range 41.5-98.4) and 76.7% (range 42.0-106.8) at the end of follow-up (p=0.027). No significant variation was found between the number of hospitalizations for clinical exacerbation (no./patient/yr) in the last 2 yr before treatment and during follow-up. Median number at baseline was 1.95/patient/yr (range 1-3) and 2.0/patient/yr (range 1-3) at follow-up (p=0.715). Our data seem to indicate that early insulin therapy can be safe, no patient manifested hypoglycemia or other adverse effects during treatment. Insulin is an anabolic hormone implicated in both lipid and protein metabolism. The appearance of IGT out of infections can indicate an early insulin deficiency, with a potential impact on the nutritional and clinical status of the patient, even before the appearance of overt diabetes. Larger controlled trials are necessary to verify if early insulin therapy is able to reduce the deterioration of nutritional status and lung function associated with the onset of IGT.
The use of Corning® Willow™ glass for flexible CdTe solar cells

New flexible glass products should enable the fabrication of high efficiency, flexible CdTe devices because of their high optical transmission and compatibility with the high temperature processing conditions often used for making high performance CdTe solar cells. Here, we will report on our preliminary results using Corning® Willow™ Glass in a high temperature CdTe device fabrication process. For all device studies, we used MOCVD deposited SnO2:F/SnO2 bilayers as the transparent conducting oxide/buffer. We investigated CdS window layers deposited by both room temperature sputtering and chemical bath deposition (CBD). Using 550°C CdTe layers deposited by close-spaced sublimation (CSS) on both types of CdS layers, we made CdTe devices with efficiencies above 12% with Willow Glass. These efficiencies are comparable to identically processed devices on rigid glass, confirming that Willow Glass is compatible with all high temperature CdTe processing steps.
Routes of delivery for progesterone and progestins

The trends in postmenopausal hormonal therapy (HT) seem to favor the non-oral delivery routes for both the estrogen and the progestin for women with an intact uterus. Targeting the lowest possible dose of the progestin or of the natural hormone progesterone to be delivered directly to the uterus, the target organ for which it is designed, would avoid the possible drawbacks of systemic effects of progestins on other targets. Several delivery systems are either available or in development including vaginal gels and vaginal rings delivering the physiological hormone progesterone or intrauterine systems delivering very low doses of levonorgestrel. In addition, transdermal gels and spray are under development and can deliver very low doses of Nestorone a 19-norprogesterone derivative, not active orally but with high progestational activity when given via non-oral routes. The assumption that these new delivery systems should lead to an improved risk/benefit ratio in HT will need to be demonstrated in larger randomized controlled studies.
Calcium and Vitamin D Metabolism in the Dairy Cow

Abstract Most dairy cows experience some degree of hypocalcemia during the periparturient period. There is, however, a subgroup of dairy cows that experience a breakdown in their ability to maintain plasma calcium and, consequently, suffer from severe hypocalcemia. This condition is also known as milk fever and usually occurs in cows in their third or greater lactation. The precise metabolic lesions responsible for the onset of milk fever have not yet been defined. Research has shown that milk fever is not the result of inadequate production of calcitropic hormones (parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D), but rather is more likely a result of inadequate receptor numbers or receptor dysfunction in the target cell of these hormones. This report reviews vitamin D and calcium metabolism, giving emphasis to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor regulation and function as related to the periparturient dairy cow. The report also focuses on providing insights into nutritional (anionic diets) and endocrine strategies that have proved useful in milk fever management.
Symbolism Versus Policy Learning Public Opinion of the 1996 U.S. Welfare Reforms

The logic of democracy rests on the assumption that policymakers respond to public preferences, which, in turn, respond to policy developments. We address the question of how policy might affect public opinion by analyzing public opinion before and after the 1996 U.S. Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. We hypothesized that changes made by the legislation would have improved opinions of welfare recipients. Using U.S. surveys from 1994 and 2001, we find that public opinion was more positive postreform and that the change was because of the enactment of welfare reform itself, not any perceived program success.
Long-term patient-controlled analgesia in children.

Summary Three children who received patient-controlled analgesia for periods of up to 41 days are described. In each case patient-controlled analgesia allowed pain control to be achieved in difficult situations. No patient developed tolerance or clinical signs of dependence. This use of long-term patient-controlled analgesia warrants further evaluation.
Modification of pain through covert positive reinforcement.

Summary.-This study investigated the effectiveness of covert positive reinforcement in modifying response to cold-pressor pain and in increasing the use of prescribed adaptive imagery. 80 women were randomly assigned to covert positive reinforcement, backward conditioning, covert rehearsal, and expectancy conditions. Covert positive reinforcement did not yield either greater pain tolerance and use of adaptive imagery or less subjective discomfort than the other conditions. Modification of pain was not associated with the use of adaptive imagery but was correlated with the clarity of imagery. 64% of the subjects reported using self-generated coping strategies. The results of this scudy contribute to the body of evidence which does not support the operant conceptualization of covert positive reinforcement. Covert positive reinforcement has recently been used to modify responses to experimentally induced pain (Bennett & Cautela, 1981; Scott & Leonard, 1978; Turkat & Adarns, 1982). Although these studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of such reinforcement, they have not adequately evaluated the operant underpinnings of the technique or the dimensions of imagery thought to mediate changes in pain responses. The purposes of this investigation were (a) to evaluate the effectiveness of covert positive reinforcement in modifying tolerance and discomfort for cold-pressor pain, (b) to test the operant foundation of such reinforcement, (c) to determine whether such reinforcement could increase the use of prescribed adaptive imagery, and (d) to define the relationships between the use of adaptive imagery and changes in pain responses and between the clarity of imagery and changes in pain responses.
Changes in cytosol and membrane TNF inhibitory protein-B1 levels associated with protection from TNF-induced cytotoxicity

SPECIFIC AIMSTIP-B1, a 27 kDa protein, was first identified by our laboratory as a cytosolic protein produced by cells pretreated with low, nontoxic levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) that protects cells from the cytotoxicity induced by high, toxic levels of TNF. Two primary aims of these studies were to establish whether or not untreated normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) express TIP-B1 and, if so, to determine its cellular localization. A third aim was to determine whether there were changes in TIP-B1 levels or location during protective TNF pretreatment.PRINCIPAL FINDINGS1. Anti-TIP-B1 antisera detect TIP-B1 in membrane and cytosolic protein preparations from NHDFWe used two antisera in these studies: one raised against purified native TIP-B1 (anti-TIP-B1) and an antiserum raised against a 14 kDa recombinant protein (rTIP-B1partial) that is the carboxyl half of TIP-B1 (anti-rTIP-B1p). Both antisera recognized a 26/27 kDa protein doublet in Western blots of NHDF cytosolic proteins. Excess rTIP-B1...
Recent Evidence for Rapid Synthesis and Action of Oestrogens During Auditory Processing in a Songbird

It is now clear that oestrogens are not only circulating reproductive hormones, but that they also have neurotransmitter-like properties in a wide range of brain circuits. The view of oestrogens as intrinsic neuromodulators that shape behaviour has been bolstered by a series of recent developments from multiple vertebrate model systems. Here, we review several recent findings from studies of songbirds showing how the identified neural circuits that govern auditory processing and sensorimotor integration are modulated by the local and acute production of oestrogens. First, studies using in vivo microdialysis demonstrate that oestrogens fluctuate in the auditory cortex (30-min time bin resolution) when songbirds are hearing song and interacting with conspecifics. Second, oestrogens rapidly boost the auditory-evoked activity of neurones in the same auditory cortical region, enhancing auditory processing. Third, local pharmacological blockade of oestrogen signalling in this region impairs auditory neuronal responsiveness, as well as behavioural song preferences. Fourth, the rapid actions of oestrogens that occur within the auditory cortex can propagate downstream (trans-synaptically) to sensorimotor circuits to enhance the neural representation of song. Lastly, we present new evidence showing that the receptor for the rapid actions of oestradiol is likely in neuronal membranes, and that traditional nuclear oestrogen receptor agonists do not mimic these rapid actions. Broadly speaking, many of these findings are observed in both males and females, emphasising the fundamental importance of oestrogens in neural circuit function. Together, these and other emergent studies provide support for rapid, brain-derived oestrogen signalling in regulating sensorimotor integration, learning and perception.
A Unified Electron Transfer Model for the Different Precursors and Excited States of the Hydrated Electron

Femtosecond spectroscopy measurements are reported on the electron transfer, ET, reactions of the precursor states of the hydrated electron in the multiphoton ionization of water and the single-photon ionization of Fe(CN)64- in aqueous solutions. The ET reaction corresponds to an electron scavenging by various electron acceptors, such as Cd2+. Using the data reported herein, and previously published data on the scavenging kinetics of other electron precursors (e.g., from radiolysis) and optically excited states of the hydrated electron, it was shown that the rate constant of ET varies inversely with the volume of specific form of the hydrated electron. These data strongly support a unified model for the electron-transfer kinetics of many forms of delocalized electrons with localized electron acceptors in which ET rates are assumed to be proportional to the average electron density of the specific hydrated electron excited state or precursor.
The peer review system (PRS) for quality assurance and treatment improvement in radiation therapy

Peer reviews are needed across all disciplines of medicine to address complex medical challenges in disease care, medical safety, insurance coverage handling, and public safety. Radiation therapy utilizes technologically advanced imaging for treatment planning, often with excellent efficacy. Since planning data requirements are substantial, patients are at risk for repeat diagnostic procedures or suboptimal therapeutic intervention due to a lack of knowledge regarding previous treatments. The Peer Review System (PRS) will make this critical radiation therapy information readily available on demand via Web technology. The PRS system has been developed with current Web technology, .NET framework, and in-house DICOM library. With the advantages of Web server-client architecture, including IIS web server, SOAP Web Services and Silverlight for the client side, the patient data can be visualized through web browser and distributed across multiple locations by the local area network and Internet. This PRS will significantly improve the quality, safety, and accessibility, of treatment plans in cancer therapy. Furthermore, the secure Web-based PRS with DICOM-RT compliance will provide flexible utilities for organization, sorting, and retrieval of imaging studies and treatment plans to optimize the patient treatment and ultimately improve patient safety and treatment quality.
Disruptive behavior disorders and substance use disorders in adolescents.

Abstract Disruptive behaviors disorders in the form of conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and/or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are found in a majority of adolescents with substance use disorders. These disorders influence the risk for and the course of substance use disorders in adolescents and potentially provide important targets for intervention. Interventions such as family therapy and multisystemic therapy can focus on important environmental factors that help to produce and sustain substance use, related problems and disruptive/deviant social behavior. Researchers and clinicians are increasingly utilizing multimodal approaches that use several psychosocial approaches in addition to medication, if indicated. This article reviews our current understanding of the relationship between disruptive behavior disorders and substance use disorders in adolescents and the importance of this understanding in the prevention, assessment and treatment of adolescents with substance use disorders.
Optimization of the GaAs-delta-doped p-i-n quantum-well APD

We examine the basic design issues in the optimization of a GaAs delta-doped quantum well avalanche photodiode structure using a theoretical analysis based on an ensemble Monte Carlo simulation. The device is a variation of the p-i-n doped quantum well structure previously described in the literature. It has the same low-noise, high-gain, and high-bandwidth features as the p-i-n doped quantum well device. However, the use of delta doping provides far greater control of the doping concentrations within each stage possibly enhancing the extent to which the device can be depleted. As a result, it is expected that the proposed device will operate at higher gain levels at very low noise than devices previously developed.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Teachers as Builders of Respectful School Climates: Implications for Adolescent Drug Use Norms and Depressive Symptoms in High School

Positive school climates have been found to have favorable effects on adolescent health risk behaviors and mental health outcomes. However, the mechanisms by which teacher behavior may promote such effects in high schools have not been extensively studied. Based on social control theory and a social developmental-contex- tual model, it was predicted that by respecting students' points of view and decision making capabilities, teachers can help build respectful school climates that encourage healthy norms of behavior. Structural equation modeling with a nationally representative sample of 476 youth ages 14-18 supported the model. Adolescents who reported higher teacher support and regard for student perspectives in their high schools were more likely to see their schools as having respectful climates and healthy norms of drug use which was associated with lower levels of personal drug use. Students in such schools also reported greater social belonging and fewer symptoms of depression.
On the maternal transmission of immunity: A ‘molecular attention’ hypothesis

Maternally-derived antibodies can provide passive protection to their offspring. More subtle phenomena associated with maternal antibodies concern their influence in shaping the immune repertoire and priming the neonatal immune response. These phenomena suggest that maternal antibodies play a role in the education of the neonatal immune system. The educational effects are thought to be mediated by idiotypic interactions among antibodies and B cells in the context of an idiotypic network. This paper proposes that maternal antibodies trigger localized idiotypic network activity that serves to amplify and translate information concerning the molecular shapes of potential antigens. The triggering molecular signals are contained in the binding regions of the antibody molecules. These antibodies form complexes and are taken up by antigen presenting cells or retained by follicular dendritic cells and thereby incorporated into more traditional cellular immune memory mechanisms. This mechanism for maternal transmission of immunity is termed the molecular attention hypothesis and is contrasted to the dynamic memory hypothesis. Experiments are proposed that may help indicate which models are more appropriate and will further our understanding of these intriguing natural phenomena. Finally, analogies are drawn to attention in neural systems.
An Application of Walsh Functions in Radio Astronomy Instrumentation

Walsh functions can be used to advantage to perform phase switching in antenna arrays used for radio mapping of the sky by Fourier synthesis. This paper describes the reason for phase switching, the advantage of using Walsh functions, and the implementation of these ideas in the Very Large Array (VLA) program of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.1
The phenotypic radiation resistance of CD44+/CD24(-or low) breast cancer cells is mediated through the enhanced activation of ATM signaling.

Cancer initiating cells (CIC) are stem-like cells. CIC may contribute not only to the initiation of cancer but also to cancer recurrence because of the resistance of CIC both to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. From the MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 breast cancer cell lines and primary culture of patient breast cancer cells, we isolated by flow cytometry a CIC subset of cells with the CD44+/CD24−or low phenotype. The CD44+/CD24−or low subset showed increased sphere formation and resistance to radiation compared to the non- CD44+/CD24−or low subset. The increased radiation resistance was not dependent on the result of altered non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) DNA repair activity as both NHEJ activity and expression of the various proteins involved in NHEJ were not significantly different between the CD44+/CD24−or low and non- CD44+/CD24−or low subsets. However, activation of ATM signaling was significantly increased in CD44+/CD24−or low cells compared to non- CD44+/CD24−or low cells in both from breast cancer cell lines and primary human breast cancer cells. Application of an ATM inhibitor effectively decreased the radiation resistance of CD44+/CD24−or low subset, suggesting that targeting ATM signaling may provide a new tool to eradicate stem-like CIC and abolish the radiation resistance of breast cancer.
A Theory for Strain-Based Structural System Identification

A theory for structural system identification which utilizes strains and translational displacements as measured outputs is presented. The state variables of the fundamental first-order form consist of the strains and the elemental or substructural rigid-body motion amplitudes. The theory is applicable to, and to some respects, motivated by the advances and expanded use of embedded piezoelectric sensors and fiber optics. A distinct feature of the present theory is its ability to provide rotational flexibility without having to measure rotational quantities. The theory is illustrated by simple ideal examples.
Underground Markets as Fields in Transition: Sex Work in New York City†

Most ethnographers visualize their fieldwork study vis-a-vis their long-term commitment to a bounded sociospatial context—an “ecology.” In this manner, the majority of ethnographic studies are presented as studies not only of practices but also of recognizable physical ecologies that breathe life into the practices—for example, homes, ghettos, firms, schools, and so on. In the pages that follow, I consider the ways in which the status of place has shifted in urban sex work. The shifting commerce of sexual services in New York enables me to open up a set of methodological issues about the role of space in ethnographic work. One in particular is at the core of this paper: namely, because so many ethnographic labors begin with the selection of a field site, what conceptual issues arise that fieldworkers must pay attention to vis-a-vis that decision? For example, the field site may change, the field site may itself be shaped by wider societal forces, and it may be simply dissolve over time. How does any of this impact a technique that is premised on the dependability of “sitting” so that others may be dependably followed? I draw on the notion of “strategic action fields” to present an alternative analytic framework, one more useful for the challenges ethnographers face.
Stable crack growth in a surface compression-strengthened hollow cylinder

In this paper the static fatigue problem for a circumferentially cracked hollow cylinder is examined. For this particular configuration, stable crack growth, in the absense of any external forces, is determined for cylinders with axial components of residual stress which are compressive on the inner and outer radial surfaces and tensile in the cylinder wall. An initial surface crack which is deep enough to penetrate the compression strengthened surface region and enters the tensile zone may propagate in a stable manner until either sudden spontaneous failure occurs or the crack arrests. Since a portion of the crack near the cylinder surface will be closed because of the compressive residual stress field, an additional unknown in the problem is the extent of the crack surface contact. This crack surface contact length is determined by iteration on the integral equation which arises in the mathematical derivation for an embedded circumferential crack in a hollow cylinder. As an illustration of stable crack growth for this geometry with a realistic residual stress distribution, numerical results are presented for a hollow, soda-lime glass cylinder, based on crack growth rates in soda-lime glass exposed to water at 25‡ C. Using the fracture toughness and slow crack growth characteristics for soda-lime glass, the conditions for no crack propagation, crack propagation leading to crack arrest, and catastrophic failure are established.
Macrophage mediated cytotoxicity in man: Role of hydrocortisone, trypan blue, chloroquine and prednisolone☆

Abstract Human macrophages can be activated with mediator-rich supernatants from antigen-stimulated cells to kill human tumor cells. This system was utilized to study the role of cell contact and lysosomal enzyme release in the cytotoxicity of the mediator activated human macrophages. We found that contact between the effector and target cells was essential to obtain cytotoxicity. When the activated macrophages were incubated with drugs which stabilize lysosomal membranes such as trypan blue, hydrocortisone, chloroquine and prednisolone, the cytotoxic effects of these treated macrophages was inhibited. Recovery in cytotoxicity was observed as the dose of drug utilized was decreased. Cytotoxicity equivalent to that observed with no added drug was found at concentration of 4.2×10−6 M for trypan blue, 3.6×10−8 M for hydrocortisone and 5 × 10−7 M for both chloroquine and prednisolone. Pretreatment of macrophages with a dose of hydrocortisone known to inhibit cytotoxicity (3.6 × 10−5 M) resulted in decreased release of the lysosomal enzyme, acid phosphatase, in comparison to untreated macrophages. These results suggest that macrophage lysosomal enzymes contribute to macrophage mediated cytotoxicity in man.
Comprehending news articles: Updating the news

Abstract Two experiments examined how people updated their knowledge gained from reading newspaper stories. Participants in a related condition read an initial news story on one day, and then read two consecutive updates on two subsequent days. Participants in control conditions read the same stories as those in the related condition, but without having read the prior related news stories. Participants in the related condition constructed propositions faster than participants in the control conditions when the propositions had appeared in an earlier story, but no difference was found for new, previously unknown propositions (Experiment 1). When participants read for recall inExperiment 2, participants in the related condition read the new propositions slower than participants in the control conditions, but no difference was found for previously known propositions. The data suggest that participants update a previously constructed knowledge structure only when they take an active role in acquiring information. When readers take a less active role, the representation of previously read related text facilitate comprehension by priming related propositions.
The distended neonate

A prospective study, followed by a retrospective audit, was made of the radiographs and clinical features of 225 consecutive neonates with abdominal distension presenting during a period of 4 years. More than one major cause for the distension was found in a third of cases. Excluding cases of ano-rectal atresia, diagnostic difficulties were encountered in 31% of cases and, occasionally, the diagnosis was revised several times as investigations proceeded. Neuhauser's sign of 'bubbly' meconium is unreliable, being found in cases of meconium ileus, ileal atresia, Hirschsprung's disease and necrotising enterocolitis. Concomitant small-bowel atresia should be suspected in all cases of meconium ileus; intestinal malrotation should be considered in association with duodenal and intestinal atresias. In the absence of an obvious anatomical defect, it is difficult to differentiate between the various causes of functional obstruction by radiological means alone and all such infants should be referred to a specialised centre for intensive investigation and treatment. Very often, the skills of a neonatologist, paediatric surgeon and, especially, an experienced pathologist will be required in addition to those of the radiologist.
Fault Tolerant Distributed Computing Using Asynchronous Local Checkpointing

The transactor model, an extension to the actor model, specifies an operational semantics to model concurrent systems with globally consistent distributed state. The semantics formalizes tracks dependencies among loosely coupled distributed components to ensure fault tolerance through a two-phase commit protocol and to issue rollbacks in the presence of failures or state inconsistency. In this paper, we introduce the design of a transactor language as an extension of an existing actor language and highlight the capabilities of this programming model. We developed our transactor language using SALSA, an actor language developed as a dialect of Java. We first develop a basic transactor SALSA/Java library, which implements the fundamental semantics of the transactor model following the operational semantics' transition rules. We then illustrate two example programs written using this library. Furthermore, we introduce a state storage abstraction known as the Uniform Storage Locator following the Universal Actor Name and Universal Actor Locator abstractions from SALSA that uses a storage service to maintain checkpointed transactor states. The transactor model guarantees safety but not progress. Therefore, to help develop realistic transactor programs that make progress, we introduce the Consistent Distributed State Protocol and Ping Director that improve upon the Universal Checkpointing Protocol to aid transactor programs in reaching globally consistent distributed states.
Initiation of Protein Synthesis in Mammalian Cells with Codons Other Than AUG and Amino Acids Other Than Methionine

Protein synthesis is initiated universally with the amino acid methionine. In Escherichia coli, studies with anticodon sequence mutants of the initiator methionine tRNA have shown that protein synthesis can be initiated with several other amino acids. In eukaryotic systems, however, a yeast initiator tRNA aminoacylated with isoleucine was found to be inactive in initiation in mammalian cell extracts. This finding raised the question of whether methionine is the only amino acid capable of initiation of protein synthesis in eukaryotes. In this work, we studied the activities, in initiation, of four different anticodon sequence mutants of human initiator tRNA in mammalian COS1 cells, using reporter genes carrying mutations in the initiation codon that are complementary to the tRNA anticodons. The mutant tRNAs used are aminoacylated with glutamine, methionine, and valine. Our results show that in the presence of the corresponding mutant initiator tRNAs, AGG and GUC can initiate protein synthesis in COS1 cells with methionine and valine, respectively. CAG initiates protein synthesis with glutamine but extremely poorly, whereas UAG could not be used to initiate protein synthesis with glutamine. We discuss the potential applications of the mutant initiator tRNA-dependent initiation of protein synthesis with codons other than AUG for studying the many interesting aspects of protein synthesis initiation in mammalian cells.
A Methodological Review of Research on Leadership Development and Social Capital: Is There a Cause and Effect Relationship?.

Recent interest in studying social aspects of leadership has brought attention to the relationship between leadership and social capital. There is also growing interest among stakeholders (researchers, practitioners, funders, and program participants) to improve evaluation methods for leadership development programs (LDPs). The purpose of the present review is to determine the extent to which recent LDP evaluation efforts can support a causal assertion that participation in an LDP enhances an individual’s or group’s social capital. Although they do not dispute that a relationship between leadership and social capital exists, using basic requirements for causal inference described by Shadish, Cook, and Campbell, the authors conclude that the existing literature does not support a causal inference that participation in an LDP necessarily enhances social capital. The limited corpus of work reviewed in this article is indicative of the dearth of scholarly writing on the matter of leadership development effort...
MEMS variable‐capacitor phase shifters part I: Loaded‐line phase shifter

This article describes the design and characterization of a continuously variable loaded-line phase shifter using micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) variable capacitors as phase shifting components. The design and characterization of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) variable capacitors for operation at 26.5 GHz is described. A lumped-element model is obtained from measurements and physical consideration. Experimental results show a capacitance-tuning ratio of 3.7:1. The capacitor's characterization results are used for designing the phase shifter. A phase shift of 40.5° at 26.5 GHz for a loaded-line type has been measured. There is good agreement between simulated and measured results. A companion article (Part II) describes the application of these variable capacitors to the design of reflection-type phase shifters. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 13: 321–337, 2003.
Individual Productivity and Impact in Counseling Psychology

Individual eminence in counseling psychology was examined through a textbook citation analysis conducted on four current textbooks and the three most recent Annual Review of Psychology chapters on counseling psychology. For the 223 leading authors in this textbook citation study, data on individual research productivity in psychology (from 1980 to 1990), and on a subset of eight journals of special importance for counseling psychology (also from 1980-1990) was obtained from the PsycLIT data base. An estimate of the scholarly impact of these authors was obtained from citation counts from the 1987 through 1990 volumes of the Social Sciences Citation Index.
Are Your Hosts Trading or Plotting? Telling P2P File-Sharing and Bots Apart

Peer-to-peer (P2P) substrates are now widely used for both file-sharing and botnet command-and-control. Despite the commonality of their substrates, we show that the different goals and circumstances of these applications give rise to behaviors that can be distinguished in network flow records. Using features related to traffic volume, “churn” among peers, and differences between human-driven and machine-driven traffic, we develop a technique for identifying P2P bots (the Plotters) and, in particular, separating them from file-sharing hosts (the Traders). Evaluations performed on traffic recorded at the edge of a university network show that we can achieve, e.g., 87.50% detection of Storm bots with a 0.47% false positive rate. We also demonstrate the significant extent to which Plotter behaviors would need to change to evade our technique.
Fluctuations of muon energy loss and simulation of ionization cooling

A Monte Carlo program to simulate muon ionization cooling is outlined. A Vavilov-type distribution to represent restricted ionization energy losses is derived. Above the restriction threshold μe scattering is treated event-by-event. Likewise μ-nucleus elastic scattering is simulated by a Gaussian below some angular threshold and treated individually above it. Other processes included are: incoherent μp scattering with nuclear protons, bremsstrahlung, pair production, and deep inelastic nuclear scattering. A small sample of results obtained with the code is included.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN RURAL ALASKA: A Behavior Analytic Exploration

Substance abuse in villages in rural Alaska has become an endemic tragedy. This article provides a summary contingency analysis of four behavioral repertoires: first use and experimentation with substances, regular use, problem use, and relapse. For each of these areas, the paper examines existing programs, as well as potential community-level approaches suggested by behavior analysis, and relevant questions for further research. The author suggests that far from being hopeless, severe and important social problems like those addressed here are potentially amenable to intervention, and that behavior analysis may provide powerful tools for genuine social impact. While there is a critical need for continuing basic research, our current knowledge base may be adequate to allow behavior analysts to begin to grapple with major applied issues; important knowledge can emerge from these efforts as well.