cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MeCP2 Is Critical for Maintaining Mature Neuronal Networks and Global Brain Anatomy during Late Stages of Postnatal Brain Development and in the Mature Adult Brain

Mutations in the X-linked gene, methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2), underlie a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders, most commonly, Rett Syndrome (RTT), a severe autism spectrum disorder that affects approximately one in 10,000 female live births. Because mutations in the Mecp2 gene occur in the germ cells with onset of neurological symptoms occurring in early childhood, the role of MeCP2 has been ascribed to brain maturation at a specific developmental window. Here, we show similar kinetics of onset and progression of RTT-like symptoms in mice, including lethality, if MeCP2 is removed postnatally during the developmental stage that coincides with RTT onset, or adult stage. For the first time, we show that brains that lose MeCP2 at these two different stages are actively shrinking, resulting in higher than normal neuronal cell density. Furthermore, we show that mature dendritic arbors of pyramidal neurons are severely retracted and dendritic spine density is dramatically reduced. In addition, hippocampal astrocytes have significantly less complex ramified processes. These changes accompany a striking reduction in the levels of several synaptic proteins, including CaMKII α/β, AMPA, and NMDA receptors, and the synaptic vesicle proteins Vglut and Synapsin, which represent critical modifiers of synaptic function and dendritic arbor structure. Importantly, the mRNA levels of these synaptic proteins remains unchanged, suggesting that MeCP2 likely regulates these synaptic proteins post-transcriptionally, directly or indirectly. Our data suggest a crucial role for MeCP2 in post-transcriptional regulation of critical synaptic proteins involved in maintaining mature neuronal networks during late stages of postnatal brain development.
ISOBARIC ANALOG RESONANCES FROM PROTON SCATTERING ON THE BARIUM ISOTOPES.

With barium isotopes of mass 130, 132, 134, 136, and 138 as targets, proton elastic scattering excitation functions have been obtained at several angles. In the proton energy range 7.0-12.0 MeV, we observed several resonances which correspond to isobaric analogs of the low-lying states of the target-plus-neutron systems. The resonance data have been analyzed to extract proton elastic widths, total widths, and resonance energies. Spectroscopic factors have been extracted by comparing the measured proton elastic widths with the single-particle widths calculated on the basis of a shell-model description of the analog state. The spectroscopic factors so determined are compared with those from the $\mathrm{Ba}(d,p)$ reaction to the parent analog states. The variation of single-particle width with the parameters of the bound-state neutron well has been investigated. From the analog resonance energies and the $Q$ values for the parent states in $\mathrm{Ba}(d,p)$ reactions, the Coulomb shifts of the principal resonances have been found.
Tunable Infrared Microspectrometer Based on Bragg Grating

This paper presents a tunable, microspectrometer, based upon a Bragg diffraction grating structure, capable of operating in the infrared region of the optical spectrum, nominally 1-10 mum. A 10% tunability and 45% absorptivity is reported for a 2.75-mum free space wavelength microspectrometer. It is shown that by changing the position of a reflecting plane below the Bragg grating, there is a change in the absorption wavelength and absorptivity, thereby realizing a tunable spectrometer. The power absorbed is investigated as a function of reflector position using the finite difference time domain method.
Dental Caries in the Cotton Rat. V. Influence of Strain Variation on the Caries Susceptibility.

SummaryA difference in susceptibility of different strains of cotton rats to dental caries has been observed and shown to be statistically significant. Preliminary results from second generation offspring indicate that their susceptibility is similar to that of the parent stock.
Broadening the Scope of Reference Price Advertising Research: A Field Study of Consumer Shopping Involvement

Abstract The current understanding of reference pricing requires broadening to reflect contemporary advertising practices and shopping behavior. A content analysis of 13,594 newspaper retail advertisements reveals that it is uncommon for reference pricing to be used alone in advertisements: 87.2% of the advertisements featuring reference pricing also include limited-time availability (i.e., “Three days only!”) or sale announcements in the headline or copy. Using dual-process theories of persuasion as a conceptual framework, the authors conduct three field experiments that compare the conditions under which the use of limited-time availability and sale announcements in advertisements that feature reference prices affects consumer price perceptions and store shopping intentions. The findings yield three insights for reference price advertising. First, reference pricing results in favorable price perceptions and store shopping intentions only when consumers are shopping for a product. Second, when consumers ...
Stripping voltammetry at microdisk composite electrode assembly

The attractive stripping voltammetric performance of the recently developed RAM electrode, consisting of 3.5-μm radius carbon microdisks embedded in epoxy resin, is described. The microdisk dimensions and interdisk spacings of the RAM surface lead to nonlinear diffusional flux and offer efficient metal deposition from quiescent samples. Coupled with large “collective” stripping currents, a wide potential window and a low background current, the new electrode yields low detection limit (e.g., 0.3 μg/L lead and cadmium for 2-min deposition) and good precision (2.1–2.3% RSD, n = 15). Assays of drinking water are used for illustration.
Youth, creativity and urban life: insights from classics

Youth and leadership appear to be antinomical concepts in modern Kenya. Similarly, youth on one side, and creativity and entrepreneurship on the other appear to be strange bed-fellows. The youth are quasi-synonymous with want of leadership, intellectual dullness, indolence, over-reliance on parents and teachers, and lack of enterprise. This phenomenon stands in stark contrast with traditional African ethos and social mores. In traditional African setting, the role of the youth was well defined and demarcated. The youth represented that tranche of age between childhood and adulthood. It symbolized the preparation to assume family and community responsibility. Invariably, it was heralded by a rite of passage. Subsequently, the youth were initiated into various chores and codes of behavior to prime them to take over leadership roles. These included warriors, raiders, elders to adjudicate over disputes, etc. With the advent of urbanization, traditional African life mutates rapidly as the pressure of modern life redefines social roles and responsibilities. The youth is faced with a conflict of cultures, urban poverty, parental neglect, and lack of a social compass to direct their lives. In response to these iniquities, the youth devise strategies, linguistic or otherwise, to cope with this seemingly indifferent and oppressive urban context. This paper attempts to discuss the condition of the youth in Nairobi with a view to documenting the challenges they face and strategies that could help them cope (or overcome) some of the daunting hardships put in their way by the imperatives of a fast uncoordinated mutations of the City. The paper draws inspiration from outstanding authors who have successfully tackled the issue of personal economic prosperity and self-reliance. Success begins with the individual, not society. Key words: self-reliance, prosperity, success, youth, entrepreneurship, urban
RELAXATION EFFECTS FOR COUPLED NUCLEAR SPINS

Nuclear relaxation effects in molecules containing several coupled spins are treated by a generalization of the method of Wangsness and Bloch. Variations in line shape and structure for two coupled spin-1/2 nuclei as various parameters are changed from one extreme to another are derived and plotted graphically. The calculation is continued to obtain an expression for the line shapes in the double-resonance experiment of Bloom and Shoolery. It is next shown that under certain circumstances the concept of semimacroscopic magnetic moments'' enables one to write the quantum-mechanical equations of motion in the form of coupled Bloch phenomenological equations. In addition, a discussion of internal relaxation and the Overhauser effect is given. (auth)
The pre-registration house appointment. a survey in Manchester.

Summary The 1977 medical graduates of Manchester University were sent questionnaires towards the end of their pre-registration year. The results show that there is dissatisfaction amongst housemen about the year; in particular, the long hours of duty and the lack of formal teaching. It is suggested that a national survey should be conducted in order to gauge the opinion of housemen throughout the country, and that effort should be made towards improving the hours of duty, and organizing formal teaching programmes.
Anchoring of surface proteins to the cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus. Sortase catalyzed in vitro transpeptidation reaction using LPXTG peptide and NH(2)-Gly(3) substrates.

Staphylococcus aureus sortase anchors surface proteins to the cell wall envelope by cleaving polypeptides at the LPXTG motif. Surface proteins are linked to the peptidoglycan by an amide bond between the C-terminal carboxyl and the amino group of the pentaglycine cross-bridge. We find that purified recombinant sortase hydrolyzed peptides bearing an LPXTG motif at the peptide bond between threonine and glycine. In the presence of NH2-Gly3, sortase catalyzed exclusively a transpeptidation reaction, linking the carboxyl group of threonine to the amino group of NH2-Gly3. In the presence of amino group donors the rate of sortase mediated cleavage at the LPXTG motif was increased. Hydrolysis and transpeptidation required the sulfhydryl of cysteine 184, suggesting that sortase catalyzed the transpeptidation reaction of surface protein anchoring via the formation of a thioester acyl-enzyme intermediate.
Differential Effects of Multiple Short Day Lengths on Body Weights of Gonadectomized Siberian Hamsters

Abstract Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) maintained under simulated natural photoperiods exhibit marked reductions in body weight as day lengths decrease in summer and fall. This experiment assessed whether the component of the seasonal body weight rhythm that is independent of gonadal hormones exhibits a graded dependence on decreasing day lengths or whether the entire program of weight loss is triggered by the crossing of a single critical day length in late summer. Male hamsters born into a photoperiod with 13 h light and 11 h dark (i.e., 13L:11D) were castrated and transferred to simulated natural photoperiod for early April at 40°N latitude. At the summer solstice (15L:9D) some hamsters remained on that photoperiod whereas others experienced gradual decreases in day length. Three additional groups were moved to static photoperiods when day lengths had subsequently declined to 13L:11D, 11L:13D, or 9L:15D, respectively. Day lengths decreasing to 13L:11D were sufficient to suppress body weight but...
Two classes of permutation polynomials over finite fields

Two new classes of permutation polynomials over finite fields are presented: (i) f(x)=(1-x-x^2)x^3^^^e^+^1^2-1-x+x^2 over F"3"^"e where e is a positive even integer; (ii) g"n","p(x)=@?"n"p"=<"l"=<"n"p"-"1nl(ln-l(p-1))xx^n^-^l^(^p^-^1^) over F"p"^"e where e is a positive integer such that e=0(mod 2) if p=2, and n=(p-1)p^m+p^0^e+p^1^e+...+p^(^p^-^1^)^e, (m-1,e)=1. The permutation polynomial in (i) answers an open question about reversed Dickson polynomials.
Chromatin structure: Linking structure to function with histone H1

A recent study has determined the position and orientation in the nucleosome of the H1 variant 'linker histone' H5; the results focus attention on the unknown function of this highly abundant nuclear protein, and highlight the question of whether H1 is primarily an architectural or a gene-regulatory protein.
Long-Term Followup of Complete Primary Repair of Exstrophy: The Seattle Experience

Purpose: Since 1989, we have used the complete primary repair of exstrophy surgical technique to reconstruct the genitourinary system of children born with the exstrophy-epispadias complex based on the assumption that this complex represents a malformation. We initially reported using this technique in 1999. We now report a longer term followup of this initial group as well as surgical outcomes in a larger group of children who have undergone this repair for classic bladder exstrophy.Materials and Methods: Since 1989, we have prospectively followed 39 children who underwent the complete primary repair of exstrophy technique to construct classic bladder exstrophy. Median followup in the original group of patients that we reported in 1999 is 106 months. Median followup in the entire series is 58 months.Results: Of boys and girls 4 years or older 74% have achieved daytime continence with volitional voiding. Of boys and girls 20% and 43%, respectively, have achieved primary urinary continence without the need...
The Boulder, Colorado, Concentric Halo Display of 21 July 1986

Abstract An exceptional concentric halo display was observed in Boulder, Colorado, on 21 July 1986. As many as six halos were observed and photographed simultaneously between 1530 and 1945 UTC. Extensive photographic documentation (>100 photographs) captured the evolution of the display. The halos were produced by solid, pyramidal ice crystals in the upper troposphere. The pyramidal crystals possessed six different prism angles, each of which produced a halo with a different angular radius (9°, 18°, 20°, 22°, 24°, and 35° halos). The crystals may have been formed on the previous day by thunderstorms over the southwestern United States.
A model for the collision efficiency of shear-induced agglomeration involving polymer bridging

An expression is derived in terms of key dimensionless groups, including a group for steric interaction, to determine the collision efficiency for shear-induced agglomeration of non-colloidal particulate suspensions. Agglomeration is assumed to take place due to bridging of polymer layers on colliding particles. The forces considered arise due to the van der Waals, double-layer, steric and hydrodynamic interactions. The expression for collision efficiency was determined a priori from physico-chemical parameters including the shear rate and it shows the dependence on flocculant concentration, molecular weight and shear rate. A cone and plate device was used to experimentally study the agglomeration of spherical glass beads dispersed in an aqueous glycerin solution. Non-ionic polyethylene oxide (PEO) was used as a flocculant. The collision efficiency was found to have a power law dependence on shear rate and be a strong function of adsorbed polymer layer thickness.
Inhibition of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2)-mediated response in human alveolar epithelial cells by mycolic acids and Mycobacterium tuberculosis mce1 operon mutant

In human lungs, the earliest encounter of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the agent of tuberculosis, involves alveolar epithelial cells. Droplets expectorated by a patient with tuberculosis are likely to contain a mixed population of M. tuberculosis cells in different physiologic and metabolic states from the lung lesions of the patient. Here, we compared the chemokine expression patterns of human epithelial cell line A549 and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells infected with wild-type M. tuberculosis H37Rv against patterns induced by a mutant that accumulates free mycolic acids in its cell wall (Δmce1). We also examined the effect of free mycolic acids on toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2). Wild-type M. tuberculosis induced significantly higher levels of IL-8, MCP-1, RANTES, and IP-10 in both cell types than did Δmce. Free mycolic acids reduced the ability of the mammalian cells to respond to a TLR-2 agonist in a dose-dependent manner. These observations suggest that differences in mycolic acid abundance in the M. tuberculosis cell wall can affect TLR-2-mediated pro-inflammatory response in both epithelial and macrophage cells. The final fate of a new infection may be ultimately determined by the proportion of M. tuberculosis cells expressing free mycolates in the infecting inoculum population.
The next generation of prosthetic heart valves needs a proven track record of patient outcomes at ≥15 to 20 years

Abstract Currently, a selection of good, albeit not perfect, prosthetic heart valves (PHVs) with data on patient outcomes with follow-up times of 15 to 20 years or longer is available. The “next generation” of PHVs have some interesting features, but there are no data on patient outcomes at ≥15 to 20 years. The history of PHVs is that: 1) major advances have come in small increments, and 2) extrapolations made from early results were not correct at long term, and when this occurred, patients paid the price in terms of mortality and morbidity. Thus, great enthusiasm from early results and premature prediction may be inappropriate. The data on long-term outcomes are needed and in 2003 one should preferentially select a PHV with proven long-term results.
Burnout in Counseling Practice: Some Potential Professional and Personal Hazards of Becoming a Counselor

This article defines the syndrome of burnout and discusses some of the professional and personal hazards that confront the practicing counselor.
Quadriceps fatigue after cycle exercise in patients with COPD compared with healthy control subjects.

Study objectives: Quadriceps fatigue can occur in patients with COPD after exhaustive cycle exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the degree of fatigue elicited by cycle exercise was greater in patients with COPD compared with matched control subjects. Subjects: Nine male patients with COPD with a mean (± SE) age of 66 ± 3 years and mean FEV 1 values of 1.31 ± 0.15 L and 36 ± 5% predicted were compared to nine healthy male subjects with a mean age of 66 ± 2 years. Methods: Patients with COPD exercised at 60% of peak work capacity until exhaustion. Healthy elderly subjects exercised at a workload that was chosen to produce a similar absolute oxygen uptake ( o 2 ) during constant-load exercise as that obtained by the patients with COPD. Quadriceps fatigue was detected by measuring twitch force (unpotentiated twitch force [TwQu] and potentiated twitch force [TwQp]) before and after cycle exercise. Results: Patients with COPD exercised for a mean duration of 8.4 ± 1.8 min. o 2 during exercise was 50 ± 6% of predicted. The healthy elderly control subjects exercised for 10 min, generating a o 2 of 48 ± 1% predicted. TwQu fell significantly postexercise in the patients with COPD but not in the matched control subjects. TwQp fell significantly postexercise in both groups, but the fall in TwQp postexercise was significantly greater in the patients with COPD. Conclusion: For the same absolute o 2 and duration of cycle exercise, the amount of fatigue elicited was significantly greater in the patients with COPD compared to age-matched healthy control subjects.
Glucose-Cholesterol Interaction Magnifies Coronary Heart Disease Risk for Hypertensive Patients

Elevated cholesterol and glucose are known independent risk factors for coronary heart disease. This study examines whether an adverse synergistic interaction of cholesterol and glucose magnifies coronary heart disease risk among treated hypertensive patients. Subjects were hypertensive patients (n=6672) in a worksite treatment program, with entry fasting glucose P =0.009) improved a Cox proportional hazards model, adjusting for total cholesterol, fasting glucose, and other coronary heart disease risk factors. Adjusted hazard ratios for 3 upper total cholesterol categories (with total cholesterol
Identification and Fine Mapping of a Gene Related to Pale Green Leaf Phenotype near the Centromere Region in Rice(Oryza sativa)

A thermo-insensitive pale green leaf mutant (pgl2) was isolated from T-DNA inserted transgenic lines of rice (Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica cv. Nipponbare). Genetic analysis indicated that the phenotype was caused by a recessive mutation in a single nuclear-encoded gene. To map the PGL2 gene, an F2 population was constructed by crossing the mutant with Longtefu (Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica). The PGL2 locus was roughly linked to SSR marker RM331 on chromosome 8. To finely map the gene, 14 new InDel markers were developed around the marker, and PGL2 was further mapped to a 2.37 Mb centromeric region. Analysis on chlorophyll contents of leaves showed that there was no obvious difference between the mutant and the wild type in total chlorophyll (Chl) content, while the ratio of Chl a / Chl b in the mutant was only about 1, which was distinctly lower than that in the wild type, suggesting that the PGL2 gene was related to the conversion between Chl a and Chl b. Moreover, the method of primer design around the centromeric region was discussed, which would provide insight into fine mapping of the functional genes in plant centromeres.
A 0.47–0.66 pJ/bit, 4.8–8 Gb/s I/O Transceiver in 65 nm CMOS

A low-power forwarded-clock I/O transceiver architecture is presented that employs a high degree of output/input multiplexing, supply-voltage scaling with data rate, and low-voltage circuit techniques to enable low-power operation. The transmitter utilizes a 4:1 output multiplexing voltage-mode driver along with 4-phase clocking that is efficiently generated from a passive poly-phase filter. The output driver voltage swing is accurately controlled from 100–200 ${\rm mV}_{\rm ppd}$ using a low-voltage pseudo-differential regulator that employs a partial negative-resistance load for improved low frequency gain. 1:8 input de-multiplexing is performed at the receiver equalizer output with 8 parallel input samplers clocked from an 8-phase injection-locked oscillator that provides more than 1UI de-skew range. In the transmitter clocking circuitry, per-phase duty-cycle and phase-spacing adjustment is implemented to allow adequate timing margins at low operating voltages. Fabricated in a general purpose 65 nm CMOS process, the transceiver achieves 4.8–8 Gb/s at 0.47–0.66 pJ/b energy efficiency for ${\rm V}_{\rm DD}=0.6$ –0.8 V.
Adult sexual assault: Prevalence, symptomatology, and sex differences in the general population

The prevalence and impact of adult sexual assault (ASA) were examined in a stratified random sample of the general population. Among 941 participants, ASA was reported by 22% of women and 3.8% of men. Multivariate risk factors for ASA included a younger age, being female, having been divorced, sexual abuse in childhood, and physical assault in adulthood. Childhood sexual abuse was especially common among sexually assaulted men and women (61 and 59%, respectively). ASA victims were more symptomatic than their nonassaulted cohorts on all scales of the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI; J. Briere, 1995), despite an average of 14 years having passed since the assault. Assaulted men reported greater symptomatology than assaulted women, whereas nonassaulted men reported less symptomatology than nonassaulted women.
Thailand–Cigarettes (Philippines): A More Serious Role for the ‘Less Favourable Treatment’ Standard of Article III:4

This paper analyzes a number of economic and legal issues raised by the Appellate Body Report in the Thai–Cigarettes case. The paper suggests two improvements that could be made to Panel procedures; supports the Appellate Body's interpretation of Article XX(d) in the present case, which seems to discard an earlier mistaken approach to Article XX; and examines, in some detail, whether the Appellate Body's application of the ‘less favourable treatment’ component of GATT Article III:4 in this and other cases is consistent with its jurisprudence under GATT Article III:2 and TBT Article 2.1. From an economics perspective, the case is straightforward on its face. However, the Appellate Body's rigorous application of the ‘less favourable treatment’ principle might not survive a fuller market analysis in terms of policy impacts on conditions of competition. Further, while we agree with the rejection of Thailand's Article XX claim, we raise the question of whether a strict national-treatment rule may be an unwarranted constraint on policy where there is a clear trade-related external cost to address.
Nutritive Value of Triticale for Young Chicks and Effect of Different Amino Acid Supplements on Growth

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of including high levels of triticale in the diet of young chicks on growth and feed efficiency. Comparable levels of corn or rye were also fed for comparison. Additional experiments were conducted to determine which amino acids were deficient in a diet containing 73% triticale. Similarly, amino acid supplements were added to a 14% protein diet for chicks in which 8% protein in the diet came from triticale and the remainder from a mixture of ingredients. All experiments were conducted with day-old chicks which received the experimental diets to two weeks of age. Data on body weight and feed efficiency were collected at weekly intervals. Results indicate that chicks fed a diet containing 55% triticale were only slightly smaller than chicks fed a diet with the same level of corn. Chicks fed a similar diet containing rye grew more slowly than those fed either triticale or corn. Chicks fed a diet containing 73% triticale were smaller than chicks fed the corn diet and were not different from chicks receiving the rye containing diet. Procaine penicillin supplementation promoted increased growth of chicks on the corn or rye diets but not of those on the triticale diets. Lysine supplementation of the 73% triticale diet increased both chick growth and size of the growth response to penicillin. Supplements of tryptophan and methionine had no effect on chick growth. A low protein diet containing 8% protein from triticale and 6% from a premix was found to be deficient in both lysine and threonine. Supplemental methionine was in the premix.
The Effects of Different forms of Space Restriction on Inspection Performance

Work in restrictive spaces is characteristic of many tasks, particularly in maintenance and inspection operations. The nature of the spatial restriction as well as its magnitude is likely to affect the worker's response to the space. This research measured the effects of three different spatial restrictions (vertical (V), sagittal (S) and combined (VS)) on an inspection task. The effects of the three restrictions on postural adaptation, physiological response, psychophysical reports and task performance were qualitatively different. Generally, the VS and V restrictions caused increases in operator stress and workload, with these effects being most severe under the VS restriction. Conversely, the S restriction caused no increases in operator stress and tended to improve performance. Thus, while restrictions are generally detrimental, certain mild restrictions may actually facilitate jobs.
REIRRADIATION OF RECURRENT CANINE NASAL TUMORS

Canine nasal tumors are typically treated with radiation therapy but most patients develop local recurrence. Our purpose was to evaluate tumor and normal tissue response to reirradiation in nine dogs. The median dose delivered with the first protocol was 50 Gy (range 44-55 Gy) and the median fraction number was 18 (range 15-20). For the second protocol, the median dose was lower intentionally, median of 36 Gy (range 23-44 Gy), without changing the median fraction number of 18 (range 14-20) to avoid late effects. The median time between protocols was 539 days (range 258-1652 days). Median survival was 927 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 423-1767 days). Median time to progression following the first and second courses was 513 days (95% CI 234-1180 days) and 282 days (95% CI 130-453 days), respectively. These were not significantly different (P=0.086). The qualitative response assessment was better for the first course compared with the second (P=0.018). Severity and timing of skin, mucous membrane, and ocular effects were similar for early side effects between the two courses (P>0.05 for all comparisons). All dogs experienced some late side effects, with two out of nine being classified as severe. These severe effects were blindness in each dog, possibly related to tumor recurrence. Reirradiation of canine nasal tumors resulted in a second clinical remission in eight of nine dogs, although the second response was less complete. Acute and late effects for seven of nine patients were not life threatening, indicating that reirradiation of canine nasal tumors may be a viable treatment option after recurrence.
Characterization of crystalline cellulose in biomass: Basic principles, applications, and limitations of XRD, NMR, IR, Raman, and SFG

Cellulose is among the most important and abundant biopolymers in biosphere. It is the main structural component of a vast number of plants that carries vital functions for plant growth. Cellulose-based materials have been used in a variety of human activities ranging from papers and fabrics to engineering applications including production of biofuels. However, our understanding of the cellulose structure in its native form is quite limited because the current experimental methods often require separation or purification processes and provide only partial information of the cellulose structure. This paper aims at providing a brief background of the cellulose structure and reviewing the basic principles, capabilities and limitations of the cellulose characterization methods that are widely used by engineers dealing with biomass. The analytical techniques covered in this paper include x-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, and vibrational spectroscopy (infrared, Raman, and sum-frequency-generation). The scope of the paper is restricted to the application of these techniques to the structural analysis of cellulose.
Vibrational Dynamics of Silver Nanocubes and Nanowires Studied by Single-Particle Transient Absorption Spectroscopy†

The vibrational response of single silver nanocubes and nanowires to ultrafast laser-induced heating has been studied through transient absorption measurements. The traces show pronounced modulations due to coherent excitation of the breathing modes of the particles. Analysis of the data yields the period and the homogeneous lifetime of the vibrational motion. Different particles show different values for the period and lifetime. The distribution of the periods is due to the distribution of particle sizes in the sample. For the nanocubes the vibrational lifetimes are only weakly correlated with the periods, whereas, for the nanowires there is a medium correlation between the period and lifetime. The difference between the nanocubes and the nanowires is attributed to differences in how the particles are deposited on the substrate. In both cases the distribution for the lifetimes is significantly broader than that for the periods. This implies that the lifetimes are strongly affected by the particle's local environment, and that there is significant heterogeneity in the environment. Overall, these experiments provide detailed information about how nanoparticles interact mechanically with their surroundings.
Absorption of orally administered sodium sulfate in humans

Sodium sulfate can be used to enhance the conjugation of phenolic drugs with sulfate and to treat hypercalcemia. It is thought that sulfate ion is absorbed slowly and incompletely from the digestive tract. The purposes of this investigation were to determine the absorption of a large amount of sodium sulfate (18.1 g as the decahydrate, equivalent to 8.0 g of the anhydrous salt) and to compare the bioavailability when this amount is administered orally to normal subjects as a single dose and as four equally divided hourly doses. The 72-hr urinary recovery of free sulfate following single and divided doses was 53.4 ± 15.8 and 61.8 ± 7.8%, respectively (mean ± SD, n=5, p > 0.2). The single dose produced severe diarrhea while the divided doses caused only mild or no diarrhea. Thus, a large amount of sodium sulfate, when administered orally in divided doses over 3 hr, is well tolerated and is absorbed to a significant extent. Orally administered sodium sulfate may be useful for the early treatment of acetaminophen overdose.
Complement Component C1q Enhances the Biological Activity of Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin-Specific Antibodies Depending on Their Fine Antigen Specificity and Heavy-Chain Isotype

We have previously observed that selected influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA)-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with poor virus-neutralizing (VN) activity in vitro exhibited greatly enhanced VN activity in vivo after administration to SCID mice. The same Abs displayed improved VN activity also when tested in vitro in the presence of noninactivated serum from SCID mice. To identify Ab-dependent properties and serum components that contributed to enhancement of Ab activity, we screened a large panel of HA-specific MAbs for hemagglutination inhibition (HI) in the presence of noninactivated serum from naive mice (NMS). We found that HI activity was enhanced by NMS depending on the Ab’s fine specificity (antigenic region Cb/E > Ca/A,D > Sa,Sb/B), its heavy-chain isotype (immunoglobulin G2 [IgG2] > IgG3; IgG1 and IgM negative), and to some extent also on its derivation (primary response > memory response). On average, the HI activity of Cb/E-specific MAbs of the IgG2 isotype isolated from the primary response was enhanced by 20-fold. VN activity was enhanced significantly but less strongly than HI activity. Enhancement (i) was destroyed by heat inactivation (30 min, 56°C); (ii) did not require C3, the central complement component; (iii) was abolished by treatment of serum with anti-C1q; and (iv) could be reproduced with purified C1q, the binding moiety of C1, the first complement component. We believe that this is the first description of a direct C1q-mediated enhancement of antiviral Ab activities.
Cloning, Expression, and Functional Characterization of TL1A-Ig

TNF superfamily member 15 (TL1A) is the ligand for TNFR superfamily (TNFRSF)25. We previously reported that TNFRSF25 stimulation with an agonist Ab, 4C12, expands pre-existing CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vivo. To determine how the physiological ligand differs from the Ab, we generated a soluble mouse TL1A-Ig fusion protein that forms a dimer of TL1A trimers in solution with an apparent molecular mass of 516 kDa. In vitro, TL1A-Ig mediated rapid proliferation of Foxp3+ Tregs and a population of CD4+Foxp3− conventional T cells. TL1A-Ig also blocked de novo biogenesis of inducible Tregs and it attenuated the suppressive function of Tregs. TNFRSF25 stimulation by TL1A-Ig in vivo induced expansion of Tregs such that they increased to 30–35% of all CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood within 5 d of treatment. Treg proliferation in vivo was dependent on TCR engagement with MHC class II. Elevated Treg levels can be maintained for at least 20 d with daily injections of TL1A-Ig. TL1A-Ig–expanded Tregs expressed high levels of activation/memory markers KLRG1 and CD103 and were highly suppressive ex vivo. TL1A-Ig–mediated Treg expansion in vivo was protective against allergic lung inflammation, a mouse model for asthma, by reversing the ratio of conventional T cells to Tregs in the lung and blocking eosinophil exudation into the bronchoalveolar fluid. Thus, TL1A-Ig fusion proteins are highly active and tightly controllable agents to stimulate Treg proliferation in vivo, and they are uniquely able to maintain high levels of expanded Tregs by repeated administration.
Glial fibrillary acidic protein increases in the spinal cord of Lewis rats with acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

: Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the spinal cords of Lewis rats with acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was quantitated by densi-tometry of both stained gels and immunoblots of electro-phoretically separated cytoskeletal proteins. The experimental period ranged from 7 to 65 days postinocula-tion (dpi). Greater than 92% of the total spinal cord GFAP was recovered in the Triton-insoluble cytoskeletal pellet; less than 2% was truly soluble. GFAP increased gradually and significantly with time, reaching a level one-and-a-half to two times greater than that of controls by 35 dpi and remaining elevated at 65 dpi. In EAE animals, GFAP was 33% of the total Triton-insoluble protein (excluding his-tones and other small basic proteins) at 7 dpi, rising to 48% at 65 dpi. Increases in vimentin were also noted, following a time course similar to that of GFAP. An increase in immu-nocytochemical staining of GFAP was noticeable at 10 dpi and became marked at 14 dpi, a time before GFAP levels had increased significantly. Thus, enhanced staining at the peak of the disease cannot be explained simply by an increase in antigen protein. Other possible explanations, such as an increase in soluble GFAP content, proteolytic degradation, or modifications in the immunochemical properties of GFAP in EAE animals, were ruled out. Both the biochemical and immunocytochemical increases in GFAP persisted through 65 dpi, even though the animals recovered from clinical signs at approximately 18 dpi.
Locating nuclear explosions at the Chinese test site near Lop Nor

This paper describes how commercial satellite imagery was used along with teleseis‐mic P‐wave arrival time data to locate 21 Chinese nuclear tests. The results include a set of refined location estimates for atmospheric and underground tests as well as error vectors from the initial seismic location estimates to the refined location estimates. The analysis of the results provided new information on Chinese nuclear testing patterns which have been used to revise China's testing history and assist the satellite monitoring of the test site. The paper concludes with an evaluation of commercial satellite imaging for monitoring nuclear tests and an assessment of the implications of the results with respect to the verification of a comprehensive test ban (CTB).
Verification and Validation of CFD Simulation of Pulsating Laminar Flow in a Straight Pipe

In this paper, verification and validation analysis for pulsatile flow in a straight pipe is presented. Numerical results were obtained using the finite volume method, and optimum grid density was determined using the Grid Convergence Index (GCI) calculation for the steady flow case. Based on the GCI calculation procedure we have developed a similar calculation for Time Convergence Index for the unsteady simulations. Transient computations were performed to obtain time dependent solutions of pulsating flow using three dierent time-steps and TCI was calculated to check time-step convergence. The numerical solution for the unsteady case was verified by comparing with accurate analytical solutions of Navier-Stokes equations for the pulsating flow in a pipe. Finally the numerical results were validated with experimental data. The results indicate that there is good agreement between the present results and analytical and experimental solutions. This paper stands as a good example for verification studies of unsteady CFD simulations where we have shown that TCI calculation can be applied in a similar procedure to grid convergence index calculation.
Persistent Sweet's syndrome occurring in a child with a primary immunodeficiency

Sweet’s syndrome (SS) occurs most commonly in association with inflammatory or neoplastic disorders. Only rarely has it been associated with immunodeficiency disorders. We describe a child with a T-cell immunodeficiency who had a persistent neutrophilic dermatosis that was histologically and clinically consistent with SS. SS associated with immunodeficiencies may occur as a reaction to an underlying infection or a defect in immunoregulation. Such patients, however, may not be able to produce the classic fever and neutrophilia associated with SS. They may fail to respond to standard treatment for SS and may suffer a prolonged and persistent course. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;40:838-41.)
Predictors of Research Productivity and Science-Related Career Goals among Counseling Psychology Doctoral Students

This cross-sectional study investigated predictors of research productivity and science-related career goals in a sample of 267 doctoral students (representing a response rate of 5S%) from 15 randomly selected APA-accredited counseling psychology doctoral programs. A structural equation modeling procedure revealed that career goals and research productivity could be predicted by Holland personality type, perceptions of the research training environment, interest in research, and research self-efficacy. Students' gender and year in the doctoral program also contributed to this causal model as additional predictor variables, providing a very good fit to the data The present findings contribute to theories of research training by presenting a comprehensive examination of the major factors previously investigated in the literature as predictors of research productivity and science-related career goals within the context of a structural equation model
Home Range and Habitat Use of Male Rafinesque's Big-eared Bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii)

Abstract We examined home range size and habitat use of four reproductively active male Rafinesque's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) in an area of the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina during August and September 1999. Corynorhinus rafinesquii had biphasic activity patterns, with most foraging activity occurring during the first 4 h after sunset and 2 h before sunrise. Mean home range size calculated using the adaptive kernel method with a 95% use distribution was 93.1 ha. Although large contiguous tracts of mature bottomland hardwoods were common in the study area, most foraging activity occurred in young pine stands. Only 9% of foraging areas were in bottomland hardwoods.
Phagocytosis: Role of C3 Receptors and Contact-Inducing Agents

The primary immunologic defense mechanism in man, as well as other vertebrates and invertebrates, is clearly phagocytosis. This fact is demonstrated by the rapidly fatal course which results when phagocytes are absent or severely depleted. In contrast, the absence of lymphocytes can be tolerated in man over a period of months or even years.
Race, Ethnicity, and Direct Democracy: What Can Be Learned About the Policy Positions of Different Racial/Ethnic Groups from How They Voted on Various Initiatives and Referendums

Most research has focused on white voters with little research examining the voter choice of minorities. This research attempts to better understand the vote choice of whites and minorities not on candidates but on issues. The availability of voting data at block group level during the 1990s allows for a closer inspection of how various groups voted on a variety of policy initiatives in California. This research might also shed light on whether the same factors that have been found to influence voters in numerous voting studies affect voters across racial lines. The focus is not on whether race matters, per se, but on whether there are variations not only in how different groups vote but whether the same factors (partisanship, socio-economic status, education, etc.) affect how they vote (whether directly or indirectly).
A comparison of n-hexadecane and mineral oil emulsions in induction of hypersensitivity in mice.

SummaryThe pure alkane n-hexadecane not only is a useful substitute for crude mineral oils as a constituent of Freund water-in-oil adjuvant mixtures used to sensitize mice to protein antigen, but also it provides a stronger adjuvant effect. This superiority appears to be quantitative, for it becomes negligible when a two-injection immunization schedule is used with allowance of adequate time between injections for anamnestic responsiveness to develop. Our results suggest that immunization with water-in-oil emulsions can be improved if the mineral oils usually used in these emulsions are replaced by pure saturated hydrocarbons of appropriate carbon chain length, such as n-hexadecane. Replacing the commonly used emulsifier, mannide monooleate (Arlacel) with glycerol monooleate (Myverol) increased the ease of emulsincation but had no influence on the immunologic effectiveness of the emulsions studied.
Commonly used chemotherapeutic agents.

SUMMARY The primary care physician is often responsible for the management of cancer patients who may be receiving complex chemotherapeutic regimens. The World Health Organization has recommended standard approaches to recording baseline data and reporting treatment results (see Table 4, pp 252–253). These standards are intended for international use to compare results from various centers or investigators. Most antineoplastic agents have a number of serious toxicities or adverse effects associated with their use. By recognizing and quickly diagnosing drug-induced adverse effects of antineoplastic agents, morbidity or early mortality may be avoided.
Success of the Transvesical Advancement Technique for Vesicoureteral Reflux

AbstractThe transvesical advancement technique for ureteral reimplantation achieved a success rate of 98.7 per cent in 135 children for primary reflux and 94.5 per cent in 88 patients with difficult management situations, including secondary and tertiary failed reimplants. In this series no obstruction was observed in any of the reimplanted ureters. This operation is expeditious, virtually free of complication and useful in any situation necessitating ureteral reimplantation.
At the Organ Bazaar of Bangladesh: In Search of Kidney Sellers

Ethnographic fieldwork in underground settings is quite challenging, especially when the study subjects are extremely hidden and involved in illegal activities. Issues of access and approach are particularly demanding in doing research in the black markets. In this chapter, I describe how I gained access to 33 kidney sellers during my yearlong fieldwork in the organ bazaar of Bangladesh. When all my avenues to locate kidney sellers seemed exhausted, I made an organ broker as my key informant and a kidney seller as my research assistant, and with their inevitable support, I successfully contacted and interviewed the kidney vendors from various parts of Bangladesh. As my collaboration with an organ broker could be ethically problematic, especially when he was involved in illicit activities and potentially exploiting others, I upheld a fine balance between efficacy and ethics and established that such a key informant technique could be beneficial in gaining access to hidden populations. I embodied that ethical integrity, methodological novelties, and professional responsibilities are imperative for building rapports with research subjects, retaining their friendship and accessing their hidden life in order to gather rich, reliable, and retrospect narratives from the field.