cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Rho Exchange Factor Mediates fMet-Leu-Phe-induced NF-κB Activation in Human Peripheral Blood Monocytes

We reported previously that fMLP stimulates NF-κB activation, and this function of fMLP requires small GTPase RhoA in human peripheral blood monocytes (Huang, S., Chen, L.-Y., Zuraw, B. L., Ye, R. D., and Pan, Z. K. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 40977-40981). Here we present evidence that RhoA associates specifically with the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Lbc in human peripheral blood monocytes stimulated with fMLP and that Lbc specifically catalyzes the guanine nucleotide exchange activity of RhoA in human peripheral blood monocytes. Cotransfection of the monocytic THP1 cells with lbc with a κB promoter reporter plasmid results in a marked increase in NF-κB-mediated reporter gene expression. Finally, Lbc-enhanced NF-κB activation is inhibited by a RhoA inhibitor, C3 transferase from Clostridium botulinum. A dominant-negative form of RhoA (T19N) also inhibited Lbc-enhanced reporter gene expression in a κB-dependent manner. These results indicate that guanine nucleotide exchange factor Lbc is a novel signal transducer for RhoA-mediated NF-κB activation in human peripheral blood monocytes stimulated with bacterial products.
Influences of Stock Abundance and Bottom-Water Temperature on Growth Dynamics of Haddock and Yellowtail Flounder on Georges Bank

Abstract Growth rates of yellowtail flounder Pleuronectes ferrugineus and haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus are highly correlated with stock abundance in the Georges Bank region of the northwest Atlantic Ocean. We used stepwise regression and Spearman rank sum analyses to test for correlations between lengths of age-2 and age-3 fish and both stock abundance and bottom-water temperature for the period between 1963 and 1980. Mean length at age was significantly and inversely correlated with stock abundance for both species and age-groups tested. Growth was more highly correlated with stock abundance during periods when abundance was higher than when it was low. This supports the hypothesis that growth should be most clearly density dependent when stock size, thus intraspecific competition, is high. Stock size was significantly correlated with growth of juvenile fish but not of young adults. Temperature was not significantly correlated with all species-age-groups tested. Also, when significant, temperature di...
An enantioselective synthesis of 2-alkyl-3-phenyltropanes by an asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

A method for gaining access to 2-alkyl-3-phenyl-substituted tropanes using the chiral dipolarophile (R)-p-tolyl vinyl sulfoxide in the asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction with the oxidopyridinium betaine 4 is described.
Segmentation of overweight Americans and opportunities for social marketing

Background The food industry uses market segmentation to target products toward specific groups of consumers with similar attitudinal, demographic, or lifestyle characteristics. Our aims were to identify distinguishable segments within the US overweight population to be targeted with messages and media aimed at moving Americans toward more healthy weights.
Feasibility of Internet-delivered weight loss interventions among rural women ages 50-69.

Purpose The increased availability and use of the Internet by midlife and older women who seek health information may provide an innovative method for delivering weight loss interventions. This preliminary study examined the feasibility and efficacy of web-based interventions for promoting weight loss among rural overweight and obese women ages 50-69 (M = 55.5 +/- 4.9) over a 3-month period. Methods Twenty-one Caucasian women with body mass index of 28-34.5 (M = 30.69 +/- 2.58) were randomly assigned to either a Web site only or Web site augmented with a peer-led support group. The Web site included recommended approaches to healthy eating and activity, weekly newsletters, and other resources. Body weight, eating, and activity measures were assessed at baseline and postintervention. Data analysis included 2-way repeated measures ANOVAs with effect sizes reported as appropriate for a pilot study. Results Sixteen women (76.2%) completed the study; 14 lost from 2% to 10% of their body weight, and 2 gained 2% of their weight. Large effect sizes were found over time for body weight, estimated VO2max, and percentage of calories from fat. For time by group interaction, large effect sizes favoring the Web site plus peer-led support group were found for body weight, waist circumference, percent body fat, whole grain servings, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Process evaluations indicated that 85.7% of women accessed the Web site weekly. There were a total of 305 hits in the Web site only group versus 658 hits in the peer-led support groups. Conclusions Internet delivered interventions appeared feasible for these rural women with weight loss and improvement in selected eating and activity measures after 3 months.
Falling Water: The Origins of Direct Federal Participation in the US Electric Utility Industry, 1902–1933

The federal government's role as a direct producer in a non-defense, non-distressed American industry is unique to electric power. This participation arose during the first three decades of the twentieth century; it was politically controversial then and remains so today. We seek to explain how and why the federal government got into the electric utility business. The convergence of technological, economic, and political forces paved the way for federal participation. The growth of long-distance transmission networks and the success of the Progressive movement were important factors. Because so many dam sites with hydroelectric potential were on public lands in western states, and because hydroelectricity could help pay for those dams, even conservative Republicans like Herbert Hoover came to accept the involvement of the federal government. After the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, the federal government accepted the task with enthusiasm as part of a plan for the economic development of entire river basins.
Selective accumulation of the high molecular weight neurofilament subunit within the distal region of growing axonal neurites

Axonal maturation in situ is accompanied by the transition of neurofilaments (NFs) comprised of only NF-M and NF-L to those also containing NF-H. Since NF-H participates in interactions of NFs with each other and with other cytoskeletal constituents, its appearance represents a critical event in the stabilization of axons that accompanies their maturation. Whether this transition is effected by replacement of “doublet” NFs with “triplet” NFs, or by incorporation of NF-H into existing doublet NFs is unclear. To address this issue, we examined the distribution of NF subunit immunoreactivity within axonal cytoskeletons of differentiated NB2a/d1 cell and DRG neurons between days 3–7 of outgrowth. Endogenous immunoreactivity either declined in a proximal-distal gradient or was relatively uniform along axons. This distribution was paralleled by microinjected biotinylated NF-L. By contrast, biotinylated NF-H displayed a bipolar distribution, with immunoreactivity concentrated within the proximal- and distal-most axonal regions. Proximal biotinylated NF-H accumulation paralleled that of endogenous NF immunoreactivity; however, distal-most biotinylated NF-H accumulation dramatically exceeded that of endogenous NFs and microinjected NF-L. This phenomenon was not due to co-polymerization of biotin-H with vimentin or α-internexin. This phenomenon declined with continued time in culture. These data suggest that NF-H can incorporate into existing cytoskeletal structures, and therefore suggest that this mechanism accounts for at least a portion of the accumulation of triplet NFs during axonal maturation. Selective NF-H accumulation into existing cytoskeletal structures within the distal-most region may provide de novo cytoskeletal stability for continued axon extension and/or stabilization. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 50:1–12, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Molecular imaging of Akt kinase activity

The serine/threonine kinase Akt mediates mitogenic and anti-apoptotic responses that result from activation of multiple signaling cascades. It is considered a key determinant of tumor aggressiveness and is a major target for anticancer drug development. Here, we describe a new reporter molecule whose bioluminescence activity within live cells and in mice can be used to measure Akt activity. Akt activity in cultured cells and tumor xenografts was monitored quantitatively and dynamically in response to activation or inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinase, inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, or direct inhibition of Akt. The results provide unique insights into the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of agents that modulate Akt activity, revealing the usefulness of this reporter for rapid dose and schedule optimization in the drug development process.
Intraventricular capsaicin: Alterations in analgesic responsivity without depletion of substance P

Both systemic and intrathecal capsaicin release and deplete substance P from primary sensory afferents and induce prolonged chemical and thermal analgesia. Given the existence of efferents containing substance P together with a pain-inhibitory serotoninergic pathway, the present study investigated the effects of intraventricular capsaicin upon basal nociception, analgesic responsivity to opiates and substance P immunoreactivity. Following treatment with capsaicin at doses of 25, 50 and 100 micrograms or with vehicle, alterations in basal rodent flinch-jump thresholds as well as analgesic responses to 5 and 2.5 mg/kg of morphine were measured over a post-injection time course. Tissues were then processed for immunocytochemistry for substance P according to the unlabelled antibody peroxidase antiperoxidase procedure. Decreases were noted in jump thresholds only at 72 h following capsaicin. Moreover, morphine analgesia at both doses was attenuated in dose-dependent fashion following capsaicin with the highest dose (100 micrograms) producing a significant decrease in analgesic efficacy. Substance P-like immunoreactivity in capsaicin-treated rats was not appreciably depleted compared with vehicle controls in the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord and V cranial nerve, the raphe magnus and periaqueductal gray, the medullary, pontine and mesencephalic reticular formation, the substantia nigra, the corpus striatum and the central nucleus of the amygdala. By contrast, substance P-like immunoreactivity appeared to increase in the medial nucleus of the amygdala. In the absence of depletion of substance P immunoreactivity by the intraventricular capsaicin, the observed alterations in opiate analgesic responses may possibly be due to alterations in other transmitters or peptide systems.
Women in Early Indian Buddhism: Comparative Textual Studies, edited by Alice Collett, New York: Oxford University Press, 2014, ix + 274 pp. ISBN 9780199326044, US$74.00 (hardcover)

The topic of women in early Buddhism has emerged in recent scholarship, and is significant for nuancing the often-presented, singular perspective of early Buddhist communities. By prioritizing posi...
Labour Mismatch in Japan: An Empirical Analysis

This article attempts to examine the increase of unemployment in Japan from the perspective of what we term “the employment mismatch”. Using UV curve analysis, which is derived from a combination of the unemployment rate and the job vacancy rate, our research demonstrates a steady and significant increase in the employment mismatch in the Japanese labour market dating to the late 1990’s. We further attribute a substantial measure of the stagnation of labour productivity in Japan along with the associated increases in labour expense to this problem. As a logical consequence of this severe and growing phenomenon, we expect Japan to encounter serious additional pressures with respect to the creation of new jobs. The regulative reforms since 1997 led to a change in the structure of Japanese labour market. The current mismatch and the increase in temporary work opportunities could be interpreted as a result of corporate efforts to increase personnel flexibility. A national policy recommendation is that an efficient labour market is indispensable to workers and firms to take full advantage of the wider variety of employment styles provided.
A Microstructurally Driven Model for Pulmonary Artery Tissue

A new constitutive model for elastic, proximal pulmonary artery tissue is presented here, called the total crimped fiber model. This model is based on the material and microstructural properties of the two main, passive, load-bearing components of the artery wall, elastin, and collagen. Elastin matrix proteins are modeled with an orthotropic neo-Hookean material. High stretch behavior is governed by an orthotropic crimped fiber material modeled as a planar sinusoidal linear elastic beam, which represents collagen fiber deformations. Collagen-dependent artery orthotropy is defined by a structure tensor representing the effective orientation distribution of collagen fiber bundles. Therefore, every parameter of the total crimped fiber model is correlated with either a physiologic structure or geometry or is a mechanically measured material property of the composite tissue. Further, by incorporating elastin orthotropy, this model better represents the mechanics of arterial tissue deformation. These advancements result in a microstructural total crimped fiber model of pulmonary artery tissue mechanics, which demonstrates good quality of fit and flexibility for modeling varied mechanical behaviors encountered in disease states.
Askey-Wilson polynomials, kernel polynomials and association schemes

The eigenvalues of the classical association schemes are given by certain Askey-Wilson polynomials (or limiting cases). Kernel polynomials of the Askey-Wilson polynomials are also Askey-Wilson polynomials. We determine when both the Askey-Wilson polynomials and their kernels are the eigenvalues for known association schemes.
Failure of hydrocortisone to suppress the interferon-gamma-induced augmentation of interleukin 1 secretion of aged human monocytes.

The combined effect of hydrocortisone (HC) and interferon-gamma and -alpha (IFN-γ and -α) on human blood monocytes (Mo) interleukin 1 (IL 1) secretion was investigated. IL 1 was generated by treating the fresh or aged Mo with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and quantitated by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Hydrocortisone, at the pharmacological attainable concentration of 10-5 molar (M), markedly suppressed fresh Mo IL 1 secretion but had no effect at lower tested doses. Addition of IFN-γ enhanced the IL 1 secretion of fresh Mo; however, the simultaneous addition of 10-5 M HC and IFN-γ resulted in marked suppression of the monokine release. Monocytes, when cultured in vitro for three days, lost the capacity to secrete IL 1. The loss of IL 1 secretory potential of aged Mo was prevented by preincubating them with IFN-γ prior to LPS stimulation. IFN-α was ineffective in this regard. Aged Mo, pretreated with the combination of IFN-γ and HC were still able to secrete abundant quantities of IL 1, demonstrating the failure of HC to suppress the IFN-γ-induced augmentation of IL 1 secretory potential. Even suprapharmacologic doses of HC (10-4 M) did not inhibit this enhancement and actually further augmented it. Thus, therapeutic concentrations of HC suppress IL 1 secretion of fresh Mo even in the presence of IFN-γ; however, therapeutic or suprapharmacologic concentrations of HC do not inhibit the IL 1 secretory capacity of IFN-γ-treated aged Mo.
The magnetospheric and ionospheric response to a very strong interplanetary shock and coronal mass ejection

Abstract We present results from a coupled magnetospheric and ionospheric simulation of a very strong solar wind shock and coronal mass ejection (CME). The solar wind drivers that are used for this simulation were output from the Sun-to-Earth MHD simulation of the Carrington-like CME reported in Manchester et al. [Manchester IV, W., Ridley, A., Gombosi, T., De Zeeuw, D. Modeling the Sun–Earth propagation of a very fast cme. Adv. Space Res. 38 (this issue), 2006]. We use the University of Michigan’s BATS-R-US MHD code to model the global magnetosphere and coupled height integrated ionosphere. As the interplanetary shock swept over the magnetosphere, a wave is observed to propagate through the system. This is evident both in the magnetosphere and ionosphere. On the dayside, the magnetospheric bowshock is shown to bifurcate. The inner shock is pushed close to the inner boundary, where it “bounces” and propagates back outwards to meet the outer bowshock, which is propagating inwards. The inward and outward motion of the bowshocks can be observed propagating down the flanks of the magnetosphere. In the ionosphere, the wave is manifested as two pairs of field-aligned currents moving antisunward. The first pair is opposite of the normal region-1 current system, while the second pair is in the same sense as the normal region-1 system. The ionospheric potential shows a behavior consistent with the field-aligned current pattern, given the strong gradient in the conductance from the dayside to the nightside. As the magnetic cloud flows over the system, the entire magnetopause boundary is observed to move inside of geosynchronous orbit (6.6 R e ). At the time of the most extreme solar wind conditions, the magnetopause boundary encounters the inner edge of the magnetospheric simulation domain. During the magnetic cloud, the ionospheric cross-polar cap potential is shown to match the Siscoe et al. [Siscoe, G.L., Erickson, G., Sonnerup, B., Maynard, N., Schoendorf, J., Siebert, K., Weimer, D., White, W., Wilson, G. Hill model of transpolar potential saturation: comparisons with MHD simulations. J. Geophys. Res. 107, 1321, doi:10.1029/2001JA009176 , 2002] formulation relating the ionospheric potential to the solar wind and IMF conditions. It is shown that by using this formulation, the extremely large potentials observed in the MHD results are most likely saturated.
Way Down in the Hole: Baltimore as Location and Representation in The Wire

The indelible cinematic images of Baltimore featured in John Waters’ 1970s films are exercises in provocation, memorable primarily for the sheer audacity of the bad taste on display. Yet, Waters’ d...
Evaluation of strength-controlling defects in paper by stress concentration analyses

Cellulosic webs, such as paper materials, are composed of an interwoven, bonded network of cellulose fibers. Strength-controlling parameters in these webs are influenced by constituent fibers and method of processing and manufacture. Instead of estimating the effect on tensile strength of each processing/manufacturing variable, this study modifies and compares the point stress criteria and average stress criteria models used to estimate defect-free (i.e., maximum possible) tensile strength and the inherent size of the cumulative effect of strength-limiting defects. The two major modifications to these models were to assume that defect-free tensile strength was unknown and that unnotched tensile strength was reduced by the presence of inherent defects. These modifications allow the calculation of inherent defect size and defect-free tensile strength by characterizing the tensile strength of the web in the presence of stress concentrations associated with holes of different radius. The models were applied t...
Performance analysis of asynchronous carrier interferometry/MC-CDMA uplink with interference cancellation techniques

In this paper, we analyze the uplink performance of an asynchronous carrier interferometry/MC-CDMA, with nonlinear parallel and serial interference cancellation techniques. Specifically, we employ the new variant of parallel interference cancellation known as block-PIC and demonstrate significant performance (10 dB) improvement relative to conventional PIC. We also study the effect of order of cancelling in serial interference cancellation by comparing the performance of the conventional fixed ordering scheme with dynamic ordering. We show that dynamic ordering provides a gain of 8 dB relative to fixed ordering.
Treatment Implications of Past Trauma in Borderline Personality Disorder

Recent research and clinical experience have shown childhood trauma to be common in the histories of patients with borderline personality disorder. This article reviews the association between borderline personality disorder and early trauma, and how an awareness of the role of trauma may improve the treatment of patients with this disorder. Particularly when early trauma is in the form of childhood abuse, clinicians may be better able to understand the difficulties these patients experience in relational skills, affect tolerance, behavioral control, self-identity, and self-worth. Clinicians may be able to facilitate a stronger therapeutic alliance through acknowledgement of the patient's victimization and empathy with the effects of early trauma on the patient's life. Reframing the patient's experience as a consequence of childhood trauma is essential, especially when making traditional interventions such as interpretation and confrontation. The role of trauma in the development of borderline personality disorder suggests the need for modification of models of individual, family, and group psychotherapies that may allow more productive and successful treatment.
Impact of Government Funding on Donations to Arts Organizations: A Survey Experiment

Many nonprofits rely on private donations and government grants, but it is still unclear how these sources of funding may interact or even influence each other. To examine the behavioral aspect of the crowding-out hypothesis, we conducted an online survey experiment (n = 562) to test if government funding of a hypothetical nonprofit would influence donations. Our results show that a nonprofit with government funding, compared to an identical hypothetical organization without government funding, received 25% less in average donations (US$35 vs. US$47) and was about half as likely (21% vs. 38%) to receive all the money in a forced-choice scenario. However, the crowding-out effect of government funding appears much weaker for those who are arts patrons or who have previously contributed to the arts. Interestingly, this crowding-out effect seems insensitive to the amount of government funding and to labeling the government funding as coming from a prestigious source (e.g., National Endowment for the Arts [NEA]).
Wave Velocities below the Mohorovičić Discontinuity

The velocities of longitudinal waves immediately below the Mohorovicic discontinuity which have been found by various authors for continental regions decrease on the average from about 8.2 km/s, if the Mohorovicic discontinuity is at a depth of 30 km, to about 8.0 km/s, if it is at a depth of 50 km. The rate of this decrease in velocity of 0.011 ± 0.0016 km/s per km is statistically significant and exceeds appreciably the critical rate of about 0.0013 km/s per km, required for a low-velocity channel. The corresponding calculated average decrease in the velocity of transverse waves from about 4.64 km/s, if the Mohorovicic discontinuity is at a depth of 30 km, to about 4.56 km/s, if it is at 50 km (at a rate of 0.004 ± 0.0056 km/s per km) can be expected to represent average conditions under continents only if this decrease in velocity is considered in connection with that for longitudinal waves. For a depth of about 60 km, both calculated velocity-depth curves connect smoothly with those found by the author from the apparent velocities at the points of inflection of travel-time curves for earthquakes originating at various depths. The new results confirm the hypothesis that under continents the asthenosphere low-velocity channel starts at the Mohorovicic discontinuity.
Impact of changing memory technology on computer education

The rapid decreases in the cost of memory and logic are increasing the variety of economically viable systems and changing the relative importance of a variety of design factors. Examples are given in which the diminished cost of memory impacts the design of hierarchies and dictates the use of high level languages for small system developments with limited production volume. From an educational point of view, computer engineers and computer scientists will be required to have an enlarged breadth of expertise in the design of many information processing systems.
Fundamental Escherichia coli biochemical pathways for biomass and energy production: creation of overall flux states

We have previously shown that the metabolism for most efficient cell growth can be realized by a combination of two types of elementary modes. One mode produces biomass while the second mode generates only energy. The identity of the four most efficient biomass and energy pathway pairs changes, depending on the degree of oxygen limitation. The identification of such pathway pairs for different growth conditions offers a pathway-based explanation of maintenance energy generation. For a given growth rate, experimental aerobic glucose consumption rates can be used to estimate the contribution of each pathway type to the overall metabolic flux pattern. All metabolic fluxes are then completely determined by the stoichiometries of involved pathways defining all nutrient consumption and metabolite secretion rates. We present here equations that permit computation of network fluxes on the basis of unique pathways for the case of optimal, glucose-limited Escherichia coli growth under varying levels of oxygen stress. Predicted glucose and oxygen uptake rates and some metabolite secretion rates are in remarkable agreement with experimental observations supporting the validity of the presented approach. The entire most efficient, steady-state, metabolic rate structure is explicitly defined by the developed equations without need for additional computer simulations. The approach should be generally useful for analyzing and interpreting genomic data by predicting concise, pathway-based metabolic rate structures.
The Use of Cyclosporine, FK506, and SDZ NIM811 to Prevent CD25 Quiescent Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Producing Human Immunodeficiency Virus

It has been shown that the combined use of two pharmacologic agents can inhibit human immuno­ deficiency virus (HIV) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. One, an anti­ CD25 immunotoxin (IT), kills activated T cellsthat produce virus; the other, the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine, prevents the quiescent cells, which harbor HIV, from becoming activated. The present study compares the antiviral activities of two agents, SDZ NIM811 and FK506, to that of cyclosporine. In combination with the anti-CD25 IT, these drugs significantly suppressed virus production. In the absence of prior addition of the IT, the ability of the drugs to inhibit virus production was much lower, suggesting that they work effectively in latently infected cells. In the case of SDZ NIM811, the inhibition of virus production was accompanied by a modest inhibition of cell proliferation. In contrast, FK506 exerted strong anti proliferative activity. Cyclosporine was both moderately antiproliferative and a potent antiviral agent.
Effectiveness and deactivation of a diluted catalyst pellet

In this article, we analyze the performance of a dluted catalyst pellet consisting of inert and active particles under diffusion influenced conditions and pore-mouth poisoning. First, we establish the requirements for validty of the analytical soltuions of the diluted pellet equations. Secondly, we show that, under pore-mouth poisoning conditions, a diluted pellet can display considerably longer lifetimes than a uniformly impregnated catalyst. Conversely, for the same lifetime, use of a diluted pellet can result in savings of the catalytic agent. These advantages are not offset by difficulties in catalyst manufacture, as is the case for previous designs.
Distinct Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma and BMP13 on Rotator Cuff Tendon Injury Healing in a Rat Model

Background:Although platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used clinically to augment tendon healing, bone morphogenetic protein–13 (BMP13) may provide a better therapeutic avenue to improve early tendon healing and repair.Hypothesis:Exogenous expression of BMP13 in tenocytes will up-regulate genes involved in tendon healing. Direct delivery of adenovirus-mediated BMP13 (AdBMP13) into the injured rat supraspinatus tendon will increase biomechanical properties.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:Exogenous expression of BMP13 and the major growth factors in PRP (transforming growth factor–β1 [TGF-β1], vascular endothelial growth factor–A [VEGF-A], and platelet-derived growth factor–BB [PDGF-BB]) was accomplished by using recombinant adenoviral vectors. The expression of tendon- and matrix-associated genes in growth factor–treated tenocytes was analyzed by use of semiquantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. A total of 32 rats with supraspinatus defect were divided into 4 groups and i...
Point defect study of CuTi and CuTi2

The energies and configurations of interstitials and vacancies in the ordered compounds CuTi and CuTi2 were determined using atomistic simulation with realistic embedded-atom potentials. The formation energy of an antisite pair was found to be 0.385 and 0.460 eV in CuTi and CuTi2, respectively. In both compounds, the creation of a vacancy by the removal of either a Cu or Ti atom resulted in a vacant Cu site, with an adjacent antisite defect in the case of the Ti vacancy. The vacant Cu site in CuTi was found to be very mobile within two adjacent (001) Cu planes, with a migration energy of 0.19 eV, giving rise to two-dimensional migration. The vacancy migration energy across (001) Ti planes, however, was 1.32 eV, which could be lowered to 0.75 or 0.60 eV if one or two Cu antisite defects were initially present in these planes. In CuTi2, the vacancy migration energy of 0.92 eV along the (001) Cu plane was significantly higher than in CuTi. The effective vacancy formation energies were calculated to be 1.09 eV and 0.90 eV in CuTi and CuTi2, respectively. Interstitials created by inserting either a Cu or Ti atom had complicated configurations in which a Cu 〈111〉 split interstitial was surrounded by two or three Ti antisite defects. The interstitial formation energy was estimated to be 1.7 eV in CuTi and 1.9 eV in CuTi2.
Optical Molecular Imaging Approaches in Colorectal Cancer

Major clinical applications for molecular imaging are improvement of disease detection through increased image contrast between normal and diseased tissue, in situ characterization of lesions for improved patient stratification, and generation of an early measurement of the likelihood of successful response to specific therapies. Imaging concentrations of biological targets such as cell surface receptors, proteins in the extracellular matrix, levels of metabolites and their utilization rates, and levels of specific cell types in lesions can help achieve the broad clinical goals of detection, characterization, and therapy response assessment sooner and more accurately than we can currently achieve with standard-of-care imaging techniques that rely largely on anatomic appearance for such evaluation.
Fluoride distribution in the facial surfaces of human maxillary central incisors

The fluoride distributions in the incisal, middle and cervical regions of the facial surfaces of six maxillary central incisors were determined by three successive acid etch biopsy procedures. The fluoride concentrations were adjusted to standardized depths of 0--10 micron, 10--20 micron and 20--30 micron. In the biopsy areas the enamel fluoride concentrations decreased with increasing depth. In all the teeth the fluoride content was lowest in the incisal region and highest at the cervical third.
Stage-related capacity for limb chondrogenesis in cell culture.

Cells from wing buds of varying-stage chick embryos were dissociated and grown in culture to test their capacity for cartilage differentiation. Micro-mass cultures were initiated with a cell layer greater than confluency, which occupied a restricted area of the culture dish surface (10–13 mm2). Cells from stage 24 chick embryo wing buds (prior to the appearance of cartilage in vivo) undergo cartilage differentiation in such cultures. Typically, during the first 1–2 days of culture, cells form aggregates (clusters of cells with a density 1.5 times greater than that of the surrounding nonaggregate area). By Day 3, virtually all aggregates differentiate into cartilage nodules which are easily recognized by their Alcian blue staining (pH 1.0) extracellular matrix. Subsequently, nodules increase in size, and adjacent nodules begin to coalesce. Micro-mass cultures were used to test the chondrogenic capacity of wing bud cells from chick embryos representing the different stages of limb development up to the appearance of cartilage in vivo (stages 17–25). Cells from embryo stages 21–24 form aggregates which differentiate into cartilage nodules in vitro with equal capacity (scored as number of nodules per culture). In contrast, cells from embryo stages 17–19 form aggregates in similar numbers, but these aggregates never differentiate into nodules under routine conditions. However, aggregates which form in cultures of stage 19 wing bud cells do differentiate into cartilage nodules if exposed to dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline. Cells from stage 20 embryos manifest a varying capacity to form cartilage nodules; apparently, this is a transition stage. Cells from stage 25 embryos produce cartilage in vitro without forming either aggregates or nodules. Based on the results presented in this paper, the authors propose a model for cartilage differentiation from embryonic mesoderm cells involving: (1) aggregation, (2) acquisition of the ability to respond to the environment in the aggregate, (3) elevated intracellular cyclic AMP levels, and (4) stabilization and expression of cartilage phenotype.
Management of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children

In children, osteomyelitis is primarily hematogenous in origin and acute in nature. The principal cause of osteomyelitis in children is Staphylococcus aureus, and both the epidemiology and pathogenesis of S. aureus infections, including osteomyelitis, have changed in recent years owing to the emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus. This review focuses on advances in the diagnosis and overall management of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children with these changes in mind.
Morphology - Electrical Property Relations in Polymers

In a review of this length, it is impossible to include all relevant references to every section of a subject as large as that of electrical properties. I have, therefore, only presented the most pertinent references and have restricted the review to well-established facts. This has naturally excluded some of the very interesting, but controversial, subjects of present research. It should be clear from the review that researchers are only beginning to investigate morphological effects in some areas and that it will be some time before comprehensive investigations are reported. This is largely because polymer scientists familiar with morphology have rarely taken an interest in properties other than dielectric relaxation. The physicists and electrical engineers, who have generally carried out the research in other electrical properties, have had little knowledge of morphological detail. Paradoxically, those areas in which morphology is likely to be of greatest significance, electrets and breakdown, have received least attention. This review has endeavored to introduce the non-polymer scientist to morphology and to review, in a concise manner, well-established relations existing between morphology and electrical properties.
PARTNER AWARENESS REGARDING THE ADULT SEQUELAE OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SURVIVORS

This qualitative study investigates factors that may facilitate or impede awareness within couples regarding the sequelae of childhood sexual abuse for adult females and their partner. Six couples were interviewed about perceived effects of the abuse for self and partner and their perceptions regarding their awareness of these effects. Transcribed data were analyzed using grounded-theory methodology. Emergent themes regarding potential barriers to and facilitators of agreement are outlined in the context of the expressive and receptive abilities and motivations of each partner in communicating about the abuse. Preliminary implications for marriage and family therapy and further research are provided.
High Nuclearity Manganese Carboxylate Clusters: Syntheses, Structural Characterization and Magnetic Properties

Synthetic procedures have been developed that allow access to higher nuclearity manganese carboxylate clusters in the metal nuclearity range 7–18 and Mn oxidation state range II–IV, including mixed-valency. The structures of these discrete clusters can be considered as being composed of [Mn4(µ3−O)2] butterfly units that are joined together in a number of ways; in many cases, the synthetic procedures were developed by using this observation as a guide. Certain magnetic properties of these clusters are discussed, namely the spin (S) of the ground state which has been found to be in the range S = 0−11 for the clusters described. In some cases, a qualitative rationalization of these values is possible based on spin frustration effects within the [Mn402] butterfly unit.
Recent Juniperus occidentalis (Western Juniper) expansion on a protected site in central Oregon

The expansion of Juniperus occidentalis (western juniper) has been extensive in the last century, and increases in density and cover have been linked with the indirect effects of domestic livestock grazing (i.e. cessation of periodic fires, increases of nurse-plant sites), and more favourable climatic conditions. In this study, we document changes in vegetation (including J. occidentalis) in central Oregon over a 23-year period and relate these changes to their probable causes. In June 1995 we returned to the Horse Ridge Research Natural Area (HRRNA), a site that has a history of minimal anthropogenic impacts, to replicate a 1972 vegetation survey. Using the canopy-intercept method, line intercept method, and aerial photography analysis to measure herbaceous cover, shrub cover and tree cover, respectively, we found significant changes had occurred in the 23- year period between studies. Relative changes of tree, shrub, and perennial herbaceous cover were 59%, 7%, and – 38%, respectively. Relative increases in J. occidentalis density, as measured by the number of clumps and the number of stems, were 37% and 53%, respectively. Mean maximum height of J. occidentalis had increased by 10%. We examined the role of potentially confounding influences (e.g. fire, grazing, pathogens, climatic variability) and found that none of the traditional mechanisms implicated in J. occidentalis expansion adequately explained the observed changes. We suggest that the role of biological inertia of both anthropogenic and natural means may have had a profound effect on the J. occidentalis ecology of HRRNA.
Smart structures and fiber optic sensor research at Florida Institute of Technology: 1990

This paper discusses several novel concepts being investigated in the Center for Fiberoptic Sensor Systems and Smart Structures at Florida Institute of Technology associated with fiberoptic sensors, actuators and processor technology, and efforts to integrate these components into distributed smart systems. Projects include: a polarimetric sensor with active phase tracking test set, a combination polarimetric/two mode sensor, an N-mode sensor with neural processor, damage assessment using embedded fiber-optic arrays and a neural processor, a pulsed interferometric sensor, neural network-processed polarimetric sensor signals, and optically-energized shape-memory alloy actuators.
The effect of light intensity on double bond conversion and flexural strength of a model, unfilled dental resin

Objective. Two visible light sources (tungsten-quartz-halogen and xenon-arc plasma) with vastly different intensities (200 and 1800 mW/cm 2 ) but similar spectral outputs, were used to examine the effects of light intensity on conversion and flexural strength of a model dental resin formulation (75/25 wt% bis-GMA/TEGDMA). Methods. The exact same polymer samples were used to correlate double bond conversion (measured with near-IR spectroscopy) to flexural strength, both immediately after light exposure and after storage. Results. In general, polymers which were irradiated with the high light intensity source exhibited greater double bond conversion. However, increasing the light intensity also increased the maximum temperature reached during polymerization. Therefore, the greater double bond conversion was caused by a combination of both photo and thermal effects. Regardless of the light intensity, a single linear relationship existed between conversion and final flexural strength (measured 4 days after cure) over the conversion range analyzed (50 ‐ 80%). However, deviations from linearity were noted in several samples that were tested immediately after exposure. Significance. These findings illustrate that light intensity does not affect the final flexural strength of a dental resin as long as the final conversions are similar. q 2003 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Occupational Exposure to Swine, Poultry, and Cattle and Antibody Biomarkers of Campylobacter jejuni Exposure and Autoimmune Peripheral Neuropathy

Introduction Foodborne Campylobacter jejuni infection has been associated with an increased risk of autoimmune peripheral neuropathy, but risks of occupational exposure to C. jejuni have received less attention. This study compared anti-C. jejuni IgA, IgG, and IgM antibody levels, as well as the likelihood of testing positive for any of five anti-ganglioside autoantibodies, between animal farmers and non-farmers. Anti-C. jejuni antibody levels were also compared between farmers with different animal herd or flock sizes. The relationship between anti-C. jejuni antibody levels and detection of anti-ganglioside autoantibodies was also assessed. Methods Serum samples from 129 Agricultural Health Study swine farmers (some of whom also worked with other animals) and 46 non-farmers, all from Iowa, were analyzed for anti-C. jejuni antibodies and anti-ganglioside autoantibodies using ELISA. Information on animal exposures was assessed using questionnaire data. Anti-C. jejuni antibody levels were compared using Mann-Whitney tests and linear regression on log-transformed outcomes. Fisher’s Exact Tests and logistic regression were used to compare likelihood of positivity for anti-ganglioside autoantibodies. Results Farmers had significantly higher levels of anti-C. jejuni IgA (p < 0.0001) and IgG (p = 0.02) antibodies compared to non-farmers. There was no consistent pattern of anti-C. jejuni antibody levels based on animal herd or flock size. A higher percentage of farmers (21%) tested positive for anti-ganglioside autoantibodies compared to non-farmers (9%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.11). There was no significant association between anti-C. jejuni antibody levels and anti-ganglioside autoantibodies. Conclusions The findings provide evidence that farmers who work with animals may be at increased risk of exposure to C. jejuni. Future research should include longitudinal studies of exposures and outcomes, as well as studies of interventions to reduce exposure. Policies to reduce occupational exposure to C. jejuni should be considered.
Information fusion based learning for frugal traffic state sensing

Traffic sensing is a key baseline input for sustainable cities to plan and administer demand-supply management through better road networks, public transportation, urban policies etc., Humans sense the environment frugally using a combination of complementary information signals from different sensors. For example, by viewing and/or hearing traffic one could identify the state of traffic on the road. In this paper, we demonstrate a fusion based learning approach to classify the traffic states using low cost audio and image data analysis using real world dataset. Road side collected traffic acoustic signals and traffic image snapshots obtained from fixed camera are used to classify the traffic condition into three broad classes viz., Jam, Medium and Free. The classification is done on {10sec audio, image snapshot in that 10sec} data tuple. We extract traffic relevant features from audio and image data to form a composite feature vector. In particular, we extract the audio features comprising MFCC (Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients) classifier based features, honk events and energy peaks. A simple heuristic based image classifier is used, where vehicular density and number of corner points within the road segment are estimated and are used as features for traffic sensing. Finally the composite vector is tested for its ability to discriminate the traffic classes using Decision tree classifier, SVM classifier, Discriminant classifier and Logistic regression based classifier. Information fusion at multiple levels (audio, image, overall) shows consistently better performance than individual level decision making. Low cost sensor fusion based on complementary weak classifiers and noisy features still generates high quality results with an overall accuracy of 93-96%.
An uncommon presentation of an uncommon disease: Relapsing polychondritis overlap with systemic lupus erythematosus

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare rheumatologic disorder in which recurrent episodes of inflammation result in destruction of cartilage of the ears and nose. The joints, eyes, audio-vestibular system, heart valves, respiratory tract, kidneys, and skin can also be involved. Skin involvement is most frequently linked to concomitant myelodysplastic syndrome and has rarely been associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. A 47-year-old woman presented with violaceous, indurated, tender plaques on the bilateral cartilaginous ears with sparing of the lobes, consistent with RP. Further investigations revealed positive ANA and anti-Smith antibody, oral ulcers, a photo-distributed skin eruption, and biopsy-proven lupus nephritis, leading to a second concomitant diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The diagnosis of SLE associated with RP was made and the patient was started on oral prednisone and hydroxychloroquine. This is a rare report of SLE associated with RP. It is unclear whether RP occurring in patients with SLE represents another clinical manifestation of SLE or a coexisting disease. However, a significant ANA titer in a patient with RP strongly suggests the presence of an associated autoimmune disorder. If immunologic abnormalities usually found in SLE are detected in patients with RP, it is important to monitor patients for the development of other manifestations of SLE.
FAK and Pyk2 in disease

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) are non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases that are involved in cell proliferation, migration and survival. Current research of FAK and Pyk2 is greatly focused in cancer biology and several small molecule inhibitors are being tested under clinical development. Like cancer, certain chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, bone disease, fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurological disorders, share malignant characteristics of cancer. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that FAK and Pyk2 contribute to other proliferative and degenerative diseases. Thus, the goal of this review is to briefly highlight studies that have implicated FAK and Pyk2 as players in disease progression.
Optomechanical quantum control of a nitrogen vacancy center in diamond

We demonstrate optomechanical quantum control of a nitrogen vacancy (NV) in the resolved-sideband regime by coupling the NV to both optical fields and surface acoustic waves and by using strong excited-state electron-phonon coupling for NVs.