cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sexting by High School Students: An Exploratory and Descriptive Study

Recently, a phenomenon known as sexting, defined here as the transfer of sexually explicit photos via cell phone, has received substantial attention in the U.S. national media. To determine the current and potential future impact of sexting, more information about the behavior and the attitudes and beliefs surrounding it must be gathered, particularly as it relates to sexting by minors. The present study was designed to provide preliminary information about this phenomenon. Participants were 606 high school students (representing 98 % of the available student body) recruited from a single private high school in the southwestern U.S. Nearly 20 % of all participants reported they had ever sent a sexually explicit image of themselves via cell phone while almost twice as many reported that they had ever received a sexually explicit picture via cell phone and, of these, over 25 % indicated that they had forwarded such a picture to others. Of those reporting having sent a sexually explicit cell phone picture, over a third did so despite believing that there could be serious legal and other consequences attached to the behavior. Given the potential legal and psychological risks associated with sexting, it is important for adolescents, parents, school administrators, and even legislators and law enforcement to understand this behavior.
Expression of Functional Recombinant Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase Proteins from the Novel H7N9 Influenza Virus Using the Baculovirus Expression System

The baculovirus expression system is a powerful tool for expression of recombinant proteins. Here we use it to produce correctly folded and glycosylated versions of the influenza A virus surface glycoproteins - the hemagglutinin (HA) and the neuraminidase (NA). As an example, we chose the HA and NA proteins expressed by the novel H7N9 virus that recently emerged in China. However the protocol can be easily adapted for HA and NA proteins expressed by any other influenza A and B virus strains. Recombinant HA (rHA) and NA (rNA) proteins are important reagents for immunological assays such as ELISPOT and ELISA, and are also in wide use for vaccine standardization, antibody discovery, isolation and characterization. Furthermore, recombinant NA molecules can be used to screen for small molecule inhibitors and are useful for characterization of the enzymatic function of the NA, as well as its sensitivity to antivirals. Recombinant HA proteins are also being tested as experimental vaccines in animal models, and a vaccine based on recombinant HA was recently licensed by the FDA for use in humans. The method we describe here to produce these molecules is straight forward and can facilitate research in influenza laboratories, since it allows for production of large amounts of proteins fast and at a low cost. Although here we focus on influenza virus surface glycoproteins, this method can also be used to produce other viral and cellular surface proteins.
Exposure-Based Treatment for a Child With Stabbing Obsessions

This article describes the course of treatment for a 10-year-old boy presenting with a particularly challenging manifestation of pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Guided by a manualize...
Epidemic pneumonia in university students

Longitudinal surveillance of pneumonia in a university student health service was conducted from 1965-1971 and 1984-1987. Of 104 pneumonia cases documented by chest x-ray, only six were presumed to have bacterial etiology; the remaining 98 were characteristic of atypical pneumonia syndrome. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the etiology in 51% of the pneumonias in the 1960s and 13% in 1984-1987. Pneumonia incidence was highest in the fall semester in seven of 11 years studied. Annual incidence followed a three- to four-year periodicity. Both of these observations mirror the epidemiology of M. pneumoniae in the world population. Symptoms of cough, headache, malaise, and absence of the physical finding of wheezing were seen more consistently in M. pneumoniae pneumonia than in other atypical pneumonias; other clinical features varied among epidemics. Rapid cold agglutinin tests were positive in 27% of our clinically diagnosed pneumonias and in 36% of those with documented mycoplasmal infections. This study appears to provide a basis for predicting future epidemics of atypical pneumonia in student populations.
Survey for Galaxies Associated with z ~ 3 Damped Lyα Systems. II. Galaxy-Absorber Correlation Functions

We use 211 galaxy spectra from our survey for Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) associated with 11 damped Lyα systems (DLAs) to measure the three-dimensional LBG autocorrelation and DLA-LBG cross-correlation functions with the primary goal of inferring the mass of DLAs at z ~ 3. From every measurement and test in this work, we find evidence for an overdensity of LBGs near DLAs that is very similar to that of LBGs near other LBGs. Conventional binning of the data while varying both r0 and γ parameters of the fiducial model of the correlation function ξ(r) = (r/r0)-γ resulted in the best-fit values and 1 σ uncertainties of r0 = 2.65 ± 0.48, γ = 1.55 ± 0.40 for the LBG autocorrelation, and r0 = 3.32 ± 1.25, γ = 1.74 ± 0.36 for the DLA-LBG cross-correlation function. To circumvent shortcomings found in binning small data sets, we perform a maximum likelihood analysis based on Poisson statistics. The best-fit values and 1 σ confidence levels were found to be r0 = 2.91, γ = 1.21 for the LBG autocorrelation, and r0 = 2.81, γ = 2.11 for the DLA-LBG cross-correlation function. We report a redshift spike of five LBGs with Δz = 0.015 of the z = 2.936 DLA in the PSS 0808+5215 field; the DLA-LBG clustering signal survives when omitting this field from the analysis. Using the correlation function measurements and uncertainties, we compute the z ~ 3 LBG galaxy bias bLBG to be 1.5 < bLBG < 3, corresponding to an average halo mass of 109.7 < MLBG < 1011.6 M☉, and the z ~ 3 DLA galaxy bias bDLA to be 1.3 < bDLA < 4, corresponding to an average halo mass of 109 < MLBG < 1012 M☉. Finally, two of the six QSOs discovered were found to lie within Δz = 0.0125 of two of the survey DLAs. We estimate that the probability of this occurring by chance is 1 in 940, indicating a possible relationship between the distribution of QSOs and DLAs at z ~ 3.
Selection of Ground Motions for Performance-Based Seismic Assessment of Structures

It is well known that one of the most significant sources of uncertainty and variability in seismic demand prediction arises from ground motion selection. The task of selecting appropriate ground motions can become a formidable given the limited database of earthquake records that satisfy the required site parameters. Moreover, from a practical consideration, it is necessary to limit the number of ground motions used in the evaluation process while at the same time minimizing the dispersion in the demand estimation. This presentation will examine the effectiveness of three ground-motion selection schemes: (i) magnitude scaling; (ii) spectrum matching; and (iii) conditional mean spectra. Findings from comprehensive nonlinear time history simulations indicate that while spectral matching is slightly more effective in reducing dispersion compared to scaling, it may modify ground motion content which can alter the location of peak demands. The conditional mean spectrum is less effective in reducing dispersion in demands when amplitude scaling is used
Mechanisms of alcohol-induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Chronic alcohol abuse is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Alcohol can also function synergistically with other risk factors to cause HCC. Hence, alcohol consumption is a major factor affecting hepatic carcinogenesis in millions and the cause of a substantial public health burden. Chronic alcohol consumption interferes with several host anti-tumor mechanisms, thereby facilitating hepatocyte proliferation and tumorigenesis. This review summarizes the major mechanisms of alcohol-induced HCC. These include pathways of ethanol metabolism, alcohol-induced oxidative stress and hypomethylation of DNA, and interplay of alcohol with iron elevation, retinoid metabolism, the immune system, inflammatory pathways, and neoangiogenesis. The relevance of each pathway in affecting HCC transformation is a topic of intense investigation. Ongoing research will enhance our insight into the alcohol-induced occurrence of HCC and offer hope in developing better therapeutics.
Streptococcal viridans subacute bacterial endocarditis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA)

We report an illustrative case of a 60-year-old man with Streptococcus viridans subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) and positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (c-ANCA). C-ANCA positivity has been associated with a variety of rheumatic and infectious disease areas, but has been rarely associated with SBE. The patient had mitral valve prolapse with mitral regurgitation, and S viridans SBE developed after a dental procedure. Laboratory abnormalities included anemia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, positive rheumatoid factor, positive anticardiolipin antibody, positive lupus anticoagulant, and highly elevated c-ANCA level. We believe this is only the ninth reported case of S viridans SBE with a positive c-ANCA, and the third with mitral valve prolapse and vegetations. (Heart Lung® 2003;32:140-3.)
Rapid Diagnosis of Cannula Migration by Cerebral Oximetry in Neonatal Arch Repair

Although it has gained much interest in other surgical specialties, the application of near-infrared spectroscopy to assess cerebral perfusion during cardiac surgery is relatively new. Regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) is a function of cerebral oxygen supply and demand. Continuous monitoring of the rSO2 permits early detection of cerebral ischemia allowing for prompt intervention. The following is a description of a repair of truncus arteriosus with type A interrupted aortic arch during which continuous cerebral oximetry assisted with the positioning of the arterial cannula avoiding a prolonged episode of cerebral ischemia.
RENAL CLEARANCE OF OXACILLIN.

ConclusionThe renal clearance of oxacillin has been determined in normal males and found to be approximately 45% that of penicillin G. Implications regarding protein binding of oxacillin are discussed.
Software development environment based on HyperNet

In supporting groups working on development of large software programs we identify three classes of tools:1. CASE tools: tools which are used directly in the program development (specification, design, implementation, and testing).2. environment tools: tools which together are and effect the development environment, i.e. tools used in organizing and maintaining development information (program specifications, designs, code, test cases, etc.) which may be distributed world-wide.3. groupware tools: tools which are used to effect group communication and interaction, i.e. tools used for submission, organization and distribution of ideas and any issues related to the development and management process.In this paper we will address the second class of tools, the environment tools, and present an environment largely based on HyperNet - A tool to choreograph world wide distributed hypermedia documents. The environment incorporates three main functionalities:1. A project knowledge base and associated processor. The knowledge base stores all material relevant to a project, i.e. specification, design, implementation, testing and maintenance related documents and source code for the project including operating system scripts required to compile, link, execute and test the software.2. mechanism supporting libraries of reusable material. The material includes program specifications, design documents, code and test data and procedures.3. documentation processor which produces on-demand documentation for the project on any desirable level of detail.
Enzymatic methods for the preparation of acetyl-CoA and analogs

Abstract The enzymes phosphotransacetylase (EC 2.3.1.8) or carnitine acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.7) and their respective substrates (acetyl phosphate and l -acetylcarnitine) provide the basis for efficient recycling systems for acetyl-CoA. This paper also surveys syntheses and substrate activities of analogs of these two substances.
The Effect of Subdivision Activity on Rhythmic Performance Skills in High School Mixed Choirs

This study investigated the effect of subdivision activity on rhythmic performance skills in high school mixed choirs. Three matched choirs (N = 96) were involved in the ten-week project, with one choir receiving subdivision treatments, another imitation treatments, and the third serving as a control group. The pretreatment test, posttest, interview procedure, and musical activity questionnaire were developed by the investigator. The data were analyzed using the three-way ANOVA and Pearson Product-Moment subprograms in the SPSS. The results indicate significant differences (p ≤ .01) in favor of the subdivision approach for performing rhythms accurately, maintaining one' s own pulse, and maintaining a pulse established by an outside visual source. This was generally true at both fast and slow tempi as well as for all ability strata. Students demonstrating a high degree of rhythmic ability often indicated they used analytical subdivision procedures, although they may not have previously received such instru...
Fertility Trends, Maternal Characteristics, and Poverty in the American South

This paper first reports descriptive evidence of the fertility patterns and characteristics of mothers in the American South and compares them with mothers in other regions of the country using data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Women in the South tend to have their children at younger ages than those in the Midwest and Northeast. Mothers in the South also have much lower levels of education and are more likely to be African American or Hispanic compared with women in the Midwest and Northeast. Next, using the Current Population Survey, the author decomposes the difference in the poverty rates in the New England Census division, the division with the lowest poverty rates historically, and each of the southern Census divisions to determine the contribution of several maternal characteristics to this poverty gap. Results suggest that low levels of maternal education as well as the racial composition of the South largely contribute to the high rates of poverty there.
RELATION OF SELF-ESTEEM AND DIVERGENT THINKING AMONG BLACK AND PUERTO RICAN CHILDREN

Sunm~y.-A variety of fluency-oriented divergent thinking tasks, evaluation-type problem-solving tasks, and the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory were administered to 192 black and Puerto Rican children in Grades 4, 5, and 6 from a low-income area of New York City. There was little relationship between fluency and self-esteem, and all children appeared to have great difficulty with tasks involving skills of evaluation. Results were discussed in terms of the effects of an evaluation-oriented environment. The variable of an individual's self-concept or self-esteem has become increasingly important in recent years (Wylie, 1974; Zirkel, 1971). The degree to which individuals favorably regard themselves is considered a crucial factor in the participation in and profit from instruction (Rogers, 1969). The field has not developed without disagreement, however. Zirkel (1971) reports over 15 different definitions of the .self-concept and in research with disadvantaged children from minority ethnic backgrounds, considerable differences have been found. Early research with che self-concept found that disadvantaged and minority children scored lower than their non-disadvantaged, majorityculture peers. Since the self-concept was related significantly to school achievement, it was thought that attention to this affective characteristic would serve as a basis for remediation of achievement differences bemeen disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged children. More recent research reported ,by Zirkel and Wylie, however, has reported the self-concepts of black and disadvantaged children to be equal or higher to those of rheir non-disadvantaged, white counterparts. This result may be due, in part, to greater attention in the past few years to self-regard and cultural pride within the black community. Some researchers, though, have pointed to the multifaceted nature of the self-concept (Miller & Woock, 1970). Coopersmith ( 1967) has defined self-esteem as one's personal judgment of worth rather than the more global total collection of ideas, attitudes, and opinions one has of oneself, typically thought of as the self-concept. There is some unpublished evidence1 rbat the self-concept is influenced more by cultural values and experience and self-esteem is more influenced by achiwement situations. If this is the case, disadvantaged and minority-group children may have quite positive feelings about themselves in general but not about their
Positron lifetime as a function of grain size

Published data on positron annihilation lifetime in copper as a function of grain size have been analyzed to show that there is a linear relationship between the internal grain boundary surface area, per unit volume,S v, and the positron lifetime, τ. The analysis indicates that grain boundaries are important in the trapping of positrons. It is suggested that the slope of the resulting straight line,dS v/dτ, can be used to determine the annihilation rate of the grain boundaries.
Nanopolymers improve delivery of exon skipping oligonucleotides and concomitant dystrophin expression in skeletal muscle of mdx mice.

Exon skipping oligonucleotides (ESOs) of 2'O-Methyl (2'OMe) and morpholino chemistry have been shown to restore dystrophin expression in muscle fibers from the mdx mouse, and are currently being tested in phase I clinical trials for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). However, ESOs remain limited in their effectiveness because of an inadequate delivery profile. Synthetic cationic copolymers of poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are regarded as effective agents for enhanced delivery of nucleic acids in various applications. We examined whether PEG-PEI copolymers can facilitate ESO-mediated dystrophin expression after intramuscular injections into tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of mdx mice. We utilized a set of PEG-PEI copolymers containing 2 kDa PEI and either 550 Da or 5 kDa PEG, both of which bind 2'OMe ESOs with high affinity and form stable nanoparticulates with a relatively low surface charge. Three weekly intramuscular injections of 5 μg of ESO complexed with PEI2K-PEG550 copolymers resulted in about 500 dystrophin-positive fibers and about 12% of normal levels of dystrophin expression at 3 weeks after the initial injection, which is significantly greater than for injections of ESO alone, which are known to be almost completely ineffective. In an effort to enhance biocompatibility and cellular uptake, the PEI2K-PEG550 and PEI2K-PEG5K copolymers were functionalized by covalent conjugation with nanogold (NG) or adsorbtion of colloidal gold (CG), respectively. Surprisingly, using the same injection and dosing regimen, we found no significant difference in dystrophin expression by Western blot between the NG-PEI2K-PEG550, CG-PEI2K-PEG5K, and non-functionalized PEI2K-PEG550 copolymers. Dose-response experiments using the CG-PEI2K-PEG5K copolymer with total ESO ranging from 3–60 μg yielded a maximum of about 15% dystrophin expression. Further improvements in dystrophin expression up to 20% of normal levels were found at 6 weeks after 10 twice-weekly injections of the NG-PEI2K-PEG550 copolymer complexed with 5 μg of ESO per injection. This injection and dosing regimen showed over 1000 dystrophin-positive fibers. H&E staining of all treated muscle groups revealed no overt signs of cytotoxicity. We conclude that PEGylated PEI2K copolymers are efficient carriers for local delivery of 2'OMe ESOs and warrant further development as potential therapeutics for treatment of DMD.
Micro-scale deformation measurement using the digital image correlation technique and scanning electron microscope imaging

This paper presents a study of micro-scale deformation of materials utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and the digital image correlation (DIC) technique. A loading stage was integrated into the SEM imaging system. During the experiment, a series of SEM images of the specimen were acquired in situ. The DIC technique was then applied to these SEM images to calculate the displacement and strain field at the area of interest. Additional surface preparation may be needed in order to have an effective pattern for DIC analysis. Two applications are presented in the paper.Using small tensile specimens, the mechanical properties of electrodeposited nickel-based LIGA (an acronym from German words for lithography, electroplating, and moulding) specimens were characterized. In this case, the natural microstructural feature of the specimen surface was used directly as the pattern for DIC analysis.This method was also applied to study the strain concentration around the crack tip during the ductile fra...
Uptake of L-[3H] glutamic acid by crude and purified synaptic vesicles from rat brain.

Abstract Rat brain synaptic vesicles suspended in a medium comprised of potassium tartrate displayed saturable accumulation of L-[ 3 H] glutamic acid at 37° (Km 2.0 × 10 −4 M; 311±13 pmol/mg protein), which was stable for periods up to 60 min. The accumulation was temperature sensitive and partially ATP-dependent, uptake levels being reduced to 18.7±0.8 pmol/mg protein at 4°, and to 141±4 pmol/mg protein in the absence of ATP. Fractionation of a crude vesicle preparation on a discontinuous sucrose gradient demonstrated the accumulation to be specifically associated with the synaptic vesicle fraction.
Trimethylamine and egg taint

1. The sensory qualities of “crabby”, “fishy” tainted eggs are closely similar to those of an aqueous solution of trimethylamine (1× 10‐2μg/g). 2. The odour threshold of trimethylamine in water is 5 ± 1 × 10‐4 μg/g. 3. The taint occurs in eggs which contain more than 0.8 μg/g trimethylamine. The reasons why this concentration is higher than that in water are discussed.
E‐Selectin Genotypes and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women

Endothelial dysfunction increases risk for type 2 diabetes. We examined whether variation in the gene for E-selectin (SELE), a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction, was associated with levels of E-selectin or diabetes quantitative traits (including fasting levels of insulin and hemoglobin A1c) in 719 nondiabetic participants of the Nurses’ Health Study or with risk of diabetes in 602 incident (over 10 years of follow-up) cases and 655 control women matched for age, race, and fasting status. Variation in three single nucleotide polymorphisms previously associated with cardiovascular disease risk and having effects on E-selectin function, S128R, G98T, and L554F, was not significantly (p > 0.05) associated with levels of E-selectin or diabetes quantitative traits, or with risk of incident diabetes in the primary analysis. Among women with low levels of subclinical inflammation (C-reactive protein levels below the population median), S128R R allele carriers had a diabetes risk factor-adjusted relative risk of incident diabetes of 1.71 (95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 2.81) relative to those with the SS genotype. Apart from an association in this subgroup, we conclude that the E-selectin variants we examined are not important genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes in women.
Utility of the Behavioral Model in Predicting Service Utilization by Individuals Suffering from Severe Mental Illness and Homelessness

This study compared the effectiveness of the behavioral model to predict two service utilization variables: case manager visits and total services used. Nearly 4000 individuals who were homeless and suffered from severe mental illness provided data for the study. Enabling variables explained more variance of both service utilization variables than predisposing or need variables. Social support from professionals was the strongest predictor for both service utilization variables.
A Preliminary Test of a Stress-Strain-Outcome Model for Reconceptualizing the Burnout Phenomenon

A stress-strain-outcome model of burnout was tested on 91 social workers who completed Maslach's (1981) burnout inventory, the MBI, and scales assessing work-specific stress, social support, and the negative outcomes of dissatisfaction with and intention to quit one's job. Significant relationships of stress with emotional exhaustion (an MBI subscale conceptualized as strain), and exhaustion with negative outcomes provided support for the model: as predicted, there was no direct effect of stress on outcomes. Predicted buffering-type interaction effecls of social support and personal accomplishment (another MBI subscale) moderated the exhaustion→intention to quit relationship. High exhaustion resulted in less inclination to quit among social workers who experienced social support or a sense of personal accomplishment. The results supported a reconceptualization of measured burnout in which emotiona1 exhaustion represents the essence of burnout and personal accomplishment is a separate variable that buffers...
A Working Definition of Sustainable Forestry and Means of Achieving It at Different Spatial Scales

Summary Sustainable forestry can be a useful concept when it includes both spatial equity and the sustainable development concept of intergenerational equity. Using this definition and criteria such as those developed by the Montreal Process, each country can examine itself in a matrix to determine if it is overly protecting or exploiting its ecosystems according to the different criteria. Then, each country can examine the ecosystems within its country to determine if all are being equitably treated. For example, the United States appears sustainable when viewed as a whole; however, there are gross differences in ecosystem conditions within the country. Self-examination by each country of its contributions and voluntary actions to rectify its excesses and deficiencies will probably be more effective than a global policing system. Local, ground-specific actions can be taken to correct the imbalances within each ecosystem within a country. This paper illustrates that sustainable forestry can be considered ...
Use of solid phase microextraction to verify nitrogen purge gas purity

The preliminary investigation of solid phase microextraction (SPME) as a method for conducting contamination analysis in clean nitrogen streams is presented. The basic operation and the potential advantages of SPME technology are presented for readers unfamiliar with the technique. A detailed description of sample collection and analysis is provided. A discussion of sampling theory and quantification is also included. Results of laboratory experiments and some preliminary field tests are discussed, as well as the direction for future development of the technique.
Pulmonary dehydration and infection in cystic fibrosis: evidence that ethanol activates alginate gene expression and induction of mucoidy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Summary Mortality among cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is most commonly attributed to pulmonary infection by mucoid, alginate-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The initial infecting P. aeruginosa are typically non-mucoid; however, upon continued exposure to the CF lung environment, they become highly mucoid. The CF lung is an osmotically high environment because of the presence of substantial concentrations of electrolytes and dehydrated mucus. In this report we demonstrate that ethanol (a commonly used dehydrating agent) activates transcription from a critical alginate promoter, algD, and show that prolonged exposure to ethanol allows switching to the mucoid form. This activation appears to be dependent on DNA gyrase. Analysis of alginate gene activation, and the subsequent reversal of the activation process by bacterial DNA gyrase inhibitors, should aid the development of treatment strategies for CF patients infected with this organism.
Development of an In-Core Permanent-Magnet Probe-Type Sodium Flowsensor for Operation in the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF)

A permanent-magnet, probe-type sodium flowsensor small enough to be inserted and removed through curved instrumentation guide tubes and positioned above fuel assembly outlet coolant channels in the FFTF has been developed and tested in out-of-pile dynamic sodium loops. Design and construction features, test results, and improved design considerations, are presented.
Expression and regulation of murine macrophage angiopoietin-2

Abstract Our understanding of angiogenesis has increased significantly in the past few years with the discovery of angiopoietins (Ang). Specifically, Ang2 has been associated with pathologic as well as normal vascularization. While previous studies have shown that a major source of Ang2 has been endothelial cells and tumor cells, we reasoned that macrophages would also have the ability to express angiopoietins, specifically Ang2, due to that cell’s role in wound healing, tumor angiogenesis, and a number of non-oncological diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. In this study, murine macrophages constitutively expressed both transcripts and protein for Ang2 but not Ang1 or Ang3. The secretion of Ang2 was enhanced by treatment with lipopolysaccharide, interferon-γ, prostaglandin E 2 and other cyclic AMP-elevating agents, as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) played a major role in this enhancement since the PKA inhibitor, H89, blocked secretion of Ang2. Since stimulation of the PKA pathway can lead to macrophage production of VEGF, it is possible that enhancement of Ang2 production by macrophages may be due to autocrine responsiveness to VEGF. Adding anti-VEGF antibodies to the supernatants of stimulated macrophages blocked secretion of Ang2. This study is the first to show murine macrophage production of Ang2 and to provide evidence that it can be regulated. Understanding the regulation of macrophage Ang2 production is especially important in an effort to target the pathologic role of macrophages while preserving their role in immunity and homeostasis.
Using Public Policy to Fight Heart Disease and Stroke A 21st Century Approach

With the 21st century almost upon us, we have to think innovatively about additional ways to fight heart disease and stroke, America’s number one killer. Thinking innovatively means to consider our current resources and how we can use them in new ways to bring about greater progress toward our mission: to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Part of that innovative approach will include strategically positioning the AHA’s public policy priorities and advocacy activities to ensure continued progress toward our mission. The AHA can use public policy to fight heart disease and stroke at the turn of the 21st century much as Samuel J. Crumbine, MD, did to fight disease at the turn of the 20th century. Crumbine was a physician in Dodge City, Kan, who thought that prevention was as important as treatment. He …
A General Statistical Model for Random Fatigue

A GENERAL STATISTICAL MODEL FOR FATIGUE UNDER STATIONARY RANDOM GAUSSIAN STRESS IS PRESENTED. THIS PHENOMENOLOGICAL MODEL REQUIRES ONLY A LIMITED AMOUNT OF DATA FROM FATIGUE TESTS IN WHICH SPECIMENS ARE SUBJECTED TO STATIONARY NARROW BAND, GAUSSIAN STRESSES. A THEORETICAL EXTENSION IS MADE TO PREDICT FATIGUE UNDER WIDE BAND STRESSES AND ARBITRARY MEAN VALUES. STATISTICAL VARIABILITY IN MATERIAL STRENGTH IS INCLUDED IN THE MODEL. THE MODEL HAS THE PROPERTY OF ADAPTABILITY IN THAT IT IS EASILY MODIFIED TO REFLECT NEW DATA AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, AND IT IS EASILY INCORPORATED INTO PROBABILISTIC DESIGN PROCEDURES WHERE RELIABILITY REQUIREMENTS ARE SPECIFIED. /AUTHOR/
Anomalous chemiluminescence in reactions of alkali atoms with C2Cl4 and C2F4

Abstract Intense chemiluminescence in the wavelength range 4100–5500 A has been observed in diffusion flames of alkali vapor burning in C 2 Cl 4 and C 2 F 4 . The emission spectrum is not consistent with the known emission bands of C 2 and is tentatively identified as emission from excited C 4 radicals.
Influence of Narrative Text and Prediction on Written Recall.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of four types of predictions on the story understanding of sixth graders. Subjects were asked prediction questions, prediction plus justification questions, prediction plus review questions, or no questions. The stories were selected based on their differences in genre type and story structure. Written retellings were analyzed to determine the percentage of important information the writer included from the original story. A story effect was detected for the three narrative texts. Analysis using student demographic data revealed a significant interaction for story and gender. Findings indicated that the differences in what students identify as important may be due to the story rather than the question treatments.
Beyond the family metaphor: facility caregivers remembering their families.

Hands-on caregivers in long-term care facilities often describe their work as being “like family.” The literature has not sufficiently explained what like family means. This qualitative study analyzes the reports of 23 facility caregivers about what they found rewarding in their work. Six participants described how they remembered family members while on the job. They remembered family members they cared for or wanted to care for. Family members who had passed away were also remembered by 2 of the 6 participants. Remembering family members allowed participants to feel close to their loved ones and see their work as giving back.
Triton: Stratospheric molecules and organic sediments

Continuous-flow plasma discharge techniques show production rates of hydrocarbons and nitriles in N2 + CH4 atmospheres appropriate to the stratosphere of Titan, and indicate that a simple eddy diffusion model together with the observed electron flux quantitatively matches the Voyager IRIS observations for all the hydrocarbons, except for the simplest ones. Charged particle chemistry is very important in Triton's stratosphere. In the more CH4-rich case of Titan, many hydrocarbons and nitriles are produced in high yield. If N2 is present, the CH4 fraction is low, but hydrocarbons and nitriles are produced in fair yield, abundances of HCN and C2H2 in Triton's stratosphere exceed 10 to the 19th molecules/sq cm per sec, and NCCN, C3H4, and other species are predicted to be present. These molecules may be detected by IRIS if the stratosphere is as warm as expected. Both organic haze and condensed gases will provide a substantial UV and visible opacity in Triton's atmosphere.
Effect of Dim Light on the y-1 Mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The y-1 mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii tends to die or revert to wild type when grown in the dark for a long period of time. A small amount of white light (0.5 lux) enables the y-1 mutant to grow indefinitely in a “near dark” condition. Under this condition, the y-1 mutant is physiologically and ultrastructurally similar to the dark-grown y-1 yet remains genetically stable.
Are ions involved in the gating of calcium channels

The rates of activation and deactivation of the currents carried by calcium, strontium, or barium ions through the voltage-sensitive calcium channel of Paramecium are different. The differences cannot be attributed to complications due to internal ion concentration, calcium channel inactivation, potassium current activation, surface charge effects, or incomplete space clamping. The findings indicate participation of the divalent cations in the voltage-driven calcium channel gating process.
Expression of Kir7.1 and a novel Kir7.1 splice variant in native human retinal pigment epithelium

Abstract Previous studies on bovine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) established that Kir7.1 channels compose this epithelium's large apical membrane K + conductance. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Kir7.1 and potential Kir7.1 splice variants are expressed in native adult human RPE and, if so, to determine their function and how they are generated. RT-PCR analysis indicated that human RPE expresses full-length Kir7.1 and a novel Kir7.1 splice variant, designated Kir7.1S. Analysis of the human Kir7.1 gene ( KCNJ13 ) organization revealed that it contains three exons, two introns, and a novel alternative 5′ splice site in exon 2. In human RPE, the alternative usage of two competing 5′ splice sites in exon 2 gives rise to transcripts encoding full-length Kir7.1 and Kir7.1S, which is predicted to encode a truncated protein. Real-time PCR indicated that Kir7.1 transcript is nearly as abundant as GAPDH mRNA in human RPE whereas Kir7.1S transcript expression is 4-fold lower. Western blot analysis showed that the splice variant is translated in Xenopus oocytes injected with Kir7.1S cRNA and revealed the expression of full-length Kir7.1 but not Kir7.1S in adult human RPE. Co-expression of Kir7.1 with Kir7.1S in Xenopus oocytes had no effect on either the kinetics or amplitude of Kir7.1 currents. This study confirms the expression of Kir7.1 in human RPE, identifies a Kir7.1 splice variant resulting in predicted changes in protein sequence, and indicates that there is no functional interaction between this splice variant and full-length Kir7.1.
Human rights violations and genocide in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The massacres that took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between 1996 and 2003 have posed an interesting challenge to the global community, specifically to its more powerful members. Ironically, the Tutsi-dominated government of Rwanda enjoys international recognition and benefits based on the genocide, Rwanda suffered in 1994, but continues to deny the same benefit to Hutus as they were accused of leading a counter-genocide campaign then in the DRC. While the people of the DRC, as well as human rights activists, call for justice for all who were affected, the government of Rwanda, strongly backed by a number of powerful international powers, opposed attempts by the international community to pin charges of genocide perpetrated by its army in the DRC on it. Because of the clear negation of the genocide report by the Rwandan government, the nature of human rights, human rights violations, and genocide criteria proposed and defended by key members of the international community in relation to...
Extended-source spatial acquisition process based on maximum-likelihood criterion for planetary optical communications

This paper describes an extended-source spatial acquisition process based on the maximum likelihood criterion for interplanetary optical communications. The objective is to use the sun-lit Earth image as a receiver beacon and point the transmitter laser to the Earth-based receiver to establish a communication path. The process assumes the existence of a reference image. The uncertainties between the reference image and the received image are modeled as additive white Gaussian disturbances. It has been shown that the optimal spatial acquisition requires solving two nonlinear equations to estimate the coordinates of the transceiver from the received camera image in the transformed domain. The optimal solution can be obtained iteratively by solving two linear equations. Numerical results using a sample sun-lit Earth as a reference image demonstrate that sub-pixel resolutions can be achieved in a high disturbance environment. Spatial resolution is quantified by Cramer-Rao lower bounds.
Abstract 3414: Disruption of CREB-CREBBP association by 2-Naphthol AS-E phosphate induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells .

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) plays a critical role in the growth and survival of cancer cells as well as cell metabolism. Our previous studies have shown that enhanced CREB activity correlates with increased growth and survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. In addition, 2-naphthol AS-E phosphate (NASEp), a small molecule inhibitor of CREB, restricted growth of NSCLC cell lines which was associated with reduced expression of pro-angiogenic factors. NASEp distrupts binding of CREB binding protein (CREBBP) to CREB, however, the mechanism which CREB inhibition by NASEp regulates NSCLC cell growth and survival is not fully understood. Here, we found that NASEp inhibited cell growth, survival, anchorage-independent cell growth and invasion, and also completely blocked the expression of Ki-67 and PCNA, markers of cell proliferation in NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, NASEp caused cell cycle arrest at the sub-G1 or G2 phase through down-regulation of several cyclins (cyclin A2, cyclin B1, cyclin D1 and cyclin E2) and led to apoptosis in NSCLC-derived cell lines. Suppression of cyclin D1 was closely related to decreased expression of activator protein-1 (AP-1). Furthermore, in a murine xenograft model, NASEp significantly reduced tumor burden not only by down-regulating of cyclin E2 and PCNA, but also by induction of apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggest that inhibition of CREB activity through dissociation of CREB-CREBBP by NASEp may be a potent new therapeutic in NSCLC. Citation Format: Jong Woo Lee, Hee Sun Park, Seung-Hee Ryu, Patricia Koch, Julie Boyer, Daniel Morgensztern, Roy S. Herbst, Jaseok Peter Koo. Disruption of CREB-CREBBP association by 2-Naphthol AS-E phosphate induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells . [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3414. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3414
Adolescent social isolation enhances the plasmalemmal density of NMDA NR1 subunits in dendritic spines of principal neurons in the basolateral amygdala of adult mice

Social isolation during the vulnerable period of adolescence produces emotional dysregulation manifested by abnormalities in adult behaviors that require emotional processing. The affected brain regions may include the basolateral amygdala (BLA), where plasticity of glutamatergic synapses in principal neurons plays a role in conditioned emotional responses. This plasticity is dependent on NMDA receptor trafficking denoted by intracellular mobilization of the obligatory NR1 NMDA subunit. We tested the hypothesis that the psychosocial stress of adolescent social isolation (ASI) produces a lasting change in NMDA receptor distribution in principal neurons in the BLA of adults that express maladaptive emotional responses to sensory cues. For this, we used behavioral testing and dual electron microscopic immunolabeling of NR1 and calcium calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), a protein predominantly expressed in principal neurons of the BLA in adult C57Bl/6 mice housed in isolation or in social groups from post-weaning day 22 until adulthood (∼3 months of age). The isolates showed persistent deficits in sensorimotor gating evidenced by altered prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle and hyperlocomotor activity in a novel environment. Immunogold-silver labeling for NR1 alone or together with CaMKII was seen in many somatodendritic profiles in the BLA of all mice irrespective of rearing conditions. However, isolates compared with group-reared mice had a significantly lower cytoplasmic (4.72 ± 0.517 vs 6.31 ± 0.517) and higher plasmalemmal (0.397 ± 0.0779 vs 0.216 ± 0.026) density of NR1 immunogold particles in CaMKII-containing dendritic spines. There was no rearing-dependent difference in the size or number of these spines or those of other dendritic profiles within the neuropil, which also failed to show an impact of ASI on NR1 immunogold labeling. These results provide the first evidence that ASI enhances the surface trafficking of NMDA receptors in dendritic spines of principal neurons in the BLA of adult mice showing maladaptive behaviors that are consistent with emotional dysregulation.
On delayed prediction of individual sequences

Prediction of individual sequences is investigated for cases in which the decision maker observes a delayed version of the sequence, or is forced to issue his/her predictions a number of steps in advance, with incomplete information. For finite action and observation spaces, it is shown that the prediction strategy that minimizes the worst case regret with respect to the Bayes envelope is obtained through subsampling of the sequence of observations. The result extends to the case of logarithmic loss. For finite-state (FS) reference prediction strategies, the delayed FS predictability (DFSP) is defined and related to its nondelayed counterpart. As in the nondelayed case, an efficient on-line decision algorithm, based on the incremental parsing rule, is shown to perform in the long run essentially as well as the best FS strategy determined in hindsight, with full knowledge of the given sequence of observations. An application to adaptive prefetching in computer memory architectures is discussed.
The magnet system of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC)

The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider now under construction at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is a colliding ring accelerator to be completed in 1999. Through collisions of heavy ions it is hoped to observe the creation of matter at extremely high temperatures and densities, similar to what may have occurred in the original "Big Bang". The collider rings will consist of 1740 superconducting magnet elements. Some of these elements are being manufactured by industrial partners (Northrop Grumman and Everson Electric). Others are being constructed or assembled at BNL. A description is given of the magnet designs, the plan for manufacturing and test results. In the manufacturing of the magnets, emphasis has been placed on uniformity of their performance and on quality. Results so far indicate that this emphasis has been very successful.
Molecular ion yield enhancement in static secondary ion mass spectrometry by soft landing of protonated water clusters

An effective online method for molecular ion yield enhancement in static secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is demonstrated using a custom-built soft landing (SL) instrument equipped with SIMS capabilities. Dramatic molecular ion yield enhancement has been observed for amino acids and peptides on silica substrates after soft landing a mixture of protonated water clusters [H(H2O)n]+ (n = 4 to > 100). Image current measurements and experiments on semiconducting and metal substrates confirmed that protonation of the analyte molecule and effective charge retention on the substrate is the reason for the observed phenomenon. Enhancement could also be observed-less conveniently-by offline treatment of the surface using electrospray deposition of 2% acetic acid in methanol/water solution. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automatic gain control for image-intensified camera

Stability of a nonlinear, sampled-data automatic gain control (AGC) for image-intensified cameras is described. The AGC increases the intensifier gain if the video scene is too dim and decreases the gain if the video scene is too bright. Otherwise, the AGC does not alter the gain. The gain of the system is stable, i.e., the gain does not oscillate between two values, for all possible static video scenes if the thresholds for defining both dim and bright scenes and the gain factor are chosen properly. This paper derives the regions for gain stability and provides the criteria for choosing the thresholds and the gain factor.
A definition of journalistic objectivity as a performance

Historically, journalism as a profession emerged alongside the notion of objectivity. However, in the past decades, objectivity has been dismissed not only as an unattainable standard but also as a...