cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infant Experience and Late‐Childhood Dispositions: An Eleven‐Year Follow‐Up among the Logoli of Kenya

A small sample of children in western Kenya, studied first in infancy and again at age five, was tested in order to ascertain whether mother-holding in infancy continued to predict affective and cognitive outcomes at age 12, as had been the case at age five. Results indicated that (1) positive affective outcomes at age 12 were associated with frequency of mother-holding, but with no other measure of care in infancy; (2) cognitive performance at age 12 was unrelated to mother-holding in infancy; and (3) for most of the affective measures, though notfor the cognitive measures, performance at age 12 was related to earlier test performance at age five. Discussion centered on plausible bases for thefindings as well as on methodological concerns that raise threats to the interpretation.
Nail disorders: unapproved treatments.

In surveying the most common nail disorders, onychomycosis and psoriasis, very few Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatments exist. Onychomycosis accounts for approximately 50% of all disease of the nail. Until recently only griseofulvin and ketoconazole were FDA approved. In the last decade, several new treatments were approved in Europe followed by the United States and Canada, these include itraconazole and terbinafine. More recently, itraconazole received approval as pulse therapy for fingernail onychomycosis. This review will cover non-FDA approved treatments for onychomycosis with dermatophytes, which account for 90% of all nail infections, nondermatophyte moulds, and yeast and onychomycosis in children for which there are no FDA approved therapies. Nail psoriasis is often a stubborn disease, but it may respond partially to a wide range of therapeutic measures used alone or in combination. Unfortunately, the benefits of the various treatments are not well documented in the medical literature. The response to PUVA, other forms of photo/radiation therapy, and systemic therapy are documented in terms of cutaneous involvement, but for treatment of nail psoriasis there are no FDA approved modalities. Onychomycosis-Dermatophytes
Ethnicity: Perspectives in History and Sociology. A Review Article

During the past two decades the United States has witnessed the emergence of a sizeable industry devoted to grappling with the currently most salient expression of America's perpetual identity crisis: ethnicity. Some of this work appears in the three books at hand. The Ehrlich volume is the outcome of a conference held in 1973 to gauge the "significance of ethnicity as a factor in the interaction between immigrants and the urban-industrial society in the United States", and a few of the essays have appeared in print elsewhere. The Higham collection of original essays resulted from a 1976 symposium held to explore American ethnic leadership. Joseph Hraba's textbook surveys a variety of social science theories on ethnicity and uses them to examine the evolution of selected racial groups within American society. Collectively, these works provide a useful indicator on the present state of ethnic studies in history and the social sciences. The Ehrlich book begins with four explorations of the relationship between family patterns and industrial conditions in nineteenthand early twentieth-century United States. Carol Golab examines the Poles in Pennsylvania; Carol Groneman, the Irish of the sixth ward of New York; Yans-McLaughlin, the Italians of Buffalo, New York; and Tamara Hareven, the French-Canadians of Manchester, New Hampshire. Each of these contributors underscores the importance of considering imported cultural traditions in assessing conditions of life within the family during the adjustment to the New World. But in contrast to the disorganized picture of
Endocrinology and the systems paradigm.

As endocrinology has matured from its descriptive phase, research on the mechanisms of hormone action has been a major current in the field, and biochemistry has been the paradigm for such research. Systems theory provides a different paradigm for endocrine research, having as its goal computer modelling and simulation of endocrine processes. The presence of feedback in endocrine systems, together with the number and complexity of endocrine interactions, dictates the necessity of computer modelling because of the inadequacies of language to describe complex systems. The modelling of an endocrine system requires information on the dynamic operating characteristics of its various components. The techniques of acquiring and manipulating such information are illustrated by analyzing a simple hydraulic system with feedback regulation, which had once been used as an analog of the pituitary-adrenocortical system. Then the current modelling of two intrinsically nonlinear components of the pituitary-adrenocortical system is described in tutorial fashion, with references to the primary literature. The approach and emphasis is strongly physical, contrasting with the previous character of endocrine research.
A new analytical scale DNA affinity binding assay for analyses of specific protein-DNA interactions.

We describe a rapid analytical assay for identification of proteins binding to specific DNA sequences. The DAPSTER assay (DNA affinity preincubation specificity test of recognition assay) is a DNA affinity chromatography-based microassay that can discriminate between specific and nonspecific protein-DNA interactions. The assay is sensitive and can detect protein-DNA interactions and larger multicomponent complexes that can be missed by other analytical methods. Here we describe in detail the optimization and utilization of the DAPSTER assay to isolate AP-1 complexes and associated proteins in multimeric complexes bound to the AP-1 DNA element.
Long pulse high performance discharges in the DIII-D tokamak

Significant progress in obtaining high performance discharges lasting many energy confinement times in the DIII-D tokamak has been realized in recent experimental campaigns. Normalized performance ~10 has been sustained for more than 5τE with qmin>1.5. (The normalized performance is measured by the product βN H89, indicating the proximity to the conventional β limits and energy confinement quality, respectively.) These H mode discharges have an ELMing edge and β 1. The global parameters were chosen to optimize the potential for fully non-inductive current sustainment at high performance, which is a key program goal for the DIII-D facility. Measurement of the current density and loop voltage profiles indicate that ≈ 75% of the current in the present discharges is sustained non-inductively. The remaining ohmic current is localized near the half-radius. The electron cyclotron heating system is being upgraded to replace this remaining current with ECCD. Density and β control, which are essential for operating advanced tokamak discharges, were demonstrated in ELMing H mode discharges with βN H89 ≈ 7 for up to 6.3 s or ≈ 34τE. These discharges appear to have stationary current profiles with qmin ≈ 1.05, in agreement with the current profile relaxation time ≈ 1.8 s.
Modification of certain vascular responses to dopamine by morphine

Abstract Alteration by morphine of two specific vascular responses to dopamine, systemic hypotension in cats and renal vasodilation in dogs, were characterized in α-adrenergically blocked (phenoxybenzamine) anesthetized animals. Morphine sulfate (15–30 mg/kg, i.v.) converted the vasodepressor response to dopamine (50–100 μg/kg, i.v.) to a pressor response in intact cats, whereas in spinal cats dopamine-induced vasodepression was not significantly altered by morphine (15–60 mg/kg, i.v.). Haloperidol, a putative peripheral dopaminergic receptor antagonist, briefly but significantly attenuated the hypotensive response to dopamine in spinal cats. Canine renal vasodilator responses to intrarenal arterial dopamine (0.09–96 μg) were significantly reduced after morphine (2–6 mg/kg, i.a.). Morphine produced a non-parallel shift in the dopamine dose-response curve, whereas a parallel shift was obtained when haloperidol was used as the antagonist in the canine renal test system. These results do not support the concept that morphine may be a competitive antagonist of dopamine at peripheral dopaminergic receptors in these species.
Single-kink dynamics in an easy-plane classical antiferromagnetic chain

The authors present an ansatz for kink excitations in an easy-plane classical antiferromagnetic chain with a magnetic field in the easy plane. The utility of the ansatz is that it presents the in-plane (XY) and out-of-plane (YZ) kinks as belonging to one continuously connected energy dispersion curve. Linear stability analysis applied to YZ kinks shows that there is a velocity-dependent critical field necessary for stability. The authors also present a set of results of a numerical integration of the equations of motion which verifies the YZ kink stability regimes, as well as showing that XY kinks are stable over a wide range of fields and velocities.
Overview of the space-based laser (SBL) program

The Space Based Laser (SBL) program is concerned with both near-term feasibility of space lasers and also the desired operational capability for a robust SBL constellation. For the near term system, we have defined an Integrated Flight Experiment (IFX) that will integrate a high power laser device, a beam control system, and a large beam director, performing a lethal engagement against a boosting missile in the 2010-2014 time period. For the operational system, the program was conducted its Affordability and Architecture Study (AAS) for Dr. Jacques Gansler (former USD(AT&L)). We arrived at a particular set of solutions for a prescribed threat. These solutions include both pure SBL constellations and also combinations of SBL satellites and space-based relay mirrors (SBM). We also considered Air Borne Lasers (ABL) and Ground Based lasers (GBL) as complements to the SBL and SBM. In this paper, we describe the current status of both the IFX program, which is the principal recipient of current funding, and also a nascent SBL Technology program to address the needs of the operational system. For the technology program, we analyzed the specific technology areas we need to develop in order to realize the most pay off for operational SBL systems.
TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-10, IL-6, and INF-γ alleles among African Americans and Cuban Americans. Report of the ASHI Minority Workshops: Part IV

Point mutations or single nucleotide substitutions in the regulatory regions of cytokine genes may affect levels of cytokine expression and have been associated with acute and chronic rejection in organ transplantation, severity of graft-versus-host disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplants, and predisposition to autoimmune disorders. Because these cytokine variants have been studied primarily among Caucasians, we defined the alleles and frequencies of five cytokines among 691 unrelated, adult African Americans and 296 Cuban Americans in the American Society for Histocompatibility/National Institutes of Health Minority HLA Workshops. The genotypes of all cytokines, except for transforming growth factor (TGF)-β among African Americans, were found to be in Hardy-Weinberg’s equilibrium. Genotype frequencies among African American and Cuban American participants were compared with those of 75 North American Caucasian bone marrow donors and with published frequencies. Significant differences were observed in all comparisons except between Cuban and Caucasian Americans for alleles of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10. The most notable differences were in genotype frequencies of African Americans compared with those of the two other populations. The frequency of the IFN-γ genotype A/A, which is associated with low expression, was significantly higher in African Americans than in Caucasian or Cuban Americans (0.66 vs 0.37 and 0.26, respectively; p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). The high-expression G/G genotype for IL-6 was more than twice as prevalent among African Americans as among Caucasians and 1.5 times more frequent than among Cuban Americans (respective frequencies: 0.85 vs 0.38 and 0.49; p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). In African Americans, the frequency of the high-expression genotype for IL-10, GCC/GCC, was approximately half that of the frequency in Cuban and Caucasian Americans (0.10 vs 0.19 and 0.23, respectively; p < 0.0001, p = 0.004). Because levels of expression can affect inflammation and immune regulation, differences in cytokine allele frequencies between racial or ethnic groups may contribute to different incidences of autoimmunity and allograft rejection.
Long term increased expression of the short form 1b prolactin receptor in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells decreases cell growth and migration, and causes multiple changes in gene expression consistent with reduced invasive capacity.

BACKGROUND We have shown that treatment of human prostate cancer cells with the selective prolactin (PRL) receptor modulator, S179D PRL, inhibits growth in vitro, and the initiation and growth of xenografts in vivo. S179D PRL treatment also upregulates expression of the short form 1b (SF1b) PRL receptor, activation of which upregulates expression of the cell cycle-regulating protein, p21. METHODS We examined the consequences of long term increased expression and activation of SF1b, at levels comparable to those resulting from treatment with S179D PRL, by creating PC-3-derived stable cell lines expressing a constitutively active form of SF1b, ΔS2 SF1b. RESULTS Increased expression of ΔS2 SF1b decreased growth and migration of the cells. This was accompanied by an increase in cell-matrix interactions, and cell–cell aggregation when cells were plated on basement membrane components. Real-time PCR evaluated the expression of genes related to invasive capacity. Of particular interest was decreased expression of the protease, urokinase-type plaminogen activator, and its receptor, uPAR, and increased expression of its inhibitors, PAI-1 and 2. Also decreased in cells with increased expression of ΔS2 SF1b was expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. CONCLUSION We conclude that at least part of the beneficial effects of S179D PRL is the result of increased expression of SF1b, and that the effects of increased expression and activation of SF1b continue to be of potential benefit in the long term. Prostate 70: 37–47, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT or SERPINA3) polymorphism may affect age-at-onset and disease duration of Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to genetic effects on disease risk, age-at-onset (AAO) of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is also genetically controlled. Using AAO as a covariate, a linkage signal for AD has been detected on chromosome 14q32 near the a1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) gene. Previously, a signal peptide polymorphism (codon -17A>T) in the ACT gene has been suggested to affect AD risk, but with inconsistent findings. Given that a linkage signal for AAO has been detected near ACT, we hypothesized that ACT genetic variation affects AAO rather than disease risk and this may explain the previous inconsistent findings between ACT genetic variation and AD risk. We examined the impact of the ACT signal peptide polymorphism on mean AAO in 909 AD cases. The ACT polymorphism was significantly associated with AAO and this effect was independent of the APOE polymorphism. Mean AAO among ACT/AA homozygotes was significantly lower than that in the combined AT+TT genotype group (p=0.019) and this difference was confined to male AD patients (p=0.002). Among male AD patients, the ACT/AA genotype was also associated with shorter disease duration before death as compared to the ACT/AT + TT genotypes (p=0.012). These data suggest that the ACT gene may affect AAO and disease duration of AD.
A developmental study of tactual discrimination in blind and sighted children and adults

Normally sighted, partially sighted and totally blind Ss from 6 years to adults performed a tactual discrimination task requiring them to judge whether two raised line figures were alike or different. The number of errors made in the task depended on the age of S, the amount of vision present, and the nature of the differences between members of the pairs. These results were compared to data obtained by other investigators on visual discrimination of similar figures.
Total Dose Radiation-Bias Effects in Laser-Recrystallized SOI MOSFET's

Laser-recrystallized polysilicon over an insulating layer, such as silicon dioxide, provides a new approach for the fabrication of active devices which are dielectrically isolated from the substrate. This paper deals with initial radiation studies for gamma radiation doses from 1 krad to 1 Mrad(Si) on n- and p-channel MOSFET's fabricated in such laser-recrystallized silicon. The n-channel devices were used to investigate the effect of interfacial charge trapping at both the gate oxide/ and underlying oxide/ recrystallized silicon interface. Data on radiation-induced leakage currents and threshold shifts are presented as a function of radiation dose for worst-case irradiation-bias conditions and for various substrate biases during irradiation. Additionally, the effect of a deep boron implant is presented. Although a hardened process was not used to fabricate the MOSFET's, the results show promise for a radiation-hardened alternative to SOS when logic design allows negative substrate biasing and for a radiation-hardened stacked non-planar three-dimensional circuitry.
Theoretical study of the reaction mechanism of ethynyl radical with benzene and related reactions on the C8H7 potential energy surface

Abstract Ab initio G3(MP2,CC)//B3LYP/6-311G∗∗ calculations have been performed to investigate the C 2 H + C 6 H 6 and C 4 H 3 + C 4 H 4 reactions on the C 8 H 7 potential energy surface. The results demonstrate that C 2 H reacts with benzene without a barrier and then the C 6 H 6 (C 2 H) adduct produced loses atomic hydrogen to form phenylacetylene with overall reaction exothermicity of 28.4 kcal/mol. The reaction can be a major source of phenylacetylene under low-temperature conditions of Titan’s atmosphere. The reactions of vinylacetylene and butatriene with i -C 4 H 3 , producing phenylacetylene, pentalene, or benzocyclobutene, are predicted to be unlikely at low temperatures because of significant barriers but may be important in combustion flames.
Organic semiconductor interfaces: electronic structure and transport properties

Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been used to investigate a wide range of metal/organic and organic/organic semiconductor interfaces. UPS was used to determine the binding energies of the highest occupied molecular orbitals and vacuum level positions, while XPS was used to find evidence of chemical interactions at these heterointerfaces. It was found that, with a few exceptions, the vacuum levels align at most organic/organic interfaces, while strong interface dipoles, which abruptly offset the vacuum level, exist at virtually all metal/organic semiconductor interfaces. Furthermore, strong dipoles exist at metal/organic semiconductor interfaces at which the Fermi level is completely unpinned within the semiconductor gap implying that the dipoles are not the result of populating or emptying Fermi level-pinning gap states.
Pain and immunologic response to root canal treatment and subsequent health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the effects of pain and stress associated with a dental procedure, root canal treatment (RCT), on natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) and the subsequent development of symptoms of upper respiratory illness during the following month. METHODS Patients (N = 33) were recruited from those scheduled for RCT appointments. Subjects for a non-RCT comparison group (N = 14) were also recruited from dental clinic patients. Peripheral blood was drawn by use of an indwelling catheter three times: just before RCT, 30 minutes after injection of a local anesthetic, and 30 minutes after RCT (a parallel time course was followed for the comparison group.) Blood was assayed for cortisol and NKCC. Subjects completed a health diary in the month after RCT. RESULTS Patients showed a significant increase in NKCC between baseline and RCT and a significant decrease from RCT to after RCT, whereas the comparison group did not. The NKCC following the RCT was negatively correlated with the pain level during RCT (r = -0.48, p < .01) and pain levels 2 and 6 hours after RCT (r = -0.43, p < .05; r = -0.44 p < .05, respectively). The patient group reported significantly more illness episodes 2 weeks after RCT than the comparison group (Wilcoxon rank sum = 4.78, p = .03). Discriminant function analysis correctly classified 88% of the subjects into the illness category using predictor variables of post-RCT NKCC, stress, and pain levels during RCT (F(3,21) = 8.23, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Transitory changes in NKCC associated with pain and stress may be implicated in the development of infectious disease episodes after an acute stressful event.
A convenient apparatus and tracking dye for anaerobic analytical polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis.

Abstract An anaerobic modification of conventional polyscrylamide-gel electrophoretic equipment is described. The modified apparatus has been applied to the separation of Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase components and should prove useful in the analysis of other O 2 -sensitive proteins. Electrophoresis in reducing gels can be followed with a dithionite-resistant tracking dye, potassium gualazulene-1-sulfonate.
R70-11 Representation of Events in the von Neumann Cellular Model

The late John von Neumann took an interest in a mechanical modeling of self-reproducing phenomena of living things, which are far more complex and purposeful than a mere regeneration of a facsimile of the structures found, for example, in the growth of a crystal in a solution of the constituent substance. After some initial work with some kinematic models of such phenomena, he found a two-dimensional array of identical finite-state machines to be a convenient medium in which to study self- reproducing phenomena represented as the successive state distributions of finite state machines[1].
3D mapping of language networks in clinical and pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease.

We investigated the associations between Boston naming and the animal fluency tests and cortical atrophy in 19 probable AD and 5 multiple domain amnestic mild cognitive impairment patients who later converted to AD. We applied a surface-based computational anatomy technique to MRI scans of the brain and then used linear regression models to detect associations between animal fluency and Boston Naming Test (BNT) performance and cortical atrophy. The global permutation-corrected significance for the maps associating BNT performance with cortical atrophy was p = .0124 for the left and p = .0196 for the right hemisphere and for the animal fluency maps p = .055 for the left and p = .073 for the right hemisphere. The degree of language impairment correlated with cortical atrophy in the left temporal and parietal lobes (BA 20, 21, 37, 39, 40, and 7), bilateral frontal lobes (BA 8, 9, and 44) and the right temporal pole (BA 38). Using a novel 3D mapping technique, we demonstrated that in AD language abilities are strongly influenced by the integrity of the perisylvian cortical regions.
Possible acceleration of alcoholic cirrhosis in a patient with bulimia

We report the case of a 27-year-old Caucasian woman with a history of bulimia and alcohol abuse who developed cirrhosis at a rapid rate. We hypothesize that the patient's bulimia, in combination with other possible predisposing factors, potentially accelerated the development of her alcoholic cirrhosis and subsequent medical complications. The association between eating disorders and liver disease is discussed, and the importance of aggressive treatment of eating disorders in combination with alcohol abuse is highlighted.
Checkpoint control of mitotic exit—do budding yeast mind the GAP?

Cell cycle checkpoints can delay mitotic exit in budding yeast. The master controller is the small GTPase Tem1, with inputs from a proposed guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), Lte1, and a GTPase-activating protein (GAP), Bub2/Bfa1. In this issue, Fraschini et al. (p. 335) show that GAP activity of Bub2/Bfa1 appears to be dispensable for inactivation of Tem1 in cells. Their results call into question the GTP/GDP switch model for Tem1 activity, as have other results in the past. The paper also focuses attention on the two spindle pole bodies as potential sites for regulation of Tem1.
Promoting Environmental Health Policy Through Community Based Participatory Research: A Case Study from Harlem, New York

Community–academic partnerships have demonstrated potential for studying and improving community and environmental health, but only recently have their policy impacts been systematically studied. This case study highlights the evolution, research, and policy processes and outcomes of a community based participatory research (CBPR) partnership that has had multilevel impacts on health policy concerning diesel bus emissions and related environmental justice issues. The partnership between West Harlem Environmental ACTion, Inc. (WE ACT) and the Columbia University Center for Children’s Environmental Health was explored using a multimethod case study approach. The conversion of New York City’s bus fleet to clean diesel and the installation by the EPA of permanent air monitors in Harlem and other “hot spots” were among the outcomes for which the partnership’s research and policy work was given substantial credit. Lessons for other urban community–academic partnerships interested in using CBPR to promote healthy public policy are discussed.
Splice variants of Tissue Factor and integrin-mediated signaling.

Abstract Full-length Tissue Factor (flTF) – the obligatory co-factor for the serine protease (factor) VII/VIIa – serves as the initiator of blood coagulation. The flTF/VIIa complex triggers a sequence of proteolytic events that lead to the formation of a hemostatic plug. Aside from hemostatic maintenance, flTF can contribute to thrombogenesis in some settings. The proteolytic properties of the flTF/VIIa complex (as well as the flTF/VIIa/Xa complex) account for non-hemostatic functions of flTF, largely exerted through activation of intracellular signaling via Protease Activated Receptors (PARs). The flTF-PAR nexus impacts several kinases highly significant in the pathobiology of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Over the past decade, many advances have been made in the understanding of PAR-mediated functions of flTF, an important highlight of which was the finding that a sub-set of integrins – a diverse family of integral membrane proteins – cross-regulate flTF-elicited signaling. Concomitantly, an alternatively spliced TF form (asTF) was discovered in human and mouse. Initial studies characterizing asTF revealed that it is differentially expressed during development, continuously present in circulating blood and solid tissues, and possesses very low pro-coagulant activity. Hypomorphic nature of asTF's cofactor activity is the source of an ongoing controversy over whether asTF is pro-coagulant, and how it may contribute to hemostatic maintenance and/or its aberrations. Very recently, a novel concept emerged in asTF biology: asTF can evidently trigger intracellular signaling that promotes the formation of new vessels from the existing ones (angiogenesis) and monocyte-endothelial interactions, via interaction with integrins. We provide a brief overview of the fl/asTF-integrin nexus with an emphasis on asTF's non-proteolytic, integrin-mediated biological activity.
Supporting novice usability practitioners with usability engineering tools

Although usability practitioners have successfully applied usability engineering processes to increase the usability of interaction designs, the literature suggests that usability practitioners experience a number of difficulties that negatively impact the effectiveness of their work, which in turn affects the effectiveness of the usability engineering processes within which they work. These difficulties include identifying and recording critical usability data and understanding and establishing relationships among usability data. These difficulties are particularly pronounced for novice usability practitioners. One approach to addressing these difficulties is through appropriate usability engineering tool support. We argue that existing usability engineering tools offer excellent support for helping experienced usability practitioners more efficiently do their jobs, but they provide little support for helping novice usability practitioners more effectively do their jobs. We introduce a tool feature, usability problem instance records, to better support novice usability practitioners. We describe the results of a study of this feature, which suggest that the feature helps to improve two aspects of the effectiveness of novice usability practitioners: reliability and quality.
Electronic interactions in the vanadium/TiO2(110) and vanadia/TiO2(110) model catalyst systems

Abstract We have studied model catalysts comprised of vanadium or vanadia deposited onto both stoichiometric and reduced single-crystal TiO 2 (110) surfaces by using XPS, UPS, Auger, LEED and work-function measurements. Changes in the electronic and geometric structure of TiO 2 supports are monitored during overlayer formation in the submonolayer and monolayer regimes. Deposition of vanadium in an O 2 ambient onto the stoichiometric TiO 2 surface results in the formation of lower oxides of vanadium that interact only weakly with the support. However, the stoichiometric TiO 2 surface is attacked violently by vanadium metal atoms deposited in UHV; in the submonolayer range, V-O bonding results in electron transfer to the substrate due to the strong affinity between V and O. This substrate reduction is confirmed by the appearance of Ti 3+ features in XPS spectra. For greater than monolayer coverage, a metallic overlayer is formed. In both the vanadia/TiO 2 and V/TiO 2 systems, the initially sharp (1 × 1) LEED patterns disappear for small coverages, indicating disordering of the surfaces. Although defects on TiO 2 are generally active chemisorption sites, the reduced TiO 2 surface interacts only weakly with metallic vanadium.
Work in progress — A grand challenge leadership course for engineering students

At the University of Tennessee, The Grand Challenge Scholar program operates in conjunction with the Honors Engineering Leadership minor (HELM) and emphasizes leadership training as part of interdisciplinary coursework preparing engineering students to work at the boundaries of their profession with business, entrepreneurship, ethics, and human behavior. We have formed a partnership with the Department of Management, College of Business Administration, to assist in developing this interdisciplinary leadership training for engineering students. In response to the question of how Leadership Development could be customized based on student differences by major, a brief analysis of leadership skills was conducted. This analysis includes comparison of the overall reported Master and Needs Work skills between UT-CBA and UT-COE students. Observable differences and similarities in Management and Engineering student leadership skills are discussed as well as implications for designing leadership activities for engineering students.
Bias in nonlinear regression model with heteroscedastic or AR(1) error structure

Abstract We investigate the biases of the maximum likelihood estimators from normal nonlinear regression models. Emphasis is placed on the heteroscedastic and first order autoregressive error structure. Bias reduction after the parameter transformation is also discussed.
Statins and angiogenesis: Is it about connections?

Statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, have been shown to induce both angiogenic and angiostatic responses. We attempted to resolve this controversy by studying the effects of two different statins, rosuvastatin and simvastatin, in two different assay systems. In the matrigel angiogenesis assay, both statins enhanced tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs, p<0.01 vs. control). In the ex vivo mouse aortic ring sprouting assay, both statins virtually abolished new vessel formation (p<0.01). As a basic difference between the two models of angiogenesis is dispersed state of endothelial cells vs. compact monolayer, we analyzed influence of statins on endothelial junction proteins. RT-PCR analysis and cytoimmunostaining of HUVECs treated with simvastatin revealed increased expression of VE-cadherin (p<0.05). The blockade of VE-cadherin with a specific antibody reversed simvastatin-induced tube formation (p<0.002). These data suggest that statins through VE-cadherin stimulation modulate cell-cell adhesion and diminish the ability of cells to proliferate and migrate. The observations of reduced angiogenesis in the intact vessel may relate to anti-atherosclerotic and anti-cancer effects of statins, and provide a feasible explanation for conflicting data under different experimental conditions.
Delinquent Peer Group Formation: Evidence of a Gene X Environment Correlation

Emerging evidence suggests that variants of specific genes may influence some youths to seek out or associate with antisocial peers. Using genotypic data (N= 1,816) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (J. R. Udry, 1998, 2003), the authors tested this possibility. They found that the 10R allele of the dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene was associated with self-reported delinquent peer affiliation for male adolescents from high-risk environments (beta range = .13-.14) despite controlling for delinquent involvement, self-control, and drug and alcohol use. The authors discuss the importance of using a biosocial framework to examine issues related to adolescent development.
Effect of Diet and Exercise Intervention on Blood Pressure, Insulin, Oxidative Stress, and Nitric Oxide Availability

Background— Diet and exercise can affect blood pressure and atherosclerotic risk. Methods and Results— The present study was designed to examine the effects of a short-term, rigorous diet and exercise intervention on blood pressure, hyperinsulinemia, and nitric oxide (NO) availability. Men (n=11) were placed on a low-fat, high-fiber diet combined with daily exercise for 45 to 60 minutes for 3 weeks. Pre- and post fasting blood was drawn for serum lipid, insulin, 8-isoprostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), and glucose measurements. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure (BP), and 24-hour urinary NO metabolite excretion (NOX), a marker of NO bioavailability, were measured. Systolic (P<0.01) and diastolic BP (P<0.01) and 8-iso-PGF2α decreased (P<0.05), whereas urinary NOX increased (P<0.05). There was a significant reduction in fasting insulin (P<0.01) and a significant correlation between the decrease in serum insulin and the increase in urinary NOX (r2=0.68, P<0.05). All fasting lipids decreased significantly...
Methadone-induced bradycardia

Methadone is commonly used in opiate detoxification in high dose. It has a molecular structure similar to verapamil and has been reported to cause similar side effects with continuous high-dose infusion. We report the case of a patient with a history of addiction and abuse of alprazolam and hydrocodone who developed sinus bradycardia after being started on oral methadone for detoxification. The potential of methadone to cause side effects similar to verapamil must be considered in any patient taking methadone.
Structure of a Supersonic Impinging Rectangular Jet via Real-Time Optical Diagnostics

A real-time imaging system is used to investigate the flow field of an impinging Mach 1.3 ideally expanded rectangular jet. Far field acoustic data show a variety of impingement tones. The most dominant tones occur for a Strouhal number (based on nozzle exit height) range between 0.2 and 0.25. Impingement plate locations of l = 70, 105, 115 and 356 mm were further analyzed as they characterize various states of the impingement flow. These locations were also investigated using the real-time flow visualization technique in order to correlate the dynamics of the flow’s mixing layer with its acoustic far field. There is a strong coupling between the organization of structures within the flow field and the degree of resonance observed in the acoustic far field. The most resonant case of l = 70 mm exhibited many high amplitude harmonics as well as a very organized asymmetric pattern of large-scale turbulence structures. No impingement tones above 110 dB were observed at l ll l = 105 mm, while a single tone greater than 125 dB was present at l = 115 mm. The flow fields of l = 105 and 115 mm were similar with l = 115 mm containing larger and more developed structures at the flow/plate interaction region.
Testing island biogeography theory with visitation rates of birds to British islands

Aim Weconsiderthreehypotheses‐MacArthurandWilson’sislandbiogeography theory (IBT), Lack’s habitat diversity idea and the ‘target effect’ ‐ that explain the pattern of decreased species richness on small and distant islands. Location We evaluate these hypotheses using a detailed dataset on the occurrence and abundance of terrestrial birds on nine islands off the coast of Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Methods Unlike previous studies, we compile data on species that visit the islands, rather than just those that breed on them. We divided the species into five mutually exclusive categories based upon their migratory status and where they regularly breed: British residents, summer visitors to Britain, winter visitors to Britain, and vagrants from Europe or beyond Europe. For each species group on each island we calculated the average number of species visiting each year. We then regressed the average number of species against island area and distance to the mainland (all variables were log-transformed). We also compared the average number of species visiting each island with the average number of species breeding on each island. Results Average number of visiting British residents decreased significantly with increasing island distance, but showed no relationship with island area. There was no significant relationship between island area or island distance and average number of summer or winter visitors. European and non-European vagrants likewise showed no relationship between numbers of species visiting and island distance. However, the relationship between island area and number of visiting species was significant for both these categories; as island area increases so too does the number of visiting species. Main conclusions As predicted by IBT, there were fewer visiting species on more distant islands. There were substantially more visitors to each island than breeding species, supporting Lack’s argument that lower bird richness is not a result of varying immigration rates (as predicted by IBT) but rather a result of some other island property, e.g. fewer resources. Birds make a decision to either leave an island or stay and breed. The target effect was also clearly demonstrated by the increase in European and non-European breeders with increasing island size.
Effect of Continuous Phorbol Ester Treatment on Muscarinic Receptor-Mediated Calmodulin Redistribution in SK-N-SH Neuroblastoma Cells

Stimulation of muscarinic receptors by carbachol and activation of protein kinase C elicits the translocation of calmodulin (CaM) from membranes to cytosol in the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH. Our previous studies have suggested a role for protein kinase C in the regulation of CaM redistribution. To explore further the role of protein kinase C in carbachol-induced calmodulin translocation, we treated cells for 17 h with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) to down-regulate protein kinase C isozymes or 72 h to differentiate the cells. Treatment of SK-N-SH cells for 17 h with 70 nM TPA nearly abolished the effect of carbachol on CaM redistribution. After 72 h of TPA, however, the cells appeared differentiated, and the ability of carbachol to increase cytosolic CaM levels was restored. In untreated control cells, the carbachol-mediated increase in cytosolic CaM content was mimicked by TPA and blocked by pretreatment with the selective protein kinase C inhibitor Ro 31-8220 at 10 microM. In the 72-h TPA-treated cells, however, the ability of TPA to increase cytosolic CaM levels was significantly reduced, and the action of carbachol was no longer blocked by Ro 31-8220. The effect of prolonged TPA treatment on select protein kinase C isozymes was examined by immunoblotting. Treatment of cells for either 17 or 72 h abolished the alpha-isozyme in the cytosol and reduced (17 h) or abolished (72 h) the content in the membranes. In both 17- and 72-h TPA-treated cells, the epsilon-isozyme was nearly abolished in the cytosol and slightly reduced in the membranes. Some protein kinase C activity may have been maintained during TPA treatment because the basal level of phosphorylation of the protein kinase C substrate myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate was enhanced in cells treated for either 17 or 72 h with TPA. The potential dissociation of carbachol and protein kinase C in eliciting increases in cytosolic CaM content was a function of prolonged TPA treatment and not differentiation per se because carbachol-mediated increases in cytosolic CaM levels were inhibited by Ro 31-8220 in retinoic acid-differentiated SK-N-SH cells. This study demonstrates that continuous TPA treatment, although initially down-regulating the protein kinase C-mediated effect of carbachol on CaM redistribution, uncouples carbachol and protein kinase C at longer times.
Performance evaluation of multiresolution texture analysis of stem cell chromatin

We apply texture image analysis to automated classification of stem cell nuclei, based on the observation that chromatin in human embryonic stem cells becomes more granular during differentiation. Using known probability models for texture multiresolution decompositions, we derive likelihood ratio test statistics. We also derive the probability density functions of these non-Gaussian statistics and use them to evaluate the performance of the classification test. Results indicate that the test can distinguish with probability 0.95 between nuclei that are pluripotent and those with varying degrees of differentiation. The test recognizes nuclei with similar differentiation level even if prior information says the contrary. This approach should be useful for classifying genome-wide epigenetic changes and chromatin remodeling during human development. Finally, the test statistics and their density functions are applicable to a general texture classification problem.
Joint-specific disruption of control during arm movements in Parkinson’s disease

The leading joint hypothesis (LJH) suggests distinct types of control (leading and subordinate) at different joints during multi-joint movements. Taking into account specific features of movements in Parkinson’s disease (PD), the LJH predicts distinct effect of PD on control of leading and subordinate joints: impaired interaction torque (INT) regulation should be emphasized at the subordinate joints, and impaired generation of muscle torque (MUS) magnitude should be more pronounced at the leading joint. This prediction was tested by studying three tasks of horizontal shoulder-elbow movements in PD patients and age-matched controls: cyclic line drawing, cyclic point-to-point, and discrete pointing movements. Each task included movements in different directions, providing both shoulder-lead and elbow-lead control patterns. Torque analysis supported the prediction, specifically for Tasks 2 and 3 in which movement targets were chosen to emphasize the shoulder- and elbow-lead control patterns. Patients did not exploit INT for motion generation as successfully as controls did, but only at the subordinate joint. Underproduction of MUS by PD patients was more apparent at the leading than subordinate joint. The results support joint-specific effect of PD on movement control. They also suggest that dyscoordination of joint motions in PD stems predominantly from impaired control of subordinate joints, while bradykinesia is associated more with control of the leading than subordinate joint. Possible contribution of the revealed impairments in joint control to some other movement features in PD is discussed. The study demonstrates the efficiency of the LJH application for revealing changes in joint control caused by motor disorders.
Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow in Children with Sickle Cell Disease After Splenectomy

The study assessed changes in cerebral blood flow and need for chronic blood transfusions in sickle cell disease children after splenectomy. A retrospective chart review of 40 children splenectomized between 1999 and 2014 was performed. The mean time-average maximum velocity before splenectomy was 129 cm/sec; which increased to 157 cm/sec and then decreased to 137 cm/sec, 2 and 5 years postsplenectomy, respectively. There was a persistent and statistically significant elevation in platelet count noted after splenectomy. The mean cerebral blood flow velocity seemed to increase transiently after splenectomy. Close monitoring and screening for stroke risk should be continued postsplenectomy.
Synthesis and anion-exchange reactions of a new anionic clay, α-magnesium hydroxide.

Abstract A new anionic clay, α-magnesium hydroxide, was synthesized by hydrolysis of magnesium acetate in propylene glycol. The structure of this α-hydroxide is similar to that of hydrotalcites. It consists of positively charged magnesium hydroxide layers arising out of partial protonation of the hydroxyl groups of the [Mg(OH) 2 ] layers and loosely held anions in the interlayer region. As expected it ages readily in water to give β-magnesium hydroxide, brucite. While anion-exchange reactions of α-magnesium hydroxide could not be carried out in aqueous medium a number of anion-exchange reactions could be carried out successfully in ethanol medium.
Role of friction and loading parameters in four-point bend adhesion measurements

The effects of salient testing parameters on four-point adhesion measurements of thin-film structures on silicon substrates were systematically studied. These included specimen geometry, applied displacement rate, and load point separation. Measured fracture energy values, Gc, were observed to increase as the ratio of applied moment arm to specimen thickness was decreased beyond a value of ∼4, particularly for specimens with Gc > 5 J/m2. Testing parameters that affect the steady-state crack velocity were also found to affect reported Gc values. The resulting trends in Gc values are shown to be related to loading-point friction and environmentally assisted cracking effects. Good practice testing guidelines are suggested to improve the accuracy and precision of four-point bend measurements.
Non‐Invasive and In Situ Characterization of the Degradation of Biomaterial Scaffolds by Volumetric Photoacoustic Microscopy

Degradation is among the most important properties of biomaterial scaffolds, which are indispensable for regenerative medicine. The currently used method relies on the measurement of mass loss across different samples and cannot track the degradation of an individual scaffold in situ. Here we report, for the first time, the use of multiscale photoacoustic microscopy to non-invasively monitor the degradation of an individual scaffold. We could observe alterations to the morphology and structure of a scaffold at high spatial resolution and deep penetration, and more significantly, quantify the degradation of an individual scaffold as a function of time, both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the remodeling of vasculature inside a scaffold can be visualized simultaneously using a dual-wavelength scanning mode in a label-free manner. This optoacoustic method can be used to monitor the degradation of individual scaffolds, offering a new approach to non-invasively analyze and quantify biomaterial–tissue interactions in conjunction with the assessment of in vivo vascular parameters.