cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The basicranium of Plio‐Pleistocene hominids as an indicator of their upper respiratory systems

Our analyses of extant primates have shown that a relationship exists between the degree of flexion of the basicranium and the location of upper respiratory structures such as the larynx and pharynx (Laitman et al., 1978). Based upon these relationships, we have previously used the basicrania of late Pleistocene hominids as a guide to the reconstruction of their upper respiratory anatomy (Laitman et al., 1979). This study continues our approach by examining the basicrania of Plio-Pleistocene hominids and reconstructing their upper respiratory systems. Nine Plio-Pleistocene hominids had basicrania complete enough to be used in this study. These included the originals of Sts 5, MLD 37/38, SK 47, SK 48, SK 83, Taung, KNM-ER 406, OH 24, and a cast of OH 5. Craniometric analysis of the basicrania of these specimens showed that they had marked similarities to those of extant pongids. These basicranial similarities between Plio-Pleistocene hominids and extant apes suggest that the upper respiratory systems of these groups were also alike in appearance. As with living nonhuman primates, the early hominids probably exhibited a larynx and pharynx positioned high in the neck. This high position would have permitted an intranarial epiglottis to be present during both normal respiration and the ingestion of a liquid bolus of food. The high position of the larynx would have also greatly restricted the supralaryngeal portion of the pharynx available to modify laryngeal sounds. It is thus possible that the Plio-Pleistocene hominids exhibited modes of breathing, swallowing and vocalizing similar to those of living apes.
Temperature, media, and point of induction affect the N-terminal processing of interleukin-1β

Abstract The expression of recombinant proteins in bacterial hosts may alter the biophysical properties of the protein of interest as a result of differences in post-translational processing from that observed when produced in the native cell. For example, recombinant human interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is produced as three isoforms when expressed in the Escherichia coli strain BL-21(DE3). These isoforms are produced by the non-homogeneous processing of the N-terminal methionine residue by the endogenous bacterial aminopeptidase and differ in the first residue (1-met, 1-ala, and 1-pro). Importantly, these isoforms have significantly different binding affinities for the IL receptor protein. Varying the temperature, media composition, and point of induction affects this N-terminal processing to favor one of the three isoforms of IL-1β. We found changes in media composition and/or point of induction affected the abundance of the isoforms by as much as 15-fold. The 1-pro isoform decreased from 60.9 to 4.7% in Luria broth (LB) and minimal media (MM), respectively, when protein expression was induced at an OD 600 of 0.9. Conversely, the abundance of the 1-met isoform is much higher in MM than in LB showing the reverse effect (2.6 and 50.7% in LB and MM, respectively, at an OD 600 of 0.9), and the degree to which they are favored depends significantly upon the induction point. Our results show that it is possible to favor the expression of various N-terminal isoforms of IL-1β by adjusting the environmental growth conditions. Given that the initiator methionine residue is necessary for expression in bacterial hosts and is known to affect the stability of other recombinant proteins our approach may be a useful general method for determining the optimal conditions for expressing and purifying pure, homogenous samples of recombinant proteins for structural and biological studies.
On temperatures and tool wear in machining hypereutectic Al–Si alloys with vortex-tube cooling

Abstract This study investigates dry machining of hypereutectic silicon–aluminum alloys assisted with vortex-tube (VT) cooling. The objective is to reduce cutting temperatures and tool wear by enhanced heat dissipation through the chilled air generated by a VT. A machining experiment, cutting mechanics analysis, and temperature simulations are employed to (1) model the heat transfer of a cutting tool system with VT cooling applied, (2) explore effects of cooling setting and machining parameters on the cooling efficiency, and (3) evaluate VT cooling effects on tool wear. A390 alloy is machined by tungsten carbides with cutting forces and geometry measured for heat source characterizations as the input of temperature modeling and simulations. VT cooling is approximated as an impinging air jet to estimate the heat convection coefficient that is incorporated into the heat transfer models. The major findings include: (1) VT cooling may reduce tool wear in A390 machining depending upon machining conditions, and the outlet temperature is more critical than the flow rate, (2) cooling effects on temperature reductions, up to 20 °C, decrease with the increase of the cutting speed and feed, and (3) tool temperature decreasing by VT cooling shows no direct correlations with tool wear reductions.
Low Frequency Finite-Difference Time-Domain Modeling of a PEC Sphere Based on a Quasi-Analytical Coupled Dipole Approximation

A computational formulation is presented for the low frequency single-cell finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) modeling of a perfectly electric conducting (PEC) sphere. The approach is based on the fact that the scattered field from electrically small objects can be expressed in terms of an electric and magnetic dipole. These dipoles can be decomposed with respect to the dipole moments that can be defined along the discrete field components that comprise the cell wherein the PEC sphere is inscribed. The dipole moment components couple to each other, and this mechanism is quantified by a quasi analytical coupled dipole approximation (CDA). The quasi-analyticity requires to substitute the involved dyadic Green's function (DGF) terms, in the CDA formula, by their numerically computed, FDTD compatible, equivalents. The material properties of the equivalent electric and magnetic spheres are derived using the quasi-analytical CDA that leads to expressions that resemble the Claussius-Mossotti mixing formula. The theoretically derived results are supported by numerical simulations.
Physician perspectives and compliance with patient advance directives: the role external factors play on physician decision making

Background Following passage of the Patient Self Determination Act in 1990, health care institutions that receive Medicare and Medicaid funding are required to inform patients of their right to make their health care preferences known through execution of a living will and/or to appoint a surrogate-decision maker. We evaluated the impact of external factors and perceived patient preferences on physicians’ decisions to honor or forgo previously established advance directives (ADs). In addition, physician views regarding legal risk, patients’ ability to comprehend complexities involved with their care, and impact of medical costs related to end-of-life care decisions were explored.
Bringing PKR Monomers together: DSRNA-Induced Activation across an Inert Barrier

Protein Kinase R (PKR) is a key component of the interferon-induced immune pathway and is activated upon binding to viral dsRNA via sequential dimerization and autophosphorylation. PKR contain a C-terminal kinase domain that acts as the catalytic center and two tandem dsRNA binding motifs. The minimal perfect duplex RNA required to activate PKR is approximately 30 bp, but 15 bp is sufficient for the binding of one PKR monomer. PKR is also activated by certain RNAs that contain internal loops, bulges and tertiary structure elements. However, the rules that distinguish RNA activators from those that fail to activate are not yet understood. We have developed a model molecular ruler to directly measure the RNA length requirements for PKR dimerization and activation across a barrier. The ruler consists of two duplex 15 bp regions separated by a variable length region of 2'-O-methyl modified RNA that acts as a rigid, inert barrier. Control experiments demonstrate that PKR does not bind to 2'-O-methyl dsRNA. Two PKR monomers bind to the ruler, independent of the length of the barrier from 15 to 5 bp. However, activation is favored at shorter barrier lengths and PKR binding affinity is enhanced as the barrier length is reduced. We propose that PKR kinase domains are able to interact across this barrier by extension of the unstructured linker lying between the kinase domain and the dsRNA binding motifs.
Hacking, surveillance and pornography: Lessons from teaching controversial subjects

bedeeplyreligiousandambivalentlyagnosticinequalmeasure.Someare quiteoutspokenwhileothersrarelysayawordoveranentiresemester.In short,theyaretypicalofmostundergraduatestudentbodies,andIhaveto strivetokeepeveryoneinterestedwhilenotoffendingterriblyorcrossing ethicalorpolicyboundaries. ThecoursematerialIteachcoversseveraltopics,includingcybercrime, identitytheft,surveillancepracticesandvoyeurism.Mostoftheclass discussionsincludeconsideringtherolethattechnologyplaysinallofthese activities.Inallthecasesthematerialcanbecontroversial.Itisdifficultto lectureoncomputersecuritywithoutexposingstudentstotoolsand techniquesthattheycouldusetoteachthemselveshowtohackothers’ informationsystems.Teachingaboutsurveillanceorvoyeurisminsociety meansstudentsmustconfrontdifferingideasonrace,privacyandwhatis consideredoffensiveorillegal.
Ixabepilone-induced mitochondria and sensory axon loss in breast cancer patients.

Background We sought to define the clinical and ultrastructure effects of ixabepilone (Ix), a microtubule-stabilizing chemotherapy agent on cutaneous sensory nerves and to investigate a potential mitochondrial toxicity mechanism. Methods Ten breast cancer patients receiving Ix underwent total neuropathy score clinical (TNSc) assessment, distal leg skin biopsies at cycle (Cy) 3 (80–90 mg/m2), Cy5 (160–190 mg/m2), and Cy7 (>200 mg/m2) and were compared to 5 controls. Skin blocks were processed for EM and ultrastructural morphometry of Remak axons done. Results At baseline, Ix-treated subjects had higher TNSc values (4.5 ± 0.8 vs. 0.0 ± 0.0), greater percentage of empty (denervated) Schwann cells (29% vs. 12%), altered axonal diameter (422.9 ± 17 vs. 354.9 ± 14.8 nm, P = 0.01), and axon profiles without mitochondria tended to increase compared to control subjects (71% vs. 70%). With increasing cumulative Ix exposure, an increase in TNSc values (Cy3: 5.4 ± 1.2, Cy7: 10 ± 4, P < 0.001), empty Schwann cells (39% by Cy7), and dilated axons (in nm, Cy3: 506.3 ± 22.1, Cy5: 534.8 ± 33, Cy7: 527.8 ± 24.4; P < 0.001) was observed. In addition, axon profiles without mitochondria (Cy3:74%, Cy7:78%) and mitochondria with abnormal morphology (grade 3 or 4) increased from 24% to 79%. Schwann cells with atypical mitochondria and perineuronal macrophage infiltration in dermis were noted. Interpretation This study provides functional and structural evidence that Ix exposure induces a dose-dependent toxicity on small sensory fibers with an increase in TNSc scores and progressive axonal loss. Mitochondria appear to bear the cumulative toxic effect and chemotherapy-induced toxicity can be monitored through serial skin biopsy-based analysis.
The Effects of Varying Frictional Contact Boundary Conditions in Finite Element Analysis of Mandibular Parasymphyseal Fracture

FE modeling of biological tissues and physiological behavior is now becoming common practice with the improvement in finite element analysis (FEA) software and the significant increase in capability of computing resources. There are many uses for FEA of this nature, one of which has been simulating the mechanical behavior of implant devices for fracture repair. FE analysis offers insight into the mechanistic behavior of fixation plates used in rigid internal fixation and, if modeled carefully, could eventually become an accurate design tool.© 2007 ASME
Herbage Production and Nitrogen Accumulation by Alfalfa and Cicer Milkvetch in the Southern Plains

Sixty to 100 yr of farming upland soils in the Southern Plains has depleted much of the N available to plants. This field study evaluated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) for persistence, herbage production, and N accumulation on two N-deficient soils (Woodward fine sandy loam, coarse-silty, mixed, thermic Typic Ustocrept; Pratt loamy sand, sandy, mixed, thermic Psammentic Haplustalf). A grass (Bothriochloa ischaemum L.) was grown as a control against which to measure N accumulation. After establishment in 1981 with sprinkle irrigation, the study was conducted under dryland conditions the following 5 yr when precipitation was near the long-term mean of 596 mm yr-1. Herbage was not harvested the year of establishment. On the Woodward sandy loam, average herbage yields were: alfalfa 4.5, cicer milkvetch 3.1, and grass 1.0 t ha-1 yr-1; herbage N yields were 171, 124, and 9 kg N ha-1 yr-1, respectively. Residual N in stubble, crowns, litter, roots, and surface 10 cm of soil after six growing seasons was 1670, 1364, and 996 kg N ha-1 for alfalfa, cicer milkvetch, and grass, respectively. Cicer milkvetch on the Pratt loamy sand died during the dry summer of the second harvest season. Thus, cicer milkvetch appears marginally adapted to loamy upland soils and not adapted to deep sandy soils in the Southern Plains. Alfalfa persisted on the Pratt loamy sand with herbage yields about 87% of yields on the Woodward sandy loam. The performance of alfalfa, including apparent N2 fixation averaging 219 kg N ha-1 yr-1, is encouraging for use on marginal farmlands in the region.
Ala Scanning of the Inhibitory Region of Cardiac Troponin I

In skeletal and cardiac muscles, troponin (Tn), which resides on the thin filament, senses a change in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Tn is composed of TnC, TnI, and TnT. Ca2+ binding to the regulatory domain of TnC removes the inhibitory effect by TnI on the contraction. The inhibitory region of cardiac TnI spans from residue 138 to 149. Upon Ca2+ activation, the inhibitory region is believed to be released from actin, thus triggering actin-activation of myosin ATPase. In this study, we created a series of Ala-substitution mutants of cTnI to delineate the functional contribution of each amino acid in the inhibitory region to myofilament regulation. We found that most of the point mutations in the inhibitory region reduced the ATPase activity in the presence of Ca2+, which suggests the same region also acts as an activator of the ATPase. The thin filaments can also be activated by strong myosin head (S1)-actin interactions. The binding of N-ethylmaleimide-treated myosin subfragment 1 (NEM-S1) to actin filaments mimics such strong interactions. Interestingly, in the absence of Ca2+ NEM-S1-induced activation of S1 ATPase was significantly less with the thin filaments containing TnI(T144A) than that with the wild-type TnI. However, in the presence of Ca2+, there was little difference in the activation of ATPase activity between these preparations.
The magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity of some transition metal silicides

Abstract Sintered samples have been prepared of a number of silicides formed by the Groups IVa, Va and VIa transition metals and silicon. Magnetic susceptibility meesurements have been made at room temperature and 500°c and the electrical resistivity and temperature coefficient of resistivity determined for the range 20°c to 120°c. The results are discussed in relation to the type of bonding present in these compounds and it is shown that the transition metal silicides are essentially metallic in character.
Visceral adhesions to hernia prostheses

To report our experience with abdominal adhesion formation to various synthetic and biologic prosthetic materials in a rat ventral hernia model. A total of 14 prostheses, nine synthetic, four biologic, and one bioresorbable, were evaluated in the rat. Two synthetic prostheses had bioresorbable coatings and one consisted of synthetic and bioresorbable materials woven together. The model involved the removal from the midline of a 2.5 × 2.5-cm segment of full-thickness ventral abdominal wall with the test prosthetic material sewed into the defect, thus, exposing the viscera directly to one surface of the prosthesis. There were four or more rats in each group. Adhesions were assessed at autopsy 7 days after operation or later. The results were expressed as the percentage area of prosthesis surface involved. All 14 of the tested prosthetic materials induced adhesions. Vicryl Mesh® and the four biologic varieties had lesser overall adhesion coverage than the bare synthetic prostheses. Sepramesh® developed the least adhesion coverage (15%). The two synthetic materials with bioresorbable coatings had smaller areas involved compared to bare synthetic prostheses. All of the tested prostheses attracted adhesions. Biologic prostheses had smaller areas of coverage compared to synthetic prostheses. Barrier surfaces on synthetic meshes were associated with a much lesser extent of adhesion involvement.
Neuroendocrine and metabolic effects of general anaesthesia and graded haemorrhage

Serial crossover tests were carried out on 10 large, trained male dogs that were moderately deeply anaesthetized for 120 minutes at two-week intervals, with 10 different general anaesthetic agents. From 15 minutes to 90 minutes after maintenance of anaesthesia was begun, the animals were bled from an artery at the rate of 15 ml./minute with the aim of reducing the mean arterial blood pressure to 40 mm. Hg. The mean reduction in circulating blood volume was approximately 50 per cent. Anaesthesia was managed in the best way clinically: Pulmonary ventilation was maintained as near normal as possible by controlling the respiration mechanically at 350 ml./kg./min. A non-rebreathing system was used with all agents except cyclopropane, and 20 per cent oxygen was always administered. Mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, E.C.G., and urine output were monitored and recorded, and 0.9 per cent saline infusion was administered intravenously throughout the anaesthetic period. During the hour following anaesthesia, all the blood removed was reinfused intravenously along with methylprednisolone (10 mg./kg.) and ampicillin (500 mg.) and 100 per cent oxygen was insufflated through an endotracheal tube until the animal was fully recovered.
Sediment accumulation in a modern epicontinental-shelf setting: The Yellow Sea

Sediment accumulation in the Yellow Sea epicontinental-shelf environment is investigated on 100-yr and 1000-yr time scales using 210Pb and 14C geochronologies. The distribution of modern (210Pb) accumulation rates in the Yellow Sea reveals that the loci of modern Huanghe sediment accumulation are the topset (1–2 mm/yr), foreset (4–9) mm/yr), and proximal bottomset deposits (2–4 mm/yr) of the Shandong subaqueous delta (which extends south from the Shandong Peninsula). 210Pb rates in the distal bottomset deposits of the subaqueous delta (in the central and southern Yellow Sea) are generally low (0.3–0.9 mm/yr). A sediment budget demonstrates that between 9–15% of the annual Huanghe discharge is accumulating in the Yellow Sea. About two-thirds of this sediment is accumulating in the topset, foreset and proximal bottomset deposits of the Shandong subaqueous delta, with the remaining third accumulating as widespread distal bottomset deposits. 14C age dates of subaqueous delta sediments indicate that the thick (∼40m) clinoform structure formed predominantly between 6200 and 4060 yrs B.P. (at rates approaching 20 mm/yr). Observations in the Yellow Sea, as well as on the Amazon and Ganges-Brahmaputra shelves demonstrate that subaqueous-deltaic stratigraphy is the general rule where major rivers enter energetic shelves, whether epicontinental or pericontinental. The development of extensive bottomset deposits may be restricted to epicontinental-shelf environments and may be diagnostic of sedimentation in this type of setting.
Two-step annealing of hot wire chemical vapor deposited a-Si:H films

A two-step annealing process was used to investigate the effect of dehydrogenation on crystallization and grain growth of low and high hydrogen content hot wire chemical vapor deposited (HWCVD) a-Si:H films. A low temperature pre-annealing followed by a rapid thermal annealing step at 600 °C was carried out. For the high hydrogen content film XRD (111) peak narrowed quite a bit, while opposite effect was observed for the low hydrogen content film. According to the grain sizes as calculated from TEM images, grain sizes of both of the two-step annealed high and low hydrogen content films are smaller than that of the single stage annealed film.
Imatinib resistance in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Conventional chemotherapeutic drugs are ineffective in treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Imatinib (STI571, Gleevec, Glivec; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ), a selective inhibitor of KIT, ABL, BCR-ABL, PDGFRA, and PDGFRB, represents a new paradigm of targeted cancer therapy and has revolutionized the treatment of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and GISTs. Unfortunately, imatinib resistance has emerged. The reported mechanism of imatinib resistance in GISTs involves missense mutation in the kinase domain of KIT, including Thr670Ile, Tyr823Asp, and Val654Ala. The established mechanisms and potential mechanisms of imatinib resistance in GISTs, the imaging studies indicative of early development of imatinib resistance, and the management of imatinib-resistant GISTs are discussed.
Motion and feature-based video metamorphosis

We present a new technique for morphing two video sequences. Our approach extends still image metamorphosis techniques to video by performing motion tracking on the objects. Besides reducing the amount of user input required to morph two sequences by an order of magnitude, the additional motion information helps us to segment the image into foreground and background parts. By morphing these parts independently and overlaying the results, output quality is improved. We compare our approach to conventional motion image morphing techniques in terms of the quality of the output image and the human input required.
A detonation stability formulation for arbitrary equations of state and multi-step reaction mechanisms

Abstract A general normal-mode linear stability formulation of steady planar detonation waves is presented that is valid both for an arbitrary equation of state and for multi-step, multi-species chemical kinetics. The general formulation can be used for many purposes, including an examination of gaseous detonation stability with complex reaction kinetics in which the individual reacting species have variable thermochemical properties. In the present paper, we consider two cases that could not be obtained by previous one-step chemistry, polytropic gas formulations: the first concerns the effect of a difference in heat capacities between product and fuel species, as well as a possible mole change, in a single-step irreversible reaction. The second examines the effects of exothermic or endothermic heat release/absorption in the chain-initiation stage of a model three-step reaction.
Association between lifestyle-disease diagnosis or risk status and medical care costs in a Japanese corporation.

Abstract Purpose. This study examined the differences in medical care costs among (1) individuals who carried the diagnosis of selected lifestyle diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia), (2) individuals whose levels of risks (blood glucose, blood pressure, and total cholesterol) satisfied the diagnosis guidelines yet who did not carry the diagnoses, (3) individuals who had these risks but whose risk levels were not high enough to satisfy the diagnosis guidelines, and (4) individuals without the risks. Design. A one-time cross-sectional design was used. Health checkup data and medical-claims data obtained from the fiscal year 2000 were examined for correlations. Sample. A total of 3292 employees aged 34 years and older were selected from the entire employee population of 6543 in a Japanese corporation. Employees younger than 34 years old were excluded because their clinical risk data were not available. Measures. On the basis of their absence or presence of diagnoses (obtained from m...
Nuclear aspects of a solid wall blanket based on advanced ferritic steel and re-circulating Flibe

Nuclear analysis was performed for a solid wall blanket concept that uses the nano-composited ferritic (NCF) steel alloy 12YWT as structural material with Pb as the neutron multiplier and Flibe (Li/sub 2/BeF/sub 4/) as the tritium breeder and coolant. With an enrichment of 40% /sup 6/Li the overall tritium breeding ratio is expected to be /spl sim/1.16 and the blanket energy multiplication is 1.13. The peak structure dpa and helium production rates are 77.6 dpa/FPY and 955 He appm/FPY, respectively, implying a lifetime of /spl sim/3 FPY. The NCF structure dominates the total activity and decay heat. The Mo content in the NCF needs to be reduced from 0.02% to <0.01% for the structure waste to qualify as low level class C waste.
Evolutionary Theory as a Guide to Socioscientific Decision-Making.

Evolutionary theory serves as the fundamental cornerstone to all life science; yet students frequently possess misconceptions regarding evolution or resist learning the idea altogether. This study, which emerged from alarger project focused on informal reasoning, explores how college students' conceptions of evolutionary theoryaffect their reasoning in the context of genetic engineering issues. Thirty students, 15 biology majors and 15non-science majors were interviewed individually and asked about their positions on gene therapy and cloning.Whereas none of the non-science majors alluded to evolution, many of the biology majors (8 of 15) adoptedevolutionary perspectives as they negotiated genetic engineering issues. Some student responses revealedmisconceptions such as teleological and deterministic interpretations of evolution, but others discussed moreappropriate evolutionary implications, such as reduced genetic variability and the propagation of unfit genes asa result of cloning. Applications of these...
Differences in Development, Glycogen, and Lipid Content Associated with Cytochrome P450-Mediated Permethrin Resistance in Culex Pipiens Quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Insecticide resistance in populations of mosquitoes is an escalating problem that can directly affect disease prevalence. Determining the fitness associated with an insecticide resistance mechanism (allele) will provide for greater understanding of the evolution of resistance, and help inform effective vector management programs. Previously, a population cage experiment in which the alleles of two highly related strains of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus (Say) SLAB (susceptible) and ISOP450 (permethrin resistant because of cytochrome P450-mediated detoxification) were placed in direct competition in the absence of insecticide revealed that the P450 resistance allele frequency decreased over time. In the current study, SLAB and ISOP450 development, mortality and energetic resources derived from glycogen, other sugars and lipids were measured to identify biological parameters that might explain the previously observed fitness cost. SLAB exhibited shorter egg-to-adult female development time and larger body size when reared in groups when compared with ISOP450. ISOP450 female adults provided 20% sugar water lived longer than 20% sugar water fed females of the SLAB strain. No significant differences in larval development time, larval mortality, pupal stage duration time, pupal mortality, longevity of male and female adults provided with distilled water and males provided sugar water were found between the strains. The caloric content from glycogen and lipids were significantly higher in SLAB relative to ISOP450 in adults. The slower female emergence time and smaller body size when reared in groups combined with lower energy reserves (glycogen and lipids) associated with the resistance allele (in ISOP450) are likely fitness costs associated with the resistance allele of P450-mediated detoxification.
Use of an electromyographically driven hand orthosis for training after stroke

A pilot study was conducted to test the feasibility of using electromyographic signals to drive an active orthosis for hand therapy after stroke. Five stroke survivors with chronic hemiparesis completed 18 one-hour training sessions over 6 weeks. Activation patterns of a long finger flexor muscle and a long finger extensor muscle controlled an orthosis, the J-Glove, which provided assistance to finger extension to facilitate grasp-and-release movements. Initial results showed improvement in performance on one component, lifting a can, of the Wolf Motor Function Test for every subject and on the Action Research Arm Test for three of the subjects. Excitingly, a couple of the subjects showed signs of improved muscle activation patterns, although this requires further investigation.
Review: Doing Social Media So It Matters: A Librarians Guide

Solomon, Laura. Doing Social Media So It Matters: A Librarians Guide. Chicago: American Library Association, 2011. 80p. ISBN-13: 978-0-8389-1067-2. Softcover, $37.00
Nurses' needs for education on cancer and end-of-life care.

BACKGROUND Changes in cancer and end-of-life care require frequent assessment of educational needs of nurses. METHODS The Nurse Oncology Education Program surveyed a random sample of Texas registered nurses about their continuing education practices, level of knowledge, and educational needs. RESULTS The 352 nurses responding to the survey primarily obtained continuing education from workshops, inservice education, and independent studies citing cost, location, content, and length of course as influencing factors. Their cancer educational needs included clinical trials, genetics, complementary therapies, and pain management. Nurses' perceptions of end-of-life needs were for physical needs, "what to expect" concerns, and transition to palliative care. CONCLUSION These findings provide specific direction for future continuing education programs about cancer and end-of-life issues for nurses.
Thermodynamics and kinetics of ion speciation in supercritical aqueous solutions: A molecular based study

Molecular simulation of infinitely dilute NaCl aqueous solutions are performed to study the Na{sup +}/Cl{sup -} ion pairing in a polarizable and a nonpolarizable solvent at supercritical conditions. The Simple Point Charge, Pettitt-Rossky, and Fumi-Tosi models for the water-water, ion-water, and ion-ion interactions are used in determining the degree of dissociation, its temperature and density dependence, and the kinetics of the interconversion between ion-pair configurations in a nonpolarizable medium. To assess the effect of the solvent polarizability on the stability of the ion-pair configurations, we replace the Simple Point Charge by the Polarizable Point Charge water model and determine the anion-cation potential of mean force at T{sub r}=1.20 and {rho}{sub r}=1.5.
Cataracts in congenital toxoplasmosis.

Purpose To determine the incidence and natural history of cataracts in children with congenital toxoplasmosis. Methods Children referred to the National Collaborative Chicago-based Congenital Toxoplasmosis Study (NCCCTS) between 1981 and 2005 were examined by ophthalmologists at predetermined times according to a specific protocol. The clinical course and treatment of patients who developed cataracts were reviewed. Results In the first year of life, 134 of 173 children examined were treated with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and leukovorin, while the remaining 39 were not treated. Cataracts occurred in 27 eyes of 20 patients (11.6%, 95% confidence interval [7.2%, 17.3%]). Fourteen cataracts were present at birth and 13 developed postnatally. Locations of the cataracts included anterior polar (three eyes), anterior subcapsular (six eyes), nuclear (five eyes), posterior subcapsular (seven eyes), and unknown (six eyes). Thirteen cataracts were partial, nine total, and five with unknown complexity. Twelve cataracts remained stable, 12 progressed, and progression was not known for 3. Five of 27 eyes had cataract surgery, with 2 of these developing glaucoma. Sixteen eyes of 11 patients had retinal detachment and cataract. All eyes with cataracts had additional ocular lesions. Conclusions In the NCCCTS cohort, 11.6% of patients were diagnosed with cataracts. There was considerable variability in the presentation, morphology, and progression of the cataracts. Associated intraocular pathology was an important cause of morbidity.
Using the Language Environment Analysis (LENA) system in preschool classrooms with children with autism spectrum disorders

This study describes the language environment of preschool programs serving children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and examines relationships between child characteristics and an automated measure of adult and child language in the classroom. The Language Environment Analysis (LENA) system was used with 40 children with ASD to collect data on adult and child language. Standardized assessments were administered to obtain language, cognitive, and autism severity scores for participants. With a mean of over 5 hours of recording across two days several months apart, there was a mean of 3.6 child vocalizations per minute, 1.0 conversational turns (in which either the adult or child respond to the other within 5 seconds) per minute, and 29.2 adult words per minute. Two of the three LENA variables were significantly correlated with language age-equivalents. Cognitive age-equivalents were also significantly correlated with two LENA variables. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule severity scores and LENA...
Sociology of Sport: Expanding Horizons in the Subdiscipline

Sport sociology … is a value-free social science. It is not an effort to infl uence public opinion or behavior, nor is it an attempt to find support for the “social development” objective of physical education. … The sport sociologist is neither a spreader of gospel nor an evangelist for exercise. His function is not to shape attitudes and values but rather to describe and explain them. (Kenyon & Loy, 1965/1969, p. 38) The replication of so called scientific studies of sport have done little to enhance either our knowledge or understanding of the nature and meaning of sporting practices. By separating sport from its developmental and social features, the “variables” approach completely ignores the sociohistorical and political dimensions of cultural life. (Hollands, 1984, p.70) Scholars on the forefront of the sport/cultural studies movement have emphasized that its fusion of perspectives carries the promise of developing a comprehensive model to analyze relations of dominance and subordination simultaneo...
Structural and Functional Abnormalities in the Islets Isolated From Type 2 Diabetic Subjects

Type 2 diabetic subjects manifest both disordered insulin action and abnormalities in their pancreatic islet cells. Whether the latter represents a primary defect or is a consequence of the former is unknown. To examine the β-cell mass and function of islets from type 2 diabetic patients directly, we isolated islets from pancreata of type 2 diabetic cadaveric donors (n = 14) and compared them with islets from normal donors (n = 14) matched for age, BMI, and cold ischemia time. The total recovered islet mass from type 2 diabetic pancreata was significantly less than that from nondiabetic control subjects (256,260 islet equivalents [2,588 IEq/g pancreas] versus 597,569 islet equivalents [6,037 IEq/g pancreas]). Type 2 diabetic islets were also noted to be smaller on average, and histologically, islets from diabetic patients contained a higher proportion of glucagon-producing α-cells. In vitro study of islet function from diabetic patients revealed an abnormal glucose-stimulated insulin release response in perifusion assays. In addition, in comparison with normal islets, an equivalent number of type 2 diabetic islets failed to reverse hyperglycemia when transplanted to immunodeficient diabetic mice. These results provide direct evidence for abnormalities in the islets of type 2 diabetic patients that may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.
Dynamics of kinks in one- and two-dimensional hyperbolic models with quasidiscrete nonlinearities.

We study the evolution of fronts in the Klein-Gordon equation when the nonlinear term is inhomogeneous. Extending previous works on homogeneous nonlinear terms, we describe the derivation of an equation governing the front motion, which is strongly nonlinear, and, for the two-dimensional case, generalizes the damped Born-Infeld equation. We study the motion of one- and two-dimensional fronts finding a much richer dynamics than in the homogeneous system case, leading, in most cases, to the stabilization of one phase inside the other. For a one-dimensional front, the function describing the inhomogeneity of the nonlinear term acts as a ‘‘potential function’’ for the motion of the front, i.e., a front initially placed between two of its local maxima asymptotically approaches the intervening minimum. Two-dimensional fronts, with radial symmetry and without dissipation can either shrink to a point in finite time, grow unboundedly, or their radius can oscillate, depending on the initial conditions. When dissipation effects are present, the oscillations either decay spirally or not depending on the value of the damping dissipation parameter. For fronts with a more general shape, we present numerical simulations showing the same behavior.
Nanoimprint Lithography Materials Development for Semiconductor Device Fabrication

The term nanoimprint lithography (NIL) describes a number of processes used to form nanoscale structures by molding or embossing. Step and flash imprint lithography (S-FIL, a trademark of Molecular Imprints, Inc.) is a variant of NIL that can be performed at room temperature and low pressure. In S-FIL, a low-viscosity liquid imprint material is hardened in a patterned template by exposure to UV light. S-FIL is ideally suited to integrated-circuit device fabrication. Materials development for S-FIL has progressed significantly since its introduction in 1999. We discuss the status of materials development, with specific emphasis on the imprint material and functional materials, template fabrication and release layers, and S-FIL process variations.
Validation of quantitative trait loci for Fusarium head blight and kernel discoloration in barley

Validation of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) is a prerequisite to marker assisted selection (MAS), however, only a fraction of QTLs identified for important plant traits have been independently tested for validation. Resistance to the diseases kernel discoloration (KD) and Fusarium head blight (FHB) in barley is complex and technically difficult to assess, and therefore QTLs for these traits are suitable targets for MAS. We selected two lines, from a QTL mapping population created using the resistant variety Chevron, and crossed them to susceptible parents to generate two validation populations. Genetic maps of both populations were developed for five chromosomes covering 15 selected regions containing QTLs for FHB severity, KD score and concentration of deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin produced by the FHB pathogen. QTL analyses using these validation populations confirmed that five of the possible 15 QTL regions were associated with at least one of the three traits. While some QTL were detected inconsistently across environments, QTL that could be subjected to validation in both populations were confirmed in both populations in seven out of eight instances. A QTL for KD score on chromosome 6(6H) was confirmed in both validation populations in eight of nine environments and was also associated with FHB in three of six environments. A QTL for FHB on chromosome 2(2H) was confirmed and was also associated with KD and heading date. Marker assisted selection at these two QTLs should enhance disease resistance, however, the QTL on chromosome 2(2H) will also delay heading date.
The K-model: RF IC modelling for communication systems simulation

A new technique for modelling the entire analogue front-end of an RF IC for fast simulation and analysis in a DSP design environment is described. The designer's objective is to see if an existing analogue front-end circuit design will work in the target end-to-end system before the RF IC is fabricated. Accurate full system simulation might save the need for chip redesign, mask generation and refabrication. A wireless receiver's analogue front-end circuitry introduces varying levels of distortion dependent on carrier bias. To simulate the RF front-end in a system simulation, time-domain based behavioural models, K-models, are used to represent the receiver's nonlinear effects. With SpectreRF's periodic AC and periodic noise analyses the receiver's nonlinear frequency translating and noise effects are accurately characterized. A scripting language called OCEAN/sup TM/ is used to write an extraction program to run SpectreRFM simulations and save the necessary base-band to base-band frequency response and power spectral density data files. K-models reside in the signal processing work system (SPW/sup TM/) as block diagram symbols. The K-model uses the SpectreRFM data from the extraction simulation to define its nonlinear performance. Full end to end system simulations are then analyzed within SPW/sup TM/. The K-model behavioural simulation approach is found to be extremely fast when compared with full circuit transistor level simulation techniques.
The Immunobiology of SARS

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) presented as an atypical pneumonia that progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome in approximately 20% of cases and was associated with a mortality of about 10%. The etiological agent was a novel coronavirus (CoV). Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 is the functional receptor for SARS-CoV; DC-SIGN and CD209L (L-SIGN) can enhance viral entry. Although the virus infects the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidneys, the disease is limited to the lungs, where diffuse alveolar damage is accompanied by a disproportionately sparse inflammatory infiltrate. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, particularly IP-10, IL-8, and MCP-1, are elevated in the lungs and peripheral blood, but there is an unusual lack of an antiviral interferon (IFN) response. The virus is susceptible to exogenous type I IFN but suppresses the induction of IFN. Innate immunity is important for viral clearance in the mouse model. Virus-specific neutralizing antibodies that develop during convalescence prevent reinfection in animal models.
DEVELOPMENT OF PEG-CONTAINING BRUSH COPOLYMER: THEIR EFFECT ON RESISTANCE TO PROTEIN ADSORPTION BEHAVIORS

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been grafted onto surface of many medical devices to reduce or eliminate protein adsorption that often leads to infection or inflammatory responses. Besides commonly used surface activation strategies, here in this work, the novel functional brush copolymer poly (vinyl alcohol)-g-PEG-co-polyurethane (PVA-g-(PEG-co-PU)) was first synthesized, characterized, and evaluated. PVA is used here as a versatile backbone platform for grafting functional molecules. On the one hand, the PU molecules can attach to the surface of desired PU-based implants, on the other hand, the presence of densely grafted PEG at the materials–tissue interface effectively impedes nonspecific protein adsorption. These copolymers with various grafting ratio of PEG and PU were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The brush copolymers that were obtained were further coated on the PU surface and contact angle measurements were performed. It was found that the brush copolymers turn the surface more hydrophilic with increasing PEG grafting density. Furthermore, the effects of PEG ratio on protein adsorption-resistant behavior were investigated. Protein adsorption was found to be the lowest on the surfaces with the highest PEG grafting density on PVA backbone. The study demonstrated unique brush copolymer to work as a potentially useful coating material.
Red States vs. Blue States: Going Beyond the Mean

In recent years, many scholars have explored the degree of polarization between red and blue states (red states are those carried by Republicans at the presidential level; blue states are those carried by Democrats). Some claim that red- and blue-state citizens are deeply polarized, while others disagree, arguing that there are only limited differ- ences between the two groups. All previous work on this topic, however, simply uses difference-of-means tests to determine when these two groups are polarized. We show that this test alone cannot determine whether states are actually polarized. We remedy this shortcoming by introducing a new measure based on the degree of issue-position overlap between red- and blue-state citizens. Our findings demonstrate that there is only limited polarization—and a good deal of common ground— between red states and blue states. We discuss the implications of our work both for the study of polarization itself and for the broader study of American politics.
Cultural competence in outpatient substance abuse treatment: measurement and relationship to wait time and retention.

a b s t r a c t Background: Culturally competent practice is broadly acknowledged to be an important strategy to increase the quality of services for racial/ethnic minorities in substance abuse treatment. However, few empirically derived measures of organizational cultural competence exist, and relatively little is known about how these measures affect treatment outcomes. Method: Using a nationally representative sample of outpatient substance abuse treatment (OSAT) programs, this study used item response theory to create two measures of cultural competence—organizational practices and managers' culturally sensitive beliefs—and examined their relationship to client wait time and retention using Poisson regression modeling. Results: The most common and precisely measured organizational practices reported by OSAT managers included matching providers and clients based on language/dialect; offering cross-cultural training; and fostering connections with community and faith-based organizations connected to racial and ethnic minority groups. The most culturally sensitive belief among OSAT managers was support for lan- guage/dialect matching for racial and ethnic minority clients. Results of regression modeling indicate that organizational practices were not related to either outcome. However, managers' culturally sensi- tive beliefs were negatively associated with average wait time (p < 0.05), and positively associated with average retention (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Managers' culturally sensitive beliefs—considered to be influential for effective implementa- tion of culturally competent practices—may be particularly relevant in influencing wait time and retention in OSAT organizations that treat Latinos and African American clients. © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
KINETICS OF NONENZYMATIC BROWNING IN CHEDDAR CHEESE POWDER DURING STORAGE

Nonenzyman'c browning (NEB) in Cheddar cheese powder during storage was investigated in the water activity (a,,,) and temperature ranges of 0.48-0.85 and 204OC, respectively. Re NEB obeyed zero-order reaction kinetics during storage. Activation energies and Q,o values were in the range of 15.1-22.3 kcal/mole and 2.2-3.5, respectively. The NEB increased with increasing temperature and storage time. There was an a, maxim at 0.43 for NEB at 20C. At 30 and 4OC, NEB decreased with increasing a, A generalized NEB model for Cheddar cheese powder during storage was developed based on Arrhenius equation to describe NEB as a function of a, and temperature. Powders stored at 20 and 30C were evaluated for quality aspects. Maximum storage stability was obtained in powders stored at 4, of 0.54 at 20C for five months based on an overall desirability score of 3.5 on a %point scale. lh? average score offresh powders were 4.7 throughout the storage study 7.