cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Late Cenozoic Biostratigraphic and Paleoecologic Studies of Arctic Ocean Deep-Sea Cores: ABSTRACT

Deep-sea cores from the central Arctic basin, collected by Lamont Doherty Geological Observatory and the U.S. Geological Survey, yield significant faunal and lithologic evidence of alternating cold and milder periods during late Pliocene and Pleistocene times. Biostratigraphic and lithologic correlations between cores, some with established paleomagnetic stratigraphy, supplemented by radiometric dating and O1816/ determinations, were used to estimate ages and sedimentation rates as well as to reconstruct the climatic and oceanographic history of the Arctic. The time interval represented by the longest core (T3-67-12) is thought to exceed 3 m.y. Ice-rafted debris throughout the cores indicates that End_Page 2485------------------------------ high-latitude glaciation commenced more than 3 m.y. ago. Three climatic units are distinguished. The oldest, Unit III, consists of Mn- and Fe-rich Foraminifera-poor sediments. Calcareous Foraminifera, in part corroded, are thick-shelled forms. Arenaceous Foraminifera (Glomospira gordialis, Cyclammina pusilla, and Alveolophragmium subglobosum) dominate the benthic assemblages. Lower than present sedimentation rates could account for the selective solution of the less resistant calcareous tests and the impoverished character of the fauna. Unit II, deposited between 3 and 0.7 m.y. ago, is poor in Fe and Mn oxides, and Foraminifera. It contains one Foraminifera-rich layer; the predominant foraminifer in this layer is temperate-subarctic, euryhaline Globigerina quinqueloba (O1816/ determinations). This species occurs with sinistral Globigerina pachyderma throughout Unit II. Fragile calcareous benthonic Foraminifera (Stetsonia horvathi, Sphaerodina bulloides and Bolivina sp. A n. sp.) periodically abound, constituting up to 88% of the fauna. Concentration of thin-walled benthonic Foraminifera suggests that the near absence of planktonic forms was due to adverse environmental conditions rather than to dissolution of the less resistant tests. It is assumed that the Arctic was free of permanent pack-ice during the deposition of Units II and III. Unit I was deposited within the last 0.1 m.y., a time of conspicuous climatic fluctuations as indicated by the temporal variations in fauna and in mineral/fauna ratio. Beds rich in Foraminifera and in Mn and Fe oxides alternate with layers poor in both Foraminifera and Mn and Fe oxides. The former represent conditions similar to present (permanent pack-ice cover) and contain sinistral G. pachyderma almost exclusively. G. quinqueloba attains high frequencies at the beginning and end of some of these cold periods. In the Foraminifera-poor beds, deposited during pack-ice-free intervals, sinistral G. pachyderma is accompanied by G. quinqueloba; other low-latitude Foraminifera are present in a few places. Pteropods (Limacina helicina) are preserved principally in core tops. End_of_Article - Last_Page 2486------------
THE PERCEIVED LEGITIMACY OF DEVIANT POLITICAL GROUPS: Two Experiments on Media Effects

This article serves three purposes: (1) An explication of the concept legitimacy. Legitimacy has been measured in a wide number of ways by several researchers. By using factor analysis and correlation validation techniques, the various measures of legitimacy are grouped into four dimensions: evaluation, legality, viability, and stability. (2) an investigation of a critical hypothesis which holds that the U.S. media support the centrist political groups by delegitimizing deviant political groups. Although the deviant groups' activities are reported in the U.S. media, the hypothesis holds that the media cover deviant political groups in such a way as to make them seem ridiculous and eccentric. Two experiments yield some supporting evidence for this hypothesis. (3) A discussion of the applied effects of the findings for working journalists and journalism educators. If news articles which are written in what has traditionally been known as an “objective” style can deligitimize a political group, then the U.S....
Bend-insensitive optical fibers for FTTH applications

This paper reviews recent development in bend-insensitive fibers for fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) applications. First, requirements for bend-insensitive fibers are discussed. Then different design approaches for reducing fiber bending loss are described and compared. A new bend-insensitive fiber using the nano-engineered ring design is presented in detail.
Powerful dye laser oscillator-amplifier system for high resolution and coherent pulse spectroscopy

Abstract A peak power output of 100 kW in the visible at a linewidth as low as 60 MHz has been generated by using a cw dye laser oscillator followed by three single pass dye amplifier stages (or one double pass stage and one single pass stage), pumped by a single 1 MW nitrogen laser. The very high output power obtained in this laser system may be used to produce coherent ultraviolet pulses by sum or second harmonic generation in non-linear crystals or by third order mixing in atomic vapor.
Abusing the notion of what-it’s-like-ness: A response to Block

Ned Block argues that the higher order (HO) approach to explaining consciousness is ‘defunct’ because a prominent objection (the ‘misrepresentation objection’) exposes the view as ‘incoherent’. What’s more, a response to this objection that I’ve offered elsewhere (Weisberg 2010) fails because it ‘amounts to abusing the notion of what-it’s-like-ness’ (Block 2011: 427). In this response, I wish to plead guilty as charged. Indeed, I will continue herein to abuse Block’s notion of what-it’s-like-ness. After doing so, I will argue that the HO approach accounts for the sense of what-it’s-like-ness that matters in a theory of consciousness. I will also argue that the only incoherence present in the HO theory is that generated by embracing Block’s controversial notion of what-it’s-like-ness, something no theorist of any stripe ought to do. Block is famous for (among other things) having introduced the notion of ‘phenomenal consciousness’ into contemporary philosophy of mind (Block 1995). This term is widely employed in the philosophical literature and it even appears in the empirical literature. But widespread usage has brought about divergent interpretations of the term. We can distinguish a ‘moderate’ and a ‘zealous’ reading of ‘phenomenal consciousness’. On the moderate reading, ‘phenomenal consciousness’ just means ‘experience’. Many people have embraced this sense of the term and use it to roughly pick out conscious experience involving sensory quality (states like conscious visual experiences or conscious pains, for example). On the zealous reading, however, phenomenal consciousness is held to be ‘distinct from any cognitive, intentional, or functional property’ (Block 1995: 234). That is, any explanation of phenomenal consciousness in exclusively cognitive, intentional or functional terms will fail to capture, without remainder, what is really distinctive about phenomenal consciousness. Block, of course, is fully clear about embracing the zealous reading; indeed, his initial introduction of the notion is in those terms. The same ambiguity occurs with the much-used (and abused) idea of ‘what-it’s-like-ness’. The notion has its origins in Nagel’s famous 1974 ‘Bat’ paper where he writes that ‘an organism has conscious mental states if and only if there is something it’s like to be that organism – something it’s like for the organism’ (1974: 436, emphasis in original). Here, again, there
Intensity analysis of XPS spectra to determine oxide uniformity: Application to SiO2/Si interfaces☆

A simple method of determining oxide uniformity is derived which requires no knowlege of film thickness, escape depth, or film composition. The method involves only the measurement of oxide and substrate intensities and is illustrated by analysis of XPS spectral data for thin SiO2 films grown both thermally and by low-temperature chemical vapor deposition on monocrystalline Si. A region 20-30 A thick is found near the SiO2/Si interface on thermally oxidized samples which has an inelastic mean free path 35% less than that found in the bulk oxide. This is interpreted as being due to lattice mismatch resulting in a strained region which is structurally, but not stoichiometrically, distinct from the bulk oxide.
All the peptides that fit: the beginning, the middle, and the end of the MHC class I antigen-processing pathway

The end result of the antigen-processing pathway is the display of peptide-bound major histocompatibility complex I (pMHC I) molecules. The pMHC I molecules are expressed on the cell surface where they can be surveyed by CD8(+) T cells for abnormal proteins. MHC I molecules present a large repertoire of peptides that fit perfectly in their binding grooves and represent the otherwise hidden intracellular contents. Many peptides originate as defective ribosomal products in the cytoplasm. In a stepwise manner, the antigen-processing pathway generates and protects the proteolytic intermediates until they yield the final peptides that can fit the MHC I in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Absorbing boundary conditions for the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations with the spectral difference method

Two absorbing boundary conditions, the absorbing sponge zone and the perfectly matched layer, are developed and implemented for the spectral difference method discretizing the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations on unstructured grids. The performance of both boundary conditions is evaluated and compared with the characteristic boundary condition for a variety of benchmark problems including vortex and acoustic wave propagations. The applications of the perfectly matched layer technique in the numerical simulations of unsteady problems with complex geometries are also presented to demonstrate its capability.
Energy-aware cosynthesis of real-time multimedia applications on MPSoCs using heterogeneous scheduling policies

Real-time multimedia applications are increasingly being mapped onto MPSoC (multiprocessor system-on-chip) platforms containing hardware--software IPs (intellectual property), along with a library of common scheduling policies such as EDF, RM. The choice of a scheduling policy for each IP is a key decision that greatly affects the design's ability to meet real-time constraints, and also directly affects the energy consumed by the design. We present a cosynthesis framework for design space exploration that considers heterogeneous scheduling while mapping multimedia applications onto such MPSoCs. In our approach, we select a suitable scheduling policy for each IP such that system energy is minimized—our framework also includes energy-reduction techniques utilizing dynamic power management. Experimental results on a realistic multimode multimedia terminal application demonstrate that our approach enables us to select design points with up to 60.5% reduced energy for a given area constraint, while meeting all real-time requirements. More importantly, our approach generates a tradeoff space between energy and cost allowing designers to comparatively evaluate multiple system level mappings.
Comparison of Injury During Cadet Basic Training by Gender

Objectives: To describe the rate and distribution of injuries during basic training in male and female cadets and to assess the contribution of pretraining conditioning and height to the male-female differential in injuries. Design: Cohort study. Setting: The US Military Academy, West Point, NY. Participants: A total of 558 cadets from the class of 1995 at the US Military Academy. Main Outcome Measures: The rate of injuries resulting in 1 or more days excused from physical activities per 100 cadets and the rate of injuries resulting in hospitalization of 1 night or longer per 100 cadets. Results: Women had 2.5 times the rate of injuries as men and 3.9 times the rate of injuries resulting in hospitalization. Women had significantly more stress fractures and stress reactions than men. The median number of days excused from physical activities for women's injuries was significantly higher than that from men's injuries. Pretraining conditioning, measured by performance on a 2-mile (3.2-km) run, accounted for approximately half the difference in rates of injuries between men and women; differences in height among men and women did not account for differences in injury rates. Conclusions: The women had a higher risk for injury during military training than men. Increased pretraining conditioning may substantially decrease the risk for injury. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997;151:456-461
Spectral analysis of flickering aurora

[1] We present a case study of a flickering aurora event observed from Poker Flat, Alaska. The data were recorded using an Andor EMCCD narrow field of view (15° × 15°) imager. The images were recorded at 33.58 frames per second resulting in 256 × 256 pixel images. The specific event analyzed consists of a time series of images lasting approximately 30 seconds (1000 images) where flickering aurora was observed throughout the entire sequence. An asymmetry was found in the scale size of the patches, with the East–West direction being approximately twice as large as the North–South direction. The calculation of the spatiotemporal spectra reveals that the temporal frequencies of the luminosity variations occur throughout the well-defined range of 5 Hz to 14 Hz, with a sharp increase in power around 5 Hz and the peak at approximately 10 Hz. These data are compared to the theoretically calculated dispersion relation for ion cyclotron waves and the observed wave power can be bounded by using a k∥ between 1 × 10−5 m−1 and 3 × 10−5 m−1 for an altitude of 3100 km. Observationally there is a lack of power at values of k⊥ larger than ∼2 × 10−3 m−1, suggesting the existence of a minimum spatial scale for flickering auroral patches of approximately the O+ ion gyroradius (∼1 km) at the interaction altitude.
Development and application of a North American Great Lakes hydrometeorological database — Part I: Precipitation, evaporation, runoff, and air temperature

Abstract Starting in 1983, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) has been developing and maintaining a historical time series of North American Great Lakes basin-scale monthly hydrometeorological data. This collection of data sets, which we hereafter refer to as the NOAA-GLERL monthly hydrometeorological database (GLM-HMD), is, to our knowledge, the first (and perhaps still the only) to assimilate hydrometeorological measurements into model simulations for each of the major components of the water budget across the entirety (i.e., both United States and Canadian portions) of the Great Lakes basin for a period of record dating back to the early and mid 1900s. Here, we describe the development of data sets in the first (GLM-HMD-I) of two subsets of the GLM-HMD including basin-scale estimates of over-lake and over-land precipitation and air temperature, runoff, and over-lake evaporation. Our synthesis of the GLM-HMD-I includes a summary of the monitoring network associated with each variable and an indication of how each monitoring network has changed over time. We conclude with two representative applications of the GLM-HMD aimed at advancing understanding of seasonal and long-term changes in Great Lakes regional meteorology and climatology. These two examples implicitly reflect the historical utility of the GLM-HMD in numerous previous studies, and explicitly demonstrate its potential utility in ongoing and future regional hydrological science and climate change research.
Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) skin infections.

Purpose of reviewCommunity-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has become increasingly important as a cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), particularly abscesses, in patients seen in the emergency department setting. The antibiotic sensitivity profile of Sta
What is the Utility Of a Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Service in an Academic Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Limb lengthening and reconstruction surgery is a relatively new subspecialty of orthopaedic surgery in the United States. Despite increased awareness and practice of the specialty, it is rarely vested as a separate clinical service in an academic department of orthopaedic surgery. We have had experience growing such a dedicated service within an academic department of orthopaedic surgery over the past 9 years. We explored (1) the use of a limb deformity service (LDS) in an academic department of orthopaedic surgery by examining data on referral patterns, our clinical volume, and academic productivity; and (2) the surgical breadth of cases comprising the patients of the LDS in an academic department of orthopaedic surgery by examining data on caseload by anatomic sites, category, and surgical techniques/tools. We (SRR, ATF, EWB) retrospectively examined data on numbers of surgical cases and outpatient visits from the limb lengthening and complex reconstruction service at the Hospital for Special Surgery from 2005 to 2013 to evaluate growth. We studied 672 consecutive surgical cases performed by our service for a sample period of 1 year, assessing referral patterns within and outside our medical center, anatomic region, surgical category, and surgical technique/tool. Academic productivity was measured by review of our service’s publications. During the time period studied (2005–2013), outpatient and surgical volume significantly increased by 120% (1530 to 3372) and 105% (346 to 708), respectively, on our LDS. Surgical volume growth was similar to the overall growth of the department of orthopaedic surgery. Referrals were primarily from orthopaedic surgeons (56%) and self/Internet research (25%). Physician referrals were predominantly from our own medical center (83%). Referrals from within our institution came from a variety of clinical services. Forty-nine peer-reviewed articles and 23 book chapters were published by staff members of our service. Anatomic surgical sites, surgical categories, and technique/tools used on our LDS were diverse, yet procedures were specialized to the discipline of limb deformity. There is a substantial role for an LDS within an academic department of orthopaedic surgery. With establishment of a dedicated service comes focus and resources that establish an environment for growth in volume, intramural and extramural referral, and purposeful research and education. The majority of referrals were from orthopaedic surgeons from our own medical center, suggesting needfulness. The LDS provides patients access to specialized surgery. The number of intramural referrals suggests that the specialty service helps retain patients within our academic orthopaedic department. Future research will try to determine if such a dedicated service leads to improved outcomes, efficiency, and value. Level IV, retrospective study.
Using Nonverbal Tests to Help Identify Academically Talented Children.

Language-reduced (nonverbal) ability tests are the primary talent identification tools for ELL children. The appropriate use of such tests with low-SES and minority children is more nuanced. Whenev...
Application of Bicarbonate to High-Phosphorus Soils to Increase Plant-Available Phosphorus

Vegetable growers in the northeastern United States often have soils with P levels so high that fertilizer applications have environmentally detrimental effects. However, growers raise crops that require P fertilizer in cool soils regardless of soil P levels. A method to increase bioavailable P to vegetable seedlings in cool soils would have great value. Bicarbonate is a safe and inexpensive material that solubilizes some pools of adsorbed phosphate. Incubation of 50 mmol KHCO₃ kg⁻¹ soil increased water-extractable P three- to eightfold in soils characteristic of P-impacted vegetable soils in the northeastern United States. A banded treatment at this rate is equivalent to 28 kg ha⁻¹. Multivariate analysis of soil characteristics revealed that the most responsive soils were those high in sand content. The response increased linearly with sand content >50%. A bicarbonate application technique would therefore have particular promise on sandy, high-P soils such as those found on the Atlantic seaboard.
Use of glycan targeting antibodies to identify cancer-associated glycoproteins in plasma of breast cancer patients.

Immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC) was used to isolate and identify potential cancer biomarker glycoproteins by targeting disease-associated glycans. Glycoproteins were selected from plasma of disease-free and breast cancer patients with an anti-Lewis x (Lex) IAC column. After extensive washing of the IAC column to remove abundant proteins, the selected proteins were eluted with an acidic mobile phase and identified in two ways. The protocol used in route A involved the steps of tryptic digestion, reversed-phase chromatographic fractionation of the digest, and identification of peptides in collected RPC fractions by MALDI-MS/MS. Route B differed in that IAC-selected proteins were further fractionated by reversed-phase chromatography before proteolysis of individual chromatographic fractions and identification by MALDI-MS/MS. Route A was the more efficacious of the two protocols in total number of proteins identified. Of the 26 proteins identified, 9 were found to be potential breast cancer marker candida...
Canakinumab in gout

Introduction: Gout is a painful inflammatory arthritis with a prevalence of approximately 4% in the United States, affecting an estimated 8.3 million adults. The past 20 years have shown significant increases in the number of patients with gout and its incidence may still be increasing. Current treatment options to control the pain and inflammation of acute gout include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine and corticosteroids, although patients are often unresponsive to, intolerant of, or have contraindications for, these therapies. Additional treatment options are therefore needed for this population with difficult-to-treat gout.Areas covered: Currently available and investigational anti-inflammatory agents for acute and chronic gout will briefly be reviewed. Canakinumab, a fully human monoclonal anti-interleukin (IL)-1β antibody that selectively blocks IL-1β and that is being investigated for the treatment of gout, will be discussed in greater detail.Expert opinion: Canakinumab has been foun...
Tick-borne flaviviruses: dissecting host immune responses and virus countermeasures

The tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) serocomplex of viruses, genus Flavivirus, includes a number of important human pathogens that cause serious neurological illnesses and hemorrhagic fevers. These viruses pose a significant public health problem due to high rates of morbidity and mortality, their emergence to new geographic areas, and the recent rise in the incidence of human infections. The most notable member of the TBE serocomplex is tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a neurotropic flavivirus that causes debilitating and sometimes fatal encephalitis. Although effective prophylactic anti-TBEV vaccines have been developed, there is currently no specific treatment for infection. To identify new targets for therapeutical intervention, it is imperative to understand interactions between TBEV and the host immune response to infection. Interferon (IFN) has a critical role in controlling flavivirus replication. Dendritic cells (DCs) represent an early target of TBEV infection and are major producers of IFN. Thus, interactions between DCs, IFN responses, and the virus are likely to substantially influence the outcome of infection. Early IFN and DC responses are modulated not only by the virus, but also by the tick vector and immunomodulatory compounds of tick saliva inoculated with virus into the skin. Our laboratory is examining interactions between the triad of virus, tick vector, and mammalian host that contribute to the pathogenesis of tick-borne flaviviruses. This work will provide a more detailed understanding of early events in virus infection and their impact on flavivirus pathogenesis.
Health Promotion Approaches to Occupant Protection: An Epidemiologic Framework

The size of the problem, the potential for prevention, and the Nation's prevention priorities all support public health action to prevent injuries. A balanced approach to this problem should include both environmental and health promotion strategies. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is encouraging development of health promotion capability at the community level; the approach bases planning and implementation of programs on epidemiologic analysis to define the problem. Behavioral risk factor surveillance data will help states and communities establish baselines and determine priorities. Baseline data from the state-based surveillance system illustrate risk levels of motor vehicle occupants, e.g., 58% of adults report "seldom" or "never" using seat belts, and one of every seven males ages 18-34 report driving after having too much to drink. A health promotion plan developed by the Oakland County, Michigan, Health Department illustrates the use of these kinds of data as an epidemiologic framework; this plan identifies child passenger safety as a priority for action and establishes measurable objectives to reduce risk through health promotion programs. Health promotion includes not only interventions that support individual behavior change but also community change. By acquiring epidemiologic data and conveying it both to individuals and community decision makers, the public health community supports increased community efforts to protect occupants of motor vehicles.
Weed seeds as nutritional resources for soil Ascomycota and characterization of specific associations between plant and fungal species

Current interest in biological-based management of weed seed banks in agriculture furthers the need to understand how microorganisms affect seed fate in soil. Many annual weeds produce seeds in high abundance; their dispersal presenting ready opportunity for interactions with soil-borne microorganisms. In this study, we investigated seeds of four common broadleaf weeds, velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), woolly cupgrass (Eriochloa villosa), Pennsylvania smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicum), and giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), for potential as sources of carbon nutrition for soil fungi. Seeds, as the major source of carbon in an agar matrix, were exposed to microbial populations derived from four different soils for 2 months. Most seeds were heavily colonized, and the predominant 18S rRNA gene sequences cloned from these assemblages were primarily affiliated with Ascomycota. Further, certain fungi corresponded to weed species, regardless of soil population. Relatives of Chaetomium globosum (98–99% sequence identity) and Cordyceps sinensis (99%) were found to be associated with seeds of woolly cupgrass and Pennsylvania smartweed, respectively. More diverse fungi were associated with velvetleaf seeds, which were highly susceptible to decay. The velvetleaf seed associations were dominated by relatives of Cephaliophora tropica (98–99%). In contrast to the other species, only few giant ragweed seeds were heavily colonized, but those that were colonized resulted in seed decay. The results showed that seeds could provide significant nutritional resources for saprophytic microbes, given the extant populations can overcome intrinsic seed defenses against microbial antagonism. Further, weed species-specific associations may occur with certain fungi, with nutritional benefits conferred to microorganisms that may not always result in seed biodeterioration.
Wh-in-Situ Does Not Correlate with Wh-Indefinites or Question Particles

Two theories, the Clausal Typing Hypothesis (Cheng 1991) and the unselective binding theory of wh-in-situ, have linked wh-in-situ to two other phenomena typologically: the use of a question particle, and the use of wh-words as indefinites. This article shows, through a typological survey and a detailed comparison of Passamaquoddy and Mandarin Chinese, that there is no connection between wh-in-situ and either property. Passamaquoddy uses wh-words as indefinites in all the contexts Chinese does, but it is a robust wh-movement language. Crosslinguistically, languages of all possible types are attested: most crucially, wh-in-situ languages without question particles exist, and wh-in-situ languages that do not use wh-words as indefinites also exist. In fact, most languages, regardless of whether they are wh-movement or whin- situ languages, have question particles, and most languages use whwords as indefinites.
Measuring the line spacing and density of high-resolution images from capstan and drum output scanners

Minor defects in line spacing and/or density variations can cause visual artifacts in images generated by output scanners. This paper presents a method to quantify such errors using a measurement station that characterizes both the line spacing and the relative density of lines printed at 1200 to 2400 lines/inch. While other measurement methods exist (e.g., grabbing single frames of data from a micro-densitometer), possibly most restricting is the limited number of lines that can be measured due to the trade-off between field of view and resolution. Moire effects may also be utilized for spacing checks, but the results are not sufficiently quantized. The method being presented does not limit the number of lines that can be measured at one time, therefore large regions can be used to perform spatial frequency analysis. In 1- on/1-off line patterns, variations of only 2-3% in line spacing (approximately equals 40 microinches in 1200 LPI) are perceptible. Very minor variations in density can also cause visual artifacts. Distinguishing between a spacing error and a density error is critical to the troubleshooting process. This measurement system was designed to have a theoretical positional resolution of 0.417 microinches. Repeatability of line space measurements for this type of pattern is typically better than 10 microinches.
A new tubulin polymerization inhibitor, auristatin PE, induces tumor regression in a human Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia xenograft model.

Abstract Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) is an uncommon lymphoproliferative disease which remains incurable with current treatment protocols. We have previously established a permanent WM cell line, WSU-WM, which grows as a xenograft in severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor effects of auristatin PE (a structural modification of the marine, shell-less mollusk peptide constituent dolastatin 10). WSU-WM cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 at a concentration of 2x10(5) cells/ml using 24-well plates. Auristatin PE or dolastatin 10 were added to triplicate wells and cell count and viability were assessed after 24, 48 and 72 h. Results showed that both agents were active against WSU-WM, and were able to induce complete growth inhibition at 100 pg/ml. The efficacy of these agents in vivo was evaluated using the WSU-WM SCID mouse xenograft model. Auristatin PE and dolastatin 10 were given i.v. via tail vein at 2.0 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg, respectively. The agents were given every second day for three injections which represent the maximum tolerated doses. Tumor growth inhibition (T/C), tumor growth delay (T-C), and log10 kill for auristatin PE and dolastatin 10 were 0%, 18 days, 2.83 and 67%, 2 days, 0.06, respectively. Based on these animal results, dolastatin 10 was inactive while auristatin PE was highly active. We therefore focused further investigation on auristatin PE to understand some of its mechanisms of action. Using two flow cytometry assays, propidium iodide for cell cycle analysis and 7-amino actinomycin D (7AAD) to detect apoptosis, we were able to demonstrate that auristatin PE at 10 pg/ml after 24 h arrested 50% of WSU-MW cells in G2M. Concomitantly, 31% of auristatin PE-treated cells entered apoptosis. By 72 h, greater than 75% of the cells became apoptotic. The activity of auristatin PE should be evaluated in other tumor types and in clinical trials.
Effects of gaseous hydrogen on fatigue crack growth in pipeline steel

The effects of hydrogen on crack growth rates in a moderate-strength pipeline steel subjected to cyclic loads were studied. Fatigue crack growth experiments were conducted in high-pressure hydrogen and nitrogen environments, and the influences of stress ratio, stress intensity, and cyclic loading frequency on hydrogen-accelerated fatigue crack growth were investigated. Hydrogen acceleration of intermediate-rate (Stage II) crack growth was greatest at low stress ratios and decreased to approximately zero at a stress ratio of about 0.5. However, hydrogen promoted the premature onset of accelerated (Stage III) crack growth. This appeared to be related to a hydrogen-induced reduction of fracture toughnessJIC.
COLD-PCR Amplification of Bisulfite-Converted DNA Allows the Enrichment and Sequencing of Rare Un-Methylated Genomic Regions

Aberrant hypo-methylation of DNA is evident in a range of human diseases including cancer and diabetes. Development of sensitive assays capable of detecting traces of un-methylated DNA within methylated samples can be useful in several situations. Here we describe a new approach, fast-COLD-MS-PCR, which amplifies preferentially un-methylated DNA sequences. By employing an appropriate denaturation temperature during PCR of bi-sulfite converted DNA, fast-COLD-MS-PCR enriches un-methylated DNA and enables differential melting analysis or bisulfite sequencing. Using methylation on the MGMT gene promoter as a model, it is shown that serial dilutions of controlled methylation samples lead to the reliable sequencing of un-methylated sequences down to 0.05% un-methylated-to-methylated DNA. Screening of clinical glioma tumor and infant blood samples demonstrated that the degree of enrichment of un-methylated over methylated DNA can be modulated by the choice of denaturation temperature, providing a convenient method for analysis of partially methylated DNA or for revealing and sequencing traces of un-methylated DNA. Fast-COLD-MS-PCR can be useful for the detection of loss of methylation/imprinting in cancer, diabetes or diet-related methylation changes.
THE EFFECT OF SUPERMAXIMUM SECURITY PRISONS ON AGGREGATE LEVELS OF INSTITUTIONAL VIOLENCE

Supermax prisons have been advanced as means of controlling the “worst of the worst” and making prisons safer places to live and work. This research examined the effect of supermaxes on aggregate levels of violence in three prison systems using a multiple interrupted time series design. No support was found for the hypothesis that supermaxes reduce levels of inmate-on-inmate violence. Mixed support was found for the hypothesis that supermax increases staff safety: the implementation of a supermax had no effect on levels of inrnate-on-staff assaults in Minnesota, temporarily increased staff injuries in Arizona, and reduced assaults against staff in Illinois.
Neutrophilic iron-oxidizing "zetaproteobacteria" and mild steel corrosion in nearshore marine environments.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of mild steel in seawater is an expensive and enduring problem. Little attention has been paid to the role of neutrophilic, lithotrophic, iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) in MIC. The goal of this study was to determine if marine FeOB related to Mariprofundus are involved in this process. To examine this, field incubations and laboratory microcosm experiments were conducted. Mild steel samples incubated in nearshore environments were colonized by marine FeOB, as evidenced by the presence of helical iron-encrusted stalks diagnostic of the FeOB Mariprofundus ferrooxydans, a member of the candidate class “Zetaproteobacteria.” Furthermore, Mariprofundus-like cells were enriched from MIC biofilms. The presence of Zetaproteobacteria was confirmed using a Zetaproteobacteria-specific small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene primer set to amplify sequences related to M. ferrooxydans from both enrichments and in situ samples of MIC biofilms. Temporal in situ incubation studies showed a qualitative increase in stalk distribution on mild steel, suggesting progressive colonization by stalk-forming FeOB. We also isolated a novel FeOB, designated Mariprofundus sp. strain GSB2, from an iron oxide mat in a salt marsh. Strain GSB2 enhanced uniform corrosion from mild steel in laboratory microcosm experiments conducted over 4 days. Iron concentrations (including precipitates) in the medium were used as a measure of corrosion. The corrosion in biotic samples (7.4 ± 0.1 mM) was significantly higher than that in abiotic controls (5.0 ± 0.1 mM). These results have important implications for the role of FeOB in corrosion of steel in nearshore and estuarine environments. In addition, this work shows that the global distribution of Zetaproteobacteria is far greater than previously thought.
Measurement of physiologic responses to mobilisation in critically ill adults.

Summary Objective To identify physiologic variables that could be measured in response to mobilisation interventions in critically ill adults. Background Physical activity may mitigate muscle damage from critical illness, but critically ill patients may have limited activity tolerance. Physiologic measures may be most useful in identifying safety and efficacy of mobilisation in this population. Methods A comprehensive literature search of electronic databases was conducted from 1990 to present, including CINAHL, MEDLINE the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and PubMed. Search terms used were mobilisation, exercise, activity and critical illness. Seventeen articles were identified for review. Physiologic measurement approaches were reviewed for precision and accuracy. Results Cardiopulmonary measures comprised the majority of physiologic variables identified, and multiple measures were used. Physiologic measures were primarily used as indicators of safety, although several efficacy measures were identified. Only one standardised tool was found that could be suitable as a safety measure, the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion. The Medical Research Council Muscle Strength Grading Scale could be used as a physiologic outcome measure. Inflammatory biomarkers may be used as a novel measure of physiologic response. Descriptions of approaches to assure precision and accuracy of physiologic response measures were extremely limited. Conclusions Multiple physiologic variables should be measured when considering response to mobilisation in critically ill patients. Attention should be paid to procedures to assure accuracy and precision in measurement. Future studies including physiologic measures should include inflammatory biomarkers, and other measures of physiologic function, such as pain assessment.
Fracture Burden and Risk Factors in Childhood CKD: Results from the CKiD Cohort Study

Childhood chronic kidney disease (CHD) poses multiple threats to bone accrual; however, the associated fracture risk is not well characterized. This prospective cohort study included 537 CKD in Children (CKiD) participants. Fracture histories were obtained at baseline, at years 1, 3, and 5 through November 1, 2009, and annually thereafter. We used Cox regression analysis of first incident fracture to evaluate potential correlates of fracture risk. At enrollment, median age was 11 years, and 16% of patients reported a prior fracture. Over a median of 3.9 years, 43 males and 24 females sustained incident fractures, corresponding to 395 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 293-533) and 323 (95% CI, 216-481) fractures per 10,000 person-years, respectively. These rates were 2- to 3-fold higher than published general population rates. The only gender difference in fracture risk was a 2.6-fold higher risk in males aged ≥15 years (570/10,000 person-years, adjusted P=0.04). In multivariable analysis, advanced pubertal stage, greater height Z-score, difficulty walking, and higher average log-transformed parathyroid hormone level were independently associated with greater fracture risk (all P≤0.04). Phosphate binder treatment (predominantly calcium-based) was associated with lower fracture risk (hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.91; P=0.03). Participation in more than one team sport was associated with higher risk (hazard ratio, 4.87; 95% CI, 2.21-10.75; P<0.001). In conclusion, children with CKD have a high burden of fracture. Regarding modifiable factors, higher average parathyroid hormone level was associated with greater risk of fracture, whereas phosphate binder use was protective in this cohort.
Adhesion to Sodium Naphthalenide Treated Fluoropolymers. Part II. Effects of Treatment Conditions and Fluoropolymer Structure

Abstract Films of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorinated copolymers (PFA and FEP), with a range of fabrication histories, were exposed to sodium naphthalenide (Na/naphth) etchant so as to defluorinate the surface for improved wettability, and hence adhesion. The depth of defluorination was measured gravimetrically and the nature of the chemical functionalities determined spectroscopically. For smooth films, the fluoropolymer type and crystallinity had little effect on the defluorination process. Surface area was the major variable affecting defluorination rate, although the presence of surface defects and deformation in skived films also increased the rate of defluorination. For all but the skived PTFE, there was little change in surface texture either after defluorination or subsequent stripping of the defluorinated layer by an acid etch. Acid stripping of the defluorinated layer on skived PTFE left a porous surface texture. The chemical nature of the surface could be changed by modifying the ...
Propagation in the transverse tubular system and voltage dependence of calcium release in normal and mdx mouse muscle fibres

Using a two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique, we investigated possible mechanisms underlying the impaired excitation–contraction coupling in skeletal muscle fibres of the mdx mouse, a model of the human disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We evaluated the role of the transverse tubular system (T-system) by using the potentiometric indicator di-8 ANEPPS, and that of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release by measuring Ca2+ transients with a low affinity indicator in the presence of high EGTA concentrations under voltage clamp conditions. We observed minimal differences in the T-system structure and the T-system electrical propagation was not different between normal and mdx mice. Whereas the maximum Ca2+ release elicited by voltage pulses was reduced by ∼67% in mdx fibres, in agreement with previous results obtained using AP stimulation, the voltage dependence of SR Ca2+ release was identical to that seen in normal fibres. Taken together, our data suggest that the intrinsic ability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum to release Ca2+ may be altered in the mdx mouse.
A digital calibration technique for DAC mismatches in delta-sigma modulators

A digital calibration technique is proposed for DAC mismatches in delta-sigma (ΔΣ) modulators. The delta-sigma modulator works as an incremental ADC in the calibration mode. The DAC mismatches are found by solving linear equations and are compensated digitally. The technique can be used in double-sampling delta-sigma modulators as well.
Utilization of Model Compounds to Evaluate Effects of Slight Chemical Modifications on Their Distribution Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Rats and Mechanisms Inferred for Their Transmembrane Transport

The pharmacokinetics of each of the model compounds benzoylformic acid (I), p-methylbenzoylformic acid (II), p-ethylbenzoylformic acid (III), D-(-)-mandelic acid (IV), D-(-)-p-methylmandelic acid (V), D-(-)-p-ethylmandelic acid (VI), and D-(-)-p-isopropylmandelic acid (VII) were studied in rats to determine the influence of slight chemical modifications of the compounds on their distribution pharmacokinetic parameters in rats. The effects of the specific chemical modifications considered were those of the less than CHOH group of IV against the less than C=0 group of I, the para-alkylation of I and IV, and the branched alkyl group (isopropyl) against the straight chain alkyl groups of the homologs of IV. While the disappearance of I from the blood was describable by the three-compartment open model, that of IV was describable by the two-compartment open model. The apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment (V1) for IV was smaller than that for I, but the volume of the peripheral compartment (V2) for IV was greater than that (V2 + V3) for I. The disappearance of V, VI, and VII from the blood was also describable by the two-compartment open model, but the apparent V1 and V2 for these compounds were lower than those for the parent compound, IV. However, the disappearance of II and II from the blood was describable by a one-compartment open model. Evaluation of the appropriate distribution pharmacokinetic parameters suggested that the peripheral compartment for the anions of these compounds consisted of moderately perfused tissues and that the transmembrane transport of these organic anions between the central and peripheral compartments occurs by diffusion mainly through the aqueous membrane pores, which are lined with polar portions of membrane proteins and/or phospholipids. The possible increased hydrophobic bonding between the alkyl groups of these compounds and the hydrophobic groups of the proteins and/or phospholipids of the membrane pores is implicated to decrease the distribution of the para-alkylated homologs into the peripheral compartments and, consequently, diminish the volumes of their peripheral compartments. The heteroporosity of the membranes of the tissues of the central compartment is proposed as the reason for the diminished volume of the central compartment for V and VI as compared to that of IV or VII.
Atlantoaxial subluxation as a complication of early ankylosing spondylitis

Atlantoaxial subluxation is uncommon in ankylosing spondylitis, especially early in the course of the disease. Two patients are described in whom atlantoaxial subluxation occurred early in the course of otherwise typical ankylosing spondylitis. The presumed mechanism is localized synovitis producing laxity or rupture of the transverse ligament. Cervical roentgenograms in maximal flexion and extension are necessary to evaluate both the degree of subluxation and the risk of cord compression.
Switched-capacitor filters

The filters we have studied in the two previous chapters are primarily based on the assumption that they are to be implemented in discrete or hybrid forms - thick-film or thin-film. Although the op amp may be fabricated in integrated-circuit (IC) form (sometimes in groups), it is actually treated as a separate entity for our purposes. Although some of the circuits we have studied can be fabricated in IC form, this is not a routine matter. There are many attendant problems and special details that need to be addressed and overcome.
Characterization of an optoelectronic terahertz beam system

The performance of an optoelectronic terahertz (THz) beam system is described. The transmitter operation is based on the repetitive, subpicosecond laser excitation of a Hertzian dipole antenna embedded in a charged coplanar line. With this transmitter electromagnetic beams of 1/2 cycle THz pulses at a repetition rate of 100 MHz are produced. The associated optoelectronic receiver is gated in synchronism with the excitation of the transmitter by subpicosecond pulses from the same laser source. With this receiver, the 10-nW beams of THz pulses were observed with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 10000:1. Several sources contributing to the noise of the receiver are discussed, together with ways to reduce them. With an integration time of 125 ms, a signal-to-noise ratio of 1 is obtained for a THz beam with an average power of 10/sup -16/ W. The receiver operates in the sampling mode and has a time resolution of 0.5 ps. >
Musical Development and Learning Characteristics of Students: A Compilation of Key Points From the Research Literature Organized by Age

Development involves progressive changes in knowledge and abilities that occur across the life span. Current research on musical abilities suggests that the development of skills necessary for musi...