cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does the Dose of Mycophenolate Mofetil Impact Outcome after Heart Transplantation

Purpose Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an anti-proliferative agent that is used in heart transplantation (HTx). The multicenter randomized trial of mycophenolate published in Transplantation in 1998 demonstrated that MMF had a survival benefit. The average dose of MMF was 2.8 g/day. It is not clear whether lower doses of MMF also have benefit in terms of control of rejection as well as other outcomes. Methods Between 2010 and 2018, we assessed 240 HTx patients and divided them into categories of MMF dosing in the first year after HTx. The average daily dose of MMF was obtained for all patients in the first year, with an average of 10 MMF dose levels obtained over the first year. Patients were divided into groups based on receiving an average daily dose of 2000 mg/day. Endpoints included 1-year survival, 1-year freedom from cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), 1-year freedom from non-fatal major adverse cardiac events (NF-MACE: myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention/angioplasty, new congestive heart failure, pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement, and stroke), and 1-year freedom from rejection (any treated rejection (ATR), acute cellular rejection (ACR), antibody mediated rejection (AMR)). Results Patients treated with 2000 mg MMF/day had a trend toward decreased freedom from ATR. There was no difference in outcome between all groups in terms of 1-year survival, freedom from CAV, freedom from NF-MACE, and freedom from ACR and AMR. Conclusion The average daily dose of MMF in the first year after HTx does not appear to have an impact on outcome. Longer follow-up will be necessary to assess whether MMF dosing correlates to long-term complications such as CAV. Larger number of patients will be needed to confirm these findings.
Impact of breast cancer chemotherapy on ovarian damage and recovery.

e24059Background: As societal shifts have led to more women delaying childbearing, a diagnosis of breast cancer is increasingly more likely to occur prior to the completion of family building. Ther...
Update on the Acute Effects of Glucose, Insulin, and Incretins on Bone Turnover In Vivo

To provide an update on the acute effects of glucose, insulin, and incretins on markers of bone turnover in those with and without diabetes. Bone resorption is suppressed acutely in response to glucose and insulin challenges in both healthy subjects and patients with diabetes. The suppression is stronger with oral glucose compared with intravenous delivery. Stronger responses with oral glucose may be related to incretin effects on insulin secretion or from a direct effect on bone turnover. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) infusion acutely suppresses bone resorption without much effect on bone formation. The bone turnover response to a metabolic challenge may be attenuated in type 2 diabetes, but this is an understudied area. A knowledge gap exists regarding bone turnover responses to a metabolic challenge in type 1 diabetes. The gut-pancreas-bone link is potentially an endocrine axis. This linkage is disrupted in diabetes, but the mechanism and progression of this disruption are not understood.
Exploring the Integration of Technology in a Holistic Special Educational Setting

Authors share an initial exploration of the pedagogy practiced at The Camphill School, specifically in relation to the integration of technology into its program. An approved private school situate...
Comparison of Methods for Spontaneous Breathing Trials

Background: The rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) is a measurement that may be used to predict successful extubation and liberation from mechanical ventilation. The original study used a T-piece during a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) and showed an RSBI less than 105 to be the acceptable parameter for successful extubation. The current standard in most institutions is to perform SBT and measure an RSBI while using the ventilator, typically with Pressure Support (PS) of 5 cm H2O and PEEP of 5 cm H2O. We hypothesized that an SBT using PS of 0 cm H2O, PEEP of 0 cm H2O with automatic tube compensation (ATC) would create a significant difference in the accuracy of using RSBI as a predictor for successful extubation when compared to PS of 5 cm H2O and PEEP of 5 cm H2O. Methods: After IRB approval, we performed a retrospective chart review study of all patients admitted to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in the Multi-Trauma Critical Care (MTCC) during 2015 that had SBT performed with the two various SBT settings to determine the reintubation rate. Data were also collected on patients that required noninvasive ventilation (NIV) or high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) post-extubation. Results: There were 201 patients extubated that completed an SBT on PS of 5 cm H2O PEEP of 5 cm H2O and 12.56% required re-intubation which wasn’t significant but double the rate of 5.3% of 95 patients that were reintubated when using an SBT of on PS of 0 cm H2O, PEEP of 0 cm H2O, and ATC. Conclusions: The more ventilation support provided during an SBT, the less likely an RSBI
High-efficiency lithium isotope separation by electrochemical deposition and intercalation with electrochemical isotope effect in propylene carbonate and [BMIM][DCA] ionic liquid

Abstract Li isotopes are of great importance in the nuclear industry and are generally produced by the environmentally hazardous column exchange process. Many separation techniques have been proposed to develop an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective separation method. Among all the proposed methods, the electrochemical deposition and intercalation method is of promising application in the future. However, no industrialization attempts have been made because of the lack of thorough research in this field. In this paper, the Li isotope separation tests were conducted with the electrochemical deposition and intercalation method and the experimental setup proposed in this research. To have a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing performance, the effects of solvent and cathodic substrate were investigated with LiBF4 deposition tests on four substrates in two solvents. Experimental results show that the separation coefficient from the graphite substrate is consistent with the literature reported value. Other combinations of substrates and solvents yield better separation coefficients. For most of them, the separation coefficient may reach 1.09–1.10, which is the highest separation coefficient observed in various Li isotope separation tests in this study as well as in the literature reported to the best of the authors’ knowledge. Moreover, a separation coefficient of 1.20 was achieved with the Ni-PC system.
PET Imaging of Synaptic Vesicle Protein 2A

The synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) is an integral 12-transmembrane domain glycoprotein located in the membrane of synaptic vesicles and widely distributed throughout the brain. In 2004, SV2A was shown to be the molecular target of the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam. High-affinity SV2A ligands have been described by the pharmaceutical company UCB more recently, and this enabled the rapid development of SV2A positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands. Because synaptic vesicle proteins, such as SV2A, have previously been used as biomarkers of synaptic density, PET imaging of SV2A may have broad utility across neuropathological diseases. In this chapter we review the current status of SV2A PET imaging.
Quantitative spectroscopic analysis of and distance to SN1999em

This work presents a detailed quantitative spectroscopic analysis of, and the determination of the distance to, the type II supernovae (SN) SN1999em with CMFGEN (Dessart & Hillier 2005a), based on spectrophotometric observations at eight dates up to 40 days after discovery. We use the same iron-group metal content for the ejecta, the same power-law density distribution (with exponent n~10), and a Hubble-velocity law at all times. We adopt a H/He/C/N/O abundance pattern compatible with CNO-cycle equilibrium values for a RSG/BSG progenitor, with C/O enhanced and N depleted at later times. Based on our synthetic fits to spectrophotometric observations of SN1999em, we obtain a distance of 11.5Mpc, similar to that of Baron et al. (2004) and the Cepheid distance to the galaxy host of 11.7Mpc (Leonard et al. 2003). Similarly, based on such models, the Expanding Photosphere Method (EPM) delivers a distance of 11.6Mpc, with negligible scatter between photometric bandpass sets; there is thus nothing wrong with the EPM as such. Previous determinations using the tabulated correction factors of Eastman et al. (1996) all led to 30-50% underestimates: we find that this is caused by 1) an underestimate of the correction factors compared to the only other study of the kind by Dessart & Hillier (2005b), 2) a neglect of the intrinsic >20% scatter of correction factors, and 3) the use of the EPM at late times when severe line blanketing makes the method inaccurate. The need of detailed model computations for reliable EPM distance estimates thus defeats the appeal and simplicity of the method. However, detailed fits to SN optical spectra, based on tailored models for individual SN observations, offers a promising approach to obtaining distances with 10-20% accuracy, either through the EPM or a la Baron et al. (2004).
POPULATION STRUCTURE AND GENETIC DIVERSITY OF THE PEE DEE COTTON BREEDING PROGRAM.

Accelerated marker-assisted selection and genomic selection breeding systems require genotyping data to select the best parents for combining beneficial traits. Since 1935, the Pee Dee cotton germplasm enhancement program has developed an important genetic resource for upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), contributing alleles for improved fiber quality, agronomic performance, and genetic diversity. To date, a detailed genetic survey of the program's eight historical breeding cycles has yet to be undertaken. The objectives of this study were to evaluate genetic diversity across and within breeding groups, examine population structure, and contextualize these findings relative to the global upland cotton gene pool. The CottonSNP63K array was used to identify 17,441 polymorphic markers in a panel of 114 diverse Pee Dee genotypes. A subset of 4,597 markers was selected to decrease marker density bias. Identity by state (IBS) pairwise distance varied substantially, ranging from 0.55 to 0.97. Pedigree-based estimates of relatedness were not very predictive of observed genetic similarities. Few rare alleles were present, with 99.1% of SNP alleles appearing within the first four breeding cycles. Population structure analysis with principal component analysis, discriminant analysis of principal components, fastSTRUCTURE, and a phylogenetic approach revealed an admixed population with moderate substructure. A small core collection (n < 20) captured 99% of the program's allelic diversity. Allele frequency analysis indicated potential selection signatures associated with stress resistance and fiber cell growth. The results of this study will steer future utilization of the program's germplasm resources and aid in combining program-specific beneficial alleles and maintaining genetic diversity.
Expressibility of OWL Axioms with Patterns

The high expressivity of the Web Ontology Language (OWL) makes it possible to describe complex relationships between classes, roles, and individuals in an ontology. However, this high expressivity can be an obstacle to correct usage and wide adoption. Past attempts to ameliorate this have included the development of specific, presumably human-friendly syntaxes, such as the Manchester syntax or graphical interfaces for OWL axioms, albeit with limited success. If modelers want to develop suitable OWL axioms it is important to make this as easy as possible.
Art Educators’ Use of Adaptations, Assistive Technology, and Special Education Supports for Students with Physical, Visual, Severe and Multiple Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to examine art educators’ use of adaptations, including assistive technology, and their reported supports from special education personnel to meet the needs of students with physical, sensory, severe, and multiple disabilities in the art classroom. Seventy-seven P-12 art teachers responded to an online survey items consisting of perceived knowledge and preparedness and strategies and resources, including assistive technology, used in the art classroom. Results showed that (a) neither years of teaching experience nor number of students with disabilities taught were related to frequency of use of assistive technology; (b) respondents agreed/strongly agreed that it is important for students with significant disabilities to participate in artmaking (96 %); (c) in response to a list of assistive technology devices, over half reported using most of them rarely or never. Those most commonly reported were large-handled writing or painting tools, adapted scissors, and devices for stabilization; and (d) one-fourth of the respondents reported “never” working collaboratively with a special education teacher and most reported collaboration happens only “sometimes.” Findings suggest the need for more preservice and inservice preparation for art teachers to most effectively engage students with significant disabilities as well as more preparation for special education teachers and paraeducators in both collaboration and specific assistive technology expertise.
Chapter 20. Lipoxygenase and the Related Arachidonic Acid Metabolites

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the mammalian lipoxygenase systems and their products. In cascade and the action of the cascade products, the major cascade products from the lipoxygenase oxidation of arachidonic acid (AA) are discussed in the chapter. They include incubation products LTs, 8,15-LTB 4 and 14,15-LTB 4 (each a mixture of two isomers), diastereomeric 8, (15S)-dihydroxy-5,9,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acids, and two erythro-14,15-dihydroxy-5, 8,10,12-eicosatetraenoic acid. The structures studied through figures. Historically, SRS-A, LTC 4 , and LTD 4 have been discussed to characteristically contract guinea pigileum smooth muscle preparations, likewise, it has been shown that LTE 4 contracts this tissue. The contraction because of LTC 4 was weaker and of shorter duration than that of LTD4. The most active LTD 4 configuration was 9-cis- 5(S),6(R); 9-cis-5(R),6(S) LTD 4 was only 1/100 as active. Similarly, on enzyme location and characterization the chapter deals with neoplastic cells and lipoxygenase activity. Studies with rabbit kidney suggest the presence of lipoxygenase activity in papillary and cortical microsomal fractions. The chapter discusses the modulation of synthesis and actions involving antioxidants, such as α-tocopherol, (vitamin El, butylated hydroxytoluene and butylhydroxyanisole (BHA)); action of ETYA and other acetylenic acids on lipoxygenase systems, the three acetylenic acids (4,7,10-hexadecatryynoic acid, 4,7,10,13- nonadecatetraynoic acid, and 4,7,10,13-heneicosatetraynoic acid), and some other agents. Detail structure is provided of each compound in the chapter.
Participation of tryptophan residues in dehydrogenase action. II. Position of tritium-labeled hydrogen in yeast alcohol dehydrogenase after various means of inactivation and hydrolysis.

Abstract A previous study with substrate quantities of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase and tritium-labeled ethanol had shown that the dehydrogenase protein became labeled in the methylene group of a tryptophan residue by the hydrogen atom that is transferred. The labeled protein was precipitated when the enzymatic reaction at equilibrium at pH 9 to 11 was interrupted by heat or addition of HClO4 (1). The present investigation showed a similar labeling when the enzyme was inactivated by 6 m guanidinium chloride or 0.8 m sodium hydroxide. In all four cases studied, the label appeared in tryptophan after acid hydrolysis of the protein. Inactivation of the enzyme by N-bromosuccinimide or silver nitrate did not result in labeled protein. Since classical enzymatic and alkaline hydrolytic methods gave unsatisfactory or inconclusive results, a new method of nonacidic protein hydrolysis (2.4 m sodium phosphate, pH 12, 3 to 20 hours at 111°) was developed and applied to the system. The tritium label was also found in the methylene group of tryptophan after heat precipitation and phosphate hydrolysis of the enzyme. Further study of incomplete enzymatic reactions confirmed the requirement for an equilibrium mixture of substrates and coenzymes for the labeling of tryptophan. Experiments with omission of substrates, with tritium-labeled diphosphopyridine nucleotide as a source of label, showed that perchloric acid precipitated the protein in labeled form. This labeling reaction differed from that of the complete system in that the labeled residue was not tryptophan. Similar experiments with omission of DPN, and with ethanol-1-3H and acetaldehyde, did not yield labeled protein. Tryptophan uniformly labeled with tritium was converted into N-acetyltryptophan, N-acetyl-5,7-dibromodioxindolylalanine lactone, and indole, and the radioactivity of these derivatives was determined. It was established that indole does not exchange the tritium label with solvent protons during its formation.
Trends in gaze tracking patterns with increasing exposure to anatomy (535.8)

The process of learning is complex and multifaceted. It is therefore worthwhile to define objective markers to indicate a learner’s progression. The goal of the present study is to determine whether gaze tracking patterns differ as a function of knowledge acquisition. The eye movements of 31 Medical Gross Anatomy students were recorded while they identified anatomical structures on computer slides. All participants completed the experiment two times: once before they started the class (baseline) and once after one of three course sections (revisit; 10-11 subjects per section). Participants viewed tagged structures from all three sections of the course and obscure images (animal anatomy). Therefore all subjects viewed some structures about which they had learned and some structures they have never encountered. We predict that with experience the students will attend faster and fixate longer on cognitively salient areas of interest (cAOIs) on images from the section(s) of the course they have completed at t...
OSI als Brücke zwischen heterogenen Systemen. Untersuchung von Umsetzern und deren Probleme, mit SNA Beispielen

Uber die Jahre hinweg haben sich eine Reihe von Architekturen fur Rechnernetze entwickelt, deren verschiedenartige Protokolle das direkte Kooperieren zwischen diesen Netzen verhindert. Zur Abhilfe wurden in der Vergangenheit direkte Umsetzer entwickelt, die in der Lage waren eine begrenzte Kooperation zwischen zwei Netzen zu ermoglichen. Nach der Verabschiedung der ersten Standards fur „Open System Interconnection(OSI)“, bietet sich nun die Moglichkeit uber diese neutralen Protokolle eine allgemeine, umfassende Kooperation zwischen verschiedenen Rechnernetzen zu erzielen. Vorraussetzung ist, das fur jedes Netz Umsetzer entwickelt werden, die die Anpassung der internen Netzprotokolle an OSI erledigen.
Peripheral Tolerance Induction Using Ethylenecarbodiimide-Fixed APCs Uses both Direct and Indirect Mechanisms of Antigen Presentation for Prevention of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

MHC class II (MHC II)-restricted T cell responses are a common driving force of autoimmune disease. Accordingly, numerous therapeutic strategies target CD4 + T cells with the hope of attenuating autoimmune responses and restoring self-tolerance. We have previously reported that i.v. treatment with Ag-pulsed, ethylenecarbodiimide (ECDI)-fixed splenocytes (Ag-SPs) is an efficient protocol to induce Ag-specific tolerance for prevention and treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Ag-SPs coupled with peptide can directly present peptide:MHC II complexes to target CD4 + T cells in the absence of costimulation to induce anergy. However, Ag-SPs coupled with whole protein also efficiently attenuates Ag-specific T cell responses suggesting the potential contribution of alternative indirect mechanisms/interactions between the Ag-SPs and target CD4 + T cells. Thus, we investigated whether MHC II compatibility was essential to the underlying mechanisms by which Ag-SP induces tolerance during autoimmune disease. Using MHC-deficient, allogeneic, and/or syngeneic donor Ag-SPs, we show that MHC compatibility between the Ag-SP donor and the host is not required for tolerance induction. Interestingly, we found that ECDI treatment induces apoptosis of the donor cell population which promotes uptake and reprocessing of donor cell peptides by host APCs resulting in the apparent MHC II-independent induction of tolerance. However, syngeneic donor cells are more efficient at inducing tolerance, suggesting that Ag-SPs induce functional Ag-SP tolerance via both direct and indirect (cross-tolerance) mechanisms leading to prevention and effective treatment of autoimmune disease.
Design of engine control modules for electromagnetic compatibility: case study

The number of electronic component assemblies present in General Motors vehicles is steadily increasing. To achieve Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) at the vehicle level, design for EMC at the component assembly level is required. System requirements and their effects on system EMC are briefly reviewed, followed by are view of component level design considerations and techniques for evaluation of an electronic assembly prior to its installation in a vehicle. The design considerations presented include specific examples of Engine Control Module (ECM) ground structure design, component interconnection considerations, circuit radiation considerations, and techniques for minimizing radiation from the printed circuit board.
Effects of changeover delay on response allocation during probe tests

The present study assessed whether a pattern of responding that develops when choosing between two alternatives generalizes to novel choice tests when alternatives are presented in new combinations. Pigeons were trained on a two-component multiple schedule. In both components, a concurrent variable-interval (VI) 40-s VI 80-s schedule was used. The COD was 1 s in one component and 10 s in the other. The long COD produced consistently longer dwell times than the short COD did. Following training, subjects were presented with four types of probe-test components in which one alternative was drawn from the component with the short COD and one alternative was drawn from the component with the long COD. When the schedule values of the two alternatives were identical (VI 40 vs. VI 40 and VI 80 vs. VI 80), subjects preferred the alternative trained with the long COD (Ms = .78 and .61, respectively). Additionally, subjects preferred the VI 40-s alternative trained with the long COD to the VI 80-s alternative that was trained with the short COD (M = .85). Systematic preference was not observed when subjects were given a choice between the VI 40-s alternative that was trained with the short COD and the VI 80-s alternative that was trained with the long COD. These results demonstrate that a stimulus associated with a longer COD, and thus longer dwell times in baseline training, may be more preferred during probe tests than expected on the basis of the rate of primary reinforcement associated with that stimulus.
Role of expiratory flow limitation in determining lung volumes and ventilation during exercise

We determined the role of expiratory flow limitation (EFL) on the ventilatory response to heavy exercise in six trained male cyclists [maximal O2 uptake = 65 ± 8 (range 55–74) ml ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1] wi...
Multimedia beyond video-on-demand

We explore future multimedia application scenarios, using a shared virtual shopping experience as an example. We sketch the overall system architecture, discuss the networking requirements, and describe a user interface for such a system. Our software architecture relies on a distributed, shared object space. We introduce a classification of objects into behavior, service, and resource types. As for networking, the need for a sophisticated call and connection management, the integration of communication services, "plug and play" capabilities of mobile terminals, and the seamless integration of wired and wireless networks are explained. For the user interface we describe the use of a pseudo-3D information landscape populated by active objects, navigation by flying over the landscape, object manipulation via active tools, an integrated approach to searching and browsing, and the concept of "shared virtual spaces" for communication and collaborative applications.
Frequency and Predictors of Patient Deviation From Prescribed Opioids and Barriers to Opioid Pain Management in Patients With Advanced Cancer

Context Approximately 80% of patients with advanced cancer report pain and receive opioids. Information is limited about deviations from prescribed opioid doses and barriers to pain control, but poor opioid adherence has been reported in 49%–70% of patients.
THE CLASSICAL EQUATIONS OF MOTION OF POINT PARTICLES IN NEUTRAL MESON FIELDS

The special relativistic equations of motion of point particles interacting with neutral scalar or vector meson fields are redetermined by applying a method originally developed by Infeld and Wallace for the electromagnetic case, which is based on the linearized equations of general relativity. This method, which is free of ambiguity, leads to the equations obtained previously by several authors by the method originated by Dirac in electrodynamics, but differs from some of the results of Majumdar and Apte, who used a simplified version of the Infeld-Wallace method, which did not have recourse to general relativity.
The effect of Web caching on network planning

In this paper, the effect of Web caching on network planning, in the sense of bandwidth computation for the access link interconnecting the ISP's subnet with the Internet, is studied by means of simulations. The latency of a browser retrieving files is studied for given traffic characteristics, number of users, bandwidth of access link, and cache hit rate. From our analysis, we find that using a well-designed Web cache with a 50% hit rate is more effective than doubling the bandwidth for an ISP's access link to the Internet, with respect to decreasing retrieval latency. In other words, we can reduce half of the bandwidth of the access link by using Web caching without compromising retrieval latency. The results are very encouraging and useful to the ISPs, enterprises and universities that are planning to interconnect their Intranets with the Internet.
Massively Parallel Nanorobotics for Lithography and Data Storage

Nanometer-scale structures and devices can be constructed by using the tip of a scanning probe microscope (SPM) as a robot. The tip manipulates nanocomponents to build assemblies, or induces material deposition to form patterns on a substrate. Fabrication by SPM methods has severe throughput problems, which can be solved by using arrays of tips built by MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) technology, in conjunction with the strategies and algorithms presented in this paper. Massively parallel methods are described here for writing and reading nanometer-scale patterns of lines or dots, or for manipulating nanoparticles with arrays of SPM tips. The tip array moves as a whole in the x, y plane of the substrate, and does not require individual x, y drives and controllers for the individual tips. Applications to nanolithography are discussed, as well as a microelectromechanical storage device, analogous to a compact disc (CD) on a chip, and called an editable nanoCD. NanoCDs can be read and edited by the tip...
A Framework for Narrative-Driven Transformative Learning in Medicine

Like bookends, birth and death contain innumerable narratives that we come to experience, recall, and reflect on in a unique fashion throughout life. In hindsight, the bookmarks we leave behind oft...
EMG biofeedback training, transfer of training, and coping with stress ☆

Abstract In phase one, 56 subjects either did (biofeedback training) or did not (no biofeedback training) receive frontal EMG biofeedback training, and either were (stress) or were not (no stress) threatened with electric shocks during the training periods. Results indicated that the threat of shock was effective in increasing arousal (as measured by self-report and multiple physiological indices), and that the biofeedback training provided under both stressful and non-stressful conditions was effective in reducing frontal EMG levels and the extent to which subjects worried about the shock, but was not effective in reducing physiological arousal, self-report of arousal, or the perceived painfulness of the shock. In phase two, the subjects from phase one were exposed to another threat of shock situation, but no additional biofeedback was provided. Fourteen additional subjects were not threatened with electric shock and served as a control group. Results indicated that the threat of shock was again effective in increasing arousal, and that subjects who had previously received biofeedback training under either stressful or non-stressful conditions were able to reduce their levels of frontal EMG and self-report of arousal, but not their levels of physiological arousal. The results provide evidence that EMG biofeedback training can reduce EMG levels under stressful as well as non-stressful conditions, and that this effect will transfer to a stressful non-training situation. However, the fact that the EMG reductions were generally not accompanied by reductions in arousal suggests that EMG biofeedback may have limited effectiveness as a general procedure for coping with stress.
Seizing the occasion: history and nation in Eduardo Coutinho's Metalworkers

This article looks at the convergence of history and nation in the documentary Metalworkers/Peoes (Eduardo Coutinho, 2004). The catalyst for Coutinho's project was Brazil's 2002 presidential race and the candidacy of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a former lathe operator and labor leader who was elected president toward the end of that same year. Metalworkers, however, does not focus on the presidential candidate and his campaign. Instead, it seeks out the past by means of a series of interviews with those who participated, under Lula's leadership, in the labor movement that surged in the late 1970s and challenged the country's military regime at the time. Inspired by performance-oriented theories, the article proposes that the film's particular encounter with the past offers an alternative to conventional representations of the nation and its history.
Perivascular adipose tissue of the descending thoracic aorta is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and vascular calcification in women

Objective Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Traditional CVD and SLE-disease related risk factors do not fully account for this increased risk. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is a visceral adipose depot in close proximity to blood vessels possibly influencing CVD. We hypothesized that women with SLE have an increased volume of descending thoracic aortic PVAT (aPVAT) associated with increased vascular calcification.
On the cobalt (1120) surface as a template for hydrocarbon chain formation in Fischer—Tropsch synthesis

An explanation is proposed for the observations of Geerlings, Zonnevylle and de Groot [Surf. Sci. 241 (1991) 302, 315] that longer hydrocarbon chains grow on the zigzag grooved cobalt (1120) surface during Fischer-Tropsch reactions, while on stepped (1012) and smooth (0001) surfaces mainly C1 fragments are observed. Molecular orbital calculations show that the zigzag troughs on this surface may act as templates favoring CO dissociation and skeletal carbon chain formation, and that such events do not occur on smooth surfaces. Some speculations are offered on the nanotechnological design of “custom” templates for hydrocarbon synthesis.
Sources of real exchange-rate fluctuations: A comment

Richard Clarida, in an important earlier paper in the Carnegie-Rochester Conjerence Series with John Campbell (1987), found that only a small fraction of changes in real exchange rates can be attributed to short-term real interest differentials and that most of the changes are permanent. This conclusion which naturally suggests that monetary disturbances play only a small role in the determination of real exchange rates rests upon two assumptions: that a univariate statistical process adequately captures most changes in real exchange rates, and that uncovered interest-rate parity holds or that its deviations can be modeled statistically as a first-order autoregressive process. Now Richard Clarida and Jordi Gali have written an important paper that makes three contributions. First, it establishes that the results of Campbell and Clarida are mostly unchanged if one simply updates the sample to more recent data. Second, it shows that if one takes a different approach discarding uncovered interest parity as clearly violated in the data and eschewing any statistical model of deviations from uncovered interest parity and instead calculates temporary and permanent changes in real exchange rates from a multivariate Beveridge-Nelson decomposition (that includes lagged inflation differentials and lagged output-growth differentials), one obtains transitory components that account for (on average) half of the variance of changes in real exchange rates. Third, Clarida and Gali find, using standard methods of structural vector autoregressions, that monetary shocks and demand shocks play major roles in affecting real exchange rates and that supply shocks play virtually no role.
Breeding Astyanax mexicanus through Natural Spawning

INTRODUCTIONMale and female Astyanax mexicanus can be bred successfully in tanks under appropriate conditions. Females should be maintained on a diet high in fats for 10-14 d before breeding. The transfer of a male and female into clean water in a fresh tank and a change (increase) in water temperature are cues for breeding. Newly fertilized eggs may also be obtained through in vitro fertilization. Note that blind fish should never be paired with eyed fish in illuminated aquaria, because the eyed fish are aggressive and will kill even much larger blind fish. Such matings must be carried out in the dark or by using in vitro fertilization.
Differential conditioning using covert stimuli

Differential conditioning of verbal operants using covert stimuli, based on Cautela's covert reinforcement and covert sensitization methods of self control therapy, was studied in the laboratory. Each of 22 subjects was trained to visualize a reinforcing and an aversive scene, based on reported preferences from stimuli on the Reinforcement Survey Schedule. The operant was the emission of a number between 0 and 100. For one group the consequence of responding with a number ending in 1–3 was the self-presented reinforcing scene cued by the experimenter, with the aversive scene contingent upon a number ending in 7–9. The consequences were reversed for the other group. The results showed that contingent covert stimuli significantly changed the rates of the selected operants from baseline. This study supports Cautela's contention that covert stimuli can control behavior. The difficulty of measuring the covert stimulus was noted.
Amplification of elastic waves by a three dimensional valley. Part 2: Transient response

Transient response of three dimensional dipping layers of different shapes subjected to incident P, SV, SH and Rayleigh waves is investigated. The time domain response is constructed from steady state solutions through the Fourier synthesis. An indirect boundary integral equation method is applied to calculate the required steady state solutions. The material of the half-space and the layer is assumed to be linear, weakly inelastic, homogeneous and isotropic. Numerical results show that the maximum amplification of motion is strongly dependent upon the type of incident wave, the shape of the basin and signal frequency. The change in the shape of the valley from hemispherical to semi-prolate causes a significant increase in the amplitude of surface waves near the edges; however, the maximum amplification of motion near the centre of the valley decreases. This phenomenon is especially apparent for the case of an incident P wave. In comparison to the corresponding two dimensional responses, the amplitude of motion near the centre of the valley is in general higher for three dimensional models.
Vinculin promotes cell spreading by mechanically coupling integrins to the cytoskeleton

Mouse F9 embryonic carcinoma 5.51 cells that lack the cytoskeletal protein vinculin spread poorly on extracellular matrix compared with wild-type F9 cells or two vinculin-transfected clones (5.51Vin3 and Vin4; Samuels et al., 1993, J. Cell Biol. 121, 909-921). In the present study, we used this model system to determine how the presence of vinculin promotes cytoskeletal alterations and associated changes in cell shape. Microscopic analysis of cell spreading at early times, revealed that 5.51 cells retained the ability to form filopodia; however, they could not form lamellipodia, assemble stress fibers, or efficiently spread over the culture substrate. Detergent (Triton X-100) studies revealed that these major differences in cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization did not result from differences in levels of total polymerized or cross-linked actin. Biochemical studies showed that 5.51 cells, in addition to lacking vinculin, exhibited slightly reduced levels of alpha-actinin and paxillin in their detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton. The absence of vinculin correlated with a decrease in the mechanical stiffness of the integrin-cytoskeleton linkage, as measured using cell magnetometry. Furthermore, when vinculin was replaced by transfection in 5.51Vin3 and 5.51Vin4 cells, the levels of cytoskeletal-associated alpha-actinin and paxillin, the efficiency of transmembrane mechanical coupling, and the formation of actin stress fibers were all restored to near wild-type levels. These findings suggest that vinculin may promote cell spreading by stabilizing focal adhesions and transferring mechanical stresses that drive cytoskeletal remodeling, rather than by altering the total level of actin polymerization or cross-linking.
Phosphorylation of replication protein A by S-phase checkpoint kinases

Abstract The major eukaryotic single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein, replication protein A (RPA), is a heterotrimer with subunits of 70, 32 and 14 kDa (RPA70, RPA32 and RPA14). RPA-coated ssDNA has been implicated as one of the triggers for intra-S-phase checkpoint activation. Phosphorylation of RPA occurs in cells with damaged DNA or stalled replication forks. Here we show that human RPA70 and RPA32 can be phosphorylated by purified S-phase checkpoint kinases, ATR and Chk1. While ATR phosphorylates the N-terminus of RPA70, Chk1 preferentially phosphorylates RPA's major ssDNA binding domain. Chk1 phosphorylated RPA70 shows reduced ssDNA binding activity, and binding of RPA to ssDNA blocks Chk1 phosphorylation, suggesting that Chk1 and ssDNA compete for RPA's major ssDNA binding domain. ssDNA stimulates RPA32 phosphorylation by ATR in a length dependent manner. Furthermore, 3′-, but not 5′-, recessed single strand/double strand DNA junctions produce an even stronger stimulatory effect on RPA32 phosphorylation by ATR. This stimulation occurs for both RNA and DNA recessed ends. RPA's DNA binding polarity and its interaction to 3′-primer-template junctions contribute to efficient RPA32 phosphorylation. Progression of DNA polymerase is able to block the accessibility of the 3′-recessed ends and prevent the stimulatory effects of primer-template junctions on RPA phosphorylation by ATR. We propose models for the role of RPA phosphorylation by Chk1 in S-phase checkpoint pathways, and the possible regulation of ATR activity by different nucleic acid structures.
Effect of small additions of a third component on the eutectic and peritectic temperatures of binary systems

The effect of additions of a third component on the temperature and composition of the eutectic or peritectic point of a binary system, at infinite dilution of this component, has been derived analytically. The depression of the eutectic temperature and the raising of the peritectic temperature are found to have an upper limit that no ternary element can exceed. The determination of the effect of a given solute on a eutectic or peritectic temperature hinges on the values of the activity coefficients of that solute at infinite dilution in the three phases in mutual equilibrium. In the absence of these data, various estimation methods can be used. Several of these methods have been illustrated in detail through the study of the effects of Sn, Zn and Au on the Ag-Cu eutectic temperature, and of the effects of Si on the peritectic and eutectoid temperatures of the Fe-C system. At least on a semiquantitative basis, the results are in very satisfactory agreement with data in the literature.
An Examination of the Association between Social relationships and depression in early adolescence

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the association between social relationships and depression in early adolescence. Subjects were 216 sixth and seventh graders. Depression was measured by the Children's Depression Inventory; social relationships were measured by three sociometric techniques (positive nominations, negative nominations, peer ratings) and estimates by the subject of the number of nominations and the rating (s)he received. The results indicated that depression was associated with pear and self-estimate negative nominations and ratings more than with peer and self-estimate positive nominations. A stepwise multiple regression predicting depression scores included two of the six predictors and accounted for 14% of the variance. The implications of the results for the assessment and treatment of depression are discussed.
Interleukin-10 Inhibits Tumor Metastasis, Downregulates MHC Class I, and Enhances NK Lysis

We have engineered highly aggressive murine mammary tumor cell line 410.4 to express interleukin-10 (IL-10) and compared the behavior in vivo of these cells to parental 410.4 and 410.4 transfected with the control plasmid (410.4-neo). Transplantation of parental 410.4 and 410.4-neo tumor cells to syngeneic mice resulted in progressive growth and death from pulmonary metastases. In contrast, both subcutaneous growth and metastatic disease were completely inhibited by IL-10 expression. We had shown previously that the antimetastatic activity of IL-10 is expressed in T-cell-deficient mice but is lost when NK activity is suppressed. This study confirms that IL-10 is dependent on NK activity, since no therapeutic effect is seen in C.B-17/IcrCrl-SCID/Beige mice which lack T, B, and NK cell function. We compared the sensitivity to NK lysis of four IL-10-expressing clones with 410.4 and 410.4-neo and found that IL-10 expression resulted in enhanced NK lysis of all four clones. Furthermore, IL-10 expression was correlated with decreased surface expression of MHC class I Kd, Ld, and Dd. Pretreatment of IL-10-expressing cell lines with IFN-gamma reversed the class I downregulation and reduced the sensitivity of these cells to NK lysis. Taken together, these studies in vitro and in vivo are consistent with a mechanism by which IL-10 expression downregulates class I expression, leading to enhanced NK lysis of tumor cells, resulting in control of metastatic disease.
Application of higher-order flux-limited methods in compositional simulation

A higher-order flux-limited finite-difference scheme has been implemented into a compositional simulator to discretize the convection terms of the component conservation equations and the relative permeability terms of the phase fluxes. Harten's total variation diminishing criteria are imposed directly to the finite-difference equations and the bounds of the flux limiters which are suitable for larger Courant numbers and nonuniform grid systems are obtained. A time-correction technique is applied to increase the time accuracy and improve the stability condition. The scheme has been tested for miscible and immiscible flow problems in one and two dimensions, and the results were compared with those using a third-order method without flux limiting and some available analytical solutions. It has been shown that the scheme effectively reduces numerical dispersion and results in superior resolution of concentration and saturation fronts compared to conventional schemes. The stability conditions are also improved by using a time-correction technique. The results of the scheme are in good agreement with the analytical solutions. These improvements were achieved with negligible increase in computational effort. The scheme can also be applied to simulation problems with nonuniform gridblock sizes.
Design of a three-axis microwave E-field probe having submillimeter dimensions

This paper will present information on the design, fabrication, and testing of a submillimeter three-axis electric field (E-field) strength probe. The probe is designed to detect frequencies ranging from approximately 200 MHz to 18 GHz along with held strengths as small as 60 to over 1200 V/m.
Optical studies of the charge transfer complex in polythiophene/fullerene blends for organic photovoltaic applications

We studied the photophysics of regioregular polythiophene/${\text{C}}_{61}$ (RR-P3HT/PCBM) blend films utilized for organic photovoltaic applications using the femtosecond transient and steady-state photomodulation techniques with above-gap and below-gap pump excitations and electroabsorption spectroscopy. We provide strong evidence for the existence of charge transfer complex (CTC) state in the blend that is formed deep inside the optical gap of the polymer and fullerene constituents, which is clearly revealed in the electroabsorption spectrum with an onset at 1.2 eV. We identify this ``midgap'' band as the lowest lying CTC state formed at the interfaces separating the polymer and fullerene phases. With above-gap pump excitation the primary photoexcitations in the blend are excitons and polarons in the polymer domains that are generated within the experimental time resolution (150 fs), having distinguishable photoinduced absorption (PA) bands in the mid-IR. The photogenerated excitons subsequently decay within $\ensuremath{\sim}10\text{ }\text{ps}$, consistent with the polymer weak photoluminescence in the blend. In contrast, with below-gap pump excitation, a new PA band in the mid-IR is generated within our time resolution, which is associated with photogenerated species that decay into polarons at much later times; also no PA of excitons is observed. We interpret the photoexcitations as CT excitons, which with below-gap pump excitation are resonantly generated on the CTC states at the interfaces, as the first step for polaron generation, without involving intrachain excitons in the polymer phase. We found that the polarons generated with below-gap pump excitation are trapped at the interfaces with relatively long lifetime, and thus may generate polarons on the polymer chains and fullerene molecules with a different mechanism than with above-gap excitation. In any case the interfacial polarons generated with below-gap excitation do not substantially contribute to the photocurrent density in photovoltaic applications because of the relatively thin active layer using the traditional bulk heterojunctions design. This is shown by comparing the charge photogeneration efficiency spectrum measured on a fabricated photovoltaic solar cell with the polaron photogeneration action spectrum measured on a thick blend film.