cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
097 Thymosin β4 promotes matrix metalloproteinase expression during wound repair

Impaired wound healing is a problem for immobilized patients, diabetics, and the elderly. The 43 amino acid angiogenic peptide thymosin β4 has previously been found to promote accelerated dermal wound repair in rats, aged mice and db/db diabetic mice, and corneal repair in normal rats. It has been found in great abundance in wound fluid. Here, we hypothesized that thymosin β4 may regulate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in cells that are involved in wound repair. Western blot analysis of keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts that were treated with increasing concentrations of thymosin β4 showed changes in the expression of the MMP-1, −2, and −9. Zymographic analysis of whole excised mouse wounds taken after homogenization also showed changes in MMP-2 and-9 expression over a 3-day period. These results were confirmed in 2-day-old wounds by RT-PCR. We conclude that part of the wound healing activity of thymosin β4 resides in its ability to increase protease activity. Since thymosin β4-induced protease activity can be further controlled by inflammatory cytokines, a regulatory role for thymosin β4 is proposed in wound healing. These studies suggest that thymosin β4 may play a pivotal role in extracellular matrix remodeling during wound repair and may be effective in the treatment of chronic wounds in humans.
Coordinating artifacts in an online course delivery system

Development of online instruction has become a major goal of many universities. There are multiple aspects to delivering an effective online course [Carr-Chellman and Duchastel, 2000]. One of these is to provide guided web based sessions for tutoring, review or introduction of skill development. Materials provided can include question/answers (data), lecture (video), problems (textual input), and others. The instructional delivery of an online course can overlap many of these artifact types. These artifacts, designed to heighten student involvement, can clutter the screen, adding distraction. There is a challenge in concurrently presenting similar concepts of different artifacts in a meaningful way. Our research investigates making the delivery of content through these technologies more effective. By linking review questions to the display of the content delivery, we propose that student attention will be more focused and content retention will increase.
Surface kinetic model for isotopic and trace element fractionation during precipitation of calcite from aqueous solutions

Surface kinetic model for isotopic and trace element fractionation during precipitation of calcite from aqueous solutions Donald J. DePaolo Earth Sciences Division Lawrence Berkeley Nat ional La boratory Berkeley, C A 94720 Departme nt of Earth and Planetar y Science U niversity of Californi a Berkeley, C A 94720 October 2010
A pooled analysis of CD4 response to zidovudine and zalcitabine treatment in patients with AIDS and AIDS‐related complex

Introduction This article reports a meta-analysis focused on the efficacy of zalcitabine and zidovudine alone or in combination as reported by three AIDS Clinical Trial Group trials. We analyzed the log CD4 count (LCD4) response to therapy up to 1 year after the beginning of therapy. One of the purposes of this article was to illustrate a meta-analysis method that permits pooling of original data from trials with different designs. Methods To effectively eliminate obvious differences due to design, we first estimated complete (1 year) individual LCD4 versus time curves using a sophisticated smoothing technique. Then several summary descriptors were computed from the completed LCD4 curves. Those descriptors were corrected for baseline covariate differences, and the corrected values were then related to measures of drug exposure. Results Significant baseline covariates were LCD4 baseline count and AIDS-related complex or AIDS diagnosis. The predictor, corrected for baseline covariates, that correlated best with drug exposure was intensity, the initial rate of rise of LCD4, estimated as the slope of LCD4 between pretreatment and peak LCD4. Conclusion Using intensity as a single response measure, we found weak evidence for synergism of zalcitabine and zidovudine: combination therapy increased response by 20% over that expected from a purely additive interaction. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1997) 61, 70–82; doi:
Identification of four Gossypium sturtianum monosomic alien addition derivatives from a backcrossing program with G. hirsutum.

Alien chromosome addition lines provide means to distinguish effects of specific alien chromosomes, to detect homoeologies between chromosomes of different species, and to conduct chromosome-specific introgression. Over the last few years, numerous monosomic addition (MA) stocks were derived from interspecific backcrosses of Gossypium sturtianum J.H. Willis (2n=2x=26, C 1 genome) with G. hirsutum L. [2n=4x=52, (AD) 1 genome] as recurrent parent. Using 10 MA plants of varied pedigrees from this project, our objectives wer to (i) identify and characterize different MA stocks, (ii) determine the phenotypic effect of each addition chromosome, and (iii) estimate the frequency of (AD) 1 -C 1 recombination
The Interaction Between Stratosphere and Meosphere in Winter

Abstract Rocketsonde and rocket grenade data show that stratosphere temperature changes in winter in both low and high latitudes are accompanied by simultaneous changes of opposite sign in the mesosphere, which indicates that the two layers interact.
Mechanism of Tissue Reconstruction by Dissociated Cells, II: Time-Course of Events

The details of the process by which cells sort out and reconstruct tissues within aggregates containing two kinds of tissue cells have been correctly predicted from considerations of the kinetic and adhesive properties of such cells. The requisite properties are discreteness, motility, and differential mutual adhesiveness among the types of cells present.
Liposarcoma arising within a cystosarcoma phyllodes

A liposarcoma arising within a cystosarcoma phyllodes in a 17-year-old black female was treated by total mastectomy without the need of radiation and/or chemotherapy. The patient is alive and well with no evidence of recurrence or metastasis at 20 months recent follow-up. The clinicopathological features of malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes-liposarcoma are discussed.
"'Jackin’ for Beats'": DJing for Citation Critique

A challenge in teaching English composition is helping students envision plagiarism as “borrowing” – showing love to author(s) and/or text(s) that further their argument(s), versus “stealing” – biting someone’s style and words. Alastair Pennycook (1996) and Sarah Wakefield (2006) have contributed pieces to the elaborate plagiarism/citation puzzle, while Houston Baker situated the hip-hop DJ in seminal text Black Studies, Rap and the Academy (1993). Merging these moments introduces critical questions: Did Diddy invent “the remix” or become the illest beat-biter ever? How did DJ/Producers Pete Rock and Large Professor pay homage to previous musical genres to further hip-hop remix production without just taking 4-8 bar samples, copying sources and claiming unethical ownership? And how can this discussion provide students a window into citation conversations? This article will remix these “texts” to introduce the idea of DJ Rhetoric to discuss plagiarism. Through the lens of the hip-hop DJ in writing classrooms, one can foster an appreciation of the difference between “love and theft” in student citation. This article will couple examples from hip-hop music/culture while simultaneously remixing interviews from various hip-hop DJ/producers to help answer these difficult questions.
Development and application of a distributed modeling approach to assess the watershed-scale impact of drainage water management

Abstract Drainage water management, also known as controlled drainage, is the practice of using a water table control structure at the end of the subsurface drain pipe to reduce subsurface drainage, and thereby nitrate losses. Methods to quantify the potential effects of drainage water management for entire watersheds are needed to evaluate the impacts of large-scale adoption. A distributed modeling approach was developed to apply the field-scale DRAINMOD model at the watershed scale, and used to assess the impact of drainage water management on nitrate load from an intensively subsurface drained agricultural watershed in west central Indiana. The watershed was divided into 6460 grid cells for which drain spacing, soil parent material, and cropping pattern were estimated, resulting in 600 unique field conditions. The annual edge-of-field nitrate load from each grid cell was estimated as the product of DRAINMOD-predicted drain flow and the average annual nitrate concentration in drain flow, estimated from observations from related drainage sites in northern Indiana. Predicted monthly streamflow was in good agreement with the observed streamflow (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.87 and 0.84 during the calibration and validation periods, respectively) and the predicted drain flow matched well with the measured drain flow (77.1 cm vs. 77.8 cm and 121.3 cm vs. 128.4 cm). Drainage water management decreased the average annual (1985–2009) predicted drain flow from 11.0 to 5.9 cm, and the total nitrate load through subsurface drainage from 236 to 126 ton (both about 47% reduction). The percent reduction in nitrate load varied between 40% and 53% for all combinations of drain spacing, soil parent material and cropping patterns, with drain spacing and soil parent material having a greater effect than cropping pattern. The methodology developed in this study showed potential for predicting the watershed-scale effects of subsurface drainage and drainage water management in drained agricultural watersheds.
Comments on "Techniques and Architectures for Hazard-Free Semi-Parallel Decoding of LDPC Codes"

This is a comment article on the publication "Techniques and Architectures for Hazard-Free Semi-Parallel Decoding of LDPC Codes" Rovini et al. (2009). We mention that there has been similar work reported in the literature before, and the previous work has not been cited correctly, for example Gunnam et al. (2006, 2007). This brief note serves to clarify these issues.
Characterization of prostaglandins by combined gas-liquid chromatography and chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

Abstract This report describes the advantages of chemical ionization mass spectrometry coupled with gas-liquid chromatography for the analysis of prostaglandins and similar biologically active metabolites. By the use of this technique, a more thorough knowledge of the chemical structure of numerous widely used derivatives of various prostaglandins is possible. As indicated in the discussion, care must be exercised in the choice of specific types of derivative for the purpose of structural identification of the intact prostaglandins and their intact metabolites.
Effect of size on the strength of polymeric fibers

Using a molecular model introduced previously, we study the effects of chain-end segregation on the relationship between strength (σ) and diameter (d) in polymeric fibers. For segregated structures with a monodisperse molecular weight distribution, our results show a scaling law σ ∼ d−α, with α in the range [0.4–0.5], in agreement with experimental observation. A weaker dependence is found for polydisperse systems. Further investigation also reveals that macroscopic cracks have little influence on the fiber strength/diameter relationship, unless the crack width shows a faster than linear increase with fiber diameter. Finally, our model results also indicate a very weak dependence of fiber strength on its length, in good agreement with experimental observation. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Charge carrier solvation and large polaron formation on a polymer chain revealed in model ab initio computations

When an excess charge carrier is added to a semiconducting polymer chain, it is well known that the carrier may self-trap into a polaronic state accompanied by a bond length adjustment pattern. A different mechanism of self-localization is the solvation of charge carriers expected to take place when the polymer chain is immersed in polar media such as common solvents. We use state-of-the-art ab initio computations in conjunction with the Polarizable Continuum Model to unequivocally demonstrate solvation-induced self-consistent charge localization into large-radius one-dimensional (1D) polarons on long $C_{N}H_{2}$ carbon chains with the polyynic structure. Within the framework used, the solvation results in a much more pronounced charge localization. We believe this mechanism of polaron formation to be of relevance for various 1D semiconductors in polar environments.
Violence, Business, and Identity in the Borderlands: Chinese-Mexicans in Mexicali, Mexico

Studies of the US—Mexico border continue to inform and challenge sociocultural anthropologists on how to think about race relations, ethnic communities, and identity. This article introduces the Chinese-Mexican community living in the northwest part of the Mexican—US border city of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. Identity plays a major role for this community in order for it to survive and, in some cases, thrive financially. I argue that long-standing people of Mexicali with Chinese ancestry (who I refer to as Chinescos) refuse to be categorized when asked to choose an identity. This community struggles to survive economically and socially at the border like other people in the community and live a moral life—a life with a set of values that will protect themselves, their families, and what matters most to them. Their identity is not static and they will choose their identity carefully. They will deploy Chinese values and citizenship strategies when appropriate, but will not shy away from being part of the Mexican community. This article illustrates these issues through two case studies: (a) a violent crime committed in Mexicali involving the Chinescos, and (b) the formation of businesses by the community. In conclusion, studying Mexicali, a US—Mexico border community provides a venue for understanding race relations and community formations.
Life-span changes in visually evoked potentials at central scalp

Abstract Three intensities of patterned flash were used to elicit visually evoked potentials (VEPs) from central scalp of 220 healthy males aged 4–90 years. Intensities were based on visual thresholds. VEP components from children and oldsters were generally larger than those of subjects of intermediate ages and, in response to increased flash intensity, demonstrated greater amplitude enhancement. This pattern of age changes is thought to reflect decreased cortical inhibition in the young and the old with inhibitory capacity being maximal during late adolescent and early adult years. Hemispheric asymmetries were observed. VEP amplitudes from the right hemisphere were larger than those from the left and demonstrated a greater amplitude augmentation to brighter flashes.
Requirement for MAPK Activation for Normal Mitotic Progression in Xenopus Egg Extracts

The p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is required for progression through meiotic M phase in Xenopus oocytes. This report examines whether it also plays a role in normal mitotic progression. MAPK was transiently activated during mitosis in cycling Xenopus egg extracts after activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc2-cyclin B. Interference with MAPK activation by immunodepletion of its activator MEK, or by addition of the MEK inhibitor PD98059, caused precocious termination of mitosis and interfered with production of normal mitotic microtubules. Sustained activation of MAPK arrested extracts in mitosis in the absence of active Cdc2-cyclin B. These findings identify a role for MEK and MAPK in maintaining the mitotic state.
STATE EQUATIONS FOR MANEUVERING AND CONTROL OF FLEXIBLE BODIES USING QUASIMOMENTA

This paper is concerned with the derivation of state equations suitable for the task of designing controls for the maneuvers of flexible bodies in space while controlling the elastic vibration. The equations are in terms of quasimomenta, defined as momenta corresponding to quasicoordina tes, and are simpler in form than the equations in terms of quasicoordina tes. A perturbation approach permits design of a dual-level control, a high-authority control for the rigid-body maneuvering and a low-authority control for the suppression of the elastic vibration. PROBLEM of current interest is concerned with the maneuvering and control of flexible bodies. This problem arises in space applications and in robotics. The equations of motion for flexible bodies in space constitute a hybrid set of differential equations,1 in the sense that the equations for the translation and rotation of the body as a whole are ordinary differential equations and the equations for the elastic motions are partial differential equations. The equations can be derived by the ordinary Lagrangian approach2 or by Lagrange's equations in terms of quasicoordinates.1 The latter have the advantage that they are in terms of components along the system body axes, which are more suitable for the design of feedback control. Lagrange's equations in terms of quasicoordina tes are augmented in Ref. 1 by appropriate kinematical relations to obtain a set of hybrid state equations of motion/The state consists of rigid-body displacements in terms of inertia! components and velocities in terms of body axes components. The elastic motions are all in terms of body axes components. This paper presents an alternative approach to that of Ref. 1 in the sense that the state uses quasimomenta instead of quasicoordinates. The equations in terms of quasimomenta are based on the equations in terms of quasicoordina tes but they are simpler in form and lend themselves more readily to integration. The hybrid state equations in terms of quasimomenta are then cast in a form suitable for the task of designing controls for the maneuvers of the flexible bodies while controlling the vibration. To this end, a perturbation approach is used to divide the problem into one of design of a high-authority control for the rigid-body maneuver of the body and a low-authority control for the vibration suppression in a manner akin to that used in Ref. 3. For practical reasons, the hybrid perturbation equations for the low-authority control are discretized in space, resulting in a set of first-order differential equations with time-varying coefficients.
Evolution of hexagonal patterns from controlled initial conditions in a Bénard-Marangoni convection experiment.

We report quantitative measurements of both wave number selection and defect motion in nonequilibrium hexagonal patterns. A novel optical technique ("thermal laser writing") is used to imprint initial patterns with selected characteristics in a Benard-Marangoni convection experiment. Initial patterns of ideal hexagons are imposed to determine the band of stable pattern wave numbers while initial patterns containing an isolated penta-hepta defect are imprinted to study defect propagation directions and velocities. The experimental results are compared to recent theoretical predictions.
The clinical significance of postextrasystolic T-wave changes.

Examination of the T wave of the beat following the pause occurring in many conditions, notably premature systoles, may show variations from the regular T waves in the same lead without concomitant change in the QRS complex. This phenomenon, when pronounced, is generally associated with evidence of myocardial impairment and is correlated with abnormal reaction to stress tests for coronary insufficiency. Inquiry is here made into the factors affecting this phenomenon, its mechanism topography, persistency and clinical significance.
GENERATION OF SO3.- AND OH RADICALS IN SO32- REACTIONS WITH INORGANIC ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS TO SO32- TOXICITY

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electron chemical detection were utilized to investigate the generation of free radicals in reactions of sulfite (SO32−) with inorganic environmental pollutants. The spin trap used was 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO). Incubation of SO32− with nitrite (NO2−) generated sulfur trioxide anion radical (SO3−), whose yield approached saturation levels in approximately four minutes. Fe2+ promoted SO3− formation. Molecular oxygen was required for radical generation. This was demonstrated by experiments carried out in an argon environment as well as by oxygen consumption measurements. Transition metal ions, CrO42−, VO2+, Fe3+, Mn2+, Ni2+, and Fe2+ enhanced SO3− generation from SO32− either through direct SO32− oxidation by metal ions or by metal ions-catalyzed SO32− oxidation by molecular oxygen. Incubation of SO32− with H2O2 generated both SO3−and OH radicals as verified by spin trapping competition measurements using ethanol and formate as OH radical scavengers. HPLC measurements showed that OH radicals generated by reaction of SO32− with H2O2 caused 2′-deoxyguanine hydroxylation to generate 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanine, a DNA damage marker. The implications of SO3− and OH radical formation in relation to SO32− toxicity are discussed.
Choosing between online and face-to-face courses: Community college student voices

In this study, community college students discussed their experiences with online and face-to-face learning as well as their reasons for selecting online (rather than face-to-face) sections of specific courses. Students reported lower levels of instructor presence in online courses and that they needed to “teach themselves.” Accordingly, most students preferred to take only “easy” academic subjects online; they preferred to take “difficult” or “important” subjects face-to-face. To meet students’ needs, then, colleges need to either more explicitly build instructor presence and guidance into online courses or continue to provide ample face-to-face sections of courses for those students who prefer them.
Influence of long-term infusions on lidocaine kinetics

Lidocaine kinetics were examined during continuous infusions in five healthy subjects using stable isotope lidocaine labeled with two deuterium atoms. During phase 1, lidocaine and stable isotope lidocaine (50 mg IV each) were given as a bolus to confirm that the two species were kinetically identical. Phase 2 consisted of a long-term (30 hr) lidocaine infusion designed to produce a steady-state concentration equal to 1.5 microgram/ml. Twenty-four hours into the infusion, stable isotope lidocaine (50 mg) was given as an intravenous bolus and kinetic parameters were calculated. Phase 3 differed from phase 2 in that target steady-state lidocaine concentration was 4 microgram/ml and the stable isotope lidocaine dose was reduced to 40 mg. A gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer was used to determine lidocaine and stable isotope lidocaine serum concentrations. Compared to phase 1, clearance decreased (P less than 0.05) and half-life increased (P less than 0.025) during phases 2 and 3. The volume of distribution at steady-state remained constant during all three phases. Lidocaine cumulated in serum during long-term infusions in all five patients; repeated decreases in infusion rate were necessary to avoid exceeding desired target concentrations in phases 2 and 3.
Decadal and shorter period variability of surf zone water quality at Huntington Beach, California.

The concentration of fecal indicator bacteria in the surf zone at Huntington Beach, CA, varies over time scales that span at least 7 orders of magnitude, from minutes to decades. Sources of this variability include historical changes in the treatment and disposal of wastewater and dry weather runoff, El Nino events, seasonal variations in rainfall, spring-neap tidal cycles, sunlight-induced mortality of bacteria, and nearshore mixing. On average, total coliform concentrations have decreased over the past 43 years, although point sources of shoreline contamination (storm drains, river outlets, and submarine outfalls) continue to cause transiently poor water quality. These transient point sources typically persist for 5−8 yr and are modulated by the phase of the moon, reflecting the influence of tides on the sourcing and transport of pollutants in the coastal ocean. Indicator bacteria are very sensitive to sunlight; therefore, the time of day when samples are collected can influence the outcome of water qua...
Groups of real genus p + 1, where p is prime

Let G be a finite group. The real genusρ(G) is the minimum algebraic genus of any compact bordered Klein surface on which G acts. We classify the large groups of real genus p + 1, that is, the groups such that |G| ≥ 3(g - 1), where the genus action of G is on a bordered surface of genus g = p + 1. The group G must belong to one of four infinite families. In addition, we determine the order of the largest automorphism group of a surface of genus g for all g such that g = p + 1, where p is a prime.
Quantum state tomography of a fiber-based source of polarization-entangled photon pairs

We report an experimental demonstration of a bright highfidelity single-mode-optical-fiber source of polarization-entangled photon pairs. The source takes advantage of single-mode fiber optics, highly nonlinear microstructure fiber, judicious phase-matching, and the inherent stability provided by a Sagnac interferometer. With a modest average pump power (300 µW), we create all four Bell states with a detected two-photon coincidence rate of 7 kHz per bandwidth of 0.9 nm, in a spectral range of more than 20 nm. To characterize the purity of the states produced by this source, we use quantum-state tomography to reconstruct the corresponding density matrices, with fidelities of 95 % or more for each Bell state.
Query Access Assurance in Outsourced Databases

Query execution assurance is an important concept in defeating lazy servers in the database as a service model. We show that extending query execution assurance to outsourced databases with multiple data owners is highly inefficient. To cope with lazy servers in the distributed setting, we propose query access assurance (Qaa) that focuses on IO-bound queries. The goal in Qaa is to enable clients to verify that the server has honestly accessed all records that are necessary to compute the correct query answer, thus eliminating the incentives for the server to be lazy if the query cost is dominated by the IO cost in accessing these records. We formalize this concept for distributed databases, and present two efficient schemes that achieve Qaa with high success probabilities. The first scheme is simple to implement and deploy, but may incur excessive server to client communication cost and verification cost at the client side, when the query selectivity or the database size increases. The second scheme is more involved, but successfully addresses the limitation of the first scheme. Our design employs a few number theory techniques. Extensive experiments demonstrate the efficiency, effectiveness, and usefulness of our schemes.
Identification of isopropylbiphenyl, alkyl diphenylmethanes, diisopropylnaphthalene, linear alkyl benzenes and other polychlorinated biphenyl replacement compounds in effluents, sediments and fish in the fox river system, wisconsin

Five polychlorinated biphenyl replacement dye solvents and a diluent present in carbonless copy paper were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the following matrices: effluents from a de-inking–recycling paper mill and a municipal wastewater treatment plant receiving wastewaters from a carbonless copy paper manufacturing plant; sediments; and fish collected near both discharges in the Fox River System, Wisconsin. An isopropylbiphenyl dye solvent mixture included mono-, di- and triisopropylbiphenyls. Also identified were two dye solvent mixtures marketed under the trade name Santosol. Santosol 100 comprised ethyl-diphenylmethanes (DPMs), benzyl-ethyl-DPMs, and dibenzyl-ethyl-DPMs. Similarly, Santosol 150 comprised dimethyl-DPMs, benzyl-dimethyl-DPMs, and dibenzyl-dimethyl-DPMs. Diisopropylnaphthalenes, widely used as a dye solvent in Japan, were identified for the first time in the US environment. sec-Butylbiphenyls and di-sec-butylbiphenyls, likely constituents of a sec-butylbiphenyl dye solvent mixture, were tentatively identified. Linear alkyl benzenes (C10 to C13-LABs) constituted the Alkylate 215 diluent mixture. Although known to occur as minor constituents in linear alkyl sulfonate detergents, LAB residues have not been previously attributed to commercial use of LABs.
Surface acoustic wave mass sensor based on 128° YX-cut Lithium Niobate for thermogravimetric analysis

In this paper, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) mass sensors based on Lithium Niobate (LN) was tested through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) process up to 450°C. The SAW sensor exhibited good stability and the resonant frequencies decreased linearly with the increase of temperature (the rate was about 5.3 KHz/°C) up to 500°C. PMMA A4 and C9 were deposited as the mass loadings during the TGA process. The mass sensitivity of the sensors was found to be about 13 KHz/µg, which is much higher than the typical QCM microbalance sensors.
Exploration of physical principles underlying lipid regular distribution: effects of pressure, temperature, and radius of curvature on E/M dips in pyrene-labeled PC/DMPC binary mixtures.

In a previous study, we observed a series of dips in the plot of E/M (the ratio of excimer to monomer fluorescence intensity) versus the mole fraction of 1-palmitoyl-2-(10-pyrenyl)decanoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphatidylcholine (Pyr-PC) in Pyr-PC/DMPC binary mixtures at 30 degrees C. In the present study, we have characterized the physical nature of E/M dips in Pyr-PC/DMPC binary mixtures by varying pressure, temperature, and vesicle diameter. The E/M dips at 66.7 and at 71.4 mol% PyrPC in DMPC multilamellar vesicles remain discernible at 30–43 degrees C. At higher temperatures (e.g., 53 degrees C), the depth of the dip abruptly becomes smaller. This result agrees with the idea that E/M dips appear as a result of regular distribution of pyrene-labeled acyl chains into hexagonal super-lattices at critical mole fractions. Regular distribution is a self-ordering phenomenon. Usually, in self-ordered systems, the number of structural defects increases with increasing temperature, and thermal fluctuations eventually result in an order-to-disorder transition. The effect of vesicle diameter on the E/M dip at 66.7 mol% Pyr-PC in DMPC has been studied at 37.5 degrees C by using unilamellar vesicles of varying sizes. The E/M dip is observable in large unilamellar vesicles; however, the depth of the E/M dip decreases when the vesicle diameter is reduced. When the vesicle diameter is reduced to about 64 nm, the dip becomes shallow and split. This result suggests that the curvature-induced increase in the separation of lipids in the outer monolayer decreases the tendency of regular distribution for pyrene-labeled acyl chains. Regular distribution is believed to arise from the long-range repulsive interaction between Pyr-PC molecules due to the elastic deformation of the lipid matrix around the bulky pyrene moiety. When the radius of curvature becomes small, outer monolayer lipids are more separated. Therefore, pyrene-containing acyl chains fit better into the membrane matrix, which alleviates the deformation of the lattice and diminishes the long-range repulsive interactions between pyrene-containing acyl chains. Furthermore, we have shown a striking difference in the pressure dependence of E/M at critical Pyr-PC mole fractions and at noncritical mole fractions. In the pressure range between 0.001 and 0.7 kbar at 30 degrees C, E/M decreases steadily with increasing pressure at noncritical mole fractions; in contrast, E/M changes little with pressure at critical mole fractions (e.g., 33.3 and 50.0 mol% Pyr-PC).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Effects of Vitamin C Supplementation on Blood and Hair Levels of Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury

Fifty-two adult male subjects were randomly assigned to one of three possible treatment groups: supplemental ascorbic acid at one of two levels, 500 mg or 1000 mg, or a placebo. Hair and blood samples were taken before vitamin C or placebo supplementation was started and at monthly intervals thereafter for three months. Samples were analyzed for cadmium, lead, and mercury. Results indicate that vitamin C did not significantly affect levels of these metals in either hair or blood samples.
Work-Group Characteristics and Performance in Collectivistic and Individualistic Cultures

The authors conducted a cross-cultural longitudinal investigation of the effects of culture (individualism-collectivism dichotomy) on group characteristics (functional heterogeneity, preference for teamwork, group potency, outcome expectation) and on performance of 83 work groups performing 2 decision-making tasks over a 15-week period. The individualists (U.S. students) reported higher levels of functional heterogeneity and group potency and attained higher levels of group performance than did the collectivists (Korean students). In addition, culture and time interacted to influence ratings of group potency and outcome expectation. The difference in ratings of group potency between individualists and collectivists increased over time. Outcome expectation was greater among the collectivists in Time 1 and among the individualists in Time 2. The authors discuss implications for future cross-cultural group research and international management.
Self-compensation in lanthanum-doped strontium titanate

Gravimetric measurements on pure and lanthanum-doped SrTiO3 have shown that the reversible change of oxygen content, between specified states of oxidation and reduction, is proportional to the dopant concentration. These measurements indicate that the donor dopants are electronically compensated by additional oxygen uptake in the oxidized state. The range of this reversible change in oxygen stoichiometry is up to more than an order of magnitude larger than the oxygen nonstoichiometry of the undoped SrTiO3. A single-phase region from La0.2Sr0.8Ti4+0.8Ti3+0.2O3 to La0.2Sr0.8Ti4+O3.10 has been confirmed for lanthanum-doped SrTiO3. The gravimetric measurements can be explained by a model involving a shear structure.
Flow Diagrams for the Diagnosis of Acid-Base Disorders

This article discusses flow diagrams and tables intended to provide a systematic approach to the rapid laboratory differential diagnosis of acid-base disorders in the emergency department.
An ab initio study of H chemisorption on Li clusters in fcc (110) and fcc (111) symmetries

Many body perturbation theory has been applied to investigate the properties of lithium clusters which model the fcc (110) and (111) surfaces of the crystal lattice. Hydrogen interaction with these clusters has been investigated in detail by considering different approach positions of the hydrogen atoms. Comparison with previous results on Lin clusters in bcc (100), (110) and (111), and fcc (100) symmetries and H-Lin systems reveal important differences as well as some points of agreement. Relative stabilities from the points of view of cohesive energies for bare clusters and chemisorption energies for hydrogen-lithium systems have been discussed in terms of factors such as cluster compactness and the presence of nearest neighbor Li atoms. Charge transfer and p-occupancy effects for the various H-Lin systems have been studied in detail.
Rhodium Complex with Ethylene Ligands Supported on Highly Dehydroxylated MgO: Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity

Mononuclear rhodium complexes with reactive olefin ligands, supported on MgO powder, were synthesized by chemisorption of Rh(C2H4)2(C5H7O2) and characterized by infrared (IR), 13C MAS NMR, and exte...
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as an augmentation treatment for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia: a 4-week randomized placebo controlled study.

Background In the absence of effective treatments for the negative symptom complex of schizophrenia, we explored the effect of 4 consecutive weeks of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) exposure (20 sessions) as an add-on treatment to atypical antipsychotics. Methods Three groups of 17 schizophrenic subjects each were exposed to 20 treatments of either placebo, 1 Hz (100 pulses per day = 2000 total) or 10 Hz (1000 pulses per day = 20,000 total) rTMS at 110% motor threshold over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, while being maintained on their atypical antipsychotic. Subjects were evaluated at baseline, weeks 2 and 4, and at 4-week follow-up after the last treatment. Results The primary outcome measure (change in Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms score) showed a statistically significant drop at weeks 2, 4, and 8 for the high frequency (10 Hz) group, but not the 1 Hz or placebo groups. Secondary outcome measures of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and SF-36 did not demonstrate any significant change. Conclusions rTMS may serve as a relatively noninvasive treatment of the negative and neurocognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia.
A kinetic analysis of fibrinogenolysis during plasminogen activator therapy

A mathematic model of the systemic fibrinogenolysis that accompanies coronary thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) has been devised. The kinetic parameters of the model were estimated by nonlinear regression analysis with data from a clinical trial of rt-PA. The plasma elimination rate constant for rt-PA was estimated to be 10.0 hr−1, the second-order catalytic rate constant for the in vivo rt-PA–mediated conversion of plasminogen to plasmin 0.0078 (μg rt-PA/kg body weight) −1hr−1, the plasma elimination rate constant for plasmin 2.33 hr−1, and the second-order catalytic rate constant for the in vivo plasmin-catalyzed degradation of fibrinogen 0.466 (mg plasmin/dl)−1hr−1. Computer simulation studies based on these parameter estimates show that the magnitude of fibrinogenolysis induced by rt-PA is related to the dose in a curvilinear fashion, showing diminishing increments in the effect at increasing doses. The degree of fibrinogenolysis induced by rt-PA administration is nearly independent of the dosing schedule. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1987) 41, 297–303; doi:10.1038/clpt.1987.31
Comparative changes in treatment practices and clinical outcomes following implementation of a prospective payment system: the STEPPS study

The aim of the US dialysis Prospective Payment System bundle, launched in January 2011, was reduction and more accurate prediction of costs of services, whilst maintaining or improving patient care. Dialysis facilities could either adopt the bundle completely (100%) in the first year of launch, or phase-in (25%) over four years. Differences in practice patterns and patient outcomes were hypothesized to occur in facilities that phased-in 25% compared to those that did not. Data are from STEPPS, a study of 51 small dialysis organization facilities designed to describe trends in dialytic treatment before and after bundle implementation. Baseline was defined as October-December 2010; follow-up as January-December 2011. Facility- and patient-level data were collected at enrollment and regularly thereafter. Cox proportional hazards and linear multi-level models were used to estimate the effect of opting-in 25% (vs. 100%) on practice patterns and clinical outcomes. 12 facilities (patient n = 346) opted-in 25% and 37 facilities (patient n = 1296) opted-in 100% to the dialysis bundle. At baseline, patients at 25% facilities were primarily covered by Medicare, were more likely to be black, and were receiving higher monthly epoetin alfa (EPO) doses. Throughout 2011, patients in 100% facilities received lower monthly EPO doses, and had lower mean hemoglobin concentrations; hospitalization and mortality rates were numerically lower in 25% facilities but not statistically different. The economic pressure for dialysis providers to work within an expanded composite rate bundle whilst maintaining patient care may be a driver of practice indicator outcomes. Additional investigations are warranted to more precisely estimate clinical outcomes in patients attending facilities enrolling into the bundle 100% relative to the previous fee-for-service framework.
Gene expression promoted by the RSV long terminal repeat element in transgenic goldfish.

Abstract Persistence and levels of expression of the chloramphenicol acetyltrans‐ferase (CAT) marker gene under transcriptional regulation by the 5’ long terminal repeat element of the avian Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) were examined in various tissues of transgenic goldfish, Carassius auratus. Evidence of the CAT transgene was observed in 13 of 20 test individuals, with ten individuals being apparent mosaics for the introduced construct. Above‐background acetyltrans‐ferase activity was observed in tissues from 14 individuals, most frequently and at highest levels in muscle. Acetyltransferase activities in muscle tissue of transgenic individuals were as much as fifty times background. Transgene expression, from the RSV promoter, observed in piscine muscle cells paralleled earlier observations of RSV directed gene expression in avian and mammalian systems.
Virtual states and photon-assisted tunneling.

Perturbation theory is used to understand the transitions that dominate photon-assisted tunneling in coupled quantum-well systems immersed in intense ac fields. In particular, we show that the Bessel functions, widely incorporated into models describing photon-assisted tunneling, correspond to net $n$-photon transition probabilities to virtual states, and that the argument of these Bessel functions is gauge dependent.
The revolution shall not pass through women's bodies: Egypt, uprising and gender politics

This article analyses the outcome of the Egyptian uprising on women's issues by focusing on women's bodies and the discursive ways by which they are constituted and constitute themselves. Three vignettes illustrate the centrality of female corporeality in the political transformations taking place post the 25 January revolution. While these ‘feminine’ bodies are disciplined and regulated through discourses of patriarchy, Islamism and secular modern masculinity, they are also sites of dissent and revolution. These bodies as shown in the vignettes offer novel forms of corporeal practices that as they appropriate systemic forms of discipline and regulation also reconstitute them into new and personal ways of expressing counter-discursive means of resistance.
Using telehealth to increase participation in weight maintenance programs.

HAUGEN, HEATHER A., ZUNG V. TRAN, HOLLY R. WYATT, MARY J. BARRY, AND JAMES O. HILL. Using telehealth to increase participation in weight maintenance programs. Obesity. 2007;15:3067–3077. Objective: To compare weight regain, satisfaction, and convenience among three weight maintenance programs: telehealth, traditional classes, and no program. Research Methods and Procedures: This quasi-experimental study compared weight change, satisfaction, and convenience among three program types. The telehealth participants interacted with a registered dietitian (RD) through the web and e-mail, traditional program participants attended a traditional classroom program, and no program participants received no interaction. Eighty-seven subjects (14 men and 73 women) were enrolled in the study: 31 traditional, 31 telehealth, and 25 no program participants. Eligibility included participation in a community-based weight loss program (Colorado Weigh) and minimum 7% weight loss before enrollment. Results: Subject characteristics at baseline were as follows: age, 50 9.3 (standard deviation) years; height, 1.68 0.09 m; weight, 80.5 18.4 kg, with no significant differences between groups. Over 6 months, the traditional group lost 0.5 4.3 kg, the telehealth group lost 0.6 2.5 kg, and the no program group gained 1.7 3.0 kg. Weight change among all three groups was significant (p 0.02); no program participants gained significantly more weight than the telehealth and traditional groups. There were no differences in overall satisfaction between the telehealth and traditional groups (p 0.43), but individuals in the telehealth group rated their program as more convenient compared with the traditional group (p 0.0001). Discussion: These results show the usefulness of telehealth programs in long-term weight loss maintenance. They may be a useful alternative for those who successfully lose weight in a structured behavioral program but do not choose to participate in a formal behavioral weight loss maintenance program.
Role of Smectite Quasicrystal Dynamics in Adsorption of Dinitrophenol

Understanding sorption mechanisms and processes is critical for predicting the fate of organic pollutants in soils and for development of effective remediation strategies for contaminated soils. A novel suspension x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique was used to elucidate the influence of the size and swelling of K- and Ca-smectite quasicrystals in aqueous suspensions on adsorption of4,6-dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC). X-ray diffraction patterns of randomly oriented smectite quasicrystals in aqueous suspensions were compared with diffraction patterns for air-dried and oven-dried oriented films of the same smectites. The XRD patterns reveal that the phenolate form of DNOC, which is predominant in solution with pH ≥ 4.4, is primarily adsorbed on external surfaces of K-smectite quasicrystals in aqueous suspensions and may enter the interlayers as a K-DNOC complex when K-smectite quasicrystals coalesce. In Ca-smectite suspensions with pH > 4.4, the phenolate form of DNOC is adsorbed only on external surfaces; however, DNOC may become entrapped between substacks within Ca-smectite quasicrystals as the smectite suspension dries to form an oriented film. The neutral form of DNOC (pH ≤ 4.4) was adsorbed in the interlayers of a low-charge-density Ca-smectite in aqueous suspension but not in the interlayers of the high-charge-density Ca-smectite, apparently due to steric restrictions. Clearly, XRD analysis is a valuable tool for gaining insight into interactions between smectites and organic molecules, but caution must be used in extrapolating data based on XRD patterns of air-dried and oven-dried smectite films to processes that may occur in aqueous smectite suspensions.
Local fields and optical properties of metal-dielectric films

Optical response of metal-dielectric inhomogeneous films is considered. The generalized Ohm's law is formulated that relates electric and magnetic fields outside to the currents inside the film. Computer simulations, with the use of the generalized Ohm's law show that the local electric and magnetic fields experience giant spatial fluctuations. The fields are localized in small spatially separated peaks: electric and magnetic hot spots. In these hot spots the local fields (both electric and magnetic) exceed the applied field by several orders of magnitude. It is also shown that transmittance of a regular modulated metal film is strongly enhanced when the incident wave is in resonance with surface polaritons in the film. A new optical switch based on this effect is proposed.