cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SURVIVAL PATTERNS IN FOUR PRAIRIE GRASSES TRANSPLANTED TO CENTRAL TEXAS

A B S T R A C T Transplanted clones of four widespread prairie grasses, Andropogon scoparius, A. gerardii, Panicum virgatum, and Sorghastrum nutans, that had survived in cultivation 1958-1962 in central Texas were studied without cultivation 1963-67 to determine survival patterns. In all four species, clones from northern arid easterni sites in the United States were eliminated. Survival of A. scoparius was restricted to plants originating in central and southern Texas and in northern Mexico. Surviving clones of A. gerardii, P. virgatum, and S. nutans were chiefly of Texas origin but included other clones mostly from the south central United States. Population samples of the fouir species from a cerntral Texas grassland community showed greatest survival in a multi-ramet comparison of clones originating from North Dakota to Mexico City and in a multi-elone comparison from six sites in Texas and one in New Mexico. While the superior adaptation to the local habitat by the local populations might have been expected, this study documented the survival potential of organisms in the local ecosystem. TRANSPLANTED CLONES of four widespread prairie grasses, Andropogon scoparius M'ichx., A. gerardii Vitman, Panicum virgatum L., and Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash, were studied in central Texas to determine survival patterns. When the clones were kept in a cultivated, spaced planting a broad geographic range was represented by the surviving material. Subsequent rigorous selection without cultivation reduced the geographic representation of the clonal series. While there are numerous transplant studies that report ecotypic differentiation (Turesson, 1922; Clausen, Reck, and Hiesey, 1940, 1958; Goodwin, 1944; Lawrence, 1945; Ward, 1953; Kucera, 1958; and MIcNaughton, 1966, among others), the ultimate survival of a broad spectrum of ecotypes within a specific habitat has not been intentionally tested. In the present study the survival of the transplanted clones could be evaluated reliably because duplicate ramets of each clone had been planted. The surviving ramets could be compared for morphological identity and compared with documented specimens of each clone. Since an original clone can be replaced by a seedling, studies using only a single ramet of a clone would not be satisfactory for a survival study. No gradual conversion of exotic ecotypes toward the structure or behavior of the local
On extending bock's model of logistic regression in the analysis of categorical data

A general class of multiple logistic regression models is reviewed and an extension is proposed which leads to restricted maximum likelihood estimates of model parameters. Examples of thegeneral model are given, with an emphasis placed on the interpretation of the parameters in each case.
Feeding, growth, and fecundity of Abarenicola pacifica in relation to sediment organic concentration.

For marine deposit-feeding invertebrates, the distribution of species with different life history strategies has long been known to be correlated with sediment organic concentration. Large populations of opportunistic species are found in sediments with enriched organic concentration, while equilibrium species populate low organic concentration sediments. Differences in both behavioral (e.g. feeding rate) and physiological (e.g. growth rate, reproductive output) adaptations determine the ability of species to establish populations in different environments. By systematically documenting differences in the way these factors vary as sediment organic concentration varies for both opportunistic and equilibrium species, we can better understand the mechanisms underlying this correlation between sediment organic concentration and species distributions. Here, we present the results of experiments examining the interactions among food concentration, feeding rate, growth rate, and reproductive output (measured as egg number and size) for the equilibrium species Abarenicola pacifica. A. pacifica is a large, long-lived, iteroparous, sub-surface deposit-feeding polychaete. Individual worms were reared throughout most of one generation in sediments differing only in the concentration of organic matter. Juveniles ( 100 mg AFDW, growth rates were uniformly low (≈1%/day) on all sediments, but the early advantage obtained by worms in the high organic treatments resulted in much greater body sizes after 200 days. Worms had higher tissue triacylglyceride concentrations and produced more eggs (independent of worm size) as sediment organic concentration increased. We conclude that A. pacifica alters its feeding rate in response to variations in food resources in such a way as to maximize its energy intake and thereby maximize fitness. Future studies should investigate whether opportunistic species (as well as other equilibrium species) also have this ability.
Amniotic fluid α1-antitrypsin concentration in premature rupture of the membranes

Abstract Premature rupture of the membranes is probably a result of a loss in amniotic membrane collagen. A recent report that the concentration of a,-antitrypsin was decreased in patients with premature rupture of the membranes suggested a generalized defect in such pregnancies. In this study we compared the concentration of ac,-antitrypsin in samples from pregnancies with premature rupture of the membranes and from pregnancies with preterm labor at similar gestational age. No difference in a,-antitrypsin concentration was noted between these groups or between samples with or without intrauterine infection. These results support a localized inflammation and necrosis of the membranes at the site of rupture.
Investigation of the coordination structures of the molybdenum(v) sites of sulfite oxidizing enzymes by pulsed EPR spectroscopy.

Sulfite oxidizing enzymes (SOEs) are physiologically vital and occur in all forms of life. During the catalytic cycle the five-coordinate square-pyramidal oxo-molybdenum active site passes through the Mo(V) state, and intimate details of the structure can be obtained from pulsed EPR spectroscopy through the hyperfine interactions (hfi) and nuclear quadrupole interactions (nqi) of nearby magnetic nuclei (e.g., 1H, 2H, 17O, 31P) of the ligands. By employing spectrometer operational frequencies ranging from ∼4 to ∼32 GHz, it is possible to make the nuclear Zeeman interaction significantly greater than the hfi and nqi, and thereby simplify the interpretations of the spectra. The SOEs exhibit three general types of Mo(V) structures which differ in the number of nearby exchangeable protons (one, two or zero). The observed structure depends upon the organism, pH, anions in the medium, and method of reduction. One type of structure has a single exchangeable Mo–OH proton approximately in the equatorial plane and a large isotropic hfi (e.g., low pH form of chicken SOE, low pH form of plant SOE reduced by Ti(III)); the second type has two exchangeable protons with distributed orientations out of the equatorial plane and very small (or zero) isotropic hfi (e.g., high pH form of chicken SOE, high pH form of plant SOE reduced by sulfite); the third type has no nearby exchangeable protons and a coordinated oxyanion (e.g., phosphate inhibited chicken SOE, low pH form of plant SOE reduced by sulfite). An additional structural conclusion is that the orientation angle of any exchangeable equatorial ligand (OH, OH2, PO43−) is not uniquely fixed, but is distributed around its central value by up to ±20° (depending on pH, the type of the ligand and the type of enzyme). An unexpected finding was that the axial oxo group of SOEs exchanges with 17O in solutions enriched in H217O. The first determination of oxo 17O nqi parameters for a well-characterized model compound, [Mo17O(SPh)4]−, clearly demonstrated that 17O nqi parameters can distinguish between oxo and OH2 ligands.
Design Support of an Above Cap-rock Early Detection Monitoring System using Simulated Leakage Scenarios at the FutureGen2.0 Site

Abstract The FutureGen 2.0 Project will design and build a first-of-its-kind, near-zero emissions coal-fueled power plant with carbon capture and storage (CCS). To assess storage site performance and meet the regulatory requirements of the Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for CO 2 Geologic Sequestration, the FutureGen 2.0 project will implement a suite of monitoring technologies designed to evaluate CO 2 mass balance and detect any unforeseen loss in CO 2 containment. The monitoring program will include direct monitoring of the reservoir, and early-leak-detection monitoring directly above the primary confining zone. This preliminary modeling study described here focuses on hypothetical leakage scenarios into the first permeable unit above the primary confining zone (Ironton Sandstone) and is used to support assessment of early-leak detection capabilities. Future updates of the model will be used to assess potential impacts on the lowermost underground source of drinking water (Saint Peter Sandstone) for a range of theoretical leakage scenarios. This preliminary modeling evaluation considers both pressure response and geochemical signals in the overlying Ironton Sandstone. This model is independent of the FutureGen 2.0 reservoir model in that it does not simulate caprock discontinuities, faults, or failure scenarios. Instead this modeling effort is based on theoretical, volumetric-rate based leakage scenarios. The scenarios include leakage of 1% of the total injected CO 2 mass, but spread out over different time periods (20, 100, and 500 years) with each case yielding a different mass flux (i.e., smaller mass fluxes for longer duration leakage cases]. A brine leakage scenario using a volumetric leakage similar to the 20 year 1% CO 2 case was also considered. A framework for the comparison of the various cases was developed based on the exceedance of selected pressure and geochemical thresholds at different distances from the point of leakage and at different vertical positions within the Ironton Sandstone. These preliminary results, and results from an updated models that incorporate additional site-specific characterization data, support development/refinement of the monitoring system design.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE ABILITY AND RHYTHM PERCEPTION, PITCH PERCEPTION,VOCAL RANGE, AND VOCAL MIDPOINT AMONG MENTALLY RETARDED ADULTS

This study investigated the relationship between expressive language ability and rhythm perception, pitch perception, vocal range, and vocal midpoint for 28 mentally retarded adults. A standardized speech test determined language scores, a standardized music test assessed rhythm and pitch perception, and vocalization determined vocal range and midpoint. Multiple correlation and multiple linear regression analyses indicated a significant correlation between expressive language ability and rhythm perception. Further research with music tests more appropriate for mentally retarded adults is recommended.
Development of formulations that enhance physical stability of viral vectors for gene therapy

This study summarizes our initial efforts to address an issue that is critical to the success of any multicenter gene therapy clinical trial - maintenance of vector viability during shipping and storage at remote test sites. We have identified formulation and processing factors that influence stability of viral preparations such as selection of appropriate buffer systems, cryoprotectants, and storage conditions. Adenovirus and adeno-associated virus expressing E. coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ) were suspended in blends of complex carbohydrates, cyclodextrins and various surfactants. X-gal stains of 293 and 84-31 cells were used to determine infectious titer of all preparations. Potassium phosphate-buffered preparations consistently maintained high viral titers after storage at -20 and 4 degrees C. Blends of sucrose, mannitol, and surfactant showed negligible loss of titer for 35 days at 4 degrees C. Formulations of sucrose and cyclodextrin were stable for 2 years at -20 degrees C. Negligible loss in titer was observed in unit-dose viral preparations lyophilized in sucrose and stored at 4 degrees C for 1 year after an initial loss of 0.5 log due to processing. Studies with lyophilized sucrose/mannitol blends have shown that viral recovery after processing is directly related to the final moisture content of the dried product. Virus concentration also plays a significant role in recovery after processing with highly concentrated preparations showing minimal loss in titer after lyophilization. In summary, lyophilized preparations that can be shipped and stored at 25 degrees C offer a solution to the current problem of distribution of viral vectors for clinical trials.
Quantum electrodynamics in photonic crystals

A macroscopic quantum electrodynamic formalism has been developed for a three-dimensional periodic dielectric lattice made of a linear, non-magnetic, isotropic, locally homogeneous, and lossless medium. The usual choice of Coulomb gauge can be shown to be inappropriate for the study of QED processes in photonic crystals. In the absence of charged particles and in a modified Coulomb gauge, the scalar potential can be forced to be zero and a vector potential is obtained which is consistent with Maxwell's equation and satisfies Bloch's theorem and the dispersion relation first derived by Ho et al. In the presence of sources, using a standard formalism from the appropriate lagrangian, the hamiltonian can be developed in a parallel way with the minimal coupling hamiltonian. However, several differences are present and the atomic hamiltonian is not the same as that of an isolated atomic system due to the fact that the scalar potential is not a solution of the Poisson equation, and the ordering of particle and radiation operators in the interaction hamiltonian is important. In the long wavelength approximation, the effective interaction hamiltonian for an infinitely heavy atom resembles that of the Coulomb gauge. In addition to the complete suppression of spontaneous emission within the forbidden band, we predict significant modifications outside the forbidden bands. The emission rate is found to be strongly position dependent and the atoms can emit light even in the direction of the oscillation, an effect which is totally absent in the free space case.
Synthetic, enhanced, and combined vision systems; RTCA SC-213 status and activities

• Overview and System Definition — SVS, EVS, and EFVS, CVS • Approach and Landing Credit • Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) • Military Flight Tests • Summary • Questions
Influence of binder properties on kinetic and transport processes in polymer electrolyte fuel cell electrodes

The objectives of this study are to estimate the contributions of kinetic, ohmic and mass transport overpotentials to the overall voltage loss in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) electrodes and to relate these overpotentials to electrode binder properties such as ionic conductivity, ion exchange capacity (IEC) and O2 permeability. The model electrode binders studied were perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers (PFSA; of IECs 1.35 meq g−1 and 0.95 meq g−1), sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK; of IECs 1.35, 1.75 and 2.1 meq g−1) and sulfonated poly sulfone (SPSU; of IEC 1.5 meq g−1). The O2 permeability of these binders varied from 0.15 × 10−12 mol cm−1 s−1 for SPSU to 6 × 10−12 mol cm−1 s−1 for PFSA IEC 0.95 meq g−1 at 80 °C and 75%RH. The electrodes prepared were characterized by cyclic voltammetry to estimate electrochemically active surface area (ECA) of platinum. Steady state polarization (V–I) experiments were performed with hydrogen as fuel and oxidants including O2, 21% O2/N2 (air), 21% O2/He (Helox) and 4% O2/N2. The V–I data obtained was analyzed to determine the relative contributions of the different sources of polarization in the electrode. Electrodes prepared with PFSA binders had similar ECAs of 28 m2 g−1-Pt, while those prepared using hydrocarbon binders had an ECA of 10 to 14 m2 g−1-Pt at 80 °C and 75%RH. The same trend was seen in mass activity. At optimized binder loadings, a semi-quantitative relationship was obtained relating binder O2 permeability to the mass transport losses within the electrode. Furthermore, a novel semi-quantitative method of plotting helox–air voltage gain against O2–air gain was employed to probe the O2 transport limitations in the electrodes. Based on this analysis, it is suggested that the SPEEK and SPSU bound electrodes suffered from binder phase diffusion limitations in addition to gas phase diffusion limitation, while the PFSA bound electrodes predominantly exhibited gas-phase diffusion limitations.
Hypercommercialism, Televisuality, and the Changing Nature of College Sports Sponsorship

This article updates previous research that critiqued the level and categories of commercial intrusion in national college football championship television broadcasts. Arguing that the “hypercommercialism” of television continues to increase due to a variety of contextual reasons and technological advances that enhance the distinctive “televisual” style of television, the article applies content and textual analyses of the 2007 BCS National Championship football broadcast on the U.S. television network Fox and compares these findings to a similar study conducted on the 1996 national championship broadcast. Results indicate a significant decrease in “advertising-free” broadcast time, mainly resulting from an increase in the use of on-screen graphics with commercial iconography. In addition, the broadcast is characterized by the integrated marketing techniques that blur distinctions between content categories. The essay concludes with a discussion of the implications of hypercommercialism of sports and broadcasting for the vibrancy of the public sphere.
Adaptive Vibration Control of Flexible Structure With Sliding Mode Compensator

This paper presents the adaptive control scheme with sliding mode compensator for vibration control problem in the presence of disturbance. The dynamic model of the flexible cantilever beam using finite element modeling is derived. The adaptive control with sliding mode compensator using output feedback for output tracking is developed to reject the disturbance, and to improve the tracking performance. Satisfactory simulation results verify that the effectiveness of adaptive control scheme with sliding mode compensator.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Rat hepatocyte proliferation is stimulated by insulin-like peptides in defined medium.

Abstract Four purified insulin-like growth factors were compared to authentic insulin in regard to their mitogenicity on stationary phase primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. Under chemically defined conditions, in the presence of 0.82 mM EGF and 1.7 nM glucagon, three of these polypeptides (human somatomedin-C [SC], and human insulin-like growth factors I [IGF-I] and II [IGF-II]) stimulated DNA synthesis at physiological concentrations, as did insulin (EC 50 ∼1–3 nM). Under similar conditions, SC and IGF-I, like insulin, stimulated cell division (EC 50 ∼1–5 nM) whereas IGF-II and rat multiplication stimulating activity (MSA) were inactive. Insulin and IGF-I also were equally effective (∼0.1–0.2 nM) at lowering glucagon-induced elevations in cellular cyclic AMP levels. These results indicate that other somatomedins can exert proliferative and metabolic effects at physiological concentrations on normal hepatocytes.
IgE antibody up-regulates high affinity IgE binding on murine bone marrow-derived mast cells

Abstract We have examined 3-week-old alcian blue positive cells (putatively mast cells) derived from mouse bone marrow for their expression of FcϵRI. Using an indirect method of sensitizing the cells with immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody (anti-DNP IgE) and detecting the level of bound IgE antibody by flow cytometry, we found that prolonged culture (1–5 days) with IgE, but not IgG, increased the total receptor density 6 ± 1.9 fold. During the same period, histamine release in response to antigen (DNP-HSA) increased approximately 6-fold while the cell's response to either thrombin or ionomycin remained constant. The greatest up-regulation occurred in the first 2 days of culture. Using 2.4G2 to detect FcγRII RIII , we could not detect any up-regulation of this receptor. Culturing the cells for 1 h after sensitization did not result in any loss of cell surface IgE, suggesting a reasonably high affinity binding similar to that expected for FcϵRI. This up-regulation was completely inhibited by co-culture with 2 μg/ml cycloheximide. These data suggest that IgE is capable of inducing a significant, protein synthesis, dependent up-regulation of its own high affinity receptor on mast cells/basophils.
Social pressure, surveillance and community size: Evidence from field experiments on voter turnout

Citizens participate in elections, at least partly, because they perceive voting as a social norm. Norms induce compliance because individuals prefer to avoid enforcement mechanisms—including social sanctions—that can be activated by uncooperative behavior. Public visibility, or surveillance, increases the likelihood of norm-compliant behavior and applies social pressure that impels individuals to act. Some scholars have linked social pressure to community size, advancing the notion that pressure to conform to social norms is heightened in smaller, less populous communities in which citizens interact frequently and where monitoring behavior is less onerous. Others argue that even highly-populated communities can exhibit “small world” properties that cause residents to be sensitive to social pressure. In this paper, I analyze data from a recent field experiment designed to test the impact of social pressure on voting taking interactions with community size into account. The findings I report suggest community size does not moderate the impact of social pressure.
Sourcing from suppliers with random yield for price-dependent demand

We study a multi-period inventory planning problem. In each period, the firm under consideration can source from two possibly unreliable suppliers for a price-dependent demand. Our analysis suggests that the optimal procurement policy is neither a simple reorder-point policy nor a complex one without any structure, as previous studies suggest. Instead, we prove the existence of a reorder point for each supplier. No order is placed to that supplier for any inventory level above the reorder point and a positive order is issued to that supplier for almost every inventory level below the reorder point. We characterize conditions under which the optimal policy reveals monotone response to changes in the inventory level. Furthermore, two special cases of our model are examined in detail to demonstrate how our analysis generalizes a number of well-known results in the literature.
Cost-Effective Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract Healthcare designed to prevent future illness and minimize progression of current illness is a powerful means to improve quality of life, minimize mortality, and decrease health care costs. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the #1 killer of both men and women in the United States. Prevention of CHD involves early identification and management of risk factors through assessment and treatment. The goal in CHD prevention is to produce the largest relative risk reduction, the smallest number needed to treat, and the lowest cost per quality-adjusted life year saved. Evidence-based treatment strategies have been shown to cost-effectively minimize CHD risk and reduce morbidity and mortality. Approaches that encompass the lifespan, solidify assessment and treatment strategies in the primary care setting, and reach into the workplace, schools, churches, and homes to make small changes in risk factors across an entire population are important areas for improving CHD preventive care. Public health policies are also necessary to support implementation of preventive programs.
Design and evaluation of hydroxamate derivatives as metal-mediated inhibitors of a protein tyrosine kinase.

Protein tyrosine kinases use two Mg2+ ions as cofactors in catalysis, one as the ATP−Mg complex (M1) and the other as an essential activator (M2). The M2-binding site has high affinity for transition metal cations such as cobalt and zinc. Taking advantage of this high affinity, we examined hydroxamates as metal-mediated inhibitors against C-terminal Src kinase (Csk), a protein tyrosine kinase. Of a small group of amino acid hydroxamates, tyrosine and phenylalanine hydroxamates inhibited Csk activity only in the presence of Co2+. Four classes of phenylalanine and tyrosine hydroxamate derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as metal-mediated inhibitors of Csk, leading to improved inhibition and a better understanding of the structure−activity relationships. This study suggests that hydroxamates may serve as a general scaffold for developing metal-mediated inhibitors against protein tyrosine kinases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of designing metal-mediated inhibitors against a pr...
Nanoparticles evading the reticuloendothelial system: Role of the supported bilayer

Abstract We have previously shown that the PEGylated LPD (liposome-polycation-DNA) nanoparticles were highly efficient in delivering siRNA to the tumor with low liver uptake. Its mechanism of evading the reticuloendothelial system (RES) is reported here. In LPD, nucleic acids were condensed with protamine into a compact core, which was then coated by two cationic lipid bilayers with the inner bilayer stabilized by charge–charge interaction (also called the supported bilayer). Finally, a detergent-like molecule, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-phospholipid is post-inserted into the lipid bilayer to modify the surface of LPD. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) data showed that LPD had improved stability compared to cationic liposomes after incubation with a high concentration of DSPE-PEG2000, which is known to disrupt the bilayer. LPD prepared with a multivalent cationic lipid, DSGLA, had enhanced stability compared to those containing DOTAP, a monovalent cationic lipid, suggesting that stronger charge–charge interaction in the supported bilayer contributed to a higher stability. Distinct nanoparticle structure was found in the PEGylated LPD by transmission electron microscopy, while the cationic liposomes were transformed into tubular micelles. Size exclusion chromatography data showed that approximately 60% of the total cationic lipids, which were located in the outer bilayer of LPD, were stripped off during the PEGylation; and about 20% of the input DSPE-PEG2000 was incorporated into the inner bilayer with about 10.6 mol% of DSPE-PEG2000 presented on the particle surface. This led to complete charge shielding, low liver sinusoidal uptake, and 32.5% injected dose delivered to the NCI-H460 tumor in a xenograft model.
Compatibilism, Evil, and the Free-Will Defense

It is widely believed that (1) if theological determinism were true, in virtue of God’s role in determining created agents to perform evil actions, created agents would be neither free nor morally responsible for their evil actions and God would not be perfectly good; (2) if metaphysical compatibilism were true, the free-will defense against the deductive problem of evil would fail; and (3) on the assumption of metaphysical compatibilism, God could have actualized just any one of those myriad possible worlds that are populated only by compatibilist free creatures. The primary thesis of this essay is that none of these propositions is true. This thesis is defended by appealing to a recently proposed novel, acausal, composite, unified theory of free action – the Theory of Middle Freedom – that evades the central problems plaguing traditional theories of metaphysical compatibilism.
Oscillators and Oscillations in the Basal Ganglia

What is the meaning of an action potential? There must be different answers for neurons that fire spontaneously, even in the absence of synaptic input, and those driven to fire from a resting membrane potential. In spontaneously firing neurons, the occurrence of the next action potential is guaranteed; only variations in its timing can carry the message. In the basal ganglia, the globus pallidus, the substantia nigra, and the subthalamic nucleus consist of neurons firing spontaneously. They each receive thousands of synaptic inputs, but these are not required to maintain their background firing. Instead, synaptic interactions among basal ganglia nuclei comprise a system of coupled oscillators that produces a complex resting pattern of activity. Normally, this pattern is highly irregular and uncorrelated, so that the firing of each cell is statistically independent of the others. This maximizes the potential information that may be transmitted by the basal ganglia to its target structures. In Parkinson’s d...
Inverting the therapeutic pyramid: Observations and recommendations on new directions in rheumatoid arthritis therapy based on the author's experience

In evaluating current therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it is increasingly being recognized that sequential single-drug treatment, as exemplified by the traditional therapeutic pyramid, is often too little, too late, and ineffective in preventing disease progression or joint damage in patients with “at-risk,” aggressive synovitis or what might be called type 2 RA. Designation of drugs as either antiinflammatory or disease-modifying is not supported by the author's experience. Evidence exists that prevention of joint damage correlates best with control of clinical and laboratory measures of inflammation, regardless of the medication used. The earlier and more effective the control of the inflammation, the better the patient response. Until a major breakthrough occurs, the author recommends that patients with aggressive RA be treated with a combination of fast-acting and slow-acting medications to achieve early control and then “bridge down” to a simplified maintenance program. Retrospective observation by the author of 54 patients with early, intermediate, and late disease treated with combinations of prednisone, methotrexate, auranofin, hydroxychloroquine, and azathioprine showed maximum response in patients with disease duration of less than 2 years, minimal toxicity, and lack of erosions in patients with control of inflammation. Twelve patients with inflammation not initially suppressed by prednisone and methotrexate had improved control with additional drugs in combination, including auranofin, hydroxychloroquine, and azathioprine. After inflammation was controlled, reduction of prednisone and methotrexate doses was possible in 60% of patients, primarily those with early disease. The goal of this therapeutic model is to control inflammation before joint damage occurs and progressively simplify the cost and complexity of therapy in contrast to the current pyramidal approach.
Presentation, complications, and natural history of penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer disease.

Objectives Increased utilization of computed tomography angiography (CTA) has increased the radiologic diagnosis of penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAUs), which are defined as the ulceration of atherosclerotic plaque through the internal elastic lamina into the aortic media. However, the presentation, treatment indications, and natural history of this disease process remain unclear. Methods The radiology database at a single university hospital was searched retrospectively for the CTA diagnosis of PAU from January 2003 to June 2009. All scans were interpreted by a cardiovascular radiologist. Information on PAU characteristics and need for surgical repair due to PAU disease was collected. PAU stability or progression was assessed by follow-up CTA, if available. Only PAUs in the aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta were included. Results Three hundred eighty-eight PAUs were diagnosed by CTA interpretation. PAU location was in the aortic arch in 27 (6.8%) cases, the descending thoracic aorta in 243 (61.2%) cases, and the abdominal aorta in 118 (29.7%) cases. Two hundred twenty-four (57.7%) PAUs were isolated (without saccular aneurysm or intramural hematoma); 108 (27.8%) PAUs had associated saccular aneurysms; and 56 (14.4%) PAUs had associated intramural hematoma. Rupture was present in 16 (4.1%) cases. Fifty (12.9%) PAUs underwent repair with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) (n = 30), endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) (n = 10), or open surgery (n = 10); primary indications for repair were saccular aneurysm (n = 26), rupture (n = 16), and persistent or recurrent symptoms (n = 8). Even if initially treated conservatively with resolution of pain, symptomatic PAU disease was more likely to require repair than asymptomatic PAU disease (36.2% vs 7.8%, P Conclusions For PAUs diagnosed on CTA at a single institution, 4.1% were ruptured and 12.9% underwent repair. Close follow-up imaging appears to be indicated for PAUs, particularly in the case of symptomatic disease, which is more likely to require repair and to undergo radiographic progression.
Nutrition Support in Specific Diseases: Back to Basics

The nutrition care of a patient is complicated by the recent proliferation of commercially available specialty products. Rational and objective guidelines are necessary to direct formula selection for use in specific diseases. Consideration of the patient's nutritional status, functioning of major organ systems, and alterations in nutrient metabolism are essential. The diagnosis of a specific disease does not necessitate the use of a specialty product in all instances. Many times modification of a standard formula can result in safe and effective nutrition. Basic nutrition principles should continue to guide the clinician as the definitive answers to the issues surrounding metabolic support in patients with specific disease states become available.
The fine morphology of the sensory receptor organs in the auricle of the rat

The fine structure, distribution of cholinesterase activity and microtopography of the sensory receptor organs of the rat's auricle were studied in six animals. It was found that the skin of the auricle consisted of minute but well defined receptor territories each supplied by a morphologically distinct nerve ending. The horizontal endings, derived from non-myelinated nerve fibers, supplied linear skin areas covering the intervals between the hair orifices and sending fine twigs into the epidermis. They had the simplest morphology and showed no cholinesterase activity. The papillary endings were restricted to the immediate vicinity of the hair orifices. They exhibited butyrocholinesterase activity and showed a typical fine morphology. The expanded axon terminals were filled with mitochondria and enclosed by Schwann cells of some complexity. The nerve endings of the fine hairs were derived from myelinated axons. The endings showed acetyl- and butyrocholinesterase activity. The terminal fibers ended in spindles that were arranged longitudinally in a semicircle around the epithelial root sheath of the hair forming a single layer between the orifices of the sebaceous glands and the base of the hair follicle. The endings were characterized by the accumulation of mitochondria and microvesicles in the terminal spindles and by the high pinocytotic activity in the associated Schwann cell processes. The deep tissues contained at least one kind of simple beaded nerve ending that gave a negative cholinesterase reaction. It was concluded that the morphological diversity of the sensory apparatus was adequate to account for a considerable degree of specificity or at least selectivity of its end organs.
Hydrostatic Adjustment: Lamb's Problem.

Abstract The prototype problem of hydrostatic adjustment for large-scale atmospheric motions is Presented. When a horizontally infinite layer of compressible fluid, initially at rest, is instantaneously heated, the fluid is no longer in hydrostatic balance since its temperature and pressure in the layer have increased while its density remains unchanged. The subsequent adjustment of the fluid is described in detail for an isothermal base-state atmosphere. The initial imbalance generates acoustic wave fronts with trailing wakes of dispersive acoustic gravity waves. There are two characteristic timescales of the adjustment. The first is the transit time it takes an acoustic front to travel from the source region to a particular location. The second timescale, the acoustic cutoff frequency, is associated with the trailing wake. The characteristic depth scale of the adjustment is the density scale height. If the depth of the heating is small compared with the scale height, the final pressure perturbation tend...
Genome-wide analysis reveals TET-and TDG-mediated 5-methylcytosine oxidation dynamics

Ten-eleven translocation (Tet) family of DNA dioxygenases converts 5-methylcytosine (5mC) into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC), and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC) through iterative oxidation reactions. While 5mC and 5hmC are relatively abundant, 5fC and 5caC are at very low levels in the mammalian genome. Thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) and base excision repair (BER) pathways can actively remove 5fC/5caC to regenerate unmethylated cytosine, but it is unclear to what extent and at which part of the genome such active demethylation processes take place. Here, we have performed high-throughput sequencing analysis of 5mC/5hmC/5fC/5caC-enriched DNA using modification-specific antibodies and generated genome-wide distribution maps of these cytosine modifications in wild-type and Tdg-deficient mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We observe that the steady state 5fC and 5caC are preferentially detected at repetitive sequences in wild-type mouse ESCs. Depletion of TDG causes marked accumulation of 5fC and 5caC at a large number of distal gene regulatory elements and transcriptionally repressed/poised gene promoters, suggesting that Tet/TDG-dependent dynamic cycling of 5mC oxidation states may be involved in regulating the function of these regions. Thus, comprehensive mapping of 5mC oxidation and BER pathway activity in the mammalian genome provides a promising approach for better understanding of biological roles of DNA methylation and demethylation dynamics in development and diseases.
Body Size and Termite Evolution

Termites are a monophyletic lineage within the paraphyletic Blattaria, with xylophagous cockroaches in the genus Cryptocercus as sister group. Given this ancestry, termite divergence involved a substantial leap in body plans, as they are pale, fragile, and miniaturized relative to most cockroaches. Here I suggest that the evolutionary transition to an altricial morphotype in termites is grounded in the economics of utilizing a wood diet, and occurred via a series of sequential steps associated with modifications in social behavior. The chief benefit of an altricial morphotype is suggested to be nitrogen made available by decreasing individual body size and by dispensing with a heavy, melanized cuticle. The primary costs lie in increased vulnerability to environment hazards, including predators, pathogens, and desiccation. Termites tipped the evolutionary scale via cooperative behaviors that mitigate the cost or amplify the benefit of a small, fragile morphotype, and were present in rudimentary form in their cockroach relatives. These include building behavior, cooperative feeding, allogrooming, and most notably, trophallaxis. It was the directed circulation of nitrogenous reserves via trophallactic feeding among units of the superorganism rather than their progressive storage in a large, heavily armored body that was the foundation of termite evolutionary success.
Experimental Identification of Bearing Dynamic Force Coefficients in A Flexible Rotor—Further Developments

Bearing force coefficients are a necessary component in the analysis of linear stability and response of rotating dynamic systems. Often, these bearing parameters are predicted using limited or restrictive flow models, or operating conditions in the actual machine differ largely from the assumed conditions during the analysis. In these instances, the identification of actual support properties represents a means to verify the rotordynamic predictions. The current work presents an identification procedure that is suitable for implementation in the field and that relies on measurements of rotor synchronous response to calibrated imbalance. The method is extended to the typical case when the displacement measurements occur away from the bearing locations in flexible rotor systems. Measurements and identification are performed on a test rotor supported on a pair of identical two-lobe fluid film bearings and for increasing values of imbalance over a speed range from 1,000 to 4,000 rpm. Identification using inc...
Novel conserved sequence motifs in plant G-box binding proteins and implications for interactive domains

The G-box is a cis-acting DNA sequence present in several plant promoters that are regulated by diverse signals such as UV irradiation, anaerobiosis, abscissic acid and light. Several basic/leucine zipper (bZIP) proteins from different plant species have been identified as high affinity G-box binding proteins. Although their capability to enhance transcription has been demonstrated, their precise function in transcriptional activation is still unknown. We have isolated three cDNAs from young tomato fruit that encode bZIP G-box binding proteins (GBF4, GBF9 and GBF12). They bind to the G-box sequence in the tomato rbcS1, rbcS2 and rbcS3A promoters. GBF9 binding resulted in a DNase I footprint identical to that obtained with tomato nuclear extract and different from the DNase I protection obtained with GBF4 and GBF12. The mRNAs of all three GBFs were most abundant in tomato fruit and seeds, moderately abundant in root and least abundant in leaves. Protein sequences outside of the bZIP domains were compared with the known GBFs from other plants and seven conserved motifs of seven to 35 amino acids length have been identified. Based on the presence of these motifs, three classes of GBFs can be defined that are conserved among plant species. GBF9, the predominantly expressed tomato GBF, is the first member of its class isolated from dicot plants. Three conserved motifs from two of the classes are highly hydrophilic and are predicted to be exposed on the surface of the proteins. These motifs likely define novel interactive domains in the different classes of GBFs that could provide a new tool to determine how distinct regulatory signals are transmitted through GBFs to activate transcription.
Pediatrics in the community: practicing pediatrics with the meter running.

1. Kristin Ray, MD 1. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa Transportation difficulties can be significant barriers to medical care, and at one of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) primary care sites, this certainly seemed to be the case. One particular visit prompted pediatric resident Kristin Ray to look further into the issue: “For the third time that summer, I was seeing a young mother of three who was living in a shelter. Near the end of the visit, she sent her 10-year-old son out to feed the parking meter, with change and keys in hand. She left shortly afterwards with her other children. Half an hour later, I found the family sitting on the curb. The meter had run out before the son had arrived, a parking ticket …
Clofibrate-lnduced acute muscular syndrome

Abstract Two cases of acute muscular syndrome associated with administration of clofibrate are reported. In both patients there was a previous history of muscle pajn during clofibrate therapy, which prompted us to rechallenge with the drug. Serum creatine phosphokinase activity became increased in both subjects, concomitant with muscle pain, but serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase levels remained normal in one and were only moderately elevated in the other patient. The confirmation of the existence of this rare syndrome (and perhaps the possibility that serum glutamic oxalectic transaminase may be muscular in origin in some patients treated with the drug) suggests the necessity of serial measurements of serum creatine phosphokinase levels during the administration of clofibrate.
Pharyngeal pH monitoring better predicts a successful outcome for extraesophageal reflux symptoms after antireflux surgery.

Background Gastroesophageal reflux disease can be associated with extraesophageal symptoms (hoarseness, cough, asthma, and globus). However, these symptoms may have a multifactorial etiology. Proximal pH monitoring has been proposed as a means of identifying patients where reflux is the cause of the extraesophageal symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine whether proximal esophageal or pharyngeal pH monitoring better identified patients with extraesophageal symptoms that improved after antireflux surgery. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed to identify all patients who had esophageal and pharyngeal pH monitoring before an antireflux operation. A composite score was used to define an abnormal result with each test. A successful outcome was defined as improvement or resolution of extraesophageal symptoms. Results There were 20 patients identified. Antireflux surgery led to a successful outcome in 14 patients (70 %). Restech better identified patients with extraesophageal symptoms who had a successful outcome with antireflux surgery (12 of 14 [86 %] based on abnormal Restech versus 5 of 10 [50 %] based on abnormal proximal probe, p = 0.06). Comparing only the 15 patients who had both proximal esophageal and pharyngeal pH monitoring, Restech again better identified those who had a successful outcome with antireflux surgery (9 of 10 [90 %] based on abnormal Restech versus 5 of 10 [50 %] based on abnormal proximal probe, p = 0.05). The positive and negative predictive values for symptomatic improvement after a fundoplication were better for an abnormal Restech score than for an abnormal proximal esophageal score (80 vs. 71 % and 60 vs. 38 %, respectively). In two patients with a successful outcome, Restech was the only positive test. Conclusions In patients with extraesophageal reflux symptoms, proximal esophageal pH monitoring failed to identify half of the patients who had a successful outcome after antireflux surgery. In contrast, an abnormal Restech pH test was present in 90 % of patients with a successful outcome. Further, a negative Restech study more reliably indicated the absence of reflux-induced extraesophageal symptoms. Our results indicate that Restech pharyngeal pH monitoring should be utilized in the evaluation of patients with extraesophageal symptoms that may be associated with reflux disease.
Patriarchy and development in the Arab world.

The persistence of patriarchy in the Arab world, and other regions, is an obstacle for women, children, families, and states. It affects health, education, labour, human rights, and democracy. This article argues that patriarchy is powerful in the Arab world because age-based kinship values and relationships are crucial socially, economically, politically, ideologically, and psychologically.
Two Flavors of Aesthetic Tasting: Rasa and Savoring a Cross-Cultural Study with Implications for Psychology of Emotion:

A comparative analysis suggested that two indigenous theories of aesthetic emotions, the Indian rasa and the Chinese notion of savoring, share in common the two defining characteristics of emotion ...