cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Poverty And Disparities In Health Outcomes For School-Aged Children Involved In The Child Welfare System

Purpose: Poverty is a risk factor for poor child health outcomes, and these risks may be more pronounced in high risk populations, including those in the child welfare system. The objective of our study was to analyze the association between family poverty level and child health outcomes in school-aged children referred to protective services for abuse or neglect. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis using longitudinal cohort data of school-age children 5-9 years old from the Second National Survey of Child and Adolescent …
Culture of Corruption: Prosecutions, Persistence, and Desistence

Public corruption appears ubiquitous and increasing in the last few decades, according to public opinion polls. Trials and convictions of public officials usually receive extensive media attention....
Production of 52Mn using a semi-automated module.

Abstract This work focused on the production and purification of the positron emitter 52Mn (t1/2 = 5.6 d) via the natCr(p,n)52Mn reaction, using a TR24 cyclotron and a semi-automated system for the purification of 52Mn. Based on two-column and three-column systems, the recovery of 52Mn was 79.7 ± 6.2% (n = 3) and 70.8 ± 3.3% (n = 3), with processing times of 6.9 ± 0.5 h and 8.2 ± 0.6 h, respectively.
1D and 3D Prompt Gamma Imaging for Dose Monitoring of Particle Therapy

Range verification and dose monitoring is important to reduce the uncertainties of particle therapy. Although prompt gamma imaging (PGI) is a promising method for online range verification, it suffers low-resolution and lack of 3D imaging capability. To address these issues, we propose a hybrid PGI system that combines one knife edge camera and eight parallel slit cameras to achieve high-sensitivity and high-resolution 1D PGI through an advanced deconvolution algorithm. A feasibility study of 3D PGI is also conducted using eight 2D parallel hole cameras for sparse sampling and compressed sensing reconstruction (expectation-maximization with total variation minimization (EM-TV)). The simulation studies show that: 1) the hybrid 1D PGI system achieves sub-mm accuracy in detection of the 50% falloff edge in a highly inhomogeneous region; and 2) EM-TV achieves root mean squared error of 0.55 compared to 3.38 of filtered backprojection reconstruction (with eight projection views and less than 20 maximum counts for each detector element) and recovers the distal falloff edge and the later spread accurately. This work lays a strong foundation for future simulation studies with more realistic settings and development of 1D and 3D PGI systems.
The impeded diffusion fraction quantitative imaging assay demonstrated in multi-exponential diffusion phantom and prostate cancer.

Purpose To demonstrate a method for quantification of impeded diffusion fraction (IDF) using conventional clinical DWI protocols. Methods The IDF formalism is introduced to quantify contribution from water coordinated by macromolecules to DWI voxel signal based on fundamentally different diffusion constants in vascular capillary, bulk free, and coordinated water compartments. IDF accuracy was studied as a function of b-value set. The IDF scaling with restricted compartment size and polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP) macromolecule concentration was compared to conventional apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and isotropic kurtosis model parameters for a diffusion phantom. An in vivo application was demonstrated for six prostate cancer (PCa) cases with low and high grade lesions annotated from whole mount histopathology. Results IDF linearly scaled with known restricted (vesicular) compartment size and PVP concentration in phantoms and increased with histopathologic score in PCa (from median 9% for atrophy up to 60% for Gleason 7). IDF via non-linear fit was independent of b-value subset selected between b = 0.1 and 2 ms/µm2 , including standard-of-care (SOC) PCa protocol. With maximum sensitivity for high grade PCa, the IDF threshold below 51% reduced false positive rate (FPR = 0/6) for low-grade PCa compared to apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC > 0.81 µm2 /ms) of PIRADS PCa scoring (FPR = 3/6). Conclusion The proposed method may provide quantitative imaging assays of cancer grading using common SOC DWI protocols.
Chapter 3 Catalytic Activation of Co over Single Crystals

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews existing literature that deals with the catalytic activation of CO on single-crystal surfaces. The three types of reactions considered in the chapter include methanation, water-gas shift, and methanol synthesis. Examples are provided, which demonstrate the relevance of single crystal studies for modeling the behavior of high surface area supported catalysts. The methanation reaction plays a critical role in the production of synthetic natural gas from hydrogen-deficient carbonaceous material. Additionally, the reaction is an obvious starting point in studies of fuel and chemical synthesis from carbon sources. The chapter begins with a discussion of the studies on monometallic and bimetallic single crystal surfaces, and then the results of studies dealing with the effects of electronegative and electropositive impurities on the kinetics of the methanation reaction are presented. The chapter reviews the studies dealing with the effects of electronegative and electropositive surface impurities on the rates of CO methanation over single crystal catalysts and discussion the role of electronegative impurities in poisoning Ni(100), Ru(001), Rh(111) and W(110) toward methanation activity. The water-gas shift reaction is widely used industrially in various hydrogen production or enrichment processes. The chapter reviews the results of studies in which the kinetics and mechanism of the water-gas shift reaction are investigated using the modern techniques of surface science and copper single crystals. The selective synthesis of methanol is a process of major industrial importance because of the use of methanol as a chemical intermediate, its potential use as a starting material for fuel production, and many other applications.
Bone Storage and Release

The sections in this article are: 1 Bone Structure 2 Skeletal Uptake of Foreign Ions: Their Migration and Release 3 Skeletal Metabolism of Selected Airborne Contaminants 3.1 Fluoride 3.2 Lead 4 Summary
Carryover and Sequence Effects

Carryover and sequence effects arise when repeated measurements are collected over time on experimental subjects. We illustrate how these nuisance parameters potentially bias estimates of the treatment effect, and discuss trade-offs between bias and variance in two split-plot factorial designs. Keywords: split-plot design; repeated measurements; nuisance parameters; bias; efficiency
Structural Difference Between Walls from Ends and Sides of the Rod-Shaped Bacterium Bacillus subtilis

Electron microscopy studies show that walls from ends of Bacillus subtilis cells are more resistant to autolytic degradation that walls from sides of the same cells. This observation suggests that these two parts of the cell are structurally different. A method is available for the isolation of walls from ends of cells.
Task blocks: tangible interfaces for creative exploration

This paper introduces Task Blocks, a system that uses physical blocks, called task blocks, to represent computational functions. Users string task blocks together to create a "pipeline" that sequentially manipulates data. Input devices attach directly to individual task blocks to control the effect of each function in the pipeline. The design of the system encourages hands-on, active experimentation by allowing users to directly insert, delete, or modify any function in the pipeline. This paper presents the design of Task Blocks and results from initial prototyping efforts.
An evaluation of order releasing and due date assignment heuristics in a cellular manufacturing system

Abstract The presence of an order release function, where dispatchers can release or hold jobs from the first work center, has yielded beneficial results in practice but inconsistent results in research. Previous research results contradict the notion that shop floor information should be used to trigger the release mechanism. At the same time, such information has been effectively used to assign realistic due dates to released jobs. This study extends previous work on order releasing and due date assignment by providing a controlled comparison of three order releasing and two due date assignment heuristics in conjunction with six scheduling heuristics in a cellular manufacturing environment. Results show that controlled release deteriorates flow time, lateness, and tardiness performance and is inferior to both immediate and interval release. Controlled release appears to work best in situations of low load and tight due dates. Analysis of different dispatching rules shows the relative performance remains unchanged by the presence of different order release mechanisms. Comparisons of internally and externally set due date mechanisms indicate simpler, non-due date oriented heuristics demonstrate as good a performance as the more complex due date oriented heuristics when shop information is utilized to assign job due dates. Finally, results indicate that in a manufacturing cell, the use of shop floor information is effective for due date assignment, but is not worthwhile for order releasing.
Minor antigen distribution predicts site-specific graft-versus-tumor activity of adoptively transferred, minor antigen-specific CD8 T Cells.

Abstract The clinical success of allogeneic T cell therapy for cancer relies on the selection of antigens that can effectively elicit antitumor responses with minimal toxicity toward nonmalignant tissues. Although minor histocompatibility antigens (MiHA) represent promising targets, broad expression of these antigens has been associated with poor responses and T cell dysfunction that may not be prevented by targeting MiHA with limited expression. In this study, we hypothesized that antitumor activity of MiHA-specific CD8 T cells after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is determined by the distribution of antigen relative to the site of tumor growth. To test this hypothesis, we utilized the clinically relevant male-specific antigen HY and studied the fate of adoptively transferred, HY-CD8+ T cells (HY-CD8) against a HY-expressing epithelial tumor (MB49) and pre-B cell leukemia (HY-E2APBX ALL) in BMT recipients. Transplants were designed to produce broad HY expression in nonhematopoietic tissues (female → male BMT, [F→M]), restricted HY expression in hematopoietic tissues (male → female BMT, [M→F]) tissues, and no HY tissue expression (female → female BMT, [F→F]). Broad HY expression induced poor responses to MB49 despite sublethal graft-versus-host disease and accumulation of HY-CD8 in secondary lymphoid tissues. Antileukemia responses, however, were preserved. In contrast, restriction of HY expression to hematopoietic tissues restored MB49 responses but resulted in a loss of antileukemia responses. We concluded that target alloantigen expression in the same compartment of tumor growth impairs CD8 responses to both solid and hematologic tumors.
The effect of CAM technologies on training activities

Abstract Training programs that plants use to help their employees adapt to different types of CAM technologies are examined based on a national probability survey of manufacturing establishments. The types of training programs offered are first described, then the relationship of type of training to the type of CAM equipment in place is examined. For managers implementing CAM, the data suggest that training programs must be tailored to the hardware and needs of individual plants, that training needs dramatically increase as equipment is integrated, and that training programs generally teach the minimum about machine operation, safety, and knowledge of technological advances in the plant to at least machine operators and shop floor supervisors. Additional training needs will depend on the specific equipment introduced (e.g., robots necessitate training in human relations).
Sclerotherapy in the management of postoperative lymphocele

Purpose To describe a single-center experience with sclerotherapy of postoperative lymphocele and to determine the risk factors for failure of treatment. Materials and Methods From 1999 to 2007, 43 patients with postsurgical lymphocele were treated with sclerotherapy with a combination of povidone iodine, alcohol, and doxycycline. The treatments were repeated at weekly intervals. The initial drainage volume of the lymphocele, the location of the lymphocele, the number of treatments, and the outcomes were retrospectively collected. Results In 38 patients, the lymphocele was drained percutaneously, and in five patients, the treatment was initiated through an existing surgically placed drainage tube. Sclerotherapy was successful in 33 patients (77%). Complications that resulted in termination of the treatment were seen in five patients (12%): testicular pain, cellulitis, posttreatment increase in creatinine, acute renal tubular necrosis, and abdominal infection. In one of these patients the lymphocele resolved after resolution of the infection. The average number of treatments was four (range, 1–14). There was no difference in success rate between superficial intraabdominal and soft-tissue lymphoceles. There was a significant difference ( P Conclusions Sclerotherapy of postoperative lymphoceles is an effective treatment. Success of sclerotherapy is directly related to the size of the lymphocele cavity.
Box-behnken design for the optimization of formulation variables of indomethacin coprecipitates with polymer mixtures

Numerous reports explain the dissolution release mechanisms and certain matrix type formulations follow the Higuchi's square root of time model. Earlier screening experiments have shown that compression of indomethacin coprecipitates prepared using Eudragit polymer mixtures yielded matrix tablets which release 80% of the drug in 24 h. The present study deals with optimization of formulation variables to improve dissolution characteristics of the matrix formulation. A three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design with drug to polymer ratio (X1), polymer to polymer ratio (X2) and solvent ratio (X3) as the independent variables were selected for the study. The dependent variable was cumulative percent of drug released in 24 h. As a novel approach, constraints were placed on the dependent variable such that the ideal release characteristics of a matrix formulation would be obtained for the 24-h release formulation. Based on the experimental design, different indomethacin release rates and profiles were obtained. The dependent and independent variables were related using mathematical relationships and surface response plots. The model predicted a 100.7% release with the X1, X2 and X3 levels of 7.813, 0.9586 and 1.5, respectively. The optimized formulation prepared according to predicted levels provided release rates which were close to predicted values. Also, the observed and predicted response values fell in the range of calculated values as obtained from the Higuchi's model. Further, the optimized formulation was compared with solid dispersions and physical mixtures. All the formulations were characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR DSC and dissolution studies.
Metabolic effects of ACTH upon preexisting diabetes mellitus

THE production of a diabetic state in normal people by administration of ACTH has been demonstrated (1). In patients with diabetes mellitus administration of ACTH has been shown to result in a marked rise of blood sugar (2), and administration of cortisone has produced intensification of glycosuria and increased requirements for insulin (3, 4). An increase in excretion of ketone bodies occurs in patients with combined Addison's disease and diabetes mellitus when cortisone is given (5). A study of the metabolic effects of ACTH given over a prolonged period of time to a patient with diabetes mellitus has not been reported. Although important, such an experiment is not justifiable in a patient with uncomplicated diabetes mellitus because of the danger of permanent intensification of the diabetic state. Recently the opportunity arose to study a patient with diabetes mellitus of long standing, who received a twenty-two-daycourse of ACTH in the hope of arresting a progressive subacute myelogenous leukemia. The ...
Effects of Small-Scale Vertical Motion on Radar Measurements of Wind and Temperature Profiles

Abstract Vertical velocities were observed during the month of June 1990 with two side-by-side wind profilers at Platteville, Colorado. Many of the observations reveal strong wave motion, probably mountain lee waves, that sometimes caused vertical velocity changes of several meters per second in less than an hour. It is demonstrated that, under these conditions, hourly averages cannot always be used to accurately account for the effects of vertical motion on the profiler measurements. It is also shown that it is impossible to accurately remove the effects of vertical motion from the horizontal wind component estimates when the horizontal scale of vertical-motion variability is comparable to the horizontal separation distance between antenna beams. The Radio Acoustic Sounding System (RASS) temperature measurements, however, are not affected by the small spatial scales because those measurements are made on the same vertical antenna beam as the vertical velocity measurements. Nevertheless, it is important t...
New options for combined cataract and glaucoma surgery

Purpose of reviewTo review the current literature regarding the effectiveness and risks of new surgeries that can be combined with phacoemulsification in the management of cataract and glaucoma.Recent findingsSurgical options for concurrently managing cataract and glaucoma have expanded in recent ye
Progesterone receptors in the developing genital tubercle: implications for the endocrine disruptor hypothesis as the etiology of hypospadias.

Purpose: In fetal mice genital tubercles the ontogenetic expression of progesterone receptors and the effect of in utero estrogen and testosterone exposure were investigated.Materials and Methods: To evaluate ontogenetic progesterone receptor expression genital tubercles from untreated fetuses at gestational days 12, 14, 16 and 18, and newborn pups were prepared for real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction or immunohistochemistry. To evaluate estrogen and testosterone effects pregnant dams were gavaged once daily with corn oil (vehicle), ethinyl estradiol or testosterone propionate from gestational days 12 through 17. At gestational day 19 the genital tubercles of delivered fetuses were harvested for morphological examination and then pooled for real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.Results: Progesterone receptor protein was first detected at gestational day 12 in the urethral plate and mesenchyma. At later stages staining intensity increased with a greater progesteron...
Differential effects of everyday stress on the episodic memory test performances of young, mid-life, and older adults

This research explored the differential association of everyday stress with the episodic memory test performances of young, mid-life, and older adults. Participants included 98 community-dwelling adults ranging in age from 19–89 years. Everyday stress was assessed via the Perceived Stress Scale and the Elder Life Stress Inventory. A brief battery of episodic memory tasks was administered which included tests of Logical Memory, Verbal Paired Associates, Digit Symbol Substitution, and Digit Symbol Incidental Learning. Results suggest that everyday hassles and irritations as well as the accumulation of challenging life events may exacerbate age-related decline on episodic memory tests that require greater executive resources and more integrated and elaborative processing. The functional relationship between affective status and risk for dementia is discussed, and consideration of individual differences in everyday stress is suggested so as to allow more sensitive interpretation of episodic memory tests commo...
Comparison of FAM mixing to single-pulse mixing in 17O 3Q- and 5Q-MAS NMR of oxygen sites in zeolites

Fast amplitude modulation (FAM) shifted-echo pulse sequences for 3Q- and 5Q-MAS NMR experiments were compared for resolution of 17O on chemically and/or crystallographically distinct framework oxygen sites (i.e., Si–O–Si, Si–O–Al) in zeolites 13X, 4A, and a natural analcime (Na1.01Al1.01Si1.99O6·H2O). Significantly better sensitivity is afforded by fast amplitude modulation sequences. Resolution among different sites is also better in 5Q-MAS than in 3Q-MAS spectra, although sites with large quadrupolar coupling constants are more efficiently excited and reconverted in the latter experiments. No Al–O–Al linkages were detected in these zeolites.
Effects of deoxynivalenol on content of chloroplast pigments in barley leaf tissues.

Bushnell, W. R., Perkins-Veazie, P., Russo, V. M., Collins, J., and Seeland, T. M. 2010. Effects of deoxynivalenol on content of chloroplast pigments in barley leaf tissues. Phytopathology 100:33-41. To understand further the role of deoxynivalenol (DON) in development of Fusarium head blight (FHB), we investigated effects of the toxin on uninfected barley tissues. Leaf segments, 1 to 1.2 cm long, partially stripped of epidermis were floated with exposed mesophyll in contact with DON solutions. In initial experiments with the leaf segments incubated in light, DON at 30 to 90 ppm turned portions of stripped tissues white after 48 to 96 h. The bleaching effect was greatly enhanced by addition of 1 to 10 mM Ca2+, so that DON at 10 to 30 ppm turned virtually all stripped tissues white within 48 h. Content of chlorophylls a and b and of total carotenoid pigment was reduced. Loss of electrolytes and uptake of Evans blue indicated that DON had a toxic effect, damaging plasmalemmas in treated tissues before chloroplasts began to lose pigment. When incubated in the dark, leaf segments also lost electrolytes, indicating DON was toxic although the tissues remained green. Thus, loss of chlorophyll in light was due to photobleaching and was a secondary effect of DON, not required for toxicity. In contrast to bleaching effects, some DON treatments that were not toxic kept tissues green without bleaching or other signs of injury, indicating senescence was delayed compared with slow yellowing of untreated leaf segments. Cycloheximide, which like DON, inhibits protein synthesis, also bleached some tissues and delayed senescence of others. Thus, the effects of DON probably relate to its ability to inhibit protein synthesis. With respect to FHB, the results suggest DON may have multiple roles in host cells of infected head tissues, including delayed senescence in early stages of infection and contributing to bleaching and death of cells in later stages.
How Many Lebowskis Are There? Genre, Spectatorial Authorship, and The Big Lebowski

Abstract This article counters critical opinion on The Big Lebowski by detailing the ways in which Joel and Ethan Coen build their film around varied but viable generic structures. This use of genre allows viewers to construct several films from one text, which may account for the ever-growing popularity of this film.
The effect of heating rate on the reversible hydrogen storage based on reactions of Li3AlH6 with LiNH2

Reversible dehydrogenation and hydrogenation reactions have been reported for a number of reactions based on lithium alanate and lithium amide materials. The dehydrogenation and hydrogenation reactions involving these materials are, however, usually very complex. Significant discrepancies exist among different studies published in literature. Understanding the reaction mechanism and the dependence of the reaction pathway on material preparation processes and processing parameters is critical. In this paper, the hydrogenation reactions of the mixture of 3Li2NH/Al/4 wt%TiCl3 were investigated as a function of the heating rate. The hydrogenated products were characterized by means of TGA, XRD and solid-state NMR. These new results showed that the re-formation of Li3AlH6 depends strongly on the heating rate during the hydrogenation process. The dehydrogenation and rehydrogenation reaction pathways and possible mechanisms of the combined system are, however, still under investigation.
Diterpenoid resin acid biosynthesis in conifers: enzymatic cyclization of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate to abietadiene, the precursor of abietic acid.

Abstract Abietic acid is a major component of the rosin fraction of oleoresin synthesized by conifer species, such as grand fir (Abies grandis) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), as a defensive secretion against insect and pathogen attack. This diterpenoid resin acid is derived from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate by conversion to abietadiene and sequential oxidation of the C18-methyl group of the precursor olefin to a carboxyl function. Resin acid biosynthesis is constitutively expressed at high levels in lodgepole pine stem and is induced to these levels by stem wounding in grand fir. Soluble enzyme extracts of lodgepole pine stem and of mechanically wounded grand fir stem catalyzed the divalent metal ion-dependent cyclization of [1-3H]geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate to (−)-abieta-7(8),13(14)-diene. The wound-inducible enzyme was partially purified and identified as an 80-kDa protein with general characteristics typical of those of other terpenoid cyclases. Although the enzymatic cyclization sequence almost certainly involves the formation of copalyl pyrophosphate and a pimaradiene as stable intermediates, no evidence for the separation of the corresponding partial activities was obtained. A pathway involving the production of various pimaradiene and abietadiene isomers is proposed to account for the origin of several common resin acids.
Scavenge-ROMP-filter: a facile strategy for soluble scavenging via norbornenyl tagging of electrophilic Reagents.

A new “chemical tagging” method for homogeneous electrophilic scavenging is described. The method utilizes 5-norbornene-2-methanol to scavenge/tag a variety of electrophiles that are present in excess. Once tagging is complete, the crude reaction mixture is subjected to a rapid ROM polymerization event utilizing the second generation Grubbs catalyst. This process yields a polymer that can be precipitated with methanol or ether/hexane, leaving products in excellent yield and purity.
Interaction of Water Molecules with Cytosine Tautomers: An Excited-State Quantum Chemical Investigation

A detailed theoretical study of molecular geometry and electronic spectra was performed for four cytosine tautomers (amino−oxo (N1H and N3H), amino−hydroxy, and imino−oxo) and their hydrated forms with three water molecules. Geometries were optimized both in the ground and lowest singlet ππ* and nπ* excited states without any symmetry restriction. Ground-state geometries were optimized at the Hartree−Fock level of theory, whereas excited states were generated employing the configuration interaction technique involving singly excited configurations (CIS method). This was followed by excited-state geometry optimization. The nature of the corresponding potential energy surfaces was ascertained with the help of harmonic vibrational frequency analysis. All geometries were found to be minima at the respective potential energy surfaces. For the N1H tautomer, the ground-state geometry was also optimized at the B3LYP level, and the optimized geometry was used for the excitation energy calculation from the time-dep...
Prospective memory: Effects of divided attention on spontaneous retrieval

We examined the effects of divided attention on the spontaneous retrieval of a prospective memory intention. Participants performed an ongoing lexical decision task with an embedded prospective memory demand, and also performed a divided-attention task during some segments of lexical decision trials. In all experiments, monitoring was highly discouraged, and we observed no evidence that participants engaged monitoring processes. In Experiment 1, performing a moderately demanding divided-attention task (a digit detection task) did not affect prospective memory performance. In Experiment 2, performing a more challenging divided-attention task (random number generation) impaired prospective memory. Experiment 3 showed that this impairment was eliminated when the prospective memory cue was perceptually salient. Taken together, the results indicate that spontaneous retrieval is not automatic and that challenging divided-attention tasks interfere with spontaneous retrieval and not with the execution of a retrieved intention.
Predictive Power of Oxygenation Index for Subsequent Development of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Premature Infants

Predictive Power of Oxygenation Index for Subsequent Development of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Premature Infants
Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) Impregnation for Ion-Exchange Reactions with Layered Ce(IV) Fluorides

The hydrothermal reaction of (C2H10N2)Ce2F10 with Ni(II) derived from impregnated PTFE autoclave liners results in the formation of [Ni(H2O)6][Ce2F10]·2H2O in the form of aqua-colored single crystals. In this ion-exchange reaction, the [Ce2F10]2- layers remain structurally intact when the ethylenediammonium dications are replaced by [Ni(H2O)6]2+. This methodology appears to be a general one for obtaining single crystals of ion-exchange products of layered Ce(IV) fluorides.
Controls on dissolved organic matter concentrations in soils and streams from a forested wetland and sloping bog in southeast Alaska

Understanding the sources and removal mechanisms for dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soils is critical to determining the importance of peatlands in influencing streamwater DOM concentrations. Soil saturation and soil temperature are the primary factors that influence DOM cycling in soils, but the relationships among these factors vary by soil type and climate. Despite the extent of peatlands that occur within Pacific coastal temperate rainforest (CTR) watersheds, there is little information describing how DOM storage and export patterns are related to soil saturation and temperature in the region. We measured soil water tables, soil temperatures and redox potential and compared these measurements to fluctuations in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) concentrations in a forested wetland and sloping bog in southeast Alaska to address this key information gap. DOC concentrations ranged from 5 to 140 mg C l -1 in wetland soils, 11 to 46 mg C l -1 in streams. and varied greatly in response to changes in water table, redox potential and soil temperature. Similarly, DON concentrations ranged from 0.03 to 2·4 mg N l -1 in wetland soils, 0.2 to 0.6 mg N l -1 in streams and concentrations also reflected seasonal changes in physical measures. Depth to water table and soil temperature were significant factors related to the concentration of DOC in forested wetland soils and streams, while soil temperature was a significant factor that influenced stream DOC and DON concentrations. Comparing soil solution and stream DOM concentrations indicated that N is retained in bogs, while both dilution and biotic/abiotic retention mechanisms control DOM export in forested wetlands. The relationships among soil saturation, temperature and concentrations of DOC and DON provide preliminary models for estimating DOM fluxes from wetland soils in the CTR. Furthermore, these results can help calibrate regional watershed carbon flux models to predict the potential impacts of climate shifts and management activities on future wetland soil and stream DOM concentrations in CTR watersheds.
Immunohistologic demonstration of type II collagen in synovial fluid phagocytes of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients.

We were able to demonstrate type II collagen in synovial phagocytes of osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, using a monoclonal antibody to human type II collagen and immunoperoxidase staining. In addition, using immunoelectron microscopy, we demonstrated labeled fragments in synovial phagocytes of both RA and OA patients. This immunohistochemical assay may prove to be a sensitive indicator of cartilage erosion in patients with OAS and RA.
Oligoamine analogues in combination with 2-difluoromethylornithine synergistically induce re-expression of aberrantly silenced tumour-suppressor genes.

Epigenetic gene silencing is an important mechanism in the initiation and progression of cancer. Abnormal DNA CpG island hypermethylation and histone modifications are involved in aberrant silencing of tumour-suppressor genes. LSD1 (lysine-specific demethylase 1) was the first enzyme identified to specifically demethylate H3K4 (Lys4 of histone H3). Methylated H3K4 is an important mark associated with transcriptional activation. The flavin adenine dinucleotide-binding amine oxidase domain of LSD1 is homologous with two polyamine oxidases, SMO (spermine oxidase) and APAO (N1-acetylpolyamine oxidase). We have demonstrated previously that long-chain polyamine analogues, the oligoamines, are inhibitors of LSD1. In the present paper we report the synergistic effects of specific oligoamines in combination with DFMO (2-difluoromethylornithine), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, in human colorectal cancer cells. DFMO treatment depletes natural polyamines and increases the uptake of exogenous polyamines. The combination of oligoamines and DFMO results in a synergistic re-expression of aberrantly silenced tumour-suppressor genes, including SFRP2 (secreted frizzled-related protein 2), which encodes a Wnt signalling pathway antagonist and plays an anti-tumorigenic role in colorectal cancer. The treatment-induced re-expression of SFRP2 is associated with increased H3K4me2 (di-methyl H3K4) in the gene promoter. The combination of LSD1-inhibiting oligoamines and DFMO represents a novel approach to epigenetic therapy of cancer.
Cellular proliferation in female pelvic organ prolapse: a pilot study.

To assess cell proliferation in pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Tissue samples of the anterior vaginal wall and uterosacral ligaments (USLs) were obtained from eight women with combined anterior vaginal wall and uterine prolapse and from eight women without POP in a standardized fashion. Immunohistochemistry against Ki-67 was used to assess cell proliferation in vaginal and USL biopsies. There were no significant differences in age, parity, menopausal status or hormone replacement therapy between the two groups. The POP-Q stage of uterine and anterior vaginal wall prolapse was significantly higher in the group of women with prolapse compared to the group without prolapse [median (range) 3 (3–4) vs. 0 (0), <0.01]. There was no significant difference between Ki-67 expressions in women with or without prolapse. There were no significant differences in cell proliferation between samples from women with or without POP.
Modification of Oligomeric Cyanate Ester Polymer Properties with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Containing Particles

The properties of an oligomeric cyanate ester polymer were modified by the addition of 0.01-3 wt.-% multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) containing particles. The dynamic mechanical behavior and thermal properties of the cyanate ester/MWNT nanocomposites were evaluated. The storage modulus, G', of the nanocomposite with 1wt.-% MWNT particles was nearly 60 and 600% higher than the neat polymer at 100 and 200 °C, respectively. The glass transition temperature of the nanocomposite was also raised by 30 °C and its thermal stability in air and nitrogen was increased by 58 and 25 °C, respectively. The property improvements are attributed to reinforcement of the cyanate ester as a result of good nanotube dispersion and effective polymer-MWNT interaction.
Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination Scores and Verbal Memory Performance at a Memory Center: Implications for Cognitive Screening

Memory decline is often among the first signs heralding the emergence of mild cognitive impairment or dementia regardless of etiology. Despite its limited inclusion of memory screening, the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) continues to be the most ubiquitous, first-line screening tool for dementia and cognitive decline. In response to well documented problems with the sensitivity of this instrument and the growing importance of cognitive screening, we assessed the utility of the MMSE as a screening tool among older adults presenting for evaluation at a memory clinic. The Standardized MMSE and a standardized verbal memory test - the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) - were administered to 304 consecutive referrals at a university-based outpatient memory clinic. Among patients scoring above 25 on the MMSE (n = 169), over half exhibited at least moderate memory impairment (HVLT-R delayed recall z ≤ -2.0) and more than 25% showed severe impairment (delayed recall z ≤ -3.0). Perhaps even more striking was that among those who achieved perfect (30/30) or near perfect (29/30) scores on the MMSE (n = 70), 43% displayed moderate to severe memory impairment. Although newer screening measures have shown improved sensitivity, more in-depth memory testing appears to be a vital component of successful screening and early detection.
A combined field and laboratory design for assessing the impact of night shift work on police officer operational performance.

Objectives This study assessed the utility of a combined field and laboratory research design for measuring the impact of consecutive night shift work on the sleepiness, vigilance, and driving performance of police patrol officers. Design For police patrol officers working their normal night shift duty cycles, simulated driving performance and psychomotor vigilance were measured in a laboratory on two separate occasions: in the morning after the last of five consecutive 10.7-h night shifts, and at the same time in the morning after three consecutive days off duty. Order of participation in conditions was randomized among subjects. Setting Subjects experienced manipulation of sleep schedules due to working night shifts in a real operational environment, but performance testing was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. Participants N = 29 active-duty police patrol officers (27 male, 2 female; age 37.1 ± 6.3 years) working night shift schedules participated in this study. Results Simulated driving performance, psychomotor vigilance, and subjective sleepiness were significantly degraded following 5 consecutive night shifts as compared to 3 consecutive days off duty, indicating that active-duty police officers are susceptible to performance degradation as a consequence of working nights. Conclusions This combined field and laboratory research design succeeded in bridging the gap between the realism of the operational environment and the control of laboratory performance testing, demonstrating that this is a useful approach for addressing the relationship between shift work induced fatigue and critical operational task performance.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Infants with Chronic Lung Disease: Will We Ever Understand It?

W e are at an awkward stage in our understanding of how the pulmonary circulation impacts the clinical phenotype of infants with chronic lung disease (CLD) and what optimal management of the ‘‘lesser’’ circulation in these babies might be. We know that pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can cause morbidity, but it is unclear how high pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) must be to be relevant. The literature implies that even moderately increased PAP can be harmful, but with cardiac malformations causing right ventricular (RV) hypertension from birth, RV systolic pressure (RVP) at systemic levels is well tolerated, suggesting that clinical findings attributed to PAH may sometimes actually originate elsewhere. And even when PAH is harmful, the temptation to use vasodilator drugs helpful in other contexts should be balanced by the lack of data regarding their usefulness with CLD. In short, although we know that PAH can be a liability, we don’t know who will benefit from treatment or which, if any, of the available drugs will be salutary. Despite these lacunae, caregivers are sensitized to the pernicious effects of PAH, with potentially unfavorable consequences: We have observed that PAH can be the caregiver’s major concern, even in infants whose most serious liability is actually abnormal gas exchange. Preoccupation with PAH can negatively impact care because it can detract from focusing on issues of larger consequence (eg, optimizing ventilatory management and nutrition); and anecdotal and published evidence indicates increasing use of enteral and parenteral vasodilator drugs in these patients. These agents lack approval from the Food and Drug Administration for this indication, the most recent expert consensus view notes that they are of unproven benefit and not recommended with CLD, and for every theoretical reason they might be helpful, there is also one to suggest possible harm. Moreover, the widespread use of long-term vasodilators may complicate efforts to develop rational therapy. We suggest that until we know which infants with CLD should be treated for PAH and that the ‘‘therapy’’ used
Invaded cluster algorithm for equilibrium critical points.

Cluster algorithms are reviewed and a new approach, the invaded cluster algorithm, is described. Invaded cluster algorithms sample critical points without input of the critical temperature. Instead, the critical temperature is an output of the method. Invaded cluster algorithms have less critical slowing than other cluster methods for the Ising model.
SOME PROPERTIES OF THE SOLUBLE IODOPROTEINS FROM NORMAL AND CERTAIN ABNORMAL THYROID GLANDS.

Some of the physicochemical properties of thyroglobulin obtained from normal and diseased thyroid glands have been studied. Properties of the soluble component from gland homogenates have been compared with those obtained after purification of thyroglobulin by chromatographic fractionation on Sephadex G-200. Purified thyroglobulins from both normal and diseased glands precipitated sharply between 1.57 and 1.75M phosphate buffer (equimolar KH2PO4and K2HPO4). On the other hand, the salting-out curves of the soluble supernatants were incomplete in this concentration zone, and a significant fraction of the protein remained soluble even in 2.45 molar phosphate buffer. By starch gel electrophoresis this soluble protein was found to be predominantly albumin. Similar abnormal salting-out curves could be obtained by using artificial mixtures of purified thyroglobulin and albumin. The salting-out of labeled thyroglobulin was not altered by admixture of albumin. The electrophoretic mobility of the thyroglobulin was ...
Codesign Tradeoffs for High-Performance, Low-Power Linear Algebra Architectures

As technology is reaching physical limits, reducing power consumption is a key issue on our path to sustained performance. In this paper, we study fundamental tradeoffs and limits in efficiency (as measured in energy per operation) that can be achieved for an important class of kernels, namely the level-3 Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms (BLAS). It is well-accepted that specialization is the key to efficiency. This paper establishes a baseline by studying GEneral Matrix-matrix Multiplication (GEMM) on a variety of custom and general-purpose CPU and GPU architectures. Our analysis shows that orders of magnitude improvements in efficiency are possible with relatively simple customizations and fine-tuning of memory hierarchy configurations. We argue that these customizations can be generalized to perform other representative linear algebra operations. In addition to exposing the sources of inefficiencies in current CPUs and GPUs, our results show our prototype Linear Algebra Processor (LAP) implementing Double-precision GEMM (DGEMM) can achieve 600 GFLOPS while consuming less than 25 Watts in standard 45 nm technology, which is up to 50 × more energy efficient than cutting-edge CPUs.
Right place, right time.

Stimulation of activated T cells enhances their susceptibility to Fas-mediated cell death by an unknown mechanism. New data show that the distribution of Fas into lipid rafts may be the important step.
1166 INFLUENCE OF AGE ON INITIAL AND RECURENT GENITAL HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE 2 (HSV-2) INFECTION OF GUINEA PIGS

Host factors responsible for the marked person to person variability in the clinical course of initial and recurrent genital HSV-2 infection are undefined. We utilized a guinea pig model to investigate the influence of age on initial and recurrent genital herpes. Weanling ( 350 g) female Hartley guinea pigs were intravaginally inoculated with 5.7 log10 PFU HSV-2, MS strain. During the initial infection animals were scored for genital skin disese, urinary retention, hindlimb paralysis and death. In addition, vaginal HSV-2 replication was determined by plaque titration of vaginal swab samples. Following recovery from initial infection, the animals were examined daily for at least 6 weeks to determine the frequency and severity of clinically apparent recurrent genital herpetic lesions. The virologic course of initial genital infection was similar in weanling and adult animals as was the incidence of urinary retention (90%) and mortality (40%). However, weanling animals had earlier onset and a more severe course of genital skin disease as well as a higher incidence of hindlimb paralysis (60%) than adult guinea pigs (10%) (p <.05). Despite evidence of more severe initial infection in weanling guinea pigs, the frequency and severity of recurrent infection was similar for both age groups. This study indicates that the clinical manifestations of genital HSV infection may be influenced by age and suggests that further examination of endocrinologic and immunologic differences between young and old animals may permit definition of host factors important in the clinical expression of HSV-2 disease.
Elementary preservice teachers’ experience with inquiry: Connecting evidence to explanation

This study examined preservice teachers’ understanding of the syntactic structures of inquiry; in particular, what it means to give priority to evidence and how to use evidence to construct explanations. Data were collected from student journals, the course syllabus, the assignment description, and weekly lesson plans. The use of content analysis methods resulted in three assertions: (1) the students relied mainly on their sense of sight and not on all senses to make observations; (2) they had difficulties giving priority to the evidence gathered to formulate explanations; and (3) they needed multiple opportunities in class to explicitly discuss and reflect on their understandings. This study has implications for teaching elementary science methods and for teacher educators interested in conducting self-study research.
Computer modeling of metabolic pathways

Abstract Although computer simulation has been applied less in biochemistry than in other biological disciplines, this situation is likely to change in the near future as the cost of computers decreases sharply and as more workers become trained in their use. This articles describes the present and evolving state of the subject and some of the current activities.
The upper and lower bounds of rate constants for general mammillary compartment systems

The upper and lower bounds of rate constants for general mammillary three and four compartment systems have been derived. It is further proposed that the midpoints of the bounds can be used as initial estimates for parameter estimation. Numerical examples are given demonstrating the closeness of the calculated midpoints to the “known” rate constants of both the three and four compartment systems.