cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of TGFβ-Mediated Inflammation in Cutaneous Wound Healing

Among many molecules known to influence wound healing, transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF β 1) has the broadest spectrum of actions, affecting all cell types that are involved in all stages of wound healing. Both positive and negative effects of TGF β 1 on wound healing have been reported. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. We observed that endogenous TGF β 1 was elevated in a narrow window of time after injury, and transgenic mice constitutively overexpressing wild-type TGF β 1 in keratinocytes (K5.TGF β 1 wt ) exhibited a significant delay in full-thickness wound healing as compared to non-transgenic mice. Delayed wound healing was associated with profound inflammation throughout all stages of wound healing in K5.TGF β 1 wt mice. Our data suggest that excessive and prolonged TGF β 1 at the wound site does not benefit wound healing, which is partially owing to its pro-inflammatory effect. Future studies need to be conducted to assess whether tightly regulated TGF β 1 expression will benefit wound healing. To this end, we have developed a gene-switch TGF β 1 transgenic system that allows TGF β 1 induction in keratinocytes temporally with desired levels. These mice will provide a tool to study stage-specific effects of TGF β 1 on cutaneous wound healing.
The photolysis of concentrated perchloric acid solutions

Abstract The production of ClO2 after the photolysis of 6 M perchloric acid (HClO4) has been identified on the basis of its absorption spectrum. Using 3 M HClO4, no absorption corresponding to ClO2 was observed, but rather a weaker absorption at around 300 nm attributed to ClO− was identified.
Validation of a Measure of Learning and Performance Goal Orientations

This study investigated the psychometric properties of an instrument (i.e., the Goals Inventory) that measured learning and performance goal orientations. Test-retest reliability estimates for the ...
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FADING IN PROGRAMMING A SIMULTANEOUS FORM DISCRIMINATION FOR RETARDED CHILDREN1

A non-verbal teaching program, combined with reinforcement and extinction (Program Group), was compared with reinforcement and extinction alone (Test Group) in teaching retarded children to discriminate circles from ellipses. In the Program Group, fading techniques were used to transfer stimulus control from “bright vs. dark” to “form vs. no-form” and then to “circle vs. ellipse”. The Test Group had the task of learning the circle-ellipse discrimination with no prior teaching program. With the program, seven of 10 children learned the circle-ellipse discrimination. Without the program, one of nine learned. The eight Test-Group children who failed to learn circle vs. ellipse were then given the opportunity to learn the form no-form discrimination by reinforcement and extinction alone, without fading. Six of the eight learned, but only three of these six then learned circle vs. ellipse on a second test. All seven Program-Group children who had learned form vs. no-form also learned the circle-ellipse discrimination by means of fading; each of the seven made fewer errors than any of the three who succeeded on the second test. Children who failed to learn circle vs. ellipse adopted response patterns incompatible with the development of appropriate stimulus control.
Induction of antigen-presenting capacity in tumor cells upon infection with non-replicating recombinant vaccinia virus encoding murine MHC class II and costimulatory molecules

The possibility of inducing antigen-presenting capacity in cells normally lacking such capacity, currently represents a major goal in vaccine research. To address this issue we attempted to generate 'artificial' APC able to stimulate CD4+ T cell responses when tumor cells were infected with a single, recombinant, vaccinia virus (rVV) containing the two genes encoding murine MHC class II I-Ak and a third gene encoding the murine B7-1 (mB7-1) costimulatory molecule. To minimize the cytopathic effect and to improve safety, in view of possible in vivo applications, we made this rVV replication incompetent by Psoralen and long wave UV treatment. Tumor cells infected with rVV encoding I-Ak alone, pulsed with hen egg white lysozyme peptide (HEL46-61), induced IL-2 secretion by an antigen-specific T hybridoma. Tumor cells infected with the rVV encoding mB7-1 provided costimulation for activating resting CD4+ T cells in the presence of ConA. Tumor cells infected with the rVV encoding I-Ak and mB7-1, and pulsed with chicken ovotransferrin peptide (conalbumin133-145), induced a significantly higher response in a specific Th2 cell clone (D10.G4.1) as compared to cells infected with rVV encoding I-Ak molecules only. Thus, this replication incompetent rVV represents a safe, multiple gene, vector system able to confer in one single infection step effective APC capacity to non-professional APCs.
D-optimal trajectories of mobile sensors with fractional dynamics for parameter estimation of distributed parameter systems

In this paper, we propose a methodology to optimize the trajectory of mobile sensors whose dynamics contains fractional derivatives to find parameter estimates of a distributed parameter system. The problem is to maximize the determinant of the Fischer information matrix representing the amount of information gathered on parameters by the sensors. The introduced method transforms the problem to a fractional optimal control one in which both the steering of the sensors and their initial positions are optimized. The resulting fractional optimal control problem is reformulated into an integer order optimal control one which is then solved using the Matlab PDE toolbox and the RIOTS optimal control toolbox which handles various constraints imposed on the sensor motions. The effectiveness of the method is illustrated with a two-dimensional diffusion equation for different numbers of sensors and different orders.
Comparative energy barriers for hydrogen activation by homogeneous and heterogeneous metal oxide catalysts

Triethylene glycol solutions of alkali and alkaline earth metal hydroxide complexes are well-defined soluble oxide water-gas shift catalysts which equilibrate the reaction of carbon monoxide and water to yield hydrogen and carbon dioxide at temperatures ranging from 150 ° to 250 °C and carbon monoxide pressures of 1 to 300 atm. Significantly, catalysis proceeds cleanly, even in the complete absence of a metal center in the soluble oxide system. Thus, the rate of hydroxide ion catalyzed hydrogen evolution is highest in the presence of a noncoordinating organic cation: BuΔN+>Cs+>Na+>H+>Ca+2. Furthermore, the activation energy for the homogeneous sodium hydroxide catalyst in triethylene glycol solution, 26±1 kcal, is comparable to that exhibited by a commercially used heterogeneous iron oxide catalyst, 27±0.2 kcal. The alkali metal hydroxide system may be modified for metal cocatalysis. Thus, lead (II) oxide dissolves in the triethylene glycol solutions to yield a new species which exhibits a207Pb NMR resonance shifted 3350 ppm downfield from lead perchlorate. The activity of this lead modified system is improved by three orders of magnitude. Yet, the activation energy is unchanged, 26±1 kcal, suggesting that entropic factors may be important in these homogeneous metal oxide hydrogen evolution/activation systems.
Neutron gain for converging guide tubes

Abstract The method of acceptance diagrams is used to obtain analytical expressions for the neutron gain of a one-dimensional converging guide tube. It is found that the results are more easily expressed by analyzing the acceptance diagram at the exit of the funnel. The results are compared with those for the straight guide. When both guides have the same dimensions at the guide exit, the converging guide has higher transmitted intensity but with greater divergence of the beam. This analytical method is useful to assess the performance of a converging guide, though numerical computations may be required for detailed analysis of a guide system.
Aging: The Sins of the Parents

Yeast cells have an asymmetric, stem-cell-like division. As the mother cell ages it becomes 100 times more genetically unstable, but it is only the daughter cells that exhibit loss of heterozygosity; the latter effect is not connected to SIR2-dependent aging, but seems to be accompanied by a loss of the DNA damage checkpoint.
Sorophores ofLygodium Sw. (Schizaeaceae) from the Late Cretaceous of New Jersey

We report here on a series of specimens of charcoalified sorophores with characteristics of the extant fern genusLygodium (Schizaeaceae) collected from sediments of the Raritan Formation (Late Cretaceous). Each elongate lobed fertile pinnule (sorophore) is flattened and bears alternately arranged sporangia on one surface. Each sporangium is covered by an indusium continuous with the margin of the lamina. Sporangia are oblong in shape, short stalked, and have an apical annulus formed by a single ring of radiating cells that dehisces longitudinally. The ‘sporangial cap’ or ‘distal face’ is formed by only one cell. All of these features are characteristic of the extant genusLygodium. Small numbers of trilete, psilate spores are found in the sporangia. Megafossils assignable toLygodium are known from the Upper Cretaceous of North America and Germany with worldwide distribution during the Tertiary. The newLygodium fossils are compared with others previously referred to the genus.
Fetal therapy with rhIGF-1 in a rabbit model of intrauterine growth retardation

Abstract Background. Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) may, in part, be due to a deficiency of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). The objectives of this study were to determine the relationship between fetal serum IGF-1 levels and fetal and placental size in a rabbit model of IUGR and to compare two techniques of selective, exogenous IGF-1 administration (transamniotic and branch uterine arterial catheter infusion) to growth-retarded fetuses in utero . Materials and Methods. Pregnant rabbits ( n = 6) had their fetuses harvested near term (31 days) for fetal and placental weighing and serum collection. Growth-retarded fetuses were selectively infused for 7 days with recombinant human IGF-1 (rhIGF-1; 1,440 ng/day) either through a transamniotic catheter ( n = 8) or via an adjacent uterine arterial branch catheter ( n = 6). Opposite horn runts were sham catheterized, but not infused. At term, the fetal runt pairs and their placentas were harvested and weighed, and their serum was collected. The correlation between fetal and placental weight and endogenous serum IGF-1 was calculated (Pearson coefficient, r ), while paired t -tests were used to compare the means between the IGF-1-infused and control groups. Results. There was a significant correlation between fetal ( r = 0.4230; P = 0.022) and placental weight ( r = 0.4166; P = 0.025) and endogenous serum levels of IGF-1. Transamniotic infusion of rhIGF-1 was associated with an increase in serum IGF-1 level (254 ± 79 vs 351 ± 101 ng/ml, P = 0.04) and placental weight (5.4 ± 2.3 vs 7.1 ± 3.2 g, P = 0.005), and with a trend toward increased fetal weight between matched fetal runt pairs. Fetal mortality in the uterine arterial catheterized group was 76%, and there was no significant difference in fetal or placental weight or IGF-1 levels between infused and noninfused survivors. Conclusions. Endogenous fetal serum levels correlate with fetal and placental size in the rabbit IUGR model. Transamniotic administration of rhIGF-1 significantly increases serum IGF-1 levels and placental weight of fetal runts, while uterine vessel catheterization results in prohibitive fetal mortality and does not increase fetal or placental growth or IGF-1 levels.
A comparison of cancer risk in crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

The authors estimated cancer risk among 589 patients hospitalized with Crohn's disease between 1960-1976 by calculating the ratios of observed number of cancers (O) in our hospital sample to the expected number of cancers (E) based on the age- and sex-specific cancer rates of a standard population. The authors then compared these O/E ratios with the O/E ratios similarly calculated among 267 patients hospitalized with ulcerative colitis. The risk of colorectal cancer was significantly increased in Crohn's disease (O/E = 6.9, P less than 0.001). This increase was similar in magnitude to that found in left-sided ulcerative colitis (O/E = 8.6, P less than 0.001) but was much less than that found in universal ulcerative colitis (O/E = 26.5, P less than 0.001). The incidence of small bowel cancer was greatly increased in the combined group of regional enteritis and ileocolitis (O/E = 85.8, P less than 0.001), and even more so in the regional enteritis group alone (O/E = 114.5, P less than 0.001). The incidence of extraintestinal cancer did not increase in any of the patient groups.
Clone selection and the mutation rate.

Abstract A statistical model for mutation and selection is formulated for organisms that reproduce by division. The mutation rate that optimizes the probability of clone survival is approximated using the theory of branching processes. However, it is shown by example that this optimizing mutation rate need not be the most advantageous mutation rate. The principle that selection favors those modifying features that optimize the probability of clone survival is thereby shown to be of limited applicability.
High-throughput microtiter assay for Hoechst 33342 dye uptake

Exclusion of Hoechst 33342 dye is a characteristic common to stem cells, as well as chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells. Normally, these dye-excluding cells can be sorted from enzymatically dissociated tissues with a UV cell sorter/flow cytometer. UV-flow cytometry can be expensive, time-consuming and not readily available to all laboratories. We have developed a simple, high-throughput 96-well microtiter plate assay by which cell populations can be quickly screened for Hoechst dye uptake and exclusion. The method is compatible with green-fluorescent EGFP expressing cells, often used in stem cell biology. Useful applications for this assay will be the rapid screening of clonal stem cell populations and tumor cells for Hoechst dye uptake.
Different electrode configurations to optimize performance of multi-electrode microbial fuel cells for generating power or treating domestic wastewater

Abstract Scaling-up of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for practical applications requires compact, multiple-electrode designs. Two possible configurations are a separator electrode assembly (SEA) or closely spaced electrodes (SPA) that lack a separator. It is shown here that the optimal configuration depends on whether the goal is power production or rate of wastewater treatment. SEA MFCs produced a 16% higher maximum power density (328 ± 11 mW m −2 ) than SPA MFCs (282 ± 29 mW m −2 ), and higher coulombic efficiencies (SEAs, 9–31%; SPAs, 2–23%) with domestic wastewater. However, treatment was accomplished in only 12 h with the SPA MFC, compared to 36 h with the SEA configuration. Ohmic resistance was not a main factor in performance as this component contributed only 4–7% of the total internal resistance. Transport simulations indicated that hindered oxygen diffusion into the SEA reactor was the primary reason for the increased treatment time. However, a reduction in the overall rate of substrate diffusion also may contribute to the long treatment time with the SEA reactor. These results suggest that SEA designs can more effectively capture energy from wastewater, but SPA configurations will be superior in terms of treatment efficiency due to a greatly reduced time needed for treatment.
Affordances, effectivities, and assisted imitation: Caregivers and the directing of attention

We focus on how infants' discovery of a range of affordances and effectivities contributes to participating in a new activity. We emphasize how caregivers bracket ongoing actions with gestures that direct the infant's attention to perceptual information embodied in action sequences. Such supervised learning narrows the search space and enhances the speed of engaging adeptly in a new activity and provides a basis for achieving a common understanding of ongoing events. These caregiver practices during assisted imitation may illuminate how automata might detect and learn new affordances for action by observing and interacting with other intelligent agents.
Plasma-Cleaned InSb (112)B for Large-Area Epitaxy of HgCdTe Sensors

Plasma etching of (112)B InSb to prepare this semiconductor for the heteroepitaxy deposition of CdTe and initial studies of CdTe epilayers grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on InSb (112)B substrates cleaned with various plasma treatments are presented. X-ray diffraction rocking curve maps of the MBE CdTe epilayers on 3-inch InSb (112)B substrates have full-width at half-maxima (FWHM) values in the range of 20 arcsec to 30 arcsec. An etch pit density analysis of the 3-inch CdTe epilayers reveals a defect density of 1.0 × 107 cm−2 and 7.7 × 105 cm−2 at the center and edge of the wafer, respectively. Evaluation of a standard HgCdTe annealing process suggests that the removal of the InSb substrate is likely to be needed prior to any postgrowth annealing in Hg overpressure. Finally, we present a low-energy helium plasma exposure of wet-etched InSb (112)B substrates that provides a uniform epi-ready surface that is nearly stoichiometric, and free of oxide and residual contaminants.
Transcapillary exchange and retention of fluoride, strontium, EDTA, sucrose, and antipyrine in bone.

The extractions of85Sr2+,18F−, sucrose-14C, EDTA-51Cr, and antipyrine-14C in bone were determined by the multiple indicator-dilution method. Fluoride and strontium extractions were 18 to 70% during a single transcapillary passage, and those of EDTA and sucrose were from 11 to 59%, whereas extraction of antipyrine was 87%. Injections of85Sr2+ and18F− made when perfusion was done alternately with blood and plasma resulted in similar fractional extractions. When flow and extraction were measured simultaneously, extraction was related inversely to flow.
Physical activity motivation: a practitioner's guide to self-determination theory.

(2002). Physical Activity Motivation: A Practitioner's Guide to Self-Determination Theory. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 73, No. 4, pp. 36-41.
Spectral properties of minimal-basis-set orbitals: Implications for molecular electronic continuum states

Early studies of the electronically excited states of molecules by John A. Pople and coworkers employing ab initio single-excitation configuration interaction (SECI) calculations helped to simulate related applications of these methods to the partial-channel photoionization cross sections of polyatomic molecules. The Gaussian representations of molecular orbitals adopted by Pople and coworkers can describe SECI continuum states when sufficiently large basis sets are employed. Minimal-basis virtual Fock orbitals stabilized in the continuous portions of such SECI spectra are generally associated with strong photoionization resonances. The spectral attributes of these resonance orbitals are illustrated here by revisiting previously reported experimental and theoretical studies of molecular formaldehyde (H2CO) in combination with recently calculated continuum orbital amplitudes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Effect on plasma rotation of lower hybrid (LH) waves in Alcator C-Mod

The injection of LH waves for current drive into a tokamak changes the ion toroidal rotation. In Alcator C-Mod, the direction of the steady state rotation change due to LH waves depends on the plasma current and the density. The change in rotation can be estimated by balancing the external torque of lower hybrid waves with the turbulent radial transport of the momentum. For high plasma current, the turbulent pinch and diffusion of the injected counter-current momentum are sufficient to explain the rotation change. However, for low plasma current, the change in the the intrinsic momentum transport (residual stress) for a non-rotating state is required to explain the co-current rotation change. Accordingly, we investigate the intrinsic momentum transport for the non-rotating state when diamagnetic flow and ExB flow cancel each other. The change in the intrinsic momentum transport due to lower hybrid waves is significant when the plasma current is low, which may explain the rotation reversal for low plasma current. The effect of changed q (safety factor) profile by lower hybrid on the intrinsic momentum transport is estimated by gyrokinetics.
Texture and Microstructure of Cooked Whole Egg Yolks and Heat‐Formed Gels of Stirred Egg Yolk

Hardness, cohesiveness, and springiness of heated intact egg yolks were determined by an Instron compression test. Hardness increased as temperature was increased from 75° to 90°C and as time of heating was increased from 10 to 30 min. Cohesiveness and springiness increased as temperature was increased from 75° to 80°C and as time was increased from 10 to 30 min. Egg yolks from cooked shell eggs were lower in all textural parameters than gels formed from stirred egg yolk. Low scores for cohesiveness and springiness were indicative of the crumbliness of yolk from cooked shell eggs; crumbliness was attributed to structural characteristics. The microstructure consisted of adjoining polyhedral grains, which showed no evidence of crosslinking. Grains appeared to be equivalent to yolk spheres, ranging in size from 40 to 100 μm. The structure of a stirred yolk gel consisted of a highly crosslinked protein matrix containing spheres (5–35 μm) and granules (l–2 μm).
Beyond the reading wars: Exploring the effect of child-instruction interactions on growth in early reading.

This study examined the influence of interactions between first graders' fall language-literacy skills (vocabulary and decoding) and classroom instructional practices on their spring decoding scores. Instructional activities were coded as teacher managed or child managed and as explicit or implicit, as well as for change in amount of time spent in the activity over the school year. Findings revealed that specific patterns of instructional activities differentially predicted children's decoding skill growth. Children with low initial decoding scores achieved greater decoding growth in classrooms with more time spent in teacher-managed explicit decoding (TME) instruction. In contrast, for children with initially high decoding scores, amount of TME had no effect. Children with low initial vocabulary scores achieved greater decoding score growth in classrooms with less child-managed implicit (CMI) instruction but with increasing amounts of CMI instruction as the school year progressed. However, children with ...
Throughput and Time Delay Analysis for a Common Queue Configuration in a Multiprocessor Enviromnent

The time delay-throughput characteristic of a two-processor system serving two Poisson-arriving job classes through a common queue configuration is investigated and compared to that of a two-processor system, with each processor dedicated to one of the job classes. To carry out the queueing analysis of the common queue scheme an approximate yet accurate expression for the waiting time is introduced. Considerable throughput improvement is found using the common queue model, as would be expected, at the expense of increased waiting time for the shorter job class.
Food Intake and Gastro-Intestinal Motility in the Albino Rat During Chronic CO Asphyxia:

ConclusionsChronic carbon monoxide asphyxia decreases food Intake and inhibits gastro-intestinal peristalsis, significantly.
Adaptation after small bowel resection is attenuated by sialoadenectomy: The role for endogenous epidermal growth factor

Abstract Background: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is likely involved during adaptation after small bowel resection (SBR) because some studies have shown enhanced adaptation by EGF administration. Because the major source of endogenous EGF in mice is the submandibular glands, we sought to determine the effect of submandibular gland excision (SAL) and luminal or systemic EGF replacement on adaptation after SBR. Methods: A 50% proximal SBR or Sham-SBR (bowel transection and reanastomosis) was performed on male C57BL/6 mice after either SAL or gland mobilization only. Additional mice underwent both SBR and SAL and then received daily EGF or saline solution by intraperitoneal or orogastric administration. At 1 week, adaptation was characterized in the ileum as changes in villus height, DNA, and protein content. Results: SAL significantly attenuated the increase in ileal villus height, total protein, and DNA content after SBR. Both systemic and oral EGF reversed these findings equally and significantly augmented all parameters of intestinal adaptation after SAL. Conclusions: Submandibular EGF is important for the adaptive response to massive SBR. As both luminal and systemic EGF equally reversed the findings following SAL and SBR, the specific site of action for endogenous EGF during adaptation is either the luminal or basolateral surface of the enterocyte. (Surgery 1998;124:848-54.)
MEASUREMENT OF MULTIPLE SITES IN SERVICE FIRMS WITH DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS

Data envelopment analysis (dea) has become an increasingly popular method to measure performance for service firms with multiple sites. DEA is superior to many traditional methods for firms that have multiple goals. The promise of DEA is that the complex, multi-objective problem of performance measurement can be reduced to a single number. Unfortunately, the practice of DEA often belies the promise. Misconceptions concerning the purpose and implementation of DEA can cause DEA applications to be less than successful. Here, the technique is explained, and a guide to the implementation of DEA is proposed, utilizing DEA studies of retail bank branches.
Pyrolysis mechanisms of lignin: surface-immobilized model compound investigation of acid-catalyzed and free-radical reaction pathways

Abstract The pyrolysis of surface-immobilized β-alkyl aryl ethers, m ≈ PhOCH 2 CH 2 Ph , ≈ PhCH 2 CH 2 OPh , and ≈ PhCH 2 CH 2 OPh - o - OCH 3 , has been studied with a dispersed acid catalyst at 300–450 °C in order to gain an insight into the relative importance of ionic reactions vs. free-radical reactions in the thermal depolymerization of lignin. In the absence of acid catalyst, surface-immobilization does not hinder the free-radical reaction pathway to produce phenols, alkenes, alkanes, and aldehydes as the major products. Pyrolysis in the presence of small particle sized (15 nm) SiO 2 -1% Al 2 O 3 at 300 °C, where free-radical reactions are suppressed, produces an acceleration in the rate of decomposition and a substantial alteration in the product distribution as a consequence of the solid-solid interactions between the catalyst and substrate. Products from the silica-alumina catalyzed reactions are characteristic of acid-catalyzed cracking reactions which involve carbocation intermediates to produce products from ether cleavage and aromatic alkylation and dealkylation reactions resulting most notably in the near absence of alkenes. The surface-immobilized primary products continue to undergo acid-catalyzed reactions to form larger aromatics and coke. At temperatures in which the free-radical and acid-catalyzed reactions can compete (> 375 °C), products from the acid-catalyzed reaction dominate. A comparison of the products from the pyrolysis of lignin, biomass, and the surface-immobilized model compounds provides new evidence that the thermal degradation of lignin occurs principally by a free-radical reaction pathway.
Suppression of background sites in molecularly imprinted polymers via urea-urea monomer aggregation.

The molecular imprinting process provides a synthetically efficient route to polymers with tailored recognition properties. However, the binding properties of the templated binding sites are often masked by the more prevalent background binding sites. Therefore, a strategy for reducing the number of background binding sites was developed and evaluated that uses functional monomer aggregation to suppress the formation of background sites. A series of imprinted and non-imprinted polymers was formed using crosslinking urea monomer and were evaluated for their ability to rebind the anionic template, tetrabutylammonium diphenyl phosphate (TBA-DPP). The urea monomer was shown to form linear hydrogen bonded aggregates in solution and in the solid state. Functional monomer aggregation in the polymerization solution was shown to dramatically reduce the numbers of background binding sites by occupying and blocking the urea recognition groups that were not bound to the template molecule. Despite the low aggregation constant of the urea monomer (3.5 M−1 in chloroform), the number of background sites was reduced by more than 60%. We predict that this strategy of using monomers that aggregate to reduce background binding sites is a general one for MIPs and other types of polymers with tailored recognition properties. The key is to identify self-assembling monomers where the guest binding processes are stronger than the aggregation processes.
Thermal diffusion in closed oxide fuel systems

Abstract Several mechanisms for thermal diffusion in oxide fuels are presented and compared with experimental data. It is shown that gas phase transport along cracks and channels of interconnected porosity is an important aspect of the mechanism. The vapor phase transport path together with oxygen transport via solid phase diffusion provides a dynamically balanced flow of material at steady state which leads to a general relation, In x = Q ∗ /(RT) + A , where x is the deviation from stoichiometry, T is the temperature and Q ∗ is the heat of transport. The values of Q ∗ are related to the partial molar enthalpies of the constituents involved in the transport mechanism which aid in the selection of a particular mechanism for a given set of conditions. The mechanism which best fits the experimental observations for hypostoichiometric urania is based on a dynamically balanced flow of UO2 in the gas phase and oxygen in the solid phase. For hypostoichiometric urania-plutonia solid solutions, the mechansim appears to be a dynamically balanced flow of H2O or CO2 in the gas phase and oxygen in the solid phase. For stoichiometric and hyperstoichiometric compositions, the mechanism proposed by Markin and Band seems appropriate.
The adsorption of Zr onto W(100) surfaces

The adsorption of up to three monolayers of Zr onto clean W(100) surfaces has been studied by Auger spectroscopy, thermal desorption spectroscopy, LEED and retarding potential work function measurements over the temperature range 300 ⩽ T ≲ 1600 K. Submonolayer adsorption with T ⩽ 350 K gives a work function decrease of 1.1 eV from the clean W(100) value, at θ = 12, and the layer grows pseudomorphically as indicated by a (1 × 1) LEED pattern over the entire coverage range 0 < θ ⩽ 1. In contrast, adsorption at 900 ⩽ T ≲ 1600 K yields a minimum work function 0.6 eV below the clean value, at θ = 12, and a concurrent sharp c(2 × 2) pattern which returns to (1 × 1) at θ = 1. The irreversible transition between these two adsorption regimes, which probably involves place exchange of Zr atoms with W atoms, is described. Adsorption of Zr to coverages 1 ⩽ θ ⩽ 3 at 300 K produces pseudomorphic layer-by-layer growth. Increasing the adsorption temperature to 750 1700 K.
Your own children are special: clues to the sources of reporting bias in temperament assessments

Abstract We investigated sources of discrepancy between parents’ and observers’ reports of infant temperament behavior. A laboratory protocol was employed that involved rating of 4 segments of the mothers’ own children's behavior on 4 temperament characteristics (yielding a profile of 16 ratings) and rating 6 segments of behavior of standard children on the 4 temperament characteristics (yielding a profile of 24 ratings). These ratings were completed by mothers and by trained observers. Correspondence between mothers and observers for standard children was high, approaching the criteria typically employed to certify researchers on a coding protocol. In contrast, correspondence between mothers and observers for own children was negligible. The relationship status of the observer and target is important when considering correspondence among observers.
Pulsed laser photothermal annealing and ablation of plasmonic nanoparticles

In this review, we briefly summarize the photothermal properties of plasmonic nanoparticles. Several photothermal effects of plasmonic nanoparticles irradiated with ultrafast laser pulses of various powers are introduced. Plasmonic nanoparticles have been synthesized by pulsed laser ablation of bulk materials. Melting and ablation of nanoparticles have also been used to modify the shape and the size distribution of plasmonic nanoparticle samples. Under certain circumstances, another interesting observation using high power femtosecond laser irradiation of plasmonic nanoparticles is also included in this review, namely the flying, by propulsion of the plasmonic nanoparticles.
Respect for Nature

What does respect for nature require? David Schmidtz argues that it cannot require species egalitarianism, which he defines as ‘the view that all living things have equal moral standing,’ and there...
Health Hazards Associated With Development of Water Resources And Other Changes In The Environment In The Tropics

ABSTRACT Schistosomiasis, reaching an estimated 250 million sufferers in the tropical regions of the world, can be directly linked to the expansion of irrigation-agriculture. Perhaps less well documented but similarly associated with dam-building and irrigation systems are a number of other parasitic infections promoted through the proliferation of aquatic-associated vectors; such as mosquitoes, or increased parasite-reservoir-man contacts, such as leptospirosis, or human behavior, such as migration. Large-scale changes in the environment, especially those involving increases in surface water, invariably modify host-vector-parasite contact that affect transmission patterns of vector-borne diseases. Health hazards related to such changes should be taken into account during the planning stages, as well as during the execution of the development project in order to prevent or reduce risks of health problems during or after the development scheme: (1) by preliminary surveys to establish potential indigenous h...
Structure of the mouse growth/differentiation factor 9 gene.

Abstract Using a mouse GDF-9 cDNA as a probe, over 20 kb of sequence encompassing the GDF-9 gene was isolated from a mouse 129SvEv genomic library. Sequence analysis of the exons, exon-intron boundaries, and 5′- and 3′-non-translated regions was used to establish the structure of the mouse GDF-9 gene. The GDF-9 gene is encoded by two exons separated by a 2.9 kb intron. Multiple putative transcription start sites are detected between 31 and 57 bp upstream of the start site of translation and a putative polyadenylation signal lies 342 bp 3′ of the end of translation. Knowledge of the GDF-9 gene structure will enable us to further understand the role of GDF-9 in ovarian physiology and development.
Specificity of IgG and IgE antibody responses to Haemophilus somnus infection of calves

Haemophilus somnus is an important cause of bovine respiratory disease and septicemia with all it's sequelae. The role of immune responses in protection and immunopathogenesis is not well understood. We showed that infection with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) 6 days before H. somnus increased clinical scores and levels of IgE antibody to H. somnus over that of infection with H. somnus alone. To determine whether antigenic specificity of IgE responses differed from IgG responses, Western blots were done with sera from the infected calves, at 0 time and at 21 days post infection. Thus each calf was its own control. IgG antibodies recognized primarily a 40 kDa outer membrane protein (OMP) in whole cell H. somnus preparations and a 270 kDa immunoglobulin binding protein (IgBPs) in culture supernatants but generally not the 41 kDa major OMP (MOMP). IgE antibodies recognized primarily the 41 kDa MOMP in whole cell pellet preparations. Results were consistent among calves. With culture supernatants, IgE antibodies recognized both the 270 kDa IgBPs and the MOMP. Since some H. somnus strains from asymptomatic carriers (including strain 129Pt), do not have IgBPs and express a truncated MOMP (33 kDa rather than 41 kDa), reaction of strain 129Pt cells with serum from calves infected with H. somnus or BRSV and H. somnus was studied. IgE did not react with the truncated MOMP even at much lower (1:100) dilutions than in Western blots with virulent strain 2336 (serum dilution of 1:500). Reactions of IgE with the 40 and 78 kDa antigens in strain 129Pt were noted but since the major reactivities with the IgBPs and the MOMP were not detected, this strain may be useful for inducing protective rather than immunopathogenic responses.
An Atypical Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Receptor-associated Factor-binding Motif of B Cell-activating Factor Belonging to the TNF Family (BAFF) Receptor Mediates Induction of the Noncanonical NF-κB Signaling Pathway

BAFF receptor (BAFFR) is a member of the TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily that regulates the survival and maturation of B cells. BAFFR exerts its signaling function by inducing activation of NF-κB, although the underlying mechanism has not been well defined. By using a chimeric BAFFR, we show that BAFFR preferentially induces the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway. This specific function of BAFFR is mediated by a sequence motif, PVPAT, which is homologous to the TRAF-binding site (PVQET) present in CD40, a TNFR known to induce both the canonical and noncanonical NF-κB pathways. Mutation of this putative TRAF-binding motif within BAFFR abolishes its interaction with TRAF3 as well as its ability to induce noncanonical NF-κB. Interestingly, modification of the PVPAT sequence to the typical TRAF-binding sequence, PVQET, is sufficient to render the BAFFR capable of inducing strong canonical NF-κB signaling. Further, this functional acquisition of the modified BAFFR is associated with its stronger and more rapid association with TRAF3. These findings suggest that the PVPAT sequence of BAFFR not only functions as a key signaling motif of BAFFR but also determines its signaling specificity in the induction of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway.
Current Concepts and Update for Sublingual Immunotherapy

Recent reports of the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the United States range from 20 to 40 % of the population. Typical symptoms can include nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing, and conjunctivitis. Inhalant allergens, such as plant pollens, can cause seasonal symptoms, while perennial symptoms can be induced by dust mites, cockroaches, and certain molds. Allergen specific immunotherapy (SIT) is typically recommended for patients whose allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms cannot be controlled by medications and environmental controls, cannot tolerate their medications, or desire an alternative to pharmacotherapy. While currently the only FDA approved form of SIT in the United States involves subcutaneous injection, sublingual immunotherapy is an alternative “off-label” form of allergen desensitization. This review article examines the efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
The use of an endoscopic stapler vs suture ligature for dorsal vein control in laparoscopic prostatectomy: operative outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To identify differences in operative outcome between methods of controlling the dorsal vein complex during laparoscopic prostatectomy, i.e. suture ligature or stapling with an endoscopic stapler (Endopath ETS Flex 45 linear stapler; Ethicon, Cincinnati, OH, USA). PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 120 patients who had a laparoscopic prostatectomy between January 2005 and October 2006 were assessed; 60 had suture ligature and 60 were treated with the stapler. In a multivariate analysis accounting for baseline patient and disease characteristics, the primary outcome variables evaluated included estimated blood loss (EBL), operative duration and positive margin rates. RESULTS The baseline demographics were similar between the sutured and stapled groups for age (59.6 vs 60.1 years, P = 0.674), body mass index (29.2 vs 28.5 kg/m2, P = 0.237), preoperative prostate-specific antigen level (5.3 vs 5.7 ng/mL, P = 0.5), Gleason score (6.4 vs 6.3, P = 0.294), clinical stage (77% vs 88% T1c, P = 0.052) and preoperative Sexual Health Inventory for Men score (19.4 vs 19.6, P = 0.813). Operative measures were not significantly different between the groups for EBL (287 vs 343 mL, P = 0.156) or operative duration (234 vs 223 min, P = 0.324). Apical margin involvement was also not significantly different (12% vs 7%, P = 0.121). The overall positive margin rate (30% vs 18%, P = 0.020) and disease volume (22% vs 13%‘extensive’, P = 0.021) were higher among the sutured group, but on multivariate analysis the overall margin rate was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS There was no difference between sutured and stapled control of the dorsal vein complex during laparoscopic prostatectomy in EBL, operative duration or positive margin rate.
Heat-Mass Transfer and Friction Characteristics of Profiled Pins at Low Reynolds Numbers in Minichannels

Three pin fin array geometries (T60, T90, and T120) are investigated at low Reynolds numbers, Re D < 350, in a channel. The number in T60, T90, and T120 denotes the angle made by the pin surface with the end wall. Results show that the T120 pin is the most effective in facilitating momentum transport along the height of the pin and mitigates the undesired effect of low momentum and recirculating wakes. Additionally, pin T120 causes localized flow acceleration between pins near the end wall, which results in high heat transfer coefficients at the end wall. Overall, T120 has the highest heat transfer (augmentation ratio 2.9 at Re D = 325), without any increase in friction factor (augmentation ratio 8.3 at Re D = 325) from the baseline configuration of T90. However, T120 results in a large reduction in end-wall surface area, which reduces overall conductance, and in this respect T60 is superior in the range Re D < 150. A performance study of conductance under the constraint of the same pumping power in a...
Observations of plasma distributions during the coordinated data analysis workshop substorms of March 31 to April 1, 1979

On March 31 and April 1, 1979, a sequence of substorms was recorded on the ground. During the entire active period the ISEE 1 and 2 satellites were located in the magnetotail, between 22 R(E) and 12 R(E) from the earth. Observations of plasma distributions made at varying levels of activity during these substorms provide good examples of typical magnetotail responses. While the entire magnetotail undergoes temporal variations during substorm activity, the most obvious effect seen is spatial motion of preexisting plasma regimes; for example, at substorm onset the central plasma sheet contracts. This can cause a spacecraft to move from the plasma sheet into the boundary layer. As the plasma sheet boundary layer almost always comprises streaming plasma, the high-speed flows observed there are not necessarily due to the substorm process. The essential nature of the main plasma regions of the magnetotail is relatively unchanged during high activity.
A new inbred Wistar-Kyoto rat substrain exhibiting apparent salt sensitivity and borderline hypertension.

The normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat strain is a traditional control for the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). We found trait differences between two inbred normotensive WKY strains, derived...
Error Rate for PSK and QAM Modulations for Non-Ideal OFDM Systems with Noisy Channel Estimates and Receive Diversity

This paper characterizes the SER for a non-ideal OFDM system with either M-PSK or M-QAM constellations operating over a frequency-selective, time-varying, Rayleigh fading channel. The imperfections that we consider are inter-carrier interference (ICI) and/or inter-symbol interference (ISI), imperfect time and frequency synchronization, and noisy channel estimates. We consider an MRC receiver with L diversity branches. We present SER characterizations with and without ISI, and show that the effect of ISI, especially for higher order modulation schemes, e.g., 8PSK and above, can be very severe, irrespective of the number of diversity branches.
Isospin relations for four nucleons in a single j shell

We had previously used techniques involving isospin to count the number of states for three identical fermions in a single j shell with total angular momentum I=j. We generalize this to all I, but the main thrust of this work is to consider now a four-fermion system. As before, one evaluates the eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian {sigma}{sub i<j}[a+bt(i){center_dot}t(j)] from both an isospin point of view and an angular momentum point of view. In the four-particle case, we get a more limited result than in the three-particle case, namely the number of T=0 states minus twice the number of T=2 states, all of a given angular momentum I.
Refining a brief decision aid in stable CAD: Cognitive interviews

Background We describe the results of cognitive interviews to refine the “Making Choices©” Decision Aid (DA) for shared decision-making (SDM) about stress testing in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).
Recommendations for high-priority research on cancer-related fatigue in children and adults

Over the past decades, some scientific progress has been made in understanding and treating cancer-related fatigue (CRF). However, three major problems have limited further progress: lack of agreement about measurement, inadequate understanding of the underlying biology, and problems in the conduct of clinical trials for CRF. This commentary reports the recommendations of a National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Planning Meeting and an ongoing National Cancer Institute working group to address these problems so that high-priority research and clinical trials can be conducted to advance the science of CRF and its treatment. Recommendations to address measurement issues included revising the current case definition to reflect more rigorous criteria, adopting the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System fatigue scales as standard measures of CRF, and linking legacy measures to the scales. With regard to the biology of CRF, the group identified the need for longitudinal research to examine biobehavioral mechanisms underlying CRF and testing mechanistic hypotheses within the context of intervention research. To address clinical trial issues, recommendations included using only placebo-controlled trial designs. setting eligibility to minimize sample heterogeneity or enable subgroup analysis, establishing a CRF severity threshold for participation in clinical trials, conducting dissemination trials of efficacious interventions (such as exercise), and combining nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions to exploit the potential synergy between these approaches. Accomplishing these goals has the potential to advance the science of CRF and improve the clinical management of this troubling symptom.