cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of depressive symptoms among established Vietnamese refugees in the United States: detection in a primary care setting.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Vietnamese refugees who have lived in the United States for at least two months.
Stress relaxation of vulcanized rubbers II — Mathematical analysis of observations

Abstract The relaxation of stress of vulcanized rubber measured continuously at constant temperature and elongation can be described in terms of four physical constants associated with chain and crosslink scission. A method of evaluating these physical constants from experimental observations of continuous stress relaxation is described here. The method of analysis consists of fitting the logarithm of the stress data by a terminated series of Chebyshev polynomials; re-arranging to express the data as a Taylor series; equating the first four experimentally derived Taylor series coefficients with the theoretical expressions for these coefficients obtained from the postulated mechanism and hence obtaining sets of values for the constants. Chebyshev polynomial expressions of orders eight to four are fitted to the data successively and various sets of values of the physical constants obtained. Substitution of the sets of values of the constants in the theoretical expression for stress relaxation enables the stress to be calculated at various times and calculated values are compared with the observed values. The set of physical values selected as the solution is that which gives the best agreement between theoretical and observed values of stress.
Graphs with a 3-Cycle-2-Cover

If a graph $$G$$G has three even subgraphs $$C_1$$C1, $$C_2$$C2 and $$C_3$$C3 such that every edge of $$G$$G lies in exactly two members of $$\{C_1, C_2, C_3\}$${C1,C2,C3}, then we say that $$G$$G has a 3-cycle-2-cover. Let $$S_3$$S3 denote the family of graphs that admit a 3-cycle-2-cover, and let $$\mathcal {S}(h,k) = \{G:$$S(h,k)={G:$$G$$G is at most $$h$$h edges short of being $$k$$k-edge-connected$$\}$$}. Catlin (J Gr Theory 13:465---483, 1989) introduced a reduction method such that a graph $$G \in S_3$$G?S3 if its reduction is in $$S_3$$S3; and proved that a graph in the graph family $$\mathcal {S}(5,4)$$S(5,4) is either in $$S_3$$S3 or its reduction is in a forbidden collection consisting of only one graph. In this paper, we introduce a weak reduction for $$S_3$$S3 such that a graph $$G \in S_3$$G?S3 if its weak reduction is in $$S_3$$S3, and identify several graph families, including $$\mathcal {S}(h,4)$$S(h,4) for an integer $$h \ge 0$$h?0, with the property that any graph in these families is either in $$S_3$$S3, or its weak reduction falls into a finite collection of forbidden graphs.
Recovery of hypothalamic tuberoinfundibular dopamine neurons from acute toxicant exposure is dependent upon protein synthesis and associated with an increase in parkin and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 expression

Hypothalamic tuberoinfundibular dopamine (TIDA) neurons remain unaffected in Parkinson disease (PD) while there is significant degeneration of midbrain nigrostriatal dopamine (NSDA) neurons. A similar pattern of susceptibility is observed in acute and chronic 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse and rotenone rat models of degeneration. It is not known if the resistance of TIDA neurons is a constitutive or induced cell-autonomous phenotype for this unique subset of DA neurons. In the present study, treatment with a single injection of MPTP (20 mg/kg; s.c.) was employed to examine the response of TIDA versus NSDA neurons to acute injury. An acute single dose of MPTP caused an initial loss of DA from axon terminals of both TIDA and NSDA neurons, with recovery occurring solely in TIDA neurons by 16 h post-treatment. Initial loss of DA from axon terminals was dependent on a functional dopamine transporter (DAT) in NSDA neurons but DAT-independent in TIDA neurons. The active metabolite of MPTP, 1-methyl, 4-phenylpyradinium (MPP+), reached higher concentration and was eliminated slower in TIDA compared to NSDA neurons, which indicates that impaired toxicant bioactivation or distribution is an unlikely explanation for the observed resistance of TIDA neurons to MPTP exposure. Inhibition of protein synthesis prevented TIDA neuron recovery, suggesting that the ability to recover from injury was dependent on an induced, rather than a constitutive cellular mechanism. Further, there were no changes in total tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression following MPTP, indicating that up-regulation of the rate-limiting enzyme in DA synthesis does not account for TIDA neuronal recovery. Differential candidate gene expression analysis revealed a time-dependent increase in parkin and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1) expression (mRNA and protein) in TIDA neurons during recovery from injury. Parkin expression was also found to increase with incremental doses of MPTP. The increase in parkin expression occurred specifically within TIDA neurons, suggesting that these neurons have an intrinsic ability to up-regulate parkin in response to MPTP-induced injury. These data suggest that TIDA neurons have a compensatory mechanism to deal with toxicant exposure and increased oxidative stress, and this unique TIDA neuron phenotype provides a platform for dissecting the mechanisms involved in the natural resistance of central DA neurons following toxic insult.
The effects of theophylline and cyclic AMP on intestinal smooth muscle contractions.

Abstract The effects of 10 −4 -10 −3 M theopphylline, cyclic 3'5'-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBC) and theophylline plus DBC were observed on the spontaneous and potassium (K)-induced contractions of the guinea-pig taenia coli. All of the compounds inhibited spontaneous contractions as well as the phasic and tonic components of the K-contracture. The effects of cyclic AMP, a compound which will not readily penetrate the cell membrane, were similar to those of the other compounds in inhibiting the spontaneous and phasic contractions, but it was a less effective inhibitor of the tonic contracture. Inhibition of spontaneous and phasic activity may occur at the cell membrane while the inhibitory actions on the tonic contracture may depend on cellular penetration by the inhibitor. There was no evidence that theophylline and DBC have different sites of action.
When PRRs collide: mincle meddles with dectin and toll.

Pattern recognition receptors (PRR) promote pathogen eradication and shape adaptive immunity. Although evidence suggests PRRs can antagonize each other, few detailed mechanisms are known. Wevers et al. (2014) uncover a mechanism of PRR antagonism where fungal-induced Mincle signaling suppresses IL-12 transcription induced by other PRRs and thereby abates antifungal immunity.
Short-term demographic response of the red-backed vole to spruce beetle infestations in Alaska

Abstract How small mammals are affected by habitat changes caused by forest insect epidemics is largely unknown. Our objective was to determine the influence of spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) epidemics on the dynamics of northern red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilus) populations approximately 10 years post-infestation. We conducted a mark–recapture study on northern red-backed voles for 2 field seasons in the Copper River Basin, Alaska, USA, where recent beetle infestations were widespread. Using the robust sampling design, we produced estimates of vole abundance, survival, and recruitment in 3 locations that varied in their degree of beetle-induced spruce mortality. Vole abundance inversely related to the level of spruce mortality. Vole recruitment showed a larger contribution from both immigration and in situ reproduction in the low infestation site than in the medium and heavy infestation sites. No differences in vole survival were detectable across the 3 locations with varied beetle-induced...
Advances in ceramic composites reinforced by continuous fibers

Abstract Ceramic matrix composites reinforced with continuous fibers are on the verge of insertion into hot engineering structures. Yet current research is only beginning to attack some of the most critical problems. Key developments in the last 24 months include the formulation of constitutive laws for continuum mechanics analyses; the discovery of stable weak oxide—oxide interface systems; the analysis of how fiber creep limits life at high temperatures; confrontation of the problem of oxidation pesting at intermediate temperatures in SiC based systems; re-examination of the maxim that interfaces must be weak; and the advent of textile reinforcement as the solution to delamination problems.
Double-layer capacitors composed of interconnected silver particles and with a high-frequency response

Abstract Porous and multi-layer network of interconnected silver particles is deposited by galvanic displacement on a technologically relevant substrate, silicon with an aluminum/copper film. The mean particle diameter is approximately 200 nm and the particle density in a single layer is 10 9 particles per cm 2 . Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveal that capacitance normalized to the electrode geometric area reaches a value of 1.7 ± 0.2 mF/cm 2 , which is about two orders of magnitude higher than that observed on a smooth silver/electrolyte interface. The specific surface area of silver particles, which are assumed to be spherical, is 2.7 m 2 /g. The electrolyte accessible surface area is slightly larger (3.5 m 2 /g) due to the surface roughness of silver particles. The frequency response of the porous network of silver particles is analyzed using the transmission line model. The “knee” frequency is determined to be around 200 Hz. The described capacitor could find applications for special electronic circuits where a high-frequency response is needed.
A Fuzzy Decision System for Fault Classification Under High Levels of Uncertainty

The problem of high levels of uncertainty existing in machine diagnosis is addressed by an approach based on fuzzy logic. In this approach, multiple sensors/channels are used, and the uncertainty is treated by membership functions in different stages of the signal processing. The concepts of fuzziness, fuzzy set, and fuzzy inference are described, particularly for the development of a practical procedure for machine diagnosis. The membership functions are established through a learning process based on test data, rather than being selected a priori. The information-gain weighting functions are also introduced in order to improve the robustness and reliability of this method. As a result, a framework of a Fuzzy Decision System (FDS) is proposed and applied to a machining process. Experiment verification with an optimistic success rate of 97.5 percent was achieved.
Quantitative analysis of protein recovery from dilute, large volume samples by tangential flow ultrafiltration

Abstract Important processes and parameters that affect the recovery yield using tangential flow ultrafiltration for the concentration and purification of proteins from dilute, large volume samples are investigated. Proteins from a radiolabeled E. coli cell lysate are concentrated from 60 and 20 L samples of artificial seawater. First, the improvement in the recovery and carryover with use of surface blocking agents is measured. The surface passivation resulted in a measurable decrease in adsorptive losses with minimal carryover. Additionally, the surface blocking agent pre-treatment resulted in more reproducible and reliable recovery yields (∼55–60%) and enhanced initial relative recovery by 46% for the initial 20 L processed. Second, the effects of the total protein sample concentration on the recovery yield are investigated. At low protein concentration (1.0 μg protein/L) the percent recovery yield was reduced, while at concentrations above 2.0 μg protein/L the percent recovery yield was nearly constant. Third, the components of the system were quantitatively analyzed to identify the relative contribution of the system components to adsorptive loss, and no single component was found to account for a large percent of the adsorptive loss. These results provide quantitative values for the recovery yields and critical information for improving protein recovery.
Effect of obesity on inpatient rehabilitation outcomes after total hip arthroplasty.

Objective: This study examined whether obesity affected inpatient rehabilitation outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Research Methods and Procedures: This was a retrospective, comparative study conducted using a computerized medical database derived from THA patients at a university-affiliated rehabilitation hospital (data from 2002 to 2005). Patients were divided into four brackets based on BMI: non-obese (<25 kg/m2), overweight (25 to 29.9 kg/m2), moderate obesity (30 to 39.9 kg/m2), and severe obesity (≥40 kg/m2). All patients completed an interdisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation program after THA. Functional independence measure (FIM) scores, length of stay (LOS), FIM efficiency scores (FIM/LOS), hospital charges, and discharge disposition location were collected. Results: FIM scores improved from admission to discharge similarly in all groups (25 to 29.5 points). However, FIM efficiency, LOS, and total charges were curvilinearly related with BMI (all p < 0.05). Total hospital charges were highest in the severely obese group compared with the overweight group (p < 0.05). Non-homebound discharge disposition rates were lower in non-obese (13.1%) and severely obese groups (10.5%). Discussion: Elevated BMI does not prevent FIM gains in THA patients during inpatient rehabilitation. However, BMI is related with FIM efficiency, LOS, and hospital charges in a curvilinear fashion. Severely obese patients can achieve physical improvements but at a lower efficiency and greater cost.
A survey of classroom practices with third and fourth grade students in the United States

Advocates of special programs for gifted learners have claimed for years that the needs of gifted and talented students are not addressed in regular classrooms in the United States. Are these claims justifiable? The Classroom Practices Survey, conducted by the University of Connecticut site of The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented, investigated this issue through a survey of nearly 4000 third and fourth grade classroom teachers. The results of this nationwide survey indicated that only a limited number of teachers make any modifications in their instructional and curricular practices with gifted and talented students.
Use of the Internet for educational applications in prosthodontics

Internet is the common term for the information superhighway. The Internet has become a major information resource for educational, governmental, and business institutions. This article reviews the current operation of the Internet as a background for discussing educational opportunities for instruction in prosthodontics. Electronic mail, news groups, file transfer protocol, Gopher, and network navigators are discussed. The use of the World Wide Web for educational purposes by The Ohio State University College of Dentistry Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry is described.
A simple model for translational-rotational coupling

We studied a simple model for translational-rotational coupling. Our system is made up from four harmonic oscillators driven by a stochastic force and hindered by friction, which move on the four sides of a square. In the center of the square is a rotating dumbbell molecule, which is coupled to the four oscillators via an attractiver−1 potential. We show details of the dynamics of the system, which indicate that jumps do not always happen through thermally activated crossing of potential barriers but through dynamical deformation of the surrounding.
Self-dual monopoles in a seven-dimensional gauge theory

The existence of self-dual or anti-self-dual monopoles of a seven-dimensional generalized Yang-Mills-Higgs theory is proved using the second-order equations of motion. The behavior of solutions can be used to recognize self- or anti-self-duality. Moreover, it is shown that, in the class of the field configurations under discussion, the solutions are, in fact, unique.
Left ventricular dysfunction after long-term right ventricular apical pacing in the young.

OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to assess long-term global left ventricular (LV) function in patients paced from the right ventricular (RV) apex at a young age. BACKGROUND Ventricular contraction asynchrony with short-term RV apical pacing has been associated with reduced LV pump function and relaxation. The long-term effect of RV apical pacing on global LV function in the young remains unknown. METHODS Twenty-four patients with normal segmental anatomy paced from the RV apex (follow-up 1 to 19 years) underwent noninvasive assessment of global LV function with automated border detection echocardiography-derived fractional area of change (FAC), coupled with the Doppler index of myocardial performance (MPI). Data were analyzed from 24 RV-paced patients (mean follow-up 9.5 years, age 19 years, body surface area [BSA] 1.6 m2, QRS duration 140 ms) and compared with 33 age- and BSA-matched control subjects (age 16.4 years, BSA 1.6 m2). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify patient variables that can affect these indexes of LV function. RESULTS Assessment of LV function (median follow-up 10 years) in 24 paced patients demonstrated impaired area- and Doppler flow-derived indexes of LV systolic and diastolic function, compared with those indexes of control subjects (FAC: 52% vs. 60%, p < 0.01; MPI: 0.46 vs. 0.34, p < 0.01). Paced QRS interval and age were found to significantly influence global LV contraction in these patients (R2= 0.4, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In the presence of impaired LV function with long-term RV apical pacing, alternative sites of ventricular pacing that simulate normal biventricular electrical activation should be explored to preserve function in pediatric patients in need of long-term pacing.
Children's Distributive Justice Judgments: Aversive Racism in Euro-American Children?.

Euro-American 2nd- and 4th-grade children (Ms=7.67 and 9.82 years) heard stories about Black and White characters who produced artwork yielding a windfall reward. Children allocated rewards to characters, justified their allocations, and judged the fairness of patterns representing different justice principles. Older children allocated more money to Black than White productive characters and to White than Black needy characters, consistent with predictions from aversive racism theory. Rationales most often relied on equality principles; older children gave more equity-based justifications for Black than for White characters. Fairness ratings of patterns representing 4 justice principles revealed effects for age and character race. Implications for understanding the developmental course of moral judgments as they apply to racial differences are discussed.
Redundancy in Coding of a Visual Display as Assessed by a Signal Detection Paradigm

A signal detection paradigm was applied to performance of a visual search task under varying degrees of shape-color redundant coding and two levels of practice. The coding conditions were (1) Black and White, (2) Totally Nonredundant, (3) Partially Redundant, and (4) Totally Redundant. In addition to the traditional signal detection measures, subjective coding condition preference ratings were also recorded. Generally, the objective performance measures were influenced by practice. However, neither the objective nor the subjective measures were affected by coding conditions. A significant Coding Condition by Practice interaction on the percentage of correct responses was also found.
Phosphorylation sites in the Hook domain of CaVβ subunits differentially modulate CaV1.2 channel function

Regulation of L-type calcium current is critical for the development, function, and regulation of many cell types. Ca(V)1.2 channels that conduct L-type calcium currents are regulated by many protein kinases, but the sites of action of these kinases remain unknown in most cases. We combined mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and whole-cell patch clamp techniques in order to identify sites of phosphorylation of Ca(V)β subunits in vivo and test the impact of mutations of those sites on Ca(V)1.2 channel function in vitro. Using the Ca(V)1.1 channel purified from rabbit skeletal muscle as a substrate for phosphoproteomic analysis, we found that Ser(193) and Thr(205) in the HOOK domain of Ca(V)β1a subunits were both phosphorylated in vivo. Ser(193) is located in a potential consensus sequence for casein kinase II, but it was not phosphorylated in vitro by that kinase. In contrast, Thr(205) is located in a consensus sequence for cAMP-dependent phosphorylation, and it was robustly phosphorylated in vitro by PKA. These two sites are conserved in multiple Ca(V)β subunit isoforms, including the principal Ca(V)β subunit of cardiac Ca(V)1.2 channels, Ca(V)β2b. In order to assess potential modulatory effects of phosphorylation at these sites separately from the effects of phosphorylation of the α11.2 subunit, we inserted phosphomimetic or phosphoinhibitory mutations in Ca(V)β2b and analyzed their effects on Ca(V)1.2 channel function in transfected nonmuscle cells. The phosphomimetic mutation Ca(V)β2b(S152E) decreased peak channel currents and shifted the voltage dependence of both activation and inactivation to more positive membrane potentials. The phosphoinhibitory mutation Ca(V)β2b(S152A) had opposite effects. There were no differences in peak Ca(V)1.2 currents or voltage dependence between the phosphomimetic mutation Ca(V)β2b(T164D) and the phosphoinhibitory mutation Ca(V)β2b(T164A). However, calcium-dependent inactivation was significantly increased for the phosphomimetic mutation Ca(V)β2b(T164D). This effect was subunit-specific, as the corresponding mutation in the palmitoylated isoform, Ca(V)β2a, had no effect. Overall, our data identify two conserved sites of phosphorylation of the Hook domain of Ca(V)β subunits in vivo and reveal differential modulatory effects of phosphomimetic mutations in these sites. These results reveal a new dimension of regulation of Ca(V)1.2 channels through phosphorylation of the Hook domains of their β subunits.
The influence of substrate organic content on the growth of a stream chironomid

Stream detritus and Tipula (Diptera) feces were wet-sieved to a 63–250 µm particle size range and mixed in three proportions with ashed sand of the same size to yield food substrates of varying quality. Growth of fourth-instar Stictochironomus annulicrus (Townes) (Diptera: Chironomidae) larvae was used to indicate whether the more nutritious particles were selected from these mixtures. Respective mean relative growth rates on the substrates, in order of decreasing percentage organic matter (i.e. food quality), were: 0.0229, 0.0104 and 0.0004 mg·mg−1d−1. Replicates of the relatively high quality substrate consistently elicited the highest growth rates; animals grew at intermediate rates on medium quality, and slowest on low quality substrates. Thus, this collector does not appear to have selected for food quality under the described experimental conditions.
The effects of cation-induced and pH-induced membrane stacking on chlorophyll fluorescence decay kinetics.

We have compared the effects of thylakoid membrane appression by electrostatic screening and by charge neutralization on the room-temperature chlorophyll fluorescence decay kinetics of broken spinach chloroplasts. Monovalent and divalent metal cations induce both a structural differentiation of thylakoid membranes and a lateral segregation of pigment-protein complexes. These phenomena have distinct effects on the F0- and Fmax-level chlorophyll fluorescence decay kinetics at different levels of added cation. We further find specific cation effects, particularly on a 1–2 ns decay component at the Fmax fluorescence level, that are proposed to be related to the effectiveness of electrostatic screening as determined by the hydrated metal ionic radius. Distinct pH-induced effects on chlorophyll fluorescence decay kinetics are associated with the alternative mechanism of electrostatic neutralization to induce membrane stacking. These observations are used to construct a model of chlorophyll fluorescence emission that accounts for the variable kinetics and multiexponential character of the fluorescence decay upon membrane appression.
Structure of a psoralen-thymine monoadduct formed in photoreaction with DNA

Abstract A photoreaction product between calf thymus DNA and 8-methoxypsoralen, a naturally occurring psoralen, was hydrolyzed with acid to isolate a major species of the reaction, 8-methoxypsoralen-thymine monoadduct. The crystal structure of the monoadduct has been determined. The structure confirms the results of other spectroscopic studies and allows one to conclude or suggest that: (1) the photoreaction occurs preferentially at both T-A and A-T sequences in natural DNA; (2) the photocrosslink introduces a substantial kink in the DNA structure; (3) the configuration of the photoproduct is “cis-syn” at both ends of the psoralen; (4) the thymine and psoralen moieties remain planar even after the photoreaction; and (5) the angle between psoralen and thymine in the photoproducts is not fixed but has a limited range of flexibility.
Optical testing using Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors

The basic problem associated with aspheric testing without the use of null optics is to obtain increased measurement range while maintaining the required measurement accuracy. Typically, the introduction of a custom-designed and fabricated null corrector has allowed the problem of aspheric testing to be reduced to that of spherical testing. Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors have been used for adaptive optics, but have seen little application in optical metrology. We will discuss the use of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor as a means of directly testing wavefronts with large aspheric departures. The Shack-Hartmann sensor provides interesting tradeoffs between measurement range, accuracy and spatial resolution. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor over more conventional metrology tests. The implementation of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor for aspheric testing will be shown.
New class of diode-pumped mid-IR broadly tunable lasers based on TM2+ ions in Td coordination: Cr2+:ZnX (X=S,Se)

A new class of room-temperature, diode-pumped solid state lasers, that are broadly tunable in the mid-IR spectral region, has been conceptualized and demonstrated. These lasers are based on intra-ion transitions of divalent transition metals placed in substitutional cation sites of tetrahedral symmetry in large bandgap chalcogenide semiconductor crystals. These combinations of laser-ions and host crystals are seen to provide favorable radiative and non-radiative transition processes for the realization of the desired laser performance characteristics. Spectroscopic data for candidate schemes are reviewed and divalent chromium doped zinc chalcogenides are identified as potentially superior laser candidates. Preparation of laser quality Cr2+:ZnSe crystals is described and experimental results to date for a diode-pumped laser are given. Remaining laser development issues are discussed briefly.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Maintenance by erythropoietin of viability and maturation of murine erythroid precursor cells

Erythroblasts isolated from the spleens of mice infected with the anemia-inducing strain of Friend virus (FVA cells)-are erythropoietin (EP)-sensitive cells at the late colony forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) and cluster forming unit stages of differentiation (Koury et al., J. Cell. Physiol. 121:526-532, 1984). We investigate here the EP requirements of FVA cells in vitro for viability, proliferation, and maturation. By delaying the addition of EP to FVA cell cultures or by withdrawing EP at early times of culture, the subsequent viability, cell numbers, and maturation were diminished. The longer the delay in EP addition or the earlier the EP withdrawal, the more diminished these parameters were when compared to cultures which contained EP throughout the 48 h of differentiation. FVA cells had a period of EP requirement in vitro that lasted for only 24 h or less after the initiation of culture. During these crucial first 24 h, EP induced an increase in the synthesis of all size classes of RNA. Protein synthesis was maintained at a stable level in cells cultured with EP, but it declined in cells cultured without it. In contrast, the synthesis rate of DNA and the content of DNA per cell were not affected by the presence of EP in the culture. However, FVA cells cultured without EP had progressive accumulation of small sized DNA due to breakage of higher molecular weight DNA. The rate of DNA breakdown was sufficient to prevent DNA accumulation and thus it probably plays a role in the abortion of cell proliferation. No such breakage was found in cells cultured with EP. Our results indicate that EP exerts an effect on FVA cells in culture which is reflected in their viability, cell number, and maturation. This effect is not mediated by a stimulation of the rate of DNA synthesis, but is accompanied by stimulation of overall RNA synthesis and maintenance of protein synthesis.
Evaluation of incomplete multiple diagnostic tests, with an application in the colon cancer family registry study

Accurate diagnosis of a molecularly defined subtype of cancer is often an important step toward its effective control and treatment. For the diagnosis of some subtypes of a cancer, a gold standard with perfect sensitivity and specificity may be unavailable. In those scenarios, tumor subtype status is commonly measured by multiple imperfect diagnostic markers. Additionally, in many such studies, some subjects are only measured by a subset of diagnostic tests and the missing probabilities may depend on the unknown disease status. In this paper, we present statistical methods based on the EM algorithm to evaluate incomplete multiple imperfect diagnostic tests under a missing at random assumption and one missing not at random scenario. We apply the proposed methods to a real data set from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) colon cancer family registry on diagnosing microsatellite instability for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer to estimate diagnostic accuracy parameters (i.e. sensitivities and spec...
Insulin-like growth factor I inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion but does not impair glucose metabolism in normal humans.

The effect of human recombinant insulin-like growth factor I (rhIGF-1) on glucose stimulated insulin secretion was studied in 14 healthy human volunteers. Each subject received a primed-continuous infusion of rhIGF-1 (20 micrograms kg prime, 0.4 micrograms kg-1 min-1) or saline while plasma glucose was raised +2.8 mmol/l (+50 mg/dl) (n = 6) or +7.0 mmol/l (+125 mg/dl) (n = 8) above baseline for 2 h using the hyperglycemic clamp technique. Total IGF-1 levels during the IGF-1 studies increased from 196 +/- 37 to 449 +/- 71 ng/ml. At the +2.8 mmol/l (+50 mg/dl) stimulus, first and second phase C-peptide levels were suppressed during IGF-1 infusion vs control (885 +/- 157 vs 544 +/- 99 pmol/l, p < 0.05 and 1379 +/- 246 vs 832 +/- 130 pmol/l, p < 0.05, respectively), whereas insulin levels were suppressed during the second phase only (215 +/- 43 vs 151 +/- 28 pmol/l, p < 0.05). Despite this, the rate of glucose metabolism was two-fold higher in the IGF-1 infused group (8.0 +/- 0.5 vs 3.5 +/- 0.1 mg kg-1 min-1,...
Improved constraints on the estimated size and volatile content of the Mount St. Helens magma system from the 2004–2008 history of dome growth and deformation

[1] The history of dome growth and geodetic deflation during the 2004–2008 Mount St. Helens eruption can be fit to theoretical curves with parameters such as reservoir volume, bubble content, initial overpressure, and magma rheology, here assumed to be Newtonian viscous, with or without a solid plug in the conduit center. Data from 2004–2008 are consistent with eruption from a 10–25 km3 reservoir containing 0.5–2% bubbles, an initial overpressure of 10–20 MPa, and no significant, sustained recharge. During the eruption we used curve fits to project the eruption's final duration and volume. Early projections predicted a final volume only about half of the actual value; but projections increased with each measurement, implying a temporal increase in reservoir volume or compressibility. A simple interpretation is that early effusion was driven by a 5–10 km3, integrated core of fluid magma. This core expanded with time through creep of semi-solid magma and host rock.
Ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamines in relation to aging of human fibroblasts.

Summary A reduction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity is associated with the decreased growth rate in early senescence of human embryonic lung fibroblasts. Inhibition of ODC activity with α -methyl ornithine in younger cells reduces cell proliferation; inhibition of putrescine deamination with aminoguanidine increases intracellular putrescine concentration and stimulates cell proliferation. The data suggests that the decreased cell proliferation which occurs in senescence may, at least in part, be dependent upon the reduced ODC activity.
On compatible triangulations of simple polygons

Abstract It is well known that, given two simple n -sided polygons, it may not be possible to triangulate the two polygons in a compatible fashion, if one's choice of triangulation vertices is restricted to polygon corners. Is it always possible to produce compatible triangulations if additional vertices inside the polygon are allowed? We give a positive answer and construct a pair of such triangulations with O( n 2 ) new triangulation vertices. Moreover, we show that there exists a ‘universal’ way of triangulating an n -sided polygon with O( n 2 ) extra triangulation vertices. Finally, we also show that creating compatible triangulations requires a quadratic number of extra vertices in the worst case.
Application of FDG-PET/CT in Radiation Oncology.

Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT), which combines the advantages of high sensitivity and specificity of PET and high resolution of CT, is a unique tool for cancer management. PET/CT has been widely used in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The article reviews the recent applications of PET/CT in radiation oncology, with a focus on FDG-PET/CT, addressing the applications in treatment planning and treatment response assessment of radiation therapy.
Cytophotometric study of acid dye binding by proteins of isolated frog liver nuclei in relation to nuclear size.

Isolated fixed liver nuclei of Rana pipiens were stained at varied pH by the acid dye, fast green FCF. The amount of nuclear protein, as determined by cytophotometric measurement of the relative absorption of the stained nuclei, was found to increase in proportion to nuclear size when the pH of the dye solution was below 4.0. Relative absorption was found to be independent of nuclear size, but proportional to the pH of the staining solutions in the pH range between 5.0 and 7.0, These data suggest a change in composition and/or structure of the nuclear protein with increasing nuclear size.
Poly(glycerol sebacate) Nanofiber Scaffolds by Core/Shell Electrospinning

The novel biomaterial poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) holds great promise for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. PGS is a rubbery, degradable polymer much like elastin; however, it has been limited to cast structures. This work reports on the formation of PGS nanofibers in random non-woven mats for use as tissue engineering scaffolds by coaxial core/shell electrospinning. PGS nanofibers are an inexpensive and synthetic material that mimics the chemical and mechanical environment provided by elastin fibers. Poly(lactide) was used as the shell material to constrain the PGS during the curing process and was removed before cell seeding. Human microvascular endothelial cells from skin (HDMEC) were used to evaluate the in-vitro cellular compatibility of the PGS nanofiber scaffolds. [Figure: see text].
Mechanisms of HIV Latency: an Emerging Picture of Complexity

Rarely HIV type 1 establishes proviral latency within the host genome, maintained with little or no viral gene expression. This state has been quantitated in peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues of HIV-infected patients, appearing in the earliest days of infection. These rare cellular reservoirs are unaffected by current antiretroviral therapy and unrecognized by the host immune response, and can regenerate disseminated viremia if therapy is interrupted. Proviral latency may be established when a newly HIV-infected cell exits the cell cycle and returns to the resting state. Rarely, direct infection of resting cells may also occur. Multiple molecular mechanisms appear to underlie the establishment and maintenance of persistent, latent HIV infection, most frequent in the resting central memory CD4+ T cell. Interrupting processes that maintain latency may allow therapeutic attack of this primary form of persistent HIV infection, but a better understanding of relevant mechanisms in vivo is needed.
Overview of in-vessel retention concept involving level of passivity: With application to evolutionary pressurized water reactor design

Abstract In this work, one strategy of severe accident management, the applicability of the in-vessel retention (IVR) concept, which has been incorporated in passive type reactor designs, to evolutionary type reactor designs, is examined with emphasis on the method of external reactor vessel cooling (ERVC) to realize the IVR concept in view of two aspects: for the regulatory aspect, it is addressed in the context of the resolution of the issue of corium coolability; for the technical one, the reliance on and the effectiveness of the IVR concept are mentioned. Additionally, for the ERVC method to be better applied to designs of the evolutionary type reactor, the conditions to be met are pointed out in view of the technical aspect. Concerning the issue of corium coolability/quenchability, based on results of the review, plausible alternative strategies are proposed. According to the decision maker's risk behavior, these would help materialize the conceptual design for evolutionary type reactors, especially Korea Next Generation Reactors (KNGRs), which have been developing at the Korea Electric Power Research Institute (KEPRI): (A1) Strategy 1A: strategy based on the global approach using the reliance on the wet cavity method; (A2) Strategy 1B: strategy based on the combined approach using both the reliance on the wet cavity method and the countermeasures for preserving containment integrity; (A3) Strategy 2A: strategy based on the global approach to the reliance on the ERVC method; (A4) Strategy 2B: strategy based on the balanced approach using both the reliance on the ERVC method and the countermeasures for preserving containment integrity. Finally, in application to an advanced pressurized water reactor (PWR) design, several recommendations are made in focusing on both monitoring the status of approaches and preparing countermeasures in regard to the regulatory and the technical aspects.
Management of hemorrhagic stroke

Fifty thousand Americans suffer an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) annually, one third of whom die as a result. Poorly controlled hypertension is the most important risk factor for ICH. Over time it results in pathologic changes to small intracranial vessels, leading to their rupture. All stroke patients, including those with suspected ICH, require emergent evaluation. Surgical intervention is appropriate for some ICH patients, although intensive medical management of intracranial pressure and the systemic consequences of ICH can reduce morbidity in all. Innovative medical and surgical therapeutic approaches hold promise for improved treatment in the future, but prevention is the key for reducing morbidity in the short term.
Glutathione oxidation is associated with airway macrophage functional impairment in children with severe asthma

Airway cellular dysfunction is a differentiating feature of severe asthma in children that may be related to an imbalance of the antioxidant, glutathione (GSH). We hypothesized that oxidation of GSH to glutathione disulfide (GSSG) in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of children with severe asthma would contribute to altered airway macrophage (AM) GSH homeostasis and AM cellular dysfunction. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in 64 asthmatic children (severe asthma, n = 43). GSH, GSSG, markers of lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation, and IL-8 were quantified in the BAL supernatant. GSH, GSSG, activities of histone deacetylase (HDAC) and histone acetyltransferase, apoptosis, and phagocytosis were assessed in isolated AMs. Children with severe asthma had increased GSSG, lipid peroxidation, byproducts of DNA oxidation, and inflammation in the ELF. This imbalance of GSH homeostasis was also noted intracellularly within the AMs and was associated with decreased HDAC activities, increased apoptosis, and impaired phagocytosis. In vitro GSH supplementation inhibited apoptosis and rescued phagocytosis in children with severe asthma. Severe asthma in children is characterized by altered airway and intracellular AM GSH homeostasis that translates to impaired AM function. Interventions to restore airway GSH homeostasis may be warranted in children with severe asthma.
Damping of the dipole vortex.

When a circular electric dipole moment, rotating in the x–y plane, is embedded in a material with relative permittivity er and relative permeability μr, the field lines of energy flow of the emitted radiation are dramatically influenced by the surrounding material. For emission in free space, the field lines swirl around the z axis and lie on a cone. The direction of rotation of the field lines around the z axis is the same as the direction of rotation of the dipole moment. We found that when the real part of er is negative, the rotation of the field lines changes direction, and hence the energy counter-rotates the dipole moment. When there is damping in the material, due to an imaginary part of er, the cone turns into a funnel, and the density of the field lines diminishes near the location of the source. In addition, all radiation is emitted along the z axis and the x–y plane, whereas for emission in free space, the radiation is emitted in all directions. It is also shown that the displacement of the dipole image in the far field depends on the material parameters and that the shift can be much larger than the shift of the image in free space.
Sizing assignments: a contribution from software engineering to computer science education

A method of predicting the sizes of programs from a measure of problem size is shown, and research testing the effectiveness of the method is reported. A regression model for predicting average program size as measured by mean_LOC is shown to perform well for a sample of Pascal assignments of moderate size written by students in programming classes.
Why Older Americans Stop Working

Recently economics researchers have suggested that most persons respond to economic incentives in choosing when to retire, although a small percentage exit the labor force because of deteriorating health. Although recent and proposed changes in the social security system are likely to have only small effects on retirement behavior, larger impacts could ensue from altering the incentives implicit in many private pension plans. Little is known about the transition process that follows the end of career jobs and precedes retirement: this represents an important area for future research.
The economics of G.L.S. Shackle in retrospect and prospect

This article is an attempt to present a critical summary of three most recently published collections of papers written either by G.L.S. Shackle himself or presented at a conference held in his honour in 1984. Topics covered include Shackle's work on problems of knowledge associated with interdependent decision-making, his ‘potential surprise’ theory of choice under uncertainty, sources of fluctuations in investment spending, and the role of the economist in a world in which significant events are impossible to predict.
Funding Opportunities for Social Work Doctoral Students Through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

This article introduces the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a potential funding source for social work doctoral students. HUD's two doctoral research grant programs (i.e., the ...
Evaluation across an intergovernmental context: Issues raised through different perspectives on Even Start

Although the authorizing environment may dictate the nature and use of evaluations, state and locally conducted evaluation provides a distinct lens for understanding the conditions affecting program implementation and the outcomes of programs under study. The learning that transpires at the state and local government levels through evaluation can motivate stakeholders to use evaluation to influence the policy agenda.
BIOSAFETY CHALLENGES FOR THE FOOD MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY

Microbiology research and teaching must be conducted in a fashion that assures the health and well-being of the practitioner and the safety of the community. This paper presents some biosafety issues and discusses how the interaction of the pathogen being studied, the person conducting the research and the practices being used can be manipulated to assure safety. The characterization of pathogens into risk groups, how these relate to biosafety levels, and the personal practices and laboratory design criteria associated with each biosafety level are explained. The importance of preventing or containing aerosols, limiting opportunities for cross-contamination, and taking a flexible multicomponent approach to biosafety is emphasized. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Safety is an important, but often overlooked issue in food microbiology laboratories. This paper raises awareness, puts forth some approaches for dealing with biohazards and hopefully advances the safe practice of food microbiology.
gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid is not a GABA-mimetic agent in the spinal cord.

γ-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), a pharmacologically active central nervous system constituent, has been postulated to function as a γ-aminobtyric acid (GABA) agonist. This hypothesis was tested directly on GABAergic synapses in isolated, superfused frog spinal cord. Addition of GHB to the superfustate produced effects on primary afferent terminals that were distinctly different from the effects of GABA. Thus, although both compounds depressed dorsal root potentials, GHB hyperpolarized terminals while GABA depolarized the same structures. The GABA responses were antagonized by bicuculline and picrotoxin, but these alkaloids did not change GHB's actions. In addtion, GHB altered neither high-affinity uptake by cord slices, nor potassium-evoked release of tritiated GABA from them. GHB did not directly release GABA from spinal slices preloaded with [3H]GABA. These observations suggest that the central nervous system actions of GHB are not dependent upon its ability to activate GABAergic synapses or to modify GABAergic mechanisms.
Nerve Transfers in Brachial Plexus Birth Palsies: Indications, Techniques, and Outcomes

The advent of nerve transfers has greatly increased surgical options for children who have brachial plexus birth palsies. Nerve transfers have considerable advantages, including easier surgical techniques, avoidance of neuroma resection, and direct motor and sensory reinnervation. Therefore, any functioning nerve fibers within the neuroma are preserved. Furthermore, a carefully selected donor nerve results in little or no clinical deficit. However, some disadvantages and unanswered questions remain. Because of a lack of head-to-head comparison between nerve transfers and nerve grafting, the window of opportunity for nerve grafting may be missed, which may degrade the ultimate outcome. Time will tell the ultimate role of nerve transfer or nerve grafting.