cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Case Study: Spill of JP5 Fuel at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, Puerto Rico, into a Basin Mangrove Forest

ABSTRACT The U.S. Roosevelt Roads Naval Station (RRNS) lies near the municipality of Ceiba on the southeastern coast of Puerto Rico. On October 20, 1999, RRNS personnel reported a spill of JP5 fuel oil, which was officially determined to be 112,000 gallons. The oil spilled from a day-tank into a 50-acre basin mangrove forest and then into the northern Ensenada Harbor. Initial spill response activities by the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion (Seabees), including construction and placement of both underflow and culvert dams, were carried out in the face of an approaching hurncane. This damming effort resulted in both positive and negative consequences for the survival of the mangrove forest. In addition to the cleanup activities, the federal trustees—including the U.S. Navy (USN), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)—initiated a natural resource damage assessment (NRDA). The primary objectives of the damage assessment were to identify pot...
Toward Nonprofit Organization Reform in the Voluntary Spirit: Lessons from the Internet

This article identifies two models of nonprofit organization roles: the economic model, which emphasizes business-like methods, and the voluntary spirit model, which emphasizes participation and membership. Highly visible, professional nonprofit organizations must constantly struggle with the extent to which they are to emphasize their role as efficient and competitive economic actors or their role as institutions important to our democracy. After years of shifting toward the economic model, professional nonprofits may be ripe for reform. Simultaneously, they are confronting and engaging with the Internet. This article draws on examples of health-based citizen cyber-organizations to derive lessons for how professional nonprofit organizations can recapture their voluntary spirit generally and places an emphasis on participation and membership. Also derived are specific lessons on how professional nonprofits can use cyber-strategies to do so.
Dirofilaria immitis: molting process of third-stage larvae.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the molting process of Dirofilaria immitis thirdstage larvae (L-3) to fourthstage larvae (L-4), as it occurred in vitro . After 48 hr in vitro , the L-4 epicuticle was completely formed, and by 72 hr there was a clear separation between the L-3 and L-4 cuticles. The thickness of the newly formed L-4 cuticle was significantly less than that which has been described for larvae recovered from dogs after a similar incubation time period. If culture conditions were lacking in bovine albumin or proper temperature, larvae successfully developed the L-4 epicuticle but did not complete ecdysis. The molting process of D. immitis L-3 was thus shown to be multistepped with different factors required to induce the various developmental phases.
Quantitative Assay of Trypsinogen by Measurement of Cleaved Activation Peptide after Activation with Enterokinase

Measurement of trypsinogen by quantitative immunosorbent assay of the highly specific and inert trypsinogen activation peptide following complete activation of trypsinogen by enterokinase offers a simple and sensitive method that provides reliable results over a wide range of trypsinogen concentrations. This method offers a significant advantage in being applicable to complex biological tissues.
Size-exclusion chromatography−low-angle laser light-scattering photometry of lignite macromolecules

Abstract The determination of molecular weight distribution in humic acids, derived from lignite, has been successfully carried out by the application of size-exclusion chromatography, coupled with low-angle laser light-scattering photometry. Reduction of soluble derivatives with zinc in acetic anhydride was required to reduce the absorbance so that a linear scattering response was obtained. A benzyl derivative and a methyl derivative exhibited the best chromatographic results, giving weight average molecular weights of about 1 500 000.
Heat transfer performance comparisons of five different rectangular channels with parallel angled ribs

This paper systematically presents the results of heat transfer and friction factor data measured in five short rectangular channels with turbulence promoters. The project investigated the combined effects of the channel aspect ratio, rib angle-of-attack, and flow Reynolds number on heat transfer and pressure drop in rectangular channels with two opposite ribbed walls. The channel aspect ratio (width-to-height, W/H, ribs on side W) varied from 1/4 to 1/2, to 1, 2, and 4, while the corresponding rib angles-of-attack alpha were 90 deg, 60 deg, 45 deg, and 30 deg, respectively. The Reynolds number range was 10,000-60,000. The results suggest that the narrow aspect ratio channels (W/H less than 1) give much better heat transfer performance than the wide aspect ratio channels (W/H greater than 1). For the square channel (W/H = 1), the 60 deg/45 deg angled ribs provide the best heat transfer performance. For the narrow aspect ratio channel (W/H = 1/4 or 1/2), the 45 deg/60 deg angled ribs are recommended, while the 30 deg/45 deg angled ribs are better for wide aspect ratio channels (W/H = 4 or 2).
A differential variational inequality formulation of dynamic network user equilibrium with elastic demand

In this article, we present an original differential variational inequality formulation of dynamic network user equilibrium with elastic travel demand.
The calculus of paint

While paint and its effects are highly visible, it has been of relatively little interest to modern and contemporary writers. This essay considers relationships between a genre of artistic producti...
Valuing the Contribution of Urban Religious Congregations

Abstract Nonprofit organizations are known to be beneficial to society but to date no systematic valuation of their contribution has been attempted. The aim of this article is to advance our ability to quantify the known externalities of nonprofit organizations using the case of urban American local religious congregations. Data from two studies in Philadelphia and Wilmington as well as numerous secondary sources are used to advance the study of valuing the contribution of local religious congregations. This is a first comprehensive attempt to value the overall positive externalities of local religious congregations as a means to assess their societal value.
Increase of interleukin-6 mRNA in the spinal cord following peripheral nerve injury in the rat: potential role of IL-6 in neuropathic pain.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine whose actions include modulation of proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of hemapoietic progenitors and other cell lineages; growth regulation of certain carcinoma cell lines; and control of cellular metabolic activities. Initially described in terms of its activities in the immune system and inflammation, accumulating evidence supports an essential role of IL-6 in the development, differentiation, regeneration and degeneration of neurons in the peripheral and central nervous system. We have previously demonstrated that immunoreactive-like IL-6 protein is significantly elevated in the spinal cord in response to peripheral nerve injury that results in neuropathic pain behaviors in the rat. In the current study, our objective was to determine if the source of IL-6 protein was endogenous to the central nervous system by measuring any detectable increases in spinal IL-6 mRNA expression following established mononeuropathy procedures associated with neuropathic pain: spinal nerve cryoneurolysis (SPCN) or spinal nerve tight ligation (SPTL). Using in situ hybridization and a digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide, IL-6 mRNA in neurons was significantly elevated at 3 and 7 days post SPCN and 7 days post SPTL in both dorsal and ventral horns. The cellular localization of the IL-6 mRNA expression was predominately neuronal as confirmed by NeuN serial staining. For example, in the SPCN 7 day group, IL-6 mRNA cell profiles in the ipsilateral dorsal horn were significantly different from the normal group (38.7+/-12.8 vs. 4.89+/-1.6, p<0.001). These data demonstrate the central, spinal production of a proinflammatory cytokine in response to a peripheral nerve injury. In addition, these results add to the growing body of literature implicating these immune products, cytokines, as potential neuromodulators/neurotransmitters and provides further evidence for their role in the nociceptive processing which leads to chronic pain.
Cottonwood hybridization affects tannin and nitrogen content of leaf litter and alters decomposition.

Cottonwoods are dominant riparian trees of the western United States and are known for their propensity to hybridize. We compared the decomposition of leaf litter from two species (Populus angustifolia and P. fremontii) and their hybrids. Three patterns were found. First, in one terrestrial and two aquatic experiments, decomposition varied twofold among tree types. Second, backcross hybrid leaves decomposed more slowly than those of either parent. Third, the variation in decomposition between F1 and backcross hybrids was as great as the variation between species. These results show significant differences in decomposition in a low-diversity system, where >80% of the leaf litter comes from just two species and their hybrids. Mechanistically, high concentrations of condensed tannins in leaves appear to inhibit decomposition (r2=0.63). The initial condensed tannin concentration was high in narrowleaf leaves, low or undetectable in Fremont leaves, and intermediate in F1 hybrid leaves (additive inheritance). Backcross hybrids were high in condensed tannins and were not different from narrowleaf (dominant inheritance). Neither nitrogen (N) concentration nor the ratio of ash-free dry weight to N (a surrogate for carbon:nitrogen ratio) were significantly correlated with decomposition. The N content of leaf material at the end of each year’s experiment was inversely correlated with rates of litter mass loss and varied 1.6- to 2.1-fold among tree classes. This result suggests that hybrids and their parental species are used differently by the microbial community.
Contextual tonal variations in Mandarin

The present study examines acoustic variations of tones in Mandarin under the influence of dif ferent tonal contexts . In particular , variations in the four Mandarin tones due to anticipatory and carry-over ef fects are analyzed by examining the time course of f 0 contours of bi-tonal sequences . Using balanced nonsense sequences produced in dif ferent carriers with balanced tonal structures , this study establishes a baseline for local contextual tonal variation in Mandarin . It is found that anticipatory and carry-over tonal influences dif fer both in magnitude and in nature . Carry-over ef fects are mostly assimilatory : the starting f 0 of a tone is assimilated to the of fset value of a previous tone . Anticipatory ef fects , on the other hand , are mostly dissimilatory : a low onset value of a tone raises the maximum f 0 value of a preceding tone . While the magnitude of the carry-over ef fect is large , anticipatory ef fects are relatively small . ÷ 1997 Academic Press Limited
PBP2a Mutations Causing High-Level Ceftaroline Resistance in Clinical Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates

Ceftaroline is the first member of a novel class of cephalosporins approved for use in the United States. Although prior studies have identified eight ceftaroline-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates in Europe and Asia with MICs ranging from 4 to 8 mg/liter, high-level resistance to ceftaroline (>32 mg/liter) has not been described in MRSA strains isolated in the United States. We isolated a ceftaroline-resistant (MIC > 32 mg/liter) MRSA strain from the blood of a cystic fibrosis patient and five MRSA strains from the respiratory tract of this patient. Whole-genome sequencing identified two amino acid-altering mutations uniquely present in the ceftaroline-binding pocket of the transpeptidase region of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) in ceftaroline-resistant isolates. Biochemical analyses and the study of isogenic mutant strains confirmed that these changes caused ceftaroline resistance. Thus, we identified the molecular mechanism of ceftaroline resistance in the first MRSA strain with high-level ceftaroline resistance isolated in the United States.
Nucleotide sequence of the bacterial transposon Tn1681 encoding a heat-stable (ST) toxin and its identification in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains

Abstract the Escherichia coli heat-stable toxin (ST I) is encoded within a transposon (Tn1681) flanked by inverted repeats of insertion sequence 1 (IS1) [So, M., Heffron, F. & McCarthy, B. J. (1979) Nature (London) 277, 453-456]. By subcloning restriction fragments and by insertion mutagenesis, we located precisely the gene for ST I within the transposon. We determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the central portion of Tn1681 (i.e., that part flanked by IS1) and identified the coding sequence of the toxin. From the nucleotide sequence, we deduced a probable amino acid sequence for ST I. The NH2-terminal portion of the amino acid sequence is extremely hydrophobic and bears a striking resemblance to the signal sequence of the fd phage minor coat protein. By using a subcloned restriction fragment containing the gene for ST I but no IS1 sequences, we determined (i) that the ST toxin with activity assayable in suckling mice (ST I) is genetically distinct from the St toxin assayable in ligated ileal loops (ST II) and (ii) that ST I can be responsible for diarrheal disease in different animals.
Hydrogen inhibition of acetate metabolism and kinetics of hydrogen consumption by Methanosarcina thermophila TM-1

Methanosarcina thermophila TM-1 produced hydrogen during growth on acetate, maintaining a concentration of approx. 0.3 μM in the culture, corresponding to a hydrogen partial pressure of approx. 40 Pa. Increasing the partial pressure of hydrogen to 250 Pa and more led to a gradually increasing inhibition of acetate metabolism. No growth was observed when the gas phase contained 2000 Pa or more and acetate metabolism did not occur even after prolonged incubation (more than 2 weeks). M. thermophila was capable of limited consumption of hydrogen. Consumption of low concentrations of hydrogen proceeded simultaneously with acetate utilization. The affinity for hydrogen (K m=5 μM) was within the range normally found for hydrogenutilizing methanogens, while the corresponding V max (1.2 μmol hydrogen consumed mg-1 · cells h-1) was orders of magnitude lower.
Survival among Patients with HIV Infection and Smear-Negative Pulmonary Tuberculosis - United States, 1993–2006

BACKGROUND In patients with HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in resource-constrained settings, smear-negative disease has been associated with higher mortality than smear-positive disease. Higher reported mortality may be due to misdiagnosis, diagnostic delays, or because smear-negative disease indicates more advanced immune suppression. METHODS We analyzed culture-confirmed, pulmonary TB among patients with TB and HIV in the United States from 1993-2008 to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) for smear-negative disease by demographic and clinical characteristics. Allowing two years for treatment outcome to be reported, we determined hazard ratios (HRs) for survival by smear status, adjusted for significant covariates on patients before 2006. RESULTS Among 16,710 cases with sputum smear results, 6,739 (39%) were sputum smear-negative and 9,971 (58%) were sputum smear-positive. The prevalence of smear-negative disease was lower in male patients (PR: 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86-0.93) and in those who were homeless (PR: 0.92, CI: 0.87-0.97) or used alcohol excessively (PR: 0.91, CI: 0.87-0.95), and higher in persons diagnosed while incarcerated (PR: 1.20, CI: 1.13-1.27). Patients with smear-negative disease had better survival compared to patients with smear-positive disease, both before (HR: 0.82, CI: 0.75-0.90) and after (HR: 0.81, CI: 0.71-0.92) the introduction of combination anti-retroviral therapy. CONCLUSIONS In the United States, smear-negative pulmonary TB in patients with HIV was not associated with higher mortality, in contrast to what has been documented in high TB burden settings. Smear-negative TB can be routinely and definitively diagnosed in the United States, whereas high-burden countries often rely solely on AFB-smear microscopy. This difference could contribute to diagnostic and treatment delays in high-burden countries, possibly resulting in higher mortality.
Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization for trisomy 12 on archival ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors

Trisomy 12 is a nonrandom chromosomal abnormality found in a large proportion of ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors (OSCTs), including thecoma-fibromas (TFs) and granulosa cell tumors (GCTs). The prognostic significance of trisomy 12 in these tumors, however, is unknown. A series of 16 OSCTs, obtained from patients with long-term follow-up, was analyzed for the presence of trisomy 12 by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization on paraffin-embedded sections. Sections of the contralateral nonneoplastic ovary were available in five cases and utilized as controls. Evidence of trisomy 12 was detected in 9 of 10 TFs, and contrary to previous reports, in only one of six GCTs. One TF with trisomy 12 was a malignant variant that resulted in the death of the patient in 5 months, but the remaining TFs with trisomy 12 were cytologically and clinically benign in those with follow-up available. The single GCT with trisomy 12 was a nonaggressive, stage 1 lesion without evidence of recurrence after 264 months, whereas those GCTs without trisomy 12 included one stage 2 tumor and a cytologically atypical GCT with tumor necrosis and an elevated number of mitotic figures. The evidence suggests that the great majority of OSCTs with trisomy 12 is clinically benign, but not all benign OSCTs have trisomy 12. We conclude that the presence of trisomy 12 is of limited prognostic usefulness in OSCTs.
9th annual meeting of the Eating Disorders Research Society.

The application of modern neurobiological probes to the field of eating disorders has yielded new and exciting insights into the underlying mechanisms and causes of these devastating conditions. Findings from neuroimaging studies and genetic investigations have further confirmed and expanded our understanding of the role of the serotonin system in anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa. In addition, reduced regional cerebral blood flow in the temporal lobes and related brain structures have been identified in patients with AN, even after recovery. These data may hold promise for the development of more effective treatment strategies for these often chronic and refractory conditions. Results of reported treatment studies demonstrate the role and effectiveness of psychotherapy for AN and ‘eating disorder not otherwise specified’; two eating disorders for which there is a paucity of empirically based treatments. Finally, more results from open studies of atypical antipsychotic medications in the treatment...
A comparison of literature models for the oxidation of normal heptane

Abstract The development of detailed chemical kinetic models has proceeded unabated since the pioneering work of Dixon-Lewis and coworkers forty-five years ago. In that time, computational power has increased ten million-fold, and yet, we do not have a consensus on a complete description for the pyrolysis and oxidation of fuels as simple as hydrogen. This paper presents a comparison of three detailed models and one lumped, semi-empirical model, all from literature, for the oxidation of normal heptane, a fuel of practical interest because of its use in gasoline surrogates. Specifically, the ignition delay times and species concentration histories predicted by the models are compared. We find that most of the models give predictions that agree with each other within the propagated uncertainty from the rate constant estimates, and also show “satisfactory agreement” with experimental measurements. Differences among the models can be attributed to peculiarities in how the models treat the initial decomposition of the fuel. The rate coefficients for these reactions do not agree within the uncertainty assigned for them, however, which means that the models are fundamentally, quantitatively different. The model’s predictions agree with each other and with experiment, however. The predictive ability of the models is the only way we can fairly compare them, and by that measure all of the models are equally good. Given the predictive capability of the semi-empirical model, we suggest that future combustion research should concentrate on developing a model that treats only the key, rate-limiting processes in a rigorous manner, rather than continuing the current trend of attempting to describe all possible elementary reactions exactly.
Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition (iCVD) of Poly(alkyl acrylates): An Experimental Study

In a two-part investigation, an experimental study and a kinetic model analysis of the initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) of alkyl acrylate polymers are described. In this first part, an experimental study was performed to look at the effect of process parameters on iCVD polymerization. A homologous series of alkyl acrylates, from ethyl up to hexyl acrylate, were iCVD polymerized. The resulting polymers matched well spectroscopically with those from liquid-phase polymerization, demonstrating that stoichiometric polymers with no observable cross-linking can be achieved in a chemical vapor deposition environment. Deposition rate and molecular weight increased by a factor of over 300 and 60, respectively, when monomer saturated vapor pressure, Psat, was reduced from 42.6 to 0.584 Torr at equal gas pressures, PM. Over three times increase in deposition rate was observed for ethyl acrylate when substrate temperature was reduced from 29 to 17 °C. These trends are attributed to an increase in PM/Psat or,...
Equilibrium structures and vibrational frequencies for diatomic molecules. An assessment of the CCSDT-1 method, incorporating coupled-cluster single, double, and linearized triple excitations

Abstract The coupled-cluster single, double, and linearized triple excitation (CCSDT-1) model has been used to predict the infrared spectra of HF, N2, CO, and OH−. Double zeta plus polarization (DZ + P) and triple zeta plus double polarization (TZ + 2P) basis sets were used. Comparisons with experiment and with configuration interaction (CI) methods are made.
GABAergic control of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons and memory.

The involvement of the GABAergic innervation of basal forebrain neurons in the rats' conditional visual discrimination performance was examined. Performance in such a task is based on the subjects's ability to retrieve information about response rules, and previous experiments have demonstrated that basal forebrain lesions interfere with this ability. Following the acquisition of the task, chronic guide cannulae were stereotaxically implanted into the substantia innominata of both hemispheres, and the animals were retrained. Administration of the GABAA-agonist muscimol into the substantia innominata (0, 25, 50 ng/0.5 microliters/hemisphere) dose-dependently decreased the number of correct responses, increased the number of errors of omission, increased response latency, but did not affect side bias. Systemic co-administration of the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine (0, 0.1, 0.2 mg/kg; i.p.) exclusively interacted with the effects of muscimol on correct responding. Specifically, physostigmine dose-dependently intensified and attenuated the muscimol-induced reduction in correct responding. Although it cannot be excluded that alternative neuronal mechanisms were involved in the mediation of the effects of muscimol and their interaction with physostigmine, these findings support previous evidence indicating that the activity of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons is controlled by a GABAergic input, and that this neuronal link is involved in mnemonic processing.
The unique planetary nebula NGC 2818

The planetary nebula NGC 2818, or PK 261 + 8 deg 1, is of special interest due to its apparent association with a Population I open cluster (of the same designation). The results of new observations of the nebula are presented, including interference-filter imagery, photoelectric photometry, and ground-based and IUE spectroscopy. Analysis of its composition based on new IUE and ground-based spectroscopy and model calculations of the very similar planetary nebula NGC 2440 suggests that NGC 2818 is a prototype of the He-rich and N-rich Type I group. Compared to the composition of H II regions in the solar neighborhood, He is 60 percent overabundant, C is 0.3 dex lower, N is 1.0 dex higher, and O, Ne, Si, Cl, and Ar are essentially at comparable values. Analysis of kinematical and morphological data suggests that the nebula is probably associated with the star cluster (revised distance = 3.5 kpc). If so, then it is of exceptional size (radius approximately 1.1 pc), mass (greater than or equal to 0.6 solar mass), expansion velocity (52 + or - 3 km/s), and age (possibly as old as 22,000 yr). Some implications of the results regarding the masses of planetary-nebula progenitors, the nucleosynthesis processes in stars of intermediate mass, and the formation of planetary nebulae are also discussed.
Arterial versus Total Blood Volume Changes during Neural Activity-Induced Cerebral Blood Flow Change: Implication for BOLD fMRI:

Quantifying both arterial cerebral blood volume (CBVa) changes and total cerebral blood volume (CBVt) changes during neural activation can provide critical information about vascular control mechan...
Calibration of a Milling Force Model Using Feed and Spindle Power Sensors

Changes in cutting forces during a milling operation can be associated with tool wear and breakage. Accurate monitoring of these cutting forces is an important step towards the automation of the machining process. However, direct force sensors, such as dynamometers, are not practical for industry application due to high costs, unwanted compliance, and workspace limitations. This paper describes a method in which power sensors on the feed and spindle motors are used to generate coefficients for a cutting force model. The resulting model accurately predicts the X and Y cutting forces observed in several simple end-milling tests, and should be capable of estimating both the peak and average force for a given cut geometry. In this work, a dynamometer is used to calibrate the feed drive power sensor and to measure experimental cutting forces for verification of the cutting force model. Measurement of the average x-axis cutting forces is currently presented as an off-line procedure performed on a sacrificial block of material. The potential development of a continuous, real-time force monitoring system is discussed.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Circuit theory and the personal computer

The author describes a course designed to introduce students to the modern personal computer and shows how it can be used as a high-level engineering computational tool. One of the goals of the course was the development of a wide range of programs directly applicable to both education and research topics in circuit and system theory. The author describes the implementation of the class and some of the results obtained. Particular attention is given to student projects on the design of a network function manipulator, symbolic analysis, and approximation and synthesis. >
Identifying Millennials' key influencers from early childhood: insights into current consumer preferences

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a methodological approach to understanding key influencers of Millennials and other generational cohorts. The approach identifies adults' implicit consumer preferences based on their early childhood cultural experiences.Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws from research in the area of generational studies, implicit psychological processing, and consumer preferences to propose a method of identifying and confirming key influencers of generational cohorts' implicit preferences.Findings – A more complete understanding of Millennials and other generational cohorts can be gleaned by complementing current methodological approaches with the one proposed in this paper.Research limitations/implications – As preliminary research has just begun using this model, additional research is needed to confirm the theoretical work and association between early childhood influencers and actual purchasing behaviors.Practical implications – The identification of early...
Perfluorooctyl bromide (perflubron) attenuates oxidative injury to biological and nonbiological systems.

OBJECTIVE To examine whether perfluorooctyl bromide (perflubron) is capable of protecting biological and nonbiological systems against oxidative damage through a mechanism independent of its known anti-inflammatory property. DESIGN A controlled, in vitro laboratory study. SETTING Research laboratory of a health sciences university. SUBJECTS Rat pulmonary artery endothelial cell cultures (biological system) and linoleic acid in sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles (nonbiological system). INTERVENTIONS Rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells labeled with dichlorofluorescein diacetate and incubated with perflubron or culture media (control) were exposed to H2O2. H2O2-induced fluorescence of dichlorofluorescein diacetate was measured as an index of intracellular oxidative stress. In another experiment, linoleic acid in sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles was exposed to various concentrations of the azo initiator 2,2'-diazo-bis-(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (2, 4, 20, and 50 mM) in the presence or absence of perflubron. Malondialdehyde measurements were obtained as a marker of oxidative damage to linoleic acid. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Cell monolayers incubated with perflubron exhibited 66.6% attenuation in intracellular fluorescence compared with controls (p < .05). Linoleic acid in sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles incubated with perflubron and exposed to 2, 4, 20, or 50 mM of 2,2'-diazo-bis-(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride showed less evidence of lipid peroxidation as indicated by lower malondialdehyde measurements at 240 mins (10.6%, 16%, 41%, and 14.2%, respectively) compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS Perflubron attenuates oxidative damage to both biological and nonbiological systems. This newly recognized property of perflubron is independent of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Solution of a new nonlinear equation for the distribution of charge carriers in a semiconductor.

The solution of a recently obtained nonlinear differential equation for the distribution function of charge carriers in a semiconductor in an electric field is derived. It is given by ${\mathit{f}}_{\mathrm{SL}}$(x)={1+B[s/(x+s${)]}^{\mathrm{s}}$${\mathrm{e}}^{\mathrm{x}}$ ${\mathit{}}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. This solution represents the symmetric part of the total distribution function. The nondimensional energy and applied electric field are x and \ensuremath{\surd}s , respectively, and B is a constant determined by normalization. The total distribution is given by the above and its derivative and is found to be rotationally symmetric about the electric field. This distribution reduces to the shifted Fermi-Dirac distribution for small s and to the Druyvesteyn distribution in the classical limit. An analytic expression for electrical conductivity is derived together with an approximate expression for the chemical potential in the small-electric-field limit. A generalized criterion for the classical versus quantum domains is discussed relevant to the present study. It is found that otherwise quantum domains become classical for sufficiently large applied electric fields.
Synthesis of Yb3+ doped Sr5(PO4)3F nanoparticles through co-precipitation

Abstract 4 at% Yb doped Sr5(PO4)3F (S-FAP) particles have been successfully prepared through a simple and efficient one-step co-precipitation method. The phases and morphologies of the powders were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM. The experimental results show that the powders containing pure-phase hexagonal Sr5(PO4)3F exhibit an aggregated characteristic with nanocrystal size range of 15–40 nm in diameter and an average size of 30 nm. The in-situ high-temperature XRD analysis demonstrated that the Yb:S-FAP phases are stable up to a temperature of 1400 °C. The optical properties of Yb:S-FAP powders were studied by spectrofluorometery; exhibiting a 1044 nm emission due to the 2F5/2 to 2F7/2 energy transition under a excitation of 980 nm.
Evidence for association of Hyperprolinemia with Schizophrenia and a Measure of Clinical Outcome

There are multiple genetic links between schizophrenia and a deficit of proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) enzyme activity. However, reports testing for an association of schizophrenia with the resulting proline elevation have been conflicting. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether hyperprolinemia is associated with schizophrenia, and to measure the relationship between plasma proline, and clinical features and symptoms of schizophrenia. We performed a cross-sectional case-control study, comparing fasting plasma proline in 90 control subjects and 64 schizophrenic patients and testing for association of mild to moderate hyperprolinemia with schizophrenia. As secondary analyses, the relationship between hyperprolinemia and five measures of clinical onset, symptoms and outcome were investigated. Patients had significantly higher plasma proline than matched controls (p<0.0001), and categorical analysis of gender adjusted hyperprolinemia showed a significant association with schizophrenia (OR 6.15, p=0.0003). Hyperprolinemic patients were significantly older at their first hospitalization (p=0.015 following correction for multiple testing). While plasma proline level was not related to total, positive or negative symptoms, hyperprolinemic status had a significant effect on length of hospital stay (p=0.005), following adjustment for race, BPRS score, and cross-sectional time from admission to proline measurement. Mild to moderate hyperprolinemia is a significant risk factor for schizophrenia, and may represent an intermediate phenotype in the disease. Hyperprolinemic patients have a significantly later age of first psychiatric hospitalization, suggestive of later onset, and hospital stays 46% longer than non-hyperprolinemic subjects. These findings have implications in the etiology of schizophrenia, and for the clinical management of these patients.
Effect of Prolonged Theelin Injections on Transplantable Mammary Adenofibroma.

ConclusionsBi-weekly injections of 50 i.u. of aqueous theelin over a period of 165 to 368 days in male white rats implanted with adenofibroma did not prevent these tumors from undergoing fibromatous changes except in one tumor growing in a 160-day-old theelin-treated animal, which underwent massive glandular hyperplasia. A reduction in body weight after large doses of theelin, as reported previously, did not occur in either age group with smaller amounts given over longer periods, nor did the amount of theelin affect the daily growth rate of adenofibroma, Strain 1-a.
Bipolar disorders during adolescence

Objective: To examine the incidence, correlates, course and family history of bipolar disorder (BD) and subthreshold BD in adolescents. Method: Structured diagnostic interviews were conducted with a large community sampleof adolescents and their first-degree relatives, and the adolescents were re-evaluated as young adults. Results: The first lifetime onset of BD and subthreshold BD almost always occurred in adolescence. Adolescent BD and subthreshold BD were associated with elevated impairment, comorbidity, and suicide attempts. Adolescents with BD were at increased risk for BD, and adolescents with subthreshold BD were at increased risk for major depressive disorder (MDD) in young adulthood. Relatives of BD adolescents had elevated rates of subthreshold BD and MDD, and relatives of subthreshold BD adolescents had elevated rates of BD and MDD. Conclusion: 'Classical' BD clearly exists in adolescence, but there is also a spectrum of milder bipolar conditions. Remediating and preventing BD in adolescents should be a high public health priority.
Caenorhabditis elegans Innate Immune Response Triggered by Salmonella enterica Requires Intact LPS and Is Mediated by a MAPK Signaling Pathway

Compared to mammals, insects, and plants, relatively little is known about innate immune responses in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Previous work showed that Salmonella enterica serovars cause a persistent infection in the C. elegans intestine [1, 2] that triggers gonadal programmed cell death (PCD) and that C. elegans cell death (ced) mutants are more susceptible to Salmonella-mediated killing [3]. To further dissect the role of PCD in C. elegans innate immunity, we identified both C. elegans and S. enterica factors that affect the elicitation of Salmonella-induced PCD. Salmonella-elicited PCD was shown to require the C. elegans homolog of the mammalian p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) encoded by the pmk-1 gene. Inactivation of pmk-1 by RNAi blocked Salmonella-elicited PCD, and epistasis analysis showed that CED-9 lies downstream of PMK-1. Wild-type Salmonella lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was also shown to be required for the elicitation of PCD, as well as for persistence of Salmonella in the C. elegans intestine. However, a presumptive C. elegans TOLL signaling pathway did not appear to be required for the PCD response to Salmonella. These results establish a PMK-1-dependant PCD pathway as a C. elegans innate immune response to Salmonella.
Bone health maintenance in survivors of breast and prostate cancer

Many therapeutic regimens used for the treatment of breast and prostate cancer survivors are associated with bone loss and adverse skeletal events. The purpose of this review is to identify mechanisms of treatment-induced bone loss and adverse skeletal events in this population. Furthermore, this review emphasizes the importance of screening for baseline risk factors for adverse skeletal events. Once these risk factors are identified, early evaluation and treatment of bone health is warranted. This article reviews an approach to the management of bone health in breast and prostate cancer survivors, including a discussion regarding lifestyle interventions, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, as well as the indications for initiation of bisphosphonate therapy. This article also reviews potential new agents, such as cathepsin K inhibitors and RANKL inhibitors, for the reduction of bone loss in high-risk populations.
Traits and Performance of the Minority Venture-Capital Industry

This study analyzes the performance of investments made by venture-capital (VC) funds that specialize in financing minority business enterprises (MBEs). Existing studies document that MBEs have less access to financing—equity as well as debt—than similarly situated firms owned by nonminority whites. The apparent existence of a discriminatory financing environment creates an underserved market and, hence, attractive opportunities are available to firms capable of identifying and serving MBE financing needs. Analyzing cash-flow data on VC investments, we find that the minority-oriented funds earned yields on their realized equity investments that were slightly higher than the returns reported by mainstream VC funds. Considering differences in methodologies used to generate rate-of-return data for the MBE—as opposed to the nonminority-oriented funds—we conclude that the minority VC funds are earning yields on their realized investments that are at least equivalent to those of the broader VC industry.
Is there a link between children's motor abilities and unintentional injuries?

Problem: The common view is that clumsy children experience unintentional injury more frequently. Empirical evidence supporting this position is mixed. Method: One hundred 6- and 8-year-olds completed a battery of nine tasks designed to assess motor ability. Mothers completed a lifetime injury history measure about their children and families completed a 2-week injury diary assessing frequency and severity of daily injuries. Results: Internal reliability for the motor ability battery was good. Correlations between motor ability measures and injury risk were nonsignificant and near zero. Discussion: Motor ability does not appear to be directly related to injury risk. Possible explanations include: (a) coordinated and clumsy children engage in hazardous activities with differing frequency; or (b) other individual difference factors may interact with motor ability to explain children’s injury risk. Impact on industry: Children’s motor abilities do not appear to be directly linked to rate of unintentional injury, but instead may influence risk for injury in conjunction with other factors. Results could have implications to the engineering of children’s toys and playground equipment and to the design of appropriate supervision strategies for children engaging in potentially dangerous activities. D 2002 National Safety Council and Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Structural exon database, SEDB, mapping exon boundaries on multiple protein structures

Summary: Comparative analysis of exon/intron organization of genes and their resulting protein structures is important for understanding evolutionary relationships between species, rules of protein organization and protein functionality. We present Structural Exon Database (SEDB), with a Web interface, an application that allows users to retrieve the exon/intron organization of genes and map the location of the exon boundaries and the intron phase onto a multiple structural alignment. SEDB is linked with Friend, an integrated analytical multiple sequence/structure viewer, which allows simultaneous visualization of exon boundaries on structure and sequence alignments. With SEDB researchers can study the correlations of gene structure with the properties of the encoded three-dimensional protein structures across eukaryotic organisms. Availability: SEDB is publicly available at http://glinka.bio.neu.edu/SEDB/SEDB.html Supplementary information: On the SEDB Web site.
The Syntax and Prosody of Weak Pronouns in Chamorro

In the modular linguistic theory assumed by many generative linguists, phonology and syntax are interconnected but fundamentally independent components of grammar. The effects of syntax on phonolog...
This new science of ours: a more or less systematic history of consciousness and transcendence Part I

This paper is a search for the origins and nature of human consciousness. This portion, the first part of two, takes up a signal work of Jung and one of Freud, both published in 1911 and both deriving thinking as the first embodiment of higher mental functions. Thinking and consciousness (and subsequently spirit) are elaborated in terms of the nature and vicissitudes of libido. Jung's less well understood theory regarding a quantitative libido is particularly addressed as are his non-Cartesian ways of reasoning. Also addressed is Jung's turning away in the final analysis from a frankly metaphysical and transcendent position as compared to the pre-Socratic philosophers with whom focused thinking began in the western world. Differentiation is made between mechanistic and energetic field dynamics in how reality is viewed.
An observational study of patient versus parental perceptions of health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with a chronic pain condition: who should the clinician believe?

Previous pediatric studies have observed a cross-informant variance in patient self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) versus parent proxy-reported HRQoL. This study assessed in older children and adolescents with a variety of chronic pain conditions: 1) the consistency and agreement between pediatric patients’ self-report and their parents’ proxy-report of their child’s HRQoL; 2) whether this patient-parent agreement is dependent on additional demographic and clinical factors; and 3) the relationship between pediatric patient HRQoL and parental reported HRQoL. The 99 enrolled patients (mean age 13.2 years, 71% female, 81% Caucasian) and an accompanying parent completed the PedsQLTM 4.0 and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey Version 2 (SF-36v2) at the time of their initial appointment in a pediatric chronic pain medicine clinic. Patients’ and parents’ total, physical, and psychosocial HRQoL scores were analyzed via an intra-class correlation coefficient, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and Bland-Altman plot. A multivariable linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between clinical and demographic variables and the difference in patient and proxy scores for the Total Scale Score on the PedsQL™. With the exception of the psychosocial health domain, there were no statistically significant differences between pediatric patients’ self-report and their parents’ proxy-report of their child’s HRQoL. However, clinically significant patient-parent variation in pediatric HRQoL was observed. Differences in patient-parent proxy PedsQL™ Total Scale Score Scores were not significantly associated with patient age, gender, race, intensity and duration of patient’s pain, household income, parental marital status, and the parent’s own HRQoL on the SF-36v2. No significant relationship existed among patients’ self-reported HRQoL (PedsQL™), parental proxy-reports of the child’s HRQoL, and parents’ own self-reported HRQoL on the SF-36v2. We observed clinically significant variation between pediatric chronic pain patients’ self-reports and their parents’ proxy-reports of their child’s HRQoL. While whenever possible the pediatric chronic pain patient’s own perspective should be directly solicited, equal attention and merit should be given to the parent’s proxy-report of HRQoL. To do otherwise will obviate the opportunity to use any discordance as the basis for a therapeutic discussion about the contributing dynamic with in parent-child dyad.
New Voices, Old Beliefs: Forest Environmentalism Among New and Long-Standing Rural Residents1

In the on-going sociological debate over rural-urban differences, rural conflict over natural resources is often attributed to environmental attitudes of new residents from urban areas. An alternative hypothesis is that new residents provide not new attitudes, but a new voice for attitudes already held by many local residents. Data from a survey of residents of communities near two national forests show little support for the hypothesis that residential status affects forest management attitudes, dissatisfaction, or action. The findings support the “new-voice” thesis and show that it is often a female voice.