cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Benthic Biogeochemistry Beneath the Mississippi River Plume

Biogeochemical processes occurring near the sediment-water interface of shallow (≈20 m) water sediments lying beneath the Mississippi River plume on the Louisiana shelf were studied using benthic chambers and sediment cores. Three sites were chosen with distinctly different characteristics. One was overlain by oxic water where aerobic respiration dominated organic matter remineralization. The second site was overlain by oxic water but organic matter remineralization was dominated by sulfate reduction. The third site was overlain by hypoxic water and aerobic remineralization was of minor significance. Major differences were observed in the fluxes of CO2(17–56 mmol m−2 d−1), O2(2–56 mmol m−2 d−1) and nutrients (e.g., NH4+, 2.6–4.2 mmol m−2 d−1) across the sediment-water interface, and the relative importance of different electron acceptors, even though the sites were in close proximity and at nearly the same water depth. Large variations in the efficiency of organic-C burial (3%–51%) were also calculated based on a simplified model of the relationships between the fraction of organic matter remineralized by sulfate reduction and the fraction of sulfide produced that is buried as pyrite. These observations demonstrate the high degree of spatial heterogeneity of benthic biogeochemistry in this important near-deltaic environment.
Developing in vitro models of the sub-retinal microenvironment

Physiologically-relevant in vitro models of retinal disease are necessary for understanding the complex interactions of oxidative stress, molecular signaling and physical contact between cells and their local environment. In this study, microfluidic devices and microcontact printing are used to mimic in vivo conditions of the sub-retinal microenvironment and the effects of oxidative stress and atrophy on protein expression by retinal pigment epithelial cells. The results demonstrate that differences in RNA and protein expression due to oxidative stress and loss of function can be observed from cells within microfluidic devices and in micropatterned patches. These findings indicate that nano- and microstructured materials can be used to interrogate normal and malignant retinal cell growth.
African-American and Low–Socioeconomic Status Patients Have a Worse Prognosis for Invasive Ductal and Lobular Breast Carcinoma: Do Screening Criteria Need to Change?

Background Determine the effect of race, socioeconomic status (SES) and other demographic variables on outcomes of patients with invasive ductal and lobular breast cancer. Study Design Florida cancer registry and inpatient hospital data were queried for patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer from 1998 to 2002. Results A total of 63,472 patients with breast cancer were identified. Overall, 90.5% of patients were Caucasian, 7.6% African American, and 8.7% Hispanic. African-American patients presented at a younger age and with more-advanced disease, 10.5% presented with breast cancer before the age of 40 years, and 22.4% before 45 years of age. African-American patients were less likely to undergo operations. Similarly, low-SES patients were less likely to have operations and presented more often with larger tumors. Stepwise multivariate analysis revealed a substantial drop in the hazard ratio for African-American patients once correction for stage of presentation was made, suggesting that disparities in breast cancer outcomes are, in part, a result of advanced stage at presentation. Race and low SES were independent predictors of worse prognosis when controlling for patient comorbidities and treatment. Conclusions Dramatic disparities by patient race and SES exist in breast cancer. Our study integrates previous smaller studies, providing comprehensive insight into African-American patients and their outcomes for breast cancer. Earlier screening programs and greater access to cancer care for the poor and African Americans are needed. Successful institution of such programs will not completely erase disparities in outcomes for breast cancer in African-American patients.
Test facility for human exposure to AC and DC magnetic fields.

For more than a decade, Midwest Research Institute (MRI) has investigated the effects of exposure to 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields (EMF) on human physiology, performance, and biochemistry. This accumulated experience, new research directions, and limited resources made it important to design more comprehensive and operationally cost-effective exposure facilities. Here we describe the new, integrated laboratory exposure test facilities recently constructed at MRI and present data on relevant characteristics of the exposure systems. Concentric coil systems were developed to generate uniform magnetic fields within the three new exposure rooms, with rapid cancellation of the field to ambient levels in the rest of the laboratory. Control systems are fully automated, computer-based, and independent. These provide the operational flexibility needed to present fields of different magnitudes, frequencies, and polarization. The local geomagnetic field can be modulated and/or canceled, and both AC and DC fields can be presented in various combinations. Capabilities for conducting double-blind experiments with true active-sham exposure conditions were implemented using bifilar windings and applying current flow in the opposite direction for each wire in a pair. The new facilities provide a comprehensive capability for laboratory-based human research on the potential effects of exposure to AC and DC magnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics 20:101–111, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Red imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): population dynamics following treatment with insecticidal baits.

Evaluation of Solenopsis invicta Buren populations following insecticidal bait treatments is usually made on the basis of presence or absence of active nests. An alternative method is described in which population densities are based on total worker ants per hectare. Using these two methods, we found that there was essentially no difference in population levels of treated and untreated plots 27 to 36 months after application of two baits. In a more detailed study in which imported fire ant colonies were monitored for 156 weeks, the number of ant colonies had increased 327% after 44 weeks; however, the total number of ants in these same colonies was still 84% below pretreatment numbers. These data reflect the great difference in size of mature pretreatment colonies and small incipient posttreatment colonies. Based on the total ant population method, total ant numbers remained below that in the check area for 2 years. Thus, effective control of the pest extended well beyond that indicated by the nest count method.
Molecular cloning of rat precursor cathepsin H and the expression of five lysosomal cathepsins in normal tissues and in a rat carcinosarcoma.

Abstract 1. 1. A rat cathepsin H cDNA was isolated from a rat liver cDNA library with synthetic oligonucleotide probes. 2. 2. DNA sequence analysis indicated that it codes for rat preprocathepsin H. 3. 3. Using this clone together with the cDNA for cathepsins B, D, L and S as probes, the expression of five major lysosomal proteinases was investigated in ten different normal rat tissues and in a rat carcinoma. 4. 4. The common feature of their expression is that the five cathepsins have relatively high mRNA levels in lung and kidney, suggesting that they all play important roles in organs engaged in active protein metabolism. 5. 5. In other tissues, the concentrations of the five cathepsin mRNAs are significantly different. This may indicate that their expressions are differentially regulated and that they may have specialized functions in specific tissues. 6. 6. The cathepsin B mRNA level is at least 2.5-fold higher in the rat W256-carcinoma than in any of the normal rat tissues surveyed. 7. 7. In contrast, the mRNA levels for the other four cathepsins show no comparable elevations. 8. 8. This finding is consistent with previous observations reporting a correlation between cathepsins B expression and malignant tumors.
Why is Economics not an Evolutionary Science

A reprint of the article "Why is economics not an evolutionary science?," by T. Veblen, published in the "Quarterly Journal of Economics" is presented. The article questions the premise that physics of equilibrium thermodynamics is relevant to analyzing economic systems. The author suggested that the only rational approach is to assume that economies evolve. He also argues that the economy can be described but have no effective theory of change and development.
Incidence and cost of injury in an industrial population

Using both occupational (workers' compensation) and non-occupational (group health insurance) data, the nature and magnitude of injuries were determined in a working population of 20,705. Approximately one third of the population sustained an injury in 1986 (the year of study). Men experienced a significantly higher injury rate than women (33.3 per 100 v 24.9 per 100) and hourly employees had significantly higher incidence rates than salaried employees (42.0 per 100 v 22.5 per 100). The majority of nonoccupational injury claims were for low back disorders, whereas most occupational injury claims were related to superficial wounds and contusions. Overall, the incidence of nonoccupational injuries (21.1 per 100) was twofold higher than that of occupational injuries (10.8 per 100). Total costs for occupational and nonoccupational injuries were $4.97 million. The per-capita costs were $120 for both nonoccupational and occupational injuries. However, if only health care expenses are included in this calculation, nonoccupational injury costs would be almost 3 times as high as occupational injury costs ($120 v $46). These findings argue for increasing the share of corporate resources for off-the-job injury prevention programs aimed at reducing injury incidence and resultant health care costs.
Measurement of the 88Sr+ reference transition frequency with a new probe laser system

The authors have designed and implemented a new 674 nm (445 THz) laser system for probing the ultranarrow 5s2S1/2-4d2D5/2 reference (clock) transition of the trapped and laser-cooled 88Sr+ ion. The authors describe briefly the double-stage probe laser system; linewidths of (50 plusmn 9) Hz FWHM were observed for the clock transition with this source. Results on the determination of the temperature of zero thermal expansion coefficient of the reference cavity were also presented. Preliminary measurement of the absolute frequency of the 88Sr+ clock transition frequency gives a frequency of (444779044095472 plusmn 15) Hz
Methane fermentation of energy crops: maximum conversion kinetics and in situ biogas purification.

Abstract A seven-year study addressed both the limitations on the rate and efficiency of biomass conversion, and the enrichment of biogas methane content. Energy crops examined included sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ), napiergrass ( Pennisetum purpureum ), corn ( Zea mays ), and a sorghum/α-cellulose mix. High solids digestion work (25–30% effluent total solids (TS)) showed the need to address ammonia toxicity and trace nutrient limitations. Trace nutrient supplementation and control of the feedstock C/N ratio enabled stable operation of digesters at volatile solids (VS) loading rates up to 24 grams per kilogram reactor wet mass per day (gVS kg −1 day −1 ), with mean methane production rates of 7.5 L kg −1 day −1 . Acid-extractable metal concentrations were used as an indicator of bioavailable metals. Initial work with low solids digestion (8–10% TS) resulted in efficient VS conversion but low methane production rates. Subsequent work using trace nutrient supplementation enabled stable operation of intermittently-fed (three times per week) digesters at loading rates up to 12 gVS kg −1 day −1 , resulting in methane production rates up to 3.3 L kg −1 day −1 . Continuous feeding of corn at rates up to 18 gVS kg −1 day t-1 resulted in a mean methane production rate of 5.4 L kg−1 day-' with a 67% VS conversion efficiency. The maximum methane production rates for both the high solids and low solids systems are among the highest observed for biomass conversion. An in situ technique to enrich digester offgas was developed to take advantage of the differing solubilities of C0 2 and CH 4 , in which dissolved C0 2 was removed from the reactor in a recycled leachate stream and gas-stripped in an external stripper. Such a system easily enriched the remaining digester offgas to over 90% methane, and contents in excess of 98% were achieved. Quantitative evaluation of system variables defined the effects of leachate recycle rates, leachate alkalinity, and pH on the resulting offgas methane contents.
Cross-Sectional Association between the Number of Missing Teeth and Cardiovascular Disease among Adults Aged 50 or Older: BRFSS 2010

Objective. The relationship between oral health and cardiovascular disease is an emerging area of research. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the association of cardiovascular disease and the number of missing teeth as a risk indicator. Methods. Cross-sectional study design with data on 275,424 respondents aged 50 or older from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey was used. The dependent variable was self-reported cardiovascular disease. The association between the number of missing teeth and cardiovascular disease was analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. The regression was adjusted for sex, race/ethnicity, age, education, income, dental visits, smoking status, physical activity, and body mass index. Results. In our study sample, 9.9% reported edentulism. Cardiovascular prevalence rates for those with edentulism were 25.4% and for those without any missing teeth were 7.5%. Respondents who reported edentulism teeth were more likely to report cardiovascular disease (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.71, 2.01). Conclusion. There was an independent association between the number of missing teeth and cardiovascular disease even after controlling for a comprehensive set of risk factors. These findings highlight the need to explore the potential role the number of missing teeth have in the risk of cardiovascular disease among older adults.
Analytical solution for the power exchange between strongly coupled plates under random excitation: A test of statistical energy analysis concepts

The response of the structural components of a complex structure, subjected to random loads, is often estimated by approximate methods based on the concepts of Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA). To examine the fundamental SEA postulates and assumptions, the problem of two coupped plates is rigorously formulated and solved in terms of usual SEA variables. For randomly distributed loads, analytical results are presented for the power flow and plate vibrational energies. The formulation allows the extraction of “apparent” quantifies that correspond to the coupling loss factor and modal density ratio of statistical energy analysis. It is demonstrated that this model can yield an understanding of the implications of basic SEA assumptions. Results for simply supported plates clearly show the effects of internal damping and frequency on the coupling parameters.
Preliminary results of three-dimensional GPR-based study of a prehistoric site in Barbados, West Indies

Prior results of surface artifact collecting, test excavations, and auger sampling on an archaeological site in Barbados suggested that we experiment with GPR as a method to target areas for future study. The site is associated with village occupations of Amerindians that are dated to between approximately 2000 and 500 years ago. Archaeological features include burials, hearths, ceramic lined wells and post holes. Artifact middens contain pottery sherds, conch shells, and other marine resource debris. The site selected was located at the southern tip of Barbados and is situated on a deep stabilized surface behind a large active dune system. The soil layer consists of dry, clean quartz sand. We obtained limited ground truth at the site by hand-auguring in areas of field- identified anomalies, and by auguring control holes away from anomalies. Anomalies were almost always large diffractors such as conch shells and rocks. We used 3D software to perform standard processing enhancements and to assemble the parallel lines into three-dimensional volumes. The dimensions, distribution, and shapes of time-sliced amplitude anomalies were consistent with those of previously excavated burials, poles, and pit structures. These features would not have been obvious using conventional a profile-based GPR survey.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pheochromocytoma in Dogs: 61 Cases (1984–1995)

This report presents the clinical, laboratory, imaging, and pathologic findings in 61 dogs with pheochromocytoma by retrospective evaluation of medical records. Pheochromocytomas were diagnosed by histopathologic examination of tissue specimens in all dogs. Special stains (chromogranin A and synaptophysin) also were used to confirm the chromaffin cell origin of the tumors. Epidemiologic findings were in agreement with previous studies, indicating that pheochromocytomas affect middle-aged to older dogs with no apparent gender or breed predilection. The tumor was considered clinical in 21 dogs (34%), was responsible for abnormalities related to a space-occupying mass in 7 dogs (11%), and was an incidental finding in 35 dogs (57%). The hematologic and biochemical findings were nonspecific. Hypertension was detected in 10 of 23 (43%) dogs tested, but all hypertensive dogs had concurrent diseases that may have contributed to hypertension. Abdominal ultrasonography was the most commonly used imaging procedure, with a mass detected in the region of the adrenal glands in 20 of 40 (50%) dogs examined. In 4 of the 20 dogs (20%), invasion of the caudal vena cava was identified. Surgery was performed in 17 dogs (28%) with immediate death or euthanasia of 5 dogs. Survival after surgery ranged from 1 day to 3.25 years. Pheochromocytomas were locally invasive in 39% of affected dogs and produced metastases in 13% of the cases. Common sites for metastases included regional lymph nodes, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, and bone. A high frequency of concurrent neoplasia (54%), including endocrine neoplasia, was identified.
Enforced Smoothing Techniques for Recovering V A /Q Distributions from Inert Gas Data

Enforced smoothing techniques for computing VA/Q distributions from inert gas retentions were evaluated by recovering distributions from artificial data. The value of the smoothness parameter z was varied with smoothness constraints that minimized the area either under the square of the distribution or under the square of the second derivative of the distribution. The accuracy of the recovered distributions were quantified by the RMS difference between the original and the recovered distributions. Values of z outside of a certain range (typically, 0.01 <z <32) produced underflow or overflow interrupts with the IBM 370/165. Since the optimum value of z varied with the smoothness constraint, the form of the distribution, and the level of random error, it is difficult to select a best value of z for all situations. RMS differences were similar to those achieved with the gradient descent method, and some compartments had smiall negative flows Using linear programming, upper bounds were found for the solution space that contains al possible solutions. The non-negativity constraint extremely limits this space, application of a smoothness constraint further reduces this space, and the addition of 3% random error to the retention values expands it.
Pulse propagation in a laminated composite plate and nondestructive evaluation

The surface response of a laminated composite plate with delamination cracks has been studied in this paper. The objective of this study is to analyze the surface response both in the time and frequency domains due to delamination cracks at different depths in a cross-ply composite plate. For reasons of simplicity, attention has been focused here on two-dimensional (plane-strain) motions. The source of excitation is taken to be a line vertical force acting perpendicular to the fibers in a lamina. Numerical results are presented, showing peak responses at certain resonance frequencies. A comparison of these results with those for a uniaxial graphite epoxy plate shows characteristic differences.
Cytoreduction Results in High Perioperative Mortality and Decreased Survival in Patients Undergoing Pancreatectomy for Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Pancreas

We reviewed our experience with pancreatectomy for neuroendocrine tumors (NE) to determine outcomes after R0/R1 or R2 resection and compare them to patients in whom resection was not attempted. Data were reviewed for all patients presenting with NE tumors of the pancreas between 1990 and 2005. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared by log-rank analysis. Multivariate analysis was completed using Cox proportional hazards to identify risk factors for poor survival after resection. Of 120 patients, 65 (54%) had functional tumors. Resection was undertaken in 83: distal pancreatectomy in 41, pancreaticoduodenectomy in 27, enucleation in 14, and central pancreatectomy in 1. Survival was significantly longer after resection (91 months versus 24, P<0.001). R0/R1 resection was accomplished in 64 (77%) and resulted in lower perioperative mortality (2% versus 21%, P<0.01) and longer survival (112 months versus 24, P<0.001) compared to R2 resection. Survival after R2 resection was no better than after no resection. Factors predictive of decreased survival were moderate/poor differentiation, R2 resection, and high-risk features. Long-term survival is possible following complete resection for NE tumors of the pancreas. However, cytoreduction resulting in incomplete tumor removal carries significant perioperative mortality without long-term survival benefit and should be discouraged.
Withaferin A Induces Proteasome-Dependent Degradation of Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene 1 and Heat Shock Factor 1 Proteins in Breast Cancer Cells

The purpose of this study was to examine the regulation of prosurvival factors heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) and breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) by a natural withanolide withaferin A (WA) in triple negative breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and BT20. Western analysis was used to examine alternations in HSF1 and BRCA1 protein levels following WA treatment. A protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide and a proteasome inhibitor MG132 were used to investigate the mechanisms of HSF1 and BRCA1 regulation by WA. It was found that WA induced a dose-dependent decrease in HSF1 and BRCA1 protein levels. Further analysis showed that levels of HSF1 and BRCA1 proteins decreased rapidly after WA treatment, and this was attributed to WA-induced denaturation of HSF1 and BRCA1 proteins and subsequent degradation via proteasome-dependent, and protein-synthesis dependent mechanism. In summary, WA induces denaturation and proteasomal degradation of HSF1 and BRCA1 proteins. Further studies are warranted to examine the contribution of HSF1 and BRCA1 depletion to the anticancer effects of WA in breast cancer.
Influence of rift obliquity on fault-population systematics: results of experimental clay models

Abstract We use clay models to simulate how fault population systematics vary as a function of rift obliquity. Rift obliquity is related to the acute angle, α , between the rift trend and the displacement direction, so that the value of α is inverse to the degree of obliquity. The range of azimuths in a fault population increases as rift obliquity increases (i.e. as α decreases). The length of the longest faults, the sum of fault lengths, and the width of the deformed zone all increase as rift obliquity decreases (i.e. as α increases). The majority of faults in our models are segmented and have highly tortuous traces. Tortuosity is maximum when α =30° as segments of widely varying azimuth link during fault growth. Significant changes occur in the fault patterns between α =30° and α =45°. At α =30° two fault populations of equal importance develop in the center of the rift zone, one approximately rift-parallel and the other displacement-normal. Between α =30° and 45°, the number of faults more than doubles, and between α =45° and 60°, summed fault length more than doubles. Fault patterns for all models are fractal, with fractal dimensions that increase with increasing α and that are comparable to those found in the field. Fault populations are not multi-fractal because the cumulative frequency distributions of fault lengths do not generally follow a power-law relationship. An exponential distribution best describes the data for whole faults, with the characteristic length increasing with increasing α . Segment lengths also follow an exponential distribution with characteristic length varying very little with α . The fault patterns in our models resemble the spatial pattern of brittle deformation observed at oblique mid-ocean ridge segments and are similar in geometry to those in oblique continental rift basins. At the rift margins, tensional stresses are modulated and reoriented by a secondary stress field related to a change in boundary conditions, resulting in the formation of two distinct sub-populations of faults during oblique rifting.
Effect of hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia produced by hemodialysis on vascular resistance in canine skeletal muscle: role of potassium in active hyperemia.

Hemodialysis was used to study the effect of an acute local decrease in plasma [K+] or [Mg2+] or in both on vascular resistance in skeletal muscle. A dialyzer was placed in the arterial supply of the collateral-free gracilis muscle of the dog and blood flow was held constant while measuring perfusion pressure. Pressure increased linearly with decreased [K+] down to 0.2 mEq/liter. A 50% decrease in [K+] produced a 12% increase in resistance. Prolonged hypokalemia produced a sustained increase in perfusion pressure and a decreased responsiveness to close arterial injection of norepinephrine. Removal of up to 84% of the plasma Mg2+ produced no effect, either alone or in conjunction with hypokalemia. When the potassium level of the perfusing blood was changed from normal to hypokalemic during the dilation brought on by simulated exercise, the resistance did not change. In addition, the magnitude of the resistance changes seen during exercise were much greater than could be induced by local changes in plasma [...
Respiratory syncytial virus infection increases chlorine-induced airway hyperresponsiveness

Exposure to chlorine (Cl2) damages airway and alveolar epithelia resulting in acute lung injury and reactive airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine. However, little is known about the effect of preexisting respiratory disease on Cl2-induced lung injury. By using a murine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection model, we found that preexisting RSV infection increases Cl2 (187 ppm for 30 min)-induced lung inflammation and airway AHR at 24 h after exposure (5 days after infection). RSV infection and Cl2 exposure synergistically induced oxygen desaturation and neutrophil infiltration and increased MCP-1, MIP-1β, IL-10, IFN-γ, and RANTES concentrations in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In contrast, levels of type 2 cytokines (i.e., IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13) were not significantly affected by either RSV infection or Cl2 exposure. Cl2 exposure, but not RSV infection, induced AHR to methacholine challenge as measured by flexiVent. Moreover, preexisting RSV infection amplified BALF levels of hyaluronan (HA) and AHR. The Cl2-induced AHR was mitigated by treatment with inter-α-trypsin inhibitor antibody, which inhibits HA signaling, suggesting a mechanism of HA-mediated AHR from exacerbated oxidative injury. Our results show for the first time that preexisting RSV infection predisposes the lung to Cl2-induced injury. These data emphasize the necessity for further research on the effects of Cl2 in vulnerable populations and the development of appropriate treatments.
Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure photoionization for high‐resolution analyses of corticosteroids

Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICRMS) was coupled with atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) for the first time and used for the analysis of several corticosteroids.1 The analytes showed excellent response using APPI when compared with both electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). APPI has the advantage of requiring less heat for desolvation, resulting in less thermal degradation of the analytes and higher signal-to-noise than APCI. In terms of ultimate sensitivity, APPI is more efficient than either ESI or APCI for the analysis of corticosteroids. With some compounds, the high-resolution capability of FTICRMS was necessary to obtain an accurate mass due to contributions of the M+.13C isotope in the [M+H]+ ion peak. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined methods, thick descriptions: Languages of collaboration on Github

Like many professional work activities in this age of ubiquitous computing and high-speed internet connections, computer programming and software development are increasingly mediated by systems with ‘social media’ features like profiles, avatars, ‘liking’, and commenting capabilities. When working on shared tasks, programmers have effectively leveraged these capabilities to overcome differences in time and location while simultaneously using collaborative web applications, such as version control repositories like SCM or ‘git’ systems to work together more efficiently. Here we present preliminary findings from a project investigating patterns of collaboration on the social coding platform Github. We've used a research method that combines the use of statistical approaches from social network analysis (SNA) and traditional qualitative case study construction. Our results show that this method is useful in qualitatively explaining the topology of a collaborative network, especially the formation of cliques that have been identified using traditional SNA metrics.
Effect of aerodynamic heating on deformation of composite cylindrical panels in a gas flow

Abstract In this paper, motions of composite cylindrical panels in a gas flow are considered. It is shown that the main factor contributing to large static deformations is a nonuniform aerodynamic heating, while aerodynamic pressure is of secondary importance, at high Mach number. It was found that the main factor resulting in the increase of deformations is the nonuniform distribution of temperature along the curved edges. Deformations decrease rapidly in shallower panels. Nonuniformly heated panels become unstable at the values of axial compressive load, which are much smaller than the static buckling value calculated in the absence of heating. The condition of panel flutter of nonuniformly heated composite panels in a gas flow is also formulated.
Chances and challenges of emerging memories for DRAM application

The interests in various emerging memories are rapidly increasing. Among the emerging memories, only STT-RAM and ZRAM show the similar performance to DRAM, in terms of write endurance and write speed. They should be potential candidates for DRAM application, since many outstanding results have been demonstrated recently in spite of the fairly new technology. Nevertheless, the technical maturity and cost effectiveness of the emerging technologies should require the further research and development.
Characteristics, Needs, and Help Seeking of Partner Violence Victims Mandated to Community Services by Courts and Child Protective Services

The rapid growth of a subpopulation of women victimized by intimate partner violence (IPV) garnered the attention of 2 human service agencies in 1 Southeastern United States city. These agencies noted a shift in their clientele from female IPV victims who voluntarily sought agency services to victims who were mandated to agency services by child protective services (CPS), the court system, or both. Court-referred victims had been arrested for perpetrating IPV against their male partners. CPS-referred victims were experiencing concerning levels of IPV in their families, whether or not the victim had ever perpetrated IPV. Moreover, this subpopulation of women tended to be primary caregivers of children. In response to the growth of this subpopulation, the agencies collaborated to design and implement a program targeting female IPV victims who were primary caregivers for their children and who had been mandated to the agencies' services. The research team partnered with the agencies to conduct an investigation of this community-developed program and its participants. This article presents an exploratory, descriptive study that investigates (a) the characteristics of service-mandated, parenting IPV victims; (b) the needs of service-mandated, parenting IPV victims; and (c) the types of help-seeking behavior these women had engaged in before their service referral. Study findings indicate that, although the participants showed parenting strengths and active help-seeking efforts, this sample of women was characterized by severe IPV experiences and serious mental health needs.
Potential toxicity of pesticides measured in midwestern streams to aquatic organisms

Society is becoming increasingly aware of the value of healthy aquatic ecosystems as well as the effects that man’s activities have on those ecosystems. In recent years, many urban and industrial sources of contamination have been reduced or eliminated. The agricultural community also has worked towards reducing off-site movement of agricultural chemicals, but their use in farming is still growing. A small fraction, estimated at
Spirit Wars: Native North American Religions in the Age of Nation Building.

Spirit Wars: Native North American Religions in the Age of Nation Building. Ronald Niezen. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2000. xi. 256 pp., figures, photographs, references, index.
Aquatic predation alters a terrestrial prey subsidy

Organisms with complex life histories (CLH) often cross habitat or ecosystem boundaries as they develop from larvae to adults, coupling energy flow between ecosystems as both prey (bottom-up) and consumers (top-down). Predation effects on one stage of this life cycle can therefore cascade across ecosystems, magnifying the impact of local predation. The majority of predation studies have assessed effects only on a local level, within the habitat of the predator. I used large outdoor stream mesocosms to test the hypothesis that predation in an aquatic habitat alters the magnitude and trophic structure of a prey assemblage in a terrestrial habitat. I also tested how a consumer in the terrestrial habitat (web-weaving spiders) responded to these changes in prey export. Two fish species were the predators (red shiner, Cyprinella lutrensis and orangethroat darter, Etheostoma spectabile) in an experiment with three treatments: both fish species monocultures plus a fishless control. Fish predation reduced aquatic insect emergence biomass by 50% compared to the fishless control and altered the trophic structure of the emergent community, reducing emerging insect predator biomass by 50%, but had no effect on other insect trophic groups. Spiders captured only insects that were unaffected by fish predation (mostly chironomids) and therefore did not respond numerically to overall changes in insect abundance or biomass. Patterns of insect emergence were largely driven by a strong negative relationship between fish and a predatory dragonfly (Pantala flavescens). The results of this experiment show that predation in one habitat can have strong effects on the biomass and trophic structure of subsidies entering adjacent habitats, resulting in contrasting predictions for the role of these subsidies in recipient food webs. In the absence of fish, aquatic habitats produced terrestrial insect communities with higher biomass (bottom-up potential) and a higher proportion of predators (top-down potential) than when fish were present.
Carbohydrate intake and cardiometabolic risk factors in high BMI African American children

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between intakes of subgroups of energy-providing carbohydrate, and markers of cardiometabolic risk factors in high BMI African American (AA) children.A cross sectional analysis was performed on data from a sample of 9-11 year old children (n = 95) with BMI greater than the 85th percentile. Fasting hematological and biochemical values for selected markers of cardiometabolic risk factors were related to intakes of carbohydrates and sugars.After adjusting for gender, pubertal stage and waist circumference, multivariate regression analysis showed that higher intakes of carbohydrate (with fat and protein held constant) were associated with higher plasma concentrations of triglycerides (TG), VLDL-C, IDL-C, and worse insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, HOMA-IR). After dividing carbohydrate into non-sugar versus sugar fractions, sugars were significantly related to higher TG, VLDL-C, IDL-C, lower adipocyte fatty acid insulin sensitivity (ISI-FFA), and was closely associated with increased HOMA-IR. Similar trends were observed for sugars classified as added sugars, and for sugars included in beverages. Further dividing sugar according to the food group from which it was consumed showed that consuming more sugar from the candy/soda food group was highly significantly associated with increased TG, VLDL-C, IDL-C and closely associated with increased HOMA-IR. Sugars consumed in all fruit-containing foods were significantly associated with lower ISI-FFA. Sugars consumed as fruit beverages was significantly associated with VLDL-C, IDL-C and ISI-FFA whereas sugars consumed as fresh, dried and preserved fruits did not show significant associations with these markers.Sugars consumed from in all dairy foods were significantly associated with higher TG, VLDL-C and IDL-C, and with significantly lower HDL-C and ISI-FFA. These effects were associated with sugars consumed in sweetened dairy products, but not with sugars consumed in unsweetened dairy products. This analysis suggests that increases in carbohydrate energy, especially in the form of sugar, may be detrimental to cardiometabolic health in high BMI children.
Projections into the Future

Science owes much of its success to the specialized approach, which endeavours to isolate objects and phenomena and to study them under elimination of the disturbing influences of the surroundings and internal contaminations. Thus, for instance, physicists grow pure single crystals of various chemical elements and compounds and study their mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic and optical properties under strictly controlled conditions of pressure, temperature and other parameters.
Determinants for Differential Effects on d-Ala-d-Lactate vs d-Ala-d-Ala Formation by the VanA Ligase from Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci†

Bacteria with either intrinsic or inducible resistance to vancomycin make peptidoglycan (PG) precursors of lowered affinity for the antibiotic by switching the PG-D-Ala-D-Ala termini that are the antibiotic-binding target to either PG-D-Ala-D-lactate or PG-D-Ala-D-Ser as a consequence of altered specificity of the D-Ala-D-X ligases in the cell wall biosynthetic pathway. The VanA ligase of vancomycin-resistant enterococci, a D-Ala-D-lactate depsipeptide ligase, has the ability to recognize and activate the weak nucleophile D-lactate selectively over D-Ala(2) to capture the D-Ala(1)-OPO(3)(2)(-) intermediate in the ligase active site. To ensure this selectivity in catalysis, VanA largely rejects the protonated (NH(3)(+)) form of D-Ala at subsite 2 (K(M2) of 210 mM at pH 7.5) but not at subsite 1. In contrast, the deprotonated (NH(2)) form of D-Ala (K(M2) of 0.66 mM, k(cat) of 550 min(-)(1)) is a 17-fold better substrate compared to D-lactate (K(M) of 0.69 mM, k(cat) of 32 min(-)(1)). The low concentration of the free amine form of D-Ala at physiological conditions (i.e., 0.1% at pH 7.0) explains the inefficiency of VanA in dipeptide synthesis. Mutational analysis revealed a residue in the putative omega-loop region, Arg242, which is partially responsible for electrostatically repelling the protonated form of D-Ala(2). The VanA enzyme represents a subfamily of D-Ala-D-X ligases in which two key active-site residues (Lys215 and Tyr216) in the active-site omega-loop of the Escherichia coli D-Ala-D-Ala ligase are absent. To look for functional complements in VanA, we have mutated 20 residues and evaluated effects on catalytic efficiency for both D-Ala-D-Ala dipeptide and D-Ala-D-lactate depsipeptide ligation. Mutation of Asp232 caused substantial defects in both dipeptide and depsipeptide ligase activity, suggesting a role in maintaining the loop position. In contrast, the H244A mutation caused an increase in K(M2) for D-lactate but not D-Ala, indicating a differential role for His244 in the recognition of the weaker nucleophile D-lactate. Replacement of the VanA omega-loop by that of VanC2, a D-Ala-D-Ser ligase, eliminated D-Ala-D-lactate activity while improving by 3-fold the catalytic efficacy of D-Ala-D-Ala and D-Ala-D-Ser activity.
Efficient, long-term transgene expression in Xenopus laevis dermal melanophores.

Xenopus laevis dermal melanophores provide an excellent model system for the investigation of complex cellular processes. Specifically, the expression of exogenous genes in Xenopus melanophores is the basis of recombinant bioassays for the study of receptor–ligand interactions. However, due to their slow rate of cell division and to the relatively low efficiency of current transfection protocols, long-term expression of exogenous genes and the generation of stable melanophore cell lines remains problematic. In this report we demonstrate the efficient, long-term expression of two exogenous proteins, the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and the human CD4 (hCD4) cell surface receptor, following stable introduction into Xenopus melanophores via an HIV-1 based vector. Transduction of melanophores with the EGFP expression vector resulted in up to 80% EGFP+ cells. After 1 year in continuous culture in the absence of antibiotic selection, more than 60% of the cells remained EGFP+. Furthermore, we demonstrate the expression of hCD4 in melanophores for over 9 months in continuous culture in the absence of antibiotic selection. Our results indicate that lentivirus vectors provide an efficient means of introducing genetic information into Xenopus melanophores, resulting in sustained levels of gene expression. The significance of this gene transfer system for the study of cellular signal transduction pathways is discussed.
Experimental Pneumonitis and Encephalitis Caused by Acanthamoeba in Mice: Pathogenesis and Ultrastructural Features

For a more precise definition of the clinicopathological features of experimental acanthamoebic infection in mice, trophozoites of Acanthamoeba castellanii and Acanthamoeba polyphaga were instilled intranasally into adult white mice. Eight to 20 days after inoculation, severe pulmonary disease developed; one to two days later, neurological signs ensued. On pathologic examination an amebic broncho-pneumonia associated with encephalitis was found. Trophozoites and cysts were seen in lung and brain. Although Naegleria is spread by the olfactory route, cerebral lesions produced by Acanthamoeba might result principally from hematogenous carriage from the lungs. Other differences between infections caused by Naegleria and those caused by Acanthamoeba in mice also exist and serve to emphasize that when natural infections with Acanthamoeba occur, a distinct clinicopathological entity may be produced.
EIGENVALUES OF TRIDIAGONAL PSEUDO-TOEPLITZ MATRICES

Abstract In this article we determine the eigenvalues of sequences of tridiagonal matrices that contain a Toeplitz matrix in the upper left block.
Pancreatitis-Associated Protein 2 Modulates Inflammatory Responses in Macrophages

Pancreatitis-associated proteins (PAP) are stress-induced secretory proteins that are implicated in immunoregulation. Previous studies have demonstrated that PAP is up-regulated in acute pancreatitis and that gene knockdown of PAP correlated with worsening severity of pancreatitis, suggesting a protective effect for PAP. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PAP2 in the regulation of macrophage physiology. rPAP2 administration to clonal (NR8383) and primary macrophages were followed by an assessment of cell morphology, inflammatory cytokine expression, and studies of cell-signaling pathways. NR8383 macrophages which were cultured in the presence of PAP2 aggregated and exhibited increased expression of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10; no significant change was observed in IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18 when compared with controls. Chemical inhibition of the NFκB pathway abolished cytokine production and PAP facilitated nuclear translocation of NF-κB and phosphorylation of IκBα inhibitory protein suggesting that PAP2 signaling involves this pathway. Cytokine responses were dose dependent. Interestingly, similar findings were observed with primary macrophages derived from lung, peritoneum, and blood but not spleen. Furthermore, PAP2 activity was inhibited by the presence of serum, inhibition which was overcome with increased PAP2. Our results demonstrate a new function for PAP2: it stimulates macrophage activity and likely modulates the inflammatory environment of pancreatitis.
Analysis of the Cleburne, Texas, Earthquake Sequence from June 2009 to June 2010

On 9 June 2009, an ![Graphic][1] 2.8 earthquake shook Cleburne, Texas, a community not known to have previously experienced earthquakes. Over 50 small earthquakes followed by the end of December 2009. A temporary network of four and then five IRIS‐Passcal broadband systems was deployed from June 2009 to June 2010, recording data that were used to locate 38 events with the most confident P ‐ and S ‐arrival picks. Event locations were distributed along a 2 km long north‐northeast trend. The location centroid was at 32.298° N, 97.372° W and at 3.6 km depth. This location is approximately 1.3 km from a saltwater disposal well that began injection in October 2007 and 3.2 km away from a second injection well that was active from September 2005 to late July 2009. Focal mechanisms estimated for the best‐recorded events suggest a north‐northeast–south‐southwest‐trending normal fault with a dip of ∼50° and a component of oblique motion (rake of ∼−80°). This average solution is generally consistent with the north‐northeast‐trending extensional faults that are prevalent across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Stress drops calculated from P and S spectra for seven different events ranged from 3.9 to 90 bars, with most estimates between 40 and 50 bars, typical values for intraplate earthquakes. Because there were no known previous earthquakes, and the located events were close to the two injection wells and near the injection depth, the possibility exists that earthquakes may be related to fluid injection. Online Material: Tables of absolute and relative earthquake locations and a figure summarizing focal mechanism solutions. [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif