cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phase Behavior of Rapidly Quenched PVDF/PMMA Blends as Characterized by Raman Spectroscopy, X‐Ray Diffraction and Thermal Techniques

Although PVDF/PMMA blends have been studied extensively, the phase behavior as a function of melt quenching conditions has not been examined in detail in the past. In this paper we report our results on the isotropic blends of PVDF/PMMA quenched into ice water as well as on a casting roll set at 30°C in all composition ranges. The results confirm the miscibility of this blend for all composition ranges, although at high PVDF (∼85%) concentration micro heterogeneities were evidenced through thermal analysis. Though pure PVDF is observed to be mostly in the α crystalline form, the addition of PMMA favors the β crystal structure in composition range 85/15–60/40. Ice water quenching yields amorphous blends containing more than 40% PMMA and these films are deemed good candidates for rubbery state processes (between T g and T cc), including tenter frame biaxial stretching, where they can be oriented significantly at these low temperatures while undergoing strain induced crystallization.
Using Criterion-Based Access Control for Multilevel Database Security

This paper presents a novel criterion-based access control approach to deal with multilevel database security. In this approach, authorization rules are transformed to security criteria, security criterion expressions, and security criterion subsets. Security criterion expressions are associated with (sub) objects to serve as locks, and security criteria are associated with users to serve as keys. The fine-grained multilevel access control is achieved by using the available security criteria (keys) to evaluate the security criterion expressions (locks). Whether an (sub) object such as a cell, a row, a column, or a table is accessible to a user depends on the evaluation values of the relevant security criterion expressions.
An investigation of the hardening process for several phosphate glass-containing cements

The hardening process for several phosphate glass-containing cements that have potential dental applications was investigated using both powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectral techniques. The investigated phosphate glasses contained various amounts of calcium, strontium and sodium ions. Crystalline brushite and amorphous phases whose concentrations and compositions depended on the compositions of the starting phases were formed during the hardening process for the cement. The study indicates that the use of phosphate glasses containing calcium and strontium ions in cement mixtures, rather than solid mixtures of the related metal oxides, sufficiently slows their hardening process so that commercially useful cements might be formed.
Novel technique for performing optical wavelet transforms

This paper focuses on the experimental combination of two topical technologies: (1) the joint transform correlator (JTC) and (2) the wavelet transform (WT). The result is an optical wavelet processor utilizing liquid crystal televisions (LCTV) as phase-only spatial light modulators (SLM) in a JTC architecture. The mathematical formalism of the optical wavelet processor is presented followed by simulations involving amplitude- and phase-only SLM operation.
Cation binding to β-casein. a comparison of electrostatic models

Abstract The binding of cations of β-casein at pH 6.6 was considered previously. Available for three sodium concentiations, I = 0.04, 0.08, or 0.16 M are: [1] proton releases between I and [2] for each I , as calcium activity is increased, correlated sequences of monomer net charge, proton release, site bound calcium and protein Solvation- Models for ion binding are examined. Critical considerations are the intrinsic binding constants between hydrogen[H], calcium[Ca] and sodium[Na] ions and phosphate[P] and caiboxyIate[C] sites, and the effects of electrostatic interaction between sites as influenced by spatial fixed charge distribution, ionic strength and dielectric constant [ D ]. Anticipated intrinsic binding constants are k H,P o = 3 × 10 6 , k Ca,P o = 120, k Na,P o = 1, k H,C o = 7 × 10 4 and k Ca,C o = 5.6 Distributed charge models, either surface or volume, are inadequate since any reasonable monomer size yields fixed charge densities requiring k H,P o and k Ca,C o which are too low when the maximum in D is 75. Also, with increasing calcium binding, calculated proton release is only 0.4 to 0.5 of that observed. Discrete charge models accept anticipated k o and yield calculated sequences of calcium binding and proton release which are in good agreement with those observed provided that: (1) using the known amino acid sequence of the phosphate-containing acidic peptide portion of the molecule, pep tide fixed charge is distributed at the lowest I so as to minimize electrostatic free energy; (2) in the region of fixed charge, D is approximately 5; (3) the distances between peptide fixed charges decrease with increasing ionic strength or calcium binding and (4) while protein is in solution, the acidic peptide and the remainder of the molecule are essentially electrostatically independent.
Molecular simulation of size-selective gas adsorption in idealised carbon nanotubes

Molecular simulations were used to examine the adsorption of diatomic molecules (nitrogen and oxygen) and similarly sized gases (argon and methane) in pores with van der Waals diameters similar in size to the gas diameters. Idealised carbon nanotubes were used to model generic pores, to better understand the effect of pore diameter on guest adsorption in the absence of defects, specific adsorption sites, or variations in pore diameter that often complicate studies of gas adsorption in other porous materials. Molecular dynamics simulations of open nanotubes show that argon and methane are able to enter tubes whose diameters are slightly smaller than the gas diameters. Diatomic gases are able to enter tubes that are significantly smaller than their kinetic diameters with the molecular axis aligned parallel to the nanotube. The results indicate that size-selective adsorption of these gases is theoretically possible, although differences in pore diameters of only a few tenths of an Angstrom are required. Gran...
Effects of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone on gonadotrophins in the hamster.

Abstract The changes in serum gonadotrophins in male hamsters following one injection of 15 μg luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) (Group A) were compared with those following the last injection of LHRH in animals receiving an injection approximately every 12 hr for 4 days (Group B) or 12 days (Group C). Peak follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (ng/ml) were 1776±218 (Group A), 2904±346 (Group B), and 4336±449 (Group C). Peak luteinizing hormone (LH) values (ng/ml) were 1352±80 (Group A), 410±12 (Group B), and 498±53 (Group C). Serum FSH:LH ratios, calculated from the concentrations measured 16 hr after the last LHRH injections, were higher in Groups B and C than in Group A. Similar injections of LHRH (100 ng or 15 μg/injection) for 6 days elevated the serum FSH:LH ratio in intact males. Five such LHRH injections (100 ng/injection) blunted the rise in serum LH in orchidectomized hamsters. Direct effects of LHRH on gonadotrophin secretory dynamics or altered brain-pituitary-testicular interactions may alter the ratio of FSH to LH in the hamster.
Sex-specific differences and the role of predation in the interaction between the hermit crab, Pagurus longicarpus, and its epibiont, Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus

The interaction between the hermit crab, Pagurus longicarpus, and the shell epibiont, Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus, varies from mutualism to parasitism based on the environmental context. We tested the hypothesis that this interaction also varies as a function of hermit crab sex. Given that recent work showed a negative effect of Hydractinia on female reproduction, we predicted a greater frequency of males in Hydractinia shells in the field and a stronger preference by males than females for shells with Hydractinia. Field collections documented a significantly greater proportion of males than females occupying shells with Hydractinia, and a significantly greater proportion of ovigerous females than non-ovigerous females in shells with Hydractinia. In laboratory shell-switching experiments, a greater proportion of males than females chose to enter shells with Hydractinia, but there was no difference in the proportions of males and females that vacated shells with Hydractinia. We examined whether the presence of Hydractinia influenced predation rates. Blue crabs fed on more than twice as many hermit crabs in shells with Hydractinia as compared to bare shells, but there was no significant difference for stone crabs. Laboratory experiments showed that the force required to crush shells was significantly greater for shells without Hydractinia. Thus, the lower occupancy and preference exhibited by females than males for shells with Hydractinia appears to result both from the decreased reproduction shown in past studies and an increase in predation risk.
Advances in optical imaging of biomedical media

In this article, we have presented an overview of fundamental issues involved in mediphotonic imaging, and reviewed some of the emerging techniques for early-light transillumination imaging of body organs. The results on human breast tissues presented here, together with the data accumulated and advances made by researchers around the globe, not only demonstrate the feasibility of optical imaging as a clinical procedure but indicate a road map to reach that goal. The milestones include evaluation of relative merits of available approaches for a particular imaging application; selection of diagnostic wavelengths, as well as sources to generate and detectors to monitor light at those wavelengths; accumulation of data on optical, spectroscopic, and transport properties of tissues and organs; in vivo testing; prototype instrumentation development; clinical trials; governmental approval; cost analysis and marketing; and finally system improvement based on feedback from end users. A new era of optical clinical imaging is at the door.
Interfacial Chemistry of Moisture-Aged Class II Composite Restorations

Under in vivo conditions, the adhesive/dentin bond at the gingival margin of class II composite restorations can be the first defense against substances that may penetrate and ultimately undermine the composite restoration. Deterioration of this bond during aqueous aging is an area of intense investigation, but to date, the majority of our techniques have provided only an indirect assessment of the degrading components. The purpose of this study was to analyze the in situ molecular structure of adhesive/dentin interfaces in class II composite restorations, following aging in aqueous solutions. Class II preparations were cut from 12 unerupted human third molars, with a water-cooled, high-speed, dental handpiece. The prepared teeth were randomly selected for restoration with single bond (SB) and Z100 (3M). Teeth were restored, as per the manufacturer's directions, under environmental conditions that simulated humidity and temperature characteristics of the oral cavity. Restored teeth were kept in sterile Delbecco's phosphate saline for 48 h or 90 days. The samples were sectioned occlusogingivally and micro-Raman spectra were acquired at ∼1.5 μm spatial resolution across the composite/adhesive/dentin interfaces at the gingival margins. Samples were wet throughout spectral acquisition. The relative intensity of bands associated with the adhesive in the interfacial region decreased dramatically after aqueous storage. This decrease in concert with the similar depth of dentin demineralization provides direct spectroscopic evidence of leaching of adhesive monomer from the interface during the 90 days of storage. SB adhesive infiltrated 4–5 μm of 12-μm demineralized dentin at the gingival margin. After 90 days of aqueous storage, SB adhesive infiltration was reduced to ∼2 μm, leaving ∼10 μm of demineralized dentin collagen exposed at the gingival margin. The unprotected collagen at the gingival margin of the aged class II composite restorations was disorganized, suggesting hydrolysis of the collagen, with 90 days of aqueous storage. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Outdoor temperature is associated with serum HDL and LDL

Background While exposures to high and low air temperatures are associated with cardiovascular mortality, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The risk factors for cardiovascular disease include high levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). We investigated whether temperature was associated with changes in circulating lipid levels, and whether this might explain part of the association with increased cardiovascular events.
The surface chemistry of 1,3-cyclohexadiene and 1,4-cyclohexadiene on Pt(111) studied by surface vibrational spectroscopy with sum frequency generation

The structure and reactions of 1,3-cyclohexadiene and 1,4-cyclohexadiene on Pt(111) has been studied by sum frequency generation at a pressure of 10−10–1 Torr. It was found that 1,4-cyclohexadiene adsorbs flat on the surface at low temperature and dehydrogenates to adsorbed benzene at about 300 K. 1,3-Cyclohexadiene undergoes a rearrangement to 1,4-cyclohexadiene through a 3–5 hydrogen shift which competes with the dehydrogenation reaction pathway at low temperature (<290 K) and dehydrogenates to benzene at higher temperature. This competing reaction behavior has also been observed at 1 Torr pressure of 1,3-cyclohexadiene on Pt(111) at 285 K.
Federal Water Resources Policy and Decision‐Making: Their Formulation Is Essentially a Political Process Conditioned by Government Structure and Needs

. The effects that politics, government structure, and economic standards have upon federal water resources planning are examined. Water resources policy decisions are treated as a product of political demands which, in turn, are examined as a product of the direct or indirect stakes, or perception thereof, in a policy. Government structure also affects decisions, since it affects political access and, subsequently, power as well as the administrative capacity of government. Economic standards, such as a requirement that water projects contribute to national economic development, arise within a political context. Formulation of federal water resources policy is essentially a political process that is conditioned to some extent by government structure and planning standards such as economic requirements. Thus, recommendations to improve the product of this process must take into account its essential nature. Examples are drawn from the western reclamation and water pollution experiences.
Researchers' views on return of incidental genomic research results: qualitative and quantitative findings.

Comprehensive genomic analysis including exome and genome sequencing is increasingly being utilized in research studies, leading to the generation of incidental genetic findings. It is unclear how researchers plan to deal with incidental genetic findings. We conducted a survey of the practices and attitudes of 234 members of the US genetic research community and performed qualitative semistructured interviews with 28 genomic researchers to understand their views and experiences with incidental genetic research findings. We found that 12% of the researchers had returned incidental genetic findings, and an additional 28% planned to do so. A large majority of researchers (95%) believe that incidental findings for highly penetrant disorders with immediate medical implications should be offered to research participants. However, there was no consensus on returning incidental results for other conditions varying in penetrance and medical actionability. Researchers raised concerns that the return of incidental findings would impose significant burdens on research and could potentially have deleterious effects on research participants if not performed well. Researchers identified assistance needed to enable effective, accurate return of incidental findings. The majority of the researchers believe that research participants should have the option to receive at least some incidental genetic research results. Genet Med 15 11, 888–895.
p27 Stands-Up-To-Cancer: UPS Nuclear Service Stops

The incidence of endometrial cancer is on the rise; it is the fourth most common gynecological malignancy in the United States with an estimated diagnosis for 2013 of 49 470 (American Cancer Society). Endometrial adenocarcinoma type I (endometrioid histology) is etiologically linked to unopposed estrogen (anovulation [lack of progesterone], hormone therapy), causing uncontrolled proliferation marked by loss of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27kip1 (p27), a potent inducer of cell-cycle arrest. Previously, Gold and colleagues (1) had shown that estrogen destroys and progesterone prevents destruction of nuclear p27 solely through manipulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Therefore, the major ovarian steroids, estrogen and progesterone, hijack UPS service to regulate the stabilization of p27 for growth stimulation or inhibition, respectively. These studies established the prevention of estrogen-induced p27 destruction as an important molecular therapeutic target for endometrial cancer. Moreover, nuclear p27 is already absent in atypical endometrial hyperplasia, which precedes endometrial cancer and thus blocks p27 proteasomal degradation in the nucleus, possibly preventing the neoplastic progression. In this issue of Endocrinology, Pavlides et al (2) establish in a physiologically relevant targeting lineup, the proven specific activity for Skp2 E3ligase activity in the pocket formed by Skp2 and Cks1, whereby p27 is ubiquitylated and subsequently degraded by the UPS, thus paving the way for targeted therapy of endometrial and perhaps other cancers where p27 degradation is unchecked. To place this significant discovery in context, it is important to review the UPS cellular action and recent hallmark studies closely in targeting this system toward development of novel cancer therapeutics.
An Adaptive Interpolator Algorithm For Area-Array Fine Guidance Sensors

The present paper provides a description of recent and continuing work related to the development of tracking systems possessing artificial intelligence. It is pointed out that artificial intelligence is being used to provide trackers with the abilities to sense environmental changes which can affect tracker performance, to optimize tracker performance in a changing environment, and to report on the accuracy and stability of the pointing data. The implementation of artificial intelligence in tracking systems is based on the use of adaptive algorithms which correct for tracking errors by applying polynomial corrections to raw tracking output data. The basic operation of a centroid tracking system is discussed, taking into account the limitations on accuracy and stability which exist in the absence of intelligence. Attention is given to the correction method and the implementation of artificial intelligence to improve tracking.
Myeloid cell trafficking and tumor angiogenesis

Tumor growth and metastasis depend on neovascularization, the growth of new blood vessels. Recent findings have revealed that tumor neovascularization is regulated in part by monocytes, which are myeloid lineage cells from the bone marrow. Tumors exhibit significant monocyte infiltrates, which are actively recruited to the tumor microenvironment. Upon tumor infiltration, monocytes can participate in tumor neovascularization. Monocytes can either differentiate into macrophages, which express proangiogenic growth factors, or into endothelial-like cells, which may directly participate in neovascularization. Preliminary studies in animals suggest that modulation of bone marrow-derived cell trafficking into tumors will provide a useful new approach in cancer therapy.
THE SPECIFICITY OF PROGESTERONE IN INDUCING SEXUAL RECEPTIVITY IN THE OVARIECTOMIZED GUINEA PIG1

The induction of sexual receptivity in the ovariectomized guinea pig by progesterone following proper conditioning by theelin has been recently described by Dempsey et al. (1). These workers regard the elicitation of the copulatory reflex as the essential criterion of estrus, and have adequately described the phenomenon in earlier studies (2). The data here presented indicate the distinct specificity of progesterone as compared to several closely related substances in producing the copulatory reflex in the guinea pig. Seven compounds having the cyclopentenophenanthrene nucleus characteristic of the sex hormones were assayed and found to be entirely without effect. In addition, we have investigated the effectiveness of progesterone at varying dosage levels and have confirmed the observations of Dempsey et al. (1).
Role of aquicludes in formation of Martian gullies

Liquid water is not currently stable on the surface of Mars, but images provided by the Mars Orbiter Camera aboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft reveal erosional landforms previously interpreted to be geologically young gullies formed by groundwater seepage. We test the basic hypothesis that, as on Earth, the location of these gullies is controlled in part by the presence of an impermeable rock layer (aquiclude) and that the depths of the gully heads below the surface should thus be correlated to subsurface geology. We show that (1) gullies emanate from a specific cliff-forming layer, even if the layer is faulted, and (2) the depth of gullies below the local surface ranges from 70 to 800 m, and (3) is positively correlated to mapped geologic units. Gully formation is therefore dependent upon both favorable climatic conditions to produce and sustain liquid water and the presence of impermeable subsurface layers to collect the groundwater. Gullies may mark the distribution of subsurface impermeable layers globally, and are prime targets for the search for present water and life on Mars.
EFFECTS OF BLOOD PRESSURE SELF MEASUREMENT AND TELEMEDICINE COMMUNICATION ON PHYSICIAN PRESCRIBING HABITS

Background: Blood pressure control plays an integral role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aside from lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy is the physician’s most effective method of lowering blood pressure. We hypothesize that patient involvement in a program centered on frequent self measurement of blood pressures and frequent reporting via telemedicine will bring about changes in physician prescribing habits. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a telemedicine trial of 241 patients with uncontrolled hypertension (BP≥150/90 mmHg). Patient from two large medical centers were recruited and randomized to usual care (control group-C, N=122) or Telemedicine with usual care (T, N=120). The T group was provided a digital sphygmomanometer and training, along with CVD risk reduction counseling. They were instructed to report their BP, HR, weight, steps/day, and tobacco use twice weekly for 6 months. All patients had baseline and 6-month follow-up visits. Monthly reports on blood pressure and treatment guidelines were provided to both the patient and physician in the T group. At the end of the study, patients’ anti-hypertensive medications were compared to their baseline therapy. Results: The average age of patients was 59±13 years; the proportion of African Americans was 80%; initial average blood pressure was 155.9±13.7/ 88.9±11.2. At baseline, 56.8% of patients were taking between 1-2 anti-hypertensives. There was a statistically signiicant change in the number of anti-hypertensive medications prescribed to patients in the Telemedicine group ( 2.20±1.20 to 2.34±1.15, p=0.004), but not in the control group (1.95±1.02 to 1.91±1.21, p=0.468). Multivariate analysis did not show any difference in results with respect to age, ethnicity, education, or income. Conclusion: Patients in the telemedicine group were more likely to be prescribed more anti-hypertensive medications during the study. This may indicate that patient involvement in self-reporting via telemedicine changes the information available to the physician in such a way that leads to more appropriate and effective pharmacotherapy, better blood pressure control, and overall reduction in cardiovascular risk.
Assessing the relationship between spectral vegetation indices and shrub cover in the Jornada Basin, New Mexico

Abstract We assessed the statistical relations between spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) derived from SPOT multi-spectral data and semi-arid shrub cover at the Jornada LTER site in New Mexico. Despite a limited range of shrub cover in the sample the analyses resulted in r2 values as high as 0.77. Greenness SVIs (e.g., Simple Ratio, NDVI, SAVI, PVI and an orthogonal Greenness index) were shown to be more sensitive to shrub type and phenology than brightness SVIs (e.g., green, red and near-infrared reflectances and a Brightness index). The results varied substantially with small-scale changes in plot size (60 m by 60 m to 100 m by 100 m) as a consequence of landscape heterogeneity. The results also indicated the potential for the spectral differentiation of shrub types, and shrubs from grass, using multi-temporal, multi-spectral analysis.
Role of colour and shape stimuli in host‐enhanced oogenesis in the walnut fly, Rhagoletis juglandis

This study aimed to quantify effects of the host plant on oogenesis in the walnut-husk-infesting fly, Rhagoletis juglandisCresson (Diptera: Tephritidae), and to assess the role of physical cues in those effects. In laboratory assays, the presence of fruit was manipulated independently of the presence of foliage for newly emerged females. After eight days, in each of two trials, females with fruit were found to have significantly higher egg loads than females without fruit. Foliage presence had little effect. In a second experiment, females held with fruit or a fruit model (plastic yellow sphere of a size similar to fruit) had significantly higher egg loads than females held with neither fruit nor model. Egg loads of females with fruit were not significantly different from those of females with models. In a third experiment, females were held with spheres of various colours or no sphere at all. Females with yellow or green spheres (similar to the colour of walnut fruit) had significantly higher egg loads than females with black, blue or red spheres of other colours or females without spheres. In a fourth experiment, females held with spheres had significantly higher egg loads than females held with cubes of equivalent surface area or females held without a model. Finally, cohorts of newly emerged females held with yellow spheres or without spheres were sampled periodically. In the sphere treatment, mean egg load increased sharply from negligible levels between days 8 and 10. The pattern was similar in the no-sphere treatment, although the increase in egg load appeared to occur a day later. From these experiments, we conclude that physical host fruit stimuli known to be important in host selection in Rhagoletis flies, including colour and shape, also enhance oogenesis in the first egg maturation cycle, and that enhancement of oogenesis via these stimuli requires neither nutritional input from the fruit nor prior egg deposition.
SCATTERING INTO CONES. I. POTENTIAL SCATTERING.

In the non-relativistic time-dependent theory of scattering, we compute the probability that a particle with given initial state should scatter into a cone with apex at the origin. A formula for this probability is found which holds good for a large class of short-range potentials and also for Coulomb potentials. The formula is obtained by showing that if the initial state of a particle is specified byf, then its position probability density at large positive times can be taken to be\(\left| {(e^{ - 2iHt} e^{iH_o t} f)(x)} \right|^2 \).
Child–Parent Interventions for Childhood Anxiety Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective:This study compared the effects of direct child–parent interventions to the effects of child-focused interventions on anxiety outcomes for children with anxiety disorders.Method:Systemati...
Clinical experience with a tiered-therapy, multiprogrammable antiarrhythmia device.

BACKGROUNDThe purpose of this report is to describe our initial experience with a tiered-therapy, variable detection criteria, multiprogrammable antiarrhythmia device capable of antitachycardia pacing, cardioversion, and defibrillation in 50 cardiac arrest survivors.METHODS AND RESULTSAn epicardial lead system was used in 35 patients. A transvenous lead system was used in 15 patients. The index arrhythmia leading to device implantation was ventricular fibrillation (VF) in 23 patients, ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 21 patients, and both VT and VF in six patients. Postoperatively, all 50 patients benefited from the additional functions available in the new device compared with a device capable only of high-energy termination of arrhythmias using a simple rate detection algorithm. Total patient survival over a mean follow-up period of 15 +/- 5 months was 96%, with no patient succumbing to sudden arrhythmic death, cardiac death, or surgical death. Nine patients (18%) avoided the need for a bradycardia pacem...
Efficiency of various lattices from hard ball to soft ball: theoretical study of thermodynamic properties of dendrimer liquid crystal from atomistic simulation.

Self-assembled supramolecular organic liquid crystal structures at nanoscale have potential applications in molecular electronics, photonics, and porous nanomaterials. Most of these structures are formed by aggregation of soft spherical supramolecules, which have soft coronas and overlap each other in the packing process. Our main focus here is to study the possible packing mechanisms via molecular dynamics simulations at the atomistic level. We consider the relative stability of various lattices packed by the soft dendrimer balls, first synthesized and characterized by Percec et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 1539) with different packing methods. The dendrons, which form the soft dendrimer balls, have the character of a hard aromatic region from the point of the cone to the edge with C12 alkane “hair”. After the dendrons pack into a sphere, the core of the sphere has the hard aromatic groups, while the surface is covered with the C12 alkane “hair”. In our studies, we propose three ways to organize the hair on the balls, Smooth/Valentino balls, Sticky/Einstein balls, and Asymmetric/Punk balls, which lead to three different packing mechanisms, Slippery, Sticky, and Anisotropic, respectively. We carry out a series of molecular dynamics (MD) studies on three plausible crystal structures (A15, FCC, and BCC) as a function of density and analyze the MD based on the vibrational density of state (DoS) method to extract the enthalpy, entropy, and free energies of these systems. We find that anisotropic packed A15 is favored over FCC, BCC lattices. Our predicted X-ray intensities of the best structures are in excellent agreement with experiment. “Anisotropic ball packing” proposed here plays an intermediate role between the enthalpy-favored “disk packing” and entropy-favored “isotropic ball packing”, which explains the phase transitions at different temperatures. Free energies of various lattices at different densities are essentially the same, indicating that the preferred lattice is not determined during the packing process. Both enthalpy and entropy decrease as the density increases. Free energy change with volume shows two stable phases: the condensed phase and the isolated micelle phase. The interactions between the soft dendrimer balls are found to be lattice dependent when described by a two-body potential because the soft ball self-adjusts its shape and interaction in different lattices. The shape of the free energy potential is similar to that of the “square shoulder potential”. A model explaining the packing efficiency of ideal soft balls in various lattices is proposed in terms of geometrical consideration.
Autophagy is a protective response to ethanol neurotoxicity

Ethanol is a neuroteratogen and neurodegeneration is the most devastating consequence of developmental exposure to ethanol. The mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced neurodegeneration are complex. Ethanol exposure produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) which cause oxidative stress in the brain. We hypothesized that ethanol would activate autophagy to alleviate oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. Our results indicated that ethanol increased the level of the autophagic marker Map1lc3-II (LC3-II) and upregulated LC3 puncta in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. It also enhanced the levels of LC3-II and BECN1 in the developing brain; meanwhile, ethanol reduced SQSTM1 (p62) levels. Bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor of autophagosome and lysosome fusion, increased p62 levels in the presence of ethanol. Bafilomycin A1 and rapamycin potentiated ethanol-increased LC3 lipidation, whereas wortmannin and a BECN1-specific shRNA inhibited ethanol-promoted LC3 lipidation. Ethanol increased mitophagy, which was also modulated by BECN...
The role of corticotropin-releasing factor in the pathogenesis of major depression.

It is well established that corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a peptide comprised of 41 amino acids, is the major physiological regulator of the pituitary-adrenal axis by virtue of its role as the hypothalamic hypophysiotropic hormone that modulates the secretion of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary gland. In addition to its neuroendocrine role, CRF appears to function as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in extrahypothalamic brain areas. The peptide and its receptors are distributed throughout the central nervous system (CNS), and CRF is released by depolarizing concentrations of potassium in a calcium-dependent manner. After direct CNS administration, CRF produces a number of behavioral and physiological effects that are reminiscent of both an organism's response to stress and to the symptoms of patients with major depression. These include: diminished food consumption, decreased sexual behavior, disturbed sleep, alterations in locomotor activity and sympathetic nervous system activation. Alterations in regional brain CRF concentration in rats were observed after acute and chronic stress, i.e. decreased hypothalamic and increased locus coeruleus CRF concentrations. To test the hypothesis that CRF is hypersecreted in patients with major depression, the concentration of CRF in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in drug-free depressed patients and age- and sex-matched controles was measured in two studies. The depressed patients exhibited a clear group-related increase in CSF CRF concentrations. To further test this hypothesis that CRF is chronically hypersecreted in depressed patients, the number and affinity of CRF receptors in frontal cortex was measured in a group of suicides and age-matched controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The temporal bone in Hunter's syndrome (Gargoylism)

The histological changes in the temporal bones in a case of gargoylism are reported. They are in good agreement with the findings in the rest of the body. Of particular interest is the presence of otosclerotic foci in the oval and round window niches without stapedial ankylosis and of numerous typical blue mantles in the semicircular canal region, in strictly symmetrical arrangement. The question arises whether this is purely coincidental or a manifestation of the underlying generalized metabolic disorder.
Who Stays? Who Goes? Selective Emigration Among the Foreign-Born

We investigate the level and selectivity of emigration from the United States among foreign-born adults. We use the CPS Matching Method (Van Hook et al. 2006) to estimate the probability of emigration among foreign-born adults aged 18–34, 35–64 and 65+ from 1996 to 2009 (N = 92,852). The results suggest higher levels of emigration than used in the production of official population estimates. Also, indicators of economic integration (home ownership, school enrollment, poverty) and social ties in the U.S. (citizenship, having young children, longer duration in the United States) deter emigration. Conversely, having connections with the sending society, such as living apart from a spouse, was associated with emigration, particularly among Mexican men. Health was least strongly related to emigration. Simulations suggest that selective emigration may alter the home ownership and marital status, but not health, composition of immigrant cohorts. The implications for public policy are discussed.
Child Welfare Training in Child Psychiatry Residency: A Program Director Survey.

Objective This study surveys child psychiatry residency program directors in order to 1) characterize child welfare training experiences for child psychiatry residents; 2) evaluate factors associated with the likelihood of program directors’ endorsing the adequacy of their child welfare training; and 3) assess program directors ’familiarity with some existing child welfare training and information resources.
Color Preference and Flight Habits of Thrips Associated with Cotton

Sticky board panels of different colors were placed adjacent to a cotton field to determine their attractive or repellent action to thrips in flight. The colors and materials found most attractive were white plastic, and blue and gold aluminum foil. Other colors, in order of decreasing numbers of thrips collected were: silver, red, green, brown, and black. Exposure of blue aluminum foil and white plastic panels during 6-hr periods of daylight and darkness showed that thrips are diurnal in habit. Thrips identified from the collections were: to bacco thrips, frankliniella fusca (Hinds); flower thrips, F. tritici (Fitch); onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman; Sericothrips variabilis (Beach); grain thrips, Limothrips cerealium (Haliday); composite thrips, Microcephalothrips abdominalis (D. L. Crawford); and Oxythrips divisus Hood.
The Neural Fate of Consciously Perceived and Missed Events in the Attentional Blink

Cognitive models of attention propose that visual perception is a product of two stages of visual processing: early operations permit rapid initial categorization of the visual world, while later attention-demanding capacity-limited stages are necessary for the conscious report of the stimuli. Here we used the attentional blink paradigm and fMRI to neurally distinguish these two stages of vision. Subjects detected a face target and a scene target presented rapidly among distractors at fixation. Although the second, scene target frequently went undetected by the subjects, it nonetheless activated regions of the medial temporal cortex involved in high-level scene representations, the parahippocampal place area (PPA). This PPA activation was amplified when the stimulus was consciously perceived. By contrast, the frontal cortex was activated only when scenes were successfully reported. These results suggest that medial temporal cortex permits rapid categorization of the visual input, while the frontal cortex is part of a capacity-limited attentional bottleneck to conscious report.
Early Control of Highly Pathogenic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Chimeric Virus Infections in Rhesus Monkeys Usually Results in Long-Lasting Asymptomatic Clinical Outcomes

In contrast to simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs), which induce immunodeficiency over a 1- to 2-year period, highly pathogenic simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs) cause an irreversible and systemic depletion of CD4+ T lymphocytes in macaque monkeys within weeks of inoculation. Nonetheless, the seemingly more aggressive SHIVs have proven to be easier to control by the same vaccine regimens which fail to contain SIV. Because early events during in vivo infections may determine both the pathogenic consequences of the challenge virus and its sensitivity to interventions that prevent disease, we have evaluated the effects of inoculum size and a potent antiretroviral drug on the development of disease in monkeys infected with SHIVDH12R. The results obtained show that in a majority of inoculated animals, suppression of SHIV replication during the first 2 weeks of infection, which prevents complete loss of CD4+ T cells, leads to very low to undetectable postpeak viremia and an asymptomatic clinical course for periods up to 4 years.
Theories of Nationalism and Historical Explanation

Self-Proclaimed nationalist movements have been active since the 19th century; the history of nations, most would agree, can be traced back a good deal further. The importance of nationalism as a force in shaping the modern world seems undeniable, and as an idea, it continues to exhibit great intellectual potency.
Cash, Color, and Colonialism: The Politics of Tribal Acknowledgement

Cash, Color, and Colonialism: The Politics of Tribal Acknowledgement. Renee Ann Cramer. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2005. 234 pp.
Greenspan's Retrospective of Financial Crisis and Stochastic Optimal Control: Greenspan's Retrospective of Financial Crisis and Stochastic Optimal Control

Alan Greenspan argues that the crisis was unpredictable and inevitable, given the ‘excessive’ leverage of the financial intermediaries. I focus upon the housing sector, which has been at the origin of the financial crisis because the value of the financial derivatives ultimately depended upon the ability of the mortgagors to repay their debts. The uncertainty concerns the capital gains – housing price appreciation – and the rate of interest. I explain why the application of stochastic optimal control (SOC) is an effective approach to determine the optimal degree of leverage, the optimum and excessive risk and the probability of a debt crisis. I show that the theoretically derived early warning signal of a crisis is the excess debt ratio, equal to the difference between the actual and optimal ratio. The excess debt of households starting from 2004-05 indicated that a housing crisis was most likely.
Alternating versus continuous drug regimens in combination chemotherapy of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in vitro

We compared the in vitro efficacies of two-, three-, and four-drug combinations given continuously or in alternating regimens against a clinical isolate of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. In H9 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, at the drug concentrations used in this study, there was greater suppression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection as the number of drugs in the regimen was increased from one to four simultaneously administered agents. Although alternating drug regimens were effective, they were not better than continuous administration of either single drugs or combinations of agents and were less effective than giving all drugs of an alternating regimen simultaneously.
An approach to design and development of decentralized data fusion simulator

This paper discusses the ongoing efforts on development of a decentralized data fusion (DDF) simulator for analysis and design of a distributed fusion-based tracking system. We have identified the requirements for a DDF simulator and have developed a fully interactive, graphical user interface based scenario generation tool called SceneGen (Srimathveeravalli, Subramanian and Kesavadas 2004) for creating battlefield scenarios, and a simulation tool called VizSim for running various DDF algorithms on scenarios created in SceneGen and displaying the simulation results in an easy to understand fashion. SceneGen and VizSim has been designed with a full compliment of user utilities, including an efficient terrain database generation module, a sensor report generation module and the database connectivity to store and retrieve scenarios and simulation results. The innovative visualization techniques used in the simulator helps in displaying the data in a fashion that transfers maximum information to a user. Both SceneGen and VizSim have been tested successfully for running scenarios consisting of a large number of entities.
IQGAP1 Plays an Important Role in the Invasiveness of Thyroid Cancer

Purpose: This study was designed to explore the role of IQGAP1 in the invasiveness of thyroid cancer and its potential as a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target in this cancer. Experimental Design: We examined IQGAP1 copy gain and its relationship with clinicopathological outcomes of thyroid cancer and investigated its role in cell invasion and molecules involved in the process. Results: We found IQGAP1 copy number gain ≥ 3 in 1/30 (3%), 24/74 (32%), 44/107 (41%), 8/16 (50%), and 27/41 (66%) of benign thyroid tumor, follicular variant papillary thyroid cancer (FVPTC), follicular thyroid cancer (FTC), tall cell PTC, and anaplastic thyroid cancer, respectively, in the increasing order of invasiveness of these tumors. A similar tumor distribution trend of copy number ≥ 4 was also seen. IQGAP1 copy gain was positively correlated with IQGAP1 protein expression. It was significantly associated with extrathyroidal and vascular invasion of FVPTC and FTC and, remarkably, a 50-60% rate of multifocality and recurrence of BRAF mutation-positive PTC (P = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). siRNA knockdown of IQGAP1 dramatically inhibited thyroid cancer cell invasion and colony formation. Co-immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated direct interaction of IQGAP1 with E-cadherin, a known invasion-suppressing molecule, which was up-regulated when IQGAP1 was knocked down. This provided a mechanism for the invasive role of IQGAP1 in thyroid cancer. In contrast, IQGAP3 lacked all these functions. Conclusions: IQGAP1, through genetic copy gain, plays an important role in the invasiveness of thyroid cancer and may represent a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target for this cancer.
Serious adverse reactions to protamine sulfate: Are alternatives needed?

Protamine sulfate is a strongly cationic polypeptide that is used commonly in clinical medicine. It is administered regularly after cardiac catheterization, cardiothoracic and vascular surgical procedures, and less frequently after dialysis and leukapheresis because of its capacity to reverse the anticoagulant activity of heparin. In addition, because it delays the absorption of insulin, protamine is combined with insulin in protamine zinc insulin and neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin. Recently, there have been reports of adverse reactions to protamine (Table I). Although most of these reactions were relatively mild, three were fatal; one was clearly the result of type I anaphylaxis. Reactions occur predominantly in patients who were previously exposed to protamine through protamine-containing insulins or during heparin neutralization. Almost 50% of these patients were diabetic; most of whom received neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin, thereby enhancing their chance for presensitization. In 1983 we encountered three patients who suffered adverse reactions to protamine sulfate. Two of these patients will be presented here; the third patient, who died of IgE-mediated anaphylaxis, has already been reported and therefore is mentioned only briefly. We shall discuss adverse reactions to protamine sulfate and alternatives to the routine use of this drug.