cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiac retransplantation in childhood: analysis of data from the United Network for Organ Sharing.

Objective For children in whom graft failure develops after cardiac transplantation, retransplantation is often considered. Although some centers have reported equivalent results for retransplantation as for primary transplantation, this strategy remains controversial. We sought to examine outcomes after retransplantation in children and to identify risk factors for mortality. Methods United Network for Organ Sharing records of heart transplantation for subjects younger than 18 years from 1987 to 2004 were reviewed. Indications for retransplantation and patient characteristics were evaluated. Analysis was performed with proportional hazards regression, controlling for other potential risk factors. Results Among the 4227 pediatric heart transplants, there were 219 retransplants. The most common indication for retransplantation was coronary allograft vasculopathy (51%). The mean interval from initial heart transplant to retransplantation was 4.7 ± 3.8 years. Forty-two retransplants (19%) were performed within 180 days of primary transplantation. Survivals at 1, 5, and 10 years after retransplantation were 79%, 53%, and 44%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, retransplantation was associated with significantly higher mortality than primary transplantation (odds ratio 1.67, 95% confidence interval 1.32–2.12, P P P Conclusion Survival after cardiac retransplantation in children is inferior to that after primary transplantation. Although results are acceptable, the impact of retransplantation on the availability of donor hearts requires further consideration.
Data-Based Instructional Supervision and Self-Assessment:

Methods for developing a data- based anxiety- reducing supervisory process for the middle level teacher are presented on these pages.
Navigating Maps to Support Comprehension: When Textbooks Don't Have GPS

In recent years, due to increased pressure for improved math and language arts scores on standardized assessments, U.S. elementary school teachers have faced many challenges and needed to make diff...
Problem discovery, divergent thinking, and the creative process

Previous empirical research suggests that problem discovery is an important step in the creative process. The present investigation was conducted to examine the role of problem discovery in the divergent thinking and creative performance of adolescents. Three divergent thinking tests were administered to a group of adolescents. Each test contained three presentedproblems and one discoveredproblem. The discovered problem allowed the adolescents to think of a problem and then to provide solutions. Comparisons indicated that the adolescents generated significantly more responses to the discovered problems than the presented problems. Most important was that the unique variance of the discovered problems (controlling the variance shared with scores from the presented problems) was reliable and significantly related to five indices of creative performance. These results support the componential theory of divergent thinking and creativity, and are consistent with the developmental view of problem finding.
Simultaneous detection of nucleotides, nucleosides and oxidative metabolites in myocardial biopsies

A new simple, simultaneous matrix HPLC methodology was developed to facilitate better peak separability and resolution for the determination of levels of myocardial tissue nucleotides, nucleosides and oxidative metabolites. The components of interests were ATP, AMP, ADP, IMP, hypoxanthine, xanthine, adenosine, inosine, NAD, and NADH, which are used to establish myocardial cellular energy status and effectiveness of cardioprotection. Their detection was achieved using a 4-microns spherical bead, 300 x 3.9 mm I.D. Nova-Pak C18 column in a 12% methanol mobile phase solvent selection, ion-pairing reagents 1.47 mM TBAP (tetrabutylammonium phosphate) and 73.5 mM KH2PO4, at a pH of 4.0. The extraction method was modified for rapid determination to ensure diminished acid labile NADH effects. Comparisons of peak retention (k), resolution (Rs) of solvents of varying concentrations and pH adjustment facilitated this method. This isocratic single run determination allows for simple, simultaneous rapid quantification and identification of alterations in high-energy phosphates, nucleoside degradation products and NAD/NADH levels associated with myocardial ischemia, with excellent reliability.
Polyelectrolyte Behavior And Kinetics Of The Aminoacyl-trna On The Ribosome

A coarse-grained model is utilized to examine the changes in flexibility of aminoacyl-transfer RNA when it binds to elongation factor-Tu and guanosine-5′-triphosphate GTP. We predict that under appropriate conditions mode-coupling speeds-up the barrier-crossing rate for cognate (three base pairs that are matched) relative to near-cognate (one base pair mismatch) ternary complexes. We estimate the torque acting on the cognate ternary complex due to induced wrapping of the 30S subunit around the decoding site after correct codon-anticodon recognition. We predict by all atom grand Monte Carlo simulations the magnesium binding sites in tRNA-EF-Tu complex at low magnesium concentration. The prediction is in agreement with binding sites observed in x-ray structure (grown under high salt concentrations). We have used high level ab initio calculations to unravel the nature of interaction energy of magnesium with site-specific tRNAPhe bases. We find noticeable non-electrostatic contributions to the total interaction energy of the magnesium-base complex in gas phase and in polar solvent. Finally, we have developed stochastic techniques to elucidate fundamentally important rare events involving large thermal fluctuations along reaction pathways. These techniques will allow us to investigate the probability of forming contacts to stabilize GTPase activated state that involve configurational searches in the tail end of probability distribution.Work done in collaboration with Steve Chu (UC Berkeley); S. Sanyasi, A. Spasic and M. Korchak (from Boston College). Work supported by NSF.
Fluconazole vs low-dose amphotericin B for the prevention of fungal infections in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation: a study of the North American Marrow Transplant Group.

Systemic fungal infections are a major problem in bone marrow transplant recipients who have prolonged neutropenia or who receive high-dose corticosteroids. Prophylaxis with Fluconazole or low-dose amphotericin B reduces, but does not eliminate these infections. To determine which prophylactic agent is better, we performed a prospective randomized study. Patients undergoing allogeneic (related or unrelated) or autologous marrow or peripheral stem cell transplantation were randomized to receive Fluconazole (400 mg/day p. o. or i.v.) or amphotericin B (0.2 mg/kg/day i.v.) beginning 1 day prior to stem cell transplantation and continuing until recovery of neutrophils to >500/microl. Patients were removed from their study drug for drug-associated toxicity, invasive fungal infection or suspected fungal infection (defined as the presence of fever >38 degrees C without positive culture while on broad-spectrum anti-bacterial antibiotics). Proven or suspected fungal infections were treated with high-dose amphotericin B (0.5-0.7 mg/kg/day). Patients were randomized at each institution and stratified for the type of transplant. The primary end-point of the study was prevention of documented fungal infection; secondary endpoints included fungal colonization, drug toxicity, duration of hospitalization, duration of fever, duration of neutropenia, duration and total dose of high-dose amphotericin B and overall survival to hospital discharge. From July 1992 to October 1994, a total of 355 patients entered into the trial with 159 patients randomized to amphotericin B and 196 to Fluconazole. Patient groups were comparable for diagnosis, age, sex, prior antibiotic or antifungal therapy, use of corticosteroids prior to transplantation and total duration of neutropenia. Amphotericin B was significantly more toxic than Fluconazole especially in related allogeneic transplantation where 19% of patients developed toxicity vs 0% of Fluconazole recipients (p 0.05). In this prospective trial, low-dose amphotericin B prophylaxis was as effective as Fluconazole prophylaxis, but Fluconazole was significantly better tolerated.
Three-Item Locus of Control Scale for Crime Victimization:

The purpose of this research is to contribute evidence regarding the construct validity of a three-item locus-of-control measure specific to crime victimization. The scale was used to determine whether specific populations were more likely than others to agree with one of the orientations to control suggested by Levenson, these being internal, powerful others, and chance. The latter two dimensions represent distinct types of external orientations. The analysis was based on results from a telephone survey of a randomly selected sample of 666 residents, aged 18 years or older, of a midwestern city. Logistic regression using continuation logits yielded results consistent in general with expectations derived from the literature, but several interaction effects involving demographic and crime-specific variables were apparent.
Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of isophorone in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice

Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of isophorone were conducted by administering 0, 250, or 500 mg/kg body weight per day by gavage in corn oil to groups of 50 F344/N rats and 50 B6C3F1 mice of each sex, 5 days/week, for 103 weeks. Dosed male rats developed proliferative lesions of the kidney including hyperplasia, adenoma, and adenocarcinoma of the renal tubule, and epithelial hyperplasia of the renal pelvis. Non-proliferative kidney lesions observed in dosed male rats included mineralization, and a more severe nephropathy in low dose animals than in controls or high dose animals. Carcinomas of the preputial gland occurred in high dose male rats. No isophorone-related lesions were observed in female rats. In male mice, isophorone exposure may have been associated with an increase in hepatocellular neoplasms and mesenchymal neoplasms of the integumentum in high dose animals, and with a marginally increased incidence of lymphoma in low dose male mice. In mice, no non-neoplastic lesions in males or females, or neoplastic lesions in females were considered associated with isophorone administration.
Boo! Outsourcing from the cataloging perspective

The very term “outsourcing” is seen by many cataloging departments as a scary word. However, the term is used to mean different things by different people. It carries meanings ranging from traditionally outsourced activities to more recent outsourcing of entire functions, departments, or units. This article identifies long‐accepted ways in which cataloging departments have utilized outsourcing and differences and similarities between those practices and more recent outsourcing activities.
Increased Coupled Gating of L-Type Ca2+ Channels During Hypertension and Timothy Syndrome

Rationale: L-Type (Cav1.2) Ca 2+ channels are critical regulators of muscle and neural function. Although Cav1.2 channel activity varies regionally, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this heterogeneity. Objective: To test the hypothesis that Cav1.2 channels can gate coordinately. Methods and Results: We used optical and electrophysiological approaches to record Cav1.2 channel activity in cardiac, smooth muscle, and tsA-201 cells expressing Cav1.2 channels. Consistent with our hypothesis, we found that small clusters of Cav1.2 channels can open and close in tandem. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer and electrophysiological studies suggest that this coupling of Cav1.2 channels involves transient interactions between neighboring channels via their C termini. The frequency of coupled gating events increases in hypertensive smooth muscle and in cells expressing a mutant Cav1.2 channel that causes arrhythmias and autism in humans with Timothy syndrome (LQT8). Conclusions: Coupled gating of Cav1.2 channels may represent a novel mechanism for the regulation of Ca 2+ influx and excitability in neurons, cardiac, and arterial smooth muscle under physiological and pathological conditions.
Spectrum of spontaneous mutation in animal cells containing an aphidicolin-resistant DNA polymerase α

We have used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based exon screening assay to determine the spectrum of spontaneous hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) gene mutations occurring in an aphidicolin-resistant V79 Chinese hamster cell line (designated Aphr-4-2) that contains a mutant DNA polymerase-alpha and displays a spontaneous mutator phenotype. PCR analyses of 71 independent, 6-thioguanine (TG)-resistant sublines isolated from Aphr-4-2 or parental V79-743X cells using hprt exon 3- and exon 9-specific oligonucleotide primer pairs revealed the loss of exon 3 or 9 from 6 of 60 Aphr-4-2 derived-, and from 1 of 11 parental V79-derived, TG-resistant mutants. Exons 3 and 9 were both lost from 5 of 60 Aphr-4-2-derived mutants, while none of the 11 V79-derived mutants had lost both exons. The results of these PCR-screening assays were further corroborated by Southern and Northern blot hybridization analyses of 28 mutants: 22 of 28 mutants contained an intact hprt gene by Southern analysis; of these 22 mutants 6 of 11 Aphr-4-2-derived mutants contained either reduced or undetectable steady state mRNA levels in contrast to all 11 V79-derived mutants that contained normal amounts of a normal-sized hprt mRNA. The results of our PCR and blot hybridization analyses indicate that the rates of base substitution and deletion mutagenesis are elevated in Aphr-4-2 cells, and suggest that DNA polymerase-alpha may play a role in determining the rate of different molecular types of spontaneous mutations in vivo.
Low pressure and desiccation effects on methanogens: Implications for life on Mars

Abstract Conditions on the surface of Mars would appear to be too hostile for life as we know it. But the subsurface is another matter. If liquid water is present, even intermittently, life forms present would at least be protected from the lethal radiation bombarding the surface. However, life would have to contend with variations in pressure and possibly extended periods of desiccation. The research reported here involves both active metabolism (methanogenesis) at 400 and 50 mbar of pressure, pressures that would be found in the near subsurface of Mars, and survival following desiccation at both 1 bar (a pressure that would be found in the Martian subsurface) and 6 mbar (the lowest pressure at the surface and very near subsurface). The three methanogens tested for active metabolism, Methanothermobacter wolfeii , Methanosarcina barkeri and Methanobacterium formicicum , all demonstrated methane production at both 400 and 50 mbar on JSC Mars-1, a Mars soil simulant. Methane production at 50 mbar was much reduced compared to that at 400 mbar, most likely due to the greater stress at the lower pressure. In desiccation survival experiments, M. barkeri had survived 330 days of desiccation at 1 bar, while M. wolfeii and M. formicicum survived 180 and 120 days, respectively. Methanococcus maripaludis did not survive desiccation at all at 1 bar. At 6 mbar, M. wolfeii, M. barkeri and M. formicicum survived 120 days of desiccation while M. maripaludis survived 60 days. These results along with results from previous research would seem to indicate that there is no reason that methanogens could not inhabit the subsurface of Mars.
Nonoverlapping expression patterns of ALK1 and ALK5 reveal distinct roles of each receptor in vascular development

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) transmits signals through a heterotetrameric cell-surface complex of type II (TGFBR2) and type I (activin receptor-like kinase 5, ALK5; TGFBR1) serine/threonine kinase receptors, as well as Smad2/3. We have previously shown that another type I receptor, ALK1 (ACVRL1), can also mediate TGF-beta signals via BMP-activated Smads in vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Our group and others have proposed the hypothesis that two TGF-beta signaling pathways via ALK1 and ALK5 in vascular ECs may play a balancing role for controlling the proliferation and migration of ECs during angiogenesis. To address in vivo roles of this balance in vascular development, we have created a knockin mouse line that carries a lacZ reporter in the Alk5 gene locus (Alk5(lacZ)). Throughout development, a well-defined, nonubiquitous expression pattern of Alk5 expression was observed in multiple tissues, and organs. Overall, a high level of Alk5 expression was found in perichondria, periostea, and the mesenchymal layers underlying epithelia in the kidney, lung, and gallbladder. In blood vessels, contrasting to predominant Alk1 expression in arterial endothelium, Alk5 expression was localized in the medial and adventitial layers of blood vessels, but was undetectable in the intimal layer. In addition, although Alk5-null embryos exhibit a defect in the formation of vascular smooth muscle layers, the lumens of blood vessels are generated properly, which stands in contrast to the severe dilation of the vascular lumens in Alk1-null mice. These mutually exclusive expression patterns of Alk1 and Alk5 in blood vessels, as well as the undisturbed formation of the vascular lumens in Alk5-null embryos, suggest that each type I receptor has its own unique functions in vascular development. The Alk5(lacZ) mice will be a valuable resource in identifying the in vivo cellular targets of TGF-beta family signals mediated by Alk5, both during embryonic development as well as in diverse pathological conditions.
The effect of staff and community education on oxygen uptake by paediatric patients in a rural hospital in Malawi

Aims Oxygen therapy is often refused by patients in rural Southern Malawi. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a twofold brief education intervention on the use of oxygen therapy at a rural hospital in Southern Malawi. Methods The use and uptake of oxygen was assessed by a retrospective review of paediatric case notes during the months of December 2010, January 2011 and February 2011. The results were discussed with the clinical officers and primary health care team based at Trinity Hospital. The superintendent clinical officer organised a teaching session on the use of oxygen concentrator. The primary health care team did a community education session (a talk to guardians attending outreach clinics) on oxygen at the four nearest villages during the month of March 2011. A review of notes from April, May and June then assessed the impact of the oxygen therapy. The results were analysed using Microsoft Excel 2010. Results During December, January and February there were 506 admissions of which 62 were for acute respiratory infections (ARI). 20 patients in total (4% of total) were counselled for oxygen therapy of which 15 patients had ARI, 6 of these (40%) refused oxygen, 4 (27%) died whilst on oxygen and 5 (33%) survived. During April, May, and June there were 352 admissions, of which 120 were for ARI. 53 patients in total (15% of total) were counselled for oxygen therapy of which 35 had ARI. 13 (37%) refused oxygen, 1 (3%) died on oxygen and 22 (63%) survived. Conclusion After a brief education session, clinicians and nurses were more willing to counsel patients regarding oxygen therapy. More patients are given oxygen therapy and more survive with oxygen therapy. Community education by the primary health care team had no effect on changing the opinions of patients and guardians as to whether or not they would accept oxygen therapy. Further research is needed into why patients refuse oxygen therapy.
Three-dimensional fluorescent particle tracking at micron-scale using a single camera

This article reports a new approach to track (x, y, z, t) coordinates of multiple fluorescent particles (diameter range 1–10 μm) simultaneously using a quantitative defocusing method. We find that the defocused image of a 1-μm diameter fluorescent particle formed by the objective lens of a conventional microscope has a bright outer ring due to the spherical aberration of the lens system. The ring radius increases as the particle is moved away from its reference plane and closer to the lens. The reference plane refers to locations of the particle at which the projected image is in focus. The (x, y, z) coordinates of the particle are then inferred from the center location of the image ring as well as the ring radius. The described technique is implemented successfully for obtaining 3D trajectories of swimming Escherichia coli cells.
An Empirical Examination of Financial Differences Between Franchised and Non-Franchised Restaurant Firms

While some restaurants expand exclusively through franchising, others are minimally engaged in franchising, or exclusively own and manage all of their units without franchising agreements. This paper employed five widely used financial indicators (financing and liquidity, profitability, efficiency, risk, and size) to investigate the differences in financial profiles between franchised and non-franchised restaurants. The sample was drawn from publicly available financial databases (COMPUSTAT) from 1997–2006. The research hypothesized that if the prevailing capital constraints of franchising theory hold true, we should observe considerable distinctions between the financial characteristics of franchised firms and non-franchised firms. The study provided empirical evidence supporting the position that significant differences exist in all financial dimensions between the two distinct organizational choices.
White–gray matter echogenicity ratio and resistive index: sonographic bedside markers of cerebral hypoxic–ischemic injury/edema?

Head ultrasonography (HUS) is a reliable and easy to perform bedside imaging technique that can give valuable information about degree of brain injury/edema after perinatal asphyxia in term neonates. The goals of our study were to determine whether semiquantitative markers such as standardized white matter/gray matter (WM/GM) echogenicity ratio and resistive index (RI) value measured by HUS differs between asphyxiated term neonates and healthy controls. Thirty-one carefully selected term neonates who suffered from perinatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) were included in the study. The ratio of the WM/GM echogenicity of the cingulate gyrus was calculated. In addition, the RI value was measured in the anterior cerebral artery. US scalars were compared with 11 healthy neonates. WM/GM ratio is significantly increased and RI value significantly decreased in asphyxiated term neonates compared with healthy subjects. WM/GM ratio and RI value allows discriminating between asphyxiated neonates and healthy subjects. These US scalars may serve as valuable, easy to acquire semiquantitative bedside markers of brain HIE, when magnetic resonance imaging is unavailable or cannot be performed in the acute setting.
Metabolism of Benzene Hexachloride Isomers and Related Compounds in Vitro. I. Properties and Distribution of the Enzyme

The in vitro metabolism of benzene hexachloride (BHC) isomers and related compounds was studied by using an enzyme from the house fly, Musca domestica L. The enzymatic reaction system essentially produced only watersoluble metabolites from 7-BHC (lindane). Metabolism was estimated by determining the substrate remaining in a reaction mixture, using a gas-liquid chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. The enzyme specifically required reduced glutathione for the reaction. The enzyme was found in the centrifugally prepared, soluble fraction of tissue homogenates, and its molecular weight was estimated to be approximately 54,000 by gel filtrations. The rates of metabolism of BHC isomers decreased in the order α > γ > δ; the β-isomer was nonreactive. The γ- and δ-1,3,4,5,6-pentachloro-1-cyclohexene (PCCH) isomers were metabolized much faster than the BHC isomers. Bromphenol blue had a very strong inhibitory effect on the enzymatic reaction. Other properties of the enzyme investigated included cofactor and substrate specificity, pH dependence, effect of temperature, stability, and reaction rates. The enzyme was partly purified by salting-out fractionation and gel filtration. No correlation was observed between the enzyme activity and resistance of the house fly to γ-BHC. A study of the distribution of the enzyme among 10 species of insects, the rat, and the rabbit showed that the house fly is outstandingly capable of metabolizing BHC and PCCH isomers.
Can Teachers Really Wear That to School? Religious Garb in Public Classrooms

Abstract This article discusses the regulation of teacher dress and its intersection with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, individual State Religious Garb Statutes, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Increases in Overweight After Adenotonsillectomy in Overweight Children With Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing Are Associated With Decreases in Motor Activity and Hyperactivity

Objective. To examine the effect of adenotonsillectomy (TA as a consequence, percentage overweight increased from 32.0% to 36.3%. Hyperactivity scores and total daily motor activity were reduced after T&A. From linear regression, the reduction in hyperactivity scores predicted an increase in percentage overweight. Reduced motor activity was correlated with increased percentage overweight. Conclusions. An increase in percentage overweight after T&A in children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing is correlated to decreased child hyperactivity scores and to decreased measured motor activity in the subset studied. These associations suggest that the increase in overweight may be attributable to reductions in physical activity and fidgeting energy expenditure.
Dimerization of the octaethylporphyrin {pi} cation radical complex of cobalt(II): Thermodynamic, kinetic, and spectroscopic studies

One electron oxidation of cobalt(II) can occur from either the cobalt d or porphyrin {pi} orbitals depending on the choice of porphyrin and reaction media. Oxidation of (octaethylporphyrinato)cobalt(II), (OEP)Co{sup II} (1), in the presence of ligands such as H{sub 2}O and CO produces diamagnetic five and six coordinate complexes of cobalt(III). In the absence of additional ligands to coordinate with Co(III) the first oxidation of [(OEP)Co{sup II}]{sup +} (2). Metalloporphyrin {pi} cation radical complexes and dimers of the OEP derivatives have been extensively investigated. This article reports on the interconversion of the paramagnetic (S = 1) monomer, [(OEP)Co{sup II}]{sup +} (2), with a diamagnetic dimer, [(OEP)-Co{sup II}]{sub 2}{sup 2+} (3), in dichloromethane solvant. {sup 1}H NMR shift and line width studies in CD{sub 2}Cl{sub 2} are applied in evaluating the thermodynamic and activation parameters for homolytic dissociation of the diamagnetic dimer (3).
The role of germination in sorghum reconstitution

Abstract Commercial reconstitution of sorghum for cattle feed was simulated in the laboratory, with partial germination of the grain prior to anaerobic storage as an added variable. After steeping to 30–35% moisture, samples of red hybrid sorghum grain were allowed to germinate for up to 2 days prior to anaerobic storage periods of 0–21 days. Changes in nitrogen and carbohydrate solubility, reducing sugars, enzyme activity, dry matter loss and particle size index were determined. Chemical and physical modification of the grain appeared to be minimal during anaerobic storage when it was not preceded by germination. Significantly higher nitrogen and carbohydrate solubility were achieved in 6 days (1 day germination + 5 days storage) than in 21 days of strictly anaerobic storage. The rapid incorporation of soluble nitrogen and carbohydrate into bacterial cell mass and exo-polysaccharide slime appeared to limit the increases in dry-matter loss resulting from germination. Protease activity resulted from both germination and bacterial growth, while amylase activity could be attributed only to germinating seeds. Reductions in particle size index could be attributed to steeping, germination and storage effects, the largest component appearing to result from steeping. It was concluded that the onset of germination can greatly accelerate the beneficial bacterial fermentation occurring during sorghum reconstitution, probably by increasing bacterial growth rates and surface area accessible to bacterial action.
Contributions to a shallow aquifer study by reprocessed seismic sections from petroleum exploration surveys, eastern Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract The US Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Drilling Company of Abu Dhabi, is conducting a 4-year study of the fresh and slightly saline groundwater resources of the eastern Abu Dhabi Emirate. Most of this water occurs in a shallow aquifer, generally less than 150 m deep, in the Al Ain area. A critical part of the Al Ain area coincides with a former petroleum concession area where about 2780 km of vibroseis data were collected along 94 seismic lines during 1981–1983. Field methods, acquistion parameters, and section processing were originally designed to enhance reflections expected at depths ranging from 5000 to 6000 m, and subsurface features directly associated with the shallow aquifer system were deleted from the original seismic sections. The original field tapes from the vibroseis survey were reprocessed in an attempt to extract shallow subsurface information (depths less than 550 m) for investigating the shallow aquifer. A unique sequence of reproccessing parameters was established after reviewing the results from many experimental tests. Many enhancements to the resolution of shallow seismic reflections resulted from: (1) application of a 20-Hz, low-cut filter; (2) recomputation of static corrections to a datum nearer the land surface; (3) intensive velocity analyses; and (4) near-trace muting analyses. The number, resolution, and lateral continuity of shallow reflections were greatly enhanced on the reprocessed sections, as was the delineation of shallow, major faults. Reflections on a synthetic seismogram, created from a borehole drilled to a depth of 786 m on seismic line IQS-11, matcheddprecisely with shallow reflections on the reprocessed section. The 33 reprocessed sections were instrumental in preparing a map showing the major structural features that affect the shallow aquifer system. Analysis of the map provides a better understanding of the effect of these shallow features on the regional occurrence, movement, and quality of groundwater in the concession area. Results from this study demonstrate that original seismic field tapes collected for deep petroleum exploration can be reprocessed to explore for groundwater.
PROBLEM OF ANOMALOUS RESISTIVITY IN PLUTONIUM

The anomalous resistivity of Pu is interpreted in terms of interband scattering. It is shown that a reasonable band structure can account for the observed resistivities in alpha and in (stabilized) delta Pu. The behavior of the anomaly as a function of alloying additions is also made understandable. (auth)
Postablation Atrial Flutters

Mapping and ablation of post-atrial fibrillation (AF) atrial tachycardia (AT) are challenging electrophysiologic procedures. These tachycardias may be caused by multiple mechanisms and may arise from the left or right atrium, or the coronary sinus. The precise mechanism must be defined before ablation because the procedural end point depends on the correct diagnosis. Postablation ATs can be successfully ablated in approximately 90% of patients. Many patients experience recurrence despite rigorous procedural end points. Efforts should focus on decreasing the incidence of AT after AF ablation and identifying patients who require linear ablation during a procedure for persistent AF.
GaAs opto-thyristor for pulsed power applications

Results of an investigation of GaAs-based opto-thyristors for pulsed power applications are presented. In this study, semi-insulating GaAs was used for the base layer of the opto-thyristor, and the device was optically triggered with an AlGaAs laser diode. The blocking voltage of the opto-thyristor was >or=800 V, the peak pulsed current was approximately 300 A, and di/dt was >or=1.5*10/sup 10/ A/s. These results demonstrate that III-V based junction devices have significant potential for pulsed power switching applications. >
The effectiveness of chromium and TiW as diffusion barriers for AuZn/Au contacts in InP junction field effect transistors

Abstract When alloying AuZn/Au contacts to the p + gate region in InP junction field effect transistors, the zinc has been found to diffuse to the surface of the gold layer and to cause significant degradation of the gold conductivity. To maintain the gold conductivity, layers of chromium and TiW have been deposited between the AuZn and gold layers to act as a diffusion barrier. The effectiveness of these barrier layers has been measured using gold resistivity test patterns and Auger electron spectroscopy before and after alloying. Gate metal resistivity changes after alloying of +143%, +98%, and -16% were found for no intermediate layer, a chromium layer, and a TiW layer, respectively. The Auger profiles indicate that the chromium layer is not effective while the TiW layer is very effective in limiting zinc outdiffusion.
‘When blood becomes cheaper than a bottle of water’: how viewers of Al-Jazeera’s English-language website judge graphic images of conflict

This study examined the degree to which visitors to Al-Jazeera’s English-language website support broadcasters presenting graphic and war-related imagery in comparison to users of Al-Jazeera’s Arabic-language website. The authors found that users of the Al-Jazeera English-language website overwhelmingly supported the network’s decision to run graphic images and claimed the network contained valuable information missing from Western competitors, such as CNN, and national Arab media. Those who relied on the English-language website and who were strong supporters of press freedom were more likely to support Al-Jazeera’s decision to run graphic images, but these correlations disappeared after controlling for demographic variables.
Joint Modeling of Linkage and Association: Identifying SNPs Responsible for a Linkage Signal

Once genetic linkage has been identified for a complex disease, the next step is often association analysis, in which single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the linkage region are genotyped and tested for association with the disease. If a SNP shows evidence of association, it is useful to know whether the linkage result can be explained, in part or in full, by the candidate SNP. We propose a novel approach that quantifies the degree of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the candidate SNP and the putative disease locus through joint modeling of linkage and association. We describe a simple likelihood of the marker data conditional on the trait data for a sample of affected sib pairs, with disease penetrances and disease-SNP haplotype frequencies as parameters. We estimate model parameters by maximum likelihood and propose two likelihood-ratio tests to characterize the relationship of the candidate SNP and the disease locus. The first test assesses whether the candidate SNP and the disease locus are in linkage equilibrium so that the SNP plays no causal role in the linkage signal. The second test assesses whether the candidate SNP and the disease locus are in complete LD so that the SNP or a marker in complete LD with it may account fully for the linkage signal. Our method also yields a genetic model that includes parameter estimates for disease-SNP haplotype frequencies and the degree of disease-SNP LD. Our method provides a new tool for detecting linkage and association and can be extended to study designs that include unaffected family members.
Hepatic expression of S32A/S36A IκBα does not reduce postischemic liver injury

Background Activation of the transcription factor, NF-κB, during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury is associated with proinflammatory mediator expression and is thought to be one of the initial triggers for the inflammatory response after reperfusion. In the current study, we sought to determine whether in vivo adenoviral transfection of a mutant inhibitor of κB-alpha (IκBα), which cannot be serine phosphorylated or degraded (IκBαSR), would inhibit NF-κB and ameliorate the hepatic inflammatory response to ischemia/reperfusion. Materials and methods Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to sham surgery or partial hepatic ischemia (90 min) and reperfusion (up to 8 h). Mice were infected with 1 × 109 PFU of adenovirus containing either β-galactosidase (LacZ) or IκBαSR 3 days prior to induction of ischemia. Serum and tissues were obtained at various times for analysis. Results In unmanipulated mice, degradation of IκBα, as occurs after serine phosphorylation, was evident in liver by the end of ischemia and during early reperfusion. Mice transfected with IκBαSR displayed the same degree of inflammation and hepatocellular injury as LacZ-transfected mice. There was no difference between LacZ- and IκBαSR-transfected livers in terms of NF-κB activation or proinflammatory cytokine production. Conclusions The data demonstrate that the pathway of NF-κB activation involving serine phosphorylation of IκBα is not the primary mechanism for induction of liver inflammation after ischemia/reperfusion and suggest that alternative pathways, such as tyrosine phosphorylation of IκBα, may be essential for the postischemic response in liver.
Endoscopic approaches to the petrous apex

Arguably one of the most inaccessible regions because of its anatomical location, the petrous apex poses a significant challenge for access to its pathology. In the last 10 years we have seen an impressive evolution of endoscopic techniques, with key advances allowing us to push the limits of endoscopy. Anatomical understanding, instrumentation, and image guidance have greatly contributed to this expansion. These extended endoscopic techniques allow a more direct corridor to the petrous apex without the morbidity posed by lateral or transcranial open approaches. Patients experience a greatly reduced hospital stay, a quicker recovery, and minimal sequelae. Herein we describe the endoscopic approach to the petrous apex.
Enthalpy of Formation of the Cyclohexadienyl Radical and the C-H Bond Enthalpy of 1,4-Cyclohexadiene: An Experimental and Computational Re-Evaluation

This article discusses the enthalpy of formation of the cyclohexadienyl radical and the C-H bond enthalpy of 1,4-cyclohexadiene.
Pak1 and Pak2 Mediate Tumor Cell Invasion through Distinct Signaling Mechanisms

Pak kinases are thought to play critical roles in cell migration and invasion. Here, we analyze the roles of Pak1 and Pak2 in breast carcinoma cell invasion using the transient transfection of small interfering RNA. We find that although both Pak1 and Pak2 contribute to breast carcinoma invasion stimulated by heregulin, these roles are mediated by distinct signaling mechanisms. Thus, whereas the depletion of Pak1 interferes with the heregulin-mediated dephosphorylation of cofilin, the depletion of Pak2 does not. The depletion of Pak1 also has a stronger inhibitory effect on lamellipodial protrusion than does the depletion of Pak2. Interestingly, Pak1 and Pak2 play opposite roles in regulating the phosphorylation of the myosin light chain (MLC). Whereas the depletion of Pak1 decreases phospho-MLC levels in heregulin-stimulated cells, the depletion of Pak2 enhances MLC phosphorylation. Consistent with their opposite effects on MLC phosphorylation, Pak1 and Pak2 differentially modulate focal adhesions. Pak2-depleted cells display an increase in focal adhesion size, whereas in Pak1-depleted cells, focal adhesions fail to mature. We also found that the depletion of Pak2, but not Pak1, enhances RhoA activity and that the inhibition of RhoA signaling in Pak2-depleted cells decreases MLC phosphorylation and restores cell invasion. In summary, this work presents the first comprehensive analysis of functional differences between the Pak1 and Pak2 isoforms.
Kinship, Islam, or Oil: Culprits of Gender Inequality?

Gender inequality in the Muslim world has become the object of high drama on the international scene. Ghostlike images of women wrapped in burqas and begging in the streets of Afghan cities swept television screens in the United States following 9/11. The number of articles on Muslim women in English newspapers has increased exponentially in the last few years. Although the popular press and the media continue to emphasize seclusion and subordination in their description of Muslim women, scholars have written extensively and persuasively to debunk the myth of the Muslim woman as a victim, passively suffering the subordination imposed on her. Starting in the 1970s and continuing to the present, a rich literature has argued that as elsewhere in the world, Muslim women have not only resisted subordination but have actively shaped their own destiny (e.g., work by Leila Ahmed [1992], Nadje Al-Ali and Nicola Pratt [2008, 2009], Elizabeth Fernea [1998], Nikki Keddie [2002, 2007, 2008], and Fatima Sadiqi and Moha Ennaji [forthcoming]).
Multifunctional imaging of human retina and choroid with 1050-nm spectral domain optical coherence tomography at 92-kHz line scan rate.

The light source at ∼1-μm wavelength is attractive for enhanced imaging depth in retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT). In this paper, we report on a 1050-nm spectral domain OCT system, combined with optical microangiography that operates at a 92-kHz line scan rate for multifunctional imaging of the human eye, delivering the volumetric imaging of microstructure and microvasculature within retina and choroid.
Ungraded Pop Quizzes Test-Enhanced Learning Without All the Anxiety

In this study, I examined the impact of periodic pop quizzes on cumulative final exam scores. Specifically, I compared the impact of using no quizzes, graded quizzes, and ungraded quizzes on final ...
Cutting Edge: Distinct Glycolytic and Lipid Oxidative Metabolic Programs Are Essential for Effector and Regulatory CD4+ T Cell Subsets

Stimulated CD4+ T lymphocytes can differentiate into effector T cell (Teff) or inducible regulatory T cell (Treg) subsets with specific immunological roles. We show that Teff and Treg require distinct metabolic programs to support these functions. Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells expressed high surface levels of the glucose transporter Glut1 and were highly glycolytic. Treg, in contrast, expressed low levels of Glut1 and had high lipid oxidation rates. Consistent with glycolysis and lipid oxidation promoting Teff and Treg, respectively, Teff were selectively increased in Glut1 transgenic mice and reliant on glucose metabolism, whereas Treg had activated AMP-activated protein kinase and were dependent on lipid oxidation. Importantly, AMP-activated protein kinase stimulation was sufficient to decrease Glut1 and increase Treg generation in an asthma model. These data demonstrate that CD4+ T cell subsets require distinct metabolic programs that can be manipulated in vivo to control Treg and Teff development in inflammatory diseases.
Glucose minimally attenuates scopolamine-but not morphine-induced deficits on a water maze alternation task

In a previous study, daily injections of glucose, 100 and 250 mg/kg i.p., in Sprague-Dawley rats failed to either facilitate acquisition or to ameliorate scopolamine- or morphine-induced deficits on a water maze alternation task (Means, et al., 1996). The present study demonstrates that daily injections of 1 g/kg minimally ameliorates a scopolamine-induced deficit on the water maze alternation task in Sprague-Dawley rats. However, daily glucose injections of 1, 2 and 4 g/kg failed to improve performance during acquisition or to diminish morphine-induced deficits on the task. The failure of daily administration of glucose to facilitate acquisition or reverse morphine-induced deficits was not due to the daily injection procedure nor to stress elevated glucose levels resulting from exposure to the task. It is suggested that the effects of glucose on memory are task dependent, with facilitation being more easily demonstrated on tasks for which animals have an innate bias to perform the correct response or the ability to acquire in very few trials.
lncRNAs: Linking RNA to Chromatin

Numerous studies over the past decade have identified increasing numbers of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) across many organisms. Research since has shown that lncRNAs constitute an important layer of genome regulation in diverse biological processes and disease. Here, we discuss the common emerging theme of lncRNAs interfacing with epigenetic machinery. This, in turn, modulates the activity and localization of the epigenetic machinery during cell fate specification.
Crowdsourcing for deployable intelligent systems

My work aims to create a scaffold for deployable intelligent systems using crowdsourcing. Current approaches in artificial intelligence (AI) typically focus on solving a narrow subset of problems in a given space - for example: automatic speech recognition as part of a conversational assistant, machine vision as part of a question answering service for blind people, or planning as part of a home assistive robot. This approach is necessary to scope the solution, but often results in a large number of systems that are rarely deployed in real-world setting, but instead operate in toy domains, or in situations where other parts of the problem are assumed to be solved. The framework I have developed aims to use the crowd to help in two ways: (i) make it possible to use human intelligence to power parts of a system that automated approaches cannot or do not yet handle, and (ii) provide a means of enabling more effective deployable systems by people to provide reliable training data on-demand. This summary begins with a brief review of prior work, then outlines a number of different system that I have developed to demonstrate the capabilities of this framework, and concludes with future work to be completed as part of my thesis.
Preliminary communication on the part played by cholesterol in determining the incidence of carcinoma

We have elsewhere shown1 that cholesterol, when injected directly into rat carcinomas, causes a marked acceleration both of the primary and of the metastatic growth of the tumors.This led us to form the opinion that cholesterol is probably a factor of importance in determining the incidence of carcinoma.It has been shown by Doree and Gardner, Ellis and Gardner, and others2 that cholesterol is not synthesized by animals, the cholesterol in animal tissues being derived from their diet. This fact suggested the possibility that the incidence of carcinoma in inoculated animals might be diminished by feeding them for a considerable period prior to the inoculation upon a diet poor in cholesterol.Accordingly twenty-two white rats, about two months old, were divided without exercising any selection into two lots. One lot of 15 were fed upon a diet composed exclusively of milk; the remainder were fed upon a mixed diet of oats and meat.The content of cholesterol in milk, while by no means negligible, is extremely sm...
On the negative impacts and precaution strategies of internet addiction to the adolescent

The characteristics of internet addiction include the tolerance of internet addictions, compulsory uses, withdrawals from the internet addiction, and other internet-addiction-related problems. Internet addiction exerts negative impacts on adolescence such as digital anxiety, alienation, internet crime and victims. The precaution and counseling strategies include alternative experiences of activity, realizing the needs and uses of internet, thinking of the impacts of the internet use, strengthening the internet skills and external monitoring.