cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A bifunctional ligand for Pd(II).

Abstract A bifunctional ligand, 6-(5-carboxyl pentyl)-5,7 dioxo-1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane, has been shown to produce a neutral, inert complex with Pd(II). The complex is formed in high yield and is stable over a wide pH range. It can be conjugated to proteins through the carboxylic acid side arm using a carbodiimide coupling reagent and may be useful for labeling antibodies or other large molecules.
Growth in Literacy and Cognition in Bilingual Children at Risk or Not at Risk for Reading Disabilities.

This study investigated growth in reading, vocabulary, and memory in children (ages 5 to 10) learning English as a second language identified at risk for reading disabilities (RD). A growth curve analysis showed that RD children were significantly below children not at risk in English and Spanish reading, Spanish short-term memory (STM), Spanish comprehension, and English and Spanish working memory (WM). RD children were also inferior on growth measures of English and Spanish WM and Spanish STM. Growth on measures of Spanish vocabulary, reading, STM, and WM accounted for 12% of the variance in predicting growth in English reading. However, only Spanish measures of WM growth contributed unique variance. The results show that growth in WM in the primary language predicts growth in second-language reading.
A theoretical model for optimization of rolling schedule procedure parameters in ERP systems

The rolling schedule procedure has been an important part of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. The performance of production planning in an ERP system depends on the selection of the three parameters in rolling schedule procedure: frozen interval, replanning interval, and planning horizon (forecast window). This research investigated, in a theoretical approach, the combined impact of selections of those three parameters. The proven mathematical theorems provided guidance to reduction of instability (nervousness) and to seek the optimal balance between stability and responsiveness of ERP systems, Further the theorems are extended to incorporate the cost structure.
Mucinous adenocarcinoma as heterologous element in intermediately differentiated Sertoli–Leydig cell tumor of the ovary

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (SLCT) is a rare tumor involving the ovary. Approximately 20% of SLCT are associated with heterologous elements that are either of endodermal or mesodermal origin. The gastrointestinal-type epithelium is the most commonly described endodermal heterologous element. SLCT with benign and borderline mucinous neoplasm has been reported in the literature. However, SLCT with mucinous adenocarcinoma as heterologous element has been rarely documented. Herein, we describe a rare case of intermediately differentiated Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with mucinous adenocarcinoma as the heterologous element in a 21-year-old woman. She presented with throbbing lower abdominal pain and was found to have a large, complex left ovarian mass on imaging studies. She underwent left salpingo-oophorectomy, appendectomy and lymph node staging. Gross examination of the surgical specimen showed a large, encapsulated, solid-cystic mass completely replacing the ovary. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of intermediately differentiated Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor and well-differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma. Interestingly, the bulk of the tumor (more than 90%) was composed of mucinous adenocarcinoma, whereas the SLCT component comprised less than 10% of the total tumor. The mucinous adenocarcinoma expressed positivity for CK20, CEA, CDX2 and CK7, and the SLCT component was positive for inhibin expression. The histopathological features and results of immunostaining were consistent with the diagnosis of the intermediately differentiated SLCT with mucinous adenocarcinoma as the heterologous element. This case was a diagnostic challenge as more than 90% of the tumor was composed of mucinous adenocarcinoma and SLCT constituted only the minor part of the tumor. This feature was in contrast to the previously described two cases, where mucinous adenocarcinoma as heterologous element was present as microscopic foci. This case highlights the importance of identifying the SLCT component in a case of an apparently pure mucinous adenocarcinoma in a young patient.
Close Packing of Listeria monocytogenes ActA, a Natively Unfolded Protein, Enhances F-actin Assembly without Dimerization

Studies of the biochemistry of Listeria monocytogenes virulence protein ActA have typically focused on the behavior of bacteria in complex systems or on the characterization of the protein after expression and purification. Although prior in vivo work has proposed that ActA forms dimers on the surface of L. monocytogenes, dimerization has not been demonstrated in vitro, and little consideration has been given to the surface environment where ActA performs its pivotal role in bacterial actin-based motility. We have synthesized and characterized an ActA dimer and provide evidence that the two ActA molecules do not interact with each other even when tethered together. However, we also demonstrate that artificial dimers provide superior activation of actin nucleation by the Arp2/3 complex compared with monomers and that increased activation of the Arp2/3 complex by dimers may be a general property of Arp2/3 activators. It appears that the close packing ( approximately 19 nm) of ActA molecules on the surface of L. monocytogenes is so dense that the kinetics of actin nucleation mimic that of synthetic ActA dimers. We also present observations indicating that ActA is a natively unfolded protein, largely random coil that is responsible for many of the unique physical properties of ActA including its extended structure, aberrant mobility during SDS-PAGE, and ability to resist irreversible denaturation upon heating.
Growth Factors in Metanephric Development

During embryonic life, renal morphogenesis is characterized by a defined period of intense cellular activity, inductive-transformation of undifferentiated cells to polarized epithelia, in-growth of capillaries into an intricate parenchvmal epithelial-mesenchvmal mass, and finally the maturation into an organ with diverse structural and biological functions. It should be emphasized that the interactions between various growth factors and their receptors, ECM glvcoproteins and proto-oncogenes are required for proper epithelial: mesenchymal interactions essential to the process of nephrogenesis. A balance between the activities of these macromolecules, whether essential or redundant, is needed to orchestrate the proper cell signals and responses to assure the progression of normal organogenesis. Finally, in spite of the enormous wealth of data in the literature, the process of renal development is so complex that a clear picture has yet to emerge of the precise coordinated and sequential events that result i...
The functional significance of parasitic egg laying and typical nesting in redhead ducks: an analysis of individual behaviour

Abstract At the population level, redhead ducks, Aythya americana, lay as many as 75% of their eggs parasitically but at least some females lay and incubate eggs in their own nests (‘typical nesting’). Parasitic egg laying by redheads was documented with remote, time-lapse photography of potential host nests, allowing histories of parasitic egg laying and typical nesting to be compiled for individual females. In 1986 and 1987, years of favourable environmental conditions, many adult (≥2 years old) females laid parasitic eggs prior to initiating their own nests in the same season. This dual strategy of individuals was reflected at the population level: the seasonal peak of parasitic egg laying preceded that of typical nesting and per caput rates of both parasitic egg laying and nesting were high. In contrast, redhead females either laid parasitic eggs or nested but did not do both during a drought in 1988. It is suggested that all redhead females employ a flexible, conditional reproductive strategy with four options of increasing reproductive effort: (1) nonbreeding, (2) parasitic egg laying, (3) typical nesting, and (4) a dual strategy of parasitic egg laying prior to nesting. When environmental conditions are favourable, a dual strategy enables redheads to increase their fecundity above the normal limits to clutch size. When prospects for successful nesting are poor, females reduce reproductive effort and employ parasitic egg laying as a low-cost alternative to nesting. Age-related differences in reproductive tactics were consistent with this model.
The thermal decomposition of sym-dichlorobis (2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)urea in KBr

Abstract Infrared spectra of sym-dichlorobis (2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) urea over the range 4000–250 cm −1 have been obtained on samples prepared in KBr discs and stored for several hours at elevated temperatures. The subject compound undergoes thermal decomposition by cleavage of the NCl bond and the formation of sym-2,4,6-trichlorophenyl urea with some aromatic halogenation of 2,4-dichlorophenyl groups present in the sample.
Vocal Imitation and Individual Recognition of Finch Calls

American goldfinch females recognize individual males by their individually distinctive flight calls. Goldfinches and other cardueline finch species are also capable of learning new flight calls by imitation during pair and flock formation. Vocal imitation can occur between members of different species as well as between members of the same species. Learning of new flight calls differs in several respects from typical passerine song learning.
Enhanced radiative absorption of thin, heavily beryllium-doped GaAs films

Beryllium-doped GaAs layers have been grown by molecular beam epitaxy with doping concentrations up to 1.2 × 1020 cm−3. Upon initiation of doping, an unintentional substrate temperature rise is observed pyrometrically that is caused by various radiant sources used in the growth process. The heating effect is correlated with the doping concentration and dependent upon machine configuration and geometry. Electrical and secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements indicate that the temperature rise can cause significant beryllium diffusion. Since most of the temperature rise occurs during the first 1000A of growth, degradation of thin device layers is possible. Transmission and reflection measurements on the beryllium-doped samples indicate strong sub-bandgap absorption that correlates with the doping concentration. The absorption is due to intervalence band transitions as well as free carrier absorption.
A theory of electrolyte friction on translating polyelectrolytes

Abstract Enormous increases in friction factors of isolated polyelectrolytes have been observed when the concentration of added monovalent salt is decreased below 10−2M. Electrolyte friction on translating polyions, analogous to dielectric friction on translating small ions, is postulated to account for this effect. A quantitative theory of this electrolyte friction is developed, based on the fluctuating force formulation of Kirkwood and Previous development of the author for the dynamics of smallion concentration fluctuations. By modelling the flexible linear polyelectrolyte as a charged gel sphere of constant radius equal to the measured hydrodynamic radius in 1.0 M NaBr, where electrolyte friction is negligible, and employing the theory of Harris and Rice to determine the net charge on the sphere, remarkably good agreement with the data is obtained using no adjustable parameters. Polyion expansion of only a few percent would make the agreement perfect. Diffusion of polyions at finite concentration is discussed in the light of the present work, and it is suggested that an appropriate reinterpretation of parameters in the existing theories can account for the observed dependence of the measured diffusion coefficients on salt and polyion concentration in the linear range.
The arterial system of Palaemonetes

Color changes in Palaemonetes had been found to be inhibited in the whole abdomen by occluding the dorsal abdominal artery. Inasmuch as these chromatic responses are brought about by means of circulating hormones, it should be possible, in view of early anatomical findings, for specific substances to reach the abdomen by way of the ventral abdominal artery which has been described for so many decapod crustaceans. This paper reports a degenerate ventral abdominal artery and a ventral continuation of the dorsal abdominal artery, the latter thus being distributed to practically the entire abdomen and therefore chiefly responsible for abdominal color-change phenomena. A method is given for injecting the arteries of small crustaceans, and the entire arterial system of Palaemonetes is described and figured. Several hitherto unreported vascular structures are noted: a plexus of blood vessels surrounding the supra-oesophageal ganglion, certain branches of the ophthalmic artery leading to the eyes, and various branches of the dorsal abdominal artery in the region of the telson and uropods. The forward flow of blood in the ventral portion of the abdomen in decapod crustaceans is held to be unique.
Grating analysis of frequency parsing strategies for imaging interferometric lithography

The limitations of a conventional optical lithography are consequences of the limited spatial frequency coverage (~ NA/λ) of the optical system. To improve the resolution of printed patterns, Imaging Interferometric Lithography (IIL) exploits interference phenomena to produce sub-wavelength structures on the wafer and provides a simple approach to attainment of the ultimate spatial frequency coverage of 2/λ, independent of the optical system NA. In the first promising experiments, different divisons of frequency space between multiple exposures were investigated empirically. While the use of multiple exposures includes a better coverage than available from a single exposure, automated software routines or strategies need to be developed to find the optimum setup that makes the best compromise against all of the desirable lithography specifications. From a comprehensive grating analysis, we derive a set of optimal parameters for exposure energy ratio among exposures and search a proper set to improve the aerial image quality. Additionally, comparing with partial coherent imaging schemes, we examine the strengths and weaknesses of IIL through different analyses and these studies provide additional support for IIL as a promising alternative RET for deep sub-wavelength optical lithography.
Rights and freedom in welfare economics

Abstract This paper focuses on some conceptual ambiguities in the discussion of individual rights and freedom in welfare economics. It is argued that the framework of a social decision function itself is rather inappropriate for the formulation of individual rights. Also, following a line of reasoning initiated by Kaushik Basu, it is argued that one cannot plausibly interpret an individual's freedom as his ability to choose from a set of consumption bundles or ‘functioning’ bundles. In each case the difficulty arises from an inappropriate specification of the space of options with reference to which rights and freedom are formulated.
Activated macrophages as effector cells of protective immunity to schistosomiasis

The study of macrophage-schistosome interaction has yielded insights into the mechanism of macrophage cytotoxicity against extracellular targets, as well as the generation of cell-mediated immunity in infectious disease. Many of the results surveyed here emphasize the similarities in conditions for induction and expression of macrophage function; for example, (1) conditions inducing macrophage activation for killing of schistosomula or tumor cells appear to be entirely coincident, (2) killing of schistosomula and tumor cells proceeds similarly in terms of the kinetics and features of target damage, and may involve identical effector molecules, and (3) immunization against schistosomiasis stimulates a state of cell-mediated immunity analogous to that induced by treatment with other infectious agents such as BCG orC. parvum. However, the schistosome model also introduces novel and intriguing variables, most notably the changes in parasite susceptibility to macrophage-mediated killing at different maturational stages, and the induction of maximally activated macrophage populations with moderate larvacidal activity. Thus, schistosomiasis provides an informative new model for study of macrophage function in chronic infection and protective immunity. Genetics studies have revealed a strong correlation between macrophage larvicidal activity and resistance toS. mansoni, suggesting a role for activated macrophages as immune effector cells in vivo. It remains to be determined whether this potential effector mechanism of resistance can be exploited to the advantage of the host by appropriate vaccination protocols to elicit and direct the toxicity of activated macrophages toward challenge parasites. It is possible that the proper selection of immunogen and method of administration could produce stronger cell-mediated responses, ultimately of more protective benefit than those generated as a consequence of natural or attenuated infection.
Oncogenes and cell cycle genes.

The relationships between oncogenes, cell-cycle control genes, and growth-related genes are described. An important generalization from the data is that all the oncogenes and cell-cycle control genes so far characterized appear to be genes for growth factors or for receptors to growth factors, or to be involved in the general metabolism and structure of the cell. It is suggested that the transition in cell growth from quiescence to the proliferative state, in early G1, may be less specific than previously thought and involve a general priming of the cells for more specific later stimuli.
Laparoscopic nephron-sparing resection of synchronous Wilms tumors in a case of hyperplastic perilobar nephroblastomatosis

Diffuse hyperplastic perilobar nephroblastomatosis (DHPLN) is a rare precursor lesion of Wilms tumor (WT). Because of the increased risk to develop WT in either kidney, current management algorithms of DHPLN merit nephron-sparing strategies, beginning with chemotherapy and close radiographic monitoring into late childhood. After resolution of DHPLN, subsequent detection of a renal nodule mandates resection to exclude WT. Here, we report the case of a 4-year-old girl who developed 2 synchronous nodules in the right kidney more than 2 years after completion of therapy for DHPLN. Because of the early detection and peripheral location of these 2 nodules, laparoscopic nephron-sparing resection of each was performed using ultrasonic dissection. Both nodules were determined on pathology to be favorable histology WT with negative surgical margins. The child was placed on vincristine and actinomycin D therapy for 18 weeks.
THE IMPACT OF FEDERALISM ON EDUCATION FINANCE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS*

Drawing on the implications suggested by several recent studies in comparative public policy, this article examines the impact of the structure of intergovernmental relations on the patterns of distribution of educational funds. The fundamental hypothesis underlying this analysis is that differences in this structure, and in particular the distinction between federal and unitary systems of government, are systematically related to differences in distribution across and within nations. The variations in total educational allocations among eighteen nations in Europe and North America are considered in order to discover whether the aggregate funding of education, relative to a nation's wealth, is related to the structure of intergovernmental relations. Then, in a more intensive analysis, the intranational patterns of distribution are compared in four federal and four unitary systems. This analysis suggests that there is a significant difference between the two types of system in the degree to which educational policy outputs equalize the territorial disparities in wealth and effect a redistribution of funds within the nation.
Origin of void defects in Hg 1-x Cd x Te grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Characterization of defects in Hg1−xCdxTe compound semiconductor is essential to reduce intrinsic and the growth-induced extended defects which adversely affect the performance of devices fabricated in this material system. It is shown here that particulates at the substrate surface act as sites where void defects nucleate during Hg1−xCdxTe epitaxial growth by molecular beam epitaxy. In this study, we have investigated the effect of substrate surface preparation on formation of void defects and established a one-to-one correlation. A wafer cleaning procedure was developed to reduce the density of such defects to values below 200 cm−2. Focal plane arrays fabricated on low void density materials grown using this new substrate etching and cleaning procedure were found to have pixel operability above 98.0%.
Explanation of the exotic superconductors by a valence-fluctuation pairing mechanism

Abstract The exotic superconductors considered here are those defined by Uemura and coworkers, the materials which approximately satisfy the empirical relation T c α λL −2, where λL is the London penetration depth. This category includes all of the presently known high-temperature superconductors, plus many others which are or have been prominent in basie superconductivity research. In a survey these materials were shown to share many characteristic features, electronic properties which are anomalous from the standpoint of BCS and strong-coupling (Eliashberg) systematics, and also distinctive features in the crystal chemistry. It is now argued that these characteristic features are consistent with and indeed suggestive of a valence-fluctuation pairing mechanism developed for the cuprate superconductors. The explanation is reasonably straightforward, and the match between the expected and the observed properties is remarkably extensive. The crystal chemistry aspects are seen here as enabling features, that...
The effect of methyltestosterone and 17β-estradiol on DNA synthesis of mesonephric blastemae of frog larvae

L'addition d'une concentration masculinisante de methyl testosterone aux larves deRana pipiens stimule la synthese de l'ADN dans leurs blastemes mesonephretiques. On n'observe aucun effet semblable sur la synthese de l'ADN quand on emploie la concentration masculinisante ou feminisante de l'estradiol.
The design and development of pegfilgrastim (PEG-rmetHuG-CSF, Neulasta)

Recombinant protein technology produces drugs for human therapy in unprecedented quantity and quality. Research is now focusing on the relationship between pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of molecules, with the aim of engineering proteins that possess enhanced therapeutic characteristics in contrast to being used as simple replacements for the natural equivalent. The addition of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety to filgrastim (rmetHu-G-CSF, Neupogen) resulted in the development of pegfilgrastim. Pegfilgrastim is a long-acting form of filgrastim that requires only once-per-cycle administration for the management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. The covalent attachment of PEG to the N-terminal amine group of the parent molecule was attained using site-directed reductive alkylation. Pegylation increases the size of filgrastim so that it becomes too large for renal clearance. Consequently, neutrophil-mediated clearance predominates in elimination of the drug. This extends the median serum half-life of pegfilgrastim to 42 hours, compared with between 3.5 and 3.8 hours for Filgrastim, though in fact the half-life is variable, depending on the absolute neutrophil count, which in turn reflects of the ability of pegfilgrastim to sustain production of those same cells. The clearance of the molecule is thus dominated by a self-regulating mechanism. Pegfilgrastim retains the same biological activity as filgrastim, and binds to the same G-CSF receptor, stimulating the proliferation, differentiation and activation of neutrophils. Once-per-chemotherapy cycle administration of pegfilgrastim reduces the duration of severe neutropenia as effectively as daily treatment with filgrastim. In clinical trials, patients receiving pegfilgrastim also had a lower observed incidence of febrile neutropenia than patients receiving filgrastim.
Influence of clonal selection on the expression of immunoglobulin variable region genes

The humoral immune response of the mouse to certain antigens is characterized by the dominant expression of a single or limited number of related, immunoglobulin variable region (V) structures by antibody-secreting lymphocytes. Such dominance could be due to preferred expression of these V regions in the B cell population prior to the immune response or could result from the action of selective or regulatory mechanisms during the immune response. Expression of a heavy chain variable region (VH) gene segment that partially encodes a V region structure that dominates the immune response to para-azophenylarsonate (Ars) in strain A mice was examined in the B cell population of Ars nonimmune mice. This VH gene segment participates in encoding several hundred thousand different V region structures expressed in this B cell population. The immune system is therefore capable of recurrently selecting a single V region structure from such a repertoire for dominant expression by antibody-secreting lymphocytes during an immune response.
Bioremediation of selenite in oil refinery wastewater

Selenium-oxyanion-containing wastewater, with levels of selenite as high as 3690 μg Se/l and very low levels of selenate, was treated in a laboratory-scale biological reactor system inoculated with the selenate-respiring bacterium Thauera selenatis. The wastewater contained selenite that had been removed from refinery effluent wastewater using iron-coprecipitation followed by selenite release to yield a more concentrated selenium-containing wastewater. The reactor system consisted of recycling sludge-blanket (500 ml; 200 g sand) and fluidized-bed reactors (500 ml; 150 g sand). The flow rate through the reactor system was 3.5 ml/min. The carbon source fed into the reactor was acetate (3 mM); nitrate was also present (3 mM). The selenium oxyanion levels in the wastewater were reduced by 95%. T. selenatis was the only selenate-reducing bacterium detected in the reactor system and it presumably reduced a portion of the selenate present in the water to selenite. The selenite present in the water, and that formed by selenate reduction, was reduced both by the Thauera and by a population of denitrifying bacteria also present in high numbers in the reactor system.
Fluoride release and re-uptake in direct tooth colored restorative materials

Abstract Objectives. Glass ionomers may be “recharged” through topical fluoride (F−) treatments; however, this reported “recharging,” may be attributed to surface changes after F− treatment. This study examined differences in F− release and re-uptake among dual-cured and chemically-cured glass ionomers, and a photo-cured F− releasing composite. A secondary goal was to determine if tensile strength or surface roughness changed due to F− release, or F− re-uptake and re-release.Methods. In Phase 1, initial surface roughness and diametral tensile strength were measured. F− release was measured for 30 days. Strength and roughness were then remeasured. In Phase 2, surface roughness was measured, then materials were treated with a 5000 ppm neutral F− gel, the same gel without F−, or phosphoric acid. F− release was measured for 30 days, then final surface roughness and strength were determined.Results. Significant differences were found in amount and rate of F− release, and F− re-uptake and re-release among study materials and enamel controls (p
The dynamics of inhibitory interaction in a frog receptive field: A paradigm of paracontrast

Abstract Neurons in the frog retina, that generate on responses when the central regions of their receptive fields are stimulated and that are inhibited by a peripheral light, have been illuminated with a central and peripheral stimulus in varying time sequence. If a light is allowed to fall on the periphery of a receptive field as much as 160 msec after the onset of the central stimulus, the number of impulses produced by a cell is reduced. The time course of the interaction can be recorded in detail and indicates a possible physiological site for the psychophysical phenomenon of para-contrast.
The misused and misleading iaea leach test

Abstract Examples of data from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) leach tests on spent fuel elements are shown that were displayed, not in the recommended manner in the IAEA leach test, but in the manner of the modifications of this leach test. The main difference in the display methods is in the plotting of incremental leach rates as a function of cumulative time of leaching rather than as a function of the mean time of leaching of each individual sample. This difference in display can lead to wrong conclusions if the display methods are not carefully considered.
"The Sorrows of Yamba," by Eaglesfield Smith and Hannah More: Authorship, Ideology, and the Fractures of Antislavery Discourse

"The Sorrows of Yamba", published in 1795 by Hannah More in her Cheap Repository Tracts series, was one of the most popular and frequently reprinted antislavery poems of its time. Recently it has become popular once more, as a classroom text included (usually under More's name) in teaching anthologies, in anthologies of women's poetry, and in a selected edition of More's work. But the poem is not solely by Hannah More, who never signed it with her characteristic "Z." Following a stray reference by Wylie Sypher, I have located several versions of the poem signed by "E.S.J." and "Eaglesfield Smith." These versions are about half the length of the version in Cheap Repository Tracts: the material added (almost certainly by More) entirely change the tone and purpose of the poem, from a "slave suicide" poem to one that instead has the heroine converted by a passing missionary. More also adds a good deal of pseudo-dialect to the poem, making Yamba less tragic and dignified and more helpless and child-like. Recovering Smith's ur-version of the poem allows one to see two distinct strains of British anti-slavery discourse at work, one tragic and sentimental (and vaguely liberal), the other Christianizing and infantilizing (and distinctly reactionary). Far from underwriting a spurious unity as Foucault suggests in his critique of the individual author, concentrating on the authorship question in this instance reveals the ideological and formal discontinuities that critics have missed in this important antislavery poem.
Inflammation in Multiple Organ Failure from Pediatric Sepsis. • 262

Plasma IL-6 (pro-inflammatory marker), IL-10 (anti-inflammatory marker), and nitrite/nitrates, (stable end products of nitric oxide metabolism), are increased in children with sepsis. We now show that the degree of inflammation(as indicated by these markers) correlates with organ failure, and that the anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory responses correlate in pediatric sepsis. Methods: Plasma IL-6, IL-10 (ELISA) and NO2/NO3 (Greiss reaction) were measured in 53 children with sepsis (days 1-3). The organ failure index (OFI), the sum of 1 point for each organ system failure, was recorded daily. Multiple organ failure = OFI ≥3. Results: In children with OFI ≥3, IL-10, IL-6, and NO2/NO3 levels were higher than in children with OFI <3 (Table). OFI correlated with NO2/NO3 (day 1 [Illegible Text]=.39, day 2 [Illegible Text]=.6), IL-10 (day 2[Illegible Text]=.54, and day 3 [Illegible Text]=.62) and IL-6 (day 2[Illegible Text]=.44). OFI correlated to IL-10, IL-6, and NO2/NO3 (day 1 r2 =.48, day 2 r2 =.61 by MLR). IL-10 correlated with IL-6 (day 1 [Illegible Text]=.52 and day 3, [Illegible Text] =.62) and NO2/NO3 (day 1[Illegible Text] =.37 and day 3 [Illegible Text] ≥.65). (p<.05 for all reported correlations) Conclusion: Markers of inflammation correlated with organ failure in pediatric sepsis. Plasma nitrite/nitrates correlated with organ failure suggesting that nitric oxide may be an important end-effector molecule in pediatric multiple organ failure. The anti-inflammatory (IL-10) and pro-inflammatory response (IL-6, NO2/NO3) were coupled in time course and by statistical correlation, however, tissue response to these cytokine levels requires further study. (NIH RO1GM41734-04A1)
Induction of Endoplasmic Reticulum-Plasma Membrane Contacts is a Non-Conducting Function of the Kv2.1 Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel

The voltage-gated potassium channel Kv2.1 localizes to micron diameter clusters on the soma of hippocampal pyramidal neurons and transfected HEK 293 cells. Channels localized to clusters are largely unable to flux K+ suggesting Kv2.1 possesses an auxiliary, non-conducting function. We present evidence that one non-conducting function of Kv2.1 is to induce the formation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-plasma membrane (PM) contacts. In HEK 293 cells, the cortical ER (cER) as observed by TIRF microscopy typically consists of a meshwork of tubules. Expression of Kv2.1 induced the enlargement of cER tubules into micron diameter sheets, mirroring the clustered localization of the channel. An ultrastructural analysis using thin-section electron microscopy and immuno-gold labeling indicated that cER is brought into close apposition to the PM (<30nm) opposite dense immuno-gold labeling for Kv2.1. The close apposition of cER observed opposite Kv2.1 immuno-gold was accompanied by thinning of the cER lumen. ER-PM contacts are typically demonstrated to be anchored by proteins which reside in the ER membrane and extend into the cytoplasm to bind anionic lipid species which reside in the inner leaflet of the PM. These data suggest that the integral PM protein Kv2.1 functions to direct the formation of ER-PM contacts through interactions with unknown lipids or proteins in the ER.
Generation versus aging, and education, occupation, gender and ethnicity effects in U.S. digital divides

Information and communication technology (ICT) are often thought to hold the potential to level many societal barriers, e.g., those created by gender or ethnicity. Using the NSF Surveys of Public Understanding of Science and Technology (maximum n = 18125 adults), I track five generations born from 1891 to 1988 over periods from one to 28 years, juxtaposing how generation versus aging, coupled with gender, ethnicity, occupation and education, affected computer ownership and Internet access and use between 1983 and 2006. Using n way analyses of covariance, I found by 2006, adults who owned a computer went online from home. Although gender was less important in ICT access and use, significant divides by generation, occupation, education and ethnicity in PC ownership and selected online uses remain.
Genetic differentiation of populations of the planktonic copepod Labidocera aestiva

Planktonic populations of the calanoid copepod Labidocera aestiva show significant biochemical genetic heterogeneity along the Atlantic coast of the USA. In summer, 1981, copepods were collected by surface tows at Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina; Fort Pierce Inlet, Florida; and Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts. Genetic variation within each population and genetic differentiation among the three populations were studied by micro-acrylamide gel electrophoresis of six loci encoding four enzymes. All six enzyme loci were polymorphic when all populations were considered together, but the North Carolina population was monomorphic at two loci. High genetic variability was indicated by the following: (1) the number of alleles per locus averaged over all loci was 2.57±0.26 SD; (2) the average proportion of loci for which the frequency of the most common allele was not greater than 0.95 was 0.78±0.10; (3) the frequency of heterozygous individuals was 0.25±0.07. Genetic differentiation among population samples in the three regions was demonstrated in several ways: allele frequencies at one aminopeptidase-I locus, Lap-1, differed significantly among samples of the three populations, and there were unique alleles of high frequency at this locus in two population samples. Values of the statistic of genetic distance (D) averaged 0.20±0.08 for pairwise comparisons between all samples. Compared to expected heterozygosity if individuals across the entire range sampled mated at random, there were highly significant heterozygote deficiencies at five of the six loci. Genetic differentiation of populations of L. aestiva may result from (1) differential selection on populations in the three regions, or (2) restricted gene flow between the populations. Gene flow may be limited by geographic separation or differences in life history, such as seasonal presence in the plankton and diapause egg production.
Serologic abnormalities associated with L-dopa therapy.

. Eighty patients with Parkinson's disease participating in a drug trial of L-dopa were studied prospectively for the development of antierythrocyte, antinuclear, and antiglobulin activities. The median age of the group was 65 years; and the median dose of L-dopa was 4 g/day. Five of the 80 patients developed positive red cell antiglobulin tests after 8 to 11 months of therapy. Three of these had IgG only on their red cells; eluates prepared from these cells reacted strongly with all except Rhnull erythrocytes, suggesting Rh specificity. Complement only was detected on the cells of the other 2 patients. One of the 5 individuals with positive erythrocyte antiglobulin tests became anemic. Significant titers of antinuclear antibody appeared in 9 patients and significant increases in titers of serum antiglobulins were found in 9 patients, 2 of whom also had a positive ANA test. These results indicate that administration of L-dopa is associated with induction of a variety of autoantibodies. The mechanism responsible for this phenomenon is unknown.
Regulation by diet and liver of brain metabolism of nutritionally essential polyunsaturated fatty acids

It is possible to inject radiolabeled polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) intravenously to quantify rates of brain and liver PUFA metabolism in the intact organism, in relation to diet, aging or disease. Because circulating α-linolenic acid (a-LNA, 18:3n-3) and linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) in plasma do not contribute to brain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) or arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6), respectively, and DHA andAA cannot be synthesized de novo in vertebrate tissue, rates of incorporation of circulating DHA or AA into brain provide exact measurements of their rates of consumption by brain. Using positron emission tomography imaging, we reported that the adult human brain consumes AA and DHA at rates of 17.8 and 4.6 mg/day, respectively, and that the rate of AA consumption doesn't change with age. In unanesthetized adult rats fed an n-3 PUFA "adequate" diet containing 4.6% (of total fatty acids) α-LNA as its only n-3 PUFA, the liver secretes DHA derived from circulating α-LNA ten-times faster than the brain consumes DHA; thus the liver is capable of supplying all the brain's DHA. With a low dietary α-LNA level, rat liver coefficients of α-LNA conversion to DHA are increased because of increased liver elongase and desaturase activities, and DHA loss from brain is slowed due to downregulated DHA-metabolizing enzymes, including Ca 2+ -independent phospholipase A 2 (iPLA 2 ). The n-3 PUFA "deficient" diet also increases brain expression of AA-metabolizing enzymes, cytosolic cPLA 2 , secretory sPLA 2 and cyclooxygenase-2, and the brain docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-6) concentration. These changes, plus reduced expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) caused by the "deficient" diet, likely increase brain vulnerability to excitotoxicity and inflammation.
Peripheral androgen action helps modulate vocal production in a suboscine passerine.

ABSTRACT Androgenic activation of intracellular androgen receptors (AR) influences avian vocal production, though this has largely been investigated at the level of the brain. We investigated the influence of predominantly peripheral AR on vocal output in wild Golden-collared Manakins (Manacus vitellinus). In this suboscine species, males court females by performing acrobatic displays and by producing relatively simple chee-poo vocalizations. To assess whether peripheral AR influences the acoustic structure of these vocal signals, we treated reproductively active adult males with the peripherally selective antiandrogen bicalutamide and then measured phonation performance. Inhibiting AR outside of the central nervous system increased the duration of the chee note and decreased the fundamental frequency of the poo note. This treatment caused no discernable change to chee-poo frequency modulation or entropy. Our results show that activation of peripheral AR mediates note-specific changes to temporal and pitc...
Vibrational spectra and assignments of tetrafluorooxirane-16O and -18O

Abstract Infrared and Raman spectra are reported for tetrafluorooxirane and its 18 O modification. From these spectra and previously reported microwave spectra, a complete assignment of vibrational fundamentals is obtained. For the 16 O species the frequencies in cm −1 are ( a 1 ) 1610, 1161, 792, 502, 323; ( a 2 ) 1242, 515, 234; ( b 1 ) 1286, 776, 696, 528; ( b 2 ) 1130, 558, 186. For the 18 O species they are: ( a 1 ) 1611, 1136, 789, 494, 321; ( a 2 ) 1242, 515, 234; ( b 1 ) 1284, 777, 679, 516; ( b 2 ) 1129, 539, 185. Frequency shifts with 18 O substitution show that ν 2 is symmetric CO stretching, that ν 11 and ν 12 contain antisymmetric CO stretching, and that ν 14 is flapping of the COC part with respect to the F 2 CCF 2 part. Since ν 1 is independent of 18 O substitution, this mode must be largely CC stretching mixed with symmetric CF 2 stretching. This finding corroborates a similar result for trans -2,3-difluorooxirane and negates the previous ascription of “ring breathing” to this mode.
Digital simulation of Czochralski bulk flow in microgravity

Simulations for Al2O3 suggest that thermocapillary flow is the dominant mass transport mechanism for Czochralski growth in space vehicles. The residue of buoyant convection generated by microgravity is insignificant in comparison. Increasing the microgravity by tenfold, or switching it off completely, i.e., introducing “g-jitter,” generates barely discernible changes in the flow field. On the other hand, neglecting thermocapillary flow leads to gross errors. These conclusions obtain even though the thermocapillary coefficient of Al2O3 is rather small compared with that of many other materials used in Czochralski growth.
Cultural perspectives of computer security

IBM installed thw rold`s first business computer at General Electric Applicance Park in Louisville, Kentucky in 1954. During these forty years the business world has undergone major changes. These changes, by necessity, also change culture, society and individuals lives.
Angular-dependent interatomic potential for the aluminum-hydrogen system

We report on the development of an angular-dependent interatomic potential for hydrogen and the aluminum-hydrogen system. The potential reproduces properties of diatomic hydrogen gas, accurate solution energies of hydrogen atoms in crystalline Al, the energetic preference of the tetrahedral interstitial site occupation over octahedral, the hydrogen diffusion barrier in Al, and a number of other properties. Some of the results predicted by the potential have been tested by molecular dynamics simulations. It is suggested that the new potential can be used in atomistic simulations of the effect of dissolved hydrogen on deformation and fracture of Al, a problem which is relevant to hydrogen-induced degradation of Al alloys.
Effects of yttrium, aluminum, and chromium concentrations in bond coatings on the performance of zirconia-yttria thermal barriers

A cyclic furnace study was conducted between 990 - 280 C and 1095 - 280 C to evaluate the effects of yttrium, chromium, and aluminum concentrations in nickel base alloy bond coatings and also the effect of the bond coating thickness on the performance of yttria-stabilized zirconia thermal barrier coatings. The presence and the concentration of yttrium is very critical. Without yttrium, rapid oxidation of Ni-Al, Ni-Cr, and Ni-Cr-Al bond coatings causes zirconia thermal barrier coatings to fail very rapidly. Concentrations of chrominum and aluminum in Ni-Cr-Al-Y bond coating have a very significant effect on the thermal barrier coating life. This effect, however, is not as great as that due to yttrium. Furthermore, the thickness and the thickness uniformity also have a very significant effect on the life of the thermal barrier system.
Intestinal lymphoma causing intussusception in HIV+ patient: A rare presentation

Abstract Ten-percent of all malignancies affecting the HIV+ patient population are lymphomas. Lymphoma involving the gastrointestinal tract may be more common than anticipated in this select group of patients. Because this patient population is frequently seen by the surgeon for abdominal complaints, the diagnosis of enteric lymphoma should be entertained and the general surgeons should be aware of its frequency. We report a case of intussusception caused by enteric lymphoma in an HIV+ patient.
A Review of: “International Studies: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Global Issues”

The growing field of International Studies, if indeed it can even be called a field, is so broad that it can encompass everything that is “international.” It is the intersection of various academic...
IT Audit: A Critical Business Process

This paper discussed an IT audit that involves examining all IT business processes and data that integrate with an organization's financial systems. The examination reviews controls and compliance with policies. An IT audit might also require a review of the organization's use of IT in supporting business from efficiency, effectiveness, and economic points of view. In some cases the audit findings might require changes to business processes or lead to an investigation uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse.
Stress Corrosion Cracking Characterization of 3.5 NiCrMoV Low Pressure Turbine Rotor Steels in NaOH and NaCl Solutions

Abstract This paper describes a research program conducted to determine susceptibility of steels used in low pressure (LP) turbine rotors of power plants to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in LP tu...
Lexical organization and Welsh consonant mutations

Abstract The role of phonological form in the lexical organization of morphologically related words is investigated using consonant mutations in Welsh. Consonant mutations are a regular form of nonaffixal morphology, in which the initial consonant of a word changes depending on its syntactic context; for instance, the word pont “bridge” may appear as bont or font. In English, it has been shown that affixal variants, such as POUR-POURED, prime each other strongly, while nonaffixal variants, such as HUNG-HANG, show weak or nonexistent priming ( S. T. Kempley & J. Morton (1982) British Journal of Psychology, 73, 441–454; R. F. Stanners, J. J. Neiser, W. P. Hernon, & R. Hall (1979) Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 18, 399–412). Using the task of auditory repetition priming, we show that mutation is similar to affixing in English in that mutated variants prime each other. We further show that abstract morphological categories, rather than identity of phonological form, are required to organize the Welsh lexicon, thus suggesting that current phonologically based lexical models need to be revised. An alternative model utilizing an underspecified autosegmental representation is proposed.
A New Theory for Fourier Analysis. Part IV. Basic Multiplication and Convolution on the Dual Space

Abstract Basic general definitions for the multiplication and convolution of elements in the dual to the space of "exponentially decreasing" analytic test functions are developed and analyzed with regard to continuity and the Fourier-Laplace transform.