cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Breaking the Mold: Evaluating a Non-Punitive Domestic Violence Intervention Program

Individuals convicted of committing domestic violence are often court mandated to attend a Batterer Intervention Program (BIP). Evidence of the effectiveness of these programs, however, is inconclusive largely because of the diversity in approaches used by BIPs. In a pre-test/post-test design, the current study assessed outcomes associated with one specific BIP: a counseling-based, non-punitive psychoeducational program designed to treat both male and female domestic violence offenders. A sample of 149 clients completed a comprehensive survey both prior to and upon completion of the BIP. Participation in this BIP fostered attitudes known to be associated with nonviolence, including perceptions of accountability, anger management, indications of safety planning, and reported desire for change. Additionally, self-reported levels of psychological and physical violence decreased from pre- to post-treatment. Theoretical and therapeutic implications for BIPs are discussed.
Rapid electron capture determination of caffeic acid and quercetin moieties in plants

Abstract A sensitive gas—liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the quantitative analysis of caffeic acid and quercetin moieties in plant leaf by means of electron capture detection. Caffeic acid, quercetin and their naturally occurring derivatives, chlorogenic acid and rutin, respectively, are directly extracted from plant materials with 1-propanol, and subjected to a transesterification—hydrolysis reaction to produce caffeic acid n-propyl ester and quercetin. After silylation of these compounds, the TMS derivatives are suitable for chromatography on 10% OV-101 in the case of caffeic acid and 1.5% OV-101 in the case of quercetin. The method requires about 5 h for their quantitative determination, and the approximate lower limits of detection in tobacco leaf samples are 20 ng caffeic acid and 300 ng quercetin.
Quantization of bag-like solitons

Abstract The method of collective coordinates is used to quantize bag-like solitons formed by scalar and spinor fields. This method leads to approximate wave functions for quarks in the bag that are and spinor fields. This method leads to approximate wave functions for quarks in the bag that are orthogonal to the translation modes. Solutions are given for the MIT bag limit of the fields.
The Extent and Severity of Vascular Leakage as Evidence of Tumor Aggressiveness in High-Grade Gliomas

Magnetic resonance imaging reveals heterogeneous regions within high-grade gliomas, such as a contrast-enhanced rim, a necrotic core, and non-contrast-enhanced abnormalities. It is unclear which of these regions best describes tumor aggressiveness. We hypothesized that the vascular leakage volume, reflecting disorganized angiogenesis typical of glioblastoma, would be a strong predictor of clinical outcome. The FLAIR tumor volume, post-gadolinium T1 tumor volume, tumor vascular leakage volume determined by dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging, and volume of the contrast-enhanced rim seen on post-gadolinium T1-weighted images were defined for 20 patients about to undergo treatment for newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas. The potential for imaging characteristics to improve prediction of survival and time to progression over clinical variables was tested by using Cox regression analysis. Single-variable Cox regression analysis of each of the four tumor subvolumes revealed that the vascular leakage volume was the only significant predictor of survival. When the joint effect of clinical variables and the vascular leakage volume were tested for prediction of survival, only the age and the vascular leakage volume were selected as significant predictors. However, when time to progression was tested as a dependent variable, both the vascular leakage volume and the vascular permeability were selected as copredictors, along with surgical status. Our findings suggest that for patients with high-grade glioma, time to progression after radiation therapy is influenced by both underlying biological aggressiveness (vascularity) and volume of aggressive tumor. In contrast, survival depends chiefly on the volume of aggressive tumor at the time of presentation.
Another patient with an umbilical hernia and massive ascites: what to do?

Background Optimal management in patients with umbilical hernias and liver cirrhosis with ascites is still under debate. The objective of this study was to compare the outcome in our series of operative versus conservative treatment of these patients. Methods In the period between 1990 and 2004, 34 patients with an umbilical hernia combined with liver cirrhosis and ascites were identified from our hospital database. In 17 patients, treatment consisted of elective hernia repair, and 13 were managed conservatively. Four patients underwent hernia repair during liver transplantation. Results Elective hernia repair was successful without complications and recurrence in 12 out of 17 patients. Complications occurred in 3 of these 17 patients, consisting of wound-related problems and recurrence in 4 out 17. Success rate of the initial conservative management was only 23%; hospital admittance for incarcerations occurred in 10 of 13 patients, of which 6 required hernia repair in an emergency setting. Two patients of the initially conservative managed group died from complications of the umbilical hernia. In the 4 patients that underwent hernia correction during liver transplantation, no complications occurred and 1 patient had a recurrence. Conclusions Conservative management of umbilical hernias in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites leads to a high rate of incarcerations with subsequent hernia repair in an emergency setting, whereas elective repair can be performed with less morbidity and is therefore advocated.
Failure of an Oil Pump Bevel Gear

Two oil pump bevel gears suffered both breakage and wear. The oil pump was a gas turbine oil pump that had been in service for 3 years. Material and case-hardening examinations showed that both of these were satisfactory. Also, lube oil analysis showed no abnormality of any kind. The probable mechanism for the breakage and wear is shock overloading followed by abrasive wear caused by the debris of the broken teeth.
On theories of the Grüneisen parameter

Abstract A recently proposed equation-of-state is examined further for compatibility with prior theory. It is found, by adopting a more realistic functional relationship for one of the thermodynamic state variables and eliminating higher-order terms from the model, that three historical theories for determination of the Gruneisen function fall directly out of the recently proposed model. One is led to conclude that the newer model captures the essence of all of the older theories, each of which is applicable under an appropriate circumstance.
Wavelet-Based Power System Stabilizer

This paper proposes a wavelet-based power system stabilizer (WPSS) by using both the scaling coefficient energy and the wavelet coefficient energy with border distortions of a one-cycle sliding window. The boundary scaling coefficient energy is used for real-time extraction and compensation of electromechanical oscillations in the synchronous generator, whereas the boundary wavelet coefficient energy is used for the real-time detection of electrical oscillations and for tripping the WPSS at the fault inception time. The performance of the proposed WPSS was assessed in an experimental power system laboratory setup and compared with a conventional power system stabilizer.
The beryllium dimer potential

Abstract The convergence of ab initio calculations of the beryllium dimer potential is examined with several basis sets orders of perturbation theory. When the atomic pair natural orbital basis set calculations are extrapolated to the complete basis set and full CI limits, the calculated parameters: R e =2.447 A, D e =827 cm −1 , ν 01 =212.7 cm −1 , ν 12 =167.2 cm −1 , ν 23 =121.5 cm −1 and ν 34 =77.7 cm −1 are in good agreement with the experimental parameters: R e =2.45 A, D e =839±10 cm −1 , ν 01 =223.2 cm −1 , ν 12 =169.7 cm −1 , ν 23 =122.5 cm −1 , and ν 34 =79 cm −1 .
Liver homogenate-mediated mutagenesis in chinese hamster V79 cells by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aflatoxins.

Abstract Several chemical carcinogens that require metabolic activation have been examined for their cytotoxic and mutagenic activity in Chinese hamster V79 cells. Mutagenic activity was measured as the induced frequency of 6-thioguanine-resistant colonies. Metabolic activation was provided by the 9000 g supernatant fraction of rat liver plus cofactors. The cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of aflatoxin B1 and B2, benzo(a)pyrene, 3-Methylcholanthrene, 7, 12-dimethylbenzo(a)anthracene, dibenz(a,h)-anthracene, dibenz(a,c)anthracene, and benz(a)anthracene were examined as functions of concentration. Except for the two isomers of dibenzanthracene, the mutagenic activity in general paralleled the carcinogenic activity. An assay of this type may be useful as a prescreen for environmental chemicals that require metabolic activation.
Cefaclor versus ampicillin for outpatient treatment of urinary tract infections

An unblinded, randomized, prospective clinical trial of cefaclor, 250 mg twice daily, versus ampicillin, 500 mg four times daily, for a total of ten days of therapy, was conducted with 100 patients presenting to an emergency department with signs, symptoms, and urinalysis results suggestive of urinary tract infection (UTI). Eighty patients had a UTI proven by pre-therapy urine culture. Significantly more of the bacteria isolated were sensitive to cefaclor (96.3%) than to ampicillin (78.0%), P less than 0.01. Seventy-one patients returned for all follow-up visits and urine cultures. The overall success rate in the cefaclor group was 75.7% and in the ampicillin group 79.4%. There was a 10% failure rate in treating clinical cystitis with both regimens, and the satisfactory outcome rate for pyelonephritis and cystitis was similar in both treatment groups.
Five Scales of Airflow Associated with a Series of Downbursts on 16 July 1980

An attempt is made to estimate wind speed in a series of windstorms, which occurred in a 50-km wide zone from Chicago to Detroit on July 16, 1980, based on three types of airborne objects: a 180 kg chimney, a 1000 kg corn storage bin, and lumber from damaged roofs. The maximum wind speed obtained is 63 + or - 10 m/sec, or 140 + or - 25 mph. SMS/GOES pictures show that the parent cloud was oval-shaped, with a lifetime in excess of 12 hours. That the downbursts began when overshooting activities subsided is indicated by the rapid shrinking of overshooting areas enclosed by -66 C isotherms at the onset of the Chicago-area downbursts. Cloud-top features and wind effects on the ground are presented with no attempt to relate them, on the basis of current conceptual models.
Macrophyte Species Changes in the Everglades: Examination along a Eutrophication Gradient

Macrophyte species distribution in the marsh and slough areas of the northern Everglades were examined along a surface water and soil P gradient to characterize the effects of nutrient enrichment on the macrophyte community changes in the Everglades ecosystem. Macrophyte species distribution and frequency examined at 51 sites located in the Water Conservation Area (WCA-2A) revealed distinct trends in species changes with P enrichment. Marshes in the unenriched and enriched areas were dominated by Cladium jamaicense and Typha domingensis, respectively. Open water areas were characterized by Eleocharis sp., Utricularia sp., Chara zeylanica, and Nymphaea odorata in the unenriched areas and by floating plants and Polygonum sp. in the enriched areas. We compared the macrophyte species distribution with the soil P contour map of WCA-2A and derived six major categories of P enrichment (labeled 0-5) that may be used to adequately describe macrophyte species distribution in the WCA-2A. Soil and surface water P values that correspond to the different P-enrichment categories and the number of macrophyte species in each category have been estimated. Examination of the relative abundance of the macrophyte species in the six P-enrichment categories showed a decline in characteristic slough macrophyte species with P enrichment. Increase in P status of the system was also accompanied by the advent and gradual establishment of macrophytes such as Mikania scan dens, Sarcostemma clausum, Polygonum sp., Acrostichum danaeifolium, and a variety of floating plants. Characteristic slough macrophyte species such as Utricularia purpurea, Eleocharis elongata, and Eleocharis cellulosa serve as indicators of the unenriched P conditions.
Single walled carbon nanohorns as photothermal cancer agents

Nanoparticles have significant potential as selective photo-absorbing agents for laser based cancer treatment. This study investigates the use of single walled carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) as thermal enhancers when excited by near infrared (NIR) light for tumor cell destruction. Absorption spectra of SWNHs in deionized water at concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.085, and 0.1 mg/ml were measured using a spectrophotometer for the wavelength range of 200-1,400 nm. Mass attenuation coefficients were calculated using spectrophotometer transmittance data. Cell culture media containing 0, 0.01, 0.085, and 0.333 mg/ml SWNHs was laser irradiated at 1,064 nm wavelength with an irradiance of 40 W/cm{sup 2} for 0-5 minutes. Temperature elevations of these solutions during laser irradiation were measured with a thermocouple 8 mm away from the incident laser beam. Cell viability of murine kidney cancer cells (RENCA) was measured 24 hours following laser treatment with the previously mentioned laser parameters alone or with SWNHs. Cell viability as a function of radial position was determined qualitatively using trypan blue staining and bright field microscopy for samples exposed to heating durations of 2 and 6 minutes alone or with 0.085 mg/ml SWNHs. A Beckman Coulter Vi-Cell instrument quantified cell viability of samples treated with varyingmore » SWNH concentration (0, 0.01, 0.085, and 0.333 mg/ml) and heating durations of 0-6 minutes. Spectrophotometer measurements indicated inclusion of SWNHs increased light absorption and attenuation across all wavelengths. Utilizing SWNHs with laser irradiation increased temperature elevation compared to laser heating alone. Greater absorption and higher temperature elevations were observed with increasing SWNH concentration. No inherent toxicity was observed with SWNH inclusion. A more rapid and substantial viability decline was observed over time in samples exposed to SWNHs with laser treatment compared with samples experiencing laser heating or SWNH treatment alone. Samples heated for 6 minutes with 0.085 mg/ml SWNHs demonstrated increasing viability as the radial distance from the incident laser beam increased. The significant increases in absorption, temperature elevation, and cell death with inclusion of SWNHs in laser therapy demonstrate the potential of their use as agents for enhancing photothermal tumor destruction.« less
Educational Curriculum Standards & Standardized Educational Tests: Comparing Apples & Oranges?

ABSTRACT Mandated biology curriculum standards and standardized tests may vary widely from one state to another, making academic-performance comparisons among the states problematic. This report outlines the effects of the “No Child Left Behind” law and uses California as a test case against which teachers in other states may make comparisons of their own biology curriculum standards and tests. Several sources are cited that offer sample multiple-choice questions that have appeared on previous California standardized tests for sciences/life sciences/biology. These examples, and critique thereof, may help teachers better prepare their own tests to improve student performance in meeting the state's curriculum standards in individual science classes and in mandated statewide tests.
End-stage renal disease from glomerulonephritis associated with anti-phospholipid syndrome.

Primary anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) is perceived to be an uncommon disorder, infrequently recognized as a cause of renal disease in childhood. While renal involvement in APS classically manifests as thrombotic events, other renal diseases associated with APS have been reported in adults, including membranous nephropathy and minimal change disease. We report our experience of caring for a child who presented with acute anuric renal failure due to anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody-negative rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), with concomitant thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Recognition of the APS as a cause of the patient’s TMA facilitated institution of anticoagulation. Our patient’s renal failure did not improve and the patient remained dependent on dialysis until he was successfully transplanted. The purpose of our report is to make health-care professionals aware of the previously unreported association of pauci-immune RPGN and APS in children; early recognition of APS will allow initiation of anticoagulation to prevent recurrent thromboses and enable successful transplantation.
Particle Arrangements in Freshly-Mixed Mortars: Basis for Modeling

A realistic understanding of the microstructure of freshly-mixed mortars (and concretes) is needed to provide a framework for visualizing and quantitatively modeling the patterns of cement hydration and space filling that are developed during hydration. In this paper the author discusses (a) postulated cement particle arrangements that have been used as starting assemblages in computer models of cement hydration, and their shortcomings; and (b) prospective experimental methods to assess the actual starting arrangements of particles in real freshly-mixed mortars and concretes. Scanning electron microscope investigations of fast-frozen fresh mortars suggest that the starting states assumed in current mathematical modeling for cement pastes are far from realistic. Several possible methods are discussed that may be capable of obtaining three-dimensional information on the actual starting states in fresh mortars or concretes.
Relationships between adult women's mental health problems and their childhood experiences of parental violence and psychological aggression

We used the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales (M. A. Straus, S. L. Hamby, D. Finkelhor, D. W. Moore, & D. Runyan, 1998) to assess retrospectively women’s childhood experiences of both mother and father physical abuse and psychological aggression, and assessed mother and father alcohol problems based on criteria derived from the Family History Research Diagnostic Criteria (N. C. Andreasen, J. Endicott, R. L. Spitzer, & G. Winokur, 1977). Data were collected from 447 women (age 18 or higher) from seven domestic violence programs and five substance use disorder treatment programs in a midwestern state. Using OLS regression with backward elimination (p < .10 as criterion for removal from the equation) we found that higher levels of mother physical abuse, father psychological aggression, and presence of mother alcohol problems predicted higher scores on the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Trauma Symptom Checklist. Higher levels of mother physical abuse and father psychological aggression predicted higher scores on the Beck Depression Inventory. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Organic substrates for flip-chip design: A thermo-mechanical model that accounts for heterogeneity and anisotropy.

Abstract We present a thermo-mechanical characterization of organic substrates that accounts for heterogeneity both in the in-plane and out-of-plane directions. Systematic observation of the board files of a number of substrates of commercial interest reveals primarily three recurrent topological arrangements of copper and polymer; for each arrangement, the in-plane effective thermo-elastic properties are calculated via appropriate composite materials models. The averaging process in the out-of-plane direction (i.e. the stacking effect) is performed using standard laminated plate theory. The model is successfully applied to various regions of three organic substrates of interest (mainly differing in core thickness): the analytically calculated effective Young’s moduli (E) and coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) are shown to be typically within 10% of the experimental measurements. An important attribute of this model is its ability to provide substrate description at various levels of complexity: a few effective properties are outputted that can be useful for further purely analytical investigations; at the same time, the model provides the full stiffness matrix for each region of the substrate, to be used for more detailed finite elements simulations of higher-level structures (e.g. silicon die/underfill/substrate/cooling solution assemblies). Preliminary application of this model to the warp analysis of a flip-chip is presented in the end.
Sampling Distribution of the Time between Effectively Independent Samples

Abstract The sampling distribution of the estimate of the “time between effectively independent samples,” T0, is investigated using Monte-Carlo techniques. It is found to be asymptotically unbiased and normally distributed. Agreement between empirical sampling distributions and the normal distribution is good for sample sizes on the order of 1000. Estimates of the variance of this sampling distribution may be obtained as a function of the estimated T0 value and the sample size.
Hospital Admissions Greater Than 30 Days Following Bariatric Surgery: Patient and Procedure Matter

Introduction Assessment of hospital admission in the 30-day period following bariatric surgery likely underestimates true hospital utilization. The purpose of this study is to assess hospital admissions for 2 years following bariatric surgery to identify potential differences by patient and procedure.
Multilateral and bilateral aid policies and trends in the allocation of electrification aid, 1970–2001

Abstract One of the greatest challenges facing developing countries is gaining access to the capital necessary to achieve widespread electrification, and for this aid is essential. We examine the history of World Bank and other aid agencies' policies in fostering electrification around the world. A dataset comprised of 3745 multilateral and bilateral electrification aid projects is used to evaluate the determinants of such aid in the last three decades of the 20th century. Our major finding is that electrification aid by the 1990s had moved toward relatively poorer countries, except for those in Africa, and toward countries with better governance structures. Increased aid also flowed to countries that had restructured their electric power sector, likely reflecting the liberalization and privatization policies promoted by the World Bank and other aid donors from the mid-1980s onwards.
The Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits-Part 3: The development of age-based scoring procedures

Abstract The objective of the current study was to develop age-based scoring procedures for the BISCUIT-Part 3, an assessment measure of challenging behaviors in infants and toddlers aged 17–37 months. Separate age-based cutoffs were developed for those with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and those with non-ASD related developmental delays, using the standard deviation from the mean method. The sample consisted of 3022 infants and toddlers and their parents. As age increased in those with ASD, higher cutoff scores were required. Less variation was seen in the cutoff scores established for those with non-ASD related delays. The findings suggest that as children with ASD grow older, challenging behaviors become more frequent and severe. Additionally, they become easier to detect in comparison to same-aged peers. The implications of these results are discussed.
NAL CAMAC Accelerator Control

The control system for the National Accelerator Laboratory's Booster Synchrotron is compatible with the CAMAC standard which represents the first application of this standard to a large process control system. Parts of the system are presently installed and have operated successfully.
Single Crystals of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3—35 mol% PbTiO3 from Polycrystalline Precursors

A potentially more cost-efficient method of growing single-crystal relaxor-based ferroelectric materials has been investigated. Seed single crystals of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3(PMN)—;35 mol% PbTiO3(PT) were embedded within polycrystalline powders and annealed at temperatures from 900° to 1200°C. The boundary of the single crystal migrated through the polycrystal matrix under the influence of grain boundary curvature; growth distances of several millimeters were observed, verifying the feasibility of the approach. The grown single crystals exhibited macroscopic cubic growth morphologies with (100) faces. Strain levels as high as 0.68% under an electric field of 30 kV/cm were observed in initial measurements.
Comparing the anatomical consistency of the posterior superior iliac spine to the iliac crest as reference landmarks for the lumbopelvic spine: A retrospective radiological study

A palpation reference line coursing between the superior-most aspect of the iliac crests has been reported to cross the L4 spinous process or L4/L5 intervertebral space in approximately 80% of the population. Comparable data have not been defined for the line coursing between the posterior superior iliac spines (PSIS). The purpose of this study was to compare the anatomical consistency of the PSIS to the iliac crest as landmarks used for spinal palpation. One hundred computerized tomographic images were reviewed in a three-dimensional setting. Two horizontal lines were constructed on each image: Line 1 representing the superior-most aspect of the iliac crest and Line 2 representing the inferior margin of the PSIS. The vertical distance between each horizontal line and the inferior edge of its respective spinous process were measured. The PSIS corresponded to the S2 spinous process in 81% of subjects and the iliac crest to the L4 spinous process in 59% of subjects. Distance measures suggest that the PSIS was closer to S2 versus the iliac crest to L4 (t = 6.998; P < 0.01). The PSIS crossed S2 more frequently than the iliac crest crossed L4 (chi(2) = 12.719, P < or = 0.01). The study findings support the relationship between the PSIS, and the spinous process of S2 is more consistent when compared to the iliac crest and the spinous process of L4. The PSIS reference line may be used to find S2 as a reference standard in validity and reliability palpation studies in the lower lumbar spine.
Atomic Rydberg-state spectroscopy of Ca i using pulsed color-center lasers

The utility of using color-center lasers for atomic spectroscopy is demonstrated. Pulsed, color-center lasers are used in conjunction with pulsed dye lasers for multiphoton ionization spectroscopy studies of Ca i. The 4s6d1D2–4snf1F3° spectrum for n = 11–16 is observed. Two other series of lines are identified as 4s5f1F3°–4sng1G4 and X–4sng1G4 transitions.
Understanding member motivation for contributing to different types of virtual communities: a proposed framework

Previous research indicates that the type and purpose of a virtual community (wiki, blog, and Internet Forum) may play a role in determining a member's motivation for contribution to a virtual community, but does not fully explore this idea. This study aggregates the disparate ideas and terminology of previous research on virtual communities and presents a more parsimonious grouping of fourteen motivational factors. These fourteen factors provide a framework for examining what drives members to contribute. Two preliminary studies offer some support for the framework.
The CO-Regulation Database (CORD): a tool to identify coordinately expressed genes.

Background Meta-analysis of gene expression array databases has the potential to reveal information about gene function. The identification of gene-gene interactions may be inferred from gene expression information but such meta-analysis is often limited to a single microarray platform. To address this limitation, we developed a gene-centered approach to analyze differential expression across thousands of gene expression experiments and created the CO-Regulation Database (CORD) to determine which genes are correlated with a queried gene.
The effects of osmotic pressure on procaine-induced vacuolation in cell culture.

The effect of increased tonicity on procaine-induced vacuolation in the H.Ep.2 cell has been investigated. An increase in tonicity equivalent to about 1·3% NaCl was found to reduce the formation of the drug-induced vacuoles and also to reduce established vacuolation. There appeared to be no difference in the effectiveness of the osmotic adjusting substances used (sodium chloride, sodium sulphate, glucose, fructose and sucrose) when employed in osmotically equivalent amounts.
On the Role of Microcracks on Flow Instability in Low Speed Machining of CP Titanium

Abstract Flow instability is observed when machining titanium and its alloys and leads to the localization of plastic deformation into narrow bands. The shear strain at which this localization occurs serves as an important design parameter that measures the workability of a material and its suitability for various applications. In the current investigation, the phenomenon of microcracking during chip formation of grade 2 commercially pure (CP) titanium has been examined as a mechanism that promotes flow instability at low speeds. Based on this study, analytical and descriptive models that have been previously proposed for predicting the onset of flow instability have been revised to account for microcracking. Model predictions were experimentally verified for the orthogonal machining of CP titanium over a wide range of cutting speeds. Additionally, an investigation of plastic deformation across microcracks and localized shear zones was conducted in an effort to better understand strain hardening during ch...
Deficiency of Bim in dendritic cells contributes to overactivation of lymphocytes and autoimmunity.

Apoptosis in dendritic cells (DCs) can potentially regulate DC homeostasis and immune responses. We have previously observed that inhibition of the Fas signaling pathway in DCs results in spontaneous T-cell activation and the development of systemic autoimmunity in transgenic mice. However, the role for different apoptosis pathways in DCs in regulating DC homeostasis and immune tolerance remains to be determined. Bim, a BH3-only protein of the Bcl-2 family, was expressed at low levels in DCs and was significantly up-regulated by signaling from CD40 or toll-like receptors (TLRs). Because Bim−/− mice develop spontaneous systemic autoimmunity, we investigated whether Bim−/− DCs contributed to lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity in these mice. Bim−/− DCs showed decreased spontaneous cell death, and induced more robust T-cell activation in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, Bim−/− DCs induced autoantibody production after adoptive transfer. Our data suggest that Bim is important for regulating spontaneous cell death in DCs, and Bim-deficient DCs may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases in Bim−/− mice.
Ubiquilin-1 is a molecular chaperone for the amyloid precursor protein

Alzheimer disease (AD) is associated with extracellular deposition of proteolytic fragments of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Although mutations in APP and proteases that mediate its processing are known to result in familial, early onset forms of AD, the mechanisms underlying the more common sporadic, yet genetically complex forms of the disease are still unclear. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the ubiquilin-1 gene have been shown to be genetically associated with AD, implicating its gene product in the pathogenesis of late onset AD. However, genetic linkage between ubiquilin-1 and AD has not been confirmed in studies examining different populations. Here we show that regardless of genotype, ubiquilin-1 protein levels are significantly decreased in late onset AD patient brains, suggesting that diminished ubiquilin function may be a common denominator in AD progression. Our interrogation of putative ubiquilin-1 activities based on sequence similarities to proteins involved in cellular quality control showed that ubiquilin-1 can be biochemically defined as a bona fide molecular chaperone and that this activity is capable of preventing the aggregation of amyloid precursor protein both in vitro and in live neurons. Furthermore, we show that reduced activity of ubiquilin-1 results in augmented production of pathogenic amyloid precursor protein fragments as well as increased neuronal death. Our results support the notion that ubiquilin-1 chaperone activity is necessary to regulate the production of APP and its fragments and that diminished ubiquilin-1 levels may contribute to AD pathogenesis.
A Resource‐Based View and Market Orientation Theory Examination of the Role of “Familiness” in Family Business Success

This article considers the familiness construct within the resource-based view of the firm by examining the manner in which intangible and other unique resources translate into competitive advantages held by family businesses. Specifically, this article, through a case-based approach, questions whether the familiness qualities of a firm contribute to actualization of an effective market orientation thereby constituting a competitive advantage. Analysis of multiple interviews from family owners and managers suggests that familiness qualities, including, but not limited to, strategic focus, customer orientation, family relationships, and operational efficiency, do contribute to a propensity for execution of an effective market orientation.
RNAi Therapies: Drugging the Undruggable

RNA interference (RNAi) therapy is a rapidly emerging platform for personalized cancer treatment. Recent advances in small interfering RNA delivery and target selection provide unprecedented opportunities for clinical translation. Here, we discuss these advances and present strategies for making RNAi-based therapy a viable part of cancer management.
Physical Basis of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging

NMR imaging is based on the ability to induce and monitor resonance of the magnetic moment of nuclei in the presence of magnetic fields. By the use of magnetic fields whose strength varies with position, it is possible to define both the location and concentration of resonant nuclei, and, thereby to create images that reflect their distribution in tissue. Hydrogen, because it is the most sensitive of the stable nuclei to NMR and because it is also the most abundant nucleus in the body, is ideally suited for NMR imaging.
Early postnatal exposure to PCBs: Sperm function in rats

Our previous studies have found that early exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) through milk of the dam can affect fertility when male offspring reach adulthood. A significant proportion of ovulated eggs in normal females mated to PCB-exposed males do not implant. This effect does not appear to be related to reduced weight gain of pups during PCB exposure. In this study, dams with litters were given peanut oil or a PCB mixture (Aroclor 1254) in oil at doses of 8, 16, 32 and 64 μg/g (PCBI, II, III, IV) on days 1,3,5,7 and 9 of lactation. At 120 d of age the male offspring were mated to normal females. Oviducts/uteri of sperm-positive females were flushed and eggs examined at the expected pronuclear, two- to four-cell and blastocyst stages of development. We observed either a significant decrease or a decline in number and percent of normal fertilized eggs and eggs at the two- to four-cell and blastocyst stages in females mated to male offspring of PCBII, III and IV. Neither reduced ventral prostate weights nor an increased incidence of a right kidney abnormality were correlated with reduced fertility. Caudal sperm reserves, sperm production, epididymal sperm morphology and FSH levels were not affected; testosterone levels were not reduced as compared to those of controls. With one exception, epididymal sperm motility parameters were not significantly different. It appears that early postnatal exposure to PCBs affects ability of sperm to fertilize eggs but not production, morphology or motility of epididymal sperm.
Precambrian Lunar Volcanic Protolife

Five representative terrestrial analogs of lunar craters are detailed relevant to Precambrian fumarolic activity. Fumarolic fluids contain the ingredients for protolife. Energy sources to derive formaldehyde, amino acids and related compounds could be by flow charging, charge separation and volcanic shock. With no photodecomposition in shadow, most fumarolic fluids at 40 K would persist over geologically long time periods. Relatively abundant tungsten would permit creation of critical enzymes, Fischer-Tropsch reactions could form polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and soluble volcanic polyphosphates would enable assembly of nucleic acids. Fumarolic stimuli factors are described. Orbital and lander sensors specific to protolife exploration including combined Raman/laser-induced breakdown spectrocsopy are evaluated.
Development and characterization of a porous micro-patterned scaffold for vascular tissue engineering applications.

The fabrication of functional small diameter blood vessel analogs has implications in vascular disease treatment. Current 3D models of the medial vessel layer lack micron-scale topographical cues that have shown promise in vitro by recapitulating native vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) behavior. A major obstacle to fabricating 3D scaffolds is maintaining adequate nutrient diffusion to cells. We have developed and characterized porous micro-patterned poly-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds using a novel technique that integrates soft lithography, melt molding and particulate leaching of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) micro/nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy showed that PLGA-leached scaffolds have circular pores significantly smaller than the size scale of the grooved surface pattern (48 μm grooves; 5 μm deep; 12 μm spacing). Diffusion of media through PLGA-leached scaffolds was six-fold greater than through non-porous scaffolds, indicating successful introduction of through-pores into PCL by the PLGA leaching technique. VSMC alignment on micro-patterned PLGA-leached scaffolds was similar to that on micro-patterned non-porous scaffolds, indicating no loss in cellular organization on PLGA-leached scaffolds. In contrast, cells seeded on micro-patterned sodium bicarbonate-leached scaffolds remained un-aligned. The ability to micro-pattern cells on porous scaffolds may facilitate the transfer of micro-technology from simple 2D substrates to complex 3D architectures, allowing for tight control over cellular organization in fabricated tissues.
Increase of C14 in the atmosphere from artificial sources measured in a California tree

The increase in the C¹⁴ content of the atmosphere was determined by a measurement of the increased activity in a Ponderosa Pine in California. To avoid affects from diffusion of organic material within the tree, the lignite was separated from the rest of the wood components. The results, after correction for differences in C¹³ concentration, showed a 10.49 plus or minus 0.2% increase since 1953. (J.S.R.)
Liver ornithine decarboxylase during phenobarbital promotion of nitrosamine carcinogenesis

Summary The incidence of liver tumors induced in rats by N -diethylnitrosamine was increased by the feeding of phenobarbital. Liver ornithine decarboxylase activity did not increase in animals receiving phenobarbital in the diet, and the concentration of polyamines in the liver was similarly unchanged. No relationship between the promotion of N -nitrosamine-induced liver tumors by phenobarbital and the ornithine decarboxylase activity of the liver was indicated by these experiments.
Release of lipoprotein lipase from fat cells

Abstract When isolated fat cells, prepared from rat epididymal pads, were incubated, increasing amounts of lipase activity were found in the cell-free medium. Most of this lipase activity had characteristics of lipoprotein lipase. Increasing the temperature that fat cells were incubated from 23° to 37° markedly increased the appearance of lipase activity in the medium. In contrast, the appearance of this enzyme activity was markedly decreased when cells were incubated in the presence of cyanide. The data presented suggest that the release of lipoprotein lipase activity on incubation of fat cells is an energy-dependent process.
A generalized estimating equation approach to modelling incompatible data formats with covariate measurement error: application to human immunodeficiency virus immune markers

The integration of technological advances into research studies often raises an issue of incompatibility of data. This problem is common to longitudinal and multicentre studies, taking the form of changes in the definitions, acquisition of data or measuring instruments of some study variables. In our case of studying the relationship between a marker of immune response to human immunodeficiency virus and human immunodeficiency virus infection status, using data from the Multi-Center AIDS Cohort Study, changes in the manufactured tests used for both variables occurred throughout the study, resulting in data with different manufactured scales. In addition, the latent nature of the immune response of interest necessitated a further consideration of a measurement error component. We address the general issue of incompatibility of data, together with the issue of covariate measurement error, in a unified, generalized linear model setting with inferences based on the generalized estimating equation framework. General conditions are constructed to ensure consistent estimates and their variances for the primary model of interest, with the asymptotic behaviour of resulting estimates examined under a variety of modelling scenarios. The approach is illustrated by modelling a repeated ordinal response with incompatible formats, as a function of a covariate with incompatible formats and measurement error, based on the Multi-Center AIDS Cohort Study data.
Use of a Multiple Orifice Spray Reactor to Accelerate Ferrous Iron Oxidation in Acidic Mine Water

The potential of a multiple orifice spray reactor to enhance aeration and oxidation of ferrous iron in acidic mine water was investigated in a bench-scale experiment. The reactor consists of two concentric cylinders, with a series of orifices that act like a venturi in the inner cylinder. Neutralization and aeration are combined in the reaction chamber where air is aspirated and alkaline agent dispensed. Ferrous iron oxidation rates were about four orders of magnitude faster than theoretical rates at a treatment pH of 6.5; at an influent ferrous iron concentration of around 150 mg/L, the orifice spray reactor oxidized about 30% of the ferrous to ferric iron within 1 second. Under certain conditions, the orifice spray reactor oxidizes more ferrous iron than can be simply attributed to the oxygen transfer capabilities of the system. It is suggested that the excess oxidation capability is due to, or initiated by, the effects of hydrodynamic cavitation.
Experimental demonstration of an entanglement swapping operation and improved control in NMR quantum-information processing

We demonstrate the implementation of an entanglement swapping operation on a four-qubit liquid-state nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) quantum-information processor. We use this experiment as a benchmark to illustrate the progress made in the field of quantum control using strongly modulating pulses and a correction scheme for removing distortions introduced by the nonlinearities in the transmitter and probe circuits. The advances include compensating for incoherent errors caused by the spatial variation of the system Hamiltonian in the NMR sample. The goal of these control sequences is to cause the collapse of the Kraus operator-sum representation of the superoperator into one unitary operator so that the ensemble appears to evolve as one coherent whole.
On the torsion of a thin-wall cylinder following a plastic extension☆

Abstract T he problem of a thin-wall polyerystalline cylinder subjected to a torsional strain following a plastic tensile strain according to an extension of T aylor 's theoretical model has been investigated. Some agreement with experimental results has been obtained.
Coronae of Mnemosyne Regio: Morphology and origin

The Mnemosine Regio area of Venus contains seven of the circular-to-elliptical structures, characterized by an annulus of concentric ridges, that are known as 'coronae'. Several corona-origin models are presently considered, and it is found that the processes associated with diapirism or hot-spots, and the gravitational relaxation of high topography, are most consistent with the topography and morphology of these coronae. The sequence of the formation and evolution of the coronae proceeds from regional volcanic and tectonic activity, through localized uplift and volcanism, to annulus and trough formation related to gravitational relaxation, and finally local volcanic flooding of the corona, annulus, and trough.
Concentration and potential dependence of the adsorption of thiourea and thiocyanate on iron surfaces

Abstract The adsorption of thiourea and thiocyanate on active and passivated iron/aqueous electrolyte interfaces has been investigated, in situ, with radiotracers and with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Good agreement was observed for the results obtained from both techniques. The concentration and potential dependence of the adsorption have been interpreted in terms of current theories of adsorption from solution, taking into account solvent displacement from the electrode upon adsorption, and the orientation of the solvent molecules at different potentials.
Nitric oxide improves pulmonary vascular resistance but not oxygenation in ARDS, heart transplant, and pulmonary hypertension

We study the effects of inhaled NO on oxygenation (P/F ratio), and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in 15 patients with ARDS, cardiac transplant and pulmonary hypertension for a minimum of 48 h.
Pyrolysis Chemistry of Cubane and Methylcubane: The Effect of Methyl Substitution on Stability and Product Branching

Pyrolysis reactions of cubane and methylcubane were studied in a micro-flow tube reactor from room temperature to 1000 K. The composition of the flow tube eluent was probed by chemical ionization, followed by analysis in a tandem, guided-beam mass spectrometer. It was found that cubane and methylcubane have nearly identical breakdown temperature dependence, suggesting that methyl functionalization has minimal effect on the stability of cubane cage bonds. There is, however, a substantial effect of the methyl group on product branching, resulting in more stable isomers at intermediate temperatures, and a propensity to eliminate fragments containing the methyl group at high temperatures. Ab initio calculations performed to aid interpretation are discussed, along with possible mechanisms.
The role of cell cycle proteins in Glomerular disease

Although initially identified and characterized as regulators of the cell cycle and hence proliferation, an extended role for cell cycle proteins has been appreciated more recently in a number of physiologic and pathologic processes, including development, differentiation, hypertrophy, and apoptosis. Their precise contribution to the cellular response to injury appears to be dependent on both the cell type and the nature of the initiating injury. The glomerulus offers a remarkable situation in which to study the cell cycle proteins, as each of the 3 major resident cell types (the mesangial cell, podocyte, and glomerular endothelial cell) has a specific pattern of cell cycle protein expression when quiescent and responds uniquely after injury. Defining their roles may lead to potential therapeutic strategies in glomerular disease.