cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of varicella-zoster virus in five US-bound refugee populations

Little is known about varicella-zoster virus (VZV) susceptibility in US-bound refugee populations, although published data suggest that VZV seroprevalence in these refugee populations may be lower than US populations. We describe VZV seroprevalence in five US-bound refugee groups: (1) Bhutanese in Nepal, (2) Burmese on the Thailand–Burma (Myanmar) border, (3) Burmese in Malaysia, (4) Iraqi in Jordan, and (5) Somali in Kenya. Sera were tested for presence of VZV IgG antibodies among adults aged 18–45 years. Overall VZV seroprevalence was 97 % across all refugee groups. VZV seroprevalence was also high across all age groups, with seroprevalence ranging from 92–100 % for 18–26 year-olds depending on refugee group and 93–100 % for 27–45 year-olds. VZV seroprevalence was unexpectedly high in these five US-bound refugee groups, though may not reflect seroprevalence in other refugee groups. Additional studies are needed to better understand VZV seroprevalence in refugee populations over time and by region.
Interpreting Leaf Water Potential Measurements with a Model of the Soil‐Plant‐Atmosphere Continuum

A water flux model, which assumes that the dynamic functioning of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum may be described by a series of steady states, was examined as a means for interpreting leaf water potential measurements in ‘Valencia’ orange trees (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck). According to the model, leaf water potential should be related to transpirational flux, which in this experiment was estimated by the ratio of vapor pressure deficit of the atmosphere to leaf diffusion resistance (VPD/rleaf). Leaf water potentials decreased in a specific relationship with increasing values of VPD/rleaf provided that soil water was adequate and soil temperature was not too low, but regardless of season of the year or climatic or edaphic differences among 3 field locations. When soil water tensions exceeded 0.3 bar or when soil temperatures were lower than 15°C, deviations from the model occurred in the form of more negative leaf water potentials than predicted by VPD/rleaf. The model predicts from simple measurements made on intact plants that these differences were due to the modification of flow resistances by cool temperatures and the modification of both resistances and the potential of water at the source in the case of soil water depletion. The model may be a useful tool for interpreting plant water potential data under contrasting environmental conditions.
Analysis of the electrophoretic properties of double‐stranded DNA and RNA in agarose gels at a finite voltage gradient

The electrophoretic mobilities of double-stranded (ds) DNAs and ds RNAs of various lenths, L, were measured in gels of 0.4–1.8% (w/v) agarose at a voltage gradient of 1.0 V/cm. Differences in the electrophoresis of ds DNA and ds RNA are presented and discussed. A general expression is derived that describes the electrophoretic mobility, M, of either type of ds nucleic acid as a function of the gel concentration and the nucleic acid length: M = M′1(L/L0)−x − M2, where M′1 and L0 are constants, and x and M2 depend on the agarose gel concentration. The results obtained by fitting our data with this equation are consistent with the mobilities of nucleic acids in a wide range of gel concentrations, including free electrophoresis in solution and electrophoresis in gles of high agarose concentration in which nuleic acids are expected to reptate through the gel matrix. Finally, various methods of plotting agarose gel electrophoresis data are discussed.
Nutritional evaluation of theJessenia bataua palm: Source of high quality protein and oil from tropical America

Current agricultural realities dictate that crops be developed which can be grown with fewer petroleum inputs and on marginal croplands. A palm tree native to the Amazon Valley,Jessenia bataua, found in both swamplands and upland forests has been studied. The fruits of this tree have long been exploited by indigenous peoples as a source of oil and a milk-like drink. Chemical analyses of the oil show it to be similar to olive oil. Chemical and biological assays of the mesocarp pulp protein reveal its quality to be comparable to that of good animal protein and considerably better than most grain and legume proteins. Rats fed diets containingJessenia bataua mesocarp oil and pulp showed normal weight gains when compared to those fed diets with similar quanities of corn oil and casein.Jessenia bataua is an example of a little-known wild plant that could provide a new source of food protein and oil for combating world hunger.
Learning to Write in the Laptop Classroom

The teaching and learning of writing was examined in ten diverse K-12 schools in which all of the students in one or more classrooms had individual access to laptop computers. Substantial positive changes were observed in each stage of the writing process, including better access to information sources for planning and pre-writing; easier drafting of papers, especially for students with physical or cognitive disabilities that made handwriting laborious; more access to feedback, both from teachers, who could read printed papers much more quickly than handwritten ones, and, in some schools, by automated writing evaluation programs; more frequent and extensive revision; and greater opportunities to publish final papers or otherwise disseminate them to real audiences.
Detailed dynamic modeling of Permanent Magnet Synchronous machine based wind turbine for power system dynamic analysis

Wind energy system as a renewable energy source has been developed remarkably during the last decade to supplement large scale power systems, micro grids and smart grids. While Considerable research efforts have been directed to wind energy system modeling and analysis, comprehensive model developments for grid integration studies have been relatively sparse. This paper presents a detailed dynamic modeling for wind energy conversion system based on Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator. The wind turbine system is equipped with maximum power point tracking module and pitch angle control. The control system aims to regulate the generator shaft speed, DC link voltage, and output reactive power while minimizing generator losses. The overall system is simulated in MATLAB. The simulation result indicates the presented model adequately represents the details of the system performance while meeting all control objectives.
Determination of Young’s modulus and residual stress of electroless nickel using test structures fabricated in a new surface micromachining process

This paper reportsin situ measurement of Young’s modulus and residual stress of electroless nickel films through the use of microfabricated nickel test structures, including electrostatic microactuators and passive devices. Th test structures are fabricated in a new surface micromachining process, termed “nickel surface micromachining”, using electroless plated nickel as the structural layer and polysilicon as the sacrificial layer. Subsequent to fabrication, lateral resonant-type electrostatic microactuators of different geometries are resonated by electrical excitation. Using the measured resonant frequencies and knowledge of the device geometry, the Young’s modulus of the film is determined. The passive electroless nickel microstructures deform upon completion of the fabrication process due to residual stress in the film Measurement of this deformation in conjunction with an appropriate mechanical model is used to determine the residual stress in the films.
Coping and its effects on cancer caregiving.

Purpose Various studies have documented the emotional distress family members of persons with cancer experience, and descriptive research has identified those psychosocial factors that protect cancer caregivers from a range of negative outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine how different coping strategies were associated with multiple domains of stress and negative health outcomes among cancer family caregivers.
Accurately estimating neuronal correlation requires a new spike-sorting paradigm

Neurophysiology is increasingly focused on identifying coincident activity among neurons. Strong inferences about neural computation are made from the results of such studies, so it is important that these results be accurate. However, the preliminary step in the analysis of such data, the assignment of spike waveforms to individual neurons (“spike-sorting”), makes a critical assumption which undermines the analysis: that spikes, and hence neurons, are independent. We show that this assumption guarantees that coincident spiking estimates such as correlation coefficients are biased. We also show how to eliminate this bias. Our solution involves sorting spikes jointly, which contrasts with the current practice of sorting spikes independently of other spikes. This new “ensemble sorting” yields unbiased estimates of coincident spiking, and permits more data to be analyzed with confidence, improving the quality and quantity of neurophysiological inferences. These results should be of interest outside the context of neuronal correlations studies. Indeed, simultaneous recording of many neurons has become the rule rather than the exception in experiments, so it is essential to spike sort correctly if we are to make valid inferences about any properties of, and relationships between, neurons.
Ultrasonography and limited computed tomography in the diagnosis and management of appendicitis in children.

ContextLimited computed tomography with rectal contrast (CTRC) has been shown to be 98% accurate in the diagnosis of appendicitis in the adult population, but data are lacking regarding the accuracy and effectiveness of this technique in diagnosing pediatric appendicitis.ObjectiveTo determine the diagnostic value of a protocol involving ultrasonography and CTRC in the diagnosis and management of appendicitis in children and adolescents.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsProspective cohort study of 139 children and adolescents aged 3 to 21 years (2 patients were older than 18 years) who had equivocal clinical findings for acute appendicitis and who presented to the emergency department of a large, urban, pediatric teaching hospital between July and December 1998.InterventionsChildren were first evaluated with pelvic ultrasonography. If the result was definitive for appendicitis, laparotomy was performed; if ultrasonography was negative or inconclusive, CTRC was obtained. Patients who did not undergo laparotomy had telephone follow-up at 2 weeks and medical records of all patients were reviewed 4 to 6 months after study completion.Main Outcome MeasuresSpecificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of tests based on final diagnoses; surgeons' estimated likelihood of appendicitis on a scale of 1 to 10 for each case and their case management plans before imaging, after ultrasonography, and after CTRC.ResultsA total of 108 patients underwent both ultrasonography and CTRC examinations. The protocol had a sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 94%, positive predictive value of 90%, negative predictive value of 97%, and accuracy of 94%. A normal appendix was identified by ultrasonography in 2 (2.4%) of 83 patients without appendicitis and by CTRC in 62 (84%) of 74 patients. A negative ultrasonography result did not change the surgeons' clinical confidence level in excluding appendicitis (P=.06), while a negative CTRC result did have a significant effect (P<.001). Positive results obtained for either ultrasonography or CTRC significantly affected surgeons' estimated likelihood of appendicitis (P=.001 and P<.001, respectively). Ultrasonography resulted in a beneficial change in patient management in 26 (18.7%) of 139 children while CTRC correctly changed management in 79 (73.1%) of 108.ConclusionsThese data show that CTRC following a negative or indeterminate ultrasonography result is highly accurate in the diagnosis of appendicitis in children.
To Save Children’s Lives, China Should Adopt An Initiative To Speed Introduction Of Pneumonia Vaccines

Despite rapid economic development, China has not yet incorporated into its national childhood immunization program vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b. Both vaccines can prevent pneumonia, the leading infectious disease killer of young children in China. In contrast, the other World Health Organization member nations with the ten largest birth cohorts have included H. influenzae type b in their national childhood immunization programs, and many of the world’s wealthiest and poorest countries have done the same with S. pneumoniae . In this article we review what is known about S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae type b in China, and we make recommendations for how to accelerate the use of vaccines against these pathogens in that country. We propose that China adopt a “Chinese Accelerated Vaccine Initiative” modeled after other successful global programs. This broad effort would marshal the evidence and commitment needed to change vaccine policy, then develop and impleme...
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Accurate Assessment of Aortic Stenosis: A Review of Diagnostic Modalities and Hemodynamics”

We agree with Drs Covolo, Tarnantini, and Razzolini’s comments on our article1 regarding left ventricular compensation to progressive outflow obstruction in valvular aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is typically associated with a prolonged asymptomatic period, with progressive reduction of the aortic valve orifice. This is accompanied by a corresponding increase …
Stochastic hypothesis of transition from inborn neutropenia to AML: interactions of cell population dynamics and population genetics

We present a stochastic model of driver mutations in the transition from severe congenital neutropenia to myelodysplastic syndrome to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The model has the form of a multitype branching process. We derive equations for the distributions of the times to consecutive driver mutations and set up simulations involving a range of hypotheses regarding acceleration of the mutation rates in successive mutant clones. Our model reproduces the clinical distribution of times at diagnosis of secondary AML. Surprisingly, within the framework of our assumptions, stochasticity of the mutation process is incapable of explaining the spread of times at diagnosis of AML in this case; it is necessary to additionally assume a wide spread of proliferative parameters among disease cases. This finding is unexpected but generally consistent with the wide heterogeneity of characteristics of human cancers.
Korean American Parental Depressive Symptoms and Children's Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Parental Acceptance–Rejection

This study explored the mediating role of parental acceptance–rejection in the relationship between parental depressive symptoms and children's mental health. Self-report data were gathered from 95 mothers and 91 fathers of children (ages 5–10 years) in Korean American families. For mothers and fathers, the relationship between parental depressive symptoms and child psychosocial problems was mediated by parenting behaviors, with parental rejection being a much stronger mediator than parental acceptance. For fathers, the relationship between fathers' depressive symptoms and child social competence was mediated by parenting, with fathers' parental rejection being a slightly stronger mediator than fathers' parental acceptance.
The carboxylation of saturated hydrocarbons by Gif systems. (FeIII trispicolinate/P(OMe)3/CO/H2O2 in pyridine-acetic acid).

Abstract Saturated hydrocarbons are transformed into the corresponding homologous carboxylic acids by treatment with Fe(Pa)3/P(OMe)3/CO/H2O2 in pyridine-acetic acid. Optimisation of the reaction conditions and mechanistics studies are reported.
Characterization of Sertoli Cell RNA Synthetic Activities In Vitro at Selected Times During Sexual Maturation

In this study, Sertoli cell RNA synthetic activity in vitro was characterized at selected times during sexual maturation. Sertoli cells, isolated from rat testes undergoing the first wave of spermatogenesis and placed in culture for 4 days, exhibited 2-fold increases in soluble ribonucleotide pools and in total RNA concentrations over the age span of 18-35 days. High performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the ribonucleotide pools in Sertoli cells cultured from 18- and 33- to 34-day-old rats revealed that, in addition to the overall age-related doubling of concentrations, uridine triphosphate (UTP) and cytidine triphosphate (CTP) pools were disproportionately increased 4- and 6-fold, respectively. In general, Sertoli cell contained relatively small amounts of UTP in comparison to several other cell types, but exhibited a high ADP:ATP ratio. A uniform 2-fold increase in the base composition of Sertoli cell RNA per mg DNA was observed over the age span of 18-35 days, with no preferential increase in any one specific nucleotide. There was no change in [3H]uridine incorporation (2 h) into RNA per cell (pmol/mg DNA), but decreased specific activity of the RNA (pmol/mg RNA) in Sertoli cells cultured from 35-day-old rats as compared to those from 18- to 19-day-old rats. Similar differences were noted in the specific activity of label incorporated into specific RNA bases. In contrast, the specific activity of the UTP-CTP soluble pool/mg DNA was only slightly increased. These data indicate that processes related to RNA synthesis in the Sertoli cell undergo a number of changes during the period of sexual maturation.
SURFACE STIFFNESS AFFECTS IMPACT FORCE DURING A FALL ON THE OUTSTRETCHED HAND

Falls on the outstretched hand are among the most common causes of traumatic bone fracture. However, little is known regarding the biomechanical factors that affect the risk for injury during these events. In the present study, we explored how upper-extremity impact forces during forward falls are affected by modification of surface stiffness, an intervention applicable to high-risk environments such as nursing homes, playgrounds, and gymnasiums. Results from both experimental and linear biomechanical models suggest that during a fall onto an infinitely stiff surface, hand contact force is governed by a high-frequency transient (having an associated peak force Fmax1), followed by a low-frequency oscillation (having an associated lower magnitude peak force Fmax2). Practical decreases in surface stiffness attenuate Fmax1 but not Fmax2 or the magnitude of force transmitted to the shoulder. Model simulations reveal that this arises from the compliant surface's ability to decrease the velocity across the wrist damping elements at the moment of impact (which governs Fmax1) but inability to substantially reduce the peak deflection of the shoulder spring (which governs Fmax2). Comparison between model predictions and previous data on fracture force suggests that feasible compliant surface designs may prevent wrist injuries during falls from standing height or lower, because Fmax1 will be attenuated and Fmax2 will remain below injurious levels. However, such surfaces cannot prevent Fmax2 from exceeding injurious levels during falls from greater heights and therefore likely provide little protection against upper-extremity injuries in these cases.
Cation effects on substitutional phase stabilization in sodium sulfate

Abstract The effect of substituent cation (Ca 2+ , Y 3+ and Ce 4+ ) on the stabilization of phase III and I in sodium sulfate is studied by Raman spectroscopy, conductivity and DSC measurements, and powder X-ray diffraction methods. Anomalies in the temperature dependence of the ionic conductivity data are correlated with thermal events in the DSC thermograms at temperatures where no phase transition in the pure parent compound have been reported.
Sex difference in the effect of mating on the pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone in a reflex ovulator, the ferret

Sex differences in the pulsatile secretion of LH were examined in male and female ferrets after mating. Female ferrets which were either gonadally intact and in estrus or gonadectomized and maintained on a pulsed regimen of daily estradiol (E2) injections exhibited a prolonged rise in plasma LH, characterized by an elevation in mean LH levels and an increase in the number of LH pulses after receiving an intromission from a stud male. By contrast, no such increase in LH secretion occurred in males which achieved an intromission with a female, regardless of whether they were gonadally intact and in breeding condition or gonadectomized and given pulsed estrogen. In fact, intact breeding males which achieved an intromission had significantly fewer LH pulses 1-5 h later than unmated males bled serially over the same time period. This decrease in LH pulse frequency was followed by a significant rise in mean plasma levels of androgen 5-12 h later. When a sexually dimorphic LH response to intromission was observed in gonadectomized E2-treated ferrets, we asked whether this could reflect a sex difference in pituitary responsiveness to the endogenous release of GnRH. Thus, plasma LH levels were measured in gonadectomized and gonadectomized E2-treated ferrets for 2 h after iv injection of GnRH. In the absence of gonadal steroids, ferrets exhibited a sex-specific difference in LH responsiveness to GnRH; however, no sex difference was apparent under the influence of E2. These findings demonstrate that ferrets' sexually dimorphic LH responses to intromission probably reflect a sex difference in the processing of somatosensory inputs from the genitalia or in the neural control of GnRH release into the pituitary portal vessels.
Fluorescence polarization and fluctuation analysis monitors subunit proximity, stoichiometry, and protein complex hydrodynamics.

Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy is frequently used to study protein interactions and conformational changes in living cells. The utility of FRET is limited by false positive and negative signals. To overcome these limitations we have developed Fluorescence Polarization and Fluctuation Analysis (FPFA), a hybrid single-molecule based method combining time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy (homo-FRET) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Using FPFA, homo-FRET (a 1–10 nm proximity gauge), brightness (a measure of the number of fluorescent subunits in a complex), and correlation time (an attribute sensitive to the mass and shape of a protein complex) can be simultaneously measured. These measurements together rigorously constrain the interpretation of FRET signals. Venus based control-constructs were used to validate FPFA. The utility of FPFA was demonstrated by measuring in living cells the number of subunits in the α-isoform of Venus-tagged calcium-calmodulin dependent protein kinase-II (CaMKIIα) holoenzyme. Brightness analysis revealed that the holoenzyme has, on average, 11.9±1.2 subunit, but values ranged from 10–14 in individual cells. Homo-FRET analysis simultaneously detected that catalytic domains were arranged as dimers in the dodecameric holoenzyme, and this paired organization was confirmed by quantitative hetero-FRET analysis. In freshly prepared cell homogenates FPFA detected only 10.2±1.3 subunits in the holoenzyme with values ranging from 9–12. Despite the reduction in subunit number, catalytic domains were still arranged as pairs in homogenates. Thus, FPFA suggests that while the absolute number of subunits in an auto-inhibited holoenzyme might vary from cell to cell, the organization of catalytic domains into pairs is preserved.
Therapeutic effects of deleting cancer-associated fibroblasts in cholangiocarcinoma

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are abundant in the stroma of desmoplastic cancers where they promote tumor progression. CAFs are "activated" and as such may be uniquely susceptible to apoptosis. Using cholangiocarcinoma as a desmoplastic tumor model, we investigated the sensitivity of liver CAFs to the cytotoxic drug navitoclax, a BH3 mimetic. Navitoclax induced apoptosis in CAF and in myofibroblastic human hepatic stellate cells but lacked similar effects in quiescent fibroblasts or cholangiocarcinoma cells. Unlike cholangiocarcinoma cells, neither CAF nor quiescent fibroblasts expressed Mcl-1, a known resistance factor for navitoclax cytotoxicity. Explaining this paradox, we found that mitochondria isolated from CAFs or cells treated with navitoclax both released the apoptogenic factors Smac and cytochrome c, suggesting that they are primed for cell death. Such death priming in CAFs appeared to be due, in part, to upregulation of the proapoptotic protein Bax. Short hairpin RNA-mediated attenuation of Bax repressed navitoclax-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, release of apoptogenic factors, and apoptotic cell death. In a syngeneic rat model of cholangiocarcinoma, navitoclax treatment triggered CAF apoptosis, diminishing expression of the desmoplastic extracellular matrix protein tenascin C, suppressing tumor outgrowth, and improving host survival. Together, our findings argue that navitoclax may be useful for destroying CAFs in the tumor microenvironment as a general strategy to attack solid tumors.
Improvement in NYHA Functional Class 4 Congestive Heart Failure Patients with Nifedipine: A Hemodynamic Evaluation

Twelve patients referred for evaluation of functional class 4 heart failure as classified by the New York Heart Association underwent treatment with nifedipine after other regimens proved unsatisfactory. Seven men and five women with a mean age of 63 years and a mean ejection fraction of 28% underwent hemodynamic evaluation after insertion of a pulmonary artery monitoring catheter. Nifedipine was administered as a 10 mg sublingual dose, followed by 10 mg orally every 8 hours for 24 hours. Seven patients experienced improvement of symptoms of dyspnea (group 1) and continued nifedipine as outpatients for one month. An improvement in function to class 3 (five subjects) and class 2 (two subjects) was observed. The remaining five patients experienced no improvement (group 2) and did not receive nifedipine after 24 hours. Statistical analysis of the hemodynamic variables revealed that the responders (group 1) had a significant decrease in the pulmonary vascular resistance from 250 dynes second cm−5 at baseline to 155 dynes second cm−5 at 15 minutes after sublingual nifedipine (p <.05 and 135 dynes second cm−5 at 24 hours while on oral nifedipine. Although trends were seen with other variables, none was statistically significant. After one year of extended follow-up, six of seven group 1 subjects (responders) were alive, compared to only one of five group 2 subjects (p <.05). All five deaths were related to progressive deterioration of cardiac function with congestive heart failure. Although ejection fraction did not correlate with final outcome, the duration of heart failure was significantly longer in the nonresponders (p <.05). While nifedipine may not be the initial drug of choice in heart failure, it may be of benefit in carefully selected patients under monitored conditions. A decrease in the pulmonary vascular resistance may predict functional improvement.
Energy Saver Prototype Accelerating Resonator

A fixed frequency RF accelerating resonator has been built and tested for the Fermilab Energy Saver. Table I shows the design parameters and prototype resonator test results. The resonator features a high permeability nickel alloy resistor which damps unwanted modes and corona rolls designed with the aid of the computer code SUPERFISH. In bench measurements, the prototype resonator has achieved peak accelerating voltages of 500 kV for a 1% duty cycle and CW operation at 360 kV. The prototype has also been successfully operated with beam in the FNAL Main Ring.
An investigation of error sources and their impact in estimating the time to the most recent ancestor of spatially and temporally distributed HIV sequences.

SUMMARY This is an investigation of signicant error sources and their impact in estimating the time to the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of spatially and temporally distributed human immunodeciency virus (HIV) sequences. We simulate an HIV epidemic under a range of assumptions with known time to the MRCA (tMRCA). We then apply a range of baseline (known) evolutionary models to generate sequence data. We next estimate or assume one of several misspecied models and use the chosen model to estimate the time to the MRCA. Random eects and the extent of model misspecication determine the magnitude of error sources that could include: neglected heterogeneity in substitution rates across lineages and DNA sites; uncertainty in HIV isolation times; uncertain magnitude and type of population subdivision; uncertain impacts of host=viral transmission dynamics, and unavoidable model estimation errors. Our results suggest that condence intervals will rarely have the nominal coverage probability for tMRCA. Neglected eects lead to errors that are unaccounted for in most analyses, resulting in optimistically narrow condence intervals (CI). Using real HIV sequences having approximately known isolation times and locations, we present possible condence intervals for several sets of assumptions. In general, we cannot be certain how much to broaden a stated condence interval for tMRCA. However, we describe the impact of candidate error sources on CI width. We also determine which error sources have the most impact on CI width and demonstrate that the standard bootstrap method will underestimate the CI width. Copyright ? 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endothelin-1 receptor blockade prevented the electrophysiological dysfunction in cardiac myocytes of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is complicated with the development of cardiac contractile dysfunction and electrical instability, which contributes to high morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. This study examined the possible roles of enhanced endothelin-1 (ET-1) on diabetes-induced alterations in ventricular myocyte electrophysiology. Type 1 diabetic rats were induced by single dose injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and treated with or without ET-1 receptor antagonist bosentan for 8 wk before myocyte isolation. Action potential, outward K+ currents, and inward Ca2+ currents in ventricular myocytes were recorded using whole-cell patch clamp technique. STZ-injected rats exhibited hyperglycemia, reduced body weight gain, and elevated plasma ET-1 concentration, indicative of diabetes induction. Ventricular myocytes isolated from diabetic rats exhibited prolonged action potential and reduced all three types of outward K+ currents. Resting membrane potential, height of action potential, and L-type Ca2+ current were not altered in diabetic myocytes. In vivo chronic treatment of diabetic rats with bosentan significantly augmented K+ currents and reversed action potential prolongation in ventricular myocytes. On the other hand, bosentan treatment had no detectable effect on the electrophysiological properties in control myocytes. In addition, bosentan had no effect on L-type Ca2+ currents in both control and diabetic myocytes. Our data suggest that altered electrophysiological properties in ventricular myocytes were largely resulted from augmented ET-1 system in diabetic animals.
Electrical and thermal property enhancement of fiber-reinforced polymer laminate composites through controlled implementation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract Aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are implemented into alumina-fiber reinforced laminates, and enhanced mass-specific thermal and electrical conductivities are observed. Electrical conductivity enhancement is useful for electrostatic discharge and sensing applications, and is used here for both electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and deicing. CNTs were grown directly on individual fibers in woven cloth plies, and maintained their alignment during the polymer (epoxy) infiltration used to create laminates. Using multiple complementary methods, non-isotropic electrical and thermal conductivities of these hybrid composites were thoroughly characterized as a function of CNT volume/mass fraction. DC and AC electrical conductivity measurements demonstrate high electrical conductivity of >100 S/m (at 3% volume fraction, ∼1.5% weight fraction, of CNTs) that can be used for multifunctional applications such as de-icing and electromagnetic shielding. The thermal conductivity enhancement (∼1 W/m K) suggests that carbon-fiber based laminates can significantly benefit from aligned CNTs. Application of such new nano-engineered, multi-scale, multi-functional CNT composites can be extended to system health monitoring with electrical or thermal resistance change induced by damage, fire-resistant structures among other multifunctional attributes.
Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor: Enbrel (Etanercept) for Subacute Pulmonary Dysfunction Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Subacute lung disease, manifested as either obstructive (OLD) or restrictive (RLD) lung dysfunction, is a common complication following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. In each case, therapeutic options are limited, morbidity remains high, and long-term survival is poor. Between 2001 and 2008, 34 patients with noninfectious, obstructive (25) or RLD restrictive lung dysfunction (nine) received etanercept (Enbrel®, Amgen Inc.) 0.4 mg/kg/dose, subcutaneously, twice weekly, for 4 (group A) or 12 weeks (group B). Corticosteroids (if present at study entry) were kept constant for the initial 4 weeks of therapy and then tapered as tolerated. Thirty-one of 34 (91%) subjects were evaluable for response, and 10 (32%) met primary response criteria. There was no difference in response based on the duration of treatment (29% group A versus 35% group B; P = .99), the presence of RLD or OLD (33% versus 32%; P = .73), or the severity of pulmonary disease at study onset. Estimated 5-year overall survival rates following therapy were 61% (95% confidence interval, 46%-80%) for all subjects and 90% (95% confidence level, 73%-100%) for the 10 who met the primary response criteria. Five-year survival estimates for subjects treated with RLD was 44%, compared with 67% for those treated for OLD (P = .19). Etanercept was well tolerated, with no bacteremia or viremia observed. Pathogens were noted on posttherapy bronchoalveolar lavage in two cases. These data support the development of expanded clinical trials to study etanercept as a therapeutic agent for subacute lung injury after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Non-muscle Myosin IIb Is A Processive Actin-based Motor

Proper tension maintainence in the cytoskeleton is essential for regulated cell polarity, cell motility and division. Non-muscle myosin IIB (NmIIB) generates tension in the actin cortex of non-muscle cells. Recent biochemical studies show that both heads of a NmIIB dimer can interact with a single actin filament and that this conformation demonstrates load dependent release of ADP. Using a three bead optical trapping assay we recorded NmIIB interactions with actin filaments to determine if a NmIIB dimer cycles along an actin filament in a processive manner. Our results show for the first time that NmIIB is the first myosin II to exhibit evidence of processive stepping behavior. Analysis of this data reveals a forward displacement of ∼5 nm. Surprisingly, NmIIB can and does take frequent backward steps of ∼5 nm. The short step size of NmIIB suggests that this motor twists actin. Actin twisting could facilitate the removal of actin crosslinking proteins from the cytoskeleton. Our data supports a model in which NmIIB takes processive forward steps to generate additional tension and also takes backwards steps to relieve tension in the actin cytoskeleton, suggesting that NmIIb is a general regulator of cytoskeleton tension.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL IMAGES OF SUBSTANCE USERS IN CHILDREN: A GUTTMAN UNIDIMENSIONAL SCALING APPROACH.

Aim: The purpose of this paper was to examine the development of social images or prototypes of cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana users among children in the first through eighth grade using a Guttman unidimensional scaling approach.Methods: Participants were 1,075 first through fifth grade children who completed annual assessments for 4 years.Results: The properties of a Guttman scale consisting of three sequential prototypes, (1) popular, (2) popular and exciting, and (3) popular, exciting and cool, were within acceptable limits for all three substances for second through eighth graders, suggesting that these prototypes were scaleable and represented a single dimension. Prototypes became more positive after the fifth grade and varied by gender. Prototypes, moderated by age and gender, were related to intention to use substances in the future.Conclusion: Findings suggest that children's prototypes of substance users are unidimensional and cumulative for all three substances and that they develop sequenti...
Molecular dynamics of cryptophane and its complexes with tetramethylammonium and neopentane using a continuum solvent model

Time scales currently obtainable in explicit–solvent molecular dynamics simulations are inadequate for the study of many biologically important processes. This has led to increased interest in the use of continuum solvent models. For such models to be used effectively, it is important that their behavior relative to explicit simulation be clearly understood. Accordingly, 5 ns stochastic dynamics simulations of a derivative of cryptophane-E alone, and complexed with tetramethylammonium and neopentane were carried out. Solvation electrostatics were accounted for via solutions to the Poisson equation. Nonelectrostatic aspects of solvation were incorporated using a surface area-dependent energy term. Comparison of the trajectories to those from previously reported 25 ns explicit–solvent simulations shows that use of a continuum solvent model results in enhanced sampling. Use of the continuum solvent model also results in a considerable increase in computational efficiency. The continuum solvent model is found to predict qualitative structural characteristics that are similar to those observed in explicit solvent. However, some differences are significant, and optimization of the continuum parameterization will be required for this method to become an efficient alternative to explicit–solvent simulation. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 20: 956–970, 1999
Remote loading of preencapsulated drugs into stealth liposomes

Loading drugs into carriers such as liposomes can increase the therapeutic ratio by reducing drug concentrations in normal tissues and raising their concentrations in tumors. Although this strategy has proven advantageous in certain circumstances, many drugs are highly hydrophobic and nonionizable and cannot be loaded into liposomes through conventional means. We hypothesized that such drugs could be actively loaded into liposomes by encapsulating them into specially designed cyclodextrins. To test this hypothesis, two hydrophobic drugs that had failed phase II clinical trials because of excess toxicity at deliverable doses were evaluated. In both cases, the drugs could be remotely loaded into liposomes after their encapsulation (preloading) into cyclodextrins and administered to mice at higher doses and with greater efficacy than possible with the free drugs.
On the application of symmetrization to the transmission of electromagnetic waves through small convex apertures of arbitrary shape

The transmission of an electromagnetic wave through a small aperture in a perfectly conducting screen is examined from the viewpoint of symmetrization.
Assessment of Fiber Strength in a Urinary Bladder by Using Experimental Pressure Volume Curves: An Analytical Method

In the present study, an analytical method is developed to deduce the constitutive equations of fibers embedded in a thick shell from the time-variant pressure volume curves obtained by experimental procedures. It is assumed that the spherical shell under consideration is composed of a fiber reinforced material and undergoes radial deflection, modeling the behavior of some biological shells such as urinary bladder. The fiber stress is expressed as a function of fiber strain, rate of strain and the degree of biochemical activation. The function form is chosen such that equations of mechanical equilibrium can be integrated analytically to yield chamber pressure as a function of chamber volume, time rate of change of volume and activation. Arbitrary coefficients appearing in the fiber stress-equation are also present in the resultant time-variant pressure-volume relation. These coefficients can be determined by curve-fitting commonly used clinical data such as cystometry measurements.
Screw cap or cork? Keeping tags fresh (and related matters)

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to comment on the excitement caused by release of On the Record, the final report of the Working Group (WG) on the Future of Bibliographic Control.Design/methodology/approach – The paper highlights areas of the WG report that have particular relevance to the author.Findings – Convergence of enriched catalogs, WorldCat Local, and federated tools, along with the Library of Congress' decisions vis‐a‐vis the WG report will have a significant impact on libraries this year.Originality/value – This paper provides a snapshot of a memorable moment in time.
Creep properties of micron-size domains in ethylene glycol modified wood across 4½ decades in strain rate

The hardnesses of secondary cell wall laminae (SCWL) and compound corner middle lamellae (CCML) in wood were measured at indentation strain rates between approximately 7×10-4 s-1 and 20 s-1, using a new method called broadband nanoindentation creep. The wood was subsequently modified with ethylene glycol (EG) and the properties were re-measured. The SCWL and CCML responded differently to this modification: in the SCWL, hardness decreased uniformly by a factor of 3.7 ± 0.3 across all strain rates, whereas in CCML, the modification had a similar effect at low strain rates. However, at high strain rates, hardness was only lowered by a factor of 1.8. The EG modification also lowered elastic modulus of the SCWL and CCML, swelled the SCWL and CCML, and caused previously placed indents to disappear (CCML) or partly disappear (SCWL).
Effects of alignment changes on stance phase pressures and shear stresses on transtibial amputees: measurements from 13 transducer sites

Interface pressures and shear stresses were measured at 13 sites on two unilateral below-knee amputee subjects ambulating with lower-limb patellar-tendon-bearing prostheses. Interface stresses at the time of the first peak in the shank axial force-time curve were investigated at different socket-shank alignment settings. Stress magnitudes ranged from 1.2 to 214.7 kPa for pressure and 0.4 to 79.6 kPa for resultant shear stress, and changes in stress due to misalignment ranged from 1.3 to 80.7 kPa for pressure and from 0.2 to 38.0 kPa for resultant shear stress. For both subjects interface stress changes were much greater in the anterior socket region than in the lateral or posterior regions. Thus, alignment changes had a localized effect on interface stresses. Plots of alignment versus pressure or resultant shear stress were nonlinear for both subjects, in a number of cases maximizing or minimizing at the nominal alignment, indicating complex interface stress-alignment relationships. Variation (standard deviation/mean) was not significantly different for nominal versus misaligned steps, indicating that the subjects adapted well to the alignment changes. Session to session differences in interface stresses were typically larger than interface stress differences induced by alignment modifications. Thus, while these subjects compensated well for alignment changes to maintain consistent interface stresses within a session, they did not do so for different sessions conducted weeks apart.
Earth analog for high-latitude landforms and recent flows on Mars: Icy debris fans in the Wrangell Volcanic Field, Alaska

New Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter HiRise and CRISM imagery of polar layered terrain of Mars reveals striking similarities to icy debris fans along the base of steep escarpments in Alaska formed in high-latitude periglacial environments. Process and morphologic observations of a deglaciating site in the Wrangell Mountains reveal a complex suite of supraglacial processes involved in the construction of icy debris fans. Snow, ice, and sediment are delivered to the fans from degradation of an upper-level icecap. Alaskan icy debris fans were studied during an 8-day reconnaissance mission in July 2006. We directly observed 289 major depositional events dominated by dry snow/ice avalanches, but also including icy debris flows, rockfalls, small jokulhlaups, and glacial calving. Small fans with larger catchments receive episodic icy debris flows triggered by outburst flows that mobilize rockfall sediment temporarily stored in catchments above the fan apex. Large fans with smaller catchments have better linkage to the upper icecap, providing a direct pathway for frequent large avalanches. The large, avalanche-dominated fans thicken rapidly from an overabundance of snow/ice supply to the point where they become hybrid fan-glaciers. Surficial geology evolves rapidly in this high-latitude environment through both depositional events and solar-driven albedo changes that occur daily. Ground penetrating radar surveys show that subsurface sedimentary architecture and fan evolution is similar to the active surface processes and deposits observed on the fans. Direct field observations of active geomorphic processes provide unique insights on the pace and nature of high-latitude landscape evolution during climate changes on both planets.
Gauge invariance and the electron-electron interaction in a normal metal

The gauge invariance of the theory of an electron gas interacting via an electromagnetic field is examined. We show that the earlier results concerning unusual behavior due to the interaction of electrons with transverse photons are gauge invariant. To study the gauge invariance of the conventional Fermi-liquid results due to the interaction of electrons via the scalar potential, we consider the longitudinal gauge in which the scalar potential is absent ({phi}=0) and instead of the Coulomb interaction we have the interaction of electrons with the longitudinal photons. We show that the electron self-energy and the density of states are gauge dependent, while the thermodynamic potential and the energy-relaxation time are gauge invariant. In general, quantities that can be expressed as closed loops in the perturbation theory are gauge invariant. We study the effect of the electron-electron interaction in the longitudinal gauge on the electron density of states in an impure metal. It is shown that in the three-dimensional case the result coincides with the corresponding calculation for the Coulomb interaction, but in the two-dimensional case there is a difference in the logarithmic factor between the results of calculations in the different gauges.
Reactive phosphate ester of the carcinogen 2-(N-hydroxy)acetamidofluorene

Abstract 1. Reaction of 2-(N-acetoxy)-acetamidofluorene with orthophosphate buffer at pH7 yielded a large quantity of water-soluble fluorene derivatives, which showed absorption peaks at 303, 290 and 280nm. Tris buffer under similar conditions gave negligible reaction. 2. Hydrolysis of polar material with acid or alkaline phosphatases liberated equimolar amounts of inorganic phosphate and an ether-extractable fluorene derivative. On the basis of its u.v. spectrum, RF values after paper chromatography, solubility in alkali and colour with spray reagents, the derivative was characterized tentatively as 2-acetamido-5-hydroxyfluorene. 3. Polar material also contained a reactive fluorene derivative which gave characteristic reaction products with methionine and guanosine. The reactive derivative was characterized as a phosphate ester of 2-(N-hydroxy)-acetamidofluorene. 4. It is suggested that such reactive phosphate esters may also be some of the ultimate carcinogenic metabolites of carcinogenic aromatic hydroxamic acids.